Happy Graduation!

Kimbo graduated from Preschool yesterday. She looked so grown up. We are so proud of her and all the hard work that she did this year. Kimbo is so smart and just so much fun. With Kimbo around you are guaranteed to be entertained. She can light up any room. Congratulations Kimbo. What a great year.

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school!!! It was hard on all of us to have to say goodbye since we will more than likely not be there next year. Lot's and lot's of tears were shed. We have LOVED Rohwer and everyone there.

Happy Birthday Cassie!!!

Cassie is Buddy's older sister (older by 11 months). Even though she is technically my "sister in-law" she is so much more like just a sister to me. Cassie is an amazing person. She has the most positive personality of anyone I have ever met. She brightens every room she walks into. She has a heart of gold. I look up to her so much. She is a very patient person. (You would have to be to run a day care out of your own home with about 30 children). She is a very devoted mother and wife and an amazing example of what a righteous daughter of God should be. Cassie, thank you for being there for me for those long talks that have more times than not, gone into the wee hours of the morning. Thank you for playing countless hours of games with us. How I long for those Sunday afternoons and evenings at mom and dad's where we ate, talked and played (there again more times than not, into the wee hours of the morning). I love you so very much. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

Today is Buddy's birthday. Unfortunately, I am just now getting time to sit down and acknowledge this joyous occasion on my blog. So for this, his 83rd birthday (payback from my birthday) I will write a bunch of mushy stuff about him that will only embarrass him, however, I cannot hold back.

I love Buddy for more reasons that I can even begin to express. He truly is the love of my life. I could never, nor will I ever, be able to love another human being the way that I love this amazing man. He is such an incredible father to our 4 beautiful children. Many dad's who travel as much as he does seem to become "detached" from their families every day lives. However, Buddy knows when every single doctor's appointment, piano practice, horse therapy session or play date is. He loves his family with all of his heart and it tears him apart to have to be away from us. Buddy is the most loyal man I know. He is loyal to everything and everyone in his life. Everything from Alabama football (ROLL TIDE!!!!) to his career. In the 5 years that he has worked for Kiewit, he has called in sick 1 time and that was because he had pneumonia but only stayed out of the office for 1 day. I respect him so much for that. He is such a strength to me. He supports me 150% no matter what I am doing. He stands by me in my efforts to raise our children and picks me up when I have fallen. Most importantly, I admire his love for the gospel and all that it entails. He has an unfailing testimony of the church and it's teachings. He honors his priesthood and is shining example of what a husband should be.

Buddy, thank you for loving me despite my weaknesses. I promise to stand by you just as you have me. I will forever love you. Thank you for loving me and the kids and making sure that I could stay home with them to be their mother. Thank you for setting such a great example to not only our children but to me as well. You are my everything!!! Happy Birthday Babe!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mama,
There are so many things that I wanted to say to you this Mother's Day but just wasn't sure how to say them. How does one really express their love for their mother? You have been there for me through everything that has ever happened in my life. You have worn every hat known to man kind. You are all of the things that Hallmark cards say and a million more. I want so badly to be able to express to you just how much I love you and just when I am thinking how hopeless it is, I remember that you too had a wonderful mother whom you felt all of these things for as well. I have so many amazing memories of you that it would take me pages and pages to write them all down. One thing I want to say is thank you for being there for the birth of all 4 of my beautiful children. You were an amazing strength to me during those times. I will never forget the feeling of your hands lovingly wiping my forehead or your fingers combing through my hair. I have loved that since I was a kid and now find myself doing the same thing to my daughters. This last summer when you were here for an entire month is one of the happiest of my entire life. I will never ever forget that. Of all the things that I long to say to you, I want you mostly to know that I love you with all of my heart. Thank you so much for being my mama!!!!

Happy Birthday Darren!!!

(Darren and his son Luke)

So today is my big brother's birthday!!! I am the youngest of 6 and Darren is the sibling that is right above me. We are 3 years apart. Because of this, we have always been close friends. When he was a senior, I was a freshman and we had soooo much fun together. We did everything together it seems. We constantly had game nights at our house with all of our friends and played countless hours of "capture the flag" at Centennial park. He was awesome to drive me and my friends places (especially "Senior Taco"). We have always been there for each other. From the days at Palo Christi, all the way to being grown and having children of our own. I used to even help him shop for clothes and then pick what clothes he should wear on a date. I was sitting next to him when he called and asked out his first date; heck, i can tell you exactly where in the house we were as I was coaching him to "just call." and practicing what he would say. When he finally called, I thought he was just practicing into the phone and didn't believe him when he said he had really done it. We have always supported each other in everything. We have shared broken hearts together (some girls are lucky I didn't let them have it), we have shared happiness together and some pretty sad times together. I have always looked up to him and loved him so much that at times, I felt my heart would explode. He has always been an amazing big brother. I am so very grateful that he is my big brother and most importantly, my friend. I love you Darren!!! Have an amazing 33rd birthday!!

Autism Walk

As you all know, our 9 year old son Garrison is autistic. Raising awareness about Autism is very important to Buddy and I. Autism is a growing epidemic amongst our children. Did you know that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with Autism? That is more than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS COMBINED. The growing numbers are astonishing. The Nebraska Autism walk is fast approaching and Buddy and I are excited to be participating again this year. It is going to be in Lincoln on Saturday, May 24th. We hope that you will join us in raising awareness and helping to find a cure. Thanks for all of your support.

*If you would like to contribute either by making a donation or joining my team.....

1. Go to http://www.walknow.org
2. Click on the Nebraska link
3. Scroll down to the bottom right of the page and click on find a walker
4. Type in my info
5. Click on my name

There are a couple of different options at that point so just follow the links that you choose. Thanks everyone for being so amazing to my son and our family!!!

Rachel's recital

Rachel has been taking piano lessons for about 2 months and had her first recital tonight. There were a few other's participating all of which who had been playing quite a bit longer than her. However, she did such a wonderful job on her 2 songs both of which she had memorized so she didn't need any music. She is so diligent in her practicing. She comes home every single day and almost never even has to be told to practice. She loves it so much that she really enjoys practicing. We are so proud of her. My dear friend Heidi came over and took some pictures of her before her program since my camera is still in Albuquerque. Rachel, we are so proud of all of your hard work. We love you very much!!!


Did I mention she looked just beautiful??!!