The trio had their last day of School on May 26th. They are officially 8th graders Now!
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Stacey
I never dreamed that I'd be writing about the loss of another sister so soon after loosing Amanda, but here I am.
The last time we saw Stacey, was at Amanda's Funeral. She was healthy, and vibrant. She was there with her husband Nathaniel, and her children. She didn't know Amanda very well, but she went to the funeral to show love and support for our family.
Shortly after returning to Albuquerque, Stacy started experiencing some health issues. She had no energy, shortness of breath, sometimes her heart would race, and sometimes it would miss a beat.
She went to a specialist who told her that she had a heart murmer, probably caused by a virus and that she needed to "take it easy" and get lots of rest to allow her heart to recover and heal. None of us got the impression that that the problem was life threatening. After all, Stacey was still so young and otherwise seemed to be in good health.
Nathaniel had an out of town work trip scheduled, and after praying and giving Stacey a blessing, he felt like it would be okay for him to go on the trip. Arrangements were made for Adam's mom to go and help Stacey while Nathaniel was away. Stacey rested while Deanna took care of things, but even the smallest effort was causing Stacey to get very weak. Mom Gurr let Adam's dad know that Stacey was really not doing well, so he drove to Albuquerque to be with her and help in anyway he could. Five minutes after he had arrived, Stacy collapsed. After dialing 911 and telling Deanna to take Stacey's children into another room, Malan held her and then watched helplessly as the medics (who had arrived within a few minutes) tried everything they could to revive her. They were unsuccessful.
At around 8:30pm on Saturday May 12th Adam received a call from his sister Heather, telling him that Stacey passed away and our hearts were broken, all over again.
Adam and his siblings drove to Albuquerque early the following morning. They spent the day morning together and with their parents and Sacey's husband and children. They clung to eachother and comforted eachother the way only siblings and parents can.
Stacey loved serving others, she was always smiling, and excited about life. She loved her husband, children, parents and siblings. She will be missed by so many of us.
Her funeral was in Albuquerque the following Saturday and then there was a memorial service for her in Mesa the next weekend.
We know we will see Stacey again. We also know we will miss her so, so much. We pray for Nathaniel, Evelynn, Grace, Mary and Grant. We love them all so much and hope that the comforting power of the Holy Ghost gives them peace.
The last time we saw Stacey, was at Amanda's Funeral. She was healthy, and vibrant. She was there with her husband Nathaniel, and her children. She didn't know Amanda very well, but she went to the funeral to show love and support for our family.
Shortly after returning to Albuquerque, Stacy started experiencing some health issues. She had no energy, shortness of breath, sometimes her heart would race, and sometimes it would miss a beat.
She went to a specialist who told her that she had a heart murmer, probably caused by a virus and that she needed to "take it easy" and get lots of rest to allow her heart to recover and heal. None of us got the impression that that the problem was life threatening. After all, Stacey was still so young and otherwise seemed to be in good health.
Nathaniel had an out of town work trip scheduled, and after praying and giving Stacey a blessing, he felt like it would be okay for him to go on the trip. Arrangements were made for Adam's mom to go and help Stacey while Nathaniel was away. Stacey rested while Deanna took care of things, but even the smallest effort was causing Stacey to get very weak. Mom Gurr let Adam's dad know that Stacey was really not doing well, so he drove to Albuquerque to be with her and help in anyway he could. Five minutes after he had arrived, Stacy collapsed. After dialing 911 and telling Deanna to take Stacey's children into another room, Malan held her and then watched helplessly as the medics (who had arrived within a few minutes) tried everything they could to revive her. They were unsuccessful.
At around 8:30pm on Saturday May 12th Adam received a call from his sister Heather, telling him that Stacey passed away and our hearts were broken, all over again.
Adam and his siblings drove to Albuquerque early the following morning. They spent the day morning together and with their parents and Sacey's husband and children. They clung to eachother and comforted eachother the way only siblings and parents can.
Stacey loved serving others, she was always smiling, and excited about life. She loved her husband, children, parents and siblings. She will be missed by so many of us.
