Recovering Memories...

I want you to think of how many pictures you take on any given day...occasion...in a year...

Think of that number for a minute. Now times it by 10...

Now some it may not be very high. I know there are some people that don't take pictures, that only have a camera phone, and that great for them! I, on the other hand, am slightly obsessed with pictures. I take my camera almost everywhere, now I have a camera phone and it fills in! And I take pictures of just about everything and just about everyday. 

I take pictures of weird things my kids do, of weird things that happen to us, of special times, of places we go...our lives have been pretty well documented on film/digital copies. My husband thinks I'm nuts because who actually needs that many pictures...

I do.

I'm not sure of when it started, I guess I've always liked pictures. I loved looking through photo albums as a kid, and I loved when mom and dad would let me use the camera. My friends and I, loved taking dumb pictures of ourselves and our adventures. My mom and I loved finding old pictures of past family members when they were young. When we lived in California, I loved to send pictures of my kids through the mail, and internet, so that my family could watch them grow from afar. A picture freezes a moment in time, holds that memory in place...

So if I have somewhat explained my love of pictures (which has now leaked into other avenues of photography...) I'll explain my predicament. Since I take pictures of everything, I highly value my beloved CDs full of memories. They go in my fire safe when I am away from the house for extended periods of time. I have a lot of pictures. A LOT. Just to give you an example, we went to San Francisco in February of 2011. In total I took over 800 pictures, and that was a weekend trip. Now not all were great, not all were kept, but it gives you an insight to my memory collection I have accumulated since our marriage.

When we moved to Canada, the pictures went into the safe. The safe went into the storage unit. Safe and snug, because we live in Magrath, right?! I mean, there are a lot of people here that don't even lock their doors! So my pictures are safe, protected, waiting for me to put into DVDs, books etc.

Then, we were robbed.

And I didn't think anything of it. They didn't take anything of value, did they? Not that we noticed at first. Because we don't keep anything extremely valuable in the safe. Just paperwork, insurance records, that kind of thing. Oh ya. And my pictures. All of them. From 2003 - 2011, to that moment they went into the safe. 9 years worth of memories....gone.

I. WAS. DEVASTATED.

My heart broke just thinking about it. All those memories, gone. All the places we had been, the things we had seen, the family we had become, that I had documented...gone.

I figured they were gone for good. Because I always put the pics on CD and then erase them from my computer.

Or so I thought.

I started looking through my hard drive files, the stuff you never pay attention too unless you were super into technology and stuff. And they were there...hidden, just waiting to be restored to iPhoto.

I did a little happy dance right then and there in my office chair.

So...

I've been working on recovering some memories. I am lucky, because I had previously done some anniversary videos for both sides of the family and had uploaded a bunch of photos to the computer. Since I got the computer in 2009, in reality, I wouldn't have been able to get the other pictures from before that. And that would have been sad. Because my babies are in there...

 And how would I remember this tiny little girl! (Or the fact that Daddy had hair!)

Or this little boys first adventure to Disneyland?

Or the fact that once upon a time, i had a chubbers for a bitty baby boy...

They grow up too fast anyways, why can't I freeze those moments forever.

Oh, and of course, you come across beauties like this...

 And pray your kids will remember these special times as much as you have...

New Years Resolutions...

So, every year I make resolutions...and sometimes I keep them...sometimes I don't. Sometimes I am really good at it and accomplish a lot toward a particular goal, and other times...nothing.

Some people think New Years Resolutions are a bad idea because you just set yourself up for failure. You are unlikely to achieve the proposed goal therefore it is not in your best interest to set ANY!

WHAT?!?

C'mon people! If the world was full of people who NEVER set goals, would anything be accomplished? Small steps, small goals, working towards making yourself a better person. Isn't that what we need? Of course, I am just a s guilty as the next for slacking on my goals, but every year I set them...in fact I try every month or so and reset them...because if you fall down, you have to get back up!

So this year I am determined to reach a couple and make large leaps and bounds to the others:

1. My weight loss/fitness journey - 

This is such an ongoing, crazy thing. Its that phrase "I constantly struggle with my love  of food and my want to be skinny!" Though this year I finally feel i have made leaps and bounds in the fitness area. I am down 10 pounds since last year at this time, but I ran an 8k, a 10k and did my first triathlon in under 2 hours. I started playing hockey this year and I am WAY stronger than I was at this time last year and I don't want to puke every time we do a long run when we train...YA ME!

This year I can just get better. I am starting Boot Camp next week which will really kick my lazy winter butt in gear and I hope to shave some serious time off my Tri time as well as my 10k. I REALLY want to do a Tuff Mudder...girl's trip again?!?

2. Family Home Evening/Family Time

This has been hit and miss as for really great gospel doctrine/discussions with my kids, but we have spent alot more time together...or at least tried. Hockey is slightly interfering, but it can lend itself to some great family car rides as well! I also hope to have a few more one on one time with my kids...even just a few moments..they are getting so big so fast!!

