Bless This: Family

Well, I think the nice weather is finally  here...So it's summer time! We have been quite busy so far.  I like to keep busy and don't like sitting around, so I drag Olivia with me everywhere! Last weekend was the kick-off to summer with Walleye Weekend.  I always enjoy going there.  We have so much fun with the kids, see tons of friends and get to watch the races.  This year, I did not drag my fat butt out to run the 2 mile.  I almost died last year, so I wasn't going to try again.  Olivia ran the 1/3 mile again this year and only cried part of the way instead of the whole way.  I'm hoping next year there won't be any crying.  We spent the weekend with Tammy, Jerry and the kids.  Had a blast! Olivia last year at the race Kate and Olivia this year. Stretching before the race With Grace for her first ride on the Whip!

Alone. Thankful and lucky for family and friends. Lonely. Missing your husband. Having really good days for a long time.  Then you get hit with grief like a ton of bricks. People don't understand.  They don't know. Not wanting people to feel sorry for you. Having a day here and there where you feel sorry for yourself and feel guilty as hell. Sad. Trying to always find things that make you happy. Alone. Always wanting to stay busy so your mind doesn't wander. Finally ready to love someone else and there's no one out there to love you back. Not being a wife. Having the worst label attached to your name. Never wanting to explain your story all over again to someone who doesn't know you're a widow. Missing having nothing to do with someone else. Doing everything on your own.  Everything.  All the time.  Always having to ask for help because you can't do everything. Try not to feel guilty that you're doing something for yourself every time y...

One of  my friends recently had a baby and has asked me a few times, "How did you do it all by yourself?"  I never know how to answer this, but the first response is, "I just did."  Many people have asked me this, not just her.  They've said that their husband stayed home from work or came home early to help out.  Their sister/mom/MIL/friend stayed with them for the first few weeks to help out.  I had help, just not that same kind.  I had my parents and Shauna (and Mike) babysit for me when I was at work.  They helped with things around the house.  Went with me when I was out.  But a lot of time I was on my own. We all know my situation was not normal.  I didn't have my husband making trips to Dairy Queen when I had a craving for a KitKat Blizzard.  I didn't have him help me off the couch when I was "stuck".  He wasn't at the rest of my appointments.  He wasn't there when I went into labor.  I didn't have him...

Yes, it's taking me a while to get caught up.  Even with all my time off.  I kept forgetting to blog. In December, we had a lot of fun and were very busy.  The month started out with Olivia falling into Grandma and Grandpa's end table and cutting her head.  ER visit #2.  Glue again, no stitches.  She was so good there.  Didn't cry.  Didn't make a peep.  Didn't move.  Very lucky. We then had Shauna's birthday and celebrated with a little party for her.  We had lots of fun. Then I had one of my best friends, Tammy, and her family stay with me for the weekend.  It was so great to be able to spend time with them.  And to have plenty of room for them to sleep in the  new house! We also had fun this year decorating for Christmas.  The last 2 years I wasn't so thrilled, but this year I was.  Olivia got her own tree this year in her room! Olivia went to see Santa at the mall....

Olivia and I have been quite busy since my last post.  Mostly driving places. In October we got Olivia's 2 year pictures taken with Cara. I had a Pinterest party with my girls.  We each brought food and a craft to do and we had to find it on Pinterest.  We had a great time and stayed up way too late! Food, wine and crafts Magnets we made Coasters I've started painting my house, with the help of my parents.  I still have a lot left, but I can do a little at a time.  Hoping to get a lot done during Christmas break. Olivia had fun on her first "real" Trick or Treating. Here are some pictures of Olivia's party.  This year we only had close family there.  It was still a lot of people, but nothing like the 60+ that were there last year. Laughing at the Mickey card Grandma MC got her Cheese! Grandma made the cake  On November 9th...

I know, I know...it's been 2 months since my last post.  I've been super busy and didn't have much to write home about.  Here is a list of things that has been going on in our lives lately.  Enjoy. August- Made an offer on the house and was accepted 2 days later (on Patrick's birthday)!!!  We had a nice birthday party for my mom and remembered Patrick with a lantern in the sky.  Our tradition. The next week, Rachel, Eli, Olivia and I had a fun day!  We went to a few parks, Dairy Queen and then out for supper.  We had so much fun and they were such good kids. Eli, Olivia and Rachel at the Lighthouse Eating at DQ Sharing a Blizzard with mommy Just hanging around! I then got to take my first "vacation" this year.  I took my parents and Olivia to the Dells for 2 nights.  It was such a nice time.  Great weather, food, drinks, swimming and even a little relaxing....

Yes...I know...I'm WAY behind on my posts this summer.  I have a lot to catch you up on. June: Walleye Weekend.  I " ran " the 2 mile.  Was 269 out of 321.  22 minutes.  Was nice to have my friend Katie jog along side of me and keep me motivated. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have ran at all.  I'll say it again.  I'm not a runner and I'll never be a runner.  Olivia " ran " the 1/3 mile.  I carried her 2/3 of the way while she screamed and then made her run the rest of the way.  She was tired.  It was nap time.  It was HOT.  I think it was in the 90's already.  She did fine once she saw Bampa cheering her on and saying it's ok.  We were 2nd to last.  But not last:) Fell asleep in 4.5 seconds Olivia ready for her race       Tammy and her family stayed for the weekend and we had a great time hanging out.  We also got t...