JADE - at 4 month

Another fun day at the park.  Jacque and Jenny took Jade and Jackson (that's alot of "J's" in that there sentence) to the park and Jacque worked her magic.  I laugh every time I see these pictures.  Jade, at 3 months already had a tooth and is now rolling over and developing quite the personality.
Have I mentioned how much I love our grand-daughter??

(PS:  absolutely no photo editing on the eyes in this one )

(This little guy is adorable.  He is 20 months old!)

Happy Birthday Jacque

What does a 21-year-old do to celebrate her birthday?  I'll share a day in the life of our "legal" daughter. 
Starting the night before...her friends took her to dinner and came over afterwards for some yummy dessert and down time.  Some of her favorite people came over:

Today Jacque did the following:
Did NOT use an alarm to wake up.  Decided to work out:

Her goal:  to conquer the 30-day Shred.  Next up was a nutritious smoothie and dressed for the day.  We hit the nail salon next for some much needed pampering.  Since it was her birthday, they gave her the royal treatment and told her to "have some fun!"  Funny ladies!!

(PS:  don't mind the drinks on either side of us...it was part of the pampering!) :)

Afterwards, Jacque went to meet her nursing friends at Olive Garden for lunch.  They had a blast.

 Because of a ward auction, we didn't go out to dinner.  Jacque came home to open a few presents and then headed off for a night of dancing.

(If you give Jacque a cookbook....she WILL cook!  We love that about her and have sampled many tasty dinners, salads and yummy desserts!)

Let me tell you about this amazing daughter.  She is the real deal.  Jacque speaks the truth and wants only the best for her family and friends.  Even if someone is acting a little "off", she is the one who tries to understand, who doesn't judge and would give anyone a second chance.  Her warmth and love is felt by all who know her.  Jacque's laughter fills up a room and spills onto everyone who is around her.  She is the one who picks up the tab, looks for ways to cheer up her friends and shares her heart with all.  Her faith is child-like, as in the scriptures.  She has faith in all that is good and knows why she believes the way she does.  She is an example to me of steadfastness and living a virtuous life.

No, she isn't perfect.  But I wouldn't trade one thing about this beautiful daughter of mine. 
I love you, Jacque!
Happy Birthday!!

3rd Time....

Well, it's a proven fact.....I have a black thumb!  Remember this post?? It only took one month for my little plants to bloom.....and die.  I watered them, sat them next to the window.  I watched the soil get mildew and the little plants wilt....and die.  AAHHHH.  So I started over with ONE plant.  After one week....it started to wilt.  What is going on??  So, in a last attempt, I bought two more plants, put the little plant in the middle, gave them a new home with fresh soil,  and put them out in the sun to soak up the rays.  Here's hoping the 3rd time is the charm!!

Prom!

Senior Prom was quite an event in our home.  It landed on the same weekend as Relay For Life, but with careful planning, Aly made the weekend one of her bests yet.

Justin asked her in a very cute, playful way:  We all laughed at his "clever" play on words.  Aly answered back, but played a very mean "April Fool's" joke on the poor guy.  On April 1st, she went to school a little dejected and Justin tried to figure out why she was so "sad".  At the end of the day, she sent him some goodies with a saying:  "I'd love to go....but my parents say no!"   He had play practice and almost immediately Aly's friends were texting her wondering what had happened.  He finally got home and saw this with corn dogs all over his front yard:

For their day date, they went up early Friday (which was UN-officially Senior Ditch Day) and rode quads for part of the time and went tubing for the other part.  They had a group of about 16 couples, so this way, all had a blast. 

Friday evening was Relay For Life....all night long and then Saturday evening was Prom.  Aly looked gorgeous!  This is the dress we bought LAST year while vacationing in Utah.  Aly was very disciplined in her eating and went to the gym 2-3 hours a day before Prom....wanting to look her best!  Cassie helped her with her hair and she looked quite perfect.  Justin definitely loved the dress and together, they spent a wonderful evening with friends.  Jacque was kind enough to take all their pictures, so the pictures all turned out fantastic!  They went to Treston's for a catered dinner from Moki's Hawaiian Grill and then on to the dance.  Aly came home before midnight!  They were tired and had early morning devotional with Elder Hafen then next morning.  Smart kids!

This group of friends have been together all thru High School.  It made for a fun, memorable night to remember!!

