Blessings in Disguise

The last few months have been hard and full of so much emotion, that it has been difficult to write much of anything. My emotions still run very high when I think of my grandmother...I miss her so much and with the passing of Thanksgiving and now Christmas on the horizon it only makes it more difficult. Everytime I would try and write in my blog I would read my last entry and just cry.

Mixed Emotions

This blog entry is extremely difficult for me to write. I have had mixed emotions for the last month and it seems to have no end. Last month I received a phone call on a Tuesday morning that my Grandmother had passed away. She was found in her home after what we believe was a massive heart attack. This Thursday will be one month since that day and I am still heartbroken. I do not believe you are ever truly ready for death but under certain circumstances one can be more prepared for it. My grandmothers death was sudden and extremely hard to take. I miss her so much there are just no words to describe all the emotions I am feeling.

Grandma Jo,

I cannot believe you are gone. My heart is broken. It hurts so much when I realize I cannot hear your voice and the laughter that came from it. Your smile, what can I say...there will never be another one like it. You were an amazing grandmother, and I hope so much that you knew that. You never had alot but that never mattered, not to me. No one had a grandma like mine. Other girls danced with their grandmas, you were the reason there was dancing. Oh Lord how you could light up a room. I don't know how many grandma's out there would take out their teeth and chase their grandchildren around a room, what I wouldn't give to be chased one more time. Growing up I just wanted to be around you...it was so easy to feel loved when you were near. When you met Danny you sat on his lap and said, "he's a keeper!" and I kept him. You took your shoes off at 60 years old to dance with me at my wedding... when you saw Kiera, your great-grandaughter, for the very first time you cried, and the last time I saw you was when you met Lilly Jo for the first time, you cried then too. We named her for you and now more than ever I am so glad we did. I am trying to not be so mad at you, and please forgive me for having these feeling...I know you were tired, and I know you were hurting I am just upset my girls will never know you like I did. They should have had special times with you, they should have known your voice and your smile. A memory is not near good enough...it doesn't do the real thing justice. I want the real thing. I want you. I truly hope you knew just how loved you were and always will be...mom misses you so much. She does not have her mama and that is one of the worst things to ever face in this life. You will be glad to know that everyone is healing...the family is back together, and it is all because of you. The love each one of us had for you is what made it happen Grandma. I love you so much, no one will ever come close to replacing who you were in my life, I pray that your body and soul have finally found peace, I pray that we who are left with only our memories of you will heal...Grandma, Grandma, Grandma...you left too soon

Jo Ann (Grandma)

March 1948 - September 2011

School Already?

"This summer went way too fast," Skylar said the week before school started. She was so right, I hate that the family was able to see Skylar almost all summer and now that is gone already. It is already back to just weekends! But the Lord is great and he blesses all, so we can't complain and will continue to enjoy every moment with Skylar that He gives to us.

                   Our girl turned six and as the school year started went into First Grade. It is so hard to believe she is that grown up already (but I say that every year). Skylar's first day of class was August 24th! And although we are so excited for her we are already looking forward to next summer.

                                                                        August 24, 2011

While we are on school Madison also started class. Her first day was before Skylar's on August 15th!

                                                         Madison - 2nd Grade

Family at the Lake

This past weekend we had such a great time up at the lake! With the beach and the boat there was some fun for everyone. Sadly, summer is going by so quickly and no one in this family wants it to end. This family plans on making the most of it while it is here!

Skylar has been such a blessing in the house. She has grown up so much that it is sad and exciting all at the same time! We will continue to thank the Lord for every moment we get to spend with her.

(The picture is my dad trying to wakeboard)

Home Sweet Home

Man oh man has it taken me a few days to feel rested! I was hoping to get a full days rest but oh the wonderful life of a mother. Swim lessons started on Monday and since Melissa is still out of town I have picked up Madison everyday to take her and Kiera for their lessons. It has been a long few weeks to say the least but that is summer and truthfully I wouldn't have it any other way! Yesterday all three of my girls crashed as soon as they hit the pillows....this hardly ever happens so I had to take some pictures.
It makes it all worth it when you get to see your babies so happy and content.

Our journey home!

Here we are my friends on our way back to colorado. It was a busy day the weather was good and the wedding was beautiful! I will be posting pictures on my website and blog and would love for you to post comments. I love getting feedback good or bad it is such a great way to help me improve!

12:49am
Now on to our trip! We are headed to mount rushmore and will post pictures soon.

3:40am
Our little journey home has come to a detour well more of a temporary hault. We made it to the entrance gate at Mount Rushmore only to find it closed! So here we sit in the car at a little place called rinkle rock waiting for 5am to roll around. If you came this far would you just turn around leave? Our wait definently has put Lilly in a better mood now that she can move around!

5:30am
We made it to the mountain! It is beautiful and amazing!

Kena & Cody's Adventure continues!

We made it to Nebraska ...7:30am and we are in Hershey! Who wouldn't want to stop in a town named after chocolate right lol? Unfortunately, this town is not very chocolatey.

8:57am
We found Cody's real home...lol! Here we are at Fort Cody!

10:23am
Hey dad we found this for ya...hahaha

11:00am
We came across a very based accident. There were only a few people trying to keep one of the men involved to stay awake. Pray they all make it home to their families safe!

12:30pm
South Dakota! We made it to the next state in our little journey Whoohoo! My girls, I miss you so much, wishing you were here with me.

Kena and Cody's Road Trip Adventure

Hey all...Kena here, along with my
little brother Cody and Lilly (she can't go too far from me yet!) We are on our way to Minnesota! I am shooting a wedding there and so off we go. Join us on our little road trip "as we bodly go..." where none of our family has gone before. We will be sending photos and quotes along the way so keep in touch.

3:25pm
A little over an hour ago we passed Powderhorn.....

5:20pm
Vail!

Wow

So I was looking at my posts and how sad that in 2010 I wrote thirty-one times but it is June of 2011 and this is my second posting. It is not at all due to a boring life but quite the opposite...Today for instance I had a photo shoot at 2:00pm in Delta and had to be back in Montrose to coach Skylar's first T-Ball practice by 6:30pm. Skylar is so excited to play this year, she has been talking about it for months. In fact here she is now to tell about it!

SKYLAR'S CORNER
it was fun playing  t-ball. i had the farthest hit at t-ball. my mom therd me the ball a few times.

We Are Still Here!

Hello everyone! I am so sorry that I have been so inconsistent with my writings. Our life has been a whirlwind of ups and downs with constant movement. A real quick update: Danny is working and sometimes it seems nonstop. There is always someone who would like his help. He is trying to help my dad build a huge shop. So if he isn't in Telluride he is usually out at my parents. I am taking the summer off for the first time since I went back to school in 2008 and I am so excited! It will give me a chance to relax and enjoy the summer with my girls without homework on the brain. Come August however the classes will begin all over again...Skylar has finished Kindergarten...actually today is her last day! Summer is finally here and we are so excited that we get to spend so much time with her. She is growing so fast and starts art and t-ball in just a week so her schedule will remain full! Kiera is busier than ever...and wow does the girl love to talk. She will begin preschool in August and seems to be very excited. She is now 26lbs! Yes, we are almost to 30 and it has only taken her three years to get that far hahaha. Finally, Lilly is doing great! She is growing so quickly, at her last check-up she weighed 17lbs and was in the 70th percentile for heigth (which if you all know how tall I am is astonishing lol) She has about figured out the crawling thing and at only 6months! Her favorite person is Mommy, and I love it! Well that is about it...life is fast and fun and our family is living it day by day! Loves to you all!