Way Overdue Update!

So… I haven’t posted anything in a while.  I’ve been in a funk.  And a little busy. And so I just haven’t don’t anything blog related- but life still goes on and so there is a lot to catch up on.  

Ben has been doing his MBA from the University of Colorado.  He is doing the night program; so he works full time (at Crocs) and then does school at night.  This schedule has been crazy but pretty manageable (up until the last two semesters- which have just been crazy).  He usually has two classes a week (getting home at 10ish) and then studies the other nights.  We made a deal at the beginning of the program that he wouldn’t do school on Sunday’s and so we can always count on seeing him then.  He is an amazing father and, even after studying into the wee hours and working all day, he will come home and play with the kids. 

So scheduling has been rough but the program has been amazing, he is learning so much and I think we would do it again (knowing the ugly) because the benefits have been great.  AND BIGGEST NEWS on that front… (drum roll please)… he graduates on THURSDAY.  Yes, in two days!! (more on that later)

 

 

Elizabeth (5) has been doing her second year in Joy School. She is doing fantastic and is loving it.  She has started reading (mostly sight words) and is getting really good at writing.  She has done gymnastics and swimming lessons this year and has loved both of those but she now wants to try soccer.  Her biggest obsession though is with art.  She loves everything art! Coloring, drawing, painting, cutting and pasting… everything!  We recently found a Youtube channel that teaches kids to draw and she loves it.  It has boosted her confidence in her drawing skills and she is trying more things.  She is such a joy and pleasure to have around and we love her to pieces. 

 

 

 

 As much as Elizabeth loves art, James (2 ½) loves cars… and trucks!  He is lately really into buses, mail trucks and garbage trucks but you really can’t go wrong with any type of automobile.  He is a high energy boy all the way but without fail you can daily find him lying on the floor (at toy level) arranging his cars in lines.  He talks up a storm (although sometimes you can’t understand him) and he is a precious cuddle bug.  He has started growing into the ‘terrible two’ a little bit because he is just a high energy curious boy but we are learning to roll with the ‘curiosity’ and loving learning together.

 

 I have had my ups and downs. Motherhood is hard. “Single” motherhood is harder.  But I love my kids so much that it makes the hard worth it; every smile, snuggle and kind word from them just melts my heart.  Big family news is that we are expecting another baby; it’s a boy.  I will post more about that later but we are so excited for our new growing family. 

 

 

 

So there’s a short update.  I have a goal to update more and will slowly try to fill in the blanks of the last year (we really have had a lot of fun). 

Visit to So Cal

Grandma Stones' Funeral- Oct 29, 2016

The morning of October 25, 2016, my Grandma Stones passed away.  It was a sad but wonderful thing; she was very sick.  My Dad was able to spend time there with her before she passed away. 

On Facebook: I remember sitting on the floor in my parents bedroom with my Grandma Stones sitting across from me as she taught me to play poker with pennies. She won.... and took all my pennies.  My Grandma passed away this morning, leaving us with wonderful memories and instilling in us wonderful values that can only be described as "a Stones thing." I am grateful that Families are Forever and for the joy and reassurance that I know she is happy, healthy and surrounded by loved ones.

We packed up at left for Utah, and the funeral, early on Friday Oct 28.  We left early with the kids still in PJs and were able to get pretty far before stopping to eat, change and get some energy out.  The kids traveled GREAT and we rolled into Salt Lake around 4. We decided to make a quick trip to Temple Square before meeting up with family.  It was raining and dreary but we thought Elizabeth would still enjoy seeing it and she did.  I love seeing the awe, wonder and reverence that Elizabeth has when seeing temples.  

 

 

 

We went into the visitor center to use the bathroom and dry off a bit and Elizabeth caught sight of the giant statue of Christ. She walked up to it, mouth dropped open, and staring wide eyed.  She then sat on the edge of the statue at Christ's feet and just pondered.  I went up to her and asked her what she was doing and she told me that she was just thinking and wanted to have some alone time. She is so deep and you can see the spirit in her eyes and feel the spirit as she speaks about her love for her Savior. 

 

We then went to the church by Melanie's house and met up with everyone; all of the Stones cousins, Aunts/Uncles and my family.  We all ate together, caught up and played a couple fun games of kickball. I love that when my family all gets together we decide to do something like kickball.  I have a pretty amazing extended family and I am so grateful for them.  I know that we would not all be nearly as cool as we are without the love, dedication and influence of Grandma Stones. In a weird way it was a perfect ode to her; all of us together and having fun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning we had a family luncheon and Grandma's funeral.  Everyone brought the quilts that Grandma had made for them and we put them over the benched in the chapel; it was a beautiful legacy and showed the love that Grandma brought into our lives.  It was a wonderful funeral and the stories and memories kept me constantly smiling and proud that I knew that amazing woman. 

 

 

 

After the grave ceremony, after which all the little great grand kids stole flowers off of the grave (another reason I love my family- so unconventionally full of love) we went out to eat with Michael and Kayla and all hung out.

 

That night  we all crashed Melanie's ward Trunk or Treat! It was so cool to see everyone's costumes and have fun cousin trick or treat time.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was such a short trip but it was so wonderful to see family.  It is sad that we only all get together at funerals but it is so wonderful to celebrate the life of such a wonderful woman by seeing her posterity and all she has effected.  I am so grateful for my Grandma and the example she was to me.  I am grateful she raised such amazing children because I think my Dad is one of the coolest most amazing people I know (and that's all her doing).  I will also always cherish the memories I have of her. 

*Also, Jeremy and Heidi let us crash at their house.  We weren't there much but when we were it was wonderful seeing them, laughing with them and spending time with them!! We love family!