Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my dad's birthday.......and his viewing. He passed away Sunday morning about 8:15am while I was holding his hand and sitting by his side. I hated seeing my dad struggle and in so much pain and prayed so hard all night long for Heavenly Father to please take him so he wouldn't suffer anymore. But when the time came, it was more than I could bare and I wanted him back. I am so thankful I have a strong family and we rallied together to make his viewing extra special and a little bit of a "party". I made a CD of my dad's favorite songs, we had a video playing of pictures of my dad, balloons, birthday cards, birthday cake, several pictures displayed, his quilt that we made for him years ago, and my dad's favorite candy & treats (Whoppers, Hot Tamales, Twinkies, and wafers). My family gathered before the viewing started and we sang "Happy Birthday" to my dad. I know our little "party" probably didn't even compare to the celebration he's having in Heaven, but we had to do something to celebrate our dad, as hard as it was. I love you daddy and I'm going to miss you more than I can even imagine. Happy Birthday!!!

(Thank you to my amazing family, to John for being my rock, John's mom Ethelyn who fixed my dad's quilt for the viewing, and Lynzie who brought the digital frame to me even though she hates viewings.)

My daddy's obituary

MacArthur Douglas Halona
1951 ~ 2009

MacArthur Douglas Halona, 57, of Springville, UT, returned home to his Heavenly Father surrounded by his family, on April 19, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born April 21, 1951 in Gallup, New Mexico to Wallace E. and Betty J. Halona. He spent his childhood years on the Navajo reservation in Tohatchi, New Mexico. At the age of 8 he came to live in Springville through the Indian placement program, graduating from Springville High School in 1969. He attended BYU where he performed with the Lamanite Generation and received his Bachelor's degree in Business Management in 1985. He loved fishing, hunting, yard work, woodcutting, camping, the BYU Cougars, and the Utah Jazz. He was a talented artist and enjoyed studying Church History. Above all he cherished spending time with his family.

He married his best friend Pamela Sue Pendergraft on June 7, 1980 in Orem, Utah and was sealed as her Eternal companion in the Mt. Timpanogas Temple April 11, 2009.

He is survived by his parents; his wife of 28 years; sons and daughters: Leigh (C. Lee) Vornkahl, M. Shane Halona, Jeremy (Delores) Halona, Michael Halona, Utahna (John) Erickson, Desiree' (C. Ryan) Raulston, Andrea "Gia" (Timothy) Carter, and Melody Baldwin Halona; nine (soon to be ten) grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the Springville Fifth Ward at 245 S. 600 E. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 E. 200 S. Springville or at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the services. Interment, Springville Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Wheeler Mortuary to help cover funeral expenses.

Condolences may be sent at www.wheelermortuary.com or http://ads.heraldextra.com/articles/2009/04/20/obituaries/341810.txt

Easter & baby tell all

So now that John & I have come to terms with the pregnancy and are actually very happy & excited about it, we decided it's time to tell our families the big news. Since this could very well be our only child, I wanted to do it in a very creative and fun way. And since Sunday was Easter, I thought that would be the perfect day to tell everyone. For my step-dad's family (Kent & Suzanne) and John's family, I made a cute card in the shape of an egg. The top of the egg moved open so when you opened it, it showed a stamp of a baby with the words "To be hatching in October 2009". And for my dad and my mom, I ordered custom fortune cookies with the fortune "We always said never, not even maybe, but it's true, John & Tahna are having a baby" inside.

The plan was to go to my step-dad's first, then my dad's, and then John's parents. Because my mom has been difficult the past few weeks, we didn't tell her until Tuesday. So we went to my step-dad's house first and gave him the card. It took him a while to figure it out and he had to read it again....slowly. His eyes lit up and said "Really?" I nodded my head and he gave me a hug and took the card to Suzanne who read it about 5 times before she got the surprised and happy look on her face that was I expecting. She got so excited and everyone else finally got to hear what the fuss was about and congratulated us. Of course everyone was surprised because I've always said I didn't want kids. But they were all happy.

