Little Family Party

Thank you to Barry for getting all the kids together for my birthday, I appreciate it. Poor guy, not one pic of him, or at least his face!

My Garden

Some of my 19 tomato plants

Saber hanging out with me.
















Tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers are doing well.

It's My Happy Day

It's my happy day and I always love my birthday, the more the better! I think this is going to be a birthday week, concluding with a Mother's Day celebration!
Aren't my flowers so pretty, I love the variety and they smell so good too! Thanks to Dustin, Heather, Kadence, Brandon, and Cheri.

The Girl Gets a Car...Finally!

Yep she got a new Honda Civic. Her dad did help with a small down payment and now she will get the privilege of making the remaining payments. This is supposed to be her ticket to success...LA everyday!

She is not in the picture because she wasn't prepared for pictures right then, we'll get some later, just wanted to share and again, thanks goes to Patti for getting another big one done!! You are the best! Can you work on furniture for me now?

Another Generation, Another Garden!

Dustin had another good idea. He wanted to plant a garden, so we all rallied and set it into force! He wanted his garden to be thematic, you could call it an Italian red sauce garden, with a twist of heat (hot peppers, for Brandon, who he is sharing this with). Big plans, pasta sauce, Tabasco sauce (made from the Tabasco pepper, duh!), and a little squash thrown in. Not to mention the HER...bs! And as we planted we wondered exactly how long these poor babies had to live, would they ever reach their full potential, would Dustin ever have his ingredients to make the sauce, would we have homemade Tabasco this summer? It would all depend on, not the sun, not the water, not the fertilizer...no no no...it is the dogs! Would the dogs let Dustin's dream garden come true? We did give it that one last boost...we said grow baby grow to each and every one of the plants and then the next morning Kadence did again for extra good luck.

Hotel D.O.G

Treat time

Free Play time

Make yourself right at home!

Your comfort is our greatest desire!

p.s. check out Harley's new haircut...hard to tell which is the real Lily Foofoo! I think Jess is so horrified about how he looks that she may take better care of his hair as it grows out this time!

Garden Friends

I have some new activity these days. Mocking birds have once again layed eggs and successfully hatched a couple of babies (we did find one dead on the ground, probably jumped when parents were squawking and charging the window all day, everyday, where the dogs and cat lay watching them, I think they were neglecting their babies while trying to protect them!) This is the first time I have gotten to actually see the babies. This guy can't fly yet, which is why Abby can get a closer look!

Use it up, Make it do, or Do Without!

These are bits and pieces of my favorite type of reading glasses. I didn't pay a whole lot for them but they were hard to find, so when ever they broke I would save the pieces and use them to remake another set...but it's finally come to an end when screws became stripped and ear pieces were stretched...I had to buy some new ones, I like them too, but miss my old style. Oh well, wish I could do without 'em...contacts, maybe??

E-mail from Laurie

So we were all tramatized last night- had to take Ethan to the emergency room because he got an instrument wire hooked thru his finger (similiar to a guitar string)..... he is okay- think Nick and me are still more upset then him.... he seemed to bounce back Guess I should start getting used to this stuff.......... because he is all boy................ Laurie

p.s. from grandma Laura:

O boy just when you think you have past the point of living in fear of your child's next injury you get grandchildren and you can start worrying all over again, just tenfold.

Grateful Reflections

Yesterday I had to go to the hospital to have some tests after my Dr. found some lumps under my arm. For a week prior I felt assured that it would be nothing and was not worried, but I had to have a mammogram and an ultrasound of the area. I had to go to the hospital and not a regular office so a radiologist could read the results on the spot. It wasn't until I was there and in the room, which they made to look like someones living room, only with a big machine to squish boobies in it, they told me it had been since 2004 since my last mammo that I got a little nervous. She took the images and put them on the lighted wall and asked me to put on the gown and wait to get the ultrasound. As I waited and looked at the xrays my anxiety level elevated. I could see some white spots and some looked big and spread out. Could it really be?

Laying there, waiting, in a room that had sunflowers everywhere, even floated above me from the ceiling, someones idea of making the experience we women have to go through a little more calming , I felt peace come over me. I didn't know if the Dr. would come in and give me bad news or not. So I went to my place. A place I marked in a moment of time...I may need it, I may want to use it at some time I thought...it was in the summer of 2006, at the lake, Bass Lake and I was floating on a round tube, in a beautiful cove we had stopped in to make lunch and hang out. I looked up at the blue sky, surrounded by tall pine trees. The water was deep green and just the right temperature. I could hear my family, talking and laughing, my kids, my grand kids, my husband. It was perfect, all I could ask for. I book marked it right then and there in my mind. I can use this moment in time, my perfect everything!

Back in the examine room, I lay there thinking whatever happens, I am at peace. All I ever wanted was to be able to raise my kids to adulthood, not to die when they were kids and when they needed me so or would be devastated and sad without a mom. I can't think of anything other than losing one of them that would be worse. I used to worry so much about this that I sought counseling and I remember a session in which my therapist had me envision a time many years in the future in which I would be a grandmother and sitting at a table with lots of grandchildren and I would be so joyful. He promised me that I would have that. I cried, really broke down and sobbed at that image and believed in it and it brought me peace. That is where I am at this point in my life, all I ever wanted. It would be sad to get bad news, terrifying, but I knew I could deal with it, I have my faith which is strong and I've raised my kids to be strong and they have each other, they would be ok.

I thought of the other women, in the waiting room, those in the past, who have sat in my spot and did receive news that would change their lives and I felt sorry, so sorry for them that I said a little prayer for them. Life, you just never know. It's good to be prepared, to have faith, to have loved ones to love and support you, to have a place you can take yourself to feel at peace. Thankfully I am fine (I do have to see a surgeon for one last ck), thank to have had this experience in which I had a chance to reflect and be ever more grateful.

Easter

Grandma, Kadence, Abby, Ella, and Max
Dustin, Kadence, and Heather

Dustin and Emma, she loves Dustin

Nick, Abby, and Grandma Pat

Laurie and Ethan

Dustin lovin on Andy

The Family

The Family, again!

Kadence on her way to church with Daddy, love the glasses!

There they go!

We had a wonderful Easter day. Barry and I went to the Kirtley's ward to hear Natalie speak after her mission. She gave a great talk and really speaks Spanish! Then we went to their house and had a fabulous lunch. They are great hosts and we enjoyed seeing all of the family. I miss the kids and it was nice to spend some time with them. Then we headed over to Elaine's house for the Brandler event. The crazy money egg search was as expected, cheating, yelling, crying and one happy recipient (who usually gets the grand prize by cheating too). Jacob won it again, I think for the 5th year in a row, to the crushing disappointment of the younger cousins. Many of the adult cousins are scared for life from this experience and yet it lives on, stronger than ever! We enjoyed spending time together and watching Elaine freak out over the kids and her house. After everyone came to my house and we had taco salad...what you don't have Mexican food on Easter? So it was a special day and I, again, felt gratitude for all my blessings and that I have a loving Savior that makes all this possible.

Our Day At The Zoo

Max is pooped and needs a ride, so did I but didn't fit in the stroller.
Taking a break after lunch.

Kadence at the park, she is having fun, but looks like a lost child. No worries, I brought them all home safely.

Max and Kadence like the Black Bear

Ethan and Daddy

Kadence likes the seals

Max pushes Kadence and Abby

Gramma with Max and Kadence

Great pic of Max

Laurie with Emma and Ethan

Happy Abby

Our group, I couldn't have done it without Laurie and Nick. Oh boy, we had a great day!