Change is the only thing certain.

Let's see, what changes have happened lately? Well, Andrew and Preston are now the proud owners of a little Shitzu puppy named Daisy. I'm sure that the poor dog has not had to walk since they got her home. I know that is not true because Preston follows her around everywhere, even to the doggie dish (maybe they are both hungry). Doug Giles is another year older and they even had a car show and a parade in Mesquite for his birthday. Courtney is able to get more sleep between working and going to school (okay that's not true but I think she would welcome that change) Isabelle changes every day. Now she giggles and laughs. Whitney is back to work and loving it. Alright not exactly loving it, but she is back to work. Jamie just got back from 2 weeks in Nebraska (that seemed to me to be 4 weeks) nice to have her back home. Braden's has been working and helping me in the basement, and we hit a bucket of balls on Saturday afternoon. Man, can he can pound the ball. He and Jamie are having a BBQ at Murray Park on May 8, if you can be there. Yes I am talking to you. - Brooke owns her own company making sun hats for people in the Congo. It keeps your head out of the sun and it carries a gallon of water, or Pepsi. "Congocaps." Kind of catchy huh? Not really, but that would be a big change. She is working and going to school. Stacey is playing softball with Skywest if the weather would get better on Wednesdays, and she gets to watch Isabelle sometimes during the day. We even watched Isabelle all night on Friday. It was a long night because Isabelle had to watch a movie, then the late show, then she wanted to watch another movie. That's when I put my foot down and said "Young lady, time to go to sleep." Yep she's rowdy like her mom. Se was great. She only got up twice during the night for a bottle. Which was nice because it was the same time I had to get for a bottle and go to the potty too. Ha ha. Well another change is the weather. It changes every day. We sometimes get all four seasons in one day. As you can see, change is good. Another great week ahead. Brooke keep working on those hats. Keep the change.

When is it going to be Spring?

We have had snow, rain, sleet, hail, sun, clouds, warm, and cold, cold, cold. When is it going to be Spring? I say all that above, and yet I love Utah. No other place you can snow ski and 4 wheel on the dunes in the same day if you want.

It was nice to have Courtney and the boys up for a few days at Easter. I think they had a great time at my mom's hunting for Easter eggs. I know that Preston did not really care for what he found in them, he just liked to open them. Andrew had a ball. Being with all of the other kids was great fun for him.

It looks like we will get to see a lot of Court and the boys for a while while she finishes school here in Draper. That will be nice.

Braden and Jamie are doing well. Jamie is currently in Nebraska for some training, and Braden is at home cleaning her car. You go girl. He is just working and going to the desert to ride.

Brooke is going to school and working full time at 1-800. She likes what she does.

Stacey is home today but leaves Thursday, so if any of you are cooking, I'm will be eating alone.

Whitney, Jason, and Isabelle are doing well. Whit is back to work, which means we should be getting some interesting e-mails, or sites to see on the web.

Isabelle is always smiling (OK, just at me...no that's not gas) she is a great baby.

Jason is putting in a lot of hours at work.

I finally finished up my taxes the other day. I hate tax time. Yes, I know I do not need to leave it until the last week. all of you with kids under 18 at home count your blessings. Those exemptions used to be great!

I am working on the basement. I know, finally. It is coming along. I am moving the laundry room up a level so we don't need to go so far to do the laundry.

Is everyone ready to golf or fish? I am. Especially when we have the warmer days.

I did fertilize the lawn Saturday. I don't know why though, because I hate to mow it. I had to get some nutrients to my crabgrass farm. I think the Crabgrass is like a strawberry, you just need a start and it will grow anywhere. Anyone want a Crabgrass start? Free?

Have a great week.

Hint of Spring

The other day I was just thinking how nice the weather was and the next morning I woke up to about 4 inches of snow on everything. It must be spring in Utah. The best snow we have had in a while and it comes falls in March. I just came back from Family Home Evening in Coalville and it was very good. Jennifer's family put it together and did a great job. Whitney, Brooke, Tim and I road up together. It was nice to have someone to ride with since Stacey is flying. Jayme left for San Fransisco for some military training. Braden and I drove her to the airport. I don't k now what all she took with her but if I had not rode home with Braden in the truck I would have thought he was in one of her bags because it weighed a ton. Last week I was able to go with Jayme and Braden to watch her receive a promotion. She is now an E4 or E5. Yep I have no idea what that is but I know that it is a promotion, and that is always good. Jayme is great and it is nice to have her around. Brooke is still going to school and working. She is doing well. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Whitney, Jason and ISABELLE. Isabelle is getting so big and now she smiles at you. It is awesome. I also talked to Courtney today and she is doing well and so is her family. Andrew made me a fish at preschool that I put up in my office. It is great. It looks like a fish even has scales on it. Yep talented. Stacey, I and Whitney went looking for carpet the other day. What a long evening. So many samples and everyone like something different. Of course anything better than what we have. Maybe, we will just stick a bunch of sample together and everyone can have what they like. Well I've got to go to bed. Have a great week. Remember Spring Is Coming. It smells like baseball season.

