My Dad

It's been 10 years since my Dad passed away.  It some ways it seems like yesterday, but in others, it feels like eternity since I have seen him.  Everyone told me that it would get easier with time.  In some ways that is true.  The sting and hurt are not nearly as great as they were 10 years ago.  However, in other ways it is so much harder.  The separation is difficult and I miss him more than I ever thought possible.  I know that he has never PHYSICALLY seen my boys play sports, my daughters cheer or dance, hold my kids on his lap and get their sweet hugs and kisses, seen their report cards, witnessed the band concerts and plays, or been to a primary program.  That hurts and hurts bad!  It hurts even worse that my kids have grown up without PHYSICALLY knowing their Grandpa Sharp.  I try to do everything I can to keep his memory alive and we talk about him constantly.  TJ is hoping that he has some of Grandpa Sharp's TALL jeans, (my Dad was 6'4...don't know what happened to me!) and I always tell the kids that they have their own very special angel to watch over them. 

My Dad was a great man.  I remember as a little girl that I would cry on his shoulder and he would make me laugh as he couldn't figure out why his shirt was wet.  What I wouldn't give to be able to cry on his shoulder now!  No matter how old you get, I don't think you ever outgrow the need for YOUR Mom and Dad!  I loved being able to travel with him when he traveled for his job.  I got to see so many interesting parts of the country and meet so many wonderful people. 

 I LOVE sports because of him.  He taught me so much about football and basketball and I will ALWAYS cherish those times.  He would always give me super great tips when I was a waitress at the BYU Skyroom.  I loved having him come up there so I could wait on his table! 

Dad was ALWAYS joking around.  Many times, my friends didn't know if he was serious or not.  He always had that twinkle in his eye.  My Dad was the most organized person that I know.  I like to think I got a little bit of that trait from him, but I'm not nearly as good as he was. 

 I will NEVER forget the day I got married and I looked at him in the sealing room of the temple.  He had a tear rolling down his cheek.  He came and gave me a hug and told me how much he loved me.  What I wouldn't give for just one of those BIG BEAR hugs he used to give me.  I miss him more than I ever thought possible.  But, thank heavens for the gospel and the plan of salvation.  I KNOW that I will see him again and be able to live with him forever.  What a great comfort that is to know that as hard as the separation is, it is only temporary and yes....once again, in the next life, I WILL be able to get one of those huge bear hugs that I so desperately need and miss! 

I miss you Dad.

I Love you so much!

One more post for today....

Happy Late Thanksgiving! 

I hope all of our family and friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  We missed being home more than you will ever know.  We have been with Randy's family or my family every year since we've been married.  Last year I was recovering from surgery, so I didn't really think about it.  But, this Thursday when I woke up and realized that I was still in Morgantown and all my family was thousands of miles away in Idaho and Utah, I shed a few tears.  However, I need to stop and be grateful for so many things.

I am thankful for the gospel because we had members of our ward that shared Thanksgiving with us!  We had the Bishop's family over and another family over.  I am thankful for families in the ward that make our family back west seem not so far away!

I am thankful for wonderful friends in Idaho and Utah and new friends in Morgantown.  They have been by my side through good times and bad, cried with me and laughed with me, and kept me going with their friendship!  THANKS!

I am thankful for four beautiful, healthy children that are the light of my life.  Everything I do is because of them!  They are my greatest joy!

I am thankful for a wonderful husband that loves me even though I have many short comings and works so hard to support our family.  He is amazing and I am so lucky to have him as mine!

I am thankful for wonderful in-laws who since the day I met them, have welcomed me into their hearts and home!  I love the Haws family!

I am thankful for my family.  I have the best sisters and brother that anyone could ask for. They are ALWAYS there for me through good times and bad.  They are my rock and make me laugh even in hard times!  THANKS guys!  My Mom and Dad gave me a wonderful life, taught me the gospel and loved me unconditionally.  I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents!

I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am truly indebted to our Savior, who sacrificed His life for me that if I live worthy I can return and live with Him and my family forever!

So many things to be thankful for everyday....but especially this time of year as we reflect on the goodness of our loving Heavenly Father.

I am so blessed!

Halloween

I can't believe that I haven't even posted our Halloween pictures yet.  I thought having all my kids gone all day that I would have tons of time to get things done.  How wrong I was!  I think I am busier now that I have time alone during the day than I was when I had little ones at home....if that's at all possible!  I volunteer at the school, so I am there all the time.  Too bad that I don't get paid for all those hours!  I love being in the school and getting to know the kids my kids hang out with and all the teachers.  I've done Super Saturday, a Craft Fair, running kids in a million different directions, school parties, primary program, book fairs, football games, band concerts, basketball practice, coaching Tylee's cheerleading team, (yes, that is a joke, but they were desperate and I was gullible enough to say yes) and did I mention running kids constantly?  It's a 50 minute drive round trip to drive TJ into school for his extra activities, so that takes time out of my day!  But, I LOVE what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! 
We LOVE Halloween!  We all dress up and decorate the house!  We had the Missionaries over for our "traditional" Halloween dinner.  They weren't too sure about eating gulosh out of a pumpkin, but surprisingly enough, they loved it!  They loved our pumpkin salad, finger dip, (carrots with olives on them), ghost pie and worm punch.  It was fun to share our traditions with the missionaries!  Hope they didn't think we were too crazy!!!  We live in a neighborhood and so we actually got to walk and go to all the houses in the neighborhood.  It didn't hurt that it was 65 degrees!  It was another new experience for us to have in Morgantown.  We loved walking and the kids got tons of candy!  We LOVE Halloween!

Treyson is reading Harry Potter and LOVING the books!  I often catch him up late at night reading with a flashlight!  He wanted to be Harry Potter and I think he made a cute one!

TJ dressed up like....we are not sure!  He had his red headlamp on and this crazy sound toy that Aunt Alana gave the kids.  It's really obnoxious and Randy and I hate it!  TJ just walked back and forth across our sidewalk and shook that crazy noise toy.  He didn't say anything to anyone and didn't scare the kids.  Although, some kids didn't want to come to our door.  I felt bad when I found that out!  He stayed in character the whole time and had fun!

Tylee as the cutest witch ever!  She is a sweetheart!

My darling cowgirl!  Taysha is growing up too fast!

Here are my darling kids!  I dressed up as a witch with Tylee!  We had an awesome Halloween in Morgantown!

My "Little" Boy

TJ is in the Wind Ensamble band for the High School.  It is the top band in the High School and he was fortunate enough to be selected to play in it.  French Horn players are rare and so as a result, he is the only Freshman French Horn player in the band.  They have to wear tux's for the concerts and because they perform so much, we had to BUY it!  Hopefully it will last him for ALL of his high school years.  When he tried on the tux at the Tux Store, yes, I started to cry.  I am sure it embarrassed TJ, but the sweet lady understood.  She even asked me if he was my oldest!  I can't believe that he is growing up so fast and that he is 14!  Only five more years with  me and he will be out in the world on his own.  That kills me and tears me in two!  I can't stand the thought of him leaving me!  He has done so well with the move, making new friends, doing well in school and all his extra activities and standing up for what he believes in.  I am one proud Mom!

We love our TJ!

 

Fall Colors

It's been way too long since I've posted, so I will try to catch up.  I love Morgantown for the fall colors.  It is absolutely beautiful.  We can just look out our window and enjoy the colors.  Plus it makes for fun leaf piles to jump in!

This is our driveway!

This is our back yard!  I love it!