Birthday Time for Katy!

On July 17th 1991 a beautiful red headed little girl entered our family. She weighed in at 6lbs. 2oz. and 19 inches long. It was such an exciting day for our families. Katy was the first grandchild born on both sides of the family. So many family members came to the hospital to welcome her into the world. Mike and I were so excited to see her and we had chosen to not find out what we were having. I remember right after she was born my Mom saying it's a girl. I wanted a little girl so bad. It was just like a dream come true to be a Mother. Any of you that know me know that I am a baby freak. I love to hold them, smell them and just cuddle with them. I finally had one of my own. From the minute they put her on my chest I was in love. I was scared to death that I wouldn't know how to take care of her or that something would happen that I wouldn't know how to deal with, but we managed. The day my Mom left us to go back to Cedar City I cried I was just sure I would not know how to be a Mom. It all worked out and Mike and I were a pretty good team. He helped me with her so much and was a darling Dad to her.

I just can't believe that she's now 18 and headed off to College. Katy has grown into a mature, compassionate, beautiful young woman that I am proud to call my daughter and friend. All of you young Mothers that are wishing away the 2 year old stages or other things enjoy it because it goes by way too fast. I love you Katy! You are an amazing person that I adore.

Cancun!

In June after Katy's big graduation we headed off to Cancun for an even bigger celebration. After a little rough start at the airport we had a great trip. Mike's parents were suppose to go with us, but due to a passport issue it didn't work out. We sure missed them, but hopefully next time we will get to go with them. We did lots of swimming in the fabulous pools and the beach. There's nothing like the beach to me. I love the warmth of the sun, sand between my toes, and playing in the waves. Oh how I wish we could afford to go every year. The kids got to swim with dolphins, which was so fun. Eric was not keen on having to kiss the dolphin, but he was a sport. We went to see Mayan ruins and just had a great time. There were many other things we wanted to see, but we will be back and we'll explore other things next time. The guacamole was so delicious! I love family vacations. So many great memories involve vacations we have taken. It was hard to say goodbye to the beautiful water and head home, but life has to go on. I am just grateful for the fun times together as a family!

She Did It!

Tuesday June 2nd was a great day for our family. Our cute "little" Katy graduated from High School. Can you believe I didn't even shed a tear? It was so exciting to see her walk in her cap and gown. I just can't believe she's already done with High School. It seems like yesterday when I dropped her off in her Kindergarten class. I was so worried about leaving her there would the other kids treat her kindly? Would Mrs. Smith be sweet with her? Would she miss me? So many emotions going on inside of this Mom on that day and some many on this past Tuesday. Will I be able to make it without her living close to us? Have I taught her all a Mom should teach a daughter (we need to work on ironing and sewing a button before she leaves). Have I prepared her for the big world? I feel so proud of the fabulous young woman that she has grown into. This past year I have watched her mature and grow. So many lessons she has learned and with each she's grown leaps and bounds. I couldn't be prouder to call her my daughter. I love you my sweet little Katy!

Happy 19th Anniversary To Us!

Tomorrow June 2nd will be our 19th wedding anniversary. Since Katy is graduating tomorrow I will do this post a day early. Mike and I met when both our best friends were getting married to each other and we were asked to be in their line. My best friend had told me for awhile that I had to meet Terry's friend Mike because he was really funny and she also added that he sweat a lot. I don't know why she thought I needed to know that part. My first impression of Mike was that he was really funny just like Colleen had told me. He totally cracked me up and at that time I need someone to make me laugh. I was instantly attracted to him and loved being around him. I don't think I have ever flirted so hard in my life. It's kind of embarrassing now to think I must have looked absolutely ridiculous.

We started dating shortly after our friends wedding and continued to date for about a year before we got married. Mike asked me to marry him in April and we got married in June. A very fast engagement due to the fact that my brother was headed to boot camp and I wanted him at my wedding. We got married in Mike's parents back yard. It was so beautiful and they spent a lot of time getting the yard just perfect for us. I felt like a princess that day all dressed up. It was a fabulous day with all our family and friends.

