Brag time

Koy made the basketball team! He wasn't sure if he would, but there he is.

He has been working so hard. He doesn't get a lot of play time, but loves the time he does get. Check out the feller next to him here. Hehe, go Koy!

Macade and Nina attended a formal Army Christmas party. I didn't catch Nina because she wasn't in her dress when they were over. Next time he looks this fancy, he will be getting his Purple Heart or getting married!

Koy cleaned house at the awards banquet for Cross Country! He had a fabulous first year and we are looking forward to seeing him get even better.

He brought home a varsity letter, Academic All Region, and freshman MVP awards! Huge surprise for us! So proud of him and his hard work.

This is all I have caught pictures of in a spell. Next month....Skyler rocks the world!

Wow! I have a good lookin family!

Dang I love these pictures

My friend and neighbor took them for us. She is just starting out. She did an awesome job!

I didn't even have to pull any teeth to get these good looking guys to cooperate. (Well, mostly)

Me and my best friend. 20 years together!

Move over Duck

Apparently, Duck is not the only one smitten by this little sister.

Here she is walking Ko-way.

She has all these boys wrapped right around her finger

Yep, it's official

He got down on one knee like a good little boy

They are giddy.

He is happy

She is so cute.

So fun to have this to look forward to.

Koy is a gazelle!

Koy ran in the Cougar Challenge today in Kearns. He ROCKED! He ran in a freshman/sophomore division and came in 7th place overall. Timpanogos High killed the competition! Out of the top 10 in most categories, they had 7 or 8 runners. Koy was actually 6th out of his teammates AND the only freshman to place in the top 10.

He got a cool medal and all! He's super stoked because he has never been a part of a winning team.

The boys and girls took overall trophies home. They set a new record!

Cross Country is really cool! We have so much fun cheering Koy on. He is in the center on one knee in this pic.
Way to go KOY!

Why does my back hurt?

I can't figure it out.

It hurts all the time

I don't know what I've done.

I guess I will just go to the chiropractor...

ps. If you guessed that I am the YW pres, you would be right. (Kati, your comment take the cake though. I should maybe drive out there and kick your butt!)

Seriously?

Are you joking?

You're kidding?

Are you sure?

Are you messing with me?

You prayed about it right?

You aren't kidding?

Name the question for a prize;)

They are all taller than me!

Back in the USA!!!

I told you I was waiting for something good to blog about!!! He's coming home!! Click on his link to the right to find out more about his new jewelry.

Proud

I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am right now of this courageous young man. Most of you know that Skyler has been in full time school since he was 18 months old. He has weathered good and bad teachers. He has loved school and he has hated school. He has worked very hard to fit into a world he sometimes doesn't understand. He has accomplished every goal that my mind would even dare set for him back in 1994.
HE IS GRADUATING!
Thank you to everyone that has supported him and helped him along his journey.

I am not dead

Just preparing something profound to write here on my blog to entertain you all with. Coming soon......

Ah Lovely

Just spent the evening with my best friend at the lovely Primrose Retreat Spa in Spanish Fork. http://www.primroseretreat.com/ Yep, Sterling pulled out all the stops this year for the anniversary. I loved it! It was fantastic to spend a couple of hours to ourselves being pampered. (The couples massage package is amazing!)

My Tatting Lesson

So, bless Marie's heart for having patience... She has been teaching me to tat. I have wanted to learn how for a long time now and she was willing to teach me. So after all morning of trying to figure it out, I came home thinking that it may not be the craft for me, but I was determined to learn how to make this simple flower. If nothing else, I wanted Marie to be proud of me. So, after using at least 2 full shuttles of string, I saw the knot on the left forming. A few more times yielded something that at least resembled Marie's examples. Late tonight, I have conquered the flower!!! What make this even sweeter is I used my own Grandma Great's tatting shuttle! My mom found it in her old sewing machine.

I love spending my time with Marie. She is so fun and has great stories. She and her friends made me feel right at home during lunch and it was just like going out with my own girlfriends. I had to laugh at the way these catty ol gals talked about folks in their home, the latest jewelry they purchased, and their children. Good times.

Koy is cool

Koy is so cool. And he doesn't even know it.

That's what makes him so cool.

And fun. He is really fun!

Koy is 14 years old! He is funny and cool and I am really glad to be his mom.

He was really stoked about the basketball Macade left for his birthday. Also very excited about a book that Skyler got him. (and Auntie Di.) Both Grandparents knew cash is every 14 year olds dream! And Dad got him the coolest running shoes ever! Thanks to everyone that made his birthday great!

Koy also picked up a few new merit badges to add to his collection. What 13 year old boy do you know that brings home 13 merit badges from scout camp and just keeps going. Swimming tomorrow and personal finance shortly after. Did I mention Koy is cool?

