Come, Come Ye Saints....

                                     

A bit hot... 110 degrees at 4:30 pm... BEFORE THE PARADE

Getting ready for the parade

Rehearsing Come, Come Ye Saints 

Parade has started and so has the men. They sounded really good!

Color Guard coming at the beginning of our little parade

Here comes Madie as proud as can be on her bike

Again the men performing a barber shop of many old songs and having the time of their life!

For the 24th of July our Stake Center celebrated it here in the valley.  For the past two years our stake would go up North East to enjoy cooler weather but with the poor turnout from last year they decided to have it in our home area.  We were blessed to have some clouds roll in with a cool breeze for us to enjoy ourselves outside with the fun activities that took place. A lot of effort and hard work went to this activity and I think it paid off. Everyone enjoyed themselves and my whole family had the time of their life visiting, having free snow cones, cotton candy, food, face painting, family pictures, displays to see, and fun booths for the kids to be entertained!

I think this was the most popular ride.  The trailor ride, Mads was in heaven being first in the row of cars.

A greater appreciation of our ancestors and pioneers crossing the plains to have their posterity grow in the true gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My heart is extremely full of thanks for there contribution and sacrifice! Happy 24th of July my dear LDS friends!!!!

Shh.. surprise party

Okay, I am in need of some ideas to through a 40th birthday party for my main squeeze.  I was thinking of a 70's theme since he was born in 1970 and creating a power point, showing the power point at the party and pictures of him growing up, important people coming into his life.  I thought it would also be fun to decorate it as a disco with black and sliver crey paper and if possible the guests to dress up in 70's. What do you think? I would love to hear any advice.

Summer 2010

We have broken the regular tradition of heading to Idaho for the 4th of July... I don't know what to do with myself with no small town parade.  AZ is just to stinking hot, but we plan to make the best of it and of course it will involve some swimming.

With Jay recovering from back surgery the kids and I are still adjusting to having him around a lot. He has come in handy on helping me taxi the kids around. He is recovering very well and we feel blessed for that.

Last weekend we moved out of our lovely home and downsized into a gorgeous home in Verrado. It took us a week to settle in and get things up and running. So far we are enjoying ourselves and getting to know our surroundings better. A HUGE thank you to all the mighty men and young men who helped load up all our gear! We couldn't have done it without you.


                                              The boys waiting for some ice cream after pictures.

The kids have been enjoying swimming on the swim team. Brock has continued to swim for conditioning and plays basketball in the summer and was invited to play with the varsity team during weekend tournaments.  It has been a great experience and to send a message to the coach to let him know what he is made of.  Drake is our major swimmer and is constantly competing with his two buddies on the team who are good as well to get first place. I still can't commit to do all year round swimming! So much time involved, besides him staying out of trouble what is the other purpose for it? Madie just enjoys getting different colors of ribbons and likes to do what the boys are doing. This year I hope to get her into basketball.

Picture day! Drake and his buddies.

Madie posing for me on picture day

Next month I start training for my job and I have started boot camp as well. Its been wonderful getting up 3 times a week at 5 in the morning to feel the cool breeze before it gets to hot. However, my hip has flared up to the point I needed to get it checked out. Waiting to hear back on the results.

Before we know it summer will be over with!  You know the saying 'time flies by when your having fun'. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July! We will miss lighting our own fireworks this year...

Father's Day

OUR FATHERS



Our fathers toil with hands and heart

To make our lives complete.

They quietly brave the winter cold,

Endure the summer heat.



Our fathers' lives are busy, but

There's always time for us.

They boldly face the ups and downs

And seldom ever fuss.



Our fathers are the greatest dads.

We know you know this, too.

But thank you for the chance to share

Our love for them with you.



(c) by David A. Olds.

On the left side of the screen is a poem I found on the website this past weekend and couldn't help but think of my own dad. I feel like this fits him to a tea. So all the dad's out there you mean a lot to many people! Happy Father's day.

