too soon...

My friend Diane lost her battle with pancreatic cancer after only 2 1/2 short months. Her passing yesterday morning was a complete surprise to us all. I will forever remember her story telling prowess, her wickedly sharp wit, her singing, her little extra touches that made everything perfect, and her friendship. I still hear her laugh and expect to see her coming around the corner at work...wow, will I miss her.

Lemme 'splain, no there is too much, lemme sum up...God speed, Diane. Are there sandwiches there?

A prayer in my heart

I have been searching for a picture to post of my aunt Lynn but have come up empty... this beautiful sunset seems appropriate.

My aunt Lynn was a woman of incredible strength, compassion, patience and love. I admire her outlook on life and her positive perspective even in the bleakest of times. She smiled through her continual pain and never failed to have a laugh in her voice when we spoke. She loved animals (even the meanest of cats, her Kit) and little children, especially her sunday school kids. She passed peacefully yesterday evening with her husband and daughter at her side. I can't imagine the pain they are feeling now and only hope that my prayers might help them find some comfort. I know my grandmother, my dad, Uncle Chad, Aunt Anet and their families are also feeling her passing with their own sorrow and pain. It is comforting to know she is in a much better place, free from the bonds her body so tightly held on her and on her movements....now she can dance with the angels.

Godspeed, Aunt Lynn.

Jentry is 29!

Happy Birthday little brother.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom.

my munchkins

you would think....

...that with a head as big as the one on Blue, he would have brains. But no, not so much. He deliberately sat on the space heater at the cabin, for 30 seconds or so while I tried to coax him away from it, and scorched his fur. Did he feel it, not in the least. In reality, he was bugged we wanted to see his butt and find the source of the smoking. We could smell the burning, you think he would have noticed...but he did not. Guess you can see why we say we love him because he is "pretty, not smart". In all seriousness, he was not hurt. Only the scorch marks on his fur remain to remind us of his brilliance.

Happy 75th Birthday Grandma Smart!

Better late than never - the Smart/Beckstead/Bolton

families wishing our Grandma the happiest birthday!

Who knew she was 75?