Thinking about Kamber

I thought it was time to change up my background.... get it all summer-ready. When I saw the flip flops I knew I had to have it. Then I thought that I would dedicate my summer blog to sweet Kamber. She is known as the "flip flop queen" so it seems only fitting that it be in honor of her. Plus I changed our picture to a beach photo and one of my favorite and most vivid memories of Kamber is being at the beach. When she could hardly even walk Ethan or Jen would let her stand in the water, a wave would come up on the shore and knock her down. They would grab her arm and lift her up out of the foamy water, then stand her up to do it again. Every time she came up out of the water she had this little grin on her face.... She loved it. I've never known a child that loved water as much as she did. Tanner's favorite memory of her was being at the pool in Vegas. We would go every June. She would jump in the water with no fear, Tanner and Ethan would toss her back and forth in the air and let her land halfway in the water. And if you know Tanner and especially Ethan you know that they would throw her as high as they possibly could. She would just laugh and laugh.

As (what I am sure is) Kamber's favorite season is approaching, we all have to face it without her, and we have to face the last of the year marks. Next Monday will be one year since the last time I saw her. We were at Village Inn for Candi's birthday, and Kamber wouldn't sit on my lap. Ethan was trying to convince her to, but I just held her hand and said "that's ok maybe next time" I guess the "next time" will take a little longer than I thought. One year since Tanner played with her in the pool in Vegas, and one year since we got the phone call.

SO! As I pull out my swimsuit, suntan oil and most important my flip flops.... I will do it with the memory of Kamber in my heart, the daily thought of her family on my mind, the hope that she sticks close by them and makes her presence known, and the knowledge that she is happy, lucky and loved. I'm sure she's in the part of heaven that is summer all year long!

Kamber we love you, we think about you every day. Jen, you continue to amaze me. Not just because you're so strong but because you are such a wonderful mom to your girls. They're so lucky to have you!