Then we went to my dad's house and had a 2nd lunch. John & I were supposed to make chinese food, but at the last minute, my brother Michael wanted to have Navajo Tacos because his girlfriend's parents were in town and eating with us. So that kind of put a damper on my plans, but I was not going to postpone my news again. Especially since it was not a great day for my dad as he was exhausted from the day before at the Temple. Usually he will make the effort to eat at the dining table with everyone, but he just couldn't do it today :( He stayed in the living room resting on the couch. After we ate, everyone was in the living room and I handed out the fortune cookies to everyone saying "We were supposed to have Chinese food, but Michael ruined that plan, but here's an Easter fortune for everyone anyway". My oldest brother Shane was the first to read it and immediately got excited and hugged me. Slowly one by one, everyone read the fortune and I tried to keep everyone quiet until my dad got to read his. He was the last to open it and when he read it I started crying. He looked up at me and said "Congratulations girl" (that's what he calls me and my sister's and he says it in his own special tone that is sweet) and I hugged him and cried on his shoulder. I told him I wanted him to be there when the baby's born and he whispered in my ear "I will be". I cried even more knowing in my heart that it was true, but not in the way I truly wanted.

After my dad's we went home to do a doggy easter egg hunt with our boys Amos & Homer J. Then we went to John's parents for dinner. I gave the egg card to his mom who jumped a little in shock and then hugged me in excitement. She gave the card to John's dad who congratulated us in his own gentle and soft way. His smile was priceless :) John's family is a little more quiet and calm than mine. It's probably because there are only four of them (John, his parents and his sister). All of my families are chaotic and loud because there are so many of us. But it's nice to go to the Erickson's because it is calm and relaxing. It was the perfect way to end the day.

(Can you believe I did not have a camera with me. I'm such an idiot. I will post pics of the card and fortune soon)

My daddy went to the Temple

Last Saturday was a bad day for weather and pictures, but a GREAT day for my dad. He and my step-mom got sealed in the Mt Timpanogos Temple :) They have been married for 28 years and this was one of the last things that my dad wanted to do and accomplish. Luckily, we had some insight from my dad's hospice nurse, Jason, and had the sealing a week before originally scheduled. Jason also helped us with my dad's medication & schedule of meds so that we could have the best possible day with my dad. And it was an amazing day. My dad must've saved all the energy he had for that day because it was a really busy & long day but he held up wonderfully. Everyone that was inside said it was beautiful and the sealing was the most emotional sealing they'd ever been too. After their sealing, my little sister Gia and her husband Tim also got sealed :) We then took some family pictures outside the temple by a photographer I found and who offered to take our families pictures for free :) It was rainy and gloomy, but I'm glad we took some anyway.
After pictures I thought for sure my dad would be completely wiped out but he said he wanted to go out to eat at Chili's :) So we went to Chili's and had what would be our last dinner out with my dad. It was a special day and I'm so thankful that my dad had the energy and was the most lucid that he's been in a while. Thank you Jason!! It would'nt have happened without you! And thank you Stephanie for the pictures!!

Daddy & his kids

My mom & dadAwwwwMe & my daddy You did it dad! You said you'd do it and you did!!

It's true...WE'RE PREGNANT!!

This is a post I NEVER thought I would be posting. But it's true, WE'RE PREGNANT!! We actually found out about 2 months ago but decided to wait to tell the world our news in case of a miscarriage. We also had to let the reality sink in before we started telling family and friends...although a few already knew ;) I took about 4 pregnancy tests just to make sure and was hoping one of them would say negative. But of course it never happened and here I am, now 14 weeks pregnant and FINALLY we're both ok with it and happy. John is so cute about it and is hoping for a girl :) I don't really have a preference, although a girl would be awesome because we don't have any girls in my family. I have 9 nephews and no neices. This will be the first grandchild on John's side so that is exciting! On May 19th we'll find out what we're having and we can't wait!!