Happy and blessed...

Just a couple days ago I'd posted a "status" on Facebook stating what I was doing (I was in Idaho enjoying time with my new grandaughter) and a dear friend commented in a way that truly made me think. It had to do with being so happy and maybe something was going to happen. It was a really neat comment and made me feel really good (thanks, Celina, you're so sweet!) and my thoughts since then have been just this -- I AM SO BLESSED and YES, I am So Happy! July has been a great month just jam packed with all sorts of fun happenings and I truly feel so very blessed.

One thing I'm so thrilled about is that Addison is back at home. She'd gone to spend some time with her younger half-sister, Ivy, at their dad's house after finishing her senior year. After returning from EFY and some time in Idaho she has been back at home and I could not be more at peace with her here. She is so fun and keeps me on my toes. Addison has a heart of gold and was really trying to help out her dad with Ivy while being a good example for both of them. Even though she'd been coming home on the weekends for church and lunch at her Grandmother and Grandaddy's house with the family, I'd missed her immensely and her coming back home was such an answer to so many prayers. Chloe had missed her so much, too, and is excited to have her back home, too, as you can see in the photo! (One is as spoiled as the other! Ha!) Having you at home until you leave for BYU-I this fall makes my heart so full, Addi. That's one of my biggest blessings this month...I love you, Addison...

Secondly, I've gotten to spend some time with Ethan this month that's been really nice. Just last Wednesday he came home from Florence while I was still at work and when I got home from work around 7:45 PM he'd made the most delicious meal for our family. He's become quite the chef! He prepared eggplant parmesian with fettucine noodles, a ceasar salad, and bread. It was amazing. He'd even used fresh garlic cloves and I don't think I've ever even bought fresh garlic I'm ashamed to say -- I just use the powder form! Ha! Our home smelled better than Olive Garden when I walked through the door. It was an incredible night and I felt so special -- actually our whole family did and Joey and Addison loved it as much as me! Thanks, Ethan, that was a great night I'll never forget. He'd brought Amsterdam (his puppy - my grandpuppy) home with him and it touched my heart seeing how that little dog follows Ethan's every step and genuinely loves Ethan to death! He has taken such care of him since receiving him for Christmas. I love you, son...what a special blessing you are to me...

Last Friday morning I left the Columbia Airport at 6 AM en route to Idaho Falls to spend a few days with Jack, Erika, and Leighton. Leighton has been struggling with reflux and has been really colicky. When I'd spoken to Erika a few days prior she sounded so tired since Leighton had not been sleeping much and had such tummy issues. Jack is an incredible dad and husband and was doing so much for both Erika and Leighton and my heart went out to him because he's in school full-time and works full-time at Applebee's. He was finishing his last week of this semester and preparing for finals so I decided to go and visit after Joey encouraged me and told me if I felt I needed to go that he supported me in my decision. (He is so wonderful!!!) It must've been meant to be because I bid on a ticket clear to Idaho Falls which is usually very, very expensive on Priceline and my offer was ACCEPTED! I was ecstatic! Yes, I was off to Idaho on Friday and I had the most amazing time with the kids, especially Leighton. We had a lot of one-on-one time and I am so grateful for that experience. Money cannot buy those moments and I will be forever thankful I was able to go and spend that time with her. She is changing so much everyday! Oh, how I love that little baby girl...Upon arriving home last night I was greeted at the airport by Joey and Alex and what a good feeling to see him! I'd missed him and look so forward to him making that trip with me next time. It was a great feeling waking up next to him this morning and getting to sleep in a little after a very long day of traveling yesterday.

Today was also a wonderful day -- It began with the usual things after returning home from a trip - the unpacking and laundry and sorting the mail and the like...Then Joseph, Alex, Addison, and I took a little trip to Blythewood to visit Mom and Daddy at the car lot. That's always a lot of fun! We showed them the photos of Leighton on my camera from the trip and caught up on all the "going ons" and made some plans for next month when Jack, Erika, Leighton, and Jack's family come to South Carolina for Leighton's blessing on the 30th of August! We're planning a get-to-gether at the lake for the Maxfield's and then a great dinner at Mom's on Sunday after church. It will be a great weekend! From there Joey, Alex, Addison, and I headed to the base for groceries but first stopped for a couple games of bowling and it was so fun! Wow, I bowled terrible today but it was really fun. Then we grocery shopped which made Joey really happy at all the bargains we found at the commissary -- we'll be eating good for a while! :)

Tomorrow I return to work and it will be neat -- I've missed my co-workers and appreciate them doing some switching around to cover me for my trip to Idaho. It has been a wonderful week and I am so thankful for so many things. Nothing in this world can bring more happiness than the love of our families and for this I feel so very, very blessed. So many things can make us smile or even laugh and many things can seem to bring us happiness for the moment but true joy is found in living the commandments and the love of our families. My heart is so full tonight as I ponder the things I've been so richly blessed with the past few years...I am so happy and so very much blessed...Good night...

