The latest...

Marlene passed away this morning, peacefully in her sleep. We are so thankful that she is now free from all of the pain and suffering she has gone through over the last four years. Isn't the Plan of Salvation great? I can't imagine not having the knowledge that I do. We know where she is and who she is with and that we will be with again someday. How wonderful!

Thank you all so much for you love and support over the last few weeks. The phone calls, the food, the prayers, everything!

When I get home and get situated again I will close my blog and share thoughts and pictures from our time here. So don't forget...if you want an invitation and haven't left a comment, there's still time!

The latest...

Marlene passed away this morning, peacefully in her sleep. We are so thankful that she is now free from all of the pain and suffering she has gone through over the last four years. Isn't the Plan of Salvation great? I can't imagine not having the knowledge that I do. We know where she is and who she is with and that we will be with again someday. How wonderful!

Thank you all so much for you love and support over the last few weeks. The phone calls, the food, the prayers, everything!

When I get home and get situated again I will close my blog and share thoughts and pictures from our time here. So don't forget...if you want an invitation and haven't left a comment, there's still time!

It's private time

In the next few weeks I will blog about some private times and feelings as we spend our last moments with my mother in law. I feel like this is the time that I need to go private so if you haven't already given me your email address and would like to continue to read, just leave me a comment. And remember, they are moderated so I will be the only one that sees it. Also, don't feel afraid to comment! The more readers the merrier!

It's private time

In the next few weeks I will blog about some private times and feelings as we spend our last moments with my mother in law. I feel like this is the time that I need to go private so if you haven't already given me your email address and would like to continue to read, just leave me a comment. And remember, they are moderated so I will be the only one that sees it. Also, don't feel afraid to comment! The more readers the merrier!

Marlene

Many of you have already received this post in the form of an email, but I wanted to make sure everyone possible has the opportunity to be included.

Hello All,
Many of you may are familiar with the situation with my mother in law, Marlene. She has been battling cancer since February of 2005. Her most recent bought has been quite the battle, but once again she has been brave and courageous and has fought a good fight. Unfortunately, there are no more options and the Doctors have decided to send her home from the hospital and let hospice take over. The family is at peace with it, as is Marlene.

We are praying she can make it until Christmas, her favorite holiday, so that we can have one more celebration together. As a gift we wanted to give her something that would help her understand the effect she has had on the lives of the people around her. We are asking anyone who knows her to write a letter to her that includes memories, well wishes, expressions of love or gratitude, etc.

We know it's a very busy time of year for everyone and that this is a lot to ask, but in order to get this put together and ready for her we need the letters by the 22nd of this month. If you can't seem to get it done by then we can always add it later. Simply email them to me and I will make sure they get included.

Thank you to all those who have called, offered your services and for your support. I truly believe in paying it forward and getting a bigger return. Marlene is a remarkable woman and I know that the love and support that is being shown to her and the family is the return she deserves.

With Love,
Kobie

PS- Pass this on to anyone you feel may want to be included in the book!

Marlene

Many of you have already received this post in the form of an email, but I wanted to make sure everyone possible has the opportunity to be included.

Hello All,
Many of you may are familiar with the situation with my mother in law, Marlene. She has been battling cancer since February of 2005. Her most recent bought has been quite the battle, but once again she has been brave and courageous and has fought a good fight. Unfortunately, there are no more options and the Doctors have decided to send her home from the hospital and let hospice take over. The family is at peace with it, as is Marlene.

We are praying she can make it until Christmas, her favorite holiday, so that we can have one more celebration together. As a gift we wanted to give her something that would help her understand the effect she has had on the lives of the people around her. We are asking anyone who knows her to write a letter to her that includes memories, well wishes, expressions of love or gratitude, etc.

We know it's a very busy time of year for everyone and that this is a lot to ask, but in order to get this put together and ready for her we need the letters by the 22nd of this month. If you can't seem to get it done by then we can always add it later. Simply email them to me and I will make sure they get included.

Thank you to all those who have called, offered your services and for your support. I truly believe in paying it forward and getting a bigger return. Marlene is a remarkable woman and I know that the love and support that is being shown to her and the family is the return she deserves.

With Love,
Kobie

PS- Pass this on to anyone you feel may want to be included in the book!

