July

July started out as a wonderful month! L came back from her trip to the DR. The Fourth of July was awesome we hosted again and had a lot of people come with a lot of fun food. I’m not gonna lie it was a lot of work but I need to work on being grateful to have a place to have all my family come and just enjoy it more, I had to get a picture of my dad’s hair before he got too far into his chemo treatments. I’ve never seen a man at his age have such a full black head of hair. it’s incredible really. My birthday was so fun. I got spoiled like usual. I got the whole family to go on a hike with me. We hiked up to battle Creek Falls. It was a beautiful hike with the prettiest waterfall at the end. I think everyone actually loved it. After we went shopping at Traverse Mountain and then went out to eat at tsunami. I’m so glad everyone in the family loves sushi. the day after my birthday, I got to go shopping at station park with Kat and Tara. One of my very favorite things to do. I spent a lot of time this month with my dad in the hospital first chemo treatments. Also, I’m grateful for my schedule that allows me to do this with him although it is hard to watch. It just gets him so weak and so tired. Hard to imagine six months of this. The Preston Parade was a success yet and again and we made it down to Kelsch’s and they were so generous and took us out on the boat again. They are truly the best of friends and we are so lucky to have them. 

The last part of July ended up being a bit of a nightmare. I don’t even know where to start. We were all at home. The kids were playing with friends when Toby took a phone call. I could see by the look on his face, it wasn’t a good one. he ended the call with his head in his hands and his head on the counter. Without saying much, he grabbed his keys and said he had to go something had happened to Teren. I hurried and called Tara to come pick up the kids and said I was going with him. We went straight to American Fork Hospital, and met up with Kathy and TJ. The ride down was pretty much silent. All we knew is that Tere. hadn’t woke up and that Kathy and TJ had to give him CPR and call an ambulance. When we got to the hospital, it looked about like how you would imagine. Both Kathy and TJ completely distraught. And Teren was laying on a hospital bed all hooked up and unconscious. I couldn’t believe I was watching this family go through something like this again. It literally took my breath away. I don’t do well in these emergency situation’s and felt like I needed to throw up. We got very little information from the ER doctors but new enough that it wasn’t looking well. They needed to transport him down to Utah Valley and it felt like an eternity before they got an ambulance there to take him Ell and cash both happen to be down at BYU. One for tennis camp and one for EFY. Although we were so close, we didn’t want to tell them what was going on and thought it best that we allow them to enjoy their time until we knew what was going to happen. The next few days are honestly a whirlwind. We were told pretty soon after getting to the hospital that there was a good chance. He went without oxygen for too long. But that they would run tests and of course, let us know when they could. it’s hard to even type this. After a couple of days being there they declared Teren officially deceased. He still had to be in the hospital for a few days on a ventilator because he was a donor. What an incredible experience escorting him down the hallway with all the doctors and nurses standing on the sides during what is called an honor walk as they honor, Teren’s forgiving life to someone else through his death. Watching Kathy completely broke my heart. The whole thing feels so surreal. Telling Elle and cash is something I will always remember. We had to go find them at BYU and we went into a private room to tell them what had happened both just broke down in tears. Elle was especially close to Teren. Typing it out just doesn’t do it justice but wanted it to be documented somewhere. And honestly just have it written down how much we are truly loved Teren. He was such an incredible individual. So much faith. So much love. So innocent. So pure of heart. Such a big presence. And honestly we can’t imagine him not wheeling in the room when we come to Alpine.

I will never forget his funeral. I could not have been more proud of those three boys, his brothers, speaking about their love for him and sharing his testimony, and theirs of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was honestly incredible. Grateful we have it recorded for posterity. Life will be so different for Kathy and TJ. My heart hurts so deeply for them. Kathy has been so strong but honestly, so broken too. She loves him so deeply she’s given so much of her life to taking care of him, and would do it for the rest of her life if she could. It was honestly incredible. Grateful we have it recorded for posterity. Life will be so different for Kathy and TJ. My heart hurts so deeply for them. Kathy has been so strong but honestly, so broken to. She loves him so deeply she’s given so much of her life to taking care of him, and would do it the rest of her life if she could.  these are the times that it becomes so important for us to have our faith rooted in Jesus Christ. Knowing we will see Teren again is what brings us so much peace.