Bishop Adams

Our Bishop, Dave Adams was released today. I knew it was coming and I am just beyond heartbroken.This man means the world to my family. Bishop Adams gave us the final push (or shove) we needed to get us to the Temple. I honestly believe with all of my heart if he had not been called to be our Bishop when he was we would not have gone to the temple. Rich has never responded to a bishop or any other church authority the way he does with Bishop Adams. I know Autumn had been praying for us for so long to go to the temple and be sealed, but I am not sure it would have happened if Bishop had not called us into his office the second week he was called in and bluntly asked us what in the heck we were doing and why were we not sealed.From that September day to a three short months later our whirlwind and all the blessings of becoming a forever family were reached and made a reality. Bishop Adams was with us every step of the way pushing, answering questions and most of all showing his love to my family. He dearly, dearly loves ALL the youth in our ward. He holds a special place for Autumn especially. He treats her like his daughter. After we were sealed he came over and seen our pictures of that day and immediately demanded I give him one. I offered a 8x10 to him and he took it home and put it in his home office. His wife asked him why he put it there and was afraid it may offend other members to have our picture prominently displayed on his desk. He explained to her he loved us so much, but it wasn't necessarily our picture but what we represent as a family and a forever family!

It was not the normal time to release a bishop, he did not serve as long as most. Bishop Adams is really really sick.He has fought cancer for years, went on a mission and the cancer was in remission. Immediately came home from his mission was put into the Bishopric and the cancer started again. He was able to control most of it until about 8 months ago. He has steadily gotten worse and the past few months has been in a wheelchair. In constant pain, hurting always. He missed many meetings because he was so sick he couldn't attend, and I know it devastated him. Rich once told me he feels a greater bond with Bishop Adams than he ever did with his dad. I cannot even explain how much we love him. He is a HUGE huger, loves to hug everyone, but also really good about never hugging the youth in his office or alone with them. He would leave his office, ask them for a hug, and make sure it was okay with them and if the parents were there ask their permission first.

Last week Lorie gave a farewell talk about in HIS time.Not our time. It is the Lord's will and thy will be done. I know it is time for him to be released. I have known for a while it is time. I know he is a faithful servant and the Lord is pleased with him. My families love for him is endless. What scares me is I know he is so sick and soon he will return home, where the Lord will smile and hug him and tell him "Well done faithful servant, well done."

We love you Bishop Adams and I know it hurt you to be released. You served our ward well and touched my families lives for eternity. A simple thank you will never be enough.

Distinguished Dudes

The DYW girls had to choose escorts basically for a fundraiser. The escorts have to be Juniors as well and they held Distinguished Dudes. Each escort had to do a talent, a fitness routing, strut their walk, and answer a question. They were all really good sports and had a week of practicing at 6 A.M. Autumn asked Colby Pearson to be her dude. I guess he is a football player and pretty popular.Autumn really doesn't know him that well or hang out in his group of friends. There were 12 guys and it was pretty fun watching them. The fitness was way off and they were all over the place. Colby's talent was singing and playing the piano. He did pretty good.

He also ended up winning Distinguished Dude. He won $100.00 and also won best for strut your stuff so he won a month membership to Anytime Fitness and a gift certificate to Taco Bell or something. The question he had to answer was "who do you think the most influential person is today?" His reply "Oprah" Haha, the guys had some pretty funny answers when they were asked questions. It was fun to go watch them and the money raised goes to DYW scholarship fund.

Also the girls had to come up with a gift for their escorts. They decided to make candy bouquets. Autumn's friend Lauren has been staying with us and they made these cute bouquets. On my way out the door for DD Autumn calls frantically, Lauren's mug broke and they needed another. I stopped at the dollar store and for some reason picked up 2 mugs. Put hers together when I got to the school and all was good. Part way through the program Autumn comes to me and tells me one of the girls didn't get her dude anything.. really? so luckily I had the second mug and each of the girls gave her a piece of candy for the guys mug.The girls presented the mugs on stage before the winners were announced.It amazed me she didn't bring her dude a mug. She is lucky her friends were willing to bail her out.

