memorial...

He is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived.


You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.


Your heart can be empty because you can't see him
or you can be full of the love you shared.


You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.


You can remember him and only that he's gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.


You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.


By David Harkins

I found this poem, but adapted it to be about him. We were in Wyoming over memorial day so we decorated dad's grave before we left. It was kind of hard but I feel peace knowing he's in a better place and looking down on all of us. Not a day goes by I don't smell coffee and think of him. Or hear a truck that sounds like his did that doesn't make me stop to wave but suddenly remember it's not him. Every time I hear Eli say anything about papa I remember the love and special bond they shared if only for a short time. Every time I drive by his work I find myself looking to see if his truck is there, silly! I admire him for the wonderful father he was and the great example he left to all of us (his children). I'm thankful that I know we'll be together again and I know he is happy and not in pain there. I love and miss him so much though. My knowledge doesn't make it easy just more bearable.

vacation....

We went to Wyoming on vacation to see my grandparents over memorial day weekend. We had a great time. I did learn one big lesson: take new camera batteries next time. I didn't get any pics of Eli swimming at the hotel with his 2nd cousin, or any from their awesome park there (which serves $1 ice cream cones all summer, brilliant!) or from much else we did, but I did get some good ones of Eli playing at the YMCA on an indoor playground which was nice because it released some energy without having to be out in the rain. He thought that was really fun until he found the basketball courts and he and Will spent a good half hour in there shooting hoops, he was in heaven!


(Anytime someone tells Eli to smile this is what we get..)


(eli with his 2nd cousin. They had alot of fun together, but Eli was exhausted by the time we came home)


(kind of a 4 generation pic)


(the whole gang at a family luncheon we had while we there)

wow!

It's amazing to think it has been five amazing years since this day:


I love being married and being a mom. These past few years have had many highlights and a few down times but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Became parents as we welcomed Eli Keith into the world on Aug 24, 2007.


Went through the hardest year of my life watching my dad die of lung cancer, yet had some of my most spiritual experiences during this time. July 2009


We welcomed Mason Red into our family Dec 2009


I graduated college, May 2010

Eli's new favorite thing to do...

Eli thinks it is so cool that Mason can finally eat something, even if it is just rice cereal. He loves helping me feed him. Then one night I was stirring dinner and left Mason's food by him and Eli picked up the spoon and kept feeding him. So cute!




(testing the temperature)


(YUM!!)

Nothing better...

There is nothing better than being a mom to these boys. I am so thankful for their sweet little spirits and the joy they bring into my life. Happy mother's day all!! :)

4 months...

My baby is four months old. I really wish I could freeze time just for a little while, they both seem to be growing way too fast! But, he's been busy this last month, here are four of his accomplishments:

1-rolling over left side to belly
(his arm still gets stuck sometimes, it's kinda funny)

2- started cereal
(he LOVES it!)

3- laughing
(too bad the best laughs come from Eli being a little rough, in my opinion)

4- sleeping better!!
(HALLELUJAH! Now he's only waking about twice a night, much better than every two hours!)

His four (and a half) month stats:
weight: almost 16 lbs!
height: 26 inches
Eli was always almost off the charts for his length. I didn't really think Mason was as long as Eli but he's catching up pretty fast! :)
He really is such a good baby, we love him so much!!

it's offical....

I'm a college grad!! I just want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of me while I finished. It wasn't easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. I'm excited to have something to fall back on if needs be, but hoping not to have to teach for a few more years :-)






(sorry, these are kinda horrible pics but it's hard when there's more than one camera!!)