Brigam's Big Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash

Well, it's been a week since my baby turned 8 and yesterday we celebrated his birthday at a big BBQ in the backyard. All I really had to do after sending out invites was buy food and make the cake. It's great having a Mykalyn around because she eals with all the games. She can really keep those kids entertained!!

We had a pinata which Brigam broke off the hanger after his first swing, Mike had to wrap it up with rope so that all the kids could have a chance to beat on it!

Here's the cake. It's a BBQ grill, don't cha know? It turned out OK especially if I don't compare it to the picture I was copying it from.

Brigam could hardly wait to dig into the candy hot dog!

Now he is looking forward to baptism. He was so funny. Grama and Grampa wanted to buy him scriptures and a scripture case for his birthday/baptism. I took him to the store to get them and found a little pamphlet on baptism that was made for kids. He was reading that thing cover to cover. As you can see the boy is badly in need of a haircut. As he was reading his pamphlet, he asked me, "Mom, when am I going to get a haircut?" I had made a couple of appointments, but something always came up and we've had to cancel them. (Hopefully this Tuesday will be the day.) I told him, "Definitely before you get baptized!" He said, "Good, because I don't want my hair to float up on top of the water when I'm getting baptized because then I'll have to do it again. I have to be immersed." Read, Brigam, read!

He plans on being baptized on September 5th at 4:00PM. We were going to do it the first weekend in August, but Grama and Grampa come home from their mission on the 2nd, so waiting a few days so that they can be there is no big deal! That's Labor Day weekend as well so maybe a few of Mike's family can attend too. We'll see, but for now.....Happy Birthday Brigam!

She's Alright, Folks! She's Alright!

I just have to preface this post to let you immediately know that Mykie is fine. But today we had a huge scare.

Mykalyn had left our house to "drive" the lawnmower back to my parents house, just a block away. After a bit, the phone rang and, of course, no one answered it. I had an excuse, I was in the kitchen up to my elbows in raspberry ice cream so the answering machine came on. I heard an unfamiliar voice on the machine that said, "Um, your daughter just hit into my car...." That was all I heard. I ran out to Mike and told him, "Mykie has hit a car on Perry." He took off like a shot.

As I was waiting I was thinking to myself, 'How could she drive a lawnmower into a car and not know what she was doing?' Then I waited some more and started to get concerned. I was wondering where Mykie and Mike were. I wondered how much damage one little girl on a lawnmower could do and how much time it took to assess that. So I sent Tyler and Brigam around the corner to see what happened. After a few minutes that seemed like hours, the crew all came back with Mykie in front crying. I took her into my arms to let her cry as Mike said, "She went up on the hood. There's a dent in his car." I looked at Mykie and lovingly (but I think I was a little angry) said, "How could you drive a lawnmower onto the hood of a car and not just stop when you just hit the bumper?" Mike said, "Not with the lawnmower. She was on her bike. She ran into a moving car."

That's when I lost it. My baby had been hit by a car. Then I was all over checking out her cuts and bruises, but it was kind of hard as I was in tears.

This is what happened. Mykie was actually heading back to the house after dropping off the lawn mower. She cruised off of 11th and whipped onto Perry Street right into a couple's car that was coming down Perry. She couldn't stop fast enough and he slammed on his breaks, but it wasn't soon enough. She hit the bumper and then hit the hood.

She was pretty shaken up about it, as anyone would. She could remember her phone number, but she couldn't tell the gentleman her name and she asked him if she really just hit his car. He wanted to call an ambulance, but she was adamant that he didn't. I don't know why. Then her daddy came and she felt much better.

Then Mykie spent the next hour replaying the scene over and over in her head. That will drive you crazy! She cried and iced her ankle. As she was sitting on the kitchen floor icing her ankle and crying, I was glad when Tyler came in and said, "What's up Evil Knievel?" Which really lightened up the mood.

She is fine. She says she didn't hit her head, but I think she might of because she has 2 areas on her head that feel like they have bruises. Her ankle hurts a bit, she's multi colored with black, blue and yellowish hues, but she's ok and still with us.

We are just so grateful to our Heavenly Father for protecting her. We've all said our own prayers of gratitude for her safety.

