The 4th of July Weekend Spectacular

I have decided that Independance Day should be changed to Independence Weekend.  Since the 4th of July was on Sunday, their were festivities in our area from Friday through Monday.  We certainly did not miss out on the action ourselves.

Since Jeff's parents are on an LDS mission, we spent the weekend with friends and had a party at my brother Rich's on Sunday.  Since he has a 1/2 acre lot we had a blast playing Wiffle Ball and tossing the ball around.  We roated marshmellows in his firepit and had some fantastic burgers and dogs by Master Grill Ricardo (Rich).

Here are some picts of the events.

Chew'in the fat with the Fam.  The girl on the far right annouced she was pregnant after almost 7 years of marriage and it's a GIRL.

The Piest de la Resistance! My homemade pies.  Banana Cream and Key Lime.  Yummo!
I love making pies!  I love they are so festive!

The Jake man up to bat.  He hit a good one.

What I LOVED about this day was that everyone played wiffle ball.  My Mom and Dad even got in the action which was so much fun and all the grandkids loved it.  My parent's have never been the type to sit on the sidelines, they just jump right in and I am so glad for that example.

BEAD MIS-HAP......What a world!

I brought my beads over to make earings for my niece Maddie who had recently pierced her ears and the container with the beads gaveway and spilled all over the floor.  So just like a bratty brother, Rich took pictures instead of helped.  Some things never change.  I still love the big booger anyway.

More Partying on the 5th

On the 5th we went to the Layton City Parade, The Burger Stop for some grub, and The kid's carnival.  Parents were very worn out; kid's not so much.

  

 The Parade

Ricardo's Family (Minus Kate) at the Burger Stop

Little Rich on the Climbing Wall

Jake and Little Rich boxing eachother with the BIG gloves

Endless Slides

How could a Carnival be complete without Face Painting?



That night we were all but partied out.  We lit the rest of the Fireworks and went to bed early.

Glow Man

Me and Lis, I love that girl! Forget the word "in-law"  she's my sister period!

Sammy LOVES the toy Lawnmower

Pretty Maddy in her new earrings.

Another step closer to the Prize

Yesterday we went down to the Utah State Capital to get what they call a "Authentication" with our Power of Attourney Document . We had to have the original Authenticated at the Secretary of State level.   This document will separate from our dossier, but nothing can move forward without it.

We had to go to the lieutenant governor's office to obtain this authentication. So we made an adventure out of it and showed around Jake the Utah Capital building.  We paid an extra $60 for each document that needed to be authenticated for them to expedite it that day rather than wait over a week for processing. The receipt was correct and we went home and I stupidly "assumed" the rest of it must be right as well (not following my own rules).  When we got home I realized that they had not given me the correct documentation. The girl did not listen to me when I tried to explain the difference.  The Lt. Governor's office remedied the problem the next day and I had to drive all the way back down there to get the right documentation. The state also refunded me $120 because the documents were not expedited.  What floored me was it took the woman less than five minutes to produce the correct form.  The fleecing of America, I tell you!  Anyway, it's done and the docs are almost ready to be on their way.  I will be dancing in the streets when all this is done, signed sealed, and delivered and on it's way to Ghana, Africa.

 

Jake loved the Grand Rotunda!

Perfect summer day in Utah

I have a picture of me on the old lion that they replaced.  These lions cleary state you must stay off of them.

We had to climb to the third floor, Jake has to see it all.  Love all the murals depecting the Native Americans, Lewis and Clark, and the Pioneers.  I love the rich heritage of this land.

Cousins Moving Closer

The month of June is a crazy one.  We've been helping my brother Rich  and his family moved from Salt Lake City to West Kaysville .They live almost approximately 3 miles south of us, which we LOVE!!!!We have never had cousins so close or any family or close for that matter .  It's a great!

Maddy is Jake's cousin who is closest to him at age. They are about six months apart. Here are a few random pictures of them moving in June.

Sammy LOVED all the boxes

Got Peanuts?

Ricardo and Ricardo Jr. Classic Pic

Kate, Maddy & Richy on their new tramp in their new HUGE back yard.

