The Circle of Life

WARNING: Long post!

This has been a very emotional week, but also many blessings have come; such as my family spending so much time together supporting one another and getting even closer. I'm blessed to have a very close extended family that lives mostly in Sherwood Park and Edmonton, and its nice when we come together when tragedies happen.

I feel now that today brought some closure and I can do some blogging about the weeks events. My cousin Brock who I love so dearly as do many more took his life last Saturday, Oct. 17. He has struggled with severe drug addiction and attempted at rehabilitation a few times and had not beat it. He spoke with many family members that morning and was going to come to my parents to help lay sod with the rest of the boys. My dad, his Mom and my aunt had all said he seemed like his normal cheerful self that morning. We believe it was a quick decision as no note was left and he just felt there was no way out.

If anyone knows Brock, they loved him. He was a very charismatic guy and had such a huge heart! My aunt Mari and Brock's brothers Chase and Breton are doing incredible well, they are so strong and amaze me! We spent most of last Saturday at Mari's just being together to strengthening one another and remembering the wonderful guy Brock was. There has been an overwhelming amount of love displayed to our family, and at the 1000 people that filled Bonnie Doon Stake Center today it was evident how loved Brock was.

I in particular remember when I was grade 7 and Brock was in grade 9. He told me if I had any troubles with anyone picking on me to let him know. I later had a loser grade 8er bugging me o the bus, and I told him my cousin was Brock Walker and he immediately stopped bugging me. (Brock was known as a tough guy.) Brock later asked if I'd had any troubles and he was not impressed when I told him about this. Later Brock and his friend Brock this kid down to my class room right before lunch and made him get down on hid knees and say sorry to me in front of my whole class... I was never bugged again. That was Brock, huge heart and would do anything for his family, but tough, haha.

Her is Brocks obituary:
On Saturday, October 17th, our beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend to so many set aside the burdens he carried in this life to cross through to the loving arms of those who had preceded him.
Brock was born February 23, 1983 in Edmonton Alberta. He is survived by his mother, Mari Pizzey, brothers Breton and Chase Walker; his father and stepmother Jim and Sandra Walker and his brother Rheese Walker. His nana; Doreen Pizzey and Grandfather Hank Walker. His girlfriend Marie as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Brock was a very charismatic and charming man. He had a huge heart, a bigger smile, and a natural love for others. He will be greatly missed by all.

Brock and his brothers Breton and Chase when they were little. They truly were the cutest little boys.

Brock and his brothers in february with there Mom Mari.

The service was so beautiful, my Auntie's Tonya and Tara gave a beautiful eulogy which made you laugh and cry, Brock was such a funny guy. My cousin Kensey and Brocks friend Mitch sang a lovely version of "I Need Thee Every Hour" and my dad gave an amazing talk on the Plan of Salvation and bunch of Brock's friends sang "Our Saviour's Love." The attendance was overwhelming, and it was a great time to remember Brock. I love you Brock, and know you are in a better place with a bright future.

Here are some pictures of the family today, I will explain who everyone is for those of you who don't know my family:

The cousins:

Top Left to Right: Me, Jordan, my sister Paige, my sister Taren and her husband Dave, Breton and Chase Walker (Brock's brothers), Tanner McClung and his wife Krystal (Tanner, my aunt Taras son), my brother Blake and his girlfriend Lindsay, Jesse Lang (his wife in front below)
Bottom Left to Right: My sister Kamry and her husband Jason and there little girl Talia, my cousin Emily, cousin Kensey and Cousin Kristen Lang (the last three all daughters of my aunt Tara.)

The Aunts & Uncles:

Left to Right: My aunt Tonya (my dads sister) holding my aunt Kendas baby Olivia, My Uncle George Lambert married to next my Aunt Tara Lambert (my dads sister), My Nana (my dads Mom) my Aunt Mari (my dads sister), My aunt Kenda (my dads sister) and her husband Liam, and my mom and Dad. Missing my uncle Kevin who had to go home after the service to Red Deer with his wife Pauline and daughter Eppy.

I love all these people so much!

As you see the title of my post, there are some happy things that happened also this week. My only and baby brother Blake got his mission call to Salt Lake City South! He's going to be such a awesome missionary!

Isn't he cute?! He was a little shocked because three boys out of there home ward were just called to Provo, so he thought Utah would have to be out! But hes very excited and heard great things about that mission.

And lastly, I guess I'll make it official on my blog... I'M PREGNANT! Yup, baby #2 on the way. I'm due May. 10, so 11.5 weeks! I wanted to wait till 12 weeks, but it got out some how to people in my ward, don't ask me how!? I haven't narrowed down the leak yet, so I figured I'd rather start telling people myself than hearing from other people.

We are very excited, we actually started trying in June and got pregnant right away, but a couple weeks after we found out we miscarried. I was only 6 weeks and although it was still tough to go through, with great family and being optimistic we got through it. We waited a little bit more after the miscarry, and hadn't quite started trying yet. But some determined little swimmer made its way through and we were surprised to be pregnant again so quick! But very excited and blessed! With the miscarry baby I felt no symptoms, but right away with this baby I started throwing up right a 4 weeks... and I was happy! This baby feels like its here to stay, and its already causing my belly to show! I forgot how early I show! Thank goodness for diclictin or I would feel awful, but as long as I remember to take them I feel pretty much normal. Still have to avoid some smells and food and eat right away in the morning, but feel pretty good! And excited!!!

