Suzanne's Wedding Continued

Yesterday was such a wonderful day. Robert said the prayer at the wedding and it was excellent. Andy's dad shared a message and then Suzanne's branch pres. married them. He did a great job and it was a beautiful wedding and day. All the nieces and nephews walked down the aisle in pairs and they were so cute. Claire even did great! Someone got video which I haven't seen yet.

Let The Wedding Posts Begin!! - The Hair

My mom did my hair and I did my girls hair. Grandpa's roses were a great accent.

Wedding Week...

My mom, my sister Jill and her family have been staying with us for a few weeks. It's nice to have them here. My kids are going to be so sad when all of their friends leave.

We all went down to Coronado Island the other afternoon.

My Aunt Carole, Uncle Gardel and cousins Richard and Randy arrived today. Carole let my kids help clean all the shells they found at the beach.

This morning Robert and I went and cut a bunch of roses from Roberts dad's rose garden. They will probably be used in the centerpieces. They're beautiful.

Our backyard is looking great. My sister Jill and her husband worked hard weeding and adding some flowers. Sue and Andy bought this lamp to add to the mood of the reception. I love it.

Today the rental chairs, dishes, and utensils were delivered and are currently in my dining room. :)

Bridal Shower #2 - Suzanne's

We had our second and final bridal shower today for Suzanne. We ate at SouPlantaion and had a nice relaxing time with the girls in our family and the girls in Andy's family.  Can't believe the wedding is tomorrow. Here's a picture of all the girls!

Left side of table from closet to farthest:

Andy's mom, my sister-in-law Koni, Me, Aunt Carole, my mom

Right side from closest to farthest:

Andy's sister Heidi, Suzanne's sis-in-law to be Alisa, Andy's sister Katie, my sister Jill, my sister Suzanne

Two Year Stats

Claire S. Thompson
Age : 2
Weight: 26lbs.
(46th percentile)
Height: 35inches
(81st percentile)
Head: 49cm
(96th percentile)

Bridal Shower #1 - Suzanne's

My sister is getting married this weekend!!

Suzanne will be the last of the Prettyman siblings to be getting married.

Her friends threw her a surprise bridal shower in Palm Desert last weekend. They had it at her favorite BBQ restraunt, Babe's. We had a nice time. There were customized menus with all of Suzanne's favorites.

Check out the centerpieces. Leah & Theresa know their way to a Prettyman girls heart. :)

The color isn't great on this picture but here are some of the guests. I'm on the closest left corner. Suzanne is one person away from me.

Suzanne Opening Gifts...

The wedding is coming fast!  More posts to come!

San Diego Zoo

It seems like this summer has been very busy so far. We haven't had much of a chance to have many big outings. So this morning we decided to head down to the San Diego Zoo. We had a fun day.
Claire was worn out by the end of the day...

The kids had fun on the sky ride.

2yr. old pictures

Well, I took Claire in for 2yr. old pictures today. It was such an ordeal with a long wait before and after. It was crowded and it was just teenagers taking the pictures. Last year we had great portraits taken outside in Virginia. After looking at these pics I have sworn off of portrait studios forever. Claire is so cute, but the backgrounds and props are just so cheap looking. I'm going back to outdoor pics by real photographers.

          But, atleast I got a few pics of my cute Claire anyway. You can never have too many pictures.

Happy Birthday Claire Suzanne!

2 years old!

Claire was born 2yrs. ago today in Reston, Virginia. We thought she'd grow up an East Coast girl, but as fate would have it she will now grow up a California girl! Claire was really confused about all this birthday stuff. She just stared at the candle. I think she was confused why she's not allowed near my candles and then I stuck a lit one right in front of her.

OPENING PRESENTS

Claire has grown so much in the past year. She is talking a lot now, is potty trained, and her hair is long enough for pig tails!:) Claire is such a happy little girl. She loves hugs, playing with the big kids, getting in to LOTS of trouble. She is very good at seeking out anything dangerous. :) Just last night her aunt found her hiding in the kitchen eating children's Tylenol. Luckily she only got one or two down so it wasn't a big deal. She has no trouble at all getting child proof lids off of medication. Claire also had a trip to the ER this past weekend because she tipped herself over on a chair and nearly broke her thumb. She has been a lot of work over the last 2yrs. but she has been even more of a joy. I love to see her sweet smiling face in the mornings when she comes downstairs and runs over to me for a hug. She is a special little girl. She is our best eater so far. She loves any kind of meat and usually eats her meal then will go around the table and eat everyones leftovers. However, we have found out that she is not a fan of cake. She must take after Robert. :) Robert, the kids, and I have always referred to her as our baby. She is now quick to remind us that she is a big girl. I guess 2yrs. old should mark an end to that but in our eyes she will always be the baby of the family.
We love you baby Claire!! :)

Life...Cherish It

This afternoon I attended the funeral of a beautiful blond hair, blue eyed 9 year old boy. He is the only boy in his family, with two younger sisters. His name is Max and he is the son of friends of ours here in Oceanside. He died in a boating accident this past Saturday. Since I am in primary I've been able, in some small way, to be a little part of Max's life here on earth. He always has stood out as a bright light and example. Kind, outgoing, funny, and thoughtful. Last Sunday in primary there was such a sense of sadness that we wouldn't again be able to see sweet Max and hear him answer questions, help other children read, and laugh with his friends.

My heart has been full and aching for his dear parents and Robert and I have been very tearful about this situation. As a parent I only  have an inkling as to the terrible pain his mother and father are going through. The hole in their hearts that will never be filled. Their aching to hear his voice again and to hold him and to tuck him in at night. The empty bedroom that you'd never want to touch or change. I've thought of the long nights they have ahead and the days they must keep on living without their son. The questions they will be asked, the memories and pictures they will always cherish. Watching other boys grow while you hurt so much inside to see theirs do the same. It's times like these when I am ever grateful for the atonement and the healing and peace that it can bring about.

I've always watched this family and envied how much they love each other. Leanne(the mother) always with a happy attitude and a smile on her face, Ryan(the father) always with a kind word to say. They love their children and it shows. Each spoke at the funeral and it broke my heart. Leanne shared a final letter she wanted to share with Max, speaking of the excitement of when she found out she was pregnant with him and the miracle of holding him the first time. Ryan shared how the tried to hard to save Max's life as they tried to revive him and life flight him to the hospital and that they wanted to keep him here on this earth. But, Heavenly Father had other plans for this special young boy.

I left the funeral today with a determination to be a better person, a better wife, and especially a better mother. For all the times I'm tired of cleaning up messes, and getting up in the middle of the night. For all those times I feel I don't have enough patience, or don't have enough time. Every time I think of these things I will think of the mother and father I saw today who would do anything to have those times back.


These children are so special. When sealed in the temple we are promised to be with our families forever after this life, we are not promised a specific length of time we are allowed with our children on earth. Cherish each moment. Hold your child today and tell them you love them. Sit down and play even when you don't have time. Stay at home with your children and raise them, if you can. One day we will not look back and regret that we didn't work more or that we didn't have more things, but we will regret if we do not cherish each moment with our children and families.

I am grateful for my Heavenly Father and for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful that many of my callings in the church have allowed me to serve some of His precious children. What an honor. I am most grateful to be a mother and to have Bruce, Linda, Jane, and Claire as my children. They are my best friends. They will always be my greatest accomplishments in this life.