Memory Monday

I don't know where to begin or how to even start writing again. 

But like everything else, life goes on...even though there are some days when I feel it shouldn't.

I remember at the funeral for our beautiful Leah, Allyn said, "The dawn will come tomorrow. The sun will rise. 

And we will love and we will serve and we will carry on." 

Each day when I look at Leah's picture by our bed, I am reminded that she is safe, happy, loved by her grandmothers, grandpa, and most importantly in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father. 

We have felt such peace and comfort and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. 

We feel your prayers and your love lifting us. 

Thank you for your Christ-like love and service, which truly knows no bounds. We love you...

One early morning last week (mornings and late nights are the very hardest) Allyn and I were just crying and holding each other and I said, "I don't know if I can ever be happy again." He didn't scold me or tell me I shouldn't feel that way...he just held me and let us both be sad and heartbroken. And soon a warm blanket so to speak, of peace and love and comfort came over both of us. I can't really describe it. I am so grateful for a loving God who hears and answers prayers. Leah gave us a little plaque one year that says, "When life gets too hard to stand, kneel." 

I know that there is no way we could carry on if we didn't know that Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation is real. 

I know we lived before we came to earth and we will live again. 

Because of our Savior Jesus Christ, our family will be together again forever. I know it.

I just love this picture of LeeLee on Christmas morning 27 years ago. 

All she ever wanted to be is a mommy. 

We love you Leah Dawn...and we miss you like crazy.

Our Beautiful Leah

This is Ally, typing in behalf of my wonderful Mother, Linda. 
Her sweet daughter, Leah Dawn, passed from this life on Tuesday, November 29th. At this time of suffering and heart ache, we are grateful for the plan of redemption- the plan of happiness. We know we will be with our beloved Leah again. We know that families sealed together by the power of God cannot be broken. We know that Leah is encircled about in the arms of our Father in Heaven. My Mother says she can see Grami welcoming Leah and giving her a swift pat on the butt. We will always remember Leah for her tender heart. She felt so much. For her kindness and her motherly love. For her laugh and her sense of humor. She was over at the house for Thanksgiving, just a few days before her passing. She was happy and kind and had all these productive plans and righteous desires to help her get beyond her struggles and enjoy life with her family and her two children. All she wanted was to be a good mother and a kind daughter, and she was. We all love her very much, and we will miss her sorely. My dear Mom and Dad can use all of the prayers you can send out. After hearing the news of my sister's passing, I opened up my scriptures to hear God speak something to me that might be of comfort to my family. I read this. Mormon 5:21. "the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them." God, our Heavenly Father, hears and answers our prayers. We will be with Leah again. How grateful we are for that knowledge.
The viewing will be on Friday, December 2, from 5-7 pm at Palm Mortuary on Jones and Oakey.
The funeral will be held at the LDS chapel at 1801 S. Monte Cristo on Saturday, December 3, at 1pm.

We so appreciate your love, support and prayers at this time.

Lights

Allyn had some awesome helpers to get up the Christmas lights this year. He was very happy about that.

MM94

Mom always knew how to make Christmas wonderful...

Grateful

Funny Boys

Levi was supposed to take something that started with the letter "G" to pre-school last week. Jennie gave him some ideas like grapes, granola etc. Levi didn't like those ideas too much. Then Jennie said, "How about Grama Linda?" Levi smiled... then he looked a little confused and said, "Grama Linda no fit in my backpack!" 

Oh, he's so cute.

I dropped Kaden off at school today and there were a bunch of kids playing football on the playground. 

I said, "Kaden go show those kids how to play some football! Go kick some butt!" 

 Kaden: "Grandma!!"

Me: "What?...You mean most grandma's don't talk like that?"

Kaden: "I'm in shock right now!"

MM93

So many special Christmas memories at Grandma and Grandpa Schlauders...I miss them.

Champions.

Ravens are the champions! The Lions haven't lost in three years, and today the Ravens beat them for the championship, 20-7. It was so sweet. It's the first time ever in the DYFL league that a 1st year team has  won the championship. More than half of their team had never even played tackle before!

Kaden scored 2 touchdowns and threw for another. What a stud.

"just dance", arm wrestling, and the #1 cookie maker

 "Just Dance" is about the best Wii game ever. Everyone has fun playing it, and last week we had some pretty intense competitions happening around here.

 

 Even with all these girls in the house, Mychal kept winning. He beat Amy 6 times in a row!!  

That is until Miss Taylor joined the competition, and then she whooped everybody. 

 Arm wrestling was up next (only the girls and Kaden) and the champion was....Jennie, with Kaden coming in second. Look at those guns on Jen's arms!!

Kaden was not happy about that, and has been doing extra push ups all week. Let the games begin.

It was wonderful to have so many loved ones around to help welcome Ally home... abundant blessings for sure.

 

I think Brad just might be the best cookie maker in the family! He's got my vote:):)

The Play Offs

It's play-off time for Kaden's football team, the Ravens. This little team who started out as one of the worst in the league, has come a long, long way. They are 8 and 1 and have made it all the way to the championship game for this Saturday. They are going to play the Lions, the only team they lost to this season.

 

Courtney came in town for Ally's homecoming. Ally is so lucky to have such special, dear friends. Courtney got home from her mission to Kirkland, Ohio just a few months ago. Talk about two cute return missionaries! 

Court even came to support Kaden at his football game. 

#34 Sweetness,  had quite the cheering section.

 

Last night the Ravens played a really good team, the Cowboys...and won 14-6...woohoo!

MM92

I love this old picture. 

And we loved having Lisa, James and some of their family here this week end. They are the best, for sure.

We got to skype with Tyler & Kelly in Nebraska.
Their adorable little boy Calvin, looks just like Tyler looked when he was that age...
(except with his mama's big blue eyes)!!

 

HOME!!!

Ally is really home. I kind of have to pinch myself sometimes. Sister Schlauder will give her Homecoming talk Sunday November 13th at 1pm at the Monte Cristo and Oakey chapel. Hope ya'll can come:):)

Waiting and waiting at the airport!

Finally!!!!!!! Here she comes!

Hugs, hugs and more hugs...