A Holiday Tribute

(Some dear friends are honoring Cami's memory this year by donating a beautifully decorated tree to the Festival of Trees. I wrote a tribute to Cami to accompany the tree and hopefully to give the many people that view it a small glimpse into the life of my remarkable sister.)

This year as we usher in the holiday season we do so with a little less joy, a little less yuletide cheer. Our minds careen the past five months, our hearts revisit the ache of losing a loved one so young, so suddenly. Our Christmas wish is for comfort, peace and faith that our sweet angel is watching over us, giving us strength and courage to live our lives without her…

Cami was born thirty-four years ago into a close-knit family that cherished her as an adorable blonde little girl, a charming, free-spirited teen and especially as a beautiful, loving adult. Cami married her best friend and high school sweetheart and together they were raising two perfectly wonderful young boys. Cami loved being a wife and mother and she exemplified those roles through pure and unconditional love. Her legacy will live on through “her boys.”

Cami was an incredible friend, fiercely loyal and concerned about all. She had a radiant smile that was sincere and filled with compassion and tenderness. She genuinely cared about others as evidenced by her kind words, her selfless actions. She was funny and loved to laugh. She listened more than she spoke. Cami was confident and witty. She loved to dance, sing karaoke and watch reality tv.
Cami lived her life appreciating the things that bring true joy. Her happiness revolved around her family—she valued her husband and children above all else. She adored her friends, her sisters, brother and parents. She cherished her testimony of the gospel, and her relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ.

This holiday season our hope is to honor our angel, remember and appreciate our time with her and allow her example to shape our lives. As we move forward, continuing to grow and learn, we know she is with us, giving us the courage to find joy in life and happiness in those around us.

A younger, prettier version of me...

In the wake of our tragic loss I wanted to re-visit a blog post I wrote about Cami three years ago. One blessing that has come to light for me personally since my sweet sister was lost just over a week ago is that I have no regrets about our relationship as sisters. Cami knew I loved her, admired her and respected her. I told her these things on a regular basis. I encourage all to love and appreciate their family members; sisters, brothers, parents, children...life is fragile and can change in an instant. I pray that Cami's light and legacy will forever shine and that her incredible example will live on to touch, teach and influence all who were blessed to know her. I love you, Cam.

People often say that my sister Cami and I have the same voice. We sound identical when we talk and especially when we laugh. I have noticed this phenomenon with other sisters, but it's hard to pick up on similarities when it involves yourself...


Four years ago Cami became a certified medical assistant. As a nurse myself I was thrilled to be joined in the health care field by my sister. She was interested in working in urgent care, so I inquired about a possible position for her with the company I work for. I spoke with the COO of our company about an employment opportunity, and his response was..."I would love to hire your sister--I welcome a younger, prettier version of you!" He had never even seen Cami...how did he know she was prettier than me?

I love working with Cami. She is smart, stable and responsible. She is my one and only source and sounding board for "office gossip." We have an unspoken rule of confidentiality and discuss everything from coworkers who have bizarre opinions and habits to doctors who wear scrub tops with their khakis. We adore (practically) every person we work with, but trust no one but each other...

Cami is the lone girl in her family as the proud mom of two cutie pie boys. Ashton, her oldest has been perfect since the day he was born. He is sweet and sensitive and absolutely charming. We thought Cam had met her match with her second son, Duston, but once he got through those tough toddler years he too seemed to show several obvious signs of perfection.
Cami is crazy in love with her husband who happens to be the strong, silent type. He is splendid at changing tires for his nutty sister in law, and is steadfast in his tolerance of wacky Bunnell sister antics.

Cam has had a few little trips and tumbles in her life, but all adversity that comes her way is confronted head on by her positive attitude and cheery smile... She laughs easily, though she can't scream worth a darn. Younger, prettier and much more AMAAAAAZING than I could ever hope to be...that's my sis!

Halloween, et al...and why I am not a scrapbooker

What has happened to me that blog posts are now summaries of events occurring over not a few days, or even weeks, but months?

I am busy.

Everyone is busy.

I'm just afraid my blogging is going by way of my scrapbooking about a decade ago...except for the fact that I despised scrapbooking, hated patterned scissors and sticky letters and sayings like "my children are my greatest treasures" (in a lovely loopy font) seemingly tucked into a partially propped treasure box.

In contrast, I have truly enjoyed blogging. It is an outlet to express, and an opportunity to capture and record a timeless history of this lovely, unique phase of my life when my kids are no longer in arms or even under foot, but still close by...challenging and charming all at the same time. Blogging is nearly effortless--what with technology allowing the events of our lives, at least those captured in digital form, to be tossed from one form of "gigabyte" to another.

Yet, I have been neglectful, too busy (or lazy) (or...what?) to keep a proper journal, to chronicle holidays, and Haiti and such.

As I continue to reflect on the why? I will attempt a bit of a "catch up," and hope that I can find time...desire...focus...to resume some regularity, if only for the sake of maintaining the meaning of my blog title...(sigh...)

September, 2010...Alta High Homecoming. Lexi and Nate--I think they're adorable...



My third trip to Haiti (September 2010)...enlightening and inspiring...www.myaidforhaiti.com






Happy Halloween,2010 (are we really only to the end of October? This is gonna be one long post!)






Moab in November (2010)--lovely and adventurous!



Tae Kwon Do (November 2010)--Jaycee and Luke






Luke's baptism (December 1, 2010)...my sweet handsome boy is growing up! It was a beautiful day!




The most wonderful time of the year! Merry Christmas (2010)!














Though a bit of time to scribble a few notes (technically tap a few keys), locate a stash of pictures (miraculously filed in order on my desktop) the end result is so gratifying. Knowing that September through December 2010 is forever (I hope!) preserved (brief as it may be)...gives me satisfaction without weariness and hope without overwhelmation (overwhelmation=SCRAPBOOKING).

I may just do it again.

Next month.

Gotta pace myself...