Father's Day

I'm ready to turn in for the night and I'm pondering this day when we honor fathers...thinking about all the fathers who are in my life. This has been an amazing Father's Day. I witnessed Robyn bring her 5th child into the world today. How do you top that Father's Day gift?? I feel so grateful that little Sullivan Michael has arrived safely and that he is coming to a home with so much love and anticipation. There have been some incredibly spiritual moments in this day...moments that can't be put into words but that will be forever in my memory. What a blessing to be witness to this miracle and to share it with three of my four daughters (the other was here in heart). And Bob is such a wonderfully caring and supportive man...such a blessing to our Robyn and our grand kids.

The father of my kids was basically ignored today but I'm grateful for him too. He has this crazy nack for calling literally moments after the grandbaby's birth...before we know statistics or name or anything. And he called Robyn last night when she was stressing over having us here with no baby yet and inconveniencing everyone. He said exactly the right hings....don't worry about any of that, let him come when he's ready and have healthy baby. All the rest isn't important....and sure enough...as soon as she let all that go...he came. Whenever it really counts he comes through. I'm sorry that all this happened on this day, but I DO honor him and his ever important role as the father of these grown children who still need his parenting...just in a little different way.

My sons who are great fathers to their children too. What a sweet thing it is to watch them in those roles and know that they are making such a difference in the lives of their kids. I'm so proud of them. And those son-in-laws who are doing the same and blessing the lives of my girls and their children. And thinking of Nate and his first Father's Day as he embraces the role of father to little Brig. That title.."Father"...carries such power and influence.

And thinking about my own father who left this world much too soon. How I adored him as a child...such great memories of his efforts to do that job so well. In my busy life, I often forget how much I miss him and then it sneaks up on me and hits me when I'm not expecting it. So many demons in his life that he never got to work through here. I hope he has found peace with them.

Anyway....random thoughts about this day. I know my hubby is mad at me tonight and probably rightfully so. It seems there is never enough of me to go around to do it all right. But I remain grateful for him and all those father's and the great influence they have as they embrace and magnify that role and as they touch my life for the better. I'd love to add a darling photo of this gorgeous new little man who has joined our family but all I have is Bob's laptop and my camera isn't compatible so it will have to wait until I get home in a week or so.

And I can't close without mentioning the gratitude I have for my loving Father in heaven who has made all of this possible. Thank you for this incredible day and for the safe and miraculous arrival of this little babe. I recognize Thy hand in the details of my life and I continue to be eternally grateful. Above all else...I honor Thee on this Father's Day.

# 1 Gets Older and No One Can Tell....

This guy here is my first born....and today he turns 36!

It's still weird for me to realize that he is a man in every

sense of the word, with a wife, two children one of

who is a teen-age daughter, and

a real life TOTALLY separate from my own.

Having lived away from us for so long and having

built a life away makes it even harder to keep track.

(That and the fact he is a male and men just don't

stay in touch like women do!)

And he never really seems to get older because

he is in the best physical condition of anyone in

the family so he always seems young!

Bryce and his family were here this past week and

we loved seeing them. Here we were comparing the

similarities in appearance between he and #5 Brookie-D.

While they were here, we went to dinner at the Pub...

love that French Onion soup BTW...and had a great

time. He was pleased to know that Granny thinks

he looks like Lance Armstrong (best compliment

she could have given him!). We didn't really celebrate

his birthday while he was here, but it is ALWAYS

a big day for me. It marks the day that I entered

the most wonderful time of my life...motherhood.

I was such a novice when I had him, and probably screwed

up big-time, but all things considered, I

think he grew up to be a wonderful husband,

father, provider, friend and man.

What more can you ask?

I love you, Son.

Always have and always will.

Hope your day is terrific!!

XOXOXO

p.s. Happy Birthday, Shilo!

Mr. Mike Turns 59

We celebrated this crazy guy's birthday yesterday!

He wasn't very excited about the day because...

1. He said 59 isn't a big deal...60 is!

2. Funding is low so that meant the celebration was minimal

& 3. He just doesn't get very excited about much anymore.

I told him NOT celebrating wasn't an option since his

kids all wanted to do so....so after working in the yard

all day, he mustered up some enthusiasm and we

met all the local kids and their spouses for dinner.

We met at the Olive Garden (noticing a pattern here?)

and had a great time. Even Grandma Billie joined in

the festivities.

*** Side note: Mike is a champion in my book

for being so wonderfully patient and caring

to Grandma Billie who is staying with us!!

Seriously, what's NOT to be excited about when you are

surrounded by these people? They all love their Dad

no matter what his demeanor....and guess what?

SO DO I!!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

There's great stuff yet to come...just wait and see.

XOXOXO

Memorial Day with the Fam!

These two cuties and their parents came down and

we headed to the Eastlawn Memorial Cemetery

to visit Grandpa Glenn and Uncle Jeff Williams graves.

They make any outing fun!!

Granny Billie rode along but didn't want to

get out of the car....too scared.

