Good Friends ~ Good Food ~ Good People

It was fun to head to the canyon with some of our good friends. I respectfully kept my camera lense pointed away from the ladies. (You're welcome, Shell & Annie) They are both expecting and have been dying in this summer heat. It took all of my will power not to snap a picture of those beautiful round baby bumps but I love those ladies more than chocolate so...

...I kept my camera aimed at this bunch of lovelies instead.

Aren't they cute?

What can I say? These have got to be some of the best looking boys around. You know you wish you had some just like them...maybe you do!












 FYI This is the dry version. Later on these guys became walking goosebumps after "accidentally slipping and falling" into the cold river. It was fun to see them having such a good time. They even rescued a purple ball that came floating down the river.  

Little Heroes.

 I think Annie called this One Last Summer Thing but I really hope it isn't. I hope we can sneak one or two more things in before the leaves begin to fall.


xoMJ

Park City 2010

Hello, hello. Here we are at an ice cream shop in Park City, UT. This is the only pic I have of the trip and it isn't a perfect one but I love it anyway.

We headed to PC to see some of our friends, Dave and Ruth Collins. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since we came upon Dave laying in the road after a bicycle accident in American Fork Canyon. The Collins hosted a BBQ for everyone who found themselves at that very spot when Dave needed some help.

It was so neat to meet the other biker who also hit the back of the car. I remember him, I can't imagine what it would feel like to be watching your friend struggle for his life and to be unable to run to his rescue. His name is Steve and after visiting with him, we found out that he once took his friend's sister to the SSHS Junior Prom. What a small world. To think that he had been to a prom at our high school.

We were also able to meet the men who administered a priesthood blessing to Dave as well as to see the many people who worked to help Dave. Brady often says how much he admires Steve (the pediatrician) and Brandon (the physical therapist). It was good to see them again and to meet their wives. Honestly, the best part of the evening for me was when Ruth introduced their children. They have a daughter the same age as Lexa. And some giant sized boys that would make any mother proud.

What a great weekend. We have so much gratitude for this group of amazing people. What a privilege it is to know them and to call them friends.

xoMJ

Come HOME Soon

I love this video. My sister posted it on FB a little while ago.

It expresses everything I feel whenever Brady is gone with the military. I feel blessed that he doesn't leave as often as some military husbands. There are strong women across America who go for months and even years without having their husbands home.

We have been through deployments before and so this time, I knew what to expect. But to tell you the truth, it's something you just can't ever get used to. We are missing him like crazy right now.

It was especially hard when he tried to call home and the connection kept getting lost. All I heard was, "Hey, Babe, I just needed to hear your voice." And then the phone went dead. Days like that are really hard but I love him and I wouldn't change a thing about him. Not even his career choice. He's my match in every way.

xoMJ

Spring Break

Well shoot. We were supposed to spend spring break in Disneyland but Brady ended up going on a deployment. The kids and I thought we might just take the week to relax at home. My sister was going to be in town and so I knew they would be happy just playing with the cousins. Unfortunately, Bev ended up not being able to make the trip out.

We were watching the Saturday morning session of General Conference when I thought, "What if we went to see her?" I ran my idea by the kids and they were on board, so between sessions we rushed through the Saturday chores and then packed our bags. We were able to listen to the afternoon session while we made the LONG drive out to Fallon, Nevada.

Did I say LONG?
I meant LOOOOOOOOOONNNNG.
8 Hours.

About three hours in Lexa turned to me and said, "Wow, Mom, you are like crazy. You just decided to go see Bev and then we left in like no time. You are like so CRAZY!"

My daughter has already mastered the teen language. You know, adding like into every sentence. And I politely corrected her. I am not crazy. Spontaneous~Yes. But not crazy.

It was so great to see my sister and her girls. She is alone right now because her husband is doing some naval training in Chicago. He misses her, it was obvious by the guzzilion text messages he sent her. I love her house because she has pictures of everyone she loves on the fridge and up on the walls in her girls' room. It was fun to look at all of them.

It didn't take long to figure out that Bev wasn't exaggerating when she said there is nothing much to do in Fallon. But when you are with your loved ones, that doesn't matter much. We spent a lot of time talking and the kids disappeared upstairs. We had to force them to come down for meals. They were loving the time together.

We took the kids on base to the bowling alley and had a lot of fun.

Lexa ~ Maddie ~ Jetster ~ Brookie

And would you look at this child who was lucky enough to inherit my talent for granny bowling backwards!

We headed home on Tuesday because I had to be ready for YW the next day. What a great trip!

I have a confession to make about movies...I am in love with 3D! So when the kids started to complain about being bored (Wednesday morning) I had a trick up my sleeve.

Wooo hoo for 3D!!

The rest of our week was pretty uneventful. Life is a bit dull without Brady around to keep us laughing. I think it was nice for the kids to have some time away from the pressures of school. And I loved being with them.

On Friday, we were able to spend some time with my friend, Janis. She was up here helping her sister Pam. Pam is battling breast cancer for the second time in two years so send up a prayer for her. And of course, Janis and I had to see a movie...IN 3D!!

I told you...I love 3D.
xoMJ

Turning 9

March is the BiRthDaY month at our house.

Here is my Cub Scout. I wanted to snap one last picture before we changed out the scarf and added his new badge. Can he really be 9 years old?

I wonder if I have a picture of his daddy as a cub scout? I'll have to do some digging.

xoMJ

Help Desperately Needed

Hello Friends!

We have a chance to make a difference. I have a friend named Emily. She is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Recently, there was a tragedy in her family. Her sister, Sami, lost her home in a fire. They didn't have insurance and lost everything but their lives that night.

I copied this from Emily's blog:

Help Desperately Needed


Tragedy struck my sister and her little family, when at about 1am this morning, they woke to their front porch and front part of their house engulfed in flames. Within several minutes their entire mobile home was destroyed. They and their 6 month old little boy (and I think all their animals) escaped unharmed but lost everything they owned. They don't have renters insurance, nor a checking or savings account. All the money and belongings to their name, including the baby car seat, were burned in the fire. They left with just their pajamas on their backs, no shoes, no coats, no blankets for their baby boy. The fire department ruled their house as a total loss.

Prayers and donations are greatly needed as this little family begin to rebuild their home and completely start over. There has been a benefit account set up at Wells Fargo for money donations, just go to your local branch and tell them you are donating to FBO Samantha and Jon Pierce. Also, any kind of donation you would like to send to them, you can mail to:

495 Centennial Drive
Olathe, Co. 81425

Samantha is a size 11-13 in pants and M-L in shirts
Jon is a size 32x32 in pants and XL-long in shirts
Stacius is a size 6-9 months and size 3 diapers

Thank you in advance for your prayers and donations. Every little bit helps, weather it be a prayer or $5.00. I appreciate you for taking the time to help where you can.

Also, please pass the information to anyone you know that can help my sister and her little family. I am okay with you posting on your blogs or facebooks as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Emily 

When Emily told me the story, I was most sad about the fact that when Samantha and her husband  ran to the neighbors' houses for help, no one would open their door. She stood out in the cold night screaming for help and no one was there to put a blanket around her shoulders or offer a warm place for the baby to stay. The 6 month old baby who spent a lot of time out in the cold that night, now has to be on a nebulizer.

Like many of my other friends, I'm issuing a call for help.

I will be announcing this is RS and will be asking our ward to help me gather kitchen and bathroom items. Members of Grove 5th Ward and friends who live close by can bring donations to my house. (They need everything from silverware to washcloths.)


You can donate at any Wells Fargo Bank
FBO Samantha and Jon Pierce

You can also mail a package or even just a letter of encouragement to:
Samantha and Jon Pierce
495 Centennial Drive
Olathe, Co. 81425

And of course, you can remember this family in your prayers.

Lets make a difference!
xoMJ

Abe the Babe

Here is my little man on Biography Day at school. They were required to read 20 biographies during the last month and then do a report on their favorite person. Today they had to dress up as that person.

Maybe he chose to be Abraham Lincoln because of all of the great qualities attributed to Mr. Lincoln. Or maybe it was because of the tall hat...

NOPE.

Actually, it was so that everyone would call him Abe for the day.

My baby brother, Abe, holds his own next to Spiderman and Luke Skywalker on Jet's hero list as do my other two brothers. Every time Abe calls me, "Abe the Babe" flashes on the screen of my cell. This always inspires the same question from my son. He also asks it if  "Dan the Man" calls or "I Like Ike" flashes on my cell phone.

"Gosh Mom, why didn't you name me 

Jet - Daniel - Isaac - Abraham?"

(That would be after all of my brothers)

Then I tell him that I couldn't fit all of those names on the birth certificate.

So, when biography day came along, Jetster couldn't resist being called Abe for the entire day at school. (And "Abe the Babe" at home.)

xoMJ