Little Miss's End of Year Program

So Little Miss finished 1st grade this year. She had a great time most of the year. So her wonderful teacher put together an AMAZING star spangled musical performance for the end of the year. It was beautiful and made me me feel even more greatful to be An American.

(side note: made me remember my first year in color guard when we did a patriotic show wearing knee high go go boots and used these awsome USA flags that our director made..I love to be an American)

First Born's 5th Grade Promotion

So our oldest has now finished his elementary school experiances. He had a great learning experiance at PJS and is nervous but excited to start Middle School. (actually I think I am more nervous than he is) Here are some photos of his day!

My Photographer Erin

My Photographer Erin, is having a give away on her blog. If you wanna see pictures she's done just scroll down and you'll see the best pictures ever of A. And if you hop on over to www.erinnoeldesigns.blogspot.com and see what else she is doing.

Little Miss Loses Front Tooth

Little Miss Lost her front tooth! She was super excited for the Tooth Fairy to come!

7 Years Ago Today...

I got a phone call in the wee hours of the morning

"Hello.?"
"Joanna it's me." The voice was my sisters. My heart sank and panic started to rise
"He's gone. Dad is gone. He went home."

I cried. And cried and cried.

I hung up the phone and said I would come as soon as I could when it got light and the kids were awake. I called my brother. He got in his car and drove the 5 hours to be there with us by daylight.

I cried more..harder.. William held onto me as tight as he could..My two cousins came running into the room. We all sat on my bed crying...

..then the crying turned to gladness.. laughter..happiness... greatfulness..
All for the plan of salvation. I knew my father was no longer in pain. That he could breath and be free of his mortal body that was going down hill fast. I loved/ I mean love my dad. He was a wonderful man. Not only because he was my father do I say that, he genuinely cared about people. He was always serving in the church and giving. I remember one time we were in "old Betsy" a beat up white truck with a camper. We were in the back with gifts for Christmas traveling to Los Angeles. It was raining and we were excited to get there. Then the truck pulled over. My father saw an older couple on the side of the road and he wanted to help. Now my father was no mechanic so I wondered how he was going to help. I don't know what we he did for them because we were told to stay in the truck. I do know that a little while later a very greatful women told us through the window "God bless your father! He is wonderful."

But I already knew that.

things I miss most:
-I can't talk to him and hear his voice back
-My kids won't know him
-His corny jokes
-Him calling me "peeks"
-watching him eat seafood
-him saying I should have parties at his house more often because his house gets really clean when I do
-giving me advice in my teaching and handling of my classroom
-seeing how caring/ loving he was to my mother
-watching him play with my 2 older kids (K was only 3 months old)

I love my Father and miss him every single day. I know that I will see him again and Hopefully he will be proud of the life I have lived. Of the chocies I have made. Because I know how proud I am of him. I miss you!

I would have included a picture but it was before we had a digital camera.

My Baby Boy is 18 months...

Thoughts...

This picture was taken in the van after a snow trip. His first!

My sweet little baby! He is growing up so fast! He talks a ot now and is a pretty good traveler. We (the kids and I) woke up last week and thought it would be fun to go to Btown and surprise both grandmas! They were both very surprised. It was an extremely quick trip though.

Btown looks and feels different. I don't think that we will ever call it home again. One of the kids said "we should move here to be close to cousins. But I also want our school to come and all our friends." I told them that sounded nice but impossible. He understood.

I have been trying lately to get more connected to my kids. After this weekends Wonderful General Conference, I know that it is a worthy persuit of mine. (but of course they are all home now plying/ watching a movie and I am blogging, hehe) I told my Sweetie not to long ago that we really only have 8-9 years left of teaching boy #1 and how quickly the first 10 years went. I wonder alot if I have taught him enough? He starts middle school next year. I want him to saty at the elementary him and dad want to go to "the middle school". I just hope that I have taught him enough, that he is strong enough to make good friends and good choices.

My friend counseled me the other month as we discussed this, "that you have to let them grow up and maybe he can be the light for good that the other kids need." I will take comfort in that. I will continue to love him and the others and hold on as long as I can.