Rise and Shine

I like my sleep, I get it from my Grandma. Kimber, on the other hand is an early riser and I have found that I actually enjoy getting up early with her. I have also come to love the alone time we get. Addie usually doesn't get up until 9:00 or so, so it gives Kimber and me a few hours to be together. Sometimes her day starts at 5:00am so we get lots of time to talk and hang out. I notice things about her that I don't think I would normally pick up on.

This morning during breakfast we had a good talk about Jared. I was wearing one of his shirts because I couldn't find a pajama shirt of my own. (Maybe some of you like wearing your husbands shirts, but I actually hate it! I need a shirt that fits me and that doesn't choke me.) Kimber pointed to it and with a very confused look said, "daddy? where daddy?" I said "yeah, this is dad's shirt, very good." Then a few minutes later I was done so I got up to go do something and caught her trying to take the rest of her food into the living room, a huge no-no. I said "hey, you know we don't take food in there." In a sweet voice, but one that sounded freakishly similiar to Stuart from Mad TV, she shrugged her shoulders and said "why?" She quickly turned around and took her food to the kitchen chair. I watched her as she would grab a spoonful and carefully balance it as she took it into the living room. She had it down before she got very far so she would turn around and go back for more.

It's funny, the things that bring you pleasure. A new outfit or a haircut and a weave used to be what made me happy (don't get me wrong, it still does!!!) but now I find my joy in two little girls who make each day a new adventure.


Plus, I like waking up to this face. The bed head usually makes me laugh too.

Rise and Shine

I like my sleep, I get it from my Grandma. Kimber, on the other hand is an early riser and I have found that I actually enjoy getting up early with her. I have also come to love the alone time we get. Addie usually doesn't get up until 9:00 or so, so it gives Kimber and me a few hours to be together. Sometimes her day starts at 5:00am so we get lots of time to talk and hang out. I notice things about her that I don't think I would normally pick up on.

This morning during breakfast we had a good talk about Jared. I was wearing one of his shirts because I couldn't find a pajama shirt of my own. (Maybe some of you like wearing your husbands shirts, but I actually hate it! I need a shirt that fits me and that doesn't choke me.) Kimber pointed to it and with a very confused look said, "daddy? where daddy?" I said "yeah, this is dad's shirt, very good." Then a few minutes later I was done so I got up to go do something and caught her trying to take the rest of her food into the living room, a huge no-no. I said "hey, you know we don't take food in there." In a sweet voice, but one that sounded freakishly similiar to Stuart from Mad TV, she shrugged her shoulders and said "why?" She quickly turned around and took her food to the kitchen chair. I watched her as she would grab a spoonful and carefully balance it as she took it into the living room. She had it down before she got very far so she would turn around and go back for more.

It's funny, the things that bring you pleasure. A new outfit or a haircut and a weave used to be what made me happy (don't get me wrong, it still does!!!) but now I find my joy in two little girls who make each day a new adventure.


Plus, I like waking up to this face. The bed head usually makes me laugh too.

Addie's way of giving

Each holiday I like to have Addie make a little treat for her friends. I usually pick out what we do and then I let her do most of the work and pick out who she wants to give them to. We added her friends from school to the list this time.

This time we made candy cane reindeer. She picked the nose and eye color for each one depending on who they were for. Then I did the antlers and glued on the face. Addie would make a hole in each tag with the hole punch and string it on. Then I would add the bell and tie it together. We had so much fun!

(I am breaking my own rule today and have been wearing work out clothes all day. Pardon the outfit, I do get dressed and do my hair ever day. I promise.)

Addie loved using the hole punch. She still doesn't have the coordination to hold the paper and punch the hole at the same time, so I helped her out with that. Isn't that what Mom's are for?

I thought it was nice that she put so much thought in to each person's reindeer. They were all different. She is picking out the noses here.

She kept telling me that she was having so much fun making these for her friends. I swear that if we didn't run out of candy canes the whole town would end up with one of these.

And the end result?

And I had to make some yummy whole wheat bread while all that was going on too. And believe me, with the homemade peach jam I made this summer, it's delish!

Addie's way of giving

Each holiday I like to have Addie make a little treat for her friends. I usually pick out what we do and then I let her do most of the work and pick out who she wants to give them to. We added her friends from school to the list this time.

