Picking Tomatoes

Saturday night, Troy and the babies and I were outside just enjoying the fall weather. Bella and Max kept running over to our vegetable garden, picking tomatoes. They picked red ones and green ones so Troy told them "only pick red ones." So they proceeded to pick tomatoes, running back and forth. They were so cute, as I watched them it took me back to my childhood, doing chores around the house and in the yard. My parents started giving us chores at a very young age which is probably why we all have such a strong work ethic. I remember my mother always telling us "many hands make light work" which is something I have told my own children. I think these days we want to be able to hand our children everything without making them work for it, which in my opinion is a mistake. As a child, we had to earn at least half of everything we got, i.e., bikes, skateboards, etc. I have always appreciated that instilled virtue of hard work, it has never hurt me and it made me appreciate the things I had much more. It made me a strong person, so for that I am glad.

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." --William Cullen Bryant

Fall is a special feeling to me it means time for harvesting, canning, and baking. I remember as a child waking up to my mother canning peaches, apricots, pears and cherries. I remember homemade jam on whole wheat bread, ground in our own wheat grinder and baked in the oven. This is just a small part of what fall is to me...it is cozy moments spent with family and friends. Troy always says he loves this time of year, lots and lots of homemade treats!

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." --Stanley Horowitz

Happy Birthday, Troy!

Today may be just any other day for most people, but for me it is a very special day. Troy was born September 23, 1963. I am so grateful to have him in my life for so many reasons. I just want to take a minute and tell you some of the things I love about him.

1. He is such a great Dad. Bella & Max absolutely love him! They get so excited when he just walks into a room! He cares for them, plays with them, pampers them, spoils them, and would give his life for them!

2. He is such a good son. He loves his parents and grandparents with all of his heart! He always tells me he wishes he were closer in proximity to his family so he could help them more physically. He would do absolutely ANYTHING for Sugarbabe! She is everything to him! I know how deeply it hurts him when he isn't getting along with his family so sometimes things go unsaid, he doesn't communicate his feelings very well. But he loves his family very much.

3. He is a wonderful stepdad. When Chelsey's dad wouldn't help with the wedding, Troy told her not to worry that she would have the wedding of her dreams! He is always the parent they turn to in a crisis. He is the one who spear-headed Sydney getting her drivers license and who scheduled all of her classes, plus he is always good for a little "cash."

4. He is a wonderful "in-law." I love how Troy relates to my family! My mother loves him with her whole heart and the feeling is mutual. He always wants me to invite her over for dinner, and if she ever needs any help, he is first to volunteer! He also loves all my brothers and sisters and their families and loves to spend time together with them. This makes me so happy because nothing is more important to me than family!

5. He is a wonderful husband. He is my soul-mate, we finish each others thoughts, sentences, we pick up the phone to call each other and the phone will ring. It is always either me or him! He takes good care of me when I am sick (or pregnant). He holds me up when it is slippery, rubs my back when I don't feel good, and he "fights tigers for me." He is my biggest cheerleader, always believing in me no matter what I am doing...and for all this, I love you Troy with all my heart. Happy Birthday, My Love!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Monday, September 14th was my Mom's birthday so my sister Jenn and I planned an impromptu surprise party for her on Sunday. We had everyone who could make it come down for dinner, cake and ice cream. She thought she was just coming down for dinner, we have her over at least a couple of Sundays a month so I don't think she suspected anything. Even if she wasn't surprised, she didn't ruin it for the rest of us!

I just want my sweet Mother to know how much she is loved. Every one of her eight children would do anything for her which is a tribute to what a wonderful Mother she is. How is it possible to make all of her children feel that they are her favorite and that she would do anything she could for any of us? Quite an accomplishment considering how many of us there are! She loves us all unconditionally and all the same, and there isn't one of us that would question how she feels about us, she extends this love to our families as well.

Troy has told me several times that he would do anything for her because she has always been there for him and supported him no matter what! He adores her and for him to feel this way about my mother, means everything to me.

Thank you Mom for everything you do and everything you are. You are such an example to me in everything you do and everything you say. People always wonder where I get my strength, I just want everyone to know I get it from you! You have so much faith, you are always grace under pressure, with nothing but nice things to say about everyone! You are truly an angel and a wonderful roll model for me and all of us. Your kids love you, their spouses love you, and all of your grand babies love you! You mean everything to me, I hope you had a fabulous birthday!

New Pajamas!

There is nothing better in this world than new pajamas! Max looked so cute in his little Nascar Racing p.j.s! He looks so comfy and ready for nigh-night!

New Toys!

Troy and I decided that needed to purchase an outdoor toy for Bella and Max to enjoy in this beautiful fall weather we have in Utah. We decided a Little Tikes plastic castle and slide would be something they would enjoy. We knew they would love it because their cousin Colin has one that they love to play on during family get-togethers. We lucked out and found one significantly cheaper on KSL.com, that had never been used and was still in the box! They love to climb up and slide down and do it over and over again. Even Max can climb up and loves the climbing wall, I don't know why I ever doubted that he would, he is so active!

The best part was that we got two toys for the price of one because the box it came in was fabulous! There is nothing better in this world than a huge box to play in! Kasey and Chelsey made it even better by turning it into a house just Bella and Max's size. They love opening the windows and sitting on their little Dora couch. Kasey and Chelsey always make things more fun and they love spending time with the little ones!