Her funeral was in Albuquerque the following Saturday and then there was a memorial service for her in Mesa the next weekend.
We know we will see Stacey again. We also know we will miss her so, so much. We pray for Nathaniel, Evelynn, Grace, Mary and Grant. We love them all so much and hope that the comforting power of the Holy Ghost gives them peace.
Before the funeral, we took all the cousins that were old enough to the Temple in Albuquerque to do baptisms for the dead. We all felt the spirit so strongly while there. It was a blessing to get to go.
This photo was taken while traveling back to Arizona after after a long, hard day of grief in Albuquerque.
It's a perfect exsample of how with our families, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can find joy even in the darkest of times.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Piano is My Jam
Caleb and Sarah played beautifully at their Piano recital last night. Caleb played Christofori's Dream and Don Juan. Sarah played Fur Elise and Revere.
We are so proud of these two and the dedication they give to become great piano players.
After the Recital their piano teacher Miss E, gave each of the students are t-shirt that says "Piano is my Jam". The kids love the shirts and they love Miss E!
We are so proud of these two and the dedication they give to become great piano players.
After the Recital their piano teacher Miss E, gave each of the students are t-shirt that says "Piano is my Jam". The kids love the shirts and they love Miss E!
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Braces Faces
All three kids got braces on this month! They are a little sore, but excited to have nice straight teeth in a couple of years. You look awesome guys.,
Friday, April 14, 2017
The Mountains are Calling, and I Must Go.
I needed a trip to the mountains today. Lukily, the kids had a day off from school and Adam was happy to oblige. We had to bust thru quite a bit of snow, but we made it to our "Quist Family Camping spot". I took a deep breath of the mountain air, and memories from that special place washed over me. It was good for my soul.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Amanda and AunnaMarie
I write this post, with a broken heart. It is by far, the hardest post I've ever had to write. It is hard to convey the feelings in my heart at this time, but I will try....
My sister Amanda and I weren't super close. We loved each other, very much. We just didn't have much in common. There was a four year age difference between us, and while I was more assertive she was submissive, I was decisive, she was more of a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. I liked things kept to a minimum, and she was more sentimental and kept EVERYTHING. The list of our differences could go on and on, and with all of our differences, it was hard to stay close. But as I said, we loved eachother, and durring these last dew years, I feel like we were the closest we've ever been. We did have one thing in common. We both struggled with infertility.
Amanda was married for eight years before she was finally able to have a pregnancy that lasted for more than a couple of months.
Her latest pregnancy was hard. Early on, she had a tear in her uterus and she was on bed rest for quite some time. During the past few months though, the pregnancy was going great for Amanda, and she and Nathan were joyfully anticipating the arrival of their first child, a little girl.
The last time I saw Amanda, was about a month and a half ago, at her baby shower. She was radiant, and happier than I had ever seen her. Her greatest hope was about to become a reality. She would finally become a mother. I remember being so incredibly happy for her.
My sister Amanda and I weren't super close. We loved each other, very much. We just didn't have much in common. There was a four year age difference between us, and while I was more assertive she was submissive, I was decisive, she was more of a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. I liked things kept to a minimum, and she was more sentimental and kept EVERYTHING. The list of our differences could go on and on, and with all of our differences, it was hard to stay close. But as I said, we loved eachother, and durring these last dew years, I feel like we were the closest we've ever been. We did have one thing in common. We both struggled with infertility.
Amanda was married for eight years before she was finally able to have a pregnancy that lasted for more than a couple of months.
Her latest pregnancy was hard. Early on, she had a tear in her uterus and she was on bed rest for quite some time. During the past few months though, the pregnancy was going great for Amanda, and she and Nathan were joyfully anticipating the arrival of their first child, a little girl.
The last time I saw Amanda, was about a month and a half ago, at her baby shower. She was radiant, and happier than I had ever seen her. Her greatest hope was about to become a reality. She would finally become a mother. I remember being so incredibly happy for her.
Two weeks ago, on Saturday April first, at around 7:00 pm, I got a phone call from my sister Lydia. She sounded upset. She said she got a call from my mom saying that while Amanda was at my mom's house that evening she had a seizure, and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.
