Big D gets Braces November 3rd 2009

Darrien has been spending a lot of time at the dentist lately. For one, to get all of his teeth fixed and second all the prep for braces. He got that accomplished then the molds got made, the plan prepared and now Darrien is the proud new owner of braces for the next 36 months! They only did the top for now but put the bands on both top and bottom. They couldn't put the bottom ones on as they needed to have his top straightened more so that when he bites down he doesn't knock the bottom brackets off since his bite is so close. He goes back in 5 weeks to get the bottom ones put on. I am sure he isn't excited like I am but he will thank me when he is older....


"Mom I am really mad at you right now you are smiling and happy and this SUCKS" Mom...."Darrien give me a big smile" As he mumbles under his breath he gives me the smartelic smile...its still cute Big D..



Darrien "I am so NOT happy right now i am going back to school..." he really must have not been happy to want to go back to school when he could have taken the rest of the day off!

I personally think he looks so grown up and quite handsome with braces!

5 years

Wow how time flys by...As I was sitting here today realizing I need to get the rest of the kids Halloween costumes done it dawned on me....

5 years ago.....I was teaching the sunbeams in primary
5 years ago....I made carmel apples for my primary class
5 years ago...My teaching partner Laura Chapman decided it would be fun to tell Jim I thought he was 'hot'
5 years ago....I took the carmel apples around and drove around Jim's block several times cuz I was embarrassed that he knew I thought he was hot...until I saw his dad (RJ) outside
5 years ago...I jumped out of the car and ran the apples to RJ to give to Patrick... he wouldn't take them he wanted me to give them to Patrick
Now....I think RJ wasn't wanting me to give them to Patrick but rather give them to Jim
5 years ago....I spent 3 hours in front of Kathy & RJ's house talking to Jim
5 years ago...At enrichment night Jim's Mom Kathy said "thanks for trying"
5 years ago...I went "huh trying for what" and it hit me...she thought I was trying to pick up on her son! Well dang if she thought that was trying I will show her!
Now...I think Kathy really new that I was not a girl that was going to take "aww shucks thanks for trying..."
5 years ago...As soon as I got home from enrichment night I picked up the phone and called Jim we talked for 5 hours!!
Now...boy am I glad that Kathy challenged me and RJ wouldn't take the apples
5 years ago...Jim & I went on our first "official" date a Lehi HS football game to watch RJ ref
Now...laughing hysterically because it wasn't that cold and both Jim and I were wearing turtlenecks...hummm wonder why????
5 years ago...I met the man of my dreams, my prince charming, my hero, my love, my world, my heart, my soul, MY EVERYTHING
Now....And all be darn after all we have been thru we are still together and in love
5 years ago...I was so happy and grateful
Now...I am still happy and even happier and so much more grateful
5 years ago....I met my husband
5 years ago...I learned what true love really is
Now..I know what true love is and I AM SO HAPPY I HAVE IT!
5 years ago.....My world became complete

I just want to tell my wonderful amazing incredible husband.....I LOVE YOU! You are my hero, my rock, my strength, my EVERYTHING I don't know what I would do without you...

Thank you for all you do you are AMAZING!

H1N1 ugh.....

H1N1 aka the swine flu hit the Walker house last week of course while I was in Denver. Darrien came down with it last Tuesday Oct. 13th so Jim took him to the Dr and sure as crap he tested positive....Of course I find out and feel helpless because I am so far away. Well they survived but barely until I got home on Thursday night to find Jim sick as a dog in bed. Poor baby I sware he looked so miserable. Then Aubrey got it Friday, then Connor Saturday then CJ Sunday and Patrick Sunday night...so needless to say it has been an insane couple of weeks but what's new really? Just another day in the Walker House.

We are finally getting back in the swing of things Darrien and Connor were able to go back to school Thursday and Aubrey went back today..Jim was finally able to go back to work today since it is so contagious they didn't want him near the ambulance geez the nerve...just kidding lol at least he was able to get some much needed R&R. I am crossing my fingers that all the kids will all be at school bright and early Monday morning or else Mom might just have a breakdown..........ok another one hehe

On a brighter note guess what????? I AM THE ONLY ONE NOT SICK!!!! Seriously how many times in my life have I been able to say that??? Umm Never!! So ya I am bragging that for once I didn't get it!!!!!

Take that you nasty swine flu!!!!!!!

(ok really i don't want to get sick this is purely for your reading enjoyment so if I get hit w/it ten times worse i will know i should have just kept my mouth shut...swine flu coodies please don't curse me please pretty pretty please...im begging..pleading...)

Oh and if I never have to use another can of lysol or clorox wipe in my life I will be happy....

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY AUBREYANN

Happy Birthday my Dear Baby Girl Aubrey!

Wow I can't believe she is 7 already...it seems like just yesterday she was just a tiny little baby saying "Mommy I want Boobie" lloooolll...Now she is all growed up as she says.

Well all I can say is you will always be my Baby Girl!

I LOVE YOU TONS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBREY!!!!

