Mother's Belongings

My sister Debbie came and stayed at my Dad's house for two weeks, from July 3- July 19. My sisters and I had a big task ahead of us: going through and organizing 65 years worth of my Mother's things. We went through books, crafts, floral arranging stuff, Halloween, Easter, Valentines and some Christmas decoration, pictures, genealogy, our baby clothes, personal items, etc., etc. My Mom and Dad have a big house and plenty of storage space and so not much was thrown away over the years. Also, we had some of my Grandparents things since they had moved out and lived there the last years of their lives. We split up a few things that my Dad did not want, mostly craft stuff. Most of the stuff we organized in bins. The rest was either thrown away, or given to Deseret Industries. It was both healing and sad as we remembered and re-lived precious memories. We found lots of letters, cards, and pictures that we laughed and cried over. We felt very close to our Mother during this time, even though it is extremely hard to give or throw anything away.

Mike's Birthday

Mike and Jack Purser

Mike turned 41 on July 8, 2009. Mike and I went out to dinner at Asian Star, then our friends the Pursers brought over a cake and we sang 'Happy Birthday' to Mike and ate cake. Mike's present for his birthday was an X-Box 360. Happy Birthday Mike! I love you!

July 4th

My sisters and their families, my cousin Jenny, my Aunt Karren and her husband Tom, my Dad, and our family had a bar-b-cue at my Dad's house for the 4th of July. After we ate and visited, we went over to my Mother's grave and my Grandparent's grave (they are right next to each other). We took a picture of all the Grandkids at my Mother's grave (minus Nicky who would not get out of the car). Later that night we were invited by the Andersen's (Tim's family) to come watch fireworks at their house.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsavv3ZvcwUk_-51R7mbK7Lj1sv5HikLLUroUt2_tfhssx3XOT2gmEtso9CjTKyFUjpqNZCaefhlss_x9vgzHgsiOXrP1Ys39qDvxBZoHB6SZ8DIYPx0clwovKD2JIws1h-TqGnieecP_/s1600-h/IMG_4327.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsavv3ZvcwUk_-51R7mbK7Lj1sv5HikLLUroUt2_tfhssx3XOT2gmEtso9CjTKyFUjpqNZCaefhlss_x9vgzHgsiOXrP1Ys39qDvxBZoHB6SZ8DIYPx0clwovKD2JIws1h-TqGnieecP_/s320/IMG_4327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362445658037944098" border="0" /> Watching the fireworks</a> </div> My sisters' Debbie and Amy and their families, my cousin Jenny, my Aunt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Karren</span> and her husband Tom, my Dad, and our family had a bar-b-cue at my Dad's house for the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> of July. After we ate and visited, we went over to my Mother's grave and my Grandparent's grave (they are right next to each other). We took a picture of all the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Grandkids</span> at my Mother's grave (minus Nicky who would not get out of the car). Later that night we were invited by the Andersen's (Tim's family) to come watch fireworks at their house.

My Mother's Headstone

We came back from Disneyland and found out that my Mother's headstone was in. It was bittersweet. We are happy to have it, but it was the last and final thing to be done. We put some flowers and a South Carolina flag in the vase.

Disneyland

From June 13-21 we went to Disneyland and to San Diego. My whole family (including my Mom) had planned this vacation back in January/February. My Mom and Dad had really wanted us to all go together as a family and they were excited to see their Grandkids at Disneyland. As you know, my Mom passed away in March. Our family decided we would still go on vacation (that's what my Mom would of wanted us to do). It was sad without her there, but we still had fun. In honor of my Mom, we all bought Mickey Ear hats with our names on them, including one for my Mom, and we had our picture taken with them on. We held up the hat with my Mom's name on it, so it was like she was with us in the picture. It meant a lot to us since she had been so excited for this vacation with her family.
Disneyland was so much fun! We really got into the pin trading. Mike, the girls and I also went to San Diego and Sea World. It was a much needed vacation and it was hard to come home!

Ashley's 9th Birthday

Ashley turned 9 years old on May 14th. My baby girl is growing up! Karrie had a band concert that night, so we let Ashley open her presents and we had a small Cinderella cake for her. That following Saturday, the family all met at Outback Steakhouse (Ashley's request) to celebrate Ashley's birthday. Grandpa Shaw, Grandpa and Grandma Jones, Aunt Amy, Uncle Wes, Katelynn, Elizabeth and Jenny all came to eat and celebrate with us. It was a lot of fun!

Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day without my beautiful Mother. What else do I need to say? It was hard. My sister Amy met me at our Mother's graveside. We brought flowers and spent a little time there. My Dad was in Idaho visiting my sister Debbie and her family. I went over to my parent's house after Amy left. It was so hard to be there and yet so comforting. I feel my Mother there more than anywhere else. She was the heart of our family and our home. I was there for a little while by myself, crying and missing her. But I felt close to her there (at my parent's home) so that's where I wanted to be. I cannot even begin to describe how much I love and miss my Mother. She was my best friend. I feel like a light has gone out of my life. Of course, I am still happy and have the rest of my family, but it will never be the same. I will always have a little sadness in my heart, until I can be with my Mother again. Absolutely no one can take the place of a Mother. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed me with the very best!

"Everybody knows that a good mother gives her children a feeling of trust and stability. She is their earth. She is the one they can count on for the things that matter most of all. She is their food and their bed and the extra blanket when it grows cold in the night; she is their warmth and their health and their shelter; she is the one they want to be near when they cry. She is the only person in the whole world in a whole lifetime who can be these things to her children. There is no substitute for her." -Katharine Butler Hathaway

"A mother laughs our laughter; sheds our tears, returns our love, fears our fears. She lives our joys, cares our cares, and all our hopes and dreams she shares." -Julia Summers

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." -Cardinal Mermillod