Last Day To Be a Trickett!

      Jim and Susan Johnson ~ Riley Johnson and Kierra Trickett ~ Susette and Clint Trickett

Yesterday we had a wedding dinner!!! :) We went to LaJolla Groves in Provo to celebrate Kierra and Riley and the union of these two happy people...Let me just say that it was a joyful occasion...being surrounded by family and friends, eating yummy food, sharing memories and good times, seeing old friends...but most of all...realizing that this is the last day my daughter is going to be a Trickett and she couldn't be happier...

EXACTLY what I've always wanted for her...her dreams to come true!!!

Now let's go have a wedding!!! :)

Exercising Priesthood Power and Showing Faith

This morning my alarm went off at 5:20. I headed straight to the shower to start my day and get a lot accomplished in a little bit of time, because tomorrow is the wedding you know!!! ;)

As I walked down the hall in my towel, I could hear Kierra calling for her dad to come here...

There she was bent over the toilet bowl feeling like she was going to throw up! 

NOOOO!!!! Not now! Not today!

I immediately felt sad for Kierra, but then just as quickly had the thought,

"She will be all right."

Her plea for her dad to come here was followed by her request for a priesthood blessing as well.

So, Clint went to the basement and woke up Carew knowing that this would be the perfect opportunity for Carew to use his priesthood and gain some experience in giving blessings.

I laid in the bed next to my sweet Kierra, Clint instructed Carew on what to do, and then Carew used the consecrated oil that has been blessed and set apart for the healing of the sick, and put a drop of it on her head, and then anointed her and then Clint gave her a sweet blessing. I felt the spirit so strong as I lay there next to Kierra and watched these awesome boys give loving service with their priesthood power...the power that comes from God.

After the blessing I left to get ready, Clint left for work, Carew went out to edge the lawn, and Kierra went back to sleep.

About an hour later, Kierra was up and smiling and feeling completely better. Of course. :)

Because her blessing was given with that power, and according to her faith.

 And she has so much faith.

I feel like this little incident was a gift from God to show us that He is there and always watching over us. He gave Kierra the opportunity to receive a special blessing from her brother and dad on a very special day, He gave Clint the opportunity to teach his son how to use his priesthood, and He gave Carew the opportunity to exercise his priesthood in a safe place where he could learn and grow, and build yet another bond with his father and sister, people whom he loves dearly.

And, He gave ME the opportunity to be filled with the spirit and full of gratitude for these totally awesome people that I get to live my life with, that I get to travel this mortal journey with, 

and that I get to have for eternity to love.

Finding a Dress...

It is 2 days away from the wedding and I have yet to find a dress

 that I feel good in and that fits all the criteria ...

modest.

cream color. Not blush, cream.

Not too tight, not too baggy.

Not too casual, and not too fancy...

It would be nice if undershirts and slip extenders were not needed, but THAT is almost impossible!!!

...and this is why TODAY I am missing my dad.

When I had my laser eye surgery done about 8 years ago, I remember feeling a little depressed because my "soft focused" vision that I was used to seeing everything out of suddenly had become VERY clear and I could now see ALL of my imperfections. My skin looked a little more flawed, my pimples popped out a little more, and EVERYTHING looked BIGGER...including my reflection in the mirror.

I was frustrated with myself for feeling the way I did, and I was a little down on myself. 

My sweet dad noticed and asked me what was wrong. I was very blunt and honest and told him and his response was very clear. He told me in a way that only a dad can that I was his beautiful daughter and that I needed to see it and BELIEVE it!

So...today as the hunt continues for SOMETHING to wear to the wedding...I will tell myself that I am beautiful and THEN I will believe it.

Just like my dad would want me to. :)

By the way... I am sooo happy and excited for Kierra and Riley!

(But dress shopping for myself has got to be THE WORST part of planning the wedding!!!)

Wish me luck! 

One last Family Home Evening...

 Sweet little Gavin got to leave yesterday morning for his very first week long scout camp! He was so excited to be going and I know he will have a great time with all of his friends, AND probably won't even miss me...sad but true. :) When you are so busy playing hard and staying busy you don't have much time to miss mom, and that's OK. I am happy to see my kids growing up to be happy, successful, and independent and learning how to get along on their own...I believe that's a big part of preparing them for a mission someday...

 After I hugged and kissed him goodbye, I went to take care of my 98 year old friend Bernice, and then was off to the races!!! It was a day of lists, and checking off lists...and I was able to accomplish soooo much today! It felt so good and I know it was because Heavenly Father has really been blessing me and helping to multiply my time and talents.

Gavin off...check!

Bernice showered and ready for the day...check!

Pick up signing book...check!

