off Friday

We went to the temple today.  It was very nice.  It's so pretty and peaceful, even on the grounds.  On the way home we stopped for a fatburger.

Hannah picked up the kids from school and tennis.  Soon we will not have that luxury any more.

Tonight we watched "A Dog's Purpose".  It was kind of sad but with a happy ending.  Then I gave Z a little extra kiss goodnight.

kick cancer's butt

Last night we had mutual with the Palmdale 5th ward.  Mariah, a laurel in their ward, called me a couple of months ago and asked about doing something for Paige.  We did some brain storming and came up with a plan.  It was multi faceted.  First each girl in both wards made a quilt square.  Then Nikki Abramson put it together into a beautiful quilt.  Next we collected stuff for the City of Hope.  The girls brought a lot of things: books, magazines, lip balm, lotion, treats, coloring books, crayons, nail polish, all kinds of stuff.  We gave it to Paige to take to take down with her when she has her next chemo so that the other kids there can also be cheered up.  Then we had a game night, and healthy snack night.  I think it went well.  Our actual presentation of the quilt was kind of lame and we just sort of gave it to her but maybe that was okay so she wouldn't feel weird.  Although I don't think she would have, she's had the best attitude the whole time. Two more rounds and hopefully she will done done!!

birthday

Today I am 49 years old.  When my mom was not even as old as I am now I thought she was old. I usually don't feel that old though so that perspective for you.
I also thought I'd be different when I was "old".  I thought I'd be wise and kind and knowledgeable.  That I'd be joyful and generous and fun.  Those are all intangible milestones.  Tangible ones are different.  Life has been good so far though, mostly.  I have six delightful, joyful, wonderful, bright children.  Two handsome sons in law and three precious grandchildren.  That right there would have been enough.  However my blessings don't stop there.  I have many good friends, in many different states.  People who have walked with me in life and made my life better and happier.  I live in a beautiful home with a hard-working husband.  I have a dog that I really like, and a cat that I don't:)  I have parents, both biological and those I inherited through marriage, that are supportive and wonderful and tremendous examples to me.  I have traveled to many neat place..many more that I would have imagined. I have been blessed to serve in many callings and places.  I get to enjoy so many things and lack very little.  It's been a blessed life so far.

But now it's time to look ahead.  Half a century is coming up! I'm excited about that.  So I have some goals for the next year to help me reach those intangibles a little bit more.

1. I want to memorize 50 scriptures.  That's less than 1 a week.  That should be do-able.
2. I want to cook 50 new dishes.
3. Read 50 books.
4. Lose 50 lbs.
5. Write 50 letters to loved ones.
6. Complete 50 projects.
and
7. Do 50 good deeds.

nieces and nephews

Half of my siblings have young families with little kids.  The other half have grown/teenage kids.  The little kid days are sweet ones that I miss.  I am really glad that I get to see these little chickens sometimes . Silver lining to the whole moving to CA thing. (although I don't hate it here anymore.  I am happy with where we live and the adventures here)

 Andrea and Yoho, Reggie and Noah.  They live in AZ and are the cutest family.  Yoho's health is good and the Reggie goes to school.  Andrea is a fashionista and has lots of friends and scores fun outings to blog about!

Emily, Jose, Natalia, Jakob and Malachi.  They live in Utah about an hour from mom and dad.  Jose is a hard worker and Emily is a skilled family manager.  I love how awesome she is with $.  Tal is in school and Jakob is home-schooling.  They are very active in their church and have lots of friends. Lots of adventures for this busy family.

 Michael, JaNee, Scarlett and River.  River is turning 1 in a few weeks.  I love his little bald head.  Scarlett is 3 and so cute.  They are headed to CA to work/live for a short time.  So fun!

Anna, Amadeo, Joneaux, Deo.  Doing great!  Amadeo just graduated from BYU-I!!! Whoo Hooo! The boys are in school, J plays baseball and is getting baptized this year.  D is a wild man with the most handsome blue eyes.  Anna's career is doing great.  And this adventuresome crew is headed to Australia in November!

