Well, it's been a while since I blogged! A really long time! So where have I been, you might ask? Well, the usual- kids, husband, pets have taken up my time. But, I've also been writing in another forum! I've been working on our book about McKenzie! It's called Unshakeable Faith and we are working on self publishing with Westbow Press. I can't wait to tell you more about the book!
Life is good in Utah. Despite the summer heat- yes, it's still summer here, too- we've been outside and busy. Caroline is running cross country, Monroe Jr. is playing football, and I've been walking our 1 year old golden retriever, Georgie Belle, every morning.
My husband is traveling quite a bit with work. No fun!
Tonight is parent's night at the high school. I'm about to eat a quick bite and then head over to meet Caroline's teachers!
Well, just thought I'd drop in, drop a few words in the old blog and see how it felt. Just taking it out for a test spin!!!
With love, J
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Springtime in Utah
Hello everyone! Well, I feel really bad that I haven't updated in so long! So much has been going on that I have neglected my writing. In my defense, I have written many of you personal notes over the past few weeks and of course there are always the forwarded emails that I use as a means of keeping in touch, too. I was watching Julie and Julia the other day and was reminded of how long it had been since I had blogged and decided I better write.
Well, it's springtime in Utah! That doesn't necessarily mean winter is over, but we are having a little less of winter. It did snow lightly last night. But, the sun is already out and has melted it. We had a white Easter (we weren't dreaming of it, it totally surprised us as it did last night). I don't know why we are surprised anymore when we wake up to a white world. We have tulips coming up everywhere and they will bloom soon. There is a tulip festival starting this weekend about 15 minutes south of here and they will have a photography contest that I want to enter. So I've been practicing my photography of flowers a little. I'll try to post a picture of some daffodils I found the other day at the downtown library. We went down there for Holocaust Remembrance day and a wonderful Anne Franke exhibit. We must never forget what happened there and educate our youth on the horrors that must be avoided. A friend of mine reminded me that we have our own holocaust of unborn children happening in this nation. That is a very sombering thought. Sorry, I digress from the spring theme. So I'll try to post some pictures of the daffodils, the white Easter, and eventually the tulips.
We have had a series of guests visiting here this spring. We started with 2 of Courtney's friends, then had a family of my and little Monroe's friends, and finally had a friend of Caroline's here this last week. Unfortunately, there has been a run of strep throat in the house over the last 2 weeks, too. Monroe had it, little Monroe had it, Caroline's friend had it, and 3-4 of the family who visited last week have had it, too! It's been crazy.
Both of the grandmothers are visiting in the next 3 weeks and then my dad is coming up in May, too. In May, they are all coming to see Caroline in her theatrical debut as Sandy in her school production of the musical Grease. She is so excited and so are we!
Well, I've got to run. I will post more often hopefully that things are settling down. Talk to you soon! Jeri
Well, it's springtime in Utah! That doesn't necessarily mean winter is over, but we are having a little less of winter. It did snow lightly last night. But, the sun is already out and has melted it. We had a white Easter (we weren't dreaming of it, it totally surprised us as it did last night). I don't know why we are surprised anymore when we wake up to a white world. We have tulips coming up everywhere and they will bloom soon. There is a tulip festival starting this weekend about 15 minutes south of here and they will have a photography contest that I want to enter. So I've been practicing my photography of flowers a little. I'll try to post a picture of some daffodils I found the other day at the downtown library. We went down there for Holocaust Remembrance day and a wonderful Anne Franke exhibit. We must never forget what happened there and educate our youth on the horrors that must be avoided. A friend of mine reminded me that we have our own holocaust of unborn children happening in this nation. That is a very sombering thought. Sorry, I digress from the spring theme. So I'll try to post some pictures of the daffodils, the white Easter, and eventually the tulips.
We have had a series of guests visiting here this spring. We started with 2 of Courtney's friends, then had a family of my and little Monroe's friends, and finally had a friend of Caroline's here this last week. Unfortunately, there has been a run of strep throat in the house over the last 2 weeks, too. Monroe had it, little Monroe had it, Caroline's friend had it, and 3-4 of the family who visited last week have had it, too! It's been crazy.
Both of the grandmothers are visiting in the next 3 weeks and then my dad is coming up in May, too. In May, they are all coming to see Caroline in her theatrical debut as Sandy in her school production of the musical Grease. She is so excited and so are we!
