Grief Camp

On Sunday afternoon, we dropped the boys off at camp.  Not just any camp.....this camp is designed for children that have experienced a death in their family.  80-90% of the activities are normal camp stuff. They have licensed counselors that do special activities with the kids to help them work through their grief.

A couple days before, I was writing notes for the boys (to hide with their jammies so that each night they find a note from me) and I got tickled when I wrote this.  Cooper always says "don't let the bed bugs bite" when I'm walking out of his room.  At camp, they are sleeping is very modest cabins.....among lots of bugs so this made me chuckle.  Wonder if he will think it's funny?

To get to camp, you have to walk across this crazy long bridge that is SOO wobbly.  Pretty sure I'll fall on it one day.

Getting them all checked in.

Hudson with is cabin buddies.

Cooper with his cabin buddies.

Could you please pray for these sweet boys? Pray that they have fun.  Pray that they connect with and make friends with other kiddos that understand their world.  Pray that they can dig deep and go to places they might not want to emotionally go.

We pick them up Saturday morning.  I miss them so much already but what a blessing to have a camp like this that can help them along this journey.  Super excited to hear all about it!

Our Week

Pretty much sums up what many of our days look like.

Pizza Face.

Getting physicals for camp.

I got my second shipment from Stitch Fix and loved it all!  They sent this pretty coral shirt and jeans.  (necklace and shoes are mine)  The shirt has a cute detail that you can't see here.

Just a simple tee.....totally me.

Perfect sun dress for an upcoming beach trip.

Love this large tote they sent.

It's like Christmas when my Stitch Fix box shows up.  Already excited to get my next one.  Click here if you want to give it a try.

Stayed a couple nights at Poppy's house.  Came home and crashed on the couch.

Hudson is assembling our fans and getting batteries inside. Getting camp ready.

Taking the boys to get hair cuts.  One of my least favorite events to do with Hudson.  He resists every single time.

Love my new coffee cup from Mary and Martha.  Have you seen their stuff?  So cute!

Have a great weekend!

25 year reunion

A few weeks ago I started seeing several of Jason's friends from high school post on Facebook about the upcoming 25 yr high school reunion.  I didn't pay much attention to the details obviously but on Saturday night when a friend posted this on the Loving Memory FB page....it made my heart sink.

I've always said there is something about seeing it in writing that just kills me.  I tried so hard to not lose it but I couldn't help it.  He should have been there.

This was taken at his 20 yr reunion.  5 years ago......healthy, happy, living the life he wanted.

I wish so much that he was still here.

Camp Forms

Just finished filling out the boys applications for grief camp this summer. Ugh....put me in a major funk.  I hate filling in Jason's info.....how he died, when he died, etc...  I hate the words "step dad" and seeing different last names on the forms.  The boys are getting really excited about going back to camp.  They loved it so much last year and for that I am beyond grateful.

I'm starting to feel the "anniversary" squeeze take a grip on me.  Three years.  How in the world have I survived three whole years?

Knowing the boys will be starting a new school year once again without him.  Jason never got to see Hudson change schools and enter Intermediate.  So many things he has missed and the boys are changing before my eyes.  Sometimes it's just too much.  I still say none of this is fair.  But then I hear myself saying the phrase to the boys- "this isn't a world of fair" and realize this applies to me too.

I guess if life was always fair we wouldn't appreciate what we do have.  And we certainly wouldn't long for heaven and we wouldn't need Jesus in our life.

One day at a time.....it's all we can do.

Stitch Fix and 4th of July

So my newest obsession is Stitch Fix.  Ever heard of it?  I have several friends on Facebook that have been commenting how they are loving this service so when a friend of mine sent me her referral link, I decided to give it a try.  Here is my link if you have never heard of it but want to give it a shot.

You can schedule how many "fixes" you want- do you want it monthly, every 2-3 weeks or every other month?  You pay $20 for them to send you a fix and if you purchase anything that they send you, that $20 is applied towards your purchase.  They send you 5 items...clothing, jewelry, accessories, and you have 3 days to decide if you like it.  They provide a self address, postage paid envelope so returning the items is easy and free.  You fill out a lengthy questionnaire so that they know your sizes, your style, your preferences....you can even link up your Pinterest style board so they visually can see what you like.  I kept these 2 items from my first fix.  It was SOOOO much fun and I'm already excited for my next one.

Last week we got together with my college friend and their kiddos. There are 12 now among us (2 were not there that day).

My friend's backyard is an oasis in itself and I swear I would never go inside (okay, maybe to sleep).  So beautiful!

We had a very low key 4th this year.  The older I get the more I hate crowds.  I know.  I'm probably completely jacking my kids up.  We got some small things and set them off in our backyard and the kids were great with that.  No crowds.  No rude people.  No packed parking lot to get out of.

Enjoying some ice cream and the Lego movie.  Perfect night in my opinion.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Young Living Part 3

My favorite experience that week was the Farm Day.  We hoped on a bus....little did we know that it would be a party bus :)....and headed towards the farm in Mona, Utah.

Young Living corporate office.  Beautiful!

Love the street name!

I was so impressed that they had values posted everywhere.

We got to tour the warehouse too.  So fun to see where it's all packed up.

The highlight was going to the lavender farm.

My lunch spot

The weather was amazing and the mountains were gorgeous.

Lots of fun, family friendly activities going on.

I really enjoyed seeing all the different plants

Lavender ice cream.  Yum.

Happy place!

I got to experience the Seed to Seal process first hand.  I was given a small lavender to plant....

Planting my lavender

So neat to think that in a few years this lavender will be ready to bottle

They plant the seeds in a greenhouse first and then transfer them to the fields after they are bigger.

The distillery

This Seed to Seal process is what guarantees you are getting the absolute BEST essential oil on the market.  No other company owns 9 farms all over the world and sees the entire process from start to finish like this.  

Einkorn grains

Had an amazing time but was so glad to get back home and see my family.

Love messages like this from sweet boy.

Already looking forward to next year!!