The man that was involved in the accident with Mykie has already called us to check in on her. I made it clear that we weren't angry. It was just something that happened. We realize that it has a bad effect on him as well. It would ruin your day hitting someone even if it wasn't your fault. He was very sweet. He was an older man that was just leaving his son's house that he had been visiting. Thank goodness he was older so he wasn't racing down the street in his car like some of those younger drivers do. His wife ran back to get their son to check Mykie out. He is an EMT. He thought she was OK, but of course told us to keep an eye on her.

Just a reminder to tell your kids to be so careful coming around the corner. Cars aren't expecting kids to whip out there on their bikes!!!

Tyler - there he grows again!

Today was a very special Sunday. After the stake Priesthood meeting tonight, Tyler was ordained by his dad to the office of an Elder and he received the Melchizedek Priesthood.

This was a BIG deal. So much so that I wanted it remembered and decided to do that through food. I planned a turkey dinner complete with stuffing and homemade gravy. We've been salivating over this and speaking about this dinner for 2 days. This morning, I got up early to start stuffing "tom" our turkey. We also had a linger longer after church today, so I was making cookies this morning as well. I had it all organized, the carrots in the pan ready to go, stuffing in it's oven safe bowl, the potatoes are cut up and soaking, the cookies were baking. After I cleaned up the kitchen at about noon it was time for tom to go into the oven. Shortly after that we left for church with Tyler a few minutes behind us. We go to Sacrament Meeting, then Sunday School, then I was in Relief Society when Jeremy came and got me out of class. When I went out there he told me that Tyler was complaining about me being irresponsible. What? Me? What did I do? Jeremy said that Tyler was sitting between Mike and himself. He turned to Mike and said, "Talk about irresponsible! Do you know who is irresponsible? Mom. She left the house today to come to church and left the oven on!" Jeremy said, "Um Yeah, to cook the turkey!" Then Mike got on Tyler about not checking the oven before turning it off and Jeremy said, "I'm telling!" That's when he came to get me. But do you think that Tyler jumped up and ran home to turn on the oven? Or that Mike went himself? No, Jeremy took me back to their class and pulled Tyler out for me. I was trying to wrap my mind around why Tyler would think that a turkey wouldn't need to be in the oven, but that it would miraculously appear right after church for us to eat. As he came out, he said, "I just didn't want the alarm company to call my cell phone and tell me that house was on fire. I was just trying to be responsible." Funny boy, I sent him home to start up the oven again and our 5:00pm eating plans were changed to 9:00pm. But it was delicious - every wit!

Anyway, back to the important stuff - being ordained an Elder. I am so proud of him. I have two brothers, but had never experienced someone close to me becoming an Elder. He is such a great manchild. This church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, prepares our youth to be leaders. It gives them the opportunity to Raise the Bar. They are asked to be more responsible, to serve others, to stop thinking about themselves. When they take this challenge they are on the path that God wants them to be on. They are not perfect, but they are incredible youth. This leaves them free to choose from so many good things they can experience in this life. This Priesthood is a responsibility that is great on an 18 year old shoulders, but I am so proud of him for wanting it and being worthy of it. He's going to be a great missionary. Here's to his future!

Another Year Behind Us

(Um, these are 'graduation caps' that took way too long to make. The kids didn't dare eat them for a whole day. On the other hand, Mike had no problem eating them. Although he did tell me they were cute first.)

Well, the kids have put another year of their education behind them. It was a pretty great year for them all I think.

Brigam really had a terrific teacher, but then almost anyone would have been terrific after the one he had last year!!! He didn't ask me once this year if any school day was Saturday like he did EVERY DAY last year. Mrs. Crandall really made Brigam LOVE reading. Remember last year that he didn't even read on a first grade reading level when he left first grade? Well, this year he is past that. He's been reading things that are 3rd and 4th grade books. Or even older as he proved when he took his $1.00 and bought a biology book at the yard sale next door. I know what you're thinking, "A $1.00 for a book?" but alas Brigam has got my gene when it comes to bartering. Just Can't Make It Happen! Anyway, he loves factual books like Jeremy does. I love the fiction that takes me away. They love to fill their brains with all kinds of stuff that comes back at you in almost any situation.

Brigam even begged Mrs. Crandall to send him to summer school. He said he loved it. I think he forgot having to get up at 6:30 last summer every M-Th while everyone else slept. Mrs. Crandall called me and told me he really wanted to go, but from his testing scores, he didn't need to. I told her that was fine. I am so proud of his growth this year. He is a kid with a bright future.

