New Year...new ???

Happy New Year 2010! I hope everyone has a good year and that the memories good and sad of 2009 inspire you to do something better and different in 2010.

Look at me Nimmie...new songs for the new year...
all by myself! :-)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today my mom would have been 73. Last year she celebrated her first birthday without her mom. She didn't like it very much she reported. I guess her secret birthday wish was to not have to spend another without her. Her wish was granted.

I miss you mom. I appreciate your example and the legacy of love you have left for your family. I don't like that I can't call you and sing an off-key version of "Happy Birthday to you," or take you to Appleby's for lunch, or buy you another DVD or new shirt. So what am I doing to honor you today? I'm going visiting teaching! One of your favorite things to do. I'm going to mail all of my Christmas cards (which dad has done, very well I might add, already). I wrote a quick note to Bro. Haught to let him know that as he misses his dear wife on her birthday (how did I not know you two ladies shared the same birthday?) he is being thought of too and going to help Nimmie, another of your favorites...helping others.

I love you mom...thanks for everything!

Real power

Today I'm thankful for priesthood blessings. Emerson woke up from his nap yesterday broiling hot! He's been on antibiotics for a week so this was a surprise. His daddy and grandpa gave him a blessing. Emerson understands already what this is. You'll see him often laying his hands on Ella Mae giving her a blessing. He knows it is to help you feel better. Thankfully the temp came down and didn't quite come up as high in the night. We'll see what today brings.

Don't you love Sundays?

Yesterday was an enlightening day. At church one of the speakers talked about Christmas. Not surprising since it's getting closer. He mentioned Christ's birth...yep that's why we celebrate Christmas. Still no surprises. Then he talked about the gifts we usually bring to birthday parties and how he was saddened to realize that "not once had he brought a gift to Jesus' birthday party." Surprised? I was/am! It still makes me cringe to think that after all my years (quite a few more than his) this concept hadn't really crossed my mind. Maybe once...when someone talked about it at a relief society dinner or something like that. This time it's sticking. I can't stop thinking about it. This year there will be gifts of an eternal sort given. Maybe too personal to share but from now on I won't be forgetting why I celebrate Christmas. As I watch with great joy and happiness gifts being given and received Christmas morning my heart will be giving with gratitude a gift to Christ.

On another note....I love singing in the ward choir. I'm not very confident but with a group of fellow singers I can sing anything! Last night was our Stake Choir Concert. Each ward sang a song or two for Christmas. We had one man and about five sisters show up. Surprised? Yes, and sad for our chorister. We sang one song. She said "it's so hard to keep going when you put so much into it." I saw the tears in her eyes. Another member was there with us. We told the chorister to not give up on us. You see the main reason I sing is this...I'm going to be singing with the choirs of angels when Christ comes again. I can't wait to sing His praises. I feel the spirit so strong when I'm singing and listening to music. I know that is the avenue that will keep me looking and preparing for His coming. So dear chorister...please don't give up! We all need to be there singing praises!

For your listening enjoyment

Hey....check it out....we've got music now. Thanks Nimmie for the help. Now I'll have to blog more huh? Enjoy the tunes while you think about all the fun we're having. I'll try to get more pictures soon.

White pearlies!

Finally...Jake is braceless! This is all I got but I think he's pretty excited. Next stop? Was Burger King, of course, to see what it fills like to eat without getting food stuck in the braces.

"Pretty good!"

Missing Mom

I just read my sister Laura's latest post and now I'm crying. She talked about missing mom.
I, too, just had one of those moments. For the past several years I've picked my mom up for the General RS Broadcast. They always have a dinner before the broadcast. As I walked into the cultural hall with my daughter Michelle this year I thought about my mom not being there. I wondered if she would have liked the "boxed" dinners with pasta salad and a croissant roll inside. She would have liked the sherbet and sugar wafer cookies for sure. It was a bitter sweet moment as I sat and ate. Time goes on. Some of my mom's friends were still there. Some where not. There I was now with my daughter and granddaughter at my side. Some day in the future Michelle will be picking me up for the broadcasts. I guess that is how it's suppose to be.
Thanks for the memories mom! Love you!

Newest "New Moon" Trailer

Have you got your tickets? I do!

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5978290/15542134

Could you give me a hand?

Okay I can't stand it...This is too cute.

Matt was trying to be helpful holding Ella and of course Emerson didn't want to be left out. After about seven pictures it was becoming obvious that Matt needed a third and fourth arm or maybe for me to just put the camera down and take Emerson. Sorry Matt! I was just taking cute pictures.

Ella Mae

I promised myself that I wouldn't steal Michelle and Matt's "lime light" when it comes to Ella. It's really hard to not post tons of pictures but I'm going to be good.

