Road Trip Pictures

Out of 350+ pictures of our little road trip taken on a brand new camera, you could say I've been having a hard time choosing which ones to share. These are so random, and I'm sorry I can't caption each one. It would take way too much time. We had an amazing road trip just the four of us. After the year we've been through it was much needed for the four of us to spend some time together. It was awesome to be able to hit the road and go wherever we wanted to go. We could stop whenever we wanted and more amazingly, the kids did wonderful in the car! As long as Jack had his DS and Jovie had her Care Bears and Finding Nemo movie, we were set. The whole trip was amazing, but highlights include our two outings to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., seeing the beautiful ocean and Golden Gate Bridge, swimming-Jack was fearless as long as his waterwings were on, Disneyland of course, a visit from Chris Marshall (Rob's great friend from high school who lives in San Diego), and just being together as a family. I hope you enjoy these random pictures. This trip truly was the best end to this summer that I could have asked for.

Lego Man, Sprinkler Girl

Never before would I have thought I would know so much about Legos, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Speed Racer, and many other things that Jack has taken an interest in. I really wanted to post something about Legos because they have been Jack's top interest in the last year or so. He has gotten very good at building them, and I don't want to sound like I'm bragging or anything, but I'm really proud of his Lego building capability. Most of these Lego sets have recommended ages that are 7-9+ years old, and this 4 (almost 5) year old seems to have no problem putting them together. He's always shown an interest in organizing things, putting things together, and taking them apart, and what I really love about Jack is that while he still wants to play with them and blow them up, it's important to him to put them back together and keep them nice and organized. Gotta love that quality in a little boy!

Jovie just toots around as usual. This child has lots of energy and interest in trying everything...at least once. I'm a little scared for the 15 year old Jovie, but I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get there. How did my parents do it with 4 girls? Rob has been watering at night, and Jovie loves to help him:)

June became July

Without so much as a warning our crazy June is gone and we've welcomed July with what seems to be a very fickle NW summer...(geeze that sounded like a weather reporter). Anyway, June was full of commitments and plans, as you will notice, however July has brought me some refreshment and reprieve from life's demands. I can't hide from my emotions, nor can I explain them right now, and every day wish I could share my thoughts and feelings with the woman who I shared everything with, but at this moment I feel okay.

The following is a long journey of pictures and captions that are so random that I can't place or title them. It just is what it is...so enjoy.

These wonderful culinary masterpieces are from the annual Summer Institute for Educators at BTC (Bellingham Technical College). Translation: a class teachers take for clock hours or professional development. This was 3 days of "American Regional Cuisine" themed around Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Pacific Northwest, and a tour of Wood Stone Co. in Bellingham (manufacturer of the best wood fire ovens west of the Mississippi).

I went straight from my cooking class to Relay for Life. 18 hours of walking to cure cancer. An event I'm usually very inspired and passionate about, however I think it'll take some time to get my inspiration back. After Relay was my 10 year class reunion...it was a busy weekend, but the reunion was a blast and I think my friend Julie has some pictures on her blog if you're interested. Thanks Cathy for taking such great care of the kids, and thanks Rob for coming along to the reunion with me and working the next day on only 3 hours of sleep. You're a trooper.

Jack's new bedroom set arrived a few days ago. Solid pine bunk bed/desk with memory foam mattresses and dresser. The pictures of the bunk bed do not do it justice. It is awesome and full of storage. Jack loves it...he's told us over and over again how much he loves us and how lucky he is. So grateful and appreciative. We're happy he is enjoying it so much. He played Legos for hours at the pull-out desk yesterday and today. His patience and persistence is, in my humble opinion, beyond his age.

My new craft nook, handmade by Rob as a mother's day/birthday gift. He took my vision and made it so much more than I could have hoped for. Love it honey! Also, thanks Betty for the tins...I'm SO ORGANIZED!!!

Joves is 18 months old today! What a fun, energetic, loving, and passionate child. Her current obsessions (and believe me, this child defines the word obsessed) are Dora, Otter Pop popsicles, and her CareBear babies. I don't even want to report how many popsicles she had today.

So, if you're still with me, that pretty much sums up the latter half of June (phew!) and brings us into July. My hope is to turn my July into a "few commitments, spend as much time with the family as possible, get my life organized, cook good food, and relax" kind of month. I think it's possible and so far I'm doing okay.

It's Almost Here

Summer vacation that is. Just a little over a week left of school, and I'm so excited. I am so fortunate to have a job with summers off. To say we've been busy lately would be such an understatement, and because of it my blogging has suffered. I guess when I look back at journaling, it will reflect this season of my life perfectly. A little blurry, a little washed out, and very busy.

The kids have been keeping us on our toes like no other. It took Jovie a good 16 1/2 months before she started walking, but now that she's on her feet, watch out. She walks like she always knew how, and is running to try to keep up with Jack (and between us, I don't think it'll be too much longer before she's quicker than him;) ). With her newfound skills, Jovie seems so much happier and more content. Hallelujah!!! Just in time for summer.

Jack just finished his 2nd year of preschool and is registered for kindergarten. We had a "kindergarten readiness" night at his new school, and we're very excited about where he'll be at. It was fun to see his future classmates and parents. Some of whom I graduated with or near. We're still a tiny bit apprehensive about sending him as a fresh 5 year old. He doesn't turn 5 until August 5th. However, we do think he is ready and are up for the challenge. Meanwhile, he has been enjoying his 2nd month of karate, which takes place once a week at the YMCA. We love his instructor and get a kick out of watching him act so serious. He is a very good listener and tries everything, even if he can't quite do it. We hope he wants to stick with it. We think it's a good fit for his personality, but we'll of course let him be the judge of that. Anyway, what's a blog posting without a picture? This is pretty much all I have. I know, I've been a horrible photographer as of late. We've got lots of video of Jovie walking, so maybe if I can figure out how to upload video, that will be my next post.