Finalize castle details...check!

Take centerpiece to florist...check!

Work on lanterns...check!

Pick up suits from dry cleaners...check!

Clean glass and pack/organize reception decorations...check!

Gather cake cutting utensils...check!

Buy Garments...check!Pick up canvas prints at Costco...check!

Pick up dinner...(and deliver dinner to 2 families in the ward)...check, check, and check!!!

Plan Family Home Evening...check!

We are pretty much ready for the wedding with only a few small details to take care of...

Just look at these amazing lantern centerpieces that we will be using!!! Aren't they stunning?? :)

I dreamed up a picture frame that would look good from every side and this is what it ended up looking like... a lantern! I drew up a picture and asked my friend Natalie and her husband Bryan if they could make them for me (and they did!!!), and then when we got them home, I was able to cut my 16x20 portraits to put inside them and...voila! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 They look SOOOO good from EVERY side!!!

They are going to make such a statement in that beautiful castle...I can't wait to see it all put together. :)

Also today, as I was running my errands, I picked up one of these AWESOME books...

"The Book of Mormon For Latter~day Saint Families"

 I knew for the longest time, that when it came time for my children to get married, that THIS would be one of the gifts that I would be giving them...Sooooo...

Last night we had our very last family home evening with Kierra and Riley before they will be married and out on their own. We had a lesson all about marriage and eternal families!

We read a conference talk by Richard G. Scott who in my opinion is the epitome of sweetness to his wife and marriage...he sooo loved his beloved Jenine and told the whole world about it.

We used this conference talk to discuss different things that make a marriage relationship strong, and then shared pictures and stories and traditions of things that Clint and I have done to make our marriage strong.

We ended the night with giving Kierra and Riley the picture of the Payson temple that we ordered for them with their anniversary date printed right on the picture, AND this awesome book. That way they can begin their very own righteous family traditions from the very start.

And as you can see, that's exactly what they are going to do, right?

A kiss behind the book every night too...

What a GREAT idea!!!

Kierra Goes Through the Temple!

 Saturday, June 24th, Kierra took her endowments out at the Payson Temple...

Once again, heaven was oh so close as I was in the holy house of the Lord with my sweet daughter, her brother Carew, and the love of my life. 

Riley, his mom Susan, and her sister Julie were also there to support Kierra on this special day.

 They are so sweet and beautiful and it makes me so happy that she is getting such amazing people to expand her circle of family!

 I felt honored to be Kierra's escort, to be by her side through it all...and to see blessings pouring out right in front of my eyes. It is amazing to me how loving Heavenly Father is in blessing us with such great eternal gifts and blessings and it makes me so grateful for my testimony, for the priesthood, and for my eternal family.

 And as awesome as it was to see everything that Kierra was experiencing for the first time, one of my very favorite things to witness was the love and emotion felt between Kierra and Riley...

To see them embrace in tears of joy and together in the celestial room was one of the BEST gifts that a mother could ask for...It seems like a dream come true, but it's only going to keep on getting better! 

4 days until these 2 will be sealed for time and ALL ETERNITY!!!

Date Night at Temple Square

 Friday night was date night with these cute kids...Kate and Carew, Kierra and Riley (although Riley had to meet us there from work), and my sweetie Clint and me.

We went downtown to the old Tabernacle at Temple Square for a Utah Millennial Choir and Orchestra concert...and the roof was raised!!!

It was an amazing concert that blew my mind!

 I LOVE these people so very much and I count it a blessing that I was able to spend a night out on the town enjoying one last HOORAH before my little birdies all leave the nest...

In one short week, Kierra and Riley will be married, and Carew will not be far behind them...not only leaving the nest, but leaving the country no less!!

These people make me laugh, they make me smile, they make me happy, and they make me realize how family is EVERYTHING. Although I will miss them like crazy, I am happy to see the good things that lie ahead for them. AND, although the dynamics of my family are changing, my family is in reality only expanding and NOT getting smaller, right?? :)

"Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back and realize

 that it was the little things that mattered most."

XOXOXOXOX

Big Girl!

THIS...is what  happens when your baby helps you do the laundry!!!

She finds her brothers clean underwear and decides to put them on!!!

Congratulations Kesslyn on putting them on all by yourself...BIG GIRL!!! :) :) :)

Yesterday I was able to take Dallin, Gavin, and Kambriella to go camping with their Grandma and Grandpa Trickett for the weekend! They will be gone until Sunday and I KNOW they are going to have a BLAST! Exploring with cousins and tea parties in the mountains with Grandma...what could be more fun than that? ;)  

Kierra and I also stayed up until about 2:00 a.m. talking and doing wedding prep...

