I miss you dad

Kim gave us this tree after my dad passed away. It blooms each spring right around the date that he passed. Today it has been 10 years since dad's been gone. The tree out my front window is in full bloom and it is a beautiful reminder that my dad's spirit lives on. I can't believe that ten years have gone by. So many things have happened in our lives these past ten years. I often think about the many things that dad has missed.....science olympiad, dance, baseball, track, mission, college, engagements, weddings......but then I think that he probably has had the best seat of all. I'm sure he watches over us and has been right there with us as we celebrate these events in our life. I miss him terribly. I love you dad.

Woodworking

Chris has been taking woodshop this semester. He took art first semester and found out he was an exceptional artist. When he told me he was taking woodwork I wondered how long it would be until he needed stitches. It scared me to death. Well, I'm happy to report that so far so good. Chris has completed three projects and he seems to really like creating things with his hands. He made this lovely jewelery box from 100 pieces of wood. The pattern is beautiful. He also made a key holder and a beautiful end table but I can't show that because he is giving it to Kevin and Stacie as a wedding gift and he doesn't want them to see it. It really shouldn't have surprised me that he is so good at this. He likes creating and using his hands. He crochets beautiful afghans. It is a talent that was taught and passed on by his grandma Jackson. They would sit together in the gold chairs at moms and both would be crocheting like crazy. Chris has a lot of energy though and Melba used to really laugh when he would jump up......run out the door and make a couple of trips around the house at full speed and then come back and crochet some more.

I love seminary

I had to teach Early morning seminary this morning. I must admit that I murmured as I crawled out of bed at 5:30 this morning. Seminary starts at 6:45. As I was getting ready and complaining about getting up at such an early hour in the morning Scott reminded me that when he had early morning seminary in Moses Lake it started at 6am. So, I tried to put a smile on my face....but it wasn't easy. I wearily entered the seminary building a few minutes before class time. As soon as the kids walked in with smiles on their faces and a "Good Morning Sis. Jackson."....I was already awake and vibrant. Those kids charge my battery. They are such an amazing group of young men and young women. They are eager to learn and be close to their Heavenly Father. I learn so much from them. I thoroughly enjoy teaching. Well, I must get to it again. I have to teach institute at the college at noon today. This afternoon's lessons are on the general conference talks by Pres. Uchtdorf. They were amazing talks. I am so happy the Lord has called him to serve in the first presidency.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT

Most people think of April 15th as the dreaded income tax deadline. At our house we celebrate that day with cake and ice cream.....not only because we didn't procrastinate on filing our taxes but because it is Scott's birthday. Scott turns 45 years old today. Happy Birthday Babe.

Tomorrow is Scott's mothers birthday. I miss her dearly. She was a wonderful woman. I'll never forget when she used to tell me about the night she had Scott. The doctor came into the room and said "Melba, if we wait just a couple of hours you can have this baby on your birthday." Melba snapped back. "I want to have this baby NOW." Obviously her doctor was a man or that the idea of waiting a couple of hours wouldn't have been proposed.

I hope they call me on a mission

Chris needed to take out the missionaries tonight. He got all ready to leave and he was wearing a dark suit and he had his Preach my Gospel manual and as he reached for the door it hit me.....in less than two years some other young man will be taking out my boy who will be serving a mission. I said "Chris, do you know that in less than two years you'll be in the mission field?" He smiled and said "Hard to believe isn't it?" Chris has grown so much this past year both physically and mentally. He has become a young man. He has such broad shoulders now. He loves to wrestle with his dad and Scott says he is so strong. He is the class president in seminary and he is the first assistant to the bishop in his priests quorm. I'm thankful for these opportunites he has to serve in these next two years as he prepares for a mission. He has such a wonderful and magnetic personality. I know he'll be a great missionary. There is a little hispanic boy in the branch that always follows Chris everywhere. Yesterday he said to him "Why haven't you left yet?" Chris was puzzled and Riggo said "Aren't you a missionary?" So, I guess I'm not the only one that thinks he looks like a missionary in his dark suit. I shed a couple tears as he left tonight. We don't have much time left with him and I cherish each moment that we do have. I'm so thankful that the Lord sent him into our lives. He has been an absolute joy.
I'm thankful for the opportunity that Kevin had to serve a mission in Brazil. He had many life changing experiences. He loved the people he served and he loved teaching them about Jesus Christ. He met some of the most loving and humble people he had ever known. I look forward to Chris being able to have similar experiences.

