Our first backyard pit fire of 2010

Starbuck loved having us outside all evening hanging out

with him.

Of course there was smores to be made.

Nothing like a warm evening, a camp fire, and smores!

More reflections about Mom

I have been spending most of my day thinking back on my childhood remembering little things about mom. She was an amazing person who I never really appreciated in my younger years. I wonder if that sometimes is just the way it is. As we are children we think our parents boss us around and tell us what to do for no good. Just to have "power" over us. You get rules that don't make sense and pushed to excel for reasons you're not sure why. Then you become a parent and as your children grow a light all of a sudden comes on and your realize "OH this is why". I never got the chance to tell my mom thanks once my light came on. Yes both her and dad had some strict rules for me and make me do chores that I hated but I look at myself today. I am a very hard working, organized person. I love helping others and feel such a sense of joy when job is done well. This is because of who my mom and dad taught me to be when I didn't even realize what they were doing. They were growing and training me to become the best adult I could be. One that would have a sense of value and would give respect. Thank You Mom and Dad!!

Now those of you who knew my mom you know she loved to party. I remember my cousin Lorrie saying about our whole family " If someone sneezed we had a get together". Mom LOVED having people over and making her yummy food. And of course bring on the margaritas! Some of my most favorite memories are when Mom put together a Christmas party. We ate and visited then near the end of the evening Mom gave everyone a song book she had put together and we all sang Christmas Carols as Mom played the piano. OH and we can't forget and Halloween parties! Those were so much fun. Everyone dressed up in costumes, playing ping pong and getting scared by Thom's Halloween creations. Mom just loved being around people and just enjoying life.

I love hearing stories about my mom. So if you read this and have a story to share I'd love to hear it. Or even just a memories. It helps me feel close to her and remember who she was. Not that I'm forgetting it's just that not being able to have her in my life on a daily basis makes me what to have a little part of her in some way.

Honoring My Mom

As I sit here I can't believe 10 years has gone by since I learned mom had passed away. It was kind of an odd day. I had decided I wasn't going to go to Seattle and see her over the long holiday weekend. We "talked" on Friday night and I explained that Matt, I and the girls were going to just be home for the weekend. I would come back first thing Tuesday morning. Since she couldn't speak I saw a look in her eyes that was very different. One of I give up, I can't do this anymore. I hugged mom tightly and said Goodbye mom, do what you need to do. At that moment there was this weird peace. I really didn't think anything of it at the time. To tell you the truth, I just wanted to get to the ferry and get back home. I hated feeling that way but after 4 1/2 years of off and on surgeries, doctors appts and trying take care of two babies, along with caring for mom. I was tired and looking forward to a break.

Come Monday morning, Memorial Day, I called the hospital like I did every day to "talk" to mom. The nurses were acting very weird. They knew me and it was a normal routine but something just wasn't right. They said the Dr was in with Mom and can I call back in a little while. That was not normal, even when the Dr was there I'd talk him then mom. While I was waiting I had many thoughts run through my mind. One being Mom was dying. So I called back I talked to the nurse in charge and found out mom had gone into cardiac arrest and they were "working" on her. The words that came out of my mouth next still amaze me to this day. I said" She has a Do Not Resuscitate order". Immediately they stopped and as I was on the phone they pronounced mom gone.

The next few hours were surreal to me. I remember feeling that sense of loss and relief all mixed together. Mom was finally whole again. She could talk and walk and do all those things she couldn't do and finally be out of pain. But then my mom was gone.......I would not see her again. The rest of the day we just made a few phone calls to family and hung out with our neighbors, Jeff and Teresa. They took such good care of us that day. Just sat and listened and loved us.

Now here I am, 10 years later. As a little girl I never pictured my life without my mom. She was suppose to be here, playing with my girls, teaching me about being a mom and joking with Matt like they always did. But God knows best and I have accepted what He has chosen. I know one day I will meet her in heaven and we will have ALOT to talk about. Until that day....

I love you MOM!!!!

Playing Cards

Last night Grace wanted to play a game of Skipbo. Matt and Kaitlyn were busy doing other things so Grace and I sat down and broke out the cards. We only had about 30 minutes before bed so, if you know how to play Skipbo, I only had 10 cards in our pile. I was thinking it would most likely take us longer than 30 minutes. In less than 10 minutes Grace had gone through all her cards and I still had 9 left!! So we dealt her 9 more and continued playing. Less than 10 minutes later her pile was gone again and I still had 7 left. SO....we dealt her 7 more. OK now you must me thinking I was letting her win. NO WAY! She was holding her own from the start! So before our 30 minutes were up Grace had gone through her 3rd pile of cards and I STILL had 6 cards left!!! Sitting there I looked at her and told her~ Great Grandpa must be sitting right next to you giving you all his skill. She got a BIG smile on her face turned to her right and said "Thanks Grandpa". It was such an amazing moment. So sweet and innocent. Grandpa Kalmbach's spirit came to visit it us last night. I truly believe that.

First Camping trip of 2010

Our first camping trip of 2010 found us at Sauble Beach. We camped at Carson's Camp. It is a great family camp with an indoor pool, splash park, playgrounds and much more! We camped with 4 other families. A total of 10 adults and 10 kids. It was SO much fun!

The pool and splash park were the highlight of the weekend. Even the adults got into the fun!

A scavenger hunt was made for the kids. We divided them into 3 teams and each team had 10 clues that lead them to the final clue and an item they needed to bring back. Their prize for completing it was a trip to Dairy Queen!

Of course there was bike rides on the beach ( Grace and Olivia ), nail painting ( Laurie painting Kaitlyn's nails ), and LOTS of eating good food. Thanks Jamie for bring us yummy baked goods from Southampton Bakery!!!

It was a great first trip in our new 5th wheel. I have to say even though I fought it a little bit, I am SO thankful we bought it. We really have out grown our old trailer. I'll miss the ol' girl, we made some great memories in her over the last 13 years. But I'm looking forward to the next 13 years of memories to be made in our new one!

More of Kaitlyn riding Ben

I thought this was a cool picture of Kaitlyn on Ben. I love being up in the loft watching lessons. You get a good view of what is going on.

Here's the girls on their horses. Rachel on Frodo and Kaitlyn on Ben. They were waiting for the next girls to be ready to come out riding and were just hanging out chatting on their horse. Thought it would make a great picture.

Kaitlyn rode Ben all last summer and tried her hardest to get him to canter. He was a bit stubborn but would eventually with alot of extra help from Tara, Kaitlyn's instructor, he would finally go. It had been a while since Kaitlyn had rode Ben but was able to last week and had a great time jumping. This week they were working on cantering. Tara worked hard with Kaitlyn on getting his trot to a certain point so that Kaitlyn could get Ben into a canter. So the first time going for it.......he took off! It was such an amazing night! The last 2 weeks have been incredible for Kaitlyn and I think she has grown in her abilities and confidence. We are SO proud of her!