Andre Graduates

Andre graduated from Lehi High School on May 29, 2009. His robes were purple, although they look royal blue here. The ceremony took place at the Mariott Center on the campus of BYU. He was one of over 500 students graduating from his school. He missed his Tooele friends, and wished he could have walked with them, but mostly he's just glad to have graduated!


We took a picture with his seminary graduation certificate because he had to leave his robes in the Mariott Center before they would give him his diploma. So, these pictures were actually taken before he graduated--but not by much!


Andre is headed to Alaska on June 8 for the summer. He hopes to make better money than he did last year, and hopes the accommodations will be better as well! At least, he hopes, they will have water that doesn't leave brown stains on everything!


After his summer in Alaska, Andre will turn in his mission papers. He turns 19 on September 26.

Chicken Unique

Saturday I had gone to the store with two of my children. On my way out of the store, I was handed a pile of local coupons. My son took them to look at. He said, "Oh, a coupon for Chicken Unique." I said, "What?" He said, "Chick and Unique." I couldn't figure out what kind of establishment would call themselves Chicken Unique, or Chick and Unique. Made no sense to me. My daughter snatched the flier. She said "Chic and Unique." We had a good laugh over it. This particular son has even taken French in school!

Dad's Ordination

Last week, the Sunday before Mothers' Day, my dad was ordained as a patriarch by President Meek. It was a joyous, spiritual occasion. My brother, Dave, came up from Nevada for the occasion. We had a family picture taken outside the stake center, under a beautiful spring flowering tree.

Mothers' Day, 2009

I had a very nice Mothers' Day. My husband fixed me breakfast in bed for starters. We went to church at 9:30. The talks were nice, and all the women over 18 were given little bags of candy, with a quote by President Uchtdorf, which I really appreciated. This was the quote:

We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. You are an essential part of our Heavenly Father's plan--you are endowed with a divine birthright. You women are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation.

May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don't reach beyond your capacity.... Don't feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don't compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, our Savior, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own personal life will be a light to those who sit in darkness.... Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." (D&C 81:5).

After we got home from church, we prepared a nice dinner, to which we had invited my parents and brother, Sam. My sister was invited too, but she spent the day with her in-laws. We had roast beef and mashed potatoes, rolls and greenbeans. For dessert we had cheesecake and snickerdoodles.

My children gave me some nice gifts. Ben had made a pinata that was about the size of two cereal bowls stuck together. It looked like a large egg. I cracked it open like an egg. Inside were Dum-Dum suckers and Smarties. I figured they canceled each other out! Of course, I shared the candy with the children. I also got a candy-gram from Dallin. It said:

Dear Mom, If you were a rancher then I would say you were a (Jolly Rancher). But you aren't a rancher. But you are still sweeter than (jelly beans). So have a happy Mothers day. I hope nobody (Snickers) at you at any time today. Lots of love: Dallin ♥ ♥ P.S. feel free to eat the candy. P.P.S. Keep being a great mom.

Lisette gave me a coupon booklet, and the other children gave me a hummingbird feeder. Paul gave me a nice new pan. I am slowly collecting new pans, and soon will have a complete set!

I decided to give my mother the first multi-signature book that I made. I think it turned out quite well for a first attempt. Here are some pictures of it: