Goodbye LaRue

Today is a sad day at our house. My Grandma Albrecht and her best friend, LaRue Sutton were in a car crash on Memorial Day after putting flowers on my Grandpa and Larell's graves. LaRue was bleeding internally and in critical condition in ICU for weeks. She finally got better enough to be moved to a long term facility. Well, this week she had some complications and unfortunately passed away last night. Our family and friends have been praying for LaRue and my Grandma for almost 3 full months. We are all so very heartbroken. 

My grandparents and the Sutton's raised their families together in Las Vegas. I used to go camping with them as a child. They have travelled the country in their delux motorhomes. They worked in the church together in different callings. They were more like siblings than best friends. 

12 years ago, my Grandpa died during bypass surgery, unexpectedly. The Sutton's pulled my Grandma through. They were so good to her. Then Larell had health problems and died a few years ago. After that, my Grandma and LaRue were inseparable. They were each other's EVERYTHING. They saw each other through the hardest times in their lives. Best friends for 50 years. 50 years! Can you imagine? 

My Grandma has felt a lot of guilt because she was driving when they crashed.  It's been so hard for her but LaRue's beautiful family has been so sensitive and kind. They put my Grandma on the ICU list as a sister so she could go in whenever she wanted to and could get the latest updates from the doctors. They've been so kind to my Grandma and we are ever so grateful. 

My Grandma was telling me about the LaRue that I didn't even know about. Over the years, Randy and I have delivered firewood to the Sutton's for many years. We have developed a special relationship with them, but there was A LOT we didn't know about her. My Grandma looked up to her so much. She said, "she lived her life through the Church, there was no separation. She loved the Gospel with all of her heart. I need to step up and be a better person if I want to be with her in the afterlife." It was very sweet. 

We will all miss her a lot and this will be hard to see my Grandma mourn the loss of her best friend. This summer has been hard for my Grandma. My Uncle Ricky lost his 31 year old son to undiagnosed type 1 diabetes. My Grandpa Albrecht's sister, Elva Ellett died. She was like a sister to my Grandma. The next week, my Grandma's 91 year old brother died in Salt Lake City, Morris Jorgensen. Now we have LaRue. My poor Grandma. I feel so bad for her. I love her so much and it kills us to see her sad. 

I'm so grateful to know that there is life after death. I know LaRue is with Larell. I know she was greeted, lovingly by my Grandpa. You will be missed, LaRue. We love you. 

First Day of School!

Today is the first day of school! So exciting! The kids have their new first day outfit! Their hair is as cute as can be! They look adorable and the first day jitters are in full force!!!!

Maddison is a 9th grader at Snow Canyon Middle School! She's on the High School tennis team (and looks fantastic in the uniform!)! She is also the editor in chief if the yearbook this year. She did year book last year and excelled, so she was made the editor in chief! Lots of dedication and hard work! She spent the summer doing the layout for the new year! Her new advisor has never done yearbook, so she will be teaching him how to do a lot of things. She's pretty excited!

Tyler started 7th grade at Lava Ridge Intermediate School. He's in Advanced Choir this year that will give him more opportunities for performances! That's very exciting!his teacher LOVES music and loves teaching it! My kind of gal! He's lucky to have such a fun and modern music teacher! His science teacher is our neighbor and ward member! "Do I call him Mr. James? Brother James? Or Reed?" He will have plenty of time to get this all right! Haha!!!! 

Cambelle has Mrs. Wrigley for 4th grade at Coral Cliffs Elementary! I don't know Mrs. Wrigley, but that's who Cambelle wanted, so she is stoked! She will be in early morning choir again and she's very excited for all the fun they have and how much they learn. Cambelle will be a helper in her classroom when she uses her natural leadership skills! 

Harper is excited to have time alone with mommy again! She loves having the "tids" around, but it's fun to play alone and watch Clifford, The Big Red Dog as many times as her little heart desires!!

We were all so excited for the first day until after school when we realized first day fun is followed by HOMEWORK!!!! Some of us will be working extra hard at keeping our grades up. Reading hours are a struggle with all 3 kids, so we are going to try harder. With the extra things going on, we will need to really focus and dedicate ourselves to strengthening our weaknesses. Wish us luck!!!!!

Happy First Day of School 2K14-2K15!!!!