As soon as Adam and Caleb got home from the priesthood session of General conference, we decided to go to the valley to be with my family. My head was telling me that Amanda would be fine because she was in the care of medical professionals, but my heart was telling me something different, and I was scared. We prayed so many times that night. As we were driving down, My brother Ben who was at the hospital with the rest of the family, was keeping us posted on what was going on. He texted that Amanda's baby was taken by C- section, and was not doing well, (We later learned that her placenta had ruptured, and that the baby could have been without oxygen for up to 20 minutes.) She was being flown to another hospital. Then, a little later came the text I was dreading.
It simply said "Amanda's gone".
I began crying uncontrollably. Adam pulled the car over and held me and we sobbed together. Then the kids began to cry and we all held eachother as best we could within the confines of our vehicle. It was the darkest moment in my life, yet within that moment I felt love. I felt the love of my husband and children and the love of my Heavenly Father. In that car, on the side of the road on that dark night, I knew where Amanda was. I knew the plan of Salvation was true, and real, I knew that I would see my sister again. But I also knew that I would miss her, and that my life...that I, would never be the same.
It was well past 10:00 by the time we reached the valley. We went straight to the hospital where Amanda's baby, AunnaMarie was. My parents were there, so were Lydia and Ben. We hugged and cried, and waited for word on Aunna. Amanda's husband Nathan was there in a room with Aunna. He wanted,... needed to be alone with her and we understood.
We left the Hospital at around midnight and went to Adam's sister's house for the night. I nodded off at around 3:00 then woke up again a few hours later. The morning brought fresh tears, and I just wanted to be with my family. We went to my mom's house. Everyone was there, except for Ben who never left the hospital. While there, Adam and my brothers gave me a priesthood blessing of comfort and the comforting power of the Holy Ghost washed over me along with a peace "that pàsseth all understanding".
We all spent the entire day together. We watched general conference, we reminisced, we cried, we laughed, and cried some more. A steady stream of friends and family came. Meals were provided, Tissues, water bottles, and hugs were never in short supply. I learned the true meaning of "Morning with those that morn." And "Bearing one another's burdens" that day.
Adam the the Kids drove home late Sunday night. I stayed with my parents and siblings in the Valley.
The next few days were a blur of ģrief, family time and prayers for baby Aunna. Aunna was stable, but she was being kept cool so her brain and bodily functions could slow down and hopefully her brain would heal. I was able to visit her in the hospital on Sunday and Tuesday. On Tuesday night, they began gradually bringing her body temperature back up. On Wednesday afternoon they did a CAT scan on her brain. The results of the scan were devastating. Little AunnaMarie's brain was so badly damaged from being without oxygen for so long, that she was having constant seizures and she wouldn't be able to live without being connected to machines. Her dad made the very hard decision to take her off of the machines, and let Go. We know that after Aunna's four short days here on earth, Amanda was ready for her turn to get to hold her precious baby. A couple of hours after being removed from the machines. In the late hours of the night on Wednesday April 5th, surrounded by her grandparents, and a few aunt and uncles, AunnaMarie Irene Dobbins passed peacefully from her father's arms into her mother's.
When I heard that AunnaMarie died, I felt like I knew all along that she was meant to be with Amanda. We just needed a little time with her to know and love her. Her life was a gift to our family.
Amanda and Aunna were laid to rest on Saturday April 8th.
The funeral was beautiful, and so many people came. It made me realize how many people loved Amanda and Aunna and were blessed by their lives.
My brother-in-law bore his testimony at the funeral. I felt a powerful and profound peace as he spoke of families being eternal. I know, as he does, that through our Savior Jesus Christ, and because of His Atonement and His restored Gospel here on the earth, that I will be reunited with Amanda and Aunna. Until that wonderful day comes, I will do my best to follow Amanda's example and love others more unconditionally and be more kind and supportive.
I love you Amanda and Aunna.
'Til we meet again.
