Christmas in California 2009 .....

Christmas in California was awesome!!! Absolutely freezing but awesome never the less!! Verg and I left on Wed. afternoon and headed to Laveen for a good night sleep with Shamoms and crew (Mimi needed some holiday wisses)! Woke up on Christmas Eve day and made it to Anaheim about 7:30 pm Cali time (it's one hour behind AZ). Met Rex after he got of work!! Had dinner at Denny's. On Christmas Day we opened gifts which completely blew me away!! A laptop, the most awesomest(sp)warm socks for Mimi, a nail gun and colonge for Papa and a surround sound, towels and sheets for Rex!!! Stayed completely away from the D-land since it was closed twice Christmas Day. Went sight-seeing and then to Chubby's (only place close to Rex's opened on CD)for dinner (don't EVER go there)!
Then back to Rex's. Got up and went for a fabulous lunch at El Gordito's and to Costco and a Blockbuster which was closing for good and which had great deals. Rex and I hit Disneyland that night and had a blast!! Walked both ways from his apartment so Sue had her work-out! Rex had to work on the 27th at 7:15am so we said our good-byes (still hard to leave him) and we went to the Orginial House of Pancakes for breakfast! TO DIE FOR!!! Then back to Arizona and reality!! Overall Verg and I are so blessed to have a wonderful family and life!!!!!!!!

Pluto flying high ............

Pluto and his pal, Mickey, were flown to Oregon to inaugrate the new planes that Alaskan Airlines, Disney and Make A Wish have painted to bring the MAW kids to Disneyland!!! This is awesome and quite the eventful time only Pluto can describe!!! Congratulations Mickey and Pluto and gang!!!!!!!

Here he is~~here he really is !!!!!!!!!

The surprise of the year .... Rex came home for our annual Gardner Christmas party!!!It was an awesome feat!! Verg and my sister, Diane, were the only ones who knew and it shocked the family!!! So I had our WHOLE family under our roof for three days!!!
GLORIOUS!!!!!!
That's Wyatt Floyd Rowell in the picture!!!!

Our loving memories from President Spencer W. Kimball

I love Pres. Kimball and love Shawna for having this quote on her blog! I really think, as Shawna, we need to bring the true spirit of Christmas back and return to basics!! I love you all and pray for you to remember the reason why we celebrate this season~~~~~~Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

"Though we make an effort to follow the pattern of gift giving, sometimes our program becomes an exchange—gift given for gift expected. Never did the Savior give in expectation. I know of no case in his life in which there was an exchange. He was always the giver, seldom the recipient. Never did he give shoes, hose, or a vehicle; never did he give perfume, a shirt, or a fur wrap. His gifts were of such a nature that the recipient could hardly exchange or return the value. His gifts were rare ones: eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the down—trodden, freedom to the oppressed, light in the darkness, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing. His friends gave him shelter, food, and love. He gave them of himself, his love, his service, his life. The wise men brought him gold and frankincense. He gave them and all their fellow mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life. We should
strive to give as he gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift."

Spencer W. Kimball

Team lost but C.J. won ..........

Fort Lewis extended their lead to ten at the top of the second quarter when Nate Soucie’s 26-yard field goal attempt was good, but WNMU answered quickly. The purple and gold posted four first downs on the next drive. Voller ended the drive with a touchdown pass. This time it went to CJ Gardner (Safford, AZ, Safford High School, Arizona State University) for 20 yards.

It was a hard thing to watch as the lead that WNMU had a half-time dwindled to a loss. I lost my voice but in vain and the only thing that saved my loss was C.J.'s touchdown!! A beautiful thing to behold.
Thanks C.J. and Amber for the great time in Colorado and having us over for the games.
We love you both!!!

Not that I'm getting a complex or anything .....

YEAH, RIGHT !!!!!
Okay, so if you visit my blog at least make a comment whether it is good or bad!!!
I know this is really for my own sake as a journel-type blog but a little feed back would be marvelous-darling!!!
Love to all who venture into my blog!!!!!

The sweet faces of Theron, Kaely, Doyle and Cambry have been clouded with the illnesses of

H1N1, Strep and Sinus infection. I am happy to report they are all on the mend with antibotics and rest. What a stressfull time we have with all these diseases flying around!!!! We need to heed to the Word of Wisdom and commom sense in fighting the "bugs"!!! I am so happy they are getting better/!

