Saying goodbye is hard for me

Saying goodbye has always been one of my least favorite things! I always cry. ALWAYS! I cry at funerals... they are a goodbye. I cry when I move. I have never figured out why it is so difficult for me, it just seems to be. Oh well.
3 months ago, Mr. Mecham took a job with the ever amazing Dome Technologies. It really is his dream job! Dome's home office is in Idaho Falls. They tried to hire him years ago but I was not interested in a permanent relocation to Idaho and so we didn't go. 3 months ago Mr. Mecham was also offered 3 other jobs, all of which were equal paying. However, Dome offered him an opportunity to work abroad! It was an opportunity that, not only did we want, but also we knew we should take.
Over the years since Mr. Mecham and I were married we have lived in 3 different states and now 2 different countries. We have always associated with the kindest people and enjoyed every minute of our stay no matter where we were. But everyone knows that as soon as you move the relationship changes. And for me, that is sometimes hard when you are completely happy with how the relaionships currently are!
Somehow this does all go together! Last Monday night some Ms. Dillard and Co. threw a very lovely party to say goodbye to me... and i cried the whole time. So I didn't get to tell everyone that I was excited to move. I didn't get to tell everyone that I would miss them! I didn't get to tell everyone the story behind us moving! Because I was crying! And besides, I ruined every picture! haha...
We wanted to move. We love the adventure. The problem is that we wanted everyone to come with us! There will always and forever be a lovely place in our hearts for the friendships and relationships we have with dear friends and family all over the world. And we so look forward to reunions which we know will come!
For now,
do widzenia

We Had to get our Vizas and some trivia...

So when I figure out how to post pictures from my camera without having the cord which connects my camera to the computer I will add photos. For now, Mr. Mecham has the cord in Europe and I have the camera in Sonoran Desert.

We had to go to L.A. to get our Visas... And so we made a little trip out of it! And it was such a relief to a looooooooong vacation less few months! Lucky for us the timing couldn't have been better! We were awaiting the arrival of Mr. Mecham's work permits and one of our passports which came in just before the the 4th of July! And so we bolted for the Ocean! Two luscious days on the beach with 10 bajillion of our (not so) closest friends, 400 million sand flea crabs, the ever fabulous Princes and Aunt Peebs and a whole lot of sunshine! It was spectacular! Especially the Dolphin show right in front of us! They were soooo sooo cute playing in the waves! And the stray whale that mysteriously parked out a ways from us and just kept blowing water was so very cool!
Huntington Beach Trivia:
1) the 4th of July crowd at Huntington beach trashes the public restroom and makes them so stinky that you are forced to wear swim plugs around your nose to urinate. Take a toothbrush because you will want to brush your teeth when done since you were forced to do all breathing in the jon through your mouth. Take 2 extra rolls of t.p... paper towells would be better... and rubber dish gloves: these items will aid in your ability to plaster the toilet seat before you squat down to use it.
Wear flip flops to the restroom. No. bare. feet. Irrigation boots are a better choice. Headlamps and goggles would also be helpful.
2) for the lack of swimsuits! Hello skimp bikinis! Body size and shape Do NOT matter! Feel free to romp and run in your nothings! (good choice:) skimpy bikini. (better choice:) string or thong bikini nude colored (best choice:) one piece tie on suit laced up the front with parts less covered than the string/thong variety. Why don't we just follow suit with the Europeans and go nude? It would undoubtedly be less shocking!
3) Seriously public display of beyond affection which took some explaining for the older kids... and was offensive to the young men of our group! Ok... but we had a truck load of fun and even found the pda hilarious! Really? How could one be so passionately in the mode completely oblivious to that fact that sand flea crabs are ducking under their feet, 734,000 kids have dropped their sand shovels and are staring at them, the dolphins stopped jumping because they were so embarrassed, and I was taking notes? haha.. just kidding... I wasn't taking notes! I was laughing though... and bribing my children with candy to look at me while I laughed at the nuisance!
4) Did you know that 1 out of 5 people at Huntington beach do NOT have a tattoo? 3 of those that do have sleeves? Tattoos and body piercings are like Pb and j. If you are properly tatted then you also have body piercings. It goes like this. women: if you have a tat on your back you have a piercing in your belly button. If you have a tat on your leg then you might only have 16 ear piercings. If you have leg, back and chest tats then you also have belly, nose, lip and multiple ear piercings and you might even have your ear lobes tatted. Did I mention that the lobe piercing is big enough to put a spoon through? Enough about that!
5) Did you know that when you look out on the water and see a large flock of birds swarming and landing they are most likely landing on a whale? No kidding! And that is how whale watchers find their show!
6) if you find a clam and you don't get the meaty part out before you go home just know that the clam rots and makes your bag smell like a very old yucky diaper... and you might have to through everything away.
7) you may or may not come home with more sand in the family sized chip bag than chips. individual sized chip bags might be a better choice!
We stuck out like a sore thumb... Imagine this: 3 men literally WORKING THEIR BUNS OFF (everyone else on the beach working was of the female gender while the men played). 4 women. No big tattoos on the adults. No bizarre body piercings. 11 children under the age of 12... over 3/4 of them under the age of 7. No smoking or alcoholic beverages and NO pda even though we obviously enjoy affection since we hauled in with 11 kids and a bun in the oven. It was a sight!
We live in a bubble! I like my bubble. So after 10 minutes of me digging my jaw out of the sand, I got over it and we had a BLAST!
Favorite moment on the beach: Bailey and Talor wanted to be buried in the sand for a picture. Taylor went first even though we suggested that not to be a super good idea... since sand in the suit is only sometimes super comfy... the rest of the time it is totally lame. What. ev. er! And so the hole was dug. And Taylor was buried up to her neck. The last bucket of sand was to be dumped on before the grand picture was to be taken. And so Taylor suggested the purple bucket because it was already full of sand thanks to the digging done earlier that day. Little did the girls know that the purple bucket was the boys bucket which was being used to house the 87 sand flea crabs they had been diligently catching for hours! But who knew? Sand crabs dig down in the sand instantly and so they couldn't be seen! But BOY HOWDY! When Bailey dumped that last purple bucket on top... right by the neck line of Ms. Taylor, She bolted out of that sand grave like I have never seen anybody move! And I was laughing pretty hard!