Happy Birthday Savannah

Savannah returned from helping her parents in Henrieville on her birthday.  We didn't do much celebrating...but the best is yet to come!  But since I don't have many pictures of her, I did sneak a few pictures from her hubby and wanted her to know how much we love her.

One of Savannah's most endearing qualities is her willingness to help others.  She has a huge heart and  is a natural when it comes to noticing peoples' needs.  Whether it be family or friends, both she and Aaron go out of their way to be of service to those they love.  Savannah is a great cook.  We have enjoyed having her whip up her famous Oreo Cookies and other delights.  Another one of my favorite qualities of Savannah is her ability to make others laugh.  She loves to lighten up the house by opening all the blinds and that typifies her....she lightens our day with her jokes and humor.

This "oldest" daughter of ours is one in a million.  She adores Aaron and treats him like a King....just ask his co-workers.  We have enjoyed having them in our home and look forward to many more days of laughter, exercise grumbles, delicious meals, new ideas on how to organize,  and plain ol' fun!
We love you Savannah! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Relay For Life

Friday was the Relay for Life event, this year at Gilbert High School.  This event has a special place in my heart.  Aly was captain of two teams from Highland High School.  She worked so hard to raise money for both teams and to help her friends raise awareness for Cancer.

Brad, Jacque and I went to the event.  I took the role as the "Survivor" and Brad and Jacque were my caregivers....Jacque also took the most amazing pictures....which I will always treasure.

We went to the Survivor area, where we were given a bag of goodies and later, a nice dinner.  They gave each survivor a special purple shirt with a string of beads for each year of "surviving". I had five strings of beads. After the opening ceremonies, they asked the survivors to walk the first lap.  I found a friend, Monya, who is fighting her own battle of breast cancer. We walked together.  Everyone lines the track and claps. Words cannot describe the rush of emotions as you walk by total strangers who are clapping and wishing you "good luck", "congratulations", etc. 

The second lap was for "caregivers" to join with the survivor. Brad, Aly and Jacque joined me. With one hand in Brad's and my other arm around my girls, I reminisced thru my memories of their love, and the struggle each had as they watched me suffer.

We are so much stronger now. Our relationships, our love, and our commitment to each other and our family is stronger.  Trials really do fine-tune relationships and commitments!  Aly had worked hard to "HONOR" those who have fought the fight.  As we approached these memorial luminaries, our hearts were full, our eyes a little teary, and we held each other a little closer.

(This seems SOOOO long ago!!)

After a nice dinner, I was one of the first "Survivor Speakers". I guess I did OK....Brad said I didn't embarrass the family.  Speaking in front of people is NOT my favorite thing to do.  Fortunately many were walking around the tracks, playing games, and hopefully not listening to intently.  As I was doing a little research for my speech I found this quote: 
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”~Christopher Reeve
I am an ordinary person, an ordinary mom in a very ordinary life.  But around us are HEROS - people everywhere (who are NOT on TV) who are MY heros.  Each member of my family has found the strength to persever thru their own set of trials.  No one gives up. 
To my FAMILY - YOU ARE MY HERO!!!

I did have a small fan base.  These are some of Aly's friends.  Most of them I am proud to call my "other" sons and daughter (some I didn't know!)  Aly's friends are amazing good kids, and have helped to make her years at High School fun and memorable.  After my little speech, there were plenty of hugs....and tears!

Brad, Jacque and I headed home after that, but I turned right around and took pizzas to the two teams and stayed for the Luminary ceremony. They dim all the lights and the only lights are the luminaries around the track, the candles the many participants are carrying, and a large "CURE" in the bleachers, made from more luminaries. The walk is started by those who have lost fathers, mothers, etc. joined then by those whose lives have been touched....everyone. It's a quiet time of reflection, as everyone goes around the track in silence.....so very powerful.  After a few laps, I went up the opposite bleachers and just watched the crowds circle the track, in silence, paying respect to those who have lost the battle and those who are still in the fight.  Watching hundred circle the track, some crying, some holding on to a loved one, many leaving their candles in front of someone's luminary and continueing to walk....after all....
Cancer NEVER sleeps!
I realized how very blessed I am. I am still alive. I know that I am blessed. I have so much to be thankful for. I love my family. Words cannot express my love for them.  This night will be etched in my memories for a long time!