SARAH PALIN RALLY!!!!

I cannot tell ya'll what a great time we had. Below we have posted pictures and explanations from the event but I have to tell you that we came away excited and felt great to get to be a part of this history making campaign. I loved it when we were part of the 8000 people who stood and said the pledge of allegience and sang the National Anthem. It was wonderful to hear all those people sing. Made you feel proud to be an american. We also heard from our NC Senator, Elizabeth Dole, and our Republican Governor candidate, Pat McCroy. It was a great day and night! We got home at 11:00 p.m. last night and it was worth it!

From the beginning to the end it was so much fun! We got there 4 hours early and this is PART of the line that was in FRONT of us! We didn't mind though! We had a great time talking to everyone and enjoying being part of the event!

Emily thought her pink McCain hat was the coolest and she is showing off her ticket to get into the event. Those were priceless that day as there were a lot of people that weren't able to get them and wanted to be able to get in. They had an overflow area that people could watch it on the screen but it was much more fun to be inside.

Here is a picture of all of us waiting in line. We got to know people when we were talking in line and it was fun! We loved all of it, even the waiting!
Here is a picture of Makayla and Emily with their "lipstick" on! We tried to get Terry to wear some as well but she declined. We are still waiting in line!
I took a picture of this bumper sticker this man had behind us in line because I knew that Jeff would love it. I took it for him! Isn't it great...and appropriate??? hahaha!

Here are the buttons we collected while at the rally. We all chose which one we wanted and then brought them back home to those that didn't get to attend the rally. I loved them all!
We are FINALLY made it in! We were sitting up off the floor and to the side so that we had a good view of Sarah Palin. If we wanted to be on the floor then it was standing only and we really didn't want to stand for the whole 5 hours we were in there! It was fun where we were as well! I'm showing off my Country First sign!

And finally...we got to see Sarah Palin! I have to tell everyone that she is as genuine in person as she seems to be on TV. We loved her speech and were so impressed with how she connected to all of us. She stayed at least 30 minutes after her speech just to sign autographs and talk with the people that were surrounding her. Emily really wanted to get her to sign her hat but we knew we couldn't get that close with everyone else around!

She is blowing a kiss into the crowd! It was so cute to see her do that to the little children!

General Conference!

Wow...that is about all I can say...general conference was so good and so much of it that I needed to hear. All the talks were uplifting and reminded me that in these perilous times there is only one source that we can turn to that will help us thru...our Savior. I am so grateful for our leaders who teach us, counsel us, and give us hope and perspective about this life. As I listened to President Monson this morning I was so grateful for his message and how we can change for the better. It has made me want to be better and given me the courage to be a little better everyday. How grateful I am for this week-end. It has been a week-end full of enrichment and has put life back into perspective for me! I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know it has the power to change lives for it is continually changing mine for the better!

Jean's Birthday Surprise!

As most everyone knows, yesterday was my birthday (44 years old...eek!) Anyway, it was rainy and chilly but everyone tried to make it the best day they could for me. I loved all my gifts but I have to show off this one from Jeff. Yesterday, as I do on most special occasions, my thoughts were on Noah and how much I missed him not being here. I am married to the most wonderful man who understands me more deeply than I even realize and he knew how down I have been for the last few weeks. Yesterday just seemed to bring all of that to the surface and last night we went in different directions with the kids...Michael and I went to pac meeting and Jeff and the girls went to the temple. I just didn't feel like it was anything more than another day. Later that night though, when Jeff and the girls came in he said he had saved the best gift for last...and I took a picture of it below. He told me when I opened it that when I look at it he wants me to know that this is Christ bringing Noah back to me one day. The tears fell and my other children all beamed because they knew I would love it and we all look forward to having our family complete again. Anyway... it is a very special gift from my sweetheart who knows just what I need all the time and goes out of his way to make sure I have my needs met. I love him with all of my heart and he really is my rock and my hero!

