Updates and photos

First off, I just want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers and warm wishes. I feel so loved and so blessed to have friends and loved ones to pray for our family. I truly appreciate it.

I want to update everyone on the family-

We are all doing better. Some days are better than others though. I am sure that's with any loss. It's just been hard b/c it was so sudden and tragic. His mom, sister, and brother are all doing okay. They are staying close, which is what they need.

The memorial gave me some closure, but there are days where it doesn't seem real. I can't exactly explain it, but the Lord is giving me strength to keep going.

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Everything else is pretty good. I am still working part-time at the grocery store. I really enjoy it, but it's temporary. I need a better paying job. I am still holding out for an aide position. I still don't know much, but I do know that they haven't hired anyone yet, so at least that is good news.

Ruthie is adjusting well to daycare. She doesn't cry when I drop her off anymore. She looks really sad, but she doesn't cry. I just remind her that Mommy will be back later. She's actually teaching the other kids in her class that. She's so goofy! I've also been talking her up on the way there, reminding her to be a big girl like Haley, and so far so good! She learning tons of new stuff. She only goes part-time b/c Randall works 3 on, 3 off, so when he's off, he has her. They are enjoying their time together, which I think they need. She got her first hair cut the other day. Her Sunday School teacher cuts hair, so I thought it would be a good idea to have her cut it. She was thrilled to go see Mrs. Debbie and get her hair cut, but once we got there, she wouldn't sit in the chair. I sat with her, but she did good. I am including pics from after the haircut.

I never shared pics from our trip to Branson, so I am including those as well. A

Again, I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to me and my family. Thanks again.

Another loss-

I haven't updated in a while, but it's because our family has suffered another traumatic loss. It's been a rough year, and I just pray that things will get better.

My cousin Eli, was hit by a train early last Friday (7.11.08) morning. It just doesn't seem real. He and a couple of girls were driving down the dirt road and they stopped to let the train by. Eli got out of the car, and decided to scare the girls and do a train dodge. He jumped, but it was too late. Eli was so fun and such a daredevil. I am just heartbroken that it took his life. He was only 25 years old. He was my favorite cousin. I spent all my childhood with him. He was my best friend. We played ninja turtles, rode our bikes to town, went swimming, visited neighbors, spent our snow days together, and enjoyed our lives together. He was so much fun. He loved playing pranks, and scaring the crap out of everyone. There are many stories about him, but the ones that stand out to everyone are the pranks he pulled on them.

He lost his dad less than a month before. He has a girlfriend, a son who is almost 2, a mother, an older brother and a younger sister. Everyone is devastated, including the whole town. It's been a rough week.

Last night was his memorial. It was held at his workplace (a restaurant). They were his family too. He worked there for over 10 years. It was very hard walking in there b/c there were so many people. I had a rough time, but by the end, we were hearing stories of his pranks and we were all laughing. It's what he would have wanted.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. This was such a tragic accident that we are all pretty torn up. There are moments where it seems real, and moments where it doesn't. He was so loved. I just pray that Ruthie and his son can grow up and share their lives together just as Eli and I once did.

This is a photo of Eli and I on my wedding day.