Cheap Happiness!

Someone cleaned out their shelves and that made for my supreme happiness! I went to DI yesterday with Mom and found all of these plus many more! I bought all of these for a little over what I would normally pay for one book. Thank you person who felt that they didn't need these barely used books anymore!

2 Year Reflection

Today marks the 2 year anniversary of my Dad's death. So much has happened in that time...I went to Taiwan for the 2nd time; the birth of two nieces (granddaughters); Ben started a new job; Nathan started a new job; Kyle, Nathan, Sallee, Claire all moved to California; we sold the house in Oregon; Mom moved to Utah; Joel completed his doctorate; Joel, Becky, Aubrey moved to Boston; Joel started a new job at Harvard; Erick started a new job; plus many, many more.

Many of those things have been exciting, scary, fun, hard, sad, etc. changes. Some we have looked forward to and others we have dragged our feet all the way.

These last two years have been great, full of fun and new adventures and at the same time they have been two of the hardest years that I have ever lived through.

We got family pictures taken at Christmas and my Mom and I were talking the other day about my wanting to get some printed to put in my frames for my wall, but my Mom pointed out that I didn't want to replace all of the pictures because than I wouldn't have any with my Dad in them.

Sometimes it's hard to think about that in all of the future family pictures he won't be in them, he won't be part of the family vacations, when I find my future spouse he won't be there to give him a hard time or to be part of my wedding day, and when more grandchildren come he won't get to meet them. But then I think about the grand picture, he is part of all these events, I may not be able to see him but I know that he is watching.

I miss my Dad and I don't think there will ever be a time that I don't miss him, but I am grateful for him, the things that he has taught me (and continues to teach me) and that I know that I will be with him again. I'm grateful that I have the pictures to remind me of the memories but even more grateful that I have the memories.

I know this may sound a little dorky or cheesy (yes it is Miley Cyrus), but I love this song, every time I hear it I think of my Dad. I think that it describes him so well (besides the part about having to do it on his own)...he was always there for me, ready to help, love, teach, share, serve, anything that was needed.

Childless...What!?

I read a blog called Kazooisms that is just a blog of things that this mother hears from her preschooler, it is quite funny and I can't believe some of the things that Caroline (the daughter) says sometimes. I'm beginning to wonder if I should start a blog for the same idea but of things that I hear from Emily and Addy when I am at work.

I'm not sure where it came from on Tuesday but Emily, Addy, and I were sitting on the couches in the living room when out of nowhere Emily asked me if I was Mom...

B: No, not yet.

E: Oh, how old are you?

B: 22

E: 22? You're almost a Mom then, right?You should be a Mom when you are 22.

B: I have to get married before I can become a Mom.

E: When will that happen?

B: When I meet the right guy...someone that loves me and that I love him.

E: What if every guy loves you?

B: Then that would be awesome!

E: The you would be married to a lot of guys.

Oh the logic of a 4 year old, but indeed it would be awesome if all the guys loved me :)

Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

There are many things about my sister that impress me...her willingness when I was little to let me crawl into her bed every night after I had a nightmare, her constant smile, the way she reaches out to all around her, the small thoughtful things that she does, her love for her children, her balancing of work and family, the way she is constantly looking for jobs or solutions for me (as I'm sure she does for others). There is so much more that I could say of what impresses me about my sister...she has always been someone that I have looked up to!

Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

???????????

This one is a little hard for me...I don't currently have the "love of my life/eternal companion to conveniently put in this place (conveniently seems maybe a little harsh but I think that if I did have a "love of my life" he would go into this spot without thought). Next on the list would obviously come my family and friends...I think that having these people makes my life more full than it is, happier even, but I also don't think that my life would end if these people were to die (case in point my Dad). My life becomes a little sadder and I miss them like crazy but I think that if they left I could still continue living (how depressing is this?)

She

For all those wonderful Mothers out there, but particularly for my Mom and wonderful Sisters. Happy Mothers Day, I Love You and am extremely grateful for your example- I look forward to the day that I can use the lessons that I have learned from you with my own children.

Song "She" by Cherie Call

PhotoHunt: Mother/Mom

A year ago in accordance with what was going on in my life I wrote several posts about my Dad, the memories that I had with him and how grateful I was to have him. I haven't always been so forthcoming with positive things to say about my Mom. When I was younger we had a terrible relationship, I was down right mean to my Mom, causing problems between her and my Dad and between others in the family.

When my Dad fell down the stairs two of my brothers were home for Christmas but they soon had to return to school and it was only my Mom and I home. Our relationship changed drastically, we became each others support, crying, laughing, hugging, listening, and just sitting with each other. My Mom became one of my best friends, though she wasn't always with me I talked with her each day, I still do, even with us being thousands of miles away.

I love this picture of her with Erick's sisters Madelaine and Lily, it shows the love that my Mom has: for her children and for her "adopted children" (of which there are many).

My Mom continually volunteers for things, even if she doesn't have the time or energy. Almost daily when I call her she will say that we can't talk for very long because she has 7 or 8 things that need to be done before she goes to bed (and it's already 9 o'clock). She opens her arms, heart, and home to everyone that she meets.

I am so lucky to have my Mom, I know that Heavenly Father chose for me to have her and her to have me for a very specific reason and I am so grateful for his decision. I love her and am grateful for her example in my life.

I Love You Mommy! Happy Mothers Day!

Tender Moments

This morning when I went downstairs for my classes, Wendy ran up and gave me a hug. She then handed me this card and ran back to her class. What better way is there to start your day? I know that there are days that make me want to go insane, cry, scream or a whole bunch of other emotions, but it's things like this that remind me why I love working with kids. They have unconditional love and constantly share that love with you.

Andrea just told me that this morning Wendy told her "I wait for Teacher Beth" as a reason why she wasn't going to class yet.

5th

4th

(Chinese)

3rd

2nd

(French)

1st

Because I love February so much and that is supposed to be filled with love and happiness, I have decided to tell everyone that I love them at least once a day.

Welcome February!

I just wanted to welcome February...I love this month, not that I ever have a "love" exactly but I love using the holiday and the month as an excuse to do more baking and crafting for others. I hope that everyone has a wonderful February and that it is full of love and happiness for all!

~Betherd~

(Now doesn't this little girl know how to celebrate and look absolutely adorable while doing it?