A Beautiful Life In Review!

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Love!

I'm so grateful he was born and that he belongs to me.

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With a face like that It's no wonder he grew up so adorable. In this picture he reminds me so much of my own precious baby boys.

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It's been almost 33 years since I met the LOVE of my life. I thank the Lord every day for blessing my life with this GIANT of a man, he is my true north, my Anchor, my soul mate, and the greatest man I have ever known.

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It seems like it's always been Jay and me, I love it that way. He always knows what's on my mind, what makes me sad, what makes me happy, he knows when to step in, and when to step back and give me my space.

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The guy I fell in love with 1978.

He's still the same lovable guy and those eyes and that sly smile still melt my heart.

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We were just kids when we were married and the odds were definitely stacked against us.

We both knew that it would be a tough road but we were up for the FANTASTIC journey.

And what an AMAZING journey it has been

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When I picture him in my mind, he’s always in this state of half-grin.

And it always makes my knees go weak.

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Yeah this is what I fell in love with. I never knew what kind of man he would become.

I am BLESSED!

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Don't get me wrong he definitely has a TOUGH "Don't mess with me" side I love that too.

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He was and is always in the center of trouble {good trouble that is.}

I'm pretty sure he was about to pulverize some unsuspecting defensive end, of course he was the only offensive lineman to win offensive player of the game for 3 games and first team in the ICAC Conference.

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Ummm, well I don't know what to say here.

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I love how he always plays with passion. His words "Go Hard Or Go Home"

and

"All It Takes Is All You Got"

He lives his life off the field that way as well.

We both LOVE football.

Again going for BROKE {Poor ball carrier's}

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My sweet love before his last Division 1 college football game as a Brigham Young University Cougar.

We both Love BYU, Cougars, and Blue. Is there any other college?

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This picture made me want more babies with him.

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This picture made me want more babies with him.

I sure am a SUCKER for a man in a football uniform...Well~~~~~this man.

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I loved watching him coach.

I love the way he treats other peoples children.

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I love him holding our babies

I loved sharing all those college years in "POVERTY" at Wymount Terrace we didn't even know we were poor struggling students.

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Well I guess it's no secret why we had so many babies so fast.

Just look at him with those little babies of ours, it warms my heart.

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I love his boyish, playful spirit.

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He is such a righteous man and truly leads with the light of Christ over those whom he has stewardship. I love how he loves Heavenly Father, honors his priesthood, and lives an exemplary life.

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I love watching him with our grand babies especially when he doesn't know I am watching.

They adore their "Pop's"

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I love him as the "patriarch" of this Beautiful Brood of ours.

They've all turned out so beautifully and I know it's because they grew up with a Father that was anxiously engaged in all of their lives. No standing on the sideline for this "Daddy."

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I love you my sweet, wonderful husband, you are truly the best part of me.

I hope you live another 49 years
May this be the BEST birthday ever.

BTW You don't look a day over 30.

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The New J~~~Or Should I Say The Old J Is Back!

J has always been a "Health" conscious person, when it comes to exercise that is. He never misses a day of Cardio along with his all time fav~~~~Weightlifting.

~HOWEVER~

I would have to say that he has always enjoyed a GOOD meal full of carbs, and really does appreciate DESSERT!

He has always been able to manage his weight through a diligent and rigorous exercise routine. However Lately his weight has been creeping up on him (I think it's because he's getting older) 49 years old TOMORROW!
Anyone that knows J well knows he hates those extra pounds especially that "double chin" and "belly fat."

A few weeks ago a good friend introduced him to a meal plan that has been AMAZING.

J loves it and he has almost returned to his football playing weight.

Woot Woot!

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I snapped the "today" picture today when he wasn't looking. I'm not quite sure if he would approve of this post. I guess we'll find out later today.

Can you see a difference?

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Huge Difference here. No more DOUBLE CHIN!

Way to go PUMPKIN!

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His first2 goals:

1. No belly: Check

2. No double chin: Check

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His third goal:

Return to his football playing weight: Almost Check

Pretty good looking for 49 (Tomorrow)

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Thanks to those BELOVED friends, JB & Scott who have been in the racquetball court and weight room every morning taking J's abuse, (and dishing it up as well.) I know firsthand that can be a very frightening experience.

And thanks to Walter for helping J to finally find the right "MAN" diet.

Now we can all enjoy a "BETTER" J.

Oh My Gosh I Love This Guy!

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27 Ball Caps

Jay wears a ball cap 24/7 except on Sunday's of course. I guess that explains why he has 27 of them hanging in his closet. It seems he will purchase multiple hats anytime we go on vacation, he also has multiple hats with his favorite team logo, along with the hats that display the logo of his beloved alma mater.

Which Brings me to the question ~~~~~~ Why do grown men wear baseball caps? The sociology is complicated -- sort of like men themselves. They know they're too old to be mistaken for sluggers like Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez, who wear such hats for business.

