My Buddy!

It has been quite a journey for Nicole and I the last 3 years. Lots of laughter and many tears. It has been a growing and stretching time for both of us as we have navigated what seemed like a pretty rocky road at times. Now we are packing and moving onto a place that feels safe and is surrounded by Kim and his sweet family as well as all of ours. As we combine 5 plus 6 to make 11 children, and 17 plus 5 to make 22 Grandchildren and 3 more on the way in August, September and October...our family grows. Lots of traditions to combine and more family to love...much to be thankful for. Our hearts ache at leaving family and friends. We hope you all know that our hearts and home will always be a welcoming place for you to visit. When we find out for sure where we will be...you can find it on our blog. So much to do and so little time...

Breakfast at McDonalds

Drew and I went on a Breakfast date...he decided to invite Jesi too!!! After a very busy week we squeezed in a last minute date before I had to leave for the airport. Drew has been giving me his bed and bedroom while I "run around town with Kim" trying to find a house and finalizing some details. He always says "Whatcha' going to do today Grandma...Oh boy, not another date with Kim." Then he just sighs and says it's okay cause Kim is awesome (that hummer ride was really impressive!!!). Nothing like a McDonald's Breakfast...sigh......

HAPPY 24th B-DAY STACY

You are the light in a dark room Stacy!!! Thank you for being an incredible daughter...I love you!!!! Your MOM

All Rainbows Come from Daddy (quote from Nicole)

HOME FOR SALE!

The sign is up and the traffic has begun. I love my home and will miss it! Good thing I love Kim more. It has been an amazing journey so far. I will miss good friends and family. I will miss my church calling that I have had for over 12 years! The Family History Center has become a second home. I will miss Janet, Lori and Peggy and especially the sweet way they have helped me mother Nicole. I will miss the Granny group headed up by our "fearless leader" Kathy! Okay, I am not leaving till August and I am not going to focus on losses but try and remember all the gains. I have found a friend who understands my heart and loves me. I have found someone who is willing to help me complete the "raising of Nicole". I believe a loving Heavenly Father has seen our needs and filled them in the best possible way. Today is the Anniversary of Paul's graduation to the other side of the veil. He is missed and loved. It has been 3 very lonely years. I am thankful for a life that is full of promise and worth living. Life is GOOD...very very GOOD!

FINAL STAGES OF POWERSPORTS

I am thankful to have been able to complete the EXPERIENCE POWERSPORTS building this past year. It has been wonderful to work with my father. It has given me an opportunity to learn construction from the platting of the ground, building permits and every stage of construction. I have learned that motherhood prepares you to be a good organizer and to be tuff when dealing with bids, hiring and negotiations. I wouldn't have missed this experience for the world. Now as Kim and I try and figure out how to include 10 married children, one busy 13 year-old and 21 grandchildren and 3 on the way in August, September and October. It will be a welcome challenge that will take all the organizational skills we have ever learned. I am reminded of a talk by Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come What May, and Love It,”. AND I DO!!!

AUG 8, 2009

We have set August 8 as the date for our wedding in the Bountiful Temple. I am thankful that we are able to marry in the temple for "time". It just wouldn't seem right anywhere else. I truely have found a friend to complete this journey with. Kim you are my gift!

FUN TIMES THIS WEEKEND!

Nicole and I got to tour Kim's Lab at Intermountain Medical Center. The Lab coats make us look official??? It was fascinating to see the technology!!!

NICOLE'S SUPER WEEKEND!!!

Nicole had a lot of new experiences this week. It was her first dance competition at Lagoon Park. It was her first time driving a go-cart, WHICH SHE ALMOST KILLED HER MOTHER ON!!! It was her first time riding a horse (Kim's horse Shusha). She got to go to Godfather's Pizza where they have her favortie TACO PIZZA. She got to go to the mall (not a first for sure!), the list goes on and on. Nicole loves all the things you can do in Utah...she doesn't love leaving her friends behind. She is worrying about the separation from Today's Generation. I am including some photos from a very fun weekend...including the blessing of little Taylee and the hospitality of the Andy and Heidi (sister) Walker Family!

OKAY I ADMIT IT!

We had a wonderful week in Utah. Nicole had a dance recital at Lagoon. They did an awesome job! Thank You...Peggy, Janet and Lori!!! Our 16th Grandchild was blessed. Stacy and Ryan's 2nd daughter, Taylee Lynne Graham is the newest member of the family! And yes to all the phone calls, emails and drop by visitors...Kim and I are engaged! It only happened Saturday. It has been too much fun to see how fast good new spreads (in fact it started weeks before the event even happened). We are here for the summer and then if everything goes as planned...gone by fall. Our home is going on the market this week. So much to do and so little time. Nicole and I will be sad to leave family and friends but know the a loving Heavenly Father has played a part in this next phase of our lives and we are thankful "Richard Kimball Sanderson" (Kim) is a part of it! Life is good...very very GOOD!

2009 PIANO RECITAL

Nicole (5th daughter) and Haley (1st granddaughter) had their piano recital yesterday! How fun it is to have them in the same school and recital this year. Watching Haley is like a rerun of Nicole. Nicole and Haley look like sisters. It is so fun to see them together. They both did a wonderful job and were awarded engraved trophies for personal completion of the teacher's requirements. (not everyone earned one) Nicole's piano piece is "Spring" from The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. They are doing movie selections and are to dress up to match the movie. Haley played "Through Your Eyes", Disney song from Quest for Camelot.

Michelle sang "Through Your Eyes" when she was in the Junior Miss Program. I made her Camelot dress for the program and Nicole asked if I would make one for her. Michelle and Nicole have incredible singing voices. Nicole actually sang with Michelle when she performed later. She wanted to get up on the stage the night of the competition but we distracted her with a new "Barbie" doll. Lots of good memories!

My new friend, Kim!

This picture is a better indication of height. Kim was standing on higher ground in the picture with the hummer. (I think there is probably a strong analogy with that statement...but I'm not going there!!!)
I have heard all kinds of rumors about ME! They are a lot of fun to hear. It is kind of like the game we played when we were children called "Rumor". Where you tell the person next to you something and by the time it goes around the circle it sounds different from the way it started.

It has been 3 years on May 19, since Paul passed away. I still miss him with all my heart. He is my eternal companion. I hoped the resurrection might be just around the corner but that wan't working out so well. He is a wonderful friend. We enjoy a lot of the same activities. We recently went to Moab, Utah and went on the extreme rocking climbing Hummer rides. It was so much fun! We also went hiking, which is someting I really enjoy. Kim's eternal companion passed away 6 years ago. He is a strong member of the church and we are good friends with much in common.

I am thankful today for all of my friends. For the love and encouragement my children have given me. Life is very difficult alone. You can't know until you have been there. I am not sure what the future holds, nor do I feel the need to speculate. Life is good today...and through prayer and a constant desire to live the gospel; I know things will be okay. If there are any updates...I will share...sure beats the rumor mill. Love Ya All for caring and watching out for me!!!

Moab Trip

HAPPY 4TH B-DAY JESILYN

My hot tub buddy is turning 4 years old. What a wonderful age 4 is. You can still stay home and play all day but you are old enough to read Grandma your favorite book. You are big enough to help Mommy and have a manicure with Grandma. It is the best age to be Jesi...ENJOY!!!!

Story that goes with photo:
Jesi kept saying, "I want to go in the temple." It was so sad b/c she wanted to go with me and Andy when we took turns going. When I explained that the temple was Jesus' house to Drew when he asked what was inside, Jesi said, "I want to go give him (Jesus) a hug."