c-r-a-z-y week!

so, i've been meaning to say a huge thank-you to everyone who supported & encouraged me (and gave me feedback!) with the bazaar- it meant so much! it was a great sucess, and the best part was that I WAS RIGHT about the mustaches! they were a hit. yeah!
also, i got my check today and, for the first time, their total matched mine. it was a christmas miracle!

all of these happy feelings took awhile to settle in, since right in the middle of the show, my sweet grandma passed away.



(i'm having some issues with blogger, but i'll put a link to her obituary later)
my grandma is the most postitive, loving person i have ever known. she had such a lifelong love of learning, right up to the end. i'm really thankful that we had some good visits with her before she went, and some time to prepare and accept the idea that she would be moving on soon.
here is something i shared with my family (and my sister read at the funeral):

i am in awe of how gracefully grandma handled her situation. she must've complained, but i never heard. every time i saw her, she was happy and so so loving, no matter if she remembered me or not. she was loving and kind to everyone she met, for as long as i can remember, and right up to the end. she always had a joke, or a saying, a poem, a phrase.. she was happy, and accepting and sweet. i think it is a rare gift, to grow old, be alone for so long, decline so much mentally, and still be happy and cheerful. it amazes and humbles me, and i am ever grateful for her example.

my family all had such sweet memories and thoughts to share about her.



the day after the funeral was so special. my whole family (my parents and sisters) gathered in the temple to witness my sister and brother-in-law be sealed to their baby, brighton. it was such a sacred experience and so incredibly touching and i am so grateful that i could be there. it is something i will always remember.

these experiences really put things in perspective and make you see what's really important. they bring people closer together, and i am thankful for that.

also, somewhere in the middle of all this, we celebrated my thirtieth birthday.
i got the best gift i could ever hope for: my sewing/craft room is finished!
mr. o really buckled down and worked so hard to get it completely finished in time, and i couldn't be happier with it. i'll be sure to post pictures/details soon!