January 19, 1942-September 23, 2010

My sweet mom lost her battle with cancer last Thursday morning.  It still doesn't seem real and I keep thinking when my phone rings, that it's her calling and keep hearing her voice.  I'll never, ever get used to her being gone.  I'll miss so many things about my Mama.  Her smile, her laugh, her cooking, her warm hands, her selflessness, so many things, but most of all her sense of humor.  She loved her family, having everyone over for dinner, playing cards (and taking everyone's money), camping, fishing, cooking, bike riding, Entertainment Tonight and Dancing with the Stars.  There's so much I could say about her.  I will miss her every single day.  Having her gone changes my day.  I won't have her morning phone call and mornings spent with her before I go to work.  I'll never forget you Mama and it's my #1 priority to keep your memory alive to Peyton and I will tell baby-on-the-way everything about you.  Rest in Peace Mom.  I love you.



This is my mom's senior picture.  We had this blown up on poster board to display for the Rosary service and the funeral.



My boys looking so handsome for her service.

Austin and Peyton hanging out after the service, with a little wardrobe malfunction.

Austin helping his cuz out with his (clip on) tie.

My winkin' sweetie.

We released pink and orange balloons at the cemetery after her burial service (pink for breast cancer and orange for uterine cancer). Each of us wrote a note to my mom tied to the balloon along with a return address.  It will be interesting to see how many we get back and how far the balloons traveled.



My sister, aunt, dad, and sister getting ready to release.



It was such a peaceful and amazing thing to watch.  The weather was perfectly sunny and right before we released the balloons, the wind picked up. 



Peyton did so well throughout this. So handsome!

 I was so worried about Peyton, and him not understanding all of this, being so young.  But he's surprised me and amazed me at the same time at how he listens and takes things in.  He sat with her the day before she passed and just held her hand, whispering "It will be okay" and telling her he loved her.  It was heartbreaking but so sweet. The morning after she passed, he asked me "Mommy, who drove Grandma to heaven?" I love him so so much, and so did my Mom.  He was one of the last people she asked for before she was unable to speak anymore. 

After the burial we had close family and friends over to my Dad's for a feast.  It was so nice to see lots of people that I hadn't seen in years.  This definitely brought our family closer and I know my mom was looking down smiling, because she loved it when everyone was together.



Charlie boy




My cousin Julie and my gorgeous Grandma.





Ok so my mom had her signature leg kick she did when her picture was taken.  I tried...didn't quite do it justice.  :)




Cousin Julie and Aunt Carol




Bro-in-law Brett and my nephew Brandon




Cousin Andy and my Daddy.  He wore my mom's favorite color-Purple.



Nephew Drew and his Charlie



Sis-in-laws Amy and Sherri doing the kick.




My close immediate family that my mom always loved to have over.  (My grandma, dad, siblings, their spouses and kids)



My nephew Sean's wife Delores on the left and Kate my nephew Brandon's girlfriend (who handmade 150 pink ribbons for my mom's service! Thanks Kate!)



Nephew Cameron



Peyton being silly with Aunt Amy



Charlie kept Peyton occupied for most of the night. He loves that dog.



Clockwise from left: Nephew Sean, nephew Brandon, niece Lauren, and Kate.

Here's a video of the balloon release.  Monsignor Tim Murphy did the burial service.  He was the president of my high school and my dad's high school classmate at Central Catholic.  It meant a lot to my family, especially my dad.  Thanks Father! And thanks Andy for shooting this footage!

My cousin Andy, who flew in from Colorado, put this slide show together for the service.  He is awesome and I can't believe he put this together in such short notice.  A great tribute to my mom.  Enjoy...