James' Graduation Party !!!

The banner I made for James, he had fun running through it.

James has finished school (except one last class he will finish in Spring) and so I threw him a surprise party with all of our friends and family!!! It was so much fun, and he was totally surprised. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work and endurance. I love you babe!!! You are AmAzInG !!!

James when he walked through the doors and realized what was up.

We had a good time hanging out with friends and dining on yummy food. I made him walk through the back doors into the yard wearing a graduation cap while playing the graduation song and then he ran through his banner we made him.

Thank you to our many friends and family for joining us in this celebration. It means a great deal to us to have him graduated. What a long haul it has been, but well worth it.

James graduated from the U of U even though he is true BYU fan. So my dad thought it would be funny to have him wear a Utah hat, he refused so I wore it since I am a U of U fan and James put on his Byu hat that his siter gave him as a graduation gift.

Me giving my "grateful that he's finished speech".

My first 5K........(and more to come)

Travis, Amber, Nick, Shanelle, me, Blakely and Brooke after our race was finished.


Today (May 17th) was my first 5k Race and I loved it and plan on doing it again and again. I ran in the Linda Buttars Memorial Race at Jordan Landing with my sisters, Amber, Shanelle and Brooke, and also my brother-in-law Travis. We also saw many of our friends and neighbors there too. It was great.

Almost to the finish line.

Shanelle and Brooke almost to the finish line.

A 5k may not sound like much to all of you runners out there, after all it is only 3.1 miles. But considering last summer and how ecstatic I was to be able to run the 1 mile in 13 minutes without stopping (pathetic I know) this was quite an accomplishment for me, and boy did it feel good. I finished in 31 minutes and 12 seconds. Which means I ran a 10.038 minute mile. It was great. My next race is on June 28th at the Taylorsville Dayzz celebration. I hope to cut 2 minutes off my time.

We have decided to run one race a month so I will keep you posted. if you would like to race here is great link to all of the Utah Races :http://fastrunningblog.com/utah-races.php

Jamie Jones, me and Jen Parris. Some of my friends from my neighborhood

Me, with my friends; Randi Wright and Courtney Seal.

Our small cheering section; McKenzie, Kelsie, Stockton and Mindy.

I LoVe my Mother's !!!

I would like to say, "Happy Mother's Day" to my two favorite moms. My mom, Sherry and my mother-in-law, Hazel. I love these two woman with all my heart and am so blessed to have them as an influence in my life.



My mom: what a silly nut! It has been fun to grow up and get to know my mom as a peer and not just a mother. She is so silly. She has an immense love for anything Disney (including all the movies, theme parks, characters, you name it, she loves it !) I have caught her dancingin in her backyard to, "When you wish upon a star". My mom is also an amazing cook (which is probably a big reason how "Bob" came to be) She can make anything taste good and no matter how hard I try I can never get my gravy to taste as good as hers, whats up with that? My mom was so good about getting us involved in fun activities and encouraging us to try. We participated in singing and dancing for years and years, She helped me run for Student Body Officer, and was always an active part of my childhood serving as a room mother in my classes. I loved it!

My mom, Sherry with some of the grandkids

My mom kept our home nice, clean and comfortable and taught us that cleanliness is next to godliness and no matter how messy your room was that if you would just make your bed, your room automatically looked 50% cleaner. She took time to enjoy her family and made sure that we grew up with great memories of spending time together. I have so many memories of trips to NewPort; playing on the beach, staying up all night laughing with friends and family, playing card games, visiting Disneyland. I hold these memories so dear. They are my fondest memories of my childhood. My mom has a very tender-heart and is loving and kind towards all. She is easily brought to tears with the thought of others who are in need or others who are struggling and is quick to help. She is the perfect partner for my dad and together they are such a wonderful example of a happy, fun, eternal marriage. I LOVE YOU MOM !!!!

