Well, it's been so long since I've posted I don't know where to begin or what to say other than it's been a great summer and have spent as much time as possible with the grandkids and extended other family. I need to start being more diligent in my posts and maybe once summer is over I'll have more time.

Tonight I would like to just be grateful. There has been so much craziness and drama in our family over the past few months that all I can be is grateful for my life, my kids, my husband and of course my adorable grandsons. I have been telling my kids a lot lately to pray. I tell them to pray the way they teach you in primary to pray: First give thanks and I think this is because by the time you have given thanks for your many blessings, you will find that you no longer need as many blessings as you may have originally felt that you did. So, tonight I am grateful and blessed.

Here are some pictures to catch up from the summer.

Daydreaming: I Heart Faces

This is my adorable first grandchild, Branson, and our rescued Boxer/Pit bull, Roxy. Roxy was being kept at our neighbor's house as her owner had been kicked out of his house, and was staying at our neighbor's. He was just a teenager and didn't have the means to take care of Roxy. She hadn't had food or water for at least two days and it was very cold and snowy. It was Thanksgiving weekend. She was six months old and her eyes told the saddest story. My husband took her food and water, and discovered that her food/water dish had frozen to the ground and she didn't have shelter. She was being kept on a 6 foot chain in the snow. Our hearts melted and my husband talked to the boy who owned her. He told my husband he needed to find a home for her or he was taking her to the animal shelter later that day. My husband's heart melted, and he brought Roxy home. She ran right in the house and hopped up on the bed like this is where she had always lived. She has been with us nearly three years now, and she is such a joy. She is one of the smartest dogs I have ever met. She understands every word we say. She had obviously been abused as curse words (no matter who they're spoken to) upset her so bad. She sulks and stands up to your chest and lays her head on your chest to apologize as if she were in trouble. She loves everyone unconditionally and wants nothing more than for someone to throw her ball a few times a day. She is like the eternal 4 year old child living in our house. There is not a person in the world who could be as happy to see us as Roxy is when we come home. She has found a new love in our two grandsons. They live less than a block from us and her tail wags until we're afraid she'll flip it off her back end when she sees them! She loves all our kids and all is right in her world when they come home ... Kandice (our oldest daughter) is her favorite. She loves Roxy too and Roxy knows that she will take her out to throw the ball. This picture was taken on a lazy fall afternoon when Branson was looking out our family room window. Roxy snuggled right up to his side and looked out the window with him. I just happened to walk in the room just at the right time. They sat looking out the window together for nearly 15 minutes this way - which is pretty amazing for both of them to have sat still for that long!

LIZARDS AND DIPLOMAS

Seems like the past month or so has been very crazy! Chels and Brian went to Orem two weekends ago to go to his gma's 80th birthday party. I drove down to Spanish Fork to spend some time with them and my mom and sisters. While we were visiting at Shelly's house, Ashy had her bearded dragon with her. Chels and Brian just went nuts for the dragon and Chels was then on a mission to get one for herself. We found one on KSL.com that was just miles from our house (actually a couple Chels used to babysit for and Jade's former scout leader) and included an awesome cage and all the other stuff dragons need. Chels decided that's what she wanted for a college graduation gift, and asked us to pick it up for her and bring it out to Twin Falls when we go out for her graduation ... so we did. I was terrified of "Yoshi" to begin with, but then realized they are really no different than a cat or dog. They depend on you for food and water and really love attention. My goal was to keep Yoshi alive until we made the trip to Twin. He finally warmed up to me after being here a couple of days, and didn't even seem to mind the grandkids, dogs or cats!

Then we headed to Twin Falls with him. His cage is so LARGE that we had to tie it down to the top of Glen's Pathfinder and I held Yoshi on my lap in a shoe box. I was so worried about him dying in the box as it was hot and steamy in there. Kandice was with us for the trip and she was TERRIFIED that the lizard was going to climb out of the box and get in her hair. He did fine on the ride - he even pooped - which had been an issue for Yoshi not pooping regularly after he came to our house. He wanted to be up seeing everything and didn't mind the car at all.

We finally delivered him safe and sound and got ready for the graduation.

