For the love of....Family

Well, here comes the floods. Hopefully I will get through this and be able to say what I can't say in person to my family cause when the tears come it all turns into blubbering and no one can understand anything. My family....what can I say except I love you so much. Looking back I feel sad that most of my time here in Utah was wasted because of so much time at work but I guess that's life, I am just so grateful for everyone stepping up and being there for my kids while my husband and I were MIA. Anything I do for my family is never to "pay them back" because I know I never could do enough but instead to just say thank you.

Although it's been crampt living spaces no one ever complained, my kids made the mess, everyone else picked it up, Trinity had a book report due, Cyri crapped her pants again...there was always an uncle and aunties or grandma to the rescue! Uncle Steve, your time, love, patience and playfulness with our girls has impacted their life in a way they may never realize because they are still too young. I know you never meant to or wanted to take the role of dad but in essence you did just by loving them. This year without their daddy may have been very different with out a father figure or man around. Being in the army I've seen all too many times, fathers deployed and their little children randomly reaching out to other strangers in the store or even little children I've babysat chasing my husband around the house when he came home for a hug or attention from a man. Because of you my kids fortunately have not had to suffer through that. You will be a great dad someday to some very lucky nieces and nephews of mine.

PK and Christine, my baby sisters. I can't believe that you are graduating H.S. so soon and I'm heart broken that I won't be there to cheer you on but I will be there in spirit and think of you. I really can't think of better or more obdient teenagers I've ever dealt with than you two. Sure there is the occasional yelling and arguing here and there but hey, we're girls, that's what we do for fun right? I just wanted to let you know how proud I am and I hope that after living with us you will forget the not so good examples we've sometimes have been but instead take the good times we've had and the tools we've tried to give you guys to suceed and "be all you can be" (so not orginal). I'm sorry for being so hard on you guys at times but sometimes you love someone so much all your emotions may not come out in the most positive light. I could go on and on cause that's how my love will always be for you two but to wrap things up, you girls have made rightous decisions and now alot of opportunities have opened up to you so continue on this path and you will truly be blessed with all you need-trust me, you will need all the help you can get being a poor, starving college student but I know you will be ok. Thank you for taking such good care of my girls and with the same gratitude I have for Steve, my girls never missed out on anything even though I was working so much because they had a wonderful Grandma and great Aunties who took great care of them.

The love of family truly is life's greatest blessing. I'm thankful for the gospel in our lives and the eternal family we will always be whether we ever get the opportunity to live closely together again or not. I sure love you guys.