I love Spring!

I love spring! 

Now if only the wind would behave!

 I love all the daffodils and all the tulips I see everywhere this time of year. 

 Tulips will always remind me of my father.

 The last time he came to visit me in Idaho was April of 2007. 

The house we lived in had tulips that lined a VERY long driveway on one side.

 He told me, "You know, tulips are my very favorite flowers and I had never seen them growing from the earth. I've seen them in a bouquet or in the television but never growing from the earth. They are the most beautiful flowers that exist."

This is something that I never knew about my father.

 While he stayed with us, he'd go outside and admire them every day. So now every time I see tulips I think of Daddy.

 Daffodils are my favorite! I love how they peek their heads timidly through the melting snow. They are so brave! They are the first colors that greet us outside after a long winter of snow and DRY BROWN trees, bushes, and sticks.

"Tulips and Daffodils are a symbol of the renewal of life and of hope for the future."

Now if I could only hold on to that hope. I hope and pray that Dick will be well again. That he will be strong again in the future. 

Tomorrow he goes back to Huntsman for the next cycle of chemotherapy. I hope and pray that his cancer will react to this clinical trial. Poor Dad. It seems that when he's finally getting stronger and not so weak and tired, it's time for that nasty chemo again. He's been amazing though! 

A few weeks ago he planted his onions in his planters. He was outside watering his garden. When he came in, he sat on his recliner so out of breath. He didn't know that I was just around the corner and could hear him. I heard him say, "Oh my! I am so pooped! I can't give up though. I can't! I have to do this. I have to stay strong because if I slow down I'll never move again."

He really is amazing. He never feels sorry for himself and he stays as active as he can. I'm so glad that spring is finally here because he can go outside and stay busy.

 I know that gardening is his greatest joy. 

 

Big helpers

Before school, Anson went to the Junior High to help Aubrey put up her 3 big posters. After school, he left the high school early to help her put up 60 (8 1/2 x 11) posters. Mason helped her too.

What a kind brother and what a sweet friend.

This is Anson's sleeping bag and hammock before.

This is Anson's sleeping bag and hammock after.

He loves how they squeeze into such a little space.

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2013 Elections for Aubrey

That time of year again! Student council elections! Aubrey decided to run for 9th grade Vice President this year. I can't believe she's going into high school next year. Freshman year! Thanks to our sweet Brianna. She always helps with posters.

Aubrey entertained Deacon while Bree helped her with her posters. She was helping him learn to write his name.

 This is difficult stuff.

 Then they had a little tea party.

Cheers!

Anson slept outside tonight.

 I checked on him at 4 am because it got pretty cold. He was zipped up from head to toe.

Boy! After I posted these pictures, I got reminded of how beautiful my children really are. They are so simple and SO beautiful. 

 

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.

Anson didn't date this year at all. He went to his school dances with good friends but that's it. There is this young lady at the high school that he's been wanting to ask out for quite a while. He tells us that she is the prettiest and the nicest girl in the high school. What I thought was so cute is him saying, "I think she still thinks boys have cooties." About two weeks ago, he came home with a smile from ear to ear.
 He said, "Mom! She said hi to me and she knows my name!" 
Today was senior skip day and he finally (3 weeks before graduation) asked her out. He took her to lunch and to iFly in Ogden and they had an awesome time. The drive to Ogden and the drive back home was great. They got to talk a lot and get to know each other so much better. After all her family saw the iFly DVD, she returned it with a big pan of brownies so I got to meet her. I also think this young lady is amazing and very beautiful.

I love this young man.
"Mom! She said hi to me and she knows my name!"
He has no idea how cool he is and that is what makes him so amazing. I was laughing with Dick after he said that. My graduating class was 1000. Anson's graduating class is probably 300. I'm sure everyone knows each other at his school.
 Traci Hine Brandebourg, Dick's ex student from Twin Falls High School who graduated 28 years ago, took some senior pictures of Anson. This is one of them. 

Picture taken by Traci Hine Brandebourg

Graduation is approaching REALLY fast. I never thought this day would come. I hated the thought of any of our children graduating and leaving because our home was so complete with them in it. They are all the little details in our home. I've never been into expensive furniture, china, expensive pots and pans or anything fancy that decorates our house. To me... our children are those little details that decorate our home. They are the finest, not the china. They are the most beautiful inside and out, not the furniture. They are so loving and so strong and they are who have made me. I was only 18 when I got married and left home, so literally my children really are the ones who have molded me into a better me.

As hard as it was to see the older children graduate and not be our "LITTLE" kids anymore, Anson's graduation will be the most difficult for me. I know it will be even more difficult for Dick. They are extremely close and he's a big help to Dick. He brings so much happiness and joy into our lives every single moment that he is here. He loves life! I really don't know what I would do without seeing his smile everyday. That smile that he wakes up and goes to bed with, that reassures me that everything will be okay. The smile that radiates our home when he walks in the door after school warms my heart. I wish I could protect that smile so that it will never leave his face.