We met up with Brian's parents and went to dinner before the graduation and got to the campus for the ceremony about an hour early. We got really good seats near the stage and just figured we'd hang out and wait for the graduation to start. It was all good aside from the organ music ... Kandice and I felt like we were waiting for church to start. He/she (couldn't ever actually see the organ - we decided they hid the organ to keep people from throwing stuff at he/she) was playing music that was a cross between hymns and baseball game music.

The ceremony finally started and our hearts filled with pride! Chels was graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 gpa (WOW) and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She had ropes and scarves signifying each one of her accomplishments, and her surgi tech advisor had made them green scarves to wear to signify the medical surgical tech program. She was seated in the second row because of her accomplishments with the honor students! She looked so beautiful and I can't explain how proud we were!

She had hurt her ankle the day before graduation and could barely walk. She wrapped it in order to be able to walk across the stage to get her diploma. She did fine!

After graduation we spent some time at Brian and Chelsie's apartment visiting and then headed to the hotel for bed. We stayed at a nice hotel - terrible beds and pillows. Glen, Kandice and myself all woke up the next morning (really didn't sleep) and all felt the same.

We were going to go to the campus to take some photos of Chels in her cap and gown, but she woke up Saturday morning not able to walk so we just did a little shopping and sight seeing at the falls and the gorge. Poor girl - Brian went to the pharmacy and rented her some crutches but she still was miserable trying to get around. The falls and gorge were beautiful and green!

Yoshi seems to be SUPER happy in his new home with his new family. Chels and Brian love him and I think they're excited to have him - I kinda miss the little guy.

CHELSIE WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! She has worked so hard for the past two years and done excellent work in school. I can't believe she had a 4.0!! Quite an accomplishment, and thanks to Brian too for all his support of my sweet daughter for the past two years! Love you.

HAPPY EASTER 2010

I simply don't know where time goes ... really does not seem like a full year has passed since the last Easter!

We started off this year with Easter egg coloring on Saturday night. Kandice, Josh, Jade, Brit, Branson, Gavin and Brit's mom, Wendy, were all able to come. We missed Chels and Brian, but have told her that they definitely need to be here next year when she is all done with school.

We had a chance to visit and eat and then started the coloring. I couldn't convince the "older" kids to wear their ears this year! Gavin and Branson weren't so happy to have them on either. Once I put the ears on my head, Branson was a bit more willing to put his "hat" on his head!

The coloring of eggs is such a competitive thing (even among adult "kids") at times. It is so fun to have the "kids" here to do this each year and hope we may have started a tradition.

Branson and Gavin weren't so much into coloring eggs, but they enjoyed eating Peeps! Gavin was not happy at all when I took the mushy mess that was a Peep out of his mouth! He was really enjoying it.

It was nice to have everyone here, and glad that Wendy joined us for the craziness as well. They are living up here for the summer so hope we can get together more often.

Sunday I watched both sessions of conference while cooking Easter dinner. I really enjoyed the talks and feel I am ready to start bringing more of the "spirit" into my home. We have been away from it for so many years ... gotta take baby steps but I do feel it's "time."

We ate ham, potatoes, pea salad, jello, rolls and of course deviled eggs! Jade, Brit, Branson, Gavin, Kandice, Josh and Brit's mom, were all here for dinner. We had a nice visit, good food and fun.

Once again, we were missing Chelsie and Brian, but I am so proud of her. She made her own "traditional" Easter dinner and had Brian's sister and her boyfriend for dinner!

We should never forget the real reason for the Easter holiday and the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I am so thankful that I was born when I was, to the parents I was born to and the religion I was born into. I do have so many blessings and diligently give thanks for all of those blessings each day in my prayers. We all need to remember the sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can all have the blessings that we have!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLEN!

Today is my sweety's 53rd birthday! Holy cow is he getting old! Just kidding ... still acts like he's 25 at times! He is such a great husband, father and grandfather. Nothing in the world means more to him than family. He works hard and never complains. He loves to do things for others and spends most of his days off helping friends or family with projects. He'd give up his last dime if the kids needed it. I don't think I tell him often enough or show him how much he is truly appreciated!

Branson has learned now where we live and he gets so excited when he sees "papa" outside and takes off running down the street to see his papa. Glen's face lights up so much when he sees how much he means to those two little boys!

"Papa" rocking baby Gavin

"Papa" gave Branson his pocketwatch because he loves Cllllockkks (his pronunciation)

We are truly blessed to have you in our lives sweetheart! WE LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KANDICE!

