They were loved and will be missed

"In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you."

A friend of mine posted this the other day and I loved it. I don't remember who it is a quote from but it seems fitting for me and the people I have had the pleasure of getting to know in my life thus far. I have known many great and wonderful people and it gives me hope that my children will have the same great experiences with the people that end up influencing their lives. I believe that even the people that seem to have a hard exterior can be really soft on the inside and those that can make you feel inferior are most often those who are insecure and need a little extra love. Those that test you, may always test you and will be an opportunity for you to overcome weakness and find Strength where you never thought. I don't know if that made any sense but I have had great teachers, first loves, boyfriends, friends, family, cousins, aunts and uncles, random acquaintances and sometimes even complete strangers that have touched my life in some way and I'm grateful for all of them and the ways in which they had an impact on my life whether great or small. 

With this said, I want to touch more on a couple of women who have played a special part in my life. Bigger than an acquaintance for sure; these women had a lasting impact. They were family. These women were not women to test but women who could show the world they had been tested and still had a Light that shined for all to see. And even if it was just for a short while I knew them and loved them, they will remain a part of my eternal existence. For this life is but a small moment in time and eternity is what we have to look forward to. They have passed from this earthly place and are in a Heavenly home I can only hope I can return to someday. 

My Aunt Luana was a funny, petite, beautiful lady that will be missed by many. Her charm and humor would make any smile. She was a sweet, loving, strong and cherished woman and I know she has found herself in good hands now. She is a wonderful daughter of God and I am happy to have known her and will forever be inspired by her strength and wisdom. 

I wish I had a picture of my Aunt Luana

Grandma Shirley is a wonderfully special woman with optimism I have never seen in one being. She has Compassion that expands far beyond the veil of this life. She has always been the perfect example of truth, loyalty, love, and happiness. She's a beautiful daughter of God and I know she is in a happier place and can only think of the long awaited reunion she had with the Love of her life when she got there. I am and will forever be grateful for the love and compassion she showed me and for the short time in this life that I was able to see and be inspired by her True beauty.

(Picture posted by Brittany Snodgress)
Grandma Shirley Age 17

Died at the Age of 90

Lightning strikes

I watched the lightning show with Rick the other night after the kids were asleep. It was so awesome. We just starred into the night sky with flashes of lightning going off all around us. It was like watching a fireworks show. They came quickly with no pauses in between and a light mist blew over us ever so slightly from time to time.
Rick and I had some great conversations while watching the lights flash all around us. I mentioned how people seem to think they have a firm grasp on concepts, scientific or other; they seem to think they have control and power when they invent and discover one more breakthrough but what they don't consider or acknowledge enough is that God made all of this for us, therefore making it possible for these discoveries and inventions. 
In essence, God could spin the earth so fast we could all go flying off of it and be done with. I'm not saying it will happen and especially not in that way and I'm not saying that I'm not a part of "these people" that seemingly believe they have some kind of control of their existence and all that that includes. I'm just as guilty of taking for granted what we've all been blessed to be a part of here on this Beautiful earth. But I feel every time I get to see a lightning show like this, I'm reminded of God and all that He has given us--a chance to be a part and play a part on this earth and in our families and in this gift of Life. It reminds me to try harder and to be grateful.
 I was cuddled up under a blanket with the man of my dreams and I was feeling incredibly blessed to have a man who loves me back just as much as I love him. I am so grateful to have found Rick a part of my life at a time when I was ready and open to Love. He has been one of the best things that's happened to me among the three other best things in my life. I look forward to MORE best things.

Color Me Rad!

You are about to be color bombed.... with colorful pictures!

The Color me Rad was so.....RAD!!!

Here are some before and after pictures and you'll know which are which.

Mesquite Days

We made it to the parade and the kids gathered all the candy they could get. Later in the day, we made our way to the carnival and the kids went on a few rides each. I was talked into going on a ride at the end of our little adventure but I absolutely HATE spinning rides. Give me roller coasters and far drops but no spinning!!

My sister talked me into going on it with her and my kids--worst mistake ever!! I should know better than to trust her. She started spinning us and Lizzie who is a spinner freak kept it going. I literally felt like everything I had ate the day was coming up within seconds of the ride but I managed to keep it down. Never Again!

I haven't always been one that couldn't spin but a traumatizing tire swing as a kid and a spinning ride at Lagoon was the end of my spinning days. We convinced Lincoln to go on a roller coaster and it turned out he wasn't too fond of that. Lizzie however couldn't get enough of any ride. Icee's from Maverick was the perfect way to cool down and throwing the frisbee in the park was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Father & Sons....or Not

Rick missed Father and sons due to Lincoln's immunization shots. Poor Linc was feeling pretty crummy so Rick came up with a way for them to do the fun camping stuff without actually camping out. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and built a fire. We planned to sleep out in the playhouse or set up a tent but it didn't work out which was just fine. We had lots of fun and Lincoln was asking his dad to build another fire again the next day.