Friday, June 06, 2008

My Daughter, My Joy

" A Tribute To Daughters "

Every home should have a daughter,
for there's nothing like a girl,
To keep the world around her
In one continuous whirl!

She is soft and sweet and cuddly,
but she's also wise and smart,

She's a wonderous combination

of a mind and brain and heart.

And even in her baby days
She's just a born coquette,
And anything she really wants
She manages to get.

For even at a tender age
She uses all her wiles,

And she can melt the hardest heart

with the sunshine in her smiles.

She starts out as a rosebud
with her beauty unrevealed,
Through a happy childhood
her petals are unsealed...

She's soon a sweet girl graduate,
and then a blushing bride,

And then a lovely woman,

as the rosebud opens wide...

And some day in her future,
if it be God's gracious will,
She too will be a mother

and know that reverent thrill.

That comes to every mother
whose heart is filled with love.
When she beholds the"angel"

that God sent her from above.

And there would be no life at all
in this world or the other
Without a darling daughter
who in turn, becomes a Mother!

Author - Helen Steiner Rice

Once upon a time, Heavenly Father sent one of his most choice spirits to us. A sweet angel for our home. Every day since, we've felt so grateful to have Jessica as our only daughter. We couldn't have done better if we chose her ourselves! My day becomes wonderful when I see her pretty face, smiling sweetly at me. She is my angel, and a most kind-hearted, thoughtful, caring person who radiates warmth and sunshine each day. Every day she also grows smarter and more beautiful. And every day I am more proud to be her mother. As she goes through the many stages of life, there will be times when she feels scared and confused, but her strength and values will help her in her experiences. And I am, and always will be, here for her each and every day. Jessica, you are my heart! My miracle! No matter how old you get, you will always be my angel. I love you! Happy 10th birthday!

JESSICA THROUGH THE YEARS ---

Meeting her big brother in the hospital -- June 1998

Newborn baby Jessica -- June 1998

3 months old -- September 1998

First Birthday -- June 1999

1 year old -- August 1999

18-months-old -- January 2000

2 years old -- June 2000
(just after moving to Michigan)

2 years old - October 2000

2 1/2 years old -- December 2000

3 years old - June 2001

3 years old -- September 2001 (holding baby Alex)

3 1/2 years old -- April 2002

4 years old -- December 2002

5 years old -- October 2003 (with baby Logan)

6 years old -- September 2004

6 years old (First lost tooth) -- November 2004

7 years old -- October 2005

7 1/2 years old -- May 2006

8 years old -- January 2007

9 years old -- October 2007


Tuesday, June 03, 2008

It All Started 14 Years Ago Today ....

Do you know what you were doing 14 years ago today? I do.....
I was getting married in the Salt Lake City temple.
Happy Anniversary, Joshua!

OUR WEDDING DAY -- JUNE 3, 1994







OUR TEXAS RECEPTION -- June 17, 1994





The wedding party

Julie's Family (left) and Joshua's Family (right, all except for Samantha)
And Julie's baby sister, Erin sitting in front (who is married now and pregnant with her first baby ... makes me feel old)

Our third wedding anniversary, back at the SLC temple

Field Day

Today was "Field Day" at the kid's school, an outdoor relay event run by the elementary school's gym teacher. I volunteered to help out, like I have every year since Jessica was in kindergarten.This was my fifth year. The last three years I was stationed at the "Limbo/Cha-Cha Slide" event. I decided to do something different this year. I helped at the "Stepping Stones" station. It was an overcast, fairly cool day. A good day to be outside, although my allergies were really acting up. I've had watery eyes and have been sneezing ever since that day.

I took some pictures when Jessica and Alex's classes stopped at my event --




Jessica's 10th Birthday

Jessica just turned 10 years old! She had a really great swimming party last Saturday with her friends, and on Monday, her actual birthday, a quiet family party. In the morning, we went to McDonald's for breakfast. Then I drove her to school and she brought in Krispie Kreme doughnuts for her class. I made her favorite dinner - Chicken Alfredo. She also wanted me to make a triple chocolate birthday cake. She opened presents and then the family journeyed to the mall so she could redeem two birthday gift certificates -- One to 'Build-A-Bear Workshop' and another to "Claire's Boutique'. I'm pretty sure she had a great birthday this year!

Jessica requested Chicken Alfredo for her birthday dinner

Lots of presents

Presents from G&G Dyal

Gift certificate to Build-A-Bear Workshop from G&G Williams

Stuffing her bear at Build-A-Bear

Jessica's new bear is named "Ginger"

She was able to get many accessories for her bear

The earrings that Jessica picked out a "Claire's Boutique"

Triple Chocolate Cake

Birthday Hugs

Dad and Jessie

A Hike With Spencer

A few years ago, Joshua and I started a tradition in our family called 'parent date nights' (i.e.= "Mommy date night" or "Daddy date night"). We take turns once a month and rotate through the children, going on individual dates with them. Our children have come to look forward to these special evenings with mom or dad. Josh and I also look forward to it -- I enjoy giving them my full attention and having really good conversations. We notify them a few weeks in advance so they can start planning the night, because within reason, the night is completely up to them to prepare and carry out what they wish.

This month was Spencer's date night with mom. He decided that we would pack a picnic and go on a hike together. We found this beautiful location with lovely hiking trails that were winding beside a creek located within the boundries of a botanical garden not too far from our home.(http://www.lsa.umich.edu/mbg/see/MBGTrails.asp). There were 4 nature trails and we had time to hike all of them before it got too dark. We probably hiked about 5 miles and had a marvelous time walking, talking, and enjoying the beauty around us.

I love this picture of Spencer

Taking a break

We hiked next to this winding creek

We saw wildflowers everywhere.
So beautiful!

Spencer took a picture of me




As we were hiking in the woods, we saw this fort made of sticks off the beaten track.

Spencer in the fort

As we were walking away, we saw this sign.
The stick fort was called "Willow Lodge".
A pretty cool find!