28 years ago (holy cow) our sweet daughter, Kandice, came into this world. She is such a sweet spirit and one of my best friends!! We are so proud to say that she is our daughter and so blessed that she chose us as parents!

Our wish for you in this coming year is that all your dreams and wishes come true! You truly do deserve the best!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR SWEET GIRL! WE LOVE YOU!

VERY BLESSED

This past weekend was Gavin's blessing. I was so happy to have all the kids here. Chelsie got laid off for a few weeks and so her and Brian were able to make it home for the long President's Day weekend. They got to our house Friday night and we were watching the boys while Jade and Brit were out doing some shopping, so it was good that they got to spend some time with Gavin and Branson.

Saturday morning we went to Gavin's blessing. It was a beautiful blessing given by his great grandpa on Brit's maternal side of the family (I can't think of his name right now). Gavin is growing so fast! He is such a happy smiley baby and so unbelievably adorable! He has the biggest blue eyes and perfect little dimples. He is starting to smile and coo and even giggle now! He looked adorable in his little white suit.

After the blessing, most of us went to Golden Corral for lunch. We had a good time visiting with Brit's parents and our kids and watching our crazy boy, Branson. He is really such a character! He puts on a show for us many times these days.

Sunday was Valentine's Day and we were celebrating Kandice's birthday which is on Tuesday. I made enchiladas and heart-shaped cookies and chips and dip. We had such a GREAT time visiting and laughed and laughed. It is always so much fun when all the kids are here! My heart aches for them when they are gone. After dinner, the kids decided we were going to watch Zombieland. I have to tell you, Glen and I don't get it. Why do kids think that movie is so funny? We just didn't get it ... I guess we are showing our ages!!

I had more fun watching Branson play and be silly and loving on Gavin. Branson has learned to spin in a circle and make himself dizzy. I was watching figure skating on the Olympics the other night when we were watching the boys, and Branson was very entertained. He sat still for over five minutes watching the skating. When they would go into a spin, he would laugh and laugh. After that, he started trying to do some of the moves and it is so hilarious to watch, but from that, came his spinning. It is a funny thing to watch!

We truly are blessed and so thankful for our family. We hope the kids can keep adding grand kids to this wonderful family as we just love them all so much!

THANKFUL

I have been in a bit of a funk lately and not finding much joy in anything. The one thing I do find joy in is my family. I am so grateful to be blessed with such wonderful kids! I have the two most adorable grandsons in the whole world, and I am so very blessed that they live close by and I get to spend time with them so often!! I am also so very grateful for the phone conversations I have with my kids nearly every day, and most of all for having such a close relationship ... I love you all very much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JADER!

Today is Jade's 25th birthday!!

The next question is ... how old does that make me feel? It is such a reality slap in the face to have two kids over the age of 25 ... I don't want to be that old!!

He is such a good kid, I mean man. Can't call him a kid anymore I guess. If car insurance companies feel you are old enough to drop the rates at 25, I guess you aren't a kid anymore. What I can't figure out is where the time has gone. Seems such a short time ago he was in sucking his thumb, going to preschool, elementary school, high school, graduating, getting married and now here we are ... he's 25 and the father of two adorable baby boys.

He has taken on more and more responsibilities each day, and we are truly amazed how well he handles them all. He and Brit have a great relationship and she simply adores him. We love the fact that they live so close and we see them and the boys so often!

We are so blessed to have such great kids, and to have them all live relatively close, and the fact that they keep such a close relationship with us is a truly the greatest blessing of all ... don't know what I'd do without them in my life!

LOVE YOU JADER!

PORTER FAMILY CHRISTMAS 2009

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

We started our holiday celebrations December 19 when Chels and Brian came home from Twin Falls. They were here for a couple of days so all day Saturday Chels and I (and Brian helped too) made jewelry as gifts for her friend, wrapped gifts and got ready for Gma Lowe's Christmas party Saturday night. We had a great time and it is so nice to have them home.

Saturday night the Christmas party was fun! Tonya had the best idea for all of us to print a wallet-size photo for each of our family members. Then at the party she had everyone fill out a card with interesting information about us. It was things that you don't normally think of such as accomplishments and interesting facts not anyone knows. Then we glued the photo to the card and played a game. It was a fun game as she read something about that person off the card and we had to guess who it was. Then after the game, she put all the cards in a photo album for grandma to take home.

