My mother passed away Saturday December 12th at 9:50 p.m. She was surrounded by all her children, her husband (my dad), and three of her best friends. The experience is one I will never forget. Each one of us said our goodbyes one by one and then we sang God be with you till we meet again, How great thou art, and Be still my soul. After that we played this beautiful song called Flying on Angels wings that a lady in my parents ward sang for my mom earlier in the day. My mom requested Monica to sing this at her funeral. After the song ended my mom peacefully passed away. I have so many emotions and feelings right now. One minute I am happy and the next I am sad.

My parents ward has been so good to us they have brought in meals, babysat our kids, and have helped with the funeral plans. I have never in my life had to rely so much on other people has I have now.

Jeff and I got out to Phoenix early Thursday morning so I got to spend three full days with my mom before she passed. My mother told me she was at peace with dying. She said she was happy to die around Christmas because it is when we celebrate Christs birth, she was glad to die with some hair since the last chemo treatment did not make it fall out, and she was excited to see her parents again. My mother is such a wonderful example to me. She suffered much pain the last two months of her life. She lived a beautiful life and was such a wonderful example of someone who lived a Christ like life. I know I will see her again one day.

Here is the obituary my sister wrote for my mother.

MORTENSEN, Hannele age 54 of Peoria, Arizona fought valiantly against stomach cancer for the past year. She passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2009 surrounded by her family and several close friends. Hannele was born July 22, 1955 in Kemi, Finland to Valo Marikainen and Elma Rautiainen. She graduated fr...om Tornio High School in 1974. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from November 1976 to May 1978. In December 1978 she came to the United States to attend Brigham Young University (“BYU”). She studied business and dance while at BYU in Provo, Utah from January 1979 to April 1979. While at BYU she met her future husband in a dance class. On July 3, 1979 she married George L. Mortensen in the Salt Lake City Temple. After getting married, the couple lived in Sheridan, Wyoming and El Paso, Texas. In August 1980, the couple and their first daughter Angela returned to BYU so George could continue his studies. After George’s graduation in April 1982, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona. George and Hannele raised their four children Angela, Jonelle, Melissa and Bryan in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. They lived in Phoenix, Glendale, Surprise and Peoria, Arizona. Hannele graduated in 1998 from Phoenix College with an Associate degree in Legal Assisting. Hannele worked at PRM Association Management from 2001 to 2004 and for High Tech Institute from 2004 to 2009. Hannele is survived by her husband, George L. Mortensen, her daughters, Angela (Jeff) Fuller, Jonelle (Jay) West, Melissa Mortensen and her son, Bryan Mortensen. She has four grandchildren. Services will be Saturday, December 19, 2009 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 9543 W. Jomax Rd. Peoria, Arizona. Visitation will be one hour before the service from 11:00 A.M. to 11:45 A.M. The funeral service starts at 12:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Sunland Cemetery and Mortuary of Sun City located at 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the missionary account for Bryan Mortensen. Account #850871054 JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA.

Little Snow Angel

Last Sunday I took Brielle to church for the first time since she was born. I loved dressing my little girl for church. My mother in law found this adorable outfit for Brielle. She was our little snow angel. I kept the outfit on all day because I know in a few weeks she will not be able to wear this newborn outfit. I can't believe how much she has grown in four weeks. Time is flying by so fast. Brielle right now weighs 7 pounds. She eats 3 oz per feeding and she wakes up every three hours to eat during the night. I get very little sleep. Last night I got a total of four hours of sleep and some how I survived today.
Today our sweet Bri turned one month. I took a picture of her tonight to document this monumental day. This sleeper is size newborn. She wore it home from the hospital and it was pretty big. Today it fits perfect and if her legs get any longer we will be moving on to our 0-3 month sleepers.

I can't believe Brielle is two weeks old. She definitely came a lot earlier then expected but we are loving our little peanut. Today she went to the doctor and she now weighs six pounds. She hardly cries but she loves to grunt. She is a very calm and good baby. I really enjoy having a daughter. I love dressing her in pink and in bows.
Last Wednesday some good friends in my ward through me a baby shower. They were kind enough to postpone it one week since I ended up delivering Brielle the day before the original shower date. It has been hard for me to be so far away from my family but it was nice to feel so loved by the women in my ward. I really enjoyed myself that evening and I was able to bring Brielle to the shower. She slept the entire time. Here are the Fuller girls posing for the camera.

Baby Brielle is here!!!

Brielle Elizabeth Fuller was born Tuesday Nov. 3rd at 9:40 p.m. in the evening. She weighed 5lbs 14 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. She came 3 weeks and 2 days early. This was a lot earlier then what we were expecting but baby and mom are doing fine. We were released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Jeff and I are so grateful Heavenly Father has sent this sweet spirit to us.

These pictures were all taken at the hospital. I want to write about her birth for journalling purposes so you may want to scroll down to the pictures if you do not want to read about her birth.

