Thursday, April 30, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
My Dad's Viewing & Funeral
I was worried about how I would feel seeing my dad in his casket. It definitely wasn't what I expected. I walked in to see him and this feeling just overcame me. He wasn't there. His body was, but I knew and felt that he was not there. I have always believe that the spirit and body are separate. We have both here on earth and when we die they separate. I know that when the resurrection happens that they will be united again. I have always believe these things because I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true and it is something they teach. I didn't truly know it though until I saw my dad that day, his body in his casket. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, to know that I will one day see him again. Families truly are forever.
His viewing was beautiful. His casket fit him perfectly, the simple pine would be just what he wanted. Simple, different, and outdoorsy. There were a lot of flowers and a beautiful set up of things showing his life, including a video. We saw many people we knew. Everyone loved him so much. He always made people laugh.
He had a beautiful funeral, too. Saying our last goodbyes and closing the casket was hard. It's hard knowing it's the last time you'll see his face for a while. We had the funeral at the church building he grew up in. One lady said it was the most uplifting funeral she had ever been to. He was a good man. A funny man. He enjoyed life. He loved to travel. He loved to talk and make friends. Mom had bagpipes at the grave site and we all wrote on balloons things we wanted to say to him and let them off at the same time. It was beautiful. He is already missed so much.
His viewing was beautiful. His casket fit him perfectly, the simple pine would be just what he wanted. Simple, different, and outdoorsy. There were a lot of flowers and a beautiful set up of things showing his life, including a video. We saw many people we knew. Everyone loved him so much. He always made people laugh.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
The Day My Dad Died
I'll never forget this day. In an instant I realized the amount of love I had for a person, the lessons he taught me that I never saw, and the amount of love that he had for me and my family. I wish I could say I saw it sooner, but I didn't. Growing up I was an onry teenager. I was trying to figure out how to have a dad and he was trying to figure out how to be a dad. As I grew older I began to appreciate him, though not as much as I wish I would have. We definitely became closer as I had kids. He adored being called "Papa Todd." He was around more often and spoiled us all. I won't be able to get a box of wipes without thinking of him. He was always bringing us a box of wipes. He always brought little things for Cooper.
I was at the Treehouse Museum when I found out. My grandpa called me and said, "Rachelle, I can't get a hold of your mom. I need you to call her and tell her Todd passed away about an hour ago. They will be taking him to the University of Utah for an autopsy." I was in shock. All I remember saying is, "Ok, I'll let her know." I was in shock. I called mom right there and told her to sit down. She kept saying, "What? Just tell me. Is it bad or good?" I told her "bad." I'll never forget her scream as I told her. "No! No!" She wanted to know what happened and where he was. I didn't know. I hadn't even thought to ask I was in so much shock. I quickly got Cooper and we left so I could take him home and head down to be with my mom. I cried and cried. How could this be? I just saw him on my birthday.
We rushed down to be at my grandparents house were he passed away. It appeared as though he passed in his sleep. We giggled a bit when we were told he had his headphones on listening to ESPN radio. So Todd! It took a few hours for us to see him. Since it was an unattended death a medical examiner and detective had to come, take pictures, go through things. They eventually brought him out so we could see him before they took him. No one had been allowed in his room until they had done their documentation. We all said our goodbyes and a prayer. Talk about hard. It was so hard to see my mom hurting so badly.
The last day I saw Todd, my birthday, he could tell I was worn out. He said "give me a hug." I did and he whispered "Hang in there." Oh how I will forever be grateful for that hug. A week or so before that I remember Cooper tackling him at Mom's house and they were both just a giggling! Oh how we miss him already.
I have learned so many things since his passing. One being that he was my dad. I always thought I didn't call him dad because I didn't feel like he was my dad, but I see now it was just because I was used to calling him Todd from when they were dating. Dad seemed weird. He was my dad though. The only man to ever stand by my mom. The only man to help raise us. He was so selfless. He was always taking care of us. He called me daily to see how we all were. He was always getting things for us. He loved us so much. He was crazy about my boys. I've learned to not get so frustrated with things. No one is perfect, what matters is we love each other. Ah! So many things. I miss him so much and look forward to the day when we see him again.
I was at the Treehouse Museum when I found out. My grandpa called me and said, "Rachelle, I can't get a hold of your mom. I need you to call her and tell her Todd passed away about an hour ago. They will be taking him to the University of Utah for an autopsy." I was in shock. All I remember saying is, "Ok, I'll let her know." I was in shock. I called mom right there and told her to sit down. She kept saying, "What? Just tell me. Is it bad or good?" I told her "bad." I'll never forget her scream as I told her. "No! No!" She wanted to know what happened and where he was. I didn't know. I hadn't even thought to ask I was in so much shock. I quickly got Cooper and we left so I could take him home and head down to be with my mom. I cried and cried. How could this be? I just saw him on my birthday.
