IREENE

We drove Ireene to the airport today.

I have become really attached to her.

I can not express how sad I feel to see her go.

She became a big part of our family.

I really wish so many miles did not separate us.

I will never forget her or her kindness.

DEAR KIM

We buried Kim yesterday.

My heart was so heavy with sadness.

The service was amazing.  

She got so many flowers which she would have just loved.

Kim really loved flowers!

So many people showed up and talked about what an amazing person she was. 

Her previous co-workers came and

sang a lovely song to her. 

She looked beautiful and peaceful.

Afterwards we did a celebration of life dinner at a restaurant.

The setting was pretty and the food was good 

so Kim would have been pleased.

She had wanted to do a party when she was alive but kept waiting till she would get better.

We all knew she wouldn't get better 

so I felt sad that she didn't get to have that party 

so we had a party for her instead. 

She is buried next to my Grandma and Grandpa 

so I don't think she will be lonely.

Emma gave her one of her favorite stuff toy cats so that she would have something to cuddle. 

I am so relieved that she is resting peacefully now 

and doesn't have to suffer any more. 

I am not a fan of doing speeches

but I wanted to speak at her funeral 

so I decided to write her a letter and read it out loud. 

This is what I said:

Dear Kim,

Your life was cut unfairly short

but I am so privileged to have had you in my life.

You taught me so many things that I will not take for granted.

From the moment I met you,

you taught me about love and acceptance.

I appreciate all that you did for me when I was growing up. 

You always wanted the best for me

and told me that I could do whatever I wanted to do.

You only gave me words of encouragement and never doubted or judged me.

During this last year when we knew about your cancer,

I learned a lot of new things about you.

I witnessed how much strength and determination you had.

In the hospital I watched your heart beat on the monitor

and everyone marveled how strong your heart was.

I know why it was so strong.

It was because your heart was only filled with kindness.

You inspire me to bet a better person...

someone more like you.

You always readily would give me sound and simple advice.

If I ever get stuck in life and don't know what to do

then I will think

"What would Kim do"

and then I know I will find the answer.

Even though cancer took your life away,

it can never take away my memories of you

or the lessons you taught me.

Thank you for being such a 

loving, supportive and kind mother to me.

Nigel, Emma and I will miss your dearly.

Love from Victoria

    

KIM

Kim died on the 14th.

I was with her and held her hand till the end.

I didn't want to let her go.

I so wish she was still here and cancer free.

I miss her terribly and think about her almost every minute.

Here are a few pictures of her.

WELK RESORT FAMILY FUN TRIP

We took a 3 night trip to the Welk Resort.

It was an awesome place!

We had a little condo with a bedroom, kitchen and living room.

They place was huge with many pools and hot tubs.

They had several kids rec rooms 

and held various activities for the kids throughout the day.

They gave us a time table for the day 

so we just picked what events we wanted to do.

Emma did cookie decorating,

decorating a t-shirt,

smores,

cannonball contest,

stuff your own toy,

make your own ice-cream sundae and

paint a ceramics.

The best part of the place was the two water slides...

way fun!!

For sure we will go again.

Click on the play button below to see the pictures.

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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Wow, can't believe summer is over.

Can't believe M is in 4th grade.

She had a new outfit and new backpack for the special day.

KITTY DONUT

END OF SUMMER ART PARTY

M wanted to have an end of summer party with her friends

so I decided to do it at our local craft store. 

Their favorite art teacher, Miss Sally, did a great party for them.

They decorated a plant pot and planted a sun flower seed,

made pinwheels,

decorated (and ate) a cupcake,

and played games. 

TOMATO FIGHT!

One of my bucket list items was to participate in

Tomatina.

I decided a few months that I was going to do it this year

which would have been held on the last week of August.

I googled the event 

but after looking at pictures and videos

decided that I actually didn't want to do it anymore.

(mostly cause it was way to many people and most of them looked like drunk men...not really my cup of tea)

I have to say I was a little disappointed

because it sounded like so much

silly fun. 

A friend contacted me and told me that 

they were having a tomato fight in a city near me.

I was all over it and bought tickets right away.

Hubby was shocked to hear that he was participating too 

(Ha, Ha, the things I drag my poor hubby into).

The first picture is of us right before the event. 

I bought a waterproof disposable camera so the pics aren't that great.

Here is the huge pile of tomatoes

being heavily protected by a fence and 6 security guards.

Check out all the flying tomatoes 

Watch out Nigie

I think he dumped all those on my head

Hubby had had enough at this point

since his eyes were stinging.

It sure was an awesome time!!!

Loooved it!!

We reeked so jumped in the lake to wash off a bit

but the security guard came to kick us out.

We went home and took a long shower.

I washed my hair 4 times to get all the tomato out

but we kept finding pieces of tomato the next day.

No tomatina for me but this sure was a great substitute.

EXPLODING DOG BED

The dogs were very happy to see me 

when I got home

because apparently one of the dog beds

exploded.

Parts of it were EVERYwhere.  

WHO is the guilty one!?!

They both look innocent. 

Abigeal tries to tell me that it was Henry.

GUILTY!!

Luckily she is so very cute.