9-06-07

Dear Brad:

My heart is so full right now. Today has been the best day. My grandfather's funeral was this morning, I sang in the funeral, we buried my grandpa next to my grandma in LA, had a luncheon back at the church, went to Pedro's for dinner, and had banana splits and played games. Everything went really well with the funeral. There was a viewing at 9 am and my grandpa looked so peaceful then we had a family meeting from 9:30 to 10 am and had a family prayer, and anyone who wanted to shared their feelings about grandpa. I talked about my final experience with grandpa the weekend before he passed. I went over to 401 to make grandpa dinner. Because I wasn't very hungry I just sat with him while he ate. I had just gotten a letter from you that day so I was talking to him about some experiences that you were having and it got my grandpa talking about his army days. Actually, yesterday I found out that he was in the National Guard, cool huh? Anyway, that evening when my grandpa and I were talking about all of that and sharing experiences my grandpa was just really back to his old self and laughing and joking and it was such a refreshing experience. I will always treasure that experience and all of the others. I feel so lucky since most of the other grandkids didn't get to spend as much time with him as I did. Since my grandpa was in the military he had a flag and an eagle on the inside of his casket (on the roof of the lid) and after we closed the casket a flag was draped over his casket. The program for his funeral was really nice. I included a program for you. I think the picture on the cover of Christ is really beautiful. Also, you'll notice my name inside because I sang Battle Hymn of the Republic. I was a little nervous, but mostly just worried that I wasn't going to be able to sing it without crying. In the middle of the song I started to lose it and my voice began to waver. I closed my eyes and kept singing and I got my second wind and was able to finish out the song strong. I felt really good about it and I just kept thinking, “this is the song my grandpa picked and he's really happy I'm singing it. It was such a privilege to do that for him, it was also cool that I was picked to sing it because as far as I know I'm the only grandkid involved in the military. I hadn't really let myself cry very much because I was trying to stay composed for the song. Once I was done singing and had sat back down I lost it. I was crying so hard I was shaking, it felt really good. It also only lasted a few minutes, but I kind of scared Jane and she started crying too. Anyway, after the service we went up to Rose Hills where my grandma is buried and had the grave side service. He had a military burial with soldiers folding up the flag and marching and one playing “Taps” on the trumpet. It was really beautiful. My dad dedicated the grave and it was nice. Then we went back to the church and had a lunch that the relief society made for the family. Just the typical funeral potatoes and ham, but it was very good. That evening we had a family meeting (just my parents and my sibs) and my dad let us know that now that grandpa is gone, what is going to happen in the near future is none of the real estate is going to be sold right now, 401 is going to be “time shared” to each sibling (my dad and his sibs) for 8 weeks of the year, and some cash was liquidated and given to each sib. So my dad decided to share his portion of the money with his kids and gave us all $5000. Can you believe it? So I'm going to use that money to reinvest our $5000 with my dad if that's ok with you. Pretty cool huh? Anyway, this evening we've just been hanging out with all of the cousins, eating banana splits, Pedros tacos, and playing games. Amazingly enough, every cousin came to the funeral except Beth who obviously couldn't come because she is in the Baltics. Like I said, it's been an amazing day.

As you might have guessed, the lyrics for today are from Battle Hymn of the Republic:

“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet; Our God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free; While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! While God is marching on.”

How's everything going? I hope very well. Did you have a good birthday? Did you like your birthday package? Guess what? Big news from London! We got free flights from Jet Blue because of the letter Dad and I wrote. We didn't get specific free flights, but we have two $180 vouchers now, one in your name and one in mine. So we get to go on a trip for free, cool huh? That makes that whole JFK experience a little more worth it. Your parents had a flood right before I got there. The bathroom just off of the kitchen started running right after your parents went out for the night (to a Brian Reegan performance) so water got all in the living room where the piano is and ran down the stairs into the basement. They had to rip up the carpet and replace the carpet pad in the living room, but the carpet was ok. Also, there wasn't much damage in the basement, which was good. By the time I left on Wednesday things were starting to get back to normal. I think they were pretty lucky, it could have been a lot worse.

Jane knows how to say “Shhh” now. When you ask her if someone is sleeping, like if Maren is sleeping, Jane puts her finger up to her lips and says “sssss”. It is so cute! Jane also is hitting the phase where she likes to play dress up. Whenever I had her her clothes before she gets dressed she tries to put them on herself. Also, she leaves things on like hats, sunglasses, necklaces and other jewelry. I got some cute pictures of her the other day so I will get them printed and send them to you soon. Maren has a major bald spot on the back of her head, it's pretty funny looking.

It's good to be back in California, but I had such a great time with your family. They are the best! I missed you a lot more in Utah than I do when I'm in California, because I feel like your presence is everywhere. Also, when I went to our house I just couldn't wait until we would be living there together again with our girls. Guess what? Yesterday I was able to wear those brown long shorts that I bought at Old Navy when we were in Newport Beach with your family in April. They fit now, cool huh? I'm feeling so good. I didn't do as well as I have been doing when I was in Utah with your family because they have a lot of really yummy junk food around like soda and donuts, but I did ok and I did my laps. Now that I'm home I'm eating healthy again and doing my yoga and walking again. I'm really starting to enjoy exercising again, because it's not so hard now that I'm in better shape. I got up with Maren at 5 am this morning and didn't go back to sleep because Erika woke up too since it was 3 hours ahead for her. So we went for a rockin' walk and we were singing all of these awesome songs like “turn around...every now and then I get a little bit scared that you're never comin' round...turn around...” and “I Need a Hero” and “Jumpin!” It was really fun! I think about October a lot, I can't wait to see you! I love you so much, you and your luggage!

Love-Jess

P.S. Jen and Todd are getting an ultrasound on the 17^th to find out if they are having twins or not, I'll let you know...