Last of Firsts

I am experiencing the "Last of Firsts" or "First of Lasts" this year. It is all starting with Matt's (my baby) "Last" picture of his "First" day of school. It is fun he will be a senior but not so fun for mom that he will be a senior. It will be a year of "Lasts" which makes me sad....but also a "First" for a whole new season of life. For right now....I will enjoy his "First" day of school picture even though it is the "Last" one I take of his school years (college just isn't the same)....his "First" starting varsity football game of the 2010 season even though it is his "Last" year to play....his "First" at being a senior....

OK, I will go get my tissues now!!

Best of Friends since they were born....Sam and Matt....Dang, I love these two!!

Relief??

So awhile ago I posted that something was going to happen....well it did. I was called to be the Relief Society President. Why? I have no stinking idea!! I have been so overwhelmed with the call, work (two jobs), football boosters and just being a wife and mom.

Is my house a mess?? Yes. Do I get my dishes done? No. Do I have to talk A LOT on the phone?Yes. Is everyone happy with this change in our ward? No. Do I have anxiety, ulcers, melt downs, tears and sometimes depression? YES!!

But guess what....through it all I have the BEST HUSBAND, SONS, MOTHER, and FRIENDS to help pull me through. The best person I have is HEAVENLY FATHER. He has truly blessed us since this calling that I could never doubt his blessings or serving him. We now have a permanent job, benefits, another car (no more sharing for Matt and me),  good health AND I have a missionary being protected over in a scary area...What more could I ask for!!

As a friend said to me....If the Lord brings you to it, He will see you through it.

I love a parade

The Northridge football team, cheerleaders, student body officers, band and ROTC all participated in the South Weber Parade. They had a lot of fun with cheers, throwing candy,  water balloons, funny hats (OK, only two had funny hats and that of course would be Matt and Sam) and just plain great memories!! As their banner said...."NHS football U"KNIGHT"ED we stand....and that's what they all were....united as a school!! It was such a fun day.

In his element....

We went to our neighbor DeAnn's cabin for a summer party. They have a one year old horse that they are starting to break and Larry took the opportunity to give a few pointers and thoroughly enjoyed being around horses again....he truly was in his element.

Summer Fun

Matt and 6 other friends went to the Eichmeier's cabin over the 24th of July to celebrate Kaden's birthday. They had a couple of really fun days boating, playing cards, hanging out and just plain having a great time!!

Thankful

I am so thankful for sweet little Hermana's that keep my son fed.

Quoting from Jordan's email, "This is Hermana le Ping. She is the littlest old lady and she talks so quiet but she makes theeeeeeeee biggest lunches! She says she needs to make a lot for the missionaries because they walk all day. She had already given me a huge bowl of beans and sausage that filled me up and then she came out with this second plate and then dessert!! I literally felt sick after I ate so much!!"

Oh thank you sweet Hermana le Ping!

Eagle Scout

Congratulations to Matt on becoming an Eagle Scout!! We are so proud of him and his desire to obtain this award...even when asked, "What was your hardest badge to earn?" Matt replied "Plumbing"....what was your easiest..."Plumbing". Gotta love this kid and his sense of humor.

Videos that make me smile!!

A sweet family in Chile took videos of Jordan and his companion Elder Mower and put them on facebook. Luckily Elder Mowers brother got them to download for me so I could put them on our blog. Elder Mower is coming home in two weeks and lives in Sandy so we are planning to go to his Homecoming!! These two boys have become great friends and I think you can see why!!

The new me....

Not quite sure what got in to me when I went to get my hair colored today and I told her I wanted to go a little darker...not sure I meant this dark....might take some getting use to.

Pure Delight

This just plain makes me laugh hysterically!!

Quoting from Jordan's email today..."We got to go down to Vina today to have Elder Mowers foot checked out. We have to go like 2 times a week and after a record breaking chicken and rice for lunch every day for about two weeks...We got permission to go to this restricted area to go to Subway!! I have never tasted anything so good in my life and I just can't wait for the day when I get home and can eat a Jr. bacon cheeseburger from Wendy's!"

This is his first Subway in the 7 months he has been there....and it just makes me smile.

 I miss that boy!!

Do you know how much I love him...

OK...this post is NOT just cause it is Father's Day but because I truly LOVE this man!!

I have been wanting a new camera for a long time. My camera just hasn't been cutting it lately and with it being Matt's senior year and last year of sports I really wanted a good camera. Well, of course this year has not been the best financially for us...but we are getting back slowly....so to my surprise I came downstairs early this morning to get everything ready to go to BYU and Matt's 7 on 7 football tournament and saw a box on the table with a note. At first I thought it was something Matt had done for Larry for Fathers Day....until closer inspection. The note that said, "Happy Fathers Day...We love you!" and right there was a brand new camera!!!

