Maggie*

Grandma Helen (Part One)

2010-11-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

On September 14th 2010 my cute little grandma Helen Murphy passed away. I'll never forget those two days that we as a family came together to be with my grandma in those last few hours of her life. I had just gotten out of class that Monday (the 13th) and felt like I needed to go over to my grandmas house to see her and my mom. We all knew she hadn't been doing well and that last weekend before she passed she had taken a turn for the worse. When I got to my grandmas there was a lady there talking to my mom and aunt Kerry, I could see that there had been a little bit of crying going on and I knew something was up. I didn't get to stay and find out the situation because I was told by the nurse that I needed to run to the hospital to pick up some medicine for my grandma. I left, and I immediately had a break down in the car because, I wasn't stupid, I knew what was going down. The minute I came back, I had another break down, due to the fact that my mom said these words, words that I'll probably never forget, "Maggie, grandma isn't doing too well." At that point my body just felt numb, the hospice nurse had told us she had maybe a few hours, up to a day. I don't think I've ever cried so hard in my whole entire life - it was seriously like the flood gates had opened. You always feel bad when death happens to other people and you want to know what you can do to help, but never do you think that a situation like this will happen to you or your family. By that time we had called everyone that lived in the Utah and let them know they probably should come over. Maureen and I both were going in and out of Grandmas room sitting there holding her hand but never really getting a reaction. Then Kevin came, the golden child, the first born, her "sweets", and boy did he get a reaction out of her. The woman almost jumped out of her skin!!! She always loved him the most...;)

Throughout the rest of the day word got out and we had so many visitors. People bring food, calling and letting us know they were thinking about us, just amazing nice things. I can honestly say we as a family were and still are truly grateful. We all spent the night over at the house that Monday night, none of us we're even thinking about leaving her side. I slept on the floor right next to her bed and got maybe a total of 3 hours of sleep, it was a very long night. Her breathes would get shallower and shallower as they went and you never knew which one would be the last. Believe me we thought a few would be the final ones. It wasn't until that afternoon that my grandma passed away. We were all in the room when she passed, and let me toll you the woman went out with a bang. There was a huge micro burst right as my grandma was taking her last few breathes, it was almost like she was saying "See ya later UT, I'm outta here, I'm going home!". Grandma always did have that spunky side ;)

Until you've been in the room when someone dies, you never know the peaceful calming feeling that is. I know it sounds weird, but believe me, you could feel the presence of our Savior there and moments later I felt the love of my Father in Heaven. It was funny and somewhat ironic , that Sunday before everything happened I had given a talk in church about the Atonement. I had really been struggling with picking a topic and the minute it hit me it was like a flood of emotions and thoughts. It wasn't a talk focused on the repentance process part of the Atonement, but more of how the it can take away and cover things small and simple things, and big large things that happen in our lives. Things that we wouldn't think the Atonement would/could cover. This scripture was the inspiration for the majority of my talk. Alma said in Chapter 7 of the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon:

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities."

The Savior knew what it was like for my grandma in those final few hours, He knew how scared she was and how sick, tired, and in pain she was. He knew what it was like for my mom and aunt to loose their mother, and the pain and sorrow and emptiness they felt. It's because of that ultimate sacrifice that He can "succor his people" and He can bring them closer to Him, and through that we can find peace, and hope, and look forward to a better tomorrow. I know my grandma is much happier now, and I know she's learning more about the gospel as I type this. Our family has struggled with loss of my grandma yes, but we have been made stronger and been given a better knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and that there is life after death. I will say we have become closer and stronger and have more love for each other. Its kind of crazy how something so sad can give a family a better outlook on life, and make them closer. I'm grateful for a Savior who willingly died so that I can live with Him and my Father in Heaven again. I am also grateful for the Temple, and the work that goes on inside so that we as families can be sealed together again.

*Part Two of this post will be coming soon - pictures from NY and more about our trip back there. As for me I know need to go wipe off the mascara that has ran down my face from crying. :)*

Well, well, well...finally!

2010-09-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

So I'll be honest, I'm a slacker. :)

Heres a few little highlights of the past few months..

Graduation - good news guys...I graduated! And I received a lap top for graduating...needless to say..Brucie and I spent plenty of time taking fun/goofy pictures on the webcam that I didn't make it to my senior party...whoops! :)

We took a fun little trip to Disneyland this year for my birthday and Carmen and Sofia's birthday, Caden got to come along too. The girls had no idea they were going, well, till Caden let the cat outta the bag. It was fun to be able to see my big brother and hang out with him and his family for a while.

College is awesome! I'm loving every minute of it. Despite my status updates on Facebook about my 7:30 classes..;) I doing surprisingly well, and my cousin Alex is in a few of my classes so thats nice to have a familiar face.Ive made some great friends in my singles ward, and we have a lot of fun together. Plus I have a sweet new ride...Thanks Uncle Billy, I owe ya one! :)

After I received the new Lexus! Yeah yeah!

Me and some of my friends from the ward. L-R: Peter, Andrew, me, Kylie, Josh, and Christian. :) They're all such a great friends!!

