Picnics

Once or twice a week Gracie asks me for a picnic..so she sets her blanky on the living room floor and then sets us plates, cups and silverware...our meal of choice has been a fried egg, a string cheese and ice water. I treasure these moments. They are going by way to fast! I just love her imagination and I am so glad she let's me be a part of it! I hate that I have to work, but at least it is only part time so I don't miss out on everything! I sure love my Gracie bug!

Busy!

I feel like I have no concept of time this summer! Life is going so fast! Gracie had swimming lessons and loved every second of them so I signed her up for more at the end of July! My cute little brother is getting married in a few weeks and I can't believe how fast time is going! We have had barbeques, game nights, many walks with Peanut...Gracie and I try to walk Peanut every other day. We take her to the canal and it has been so hot we love it when she swims and then gets out and shakes water on us to cool us off! We are so excited...we are going to Disneyland for the first time in October! Luke has been before but it will be a first for Gracie and I an we can't wait! We spend many hours looking at the website and all the rides! We are going with some great friends and couldn't be more excited! I will have to get on the ball and post pics! I have been on a diet since April 9th and I am happy to report I am down 22 pounds and I feel great! I miss so many foods, but I love that I can fit into half of the things in my closet now! If I can get another 18 off I will be a happy girl! I hope summer is treating everyone so well!

Old Friends

This past week Luke, Gracie, my friend Maria and I went out to eat and while we were eating I looked at my phone and saw that I was being tagged eating with an old friend...I opened the picture and sure enough there was a picture on FB of us sitting there eating, so I scanned the restaurant to see who was taking the pics and there sat a dear friend from high school with his cute family waving. I hadn't seen him since high school and he hadn't aged a bit. He had two beautiful teenage boys and a beautiful wife. They came over and talked for a little while and then left. When it was time for the bill to come the waitress came and told us it had been taken care of. I am one lucky girl. I have been so blessed throughout my life to have such amazing friends. After almost 20 years of not even seeing him he was still just as sweet as I remember! Life has been so super crazy this past little while and sometimes I forget to stop and appreciate all of the wonderful things that are in my life. Know that I love you all more than you will ever know!!!

Dance Recital and Graduation..

My baby did amazing at her dance recital! I am so proud of her! And yesterday was her preschool graduation. I sat and cried through it...something I never thought I would do..it was all kind of like a dream. It seems like just yesterday I had her..I hate that we only have one kiddo since I only get to experience everything once, but on the other hand...that means we have to enjoy every second of each milestone even if it is the last! Gracie sang her heart out last night. Such proud parents! I am truly blessed to have such a sweet, little girl!!!

Jeff

On April 19th my dear friend Jeff Astle passed away. He has been a friend for as long as I can remember...back in the day he was really close to my older brother Matt until Matt got married and moved away and then he became really close with my little brother Mark. Jeff has been to every party we have ever had at my house...every game night we have ever had...every barbecue...it will not be the same without him. Jeff's funeral yesterday was beautiful. What a great tribute to such a great guy. His sweet parents lost their other son Steve this time last year and I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. At the funeral many friends were quoted with things they remembered about Jeff and that is when I lost it. It is so scary how fast it can all end. Jeff has had a great life but has had lots of health challenges along the way including two kidney transplants. Last night all of his friends gathered and we had a barbecue to celebrate his life. I know he is with Steve now and I am sure it was an amazing reunion. Hug those around you, treasure them, love them...enjoy every second..life is so precious!

New Day

The sun is shining...it is supposed to me a gorgeous weekend and it is a new day...my heart aches so bad for my sweet Daisy and my puppies. The house is so quiet. I just dropped Gracie off at preschool and walked in the door and it just hit so hard to not have Daisy come running to me. I know with all of my heart that she is happy and pain free now and with the rest of my sweet babies and what an amazing reunion that had to have been. I can't wait until I am with them again someday too. I look forward to seeing Peanut everyday. She doesn't understand where all of the dogs have gone but she sure gives me tons of loves and kisses and right now that is just what this heart needs.

Started a new diet that several guys at work are doing and it has been the hardest diet I have ever been on! But I can do this! Lost 7 pounds the first week and I am now at a stand still which is so frustrating! I thought going without diet coke would be tough but I haven't even missed it! I am started to get my energy back which is awesome. One day at a time! I can do this!

I am off to get ready for work and tonight we have a barbecue/game night with friends! Let the good times roll!

My Sweet Daisy

Daisy passed away yesterday morning and I miss that girl so much! My heart aches so bad for her. I am truly blessed that she was with us for as long as she was. After Millie, Dusty and Sadie passed away she just hasn't seemed the same. She has been so lonely and had pretty much stopped eating. I think she hung on as long as she could. With Daisy it has been different...with each baby that has passed, a part of me died with them, but I always had another one to hug and comfort me..this time with her being the last, I don't have one to hold or comfort me. I feel so empty. This house feels so empty and quiet. It just isn't the same. But on a happy note...I know with all of my heart that she is home...home with Sadie, Dusty, Millie and all of my other pets and family and friends that have passed on and that in itself brings me comfort I can't even begin to explain. To know she is pain free, healthy and happy running around with my other babies is the best gift ever. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the opportunity we will have to be together again someday if we live righteously. I don't know how people get through times like this without that belief. I prayed so hard on Tuesday night that Heavenly Father would come and get her and he did! I KNOW he hears and answers all of our prayers. Sometimes in ways we don't understand but I KNOW they are answered and I know he is always there. I am one lucky, lucky girl. Not only for all that I have been blessed with but for the knowledge of knowing my Heavenly Father lives and loves me beyond comprehension. He is my best friend and always there and I couldn't ever ask for anything more than that!