Well, I've got to run. I will post more often hopefully that things are settling down. Talk to you soon! Jeri
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hope
Hello everyone! I titled my entry today "Hope". I think I might actually be feeling a little bit of that today! I am thinking of all the things I want to do around the house before our guests come this month. I am getting a little excited about things coming up in the near future. That is just not like me over the last three months. So God is hearing your prayers and giving me a little sunshine both inside and out. Now I don't promise that every day will be like this, but whose life is all sunshine, right?
We had lots of fun in Hawaii. I will post a couple pictures. It was beautiful weather and we saw so much while we were there. There was that little tsunami scare our last day there, but that just ended the trip with a little excitement. Nothing ended up happening and that was good. God again answered prayer and we were safe.
I head out tomorrow on a bus trip with Courtney's orchestra group. We are traveling to California for a spring musical workshop at Disneyland. Then we get to stop by Las Vegas to see the Lion King at the Mandalay Bay Casino on the way home. Sounds like fun, right? Well, we'll see. Sleeping overnight two nights on the bus with a group of students I don't know? I am questioning my own sanity, but I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Well, my lunch is warmed up in the microwave. I've got lots of miles to cover! Talk to you soon. With love, Jeri
We had lots of fun in Hawaii. I will post a couple pictures. It was beautiful weather and we saw so much while we were there. There was that little tsunami scare our last day there, but that just ended the trip with a little excitement. Nothing ended up happening and that was good. God again answered prayer and we were safe.
I head out tomorrow on a bus trip with Courtney's orchestra group. We are traveling to California for a spring musical workshop at Disneyland. Then we get to stop by Las Vegas to see the Lion King at the Mandalay Bay Casino on the way home. Sounds like fun, right? Well, we'll see. Sleeping overnight two nights on the bus with a group of students I don't know? I am questioning my own sanity, but I wouldn't miss it for the world!
Well, my lunch is warmed up in the microwave. I've got lots of miles to cover! Talk to you soon. With love, Jeri
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Happy Weekend
Hello everyone! Hope your Presidents' Day weekend is going well. Ours is so far, so good. Caroline and little Monroe had an easy week at school. They had a half day on both Wednesday and Thursday (for teacher conferences) and then were off on Friday (to give the teachers time to recover from conferences, I guess). Courtney had her normal half day on Wednesday and full days on Thursday and Friday. We saw a specialist on Tuesday for Courtney's ankle and it was all pretty much status quo. He said nothing new. It's just going to take time for the ankle to heal. She is seeing the trainers at school most days and that seems to be helping a little. Monroe had a valentine's party at school thursday and really enjoyed it. Caroline had a school dance last night along with another private school. Early in the week, she said she wasn't going, but after Basketball practice Thursday evening, she changed her mind and met some girls there. I think she had fun. It's hard to tell.
Monroe and I accepted a dinner invitation from a neighbor couple and went to a very nice Italian place. We had a nice evening and enjoyed getting to know them better. It's one of those situations where our two families almost mirror each other. They've been married almost the same amount of time as us, have four children, 3 girls and one boy in the same birth order as ours! Little Monroe and their son have become friends and we enjoyed our evening. Good food, good conversation...
So since Monroe and I had plans, Courtney drove Caroline to her dance and then took little Monroe to Gamestop to buy a birthday present from his grandmother with his gift card. I think they got a little lost because when Monroe and I got home about 8:45, they had just arrived with some dinner! All's well that ends well and little Monroe is enjoying his new Cabela 2010 hunting game!
From here until next week, everything is about Hawaii! We are excited. I am reading the book on Oahu from cover to cover. There are some good things in there. I think I am buying a new camera this week to take with us. Y'all know I love photography. I am so not a professional, but really enjoy it. In December, when I was considering buying a new camera, mine got dropped and the battery compartment busted. So now I have to buy a replacement. I am actually pretty excited about that, too!
We are busy making plans for several groups of friends to come and visit this Spring. Let me know if we need to reserve a room for you in the May Hotel. We would love to show you the best snow on earth- a 20-30 minute drive from our house! Alright, time to make the pancakes! Love you guys!
Monroe and I accepted a dinner invitation from a neighbor couple and went to a very nice Italian place. We had a nice evening and enjoyed getting to know them better. It's one of those situations where our two families almost mirror each other. They've been married almost the same amount of time as us, have four children, 3 girls and one boy in the same birth order as ours! Little Monroe and their son have become friends and we enjoyed our evening. Good food, good conversation...
So since Monroe and I had plans, Courtney drove Caroline to her dance and then took little Monroe to Gamestop to buy a birthday present from his grandmother with his gift card. I think they got a little lost because when Monroe and I got home about 8:45, they had just arrived with some dinner! All's well that ends well and little Monroe is enjoying his new Cabela 2010 hunting game!
