Is She Really Gone

I am missing my friend today. A lot. There are days like this when I still can't believe she's gone. My friend Trudy. It's been almost five years since she died. My mind is flashing back on her smile and laugh, her face, and it's hard to believe that I can't just call her and go see her. To describe the friendship I felt with Trudy is difficult to put into words. An unbreakable bond, a joy and comfort that just always felt like "home". Always laughter, but more than just a sense of fun, a deep comradeship. I don't know if I've ever felt as much belonging as I did in that friendship.

Then, out of the blue, her daughter Linzy called, and I instantly remembered it was her birthday (Linzy's). She told me she's getting married this Fall. I'm so happy that she called, and so sorry that Trudy won't physically be there with me to see her daughter be married. Is it strange that talking to Linzy brings tears to my eyes, and emotions well up all over again? I wonder if she feels the same stab of emotion talking to me as I do talking to her. I feel like exchanging memories about her Mom, and saying again how much she means to me, but I don't want to make anything more painful for her than it already must be. She lost her Mom so much sooner than most of us do. I don't know how that feels. I wish all the comfort of the angels for you Linz, and a wee bit for me too, if possible.

July 1, 2011 P.S. I borrowed this photo from Trudy's sister Jenny that she recently posted on facebook. This is Trudy telling me not to take myself to seriously :)

I miss you every day, Trude.

I Need A Vacation- BAD

So, Jason has been gone to Blanding for work for over a week. I've been with Wyatt for over a week, no breaks. Yup, I'm going to lose it. I'm not one of those people who can spend unlimited time with their children (wait, are there even people like that?). The only thing that keeps me sane is those times when I can check out from mommyhood for a couple hours, either with friends or by myself. Especially because we don't go on real vacations, so those little breaks are literally all I have!

(I can't even daydream about being somewhere else without interruption. Grrrrr!) Just had to vent today.

Updated Links

I was bored out of my mind last night so I added a bunch of links I like to the blog. Now I just need to organize them somehow!

Sir!

This is the look you get from a child that hasn't been photographed in a long, long time. A little too excited, poor kid.

I took a couple pictures of him in his current military phase. He is loving all things soldier, camo, weapony, shooty, saluty. (He actually salutes us, yes).

I've found the 'yes sir' 'no sir' thing really works! If I give him an 'order' followed by 'sir' or 'soldier', I get results! Obedience without question, is this actually possible?? I love it. I love being saluted. I'm fine with being called sir. Maybe I could've had a military career. I'll never know now, unfortunately.

I'm wondering how long I can make this phase last.

Seriously Overdue

It's been months since I checked my blog or anyone elses! But, it's a New Year and I'm looking forward to 2011. Odd numbered years are always better for me :)
More soon.

Bear Lake

This just makes me say "ahhh"- so relaxing. Except later the wind blew really hard and overturned the shade tents!

Ol' Ephraim the Bear. Wyatt was afraid of him and wouldn't pose!

We went to Bear Lake w/ some friends over Labor Day weekend. We stayed at a KOA cabin, which I hadn't done before, and I loved it- that's my kind of camping :)

Summer 2010

Summer is really going by quickly, isn't it? I love it- the long, sunny days, or even better, a warm summer storm. Grilling, family, and friends. This 4th of July was so far my favorite holiday of the year! Jason is busy, busy which for us is a great thing! He loves to work in his yard and we love to watch everything bloom and grow.

Lately I keep getting drawn back into the past, feeling almost homesick for those days. Then I remind myself that someday, these are the days I'll be longing for and so it brings me right back to the present. Change is difficult for me, I want to keep all the good things just as they are. I guess I'm just a sentimental fool :)

Indian Food

Yesterday I made some excellent Chicken Tikka Masala, one of my favorite Indian dishes. I had some big doubts about whether it would be good, but we all agreed it was DELICIOUS. And so much cheaper than the restaurant. I even made Mango Lassis! Yum. In fact, I may have to make it again right away. It's worth it to make the basmati rice instead of regular. And, I have a recipe for Gobi Aloo that I will be making- a potato/cauliflower dish that I love. I miss the vegetable Pakora with mint chutney, and naan from the restaurant, but maybe at some point I can figure out those too. I found the recipes on Allrecipes.com. (People always take pictures of their food, I don't know if I'd ever remember to do this).

Darling Graduate

PF Chang's before Graduation

I'm so excited that Briana has reached this milestone. Congrats Bri! We love you!

Vegas/Venetian in April

Gorgeous.

Briana's Birthday

Briana turned 18! We had dinner at Tucano's the night of her birthday and the next night she had a friend party at the house. Wyatt gave her a bouquet of suckers. They played Rock Band, hit a pinata, and ate BBQ.

Christmas 2009

It wouldn't let me fix the red eye!

New Portraits

Thank you to my sister-in-law Crystal Hadlock who took these amazing shots. A link to her website is on this page under "Links I Like" so check it out. I am thrilled with them!

Two Year Old Perspective

Wyatt figured out how to use the camera and this is a sample of the shots he took. I thought it was interesting to see what he took pictures of.

Halloween

I figured it was the last year I could get away with a cutesy outfit.

This has been the year of the dogs, so it was only fitting he was one too!

Love the tail.

Briana, Wyatt and Trace.

Wyatt didn't want to get into his costume, I think it wasn't manly enough or something, but once he did start trick or treating on our street he had a great time!

Birthday

So I have become such a slacker with having someone take group photos of us! Wyatt playing with my birthday balloons is really the only pictures I have- I opened some gifts and cards and later we went to dinner with my Mom, where once again I forgot to take pics.

Wyatt thinks he can play on the counter top- he found his pacifier and then put the pot on his head.

Cute Turtle

Jason has discovered three turtles in our little pond and this one is the biggest. It was so fun to watch him swim around this afternoon. I don't know if one of these guys is the original turtle we bought that disappeared, maybe he left and came back with friends? They are so cute.

Wyatt and Poodles New Do's

Wyatt on the doll house

Fell asleep on the carpet one day with his blankie. He never did that before!

Charlie

I can't say I love that Otis got a "buzz cut" on his head. Apparently he sneezed and ruined the cut so she had to cut it all off!

Charlie yellow, Otis Blue

So the puppies had turned into shaggy messes and were overdue for a grooming. Now I don't want them to go outside ever again so they'll stay clean. When they are clean they are SO soft and cuddly.