Family

The rest of our trip was filled with spending time with family.  We had a great time and were even able to go to Jed's homecoming which we weren't sure if we were going to make it too.  It was good to see him and crazy that he has been gone for 2 years!  Grateful for such great family and glad that we are able to be home when it's most important!

Grandpa Branch

After being away from Utah for only a short time we weren't planning a trip back until september when we were going to go to Lake Powell.  Unexpectedly I got a phone call from my mom saying that my Grandpa Branch wasn't doing well and that she didn't think he would make it much longer.

I love my Grandpa Branch!  He has always had a special place in my heart.  I remember as a little girl going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and always being so excited to see Grandpa.  He was such a sweet, kind and gentle man and always was my favorite.  After my Grandma passed away he had a really hard time.  I could tell and he made it known that he missed her more than anything and that his greatest desire was to be rejoined with her.  The last few years he made me laugh a little every time I said anything about looking forward to seeing him the next time I was in town, he would say things like "oh, I hope I'm not around next time your in town".  haha, he really made me smile even when he was a little bit gruff and negative.  I love that man!  

When my mom told me he would probably be passing away soon I really had a hard time with it.  For some reason every time I would think about him I would start to cry.  Numerous times driving my kids around to all their activities I found myself thinking about him and the fact that I may not see him again and it was really hard for me. 

Toby couldn't take any more time off to go to Utah again so I knew that the only way I would be able to say goodbye to my Grandpa is if I loaded the kids in the car and made the drive by myself.  I knew I had to go but I was still not happy with the idea of taking all three kids on a 11 hr car drive.  Presly, the last few drives to and from Utah hasn't been quite the bowl full of cherries.  She has had a hard time so I was nervous that I would have to deal with her screaming most of the way.  Even with all of that I still knew I had to go.  So I packed the car and headed out.  I made it to Utah in 10 hrs with only 2 stops.  The girls were perfect!!!!  It was an awesome trip and I was so grateful that it went so well.  I decided to stay the night with andrew and denae in utah county and head up to Logan the next day.  

The next morning I spoke to my mom and she was afraid I wouldn't make it still to say goodbye before he died.  I knew I would be a mess if I could't say goodbye so I hurried as fast as I could up to Logan.  

When I got to my Grandpa's house I went inside with the girls and the mood was very solemn and quiet.  I went in the room were my Grandpa was and was overwhelmed with a feeling like I knew I was where I was suppose to be.  My girls came in and stood there while Brooklyn sang a few songs for Grandpa. (Nikell was being a little shy).  After that the girls went out of the room and I was alone with my Grandpa.  I told him that I loved him and I was overwhelmed with emotion.  My dad came in and shared a moment with me that I will remember always.  I told him he better stick around for a long, long time!!   

About 10mn later the nurse who was caring for Grandpa came in to clean him up and change his bandages.  After she was done, she brought in my dad and told him that my grandpa stopped breathing for a few seconds and that she didn't think he would last much longer.  So I took my dad in and took a few pictures of my dad and his dad and also of my uncle Nolan.  It was so wonderful to be there for that and to take pictures of a wonderful Father in his last few hrs with two of his sons.  It was very emotional and I am so glad to have caught some beautiful images of this moment.  

After I said my goodbyes and left, my mom told me that I was the last person that was planning on coming to say goodbye to Grandpa.  We both agreed that Grandpa waited for me to come.:)  That may not be the case but I can't tell you how grateful I was that he did wait for me to come say goodbye, kiss his head tell him I love him and give his hand a few squeezes.   He passed away the next day.