Courtlyne's Birthday

July 6th 2011

Courtlyne's Birthday

I can not believe that another year has come and gone since my oldest child was born.  She is a great girl. Full of personality and spunk. She spends most of her free time doing gymnastics, which is nice since I am there with her.  She officially LOVES Jack Sparrow. That is about all she got for her birthday, Jack Sparrow paraphernalia.   She invited a few friends over for a pirate restaurant birthday party. After she drew and painted the awesome Black Pearl ship for the backdrop--she insisted on decorating her own cake.  Oh... well I guess it was one less thing that I had to do.  I am still trying to prepare myself for this stage of life--crushes on superstars, crushes on boys, going to the mall, independence and preteen attitudes.  She is a great girl.

I love her dearly.

Mom-You Raise Me Up.

I think I have procrastinated on the blogging because I have not wanted to do this post.. 

but at the same time...

 I want to do it.  

We had the anniversary of my mom's passing this June. 

June 24th 2011 

We were attending the family reunion with the Measoms.

It was a day like any other, yet a day like no other.

My Dad sent us all a text saying he loved and appreciated us. 

He went on a long bike ride.

We took the kids swimming.

Mom was not there.

Yet... 

she was.

 One of the most precious gifts that I have ever been given.  

My mom's fingerprint and "MOM" sketched in everlasting silver.

Reminding  me of Everlasting life.

We all got a necklace.

Holly, Emma, Gregg,
Jessica, Allan,

Dad,

 and Grandma.

We wear them a lot.

 I can't help but feel like she is nearer when it is around my neck.

People say that the first year is the hardest.  

Our lives here go on fairly in the same manner as they did before.  

We laugh a lot.

We spend time together. 

We love each other.

But some things have changed...

I can no longer listen to You Raise Me Up," without tearing up, and the Hawaiian Ice shack brings back bittersweet memories.  But life goes on...

 as Mom would want it to

 us here on Earth with her close by watching and praying over us from Heaven. 

 I love you Mom.