Beau's Family Pow Wow

Tonight Beau gathered us all together for a family meeting.  He had little strips of paper that he had stapled together and written on.  He had all us sit crossed legged on the floor in a circle and set a teepee that he made in class in front of him.  He had us come to him one by one as he presented us each with our Indian names.  We are now to be called (when we have our hats on):

Brav Worer (Brave Warrier)

Dansing Hate (Dancing Heart)

Linting Stem (Lightning Steam)

Super Rockit (Super Rocket)

Shining River (He got it right!)

He was worried about putting anything on Jace's head so he just gave him the name "Straight Arrow"

Thanks Beau!

Jace's Blessing

It was such a wonderful day.  Joe gave Jace a name and a blessing.  Joe and I also bore our testimonies for the very first time publicly.  To contemplate, and verbalize it makes it much more real.  I hope Jarek and Beau, who are old enough to have paid attention, got something from it.  Those in attendace were: 

Our family; Joe, Jamie, Jarek, Beau, Jada and of course Jace

 My Grandma, Virgina Harder

My parents, Stephen and Cathy Harder

Joe's mom and sister, Mary and Katie Jones

Steve Smith and his family: Natalie, Breanna, Josh, Jacob, Michael, Daniel and Rebekah

Jane Ostler and her family; Chad, Ben, Brandon, Elisabeth, Evie and Grant

Sam Smith and family; Kim, Tristan, Kael, Ashleigh and Kallista.  My friend Julie Sears and her sister Katie were also there.  Sam's family and Julie left before we took pictures.

The men who stood in the circle with Joe were Steve Smith, Chad Ostler, Sam Smith and Bishop Jensen

After sacrament meeting we met back at our house for refreshments.  Thanks to everyone who came and supported Jace and our family.We love you!

After a busy day, he's just plain tired :)

Doo, Doo, Doo, Lookin' out my Front Door

This is the new view looking south from our front door.

I am not happy.

I got an email from my SIL Jane and it cracked me UP! I seriously had tears running down my face as I read it. I must share my distaste of the "monument" a little too much :) I share her email with you now:

We drove past the sleeping presidents of Rushmore on our way home from Pho Hoa a Vietnamese restaurant in West Valley...interesting cuisine, yes, oh yes, interesting). It so inspired me that I thought you an ode, and it goes a little something like this... (right hand on your heart please).

An Ode to Jamie's Joy
by Jane

While on a stretch of freeway road
traveling home to my abode
a shining mountain I behold.
A monument to men of old.

Their faces gleaming in the light
shining brightly in the night.
What could ruin this lovely sight?
A rollercoaster's cheap delight.

Then I recall your lone front door
from whence you'll see forever more
haunting faces that are stored
in your mind, one, two, three, four.

They'll be there when you wake at dawn.
They'll watch you when you mow the lawn.
And even though you want them gone,
they won't flinch, not e'en to yawn.

Yes they're posed in awkward places,
no need to travel to see their faces.
No, they can not run the bases,
or help your kids tie up their laces.

But, a contest they could win at staring.
Thieves run from their constant glaring.
Your ice-cream they will not be sharing.
Plaid and pink they won't be wearing.

All's not lost, to you they gave
their lives, the cost, beyond the grave.
Hope in your heart, the paths you'll pave
are marked for George, Tom, Ted & Abe.

Love,
Jane

Thanks Jane, it made my day, and now I'll grin every time I walk out my front door.

My Dad's Birthday Party

We got together for a belated birthday BBQ for my dad today. It was a really fun time with family. Both of my grandma's were there, which was wonderful.
Since we had everyone there, we decided to have an impromptu photo shoot.

This is my grandma on my mom's side.

This is my grandma on my dad's side.
All the women of the family:

From top left to right: Mel, Grandma Joan, Mom, Me

Grandma Virginia, Jada JamieJoe!

Mel and Steve
Dad with Blue their 15 or 16 yr old Yorkie

Jada with her buddy Uncle Steve

A new layout - Our Family

I had to put together a scrapbook page for our ward Spotlight. I was told about it about 2 months ago and decided to do it last night (I'm a slacker). Digital Design Essentials is having a 50% off Summer Splash Sale so I splurged yesterday.

This page was made with papers and elements from the following kits at DDE: Penelope, Snapshot of Spring, Lovey Dovey, Cozy Comfy Fall, Garden Party, Whirly Twirly Spring and Wish Big.