Busy, Busy, Busy!!!

We have been so busy lately that I haven't done much blogging so I need to catch up on our recent events.

Addy turned 3!!!

Her favorite birthday outfit

July 4th Celebrations

Deanie turned 31!!!

Kellsie turned 1!!!

Lisa, Kyle, and Kayley were sealed together as an eternal family on July 22.

The 22nd would also have been Dad's 53 birthday so we had a little putting tournament at the cemetery and the winner (Aunt Lori) got to release some balloons.

On July 26th Lisa and Kyle welcomed Oliver James to their family

And finally on the 28th we said goodbye to Jeff who left for the MTC.

Now that I am all caught we'll see if I can stay on top of things. I hope everyone is having a happy summer!!!

I hope they call Jeff on a mission

After 3 days of waiting we finally got to find out where Jeff is going on his mission. Here are some pictures of him opening his call.

If you are wondering about Jeff's fantastic hair and rugged appearance, he had just walked in the door from a week long trip to Havasupai and it was 11:00 P.M. That is why we had to wait so long to find out where he was going.

A rare smile caught on camera from Jeff.

And he has been called to serve in the....

Costa Rica, San Jose Mission

I am so excited and happy for him!!! Oh and he leaves pretty quickly on July 28th! Way to go Jeff!

Is it winter or is it spring?

I don't know. I can't tell. One day it's snowing. The next it's sunny.

Addy happily got to wear her winter attire one last time. At least I hope it's the last time. I was wishing for summer. Well you never know maybe tomorrow.

I miss my Dad!

It is weird that it has been 3 months today since Dad died. It feels like it has been an eternity and like it was just yesterday at the same time. Life is still a major roller coaster and probable will be for the rest of my life but we are learning to deal with it. I still can not quite say I am thankful for this trial because I miss him a lot and it is hard and sad. I miss him just being there, and all the silly things he would do. I miss the him being there to help with blessings and advice. I miss talking with him about the sporting events going on (I think he would be disappointed with the game last night :D). I just miss my Dad. I can say that I am thankful for the lessons that I have learned from this trial. They are lessons I don't think I would have learned or appreciated as well without this experience. I have learned how important and essential eternal families and eternal marriage is. Where would our family be without this blessing or knowledge? It has made going through this trial even possible. I have learned how much our family and friends love us and are there to support us. I have also learned how important it is to be there to love and support them like they do us. I have grown closer to all of my family and especially my Mom and my brothers and sisters. Going through trials together brings you closer then anything else can. I have grown closer to my Savior as I have come to truly realize that it is only through Him that I will be reunited with my Dad and all of our family. I have felt my love and appreciation for Him grow as I remember that He makes eternal life possible and He really does carry and feel my sorrow and pain. Last of all I am thankful for the opportunity this has given me to become a better person. Missing my Dad is a motivation to do and be better so I can be with him again. More importantly missing my earthly Dad has given me a tangible reminder me that I am missing my Heavenly Father as well and He is missing me. He wants me to live how I know is right so I can be with both of my Fathers again.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mother's or mother's to be. You are all wonderful examples to me and I hope you have a nice day!

My Mommy

I want to wish my Mom a happy Mother's day even though she probable won't read this I just have to say how much I love her! It's actually really hard to write about her because I don't have the words to describe what she means to me. She is the most wonderful Mother and example I could ever ask for. I know Heavenly Father sent me to the right home when he sent me to her. She has always been such a strength and support for me and our family. I am so thankful to her for teaching and living the gospel. She has always had a strong testimony and even when things are hard she stays committed and true to it. I love her and am so blessed to have her as my Mom!!! I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to my sisters. They are such wonderful examples to me and I know I can turn to them with any mommy questions I might have. I am thankful to have them. They help me to be a better Mom and person. I love them! I also have to say how much I love my sweet daughters and how thankful I am for them. They are who makes me a Mommy in the first place. I love you Addy and Kells!!! Happy Mother's Day!

Happy April 15th!!!

Happy April 15th to everyone!!! You might be asking is today a holiday or something? Well to anyone who has worked or has a spouse who works at a CPA firm, it is. The tax season is almost over!!! I can't actually complain about this year because Val hasn't been too slammed since they just started their new firm. He is still able to get home at a reasonable time but that is only because they just started in January. Last year he came home for like 2 hours between the 14th and the 15th. That is in fact one of the reasons he decided to do his own thing. Who can blame him? I wouldn't want to be at work for 2 solid days either. Anyways that is why April 15th is a good day for us at least. This can also be a friendly reminder to all of those who might have forgotten or have put it off. I do know a good accountant if anyone needs some help. :D I hope everyone has a good April 15th! I know I will. :)

Happy Easter!

Why Weepest Thou-Simon Dewey

I love holidays if you haven't noticed yet and Easter is one of my favorites. This year it was even more special to me because of Dad's death. I have never had anyone close to me die and I have realized through this trial that I have never really appreciated the Resurrection like I should. I have never doubted that the Savior broke the bands of death and that he took up His body again and that someday I will die and so someday I will be resurrected but the Resurrection is not just for someday, it is a blessing now and it is helping me get through this hard time. Now I can truly say I am thankful for and have a testimony of the Resurrection. I don't think I would have learned this lesson without experiencing Dad's death. I am so thankful for the Savior and I know He lives! Because He does I will too and so will my Dad! That is why I love Easter! So I hope everyone had a good one!