Excuse me, pardon me ~~~ get out of the way!!!

The homecoming game at WNMU was wonderful due in part to the BLOCK which Cheej delivered to #30 from Highland U!!! He started on the opposite side of the field, ran over and gave our #6 the passage way in which to score a touchdown!! As you can see our #82 (Cheej) is giving the HU player a seat in mid-air!!! Spectacular to say the least!!! Way to go, Cheej!!!

Two sons who make a mother beam ......

Following in the footsteps of 3 awesome sisters, these two have taken the talents and gifts Heavenly Father gave them and are using them to the hilt!!!! They have always amazed me and I am so thankful for their examples and commitment to what they wish to aspire. They are truly wonderful and their older sisters are to be commended in helping to shape their lives and destiny!

I am also so grateful for the great individuals who have taken four of our five as spouses for they are also the reason our sons are great people!!!!!!!

Precious pal ...

This is the face that keeps Dad and I going since we have become an "empty-nester" couple!
Kipp loves to see us come home and loves us unconditionally as does our family!
Thanks Kipper for the love and remember: "Don't kiss the lick"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Photo courtesy of Shamoms' Memories")

Remember.... "I'm alright........

Receiving No. Yds TD Long----------------------------------------
CJ Gardner 4 97 0 40
Cory Ramos 4 90 1 49
Bubba Tuinei 4 45 1 21
Scotty Crespin 4 12 0 7
Kevin Breaker 3 20 0 9
Christopher Miranda 2 3 0 6
Markis Sumpter 1 23 0 23
Totals... 22 290 2 49

Here is the stats for the "terrible lost for WNMU but C.J.'s best game"!!!! C.J. leads the passing stats for WNMU. His offense coach, Coach Reishel, told the O team there was a new player who gave his heart every game, never complained and worked very hard week in and week out. C.J. was so embrassed but now the team knows how the Gardner men work (he has the greatest examples in Dad, Rex, Trevor, Brian and Ben)!!! C.J. will start this week against New Mexico Highlands for the 09 Homecoming game so please send good vibes again to the east and we love you all!!!!

Okay, sssssoooo ........

WNMU has had a bit of bad luck (coaching, playing, whatever ...) but C.J. has risen to the occasion when he is called upon. Not quite understanding what is happening but maybe the team can come together and really blow the skeptics out of the water and beat No. 1 ranked Chadron College this coming weekend! We need all good vibes headed east to Silver City for this weekend's match up!!!
Go Mustangs !!!!!!!! (please?!)

Butterflies are free ~~~~~~~

Our daughters have become quite the photographers (even if they say nay) and here is a sample of Shawna's work when they took the kids to the Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. If you want to see some of her work you will need to email her and get on her blog. I love butterflies so this may become part of my gallery. I also saw a bee picture Heather took and Tifani has some of her trips so all in all I have the corner on the picture~taking!!!!!!

WNMU~~

This is the older campus of WNMU
This is the newer campus

This tree is our most absolute favorite

These are a few pictures of Western New Mexico University where C.J. and Amber are being their married life. It really is a pretty place and we enjoy going over there. We have our sons living in completely different areas and we are loving going to see them. As a matter of fact all our children live in fantastic places so Verg and I are very blessed to be able to see our different scenes!! How great is that!!!!

The first NCAA Division II Football Stats ...

Here is the final score of the WNMU-Sol Ross game!

C.J. is walking beside # 34 going in at half-time !!!

C.J. is third from the left in what is called the "respect line"!

The Automated ScoreBook
Western New Mexico Individual Game-by-Game (as of Sep 05, 2009)
All games
#82 CJ Gardner
---RUSHING--- --RECEIVING-- -------PASSING------- --KICK RET-- --PUNT RET-- all
Date Opponent No. Yds TD Lg No. Yds TD Lg Cmp-Att-Int Yds TD Lg No Yds TD Lg No Yds TD Lg purp
Sep 05, 2009 SRSU................... 2 21 1 21 2 24 0 18 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 45
Totals.............................. 2 21 1 21 2 24 0 18 0- 0- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 45
Games played: 1
Avg per rush: 10.5
Avg per catch: 12.0
All purpose avg/game: 45.0
Total offense avg/gm: 21.0
---------TACKLES--------- -SACKS- -FUMBLE- Pass Blkd -Kicks--XPTS-
Date Opponent Solo Ast Total TFL-Yds No-Yds FF FR-Yds Int-Yds QBH Brk Kick Att-Mad Run Rcv Saf Pts
Sep 05, 2009 SRSU................... 1 0 1 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 6
Totals.............................. 1 0 1 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 6

