goals

As predicted, 2009 has been an incredible year for the Mallery family so far. We have accomplished many of the goals we set at the beginning of the year, however, the order in which our goals have come to fruition have not exactly been as scheduled. Our family has always been used to dealing with curves in road of life and have always adjusted quickly, however, this year has been exceptional.


The kids and I moved to Mississippi earlier than we had originally planned. Transferring the kids to another school this close to the end of the school year was a tough decision for David and I but so far the kids are adjusting well and have been pleasantly surprised with their new surroundings. So far, they’ve found that the biggest difference between Utah and Mississippi (amongst others) has been the heat and humidity. Alex finds it hard to understand why you still have to turn on the A/C when the top on the convertible is down. The kids love their new schools, the neighborhood and even our new church. The church has a great youth program that keeps them actively involved. Fortunately, I was able to take April and May off from work to be home with David and the kids full-time. We’ve really been focusing on doing things as a family and have grown very close because of this. We’ve been going to church every Sunday, having home-cooked meals around the dinner table every night, family movie nights, dominoes on the back deck, fishing together, mountain biking and hanging out around the fire pit playing guitar or telling stories. Yes, we’re the freakin’ Cleaver family! The kids have met new friends and our house has quickly become the neighborhood hangout.

Of all of us, David has had to make the most adjustments. Going from single guy to family man almost overnight isn’t easy for anyone but he’s really stepped up to the plate and has been a great father figure and role model for my children. The kids really look up to him and love and respect him. More importantly, they appreciate the way he loves and respects their mother. I’ve said this time and time again, but letting your kids witness and be part of a loving, respectful relationship is probably one of the most valuable lessons in life you can teach them.

What’s next? Well, once school is out the kids will be going to youth camps and traveling back to Utah to spend the rest of the summer with their father. Alex is planning on getting her driving permit—mercy—and our Egypt trip that was postponed at the last minute will hopefully become a reality shortly. I go back to work in June and David and I are working toward a wedding this fall. A lot is on the horizon, so check in often for an update.

Our family has truly been blessed this year. Thank you to everybody that has helped us along the way. We will always be grateful for your love and support!

With love—

The Mallery Family

The Mallery Family

Welcome to the Mallery Family Blog Site. This site was created to give us the ability to write about our travels, update family on our kids' activities, express our opinions and journal our life's experiences. Sadly, two pieces of the family puzzle are missing; Lauren and Stephanie. All we have left to share are the memories. We would somehow like them to know that we love them and miss them and consider them part of our family. Our hopes are that one day they may want to be a part of our exciting and amazing journey!

Michelle and David

David, Alex and Caden

David, Steff and Lauren

Love was all he needed...(the condensed version)

… I looked underneath the stairs to find Stephanie sitting down, her white school shirt filthy from recovering her beloved Lucky, and the little duckling being held tight— loved even in death.

We had been lucky to find the duck. And Stephanie had learned a hard lesson.

As I felt the tears welling in my eyes, I realized I still had some learning to do myself...

No matter how much you love someone, you can’t alleviate the pain that they feel.

You can only hope that sharing it with them will somehow help to diminish the sorrow over time.

Each afternoon when I picked Stephanie up from school, she was quiet and sad.

There were to be fresh flowers for Lucky every morning until we moved.

I tried to find some means of closure for Stephanie— and for myself.

It was Stephanie who found it, however.

One afternoon she handed me a drawing that she had made of Lucky’s little resting place and a marker that read “LUCKY. Love was all he needed.”

Nearby a duckling swam happily on a pond with lilies.

There was also a poem written beneath, penciled neatly by a shaky, yet caring fourth grade hand:

Lucky
In my mind I see you,
and Lucky, you see me.
You fill my heart with love,
and make me very happy.

Death can’t keep us separate,
Yes, that’s very true.
And now I’m very desperate
for you and only you.

When I watched you take
your last breath,
I really thought our love
was then death.

But just because your body
has been left behind,
It doesn’t mean you’re
absent from my mind.

You’re my favorite duckling,
This is also true.
Now all that I have left to say
is “Lucky, I love you.”