52 Blessings Week 8

This week I am grateful for my son Colten. He is such a wonderful young man. He is always so helpful and loving. He nevers tells anyone "No" when he is asked to do something. I love seeing his growth in the gospel. I love his example of attending the temple! He just went on a little trip with a few friends before he leaves on his mission. He did sessions at the San Diego Temple and also the New Port Beach Temple. He has always been a obedient kid. I am going to miss him.
He will make a awesome missionary. He leaves for the MTC on the 26th of March. He will be serving in the New Jersey, Morristown Mission. I l♥ve you son!

Girl Scout Cookies... and dieting

Did you know that Girl Scout Cookies have a history? But what I want to know is whyeverytime that it is cookie season, I am trying to lose weight..... Arghh......
Anyways here is some history of the GS Cookie.
Girl Scout Cookie boxes are bold and bright and capture the spirit of Girl Scouting. Introduced in the fall of 2000, these boxes clearly show girls having fun and growing strong. The licensed bakers produce a maximum of eight varieties, including three mandatory ones (Thin Mint, Peanut Butter Sandwich, and Shortbread). All cookies are kosher. So what kind is your favorite?

52 Blessings Week 7

I am "grateful" for my camera. I l♥ve pictures, I l♥ve taking pictures! I l♥ve scrapbooking, I l♥ve making dvd movies, I l♥ve looking at photography. I l♥ve preserving memories with my camera! So it is a clear choice this week.. I l♥ve my Nikon D70.....

Happy Birthday Tristan

I cannot believe this little guy is allready 2 years old!
Time just keeps flying by. He is such a sassy kid!
He loves to give kisses ♥








Tristan is such a "Daddy's Boy", I just ♥ this picture of him and Jayson!

Happy Hearts Day

Happy Valentines Day!

52 Blessings Week 6

This week I am "grateful" for Family Fun! We had such a fun weekend at the dunes in Glamis, California. We went with our brother Dale, Michelle and their family. My nephew Morgan is getting ready to leave for his mission to Montana, Billings on the 27th of this month. Morgan loves to ride his quad, and so does Colten, so it was just fun to be together!


Everyone watching riders on Comp Hill

Colten racing up the hill

Go Jayson!

Go Justin!

Jayson and Tina

52 Blessings- Week 5

I guess I would not be who I am without my Mom and Dad....

10 things I love about them.

1. They love each other.
2. They always support their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
3. They taught me how to work.
4. My Dad taught me how to ride and love horses.
5. They believe in God.
4. They love to travel.
5. They taught me how to save money.
6. I can call and talk to them anytime.
7. They never tell me I am wrong.
8. They taught me to love animals.
9. My Mom is my friend.
10. "Rome wasn't built overnight", is on of My Mom's favorite sayings

Happy Birthday, Dad! His birthday was February 2nd

Link for tribute to Pres. Hinckley

Here is a real great link to a tribute to President Gordon B. Hinckley. I loved every minute of it.

http://photo.byu.edu/video.php?cat1=Slide%20Shows&cat2=General&cat3=2008&cat4=Hinckley%20Tribute

52 Blessings Week 4

"I Thank O God For A Prophet"

I have been thinking of what my blessing would be this week. With the passing of our dear Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley the choice is obvious.

Whenever I think of President Hinckley I will think of love! How he loved the people, all people not just members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How he loved the Lord and the work of the gospel. How he loved the Temple and helped to spread Temples throughout the world! Whenever I read his words in the Ensign, our Church magazine, I can hear his voice speaking in my mind! I knew that the Lord was speaking to us, through him.He was an amazing man!! At age 97 he continued to lead and guide the church. Surely the Lord, blessed this man to accomplish so much in his golden years. His wit and his humor were endearing!!I'm happy for him that he can be reunited with his lovely wife, Marjorie I know he missed her dearly. He will be with other family members too!! It's wonderful that families can be eternal. And what a wonderful reunion with the Savior!! I'm sure the Lord will hug him and tell him "well done, thou good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:21

A fun evening for sure. I love plays, so a few months ago I bought 2 tickets for Hairspray the Musical.

It was great. I had never been to the Mesa Center for the Arts. What a great venue! The play was awesome.

It was my friend Carolyn Miller's birthday right before Christmas, so I put a ticket in her card. A great night for sure.