Family Update

Well, there really isn't that much to update about. This past week Emily has been battling a cold which I think she is finally starting to get over. School has started and is in full swing...Michael is doing great, so is Lauren but she likes to gripe about it. Emily stays busy with her online studies and is doing quite well. She is gearing up for a final exam in her history class which she will need to take next week. Jeff is very busy with his new job...he has been having to travel a lot so between that and church meetings this past couple weeks, Jeff is swamped. We are all looking forward to this week-end when it looks like there is NOTHING on our calendar so we can take a break and have some family time together! Other than that...there really is no new news from this front. We are grateful for our blessings and try everyday to see the hand of the Lord in our lives (which we do!). If something exciting happens then we will post again before long! Until then, everyone have a great day!

Fun Time

Yesterday, Jewel and I took the kids to a rally for Elizabeth Dole (our senator in NC running for re-election)! It was a rally for veterans and we went to support both! The girls really are getting involved in the politcal process this year (how could they not with me as their mom???) and Mikey came along because he had to...hahaha (we took him out to dinner afterwards...good way to get him to participate)! It was fun to see both Senator Elizabeth Dole and Senator Bob Dole together. I was able to help the kids see a little of what an election year is like! We got signs and bumper stickers and felt like we were involved! The girls are anxious to do more now so we will continue on our quest of learning about the election process and hoping to bring victory to the candidates we feel are better qualified at this time to lead! This is the best way to teach the kids about our government system and how it works plus have fun along the way. I tell everyone that I found my love for politics when I was 15 years old and campaigned for Granddaddy when he ran for sheriff! That was the most fun summer I can remember...it was also the only time I have ever campaigned for a democrat..hahahaha! Those memories were fun ones and I hope my kids will learn the importance of voting and having a voice in our democracy! We have a lot to be grateful for in this nation and I never want my children to take for granted the liberties that we have been blessed with! I think Granddaddy would be pleased at how involved we get....he's the one that started it all with me! Thanks, Grandaddy....I love and miss you!

Good Day!

I love Sundays! They are the best day of the week for me. I get to go to church, have a great family meal (we always eat the same thing every Sunday...roast, mashed potatoes, butterbeans, carrots, corn on the cob, rolls, and brownies for dessert), take a nap, and enjoy my family. What better day could you have than that???? Today was fast and testimony meeting at church and it was so uplifting. All the lessons were great and I felt the spirit all day. I am grateful to have so many blessings! I am glad that Momma is feeling better and her back is healing. I am grateful that Jeff got a good job and is finding joy and fulfillment in his new position. I am grateful that I get to homeschool my kids and teach Emily seminary. I am grateful for the blessings that flow into my life everyday. I am also grateful for the challenges that help to keep me focused on doing what is right. I taught in Relief Society today and I talked about standing as a witness...I repeated a poem that Momma used to tell us all the time so I will share it with everyone. It goes, "Oh, you're writing the gospel, a chapter each day, by the words that you say and the things that you do. Men read what you write, whether faulty or true. Say, what is the gospel according to you?" I may not have gotten the words perfectly right but that is the jist of it. I try to remember that each day and teach my children to always stand for truth and right. I just felt like expressing the blessings in my life because I have felt so good today. I love days like this...when you see the blessings despite the trials. To all my family and friends...I love you! Thanks for sharing your lives with me! I hope everyone has a good week!!!!

Tagged!

Okay, Kim...this is for you since you tagged me:

3 Joys:

Jeff
My children
The gospel

3 Fears:

Mice
Losing Jeff
Not being righteous enough to be with Noah again

3 Goals:

Organize my house so it's easy to keep clean
Be an efficient home school mom
Eventually add on to the house and have a fenced in backyard

3 Obsessions/Collections:

Politics (I can get carried away...I can hear you all laughing!)
Shoes
Anything that is Noah's (clothes, pictures, whatever)

3 Random Surprising Facts about me:

I am becoming more like Jeff everyday
I love doing family history...it intrigues me
I never end a conversation with a family member without saying I love you!

