Winter Formal.....Priceless!!

What do you have when you add the following??

One can of silver paint - WalMart - $2.99
One strand of pearls - JoAnn's - $3.99
1/4 yd. overlay material - JoAnn's (40% off) - $2.50
1/4 yd. lining - JoAnn's (40% off) - $2.50
Scraps of lace - FREE
One dress, on sale rack over the summer - $17.99

ONE AMAZING DRESS!!

I love when a "thrift" dress turns into such a glamourous formal. Aly had the idea to add little scrunches of lace with pearls that we spray-painted silver. All hand sewn, but wow!! That, added to the silver top I created to make the dress modest. It was a lot of fun!!

Our last Winter Formal. How many more times am I going to experience my "last" with my last? Her date, Jacob, was a true gentleman and treated Aly like a princess

She asked Grampy to make dinner rolls and London Broil, we served 6 couples at our house and of course, Aly looked like a million dollars!!


My Beautiful daughter!!!

Randomness..

The last month has been a busy one. That was BEFORE December!! Since this is part of our family journal there are some events I need to record:

Nov. 23rd - Jacque and a group of young adults from her ward were in charge of decorating one of the trees at the temple for Christmas lights. They named him "Albert". See how high the lights are?? That is NOT because they used a cherry picker. They had Jacque. Yes, she just scampered up that tree, gave the bishopbric a mild heart attack and strung those lights. That's our girl!!

Nov. 26th - This guy - cousin Mike Bunker-

always makes our Thanksgiving a little more funnier. He always complains about sitting with the "kids" and not at the adult table, but more often than not, he is laughing and entertaining the teenagers. Here is his "poem" he wrote for our Thanksgiving Day.

"Thanksgiving Rules" ... by Mike Bunker.
So I'm PACING the floor and I'm STARTING to brood
As my MIND fills with sweet thoughts of IMMINENT food:
Not of COLD, frozen pizza ... not of OLD, stale Tostitos,
Not the CRAP in my freezer (there are THREE bean burritos)!
Even the GREAT Chuck-a Rama will SOON be displaced
Let us START with the turkey: first a LEG, then a breast ...
(Some say WHITE meat is better, but DARK meat is best.)
There'll be BIG, fluffy rolls and a VAT full of stuffing ...
(Could it EVEN get better? HECK YES --- that is nothing!)...
Uncle TERRYL'S noodle gravy is the BEST thing in life.
Want an UN-biased opinion?? Just ASK my ex-wife!
Then there's VEGGIES and bread ... pumpkin PIE and desserts ...
(Yes, the PLAN is to stuff it all IN 'til it hurts.)
Since I JUST had my birthday, and I'm NOW 38,
Something MAJOR will happen, for which I'VE had to wait:
After WAITING my whole life, I'll FINALLY be able
to SIT with the grown-ups (not at the LITTLE-kids' table!)
So to ALL of my dear friends in A.Z. or Cali ...
Or FRANCE or Kentucky or the WHOLE Utah valley:
Be THANKFUL for the blessings that UPON your God pours ...
(... But just KNOW that MY MEAL will be BETTER THAN YOURS!!!)

Dec. 1st - Temple Concert with Highland's Choir. It was beautiful. A little different music for the temple, but always very good.

...and last, but not least is one of the funniest pictures I've taken. Not of people, but of my life. With a baby shower and a formal dinner (more on that later) on the same day, everything was thrown into the pantry. Food, clothes, blankets, decorations. We looked at it Saturday evening around midnight and just cracked up. It was the biggest mess I've ever allowed in ANY room. But it made me laugh. I love my life. I love the busyness. I love having the health to do all these crazy things. I love that our home is used for the happiness of others. I love my family.

Christmas is upon us. I am going to enjoy each and every day. I have so much to be grateful for. Now...to finish the decorations, start shopping and cleaning that room!

Thankful for many things

Yesterday, Brad and I traveled up to Joseph City for the funeral of a dear friend who passed away after a heroic battle with breast cancer, Terrie Farnes. We held hands and cried as we realized that both Terrie and I were diagnosed the same year. I don't know why I was blessed with my health, but each day is a blessing and I am truly grateful for each and every day that I have to be with my family.

My family...they are truly my greatest treasures and blessings. I am grateful for my best friend who gives all he has for his family. Brad is my rock, my comfort and eternal companion. One of our favorite pictures of him is doing this:

Taking pictures and video of all our family gatherings and special events. He is never asked, he just does it because he knows that "someday, we are going to want to remember"!

