In the driver's seat...

There is a conflict of emotions whenever
my "i-just-got-my-license-i-want-to drive-everywhere" daughter takes the car keys.
On one hand it really is great to say "please go pick up a gallon of milk" and I don't have to even step out of the house.  It is also really great that she can take herself somewhere and get back without Brent or I having to drop off or pick up.  It is really great that she can drop the boys off to a practice or take the boys to get an ice cream.
It really is great.
Really.

But on the other hand it's really scary.
Maddison is a great driver.  She is cautious, careful, attentive and can even correct my 28 year old driving skills that need polishing.  Bottom line is I trust her.  But that doesn't stop my worring.  I worry about the other people on the road making crazy decisions.  I worry about her and a car full of chatty-singing to the radio-laughing girls not seeing a stop sign.  I did that once.  I know the outcome.  I worry about others not seeing them.  I worry about her getting caught in a blinding dust storm or a haulting monsoon.  I worry about cell phones, texting and even though we have strict rules concerning them, I still worry.  Have you seen the Subaru commercial where the dad is leaning in the car window telling his little daughter all the rules before she pulls out of the driveway and then when he hands the keys over it is to his teenage daughter?  I get choked up every time.
It really is scary.
Really.
 
Ready or not.
Here she comes.
Or should I say
There she goes.

Be safe my beautiful girl.

Happenings in Utah...

1.  Watching the boys play catch under the Y (the real one on the mountain didn't show up well in the picture so I put one on myself) while we waited for the fireworks.

2.  Watching the Stadium of Fire fireworks.

3.  I love fireworks.

4.  Spending time with John and Kristin and their darling family.

5.  Kristin's yummy chicken and beef kabobs and "i can't get enough of this" corn and avacado salad.

6.  Laughing, chatting, catching up and being so grateful for lasting friendships.

7.  Listening to Brent get his fill of all things Jimmer Fredette.

8.  Taking Maddison and her friend, Miranda, over to the BYU campus and checking them in for EFY.

9. Driving away and missing her already.

10.  Stopping by Sammy's in downtown Provo for lunch.  YUM!!

11.  Brent and the boys taking their traditional drive to Evanston, WY to feed the boyhood dreams of firecrackers and much, much more.

12.  The boys putting on our own 4th of July firework display that was quite spectacular.

13.  Putting flowers on mom and Joyce's graves. 

14.  Loving them and missing them still.

15.  Going to see "17 Miracles" and feeling so grateful for my pioneer heritage.

16.  James G. Willie, the captian of this handcart company, is my not-so-far off Grandfather.

17.  While visiting my mom's grave in Mendon, we stopped at the Willie home.

18.  It feels so good to remind our kids what great examples of unwavering faith and  dedicated service they come from.

19.  Large shoes to fill.

20.  Stopping at Maddox in Brigham City for our comsumption of fluffy rolls, raspberry butter and melt in your mouth beef, shrimp, fried chicken and whatever else we were craving.

21.  Spending an evening with my brother Jim and his family.

22.  I don't realize how much I miss them until I have them all right there in the same room with me.

23.  Goodness.  Now I have a lump in my throat.

24.  Enjoying lunch with two wonderful childhood friends.

25.  Being grateful for friendships that span the years.

26.  Returning to BYU at the end of the week and being reunited with my sweet girl.

27.  Filling the cash drawers in the BYU bookstore with our fair share of change.

28.  Savoring a Carmel Cashew ice cream cone at the Creamery on 9th.

29.  Now we can head back home.

30.  Driving through Orderville and seeing a herd of elk that were impressive to say the least.


31.  There are sand dunes off the side of the road behind a barbwire fence just south of Page.

32.  In the gillions of times we've drove past these dunes I've thought how fun it would be to stop one time and feel the powder between my toes.

33. Spontaneously stopping at the sand dunes just south of Page.

34. Truly giddy that Brent stopped.

35.  Stopping to capture a dessert flower.

36.  Finally making it home and realizing just how amazing my husband really is : )

I love trips to Utah and the 4th of July is my favorite time to do it!

Last time I checked...

Last time I checked I was primping with Maddison's hair.

Unrolling the pink sponge curlers that she had slept on.

Last time I checked I was adding a little flip to her hair.

So that the black velvet hat sat just so.

Last time I checked I was straightening her already straight hair.

This time she added the sparkling barrette and shell necklace.

Last time I checked we were shopping together for her baptismal dress.

This time she picked out the one with the petite flowers at the waist band.

Last time I checked she was a babe in my arms.

The little girl I prayed we would have but dared not say because I knew how much Brent wanted a boy.

Last time I checked Maddison won him over.

And over and over : )

But somewhere between the last time I checked and now,

she celebrated turning 16!

Maddison and Miranda share a birthday just two days apart so we had a SWEET 16 party for two!

A big thank you to our friend Wylene for making the darling cake.  The girls picked rice krispy treat for the bottom layer and vanilla cake for the top two layers.  We added sparklers instead of candles and then the crowd of friends sang a loud and heartfelt HAPPY BIRTHDAY song to them.

Between the swimming, the cotton candy machine, the popcorn machine, the outdoor movie on the big screen and other snacks galore, I think the party was lots of fun. 

Of course thanking the fabulous Patti and Warren for turning over their home for the event can never be expressed with just words.  They are two of the best people I know.  Being friends with them is a blessing : ) 

Happy 16th Maddie Joy!

Last time I checked I loved you 17 : )

Still do!