My "Elect" Lady!!

Today has been a very melancholy day - I got a phone call this morning from my mom telling me that Grandma had passed away. She has wanted to leave this earth for quite some time. I can only imagine the joyous reunion she has had:) What a blessing this lady has been in my life. As a child I had the privilege of her living close by. She was my school teacher in the 1st grade and then again in the 3rd grade, she was a loving teacher. I have so many fond memories, too many to name. She taught by example and is truly a virtuous woman. I long to be like her, I have never met anyone so forgiving. She has lived a beautiful life. There is a scripture in D&C 25:2-3 that reminds me of her, although it is talking about Emma, I feel that I can replace my grandma's name with hers. It reads... and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life, and thou salt receive an inheritance in Zion. Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art and elect lady whom I have called.

My grandma is my "elect" lady, her life was definitely preserved, 96 years old is not to shabby. I will be forever grateful for the legacy she has left behind. I thank her for raising such an amazing son who I love and adore. My cup runneth over!!!!!

I LOVE YOU SWEET GRANDMA!!!

RAGNAR VICTORY!!! I finally get it!

Heather is getting ready to hand off to me - My first leg was 7.7 miles !!

I ran by strawberry fields and sod farms. It was sooo hot - I was drenched by the time I was done.

This picture was taken after all of our first legs were finished. Hurray - only 2 more legs to go!! Our 2nd legs we ran at night, it was intense and at times pretty scarey but a huge sense of accomplishment. We ran our 3rd legs early the next morning, we were exhausted, running on little to no sleep but so worth it:)

I love this pic - This was the order that we ran in and our amazing drivers.

What an accomplishment!!!

On Sunday on the way back home, I turned to Tim and told him that I finally get what it is all about. I grew up in a family of boys and watched them play in championship games and then married a man that played and coached in championship games and I finally understand the feeling of "sweet victory"!! I understand what it feels like to work extremely hard for something - give it all you've got - hold nothing back - leave it all on the field (so to speak). The experience leaves you with so much love and admiration for your team mates and incredible respect for your coaches. Running this Ragnar has been an experience of a lifetime. It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done but the most rewarding. I love the smell of victory and believe me it has a smell:) Would I do it again?? In a heart beat - this stuffs addicting!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTA!!!!

This post is extremely late!!! I just wanted to express my LOVE and appreciation to my "one and only" sister. I waited a long time to FINALLY have a sister in my life. When I left home, you where only six years old. We didn't have a lot in common, there was such an age difference, our roles in the family were totally different. Through the years I have learned just how much I need my sister, you are one of my best friends. You are a blessing in my life. I am grateful that you live close by. You are always serving and coming to my aid. You never tell me NO and you even do my grocery shopping for me:) EVERYDAY I thank Heavenly Father for you!! I hope you know how much I love you - Happy (Late) Birthday!!!!

Conference is better when shared with a friend!!!

Have you ever had the chance to take a (lengthy) ride in a vehicle with teenagers??? If the answer is NO - then I highly recommend it:) I totally recommend taking your teenager to
General Conference. You will have the BEST time and learn TONS of things on the way. It was one of the funnest weekends I have ever had. We left Friday morning at 5:00 am (okay 5:15 thanks to Ron not having ice in the ice chest) we laughed, visited, sang, quoted, ate, laughed, farted, reminisced, teased, snacked and laughed some more all in a 10 hour drive. We stayed at the Nelson's (Thanks G-Rodg and Gloria). We ate shrimp steak at a place called Maddox. Went on a 6 mile run (okay just Lori and I). Shopped for a prom dress (she looks beautiful). Shopped at our new favorite store called Smith & Edwards. Met up with and old mission president. Shot some skeet. Attended Priesthood Session. Watched Sherlock Holmes. Sat in the Conference Center for a really long time. Got to sit by my son:) Saw President Monson and other Prophets too. Listened and learned. Felt the spirit. Left feeling very grateful to be a part of it all.

LOVED - every minute of it!!!!!!!!!

SURPRISE - HAPPY 16TH MACKY!!!

Macky always seems to get the shaft when it comes to birthdays. It is always during spring break and there is a ton of things going on and we never celebrate his birthday the way he would like us to. We were in Tucson on his birthday and thanks to Uncle Rick (who is always full of surprises) he invited us out to his house for a birthday bbq. He even made sure that girls were there and bought him the cutest dinosaur birthday cake!!!! Needless to say Macky was super embarrassed.

On Saturday we surprised him again with a party for him and his best friend Michael Whipple (aka Whip). Great Friends - Great Food - Great Time!!!

Macky - we love you and are grateful that you are a part of our Eternal Family - we cant imagine life with out you, you have been blessed with some amazing gifts, qualities and traits. Here are a few of our favorites....

Your laughter

Your a friend to all

You are a great big brother

Your movie quoting skills

Your testimony

Your play station skills (you and UB have an addiction problem)

Your leadership abilities

Your persistence

The way you talk out of the side of your mouth when you tell a story (my personal favorite)

We LOVE everything about you:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH MCKAY BUDDY COWBOY SLADE!!!!!!

Spring Break FUN!!!

We went to Tucson for a few days during Spring break to spend some time with Nana and Grandad. We also got the chance to see a few friends in one of our favorite places - The Tucson Zoo!!! We have been going to the Tucson Zoo for years (since Carly was a baby). Our kids love it - this time our kids got to feed the giraffes. Their long tongues would quickly grab the biscuit right out of your hand, leaving you with lovely slim all over your fingers - YUM!!!!

We had a great time and really enjoyed the warm weather:)

What kind of donations have you made lately???

In the dictionary - DONATE means to make a gift of.

I've donated my time before and I have even donated money to a few good causes but this amazing lady is going to DONATE one of her kidneys on Wednesday (17th) to her best friends husband (Matt Weber). How do you top a donation/gift like that???

To my amazingly brave sister-in-law I admire and love you. I am grateful for your example of service and "gift giving". My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know that you will be blessed beyond measure for your selflessness. Here's to a speedy recovery and a ragnar that I'm running for you - You're my inspiration!!

LOVE ya MELZ!!!!