Nothing to Describe

There is nothing that can quite describe the feelings of joy when your children make great choices and turn out to be good people.

Last night was one of those memorable moments for me. I guess you could call it payback. It seems like just yesterday I was brought this very darling baby boy with beautiful red hair and I immediately fell in love with him and I just can't believe that he is as old as he is. Last night he was ordained to be an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints by his father. I just can't express the great joy that was in my heart. What a night and what a great spiritual experience for all that were there. All of our kids were there, our bishop, the single's ward bishop, a member of the bishopric and Mike's parents. I have been waiting for this day for a long time and it was wonderful. AJ you are great and you will make a great missionary.

This day will always be great for me

Today, to a lot of people is a reminder of the tragedy that happened eight years ago and for me it is a reminder of that too but the thing I remember the most about this day is that MANY years ago I was married to my sweetheart.

That day becomes more and more vague, but I can't help but always to remember how great I felt that morning when I was seated across the altar in the SLC temple from my soon to be husband. There is nothing to compare with that great joy and peace. Mike complains that I was a little late that morning and yes I was but nothing like throwing in a little stress on a marriage day just to make sure you can handle anything.

My wedding was a beautiful September day. I remember having all of the people that I love the most there to help me celebrate my day. Little did I know that there were four more important people in the heavens that were partying and celebrating that we were getting married.
We had an outside wedding reception and I have to say it was perfect. Mike had to wear a pink shirt with his white tux and at first I didn't like the idea but I love it now.

Our honeymoon was wonderful too. We headed to Jackson Hole, Lava Hot Springs and Yellowstone, which is one of my favorite places in the world. There is nothing quite like getting the last room in the park and then to find out it was a room with two single beds with the bathroom down the hall and all on your honeymoon. I remember going out to watch Old Faithful at midnight with Mike and thinking how romantic it was.

Oh and YES, YES, YES, I would do it again and again. We have been through so much together and things aren't always a bliss but they are DEFINITELY worth the ride. I love every minute that I spend with him and I can say that I am still in love. I came home yesterday from school and he had bought me roses for my anniversary. They are beautiful. I just wish I knew something great that I could give him.

I bet now every year when you see all of the flags out for 9-11 you will also remember the great celebration of our anniversary on that day.

No Job, What Do We Do Now

Well, it has been real crazy around our house as I have noted in prior posts, but the craziest part is the adjustment we have all made to our new maid, stay at home dad. Mike has retired from the military and is on leave until January when he will actually be fully retired so until then we have an income coming in and we have Mike at home.
It is quite interesting for me to come home from school and the house is completely cleaned, he has fixed dinner and he also does the laundry. My kids are feeling real spoiled. He has been taking them to school and also fixing their lunches and I think their lunches are a lot better than they used to be.
I never thought that Mike would be without a job and be at home while I was gone. It is just crazy but definitely very nice to come home to a clean house and dinner fixed. One thing he doesn't do is the SHOPPING. I sure wish he would but I guess I can't ask for everything. I am so thankful for a great maid, sweetheart and he does it all for FREE.

I will have to post a picture of the new Mike. You won't recognize him.

Why do they do that???

Each day as I look around at my wonderful, beautiful children, they continue to keep growing up. This is hard for me, because I love my babies. I think I will be baby hungry for the rest of my life.

Don't get me wrong, I adore my kids. They truly are the best, and I just love who they have become. They are so fun and we have so much fun together. What will I ever do when they move away??? I remember the day, which was yesterday, or so it seems when I had four under the age of six. Life was so crazy and hectic and today it is not any less hectic but life is SO different. It is wonderful to be able to go places with my husband and not have a babysitter or have to take them with me everywhere that I go, but I miss it too.

Karrilyn is dating someone, ok talking to someone but long distance and it has been going on for over a month. He lives in California so it is easy to not get into too much trouble when you live away from each other. I don't think I remember ever seeing her SO HAPPY. Thanks John, you are the best. Karrilyn is so wonderful and very much deserves the very best. She is also going to college and working. Yuck.

AJ is also going to college and working at Smith's. He is very busy because he has become so social since he started college that he is always heading to some dance or game. He just loves people and especially girls, girls, girls. He knows a girl everywhere that we go. AJ is my big bear and always has been. He is SO adorable and loving.

Todd is my charming, wonderful seventeen year old. He is awesome in every way. He and I disagree about his hair, but I guess if that is my worst battle I will just need to keep my mouth shut. Todd is a senior in high school and taking mostly college classes. He is very social. He has a group of great kids that he hangs around and he is also on the Cross Country team. He also plays the piano and is very talented with it. Todd is awesome.

Angela is such a ham. She is so loving and so cheerful. She makes everyone laugh, most of the time. She is my baby and I don't want to tell you how old she is because in my book she is still my eight year old. She is also taking some intense classes and plays the flute, and piano and is on the Cross Country team. She makes us all laugh and we have so much fun together. She is pretty much a lot of fun for an eight year old.( just kidding) Ang you ROCK...

