My Husband

is WONDERFUL! Really though! He got an amazing opportunity to work the sports camps at the University of San Diego this summer. Even though we knew we wouldn't see much of eachother all summer, we knew that it was a great opportunity to take and we couldn't pass it up. Its such a sacrifice to be away from my love and I miss him like mad, but I know he is working hard and doing what he loves. Working 12-14 hour days is exhausting and yesterday, Monday, he had his first day off. What does he do?? He plays with his niece and nephews {he is staying with his sister and brother-in-law in San Marcos} and he cans strawberry jam for our family! He thought about doing it without even asking me! He worked all night to finish it and back to work he goes today. You would think he would have wanted to just do nothing because he was working so much, but he is so wonderful he thought about our family. And he even took pictures for me! I love him!

Yum! Strawberry Jam!

It's Monday

        FIND SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!

(photo credit for above picture: Jen Fallan)

Father's Day

{I thought it was pretty funny! Of course all it got was a courtesy "Ahh ha ha"}

Thank you Dad for your good intentions, your kind heart, and your willingness to help us when we need it and others. Thank you. We appreciate it.

We had a fun family gathering at Josh and Britt's house. We had 6 dogs in the back playing and 5 kids to entertain us. Its nice when all of my siblings can get together, it never fails that we laugh our heads off. Life is great when you can appreciate the family you were born into--We are one dysfunctional group but together we somehow function!

Happy Father's Day!

To my other dad--Dad Stubbs-

We wish we could have been with you in Hawaii! Thank you for your good example to Evan of a kind and loving husband and father. Thank you for your good example of an honorable Priesthood holder. You have such a kind heart and are always willing to help us and others.

To my adorable and extremely attractive and talented husband-

Happy Father's day! You are an amazing husband! And you are going to be an amazing father someday too! I love you!

Party with Aunt Darcy

Driving in the car back to watch the girls at their house for the night {their parents went to a concert}. We had the music nice and loud..dancing and singing the whole way!

Then we made a pitstop at the car wash and got the car cleaned. Bria was a little freaked. Nadia thought it was awesome and CJ didn't care. When we got home, we got settled. The girls munched on some food and played. After being home for about 20 min Bria ruined Naders toys she was playing with because she was being a stinker...Timeout for this girl..{she didn't even cry or care for that matter--she did her time and went on with life}

{eating an uncooked hotdog..yum}

The girls were spoiled and got to stay up late. We watched a movie-How to Train a Dragon- love that movie.

Fun with the girls! Love them!

Birthday Boy

Happy 26th Birthday Evs!

Sorry we spent it apart {since you are in San Diego working}. Not the best birthday celebration you have ever had, but nonetheless I am grateful to celebrate you being born! You are such a sweet, humble, kind and understanding person. So much has been going on lately with Grandma "B" passing that your birthday kinda came and went. Good thing you got a pedicure the week before your birthday, something at least. Oh and I can't forget how nice your sister, Erin, was to make breakfast for you on my behalf, since my surprise visit wasn't made possible because of the funeral. Thank you Eir! Good news is-- there is no rule on how long you can celebrate your birthday so we will just have to celebrate it when we are together again. We did go out to dinner at the Taquito House in Perris, Ca for your birthday. And we did sing Happy Birthday to you and eat deep fried ice cream for your birthday too! The restaurant even gave us a FREE fried ice cream because they heard us singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY QUON. I love you Sweetie! Happy Birthday!

 {creating a masterpiece with ketchup}

 {then wiping her hands on her shirt}

 {deep fried ice cream}

{so glad to see my sister! Sure did miss her}

{family time @ Taquito House}

We missed you Evs and the rest of the fam to!

