Favorite Family Moments

This past Monday my beautiful mother-in-law Ilene Ellsworth passed away. We are preparing to travel to California next weekend for her funeral. I'd like to gather my thoughts more on her and the impact she had on my life, but I feel all of that will become more clear after we're back from traveling. It will be so hard to say goodbyes to such a wonderful woman but I also look forward to spending time with family and celebrating her life- there just isn't anything more important than time with the people you care about. I've been thinking about our family and the times over the last year that are especially precious and felt like I needed to get them down. To appreciate them and to hopefully send out a mental invitation for them to repeat themselves as often as is possible with an ever growing family.



Traveling in Thailand with Dane

Before my surgery I was able to go along with Scott on a business trip to Thailand, and Dane came with us for a few days of our time there. While Scott was in meetings Dane and I had some really great time together that, in hindsight, was really needed after the year we've had and the upcoming surgery. Sometimes I don't realize, and he may not either, how difficult this whole journey can be for our relationship because it's become such a day-to-day reality for us. I'm grateful for the time I get with my last boy in the house to break away from our routine and enjoy life together

Wedding and Beach house with Scott, His Kids and the Grandkids

Madi, Scott's youngest daughter, was married to Rudger in Newport this last summer and we rented a beach house to spend the week leading up to the wedding with all the Lawler kids, their spouses, and the grandkids. It was a busy, busy week but one of those times you look back on with so much fondness. Being able to spend time with Scott's kids and getting closer to them and their cute children (seven of them and one on the way!) is a joy. Celebrating Madison and Rudger in the Temple and on the boat for the most beautiful reception was a highlight of the year. They're a wonderful couple and we love them.

Visit with McKenna

Scott's middle daughter, McKenna, came out in November to visit and to help get this whole blog project going! Most of the time seeing Scott's two oldest daughters means their cute little kids are also in tow but McKenna took the opportunity to give herself a hands-free weekend and left her kids with her husband, Josh. We always love seeing them but it's so rare to get one on one time with these older parent-kids and we loved it (and so did she). We talked a lot, ate a lot, played games and I got to share lots of life stories with her as we were putting posts together for this project. It definitely brought us closer.

Day Before Christmas with the Boys

As most of you frequent readers know, Christmas was a little different for us this year as I had chemo on the actual day of the 25th. So we did what my family is pretty accustomed to at this point and made our own holiday! My boys, their wives and my oldest son's two kids celebrated Christmas together the day before Christmas and it was perfect. Nothing crazy, no big plans, just good food and time together. Is there really much more you can ask for at that time of year? I enjoyed that day so much and will remember it was a favorite holiday forever.

Spending Time with My Dad

Yesterday I went to visit my Dad. I seem him pretty regularly but no matter how much time has passed, whether it's only a little or maybe a few weeks he is always so happy to see me. As a self-proclaimed Daddy's girl there isn't much sweeter than that. He loves when I hold is hand and when I rub his neck. He's 93 and I recognize more than ever that every moment with him is precious.

 



There are so many obstacles that can make these moments and time with the people you love a really difficult thing to achieve. Distance, health issues, or even emotional distance. At the end of the day, the main thing that matters is family and the people in your life who you are on this earth to love and support. Being a part of so many wonderful people's lives is an amazing responsibility and privilege and though things may ebb and flow over lifetime, the bonds are always there.