SUMMER FUN

WOW! How time flies when you're having fun. I can't believe that the 4th of July is almost here already. Where did the time go? At least we have been enjoying the summer. Here is what we have been up to the past month.

HORSE RIDE

Jeslyn, Dirk and I had the opportunity go for a ride up Wide Canyon to the Green Canyon trough it was so beautiful and green. Jeslyn has been begging to go riding for weeks. Thanks for being such a good sport Dirk and entertaining her request, because I couldn't have taken her alone. Even though the little stink complained the entire way up - sorry about that! GiRlS! What more can I say? Jeslyn actually had a really good time and did awesome on the way back down with no complaints! We did see a little baby rattle snake on the way back, Momma screamed of course and scared it off! It was a beautiful ride with 2 of my 3 most favorite people. I love you guys!

SOFTBALL

Jeslyn signed up to play coach pitch softball, but they didn't end up having enough teams to play so they took all the girls who signed up and practiced with them together it was kind of like a clinic per say, then the following day they had a game and divided the girls into 2 teams. It was really fun for all of them. They did this for about 5 weeks, and by the end, wow, all of the girls had really improved! Jeslyn always volunteered to play catch, I am not sure why, because she could hardly move in all of the gear but she liked it. I am proud of Jes, I didn't realize she is as competitive with herself as she is. One game she struggled hitting the ball and when she had to use the T, she was mad then got herself out on 1st base, went in the dugout and through her helmet and started crying - I was mortified! If I could have made myself invisible I would have! Judd gave her a good pep talk and mom, well she scolded her in the car on the way home. Happy to say it did't happen again!

By the last game Jeslyn was hitting the ball very well which boosted her confidence immensely. I am glad Jes had the opportunity to play and for the parents who volunteered their time to help these girls.

SWIMMING LESSONS

The kids all took swim lessons for two weeks, my girls both love to swim and are actually really great swimmers! Brooks, this was his first time but did very well and I thinked he liked it.

Ahh! My sweet Jes!


Then there's my little love Jaunc!

How could you not love this little guy, he is so kissable!

*BEST FRIENDS*

I love that my girls are such great buddies! I find them more often than not "Nuggling" one another! It melts my heart. I love these 2, they sure make life worth living!

And finally . . .

This is Jauncee showing off her coney pine that she found at the park. She has been packing this around now for about 3 - 4 days. When she first found it she thought she had found a coconut. Funny girl!

This is Jeslyn showing off her bean plant that actually has 2 beans on it. But for some reason she won't let me plant it, so for now we are doing our best to keep it alive in the papercup. Silly girl!

Dear Daddy,

I am somewhat a loss for words in writing this tribute to the greatest man I know – My Daddy! It is my utmost duty to pay tribute to this great man on this Father’s Day!

My dad is the biggest source of strength for me. He is the all-powerful, most knowledgeable, truly affectionate and the most important person in the family. I consider myself fortunate to be blessed with such a loving father who has always taken care of our needs and interests. My dad has always been there to stop me when I was diverting down a wrong path and guide or at least try to veer me towards the road of success and virtue. My dad would never ever give the smallest hint to let any of us know how hard he worked to take care of our needs and fulfill our most whimsical demands. . .I admire your commitment to your family and your unwillingness to accept what you believe amounted to a handout! Your values of self sufficiency and dedication to your family are in too-short supply in the world today!

Daddy, I love you completely, you have taught me so much about life and have given me the greatest gift anyone could ever give another person. . .you believe in me! Thank you so much for all that you have done and continue to do for me and the rest of the family. I hope you have the best Father’s Day ever because you deserve it! You truly are the best of the best!

Happy Birthday - Paul!

The girls and I wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your little family today and everyday! We hope that you have a splendid Birthday! It being so close to Father’s Day, I also would like to wish you a Happy Father’s Day! You are such a great dad and husband – wish there were more like you!

The Girl I Use to Be

As I look back and reflect upon my life and where I am now, I often wonder how I got here (a lot of bad choices and huge mistakes made). This definitely isn’t what I had envisioned myself of becoming when I graduated from high school early and had dreams of conquering the world. I was going to be somebody great, one you heard and read about . . . That didn’t happen! I can honestly say that I am truly happy with who I am and my role in life. I have so much to be grateful for and at the same time there is so much more I want! With long-term objectives in mind, I strive everyday to be happy in spite of adversity and discouragement, looking back all the pain, suffering, and distress were the times of my greatest growth, which in turn has made me stronger, wiser and happier! I am truly excited about life!

Here is one of my favorite poems ever!

The Girl I Use to Be

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl I use to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the shining jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
The girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
The silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.
--Author unknown

Jauncee - Preschool Graduation

Jauncee—my mini me, turned 4 in December and almost to the day; she became a little girl one who was ready to turn her imagination into real life experiences. I decided to enroll her in a private preschool owned and operated by Christy Cummings. She attended every Tuesday and Thursday and loved it to say the least! Jauncee’s little personality seemed to start developing overnight. She would always come home singing a new tune, her favorite – Where Is Pinky? At the end of the year, Jauncee could even spell her name! I am so proud of the progress that Jauncee has made over the last 5 months, it is somewhat bittersweet because she is my baby and I hate that she is growing up! Jauncee is such an angelic little spirit she truly touches the lives of all those she comes in contact with.

Jauncee with her teacher Miss Christy.

Checking out all her stuff

Getting her diploma, she ran so fast I barely got a picture!

Singing songs they learned throughout the year! Jauncee is quite a ham, I wish I had a video camera--she is too cute, so were all the others kids as well. This is definitely a fun age!

Waiting patiently for the program to start!

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We signed Jauncee up for 2009-2010 preschool through the school district, due to the ever changing economy they had to cut back from 3 teachers down to 2, so not every kid who signed up gets to go. Well, Jauncee wasn't among the the kids who were selected. . .but we are excited about getting to participate in Miss Christy's Preschool for this upcoming year. It will be a real good thing and a familiar face.

The Report Card. . .

Not sure if you can read it but she did very well. She is a little smarty pants, sometimes too smart for her own good. I wonder where she gets that from?

I am so proud of you Jes, you were such a great student you always did your homework on your own and I love listening to you read to me in the mornings while I am doing your hair. I hope we can contiue that tradition. Let's enjoy our summer together! Love you tons!

School Program - Around the World

It is tradition for the Elementary School to hold an annual program which every grade participates in. This is always a fun program to watch, but one must be aware that seating is limited, I am not sure how soon prior to the event parents start saving seats but it appears weeks. A big thanks to Grandma Diane for thinking about me and the girls and how I am so not a planner . . . saving seats was the last thing on my mind! We had awesome seating, to say the least! Jeslyn is in the 1st Grade, she got to dance with a little boy named Aiden, she wasn’t excited at first but in the end it turned out to be a good thing. The program is short and sweet and the kids all appear to have a grand time. A lot of time and effort goes into preparing for this program. The teachers all do such a great job.

Pictures before the program, I am so glad they are such great friends!

Jeslyn is on the secnd row from the top, the third child over that is sitting down!