Happy Halloween!

We had a fun Halloween this year...as we always do.  

Despite the fact that I felt completely un-prepared, we pulled off some good costumes and good fun!

Brielle, the "Garden Genie".
(Unfortunately we didn't notice until today that her costume was missing the headpiece that was supposed to come with it, so we had to improvise.)

Claire, the Princess Riding a Unicorn
She was quite a hit at her school Halloween parade with this.  I LOVE this costume and was glad she wanted it too.

Addison, the Pop Star.
(There is a Barbie movie with a pop star that has purple hair.  So, even though she looks like a Doodle Bop or LaLa Loopsy Doll, she is adamant that she is a Pop Star just like the Barbie!)

Being Silly!

Visiting Aunt Sara and Uncle Ben (and Izzy).  

(No, Ben isn't sleeping...me and Aspen were both taking pictures and the flashes were going off like crazy...sorry B!)

Fun group of cousins, getting ready to hit the streets!

Happy Halloween!

A Harsh Reality

Ben and me as kids...I loved going on adventures with him.

My big brother is dying....words I never thought I'd say.  But that is the reality we are facing. 

After 2 years of fighting a battle with cancer that no person should ever have to, his body is done.  He has fought a courageous fight, and endured to the end.  

And it sucks.

We have been respecting privacy and not discussing details.  But as his days wind down, I feel a need to record some of my feelings.

Sometimes I sit and read statuses on Facebook or see people around town and think to myself, "How can they be so happy and going on with life when my brother is dying?  Don't they know the world is about to lose one of the most amazing people to ever live?"

Sometimes I am angry, and want to know why my brother has to leave.  Why he can't be healed.  Why he has to suffer so much.

Sometimes I am sad.  Sad that he won't see my girls grow up.  Sad that they won't get to spend more time with him.  Sad that Molly will never know him.  Sad that I have to live the rest of my life on earth without my big brother around.

And sometimes I am grateful.  Grateful that Heavenly Father let me have him as my brother.  Grateful that Ben has taught me so much about compassion, patience, love, enduring trials and unconditional love.

I know that things will be okay, and that Ben has a great mission to fulfill.  

But mostly...I will just miss the heck out of him.

Ben - You're an example to everyone.  

Thank you for all you have done for me.  

Thank you for the memories.

I love you!

Family Pictures

This past weekend, we were lucky enough to have Emily Hartvigsen back to do family pictures with my entire family.  She was so wonderful to come on very short notice so we could pull this off while my whole family was together.  

We met at Ben's house and put their couch out on his deck so he could have somewhere to sit.  Luckily it turned out SO great!  We are SO grateful for how fast Emily got us the pictures back.  She knew they were very important to us, and we appreciate that.

I sure love my family!  It's amazing how close I feel like we have gotten during such a difficult time.  We are definitely grateful to know that families are forever!

Molly's Newborn Photos

Yes...I realize I JUST posted about Molly being 10 months old.  But somehow, I have gone all this time without posting her adorable newborn photos that the talented Emily Hartvigsen took.

Honestly, I have no idea how I let this happen.  I'm usually SO on the ball and post about silly things all the time.  But I guess it's better late than never, right?  RIGHT?

And just a quick plug for Emily...she was SO great to work with.  She had a heating pad that she would warm up the blankets for Molly, a space heater (since this was the end of December) and had everything all set up before we got there. 

Enjoy the pictures....and try not to get too baby hungry.  I know looking back at how tiny she was makes me a little sad.  But I will be strong!