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So why? Partially that old baby-boom nostalgia. Or ''My hair is thinning.'' Ah, yes. Men, particularly baby-boom men, are aging. As their hairlines recede, their heads get cold.

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'Baseball caps are hats for guys who don't wear hats. In winter men will wear topcoats and baseball caps because it's cold. But they'd never wear a fedora.

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Unlike fedoras, baseball caps announce that the wearer is virile, young spirited, and iconoclastic. They are the great equalizer.

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Kids on the streets wear them, as do investment bankers, athletes, movie stars, and other hip types.

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The baseball cap should be worn in the direction that your life is travelling.*

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With the exception of the first photo It's good to see that Jay's hat is worn in the direction his life is heading~~~~~That would be FORWARD!

The other day John Childs told him he looked 25 when he wears his ball cap....Now he'll never take it off....

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And This Is My Joy

It's not even been a year since she joined our family,

I don't know how we ever got by without her.

How can 2 grown-up's get so much joy out of a baby girl.

I am in AWE of everything she does these days.

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J and I both look forward to our visits with this incredible, precious creature,

J thinks everything she does is MARVELOUS, EXTRAORDINARY, and AMAZING and I agree.

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We love being "Grammy" and "Pop's"

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Lawns, Neighbors, and Lemonade....

Today as I was mowing my lawn I noticed that the Mella's lawn needed to be mowed as well. they have been out of town and I thought it would be nice for them to come home to neatly mowed lawn today.

So I decided to continue on and mow theirs as well.

In the 4 years that we have been neighbors we have never been in sync when it comes to mow day so this would be a first.

Not only did they both get mowed on the same day, but they are mowed in the same pattern as well... Woo Hoo!!!

I might add that I really did owe them BIG TIME..... They are the ABSOLUTE best neighbors anyone could ever ask for.

We simply LOVE them. I can't even count the number of times we have awakened to a sidewalk and driveway that have been shoveled, and cleared of snow, not to mention the countless meals that Martta has given to Jay just because she knows he LOVES her cooking/food {she is the best cook} And the wonderful evenings sitting outside enjoying each others company.

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My Grass receptacle has never been this full. Good thing pick up is on Monday.

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The Diagonal cut is my favorite. I did theirs Criss Cut today {It was long}I usually cut mine in a different direction each week. It's just my OCD kicking in I guess.

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I never realized that our "Low Maintenance" yard would require so much "Maintenance"

I have to trim these shrubs twice a month.

But they do look nice and with the Wilson's on the other side of us I feel like I need to keep them looking clean and shaped. Theirs are amazing {Karen trims hers every week} And where is J when all this mowing and trimming is going on?

Well, he'll tell ya~~~~~~It's just not his thing!

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I never want the shrubs to cover my view on the porch. We get so much use out of this porch. We love to hang out here with our AWESOME neighbors and dear Friends sipping lemonade, and enjoying the LAZY summer nights.

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I really do need to have this tree cut back before the neighbors start to complain about the street sign being completely covered . I think that's a job for J.

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Well I guess we'll just see about that.

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Tah Tah for now.

I Miss You

We took the family up to BEAUTIFUL Provo Canyon tonight for a Bar-B-Q.

We had such a LOVELY time together just talking, playing, and enjoying each others company.

It's times like this that make me miss Jayson and Ashley's families. {SIGH}

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When is this ACHE in my HEART going to pass?

I miss you so much Today!!!!!

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XOXOXOXOXO To The Moon and Back!

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This And That.

dear diary,
this year has been very good to me. it seems like I've been on the receiving end of life and I'm thinking hard how I can give back. In both cases I'm not just talking about material things, I'm talking about heart things.

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Saturday

Did I mention that I have an

AMAZING

husband.... J is the light of my life, they don't come any better than him...

I love you to the moon and back Pumpkin..

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Saturday~~~~~ was Scorching HOT...

But we stayed

"Cool in the Pool"

EVERYBODY

got sunburned, except me of course.

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~Sunday~

It was my turn to teach today...

The topic~ The Law of Sacrifice....

I love YW, my girls are precious souls..

Dessert...

The best white cake with "Fresh" blueberries" and "Fluffy" white cream on top,

and of course Pace Bars....They're the BEST EVER..

Almost as good as Hawaiian shave ice. {Almost}

Spent the rest of the day with

"Family"

My

"Beautiful Girls"

Oh how I love these two little "Sweeties"

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"FUN in the SUN"

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And another "FANTASTIC" weekend comes to a close.

J was "POOPED"

After we put the kids in their cars and said our Final goodbyes for the evening , J collapsed on the front lawn.

I guess that 2 hour nap wasn't enough. Maybe he's just gearing up for the HUGE week ahead.

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My Mom always told me~~~

"Red at night Sailors Delight" I guess we'll see.

What an amazing end to a most wonderful weekend.

DANG! Tomorrow is MONDAY...

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Tah Tah for now..