Malinda

Today my baby brother Mitch lost his beautiful fiance Malinda to completely senseless violence.

She was an amazing girl and although I didn't know her well, I appreciated her for her kindness and sweet spirit. She truly made Mitch happy and I was so excited for them to begin their lives together. My heart breaks for him and her family. There truly aren't words to explain the sorrow that this has caused.

Malinda you will be greatly missed!

Mustach Machine

I had no idea that there even was such a thing but Sage came home from a birthday party with this fabulous little guy! We had way too much fun.

Let's go fly a kite...

Yesterday was the first Saturday that's actually felt like Spring. It was a little cold and breezy but the sun was shining. We were at Target and JJ and Lindsay found some cute little Buzz Lightyear kites that were on clearance for 68 cents. Given Sage's love affair with Buzz we bought two. We decided to head outside and fly a kite. We were pretty impressed with our cheapy kites...they actually flew...and quite high at that! It was fun!

A New Start

I've been feeling a little "empty" lately but have come to realize that I am blessed beyond measure!

This year has been a bit of trial with JJ's shoulder and knee injury but he is back at work and life is good. I haven't journaled about this before so let me fill you in. Back in October JJ injured his shoulder at work. A large box fell off the top shelf in his truck and he instinctively reached out to catch it and he damaged something in his shoulder. He had some physically therapy but it just wasn't getting any better. He had an arthrgram and MRI and they came back negative so back to physical therapy he went and was able to get back to work the week of Thanksgiving. Then on January 10th, he was getting out of the back of his truck and his knee gave out and he fell and tore the meniscus in his left knee. He had just returned to work so he was hesitant to report the injury. He tried to tough it out and lasted for about an hour and had to go to the doctor. He couldn't fully straighten his leg or bear weight on it. The doctor took one look at it and said go home, ice and rest and follow up with the orthopedic surgeon. Ugggh!!! We felt so fortunate to avoid surgery with the shoulder injury but we both felt in our heart-of-hearts that this was a surgical case.

It took just over a month for everything to be pre-approved and for the surgery to happen. Then another 6 weeks or so for the healing and physical therapy. He's back to work now and although I've loved having the extra help with the girls and around the house I'm truly thankful that he has a job. It might not be the best paying job but it's meaningful, honest employment and we are lucky.

This was his first week back and it was a long week for me. I didn't realize how much he was doing for me.

On Wednesday the weather was pretty crazy outside and I was camped out on the couch watching TV and JJ and the girls were outside looking at the rainbow. He wanted me to come outside and I didn't want to so I told him to take a picture. What a jerk I was. I'm thankful for him and the fact that he did actually take a picture.



I'm thankful for new beginnings and for the love of our Heavenly Father. That rainbow is right over our house....perhaps that's a sign sent for me. I think I will get off the couch and make the most of this opportunity that we've been given!

My Favorite Santa

A couple of friends of mine recently made this picture their profile picture on Facebook and it brought a flood of childhood memories and emotions to me.

When I was a little kid I spent quite a bit of time at our babysitters home. They were a wonderful family and they became more than just our babysitters. They were really like a second family to me. We even called them Aunt Kay and Uncle Dave. We did practically everything with them. We ate meals, we went to church, they took us to the park, we did portraits, rode in the car, played with their dog Vulcan, swam in the kiddie pool, cleaned the church, went to the store, etc. The Van Leeuwen's had 6 kids....all teens and above and they were all sooo cool! When you are a little kid and a teenager pays any attention to you, you definitely feel special.

Well every year Uncle Dave had the privilege of being one of Santa's helpers. When I was little I couldn't figure out what my parents did to have such pull with Santa because he had the time to make a special visit to our home every single year. I was a dang lucky kid! I love this Santa. He's the best! When I was 13, I made the choice to be baptized and Uncle Dave was the man for the job. I will never forget that day or the fact that I was baptized my Santa's most amazing helper. I love the Van Leeuwen's and even though I haven't seen most of them in many, many years they hold a very special place in my heart. Especially Santa.

I love this guy!

 

I just figured out that I can easily upload photos from Picasa. Sweet!

I love this picture of me and JJ. It's one of my favorites!

I cannot believe that it's been since June since I posted last. I wonder if anyone is even following this blog. If you are still out there let me know! ;)

Christmas is next weekend! How is that even possible???? I think we are pretty close to being completely ready. I just have to pick up some candy and the stuff for Christmas breakfast. I think that will wait until Thursday. We have the tree up and the inside of the house looks pretty festive but we haven't been able to get the lights on the house yet. Every time we plan to do it we get more snow. Sadly it looks as though the lights will be missing from our little house this year. Next year we will be back bigger and better....the plan is in the works!!!

Today we will be getting the house cleaned up and a couple of last minute gifts wrapped up and then on to some Christmas baking. I'm thinking cinnamon rolls sound deeeelish!

Have a joyous day!

Man...I'm crappy at this

I haven't blogged much lately...or at all!

I wish that I had something exciting or entertaining to tell you but sadly...I don't.

Life is just busy, busy, busy! I'm getting ready for girls camp, which should be a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to it and so it Sage. She said that she hasn't looked forward to something this much since we went to Disney World. I'm not sure that girls camp is even on the same plane as girls camp but I think she will enjoy it none the less.

I'm taking our tent trailer (minus JJ) and am hoping and praying that I can get it set up okay by myself. If not Sis. Bollschweiller and I might be out of luck and have to sleep in our cars. That would make for a rough camp!

Today is Father's Day! Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men in my life but especially to my darling JJ. He's a great dad and I'm grateful to share this parenting journey with him. I thought last Sunday was Father's Day so he got his gifts a week early. That's what you get when your brain gets too full!