On July 5th the consulate opened. The paperwork and passports were submitted and we were off to Disney while awaiting them to process! OH WOW! Who knew Disney could be so fun? Cole's first experience in Disneyland... and i have never enjoyed a "first" so much! It was incredible!
Disney Trivia:
1) Did you know that there is a mini hospital just off main street Disney? Yep! sure is... Bailey found it! Po Bailey... She gets motion sick. All day she did awesome but 1 trip on Tower of Terror + 2 back to back rides on California Screaming did her in! We were all enjoying an ice cream from that (to die for) parlor when Bailey sat over in the corner a barfed her brains out, thought for sure she was going to hyperventilate and pass out and even turned some awesome shades of grey and pasty white. The Disney nurse came a running with the Disney paramedics while the ice cream parlor men in their striped uniforms made a half circle around the corner where she was to ensure that nobody else was grossed out by her puke and to ensure Bailey's complete barfing pleasure in privacy. If you had to be sick anywhere outside home, I am voting for main street Disney in the corner of the ice cream parlor. I bonded with those men... They didn't even look suspicious until the paramedics showed up. By that time Aunt Lisa was holding the grocery bag of vomit while finishing her ice cream waffle cone. I was securing the pony tails in Bay's hair and giving evil eyes to anyone who might be trying to stare. Cole was gathering his treats and bolting for Nate and McKay who had fled as soon as humanly possible to the outside to watch fireworks explode over Cinderella's castle! And then Lisa and I joined Bailey in the infirmary while the boys headed over to cash in on the fast passes at splash mountain followed by a little shopping before they came to drop off on their way to space mountain and autotopia.
2) Did you know that if Disney inconveniences you with one of their rides needing serviced while you were on it that they make it up to you by giving you a pass which allows 6 people to skip on to the front of any line for the ride of your choice? They sure do! So while we were on the go carts one of them died somewhere ahead of us. It wasn't a big deal since we were almost done with the ride anyway! In very routine fashion the rides were all shut off, the roads secured, everyone escorted off the ride and then orderly given passes to any ride they wanted which accommodated up to 6 people. So we took an extra ride with only 10 minutes to park closing on space mountain! I LOVE DISNEYLAND!
3) FYI: new puppets in small world. Loved them! Loved the A.C. on that ride!
4) FYI: the park shops stay open for an hour after the rides close.
5) If you eat a huge turkey leg at 3:00 p.m. you only have to eat one meal for the rest of the entire trip. But take lots of water! And don't forget a churro and an ice cream.

A musical morning

Mr. Cole is the happiest person I know. Really! He is. He can find something good about every single day! It might be because in every prayer he has ever said there is always one request, "please help us to have fun____________" fun doing whatever! And Cole's prayer is answered... because the kid has fun doing everything! He is unique in many ways... but up at the top of my favorites is that he is the most cooshy, cozey little boy ever! Cole's top 10 cooshy and cozey requests: (10)fluffy pillow (9)feather blankets (8)to be warm (7)long sleeves even in the summer (6)fleece lined jeans because he likes how "soft and cozey" they feel on his legs (I have to hide the fleece lined jeans during the summer or he will wear them) (5)bubble baths drawn and bathroom warm before he gets undressed (4)getting his feet rubbed with lotion before bed time (3)snuggie (on the most wanted Christmas list!) (2) talking in temple tones(uh small problem... I don't usually talk in temple tones) and the #1 that makes me laugh every day is that he wants to be woken up with a song.
The fact is that there is something that doesn't make cole happy and that is when he is woken up withOUT a song. So when this happens he grumps around until we send him back to bed thereby giving us the opportunity to wake him up with a song. It is really funny! He is serious about it! Nate sucks at waking him up. He doesn't ever sing. But he is learning that the entire family relishes in a happy morning if he will just freaken' sing a song! Everyone else around here is on board with waking up Mr. Cole in musical fashion!
I vowed to post today so that I never forget the awesome morning... I asked McKay to please go wake up Coley and so he did. I heard him quietly singing, "once there was a snowman" and he even sang the 2nd verse about "once there was a tulip". And when I went in to peak, McKay was standing right by the top bunk with his little voice in Coley's ear and rubbing his back... just like Cole likes.
You can imagine that morning was quite pleasant around here today!
I sure love those boys! They are so fun.

