He Was In a Suit

 When I very first met Clint he was wearing a suit.

He was a missionary and carried the light of the Spirit with him and he was soooo handsome.

25 years later I am married to this same handsome man in a suit...and he carries the light of the Spirit with him even more and he is even MORE handsome to me!!!

Every couple of weeks he leads all of the ward mission leaders in our stake along with the full time missionaries and correlates, teaches, motivates , and inspires these saints to be good missionaries and how to best go about accomplishing the Lord's work. I love him so much and am so proud of him.

Annddd...it's only 10 more days till we leave on our vacation to the Virgin Islands!!!

(But I'm NOT counting. :)

It's funny how the better you get to know someone how much your love for them can grow, and with my sweetheart Clint, there are so many things that make me love him so...

One of those is what an amazing father he is to our children.

Kambriella wrote down her order to JCW's...and included an "I love you dad" because it's the truth! My kids are blessed with the BEST dad who will give them the world and lives the kind of life that helps them learn how to BE amazing by his awesome example.

I LOVE YOU CLINT!!!

XOXOX

Thank you for the light you shine on me!!!

Angels Among Us

This morning I went out for a run and enjoyed the calm air. Some mornings it's really windy, and other mornings it's just calm...

My heart really felt that peace because my mind wandered as my body was doing all of the work running up those hills. I thought of people in my life and things that I need to do today, 

people I need to go visit and my upcoming vacation with my sweetie...

I thought of each of my children and the different things that they are experiencing in their lives right now and what more I can do as a mom to strengthen them and build them up...

my mind basically took off and my heart was engaged in a really long prayer of love, thanks and gratitude...

and then suddenly, literally in an instant, I turned the corner and had a very vivid vision in my mind of my sweet Dad. He was dressed all in white standing very straight and tall and he had a big smile on his face...and although I did not see his lips move I felt like I could read his mind and he was telling me...

"Don't you worry about your family because I am here to help them. 

You don't have to do it all alone...you have so much help from me and other angels that are constantly surrounding you...Even though you don't see us we are always here..."

Then I saw him with my brother Kelly, and then one by one, I could see silhouettes of other people dressed in white joining them...it was like the army of angels were gathering for their morning assignments...:)

Literally that's how I felt.

"You go with Carew to school and keep him safe. He's preparing for his mission you know and the halls of the high school can get pretty rough!"

"You, follow little Kesslyn! And be sure that you add a couple of extra bodies at the tops of those stairs...she's becoming a little dare devil you know! :)"

"You, be sure to help Kierra and Riley...they WILL make it to the temple if we have anything to do about it!"  

Then one by one I saw my children being surrounded with an army of angels and I began to cry and I don't think I have stopped crying since because I KNOW that the Spirit has reminded me today of the great love and power that exists not only from my earthly family, but from my Heavenly home as well.

2 Kings 6:16 says...

 Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

Angels surround us on every side. Both those that we can see and those that we can't .

 I'm so grateful for the friend I have in the Holy Ghost and that I am loved enough to be able to not only feel that love, but to see it as well.

In Full Bloom

Friends are like flowers in the Garden of Life...

And this sweet friend of mine is in full bloom! :)

Emily is my sister friend that I've talked about before...my friend that's so close to me that she might as well be my sister! (And technically she is since we are all children of God. :)

As I was busy working at home today I heard a knock at the door and opened it only to find this gem...

Flowers for me...just because. 

That's it! 

Just because I'm loved!

I have people in my life who carry me, lift my spirits, and raise me up to be the best that I can be.

 I feel so blessed to not only have Emily for my sister friend, but as one of my counselors in the Relief Society too...We have been planted here in our little neighborhood together for a reason, and I love growing together here with her and seeing the true beauty that blooms from the seeds she plants. She is an amazing friend, example, and strength to me. Her testimony is ROCK solid and I lean on her and learn from her so much.

Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with sweet Emily, and thank you Emily for your kindness, service, and love! 

My Beautiful Kierra...and Not So Little Valerie :)

 Kierra's best friend from preschool was married for time and all eternity this weekend!

It's so hard to believe that these awesome things are happening and that enough time has really gone by for them to be a reality...

Valerie and Bingham made a beautiful couple and I'm so happy for them. :)

 We met Kierra and Riley up in North Ogden to attend the wedding reception, gave out hugs and best wishes, then headed out to dinner at Bella's Mexican Restaurant. We sat there and talked and talked and talked until finally the waiter came and asked us if it was OK for them to start putting up chairs...:)

I guess time flies when you are having fun, right? :)

I love being with Kierra and Riley. 

It makes me feel more and more comfortable each time we are together with them that somehow the distance of her living away from home and eventually under the care and protection of this fine young man is the right thing and that she is going to be well taken care of, provided for, and most important of all, completely happy in her life. She's fulfilling her dreams and it makes me soooo happy for her. 

I love you Kierra!

Little Bakers and Basketball Players

 Baking with my babies has always been one of my favorite things to do as a mom. It's so fun to get our aprons on, mix and stir (and taste :) ...it's a fun way to make a treat, incorporate some elementary learning skills like counting and singing...and I LOVE the way it makes my house smell! ;)

 Kesslyn was a good little helper and would always start laughing when I would turn the mixer on.

(I think it was just to reassure herself that it WASN"T scary.)

 I am 100 % sure though that her favorite part was licking the beaters! :)

These cup cakes are the beginning stages of what desserts we will have at Carew's Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday...still need another 8 dozen besides these though! With 6 boys receiving their awards, there will be a full house!

Also last night , Grandpa Trickett came to watch Gavin play in his basketball tournament...

Let's just say that EVERYONE was happy he was there...especially Kambriella. :)

AND Puppy Child. :)

 Gavin has become such a good little player and is really learning how to be an all around player.

 Here he is at the foul line...

He went there 3 times last night and was 50% on his free throws.

 These are such fun times that we are in with our children and I'm so grateful that we have loving and supportive family to enjoy the journey with us.

Love, love, love this sweet family of mine! :)

16 Days Away

 So much goes on in the day of the life of a parent...and 99% of it is for the betterment of the family... Cleaning, cooking, laundry, planning, organizing, driving, grocery shopping, helping with homework and reminders, ...

cleaning and driving, and cleaning and driving...

Did I say cleaning and driving??? :)

But I just realized this morning that it is only 16 days until Clint and I will be headed off to the Virgin Islands and I CANNOT WAIT!!!

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE serving my family! It brings me GREAT JOY and satisfaction. But I LOVE the time alone with my eternal companion!!! And I'm 99.9% sure that I won't be doing ANY 

cleaning, cooking, laundry, planning, organizing, driving, grocery shopping, helping with homework and reminders, ...

cleaning and driving, and cleaning and driving...

Did I say cleaning and driving??? :)

VIRGIN ISLANDS...I hear you calling my name...the swishing sound of the washing machine resembles the sound of the ocean...kinda sorta...if you listen REALLY REALLY hard. :)

SEE YOU SOON!!!

Love, Your BEST friend, Susette :)

XOXOXO

(Pictures above are from our trip to Florida about 6  years ago. :)

Parade of a Princess

 This big girl has no more binkies!

And really, I think she is OK with that. :)

 She is happy and already trying to talk more...:)

 And definitely still gets spoiled rotten by everyone around her!!! :)

 Like being given a comfy homemade chair (made out of a laundry basket, pillows, and blankets) snacks, your bunny, and a handle made from a jump rope tied to the basket...and then being paraded around the house like a Princess...

 She loved every minute of it!!!

And her sissy too. :)