Photo hunt: Shoes

The theme this week is SHOES

I have lots of photos of shoes but here's a few of my faves:

Taken on girls weekend to see

"Wicked" in Los Angeles recently.

My new shoes to match cute outfits I bought to wear for graduation. From White House / Black Market. (I love that store!!)

Bronson trying to decide which pair of climbing shoes to get.
One of his graduation gifts from us. He also got the gear for climbing (harness, chalk bag etc) and a membership for the Rock Gym.
Paid through October, when he leaves for his mission.

These are the tallest shoes ever!
Those of you who know me, know I lurve tall shoes!

So, I'll be keeping an eye out for theses.... not kidding!

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Bronson is Officially a High School Graduate!

Congratulations Bronson! ♥ We are so proud of you! ♥ We LOVE you!
What a fun time we had at Bronson's Graduation last night. It was so cute when he was walking up to get his diploma, he raised his arms up (think Rocky), then after he got it in his hand, he danced a little jig!

(Scroll down to bottom of page for new slide show: shopping for graduation gifts)

Seminary Graduation!

Awesome Weekend!

This weekend was so much fun! Friday night we went to see "Prince Caspian" Pat and Bronson thought it had a bit of Lord of the Rings feel during the battle scenes, only not as good (of course!). I liked it too!

Saturday the boys did yardwork and went to the gym. They really enjoy playing racquetball together. Although, Bronson did get a few scrapes diving for the ball! (They are both SO competitive...) For dinner we grilled hamburgers then went to an Eagle Court of Honor for Bronson's best friend Cameron. His parents are business associates of ours, so we visited about that a little. I got a lot of good photos. It was fun for Bronson to sit in the "Eagle's Nest." We drove all over town looking for a long sleeve french cuff dress shirt, so he could wear his Eagle cufflinks, but they didn't have his size. So I'll just order it online today.

After the court of honor we went over to my Dad's house to invite him and Sally to Bronson's graduation. But I think they're going camping... I invited them to Bronson's seminary graduation tomorrow too! That should be fun!

We are so proud of Bronson, on Sunday, Pat will be conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordaining him an Elder, in preparation for his mission... What fun. He brought his cap & gown over on Thursday. I should have had him wear it for a couple photos! Oh well...

On Sunday we had a huge roast! And our home teachers came over. Bronson went to mission prep class at our stake center. I really enjoyed our meetings today, the lessons were great and I marked about 10 more verses in my scriptures (eventually, I think they will ALL be marked!) Anyway, I had the impression that I should be more invloved in Missionary work. Then this morning, when I was reading, I came across this in Helaman chapter 10. 4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

I shared it with Bronson, he has given out 2 Books of Mormon so far this year. And I think 2 or 3 last year. He is a good example of Missionary work. He is going to make the best missionary!

I almost forgot, we bought new movies this weekend, the Indiana Jones Triliogy, and Signs. Of course we watched them ALL!! We are movie junkies at our house. Either Friday of Saturday, we are all going to go see the new Indiana Jones movie: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I told Bronson if he wanted to get a date he could.

So, today I am going shopping with my friend Marian for cute new clothes to wear to all the fun stuff we have coming up this week! Of course I'll take lots of photos!

Photo Hunt: Candy

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Sneak Preview...

Here is a cute picture of Bronson and I in Kansas where we go every summer to visit his Grandpa Shipp. It is actually my favorite photo of Bronson and I. From when he was little anyway!

I am puting together a little "Memory Lane" post of Bronson in honor of him graduating Thursday. So stay tuned- it's gonna be GREAT!

Yea it's Friday!

Appetizer
What is the nearest big city to your home?
Mesa (where I live), is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson. It's is one of the fastest-growing US cities, with population of over 450,000. Phoenix is 30 minutes away.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?
I have learned by experience to be a 10 at keeping secrets. Same goes for telling my own. It just starts GOSSIP! Gossip is bad for friendships and relationships in general. I have heard some doozies! But, choose not to pass them on. Most people embellish everything in the re-telling. And people who want gossip, will just make stuff up anyway... I find that if people are talking behind your back, they are jealous of you for one reason or another. Better to keep a secret and keep a friend. If you can't keep secrets, admit it up front, before your friend confides in you! This way you can keep your friends even if you CAN'T keep secrets! ♥ It is okay to politely change the subject when someone is telling you something that is none of your business. (About themselves or especially someone you don't even know!) I could write a book here.... Gaa!!! When someone asks me something inappropriate, I say: "Why do you want to know?"