Here is the beginning of what the Gardner Families are hoping is a great career for C.J. Yes, it was hot but we were so ready for all the hard practicing and anticipations to come to a beginning so C.J. and Amber could see the fruit of their labor of love! It was thrilling and a little unpredictable with the first half seeing a lot of rushing and not so much passing. The second half found C.J. wide open twice down by the goal line but the QB didn't seem as confident in throwing to him probably because the line wasn't holding! Then came his first touchdown and we all were ecstatic to say the least (Mimi has very little voice)!!

The "w" was awesome and those who came to cheer: Chris, Sue Ellen, Annalise, Andrew Angle, Trevor, Heather, Cody and Wyatt, Steve and Sue Hackett. We had so much fun then we stayed the night which we woke up to pouring rain on Sunday morn. Thank you to all our families who sent good vibes over to Silver City and we love you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Scrimmage is done ......

WNMU scrimmaged against Pima Community College on August 29th and did a good job! C.J. did good and got the first-time-in-three-years jitters out of his system. He said it felt good to suit up again and even though he missed a pass overall he looked great. Was mellow after the game but he has his drive and will gain his piss and vinegar attitude again!! WAY TO GO, CHEEJ!!!!

The WNMU 2009 FOOTBALL TEAM !!!

Here they are in all their glory!!! How exciting and for this football mom, I can't wait until I can expand my lungs in giving support to this team! The anticipation is great and so is the anxiety (on my part) but can't wait until the games start!! GET ER' DONE, MUSTANGS!!!!!!! Oh yeah, Cheej is #82 and in the 7th row, eighth one over! Just left click on the picture to make it larger!!!

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the summer vacation has ended and what a wonderful summer it was!! One of the best I've had since I started working at the high school! A wedding, spending time at the happiest place on earth with the cutest dog, going to Laveen and learning to make jam and seeing Harry Potter 6, going to Taylor and seeing G Force and going to a Whipple family reunion and painting our house, cleaning the garage with Verg, C.J. and J.T., going to Silver City to see the cutest apartment in the nation and being with my sweetheart!!! Wow I'm so tired I believe I need to go back to work for a vacation. But seriously I had an unbelievable time with our precious children and grandchildren!!!! Thank you to my family for giving me such a grand time!! LONG LIVE THE SUMMERTIME!!!!!!!!!!!

Words of wisdom from my sweetheart

"The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing!"
Vergene Gardner

The Family ....

front row: Theron and Cambry: second row: Sydney, Doyle, Cody; third row:

Kaely, Tifani, C.J., Amber, Wyatt, Heather, Sue, Inette and Mike; fourth row:

Rex, Floydele, Brian, Shawna, Ben, Trevor, Vergene, Jennifer and Jay.

The reception was phenomenal and we are so grateful for all the family members who had to travel so far to join in our celebration!! I want to apologize to my family (Leighton) for the photographer leaving early so we did not get a family picture but that is what reunions are for!!!
The weather was perfect and the event was awesome!! Sue Ellen and her gang did a most perfect job!! We are so blessed to have the Angles in our family circle and look forward to many more happy occasions with them!!!!

So much the character .....

So here we are and I am trying to pose where I don't look like it is 110 degrees in the shade! Thought all went well until I saw on Shawna's blog this picture. Who do you think is making an appearance in my perfectly posed picture~yup, the Rex-man!! That character who is getting paid to be A character is a character in our picture!! I must admit he and his dad are two very good-looking men and I added the red to the picture. Love you, Rex!!!

If there was ever a question ......

Here she is, 4-wheelin' Mama, taking me for a ride around the cemetery!! We had an absolute blast with Mike and Inette here and loved having the Gardner sisters and brother together!! Thank you, guys for coming and can't wait for the Floyd and Madele Gardner Family Reunion!! Love to our Utah families!!!

So finally got some pictures of my trip to the happiest place on earth and I had so much fun!!!! As you can see the place is in good hands with the Mouse and his side-kick!!! Also I felt so safe with the bears as bodyguards!!!! What a wonderful way to have a happy moment with the world in such a state!!! Thanks to Rex, Mickey and Walt for all the happy memories and good times, good times!!!