My mother-in-law, Hazel: What a woman!!! Hazel can do anything, and I do mean ANYTHING!!! She sews, cooks, cans, cleans, caters, studies, geneology, service, you name it, she does it. I wish I was a sponge and could absorb all of her knowledge. She has taught me so many things that I am so grateful for. Hazel is a lover of movies and knows all of the old classics. She likes to garden, do geneolgy work and make the best beef stroganauf and white dinner rolls on the planet !!!! I am thankful to her for all the help she was to me when James was in school full-time and working full-time and would make it home for just 5 hours in the day to sleep. I was very lonely and way overwhelmed with 2 new babies and a 2 year old toddler. It was a hard time for me and she was so kind to let me come over to her house almost every day, to help me with my kids, teach me new things and just keep me company. She will never know what the meant to me. She has a great love for the gospel and shows it in the way she lives her life. Nothing matters more to her than the gospel and her family. Together her and Glen (my father-in-law) have served 2 missions and are currently serving their 3rd mission, all in Finalnd. They are a wonderful example to my family and we love them so much. I LOVE YOU HAZEL!!!

Glen and Hazel

Happy Mother's Day also to my two darling Grandma's. What sweet hearts !!! They are so kind and wonderful and I am so glad to have been raised as their grand-daughter I love you both so much!

My Grandma, Genevieve Blake

My grandma, Betty Stephens





"No other accomplishment that you fulfill in this life will be of more importance than that of being a mother."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

What about Bob?

So I'm happy to announce the latest update on Bob. He is half way moved out. Meaning I'm down 30 lbs. (actually 32 lbs.) with 30 more to go. I will admit I am getting a bit frusterated since I seem to be slowing down on how quickly I lose weight. But, I for sure need to be more careful. I re-read south Beach and have decided that the slower weight loss (0.5 -1.5 pounds per week) is because I am living more of a phase 3 lifestyle (which is made to maintain) when I should be in a phase 2 (which you live until you reach your goal). So I am cutting back on carbs, and re-dedicating myself to the gym. I have been a bit slacking on the exercise because of working late-night and being out of town. So I should be in the low to mid 150's, but sadly am only 159 lbs. Next month will be better. My 5k is in one week, so I am excited for that. I will let you know how that goes. Although I am not worried since I am running 5 miles now straight through. It will be easy. I will post pictures of me soon as I can get somebody to take some of me. Thanks for your support. Wish me better luck this month.

Twilght is coming to a theatre near you !

I read the Twilight Series in a matter of days. Yes I am one of the many conformists who couldn't resist (and didn't really want too!) who read the entire series (at least the 3 that are available) of Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. And just like all the others who read, I LoVeD it. Couldn't put them down. I literally finished the first novel in a matter of hours. I think I finished under 14 hours to be exact. How did I manage that you ask, since afterall I do have 3 very busy children and a busy schedule myself. Well, folks, I hate to admit that the week I was introduced to the Twilight series, a lot of Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwhiches were made, thank heaven above for Disney movies, and Huggies are actually made out of a rather enduring substance. My poor kids! Not an ounce of house work was done and all I could think about was Edward and Bella. The next 2 books took me a bit longer. I think New Moon was within 72 hours and Eclipse was within one week.

So for all of my fellow Twilight Comrades out there, get ready because these fine novels are all about to come to life on the big screen. YaHHooooooooo!!!!

Enjoy the trailer!!!!

Help Jonah!

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34–35). Show your love by supporting Jonah.

“Charity is the pure love of Christ.” (Moroni 7:47)

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22: 37-39) "As we reach out in love to those around us, we fulfill the other half of the great commandment to “love thy neighbour as thyself.” - Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

See this darling little guy? Well, he and his family need YOUR help. Jonah Gomez is the 4 year son to an amazing young woman, Jesse Gomez. I had the opportunity to meet her when I lived with my in-laws. Jesse and her family are so amazing and I love and respect them so much.

All of you mom's out there, I want you to think of one of your sweet precious children, as you are visualizing them in your mind imagine that this child has not just 1 but 3 genetic disorders! Which would cause such discomforts as;

• painful episodes
• damage to vital organs,
• risk of serious infection
• early death
• severe anemia
• narrowing between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery
• an affected child to become pale, experience shortness of breath, become tired easily and delay growth and physical development
• pale mucous membranes
• increased heart rate and pounding pulses
• weakness and exercise intolerance
• The liver and spleen may be enlarged
• after one year of age, the density of all bones, particularly long bones and skull, appear to increase

You would do everything in your power to help your child, wouldn't you? That is what Jesse is trying to do for herchild, Jonah and she needs your help to succeed!!!

