Running with the Whettons

Just a funny from Baby Orrin's blessing day. Enjoy.

2012-02-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

I am sorry Carolina...but this picture makes me laugh...

It was taken on Orrin's blessing day, hahahahaha...still laughing!

Finally...SNOW!

2012-01-21T15:59:00.000-08:00

Today has been alovely day. it is finally snowing. WE have had a very warm, dry winter. It started out this week with some snow, then rain, rain, rain. This morning we went up to Jesse's indoor track meet and it was pouring rain, very flooded in a lot of places. It finally turned into this big, white , fluffy snow. I love it. I wish we had had more of this in December, especially at Christmas time. I love snow at Christmas. It was sad to have a brown christmas, but we made the most of it. By the way, Jesse did awesome at his track meet. He only ran the two mile yesterday, and he was not happy with his time, but we thought it was great! He ran 10:55, not his best time, but a hard course, 16 times around a mini track inside! Yuck. He ran with a lot of other boys and he was boxed in pretty much the first mile, so that made it hard, still...he is the most dedicated person I know and he will just continue to improve.
I have been soo sick the past few days. I think it is the flu. I was completely and totally miserable. I felt just horrible and am sincerely hoping the rest of my family does not get it. We had Jeremiah spend the night on Wednesday night and Thursday morning is when I started feeling just awful. I am praying that their little family does not get it. I am feeling much better today, still not perfect, but much better and I am appreciating the little bit of health I feel. It is when we are sick that we really appreciate our health and I am really grateful to have good health and to have energy! I feel thankful that most of the time I am healthy and my children are healthy as well. What a great blessing good health is! My mom had knee replacement a few weeks ago and she is feeling so much better as well. I haven't been able to go and help her this week, but I am thankful my sister in law has been over to help her. Thank you Mia. I shall go down next week. I love my mom and want her to recuperate quickly! Good health is a great blessing we should never take for granted.

I Love Sundays

2012-01-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

I truly do love Sunday. We have the 11am church schedule now, not my favorite, but I do like that we can have our meetings before church (ward council). Apparently alot of others like the 11am church as our sacrament meeting was full, in fact, Megan even said...why are there so many people here today? ha! No special reason, just 11am church apparently! I hope it stays that way. Today was Fast and Testimony Meeting. Jesse got up and bore his testimony. There is nothing better than hearing your child's testimony and Jesse has a strong one. He spoke of righteous music and how it can lift you like nothing else and how much loves it and is grateful for it. He surely is. His favorite music to play is religious music, I love it. He especially loves Marshall McDonald arrangements and we love to listen to it. He and Megan played O' Holy Night as a duet on Christmas Sunday and that was wonderful. Jesse also spoke of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and if we will read it each day, great things will happen, so true! He also spoke of how trials are in our lives to make us strong. Wow, it was powerful. WE had a few people come up after to tell Jesse that they appreciate the way he blesses the sacrament, the emphasis he puts on the words. Adam used to do that too and many commented, makes me proud.

I feel grateful for this gospel. I feel blessed. I know that the Lord has greatly blessed me to have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. We had beautiful lessons in every class. I know that I can do better. I know that I can serve more faithfully and I want to. I love in our lesson today about George Albert Smith, he said that he wants us to be true saints, not just make believe, ha! I thought that was great.

I feel very grateful to have a son serving a mission. I love Sundays because I also have Monday and an email from ADam to look forward to. WE are so blessed! I hope that I can live up to the blessings the Lord has given me. I thank my Heavenly Father for all he has done for me. I love the peacefulness of the day, the joy I feel being able to partake of the sacrament and the opportunity to share time with my family! Life is good.

Baby Orrin is Here!

2011-12-15T19:24:00.000-08:00

Baby Orrin James Whetton arrived Sunday morning December 11 at 6am. He weighed 6lbs 14 oz and was 19 inches long. Carolina, Lyndsay and Megan and I had spent Saturday together shopping and I took the girls to lunch. Around 1:30 Sunday morning Chris called to say Carolina was in active labor (she had had some good contractions when she was with us). They brought the kids over a little after 2am and I tried to get them to go to sleep, they were so excited!
Sunday morning we got the call that the baby was here! It was exciting and wonderful and so thrilling. I had to speak in church so it was a bit hectic Sunday morning with Randy having to go and get the kids clothes from the house, but we all made it to church. I spoke on the birth and life of the savior. I was soooo emotional it was hard to get any words out. I am sure it was because of the baby, Christmas, Elder Whetton being gone, and mostly speaking of the Savior that caused so much emotion. I had quite a few people tell me they were touched by my talk. One man in the ward came up and said it was the best talk he had ever heard...ha, I doubt that! I took too long and was so emotional I thought I had embarrassed my kids, but they were not embarrased at all. Lyndsay and Scott even came.
After church we hurried and went up to the hopsital to see this new little one. What a sweetie!!! He is so adorable and so teeny tiny! He is just so precious and there is nothing like a new one fresh from their Heavenly Home. Carolina looked great and did a wonderful job. WE feel so blessed to have this sweet little one in our family. I went up again with Jesse and Lyndsay and Scott that evening. What a blessing. I have seen him every day, but today and I am missing him!!! Monday night they came over for dinner (the boys left monday to go to Carolina's folks home), Megan held him for about an hour, then Randy and then me for over an hour. It was so wonderful and he is such a blessing and so precious and fresh from God. I feel grateful , so very grateful to be a grandma and to have such wonderful children who are living the gospel and working hard to be the best they can be. I love these little fellows so much, they are as precious as can be. Each one of my grandchildren are so special and beautiful and I adore them! I get to babysit tomorrow and I can't wait. I vow to help each one of them have a good life and know that the gospel is true and I will do all I can to help them to return to their Heavenly HOme with honor!

MVP

2011-12-04T13:05:00.001-08:00

I am sooo far behind on my posts. In November we went to Jesse's cross country banquet. It was awesome. They had it at Boccia's restaurant, we had the entire upstairs and were able to eat delicious food. We watched a fun video of the year, then the team Captains gave out their funny awards. Jesse was almost the last one and they talked about his hair, he got Best Hair award. haha, they all love his hair for some reason. When he was walking up the entire place was saying "Flip it" "Flip it" So he finally turned around and gave a teeny tiny flip of his hair ha! The kids all went wild! It was hilarious. I told the kid next to me that I had been trying to get him to cut it and he was like....noooooooooooooooooo. ha, the kids were like this last year also. They like to rub his head for luck, ha! I hope he always has that much hair.
AT the end of the night the coaches give their awards. Jesse's was the last one. He got MVP! We were super proud of him and all of the great effort he has put into cross country this year. He has worked hard and is still working hard. WE make a bit of fun of him because he is so "committed" always telling us this, but really, we are all just so proud of him and his true committment to be the best he can at everything he does. He really is just so awesome! He sets a great example for the rest of us. He spoke in church recently about a section of the 13th article of faith, endure all things...he used running as an example, how we must prepare for a race so that we can complete it, true in life, prepare by praying , reading our scriptures, coming to church etc. It was a great talk and many told me after how much they appreciated it. One sister Judy Caulford in our ward told me how much she appreciates how he blesses the sacrament each week. He speaks clearly and puts emphasis where it needs to be. I appreciated that. He really tries to do his best in everything he does. He is truly "committed!" WE love our dear boy.

Do you ever?

2011-10-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

Do you ever just feel like you are not good enough? I know when I do that I am just feeling sorry for myself, but sometimes...you just feel that way. I know I could do better. I could know I could be a better mother, a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter, a better wife, a better Relief Society president, but sometimes...I just fail. I guess we all do from time to time. I wish I didn't so much. I wish I was stronger, and kinder and more full of charity. I wish I didn't always have to be "right". I wish I didn't "bug" my kids so much. I guess I shouldn't "wish" for these things, I should find ways to constructively be better. What's the saying..."if wishes were fishes..." can't remember the rest, ha! Alas...all I can do, is wake up tomorrow, and try to put my best foot forward, try once again to do better. Try once again to do what the Savior wants me to do. Do you ever read others blogs and think...why can't I be more like that? Well, sometimes I think...don't read others blogs, hahaha, it might just make you sad. Maybe I should just try to make those strengths I see in others my own...try harder. I guess maybe we all feel this way from time to time. I think I will just keep on trying...just keep on repenting and learning, and maybe someday I shall be like those I admire so much, I know that with God we can do anything, even the impossible...so I shall ask him to help me, to guide me and to forgive me... here's to a better tomorrow!

Love my Siblings! No Empty Chairs please!

2011-10-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Can I just say for a moment that I love my extended family so very much! My sisters are some of my dearest, best friends, I can't hardly stand a day without talking to them. Kim is coming back to America tomorrow for the birth of her 3rd grandchild. She has been in England and the separation for me is hard. I can't wait to see her, she helps me so much. Alysa is a dearie and has invited us for thanksgiving, but I don't think we will make the trek as much as we would like to. She has always been a sweetums and had a very special place in all of our hearts. I love my brothers and brothers in law as well, each has something so special and dear about them, as do my beautiful and amazing sister in laws. They are super talented and very loving people. My brothers are all good men who have beautiful families. Today is Alysa's two youngest birthdays, Brooke and Garrett. Alysa's children are soooo adorable and fun. I love them dearly as do we all. Carson and Jesse are the best of friends and Maddie is my BFF! Blake is so sweet and loving, they are all special and totally crack us up, love having them in our home! Kim's girls are all grown up and are beautiful women. Kara, Callie, Jamie and Chrissy are so talented. They each are so talented and amazing. Kim just has one left to graduate from college...Chrissy...and she is almost done in record time! Her girls are also very loving and always treat me so kindly. I love them dearly. Scott and Wendy's children, Cyd and Ty are amazing as well. They are smart and very kind and loving and good to each other and their parents. They are very talented also. I love them dearly as well. Brent and Mia's children are very smart and kind and are all accomplished as well. Stephanie, Tierney, Ethan and Tiegan are so amazing. They are good people. I love each of them dearly. Jess and Mary Alice's children, Emily and Trevin are good and kind and sooooo sweet. They love being with family and we love being with them. They treat everyone so kindly. I love them dearly too. All in all, my nieces and nephews are the best! I feel proud and grateful to know each of them and their parents. My sisters are my examples of what great mothers are to be, and I would add Mia , WEndy and Mary Alice into there as well. They are all spiritual and exemplary women who are examples to others. I see how many people love each of them and the difference they make in others lives and I want to be more like them. I strive each day, but often fall short. I know the Lord has blessed me with beautiful women in my life who set the examples he wants me to follow. I have always wondered why I am the big sister (except for Mia since she is older) because they far surpass me in their wisdom, intelligence, grace and spirituality. They grace my life just by being in it and I am so very blessed.
I will add My sister in law Lori to that list of great women. She is on the Whetton side and is also sooo special and sweet and fun to be around. I love her dearly. She makes me feel good and is always so kind to me and my children. Her children are so fun and loving and smart. Jonny, Jessica and Sarah each have so much that they add and I love them dearly as well. I know I have said that I love them all dearly too many times, but I surely do.
I feel blessed and today...the Lord has been good to me. I will keep trying to live up to what he wants, thanks to each of my family members for helping me to want to do better, to work harder and to live a life that they are proud of and mostly I hope that we will all be together someday in Heaven. No Empty Chairs!!!!