Time with Leighton...

I have been in Rexburg, Idaho since Friday (at precisely 4:25 PM MST) and it has been absolutely perfect with the exception of wishing Joseph was with me to take in all the wonderful moments of our beautiful grandaughter. As the pilot announced we were 20 minutes from landing in Idaho Falls, Idaho my tummy filled with butterflies like crazy! I was so excited! I exited the plane, not even caring about my luggage (which they thought at first was lost but found after a little while) and I ran out to Erika's car and it was heaven! Leighton looked so beautiful in her little white dress and her big blue eyes just glistening in the bright sunlight. Yes, I'd gone to heaven...

I'd told Erika when I made my plans to come that I was coming to help and that she and Jack should make some plans and take advantage of some date time while they had a 4-day babysitter. They had a great date night last night when Jack got off work. They got all dressed up and headed out for dinner and a movie. Erika was excited to surprise Jack with the new "Five Guys Burgers" (one of Jack's favorite from the east coast last summer) which had just opened right next to the theater in Idaho Falls. They had a fun time and I had such a wonderful time having Leighton all to myself for the entire night. She was an angel...I sang and she cooed and laughed (no, I can't sing, but she acted like I could...made my night!) and I love that baby girl more than words can ever explain. She has my heart wrapped around her tiny fingers and I'm already dreading the time I leave Tuesday morning...She has slept in the room with me and I've gotten up with her during the night. What a special time that is when all is quiet and after she cries a little while I'm making the bottle she quickly calms, drinks her bottle, and then just looks at me so intently with those big blue eyes just like she knows my thoughts...it is incredible! I have not hardly left her side since arriving except for a quick trip to the store yesterday evening to pick up a few things and right back. She has been so sweet. She has reflux and is on a special formula and can be a little colicky and it breaks my heart. She is such an angel and I love her so much...

Tomorrow Erika works part of the day and I'm excited to spend some more one-on-one time with Lei-Lei and watch all the things she's doing. Her expressions are already so impressive -- it's as though she knows exactly what you're saying -- they are priceless! I am hoping tomorrow passes very, very slowly and that I can savor every singe millisecond of the day. I love you, Leighton, and I am so thankful for these few days with you.

Forever,

Your Mic Mic

Letter from our Father...

This past Sunday in church Addison took something out of her purse and began reading it. I glanced over and it caught my eye. It was a copy of a letter she'd received in a class when she attended EFY two weeks ago at BYU-Idaho. I was so touched and thought I'd share it here:

My dear daughter,

I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are because there is a father of lies who will try to deceive you. He will try to tell you that you are not good enough, not attractive enough, not thin enough, not strong enough, not smart enough, not righteous enough, and that you are simply unimportant to Me. He will try to tell you that you have broken one too many promises, that you have fallen one too many times, that you have lived one too many lies, and that you've been going in the wrong direction so long that it is pointlesss to turn back now.

But guess what?

You do not belong to him. He is not your father. I AM.

You see, you are My creation. My workmanship. You have been born of My thought, every part of you placed together by My hands. You have My thumbprint upon you. You are a princess, did you know that? You are MY child, a daughter of the Most High God. I look at you and I see a precious priceless pearl. There is no ocean I would not swim, no mountain I would not climb, no price I woud not pay to have you and to be with you and call you MY own. I already have. I have done all that I could, given all that there is. I desire to be with you every moment of every day. How I long for you to talk to me everyday. My love for you never grows cold. My promises are never broken (contrary to what he might lead you to believe). My character never changes. And you, my child have been made in my image. I love you dearly, unconditionally and completely. I understand every emotion that you have. I count every tear that you cry. I know every hair on your head. Adn do you know what?

I even know your weaknesses and your failures and your fears. I know those hidden parts of you that you wish would go away. Those dark corners of your world that you stuff deep down, praying that no one will ever see. I have seen them and they do not or will not change my love for you. Nothing will. I love your heart and I desire all of it. I just wanted to remind you today of how beautiful you are and how precious you are to ME.

With immeasurable love,

Your Heavenly Father

Hope you liked this letter as much as I did...

The first year has been an amazing one!

