"To the world you may be just one person...

but to one person you may be the world."

I have procrastinated blogging about this because the quote sums up my beloved Grandma Gene. She was one of the most important people in my world. My heart now has a missing piece until I see her again some day.
The moment I found out my grandma moved on to the next life I panicked. I didn't know what to think or what to do. My grandma was the one to cheer me on with everything I did. Even if I was a complete mess or stressed out Grandma always told me how wonderful I was or that I was important in her life. For a few years now she has been ready to go because she has missed her mama and all her siblings who passed on. Then in June she lost her twin sister and I think that did it for her. She was so lonely for the ones who she grew up with and whom she missed terribly. Even though I struggled with her telling me that she wanted to go, I knew that she loved me. She told me (and my sisters) 'know that wherever I am that I love you.' I hang on to that so much. I believe that she loves me and that she is able to watch over me.
I would like to say though, that I am thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days. I wish I could yell the message to the world and have people understand that this gospel is true. I have felt the love of it in my life so many times. It may sound weird, but many times since I have lost my grandma I would sob and sob but then the next second I would feel peace and as if I could feel her around me holding me up. One of her many motto's was 'Keep your chin up.' I felt her tell me that. I know she is nearby because of the binding that we have of being an eternal family. I am sooo grateful to know that we are bound as a family. When my grandparents were sealed in the temple it wasn't "till death do us part" and the same thing for my parents and then for David and I. With that being said, the ending is never. We are bound and sealed together forever as a family. I couldn't imagine not having all of my family with me forever. For that I am extremely thankful for temples and their importance. I could go on for hours about the gospel, but I won't. Today, the aspect of the gospel that I love is families and the phrase that "Families can be together forever."
I am thankful for the testimony that my Grandma has in the gospel and I'm sure she is on the other side working to spread the message of Jesus Christ to those who need and want it there. Although I can't see my grandma now, I can live her legacy and share what I know of the gospel with those that I love.
I am grateful for all the many millions of memories I have with her. I sure miss my nightly conversations with her and her singing lullaby's to me, but one day I KNOW I will get to see her again. I couldn't be more excited for that day when I am surrounded by all those that I love and we will live as an eternal family.



Ava and Grandma Gene On Christmas Day 2010


Grandma and I at her 80th Birthday party


My grandparents with Zoe on her blessing Day

Ava and her first pet

Ava recently got a bug catcher and she has been so fascinated with the different bugs that we could find and keep. I am pretty impressed with her excitement to actually keep a bug since her daddy taught her that the minute you encounter a bug just squish it. She will kill bugs with shoes, toys or whatever she can find.
Well today we decided to stake out grandma's yard and found Ava's first pet, a potato bug. She Loves it. His name is potato. She is so obsessed with him that she wanted to take it into a restaurant today, but I thought that was disgusting! Silly little Ava. She sure is our bug lover!!


Look at how proud she is of her 'Mr. Potato Bug'

Just when you think you aren't making a difference

As a mother I tend to be critical on my teaching styles. I always feel that I'm inpatient, not tolerant, frustrated too much and not loving enough. I especially feel like I need to be a better example to my girls about the gospel and showing them how much I love the Savior and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is such an important aspect of my life. I'm sure this is due to the wonderful primary leaders, but tonight I saw Ava sitting on her couch 'reading' her Book of Mormon saying, "Jesus does this and Jesus loves that..." She went on to say lots of things that she has learned about Jesus. I am thankful that at a young age she is learning about someone who is special in my life.

Sisterly Love

I captured this moment the other day and this is an EVERY day occurrence. Ava tries to keep her toys away from Zoe, Zoe takes one and then Ava tells her 'that's not APPROPRIATE Zoe!!!!'
I love the sequence of photos because I know one day this will be hilarious to the girls.

Ava is so happy to be reading a book to all of her princess babies. She was showing them off for the camera.


Along comes Zoe, and she quickly grabbed a baby from under Ava's feet.


Ava's classic reaction to Zoe taking her toys. "Zoe this is NOT APPROPIATE!!"

Crazy, Busy, Life...

Time sure has flown since my last post. Ava is just about 3 1/2 and tells you how to behave or lets you know when you aren't. She is cautious about every little thing that she does and then she says she is scared to do anything. On mother's day I was pretty sad that she refused to go up with the rest of the children because she was terrified of the stage. She is a great little girl though. She tries to be Zoe's mommy and lets me know how to parent her quite often.
Zoe just turned 1 on the 4th and we had her birthday party at Glenn Otto Park. She had lots of family and friends to come celebrate with us. She is our daring little child. She goes around like no one's business and takes care of everything that she needs to. She screams to get her way, but then loves her big sister even when she hurts her. This morning Ava was in timeout and Zoe went up to her and patted her back and then attempted to give her a hug. It was pretty precious. They sure do love each other and I am glad that they are not only sisters, but are friends too.

David and I are still working and David is almost half way done with PSU. We are still hoping that summer of 2012 that he will be able to graduate. Even though he is still busy with school we are trying to do date nights. Our newest fun is playing Racquetball. I may stink at it but we have a good time. It takes me back to our H.S. days when he would take me in his big blue truck to play and we pretty much just flirted the whole time instead of playing the game...oh those were the days.