My Admiration

I wanted to write a little something about my uncle, as most of this blog is for me a sort of journal keeping. This man is such an amazing man!! I have always admired my uncle Jim. At first he was just such a nice one, but as I grew older I have seen many qualities about him. I don't know quite how to say everything. He is a very giving man, very generous, humble, patient, kind, slow to anger, good businessman, bishop, father, husband, friend, son, grandpa, and brother. Everyone around him loves him! He knows, feels and lives by the truthfulness of the gospel! And because of his example and love (and of course my aunt Ann's as well) he has a wonderful family! But right now my awesome uncle is fighting for his health and life. He has been battling cancer for a year maybe two now. Not only him but has to watch his son go through it again as well. I cannot imagine what his family is going through. Nor can I understand the strength and positive attitude my uncle has kept throughout it all. But I admire him so much more! He is such a great example to me. And I am so grateful to have him as my uncle! I know my dad is very grateful to have him as a brother! His family has done so much for mine. And I love them for their great examples and the people they are!!!
I also have to say how much I love my dad! I have always been a daddy's girl without a doubt, but as I have watched him over the years I have grown to respect him. I recently gained a new level of respect for him. And I am so grateful for what he is doing, knowing how he is makes it more special. I am also very grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder.
So thank you to both of these two great men in my life and all the others. I love, respect, and appreciate all that you do!

9-26-10

This weekend was a beautiful Fall weekend, minus the smokey ride up I-15 and 70. Saturday we spent a couple hours with my grandparents who I, sadly, haven't seen all this year. It was so good to talk with them again. Sunday started out a bit off for me, since I woke up late. But my dad gave a beautiful blessing for McKenna. McKenna as some said, had to give her input as well. Mike wanted her to sleep so she would be happy and not fussy in church, so he didn't wake her up while I was getting ready. She has had some stomach aches and been constipated the past week so she hasn't felt very good. So she was able to eat a little before church, but since we were a little late she didn't get to eat to a full stomach. She was a little upset about that and cried during her blessing. My dad thinks he was holding her a little funny. Which could have been part of the problem, she loves to snuggle and being held out away from him might not have made her happy. Plus as soon as they were done and he held her up she immediately stopped.
I was so thrilled to have my grandpa in the circle this time. When we had Brooke's blessing, we did it here in Parowan and with his back was bothering him the way it was a trip down here wouldn't have been good. So whereas we named McKenna after him and my Mickelsen side it meant more to have him there.
We missed all of the rest of our families, but wish them well. After the blessing we had a little lunch at the park, which I am grateful to my mom, sisters, and dad for preparing. I did a lovely job of not helping really at all (it was a great morning). I am still working on re-learning how long it takes to get a baby ready to leave, plus add on a 5 year old. I am getting better most of the time, as long as I wake up on time!! So a big thank you to all my family and friends for helping and well wishes, it helped to make the day so special.

 I love my grandparents and for some reason seeing him and grandma this weekend brought back so many more memories of their house and being with them before all these ailments of older age caught up with them. They are the best grandparents a person can ask for. I wish I lived closer so I could be there to help them with things, listen to more stories, look at all the pictures, and learn to bake/cook like my grandma. But I will take all the time I possibly can get.

  

This dress was supposed to be Mike's when he was blessed, his mom said no way. It was given by his Grandma Stubbs (who was English).

Sena took this and Mike wanted it to go on here
 since he always has to and they both hate pictures.

Later that afternoon everyone that could met at my grandparents' house for a family prayer with on and on behalf of my uncle. We (Mike and I) were again late but caught the end of the prayer offered by my dad. Then they gave my dad a blessing. It was a wonderful site to see so many of my family gather together at my grandparents' again only on behalf of a member of our family, by the end there wasn't very many dry eyes left. I love the fact that no matter how often we see our family now, so many are willing to come together for someone else still. I love my family and I am so grateful to be born to such a large one. And I am especially grateful to be born a Mickelsen. I love my name and I love my heritage on both my grandpa and grandma's side.

McKenna's Blessing

Since none of my announcements have worked on getting out, I am announcing through here as well. We are blessing McKenna this Sunday Sept. 26 9 AM at the Aurora Church. There will be a a lunch following at 11 at the Aurora Scout Cabin. We invite any to come who possibly can, if your not able we understand and will miss you.

Carnival

We have been busy the past couple weeks with the Fair stuff going on. I will help Mike's parents with lunches and dinners they serve to the judges and then dignitaries. We will also help them with putting up and taking down flags when they need help. Then there are the rodeo's, horse races, fair exhibits and vendors booths to look at as well as the carnival.
Saturday we took Brooke to the carnival after the rodeo. No matter how hard we tried to talk Brooke into waiting until the next day so it wasn't as busy she didn't want to. So my pictures aren't that great without my flash. I hate to use my flash because people mistake it for lightening until they figure out where it's coming from. And that's if I haven't blinded anyone with it while taking the picture. Anyway here are some pictures... and this year Brooke wanted her dad with her... A nice change that I loved, especially since I was able to take pictures of him and her.

Kindergarten

So I am over a week late on posting this but.... Here is Brooke's first day of Kindergarten!

She was so excited to go! Since meeting with her teacher and seeing her room almost a week before, I had heard constantly "When do I go to school?" "Mom, how many more days?". And then all morning last Tuesday all I heard was "When do I go?" Let's go mom?" Why can't I go now?" on and on. Needless to say I was very relieved to have her at school. Everyone has asked if I cried. No I did not. I thought I would but I believe I had too much on my mind at the time. Brooke loved her first day and couldn't wait to go back, especially since they have to wear a dress/skirt on Wednesdays for flag ceremony.
She brings home a book for us to read to her or she can read it to us, homework to practice what they do in class, books from the school library, and papers from class. She is so excited everyday coming home.

I almost forgot my camera.... So her first pic was in the truck talking to her dad on the phone when he called to tell her to have fun.

This is Brooke in her class at her table with her tablemates... And Nancy, Kiley?? Chase's cousin is in her class too at her table. She did not want her mom to leave her. I thought for sure Brooke would be the same way, but I was wrong.