3 random things...so I remember them...

Brazilian Blowout - This is a non-chemical straightening process I had done in January. It only takes about 10 minutes to dry my hair straight and it is SOO soft. I just had to try it once. It's supposed to last about 3 months. I have started doing curly lately because I'm just too lazy. Curly is so fast and easy...
New Beginnings: I love my young women and leaders. Everyone had a part in the program and it was a big success.
Valentine's Day. John brought home the most gorgeous roses! He helped Jake to get me the other flowers. The little gerber daisy plant is from my supervisor at work. I felt loved!

Some ponderings about "split" families...

Happy Birthday Jake!
Left to right: John, me, Jyson, Ethan (Jake's brother), McKelle, Nancy (Jake's mom), G'ma Gayle (Nancy's mom), William (Jake's stepdad), Liam (Jake's brother), Jake, Shun (Jake's BFF)

What I love about this picture is that we're all together...not just John & I and our kids, but all of Jake's "family": 2 moms, 2 dads, 4 siblings. From the moment I met Nancy over 7 years ago, she has been kind to me. She welcomed me into her home with open arms and it has been that way ever since. What a blessing for a new stepmom, unsure of her new role.

A couple of years ago, William called John for some help with a project at his house. They went together to Lowe's to get the parts. How often do you find that happening?

Sure, it's not ideal to have to split your time between 2 homes (although it does have its perks like double presents for every holiday...) BUT if you do get to have multiple parents, how great that they get along and like each other.

I remember when we first moved into our current ward and some of the boys found out that Jake attended a different ward each week. They asked him if that was hard. He said, "I don't know. It's always been that way." What is "normal" for him is so different than my childhood and yet these kids handle it so well.

It's been a privilege to be a stepmom. Sure, it's had a few rocky steps, but what parent role hasn't? Thanks McKelle, Jake, & Jyson for letting me be part of your lives.

Amigos

I am grateful for friends, and I have some GREAT ones. I have appreciated facebook for allowing me to connect with friends from different stages of my life. While I am posting pics of some friend get-togethers, there are many more great friends not pictured. Thanks to all of you for making my life better for having known you.

In January we went to dinner with Shelly & Lele and Debbie & Brandon. I hate to call them "old friends," but we were college roommates and that was 18 years ago. How did that happen? We had dinner at Los Hermanos. This pic made us laugh because John's head looks so much bigger than the rest of ours. It's all about perspective in life, isn't it?
Second try. Thanks for being short with me Deb.
About a week later it was lunch at Olive Garden. I call these girls my "teacher friends." We taught together at Manila. Those were some great days! I love getting together and catching up. We just pick up where we left off last, no matter how longs it's been since we've seen each other.
I love that about good friends.
(Did you notice I'm wearing the same sweater in both pictures. Apparently I like it a lot!)

To all my dear friends who are not pictured...
let's do lunch!

Jake's down-to-the-wire Eagle

A few months ago, Jake decided he wanted to get his Eagle Scout award. He was only missing a few merit badges and a project which needed to be completed before his 18th birthday (Jan. 26). He started working on the merit badges and we brainstormed ideas for the project. Quilting seemed the most logical, timely kind of project.

Thank goodness for John's mom Joy who put together most of the quilts.
We got together on a Saturday and quilted for several hours. Quite a few people showed up to help, including Jake's YM leader and his sons from our ward (all watching Jake so intently).
John's sister, Julie (along with Jyson's help), stamped cards to go with the blankets.
John & I got into the quilting as well (with his brother Nate & wife Sarah).
Finished...23 quilts.
Delivery to Primary Children's Medical Center on Jan. 24 (2 days before his b-day).
Jake decided that day to earn an Eagle Palm as well (for 5 additional merit badges). He called his Scout leaders and completed several. His final merit badge was basketry. John's dad, Bob, is the merit badge counselor so Jake went over there the night before his birthday to weave a basket with his grandpa.

Court of Honor where Jake received all his merit badges.
He passed his Board of Review, so we're now planning his Eagle Court of Honor. Congrats Jake!

2 random events

On New Years Day, John went pheasant hunting with his dad and brothers and shot several birds. They loved being together and plan to make it an annual tradition. Go Lloyd boys.
In January Jake was asked to a school dance. This was like a true "mom" moment for me. Here he is waiting for his date.
Putting on the corsage...
Ready for the masquerade ball.
Thanks for the moment Jake!

Mom's 70th & Oxborrow Family Christmas Party

My mom turned 70 on December 30. What an amazing lady! We had a party for her and a post Christmas celebration with my family.

Four years ago, when my dad turned 70, my siblings and I created a tribute to him - 70 things we loved about him. My oldest brother Marc created a poster we had framed for him. We had so much fun doing it and Dad quite enjoyed it. When my grandma turned 95 in 2009, we did the same. So of course we had to make one for my mom too. My siblings and I sent MANY emails back and forth sharing our ideas. In the end, we came up with 101 things we love about her. And truthfully, we could have kept going. I can only hope to be half the woman she is. The older I get, the more I recognize all the sacrifices she made for her family. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her!!
Here's the party:
This is Candice, Aaron's "friend," wearing the apron Mom made her for Christmas. I really like this girl. I hope she stays around a long time.
My little Bubba with his Christmas present.

(I'm almost to 2011...)