Video of Heather

My niece Morgan Luedtke (Fred's oldest child) made this video of Heather for her journalism class at BYU. This was done over general conference weekend in april of 2009. This was after Heather's brain surgery in February and her intense rehabilitation. Her face is very puffy in the video due to the spinal fluid leaking in her brain around the incision site. Although it is not the way Heather typically looked, it is so comforting to watch this video, mainly just to hear her voice and watch her mannerisms.

I am also proud of Morgan for this video which I believed she received a 100 out of 100 on. She is using it as a piece to apply for the BYU journalism program. Morgan is very creative and talented. I remember her doing documentaries/newcasts as projects in junior high and high school. I had to be part of the under ground railroad for one as she was reporting on it. I can't believe that interest has lead us to this point of a career choice. Most of all I am grateful to Morgan for just capturing this little bit of Heather in her last days. The video is below. ENJOY!

Grattitude

This week I have had nothing but grattitude in my heart for my family. I am lucky to be part of such a wonderful family. I have the best parents, and adore all of my siblings. It is so nice that we all get along and that each of the in-laws fit into the family so well. I am grateful that Scott will always be a part of our family even though Heather is not here. We have had a family dinner each night (fri, sat,and sun) and were able to have Scott and the kids with us. It was so neat to see Scott playing a game with all the older nieces and nephews and how much they love him. I also have amazing cousins and aunts and uncles who have really pulled through for us during all this and are wonderful examples and supporters. The Chapman family has been amazing and it so neat to see how much they cared for Heather. I can't even begin to express my grattitude to the ward Heather and Scott are from. They have done more than ever expected or I could have ever thought to ask. What examples of Christ like love and service.

After Heather's passing the only thing Tristan to say was "I am so grateful for Jesus Christ." What a renewed faith and a stronger spirit I have felt all week since Heather's passing.

I am also grateful for everyone's love and support and especially your prayers. It was so nice to see how many people loved Heather. The funeral was packed. It was a beautiful service ( I am sure my opinion is biased). We had friends come from all over. I even got the best surprise ever at the funeral. My two roomies from University of Utah (who I think are the most quality women I have ever met and admire them dearly) flew in that morining and left right after the services. Although they had only met Heather a couple of times they came to support me. I did not even know they were coming. So many people who Heather had even lost touch with in the last few years while she was sick and did not do much emailing or calling came to the funeral. Heather always thought she was invisible or not well liked. I hope she realized after Saturday that she was so loved.

Pictures

These are some pictures Tristan took of me today after i got up. Excuse the messy hair and no makeup. But we decided we should at least take some clothed belly pics for our little guy's scrapbook. We have not one picture of me the entire pregnancy, until today at 28 weeks. My stomach is not very big cause I have gained it in my lower body as you can tell from the profile picture. I have been eating horribly the last month with Heather being so sick. Now that I am allowed to exercise again I need to walk every night and eat right. Hopefully we will be better about taking pictures from now on.

Info again

yes the building where heather's services will be held at on saturday is the stake center for the anaheim east stake. 441 S Fairmont Blvd, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA

More info on Heather and Services

I got a comment asking me what stake center/building the services are at. the address is on the other post. But it is the Anaheim East stake. at teh fairmont building. Since that is not my stake I am not sure if it is the stake center. I will try and find out. Also people have been asking about donations. Please do not feel obligated to, and I am not asking for them. But for those of you who have emailed or posted comments asking this is what is happening. They are trying to set up an account for the children where you can put money into it for their college fund. Or you can place a donation in Heather's name/honor to any breast cancer cause such as Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

I need to start working on the eulogy, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Surprisingly I have not really cried. I don't think this has really hit me. Hopefully it won't hit me on saturday during the eulogy, cause that won't be good.

28 weeks

I will be 28 weeks tomorrow. I had my OB appointment the day Heather passed. Weird that I was watching an ultra sound of my new little life coming to this earth at the exact same time Heather was leaving the earth. I had just had an ultra sound last thursday but since this was my first doc appointment at kaiser and my first time meeting the doctor she wanted to see the baby for herself. Like I was going to object. She said she was more concerned with looking at my amniotic fluid level than measuring the baby since we just had that done. I guess my small belly is fascinating to all. The doctor was concerned that since my stomach is so small that maybe I did not have much fluid. But I have "plenty" according to the doc. I told her that people always ask me if my baby is ok or if my due date is off and that I don't look 28 weeks pregnant. That is when the truth came out. She said honestly when I walked in and saw you I thought there is no way you are that far along. Hence why she wanted to do an ultrasound herself. Our little guy is in the 50% percentile for weight. I hope he stays that way, especially now that I will have a regular delivery. I have gained about 16-18 pounds and have 12 more weeks to go. She told me to plan on being late. WONDERFUL!

I also passed my glucose test with flying colors. After drinking that sickeningly sweet stuff my blood sugar was only 80. I was supposed to have an appointment today with the surgeon to check on my new friends but they cancelled it an hour before. Luckily they just called me and rescheduled it to tomorrow. Thank goodness cause it has taken me months just to get the appointment I was supposed to have today.

Funeral Service Information for Heather

Heather's funeral will be Saturday September 5th at 10:00am at the LDS church off Fairmont Blvd in anaheim hills, ca.
The address is 441 S Fairmont Blvd, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA.

At some time in the afternoon will be the graveside service at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier. I am not sure the exact time.

For family the talk right now is that there will be a family viewing at 9:30 am followed by a family prayer.

Please email me or post a comment if you have any questions or need other information.