Miss Minie was studying Jeff's picture VERY carefully!
The Gregory's met us at the cemetery. Is Greta's
black and white dress and red boots adorable, or what?



And these two crazy ladies never disappoint!

The Gregory kiddo's are another thing! Getting a

picture of Jude is like catching a falling star.

He didn't know I was taking this or he

would have bolted!!!

How cute is it that K-dig and Gretsie match? When

we saw this dress at Baby Gap we knew Kennan's

daughter HAD to have it!!

Then is was off to our house for the BBQ.

It was fun to have Kennan and Brooke there

to help with all the preparations. Many hands

make light work...and just look at those

gorgeous Kabob's! They tasted as good as

they looked!!
What fun to have Bryce and Lisa and the kids in

town for the holiday! Mike LOVES any time

Bryce will give him...

Granny Billie was a trooper and hung right in there

taking in all the action.

And the kids had a fabulous time. Miranda is every

parent's dream...she just took over all the little's and

they all adored her!

Lee came by and brought some fabulous

entertainment for the kids. His newest

project is going to be a huge hit if he can

get it on the market before someone else

comes up with the idea! They all were

totally enthralled...

And here's beautiful Miranda with her beautiful Mom.

I can't believe she is so grown up. Oh how I love this girl!!

Miss Pretzel wasn't feeling too great...running a little

fever, but she still loves the camera!

And Miss Poppy just sort of summed up the day...

a GREAT time was had by all.

May be my favorite Memorial Day yet!!
It would have been PERFECT if the Lamoreaux's

and Clark's could have joined us.

I guess you can't have everything.... :(

Where Have I Been?

When I returned from Brig's blessing, I got to have

lunch with this little cutie for a belated

Mother's Day celebration!

And I spent a little time with this little

sparkly eyed sweetie and her sister,

otherwise known as the "pink tornados".

Paige and Brig flew into town for the Clark ladies

retreat and we got to be with them for a minute

before she headed to Midway.

Notice Paige discreetly nursing in the background?

And of course, we spent the time eating...

love us a little Olive Garden!!

Then I was off to Colorado to share a special moment
with these three adorable people!

It was really wonderful to be a part of Nate's

graduation celebration. What a milestone for

this little family!!

Do you think Sandi was proud of him at all?

I love these two kids like they were my own!

They are terrific young people and their Mom

has done a stellar job raising them.

Here's the whole bunch of us Ausman clan right after

he got his diploma!

Sandi had done this great "Memory Board" with

photos of him as "the Baby", "the Boy" and

"the Man" and somehow she managed to get

a picture of him with EVERY family member!

She rocks!!

This is documentation that the Ausman overkill

lives on! The food was delicio-so!!

It was great to spend a little time with these three

darling boys as well! Man, they are changing so

fast!! And hello...Jordan is gorgeous!

This is a great family and kudos to Sandi and

Adolph for sharing in this wonderful moment and for

putting parenting ahead of all else! It's

paying off big-time!

Some of the best part was watching Nate interact

with all his friends...what a cool role he plays of

quiet, calm leadership. It was also wonderful

to meet all these great people in Sandi's life

that I don't know and who play such a big role.

She is a rock in so many people's lives...no

surprise there. She has always been all

sunshine and so many great people are drawn

to her...young and old alike. I loved the time there!!

Then it was a quick flight back to Utah and

hopping in the car to go retrieve Granny.

Poor woman needed some serious TLC

and sweet Paige volunteered to drive with

me to Phoenix so I wouldn't be alone.

We had a great time chatting all the way

and loving on Brig whenever we could.

We stopped off for the night in St. George

so Brig could meet the Lamoreaux clan.

Boy, oh boy, did they ever love him!!!

Then on to Phoenix where Paige spent the night.

Brig got to meet his Great-Grandma Billie

and then Paige and Brig flew on to California

from there. She and Brig saved my life!!

After taking care of a few odds and ends at

Mom's house she and I loaded up and headed

out on the road. I took this picture of her outside

her house. I wonder if she will ever be able to

return to it. I guess time will tell!

(Just getting her hair done made her feel better!)

Once again, we broke the trip up by stopping

in St. George. Robyn is an angel to

act as our weigh station! The big bonus

was that I got to be there for Gwynnie's

5th Birthday party!

This girl is a Princess Supreme

and her party did not disappoint!

Isn't she beautiful??? And her

little group of girly friends were

darling! They went to Paul

Mitchell Beauty School and all

got manicures, pedicures, and

hair-dos. What a great party!!

The kids got to see Granny Billie and

that was good for them and for her!

Where was Abe???? At a friends, of course!

Sweet Robyn...9 months pregnant and still the

perfect hostess! She is so sweet with Granny.

Love this girl!

So....the goal is to get to the bottom of

what is going on with this little lady and

to get her out of pain and back where

she isn't frightened of life.
I'll keep you posted on how that all goes!

So, in a nutshell, THAT is where I have been....