 

This Father's day in our sacrament services was very different. The bishopric was changed on Father's day! Jason was released because we are moving out of the ward and found out that our bishop is moving as well. We have mixed feelings of moving out of the ward, as usual. Great people in the Canyon Trails Ward! You will be missed!! At least we are in the same stake and we have facebook to stay in touch :) 

So I'm a bit behind...

Okay Sally, you wanted an update and I am delivering.  After this picture it won't be as bad I promise!  About a week after Jay's surgery I got the camera out to create the historic moment of his scars and surgery. Amazing what technology will do these days! The upper part that is one inch is where they put the rods in and the lower part is where they fused L5 and S1 together, OUCH!  He had some great bruising going on as well that freaked me out! Don't worry I didn't take a picture of it.

The first week he was home was rough but he has improved tremondously! He is walking a mile a day and today he got on the bike to test it out. He did wonderful! Still not able to lift no more than 5 lbs but in time we are hoping he will be back to his old self in a few months.

 

A week later after graduating we had an open house to honor my graduation and birthday.  It was so fun to see family and friends.  I had rented a bouncer for the kids to jump on outside and the weather couldn't have been any better! It really lifted both Jay and my spirits up to have a social gathering. We have become really anti-social and have realized that. So we have decided to change that and get out of the rut...

On May 27th:  Madie at her kindergarten graduation with Mrs. Hershberger.  She had an amazing teacher and will miss her dearly.  Madie received the future Principal award... Hmm maybe because she is SO BOSSY? I couldn't help but laugh at that one. Fits her to a tea.

On the left is Madie's "twin" friend named Stella. These two gals were the only ones in their class to have the BLONDE hair.  Madie loved her friends and really got along with the boys (gee I wonder why?)  This is a shot with some of her favorite friends. She will miss them.

Brock and Madie at her Kinder graduation.  I owe Brock big time since I missed her graduation. Jay had a doctor's appointment that followed up on his surgery so I needed to assist him.  I was so torn and to this day feel like the biggest LOSER of a parent. Thanks Brock for being the surrogate parent!

I will say that this day is a day I will never forget to hear the progress on Jay's back, Madie graduating from Kindergarten, Brock finished strong his freshman year, and while I was waiting for the doc to see Jay. I received the magic call.  Barabara Robey called me and it was music to my ears the principal said, "I would like to invite you to join our Barabara Robey family" I was so excited and said absolutely I would love too! I got off the phone and cried right there in the waiting office! Jay and I hugged and kissed while we waited and we didn't care who was around.  I continued to follow up with the interviews that were set because you never know, and received 2 other offers but turned them down. It was so nice to pick the one you wanted and this one was perfect for me!  You are looking at the new 3-5 grade resource teacher for Barbara Robey in the Litchfield school district, whoo hoo!!

A magic moment

Getting ready to receive my diploma

So typical of Madie! Me and the kiddos after graduation

Before Graduation ceremony. Look at those nice nails :)

Gold and maroon cords represent Suma Cum Lad 3.8-4.0

The purple and green cord is representing the Honor Society I was a part of; KDP

Me and my sista's after graduation. I thought I got a picture of the Russell's who came. I guess I didn't ask quick enough.

On May 14, 2010 after 6 years of schooling I finally reached my goal! Graduated from ASU at the Wells Fargo Arena on main campus. It was an unbelievable experience and perfect closer for the whole daunting task of schooling for a BA. It has not been easy from all the hiccups life has given us but my family was a huge support and I THANK THEM very much! Jay has been awesome to step up these last two years, epsecially when he has had to endure so much pain due to his back.  The intense program was something (he was not ready for).  It's a new turning page for our family, for me to help support the family financially.  There will always be stress in our life and this will be a different kind of stress.