This time we made candy cane reindeer. She picked the nose and eye color for each one depending on who they were for. Then I did the antlers and glued on the face. Addie would make a hole in each tag with the hole punch and string it on. Then I would add the bell and tie it together. We had so much fun!

(I am breaking my own rule today and have been wearing work out clothes all day. Pardon the outfit, I do get dressed and do my hair ever day. I promise.)

Addie loved using the hole punch. She still doesn't have the coordination to hold the paper and punch the hole at the same time, so I helped her out with that. Isn't that what Mom's are for?

I thought it was nice that she put so much thought in to each person's reindeer. They were all different. She is picking out the noses here.

She kept telling me that she was having so much fun making these for her friends. I swear that if we didn't run out of candy canes the whole town would end up with one of these.

And the end result?

And I had to make some yummy whole wheat bread while all that was going on too. And believe me, with the homemade peach jam I made this summer, it's delish!

A Day with Dad

On Saturday Addie and Jared went to cut Christmas trees. Jared's family has a tradition of going to the Grand Canyon and since it's private land, cutting a ton of trees. It used to be a few hundred trees but now it's just a few for each family, one for them and a few for family and friends or to just giveaway to someone in need. Addie and Jared came home with four this year.

The day started at about 4:45 for Addie. The night before she was so excited that she wouldn't go to sleep. We let her sleep in our room (normally a huge no-no) since she would be getting up so early and I didn't want it to wake up Kimber. (Read on in my next post and you'll see why.) Finally at about 10:00 I went and laid down with her and after a few minutes she went to sleep. When I woke her up the next morning she said, "but Mom, the sun isn't up." I realized that this was the first time that she has ever woke up before the sun. She was so excited and got right up.

The flash was a tab bit bright for her that morning.

Here are a few of the cousins

These next two pictures make me laugh. Jared always takes a ton of "nature pictures." One time we went to Las Vegas and stopped at the dam on the way. Jared had the camera (this was back in the days of film) and when I got it developed and looked over the pictures I saw one picture of us and the rest of were of the dam.

I thought that this picture was one of those until I looked closely and saw a little blue speck. That is actually my niece, Karen. I thought he meant for it to be a nature picture...until I saw this one. Maybe he meant to take a picture of them. I love that guy, he makes me laugh and he doesn't even know it.

A Day with Dad

On Saturday Addie and Jared went to cut Christmas trees. Jared's family has a tradition of going to the Grand Canyon and since it's private land, cutting a ton of trees. It used to be a few hundred trees but now it's just a few for each family, one for them and a few for family and friends or to just giveaway to someone in need. Addie and Jared came home with four this year.

The day started at about 4:45 for Addie. The night before she was so excited that she wouldn't go to sleep. We let her sleep in our room (normally a huge no-no) since she would be getting up so early and I didn't want it to wake up Kimber. (Read on in my next post and you'll see why.) Finally at about 10:00 I went and laid down with her and after a few minutes she went to sleep. When I woke her up the next morning she said, "but Mom, the sun isn't up." I realized that this was the first time that she has ever woke up before the sun. She was so excited and got right up.

The flash was a tab bit bright for her that morning.

Here are a few of the cousins

These next two pictures make me laugh. Jared always takes a ton of "nature pictures." One time we went to Las Vegas and stopped at the dam on the way. Jared had the camera (this was back in the days of film) and when I got it developed and looked over the pictures I saw one picture of us and the rest of were of the dam.

I thought that this picture was one of those until I looked closely and saw a little blue speck. That is actually my niece, Karen. I thought he meant for it to be a nature picture...until I saw this one. Maybe he meant to take a picture of them. I love that guy, he makes me laugh and he doesn't even know it.

Cousin Party

In my family, we have "Cousin Parties." The Richardson's are a little crazy. When we get together it's tons of noise, food and laughter. This weekend with my girls and their cousin, Kennedy was no different. Since we were going to be down in the Valley over Thanksgiving weekend anyway, I offered to keep my sister's little girl while she went hunting with her husband. It was non-stop fun the whole time! They had a ball!

