So the last two years have been bittersweet as Christmas goes. This year we didn't get to have our Bryans and Rex here for our Gardner Christmas Gala, so we have the love of our Savior in knowing we shall be a family forever!!! We are so blessed to have the most awesome individuals in our family!! I love this time of year and will enjoy the opportunity to someday be able to go to wherever our families are!! Our home is blessed to be the central point for our family. I love you all!!!!!

Here he is---here he really is......

Okay, so Verg SAYS he has to go to Tucson Tuesday to get some oxide for the shop. He is usually gone for most of the day so when he comes walking into my office at 4:15 I thought, Wow that was fast! He said that didn't take as long as he thought then the door opened and in walked a handsome young man...wait WHAT....it's REX!! Now he wasn't suppose to be here until the end of January!! Imagine my delight and yes I screamed!! For the past two mornings it has be a blast waking up to our Rex sitting in the recliner!! I just forget sometimes how much I really miss him and how he makes this home light up!! Rex, you do so much good for your mother's heart and your father's too!! We love you!!!

After SIX years, she has "Mastered" it....

She is amazing!!! Yep, she has accomplished her goal in receiving her Masters in Secondary Education in History!! It was a great graduation and we were so blessed to be able to go. Amber and C.J. are going to do great things and now Amber is going for her GHHTMCAPAOTMS (translation: Get Her Husband Through MCAT And On To Med School) degree!!!
We are so proud of you, Ber, and love you dearly!!

Let it snow....

Verg and I went to the Valley today to do some shopping and pick-up a new piece of equipment for the monument company!! We have a "system" moving through the state, the one that hit California pretty hard. On the way back we were going through Superior and it started snowing, I mean REALLY snowing, I have pictures to show it and I will post them when we figure out how to get them off Verg's phone!! It was so beautiful and peaceful and really made me stop to think how blessed we are to have some of Heaven's beauties right now.
I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves us UNCONDITIONALLY and is willing to wait for us to find that out!!
May this time of the year help us all to reflect just how important we are in the grand scheme of things!!
I love you all!!!!

Yup, I'm lovin' the Holidays.......

Sometimes it takes a moment to remember why you feel so blessed, so I am going to try my best to scratch the surface of my thankfulness. Here goes!
I am so blessed to have the Savior in my life, for His Atoning sacrifice and His unconditional love for me!
I am so blessed to be married to my best friend and the love of my life. I will always say (and you can quote me): "Thank heavens for Seminary"!
I am so blessed to be the mother of five incredible people, for their love and support for their Father and I and for each other. I am also blessed to be the MIL of four of the most awesome people our children are able to call their spouses!
I am so blessed for eight of the most perfect little people (with more to come) and I pray I am always the best example I can be as their Mimi!
I am so blessed to have the extended family I have, for their wonderful examples and for the intergity they bring into my life!
I am so blessed to have the friends I have and how they are like my family more than they realize!
I am so blessed to be living in this great country~America! For the liberties and rights I enjoy every day!
I am so blessed to have the job I have, for my family of the people I enjoy working with every day! Also for all the jobs I have had and the MANY experiences and ideals I have been able to work with and for!
I am so blessed to be a member of this glorious gospel, for the Prophet Joseph and all the horrific, joyful, tender, Divine inspirations and for all his family when through.
I am so blessed to the testimony I have and every day is a new learning experience for me and I grow with each and every time in physical and spiritual situations I have! For the blessings of the Temple so I may know Him and run to Him not away from Him!
I am so blessed to have the small joys and loves in my life that I pray I NEVER take them for granted!!
Yes, I am so richly blessed way beyond what I deserve!!
Happy Thanksgiving to all and I love you!!!!

Well ........

So has it been this long since I last posted!!!! WOW!!!! I guess some things are better left unsaid but for this long, gudfree!!!!!

The family is well and as usual, Mimi is having TheronSydneyCodyWyatt withdrawals and I am so ready for the holidays!! Mind you there is a slew of things that need to be completed but more the merrier (what am I saying!!??) so now I have the where-with-all to get, oooohhhh, about 60% done!!!

