Catching up

The last couple months have definitely has had its ups and downs. Everything has been kind of hard. The hardest thing has been that Ashley has been so sick. She was such a great example of love and compassion. She was always worried about everyone around her. I think I really got a dose of her pure love a couple years ago when I was six months pregnant and we lost our baby Graycee. This sweet little girl who fought to live everyday was devastated and said she would gladly trade places with her because she had ten years and Graycee didn't even get a day. That moment touched my heart. It has been really hard knowing that Ashley had been so sick and there was nothing any of us could do. Two weeks ago our little miss Ashley returned to her very loving Heavenly Father. My life will always be better because I knew her here on earth even if it was just for a short moment. At least that is what it seems like. Ashley continuously worried about everyone around her and how her sickness affected them. She was never worried about herself but about her caretakers. Its comforting to know that families can be together forever. I know that I will see my baby, Graycee once again. I will be able to hold her and watch her grow into a beautiful young lady. I am comforted to know that Ashley and Graycee are together again and I can't wait to see them once again.

Another thing we are continuing to try to deal with is Chris's anxiety. Chris was in a car accident a year and half ago and he has never been the same. His anxiety blew up it was like he was a time bomb and the accident really set him off. Life has been extra hard since then. Chris doesn't have a job right now and its really hard being the one that has to carry it all. I never know when something might set Chris off. He also has sleep apnea and he isn't doing anything for that. I know his c-pap machine is very scary for him but I truly believe that its the link to his happiness. I know when I don't get enough sleep I am a mess. He truly hasn't slept well for at least seven years. That is a VERY long time and once we get him to the point of being able to wear his machine at night we will be on the road to recovery. I am so grateful to Chris parents because they have been very supportive and I could have never lived through this past 1 1/2 years without them. I am so grateful I married into the family I did. The Walquist family truly knows how to love unconditionally and I am a better person just for being in their family. I hope that I can carry on the name for them. I truly hope that we can get Chris past this point in his life! Please keep him in your prayers.

My kids have truly kept me busy! Burke turned 9 just yesterday! I can't believe it! It seems like it was just yesterday that yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital! I am so glad he is my oldest because he truly sets a good example to my girls. Burke LOVES sports and he is very good at them. His favorite is basketball and football. Although we have learned that sisters are breakable after he tackled Annie last Easter and broke her arm. He is VERY good at kicking the football and he is also great with a basketball. He gets very good grades and his teacher says that its with him putting very little effort into it and that if he can just put all his effort into it that he could have a 4.0 his whole school career. He would really like to play sports in High School and College and we talked to him about the importance of having good grades now and keeping it up because the only way to get into college to play sports is to have good grades along with being good at sports.

Annie will be 7 in a week and I can't believe that either. She is so wonderful and she is also doing great in school. I truly love being her mom even when she tests my patience! This she does very well. She has so much energy and I have no idea where she gets it from. She hates going to bed and often stays awake until i fall asleep so she can sneak into our bed. Its more often than not that she is able to stay awake past me. Annie often tells you how it and doesn't hold anything back. She lets you know when she is mad or sad. She keeps our home hoppin'!

Miss Alexis turns 1 in two weeks. She is doing so many new things. She pulls herself up on furniture and is proving to be a little monkey I caught her on my mother in laws end table the other day. She was so proud of herself. She was looking at a picture of Connie and Jason whom she LOVES very much. She has three teeth now and is getting some more. She says Mom, DAD, babababa, hi, bye-bye and has even said boo a couple of times. She loves playing peek-a-boo. Its funny when she tries playing peek a boo with a small toy and she puts it high above her head and looks at you expecting you to say peek-a-boo! I love her smile and laugh.

Over all our life is good and I hope I haven't given anyone the idea that its not. We definitely have our trials but who has a perfect life? I hope that life will get better! Right now we need to get Chris back to his old self! Keep him in your prayers and I know that anything is possible.