family.

If I had one word to describe Papa's memorial service weekend it would be 'family'. And if I had another word, it would definitely be 'friends'. And if I had just one last word it would either be 'food' or 'indigestion'... I haven't decided which yet. Not surprisingly, Papa had so many people who loved him and my grandma that the church was packed for his memorial. The pastor of the church my seester and I went to as kids did the service and it was truly wonderful. I cried a lot and I laughed a lot. Who can ask for more at the end of their life? I've been to a few funerals that were really rough and I thought that was just how those were. Then, a dear friend of mine lost her dad and I had the true privilege of attending his memorial and my whole perspective changed. I have never seen so much love in one room for one person. We cried, but everyone also laughed (so much)! He was truly loved and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who knew him and person after person got up to talk about how he impacted their lives. Ever since, I've always wanted this type of celebration for anyone I've ever loved and Papa's was very similar. I was so happy for my grandma, as the send off was fitting and I honestly believed he would've loved it. I believe he did love it.

Family came in from all over and we spent so much time talking about Papa and life and stories from the past. We played games and ate food (yikes....BAD food weekend) and had an all around good time. Also, so many friends who didn't even know my grandpa showed up to the memorial to support the family. I can't even describe to you how much just physically being there is supportive. I am so thankful for the people in my life and in the lives of my family members. We know some real winners (duh). Sorry. I had to do it.

SOOO....(whew) we made it up late last night and brought a stow-away along with us. Ethan and Christian happen to have the same spring break and we were lucky enough to snag him for a few days in Phoenix with us. Let me just say there is a lot of computer-game-playing and Pokemon-ing going on. Oh...and Viesa snuggling. What is there not to love about this girl?!

Before bed, one more cool announcement:

I got another job! No, I'm not quitting the ICU (yet!). Along with my ICU job at Maryvale I will be teaching childbirth education classes for Teen Outreach Pregnancy Services (TOPS) once a week.  They provide free healthy pregnancy and childbirth ed. classes to teens (and their partners) throughout the valley, as well as case management for resources and parenting assistance (classes and other community resources). TOPS is an amazing organization that is actually paying me to do all things I love. Fancy that. :) I am SO thrilled about putting at least one foot in the proverbial OB door. 

THANK you for support, as always. Hope to see you all soon. I need to go to bed now because I'm exhausted and I have to work tomorrow, but I definitely found a guilty pleasure on TV (coughTropicThundercough) and I can't tear myself away. This movie is so hilarious (don't worry...the boys ran up to Best Buy...I'm not showing Ethan Tropic Thunder...).

LOVE,

Ash + Sweet Baby Viessey Girl (I missed her today)