Salad
Describe your hair (color, texture, length).

I have long brown hair. It is thick but not course, with a little natural wave. It holds a curl well. I have natural reddish highlights. I just last week cut bangs again. I have had bangs my whole life except for last year I grew them out. Pat loves to brush it for me...

Main Course
What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?

I am a courteous driver. However, I love to drive fast. So if you are slow, I WILL go around you! But, I would not say I'm an aggressive driver. I mean I do smile at people at the light. Some people look like they are growling.... what's THAT about? heehee - I mean, at least try to look like you're having a good day.

I have a bumper sticker on my banshee that says: "You just got passed by a girl!" I need one on my truck! But, oh yeah, it's not a race...

Dessert
When was the last time you had a really bad week?

A whole week? All bad? ummmm Maybe when my mom died in 2004. I don't even have whole bad days. I get in a short funk, and usually within a couple hours (if not sooner!) have gotten over it...

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Goals and Grandma and Gifts!

Yesterday, we got an email from our aunt in Missouri saying she'd read in the local paper that Pat's grandfather had passed away on Thursday, and that the funeral was on Monday. The sad part is my MIL went to the funeral (here in Mesa) and didn't even call us to tell us anything.

So yesterday, I went to the florist, made a card and wrapped a framed 5 x 7 family photo (Pat me Bronson) and we go visit grandma. She Lives 5 minutes from us. We had a nice visit and cried with her. She told the story of his passing, and the service. We gave her all our numbers, address etc. and invited her for Sunday dinner this weekend. Which will be nice since Bronson will be here! (I don't think he has any school trips or camp outs)

She is 80 years old and still golfs 4 days a week, 18 holes! Pat wants to play golf with her. He has some concerns though, he said to me on the way home, "What if I get beat by my 80 year old grandma?" it was so cute! She loved the picture of our family and can't wait to see Bronson again.

4 Generations

This picture was taken the last time we were ALL together. Eight years ago.

She gave us a copy of the obituary from the paper. And we told her we would have been there if we'd known....

It was very emotional for me for some reason, visiting with Grandma. She was so sad, married for 57 years. Pat is the only LDS member in his family, and I wanted to tell her she'd be with her husband again. Pat already said he wanted to do the work for his grandpa. But it didn't feel like the right time to tell her these things, so we just listened to her....

It is so nice that we don't have "regular" jobs. Because this all happened before 3:00 PM. It is nice to be able to drop everything and take care of important things on a moments notice.

Pat and I had a really good talk later when we were alone, about how grateful we are for our eternal marriage etc. I cannot imagine life without knowing what I know. We really are blessed! He was so sweet to me. He said if anything happened to me, he wouldn't get married again and that he would pick me on the other side! Isn't he the best?

Of course Pat called Bronson (I think he was still at school) to tell him the news. Mostly, to set an example of how proper communication of important family news should be done- Immediately!

Changing topics~

Bronson is graduating from High School 1 week from today! And the gifts are already starting to roll in... 5 minutes ago, the doorbell rang & my friend the ups lady, brought Bronson's first Graduation Gift! This reminds me, I need to make "Thank You" cards for card club!! I'll make extra for Bronson to use.

So, I am excited for summer. I have not tanned (except minimally for / on cruise) in 2 years. I have decided to give up tanning all together. And I feel good about that... I am happy I don't have to worry about buying swimsuits, since I got about 10 new ones for the cruise that I never wore.

I am excited for our summer vacations. We have several things planned. Visit our friends in Idaho, Camping, Lake Powell, Kansas to visit Grandpa Shipp, and I want to go to the beach! I am not picky about where- Mexico, Cali, Oregon.... Surprise me!!

So, now I either need to go do laundry or go shopping cause I'm out of good stuff to wear!

Plus, to keep up with my goal of cooking dinner on weekends, I need to go to the store and buy a couple big roasts and steaks for the grill. I swear Bronson cannot get enough meat! He always asks for it. I am happy to comply... I'd rather grill steaks than make a dumb casserole any day!

Wordless Wednesday: Last Choir performance...

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