Jonah has 3 disorders; Sickle Hemoglobin D Disease, Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency or PKD, and a heart condition known as Supravalvular Pulmonary Stenosis. That's a lot of things to take on for such a little sweetie. It's enough to break your heart. Jonah at the young age of 4 has already undergone over 39 blood transfusions and regulary recieves transfusions every 6 weeks. If you are interested in helping him and his family out with your love and support and DoNaTiOnS you and all you know are invited to attend a silent auction in his behalf. So come on out and stop on by to enjoy a fun evening with food, music, games, face painting, inflatables, rock wall, etc...

Taylorsville Big Give

GIVE BIG! Saturday, May 31st 2008

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Taylorsville High School Gymnasium

Silent Auction Items
Parlee hand-built full custom carbon frame and fork. Retail value est $7000.00 from Edge Composites
2- 2.0 all carbon fiber forks buyers choice of Aero or Road model Retail Value est $480.00 each from Edge Composites
2- Carbon fiber Mountain handlebars Riser or Flat buyers choice Retail value est. $180.00 each from Edge Composites
2- Carbon fiber wheelsets buyers choice Road or Mountain. Retail value est. $2500.00 each from Edge Composites
White gold diamond pendant necklace valued at $800
$500.00 Gift Certificate from Bikers Edge Custom Bikes
$500 in Services from Notus Career Management
$400 Teeth Whitening, Exams, and Dental products from Jordan View Dental
Speed Street Indoor Raceway Passes
Feature Films for Families Package est value $500.00
Arbonne International Spa Package
Life changing success materials featuring Robert Kiyosaki, Jack Canfield and more......
$50 Gift Certificate from Dominoes Pizza
Deer Valley Weekend
$50 Gift Card to Forever Young Shoes
Eric C Taylor DJ Extraordinaire for your function a $250 value
Golf Packages
Concert Tickets
Tickets to Wise Guys Comedy Club
Tio's Mexican Restaurant
Tennis Package from SportsUniverse.net
Car Detail Package from Polished Image

Entertainment Scheduled
Jazz Bear
DJ Eric C Taylor
Wise Guys Comedians
Rock Climbing Wall
Bounce House
Hula Hoop Contest with Jazz Bear
Coloring Table
Face Painting

Thank You to Our Sponsors
City of Taylorsville Youth Council
Edge Composites, LLC
Passey & Son Jewelry
Color Graphics
Notus Career Management

Want to get INVOLVED?
Would you like to donate items for the silent auction? Would you like to donate your time? Please contact us!

Tami.Acord@hotmail.com

Brek_Bolton@nlvmail.com

JodiGrizz@hotmail.com

PLEASE HELP OUT IN ANY WAY YOU CAN!!! IT WOULD BE VERY APPRECIATED!!!

Here is more links for more info regarding Jonah:

http://www.taylorsvillebiggive.blogspot.com/

and

http://thejonahgomezfund.org/

"At the final day the Savior will not ask about the nature of our callings. He will not inquire about our material possessions or fame. He will ask if we ministered to the sick, gave food and drink to the hungry, visited those in prison, or gave succor to the weak. When we reach out to assist the least of Heavenly Father’s children, we do it unto Him. That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "

- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Awake, arise and come unto Him." (My experience at Women's Conference)

Me, Laura, Beth, Annie and Cheri at Women's Conference. Provo, Utah

I don't know exactly where to start.

I guess I will begin by saying that I had such an awakening experience this past weekend and am so blessed and grateful for my experience. I was able to atttend Women's Conference in Provo this year with all of my sweet sister-in-laws who I love dearly.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what exactly Women's Conference is let me explain it in a nutshell. It is a weekend where over 2,000 women meet at the BYU campus to attend classes of there choice to help strengthern their testimony. It is also a great opportunity to do service projects for the Humanitarian effortand attend a concert of wonderful LDS music. It was wonderful!

What a sight, over 2,000 woman gathered in the Marriott Center at BYU

to here a morning adrress given by Sister Sherry Due.

