This is a day that is etched on a the granite blocks of my mind. I remember everything about this date two years ago. I was carrying in the groceries from my car. I lived on the 19th floor of a high rise. The door man was helping me in. He said, with sad eyes, "you know there were three police officers killed today in Stanton Heights. I bet that young kid was one of them." I looked at him. He back peddled, "Well, it could have been him."
I had become best friends with Shandra, she lived on the same floor as me and we had kids the same age. It was like living in the dorms. Shandra would come down in her pajamas with her coffee in hand. I would greet her in my pajamas and we would make pancakes. We would laugh and talk for hours. Her husband was a police officer.
I didn't know what the door man was talking about. I ran upstairs and googled the news. It said three police officers were killed in Stanton Heights. (I had moved from that neighborhood a year earlier.) I called Shandra. She answered the phone. I asked, "Is Stephen okay?" She said, "I don't know? I am at he police station. They won't tell me anything. I will call you when I find out." Her voice was shaking.
I knew her husband was one of the officers killed. I started to cry. Nate told me not to assume the worse. I started to dry heave. I knew. Her sister called a few hours later and confirmed what I already knew. I left the kids with Nate and went to the store I had to go see her and I didn't want to show up empty handed. I didn't know what to say. It was the longest drive of my life. I walked into the front door. Her family filled her home along with people from her church. I gave her a hug and his family a hug. We cried.
During this great time of need, one of the greatest acts of service came from the police department. They kept a nightly vigil and watched the house for a week or so. She said she was filled with a lot of comfort just knowing they were there. At three in the morning, when she couldn't sleep, she would walk out and there would be someone there to talk to. I think it was healing for her and for her guarding angels.
I wish I was there to give her hug again today and tell her that I know Stephen is in Heaven and he is always watching over her and the girls. I believe in heaven and angels and the ministering of angels to bind up wounded hearts. I couldn't be there today. I and the girls made bread for our local police officers. It was ackward. I walked in and couldn't even get out the reason why I was handing them bread. Luckily, I included a note.
I usually don't write posts this personal. I just want people to remember the sacrifice Stephen made on this day but more importantly the sacrifice Shandra makes every single day. Love you girl.
These girls are my whole world.
Bright colored eggs.
In light of Easter... I love this new clip. Doesn't it exemplify how we should all be and how the Savior would want us all to be? I love it.
Well, I took these silhouette pictures of my girls at this perfect moment as the sun was resting on the horizon. They were dressed up in their princess attire and dancing infront of the windows on the ottoman.
Have you ever read the book "Flat Stanley"? Well, Sierra has and apparently her friend in Pittsburgh has too. He is doing a project for his class. He drew himself and sent himself through the mail to her. She is more than thrilled to be responsible for flat Andrew. She is supposed to show him around her little town. It rained all day today, so we couldn't do much, but he is going to get the red carpet tour of the valley and have an excellent photo shoot session with yours truly. Sierra has been singing love sonnets, not to flat Andrew, but to the picture his mom sent. She started to cry when she opened the envelope with his picture in it. She still swears she is going to marry him. 
Yesterday, because Dad was off fishing, we decided to go out for dinner and go shopping. I don't know exactly what we were going to go shopping for, maybe the movie "Tangled", or maybe some Easter dresses or maybe we were just going to look, which is typically what happens. Well, I took a wrong turn down a back road and Sierra started squealing at the top of her lungs. I couldn't even make out what she was saying. I said calm down and talk slower. Sierra said, "There is a club house, a club house. Mom, you have to turn around and go back." I said, "What?" She became more hyper and said, "In the garbage, just go back." I went back and this is what I saw hanging out of the dumpster, a massive box. I could bearly fit it in the car. I had to cut it open, collapse it, and force it in. Then there was no room for anything else, so we didn't go shopping, besides all of Sierra's dreams and greatest desires had been fufilled in this piece of trash, she wouldn't have found anything in any store that would have made her more happy. 
My girls love making bubbles and playing with them. Today, I got them to do all there chores with a single promise of making bubbles. They spent hours outside making bubbles with each other. Today was so warm and beautiful. I am excited for summer. Here is our simple recipe if you would like to try.
Yesterday, as we were driving home from dropping Sierra off at school MJ said, "Mom, where is dad?" I said, "He is working. He works hard for us so we can have a house and food." She said, "Oh, daddy is so nice." 
Yesterday, the girls spent all afternoon in the backyard. It was fun to see them playing and imagining in the outdoors again. They were picnicing with oranges, playing in the overgrowth, and searching through rocks. I got to make dinner contently knowing my kids weren't teasing eachother or mindlessly watching telelvision. Happy day.
Sierra said, as she was completing her master piece, "Madison, I love you much and that is why I am drawing a heart." Madison said, "Oh, thank you Sara's."
They love each other very much. I am so glad.
This is a day that is etched on a the granite blocks of my mind. I remember everything about this date two years ago. I was carrying in the groceries from my car. I lived on the 19th floor of a high rise. The door man was helping me in. He said, with sad eyes, "you know there were three police officers killed today in Stanton Heights. I bet that young kid was one of them." I looked at him. He back peddled, "Well, it could have been him." 
