Patriarchal Blessing

Well today was a pretty great day.  

I'll back up... the last little while Shawn has been debating on getting his patriarchal blessing.  Well two weeks ago he went to the Bishop for his interview.  The Bishop and him decided that he is ready.

Well we called the Patriarch and he decided that today was the day.  Well we talked a lot about what it is.  Then today in sacrament I found some lessons on what a patriarchal blessing is.  He read those.  He fasted.  He prayed.

He was scared to death.

I am not sure why.

Well I got my blessing when I was 18.

Steve got his when he was 24 (and we had Shawn & Alyssa).

It was pretty cool to be at both of ours.

But WOW! 

To be at your little boys (ok so he is not so little anymore) patriarchal blessing was one of the most amazing things.  He had some really great things said in his.  Some really great promises.  I have always realized what a great boy I have but after hearing his blessing... 

it just confirms it.

Well I know this isn't really important to everyone reading this but I didn't want to forget how I felt today.

Shawn you make your Mom & Dad proud.

Family Photos

 So a couple of weeks ago we had our family pictures taken.  We just got them back and I am pretty excited about them.  

 Aren't they awesome!

 Um ok so when did she grow up?  Boys... she is only 13.  Isn't she pretty though?

 I can't believe this is my baby!  She is so cute.

 He is so dang awesome!  And handsome too.

 WOW! 15 years old... he'll be dating soon.  I'm not ready for girls to think he is as cute as I think he is.

 All of this because two people fell in love.  I know cheesy, but sometimes I can't believe they are all from us.  I just don't feel old enough.  

When I asked our kids where we should take pictures, train tracks was the most requested place.  I am not sure why, but I really just love them too.

9th Grade Promotion...

 I am pretty sure that I just went to my own 9th grade promotion... well at least it seemed like it.  When did I get so old as to have my own kid do this?

 from left to right:     

Matt Kauer, Shawn, Mitch Plant, Kolton Larsen, Zach Wall and Jared Walton

 "This is for you Mom and Dad"

 Can you even believe that they are almost the same height?  Weird!

He is just so dang handsome... and now a sophomore!

Mother's Day Photos for Grandma's & Great Grandma's

So for Mothers Day this year we took the kids over to Gardner Village for some pictures to give to all of the Grandma's.  I took some of just my kids and then we also took some with all the grandkids which is our kids and also Jarred and Rachelle's cute Andrew.  I think they turned out pretty cute?  Don't you think?

My Life...

 So I haven't blogged again for a while so I will do a little update.  So Laura is going to school right now at Southern Virginia University.  We miss her like CRAZY.  We haven't seen her since December 27, 2010.  It was the day we were flying out to Hawaii.  We think about her everyday.  BUT guess what... we get to see her TONIGHT!  We couldn't be more excited.  I can' wait to hear ALL about her boyfriend Brandon, her classes, her after school life... just everything.  I am sure she has so much to tell us.  We love her!  She is a really great kid... well young adult.  We are so proud of her and the things she is doing in her life.  

 This boy... Shawn... Isn't he handsome?  He is doing great.  He started a lawn mowing business last year.  Well this year his friend Matt and him are doing it together.  They rock!  They already have a handful of clients, I am so proud of his hard work.  Also he just turned 15... yes I have a 15 year old.  I can't believe it.  He will get his driving permit next week.... I can't wait to have another driver in the house.  He is just an all around fun kid to have in the house.  

Alyssa - Well she is just cute.  She has  been dancing and singing and dancing some more and has lost some weight while doing it.  I am pretty proud of her.  She is a great kid and I love seeing her grow up.  She just became a teenager two weeks ago... I can't even believe it.  She is super fun right now.  She is a really funny girl.  

Cameron - he is super funny.  He is always doing stuff to make us laugh.  I love having this smarty pants in our family.  He has been doing so great in school.  It really does just come naturally for him.  He is also a very sensitive kid with a big heart.   He is in the middle of his soccer season.  He ROCKS!  I love his little team.  They are just cute little friends.  

Miss Ashley - She is a sassy pants.  She'll be 9 next week.  Where has the time gone.  I love her.  She is actually our busiest child BUT she is also our very best helper around the house.  She is always our first one to get her homework done without complaining.  She is beautiful and super spunky.  

