Bernice and a 4th Grade Program...

 I'm the lucky one that gets to spend a little extra time with this beautiful 100 year old lady this week!

(I'm helping to take care of her while her granddaughter is out of town.)

After going to get her hair done yesterday morning, we went in Arctic Circle's drive-thru for a shrimp basket for lunch! Bernice's favorite! :)

Kesslyn and her friend Gabriella were with me while I took care of some things and they played Barbie's in front of Bernice and that just made her day. :)

 Later in the day we got to go and see Kambriella's 4th grade program that was all about the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental railroad! 

 We learned all about what it took to get the railroad built, and where the meeting of the rails actually took place here in Utah at Promontory Point!

It was really fun program, and Kambriella was the cutest little "Chinese worker" I think I have ever seen! :)

 After it was over, Clint took her out to dinner at the Black Bear Diner while I headed off to a meeting...

 What cuties and good good friends!!!

Emery, Kambriell, Mia, and Kesslyn too :)

Happy Mother's Day weekend!!!

Mother of the Ward

 Last night there were about 10 young women on my doorstep holding this beautiful bouquet of flowers for me! They wanted to wish me a Happy Mother's Day and thank me for all I do to help and serve and look out for all the people in our ward...

 ...after all, I am the mother of our ward family! :)

It was so sweet of them to think of me, and I went around one by one and hugged each of them and told them that I love them, which I really do! They are each special in their own way, and I grateful for each of them.

I also told them that I am going to be a GRANDMA!!!

XOXOXOO

More Than a Place to Sit

 Last weekend when Kierra and Riley were here, Kierra and I had about 30 minutes together when we snuck off to my neighbor's house for her Mother's Day Boutique. :)

It was love at first sight for me and these country bar stools and I HAD to have them! :)

It was more than a place to sit for me...it was a memory!

The minute I saw them I saw so many things...my childhood, my Grandpa Mickelson's house, his dairy farm and all the cows..., me and my cousins laughing and wading through piles of mud in our galoshes...nightly games of kick the can and "no bears are out tonight", and collecting earthworms in the dark for my aunt to sell for the people headed off to go fishing in the "crick", and even eating cereal in the mornings after sleepovers at my cousins house where the milk came fresh from the cows, and it was still a little too warm for my liking...Yuck. ;)

It's funny how something so simple can bring back so many good memories, but for me and these bar stools, that's where we went! 

Now I see my own little ones sitting on them and coloring, eating ice-cream, and singing songs about how much they love their family...

Yep. It's a good life! And I'm soooo grateful for it! :)

P.S. What do you think of the name "Lolli" and "Pop" for the new grandparents to be?? 

:) :)

The Best Mother's Day Gift EVER!!!

 Although we had an amazing weekend all around with Kierra and Riley, the highlight by far, was our Sunday morning family breakfast! We all got up and ready early in order to have this one special time together since everyone's lives are so busy, and this would be the ONLY time while Kierra and Riley were here that we could all sit down together as a family and talk and just BE together.

 Kierra asked me even before she came from Colorado if we could make this happen because it's so important to all of us to have this family time together, and I wanted to make it happen too! She requested crepes (which is a family favorite :) and everyone was so excited for this yummy meal and this sweet time together. :)

Little did I know that this would be an extra EXTRA special family breakfast! :)

We sat down together and Clint offered a prayer, and then Kierra and Riley said to wait because they had a Mother's Day present to give me since they wouldn't be here next week for Mother's Day...

Kierra said that it was her turn to pick out my gift (since last year Riley ordered me bacon roses :) and that it was going to be much better than Riley's was.  ;)

I opened the box and read the card...

 ...and although I didn't understand how to make sense out of the words on the page, my momma heart knew exactly what was happening when I made sense out of "Nova Ember"...

Instantly I became emotional and filled with an immense amount of the spirit of love and my heart soared!!!

KIERRA AND RILEY ARE HAVING A BABY IN NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I"M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hugged Kierra and Riley and had some tears of joy, and told them that I was SOOOOO happy for them!!!

 Inside my little Mother's Day package was this sweet ultrasound picture of a tiny little spirit that is going to be joining such a loving family! Oh little one...the JOY that you will bring to this family, and the LOVE that you will receive from all of us is immeasurable!!!