This one is one of my latest favorites. Ella Mae fell asleep while Michelle was holding her yesterday. She looked extra small so when I asked Michelle if Ella was all bundled up she said yes and then unwrapped her. We both started laughing. She was bundled up with her feet and legs straight up under her. Her feet were at her face. After a couple of pictures with Michelle holding her like that Michelle laid Ella down on the couch. We took a few more pictures before she started waking up. I like this one but I'm sure Michelle will post some with Ella's feet right under her chin. Blog on over to Michelle's site to see more pictures soon. (Are you happy Mater?)

Uncle Jacob with Ella

The Uncles meet Ella

So far we have a picture of Uncle Kevin and Ella. We put the headband on just for fun. We haven't had girls to do that to forever!

Welcome Little One

Little Ella

8lbs. 7ozs. 21 1/2 inches long

9-2-09

Mom and daughter (and dad) doing well!

CA Station Fire

Jae C. Hong / AP
Paul White, 46, who has evacuated several times since the start of the Station Fire, watches a backfire burn in front of his home in La Crescenta, Calif., Monday, Aug. 31.

Prayers have been answered! It was close but the backfires worked. We are so thankful that the Whites will have their home back soon.

To read the whole article go to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32615136/ns/us_news-life

Happy Sweet 16 Jane!

We love you!

August or September

It's a waiting game here. Little Ella Mae is not in any hurry to come to earth. As it is right now she has missed her Uncle Jake's birthday, she'll probably miss her second cousin Jane's birthday (Happy Sweet 16 Jane!), and she might miss August all together. Alas one little problem...I have an August birthstone ring for my "Grandma" necklace. Where can I get a September one if needed? Michelle is scheduled to be induced next Wednesday night. Maybe Ella Mae will share her birthday with my friend Laureen or "Big" Uncle Jacob (it's better than "Older" right Jacob? or should I have said "Iowa" Uncle Jacob?)?

Flying High

And here's the birthday boy flying high on his birthday trip to Canyon Lake. Pretty good for someone who's been wakeboarding how many times now? Only about five!!! Way to go Jake!

Guess who's 16?

Yep...It's Jacob. And here he is in his dream car an Austen Martin. It's fitting that Jake shares his birthday with Sean Connery, a former James Bond, huh? Did he actually get to drive the car you ask? Only in his dreams...he got to rev the engine with the parking brake on though. It was worth it he says! Happy Birthday Jake!

Where, oh where did the Chadwicks go?

I'm not lost or lazy just preoccupied. My first excuse was YW Camp on the Horizon and then the Jonesies moved in. Who wouldn't want to play with Emerson 24-7? We tried, yes I said tried, to have a family vacation at Lake Powell but some how the boat found a submerged object that ended the trip less than 24 hours before it started. Got a cool picture of Mark though huh? Next came the overwhelming obligation to figure out how to be a high school band treasurer. Who voted me in??? Before you realize it school has started and, Wow, where did the summer go? I'm here, mostly. You'll probably find me stuck at the computer crunching numbers, playing with Emerson, or sleeping. That happens at the oddest times these days. How come I can't sleep at 1:30am???

Trek pictures - Wow!

My Relief Society President, Jodi, sent these pictures to me last night. (I'm her visiting teacher!)She is such a sweetie to think of us. She has three kids of her own on the Trek but she got some pictures of Jacob too. Check out the hat he got...we didn't have one that fit when he decided to go at 10:30 Tuesday night. He is with other kids from our ward.

Typical Jacob look... "you looking for trouble? I probably can help."

Jacob with Jodi's son Dustin. There's that smile that we don't see too often!

My heart is feeling much better now. I know Jacob made a go choice to go. Another day of treking ahead of them and then "Sunday" tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers!

The Trek 2009

This is Jake at 4am this morning. He chose to go on the Trek about 10:30 last night. Thanks for all of your prayers in his behalf. We know he'll have an unforgettable experience! Anyone that has been on a trek knows what is ahead of Jake the next three days. Hang in there....we're proud of you!

Spring Break Vacation

We took the boys to the Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater last weekend. It was a nice drive. We experienced the gamut of weather too...Sun, wind, rain, snow, and sun again. Beautiful Arizona!!!
Those are all logs!!!

The Painted Desert! Isn't it beautiful?

The longest log there...over 90 feet!

On the edge looking down into Meteor Crater.

With Kevin who doesn't do "the edge."

The First Boat Trip

Our Inaugural boat trip to Saguaro Lake! Can you tell who's having the most fun????

My sister Diana and I have been "cleaning house" for my dad this past month. We took advantage of his absence this past weekend to "decorate" his guest bathroom. My only claim in this is that I met Diana at the store and said, "Yes, that is all beautiful. Mom would have loved it." Then Diana went to town, digging through uncleaned drawers and closets to find "treasures" to finish it off. Isn't Diana amazing? I can't wait for you to see this when you come to visit Dad!

