Monday, November 22, 2010

Because you are not alone . . .

For one of my dearest lifelong friends.  I love you!

http://blog.cjanerun.com/2010/11/on-kindness.html

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Uncle Garwett

Cici LOVES her Uncle Garrett and ALWAYS has since the day she was born.  She prefers him to ANYONE else including myslef and James.  The only person who can trump Uncle Garrett is Grammy.  I thought this video was too precious not to share. 

Don't mind the girls yelling at each other in the background. 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Happy Birthday Adam October 31st

Someone had a special Birthday!!



There are four candles on cake but one is hiding . . .





Adam is such a delight!  He is my little man.  He is the only boy in the family and I LOVE his boyness!  He has a special place in my heart.  He has grown so much over the last year!  On his third Birthday he could hardly put two words together and could not say many single words at that.  He is now able to communicate 90% of the time!  He is very sweet and sensitive.  He loves his little sister and tolerates her very well most of the time.  (She bullies him).  He has LOVED going to his language labs (much like preschool) and riding the bus from our house.  He is very into learning and knows all of his letters and sounds.  He is able to read several sight words and can even write his letters!  He has developed leaps and bounds in this last year.  He loves for me to read him stories at night.  James made up a song about Bud Bud (Adam's alter ego) in which he saves his sisters or his Mom from various villains.  This evolved into Bud Bud stories that he is told at night in which he saves the damsel in distress by giving the villain noogies!  When he is asked how he saved the day at the end of every story he lights up and with a giggle and a grin on his face he says, "with my BIG MUSCLES!"  I love having a little boy!  Here are some pictures of his fourth year of life. 

October 2009 at his 3rd Birthday Party


November: Hanging out with his sisters.


December: Christmas 2009



January:  Playing with Woody and Buzz at the ranch.

February:  Houston Zoo



March:  Alligator Park
 April:  Attacking Mommy at home.



May:  Hanging out at the Ranch - BIG MUSCLES!
June:  Four wheeler rides at the Ranch
July:  Battle Creek Falls Utah


August:  Back home in the Houston heat! 
September:  Soccer

October:  Four Year Old Birthday Cupcakes!



Sunday, November 07, 2010

My Dear Friend

About a month ago I lost my dear friend Linda.  She had pancreatic cancer.  In a letter to Linda I recently wrote the following:

Linda, I hate to see you struggling and in pain.  It is impossible.  I want you to know that you are still such an amazing example to me.  Even in your pain and greatest trials you would come to the Relief Society Broadcast.  Your priorities are evident and your actions speak loudly.  You have handled yourself with the utmost grace and dignity and it makes me feel that I could do hard things if I was called upon to do so. 



For her Book of Tributes I wrote this:


     I was just a baby when I met Linda. Newly married, and expecting a baby of my own at the ripe old age of 19, I was far away from home. When miles came between myself and my own Mother, Linda stepped in, and she never stepped out! Linda is one of those rare people who are lifetime friends. She is always there; even when days turn into months and years pass, she is there. Although she is old enough to be my Mom, she was the best kind of friend.
     She treated me as a peer and spoke to me as an equal. I always felt that my opinion mattered to her. I could always count on Linda to tell me just exactly "how it is." I loved her fire and her spunk, her energy and honesty. Her personality was always refreshing and her kindness is contagious. She has always been selfless and willing to serve but she will do it her way. She has been the most amazing example to me. I will never forget the way that she has carried herself through her last and final trial here on earth. She handled herself with such grace. She had gratitude and optimism each and every time I spoke to her.
     The last visit we had will always be special to me. She expressed her great love for her Husband. She told me that he has been her rock and has cared for her with so much love and kindness. She truly treasured their relationship and was happy in her marriage. She talked about her boys, her daughters in law, and her grandkids. She expressed her gratitude that she got to be there for milestones that she didn't think she would be able to be there for. She said that she wished she had made a longer list!
     It was one of the first nice days in September, there was a breeze, the sun was shining. We stood outside enjoying the nice weather and chatting like we always had. As I was leaving, she gave me a hug and then held on. She said, "I love you" and I knew she did. I know that she was prepared to pass on to the next life. She has so much faith. Linda,


I will miss you. I will remember you. I love you!


And I DO miss her!  A lot more than I thought I would.  I have thought about her so many times in the last few weeks as I have been planning Super Saturday for church.  She was always good at those kinds of things and had so much experience.  I have wanted to pick up the phone to ask her a question or to ask her to come and help with the sewing.  Death is hard, but I KNOW that I will see her again!  Knowing her has made me a better person.  I still can't believe she's gone. 

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