Just Thinking

I have been doing alot of reflecting and thinking these past few days. I suppose you might call it a pity party. Hopefully everyone does that some times and I am not the only weird one. Have you ever heard the term used by golfers, Just hit the ball where it lies? I decided that there just might be some wisdom to that statement. We can't change how the ball gets there or where it landed, only move is to just hit it where it is at and hope that it ends up where you want it to go. So it is with us, we just go forward and hit the ball straight on then wait and hope for it to go exactly where we want it to go. In spite of my recent pity party I had a grateful moment, one of those that make you just go ahhh. So maybe things are ok, and I am so blessed by these four wacky kids. My reason to breathe.

Congratulations Jake!!!!!!

Today is a happy day for our family! After many long months and alot of hard work and Pepper spray :( Jake is finally done with POST. Congratulations Jakey and we are so very proud of you. I know that many days have been very difficult and you have gone through alot to get to this point. I love you so much, more than I could ever express. So proud to be your mom. Congratulations!!!!

Happy Birthday Lindsey and Josh

This is my last birthday post. We have so many birthdays starting in November and running through January, I decided to break them up into sections. This is my happy birthday to my other two kids, Josh (December 21st) and Linz (January 14th). How blessed we have been in our family to have had our children marry the greatest spouses! They both fit into our family and have been able to adapt to our sick sense of humor. (Some of that they brought with them!) They are caring and always willing to help out any way they are asked. They are both great parents and spouses. Thanks for all you mean to our family. We love you both!!!

A Mothers Post

Feeling sad today as the events of the past few days are catching up with my brain. I talked to Bryce's dad on the phone this morning and the reality of things really came rushing in. We are planning to visit them this evening, but I went to their family blog intending to write something down. I write my feelings better than I can express them. What I found here touched my heart, I think it will yours too.

Bryce

This is crazy picture of our neighbor and friend Bryce Christensen. Bryce was killed in a tragic car accident this morning, January 7, 2009. We first met Bryce when we moved into our house about four years ago. He was a nut! He had his hair kind of long but you couldn't tell to much cause it was kind of curly, and some facial hair. He was about 17 and giving his mom and dad some fits. He came to church but you had the feeling that he was there out of respect for his parents, but still looking for his own testimony. Kevin and Bryce hit it off from the beginning. They put Kevin in the Young Mens and I think he saw some of himself in Bryce. At his parents request Kevin began to help Bryce complete the last few requirements for his Eagle before he reached 18. We spent some enjoyable times with Bryce here in our home as Kevin tweeked a few things and got Bryce through all that was required to get his Eagle. We went to the court of honor for him feeling as proud as a parent could be. Within the next few days he showed up at our door and gave Kevin the mentor pin that is now part of the Eagle award kit and given to those who have mentored and helped the Scout along his trail to Eagle Scout. During the next couple of years we saw a great change in Bryce, hair was cut, face was shaved and he began to prepare for a mission. Kevin and I were among a very few honored to attend his setting apart as a missionary. He served a honorable mission and returned this past October. Today he is gone and we are heart broken. He was a carefree spirit, dry wit and a little mischievous, but he loved the Lord and was proud of himself and his mission. Recently he stood in front of our ward with a few other returned missionaries and sang Armies of Helaman. I remember watching him thinking how far he had come and how proud I was to know him. His family is amazing and just recently sent their baby into the MTC as well. We will miss him and we are so sad for his loss, but have no doubt in our minds where he is and that he is continuing his mission that he loved so much and took a short break from long enough to spend time with his brother these past couple of months. We love you and miss you Bryce.

Happy New Year 2009

Well, here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. It is nice at this time to reflect on the past year. It seems that our family had alot of medical challenges, a few changes, some fun times and some difficult times. Here are just a few of them:

We have seen Jake (almost) and Josh go through POST and begin a new career.
We have seen Kelsey graduate from High School.
We have had the birth of a new baby.
We have had some medical challenges with Lindsey, Alivia, Jake and Kevin.
We have all lived through each other as Jakes family went to Disneyland, Hill and Josh traveled to Hawaii and Kevin, Nic, Kelsey, Alan and I all went on a cruise.
We have watched some amazing young men enter the MTC and head off to places all over the world to bring the message of the gospel.
We have seen Kelsey head off to college.
We have seen Nicolas get his drivers license.
We have watched Hillary and Josh buy a new home for their family.
We have seen birthdays and anniversaries.
We have each had happiness and sorrows and managed to get through everyday.
We have all been blessed.

As we head into another year I can't help thinking about what challenges lie ahead for our family. What will the shape of our family be next year at this time? I love my family with all I am made of. They are the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I smile, the reason I do everything I do. How blessed we are despite the challenges of the year and how I look forward to the joys of the new year. Happy New Year!