Jacque is 20 - Good Bye Teenager!!

We are saying good-bye to the teen-age years of one more of our family. Jacque is turning a page and starting the next decade of her life. So, of course, I had to go back and remember the changes this beautiful young woman has made.

Yes, she was a tiny munchkin, but that didn't stop her from accomplishing anything she put her mind to. Whether it be dancing, or a cheerleader (which lasted all of one season), or a cast member in a play, to the drum major at the high school, she would just decide she wanted to do something, put her mind to it and usually accomplish her goals. She is still like that today. She has wanted to be a nurse since we can remember, and is taking steps towards this goal as well.

Of course, being determined has helped her out in many ways. She has always set goals and tried to accomplish these. Most of the time, she has a running to-do list, much like her dad, and a schedule for the day. She gets more accomplished in one day than most do in a week. I have always admired her determination to finish a project even when it seemed impossible.

This beautiful young woman is one in a million. She is your best friend, someone you can trust implicitly, one who will always think of others before herself. She has a heart of gold and would gladly help any of her friends or family when they are struggling. Her family is everything to her and on many occasions, she can be found helping around the house and hanging out with her sister. She is a great example to me. Her love, her desire to always do the right thing and genuine goodness has been a blessing to our family.

If her twenty's are anything like her teen-age years, there is only fun and happiness to look forward to. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this special daughter of ours!

Happy Birthday, Jacque

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Prom

Ah, the climatic point of the school year has finally come! Prom! I have decided that watching your young girls turn into absolutely gorgeous princess-like young women is an emotional moment that turns down-right embarrassing! Tonight was no different. Aly was breath-taking. She borrowed the dress, the gloves and over jacket. She bought the jewelry in San Fransisco with one of her best friends, Ashley. She had to hair professionals come over and work their magic on her hair (thanks to Cassie and Chelsey! They are amazing and very creative). Because the group had their day date last week (they went quadding and had a blast), today was relaxed and pretty stress-free.....that is until about 4:00. Aly is pinned and stitched into that gorgeous dress. But wow....she is beautiful and elegant in every way. Enjoy!

As she came out of her room, all decked out, I about cried. Well, I will have to admit a few tears were shed. How can a rambunctious little pistol of a girl grow up, who loves to play football with the guys, has no problems taking someone out during a soccer match, and who makes the best chocolate-chip cookies in the world....

LOOK LIKE THIS?????

I tell ya, I'm feeling like I have the most beautiful girls in the world. I thought they were beautiful as babies, and they are still beautiful today. Our 'baby' is all grown up and ready for the night of her life. Knock 'em dead, Aly!!

Oh....by the way...her date didn't look too bad himself.

Easter Traditions

Our Easter traditions have started to change a little. I guess that is because we are "all grown up". No coloring of Easter eggs, no little kids waking up to an Easter basket on Saturday with all the goodie/chocolaty surprises. No matching dresses. Really, no shopping for Easter dresses due to stress during the week and absolutely no extra time to shop on the weekend. No having Mr. Easter Bunny stop by at Grammy's and hide all the Easter Eggs! And, my favorite tradition....No finding the Easter Eggs that have the meaning of Easter hidden inside on a special Easter FHE.

Instead

I thought the girls were too old for Easter baskets. I was wrong. I thought the girls would NOT want any chocolate. I was half-wrong. How did I figure this out? Our sweet Grammy brought by a sweet Easter treat for each girl (well, each grandkid, of course!) They were so excited to get a little basket with some chocolate! I was shocked!! I asked if they wanted Easter baskets and they said it was a nice tradition, but they really only wanted a few bites of the chocolate and the rest was put in the candy drawer. (That darn drawer still has Christmas candy in it!!!!!). What would we do without the thoughtfulness and love of our dear Grammy!! Thanks for the rescue, Mom!!

No matching dresses.....ah, the fond memories of Easter past.....

But, unfortunately all little princesses must grow up.....and so we tried to match dresses.....

And now, we just try to have dresses that are new to the wardrobe. Does it change how beautiful these two girls are?? No, I'm always amazed at the beauty Jacque and Aly have both on the outside and the inside.
As for our family, we still try to get the traditional Family Easter picture. We are without our two sons and their beautiful wives, but we are still a family. Greatly appreciative of each Easter season that we have to reflect and celebrate the sacrifice of our beloved Elder brother.

Happy Birthday Savannah!

It's Savannah's birthday way over in the cold state of Vermont. But, here in the sunny state her family is wishing her a wonderful, happy birthday. This girl is our burst of sunshine. She always calls us with a happy hello and something fun to share. Sometimes, she keeps us in stitches with her renditions of her daily life. There is no one that can tell a funny experience like Savannah.

Savannah has a huge heart and is always looking for ways to take care of the people she loves. Ask her for any favor and she will turn around and give you her heart and soul. Not many girls could put up with her future mother-in-law for 3 days/nights straight so that she could take care of the one she loves the most!
Making her little house a home is something else that Savannah is great at. Aaron is always saying his wife created this or made that or worked on this. All to make their home perfect. She is truly a gifted person taking what they have and making it something so special.

