To My Son, On Graduation Day

Dear Christopher,

I wish I was one of those moms that know exactly what to say and when to say it. You know, one of those moms who have a pocket full of wisdom and great advice at the drop of a hat, and can transform any event into a learning moment? But I'm not one of them, and here I sit, completely at a loss for words.

I remember sitting and holding you as a newborn, completely in awe of how perfect you were. I sat for hours rocking you and touching every finger, every toe, your perfectly shaped (and yet so tiny) ears and nose; rubbing that surprisingly blonde hair and wondering which ancestor in your family tree passed it on to you - and extremely pleased that they did. I wondered what you would be like in 2 years, 5 years, 18 years, 30 years. I knew that whoever you turned out to be would be amazing. And I was right. In fact, even then, as I conjured up every perfect thing you could be, I couldn't have imagined that you would be as great as you are today.

(This was right before your dad came in to tell me that you were, indeed, blonde!)

Of course, there were times that I wondered what I'd gotten myself into. You were a perfect newborn and toddler... and then you turned three. Luckily, your Grandma had warned me that it was 'the terrible twos, but the worser threes', and you proved her right. Remember telling Katy that "it's raining in the kitchen"? I woke up to the sink being plugged and water flowing all over the floor. And the very next morning you whispered, "Katy, it's SNOWING in the kitchen!", to which I found the brand new gallon of milk poured out in its entirety on the kitchen floor. I was so mad that I didn't dare touch you, so I sat you in a chair on the border of the living room and kitchen and told you that you'd have to sit there and watch me clean it up - because I wanted you to see how much work you'd created for me. I remember taking that very last swipe of the rag, and you exclaimed, "Very good, Tricia!" - and then I just laughed. You were so antsy in that chair, and you were as relieved as I was that I was finally finished. You're still antsy like that, but you're so good to suffer through the things you *have* to do, so you can get on with the things you WANT to do.

You've always been an amazing brother, and I've gotten compliments from people since you were little regarding how cute you were in school/daycare/primary - always peeking into Katy's class, just to check on her. When Trevor and Tessa were born, that brotherly instinct kicked in immediately, and I think that you were sometimes more cautious than I was with your siblings. I remember taking you and Katy to the chiropractor after we got into a car accident. You were about 4 1/2 and Katy was 2. After I was through, the doctor asked you and Katy if either of you wanted an adjustment. You took a giant step backwards, emphatically shaking your head NO. Katy giggled and climbed up onto the table, which completely horrified you, and you said to her, "I wouldn't do it, Katy.... he's gonna POP YOUR NECK OFF!" I've always admired your sometimes-over-protective-love for your siblings. You are such a great example to them!

Even as a teenager, you've very rarely given me any grief. I mean, yes, there have been plenty of times that you think you know more than I do, and times that you've pushed your limits just to see how far you could get. I remember the time when you were 15 (I think) when you snuck out of the house. My motherly instinct kicked in, and I felt the urge to go to your room and check on you before I went to bed, even though that wasn't my usual routine. There were all your pillows, stuffed under the blankets like you were sleeping peacefully, but I knew that trick. I'll never forget the look on your face when you saw me in the car driving up the street. I still say you're lucky I didn't get out of the car in my nightgown, right there in front of all your friends. But your face told me that I didn't need to - you were busted and immediately felt guilty, apologizing up and down. I remember you telling me, "The ONE time I decide to sneak out, and you catch me", and I simply replied, "and I always will". My hope is that even though you're an adult now, that I will always and forever have that motherly instinct regarding your well-being. I'm so glad that you're staying home for a while as you start college, because I get to have you under the same roof, if just for a little while longer. When you're ready to go out on your own, I promise to be brave, but I'm going to savor every moment with you until then.

Now, as an adult, you astound me. You have always loved to be your dad's helper, ever since you could walk, and so giving of your time to anyone that needs it. I don't think there's been even one day in the past year that I haven't heard you say to either me or your dad, "is there anything I can help you with?" - and it still catches me off guard sometimes. You are always so quick and willing to roll up your sleeves and start helping, even without asking, and I can't even tell you how grateful I am for that. I love how thoughtful and giving you are. 

As I write you this letter, I find myself all nostalgic and weepy. I can't even express how precious you are to me, or how intensely proud of you I am. There just aren't words. I'm excited to watch you walk across that stage today, all handsome and grown-up, and receive the diploma you've been working so hard for. I'm sure that you won't feel nervous at all, cause that's just not your style - but I'm feeling a little nervous already, just thinking about my baby boy crossing this milestone. If you do feel the nerves at all though, I'll tell you the same thing I've told myself this past year (knowing this moment was coming) - just take a deep breath, get up, and start walking - always continue to move forward. This is just the very next thing in a world of adventures that are waiting for you, my son; and I'm so excited for you to go out and explore this great big universe. You are brilliant and wise, and you are going to do great things!

Christopher, I don't know what triumphs and challenges await you in your lifetime (there will be many of both), but one thing I can tell you - without a doubt - is this: My love for you will never change. I've loved you from the first moment I held you in my arms. I will love you at your worst and I will love you at your best. I will love you when you sit right next to me, and I will love you if you're half a world away from me. I love you for who you were yesterday, who you are today, and for who you will become tomorrow. My love for you is eternal, it is unassuming, and it is completely unconditional.

I am amazed and humbled every day that God trusted me and loved me enough to be your mother. I love you!