I must post that my sweetheart excepted a calling as Ward Executive Secretary and he is doing smashingly!! I am so proud of him and as he honors his priesthood I have the peace of mind and heart our lives are only getting better!!! Of course he and Bishop Hackett are having way to much fun with this calling but Bishop knows Verg has his back at all times!!

The weather is now in my most favorite mode~AUTUMN~and I couldn't be more happier (unless surrounded by eight of THE most perfect little people); the air is crisper, the cotton is ready to be picked, the sea of white from the cotton bolls make it look like a snow storm was dumped on the Gila Valley, how everything is getting ready for the cold bite of Winter (ugh)!!!

I am in a warm, fuzzy, loving place right now not saying it might overturn but I can be of good cheer knowing my Savior has my back!! I send love to each and everyone of my family, immediate and extended, near and far!!

The best is yet to come!!!

Ber and Cheej's New Hall Director Apt...

This is what you move "up" to when you are elevated to Hall Director!! This apartment is huge compared to their first place in the Married Housing just across the street from this apartment.
As you can see it is quite comfortable and the principle characters in the pictures are: C.J., Amber's husband in the role of Hall Director, Chris Angle, Amber's Dad and Verg, SueEllen Angle, Amber's mom. They also found out that during Christmas break the maintanence department is putting in new carpet and renevating the kitchen which means they will need to move their things and furniture around again. This was to be done during the summer break but NNNOOOOOOOOOO much to easy.
C.J. has two RA's under him and his boss known only as Peggy (to the rest of us) informed C.J. he will be on all the committees she is suppose to be on including the committee for the new dorms which includes but not limited to: WNMU new president, the contractors and C.J. representing the WNMU Housing Dept. sssooooo he will be a VERY busy fellow. When does the pre-med classes come to play in this scenerio?!! Amber begins her semester, student teaching at a high school in another community!
We are so very proud of them and as we are of all our children, they are doing so good!!!

Here are two wonderful ways of celebrating July 4th!!! The birthdays of our awesome country and our awesome son-in-law!!! I am so grateful for Ben and his love of our daughter and grandchildren. He has been able to complete the schooling to become a dentist and still be a wonderful husband and father, supportive of Shawna, Theron and Sydney!!! Thank you Benji for all you do for our family and we love you!!!

Happy Anniversary....

So can anyone believe it has been two years since this awesome couple were sealed and Amber became a Gardner, joining the club of the most wonderful spouses of our children!!! This has been a dream for me ever since we moved here to Safford and became members of the Safford First Ward. I have loved the Angle family since we came here and always secretly wished C.J. and Amber would find each other and complete my dream and sure enough it happened!!!! So here are C.J. and Amber Gardner!!!! Happy 2nd, we love you!!!!!

So whose counting....

Having been with someone for 38 years (43 if you count dating which I do) is my dream come true. I fell in love with Vergene Gardner the spring of our sophmore year 1967! It was the greatest accomplishment of my life along with the birth of our children, their weddings and the birth of our grandchildren!! I love him more and more every day so when eternity comes the love will continue to grow. Thank you Verg for being my support, husband, father of my children (no Tif you were not adopted!) soulmate and eternal companion!!!
Happy Anniversary, Honey!!!!
(eat your heart out, Kay)!!!!!!

C.J. turns a quarter of a century .....

Yup, the Cheej is 25!! My, how time flies with or without the fun! We had a BBQ with the guest of honor doin' the cookin' (something wrong with this picture?)! The fam came over for the par-taay which included: Tif and crew, SueEllen and Chris, Aubruy and kids, Andrew and his fam. The chillin's in the pool pic are Cambry, Myleea, Kaely and Lauren. We had a ball but as usual missed those of our family who couldn't be here. Who would have thunk' it that the baby who hung from the table in his babyseat would be going to Med school!!??
We love you, C.J. !!!!!!!

Ber Rabbit......

For those who know our Kipp, this situation is a SUPERDOG!!! He was laying on the chair by the bay-windows as he usually does when waiting for Verg to come home. Suddenly he whinned and flew off the chair moving over by his water dish. I got up to see what the fuss was about and here came a very courageous jackrabbit (Go Mesa High) over to our lawn! Kipp did not move a muscle while Jack ( no pun intended, Rex) had his way on our lawn!!! Kipp continued to keep the SWAT position and finally Jack left to better eating grounds, around here I have no idea where!!

