Just needed to write it down.

I had a dream last night that left me a little rattled and wondering what it meant.

I think I was being tested.

I am pretty sure I passed.

I saw my brother last night in my dream. He walked past me. I think he was testing me to see if I would recognize him. He was thin; his hair and beard short and didn't look at all the last picture I have of him. He came quickly towards me. He made eye contact with me and carried on walking past me. I called his name and he stopped and turned around. We hugged. We cried. We hugged some more.

This is the first dream I've had of Aaron. I have felt him close to me, especially when he first past away. But this has been the first time I have seen him. That I have gotten to hug him and really tell him how much I love him and miss him.

I don't know why I dreamed what I did. I can't help but feel like he was testing me to see if I'd remember what he looked like, if I saw him walking by. It's been 2 years since he passed away. It's been 16 yeas since the last time I saw him. I miss him. I would love to talk to him. I'm glad that I had that dream. I will tuck it in my memory and think of it often so I don't forget any of the details.

Right down the white and red track suit he had on.

Amongst the Madness....

Amongst all the craziness of B's birthday parties, working, and just life, B decided this year she wanted to PLUNGE. Every year the Police Department plays a big part in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. B helped me last year sell T-shirts. This year, she wanted in on the action...she wanted to JUMP. (Crazy little girl!) I told her she could do it, if she raised the $25 fee herself. I printed off her form and she took it to school with her. By the end of the day, she had raised the money. She received another last minute donation and her total donation to the Special Olympics was $45! 

What a trooper. She didn't even hesitate at the side. She walked right out on the ice and as soon as they said her name, she was straight in. She jumped with our friends' boy named Austin. Me and Kev were standing at the ramp waiting for her to get out. She jumped right out, went around us and made a bee-line for the hot tub. I barely got her out of the hot tub to get dressed! She was so glad she got to jump and she was happy that she was able to raise a bit of money for the Special Olympics. What a fun time!

Just before going in!

Ready, Set, GO!

Burrrrr, and it was COLD that day!

Gettin' out as fast as she could!

Happy Birthday B and Uncle Paul!

B turned 11 on the 18th of February. Lucky little bugger, she got 3 parties out of us because we couldn't fit everything she wanted to do into one day. So, first party was bowling with a few friends. (Of course, I forgot my camera!) Second party, friends over for a movie and some games. And the third party - family party and celebration with Uncle Paul, who shares the same birth date! We had fun. She is spoiled. But in a good way!

The Friend Movie Party:

The Family Party:

Spoiled Rotten By Her Nanny & Papa - she got an Electric Guitar!

  

Aunty Debbie brought a YUMMY Ice Cream Cake! (Alex came running up and pushed the tray it was on. Uncle Paul ALMOST was wearing the cake!!)

Happy "11" Birthday to this little lady...

Happy Birthday B! We love you and are proud of the beautiful young woman you are becoming!

In about 5 weeks...

I will be here... and I'm kinda excited about it!

The Funny Things They Say & Do...

My two little boys are funny. Funny when I least expect them to ever be. Here's a few highlights of the last few weeks:

Last Sunday in Sacrament:
Kevin was at work, so I took the kids on my own. We were all clean, dressed, matching, and looking pretty good; considering the 9:00 am time! The kids are being reverent and listening. Much to my delight, I look over during the hymn to see both boys not only holding Hymn books, but their mouths were even moving! I was pretty pleased. So, I leaned over to hear what they were actually singing. I do believe, I hear with my own ears...both boys singing..."The Eye of the Tiger". So, I leaned over and asked Luke if that's what they were singing. He said, "Yep, then we are going to follow it up with "She's My Cherry Pie". So me, trying hard not to laugh, nodded and said...carry on boys! (At least they were at least looking like they were singing church songs!)

Luke was sitting in the bathtub today:
Again, I hear him singing, "The Eye of the Tiger". (Man, who knew Guitar Hero was such a big influence in our house!) He was singing to the animals he had all lined up on bathtub. He even changed it up a little and added MORNING in there sometimes!


Why I LOVE my boys:
Alex got up the other morning and made Luke's bed for him, just so they could get to playing Lego's faster.
I LOVE hearing the sound of my boys playing in their room and the sound of their laughter as they are building Lego's and playing Star Wars.
I love they way Alex protects not only Luke but B too.
I love their smiles
I love their personalities
I love their individuality
I love their ability
I love their manners
I love the love they have for all of us!

I love that even when I look and feel miserable, they still tell me I'm pretty.

I H-E-A-R-T my boys!

B's Basketball Greatness

B has started Jr. Jazz again. I gotta say, we L-O-V-E watching our oldest child with her mad basketball skills. She loves playing. She played before Christmas in the Saratoga League with all girls. Now, she is playing in the co-ed league with boys and girls ages 10 and 11. She is doing so good! We are so proud of her and her efforts. Each game she plays, she gets a little bit better. I can tell she really enjoys it as well because she is practicing and trying to improve. She did a basketball camp over the summer and I'm hoping Westlake HS will do it again this year. She played with 2 other girls in our area and enjoyed improving with both of them. B seems to have a natural talent when it comes to basketball. As her parents, it makes us proud to see her improving on her talent and doing something she really enjoys!