Don't forget to Pray

Don't forget to include a few extras in your much needed prayers today...

Dear Nie and Mr. Nielson,

My best of wishes to you during the neck reconstruction. My wish is that the pain will be minimal, the results will exceed your expectation and that your recovery will be quick. And may the blessings of heaven be with you and yours through it all.

I promise to drop off Chocolate cup cakes with extra frosting while you are in AZ... don't feel like you must come to the door, just know they're from me... (Because eating chocolate helps everyone recover?!)

xo,

Becky

My heart grew fonder...

Mr. Mecham has been out of town. He had some business to care for. He totally lucked out having it be in his home state which was a winter wonderland while he was there! We, at home, were jealous until he announced that it was "5"... as in 5 degrees F! Yikes! Actually, we were still jealous... Considering that we scored mightily in the "in-law" and cousin detail there.
It has been said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Indeed it does!

My typical morning starts with Mr. Mecham doing something extraordinarily kind for me... take your pick of services... and then he heads off to work. He works a hard day ~ always making me proud to claim him! Then home he comes, tripping over himself to get here as soon as possible. And wouldn't you know, after the welcome home smooch he rolls up his sleeves and asks, "what can I do?" To be real honest, the hour he arrives home isn't always the funnest hour of the day. We lovingly refer to it as "happy hour"... dinner to finish up while kids are wining with hungry bellies... homework help is always needed... the afternoon whirlwind has displaced nearly every possession we own, and I look like a just ran a 10K in my apron. It is tricky at best! But papa comes to the rescue making life seem better. I begin my evening rant and Mr. Mecham smiles and nods until a laugh can be fit in without offense. He is just dreamy! Really... he is.

This is something I've always been grateful for... but today I'm more thankful than I was a week ago... because when it was gone I realized how much I craved it. And to set the record straight... I don't know if I could live a whole life without it. Because in his absence... my little heart not only grew more thankful, it also became fonder of such a guy.

Now... if you'll excuse me, he just walked in from the nightly grocery store run and I want to hear all about his trip, etc... My fond lil' heart can't wait!

Her Big Fat Greek Tumor...

This is Jessica... the first born of all my nieces and nephews. She is the one that actually made me fall in love with my ever so handsome and fabulous husband. We were only dating when I met Jessica... and she was so delightful that I swore I must have offspring just like her... and the only way was to hook up with her hotty uncle. And so I did...

And it has been delightful to watch her grow... every step of her life has been a treat!

She was a spit fire child... full of life and spunk! As a toddler she danced in the mirror like nobodies business... I secretly wondered if she learned the hip thrust dance from her mother (who looks like Marie Osmond, or her father??? hmmm...)

We haven't lived too close for a loooong time. But each time I am blessed with an opportunity to be with Miss Jessica she impresses me more. Her sense of humor will kill you! Her style will leave you dreaming. Her testimony will lift you. Her competitive nature will bring out determination in you... her talents are endless... they leave you wishen'... and the tender love she shares with her baby brother will melt your heart.

This gal is one in a million... going somewhere happenen'... and I love that I get to watch it unfold.

I found a little video that I wanted to dedicate to Jessica and Beavis here.

I'm sending well wishes and love and hoping the babopsy went well...

May Beavis be without teeth or a spinal cord.

XOXOXOXO

A sweet little tale...

Jo Dee went to make a visit to the HAP HAP Happiest place on earth this week... and she graced me with an opportunity to care for three of her young ones. It was a solicited treat... A sincere request which was granted. I kept my kids home from school to play with the little ones today. They get along remarkably well. And so it has worked out beautifully!

The day went like this:

Wake up to kids playing joyfully. (after a quiet night, I might add.)... Feed kids breakfast. (they all ate well.) Bath. Dress. Begin home school assignments. (for Ms. happy Kate and Mr. Grant.)

Cole played cars with Rock and McKay kept the wii warm while waiting.

But there was a small problem.... Foot ball isn't a quiet sport... even on the wii. So McKay brought a little too much energy to the room for the moment. Cole and Rock were driving the cars feverishly along the hall walls and tile! The volume in the Mecham home was not exactly school like. So I simply requested that they (who were not doing school work) run along outside where those fabulous loud play noises belong so that the others could concentrate on their duties... and they did!

Kate finished her work quickly and happily joined the others. (everything for Kate is HAPPY!)

Mr. Grant plunged along and knocked his out in a timely manner as well.

But just before he finished little Rockwell knocked on the door.

"Mecham?" he called

(he addresses me "Mecham"... how is that for dreamy?!!!!) And since I can't resist such a call I tripped over myself to get to him. He was standing in the doorway with a disturbed look, awkward standing position, and wet spots in all the wrong places!

"Oops!", I said.

"Did you have an accident?" Knowing full well that there must be a grand explanation since this little guy hadn't even had one of these at my house in 3 days!

And then it was explained to me that since my request to "play outside so that the kids can get their work done" was interpreted as, "you may not come in this house until further notice." Mr. obedient couldn't hold it any longer. I admit, I took shame for this little accident considering the poor explanation of rules with my previous direction. I simply forgot how innocent and obedient little tiny people are. So we made quick work of changing clothes and cleaning off. And Rock joined back outside with the others all clean and new. Only to return moments later with a knock on the back door. Then realizing that it wasn't locked he opened it up and let himself in.

