What a Day...

What a day! I feel that I need to write a bit of "business" before I start this post...

for all those who were driving down Central Ave, Show Low, AZ around 2:40 this afternoon, Yes that was Trever and me ON the side of the road, Yes that was Tyson's (trev's little brother) truck upside down and flattened OFF the side of the road. He is doing fine, he had a bit of an accident and is up at the hospital so they can check him out, all seems well but it looks as though he's mode of transportation will only involve the two wheels of his wheel chair! (for those who don't know ty, he's been a paraplegic for almost 7 years) Poor kid. We love him and pray for him always. He was blessed today and we are thankful our Father in Heaven was mindful of him and our family.

So, it's my Birthday... Not that that really means AnYThIng, except to say thank you to my mom for having me and admitting to myself that I am yet another year older. I've always thought that it's the mother's who should be praised on the Birthday's of their children, they are the ones who really deserve the credit. So thanks mom, I think you're a swell gal and my most bestest friend.

On my Birthday, and the day before, I got to do some of my most favorite things.

Hang out with my mom and dad

Plant flowers

Visit with my grandma and her Bob

Cheer for Porter at his ball game

Drink a coke

Relax with Trev

Go see a late show with "the Ladies"

aka my mom, grandma, mom in law, and joni

Drink a coke

Talk to ALL my brothers and sisters

Have breakfast made for me

Talk to ALL my brother and sister-in-laws

Have the kitchen cleaned for me

Go to Lamell's

Drink a coke

Eat icecream in bed

oh! and drink a coke!

Here's mom and Brookers planting!

Here's Brooks after planting...talk about child labor!

and this is my potting shelf I got from charlie and carol for my birthday! It's pretty sweet, and right up my alley! thanks charlie dee, I kinda think your special ; )

2 Years Ago Today...

It's our Brook's birthday today!He's such a laid back kid.What a cool guy we've been blessed with! Just happy to be apart of the program. He is our joy baby and we are thankful every day to have him!

My mom would wake us up on the morning of our Birthday's with, "Ten years ago today... or 25 years ago today..." how ever old we were and told us yet again the story of our birth. So this morning we woke Brooks up to, "Two years ago today, our family was blessed with yet another baby boy."

So for those of you who don't know Brooks Story here it is...

Brooks is our third son but my six pregnancy. He was a struggle to get here and a struggle to keep. I was put on bed rest when I was only seven weeks along. We had just lived through a particularly difficult miscarriage before him and I was threatening to loose him. Four weeks I sat on the couch and watched sweet friends and dear family come to our home to clean and watch the big boys. We were brought dinners and prayed for by so many. Our prayers were answered and I was able to enjoy a pretty typical rest of my pregnancy. On the 19th of April I went into labor. Marci walked me all around Walmart until finally I'd had enough. We came home and called up Trever. She was sweet enough to watch the big boys for us while we ran up to the hospital. My mom, Eda, Lauren and Morgan all headed up the hill. ( my dad was recovering from surgery and was left to recuperate at home) Trever's parents came on up to the hospital to wait it out with us. I labored all evening and through the night. He wasn't difficult to deliver, and we all just kinda hung out until finally he was ready to make his appearance. By 2:30 a.m. on April 20th we had our baby. He was healthy and happy, kinda small, but just like he is now, happy to be apart of the program. We brought him home the very same day I had him. I don't really recommend doing that, but it worked for us!

We love you Brooks! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! Know you are SO loved!

Here are some pictures of the day he was born...

The Butterfly Exhibit

My mom got this crazy idea to take ALL of her grandchildren to see the Butterfly Exhibit this year! All the kids really had a good time. I really miss the desert some times. It can be so ugly and dry, but in Spring, it can be so beautiful!

Thanks mom for thinking of such a fun activity and having the guts to follow through with it!

sure, love you

THE WHOLE CREW!!!

I am not a number, I am annie

I'm sick of numbers. They are so definite, and absolute. I did our taxes this year. I'm sick of numbers. My identity is defined by eight little numbers. My worth is defined by the numbers in the bank. My beauty is defined by numbers on a scale. My intelligence determined by a number on a test. My location is in numbers. I connect with others through seven digits.
I don't want to be a number. But if I must, I want to be the one who determines them. I am wife to 1. Mother to 3. Daughter to 2. Granddaughter to 6. Sister to 5. Daughter- in- law to 2. Sister- in- law to 8. Aunt to 17. Cousin to a multitude and friend to many.
I love those numbers. Those are the ones that matter. The ones that I want to define myself by.
I am NOT just a number, I am annie.

Congrats Matt&Courtney!!!

The world became a bit brighter on Friday when Matt and Courtney welcomed their little Makenzie Sue into the world! She was 7lbs 8oz, and looks just like her daddy! Sweet Courtney labored from the wee hours of the morning until finally at six in the evening it was decided that a c-section would be needed. Mommy and baby are doing great and are well on the road to recovery! We are so thankful to have such a sweet addition to our family. Everyone one of her Porter Aunts and Uncles and most of her Wilkes Aunts and Uncles were there to Celebrate her arrival.

We love you baby girl and can't wait to watch you grow! Well done little brother and Courtney, WE LOVE YOU!!

This is one of her very first pictures!

Matt and his Baby

The Uncles



Do you think they're related?

Bows already!!??



Man, I love this chick!

Porter's Big Day!

This weekend our Porter was baptised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It was a wonderful weekend! Both of his grandpa's gave talks and his grandma's said the prayers. His cousins and aunts sang a song and his uncles helped confirm him a member of the church.
I know that all mothers say, "It feels like he was JUST born!"
But I truly feel this way! It couldn't have been eight years ago that all these men gathered around my little boy to give him a name and a blessing, and now these same men gather to confirm him. It was a humbling moment for this mommy. A glimpse of things to come. Will I teach him correctly so he continues this path we have placed his feet on? I pray I will.
Porter is such a choice little spirit. He is such a tender soul. I am so blessed to be his mother.
Well done Porter Boy! WE LOVE YOU!




Trever and Porter all ready to go!

All of us at the church

What Sweet Boys!

Some more pics of the day...