{life is always ALWAYS a gift}

Elsie and I just got back from Arizona where we got to see many family and friends....AND enjoy 85 degree weather.  While there I was wondering why they call Nebraska {highs in the 20s today} "the Good Life".  Ha!  I'll blog about that trip later.  I just felt the need to share this.  And my thoughts.  

While scrolling through facebook today, I came across this article:
http://livingwithpower.org/brittany-maynard/

The story of Brittany Maynard hits so close to home and everyone has their own opinion.  I'm not judging her.  I'm just saying that watching my father-in-law live with this same type of cancer for 18 months taught me more about life and death than I had learned in 30 years.  His life was a gift to so many.  The amount of people his life impacted is something we will never know.  But I do know this - He impacted mine.  He impacted my husband's.  He impacted our children's.  

Kolbe was just a little over a year old when Jim was diagnosed with Glioblastoma.  We were so fortunate to live close enough that we could drive to Sioux Falls every weekend while Jim lived with cancer.  When Jim died, Kolbe was two and a half, but the impact he had on Kolbe's life is so amazing.  Kolbe knows his Grandpa Jim.  He talks to him.  He prays for him.  He can't wait to see him some day in heaven.  And every time he sees a red bird, he looks up and shouts "Hi Grandpa Jim" with a smile on his face.  

Did it suck to see him suffer?  Of course.  Does it still hurt that he isn't here?  You bet.  But I believe, even though I don't understand, that this happened for a reason.  His life had a purpose.  His life had meaning.  

I agree with the author of the article when she says, "Life is sometimes hard, too often painful, occasionally interspersed with hopelessness, but always always life is a gift."

{on the to-do list}

I'm starting this project....here is the before:

I've trained my parents....they dug these out of their trash for me. :)  Stay tuned for the after pics.  As you can see in the background of this picture....I've been busy in the garage.  Have I mentioned I love staying home....AND that all three of my kids USUALLY nap at the same time.  Most moms would use that time to clean their house....I say it can wait.  :)

Also, stay tuned for a sneak peak at sarajarding designs.  I've signed up for my first holiday boutique on December 6th.  I've always wanted to start selling my creations and I took the leap and signed up.  Wish me luck!  More info to come!

Happy Sunday, friends!  Do something that makes you happy today....if you need me during nap time, I'll be in the garage. :)

{fall fun}

I absolutely love fall.  Yesterday was the perfect day.  Love this little family!! 

{we're still here....}

So the last time I blogged was May 2013.  I just went back and read it....and every word was true.  There are so many things I miss that happened then that no longer do.

To say the least, things have been a little crazy around here.  I'll start there and try to catch up to today...It will probably be mostly pictures....You'll see how crazy it really was.....

{june 2013}
We visited Nanny and Papa.  Kolbe got to ride in Papa's tractor and played some ball.  Both kids had fun at the Petersons.

Jameson turned ONE!!!!  That same weekend we moved into a new house in base housing.  We like to keep things interesting. :)  

We also celebrated Gram and Gramp's birthdays, too.  

{july}

Kolbe and Jameson went to stay at Aunt Kelsie's house for a week and Gramps went to the Hospice house.

On July 5th, Kolbe and Jameson saw Grandpa Jim here on earth for the last time.  This is Gram walking Kolbe into the Hospice House.

On July 9th, Gramps went to Heaven.  It just seemed fitting to have a fire pit that night.  He loved doing that and making smore's.

Jim planned most of his service himself and it was so awesome.  The amount of people there was unreal.  True proof that his life had touched many more people than we will ever know.  We miss him everyday, but know that he is praying for us and still with us in our hearts.

 

Also in July, we went to the Red Willow County Fair and had some fun with the Cappel cousins. 

 

{august}
I went back to work at G. Stanley as the Counselor.  We also found out we were pregnant, but at the end of the month found out we had miscarried.  Grandpa Jim needed some company up in Heaven.  Grandbabies were one of his favorite things.

Jameson doing a little reading.  :)

 {september}
Mark turned 30 this month!!

{october}

A little cowboy and cowgirl for Halloween.

 {november}

Uncle Paul's team played at Creighton and Kolbe had fun watching....the cheerleaders!















{december}

Kolbe turned THREE and we had a swimming party at the hotel with our cousins and Nanny and Papa.

 

 Christmas 2013

 Grandma Margaret had teddy bears made out of Gramp's shirts for Kolbe and Jameson.  It was so special!

Also in January, we announced that Kolbe and Jameson were going to have a new sibling and outnumber us as parents!

{january}

 Mommy turned 25 again and we had lots of snow to play in!

{february}

We found out we were having another GIRL!

{march}

All of the Jarding's headed to Disney World....our Christmas present from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Margaret.  

{april}

Easter at Nanny and Papa's in McCook.

{may}

Johnny graduated from O'Gorman.

 Trupp family reunion at my Mom and Dad's river property.  Lots of fun!!

{june}

Jameson turns TWO!

Getting pretty big!!

{july}

Welcome Elsie Jo Jarding!  

7.2.14

7 lbs. 2 oz.

{august}

Josh & Karri's wedding

So that's it!  Now you are all caught up on the Jarding's and I'm going to try hard to update this before another year flies by!  

much love,

sara