I will never forget!  Today marks the 12th anniversary of the September 11 attack on our country.  Twelve years later, I still am in disbelief that this happened to our great nation.  This will be one of those moments I will forever remember what I was doing when this happened.

We were living in Utah at the time so we were two hours behind.  Mark was fifteen months old.  That night he decided to be "up all night" along with myself.  He had always been a good sleeper but for some reason, he wasn't that night.   I remember just being exhausted. I finally got him back to bed (a little after 7 am).  Steve got up and just left the house without a word.   We still had no clue what was going on.  I remember being angry with him.  He didn't even say goodbye.  I flipped on the kitchen tv and I saw this unfolding live.  I was watching Katie Couric.  I was just standing there stunned when I saw LIVE the second plane hit the tower.  Just then, the front door opened and Steve walked in.  He handed me a Starbucks coffee.  He said, "I knew you had a rough night so I thought you could use a good cup of coffee".  He then asked me what was wrong and I told him.  We stood there watching the tv. Stunned.  The older kids were still sleeping.  I didn't know what to do.  Do I send them to school?  What?  Nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime.  The decision was made to send them to school and Steve went off to work.  Did I fell stupid being so mad at him.  Unfortunately, I had to wake Mark up a little after 8 to drive the older kids off to school.  I  was glued to the tv.  Then the pentagon happend, then the plane in Pennsylvania.  I just sat and cried.  Over the next week, I was glued to the tv coverage.  One moment that stands out for me is when Ashley Banfield was reporting.  She was standing by a wall where people were posting pictures of their loved ones that were missing.  I can't remember if this person was missing or among the lost, but she came across the name of one of her friends and she just started to cry during her live  report.  So sad.  By the way,  after that sleepless night, Mark never had a rough night again.  Twelve years later, he sleeps like a rock!

We were living in Sandy at the time.  On the one year anniversary, Sandy City Hall had a memorial.  As far as I know, they still do it to this day.  I think they call it the Healing Place.  On their front lawn, they place a flag for every person lost that day and a flag representing all the countries who lost someone.  Mark was obsessed with flags so we went down there.  It was beautiful to see.  Very somber.  Of course, Mark loved all the flags.

  It was very somber standing there. It was windy that day so we just stood there watching and listening to them.

My little guy was just mesmerized by all the flags.  

Last summer, Steve and I went to New York for our anniversary and we visited the memorial.  It was so hard to stand there at the site knowing that so many lives were lost that day.  We must NEVER forget.

God Bless America.

So I know it's been forever since I blogged. I swore this would be the year I stayed on top of it.  As usual, life gets busy and the blog takes a back seat.  I've been taking lots of pictures though to put it my blog.  First thing I will share (soon) is the bridal shower album I did for my daughter's friend.  I was so happy with how it turned out and it really challenged my creativity.  She loved it!  She scrapbooks some herself so she really appreciated the effort and knows what it takes to put your heart into creating layouts.  During all this, I had to breakdown and get a new computer.  So, I am the proud new owner of a laptop which I am still learning how to use.  It's totally different than my desk tops I have used in the past.

My heart is broken tonight for the total devastation that has happened in Oklahoma.  I had to turn the tv off tonight because I just couldn't handle it anymore.  As a parent, I cannot fathom what those parents are going through.  You think school is a safe place.  That's all I can say about this because I will lose it.  I just want all my kiddoes home so I can give them a big hug and tell them how much I love them.

Jodie Arias.  Yes I got sucked into watching that trial.  I am very happy with the verdict.  The jury in Arizona got it right unlike a jury here in Florida a few years ago.  I won't go into that one either.  I don't know what I am going to do when it is all over.  I love watching all my HLN people give their commentaries.  I love Vinnie, Ryan and Joey Jackson.  I enjoy Jane Velez-Mitchell and even Nancy Grace.

Mark is finished with school this week.  He has one more full day tomorrow and early release on Wednesday and Thursday. He is going to drive me nuts being home all summer but at the same time, I will NOT miss that commute to his school.

Speaking of being finished, one more night of Dancing With the Stars.  Yes, I am one of those.  I have watched every season since it began.  I am so hoping that Kellie and Derek win. I love them together.  Can she be any cuter?

I think Zendaya is overrated and I feel like the judges really want her to win.  Ali and Mark are okay but all their dances look the same.  Jacobi and Karina are fun but I don't think he is the best dancer.  He certainly is a great entertainer though.

I  could keep going with everything I have been up to but I will save it for another time.  My bed is calling me.  I am just waiting for Emily to get home.  She finally got her car and is driving herself around (okay, so it's three years later) but I am a worrier.  Once I see those headlights in the drive, I can shut this down and call it a night.  I hope that when I wake up and turn on the tv tomorrow, there will be some good stories coming out of Oklahoma.  We need some good stories and some good news from out of there.  

Good night.

Happy New Year!!!!

Another year has come and gone.  I love the month of January.  It's a fresh start, a new beginning.  Every year I set a goal and by Spring, I have forgotten all about it.  I start of strong and then get lazy.  Every year I tell myself that this will be the year I follow through.  Well, guess what?  This is the year I will follow through.  

So, to start off the new year, I am doing something I have always wanted to do. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to scrapbook.  I love to take pictures.  I love to lock myself away in my little room in my house and watch some sappy Lifetime movie and get creative.  I have always wanted to do the Project Life by Becky Higgins.  Every year I talk myself out of it because I don't want to make the investment and then not do it.  So, last week I ordered the kit. Maybe this will be the thing that keeps me on track for my goals for 2013. I even chose my word for the year.  Blossom.  I want to grow (which was my other word) and improve.  I want to be a better wife, mother, friend, scrapbooker and of course blogger.  I could go on and on.  2012 was a huge year of change for me. Liz graduated from college!  Emily graduated from high school and Mark started middle school.  Greg?  Well he just goes with the flow  College life agrees with him.  He's my easy kid.  Point is, my kids are growing up and they don't need me 24/7 like they used to.  They have become adults.  I find myself  for the first time in years, having time to myself.   I am only 45.  I have lots of living and catching up to do.  So this is MY year. My year to blossom.

Mark is having a wonderful year in his new school.  What a change.  Although I miss the convenience of the local school and putting him on the bus, it is so worth the commute to his school.  Ready for this?  He made the honor roll the first quarter.  Unbelievable.  I have always known he was capable of it but he just needed the right tools (and teachers) to get through to him.  Having a kid with a learning disability was new to me.  I felt lost and no one knew what we were going through.  Our public schools just didn't work for him.  I love that he is in a small class, only 11 kids.  I love that they learn about the Bible in school and say prayers.

So, I look forward to 2013.  First thing on my list is to take down the tree and all the decorations.  I love that feeling of seeing everything put away and clean.  My motto every year is "out with the old, and in with the new".  I tell the kids that for every new piece of clothing that comes in, one must go out. The donation box is growing.   I love it!  Here's to a new year, a new beginning.  Happy 2013!