Soldier Hollow

Tubing at Soldier Hollow was a fun way to end our winter vacation.  This winter sports venue is nestled in the mountains of Midway, Utah and hosted several events during the 2002 Winter Olympics.  The children loved the thrill of tubing down the slopes with their cousins. 

   

 Nathan and Max

Caroline will miss dressing up in her purple snowsuit and striped hat.

Such beautiful snow-covered mountains and wide open spaces.

Merry Christmas

Winter Wonderland

Their Christmas wish came true...

 SNOW...and lots of it!  It has been a full day of fun building snowmen and snow forts, throwing snowballs and simply enjoying every minute in the billowy white powder.  No complaints of being too cold, thanks to warm coats and mittens and grandma's delicious warm meals.  

Brian having a little too much fun with his favorite winter toy. 

This little Houstonian couldn't get enough of the white stuff or riding on the back of Grandpa's "Rudolph."

Christmas Past and Present

An attempt made by Mom to dress Carrie and me as Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  Did I really consent to wearing this suffocating beard made of batting?

Soon after our arrival to Grandma and Grandpa's house, a knock came at the door.  A well-dressed Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with "Jingle" the elf, dropped by to wish us a Merry Christmas.

It's a...

This morning our family met with a good friend, an ultrasound technician, to find out the gender of our growing baby.  Before the appointment, each member of the family voted BOY or GIRL.  The votes came in 4:1.  Caroline was quite confident in her vote for a girl!

Voting Results
Brian:  boy
Christine:  boy
Nathan:  boy
Maren:  boy
Caroline:  girl

A first look at the ultrasound revealed the obvious:  Caroline was right.  Reaction to the news?  Also 4:1.

Overall Reaction from family members
Brian:  very pleased  
Christine:  so joyful
Caroline:  very happy
Maren:  so excited
Nathan:  devastated

It was a special occasion for our family to see this tiny, developing baby that will soon be ours to hold, love and welcome into our home...in a pretty pink blanket.

In Loving Memory

Although two years have passed, the memories of Sarah are ever with us, engraved in our hearts.  Today we reminisce on her life and the sweet example of love, patience, courage, kindness and faith she was to all who knew her.  

"It is not the length of life, but depth of life." 

~Ralph Waldo Emerson  

This morning the children and I participated in a fundraising walk at their elementary school.  The students are collecting money this week to help a fourth grade teacher whose husband has been diagnosed with bone cancer.  We were grateful for this opportunity to help someone who is currently battling cancer, especially today.  The fifth graders designed shirts in honor of him and wore them for the walk.  

Nathan walked several laps with his good friend Landon.

Thank you family and friends for your thoughts and prayers today.  We feel your love and appreciate your support.  What a sweet surprise to find this delightful frog balloon tied to Sarah's bench.  Thank you to the anonymous friend who remembered Sarah today.

Loving grandparents decorate Sarah's spot in Provo, Utah.

Mothers Against Cancer

I recently joined a local non-profit charity organization called Mothers Against Cancer.  For sometime I have wanted to do something in Sarah's honor that would benefit children and their families who are facing the same battle.  This organization meets once a year, the first Monday in December, to raise funds and auction off hundreds of gifts and baked goods.  All proceeds are given to Texas Children's Hospital to fund research programs and assist families in need.

Today I had the privilege of attending their annual luncheon.  I felt impressed to bring with me one of Sarah's funeral programs.  The program has a beautiful picture of Sarah on the front with several other sweet photographs throughout.  I am always grateful for opportunities to share this with others.

I enjoyed a delicious lunch and the company of several women who were seated at my table.  I showed Sarah's program to a friendly woman sitting to the right of me.  She asked if I would share our experience with her.  Soon after she stood up with Sarah's program in hand and tearfully expressed her sadness over our loss and explained to the other women seated at our table that this was the purpose of Mothers Against Cancer--to celebrate the lives of those who have lost their battle to cancer and help save those who will one day be faced with the disease.

A few minutes passed and this same woman left the table for a brief moment and returned with Dr. Poplack, Director of Texas Children's Cancer Center.  Dr. Poplack shook my hand and asked that I share Sarah's story with him.  He graciously gave condolences and affirmed to me that the funds raised through this charity were greatly benefiting Texas' Children's cancer research.  He gave me the very grim statistic that in this hospital alone, one child dies every four days from a brain tumor.  Children and their families from across the world travel to Texas Children's for treatments and cures.  Dr. Poplack asked that I mail him one of Sarah's funeral programs that he might share it with his colleges.  I was touched that he was genuinely moved and wanted to remember one of the numerous little faces cared for at his hospital.

This week marks two years since Sarah's death.  In some ways it seems her life ended long ago and in other ways it was just yesterday that I held her close and sang her favorite lullaby one last time.  I am grateful for many opportunities to honor and remember her.

Grandma Comes to Town

It's always fun when Grandma comes to town!  My mother arrived the day after Thanksgiving and for six days showered us with her love and attention.  The highlights of our week include: a road trip to Galveston's Moody Gardens and stroll through Historic Downtown, a visit to the beach, decorating the home for Christmas, making gourmet pecan logs for the first time, holiday shopping, savoring yummy lunches and delicious dinners at some of our favorite restaurants, and purchasing two matching "Snuggies" to keep mom and I warm and cozy in the evenings.  Thank you for your visit Mom, we already miss you!