My favorite picture

I think of all the pictures that Gina took on the wedding day this is my very favorite one. Carolyn's face has complete joy and happiness written all over it. It was such a happy moment when she married her very best friend. I'm so glad that Gina was able to capture her happiness on film in this picture. The newlyweds are doing great. They seem to laugh a lot and really enjoy being together. They are so good for each other.

I LOVE BASEBALL

Chris pitched a complete game today and he got the win. I really enjoy watching him pitch....I know....it's hard to tell when I'm chewing my nails and I'm up pacing. I just get so nervous for him when he's on the mound. Not about his pitching really but about his defense behind him. Last year he would really get frustrated on the mound if his team was making errors. This year he has developed much more focus. He doesn't get nervous in a tight situation and he can work out of a jam. I don't really know what I'll do when he graduates next summer and I don't have ball games to attend. Chris has been playing ball since he started in T-ball. He's been playing summer ball with the all stars since he was 10. I should have kept track of the number of miles we have traveled throughout his summers of baseball. I'm sure the number would be staggering. It has been such a huge part of our lives. I'm going to be the crazy lady at the little league games watching Mel's kids play ball just so I can get my fix. Oh....and I've also become a softball fan as I've been watching Shelby, Chris's girlfriend, play the last couple of seasons. She knocked a three run shot over the fence lastnight. It was awesome.

Spring Flowers

It is just beautiful today. Hard to believe that five days ago we had a snow storm and four days ago I almost froze to death at Chris's double header. The thermometer finally reached the magic number of 60 degrees. I went on a walk and it was so nice to hear birds chirping and see the spring flowers that are beginning to bloom. Just outside my bedroom window is a bunch of daffodils that have just started blooming. It really gave me spring fever today to see them. This morning there was a huge meadowlark out on a pole in the backyard. It stayed there for quite a few minutes and it was really singing. I love spring. My favorite season of the year. I love watching everything as it comes back to life after a long cold winter.

I also saw this beautiful US flag waving in the breeze today. I'm so thankful for the soldiers that have given of their service to protect this country. I'm proud that my father in law and my husband are veterans. I pray for the service men and women that are overseas right now. I pray for their safety and I pray that their families will be watched over and protected while they are away.

Jack Johnson

Chris got me started listening to Jack Johnson. He's an acoustic guitar player and Chris really loves his music. So, I wanted to know what he was listening too and I became an instant fan. I really like all of his albums. Very smooth and easy to listen to. I was quite surprised that my teenage son was interested in his music. I remember growing up with two teenage brothers at home and the walls would shake when they would listen to their heavy metal music. I'm happy that this is the type of music that Chris likes to listen to. Well, Jack Johnson is in concert out at the Columbia River Gorge in August and we got tickets and we are going with Chris's girlfriend and her family. It will be such a nice evening all together. I know it is a long ways off but I am really looking forward to it.

WAY TO GO!!!

If I wasn't getting old I would do backflips. Carolyn had an interview with the special education department at BYU on Friday. She was told that she would hear back from them in a couple of weeks. She just called and read her acceptance letter to me. She sounded so happy. I'm so proud of her. She will be an awesome special ed teacher. She has such a love for little children and especially those with special needs. She put in over 100 hours of service with the local special olympics here in Moses Lake. Those kids just loved her. This is a perfect fit for her. I have no doubt that she will be awesome.