Saying Goodbye......For Now
Last Monday, May 3rd, my dear Aunt Marty left this world to go home with Jesus. We knew it was coming, but still when I got the call, it took my breath away. Aunt Marty has meant so much to me, especially since my Mom passed away 6 years ago. I will dearly miss our Sunday afternoon talks and all the great advice and perspective she would offer me about life's daily challenges. I will miss her checking my blog each week and emailing me about how much she loved the pictures. I will miss having that mother figure in my life encouraging me to keep being the best mom I can be. I feel such a huge loss in my heart right now. I almost feel numb.

As I spent the last week in DC taking care of things, I kept having this recurring thought that I couldn't shake. As I'm going through her house, I just kept thinking--It's just stuff. All the "stuff" we think we need and can't live with out---it's just stuff. I couldn't shake the idea that a person is going through life, enjoying friends, family, work...going on trips, gathering "stuff" for their home--and then one day, it all changes. Last week was eye opening for me, that the stuff isn't important. The people are.

Marty lived her life to the fullest, always investing in people. When I visited her in the hospital in December when we first got the diagnosis, I was telling her how amazing her friends were. She told me, "That is why, sweetie, when given the choice, always invest in people." I will never forget this. I think it really summarizes how she lived her life. What a huge loss to this world with her gone. What a blessing for those in heaven!! She is finally reunited with her parents and siblings.

I am no stranger to grief. The last 6 years have been rough for my family. But in all the pain, I am committed to finding the JOY that Aunt Marty would want me to have. I am not sure how this journey with grief will be, as it seems to be different with each person I lose, but I know that God will carry me, and that Aunt Marty will be my guardian angel.
My cousins & brother right after the funeral.........lots of tears. My brother played Let it Be on the piano and I spoke.

On to the reception at the Army/Navy Country Club. Absolutely beautiful and JUST what I wanted for her :)
My brother making me laugh....... I needed it!! I love my brother :)
The balloon release at the end of the reception. What a beautiful ending to a day celebrating Aunt Marty's life.

After the reception, we headed over to the Navy Memorial in honor of Aunt Marty.

The last four people related to Aunt Marty......Randi, Charley, Kenzie, and Lexi.

Happy Easter!!
Happy Easter everyone!! I hope you had a blessed day :)

The love of my life........

LOVE these three boyz!!!!!!

My CUTE boys with their chocolate bunnies :)

The boys looking at their loot!

Colby hunting for eggs in the house...

The boys after a 100 egg hunt in the front yard :)

Spring Sports
Sports is the theme in our house during the spring. Jack is in baseball and Colby is in Soccer. The boys love it :) Colby had his first practice last night.....It was so adorable to see him out there! I am having a hard time believing that my baby is old enough to play on a team!!

Cubs Baseball
Cubs baseball is in full swing!! Jack is doing great. He's improved from last year & hitting really well! He has hit a home run in each of his first 3 games...He's having tons of fun too!!

Kylie came to Jack's game & he loved it!!

Colby's 1st day of Preschool!!
Our big boy Colby started preschool last week. He had a great first day at Ms. Dory's preschool. We are so happy with the school and love that Colby is engaged and learning all day, everyday. He seems to be fitting right in, which I didn't think would be a problem. The second he walked in the door, he said, "Where's all my friends??" Such a pumpkin :) He is SOOO happy to be in school "wike Jack." Jack started preschool at 3 1/2 too and it has really been a blessing for both boys. His teacher takes pictures all the time & leaves them in his cubby for me. I LOVE this part, since I am a scrapbooker & can use them to see how his day is going.
Having fun already!!!

Mama & Colby on the first day :) Mommy was teary-eyed...Colby was thrilled!

Colby & his teacher Ms. Dory!! She loves him so much already :)

Colby's cubby :)

Coloring :)

Circle Time!

Putting bubbles on the board...

Exercise time :)

Welcome March!
I can't believe it is March already. This year is flying by so quickly. I am looking forward to getting through March though, since I am off track in April :) We are looking forward to some fun things...The Otts are coming down to visit and Colby is starting preschool! He is very excited to go to "class" as he calls it :) He is starting somewhere new...he's not going to Circle City where Jack went. I will miss Circle City, but am excited about the preschool that we found for him! I think he's going to do well :) We are also gearing up for Opening Day next weekend for our baseball team--the Cubs!!

Here are a few pics from this weekend at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum with Uncle Charley & Aunt Karen :)

I loved these doors...too bad they had those ugly signs on them!
All of us on the stagecoach. We have a picture like this before any of us had kids :)
Charley, Karen, and baby Clark :)

Yeeee---hawwww!!! We laughed so hard when he did this!!

The boys on the horsie :)

They had a panning for gold activity outside for the kids. Colby LOVED it and kept going back to get more gold!!

Uncle Charley helped Colby find some gold!!

My boyz in jail!!!

We hit crazy rain that day driving up to LA. On the way home, we saw this huge rainbow!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Well, I haven't been very good at keeping up on my blog lately. It seems like life got extra busy in December and hasn't really slowed down. Baseball season has begun and Kaleb is coaching Jack's team this year. I am the Team Mom on top of being Room Mom for his class. I think I've taken on too much, but what's new :) Jack turned 6 a week ago & maybe I'll get around to posting those pictures soon! I can't believe how big our boys are getting...not just old, but tall!! It won't be long before I am the shortest person in the house!

On Friday we were very busy with Valentine's parties! Kaleb had the day off so he got to come to Jack's school party, which I had organized being the Room Mom. Then I had my own class party in the afternoon, and then Colby's day care party after school!! Last night Ka & I got to go on a date night. We had dinner at Panera Bread (one of our favs) and saw the Valentine Movie. We also went shopping & bought my 10 year anniversary band! I can't wait for our vow renewal in Cancun in July!!

Here are some pictures from our Valentine's adventures :)
My beautiful flowers & Starbucks goodies from the hubby :)

I made heart shaped waffles for the boys this morning & put out their goodies. Here was Colby's set up :)

Mommy & Jack at his class party...

Jack was SOOOOO excited to have Daddy at his school. I guess he thanked him 3 times for coming :)

Mommy & Colby at the day care party...

My boyz at the day care party...Colby was being a pouty boy!

Colby showing me how to "arm fart." Awesome...this is my life with 3 boys!!!