The Funeral

{picture credit: Jen Fallan}

All of her grandsons-the Pallbearers--what a beautiful moment

A day of mourning. A day of rejoicing. A day of reuniting. A day with family. A day of memories. A day to laugh. A day to cry. A day of beautiful music. A day of talents displayed. A day to hug. A day to embrace. A day to watch. A day to serve. A day for a final farewell. A day to celebrate her life. Today, June 18th, we spent a day with Grandma Ballantyne. Our last day on earth with Grandma "B". A strong legacy left behind.

Cousins-same age group

Childhood Best Friend Selina and her son Julian came to support our family. We love them.

 My Mom, her Dad, and siblings.

Seeing Grandma in the open casket was unreal. It didn't even look like her. Not my Glo Ball. It was a great reminder for me though that our body is just our vessel to get through this life. When our Spirit leaves our body, our body is just a body, a beautiful creation and gift from God, but no more without our Spirit. The service was peaceful. Very beautiful and uplifting. We remembered her for who she was and her favorite phrase, "Oh Dear".

Aloha Oe'--Until We Meet Again

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali
Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua `âhihi lehua o uka
Hui:
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a`e nei i
Ku`u manawa
O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia`ia nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo

You are very loved Grandma "B". You will be missed.

Until we meet again!

{pictures from our wedding reception in 2008 singing "Aloha Oe' "}

Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs

As it glided through the trees
Still following ever the bud
The `ahihi lehua of the vale

Chorus:
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again

Sweet memories come back to me
Bringing fresh remembrances of the past
Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
From you, true love shall never depart
I have seen and watched your loveliness
The sweet rose of Maunawili
And 'tis there the birds of love dwell
And sip the honey from your lips

APRIL 10, 1923-JUNE 12, 2011
You fought a good fight! You lived a long life!

Cole Matthew

FINALLY! We FINALLY got to meet this little guy! He was born June 6--but it has been a long week! He is so adorable and so so sweet. He looks just like my brother Josh too! {kinda freaky}

Fun with Ru {dancing time with her tutu on my leg}

Ru upset {who knows why} and us bribing her to smile

Meet Cole:

{my pictures dont do his cuteness justice}

The true love of one another--no greater sight

On Sunday June 5th, Grandma Ballantyne suffered a heart attack. After being revived, she was left in a comatose state. She had many visitors. In fact the nurses in the ICU said that they had never seen someone have so many visitors. That every hour Grandma could have vistors, she did. Someone was always in with her. After spending 5 hours at the hospital talking to Grandma and singing and watching her hoping for something to happen, this moment became a special one and one of my favorites. It went something like this:

Grandpa leaning down to talk to Grandma he says: The old man is back again. Can I stay for a while?

Grandpa then staring at Grandma--he leans down and says: I sure do love you. {leans down and kisses her forehead then begins rub her head and check her feet to make sure they are warm and then he rubs them}

66 years together. No greater sight to see than the eternal love of two people.

High School

Technology can be a curse, but it can also be amazing. In my case, I am actually thankful for Facebook. I received a message from a high school aquaintance. He wanted to let me know that he was being baptized into the LDS church. I was shocked. It was a good shock, but at the same time it was humbling. Humbling because you never know who will accept to gospel and its never our place to pre-judge others. I learned from this experience that people can change and that instead of never believing it can happen, that I need to know and believe it really can happen and that its all in the Lord's timing. My heart was changed. I am so happy for my friend Jesse. What an amazing blessing in his life to have been guided by the Spirit to contact the missionaries and to actually do it. I am thankful that I had the chance to be there and support him in his great decision.What a great journey ahead for him!

Weekend fun!

So much fun to be with family! Nothing beats family time! Especially family you havent seen since Christmas. We had a mini-family reunion with Evans parents and siblings this weekend. We enjoyed our time together. The main reason for our gathering was because our nephew Kai was getting baptized. It was a great thing to witness.

Fun with the kids {never a dull moment}

Mom and Dad Stubbs taking a snooze.

Kai and his Dad Marc before the baptism

Kai before his baptism

Kai after his baptism

{Kai had three candy lei's but he shared them with his two friends--what a Christlike act}

Lego Time!

                                      It was so nice to see Colee and the boys. We missed seeing Tyler.

Must be Friday

Thank goodness!

I used Evan's toothbrush this morning instead of mine....he might love me for that!

What a way..

to spend a Thursday! For the record, I do not know this man, but I was people watching and couldn't help but snap a photo of this picturesque moment...why didn't I get so ingenious during my pedicure?? I think he has done this before..thats just my personal opinion..

Dogs

There is just something about them that makes you {me} always laugh. They have such a bright spirit. They don't judge you, but love you. They don't like you sad, they comfort you. They just love to be loved and really who wouldn't love these guys..

                    A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life--Bob Barker

                 A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself--Josh Billings

 Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.
                                                                     --Roger Caras

                            Dogs love company. They place it first in their short list of needs--J.R. Ackerley

There's a saying. If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it and keep it around--Dick Dale

       My dogs forgive anger in me, the arrogance in me, the brute in me. They forgive everything I do before I   
                                                          forgive myself--Guy de la Valdene

             Dogs are, after all, man's best friend. The least we can do is try to understand them a little better
                                                                   --Nicholas Dodman

                            Agreeable friends — they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms--George Eliot

      The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold
                                           you, but he will make a fool of himself too--Samuel Butler

{the little dogs}

{photo credit jenfallanphotograhy}