Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Funky socks
• Flip flops
• Sunscreen
• Pickles
• Paper plates
• Sleeping bags
• Everlasting Gobstoppers
• BBQ grills
• Fire pits
• Balloons

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Big shade trees
• The first strawberry (and possibly only strawberry) in my little garden this year
• 100% fruit Popsicles
• That both my babies still like to snuggle
• My kids wanting to stay home next summer
• The beautiful hanging flower basket from my Mom, for my birthday
• The jar of Fireflies in my room
• My washer & dryer
• Being Independent
• The ability to notice & enjoy all the little things in life

Laurie Madsen

I tend to put off Blogs that are hard to write. I suppose it's in hopes that the words will just come to me, rather than struggling for just the right thing to say.

I met the Madsen's when I was 14. I immediately felt welcome in their home and later became a part of their family. I have connections with every one of them. For quite a while, I felt Jay was more of a father to me than my biological father and my step dad. I spent endless hours with Laurie (my other Mom) and the kids. I always knew I could ask Laurie for advice on parenting, and did many times off and on though out the years. 5 years later when going though my divorce, the Madsen family (especially Mom) made it quite clear that even though I'm getting a divorce from my ex... I was not divorcing them also! Laurie always made sure I knew how special I was to her and to her family and how wonderful of a mother I am.  I learned a lot from her both in talks we have had and though her amazing example.

Laurie's first round with cancer was when I was a teenager. I am so thankful that she was able to stay with us for so many more years. It was devastating when I found out that her cancer came back a few years ago... and when  I learned there was nothing that could be done this time, it was heart breaking. I remember thinking this is a person that has done everything right and it's just not fair. At that point you just have to put your trust in God and have faith that everything will be ok.

I always felt so much love from her. She loved me as her own daughter and always made it clear. About a month ago when I was visiting she told me the story from her childhood about why she loves chocolate so much (especially Dark Chocolate) and it was really special to just sit and talk and share stories with each other. I talked to her a few days before she passed, and even though she was confined to a bed, she still had such a zest for life. She was full of light and love and she lived her life to the fullest. I'm glad my kids got to know her and they will have such great memories of her. I know I am blessed to have known her and we will all miss her. I do take comfort in knowing that she was ready to go, that she was at peace about going home to heavenly father.   Her funeral was absolutely beautiful and brought closure to a lot of people. There were a few things Nate said that really hit home for me and I will never forget.

Thank you for teaching, sharing and loving us so much Laurie. Love you.

Comfort when I really needed it

It's always hard when someone important to you passes away. Even if you know it's coming. I had just got back home from camping, I was standing in my room folding laundry when my phone rang. It's was Jay, letting me know that Laurie had just passed away.

Rusty was in town at the time and was sitting across the room from me on the computer. I told him who was on the phone and as the words came out of my mouth that she had passed I started crying. I buried  my face in the shirt I was folding and just sobbed.

He walked over to me, gave me a hug and I cried on his shoulder. I'm so thankful he was here. My kids were still at their Dad's for the summer and I would have been alone. We sat and talked for a while and I cried off and on. He comforted me by talking about when his brother had passed last year and, like his brother, she is out of pain and whole again. Laurie had written to Rusty just weeks before saying that she would love to meet him while he is in town. I'm sad that they didn't get to meet after all. But I'm sure she's looking down on us from heaven.

Jackson the Ninja Spy

We watched a cute family movie tonight called, The Spy Next Door. It was pretty good. Of course the kids were sneaking around the house like spy's or running around doing crazy Jackie Chan ninja moves for quite a bit. Jackson was hilarious.

I'm sitting at my computer, in my bedroom and this is what I hear coming from the dinning room:

Jackson: "Hi-ya  hu-ah hu-ah" (fist punching sounds) 

*feet stomping as he is running towards my room*

"Hey-ya"

*high kick though my bedroom door*

"Hiiii-yaaaa"

*jumps on my bed*

*thrashes around on my bed*

"Take that"

*feet kicking*

*more thrashing*

*falls off the bed head first*

*lands in laundry basket*

*ninja rolls out of the laundry basket*

*bumps into closet door*

"HI-YA!"

*he's in my closet*

*thrashing noises coming from the closet*

"ya-ya!"

*sound of shoes flying off the shoe rack as if they are evil minions hitting the walls*

By this time I'm laughing hysterically. I'm sure it's one of those "you just had to be there" moments. But it was priceless. I cracked up about 3 times just writing this. I thought after he fell of the bed, he was done.. so when I heard him wrestling around in the closet I completely cracked up!

The Aftermath

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Family
• Kind words from strangers
• Knowing that someone can be physically far away but always close in your heart.
• Shooting Stars
• Fresh flowers
• Handmade quilts, made with love
• Finding old pictures that bring back good memories
• Warm swimming pools
• Water fights
• Card games

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Co-workers helping to take my shifts and give me time off when I need it.
• Unexpected treasures
• An amazing view
• A starlit sky
• Courteous drivers
• Laughter
• Summer BBQ's
• Sparklers
• Hot tubs
• Good company

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• Calendars
• Pet rocks
• My kids 'art gallery' in our family room
• Airplanes
• Finding something you thought was lost forever
• A good breeze when it's hot outside
• The ability to agree to disagree 
• Being pleasantly surprised 
• Laughing so hard it makes you cry
• Iced Mochas