Happy Anniversary

When stopping to fuel at the local Maverik, we happened upon their anniversary celebration.

The kids wanted pictures with the fun Lamborghini.

Love these kids!!!

Wilderness Survival

At first glance it looks like a pile of branches.....

Take another look....

Taron made a fort.

We have been doing a little tree trimming with the help of our neighbors.  After I had gone in the house, Taron called me out to see his creation.  He slept in it that night and loved it.  When his new scout leader came over to introduce him to scouts and Young Men's we said he has already passed off wilderness survival.  So proud of you Taron. 

Priceless

As a mother, there are days I wonder if anything I do is making a difference.  Days when the laundry pile only seems to grow, not a single bed is made and the dishes from two night ago are still calling my name.  Many a sun has set when I have crawled in bed asking for a redo.  Then there are days everything seems to fall in place, even if just for the amount of time it takes to read a children's book.

For a stay home mother, this is what I call a payday.

He's Coming Home

. . .for a few days.  Just booked my hubbies flight home for the holiday.  It will be a short visit but I have been missing him madly.  Oh goodness......so much to do. 

Do redheads have more fun?

My sister Emily asked me the other day if I would help her color her hair. YIPEE!!  Have I said I love having sisters.  Well, if you missed it....I love having sisters....I love my brothers also, but sisters means dress up and Ross, toe painting nights, walks in the park and hair coloring.  With hair as long as mine, coloring takes years to grow out so I don't do it much.  All the more reason I was excited for Em to ask for my help.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Emily is a natural beauty whatever her hair color.  Thanks for letting me play hair shop for an afternoon.

Maggie also happened to make a change to her hair....no help from me...sad (safer).

Thanks girls for a great afternoon.

Somewhere In The Middle

There are times I wish I lived in some exotic land.  Then there are other times I look around and thank the powers that be that I am privilege to live in such a beautiful place.  It may be the desert.  But this is my desert filled with people I love.  Last night we made a memory with the beautiful land we love as our backdrop.  With fields of green to one side and a valley we call Pocatello on the other, Gail Drive rocked into the night with "Somewhere In The Middle."

Olaya wasn't quite sure what to make of the music.  She wore grumpy face for quite a while.

This band really was fabulous.  We were lucky to get them to perform for our little street party.  Janis, our neighbor just so happened to grow up with the lead singer.  Generously he volunteered to perform just for donations.  Even though we sat in the cul-de-sac at the end of our street you would have thought we were at some sold out arena with how the group rocked and involved the crowd.  Of course my two musicians were right in the mix every time there was audience participation.

Belle is more at home as one of the dancers.  She sure knows how to shake it. (Should I be worried?)

Olaya released grumpy face once she was comfortable chewing on her hands and in the loving arms of a neighbor.  Do you think babies know when they find a grandma?

Although a storm threatened to disrupt our fun, it only managed to provide a magnificent view as the sun found its way to bed.

Oh, this girl.  Belle never stops to make me smile.  One minute she is right in the mix with the boys.  The next she is all girl power.

Isn't that smile enough to melt your heart?

Belle loves her friends.  More often than not, she and Dorthy are playing dress up, carrying hand bags, and putting on make-up.  Please keep it all pretend.  I am not ready for her to grow up.

Ki and Hadley (his niece) enjoying the music.  This is my friend Kelly's son and grand-daughter.

I did pretty good up until I saw this.  First, I found myself laughing and smiling as I watched all my neighbors go up and dance.  Then I suddenly felt all alone.  Like back at those church dances when a slow song came on and all the girls I was with found a partner and left me on the sidelines, I looked around and was alone again.  I do pretty good most of the time being here when my husband is there.  I go through my day surrounded by my children, friends and family not allowing the feeling of lonely to enter my thoughts.  Then there are moments where I can not deny he is there.  There are moments I long to feel his protective arms around me.  There are moments I want to bury my head in his chest allowing him to shelter me from the world.  Moments I want to look up into his eyes and see my reflection is his eyes.  Moments I want to enjoy the music feeling his body sway with mine to the beat.  Moments I remember he is there and I am here.

Hadley (11 months) giving Olaya loves.

Taron wanted autographs.  He loves music.

Even Olaya finally found her smiles.

We had a great time, great food, great memory.  Can't wait for next year.

Next neighborhood party is July 3 breakfast.  See you all there.

There is more I want to say but Olaya is calling.

A Young Man Prepared

Though a boy I may appear,

Yet a man I soon will be.

If I prepare and live clean in every

thought, word, and deed. 

I will be worthy to hold the sacred priesthood of God.

So I now prepare myself;

I will serve my fellow men. 

Being armed with the truth,

with the scriptures my guide,

I'll go forward, a young man prepared,

I'll go forward, a young man prepared.

