Happy Birthday to my Firstborn!

Today is Jeremy's 24th birthday. Unbelievable! He can't be that old - can he? Well, he is.

Jeremy has grown up to be such a wonderful man - father, husband and son. It's hard to believe he was a little terror and always into mischief and trouble. (Hmm - should I tell you about the time he was mad at me so took scissors and cut my only maternity dress I had to wear - when I was pregnant with Kendall? Or about the time he and a friend took eggs and threw them all over their kitchen - which they had just cleaned as they were moving?) Despite all this (and more) he has become an upstanding man- Eagle Scout, returned missionary, etc....

I love you Jeremy. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful son - especially for being my first. You have been - and are - a wonderful example to your younger siblings.

I hope you have the best of birthdays.

This is a picture Jeremy sent to us while serving in Venezuela.
Here he is with Grandma Pickett and EmmaLee a couple of weeks ago
The proud papa and husband. He sure is one lucky fella!

Food for the future?

I don't know about all of you - but trying to plan, buy, and use my food storage (3 month supply and longer storage) is a major project. I do have a quite a bit of storage. I also do really good for a while using it, rotating it, then slack off. Then Doug asks me how I am doing with it - I feel guilty - and start the process again. I have a few books about it, go to classes about it, and have quite a bit of knowledge about it - but still am not the greatest in the implementing part. Then - we get to 72 hour kids, emergency plans - and my head just wants to spin. I so admire all those people who can live their life buying, using and rotating their storage. They are usually the ones who also have their 72 hour kits and are ready for any emergency! (I did do the food part of the 72 hour kit in RS a few years back - and just had to throw it all out - it was all outdated!) I am not the supermom nor do I see it in my future!

For all of you like me - who need help with this - I found a pretty good blog with lots of ideas - and it even has a plan! This lady takes you step by step in getting your 72 hour kits ready (like getting it over a period of time) and is also working on the longer storage. She also has printables of things such as 3 month supply shopping dinner menu and what to have in your emergency car kit. Anyway - check out this blog: www.safelygatheredin.blogspot.com
Let me know what you think. I think I want to be like her when I get my act together - which going by what it is now, may be in 20 years or so!

It's Jo's Birthday!

Today is the birthday of my beautiful daughter-in-law, Jo. She is not only beautiful on the outside - but even more beautiful on the inside.

Jo is so talented. Just check out her photography webiste to see what a great job she does. (Link is to the side)

She is so open and friendly with everyone. Jo is especially good with kids - they all seem to love her. She is such a great mom to EmmaLee and a wonderful wife to Jeremy. What more could a mom ask for her son and grandkids?

We love you Jo and we are so lucky and blessed to have you a part of our family!

I stole the picture above from Jo's webiste. You can see how pretty she is!

An adorable family!
Camping this summer
Hanging out in the pool with EmmaLee (and Carson)

18 months Old!

Today Carson had his 18 month check-up. He's still a skinny little pip-squeek. Weighed 22 lbs 7 oz - which keeps him barely in the 10th percentile. In height and head size - he is 50th percentile - at 32 1/4" tall and 18 3/4" head circumference. He may be small - but he is a fast little bugger and a climbing fool! We haven't had to take him to the emergency room yet - but I foresee it in his future. He was happy that he only had to have 1 shot this time. He was quite the trooper for it too. With all of his running and falling, climbing and falling - he is learning to really deal with pain. He usually just gets up and is off again!

25 Years

25 years
That’s how long it’s been
Since you came into my life.
You brought me happiness
And joy
From the moment I saw you.
You meant love
And commitment,
Hard work and sacrifice.
You’ve been a part of my life,
Every single day for
25 years.
Now, you’re gone.
Leaving me with tears
And sorrow.
My heart broke
When I noticed
That a part of you was gone.
I searched
But you were nowhere-
Not to be found.
I couldn’t watch
As the rest of you
Was taken away from me.
But I realized -
The love, commitment,
Joy and happiness -
They are still there.
You were only the symbol.
All of it's still here
In my heart for
25 years.

Notice anything missing?

Doug put this ring on my finger (the engagement part of it) 25 years ago this month. Here it is - off my finger after all this time! (well - it's been off a short time during those years!)
In fact - I haven't taken it off in probably 2 years - so I endend up having to have it cut off.

Should I get a completely new setting - or just a new diamond in my old one and have it fixed up? I'm leaving it up to Doug - maybe he'll surprise me with one or the other on our 25th wedding anniversary!

Our little 1 year old!

One year ago today Doug and I became Grandparents to the cutest little girl - our sweet EmmaLee. She is so adorable. She is very dainty and quiet (the opposite of Carson!).

She has the biggest, bluest, prettiest eyes and an enchanting smile. How we love our little girl!

Happy Birthday sweetheart!

He's how old?

My wonderful husband celebrated his ? birthday last week. It was a fun week - but I didn't get much blogging done - so here Doug's Birthday!

He got these fly shooters - one from Dani and the other from EmmaLee!

In case you can't tell - his cake is decorated like a baseball hat - done by Mikel and Kris. The little cake to the side was the leftover from cutting the cap for the hat - so they decorated it like a football! (Matt tried to get all the candles on the hat cake - but it didn't quite work out) Hmm - wonder how old Doug is?
Doug is such a wonderful man. He is a great father - and even a better husband. I think he was happy with his birthday cake, ice cream and gifts! He deserved more - but I did the best I could! (I could go on and on about how great he is - but I'll hold myself back)

I love you Doug!