5 People who are tagged:

Emily
Lauren
Michael
Jewel
Stacey

My Opinion!!!

Okay...so now I know this might not be a popular post with some of you but as you all know, I have an opinion about things so here goes. While I do believe that Governor Romney would have been the BEST choice for this country as President and when he didn't make that, then Vice President, I am happy with the choice that McCain made. This morning after I scoured the internet for clues before his VP pick was announced and saw that it was becoming very clear who it was going to be, I was at first upset then I decided to make it a matter of prayer because I take these things so to heart. I prayed that I would know by my feelings the will of the Lord and that I would get a feeling one way or the other about Sarah Palin. Well, as I listened to her speak today a good feeling came over me. I know that she has negatives about her and I have heard them all but I also believes that she has a lot of positives as well! I like how principled she is, I like how she continues to be a mom while she serves her country in this capacity and I like that she has some fire in her! I think she will be able to hold her on and I believe that she can be a quick learner in things that she isn't experienced in. She balances McCain's ticket and I will be voting for McCain because I can't stand for Obama to win...it is scary for me! I know there will be some that disagree with me and I guess that is what I love about this country....we can all have our points of view and express them! In the next few months we will get a clearer picture of Sarah Palin and I hope I won't be disappointed but I will follow Romney's lead and throw my support to this ticket! I believe it is the best one and as a woman and a mother I like that she can multitask so well! So...there you have my opinion for what it is worth! I'll keep following things closely and will be fair (not balanced probably...hahaha...but fair) and I think we should all give her a fair shot!!!!

Yeah for the new Family Search site!

Beth thanks for telling me about this site! I went on it and was so impressed once I re-registered and saw how easy and great the church has made it for us to find our ancestors and coordinate who has found who! It is so wonderful and I had a great time filling out information and thinking about how much family history I have left to do but also how much more organized we will all be now! This is a wonderful tool that I hope everyone will use! I'm going to get busy now.....

My 2 Cents!!!

Okay...so everyone knows how much I get into politics every year and this year I have had very mixed emotions about this election! I was very disappointed when Mitt Romney did not get the nomination and have been practically uninvolved ever since! I have been reading a lot lately though about how a lot of people regret their decision of not voting for Mitt and now are hoping beyond hope that McCain picks him for his VP! That would be great and if that comes to pass then I will go and volunteer my time and effort to help McCain win! It will re-energize me in this election year and I get really excited about this stuff sometimes to my kids dismay because I don't mind speaking up about how I feel! So...with that said, you all know where I stand! Not that anyone cares one way or the other..hahaha...but I do like to have an opinion about things and I have an opinion about this for sure! I guess that is my 2 cents worth!

SISTERS!!!!!!

For the last two weeks I have been able to have both of my sisters come up and stay with Momma to help her in her recovery from back surgery! I have so enjoyed their company as well! I don't often get to spend one on one time with them as our lives are all so busy and we live in different states so it was a real treat for me to spend some extra time with each of them. We talk on the phone almost everyday which I love to do as everyone knows and it keeps us close but getting to visit with them in person is so much more fun! I realize as we get older how much more alike we are and how we all think alike. I love being able to finish their sentences and laugh with them about nothing! Even when we have had our differences we are able to see the others point of view and love each other no matter what! I am so blessed to be the youngest because as I have always said, I have three mothers! I am grateful for our honesty, openness and our ability to love each other unconditionally! I am thankful that in my worst moments, they are only a phone call away and I know because I have seen them do it that they will drop everything to come to me when I need them most! I have always felt like I had "built in" best friends that have seen me at my best, at my worst, and know all my secret dreams and my insecurities and love me just the same! I am so thankful I have daughters that I can pass this unique and one of a kind relationship on to! If there is one gift that God gave me early in my life....it is my sisters! They are the ones I turn to when times are too difficult to bear alone and they are the ones I look to for an example of how to handle situations. They are also the ones I laugh with, cry with, scream at sometimes, and emulate always! Libbi and Kim...I love you! When I hear the word, sister...I always smile and am grateful that Heavenly Father sent me the best!