Joseph and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on July 4, 2009. It has been an incredible year, one full of so many happy times and packed with memories that I will forever cherish. I am so thankful for all the laughter, the long talks, the walks we've taken, the getaways, the candlelit lunches and dinners, the pillow talk, the love and all the little "life moments" of the past year with Joey. Who would have ever thought that the love-struck teenage love birds who parted ways some 24 and a half years ago would be celebrating their first anniversary this year...for Joseph and me it is a dream come true. For the opportunity for a second chance with the love of my life I am so grateful...

This has been the best year of my life!

Joey surprised me with reservations to Maggie Valley for the weekend and to the place we spent our honeymoon. We arrived Friday night and stayed until Monday afternoon. It was an incredible weekend complete with cool crisp mountain air! (Joey was in heaven after just finishing 3 nights of night-shift in very hot temperatures at work!) We had such a fabulous time.

Cruisin' to the mountains -- it was a such a great weekend!
Blue Ridge Parkway - love the tunnels!

Serious game of putt-putt - Guess who won! Yep, let's just say maybe my golfer hubbie should take me along to do his putting! Ha! Just kidding - he probably just let me win so he could cash in on the bet we made! It was so fun!

Bear , oh my!

And we even stopped at a couple of yard sales in Maggie Valley and Joey found this neat treasure -- an old push mower! (Now I can't use the excuse of not getting the mower to start when the grass needs cutting! Ha!) Just kidding, I have the best yard man around - and he's a fantastic husband! :) I just couldn't believe he got it to fit in the car! Ha!

Okay, this was "Big Witch Lookout Point" but my photographer cut off some of the words...Real cute, Joseph! :) Even when I am a witch at times he still loves me! Ha!

This was taken on our balcony which overlooked this area and the creek (Jonathan Creek). We loved the sound of the running water from the creek and sat by it next to the fire and roasted marshmallows with another family the first night we were there. Peaceful...

This was taken the afternoon we had to check out...We really hated to leave. It was really neat that the lady who owns the lodge remembered us from our honeymoon last year and that we were able to come back for our anniversary.

Same time - same place - next year...

Happy Anniversary, honey. I love you!

Forever,
Just Me :)

June at a glance...

I have been a real slacker lately with the blog scene but determined to get caught up today with what's been going on. I have this real fear of losing my memory someday and therefore believe in journaling with a passion yet lately I've just gotten really behind. I think it has to do with a quote I heard in a talk today at church given by Brother Miller which says, "LIFE is what happens to us when we are planning something else." How true, how true. Sorry if I bore anyone with minor details but since I use this as part of my personal journal I'm going to do some catching up with the month with details about what LIFE has been like at our home...

June has been a good month, just hot, hot, hot the past week! Temperatures in the triple digits is just a bit too warm for me but I tried to make the best of it by hanging out at the neighbor's pool at few times (thanks Shane and Michelle!) and spending some time with family and friends. Addi and Kayla enjoyed the slip-n-slide one hot afternoon while I was in the pool. They were playing so silly and laughing so hard! It was great watching them have such fun and to hear their giggling!

Addison has had a busy month and a very fun one. She spent the 9th through the 13th of June at Girls' Camp with the Young Women as a YCL (youth leader) and had a blast! She and Kelsey were a part of some pranks that were pretty mischievous but I guess it wouldn't be camp without those moments! (I'm kinda glad I was NOT there this year -- especially since one prank involved a snake by Kelsey and I would've been a prime target since I'm pretty scaredy!) They had lots of fun and Addison came home very, very tired. Now Addison has just spent the last full week at BYU-Idaho at EFY (Especially for Youth) and had a blast! She flew out last Sunday, the 21st and spent the night with Erika upon arrival. She got to meet Leighton in person the first time and really loves her. Erika took her to the university the next morning and Addison had a fabulous time for the week. Now she is spending about a week with Erika, Jack, and Leighton and will be home Thursday night. I can hardly wait to see all the pics she's taken and looking forward to "talking" to them tonight on Skype and seeing them all! (This is just the coolest thing in a long time!!! I LOVE SKYPE!!!)

