The Wedding - Part Two

So many people came to the wedding and the reception. The official photographer has the photos of us as a large group...still waiting on those...but this post will be a few of the candid shots my bestie, the fabulous Ms. Heather Hubert, was able to get. You'll notice that Mr. Cooper is in a few of them. He loved to cheese for the camera and hand out hugs....so we got a lot of this little love bug!!

Cylie found walking through the puddles was good fun....and since it POURED rain while we were in the temple there were a lot of puddles to be had.

Cylie was still a little hesitant at this point to look at Heather very much. She kept up with her "shy face" almost the whole weekend. But not Cooper!! No shy in him at all!!

This little man give the BEST hugs. He is just the biggest love!!

My Bridger stayed in the background this trip. We had a few conversations about baseball and his favorite video game and the rest were smiles. I love his tender heart.

Brook and Bridger hung out mostly together....mostly without any fighting....wow. Brook came to me one time (when she was about 5) and said, "We need to talk. It's been forever since we just sat down and talked." and then she proceeded to talk to me like she was 25. I love this girl!! 

This girl and me go way back. When she was born her Mama had to work so guess who got to be Lacey's babysitter? ME!! I treasure the time I got to spend with this little girl. She will always have a special place in my heart.

When it was time for the newly weds to be on their way, everyone gathered for the good-byes. It was one of those mixed emotions moments. No longer my little boy (not that he has been that for years) this man, now responsible for the welfare of another human being, was setting of for an adventure all his own.

This good-bye with Tyler was hard. Ty will be leaving (today actually, 6-6-12) for the MTC to begin his training for his two year church mission. He will be sorely missed.

My girl did shed a couple tears after saying good-bye to her big brother. She has missed having him around...I am so happy that they are friends.

Abby hugging her daddy....not much emotion there ;)

I tell you, this new family is a hoot!! This is the royal wave. The perfect send off for our kids who have linked our families for eternity. We love having a new daughter and the fact that we already love her family is just icing on the cake.

The Wedding - Part One

Kevin and Abby tied the knot on May 26, 2012 in the Bountiful UT (LDS) Temple. What a beautiful, remarkable, special day.

They were radiant with happiness. It was so very satisfying. He chose well and married for eternity the girl of his dreams. Actually, the girl of my dreams for him as well. He probably has no idea how many prayers were said on behalf of his future spouse. Looks like it worked. She is the perfect match for Kevin...and our family.

My heart squeezes looking at this picture. Perfect....It was a good day. Of course it was pouring rain when we got to the temple. By the time we came out it was just windy and a little cool.

Proud really doesn't even cover it. I cannot think of a better day.

Really, this was even better than the day he was born. Along with the absolute joy I felt at becoming a Mama there was also a huge responsibility placed on my young shoulders. How would I ever manage to teach him all he would need to know. 

But looking at him now, I can say he turned out pretty good. Somehow, the Lord always knows what to give us and when.

There were a lot of proud Mama's there. And rightfully so!

At one point (OK...maybe more than one) I got a little emotional. My Mom was very present....but I wished...just for a minute......

Kevin hates having his picture taken, he was almost done at this point.

Abby's sweet family. Her Dad, Jim and Mom, Connie have raised such an amazing daughter. And little James was a hoot. I can see why Kevin loves him so much.

The four of us. Funny, when I look at this picture...I really do feel like it is incomplete. Abby is such a big part of our family now. Jo finally has that sister she always wanted!!

Jim and Kevin always have to make sure they are the tallest. Too bad Kevin really is!! There was so much fun and happiness on this day. There was no way I could fit it all into one post. I'll get more pics out soon.

Wordless Wednesday

The Graduation

 We have had such a busy month! Getting ready for this girl to graduate has been a whirlwind of activity at our house. We are so proud of Jo. Our last move was rough for her...but she has bounced back beautifully!

I don't think her Dad or I could be more proud.

She wore my Mom's necklace to graduation. It really made my Mom feel so close. Jo felt it too.

Stephanie came to support Jo. It was SO good to see her.

Allyson and Jo looked stunning in their Titan Blues!

Can't tell we are about to burst....right?? Our baby...wow...

And then there is Ryan...we like this one. He is pretty funny and very respectful...something the last "one" wasn't.