Mykalyn finished up 6th grade still with that winning smile on that cute face. She learned all about social circles this year and liking "cute" boys. I think she definitely got the beginning stages of flirting down and knows what it feels like when boys think you're pretty. She told me that one day she was staying after in a class to help a teacher finish up some paperwork. She was sitting in a desk. A 7th grade boy came in to the classroom for his next class and realized that she was sitting in his seat. He said to her, "Get out of my seat!" The teacher overheard this and said, "(I can't remember his name), Mykalyn is going to be really hot in high school and you're going to want to ask her out. But she will remember that you were rude to her back in middle school and say no. If I were you, I'd change the way you're talking to her." Then the boy said, "I'm sorry, will you please get out of my desk?" I had to laugh at this.

She really tried so hard in her grades this year and one quarter even got straight A's. She took to middle school so easily. Now she is looking forward to playing sports next year. She wants me to put a program of cardio and weight lifting for her this summer. She is still a great person that is occasionally dealing with hormones and her attitude! She's doing great!

Jeremy is still my ideal "student athlete". He's got the grades, ambition, skills and, apparently, the girls. Yes, Jeremy has discovered girls and they have discovered him. Heaven help us for the next 2 years until he can date. On the last day of school a girl even gave him a kiss on the lips IN FRONT OF HER BOYFRIEND. What's up with that?????? I asked him what the boyfriend did. He told me just stood there and looked confused. I was glad that he just stood there and didn't move into punch Jeremy in the lips with his fist!

He got himself A's and B's this school year too. One of his friends said, "Your parents are so cool. They don't ever ground you because of your grades." Jeremy didn't have the heart to tell him that his grades don't invoke grounding because they are so good. They think because he is fun, funny and athletic that he can't be a good student. They are wrong.

He's now practicing football with Southridge HS. He LOVES his coaches. It is great to see him so happy. He told me the other day, "I think this was the best practice I have ever had in my whole life!" What a change from the coach he had to deal with last year. I guess these guys really coach the kids instead of just tolerate them. He told me that they told the boys to ask questions, that's how you learn (very different than last year.) He told me that when you make a mistake they say, "Hey, Nelly, come here. Let me show you what you did wrong." Then they show the boys and encourage them as they run back on the field to try it again. He said that being treated that way makes him want to try harder to do it perfect just for the coaches. Awesome coaches, it makes me want to cry!

Tyler is done with his formal education for a while. He is looking for a full time job. I wish he would find one. He'd love a warehouse job that he could work at all night, but hasn't found one. He doesn't want retail because he doesn't like to push to sell the items (um, wait until he comes back from his mission.)

He is still planning on going on his mission. He won't be 19 until Feb, so he has a bit to go before he needs the $3,000 we told him he needs to come up with. He'll get there. I am just so proud of who he is. He's a hard worker (when you tell him EXACTLY what needs to be done) and he's a nice brother. What a blessing to have him first to be an example to the others.

I am looking forward to what is to come. I love my kids and love to be around them. They are funny, talented, caring and grateful. Now, I hope I can say that at the end of summer when I have to "share" them with their teachers again! :)

20 YEARS OF WEDDED BLISS

Today's the day that marks two decades of love in my life. Today Mike and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.

Looking back on the boys that I dated before him, Mike basically "hangs the moon" for me. It's really not fair for me to even compare them to him. He is an extraordinary man. He's honest and funny, smart and competitive and challenging. We've had ups and downs, disagreements that are ridiculous (because you all know I'm right), and fits of giggles. I am so glad that he choose me to live his life and his eternity with. I just hope they have racquetball in the hereafter, or Mike will be one bored puppy!

Happy Anniversary, Honey! I love you!

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!

So, my great big baby graduated on Saturday, June 6th from Pasco High School. I mentioned the upcoming celebration on Facebook and I was told to bring plenty of tissue. "Tissue?" I thought. This is Tyler - not Jeremy or Mykalyn. This is the boy that didn't want to even send out announcements because he saw no need for it. This is the boy that DIDN'T pick up the announcements, cap or gown on any day that Jostens was at the school to deliver them. This is the boy that had to have Jostens HAND DELIVER these items to his mommy at home 10 days before the graduation. This is the boy whose mother slaved over those announcements by addressing them, printing cards and pictures to go inside and told the boy to take them to the post office NOW and he said, "You mean right now?" He wouldn't have even bothered to walk if I wasn't forcing him to do so. He just doesn't really enjoy any fanfare.

