If you don't like the sight of blood...

then don't continue reading any further. 

It was not a normal morning. I got Indy and Emerson off to school, went to get back in bed to read my scriptures when I got a text from Indy. He said there was a deer stuck in our neighbor's fence.  I actually thought he meant across the street. Well, he meant our next door neighbor. And the fence is right outside our garage side door. 

It was not a pretty picture. The deer was still alive. It didn't impale itself. It was obviously jumping over the fence but its back leg didn't make it and then its hoof got caught in a rung. It had probably been stuck all night. Poor thing. You could tell it was really tired because it couldn't stand up any longer. I ran inside and called Orem Animal Control. They arrived within about 15 minutes. Obviously they had to put it down. 

Not a fun way to start my day…

Hopefully it snows sooner than later to cover up all that blood. 

Families are forever.

Sweet Max

A terrible accident happened on Friday morning in our England family. My uncle Todd's family was in the beach house in Dana Point/Capistrano Beach. Aunt Jeannette and cousins Courtney, Chelsey and Amanda were all in Denver at the time for a girls weekend.  Courtney's 17 month-old Max escaped briefly and was found floating in the hot tub. Todd and Chase found him, called 911 and immediately started CPR. The paramedics arrived and continued working on him while they took him to the hospital in San Clemente. The doctors confirmed, at that time, that there was no brain function. He was then transferred to Children's Hospital of Orange County where he passed away Saturday morning.

I remember thinking, after I got the terrible news of the accident, that he would be okay. Although he was on a ventilator, his little heart was beating on its own.  I just kept thinking he would be okay----our prayers and pleading with the Lord would be answered and Max would live. But that was not Heavenly Father's plan for Max. And what a tragedy it would be if we didn't have the knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan. I know they will see him again and that he is sealed to Courtney and Gordon forever.

I'm hugging my kids and husband a little tighter today. I know that every minute I have with them is precious and could be taken away so quickly. But my knowledge of the gospel plan is sure and how eternally grateful I am that families are forever. 

We miss you already....

Yesterday morning Kurt's dad passed away at his favorite place on earth---the ranch in Grover. Our lives will be very different without him. But how lucky we are to know that we have the chance to be with him again someday.

We love you Pat.

Grandma's Obituary

June Daniels England 1920 ~ 2009 June Daniels England, selfless to the end, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2009, just the way she would like it, surrounded by her family. June was born on June 1, 1920 to Rex and Daisy Daniels in Austin, Utah. Being the oldest of four children, she developed nurturing and domestic skills which she used throughout her life to bless her family. Family dinners were never complete without her famous "June Juice" (super strong Kool-Aid). She married Eugene K. England on December 30, 1940, later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised their six sons. June was always a devoted and extremely proud mother. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her family. Gene and June have 35 grandchildren and 37 great-grand children. Every single one was special to June as evidenced by the hundreds of pictures that adorned her home. Service was a common theme in her life. She cherished her 27 years of serving in the Oncology Department at Primary Children's Medical Center. Not only did she love the children, she enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the doctors, nurses and other volunteers at the hospital. In 2006, June was recognized as one of the "Health Care Heroes" in the State of Utah. June was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She lived a Christ-like life by loving and serving others. She used her leadership skills to serve faithfully as a Relief Society President under three different bishops. June not only loved to serve others, she loved to throw a party. She was the acknowledged "social director' by her many friends, organizing countless great events including the annual St. George trip. June had many talents. She loved music and especially enjoyed performing in choirs and with her dear friends in a singing group called "The 16th Notes". Her many hobbies included gardening, bowling and golfing. Her favorite pastime, however, was travelling across the country in a semi truck with her husband, Gene, at the wheel. Being a wonderfully devoted wife, if Gene was happy, then June was happy. She was an amazing example of love and support throughout their life together. June, as your loving family we thank you for your tremendous example. We will miss you terribly as the heart and soul of our family, but we have peace in knowing that we will be together again. She is survived by her husband, Eugene K. England, sons, Jeff (Pat), Dan (Jan), Dean (Kim), Todd (Jeannette), Corey (Carrie), daughter-in-law, Rowena England, siblings, Daisy Dean (Joseph) Hanks, Tina Lou Walton, Rex (Phyllis) Daniels. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rex and Daisy Daniels, son, Rodney, grandson, Riley England and brother-in-law, Robert Walton.

Grandma June 1920-2009

Grandma June passed away Saturday morning. She had just turned 89 on June 1. She had been very healthy until just a few years ago. She was starting to have some dementia and fell down the stairs at her house a couple times in the last few months. They rushed her to the hospital Saturday morning. She had pneumonia and a serious urinary tract infection. All her organs had shut down at that point.

We had seen her about 2 weeks before. She and Granddad had come to dinner at Mom's so that was the last chance we had to visit with her. I was remembering with Uncle Corey last night how much time I spent with Grandma, Granddad, Corey and Todd when I was young. I remember several trips to Jackson Hole in the camper. I remember many Sunday dinners and Grandma's yummy roast. I remember many Christmas mornings at Grandma's opening presents and stuffing ourselves with aebleskivers.

I appreciate your wonderful example of service to Granddad and your six sons. I will miss you!