X-tra special Question....

Seriously folks.... I have boxes and boxes and boxes and perhaps even more boxes of pictures of my kids.  Some of those are of old boyfriends and girlfriends.... some serious and some just friends.  Many prom pictures, and fun date pictures and crazy band tour romances.... but what to do with them.... hum....

 

They ARE a part of their lives - so they should be fun to put into a scrapbook of the year that they happened.  Some were a tad more painful, and may not have a place in any of their books.  But each picture is a part of the fabric of their lives.  Lucky for them - they kissed a few toads before they married their incredible loves of their lives.  Ok - well maybe not Ashley - she saved those kissers for Michael... (so she says)  I still have my old prom pictures - and if those aren't 'gag me with a spoon' moments - all I need to to is pull those out and the night belongs to hysterical laughter from the kids.  Yep - hot dates - but I look like a total tomboy in a dress and ew... butt ugly.  I still have them because the stories behind them are pretty fun too.  I asked one of my children what to do with the pictures and letters and cards.... from their high school dates..... They suggested....

A big fire.... and random dancing around the fire pit...

 

Booyah, where are the matches?

 

I found mine and Gomer's engagement pictures...

He had hair - I had a waistline

I think I'll keep those.

What did YOU do with YOUR pictures?

 

 



Yikes... Matt is 29? He must have a young mom....

Hey Child on the Far Right....

Happy Birthday!

I posted on my Facebook post today that I'm not sure how you survived me being your mother.  You and I were pretty new at this thing yet we made it.  I've loved watching you over the years - the amazing way you've grown to be a man.  A good man.  Sometimes you'll do something that reminds me of your past - a thought, or a tease, or a look from those blue eyes.  In 29 years, you've not let me down.  Oh - ok - let's not get this impression that you were all perfect - you made your mistakes (soy sauce water balloon launching over the neighbors houses), and you should have died (Steve Thatcher's mom calling to see if we could get to the ER after you jumped your bike over the meridian).  There were those times.  But there were also times of amazement.  Playing your saxophone, playing your heart out, being the best roller hockey player out there, service projects at every opportunity, that blasted Eagle Scout, a tough Mission in a tough place, surviving a Masters at BYU, marrying that girl of your dreams (and ours) and becoming a dad.  That's a lot to do in 29 short years.  I can't wait to see what's next son.  I love you - the most - just don't tell the others. (:  If you tell them - I'll have to explain this picture to the world...

 

love it...

Thanks for choosing me to be your mom

and for taking care of my heart always.

Happy Birthday - you are loved.

xoxox Mom



....and the socks have it

Today I struggled with a little boy at my mission.  He was going crazy running around.  He had taken his socks off and was saying, "Look at my socks!  Look at my socks!"  Not sure why this was so super important, but it was to him.  Pretty cool socks - green with monsters, he had a point there.  Usually I wear my totally high hooker boots to church - Ashley bought them for me - a lovely gift I should say...

But since this kid was carrying on about his socks... and about how great they were... I decided to play my ace card.  I may wear the hooker boots, but under those boots are my secret socks....

I took off my boots and said, "Hey you... punker... look at MY socks"

Shut that kid right up - I win...

 

His parents - are now my best friends.

 

Did I mention that Elder Dallin H. Oaks sat next to these socks today

at Relief Society?  Sister Oaks and Elder Oaks just 'dropped in' to visit our ward. 

Yikes.

(and you really believe that?) (right - just a random visit)

Well - our ward is kinda famous.

The police know us well.

In the audience he noticed 2 sets of Proselyting Missionaries, and

4 sets of Service Missionaries...

He knows something about why this is..

and we can't wait to see what happens after his visit today.

He shook my hand, and thanked me for my service,

I think I saw a bit 'o heaven, I know I knew

that he was an Apostle of God

 

I introduced him to my homeless friend,

he made sure he talked to him and shook his hand.

Sam was so happy.  I gave him some antibacterial gel...

(Elder Oaks.. that is)

 

Another member said - "I don't know who that guy is but

when he talks I feel like something really special is inside of me"

Bingo - feeling the spirit AND meeting an Apostle - golden moment

for someone who didn't know much about either one.

 

Del and had arrived late because of my work,

and after sitting down I said,

"That's weird, that bald guy sure looks like Elder Oaks"

He leaned over and said,

"Um, He is"

(oh... whoops)

I wanted to see his socks.

 

 





Things that go 'bump' in the night

So.... when you see this - you may see that cute little butt.  Or her guns.  Or her squatting strong thighs, or her really cute purple top.  Perhaps you're seeing her cute bathroom for the first time.  Maybe you want those candles.  But I see two things...

First of all - I see that tiny baby growing inside.

Oh how we've all prayed for this day.  When Ashley was a little girl, her brother Matt wouldn't let her play with dolls - he wanted someone to play trucks with.  I loved Matt's plan - and yes, to this day she drives a huge truck.  But soon it was time to teach her about dolls, and about loving taking care of them, and the day finally came that being a mom was all she wanted be become.  She married Mike - and well, heaven knows they've perfected many things... (fill in the blank).  But little babies just would not complete their lifetime on this earth.  Each time - heartbreaking, each time bringing a greater desire to be a mother.  Some very important things happened in Ashley's life - she didn't sit around waiting for a miracle - she completed her schooling, her Masters, was hired at an amazing job - and she took amazing care of her niece and nephews, with all her heart.  So at Christmas - when she handed me the envelope saying she was expecting - I knew that it was really going to happen because there on that piece of paper - was that little one I had prayed for her to have.  To see this little one growing, and squirming about, making 'her' mom sick and throwing up everywhere - makes me smile from ear to ear.  Speaking of smiles....

The second thing I see in this picture is that smile.  Ashley is a beautiful person inside and out - it's obvious.  She's modeled, she's worked out, she stands out in a crowd - but to me - this smile is the most beautiful she's ever been.  There is a sweet, humble, dedicated, mommy smile there.

Just wanted to share that smile with the world.

Little Dox will make her appearance sometime around July 4th.

And then I'm going to post my smile for the whole world to see.

Sweet baby joys - and pictures of tummies - and smiles.

tonight, it's all I can think of.

OK that, and the thought of this little girl dressed only in

red cowboy boots and a diaper...