This leaves our lil' ones....

Brynlee and Wyatt!!!! The joys of watching these two is indescribable!!!! They are constantly moving and developing their own personalilities!!! Wyatt loves life and is very focused when he has his mind set!! He loves doing anything with dad and brother and is accompanying them on hunt scouting and hunts themselves!!! He moves ninty miles an hour and can make Mimi's heart melt!!!!!!!!!!
Brynlee has personality plus!! With her walking now, no territory is undiscoverable!! She can entertain a room with her so-grownup antics and she can also melt Mimi's heart with her wit and smile. She will definitely be one who knows exactly what she wants and her and Wyatt will be a blessing and joy to watch as will our other six grandchildren.
FYI~~~be on the lookout for the Elite Eight, coming to a theatre near you!!!!!!

Doyle on the move....

This is our four-wheelin', fun-lovin', throw me in the pool Doyle! He loves the outdoors and four-wheeling is his love. He has a passion for any thing fast and he can run with the best of 'em!! He also loves helping his dad with Brian's hunting dogs, feeding, watering, cleaning kennels and he is very focused as he helps!!! Doyle is so good at wanting to help anyone and will be ready when called upon!
Way to go, Bubba D!!!

Cody swingin..........

Our next athlete is our first grandson, Cody!! Cody loves to play all sports and works very hard at practice and gives 100% whatever position he is given. He to is a great team player and also is becoming a pianist in his own right. To add to the loves in his life is hunting and fishing especially with his dad and mom!!! Love watching this one excel!!
Way to go, Codmyster!!!!

Sydney~another dancer in the family....

The dance craze continues with our Sydney!!! She LOVES to dance and is a show-stopper just like her mom was at that age (matter of fact, she still is)!! Syd is so cunnin, she loves her costumes and works very hard at practice!! It will be so fun to watch her become a great dancer as will her cousin. Who knows maybe Mimi will get her wish, to watch a Broadway show featuring her granddaughters on Broadway!!
Way to go, Syddiddy!!!!

Theron's Gameplan.....

Yet another talented grandson takes to the field! Theron loves to compete and is learning to be quite the team player. He practices very hard and has gain a love for the sports which includes but not limited to: baseball, basketball and soccer. He gives it his all and in the end is rewarded with a job well done (also the occasionl trophey, ribbons and medals)!!!
Way to go, Thunder Boy!!!!

So You Think You Can Dance? BET YOUR SWEET LIFE SHE CAN.....

Here is an example of talent!! Kaely had a recital in which her group danced to a mix of Michael Jackson's songs!! Kaely tore it up, with moves even Micheal would have been proud of!!! She loves to dance and she practices at home and at the dance studio. She also is becoming quite the pianst which she also practices and takes lessons. Way to go, KSue!!!!

Cambry's concert.....

We have exceptionally talented grandchildren!! Each with their own gifts, which their parents are playing a huge roll in supporting them. Cambry is a good singer and had a duet part in her school's ending program. She is also very committed to learn how to barrel race and spends a day or two a week with her coach Kristen Gomez.
Way to go Camaramlious!!!!

Memorial Day 2011......

I love America!! This great country has been through h-e-double hockey sticks and back!!! I can only imagine what our Founding Fathers would say and hopefully do to get us back on track!! As Latter-day Saints, we must help our Heavenly Father make sure that righteousness prevails and that is a big accomplishment in these the last days!!! I believe we must teach the chosen generation about what a great country we live in, for it will be in their hands as to how great the amount of righteousness is in our lives and the adversary is held at bay. We must also remember what our Savior did for us and live our lives accordingly!!! Start right this minute to make our country great again and be ready to greet our Savior humbly!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

Rex flies in ...........

When Rex comes home, it is a time filled with laughter, pranks, Kipp/Harley bonding and down right fun!!!! He was able to be here for his brother's WNMU graduation and we were so glad. Rex has the "magical" ability of making the time together fun and for his nieces and nephews they can't get enough of him. We are very grateful for what Rex brings into our family and our family adores him!! So here is a special "zippty-do-da" to one of the Fab Five!!! We love you, Rex!!!!

