Is it May...Really?

I'm feeling majorly behind on blogging as of late. It seems like we've had so much going on that I've wanted to blog about, but no time to do it.

All I can say about life (as complicated as it is sometimes) is that I am so happy and grateful to have my family...Rob, Jack, Jovie, Dad, Sisters (and some very close friends) to help every milestone, every hard moment still seem manageable. I "Keep Moving Forward" (Walt Disney's motto, and my new favorite saying) to accomplish, live, and record all the wonderful and important things that keep me sane and grounded.

To finish off my spring break, I chose to tackle the job of potty training Jovie. She was just a bit over two, but I knew it was either now or during the summer, and I really thought she was ready. My was she ever!!! Anyone who knows us understands that sometimes things don't come very easy with Jovie...however she proved me wrong with this one. It literally took a day to potty train her. I think she had MAYBE 3 accidents in her underwear, and we took the diapers away cold turkey. I'm so happy she was able to have such success. I love your little undies tush Joves!

Yay! No more diapers!!!

Easter was full of tradition and fun, yet empty of the one who put together the tradition. It was so hard to celebrate Easter without our Mom, not to mention Easter was only a few days past the one year anniversary of her death. It was hard not to think of what we were doing last year this time. We were coming off of funeral arrangements, going through flowers and cards, constant reminders of her scent as it was still everywhere in the house. I tried my very best to remind myself that my Mom got to spend her first Easter in Heaven with Jesus. The one who bled and died on the cross for her sins. The one who sacrificed himself so that she could make Heaven her home. What an amazing scene Easter in Heaven must be! Someday we'll see. Jack and I talked about that recently. He misses his Grammy so much, however as each month passes I can see his memory of her fading further and further into the past. What a lovely reunion they will have one day. Lord, I pray that Jack's heart remains yours and that you give me the strength to encourage his faith. Easter pics:

No sooner was Easter over that it was time to start preparing for opening weekend of fishing at Silver Lake. Another tradition that my parents started years ago. We had the best sights ever this year! A nice grouping of three large campsites with hookups that fit my Dad's trailer, Lisa & Corey's camper, and my Grandparent's trailer which they so lovingly brought up there for Jack and I to use. Since Silver Lake is just a short 30 minute drive from our house, it wasn't a big deal for them to bring it up there for us. Jack and I arrived at 5:30 on Friday evening and the trailer was all set up with the lights on and furnace running. What a welcome!!! I had to take a picture of the twin beds Jack and I got to sleep in all weekend and him all decked out and ready for fishing (they didn't catch any by the way). Despite the nice weather, it was still a little cold and the fish just didn't want to bite. We still had a wonderful time. Lots of sitting around the campfire. Lots of talking and laughing. Lots of eating!!! Seriously needed time away. Jovie and Rob went to visit Uncle Jason & Aunt Sydney for the boy's 6th or 7th annual NFL draft party, so we missed them a lot, however Jack and I got some much needed quality time together and Jack got to pretty much be free the entire weekend.