Until We Meet Again

This post is to honor my good friend Heidi (Black) Wright.  She passed away this morning after a long and valiant fight.  She has been a example of strength, courage, and faith.  Heidi's influence will always be with me and I know I will never forget the lessons I've learned.

I met Heidi Black in high school.  We hung out with the same group of friends and became friends.  Heidi was in the group of friends that helped me to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  These friends were great examples and supported me through a major transition in my life.  I have always had a special place in my heart for Heidi and my other church friends.

I believe as we have grown older my appreciation and admiration of Heidi has increased immensely.  As we have gone through our own struggles (Heidi's far greater than my own) I have learned from her positive attitude and focusing on what is important in life.  She has taught me how to be strong and continue to have faith.  She never gave up and fought until the very end.

It has been difficult watching Heidi go through life's challenges and I am amazed at her strength and determination.  I don't think many others could of handle her pain and trails in a more graceful and positive way.  Over the past several years she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment and surgery.  After being in remission for about a year she discovered a brain tumor.  She underwent more treatment and brain surgery.  Just when you think things can't get worse another brain tumor was discovered.  This tumor was in a location that was inoperable, so she began treatment all over again just to find out it was not helping.  In the meantime all of this treatment gave her terrible side effects and made her sick.  For her to battle through all of this (and this is the short-short version) and continue to have a smile on her face is amazing.

Not only did she have a smile on her face, but she lived life.  Since Heidi moved to Utah I have been following her blog and loving to watch her enjoy life.  She has made her family a priority and making many wonderful memories with them.  Heidi has made her time on this earth count and mean something.  I am glad for all the wonderful things she did and hope those memories will help her children through this loss.

As I think about this great loss and begin to grieve I recognize my pain is nothing compared to Heidi's family.  My heart breaks as I think about her husband, children, siblings, and parents.  I know they will feel this pain for along time and it will never completely go away.  As I think and pray for them I find comfort in the Plan of Happiness and knowing that this life is not the end.  I am grateful to have a loving and kind Heavenly Father that has provided a way for us to return home to Him.  I am also grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ that broke the bands of death and made it possible for us to live again.  I have a strong testimony that these things are true and during sad times like this that gives me comfort and peace.  I am glad to know Heidi has moved on to a place of peace and rest, but I am more grateful to know she will one day be reunited with her family.

Be at peace my good friend.  And may God be with you and your family until we all meet again.

Me and Heidi (I think back in the summer of 1996).

Me and Heidi being silly at a church dance.

High School Graduation - 1995 (lf-rt: Stephanie, Nanci, Me, Marisa, Heidi)

Easter Sunday

I bought this turtle dress for Ava when she was a newborn. It was the smallest size at the store and I've been waiting 3 years for her to wear it. She looks so cute!When I ask Ava to give me a pretty smile this is what I get.

Squishy Face

I love that Ava is still cuddly, especially when she is tired.

Outtakes
When I asked Ava to put her arms around my neck for a squeeze this is what she did. She actually put a pretty good choke hold on me.

"I'm done!"

Where's Ava? Too bad she wouldn't really wear her Easter bonnet.

Easter Basket & Presents

On Easter morning Ava found the Easter Bunny came to visit. She followed his paw prints and found her basket on the kitchen table. Ava was excited to open her surprises and eat chocolate. After church Ava was happy to come home and spend time with Papa & Nonna Kurz.

Ava took a long time getting to her Easter basket. She decided she had to pick up every bunny paw print on the way.Inside the eggs was some change. Ava was so happy she shouted, "MONEYS" and ran down to her room to put it in one of her "piggy" banks.

Ava received 4 books in her basket because she loves to read.

Ava found a harmonica and microphone in her basket. She has been playing and singing non-stop since. She is actually pretty good and amusing to watch.

Ava was happy to open her chocolate eggs and eat them.

This is Ava's face after I told her not to eat anymore chocolate.

Uncle Eric knows what Ava likes...MONEY and CHOCOLATE! They are two of her favorite things. She loves to put money in one of her "piggy" banks (she has a few).

Ava got some clothes from Ding and Dinga.

Papa and Nonna gave Ava some Easter presents inside a cool beach bag Nonna made. One of the gifts was a ladybug game we have been enjoying as a family.

The last present was a snuggly panda blanket Nonna made. Ava put in right on her bed and has been sleeping with it ever since.

Mommy & Ava at the Zoo

This week Ava and I went to the Folsom Zoo & Sanctuary. It was a nice day and most of the animals were active. Ava's favorites were Maggie the Coyote, Misty the Tiger, and the owls. After the zoo we went on the miniature steam train at the park.

Maggie the Coyote

Misty the Tiger

Ava with a barn owl in the background.

There are many deer that live in the zoo. They stay behind the fence, but you can get within inches of them.

Ava and I pose with a male peacock. There are peacocks all over the zoo.

Ava really wanted to be a bear.

Ava and I rode on the last car of the train. The engineer suggested it because he noticed Ava plugging her hears when the train whistle sounded. She enjoyed the ride and wants to take daddy on the train soon.

Early Egg Hunt

Last Sunday we headed to Gridley for an Easter egg hunt and to play with the cousins. I know it was a bit early, but the McDowell's were in town and we thought it would be fun to do it with them there. It was a great day and Ava had a blast. She loved seeing her cousins and getting chocolate.

Ezra, Ava, and Abby waiting for the hunt to begin.

Still waiting. Ava was having a hard time being patient.

The kids were all lined up while Nonna explained the new prize eggs. Ava was not listening very well and kept trying to open the door. She actually opened the door and started before Nonna said go.

Ava finding a cleverly disguised pink egg.

Rachel found one of the high up eggs. On this day Rachel was celebrating her 14th birthday.

Ava enjoying her chocolate. She actually threw the money from the eggs aside because she just wanted chocolate.

EmmaLee, Bob, and Ezra checking out the eggs.

This picture is for Steve. Love those leg warmers Sherrie!

Everyone is gathered to claim their prizes. The kids had fun taking turns picking from all the goodies Papa & Nonna bought.

The girl cousins made this awesome fort. Bella made the sign which reads, "Favorite Cousin".

Ava hanging out with Lily and Parker inside the fort.

March Photos

March just flew by. It seems like time continues to move faster and it is hard to keep up. Ava is growing and changing all the time. She is amazing and I want to make sure to capture and preserve each moment.

Ava is learning to manipulate scissors. On this day she spent a long time just cutting paper into small pieces. It was good practice and she was so focused.

Ava continues to help me in the kitchen. I love that she always wants to wear her apron and baker's hat.

Ava cracks me up. On this day I gave her 2 spoons to make some music. When it was time to eat she decided to eat with both big spoons. Ava is actually quite good using both hands. She favors her right hand, but uses her left too. We are waiting to see if she will continue to be ambidextrous as she gets older.

To help Ava stop sucking her thumb we have used gloves to cover her thumb. She doesn't wear them very often. Every once in a while she puts socks on her hands at night. It is pretty funny.