From here until next week, everything is about Hawaii! We are excited. I am reading the book on Oahu from cover to cover. There are some good things in there. I think I am buying a new camera this week to take with us. Y'all know I love photography. I am so not a professional, but really enjoy it. In December, when I was considering buying a new camera, mine got dropped and the battery compartment busted. So now I have to buy a replacement. I am actually pretty excited about that, too!
We are busy making plans for several groups of friends to come and visit this Spring. Let me know if we need to reserve a room for you in the May Hotel. We would love to show you the best snow on earth- a 20-30 minute drive from our house! Alright, time to make the pancakes! Love you guys!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Memory
Hello everyone! Well, today is a great day in one respect: my dear husband has been out of town all week and got home last night! I am so grateful for him! We were talking this morning about how the death of a child tears up many marriages and how easy it would be to succumb to that pressure. I feel closer to him than ever and again, I thank God for him every day.
Many of you have asked about Courtney's foot. She fractured her ankle badly about two weeks ago at basketball practice. She had played her first game the previous day. It was quite a bummer. On the team one day, out for the remainder of the season the next day. She is beginning to heal slowly. She tried to do without her crutches yesterday at school for the first time. It's difficult, but she would rather do that slowly than deal with the bruises under her arms from the crutches. She went to the trainers at school yesterday and they started working the foot and ankle. Poor baby, she was in SO MUCH pain when she got home. But, again today, she went without the crutches and says she will see the trainers after school.
Tomorrow is little Monroe's birthday. He turns 9 and we are talking about trying to take him skiing. Caroline has an 8am basketball game and then we'll see. It's all he wants to do for his birthday, so maybe so. The girls will stay here and maybe bake him a cake while his daddy and I take him. Y'all pray that I don't break any bones! Your prayers worked last time!
Those of you who know me well know that music is a big deal to me. I love to listen to music and sing my heart out in the car, around the house, and the girls are often embarrassed by their poor mother dancing around or singing in the car. Since McKenzie passed away, it has been no different. Right now, I am crying through Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" and I was reminded a few minutes ago by Miley Cyrus that life is all about "The Climb". George Strait reminded me yesterday that life is all about the moments that take your breath away. I even related Wednesday to Michael Jackson's "She's out of my life". But, as I've been unpacking some boxes this week that contain most of McKenzie's books and many of her photo albums, I hear the song "Memory" from Cats. Always a favorite, it reminds me that I must wait for the sunlight to break in. "in the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet." I feel like it's midnight. All alone in the moonlight, I can smile at the old days. I was beautiful then. I remember a time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again. I musn't give in. When the dawn comes, "tonight will be a memory, too". Soon it will be morning and a new day will begin. Touch me, it's so easy to leave me all alone with the memory of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is. Look a new day has begun. I look through pictures and it seems that only for a moment, our lives were perfect. The children were so innocent. They knew nothing of the pain they feel now. I know God will use it to shape them and they are already such different people if you look in their eyes. The move is like a new day, a new beginning. It's not one I welcome, though, because nothing here reminds me of the good old days when I had McKenzie healthy and whole. Or at least the days when I didn't know how sick she was. She is a beautiful memory. Thank you for not leaving me all alone with the memory of my days in the sun... I will share with you happy times, soon, I promise. You must know that my only true joy comes from Jesus and the family I've been given. Monday marks the two month anniversary of McKenzie's passing and ironically enough would have been her 5th birthday. Each one of our family will really need your prayers on Monday. Thank you!
Okay, two new songs: We are Family- the Jordan Pruitt version. Our family theme song as claimed by me a long time ago. And Toes by the Zac Brown Band- I love that song! It reminds me that I will have my toes in the water and my *** in the sand in only two short weeks! I'm heading to Hawaii for our biggest blessing, the annual work trip. Not a worry in the world exists there, cold drink in my hand surrounded by good friends. We are even taking the children this year as I don't know how I would leave them behind here in Salt Lake. Life is good today! And I will leave you with this: Adios and Vaya con Dios! Love to you all! Jeri
Many of you have asked about Courtney's foot. She fractured her ankle badly about two weeks ago at basketball practice. She had played her first game the previous day. It was quite a bummer. On the team one day, out for the remainder of the season the next day. She is beginning to heal slowly. She tried to do without her crutches yesterday at school for the first time. It's difficult, but she would rather do that slowly than deal with the bruises under her arms from the crutches. She went to the trainers at school yesterday and they started working the foot and ankle. Poor baby, she was in SO MUCH pain when she got home. But, again today, she went without the crutches and says she will see the trainers after school.
