Awards and Garden

No, my garden will not receive an award but I am really excited with it.  This morning I finally got to pick the reward of perseverance.  After planting raspberry plants 3 times I finally got them to stick around.  The last two times I planted, I planted in the heat of summer and I am pretty sure that is why they died.  Last spring we took a trip to my brother and sister in laws and my sister in law was showing me her great raspberry garden.  We left for the day and when we got back she had dug up 50 plants for me to take home.  I planted them the day we got home and prayed the little sticks would make it.  I have only lost a couple and all the rest are out there with beautiful leaves and lots of red raspberries.  Well, that was until I picked all the red ones this morning and we had them with our cereal.  It was so very exciting!!!!

Here it is off to an ok start. Back in the corner are the lovely raspberry plants.
Not sure what happened to my poor strawberry plants, may have to start over on them.

Aidric enjoyed his share of the raspberries

 As for the awards, our lovely daughters graduated their respective classes, earning honors in each.  Latisha receive her gold, Sierra her silver, Danika her bronze, and Cassandra earned her honors in Daisy's.  They have to honor in three clubs to get the bronze medal,which is what Danika did, when they honor in their fourth club they get their silver, which is what Sierra did, and when they honor in their fifth club they get a gold, which is what Latisha did.  To honor in a club you have to do extra work and memorization of scriptures.  So, I am very proud of their hard work and blessed to have them all honoring the same year.  It just so happened that Daisys club (what Cassandra just finished) is one year, Prims is two (we didn't have a girl in that club this year), Stars (Danika just completed) takes three years, Friends (Sierra just completed) 3 years, and Girls Only club (Latisha just completed) is four years and we just happened to have our daughters spaced so that they all graduated at the same time.  I don't know how often something like that happens but we feel very honored to have been blessed with girls to accomplish this and am thankful for Girls ministry and the leaders who minister to our girls.

On a side note my dear friend Ivy, is home from college and we are holding Bright Lights meeting with some lovely young ladies for the the summer, in our home.  She felt led to continue Bright Lights  with our girls for the summer and is doing Grace Malley's book "Will our Generation Speak?"  We have had a good turn out. Another friend of mine is doing a ladies Bible study at the same time in our home for the moms and other ladies.  It is working out good and I am thankful with the work God is doing in our home.

Also, more good news… Isabella's test all came back negative and after David's layoff at his job, he is still employed.   Thank you, thank you my Lord.  God is good!!! Have a great day and God bless.

Alicia

Newlyweds "What a Blessing"

What an amazing blessed first few weeks of marriage for Brent and Latisha.  They were so blessed to have a wonderful engagement, beautiful wedding, relaxing honeymoon, bought their first home and now setting up their home and future.  I am excited to get their professional wedding pictures and post some here but for now here are some pictures of their first few exciting weeks together.  "What a blessing!"

 Their honeymoon was an eight day road trip.  What an exciting adventure.  I kept thinking back to our honeymoon and how exciting it was to go on a trip as husband and wife, on our own adventure.  Off they went to mostly sunny California.  It was funny because people kept asking me what I had heard from them, but really I got a text they made it there and that was it, until they were headed home.  It was a weird feeling, but I didn't contact my family on our honeymoon, so I was glad to see that they were just enjoying time together.  They did post some cute pictures during their trip and that was so exciting.  I think with cell phones we think we have to keep in contact with everyone all the time, I was glad to see they didn't worry about that and just enjoyed their trip.

Here they made it to California

They had a day at Sea World

Then some more beach time

Cute flip flops

a day in Hollywood

Another sunny day at the beach

Then a day at Disneyland.  They got "just married" buttons, so lots of people
congratulated them everywhere they went

Matching hats

Then it was back home.  The day they got home we had a present opening party, sorry no pictures.  They were so blessed with lots of presents and cards with money.   I was just amazed at some of the generosity of our family and friends.  With the money and gift cards they got they were able to go buy things on their registries they wanted and still needed.  What a huge blessing.

They stayed in our apartment for a little while till they closed on their new home.  Then last Saturday we moved them in.  It was so exciting, a little sad, but so exciting.  They built their home so almost everything in it is new.  Like I may have overstated, "What a Blessing."

here is their new home

the front room

looking into the dining and kitchen

kitchen/dining room

guest bath

master

bedroom with their whole bed set, a blessing from an Uncle and Aunt

Here's my girl enjoying her new home

So. there it is.  Most the boxes are unpacked and now they are getting ready to hang pictures and maybe do some painting.  Latisha said it is quite quiet even with the construction going on next door, nothing like our house full of children and activity.  But she is busy setting up their home and enjoying making their house a home.  I am so happy for them!  What a blessing!!!  Have a great day.
Alicia

What's Up?

