In Loving Memory...

Cyd Carr-Smith (Dyan's mom) passed away last night after a LONG battle with cancer.

Cyd has left a lasting impression on me. Not just because of the way she has raised valiant children as a single mom, but mostly because of her smile. It's contagious. As you can see below, she had that beautiful smile until the end. Nothing could stop it. She has taught me how to endure to the end and endure it WELL. That last part is something most of us struggle with. Cyd's smile should always be a reminder that it is possible, even in the worst circumstances.

I was able to visit Cyd with Josh and Dyan and my parents on Friday night. She had just been released from the hospital after a horrific surgery and had been placed in hospice that afternoon. We were on a special mission: my dad made some very special baby quilts for her to choose from and tie for her future grandchildren. She was so ill and hardly had any strength, but she pushed herself until she had tied a corner in each quilt. When we asked if she needed a break she would pull herself up and pound the table and say, "No, this is too important!"

I love you Cyd!

Thank you for teaching me how to rely on the Savior to help me through my trials.

I know that is the only way to truly endure it well.

We will miss you!

So I just found an amazing resource on my friend Jenny Whiting's blog. I am too lazy to link it myself so you can find info on a free lifetime membership to a new website call Freepeats (Free baby stuff, maternity clothes, etc.) in the Phoenix area. You have to join by the end of April or else the membership is $4.95. Join now and it's free! It's kindof like Craigslist for baby things and everything is free.

Click on Jenny and Trevor Whiting's link under "friends" on the right side of my blog.

Good luck!!!
:-)

The following is from an email Jay sent to his family yesterday. He is now a Criminal. Yes, I am just so proud. He is becoming everything I listed in my "future husband" qualities when I was 13. Hahaha! We are trying to laugh instead of scream. Enjoy...

"Well Congrats, you are now related to a criminal. Yes today I plead guilty to 3 misdemeanors. What horrendous deed could I have done you ask? Well take a truck that weighs 26,000 lbs (1 lbs below the legal limit that requires a commercial drivers license) and an ignorant employee, toss in a cop doing random CDL vehicles. Now for a little extra spice, add the fact that the dealer in Ohio who sold us the truck illegally de-rated the truck from 33,000 lbs to 26,000 lbs and removed all the makings that would show this. Now when the cop asks for the VIN number and sees this little fact and finds that I don't have the proper licence or the inspections and incorrect markings for a commercial vehicle , I, not the company, but I personally received 3 criminal charges which today turned into 3 misdemeanors. There, that's it. I'm a criminal who is on a two year probation. Aren't you proud? I tell you what, if I stop laughing about it I would probable explode from anger, but what can I do. OK, I have vented now and can laugh about it. :-)

Love ya,

Jason

your brother-out-law"

We decided to take Little Miss "Missy" on her first walk about a month ago. She loved playing in the grass with the kids! She was scared of the dogs barking as we walked home - it was funny to watch her run away. She got brave and made it home though.

The black and white pup is gone now. So is Shiloh. Tyler, Jay's cousin, took Shiloh for us. Thanks Tyler!!! Now we just have Dude and his miniature twin Missy. They are so funny together. Such a great relationship!

In case you are wondering... yes, the activity was followed by showers, Benedryl, breathing treatments and sleep. It was worth the price though.

Stacey was in heaven. So were Jayne and Ivanah. Rachel was having a "Mimi Day" so she missed the fun.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My sister Katie broke her ankle this week. She is serving her mission in North Carolina and it looks like she might come home. We are all pretty bummed about it. We have to wait and see what the ortho specialist says back there. April Fools. - That was the jist of our email from Katie today. She got me good. I really believed her!

It's been a long time since my last post...

Things have been busy!

Jay's 29th Birthday was in February.

We had a great birthday dinner at my parents house. Jay picked hamburgers for his big dinner. He is such an easy guy to please. Of course my parent's had to go all out and make them the best hamburgers ever. Jay had sauteed mushrooms and onions and cheese and bacon and anything else you could want on your burger.

Obviously he was enjoying himself!

Jay sporting his new cowboy shirt. His dad embroidered the A-dart ranch symbol by hand - it was Jay's grandpa's brand. Thanks Dad Bowman!!!
We love February birthdays - It's Marie Calendar pie month.

Just dig in!
Happy Belated Birthday Jay! I love you!!!