Tomorrow is little Monroe's birthday. He turns 9 and we are talking about trying to take him skiing. Caroline has an 8am basketball game and then we'll see. It's all he wants to do for his birthday, so maybe so. The girls will stay here and maybe bake him a cake while his daddy and I take him. Y'all pray that I don't break any bones! Your prayers worked last time!
Those of you who know me well know that music is a big deal to me. I love to listen to music and sing my heart out in the car, around the house, and the girls are often embarrassed by their poor mother dancing around or singing in the car. Since McKenzie passed away, it has been no different. Right now, I am crying through Steven Curtis Chapman's "Cinderella" and I was reminded a few minutes ago by Miley Cyrus that life is all about "The Climb". George Strait reminded me yesterday that life is all about the moments that take your breath away. I even related Wednesday to Michael Jackson's "She's out of my life". But, as I've been unpacking some boxes this week that contain most of McKenzie's books and many of her photo albums, I hear the song "Memory" from Cats. Always a favorite, it reminds me that I must wait for the sunlight to break in. "in the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet." I feel like it's midnight. All alone in the moonlight, I can smile at the old days. I was beautiful then. I remember a time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again. I musn't give in. When the dawn comes, "tonight will be a memory, too". Soon it will be morning and a new day will begin. Touch me, it's so easy to leave me all alone with the memory of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is. Look a new day has begun. I look through pictures and it seems that only for a moment, our lives were perfect. The children were so innocent. They knew nothing of the pain they feel now. I know God will use it to shape them and they are already such different people if you look in their eyes. The move is like a new day, a new beginning. It's not one I welcome, though, because nothing here reminds me of the good old days when I had McKenzie healthy and whole. Or at least the days when I didn't know how sick she was. She is a beautiful memory. Thank you for not leaving me all alone with the memory of my days in the sun... I will share with you happy times, soon, I promise. You must know that my only true joy comes from Jesus and the family I've been given. Monday marks the two month anniversary of McKenzie's passing and ironically enough would have been her 5th birthday. Each one of our family will really need your prayers on Monday. Thank you!
Okay, two new songs: We are Family- the Jordan Pruitt version. Our family theme song as claimed by me a long time ago. And Toes by the Zac Brown Band- I love that song! It reminds me that I will have my toes in the water and my *** in the sand in only two short weeks! I'm heading to Hawaii for our biggest blessing, the annual work trip. Not a worry in the world exists there, cold drink in my hand surrounded by good friends. We are even taking the children this year as I don't know how I would leave them behind here in Salt Lake. Life is good today! And I will leave you with this: Adios and Vaya con Dios! Love to you all! Jeri
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A River Runs Through It, Volunteering, and the Headstone
A river runs through my kitchen! Well, it did. I had the valve replaced in the wall behind my washer. Something apparently was not right in the fitting and when I started a load of laundry the other day, a river ran through my kitchen. The laundry room is upstairs. So, the very nice man who had replaced the valve came back quickly and got it fixed. Unfortunately, I still have an ugly place in my kitchen ceiling. He says someone will come soon and repair it. Oh, the joys of homeownership! Yes, it really is good to know if it gets messed up, it's mine.
We are having a contractor finish off the one unfinished bedroom in the basement. He started today. Caroline will soon have a bedroom and we can move her bed out of the downstairs family/game room!
I volunteered yesterday at Monroe's school Book Fair. It was a great way to knock out 3 hours of my 12 hour parent volunteer commitment. It was nice to get to know other mom's. I am trying to be normal, but still not feeling it. I guess that is partly due to knowing that I'm missing McKenzie and partly due to being in a new school. It was a more comfortable feeling than the first time I showed up with McKenzie sleeping in her stroller at Roan Forest to shelve books. Poor sweet Deb R. had to tell me the school didn't allow younger siblings to come along during volunteer time. I felt bad for her, but felt bad for me, too, because I would not be able to help out at the school with McKenzie. I guess that is at least a small benefit to McKenzie living in Heaven. Now I'm free to do more things for my other dear children.
We had notice recently that McKenzie's permanent headstone is in place. Both grandmothers, her grandfather, and a close friend of mine have all been out to see it. It is really pretty, but a difficult reminder of the finality of her departure. If I can figure out how to add a picture to this blog, I will show it to you all.
Well, I must get going. We are out of dogfood, I mean completely! So I need to make it to the store and then by Monroe's school for a "parent and grandparent" luncheon. Y'all have a great day. With Love, Jeri
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