April Review

We've missed quite a few months of blogging this year, so we are going do monthly reviews.

In April, we celebrated Easter with two of Ryan's sisters, Amy and Wendy, and also Wendy's three kids. We were able to dye and decorate eggs and also have an Easter Egg Hunt.

Amy and Townsend dying Easter Eggs.

Here are the Easter baskets that I made for the kids.

Tennessee

Townsend

Tayzlie

We also had a fun Easter Dinner out on our balcony.

Ryan was able to get a motorcycle for the summer. We've sold it since the summer is over, but he enjoyed it while he could:)

Blogging not a thing of the past!

I know it has been a long time since I've posted. I was busy with work and nothing exciting happening, but I do feel I would like to start blogging again. I think it's important for our scrap-booking and journal efforts and also to keep family involved in our lives even if we live so far away. Over the next little while I'll probably have some catch-up post intermixed with recent happenings. We'll start with a little catch-up...

This year we've had some trials in the family: Ryan's mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and underwent a mastectomy and chemo; My nephew was born with a heart problem where one of his atrials isn't big enough and has undergone several procedures, and may need to have open heart surgery if he doesn't improve; we just found out my aunt in Texas was diagnosed with breast cancer; but probably the hardest, saddest and most difficult thing we have dealt with was last month when my brother-in-law took his own life.

Brandon Noel Johnson married my little sister, Leslie on New Year's Eve 2007. They came and stayed with Ryan and I July 2007 in Chicago. We spent the 4th of July weekend together and toured Chicago. Unfortunately that was the last time Ryan and I spent any time with Leslie and Brandon. With them in Hawaii and Ryan and I in Chicago and now Virginia, we never connected. It makes staying connected with family seem so important no matter the distance between you. Anyway, Brandon died July 12, 2010 at the age of 25. He had a good heart and cared about family and friends. Here are a few pictures w/ Brandon:

My sister Kasey wrote this about Brandon, "In memory of Brandon, I'd like to share something nice he did. Last July in HI, I had to work while Adam was away, & no one to watch Ady all day. Brandon offered to babysit, he drove clear to Laie in the early morn to come get her. He even checked childseat rules to make sure she could travel in their jeep safely. He will be missed. My thoughts go out to my sister, Leslie."

I really liked that quick story and it gives you an idea what Brandon was like and what was important to him.

Brandon was in the army, like my sister, and it was something he felt strongly about. Serving his country was important to him.

Brandon catching a wave with brother-in-law Adam, and Adam's friend Scott.

My little brother Blake and Brandon.

I feel really inadequate to write about Brandon and all the feelings we have experienced (which I'm sure are nothing compared to my sisters). So again, I am going to take a clip from someone else. Kasey's husband, Adam wrote this on their blog and I found it to hit home. Hope they don't mind that I'm using what they've written. "We were both shocked. Suicide is one of those things that you hear about, but never think of anyone you know actually doing it. And then to have someone in the immediate family, someone that you actually knew, had spent time with, always assumed would be there at the next family get-together to be dead hits you pretty hard. Suicide is one of those things that you always assumes wouldn't happen to your family. As [we] talked questions came tumbling out, some of them answerable but too many have the answer of "I don't know". Emotions including anger, guilt, shame and deep sadness get thrown together all at once."
We love you Brandon and will miss you.

Missing Melanie

This past week and a half Melanie has been visiting her family, so I'm left all alone in Virginia. All this time apart has shown me just how much she is my everything. I love her so much! 3 years and counting :)

I've been taking the extra time to do fun things like . . . work more :( Hopefully that means I'll get to take a day or two off after she gets back. Anyway, I just want everyone to know how amazing Melanie is in every way. She is loving and caring and patient and beautiful and athletic and smart and punctual (name that movie) and fun and mine, all mine! I can't wait till she gets back.

In conclusion, here's a little poem for my Mel:

You are my one and true best friend,
You've my devotion to the end.

Though but two weeks that you've been gone,
To this man's heart it feels so long.

I see your sexy blue-green eyes,
Then wake, alone, I realize.

What would I do without you, Girl?
You make me whole, complete my world.

To feel your sweet embrace I yearn;
My love for you will ever burn.

Melanie, oh Melanie, how my heart doth yearn for thee!
Melanie, my Melanie, please hurry home to be with me!