My CRAZY bro. Ricardo

We have loved having them close to us for a variety of reasons.  It's been fun to throw dinners together and have impromptu desert night and play dates and just have another family member to do something with that is close and wants to hang with us.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Annually Jeff, Jacob and I make our annual pilgrimage to honor those who have gone before us and honor all the brave men and women who have died so this country can remain free. We missed last year, I can't remember why but we missed going for some reason. We travel around 100 miles roundtrip and travel as far south as Sandy, UT and as far north as Ogden, UT. We make a day of it and bring along sandwiches to eat in the car and talk about the memories we have of those passed on to Jake. Kind of a memorandum /genealogy lesson all wrapped into one long day. He was a good boy the majority of the day.

The Beautiful Salt Lake Cementary

The beautiful Murray / Sandy UT Mountains

Delroy and Elida Isom

Grandma & Grandpa Black's Grave

Jake finding a tree to climb and Grandma & Grandpa Black's Grave

 

The Gorgeous Ogden, UT Mountains

Minne & Dewey Fronk (my great-grandparents on my Mother's side)

The Marker for Cousin Austin Jones Grave (his burial was about 2 weeks ago)

Grandma Janice Jones and Uncle Scott Jones

Uncle Tom Jones

At the Leavitt's Altorest in Ogden where my Grandma and Grandma Clark are buried there was a beautiful tribute to fallen soldiers that was breathtaking as the sun started to set. I am so grateful to be in this free land and the freedom's we enjoy. I will do all I can to make sure these freedoms NEVER are taken away from us. Below are some pictures of the day.

Grandma and Grandpa Clark's Grave

May we NEVER Forget!

Fundraiser Success!!!!!

At last!I am making a mad dash to update this poor pathetic blog.To say I have been busy in the last eight weeks, would be a gross understatement.  Insane would be the only way to truly describe how things have been around here.

How did our garage sale fundraiser go, you ask?  It went well, and exceeded our expectations. No, we don't have near the money we need to complete her adoption, but every little bit helps. 

Forecast for the two days was severe rain. Friday ended up being a near perfect day and the rain started to pour down on us just as we were putting things away.  Saturday morning was rainy early on before we started the fundraiser, and we have 2 1/2 hours of beautiful sun before the torrential rains came again. We moved everything in the garage and kept going. God's infinite grace has contiually plays a role in our journey.

What is continually amazing to me is those who give of themselves so freely to support us, and help us with this arduous task.  The good Lord is in all the details and has touched so many people. We have felt and seen goodness beyond description. Our lives are changed forever.Jeff and I have vowed to be a stalwart when it comes to service and helping others. Whether or not it is convenient for us will never be an issue, we know of the blessings of serving others, and others serving us. I do not believe you can truly understand charity at its finest unless you give it and allow others to serve you to receive it.  To accept service does not mean you are weak, it means that you fully understand the pure love of our Savior Jesus Christ. I urge anyone has not served and especially allowed others to serve them, to engage in this beautiful metaphor of giving and receiving. It is truly phenomenal.Below is a small slideshow of all the peopl who either came and supported us by buying something, or came and helped. 

We were overwhelmed by how many people donated items for the garage sale.  We had a 14 or 15 tables  full of items to sell. Now you all now I pride myself in being very organize as it is the trade that I work in, these skills were greatly put to the test in organizing this fundraiser. Now done it and very successfully pulled it off.  One more large task to check offo of my list.

Special thanks go to: Teri, Trudy, & Vanessa, who manned the tables Friday morning as it was necessary for Jeff and I to head down to Salt Lake to obtain fingerprints for an adoption form (I-600A for those of you who know international adoption jargin) and if we canceled this randomly scheduled appointment, it could easily put us back a month or two. So we marched on the fundraiser starting at 11 AM. We were there by 10:30 AM and at least 30 people were already there shopping.  It's great to know that you have family and friends you can trust to represent in your behalf and are happy in doing so. 


We are indebted to all of you. We hope there are enough Sundays left this year to invite all those who gave of their time,talents or came to support and shop, for homemade ice cream at the Isom's on Sunday night.    Give us a call what Sunday you would like to come and we'll make it happen!

The Garage Sale will continue today despite the rain. Everything MUST go!

The garage sale continues today in our garage and on our porch!!  EVERTHING MUST GO!!! Amazing Prices and PLENTY of good stuff left.  FREE cookies and lemonade.  COME ON OVER!

Can't make it??? Donate online!! Even a dollar makes a huge difference!

DONATE NOW! Even a DOLLAR makes a difference!!!! Online Adoption Donation Fundraiser & Garage Sale this weekend!!!