Compliment

Autumn paid me the highest compliment ever yesterday, it brightened my whole day. We were at the store and she told me most girls say when they grow up they do not want to be anything like their mom. She told me she wanted to be just like me when she grew up, that I was an amazing mom.I was dumbstruck, honored and humbled that she said that to me.

I also always tell them when they have kids they will have a child just like them. She informed me she hopes she does because she is such a good kid. It is true she really is good. She gives me very little problem, is responsible and an amazing big sister.

I am lucky to be her mom and also Hope and Tymber's mom. I sure love my girls!

Farewell

Today was my brother Rory and sister-in-law Lorie's farewell. I cried through the whole thing. Then we went back to their house for food. It was great to visit with everyone. When it was time for me to say goodbye to them both I started to bawl. I know we don't see each other often but still they are were only 30 minutes away. Now they will be almost all the way around the world in South Africa. I know they will have an amazing mission and it is only two years but gosh that sure seems like a long time. They leave April 23rd for the MTC.

Strep

Hope didn't feel good Tuesday evening. Wednesday I kept her home and her throat was really sore. Thursday I debated taking her to the doctor because Tymber had a bad sore throat a few weeks ago and her strep test was negative. I took her anyways and it is a good thing I did. She has a bad case of strep. I got her on some medicine and she is starting to feel better. I won't complain the extra cuddle time was super nice, all she wanted to do was have me lay in bed with her for two days and watch movies. But at the end of the two days I was ready for a break. She wouldn't let me out of her sight or allow me to do any household chores.

Today she went to a little Miss camp with Autumn for Jr. Miss. She loved it and was happy to get out of the house. Good thing she is feeling better. Now my throat is sore.

Are we broke?

Last week was spring break. I love having my kids home (most of the time). Autumn and I had to run to Wal Mart to get a few last minute Easter things and I asked her what she wanted for dinner. Her reply was nachos. Not the healthiest or best meal but what the heck. So I got the cheese and salsa and we browned hamburger and melted it all in the crock pot.

Hope came in and asked what was for dinner. When I told her nachos her reply was "Are we broke?" I told her no and asked why. She promptly tells me it isn't a healthy meal and thought maybe I didn't have the money to buy healthy food for a proper dinner.

Silly child. I guess that was the answer I deserved for a non healthy meal. But I must say it was yummy, and easy.

Easter

Today was a great day. Both Rich and I had it off, this is very unusual. We got up and did the Easter Bunny and I made breakfast while Autumn finished her rolls. Then we went to church.I loved that we were all there. About 10 minutes before church I got called into the Bishop's office and was released as Beehive adviser. The whole YW was released and reorganized. Autumn was in tears, she loved her leaders. I will miss my girls. I really enjoyed going Tuesday nights with them. Of course the leaders they put in will be amazing as well.

Then we came home and had dinner. Zoey and my parents came down. I fixed ham, rolls (Autumn made them) deviled eggs,potatoes, and cheese cake. Zoey and my mom brought salads. It was yummy. Wonderful day with my family and I am so grateful for my Savior and all that Easter represents. I am especially grateful for the Atonement.

Lets see what is in the baskets. Looks like a kite

new shoes

Hope has these little stuffed animals she has had for years. Froggy and Ducky. She plays with them all the time, I think it is funny how little they are and how long she has had them. Other than stuffed animals Hope really does not play with toys. When I saw this frog holding this duck I knew she had to have them and would love them.

We had the camcorder out and I let her use it a little. she was so cute, she took her new water colors and recorded herself painting. I cannot wait to watch it and see the recording through her eyes.

Tymbers bunny

Tymber loves to draw, she got pencils and a sketch pad.

Autumn's basket. Each girl got giant pens. Autumn also got a candle and a bunny.

Hunting for eggs

Hope's new dress

Tymber's sassy cute skirt.