3. My house - 

Really its not too bad. We moved into a larger home with fewer possessions because we purged so much before we moved to Canada. But there are certain things I want organized and accomplished. I need to get my office/photos/memory stuff organized. I have some end tables/dressers/headboards to finish, though springtime may have to come before I do that!

I also want to be better at getting my house/family organized daily. You know, getting my butt out of bed and getting something done in the morning so we are not rushing and panicking right before the kids head out to school. 530 am Boot Camp should help with that (wink wink)

I think those are some pretty reachable goals this year...I just have to stick with them. Mostly I just want to feel happy. Joyful about my life and my family. Peace with what I am doing as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I will add a little quality ME TIME to the list as well. Time to relax for myself. Time to read and study for MYSELF. Because I can't take care of everyone else if I don't take care of myself!

2012 at a glance...

So, I didn't do a Christmas letter of what's been going on in our lives this year, but I thought I would do a quick post about the whole year! It has been full of happiness, and pain...busy, crazy, wonderful, and sad all at the same time. 

 My Brody has been playing hockey, and he loves it. In fact, before the season started this year he was on the count down, "How many more days, Mom?"

He's in Novice and it is so amazing to see him progress since last year. From a kid who was scared and couldn't skate hardly at all...to a kid who I've seen pushing his way into the corner to get the puck, and has scored 6 goals so far. It has been so much fun watching him!

We had soo much fun this summer when Jess, Ryan and Eric came to visit. I loved every minute and would have gladly kept them all summer! It was a surprise for the kids, and Brody had a great big smile, but again, like no time had past, they were off doing what kids do and having a ball!

 I got to have one of my California sisters for a week, and it was so much fun. It was a busy weekend with softball and such, but the kids tired each other out, we had beautiful weather, and I got to show them where we grew up and the beauty of our little town.

 We didn't have much time to vacation this summer, but we made a little trip to Calgary to see Jamie and Jody and took the boys to the dinosaur museum.

 We had a new little cousin, and a GIRL!! Kelsey had little Harper, and the kids are sure excited. She is still so small and tiny and it is just so fun to have another little girl around all these crazy boys...

 We did get one vaca this summer, and we went over to Spokane and to Silverwood park. We enjoyed the area soo much last year when we had to return our moving truck, we decided to go back. It is really pretty, and the theme park was supposed to be lots of fun, so we thought we would try it out...

 The 'Drop' ride was a little much for Gracie...she kept her eyes squeezed shut till the drop, then she said "The wind just made them open! I couldn't help it!" And she looked a little green after, but I am proud of her for trying!

 The park was ok, lots of kiddie rides and shows. The kids had alot of fun!

 We had our annual Henry reunion, with lots of fun and laughter like always.

 Look at those Great Grandkids all lined up for the pinata!

I am so glad we were able to have it, especially knowing now that it was Gramma's last year. She so enjoyed riding around on her scooter, talking and laughing with the kids. Her and grampa loved to have everyone around for that loud and crazy weekend!

 It was the 100th Year Anniversary for my tiny hometown of Del Bonita. It was a really fun weekend. We got to see people we haven't seen for years, enjoy company of family and friends, and play a little softball and enjoy the fireworks. It felt like it did when we were younger, when there were lots of people in Del Bonita and we had the Del Bonita Days on the last day of school...

brought back alot of wonderful childhood memories...

 The kids all played ball this year as well. Cooper played T-ball, which was kind of a crazy time, but by the end, he was learning a little.

 Gracie and Brody played coach-pitch, and they were quite excited that their Dad was the coach. So was their Mom...until Dad's schedule dictated that he was not there 3/4's of the time and she ended up having to help!!

 Gracie took clogging and had the opportunity to go to competitions which was quite the blast from the past for myself! It was fun being on the parent side of it, not having to stress about too much, and getting to enjoy each song and dance and step away when she was done. 

And this year, we have 3 in school! Cooper started pre-school, which is held right in the school where the kids go. So, he gets to walk to school with the kids and he thinks he's pretty big! I am a little sad, but glad, because I get 2 1/2 hours to myself! But at the same time...I have time to myself, there are no kids...and my baby doesn't need me as much! 

It has been a crazy year...but a good one for myself and Dustin as well. Dustin is still working in the ER in Lethbridge, and now has a permanent job, where the hours are not quite as long. We (especially Mom) enjoy it as he is home more in the evenings and weekends, and he gets to have the chance to coach Brody's hockey team as well. I'll take a slight pay cut anyday to have my man home to be husband and father to the family!!

I am still enjoying Young Women's, being a Mom, and trying to keep my sanity while running our families busy schedule! Its a crazy, wonderful, mixed up life... but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Merry Christmas one and all! And I'll try and keep a better record of the next year, so I don't have to cram it all into one post at the end!

My Gramma...

It has been quite a roller coaster ride the last couple of weeks. And just when I think I am doing good, I think about it, see her empty chair, think about phoning her, and remember. She had a good life; and long, full happy life. so I shouldn't be sad, because she is whole and healthy and having a wonderful reunion with family and friends...