These two people are very special to me. I am thankful for a father who is always trying to do something for his family. Thanksgiving was at our house this year. I thought it would be more "relaxing" for Grammy and Grampy and they would have less stress. WRONG!! Instead, they spent Thanksgiving morning making rolls for people in the ward. At last count, it was 34 dozen. Grampy loves to have his grandkids around him...don't let him fool you about that! He is great at expressing his love and always has a big hug for everyone.

Aly is one of my perfect daughters. No, she is NOT perfect, but she is a perfect daughter for me. I love being her mom in every way and include her in my treasured blessings. She tends to be a perfectionist, but I wouldn't trade one thing about her. She brings joy, love and laughter into my life every single day.

These two people are also considered my most treasured blessings. I have a mother who doesn't go a day without thinking about her girls and their families. If there is something that she can do to help, she is there, whether she feels good or not. She is the most loving-est person I know. She loves everyone. I want to be like her someday. My mom has taught me more about faith, love and compassion than I will ever be able to develop in my own life.

Jacque is my other perfect daughter. Again, not perfect, but for me, she is the other half of two wonderful and amazing daughters. She is always wanting to try something new (especially new recipes, which I absolutely love) and heart is full of compassion for others. Being an adult in her parents home isn't always easy, but she adjusts and loves us anyways! I enjoy our friendship as well as the relationship we have as mother and daughter. I love being her mom!!

I am also grateful for two amazing sons. Aaron and his wife Savannah, are still in Vermont waiting for their first big snow-storm and counting down the days until he graduates (which is in the single digits by now!) Tyler and Jenny (pictured above) are counting down the days until they add a sweet little girl to their family. Both of my sons are wonderful husbands and try their best to provide for their little families. I love them both and are blessed to have both of them in my life.

I am thankful for 3 wonderful sisters, whom I love and consider dear friends. They were each spending Thanksgiving with their families, so instead, I have these two women, who could easily be my sisters as well. Carolyn and I have a always considered each other sisters. I'm the sister she never had. We go our separate ways, but when we meet together for lunch, it is like we saw each other just yesterday. Carolyn is a great example of faith and perseverance. She looks for the good in every situation and is an example to me. I love this cousin of mine! She is another blessing in my life.
Cindy is an example of unconditional love. No matter what is going on in her life, she finds time and energy to share and love with those around her. I love this lady as well. Her friendship is a blessing in my life, one that I treasure.

This wonderful woman, our Grandma Weech, is also one of my treasured blessings. Actually, the whole Weech family is included! But Grandma...she is always serving someone. Her positive attitude, her determination, and her love for her family binds our family tighter. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. From the very beginning, she loved me and all I brought to the family. Her attitude of "one day at a time, one hour at a time or one minute at a time" has helped me thru some of my darkest days. I love her dearly!!

Most importantly, I am blessed with a testimony of my Savior's love for me. He is aware of my daily needs, my heartfelt desires, and blesses me in ways I cannot count. His sacrifice helped me to endure my own pains and heartaches. His love helped me to heal. Because of His gospel, my family will be with me forever. My heart is indeed full. I have many blessings.

Happy Birthday Jenny!

We are so THANKFUL for Jenny. It's Jenny's birthday and Thanksgiving all in one. Jenny is such a fun part of our family. We love how she always finds good in people and situations. We love how she can smile, even when she isn't feeling very good. We love to hear her laugh and shares her day with us.

(Jenny and her fabulous sisters)

Jenny and Tyler are getting ready for a wonderful addition to their family and she has created the cutest nursery!

Nursery colors...I'll take pictures soon!

She is going to be an amazing mother and just recently became a full time "stay-at-home-wife/mother to be" and she is excited to create a home for her new family. We love Jenny and hope she knows how special she is to us.

Hope you had a wonderful day. We love you!!

Baby Shower Dr. Suess Style

Before I share, I must give credit where credit is due. Some people are great idea people....and some are great pattern people. I am a great pattern person. I see an amazing idea, and I copy. So, here is the site of a very talented lady...who must be a great idea person:
http://www.karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/

With that said....here is a preview of the fun we had this weekend.

So many of Jenny's friends and family came to support her and Tyler as they welcome little "JADE" into this world. They have a few more weeks to wait, and are both getting very anxious and practicing their patience skills. But this little girl is going to be decked out in the cutest clothes. She will have to change her outfits at least twice a day.

And the proud mother? She is beautiful!

Winter Formal

He said yes! Aly asked Jacob (from GHS) to Winter Formal this year. She had tied balloons to 500 yards of fishing wire with the question. It took him a good 15 minuets to pull it down and then he found her name right under the door mat. Very clever. Sunday morning, we woke up to this and the choir members who came later sure had fun teasing her!

