Mondays

I love Mondays! I know, I can't believe I am saying that! There is something exciting about the start of a whole new week and what you can accomplish in it. And then there is letters from Ashley!
I love hearing how she is doing, what she has accomplished so far, and that she is happy!
I am a very selfish mother, I must admit. I like my kids! I like having them around me. They entertain me, make me laugh, and most of all, they love me unconditionally. They are truly the light of my life. I am completely lost without them!  And having Ashley gone for this short time is a reminder that my family is forever! And just as sure that I will see Ashley in 17 months I am sure I will someday be with those whom have already passed on as well. And that the love we have will not go away but continue to get stronger and stronger!

Which reminds me of a Joey story. It's a 'had to be there' moment mostly meant for Ashley but we were in stitches for a while last night about it. He had just finished up his plate of food and went in for some more spaghetti, filling his plate up completely. Someone made a comment about getting him a shovel but he ignored it and sat right next to Cortney. He grabs his fork, looks at us, and then says very loudly 'I have a question', then shoves the biggest fork full of spaghetti into his mouth that I have seen in a long time. We all stare at him while he tries to swallow a mouthful of food, wondering if this is part of the question. He starts to smile and tries to eat faster, which is impossible at this point. We are laughing at his timing and, when it was all said and done, the question was no longer in his mind! Typical Joey. So if you ask him which is more important, the question or the food, I don't think he will have an answer for you. And please don't ask him to demonstrate! That is something best not seen!

Our ward had their Bishops Breakfast and as I was talking to my friend Stephanie I got a call. It was from Boise! The sweet brother whom Ashley and her companions are living with (the Polsons) called to let me know she was doing well, is very happy, and is adorable and they want to adopt her. I told him that wasn't going to happen! And then he said she didn't want to talk but that she loved us and missed us. I must admit I had a hard time not crying! I think if I had heard her voice I would have! I am so grateful people are looking after my girl! It is a comfort and joy to know she is well!

 

I love this invitation! So cute! Especially the fourth picture! That's my sister! Beautiful!!!

 

I am really looking forward to this!

Britt's extended trip to Texas

Taking pics from Brittany's Ipod. The rest of her trip to Texas was pretty eventful!

 

 Matching glasses...So cute!!!

 

 

 The water garden in Dallas

 

 At the shooting range with Cortney, Rebecca, Shane, and Jeremy

 

 Boating with Shane and Jeremy

 

Her first Plane ride! And she survived!!!

Scouting

Zach is off somewhere camping. It sounds like a lot of fun, actually! They took their bikes and went to a certain location, unloaded their supplies, and then biked into camp. Everything he needed had to be in a bag that could go on his back. I hope everything goes ok. He loves bike riding. And he loves being with his scout leaders. He does not get to go camping very often anymore so it will be cool to hear about his experience!
I can't wait until Joey is in there! In fact, the young Brother Merrell, the 24 year old Deacon's adviser, cannot wait for Joey to turn 12 and join scouts. He says Joey is something special! He will be such a great influence on my little man! And it is a bonus that he grew up in Benson, (yes, that means he is related to the vast population that is Barney, which Joey will love! He can say he is related too!!!)
And I also think maybe being around younger men, not the ones he torments because the hang around my daughters,  will be good for him. And as wonderful as I am at being a spiritual leader, I think having it come from someone in that position will be such a great experience for him! I can't wait to see who he will become!

Kayla's Wedding

Kayla is married! And I have helped decorate for another wedding. By the time Kenzie gets married I will be pretty good a this!

I think my favorite part of getting ready for a reception is the silliness, the bantering, and the fun of actually decorating! We arrived at 4 am their time Friday morning after traveling almost all day and most of the night only to get three hours of sleep and then head to the church house to decorate. And I am not the most sane person when I have little sleep. And there was less help this time, and I cannot count Mackenzie and Joey as help! No, after a few hours they went back to the house to play video games with Nathan!

But we did it! The fake roof went up, tables decorated and props set up! Cortney is pretty good at this too!

The wedding was wonderful! The Dallas temple is about an hour away for we had to be ready to leave by 9 am (7 am our time) so we could follow David and not get lost. It was beautiful! While waiting for the session to start, I met a very nice sister who traveled 2 1/2 hours to go to session. She is from AZ! It was so nice to see someone from home! And rooms were so small not everyone could fit so some people had to wait for the next one. Luckily we were with a bride so we did not have to wait. Kind of a switch from the last time we came.

The wedding ceremony was nice and Cortney sat in back of me! (Her and my cousin Gary had to run back and get the wedding certificate. It was forgotten so they missed the session)

Pictures were taken and we finished just in time for the heavens to open and it started pouring! Texas knows how to rain!

We had our luncheon and then were on our way to the reception, the rain never stopping. If it had rained this bad in Mesa I think it would have washed away everything!

We headed back Monday morning, bright and early but Britt stayed for a few more days.

Great weekend and one more down!

 Jeremy working very hard ! :)

 The Meyer Family

 For Ashley...She was missed!

 The boys

 

The Meyers

 

 At the reception

 

 Travis dancing with Mackenzie!

 

 Lucky guy!

 

 My cousins and aunt

 

 

Funny story. Joey just sat down and started talking to this young couple. He went on and on for about 30 minutes and they found him delightful! They are even pen pals now! Good thing he was not older because he would have given this girl's boyfriend a run for his money!
 

