The Sweetest Thingz…

You know sometimes in life when you are just going about your business and you are nudged to do something… and you try to ignore it but just keep getting nudged. Well that’s how this story begins.

I was home sick for a few days (Thank goodness I have a career that allows that option) anyways as I was working I had Good Things Utah playing in the back ground. I heard the ladies talking about a Holiday Mom makeover and instantly I felt like my dad was telling me I needed to enter my mom… I shrugged it off because really who is ever chosen for those type of things. Well the next day they mentioned it again and said the deadline to enter was noon that day… Again I was being nudged, (Um dad.. I don’t know if you know this big guy but we will never get picked… ) Well I sat there working… with my dad I swear standing right there saying “daughter just do this for your mom” So finally I said fine Ill do it (good thing I was home alone. I am sure Kevin would think I was nuts talking to myself Ha Ha!) So I sat there thinking what do I want to write.. and there went my dad again saying he wanted to take care of my mom and us kids and that this needed to be a day about her and a celebration of her and the mom she is… So that’s what I wrote. (I am choosing not to share what I wrote on my blog, something's just need to be kept private and I feel like that was something written by my dad and me just for my mom). Well Guess what I got a call that night from the show and we were finalist… and they would be announcing the winner the next day… HOLY COW dad you were right! Well I think you can guess what happened next we won… YEAH Happy dance…

My mom was a little nervous about having to be on TV, but it was going to be ok she just had to stand there and look cute… Um well that was not the case about 40sec before going live she was told she would be talking… Needless to say she was really nervous but I think she did a great Job!

And of course I forgot my camera… here are some behind the scene shots I snapped with my Phone. This is of my mom with the girls for The Sweetest Thingz salon in Draper…

Mom I hope you had a great time… Dad and I love you so very much!

Happy Birthday Justin!

I want to wish one of the Best dads, coolest guy and of course best big brother ever a HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

Justin, I hope you have  a great birthday… I love you so much and am so thankful that you are my brother… I must say I am one lucky chick-a-dee to have you in my life.  Thank you for always being there for me, you ROCK!

   Love you! ~ Your always annoying litter sister.

Grandpa Charlie…

Today I was sitting thinking of my dad and how wonderful a grandpa he was. If you knew my dad you knew he was such a sweet and loving man with a heart of pure gold…  He loves his grandkids so much and it was always apparent when he was with them. Brandon and Montana are truly blessed to have known him.

I remember when Brandon was little and learning how to talk my dad was “poppy”… And Brandon was always my dads Burger. I remember my  dad was watching Montana one night and he took her to McDonalds for dinner, she told him she wanted Chicken Nuggets so he got her a 20 pack of Chicken Nuggets…. Ha Ha! And did not get why she only ate 4 or 5.. I love this Story that is so my dad.

On July 23rd my dad called me (I still have his message saved on my phone it gives me comfort on the hard days) when I called him back I decided today was The day I was going to tell him I was pregnant; I remember pacing back and forth in the driveway. I was so scared I know I was 28 years old and married, with a home and career but for some reason I was so scared to tell my dad I was pregnant… (I know strange, but I am kind of a goof like that) I will never forget the excitement in his voice when I told him. He truly seemed so happy and excited and I will be forever grateful that I had that moment with my dad…  And boy was he excited that weekend my brother had a BBQ at his house with some Alfa Customers and friends and to my surprise EVRYONE knew.. Umm dad.. This was a secret the Pickett’s don’t know yet! HA Ha That’s my dad. Although that Pregnancy ended in miscarriage. I feel so grateful that I had that moment with my dad.  Its really hard to know that I will not be able to hear that excitement in his voice the next time… Or to see him hold my babies, I struggle with this so much. I know he is around I feel his presence from time to time, Its like he is watching over me… However the hole left in my life is agonizing, how I urn for my dad.

Dad we miss you so much! Thank you for being an amazing Grandpa and father!

Pumpkin Carving… Harvest Party… and Thriller Oh My!

This year my brother invited everyone over to his house for some Pumpkin Carving…

Don’t Justin and Kevin looked focused on the task of cleaning out all those seeds. (And no my brother does not have a Picture of Prestone motor oil hanging above his sink… That is a TV and it just so happened that was the commercial… All though I would not put it past him.. Ha Ha!)

   Oh My this picture just stresses me out… I know he is eleven and in 6th grade… I am pretty sure Justin and I carved our own pumpkins way before this… But Ahhh… I still see him as that little baby in the hospital… Ok The way to stressed/worried aunt will now take a chill pill…

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This would be Kevin’s work of Art…LOVE IT!

