Fishing Trip of a Life Time!!

Nicholas, Tiff and Dad getting ready to go fishin!!

Love this sister of mine!!

Tiff and dad on the boat with our guide Mike Roth.

I love this picture! Nicholas contemplating all the fish he is going to catch. Mike was wonderful the whole trip, he fixed our lines, baited our hooks and took care of us.  My daddy looks so cute in his hat:-)



It's was beautiful!! As I was on the water a hymn kept coming to my mind "For The Beauty of The Earth". I am so thankful for the Creator.  How can anyone question if there is a God?!?




We went all the way to the Dam - it is quite a site and sight:-)



My very 1st FISH!! - I love the grin on my sister's face behind me:-)

A few years ago we had a little discussion with my dad about how he has never taken his daughters on any hunting or fishing trips.  I actually remember as a kid going on a few fishing trips down to Chevlon but I don't remember casting a line or catching anything.  My brother Dave jokes and says I never fished because I was always to busy making everybody else a sandwich!!  So, when the big "C" word came into my dad's life he asked us girls if there was anything that we would really like to do with him?  We quickly replied a fishing and hunting trip!!  When he called to tell me about the fishing trip that he planned to Lee's Ferry he told me I could invite someone, so I invited my "favorite" son-in-law Nicholas.  He really was in his element.  He was so calm, cool and collected while Tiff and I where squealing and screaming about every little fish and bite!!! It is such a beautiful place!! I have heard a lot of stories about ancestors, especially Jacob Hamblin and his time spent in the area.  The night before we were suppose to leave Mike Roth called my dad and asked him if he wanted to cancel because of the windy weather.  Dad told him that he wanted see it through and if his daughter were able to catch at least one fish the trip would be successful.  We prayed that night that the winds would die down and prayed again the next morning.  It was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father is aware of my/our hearts desire.  The weather was gorgeous and the winds didn't start to blow until we were in the car headed home.   I had been praying all week that my dad would have the energy and strength to make the trip, that he would feel good enough to be able to enjoy our time together.  Again, my prayers were answered!!  Between the 4 of us we caught around 40 fish.  It is hard for me to express my feelings about this trip.  It truly was a trip of a life time.  I am thankful for an amazing fishing trip with my dad and for one more memory to tuck away in my heart. Love you daddy!!!

8th Grade Promotion!!

Brock had his 8th grade promotion. He is such a handsome boy and I can't believe that he will soon be in high school !! 


We went to JC Penney and let him pick out some new threads:-)

I really have been blessed with some amazing kids.  Brock has always been so easy going and obedient.  He has a tender heart and at times I wonder what I ever did to deserve him.  I actually think he took pitty on me in heaven and was willing to come to our home to keep us all on the straight and narrow.  Aunt Tiff has all the promotion pics on her camera - so I will have to post them later.  He was awarded that night with a  3.5 g.p.a or higher certificate and was also honored with the Citizenship Award.  He is an example to his peers and his family.  We love you Brock!!

Mtn Meadows - Awards Assembly!

Tyton  - had perfect attendance for the 4th qtr of school - COOL!


Mr. Slade looking good as the "ring leader" at the assembly.  He loves being the principal and he is a Mountainous Man next to all these little kids:-)

We had to take a pic of Millie Bean! We love this girl!!


Nate dawg - super pleased with this kid and the improvements he has made in the 3rd grade.

Field Trip FUN !!

 

I was super lucky this year and was able to go with Nate and Mary on their end of the year field trip.  The 2nd and 3rd grades went together so I was able to spend time with two of my kids at the same time:-)  We went to the Show Low pool and then to the park and had pizza for lunch.  It was a lot of fun!!!

The Invisible Mother!!

MOTHERHOOD has been on my mind a lot lately, partially because of Mother's day but mainly because I am the Mother the Mother the Mother of seven pretty amazing kids.  One who is willing to sacrifice her body and emotional state to bring me yes another beautiful grand baby into this world (arriving in Nov).  One who I miss like crazy but is serving the Lord diligently.  Another who is approaching his senior year of high school and leaves me wondering if I have prepared him enough for the "real" world.   Another who has been such a breezy, easy kid that I feel at times he gets forgotten.  Then there are my "3 little ones"  who are so much fun, who teach me daily, but occasionally  leave me wanting a stiff drink even though I have never ever touched the stuff!!

This week I was forwarded an e-mail that has really helped me keep things in perspective.  It's called the "Invisible Mother".  Have you ever felt like some days you are only a pair of hands? - Can you fix this? - Can you tie this? - Can you open this?  Some days you are a clock - What time is it?  Or a satellite guide -  What number is the Disney channel?  Some day's you are a crystal ball -  Where are my shoes?  - Where's my phone? - What's for dinner?  It went on to talk about the great cathedrals of Europe and how no one can say who built these great cathedrals - there is no record of their names.  These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.  They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.  The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

So, to all you invisible mom's out there - myself included - we are building great cathedrals.  Heavenly Father see's the sacrifices we make everyday, even when no one around us does.  We can not be seen if we are doing it right!!! One day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers!!!!!

PROM!!

Macky looking awfully HANDSOME!
He took a baseball to his right eye a few days before prom. 

The Group!

McCoy and Macky - Looking SHARP 

Love this photo - I think Maryssa looks so PRETTY - You will never meet a sweeter girl - She is beautiful inside and out!!

Macky and Lisa

HAPPY 50TH - MOM AND DAD!!

On Friday, April 13th we celebrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary.  We gathered as a family for a BIG family photo.  We were only missing 2 family members (that in itself is a miracle) and those 2 had a pretty good excuse for not being there because they are serving full time missions.  It was a privilege to honor them that night and we couldn't believe the turn out. It was a night full of love, good food and entertainment.  We sang their favorite songs, told funny jokes and even had a "famous" marriage counselor give them advice. I know my parents were touched by the out pouring of love that evening.  My dad was so exhausted by the end of the night. We worried about him all day and prayed that he would have the strength to get through the day and our prayers were answered.  I am grateful for their example and influence in my life. I too have been born of GOODLY PARENTS!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!!!

You are never to OLD to color Easter eggs!

This daddy loves coloring Easter eggs.  You can always count on one of his eggs being made into a football!

 

 

 

I appreciate my "big kids" taking part and having fun with my "little kids".  I love Easter and am grateful for the promises it brings.  As a family we were asked to speak in church on Easter Sunday.  I learned a lot as I studied and prepared and I am Thankful for the Savior.  Just like the Savior I know that each of us will experience at times our own dark Friday but Sunday will come and that's a beautiful gift!!

Tucson Zoo - Spring Break!

 

 

For Spring Break we took a trip to Tucson to spend time with Grandad and Nana Slade.  We love the Tucson Zoo and try to go there every chance we get.  This time we were able to take Gracilyn and Carly with us.  Graci LOVED it!!  We enjoyed spending the day with Holly and her girls and are glad they ditched school to spend time with us:-)  The older kids were able to go watch the Hunger Games and we spent a lot of time in the POOL!!  I personally was ready for a little sunshine and warmer weather.

Gracilyn's first visit to the Tucson Zoo!!