SWIMMING... Here we come

Yesterday Daddy & the kids went swimming for the first time this year. Of course Mommy forgot the camera. I did take a few pics on my camera phone. Although, I don't know how to get them on the computer. That's okay because they went swimming again today. Yes, this time Mommy remembered the camera. It has been nice going to the pool at our apartment. So far we have not had any other people in the pool with us. Well there was a lady sun tanning the first day. Ethan said "Mommy that lady's not swimming because she's dead". I had to laugh, but I did tell him she was not dead just getting some sun. The kids & Daddy are so excited that it is warm enough to start swimming.

Cousins...

On Saturday we went to watch my nephews play hockey. We watched two games and had lots of fun being around family. After the games the younger kids played outside. They were playing a game that they made up and as a reward Jackson would dance with each of the girls. It was so cute.

Madalyn & Jackson

Jackson spins Madalyn

(where did they learn that?)

Teegan & Jackson

Teegan & Jackson

Cameron Park ZOO

On Thursday we went to the Cameron Park Zoo (in Waco). We really enjoy this zoo because it is fairly small. It makes it easy to see everything in just a couple of hours. Which of course is all that our little ones can handle. My Mom (Meme) went with us and we all had a fun time.

We are so excited for the summer. We bought a zoo pass which is really cool because we have a full page list of zoos we can go to for free and several that we can get into at a discount. We can also go to some aquariums (Ryan is especially excited about the aquariums).

Discovering SNAILS...

Last week Ryan had a couple of days off so we decided to go to Waco. On Wednesday we relaxed and the kids had fun playing on the swing set and with Durango (Uncle Travis' dog). They had Daddy help them go exploring in Meme & Papa's backyard. They were so excited to find a snail. Daddy put it up on the swing set and they watched him crawl around.

They also enjoyed ridding bikes, roller blading, playing hockey and whatever else they could think of to play.

Gummy Bears... what a treat!

I took a few pictures of Ethan yesterday. He got gummy bears as a treat for staying dry through the night 2 days in a row.

4 Months Down...

We have lived here for 4 months. I think I have been suffering with depression because I have not felt like we moved into a very friendly ward.

• First of all I was introduced as a new person for the first 3 months.
• I am very quite person when I don't know anyone and I tried to sit with people but it didn't really help. No one really talked to me.
• We finally got callings about 3 weeks ago as Primary teachers.
• We had no H.T. until last night when they dropped by (apparently they tried to meet us the week before but we were in Canada)
• My V.T. came once but I was in the shower (she talked to Ryan)(I should really call her soon)
• The R.S. presidency came to meet me and get to know me just yesterday after church.

Well I guess I should not complain but it was really depressing to me and made me miss my old ward that much more (I miss my Bryan Ward Family, y'all were awesome). I have only made one friend (well when I say friend I mean we say Hi at church when we see each other). She moved in at the same time as us and Happened to have the same first name as me. I sat with her a few times in RS but she has a baby boy and it was hard for her to sit with him very long. She also got a calling in YW about a month after moving in.

Ok, sorry for my venting. I am trying to think more positively and come out of my shell. I want to be fair and do my part in making this a good transition for us. Hopefully things will get better.

I should also add that I hate the apartments were we live. This is another source of my depression.

On a brighter note my loving husband and I had a discussion last week about my depression. I made a deal with him that I would do better about taking the kids out to play, cooking, and trying to make the best of our current place of residence.

I am happy to report I have been taking the kids to the park, playing board games, cooking 5 out of 7 dinners, and taking a little more pride in making this place our home. I also have tried to not get on the computer so much (was not part of our deal just something I need to do). It has not been easy to motivate myself to get up everyday but I am working at it one day at a time.

Old Pictures....

I was looking through some old pics of Madalyn today. I really liked these four generation pics. They were taken at a lunch we had for family after Madalyn's Blessing. So that would make this September 2003. I think I will have to get new four generation pics now that she is almost 5 years old. These are not very good pics of Madalyn but, I think everyone else looks nice.

(Pepa, Meme, Madalyn & Mommy)

(Meme, Mema, Madalyn & Mommy)

5 people & 26 hours in a Tahoe

Last Wednesday Amy, Travis, Mason, Ryan and I headed out on are 26 hour drive (straight through) to Canada for my Grandma's funeral.

We arrived Thursday afternoon and we spent the afternoon visiting with family and friends (The Kolbs). That evening we met as a family with the preacher to finalize plans for the service and so she could get a feel for what Grandma was like. It was a very touching experience as we all set around reminiscing about Grandma and our favorite memories of her. It was so nice to hear everyone share their memories. My husband (who never met my Grandma)told me afterwards that he felt like my Grandma was their with us enjoying our company and thoughts. We also had the viewing Thursday evening. This was much harder then I had expected it to be. I think as I reflect back on the moment that Grandma seemed very peaceful. As hard as it was I know that she is in a better place and that she was ready to be with her beloved husband again.