Andrew is my nephew.  He is about the cutest baby ever.  Rachelle and Jarred are super cute parents .  I LOVE when I get to tend him once in a while.  He is such a lover.  I am so glad that Rachelle and Jarred decided to make me an Aunt.  I love every minute of it.  He is just a sweet baby!


Steve is super busy with Heating & Air Conditioning, and being a HOT Fireman.  He loves to be a fireman.  I can't wait until he is somewhere full time (Roy is just part-time).

I love what stage our kids are at right now.  I love that we are friends.

So in a nutshell this is my life.

   

i love this quote~

"what do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other."

-george eliot

Blogging is hard...

So for what ever reason I have been horrible at blogging for the last months.  I use to be so great.  We have had some great times and some not so great times.  All worth blogging though.  I will try to go through our last couple of months.

January -

• Hawaii - I just think that Hawaii is probably what Heaven is like.  I love to be there with my family.  It is perfect weather and it is just beautiful. 
• Steve started his fireman job. So exciting.  So hot!
• We went to a surprise party for our friend Dave.

February -

• Laura's Birthday - We were able to celebrate this year and actually CALL her to tell her how much we love her and how much she really means to us. 
• Valentine's Day - Love is the the best holiday.
• Shawn & Alyssa were in the school play "Once upon a Mattress".  I love to watch them up on stage.  They are just great. 
• I travelled to Denver and San Francisco both for work.  

March - 

• Cameron had the maturation program (isn't that blog worthy enough? My little boy is growing up)
• We were able to go clear in the heck out to the boondocks and visit with our good friends Jeff & Cindy.  Jeff had Cancer and we were taking pictures on a CD out to them.  We ended up visiting for about 2 1/2 hours.  We reminisced about vacations that we had had - The Disney Cruise and numerous camping trips.   Jeff also was able to tell us how to treat each other and how to treat our kids.  He told us of faith and family.  It was a really special time that we will cherish with them.   
• Steve had a display at the Home and Garden Show.
• We had a Young Womens fundraiser dinner and auction.  
• Our friend Jeff Anderson passed away.  We travel camping with them and we also went on the Disney Cruise with them.  This one one of the saddest days.  He was such a great, amazing man.  He loved his family and he loved his friends.  He made every single person that knew him feel like they are very best friends with him.  He has an amazing wife and friend of mine Cindy.  I love them both.  Heavenly Father knew what a great man he was and needed him.  Love you guys.
• We also had the opportunity in our ward to clean out a hoarders house.  It was one of the GROSSEST things that I have ever done.  But hey I can do anything for 9-10 hours right?  Think human, cat and what ever else poop and pee everywhere... yes I said gross right? 
• We also got a new Bishopric.  Bryce Benson Bishop, Corey Johnson 1st, & Dean Morrell 2nd.  AWESOME!!!!
• We went to a viewing & funeral.  Steve sang and played the guitar.  He did a great job.  Cindy, Jeff's wife spoke - unbelievable... I don't think that I could do that. 
• I went to a surprise party for Natalie.  I love friends.  I love surprises.
• I went to Denver again.  
• I found out that I have pleurisy.  A lung infection that feels like your lung is being pierced.  It feels like I can't get enough breath.  I watched our friend while he talked to us a few days before he passed away,  he was trying to get his breath.  I can't even imagine.  I feel like I do and mine isn't even a little bit like his.  It really made me get to the Dr. quick when this happened and also just really really feel for Jeff even more than I already did.  
• Jami & I also took Kenadee & Alyssa to the young women conference and then to Market Street Grill.  They are so cute and fun to watch.  I can't believe how grown up they are.
• We celebrated my baby sisters 24th birthday.  Wow!  That would make me OLD!  I really love Jelissa.  She has a great personality.  She bought her first house and I LOVE it.  I LOVE her style.  I want her to come and decorate my house.  She is just darling.   Happy Birthday Baby Sister!

Well that brings us to right now.  I am sure that I have forgotten something.   I am READY for warm weather.  I really do not like this cold gross weather.  I will try and post more often.