Gavin lovin' on Aunt Chels

Branson had such a great time. He loves other little kids and Brenda's boy, Porter, and Joanna's cousin were there. They are both about 7 or 8 and Branson ran back and forth chasing them from room to room. It was so fun to watch him squeal and chase the boys.

We exchanged gifts with gma and had a soup pot luck. It was yummy and great to visit with family.

Then we came back to our house to do our gift exchange with our kids and take a family photo. The family photo was a challenge and we laughed until our stomachs hurt!

Then we opened gifts. Branson was so excited and didn't really understand most of what was going on, but he liked his presents once he had them open. Gavin just slept on Chelsie or Kandice's chest the entire night. He is such a snuggle bug. I love having little kids for Christmas again. I miss the "Santa" thing!

Branson in his teddy bear hat and gloves I made for him

Gavin in his panda bear hat and gloves I made for him

Then we all sat down to watch our traditional once-a-year viewing of Christmas Vacation. Glen and the kids and I have watched that movie every year for many years now. We still laugh at it as much as we did the first time we watched it We can recite it nearly word for word. Since Brit and Brian have joined the family, they have been subjected to our watching of this movie. They don't find it as funny as we do. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that both of their names start with a Br. We don't know, but I am sure that they think we are bizarre to find it so funny ... but Branson did curl up on my lap while we were watching it, and he laughed out loud at it! His name starts with a Br as well so maybe that's not it.

Christmas Eve is traditionally a party at Gpa and Gma Porter's house. We always have a yummy ham dinner and do lots of visiting and reminiscing. Glen loves to spend time with his family and always has some fun stories to tell about growing up in Franklin. Joanna made an awesome slide show of some photos of the entire family set to music and showed it to us this year. She is making a copy for everyone. It was AWESOME, and Glen was tearing up by the end of it. He is such a softy.

Gpa and Gma Porter

Christmas day was kind of a quiet day for us. Jade, Brit and kids were at her parents' house this year. Kandice and Josh were headed to SLC to see his family for Christmas and Brian and Chels were in Twin. Kandice and Josh came up for breakfast this morning though and Glen made them one of his specialty "Glen McMuffins" and cinnamon rolls. Some friends stopped by throughout the day and then Gloria came over later in the day and had ham dinner with us. We visited for a long while with her. It was nice to have a quiet afternoon and relax and visit. Then Jade came over in the evening and brought the movie "The Hangover." It is a naughty move, but HILARIOUS! Brit stayed down at her parents' house with the boys so Jade was home all alone too.

On Sunday, December 27, we all traveled down to Spanish Fork to have the Christmas party with my side of the fam. It was soooooo cold when we left. The thermometer in my car showed negative 4 degrees!

We had a great party with tons of yummy food and lots of laughs. I love getting together with my family! I miss my mom and sisters and brothers soooo much so it is good when we get to spend time with them!

All the grandkids (minus Callie & Sheadon)

Brothers & sisters (Amanda is holding flowers Lynn sent since he couldn't be here)


Sisters

We play the "dollar store" gift game each year. It can be quiet funny to see what you get. This year Josh was at the party. He hasn't been able to go for the past couple of years. Josh is a very talented singer/song writer and guitar player. This year my mom was able to talk him into playing a few songs for us ... we loved it! For the game, we asked Josh to play a song and if we could guess the next words of the song when he stopped singing and playing, we could get a gift from the "dollar store" pile. It was great fun, and Josh is sooooooo talented to be able to play all types of music from Prince to Elvis to sock-hop to Metallica. We had a great time!

Gma & Gavin

My niece got a bearded dragon for Christmas and so that creepy thing was making the rounds on everyone's shoulders, but not MINE!

Shelly lovin' the dragon!

We have three babies that were born in three months' time. We were all excited to get them together and see how they acted with each other. We were quiet surprised to see that Branson is the biggest of all three even though he is the middle of the three!

So sorry to see Christmas be over for this year. I love the holidays and the parties and seeing family. Now all I have to look forward to is my birthday in January and growing OLDER ...

Hope everyone had wonderful holidays and I am wishing all the best of times in the New Year!