Sarah Jane Van Komen 1981-1997

11 years ago today my friend Sarah was killed in a car accident. We got to school in the morning, and she said she was going to skip 1st period. I told her once again that she shouldn't skip class anymore because she was going to get caught for sure. I had already caught her hiding in the seminary bathroom the week before. She was avoiding a math test. She didn't listen and left to a restaurant anyway. She and 4 other friends drove to Layton and ate Breakfast. Upon leaving, they were broadsided by a semi truck. She and a girl named Jenny Barney were killed instantly. Gone. I didn't get to say good bye. I didn't get to tell her how much I cared for her. I didn't get to laugh with her anymore. Gone. All gone.
An hour later, I heard the news and fell to my knees. I begged my Heavenly Father to let it not be true. I begged him to give us just one more time together, one more game of Monopoly, one more night writing stories, one more...but that was not to be.
The years have gone on, and i've grown up. I often wonder who she would be today. Would she have more kids than me? Would she still put her tithing money under the Monopoly board? Would she still giggle with that infectious laugh that turned every head in the room? Though I know that she is busy on the other side of the veil, I still feel that she checks in on me from time to time.

If she were to read this today, this is what I would say to her:

Sarah,
Thank you for the time we spent together. The time that we had, I will never forget. Thank you for your example. Thank you for telling me to go home and put on my PJS (prayer, journal and scriptures). Thank you for making me laugh at your stories, and thank you for helping me through the most devistating time of my life. I love you. I will never forget you. You will always be my Sarah Janie Jane. Thank you for being with me in times of sorrow, and times of happiness. You might be gone from sight, but I know you are here, watching over me and my family. You will always be in my heart.
Love Always,
Tami Lyn

The picture above was drawn by Jean Keaton. She drew that picture from Sarah's picture. It is actually called 'The Sarah Jane'. I love that picture. There is also a children's book that her Mom, Janie Van Komen has written called 'Sarah Jane's very best story ever'. It is a story about the plan of salvation. I love this book, and often read it to my children. It is illustrated by Jean Keaton,

It's a very good book. It reminds me that I need to keep an eternal perspective and remember that We can be together forever someday...



Sarah Jane Van Komen 1981-1997
Together Forever Someday

babysitting, the stolen stroller, the tooth fairy, and the future blogger

The other day, my friend Heather called and asked me to watch her boys. She has 3 year old Matthew and 2 month old twins Jason and Tyler. They are all ADOREABLE. JL and I had a blast playing with the twins and laughing with Matthew. It was so much fun.

JL was sooo cute with them!

Awwww...

Just pretend I don't look like a ragamuffin...

Cute JS and Matthew

Matthew's happy face!!!

I am so sad, and angry with myself. Yesterday was such a beautiful day so I took the kids on a walk. I got out my favorite jogging stroller and we were off..I came home with a grouchy JT, and put him straight to bed. I forgot that the stroller was out there, and before I knew it, it was GONE. Yes, someone actually had the guts to steal my stroller from my porch! GRRRR

I loved that stroller, and I bet it seriously had hundreds of miles on it! SNIFF!

On the other hand, little JL yanked out her front tooth tonight. It's funny how she talks now...she said, "Well, I guess I had better go call Aunt Tifffff.." Soo cute.


And how cute is this...JT climbed up on the computer chair and grabbed the mouse, and started clicking away! He was talking the whole time...I think he might have watched me a time or two...haha!


Poor JT has a bad ear infection too. I made it to the doctor today with him, and now i've got medicine for him. Hopefully things start looking up. Thank you to everyone who were so kind! I feel so much better now! I just wish that I had my stroller...it was about the only thing that gave me an 'out'. Bummer.

Wordless Wednesday and the reasons

These are the little faces that keep me going...

JL...she's such a poser!!

JS...he's such a funny kid!

JT and UNCLE TODD...two peas in a pod!! (I'm a poet and I didn't know it!!)

Admitting..

So i'm going to admit it..I bawled all day today. I haven't cried in a long long time. I think I had fresh tears about every ten minutes. I am stressed out beyond belief. Steven is at work and school a lot this semester. He's home between 430 to 445...a whole 15 minutes everyday. I try to have dinner ready for him when he gets home so that the kids and I can actually spend some time with him. By the time he gets home at night, the kids have long ago fallen asleep.
When the Bishop found out about Steve's schedule, he told me that I was going to be released from my calling which is Activity Days. I was released from Primary today. I feel like i've been punched in the stomach.
I have been brave this whole time, trying to keep busy, and keep the kids happy. Putting on a happy face. I feel like i'm failing. With all this time on my hands, you would think that my house would be so clean, and well, I guess I thought I was doing a good job of keeping it that way, but apparantly not. I guess, I dunno...I'm failing.
Does anyone else ever have boiling over days? I've kept this all bottled up for a long time, and I think it all exploded today. I'm feeling pretty blah today...and I had to get it out, i guess.
Hope everyone else is doing well.