 

My birthday celebration

Today I turned 52!

 Yikes! I remember when my parents were in their 50's and thinking that was so old! In my mind, I still feel like a kid.

 Do we always feel this way? 

Even when we're in our 70's or 80's?

I had the best birthday ever!

Especially because my sweetheart was with us and feeling great.

In the morning, after our workout, Dick took me to breakfast. Rae and Ted Smith were there and paid for our breakfast. They said it was for my birthday. It seems like someone is always picking up the tab when we go out to eat. That has happened so many times. We live in the best little town in the USA. 

For dinner, Dick took me and the kiddos to Stevo's.

Bree, Travis, and Deacon were able to join us.

Brianna's family gave me a certificate for a pedicure! 

I can't wait to use it!

 

Juicing and Infused Water... On the road to better health.

I've been experimenting with different recipes and I'm loving it! 

I love my juicer!

Favorite recipe so far...

I juiced carrots, kale, spinach, and celery. In a blender, I blended bananas, coconut milk, Hershey's cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Then I mixed them together. It really was delicious. The cocoa takes over. I also chopped some ice in the blender. It was like a smoothie.

I also have been making some infused water to help with detoxification but especially hydration. We don't drink enough water in this family, so I'm really excited!

INFUSED WATERS
Put as much fruit in water as you like and let the water sit for at least 30 minutes before drinking.

Here are their benefits to help with detoxification energy and hydration. 

(1) Green tea, mint, lime: fat burning, digestion, headaches, congestion and breath freshener.
(2) Strawberry, kiwi: cardiovascular health, immune system protection, blood sugar regulation, digestion (3) Cucumber, lime, lemon: water weight management, bloating, appetite control, hydration, digestion 
(4) Lemon, lime, orange: digestion vitamin C, immune defense, heartburn, (drink this one at room temperature)

Do not keep longer than 48 hours. You can put more water using the same fruit, but discard after 48 hours.

Early Birthday Dinner

We went to Twin Falls today for dinner.

 It was an early celebration for my birthday. I also got an early birthday present from Dad.

I've been wanting to start juicing for quite some time. 

I think it will help Dad fight his cancer and it will help me lose weight and feel better.

 Maybe I can even get off my blood pressure medication. I always put off buying a good quality juicer but I didn't feel too guilty requesting one for my birthday so Dad bought me one.

When we were at Buffalo Wild Wings, Deacon woke up from a nap and noticed all the televisions surrounding us. I think he thought he was in heaven. He loves sports!
He is "THE DEACON JONES" after all.

 

Visit From Family

Allyn, Dick's sister, and her daughter Skye came to visit for the weekend. Allyn lives in Logan but we hardly get to see her. Even though we go to Logan quite often, we make time to see our kids and Dick's father. Before we know it, it's time to get back to Idaho so we don't see Allyn and her family very often. Giselle, and her good friend, Felicia, also came to visit. Felicia lives in Virginia and they worked at the same law firm when Giselle lived on the East coast. She flew to Utah to spend a few days with Giselle. Felicia and Giselle fixed a wonderful dinner for us. It was delicious! She even left us a frozen casserole for later. 

After Bree, Deacon, and Travis left, everyone played a game of Monopoly. I was the banker.

Allyn and Dick

 

Fun Friday Night

FUN FRIDAY NIGHT

Dad has been napping A LOT after his last infusion.

 This time I would say the chemo wiped him out.

 The kids and I were being really quiet and goofy after

 Dad went to bed.

I'm glad I have two teenagers to entertain me

 when Dad fades away into deep slumber. 

Anson brought the sewing kit out and worked on his jeans. Aubrey decided to make some pillows out of her TOMS bags. When she buys a pair of TOMS, she gets a cute little bag.

Aubrey's 14th surprise birthday party

Before school Aubrey opened one present.

After school, she opened the rest of her presents.

Aubrey's friends planned a surprise birthday party for her.

The expression on her face was priceless when she saw her friends.

Since they had no school the next day, they had a slumber party.

Aubrey, thank you for your faith that you share with us, for your divine nature, for your individual worth, your knowledge, your choice and accountability, your good works, integrity, and virtue. You are a fine young woman... A great daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I cannot thank our Heavenly Father enough for blessing me with you. Thank you for helping me through the most difficult times of my life. I hope you know that I will always be there for you. You have become a beautiful young woman. Thanks for being a best friend not just a daughter. I love you so much.

 Happy Birthday!

Anson's prom... senior year

We missed Anson's prom this year because we were in SLC, Utah. Not only his prom but his last high school prom ever. Thank goodness for a loving daughter and sister. She took my camera and took pictures of Anson and his date. She also took my place and danced with him at his Promenade. Thank you Brianna, Aubrey, and Deacon for supporting our sweet boy.