Autumn git a pencil skirt and new shirt for DYW. She needed an interview outfit. She looked so beautiful. She also had on these sexy silver heels that are about 4" I wish I would have got a picture, we were in a hurry.

My amazing beautiful daughters.

The accident

So I got the police report on the wreck and we know the other kid who was involved. He is Tymber's flute teacher. Not the one she has in school, but the kid who teaches her on the side. Autumn feels horrible. He is one of the most popular kids in school, is super nice, super cute, tennis star, track star, strait A student, plays in the band, etc. Tymber had just been to his house a few hours earlier. His mom has also been helping Tymber with an upcoming concert. She took her flute in to get it fixed and it sounds so much better. She told us Tymber really has a good sound and has the potential to become very good with the flute. I am debating if I will put her in lessons with the mom, June after her son graduates and goes to college. She is of course more expensive but she is incredible. Below is June playing for a concert after the Japaneses earthquake hit, her parents live in Japan. Her son the one Autumn got in the wreck with put the video together.



Anyways I am off track again. Their insurance doesn't have a local company for accidents. They wanted me to take the truck to Pocatello to get a bid done. I wasn't thrilled. I took it back to Dustin because I do not want anyone else touching the truck. He started laughing and told me my daughter was good for his business. He had me give him the claim number and all the information and told me he will take it from here. That he will need to tear into it again because of the way the front bumper is and he will get us back into a rental car *sigh*. Hopefully it won't take a month to get it fixed this time. Last time the insurance was such a nightmare to work with because they were trying to total it.. At least neither she or Bobby was hurt, for that I am grateful. I am grateful Autumn was only going about 15 mph, she would have never forgiven herself if Bobby had been injured. Knowing Bobby I am sure because the semi was blocking the view he felt it was safe to go. He is such responsible person and without a doubt did not run a red light on purpose or was being careless in anyway.

My thoughts on the play

I was at the play each night. All but the night I attended with family I sold tickets. With the exception of the first night we were close to 300 audience each night. We started on Friday March 23. The first night was the normal bugs and quite a few sound problems. We have a performing arts center that is next to the high school and it is really nice. It is probably only 5 years old. A few funny things. The kid who played Chip is the directors grandson. When Logan was singing a solo "Chip" came scooting across stage pushing his toy cars. I don't think anyone seen him but then he came out in the audience and there is a strict rule no cast in the audience. Michelle and I were sitting behind his mom and oh boy was he in trouble. The next night "Chip" had grandma's Ipad to play with between scenes because he kept disappearing. Who could blame the poor kid he is only 6 or so and that is a long time to have to wait between scenes. He was a cutie.

Blackfoot is a relativley small school but does amazing plays. We really have some talented students. I am not just saying that because Autumn is in the play. Each year we have gone before now and I have always thought it. The fine art teachers are really dedicated to these students and invest so much time with them.

Kellen and Donald really really stole the show as Lumiere and Cogsworth. They were hilarious the whole time. They both nailed the parts. Kellen is in super good shape and it is a good thing because his arms were KILLING him each night after the play. It is really to bad he has turned into a jerk (oops off subject)

I can't wait to see what the play will be next year. I think Autumn is regretting not being in it past years but I know she will be in it next year. I loved watching her on stage performing.

more Beauty and Beast

KennaDee -Babbet-

Kia -Belle-

Logan -Beast- Logan has a super super voice. He is a tenor and wow he can sing for being 18. The poor crew behind scenes had a horrible time because he kept blowing his microphone. He had a headset on and blew it almost every night. When it was time for him to sing they had to turn him way down and you could tell he was really holding back a lot. What a talented young man. He was AMAZING as the beast. No one could have played him better.

Donald goofing off.