Wisdom from a 16 year old

2011-10-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Last night I was talking to Jesse about his big meet today. Today is the region finals for cross country. Let me explain...Last week Jesse said he has been very disappointed in this season. He started out as number one on his team and kept that consistant until the past 3 weeks. He had a health scare at an invitational in Salt Lake. He started slowing way down and when he passed me at about mile 2.2, he looked "off" he was slow, swerving, breathing irradically (sp) and just looked BAD. I really thought he was just going to run into me and pass out, but he was set on finishing and did. A coach from another team was there grabbed him and walked him to an area to sit, he was clammy, his eyes were rolling back in his head and he basically looked gray. It was scary. This happened to be a race where they had paramedics, so they put monitors on him, did an ekg and just waited for his heart to stop racing. They were worried. There also happened to be a cardiologist from primary childrens hospital there as well. He listened to his heart as well. They said well, maybe he was dehydrated, but I don't think anyone believed that. WE took him home finally and he seemed fine the rest of the day. The next day (sunday) this cardiologist called our home. He said he tracked us down through Fremonts web site. He knew his name was Jesse and he went to Fremont. He said he was worried enough to call. He didn't think Jesse was dehydrated and thought we should go get an xray of his heart and maybe an echocardiagram. WE weren't sure what to do, but it scared me a bit. We all decided to fast on Tuesday and Randy felt inspired to ask if anyone knew a chiropracter who had an echo...well immediately his friend wrote him back and mentioned a Dr. in Pocatello. Randy called and immediately that day took Jesse up there. This man has his son in with him, who is an MD. They checked his heart on the echo...did an xray and blood work, gave him an IV with nutrition in it etc. Everything looked great until they got the blood work and there was evidence that Jesse had a virus (can't remember the name), the kind that affects the heart when it is over extended. It was a relief because his heart is strong. They gave him some natural things and we started doing all we could to get rid of this virus. It could have been in his system for years and is just now being manifest. Apparently alot of athletes have been affected by it. WE let Jesse run in the next race, with the instructions to drop out if he started having this problem again, but by the time he realized it was that and not just normal race jitters, he was almost done and just slowly crossed the finish line with the help of his coach. My belief is that he is just so used to finishing, he couldn't not finish.
WE had him take last week off from the meet. WE decided if he was to run at Region, he needed to take a break. He has been "committed" from day one to his running. This summer he put everything out there, running 500 miles. He didn't take days off except for Sunday. He stopped eating candy long ago, let go of soda etc. He is "committed" and his siblings have all laughed about it. Jesse has been working so hard, he has not stopped running, just racing. WE are so proud of him and his "can do" attitude. The past week he has also sworn of any sweets at all, even fruit snacks and gone to bed early to get the rest he needs.

Yikes, I look old, but hahaha, I am!!! I am!!!

Back to last night. He told me ...."Mom, I have not been praying that I would be healed". I asked him why and told him quickly, you can you know, you can be specific and ask to be healed. He said. "I don't feel that I should"...and that it is really the Lord's will what will happen. I did tell him that you can be specific, "Bless me to be healed... but thy will be done" He said that is pretty much what he has done. He just knows that it is the Lord's will and he will trust in that. I felt so proud at that moment. Jesse just is a great kid. I know that he really believes that the Lord's will, will be done, that he will accept that and even though he might be disappointed if he doesn't do well, that he will KNOW that this is what the Lord wants for him right now. He taught me a great lesson, that we really must allow the Lord's will to be done, even if it is not exactly what we want. I told him this morning to remember Helaman's stripling warriors. What did their mother's teach them? They taught them " that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them"Alma 56:47, 48 I love that story. I hope that I have taught my children that if they do not doubt, God will deliver them, all will be well. His will be done. Jesse faithfully reads his scriptures every single night. On Homecoming after his day date, I went to see what he was doing, well, he was in his room reading his scriptures. He knew he would not be home before Midnight and wanted to be sure he read them that day. He taught me committment. I love this boy. He and my other children have greater faith than I. I feel blessed to be their mother. There are days when life is really hard, then there are these small moments when we know that it is all worth it. That we have much to be grateful for. I am grateful this day....for I am truly blessed. No matter what happens at this meet today, I have a son who loves the Lord and trusts in him completely and that is better than any medal or accolade the world gives out.

Fall Conference! I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ!

2011-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

These pictures are actually from April conference, but they work!

My most favorite weekends of the year are the first weekend in October and the first weekend in April. For two days we are blessed to hear the word of God through prophets and apostles. Yes, we have living prophets on the earth today who teach us what God would have us know right now. I read that someone was disappointed, that conference was on a 3rd grade level. I thought about that and came to my own conclusion. Yes, the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. It is so simple that a third grade child can understand what their Heavenly Father wants for them. I am grateful for that...and still, we need to be reminded often of the most basic things, service, loving others, family history work, reading the Book of Mormon and all scriptures, repenting, forgiving...so many things that most of us have room to improve upon. WE have many family traditions that we have kept up through the years. WE started when we were first married, and when our little children came along, we dressed them up, put together special "conference kits" and went to the church both SAturday and Sunday for two 2hour sessions each day. WE go to breakfast on SAturday. SAturday night the girls go out and play, and the boys go to priesthood and to dinner. It is a wonderful, peaceful, satisfying, and spiritually uplifting weekend. I often feel that we are led to know what we need to improve upon, but we don't feel bad, we feel HOPE! What a blessing. i often feel, yes, I know I need to be better, but I CAN DO IT!!! I loved hearing about the new temples! It was especially fun to hear about the new Provo Temple and the audible gasp that was heard from the conference center. Awesome. I feel grateful for the gospel, to be a member of The CHurch of Jesus Christ of Latter DAy SAints. I know I can do better. I know I can love more. I know I can serve more fully. I know I can study my scriptures more faithfully and I know I can live my life more like my Heavenly Father would want me to. I am truly blessed.

Mom's 78th Birthday!

2011-09-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Bride!

Loving Grandma!

My mom is an amazing woman. She was raised on a farm in Cache county, Newton, Utah. She was a smart little girl, and my grandparents would stand her on the table to recite nursery rhymes when she was just little. She went to Brigham Young University and graduated in Elementary Ed. She had 6 children, all of whom adore her and have been married in the temple. My mom has always supported my dad in everything he has done, and has always kept our home neat and clean and had delicious food for us. She is a wonderful wife to my dad. Mom has had many church callings, and has served in the DC temple for close to 25 years. She is a great example of loving service and kindness to others. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful mother. Mom has always been there for me when I need her. She is loving and supportive. I appreciate her always taking care of me when I had my babies, and for comforting me when I lost Elizabeth. I always loved having mom in my home, she would cook my favorite things, and do my shopping and iron all of Randy's shirts! He loved that!!! She is a beautiful woman, inside and out. She loves the Lord and it shines forth in all she does. I love you mom and feel so blessed to have been born of "goodly parents."

Last Day of Summer with the Grandkids!

2011-09-22T12:52:00.001-07:00

Today is the last day of summer. I love fall, it is my favorite time of year! Yesterday was Jess's cross country meet at Fremont. Carolina is potty training Myles and can't leave the house, so I went and quickly picked up Jer and Zeb, asked if they could spend the night, got their blankies and bobbies, brushed their teeth, threw them in the car (we were running late) and went over to the meet. Jesse did sooooo awesome! He was 12th overall and 1st on his team with a personal record time! He was satisfied and we were proud. The boys cheered loud for him, so that was fun.
WE came home, ate chili, then went to Walmart to buy some new jammies! I will just keep those here. I went and bought underwear last week as Jer told me I need to have some at my house! haha! WE came home, played, they watched some sponge bob with Meg and the Justin Bieber movie, haha, then bedtime.

Today we got up, I made pancakes and put my newly canned peach syrup on them, yum, then I went running while Megan watched and played with these cute little buggers! Aunt Megan is so good with them. She adores them and they adore her. Last night she was dancing with them and they were so happy. When I got home from my run she was making yummy pumpkin cookies and then made wonderful pumpkin bread! She is a marvelous cook, so happy to have her here!!!

These pictures are from the summer! They are so adorable!!! Love these little fellas!

Right now the boys and I are outside. I chalked them a road on the basketball court and they are pushing the shopping cart, riding in the little car, and playing the badmitton rackets. They are hilarious! It is a beautiful day and I love these little fellows. They are adorable and so sweet and say the funniest things. Oh, they are also wearing these cute little sunglasses I got them, you can move the front lens to have just no lenses also, hahaha. So much fun! Grandkids are the best!

9/11...I love America!

2011-09-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today was Patriot's day. We commemorate the tragedy of 9/11 and all of those who lost their lives. There were so many heros that gave all for each of us. I feel so blessed to live in this great land. It is truly a chosen land. I remember 9/11 so well. I was in the kitchen getting things ready for the kids for school and my friend Stacey Boyle called to tell me to turn on my TV. i think I had it on, but wasn't sure what was happening. At first it just looked like a fluke when the first plane hit the first tower, but then suddenly you saw another plane and you know that this was no fluke or accident. It was horrible and I couldn't take my eyes off of the tv. We have never had an attack like this on this continent and I think we were all in shock. My kids went to school, but I was worried about sending them. I was worried about my dad back in the capital. It was all so shocking. Today we watched the tabernacle choir broadcast with Tom Brokaw. The music was beautiful and the pictures so captivating. They made me appreciate all of the firefighters and policemen who willingly ran into those buildings , while others were running out. The pride and gratitude I feel for this beautiful country are great. I feel blessed to have been born here. I feel blessed to have parents who serve and who have brought us up with a love of country. I feel blesse dto have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am thankful for the beautiful music we have that makes us feel that swelling in our hearts with love for God and our country. Today I just feel grateful. God Bless America.

Jesse is #1

2011-08-24T20:17:00.000-07:00

I just have to write this really quickly and add a picture later. Today was the first cross country meet of the season. It was just an inner squad meet, meaning just his team competing against each other, and to see where they will compete at the first competitive race next week (pre region). Jesse started out in 2nd for a bit of the way, then he took over the lead after the first mile and ended up over 30 seconds ahead of the 2nd place guy. I was super proud of him and he felt good about it all. He was awesome. Jesse has worked sooo hard this summer. He has been committed and put everything into it logging almost 500 miles. He wants to get to 500 by next week, but at the beginning of the month his knee started bothering him, so he has had to slow down on his miles. I hope he can make it. When we were in ST. Thomas he had to run 9 miles everyday. Usually he and Randy did 4-5 in the morning, then he logged the rest on the hotel treadmill at night. When we said, hmmm, maybe you could miss a day... he said... "NO I CAN'T...I'M COMMITTED!" Awesome, awesome, even if it did drive us a little nuts. I have been praying his hard work would pay off, today was great...we'll pray for the rest of the season that he can do his very best! He looked great out there and we are super proud. He is a JR now and we couldn't be prouder of the great young man he is becoming. He is honest, faithful, committed (haha), kind, studious and just an all around great guy. WE love him so very much!

