Monday, May 30, 2011

baby blessing day

Yesterday was a wonderful day!


Marcus & Brittany blessed their sweet baby at our house. He is just under 2 weeks old now- both sets of Grandparents are in town- they wanted to bless him while they were here but didn't want expose him to a multitude of germs. So- our house was the perfect place- well I thought so.




He was blessed in the blanket Marcus was blessed in. He couldn't wear Marcus' blessing clothing... Marcus weighed 10lb. 5 oz. when he was born! So, he was more like the size of a 3 month old when he was blessed.
These are not the best photos~ but it's what I've got so they will do.


Is he the cutest little thing you've ever seen or what!





Ya- we all think so! We had a wonderful brunch... if I do say so myself... recipes will be on the cooking blog soon.






The newlyweds were here- they have the MOST darling apartment- post coming soon! and Hailey- I love this picture of her.


My sister & niece Brittany stayed until dinner- we had such a great visit.



Chloe treated us with some of her FANTASTIC Artisan bread.And just because we hadn't eaten enough...


after everyone left I made some blueberry cobbler.


No one appreciates blueberries like my sisters & I.


Oh how i love them.....



Friday, May 27, 2011

maybe you didn't know

Maybe you didn't know:


One of the very best things about Women's Conference this year is that I got to meet IN PERSON one of my favorite people - Shannon- what a thrill! It was so very exciting for me! Oh I think we would be hanging out on a regular basis if we lived closer. She really cracks me up & honestly reminds me of myself a bit... except she is an amazing decorator/gardener... and I am an sniffling allergy mess in the garden. (it's not pretty)


Yesterday I came home from work- really sad-because our last creative day was canceled due to busy spring schedules & sick kids. I slooooowly walked into the house to find Brett home working - because he wasn't feeling well.

THEN- there on the counter - GOOD MAIL.

I felt loved. Thanks Shannon! You really made my day.Maybe you didn't know:


My sweet Charlie & his parents live in tornado alley. NOt good. Joplin- is only 60 miles from their house... oh those poor people. We have been watching the weather & I've been checking my weather channel app everyday. We/they are so blessed not to have had a tornado in their town... and I hope/pray they won't get one at all.


Maybe you also didn't know or realize:


they are expecting another baby boy...


SOON!


This time, I am extremely ill prepared. I have the fabric, but no baby blanket- aah! I will be working on that right away. I am so thrilled- just absolutely thrilled- to be a GRandma again.



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

what we've been up to

Monday night in honor of our actual anniversary we went out to get frozen yogurt for family night. We told Trent we were going for our anniversary. He replied," How many anniversaries do you guys have?" Yes- in the name of our anniversary we did celebrate a lot. I picked up Hailey from school yesterday & I'm pretty sure Gwyneth Paltrow is delivering mail in the neighborhood down the street from the school! Seriously- I think that's her!?


Today I was a chaperone for Trent as he competed in the math/science Olympiad.


He was teamed up with another 5th grader & competed in Mystery Architecture. I had no idea what was really happening until I got there & heard from another mom (Trent isn't big on communication skills.) The other mom told me that all the kids practiced in the skills for competition during school. Trent did really well in building & was chosen to go...? What? Wow- he didn't place- but dang- I would have had him practice at home if I knew what the heck was going on?


He could have won easily with a tiny bit of coaching.

(My fierce competitive nature is showing... not my best quality.)

He held my hand as we walked through the parking lot. He hugged me when it was over. Gosh, these days won't last much longer.
sigh


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

25 years... wow

Yesterday Brett & I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

wow

25 years

We celebrated by heading downtown last Friday. We ate at one of our favorite restaurants Cafe Molise then spent the night at the new Marriott Hotel.


We had a great time walking around the almost totally remodeled downtown. This has been a five year project for the city & it is almost over. It's looking GREat.



It was fantastic to get away & spend some time together after the past couple of really busy weeks! It's been a great 25 years. Not perfect, not easy- but a great 25 years.