In conjuction with our garage sale fundraiser this weekend, we are also having a online donation fundraiser as well.  You can donate by clicking on the upper right hand corner through paypal.  Even ONE DOLLAR makes a difference.  Thanks for your support, you have no idea how much even the littlest donation means to us! God Bless.

~The Isom Family

Rain or Shine our Old & New Garage Fundraiser will Go Forward

Greetings!! Since the newspaper ads leave us so little space to tout what we have available for purchase here is a more complete list of some the items for sale:

WHAT'S OLD & USED:

Patio Furniture

Picnic Table

Padded Rocking Chair

32 inch and 22 inch working Television Sets (with HD converter or regular cable / satellite service)

Twin Size Wood Headboard, Footboard, and rails (in great shape)

Wall Paintings

Picture Frames

Wall Mirrors

Norman Rockwell Collector Plates

Rare Books

Adult Books

Cookbooks

Children's Books

Wood Shelves

Women's Name Brand Clothing & Shoes (Gap, Calvin Cline, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren)

Wedding Dress Size 10-12

Women's Navy Suit, Women's Black Blazer

Men's Name Brand Clothing & Shoes (Gap, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hillfiger)

Men's Dress Slacks & Ties

Girl / Boy Name Brand Clothing & Shoes (Gap, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hillfiger, The Children's Place, Gymboree)

Infant and Toddler Clothing and Shoes Boy & Girl (Gap, Old Navy, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hillfiger, The Children's Place, Gymboree, Carters)

Holiday Decorations (Some never even opened)

Blankets (Infant, afgans, wool, comforters, knits)

Board Games and Puzzles

DVD's, CD's, VHS, DS Games

Home Décor

Toys for all ages

Adult Bikes, Children's Bikes

Infant Furniture and Strollers.

Kitchenware, Glassware

Clocks

And much, much more

WHAT'S NEW

Mini Craft Boutique:

Watch Bracelets

Earrings

Necklaces

Bracelets

Children's Jewelry

Vinyl Letters

Infant Gifts

Handmade Blankets

Home Décor

And more!

ORGANIZING PRODUCTS (MOST OF THEM NEW)

Storage Bins

Turntables

Snapware

Drawer Dividers

File Folders

Manilla Folders

Organizing Books

Paper Organization Binders

Shelves

Magazine Holders

Labels

and more!

NO EARLY BIRDS!!!

DATES OF FUNDRAISER: FRIDAY, MAY 21^st @11:00 am to 3:00 pm

SATURDAY, MAY 22^nd @9:00 am to 3:00 pm

ADDRESS: 414 SOUTH 1125 WEST, LAYTON

DIRECTIONS HEADING SOUTH: (From Ogden): Take the LAYTON, UT /HILL FIELD ROAD exit, EXIT 331. Turn RIGHT onto W HILL FIELD RD/UT-232. Continue to follow W HILL FIELD RD. Turn LEFT onto SUGAR ST. (West of Sam's Club and over the Railroad Tracks) Turn RIGHT onto W GENTILE ST. Turn LEFT onto S ANGEL ST. Turn LEFT onto W 345 S. W 345 S becomes S 1125 W.414 S 1125 W is on the RIGHT


DIRECTIONS HEADING NORTH: (From Salt Lake): Take KAYSVILLE, UT exit 328 /UT-273. Turn left at W 200 N .Turn right at N Angel St .Turn right at W 345 S. 345 S Becomes 1125 West. 414 S 1125 W is on the RIGHT.


Questions???? Give us a call at: 801-593-9566.
Ask for Linda or Jeff.

I want to be a Missionary Now.

Thanks to our neighbors, the Petersens who cleared out some of the sod they had for a new basketball standard, we were able to use their grass to fix a couple of spots on our lawn we have not been able to choke the prairie grass out of. I bet it save us about 50 bucks. Even the little financial blessings right now are so apreciated.

Since I have been still plagued with the bulging discs in my neck and back, I was not a great help to Jeff who was shouldering most of the load.

The LDS missionaires, Elder Chidister from San Diego and Elder Conrad from Ohio came up riding up on their bikes and asked if they could help. Jeff brushed them off and said thanks but one of the missionaires was really persisitant (Elder Chidister). I felt like they really wanted to get their hands dirty (and shirts) and for some reason needed to take the time to help us.

