James

I don't even really know how to start this post. I haven't spent a lot of time talking about some of the trials that James has been going through in the last 18 months, mainly because they are personal and private and it's not my place. So I'm still not going to talk about them. Suffice it to say that he has had some trials in his life that included coming home from his mission and year early and working through some things.

From my perspective, the last 18 months have been long, frustrating, challenging, heartbreaking, and a cause for joy. It's so, so hard to watch someone that you love very much struggle and flounder and lose his way. And it's hard to know that as much as you're hurting for them, and cheering for them, and praying for them, there's nothing you can do to fix the situation. I have a hard time with that. I like to handle things and take care of things, and when a situation arises that I can't, it's hard for me.

But it has been a privilege to watch James mature. He has become so strong. He has grown into a man. He has come to understand what it is that is truly important in his life, and has set his priorities in a manner that is going to bring him long term happiness and fulfillment. He has goals and has plans in place to accomplish those goals. He would not be the person he is right now, making the decisions he is right now, if he hadn't been through the trials he's suffered in the last 18 months.

James made the decision to return to complete his mission. He made a two year commitment and decided that he needed to fulfill that full two years rather than just one. He left very, very early this morning to complete that mission in the Albuquerque, New Mexico mission. I am so very proud of him for making such an honorable decision. I am excited for him to serve his second year and return home next June. I love you James and very very proud of you!!

Summer basketball

I'm slow these days. Josh is doing summer basketball again this year, and last week was the tournament at Snake River. The team is awesome this year, having won the first three tournaments!

Father's Day

Tomorrow is Father's Day. A day that is both very hard for me and also a wonderful celebration of the man who made me what I am. I was blessed to be given the most amazing man in the world as my father. I never doubted how much my dad loved me. Growing up, he was my hero. He still is.

Dad always had time for me. He made a special point of he and I having "daddy/daughter dates" every single month. I knew that was a time for just me and daddy and that no matter what, we would always have those. I was a big priority in his life and I knew it. He believed in me. He had confidence and faith in me. He was proud of me. He made me want to live up to everything he saw in me. No one knew how to have fun more than Dad. But he also knew when to be serious. My friends all loved him. In fact, I don't think there was ever a kid born who didn't love him. And who he didn't love. Dad saw the best in everyone and taught me the importance of doing that.

Dad's been gone for almost 16 year now, and I miss him more every day. Sometimes I wish I could talk to him, take a problem to him, or share a concern with him. I wish he could tell me what I should do or how to fix a situation I find myself in. An amazing friend reminded me today that my dad is always with me and that I can always talk to him. I forget that sometimes. So as we get ready to celebrate Father's Day, please take the time to tell the amazing fathers and men in your life what they mean to you and how important they are to you. Cherish not just this day, but every day you are given to be with them.

Happy Father's Day Daddy. I love you so much. I miss you and I hope you're as proud of me as I am of you.

Our new residents

My friend Jenni has 4 adorable little kittens born at her house a couple of months ago. She needed to find a home for them, and somehow, I volunteered. So we now have four fuzzy, cute little residents. With a little bit of luck, they'll grow up to be lean, mean, fuzzy mouse hunting machines!

So for Jen's sweet kids, who let their baby kitties leave and come to my house, here are some pics of them playing!

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays!!!

This last week has been a birthday week in my family! Two of my brothers and one of my nieces all celebrated birthdays last week. My brother Andy, who is the closest to me in age, celebrated his 40th birthday on the 8th. My niece Andrea, was born on her uncles birthday, hence her name. Andrea turn 17 on the 8th. And then on the 11th, my second oldest brother, John turned 46. Happy birthday you three! I love you and hope you all had fantastic days!

Andy


Andrea


John

Congratulations Desiree!!!!

One of my favorite people in the world graduated from high school on Thursday night. I love Desiree and love her mom, Angie. It was fun to be at graduation to watch her and to be included in the family party after. I definitely see where both Angie and Desiree get their spunk!!

Desiree is headed off to college to study to be an x-ray tech. She's going to be amazing and I am so excited for her, but I will miss seeing that sweet face pop in around here all the time! You better come visit every time you're home Des!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day. Enjoy the time with family and friends, doing something fun. I hope you all take a moment out of your day to remember the reason for this holiday, and it's not picnics, BBQ's, water skiing, or 4 wheeling. Take a moment to remember the men and women who gave their service and their lives to ensure that we have the freedoms we do today. The military has a special place in my heart. Both of my Grandfathers served, my dad served, my brother serves, and the love of my sweet nieces life serves. I am proud of and honored by the heritage of military service in my family.

Texas

My mom had her 50th class reunion in San Antonio, Texas this year. She decided to drive down because she doesn't care for flying. As I have a really good friend who lives near Houston, when invited to go with her, I said yes. It was a long drive down and back, but a ton of fun while I was in Texas, and a good opportunity to spend some time with my mom, just visiting and chatting. And, of course, being me, I got plenty of sleep in the car! Traveling down, we went through Wyoming, part of Nebraska, part of Colorado, Kansas, a bit of Oklahoma, and then into Texas


Yes, that is snow! It was so, so cold in Wyoming!! There were huge patches of snow on the ground, and we actually outran a snowstorm that came in the second day of our trip. Yes, in May.



My mom had her 50th class reunion in San Antonio, Texas


The road was never ending! But the scenery was very pretty.

Unfortunately, I had to work on the trip. I was able to write reports in the car.

We got hit with a horrible rain and thunderstorm while we were driving through Texas. It only lasted about a half hour & the rainbow after was beautiful and made me think of a dear friend.


Once we got to Texas, I dropped mom in San Antonio, and then I went on to Houston to spend the weekend with my awesome friend, Erin! On Friday, we went to Galveston and went to what's called the Moody Gardens, which is very cool. They have a tropical rain forest with beautiful flowers and trees, very cool birds, and the cutest turtles. They also have an aquarium that was cool. And then we went to the beach, which I was so, so excited about! It was wonderful to get dig my toes in the sand and roll my capris up above my knees and let the water wash over my legs.















After a fabulous few days with Erin, I went back to San Antonio to pick up mom. We went on a riverboat ride, which was gorgeous, before starting home.



The river is on two levels, so there is a lock system, which was really cool! They steered us into this bay and the doors closed behind us. They they filled the bay with water and lifted up the boat so we were on the level with the other doors, which then opened and we continued on the upper level of the river. Coming back, they did the opposite, letting the water out of the bay so we could lower to the lower level.








Then started the long trip home. Coming home, we went through western Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, before finally and wonderfully arriving home! It was a wonderful trip, with a lot of memories made, but as always, it was wonderful to be home.