Ellie !!!

Thanksgiving week I did my first alphabet post- Listing alphabetically things I am so very Thankful for.  http://jordanandrewmajka.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-2009.html

Some of these letters were a little difficult- I mean "X" was a hard one for sure!  Anyway, E was one of the easier ones. I was introduces the beginning of July 2008 to a Caring Bridge page for a sweet little blonde haired 6 year old, Ellie. I had been following another Caring Bridge page, but for a family member of someone I actually knew. I'm not sure looking back what made me decide to follow Ellie's story.  Maybe it was the fact that I literally signed onto Ellie's page just a few short days after Ellie was diagnosed with cancer. Maybe it was the fact that she has a twin sister, and that pulled at my heart strings.  It might have been that it was someone that worked with my friend Jodi that actually knows the family.  I don't know, but I never missed a post from Ellie's mom Amy.  Over the course of nearly two years, I honestly feel like I grew to know this family, and what a sweet family they are.  And Amy, I don't know if she was always so faithful but she became such a true inspiration not only for me, but I know now, to so many others. 

Ellie passed away on Wednesday. She fought the hard fight, and actually won! (Though most wouldn't look at it like that.) And still the post from Amy since Ellie's passing are so uplifting. Please pray for the Potvin family as they face a new journey. There is no doubt, Ellie will be GREATLY missed!!!
And hopefully this video of Ellie singing at her 8th Birthday party (last October) will play! http://vimeo.com/7490610

Have a great Weekend!

Simple Father's Day Post-attempt #2

A Father's Day post-  this little man is so gosh darn fun!! He has such a strong spirit- and such a broad imagination. (I love that as he is growing older his imagination is still such a big part of him!)

From all of us to You Babe- Happy Fathers Day!!

I know Presley and Jake think the world of you-

They couldn't think of a better Dad!

They can share with you in words and actions their love for you!

But this one....Well,

The shoes say it all!

Do you see someone that might want to be just like their Daddy?

On the cell phone, taking care of business!

Making sure the remote control gets used plenty!

      

 Getting ready to play baseball with the Boys!

Happy Father's Day to our Hero!

Hope you have a wonderful day- We Love You!!

And of course to my Dad!!

You Handsome Guy you!!! I love you! We all love you!!

Happy Father's Day Papa (AKA- Pops- to Owen)

Presley's Swim Banquet

I regretfully didn't get any pictures of Presley alone before her swim banquet- but here are a few pictures of Presley and Cade, and one with their friends Hester and Glen. I will hopefully update soon with more pictures from the actual banquet.

Easter Pictures!!

Just a few pictures from Easter morning, before heading out to church!!

Depression

He basically told me he had nothing else to look forward to! It had come and gone and the gone was the worst part of it! I felt so bad for this 7 year old who had just watched this "oh, so important day" slip right through his fingers- but not before he got a good taste of it!! I remind myself- this is a child who while learning how to ski- was having the "worst" day ever, and 15-20 minutes later when he kindof got the hang of it, it was "The BEST day EVER!" So he would eventually be able to get over this too.










FIELD DAY




Unfortunately- I wasn't there to get photos of everything he got to do that day- Partner games, tug of war against other classes, but the day ended with the BOMB- the Huge inflatables!!!





He waited patiently each time he stood in line!!







And there he is on the right-- Having the time of his life!!


So until next years Field Day!!!! :)

Spring Break at a glance

We all heading in three different directions this Spring Break! Jerry is back in Belize, and the trip is going great, but I can't update with any pictures- because I haven't been sent any! Presley left with her BFF Meagan to go to Playa Del Carmen on Monday morning. Meagans parents have been great at keeping me updated on the outings with the girls. They are traveling with another family- there are 7 kids total. Looks like they are having such a great time.


First day on beach at Playa



Day 2- 2nd picture Presley is holding a Starfish! Very neat!!










Two Beauties and One Beast!



Tulum Ruins!
Lunch at Gringo Daves




Leaving to go snorkeling on a 65 foot Catamaran!! Oh the Life!!!




The boys and I headed out to ElPaso and spent some time with my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Stan and had a chance to see and catch up with my cousins and their kiddos and my other Aunt and Uncle, Robin and Ken. We left Tuesday to drive up to Ruidoso to go skiing! Owen had never been- so we were going to put him in lessons, but the day didn't go completely as planned. Ski Apache had a record crowd on Tuesday. Go figure!! Everything else was perfect, the snow, the weather!! Anyway, I ended up teaching Owen how to ski, which was fine- I just felt bad for Jake, I wouldn't let him go on his own-so he had to ski the same runs as Owen and me!! He was such a good sport about it though!


The drive to Ruidoso was absolutely beautiful!!!



The boys did so good! It was so nice to be in such a beautiful place with them!!

Owen on the slopes!!

OWENism

This is just too funny not to share! I was sitting by the fire, just got done giving Owen a spelling test and he pops out with

" Johnny always says God's name in Spain." And I look up at him and say "What"? "Yeah Mom, he always says God's name in Spain." I'm so confused at this point. So I ask, "What do you mean?" "You know Mom, he always says "Oh my God!""

I nearly hate that I teach him that it's actually using God's name in vain- but I don't want him to think he can't use God's name when we go to Spain!

***Johnny wasn't the name Owen actually used, just trying to protect the little guy!