What Matters Most

This past weekend we were able to drive down to St. George to spend the weekend with family. My step-sister Lynn was there visiting from D.C., which is what spurred the visit. My dad, Jan, Grandma J., and Grandma & Grandpa Hansen were all there. I wasn't sure if I would feel well enough to travel, so waited until the last minute to decide to go. I felt great all weekend and feel so blessed that we went.

Here is a picture of my fam with the Hansen grands. My grandpa is 92 and his health is deteriorating very rapidly, so it was a special visit. Rob and my dad gave him a beautiful blessing and then Grandpa shared his testimony with us. He told us he could see the light of Christ in our eyes. When we said goodbye to him the next day, the last thing he said to Erica was that she had special parents that were good people and that she should listen to us. The last thing he told me when he gave me a hug was that I was a brave woman, not afraid of doing hard things. That's high praise coming from one of my heroes.

I'm so grateful that we were able to get down there and see everyone and that my pain was so minimal while we were there. Heavenly Father blessed us with a wonderful weekend focusing on what matters most.

Grandma Jelinski is always a wonderful person to be around. She exemplifies strength, elegance, and Christlike love. Here is a picture of her and Jacob.

It just so happens that Lynn and I have birthdays just 5 days apart -- so we got to have a birthday celebration, complete with our favorite dessert (thank you, Lynn!) -- Cookie Cool Whip Heath Bar goodness (still looking for a "real" name).

My dad loves to take photos. I thought this shot was pretty creative of Rob - my dad is smiling at least as big as we are!

 The birthday girls! How fun is it to kick back and get celebrated once in awhile? :)

Apparently, according to my cousin Owen and my dad, Iceberg Drive-In has the best milkshakes in all of St. George. And yes, they tried them all over the course of a weekend. So we hit Iceburg and ordered MINI shakes -- do you see the size of those things?!!!

 Rob liked Robby's root-beer shake the best. =)

Just for fun, I'm including the yarn-ring that Jacob made me on the roadtrip down.

Just for posterity, I'm including a picture of me at 26 weeks that my sister talked me into taking.