What a difference a day makes...sunny, warm 70's on Friday and a cold, snowy Saturday morning in the 40's. It was pretty to wake up to the snow knowing that it wouldn't be there long with the springtime being here. Those are the kind of snows I can enjoy :). Love seeing my tulips with snow on them ...no matter the weather, they continue to stay upright. 
I finally finished the 3rd book in the trilogy which started with "Hunger Games." Chris was the first to read these books and highly recommended them. Todd and Nick had both read them and enjoyed the first book and thought I actually would like it. After months of Chris suggesting it, I finally started the first one, "Hunger Games" and then "Catching Fire" and finally, "Mockingjay". Very well written books that captured my attention and didn't drag on. I felt like you could really get to know the characters and sympathize and cheer for them throughout. "Hunger Games" is going to be made into a movie, and I can't imagine it can be as good as the book but I think we will have to see it just to find out what its like.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Tami. 41 years ago, she entered this world and I still have vivid memories of her as a baby. May this year be very good and happy for her. I love you, Tam!
Today, mom and I went over to Grammama's and Harvey's to start going through some things and to start packing up my china that she has given me. Harvey and I had a good chat and we both started crying as this is really hard. The photos I love are from Grammama's sink in her bathroom...the little details including her glasses, shower cap, brush set, along with other items. I smiled when I saw a package of graham crackers on top of the tissue box...probably had them in case she needed something to eat. The glasses are sitting there and put there probably before she left.
Heartbreaking that she won't go back there and so much to be done, but these moments and snapshots are the things I really want to make sure to get because they tell such a story...not just of a bathroom sink, but of a lifetime. ***Good further journaling/writing topic sometime****
This photo was taken early morning 4/27 as Nick is heading off to take his ACT test at school. I learned a lot from my mom and made sure he had a good dinner last night (steak potato veggies salad fruit) and then this morning (orange juice, hard boiled eggs and fruit). I remember that my mom would always make sure that we had healthy, protein food prior to big tests and took such good care of us. I am betting, just knowing what I remember, that the boys will remember that about me, too. I can't take the tests or do the homework for them (even though I wish I could sometime ;) ) but I can do the best to help them out and take care of them.
With changes happening in regards to Grammama and Harvey moving and the struggle dealing with 2 families and even the irritation people feel during all of this, I have been reflecting back on the past memories...so many good ones. Yesterday (4/25) I spent a lot of time thinking of Grandad Dell and how I miss him so much. It just seemed right to have him here right now and so I pulled up the photo of him sitting in his backyard...probably the summer or so before he died? I will always treasure those times with Grammama and Grandad Dell in their backyard...spending the night and then having really good sausage, fried eggs and coffee with cream ...helping them entertain with Tami for their "Supper Club" and the drives down to Ruidoso with them. I honestly think I mention Grandad Dell at least several times every single week and that just shows the impact he had on my life and continues to do so almost 23 years after he died. 23 years doesn't even seem possible. What I hope, pray and even know, is that he is up above watching over us and is proud of me and my family. I just wish he was here.
Happy Easter! Love these random family self-portraits. We were heading out to meet the whole Nelson family (17 of us) at The Meadows for Easter lunch and then cake over at mom and dads. With everything getting hectic with Grammama's condition, their moving and moms upcoming knee replacement, Easter snuck up on us. We knew it would be nice to all get together and it ended up being a perfect day...and that makes me SMILE!
Chris, I have to think you know are a special person. YOu are filled with knowledge and talent way beyond your years. Today, I read a paper you wrote for your Dimensions class about zoos and your feelings about them and not only was it well written, it was filled with passion and knowledge. I know you will do amazing things through your whole life, and never forget how special you are...to all of us, and to the world...and most of all, to yourself. I love you so very much.
12 years ago today...12 years...12 years that feel like so much fewer yet such a lifetime ago. The horror of that day shakes me to the core every year and this year is no exception. Life was never the same after that day...especially for the families who lost their children and loved ones that day, but also for all of us who were part of this community. I replay that day in my mind many times...dropping NIck off at preschool, taking Chris to Playnix over by SW Plaza to get a new puzzle and then over to Toys r Us to buy "Bugs Life" on video because it came out that day...then driving close by Clement Park and debating whether to take Chris to the park there to swing..deciding at the last minute to head home and pointing out the "red firetruck" that was heading down Chatfield (which inevitably was headed to Columbine before I even knew of the tragedy). After picking Nick up from school, I set the boys up with movies and they watched Scooby Doo while I brought the little tv down and set it up in the kitchen so I could watch this horror live on television. As the day came to an end, we soon learned that 13 innocent lives were lost and 2 students were the reason behind it all. To this day, I will never understand what could lead to something so horrific that continues to impact a community to this day. God bless Dave Sanders, Cassie Bernall, Rachel Scott, Corey DePooter, Matt Kechter, Steven Curnow, Danny Rohrbough, Kyle Velasquez, Isaah Shoels, John Tomlin, Lauren Townsend, Kelly Fleming, Daniel Mauser...you are all angels and most assuredly, NEVER FORGOTTEN!
After over a month we have a working dishwasher...I think this little lady deserves a name because she is a very important part of our family...her name will be Dishwasher Darla! Welcome back my friend...I will never take you for granted.
CSU Visit Day! It was so nice to be back on campus and so much had changed, but so much had remained the same. I was pleased how much Nick liked the campus and is interested in the school. He's an awesome kid and we had so much fun together. I will always be thankful for this day! 
Todd took this photo of me while I was photographing a project to submit. I wasn't quite sure why he did it until he said "You'll appreciate having this" and you know what, he was absolutely right. It was too windy to take the photo outside and I wanted to submit it so I set it up here and stood above the photo. After about 10 tries, I got one that I could use. 
Joshua may have had his best soccer game ever today...he was in the game, fighting for the points and running like I have never seen him before. Zach had an amazing header and played such good soccer. These two have been on the same soccer team since they were 5 and it is something they will never forget. It's great to be able to cheer for my son and nephew at the same time. 
Appreciating the small things in life and the beauty of springtime in Colorado. 
"WHAT'S UP???" Doesn't that look like what Mocha would be saying...and then he would continue "I have no idea why you are looking at me that way." This is the first time I have seen him snuggle into the piano bench with his front fee on the ground. He honestly looks completely comfortable and very relaxed so who can judge that? It's most definitely a "dogs life" and it looks pretty good. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY DEAR NICHOLAS TODD SCHMITT...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I can hardly believe Nick is 17 today. It honestly seems like a blink of an eye and time flew. What a very cool person Nick is.
Shari and I during our Food Network "screening party" tonight...very funny to see ourselves on tv tonight and this photo of our eyes closed...we both had a very similar expression in this photo...funny! More later... 
This has to be one of my favorite pictures...it was a Sunday and I was driving over to Grammama and Grandad Dell's to help them with a brunch. Before I left, my mom took this photo of me holding my sweet Buffy with my car, which I had just purchased (well, my parents purchased it for me and my mom and I shopped for it). The TRACR was amazing...I loved the light blue and hot pink mini pin stripes and the stick shift. My sweet dog Buffy...she was truly my best friend and never left my side during rough times and I loved her so much. She died September 16 1987...just about two months after this photo was taken. I know she knew how much I loved her and I still miss her very much. She's never very far away from my heart, even after all of these years. 
