If I Only Had Today

Bryon's cousin has talked about this latest CD by Hilary Weeks on her blog. I finally broke down today and went out and bought it. The title of the first track really put into words all the thoughts that have been going through my mind the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago, listening to the Sounds of Sunday on our favorite local radio station, it was announced that a long time announcer on the radio had been vacationing with his family in Hawaii and had been in a horrible scuba diving accident. He was on life support and they were asking for listeners prayers. I awoke the next morning to find out that this radio personality had passed away. Although I had never personally met Wayne Richards, I felt like I knew him from listening to him every morning on the radio. My heart ached for his family and co-workers.

A few nights later, Bryon was at a work meeting and I got a phone call from a friend stating that a mutual friend of ours son was in an accident and ended up hitting a pedestrian and killing him. The man he happened to hit was a husband of one of Bryon's aides. Our hearts went out to both of these families affected in this horrible tragedy.

Both of these events have really got me thinking lately. This song by Hilary Weeks really put into words my feelings of the past two weeks. So Bryon, Sam, Conner, Logan and Natatlie I publish these song lyrics for you.

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets
And stared at a thousand full moons
Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever
And sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heartbeats
From the day I was born until now
But not a single one goes unnoticed
By Him who breathes life in me somehow.

But if there were no more tomorrows
If I knew that I could not stay
I know how I'd spend every moment
If I only had today.

I'd hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd just let the phone ring
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today.

I'd wake up before the sun did
And I'd watch as you quietly sleep
I'd pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moment won't keep

All the gifts that Heaven has given
Every blessing that's come my way
Wouldn't mean anything without you
So if I only had today.

I'd hold you and listen
I'd memorize every detail of your face
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
I wouldn't let excuses get in the way
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today.

There's no time like the present
Life doesn't come with any guarantees
The sun will set and time won't wait.

So while I have today

I'll hold you and listen
I'll let the dishes sit in the sink
I'll tell you I love you over and over
For once I'll just let the phone ring.
And I'll remind you of forever
And how our love will never change
Because I have today.

A blog I have been following said it perfectly on her blog.

Life is short.
Make the most of the time you have.
Every second and every minute counts.
Hug a little tighter.

Laugh a little longer.

Yell a little less.

Forget about the mess.
and remember that the very most important things are those that depend on us the very most.
our children.
and
our families.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend we had planned on going to Utah to see my sister Lori bless their new baby boy, Carson. However, due to needing new tires on the van, getting four children ready for school, and high gas prices, we were unable to go. Instead, we decided to stay home for the weekend.

It is always tradition that Bryon's mom's side of the family has a huge family reunion at Bryon's Grandpa Perry's house about ten minutes from us. They always roast hot dogs on a firepit and then everyone brings a salad or a dessert. The reunion this year was very well attended. My kids always have a blast playing with all their cousins and extended family. Bryon's two sisters from Utah drove up with their kids for the reunion and to spend the weekend.

Bryon's mom invited us down on Sunday. Bryon's dad had a hair-brained idea for the older grandkids to sleep outside in the tent with him. We went down Sunday afternoon. Bryon's dad grilled hamburgers out on the grill for dinner. It was cold and rainy all day. The grandkids ended up sleeping on the floor of the new addition because it was to wet to sleep outside. Bryon and I spent the night to save on gas from having to go home and coming back down on Monday to pick up the kids. It was fun. We haven't done that since moving to Idaho 11 years ago!

It was fun to just hang out and visit. While we were together, we were able to take a picture of the ALL the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma.

Logan's First Day of School

Logan didn't start school until after Labor Day. He will also be in the same school that Bryon works at. He will be attending the Preschool program. He will be attending on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He was so excited for his first day of school. His teacher is the same as last year, Miss JoAnn. There are also two aides, Miss Melanie and Miss ReNae. He will also have some of the same friends in his class that were in his class last year. When I went to pick him up after the first day of class, Miss JoAnn informed me she was so thankful for Logan and Tristen that knew the routine and were trying to hard to get the other kids to follow the rules.

First Day of School

School this year came all too soon for me.

It is hard for me to believe that Sam is in the fourth grade. He is going to the middle school. It is just across the field from his previous school. I am still not sure how to feel about the whole thing. I think it is the words "middle school" that has me freaking out a bit. Sam's teacher is Mrs. Singleton. She is a younger (I say that because we figure she is about our age!) teacher with a strong suit in math. Sam is very excited. I know he won't admit to it but I think he is a little nervous about going to a new school. This year he will be in a school where his dad won't be just down the hall. He has done it before for Kindergarten through second grade. However, last year I think he got used to his dad being right there and everyone knowing him as "Mr. Kennedy's son", that this year is a little different for him. I think we got used to having Bryon right there to follow up on assignments and help him get his homework if he forgot it. So it will be a big adjustment for all of us.

Conner is in Kindergarten this year. Last year he went to preschool only two days a week and longed for the days when he could go to school every day. Now that day is here, he isn't sure about wanting to go to school every day. His teacher is Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton is a "seasoned" teacher which is what we wanted for Conner. Conner likes to dance to the beat of his own drum and we were looking for someone that could make him toe the line! We are so glad that Mrs. Clinton is the one to help him do this. We aren't sure if she is as happy as we are! Mrs. Clinton is a great kindergarten teacher and we know that Conner will learn a bunch from her.

Since Sam has moved on to middle school, I think Bryon is happy to have another son around that he can occasionally see in the halls or classroom.

First Day of School

Celebrate Youth day 08-19-2008

The town here has a really big back-to-school party the day before school starts. The party is held in one of the parks here in town. THere are booths on various things and each booth has a game for the kids to play. The kids come away with all these toys they won at the various games. There is a climbing wall, huge inflatable toys for the kids to jump on, and free train rides around the block. The school district provides a free dinner. There is music, and free treats (popcorn, Creamies, and cotton candy). My kids look forward to going each year. It starts in the early afternoon. The raffle drawing and the big motivational speeches given by the two superintendants is given at 6:00 p.m. That is followed by a dance for the older kids.

The weather was perfect this year: not too hot! We spent a couple of hours at the party. We had to leave by 5:30 so that we could get to Sam's soccer game by 6:00.

We have a family back-to-school tradition. I have some school lunch trays. I fix a traditional school lunch. It is usually corn dogs, tater tots, applesauce, green beans, no bake cookie and a carton of milk. I have black construction paper on the table and then write on it with chalk so it looks like a chalkboard. The kids love it! So after Sam's soccer game, we came back home for our traditional Back-To-School Dinner followed by Father's Priesthood Blessings.

It was a great night. I am having a hard time believing that it is time for the kids to start back to school.

Celebrate Youth Day