"Mecham?" he called,

"This is for you."

He handed me a flower. Lantanna... which I know he worked hard to find because we don't have lantanna in our yard and there is no way he can get over our back yard fence.

"Thank you for helping me." he graciously said.

I almost teared up for a moment. But I hugged him and told him how happy it made me instead. We hung it up on the fridge under a magnet to remind us how gratitude is so wonderful!

As Rockwell left to go back outside I watched with the biggest warm fuzzy in my heart for such a guy. And he had a little skip in his step too.

Then I remembered remarks President Robinson said to me earlier this week while attending a baptism for a mutual friend, "He must have the sweetest mother".

And it must be true. Because he was thoughtful and kind enough to show such sentiment... Undoubtedly, gratitude is a learned behavior... and he must have learned it somewhere.

A tale I hope to never forget.

School re-think...

Dear Coley,
Kindergarten started for you just weeks ago. And though you feel great anger within you that I didn't start you in all day Kindergarten it was only partly because of my selfishness to keep you home as long as possible... the other part of me just thinks that 5 years old is WAY too young to be gone from your mother all day. WAY WAY too young! I did it for your own good.
However, since that time you have asked me nearly 6 trillion times "is it time to leave for school yet?". You like to start the day out the same time as your siblings. I know that when we drop them off in the morning the look in your eyes, that want and yearning to leave your mother, is much greater than I ever anticipated... but its just not going to happen this year. So basically what I'm trying to say is, get over it already... K-den. And when we get home it is time for breakfast, not school! And 5 minutes after breakfast is over it is still not time to leave for school. And still, 5 min after that and 5 min after that and 5 min after that, it is still not time. You can count on 5 min after you eat your lunch that we will fill your water bottle, zip your back pack and head out the door. So don't worry. When I say "4 hours" that is a long time... Like enough time for you to eat 2 meals because you were hungry for them both which means there was digestion in between. So don't ask for breakfast and lunch 10 min apart thinking that it will get you to kindergarten one minute faster. So much to learn young one...
I have plenty to still teach you and I thoroughly enjoy your company. Please don't tell me one more time that, "if you really loved me you would have sent me to all day kindergarten". It makes me cry. Though I am thrilled that you and your sister share the same enthusiasm over public education, you should try to be a little more understanding that your mother definitely knows best... not your teacher. And further, she will never love you as much as I do. In addition to that, recess is over- rated and lunch at school comes from a package. And if you go to all day kindergarten then your water bottle gets hot and you have to drink out of those fountains that the water tastes like irrigation. Just ask McKay! He will tell you strait up... staying home as long as you can has its perks... He and I have daily discussions over home-school.
As this next week is on the horizon, I encourage you to come to an understanding that half day kindergarten is where it is at. Make some friends! Get their phone numbers AND their names and we will have morning recess at our house with them from 8-12 when you go to school. All is well, my young son.
XO,
Mother

"Mom... why is she so pretty?"

Meet the ever fabulous, most beautiful and amazingly talented Lexi Crum...

She is graduation from High School.

Somehow I scored the opportunity to know Lexi first when she was 13 and I was her Young Women's leader for a few short months. It was just after her dad died and I was so sad... but somehow the girl who's monumental mourning exceeded mine was the same girl that lifted my sad heart. She proved to be every bit the person that her father would have dreamed her to be...and then some. Lexi's understanding of the plan of salvation shown through her smiling face and dedicated testimony. I thank her for strengthening mine through an incredibly tender moment.
Lex moved on through the Young Women program and I served for a few years in other callings. We obviously still went to the same church building each Sunday but I was on planet primary so I didn't see her much. I just drooled in passing as I admired her darling style, smashing beauty and always kind and soft spoken "hellos" behind a very sincere smile. Then in January I was gifted another opportunity to be Lexi's teacher in the Young Women program... but as tradition goes, she has taught me lessons I cherish ~ leaving me only hope that I have touched her an inkling in the same way.
I've taken for granted that Lex would be in Young Women each Sunday for forever... gracing us with her knowledge and profound answers and conversation to lessons and welcoming spirit. However...

Last week the Relief Society delivered a Mother's day spectacular... lunch during our last hour of church. At that time they decided to welcome MY Lexi into R.S. with a hideous poem and gifts... and I found myself missing her and proud of her all at the same time. You see, Lexi never really was your typical girl... she skipped over all nonsense and went straight to amazing... making her One of a Kind! (the big kicker was that I had to share my thoughts on Grandma Mecham in that same meeting right after they initiated Lexi... making it incredibly difficult to gather any form at all. NICE!) I realized she is moving on.
Yesterday I received the announcement proclaiming the graduation of Lexi Crum. (I stared... and then my children ripped it out of my hands and they stared until at last McKay asked, "Mom, why is she so pretty?" and to that I can only believe that she has the DNA of the two peeps that were at the front of the line when physical beauty was being handed out... because her sisters and parents all look alike.) I am so excited for her! I remember graduation from high school. It was a bundle of mixed emotions. It meant I had a future to create starting now... causing anxious and exciting feelings! Though I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED high school and the many friends I have from it, I have to say that the next years of Independence, college and everything NEW was unmistakeably priceless. And so I believe the same is ahead for Lex... and I can hardly wait to see the painting upon her canvas of the next few years. Can't wait!!!
So today I express my congratulations (to one Impressive lady who quietly goes about her life doing remarkable things... and who is a heroin of goodness in my book... who is talented, fun, determined, strong, smart and witty...) on a graduation from daily life in high school and onto a beaming future! You have what it takes... every single tool and then some!
This is hardly a list of your true make up...
Lexi lou... I sure love you!
Becky

To love her more, you may see Lexi's most recent post on her beloved mother's blog here.... and then if that isn't enough because I can't imagine that it is... check here, here, here, and here and feel your heart twirl!

wedobirthdaysinapril.com

Here is a good reason to celebrate your Thursday... It is McKay's 8th birthday! And he is something to remember, for sure!

