Footprints in our heart

Last night we had such a treat! Toni Keate Norton graced us with a visit while she was in town visiting the many loved ones who want to embrace her! How lucky and blessed we felt to have her over for a few!
Toni is a dear sweet friend who touched a part of Rick's heart years ago while they were in high school. She was such a dear friend to him, during such a turmuluous time in his life. What a life line she was! What a support, a kind hand, word and sometimes a shoulder when things were more than they should have EVER been! She is one of the angels sent from heaven to help my Rick stay strong, so that when we met, he was ready to embrace the gospel they had showed him was true through their living! I wish I had the words to describe the love that I have always seen Rick behold for her. He says, "that their are few people in this life that have a corner of his heart besides me and she is one...not in any romantic way, but in the truest sense of a forever friend! How fun it was to reconnect with her. She is AMAZING! She is a rock! She doesn't see herself that way right now....but wow..if she could see the vision we see from our view! Toni recently lost her sweetheart to a cruel disease ALS! What a hell she has been through! And he! Bryan was a sweet man and they were so in love. Her heart in broken and we pray she will find a way to mend it! She is part of the miracles that protected my Rick! How does one thank someone for that? I'm sad that she lives in a far away land called Oregon. She and Bryan have always invited us to come....and that thing called life never opened the door to do so. We hope to this summer. She has a beach house outside of Beaverton Oregon...oh what a dreamy thing to have! How I love the beach. So does she! We look forward to seeing her there!

Happy Birthday Stacey, Mom & Gramma!

singing happy birthday and Ang and Talan playing "going on a treasure hunt!"...seee, we kind of suck at taking pictures...kids I need help! All the kids were here to celebrate..just didn't manage getting us all in a picture! URRR!
More excitement to come to embrace this "old age" Rick & the kids are paying my way to go...sky diving! It's scheduled for this Saturday...hope the weather holds out. Shawn...I promise...I'm gonna do it! You are just making me want to more!



Mick & her family brought me this cute candy bar card...
Poster says..."HERSHEY'S 50! Do you hear SNICKERS from those around you? That's good your hearing hasn't gone yet. They are jealous you still look like a JUNIOR MINT at 50! But soon you'll have BUTTERFINGER feel your bones CRUNCH and say where's my WHATCHAMACALLIT! I had a hard time finding a gift. I thought i would TAKE 5 in NEW YORK, but it wasn't PAYDAY! I couldn't find tickets to the MILKY WAY so I made you this card before your too old to read or chew it! Please don't ROLO over sick, eating your M&M's or REESES.

What does 50 years LOOK like???

Soooo turning 50...not such a big deal~~right? I don't feel any different. In fact..the picture with the fluffy hair in the brown shirt...still feel like that young woman...time has just changed the look in the mirror!
I've been so reflective lately...not sure why? Maybe because I have reached this mile stone, and ya know, it's not all that bad. I thought about this silly little blog, thinking it would be fun! It became TOO BIG..wondering what pictures and had all photo albums out. Really, how do you blog the last 50 years? Especially when we stunk at taking pictures...we need to do better! Very seldom do Rick & I end up in a picture together, if at all...anyways..
I've had a wonderful life. I have a great family that I came from. Good parents that made me feel loved and safe! Taught me how to be who I am! I met Rick when I was a young senior in high school..thinking I had the world by the tail! Didn't we all! We were married almost 3 years before we had kids. We had some grand ol times, just picking up and heading up the mountains or wherever we wanted before the journey of raising a family began! Now we're back to just us...and ya know what...I'm excited. The silence and quiet at the house...not a fan! Not at all. But we have many years ahead to celebrate US! Can't wait! Happy Birthday me! We're headed for another 5 decades of an exciting ride...!

AND OUR BONUS OF THE 4th Decade~



We've watched our children marry and become their own families...in my 4th Decade...



Raised our family together..watching them turn into their own self and enjoying every second! And at times...almost giving anything for them to grab my leg again!






2nd to 3rd decade...filled with having our babies..What a blessing each one of our children are to us! At times...wonderin' if they would EVER let go of my legs..




FIRST TWO DECADES.....





Born of goodly parents...had a happy life!

"lovs ya!"

What more can I say to this...true, everlasting LOVE!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The kids generally try to make it to our house for a quick trick or treat all together...it's hard when they all have so many directions to go. Kallie came first and was about done when Mick and the kids got here. We took some pictures and she was off with her family. It was good to see them for a few minutes! Kallie looked so cute with her bumble bee costume with stinger and all. She LOVED the dogs and wanted to play with each and every one of them calling them "Mugsy!". She was even giving this dog here wide open mouth kisses..YUMMY!
The boys were so excited to get going. Talan was all about itthis year, wanting to hit every house! He saw the spot lights for the haunted house streaming across the sky as we headed down our street...he said..."Hey Jesus, we are right here!" Crazy what that boy comes up with! We had most of our street done when Shawn & Ang joined us before going to dinner with their friends. They wanted to walk with the boys a bit, but it was 830, almost 9 and the porch lights were all turned off. They still had a pretty good load, the houses that were handing out candy still were dropping handfuls in because no one wanted to be left with all those sweets! Next year I HAVE to remember, 4 bags of candy is PLENTY!

Families CAN be together FoREVER~

You may ask why I post this...I'll just say that this is a reminder to me and my family that we are sealed for eternity. We may be broken and hurt...but we are eternal and have work to do! So do it! Each of us! Individually and as a whole!
I'm so grateful for each one of you! How blessed we are! Dad & I have existed for each of you for the past 30 some odd years and would walk through fire for any one of you...do you get it? Do you understand our full desire and wish for each of you as a whole and individually? Do you know what's in our hearts? Do you care enough to act on it? I pray that you do. If your wonderin what's in our hearts...just ask. Love each of you to the moon & back a trillion, billion times!

PAYSON turns 7! WahOO~

Payson invited his family and one good friend, Adam to celebrate with him at Pirates Pizza in Orem, by the University Mall. What a cute place! Brand new with employees all playing the part! It was a great way for a young boy to celebrate his 7th birtday. Seems like we were just at the hospital with this little angel of ours! Can't believe how fast this is all going...twice as fast as the growth of our kids!
Payson is so much fun and still my little buddy! I hope that will remain forever!
He's ALL Boys and loves to ride his scooter, bike, or skate boards. When he stays at our house, he really likes playing with the Meyer kids down the street at the end of the circle. He DOESN'T like it when Grampa teases him that Miley is his girlfriend!
He loves to jump on the tramp with gramma and play ball of most any kind. He's accepted the fact the boys aren't around to play with him as much as they use to be, but he's satisfied to have his ol gramps and gramma to fill in! He LOVEs sleep overs, especially on the tramp. It's a sad day when the cool weather puts a stop to that treat! Gramma usually bunks with he and Talan if he joins the sleep over. Not too long before the three of us will not fit on the futon!
Payson loves movies and staying up late...much to Mom & Dad's dismay. They get the fallout of the "tired" boy when he returns to the homefront...sorry...that's our job, to play hard and spoil....then he's all yours!
Payson has a sweet personality where he's concerned about your feelings. He's very aware of one that is sad and will run up to give a hug to make it better..thanks bud! You have NO IDEA just how healing that is! He's a true athelete and will be good at whatever sport he decides he likes. He's a natural! I love the fact that he looks like us...really he's a minny Chris...so much like Chris's personality from times of ol'! :)