Wendy's Beautiful Headstone!

Well, We finally got a headstone for Wendy placed. It is so beautiful! We all think it is perfect! We all went down to see it over the Thanksgiving Holiday and read poems and talked about our little Wendy! It's hard to believe that she has been gone for almost a whole year! It's amazing how a person can have such a hard time with a tragic event and feel like there is no way to get through it, but then a year later, realize that somehow we did make it through- at least for a year! So, we will trudge on in this life with our tragedies and difficult times and know that somehow- I am sure- with alot of help from our Heavenly Father- that we WILL get through yet another year, and another and another. And know that we are just that much closer to being with our loved one again! Wendy- We Love you! We miss you! Until next time!

Wendy's Birthday 2008

Here are the pictures from Halloween when we were at Wendy's grave. It was a very tender moment. Someone had already been there and gave her a dozen red roses. They were beautiful! Whoever you are- Thank you for remembering Wendy!

Two of my brothers, Dave and Keith, had both written poems for Wendy too, and were read that night. But figures- I am not able to find neither one of them now that I am on here ready to post. Those will have to come.

The good news is..... Wendy's headstone has arrived and has been placed! I have seen a picture of it and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!! We will be going as a family next week when Alan is in town for Thanksgiving to see it all together. I hope many of you will go and see how beautiful it is. I know Wendy would be proud of all of us for the contributions each of us in her family has made to make it the most beautiful headstone that she could have ever wanted!

Thinking of you, Woo!!! Love you!

Happy Birthday Wendy!

Today is Wendy's birthday. She would have been 29 today! It's still so hard to wake up some mornings and realize that she isn't going to be there to call or to plan some family party with. I can imagine she would have been having a huge party for her birthday- like she always did. When we were much younger, Suzanne and I used to throw her birthday parties for. We had some pretty good ones. My dad said to me last night that my neice, Alayna, woke up from her nap and saw a picture of Wendy (this was yesterday). And she says- "That's Wendy! Wendy is crying". I just think that if she truly is crying right now, it's because this was one of her favorite times of year and she is sad that she is not with all of us celebrating! I hope she knows that we are all thinking of her and are missing her.
We were hoping to have her headstone done by today, but it wasn't able to happen. I will post on here when it gets done and try to get a picture of it on here too. I think it is going to be beautiful!!! Thank you to all of her friends who continue to keep her memory alive........ if any of you are celebrating this day or night- please sing a little birthday song for Wendy!

LOVE YOU WENDY!!!

We're thinking about you so much Wendy

Marcia and I are just sitting here working on our blogs and just wanted to visit Wendy's blog. We added the family viewing slideshow that you can see at the right. We are hoping to gather more photos of the funeral and the dinner afterwards. We will post those later. Wendy's headstone will be in later this month and we will be having a get together when it is placed. We will let you all know in case you would like to join us. Wendy's birthday is on October 31st. We will all be thinking of you Wendy! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!!!

Thank-you Kentwood class of '98

I just want to thank the Kentwood class of '98. They had their 10 year class reunion this past weekend and they paid a special tribute to Wendy with a slide show. They also took up a collection to help raise funds for Wendy's headstone. I was just notified today that they will be sending in a check for $500, to Hillcrest Burial Park. WOW!!! We have been working on earning money for this all summer. We had a couple of yard sales, we had a few friends and family donate (thank's to all of you too). We even had a couple of anonymous donors and people we didn't even know donate. We really wanted to get her a nice headstone and we were willing to wait until we could gather enough money to get the one we wanted. Well, we have finally gotten it ordered! It will be a very beautiful one. I can't wait to see it. It will have a 5x7 photo of her on it. If everything goes well then we will be getting it in October. Wendy's birthday is October 31st so we are hoping to have it all in and have a little celebration for her. As soon as we get it I will post pictures. Thank's again to everyone who contributed towards this. I know Wendy must be very touched by everyone who still remembers her and cares about her. I sure am.

1st Carroll Family Reunion

We have never really held an official "Carroll" family reunion. So this year we decided was the year. We held it in Sandpointe, Idaho, where Alan and Christy live. Christy grew up in Sandpointe so she had some wonderful places to show us. We went to Schwietzer mountain, Lake Pend'Orielle, and Silverwood.
In losing Wendy it has made our family bond closer and we have learned that we need to cherish and love each other as much as we can. You just never know when it might be the last time you see someone. So we try to be a little more patient, a little more forgiving, and say "I love you" a little more often.

This is really only half of our family. We hope that
this will grow every year and that more of our
family will join us.

Keith, Rochelle and Alayna

Christy, James and Alan

This is what Alan and Christy's yard looked like with all of us camped there.

We took a trip to Silverwood.

Nathan and Austin

Austin, Crystal, Tessa, and Samantha

Justyn and Jordan

Bryce and Jacob

Dad and Mom. Wouldn't this make a cute card?

Jordan

The boys skipping rocks, this beach was covered with flat rocks

Tessa

Mom

Alan and Dad

Austin

We went swimming at a beautiful lake.
James

Samantha

Crystal

Jacob

Balloon messages for Wendy

On the last day of our family reuinion we wanted to do something to remember Wendy. We all wrote notes to Wendy and tied them onto helium balloons and then let them go all at the same time. It was a very touching moment.

Mom and Dad, writing their notes to Wendy

Crystal writing a very private note

Austin drew a picture of Wendy

Samantha wrote Wendy a sweet note: Wendy, I miss you so much I hope you cum back soon. I hope I se you soon to. We cry evrey time we think of yo...Samantha to aunt Wendy

Dad and Mom writing notes to Wendy

Trying to get all our balloons ready all at the same time was a little tricky.

Getting ready to let our balloons go.

We love you and we miss you so much Wendy.

Wendy's 10 year class reunion

I was contacted today, via e-mail, by Kristina. She found me through Wendy's blog. She is helping with Kentwoods 10 year reunion. She said they would like to honor Wendy. They will be having a slideshow for those who are no longer with us. I will be sending her some photos. I am so happy. I know Wendy would have wanted to be there and in this way, she can be.

Things I miss about Wendy

Wendy was my sister by marriage but in my heart was my sister for life. I miss you so much that it hurts deep inside. I so wish you were here for the kids and I..you will always be loved.

Kathy (Wendy's sister-in-law) Brandyn and Brittney's Mom

Things I miss about Wendy

I miss everything about Wendy. She was my closest sibling. I could tell her anything. She was my best friend. I miss her laugh so much sometimes it really hurts. I miss how she always had to have a pop to drink while she was driving. I miss her dark brown eyes and how with every emotion of hers could literally tell you what she was feeling. I would say I miss sitting next to her but she sits next to me every day now. I just miss hugging her. I love you all so much.

Alan (Wendy's older brother)

Things I miss about Wendy

Her smile. Her laugh. Her freckles. Her brown eyes. Her smell. Her phone calls. Her text messages. Her asking "What's up?". Her telling me all about her job. Her voice. Her voice mail. Her name coming up on my caller ID. Her calling to tell me something about her day. Her calling me on my birthday. Her taking me out on my birthday. Her coming to the Concerts in the park. Seeing her car in the driveway.Her planning easter parties. Her planning 4th of July. Her energy. Her diet advice. Her blue coat. Her moods. Her temper. Her generousity. Her plans. Her computer talk. Her worries. Her little slight scars from the dog attack, that only those who knew about it could see. Her face with no make-up. Her calling for recipes. Her hugs. Her saying "Love you". Her inviting the kids over. Her tears. Her spirit. Her love. Can't wait to see her again. Miss her every day.

Ronda (Wendy's older sister)

Wendy's obituary