                                                      Love Always,
                                                                           Mom

Trevor's in Junior High

Crazy, but true... and I promise to give a heads' up to those junior high teachers, cause they're gonna have their hands full with this awesome guy! Today Trevor graduated from elementary, and to celebrate this coming-of-age, the school had a fun little ceremony with skits and an un-talent show. It was fun to watch. Trevor, I'm proud of you, bud - you've done GREAT and your going to love Jr. High, I just know it!

(We thought it was hilarious that you got voted 'most likely to wear v-necks their whole life'!)

How to Make a Candy Lei

Christopher is graduating from high school this year. He has a very small graduating class, so I decided to do something special for each of them for graduation day. Here are instruction on how to make a candy lei:

Supplies needed: Candy, plastic wrap, ribbon, and scissors. (Have I mentioned how I love simple crafts?)

Place candy in center of plastic wrap, about 2 inches apart, leaving 3-4 inches on each end. I put my candies face down, because the front will only have one layer of plastic, so you can see the candy better on the lei. I also specifically didn’t use any chocolate, because I was worried about it melting, but I’ve seen them with miniature candy bars and they look really cute.

Next, fold the top of the plastic down and fold the bottom plastic up. I went ahead and smooshed (technical term) the plastic wrap together between the candies, because it helped get rid of the air bubbles.

Tie curling ribbon (6-8 inches long) in between each of the candies. I used two colors, but you don’t have to, I just liked the look of black and silver for graduation. Make sure that the ribbons on each end of the candy lei are a little longer (about a foot), since that will give you enough to tie together when you’re done.

Then you just curl your ribbons and voila! Super cute and super easy. Now go make your kids some candy lei’s!

Prom 2011

Katy went to Prom this year, much to her father's dismay. He (we) can't believe that our little tiny girl is old enough to do such things! A few days before prom, I had a photo shoot set up for Christopher to have his senior pictures, and the darling gals at Every Little Moment Photography agreed to take some photos of Katy for me to. We decided to go to Timpanogos Harley Davidson, because they have such a cool 'grunge' look on their building - and it turned out perfect, because my cousin Dan works there and had his bike with him that day. He was happy to pull it around for us to get some shots with it. It was so fun, and as always, she just lit up for the camera - she's always been a bit of a ham. Here are a few of my favorites:

And here she is on Prom night with her group and her date, Kris, who she said was a perfect gentleman and a super fun date. He was also super smart and had a friend take their pics before the dance:

(Of course I had to snap a quick on of her and her daddy!)

Brace Face

Trevor got braces on today. Although he really wants straight teeth, I just can't imagine that he could get any cuter!

Coming Home

I love coming home - it doesn't matter where I've been - home is the most wonderful place in the world! When I got home from Texas last month, just after I was about mowed over on the lawn with tons of hugs and kisses, I walked into the house and saw this darling sign made by Tessa.

I absolutely LOVED all of the cute details! She had cut out individual little candles and made them 3-D, with a note to 'blow out the candles' (bottom left corner) and asked if now that I'm home, can we 'go to Trafalga?' or 'watch a scary movie'? I snuggled right in to watch a movie with her - who could pass up on snuggles and a movie?
Oh, and the sign came with a coupon book, or in her words a 'Favore Book':

If I didn't want my snuggles so much, I probably would have taken her up on this one:

But this one made me not even want to walk into the office:

Yes, home is the most magical place to be when my sweet family is waiting there for me!

Remembering My Sweet Aunt Mary

Kathryn, Aunt Mary, Me, and my Mom



My Aunt Mary - for those of you that knew her, you know that there just aren't words to describe how wonderful she was. For those of you who didn't know her - you really missed out! Aunt Mary is my mom's sister and has always had a way of making each person feel extremely special and important. Even though she lived in Texas, over the past few years she has been amazing at planning vacations and bringing her family not only all over the country, but specifically here to Utah to visit us. Because of these visits, Mike and the kids have been able to form a bond with my side of the family and enjoy an amazing part of my heritage. I love that she has brought different grandkids with her each time, so that when we do have those way-too-infrequent-visits with my extended family, they already know each other and absolutely love hanging out together. This is all because of my Aunt Mary. She was all about family, and refused to let miles separate us.


When Aunt Mary had a stroke last month, it shocked and saddened everyone that knew and loved her. We all knew that she didn't want a traditional funeral. In fact, just last summer she sat and had a talk with several of us explaining that when she died, she did NOT want a funeral at all - but she wanted everyone she loved to get together and have a PARTY... in her words, "I mean, not necessarily balloons and everything celebrating that I finally died (hahaha), but I want everyone just to be together." So that's what we did. My uncle rented a beach house on an island in Galveston and we all gathered together there. It was the biggest slumber party I've ever been to! And guess what? It was the first time that the entire family was together (minus my Mike, and my sister's husband Doug, and our kids). It was really awesome and wonderful, since I don't see all of my cousins near enough. We talked and caught up, we laughed, we cried, we walked the beach, went through old pictures, and enjoyed childhood memories - and we even let the kids get their hands dirty making my mom's famous enchiladas. And the beach house? It had Aunt Mary's name written all over it - it couldn't have been more perfect! The dolphins were out in full force, which was especially healing for us, since the dolphin was Aunt Mary's very favorite animal. Overall, a beautiful and wonderful weekend remembering Aunt Mary and enjoying the very short time we had together. Once again, thank you, Aunt Mary for such a great time!