A Lot Has Happened...

Many things have happened this past week. On Tuesday morning at about 4:30am I received a call from my mom telling me that my sister-in-law, Ashlei, was coding and not stable. I woke Kev up, and we jumped out of bed to get ready to drive to MD Anderson in Houston where Ashlei has been in the hospital since February. We packed Claire up and drove her to her Awna D and Geazer's house because she wouldn't be able to go to ICU where Ashlei was suppose to be. She wouldn't even be allowed on that floor.

I kept praying that Ashlei would at least hang in there until Heber, my brother, could make it back to Houston from Oklahoma. My dad, brother, and nephew (Jace) drove up so that Heber could get some things from their house and to sign the transfer papers that would allow him to move to Houston to be closer to Ash.

After dropping Claire off we headed out on I-10 towards Houston. About 20 minutes into the trip I got a phone call from my mom that Ashlei had passed away at 4:57am after the doctor's tried to get her stabilized for 1 1/2 hours. It was such devastating news. She had been battling cancer for 2 1/2 years, and through all the trials that she faced I always thought she would make it. Heavenly Father knows best though. She put up such a good fight. I miss her like crazy, but I am so proud of her for the courage that she showed continually.

She is such a special person. We went to school and worked together. It was so great when one of my best friends became family.

I was blessed to have the opportunity to help dress Ashlei, to do her one last service. She was so beautiful and looked at peace. She had a beautiful funeral on Sunday and was buried at the Town Bluff Cemetary.

I was doing better on Monday until Claire asked to see pictures of Uncle Brew, Aunt Ash, and Jace. While looking at pictures on Heber's facebook Claire and I were talking, then all of the sudden Claire said, "Mommy, shhh. Aunt Ashlei is sleeping with Heavenly Father and Jesus. Aunt Ashlei loves Jesus so much!" When I heard that I couldn't help but to break down in tears. I am so thankful to have Claire in my life at this time. She is so young yet understands so much. She continues to teach me everyday!

I am SO thankful for the knowledge that I have of the plan of salvation! I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all my life, but have never given much thought about what an amazing comfort it is in my life until now. I am thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for atoning for my sins. I am thankful for forever families, that I can be together with my wonderful husband, Kevin, throughout eternity!

Today Kev, Claire, and I are in Deer Park. Kevin had to come to do some training for work. Given the recent events I wanted to be as close to him as possible. So I decided to pack Claire and I up so that we could go with him. I am thankful to have such a great boss. I watch a baby while her mom teaches at the elementary school in Vidor. They have been so understanding throughout this entire time. I was able to take last week off to spend with family, and now I was able to call at the last minute to tell them that I would be coming to Houston. They are such a blessing and sweet people. I couldn't ask for better!

Kevin had to be in Deer Park at the Flowserve building at 8am, and Claire and I couldn't check in until 2pm so I decided to make the drive through Houston, by myself, to the zoo. We were able to spend 2 hours there enjoying the animals and especially each other's company! The Houston Zoo is so cool. They have a whole section of the zoo called the Children's Zoo. There they have a petting zoo, play grounds, a carousel, and so much more. We had such a blast. I will post pictures as soon as I download my picture software on my new laptop! Yeah, I got an awesome new laptop since mine crashed a couple weeks ago. It was a sad day! What kind of a Fruge would I be if I didn't own a laptop. When you walk in Kev's parent's house everybody is sitting on the couch on their laptop. It's pretty funny! Anyway, so Claire and I are all checked in and chilling out together!







On Monday I had a doctor's appointment with my OB/GYN. I have gained some weight, but I'm still not up to what I was before I got pregnant. So I am not tripping out yet. :) The baby's heartrate was 145 b/m. Everything looks good! We were able to schedule the ultrasound also. I am so excited. It's going to be on Wednesday, April 29. I will post then!