Monday, June 7, 2010

SABBATH DAY WALK

It always feels good to get out and enjoy the beauty of the earth.  The weather was perfect.

The kids rode their bikes along side of us.
It was great therapy for sad hearts.
Steve leaning in for the kiss...
but decided a LICK would suffice.
(poor Stevie)
Thou shalt NOT covet....your children's bikes.
(but he just can't help himself)
And we all returned home with renewed peace.
And it was good.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

GRIEF

"Mortality's supreme test is to face the 'why' and then let it go, trusting humbly in the Lord's promise that 'all things must come to pass in their time.'"

"Grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at his suffering or eventual death.  The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love; and it is love that gives life its richness and meaning.  Hence, what a grieving parent can expect to receive from the Lord in response to earnest supplication may not necessarily be an elimination of grief so much as a sweet reassurance that, whatever his or her circumstances, one's child is in the tender care of a loving Heavenly Father."

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'er flow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, 
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design...
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine...
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,...
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"
("How Firm A Foundation" Hymns, no.85)

To read more of Elder Wickman's talk, go HERE

Saturday, June 5, 2010

PIGGY PILE

On Dad.  That's four bodies piled high on Steve...with a couple beanbags as fillers.  It feels good to laugh.  I know that is what Ben would want.  We have our cute nephew Roger here for the weekend.  This soon-to-be missionary is a MACHINE.  I don't think I have ever met anyone his age with the work ethic that he has.  He's helped Steve redo all of our flower gardens in the front yard, including mulching.  He's helped tape and paint the girl's room and helped Steve clear some land out back.  Then they made a rock wall to line some of the yard.  It looks beautiful.  On top of all that, he was the motivating help in getting Kaleb to clean his room. (that's no easy task) We have been so lucky to have him here.  (even though his 5 yr.old little brother Mason has been pacing the floors at home wondering when he will be returning.)  Thank you Roger!!!

Friday, June 4, 2010

WHEN I'M NOT CRYING...

When I'm not crying, I am visiting with special friends who make me SMILE.
(and keeping Ben's blanket wrapped around me)
When I'm not crying, I am witnessing my cute nephew receiving his mission call in the mailbox AND getting to hear where he will be serving for two years: PANAMA CITY, PANAMA!
(and then I cry because I was reminded that there have been TWO mission calls received in our family in the same weekend)
When I'm not crying, I am getting my nails painted by my Stevie so that my toes will look pretty.  
(Jenny and I)
When I'm not crying, I am scrubbing Jen's mildew-y pool cover in the rain because I'm already wet from my tears...so what's a little more wetness?
When I'm not crying, I am looking at Ben's pictures and holding his blanket because I just miss him so much.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE...

a FUN weekend.
All girls...and little Benny.
The beginning was GREAT.
We treated the girls to dinner out!
(which meant that we were treating ourselves to a night of no cooking)
These girls are a blast to be around.
So much laughing and giggling.
So much youth and vigor...
I'm convinced they keep US young.
GOOD TIMES
And GOOD FOOD!
Doesn't take much to make us happy.
It's amazing how fast life changes.
This was my LAST picture 
of Ben alive.
(wish I had taken more)
WHY did I have to have a 
MOUTHFUL OF BURGER?
Not so flattering....
(sorry Ben)
I'm grateful that he was there...
amidst us girls.
I'm inclined to think 
that he loved every minute of it.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

TODAY MY OLDEST...


has been inducted to the house of 
PAIN.
But as mother always said...
Beauty is PAIN!
I just love her cute freckly cheeks.
(because she has such an overbite, they only started her with the top braces)
And the journey begins...

Monday, May 31, 2010

PLEASE JOIN OUR FAMILY...

In honoring Benjamin's Life
June 11th at 11am
Held at:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Old North Main Street in Laconia, NH
Please wear bright colors

Sunday, May 23, 2010

SUNNY SUNDAY

First there was ONE
And then TWO joined in
Two became FIVE
and FIVE became SIX
and SIX became...
MANY
because MANY is much more FUN
Then the FUN ended with ONE...
And the MANY went home.
The END.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

MIMI'S VISIT AND STEVIE'S TRACK MEET

Mom came up to help me on the day of my procedure and as a bonus she was able to see Kaleb's track meet, Kayla's choral concert AND Stevie's track meet.  Two days of FUN! :)  She stayed overnight on my couch and woke up looking like someone PUNCHED her in the LIP!  She says she got bit.  Either way she looked awfully cute with her fat lip.  Took almost half the day to shrink back to normal.
Stevie competed in FIVE events.  She's an animal.  She did the 100 m hurdles, 4x100 relay, high jump, long jump and threw the javelin.  She's never done any field events before.  (the fifth graders get to compete in two track meets during the season)  I think she did really well considering.
Getting ready to HIGH JUMP.
(probably my favorite event to watch her in)
She was the lead leg for the 4x100 relay.
Hanging with Mimi before it started.
Taking off in the LONG JUMP...
She jumped a whopping 9feet 6inches.
Thanks for coming Mimi!!!
Align Center
(some footage of some events.  I was sad I didn't zoom in closer on the hurdles.  She's the one closest to the left of the screen...you can't really see her until almost the end - sorry)