Patriotic School Choir Concert

As I mentioned in my last post we didn't stay for the movie at the school because Kailtyn had a choir concert at the Silver Lake Amphitheater. When we got there though it had been rescheduled for Monday because of the wind. It got rescheduled one more time because we were having such weird weather. They were finally able to perform on May 25th

Because there weren't an risers and all the kids stood at the bottom, I was unable to see exactly where Kaitlyn was so I just took some random shots.

The audience

From the top looking down

I love the view from the Amphitheater

There was still snow on Timpanogoes.

It was a beautiful evening though, not too hot or too cold. The kids all did a great job and it is fun to be able to go to their programs.

Fundraiser for Eagle Mountain man battling brain cancer

On the 21st of May Kollette and I took the kids to a fundraiser craft sale, bae sale movie night (minus the movie, at the school. The fundraiser was for a man here in Eagle mountain Jim Hughes, who is being treated for an aggressive brain cancer.
More than 200 adults attended the fundraiser at Eagle Valley Elementary School and more adults came just to donate at the door and then go home. At any one time, there were about 150 children at the event. There were several booths selling baked goods, a raffle, concessions and a movie. Visitors brought their folding picnic chairs, their blankets and their cash.

Jim said a few words of thanks, and was presented with a little gift basket in a cowboy hat from the city.

If you click on the post title it links to the family's blog so that you can read more about him and his struggles.

Mother's Day Part 2

This post really should have been the 1st part as these events took place on Saturday where the other took place on Sunday. Oh well. what ya going do?

We decided to take Jared's mom to dinner and a movie for Mother's day.

We went to Iggy's in Sandy.

The Chicken Balls are really good

After we ate I decided I wanted some Chocolate. So we went to the Hatch Family Chocolate store. They have really good Chocolate.

Yummy Yummy

The people that run this have a show on TLC called the Little Chocolatiers. It's a great show

After we got our chocolate we went to the District for the movie.

The card that Jared and I made for his mom.

We love both of our mom's very much and are grateful to have them in our lives. We hope that both of them enjoyed their special days.

Mother's Day Part 1

We spent Mother's day at Brian and Kollette's waiting for Gage to call. Jared and I bought a cake to share with the family and took my mom a really nice hanging basket. It was a nice day.

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .
A many splendoured miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

A phone call from the Phillipines

On Mother's day this year Gage got to call home. We all went to Brian's house and hung out until he called. He had only been there just a little over a month when we called. It was really good to hear from him and it sounded like he was doing well.

We get weekly emails from Gage and is nice because the pack mail service is so slow. I have been writing him though dear elder.com and they print and mail the letters for free. I think it takes 4-6 weeks for him to get them, but his email time is limited so rather than take up that time with emails I send letters. Here is an excerpt from one of the 1st emails that was received from him. It was dated April 12th:

well not much is happening this week still just trying to get used to all the surroundings including the language. but that is ok i love it here anyways. the people are amazing. so i have an experiment for you all to try... First cook a lot of rice and than some stew or something to go on top of the rice. like vegetables and stuff. then get a garbage bag and put it on the table. next combine the stew and rice on top of the garbage back. no plates allowed. than eat it... with your hands =) that is how he had lunch at church the other day for conference. =) it is really fun and messy =)so just try it. so this place is really fun. its like Disney land but cheaper =) the way you get around is like all the rides there =) so its a lot of fun. I will definitely want to come back after my mission. i just wish it wasn't so hot.

We are very proud of Gage and the choice he has made to sacrifice 2 years of his life to serve the lord.

Father's Day

I suppose today, or rather this holiday will be one of those days that I will always b reminded that my dad is no longer with us. This is the 3rd Father's Day since his passing and though you would think the 1st or the 2nd one would have been the hardest, to me this one feels the different than either of the two every did. The 1st Father's Day, at least for me, was so soon that the emotions from his passing were still there at the surface. The 2nd year I was still numb and the day really passed as if it were an ordinary day. This year as I look around there are evident signs that today is the day that one celebrates their dad. I found myself in the Father's Day section of our Local Hallmark store a few days ago. I am not sure why but there I was, amid people searching for just the right card to give the dad's in their lives, when it hit me that there was no reason for me to be there my heart sank and I was brought to the cold realization that I had no reason to buy card that day as there would be no one I could give it to. As I was leaving the store I remembered my Sunday Red Robin ritual. Where in Jared and I go to Red Robin for lunch and on the way out I grab a balloon. With balloon in hand I walk over to the fountain and after a moment or two of silence I release the balloon as if sending it to heaven. At that moment I decided that there was no reason instead of one balloon I couldn't release several with my Father's Day card attached. Sort of my way to give him something. I went back to the card section and found the perfect card and it goes:

Every daughter wants to be

just like her daddy.

Looking up to him for guidance

and protection,

and through the years

the memories

will always fill her heart

with great affection.

She'll be thankful for the lesson's

he had taught her

for the way he was her hero

and her friend

She'll be proud

that he was a man of strong convictions

and was someone

on who others could depend.

She'll look back on all the things

they did together

and they ways they shared such fun

and laughter too

Ans she'll know this precious bond they created

is a treasure that will last her lifetime through.

When somebody says

I remind them of you

it's a very proud moment for me

For the thins that made you

a wonderful dad

are3 the thing I would most want to be.

And I am hoping you know

that the memories shared

ans the lessons you taught me from the start

will always be with me wherever I go

for-like you-they'll be kept in my heart.

love you so much dad and miss you every day. I know that some day we will be together again and I await that sweet reunion.

Happy Father's day in Heaven!

And so with heavy heart and tears in my eyes I will buy how many every ballons are needed to lift my card to heaven and I will celebrate the wonderful man that will alway be my Dad.

Taking a little blogcation.......

Sorry I have not been around much, been out living and creating new memories to possibly blog about. Hope everyone is having a great summer. I will be back shortly!