We rushed down to be at my grandparents house were he passed away. It appeared as though he passed in his sleep. We giggled a bit when we were told he had his headphones on listening to ESPN radio. So Todd! It took a few hours for us to see him. Since it was an unattended death a medical examiner and detective had to come, take pictures, go through things. They eventually brought him out so we could see him before they took him. No one had been allowed in his room until they had done their documentation. We all said our goodbyes and a prayer. Talk about hard. It was so hard to see my mom hurting so badly.
The last day I saw Todd, my birthday, he could tell I was worn out. He said "give me a hug." I did and he whispered "Hang in there." Oh how I will forever be grateful for that hug. A week or so before that I remember Cooper tackling him at Mom's house and they were both just a giggling! Oh how we miss him already.
I have learned so many things since his passing. One being that he was my dad. I always thought I didn't call him dad because I didn't feel like he was my dad, but I see now it was just because I was used to calling him Todd from when they were dating. Dad seemed weird. He was my dad though. The only man to ever stand by my mom. The only man to help raise us. He was so selfless. He was always taking care of us. He called me daily to see how we all were. He was always getting things for us. He loved us so much. He was crazy about my boys. I've learned to not get so frustrated with things. No one is perfect, what matters is we love each other. Ah! So many things. I miss him so much and look forward to the day when we see him again.
My Dad's Obituary
Our hero, Larry Todd Smith (Todd or Smitty), 49, passed away suddenly yet peacefully at home in North Salt Lake, Utah on April 11, 2015. Todd was born on July 13, 1965 to Larry Don Smith and Neva Smith in Lehi, Utah.
Todd was raised in the NSL area and graduated from Woods Cross High in 1983. If you knew Todd in those school years you probably knew him as Smitty. Everyone knew him. Everyone loved him. His goal was to get you to at least crack a smile if not laugh out loud. Throughout his life people would approach Todd in public to say Hi and see how things were going. Todd was horrible at remembering names but if someone ever started talking to him it was as if they had been hanging out together all those years. Todd always stopped and gave his time to anybody.
Todd never let his size stop him. Todd lived his life big. He wrestled and played baseball and was an avid snow and water skiier earlier in his life. You really just couldn't keep up with him on the slopes. He was so low to the ground and could swish in and out of trees so fast he always had to wait for everyone else.
Todd served an LDS mission in Baton Rouge Louisiana. He made lifelong friends in the South as well as a love for Southern food including grits and Jambalaya.
Todd's passions were road trips to parts of the country that he has never explored and BYU football, so he decided to combine his two favorite activities. He spent a lot of time over the years traveling to away BYU games with various members of the family, Laramie, San Diego, Boise, San Francisco...His most memorable was being able to see the Y play at Notre Dame. His favorite parts of these trips was the drive time in the car. He would say that all you really needed to do to be entertained for 2,000 miles was to take dad and start asking questions about the scenery, wildlife in the area or the current crop growing in a field. Dad could keep Todd awake for hours while they drove across the country. He was always planning ahead and looking forward to the next adventure. There will be one empty seat at the BYU - Nebraska game in Lincoln this next season...Go Cougars.
Todd adored and was adored back by all of his nieces and nephews. He was the grownup who would get on the floor and crawl around with them on their level. Todd loved knowing that the kids always thought he was just an older kid.
Todd married Kim Call October 7, 2001. Kim and her children, Rachelle and Brandon, quickly became members of our family. His grandchildren, Cooper and Easton, are his pride and joy. He loved being Papa Todd.
Todd is survived by his parents, wife Kim, daughter Rachelle Frederiksen (Chris), son Brandon Tinajero and grandsons Cooper and Easton Frederiksen. Siblings Lisa Estrada (Gus), Lezlee Danner, Shaun Smith (Darlene) and Celeste Evans (Matt), 24 nieces and nephews, 3 great-nieces and many in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Intermountain Healing Hearts in honor of his grandson Easton who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. You can make donations at http://www.intermountainhealinghearts.org/donations.
Todd was raised in the NSL area and graduated from Woods Cross High in 1983. If you knew Todd in those school years you probably knew him as Smitty. Everyone knew him. Everyone loved him. His goal was to get you to at least crack a smile if not laugh out loud. Throughout his life people would approach Todd in public to say Hi and see how things were going. Todd was horrible at remembering names but if someone ever started talking to him it was as if they had been hanging out together all those years. Todd always stopped and gave his time to anybody.
Todd never let his size stop him. Todd lived his life big. He wrestled and played baseball and was an avid snow and water skiier earlier in his life. You really just couldn't keep up with him on the slopes. He was so low to the ground and could swish in and out of trees so fast he always had to wait for everyone else.
Todd served an LDS mission in Baton Rouge Louisiana. He made lifelong friends in the South as well as a love for Southern food including grits and Jambalaya.
Todd's passions were road trips to parts of the country that he has never explored and BYU football, so he decided to combine his two favorite activities. He spent a lot of time over the years traveling to away BYU games with various members of the family, Laramie, San Diego, Boise, San Francisco...His most memorable was being able to see the Y play at Notre Dame. His favorite parts of these trips was the drive time in the car. He would say that all you really needed to do to be entertained for 2,000 miles was to take dad and start asking questions about the scenery, wildlife in the area or the current crop growing in a field. Dad could keep Todd awake for hours while they drove across the country. He was always planning ahead and looking forward to the next adventure. There will be one empty seat at the BYU - Nebraska game in Lincoln this next season...Go Cougars.
