Family!

This is just merely a journal time for me. I have been thinking lately how blessed I am to have the family I do. Now don't get me wrong we all have our quirkiness at times, but I wouldn't trade one of them. I am talking about the family I grew up in...better known as the Caldwells. Where I am going with all of this is...I have really been missing my Katy, but it has helped me so much to know that she's going to school where a lot of my family is living. All of which are looking after her for me. My 83 year old Grandma is sweet with her as she is always. One day she gave Katy a box of granola bars to keep with her while she's on campus in case she needed a snack. My Mom checks on her regularly. Inviting her to attend the Grand kids games, pack meeting etc. just to keep her busy so she doesn't get too homesick. Of course she takes her to dinner after just making sure she's eating. Kari my baby sister is always checking on her. She reassured me that she would look out after her for me. In fact just today she was at Kari's hanging out. My brother Tom (the handyman of the family) fixing her car when needed. Putting on her new license plates. Anything she needs that requires a man. His wife Chantyl texting Katy and reminding her to let them know if she needs anything. My brother Chris and his wife Heidi taking Katy to lunch. Chris inviting Katy to use the ROTC computer lab that's on campus (he's the boss of the ROTC). All the sweet little nieces and nephews that are always excited to see her. That makes her feel special and I know she adores all those sweet little kids. My sister Robyne who doesn't live there but sends encouraging messages to Katy. One last sibling...Jon he's in Portugal and I know he's wishing her much success too. All these great people helped me become the person I am today and now they are influencing my daughter too. They are great people all unique and wonderful in their own ways. I am so blessed they are my family. Thanks to all you Caldwells that are looking after my Katy. I love you all!!!

College Time for Katy!

Last Sunday we had our last home cooked meal together as a family before Katy headed down to Cedar City. She picked for dinner to have BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, cookie salad, and rolls. Then we played croquet together, we built a fire and roasted marshmallows. After that we had our family meeting where we tell each other something we love about them. It was a tear jerker. Katy gave each of us a letter that she had written to us. I am telling you when you are raising kids you wonder if you will ever make it and then they grow up and make you really proud.

Then on Monday Katy and I headed to Cedar City for her orientation and other class sessions. Mike and Eric joined us there Thursday night and we spent the weekend together. We had a great time. I am so proud of Katy. Today was a little teary, but we made it through. I think I did most of my crying earlier in the week. I posted a picture of our last Sunday fun and Katy in her apartment. I am really excited for the new journey Katy is about to embark on. What an exciting time of life.

I love being an Aunt!

Last weekend we went to Panguitch Lake for the annual Dickinson family reunion. We had a good time visiting with family and eating of course. My Mom and her husband Don having been working very hard on building their cabin up there and it looks great! I really enjoyed getting to visit with my sister Robyne. She lives in Idaho and we don't get to see each other very ofter so it was really fun being with her. The two pictures above are two of my sweet little nieces. Hailey is the blond and Mercedes is the brunette. I love being an Aunt! My brothers ans sisters have blessed with lots of little nieces and nephews. I love each one of them. It's so fun to hear their stories and the funny things they say. Mercedes use to never talk now you can't get her to stop talking. I love it! Hailey has the most beautiful smile. She's always smiling! What cuties! I have lots of other nieces and nephews I'll have to write about later. Too many to mention in one post. I am just so blessed to have a great family!

Birthday Time for Katy!

On July 17th 1991 a beautiful red headed little girl entered our family. She weighed in at 6lbs. 2oz. and 19 inches long. It was such an exciting day for our families. Katy was the first grandchild born on both sides of the family. So many family members came to the hospital to welcome her into the world. Mike and I were so excited to see her and we had chosen to not find out what we were having. I remember right after she was born my Mom saying it's a girl. I wanted a little girl so bad. It was just like a dream come true to be a Mother. Any of you that know me know that I am a baby freak. I love to hold them, smell them and just cuddle with them. I finally had one of my own. From the minute they put her on my chest I was in love. I was scared to death that I wouldn't know how to take care of her or that something would happen that I wouldn't know how to deal with, but we managed. The day my Mom left us to go back to Cedar City I cried I was just sure I would not know how to be a Mom. It all worked out and Mike and I were a pretty good team. He helped me with her so much and was a darling Dad to her.

I just can't believe that she's now 18 and headed off to College. Katy has grown into a mature, compassionate, beautiful young woman that I am proud to call my daughter and friend. All of you young Mothers that are wishing away the 2 year old stages or other things enjoy it because it goes by way too fast. I love you Katy! You are an amazing person that I adore.

Cancun!

In June after Katy's big graduation we headed off to Cancun for an even bigger celebration. After a little rough start at the airport we had a great trip. Mike's parents were suppose to go with us, but due to a passport issue it didn't work out. We sure missed them, but hopefully next time we will get to go with them. We did lots of swimming in the fabulous pools and the beach. There's nothing like the beach to me. I love the warmth of the sun, sand between my toes, and playing in the waves. Oh how I wish we could afford to go every year. The kids got to swim with dolphins, which was so fun. Eric was not keen on having to kiss the dolphin, but he was a sport. We went to see Mayan ruins and just had a great time. There were many other things we wanted to see, but we will be back and we'll explore other things next time. The guacamole was so delicious! I love family vacations. So many great memories involve vacations we have taken. It was hard to say goodbye to the beautiful water and head home, but life has to go on. I am just grateful for the fun times together as a family!

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!