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Next up Alpines Fall Harvest Party…

   

  This Man Loves me… I am not sure he would dress up like a banana for anyone else… I love you Kevin and thank you for being such a good sport.

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And what's the use of being a Banana with out your Pink Gorilla… Ha Ha These two were the “belles of the ball”

Kevin and I helped out with the (wooden) egg on the spoon game… Kevin was so cute with the little kids handing out Candy… Our game soon become the most popular game around he was giving handfuls of candy away… And really we did not care if you dropped your egg… CANDY FOR ALL!

And Last but not least Thriller!

Kevin went to Thriller a few years ago for work and since then he as always said he wanted to take me… We were supposed to go with Justin and Mandee, and my Mom.. But unfortunately Mandee got sick so it was just Kevin, me and my mom. Before the show we stopped at Little America for Dinner (Yes it is one of my favorites and Yes I know its an old person restaurant… I don’t care I happen to like Old people… ).

When we got there to our surprise the hotel had converted all of there banquet rooms in to a spook allays… It was so much fun and if you were a kid they gave you your own trick or treat pumpkin and they had full size candy bars… (Of course I tick or treated a little I needed to stock my purse for Thriller  we needed snacks… Ha Ha!) I told Kevin coming to Little America on Halloween may have to become a tradition…

Oh and did mention they also had orange cotton candy and cookies…

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My mom and I were in Heaven… Cotton Candy, Sugar cookies… Oh My this would send any girl with a sweet tooth to cloud nine!

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And Kevin was right I did love Thriller… I was surprised that Kevin liked it that much though because there is a lot of dancing… But it was so much fun and such a fun thing to do on a Halloween night.

Pumpkin Walk 2010!

This year Kevin and I decided to go to the Pumpkin walk in Syracuse with Justin, Mandee, Brandon and Montana and our friends Brandy, Andy and their little boy, Brice. None of us had ever been to the walk and were not sure what to expect. The line was so long… We literally stood in line for two and half hours before we saw our first pumpkin and I was wearing heals… can you say Blisters! Ahh the pain… Ok enough about me back to the pumpkins. Residents and local businesses carve the pumpkins for the walk there are over 1000 carved pumpkins… It amazed me how good some of the pumpkins were carved. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think Justin and I were inspired to carve one next year for the shop… I think A Charlie Service pumpkin is defiantly needed next year.

Sometimes We all just need to get away!

Have you ever had one of those projects you’ve been working on for Days hours… and you remember from computer class to always save but really who needs to save in the middle of working right… And then all of sudden the power goes out and the project you had been Slaving over for hours passively working on is gone… Lesson of the story when when working in Adobe always save… I did have a way to cute for words digi scrap page I was going to include on this post… But that is gone now… No need to cry I have slapped lovingly put together a collage of Kevin I’s last adventure. Because there is no way i am doing that page again… Bad memories people.. Very bad…

 

Back in June just when we returned home from our mediterranean cruise. We booked a short little repositioning cruise (Kevin and I referred to it as a float) 4 days 3 nights in the end of September. It went from Vancouver to Long Beach Ca. Little did we know at the time of booking; this cruise would be way more than just a little float… It was truly what Kevin and I needed at this time to just get away to spend time together not worrying about anyone else but just the two of us… We spent one day and night in Vancouver before getting on the ship. I love Vancouver it is such a clean and green city… This was Kevin and I second trip to Vancouver so we really did not have anything planned just a little exploring and some much needed R&R. In our adventures we did stumble across the Olympic caldron from the 2010 Winter Olympics. Once on the ship we spent our time talking (it still amazes me that Kevin and I can just sit and talk for hours), Sleeping, Playing a serious game of BINGO… oh and of course eating (We were on a cruise)…  I truly feel blessed that Kevin and I are able to travel and get out and explore this world together.

 

HaPpY BiRtHdAy Keith!

Today is Keith’s (Kevin’s dads) B-Day!  Keith we hope you have a wonderful day. We love you so much… Thank you for everything you do for Kevin and I.    Happy Birthday!

 

We are hanging in there!

I love this picture of my mom and brother… I can not believe that today is the one month anniversary of the passing of my dad. So many people have told me Jamie just hang in there you will have your bad days and your good days; And you know they are right. I know that as a family we can get through this, as long as we stick together and remember what is important (God and Each other).

One of my dear friends gave me the sweetest little book, and one of the sayings in it is “When your parent dies, you grieve many losses. You have lost a person whose love was absolute and unconditional, not like any other love on earth. Some have even compared it to God’s love. This kind of love is hard to find, and harder to lose.” (When your Parent Dies by Daniel Fitzpatrick).

