Remembering 9/11

Today marks the 11 year anniversary of September 11, 2001. The day terrorists attacked our country. It's a day I'll never forget as I'm sure anyone who was old enough on that day will never forget. I don't think even Jordan and Jacie will ever forget. Jordan was 2 1/2 years old and Jacie was 7 weeks old to the day. We had the opportunity to visit Ground Zero last year and they both  have had the same 6th grade teacher who shows a documentary about the tragic and heroic events of the day. It is one of the most historical days in our nation's history so I'm glad they have had Mrs. V and have the opportunity to explore 9/11. I also share with them the events of the day as I remember them.

People always say they remember exactly what they were doing when they hear of these types of events. Like when JFK was assassinated, where they where when Princess Di was killed, and what they were doing when they got the word about 9/11.  I remember it as if it were yesterday.

Don had left on September 10 for a business trip to Chicago. On the morning of September 11 I had been up about 5 or 6 in the morning to feed our 7 week old little bundle. I'd even had the news on just for background noise, not having any idea what was to take place within the next couple of hours. After Jacie was fed and back to sleep, I went back to sleep.  At about 7 am here in Utah which was about 15 minutes after the first tower had been struck, my brother Marty called and asked me if I'd heard  about the plane that had hit the WTC. I hadn't and asked him if it was a private plane, because I knew commercial jets normally don't fly around lower Manhattan at that low of an altitude. He said he didn't know. Anyway we ended our call. About 15 or so minutes later my dad called and said the other building had been hit and by then it was pretty clear this was no accident. I remember my dad choked up as he talked about the senseless loss of life and told me to call him if I got scared.  Well I was scared. I had two innocent, precious spirits and I'd wondered just what kind of world I'd brought them into. Shortly after we learned the Pentagon had been hit and their was a rogue aircraft in the air. We then learned that plane, too, had been hijacked, and was taken back by the passengers and had crashed in an empty field.

I had called Don (who was in Chicago) to see if he had heard about the events of the day and also to find out if he had plans to go Downtown. He didn't answer so I was a little concerned but knew the cell towers were probably overwhelmed and I was pretty certain he wasn't going into Chicago.  I then packed up the girls and headed over to one of the places I've felt safe my whole life...my Grandpa and Grandma Kreutzers. We turned on the TV kitchen and put Jordie's shows on and we watched the news all day. I remember the feelings of hopelessness, fear, sorrow, and extreme sadness. So many lost loved ones and their lives would be forever changed, and for those of us who didn't lose loved ones, we would never be the same either.

We stayed at Gram and Gramps all day and into the evening. I do remember the Mormon Tabernacle Choir coming on and singing hymns of peace. My favorite was Be Still my Soul. It was the perfect thing to hear because my soul was anything but still. I felt such peace and comfort. Then our beloved Prophet, President Hinckley spoke to us. His wisdom and love was so comforting and I knew that if I stayed true to the Gospel I had no reason to fear. It was a healing balm. I'll forever be grateful for his comforting words and counsel.

Now here it is 11 years later and in some ways it seems like yesterday, yet in other ways so much longer ago.  I'm so grateful to live in the United States of America. I'm thankful for the opportunities we enjoy here, our freedoms, and the people we live amongst. While all the horror was going on, we must remember the heroes that arose on that somber day.  Firefighters going up flight after flight of stairs, never reaching those they were striving to help, and losing their own lives in the process. Ordinary citizens who saw other people in need and helped where they could.  It seemed that everyone was a little kinder, reached out a little more, and remembered how great our nation is. Instead of tearing us apart it brought us together.

Let us never forget!

First Day of School 2012-2013

So now we start another school year. I always find myself a little melancholy on the first day of school. There are two reasons for this.  First, I know the kids are gone all day and the house seems so empty after having the girls around all day every day.  It gets pretty quiet just me and Cooper. He even gets a little mopey that first week of school. I think he wonders where everyone is except the boring old lady. The second reason for the melancholy is that it's a reminder that the girls are growing up and it is happening fast! It seems like yesterday they where in preschool!

Jordan started 8th Grade. She is at the midpoint of her Jr. High career. Someone told me the time really flies once they get to Jr. High because they are only at that particular school for three years. I believe that because it really seems like Jordan just went to her first day of Jr. High as a 7th Grader! Wow!

Here is a picture of beautiful Jordan on her first day of 8th Grade:

Jacie begins her last year of Elementary School. I realized this is the last year I will walk my little girl to class. Next year she moves on to Jr. High.  It will be very different not wandering the halls at Reading Elementary talking to all the moms who are there dropping of their children for another first day. Next year if you see me aimlessly wandering the neighborhood after the Jr. High bus leaves just smack some sense into me and point me home!  It is so hard to believe the baby of our family is in 6th Grade! I remember the Kindergarten first day with all the parents as vividly as if it were minutes ago! Jacie was so excited for another school year to begin.

Here is lovely Jacie on her first day of 6th Grade:

Here is the joy and loves of my life:

I'm hoping to keep things up to date a little better. It is fun to go back and look at how the girls have grown and to remember some of those emotions.

The girls are home now and both had a great first day. I couldn't ask for anything more!

First Day of School Last year!

Last year I was quite the slacker on updating the blog so I realized I never put in those glorious first day of school pictures of my beautiful daughters.  Jordan entered the 7th Grade at Centerville Jr. High and Jacie 5th Grade at Reading Elementary.  Here are their beautiful pictures: