Erick is back in the U.S.

I am happy to report that Erick made it to the United States early this morning. He is staying with some friends of ours in Baltimore. He will be there all day today and then off to Seattle for a job conference. I am so happy to know that he is safe and home. He will be in Seattle until Saturday then he will heading to Virginia Beach for 3 weeks before I go get him. This week has been so crazy busy. My grandpa Kocherhans passed away on Friday he was my mom's father. It has been an emotional week. We went to a wake on Sunday night, then we have a viewing tonight as well as the funeral tomorrow. At the wake we had the opportunity to share stories and feelings about my grandpa. I was very close to him. I grew up 2 blocks away from him. He would come over every Saturday for a while to visit. I remember lots of camping trips with him, He would take me to A&W for my birthday every year. I remember one time I had a fight with my parents and I was downstairs packing my stuff with plans to (run away), he came down and talked to me and told me if I ever wanted to run away I should come stay with him instead. He also showed such a love for my kids he made frequent visits to my mom's to see them when we were in town. I loved him very much. My grandpa was a wonderful singer his dream was to sing in the Tabernacle Choir, but he started to have hearing loss in his early 50's he could no longer hear music, he had 85 grandchildren and 30 something greatgrandchildren many of which have a talent of singing as well. He was with my grandma for 70 years and he died of heart failure. He was such an amazing man and I will remember him forever.
Kiah had a choir concert last night where she sang a solo and did amazing. She is so talented and has no fear. Kesli has a dance recital this weekend she really loves to dance and does great at it.
So that sums up my busy week but anything to make time go faster so I can be with my man again.

Very blessed year.

Now that Erick is down to his last 10 days in Iraq. I have just been reflecting a little about the last year. I have never felt so blessed in my life. I know that my heavenly father has taken our little family into his care and filled our life with blessings. We have been so well protected and taken care of and I have had a strength I didn't know possible. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful family. While I have been here My sister Corey had a baby boy and my sister Jenn had twin boys. I haven't been able to be with them yet for there baby's. It has really been fun being an aunt (not a mom) to these sweet little boys. I have been able to grow so close to my sisters and have know that I could count on there support and love through this hard time. This picture is all of us together . There are 15 grand children. We had this picture taken while Erick was visiting for Christmas. I am also so greatful for my parents. My dad has been over almost every saturday fixing things around the house or helping out with the yard etc. My mom lifts my spirits every time I am with her . She expressing to me daily that I am a wonderful mother and I am doing an amazing job. I have loved being close to them. My brother who also served in Iraq as a general sergeon also returned to Utah resently after being in the army for 12 years. Has been so good to me by taking me out to dinner or taking my kids to do fun things. They all love there Uncle Rob and his wife Tara. I also am thankful for my friends who have been praying for us and sending Erick packages and emails. We have felt your prayers and we thank you for taking that time to think of our family. We truly love you. We look forward to the next adventure that our life will bring. I am blessed to come from such a wonderful supportive family and I know that I could not have done this without them. I know I am a stronger women because of this experience and I am greatful for this trial I have been given. I just pray that more trials don't come my way for a long long time. I am ready for a break. I am going to Virgina to pick up Erick in May and look forward to that time with my guy. I love Erick more than ever before and I am so proud of his postive attitude of this experience he has made the best of things and that has kept him happy, and given me peace of mind.
We love you and thanks again for coming into our lives.

Easter

Easter was a big success at our house. The easter bunny comes on Saturday that way we still keep the real reason for easter in our hearts on Sunday. After all the sewing of these dresses. I made the kids take some pictures so we could send them to Erick right away. We headed to church and I notice everyone in the chapel started to stand. I look back and walking up to the stand is Elder Dalin H Oaks. He is an apostle of the LDS Church. I have never been in the presence of an apostle. He brought with him such a wonderful spirit. His daugher is in our ward so he came to visit for easter. We did not have the privelage to hear from him but it was amazing. He also attend Sunday School and some of Relief Society. Isaac gave a talk in primary about Easter and he did a great job. After our meeting we headed to Erick's parents for dinner. The kids had an easter egg hunt with there cousins. When I think of Easter last year , I remember we arrived in Utah the day before Easter. Erick spent the holiday with us. On Easter sunday we knew it was going to be our last sunday together for the next year. We spent most of sacrament meeting wiping away tears , it was very hard day. 5 days later he left us for training. I can not believe that we are down to the last 5 weeks of being apart. I am so excited. We know that all of your prayers have been heard in his behalf. We appreciate all the love and support.

Kiah's St Patricks Day

Kiah had such a fun decorating these shirts seen in the picture. They sprayed there hair green and they all wore green skirts. It was a fun day. Who knew that 4th grade would be so fun. She has such a fun teacher this year named Miss Nelson. Kiah is taking voice lessons and is in the school choir. She got a solo in the choir that she will be performing in May. She also is singing a solo in Sacrament meeting in June. She has such a fun personality. I enjoy being the mom to a ten year old girl. Most of the creative things we do are her idea I just provide what is necessary.

Busy month

March has been such a busy month for me. I was looking for Easter dresses for my 4 girls and ran into the cutest dress at Gymboree the problem was that they were 50 dollars each and 4 girls you do the math. No way was I going to spend that. So I decided I would sew the exact dress. So I went and got all the fabric and notions and spent 60 dollars for everything I needed. So I have been busy making 4 darling dresses in time for easter (pictures will be posted later). Also this month Kiah decided that her friends wanted to dress the same for St. Patrick's day. So I told her to have all there friend come over and bring a white shirt and we would decorate them. They did such a good job. And they had a blast together. Kiah has such a fun group of friends this year they are amazing girls. I also started a Joy school with some other women in the ward so this was my week to teach. It has been a fun thing I teach one week of the month on a tuesday and thursday. Sadie and Saylor love it. With easter around the corner I have been getting stuff for baskets and sending Erick his own easter stuff as well. We have also had 5 birthday parties to attend this month. I never remember March being so busy but this year with Easter so early I guess that's what happens. Erick is still doing great. He is still looking for a job. He has lots of leads and we are hoping something happens by June so we can make plans for the future. We love Utah and hope we don't have to leave. We miss all of our friends and hope to cross paths againg with all of you. I will be going to Va Beach the end of May to pick up Erick we will spend 4 days there just the 2 of us I can't wait.