It began on Thursday, May 1st and ended Friday, May 2nd. You attend class from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. I know that seems like alot of classes, of sitting and listening, which may not sound so appealing, but I found that I couldn't get enough of it. I wish I could have attended all the classes that were being taught since they were all so great, but of course I couldn't and so I picked the ones that I thought would best help me. These are the classes I chose:

• Opening remarks given by Sister Sherry Dew


• Parenting for Young Mother's


• Strengthening love for the Scriptures


• "We are as the army of Helaman": Raising Righteous Sons


• Temple Worship is an Avenue to Exaltation in God's Kingdom


• Faith


• The Life and Times of Jesus Christ


• Take a Deep Breath and Count to Ten: Transforming Anger


• A Partnership of Equals: "Neither is the Man without the Woman, Neither the Woman without the Man."


• Closing remarks were adressed by President Thomas S. Monson

Annie, Beth, Laura and Cheri, My silly sister-in-laws

I could never possibly write all that I have learned for it would take too long but I will share some of the great highlights from these classes.

• Invite the Spirit into your home. Seek the spirit over getting these done.




• Don't spend too much time on selfish or self-indulging things. Give up the things of the world for something better.




• No other accomplishment will matter more than what you do as a mother.




• Being an "at home mom" doesn't just mean you are "at home", but more importantly that you are available to your children, spend time with them, play with them, teach them, love them.




• The greatest person that has ever been and will ever be is Jesus Christ. Mother's are comparable to Christ.

Christ miraculously fed 5000, mother's feed their families every day



Christ washed the feet of his disciples to show humility and love, mother's bathe and care for their childre.




Christ taught those he loved and invited all to hear his words, mother's are continually teaching and showing their children and loved ones the way.



Christ healed the sick, mother's take care of their sick children and the needs of others



Christ showed compassion to others, women are so quick to lend a helping hand to those in need.

On Thursday evening we attended a concert at the Marriott Center where we heard LDS artists perform such as, Kenneth Cope, Hillary Weeks, Mercy River, Eclipse, Jenny Jordan Frogley. It was awesome.

• Be less of the world and more about the Father's Buisness




• Be an example of those things which you are trying to teach your children. Here's an example. If you want your children to have a love for the scriptures, you yourself need to have a love for the scriptures and let your children see you reading them




• Teach your sons the love for work, this will help prepare them for missions. Give them daily jobs.




• Teach your sons to respect women. If you teach your son to respect woman he will in turn choose a respectable woman.




• teach your sons responsibility, and have high expectations for them




• Play with your kids




• Teach your children reverance




• The path that leads to Celestial Glory passes through the Temple.




• The Temple is our home, and everyone is invited to come home to the Temple.




• Pay your Tithing. The Lord throws in an extra 10% to see if we will give it back to him, if we don't we are burglars. Offerings come from our earned income, but tithing is the Lord's.




• To love your spouse more or show more love, serve him.




• Enemies of an equal marriage are; self-doubt, self-indulgence and self- absorption




• To avoid communication problems in marriage; say what the Lord would say, do what the Lord would do.




• Don't let trials go unwasted. We are here to learn from our trials and be refined through them. Ask yourself what you can learn from your trials and look back on past trials and see how they have blessed you.




• Don't focus to much on always entertaining ourselves or our children instead find ways to teach them righteous things. We should be busily engaged in the Lord's work. "without hard work, only weeds would grow."




• When enduring hard trial or hard things and you have found you have reached the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.




• What children want for dinner is you. Make dinner time a main event. Use it to talk to your children, get to know them, laugh, teach them gospel principals.

This was at our service project where we helped the EFY counselors prepare for up-coming session of EFY (Especially for Youth) by spooling yarn so the youth could make hats for the humanitarian effort.

This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the many things I have learned. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Church has given us to better ourselves. I will deffinately be returning next year and would encourage you to do the same. It was a lovely weekend in which my cup was surely filled and runeth over. I know that this church is true and that if we listen to the spirit and follow it's council we will be blessed along with our families. Ours as mother's and wives is a sacred calling and duty in which I am grateful for. I know Jesus Christ lives and loves each one of us individually and wants for the best for us, and that is why he has provided a way for us to be happy by choosing the right and living the gospel. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We were interviewed for a T.V. broadcast of BYU Weekly. So keep yours eyes opened

P.S. Thank you to Keelee, my Mom, my Hubby, and my niece Brooke for taking care of my kids so I could attend Women's Conference. I love you all so much.

Me and my sister-in-laws at our service project

Beth, Annie and Cheri

Our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson waving good-bye to the crowd after his closing remarks. What a sweet heart.