Chelsey & Kasey's Wedding - Play "Then" by Brad Paisley

How can a day be so wonderful, yet so hard and so much work? Preparation for this day started about 10 months ago. So much planning and so many decisions. All in all the day was everything we hoped it would be! Chelsey and Kasey, surrounded by family and friends, pledging their love and commitment to one another. The day was perfect, the setting spectacular, the people they love surrounding them. For those of you who were unable to be with us on that special day I am sharing part of the ceremony that we were so honored to be apart of.

A Quote directly from the ceremony:

"Chelsey and Kasey, real love goes far beyond the feeling of romance and bliss. It is caring more about the well-being and happiness of your marriage partner than your own needs and desires. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them.

When you enter into marriage, you enter into life’s most important relationship. It is a gift, given to bring comfort when there is sorrow, peace when there is unrest, laughter when there is happiness, and love when it is shared.

A successful marriage is not something that just happens. It takes work, honesty, and unselfishness. Most importantly, it takes commitment from both of you."

Part of the ceremony included a sand ceremony, this is what was shared:

"There are 3 vessels of sand before us, each representing you as individuals. Today just as you are joining your lives together so are the grains of sand joined together in the family vessel. As you pour the sand into the vase, remember that just as the individual sands represent each of you as individuals, it intermingles into a single unit, a family. Each layer supports the next, each layer unique yet bonded inseparably from the next; so is your family built in love and support inseparably mixed together from this day forward."

It was truly a beautiful ceremony and a beautiful day! To those who were in attendance, thank you for sharing this amazing day, to those who couldn't make it, you were truly missed!

To Kasey, welcome to our family! You are such a good man. I watch you with the little ones, you are such a kind and patient man. I love you so much, and that love continues to grow every day. To Chelsey, I love you more than you will ever know. I am so proud of the woman you have become. You are so beautiful, yet so strong. You are my first child, and now you are becoming my friend. Never lose sight of who you are and always reach for the stars! I love you sweetheart!

Wedding Details

The things I always remember most about a wedding are the details, the little things that are almost so subtle it may be a couple of days before you realize that they were even there. I was determined to make Chelsey's wedding so full of details that people would be talking about her day for several weeks after the event. In order to have this kind of impact, it takes a team of individuals to pull it off. I would just like to take a minute and thank several amazing people that made a huge impact on Chelsey's day.

First of all thanks to my Mother and my sisters Jenn and Kris who helped me make the bridesmaids dresses. I think we were all so sick of those dresses that if we never had to see them again we would have been fine. However, when the procession started and the girls started walking down the aisle with their escorts, it actually took my breath away they were so stunning! Jenn, thank you for making 35 table cloths. You are my hero!

Kelly Dyches my friend, thank you for designing the fabulous invitations! They were truly amazing and were exactly what Chelsey envisioned. They really set the mood for the entire wedding. You really outdid yourself!

Pam Whitlock, the flowers were stunning. The bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres were all gorgeous! The decorative flowers were also amazing, what vision you have! Also, thanks for helping me through all the drama.

Suzzi Williams, you are my rock! Thank you for always getting my back through this whole process. You helped Chelsey and I make the decorations work! You really know what you are doing! Also, thank you for doing the photo booth, it was such a hit! Check out her website: www.smilenowphotobooths.com. People are still talking about it! Also the "candy bar" was so much fun, I want to know where you got the cherry lips, YUM! Thank you Lorna, you are my favorite! Thank you for the yummy lemon bars and eclairs. I love you so much and think you are one of the most wonderful women I know!

Sandy Sjoblom and girls--thank you for cooking all the delicious food. I can't believe you made over 500 homemade rolls, what a woman! You are such an angel, I will never forget what you did for Chelsey and I. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Also, thank you Gloria Hintze for the hookup with the chicken, you saved me so much money! You are such an amazing lady and I am so happy you are my friend!

Thank you to my brother Aaron (Artie) for all the fabulous music, you really set the mood with smooth jazz and oldies for the dinner portion of the evening and taking it over the top to Boom-Boom POW for the reception. The music rocked! Also, thank you Connie McCullough for the quartet that set the mood for the ceremony, you are wonderful!

Thank you to Natalie, Chelsea, and Shar for getting off work early and coming straight to the venue to help us decorate. It is so wonderful to have such amazing friends! Thanks to Jared for letting Whitney and Whitney have the day off for Chelsey, you are my favorite!

To Shauna Leake, thank you for not just offering to help, but actually doing it! You are such a Great Lady! Thanks again for just being there and having such an amazing smile!

To the Cavalry, Mike & Patricia, Sugarbabe, Steve & Linda, Heidi & Eddie, & Debbie, I don't know what I would have done without you! You got off the plane and went straight to work helping us pull this thing off. If you have ever seen the last Lord of the Rings movie, I felt like I did when Gandolf rode down the hill with the huge army to save the day, like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I don't think I can ever repay you for giving me such a gift! I can't even tell you all how much you mean to me, but just know you are all in my heart!

Todd Peterson, you are my favorite! Thank you for videotaping the evening! I can't wait to see this day over and over again! You are such a good friend, thanks for being there for Chelsey and Kasey!

Last but not least, my friend Clarisee who captured this day on film so we can laugh, cry and feel the emotions we experienced that day, forever and ever! You know how dear you are to me and how I feel about you. That will never change. If you ever need me or anything from me, just call my name!

I have said it so many times before but I am so blessed to have all of you in my life! Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart!