A TOUGH YEAR

MOTHER~
YOUR KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH MY LIFE MADE ME THE PERSON I AM TODAY.
YOUR LAUGHTER TOLD ME IT WAS OK TO BE ME.
YOU TAUGHT MY TO SWIM WITH IN THE OCEAN WITH JOY & APPRECIATION FOR THE EARTH.
YOUR HAPPY FACE WAS THERE EVERYDAY WHEN I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL & EVERY NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO BED.
YOU WERE MY CLOSEST CONFIDANT & BIGGEST CHEERLEADER.
YOU GAVE ME LIFE LESSONS THAT HELPED ME COPE WITH EVERYDAY OBSTACLES.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH BUT AM GLAD FOR THE TIME WE HAD TOGETHER!
THOSE FUN MOMENTS AT THE BEACH, AT CHURCH, AT CONCERTS AND JUST GOING OUT FOR A MEAL.
I'M GLAD YOU'RE FREE OF THE PAIN OF LIFES' CRUEL DISEASES.
I'M PROUD TO BE YOUR DAUGHTER & CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR GONE.
I'LL BE STRONG FOR MY KIDS & FAMILY & SELF BUT IT'S SO DAMN HARD WITHOUT YOU HERE!
I FEEL LONELY EVERYDAY WITHOUT YOU BUT AM GLAD WE ALWAYS TOLD EACH OTHER HOW WE FELT.
YOU TAUGHT ME ENDLESS THINGS--COOKING, DANCING, SINGING, MUSIC, EVERYTHING!
YOU NEVER HESITATED TO SAY "I LOVE YOU" AND KISS & HUG US KIDS.
YOU WERE THE BEST GRANDMA EVER! YOUR MANY TALENTS NEVER CEASED TO MAZE ME!
LOVE YOU FOREVER!!

I DREAM ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME & I'M GLAD I CAN SEE YOU THERE.



I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!

DISNEYLAND!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!!!

Well, we made it!!!!!!!!! Yipeeee!!!!! To the Happiest Place on Earth!!!!!!!!!

We're so happy we finally got to Disneyland as a family for the first time!!! It was awesome!! We went Thanksgiving week as a surprise for the kids. They had no clue. They didn't even know we were going to Cali. I had their bags packed & hidden away. They were wondering whose car was parked out front (the rental).....then, bam! Surpise, wake up!! We got them up at 3am & they were in shock & disbelief. When we told Jorma "We're going to California right now so wake up!" he said "Ya, right" then rolled over & tried to sleep. So we drove 13 hours straight to Ventura & stayed with our friends, Eric & Audrey & Stella & Laurel for 3 days. We played at the beach & had a great time seeing friends & Ruby. Then we headed for grandma Helen & grandpa Jerry's in Yucaipa. Then the next morning we woke them up at 6am "Let's go! We're going to our friends' house!" So when we ended up at Disneyland, they were shocked & thrilled. I think they still can't believe we did all that.

Allison got to dance with Mary Poppins & Bert & the band in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. She had a ball!!

The Castle at night was gorgeous & magical. We had such a great time!! DISNEYLAND ROCKS!!!

SuMmEr FuN

Like our garden tomatoes?? This is what Jay does when he's bored or feeling creative...cracks me up!! That's why we love him!
Here's the fam up on Timp at Sundance. Summer is winding down so we wanted to get up to the mountains before the snow comes. It was lovely & fun was had by all.
Jorma boy has been enjoying football this season. So far they are undefeated!! Go Lehi #41!!
My little lady Allison loves to ham it up & have her picture taken. This is at Thanksgiving Point here in Lehi. They have beautiful grounds with perfect photo ops.
Here's my little hummingbird friend on our front porch drinking from the feeder I got for mother's day. They are so amazing & graceful, love it!

Summer Cut

Well here's my latest cut, a bob. Whatdaya think? Just fast & easy for summer. But summer's over...boohoo. So back to growing it out..I know, such importantly major decesions!!

NEED THESE SOOOO BAD!!!

Just think these car eyelashes are soooo cute!! Need me a pair!! And I'd like the bug in this pic to go with..lol!

FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's that time again, Football season!!! Yae!! We love it!! Jorma is excited to be playing tackle this year for the first time. He's so cute & says "I like it lots, all but the running the coach makes us do". He's definitely seeing the benefits though. He says he can run & play better at school which is a big plus. Can you tell we're so proud of him??
We got Allison the whole cheerleader outfit so she can show her support & she just loves in general. Such a girly girl!
The Team--Lehi Pioneers in their wild purple uniforms--Jojo is #41. Love the mean face?
Go Team!!~~~

Oh, Brad!

~Perfection....you know what I mean!

MoKiNgJaY

So excited!! Just got it!! Couldn't wait for the library copy or friends...now I can see how it all ends!! These have been great books so check em out if you like fast & exciting reads!!

Fond Memories

I am reminiscing lately. Thinking about all the great memories our family has thanks to my mom's creation. This picture cracks me up! Mainly the Micky head in back of me..sister Sara did it to block out my ex. She's so funny. That Disneyland trip was a blast. We were so young & my mom was so fun! Seems like yesterday, can you tell I totally miss her?! Everyday!! It's been rough, I cannot lie. I carry her in my heart so she's always with me. When I hear this poem I think of her. Here's to you mother~~~ Love you!!

~~I carry your heart with me

I carry your heart with me (I carry it in my heart)

I am never without it(anywhere I go you go, my dear;

and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

I want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it's you are

whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;

which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars a part

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)

~Edward Estlin Cummings

LiFe

LAGOON!!

The whole family went to Lagoon on Sunday - the only amusement park in Utah. I remember when I lived in Wyoming & we couldn't wait to go the Lagoon!!! So we went with our friends the Colledges & had a great time but it was soo hot! Thank goodness for the water park, Laguna Beach. Nice & cool. I loved that part best!! It's just too hot to go anywhere in Utah in August & be outside for 10 hours straight. The kids loved the rides, especially Allison who got off every roller coaster saying "Man, that was the best ride of my life!!" Cute little 6 year old girl!! This was the first time daddy had ever been there & he loved the roller coasters too. SUCCESS!! FUN TIMES!!!

Summertime Recipe with your Garden Veggies

We love this homemade treat, well I should say the grown ups do! It's rich & time consuming but worth it!! Try it out!!


Zucchini Casserole
1 lb. country sausage
1 box chicken stuffing mix like Stove Top
1 can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
1 can cream of celery or asparagus soup
3 cups sliced zucchini
2 cups grated carrots
½ cup sliced mushroom
½ cup chopped onion
3 tbls butter
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded swiss or cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese for topping

Brown sausage & drain grease. Make stuffing by box directions. Mix sausage & stuffing together & set aside. Sautee onion in butter until clear, then add other veggies & a little water. Cover & cook veggies until tender, usually about 10 minutes. Remove from heat & carefully fold in soups, sour cream & cheese. In a sprayed casserole (9x13 works best), pat ¾ of stuffing/sausage mixture into the bottom of pan then spoon the soup/veggie mixture on top. Sprinkle the remaining stuffing/sausage mixture over top. Bake at 350 for 45 mins or until golden & bubbly. Sprinkle parmesan cheese the last 10 mins of baking.

Easter 2010

Spring time here in the hills!! Well, near spring I should say....still getting snow, WHATEVER!! But the moisture will do us good here in this desert. Getting ready to plant our garden once more & enjoy fresh salsa all summer. Easter was a fun filled day for our little chickadees as you can see. Woke up to lots of snow that morning so the wacky wabbit had to get creative!



Allison got her first real haircut! Brushing her hair has been such a battle in past couple years because she just had sooooo much thick, long hair. We knew the day would come when we would chop it so I asked her if she wanted short hair for the summer & she's been tempted for a while so we just took the plunge. She had so much hair so we're gonna donate it to Locks of Love! Good job Allison!!

MOM

So, this is the hardest thing to write about. My sweet mother has passed on. She's gone home, onto a new adventure or whatever you want to call it. I like to think of her as a new life energy that's not really gone, just changed. Looking back, I'm glad I told her I loved her all the time and she did too. Never held back my love & appreciation. I wonder if that's why this is so hard, among other reasons...

I recently heard that this sadness is just "my crap" & to let go of it but it is still the hardest thing I've ever done. I've always had her to lean on or to raise up but either way she was there with me. I know she's everywhere still so I hold that close to my heart when I'm totally down. The simplest things throw me off like hearing someone who sounds just like her or have her name, Leslie....

