...In this life I shall have Joy... Moses 5:11

Happy Birthday Krysta!!!

18 reasons why I love Krysta!

1. Krysta has a tender heart

2. Krysta loves her family, brothers, sister, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, great grandparents, great aunts and uncles etc, she loves them all

3. Krysta loves the gospel

4. Krysta keeps trying

5. Krysta loves her friends

6. Krysta usually loves to serve

7. Krysta is goal oriented

8. Krysta has the best smile

9. Krysta loves to take care of others (especially her grandpa, Cooper and Sophie)

10. Krysta keeps trying

11. Krysta is a great cook, and she is learning new stuff all the time

12. Krysta is learning to admit she has limitations and she cannot do it all

13. Krysta has a great respect for the priesthood (althougth sometimes she can be tough on a Bishopric and YM presidency)

14. Krysta is fun loving and tries not to take life to serious

15. Krysta loves her Heavenly Father

16. Krysta loves family reunions and the dry farm almost as much as her grandma and mom

17. Krysta is growing into a beautiful Young Adult

18. Krysta brings me JOY!

I love you Kritter Jam! Thanks for 18 years of great fun and a wealth of memories.
Here is to 18 more!!

... I will go and do...1 Nephi 3:7

So it's here!

I have to admit I am not a "patient waiter". Marcus' denial of a mission call was a heartbreaker for me (and him) so when Daniels call was lost in the mail (granted had I known it was lost in the mail I would not have freaked out) I kind of freaked out!
All the horrible memories of Marcus' came flooding back and the thought, of 2 sons being rejected, was very real for me. I know where is my faith!

Anyway after a detour in mailing, his call has arrived. Daniel will leave August 12 to serve His Heavenly Father in the Ohio Columbus mission. I am way excited he is going to be in the states. That means I can send more treats! I know he was thinking exoctic, but that will have to wait for his mission when he is old and married :o)

Sorry no pics of the big event! Dan was in Idaho Falls and I was in Salt Lake when he opened it.
We have lots to do and a short time frame to do it in.

As a side note Krys leaves for college the same week, so if you do not see or hear from me in awhile it's cause I am getting 2 great kids ready for some amazing adventures!

You can follow Daniel on a blog I am putting together for his mission, "Like Unto Moroni" it should be up by the end of the week :o)

love ya all!

children are an heritage of the Lord Ps. 127:3

Somwhere under this pile of cute little girls is my adorable oldest son Marcus! Words cannot describe the love I have for Marcus! I think he is AMAZING! Oh yeah I know he has faults, most of which he inherited from me, but nonetheless I still think he is amazing.

On June 11 at 10:19 pm he was (in his words) forced by big foreign metal objects out of his safe world into the cruel mortality. (yeah I know he its gets the drama queen from me too)

This year Marcus is officially responsible for all his actions. He can now go to Vegas with his cousins and gamble (wanna go Amy L, he has a few nickels).

I know I am late with this post, just like with the others (maybe I will get Krysta's posted on time)
Here are the 21 reasons why I love My Marcus!!

1. Marcus is funny! Holy cow he can be silly!

2. Marcus is GENEROUS! He learned this from his Grandpa Fillmre

3. Marcus is genuine, there is no hiding his feelings.

4. Marcus is compassionate, no one supports the under dog like Marcus does

5. Marcus is an amazing Home Teacher. I hope he has the faith one day to go again soon

6. Marcus takes care of me! It's ok Marc I will be ok, you can do things for you now!

7. Marcus is a collector of people, he loves people, unless you hurt his Mom, then you better watch out!

8. Marcus is an amazing cook, except when he tries to be Chef Ramsay, then I just end up with a broken blender and mushroom paste on the ceiling :o)

9. Marcus is a believer, right now he is pretending he is not, but a testimony like that cannot be gone for long!

10. Marcus is focused. He usually gets what he wants.

11. Marcus is a planner.

12. Marcus is responsible.

13. Marcus is honest.

14. Marcus is trustworthy.

15. Marcus is BIG and he makes me feel safe when he is around.

16. Marcus is charitable.

17. Marcus is serious about his politics. It makes me laugh.

18. Marcus is a big pushover. Just ask his sisters!

19. Marcus is committed, if he says he will do he will do it

20. Marcus is intelligent, he is smart and wise!

21. Marcus loves his family, all of them, even when he doesn't feel like he is a part of them.

Just look at him wth the cute little nieces.

Marcus Buddy, I know life has thrown you a curve (no pun intended) ball the last two years, and it has been a hard blow to deal with, but I have faith in you. You will be back on track before you know it. It's ok if your faith is shaken, I have some to spare. I know it's been awhile since you have had to lean on someone, but it's ok to lean on me for a little while 'til you feel you can be back on your own solid ground!

