So much to be Thankful for

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with Jessika and her family. She was amazing, she cooked everything but the turkey. Jeff smoked and cooked the bird and we brought it to her home. Everything was delicious!! They have a beautiful home with a very large backyard. Kevin and Jess are having their reception there. It was not only Thanksgiving but Jessika's birthday. I am so glad she will be part of our family. Happy Birthday Jess. The day before was Nick's birthday, both of my new kids birthday one day apart. It is meant to be!!

Jeff, Kevin and Duncan took off very early Friday morning to L.A. to see USC football. Jess and I left at the same time to do some shopping. It was fun to get out and enjoy the craziness.

Alysha cooked her own Thanksgiving with their good friends Ashley and Brandon. She out did herself. Everything from scratch, she turned into quite a fabulous cook. Which is amazing because she never cooked at home.

I am so thankful for all my many blessings. I have the most wonderful husband, he loves me so much. I feel it everyday! I am blessed with two great kids. I have the gospel in my life that brings joy beyond measure. Life has it struggles and we have felt them, but with family and friends and lots of faith....Life is Great!

Proposal

See the proposal on Kevin and Jessika's new blog.
kevinandjessika.blogspot.com

What a great night!! Kevin proposed to Jessika at half-time of the Concord High football game. He has been planning it for weeks, and Jessika had NO idea. He told her that Jeff was getting a big award for his volunteering for football, and that it would be presented at half-time. He told her that he would be presenting it! It worked like a charm, everyone knew except Jessika. I wrapped a fake plaque and asked Jess to go down on the field with Kevin to help. So there she stands and Kevin started in " I would like to present an award to a very special person.... This person has been there for me and makes me a better person... on and on... then they start some romantic music, she started to laugh, I thought she knows now. No she just thought that they were playing the music because he was being all sappy about his dad. Then he motioned to the cheerleader who were on the field and held up this huge sign. (the picture doesn't to it justice, Jessika b/f Lisa made it) He got down on one knee and of course she said YES. It was a great moment. They met at a football game when Kevin was a sophomore and Jess was a freshman. Welcome to the family, you are a great addition!

Hey there he's my ALL STAR

Jeff out did himself this Halloween. He made a great Shrek!
We went to the church for truck or treat. Jeff lead the kids parade,
dancing around and having a ball.

Home Movies

I was at my mom's and found a box of old 8mm film. It has been years since we have taken out the old projector and seen our family home movies. The last time we tried to hook up the old projector and watch them the film was old and fragile. I was afraid it would break. I found out the Costco transfers 8mm to CD's. I turned them all in, we have film starting in 1951. It takes about 3 weeks I can't wait to get them back.

VIP Soccer

Saturday morning I went to watch some of my students at school play soccer. It was their last game of the season, and it just so happened that both of the students were playing at the same time. The VIP teams (special needs) play teams of able bodied youth teams. They give them opportunities to score and steal the ball. I am sure these teams learn from our kids! Then they are off to their own games and VIP divide up and play each other.

Sean came to watch his classmates and was invited in to the game!

Yes on 8

Please join me in supporting marriage.

Take your son to work day???

No this is not take your son to work day. He is an employee of the Mt. Diablo School District. He is substituting as a special education assistant. It's great to have him in our class.

They kids loved him. Here he is with Sean.
Hanging with the girls.

I just saw the most beautiful baby. He just came home with his parents, who are so overjoyed to have him. He was placed in their home by a loving birth mom who loved her son so much that she found him a incredible home with two of the most loving parents and big sisters. It brings me to ponder, I too was adopted. Although it was 45 years ago and my birth mom did not get to choose who her child would live with, I know with out a shadow of a doubt that my Father in Heaven knew who I should be with. I found my way to a loving home with parents who could not be better. It was not easy for me to get there, I was relinquished at birth but when I was in foster care waiting for placement I was thought to have hearing problems. Which halted the adoption process until all medical checks where done. I had extensive testing and things cleared up with some time. It delayed my adoption until I was 13 months old. My parents were actively looking for a child and were willing to take a child a little older because the were a little older themselves. They had two naturally born children my brother is 19 years older than I and my sister 10 years. I have always known I was adopted. My parents were always honest with me, telling me how special I was that out of anyone they picked ME. I remember thinking there was a store with babies and they went in and looked around and picked me!! I think I was a little disappointed when I found out there wasn't a store. ;) I know I was meant for them. I am so grateful for a loving birth mom. I have never had any hard feelings for her. Only LOVE, she gave me the greatest gift of all, and I will be enternally grateful!