Christopher is 28!

2011-07-05T16:10:00.000-07:00

I must be old. Chris turned 28 on June 23rd! I can hardly believe that I have a 28 year old! Amazing!! WE celebrated our 29th annivesary the very next day. Randy and I were married and after only 3 months, Randy approached me and said he thought that we needed to pray about having a baby! I didn't want to because I was scared and already knew what the answer would be! ha ha! It is a scary thing to step into the unknown. While I was in college I sort of made a deal with the Lord that if I could just get done with college before marrying, I wouldn't wait to have children! Well...I had to live up to that. We got pregnant pretty easily and I started my new job, my first year teaching in Joshua Tree , California and found out I was pregnant shortly after starting. It was an exciting time for us. WE were living with Randy's mom and she was rarely there. WE eventually got our own little duplex, and lived there until right before Chris was born. The pregnancy was a pretty good one. i felt pretty sick at first, but by about 16 weeks I was feeling pretty good. Chris was born not long after school let out. I had along labor and it was all so hard, with no pain killer except something that worked for about 1/2 hour so they could talk to me about options (C-section etc), but we finally got him here safe and sound. He was so tiny, but looked just like I thought he would! He was only 6lbs 15 oz and just adorable. I think that day was one of the happiest of my entire life. We hurridly moved to Utah less than a week later so Randy could start school at BYU for summer. I was having a hard time with nursing, so we gave him a few bottles on the drive up. When we got to Utah we were in a kind of yucky apt, so my best friend from college days (cindy Hardy Drees) let me stay with her during the day while Randy was at school. The Relief Society pres. came by to tell us to move out, these aren't good apts, so we were thinking about it. One night right when I got home from Cindy's I started hemoraging. Randy rushed me to the hospital and as soon as a stepped out of the car I was covered in blood. They rushed me in and 3 surgerys later, it stopped. Randy wasn't there for the last one, but they sent BYU security looking fo rhim. I am just grateful that I had a wonderful dr. who knew what to do without doing a hysterectomy.

Chris was such an easy baby! WE movedinto Orem in a nice fourplex and Chris was an angel. He just really didnt' cry, even when he had a high fever and earaches, which he had alot of that first year. I went back to work in SAndy at Oquirrh Elementary in August and it was so hard to leave him in the care of my neighbors. Chris was easy as a child. He was very pleasant and always happy. He was always humming or making noises or singing. Once when we were on a trip we asked him if he could be quiet for at least 1 minute, and nope, he could not do it! ha ha! I think he was just happy. He loved the piano, singing, sports, anything and everything. He went to elementary school at Yucca Valley Elementary, Jr. High at La Contenta Jr. High, then High school started at Yucca Valley high in the 9th grade. He played most every sport growing up and loved whatever one he was in at the time. In high school he played soccer, golf, football and when we moved to Harrisville, he finished up at Fremont High school his jr. and sr. years and he played golf and decided he loved plays and choir! He was Judd Frye in Oklahoma, Mr. Dussel I think in Anne Frank and a host of other characgters. He was good. In Yucca as a boy he was often asked to sing in church. He had a high voice and could do a lovely soprano! He even sang once at a stake priesthood meeting "A Young Boy Prayed" about Joseph Smith.
Chris was a wonderful older brother. He loves his sibling fiercly and loved being with them. He was entertaining and fun. When Chris came home from his mission to the PHilippines we went on a family trip to California and ADam said..."Trips are so much funner when Chris is with us!" He is funny and has the best laugh! Lyndsay and her friend Kayleigh said that once they were all watching a movie and Chris had them all rolling just because of his laugh! It is contagious! Chris is very affectionate. One of my favorite things about him is that he is not afraid to show affeciton. Even when he was a 16, 17 year old teen he would put his arm around me if we were walking the mall and was never afraid to hug you in front of anyone. He was just so loving and still is.
When Chris met CArolina we were not sure what to think. He seemed to fall in love so easily and always be in love with love, but we quickly were reassured that she was the right one for him and as we got to know her, we fell in love with her too. SHe is a great wife and mother to their beautiful children and he couldn't have picked any better.
Chris has been ajoy to raise. He has always had a firm testimony of the gospel. He was never afraid to bear his testimony and sometimes..he made us blush. Once when he was around 8 or 9 or so he bore his testimony in a meeting In Yucca Valley. AT the end he said..."and I really hope that we can get some more money" ha hahah. Our faces went red I believe! He was saying that because we often told him we couldn't afford to buy school lunch everyday and hewanted too! ha ha! He has always made us proud and we have always felt so grateful to have him in our home and in our family. I know that the Lord gave him to us and it is a blessing. he was the perfect big brother and oldest child. His heart is so full of love for others. We feelvery blessed. chris has always treated his mother well and even when I drive him crazy, he loves me and is kind. I always knew he would be a great husband because of the way he treated me. I am grateful for him and each of my beautiful children and the joy they bring me each and every day!! Happy Birthday Chris!

Carolina is 25!!

2011-06-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Carolina's birthday! She turned 25 years old. She and Chris have been married for almost 6 years. It will be 6 on their anniversary in August. She was a youn gbride, just the year after her graduation from high school. Chris met her up at a Weber State university singles ward talent show. Chris had gotten home from his mission in August. WE went on a family trip to Disneyland in October over Halloween weekend. We had to rush home from St. George on Monday so that Chris and his band could play at this talent show. The next weekend Chris took Carolina too a CES fireside. She said it was the first one she had ever been too.! Well....the rest is history. By Christmas time they were already talking about being married. At the end of March Chris proposed to her up in Idaho and then he left in May to go to Atlanta to install security systems. WE got to know Carolina better that summer and we fell in love with her as well. They were married right after Christopher came home in the Logan temple. Carolina graduated from beauty school in February and they shortly after moved to St. Louis.
Carolina is a wonderful daughter in law. She has brought so many wonderful things into our lives. First of all she is a really hard worker! She is always willing to help with anything and everything. Carolina is a great cook. She knows how to cook well and her family reaps the benefits. We have tasted many of her goo dthings and we love it! Carolina is always a good housekeeper. Her home is always clean and lovely. She decorates things well and keeps everything so nice. She is very giving. She has cleaned out many things fo rme, and has helped me to get rid of things and make sure things are lookin gbetter. I still need her help so I am sad they moved out, ha ha, but seriously.... she is so good in organizing and I don't think my laundry room and closets and such have ever been more sparkling as when she cleaned them.
Carolina and Chris had to live with us for a few months while they were getting ready to buy a home. Carolina was so easy to live with. She is very even tempered and easy to get along with. She doens't complain and just gets along with everyone. Carolina has given us 3 beautiful grandchildren and a third one is on the way! We feel so blessed! The boys are the cutest and the best things ever! They are 3 very smart little boys and are so easy to have around. They are loving and kind and so obedient. Carolina and Chris have taught them well. They are the light in our lives and we feel blessed to have them! Wonderful, wonderful children!
WE feel so blessed to have Carolina in our family and are forever grateful that Chris did the smartest thing he has ever done in marrying her! We love you Carolina!

Jesse is 16!!!!

2011-06-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

This is truly Birthday season for our family!!! Jesse's birthday is June 8th and he turned 16 this year! It is so hard to believe that my little boy is already 16! I still see him as my little boy. I often wish that I could have just kept Jesse little for many many years. In fact, when he was in elementary school he came home one day and said in a baby voice..."we can talk like this at home mom right? Just not at school?" ha ha and of course I said "yes dear!!!" ha ha, much to the chagrin of my other children...they kept tell me...Mom you need to let him grow up!!! I just couldn't bear it.
Jesse is such an exceptional child. My little sister Alysa was getting married May of that year, and on the day of her wedding in DC I could not go as I was in the hospital and they were turning Jesse as he was a breech baby. All went well (sad I missed the wedding!) , and I had high hopes that Jesse would come early. Unfortunately he still was about 10 days late and nothing, and I mean nothing, was happening. Sooo... I went in early in the morning on the 8th to be induced. He was my fastest and fattest baby!!! I think my labor was only about 4.5 hours, maybe shorter! My friend Stacey Boyle called me to see if she should come down and I acted pretty casual , but then she said..it sounds like you are about ready, which I was apparently. Luckily she came, as Jesse was so big his shoulders got stuck on the way out. Randy and Stacey had to lean on my with their forearms and push! Dr. Schmidt who is one of the calmest Dr's I know, was yelling in the hall for help, but no one came. Thankfully we got him out an dsafe! He was 9lbs 13 oz!!! A very large baby!! I am trying to remember how long he was, probably around 21 inches.
He was an awesome baby, so very easy. Actually all of my babies were. He also was such an easy, easy child. I had some problems after I had him, which were pretty scary and the nurse and dr that evening told me that that was the way most pioneer women died in childbirth! Good thing I had a great doctor and I was able to stay awake to ask for help.
Jesse has been such a joy in our family. He is very even tempered. He doesn't ever get too frustrated or angry or upset. . He loves everyone and everyone completely loves him. I have never heard any of his siblings say anything unkind about him, nor has he ever said anything unkind about him. He is so adored by all of us!!!
I get teased alot by my nieces and family because they have always heard me saying...Jesse....take Casey out.Jesse, get Casey...etcetc. When he was little I was ask him..."Who do you love" He would say "mommy" and then I would say..."HOw much" and he would say "It will never end" What's not to love about that!!! He has written many stories and personalized ones for most of us. He used to want to be an author.
Jesse has such a strong testimony of the gospel. We all look up to him. I remember when he bore his testimony once in church a while back and he said that he knew the Book of Mormon was true because he had read it and prayed about it!! A sister in the ward came up and told me that really meant alot to her (Judy Caulford). He is always faithfully reading his scriptures every night. He read the D&C twice this year for seminary and has read the Book of Mormon a few times as well. He will not go to sleep no matter how tired he is unless he reads for at leasat 15 minutes! He even takes notes (he learned that from ADam).
Jesse's musical skills are amazing. He started piano just a few years ago and he is so dedicated and naturally gifted. He has played in church and now has a calling as the priesthood pianist. He really is so awesome and his teacher calls him a prodigy.
Jesse does awesome in school. He works hard and his grades reflect this. This week he got his drivers license and even though it is hard for me to let him be independent, I know it is time.
Jesse has been my shadow for so many years, always willing to go with me anywhere. I feel so blessed as a mother to have this wonderful boy as my son. I expect great things from him in the years to come. He has many talents and gifts and if he will use them to the fullest abilities, he will do great things. When he was in 9th grade, he was in a play and some of the cute , most popular girls in the play came up to me and asked me if I was Jesse's mom. I said yes, they said that he is the nicest boy and treats everyone the same, kindly. That made me feel so good.
Jesse is an awesome runner. When he was much younger we started walking everyday one summer. We worked into running and finally got to running three miles. Well, he has left me in the dust. He has run 2 marathons, a few halfs and now is on the cross country team and track team at the high school. He lettered in both sports this year and he is so dedicated that he will continue to do well.
We are so proud of our Jesse and hope he knows how very much we all love and adore him!!!