We love hockey!! Go Aggies!!

HOLY SMOKES!

2009-01-09T16:47:00.001-08:00

Woah...it has been quite a while since I've updated this thing! I'm back don't worry :)

I got asked to Senior Ball..don't worry it was sooo much better than Homecoming! ;) I looked awesome...thanks to Karli, Terri, and Nicole! My dress was amazing I'm not going to lie. My date was super nice and told me I looked beautiful many times that night so he got major brownie points in my book! ;) I'll upload some pictures when I get them.

Christmas was good, my Grandma Murphy got to come spend it with us. She didn't want to come at first, and pulled the whole "I'll never forgive you" bit, but after we got her hoisted up into my parents nice and comfy bed she was just fine. I got a few things, a new ipod, some clothes, a calender, **AMERICAN IDOL KARAOKE**, and a bunch of other stuff. Over all it was quite the holiday. Oh! My mom did get this picture printed for my dad and a few other people. Everywhere I turn I see it haha. But she then blew it up for me to have...and if anyone thought I was full of myself before well heck my ego has grown a bunch! I look hot! Haha just kidding. But really...its my new favorite picture :)

New Years was spent with the Anderson/Peterson clan. They're always a riot. The night included Greg (Nat's husband) getting me to like level 8 or 9 on brick breaker ( a game on my blackberry), it also included a little karaoke, and a full out fist fight between Brooklyn and Porter. That made my whole entire night I will tell you that. Her daddy better be proud, she was a little fighter. Haha! Oh and PS Nat tell Greg that he owes me another game night for the wii so I can waste him in tennis and bowling...again. :) I was also informed by a boy through a text that his new years resolution was to take me to a dance this year...his first choice was to kiss me at midnight..but well he was working so that didn't work out so well. I wont mention his name cause I know he reads my blog..haha :) Anyway a grand time was had by all!

Now for the best part of the whole break... I have kidney stones, and the Sunday night before I was to go back to school I got to go to the ER...what a treat that was. Whatever medicine they gave me is seriously my new best friend. And my nurse Sterling...woah he was a crack up...or maybe it was because I was on heavy narcotics and thought everything was cool? Well anyway I have them and have missed most of the week of school which totally sucks, cause now I have a butload of homework. Anyway if this thing doesn't pass soon I might just have a comeapart right here and now. So if anyone wants to bring me some cookie dough ice cream to help my back feel better and to help this darn kidney stone to pass that would be wonderful!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Turkey Day!!

It doesn't even feel like Thanksgiving should be here already? This is crazy! Before ya know it Christmas will be here, that will be so exciting though!! :-) We got to spend Thanksgiving with my dads side of the family which is always fun, and we always have a good time.

We just got home from a trip to Las Vegas! It was so fun to be able to spend time with Josh and Andy and the boys. It was Andrea's birthday and we got to fly down and surprise her for it. She was so shocked when we walked into the kitchen and saw us. We also got to celebrate Kye's birthday which is next week. They made this cute little cake for him and he attacked the thing. I"ll have to post the video sometime soon when I have the time to upload it. He's so fat..its hilarious!! I'm going to start calling him "thunder thighs Kye!" :)

For those who would like to come...I'm singin in our ward on December 14th. My goal is to get the whole chapel filled with family and friends of mine...just kidding but that would be freakin awesome! Anyway Dec. 14th @ 9:00 AM. You'll be my best friend if you come! :)

Sorry for such a short post, I'll update again when I have time! I love you all and hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving!!

Finally!

2008-10-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

HELLO EVERYONE! It has been forever since I've updated or even looked at this thing..so I figured I better make a post.

High School Musical is over. I literally cried for days. I'll have to post pictures later.
Went to Homecoming. My day date sucked big time, and I went home to my mom and just cried. She suggested that we say a prayer to ask Heavenly Father for some comfort and help. It went along the lines of: "Heavenly Father, please bless that Maggie's date won't be obnoxious and drive her to the point of insanity and please bless Maggie that she won't be a brat." Gotta love my mom! Anywho the dance was indeed better and I looked pretty darn good too! Thanks Terri, Karly, and Nicole! Love you girls! Again I'll post pictures later!
My uncle Alan is getting married!! I'm not kidding I had a revalation from the Lord. It was on Snday and I had just woken up from a nap and in my dream Bonnie (Uncle Al's lady friend) came to grandma James' with a ring on her finger. So I tell my mom and she's like thats really funny Maggie. We end up going to grandma's and by golly what happens? Bonnie shows up with a ring on her finger! No wonder why we are always referred to as the chosen generation! ;) Hahah just kidding!
I asked a boy to the Halloween dance. Which is like three weeks after homecoming? Weird huh? Well I went to Petsmart and bought some goldfish and and fish bowl and made this cute little sign that said "Out of all the fish in the sean I would love if you went to Sadie Hawkins with me!" It was way cute. So I dropped it off at his house and it took me forever to get up the guts to do it. I was very nervous and we had to doorbell ditch it which gave me even more anxiety!! Hahaha I have a video of the whole thing and I'll post that soon!!

Pictures and the video will be up shortly!! :)