Today I give thanks for a new job

I got a new job everyone! A better job. Pay wise, and a better environment and nicer law firm. I applied for this job Wednesday night, got called almost an hour later, and interviewed Friday. Then got called back with an offer an hour later. It really is a miracle. Some of you may have known that I was slightly miserable at the last law firm I worked at. SO I had been looking for something new for a little while. But this job came a lot faster than I imagined it would. And it pays much much better so I'm really really grateful. I'll still be a legal assistant at this new firm, but I 'll only be working with bankruptcy now. So it should be good. Everyone, listen to me. Prayer does work. That is all.

Lucy Love

It has been a busy and emotional week for us with- field trips, last snack day, Brunch Bunch with one of our best turn-outs here at our house, dr. appts., meetings, Jason's calling (see our family blog) a surprise birthday party that we helped out on quite a bit, and or course... thinking everyday about Lucy. And about Vic and Molly. I wore my pink skirt yesterday- ahhh pink- with a big pink flower in my hair. And today for church I wore the black dress. The last time I wore this dress was the last time I saw Lucy happy, bouncing and alive. I listened to the Lucy CD a lot this week. And I am not ashamed to say that I cried a lot this week. Happy tears and sad tears. I shared her story (and cried) yesterday with someone I had just met and mostly talked about Vic and Molly and their strength and courage and faith. And I heard Lucy's little voice in my head saying with delight "Mohhy!" - that mix between Molly and Mommy. What a beautiful human being and what a perfect angel.

I love you

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. I sometimes look at the world around me and wonder how I got so lucky to have a family that [regardless of all our faults and imperfections] truly does care about each other and who as individuals are so amazing and such a force for good in this world. Thank you for the Birthday wishes and making me feel special and important. I love you.

Happy Birthday Vic!

Oops! Little late! I've been thinking of you all month and have had your birthday card all ready and sitting on my counter-till I saw it today! Its coming a few days late! I love watching you with kids! First the nieces and nephews and now with your own kids- you can make any kid laugh! I am always jelous of that. Your children know they are the most important thing in the world because of how you take care of them. They may not be able to say it yet, but their adoration for you shines all over their faces! Happy Birthday big bro! Thanks for being a good example!

Happy Birthday Vic!

Happy Birthday Vic! So many pictures came to mind that I wanted to use for you. Standing on the beach at Coney Island while it snowed, Jack as a baby at the wheel in your red Jeep with you approving at his side, sitting next to my boys on the curb in Spanish Fork, Christmas gatherings, and hiking trips. In all of them, I can see your love for us and all of us want to show our love for you! Is there any way to really reciprocate ! As fierce as any parent's love, you never cease to amaze and inspire. I remember the quiet nights you would come and hold Jack, even when it was late and I knew you would do anything for him. You are a great brother and I hope I can be more like you. Have a great day!

I think he was properly named...

It's hard to know what to say to my hero. My knight in shining armor.
I'll never forget riding down the PCH, the wind blowing in our hair, as I fell hopelessly in love with him.
I could see from the start he was a man of the highest character. The way he talked about his family--I never doubted he would treat his wife with respect. But I had no idea what I was in for with him as a father.
And sadly, seeing him deal with Lucy's death is what made his character shine the brightest. Set against such a dark background, he shone brightly as the sun for me. My guiding star at night. My reason to breathe.
To quote Dr. Packer, one of Lucy's doctor's in the PICU,

"When you work in a children's hospital, you see people's true colors shining through. This is not always a good thing. But your true colors are brilliant. As I watched you wade through tragedy with Lucy I saw grace, love and Christ-like charity. I thought, on more than one occasion, 'this is what the ideal husband looks like. these are the qualities that

count, the personality traits that really matter.' Your love for Lucy shined through, and while that was beautiful to see it wasn't the really impressive thing. The thing that sticks out to me when I think of that awful week is your sense of gratitude and love for everyone else around you. From nurses to doctors to janitors to friends and family and most especially, Molly. It was a week that you are given a free pass to be selfish and awful and you weren't. The stuff that you are made of is good stuff."


Isn't that beautiful? How did I get so lucky? How do I get all the goodness in me?? (Brian Reagen). The glimpses you catch of him as a father are just that, small glimpses. You should see him in everyday life. Sacrificing so I can follow my dreams and passion. Painting, cleaning, organizing, putting away laundry. Reading to me every single night so I can fall asleep-- Even over the phone when we are apart. Doting over Peter and marveling at his every move. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for putting such a marvelous man in my life. He made me a mother. I don't think he'll make a Saint out of me, but keeping me sane is more than I could ask for. I love you my Man Clam. (Did you know that is my nickname for him? Long story...)

Happy, Happy Birthday Victor dear. Happy Days will come to year all year. If I had a wish then it would be--to be with you, Lucy, and Peter for eternity.

Some of my favorite times:






What a Victor.

Happy V Day!

