To Eric...

It was Father's Day more than a week ago but I still wanted to write a little note of tribute on here about Eric.
So Eric, know this:

I know you have had to do things as a father that many fathers haven't had to.
I know your journey has not always been easy.
I know our journey together hasn't always been easy.

But....

I think you are a good dad, and I am grateful for how much you've helped me this last year.

You've really stepped up as a husband and father since Millie became a reality.   You help me so much in our daily lives:  You are reliable at work and make a good living which in turn creates much security and peace at home.  You now do homework with Abbey and Ava on school nights, and you now give Ava baths.  You help with dinner when you can, you read scriptures with the girls at night, you tuck the big girls in...each one by one...every single night.  You watch the girls so I can go run errands.  You change poopy diapers (Millie seems to like saving those just for you.)  You help out a lot with the girls on Sundays...You keep track of them at church, you make them lunch when we get home, you entertain them on Sunday afternoons.
You play Minecraft and tennis with them.  You take them to Lagoon and to feed ducks at the park.
The list goes on and I am so very grateful,  'cuz here's the thing:

There was a day when I looked long and hard at Andi's dad's casket and had to face the harsh reality that my girl could possibly never have a dad to help raise her, teach her, play with her, hug her, and love her.  Of all people, I know it's you that can understand the excruciating pain that can accompany those awful moments.
In addition, I've also spent some good time trying to swallow the reality that my motherhood began and ended with Andi.  Not a terrible thing; regardless, a difficult fact at times.  I don't think it was until I saw Millie's face that I realized how hurtful it was to face that reality day in and day out.  Now that she's here, my my heart feels soothed.  My soul seems lighter.

My favorite latest story that illlustrates this point well was when, after you returned from a couple days' absence after Youth Conference, Andi came up to you and said, "Hold me!"  You then picked her up and brought her to the couch and held her for a while.

Do you see what you have done and are doing?  You are lifting my load, lightening my heart, and providing much needed happiness to some girls who really need a good man to help us out.
Thank you for being that good man and for being my sunrise after a very difficult sunset.

I love you dearly and love watching you become a better father with each passing day.

Chris' Birthday

Big days like birthdays and anniversaries have become opportunities for me to remember the people I love.  This year, Chris' birthday was no different.  For some reason this year, I spent a lot of time thinking about my brother...more than usual.
And I just wanna' tell my brother Chris, just in case he might have access to cyberspace, that our family is simply not complete without you.
And I am coming to appreciate you more and more the older I get.
It's been so nice lately to think about your life in a way that has renewed my love and loyalty towards you.  All the great memories I have of you have flooded back to me once again and I reminded of what a wonderful, good man you were.  You were such a good guy.  So cool, so fun.  I am so very proud of you and proud to call you my brother.
In honor of you and of Aunt Jeanne's passing, I am posting this picture...one of my favorites.  My handsome brother being the usual kind, service-oriented man towards our Aunt Jeanne:

And one more...another favorite.  My brother as a missionary in Norway.  I love that this country was so close to your heart. 

Love you always, Chrisee.

June 2015

Here are some pics from the last month....

Eric caught this shot one afternoon after Andi left her teddy bear on the bed.  Love it :)

Andi's class field trip to Lagoon's greenhouses

This was taken at my great Aunt Jeanne's funeral.

My mom's always the organist at these things.

My dad with his cousins Laurie and Tom

Scott and Bo at the funeral

Dad and Gabe at the SLC cemetery

Noah and Lori

My aunt Jeanne was buried right next to my grandma.  My dad gave her the plot.

It's a beautiful plot that's literally right beside President David O. McKay's burial site.

Beautiful view there of the valley.  Love that cemetery.

Eric comin' home from work.

I'm usually in my office...just like this...when he comes home.

What I wake up to almost each morning.

Andi and Harry waiting for me, beside me, in my bed.

She refuses to sit back in her swing lately.  Gotta' see the action!

Dinnertime cuteness.

Ava and Millie doin' their morning routine

5 months, folks!

At Abbey's 3rd grade end of the year program

She sang so well.  Her blonde friend, Anna, is right next to her.  They are good buddies and good girls.

Abbey with her friend Allyson.

So glad she has good friends.

The last day of school at Farmington Elementary.  While signing yearbooks, Andi found her family.

Love this.

Our friend Kylie was with us that day as well.

Last day of school fun!

Ava with her dear kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Huckins.  Mrs. Huckins loved Ava.  She always said to me how smart Ava was.

Andi with her first grade teacher, Miss Tueller.

I will never forget Miss Tueller.

She and I got pretty close this year and I just think the world of her.

She was Andi's "other mom" this year.

Thank heavens for good teachers like her.

Even Millie got to join in on the last day of school fun.

School's out--Summer's Here!

We got passes to Lagoon this year.

And so it begins....

These two love this ride--"The Bombora"

My riding partner.

Ava and cousin Chloe at G &G Luke's.

Love Chloe's face!

So illustrative of the fun they have there.

She always asks me to wrap her hair after her baths.

I think it makes her feel adult and fancy.  Love it.

This girl loves loves loves to suck on her thumb, but also her toes!  She's flexible!

Eric spruced up the aquarium this month.  Lookin' good.  He enjoys tinkering around with it.

One morning as I was waiting for the girls' swimming lessons to be over, I took a shot of this view.

I love my hometown.

Eric's work party was at Boondocks this year.

Here's Abbey riding the go carts!

Wet and cold after a wet adventure at Boondocks

Eric's getting pretty good at capturing some good shots off our deck

Abbey's birthday loot!  Nine years old!

First summer trip to the cabin

Gettin' pumped up for the beach!

Eric found this scenic view and took a perfect shot of it.

Beach time fun with Grandma Luke

This swimming suit was Andi's.

I love it so.  Good memories.

Half the fun of the beach is playing in the sand

Hoping to keep her cool and happy

More birthday fun at the cabin

How did NINE happen?

Harry's least favorite thing in his old age is driving in the car.

The vet introduced me to Dramamine and it seems to help :)

Her sisters thought this was funny

Newly spruced up room, complete with a new comforter and pictures.

She's becoming a young lady, so the room needs to live up to those standards, I think.

My office buddies

Swimming lessons!

They completed yet another year of Farmington city swim lessons.

I've done this with them ever since 2012 and they're all getting better and better.

Andi's dance recital at Clytie Adams School of Ballet

Trying the high chair--and solid foods--for the first time

She got her ears pierced, folks!!!!!  She was scared but courageous.  So proud of her.  This girl's come a long way.

We tended Bo one evening and the girls decided to put earrings on him.

Look at that face.

She had two rehearsals this week, plus the show.

Busy dancer!

Aunt Bethany honoring our cute girl on her big day

Even Abbey came with us.  It was so nice to have her at Andi's dance recital.

Father's Day fun

We made him nachos.....HOT nachos

At the grave for Father's Day

Got new shutters.

Admiring the new look.

It's new to me, at least.

My dad with his cousin-in-law, Bob, at his family reunion.

Just the girls and I, along with my dad, went up to East Canyon for my dad's annual family reunion.  Good memory.

My dad's sister, Claudia, who lives in Texas.

The girls were awesome that night.  So patient as we visited with family.

They found a mouse and chased it around.

Claudia and Dad.