Sundays!

2011-06-05T11:42:00.001-07:00

I love Sundays! When my kids were little they all said it was their favorite day of the week! I think it was because we had the priviledge of attending church, then we spent time together as a family the rest of the day (aside from other church meetings!). They weren't allowed to play with friends or have friends over etc. etc, so it was strictly time for family! Today it is sunny and warm. That is lovely since we really have not seen many warm days this year so far. My most favorite weather on a Sunday however, is stormy! I love a good Sunday storm! I think most of our children do as well., I know for sure Jesse does. He and I are practically giddy when it is raining or snowing on a Sunday! ha ha! Right now I am sitting on my front porch in the shade, with my sister Kim's family dog, Lucy. We are watching her a few weeks as they are preparing to move to London and Callie and Andrew are not in their home yet to take her. She is a wonderful dog, sooooo obediant and sweet. She is a joy to have around!
We usually play games on Sunday evenings. Sometimes over at GRandma Whetton's home, sometimes here. In the summer we will walk to her home, we might attempt it today even!
I am grateful that we have Sundays to relax and unwind from the world. Church was wonderful today and I love the spirit I feel after each part of church! What a blessing to be a member of this church! I love it! I love the Gospel! I love the Savior! I love Sundays!!!

Adam is 21!!!!

2011-06-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is birthday season at our home. Adam's is the 3rd birthday we have in the month of May. His birthday was May 25th!!! It is hard to believe that ADam is 21 years old! Time has gone by so quickly. Adam is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Guadalajara Mexico, the east mission. He had to go out a few years late as he had a tooth which was growing in to the bone. When he had his wisdom teeth removed a few years ago, they put an anchor in to pull the tooth down. Well....it took almost 3 years for it to finally come down enough. Last July his orthodontist told us that he could finally fill out his papers, that he thought he could have the braces off in 3 months. Adam has been attending Brigham Young University and has been so patient and faithful in waiting. I know that the Lord just knew what was the right time for Adam. He got his call in September and left for the mission on January 26th. He is doing so well and we are so proud of him. Each email we get on Monday's (our new favorite day of the week) he grows more and more and is becoming more of a missionary.
Adam was such a fun little boy. He was about 10 days late and was a very difficult birth. He was a big baby 9lbs 3 oz, my biggest (until Jesse) and it was so uncomfortable almost the entire pregnancy. I had broken blood vessels in my eyes from pushing to get him out, but finally he was here!!! He was such a great baby! He was my first baby to breastfeed well. It was awesome! At about 6 weeks old he would just nurse for 10 minutes, 4 times a day and then be ready for bed by 6:30 and not get up until 6:30 the next day.It was soooo super fantastic.
He was so adorable. At about a year old or a little bit older, his hair turned curly! He was just so cute. He was a solid little guy. One of my favorite stories was when I sent out a christmas card picture of him on a rocking horse and Lyndsay and Christopher standing behind him, my mom said "Are you sure he's not a dwarf? " WE laugh about that one. He just had a barrel chest, and huge head with big curly hair! ha ha! He was so fun! WE used to run our fingers through his hair to make it really big and called him the Maestro!!! He used to suck not just his thumb but his two fingers in with it! Hilarious!
He was all boy! He loved everything boy and every sport. He wanted to try everything. Adam used to run pretty funny, we used to call him little wooden leg because his legs were so stiff. It is amazing to us now that he has run 2 marathons!!! Wow, so proud of him.
Adam has always been the most grateful child. He always, always, always makes sure to say thankyou. He would always get everyone else started. He even used to say thank you when he didn't like what we were having for dinner. He was pretty picky as a kid, really only liked chicken things and pizza, or simple things. ADam always , always, always makes sure to tell us he loves us. He has had a short temper,b ut has worked hard to improve that. He would get mad, but it would end very quickly and he would never leave home or go to bed without making it right, apologizing right away and telling us he loved us. I appreciate that so much about him.
Adam has always tried to be obediant. Chris has always called him our little "Nephi" a Book of MOrmon prophet. He tries to do the right things. He always did great in school, I never had to remind him to do his homework, or to get things done. He did great in school. When we lived in California he was a GATE student (gifted and talented).
He loves BYU and is a diehard, stalwart fan! I don't know how anyone could be anymore of a fan then him. He loves it heart and soul. Sometimes I have to remind him that people at the U of U are Heavenly Father's children as well!
Adam played football in high school and loves football so much. He plays basketball now and loves that, just for fun though. WE are so very proud of our Adam. He has high standards and now that he is on his mission, he feels the need to apologize for every past wrong he might have done, or any pain he has caused his parents ha ha. He always says to me, " I love you sooooo much mom" that really warms my heart. Adam loves his family and has always loved being together.Randy and he have similar personalities and Randy truly misses him! Adam is soooo funny, his sense of humor is awesome and he is very musical! WE love our 3rd /middle child!!! Happy Birthday to Adam

Lyndsay is 24!!!

2011-05-25T18:37:00.001-07:00

Monday was our beautiful daughter, Lyndsay's birthday! She has been such a joy to us from the very beginnings of her life. Chris was almost 4 years old and so excited to finally have a sibling. I was still teaching at this time and Randy was still in Chiropractic school. We lived in Whittier, California and Lyndsay was born at Kaiser permanente in Bellflower. I was teaching a 1/2 combo class and they were excited to see what I was having as well. I had no idea, except that I had some impressions that maybe it was a girl. I had had some feelings about a name, we thought about Jessica, but my sister in law, lori had a daughter first and named her Jessica. Lyndsay came to me soon after, and we put her middle name as Elaine for my mother. My mom came to help, I had thought maybe my water broke and we were going in for a stress test anyway. WE got there, they did an ultrasound and immediately they could tell what it was, so I thought, hmmm, must be a boy. We had a pretty long labor and it was hard, but finally around 1:46 in the morning on the 23rd Lyndsay Elaine came into the world.
WE were so excited to have a little girl. My mom came into the hospital room the next day and just thought, wow, she looks just like RAndy!!! The same thing happened the first time we went to church in Yucca Valley a few months later, I lifted her over my shoulder and my soon to be best friend Stacey Boyle said, wow, she looks just like Randy! ha ha! She had dark hair that just stuck up on top and we couldn't stick it down. She was adorable.
Lyndsay has been a joy to us. She was a very easy baby who sucked her thumb constantly, which helped keep her very content. When she was tiny Randy used to say, "look at her, she is blowing herself up!" ha ha. She did look like that. What a doll. She was such a sweet little girl. She wanted to go to work with her dad almost every day. She is a total daddy's girl. She used to run out into the street when Randy didn't take her to work and beg to go with him. Haha, the neighbor's probably thought I was mean to her. She has always loved being with her dad and they have even run 2 marathons together. She was always proud of the fact that she talked to her dad on the phone almost every day in college. She loved writing us little notes and leaving them on our pillow or beside our bed. That was the best!
Lyndsay is really funny. She can always crack us up, she has an awesome personality. She is a great friend and loves her friends and treats them well. She likes to have fun and that makes her fun to be with. She has always been obediant and was so easy to raise. She is dedicated and a hard worker. She looks for the good in others. She is smart and worked really hard in school to accomplish her goals. She is very goal oriented. When she went to college, she was so dedicated. She stayed year round and got onto Fast Grad after her first year so she could take classes on her off track. She worked so hard and even recieved some scholarships from BYU/Idaho. She finished earlier than most of her high school friends and was able to graduate with her best college friends, Alyssa, Denise, and Carla. WE were so very proud of her. She has a strong testimony and has never wavered from the gospel of Jesus Christ. When she was in the 9th grade she asked her new friend Kayleigh Gay to take the missionary discussions at our home and Kayleigh was baptized. We were so proud of her courage and Kayleigh has been married in the temple and is a faithful member.
WE have enjoyed watching her be a wife and can't wait to see her as amother, we know she will be a wonderful one. Her students all adore her and we can see why. The parents all want their children to have her again the next year! She is talented and very athletic. She can run and run and run and actually got all the rest of the family to run, now we are a running family! She has a sweet husband whom we adore as well. She picked well! Lyndsay is the best napper I have ever known! ha ha! She can sleep anywhere! She is so good to her momma and I am so grateful to have 2 wonderful daughters as my best friends!
We are proud of you Lyndsay and so grateful that you and Scott are part of our eternal family, what a great blessing! Thank you for loving us and allowing us the priviledge of raising you!!! We will be forever grateful for our Lyndsay!

Megan's 19th birthday!!!!

2011-05-15T19:31:00.001-07:00

TODAY is Megan's 19th birthday! Wow, I cannot believe 19 years have already passed so quickly! Amazing how fast the time goes! I remember the day Megan was born pretty vividly. I really, really wanted another little girl so badly. megan was due on May 13th and usually I go 8 days overdue, but the day after her due date I started having some contractions. WE finally went to the hospital around 11 or 12 that night. When we got there they said that I wasn't dilated too far and that we needed to walk the floors of the hospital. I was sooo tired!! It was hard! Around 5 am or so they finally gave me an epidural. Megan was my first child that I didnt' have to be induced with (usually my own contractions just don't get things going well enough). I almost fell asleep!! Randy was there and my friend Stacey came to help as well. She couldn't believe I was falling asleep. Soon after the epidural, they said i was ready to push, but Doctor Schmidt was not there so I had to just breath through the contractions! Yikes! Thank goodness he soon was there and Megan was born pretty quickly thereafter! She was my easiest birth, and that was wonderful!!! Right after she was born Stacey Boyle was holding her and she just couldn't believe how bright and wide open her eyes were! She was ready to be here in this world. In fact, the summer I had Adam, I kept feeling that there was another spirit who wanted to come to our home! I felt like, hmmm, can't I wait a little bit Heavenly Father? I did wait until the next year, but Adam and Megan are only 2 years apart, my closest children.
When Megan was little , as soon as she could speak she would say, "Jesus is Coming" > I used to ask her, What do you mean by that? I was hoping it didn't mean he was coming to take her home! I thought it was either that or that the 2nd coming was near. Around 3 she stopped saying that. When she was about 6 weeks old I had thought about moving her clear across the house to sleep that night (we usually move them out of our room at 6 months) Thankfully, I had a feeling not to move her out that night as we had a HUGE earthquake early the next morning, 7.4!! It was frightening. i grabbed Megan and ran and grabbed ADam out of his bed. RAndy grabbed Lyndsay and Chris and we hadn't even planned it!
Megan has always been full of personality! She had tantrums like no one I have ever seen. The first time my friend STacey saw one she said, "it is like she is having an out of body experience, her eyes are all glazed over etc. etc " I had many spiritual experiences with megan, the spirit has spoken to me often about her. She is a passionate, stubborn, beautiful, talented young lady. I know in my heart the Lord has great things in store for her.
When she started playing the piano, we could feel that there was a natural gift there. She has a beautiful way of playing. When she sings (which we can rarely get her to do), her voice is right on pitch, clear and beautiful.
Megan has always been my supporter. She sticks up for me, she helps me and hates to see me feel sad or down. I love that about her! She has deep spirituality that she does not always recognize. The Lord loves her and is guiding her path. I know this. I am grateful for this.
Megan is sensitive and sweet. She loves her siblings. I love nothing more than to hear them all visiting and giggling and having fun with each other. They have so much fun together. My favorite times are spent with these wonderful people. Megan has great potential. I am excited to see what she is going to do in her life. I think great things are coming her way.
Last year when she was thinking about colleges, she really wanted to go to a fashion design school. We didn't necessarily feel it was the right direction. She said she would never go to BYU/Idaho, but she got in! WE prayed and by September, out of the blue, because of a series of events, she decided to go there. I know it was the Lord guiding her. I am so grateful for the Lord's help in this. It has not been easy for her. I admire her so much, she has had alot of obstacles and challenges, but still...she perseveres on and keeps trying to make the most of everything. I am so proud of this girl and I love her so very much! I hope that she knows this, I cherish her, admire her, love her, adore her, etc. etc. Happy Birthday Megan!!!

