Juggling it all...

This is the 2nd year I've participated in a local mud volleyball tournament and Scott's first time. It is absolutely a blast and completely hilarious. Our team was the Muddy Hens... don't ask!! Here is us after our first game...not too muddy except for our shoes...but that's all about to change! Let the good times roll!! Of course you can't tell by this picture, but I managed to stay very mud-free. However, my teammates had a different plan such as tackling then drilling me into the mud...hence the mud creatures...!

...only this kind left me with those shivers you get after hearing a painful, frightening story. And of course, what kind of mother would I be if I wasn't there to document it first hand. Unfortunately these photos do not to this shiner justice... The story is the real creepy part. Sam was running around the house trying to get the dog to chase her. As she was running through the toy room she tripped or stubbed her toe on something (probably a toy, not gonna lie the room is a complete disaster so it's no wonder this never happened sooner). As she was still in the running momentum she grabbed her foot and began to fall. Rather than let go of her foot to brake her fall, she simply let her face do that for her... against the small play table. That small scrape next to her eye is where her face hit. Thank goodness for calm Daddies that know just what to do and how to handle this kind of stuff. So now we've taught her that anytime anyone looks at her funny or says any

I know I have kind of abandoned ship for awhile. The feelings and heartache are all still so real and painful. On Thursday the 22nd it was exactly 4 weeks since Mom Herrick passed away. In some ways it feels like that was 4 years ago but mostly it just feels surreal; like she is still at home in her recliner right where she has been all along. I still get teary eyed about once a day and my kids still think their mom has gone nuts because they just can't understand what all the fuss is over since we keep telling them that Grandma is in a better place. They think if she is in a better place then we should be happy and not sad or crying... oh how I love their sweet spirits! Here are just a few photos from Mom's funeral... July 9, 2010. Me and the kiddos have already been to visit the gravesite once. Boy did that make my heart ache and feel comfort all at the same time. It's amazing how you can talk to just a small plot of the earth and know the person hears you.

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we must bid you farewell, for now. She wasn't supposed to leave us this soon. She was going to get strong enough to enjoy just a little more time. I know it is all on the Lord's timetable, but that sure doesn't make it any easier. On July 1st at 6:14am the world lost the most sweetest angel and heaven gained the most glorious spirit. My heart is so full; it hurts so bad right now. I don't want life to go on without her. I don't want her miss out on all the wonderful earthly events that will transpire throughout the years. Last Saturday when she was admitted to the hospital all of her family was able gather around her and whisper to her their love and adoration for her. It would truly be the last time she would be fully able to communicate back to you and in that all too short of a moment I had with her I gained more wisdom and comfort than I have ever before. I find it so unbelievably appropriate that during h