52 Blessings Week 3

Well, this week I am "Thank-ful" for the blessing of my business. I am located in the heart of Gilbert, AZ. I opened for business in 1988, a friend asked me to share a suite with them. They left me a short time later. I am now in a 1600 sq ft. suite, with 8 full time employees, and 2 part time empoyees, all of whom I adore and love working with. I love the fact that I am now semi retired, so I have a extra day for myself. I have never had to advertise for employees. I love everything about my job! I know it is a Blessing and am Thank-ful everyday for Aardbark Grooming!
(You can check us out on the web at www.aardbarkgrooming.com)

And baby Garen makes 4 grankids

Since baby Garen was in the stroller, and not in alot of the pictures at the Zoo, here he is. He just turned 1 on the 21st of December. He is such a good natured little guy. So easy to please.

Fun Day

It was a great day.... Stacey, Matt and the kids came from Colorado. Oh how I have missed them all. Colten and I took them all to the Phoenix Zoo. What great weather it was, not too hot, and not too cold.

Here is Gracie, Gavin and Tristan by the Giraffe's.

Gavin will be 4 in March.

Awww, Cousins Gavin, Tristan and Gracie

Gracie is about to loose her front teeth. They were so loose.

We all enjoyed the spider monkeys. They were so fun to watch!

So funny, Tristan wanted to do everything his cousin Gavin did. He is getting to be a big boy!

52 Blessings Week 2

Ok, so this week I thought about what thing that I enjoy. I love my ipod! Would you think that I would get use out of a ipod? Yes, I listen to it at work, home, and in my car. I listen to it at the dentist, when I ride my bike, when my husband snores. I listen to church music, the scriptures, country music, watch videos, and movies. I have my pictures stored on it, I just love my ipod! Would I consider my ipod a blessing? Hum? Yes, because I love music!

52 Blessings- Week One

The 52 Blessings Project
About 52 BlessingsOnce a week post a photo of something you are most grateful for. This gives us a chance to reflect on the good things we have learned from or that have made us better in our everyday lives or things we just enjoy! I think everyone needs to be more grateful for what they have now days instead of always thinking about what we want! This is one of the things we can do to be more gracious people. It will be like a photo gratitude journal.

Thanks Cara, for the awesome idea!

I am "THANK FUL & GRATEFUL", for the Blessing of my savior, without him I don't know what my life would be like. At the beginning of each Christmas season, our thoughts turn to the birth of the Savior. The Father condescended in sending His Son; the Savior condescended in taking upon Himself a mortal body and offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! It is our family tradition to go out to eat at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. We look forward to it every year, and make our reservations early. They have the best steak. We love to be together for New Years dinner.

Here we are. Everett, Kim and Colten

Jayson and Tina

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I bought a new lens for my camera, and my dogs and cats were my only willing subjects, so here they are.


Brandy, our 9 year old Chihuahua
Jenna, our almost 10 year Shih Tsu
Roxie, our special Pomeranian
Maggie, our fawn & white Boston Terrier
Keegan, our kitty (he was found at the Texas Roadhouse parking lot)

This is Xena, she was Stacey's cat, who we inherited.

Colten's Mission Call

Well Colten got his call on Thursday, December 20th. He will be serving in the
New Jersey, Morristown Mission. He reports to the MTC in Provo, Utah on March 26th, 2008. So I am setting up another missionary blog so you can keep up with Colten's journey.

http://www.eldercoltenwells.blogspot.com/

Giving Christ My Sons

There is a awesome poem being circulated on the internet. It is so fitting of my life at this moment, with 1 son serving, and the other leaving in March.

This Year for Christmas
I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.
The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Clause,
my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties,
two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple,
Felt strength come from His words.
I've reread November's Ensign,
and my testimony stirred.
Our family prays more frequently
My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers,
gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion ,
their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence,
I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.
I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him,
that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard,
His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand,
This year, I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter,
I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated
by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns
that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make,
This year... I'm giving Christ my son

May the Lord bless you and our missionary children as they serve him with
all their hearts!

Another Missionary

Well, here I go again... Colten is Mission bound. I cannot believe it, well I can but it is happening too soon. Colten's papers are submitted to Salt Lake, he should get his call within the next 3 weeks. He is hoping for the 20th/21st of December, he wants to wait till Logan calls on Christmas Day, and open his call while Logan is on the phone. So here comes another roller coaster ride.

Halloween

I am so glad that I have Jayson, Tina and Tristan here close by. I love being a "Granma". Tristan is talking so much, and repeats everything you say. Such a little smartie.



Tristan learned real quick, to grab handfuls of candy, when the people opened the door and gave him the bowl. He was so dang cute. He was a puppy. He would walk down the sidewalk and say "I am Granma's Puppy".