Sweet, Beautiful Jade

I am blessed.  I feel this every day.  No matter what comes in the face of trials, obstacles, or hurdles - I have so much to thank my Heavenly Father for.  Today, I post 10-month old pictures of this sweet bundle of energy and smile at every picture.  She is an easy subject to shoot, but it also helps that we have an amazing photographer, Jacque, to capture the many faces, attitudes, and personality of our grand-daughter, Jade.

ENJOY!!

Have a GREAT DAY!!

New Tradition - Kargas Style

We joined in with the Kargas family last night for a very fun evening of Halloween fun.  All the "young marrieds and young adults (that would be Kade and Jacque) carved pumpkins for the very first 

Kargas Karved Pumpkin Kontest

sponsored by the Kargas Family.  It was a top secret event and Aaron and Savannah would not let us peek, not one little bit -  as they carved their pumpkin together.  We met over at Roxanne and Dennis's home where all who were in the contest displayed their creative side. 

What a tough decision the "judges" had as they had to decide the "most creative", the "scariest", the "most original", the "most unique" and so forth.  Roxanne, Brad and myself took a little while to make the decisions...with the "Best of Show" as the Grand Prize Winner.

Roxanne came up with a prize for all, and for the "Best of Show", a Halloween basket full of goodies that will pass from winner to winner each year of this new tradition.
 

(PS: Savannah is holding the new precious son of Katie and Ryan!!)

The winners of the First Kargas Karved Pumpkin Kontest??

Harmony and Kevin!!

WAY TO GO!!!

Wall Project - Family Style

I have wanted to spruce up our walls for a very long time.....probably since we moved in 8 years ago.  But as time goes on and life speeds by, projects get pushed aside for other things.  That is...until something important is happening at your house and you want to make it look good.  You know, like for baptisms, wedding receptions....and boutiques.  So, with the help of all kids present (one in Mexico, remember?), we set to making our walls look fabulous.  We had Tyler, the main man, measuring and making sure everything was secured.  Aaron as the "hold-the-ladder" and "don't-let-anyone-fall" go-to guy, and Jenny, Savannah, Jacque and myself as the creators and designers.  Oh....and Brad...this is what he did...and very well!!

So, we hung pictures in the front room, in Brad's office, and down the stairway.  THAT was very, very tricky!  At least I was smart enough to make patterns of paper so that we weren't holding up heavy frames going down the stairs.

 

If you look closely, you can see that hanging pictures in the middle of the wall, while going downstairs was going to be quite an accomplishment.  So, with Aaron at the bottom holding one end, Jenny at the top holding the other end on a precariously situated box, Tyler risking his life and limbs to please his mom, and the rest of us girls as assistants to Tyler, we were able to hang all the pictures without any falls or mishaps. 

   Brad and I looked back on this evening with smiles on our faces.  We had our family together, doing a project for "mom", eating and grilling some dinner and in the end??  We have a fabulous wall collage!!

We couldn't have done it without our family's help.  They ARE the BEST!!!

Fancy, Schmancy!!

So our resident chef, aka Jacque, had a dinner party here at the house.  This is no regular dinner party.  This was another magnificent meal created by an up-and-coming chef - Luke - and a wanna be nurse/photographer/chef - Jacque!

Who benefits from these delicious meals?  Jacque's nursing friends.  They come over, help with prepping the food and then they all enjoy a scrumptious meal with friends, laughter, and good times.

The menu?  It started out with pork loin wrapped in prosciutto and dried apple bits, all wrapped up in a pastry dough topped with an apricot glaze. (Luke created this)  Homemade applesauce and crispy polenta were also dishes by Luke.  Ginger-glazed carrots and a Frisee` salad with maple bacon vinaigrette complimented the main dish. (created by Jacque)  Dessert consisted of REAL pumpkin pie - meaning not from a can - was Luke's and Jacque created her famous pumpkin roll.  Jacque declared that she had been officially out-cooked.  BUT - all the friends declared the dinner amazing and another party is scheduled in the near future.

Just an Update....

So, a few things have been going on the the Weech household and this is the blog to "catch-up".  I wish we were these interesting, fascinating people who had extraordinary lives....but....alas....we are just "ordinary folks" doing "ordinary things" and trying to enjoy our very "ordinary lives!!"  I am just grateful I have family who complain when I haven't updated the blog.  It makes me realize that we are loved!!

First is our littlest angel and her new way of transportation. This little 'monkey' knows when she is in shorts and when she is in a dress.  You see, when in dresses, it is very hard to crawl - normal style.  So she adjusts.  When she has a dress-like outfit on, she walks like a monkey.  It's the cutest thing and hilarious to watch!  By the way....can you tell that Jade ADORES her daddy??