But it still hurts...

You know who this beautiful woman is?

 This is my Gramma, Iris Maxine Wiggill Henry. She was born on July 8, 1931. 

She passed away on October 2, 2012.

She had 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. She knew everyone of them, and probably could tell you each of their birthdays.

Everyone loved her...

She was married to my grandfather, Edgar Henry, for nearly 66 years. Can you even imagine? They were married when she was only 15 and Grampa 19, but they stayed married, through 19 moves, 

3 children, 2 house fires and all the fun and laughter in between...

 Alot of people sent cards and messages, each expressing their sympathy and sorrow. Their love for my Gramma, whom many had said was the Heart and Soul of Del Bonita, was amazing to see as they sent their kind words and came to honor her at the funeral. She talked to everyone who came into the store; stranger, friend and family. Many people stopped in just to see her and visit again and again. She loved to visit. She loved to hear what was going on in people's lives.

When I go into the store I can see her there, on her chair, by the bum bench, waiting to hear how my life is going. Hugging my kids, calling me 'Jeccitha Dawn'...

 I was devastated on that Tuesday when I heard. She couldn't be gone. She was supposed to come to the house on Saturday for Thanksgiving Dinner. I was excited for her to see how I had decorated. She loved family dinners, and getting to see the kids, visiting and playing cards.

How could she be gone?

And how do I tell my kids...

Gracie and Brody were very sad...and we had a good talk about how we knew that she was in Heaven. That she was healthy and happy and waiting to see us again.

Gracie said, "But it will be so long..."

And I told her that to us, it would feel like a long time. But in Heaven, time is different. It goes by so quickly, that Gramma will hardly have time to miss us before we see her again.

And we will see her again.

My Grampa has been so brave. It hurts my heart to see him, though. We try and visit with him alot when we are there, because I know he probably misses her so much. They always played cards in the mornings before he went out to the shop to tinker away. And she was always worried about what to make him for lunch, even though I don't think he ever cared what it was, as long as he could eat it...

Every year we have had reunions and Christmas dinner. Gramma would fuss and fret, but she always loved them. She loved her little scooter because she could go out into the yard and see what all the kids were doing. She loved to just watch every one being together and enjoying each other..

So, I am going to try and do that. I want her to be proud of the woman I am, the mother I am, the daughter I am. Every day I try and think that she is watching me, waiting to hear how things have gone, and I want to be able to tell her how I have enjoyed my life. How much I have loved raising my kids, the things I have learned, the things I have seen and done. The people I have met, the friends I have made and the lives I have touched.

Can I make a difference like she did? Can I be the Heart and Soul of something, like she was, where there are so many that have loved her that there was barely enough room to fit them in the church as they came to honour her? Can I be a person like Iris Henry?

I will try.

 Everyday I will try harder to be a better person and mother and friend and daughter...

because I know she is waiting to visit with me...

and I want to be able to tell her all the good in my life...

Thank you for being my Gramma.

Thank you for being an example to me and my kids.

For always being a loving friend, a shoulder to lean on, a warm hug, a good laugh.

I will miss you until I can see you again, but I know you are happy and healthy and waiting.

I know our Heavenly Father has great work for you and will keep you until we can see you again.

Then we will have the biggest, loudest, funnest card game ever!

Because thats how we Henry's roll!

Because you taught us to laugh, have fun and enjoy life...

I love you Gramma

I'm Back!!

No, I didn't die in the cold Canadian winter.

I didn't even get lost in the snow!! We didn't get much this year anyways, which I'm very grateful for. I think Mother Nature knew i would need to be EASED into the cold, so I'm sure next year will be extra good and cold!!

We've been extra busy with so many things going on, so here's a quick recap before I try and stick to the blogging again. I finally have my computer setup and the Internet connected so I SHOULD be set!

 Brody started hockey this year. He wasn't super excited at first, he said he wasn't a good enough skater, but within a couple of weeks he was really enjoying it, and now he loves it. He scored his first and only goal this year at the last game when the team played the moms. That's right, I played hockey, equipment and everything...

 We moved into a new house in January, and it was officially ours in March. Its only 1 block from the school, playground and ball diamonds. The kids are loving school, lots of fun things going on! Here they are ready for Spirit Day. Go Blue and Gold!!

 We didn't get much snow, so they only got to go sledding a couple of times, and we finally got a good snow for a snowman, I had to go out and teach them how to make one! They never had, but they loved it and were very sad when he melted and fell over...

Gracie took clogging this year, and though she was hesitant at the beginning, she really shone at the recital. Then at the beginning of May, she headed for Lagoon, Utah for competitions....

more on that later!!

And Mister Cooper-man turned four. Can you believe it? FOUR!! He can't be that big, I refuse to believe it...But he gets to start pre-school in the fall and I'll have 2 hours, 2 days a week all to myself... I'll cry then...