THE BIG DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!

How blessed we are as a family as C.J. kneel at the alter in the House of the Lord and took Amber Angle as his eternal companion!! It was a glorious day (of course not counting the HEAT) as the Gardners and the Angles and their families and friends were in attendance to witness this very wonderful sealing. There were 47 people in the sealing room and the veil was VERY thin. It touched my heart and soul to see so many who support C.J. and Amber.
The luncheon was a huge success due to Steve and Glenna and Lisa Krummenacher and the catering they did! Superb!! Kristy and Perry were right on with the pictures and videos and I can't wait to see them. Now comes the reception with more family making sacrifices to come from far away and putting work schedules aside!! What a glorious time for the Summer of 09!!!
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the most wonderful event and those who shared it with 0ur families!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 days~~~~~~what!!!!!!

It was a wonderfully, bittersweet morning as I watched our youngest drive off with his bride. His whole life passed in front of me, the day he was born, the sweet nurisousment as I held him, the marty allen hair-dos, the first day of school, the way he knew how I was feeling and give me hugs or laugh with me, the day he came home and said he wasn't going out for 7th grade football cuzz he was one of two white boys, the day he graduated from 8th grade (where his football team went undefeated), his first crush, his rapid advancement in Bulldog football, his great senior year, his football scholarship to EAC, his 2 trial years at EAC, his mission call, his labor in field for the Lord, his ability with the black people and Tongans, his homecoming, his decisions (again trials) on how he can play football, his first date with Amber since they were home at the same time, him falling head over heels in love, the trying semester at ASU, their courting time and now his wedding to a very awesome individual!!!!!!!! I can't help but tear-up as I reread this but as I see how I now felt with all our married children and I went through the exact same feelings I love my Heavenly Father even more!! This family will stand the test of time because of our love for each other and the strength we gather from each other. So no more tears (until in the sealing room) and we will now be that much stronger with Amber in our family!!! Thank you Heather, Tifani, Shawna and C.J. for living your lives as you have and are to find such awesome eternal mates!! Thank you Rex for supporting them and your father and I and I pray you will live your life in such a way as to find some one who will touch your heart and spirit as Heavenly Father would have them do!!!!!
I love you all!!!!

Chooli comes to Papa and Mimi's ........

When Ben, Shawna, Theron and Sydney took their BIG vacation to Oregon last month we were able to have the "girl"! She is a delight and we have come to the conclusion Kipp must be feeling older because the "playfulness" is becoming few and far between. She is the reason we have Kipp which I probably have mentioned a "few" times throughout my posts! Thanks Bryans, for trusting us which the precious Choolie, WE LOVE HER LOADS!!!!!!!!!!!

3 days~~~~whose counting !!!!!!!!!

So here is the awesome couple a few weeks ago, planning and discussing (or Amber has it all under control~which is a VERY good thing) the plans for the wedding. It has been fun watching them handle the every day arrangements and schedules for this eternal event. I am very proud of the way they are getting ready and on July 2nd we (Verg, Heather, Trevor, Tifani, Shawna and I) were privileged to be with Amber and her family as she received her endowments. Our son has chosen a terrific person for eternity and now the excitement beings. We all adore her!!!!!!!!!! Amber Angle Gardner, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!!!!!!!

Prayer and the Blue Horizon ...............

I love Pres. Uchtdorf and his presidency message in June 2009 Ensign hit a special cord in my heart. When we had our Home Teachers tonight, Bro. Hackett was giving the lesson and Vergene quoted a favorite passage he gave to his Home Teaching families. It states:
"Prayer is a heavenly gift designed to help us achieve spiritual lift. It enhances and cultivates our relationsip with God. Isn't it remarkable that we can converse with the supreme Source of wisdom and compassion in the universe at any time of our choosing, in any place?"
Please read or reread this message and ponder the meaning to the words!!

Our Prophet's quote ........

"There's just as much value in those who have slipped off. Just let's go back and get them" (Ensign June 2009, Sugar beets and the worth of a soul.)

Walt Disney quote ....

"If you can dream it, you can do it! Remember always that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse"

Now one week .................

