Fishlake 2010

Well... I hope none of you fall off your chairs when you see I've finally updated this... :) Life has been pretty crazy these days. We are still alive and doing well....

We finally got away to Fishlake over the weekend. WOW! What an emotional roller coaster for me. I seriously walked through the door and was looking for Grandpa. It was so devastating and hard for me when he wasn't sitting there.. I think at that point in time it all became real for me. All of his beautiful furniture he made for the cabin was still there... his wall hangings and just that Grandpa feeling... Even as bad as it hurt... I'm SO glad I got to go and be there one last time... to be somewhere that he loved to be was so healing for me. There are memories that were made at the cabin that we will never forget.

We had a TON of fun on the lake... My kids seriously had a blast. Hayden told my dad it was the best day he had ever had in his life.... Here are some pics of their fish... What a blast. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the time to go with us. It truly was a much needed break. We love you!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the memories that we will never forget!!!

I'll miss you Grandpa!

This weekend was I think one of the hardest thus far in my life. I've lost grandparents before, but either was pretty young, or such a blessing after a long illness that I didn't realize how heartbroken I was going to be. Grandparents are such a HUGE part of my life and always have been. Being the oldest granddaughter on both sides, you get to know them pretty well and know what an important influence they are in your life and how much you want their presence in your own children's lives.

My Grandpa Bill was such a wonderful, loving man. He was always SO proud of each of us.... and we knew it! I have SO many special memories of him, but one in particular.... We had a family get together at the Delta Rez.. Jason and I had been married for about 6 months and I was SO tired and SO sick... at that time not knowing why. Of course there was a HUGE hug awaiting me upon arrival from Grandpa and that "I love you more than you know" look on his face. Telling him I wasn't feeling well, he just said I better take it easy on that particular day. A few weeks later, I figured out that I was pregnant with Bracken and called to tell Grandpa and Grandma. He said... "I've known since I saw you what was going on and have just been waiting for you to figure it out. You and Jason are going to be wonderful parents. Grandma and I are SO proud of you." Grandpa also told me I would be the mother of some great "boys".... :) How did he ALWAYS know....????? He knew all three of my boys were boys before I knew my boys were boys..... Still makes me smile to think of telling him I was having ANOTHER boy... and that same, yep, I told you so smile on his face.... :)

It never mattered growing up what was going on in our lives, he never judged us, he never scolded us, he never made us feel like we weren't the most wonderful and important person in the world. I knew I could tell him anything, I knew he would listen and offer advice to ANY situation.... not just advice to suffice the situation, but advice to change the situation if needed and to offer words of encouragement.

One of the most treasured memories I will have is putting together the book for Grandma and Grandpa's 50th Wedding Anniversary. All of us grandchildren were asked to write a letter to them. Each letter was SO unique and SO treasured for them.... What I found SO special is that honestly, each of us felt like we were his favorite.... This was mentioned SEVERAL times as his service... I truly believe that each of us were his favorite.... :)

I love you, Grandpa... I'll miss you everyday....

Monster Jam

I have to admit... this was a pretty fun time.... but LOUD!!!!! We all had a great time! I was worried if Ash would keep his ear plugs in, but he did great.

All Things Thrifty

Okay so I have 3 amazing sisters... I have nick names for them all... We called Adrian ... "AD-Bug", we called Brooke ... "Brookie" and we LOVINGLY call Aubrey ... "Martha". All of them are SO talented and I love them all!!! Crafters... photographers.... pie makers... you name it, they can do it!!!! I am SO blessed to have them in my life. If Adrian and Aubs will excuse me for a few minutes... I have to brag on Brooke and her friend, Kallie for a few minutes... :)

I was FINALLY looking at a few blogs tonight and clicked on Brooke's and Kallie's "All Things Thrifty" blog. WELL... Brooke hasn't said a word to me about this.... it doesn't surprise me as humble as they both she and Kallie are.... BUT, they have been asked to participate in a contest! It's a contest on the blog called "So you think you can decorate..." The contest is starting on February 28th.... I WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED for them. They do a ton of WAY fun things of a very "thrifty" budget.... SOOOO all of you friends out there that read this need to check out their stuff and check out the contest and VOTE FOR THEM!!!! I am sure more details to come, but it sounds like there will be 10 challenges in 10 weeks. Here is the link to the blog where the contest is. "So You Think You Can Decorate...."

CONGRATS YOU TWO!!!! You are going to do GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously can't stop smiling... You've worked SO hard and I know you'll do AMAZING!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Tribute

My Bracken and his friend Zach.

There isn't much more that I could say that would add to the words that were said today... the pictures say them all. I would just like to add my thanks to every member of the Millard County Sheriff's Department and other community service personnel.... Your bravery doesn't go unnoticed. May you and your families also feel peace in your hearts at this time.

Remember....

Somebody killed a policeman today
And a part of America died...
A piece of our country she swore to protect
Will be buried with her at her side.
The beat that she walked was a battlefield, too,
Just as if she had gone off to war;
The flag of our nation will fly at half-mast
To her name they will add a gold star.
Yes, somebody killed a policeman today...
While we slept in comfort behind our locked doors
This cop put her life on the line.
Now her ghost walks the beat on a dark city street,
And she stands at each new rookie's side;
She answered the call... of herself gave her all,
And a part of America died...

~~Author Unknown~~

May you rest in peace, Josie.

Merry Christmas!!!

I had the wonderful opportunity to write the cantata program for our Christmas party this year. When I was doing the research , there was a quote I found that I loved... you all know how much I love quotes... :)

"Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

For some reason this year, the Savior has been an even bigger part of our Christmas. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our home and our lives. We are so blessed to have a testimony of the gospel and how important our families are to us. We wish all of you the peace that comes to your heart when you think of the Savior and the wondrous gift he gave to each of us.

Merry Christmas... we love you all!!!