Good Times

Last night Scott and I went with some friends to the Morrison Center to watch The Wedding Singer. Wasn't sure what to expect. I love the movie, but sometimes the good parts get lost in translation. It did not disappoint. It was freaking hysterical! We laughed so hard through the whole thing.

2010

Wow! This past year has FLOWN by. I admit, it hasn't been the best for me. In fact, just the opposite. It has truly been the worst year of my life. But it's over, and I am determined to make 2010 an amazing year. I have learned a lot of important lessons over the past year. I truly have the most amazing friends and family. I am a very blessed person. But, there were also some good things that came of 2009. I would love to take the time to write them all down, but I have to hurry. I just wanted to post some kind of update for my friends who wondered if this blog was history. (T & L) :O) I will write more as soon as I have a chance, ladies!

I Do, again and again....

On this day, 14 years ago, I married my best friend. Oh what a ride the last 14 years have been. A ride I would willingly take over and over again. It has been worth every minute. I love this man with all my heart. How I got so lucky, I will never know.

Happy Anniversary, Scott!

I Love you!!!!

And the Winner Is.....

The Beautiful Kimberly!!!

Congrats Kim! If you would rather have your gift card for a different coffee place, just let me know. Some people don't care for Starbucks. Thanks for reading my blog.

2 Year Give Away

I was looking at my calendar the other day and realized I missed my 2 year blogging anniversary. Maybe if I updated more often, I would have noticed this sooner. :O) I know I don't post as much as I used to, but I can't believe I have stuck with this for 2 years. I love going back and reading my old posts. It's crazy to see how much my kids have changed over the years.


So, to celebrate this milestone, I am giving away a $5 Starbucks Gift card. Just leave me a comment and you will be entered into the drawing. I will draw a winner on Saturday. Good luck...and thanks for reading my blog!

Mini Update

School started last week. Makenzie is now an official Junior Higher. She looked pretty darn cute in her school uniform...cute, and so grown up. (I don't have the pics on my laptop, but will try to post them soon). Caleb loves first grade, except the "getting up early" part. Gonna be a long year for that one.

Scott has been running/riding lately and has dropped 28lbs so far. He is in great shape and is feeling so good. He signed us up to do a duathlon together in a couple of weeks. It consists of a 3.1 mile run, a 11 mile bike ride, and another 3.1 mile run. I was going to do both legs of running, but Scott wants to run the first one and then do the bike. That leaves me to run the last 3.1. Oh boy!

Our family has been going through a very hard time of trial right now. I am not able to share particulars, but whatever happens is going to change our family dynamic forever. It has been a very difficult summer, and things are still not even close to being over. Prayer for our family would be much appreciated. I can say, however, that God is good. He is near to the broken-hearted. Things may not turn out how we hope they will, but God is in control.

With both kids going to school all day now, I have been tossing around the idea of finding a part-time job. I love the idea of getting out and interacting with other adults, and having a little extra money never hurts either. So, I got a job at a tanning salon less than a mile down the road from my house. I am so looking forward to it!

Awana is getting ready to start in a couple of weeks. This year I am the Cubbie director. Am I freaked out?? Y-E-S!!! This is such a new and big step for me. If any of you are interested in helping with the 3 and 4 yr olds, let me know. I could sure use some extra hands.

I'm sure there is so much more I can blog about from the summer, but I am tired and hungry.

Rescue

Thank you, Lord, for giving me this song at this moment in my life. I WILL take hold of You.

Drowning

This is how I feel right now. I feel like no matter how hard I kick I am still sinking to the bottom. "This, too, shall pass"...I know, I know. Just wish it was passing faster, and with less pain.

My Little Man

Today my son is 6. I remember praying for almost 2 years for this little one, and wondering if we would ever have a second child. When I found out I was pregnant I was so excited and SCARED! I had just lost a baby a few months before. I remember the day we found out he was a boy. Everyone in the family was shocked. Out of 9 grandchildren on both sides of the family, he is the ONLY boy. We all thought he would be another girl. I had a very easy pregnancy, and an easier delivery.

Here is Caleb at 3 days old:


And here at 3 months:

Today he is a handsome, thoughtful, caring, loving, sensitive, mischievous, joking, sneaky, fun, playful, adventurous, talented, adorable little boy. We love you, Caleb! Have a very happy birthday.

My Musical Babies

My kids (fortunately) have their father's musical ability. Makenzie is our bass player and Caleb has recently expressed interest in learning the electric guitar. We got him one yesterday and this is how the afternoon was spent.

We have already arranged lessons for them both. I can't wait to hear them play as they learn more about their instruments.

For My Sister

It has been almost 6 months since I lost my sister. I can't believe it has been that long. It feels like just yesterday that I received that devastating phone call. Grief is a nasty emotion. Just when you think you are doing good...BAM! It knocks the wind out of you all over again.

I recently decided I wanted to get a tattoo to honor Faith. I have always wanted one on my wrist, but didn't know what to put there. Faith's name was the perfect thing. I was just going to put Faith, but to our family she was Faith Marie. She even referred to herself as Faith Marie. So it was only fitting that I would have Faith Marie tattooed instead of just Faith. She also had great handwriting. Anytime I saw her writing, I knew it was hers. It was very unique.

