Sylvia Casteel Jackson

My Sweet Grandmother passed away today. She could not be separated from her dear love and eternal companion for long and my Grandpa had gone ahead of her last May. At his viewing, she stood there so tiny and yet so strong. Reminding us that it was alright and the Lord had taken him home.

I was so taken with her in that moment that I could not speak. I should have been comforting her and she was holding her grandchildren and seamed bigger and stronger than any of us. I believe she may have been the only sane one in the room.

She did not miss this opportunity to teach us of her testimony of The Plan of Salvation.

So much of my testimony has been gained through the teaching and loving examples of these two remarkable people. She was my escort when I received my endowment and introduced me to all of the temple workers that she worked with. My Grandpa performed our sealing 19 yrs ago. The first one of the grandkids.
My family was blessed to spend their 62nd anniversary with them in Fremont last year and Grandpa told us fun stories of their "good ol days". My heart feels full when I picture them together in paradise.

I will miss the Christmas eve talks, her super soft skin, her cute laugh and her high southern accent. She left us all with a love for the temple, a better understanding of the gospel, a huge loving family that stands together, and the "Jackson nose".

Feast or Famine

Since the beginning of the year I have felt overwhelmed as if the Holidays never stopped. It has been busy in one way or another. I keep saying it has been either feast or famine and what was the Lord thinking? Didn't He say "All things in moderation"? Well, we all know that I do nothing in moderation and wouldn't even recognize it.

Yesterday after taking our new perfect pooch to his free vet visit (they give you a coupon when you adopt- super cool huh?) I was thinking how well this fit into my theory. In the last month of broken daddy, multiple MULTIPLE colds, and more than three weeks of someone throwing up, then surgery, -it just figured that the only one healthy, at that moment, in the whole family was our new dog!

Then, as with most things, I realized I needed an attitude adjustment. shocker.

I started thinking of the Feast of blessings that have been poured down on us.

Our family, our ward, and our neighbors have been amazing.

We have seen service and generosity that is, well...Christlike.

The calls, meals, time, taxi service, babysitting, dog gifts, awesome ice-pack, appliance repair-replace-delivery service, and even the understanding of others as I "drop the ball" for a while.

At one point I told my mother-in-law that after this was over we would have to check and see what lesson was to be learned from all of it.

Last week Alec learned to replace and aim my headlights and a new outdoor light, both boys learned to uninstall and reinstall a washer/dryer. They have become my handymen.

I have learned how amazing YOU all are! I have also learned how great my kids are. As hard as it has been,

it has sure been a FEAST of blessings!

Saturday was a Special Day

So...on Friday, Angelic and I escaped and decided to run away for a "dead mommy night". We knew we wanted to see a movie, didn't really care which one, and we HAD to eat at Kneaders.

The first show we attempted to go to was sold out, so we ended up at the late showing of Marley and Me

Oh my heck, what a cute movie! I laughed and cried! At one point in this movie about "the world's worst dog", I turned to Angelic and teased her about how this would make us both NEVER want a dog. I came home told my (still broken) hubby that he can never see it, because he would want this dog!

Then I proceed to cry every time I think about the dog, talk about the family, the movie...you get the idea-I am pathetic. The next morning it is still all I can think about.

So I looked online and then we went to the shelter and HE was there waiting for us!

We named him AUGUST. He is a 5 yr old yellow Labrador. He is completely trained and so tame! Brace yourself while I gush-on about this miracle of ours.

He sits on command

He can shake (hands & all over the bathroom when bathed)

He knows "lie down" and "stay"

He can rollover -but prefers not too

He doesn't bark

He doesn't jump on anyone or anything

He doesn't lick you unless it has been a while and you just need one kiss

He doesn't crotch sniff -eww (sorry but that is SOOO important)

He has never attempted to get on any furniture

He will only play with dog toys -ignores the princess stuffed animals and Barbies

He does not beg for food

He is totally house broken

He is sooooo affectionate, loves to be touched

He keeps his eye on my kids

He will heel to even the 6 yr old -and he weighs 92 lbs, if he wanted to go he could just drag her like a fancy tassle

He is fine with distractions, ignores other dogs

He talks with his big brown eyes

He lets the kids lay on him

He winks -no seriously- he does!

He can fetch a ball, stick, & frisbee! He just kept it a secret until today. I wonder what he will tell/show us tomorrow.

The people at the shelter are amazing. They knew him so well. He had been in a foster home and that helped us get a lot of info about how he behaved in a home and family. They are so careful to make sure that his needs will be understood and even introduced him to some of their cats (because we have 2 cats outside) to help make sure it was a good match. They don't make impulsive decisions -even if I do, kinda like checking with mom first.

I have always been a bit afraid of big dogs but August is a gentle giant, perfect for us. He rough houses with the teens and then sleeps on my feet. My daughter on the other hand has always preferred big dogs to any other animal. She will see full grown rottweilers and want to pet the "puppies". Marshall and I had always wanted to someday get a dog for the family that would be like my cousin Judy's dog, Ozzy. He has been our family's favorite dog till now. I hope we can keep our new family member as happy as Ozzy is.

The difference in our home is amazing! Last month was not great with no end in sight. The wear and tear was starting to show on all of us. Now we are all so happy to sit and talk about the dog, and the kids are playing together with him. No one wants to be away from him. Dogs really do have healing power. August is great for spending quiet time with each kid. He loves the attention and they all want him to love them the most. I am hoping that with Marshall's surgery ahead he can help me get the family through it. He seems good at staying by the daddy who is hurting and keeping the little ones busy so he can rest. I believe we were led to him at just the right time. We needed him even more than he needed us.

I don't know what we ever did without him.

Nope you can't have him, he is ours!