I can't even write anymore words... thanks for marrying me.

Monday, May 23, 2011

the honeymooners are back!

Yesterday we picked up the honeymooners from the airport! It was so fun to see them. Don't they look happy!?For the honeymoon- these two spend 2 days & 3 nights in Disneyland. Then- last Sunday they got on a Carnival ship & headed for Mexico! Seven days & nights on a ship- sounds like heaven to me!? They say they went para sailing (sp?), jet skiing, walked on beautiful beaches, snorkeling, watched at least 2 movies a day & ate lots of gourmet type food!


Brian had the chance to speak a lot of Spanish & as you can see... didn't shave the whole time.


We picked them up & headed to Laura's parents home where we ate dinner & watched them open presents- thank you so much for all the wonderful presents & support from all our friends & family. It is so wonderful. I am overwhelmed with all the love & support we continually feel.



Trent & Laura's brothers have become Iphone friends & they let him play games on their phones. Brian married into such a great family.



It was sad for the girls & Trent that Brian didn't come home with us. Their bed & other things are not moved into their apartment yet so they spent the night in Laura's old bedroom. Brian did show up later to get his car & keys I took this last picture of the beard- it has to come off as he goes back to work today at the Missionary Training Center in Provo.


Lucky for Trent - the only gifts they brought home were two planes for him- perfect! HOoray- he is over the top excited to get them glued together & hang them over his bed. That was so thoughtful & eased the blow of Brian leaving home for good. I keep telling him, it's so worth it because we get to have Laura in our family permanent now.


I made (per Brian's request) Michelle's Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. It's so rich there was even some left over. Hailey & I decided this morning that it's fantastic & maybe even better in the morning. Who knew?

Well- real life starts today for my favorite newlyweds. I cannot wait to get the wedding photos back from the photographer so that I can post some here!

***

p.s. school is officially out in 11 more days. This year is unusual ... I CAN'T WAIT.


Friday, May 20, 2011

missionary jack- an update... updated!

This week these photos & a few more-- were in my inbox. It is such a delight to get photos from missionary jack! You can see for yourself... he looks good, a little skinny, but still- he looks GREAT. His emails are so incredible to me. His testimony of The Living Christ knocks my socks off. I used to quote The missionary Brian a lot, but now it's impossible to cut & paste missionary emails. So I don't- and you guys are seriously missing out. I think I will print his Easter Week email & copy it here




Later today- I have kids to get out the door & bbsitting to do & laundry. Lots of laundry. I love this boy. I can still feel him. When I see his photo I can remember EXACTLY what it feels like to hug my boy. To kiss his face. I am so happy that he is a missionary. I know it means the world to him & because of that I can let him go. He will be back! I learned that from Brian (did you know I wasn't sure?) but for now I can wait.

I LOVE YOU JACK- MOM



I rarely include such personal & spiritual writings in my posts. But this message is so important to me. I want everyone to know why I love having a missionary, what I believe~ what I know he believes & why he is sacrifice two year so his life to go on a mission. This is his testimony. What a privilege to share it with you!

His email:

