almost an entire year later

Wow - it has been almost an entire year since I have written on his blog.  It was something that I used to write on all the time - and then somehow it just kept falling lower and lower on the "to do" list!

What a year it has been - those that know me know 2014 so far has not been the greatest of years as I lost my father in May. Life has been so unimaginably different since.  I really do miss him every.single.day in one way or another.

In January I lost an uncle to suicide. Writing "to suicide" is difficult for me - our society continues to have such a stigma regarding all things mental health- suicide is the 5th leading cause of death in the US and yet ranked 8th in receiving funding.

If I had to find one positive to come from any of this is the reassurance of what an amazing family and amazing friends I have in my life. I am so very very blessed.
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We purchased a camper this summer in Devils Lake; we have been saving for a lake home for a few years now, and with my father's passing, it was really a wake up call as to how short life is, as cliche as that may sound. So we decided to "live for today" and enjoy things now.  We have had an absolutely amazing time.

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Mason has started kindergarten. I feel old. Time goes by so quickly. He loves every minute.

Will hopefully try to post more frequently. No promises :)

Our San Fransisco Trip

Three months later and the day that my "free book" coupon code expired - I finished our scrapbook from our SF trip we went on this summer -- working on it brought back so many fun memories, I'd love to go back!!!

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Summer recap 2013

As much as I've been in denial, summer is officially gone :(
It sure feels like it went by WAY too fast!
We were busy with::
Grad school (Bobby)
Swimming lessons (Mason)
Marshall county fair
Time at grandmas "fun" pool
Kitchen painting project (amber)
Going to our first "family" movie (Planes)
Parades (MYND and the fair parade)
...and the usual day-to-day things!!

Now fall is already here! We are celebrating by making pumpkin waffles this AM, bringing up the fall and Halloween decorations, and hopefully making a trip out to the pumpkin Patch later today!!!

Welcome June

Picnic!

Tonight we had a picnic on the driveway (haven't cleaned off the patio furniture yet!!!) -- masons idea - what a great one!!!!

Yay spring has arrived!!!

I think we can finally say spring has arrived....although there is still a small patch of snow in our backyard....we spent the entire evening after work/daycare playing outside -- didn't get any laundry done or house cleaned but it was much too beautiful to stay inside!!!

6+ weeks into 2013

And so far so good!! I've been starting to do a project life album this year and so far am actually keeping up with it, unlike my intentions with my blog last year... It seems as we get busier and busier it gets harder and harder to find the time, or I guess I should say to put this up high on the priority list. I know that when we are busy it's the best time to be putting pics up as that way our family and friends can keep up with us! With bobby attending grad school 3 nights/week there really isn't any excuse for me NOT to find SOME time! :)