She Did It!

Tuesday June 2nd was a great day for our family. Our cute "little" Katy graduated from High School. Can you believe I didn't even shed a tear? It was so exciting to see her walk in her cap and gown. I just can't believe she's already done with High School. It seems like yesterday when I dropped her off in her Kindergarten class. I was so worried about leaving her there would the other kids treat her kindly? Would Mrs. Smith be sweet with her? Would she miss me? So many emotions going on inside of this Mom on that day and some many on this past Tuesday. Will I be able to make it without her living close to us? Have I taught her all a Mom should teach a daughter (we need to work on ironing and sewing a button before she leaves). Have I prepared her for the big world? I feel so proud of the fabulous young woman that she has grown into. This past year I have watched her mature and grow. So many lessons she has learned and with each she's grown leaps and bounds. I couldn't be prouder to call her my daughter. I love you my sweet little Katy!

Happy 19th Anniversary To Us!

Tomorrow June 2nd will be our 19th wedding anniversary. Since Katy is graduating tomorrow I will do this post a day early. Mike and I met when both our best friends were getting married to each other and we were asked to be in their line. My best friend had told me for awhile that I had to meet Terry's friend Mike because he was really funny and she also added that he sweat a lot. I don't know why she thought I needed to know that part. My first impression of Mike was that he was really funny just like Colleen had told me. He totally cracked me up and at that time I need someone to make me laugh. I was instantly attracted to him and loved being around him. I don't think I have ever flirted so hard in my life. It's kind of embarrassing now to think I must have looked absolutely ridiculous.

We started dating shortly after our friends wedding and continued to date for about a year before we got married. Mike asked me to marry him in April and we got married in June. A very fast engagement due to the fact that my brother was headed to boot camp and I wanted him at my wedding. We got married in Mike's parents back yard. It was so beautiful and they spent a lot of time getting the yard just perfect for us. I felt like a princess that day all dressed up. It was a fabulous day with all our family and friends.

I have been so blessed to be married to Mike all these years. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to him for all the support he has given me. He constantly encourages me to do my best at whatever I am involved in. He is an incredible Dad to our children. Everyday I am so amazed at the love he gives to them in so many ways. He devotes a ton of time to the local soccer league and to the team Eric plays on. He goes on drives with Katy so they can talk. He helps them with their homework because I have no clue on how to help them. I could go on, but the point is I am so blessed to have him.

Date nights are my favorite. Time alone to chat and eat of course. He always listens to my complaints and worries. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend! So here's to us and I hope the next 19 years are just as fantastic as the first. I love you Hun!

A Wonderful Mothers Day!

Mothers Day was a great day. Saturday night Mike took me shopping for perfume and we went to dinner. I love going on dates with him. Then on Sunday morning I woke up to a note on the floor of my bedroom that said that I had to wait to come out. Katy was making breakfast and Eric had cleaned the kitchen. Katy made pancakes, muffins, and juice with umbrellas in the glasses. I told the kids that I wanted homemade gifts this year. So they bought wood frames and painted them. Then they added a flower and soccer ball to them. Katy put a picture of us in hers with a sweet note on the back. Eric wrote me a note and put it in the frame. They also bought me some pretty flowers. It was really special! I was really touched at all the work they put into it.

Later in the day we played basketball together. The only rule we have is that the girls get to make up their own rules. So basically we foul a lot. I had a great day just being with my little family. All I ever wanted to be was a Mother. I feel so blessed to have great kids and a super husband!

Happy Mothers Day to my Mom!

Here's a picture of my Mom with one of the many Grandkids (cute Aubrey) at our annual Labor Day Campout. I am so blessed to have the Mother that I do. Today is the day we honor our Mothers and reflect on all the good things they have done in our lives. When I was growing up my Mom stayed home with us until the baby of the family was in school. I loved coming home from school and having her there. She always asked how are day was and listened to the days events. I loved it. When I grew up I couldn't think of a more wonderful job than being a Mother. When all the other kids in High School were planning their careers I didn't have an idea I just wanted to be a Mother just like my Mom.

My Mom had six children (I don't know how she did it)giving birth to six and raising all of us. She was always busy cooking, keeping us organized, and running us to many activities. She did so many things for our family. She sewed many of our clothes to save money. We hardly ever ate out, everynight she came up with some new creation for us to partake of. She spent many hours serving and was a great example to me of lifting the burdens of others. She stretched our pennies far to make the family budget work. She always had time to listen to me no matter how tired or busy she was. She still does this for me today.

When my Mom was 39 my parents got divorced and she did not have a College degree. Faced with lots of uncertainties she headed back to College to earn a degree to help provide for our family. I know it was very hard for her to do this she still had all six kids at home and my youngest sister was just 8 years old. She spent many hours studying and tried to fit all of her Mother duties in to. I was so proud the day she graduated from nursing school. I was so proud to tell everyone that my Mom was a nurse. Just like that day I am proud today to tell everyone that she is my Mother. She's always there for me and listens to my heartaches and joy. She has been one of my best friends and I am so blessed that I am her daughter. I love you Mom!

My Trip to Texas

Last Friday I was able to travel with my Mom to Dallas to see my brother Jon graduate. Jon graduated from Chiropractic school and is now Dr. Jon Caldwell. I am the oldest of 6 kids and I am a very proud sister. All of my brothers and sisters make me proud. I know that this has been a long and hard journey for Jon and his family. He has a very supportive wife and 3 boys. He had to spend many hours away from them to get through school. Now they are headed to live in Portugal for the next 5 or so years. He served his mission there and they feel like this where they need to be right now. So we will miss them while they are away, but maybe we'll be able to get over there to visit. I am very proud of you Jon and thanks Amy for all the support you give him!

Happy Birthday Eric!

I can't believe 15 years ago today my sweet little boy was born. He was 3 days late and i was very eager to see if once again our new little baby would have red hair. He came quickly only a 6 hour labor. I started in labor at 10:00 p.m. by 11:00 I figured it was the real thing so we called Mike's Mom over to stay with Katy. He was born at 3:54 a.m. weighing 7lbs. 10oz. and 21 in. and yes a little red head to match his big sister. There's just nothing like the first time you meet your sweet little baby. That is a treasured memory having a sweet spirit placed in your arms.

Eric was a good baby. He didn't love to nap and at times that was frustrating. It felt like I was feeding him every hour, but he was still a joy. Katy loved her baby brother and would try to share her toys with him. She especially liked holding him.

Eric is a very special part of our family. He makes us laugh. He's very thoughtful and helpful. He tries to do his very best. He adores his older sister. We are so blessed to have him in our family.
Happy birthday muffin!

My favorite time of year!

Today I ran into my friend Timmerie at Maverik and she reminded me that I haven't updated my blog since Valentines so here we go...
We've had lots going on thus no update. I will post more later on what is keeping us busy, but I just wanted to mention the upcoming change in the seasons. I absolutely love Spring it is my favorite season of the year. This is why I love it...I really quite dislike the Winter. I don't like driving in the snow, I hate being cold, and I don't like that it is always so dark and did I mention the inversion? Now I like snow on Christmas morning and that's pretty much good for me. I get so depressed in the winter. I think the lack of sunlight just gets to me and it's so cold. So when I see daylight savings and Spring on the calendar I get so excited. I look forward to Spring cleaning, it's like a rebirth for me. Today I put a new bright bedspread on my bed and started dusting. I have a Spring tulip arrangement I always put on my table about this time of the year and it just makes me feel cheery. I also love to see all the new little calf's and lambs. It just makes my heart sing to see the sun! So sorry for my negative Winter attitude and hello Spring!!