Great.

Alta Aleana Rippling Preston
Technically this is my Great Grandma. However she is more commenly known as Great. She was such an amazing lady. Sweet...but she also had a spit fire side too. Roughly 7-8 years ago my Grandma and Grandpa moved her into their house. As hard as it probably was on my grandma I'm so very grateful that she opened her home for Great. Getting to know Great, spending time with her, celebrating holidays, birthdays, family fun with her made it seem as if Great was just an extra grandma, How lucky was I to have 3 grandmas. She was fantastic.

I'm so thankful for the gospel. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I have. I know that she is now back with her husband. I know there was a glorious reunion. I only pray that I can live my life in such a way that when I go, there will be that same glorious reunion.

Great was around for so many things, and all the little cousins loved her, and she loved them. There was a special bond between them. They probably drove her completly crazy...kids can somtimes be so loud...but they still loved her. Cache was upset the most about Great passing. He cried like crazy during the grave dedication. He was also worried that we closed her in the box. His biggest fear, however, was how much she was going to miss us. I think she might miss us a little. We are going to miss her though. She lived such a good long life, and for 30 of those years she was without her husband. It was her time. As sad as I was, I was also so happy for her. I think that 80% of my tears that fell were tears that came for my cousins. They didn't want her to go. They still wanted to go to Grandmas and visit Great. Lots of people tried to help explain what had happened, explain the plan of salvation, the ressurection, eternal life, and forever families, to the kids. They didn't seem to grasp the concept of it until, Eli a 6 year old, sat down and explained it in the simple childlike understanding. In passing I heard him bearing his cute little testimony that Great was now with Heavenly Father and Jesus and she would look out for us while she was in heaven, and when we get older and go to the temple, which is Heavenly Fathers house we will be able to visit her. I don't know how that works, but I do know that it is true. I can't say I've ever visited with anyone in the temple, but maybe it's because my faith isn't as pure as a little childs. It puts into perspective the scripture Mosiah 3:19 "...becometh as a child..."

It was a beautiful day. A beautiful ceremony.
Tyson wasn't able to get away from school, due to being in a tough demanding class **cough~cardio~cough** but he was the most amazing husband in letting me go. I don't think it even crossed his mind that I shouldn't go. He was fantastic. He even skipped his 3rd class ever, when I found out I called him and left him a message, and he came home from school to comfort me. I have the greatest husband ever. Great loved him too. I think they had some unique bond. My favorite memory of Great and Tyson was when she kept pestering us about having children. "when are you going to have a little child?" as much as I tried to say we just weren't ready she wouldn't hear it. So I blamed it on Tyson. "He doesn't want kids yet." Her little eyes got firery and she called him the worst thing I'm sure she could think of. A coward.

Hopefully she never finds out it is me that isn't ready for kids yet. ;)

(and the thing Tyson pointed out, since the ceremony was in Price and gravside was in good ole East Carbon Utah, I was only 2 hours away from Moab.)

an added bonus of being able to go home was getting to meet the newest cousin! Mr. Houghston Phelps! What a cute little man!! Golly. ALMOST makes me want one myself... ;)

It was such a quick trip. I found out Tuesday afternoon, and flew home Wednesday night. I got in at 11:30 Utah time. Since it was such a quick thing my parents decided to keep it a secret from Spencer and Nicole. It was so fun being able to surprise them. The reactions where Priceless. I wish I had pictures of it all. Awesome.