Derek's Farewell and Lauren's Baptism

This is going to be a fun weekend. Derek, Julie and Doug's second oldest son, is going on a mission to San Jose, California Spanish Speaking and his farewell is this Sunday at 9:00 in the morning. Yeah, early but I'm sure well worth the extra effort it will take to be there on time. I can't believe little Derek is all grown up and ready to go. He's pretty excited and so is all of the family.

My sister Cyndi came down last Wednesday and brought mom and dad with her. We went up to Julie's last night and got to see everyone. Dad has lost a lot of weight and looked a little tired. I worry about him, he takes such good care of mom but it looks like it's wearing on him somewhat. My mom looks good but when you talk to her it becomes quite evident that her health is really failing. Her memory is getting worse and worse and she can't remember things for more than a minute or two at a time. She didn't have any trouble remembering me last night and always knew who I was but had a real hard time keeping track of who Amy was. She asked her many times who she was and whose little girl Alie was. Then she would ask Amy if she was getting married soon or if she had a boyfriend. Amy explained to her a few times that her husband had passed away two years ago and then mom would tell her how sorry she was and ask if there was anything she could do for her. I felt so bad for her. It was heart wrenching to watch.

Then as we would talk she would fade in and out and then ask more questions about things we had just told her. It was hard to see her that way. Dad is so patient with her and would just kindly explain it to her again. She asked us once if her mother knew where she was because she would be upset if she didn't know. I told her that her mother did know and that seemed to satisfy her. She is so sweet, I don't ever want to loose her but know that that is not an option. I am so thankful for my knowledge of life after death and the fact that we, as a family belong together for eternity and that through our faithfulness we will be.

Adam and Brittany came up from Utah for the weekend. I really encouraged them to come so they could see grandma and grandpa. They have never met Andie and I wanted them to at least get to see her. I am so grateful for the effort and sacrifice they made to come. I know it meant a lot to grandma and grandpa and also to me. I love the picture they took with them at Lauren's baptism. Thanks you guys, I love you all so much!

Any way, we got to visit with Cyndi and Kandace as well before they left and came to Blackfoot to have Cyndi do their nails. I'm looking forward to spending some time with Cyndi and Kevin in Calgary next month. I think we'll take the four wheelers with us and just spend some time having fun. It's been a while since we spent some time with them, I'm sure it will be fun. I am so looking forward to a vacation. Cyndi and I talked a little about it yesterday and I'm very excited.

Kendall and Jen came up last night also and we had a really nice visit together. They are building a new home and doing really well. I'm excited for them, they are so happy and so good together. Jen makes him so very happy, I am grateful to her for that. He deserves to be happy. Jordann and her boyfriend came up as well. She is such a sweetie. I hope she is happy, she's had a rough life and deserves to be happy.

With Lauren turning eight this last birthday she is now old enough to be baptized and so her Uncle Logan is going to baptize her on Sunday evening after Derek's farewell. Adam and Brittany are coming from Salt Lake on Saturday and Adam will confirm her Sunday night.

They bought a new Pathfinder so they have to come up to talk to the bank anyway so they'll be able to go to Derek's farewell and also Lauren's baptism. I'm excited about that. I'm also really excited that my folks will get to see little Andie Mae. This might be the last chance my mom will get to see their little family so I'm really glad they'll be here.

I guess I'd better go, still got things to get done this morning. I'll blog more after the weekend. It should be a good one!

Lauren's Birthday

Well, Lauren turned eight today and was so excited for her birthday to finally arrive. We all went over there at 6:30 and had cake and ice cream while she opened presents. She is such a sweet girl and I can't believe that she's already so old. I sure love her and wish her a very happy ninth year. She deserves it, she's the best!

Dance Recital Time!

I love this time of the year . . . dance recital time! This year Lauren, Camryn, and Kennedy all took dance and danced at the recital. They all did an amazing job as you'll see if I can get these video clips to post. It was so fun to watch them. I didn't know it was the night for it until Amy reminded me that it was time to go so for the first time, grandma didn't buy flowers. Luckily their moms were on top of it and were able to buy some roses in the lobby.

Kennedy went first. This was her first year dancing and really did an amazing job. She has an adorable hot pink nightgown with a frilly mask to cover her eyes as her dance was about "waking up" being "hard to do!" For her first year, she was more than terrific! It was great and of course she was the best one out there.



Camryn was next and her dance was about flowers and sunshine so her costume was a cute little outfit with flower petals for a headband. She was good last year but she was awesome this year. She has really learned to dance and you can tell just by looking at her how much she loves it. She too was the very best one out there. These little girls didn't miss a beat and can really dance. They were awesome!



Lauren, all grown up now, was next. Her dress was so dang cute and of course that was because of the gorgeous girl wearing it. She did an amazing job too and boy, you can tell she's been doing this for a while. She truly was the best one our there and danced her little heart out. She was amazing and I loved every minute of all of their dances. It was great!



Lauren's video wondered a little bit in the middle. Camryn was sitting right in front of me and had just got her flowers which she was really excited about. Well if you couldn't tell, she was waving them all around and I had to ask her to stop waving them in front of the camera. I'm sure she didn't even know she was doing it but you can tell something was going on. Sorry about that Lauren, you were great! The camera man needs a little work though don't you think?

I wish Alie could have seen them because she loves to dance too. Unfortunately she was with Shellie that night and the recital was sold out the next night. We'll just have to make sure she's around next year, she would have loved watching them dance as much as I did.

Griffen's Birthday . . .

Can you believe it? Griffen turned two last Sunday, on Mother's Day. It was a fun day . . . Adam, Brittany and Andie were here for the weekend and we had a great time. Mother's Day was really nice and we had all the kids here for dinner. Then Brooke and Kade had to leave and go to Pocatello to Sophie's birthday party and Cyndi and Jamon left to go eat with his family too. Then we all met in at Cyndi and Jamon's for birthday cake and ice cream.

They had bought the kids a new puppy and gave it to them for Griffen's birthday. He's a cute little bugger they named Buddy. We kept him the night before for them and he woke up a couple of times crying because he was lonely or cold. Titus was here and they slept with Maggie in the kitchen. We locked them in there because we didn't want the new puppy peeing on the carpet. Cyndi said he's doing better now, he sleeps in the garage in his dog house and doesn't even cry at night anymore. The kids just love him, especially Lauren. She was so ready for a puppy and I'm grateful to Jamon for allowing them to have one. It teaches them responsibility and to take care of someone else. They really love him and he's a cute little pup.

We gave Griffen a little ride on toy that is battery operated and he had a really good time on it. The girls are too big for it so he's got it all to himself. He seems to have a good time with it. I hope so anyway.

Lauren's birthday is the end of the month on the 24th so I'll write more about it after it happens. I can't believe she's going to be 8 and be baptised. She is such a beautiful young lady and she is such a sweetheart. I just love her so much. I love all my grandkids but she was the first and because of that, will always be extra special.