My sweet husband has been saving up his money from his extra job as a supervisor for Layton City Rec. to buy me something I really really wanted during the start of football. What is more is that he gives it to me on "HIS" fathers day weekend. I was so deeply touched and can't even begin to explain how much I love him. Thank you Larry for being the best husband, father and friend in the whole wide world!!

PS...I would have taken a picture of my new camera but I was using it to take Larry's picture. LOL

Pick your battles

So I went to bed one night before Matt came home...and when I woke up in the morning his hair was uuummmmm....blondish/orangish!! A week or so ago he came home with a mohawk and now this!! It is a good thing I love this kid and that he is so good. That morning he got up and went and did a service project with our stake. (Sam and Matt didn't stay long...but the effort to go was there). I guess I would much rather have a blond, mohawk kid doing service than the alternative.

Anyone have some hair dye to dye it back though?!?!

Matt with his friends at Youth Conference.

These two are so weird!! Sam is Matt's best friend and hairdresser....I think Sam needs to find another profession other than hair...and maybe fix his own mohawk too. LOL (Welcome to football season...this happens every year before football camp)

Me...

This is ME...Do I look old? Do I look frazzled? Do I look like I can handle the world? If you look real close I DO look old, frazzled, and feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. I work two jobs and I am the football booster president and I think I should have the look on my face that my sweet niece Emmy has on her face.

Why all this you ask? Well...that is the burning question that I am asking myself and will share with you in a few weeks. Until then....all I can say is hummmmm.....really???

Cali

This is my sweet niece Cali and her darling little girls...the cute boy is mine (LOL). Whenever I have a blog, camera, or picture question, Cali is my go to girl. She is so talented and kind to put up with all my questions. I loved how she helped me so that my pictures will be bigger.

Thanks Cali...I LOVE it!!

Here we go....

It is that time again...the start of football season!! We have had two 7 on 7 tournaments (2 more to go) and have started off well! We won the first tournament and took 2nd (out of 32 teams) in the big Weber State tournament. What a fun way to start the season off....now for football camps, more tournaments, fundraisers, 2 a day practices...let the fun begin!!

 

Memorial Day 2010

On Saturday we celebrated Mom's 82nd birthday with Linda and Ralph's family. We had a nice brunch and lots of visiting. We then all headed down to the cemetery to put flowers on Dad's and Jacob's grave. I think this is the first time that the family has all been down to the cemetery together since Dad died. It was a very nice day to spend together as a family.

 

Also today we honor the men and women who have allowed us to have this family time by serving and protecting our country. Thank you also to my own father who served in the Navy. I love you Dad!

Jordan's First Baptism

Meet Pedro Romo. This is the sweet boy who's life will hopefully be changed for the rest of his life from two Elders. One which happens to be my son!


Quoting Jordan's email: We had a baptism!!!! It was pretty funny. So Pedro is way short especially for his age. We were going into the font and he was on the last step and he just kind of stopped and hesitated to get in. I looked back at him and the water was already at his chest. When he took the last step he was on his tippy toes and the water was to his neck! ha ha...everyone starting laughing and stuff, it was pretty funny. So while I was doing the baptism I kind of held him up...and then just barely dunked him and he was already all the way under. Everybody thought that it was pretty funny.

After the baptism Elder Hunsaker and Elder Cooper had gotten a cake for Pedro, his sister (both of who's birthdays it was) and also the mother who's birthday was the next day. They were really touched by the gesture of a simple cake. Even the bishop kept thanking them. As Jordan put it, "It was a pretty tight night!"

Elder Cooper, Pedro's family and Elder Hunsaker


The week before they had another baptism. This was Jordan's first to have out in the field. Elder Cooper did the baptism and Elder Hunsaker gave a talk at Ceasar's baptism. (He is 11 years old)

Elder Hunsaker's Videos

This past week Jordan sent home some fun stuff from Chile...an apron, ring, necklace, money and his picture/video card from his camera. On the card was some videos that were so fun to watch. I love hearing him in the background speaking Spanish!! There were about 14 videos...I wont bore you with all of them....even though I want too!! He honestly just brings a smile to my face. I LOVE my missionary!!

Listen to his Spanish...not to bad!


After the earthquake (kind of fun to see his apartment in Quintero)


English class


Lost with Elder Haney (one of his favorite missionaries from the MTC). They both had only been out 2 months or so....

PROM 2010

Matt and Mikarie had a blast at Prom. They started off the day with a BBQ and games at the park. Then they met for pictures with their group and parents, went to Salt Lake for dinner, then back to Weber State for the dance. They capped the night off with an outdoor movie at the Deckers. What a great day full of fun memories. If I do say so myself....they were stunning together!!

One Happy Missionary

Elder Hunsaker enjoying what he loves the best....ocean and palm trees. (Well, minus the palm trees but you get what I mean)


Elder Hunsaker got to go on a 2 day split with Elder Haney...one of his favorite missionaries from his MTC district. It is their goal to be companions by the end of their mission. Can you see the happiness in Jordan's smile. He said it was one of his best two days yet!!