Rusty

Here's a couple pictures of Rusty. He's 6.5 lbs of jumping, running, fun!!! See the cute fuzz on his ears? He get's that from his mom. Yea..that's this mom's shoe...give it back Rusty!

Dear friends

We had a lovely time and yummy dessert at the Jonesies with our dear friends the Rullers. Here we are with Ric and LouAnn. We've known them since 1986. We don't look too much different do we?

Mark's new toy!

He finally went and did it. After years of thinking about it and searching the internet Mark found a boat! We're a big step closer to Lake Powell this summer! Yeah!

Mom's Flowers

These are flowers from my mom's funeral. I dried them and put them in this vase. My friend Janie gave me the plate about "Moms." The picture is from Michelle's wedding...three generations of "oldests." It will be one month, on the 28th, that my mom passed away. This is my tribute spot. It's gotten a little easier but feelings are still tender. We are all moving on, not away from, but towards our own happy reunion with mom. I hope we are all making her proud.

These are some other photos of my family during this transition time...

With dad here in Chandler, our family including Mike, the grandkid table that Michelle headed up for the visitations, me and Michelle in Utah.

This is the beginning of the "change." This is my family at my mom's mom's funeral in July. GGB passed away at the ripe, wonderful age of almost 92. Who knew that when my mom sadly realized, in December, that she didn't really like celebrating her birthdays without her mom she would only have that one to be sad about? My mom died suddenly of heart failure on January 28th at the somewhat young age of 72. What was suppose to be a routine procedure didn't turn out so routine. My mom who has rallied time and time again for the past 15 years didn't rally this time. This amazing woman who has been not only my mom but one of my dearest friends for 47 years is not here any more. These past three weeks have been life altering. Things I never wanted to deal with or think about have come. Things I thought I couldn't handle have been handled. Tears have been shed in abundance time and time again and will continue to be shed in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. But let me share something here...these tears are only for what I am missing, my mom's voice. Just hearing her say "Hi." All the other tears are for gratitude in being able to be a part of her life, of being able to be her daughter. She taught me most of what I know about the Savior, love of scriptures, prayer, serving others, leading kindly, following faithfully, loving family, and much, much more. My faith and feelings tell me that I will hear her voice again. I will know her and see her once again. This whole experience of having to deal with someone I love pass from this life to the next couldn't have been done without two things...my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of Jesus Christ our Lord AND my family. My dad has been strong when he could have been weak. My sisters have been my equals in what needed to be taken care of. We have done this together because that is what families do. My own husband and children have figured out how to cook, clean, and carry on in my absence. I love them! My aunts and uncles and cousins have been the background strength and support that has lifted and still supports us all. Families are meant to help and support each other. Families are FOREVER! I thank my Father above every day that I have a mom who left me a legacy of love and faith that will be my comfort and help until I see her again.

This is for my nieces and nephews...do you remember on Thanksgiving Day when you played outside and had soooo much fun? This is the sand pile. See the little green plants? They are pinto bean plants. The container that was full of beans for Emerson to shake got dumped here in the sand. This is what happens when seeds, soil, water, and sunlight mix together! You are all now begining gardners! (I wish I could report that there were pinto beans for making chili now but sadly an older uncle, unnamed, picked the little plants out.)

This is Grandma and Emerson sharing a cuddle moment on the couch.

We have way too much fun!

This is Emerson on his first ever bike ride with his mom (cool new bike) and dad. The weather was just perfect that day. Aren't they a cute family? We all talked up the cool Lightning McQueen Helmet because Emerson didn't really want to wear it. We had to make a few adjusts so it would fit right but it worked. Now if we could just get Uncle Kevin to wear his helmet!

This is Mark, Blaine, and I at the 3/4 mile mark of Camelback Mountain. I didn't make it to the top but when I sent them on their way barely off the starting mark they didn't expect to see me here coming down. It's a pretty strenuous hike from the North/West side climbing 1o00 feet (I think) in about a mile. Some of it is over rocks and boulders and other parts you're pulling yourself up with handrails. It's funny how the cold makes it pretty easy to just keep going, just keep going. Burr!!

This is Rusty our new puppy! Isn't he cute! We picked him up Christmas Eve night. He's bigger now. You'll see more pictures in the future.

Kevin's a Deacon

Kevin, our youngest, turned 12 the end of December. It's a milestone! He's a pre-teen, yikes! He gets to do his own laundry now and he's a Deacon, which we affectionately call "Gee-con" because of the tie always showing under the white church shirt collar. This is the day that Kevin was ordained by his dad. (Notice the shutters? Mark just finished those..awesome!)

I need to back up here. Obviously I haven't blogged for awhile and there's a good reason. You might have noticed that I've changed the background though. There's usually a good reason for "changes" so let me explain by starting back in December....