Friday, May 7, 2010

Attitude of Gratitude

So this week is Mother's day. It's also Gina's birthday, a couple days ago, and Jared's birthday tomorrow. That brings me to reflect on what a wonderful family I have. Mom is still here, and I love to spend time with her. Many of my friends have lost their Mom's, so I realize how fortunate we are to still have her here and active. The kids have grown into amazing adults, and we have gained a beautiful daughter. Heather's pretty happy to not be the only girl!

Thank you to my family, the immediate, the extended, the adopted, I love you all and feel so grateful to have each of you in my life. Thank you to my friends, for all your love and support, laughter and joy. Every person has been brought into my life for a reason, and it has been so much fun!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Springtime Weddings

What a fun week! My cousin Kathleen has been in town all week- one of her sons got married May 1 in AZ. She now has 2 kids living in AZ, and I keep trying to convince her and Kurt to move back. We grew up really close, her mom and my dad were the only children in their family, and we spent much of the summers at one another's homes. We also spent most holidays together at our Balmes Grandparents. In 1978 the whole Goodman clan packed up and moved to Missouri, and we haven't seen them very often since then.

They stayed at the Sedona Pines Resort, where the groom works. Kurt and Kathleen had a lovely little cabin there for the whole week, while their kids, spouses and grandkids all stayed with their son Jared, who lives nearby. The cabin had a refrigerator, microwave and full kitchen, so they felt right at home.

I was able to visit them at Jared's for several hours one evening, and they came over for a couple hours on Thursday after Mom got here. Saturday was really busy for us- David was setting up coolers all morning, while Mom and I worked really hard- we got a mani and pedicure!

My first wedding reception that day started at 2, here in town. A good friend's son got married; He is currently in the Navy and is home for just a few weeks. Jacob was in my Sunday School class in his teens, but boy has he grown up! He was married in his 'dress blues', and cut quite a dashing figure.

The second reception was for my cousins son Logan. They were married in the Mesa Arizona temple, but the reception was in Flagstaff. We took Mom up with us, and it was a big ole party! Logan's wife Alicia is Navajo, and all her extended family came to support them. There was a wonderful meal, provided by the Radisson Hotel, where her mother has worked for years. All but one of Kathleen's 7 kids were there, and it was fun to see them as adults. I was out in MO in 1993, but they were all just little kids back then. Now they're all grown up, working and most have kids of their own. I will really miss them when they leave tomorrow!

Click picture below to see album!

Christmas 2008

Carthage Jail & Nauvoo Temple