Joey and I have had a wonderful month. We've worked alot but our days off have matched up really well this month and we've done lots of fishing and had some fun time together. We love taking the boat out on Wateree and fishing all the little coves Joey knows so well. I hadn't had much luck catching much the first few times but we took the bream busters this past Thursday and I finally caught just about as much as him. (He always catches more bass than me when we go bass fishing!) It's so fun, though, and something we have a great time doing. We also love eating lunch at Dutchman's Creek - they have the absolute best french fries ever and I'm not even a french fry person! They are so good! (Anything tastes better, too, on the water when you're fishing in my opinion! ha!) Also, we took a mini-vacation for Father's Day to Isle of Palms, one of my most favorite places. I've always enjoyed visiting the IOP County Park and spending the day there - especially when the kids were younger since Ethan's always loved surfing so much. Joey and I had a really amazing time on the beach for the day so much that we decided to make a 2-day vacation of it. We stayed overnight and spent the next day shopping down at the market and had a fabulous lunch at TBonz before driving back to Lugoff. We have so much fun together! Joey can make anything fun -- he is just such a great husband and truly is my best buddy in the world! We laugh so much when we're together and just over the silliest things at times but the important thing is that we truly have fun and that's what counts. I think it was a pretty neat Father's Day getaway for him, too! :) He has surprised me with a trip to the mountains next weekend for our first anniversary and I'm looking way forward to it. We're staying in the same place we spent our honeymoon and he even made all the arrangements -- thanks, Joseph, you're so sweet! I can hardly believe it's been a year already but at times it seems we've always been together...I love him so much!!!

Erika, Jack, and Leighton are doing well and we are just so excited that they're coming here to visit in August and having the baby blessed here at Camden Ward! It will be a wonderful and special celebration and such a homecoming for everyone to meet Leighton. She is so beautiful and I miss her more that I could have ever imagined. It's amazing watching her on the webcam but I want to hold her in person so much I can hardly stand it! I may or may not make it until August 26th -- I just may have to take another trip between now and then if I find a cheap-enough flight! Oh how I love that little baby girl!!!

Ethan is busy working at Redbone Alley and making some decisions about school and stuff for the fall. I am really praying hard that he will make the right decisions and that he will have a desire to attend church regularly and that I can see him more often. I miss him so much, too. We were able to spend some really nice time together last Sunday when I took Addison to Florence to catch her flight and I realize more and more how much I miss him and wand so much for him to do the right thing. He knows right from wrong and has such a great heart. He is so kind and humble, much like my daddy, but right now he's working so many Sundays and is just not attending church or having much connection with family except by phone. I will continue to pray that he will have a change of heart and that he will feel of the Savior's love for him. He is such a good son with so many outstanding qualities and so many talents...

This about sums up the past month. Life is good. Sundays are my favorite days of the year, every year! It's a time to reflect and study and to spend time with those we love, whether in person or in heart. My family is planning to visit later today so that Mom and Dad can see Leighton via the webcam and I look forward to their visit since I didn't go there for lunch today. I missed everyone but I took advantage of the quietness since Joey is working today and it was just Chloe and me. It's been a nice day but now I'm looking forward to Joey coming home soon and a nice evening with him and the family.

Yes, LIFE is GOOD.

Leighton Valencia Maxfield - my first grandchild, how I love you so much already...

My first grandchild, Leighton Valencia Maxfield was born on May 12, 2009 at 11:40 PM Idaho time. She weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Jack called me just before she was born and I was able to hear her first cry as she entered this world and my life will never be the same. I will forever cherish that moment. Erika did such a fabulous job taking such good care of herself during her pregnancy and all the way through her entire delivery. Jack is an amazing husband and was by Erika's side during her every move during Leighton's birth. He is an absolute jewel. Jack and Erika are already such wonderful parents to Leighton. I am so thankful for this beautiful miracle who has come into our lives and already has my heart around her finger. She is my precious first grandaughter and I love her more than words can ever explain. And so our story begins, Leighton...Leighton was in the NICU for the first few days due to some fluid in her lungs inhaled during her delivery caused by the hiccups. She came home late on Saturday night, May 16 and I arrived in Idaho on the 18th meeting Leighton for the first time. Yes, it was truly more than love at first sight! She is just beautiful.
No matter where her feet carry her, MicMic will always be there for her.

Leighton sure loves her beautiful mommy! (I quite love her mommy to pieces, too! She was my first little angel!)

Jack is such a wonderful daddy to his angel already. She loves him bunches, too, and lights up when she hears his voice.

Sweet baby girl all snuggled in the blanket from Aunt Tiawanna. It's so cuddly!

Erika asked me early in her pregnancy what I'd want to be called and I've always been "MicMic" to all my nieces, nephews, and now great-nephews ever since Ginger gave me that name. It just seems to fit but I don't care what Leighton decides to call me, just as long as she calls me! :) Erika keeps calling me MicMic to her so I guess we'll see...

She is so alert and has such gorgeous eyes!

