Goodbye, Buddy.

While we were driving Lex to Rexburg, about 30 minutes out, Shilo got a text from Michaela, who was pet sitting for us while we were away.

She thought Buddy might be dying. He was sitting on the floor of the cage. He was obviously not well.

Within the course of about 15 minutes or so, in spite of Michaela's efforts to comfort and help, Buddy was gone. Worried that perhaps he may still have a little birdie heartbeat, I, via Shilo's texting, told Michaela to wrap him in a washcloth and leave him on the counter (vs. putting him in the garage, just in case there was any possibility he was still alive - the cold garage would kill him for sure). I told her that she could check at the end of the day, and if yes, he was definitely dead, to place him in the garage.

I could tell that Shilo was affected by the sudden turn of events, and I was also sad that Michaela had to deal with a deceased bird. I was surprised at the emotion we all felt as we talked about Buddy, and about how we would have to break the news to Mauri, who had stayed home with Grandma to give us room for all of Lexee's stuff.  It put a damper on our high spirits, but as we arrived to Lex's apartment, our minds were busied with other events of the day.

The ride back to Salt Lake was difficult. Bill was shedding tears for Lex, Shilo and I were shedding tears for Buddy. I was reminded how Mauri wanted to give the birds a final goodbye before we headed off on our long, 10-day adventure.

"They'll be here when you get back," I said.

Buddy wasn't.  I'm sure I was covering my emotions about Lex being so far from home with the sadness of Buddy's sudden passing.  Truth is, we don't know if those we love will be there "when we get back" or not.  That sentiment was too hard to think about, so I cried about Buddy, and about how devastated Mauri would be when she heard the news.

Mar was heartbroken when we told her late that night. We all cried. We talked about Heavenly Father's plan. Grandma and Grandpa were there to help soothe and comfort.

I appreciate that Buddy was a beautiful little parakeet. One of God's creations. But I didn't {love} Buddy. Honestly, I'd been looking for good reasons to find the birds a new home. As a non-pet-lover, I've been inundated with more pets than I ever imagined allowing over the past few years.

Buddy's passing was an outlet for other emotions.  The emotions that are finally catching up with Bill's. The visible change in our family. More kids away from home than at home. The emptying nest. 


Here's a {loving} tribute to Buddy (and a more loving tribute to my sweet girl that loved him so much):

Mauri made him a special grave marker.

We found the PERFECT box, and Mar made it beautiful. We all wrote a note to Buddy on the sides.

Billy-my-hero had a few scriptures ready for the funeral, then we sang You Are My Sunshine, a song Mauri would sing to Buddy and Tweety each night before drifting off to sleep.

Goodbye, Buddy.

Guys with guns.

On New Years Day, Bill, Austin, Taylor, and Uncle Matt (Barron - we have two Uncle Matts) braved the freeeeezing temps to do some target practice.  The girls and I hung out at Britt's, cozy on the sofa, watching a flick, munching, chatting, and sorting through her college leftovers. Nice and warm.

Here is the shoot-out pictorial (with limited commentary):

 The target.

Guys with guns.

I think Bill is being silly. I can't be positive, though.

 Frozen tough guys with guns.

New Years Eve.

Hannah and Mauri saw some sledding action, thanks to Grandpa, Stan, and Billy-my-hero.

(Note: Bill made a couple of "saves" as the tubers were heading for a nearby building. We joked about how he sacrificed himself, throwing his body between the oncoming speeding tube and the wall.  We later got word that a friend of Mauri's - Bill works with her mom - was in a sledding accident that had landed her in the hospital. She lost a kidney and damaged her spleen. No joking matter.)

We had a plethora of choices for food to satiate our hunger all evening long: 

pizza + all the Costco goodies we could find.

{Shrimp, taquitos, mozzarella sticks}...with a few veggies thrown in for good measure.

Of course there was an Aggravation Tournament.  Taylor and Nate were the big winners. 

Until the big losers, Jill and Stan served them up some humble pie.

Those still in the mood for some gaming (anything but Aggro) played a little you know... UNO.

(Britt and Austin, do U-No something no one else does? You look suspicious.)

We had plenty of the bubbly. Martinelli's style.

A toast to a great 2013. Since I'm not so sure toasting something makes it so, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and knocking on wood (and praying my heart out - my very best bet) any chance I get.

Did someone spike the cider? These guys all look really, really happy.

 Rach, Lex, and Shi.

Sam, Lex, and Nate.

(We hadn't seen Sam since he returned from his mission to Denmark, and Nate will be getting his mission call this week. So exciting!!)

Happy New Year!

(I'm not late, am I?)

Utah.

We stayed with Bill's parents while we were in Utah. They were so kind to let us invade: take over their basement... their kitchen... their laundry room...  You would think that with only three old-ish kids left to haul around with us, things would be more quiet. Settled. Peaceful. {NOPE.}

After some discussion, Bill and I decided that it was because we weren't there for a "vacation." In fact, we seldom take "vacations." We travel with a purpose most times, and this was no exception. Bill planned to work a few days, and I was busy trying to get Lex prepared and packed for school.

Because we don't have a lot of extra space in our Pacifica (which we find ourselves often spontaneously referring to as the "minivan" - I thought I would NEVER again in my life drive anything so closely related), our plan was to pick up Britt's collection of college leftovers (which she so kindly held on to per her mother's request), and purchase as much as we could in the bounteous Salt Lake area, knowing the area of Rexburg has far fewer options. Bill's parents were just as busy (yes, Grandparents can have busy lives, too... oh no!).

We did manage a little family time, though.

Christmas gifts were exchanged:

 (Btw, Mom and Dad, WE love that sharpener... our knives have literally never been better.  LOVE that!)

The girls were thrilled to have an extended Christmas.

(Lex has mentioned several times how much she loves this blanket -

it helps her manage those -14 degree days.)

Grandma had several bracelet kits that the girls had fun making.

We colored Lex's hair, shopped for her necessities, sorted, washed, and packed. Fun, right?

We got to spend a little time with our cousin, Marlee, which livened things up for Mar, and while we were taking Lex to ID, Mauri also got to hang out with a few other Syddall cousins.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting us come!