Loren and Anna Merrill Family: 2012

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

My dearest friends.... My kids will miss their Aunt Nat...

Natalie Lemmon Lundberg

Prior to her passing... she was diagnosed with Liver Cancer 6 weeks before.

I remember hearing the news for the first time. My heart broke. I was running errands and had to stop at McDonalds to let my kids play, so I could sit in the corner and cry on the phone with her. As hard as we tried to be tough.... the tears still came. I was so amazed at her strength. She lived in Utah, so we immediately made plans to get together. Three weeks later, Loren and I were able to make the trip to Sedona to meet with them while they were at a healing/detoxing retreat. While we were there, it was so sad to see her in so much pain, she went to the emergency room and got put on oxygen. We then discovered that this was a very aggressive cancer and it had gone to her lungs. What a memorable short time we had together. I so love her and her dear sweet family. I worry about her husband and children. Only a 3 short weeks later. I got notice of her passing. I was in Sunday school and got a text. I darted out in tears and stood in the hallway, just trying to take it all in. It was too quick. I was supposed to go stay with her for a week in January to help with her home and children. It's so hard sometimes to understand Heavenly Father's greater plan. I am just so thankful that families are forever. And I know I will have the chance to see her again.

It was a beautiful funeral.... She looked perfect and so much at peace. Her sisters and husband gave me some things of hers that meant a lot to me. Her husband hastily packed up Colton's trains and gave them to Harrison, because Natalie didn't want him to have them anymore..... because according to Colton, the kids were making fun of him at school because he played with baby toys. Ted was trying so hard to do what Natalie would have wanted. Emotions are so crazy.... I pray her family will be protected in every way.

It was an emotional trip on the way to Utah to her funeral. I was so grateful to have my little man to cuddle with and wipe away my tears. His favorite toys were the tags on his carseat from the airport.

We got to stop and visit Jon and his biological family(Jesse, Alex and Aliya Zamora).

I was amazed, as always, of how many temples I saw as I traveled along the interstate through Utah....

Just as I was leaving Utah on the Airplane, I got a text from another friend, that another young friend had suddenly passed away... This was such a shock! I just saw her... What does Heavenly Father need with these young mothers up in Heaven? With in a week, I lost two close friends.

I pray for their families....It's sweet to hear my little girls pray for their friends that are with out a mommy.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Holiday Time!!!!

I took all Sunday afternoon and evening to decorate....

They started out in their pretty dresses after church, but by the end they were in their pajamas.

They even decorated their little brother, Harrison. And of course he loved all the attention!!!

While on our quick trip to Utah, we got to go spend some time with Jonny Boy. We went out to a nice lunch at Texas Road house and then went and checked out some colleges together. It was fun spoiling my son and spending the afternoon with him. Of course Harrison loved every minute with his big brother!

Happy 19th Birthday JON!!!