On May 11th mixed emotions ran through us. Calm as a cucumber Jay laid patiently in the hospital bed for his procedure (not like him).  The hospital goofed by not getting the right equipment which bumped our time and room for surgery. Instead of him going into surgery 8:30 in the morning he had to wait until 6:00 pm. The surgery went very smooth and he did great. So while he waited I left to get my teaching certificate down the street at ASU . It was a marvelous event. I then went to lunch with my friend and pampered myself by getting my nails and feet done.  The massage was much needed.  I then came back to the hospital and we waited, and waited and waited.  He did great by not having any food since Monday night.  He came home on Sunday May 16th.  It is good to have him home and we feel very optomistic that he will start feeling better and feel that he has life again. Chronic pain is no fun and really makes you appreciate having good health!

Our way of entertaining ourselves...

                     Nothing like being snuggled up by these faces! What a hot hunk and sweet princess :)

What a classic! I just love Madie and Jay's face! Why I fell in love with him.

Where is Gila River?

Never been as far as Globe, AZ. I volunteered to be a driver for our youth to go to the open house for the Gila River temple.  I am so glad that I took that opportunity to do so! We started at the stake center (on the left) and walked over to the temple that is straight ahead.  The inside is absolutely goreous! So peaceful, calm, and eligant. 

Our next stop was Spencer W. Kimball's homestead in Thatcher, AZ.  That was a really cool house! The front room is still original and the rest of the house has been renovated here and there.  I love old homes and how they have character in them! This home was definitally for short people! I highly recommend the chance to get the tour. The front yard also had walnut and pecan trees, this entertained Madie when she got bored from the tour. We gathered up the nuts on the ground and counted them.

Our future missionary! What a handsome kid!

Hmm, maybe Drake is thinking about what Pres. Kimball was like when he is sitting in his chair! We went to a museum in Thatcher, AZ and in the music room there were a lot of cool antiques! A Thomas Eddison machine, an old organ that you had to pump to play music, and fun stories about Spencer W. Kimball.

We also caught a glimpse of Eastern Community College. I mentioned to Brock that he could attend that college. "It has a lot of mormon girls that are cute". He commented saying how that school reminded him of his elementary school in Pocatello, ID. I had to laugh, it's not that small!

The trauma...

April 2, 2010 My first child breaking a bone.

 Here is the proof of Madie's elbow broke. You can see her elbow on the top swollen, bruised, and ugly looking.  After 5 days of her arm in a splint and sling she received her blue cast.  It only lasted for another 5 days because I wanted to have a second opinion.  From the regular orthopedic to the pediatrican Orthopedic we did not need surgery (which was music to my ears)! However, we forgot the x-rays so Madie got to have the blue cast taken off for another set of x-rays and she decided to have a green one be put on in place of the blue. I never did get a picture of that cast. She was a great patient and a real trooper! Her cast is off now but she still needs to take it easy for 2 more weeks. She still baby's her arm too which lets me know that it is not completely healed.

The same weekend my husband is hobbling around the house with his back in the brace and on crutches barely walking. This is actually a better picture of him.  The surgery date is set for May 11th to hopefully get him to feel his legs again and not be in so much pain.

A memorable Easter...

Happy Easter everyone!  I have been blessed to teach four 7 year old children who will be turning 8 this year.  I was priviledged to teach them the lesson of Easter last Sunday. It was a neat experience to see their faces light up when they found out that Christ had Resurrected, after all this is the reason why we celebrate Easter. Later on in the week, as a family we discussed the accounts that led up to Christ's crucifixion and then Christ being resurrected.  Again the spirit testified to us that what happened to Christ is real, HE LIVES!

As I reflect back of Christ's sacrifices and what our family is going through during this time, I have stopped and thanked my heavenly father for the wonderful blessings he has blessed our family.  I know that this weekend is a trying time for me (emotionally) with Jay's back flared up again having to use the back brace and crutches, Madie just broke her arm Friday night, and Drake sprained his wrist the same night.  I stop and think how I have healthy active kids, this too will pass.  If I had a child who had a disability all the time, yes it too would pass but not as short as a broken arm.

Thank you Jesus for loving the world and being willing to follow God's plan and be our redemeer! I am forever greatful and in debt to you. You have been an amazing example to my life!