You Don't Get Cuter Then This!

These guys are my life and I love them for it...... 

Happy Birthday Lynn

Today is Jason's Mom's birthday, she would have been 55. She died last May of Ovarian Cancer after a battle of two years. She loved to be outside and to see new things. She was a big part of our lives. It is weired not having her around and it is always the first mile stones that are the hardest. Jason has been really strong through all the stages of grief but sometimes it hits you like a brick wall. 

There have been times when you think that you see her walking down the street, or when you suddenly get the urge to call and tell her something. Loosing someone so close to you and such a big part of your life is a numb silence that dose not go away but rather becomes a part of you. 

She also loved her one and only child Jason. She always took a lot of pride in having such a perfect child (barf). He sure is a handsome guy, this is Lynn and Jason when he graduated from the Marine Corp boot camp. She was there for all his achievements and supported him in everything he did. A mothers love is something that can never be replicated nor replaced. 
She also loved animals, this was her beloved dog Sadie. Sadie was by her side till she went to Jesus. Sadie even lived in the assisted living apartment for a few weeks. Her gentleness and understanding drew animals and children to her. She was always willing to take the time to listen. Sadie was a stray dog, until she found Lynn. Lynn opened her heart and her home to Sadie. 

She was able to open her heart to many people that we would have just turned a cheek. But she always saw the good that others had and tried to stay focused on what was and not what wasn't. She took me in when I was a young mother and it was just Alysha and I. I knew nothing of Jason and was not introduced to him till years after Lynn and I met. She came into my life when a needed a friend and with no judgement or expectations was there for me. She was my friend when I had nothing to give, and was a grandma to Alysha before blood. These are the souls we pray for, but do not see till they are only memories of the impressions they left. 
Her openness is what kept her young. She enjoyed the moment and lived for the day. She loved her grand children and they loved her. They spent hours playing and reading together. She was the Grandma that would get on the floor and play with them. They miss her and talk about her all the time. Kids deal with grief too in there own little special way. 

She was also able to go on a cruise four weeks before she passed. This is a photo of her playing with the dolphins. Always a kid at heart even when she was so sick she could barley walk she did. She walked as long as her legs would carry her and she lived the life that Jesus gave her. I learned so much from her, thank you for always being there for me and being my friend when I needed one. 

Happy Birthday Lynn - Thank You For What You Were - You Are Missed!

Easter

We spent Easter with our good friends The Hadley's, this was also our farewell to them.......

We do make a nice bunch with all six of the kids two very handsome Dad's and two rock'n hot Mommas. We sure are going to miss them in our everyday lives. We will meet again!
The kids all had lots of Easter treats left in the morning by the Easter Bunny, they were all very surprised and a little spoiled. 
And they even had a visit from the Bunny himself.......
Told you - Rock'n hot Mommas, Sarah will always be a part of my life, I will never forget what she taught me. She truly is an angel in my life!
The boys had fun blowing bubbles left by the Bunny, it was so much fun. 
Close up of Lu as she pulls off a double wand bubble. 

It was the perfect day, the day the Lord made!

The Coast

Jason and I took the kids to the coast this weekend. We have had a very hard last couple of weeks. Alysha got into a drunk driving accident and put herself in the hospital. She then spent a week in detention, was released to house arrest and then ran away. she is now back in detention and will be placed in a residential treatment program for six months up in Washington. I know that she is my daughter and I love her very much but she is making life too much to bare. I pray that she gets the help that she needs and finds her inner beauty while in treatment. 

Jason and I have not had a good night sleep in about three weeks, the stress in the house is so thick. Sometimes I do not know how much I can take. God, guides me through everything and he will give me the rest I need if I take refuge in him. He also gave us the beautiful ocean, where we found ourselves at the end of our rope.  Lord please, Take all the pain form my little girl heart and make her whole again. 

This is my beautiful family, I love them more then anything and would go to the ends of the earth for all of them. We have seen so much sadness over the last few years it is time for me to rest, I do feel so weary. 

The Pacific cost is a wonderful place full of beauty and mystery. She is angry and soft, deep and strong, predictable and mysterious.  Watching the children play along the waves with the innocence of not knowing when the last wave would arrive and the security of being on solid dry ground. To us we know that the waves will always continue and somewhere in that prediction you forget where you the ground is. 

As I sat back and watched my children I was also reminded that we all have our own path. And no matter what we choose, mohawk or beanie at the end of the day we are all created by one God and the true God.

 Thank you Quinn, Lu and Henry for giving me simplicity, Thank you Jason for being my rock in the ocean and thank you God for giving me rest when I most need it.