As soon as Adam and Caleb got home from the priesthood session of General conference, we decided to go to the valley to be with my family. My head was telling me that Amanda would be fine because she was in the care of medical professionals, but my heart was telling me something different, and I was scared. We prayed so many times that night. As we were driving down, My brother Ben who was at the hospital with the rest of the family, was keeping us posted on what was going on. He texted that Amanda's baby was taken by C- section, and was not doing well, (We later learned that her placenta had ruptured, and that the baby could have been without oxygen for up to 20 minutes.) She was being flown to another hospital. Then, a little later came the text I was dreading.
It simply said "Amanda's gone".
I began crying uncontrollably. Adam pulled the car over and held me and we sobbed together. Then the kids began to cry and we all held eachother as best we could within the confines of our vehicle. It was the darkest moment in my life, yet within that moment I felt love. I felt the love of my husband and children and the love of my Heavenly Father. In that car, on the side of the road on that dark night, I knew where Amanda was. I knew the plan of Salvation was true, and real, I knew that I would see my sister again. But I also knew that I would miss her, and that my life...that I, would never be the same.
It was well past 10:00 by the time we reached the valley. We went straight to the hospital where Amanda's baby, AunnaMarie was. My parents were there, so were Lydia and Ben. We hugged and cried, and waited for word on Aunna. Amanda's husband Nathan was there in a room with Aunna. He wanted,... needed to be alone with her and we understood.
We left the Hospital at around midnight and went to Adam's sister's house for the night. I nodded off at around 3:00 then woke up again a few hours later. The morning brought fresh tears, and I just wanted to be with my family. We went to my mom's house. Everyone was there, except for Ben who never left the hospital. While there, Adam and my brothers gave me a priesthood blessing of comfort and the comforting power of the Holy Ghost washed over me along with a peace "that pàsseth all understanding".
We all spent the entire day together. We watched general conference, we reminisced, we cried, we laughed, and cried some more. A steady stream of friends and family came. Meals were provided, Tissues, water bottles, and hugs were never in short supply. I learned the true meaning of "Morning with those that morn." And "Bearing one another's burdens" that day.
Adam the the Kids drove home late Sunday night. I stayed with my parents and siblings in the Valley.
The next few days were a blur of ģrief, family time and prayers for baby Aunna. Aunna was stable, but she was being kept cool so her brain and bodily functions could slow down and hopefully her brain would heal. I was able to visit her in the hospital on Sunday and Tuesday. On Tuesday night, they began gradually bringing her body temperature back up. On Wednesday afternoon they did a CAT scan on her brain. The results of the scan were devastating. Little AunnaMarie's brain was so badly damaged from being without oxygen for so long, that she was having constant seizures and she wouldn't be able to live without being connected to machines. Her dad made the very hard decision to take her off of the machines, and let Go. We know that after Aunna's four short days here on earth, Amanda was ready for her turn to get to hold her precious baby. A couple of hours after being removed from the machines. In the late hours of the night on Wednesday April 5th, surrounded by her grandparents, and a few aunt and uncles, AunnaMarie Irene Dobbins passed peacefully from her father's arms into her mother's.
When I heard that AunnaMarie died, I felt like I knew all along that she was meant to be with Amanda. We just needed a little time with her to know and love her. Her life was a gift to our family.
Amanda and Aunna were laid to rest on Saturday April 8th.
The funeral was beautiful, and so many people came. It made me realize how many people loved Amanda and Aunna and were blessed by their lives.
My brother-in-law bore his testimony at the funeral. I felt a powerful and profound peace as he spoke of families being eternal. I know, as he does, that through our Savior Jesus Christ, and because of His Atonement and His restored Gospel here on the earth, that I will be reunited with Amanda and Aunna. Until that wonderful day comes, I will do my best to follow Amanda's example and love others more unconditionally and be more kind and supportive.
I love you Amanda and Aunna.
'Til we meet again.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Spring break in Colorado
This year, we all went to the Junction Creek Cabin for spring break. Grandma and grandpa Gurr were there, Ty and Richard were there with their families and Travis came and brought a few of his kids. Everyone had a great time and we stayed safe, so the trip was a success!
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