As I filter..

I am going through old pictures...and as I do that.

I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. 

That I and Brad..

Were raised so well.

That we have the ability to know right from wrong.

And as I look at his pictures when he was little. I think, "Wow, I married that little kid."

He is taking a physics test right now.

Who knew he would be so stinkin smart.

I am also grateful that he had such a wonderful mother.

She worked so much while he was growing up, to support the kids.

And I know, if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be the man he is.

She did an excellent job with all her children.

Let me brag.

Mike, the oldest is at Med school, with his wife who is also in Med school at Texas Tech.

Lindsay, is a genius. She works for Harvard in a lab discovering the cure for Parkinson's. I went there, she is making new proteins and all this stuff that is over my head. She also is about to finish up school at UMass.

And my Brad, well you all know how great he is, but he is in undergrad and is Pre-Med planning to attend University of Texas Medical School or Texas Tech like his Dad, Uncle, Mom, brother and sister-in law.

And little baby Chels you see above, she is graduating from nursing school in May.

Although they are a medical family...they are the greatest family. 

And I am so grateful for all of them. Especially my husband.

Now, I am grateful I had the opportunity to mother, and be part of such an amazing family where my mother taught me how to mother. 

I was the baby of the family at one point. But, I know that my excellent examples of my family members has made me who I am. Should I brag about all of them? Well, I already have several times.

But, I'll do it quick.

Brooke: Married to a man who has his doctorate and works for the church, she is an incredible photographer, she can cook anything gourmet, and obviously is the master at mothering, being the oldest. She graduated from BYU, did track basketball at 3 colleges, and looks 23 at 30.

Tosha graduated in neuroscience, has her own all natural makeup business. And recently developed a new line of foot cream, which don't worry I will be telling you about later. She has two girls, and is married to a pharmaceutical rep. She served a mission in Ecuador and speaks Spanish.

 I knew this was going to take forever. 

Hannah has three girls, graduated from BYU, married to a dentist, lives in Arizona. Wonderful at sewing, cooking, mothering, baking, designing and everything else she does.

Tanner, married to Amanda who has the curliest hair in the world. Attends Dixie, 6'5'' Awesome at basketball, super smart, also good at anything he does, can oil paint excellently, is awesome at calligraphy and is going to graduate in psychology soon.

Summer: HEAVY WITH CHILD. She is married to AJ who graduated in Agriculture Science at Utah State and now runs his dad's farm in Oakley, Idaho. Summer is freakin amazing at scrapbooking, she can also design anything, she knows everything about making stuff, she made marshmellows for Brooke's wedding...who does that. Ya I just made some marshmellows....I didn't even know that was possible. She did track and basketball at SVU, and is walking with me in APRIL AT BYU!! WAHOO!

Landon: Going to SUU, is engaged to a track star at UVU that Sally hooked him up with. He is awesome at football, hence why he is on the team at SUU. He loves being around people and he has this knack for children, all children love him. He will do anything you ask him and he will even sleep on your hard  tile kitchen floor.

Me: Pshhhh you know everything about me.

Sally: Graduated from high school with a 4.0 and 33 on her ACT. She was athlete of the year or whatever for pretty much every sport. She got full tuition and everything else for academic and athletic and is on the track team at UVU. She is so forgiving, kind, beautiful, and determined, recently she is taking a drawing class and its fun to watch her be the best at everything, even drawing. Random.

Shad: Shadeey....he is awesome at Madden football, he is still in high school, but he will serve a mission and excel in all he does. He currently takes care of horses, puppies, kitties, and all the kids at home. He is a hard worker and is always making his own money and buying his own things.

Echo: She is skinny tall and modelish. She is still in high school but great at basketball, track, and volleyball. She loves kids and spends so much time reading its ridiculous. She wants to be a Kindergarten teacher or Pediatrician. I told her to make more money. :)

Ethan: He is super athletic, still in junior high, soft hearted, good at every sport, good at mowing the lawn with earplugs, takes care of the younger siblings and is also great at Madden football.

Chandler: Always taking care of Ammon for my mom. Athletic, can run fast, kind to most little kids :), and will always hang out with you. When I was still in high school he would come in my room when he was little and stand by my door, obviously scared, and then I would say, "Oh come on, you can sleep in here." He would run up jump in bed and be right to sleep. He also has a knack for making people laugh.

Ammon: So sweet, but so quick at running too. I tell my parents if you can just get him to run around the track and not go off course, he will win everything. He will cuddle right up to you, he is so smart, before he was 1 he knew all his ABCs and would put them in order constantly. He doesn't communicate but he does show love and concern for others.

Ian: Mr. Smarty Pants, memorized the entire star wars language from flash cards. So brilliant, always on the go, loves dressing up and playing with Lad. He loves Spiderman, superheros, and Star Wars of course.

Lad: So cuddly and cute, has his very own personality, loves hanging out with Brad and Landon, hard worker, passionate about so many things. He plays with Ian and takes care of Faith. He is so diligent in doing his schoolwork at only just five.

Faith: She is a whole blog, not just a post, but she deserves her own site. She is so independent, mature and sophisticated for a two year old. She talks better than most five year olds, and has her own opinion about everything. I told her I would put the toy dinosaur in her basket and calmly she said, "No don't do that, he will eat all of the candy." Oh, naturally, sorry I even suggested it. She wasn't interested in Easter, more in swinging. Which created the best quote from Brad. 

I was trying to get Faith to come get Easter eggs and she said, Come watch me swing!

Brad said under his breath and walking to go get eggs, "Some kids just aren't motivated."

So Faith, she is a little angel, the last one, we feel like she got all the genes...a combo. She loves to be drawn on and to draw on herself. My mom gave up trying.

Now you see why I am grateful, because my mom, and mom-in law raised such wonderful families, that I get to be a part of. So thanks guys.