I'm still here!

Yes it has been hectic around here. Sick kiddos and running to baseball, dance, church activities, gymnastics and such! Wouldn't trade it for the world. After all I am living my dream. I have always said that as a little girl I dreamt of being a Mom and all that it had to offer!

In just about a week I am heading to the "Owl City" concert with a bunch of super cute teenage girls. (WHY DIDN'T I THINK TO BRING ALONG ONE OF MY BUDDIES?) Then my family and I are headed to Idaho to spend some time with our family! WOOHOO! The kids are so excited to meet their new cousins. We are excited to spend time with everyone. HAPPY EASTER!

What a weekend!

What a weekend we had. We received the news that our friend Jake had passed away on Tuesday of last week. Byron and I packed up the car and headed to Salt Lake last Wednesday evening. While in Salt Lake we were able to visit with Jami and her family, Brandon and his family and Barry and his family~ What fun! We attended Jake's viewing on Friday evening and his funeral on Saturday. After the funeral we drove up to Idaho to see my Mom, Step-Dad and Trevor's family. What a bunch of cuties! We had so much fun visiting with everyone. (Missed my Dad though.) The video and pictures say it all!

Upon returning we picked up the kids, (who by the way I am so proud of for being so good!) and spent the evening watching home videos.

We will miss Jake and treasure the memories that we had with him. Through it all it has once again confirmed how important everyday is and has reminded us to live every moment to it's fullest. Smile more, laugh more, love more. We hear it all the time but REALLY- they are words to live by!

(* You can scroll down to the bottom of the screen to turn off the music while watching the video if you would like. You can also make the video larger by clicking on the bottom right hand square that shows up on the video itself!)

Heaven's new angel~

Yesterday morning a friend of ours passed away after a sudden and short bout with cancer. He was diagnosed with rectal cancer just over five weeks ago. After surgery he started chemo. His body had a really bad reaction to the chemo and within days went into septic shock. He was an amazing man who loved his family, cherished his friends, and LOVED life. He had 4 children, the oldest is 14. I know he is in a wonderful place right now but my heart aches for his family.
May God bless them and allow Jake to peek in from time to time. :o)

Tonight

Mortality~ Funny how we think about it all the time but hardly ever. Love Ya Jake! We already miss you.

Ahhhh~

What a nice day I had today. I spent the day at the park today with some of my favorite people. Ker, Julie, Juleen, Lezlie and Angie, (even if I only saw them for a minute!) My kids actually had a really good time despite the fact that they are 7, 11 and 14! It seems that at about 5 or 6 they start to loose interest but today was great. Brady and his friend Lukas skateboarded and wow! Those boys have no fear! They rode down the hill and around the trail at a nerve racking speed. It was actually kind of funny to watch the looks on the faces of the Moms with young children. They looked at the boys as if they were a little annoyed that they were using the trail to skateboard. :) I remember feeling like I had to protect my little ones from the "big boys" who were riding recklessly around the little ones. My how time does fly!

Julie and I sat on the grass and soaked in the warm sunshine as Sydnee and Shaelyn (Julie's daughter,) rode around on their bikes. Sydnee had to go to the bathroom, which was on the other side of the park of course. I told her that she needed to hop on her bike and go quickly so she didn't have an accident. She told me, "It's OK Mom! I have yellow shorts on anyway!"
From the mouth of babes! Except she isn't really a baby anymore! Hehehe! But she is our little comedian and always has something off the wall or quick witted to say.

Karli and Shelby, (Julie's oldest daughter,) spent the time taking pictures of themselves. (Of course.) This has become a favorite past time of theirs. :) Too cute.

What a nice relaxing day!

Good morning world

So I woke up this morning feeling so good. Do you ever have those mornings when it feels like spring...even though it isn't? We have had some beautiful sunshine this week and WOW what a difference it makes. Bummer! Where is it this morning? I know it's coming. We are suppose to see SUNSHINE for the next few days! The daffodils are almost 3/4 of the way up and some of the cherry trees are actually starting to bloom! (Isn't it too early for that?) Bring it on! LOVE the signs of SPRING!

Now, I'm off to do a little bit of work, celebrate Julie's birthday and enjoy the kids time off of school!

Yes, I love my family too!

HAHA! So I finally posted a slideshow of some of my own children! I have such a great family and extended family and I love them and miss them all. I keep trying to tell everyone the grass is greener here in Seattle but no one will listen!

LOVE YA ALL!