Goodbye Mom

My Mom passed away on Saturday, October 20, 2012, and since then, this blog has been on hiatus.  I knew my next post had to be about my Mom, and I just couldn't wrap my head around putting all my emotions down on paper.  What do I want you to know about my Mom?  She is without a doubt the kindest, most selfless and sincere person that I have ever met.  She loved her family more than anything.  She had 8 kids and taught each of us the value of hard work and discipline and to believe in ourselves.  She shaped all of us kids into adults, and she did a fine job.

I miss her so much. Some days are better than others, and some are unbearable. Eric's doing so much fun stuff and learning so many new things each day, and I want to tell her about every bit. He'll do something silly, and I'll think..."Oh man, I have to call Mom!"  For weeks, I would actually pickup the phone before I realized that I couldn't call her.  Now, I've gotten to the point that I tell her, just not via land line! This holiday season and Christmas has been bitter sweet.  It was so hard to send Christmas cards without sending one to her, too.

I guess what I've come to realize is that dealing with the grief with losing my Mom will be a life-long process.  I can't imagine that I will ever miss her any less, but I guess it will just get easier with time.  In the meantime, I have a fantastic hubby and wonderful family and friends to help me out. Another huge help is this little, adorable 20-month-old boy running around this house that is full of energy, spirit, and happiness and that I just can't stop kissing (which by the way, is probably why I'm on my 3rd cold of the season)!

Here's to you Mom; I love you.

Family Pics!

We recently had family pics taken with local photog Mary Collier. That day, Eric was all energy and basically just wanted to run, but even with all that, Mary was still able to get some super adorable shots of our little man and family. What I love most about these pics is that they capture Eric's energy and personality in all of its 18-month-old glory & this little moment in time when our precious little boy was a total handful! **love**

  

   

Weekend Update

Still staying out of the smoke......have I mentioned that I'VE HAD IT WITH THE SMOKE......gggrrrrrrr!!!

 

Norton Family Visit

Last month, the Norton family drove up for a quick visit, and Hayden and Eric spent the weekend playing like crazy!  

Of course we had to put Shannon and DK to work - this time it was building a washer and dryer pedestal - and I LOVE it!!  Now, Eric can't reach all the fun buttons and dials on the front of the washer and dryer until he's old enough to actually do the laundry. I have a sneaking feeling that it won't be nearly as fun for him then. I'll be saying - see, look at all these fun buttons and knobs!!  Either way, now at least he won't be able to mix up all the washing and drying cycles - which I'd rather avoid but did make for very interesting laundry time!

Jacqi and I fit in an early morning hike with Anne and Cindy, and we biked the loop early one morning with Anne.  (Anne bikes the loop at like 500AM(!) so no pics of that!)

We always have a great time with the Norton family, and we're happy that we'll be able to catch up with them - and the rest of the fam - when we fly to Idaho next month!