Because we don't know how long we'll be here...

Well, yeah.  I fell off the blogging wagon AGAIN.  I guess I wouldn't worry about it so much if it was just for the approximately 14 people who read this on a regular basis (xoxo to you guys!) but this blog isn't just for my massive readership.  It's for my KIDS, who will someday read all these posts in book form (did you know you can have your blog printed into a book?  Awesome, right?) and hopefully be reminded of bits of their childhood that would otherwise be lost to the ether.

Two events in the last few weeks have reminded me just how precious life is and how quickly things can change, things we have absolutely no control over.  First, my mother's dearest friend for the last 36 years, someone whose presence was woven throughout my life, was killed in a car crash on May 1.  Suddenly she was gone from this earth.  No goodbyes, no last hugs, no tidy and anticipated end.

Then, less than a week later, Curtis's dad was hospitalized with a shockingly sudden aortic rupture that very seriously threatened his life.  Curtis and I waited by the phone that first night, anticipating the phone call that would tell us if the surgery was successful and if he would stay here for a while longer or if Heavenly Father had other plans for him.  I pray (not as often or as fervently as I should) but that night I spent more time on my knees than I have in a long time.  He is still in the hospital but has been making good progress and expects to be released soon(ish) with a good recovery, for which we are so grateful.

Both of these events, with all the tears, accompanying phone calls between loved family and friends, conversations into the night, memorial service for dear Gracia and hours of reflection have reminded me of how much I love my family.  My husband and my little ones are above value to me, and I know that, really, I only have so much control over how much time I have here on this earth with them. 

SO.  So so so.  I am RECOMMITTED to this blog, not for the fame and fortune that it brings me (haha!) but as family journal, as a record of our time together, and as a reminder of all the fun things we're doing.  Yay!  Family!


I'll kick it off with a few photos taken over April vacation at Nain and Taid's house.  It was warm and they spent a lot of time at the stream getting wet and messy.  Same thing I used to do with my siblings when I was a kid!



Dexteriffic!
 



Ice cream bar stick



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Dex making "chocolate soup" with his ice cream stick and muddy water.

p.s.  I hate Blogger SO MUCH when it comes to photos.  This dumb program does not allow for easy or intuitive placement of photos, so sorry they look sort of weird.