A tribute. Will you?

One year ago today, I lost a very close friend. A man I will never forget.

Lincoln Dale Hanks.
My grandpa.

So today, I am going to pay a small tribute to him.
My grandpa and I always had a special relationship. He was always so supportive in everything I was doing, so interested- sincerely interested- in my life, my accomplishments, my goals. He loved me. And I really, really knew it.

He was the kind of person we all want to be. If you were to write a list of every good quality you could think of- he would have all of them. Not just most of them, not just a lot of them, all of them. He made an impact on everyone's life. He was an example that I will always try to follow. He loved so easily, trusted so deeply, and lived so righteously.
Anyone who has ever met my grandpa, would agree. His spirit is so genuine and so kind. He brought a smile to your face whenever you saw him. He lit up the room with his smile, and his smile went all the way through to his heart- and to yours.

His advice is some of the most meaningful I have ever received. And I will always strive to be the person he saw in me.
Grandpa had fun with us- he never let his "age" get to him. He was always right there with us no matter what we were doing.

Just as an example of my grandpa's personality, take a look at this photo...

Grandpa didn't just play soccer with us, he wasn't just a member of our team. No, he was the goalie- one of the most important and difficult roles of anyone on the entire team.
And why did he do it? Because he loved us. He loved his family and sacrificed so much to be with all of us.

Even when he was sick, he was still smiling. He was calm, he was content with his life. He taught me a very important lesson. I watched my grandpa go through cancer. He didn't survive the cancer- but he didn't need to. He taught me more then he ever knew he could. I watched him not only go through cancer, but battle it.
And if somebody that sick, fighting cancer, could still be happy and still lift others...

...then I had no excuse. I could too.

So one year ago today; was a hard, hard day. It was the last time I felt my grandpa's hand hold mine. It was the last time I told him I loved him.
I said goodbye to a best friend one year ago today.

But here I am, one year later, and I am happy. My grandpa is no longer here, but he is no longer suffering. He is no longer battling, fighting. That was never something he enjoyed doing, or did often. Today, he is happy and healthy.

He never left me. No, not really. I think of him everyday. I feel his love all around me.

And so today I anticipate the day when I will once again tell him I love him. And he too can really, really know it.

So to anyone who has ever lost someone- live your life so they can really, really know you love them as much as they love you. Pay them a tribute.

I will. Will you?

Welcome 2009.

(New Years Eve. 2009. Gallivan Center)

WOW. Is it seriously 2009?
I remember thinking about the year I would graduate, way back when I started Jr. High.

"...and you guys will be the class of 2009..."

Oh man that was so far away. I mean, it seemed like it would never actually come. It was a forgotten fact pushed to the very back of my brain, and very rarely did I acknowledge the fact was even there.
That is, until now. Until 2009. And now what? That forgotten fact sprang forcefully to the very front of my mind. It is no longer the year that would never come. The graduation that was decades away. It is here, it is now. Am I ready?
Whether I am ready or not it is here, and I am making some of the most important decisions in my life. I'm not old enough to do this. I am still this little girl who loves to paint my nails and swing for hours at the playground. At least, I feel like it.
I feel like each week goes by faster and faster and each month the same.
And I am s l o w l y growing up.
And I mean, actually growing up. Not just being able to drive to my friend's house, or make doctor's appointments by myself. No- I mean "real growing up stuff". I am deciding which college to go to, which major to study.
I am going to be leaving my family, my friends, my comfort zone, and journey alone for the first time in my life. This is my year. 2009.
So welcome 2009.
This is a year of change, a year of growing up of learning. A year of experience, a year of uncertainty, a year to trust myself.
And a year of fun. I am so excited.
[And of course new resolutions, (yes, we all wanna lose those extra 10 pounds...well except you Becca- if you lost any more weight you'd be a walking toothpick) and new goals!!]

So thank you, everyone who has gotten me this far. Thank you for the memories of 2008. We made it through it all. Now lets jump into 2009. Let's all turn a new page- take a fresh start. 2009 is a new chapter in everyone's life. A new adventure for us all. So buckle up, and get ready for the ride!

EARLY morning crafts.

The fun thing about having my nieces and nephews at my house, is that there is always something to do. And....that includes early early in the morning.
But sometimes I dont mind early mornings if they include a little bit of this...

And I figured if I have to be woken up at the crack of dawn then we may as well jump start the day with a morning craft. Well this particular morning I was at home with two of my sisters while the rest of the family went skiing. (One pregnant, one nursing, and...one extra to take care of the two monsters [cute, cute monsters] left at home.) As a two/three year old being told that everyone else gets to go play in the snow all day (not to mention one of them loves being cold, therefore adores the snow that much more) , staying home doesn't exactly sound exciting.
So why not bring the snow fun to them? Noah and Leah each made their very own "Frosty the Snowman." I never thought being up that early in the morning could possibly be fun. Now I know.

Each snowman had their own characteristics- that reflected their creators.
Noah worked artistically, and knew exactly what he wanted..

And Leah was very careful to cover every inch of her snowman with vibrant colors and tiny details...

And when they finally finished creating their masterpieces...

They couldn't have been more proud.

And neither could we, they sat still- getting along- for almost an hour. Now that is the perfect way to start every morning.

The Magic of Christmas

Christmas Eve

There is something magic about Christmas with children. All it takes is one who believes, to plant that belief in everyone's heart. This year, our house was filled with the magic of believing. Of Santa and his sleigh, of magic Christmas elves, of freshly wrapped presents overflowing beneath the tree, but most of all- the magic of that cold winter night in Bethlehem. The magic of Christ. The nativity scene came to life this Christmas Eve.

And there was a young shepherd, traveling with his sheep...

And a small (sleepy) angel whose light brought smiles to everyone's faces that night...

And most important of all, we can't forget the infant that brings life and love to all the world...

So as you can see our night in Bethlehem was a night that we cant ever forget.

And that was only a third of the night. Christmas Eve was filled with food, a variety of talents- bringing much laughter, and even a few tears. We had stockings, and "special" Christmas deserts, gift wrapping and candle lighting. There was music and even some dancing (from Leah of course).

But even with all of that, Christmas Eve wouldn't be anything if it weren't for family. My family. For those two little ones who brought magic to the night. And especially the one who made all of this possible. Jesus Christ.

Christmas Morning

"WATE UP WATE UP ITS CHWISMUS!! SANTA CAME HEWE!"
Aroused from my peaceful slumber filled with sugarplum fairies and candycanes, my sleepy eyes slowly, very slowly...pulled apart to scan the room for the source of such a loud noise. My warm blankets tempting my body to slip back into their warmth and close my sleepy eyes.
"WACHEL WATE UP WE HAVE TO GET OUW PWESENTS FWOM SANTA!!"
And that was it. I was up.
It was CHRISTMAS!! There was so much excitment in the air no matter how warm my blankets were and how comfortable my bed was- there was no denying the fact that it was way past time to be up.
So the long awaited moment began. Santa had come, and it was time to see what he had left us. And so my morning went. Present after present, squeal after squeal. It was truly magical....

...See what I mean?

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas. The gifts and gift giving was fantastic. I'm so lucky to have my family here, and I can never get enough of the time we spend together!! So thank you Santa for adding to the magic, and I think I can speak for us all in thanking the one above who made the magic. Merry, Merry Christmas to all.