Sad goodbye

Last month we lost an amazing woman, Grandma Joy.  She was such a strong, influential and hilarious part of everyone's life she touched.  I immediately adored Joy from the moment I met her.  She spoke what was on her mind, had a spit fire personality and had so much love for her family and friends!  She played a HUGE role in Tren's life and helped mold my husband into who he is today.  I will forever be grateful for everything she did for him, us and Piper. 

 Joy and her 3 Great Grandbabies

We love you Grandma Joy! 

Spring is in the air

Everyone in this household is coming down with a bad case of spring fever! 

Piper would try anything to get outside, including sneaking out the back sliding door when mom wasn't looking.  Who would have thought my 10 month old at the time knew how to open the sliding door and crawl out into snow, ice, water... anything to get out of the house.  We have now learned to NEVER forget to lock the sliding door!

 

Miss Piper wanting to go outside with her dog Roxy 

 Piper and I try to make it outside for every sunny day we have.  We take walks, play in the dead grass or meet friends at the playground.  This little girl loves every second of it!

And yes... I have a walker now.  Piper started walking at 10 months old.

The last few sunny weekends we have had, we have 'helped' daddy build some garden beds.  Piper is a HUGE 'helper.'  She grabs screws from/for daddy, eats dirt and moves rocks.  We couldn't ask for anything better!

 She LOVES helping... especially if it's outside.  Piper sure adores her daddy!

 Getting down and dirty

 Getting REALLY down and dirty!  We couldn't keep this girl out of the dirt!  She is so my child!

 

Needless to say, we are ready for spring and to start playing in more dirt when we plant our garden!  We are so excited! 

Stock Show January 2013

Grammy, Pa pa, Gary and Kim came out for a visit last month.  We had so much fun having them here!  While here visiting, we went to the Stock Show and had a blast.  Piper loved seeing all the animals EXCEPT for the birds.  This girl did not like the chickens, geese, ducks... none of them.  It was a bit of a surprise to us.

Piper and Daddy

Piper was clingy TIGHT to me because we were TOO CLOSE to the birds.

Yep, more birds that Piper was not loving

Piper however did love the pony's.  We sat and watched them for a while and she loved EVERY SECOND OF IT!

The whole crew!

Pa pa and Piper

We had so much fun with everyone!  Can't wait for them to come back out for another visit!

6 years

6 years ago today I lost my best friend, my role model, my mom!  I can't believe it's been 6 years!  So much has happened, so many milestones reached that I would give ANYTHING to have had my mom be there to take part in it!  You would think after 6 years it wouldn't hurt this bad but my heart aches just thinking about what she has missed!  It kills me that my husband never got to know this amazing woman, my mom!  What's crazy though, is when we talk about her, I can see just how much he loves her but hasn't yet met her! 

I don't know why my family was given this trial to have lost my mom at such a young age and I know we are stronger because of it but it certainly doesn't make it easier! 

I am so grateful to have had such an amazing mother who was an outstanding example.  Because of her, I am the wife I am today, the patient mother I thought I could never be and the successful woman that I am.  She picked me up all those times I had fallen, brushed me off and gave me that loving push which is why I am where I am today!

 My sweet mom was so involved in each of her 7 kids' life. (that's difficult to do with so many kids but she did it and she did it effortlessly)  She had a unique relationship with each one of us.  I feel so blessed to have had her for 21 years!  I wish my 3 youngest siblings had had more time with her! 

So funny!  I just loved watching my parents!  They laughed more often than not!  Their humor was contagious.  It kept us kids giggling!  I mean look at these two - this picture is priceless! 

 My gorgeous mom and me way back in the day!   All I can say is I feel very blessed and honored to be her daughter!  I love her so much and miss her more than words can describe!  I can't wait for the day that I can hug her, giggle with her and fill her in on all that's happened since we last talked!

I sure love you mom!