Thanks for 21 years of great memories! Thanks for being the practice child, thanks for forgiving all my mistakes. You have been amazing at learning how to be the best big brother ever, and letting me learn to be a mom!

I love you Boy!

....be fruitful... Genesis 1:28

So June 6th is a big deal at our house, and this year it was a really big deal!!Daniel is our second son and he was literally pushed kicking and screaming into this world by one burley nurse at 3:48 a.m. on June 6th after 8 months and 2 weeks of the worst pregnancy I ever experienced. He was so worth it though! Dano turned 19 this year. In the tradition of greater friends before me here is my tribute to Dano (yeah I realize its a bit late, but its been a tough post to write)

19 reasons why I love Dano!
1. He has the best smile EVER, yep even better than his Dads
2. He is determined
3. He is patient, especially with me
4. He is fun loving an a big tease
5. He is a graceful dancer. I could watch him for hours and just be in awe the whole time
6. He does not waiver, I could learn from him
7. He is flaky and forgetful, only a mom can say that and get away with it
8. He forgives
9. He is handsome
10. He is smart, and he finally knows it
11. He is willing to admit when he is wrong, ok sometimes it takes some humbling
12. He repents, he changes and he does not hang on to regrets
13. He shares, especially with his little sister
14. He loves me, which is not an easy thing to do
15. He gives the BEST hugs EVER!
16. He loves the Lord
17. He has a plan
18. He wants to do what is right and good, really he does!
19. He is mine! Ok He is Fathers but for a time I can say he is mine too!

Dano I love you! Thanks for teaching me so much over the last 19 years. Thanks for letting me practice being a mom on you and not remembering all the times I didn't do so well! You are the best my bud!

Well if you know us, you know Dan is not the only June 6th birthday we have! Katee chose to crash all the family plans for the Dans 3rd birthday. Coming quietly into our lives at a little past 6 in the evening, she won us all over with a heartbeat we were so grateful to hear. This year she is 16!!

So here are the 16 reasons why I love Katee

1. She is the best cuddler ever. She should be good at she has been practicing for 16 years :o)

2. She has eyes that melt my heart

3. She, like her twin brother, is determined

4. She loves me

5. She is a mama's girl

6. She has style, heaven knows her mom needs help here.

7. She is friendly to everyone (until they make her angry)

8. She has these great goals that she just loves to talk about

9. She has a tremendous love for the temple (thanks to Viki and Viki's Mom and Dad)

10. She makes our family complete, I think all of her siblings think of her as their best friend

11. She has this great laugh

12. She keeps me grounded

13. She loves the gospel

14. She reminds me of me at her age (wait that could be bad :o))

15. She pushes herself and isn't satisfied until she knows its her best!

16. She is focused and knows what is important and what is not.

I love you Squishy! Thanks for 16 great years of amazing memories. I cannot wait to see what this year brings, besides your first birthday apart!

The "special one" and the fashionista, I will let you decided who is who? :o)

...Have Faith and Doubt Not.... Mattew 21:21

Here is my beautiful baby girl! Not so much a baby any more is she? This was Seminary Graduation Day. She has had some amazing Seminary Teachers. Her Idaho teachers were fill in dads for her. Brother Willden, Bro Johnson (who we found out at the END of the year, was her Dad's missionary companion) Bro Child and we cannot forget the INCREDIBLE AND AMAZING Sister Waite! (Sister Jemmett too, but she was not a teacher, she was just the glue that held the whole place together, you know the Secretary) In Utah she had Brothers Wardle, Scoville, Schmidt and Smith ! Thanks for being so amazing and loving her so much!

This was Krysta's Cheering section! Aunt Dea, Grandpa Reed, the beautiful Carrianne, Grandma & Grandpa Fillmore, the DELIGHTFUL Bobbi Sue (who came all the way from Idaho for a 2 hour ceremony) back row ...Dad, Our Ashley, Dano, Best Big Sister Konnie, Marcus, Katee and Katee's twin Silvana. Although they all did their best to cheer loudly, they could not compete with Krysta's extremely proud Mom! (not pictured but a big part of the 18 year cheer team aunts uncles cousins and friends! Not to mention the incredible teachers she has had, and who have put up with her! Miss Nan, Mrs. Fonger, Mrs. Ballesteros, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Hinckley, Mrs. Curtis, Miss Chase, Mrs. Cope, too many jr and high school teachers to name, but a special thanks to Mr. Peterson for not throwing her out the date she educated you on the sacrifices of our military! Thanks for being such a big part of her life! )

Krysta front and center!

Krysta and Bobbi! Best friend Sisters! It's probably a good thing we moved. I don't think Hillcrest could have handled these 2 together as seniors! :o)

Congratulations Kritter Jam! We are really proud of you! Don't second guess your decisions!

Put your faith in the Lord and move forward! It really is going to be a JOY TO BEHOLD!

Have FAITH and DOUBT NOT!!