Christmas Time is Here! Christmas Eve 2010

2011-02-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

WE had an awesome Christmas this year! It was just so fun, especially after coming all of that way in terrible weather from St. Louis. Christmas eve was so much fun. Lyndsay and Scott, Grandma and Grandpa Hatch, Gillian and Melanie Ponce, Grandma Whetton and Megan, Jesse, Adam, Randy and I were all here. After a lovely dinner, we had our annual Christmas Program with everyone performing or doing something. WE sang some songs, played a game Scott and Lyndsay. Grandpa Hatch was hilarious during this game. We had to figure out what Christmas Songs were from the clues that were written. My dad said the funniest answers, like...up on the treetops Jesus came... we all had a big chuckle out of that. He really had us laughing, we then played Grandma Hatch's gift exchange game that is always a blast. She wraps a bunch of gifts, then we each pick and while Grandpa reads the Night Before Christmas, we pass the gifts each time he says "the" it was so fun and the gifts were really great too. WE all laughed and laughed. After reading the Christmas story out of LUke, we sang and said family prayer. It was alovely evening. The kids opened their Christmas Eve pajama/slipper gifts. This year I got smart and got all of the boys Jazz athletic shorts, they were very happy! I got the girls Justin Bieber Tee shirts (as a joke really) and pj pants, they seemed very happy, ha ha. It was really alot of fun. I shall post some pictures, then come back and write about Christmas day!

Trip to St. Louis/Chris's graduation!

2011-01-29T13:44:00.000-08:00

Megan and Jesse and I headed off to St. Louis on Monday December 13th. We drove into Kearney , Nebraska the first day where Randy had gotten us a hotel room. I had asked all of the ladies in Relief Society the day before to pray for us, that the car would run without trouble and that the weather would be good! The weather was perfect! There really wasn't even snow on the sides of the road. I think the weather was even better then when we drove there a few summers ago!! WE drove all day on Monday,then all day on Tuesday with no problems at all! It was so fun to get to Chris and Carolina's home and see those cute little boys. They had moved most of their things and loaded most of the rest into a trailer, so their home was pretty sparse! WE had fun visiting and enjoying everyone. Randy was supposed to fly in Friday night (which he did, but he didn't look at his ticket until that day and it was for Saturday night!!!) He called and had to buy a new ticket, which was a bummer, but he made it. My parents flew in Friday night and took us to dinner at The Cheesecake FActory. It was yummy. Graduation was Saturday and was wonderful! My dad gave a wonderful speech, and we were so proud of Chris! Randy was able to walk with him and help to, hmmm, I can't remember what it iscalled, I just remembered, he was able to "hood" him! Anyway, put the sash on him . It was so wonderful and exciting for everyone!!!
WE thought about leaving that night for Utah, as their heat wasn't working in their home, but then decided to sleep a bit. WE ended upleaving around 3:30am. The drive took much longer since we were pulling a trailer with our van and it was eating up the gas. WE hit wyoming and made it to RAwlins where we had to change Chris's tire...it was raining, which quickly turned to snow and we ended up in a blizzard!! It was sooo scary, we could hardly see and cars were pulling off the highway, but RAndy said if we did that, we would never get going again. We made it to Rock Springs where RAndy got a hotel room for us all and we all piled in and slept actually pretty well. The next morning we got up to leave and the freeway was a sheet of ice! While going past Little America the sign said that the freeway was closed about 35 miles up the road, but RAndy thought it would be open by that time, yikes, not even 35 miles up the road it was closed! We got stuck on a hill, which was scary as our van started sliding back even when we were in park with the brake on!! A kind man in a truck pulled us up the hill and we were parked on the freeway for a few hours. When traffic started up again we had to go slow, which was so scary as there were a few more hills. We were all praying so hard! WE also had lots of prayers going for us. I was sooooo relieved when we arrived home. It took 6+ hours to make it home from Rock Springs!!! WE had to thank our Heavenly Father, even Randy was scared and he never gets afraid of those things, which made me scared!!! WE feel so blessed that we were able to go and get home safely. THe little boys were wonderful for the entire trip!! It is so wonderful to have them here and Congrats Christopher, we love you all!

Thanksgiving!

2011-01-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

WE had a lovely thanksgiving this year. Lots of good eats and relaxation! WE had WEndy and Cyd here for a few days and that was so much fun! Brent and Mia came up and ate with us and ADam's roomie Jakob stayed the weekend as well. Lyndsay and Scott were with us a large part of the weekend and that is always wonderful. Tuesday there was a big blizzard so it was fun to be inside and just watch it from the warmth of our own home. WEdnesday morning we braved the elements and went over to the Christmas Tree Jubilee where my little Pioneer Choir (about 80 kids) sang and performed for those shopping. WE weren't quite ready, but it was alot of fun and the kids enjoyed it.
Thursday was so nice, it was so cold outside that no one went and ran the Thanksgiving run that they usually do. We just stayed inside, ate and played games. Over the weekend we went bowling, went to the movie Tangled (so cute) and started on the decorations for our home for Christmas. I can't find all of the pictures right now, so I will have to post those later. It was a lovely weekend full of gratitude for all the good things in our lives, most importantly the gospel and our family! WE feel very blessed to live in a free land, to have wonderful friends and a warm home. There is so much to be grateful for. WE always have plenty to eat and lot sof laughs and giggles in our home. I love my family so dearly and my extended family and friends that share these special times with us!

Visit to BYU/Idaho and more Halloween

2011-01-15T14:40:00.000-08:00

Over UEA break in October, Randy, Lyndsay, Jesse and I went up to visit Megan at BYU/Idaho. She was off track and this was her first semester, off track means she had to take night classes and because of over crowding at BYUI, she couldn't live in approved housing. Therefore, she had to live in married housing. She had two roomates during this time, who, although very nice, were older than her and already friends, so she was quite lonely for the 4 months she was there. Because she was taking night classes, and not close to campus, it was hard to meet and get to know alot of people. Thankfully, she had her cousin up there, Cydney, and she used the time to sew, learn to cook, and she went to the gym,ALOT! It was a difficult experience, but we know that it was where she was meant to be and that she grew alot, learned alot about herself and drew closer to her Father in Heaven. WE decided to go up and spend the night that weekend, so we got into the Marriott Spring Hill hotel (new up there in Rexburg) and spent saturday shopping, eating and we even went to a park and played cards at a park. It was really nice!! WE are super proud of Megan and how she was able to handle challenges. She started out as a business major, and has now changed her major to music. She seems more peaceful with that. WE feel that the Lord truly has blessed her and helped her to make some choices that will ultimately help her reach her goals! Way to go Meg!! The rest of the pictures are from earlier in the month when she was home and we carved pumpkins, they were all quite clever, all from the movie, The NIghtmare Before Christmas, which they all love!! WE surely do love our Megan!!

Halloween Fun

2011-01-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, I am so far behind!! Halloween here was alot of fun. Adam's band played, his roomate Jakob came up and Megan made a plethora of goodies. I always buy large candy bars for the little kiddies, because so few come by our home. It was a fun weekend. The kids went to the corn maze and I must say, Adam's band is pretty good. I felt horribly sick the entire weekend, but survived, ha ha, Melanie Ponce and Gillian came down and spent the evening with us. Fun for all! Megan was Lady Gaga, Adam, hmmmm I am not totally sure, a construction worker, mario? who knows. He looked good though, Jake, being from England, was a cowboy! Gillian and Jesse didn't dress up at all...sad. Maybe next year. We got to know Jakob William Walker, from Peterborough , England and he is an awesome kid. He helped Megan make the goodies. I wish I had pictures of them all. There was alot more. It was fun!I also just had to put up a picture of Ralphie and Lyndsay's cat Sister, they are quite the little buddies now, hilarious!!!

Adam and theTemple

2010-11-05T06:31:00.000-07:00

Adam recieved his Mission call on about September 9, to the Guadalajara, Mexico east mission. We were able to go to the Salt Lake temple with him on October 7 I believe. It was such a wonderful evening. We met at Grandma and Grandpa Hatch's condo in Salt Lake and then Randy, ADam and Grandpa Hatch all walked down early to get Adam in and ready for his endowment. The rest of us went down later. So many tender mercies that day and evening. We had a wonderful, peaceful time at the temple and I believe Adam enjoyed it. In fact, he went back to the Provo temple the very next night and has been a few times since. I am so proud of this boy. He has been a valiant, wonderful son, not giving us too much trouble at all. He has always worked hard in school and been very obediant. He is the first to say he is thankful, and if he gets mad or frustrated, he quickly apologizes and feels sorry for it. He has basically been so easy. He has had to wait a long time for his mission call, as he has had a tooth that was growing into the bone that an anchor was tied to over 2 years ago and it has finally come down and he should have his braces off next month. Hallelujah! He has been very patient in this process and has worked hard to improve himself and grow in the gospel. Jesse now takes notes as he reads his scriptures and he says he learned this from ADam. Chris has always called ADam our little Nephi. Yes, he has been atypical boy doing silly things, but he has always tried hard to be obediant and to repent. At the temple when my mom and Lyndsay and I walked into the women's instruction room , it happened to be my mom's friend and her daughter in law, my aunt nubs sister in law was the grandma. Their boy was also going to guadalajara,b ut just that mission. Randy told me later that when he and Adam were waiting for clothes, a kid overheard and said, hey , what mission are you going to? When Adam told him, he was excited and said his parents are the presidents there! Small world, tender mercy. That was fun! It is the most wonderful feeling to be in the temple with your children, what a pay day for parents!!! I felt so grateful to be ADam's mom. I hope that I have done all that Heavenly Father would want me to. He has been a wonderful son to me, always kind and good to his mamma. He has always been respectful of me and I know he will make someone a wonderful husband someday! We are extremely proud of our boy. He loves children and I hope he marries someone that wants alot! He bugged me for along time to have another child, just begging me. I think it all started with a Arthur episode, ha ha. When Elizabeth was coming he was so excited. When she passed away he was heartbroken. I think the saddest picture I have is Adam holding her sobbing. The next morning after she died, Randy found him in his bed kneeling under his covers just sobbing, that broke my heart. He stills says we should adopt, ha ha ha! What a sweetheart. When we came out of the temple there were protesters outside and security was there (ie..President Packers talk), they asked my dad if he was okay walking through it, and he was fine. One guy ran up and shook his hand and said, thanks for coming to our protest, ha ha ha,well...we just walked through and up to my parents. The only thing I didn't get a chance to do in all the hub bub was take a picture of Adam and us in front of the temple. I took some at Grandma and Grandpa's condo then at Crown Burger. Adam we are so proud of you! YOu are going to be a great missionary!!! WE love you so very much.

