Thursday, January 31, 2008

Welcome to 4th Grade!

How cute is Grandpa???? He came in to show Mandy's class some real antique stuff from the old west. He came all dressed up in boots and a hat!

He has a real arrow that was used to kill his great Uncle. And the Indian (winter) Head piece from the Indian who killed him. He also brought in pictures of Montana where he was born and raised and the books that were written about our family. (My great grandfather was "Kid Amby" - ever heard of him? Didn't think so - well he is our family's claim to fame. He used to hang out with all the famous cowboys and was friends with Charles Russel and was the subject of many of his paintings.
Soooooooo mandy did "show and tell" with her Grandpa! They thought he was famous and wanted pictures with him and everything - so sweet! Thanks Dad for doing that - Mandy thought it was sooo special :}


Then there is this:



I don't know if you'd exactly call this music or sqeeky pipes - but I do believe in 4th grade they call these "recorders". And they are told to practice at home LOTS!!! So this is what our play dates sound like:

If I hear "Hot Cross Buns" one more time I think my buns are going to be VERY cross!!!!!!!! Why do they do this to us parents!!!!!!! I guess it's just part of the 4th grade fun!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

vroomm vroomm (part 2)

the road to recovery

Soooo, this is how our day at the DMV started:
We got there a little early and Ashley was driving. There was no parking spots so I told her to pull into the handicapped and get out to sign in and I would find a spot. We both got out of the car at the same time and BAM - all the doors lock - with the car running - all of our stuff inside the car, in the handicapped spot. She runs in to sign in and - NO - they would not let her because she needed $6 - which was in the car. Sooooo I run over the the gas station to see if they can help me - NO - they do not do break-ins. I ask if I can use their phone to call AAA - NO - "we do not have a public phone and buy the way, Jags are really hard to break into because it's all electrical" - great. I beg and plead because once again - my phone is in the car. So finally a - YES. AAA puts a rush on it because the darn car is still running!!!!! They get there in 15 minutes and have it open in 60 seconds!! 60 seconds!!!!
So we end up only being about 20 minutes late and they let her take her test anyway - poor Ashley said, "Maybe this is a sign that I should NOT DRIVE!"
But she passed and even did a little better than Amber! (which I guess it doesn't really matter - pass is pass). YEAH! (I think).

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Through the year.............

Sunday, January 20th marked one year since John went to be with Christ. I can't believe it's already been one year. It seams like so long ago and yet it feels like he was just here yesterday. Weird. This year has been filled with tears, grief, memories, blessings, love, sadness, happiness, gratefulness, anger, questioning, grace, new adventures, adjustments, life changes, answers, self explorations, strength, weakness, new family roles and so much more I can't even think of. I've been asked so many questions about this year and how I have dealt with John's death. First of all I think that so many of you are so much stronger then you give yourselves credit for. God is amazing and gives you the strength to move forward with life. When you have young kids you don't really have a choice - you don't want your kids to hurt so you do everything you can to make them not feel any pain. Of course they do, and even though it's healthy, it has been one of the hardest parts of this year.

For me personally, getting into my empty bed every night has probably been the toughest - that's when I feel lonely. I miss him a lot. Sometimes I don't feel whole. But finding out who I am again has been eye opening. God has showed me a lot of things that I didn't know about myself or that I had forgotten. That is empowering! (that sounds so Oprah!)

The greatest thing about this year has been - being loved. You don't always appreciate how many people care about you until they come together and shower you with love, prayers and concern. I hope I can be as good of daughter, sister, niece, cousin, granddaughter, and friend that you all have been to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This weekend we just spent time together at the cabin. It was exactly what we needed. We watched the DVD of John's life together - we laughed and we cried. The little ones played outside in the snow, we did our usual trip to KMART (the only store in town), cooked, played lots of cards, watched some good movies, read, and just enjoyed being together. This was what John loved to do and loved about the cabin!
(yes that is Toby on Mandy's lap....)

go Ash!! Karyn are you okay?????
I'm glad that this year is done and all the "first" are over. Now I guess we work on battling the "seconds" and whatever the new year has to bring. God has been faithful and I know that "I can do all things through him who gives me strength!"

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Part 2 - to be continued

Soooooo Ashley will be going back to the DMV in 2 weeks.................Stay tuned.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Fish

Isaiah and I like the pretty fish tank......