The Funeral

{picture credit: Jen Fallan}

All of her grandsons-the Pallbearers--what a beautiful moment

A day of mourning. A day of rejoicing. A day of reuniting. A day with family. A day of memories. A day to laugh. A day to cry. A day of beautiful music. A day of talents displayed. A day to hug. A day to embrace. A day to watch. A day to serve. A day for a final farewell. A day to celebrate her life. Today, June 18th, we spent a day with Grandma Ballantyne. Our last day on earth with Grandma "B". A strong legacy left behind.

Cousins-same age group

Childhood Best Friend Selina and her son Julian came to support our family. We love them.

 My Mom, her Dad, and siblings.

Seeing Grandma in the open casket was unreal. It didn't even look like her. Not my Glo Ball. It was a great reminder for me though that our body is just our vessel to get through this life. When our Spirit leaves our body, our body is just a body, a beautiful creation and gift from God, but no more without our Spirit. The service was peaceful. Very beautiful and uplifting. We remembered her for who she was and her favorite phrase, "Oh Dear".

Aloha Oe'--Until We Meet Again

Ha`aheo ka ua i nâ pali
Ke nihi a`ela i ka nahele
E hahai (uhai) ana paha i ka liko
Pua `âhihi lehua o uka
Hui:
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again

`O ka hali`a aloha i hiki mai
Ke hone a`e nei i
Ku`u manawa
O `oe nô ka`u ipo aloha
A loko e hana nei

Maopopo ku`u `ike i ka nani
Nâ pua rose o Maunawili
I laila hia`ia nâ manu
Miki`ala i ka nani o ka lipo

You are very loved Grandma "B". You will be missed.

Until we meet again!

{pictures from our wedding reception in 2008 singing "Aloha Oe' "}

Proudly swept the rain by the cliffs

As it glided through the trees
Still following ever the bud
The `ahihi lehua of the vale

Chorus:
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
'Ere I depart
Until we meet again

Sweet memories come back to me
Bringing fresh remembrances of the past
Dearest one, yes, you are mine own
From you, true love shall never depart
I have seen and watched your loveliness
The sweet rose of Maunawili
And 'tis there the birds of love dwell
And sip the honey from your lips

APRIL 10, 1923-JUNE 12, 2011
You fought a good fight! You lived a long life!

Cole Matthew

FINALLY! We FINALLY got to meet this little guy! He was born June 6--but it has been a long week! He is so adorable and so so sweet. He looks just like my brother Josh too! {kinda freaky}

Fun with Ru {dancing time with her tutu on my leg}

Ru upset {who knows why} and us bribing her to smile

Meet Cole:

{my pictures dont do his cuteness justice}

The true love of one another--no greater sight

On Sunday June 5th, Grandma Ballantyne suffered a heart attack. After being revived, she was left in a comatose state. She had many visitors. In fact the nurses in the ICU said that they had never seen someone have so many visitors. That every hour Grandma could have vistors, she did. Someone was always in with her. After spending 5 hours at the hospital talking to Grandma and singing and watching her hoping for something to happen, this moment became a special one and one of my favorites. It went something like this:

Grandpa leaning down to talk to Grandma he says: The old man is back again. Can I stay for a while?

Grandpa then staring at Grandma--he leans down and says: I sure do love you. {leans down and kisses her forehead then begins rub her head and check her feet to make sure they are warm and then he rubs them}

66 years together. No greater sight to see than the eternal love of two people.

High School

Technology can be a curse, but it can also be amazing. In my case, I am actually thankful for Facebook. I received a message from a high school aquaintance. He wanted to let me know that he was being baptized into the LDS church. I was shocked. It was a good shock, but at the same time it was humbling. Humbling because you never know who will accept to gospel and its never our place to pre-judge others. I learned from this experience that people can change and that instead of never believing it can happen, that I need to know and believe it really can happen and that its all in the Lord's timing. My heart was changed. I am so happy for my friend Jesse. What an amazing blessing in his life to have been guided by the Spirit to contact the missionaries and to actually do it. I am thankful that I had the chance to be there and support him in his great decision.What a great journey ahead for him!