Thanksgiving 09

Yes, I'm still looking back and reminiscing. It seems to be the only way I can get one more glimpse of my mom. I have the most amazing memories of her, but when it comes to wanting to see her face or hear her voice, there's just not much that can be done. I just came across this picture yesterday. I hadn't seen it before because it was on her computer. This is the last picture that was taken of just me and her. If I would have known at the time, I would have maybe set my beer down, but oh well. It was taken last Thanksgiving. This last Thanksgiving was full of thanks. We were all thankful for my mom's recovery to date, and hopeful for many more future Thanksgivings together. My dad said the most amazing prayer before we sat down to dinner. What I still can't believe is how quickly that all changed. She was actually feeling pretty good when this picture was taken, because she had just finished chemo and hadn't started radiation yet.

As I reflect even more, I can see now how much the cancer growing inside of her took a toll on her body. I went with her to either her last radiation appointment, or a follow-up appointment, and the doc said she'd be feeling 90% better within a couple of days. That never happened, and we just couldn't understand why. Now it is obvious that the cancer was growing when we thought it wasn't. She endured so much in the last year, and I don't understand why. She was the most amazing mom and grammy. So selfless, so willing to help you with whatever. Even during the last few days before she got really sick again, she was working on Jovie's 1-year scrapbook because she couldn't stand that Jovie had already turned 1, and it hadn't been finished. Our kids had the most amazing gift of a grammy who wanted to do whatever she could to make them happy. Her talk was always about "when I start feeling better..." and she'd say how she wanted to take them to the zoo, or to Chucky Cheese, or to see the tulips. Her ultimate desires were to take us all to Maui again and to go to Disneyland with us.

I can't put into words how sad thinking of all of this makes me. However, I am vowing to end every blog post, every conversation, every thought with the reassuring fact that I KNOW that I will see this amazing woman again. Before Jesus was crucified, he assured his disciples of this "Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy" John 16:22. I am clinging onto this word, because I know and feel it to be true.

A Fond Memory

This picture was taken on Easter 2006. The first annual "redneck" Easter consisting of a weenie roast and pinata smashing. My mom wanted to start a new Easter tradition. One that involved a little less time in the kitchen, and a little more time with the family. Boy did she get it right. I love this picture. What happy smiles they both have. True happiness. She was so amazing. I can't believe we don't get to have any more Easter celebrations with her, but rest assured every Easter will be like this in honor of her. 

I feel an emptiness inside of me that actually takes my breath away. I literally have to remind myself to breathe. During the last few weeks, my aunt Laurie kept reminding me to breathe, and I didn't really know what she meant until now. I know that we will all get through this...even though our lives will never be the same. Thankfully she taught us how to trust and be faithful. Thankfully I have an amazing support system. Thankfully there will come a day when I see her again.

Thanks

To everyone who helped celebrate my mom's wonderful life. The service was amazing. I can't believe all the people, all the flowers, all the support! I know I didn't even get a chance to talk to everyone. If you were there, thank you so much. It meant so much to our family.

Life

It's been over a month since my last blog post, and I desperately wish that wasn't the case...for a multitude of reasons. First, for those who do not know, my mom has been battling and dealing with complications from cancer since last May when she was diagnosed. More recently her condition has taken a major turn for the worst and she has reached the end of her fight. Whatever happens now is 100% in God's hands. For the past three weeks she has been hospitalized at UW Medical Center in Seattle, but yesterday she was able to be taken home. With Hospice and Option Care services, the main goal is to keep her comfortable and happy until the Lord calls her home. We are SO happy that she's home and that we can be with her so much more now that we don't have the long trek to and from Seattle every day. She seems happy to be surrounded by all her family, and I just pray that her remaining days are full of comfort and peace. Only God knows what is in store for her and our family, and even though I can't understand why He is making my mom suffer, I can only trust and be faithful. We do feel confident that He has prepared us girls, my dad, our husbands, and our children for what's to come. A huge thank you from my family and I for all of the wonderful things and services you have offered us over the past few weeks and in the future. I haven't had to cook dinner (unwillingly at least) for a good three weeks, and there are no signs of that stopping either. I haven't had to worry about work, my kids, or my house either. A lot of that is due to my amazing husband, but also a large portion is because people are so giving and self-less. I so much love you all.

Even though it's hard for me to focus on anything more than my mom and her care, I have found joy and reprieve from the occasional day at home with the kids, or evening with Rob. These pictures are very random happenings from the last month, but they make me smile at a time when my smiles are few and far between. Life after all, continues to go on...even when we wish we could just press the pause button and hold things still for a few moments.

Lastly, I have been wanting to share something that Jack reminded me of the other day. Whenever I feel sad that I will lose my mom and not know how to go on without her, I need to remind myself of this. In reaction to some tears and an honest conversation about death with Jack, he reminded me that "Mom, it will only be a little while that you won't get to see Grammy, and then Jesus will say, 'Joelle, it's time to come to Heaven' and then guess what? You'll get to see your mom again!" I am so blessed to have a faith that no one or nothing can touch, but also so blessed that my child has that faith as well. That "makes my heart so happy"...another Jack-ism:)