Todd adored and was adored back by all of his nieces and nephews. He was the grownup who would get on the floor and crawl around with them on their level. Todd loved knowing that the kids always thought he was just an older kid.
Todd married Kim Call October 7, 2001. Kim and her children, Rachelle and Brandon, quickly became members of our family. His grandchildren, Cooper and Easton, are his pride and joy. He loved being Papa Todd.
Todd is survived by his parents, wife Kim, daughter Rachelle Frederiksen (Chris), son Brandon Tinajero and grandsons Cooper and Easton Frederiksen. Siblings Lisa Estrada (Gus), Lezlee Danner, Shaun Smith (Darlene) and Celeste Evans (Matt), 24 nieces and nephews, 3 great-nieces and many in-laws, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to Intermountain Healing Hearts in honor of his grandson Easton who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. You can make donations at http://www.intermountainhealinghearts.org/donations.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Curious George!
Here is a picture taken at the Treehouse Museum when George was there. Cooper and I had a "blast!"
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Brothers
I love seeing these two together. Cooper is such a good helper and loves snuggling up with his brother.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Easter!
We had a wonderful day before Easter. We went to the city Easter egg hunt and Aunt Johnnie's annual Easter egg hunt. We had fun finding eggs, eating candy, getting prizes, and decorating eggs. The holiday gets more fun each year. Cooper got a game and other fun things in his basket and Easton got clothes and a few toys.
We celebrated the real meaning of Easter on Sunday. We hope to do a better job at this in the future with a tradition.
We celebrated the real meaning of Easter on Sunday. We hope to do a better job at this in the future with a tradition.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Going Private
Reminder - Blog is going PRIVATE! Email me or message me on Facebook or text me and let me know if you want an invite. Thanks!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
A growing boy!
This little man is on a roll! Sitting up for a few seconds today on his own. Rolled to his right side today (has been rolling to his left since before surgery) and intentionally shook a toy so it would make noise. He was so proud he kept smiling. So close to rolling over! Also saying "da da da" a lot today. Why must the m sound be so hard to say!? And he had found his legs!
And Day 11 of daily naps. Today Cooper got down from the table after eating lunch and ran straight to his room and got in bed and waited for me to come read him a book. Say what!? Now if we could get some other routines down!
Mr. Peanut Butter
Cooper LOVES peanut butter. He wants to many spoonfuls that we have learned to make a jar his and he just eats out of it!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
A Cutie
This little man is growing like a weed! We moved him to his own room on the 19th and he has done well. He is still waking up in the night refluxing. I feel so bad for him. He still manages to smile every day!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Quick Update
This is a random post, but a quick update:
Having Easton home has been difficult, but joyful. It's a lot of work and a lot of stuff. It can be quite overwhelming. He has a lot of oxygen tanks and a concentrater. The concentrater has a 50 foot cord. We still have the feeding pump. Chris isn't working evenings anymore, for the most part, so that is helpful. Easton isn't clingy with his smiles. Talk about brightening your day! He can be a bit clingy, but is getting better. We had three appointments in one day and I think he had a bit of PTSD so clung to me the rest of the day and the next day. He is sleeping better, finally! He loves to sleep on his side and if he wakes up fussing he is starting to put himself to sleep. We love him so much and are so glad he is a part of our family!
His post op appointment went GREAT! They said his chest xray looked amazing! His heart has shrunk back to normal size!!! They also said his incision looked great. We mentioned his heart rate being super low now and they said that was wonderful because that shows his heart has now compensated for the surgery. It was so nice to get good news. We know we have a long road still, but some of the hardest is behind us. We just hope we can figure this feeding stuff out. We will be moving him to his own room soon, too.
Cooper is going to sunbeams. He loves having brother home and laughs that he can make brother smile.
Having Easton home has been difficult, but joyful. It's a lot of work and a lot of stuff. It can be quite overwhelming. He has a lot of oxygen tanks and a concentrater. The concentrater has a 50 foot cord. We still have the feeding pump. Chris isn't working evenings anymore, for the most part, so that is helpful. Easton isn't clingy with his smiles. Talk about brightening your day! He can be a bit clingy, but is getting better. We had three appointments in one day and I think he had a bit of PTSD so clung to me the rest of the day and the next day. He is sleeping better, finally! He loves to sleep on his side and if he wakes up fussing he is starting to put himself to sleep. We love him so much and are so glad he is a part of our family!
His post op appointment went GREAT! They said his chest xray looked amazing! His heart has shrunk back to normal size!!! They also said his incision looked great. We mentioned his heart rate being super low now and they said that was wonderful because that shows his heart has now compensated for the surgery. It was so nice to get good news. We know we have a long road still, but some of the hardest is behind us. We just hope we can figure this feeding stuff out. We will be moving him to his own room soon, too.
Cooper is going to sunbeams. He loves having brother home and laughs that he can make brother smile.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
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