Good Friends are gifts from God!

Today has been a good day and I have been in a reflective mood. I have thought back today over the last year of my life and all that I have experienced. I think one of the sweetest things that has happened to me is the joy I have experienced in having good friends. I have been blessed to have many good friends and find great joy in my bonds of friendship and love with so many. I have thought today about 2 friends in particular who have walked a very long and lonely road with me this past year. Teri and Jane have gone above and beyond even what a good friend is and have experienced every high and every low with me along the way. I have called them at all hours and they have responded. I have received phone calls from them at the moment that I most needed to hear another voice. They have come to me no matter what was happening in their life and they have stood by me as I have shed tear after tear and have cried with me. They have celebrated the days when I was able to laugh and smile and they have buoyed me up on the days when I felt like the world was closing in around me. They have cheered the smallest steps I have made and they have walked with me down into the lowest lows that I could go. They have not left my side for a minute and they continue to be a great source of strength and love for me and they remind me of all that is good in this world! Thank you both for being the most valiant friends I could have and for never giving up on me. Thank you for giving with all of your hearts and connecting with mine! You will always be my heroes and have set for me a perfect example of what true friendship is all about! I know we will be friends thru eternity and I love you both! Thank you for this past year...I would not have made it without you both by my side! I will be a better friend because you have showed the way it is to be done!!!!!! Friends are wonderful!!!

Jean and Jane

Jean and Teri

A THANKFUL HEART!!!!!

I have some really great news....Jeff got a GREAT job which he will be starting on August 25th! Along with his new job he will still be continuing his consulting job until its completion and we feel totally blessed! We are so grateful to Heavenly Father for hearing and answering our prayers in a most wonderful way! Thank you to everyone who has prayed, fasted, put our names in the temple and been a complete support to our family. We know that your prayers combined with our own have brought about a wonderful miracle for our family! I am counting my blessings today and am thankful for the faith that Jeff has displayed this entire time. We are better off than before and we see the Lord's hand leading our life in this new direction! All I can be is thankful!

MIKEY!!!!

LaNelle suggested I take some pictures of Michael's badges and beads that he earned at day camp so I took a couple of him and then of he and Jeff because they went together! Jeff said and I quote, "Why do we need pictures...we both know we were there!"....gotta love my sweetheart!

Michael with his badges, belt loops, and bead necklace

Michael and Jeff

Mikey's Cubscout Day Camp

Michael had a great time at day camp this year. He and his dad left early Saturday morning and were gone all day. They played softball, used a compass, did archery, worked on Faith in God, and other things that I can't remember. Michael came home with lots of badges, beads and great stories to tell. He and his dad had a fun filled day and were pretty tired when they came dragging in! Michael enthusiastically shared all the events of the day and I was happy that he had a great time. I sent the camera with Jeff but he said he didn't have time to take pictures (now I know why I am never in any pictures because I am the picture taker in our family...hahaha!) Oh, well...I probably should have gone for a little while so I could have gotten some pictures of Michael but I don't like to stay outside all day....I know, I know...lazy!!! It was a great father/son day!!!!

Update on Momma!