Last week I went through all of her papers and documents to see if I could find her signature in her handwriting. I found the perfect one. I had it tattooed on my right wrist.

It was hard to get a good picture, but you get the idea. This tattoo means so much to me. I find myself looking at it off and on all day long, and it always brings a smile to my face.

First/Last

Just a quick post to share the first day of school pics and the last day of school pics:

First:


Last:


First:


Last:

They aren't the best quality, but at least I have them for my record.

End of School

I can't believe school is out already. I am looking forward to this summer and having my kids home. They really are a lot of fun to be with. Here are some pictures of Caleb's Kinder graduation.

This is his teacher, Mrs. Swift:


Hmm...I think I better keep my eye on this boy:


This is Caleb's best friend, Sydney (on the right) and her sister, Shelby. They are already arguing over which one of them gets to marry Caleb. Too cute!


Caleb and Sydney:

Cute kid:

This is a blurry picture, but he was so bored. He didn't even want to go in the first place. Boys!

This is Makenzie at her 5th grade goodbye party:

This is her with her state project display. It was for the state of Wisconsin

I can't believe this girl will be starting middle school in the fall. Where is my baby?

Caleb Funnies

Had to take a moment to record some of the funny things Caleb has said the past few days.

Caleb: Mom, I want to go to Heaven.
Me: Why?
Caleb: So I can be an angel
Pause for a second...
Caleb: And steal all the gold!

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On Wednesday the school had a celebration for all the kids who have summer birthdays. They take them to the cafeteria and give them all a Burger King crown and a donut. When I picked the kids up from school, he was wearing his crown and he said, " This is the best day of my life!". I asked him what made it the best day and he said, "Because I got a donut at school".

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The morning after the "Donut and Crown" day, he woke up about 7:30 and asked me if it was still early. I told him it was and he said, "Yes! Another day, another opportunity to wear the crown!".

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This kid cracks me up every day. I wonder where he comes up with this stuff.

Mother's Day 2009

Just thought I would take a second to brag on my amazing, thoughtful, sensitive husband. The past 2 weeks have been very rough for me. I have been really missing my sister. Lots of crying and very little sleeping. I know it is all part of "the process", but I keep feeling like I should be past this. So, yesterday morning, I open my Mother's Day gift and this is what I find inside:

(Front)
It says "In Memory of Faith Marie"


(Back)



On the day that Caleb was born, Scott gave me a gift in the hospital. It was a silver chain bracelet with a heart charm that had Makenzie engraved on one side of the heart, and Caleb engraved on the other. Yesterday he gave me this precious charm to add to that bracelet. The music notes are so fitting. Faith LOVED to sing and she had the most beautiful voice. She sang in our wedding, she sang to my kids, she sang to the animals...she just loved to sing.

Thank you, Scott for being sensitive to my hurting and doing all that you can to make me feel loved. This gift is so very precious to me and I will never forget the tears in your eyes as you watched me open it. I love you with all of my heart!

Field Trip Fun

Scott and I got to go with Caleb on a class field trip today. We went to the Zoo and the Discovery Center. Here are a few highlights:

Caleb shopping in the Discovery Market.

This picture was taken at the end of the day. Bet you can't tell that I am so ready to be done.

Caleb and his best friend, Sydney. She broke her leg 2 weeks ago, so she had to endure the day in her wheel chair. Caleb pushed her around for a while. It was pretty cute.

I can hear you!

Pointing out something interesting...I'm sure.

All the kids love the giraffe slide.

Caleb pushing Syd.

It was a bit chilly, and everyone was shocked to see a few snowflakes this morning at the zoo. It's May already...sheesh! But what a great day of memories we had. Caleb keeps telling us how much fun he had. Totally worth every second.

Alright Already!

I have been asked by many, when I would ever update my blog again. I guess I better get to it. We have been very busy the past month. Lots of stuff with friends, family, and church.

Yesterday we went to Shoshone Falls with some friends. I have lived here for more than 20 years and this is the first time I have ever gone. We had a picnic lunch, then spent the afternoon walking around the falls. It was so beautiful.

A few weeks ago, Scott and I went to watch the PBR. The kids stayed with his parents, so we had a fun evening together. I love to watch bull riding. I have always thought it was so cool. It was a fun night.

Makenzie has been expressing interest in wanting to learn to play the bass like her Dad. Scott surprised her with her very own bass. It is smaller, so it is easier for her to control, and it is purple with sparkles. She has only had it for less than 2 weeks and already she can play 3 different songs. The songs are ones that Scott has learned for worship team at church and for his Band. I am really impressed at how easily she has picked it up. She has her Dad's gift when it comes to music.

I had to throw in a few pics of the dogs. They are so much a part of our family. We love taking them over to my parent's house. We got my mom a puppy for her birthday a few weeks ago and our dogs love to go and play with her. This is what Olivia usually looks like after we get home.

They love to be together. I am so glad we have them both.

This is Olivia's favorite place to lay, first thing in the morning.

I'm sure there is so much more I could blog about, but I am just blank right now. This will have to hold you over for now. :O)