today is Michael's birthday



My first child, and only son,

Michael is very special to me.

. . . . . mothers have unique connections to their sons.


first birthday / kindergarden



I was very lucky to be blessed with a first child like Michael;
I think it actually made parenting easier.
Brittany and Chrissy just watched obedient, good natured Michael,
and followed suit. Anyway, that's how I remember it.


Mike is smart and funny,

and has great friends




Michael, Heber, Joshua (these guys hung around our house a lot, I love 'em)



Mike shares a love of fishing with cousin, Spencer





a good athlete





avid Oakland A's fan





musician / singer / songwriter





Eagle Scout





Missionary


Dominican Republic 1998




A few years later, our family was lucky enough to visit the Dominican Republic



BYU graduation day, with his sweet wife, Marci





Michael is a wonderful husband and father








One of Mike's outstanding traits is his competitiveness.

This side of his nature was never more apparent than when he ran track;

watching him race brought some of the most thrilling moments in my life.



This track meet, in particular, was my favorite:

It was June 30, 1996, his 18th birthday. When he was randomly assigned the number 18 to wear on his jersey, I knew it was a good omen. We had driven 5 hours to watch Mike run in an important track meet in Reno, Nevada. At the stadium entrance, a permanent sign proudly held the names, times and events of all the stadium record holders, daring the anxious athletes to be good enough, fast enough, to garner a spot on the board and earn a place in history.

Mike's event, the 400 meter hurdles, is a grueling race (full speed around the track, while jumping hurdles). Considered a college/Olympic event, Mike, a recent high school graduate, had little experience with it. Mike's goal that day was to beat his personal best, which, if accomplished, could break the stadium record.

The gun went off; as always, my heart pounded out of my chest. I slipped into a zone where I heard none of the screaming bystanders and saw nothing but Michael's position in the race. Though the hurdles were staggered on the curves, I had taught myself to see all the lanes and Mike's relative position, at the same time. He cleared the first hurdle perfectly. At that point, his arduous training became crucial to maintaining his stride, timing, and stamina. Throughout the race, he maintained good position

. . . . . and then, turning for the home stretch,

I saw that he and another runner were tied for first place.

It was like watching slow motion and real time, both at once;

two determined athletes, in unison, straining toward the finish line.

I couldn't get my breath. Tears welled up in my eyes.

Go Mike Go!!!!!!

it was a photo finish !

both runners had a record breaking time,

but only one of them could earn a spot on the stadium record board.




We waited an eternity (20-30 minutes) for the results.

Finally, the answer came:

HE WON !!!

Thank you, Michael, for one of the most exciting days of my life!




a page from his track scrapbook






Happy Birthday Michael

I love you!

I loved, so much, what new pillows did for my living room

it inspired me to sew for my bedroom.



I changed Fall/Winter 2009





into

Spring/Summer 2010






I must have purchased 30 down pillows over the years;

I never have to buy another pillow as long as I live,

just keep recovering the same old ones.






It is amazing

what a few dollars, Hancock Fabrics, and a sewing machine

can do for a room





I sewed these four days ago;

every time I walk into my room I am surprised all over again

. . . . and it brightens my day.


I seriously think the best class I ever took

was 7th grade Homemaking:

a semester of cooking + a semester of sewing =

a lifetime of happy

Miss Eliza, Miss Makenna, Miss Chloe, and Miss Maya

Chloe's 13th birthday celebration

began with a luncheon

then off to Six Flags Fiesta Texas

with 3 of her best buds, and cool sis, Chrissy

after a fun day at the park,

Miss Lisa joined us

for pizza, cupcakes, and presents

Reese's Cup chocolate chocolate




and pink frosted chocolate



I am not usually a cupcake maker

but these were a lot of fun to do

Miss Chloe and Miss Eliza were great helpers

Makenna, Eliza, Maya, Lisa, Chloe














It was a great day!!





Happy Birthday Miss Chloe!

Happy Birthday Bo






this is my dear sister, Marsha

she is married to one of The Blues Brothers

We were the only children in the family until I was 8 years old,
so we developed a very close relationship, with similar taste in most everything.

We played together constantly as children and shared secrets as young women.

I felt very motherly and protective toward her;
once, I bloodied a neighbor girl's nose for bullying her.

We made up special nicknames for each other that changed over the years,
but for the past 40, we've called each other Bo.

Bo is a beautiful and talented woman
and a wonderful mother to her 7 children.

She is the only daughter in town near my parents
and I deeply appreciate the time, love and care she gives them.



Have a wonderful birthday Bo!


I love you!

When dad was in the nursing home, for rehab,

I would stay long hours with him.

When he finally started feeling well enough to leave his room

we would "bust him out"

you know, like he was a prisoner.






I wheeled him out the front doors and around the parking lot






then, I smuggled in a diet Pepsi for him

(that explains the "I'm stickin' it to the man" look on his face)





truth be told, there was a soda machine right there in the facility,
but somehow, dad felt like he was getting away with a misdemeanor
when he was drinking that pepsi



On this day, Dad, Jenny and I sat outside, talked, and watched the sun go down.
The staff finally came out to let us know they were locking up for the night;
it was great.





Thanks to my sis, Jen for taking these photos;
I didn't pack my camera.
on purpose.
I'd just had it with sickness and funerals.



Those were precious days with dad.
We shared meals and took walks, had long talks and said prayers.
I got to see my dad's spirit during those visits;
he is an honorable, kind, forgiving, generous man.

I am so very thankful to still have my dad to wish Happy Father's Day to.

Such a blessing

Once upon a time, long long ago (13 years)

there was a Queen who had 3 children (ages 14, 16 and 19).

One day, this lucky Queen received the best surprise ever:

she and the King, were going to have another baby girl.

King Steven declared the new princess would be named Chloe Cozette Freeman






When princess Chloe arrived,

the nurses voted her fairest in the land (hospital).






From the moment of her birth,
princess Chloe's beauty inspired the Queen to become a photographer,
like unto Ann Geddes.

Hundreds of dollars were spent on film and developing over the years,

until the merciful invention of digital photography.

The Princess was clothed in finery

from The Gap, Nordstrom and Gymboree







Princess Chloe grew exceedingly fair and lovely.

As she grew in stature, she was truly the light of their lives.






She was schooled in piano, dance, swimming and soccer,

but nothing surpassed her love of art (or dogs).

She was hailed for her fine artistic skills and excelled in academics.

Chloe had many friends

and delighted in hanging out

with the other princesses her age.

On this day, June 20, 2010,

Princess Chloe enters into teenagehood.





King Steven and Queen Diane declare an official holiday;
all the maidens in the land shall be invited to a Royal Ball
to be held in Chloe's honor.

The festivities shall commence at Six Flags Fiesta Texas!
There will be swimming, roller coasters, cupcakes and presents.


let the trumpets sound!











and now,

the Royal Birthday Photo Shoot:
































lighting crew:

I love you, Fair Chloe

and wish you

a very

Happy Birthday!