Stephen JACE Walker

Jace turned five a little while ago and before too much time passes I wanted to post a few things about him.

Jace,

1. The first word I think of when you come to mind is "love." You love life and everyone around you. In everyone of your prayers to Heavenly Father you ask that everyone in the world will be happy and have fun. You have such a need for physical love. You remind me on a daily basis if we have not snuggled yet. You love to curl up in my arms on my bed and are completely satisfied laying there minutes on end. Everyday you tell me this is the best day ever even if all we do is go to the gym and run a few errands at the mall. You are so much more social than I ever imagined being (if that's possible). You say "hi" to everyone in public and you start conversations with strangers on a daily basis.
2. You were born with the desire to learn. From day one you have always been so eager to grasp any knowledge whether it be about the gospel, the world, outer space, if there are good guys and bad guys in the world and how to conquer them, and anything and everything academically related.
3. You love electronics and you have since day one. Your favorite toys were the DVD player (not watching but pushing buttons), telephones, computers, and now any type of video game but you always make sure before you become interested in a game that it is rated "E" or "C". If I let you play games all day you would.
4. You have always had the desire to choose the right. All I have to do is sit and talk with you and let you know that you could make better choices and immediately you change.
5. You have a way of capturing any kids imagination. When I pick you up from school you tell me that you not only got all of the boys in your class but, all of the girls to play Star Wars. One day I asked you how you got the girls to play and you said, "I just told them they could be Princess Leah and we would save them. If they didn't wanted to be rescued they could come down and look for Darth Vader with us." According to you they all agreed.

Jace, we feel so blessed to have you in our family. Most importantly thank you for all of the love you have brought into our lives. We love you!!

Love, Mama

Farewell Party for the Martin's

Our good friends the Martin's are moving to Dubai for the next three years so we decided to have a "Texan" themed going away party of roughly 120 people before they left at the Richard's home.

Brandon, Alyssa, Andrea and Brandon Martin

The Brandon's

Lauren Martin with our silly boys

And, of Course the pArTy...

Laura And Ashley life-guarding

So many fun activities going on all at once...

Monkeying around

A brutal soccer game...

My favorite, the intense basketball game...

They look pretty sweaty, but remember we are in humid tExAs!!

Avery and Kai got a little tired of cheer-leading on the side...isn't hugging more fun??

And of course a little eating and socializing...

We miss you already and can't wait to see you again. :-)

Finished and "SHOCKED"

DON'T WORRY I DON'T GIVE ANYTHING AWAY IN THIS POST!!

Late Friday night I was supposed to attend a party at midnight to pick up this book. Do you think I stayed up long enough to attend?? No, I feel asleep and did not waken until morning which now is probably a good thing considering how late I stayed up the past two nights to finish this book.

I must say going into this I was a little concerned as to how Meyer's would make everything okay. If Bella turned into a vampire it wouldn't be a completely happy ending because she would be leaving Charlie, Renee, and Jacob (not to mention becoming Jacobs enemy.) If she picks Jacob yes, should would be with a human and be able to have children which is a wonderful offer but, there would always be the "what if" about Edward. Finally, if she stayed human, would she ever be able to be intimate with Edward? And, how many mortal and especially "immortal" enemies would she acquire as she got old and eventually died?

To me, I couldn't comprehend being satisfied with this final book, but I must say that Meyer's pulled it off in a way I never ever imagined. The first half I did not love this book I was just completely and utterly "shocked." But, she pulled it off. Of course she would if she wanted to sell more books in the future. It is just too good and perfect how it turns out. PLEASE CALL ME WHEN YOU FINISH. I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS BOOK YET.

Enjoy!!