When we celebrate a birthday at our house, that individual picks their favorite restaurant and as a family, we enjoy a fun evening together.  However, this year, Aaron requested "Mom's Diner" - with a menu of chicken dumplings and all the trimmings.  So, we cooked a gourmet meal, invited Grammy and Grampy to join our family and had a pretty good dinner...at least...that was the general consensus!!

Cheesecake courtesty of Savannah!

Anyone who know Aaron and his collection of Legos must know that he is STILL collecting!!

Yeah, little Jade has EVERYONE wrapped!  Aaron and Savannah gave her a little outfit on HIS celebration.  Oh, no....she isn't spoiled AT ALL!!

This past week, we had a wicked storm!  During most storms, Brad and I are oblivious to them and sometimes miss out.  Our house is pretty soundproof.  But this storm?  We definitely heard it, especially as the hail pelted my newly washed windows.  Isn't that always what happens?  Well, as true Arizonans, we rushed to get our cameras and video to document the storm, the hail, and beautiful weather!

(PS:  See Aly - your dog is still alive!!!)

The past two weeks, the Mesa Temple has been closed.  I truly feel a little more anxious and a little more cranky when I don't have the blessing of a temple so close.  So, this past week, I asked Carolyn to take a day trip to Pima and there, we could go thru a session, have lunch, and enjoy some much needed cousin time!  As Carolyn and I were sitting in the Celestial Room, we wondered if our ancestors were amazed at the roads we both have traveled.  After all, we both (being cousins and best friends) have ties to the Gila Valley.  Both of us married men from the valley who also have ancestral ties. We traveled up in the morning, went thru a very busy session, had lunch at the "Casa", and came home.  It was a near perfect day!

Last, but not least, was our experience today.  Back in June, Brad was diagnosed with a blood clot that ran the length of his leg...literally.  With medication, we thought the clot would dissolve in time, according to the doctors' prognosis.  But, in the last two weeks, his leg has been swelling and he decided to have his doctor take another look via a sonogram.  Brad was told he was "holding his own" meaning, it wasn't getting any worse, but not any better either....even with the medication he has been on for 4 months.  So, a procedure was scheduled for today, at Banner Desert.  We were told that it could last 1-4 hours, and that if necessary, he would be admitted into the ICU unit after the procedure, depending on what the doctor could do.  Brad and I prepared for an all-day event.  He was given a wonderful blessing by his son and with the faith and prayers of our family and friends, we headed to the hospital in good spirits.  The procedure lasted about 1 hour, there were no complications and by 12:30 p.m. we were headed home!  It was another tender mercy from our Heavenly Father, who heard our prayers, listened to those who were fasting on Brad's behalf, and granted our request.  How blessed we feel to have such a wonderful family!  I can't tell you how much it means to both of us to realize that our families are united in love and concern for each other.  How grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, and the gift of having the priesthood in our home, where our sons can take the opportunity to bless the lives of their families!  It was a good day, another blessing in my life.

I also had the opportunity to be a blessing in the life of a stranger.  I sat down, in the waiting room, and a nice older gentlemen started up a conversation.  I am so glad I responded in a friendly way.  His wife was getting her results from her latest biopsy....she has lymphoma!!  It is her 3rd relapse.  I told him all about MD Anderson, and our experiences down there.  He sat there with a gleam in his eye and said:  "I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you.  I feel you have been placed in my life at this moment so that I can help my wife".  He had never heard of MD Anderson Cancer Clinic, in Houston.  He took down my information.  I gave him all the info I could remember on MD Anderson and wished him well. Isn't it amazing how the Lord puts us in situations so that we can help each other?  Many were placed in our lives to help Brad while, at the same time, I was in a room helping someone else.  I love how the Lord works!!   

Happy Birthday Aaron

Happy 27th to Aaron!

Pretty soon, he's going to be too old to put his age on my blog!  But for today, I want him to know how much he is loved.  He is someone who always goes about doing good for others.  From a young age, it was easy for him to serve those he loved.  I think one of my favorite childhood stories is when he would babysit his siblings and let them "order" dinner from a menu he created.  He would fix it all up and serve them restaurant style. 

He is the one who always remembers birthdays and special events.  I can't tell you how many phone calls he has made to both Brad and myself - "just checking on us" for the day.  It always brightens up my day!

Aaron is always "behind" the scenes.  Taking pictures, taking video - knowing that it means so much to me to capture all the fun times we have as a family.  When we have a computer problem...who do we call? 
Well, it's NOT the Ghostbusters!