My dear Nana.....

I had to pull every bit of my being together these past two weeks to get thru getting the call that Nana wasn't doing so well to getting the call that she passed. I know that Nana was suffering for many years and I had convinced myself that I was prepared she would be in a better place and no longer suffering all though both of those statements are true.....Reality then hit..I don't believe you can truly ever be fully prepared to loose a loved one, especially one that has had such a part of your life.

For those of you that don't know, Nana and I had always been very close. I spent quite a few years of my youth living with her and when I didn't live w/her I was frequently found at her house.

I had the blessing of being able to sit next to her bedside on Monday and Tuesday of last week. There was this brief moment where Kylon my little brother and I were sitting in the room and her eyes were open. She wasn't able to mutter any words besides a ya or nah. As she lay there struggling for every breath she took she looked deep into my eyes and I could sense that every part of her being was trying to say something..She did the same to Ky...As I made my way over to her and kissed her head and held her hand there was a brief moment in which it was just her and I and I told her how much I loved her and how much of a difference she made in my life. It took every part of her being with her muscles being so rigid to lift her arm to hug me. I know this may seem like a simple gesture but given that she hasn't recognized anyone for the past couple of years and the fact that she was so rigid from the Parkinson's this indeed was my miracle. As I walked out of her room at the nursing home I felt a warm wind blow and a feeling of peace come over me.

I drove home Tuesday night Jen (one of my best friends) had come up with me so I did not have to be alone we talked and she made me make a promise to always remember the good times. I can't thank Jen enough for that..words can't ever say thank you enough.

After I dropped Jen off I was alone and began to think of wonderful moments with Nana I stopped at Wilson's Arch and enjoyed the beauty that it has to offer I turned the radio up and listened to Moments by Emerson Drive...That song got me the rest of the way home as I belted out every word with tears but knowing that Nana wasn't always like this and she did have her moments, her days in the sun, when she was second to none.

This is for you Nana! I love you more!

God's Garden

God looked around his garden and found an empty place He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest God's garden must be beautiful he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering he knew you were in pain, he knew that you would never get well on Earth again.

He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb so he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace Be Thine"

It breaks our hearts to loose you but you didn't go alone for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

You will forever live on in me Nana!

I love you....MORE!

Nana I will miss you.....By Darrien Cade

Darrien wrote this and shared it at the Memorial Service for Nana...

Our beloved "Nana" Iva Jean Watts returned to her Heavenly Father on Sunday September 6th, 2009 after a long painful battle with Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's and frequent strokes.

Nana was born on February 4th 1930 to August & Amelia Danklef in Sandy Utah.

Her life was filled with many struggles and hard times yet she never complained,she did everything she possibly could to make the best out of every situation she faced. Nana was a strong, independent & stubborn woman. Her strength will forever live on in her Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren.

She is survived by her 3 Grandchildren Natalie Walker (Jim), Michelle Neves (Dre), Kylon Neves (Erin) her 9 Great Grandchildren Darrien, Anthony, Connor, Patrick, CJ, Arianna, Aubreyann, Lasyia & Dre Shawn. Her loving niece Connie and nephew Val.

She is proceeded in death by her parents August & Amelia Danklef, her sister Florine Danklef, brother Ed Danklef and her daughter La Ronda Neves.

Nana spent the last 7 years of her life residing at Art City Nursing in Springville. We wish to thank the staff for being so good to our Nana. Words cannot express our gratitude for your love, care and compassion.

We would also like to thank Sunbrook Hospice for the comfort and peace they gave to Nana during her last days.

Nana you will always hold a special place in my heart. I will miss you and I love you dearly..

Darrien

Yet another new addition to our family

As most of you are aware we had to put our precious Kitty Meow to sleep in October of last year. Well I have been dead set on finding a "rag doll" cat and I have been looking I swear but no luck.

So yesterday while we were getting ready for our get together we had stopped at Gramma Tanner's to get some stuff from her house. Well the kids ventured on down to her neighbors that had some kittens....The kids have been begging for a cat for months now. Patrick and CJ came back and said Mom you have to come look at these kittys they are so cute. So Jim and I wander on over there and guess what I find no not a rag doll but a kitten almost 6 weeks old that looks just like Kitty Meow except of course skinnier, smaller, younger and more playful. So.......Ya Mom caved and we have a new Kitten!

She is way cute and the dogs enjoy giving her licks of love LOL she isn't quite sure what to think about it just yet but she is getting used to it. Just look at this I know it isn't the best picture..my camera on my cell phone is broken so we will make due LOL

We haven't decided on a name yet I am leaning towards Jinx since she looks so much like Kitty Meow...Here are the names the kids have suggested:

Princess
Amy
Sassy
Turd (of course this was Aubs)
Smalls
Jewls
Mae Mae
Cookie
Lula
Suzy Q
Minute (another one of Aubs cuz this is what Gpa Tanner calls her)

Who knows what we will decide so if you have thoughts let me know!

Here she is! Isn't I cute?!?!?!