time for reflection - again

Unbelievable - my children are unbelievable! This is a good thing - in case you where worried.

First - My Mandy threw a very fun big birthday party - George's 29th birthday (the 30th of April) Georgey's 5th (May 1) and Grayam's 1st (May 2). It was a beautiful sunny Saturday and the bounce house in the back yard was a stroke of genius. It was fun seeing the kids bounce to their heart content. Happy birthday to the Poteet men.

Next - wedding news - well, we don't really have any wedding news. We are still trying to get the "place" to have this. June 28th is quickly approaching and well, we will have news soon. Cristy and Nathaniel are having fun making plans and well, they booked their honeymoon. First, things first I always say.

Next, next, Damon graduates this Saturday. My little boy is a Professor. Wow, you know how when your kids are little and you try to picture them grown - what will they be ? I always had a hard time with that but at times you wonder - like with all the forts the kids would build in the back yard - maybe a contractor? Damon never played teacher. How could I guess Professor?

Next, next, next, Grant is still a genius. Finals are over at BYU and of course our Grant is all A's at this point. One grade we don't know yet. But it is Grant. Liz loves her new job and all is well in Provo.

Next, next, next, next, Darren is waiting for finals. I loved his blog in burning his pop tower.

Matt and I are working, sleeping, going to birthday parties and graduations and then working and sleeping. Our lives are boring and we are loving it.

This is Matthew eating a vegetable. A rare moment.

Fun, Fun Fun

Cristy was here. And we shopped for a wedding dress. It was way fun!! But I don't think I have done anything so hard. Which one? We had a little party watching Cristy try on dress after dress. It took 5 hours, but it was worth it. You'll have to come to the wedding to see which dress she picked.

Grayam had allot of fun crawling on the "stage" . But soon...

he fell asleep. I look like I was ready for a nap too. But we still had plenty of places to go. Not more shopping but checking out places to hold the reception. Here is one that didn't make the cut but Grayam liked the pine needles.

Then on Sunday Jack was blessed. A great reason for the family to get together and have a party.

Jack is such a big boy.

The girls love auntie Cristy. Here is one last photo. Couldn't resist Grandpa loving his newest grandson.
This week-end was Fun , Fun, Fun!!!

Stuff

So here is a picture of the back yard. Does it look different? It should - the two big fir pine trees are gone. I can't believe how open and big the yard looks now. But I am very glad that I no longer have to rake up pine needles and pine cones. YEA!!!!!

The next little news is that Dad is doing great! Most of you are saying - was he not doing great? Well, I kind of neglected to tell you that Dad has been having dizzy spells. He has had quite a few tests done and all the big scary ones have come back negative. So now we are looking at his medications. Think he is over medicated. That is the guess right now. But now that the weather is getting a little better - Dad is just happy to be able to go outside.

So the really big news is that my Cristy is getting married. Tuesday, long time boyfriend asked the all important question - OK if I ask your daughter to marry me? Then I had to wait for Friday to roll around for the actual proposal. It is all so exciting but also quick. June 28 is the magic day and allot of planning to do. I have talked to Cristy more this week then all the phone calls since she has moved combined. I love it. Don't want to spoil anything - actually I can't since nothing is definite. She comes home this weekend - was suppose to be to see baby Jack - which she will do, but now we will also be wedding dress shopping and reception place looking. To Nathaniel - welcome to the family. This picture is actually very important. Every grandchild and most great grandchildren have been photographed in this bucket, that is used here as a table. So welcome !!!!!

Parents and children

A few important events are happening as we speak -First - My Father is turning 82. Or as George Carlin puts it he has reached 82. A most remarkable feat really and it takes nothing but patience to be able a accomplish this. Dad is an amazing man. He has worked hard all his life to give his family a good life. He loves his family more than anyone and will do just about anything for them. Dad is known as the tractor man in our neighborhood. He loves to mow his lawn. Actually, he loves to putter - and yard work is perfect for puttering. Dad taught me values and gave me the perfect foundation to hear and except the gospel. When I told him that I wanted to join the church , his words to me where - "if you join that church you have to live it". Advice I have always lived by - thanks Dad. It has been 5 years since his heart surgery - hard to believe it has been that long - and he is doing great! A little bit slower maybe and yes, you have to repeat a few things to him, but his big heart is doing great. Give him a call - he would love it.

Next my youngest is turning 23. Ugh!!!!!!! Yes, he has come to accept the fact that all of his brothers and sisters are aloud to do the basic things in life (like grow up) except him. Darren is my son who was born at home. On the couch. And that alone should have warned him that I expected him to stay there. But he has moved on - I am, well, pleased that he has chosen to grow up. He was able to come home for spring break, and that was a short but very nice visit. He brought with him Brittany. Now you know the reason to my previous blog. It was like old times. Kids in the basement playing pool. Getting up at 2 am to turn off the lights that I mistakenly thought they forgot to turn off. Oops - their still up - silly me. But I digress - I am suppose to talk about the kid - when Darren is 50 he will still be - the kid. I miss him finishing my sentences - his making extra "crackers" because he knows I'm going to take one - and his shoveling skills. But I am excited to see what a fine young man he has grown into. Even though it kills me to admit that my baby is 23.