I am so excited as we are FAST approaching the wedding!!! It doesn't seem possible as I reflect ( such a big word) on the past 23 years since C.J. joined our family! We have been through many, many trials and struggles but with the Lord's love and guidance, we have made it! How do people do it without the Gospel? It is beyond comprehension and I for one am so grateful to have parents who through THE most difficult time in their married life found the true religion and listened to the messages the elders had for them. I am so blessed Heavenly Father didn't give up on us since we lived in Maine and moved to Arizona and my mother would SLAM the door on the missionaries from sea to shining sea.
I know my Father lives and loves me too!!!!

Two weeks .......

We have about two weeks until our family becomes 16!!!! I am so excited and I know C.J. and Amber will have an awesome eternity!!! I am also realizing this journey is not complete until we decide to follow the Savior and really try to become like Him. We have been given every opportunity to have exactly what Heavenly Father wants us to have and we are the only ones keeping us from obtaining it.
We only have to crasp it!

Lovin' the Sydney-isms!!!

On Monday, June 8th I was in Laveen so Shawna and the kids could take me to the airport for my week stay with Rex. As we were getting ready to kill some time before my flight left, we decided to go to the Tempe Town Lake, Sydney came up to me and said, "Mimi" and pointed to her cheek. Well not giving up the opportunity to get some nurisment I kissed her cheek and discovered it was wet!
Shawna: Mom did you know Choolie licked her cheek?
Mimi: Really? (wiping my lips)
Sydney: (with a shocked look on her face) Ya Mimi, DON'T KISS THE LICK!!!!!!
We all laughed over that comment!!!!

The first day.........

It is the first day of summer vacation 2009 and I was awakened by my sweetheart serving me breakfast in bed!! He is incredible and I feel so blessed to have him as my eternal companion. This vacation is filled with so much excitement and alot of work but I am up for the tasks because only wonderful moments are coming from them!!
Happy Summer Vacation, Mimi!!!!

Can it be !?!?

This school year is passing and I have only 4 (whose counting) days until I start summer vacation! Wow so much to do and so little time to do it in but whose complaining not ME!!!

Mark Twain has hit the the ideals of America on the head as he states:

"An Englishman is a person who does things because they have been done before. An American is a person who does things because they haven't been done before."

One of my all time favs ....

I have always loved this lil' guy!!!! From the first time I saw Pinocchio I have tried to live by the message he brought: "Always let your conscience be your guide". Yup, he is an original who will live in the hearts of baby boomers everywhere!!!!!!

What a group ............

This group is part of the sunshine in mine and Verg's life!!! They are the best examples of how a family sticks together and has fun doing it!!! Each has the divine destiny of becoming the son and daughter of Heavenly Father who will reach the pinnacle of the gospel!!! Soon we will have another awesome example as our son, C.J. will bring Amber Angle into our family! Her sweet countenance will be the star in our family examples. Thank you Ben, Shawna, Heather, Trevor, Tifani, Brian, Rex, C.J. and Amber for all you do in keeping the family on the right track and loving your Dad and I!!!!!

When Moms and Dads leave town ..

Last weekend (4/23/09-4/26/09) the Bryans, Cluffs and Rowells left for their annual siblings and spouses get-away. While Codmyster and Wy-man stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Whipple in Taylor, K-Sue, Toad, Bubba D, T-Ron and Sid-diddy got to come to stay with Mimi and Papa.
We had so much fun, making journals, going to soon-to-be Aunt Amber's softball game, (she coaches the SHS JV Softball team), wrestling with Uncle Cheej, coloring, digging in the dirt with buckets and shovels, going for 4 Wheelin' train rides and just hanging out.
I must stay those five children were so good even though we had a couple of "moments", they worked it out.
Moms and Dads you missed out on fun and antics as we had the time of our lives!! Here are a few pictures of our fun weekend:

Mark Twain says it best......

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!"

Exciting times ......

Our precious soon-to-be daughter-in-law came over tonight to show us their pictures they had taken for their announcements and how cute were they: OH MY GOSH just so dang cute!!!!!!! She stayed and we talked about some of the ideas and courses of action her and C.J. might do. We are extremely blessed to have Amber in our lives as well as her family. She will be an awesome companion to C.J. and it will be fun to watch them as we have our other children grow as husband and wife and build their celestial family. The plan of happiness can be achieved by following the Lord's plan and taking up His cause as our own. Happiness will follow C.J. and Amber as they embrace this call and bolster them up when dark clouds come and trials and tribulation follow. The Savior loves us and wants us to succeed which we can if we are obedient and stand steadfast in the gospel!