Women's Broadcast!

2010-09-26T09:24:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a big day. I went down to Jesse's cross country meet first in Salt Lake. He did fabulous! It was the Wasatch Rendezvous. AFter this Jesse and I drove to Provo and had lunch with the gang. I was excited at lunch because I saw Stephanie of the Neinie blog, and her husband Mr. Nelson. If you have not watched her story on lds.org, you should.They are the couple who were burned in a plane crash. She is amazing! WE talked with them for a moment and I told her how inspired I am by her and appreciate her and how we watched the lds thing at our women's retreat, etc. etc. basically I gushed! I would have loved to have bought them lunch but they had already paid and were on their way out! AFter this we shopped a bit with Lyndsay and Scott then found parking for the byu game, found Jesse a ticket so he could go too and I dropped them all off! I went and changed my clothes, went back to the mall for a moment, then picked Lyndsay up at the stadium and we proceeded to go the conference!
It was amazing as always! Sister Beck gave a great talk on how we should all learn the history of relief society and how it strengthens us and that a new book? is coming out next year. Sister Allred gave a lovely talk with a great story about a family who traveled 27 hours to be sealed in the temple and on their way home their two children became ill and died! She spoke of how their faith keeps them going. Sister Thompson spoke of Visiting teaching and the importance! I know I can do alot better and she toldof how it is just not a monthly visit and POOF! we are done! It is alot more than that. WE sang some beautiful songs, we sang with the choir after this MOre HOliness Give Me and I became so emotional I could not stop crying!! Thankfully Lyndsay just snuggled up next to me more! President MOnson then stood and he was so cute and funny! He had 84 widows that he used to visit on Christmas day and take a roast chicken to, 84!! He spoke at all of their funerals, once there were 3 in one day! Amazing. He told some funny antidotes. One was of a woman who every morning complained to her husband of her neighbors laundry that was hanging to dry and how dirty it was and how the woman must not know how to do laundry. One day she got up and said, "wow, she finally learned to do her laundry!" it was clean!She then proceeded to ask her husband why he had gotten up so early. He told her he had finally taken the time to clean their windows! HIlarious! He then said, ARe we looking through a window that needs cleaning? He spoke about judging others. IT was very inspiring. He asked, do our differences tempt us to judge one another? He used a quote by Mother Teresa, "If you judge others, then you have not time to love them" *I may not have that exact, but that is the basis. He said we need to accept people as they really are. I twas excellent and made me really think that I need to not be so judgemental and cricial and strive more to help, have more charity in my heart! It was excellent and I love our prophet! I am so excited for general conference next week!!

Lake Winnipesaukee!!

2010-08-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

Jess and Mary Alice graciously invited us to spend a week with them and my mom and dad at the guest house in New Hampshire. It was funny because we were supposed to fly out Sunday the 8th on the red eye, then our flight was changed to monday morning. Adam was on a different airlines(we thought he might be on his mission by this time), so we were all flying out on Monday. Well, Sunday afternoon after church, Randy checked in and saw that we were to be flying out Sunday night again! The flight had changed! There was a alot of running around, feeling sad that adam had to wait to monday and just general chaos around here. Scott and ADam took us to the airport and we were on our way! WE didnt' realize that none of us were sitting together on Jet Blue, but Megan changed with someone and sat by Lyndsay and I found someone to trade with Jesse so he could sit by me! It was a good flight, we all tried to sleep, then we were in JFK airport in New York with a short flight to Boston. We waited for my mom and dad there, then got in a van to drive up to New Hampshire. Wow, what a beautiful place Jess and Mary have there! The guest house is gorgeous! Mary Alice is such a wonderful decorator. Their boat house is just as beautiful with a wonderful deck/dock that we spent alot of time on. WE did so many things during this week...I will try to list them all! The kids Wakeboarded, Megan finally got up and exclaimed "Wow, I can't believe I have been missing this all of these years, this is great!!" Everyone else got up as well and had so much fun. They also tubed and had a blast. Adam and Jesse conked heads one time and wow, it really hurt!! Randy water skiied and did great. ADam, Randy , Lyndsay and Mary Alice went golfing then we all met at their country club for dinner. We all boated into Wolfboro and had a delicious lunch and ice cream, had to have the ice cream, yummy! Some of the kids fished. There was a young women's cake auction that Jess MC'd during the week , I believe there was a Marriott famiy bidding war and they made some great money! Mary Alice bought a delicious chocolate peppermint cake we all enjoyed! There was a golf cart for the kids to ride around in, a Segway for them to ride, some of them fished and Jesse even caught the first fish I believe. WE walked to Mary Alice's sister Karen's house for her birthday party. I was able to visit with dear friends from college , Julie and Steve Marriott and that was wonderful. The last day there Jess got us all up early and had try wake surfing. it was funny because Lyndsay said she would go if her dad did (it was a bit cool and we were tired), so he did of course so she had to. WEll, Megan said she would if her mom would, obviously she felt that was a safe bet! WEll, Jess harrassed me enough and told me that I wouldnt' be setting a good example for my kids if I didn't try it etc. etc. what would they think? if things are too hard I dont' hav eto do it? I kept saying I was scared and didn't really want to do it , etc. etc.. all while putting on the life jacket (brrrrr....cold), well I jumped in and tried it and got up the first time!! I went down pretty fast and swallowed a bunch of water, but still...I did it!!! I got up a few more times, then we tried to get Megan to do it, but she waited until that afternoon and then she did it as well!! Jess bought a puzzle we all did, we watched What about Bob? with everyone and my dad laughed the entire movie and after he kept saying...that Richard Dreyfus should have gotten the academy award for that! Good times, good times! The trip was amazing, the weather perfect and our hosts (Jess, Mary Alice, Trevin and EMily ) were awesome!!! I loved hanging out with Mary Alice, we had lots of good discussions. Oh, and they also put on an awesome fireworks show for us, right there on their own beach! We also rode by Mitt Romney's summer home, and another families who had a rope swing (Jess was the only one brave enough to try) and a big water slide that wasn't working. Oh, on the wake surfing Jess was amazed at how fast Jesse could get up. Jess would only go about 1.5 miles per hour and Jesse would pop right up! HIlarious!! WE also went to the general store that is so fun, and a few antique shops! Whew! It was a fanstastic week, one we will always treasure. WE missed having Chris, Carolina and the boys there (Chris had finals) as well as Scott. HOpefully we will get another opportunity for us all to be there!! The ride to the airport was great because our driver was very emotional and we talked with him about the gospel the entire way, while he asked questions and cried! It was excellent. I hope that his heart was softened and at least that he felt the love of the Lord, which he needed to feel. All in all, an awesome trip!!!

Randy, Adam and Scott Triathalon!

2010-08-29T06:29:00.000-07:00

Well, this was Adam's first triathalon and Scott and RAndy's second (Randy claims it is his last as he doesn't like the swim). Adam and Randy really didn't train on the swim, actually Adam hadn't done too much training, so I was a worried momma. This one was up a the Jordanelle resevoir. Adam had to borrow a wetsuit and it was sort of bulky, not nice and sleek. I think that slowed him down. This time they had red caps on. Scott was first out of the water, and really up at the front of the red capped swimmers. This swim looked a bit longer than their previous one. I finally saw Randy about 6 minutes behind Scott, then couldn't see any more red caps, which had me worried, but finally I spotted Adam (relief!), he was struggling, but still going. There were actually a few more red caps amongst the pink and yellow caps! He finally made it out and said his wet suit held him back! He was about 10 minutes behind scott, 4 behind Randy. The bike was 13 miles and they all did fantastic on the biking portion of the race. The last was the run. Randy made up a lot of time on the run and so did Adam, Scott did great as well. Scott beat Randy by about 3 minutes and Adam by about 6! Way to go all of you! It is a great accomplishment! I was very proud of each of them and can't imagine how they do it!!

Randy and Lyndsay Triathalon

2010-08-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

WEll, Randy and Lyndsay decided that they needed to do a triathalon as well after watching Scott. It was up in Midway and we had to leave bright and early to get there. They were both a bit nervous, Randy mostly about the swim, and Lyndsay I think mostly about the bike ride. This one was a half mile swim, then a 22 mile bike ride, then a 3.1 run that was very hilly at Soldier Hollow. They are both good runners so that wasn't a worry. They had green swim caps to distinguish their groupings from the other. Lyndsay did great on the swim, only about 14 minutes!! She was fast! Randy was quite a ways behind her, we could pick him out though because he was back stroking most of it. It is strange watching the runners come out of the water as they are very wobbly. WE ran over and watched the bike and saw both Lyndsay and Randy. Randy caught her about mile 11 and passed her. They both finished the biking strong and then on to the run. They did fantastic and Lyndsay was only a few minutes behind her dad. WE were all very proud of them!!! Way to go!! I think it took them both around 2 hours, great job!!

California

2010-07-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Megan, Jesse and I decided after Arise was over we would venture down to California for a few days. We left Sunday after church (July 18th) and drove to St George to stay with our old california friends the Boyles. We had a fun evening with them, then headed to California after a bit of shopping on Monday. WE took the long route and got to Alysa's around 6 or so, just in time for a delicious dinner and FHE then swimming!!! It was very fun!Tuesday we just swam and played, went to the La Quinta Museum and Alysa bought us all Date Shakes. WE learned all about the date, very interesting! Tuesday night Alysa and I went over to her friends Rachelle and we did fun crafts in her very cool craft room. We made these cool rose (ric rack) and bead necklaces, earrings to match, magnets, and a cool chandalier pendant necklace and cut out a bunch of flower pins to put together. It was very fun, thanks Rachelle! Wednesday we got up a bit later, jumped in the pool then the kids decided to go to Knott's Soak City water park. We sent Megan, Maddie, Jesse and Carson. It was nice to have Megan around to escort the kids places. She took Maddie to Target one night and bought her some teenie bopper mags (mostly about Justin Beiber ) and Maddie used a gift card to get her and Megan frozen yogurts, that was fun! Wednesday night was mutual and Alysa did a cute thing speaking Japanese. It was fun to watch her speaking so fluently and her cute accent! Thursday we got up and drove into LA to go to the Getty Museum. It is up on a hill (you have to park underground and we were on the 6th level, the furthest down!!), you have to ride a tram up. It is totally free (except for parking) and we ate our lunch we had packed and then toured around. I guess I didn't realize how many famous artists had works there, Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh to name a few. I would like to go back and spend time reading all of the labels. They had a special showing of works by Gerome, whom I had not heard of , but it was fun to see. They also have beautiful gardens and such. So much to see, so little time. We drove to Fullerton after to visit Alysa's friend Carmen, then dinner and home. Friday we stayed in the pool most of the day, so refreshing, especially when it is 112 out! Jamie took Alysa and I out to eat, yummy and the kids had pizza. The kids made adorable apple cupcakes, so cute! Saturday was garage sale mania. We had fun buying lots of kids books and such. The kids andI left around noon. Thank you Whitlock's for making our trip so much fun.Alysa and I went runningevery morning, with Megan whipping us up one day, we could not keep up and the heat was killing me!! On the way homewe stopped to visit Lori and Sarah and see Lori's home which we have never seen. It is so cute. Lori fed us a delicious lunch, so lovely WE arrived at the Boyle's around 10 and had a nice visit again with them. Sunday was church and home. It was a whirlwind week but very fun! Alysa's kids are so adorable and so funny, we had lots of chuckles over them! Thanks everyone for making our trip great. Megan drove all the way from St. George to California, then from Lori's to St. George and part of the way Sunday. That was wonderful! It gave me the opportunity to rest and read my book, The Help, which by the way, is an excellent book! Vacations are wonderful!!

