My 40th Birthday!

I am a little slow getting this posted with everything going on it has taken me awhile. On November 14th I turned the big 40. I really wasn't dreading it like I thought I would. Age is in the attitude or something like that. It's funny to hear these young girls at work talk about how old they feel because they are turning 30. I just kind of laugh. I remember saying that too and now 30 seems like a baby to me.
The day before my birthday Mike and the kids took me to Park City for the night. We had a wonderful steak dinner and just hung out together. On my birthday we went shopping (one of my favorite activities) at the outlets and then headed home. Katy had planned a special birthday party for me. Katy, Eric, and Marissa (Katy's best friend) spent a lot of time making and decorating my birthday cake. It was beautiful, but I was a little concerned when they warned me that I may not want to eat it. They were afraid the black frosting would stay on my teeth for an extended period of time. Mike bought us dinner from Cafe Rio and we ate on china. Katy went to a lot of trouble to make everything so nice. She decorated the house, set the table with china and we ate by candle light. It was just our little family plus Marissa (she's one my kids too). After dinner we played cards. The birthday cards that everyone gave me were the best part. It was just a really great day. Everyone should feel special on their birthday and I definitely did. If any of you are dreading an upcoming birthday just embrace it and look forward to what the next year will bring!

We're Going To Miss Grandpa Frank!

This past Tuesday Mike's Dad Frank passed away peacefully at home. We went to Texas only two weeks ago to see him due to his declining health. What a blessing that was for us to see him one last time. We will forever be grateful we followed our hearts and went to visit. Although we are saddened we are relieved that he is out of pain and reunited with loved ones that passed before him.

Grandpa Frank was an incredible Grandpa. He loved holding babies and always jumped at the opportunity to hold our kids or any other sweet baby near by. He always made Katy and Eric feel like they were the neatest kids in the world. He was very good at drawing and spent lots of time drawing pictures with the kids. When we played Pictionary everyone wanted to be on his team. When he played games with us we knew there would be lots of laughs in store. Grandpa loved vacationing in Mexico and was kind enough to take us with them. Now we love Mexico just as much. We will cherish the many memories of vacationing in the water and the beach with him.

Anyone that knew him knew he was intelligent and very well informed on politics. He was a master musician. I was always so amazed that he taught himself to play the piano and boy could he play. Mike's cousin recently posted a video of Frank playing the piano and Katy has spent many times this week watching it. Anyone that knew him knew that he had a deep love for Grandma Lynn. He adored her! He was so proud of his two children Mike and Cheryl. He accepted me into his family nearly 20 years ago. Always respecting my beliefs and making me feel like I was a valued part of the family. He always supported Katy and Eric in everything they did. Whether it was dance performances, soccer games, baptisms, primary programs and the list could go on. He was a generous man. Always eager to help another person. Whether it be playing the piano at special functions, letting people live with them when they needed a helping hand, and even taking in stray cats looking for a home. Frank took the time to get to know my family. My brothers and sisters always felt like he was truly interested in them. He accepted my family just like they were his family.

I am a better person for knowing Frank Keil and feel so blessed that he helped raise a son that respects me, treats me with compassion and love. I am so thankful my children felt like when they were with their Grandpa they were truly special. It will be a great reunion one day when we meet again. We love you Grandpa Frank!

The Boo!

A childhood memory that our kids have is "The Boo". Mike grew up in Taylorsville and just down from his parents house is a neighbor that every October puts up a Halloween display. We lived with Mike's parents for a year when Katy was 1 so almost every night in October we would take a walk down the street to see what we named "the boo". Our kids have grown up loving this Halloween display. Once when Katy was about 2 or 3 a family friend took her down to see it and they were talking about each of the different characters and when they got to the witch and her brew Katy informed her that she was stirring a cauldron. Our friend couldn't stop laughing. She was so shocked that Katy would know it was a cauldron. When Eric was little he loved the Count Dracula. On Sesame Street Eric's favorite character was the Count so it was a natural favorite for him.

Mike's parents have since moved from that home, but we still made the journey out to see the boo this past weekend. We reminisced about the joy this Halloween display has brought to our family for many years. What a great memory!

Girl Getaway!

This past Friday I met up with my Sisters and Mom for some girl time. My Sister Robyne had the great idea of us getting together to celebrate our birthdays together. My baby Sister Kari just turned 30, Robyne the middle Sister just turned 35, and me the older Sister will be turning 40 in a month or so. We figured they were milestone birthdays worth celebrating. It has been such a long time since we've gotten together and just had time to talk and play of course. We started our day by going to Ikea (Robyne had never been there) and Kari and I don't get there very often. After that we had lunch and got pedicures. Aw I love pedicures. We spent lots of time chatting and just enjoying each others company. We went to the Olive Garden for dinner and went back to our hotel to watch Bride Wars. Saturday morning we got up and went to the Draper Temple together. Beautiful temple and a great experience to be there together. I was on vacation when Kari went through the temple for the first time so this was my first time being in the temple all of us together. We finished up our time together by going to Costa Vida for lunch and then everyone headed home. It was so fun to be together. Thanks Mom for treating us to a great weekend and Robyne thanks for the idea. I am so blessed to have a fabulous Mother that always taught us the importance of family. I am also blessed to have great Sisters that I love and adore. They have grown into great Moms, Women, and are some of my dearest friends.

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!