Savannah is beautiful on the inside and the outside. Just look how awesome she is! Not only that, she has transformed Aaron into quite the fashionable student/husband. Only she could have done that. She always has time to talk to her younger sisters and when we see them, we are usually laughing and having a great time. Savannah always has something new for us to try and shares with us all her ideas for improving and living life to the fullest.
Best of all is this couple's love for each other. They are truly "living on love" and all the happiness that brings. She pampers Aaron and he, in return is more romantic than I thought possible. She brings out the best in him. We love this girl and hope her day is filled with happiness and hugs and kisses....of course, Aaron will have to help us in that department!!!

Happy Birthday Savannah!! You are now officially the oldest child in our family. We love you bunches!!!

Really, My Intentions were good...

Typical Saturday. Errands to run, chores to do, homework to catch-up on. The usual. Somewhere in there, I wanted to do a good deed. A bunch of us in our ward ordered solar ovens and they needed to be picked up today way out in tim-buck-too. I called around offering to pick them all up, but a dear sister/friend had already beat me to the punch and was picking the lot up. I offer to take her good deed from her, but alas, she ends up helping me instead. No blessings there for me!

I start to run errands. Wal-Mart is the place. Afterwards, I'm craving a Jr. Frosty (my one sweet for the week) and as I'm driving into the Wendy's by good 'ol Wal-Mart, I see a homeless man...(well, his sign claimed he was!) and his poor down-trodden wife holding a sign stating his woes. I decide to order them both a #1 combo and will slip in some money. Great idea, huh? After 2 cars, I finally receive this huge order (and of course my Jr. Frosty!), I turn the corner and the homeless couple is gone! I circle the vast parking lot looking for them. I can't take the food home. Girls don't eat #1 combos, and Brad doesn't like the works on his hamburgers. HMMMM. All this food and no where to go. Again, another blessing down the drain. So, I'm thinking....who to give this food to? I'm traveling to my next errand/destination and finally come up with a friend with two growing teen-aged boys who are not picky! YEAH!! I call her and she obliges me this request. Two teen-ages boys are very happy to eat lunch!


So, my question is do my good intentions count??? Do I get any blessings from TRYING???
GEEZ!!


Off to the temple, maybe I can do something good there....of course!!

Not too busy for this..

I am swamped with essays and preparing for finals. I have so much to share...but my essay on family keeps calling to me. However, Aaron told me of this video, shared on YouTube that is a must see. I took time out of my crazy morning and watched it. I wept. I remembered how much I love the Savior, and more importantly, how much He loves me. It was well worth the break in studies!!

The LDS Newsrooms says:
Traffic began to build immediately. Mormons spontaneously posted the YouTube video on Facebook, discussed it on Twitter and sent it by e-mail to thousands of others, including their friends. By Saturday, the number of views passed 100,000 and kept climbing. By Sunday, it was noted as the number 1 video in the Internet “nonprofit” category in Brazil, India and other countries.
On Monday morning, views had reached close to a quarter million and reached the top of the Viral Video Chart, which identifies the most popular “viral” videos — those that spread rapidly due to public dissemination.

And they say that we don't believe in Jesus Christ!

More to come....after the essay.....

The White Envelope

Most of you know that we have been waiting for the white envelope. Nope, no one is going on a mission. But for the past week, we have been diligently waiting for the post-person to deliver our mail. ASU's Nursing School had told the applicants that the letters of acceptance or denial would be sent the last of March or the first of April.
Today....
The envelope came. Jacque came in ecstatic and very, very nervous. I really felt like we were opening something equivalent to that mission call. This affects her for the next two years and really, for the rest of her life. Nervously, she ripped open the letter and let out a squeal of delight. Then, for both of us, the tears came. We are so proud of all her efforts. With all the budget cuts, we were a little apprehensive about her advancement.
The letter stated that there were 311 applicants. Out of those 311, only 245 met the minimum qualifications and there were only 100 spaces for the Fall of 2009. WOW!!!

We are going to have a nurse in our family!!
Love ya BABE!!

What's a Girl to do???

Some girls have all the "bad luck". Poor Aly...she has been in quite a quandary. It started on Saturday evening, while she was in CA for the choir/band/orchestra trip. Brad gets a call from a certain young man's father asking Brad if we were going to be at home. "Sure". He informs us that his son is on his way over to ask Aly to Prom. "OK" So, we wait....and wait.....and wait. Nope, no one shows. Brad even returns a phone call to ask if there was a problem, but we never hear a word back.

SO...

Monday rolls around and word at school is that there are two boys who want to ask Aly to Prom. Neither of them have the last name of the father we talked to. Hmmmm. So, Aly frantically texts me while I'm in math asking if her room is clean. Huh?? Nope, and I'm not home. She is thinking someone is coming to put something in her room. So, I rush home, clean it and wait. I didn't know WHO was coming. The doorbell rings and the young man wants to put something in her room. It is Justin Durfee, her good friend and who she went to Homecoming with.

Very cute. They will have fun together. That's the whole point, right? So, Wednesday comes along and it is a no-school day due to the wonderful Aims testing that is done. The doorbell rings and Aly answers the door to this:

Oh No!! This guy is a nice guy too! But she had already been asked!! What is a girl to do?? We wrote a cute little poem back and took over Treston's favorite dessert. Hope he isn't too sad!!

Aly is just happy that she gets to go to the Prom that she has helped to plan!

(She's on the Student Council Prom Planning Committee)

GEE...must be nice! I remember hoping and praying that ONE boy would ask me!!