I have had so many overwhelming feelings about this pregnancy. Jeff and I have wanted another little one in our home for quite sometime. I can hardly believe she is here.

About two weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with some bleeding. I called the on call doctor and she told me it was probably no big deal but to continue to watch the quantity. The next morning the bleeding continued so Jeff and I called the on call doctor and she told me to go into labor and delivery to get checked out since it was a Saturday morning. At the hospital they checked the babies heart rate and checked to see if I was contracting. Here heart rate was good and I was not having any contractions so the doctor did not seem to worried. She asked if I had placenta previa and I told her that at my 22 week ultrasound we did not see any signs of placenta previa. She said my stomach was soft so I was not having a placenta eruption. She checked to see if I was dilated but I was not so she told me that the bleeding was probably caused by my bowel movement I had in the middle of night. She said the BM probably caused my uterus to shift. Jeff and I accepted this theory and went home.

On Tuesday Oct. 27th I went in to see my doctor told her about what had happened Saturday. She thought the bleeding was strange but accepted the on call doctors theory. She was in a hurry to help deliver a 25 week old baby by c-section so she did my strep B test and hurried out the door.

Tuesday Nov. 3rd I woke up and took Brayden to preschool, went by a friends house to look at paint, and then I headed to the nail salon to get a pedicure. I am so glad I pampered myself Tuesday morning because little did I know what was to come. After my pedicure I picked up pizza. As I was paying for the pizza I felt clots of blood coming out. I called Jeff and rushed home. We called my doctor and she told me to come in ASAP.

My doctor did an ultrasound and told Jeff and I she wanted a perinatologist to a more detailed ultrasound. She told us to check into labor and delivery. The last thing my doctor asked me is if I had eaten lunch yet. Luckily I had grabbed a piece of pizza on my way out the door. I had a feeling she asked me that just in case I had to have an unscheduled c-section.

Jeff joked on the way to hospital "Wouldn't it be great if we have the baby today." I did not want this because I did not feel prepared. My baby shower was scheduled for Wednesday night. Her baby room was still not done and my house was not organized completely the way I wanted it. I had not completed my nesting.

We went in and had the ultrasound. The doctor confirmed I had placenta previa. She said my placenta was completely covering my cervix and that I would definitely have to have a c-section. She said that Brielle was measuring about six pounds and looked healthy. She recommended we just get the baby out but she would let my doctor decide if she wanted to wait a day or two.

She talked to my doctor and the on call doctor and they decided they wanted to get the baby out at 9:15 that night. I cried. I felt so overwhelmed and scared. I did not want c-section. I also could not believe I would miss the baby shower by one day. After a few phone calls from family and friends my spirits were uplifted. I had two hours to prepare myself for the c-section.

I went for the c-section at 9:15 p.m. and by 9:40 p.m. Brielle was out. She had lots of dark hair and had a distinct girlie cry. Jeff and I cried tears of joy. My spinal worked great I did not feel a thing. I am so grateful for pain meds and modern technology. While they stitched me up Jeff went with Brielle to the nursery. I did not feel any pain until I was in the recovery room. That is where I started to throw up and feel severe stomach pain. Somehow I made it through the night.

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father allowed us to find out I had placenta previa before I went into active labor. Brielle and my life would have been at risk if I had gone into active labor. I know angels were watching out for her and I.

Many family and friends have called and visited. Jeff and I have felt so loved by others.

Jeff is all suited up to go in the operating room.

This is Brielle right after she was born. We could not believe how much hair she had.


This is Brielle being weighed. She did not even make it to 6 pounds.



Brielle is finally all cleaned up.

I love being able to put bows in her hair. Girls are so much fun.

Brielle already has her Daddy wrapped around her little fingers.
Grandma Jill and Aunt Heather with Brielle.
This was the first time Brayden met Brielle.
Aunt Sue and Uncle Larry drove out from Houston to come to the baby shower but they got to meet Brielle instead. Larry and Sue also painted the babies room for me while they were here. Thank you so much guys.

Halloween 2009

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, I love eating anything pumpkin, and I love the anticipation of all the holidays to come. This year is even more special because we are also waiting the arrival of our little girl!!

Jeff's dad's birthday is on Halloween so we took him out to dinner at Ruby Tuesdays and then came back home and and ate pumpkin squares. We took some family pictures before we took Brayden trick or treating. You will notice I am not in any of the pictures but that was done on purpose. All you pregnant women out there can understand.

This year for Halloween Brayden was a lion for the second time in his life. He wore this outfit when he was five months old and it pretty much covered his body now it fits just perfect. Here is my lion now............

And here is what my little lion looked like three years ago. Wow, he has grown so much but he still just as adorable!!!

The unique thing about Jeff, Heather, and Brayden is they are all 13 years apart. Jeff is 13 years older than his youngest sister Heather and Heather is almost exactly 13 years older then her nephew Brayden.