Movin' on ......

Let me take you back about two weeks ago when the Gardners were finishing up the first part of what will be many adventures! The next day after graduation we met at 124 Muir Heights to help our C.J. and Ber finish packing and moving items in their soon-to-be basement in their beginning-of-new-place when school starts up again. C.J. and Amber were moved when C.J. accepted the job of Hall Moniter (for lack of a better title) in which he will oversee one of the single's dorms and married housing. WNMU will continue to pay for his premed. prequecs and give some income while Amber finishes up her Masters in Secondary Education (with straight A's I might add) and graduate in December 2011. This job will last until Spring Semester of 2012.
It was a busy day but with our family it was filled with hugs, pranks, smack-bending, broom rides, laughing and yes, some tear-shedding! The most terrific part of the move is Ber and C.J. get to come to Safford and live with us while C.J. takes a summer Chemistry class at EAC!!! We are S-T-O-K-E-D and are having a marvelous time as the Gardners spend time with us and the Angles!! SueEllen and I couldn't be more happier!! I want to thank our family for the love and support they give to each other whether in person, by phone, email or texting!! Love the Fam!!!!

WOW, life is ............

I know in everyone's life there are times when you have to sit back and say, WOW!! Case in point: In church on Sunday, one of our return missionaries gave a talk about her mission and all she learned when she served in Alaska. She made the comment about turning our mindset around and instead of "enduring" to the end we should be "enjoying" to the end! What a wonderful idea! Making our lives so we live as disciples of the Savior, being able to walk in his footsteps to best of our abilities and when we finally get to go home, He can say "Well done"!!! The times they are a-changing and the only way we can roll with it, is to do what we know we should be doing! Being thankful for what we are given, not sweating the small stuff, if we have control over it, fine, if we don't, move on and spend that time building the kingdom here on earth. A wonderful person once told me to project positive energy and positive situations will come to me!! I know it is easier said than done but I have been trying to do this and I must admit it works!!!! Oh you can be sure the adversary is hot on my heels, trying his best to tear me and all I love down but you can be darn sure I look to my Savior for He has been below the lowest level and we only have to put our situations in His hands!!!! Therefore, my new motto is "Enjoy to the end"!!! Come on , join me!!!!

The weekend started with .......

The weekend started with Thursday, May 12th!!!! We were so fortunate to have Rex here for the festivities and what a time we had!! We first were missing our Bryan family and we are looking forward to when we can all be together!! Doyle's school had a program at Discovery Park and for those who don't know what Discovery Park is, it the one of the neatest places in the Gila Valley. It consists of a simluated space ride and learning about space. Then it has a section where kids and adults alike learn about our area and all the great inhabitants, both human and reptile and plants that make up this valley. It was out in the amphitheatre were Doyle's school put on a Disney themed musical sensation!!!! The grades K-3 did the Jungle Book and 4-6 did the Lion King. They did a fantastic job and drew quite the crowd!!! Our Brynlee had the best seat in the house!!! Having the time to do some activities with our family definitely brings joy to Papa and Mimi's heart!!!!!

The next day, yes you are right, it was FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!! We headed to WNMU with Tifani, Kaely, Doyle, Papa and Mimi. We met up with Trevor, Heather, Cody and Wyatt!! We checked into the Holiday Inn Express and headed to the Old Stadium site to watch Charles Jacob Gardner receive his Bachelor degree!! It was a long ordeal but nevertheless it was awesome!! We are so proud of C.J. and his accomplishments and his committment to being a great individual and provider for his family!! We had also met up with Chris, SueEllen, Alisha and Lauren at the stadium and after the ceremony, we loaded up and headed to the church ramada for some bbq pork sandwiches (thanks Trevor and Heather, yum yum), some bbq beans (delish Ber), chips, brownies and cookies (again, Ber, fabulous)!!! When we pulled in we had the Deer family there and I do mean the four-legged ones!!! The kids played until they and the adults were tired so off to hotels we did go!!!

