It's been a year....

At the beginning of the year I decided I need a break from blogging.  I felt like I was really repetitive and writing about the same things over and over again.  I didn't think I'd miss it, I figured my photo books would be enough of a memory for my family and would cover everything I would write about in my blog.  Then, the other night, I was laying in bed thinking about all the things that have happened this year and realized I need to blog for me.  So I can look back and remember these years, because frankly, they are going by way too fast.

This year has not been the happiest of years.  My Uncle Leon and Rory's aunt Cindy passed away, and hardest for me was the passing of my dear sweet grandpa. It's funny, he's had dementia for several years so he hasn't really known who I was, but just his presence was a comfort to me.  When my uncle DR called to tell me it wouldn't be much longer my heart sunk.  He is the only father figure I've ever known and the thought of being in this world without him is sometimes unbearable.  The last thing he said to me before he fell into a coma is, "I love you."  Even though he couldn't remember my name, he knew he loved me and that is a memory I'll cherish forever.  August was a whirlwind with his passing and the funeral being on Kinlee's birthday.  Luckily my cousin Ashlee took Kinlee with her and her kids to Cowabunga Bay after the funeral to celebrate her birthday, she knew I was stressed and trying to help and I was so grateful she stepped up and took that weight off my shoulders.  I was able to speak at his funeral and pay tribute to the wonderful man that he was, and I was also given the honor of picking out his headstone. Although he is gone, I will never forget the generous, kind, loving man that he was.  I pray every day that I can be as good of a person as he was.  

Connor has had a rough year, he started out in February with what we thought was the stomach flu, but couldn't stop vomiting.  He missed months of school and we took him to several doctors and finally found out it was his gallbladder.  He had it removed and has been healthy ever since.  He was going to play football this year, but before the season even started he broke his hand playing basketball at the school and couldn't even start the season.

Kadence made the cheer team and has loved it, she has grown so much as a person and physically.  She is 5'4" and is turning into a beautiful young woman.  Last week at cheer her flyer fell on her head and she ended up with a nasty concussion.  She had to miss a week of school and is better this week, but still can't stunt.  I am so proud of her though, she has worked so hard to keep straight A's, even with missing a week of school, and has been practicing her jumps and routines constantly.

Kinlee switched dance companies this year and has been working hard to get her back walk over.  She is really good in school and at parent teacher conference last week her teacher couldn't say enough good things about her.  She wants to be a dance teacher and an OB nurse when she grows up and is seriously the messiest child I've ever met.

Matthew is playing flag football and is loving every minute of it.  He loves to Rollerblade and ride his bike and LOVES the IPad.  I actually had to take it away and set very strict limits or he would play it all day, every day.  He is in 1st grade and his teacher loves him to pieces.  She said he is so quiet and well behaved and loves to learn.

Rory had an exciting career change.  On August 22, 2018 Rory was sworn in as the new Chief of Police for Wellington City.  His first day was August 27, 2018 and so far it has been an amazing experience for him.  He has really enjoyed it and loves serving the community we live in.  He has big plans for his little department and I really think he can make it happen.

So if for nothing else, I think I'll continue to blog occasionally for me, so I can look back and remember the good, remember the bad, and remember I lived.