One year later and one year older

I can't believe that it has been a year since I blogged. So, here we are again. So much has happened and I don't even have pictures downloaded to show.

As things have definitely slowed down around our house with my job ending and sickness happening, I feel so grateful for the wonderful time that I have to spend with my little family.

Here is a quick update and a promise to keep updated.

My cute Noah turned 12 in December and received the Aaronic priesthood. I am so proud of him and am almost in tears each week watching him pass the sacrament. He is my little guy who I can still remember always saying " Mommy, I want you." But now he is all grown up.

Marlee is going to be 15 years old tomorrow. I remember vividly laying in the hospital waiting so anxiously for her to come. I was so excited to meet her but so worried about what kind of mother I would be. I wanted so desperately to be a mother that was loved by my children. I hope that is what they think. Marlee is such a wonderful daughter. She is all I could dream for and more. I know I don't tell her enough how much I love her and how proud I am of her. I hope I do not fail her and that I am there for her whenever she needs me. She is amazing and I love her dearly.

Good luck to John and Sara who go in tomorrow to have their new baby Christa.

Thoughts and Prayers to Dan and Natalie in bringing Andrew home from the hospital again tomorrow and hopefully to stay.

Lots of prayers to Amy and Blair and their family in this horrible time of losing their sweet baby Carissa.

Marlee is 14

I can't believe that my baby is 14. I really am old. She is an amazing girl. I don't know what I would do without her. She helps me become a better person by reminding me of her desire to do what is right as well as to serve others. She is a good friend and one who I enjoy laughing with.

This week, her Miamaid class at church came over and heart attacked her room.

Marlee, 2009 will be great for you.

Uncle Junior, You will be missed!

Last week, my uncle Junior passed away. He had been sick for a long time. He was a good uncle. I had the opportunity to be with my family at the hospice before and after he died as well as with my mom the day before and of the funeral. I heard many stories about him and what a great man he was. I learned that he owns me. My parents did not have a lot of money when I was to be born. They were counting on payday to come so they could have the $25 required to get me out of the hospital. Unfortunatly for them, I was born a week before payday. My Uncle Junior and Aunt LouJean drove from Northern California to Southern California to bail me out. He would always remind my mom that she hadn't paid him back so I really was his kid. He was a great uncle and will be missed.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that families are eternal. I will see him again and will get to be with my family forever if I am only faithful.

Uncle Junior, God be with you until we meet again.

Marlee's volleyball

Oaklee and I got the opportunity to go and watch Marlee play volleyball for her first tournament of the season. We were excited to watch her. She has improved and grown so much that it is amazing. Her team did great. They ranked 25 out of 63 teams.

Yea Marlee!

We love volleyball!

Church volleyball started today. I love it. I play with the funnest group of ladies from our ward. That is where I made all my friends when we first moved here. Marlee plays on a national volleyball team. They will be going to Reno in April. She has her first tournament in Salt Lake next week. Can there really be a fun exercise?

Yes! Volleyball.

Walking with the Dinosaurs

Date night with Noah. He decided that we were going dutch. He was going to buy his ticket and I would pay for mine. I had to pay for dinner (snacks at the snack bar)but the rest was his treat. He was so cute and had a great time. He decided that this was something he wanted to do more often.

Bowling with the Deloreys

Bowling is not my forte, unless it is on the Wii. Dan had a great idea of us of our families going bowling. He is a much more serious bowler than we are. The kids had fun and that was the purpose.

Thanks Dan and Natalie for filling our Christmas vacation with fun for the kids. Christmas IS for the children.