Turn around and everything changes

Have you ever felt like you turn around and when you turn back its all changed? well that's how the last month has been for me. A month ago Whitney had little Isabelle. She is so cute and fun to have around. Turn around and not to long ago that was Stacey and I. Two weeks ago I went to Mesquite to help Courtney and Doug move into their new home.
Last week Braden and Jamie were married, and everything keeps turning. Congratulations Braden and Jayme. Already her dog tags say "Jayme Quinn." By the way Jayme leaves for Iraq on June 22, 2010. We love having Jayme around. Braden we love you and pray for the the best things in life for you and Jayme.
Brooke has a new position at 1-800 contacts, and she loves it. She is no longer on the phones. She is a receptionist (I think that's here title)She is a hard worker and it seems weird that she is not working 3 or 4 jobs. She is going to school though because I get to see her and Tim working on their laptops all of the time.
Courtney and Doug have a beautiful home in Mesquite, right across from the Jr. High School. I had a great time being at their house and helping them get settled in. I especially had fun being able to watch Andrew and Preston one day while Courtney was at school and Doug was at work. Preston had "Hand and Foot" which is a kids illness. He had spots all over his hands, feet, and mouth. He was not feeling well but always had a smile for you. Andrew's favorite thing about the house is his new bunk bed. It is awesome. Stacey and Whitney are planning to go to Mesquite to visit soon. Congrats Court and Doug. You know it seems like it was just last week we brought her home from the hospital.

Stacey just got home from a trip and is in the living room watching the Olympics Opening Ceremonies. Doesn't it seem like the Olympics were just here? See what I mean, we just turned around and it's here again. Go USA!
Well life goes on and on. What's next? Not sure? TURN AROUND!

Name them one by one

So many blessings. January 12 at almost three o-clock in the afternoon Isabelle Piper Powell made her way into the world. 7 lbs 15 oz. and 20 inches long. She is perfect! Our third grandchild, and one more blessing added to our family. She is the first girl born on my side of the family in fifteen years. Yep, she's going to be spoiled by everyone. I was sitting in the waiting room when just before three I got a text that said "It's a girl!" Stacey was in the room for this miracle and I know she loved being there. Jason was already making phone calls when saw him walk out of the room. That day seemed to go by in a flash. Isabelle was so beautiful and perfect. Just to tell you how everything works out, the nurse that helped to deliver Isabelle, helped deliver Whitney when she was born 23 years ago.
Whitney, Isabelle and I spent most of Saturday together, and it was a great day. I was able to sit in a chair and just watch her sleep. Have you noticed how good babies smell. Is it the baby lotion, or what? She has long gorgeous fingers and long feet. I told Jason and Whit, good luck finding size fifteen high heels when she is prom queen. I hope you enjoy the photos of Isabell I only have around 400 of them so call me if you want one.
Other news Courtney and Doug are closing on their house in Mesquite. It will be great for the boys to have a yard to get bumps and bruises in. Courtney, you will need to buy more bandaids because they are going to have a lot of fun at the new place. More fun with boys involves more scrapes. We love you guys and I will be down soon to help out with the house.
Well time to go, maybe I will be lucky and see Izzy tonight, you never know. Se you all later, remember to count those blessings, name them one by one. The last one is named ISABELLE.

Happy Birthday?

Well here I am at Alta View Hospital waiting for Isabell to be born. Poor Whitney has been in labor now I would guess since yesterday morning so maybe 24 hours now. I just went in to the room and they were about ready to push, so I am out. Now I find out that the doctor is in surgery. So Whitney waits...and waits. She is tough. I think Jason is ready to be done too. January 12, 2010 sounds like a great birth date. The waiting room is full of people waiting for babies and everyone is frustrated. Nothing is happening fast enough. Everyone is talking on cell phones and they are not quiet. I am excited for this new little girl. It will be great. Andrew and Preston get a new cousin and she doesn't get to wear hand-me-downs. Everything is new. New room, new bed, new clothes. Come on doctor get out here, its HAPPY BIRTHDAY time. I'll let you all know what happens. Think Pink.

Getting close

Well we are getting close, almost to the count down. For what? you ask... It is almost time for Isabell to be born. Whitney is doing well. The room is ready. We are ready. I hope Whitney is. I went over last week and took some pictures of Whit and the Isabell's room. It won't be long now. Another week and a half and we should have a new baby in the family.
Other big news - Braden got engaged. Yep, ENGAGED, ring and everything. His fiance is Jayme. She is a lot of fun and she can kick his butt. She has been taking karate for 12 years and Braden says she is good at it. She works with Braden and she is going to school at Weber State. She is working on a degree in forensics.
Braden has been re-building his transmission for his truck and he just finished. I don't know if I told you this but Braden bought a new MAC toolbox that is so big I think that I might park in it. If I put every tool I own(that Braden has somewhere) every tool I've lost and broken, there would still be enough room in that toolbox for a refrigerator. OK, it is big though.
Brooke is going to go to school and work. She took a new job at 1-800 Contacts and she loves it. She is no longer on the phones. She just got home from a week playing on the snow mobiles. She had a great time and came home without any broken bones.
Courtney and Doug are trying to close on a home in Mesquite. I think the tension is driving Courtney crazy. Andrew and Preston are getting so big and they always look so happy. Andrew is playing the Wii and he is getting very good. Preston is playing with and tearing apart everything. He is everywhere. Court is starting school next week, so she will go to school all day and work all night. the boys will be in daycare for most of the day. Doug is doing very well at work. Doug worked on my arm that has been sore for months (tennis elbow). He about made me wet my pants when he worked on my arm it hurt so bad. But my arm does feel a little better.
Stacey has been home quite a bit lately but had to fly out today. She is doing well. I am doing well and just working. I hope everyone had a happy new year. Hope fully we can all do things to make this new year a good one to remember back upon. Have fun and I will write for sure when we have a new little girl in the family. ISABELL POWELL. Hang in there Whitney.