Best Day EVER!

More than anything else, I have wanted to be a mother. I watched this week as my children plotted and schemed to present me with the best Mother's Day ever. THEY have SUCCEEDED!!! It does not get much better than this.

My heart was touched that they had the desire to make my day so special, but really it is they who make every day special for me, for without THEM, I would not be a mother. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has entrusted me with all seven of these precious children to raise. My life is rich beyond measure because of each one of them!

I am honored to bear the title of "MOTHER" to each of my wonderful children.

I am also grateful for my mother who has sacrificed so much

to make my life what it is today.

Time to Celebrate!!!

I feel like a huge burden has been lifted!

I just took my last final of the semester today!!!

Now I need a break!

I am so glad that I have been able to go back to school to finish my education, however it has made my life very stressful. Therefore I have made the decision to take next semester off and take charge of my life again.

Highest Honors

Mar-Kay has served for over 30 years

in the Scouting program.

He has been awarded the

District Award of Merit

which is the highest award in Scouting

that a council can present.

And the Winner is...

Shantell won First Place in the

Civic Orchestra of Tucson

Young Artists Competition 2011

performing Beethoven's Concerto No. 3

She will be the featured soloist with the orchestra in November.

I am BACK to STAY!

My life has been out of control and I have been beyond busy. But finally, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and can begin to enjoy some of the things that I have missed doing, like blogging. So bare with me as I try and catch everyone up on our lives.

One of my loves continues to be gardening.

Here is today's pick!

My artichokes are unbelievable. At last count

we have 45!!! We have already harvested 12 of them

and will share some of our favorite recipes over

the next few weeks.

The plant alone is over 5 feet wide.

The Eagle Has Landed!!!

Kendrick is an EAGLE SCOUT

He passed his Board of Review on

December 8th, 2010.

On Saturday, April 30th, 2011

he was awarded his Eagle at a Court of Honor.

These Eagles were made by Shantell and I and were
part of his refreshments. My sister Melanie gave me the idea.

Here are a few pictures that capture the moment

of the evening, taken my Nan Cowley.

I ran out of memory on my camera and missed a very important picture of Kendrick and his older brothers, Mar-Kell and Cameron who are also Eagle Scouts. Tyrone could not be in attendance because he now lives in Idaho.

We are so pleased with Kendrick's accomplishments. He set a goal and worked very hard and diligently to accomplish it. He earned his Eagle at age 13 and 1/2 and has 71 merit badges. He has several more that he is working on and plans to continue to earn as many as he can. He was also awarded a Bronze Palm at his Court of Honor in recognition of his going above and beyond the required 21 Merit Badges.

It is a great feeling to have five

Eagle Scouts in the family!

As a mother, my heart leaped for joy because

I AM FINISHED WITH SCOUTING!!!

That is until my grandsons begin their

journey towards Eagle.

SNOW in TUCSON

UNBELIEVABLE

So much for my gardens!