And now we get to wait for at least two years before we do this again. Because as much as Ashley insists that she will live with me forever and have lots of cats I doubt that is what her future holds!

Memoral Monday

Well, we are spending the weekend with the Meyers in Texas. Kayla is getting married! Our kids have grown up together and I can't help but think about my girls when they were younger. It seems so long ago but then the pictures seem as if they were yesterday. Reguardless, these are memories in themselves!

 

And a few more! I really miss these sweet little ones!

 

 

Volley Ball with the Little ones!

Brittany took the little ones to watch Jacob play volleyball. Joey has been hounding her about it and wanting to go watch so she and Danni were brave and took them! They loved it! Both of them!

 

 

We have more fun watching Joey watch games than actually watching the games themselves. He is so animated and lively and he flails his arms like no ones business!

Watch...

 

 

Priest and Laural Dance 2014

What is more widely referred to as the Mormon Prom was Friday night. It got lost in between Primary softball and the Girls camp but it is so important it needs it's own post! My gorgeous daughter went with Dale Mortenson. I have never met him before Friday night but he is a cutie! He was very nice and I thought they made a cute couple! He was a bit on the short side so Britt decided to wear flats, something she is trying to get out of. (Ashley's influence!)

 She thinks she is short enough. Not so! She even wore her hair down so she would seem shorter! (I love her!) And it worked!

 

What a Week!

Primary softball if always fun! The boys are so cute! They range from somewhat experienced to haven't got a clue! The haven't got a clue ones are my favorite. They are trying so hard and there is usually a dad behind trying to cram four months of lessons into 10 minutes. And the boys just smile, try their best, and have fun. And the dads smile and, for the most part, blend in with the fence.
And I love running into people there. Old friends who I haven't seen since, well, the last time we had primary softball. I even ran into someone who knew me and Tami when we were involved in the LDS sorority. I didn't remember her. oops!

Joey loved it except he never did hit a home run! But he was on the bases a lot! Pretty good considering this is his last time. I will be sad!

And then, at the end of the week we had our Girls Activity Day Camp. So much work and it was a great success! I almost got lost getting the donuts, my van got locked in the interstake center parking lot overnight, and I managed to almost break the copy machine at the Stake Center, (my dad had me going there for a while. But then I remembered it was my dad!)
We had two YCLs who didn't come. There was a mix up and poor Britt was all by herself. She did awesome! (The activity day girls really know the Mormon Boy song. Their poor leaders, lol!) She even stayed to help out with the sewing class. I was so proud of her!

Bro Cosseboom was not there. He and his wife were in Chicago but we missed him! He brings such a playful side to our activities! I think that is probably why he is our High Councilman!
 Mackenzie had a great time! I don't think she had a favorite class. They were all so cool! In fact one of the girls said they were having such a great time they wanted to do this every month.....

I must admit I did have a long nap when we were done cleaning up!
And now onto the next one! Cub Scout Day Camp is at the end of April and it is all mine! I get to plan it, execute it, and be there to take the blame when it all falls apart! No, it is going to be great! I just need to pray and pray!

Joey's infatuated!

No, not a girl, although he still has that stupid silly grin whenever you mention the name Carina.  No, he has found a new person to admire....Jacob.

He is Brittany's friend.

He talks about Jacob. He wants to go to watch Jacob play volleyball. He wants Britt to record him playing volleyball. He wants Jacob to come over again so they can lock Britt out of her phone... again...

This has happened only once before....

I think he talks about him more than Britt does. I don't know what to do with the boy!

Thank goodness Jacob seems to like Joey because he is not going to go easily when Jacob comes over!

(haha, It's Britt's turn!!! haha)

FHE

Gotta love FHE! This evening Mackenzie wanted to go down to a local park, Emerald, and play in the water. We had an awesome rainstorm this weekend and it left the park full of water, it being a water retention area.  And as we drove by this afternoon Mackenzie had to go back.
But there was homework....And Joey does not do homework well.
So, finally at 6:30, we headed out! The sun had gone down and it was still a bit light out. Everyone but Travis went wading! It was so much fun! Britt and Zach had a water fight, splashing each other silly. Joey was neck deep crawling back and forth between the basketball hoops and Mackenzie was traipsing around happy as you please, except for the fact I wouldn't let her wear her swimsuit. I know, so mean of me. And me, I waded and watched! (I think I had the most fun!)
After an hour we were done. And we headed back home! A great afternoon and a great night!
And now, showers for all, especially Joey. (And Britt is lucky he did not dunk his head like she persuaded him to because I would have done the same to her!)

Boys

I know I have said this before and I will say it again... I love it when the girls bring home boys and they play with the little ones! I love watching them interact and tease each other! And you can tell a lot about a person when they have two obnoxious kids to deal with!( maybe My own dating test,lol!)

 

For instance, Britt's friend Jacob came over and Mackenzie would not leave him alone! Finally, we sent her to bed and she actually stayed! This morning she was commenting on Britt's new friend she described him as Charlie Brown on Stilts. We are trying to figure out what she meant. He is rather tall, though! And now maybe she will leave him alone more often when he comes over!

(I think Ashley would so disagree!)

Oh, well. It makes for a great story. I wonder what Joey will do next time. He is a loose cannon!