Arise Youth Spectacular

2010-07-15T11:54:00.000-07:00

This will just be the start of a few posts about this great event. Megan and Jesse are performing this weekend with 3,000 other teenagers from this area. It is 30 stakes that are involved, plus an institute choir. They have been working on this for months. I went Tuesday night to the dress rehearsal and I can honestly say, it is absolutely phenomenal! The kids are amazing and the leaders who put together this many youth in dancing and singing did a fantastic job. I cried right from the beginning. The north area depicted the premortal life and coming to earth. They also did the song "I never Stand Alone" from cumorah's Hill which is one of my favorite musical CD's. It was awesome and I cried to think how excited we all were to come to earth. Our area (west) was next and they did the pioneers, then 20's 50's and modern day. Our stake did 50's and danced and sang to Rock Around the Clock and a song from Hairspray that I did with choir, YOu can't stop the beat!" So adorable. Jesse is holding a record and dancing and Megan is dancing with Kyle Jensen who is a cutie! The girls are all wearing pink poodle skirts with black polka dots, black sequined notes and a scarf thing and a bow in their ponytail with white shirts and white socks and shoes. So cute! The boys are just white tees and jeans. I loved it! The next group did different countries, the best was that some of the polynesian elders got to come out that group and do the Como te shout. The finale was amazing. They all came walking out from different areas of the stadium (our kids were up on the top two rows of the west side of seats) and they were all carrying little battery operated lights. They do Called to Serve and the missionaries all come out. Everyone is wearing a muslin sack across their shoulder witha book of mormon in it. They all form a ray facing the jumbotron and a huge picture of christ is unrolled by the football goal. They are singing a song, Keepers of the Light, I think by that point and they all kneel to the savior, it is beautiful. Oh I think it is at the end of Called to Serve when they hold up their book of mormons, almost 3500 of them (the institute choir and others join). They then sing the theme song which was written by the group Heartbound, ARise! It was beautiful. WE all were able to join in at the end and I cried and cried. It was amazing. I want to go both friday and saturday, but I don't have tickets for both. I am hoping to find some. Anyway, it was amazing, the spirit was strong and the youth are phenomenal and their leaders inspired! I am grateful my kids did it. Jesse was always on board and excited, but it took Megan a bit longer. She feels excited now and I am grateful she finally decided to do it! It just made me want to be a better person and live the gospel more fully!

Scott's Triathalon

2010-07-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday Randy, Lyndsay and I drove up to Echo Reservoir to watch Scott compete in his first triathalon. His family came also! Scott had to swim .7 miles in very cold water, then bike 13 then run 3. He did a fantastic job! We were all really proud of him. He said he was a bit disoriented after the swim as people were slapping him and he got water in his ears. WE should have gone down by the water to watch him come out, but we weren't sure if he was already on his bike by the time we got there. He really did great. He didn't wear socks on his run and his toe was all bloody and it had seeped through his shoe, ouch! He ran a good time though and did fantastic overall. I knew RAndy would want to do one once he saw Scott doing one, so now he, Lyndsay and Adam are all on board to go and do one! I will have fun being a spectator/cheerleader! Yea!! I dont' think I could do the swim part, amazing, with all these people in the water with you, yikes. I think I would be claustrophobic, however, Scott did great and I hope there are many more to come that I can go and cheer for!

I love being a mom

2010-05-07T05:05:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say that I do so love being a mom! I have enjoyed it from the first moment I laid eyes on Christopher, my oldest! Chris has always been so loving and kind. Then Lyndsay came along and I was so happy to have a girl! Lyndsay is so funny and is a great friend! Next was Adam and he was so big and when his hair got curly, I sure was happy! He is the first to say thank you and also so quick to say he is sorry. Then Megan and her bright eyes, so happy to have another girl, she is sweet to me and always sticks up for me.Jesse and his sweetness, what a joy, he will always do anything I ask, then lastly Elizabeth, who even though she isn't here, is a joy to us and gives us a goal to seek for! I have been so blessed. I have wonderful children. I even had the good fortune to have my kids boy/girl, boy/girl, boy/girl! I remember the day of each of my 6 children's birth and the wonder and awe I felt that I was going to be their mother and that they would depend on me for their entire lives! I hope I have done a good job. I regret not always doing as much as I could have! I hope that they have always known how very much I love each one of them. They are the light in my life! Each is so special to me and bring me so much joy! They are each so wonderful to their old mom. Whenever I feel down or am too hard on myself, they are there to lift me up. Each has been quick to apologize, and that has set a great example to me. I think each of my children is wonderful and I feel blessed and honored to be their mother, for they have taught me more than I have ever been able to teach them! I think my kids are also the funniest people! They make me laugh. I enjoy nothing better than spending time with them and Randy. I remember years ago , we were out to eat at El Torito in California and I remember looking around the table, everyone chatting and laughing and thinking, I love this family and I will cherish this moment forever! I hope we have many years of wonderful memories to make! I am also very thankful for Carolina my daughter in law who has given me 3 of the cutest grandkids ever! Now, being a grandma is the best! I love it! Carolina is a great mother and homemaker. I am also thankful for Scott, he has added alot of fun to our family and is an all around great guy. I look forward to lots more grandkids in the future. Jeremiah, Zeb, and Myles are the best and I love them dearly! Thanks kids for blessing my life so very much! Your mother loves you and will always be there for you!!!

My Baby Sister's Birthday today! 41 year young, you're not getting older, you are just getting better every day!!!

2010-04-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

It is my wonderful sister Alysa's 41st birthday this year!! She has always been such a wonderful sister! I put that title up because she wrote that in a card to me on one of my birthdays when I was at BYU. It cracked me up. She also said that she didn't understand what was wrong with those boys out there and why I wasn't married yet, and that I would probably get married in my 3rd semester (even though I was past that ). I think she was really worried about it! This is the girl who cried and cried when I left for college, singing, Tomorrow, from Annie for 3 days! ha! That still makes me laugh! It also makes me feel so loved, she has always been such a loving and kind person, from day one. I remember looking in her little basinet and my mom telling me to be a good sister to her so she could look up to me and I could be her "ideal". Well, I look up to her! She has always been happy, always been kind to everyone and always has been faithful and good. She treats others as if they are each her best friend, therefore, she has many "best friends", something that sometimes drives her sisters crazy because we can't get ahold of her whenever we want, too many friends, ha ha ha! She is so funny. When she was young we came out to Utah for a visit when they were here also and RAndy and I just watched her dance and dance, and say the funniest things for a few hours! WE laughed and laughed! She and Kim never fail to crack me up, I just love listening to them and watching them. They are both so spiritual and great leaders. Many people want to be like Alysa because of her good ness and the way she treats others. I have watched her be such a wonderful mother to her children. Sometimes, it makes me wish I could go back and do things differently. She does so many good things with her children and makes sure that they are making good choices. She has wonderful children and they are lucky to have her for their mother. She is a great wife and Jamie and her both crack me up, they both have the best personalities, they can make you laugh so easily and they try so hard at everything they do. I still have a hard time once ina while saying Alysa and Jamie, I slip and say Alysa and JEss because those two were just the cutest little kids together, I used to just watch them when they were little running around and laughing and laughing! I have loved this woman from the day mom brought her home from the hospital. When I came home from college in the summer she would want to sleep with me, then she would say...tell me about when you were a little girl. I would proceed to tell her, then say, let's go to sleep now, but she would say, "you just get me all excited and then stop, please tell me some more" ha ha, most kids would have been bored by those stories! She always makes me feel like I am wonderful and the best sister, even though I am not. That is just what she does for people! I love you Alysa, you are amazing, beautiful and so special!! Have a wonderful Birthday! I thank my Heavenly FAther each day for such wonderful siblings and parents! I feel blessed to have been born into such a great family!!!

Salt Lake Marathon

2010-04-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake Marathon: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14905845?s... This is a little article about Jesse that appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune today! He and Randy ran the Salt Lake Marathon yesterday. Jesse beat Randy by about 9 minutes. They looked pretty wiped when they finished. I was worried about Jesse since he has hardly run the past month because of shin splints. He also has been in the play at Wahlquist Jr. High, so he has been keeping some very late hours! When we returned home Jesse had to shower and then get back over to the Jr. High for an afternoon and evening performance! He was there from about 2-10! He had to sing and dance and we dont' know how he did it, but he did great! Something that is even more important to me then him completing a marathon was what happened at the play. I was sitting in the teachers room waiting for kids to come and eat dinner. A few of the other 9th grade girls came in and asked me if I was Jesse Whetton's mom. These were cute girls. I said yes, and they said he is so cute and is just the nicest kid. He is nice to everyone and not just a certain group of people, just treats everyone so great. They said they just think he is the best and that I should be proud of him, and I will say that I am! He is a pretty amazing kid, if I do say so myself! It is such an inspiration to watch these marathoners finish the race! I cry everytime. They are all inspiring! If you have never watched the end of one, you should. The half marathoners were very inspiring as well, there were some people who you could tell really struggled, but wow, they finished, they can be proud. This was Randy's 4th marathon, Jesse's 2nd. Lyndsay and ADam have both even run one with Randy. I think they are all amazing and don't think I will be joining their ranks anytime soon, still... Way to go RAndy and Jesse!!!

