Life is too short and is passing me by!

It's been a little more than four months since I posted last. Where did those months go? Where has my life gone?
Last time I posted on here, I had just lost my Dad. I still can't believe he is gone. Life is too short and it is passing me by too quickly.
Lately I've been thinking about that very thing. I have been pondering my own mortality. I realize that more than half my life is over now. That's a scary thought. Seems like just yesterday I was a young girl, looking towards the future. Dreaming about becoming someone I never was to  be. I had big dreams back then. I was going to be a Princess, or a Nurse. But I always wanted to be a Mom. I wanted to have a dozen children, and live in a big castle somewhere in the Mountains. I would never have to worry about money, or bills, or cleaning house. Life would be fun and easy, and all my dreams would come true.
OK, so I dreamed a fairytale. Don't most little girls?
Life has not been all I dreamed it would be. I am no princess, I never was able to go to college or to become a Nurse. I don't live in the mountains, and I don't live in a castle. I am anything but a princess. I have bills coming out of the cracks in our foundation, and I have no money. I live in a house that may soon not be mine anymore. My credit has plummeted and life is not easy. I have to clean house on a daily basis, and life isn't always fun. The life I dreamed, was just that, a dream.
But I am a Mom. I have 4 wonderful children, and 6 wonderful grandchildren! Yes, even if my dreams were just dreams, I have still been blessed. I have not been a perfect Mom, but I have done the best that I could. There were times when I failed, but I don't think my failures have out-weighed my good deeds. I hope that their good memories out-weigh any bad ones they may have. I have loved with a love that has had no boundaries. I have tried to raise my children with the knowledge of the Gospel, and what life is all about. I have taught them right from wrong. I have taught them the value of work. I have tried to teach them all the important things in life. I have, I hope, given them a good foundation upon which to build their own lives.
I wonder what my legacy will be. I wonder if they will think of me when I am gone, and if I have taught them well in life. Will I be missed? Will they think of me with a smile on their faces, or with sadness in their eyes. And if so, for how long, before I am merely just a memory?

A very sad day

My Dad. Forever and Always. I love you Dad!
My brother Dick (Richard), my Dad and me.
My Dad and I. Dad loved electronic gadgets and was always showing off his newest toys.
This is I believe the last picture I have of my Dad. It was taken on my Deck this past Fall. From the left to the right is my Uncle Jerry, my Aunt Ursula (His sister) My Dad, and Alice his wife.
This is an old photo, but I think the only one I have of all of my kids with their Grandpa.
This is a photo of my Dad holding ME when I was a baby.
How will I ever live without you in my life Dad. I love you so much and miss you already beyond words!

Today, my beloved Father passed away. He had just finished mowing the lawn, and was bringing the mower back inside his garage, and never made it back outside. He collapsed and died of a massive heart attack. I am sad beyond belief, and cannot believe he is gone. My Dad just turned 77 years old in February, and was in very good health. I always thought he would outlive his mother who lived until she was 90. He was a very active man, kayaking, biking, hiking, walking everyday. He chopped his own wood to heat his home every winter. When he was in his 60's, he built his own home from the foundation up. He was active in his community and served as a selectman in Wolfboro, Maine, before moving to NH for many years. He was a good Dad. He taught me to love nature. He took me hiking when I was just a little girl, and we spent numerous weekends, and vacations up in the White Mountains of NH. He lived a full life, and made sure to enjoy the blessings of the world. He taught me many things, and I love him and will miss him very much. My father came to this country when he was 17 years old, from Germany, where he lived a very difficult youth. His father passed away when he was only 10 years old in the second world war. He never liked to talk much about his life in Germany, but the stories I have heard, tell of a scary life growing up in war torn Germany. I have heard that just last week, my Dad finished writing his life story. I have yet to see it or read it, but find it ironic that he finished it just a few days before he died. And just a couple of days ago, I received a cd in the mail from him, on which he had placed photos of his youth and family from both his Mom and his Dad's. A gift and treasure I shall have forever. Dad, I told you often, though probably not often enough, how much I Love you. I cannot believe you have left this earth so suddenly and unexpectedly. I don't know how I will live without you in my life. I am sad beyond words, and cannot write anymore. Please give Grandma a hug for me, and watch over me and my brothers from heaven. Because as you know now Dad, there is really a heaven. And your Mom and Dad were there to great you, of that I am sure. And one day, you will be there to great me with arms of love as well.
Why did you have to go?
Love, your one and only daughter, Kathy

The Tressler Family

Here are some recent family photos that my daughter Kayleen had done of her family. Come August, when they have a new baby, they will have to think about having some updated ones done.

The Penrod Family

My daughter Jenn just had some family pictures done. These are taken from the photographer's website. If they are all this good, I can hardly wait to get the rest of them!

Kayleen was already 22 weeks Pregnant when we got there!

Kayleen Graduated from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Psychology! We are so proud of her!

My Big trip West

So, this being my first post, I thought I would talk about the recent trip I just had. My youngest daughter, Kayleen was graduating from Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, and my oldest daughter, Jenn had just given birth to my 5th grandchild. So, we planned a trip West and decided to try to kill two birds with one stone (Sort to say). Hubby and I made plans to fly to Salt Lake City and then drive up to Idaho for Kayleen's graduation, and then fly to Arizona to meet our new grandson. We were to leave on April 7th. Then, I learned that my Aunt and Uncle from Washington State were going to be in Salt Lake the same week, and attending the LDS General Conference, and going to do some research at the Genealogy Library as well. So I decided to leave a few days early and meet them, and attend General Conference and spend some time with them. So, I left on April 2nd instead and met them in Salt Lake. Attending the Saturday morning Conference live, was something I will never forget! And getting to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle, and a couple cousins and their children as well, made for a fun time!

Then on April 7th, I met my husband at the airport and we drove up to Rexburg, Idaho. When we arrived that evening, we were greeted by my daughter, grandson, and son-in-law. I ran to hug my grandson Ezra, who seemed really happy to see me. I then looked up and saw that my daughter was VERY Pregnant! I gasped and said, "I knew it!" She was already 22 weeks along, and hadn't told us! And, she already knew she was having another boy! The funny thing is, I had had a dream back in December, that she was pregnant! And, I called her and asked her if she was the next morning. She had responded, "No Mom, don't worry, you will be the first to know." The stinker! Interestingly enough, I believe that that dream was inspired, because she told me that it hadn't been even 3 hours before I had called her to ask her that, that they had just found out that she was in fact pregnant! And, I had told people, that it wouldn't surprise me to come out to Idaho and find out that Kayleen really was pregnant all along. Inspiration? I think so!