My Mom

My mom passed away on Friday August 29, 2008 at her home in Las Vegas, NV at approximately 10:30 pm. I am grieving yet still in shock. It doesn't seem real to me I just saw her 2 weeks ago at my cousin Ali's wedding reception...The pain of losing her is unexplainable, she was my best friend, our relationship was not typical mother daughter, my grandma was the one that primarily raised me, but my mom was always there in a sisterly capacity, she was the one that taught me how to be a free spirit and to love music and to appreciate God through the beauty of Nature. So much of my favorite things are because of her, she taught me how to read, she taught me to love books and to use them as an escape instead of what she used as her escape, drugs...My mother was not perfect, she had demons that in the end she lost the battle too. But she had a huge heart, she loved animals, dogs and horses especially, she was always kind to everyone and if she saw a stranger in need more often than not if she could help she would. She was the one person that I could tell anything and everything to without fear, she never judged me or anyone, she only would do her best to understand every mistake and try to guide me in her own way. I miss her terribly and will for the rest of my life, my only comfort is knowing that she is no longer in pain and that she is with her mom and dad who love her just as much as I do. Rest in peace mom I love you.....

My Cousin Ali's Wedding

I went back to Las Vegas a few days go to go to my cousin Ali's wedding, she was married Friday August 15th, to Josh Nilson at the Las Vegas LDS Temple. Josh's parents were nice enough to hold a family luncheon at the Olive Garden where we were able to spend time with the happy couple prior to the reception. The reception was tons of fun, I got to see ALL of my family for the first time in over a year and I learned that my cousins, James and Joe are about to open a bar/restaurant called The Bar (pretty original..hehe) its located off of St. Rose and Las Vegas Blvd. I also got to see my Uncle Drew, who is now a grandpa for the 3rd time...my cousin Andrea now has a little boy, along with 2 little girls :). The best part was just being with everyone and feeling like I belonged there, I was a little afraid I would feel like an outsider without my grandma there and because so much time has passed, but that wasn't the case at all, which actually made my trip bittersweet. I miss my family so much, while I love Arizona, my heart is still with them in Vegas, its where I grew up and even though my home is with my boys and now Pudge, Vegas is my roots. Here are a few pics from my trip and the wedding...Congrats Ali and Josh!!!

A stop along the way...

Hoover Dam.....

Brittany and I

My cousin Daniel asleep at Olive Garden..

Brittany's son Jake

My Family :)

Josh and Ali Nilson

My Uncle Drew and Brittany

My cousins James and Joe

Random Nate and his new best friend Pudge pics

I could write lots of stories about these pictures, but as they say " A Picture is worth a thousand words".....

The End of Summer

Elissa went home yesterday...the house is somewhat quiet and empty feeling without her, Nate and Pudge are still wild, but somehow its just not the same without her. We had so much fun together, we went to the movies the day before she left to see "Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants 2" which was awesome and a few weeks prior to that we saw "Mama Mia", which was also awesome (I use awesome alot because she has rubbed off on me and that happens to be her favorite word). We did ALOT of cooking and baking and shopping. Along with all the fun my daughter taught me some very important lessons about life and also she taught me how to be a better mom. I realized that there are plenty of women that can give birth to babies and never know what it truly means to be a mom and there are also women who can't have babies but are born to be mothers. I was taught by this smarter than she should be 9 year old that being a mom means having all the answers even when your answer is I'm not sure, but I'll find out and that baking cupcakes for no reason is better than anything and that I am the funniest mom on earth because she gets my jokes and that no matter how hard of a day there is she forgives and loves me anyway. So, before I get even sappier I'll just post some pics of my girl and then do another blog..hehe..(I know I have slacked lately..thanks for the patience)..