New Job, Old Home

We couldn't be happier! Skyler is going back to his roots. Back home. He started working in the library at Kids On The Move. (KOTM) We had checked in with them months ago to see about work, but they didn't have a positions at all. A couple weeks ago, I got an email from the director, that a position had opened up. It was an answer to my prayers! We have really been searching for just the right job for Skyler. He is volunteering right now, but they are trying to make it a paid position. Yeah!!! Congrats Skyler! This is just the beginning buddy!

Stay tuned for more things I love....

But in the meantime...

Macade is not getting any mail!!!

Not that you all have not been writing, but it is not getting through to him. I have asked several of the Sapper ladies and they say their spouses are receiving mail here and there. Several have lost packages and they have pretty much altogether given up on the written letter. Most of them are talking to their loved ones over a very expensive little phone card. The Internet has become less than desirable also. Sooooo, I appreciate all of you mailing packages to Cade, but don't send anything you would be sad to lose. I will keep everyone posted. No pun intended.

My garage was warm today and I was happy about it. One less space to store diet coke, but totally worth the warm ride in the car.

Oh and I really love...

When the space between each windshield wipe is perfectly timed.
This happened to me today. Rarely does this miraculous act of timing land amazingly on my windshield! I was driving my usual carpool route when I noticed that the wipers were set dead on with the rain! Glory be! That never happens! It is one of my biggest pet peeves that those controls were meant for my comfort, but never fail to make me insane! Constantly going too fast or too slow! AUGH!
So imagine my joy when I didn't have to mess with the dial one time all the way home!
Bliss!

For the sake of blog readers

I really have nothing to blog about.
I guess no one else does either. (Except Miss. Thanks Miss, for entertaining me with your shenanigans.)
So, let me just throw out there, a couple things that I am grateful for... just for fun... bare with me people...
Sudafed. I am very very grateful for sudafed. (oh and Puffs with lotion)
Whoppers mini robin eggs. (Followed closely by Samoa's which are due on my doorstep any day now.)
Burts Bee's chapstick. I am a total addict and it's OK. I don't think any bees are harmed in its making. (I'm all about the bees.)
Good socks. I'm talking about those really cozy ones that hug your arch like it's a long lost friend.
Calendars. Weird, but true. I love calendars. I would be lost without the 5 that I update daily.
So, now you know how boring my life is. Someone else update their blogs! And let me know the blogs you stalk so I can stalk them too.

What a great 2 weeks!

Of course, he managed to get a girlfriend! We LOVE Nina! She is one hip chick! She even speaks sign language!

We played with the neighbor in our foot bottoms! Dinosaurs, no less.

It is a rare picture for the Spencer grandkids if there is no one A-picking their nose, B-grinning like they are being tortured, C-not looking at the camera, D-closing their eyes, E-flipping off the camera or F- Trying to learn how to flip off the camera. (Notice little Pink on the front row working it out.)

It felt good!

Real good!


However, if I had a nickel for every time I heard:

-How long will you be home? (2 weeks)

-How long until you come home for good? (It's the Army! Who knows?!)

-Are you cold here? (He's at the base of the Himalayas people! Of course not!)

-Are you glad to be home? (Seriously?)

I could pay his monthly internet bill.

So grateful

For amazing family! Sterlings parents came out in a snow storm on Monday just to see Macade. Thanks Mom and Dad for making the trip.

Conversations with a Soldier

Cade upon getting on the freeway: Mama, we are going kinda fast....How fast are we going???!!
Mama: 55 mph


Cade after eating at Panda Express: This American food does not sit well with me.


Cade before even getting on his flight to Utah: Do we have shower gel at home?


Cade before leaving the house: I don't care how dumb I look. I'm freakin freezing. (Putting on his Afghani scarf.)

More to come....

He's coming home!!!

Just sitting here waiting.... and waiting.... for a phone call that will make me so so happy!

Hangin with Duck

Little Dudes favorite place to be...roughhousing with Duck and Ko-way!

Little Dude: DUUUCK!

Duck: Yes sir?

Little Dude: My name is not sir, it's ____.

Duck: Sorry ___.

Little Dude: DUUUCK!

Duck: Yes ___?

Little Dude: I am down here and you are up there. Come down here and let's have some bun!

We LOVE Dr. Graf!

OK, so maybe not today... (minor adjustment day) but we really do love Dr. Graf and staff for being fabulous! All this metal had been the source of much misery but really... these guys are brilliant artists! Let me remind you of the canvas they got to begin with....

Now, Koy has got to take some of the credit here. I mean really, the stache is a nice touch, but can you believe this? I do smile makeovers every day and this one still puts me in shock! And they are not even done working their magic!

Dr. Graf and staff are amazing! They are always so patient with Koy and I feel like they truly do care about him. They take a personal interest in our family and ask about our well being constantly! Genuine!

So, we would like to send a big shout out to Dr. Graf and staff! We thank you! You have changed this kids life!

ps Dr. Graf, hope you don't mind my little plug for your office, but we love you guys!

Skyler Style!

We have adopted a new wrapping technique at our house. Thought we'd share it for your year long enjoyment.

We call it ...

Skyler Style