June 30, 2010



today is Michael's birthday




My first child, and only son,

Michael is very special to me.

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



PhotobucketPhotobucket
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



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



Mike shares a love of fishing with cousin, Spencer

Photobucket



a good athlete

Photobucket



avid Oakland A's fan


PhotobucketPhotobucket



musician / singer / songwriter

PhotobucketPhotobucket




Eagle Scout

Photobucket



Missionary

Photobucket
Dominican Republic 1998



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



BYU graduation day, with his sweet wife, Marci

Photobucket



Michael is a wonderful husband and father



Photobucket




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!



Photobucket
a page from his track scrapbook



Photobucket


Happy Birthday Michael


I love you!


June 27, 2010




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


Photobucket


into

Spring/Summer 2010



Photobucket



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.



Photobucket


It is amazing

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

can do for a room


Photobucket


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




June 25, 2010

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




Chloe's 13th birthday celebration

began with a luncheon


Photobucket


Photobucket



then off to Six Flags Fiesta Texas

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



Photobucket



after a fun day at the park,

Miss Lisa joined us

for pizza, cupcakes, and presents


Photobucket


Photobucket




Photobucket
Reese's Cup chocolate chocolate



Photobucket
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


Photobucket
Makenna, Eliza, Maya, Lisa, Chloe



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket


It was a great day!!


Photobucket


Happy Birthday Miss Chloe!





June 23, 2010



Happy Birthday Bo




Photobucket


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!


June 21, 2010



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.


Photobucket



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


Photobucket



then, I smuggled in a diet Pepsi for him

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


Photobucket


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.


Photobucket


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




June 20, 2010



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



Photobucket


When princess Chloe arrived,

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


Photobucket



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.


PhotobucketPhotobucket


PhotobucketPhotobucket


PhotobucketPhotobucket


PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket

Photobucket

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket



The Princess was clothed in finery

from The Gap, Nordstrom and Gymboree



Photobucket



Princess Chloe grew exceedingly fair and lovely.

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


Photobucket



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

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


PhotobucketPhotobucket



Photobucket



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.



PhotobucketPhotobucket



Photobucket


On this day, June 20, 2010,

Princess Chloe enters into teenagehood.


Photobucket


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!


Photobucket




Photobucket



and now,

the Royal Birthday Photo Shoot:



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



PhotobucketPhotobucket



PhotobucketPhotobucket



lighting crew:


PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket




Photobucket




I love you, Fair Chloe


and wish you


a very

Happy Birthday!


Photobucket



Followers

About Me

My photo
I married my high school sweetheart 34 years ago in the LDS Temple. I have 4 children (3 married, and a 14 year old) and 6 grandchildren. I lived my entire life in California, until 6 years ago. I now reside in San Antonio, Texas. The most important thing to me is my family; I have invested the most in them and it has paid great dividends. I love doing anything creative that beautifies my surroundings and I love nature. I minored in Art and majored in Interior Design at BYU, yet, my profession is a Tax Preparer.

Steve and I

Steve and I

Steve and I

Steve and I
Pismo Beach

Our Family

Our Family

Mike, Marci & Family

Mike, Marci & Family

Brittany & Ili

Brittany & Ili

Zach & Chrissy

Zach & Chrissy

Chloe

Chloe