We are almost there and so excited for this amazing day to arrive! We washed mirrors, cut material, and polished the glass goblets trying to get the centerpieces ready...We may or may not have eaten raspberries and chocolate while we did it too. :)

Happy Friday! :)

Swim and Clean

 It was officially the first day of summer and the thermometer reached 100 degrees!!!

That definitely calls for a swim in the pool...

Friends...Check!

Fun...Check!!!

Good times..Check!!! :)

 Kambriella had her friend Jaydan over, Gavin had his friend Alex over, and Dallin of course had his cousin Xaton that's been with us all week... 

and Kesslyn...she had ME! 

She's always my little buddy following me around and doing whatever it is that I am busy doing!

 I sat by the kids at the pool being the lifeguard and worked on trimming photos and cleaning picture frames for the wedding. It was a FUN yet time consuming job...but they look GORGEOUS!!!

Today I went with Carew to pick out some new glasses for his mission too...now we are packing up the little kids to go on a camping trip with their grandparents this weekend...Bring on the Fun!!!

9 Days Left!

 Little Kesslyn was my buddy today...we went everywhere and did everything together! :)

Dallin, Gavin, and Xaxton were all off filming to be in a you tube video (which was a dream come true for them...:) and Kambriella was busy playing with a friend all day,
while Kesslyn and I ran wedding errands once again.
(Including stopping for a bite of lunch with Tiffany and Colby. :)

We are in the single digits until the wedding and we are down to the last details...like ordering and developing  pictures, ironing clothes for the rest of the family to wear to the wedding, making up the honeymoon basket full of treats and buying sparklers for the send~off etc...

Kierra and Riley got their Marriage Licence too...this is starting to get REAL people!!!

In just 3 days we will be going through the temple with Kierra to take out her endowments and I am so happy for her. I LOVE that she is so ready for this and SO SO VERY HAPPY!!! It's what you hope and pray for your whole life for your children and I am so blessed to be able to see it coming to a reality.

Happy days, happy times, grateful hearts, and enough LOVE to go around! 

It's Summer!

 Monday was a catch up on everything day, but mostly catch up on the laundry that I have been neglecting for forever!!! The kids played with their cousin Xaxton and TRIED to clean their rooms...:)

 ...I told them they could swim AFTER their rooms were clean. :)

It may have taken them all day to find the motivation, but they finally did it and made it out to the pool at about 8:30. Just in time for Family Night. :)

We also opened up the Giant Duck that the kids wanted to give their dad for Father's Day...

and they all loved it! 

And Clint and I loved watching them. :)

It's summer time and I love the warm, late evenings...bring on the fun!!

Good Morning Sunshine!

 I pulled into the church parking lot this morning at 5:30 for our aerobics class and was greeted by this glorious sunrise and beautiful sky. It literally drew me in and I drove to the edge of the parking lot, got out of my car, and took it all in...and of course took a picture. :)

This was just a little gift to me from Heavenly Father and one of the many ways that I feel His love, and that I feel like He's literally saying, "Here my sweet daughter...this is for you! I love you!"

I love it. :)

 And here's a little gem from yesterday...Father's Day.

Kesslyn saw the kids all giving their homemade cards to their dad and she of course wanted to make one too. :)

She laid on the floor drawing and smiling with the biggest smile. :) She makes everyone happy.

Especially her dad. :) ...and her mom too of course.

Happy Monday!

Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day to all the amazing men in my life...My sweet angel dad, my brother's, my father in law, but especially to this amazing guy right here...the father of my children. I love him so very much and all that he does for me and all that he teaches my children. 

They officially think they have a superhero for a mom because of all of the many ways that he builds me up...by the things he says about me in front of them, in front of others, and too them...they really believe him and look up to him as well.

My boys will all know how to treat their wives one day and their children because of the example that he has set...my girls know and will know what to look for in a spouse because of how they have seen him treat their mother. I love it! And I love him...so very much.

This weekend we went to a wedding reception for a family in our ward and I witnessed the sweetest thing ever. As Clint stood there watching the bride and her father dance together, I saw tears well up in Clint's eyes and become emotional. I asked him if he was OK and his response was, 

"That will be us in just 2 weeks! I'm gonna lose my daughter!!!"

I told him, "We are not losing our daughter, we are gaining a son." His response was,

"Yes, we are not losing her, she is ours forever." I smiled at him and said he was absolutely right. :)

 Thank goodness that families are forever because with today being Father's Day, my dear friend Sheri and her boys are still mourning the loss of Dave and their hearts are so tender...

I made up a little basket to leave on their front porch just to let them know that they are loved and that we are thinking of them today...and everyday really.

