Rachel Randall Cottle 8-8-78 to 5-11-23

 When I scheduled my second trip to help Rachel, I had no idea that the help I would be giving what the writing obituary and funeral planning kind of help.  It was heartbreaking to learn that she passed away early on the morning I was leaving to go back to help her.  But I guess I kind of felt like she trusted me to come in and do that job for her, with Brad.  It was a special week to be there in FL.  Here are some of the things that resulted.

And I helped compile her obituary.  My mom had mostly written it, and Brad had some ideas too.  So I worked them in and refined it.

I also just loved on the boys!  Brad and I tried to help them have fun and experience joy--there's still so much joy in life, even when you are missing your mom.

Davey decided to start putting his head under the water at the pool.  Then he went big and even started jumping off the edge! 

Of course Devin was all in too! 

The boys went "camping" in the living room inside of suitcases--with every stuffie in the house.

We went to a pirate show. 

Davey got a skeleton monkey at the pirate show (named oo-oo).

ARGH! 

Insect Devin

Brad & the boys in the pool 

Davey jumping in the puddles made by the tech bleeding the fire hydrant. 

I've had many moments of tears.  And also moments of joy.  Rachel is with me.  She's with her boys.  And she's happy and free of pain.  So I can go on.  Even when it feels really hard. 

https://baldwincremation.com/obituaries/rachel-cottle/?fbclid=IwAR2bhd-c3T2LaFNXLVfgzSQDQfWNvFc8hLCNLBUa_vFAS7AU0K3Bs36gBEQ

Freestyle State & a Week of Concerts (and Rehearsals)

Well--we went for it.  And it was tough going!  Libby had 4 girls in her bracket, all state placers from last year.  And while she was on her 3rd freestyle tournament ever (and looked strong), she was outmatched.  I think she got pinned twice and teched twice.  It was fast and furious.  Seriously much faster than folkstyle.  So kind of less painful as a parent.  It's over in like 30-40 seconds sometimes. Needless to say, she won't be on the WA National Dual team.  (She needed to at least place and probably win at the tournament yesterday).  But after cutting weight all week, she's not that sad.  And I think she's fired up to get in the weight room before next season. 

Ben also lost 3 quick matches.  He's resolved to hit the weight room with dad too.  

Ben has an awesome war wound from practice this week.  It's hidden mostly by his glasses, but that's also making it quite painful.  

After Libby finished, I dropped them off at home and headed to the stake conference leadership session (which was awesome).  Then I left there as the closing song started to get to Sarah's final concert of the week.  Whew.  It was a busy day! Sarah had 2 rehearsals and 2 concerts this week.  One was with Camerata and the Michigan Men's Glee club (AMAZING!)  The other was with the Rainbow City Orchestra.  It was okay.  I think I might have liked it better if it hadn't come at the end of this very long week.  Thankfully we get a bit of a break.  Wrestling is officially over.  No more concerts for a minute. 

But I'm headed to Orlando on Thursday to be with Rachel for a week. So, no real rest for the weary.  

We also had an appointment with a new family therapist this week--to help Derek and I as we help Libby navigate her challenges with depression & anxiety.  I think she's going to be great.  Sarah had a dr. appointment this week because she's been randomly vomiting in the night for months now.  Ugh.  Her first set of tests came back clear. Now just need to submit that stool sample (when??) so they can test for some other things. 

So yeah...Busy busy.