Jury Duty

2010-03-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

Well, it finally happened. AFter all the years of getting called to jury duty and always having an excuse (ie, little children) or being called last year to federal court, then it being canceled, I finally had to go in!! It was actually sort of exciting to see how things work! I think I was juror number 16 or some such number. The defending attorney and his defendant were already in there, the guy had a shaved head, mohawk, tatoos, but looked like a nice kid otherwise. He was being charged with assaulting a police officer. AS soon as I saw the prosecuting attorney come in, I knew I would probably not be picked since he used tobe in my ward! ha ha! Only in Utah. The judge asks alot of general questions like, are you all US citizens, do you understand english etc. He also asked if anyone had a medical reason for not staying. One sweet older lady stood up and said that she it was her birthday and she was 70 and her eyesight is bad enough that she uses a magnifier around her neck for reading, but she did pass her drivers test last week!! Anyway, they then go through each person, you stand up and answer alot of questions like, name, where you have lived, how long, (other countries , states etc. ) I definetly had the most of those, most people have lived in Utah their entire life except one other guy had been born in Pittsburgh and a few served missions, ha ha, only in Utah would you hear, "I have lived in Utah my entire life, except for 2 years I lived in Brazil!" Other questions were ones like, how many children, ages, town you live in, professions, husbands profession, hobbies, things you like to do, etc. etc. I thought, hmmm, if this kid is a criminal, nice now that he knows all of our personal info!!! Anyway, apparently the attorney had already told the judge he knew me, as when I said I knew him, the judge said they were aware of that. One other girl knew the defending attorney, she said he lives by her parents an dused to be their visiting teacher! ha! She corrected herself a few moments later and said he was their home teacher. Needless to say, 11 of us were released and the 6 had to stay for the entire day to hear the trial (and we all get paid the same an entire $18.50!) I felt for those people. The poor older woman had to stay, I felt bad about that. I am sure she thought that between the birthday and eyesight she was a shoein to be released! Not so lucky! A police officer was excused too, he knew all of theofficers testifying, plus the judge and prosecutor! I was pretty sure he would be released when they said the kids was being tried for assaulting an officer!! Anyway, it was quite an experience and I am glad I got to see government in action! It is great to live in a free country for sure!!! I just hope I don't have to do that again for awhile. Oh, one of the other girls who was picked had been on a jury before, poor girl, I guess they figured she knows what she is doing!!

2010-03-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Well, this is going to be above the pictures because I accidently pushed a button and the pictures posted. The pictures of from Christmas day. We always go to Elizabeth's grave every christmas before opening gifts. It makes the day more special and we feel close to her. Today would have been Elizabeth's 7th brithday! I cannot believe how fast time has flown. I still cry every year, but that is okay. I cried in Relief Society, then told the sisters, really, really, I am happy! I really am, but I still cry. I am happy that Elizabeth came to our family. I am happy that she recieved a body and we were able to hold her, even if it was just for a few short hours. I am happy that she is with us often, during hard times, during fun family times and during special family times, we feel her with us. I am happy that my family has grown closer through this experience. I am happy that we know where she is and that she is celestial and that she tries to help us be better people so we can all be together. I am happy that families are forever! I am happy that the Lord loves us all and that he wants us to make good choices and be together forever. I love my family so much, and I love the Lord. I am thankful for the blessings that the gospel brings, for the peace of knowing that I will see my sweet Elizabeth someday! This morning when Adam got up he walked down the stairs saying, Happy Birthday Elizabeth!! We went to her grave and sang to her and had a beautiful family home evening (after church) then came home to birthday cupcakes and ice cream. We will love her forever!

2010-03-14T17:49:00.000-07:00

Prayers are answered!!

2009-12-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

I am just so thankful that I had to blog about it. I am terrible about this blogging stuff, but hopefully next year will be better.
I am the choir director at our elementary school here. I love it, but I seem to always be running behind, or have a hard time putting together a program. WEll, our big performances for the school were today and yesterday I was overwhelmed. I needed to make 63 scarves, plus find our santa beard and hat. I made the scarves, thanks to Randy helping me, but couldn't find the hat. This morning I came downstairs and I walked into the laundry room for something. WEll, I decided right then and there that I needed to kneel down and pray to find my bearded hat. I no sooner got on my feet, then I thought, hmmm, could it be on that shelf behind all of that other stuff? I started moving things and waa laa!! It was there!!! I had to get back down on my knees and thank Heavenly Father. Not only did he answer my prayer, but he did it so quickly that I felt in awe! I am so grateful that I know where to go when I need help, sometimes it takes me along time to remember that, but my sisters, parents , kids and husband continue to teach me that that is what I need to do!
Also, our choir performances today were awesome! Well, the first one this morning wa sa little rough, but the afternoon one was great! I loved it. I will write more in a separate post! I just wanted to share that I know prayers are answered and I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that knows just what we need, but wants us to ask!!

Halloween Fun

2009-10-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of our most delectable kitty litter cake! I gave some to Gillian and Jesse but they weren't to interested in having a taste. Jesse quickly decided to be a tennis player while we put on a granny wig for Gillian as shown above.

David Archuleta!!!

2009-10-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

Megan with her future husband at the womens' conference.

Carving Pumpkins and Snowy Nights!

2009-10-30T16:18:00.002-07:00

This past Tuesday while we were carving pumpkins, we walked outside and what do ya know, it was snowin up a storm! It was sort of unexpected but was still quite a pleasant surprise!
The kids' marvolous pieces of work, Megan's was a Wild Thing from "Where the Wild Things are", Adam's was a skull, and Jesse made 2 faces. They did really well!

Fall is Here!!

2009-10-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Yea!! Fall is here!! I love the fall in Utah!!! It is one of the things I really missed when we lived in California!! The leaves are changing and the air is crisp! Here are some pictures of a fun little adventure! WE drove up the canyon to one of our favorite spots!

The Top of Utah Marathon

2009-09-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Well, they did it. Yep, an entire 26.2 miles. Randy, Adam, and Jesse ran the Top of Utah Marathon this past Saturday and boy did they run hard! Jesse came in with a time of 3 hr. 59 min. Dad and Adam both came in together at a time of 4 hr. 24 min. Jesse won 1st place in his age category of 14 yr. and younger and received a trophy and $50! They sure ran hard and we are all just so proud of them!

Park City Half Marathon!!

2009-08-23T22:34:00.001-07:00

I have so many things to write about, a few of which happened before the half, but I will write about those later. Saturday August 22, 2009 was the date of our first Park City Half marathon. It was Scott's first half and we were more than happy to show him the ropes. Scott did awesome. We are really proud of him, especially considering he doesn't really love running, he is more of the golf/skier type, but he was a good sport and wanted to please Lyndsay so he suffered through it!
The day before was our niece/cousin Callie's wedding to Andrew Jennings. That was wonderful and Adam, Megan and I stayed until the very end helping with the clean up (thanks kids). WE didn't get to our condo in Park city until about 10:30 , then Jess and his kids stayed and visited and none of us got to sleep before midnight. We woke up around 5am to go and register, came back and relaxed a bit, then it was off to the races!
Park City is a beautiful place, but this was a tough race!! It was mostly on dirt trails and the first 8 miles were pretty much uphill! I did not feel good at all most of the race. Jesse was flying, he passed me as he was going back to the finish, he is a natural runner unlike his mother! Actually everyone passed me before I got to the turn around. I must say, when I got within a tenth of a mile to the finish, some people were cheering, you are almost done...all I could say was Hallelujah! They laughed about that! I was sooooo relieved and couldn't help but think most of the race, what am I doing here? I am not a good runner at all! I am persistant though, but maybe I should train a bit more. Jesse won first in his age division with a time of 1:43, he, Randy and Adam are running a full marathon in September! He is actually excited. he is running cross country with the high school team and I think he will do great. My only regret is that we didn't take our traditional picture together after the race! Anyway, I am really proud of my family and Scott, way to go!!

2009-07-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Jackson Hole

2009-07-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

WE are in a little town called Victor. WE came Wednesday in our tent trailer and are in a nice little RV park. Right now we are happily sitting watching a movie. We have had an active couple of days. Yesterday we drove up through Teton national Forest , then to Yellowstone and Old Faithful. WE sat and watched for over an hour and were finally rewarded with it shooting up. We then drove on to WEst Yellowstone. On the way we saw a lot of cars pulling off and people pulling out their cameras. It was because there was a bear in the water cooling off. We saw him then shake off adn get out and run off. it was quite exciting. WE then saw some Moose as well. WE had our traditional western picture taken, which is cute of everyone pretty much, except me, myself, Randy says my hair looks like a scare crow, well, pretty much he is right. Today we went into Jackson and Randy and the kids rafted down the river. I was the driver and met them down the river. I stopped at two points, only one did I see them and take a picture. I should have hiked down where the rapids were and taken pictures, duh! I pulled off, but didn't see where you could see, so drove on! Their pictures are online though on the photographers website and they are pretty good. Everyone was pretty cold as it was only in the 60's when they finished. I will try to post some pictures. WE are having a great time, but really wish that Lyndsay and Scott and Chris, Carolina and the boys could all be with us, that would be perfect then!!

4th of July Cake

2009-07-08T13:01:00.001-07:00

This is our 4th of July cake. Well... it's not very patriotic but we saw it in a book and just had to try it. I just bought this book at Seagull's that had a bunch of different cake ideas from the Family Fun magazines. We had a lot of fun making this!

2009-06-28T14:21:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of father's day gifts
Mine
Alysa's
Alysa made the bottom one for my dad, aren't they adorable!

Camping Trip @ Bear Lake

2009-06-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago the fam and I went camping in our tent trailor near Bear Lake. We made smores and played games. Megan wasn't exactly thrilled with the trip but we ended up having a lot of fun. We were planning on staying until Sunday and go to a church up there but decided to leave early because of the bad weather. All in all it was a fun trip.

Finally....

2009-06-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, well I figured maybe I should post something since my kids did all of the ground work, posting that lovely picture of me! They are dying for me to do this blog (Jesse especially), so I guess I better get busy. I will have to go back and recap some of the major events of the past few weeks. That might take some time. This week is full of fun things like, having our ceiling in the living room patched where there was a leak from Megan's bathroom, waiting today for a washing machine repair guy to come so I can finish my laundry, running even though my knee really hurts after the first two miles....etc etc. etc. Randy is insisting that we go camping this weekend, so I hope that I am up for that.
The kids really fought me on putting running in our blog name. I figured though that it is something we do together as a family (or at least we all do at some point), so it fit for us. I could have put "bowling with the whetton's" as well since that is something we all love to do. Last week we went bowling together and there were some adorable special needs teens next to us. AS we were getting up to leave one of the girls was just yelling and yelling about Ashley Tisdale being here and wanting her autograph etc. etc. I wasn't sure why she was yelling about Ashley until I looke dup and realized she was talking about Lyndsay! ha ha! She looked at me and I shook my head andsaid, no that isn't AShley Tisdale. She then yelled to me, "YOu look like AShley Tisdale's mother, dont' freak me out like that!" Ha ha! We all had a good chuckle about that. Lyndsay has been told she reminds people of Christina Aguilara and Paris Hilton, but this is the first Ashley Tisdale we have heard. It was so fun. I guess Lyndsay should have just signed her autograph and made that sweet girls' day.
WE have alot of fun together as a family. My favorite times are whenwe are all together just laughing, chatting and enjoying each other. I love the summer because it provides more opportunites for this.
Well, this is it for now. I will add more later and some pictures! This is going to be fun and I need to get some journaling done too so it is great. Thanks to my sister's and Jesse for getting me going on this!

Today...I FINALLY started a blog!!

2009-06-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

And this is a simple example of something you ALL know I do best...