You see, in my eyes they will or should never grow up but they will and I just hope that I can handle it. I love my kids. They are my WORLD!!!

I Never Knew

This week has been hard but it is definitely better than last. The hard thing about this week is that I have a funeral to go to on Thursday. You probably are wondering who is it for??? I would have to say it is for one of my favorite people in the world. My husband's Uncle Roy passed away on Saturday morning. Why should I care??? I care because from the very second that I met him he has always treated me like a queen and as if I walk on water or something. I just can't explain it.

Mike and I, when we were just starting out with Karrilyn and AJ lived in Draper in a tiny little house behind Uncle Roy's and Aunt Mary's house. They rented it to us for $105 a month. It was small but what do you need when you are such a small family. I remember we had only a shower, no tub and the kids bedroom was also the laundry room. Oh well it was great for us.

Back then, I used to get up every morning and take my little kids to another person's house and babysit to make money so I wouldn't have to work. I would have to get up early and take my little kids out into the weather. I remember every morning that the weather was bad I would go out to my car and Uncle Roy had already scraped my windows in my car for me. He was an angel. Uncle Roy and Aunt Mary also told us not to pay rent two times a year for Christmas and during the Summer so we could have money for vacations and Christmas. They spoiled us. I just adored him and his wife. I always felt like I belonged and Aunt Mary had red hair which made me feel like I was truly family. They were both there in the temple the day we were married too. Even though I haven't seen Uncle Roy much, when I do he treats me as if it was just yesterday and that I still mean the world to him. He will truly be missed but I am sure his lovely wife is so happy to finally be reunited with him.

Well, back to this week. That is the hard part, funeral... The good part about this week is that I am adjusting to student teaching. I can finally say that I am loving it. I taught almost the entire day today. I love the kids. They are so cute even though at times they are frustrating. It is amazing how much I have learned already.

I just hope that I can find a job teaching when I get finished. It would be awful if I finally had my dream come true and wasn't able to find a teaching job.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Angela finished her first Cross Country Race. I was so proud of her. Todd has been doing it now for two years and does wonderful but it has been quite a struggle for Angela. Why is it that I start crying when she came across the finish line??? I am so proud.

And it all starts...

This week has been very crazy for all of us Glads. Angela and Todd started back to school last Thursday and Karrilyn, AJ and I started back this Monday. It will be a crazy year for all of us. We will be working hard in many classes. I think we will need much chocolate and cookie dough to help us get through it all.

Student Teaching
I actually started my student teaching on Monday. I was very nervous the first day but after that things have continually become better. I am in the first grade. It has been a shocking experience for me. First graders can't do a whole lot, but they sure are adorable. The days have seemed long but as the week has gone by it has seemed to get better and better. I am teaching quite a lot of each day. I think the kids are getting used to me and I think I am also adapting. There is so much that goes into teaching each day. It is quite intense. I am student teaching out at Enoch Elementary school. I will be in first grade for thirty days and then fourth grade for thirty days. I can't believe that I am finally to this point where I will actually be graduating from school. What a dream I have been waiting for. I hope you are all cheering me on, because I can use it. I just hope once I am finished that I can actually find a job and teach.

I guess the hardest thing is to be gone all day from my kids and not being there every second when they need me. Mike has been wonderful. The first day he made enchiladas for dinner and cleaned the entire house. NO!! he has never made enchiladas before but they were great. He has definitely been cheering me on. Who knows maybe I will actually be a teacher some day.

Todd also had a birthday this week. He turned 17. For his birthday we gave him a laptop. He has all college classes this year but a few high school. He will need it. We also went out to dinner to the Pizza Factory. It was very yummy. My kids totally love it and we haven't been there for quite a while. I can't believe Todd is actually 17. I sure love my TODD. He is an exceptional boy with so much desire and most of all the desire to do good. Happy Birthday to my Todd Schmodd, Todderoo, one of my best friends. He is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Fun with family

This past weekend, was crazy. We headed up to SLC after AJ got off work so we could be there for Sunday and spend some time with my family. My brothers that live out of state were in town and we had a party planned. It was a great day. We went to church with them, and of course I had to hold my new little niece and that was great, but she decided to leave a little mess on my white skirt. Oh well, she is well worth it. We also went to my sisters house for a barbecue, rock band party etc. It was a great time. I have the greatest siblings and of course parents.

This is a picture of AJ with his uncle Colt( my brother).

Here is the daddy of it all...

Of course you can't have a party without many pictures of family by Aunt Kristi.

This is a picture of my dad, my sister, Kami, and my two brothers playing Rock Band. We all had a chance to join in the fun. It was a hoot to watch and play in.

I have always loved teather ball and my sister happened to have on so Mike, AJ, and Todd had to try out their skills.

What a great day. My kids are the oldest grand kids of the family so they don't have cousins their ages to hang out with but they have their uncles and aunts that they have just as much fun with. This is what memories are all made of.