Just before I graced this beautiful child with life, Sister Germaine inquired as to the gender of my gestating little one and with the news she excitedly proclaimed something that I will never forget; "Girls are wonderful... but Boys melt their mom's hearts." And to that I was thrilled because I was having a hard time imagining ever loving one so much as I loved my Bailey.

On April 16th (the day after Easter dinner fit for a KINGdom... FREE ADVISE: Don't do that.), Mr. McKay decided he would take his turn on earth. Never mind that he had taken an extra 1 and 1/2 weeks (still bitter a little) past due date to finalize that decision, once he was coming, HE WAS COMING! And only 1/2 hour post check in (nurses in typical calm fashion claiming that "she's too happy to be in labor" while husb is locating punch and cookie counter to set up house during delivery) McKay joined mortality... and changed my world again... and melted my heart.

Weighing in exactly 2 lbs bigger than his petite sister, with a perfectly shaped round head full of dark hair and the most kissable baby lips I've ever smooched, my heart dripped like a Popsicle in July ~ overflowing~ and I began an instantaneous wrapping of myself around his tiny perfect pinkie finger.
At the time of his birth, we had recently moved to AZ from TX and we were finding shelter in my parents home while searching for our own place. This created the perfect environment for free hands always willing and wanting to hold and cuddle the little man.... and not much time went past where he wasn't enjoying just that... thus giving him opportunity to snuggle up to anyone and everyone.
The theory that you can spoil a child by holding them too much is HOG WASH! Tried and true at our house, holding your little ones makes them more loving... and Mr. loving is my McKay.

Everywhere we went people oooed and awwwwwed over his sweet little face... and when all the little old people (who believe they earned their "right" to touch baby hands and kiss their itsy toes even though they were hacking who knows what up behind those dentures) at the grocery story gooed at him he would smile ever so shy and coo right back. It was quite impressive. McKay acquired the genetics of articulation at an extremely young age. So as a toddler when those same gutsy people baby talked to him, they were quite surprised by his clear enunciation and rather extensive vocabulary. Thus the beginning of McKay's joy of shocking people with his clever little mind.

When Mr. McKay was learning to walk he seemed to be a little bull legged. Dr. Nicolson (who was so amazing he can never be replaced) Calmed our fears and promised that the best athletes were and are bull legged. I could have sworn that he was talking about the NFR, but like everything else Doc said, it has shown true for McKay. He is a natural athlete and loves to play... not unlike any other boy... but play hard the same! And we sure love to watch him.

This is hardly an explanation of even the highlights of McKay. He is kind. And kind hearted. It comes easy for him. He is genuinely concerned for others. In fact, I didn't think I'd ever be able to say that I know another child to care so much as I believe McKay does until Ms. Joslyn (Bailey's friend) came over a little more. I think it must be a gift. And aren't we glad that everyone has their own.

So... today on McKay's birthday I list 10 things (other than those already noted) that make McKay irresistible to me:

1) He is a "mini-me" of his father. THROUGH AND THROUGH! (although Nate claims that he was much more mischievous than McKay ever hoped to be)

2) McKay never sits back and waits for opportunity to come to him... he seeks it out.

3) He is smart but never flaunts it. In fact, he even will play dumb to let others feel smart too.

4) McKay is incredibly complimentary in our home.

5) He makes it a point to hug me and his dad everyday and tell us he loves us. Sometimes he randomly hops up from a movie or game or even playing outside just to come tell us that he loves us.

6) McKay plays hard. He works hard. But he doesn't care much for sleep. I think it's because he doesn't want to miss out on an opportunity to play or learn something new.

7) He is SOOOO determined. Last year in 1st grade he did well in every subject except phonograms. They absolutely did not make sense to him. He went to tutoring. We practiced at home. His teacher decided that since he read well above grade level that is was going to be okay and opted to not even grade him because she didn't want the letter F on his report card to discourage him! YIKES! But McKay forged on... trying and failing and trying... little by little he memorized EVERY single phonogram by the last day of school. And to our astonishment, he has never forgotten one nor how to use them. Determined? I think so. Ending the 2nd grade year, McKay is yet to miss one on his phonogram test.

8) He has a great sense of humor. Truthfully, we didn't see it until the past year... and we are so happy that is shines!

9) McKay thinks through everything before he tries it... or buys it!

10) He can be naughty. What? I love that? It's true. Everyone deserves to have somebody heroic in their life. Somebody that sets a standard for them. McKay is one of those people for me. How I lucked out to have him in my home? I don't know. He may be young and small, but he is mighty. And so in my mind a little naughty keeps things real. So I like that McKay is sometimes naughty!