And with our media/game room Barn, he didn't even want to have a graduation party. He even said, "If I have a party, who will go to everyone else's parties?" Nobody drove up here to see the graduation, no one called on the big day. It was not a big deal for him.

So why would I need tissue? But I got a little pack and set it right next to the camera for us to take with us to the graduation.

As we were at Edger Brown Stadium, in the far left corner the graduates walk down this hill with a really steep grade (sorry all you girls that wore those cute as heck heels!). I saw them from a distance (because we were late and didn't get to sit in the stadium seats. We got to sit on the grass. Good thing I decided NOT to wear a dress.) Here's the pic

THIS is where I started crying. What's up with that? I couldn't tell you. I couldn't even see him at this point, but there I was crying. But with my dad being a B.S.A. professional all his life and training me properly, I was prepared. I wore waterproof mascara. I brought tissue. I just needed to find it in this darn cute purse on the outside that has NO pockets on the inside. Where is that? I can't see! It's blurry! WHAT? They aren't here? Where are the tissues? (Frantic now) Where are they???? Calm down, where did you last see them. Oh yeah, at home on the counter, NOT in my hand that put them in my purse. So I had to stop crying because I had nothing to wipe my tears away and I was wearing a white shirt and we all know that waterproof mascara is not tear and smudge proof.

Mykie decided that she was emotional too so I wouldn't feel bad. No, really she just had dust in her eye, but I thought it would make me feel better.

Tyler is about dead center in this photo. He is sitting to the right of Skyler who has that head full of big black hair. He looks so attentive. Dirk is on the row right in front of Tyler and to the right of him. Lucky for us, Dirk's family found us and sat right behind us on the grass at the graduation. That was nice to share that together.

Tyler at the bottom of the steps with his diploma in hand. OK, technically there is no diploma in that little booklet, just a picture of the high school, but it should be coming in the mail. I know it for a fact because this official school lady announced to the school board attendees at the graduation that ALL these students had done everything they needed to do to graduate so they are graduates. I'm holding her to that.

They did it!!!! Tyler was looking for the cap that he tossed about 17 rows in front of him. He did actually get his very own cap back. I know because like a good mommy I put his full name in the inside.


At the top of my post, you can see that this is my boy who graciously let me have a photo op of him in this purple graduation gown. He's so handsome. He thinks he looks so young. I think he looks great. I would have put the picture of AFTER graduation with Tyler, Mike and I, but because of the rain (yes, it rained during the ceremony. We were very wet with no umbrella. Um, HELLO it is June!! Why the rain?) I really am vain and don't want to share my rain ruined look with you.
All kidding aside, it was an emotional time. Tyler is getting readyto spread his wings. I just hope that as parents, we didn't clip them too much. I want him to fly and see new things and enjoy this life that he has. He is a really great kid. Better than any teenage boy I EVER knew. He's not perfect, but the gifts that he has are priceless and I am so glad that he's mine. I love him 4ever!!!

Jeremy - Member of the National Junior Honor Society

This year Jeremy was nominated to be a member of the National Junior Honor Society. It's a great honor. To be nominated you need to be exemplary in all five of the following areas: citizenship, leadership, service, scholarship and character. You need to maintain a high GPA (minimum is 3.5 GPA) and you need to participate in 1 service project a month. I am so proud of him and his accomplishments.

This is a picture of him as he is getting his certificate from Mr. Brad Klippert who is in the Washington State House of Representatives. He gave a great speech. I was watching Jeremy as he was truly intent on his speech. Jeremy said later that he loved the part when Mr. Klippert said, "It could be one of you that finds a cure for cancer. You know, take to pills and call me in the morning. Poof, cancer gone."

Principle Parker is in the background with his eyes closed. I think he is praying. It's probably something like, "I am going to miss Jeremy so much now that he is going to high school. Please send me another one like Jeremy this next year. Please, please, please!!!"

Jeremy is just the biggest stud EVER and so dang cute! All the girls say so. Really.