Back at School

I survived the first two weeks of school. I was really enjoying my summer vacation and before I knew it it was time to go back, I really wasn't ready. But as soon as I was through the door I was hooked. We have a great class this year and of course I have Billy! He makes me laugh and tests my paitence at times but I love that boy. I have Billy at school but also do respite care with him, so he is part of the family to say the least. I love my job!! (for those of you that don't know I work with 18-22 year old students with disabilities) There isn't a day that I go to school and don't feel loved...truly loved. The students have great spirits that share so honestly and with humour and love. I am the one that is blessed.

Happy Birthday Kevin !!

My Precious Boy

Still My Precious Boy

This picture is when I first saw him when he came home from his mission. It was pure joy that I felt. He will always be my baby!

Isn't he handsome
I love spending time with him.

He loves with all of his heart.

He is the BEST!

Summer Fun

I start back to school tomorrow, I cant believe that summer is over! It was a great summer with my kids home for awhile at least. I will cherish these memories for a lifetime. I know I wont have that opportunity again. Life goes on and it has exciting times to come.

Alysha's Birthday Celebration

Alysha and her two moms

Erin's Wedding

Alysha and Mom
Jess and Kevin
Dancing with Mom

Fernley Trip

The end of July we had a family reunion in Fernley Nevada. It was a lot of fun! Jeff's cousin Dee Dee and Todd hosted this year. We camped out in Aunt Nita and Uncle Dennis backyard. They were such great hosts!

We were able to see my neice Lindy and her sweet family! They just happen to live in Fernley too. I am sad I have no pictures of them to post.

We shot a lot of guns in the desert!
Jeff 's oldest and dearest friend cousin Ron and his cousin Dee Dee.

Kenny and his son Paul, Ron and his son Ryan. Jeff and Kevin
shooting up the desert!Alysha and Uncle Doug

We were able to meet Cal, he has many world championship as a fast draw. He was amazing. We had a family challenge to see who was the fastest draw. It was a lot of fun. Alysha made it to the top four and Kevin won our family challenge.

Happy Birthday Alysha

I can't believe that my baby is 20!! Although she is wise beyond he years in so many ways. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Here are a few reason why she is so special!

She is the funniest one in the family, and doesn't even try.

She is kind to everyone.

She hates to think anyone is mad or upset with her. She instantly wants to fix it!

She is wonderful with kids, they warm to her instantly, it shows in her new job.

She loves the Lord. Has a strong testimony.

She is a great teacher.

She gives great counsel.

She is strong.

She is my best friend.

Everyone is home for summer. Nick and Alysha are here for several weeks. Nick was blessed to get a internship with O.C. Jones Construction. He is based in the Vallejo office which couldn't be closer to his home. He is learning a lot and loving it. One more year of school and he will be done! They hope he gets a job offer upon graduation. It would be wonderful to have them close. It has been great having Kevin at home. He is doing great.

25th Wedding Anniversary

Jeff and I celebrated our 25th anniversary this last week! I can't believe it. I am sure people lost money on it lasting. lol. I love this man more today than ever. He is a loving husband who always puts me first. He is an amazing father, I am so grateful for that. He is generous with his time and talents. I look forward to what lies ahead as long as it is together.

Friday I went down to San Ramon and checked into the Marriott by his work. We met there and had appointments to get a 90 minute massage at a wonderful place called Bodylines. I went for the Foot Reflexology & Deep Tissue Massage. It was heaven!

On Saturday May 31st we were able to go to the temple all together. We had a wonderful time. Families really can be together forever!

She's a Cosmetologist

While Alysha was home for a visit she had her cosmetology test. It requires both a practical and written test. She passed with flying colors and tears of joy! We are so proud of her!

Black Butte Resivor

We spent a week at the lake and it was great! We had tons of family come. Each day was different, one evening it rained and we spent the evening in Donna and Duncan's motor home playing wii!!
Daddy and his Princess
Bailey, Kevin and Brittany
Kevin and Alysha

Good times had by all!!

All together at last

Alysha flew in on Thurdsay to make our family complete. Kevin and Alysha were so excited to see each other, they have always been the best of friends. Nick wasn't able to come because of school, but he and Alysha will be back in July!

YES, Jeff is skipping! He was pretty excited to have us all together!

Homecoming

Kevin arrived home on Monday, May 19th. When I first saw him I shirked like a little girl. "There he is" It was a great moment to take him in my arms and hug tight! We all went out to Fentons for ice cream after. He looked a little like a deer in the headlights. He is now adjusting to life. But missing his mission very much.

Jeff in North Carolina

Jeff arrived in North Carolina on Thursday night, May 15th. He was invited to the mission home to attend a special testimony meeting with the departing missionaries. They had a wonderful reunion! Jeff was able to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Kevin visiting with investigators and members.

President and Sister Hobbs