What's In A Name!

I know some people might find this funny, however Jay and I don't seem to see the humor in it at all.
This appeared in the Huffington Post yesterday.
It also appeared in every other news paper all across the nation.

In fact it makes me SICK to think that someone else's actions can cause such damage to another person. 

This isn't the first time this has happened but I sure hope it's the last. 

If we lived in any other state this would not be such a big deal, but Utah being what it is 

(predominately Mormon)

Everyone is interested in the story.

It has run on every single major news outlet here in the state.

No one seems to stop and think about the damage this has on a completely innocent person who just happens to share the same name as this IMBECILE.

I am happy to report that the Jay J. Linford I am married to, is safe and sound and accounted for 

right here in Utah.

The other Jay Linford has been arrested and is being held in custody in Virginia waiting extradition to Arizona to be prosecuted.

Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life.

"Material possessions and honors of the world do not endure. But your union as wife, husband, and family can.

 Our family is the focus of our greatest work and joy in this life."

Russell M. Nelson 

*

I believe this to be TRUE.

Friends are essential and a very important part of our lives, 

but NO friend will ever be able to fill the place of family. 

I have a very dear friend who's parents died in a car crash when she and her siblings were still quite young. Her dear loving Grand mother took her and her four siblings in and raised them as her own. It's situations like these that make you realize how important and significant extended family truly is.

Jay and I with all 12 of our grand children.

 

"In today's world, where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family that surround us. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents and cousins can make a powerful difference in the lives of children. Remember that the expression of love and encouragement from an extended family member will often provide the right influence and help a child at a critical time."

M. Russell Ballard

* 

I am so grateful that my children have come to genuinely LOVE their siblings children, it makes me so happy to watch as they wrestle around with their nephews, and lovingly tease their little nieces. Yes I am grateful for this family of mine and for the time we had to spend ALL TOGETHER this memorial day.

All 12 of our grand children.

Jay and our LOVELY Halle.

Halle is 10 years old now and I can't believe how fast those 10 years have flown by, she is such a TREASURE, The little girls in our family absolutely ADORE her.

This past week Mack and Andi stayed with Jay and I, we had such a wonderful time. I planned quite a few excursions, and a lot of cousin time. We even went to Salt Lake to the Clark Planetarium and met Jay for lunch. We spent time hiking, swimming, doing crafts, and  plethora of other fun activities. The kids were worn out by the end of the week. As I was driving  to Thanksgiving Point on Saturday I asked Andi if she was excited to go home to Idaho, here's how it went.

Me: "Andi are you excited to go back home?"

Andi: Long pause...."No, Because of Halle, I Just Love her so much."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! 

We haven't seen baby Walker since January, and he has changed so much, in fact he's not the same person he was then. We only got a day with him, but Jay was sure eating up every minute he could to re-connect with this little cutie.

Miss him so much!

This was the first time Linford and Daphne met, they hit it off quite well. 

These two are definitely two very SWEET little people. 

We are blessed to have both of them in our family.

Our little Diva's minus Daphne and Phoebe.
 These three are so ADORABLE together.

Catching up on basketball
J.J. was so excited to see Hewitt, he waited on the front porch for hours until he finally arrived.

Our four little 2011 babies.
All four of our children had a new baby in 2011
Between the months of March and September.
Heaven help us in 16 years....

Carson, (Jackson) Phoebe, (Jayson) Walker, (Ashley) Daphne (Jordan)

We took a trip to Salt Lake to shop and have dinner at City Creek Center.
This place is UNBELIEVABLE....
Everyone LOVED the fountains.
Linsey, Heather and Brigitte LOVED H &M..
Jordan LOVED the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Their S'more Fudge is TO DIE FOR!!!!

My two little Diva's
(and that's an understatement...)

Jayson's BEAUTIFUL family..

Playing on the splash pad.

Swimming seemed to be one of the Highlights during the week.

J.J. loves using Jay as his "human surf board"

Macks Prelude to the "Belly Flop"

The Clark Planetarium at Gateway.

my little astronomy junkies.

Just chillin' on the Moon and Mars...

Thanksgiving Point was definitely one of the BEST activities of the week,
The weather was PRIME, lots of new baby animals and the farm was not busy at all,
so we had run of the whole place.

The kids LOVED the wagon ride, more this time than any other that I can recall,
maybe it's because we were the only ones on the wagon.
McCartney LOVED the pony ride, she was simply GIDDY...

Of course you have to spend a little time in jail when you're on the farm.

Carson LOVED the rabbits.

Unwinding after a long and eventful day on the farm.

Love these guys..

No afternoon is complete without lunch at our "NEW" favorite place..

JCW's "The Burger Boys"

A great ending for the PERFECT week.