The Civic was a huge venue....but when you have almost 400 graduates, I guess you need somewhere to put all the the people who love them. It was fun to have so many kids from church graduating. We got to cheer for them all!

Jo is never hard for me to find in a crowd. I love her vivid hair. It matches her unforgettable personality.

As far as graduations go, this one was pretty good. The speakers weren't too long, or very boring at all. 

This is Leanne and her dog Dasher. Jo was an aide in the SPED room for one of her classes her last semester. She was primarily responsible for helping Leanne. Jo loves this girl and she will always have a place in her heart.

I took this after Jo received her diploma. She is standing just to the left of the stage.

And there she is, our graduate. Look how tall!! She rocked those heels. I was so proud...she didn't even trip once!!

So now what? you ask...well....we aren't real sure just yet. Part of her wants to go to ISU (Idaho State University) and part of her (the part that likes her money) wants to stay here for a bit and go to Metro Community College (tuition is like 1/4 the price of ISU). So we will see which path she chooses. The world is hers right now to do with what she will. Good luck, my darling daughter. You will be fabulous no mater what you chose!!

The Party

 We had our first Grad Party (ever) at our house last week. Kevin didn't walk through the line at his graduation and didn't want a party either. Jo and Ally decided to combine their parties since we'd be inviting all the same people anyway.

 We decided on a menu of desserts and fruit with a yummy fruit dip. We had chocolate sheet cake and lemon brownies, lemon squares and mini fruit pizzas, mini cheese cakes and ginger snap cookies. All of which were so dang good!!

We had baskets set up for people to drop cards or gifts in so the girls wouldn't lose them. They also put out notebooks for their guests to write a favorite memory, fun time or something they will always remember.

 We set up tables in the garage for everyone to sit at. I do wish I had handed a camera to Jim to take photos of our friends visiting and eating. I did not....and I really regret it.

 Here are our two graduates....stunning!!

The girls and their Mamas. Not much family resemblance here!!

 Miss Stephanie from Minnesota came to support Jo and we loved having her here with us. We missed this punk!

 One of the things Jo got for a graduation gift is this quilt made from my Mom's clothes. My sisters and Aunts and some cousins and my sweet Grandma helped me with the top. My awesome friends here in Omaha helped me tie it and get it ready to give to my sweet Jo.

I am so very proud of this girl. She has come so far since we moved here two years ago. She is an amazing young woman and I can't wait to see where she goes in life. It is all up from here!!

The Best is Yet to Be

Time is flying by. I really don't know how we got here. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping this little squirt off in Mrs.Moysh's kindergarten class. One thing I know for sure....it's been quite a ride. 


My sweet girl, the only thing that will limit how high you climb will be fear. Never let fear hold you back. You are smart, funny, beautiful and strong. Never let anyone tell you that you aren't. I know this next step is scary and you are uncertain of the out come....But know this, you can do this. You can. There will be days that you doubt everything. When those days come, know that I will be there cheering you on. I got your back, boo. ((hahahaha)) I have loved you every second of your life, and before. I am your biggest fan and I am SO proud of the young woman you've become.  You are the embodiment of the best of what your Dad and I are. You are truly unstoppable. So spread your wings...learn to fly. This is your time.


All my love, forever, Mom

Because That's What They Do

So to say I have a few friends would be a lie. I have hundreds. Most recently, here in Nebraska, I have so many friends. I have my gym friends and my church friends and my friends from Jim's work. I recently posted as my Facebook status my inability to finish the quilt (made from my Mom's clothes) for Jo for graduation. (pictures coming soon) Instantly, three local friends (and a few from far away) offered to help me out. Really? For me? Yes. For me. I set up a time and a place and gathered the necessary equipment (except for my camera) and they showed up. Eleven.....yep.....eleven of us. There were a few more that wanted to come but had crazy schedules, eleven of us. Wow....We tied the quilt for Jo in under 30 minutes. Then, since we had time, we put one on for Kevin. Stacy has put a quilt on frames far more recently than I....so she was a HUGE help!! We tied both quilts in under and hour and a half. It was awesome. It was fun. It was a huge blessing. At the end they were thanking me....yep....they helped me out and it was them thanking me. I love my friends. I can honestly say that God has sent me the very best.