Cousins+Cookies= LOVE

Yesterday My kids and I had the chance to spend the day with some cousins from Don's side of the family. 

Zac and Jake spent the day at Luke's Birthday party,,,while Glenda, who is Don's cousin and her daughter Sophie and Ashlee made, frosted and decorated Valentine Cookies.  We  had so much fun and ate WAY too many cookies:).  It's funny..We just met at Thanksgiving time...but it seems like we have known them forever.  Back in the fall, Don was on his way home from a business trip and he was on her flight, they were always close as children, so it was fun to reconnect with her and her children!

Matthew Reed Smith ~~~1980-2005

It has been 5 years today since our family's precious Matthew passed away! Matthew was my nephew,  who was serving in Iraq, when his helicopter crashed.  30 Marines and one Naval officer were killed.  I always think about him and I am so grateful for the sacrifice he made for me and his Country.  He is a true hero in my eyes, giving his life for a cause he truly believed in.  We love  you Matthew and we know we can thank you in person some day:)!!

I love my Family:)!

I have been thinking alot lately about how grateful I am for all of my blessings.  The greatest blessing I have is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunities it brings me in my life.  In the midst of such turmoil in this world it gives me security & happiness.  Yesterday I had the chance to go to my nephews farewell. I want Brad and my other neices and nephews to know  how proud I am of them, and how much their example means to me & my kids.   As I visited with my family I realized how much I really have.  I was TRULY born of goodly parents, and was blessed with a WONDERFUL mother. I love all of my brothers and sisters and my nieces and nephews. I was really blessed with some great ones. Obviously I love my kids so much, but it's so much more. Because of eternal families, I will be with these people Forever.  What could be better than spending eternity with those we love!!

***These are my greatest blessings..and I  LOVE them so much!!

On the mend...FINALLY!!

So It has been 23 days that Jake has been really sick.  It started the day after Christmas.  At first, we thought it was just the flu, but after about a week of not getting any better, I started to get worried... sooo many things can happen and my mind went a million places.  We took him to the Dr. and they took a blood test that showed that his blood count was high, but the Dr.  was still baffled as to what it could be.  After another week of no improvements,we took him back for another blood check.. his numbers were still high, although they were going down.  I have to say I have been a nervous wreck thinking of all of the possibilities.   Life is so fragile. 

Since October I have had 2  high school friends pass away from cancer (One of them just today).  You just never know!!  I am so happy that Jake is finally getting better.  I love him so much and hate to see him sick.

Please pray for Jacob...

Since Christmas, we have all been under the weather a little....However Jake has been a very sick boy!  The day after Christmas he started the day by "throwing up", (we  thought that that it was just  a 24 hour thing)...apparently not, because here we are January 6th and it shows no sign of letting up.  He asked Don for a blessing, which made him feel a little better and  the Dr. drew some blood to see if they could find something there.  So please keep him in your prayers...It would mean alot to us:)! 

"Out with the old" & "In with the new"!!

Wow, another year is coming to a close, and I just have to ask myself…Where has the time gone?!? It seems like 2009 just flew by. For the most part things have stayed pretty calm, but there have been a few changes that are worth mentioning********


*Out with our old Toyota Corolla….In with our new Mazda 6.

*Out with driving James everywhere he needs to go…In with James having his own driver’s license.

*Out with Primary….In with Young Women’s and Young Men’s.

*Out with eating not so healthy….In with eating healthy.

*Out with church at 11:00….In with church at 9:00.

We look forward to seeing what’s in store for us in 2010.***Bring it on!!!