McKay,

Today in honor of 8 years... 8 birthdays... Your life... I have written to remind me and you a fraction of the reasons why the past 8 years have been so amazing. Of those 8 years you have been a major contributor to my joy.
I realize that you came pre-wired and that all the special things about you were yours before you got here... they are not necessarily because of your family on earth... but I thank you for sharing with us.

Thank you. Thank you for choosing our family. For that, I will ever be grateful. You have changed my life and melted my heart...

I am forever wrapped around that itsy bitsy ever growing pinkie finger...

Happiest 8th birthday. Make it the best yet!

I love you a googol,

Mom

The Little Jewish Princess + Big Bird = True LOVE forever

41 years ago, on this lovely spring day, the little Jewish princess (named by my father, for her linage) and Big Bird (whom I know well as "dad") sealed their union forever in the Salt Lake City, Ut temple.... (the grand daddy of em all). And today I couldn't be more thankful for their choice to do so. However, the story didn't really begin only 41 years ago.... Because mom and dad actually met in high school driver's training as mere youth!


As the story told by my father goes:
Day 1 of drivers training @ South high... He looked up to behold the most beautiful woman with a blond bob, flipped up, wearing a pink and white polka dot dress and the most angelic glow. He was done for... and never felt the need to look further. And so they dated for most of their high school years, she supporting him at every baseball game and family camp out and then for two years while dad served a mission down under (Melbourne, Australia). Upon returning, dad kissed the ground of the good old U.S. of A. and again looked up to see the most beautiful woman whom he'd ever laid his eyes upon... and only a few months later he snatched her up for his eternal companion.
As the story told by mum:
Day 1 of drivers training @ South high... Mum was sitting amongst her friends on the bleachers next to her cute Blondie friend wearing pink and white polka dots, hair flipped.... Mum however had brown hair worn in a pixi and claims that she never owned pink and white polka dots because they didn't go with her one pair of shoes. However, the angelic glow was definitely hers.... And then after mum fell head over hills for the baseball star of her dreams, he dated all of her friends. But being determined, she stayed true to "Big Bird" and they did enjoy many fun dates! As dad was about to leave on his mission, he dropped off a suit case of clothes to cover the next 2 1/2 years of birthdays and Christmases. Then he took a part of mom's broken heart with him down unda. Mum wrote dad religiously, dated his brother who let her sit in the back of the jeep so that his dog wouldn't jump out while traveling, worked to establish a nest egg for their life together and sent racy pictures of her in the furry kangaroo skin bikini that dad had shipped her. And I love that part because I've seen the pics.... and they ROCK! As the day for his return grew closer mom decided to sew herself a new outfit to greet him in at the air port. Little did she know, dad was going to surprise her by coming in a few days early! (thus began her love of surprises and the end of her procrastinating days!) When the phone call came that dad was in the U.S. and would arrive in S.L.C. in only hours, mom quickly safety pinned her buttons to her dress and shaved her legs a little too rough tearing an entire line of skin off of her shin bone. Nothing that toilet tissue stuck on by spit wouldn't patch up though ... and it didn't look too bad under her nude pantie hose. And yes.... only a few months later she changed her name from Woolf to Bird on that chilly spring morn.
There is a common denominator in their story and it has never wavered... In fact, if anything it has become more determined... they love each other like no two people I've ever known. If you look into dad's eyes when he talks about his "little Jewish princess" you can often see his heart swell up and then pour over and down his cheeks. And mum claims to this day that life would be completely unbearable without her baseball star.
They are funny! They are two peas in a pod... a match made in heaven.... with an eternity to celebrate.... which started 41 years ago ~ but who's counting?

Dear dad and mum,

Congrats on the establishment of heaven on earth...

You've created for yourselves the fairy tale that people dream of.

You survived 6 children, 14 grands and all the in-laws! Impressive! And you've done it joyfully!

You deserve each other. You deserve eternity!

Happy Anniversary~

I love you.

McKay for President

Not even 1 score years ago... (but more like 8 years) a great American was born. And since he could verbalize his thoughts he has had a fascination with the liberties that he enjoys and undertands that they were claimed at a monumental price.

Last week McKay made a decision, "I'm going to be the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA when I grow up", he confidently proclaimed...

So I'm officially putting him on the ballot.

The conversation continued, "mom, how do I do it?"

"lets google search it!" After all, you can find anything on google!!!!

But then nearly feeling defeated before he even was old enough to claim puberty he remembered, "I'm a Mormon and nobody votes for Mormons."

YIKES! Mormons might vote for Mormons! I mean, Mr. Romney didn't exactly come out stinky once he made himself known! Let's face it, The first Catholic in the white house didn't exist until 1961 and my own mother still shares her opinion that he was an amazing President. A Mormon could do it! HELLOOOO.... America WAS established by those who wanted religious freedom. Right? So why not a Mormon? (Thank you Mitt for planting a seed for McKay's presidential nomination!)

So... McKay has a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

And Pres. Obama (though I declare that I did not vote for him) has really covered a lot of ground in this department...

...a dream that one day he will live in a nation where he will not be judged by the amount of time he worships the Almighty as a negative attribute (a weakness) but by the morals that make up his person.

...a dream that one day he will be able to join hands with all the good that life has to offer, whether it be Christians or Jews and that they may walk together as children of God, moving towards a stonger America.

McKay has a dream today.

