Graduation party

So as not to overwhelm any one with pictures Gage's graduation will be done in two separate posting's. We had to go to Vernal for Graduation and we got there a little early. Because we figured once he had graduated he would want to hang out with his friends and besides we were leaving right after to come home we decided to have an impromptu party at Wingers. My mom and I arrived before Brian and Kollette so stopped at the dollar store for some balloons and then on to visit with some of her sisters.

My mom and I arrived before Brian and Kollette so we stopped at the dollar store for some balloons before going to visit her sisters.

Just catching up and getting ready to order

Then we all gave him our presents.

A quilt from mom and dad

As well as a tile of him and grandpa

Some moolah!

A pen made by his dad. It was made from an antler shed he had found. Very nice by the way. Brian does some great work with his hands

It's baaaaaaaack!

I am referring of course to the I-phone box. Jared and I gave it to him from Christmas in 2007 filled with rice and a gift card. He gave it back to Jared with the same rice and various coins. I then gave it back to him filled with.....................................
He was a little nervous of course so Grandma cut the tape off the box. It was taped good because the object inside did not fit well so I had to smoosh it. When the tape was cut the lid popped a bit and Gage jumped back

Of course all that was inside was this harmless stuffed dog money holder.

More money from Grandma!

Grandma also made him a quilt out of Grandpa's shirts, which of course she added the tie too

The card I made him. The car moves back and forth on the road

Cheyenne picked out some Graduation glasses for him! Go class of 2009!

Here is with his girlfriend who joined us for the occasion

We had a lot of fun in the hour or two that we got to spend with him before he had to go and get ready. I am sure the waitress was glad to see us leave. He really is a great kid, who isn't really a kid anymore.

Heaven, Tears and Rainbows

As I have mentioned in previous posts Gage graduated from Uintah High School on the 29th of May and Me and mom and Brian and Kollette and family went to Vernal to spend a few hours with him and then attend graduation. We had a great time and of course I took lots of pictures which I later accidentally deleted. I did get them all back eventually but I was really upset. Anyway before I share a lot of the pictures I wanted to share an experience or two we had that night.

Gage is the 1st of the grand kids to graduate so it was a very special experience. He was one of grandpa's boy and I know he would have love to have been there to help celebrate this event. Unfortunately he was called to heaven before Gage had a chance to walk across the stage. May 29th would have been my mom and dad's 44th wedding Anniversary. Okay, to get on with my story from the night. As we sat there in the bleachers listening to the speakers and musical numbers watching the graduate contemplate on what lay ahead the skies looked like at any moment they would break open and we would be rained out.

Although it looked ominous nary a drop of rain fell from the sky until Gages name was announced he began the walk across the field to get his diploma. At that moment just a few gentle drops fell from the sky like tears. I asked my mom if she felt that as a held out my hand. I told her Grandpa is so proud of Gage and wants us all to know and that even though we can't see him he is there now and forever watching over us. It reminded me of an old country song by Collin Raye that goes something like this: (though I changed the words a bit)

There's holes in the floor of Heaven, And his tears are pouring down. That's how I know he's watching, Wishing he could be here now. An' sometimes when I'm lonely,I remember he can see. There's holes in the floor of Heaven, And he's watching over you and me.

So after we hugged Gage a zillion times and I took a zillion more pictures we left to come home. Along the way my mom and I spotted a huge rainbow. It didn't curve like most rainbows do, it looked it came straight from heaven for us to see right at that very moment.

Of course that invoked memories of my primary and the story of the little boy whose mom was his best friend and she passed away leaving him with this song:

I'll build you a rainbow, way up high above. Send down a sunbeam, plumb full of love. Sprinkle down raindrops, teardrops of joy. I'll be happy in heaven, watchin' over my boy.

It was a very emotional night and we are so proud of Gage for the young man is has become.

I will share pictures of his graduation and the party we had for him at Wingers in the next couple of days

My little Annigator all growed up

It seems like this is the week for being sentimental. Most likely due to the end of the school year, graduations and just plain growing up. This week we had not one but two graduations. Both Gage and Cheyenne graduated. Gage from High school and Cheyenne from Grade School. I will get to Gage later but I really wanted to focus on Cheyenne and her special day. It seems like just yesterday we were waiting at the hospital for this precious new life and here she is graduating from the 6th grade. Gone are the child hood and baby days. Soon it will be make-up and boys. I have been so blessed to be able to watch her grow up and share in her childhood. Even more so now that we live closer and we are able to more with her and her family. I do remember when she was about 3 or 4 I would always stretch my arms really wide and tell her I love you this much, her response was to put her fingers together and tell me she loved me this "ittle much" Times have changed though and when she got a little older she started loving me "big much" I started calling her annigator when she was smaller but mostly now she goes by Chey or Chey Chey. She is still my little annigator though and I will always love her this much (arms stretched open wide.) So with out further ado I present to you the 6th grade Graduate Miss Cheyenne !

Cheyenne was chosen as her class' Student of the year! What an outstanding achievement we are so very proud of you!

Here is the card I made for her along with the gift insert.

and her reaction when she realized that I was going to take her to Build a Bear!

Love you little Annigator and so glad you let me be a part of your life.

Graduation Day for Gage

As I was getting stuff ready to got to Gage's High School Graduation I stumbled on some pictures of him. I was going to say old pictures but that would mean I am getting old an we all know how that works.... the kids get older but we don't right? I wanted to fine some great tear jerker of a poem and searched the Internet for hours only to come up empty handed. I am no poet so I will just let the pictures talk for me today. He has grown into to such a great young man and I am so proud of all of his accomplishments over the years.
Here he is just hours after he was born in October of 1990

Gage at one year. Look at those chubby cheeks!

Graduating from preschool

His first girlfriend?

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd grade

3rd Grade

r

4th Grade

6th Grade

9th Grade

Jr Prom King!

Senior Year

There were so many moments and memories that have been made over the last 18.5 years, but I didn't want to put too many pictures. We look forward to the next and beyond and wish Gage lot's of luck in whatever he chooses to do. We love you!

One year ago

One year ago today we gathered as a family whole, for the last time here on this earth. We sat and watched as our husband, father and grandfather slipped from this earth into eternal rest. This last year as been difficult at best as the dynamics of our family shifted. We struggled each one of us in our own ways to come to terms with the passing of man so loved. We made new memories and reminisced on the old. Not being good at poetry I searched for words to express how I have felt. I stumbled across this poem on the internet written by Heather Hamilton of Calgary, Alberta Canada
Once In A While
Once in a while A day comes along. I see the twinkle in your eyes And I hear you whistle a happy song.
Once in a while I close my eyes And think back to when I was wee To some of the happiest days of my life When I sat up high on my daddy’s knee.
Once in a while I see that proud look on your face When I need someone to cheer me up I long for your loving embrace
Once in a while I close my eyes And pray to have you back again To see you happy and healthy Like you were a way back when
Once in a while I sit alone in my room and cry I wasn’t ready to let you go yet Dad It was just too soon to say good-bye
Once in a while I close my eyes And I know that you are near I clearly hear your voice call me And I feel you wipe away my tears
Once in a while I imagine you will be home soon I watch for the door to open From the morning sun until the evening moon
Once in a while I close my eyes And reminisce of all the times we had When people ask me what is on my mind I tell them “I miss my dad”
There will come a day I’ll be with you again and I can smile Until that moment comes Every second of each day will be my Once In A While

I miss you dad and look forward to the day when our fmaily can be whole again. I love you and not one day goes by that I don't think about you. Tell we meet again. Love your baby girl!

Sing like no one is listening

Cheyenne had a spring Choir concert