Taron has been preparing for this day for many years.  His heart is good.  As a leader to his brothers and sisters, he strives to do what is right by setting a good example.  I remember when Taron turned 8 years old, he was asked to wait for a while so that the person wanting to baptize him would be ready/worthy.  At that time, this would have meant a great deal to Taron.  This grown up decision was placed upon him.  Regardless of how much he wanted this person to perform his baptism, he knew the baptism itself was more important than who actually did it.  This took great courage and honor to follow the plan our Heavenly Father has given to us.

Again at twelve, Taron had to make a decision.  Betz is out of town working.  He won't be home on a Sunday for an uncertain amount of time.  As I asked what he wanted to do, I already knew his answer.  He wanted to be ordained as soon as possible.  Although we both wanted Betz to be here, we prepared for the ordination for Father's Day.

Our family came in support of Taron along with primary teachers and ward members.  

As a mother, watching her first born take upon such a great responsibility is humbling.

I am honored to be mother to such a fine young man.  These are the fine priesthood holders that assisted in the ordination.

Me and my pride.

We were so excited to see Evelyn Buffat waiting in the foyer.  Stephen's parents brought her with them.  She is Taron's great grandmother on Stephen's father's side.

Sadly I wasn't able to get a picture with my family members.  Everyone had meetings to get to.

After we went to a park for a light lunch and Taron's choice of root beer floats.  Sorry Mom I didn't get a picture of you smiling at the camera.

Kids were able to play.

Even the dads.

Stephen gave Taron a beautiful blessing at the ordination.  Strange as it is, I am grateful for the relationship between Stephen and the boys.  I love that he loves my children.  I love him for that.  He is a good father dedicated to working hard to provide and care for them.  I couldn't ask for more.  How special for him to ordain his first born on Father's Day.  I imagine, it truly was a magical day for him.

As I searched LDS.org for talks on the Aaronic Priesthood I found one by Elder Robert D. Hales.  In it he gives advice to the young man and admonishes him of the decade of decisions he has ahead of him.  In brief he says now is the time to

1. 
   
   become a disciple of Jesus Christ.
2. 
   
   prepare for the Holy Ghost to be a constant companion.
3. 
   
   decide who your friends are and to be worthy of a righteous eternal companion.
4. 
   
   prepare for your mission.
5. 
   
   prepare for training, education and an occupation.
6. 
   
   obey.
7. 
   
   safeguard your birthright.
8. 
   
   Finally, be there. Each of us was there in the Council in Heaven to choose the great plan of happiness we now enjoy. Young men, when you have made a commitment to yourself, your family, your bishop, your employer, be there. When it is time to be in church, at Mutual, or fulfilling a priesthood assignment, be there. When it is time to graduate from school or training programs, be there. When it is time to serve a mission, be there. When the young woman you love most kneels at the altar of God’s holy temple, be there (and not as a witness). When your family is gathered in the celestial kingdom, be there. When the Savior waits to greet you as you return with honor from your life on this earth and your Heavenly Father wants to encircle you about in the arms of His love, be there. 

Taron, I love you.  I am honored to be your mother.  I am excited and humbled to have another priesthood holder in our home.  I am well aware that very soon you will be leaving on a mission.  As I watch you grow and learn I cheer you on.  As I watch you grow I want to pull you even closer and rock you in my arms just a few more times. (You are not to big to rock.) 

Tonight is your first young men's activity.  Please don't laugh if I cry as I drive you to the church (as I did at your birth, when you took your first steps, your first day of school and at every other moment I knew you were growing up).  They are tears of joy and gratitude.

Father's Day

Since the moment I met this man,

he has consistently demonstrated a desire and passion for being a father.

In fact, I joke he only married me so he could have my kids.

Weekend we met in Salt Lake City

As time went on,

Abete proved himself a true partner to me

and potential father to my children.

Fall 2008

The decision to marry came.

With this choice came great responsibility.

Not only was my heart at stake,

so were the hearts of three amazing children.

Abete, my love, accepted his new role

not allowing labels of

step or adopted children.

These are his children.

Enough said.

Late Fall/Winter 2008

I know his love was already that of a true father,

but we were so happy to make it official.

Adoption Day May 2009

Then this year we were able to experience the birth of a child together.

I watched this man love me through pregnancy,

and delivery.

I am the luckiest woman to be married to such a dedicated father.

Feb 26, 2010

I love seeing you in our baby girl....

or is it her in you???

June 2010

Each time I see your loving arms embrace our baby Olaya,

I fall in love with you all over again.

I watch your concern when her breathing is stressed.

I watch you light up when she smiles at you.

I love how you try to help me get up to nurse her at night

even though there is nothing you can do for her.

(Thanks for offering though.)

Mostly, my darling....

thank you for wanting our family to be together forever.

I know we have our differences.

I know I struggle with patience.

But when push comes to shove,

I know your family is the MOST important thing to you

and leading us to eternity is your goal.

Thank you for being strong where I am weak.

At times this adventure is hard.

At times it is pure joy.

Thanks for taking this journey with me.

Thanks for being the most incredible, sacrificing father.

I love you my husband, my friend.