I hope your summer is going well.  I keep telling myself after this or that things will slow down, but we'll see.  I have so many hopes for the summer, projects to finish, planning for the next school year, trips to take, and exciting happenings and dreams come true.  But there is also trials and growth going on as we approach job issues and medical challenges.  God is so good to see us through them all and I am so grateful to my Savior who watches over me and my family.

Several months ago we had taken Isabella to a geneticist.  They had wanted to do some blood tests, but we have been waiting to get the ok from the insurance company.  A long process and I didn't even know if I wanted the tests.  Last week Isabella had an appointment with one of her doctors who thought she was doing well and actually said the things I wanted to hear.  He was skeptical wether she had either of the diseases the geneticist wanted her tested for and said how we could go on and on doing costly testing that could just bring us back to where we are right now.  The next day, on the way to therapy, the geneticist office called and all the tests were now approved by the insurance.  I spoke to the therapists about my doubts with the tests and they really encouraged me to get the tests especially the one that scared me the most.  I tried to quickly get to my car, without my emotions showing, but when I got back to pick Isabella up they were ready for intervention.  I can generally do well with issues as long as I don't have to talk about it.  They felt differently,  I guess now they know how I feel.  Today I go in to get Isabella's blood test.  I am anxious both for the process of getting the blood tests (Isabella does not enjoy her blood drawn), and for the results of the test.  Inside I know that God is with me and will help us through but if you have time today to drop a prayer on Isabella's and my behalf I would appreciate it.   The Bible says "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication  with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:5-7

Well, on the brighter side, things have been exciting here and one party after another.  I will post in a couple days about the newly weds and there exciting adventures but for now, here are some fun pictures. Have a great day.
Alicia

Alex's family birthday party, The strawberry rhubarb crisp didn't support the candles so I held them.

my cute little boy loved all the parties and cake

Cassandra's party

Danika's Honor Star's graduation

Sierra's prayer at her Honor Friends graduation

Latisha finished with her honors Girls Only, Sierra Honors Friends,
Danika Honor Star, Cassie Honor Daisy and Isabella just happy to be there.
A big year for our girls.

We had a root beer party for Alex's 21st birthday party with friends, complete with
homemade root beer, root beer cookies, root beer candy, hot wings etc.

trifles that looked like little root beers.  Cute, Latisha helped a lot

here Cassandra and I are making her happy birthday sign

Turned out cute

Cassie with strawberry cupcake for friends party

Father's day outing up to the cross, where you can oversee the city and valley below.  First we had a picnic

Headed to the cross

at the huge cross.  at night it is lighted and the city can see it.

Aidric's new talent is climbing on chairs and anything else close to his height.  

Cassie Girl is Six

Happy Birthday to my sweet and fun Little Cassie Girl.  There was quite a break from Danika to Cassandra and everyone thought we were done.  But surprise, God knew better and blessed us with an amazing little girl so full of life and energy.  Cassie is a smart little girl and in her innocence causes everyone to erupt in laughter.  She loves to tell us jokes around the table… like…  "What did the pig say to the cow….  mmmm I want to eat you."  We all just look at each and then break up in laughter.  Not that it is funny but it is just so cute to watch her come up with her own jokes.  She is so happy with herself, and loves to see everyone laugh.  If you come to our house and don't know what one wall said to the other, Cassandra would love to tell you.  (Meet you at the corner)  We have heard the joke numerous times but she still waits for the laugh.  She definitely has a way of bringing life and light to our days.  What a joy she is.  We Love you Cassandra… have a Wonderful birthday and year.

Love Dad and Mom

She wanted her hair like Danika's

cake making time

Happy 21st Birthday to My Son!

I am sitting here watching a beautiful video of my son Alex, 21 years ago.  Such a handsome little guy. I remember those moments as I became a mom, something I had dreamed about since I was a little girl. I always wondered what my kids would look like, how they would act, and what it would feel like to hold my own baby.  It was amazing when it happened but so very surreal.  I just couldn't grasp what all this meant.  Holding the child I had longed for was really here.  What an awesome responsibility and such an amazing gift.  It didn't really seem like it was my baby.  Then in the middle of that first night the nurse brought him to me.  I remember looking at him and thinking, "He is so beautiful."  I can't express the warm maternal feelings that rushed over me as I held this precious gift.  The next morning I talked to my mom and just could find the words but just to say, "Mom, he is so beautiful."  I  remember coming home from the hospital.  David dropped us off at home and had to head back to work.  Here we were just Alex and I.  I was so sad to see David leave but so excited to be home with our baby.  I wanted to hold on to each moment.  We just laid on the couch and cuddled. I had no idea what all lay ahead but I knew at that moment all was wonderful.

Today that wonderful blessing turns 21 and I am so very thankful for this gift from God that is now a man.  I treasure our moments together.  Having him home from college is a treat.  He has one more year left and then who know what.  God has good things planned for Alex and David and I look forward to all that is in store.  Happy Birthday my Sonshine.

God Bless you All,
Alicia