We made grandpa take this picture even though he did not want to. You have to take a picture on your birthday.


Grandma Jill, Heather, and Brayden being silly.
After we took Brayden trick or treating we went over to the Albrethsen's to play some games and eat yummy food. We had a lot a fun and we were grateful for the extra hour of sleep we got since it was daylight savings last night.


Heather is on the drill team at Reagon High. Last Friday they did a halftime routine to thriller. Here is what Heather looked like for the performance. She definitely scared Brayden. She spent all Saturday morning working on her hair trying to get the hairspray and knots out.

Preschool Fieldtrips

Well I have been horrible about keeping up with blogging but I decided tonight I am going to catch up on what we the Fuller's have been up to. This year Brayden is in a Preschool co-op with some other children from our ward. At the end of each month we take field trips. So far we have been to fire station and the pumpkin patch. This is our future firefighter in the making.



Brayden loved sitting in the fire truck. They let the kids sit in the firetruck, spray a fire hose and climb through the firetruck. They even put on the firetruck siren.



















The pumpkin patch was a lot of fun. They had six learning station for the kids. They painted pumpkins, went on a hayride, pulled red wagons, and played some games. Brayden was our little pilgrim and Daddy was our Indian.

























This is Brayden doing his first potato sack race he loved it. What little boy does not love to jump.

Projects

Well this week has been crazy busy and I know right now I should be sleeping but she (the baby) is always kicking and awake right when I need to go to bed. So I decided to blog. I have been trying to improve my sewing skills so I made a few burp cloths for a special friend in my ward. I had to take a picture of what I sewed so I could prove to my family that I am becoming more and more domesticated. I really enjoy sewing. I never would have said that ten years ago.


My mother-in-law sewed these pink ones for me. I think these burp cloths are all really cute. Homemade gifts are the best. They are such a labor of love. Hopefully my sewing skills will continue to improve.

Blessings

Today we found out the cat scan results for my mother. The doctor said everything looks clear so she will just have check ups every couple of months. We are so happy that it looks like there will be no more chemo treatments. This is such a relief for my mother and our family. It is so nice to hear good news. You really appreciate the ups in life when you have felt the downs. I am so thankful today. My heart is full!!!

FYI........I went in to see my doctor today and she surprised me by offering to do a gender ultrasound. She confirmed that it looks like a girl. I think now after two ultrasounds I can feel confident about shopping in the girls department. Pink here I come!!!

Baby News and Vacation Pictures!!!!

Well this afternoon a dear friend of ours did an ultrasound for me. I have been itching to know what we are having. I am 25 weeks and and three days along. I have waited six weeks longer than I did with Brayden. Talk about suspense. Well we are more than 90% sure its a ............ GIRL!!! We looked long and hard and could not see anything poking out. We even double checked. We are excited and I don't even know where to start. Part of me has a hard time even thinking it is possible Jeff and I could even have a girl. I guess I will probably be in denial until I finally hold her in my arms. This has been a bitter sweet day because exactly a year ago today I was in the hospital having a miscarriage. I know today was a tender mercy from the Lord.

Jeff has been begging me to get the pictures up of our Arizona and California trip. Here are the pictures finally from our trip. We had the opportunity to go out to California with are good friends Sheri and Jeremy and their two daughters. We even drove out together and squeezed all seven of us into a Nissan Armada. These first few pictures are of us as Balboa Island. The weather was gorgeous. I love being in a place where we can wear a light sweater at night. Here Brayden and Jeff are enjoying the sunset at the pier.

Brayden loves riding carousels.



















This is my favorite picture I got with Brayden with Mickey Mouse at Toontown. He was so excited to Mickey Mouses house.

Here we are at Club 33. We just got done eating a nice large meal and we were ready to head back into the Disneyland crowds.

Don't you want to squeeze and kiss both of their cheeks?

Brayden and Jeff really enjoyed riding the bumper cars.

Brayden and his friends Shade and Maddie got to meet Handy Manny. I actually like watching Handy Manny.



















Jeff matches perfect with Mickey and Minnie.


Enjoying the sun at Laguna Beach. I love my two boys.
























This is my mom with Brayden. On August 25th we will get back her cat scans results. We are all hoping for good news. I think my mom looks beautiful.



















Brayden got to be in Az for his 2nd cousin Dallin's 3rd birthday. Dallin and Brayden love each other so much. They are a handful though when they are together. I found these outfits at Kohls on clearance. So the boys matched for Dallin's party. I think they are adorable.

My best friend Janae' and I took our kids to the Glendale recreation pool one day. Crew and Brayden had so much fun riding the slides and the lazy river.





































We had so much fun spending time with family and friends. I was so excited to meet my new nephew Bradly!!!I wish we had had more time out in AZ because I was not able to see everyone I wanted to see. Hopefully we will be able to see more people when we come back in December!