Dear Tricia......

Five years ago this morning I was up getting kids ready for school, filled with excitement and anticipation. We went about our day as usual and it was a great day. I picked up the kids after school and we talked about their teachers, and friends, and the goals for the coming year. About 4 pm I got a call from mom saying Tricia had had a seizure and was having a c-section. Still, I thought wow in a bit we will have a new little life added to our family, little did I know that one would be taken. If I had known how this day would have impacted my life, wow the things I would have done different. I would have been kinder, I would have told her just how much I loved her. I would have made sure she knew that she was my very best friend. I would have taken more time to attend the temple, read my scripture with more meaning, truly talked to my Heavenly Father and shared with him my deepest concerns and joys. I would have been doing all the things that she did so well, non of which I was doing at the time. Tricia, it was so hard to have you just gone. So many dreams died with you. We were going to raise our kids together, share the teenage blues together, send our boys on missions together, talk about the worries of driving together, laugh about the HS dances and the kids funny dates together, cry when they got their hearts broken together, we were going to marry off our children together and then think how did we get so old together. So many things we were going to do together, and now I am doing them by myself. I miss you, but I think of you every day. That day that you left I promised that I would change my life so that we could be together for eternity. I started reading my scripture diligently, talking to my Heavenly Father and really sharing with him. I attend the temple at least monthly, I still struggle to keep up with your weekly visit. I love more openly and definately more deeply. I tell those around my how I feel, and I compliment more often. I wonder if you were taken so I would get my life in order, and if so then it has been worth it. I thank Heavenly Father every day that he let you be my sister and bless my life. I know you were with me when I went through my divorce, and felt so much better when Mike shared that you had wanted me to do that long before. I know that you were with us during the hard time just after you left. I feel you with me when I struggle, cheering me on. I have felt you with the kids starting school, and know that you are with me as I wonder how I have gotten so old. So, I guess we are still doing all those things together. I have found many wonderful women that have taken me in as their sister, thankyou for sending them my way. They will never take your place but as true sisters they ease the everyday burdens. Thankyou dear sister for everything. For watching over me, guiding me, loving me, and helping me see what is truly important. I love you so much, and miss you dearly. What a wonderful day it will be when I get to run into your embracing arms and I can finally give you the hug I have longed to give and tell you how much I love you and how important you were to me through life and how excited I am that we will be together forever. Thankyou for keeping me grounded because you know how flighty I can be. Thank you for reminding me that it is really about the quiet, peaceful, small moments. That you can be soft and still be strong. I love you.

Last day of school 2009.

Then, I met the girls to pick them up after school. I was surprised that Elizabeth didnt say to much about the last day this morning. I remember Stephen ending elementary and he was quite sad. So, I say the girls walking towards me in the car and didnt think to much until Elizabeth came a bit closer..... She was BAWLING..... All she could say was that she didnt want it to be over. She is so cute, and VERY sentimental. I knew she would get emotional. The school has a FANTASTIC 6th grade team that does so much for the kids. They really sent them off with great memories. Each of the kids then had invited 2-4 friends to come over and swim after school and I took the liberty of inviting a few of my own. What a fabulous afternoon. It is so fun to be forming great friendships again. I have really missed that and I am enjoying watching the kids enjoying themselves also. There is no value that can be affixed to a great friend.




What a FABULOUS day I had. I got to spend the morning with Stephen at his promotion to HS. I had to really fight off getting emotional (yes, Rob I am a sap). I am so proud of him. He has really blossomed into a delightful young man. I am so proud of his accomplishments. He far exceeded my expectations. The Jazz band played the prelude music and sounded fantastic. They have all grown so much this year and what a great experience that has been. I cant wait for him to continue through HS.

Between the band concerts we had to fit in play practice. Iam not sure what to think about the end of the school year. We have been so busy, running here and running there. As it comes to an end I have a bit of sadness. We are comming to the end of two significant times in the kids lives. I know Elizabeth is so sad to see sixth grade end. We have the best sixth grade team, and they really do a great job of getting the kids involved in many activities through the year. They leave with very mixed emotions. They are growing up and entering the BIG time in their lives and yet I think they are hesistant to leave the "little" part of their life. They arent in elementary anymore. There is more responsibility and more accountability along with more freedom. What a great year it has been. I have been able to share so much with Elizabeth. I am a little sad to see her grow up but so excited because she is turning into a beautiful young woman. She had so much fun acting in the play the wizard of oz. She had just a couple of parts and my cinemotography was terrible, but she did a great job. She loved the whole experience.

Look how far they've come......

How fun it was at his concert to hear the fun movie pieces and especially the video recapping the year. I am so sad to see Jr. High come to an end but very excited to see what you do with High School. Enjoy it Stephen, be active, have a great time, make great friends, get good grades. This is the beginning of your future and let it be bright. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! It is the end of the year and it seems this year is the busiest so far.... I have spent all week running from one activity to the next. This week it was band. It was so fun to hear the kids and how far they have come. I am so proud of them. The last couple of weeks the Jazz band has played at multiple functions and I am so proud of stephen. I love to hear them play and know he is a part of this group. He has grown so much. They sound fabulous. What a great experience Jr. High has been. He has made so many wonderful friends and has had some great experiences. I am proud of the attention he has payed to his grades. CONGRATS STEPHEN for making the honor roll the ENTIRE time you were in JR. HIgh I am so proud of you......

Stick Figure Family

Make your Stick Figure Family at FreeFlashToys.com

Holy What???????

It has been a little over a week and Elizabeth is no longer dealing with sore teeth. She has however really stepped up with brushing her teeth and flossing better. I am so proud of her and looking at the little purple and blue rubber bands that line her teeth make me giggle. She is so cute with braces and in 20 months her beautiful face will be exquisite. I am so glad that wearing these is still such a novelty, hopefully it will stay that way for a while. I took before and after pictures, and someone suggested taking profile ones as well because her profile will change when they fix her bite. Here's to 20 months and the arm and leg that I left at the orthodontists office......

Easter

I am definately a little late. With school ending it feels like all we do are try to get to all the activities and stay half way on top of things. Often finding NO success. Here are some of the pictures from easter. We had no eggs this year mia. The dog didnt eat a single one.