Hey everybody, How are things going? Are you all excited for Easter this year? I am really excited for it even though it does make it harder to work here. This week is called the holy week and everyone goes out of town to visit family or on vacation to somewhere. Those that are here are "relaxing" yet, too busy to hear our message. Everyone keeps responding, "no, just come back next week." However, I am excited for Easter for different reasons, I am excited because this is a time of year when we can reflect upon the life of our Savior. I have a learned a lot about my savior as I have served as a missionary. I have come to know Him better I have come to understand on a a higher level, the sacrifice that He made for me. this week I have thought a lot about the first Easter. I have thought about the original apostles and the events of this week many years ago in Jerusalem. I have also thought about the events this week here in the Americas. With reverence I have pondered on Gethsemane and of the selfless love that was there expressed. I never applied Easter to the Americas and the Book of Mormon but, this week, I have realized the similarity in the situations on both sides of the world. With the death of the Savior, both sides of the world saw great destruction However, the more severe destruction was here in the Americas. The end result being that the face of the land was completely transformed. But I have thought more of this week about darkness. For three days both sides of the world sat in darkness. This side was a more literal and physical darkness, but the apostles and others in Jerusalem were in a darkness, and the affects were just as penetrating. While darkness covered this earth, light as bursting into the Spirit world where the Great Captain on Salvation was organizing his work for the dead. For three days, those on earth, waited in darkness. Then on the morning of the third day the darkness was dispersed and a light unknown until this time dawned upon them. The response at the tomb was that, "He lives." The eternal significance that just as He lives again, so will we. Our Savior became what he was destined to become. He fulled His mission that no other could. I know that my redeemer lives. I know that He suffered, suffering so great for us that blood came from every pore. He let Himself be betrayed and was crucified by those lost in darkness. I know that He let Himself die, a sacrifice for his father's other children. But with an inexpressible joy I have the knowledge that fills my body & soul that He lives. That he broke the bands of death, spiritual and physically for each one of us. He is the Great Captain of Salvation . He is the son of the Living God. He is & forever will be my Greatest Hero. He, not only prepare the way for me to be saved, but prepared the way for my family to be eternal. He prepared the path that we may be reunited with all those that we love. He made possible out return journey to our Heavenly home. I know that this is the message which I carry. I know that being a missionary is one of the greatest blessings I have received. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter I hope you remember what it really means.

I have learned a lot being a trainer this week. I will probably include more stories about that next week. this week I only had Easter on my mind. Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Messer

Thursday, May 19, 2011

we got to see him!

Yesterday after work I packed up the kids (except Hailey who has a cold) and headed to the hospital down south- to see the new baby. He is absolutely beautiful! It has been raining here. CRAZY - use your windshield wipers on high- rain. The mountains are over flowing with snow. It's going to be an interesting/scary spring run off? If it ever comes?
This little guy made it through his first Trent visit.... feewww! I almost didn't. Trent loves babies- but he is rarely around them & is loud, jerky, spontaneous, wants them to open their eyes- etc. wow- Marcus & Brittany were good sports. Trent is absolutely in love with him.


This guy is just about the same size Chloe was when she was born.








These two are going to be great parents.



and I am so, so happy they are staying at BYU for law school.




Wednesday, May 18, 2011

getting back to life

For the past few days it feels like I have had a wedding hangover. I've been so tired. I am just now starting to feel back to normal. I don't know why- I didn't have that much to do... considering how tired I've been? It's so good to start feeling back to normal.

Last Friday we were thrilled to go to our local Chalk Art Festival. Chloe's art class had projects & this one is hers- isn't it awesome!? I LOVE it.

Another favorite from her class is this one- it reminds me of the wedding.


The Chalk Art Festival was fantastic! Besides Chloe's art- Hailey was one of the street performers. So fun! After checking out the art- we went to dinner at an Indian food restaurant. I officially Love Indian food! YUM We had Chicken Tikka Masala & Naan- it was soo good. Even though- the art was GREAT- the music was GREat- the food was GREAt-- one of my favorite things about Friday was .....

it wasn't raining! We have had so much rain this year! Floods are coming. It is still raining & today it was even snowing for a bit. I hope our neighborhood makes it okay when the sun comes. I really hope it doesn't heat up too fast- it's scary considering how many towns across the nation are flooding.


So we are back to regular life & back to chores & errands & frankly all the things I love to do. I am working about 2-3 days a week. I have loaded the house back up with groceries, cooked dinner, sent a load of good mail & a package to Jack :)


How much is GAs at your house?


I can't wait for Sunday when the newlyweds come home from their honeymoon cruise! I hope they took lots of pictures.


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

look who's here!

Congratulations Marcus & Brittany!!


I can't wait to meet him

Monday, May 16, 2011

wedding day~ in snapshots
















































It was a perfectly, beautiful day.


I can't wait to see the photographer's photos.