I know it will take a while to get back to "normal" whatever that is & I'm looking forward to it. I also know I will never be the same, changed forever....My emotions run the gamut from sadness to anger to joy...just all over the place. Her service was lovely & very healing for us all. Glad.

Mother, I love you. Thank you. God bless.

Valentines Day & other fun stuff!

Wow, it's been a while since I've written. I mostly use this as a journal or record of events but the facebook bug bit so I've been slacking but no more! My cute kiddies always love getting lots of loot for any holiday so why not Valentines day since they are my sweeties! Here they have some stuffed animals & candy of course. They were so excited "Oh mommy, thank you, Allison says"
Allison has been losing teeth left & right (no not from all the candy) and now she has no front teeth at all. A very cute stage! They went to the dentist & have great teeth. Jorma is playing basketball at the local rec center & his team is jamin with his help. He loves it & I'm glad! He just got his report card & did so well, straight A's!! You go Jojo or Chaka as we call him lately....watch Land of the Lost with Will Ferrell to understand this!
Flowers from the hubby. Isn't he the greatest? I think so. I'm so lucky!!!!
Us oldies! but goodies!! Just kickin around in the mountains. We love to get out & about even in the freezing cold. We've been busy with work & kids & family. My mom is not doing well with her cancer bout but we just spend time together & give lots of love! She's the greatest & we just wish her the best.

Halloween 2009

Well it's been forever since I've blogged but all is well. Life is very busy and we try to pack in as much fun as possible. October was a great month and our favorite one of the year! As you can see we love this holiday & make the most of it. We had lots of fun activities going on at school, home & everywhere in between!
Like my new witch hat?! Purple of course, my fav color. Went out with some girlfriends for a fun night out with thousands of other witches at Gardner Village - lot of dancing, food & fun!
Allison had a ball at school as Sleeping Beauty. Grandma did such a great job on this dress!
Jay & I celebrated our 12th Anniversary by going to see Bob Dylan at the Great Saltair. It was awesome! Love my hunny!! Well life is good & we know it will continues to get better!

Back to School

Jorma & Allison have been so excited to go back to school actually! That makes all of us happy! They love their teachers & are glad to see their friends again. Though we're sad summer is almost at an end, we had lots of fun swimming, camping and being with friends

Jorma & his 4th grade teacher Mrs. Erickson

Allison & her Kindergarten teacher Mrs. McCann. We can't believe she's already going off to real school. The time has passed so quickly. It's an awsome time for her & us!

My sweet Alli Pearl!

Allison lost her first tooth! Not from hanging like a monkey like in this picture. She's just showing me her new talent which totally freaked my out to watch but I had to just bite my tongue & not say anything. She loves the monkey bars & has been able to cross them for a while now. She was determined to learn when she was only 4. She's my monkey! We were at the pool the other day & she went on the highest water slide over & over again when her 9 year old brother would have nothing to do with it. Anyway, she did loose one of her bottom teeth & got $1.50 & some candy. She was thrilled! They sure grow fast!

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

We went to an open house in Riverton Utah to the tour new temple last week. The entire family was there minus Andy my little bro as he had to work. It's a very beautiful place and it's on a hill that has a gorgeous view! So good to be together for this. Lots of love was present. Front row left to right - Bryce, Rory, Mary, Isabel, Allison, Jorman, Alex, Ethan, Becca & Haylee. Back row - Sara, Jim, Kyle, Tim, Leslie, Marcie, Jay, Todd, Katie, Jennifer, Avery, and Summer.
It's been a busy summer with lots of fun stuff and not so fun. Mom's cancer is back so that's been rough for her. Her pain is getting better but we just continue to pray for a miracle!

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!! YIPEE!!!

Wow, what a busy month! The kids had their last day of school today. Jorma finished 3rd grade and got an award for testing in the top 10% in the nation on the standardized tests. He was thrilled to receive such an honor as were we. I can't believe he'll be in 4th grade already. Time sure flies!! Allison had her graduation from pre-school. She's so excited to start kindergarten in the fall.

Allison at the end of the preschool road. She had such a fun and great class. Her teacher was awesome and she matured so much.

Here's Jorma after dancing in the festival, a little tired.

Jorma's school has a dance festival every year that his class works really hard on. This year they danced to "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys. He's there in the background kinda goofin around. It's so sweet to see them dance their hearts out. They are very proud! So was I.. :) Now onto fun summer activities!