I have been so blessed to be married to Mike all these years. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to him for all the support he has given me. He constantly encourages me to do my best at whatever I am involved in. He is an incredible Dad to our children. Everyday I am so amazed at the love he gives to them in so many ways. He devotes a ton of time to the local soccer league and to the team Eric plays on. He goes on drives with Katy so they can talk. He helps them with their homework because I have no clue on how to help them. I could go on, but the point is I am so blessed to have him.

Date nights are my favorite. Time alone to chat and eat of course. He always listens to my complaints and worries. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend! So here's to us and I hope the next 19 years are just as fantastic as the first. I love you Hun!

A Wonderful Mothers Day!

Mothers Day was a great day. Saturday night Mike took me shopping for perfume and we went to dinner. I love going on dates with him. Then on Sunday morning I woke up to a note on the floor of my bedroom that said that I had to wait to come out. Katy was making breakfast and Eric had cleaned the kitchen. Katy made pancakes, muffins, and juice with umbrellas in the glasses. I told the kids that I wanted homemade gifts this year. So they bought wood frames and painted them. Then they added a flower and soccer ball to them. Katy put a picture of us in hers with a sweet note on the back. Eric wrote me a note and put it in the frame. They also bought me some pretty flowers. It was really special! I was really touched at all the work they put into it.

Later in the day we played basketball together. The only rule we have is that the girls get to make up their own rules. So basically we foul a lot. I had a great day just being with my little family. All I ever wanted to be was a Mother. I feel so blessed to have great kids and a super husband!

Happy Mothers Day to my Mom!

Here's a picture of my Mom with one of the many Grandkids (cute Aubrey) at our annual Labor Day Campout. I am so blessed to have the Mother that I do. Today is the day we honor our Mothers and reflect on all the good things they have done in our lives. When I was growing up my Mom stayed home with us until the baby of the family was in school. I loved coming home from school and having her there. She always asked how are day was and listened to the days events. I loved it. When I grew up I couldn't think of a more wonderful job than being a Mother. When all the other kids in High School were planning their careers I didn't have an idea I just wanted to be a Mother just like my Mom.

My Mom had six children (I don't know how she did it)giving birth to six and raising all of us. She was always busy cooking, keeping us organized, and running us to many activities. She did so many things for our family. She sewed many of our clothes to save money. We hardly ever ate out, everynight she came up with some new creation for us to partake of. She spent many hours serving and was a great example to me of lifting the burdens of others. She stretched our pennies far to make the family budget work. She always had time to listen to me no matter how tired or busy she was. She still does this for me today.

When my Mom was 39 my parents got divorced and she did not have a College degree. Faced with lots of uncertainties she headed back to College to earn a degree to help provide for our family. I know it was very hard for her to do this she still had all six kids at home and my youngest sister was just 8 years old. She spent many hours studying and tried to fit all of her Mother duties in to. I was so proud the day she graduated from nursing school. I was so proud to tell everyone that my Mom was a nurse. Just like that day I am proud today to tell everyone that she is my Mother. She's always there for me and listens to my heartaches and joy. She has been one of my best friends and I am so blessed that I am her daughter. I love you Mom!

My Trip to Texas

Last Friday I was able to travel with my Mom to Dallas to see my brother Jon graduate. Jon graduated from Chiropractic school and is now Dr. Jon Caldwell. I am the oldest of 6 kids and I am a very proud sister. All of my brothers and sisters make me proud. I know that this has been a long and hard journey for Jon and his family. He has a very supportive wife and 3 boys. He had to spend many hours away from them to get through school. Now they are headed to live in Portugal for the next 5 or so years. He served his mission there and they feel like this where they need to be right now. So we will miss them while they are away, but maybe we'll be able to get over there to visit. I am very proud of you Jon and thanks Amy for all the support you give him!