Thank you to everyone for all of your countless prayers and warm thoughts.For being that listening ear when we just need to cry.Thank you for all of your many services that you have provided, We are all truly grateful. Love you all, Jamie.

Daddy’s Girl!

 I often find myself feeling stuck… I look around and the world is still moving but yet I am stuck, I feel like I am running to catch up with no luck. How does one learn to live with the pain, I am still trying to figure that out. How does a “daddy’s girl” live with out her dad? I find myself crying out just wanting him to come back to me so bad.

When my grandparents passed away I was lucky enough to be by their bedside to help them move on to say my goodbyes to hear there last breaths… How I yearn to speak with my dad one last time… The last words I ever spoke to him were I love you dad, and thank you for the tree (He gave me tree the day before he passed). I am so thankful for that Sunday dinner the night before the accident. Most of you do not know this; I was pregnant with what would be Kevin and I’s first baby we had not told anyone besides my mom and dad, (we were trying to figure out the perfect way to tell the Pickett’s and actually planned on telling them that coming Wednesday)… Well Long story short I ended up miscarrying that Thursday (Aug 5). So that Sunday we had a dinner in our babies honor and we all were able to come together as a family one last time (Its amazing how the Lord works). I was able to sit down and talk with my dad just him and I.  He spoke to me so candidly told me things he had never told me before… During that conversation he told me “Jamie don't worry I will never leave you and your brother” I know my dad loved us so much he would have done anything in this world for Justin and I.

Today is the one month anniversary from the last day that I saw and spoke with my dad… Be sure to tells those that you love… You love them every chance you get because you never know it may be your last (Well at least for awhile).

I love you dad more than words could ever express my heart aches for you, to have one of your amazing hugs to here your laugh… I love you and I need you. ~Your Daughter

Lucky Girl. . .

I am truly so lucky to have Kevin in my life, he is such a great man, husband and son. Kevin is my rock, my everything. He helps me stay grounded when times are tough, he laughs at my jokes (when really they are not that funny), he picks me up when I am sad, He does the Laundry, He is a great provider, He thinks I am beautiful… But most of all… He is always standing right besides me (Right where he belongs). Thank you Kevin for being my husband,my best friend, my love, my everything. Happy 9 year Anniversary!

I will not say goodbye!

I have been struggling if I wanted to post this or not; however, my blog is my journal. Below is my account of what happened the night my dad passed away… From what I can remember, I feel like it was movie that I was only halfway watching… I want to remember as much as I can so I figured I would post it here. 

On August 9th, I was sitting at home with Kevin when I received a call from Mandee (my Brothers fiancé) around 9:30pm asking if she could come over, I asked her if everything was ok and she said she would talk to me when she got here. All I could think of was “oh no, her and Justin must have just had a fight or something.” I was sitting in my family room when I heard my front door open. I walked over to my entry and my brother was standing there with a face I will never forget; it was sheer sorrow and pain. He looked at me and said “James dad has been in a bad accident.” I remember thinking ‘what in the heck are you doing here, I could have met you at the hospital…’ I asked him “Is he going to be alright?” Justin just stood there shacking his head and began to cry and said “James, Dad is gone, he is gone” . I remember thinking ‘what?’ Before I knew it people I barely knew were coming to my house. I remember going into Kevin and I’s room and sitting on the the floor in our closet in pure shock… I did not know what to do, who to turn to, all I could think of was “call Traci” (Traci is my boss friend at work). Just that day she was was telling me about the loss of her father in a accident. Unfortunately I could not get a hold of her, I could here my brother in the family room crying out. All I could think of was we needed prayer. When I walked back into the family room everyone was sitting in pure shock.  My Dads good friends Betty and Gilbert Martinez were at my house, Betty being the mom she is, was getting everyone glasses of water and cold washcloths. I remember sitting there thinking… Mom, who is with mom, where is she, why is she not here. That's when I found out that she had been rushed to the hospital, when the Mayor and police went over to her house to tell her, she collapsed on the driveway. Before I knew it we were at the hospital I remember walking into the emergency room and seeing Pastor Gerrod,  I walked up to him and gave him a hug I asked him to please pray for me and my brother…   I remember walking back into the emergency room and seeing my mom, she was sobbing uncontrollably everything else is such a blur, I know family and friends where at the hospital with us that night i just can not tell you who. I do know that after everyone left that night, Kevin slept on the emergency room floor, I also know that was the longest night of my life. My mom was in the hospital for two nights. The whole week is such a blur. I remember sitting in the hospital and the media was hounding us for a statement (Really?) and Kevin and Mandee sat in my moms room and typed something up. I remember going to the mortuary to get everything planned and thinking “Why god, I did not even get my dad for 30 years, I need him, he will never have the chance to hold my babies…”. I honestly can say I am not sure anything would have gotten done without Kevin he truly was the strength for my mom and me.  He wrote my dads obituary picked out his vault, made countless trips up to the mortuary, and most importantly ran interference for me with my phone. Kevin thank you so much for being my rock… You have made my dad so very proud he loved you.