Well that is my long post, thank you for anyone who showed my family support during this difficult time, it is very much appreciated! Love you!

Fall Family pics - 09

So Leah Karch (see side "Leah photography) took our little families pics and Avery's 1 year shots a couple weekends ago, and this weekend I'll be getting the CD of all the pics, but here is one great shot that she put on her blog. I'm sure I'll have more to put up since she did such an awesome job!!! Leah - Thank you, you are so very talented!

Anyways, if you are needing an Edmonton photographer in the Edmonton area give her a call, shes fantastic, and she made taking the pictures (even in the cold) so much fun! I just love Avery's little face shes making in this pic, and usually Jordan hates pictures of couples kissing, but he didn't mind this one! I think its cause Leah did it so tastefully!



So this weekend is the big laying SOD weekend at my parents, which for me and Avery means playing inside! haha, and my sister Kamry's baby shower for sweet little Talia! Should be a fun weekend :)

Will she ever walk...???

Avery is a few days away from being 15 months, and still not consistently walking! Everyone tells us that it is a good thing and your only busier when they walk. Yea... at 12 months sure, 13 months yea its okay, 14 months I guess this is alright..., but 15 months.... COME ON!

She definitely takes steps, probably max 10. Shes getting the concept, but its not a consistent thing. To get around she definitely prefers crawling or bum scooting. I'm hoping by at least Halloween she is walking so shes not bum scooting and getting her ferry costume all dirty! But honestly, at this point me and Jordan just look at each other and say "shes just never going to walk!"

Here are some pictures of attempts at walking, and pushing her hypo around. She does laps around the house with that hypo.

Good new latley :)

With the encroachment issue with our new house and a few other things we've been a little discouraged lately. Don't get me wrong, life is still good and we have so many blessings in our life. But there have just been a few things where we say "man, why can't things just go smoothly!?"

Well things have been definitely turning around lately! First my sister Kamry and her husband Jason had there little baby girl! I was convinced it was a boy - I'm not sure why, our family can't seem to produce boys! I was so exciting to see there sweet little girl, and just moments after she was born! And Avery will have a little buddy just a year and a bit younger! She is Avery's first cousin! They named her Talia Lee Low, and she was 8lbs even and 21 inches long and born at 12:02am on Sept.28. Kamry had a horrible pregnancy, and her birth was not much better! Her water broke at 2:00am on Sept. 26, and she wasn't having very regular contractions, so it was very long! She was eventually hooked up to the drip to get things going, and they increased by very slowly. All day Sunday she has very regular hard contractions! She was exhausted, and then right before pushing around 9 Sunday night her face was facing up which isn't good. Kamry was able to do some good pushy in different positions and Talia flipped last minute! Thank goodness, she would have had a c-section if she didn't turn after all that pushing! My mom was in the delivery room with Jason and Kamry and her birthday (My moms) is on Sept. 28! So when it was getting close to midnight she said hold on! And the doctor said "on Nana's orders" so they held off for a little and Talia came into the world on her Nana's birthday!!! Very exciting! Shes healthy and adorable, very Pizzey. She looks just like Kamry and Kamry thinks she looks like me! I do think she looks more like me than Avery! haha. So that is the first bit of good news!

Me and Talia and Kamry just moments after the birth, Kamry was such a trooper!

The next day Avery and me and Jordan went to see Talia, Avery didn't really know what to think of Talia...


Jordan and his first neice.

And then they city approved our garage encroachment! So they HOUSE IS OURS!!! Finally!!! So now we are just waiting for paper work and closing with the Lawyers which should only take about 15 days! But now we can FINALLY start some reno's! We got new appliances this weekend and moved ours to the basement, they are beautiful! Jordan found a killer deal on barely used stainless steal appliances! They are wonderful, and I finally have a dishwasher! I was getting just about to my max of washing dishes! So we are starting with the kitchen, and will slowly work away at the house as money allows! Very excited, I can't wait till this house starts looking the way we have pictured it!

So yes, things are happening, and Jordan finished his first 2 exams and feels they went pretty good for his CBV. So now he gets a little break and can enjoy some free time (which will probably be filled with reno's, but he enjoys that.)

And fall is so beautiful! I'm looking forward to thanksgiving this weekend and lots of time with family. Its so beautiful out, we had some family pictures done by Leah on the weekend, I'm really excited to see how they turned out, Avery was hilarious and I think Leah got some great shots! We did her one year shots then too, a little late but oh well!

We also enjoyed a relaxing weekend at home watching conference, I just love having conference in the home. Its such a nice feeling, and every time the choir sung Avery stopped what she was doing and danced (which is rocking back and forth.) She sure loves music, I just love this age! Shes such a blast, so hilarious! The things she does and how quickly she learns cracks me up! She is still stubborn and not walking consistently, she was walking much more yesterday, but starts laughing when she does it and falls down. Shes getting there, and just such a joy and blessing to us! And she is consistantley sleeping through the night now! She has been doing it like 75% of the time for a while, but the last 2 weeks she has every night! From 7:30/8ish until 7:30/8ish the next morning! Its wonderful, I don't think I've had this much sleep for a while, sometimes I'm even up before her in the mornings, which never happens, usually shes my alarm clock!

Well have a wonderful thanksgiving, I know we have lots to reflect on and be thankful for.

Some recent pics of Avery, I don't remeber what she was doing here, something funny!

Enjoying her cheerios in the morning, she was giving me a not very ammused face and leave me alone while I enjoy my cheerios.