MOTHERS/FATHERS

This year for Mother's Day we had a party at our new home. It was a lot of fun & a little bitters sweet since it was our first one without Esther. We were missing quite of few others as well because they were too far away. :( Still fun though! We love our mothers!!

We had another party for Father's Day at our house as well. We actually had to speak in church that day, plus I taught in Relief Society. Busy, busy day!

What else can I say? We have the best Mom's & Dad's in our families! We love them all!!

LANE

LANE DALE HALLOWS
February 18, 1949 - January 5, 2011

OK - this post is WAY overdue. Yet, I'm still at a loss for words. It's still completely surreal that this even happened. When my brother passed - that was hard, but we always expected it. (Not that that fact made it ANY easier!) This was completely out of the blue!

I'll try to explain it easy as possible. Lane was my step-siblings father & an amazing man! Because my family is completely AWESOME he was like an extended dad to me. My girls even called him grandpa. He & his new bride of almost a year were always at our family gatherings & that's just the way we work. One big, happy family - just the way it should be! (I only say that because some find it extremely odd that we all get along the way we do. I think it's perfect.)

Anyhow, he always went out of his way to make my little family feel like we were a part of his - even if we technically weren't & that was huge to me for so many reasons. There's just no one like Lane. He was always smiling, happy & could tell you a story at the drop of a hat! You can see HERE what happened. I can't bear to even write it. My brothers were awesome remembering their dad.

I have to give a huge thank you to my SIL Rennie - I stole half of these photos directly from her blog without asking. Thanks Ren! ;) At our Christmas family party we had a special visit from "Santa" (aka Lane). It was hilarious & he was dying to be done & get out of his costume! It will now be one of our favorite memories!


The funeral was beautiful! We were so grateful that Robin was able to get a flight from Sydney to be their! All 5 of his kids stood & said a few words. It was perfect. They are all so amazing! I feel so blessed to have them in my family - they're wonderful examples to me of strength!

I was talking to Lane's brother at one point (whom we lovingly call Uncle) & he was saying how this has been hard on his kids. Most of them grown with families of their own. yet, they've never had anyone close to them pass before. I couldn't help but think of my own kids & how this has almost become a way of life for us lately. My girls have known death all to well & that breaks my heart. They've really struggled this past year with it. Thank heavens for the Plan of Salvation! We'd never make it through without that knowledge & I'm so grateful to have it!!

PAPA'S 60th

We had a nice little surprise party for my Dad on Saturday the 18th. It was a stressful couple of weeks trying to get everything into place. But, it was worse for Mimi as she lives with him & had to lie like crazy all the time to Dad. We were lucky enough to reserve a church building to accomodate all the people & everything worked out great. Here's a pic of me & the birthday boy.....

(Yes, I know there's something on my shirt. Sorry. I'm too lazy & have no time to photoshop it right now. I had no time to take care of it while we were their either. I was too busy running the whole time!)

So, here's the story....

Mimi told my Dad that they were invited to an anniversary party for a couple they're friends with & that she was asked to help out with it. Well, 2 weeks before the party this poor wife of the fake party had a stroke. Luckily, she's recovering well! But, a couple of days before the party my Dad finally put 2 & 2 together & asked Mimi if she thought they were still going to have their party. She replied saying of course they will - it's been planned for a month. (Clue #1 my Dad didn't catch.)

My Dad had to help take youth from his ward to the temple this Saturday morning. He told Mimi that he needed to bring kids home before the anniversary party - all the way to Maricopa. Mimi got on the phone right away & told whoever was in charge that he could not be allowed to bring kids home. (Clue #2)

We also told my Dad that we were planning a party for him & my brother Jackson (Jackson's birthday is the day after my Dad's) that Saturday afternoon at 4pm. After their anniversary party. Yet, we met for dinner the night before for Jackson's birthday & even gave Jackson his birthday presents. My Dad didn't even think twice about that one luckily. (Clue #3)

Not to mention the countless hours talking on the phone to Mimi - especially the week of the party. One conversation I had with her while she was at work (she works with my Dad) & she would randomly change the subject asking me which Bed Bath & Beyond location I was looking for. Then, asking me another time which step stool I wanted. Huh? Apparently, my Dad kept coming into her office area to make copies. I don't know how she kept a straight face because everytime she did that I was laughing on the other end of the phone. (Clue #4)

Poor Mimi had some anxiety over the whole process & I can't say I blame her. She had to do a lot of lying to pull it off. Again, luckily for us, my Dad's not the most observant. It definitely worked to our benefit to pull this off. It's also something I couldn't have done without the Queen of parties - Mimi. She brought all kinds of fun stuff to make the party a real party! Check out part of her display on the stage....

Every table was decorated with Dad's sports memoribilia. It was wonderful! Mimi - you're the best! I bow down to the Queen of parties & scams! Thanks also to all the girls that helped bring food! And to Allison for making a rockin slide show for us! Especially considering we didn't get all the pictures to her until a few days before the party.

Just for kicks - here's a picture of me & my sis Robin with my Uncle Tad. He's such a nut!! I love this guy!

Another fun part of the party was the little surprise we cooked up for Jackson. Ok - Allison did all the work, I just sent some pics her away. At the end of my Dad's slideshow she added a slideshow of funny faces of Jackson. We didn't want to forget him on his birthday! It was hilarious!! No one can make crazy faces like him. I was laughing so hard I was crying. Allison - you rock!!

AWESOME PARENTS

Just a quick note to clarify some things. Upon talking to my mom the other week I did my usual remarks at some point in the conversation of, "thanks for that trait mom." She just said, "I know, I know." Then, I just re-read my previous post & realize I actually say that to my Dad a lot as well. I would like to publicly apologize to my wonderful parents! I only say this in my joking, loving way, but want to clarify that I in no way truly mean it. Sure, we get traits from our parents, but that's no excuse for the dumb things I do myself. I am an adult & need to act as such. (Yeah - still working on that one.) If you're not lucky enough to know my parents then, I feel bad for a you a little. They are AWESOME!!

I'm even lucky enough to have 2 mom's & 2 dad's. In fact, the other day Jadyn told me she can't wait until she can have 2 mom's & 2 dad's. At first my reaction was - "Uh, No way!!" But, as I thought about it that was a wonderful compliment that she didn't know she was giving. She just knows how wonderful my parents are & how close we are & sees it as fun. And even though she should not hold her breathe out for her wish - in a way it was sweet.

So, again, I LOVE my parents - they rock!! And they are my rocks. It's not a secret that I'm a Daddy's girl in every way. Now I am the mother of 2 Daddy's girls & I can see how that would hurt my Mom. I think of how close my girls are to Erik & think they don't love me as much. I can see my Mom feeling that way & it makes my heart ache. It's not true - just a different love. (Now, if I can only tell myself that about my girls & truly believe it.)

Just had to share & hopefully this weekend I'll have a chance to catch up on what's been happening this past month with pictures even. Oh - if I could only have a minute to breathe....