My turn...

It's been a long while since I took the time to do my own nails.
It was fun and Maddison approved of the results ~ which is sayin' something!
Brent will smile too : )

We needed this last week...

Thank goodness for opportunities to kick back, listen to some tunes and get some sun.

It's good for the soul : )

Turning 45 was easy...

...especially when you can indulge in this chocolate heaven to end the celebration in grand fashion!


Thanks for making my birthday cake Sis! 

When a boy has his heart set on only one thing...

For about a whole month prior to Cooper's birthday there was a note on the fridge that said,
"The ONLY thing I want for my birthday is the cool bow at Bass Pro!"

So being the overly freaky parent that I am,
Brent took him to get fitted for the rig and I tagged along with my heart a bit shaky.

We met Stan.
If you ever find yourself a bit freaky about arming your baby with a weapon capable of bringing down a big deer, you must meet Stan. 

Cooper was measured and his strength tested and then he listened and learned.
He took everything very serious.  So serious, in fact, I wondered where his smile had gone!
Stan was so professional and treated Cooper like a fine young man that was ready for this step.
(I, on the other hand, still had a shaky heart)  

 

 

Once the bow was fit to Cooper like a glove, Stan took him into the shooting range where he could practice.

Again, Cooper watched and followed everything Stan said.

 

 

 

Then Coop went to work on his own.

 

 

Finally when we walked away and Cooper had the bow and all the other equipment in his hands, I saw what I was looking for... 

...the smile of my boy.
I'm telling ya...any mother's baby turning nine will break her heart to pieces.


Happy Birthday my mighty little man!

Back in November of 2010...

 ...we broke ground for the construction of a new temple.

The Gilbert Arizona Temple.
Just 7 minutes from our front door.

We took Cooper's baptism invite picture here.

I felt the significance of the foundation of the temple and Cooper starting his life as a baptized member of the church.

   

Coming along a year later December 2011...

And again in March 2012...

 Our Stake Presidency introduced a theme when the ground breaking occurred...

"Building a temple.  Building a people."

It reminds me of words from a favorite primary song...

"I wonder when He comes again,

Will I be ready there

 To look upon his loving face

And join with him in prayer?

Each day I'll try to do his will

And let my light so shine

That others seeing me may seek

For greater light divine.

Then when that blessed day is here,

He'll love me and he'll say

'You've served me well, my little child;

Come into my arms to stay.' "

 

How sipping a soda helped me share my testimony...

Before I went to work the other day, Brent treated me to an icy cold fountain soda.  It was lovely so I took it to work with me.

Sitting at the table in the work room, I was sipping my icy cold refreshment when one of the darling ladies looked at me with surprised worry and asked, "are you drinking soda?"

With the straw still between my lips I answered, "do you not want me to drink soda?"

She continued in a hushed voice, "i didn't think you could drink soda."

And at that I smiled, parted my hair and revealed my horns : )

Really though, it led to a great and somewhat lengthy discussion. Finally I said, "If you really desire answers to your questions I'm ready whenever you are."

I took a sip of my soda, scratched my horns and went off to my little first grade kiddos feeling grateful for my own answered questions.