Happy Victor day! What a great day to think about you, celebrate you and appreciate the gift you are in our lives! You are a wonderful example of faith, hope and love. We have loved watching you- first as an uncle and then a father. You have such an excitement, such a light in your eyes, when you talk about your kids. The way you described Peter's muscles on his arms and shoulders, your imitations of Lucy and how you would make her giggle and laugh- it all makes us giggle and laugh too. You are such a great dad!!! You were so cute with Lucy, both of you all dressed up, on Wendy's wedding day. You were so cute with Peter, zipped up warm inside the sling and your coat, on the hike in Zion's national park. The two headed man! And your son could not have been anymore thrilled to have been right there with you. What a great dad you are!
"Hey, guess what?! It's my birthday!" -Vic
"Hey, guess what?! I have the greatest dad ever!" - Peter

38 is great!

Vic, Thanks for having a birthday almost 10 years before me. It always makes it easy for me to figure out how old you are. I have no idea how old anyone else is. Being 10 years older you pitched in all those years and helped raise  me so you've really been well prepared for parenthood,... except I doubt/hope you never give your kids a gralgy (gr-al-gee; adv. to spit in a person's ear while the victim is laying down, filling the outer ear and lobe with mucus and saliva until it overflows.) I love hearing about all the time and attention you give to your kids. It makes me want to be a better Dad. You also are great at treating your neices and nephews like your own and loving them the same. Happy Birthday Vic! Paul and gang

I loved and still do love to see Vic act silly with Lucy and now with Peter. How he dotes over his kids. It is funny to see how an older brother that used to act so tough is now dancing around and making silly faces at the whim of his little angels. I know you are a great dad, Vic, and enjoy seeing your great example. Happy Birthday. Love you bro!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIC!!!

Dear Vic. Today you have made it to another birthday. Congratulations on celebrating another year. One of my favorite memories of you with Lucy is when you and Lucy came down to Arizona for Wendy's wedding. It was so fun to see the two of you together the whole time. It was one long Daddy daughter date. You were so sweet with Lucy and I loved to watch you getting her ready. Brushing her hair, putting it up, getting her dress on. It was very sweet to see the nurturing side of you with her. She loved it too. Happy Birthday Brother.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to our mom, mother-in-law, and grandmothers!

Mom, this may not be the best photo of you with your eyes in the middle of a blink but I have always like this mother/daughter photo of two women I really love. We love you and miss you and look forward to getting to see you again and play soon. Thanks for being so helpful and patient (especially with my children). We love you so much.

Joy, Jason, Allie, Luke and Wesley

Awhh! My Family Loves Me!

Hey I like this tradition! Thanks for all the notes and phone calls, which reminds me I still need to return some of your calls and cards, Peggy Wendy. You can bet it was a great birthday, Kristyn made sure of that! She made me not ONE,... but TWO chocolate rasberry cheescakes! On sunday I had a few pieces of cheesecake, took an extra long nap, and then woke up for some more cheesecake! It was great! I love you all!
Paul

Picking on Paul

One of my favorite memories of Paul was always trying to scare him! Hey! I'm a big sister! Thats what I'm supposed to do! I got him good one time in the shower. He screamed like a little girl! But that probably cause he was a little boy. Maybe thats why he didn't like to shower much in those days! I also remember Mom getting so mad at Paul and I cause we would play 'gotcha' on Saturday nights when we were supposed to be going to bed. Paul had the advantage cause I had to make it all the way up the stairs to get to my room- he always tagged me and I had to come back down to get him. I remember laughing so hard I could barely move! Mom was mad but that only made us laugh more. Happy Birthday Bro! I miss hanging out with you!

Dear Journal,

"May 2nd, 1990
Today was Paul's Birthday. He took cupcakes to his class. I feel so guilty cause I didn't buy him anything. I just gave him some card games mom gave me to give to him. Then I gave him a cute card I had with a boy playing baseball on it. He likes baseball. He had a family party. I hope he had fun. Later a big balloon came with a smaller balloon inside. In between was popcorn and the smaller one had a bunch of little balloons. It's the answer Vic got for the prom. But Paul popped the outer part. He felt so bad he cried. Oh, and he's getting baptized.
May 12th, 1990
Got ready for Paul's baptism. Us girls sang at it. It was really neat because Vic baptized Paul and afterwards came out in a tux for his Prom later."

Happy Birthday Paul! Not much has changed, I still didn't get you a gift but if you still have those cards, enjoy! :) -and it's ok, it's your party and you can cry if you want to! After all the chaos of a big family, I hope you now get all the attention you truly deserve on your day. You turned out a pretty cool guy in spite of us! I love you!

"I like Paul, he is funny"

That is a line from my first Journal entry in my first Journal ever. I wrote that I had six siblings, and I specifically said that part about Paul. I was 6 years old. He sure made me laugh a lot. Love you brother. Happy Birthday!

-Peggy