I can say my dads services were amazing, He used to always say “oh, no one will show up for my funeral!” Well dad… all I can say is you were wrong… You have so many people that love and care about you, big guy. Its amazing to see the impact that you had on this world.

(I will do another post of my dads services, Once I get all the pictures)

I love you dad… I will not say goodbye just See Ya!

The Best Fire work show ever…

I have not been feeling very well (more to come on that later).  This year I was  a little bummed I love going to the park and watching the fire works, but was just not feeling up to it. So Kevin surprised me and brought home some fireworks so we could have our own little 24th of July celebration (Utah's celebration of statehood). I am so blessed to have a such a sweet husband. Thank you Kev this was the best 24th ever!

 

 

Safety first…

 

 

 

 

Let the show begin…  

Here is a little tip from broth in-law Ben, Fire works on a latter look so much better! Thanks Ben for the Tip.

 

 

Happy 24th of July!

We are that House. . .

Question? If you still have your Christmas Lights up on July 10th, Do you even bother taking them down?

OMG I can not believe we are now “That House”. To all of my lovely neighbors, I am so sorry!

Fathers Day 2010!

  This year for Fathers day we decided to take my dad up to the lake to do a little fishing. That afternoon the church Kevin and I have been attending was doing a BBQ at Layton park. So we invited the family to join us for a little fellowship and games…

Its On… Who’s going to win, Justin or Kevin?

Nothing like a little brotherly playing… Kevin Was the Winner on this one! Way to kick Justin’s butt Babe {Wink, Wink}

We will not talk about how many boats my dad almost hit trying to get Justin's boat parked at the dock… Lets just say a quick thank you to lady that rescued us…  In my dads defense it is a REALLY big boat!

 

Ahhh… Nothing like hanging out on the lake doing a little fishing or in my mom and I’s case laying out…

Happy Fathers day  Dad, Justin , Kevin and Keith!

Goodbye our sweet little girl.

 

On February 1st our Little Izzabella passed away. As some of you know she was suffering from a heart condition (an enlarged heart) although Kevin and I knew her little life would be short we would have never guessed it would only be fours short years. she truly was a sweet little girl with the kindest personality. Its amazing how much we love our animals and how greatly they are missed when they are gone. I can only pray that someday I may be reunited with her. The day she passed was and will be a dark day in my memories. I had to be to work at 4 A.M. that morning, during the night Kevin and I kept waking up to her breathing really oddly. When I left for work that morning I told her that I loved her and I would see her later that night and that daddy was going to take her to the doctor. Around 730a Kevin called me at work upset and said he thought she was going to die and that I needed to come home; about 15 minuets later I received another phone call from him saying she was dying and that I needed to say goodbye… He had her laying on the the counter and put the phone on speaker so I could say my goodbyes… I told him to please still rush her to the Vet maybe she was not that bad and I would be home soon… Unfortunately our sweet Bella passed away before he was able to get to the vet I truly miss her more and more each day.  She was such a momma’s girl and would follow me everywhere I went…

Good Bye our sweet Bella we will miss you.

We will always love you !

Did you Fall in a HOLE. . .

That is the question Kevin and I have been getting lately from family and friends… The answer is no we are still alive and kicking… Ha Ha!

I can not seriously believe that I have neglected my Blog for 6 months now… There has been so much going on. As some of you know I was offered another position within JetBlue, while its nice to move up in the company, I have learned I have little time for anything else; A work life balance is hard thing to master.

I am not sure where to even start … I guess I will start with the sad so we can end on a positive note. On February 1st our little Izzie passed away. Our dogs are truly are our fur children. For the time being Kevin and I are going to hold off on getting another puppy we have lost three dogs in the last four years and I am not sure Kevin or I’s heart can take another loss.

In Mid march my parents were finally able to get back into their house Wahoo… Who knew it would have taken 11months to rebuild.

In addition to my promotion, in April Kevin was given new responsibilities at work on a new project. Hmmm there goes any chance a of work life balance… Ha Ha!

And Most recently Kevin and I just returned from a Mediterranean cruise (more posts to come)…  As you can tell we have been busy, however I look forward to blogging again and I swear it will not take me 6 months for a new post…