Two Beautiful Young Ladies

So Christie came home yesterday from school and, very nonchalantly, hands me a package and says "here you go". It was her school pictures from middle school. I honestly just stood up and gave her the biggest hug I could and began to cry. This time is so very hard for me.

It was six years ago this January that our dear friends, Ed and Martina, lost their daughter Cora to leukemia. She was just entering the 7th grade. I remember getting her school picture at the end of 6th grade and saying "she isn't a little girl any more, she's a young lady with so much ahead of her now". And 8 months later, she was gone. She was diagnosed on July 17th and passed away on January 17th.

When I look at Christie now, I see her whole life in front of her. She is becoming such a beautiful young lady. She has new friends, in a new school and has so many new adventures ahead of her. We talk often of how many friends she has and I tell her, cherish the times you have because one day they could move away or something and all you will have are memories. I just hope that she never has to experience that ever again, or us.

So, although her picture isn't posted this very moment (promise I will get it up tomorrow), I want everyone that may read this today to take a moment to ponder one thing. CHERISH EVERYTHING YOU HAVE FOR JUST A MOMENT RIGHT NOW. I never thought that when we moved away from Duluth, that the last time I would talk to Cora, would be over the phone. I promised her on Wednesday that we would be up on Friday to see her, but the pain was too much for her to bear, and she just couldn't hold on. She passed on Thursday morning. She told Martina to make sure to tell us, she still loved us, even if she wasn't there when we arrived.

I miss her almost everyday. It was as if I lost my own daughter. Christie lost a sister, and our entire family lost a wonderful friend, but the memories we have are so tremendous, that even after 6 years, I laugh so hard that it brings me to tears about how many fun times we had. Now that Christie is older, and has friends of her own that she goes off with away from home, I just hope she knows home much Ron and I love her and cherish EVERY WAKING MOMENT with her.

We still have Will and Ashley and Courtney who will be going through the same thing, but I think it is harder on us with Christie because Cora was her best friend. The first person she ever loved besides her family. The only reason she took her first step, went pee on the potty, and even got on her first bicycle. We love you Christie and we love you Cora. Two beautiful girls, that will forever be Young Ladies!

It's A Girl!!

Our cousins Dana and Tom, along with Jack and Ben, welcomed McKenna Kathryn on September 7th. She was 9lbs. 5 ozs and 20 3/4 ins long. We are so happy to have all the babies in the family.

We are also happy to announce that our old neighbors, Michelle, Brad and Ella will be welcoming a little girl in February.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!!!!

Here's Sullivan

It's A Boy!!!!

Amy and Kelly had a healthy baby boy at 11:43 this morning. His name is Sullivan Patrick. He is 7#, 20 3/4". As soon as we have some pictures, we will post them right away.

Congratulations!!!

Now we are awaiting our cousin, Dana's baby. There are just babies coming from all over.

Good Night!

Sad news hit today that Ron's sister Amy had to put her sweet black lab, Jada down. She was sick for a short time, but they found out she had liver cancer. The hard part is, Amy is due to deliver any day now.

Please life up your prayers to Amy, Kelly and Aidan.

It's A Boy!!

Scott and Becky (Ron's cousins from Canada) finally had their little bundle of joy, who arrive on August 15th. His name is Liam Scott and he was 8#, 8 ozs. Welcome home Liam.

For any moms that are reading this, let's all give a KUDOS to Becky. This is her first baby and he was 10 days late and she was in labor for 38 hours before they did C-Section. Way to go mom. It is amazing what we will do for our children.

May God bless your new family and let us know when you are ready for visitors. Christie is already reading up on newborn babies for babysitting, but she has had plenty of experience with her siblings.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is just gorgeous!

New Addition!

It all began with a phone call on Friday night. Ron's sister Jan called and said she needed a rescue family. She said he looked just like our Abby and was found in a barn in 100 degree heat. Well, when you put it that way, how can anyone really say no.

So we would like to introduce the newest addition to our family - Charlie!!

Welcome home buddy!

Okay, now you tell me!! Does that look like Abby or what?