A Different Kind Of Normal: SPRING UPDATE

So much has happened since my last post. Our computer went nuts and we had to have it fixed. That took forever. It seems that since we got it back, things have been crazy and time has slipped away from me.

Here's an overview...

HAVING A YARN WITH PA

BROTHERS AND DESSERT

BROTHERS AND CARS

The Rotary Club organized a "Touch-A-Truck" event at the school in May. We went, of course, but it absolutely pelted rain and they shut down the event after we left. We were there about an hour and were completely soaked to the skin, but its not every day you get to crawl in and out of diggers and loaders at your heart's content.

My brother and sister-in-law and three kids came in May. They decided to have Brynn's birthday party here since all her cousins live on Grand Manan. The kids had fun being together for such a wonderful occasion.

The RCMP, fire department and ambulance crew held a meet-and-greet at the RCMP headquarters here. We had fun there, too, with the main attraction being the firetruck.

JUST HANGIN' ONTHE TRUCK

THEY LET HIM TURN ON THE SIREN OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN

SLEEPY BOY AFTER A BUSY DAY

Sherman and I had to make a daytrip to Saint John in June and we bought Kellan a new bike. My mum had him bathed and in his jammies when we got home but he had to see that bike, so on went the trusty boots. He still hasn't mastered pedalling but we'll keep practicing until he gets it.

We had a graduation bbq for Brady in June. There were 50ish family and friends here, with several coming from the mainland (thank-you) and we all had a really good time - especially my grandmother who tried out the plasma car (with a little help from Trent). Beautiful weather, hamburgers, lobster rolls, salads and cake, mixed with lots of people who love Brady, how can you beat it? It was a wonderful evening to celebrate our graduate!

There was a grad/parent picnic at the school and also the Baccalaureate service to go to the following weekend. Brady read scripture at Baccalaureate and my mum had the prayer.

THERE WERE 37 GRADS, BUT THEY WEREN'T ALL AT THE PICNIC

THE SCRIPTURE VERSES HE READ WERE ON FRIENDSHIP

Grand March night was lovely. The guys were so handsome and the girls were just beautiful. I held it together pretty good, even through the mother/son dance. The next day though - complete mess. I think I cried all day.

BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR HOURS OF PHOTOS - GOOD THING THIS ONLY HAPPENS ONCE

LOVED CHANDRA'S DRESS!

BROTHERS AND SHADES

Graduation Day started with a special breakfast. It was relaxed and fun. Brady did really well at the ceremony. He recieved the first annual Grand Manan Minor Hockey Scholarship for his dedication to coaching/playing over the past three years. It was presented by the teacher he had assisted and she read a very heartfelt speech before giving him his award. He received three other awards also, so they will all help with his tuition.

RECEIVING HIS HOCKEY AWARD FROM MS. WARD

RECEIVING HIS DIPLOMA FROM MR. LLOYD

SO PROUD OF THIS BOY

June 29th was the two-year anniversary of Kellan's moving into our home. Time certainly has flown. We marked the occasion with barbecued steak, mashed potatoes, salads and peanut butter pie, and a climb in Uncle Durlan's dump truck and backhoe. Perfect!

Since school has been out we've been to the beach or the pool every good day. We've had so much fun, spending days with Keely, Sahara and Keyaunnah and many other friends. Sherman bought him a special digger and dump truck just for the beach. They've had some use! Some days its been hard to keep him awake past 6:00, he's been so played out.

Around the first of July, Brady had to go secure an apartment and Sherman was wrapping up lobster fishing stuff so Kellan and I went to Moncton to visit my brother and his fam. We ended up staying 5 days, so that was fun. Trent took the kids to two fun splash parks. We ate at "AtDonald's" (which Kellan LOVES!) and played hard with Ainsley and Brynn. The girls love the movie Frozen, which we watched for the first time while we were there. They are always singing the song "Let It Go" from that movie. One day the two of us were in the car and a snip of that song came on the radio. Kellan said, "Ainsey and Bynn sing 'Wet It Doe', but I sing 'Wet It Dig' ", which he did and still does. That boy is all about trucks, diggers and loaders.

Next week we have 8 family members coming from Florida, as well as the Rotary Festival here, so things should stay pretty busy.

As you may have heard, our island was shattered by the terrible accident that happened here on July 13. Our family is very close to Danielle, Tammy, Michael and Hunter. We have watched our broken friends hug and comfort over 1400 grieving people who came to Danielle's visitations. We have listened to them offer words of hope and comfort to the more than 750 people at Danielle's funeral service. We have seen them support Brady and each of the other five young pallbearers, standing hand-in-hand at the foot of Danielle's casket.

This family is remarkable, but we have known that for a long time. It is truly our privilege to be called their friends. We love them. We ache for them. We miss their daughter. We miss them with their daughter.

Without exaggeration, Danielle is one of the most amazing kids we know. She was Valedictorian of their class, top basketball player on the team, a beautiful singer and pianist, and a true friend to all. She made you feel like you were the most important person in the world (a trait she and Hunter inherited from their parents), and was loved and respected by so many - not just on Grand Manan but far beyond. I could write pages on the tributes people have passed on to the family concerning Danielle.

We are devastated by Danielle's death. We are devastated for Tammy, Michael and Hunter.

The world is truly a little less bright.