Farewell....

Adelaide's funeral was held in SLC, which meant I was unable to attend.  However, we had our own event here in Tucson.  Nurses, Doctors, and loved ones met at UMC to release balloons as our way of saying goodbye to Adelaide.  It was the same time as the funeral in SLC, so it felt like we were there supporting the Otte's.

Honestly, I have cried more than I would like to admit this past week, and today brought more tears.  Tears that I couldn't do more, tears that Adelaide returned to her Heavenly Father so early, tears that so many lives were touched by her sweet spirit, tears for her parents, and tears of loss. 

Tears.

I am so impressed at the outpouring of love I have seen.  The world truly is a beautiful place full of people wanting to help, cure, and love.  I feel so blessed. 

We LOVE you Addie. 

 God be with you till we meet again!

Adeladie Ann Otte

Heavenly Father welcomed home brave little 

Adelaide Ann Otte

2/27/2011- 4/24/2011

Visiting her in the hospital on Friday brought so much joy.  I could tell she was a strong, brave, amazing soul.  Her parents are beyond amazing, through each trial they have been a source of strength and Christlike example.  I am continually amazed at Jessica (her mother) who is wise, calm, a momma bear, loving, selfless, and beautiful.  Her dedication to her sweet Addie fills my heart.  And Preston (her dad), full of optimistic hope, belief, and knowledge that Addie is happy and well in the arms of her Savior.  

I am ever grateful for the knowledge of the gospel.

Those of us who knew and loved her have hearts that ache, yet we know she is happy, at peace, and out of pain.   I am grateful for the tender mercies I have seen throughout Addies life. We love you Addie.

Here is a sweet video of her at the hospital getting her first bath.

Spring Break 2011

So, Spring Break was a couple weeks ago...Big Deal.  I am a little behind.  

Monday morning of Spring Break we made a list of all the things we wanted to do that week.  

Here's the list:

Swimming

Hiking

Mani/Pedi

Dinner Out

Picnic

Movie

Bowling

Arcade

We did all the things except swimming, because well...it was cold that week.  Like in the 70's. That is way too cold to take a dip.

Our biggest adventure?  Hiking for sure.  

Who's idea was it?  

Mine!

The hike was 6 miles round trip...to Romero Pools.  That sounds fun, right, hiking to some water you can swim in!   The kids thought  it sounded like work.  They were right.

This was the terrain for most of the hike.  Moderately steep, a pretty great workout, and a great opportunity for some people to whine!

This is who I was carrying the whole time.  Yep, we went on the hike with just me and all the kiddos.  This kid is heavy...I can attest to that.  After 3 miles hiking, my shoulders hurt, and I was feeling like I was a little insane. 

 I can't tell you how many people stopped to ask us if we were alone, and how crazy we were, and that it got really steep up ahead....maybe we should turn around.

Hello, don't PSYCH me out.

Finally we made it to Romero Pools.   I didn't get to hike all the way in to this spot because it was way too steep for a mama with a kid on her back.  But, I got some good pictures of the kids playing in the pools.  They thought it was really cold.

While we were there, some crazy teenage boys were there cliff jumping.  I sure hope Mitchell didn't think they were cool, I just thought they were crazy.

Cute boy, look at that sweet baby enjoying a little water in the desert.  It was a great trip, really hard, a challenge for all of us, and something we will always remember.