The next morning we headed to Muir Heights and helped Ber pack and clean and cart stuff over to their soon-to-be new place. C.J. in the meantime checked residents out and when we left for Safford we had the Sonoma packed, the Dodge packed and pulling Ber's little packed car (with a car hauler)!!! We got home and unpacked vehiles and ate supper, of course there was mean game of Farkle happenin' then off to bed!!! Sunday we had to say good-bye to the Rowells and Rex which is always the pits when the fun is over!! Now we are able to have C.J. and Amber here for the summer while C.J. takes a chemistry class from EAC so to say the least we are "stoked"!

Can I say I am one very lucky Mimi to have the MOST awesomest family eternity can ever provide and there are many more wonderful achievements comin" down the pike!!

Mother's Day Monday ....

Okay, so I am the most blessed mother on earth! I came home yesterday (Monday) from work to find a light neon green package sitting on the island. The tag said "To Mom with love your kids", I opened it and there in a box was a Barnes and Noble Nook ~~~~ like WAHOO!!! So do I have the most wonderful, awesome children EVER ~~ YOU BET!!!!!!!! I look forward to reading the delightful books and open my mind and heart to worlds beyond!!
Thank you Heather, Trevor, Tifani, Brian, Shawna, Benji, Rex, C.J. and Amber for making this a most awesomest Mother's Day!!!
(Thank you Verg for my camera)
Love to you all!!!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day 2011

I can't believe it is Mother's Day already!!!! I have much to be thankful for as a mother and the "incredible" title of grandmother!
I have stated before on this blog, I am the mother of five incredible people! Heather, Tifani, Shawna, Rex and C.J. are the greatest examples to me. They have many different talents and abilities which have kept Vergene and I on the move constantly. From Tifani and Rex's journeys to places unknown to Heather and C.J.'s athletic abilities to Shawna being our middle, poised, crazy and "bff" to her sisters and brothers. Each of their "coming out" parties made me so happy and a little scared as I weighed the enormous responsibility of being their mother! I am glad to report inspite of their parents these "fab five" are terrific people!
Now for the spouses of four of these five terrific people, I am forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for bringing Brian, Trevor, Ben and Amber into our family. These four have awesome talents and abilities in their own right. I thank Father every day for the families of these wonderful people and the love and support Heather, Tifani, Shawna and C.J. are given each and every day.
For the most precious, PERFECT, awesome grandchildren I can only say WOW!! Cody, Wyatt, Kaely, Cambry, Doyle, Brynlee, Theron and Sydney have brought so much joy and comfort to this Mimi and they will continue to do so. I look forward to what they are going to achieve and no matter what happens in their lives they will know Papa and Mimi will love them unconditionally as we do their parents and uncle!! Our family is our safe haven from the world's complicated situations and we will continue to be each other's cheerleader and I only have to watch them in action and know my Heavenly Father loves me and knows what is precious to my heart!
So I could not be the mother I am without my eternal companion. He is my best friend, my love. I knew the minute I walked into Brother Roper's Seminary class my life would never be the same!! I saw my "eye candy" and had to go home for an insulin fusion!! Vergene knows my heart and is the greatest husband and father only second to none with Charles Leighton and Floyd Gardner!!
I, Susan Louise Leighton Gardner, will be forever grateful to my Savior for his Atonement and his love for our family!! Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Easter with the Bryans .....

Theron and Sydney~Easter


How wonderful to share the Easter season with our family in Washington!! Theron and Sydney are growing up so fast and it is so wonderful to have the chance to share in some of their activities! Even though we aren't there, Shawna is so good about posting the activities and goings-on of her family so even though we are a few miles apart, we are still part of the action. So lovin the time to be able to go and see them and this time Papa will be there. This year Easter fell on Rex's birthday, April 24th!! So that was an even special reason to celebrate!!

People from the past .....

To set the stage for the reasoning of printing this email, I met Allison Ashley West in 1967 while a sophomore at Mesa High School. Allison had the personality of one who could take you into her world and treat you as if she had known you since the beginning of time. She is loving, caring and a friend for life. If you can ever find someone like this, do everything in your power to hold on to that friendship!! They are extremely rare!! Thirteen years ago she lost a son to cancer and it was a most difficult, painful time but as you can see she never let it suck her into the abyss of despair and hopeless grief. She was and is and always will be one of my sister~friends!! I love you, Allison!!!



