I'm soooo excited!!!

We actually have a nice back yard....actually, I love our yard! I go out and lay on the swing for hours at night just listening to all the "outside noises" and thinking....the smells are fabulous...neighbors cooking this and that....grilling and just burning wood....often it smells like we are in the mountains...and I LOVE the mountains and all the smells!!! So...Kati came home and said "Mom, go buy one of those portable fire pits...we can roast marshmallows and stuff" What a good idea! I checked into them and they are kind of pricey...something a family sending out a new missionary probably can't afford....but, we have an area open and away from foliage etc that would be a great spot for a pit......we built it for a fraction of the cost of a portable pit!!! Hurray!! Tonight we roast hot dogs and S'mores....in the fall, when it's cool at night, won't this be a fun thing...sitting around talking with family and friends....I love our new fire pit!

3rd, 4th, and 5th of July Festivities!!!

Isn't this Holiday season the best??? Since the 4th falls on Sunday this year, we have the unique privilege of celebrating this wonderful Holiday for 3 whole days!! I just love that...we get to be reminded and pay tribute to our wonderful, beautiful country for extra days this year and what an honor that is! I know some are uncomfortable with not celebrating everything on Sunday, but I look at it this way, one day celebrating just isn't enough for me, having the extra couple days makes it all good. It's funny though, we attended the Magna parade this afternoon, shopped, cleaned up some of the garage then saw the Magna Fireworks (which were excellent as far as I'm concerned) we sat on the football field with several other high spirited families at Cyprus High.... everybody happy to be there! After the fireworks were done, everybody started clapping...then there was the grand "finale" so to speak someone sent off 1/2 dozen illegal fireworks from behind the bleachers LOL...they were really beautiful...Lol......then, fireworks done, we were off to the church on 6400 W and 2700 S to see the Rocky Mt speedway fireworks...got there just in time to spread out our blankets and they started!! Woot! Woot! The firework watchers there were a little more subdued...maybe tired from the day at hand...but both fireworks were really good. Now, as I type, it is 12:45am and some neighbor who lives close by is and has been setting off a stream of illegal fireworks ...for at least an hour! You got it...one solid hour....It amazes me how much these must cost! Our poor Jack the dog is just having a hard time with all the noise...he's not a real fan of these festivities...then there's shado...our other dog...sound asleep with not a care in the world...night and day these two. I hope they do run out of fireworks soon...a little hard to sleep with HUGE bangs throughout the night!






Then, about 10 min after Trevor and Staci left for home (midnight) she text me to tell me that they had already seen a drunk driver and to let Kati and Kristi know to be careful getting home...go figure...what a way to spoil such a great day...I hope these people get off the roads and sleep it off! How can it be fun to drink yourself into oblivion and then get behind the wheel of a powerful machine to endanger not only yourself but defenseless people out to have a great day...Selfish Cowards as far as I'm concerned...anyway...hope your holidays are fantastic and wonderful and let's remember what a great country we live in!!!!










I'm Proud to be an American!!!!!

Rob is going on a mission............