More to come on this event!

Happy Birthday Brad

Well, my best friend is another year older and of course, another year wiser too. Since I didn't post around our anniversary, I thought I would post some of my thoughts about the relationship I share with my eternal companion.
I have always been a list-maker. Scraps of paper, fancy list-makers, yellow pads, to-do pads, napkins, Sacrament Programs...you name it, I've made a list on it. I started making lists when I was dating and trying to figure out what type of guy I was attracted to and what type of guy I wanted to be married to. So, I went searching for my "list" when I met Brad. I found it and thought I would share it with you....and my thoughts about those qualities
(Sit back...this may take awhile!)

My LIST - compiled on March 30, 1987:

1. Easy to talk to - I feel I could trust him - He’s very open and to the point
CHECK - (This is still true. I enjoy talking to Brad, sharing my feelings and trust him with my life)

2. He’s good-looking - The kind I’m proud to be with and yet not insecure
CHECK - (In my eyes, his smile still melts my heart!)

3. He’s STABLE - Has a job, pushed himself thru school and law-school
CHECK - (This is also something that has never changed. He takes his role as the provider for our family very seriously and has always given 110% for our family)

4. Very Romantic - Affectionate, very well mannered
CHECK - (He still holds my hand, opens my doors and always wants me to pick the restaurant...so that I will be happy!)

5. Active and dedicated in the gospel - “Loves to home teach” - Helps with various organizations - Goes to the temple - Reads his scriptures - Magnifies his priesthood - CHECK

6. Music - must be important - Family is involved with music - He can sing and play a little - Loves to dance - good dancer
CHECK - (Our kids are always surprised when we are on the dance floor. We met at a dance! I love to dance with Brad!)

7. Very considerate of my children and their feelings - Warms up to Aaron - Doesn’t criticize my discipline - Seems to be understanding
CHECK and Double CHECK - (This was coming from a single parent. It was important to me to have a companion who would fall in love with my two adorable young boys and love them like his own.)

8. Respectful to my parents - CHECK

9. No foul language - CHECK - We ALL know that it is I that has the "potty" mouth!

10. Smart - and says I am

CHECK - (Well, on part of that one! I'm sure he was just helping my confidence. But I must say, that now that I am in school, he is my #1 supporter and always tells me how proud he is of me!)

11. Family Relationships - Close to sisters - *respects parents

CHECK - (I have always admired the care and love he has shown his parents. He always speaks highly of his siblings and even tho he teases some constantly, I know he loves them dearly!)

12. Doesn’t criticize church leaders - loved his mission and the people

CHECK - (We have all heard him speak Korean. I am always amazed at his ability to strike up a conversation with any Korean individual that he happens to meet.)

13. Handy man - CHECK -(I can't tell you how many times he has fixed our sinks, our toilets, our filter systems, our sprinklers, and of course, all our computers. He is truly my FIX-IT man!!)

14. Can adjust to most situations - CHECK?? I honestly don't know why I put this on my list. But in our life together, we have made adjustments. Sometimes, our situation or challenges aren't what we thought they would be, but always, always, Brad is the strength of our family and of our relationship. I wouldn't want to be with any other person. He is my Best Friend, the person that allows me to grow and fly, and most of all, the person I want to spend eternity with!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

PS: I love you today!!

These Weech's are AMAZING!!

Today, some of the persistent, dedicated and very brave Weech's participated in a Triathlon in Casa Grande. Jacque traveled down with Mark and Yvette and another of Jacque's friends (Cassidy) and they stretched their muscles! This race was a 400 meter swim, a 10.3 mile bike course and a 5K run. Lots of participants, lots of fun and best of all....4 amazing people who finished the race in style.

Way to go!! Jacque - Cassidy - Yvette - Mark!!!!

Here is part of the group all waiting to take their turn in the pool.

Mark was at the beginning of the line and the girls were behind a good while.

And there goes Mark!
Next up were Jacque and Cassidy in the pool.

Yvette was further back in line.

Next up was the bike ride. They were grimacing at the first, but all came in with smiles on their faces. Maybe that is because I was screaming their names...cheering them on and acting like a fool! Who knows??

And here they come as they finish they "jaunt" of a bike ride. First is Cassidy...

Yes, that is Jacque!

Now, off for a simple run thru the desert. Up and down hills and so forth...just another Saturday morning activity.

And at the finish line? They were all smiles. Tired? Yes! But they all finished, had a great time and are looking forward to the next one.

Yes, that is how I felt....just watching them! I AM impressed!!!!