So Mr. Mckay... I beseech you to follow your dreams. Be whatever you want to be. After all, by the time you run for president I believe you will know more about the history of this great nation than any other person alive... (at the rate you read about it). And besides, I think your face would look great on a postage stamp!!!

You have my vote little buddy!

We have a social agenda...

I was quietly helping Mr. McKay tie his laces on the school sneakers and whispering "I love yous" and "school will be awesome today" in his ear when I noticed one little open eye peeping over at me from the bottom bunk ... And as he spoke I imagined his morning breath through that deep scratchy pillow voice, "mom, can I have a friend come over today?"

"Ummmm... well, it's 6:30 in the morning Mr. All the kids are still sleeping." (which is exactly why we were whispering...)

"then can we call Grandma?"

Cole has an agenda. It is something like this... wake up. eat breakfast. take the kids to school. call a friend. We've pretty much burned out anyone who lives within a block radius!

For his preschool Coley was to choose a goal to work towards. He chose to learn Grandma Chrissy's phone number. I thought, "oh, how cute".... and it was... but he had pre-meditated grand intentions! It goes something like this... if mom Say's "no" grandma usually says, "yes". So in his little mind, If Cole knew how to dial her up then he knew he would never experience disappointment again!!!

So like a good mom, I helped Coley reach his goal. He can turn on the phone and call grandma Chrissy without any help. He can also plan outings and luncheons with her without any discussion from me.... and if I say "no" a more acceptable answer is just a phone call away! Last week Granny was sick. Cole hounded her every day to come play.... and prayed for her to get better: "please help Grandma to get better so that she can take me to McDonald's and the park." I think Jesus is quite enjoying Cole right now!

As an infant Cole's wise father blessed him with the gift of a good sense of humor. Another prayer answered. If you'd like your child to enjoy that gift with us, please call before 8:00 a.m. If you wait until 9:00 a.m. we either already have a friend over or Grandma is on her way...

To my very own Sweetheart...

We have a love story. (It did not start on the internet!) It is kinda funny though!

Nate was the Elders Quorum President in our student ward at Utah State University. I had recently been asked to teach the Gospel Doctorine class which I did accept that call, however, "I was going home for Christmas and so I wouldn't be able to teach until the first Sunday in February." So as the story goes... I did go home for Christmas, but my roomy (the lovely Sarah) and I came back early so we were there on that first Sunday in January. But... I had already told them I wouldn't be back to teach until February! So I didn't get a lesson. So Sunday came and the Relief Society didn't have a lesson. So we joined the Elders Quarum!

Guess who was teaching? Mr. Nate!

And guess what he was wearing? Cowboy boots, tan wranglers and a red sweater! (you can wear that to church if you live in Northern Ut. or Idaho!)

And you better believe that I was caught... HOOK, LINE AND SINKER! He was soooo dreamy up there teaching the entire ward my gospel doctorine lesson!

But the story gets better... That same day in Sacrament meeting he was passing the sacrament and wrote a little note to his buddy who claimed to be my home teacher! (everybody was my hometeacher once Miss Rodeo America moved into my apartment! We never were home taught so many times in one month!!)

To which his buddy replied, "I'll find out for you!" (wait... he was my home teacher!)

And so a few days later Nate (the great) called me on the phone.

Becky: Hello
Nate: Hello Becky, It's Nate Mecham from your ward.

Becky: Oh Hi! Ya, I recognize your voice.

Nate: Silent... after all, we'd never talked before.

nate: um Do you want to go to the basketball game on Friday?

Becky: Sure.

Nate: I'll pick you up at 6:30. You are in Apt. 21 right?

Becky: See you then!

And so we went to the ball game and then to Papa Kelsies and Henry for a sandwich. And for the next several weeks I was encouraged by all the women that had serious HOTS for Nate that said wonderful things like..."it takes him a long time to kiss any girls" or "Nate doesn't take many girls out on dates more than just a few times" and "I'd take any of those American Fork Boys"...

Nate made more girls a "true Aggie" than I care to know about... So by the time I came along, there were a few who already thought that SHE WAS THE ONE!

But who cared that early on! If Nate didn't work out for me, I was prepared to hit on one of his ever so delicious room mates...

The funniest part is that we lived in the same apartment complex for 2 years but had never run into each other! Even better, once I figured out where he lived, I could see his bedroom window from my frontroom window... So a bought a good pair of binoculars!

Fast forward one year and 3 months... several HOT dates to the campus library, and a few trips together... to the night we were engaged. It was after finals. March 18, 1997 (my parent's wedding anniversary). Nate took me for a ride. We stopped and looked at a fire hydrant for 10 minutes. When we stopped we were on a road in the middle of a field and when Nate passed it he stopped and actually reversed the car to shine the lights on it. When he said, "look at that", I was in search for a porcupine or moose or something worthy of backing up to see... I was looken'. Boy howdy! And wouldn't you know that I was ready to pretend that I was seeing exactly what he saw when he asked, "where do you think they get the water piped for that?" Which truely confused me... after all, how much water does a moose drink? Then I realized that we were undressing a fire hydrant. I was completely blinded by love. It has been romance since. Then we traveled to the "look out" over Cache Valley and stepped out into the coldest wind I ever felt ...sent a chill into my bone marrow...

Three months later we were married on Flag day.