I've been thinking a lot lately about this year...boy is it busy and life changing. Rob's mission papers were officially submitted last night. Wow! This is crazy...where has time gone?? Seems like just yesterday we had a HUGE surprise at having a boy! Dr Dinger's famous words "it's a boy!" Gary " a BOY!" we were so sure we were having our 4th daughter and ok with that...but what a nice surprise....cuddling with this little guy was amazing and knowing he would be our last meant something even more special..hard to put in words. He was such a joy growing up...loving every moment...struggling with him through challenges in elementary and scouts....enjoying watching him grow and learn in every aspect of life...watching him in aww as he encourages friends to read the Book of Mormon ... no pressure, but sharing a sweet testimony of this book and suggesting they read for themselves...watching him advance in his Priesthood...Rob has honored and performed his Priesthood duties with love, respect and honor ...you could always count on Rob to pass the sacrament as a deacon every Sunday dressed in white shirt and tie, get to church early to set up the sacrament table as a teacher as well as perform his duties without argument in going door to door to collect fast offerings, occasional sacrament taken to home bound members of our ward etc...these were things he knew he was expected to do and there was never a question as to his responsibilities to which he gladly did. I think one of those things where I really saw Rob grow was blessing the sacrament as a new Priest...this was somewhat of a challenge...he had his share of repeated blessings whether it be from nerves or just not reading the blessing completely, he just kept trying and trying until he finally overcame this particular challenge and would bless the sacrament with a love in his heart for this Priesthood responsibility. Rob was then ordained an Elder....wow...he now holds the Melchizedek Priesthood....our son has the same keys as his dad...this is amazing. He has helped with a couple blessings....still goes up and blesses the sacrament when he is needed and I can say, this is a young man who truly honors his Priesthood. Well, last night after a month of doctors visits, papers filled out and interviews his "papers" were officially sent in to the Apostles to look over and assign him a mission call....holy cow....my little boy will soon be out for 2 years serving the Lord and those people he will be assigned to teach! Have we really prepared him for this, does he have all the tools he will need to live on his own with a companion and be able to share his testimony and teach the gospel to others...will he be able to take care of his physical needs...ie cooking, cleaning etc....I know he has the laundry thing down pat....but how about shopping and preparing for those things he will need? What if he get's homesick or just sick....will he know to go to the Lord for assurance and help....does he pray and read his scriptures the way he needs to....what if he needs me...ugh!!! I know every mom goes through this...we just want to be available just in case, but we can't. I pray he will find "another son's mother" on his mission to maybe fill my shoes...maybe a meal occasionally...maybe some guidance and support....I'm feeling a few pieces of my heart flaking off right now...I know this is the best possible thing for Rob and those who he will teach...he is such a great young man...but I will miss him...I hurt for those family times he will miss out on for two years...we have been such a close family.....but through it all...feelings set aside....this is what he is supposed to do, I support him and love him dearly and put him and his life in the hands of our Lord to watch over him, keep him safe for these next 2 years... to guide him and strengthen him that he will be the tool....those hands that will spread the gospel to all the lands.....love you buddy!!

Sore...but smiling.....

It was a very nice day yesterday....one of those productive Saturdays. We got up early and worked in the much needed yard....I weeded all the gardens (and there are alot!) I love flowers, so I made sure we had enough space for them in the front and back...only, we also grow a lot of crab grass and those viney weeds that like to invade the gardens...I worked hard but it's done and they look nice...today though, I am extremely sore! OUCH! I always use muscles I don't usually use and pay for it the next day...UGH....but when I look at the yard I am appreciative of the fact that I can get down, crawl around, dig and pull and do what it takes to make our yard pleasant and fun to be in....then..later in the evening Max came over while Staci and Trevor went to a play.....since it was Westfest, we took him to the fireworks!!!! He oooohhed and aahhed the entire night..he just loved the fireworks and was dissappointed when they were over....thank heavens there are more days of fireworks to come...don't you just love this time of year...it just makes me smile!!!

Sometimes words do hurt us.....................

Ya know the old saying our parents used to say to us....."sticks and stones can break our bones, but words will never hurt us" I have come to the conclusion they lied to us again......sticks and stones might just do that...if hit hard enough and in the right place they could just break our bones.....but those dang words.....they just often do hurt us even if we try not to let them....after all, we are all human, we have feelings....those words can cut to the bone and they are said just to do that......I will never understand why someone feels the need to be totally mean and uncaring to someone else.....they don't even know us...they don't know our situation nor do they know how much they affect how we feel. It would be so nice to just be toughed skinned...to not let others make us feel inferior or horrible....I especially hurt when things are directed towards someone I love dearly and who is such a good person with a heart of gold towards others......it seems so unfair....going through challenges, trying so hard to overcome so many things just to be 'slapped in the face' so to speak with painful words that tare at your heart.....I just wish people would be more caring and considerate towards others....and that I guess we need some of that thick skin so we can handle others who think they are themselves so perfect they have room to hurt us......I'm really tired of it, ya know....just saying

Fun Day with family and friends!!!!

We had such a FUN day yesterday!!! Our friends from Las Vegas came for a week long visit....they have been on the go visiting and enjoying their vacation....yesterday we all went to Staci's apartment in North Ogden to go swimming, lunch and have pedicures...what a fun day this was!











finished product!!!






Swimming was great....Tara (Staci and Trevor's cousin's wife) Lincoln and Oliver came over to swim with the kids....they all had such a good time.....little sunburning but otherwise "sweet!"

So.....Where do you think Rob will go on his mission?

Dear friends and family! as some of you know, Rob finished his portion of his mission papers! YAY! He and I decided to have a contest. All family and friends are invited to join in on a fun contest to guess where he will go on his mission, whether it be Country or a state. Whoever gets the correct place will be able to come with our family too Leatherby's! YUMMMMM... Rules!

1. Only up three people can choose the same country OR state.
2. if three people already have chosen you unfortunately have to choose again. We will keep everyone updated.....