Momma's surgery went very well. Nathan, Libbi, Kim, David, and I all went with Momma to the hospital at 6 am on Thursday morning for her surgery. They gave her a shot before surgery to calm her down and we all got to go back and see her before they wheeled her off. She was very happy after they gave her the shot. Her surgery lasted about 4 hours or so and so we went to the surgery waiting room to wait. Since we were the first ones there we put all the comfy chairs together and made like a little living room. Bro. Pete Deaver and Teri Hanna came and joined us. The surgeon came out and talked to us and told us that Momma had done very well during the surgery and he felt like she would get a lot of pain relief from the procedure over time. We waited another 2 hours before we got to see her but when she came up she was awake but very pale. Even though she was really out of it, she still wanted Kim to brush her hair and put on her eyebrow pencil. Libbi took some pictures so she will have to put those up on her blog as I forgot my camera. Libbi stayed with Momma around the clock from Thursday night until today. Nathan and I went back to the hospital yesterday. Libbi told us that they were giving Momma blood because her blood pressure and hemoglobin were too low. She had more color yesterday which made me feel better. She sat up yesterday and walked around the room which was VERY impressive because that was fast after the surgery. They told her that she would not need to go to rehab because she was doing so well. I spoke to Momma this morning and she sounds much stronger. Libbi said that they were going to give her two more units of blood because her hemoglobin is still low but that she is doing really good. She sat up this morning and walked so we are happy she is doing so well. Nathan will spend the day with her today and then I will go spend the night with her tonight. They have now switched her from IV pain medicaton to oral so she is definitely moving in the right direction! She may even get to go home by tomorrow and at the latest on Monday! Thanks everyone for all the prayers for my mom! The Lord is surely watching over her and we are so very grateful!

Our Birthday Fun!!

We had a fun filled day of birthday celebration! Michael had a great day and Grandma and Gramps treated him (and us!) to dinner at Fuddruckers where he chowed down on Chicken Tenders and Frenchfries...2 big helpings of them which he is now regretting...hahaha! He also got some great gifts which were money from Daddy Tom and DeeDee, Nerf football and Nerf basketball from Mom and Dad, Money from Emily, a "Harry Potter" wand made by Lauren, dinner out and LOTS of tokens to play games with from Grandma and Gramps! We enjoyed not only celebrating Michael's special day but we also celebrated with Noah as we bought and released a smiley face balloon (his very favorite) up to him! (A tradition we started last year while we were visiting with Aunt Kim and her family!) It is a great way to spend a moment out of the day to celebrate with Noah! Thanks to all of you who helped us celebrate as well! We know that Noah smiled brightly today at the love that was sent his way! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL AND NOAH!!! What a blessing you both are to our family!

Michael with Gramps and Grandma

The kids eating at Fuddruckers

Michael with his cake!

The cupcakes that the girls made for Noah!

Michael with his presents!

Michael with his nerf basketball and goal his dad got him!

Jeff and the kids with the balloon for Noah!

Jean and the kids with Noah's balloon!

Michael sent Noah's balloon to him!

We watched as the balloon went straight up in the sky until it disappeared!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BOYS ON JULY 28TH!!!!!

Monday is a special day, it's the day I get sing Happy Birthday to you! I can hardly believe that Michael is 10 years old and that Noah would be 7! Time has gone by so fast! We will celebrate Mikey's birthday by going to Fuddruckers (his favorite hamburger spot because they have the BEST fries as Mikey says) and we will go purchase a Smiley Face Balloon to send up for Noah! What a special day this is for Mom....I got the best two boys in the world on the same day...aren't I lucky????? HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL....you are a great blessing to me everyday! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH....Mommy misses your smiling face everyday! I LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!

Mikey's new ride!!!!

Michael loves his new bike car! It is an early birthday present...we decided he needed it to keep up with his sisters and their bikes...too bad he didn't have it when we were on vacation! He has had a ball with it and rides it up and down the street and around the cul-de-sac all the time. His dad and I rode on it and it KILLED us...it is a great work-out. We keep telling Michael that he won't be toting around extra pounds if he keeps riding this thing...hahaha! We thought we would show everyone this cool twist on bike riding! Jeff loves it and thinks he would like to build one now....you know Jeff and anything that has wheels...! Jeff may have to ride this to work if gas keeps going up......hehehe!

A fun remembering game...come on everyone!!!

Here's a fun game...



1. As a comment, leave on my blog a memory of you and me (and even if you don't know me that well, you can tell how you know me).



2. If you do, I'll assume you are playing the game and go to your blog and leave a memory...

Ready, Set, Blog!!!!!!