Beast and Belle

KennaDee and Kia

Donald and silly girls messing around after the play

This is Kiera. She was in the town scenes in the beginning and fell madley in love with Autumn. She is only five and refused to let anyone but Autumn dress her and get her ready for the play. Even though her mom was in wardrobe and backstage with her the whole time. Autumn would ask her is they were best friends forever and she told Autumn "How many times do I have to tell you we are not best friends we are BFF"S". It was hilarious. She had a huge crush on one of the kids and asked him to marry her (he is 15).He told her of course in another 20 years he would love to marry her, she told Autumn her parents would be thrilled she found her future husband, but that she couldn't tell them quite yet. I told her she could come over for a play day with Hope one day soon. What a doll she is.

more picts Beauty and the Beast

Probably need to click on the pictures to make them bigger.

Castle Scene Be Our guest.

Mrs. Potts, Miranda Day, she has an AMAZING voice.

My neighbor KennaDee as Babbet and Kellen as Lumiere (Kellen is who Autumn went to Homecoming with). Here they are doing a Tango that KennaDee choreographed. It is really funny because KennaDee is not a flirt at all so Autumn taught her how to flirt. Oh boy did she do a good job. I got a lot of teasing that Autumn is such a good flirt. Makes a mom proud that her daughter does so well at flirting. Rolling eyes, but Autumn does love to flirt.

kind of blurry, couldn't use my flash.

Lumiere, Cogsworth (Donald Roos, Autumn went to Sadie Hawkins with him. He is seriously one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life.) and Belle (Kia Brown, absolutely stunning voice

Autumn looks like she is yawning, but I think she is horrified because Belle just slapped Gaston.

The men are off to "Kill the Beast"

When the cast is singing "Beauty and the Beast". Funny story, the Prince Ryan Hudson, has a good voice but not super strong, especially when singing with Kia alone. The first night she just drown him out, the second night they decided to have the Beast (Logan Lindholm) sing behind stage and Ryan lip sync. While it sounded better, Ryan's lip syncing was so far off it looked stupid. By the third night they got it together so Ryan pretended to sing while Logan was really singing, before the rest of the cast joined in.

Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Belle, Gaston, and the Beast Logan Lindholm (who Autumn went to sweethearts with, notice a pattern here?)

Beauty and the Beast

Gaston (Sam) Katie and Autumn as silly girls.

Katie and Autumn and 2 girls Autumn babysits. Paige and Violet. Paige is in the green hair bow and really sick. She has a rare disease, has battled cancer, has had a kidney transplant and faces many other challenges. Autumn loves Paige so much and loves to babysit her and her siblings.

Bailey, Autumn, and Katie.

All 6 silly girls with Gaston. This was after the play.

Autumn in her lamp costume that she wore in the castle scene when they were doing "Be our Guest"

Hope did not feel good the night of the play.

We had 15 youth from our ward, either in the play, in the orchestra pit, or behind scenes. It was crazy.

All the silly girls with the lady who made their costumes.

Sam is one of Autumn's best friends. He is an awesome dancer and has taught Autumn how to dance alot. He is so much fun to be around.

Again? Really?

Autumn was on her way to voice lessons today and called me. She got in another wreck with my Expedition. Holy cow I was so ticked off. She was really upset and was about to pass out. She was at a stoplight that was being worked on at the intersection of Ridley's/Stinker station. Basically it was down to one lane because of road construction and there was a semi in the turn lane but his light was red and her's was blinking yellow. She slowed way down and started to proceed with caution and a truck came across the road and she hit his rear end. But HE had the red light and HE was the one who got the citation, not her. So the wreck wasn't her fault. She is lucky she didn't get cited because she didn't have her drivers license on her. I went over and the officers were really nice to her. I didn't see the other vehicle because another officer had it in a different spot. I talked to them and the main officer doing the report. The construction workers were witnesses and told Autumn he ran the light. I think with the diesel in the way and her going slow he probably didn't see her there. Poor girl got really sick and I really thought she was going to pass out when I was talking to her on the phone.

I ended up parking her car and driving her home. I think she is finished driving my expedition for a while. I need to get tires on her car this week. It looks like I may need another new bumper. It tore my license plate off and put a small hole in it and pretty scratched up from his paint. Hopefully his insurance will cover the damage. My insurance agent will call tomorrow after the police report has been filed. Sigh.