Lessons Learned

Just wanted to share this cute picture that Ave made...She was coloring one day and told me she drew a picture of her family. She asked me how to spell "mom" and "tanner."

Here we are...Two and ahalf years later...We have come so far. When Ave and I first moved to Texas, I strongly disliked having to explain our situation to others and loathed the question, "And what does your husband do?" I would see Ave watching other families interact and I assumed she was wondering where her dad was.

After all this time has gone by, I can now openly explain before anyone has to ask- "Yeah, its just me and Avery and we are pretty darn close."

Any mom will tell you that its hard. I just know that I was meant to be a mom- Avery's mom...I wouldn't trade it for anything. Our struggle has brought us together and I am the happiest and strongest I have ever been.

So, what now? It has taken me long enough but I have come to several conclusions over the last couple of weeks. I need to stop worrying so much about myself and my situation and start doing more for others. Working in the emergency room for my school clinicals has been a startling experience. If you have family support, your health, and a grasp of perspective- you can count yourself extremely lucky.

Man, wisdom does come with age...I am wise beyond my years...Its a good thing I am getting older- my life experiences will soon catch up to my age!

More Kansas Fun!

This is the best month for us but also the craziest. I was in desperate need of a quick trip to see some of my Kansas people and we were able to go up last week.

Its interesting to me to go back to a place where I have so many roots- both good and bad. I ran into one of my really good friends from high school, that just recently moved back to KS, while we were visiting Crown Center with the kids. That just doesn't happen in a place where no one knew you even existed 2 years ago.

It may have something to do with my parents moving away and now that school is coming to a close- I have this pressing need to "settle" somewhere with Ave... It is not fun moving every year and I want Ave to be able to center her life around people that care about her and are constantly present in her life.

For now, I still LOVE Texas and am excited to advance in my nursing career here. I will just always look forward to my KS trips...As you can tell from the pictures, Ave and her cousin Brittany are the best of friends. Those two girls are so cute together. Since leaving, I have been asked everyday if we are going to go back to see Brittany. SO MUCH FUN!

Explaining life to a 3 year old

I have been wanting to watch the movie, "Marley and Me" since it has been in the theater...I decided against it after I heard about the ending...So, let me clearly say, don't read this if you are wanting to watch and be surprised by this sweet family movie.

Avery and I both enjoyed the movie. As I turned it off, I was gearing up for some talks about her strong desire for a dog...Which usually go something like, "Mommy, we need to get a house, a dog, and a trampoline...O.K. Mommy?"

It turns out, this wasn't what was on her mind...This was our conversation.

Avery: "Mommy, did Marley die just like Jesus died?"

Me: "Well, Jesus died for you and me, so we can live with him and Heavenly Father again....Marley died because he was an old doggie."

Avery: "Mommy, aren't you old?

Me: "No, Mommy is NOT OLD...Just bigger and older than Avery. But doggies don't live as long as people do."

Avery: "Oh, that's good...Well, I think Marley died because he went to the doctor...That's why I don't go to the doctor when I'm sick."

I have to admit, I am glad I have a little girl that thinks...

I loved this movie and it reminded me of our family's dog, Einstein...He was a beautiful golden retriever that seriously saved our family from minor and major tragedies...ie: finding my little brother, who was lost, in the acres of land behind our house in Wisconsin...yeah, we did lose every child in our family atleast once...its a wonder CPS never got involved!

Can't wait to get a dog for Avery...Together, they can both learn to listen to me!

My favorite sport...

Baseball...One of my favorite outings in the summertime. We were able to go to a Rangers vs. Royals and had a great time. The weather turned slightly threatening with a chance of rain...but Ave did not want to go. It never actually rained and we were able to stay late and catch four songs of an outdoor concert featuring Jack Ingram. Ave is such a country girl and rocked out to the music was really not happy when I told her it was time to go...

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Our Easter Fun!

We had a wonderful Easter...This was the first year Ave was that perfect and magical age
where she fully appreciated all the Easter traditions. I now live for these holidays
where we are able to make sweet memories.



These two pics above are from Ave's school party. The kids made these easter baskets
and they were beyond eager to find these eggs.

The next day, we went to an Easter brunch with April, Anthony, Tanner
and our good friends from our old ward.

Ave and Tanner...So much for our high hopes of getting a picture of
them both smiling AND looking at the camera collectively.

How many kids can fit in the sandbox?


Ave and Caden



The relentless search continues for those eggs!



Just a pretty girl


Avery adamantly requested the "girl easter bunny" this year after refusing to visit the easter bunny that was obviously a scary boy easter bunny. So, we were lucky to locate this girly bunny wearing a girly bow...



Yea, I'm kinda sick in this video, but its still good. Ave did not want to LOOK for her easter basket. I kept telling her "look in every corner" and she would just give one quick glance and tell me, "Mommy, It's not here! I can't find it!" She got kinda frustrated and we had to look for it together....We finally found it in the corner of the family room...thank goodness...


The Easter Bunny came!

One important lesson I learned this year...Not to do easter baskets until after you go to church. Ave was very disappointed that she was not able to take her goodies to church...and this is the unfortunate reason behind no pretty easter dress pictures as a crying, sad girl does not always photograph well.

Texas Bluebonnets

Aahhhhh.....So glad I finally get to share my favorite part about Texas springs...These beautiful flowers are everywhere, especially out in the country, my neck of the woods now. The bluebonnets grow wild along the roads and it is against the law for anyone to mow or pick them.

I have taken pics of Ave and the bluebonnets every spring we have been here....So crazy to think that this is our 3rd year- where has the time gone?

Lots to say

We had a fun weekend listening/watching general conference. I have been suffering from the mother of all allergies and has literally taken over my whole body. I feel like I am in a haze. This is my first month without health insurance, so I'm trying to use all my drug combos I can think of to get over this ridiculousness.

Anywho, today we went over to April and Anthony's and decorated easter eggs. I love going over to their house. Avery loves it too. The first thing she said to me this morning was, "Mommy, are you better? Are we going to see April and Uncle Anthony?" I couldn't resist and we had a great time.

By the end of the afternoon, Avery was telling April, "Let's leave Mommy" (as they were getting ready to take Avery to visit all the little niece's on Anthony's side) and she told me "I love Anthony" as they were getting ready to leave.

As I'm trying to plan our Easter next week, its finally hitting me that my parents are not here. I really miss being able to go to their house on Sundays- our crazy family times, watching Ave play with my dad, and my mom's funny outlook on life. I was in denial of the whole situation- or just had too much other stuff going on...and now its sinking in.

So, hope everyone enjoys our pics from today. Please be mindful of what you say regarding my
looks- I am concerned that I may be aging prematurely. I may be overly sensitive to the matter due to the recent comments I have heard from strangers....Such as:

1) Stranger one: "Wow- you sure are pretty. (Talking to Avery while I am holding her)...You're even prettier than your mommy!"

2) I have to set up this scenario. I have a home health patient- Ms. Womack- that I have been taking care of for a year. We went to Walmart the other day- when this question was posed...Important info: Ms. Womack is 90 years old!!!)
Cashier at Walmart asks me, while she is checking out our groceries, "Is she your mom?"- pointing to Ms. Womack!

I just had to laugh at the last one---but inside I was thinking- wow, do I suddenly look middle aged? I am 10 years younger than Ms. Womack's actual grandaughter!!! Maybe the stress of my life is showing itself in my face! I thought I was for aging gracefully but I may have to reconsider my options if this continues!