FIVE

Happy birthday to my dear sweet "Jay-bird Jones"! It's hard to believe it's been 5 years already. I can't imagine life without her sweet face. She's such a joy! Yet, I'm so happy I'm not back in time on this day - it was a very scary day. Long story short - I pushed for 2 1/2 hours only to be rushed into an emergency c-section. I won't give the gory details, but she was a little miracle baby. (In both of my deliveries I've had some kind of drama that makes me a believer of the fact that my girls are meant to be here.)

Anyway, we LOVE this little girl!!

DANCE DEFINED

Welcome to my busy life the last month!! EmmaLee & I now have a new motto...
"If you build it, they will come."
That's what we hope for anyway! You see, for those of you that don't already know, EmmaLee & I have been lucky enough to find a space to rent for our studio that works perfect for us. We have been painting like crazy & trying to get it ready. Here's a before shot...

Now, here's an after shot...

This is our lobby area. We're still in the process of finishing up the rooms, but they're getting closer. Now, we just need to find students to fill it. So, here's where you all come in. If you would like - add our dance blog as a link to your list of friends. Here's the address...
DANCE DEFINED
Any exposure we can get would help. And if you really love us & would like to help - make a little post introducing this great new studio to the Gilbert area. Make sure you check out our blog often in the next little bit. My friend Heidi is going to do a "Boot Camp" at the studio as well. So, check back to get more info. on that. I've taken it before & it's well worth it!! Our schedule's on the blog & even a slide show of our recent recital. Thanks to all & be sure to sign up for summer classes by calling the # on the dance blog ASAP!!!

GRADUATE

Yesterday was Jadyn's preschool graduation. It's hard to believe that she will be 5 soon. She was so excited for this day & all the fun it brought. She got to have a little graduation program where they recited the pledge for us & sang a couple of songs. (ABC song & months of the year) Then, she got her certificate. Following the prgoram was her fun splash party in the teachers backyard. She rented a bounce-house water slide for the kids & they of course thought it was the greatest thing ever. The only way we could pull her away from it was to tell her that we had to go shopping for shirts for family photos. Then, she was ok with leaving. Silly kid! Here's a couple of pics from her big day...

MOTHERS

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!! I am lucky enough to have 2 mothers in my life & they are the best! The first picture is of my mom Linda & the second picture is of my stepmom Mignon (aka "Migmommy"). Both are some of the strongest, talented, spiritual & just down right most beautiful women you'll ever meet. They are both inspirations in my life in many ways. I love you both & wish you a very happy day!!

JADYN

Just have to share a silly story about this girl. Yesterday she had preschool & it was her turn to bring snacks. Since her birthday is at the end of the month & school is almost over this was her chance to bring treats for her birthday. So, we found some cupcakes at Wal-Mart to take with rings on them. Some looked like big jewels while others looked like big flowers. She was so excited to take them.

Well, towards the end of school I get a call from her teacher. She asked me if Jadyn was suppose to bring home the flower cupcake toppers? I assured her that she was not. She then proceeded to tell me how Jadyn was trying to convince her that she was suppose to get back all of the flowers from the kids to bring home to place on the top of her birthday cake. What a nut!!

When we picked up Jadyn ("E" was with me) we asked her about it. She said she asked everyone if they wanted to give back their flowers & nobody did. Imagine that?!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Happy Anniversary to one of the coolest couples I know!!

It's no big surprise what a Daddy's girl I am. But, I'd have to say his wife is pretty awesome as well. I can't believe that it's been 19 years!! It doesn't seem nearly that long that we were meeting for the first time & preparing for a very adventureous trip to Disneyland as a newly formed family. How time flies & what many wonderful memories have occured in the last 19 years. I just can't imagine life without "Migmommy" & her kids. We lived together for so long that I think of her kids as actual siblings & not just step-siblings. I love them all & her. OK - back to the subject - these two are awesome & I wish them a very happy day!!! I only wish I could have made the trek to Maricopa to decorate your house for you guys. Who would have known that some silly paper colorings would have been such a topic so many years later?! I hope it was a magical day!

I love you both tremendously!!!

"SYRA"

I don't have a picture to go with the post because I don't have a scanner & I almost didn't write anything because of that. But, I just couldn't let this day go by without mentioning my wonderful friend Sarah (aka "Syra"). She was one of my best friends in High School & she was killed in a car wreck on this day in 1995. It's hard to believe that it has been 13 years. I think of her daily & I miss her terribly. Her death was extremely hard for me & I remember being consoled by her dad at her viewing.

Sarah was a very fun person. I'm not sure how else to explain it. Everyone loved her - she truly had the best personality. Not to mention that she was gorgeous!! She had beautiful, long blonde hair that everyone envied. She was always the "life of the party" because she was not shy in the least. I still find myself screaming in my car as I drive by an elementary school off of Baseline (we had strange homecoming dates their & it was tradition to scream in the car whenever we passed it) or wanting to buy a "Mystic" fruit drink when I drive by 7-Eleven (they don't even make those anymore).

My daughter Kylie was given Sarah's middle name of Ann. It is a topic Kylie & I talk about a lot & how lucky she is to be named after such an awesome person. I'm so thankful to have the gospel in my life & to know the truth. I can't imagine living & thinking that I would never see her again. If that would have been the case 13 years ago I would not be here. In fact, it was going through this tough time that my testimony really blossomed. I can't wait for the day to see her beautiful smile again.

I love & miss you Sarah!
Love - "Mail-butt-knee" (that's a story for another day)