Aaron's greatest talent is loving his family.  I can't think of a time he didn't put the needs of his family before his own.  Even with a new job and many hours at work, he always finds time to help his mom with computer issues, his sister in another country, and those who call for his help. He also checks on his grandparents regularly just to make sure they are all right and to express his love.  They have told me on numerous occasions how much that means to them.

We have been so blessed to have both Aaron and Savannah living with us at this time.  They are both always willing to help with projects and dinner and shopping.....especially the Saturday night run!!  I have observed the love between these two young marrieds and they make me laugh!  They fit together perfectly in every way.  Their little family of two is perfect and I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives.  I think I have learned from Aaron how important it is to do the little things for those you love.  Acts of service, a happy call, a kind note are all important!

Aaron - I hope you have a great day!  You are a wonderful son and I am blessed indeed to be your mom!!

Remembering....

A friend, fighting her own battle, gave me one of these today.  A flood of memories came to my mind.  It was a little less than 6 years ago in October that I started my own battle with cancer.  I remember in vivid detail the day (it was a Sunday evening over at Grammy and Grampy's house) when Brad and I gave each family member their own "Live Strong" yellow bracelets.  We sent them to family who were not in Gilbert.  Everyone wore them every week and I knew it was in support of me.  Their prayers, their fasting, the hope that I would be cured.  I can't tell you how much that helped when days were rough.  Just knowing that my family and friends were praying and thinking about me strengthened my resolve and determination to endure a little longer, a little better each day.  Now, It's my turn to stand strong for someone else.  How grateful I am for my family, their love and support during such a "faith-building" time in my life.  Remember those blessings I'm counting?

Today, I'm treasuring the countless memories I have of love and support from each of my family and friends.

Just Counting My Blessings!

I’m counting my blessings today. Even though at times, I feel overwhelmed, I know that I should be grateful for all the good in my life. I’ve also decided that when there are many “deadlines” in my life – I need to thank my Heavenly Father that I am healthy enough to be busy.
As I was driving home from school, realizing I had a LOT of homework, a RS class to teach, and many little projects to complete, I started to feel overwhelmed.  Most of us, at times, feel there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all of our "to-do's"  But then, I realized that instead of feeling stressed, I should be counting my blessings. 
Then, Jenny called asking if I could watch Jade while she attended the temple.  Of course, I said YES and immediately started changing my plans to accommodate a special time with my grand-daughter.  After spending some time with her...I realized that I do indeed have many things to be thankful for.  And when I get stressed...I am going to read this list for starters and ENJOY my time here on this beautiful earth!

Some of the blessings in my life today:

The time spent with our precious grand-daughter – Today she was laughing at the simplest things…and we caught in on camera (Jacque and I) I am popping a ball up and down in my hand and Jade is cackling, which in turn, is cracking both Jacque and myself up.

The ability to learn and grow at such an “old” age. I really like learning and my school classes are a challenge, but interesting. I’m not complaining…it just takes me a little longer to catch on.

The capability to serve others – this coming Saturday is our RS’s “Super Saturday” where I am helping the sisters put together 72-hour kits. About 60 were ordered. That is a lot of food! I have discovered that when my kitchen is messy and un-organized, I tend to be a “little” stressed out. But why? I haven’t figured out why my stress levels increase just because my counters are a little dirty and there are packages upon packages of food EVERYwhere…..but hey….It’s an opportunity to help others, and I’m grateful for that!

The answers to prayers – this is a little personal, but I guess I can share that prayers are answered in some VERY interesting ways. Aly shared a “cute” little story about getting lost in the ghettos of her town and somehow getting back to her “home” safe, and in one piece. Many might consider it just a “coincidence”, but I will always acknowledge my Father’s hand in our lives….always!!

A sweet husband who just want to “be with me”. Most people know that Brad does NOT like to shop….AT ALL!! Well, our washing machine is on it’s last cycle. After a repairman estimated the cost to fix it at OVER $1,000, we decided it’s time to get a new one. So, I told Brad I was headed to Sears to look over the brands. He said he would go with me, if afterwards, I would watch Survivor with him. I had to look at him to see if he was serious…he doesn’t usually like to go to malls…stores…anywhere that doesn’t have electronics in the title of the store. So, WE went to Sears and he strolled around while I asked all the questions. Of course, the nice salesperson tried to engage Brad in the conversation, but his answer? “Talk to her… I’m just here to be with her.” How blessed I am to have a husband who wants to spend time with me…even at a store. And yes, we watched Survivor when we returned!

Yes, I am enjoying a very busy day, but I also have many blessings that help me to realize how blessed I am!!