How cute is this!? Oh I love her!

We had so many little talks during my visit...

This moment is also one I'll cherish. This was my last night in Rexburg and she fell asleep holding my fingers and would grasp tighter if I tried to get my hand loose. Oh how I did not want to leave you, Leighton.

I wanted to savor every second the last night I was there. I kept her in the room with me and held her most of the night until I had to leave the catch the shuttle to Salt Lake at 5 AM. This feeling is one that is forever etched into my heart.

I had a 4-hour shuttle ride to Salt Lake City, rented a car there for a few hours to do some shopping before leaving, and then boarded the plane headed for home. My heart ached to leave even though I'd missed Joey terribly and had so much going on here at home. Addison was graduating in a couple days, I had to get back to work, and Joey and I had not been apart this long since marrying. Even so, a special piece of my heart remained there in Idaho with my precious daughter, son-in-law and beautiful new grandaughter whom I absolutely adore. It seemed like such a long, long way home...I missed you, Leighton, the second I walked out the door of your home and I will be looking forward every day until the next time we are together again. Until then I will be missing you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayer every day. Always know that you are a child of God. You are a precious daughter blessed with parents who love you so much and will teach you things that will help you to become the princess you were born to be. You have been born into a forever family. I love you, Leighton Valencia Maxfield, and I am honored that you have my name. I will not let you down - I will always be here for you no matter how many miles separate us, my heart is with you.

Upon arriving back at the airport in Columbia this is what I came home to -- PaPa Joey welcomed me home with yellow roses in hand and a cold Diet Mountain Dew waiting in the car! He's so good to me! He loves Leighton, too, and she even has hair and a great appetite like Papa Joey's! (so your mommy says, Leighton! Ha!) MicMic's car is small but the carseat fits perfectly in the back seat. I can hardly wait to take you for our first "girls' day out" date to show you off to my peers! I love you, Leighton, so very much! Can't wait til we're together again...

Addison's Graduation Celebrations

Addison's Final Week of High School - It began with our traditional first day / last day of school breakfast out tradition. Joey and I took Addison out to Waffle House (her choice) on her last day that I'd be in town for before leaving for Idaho. We had a yummy breakfast and fun conversation! Then on Saturday night, May 16th we celebrated with a party at our house of about 60 - 75 friends and family members in honor of Addison's accomplishments! It was a very fun night with lots of great food and such fun company. Thanks to all who attended and helped make this such a fun night for Addi! We love you, Addi-Boo!

Next was Addison's Seminary Graduation on Sunday, May 17th. Addison has attended an early morning Seminary class each school day for the past 4 years. From 9th through 12th grade, LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) youth attend this class before school each morning at 6:30 AM and study the scriptures. This year there were more than 30 students in Addison's early morning class in Camden which was truly amazing. How awesome to study the scriptures at the beginning of your day and to be taught such lessons from the scriptures and to "arm" your day this way. Addison is so grateful for the seminary program and the knowledge she received from it. What a sacrifice to have gotten up early and attended all four years. During this time she also held a job at Sonic in which she got off really late some nights and still managed to get up early and attend Seminary. She said something was truly missing on the days she had to miss. I am so proud of you, Addison, in this wonderful accomplishment which is to me, more important that your high school graduation. I also appreciate the example of your older brother and sister who also attended and graduated from the Seminary program. What an accomplishment!

Then on Saturday, May 30th at 9:30 AM Addison graduated from high school. Congratulations to all the Class of 2009 and best of luck in all your future plans! This is a whole new chapter about to unfold and with it comes much excitement and also some uncertainty but I know you will do great things, Addison! Pray always, Choose the Right, and put the Lord first and you are destined for great things. Wow - I can't believe this day came so quickly! I am just so thankful to have been a part of this with you. I will miss all the things about school with you, Addi...the "Mom, can you please bring ----- to the school and like really quick?!" calls, the school programs, band stuff, and all that came along with your school years. I will be forever grateful to have been able to go through all this with you as a front seat mom...I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Following Graduation Exercises we surprised Addison with lunch at "Sumo's" (her favorite) and had an awesome lunch. Our chef was so great and we loved the show. The food was marvelous and Addison seemed to enjoy herself so much! Thank you to Aunt Tiawanna for coming and making it so special. Thanks to Ethan for getting up extra early and making it into the town for the graduation. And finally, a HUGE THANK YOU to my parents and for all their love and support especially to Addison during all her school years. They have been such an extra special support and I am so thankful they all they've done for not only Addison, but for our family in so many different ways. I love you all with all my heart!