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!!