"Sue,
It meant so much to me to see you and Vergene. We have to try hard to reconnect and stay reconnected, talked to Mary today and she says we really need to come up and visit you for that slumber party. You can not see someone for 20 years and when you do it is just like you left off yesterday, I believe that is what true friendship is. These kinds of friendships have become like gold to me at this stage in my life. It really felt good to talk to you, I admire you and Vergene. What are the odds of a football star and a cheerleader becoming everyday people and surviving the hard knocks that life throws at us sometimes. I feel lucky to have had Lonnie all these years, he has been by my side always and you and Vergene seem the same way. I always tell people I could have left Lonnie, my husband once or twice, but I could never have given up my best friend, who I knew he was within days of meeting him. From just talking to you yesterday I feel like you and Vergene are the same way. And that is how we survive, by being loved.
Love you so much, Allison"

Third Grade Hottie ..........

Okay, so can you find my best friend, eternal companion and father of my children in this adorable picture of a third grade class!!!???
When we went to our class reunion picnic, one of the guys who ended up going to "the other high school" knew he had known Vergene before. He went home and found his third grade class picture and sure enough there he was standing to right of Verg!!!
How weird is that?! (Not weird weird but exciting weird, movie line!) So right from the get-go my honey was a hottie!!!!

Reflecting

I have been down with my annual "cold" since last Thursday and I have been "reflecting" on how much I love this group of little people. My life has been pretty much in the mine-set of becoming a grandmother which my mother told me would definitely happen IF I became a mother myself. Okay, sounded great to me! It took the better part of my teenage years holding on to the man whom I wanted to share my eternity with and believe you me when I say holding on I MEAN holding on!!! To this union came five of the most incredible people who have been an inspiration and example to me!!! Then one by one they left my security and roof and began their own journey!!! As they found their eternal companions, my grandmother~clock started ticking and before long, these precious, yes~perfect, amazing little humans entered the Gardner family!! I know my Heavenly Father lives and loves me because as I watch these awesome grandchildren grow and come into their own I feel His presence daily!! Now I must admit I wish they were all a two minute drive away but their parents are so wonderful in keeping Papa and I a part of their activities and lives.

Cody Hayden ~ our hunter

Wyatt Floyd ~ our lover of life

Kaely Sue ~ our dance entrepreneur

Cambry Christi ~ our barrel racer

Doyle Brian ~ our tool man

Brynlee Dawn ~ our sweet baby

Theron Vergene ~ our lover of sports

Sydney Lillian ~ our princess

How can people not know of a divine presence when there are treasures in this world such as these. I want Chet, Delores, David, Christi, Bruce, Sandra, Chris and Sue Ellen to know how much I love and appreciate the upbringing of their children in some way, shape or form to become the most incredible spouses to our children. Yup, this Mimi IS extremely grateful for this journey and I look forward to whatever comes our way because I know we will endure anything when we endure together!!! FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!!!!!

The Class of '70 Picnic Reunion

The magnificent Superstition Mountains

Front row: Charolette, me Lou Ann, Nancy, Isabele,Sherry

Back row: Carla, Mary, Lynn, Allison




Left to right: Vergene, Dale, Bill, Vance, Chuck, Johnny, Leonard

A few weekends ago we were fortunate to be able to go to a Mesa High School Class of '70 picnic reunion at the base of one of Arizona's grandest mountain~the Superitions. It was a gorgeous day and as the sun went down the full moon was high~absolutely breathtaking!!!! Our good friend Dale Hamblin got it organized and we had people from Montana, South Carolina and as far away as Scottsdale come for a day of bonding, memories and eating! These "kids" are we fondly refer to each other have been a part of our lives since elementary school and they are still "rockin on"!!!!!!! Some of them, Vergene and I haven't seen since we graduated 40 yes I said 40 years ago!!!!!!! This reunion will be a yearly event and will bring more classmates since the world of communication now includes Facebook!!!! Carry On Jackrabbits Carry On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!