 I found a cute little block that said what I felt Dave would have said...

and then I put a picture of their family on top of it...

 Whether our Father's are here or in heaven, we feel of their love and influence all around us...especially our loving Heavenly Father who has made these families possible. I am grateful and LOVE our Father...

Happy Father's Day!

Youth Conference

 Dallin is off to his first ever youth conference and I am so excited for him! I LOVE the programs of the church, and especially the programs for the youth that give them an opportunity to go and have spiritual testimony building experiences in a fun and safe environment...It just seemed REALLY weird NOT to be going with him...I've gone the last several years but now that I am serving in the relief society, I don't get to go with the youth...;(   BUT, I DO love my calling, AND no fear!!! Carew is here!!!:)

 Yes, Carew decided to join his brother on one last youth conference adventure, and I'm excited for the special bonding time they will have together. It makes me happy to think about...

(and this is what I get when I tell the boys to smile but don't blink...they purposely close their eyes...;)

 After we got the boys off we did some chores around the house and then I let Gavin and Kambriella have friends over to swim and play. THIS is summer...being lazy by the pool and eating Creamies! :)

(I thought this was so cute to see Kambriella fold her hair up in her towel and then sit next to Tucker...they are good friends. :)

 Kesslyn doesn't seem to like the water very much at all, but she does like hanging around and being with everyone..AND she loves the Creamies too!

 Kambriella taught Tucker how to fold his towel up on his head. :)

Now THAT is a true friend!!! ;) ;) ;) 

Happy Friday!!!

Fun at Costco

Did you ever have any idea just how much fun going to COSTCO with mom could be?? :)

I took all the kids with me to do my shopping since they are home for the summer and need some yummy snacks to go to...

Plus, Dallin and Carew are headed off to Youth Conference for the rest of the week and we definitely needed to stock up on camping treats and lunch stuff...

In the meantime, they found these Tommy Bahama beach chairs that they all insisted that they HAD to have because they reminded them of the beach. :)

I didn't give in though...It's definietly not a need right now... :)

I finished up gathering items for the centerpieces for the wedding and also met with the lady at the castle to finalize the reception details...we are 2 weeks away from the wedding!!!

It's getting real people!!! :) Have a happy day!;)

My Hair :)

 Look at what I did yesterday!!! I went and got my hair done at Salon Lydia!!!

 I NEVER get my hair done!!! But I figured that a wedding was a good enough reason to go and get a good trimming and add a slight little bit of color just for fun. :)  I told Meloney I didn't want to be a blonde, but I wanted it to have highlights, and I think she did a good job at not making it too drastic for me, but yet noticeable. I like it. :) It feels so nice. :)

 Then, the rest of the day consisted of driving in the car...literally! I took my kids out to lunch, Dallin to his acting lessons, Kambriella to her dance camp, and then hunted ALL of the TJ MAXX stores in Utah to round up these little gems!!!

 Gorgeous "castle like" mirrors and clocks that will serve as the base for some of our centerpieces for the wedding! They were on clearance for $24.99!!! So, I had to snatch them up...I think they will look amazing!

 We literally walked out of TJ MAXX as they were closing and realized it was now 9:00 and had not even fed the little girls that we were dragging around with us everywhere... SOOO....we made yet another stop at Chik~fil~A and the girls were sooo happy!

 I LOVE these little monkeys of mine!!!

ANNDD... They help me hold on to so much joy that comes from little children, especially at a time when I will be losing not one, but TWO of my children!

They make us smile and laugh and remember to enjoy the little moments...because after all, it really is those "little moments" that make up all our BIG memories.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! :)

Bridal Pictures and the "First Look"

 Kierra and I had such a fun time together getting ready for her bridal pictures! I keep trying to capture all of the little details of this whole process called "life" because I just don't want to forget any of this awesomeness... :)

 I curled and did her hair while she did her make~up...

And Carew showed up with her bouquet for us so we could have it in time for the pictures. Isn't it beautiful??

 We drove to Mountain Green where we met up with Riley, Cherie, and Emily. 

Cheire once again is responsible for the fabulous photography, and Emily is our videographer that was there to capture the moment of the "First Look." That's the moment where Riley and Kierra saw each other in their wedding attire for the very first time. 

I was so giddy and this was seriously one of the funnest things that I have ever done!! :)

 The sun and the sky and the light and the mountains and the couple and EVERYTHING was soooo gorgeous...it was almost unreal...but really I just know that it was yet another loving gift from a loving Heavenly Father. :)

 Beautiful bride...

 Handsome groom...

 Rings and flowers...

 Best friends...

 ...and one crazy mama!!! :)  :)  :)