I couldn't believe Kennedy and Addie. They were playing Dr. and once I caught on to what exactly was going on I had to take a picture. They were taking turns having babies! One of them would lay across the recliner with their feel hanging over the side. Then they would put a doll in their shirt, cover up and get their heart rate taken. Thankfully, that is as far as it went.

(Can you see the baby in her shirt?)

The new moms.These chairs were set up for the people that were coming to see the new baby. Where do they get this stuff? Girls, I tell ya. Their first visitor.They had a great time playing in the bath together. There was tons of splashing and high pitched screaming going on, but I was able to somehow drown it out.
And after the bath they got to lay on the bed and watch a show for a few minutes before getting dressed.

My sister's house is ALWAYS spotless. Thankfully she has a playroom where they could go and totally destroy it and it was all contained in a small space, rather than all over the whole house. After looking at this picture more closely, I realized this was nothing compared to what I cleaned up before they went to bed that night. They can destroy in no time!

Kennedy had a victory on Friday night, (I won't go into it, but believe me, persistence pays off!) so as a reward they all got to have their toes painted. (Heather, I forgot to let you know that Kimber stepped on Addie's freshly painted toes and then stepped on the rug. That's where the nice little pink nail polish spot on the rug came from. I guess the paper towels under their feel just wasn't enough. Sorry!!!)
They also had a great time playing with the Play-Doh out back. I would rather smell cow manure all week then have to take one whiff of Play-Doh so I was thrilled to let them do it outside, away from me.

These are just a few of the things that we did. I can't possibly name, let alone remember everything. We had a great time! Thanks for letting us help, Heather!

Cousin Party

In my family, we have "Cousin Parties." The Richardson's are a little crazy. When we get together it's tons of noise, food and laughter. This weekend with my girls and their cousin, Kennedy was no different. Since we were going to be down in the Valley over Thanksgiving weekend anyway, I offered to keep my sister's little girl while she went hunting with her husband. It was non-stop fun the whole time! They had a ball!

I couldn't believe Kennedy and Addie. They were playing Dr. and once I caught on to what exactly was going on I had to take a picture. They were taking turns having babies! One of them would lay across the recliner with their feel hanging over the side. Then they would put a doll in their shirt, cover up and get their heart rate taken. Thankfully, that is as far as it went.

(Can you see the baby in her shirt?)

The new moms.These chairs were set up for the people that were coming to see the new baby. Where do they get this stuff? Girls, I tell ya. Their first visitor.They had a great time playing in the bath together. There was tons of splashing and high pitched screaming going on, but I was able to somehow drown it out.
And after the bath they got to lay on the bed and watch a show for a few minutes before getting dressed.

My sister's house is ALWAYS spotless. Thankfully she has a playroom where they could go and totally destroy it and it was all contained in a small space, rather than all over the whole house. After looking at this picture more closely, I realized this was nothing compared to what I cleaned up before they went to bed that night. They can destroy in no time!

Kennedy had a victory on Friday night, (I won't go into it, but believe me, persistence pays off!) so as a reward they all got to have their toes painted. (Heather, I forgot to let you know that Kimber stepped on Addie's freshly painted toes and then stepped on the rug. That's where the nice little pink nail polish spot on the rug came from. I guess the paper towels under their feel just wasn't enough. Sorry!!!)
They also had a great time playing with the Play-Doh out back. I would rather smell cow manure all week then have to take one whiff of Play-Doh so I was thrilled to let them do it outside, away from me.

These are just a few of the things that we did. I can't possibly name, let alone remember everything. We had a great time! Thanks for letting us help, Heather!

A better view

I really don't like the other picture of the the after. It's not flattering at all and if you look closely you will notice a tear on her cheek. She was a tad bit reluctant to get her picture taken.
She is lovin' her hair and so am I! Besides blow drying it, it took all three seconds to comb it out and put a bow in it. Yeah!

A better view

I really don't like the other picture of the the after. It's not flattering at all and if you look closely you will notice a tear on her cheek. She was a tad bit reluctant to get her picture taken.
She is lovin' her hair and so am I! Besides blow drying it, it took all three seconds to comb it out and put a bow in it. Yeah!

Addie's new do

Before:

(She isn't normally this ratty, but we purposely didn't do her hair today because she was getting it cut.)

After:


Kimber got a trim too, but hers was mostly to control the mullet she had going on. Thankfully it's all one length now.