As you look on from the heavens do you see the amazing parents that you will have? Do you know the gospel loving eternal family that you will be coming too??
Of course you do. :) It's the same one Heavenly Father promised he would send you to...:)

I can't wait to see you again. :)

Along with my card and the ultrasound picture, was an awesome t-shirt that said, "Grandma Life is the Best Life", and a fun jar of "Prego" spaghetti sauce. :)

Ooo I love it! All of it!

I think this is by far the BEST Mother's Day gift I have ever received.

I'm just so happy. :)

 After we talked and laughed and ate our breakfast (except I never ate 1 bite because I was enjoying this moment sooo much) it was time for Kierra and Riley to head off to Kalli's baby blessing, so we took a few fun pictures to remember this special day.

 It is so surreal...Kierra and Riley are going to be parents, and Clint and I are going to be grandparents!!! And the kids are going to be Aunt's and Uncle's!!!

I thought it was so cute too as Kierra and Riley were leaving the house each one of the kids called out, "Goodbye baby Ryker"..(from Gavin of course) and "Goodby baby Clint" (from Dallin) and "Goodbye baby Noel" (from Kambriella)...:)

We are SO happy for you!!!!!!

 After church was over and we all had a good Sunday nap, we were able to feed the missionaries (which Kesslyn loved! ;) 

 ...and then Clint and I went on a long walk alone to discuss the events of the day...

We are so blessed.

We are so happy!

WE ARE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS!!!!!!!!!

Family Time and Morp!

 Miranda and Patrick (a.k.a. Savannah and Dallin) hit the town on Saturday for Morp!

 With the dance theme of "Netflix" this awkward couple hit the nail on the head with their spot on costumes and "awkward couple" poses. :)

 But honestly they are the cutest awkward couple ever. :) They had such a fun day together picnicking, playing at the park, hiking, dancing, and having s'mores to end the night!

 I loved Dallin's comment on how much fun he had, and that "you don't need to spend a lot of money to have fun!"

That is a brilliant reality you have come to Dallin! ;) ;) (Or should I say, Patrick...;)

 This was Dallin's first official date since turning 16 and I was so happy he had such a fun time. :)

Savannah is a sweet girl.

 While he was partying it up, we also had Kierra and Riley come to visit us for the weekend!

We will gladly take some time to play whenever they come in town!

 Aside from having kart wheel contests at the park, we went out to dinner, watched volleyball and basketball games...

 played ultimate Frisbee, went to see the new Avengers movie End Game...(that didn't get over until 1:00 in the morning!)

( Thus the sleeping beauty little girls that were so tired by the end of the 3 and a half hour movie!!!)

(I'm so glad I payed the extra money for the reclining chairs!!!)

 Riley got to go and play pickle ball with his family, and we got to relax (but just for a minute ;)...

 ...and we genuinely just enjoyed being together and the beautiful spring weather. :)

The kids even had a hand stand contest...and Riley was the winner.

 Clint and I also went on a date with Kierra and Riley to Mulligan's mini golf and we hit it just at the right time...

 ..right before dark, and they let us in for free! It was a fun little date and it felt nice to be outside in the weather and laughing and having fun with two of our very favorite people. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend...

 ...I just wish someone could beat Clint at mini golf!!! :)

Look at this cute cute couple!!!

I just LOVE them!!! :) :) :)

Marriage is Priceless

  "Successful eternal marriages are built on the foundation

 of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings.

I have observed that couples who have made their marriages priceless,

 practice the patterns of faith... "

I truly believe this, and I also believe that my marriage is priceless.

Speaking of marriage...:)

Yesterday was another day full of service with helping neighbors pack up to move, preparing for a bridal shower for one of our former laurels, and then going to the temple with my sweetie. :)

 I found these fun laundry baskets and decorative sign for the laundry room, and so I just HAD to get 2 of them for a "his" and "hers"...

(this picture was before guests arrived...I promise the gift table was full! ;)

 After all, I know that part of true love is the service you give to your sweetheart, INCLUDING washing smelly socks! ;) 

Shylah you will make a beautiful bride! :)

Uno De Mayo! :)

A night of service food and fun with some of the cutest little people I know!

So grateful for this church and our awesome ward family!