This, of course, just began my personal favorite love story. But it continues daily around here. Nate may not be perfect... but he's perfect for me. And I can't imagine life without him.

So a few days late... Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet heart!

Big shoes to fill

Over the past few weeks our ward has watched the changing of many organization positions. I keep reminding myself "CHANGE IS GOOD"! I have been the recipient of good change and hard change... And I am now left standing in big shoes to fill.

Since December (2 short years ago) These lovely ladies served the young women of the LDS church with their heart and soul. It was best described to me today like this...

"Young Women" is not a Sunday or Wednesday night calling. It is also birthdays, firesides, service projects... It is time on bended knee at least twice a day. You live this calling! So it is your life. And with that, Young Women leaders who serve (as Heavenly Father would have them do so) genuinely love and respect "their" girls making this calling a difficult one to give up.

That being said, their devotion and bond to the girls is often mis-understood... and sometimes intimidating... And when its all said and done and these leaders are called to serve in different ways, I know that they leave a piece of their heart, a glimpse of hope, mountains of faith and a beacon of light to those whom they have touched... and I believe they will still bend on knee daily with "their girls" in mind.

So... My thanks to you for a job well done. My gratitude for loving some of Heavenly Father's most choice youth. (biased? Nope!) I empathize with you, as if you were grieving, as you move on. And I rejoice with you in knowing that you have touched lives and you have made a difference. I know you have given the gift of your heart and soul and I see the fruits of your labors.

Today... well~ more like yesterday or a few weeks ago when I figured this whole thing out... I promise to serve with the same devotion... It has never been a secret that I love the youth of Zion. They shine!

Dear Sister Merrill,

and to your amazing presidency and leaders,

You are right! You (and yours) have earned a halo!

I believe Heaven is smiling!

You have left big shoes to fill.

You have my promise!

And to my girls,

I marvel at your glow!

I LOVE YOU!

Have you ever needed a good laugh?

You know the old saying... A true friend is one who knows you and still loves you...

Introducing one of my very truest friends... BOY HOWDY... does she know me well!

When I left for college I took with me a friend.. or two... and we roomed in the lovely Forest Gate apartments until we moved into a house until we got married (both of us the same year to different men). Living together that long really lets you in on a person... and so this is when I decided that I would have a forever friend in Sarah Jane. As the long story goes, we had some unique roomies along the way... and we survived together with hours and days and months and years of laughter. Pretty much we found college to be a hilarious journey!

Fast forward 13 years... Have you ever really needed a good laugh? I think Sarah has "the force" because each time I'm in need for a good laugh she comes through without even knowing it. It's like she senses the disturbance in the force so she calls or e-mails and rattles off something that puts me back on my planet and gets me going again.

Who randomly writes or calls just to tell you how amazing you are (and makes the picture even brighter than it really is) or calls for advise on something that she is totally over qualified to be giving advise on? I've been blessed with a few... and Sarah is dead on EVERY SINGLE TIME!

So... In honor of one true friend I introduce a dozen seriously amazing things about the lovely Ms. Holt whom I aspire to be more like every day...

1) She is so funny it hurts... in fact... so funny that I can just think of some of the hilarious moments and it gets me out of the WORST rut!

2) She is THE MOST complimentary person I have ever known. (she came by it rightfully... if you know her angel mother you see the fruit doesn't fall too far from the tree)

3) She is so ridiculously smart that Einstein would feel stupid around her.

4) She remembers all the important dates, phrases and people required to make her (in my eyes) one of the most thoughtful people that I associate with.

5) CREATIVE! She puts Martha to shame... Honestly!

6) Sarah Jane is a straight shooter but she is so tactful that she could tell somebody where to go and how to get there and they would thank her for the directions. (this happens to be a quality that as a young adult my mother informed me I do NOT have... but I am still looking for it with high hopes!)

7) She is a logical thinker, naturally, and understands the whole picture of any situation without too much thought. How would it be to live in a world of people like that?

8) She is the mother that future generations will be reading quotes about... she rivals Nancy Hanks Lincoln (who is the "Angel Mother" in "all that I am or hope to be I owe to my Angel Mother" - Abraham Lincoln)

9) She is one of those people that when you look at you think, "she is classy". or "she is cute". "I want my hair cut like Sarah" (because if I have her haircut surly I will look like and act like her.)

10) She honors and loves her parents (and there is a lot to uphold there!!!) with complete devotion and love. It is inspiring. I've known Sarah since I was a Sophomore in high school and I can't think of a negative shared thought about her beloved Father or Mother that she ever shared... and so I would imagine that her children will honor her much the same way.

11) She married well... And so did Scott. They were the match made in heaven!

12) She finished college and got married while I farted around and still have a diploma in my future!

13) She is loyal and determined. These qualities are some of my favorite... because they take us so far in life... and pull so many needing hands along the way... and she IS going far!

14) Sarah reminds me of one of my very most favorite heroines... Marjory Pay Hinckley... and I can't quite imagine a life long journey without a dear friend like her.

15) as life goes, I don't see Sarah as often as I would like... but if a hundred years went by and I ran into her in the grocery store, I know she'd pick up right where we left off (make me feel like a prom queen) while I was stumbling to explain my absence.

So... more than a dozen... but not enough to realistically give you insight to the truly incredible individual that she really is.

Dear Pita,

everyone deserves a friend like you...