Of course I wish I saw them all more but I am grateful for eternal families and the times we do get to spend together.

And the other half:

Alec and Kelly are empty nesters.  Katy got married last month and moved to Orlando.  She and Taylor both work for Disney.  Today Alec is running the Boston Marathon.  Good luck!

Val and Ryan are doing great.  They just got back from a Caribbean cruise with mom and dad.  Tanner is serving in Arcadia and is an awesome missionary.  He gets a new mission president in June and I am hoping this one will let Anna and I sneak over and take T and his comp out for lunch!  Kenz is graduating and rooming with Hannah at BYU-I this fall! and Jo and Spencer are in high school.  They are super busy with sports and school and teenagery stuff!

Jo (almost 15) on the cruise.  My favotire picture from their recent adventure.

Crazy Good!!

Easter images

 mostly pictures: a few words.  Ethan's friends were here late and Hannah was out late so the Easter bunny had to hop on in while kids were still awake.  Ethan didn't notice though and Grace was in bed so that's fine I guess.  Holidays are different when the kids are big.

 Beautiful hydrangeas I got for our Easter table.

 Hannah helped me in the kitchen after church.  We invited the Sherwoods and the elders over for dinner and had a very nice meal together.

 My pinterest kind of fail of the holiday.  It was supposed to be more robin egg looking.

 Another cute little flower for the table.  I love the little speckled blue bunny.

Sister Tilden taught a very nice lesson on the last days of the Saviors life.  She brought traditional passover foods for the girls to try.  It was very sweet and touching.  

 I forgot a chocolate bar for the dessert recipe so one of the bunnies had to be sacrificed!

 Cute mom and dad.  I am grateful for all the Savior has done for me and one of those greatest blessings is eternal families.

Grace and I set the table last night.  We moved furniture around and I think it fit everyone nicely.

blast from proms past

 Dani and Spencer went to prom twice together.  Ft Worth has a beautiful botanical garden and Dani's senior year we went and took pictures there before.  

 Sierra going to school prom.  Gorgeous girl!

 Jenna went to prom with Jordan Gravelle

 and then with her senior year boyfriend Brian.

Sierra, Sam, Anthony, Garrett
Mariah, Denise and Megan

Sierra also went to a "mormon prom" that was held at the airline museum in Dallas! So fun!

PROM

Last year during prom we were in Ireland.  Hannah doesn't regret going but was a little sad to miss going to prom with Sawyer.  This year she really wanted to go and Elias and she decided to go together.  They are good friends and I am sure they are having a fun time!

 Paige came over to get ready with Hannah.  Madi, Sarah and Holly came to help.  They are going to the school prom in a few weeks.  There were a lot of girls in our little bathroom but it went fine and both Hannah and Paige looked beautiful when they were done!

 Here's Hannah and her "ladies in waiting" waiting for Elias to pick her up.

Madi (who is going to be a roommate with Han at Idaho), Hannah, Holly and Sarah

Cinderella won't lose her slipper tonight!

 Beautiful girl!  She's all grown up.

 Elias arrived and looked very handsome.  They exchanged flowers and were off!

 Lucky for me I had to go to the stake center to help all girls as they were arriving so I headed over too.  I told Audrey she needed to help me :), so she came.  Lots of moms and dads were there actually.  We took lots of pictures and it was really fun to see everyone all dressed up!

 Breanna, ?, Harley, Paige, Hannah, Megan and Diana

 Paige and Hannah

 Elias and Hannah.  They are just friends but they were both really excited and happy to be going together.

 Sam and Hannah had dresses the same colors: navy and gold.  So we took pictures together.

 All the kids before they got on the bus.

 Our QH Ward laurels

Kelly, Emily, Hannah and Paige

 The prom is at the museum of natural history.  Cool venue! Stacy posted a couple of pictures so I grabbed them.  Can't wait to see the rest and to hear about the fun night!

 Hannah said of all the couples there on a date she thinks that Elias and her had the best time!