Never forget

I can't believe that it's been a year already. It's amazing how life continues in spite of all the things we may go through on a daily basis. I couldn't help but take a moment to remember Jonathan, who was such a big part of our lives.

I can still remember his smile and I can still hear his voice. I still think of him at odd times. Like when I walk in the door from a night of scrap booking. One night he startled me when I came home to find him in my living room,"Hi Aunt Jocelyn", he had said. The other day my youngest, Alaya, now three yelled out "Hi Jonathan" waving at someone. He is still everywhere for us all.

From loosing my dad almost 13 years ago, I know the pain it is to loose someone you love. But you never forget. We all miss him just as much as we did a year ago. But we have to remember where he is. I'm sure he is having a party in heaven and we will one day see him again. Until then we have great moments to remember and share with each other. The fun times we had at family gatherings or days he went fishing with my husband. They keep his memory alive.

I have photo's of Jonathan holding each of my kids, except Alaya. We couldn't believe we had no photo's of him with her because she really loved him! She was only 2 but she would ask him for things or for him to hold her and he would always get it for her or pick her up to carry her around. We always called after him, "Jonathan, you have a shadow!" Each of my kids will have a photo to remember them with Jonathan, great memories I can pass on to them.

Jonathan and Aryianna '98.








Jonathan with Jaylen Fall '03




Jonathan holding Jayden.
We are at Lake Tahoe with the
family, Summer '06.
















Akayla-Joy, Christmas morning '05.

I will never forget our last day that God gave us with Jonathan.
And I will always remember how he was sitting
with the kids playing Guess Who.
He sure loved his family.

One more soul takes to flight.
One more soul says good night.

Your hearts may ache for me.
But please know, I am now truly free.

Heavens light now holds me tight.
As the stars above are shining bright.

Summer Activities

Me and the kids sat down and thought of some summer activities that we can do, either daily or weekly. I thought it would be fun to share a little of our list with you. I hope we are able to do most of them this summer...

10 Free Activites

1.Visit the library - we usually go to the library each week but now that school is out we won't be going that way as often. Usually when we go it's get in and get out to pick up the next kid from school. Now we'll be able to go and stay for awhile, maybe go to some of the activities they have during the day.

2. Bike rides - usually we go around the block. Now we can take a longer ride during the day. Even end somewhere fun.

3. Have a picnic @ the park.

4. Water day @ home - wash the car, water balloons and sprinklers. The weather is getting nice now, great time to get wet.

5. Make a snack - we have a kids snack cookbook; waffle towers, chex mix, etc. We can cook/create together and then eat!

6. Write letters or make cards to family or friend. Then go to the post office and each kid can mail their envelope. E-mail and texting is the form of communication most used now but we all love getting something in the mail. It's even better when it's unexpected!

7. Craft Day - Coloring, painting, drawing, creating a story etc. Anything that uses your creative skills.

8. Play dates with friends. Schools out! :)

9. Movie Day - We have Netflix, love it! During the day or before bed. We could even do a marathon in our jammies all day if we wanted!!!

10. Game Day - My kids love games, board or on Wii.

10 Cheap Activities

1. $1 summer movies at the theater. Our theater we go to used to be free. Looks like this year it cost's $1. You can go to your local theater and see if they have a program. We always pop our own popcorn and bring our own treats too!!! Here is the link if you are in the Sacramento area.
https://www.regmovies.com

2. Drive-Inn - Kids here in Sacramento 5 and under are free. Ages 5-11 are $1. On Tuesday night age 11 and up are $4.95, every other night $6.95. You are able to bring your snacks as well but if you sign up on the website you can get e-mails for special coupons for snacks.
http://www.westwinddriveins.com/theaters/

3. River Cats game - A little more pricey for me, with a family of 7. But tickets for the grass are $7 and I believe Friday nights are $1 night for hot dogs.
http://sacramento.rivercats.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t105

4. Baskin Robbins here in Galt has $1 scoop night on Tuesdays. Check out your local Baskin Robbins!

5. Dollar Tree - Each kid gets $1 to get something to take home.

6. Dinner out - Little Ceaser has Ready-to-go pizza for $6 (or Papa Murphy's take and bake to eat at home). We've even gotten our pizza to go and ate it at the park! Or even McD's so the kids can play and eat from the $1 menu. I always take a book to read while they play.

7. Donut Breakfast @ Coffee shop - Kids get a treat while you get your coffee. Our grocery stores have a sitting area to maybe take books to read or do a devotion with the kids to get out of the house.

8. Go swimming. We have a local pool in Galt, Gora Aquatic Center.
4 and under $1.75
5-12 - $2.75
13-17 - $3.00
Adult - $3.25
They have a kid pool, which helps me with so many little ones. There is also a location in Elk Grove, prices may be different. Remember the location in Galt does not open until 1pm.

9. Go fishing. We have a lake, Racho Seco, in Herald. It only costs about $8 for parking and you can be there all day. You can also go swimming. Take your lunch and you have a full day.

10. Bowling - I signed up for coupons by e-mail for passes for ALL my kids (yes all 5) to bowl 2 FREE games every day for the entire summer! The bowling alley is in Citrus Heights, about a 1/2 hour from where I live but worth it for free games. The only cost would be adults and they have special days/times with lower costs. Here is the website to sign up, see if they have the offer in your area. I got the coupons in minutes.
https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=5790

Hope you have a great summer. Enjoy each day, don't take it for granted. Life is precious, make memories! Would love any other ideas you have that we might be able to use as well!!!

Gradutation Time

I had one graduate from pre-school and the other promoted to 1st grade...another year flew by! I am beginning to realize that when Alaya goes to school I will be crying because there will be no one else left at home with me!


I loved Akayla-Joy's pre-school this year. My favorite of all my kids so far. The school is great and her teacher was great. I even helped in her class quite a bit, I tried every week when I could with my husbands schedule. I will miss this year with her in her class and hopefully will get the chance to do things with her in Kindergarten.

Akayla-Joy is so smart! She is already Kindergarten 2nd quarter. When she had her assessment they said that they will start her off reading when she enters school! I am so proud of her!


Jayden really enjoyed his Kindergarten class. He worked hard to learn his shapes, site words and learning to read! I always hear how people love his personality and it's so much fun to watch him grow! He loved performing today and showing off his class photo's from the year.

It's so amazing to look back when Jayden was only 14 months old when Akayla-Joy was born. And now Akayla-Joy will be in school with the boys next year. They talk about how they have to help her walk to class and show her the ropes. She will have two big brother's watching over her! Boy how they've grown!

I wouldn't miss this time with my children for anything else in the world!

Summer!!!

Summer Break...2 words I am so excited about this year! Last summer we had an unexpected turn of events right after school ended. I can't even remember what most of our summer was like last year. Then before I knew it the kids were back in school and I wasn't prepared. The year seems to be a bit of a blur, though things have gotten back on track.

This summer I really want to enjoy. Whether it's days at the park, $1 ice cream @ Baskin Robbins or the Free Movie days at the theater. I want to enjoy staying up late, sleeping in and hanging out with my children who seem to be growing up way to fast.

In the fall Aryianna is going to be in 8th, Jaylen in 3rd, Jayden in 1st and Akayla-Joy in Kindergarten! I will have Alaya home all day with me and Akayla-Joy will only be in the first 1/2 of the day but my days will be quiet! Wish I could freeze time for a while!

I would love to hear any suggestions on fun, cheap and close to home summer ideas that we could incorporate the next few months! I just may have to break out some craft ideas as well! (Not my usual)!

Happy Summer Everyone! :)