Play Ball!

I am so proud of my boys! As the baseball season is winding down, their energy and love of the game is only growing. They've both done so well, and have learned a ton!I am thankful for kind coaches who have helped my boys to grow. Yakko and Wakko have developed skills and drive this Spring that will help them through the rest of their lives. Way to go, boys!

Teaching Stephanie to Blog

This is a wonderfully bonding moment... my dear friend (yeah, we're tight) is wanting to learn to link. Here's my favorite cooking link. This is our Sweet Katey's link. Oh, and you may want to check out this awesome link, too!
Good luck!

Ode To The Pioneer Woman Cooks! Cake

One of my favorite blogs is The Pioneer Woman Cooks! My sister-in-law, Melissa, blogged a while ago about a cinnamon roll recipe she got from her... I read it, and was hooked!

Well, today I had some left-over buttermilk, so I made the PW's chocolate sheet cake. All I can say is...OH-MY-GOODNESS-THIS-IS-THE-BEST-CAKE-EVER!

Go ahead and make it. I dare you!

Memorial Day 2008

Dear Jamin,

On Sunday, May 25, 2008 my family went to visit your place in the Sandy City Cemetary. We cleared your headstone, placed flowers, and thought of you. Although neither my sweet husband or darling children have met you, they showed so much love and respect for you that I was moved to tears. It was something that we've wanted to do for you... and will do every year for you.

I miss you. I wonder what kind of a man you would be. I wonder if you would be married. What would your children be like? What would you do for your career? Where would you live? What kind of relationship would we have?

It's been 20 1/2 years since you passed onto the other side. That sounds like a long time ago; it feels so recently. I am comforted, Jamin, by the knowledge that you are still alive in spirit. I cannot wait for the day that I can hold your hand, give you a hug, and introduce you to my family. I think of you often, and wish so much that my family knew you. It dawned on me as I was sharing stories with my family about you, that I was Dot's age when you passed. She seems so young.

Please know that you are loved and will always be remembered. Our family is so blessed to have you, and we look forward to the time when we will be together again. Until then, you remain in our hearts.

Love,

~Stephanie

Thank You, Little Caesar's Pizza and Clear Channel Communications!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We had a wondeful time at the party! It was so nice to have so many friends and family there, too! Hugs to all, and thanks from the bottom of our hearts. It was so nice to have Dot recognized for her service.

So Excited!

I'm going to see the midnight showing of "Indiana Jones 4" tonight! Wahoo!

I'm Sorry

I have been a bit grumpy the past couple of days. I am sorry. There are so many wonderful things going on, and I am so blessed: but I'm still a bit grumpy. Please do not take it personally, and understand that I am calling the doctor today; once we get this back pain thing figured out, I'm sure things will get back to normal. I don't think I'm normally a grumpy person... pain has a tendancy to bring it out in me. Sorry. Meanwhile, you may enjoy taking the Snow White Personality Test that I found on this site. (Oh, by the way, the results of my test showed that I'm actually "Happy". I guess I'm having an off-day.)

More Great Strides Pictures

Yahoo, Dot!

Last autumn, Dot donated her hair to Locks of Love. Her hair was past her waist, and gorgeous. She was inspired by her cousin Sydney to donate it after learning that she'd done the same thing. Well, earlier this year we heard about the Seasons of Service that Little Caesar's Pizza was running, and decided to enter Dot's story. She won!On Wednesday, May 14, Dot went to Clear Channel Communications Radio Stations and recorded her commercial for Seasons of Service. Dot did a great job recording the commercial: she sounded so professional! You can hear Dot's commercial on Salt Lake City FM Stations 94.1, 97.1, 99.5, 105.7, 106.5 as well the AM Stations 570, and 700. The commercial plays Monday, May 19- Sunday May 25. Everyone at the radio station was so nice and made the experience a real treat for her. The other cool thing is that Little Caesar's Pizza is throwing her a pizza party this Thursday!Way to go, Dot!

Porter's Supporters

It was a picture perfect day at the Great Strides Walk; the weather couldn't have been better! We had a good turn-out for Team Porter's Supporters. Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Kim, Aunt Tiffanie, Uncle Alvaro, and our family (plus Kenzie's really good friend, Ashton) were there and ready to roll. We had yummy food, lots of fun activities after the walk, and a genuine good time. I hope those who missed out this year will join us next year! We were really impressed with the overall turn out of the crowd: it far surpassed last year's group.

Highlights of the day included: the rock wall, Miss Utah Teen USA talking with Matthew, the cool mascots, and the fishing pond.

Oh, and how we love our shirts! Great design, Nate and Melissa! We had a ton of compliments on them. Way to go, Team Porter's Supporters!

Be Still, My Heart

One week from right now I will have seen "Indiana Jones IV: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull". I can hardly wait! I adore this movie series, and have (like many of you) hungered for another "Indy" movie to come out.

Maybe a chunk of it has to do with my life-long crush on Harrison Ford. Perhaps it's the awesome action. Could it be my affinity for the plots in the movies? Whatever it is, I am completely thrilled at the prospect of watching this flick!

Girls' Night In

I can count on one hand how many times I've had a Girl's Night In or Out in the last... oh, 15 years. Kinda sad, but true. Anyway, we've added a memorable night in the captain's log of my life!

Last Saturday, I had the great opportunity of having some of the most talented, fun, amazing women I've ever known over for Girl's Night In. Our cast of characters were: Kate Lowder, Megan Smyth, Emily Hill, Candice Jorgensen, Stephanie Johnson, and McKenzie Maag. We ate yummy food, watched some fabulous movies, played "Harry Potter Scene It", and talked and talked and talked. It was such fun, that I think we'll have to do it again soon.

The only thing that would have made it better would be having my other favorite women there to join us...Maybe next time!

Rehearsal Update

"Bye Bye Birdie" has been a long-time favorite show of mine, and I am so loving the opportunity to choreograph it! My friend from high school, Stephanie Johnson, is directing it; she just fabulous! It's been a blast getting to know the music director, Candice Jorgensen as well. Her talent simply amazes me. It's so nice to be good friends with the other people on the direction team; it makes life so grand!Our cast can be described in one word: WOW! I've be impressed week after week as rehearsals have occured. It's just so cool to see the efforts pay off.I think that my favorite part of the process thus far has been the friendships that have developed because of this show. I just ADORE so many people in the show, and especially have appreciated my friendships with some of the amazing cast members. Our "Rose" (Kate Lowder), "Kim" (Megan Smyth), and "Mrs. McAfee" (Emily Hill) are my new-found friends for life. I just love them so much! There are so many others that I've grown to love and appreciate... I feel so very blessed to have such good friends in the show!Kenzie has enjoyed this experience thus far, too! She's getting to know a bunch of the teens in the show, and has felt like she really has found her niche in life. Matthew and Jacob are also really enjoying this experience; I don't think this will be the last time they're on stage!

The show is going to be one that will be in my heart forever. I know it's going to be GREAT!

Happy Mother's Day!

We wish all the mothers a Happy Mother's Day! We are so thankful for all the mothers in our lives: for our own mothers, our grandmothers, our sisters, our aunts, our friends. Thank you for the love, the advise, the guidance. Thank you for sharing recipes, stories, and clothes. Thank you for listening, talking, for tears, for laughter, for love.