Luke's Baptism!

Luke was planning to be baptized Saturday, June 2nd. At first, we were concerned when Blake was born but when Anne found out she could be home that morning, she said she would just go to the baptism! We got them home, she took a nap and we headed to the baptism! It was such a sweet day for Luke and all of us who were there. After the baptism, Anne and Blake went home and we met some friends at a restaurant that Luke chose. Here are some pictures...

Welcome Blake Wester!

On June 1, 2012 Blake decided it was time to come into the world! I was in Seattle to help Anne start packing for a few days. We packed most of the day Thursday and on Friday morning at 4:00 am I heard Anne talking on the phone. When I first woke up, I was wondering who she would be talking to... Then like a bolt of lightning, I realized she must be in labor! She was scheduled to be induced on Monday but it looks like Blake had other plans! Helen, Anne's mom was there and knew the routine to get the kids to school so she asked me to take her to the hospital. Josh was due in at about 10:30 am. She was progressing fast and none of us thought she could wait for josh... But I think Blake decided to wait for his dad! The instant he was born and they handed Blake to Anne, josh came rushing in the door! It was so sweet! Then, I ran home to get Anne's mom Helen. It was such an amazing day! Helen and I had so much fun getting things ready for them to come home. They were only in the hospital for 24 hours! The next day, Barry came in and we headed to the hospital with Blake's car seat and they were ready to go home! Ally Luke nd Ava were so excited to meet their baby brother! Here are some pictures!

Charlotte visits grandma and papa!

Zack's work/school schedule finally eased up enough for him and Amy to bring Charlotte up to see us for a weekend. They are living in Salt Lake right now but in August they will move to Provo so Zack can finish school at BYU. It was so fun to have them here! Charlotte got her first 4 wheeler ride and loved the chickens and having Hannah entertain her. Charlotte is such a sweet little girl! It is so fun to try to make her laugh and giggle! Here are some pictures!

I love my "job"!

I have the best teaching position ever! I am contracted with Central District Health Dept. to teach smoking cessation classes in the schools and also for the juvenile court system. My youngest student was about 12 and I have taught adults as well so I would say my oldest student was about 75. In the last few years, I have mostly taught kids but sometimes parents attend as well and they decide to quit smoking. It is so rewarding when I have a student quit smoking! It is funny because when I tell people what I do and it never fails... I get this little smile and they will make a comment about how that is an impossible task...convince someone to quit smoking! I know the odds are not great...statistics show that if someone starts smoking at age 16 or younger... There is a 9 out of 10 chance that they will smoke the rest of their lives... But our statistics blow that out of the water... Not bragging... Just stating the facts! I am passionate about what I do! Some of these kids just need someone to listen to them and to show them the facts! This generation of kids are smart but just confused about what it means to be strong and brave! I fall in love with each student and I am not just saying that! I pray for my students and for help to know what they need from me! I always sit in a semicircle with the kids and we talk and set goals, we watch videos that are so gross but real, we do relaxation exercises, they love my "pig lungs" as I inflate them, we breath through coffee straws to simulate emphysema. Here are some pictures of my Borah high class. I hope to add more pictures as time goes on. The one with the kids laying down shows our relaxation time. I make little eye pillows for them and they listen to a progressive relaxation cd . They love it and I am just trying to show them a more positive way to handle stress than the cigarette!

Not so Happy Feet!

So, the reason I have had so much more time to blog is explained in the pictures below. In a few weeks, I will be 57 years young! I am so grateful for good health! After a routine physical which included heart stress test and who know what else... the only problem I seem to have is arthritis is my spine !
I also have had problems with my right foot and have known for a few years that I needed to have surgery for a bunion and hammer toe. I decide d to get it over with so here I am! This is a before and after picture! I am excited to heal up because I think I will feel like a new women! It will be nice to have a firm foundation again! My left foot is ok and may not ever need the surgery! See the white thing at the end of my second toe? It is a pin that will be removed in 5 weeks! I know...yuck!

Last summer in Seattle

Last summer, Frankie, Billy, Zack, Amy and Barry and I met in Seattle, Washington and stayed with Anne, Josh, and the kids. It was so much fun! Every day was packed with all kinds of activities. Washington is so beautiful and there is so much to do there. We are going to miss going there when they move to Colorado... but if anyone knows me, they know I love Colorado so it's all good! Here are some memories of Washington.

Grandma has been "sew" busy!

I used to love to sew when our boys were young. I made little pants and shirts for them and I even made a suit coat for Barry when we were to broke to buy one. I would sew for Barry's mom and my mom for Christmas or birthday gifts. Then one day, I realized that sewing was becoming expensive and I quit. When mom passed away, I was so excited to inherit her sewing machine! It was so fun to sit down at her machine and being there made me feel so close to her! So I began to look for any excuse to sew! I made so many gifts the first Christmas after she died! Memorial pillows of dad's army metals for moms grandsons. Pillows made from moms moo moos for her granddaughters. Purses for daughter in laws and sisters. I was obsessed! Mom would have been proud! Anyway, since then I have been making things for my grandkids. Here are some of them. I have made some things that I don't have pics of... Please send me pics of anything you don't see here!