Sadly, on the morning of Friday, November 8th, Alex got a phone call from Jan Pabst's son, Kerry, letting him know that Jan had had a stroke and was on her way to the ER. Alex called a friend to go give Jan a blessing, then we spent the rest of the day in the hospital with Jan. She had indeed had a major stroke on the left side of her brain, and the doctors told us that Jan was on her way out. Melanie and Alex spent the early afternoon together with Jan.
We were so very very grateful that Averly's and Kaleb's mission presidents let us call them, and they were each able to, in turn, say their good-byes to Jan over the phone while Jan intently looked at the phone with eyes full of love. It was an unbelievably tender time!
Verity wasn't quite well enough to come to the hospital on Friday, so she made this priceless note for Jan and sent it to her. We know she saw it and cherished it.
Fortunately on Sunday, Verity was well enough to come visit Jan and share her deep love for her.
Jan was mostly unresponsive by then, but she could still clasp Verity's hand.
We stopped by Jan's house after a very long day at the hospital and had to get a picture of the Mobi game sheets of our most recent visits to Jan. Jan did indeed win the 2nd to last game, but Hayden won our last game we played together.
Jan passed away early Monday morning, November 11th. Our hearts broke with sadness, but we're filled with gratitude that we had 11 sweet, sweet years of joy with our best friend, Jan Pabst!
This is Carolyn Whitney, one of Given's earliest Sunday-School teachers in our new house many years ago. She loved Given. Her husband passed away, so this was our visit to his viewing.
This is Given terribly harassing his sweet wife!
After Verity got over her Pneumonia, Hayden had his term. He fought through it, going to school and even basketball tryouts, all while feeling absolutely awful.
Great memories of Jan asking our daughters to update her calendar for her. We were gifted this calendar as a sweet memory of Jan from her sister, Claire.
Hayden's favorite chair at Jan's house - FINALLY - he gets it all to himself (all siblings gone who would steal it from him :)
Fun things of sweet memories from Jan's house...
Jan's funeral was held on a very cold day, Saturday, November 16th. Melanie spoke and gave a wonderful tribute to Jan and to all the amazing people who served her so wonderfully for all the years we knew her.
Melanie with dear friend, Mindy Sapp.
This is Jan and Ray's daughter who was born and only lived for two days.
We will miss you SO very very much, Jan!!
On our way away from the cemetery, and to the church for the luncheon.
Jan's nice, Diana.
Jan's brother-in-law (and wonderful guy), Max!
Max's wife and Jan's little sister, Claire. We got to know and love them a bit as they lived in Idaho Falls for a while.
Congratulations to Hayden for making the 9th grade Hillcrest basketball team (even while trying out with no lungs from his bout with pneumonia). Great job, Hayden!
Melanie dropping off Alex at the IF airport for his trip out to help Jeremy and Connie in Colorado Springs.
In a Medi-Ride van taking Jeremy to his appointment to get 45 staples out of the back of his head from his spinal cord surgery 3 weeks earlier.
Loved time with their whole family, even Sarah came in from Florida.
Playing Banana-grams together.
Back at home, Melanie made a fierce batch of Jan's pumpkin rolls. SO GOOD!
Special day with mom taking Hayden out to lunch at Culver's.
Alex sending off Sarah to Florida from the Colorado Spring airport.
Connie wanted an "exploring" day with Alex, so we went to Colorado City, Colorado and got some ice cream at this cool little shop.
All natural spring water. It tastes like sparkling water.
The mountain with the 2,000 + steps to the top. Alex got to step 300 and called it good.
In Garden of the Gods.
Nice Saturday morning of football watching
Alex hanging out with Dallin. Getting strawberry shakes at Whataburger.
Fun little visit from Abbi Whitney
The most incredible part of Alex's trip to Colorado Springs was his opportunity to spend an entire day with Sister Chatelain in Pueblo West! Although she knew he was coming (and President Kotter gave his permission), when Averly saw Alex walking toward her down the hall of the church, she turned around, buried her face in her hands and wouldn't hug him ;). Alex wrapped her in his arms and she said, "You're real! You smell like you!". It was probably quite a shock to her (more than to Alex).
Hanging out in the kitchen of the church after meetings
Unbelievable that Alex even got to attend a baptism while there!
On the doorstep of Brother and Sister Primm.
We had dinner that night at Averly's favorite family, the Torgerson's. Incredible experience hearing their story of meeting, being reactivated in the Church, and now their incredible devotion to God and His Church.
Alex having a little breakfast with Dallin at Carl's Jr.
Nice! Buy it!
Verity's "leaf angel"
Hooooray! Dad's home!!
A dinner visit from Given and Grace. Poor Grace gets so teased when she comes to our house. This time, we learned the talk of blood or boogers makes Grace gag. You'd better believe the booger/blood stories came out in force thereafter.
Sorry, grace :(
Thanksgiving trip to Utah. Oliver and Hayden at Gma/Gpa Hatch's
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Fun baptisms trip to the new Taylorsville temple: Kammee, Annie, Oliver, Hayden
And Grandpa and Dad
So precious!
Too cute! Chatelain Friday Thanksgiving party at Jayson/Chris's church. Verity pulling around sweet little Genni. Genni loves Verity!
Jayson and Chris's fun ping-pong-in-the-cup game. Melanie won the biggest prize!
Verity, Luka, Alyssa
More of Genni and Verity
So fun the fellas got to play a little bball!
Grace holding little Max
Oliver bought us all these fun BYU beanie hats for our trip to the Saturday football game!
At the Iverson's celebrating Elsie's birthday!
Thanks for the help cleaning up the leaves!
Must be on our way to yet another BYU football game (3rd this season?!?). Tradition: Get Little Caesar's pizza, then J-Dawgs pre game.
Pre game: BYU vs. Houston
Unbelievable! The Harrison's came to this freezing cold game, too, and sat just 3 rows behind us!
Big snow day in Pueblo West for Sister Chatelain and Sister Jorgensen
Elder Chatelain and Elder Barney enjoying J-Dawgs in Spanish Fork.
All suited up for a hospital visit
Crazy! The Maughan family, from our stake, visited the very ward Kaleb was serving in that day. Fun picture of him shaking hands with his high-school friend, Amarah.
Great fellas Kaleb was teaching in Spanish Fork
Kaleb eating......BALUT!!!! Crazy that he ate in Utah what I was not allowed to eat for 2 years in the Philippines.
Payson temple trip on P-day
Kind of an ugly game, but BYU got it done, 30-18. Glad they won all 3 games we went too!
While the boys were at the BYU football game, the ladies were enjoying In-N-Out!!
Good friend of Averly and Sister Jorgensen, Gayle. She moved the next day.
