PhD in motherhood

2017 birthdays and other stuff

Jessica turned 15. She had a party the day after her real birthday and invited over 30 friends. Our house was full. We had dinner and games and a scavenger hunt for them. It was quite a riveting evening. She had a great time and felt so special. Love this girl. Can't believe she's growing up so quickly.

I splurged and got her a guitar for her birthday. It cost a bit more than I should have spent, but hopefully, it will be worth it.

Lily turned 11. Since we were inundated with funerals and then end of year events during her real birthday, we celebrated with her friends in June at the Jumpoline park. Lily's greatest accomplishment was getting an aerial on running tramp. Can't believe this girl is going to Middle School next year. She is sweet, patient with Ammon, attentive, organized, funny, a great friend and so smart! Love her so much.

Gavin turned 9. Not to be outdone, we had a party at Rock N River with a couple of friends from church. Tyler, Brandon and Edward showed up. He had a good time in the water and sun all day.

Gavin and Brandon

Lily's actual birthday. It was not quite as exciting as she had hoped. I did my best for just trying to keep things together that month. We were at Camp Champions the weekend before for girl scout camp.

Camp Champions sneak peeks

Lily's birthday dinner

My Girl Scouts saying goodbye to Camp Champions after a weekend of exhausting fun.

GS sisters forever!

Skit night. They stole the show. Lily is quite the performer. So funny! You should see her Miranda Sings impression. So funny. Unfortunately, it was so good I forgot to record it.

Lily heading to high ropes course

Hello!

Screaming Eagle

Archery expert!

The target of our affections!

Look at my handstand mom!

A little birthday celebration. Lighting candles in the outdoor wind is hard.

Our table decorations

Lily on the Rockwall

Ziplining down

Flying down from the ropes course

Jessica at GAHSMTA. Cats won the best choreography and best costumes. They deserved it.

First time to GAHSMTA (Greater Austin High School Musical Theatre Awards)

Happy Mother's day to me. Just a quick celebration among so many others.

Easter time! Let's get us some eggs!

The hunt is on. I'm glad we were able to do something. Life was so hectic!

Ammon enjoying the spoils

Gavin's eggs

Lily in her new outfit for Easter/Birthday

Someone fell asleep before the day was done. He was sleeping in my chair.

Never too old for egg hunting!

It's a Marcano tradition!

Lily didn't want her picture taken

Celebrating Ammon's birthday at Chikfila

The real day was on a Sunday. Ammon is 5! Yikes! He was so happy to have a birthday. Maybe we'll do a party next year.

From Gavin's party.

End of school year milestones

Jessica and I saw Phantom of the Opera. It was alright. She loved it.

Lily in her last Gattis Choir concert at the assistant living home.

Horseback riding with the girl scouts

Ammon turns 5! Ready for kindergarten?

Jessica's Afterdark Choir Concert

Jhonny's 42nd birthday dinner. While we were out celebrating one on one, Ammon got into the melatonin and finished off the bottle. He was hard to wake up the next morning and had a very grumpy emotional day at school on Thursday. A little scary, but he survived. Not sure if I will get more or not. We'll see how it goes once school starts.

Jessica competed at All State UIL Solo Competition and earned a 2. Quite an accomplishment as a freshman. Way to go Jessica!

Choir Banquet.

Jessica earned the Outstanding Bel Canto award - for best choir student in her school choir.

Jessica and her choir friends

Lily promoted to Middle School. Here are all her girl scout sisters. We are giving up the troop next year. A couple are staying with it. I'm glad to say I'm done with an era. It was good while it lasted.

Lily's awards and some cake to celebrate. She earned a high school credit of Spanish on the AAPPL exam. The Dual Language program paid off.

Lily has made great progress with Molly, her friend at gymnastics. She got her back handspring - now she's working on connecting it to her round off. I love seeing her love doing something so much. She has so many talents, it's hard to focus on just one.

April 2017 Grandma's Funeral

Jessica and Leejean and me. Grandma left strict instructions that she didn't want tears. It was hard to be obedient, but we made a valiant effort. Most everyone was present in the family. It was hard to cry with such a family reunion. I'm sure she was having one on the other side of the veil.

It's hard to tell, but she looked like she was smiling. I'm happy for her, so sad for us. I feel her presence now and then. I know she loves me. I'm grateful to know her love for me and that she's watching out for me on the other side. I don't remember the love of all my ancestors that died before I was born, but I knew hers and I feel it even now. I miss her so much. I hope that I can show my kids and grandkids the kind of love she showed me.

Lanett and Devin at the casket where Grandma was buried.

Dad's eulogy.

Grandpa Ellis with Grandma's casket.

Great Grandkids

Kids with spouses. Randy and Chris, Kevin and Sylvia, Kim and Tammy, Harold and Merilee, Jeff and Diane (Margo's husband and his 2nd wife), Barry and Lanett, Garrin and Stefanie. Grandpa Ellis in the middle.

Mom and us girls, Tanya, Ginger, Mandy and Me

Ammon

Me, Tanya, Mom, Dad, Spencer, Jacob, Mandy, Ginger and Grandpa Ellis

The dirt hills near the house I grew up in Jerome, ID. I learned to ride a bike on the trails of this lot.

Another view of the dirt hills

House where we lived in Jerome from the time I was 7-11

The big trees in front of Grandma and Grandpa's house in Hagerman. I remember them being huge when I was little. Loved visiting this house and farm. We lived in a little house across the drive from here when I was born.