Jake thought it was super cool. Because of his request to us to read all the books of scripture in our church before he is baptised in October (we are done, we are now reading them for a second time), he is facinated by missionaries and missionary work. They may as well be movie stars in his mind.

Jake is a sensitive soul. These missionairies brought the spirit with them and worked hard. He begged them not to leave but they did have another appointment. I hope JAke choses to be a missionary and experience what serving the Lord full time has to offer him.

You're a Grand Ol' Flag

Jake participated in a great patriotic program thisyear and his first grade class.  They learned a bunch of great patriotic songs and dances. Jake is one big hambone!!!He has pretty good rhythm which is shocking considering both of his parents struggled finding their rhythm. Here are some pictures and a small video of the performance.  Sure love this kid!!!

You're a grand Old Flag!

God Bless America!

Jake's Patriotic Essay

   

Austin Quinton Jones 1986 -2010

It's been a sad week around here as we learned on Saturday morning of the passing of my cousin Austin Jones. He was 24 years old. His Dad died almost ten years ago in the fall at the age of 41. Seems like too much grief for one family to bear, yet they trudge on, their testimonies strengthen and they rejoice in the day when they are together again. Austin has had a hard ten years fighting his own demons. I am grateful he is now free of those demons and is at peace and with his Dad.


There was a time that I thought if a tragic death were to happen in my life, I may not return to church or question my faith so much that I would not believe in the hereafter. I know now that if I did this, it would only be to my detriment and I would be in much worse shape than increasing my faith and testimony. I have watched several close to me this past year suffer tragic death in their lives. Each time they have increased their faith and testimony and the Lord has poured out his tender mercies upon their lives. The pain is still there and a lot of hard days…….But the "sting" of death that I have watched envelope and paralyze others who did not know the surety of the plan of salvation and forever families, is not there. God is waiting to comfort and carry you through dark hours such as these if you are open to receive his love.


Austin was a cutie pie as a kid, he was 10 years younger than me and I remember vividly when he was a toddler and lived in Bountiful for a time. He always had a trick up his sleeve and a grin on his face that always told you he was up to something mischievous. Even then his capacity to love others was prevalent. When Scot and Katie were fed up with their older sister Holley and she ended up crying, Austin would be the one to comfort her and try to bring people together. He was always genuine and generous with his love.


Although I did not know him much as an adult, I imagine he was still a peacemaker and kind to all. He is like his Dad in that way. Uncle Scott treated everyone the same whoever they were. He didn't care if they were a bum on the street or the Prince of England. Everyone was respected and treat with dignity and kindness.


I've lost three first cousins in my lifetime and one even before I was born. I've lost two uncles, an aunt, both grandmother's and my dear Grandpa Reuben. I've lost dear friends in tragic circumstance. As much as death still frightens me to some degree, I have a greater understanding that it is a part of life and one we all must face in one capacity or another.


So I try everyday to live life without regret. To do all I can to resolve conflicts and differences and make peace with those who are willing. I want at the conclusion of my life to be able to stand with the Savior and for him to say: "Well done thou good and faithful servant" and to be able to receive all the blessings as promised of living a good life. I hope to see you all there too!


You can read Austin's obituary here.

Got Junk??? Donate it to a good cause!

Adoption Fundraiser: Old & New Garage Sale and Online Fundraiser

FYI, We are planning to have another adoption fundraiser on May 21st and 22nd. It will be an Old and New garage sale. I have some items left over from our fundraiser boutique we had in December, a bunch of organizing products I have never used that need to be liquidated, and a bunch of jewelry I have made. We also will have used furniture, clothing, and other items to sell for a very discounted price.


We are accepting donations until Wednesday May 18th, so if you plan on getting rid of something and donate it to the DI or another charitable organization, please let me know. Please do not feel like you need to donate something you are not planning to get rid of as you have already been so generous with your time and talents in our behalf. We are just asking to pass along things you are already planning on giving away that could be sold at a garage sale.

We have a lot of beautiful items donated that will be priced to sell. We don't want to have anything left on Saturday. EVERTHING MUST GO!! So come and shop if you have nothing to get rid of. You'll get a steal on everything!

In conjunction with the gargae sale we are also having a fundraiser online right here on our blog  (upper right hand corner) where you can donate through Paypal. ANY donation is appreciated.

We are hoping this will be our last and final fundraiser before we go to Ghana.

Thank you in advance for anything you donate. We feel so privileged to be around such wonderful friends and family.