Until We Meet Again

Shaun's mother passed away

on Mon. 9/8/08.

She was 74 yrs. young. She married Shaun's father, Jim Simmons, and they were married for 41 years before he passed away in 1997. As teens, Jim used to come to Provo to race his cars against LaJoy's 5 brothers and that is how they met (Bo likes that story). She was very supportive of him and always had dinner on the table when he walked in. He served as Chief of Police for Orem City and that would cause any wife much stress. They had 5 children. Shaun is the 2nd to youngest. She called him the tornado kid because he blew in and blew out. I can only imagine being Shaun's mother - difficult job. She was a sharp-shooter and won many medals in shooting competitions with Jim. She was also a great fisherman. There was a fishing trip when a huge fish pulled her fishing pole out of her hands and into the water. She was more upset about losing the fish than she was the pole. She had a great sense-of-humor and was always telling a great joke.

Shaun and I had only been married 1 year and were expecting Bo when his dad died in 1997 and that was very difficult for us newlyweds. Now Shaun has lost both his parents

at the young age of 39.

They are together in heaven catching up for lost time.

Her casket was beautiful.

Something I think she would have picked for herself.

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL?

You're Goin' DOWN!

Bodacious #24

bo·da·cious

adj.
1. Remarkable; prodigious.
2. Audacious; gutsy, fearless.
adv.
1. Completely; extremely.
2. Audaciously; boldly.

So far we've won 2 out of 3 GAMES! I sure have a lot of respect for these volunteer dads (Coaches) who spend 4 days (8-10 hours) per week teaching kids about the game of football. Bo has learned so much about the different positions. . . and he plays many of them - Offense and Defense - Lineman, Linebacker, Corner, Defensive End, Receiver.

His coaches are so good to him and call him
"Their SECREAT WEAPON".

You wouldn't expect much out of him by looking at him, but he EXPLODES and you don't want to be the one he tackles. We've been packing in the calories because he burns so many during the week (hence, the sweat ball below).

Good-Bye Summer!

I just came off the mountain where the colors are already changing. It was rainy, muddy and foggy. . and I came home to the same weather down here - so what better time to share this fabulous poem written by a sweet friend of mine from High School, Jill Ortiz-Murdock.

Goodbye summer season, you’ve been a dear friend,
I wish you would stay, I don’t want you to end.

You’ve given us, sparklers, swimming, campfires and ice cream,
lazy days of nothing but a nap and daydream.
You showed us your beauty, your heat, and your light
and there is nothing greater than you on your night.

It’s off now to school; bags, books are in check,
often right now, I feel like a wreck.
Was I the mom that I wanted to be back in May,
did my kids see me laugh, love, embrace life each day?

So it is with much sadness that I bid you goodbye,
next time please stay longer, so I don’t want to cry.

You’ve given me my kids, the most precious of all
and while I do love your friend we call ‘fall’. . .
I want you to know that I cherish your stay,
where kids are just kids, and they laugh and they play.

The worries are small and the memories are big,
as far as I'm concerned, you’ve got the best gig.
So until next year while new friends you are making,
I am patiently waiting to have you for the taking.

by Jill Ortiz-Murdock

We Will ROCK You!

. . .and it begins. . .

FOOTBALL Season. #24

Bo has been practicing for about 1 month now (3-5 days per week). This is a high addrenalin sport and he loves it.
I'll keep ya POSTED!

I think Bo looks so cute in this picture. Look at his little BUTT and his broad shoulders in these pads. . .and if you listen to the song, it talks about how he's "gonna be a BIG MAN some day" and how he's "gonna take on the WORLD someday".

I can only HOPE.

My Baby's ALL GROWN UP!

School Begins. . .and the emotions rage!

My first thought, I will never be able to repeat this day again. I so much look forward to this when my kids are troublesome toddlers and then, WHAM, it hits me! I was very upset about my baby BOY (1st born) going to school and now my baby GIRL (last child). I think I may have to join Heather on Hadlee's first day of Kindergarten.

As most of you know, I am a little OCD - I want the best of everything for them, and I must always know every detail of their day. Bo is so good to tell me everything (even some things I'd rather not know). . .and . . .this was my conversation with Savannah on the way home from her 1st day. . .

Me - "What was you're favorite thing you did today?"
Savannah - "Ummmmm, I can't remember."
Me - "Did you make a new friend?"
Savannah - "No, they didn't play with me."
Me - "What is your teacher's name?"
Savannah - "I can't remember?"
Me - "Did you have recess inside or outside?"
Savannah - "What is recess? Oh ya, why do you want to know?"

I'm not even kidding! I still love her - barely.

(Indy & Savannah - BIG GIRLS!)

(Savannah and friend Bethany)

(Checkin' out their cool backpack stuff)

She has brought so much joy too my life - the funny things she says - her big brown eyes - her giggle - her sparkly/glittery stuff - pink, pink pink - her snuggles - the way she sings with me.

I only hope that I can be a good example and teach her everything she needs to know to be a mom someday who is blessed with a little girl just like her.

Love you Savannah!

TAGGED! Thanx Hay

Our Home!

Okay - What is the purpose of this? Maybe it's to see how clean I am (or dirty), maybe to see how well I decorate (or how bad) - not quite sure, but here it goes. . .

With this TAG you have to take pictures of the following 10 things in your house. Absolutely no cleaning at all! Lucky for me I just finished cleaning thoroughly last week before school started, whooo!


1. Master Closet - There is really not much to our closet - white walls and wire shelving. A lot of our clothes are kept in the Armoire so here's a pic of that also. . .and, YES, my shoes are always in a pile at the bottom of the closet.

2. Laundry Room - Why does she have a mis-matched washer & dryer, you ask? Because my husband is kind of a tight wod and will never buy two appliances at the same time. They have to die several times before investing in something new. . .and even then, he can always fix 'em. I have had this dryer since before I got married and the damn thing has 9 lives, I swear (no really, I do swear).

3. Kitchen Sink - Dishes are in the dishwasher. My lovely stained glass flower that hangs in the window directly above the sink helps block the view of the dirty horse corrall. (I'm only trying to be a little creative here)

4. Fridge - The two things we go through the most - Milk, Margarine, Cream Cheese. Those 3 things are always on my grocery list.

5. Master Bathroom - Nothin' fancy. The baskets hold basically everything we use to get ready. The fabric is from my shower curtain, you don't want to see what's behind it. I have to admit - I did throw away the condom wrapper on the counter but that's the only cleaning I did.

6. Favorite Room - My Living Room, Front Room, Office, Entry (all the same room). This is wear I go to read, blog, talk on the phone, etc.

7. Favorite Shoes - Oh my beloved flip flops - I wear them clear into Fall. When I wear my long jeans, I love to wear these boots (except my feet kill me when I get home).

8. Self Portrait - I was sssoooooo flippin' cute (JK). This is my Little Miss Orem photo and 24 years later - my bridal picture. Time, Sun, Chocolate and Children have taken their toll.

9. Dream Vacation - A cruise with my hubbie and kids. Royal Carribean.

10. What are my kids up to at this very moment? Oh, Isn't she cute? This is Savannah sulking on the stairs because I had to fix her hair before she goes out to play. Life is so rough on her.

I tag . . .
Tai, Bethany, Tanya, Rebecca!

Have fun girls!