Friday was a busy morning as Travis and I prepared a slide show of pictures to represent Grandmas life and family. It took us all morning but we finished and it turned out very nice. The funeral was at 2pm so we rushed to eat and get ready. The service was nice but not what I am accustomed to. My favorite part was the solo "I'll Fly Away". The lady that sang it had a beautiful strong and very controlled voice and was accompanied by another lady on guitar. Ryan (my husband) read a poem called "Heartstrings" that was very appropriate. My Grandma was an Auxiliary member of the Legion so the Auxiliary members had little poem they read at the end and then they formed an honor guard as we left the church. The graveside service was just for family and was again hard. As I set my rose on the casket I reflected on all the beautiful things that my Grandma had taught me and shared with me. Even now as I sit here I think of what a grand person my grandmother was and it touches my heart to have known and loved such a great woman.

The rest of the evening was spent with family and close friends (the Kolbs). We are so grateful to have friends like the Kolbs who graciously let us stay at their home anytime we visited Carnduff since Grandma went into the nursing home. Thank you Jean and Ron for your hospitality and your friendship.

Saturday morning was spent packing and some of us went into the next town, Oxbow, so we could get charm bracelets for all the girls. Apparently they are quite expensive but we got the bracelet plus 10 charms for $5.99. WOW!! It was fun picking out all the charms to represent different things we like or are children like. When we got back to the Kolbs we ate lunch and said our goodbyes. We hit the road once again this time we added two people. My parents flew in early Tuesday but decided to drive back with us. We stopped to take a few pictures along the way. First we had Mason stand by the Carnduff sign with his mom (Amy). Then when we got to Rugby, North Dakota Mason, Travis and Amy took pics at the geographical center of North America.

(The old Grain Elevator in Carnduff)

(The ice that was cleared out of the ice rink a couple of weeks ago)

We had a very cozy drive home and all made it back in one peace. Although I think we will all be catching up on sleep for a while.

TEXAS BLUEBONNETS

Need I say more...

Pondering my week

On Tuesday, April 1st my grandmother in Canada had her 90th birthday! My parents, Madalyn, Ethan & I were supposed to go to Canada this past weekend to celebrate her birthday. Due to several reasons we were unable to be apart of that celebration.

On Wednesday we went to Bryan after Ryan got off work. Thursday we had a full day planned. My sister watched my kids so that we could go to the temple with my sister- in-law for her endowment session. It was a wonderful feeling to be in the temple with so many of Ryan's siblings and other family members. Later that evening was enrichment and I was so excited to see all my friends in our old ward. I was also excited because they were teaching us how to make the Maya baby sling. I had been wanting to make one for a while and had not been able to do so. Not that I need one (no babies at our house or on the way)I just wanted to make one for the future and once I learned how then I can make a smaller one for Madalyn to use for her baby dolls. I had a wonderful time seeing good friends and trying to sew.

Early this morning my mom called to let me know that my grandmother had passed away in the night. I was still half asleep when she told me so my reaction was very calm. A few minutes after I got off the phone I cried as my husband held me. I got up and got ready for the day and went to my sisters house. I wanted to be with her when my Mom told her. She cried a little and then we talked about how happy we were for grandma to be with grandpa again after nearly 15 years apart. What a wonderful time for them and the stories they have to share with each other.

Ryan and I told Madalyn about her great grandma going to Heaven and she asked if we would see her again. I told her yes, someday we will all be together again. (It brought tears to my eyes as she asked me questions about grandma being in heaven). I told her the greatest blessing of all was that now grandma would have the opportunity to learn about the gospel just like she learns about it in primary and at home. She thought that was really neat. Madalyn gave me several hugs and told me everything was going to be okay. Her little arms wrapped around me was a great comfort to me. It made me feel really good that my little girl seemed to understand that her great grandma was very happy to be in heaven and no longer in pain, without her darling husband.

As I have pondered the passing of my grandmother I have gone through several emotions. I am sad that she is gone but at the same time I am very excited for her next journey. What makes me the saddest is that we were not able to see her this last weekend like we had intended for her 90th birthday. I know that it would have been hard to see her in her condition (she was basically blind, had trouble hearing and was down to 120 lbs). I am however, very greatful for the knowledge I have because of the gospel. I love my grandmother & will miss her dearly.

I think I will have to end my pondering now so that my tears will subside for a time.