Oh and i'm sick of viruses being linked to my blog! I had three comments last post that had links to viruses...thanks very much. I guess i'm gonna have to put the word verification thing up. GRRR

Wordless Wednesday and the trojan horse..I mean bike

Do you think the trojans could have snuck in with a little 4 wheeler and a cute smile like that?
PS: My Wednesdays are NEVER WORDLESS are they? Oh well.

Tuesday Tell All..my LOVE list.

WOO HOO! Tuesday tell all is back on! This week we are writing our love lists...the things that we LA LA LA LOVE the most...
I figured since i'm 27 years old, I would write 27 things that I LOVE the most.

1. Of course...STEVEN
2. JL
3. JS
4. JT
5. My immediate family...I love my Momma!
6. Steven's family..they are awesome!
7. I love the church I belong to...I could go on and on..
8. I have the best friends in the world, and I love em!
9. I love MATCHBOX TWENTY
10. Laundry...nuff said
11. Free rent!
12. Springtime
13. My sister Tiffany. She's the best Aunt ever, and such a good friend.
14. I love my cousins..on Steve's side and mine...they are all awesome.
15. BABIES! Love everything about them!...mmmmm
16. Surprises.
17. I love being held.
18. I love blogging
19. I love JL's laugh
20. I love JS's blue blue eyes..
21. I love JT's 'i'm a stinker' face..
22. I la la love kissing Steven.
23. I love playing trucks with my boys
24. I love playing pretty princess with JL
25. I love the scriptures
26. I have learned to love myself..
27. I love Aunt Debbie!

I could probably write 100 things I love! There are so many more..I'm so grateful for all of the things in my life...the good times and the trials that have shaped me and turned me into who I am today. Life really can be rough, but it is also beautiful and fun. All we need to do is look around at how much we are blessed, and we will know that we are not alone.

This is me bragging...go ahead and roll your eyes now

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all those people who read my blog, who love me and who I love back!!!
This is a picture of the necklace Steven bought me for the big love day...I was so surprised!! Awww...he really does love me. It didn't take a necklace for me to know that though. He shows me and the kids all the time with his actions that he loves us. I love my Steven and my 3 beautiful kids!! I hope they know that I would do anything for any one of them.

HAPPY HAPPY LOVE DAY TO EVERYONE!!!

PS: Matchbox Twenty in only 22 days everyone...I am sooo excited!!! I'm buying my concert outfit tomorrow. WOOT WOOT

My sick little man and the cutest laundry...

Poor JT was so sick, he fell asleep on the chair one night. He woke up about 10 minutes later and cried for 2 hours. Poor kid.

He's still cute even when he's sick!

Have I mentioned how much I love laundry? I love it even more when there's a smile in the laundry basket. Ah, have I mentioned how much I love that little boy?

DONE AND DONE...

Tonight there are two things that I am DONE with. Number one...THE SNOW. I love the snow, don't get me wrong. It is beautiful and it goes with everything. However, I am a Mom, which means I have kids to take care of so going snowboarding is out of the question...what else is there to do but shovel the darn stuff all day long? This year we've had more snow than the last 10 years that I can remember..and it's ENOUGH. I swear if I hear the weatherman in the summertime talking about how we are in a drought, i'm gonna FREAK OUT. Whew! Got that off my chest..

Number two...THE DANG FLU. We have had the flu now 3 times in 6 weeks. I am done. Done. Done. This one wasn't the stomach flu, which I have to say i'm grateful for since my babies are still learning how to get their rear ends to the toilet, they sure don't know how to get their heads to the toilet either. The laundry piles up, and i'm constantly washing sheets and blankies, pillows and more sheets. This time it's just the plain old influenza which means the cold chills and body aches along with a massive head ache and congestion with cryptic-like coughs. Fun. Fun. JT and I got the worst of it, which is WONDERFUL...since i'm the one that takes care of everyone, and he's the one that needs me the most. It has been a fun filled week..
Now i'm done venting...whew.