THANKSgiving indeed

Going home is always really hard on me since my mom's accident. It seems like memory after memory is thrown at me from all sides in Seattle. Which is good and bad. Good because I have so MANY good memories growing up in Seattle and having such an awesome, loving mother who taught me so well. But, also bad because it kinda shoots me back into reality that my mom is never really going to remember who I am again and that hurts more than words can say. She was my best friend whom I love soooo much, I counted on her more than I thought I did for everyday things. An ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on and of course I used to call her all the time for recipes. I hadn't realized that this Thanksgiving was the first holiday we had been in Seattle since her accident and I wasn't prepared for the ache in my heart. I don't talk to many people about what happened so I guess I should write a little about the accident. Four and a half years ago my mom was in a motorcycle accident and had a terrible brain injury. She never fully recovered, having lost her long term memory. She is now living in Idaho in a care facility in a wheel chair because she can't take care of herself. I am thankful she didn't die in the accident and I can still talk to her all the time. I guess its just difficult knowing my kids will never know how my mom was before the accident. How selfless, kind, gentle and just wonderful she was. It is extremely hard on me and I know that I wouldn't be this strong without my Lord and Savior and an extremely patient and wonderful family. I love you momma so so much, that will never change. I miss you so much and I promise I will always choose to dance!

On to the THANKS in my Thanksgiving this year. I never said a word to my in-laws about the hard time I was having without my mom this year and I never had to. My mom (in-law) is the most caring and wonderful women (other than my mom) I have ever had the privelage of meeting. And for her to be my mother-in-law I consider myself extremely blessed. I am very thankful to her and all of my in-laws for being so kind and thoughtful. I felt like I was at home this Thanksgiving and that was very comforting. I needed that. I always have such a wonderful time when visiting Jason's family. I shouldn't say Jason's family any more, they are my family. Irma can never replace my mom in my heart, and she would never want to. She is a second mom I never realized I needed and I have to say that I could not imagine a better family to marry into than the one I have. So, thank you so much to them and especially Irma for taking me into your family and loving me. It means soooooo much to me and really helped me through an extremely tough time this year. I love you!

Seattle treck

With the girls being homeschooled it's really cool that we get to take extra long vacations. Although by the end of two weeks the girls are so wiped out that it almost makes me think we shouldn't go for that long. It is just so hard because we get to go to Seattle once a year and we all want to make the most of it while we are there. This year was a little different. Coming home for Thanksgiving we wanted to spend most of our time with family. My dad lives in Seattle so we got to spend time with him, which was so wonderful! My sister Mendie and her two kids Eliza and Daniel came out from Idaho to visit while we were there. I can't believe how much the kids have grown since I last saw them in April. Here is a picture of me, Kansas and Daniel at Starbucks, of course! And also a picture of my neice Eliza.
My brother and his new wife Sonia were also able to come to Seattle over the holiday from Houston. The girls just adore their Uncle Nathan and Aunt Sonia so it was really cool that they were able to come as well. The first picture is Aunt Sonia and Kansas coloring as usual! And the second is my dad and brother.

The girls and I got to spend alot of family time together which was really fun. I got to take them to see my old stomping grounds all around Seattle. We also went to Pike Place Market which was beautiful all lit up with Christmas lights and trees.

I do feel bad we were unable to see all our friends on this visit out. Though I did get to spend time with my best friend Shannon, her husband Brian and their kids Emma and I got to meet baby Jacob for the first time!! I always LOVE going to Shannon's house. It is like a second home to me, no worries, no expectations. Just hangin out and having fun, and of course playing cards! Here is a picture of my girls with Emma and Jacob. So cute!!! We also were able to go to our favorite church back home Eastlake Community Church with our friends Traci and Steffan and cute little Alissa! That church makes me want to move home....almost! Again, sorry to those of you I didn't get to see on this trip. We were trying to keep it low key so we had enough time with our families this time around.

Wow how time flies

It is already almost Christmas and I have been so busy I haven't had time to take a breathe...until now. So, I am doing some catchup from the last few months.

Halloween was soooo much fun! Kansas really enjoyed that I made her costume and she got to help. It was so much fun being able to do that together and then seeing the end product. I still can't believe how fast she has grown, my little girl has turned into a little lady. UGGH. Where does the time go?? I am so proud of her though, she learns so quickly and loves to learn.

She is incredibly outgoing and makes friends wherever she goes. She is excited to have finally found a friend her age here. She met Taylor through soccer and they get along so well. I was commenting to Jason how amazed I was that they were all playing together (Kansas, Ysabella, Taylor and her sister Olivia who is almost 2) for about three hours and nobody wanted to leave, there was no crying or fighting. Taylor keeps asking if Kansas can come spend the night. It makes me so happy to see her making friends. I thank God that all of these moves that we make don't hinder their social skills, especially adding homeschooling on top of that. I honestly believe these moves has had the opposite effect than my worries. Of course having Jason as a dad probably has something to do with them being so talkative and outgoing :) It just amazes me, I can't even count how many churches alone we have visited in the last nine months and we always put the girls in their classrooms whenever we visit a new church. They are so very comfortable in new surroundings with all new people. It makes me laugh, because I am the complete opposite. I am very shy when I first meet someone, it takes me a little time to warm up and open up. Not my kids though! Thank you Lord for that!