Kacey and Lanae are MARRIED!

On the morning of December 13, 2008, we received a "white wedding." The snow fell most of the night and all morning, offering a challenge in getting to the Bountiful Temple. Many of us were late reaching the temple, so Kacey and Lanae had a few sweet moments together in the Celestial Room prior to the sealing.
I won't soon forget the leap in my chest from the pride I felt as Kacey entered the Sealing Room. We could see that Lanae was already a bit emotional and so that started my tears flowing as well. The sweet, yet powerful approach of the Sealer ("Hatch") left us all feeling inspired to improve our celestial marriages. He offered two strong admonitions for couples: "keep working at it and stay righteous." He was a cute man, even if he kept calling Lanae, Lynette until Kacey corrected him. He reminded us that the marriage was binding even if he got the names wrong.
My favorite part of the sealing was when he asked Kacey and Lanae to consider who had witnessed this event. He reminded us that angels were present and that angels are people--some we know and miss and others we have not yet met. I'm certain Grandma Marilyn was there, along with Kacey and Lanae's children (she's probably giving them tips on how to make life more interesting for their parents). This was a tender moment as I realized the implications of their children accepting this union and making plans to join them (soon, I hope).
The luncheon and reception were just as wonderful and the day stands out in my memory as one of my top five. I wish we could go back and enjoy that day all over again! My birthday and Christmas were anticlimactic in comparison. Love it! Thanks to all who supported us in this wonderful time.

What a Wonderful Life!

Doug and I can't believe how very fortunate we are these days! Life is going along so well. We're finishing the basement so I can move my office home--that way I can work smarter, not harder and save the overhead (so I can spend it!). Doug, his brother, Dustin, and the boys totally framed the whole thing over the weekend and have a good amount of the sheetrock up, too. And, of course, Krystle and I have great plans for the decor.
Kacey was just ordained an Elder and he and his fiance, Lanae Hunt, will be married in the Bountiful Temple on December 13. We are so proud of him and his efforts to be the man we've always dreamed he could be in life. It's great fun to make preparations for the wedding and reception. We're really hoping everyone we love can make it to the PAR-TAY! The lovely couple plan to live with Brett and Sam in their cute little house for a few months before they head off to work for the security company for the summer. They plan to earn enough money for a good down payment on a house during those months. The location isn't certain yet, but we're hoping for somewhere tropical to visit.
Krystle returned from her Oregon nightmare and found a "normal" family to nanny for in North Ogden. She works there three days a week and also cleans at Mountain West Research three times each week. She's having a blast catching up with her friends and family and looking forward to starting college in the fall.
Kody is a Senior this year and gearing up for college with his accelerated courses. He is hanging in there for Box Elder's worst ever football season. He's been playing running back for the first time in his life and that's been fun. The JV games are best and last week he scored TWO TOUCHDOWNS! He's still trucking around on the moped he and Doug purchased while I was in Michigan (grrr). He's looking forward to the end of football season and getting back to work and Shopko and Domino's. He's planning to go with Kacey and Lanae to sell security systems this summer and earn big dough.
Keaton is in 8th grade now (my baby--how can this be happening?). His football team (along with Kyler) is ROCKIN' this year. They play in the mini bowl this weekend. He plays offensive guard and linebacker on defense and is eating it up! He's dropped about 25 pounds since this time last year and is thrilled not to be an "X" player. Keaton is the President of the Deacon's quorum and loves the social part of school.
We're looking forward to the holiday season---we are so blessed.

Feeling old. . .

So, last week was big for Doug and me as parents. Krystle turned 18---it just doesn't seem possible. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was toddling around the house getting into everything? I always thought old people were whacked when they'd say how time flies---so, it's hard for me to admit that I'm feeling that way now. I really do feel like I've been ripped off! Where did the time go? I want a do-over! Actually, I'm so very proud of the young woman that our Kryssie has become. She's so responsible, honest, funny, beautiful and spiritual. She is a great sister and daughter. I guess if she's got to be all grown up, I'd just as soon she start making me some grandbabies! That will be exciting stuff! The rest of the crew is doing well--we're all addicted to American Idol this year (cheering for our Utah boy, David Archuleta). Kody is heading to the Junior Prom next weekend, so there's another milestone to make me weep. He is amazing--looking into college scholarships, possibly joining the military and such. He is more responsible than his 16 years should warrant. Keaton is working very hard to do better in school and we're proud of him. He and Moses are saving up for a new b-ball hoop, since our backboard shattered. They deliver fliers locally and earn good money each month (and get lots of exercise walking). Mo is working to memorize his time tables and loves that Spring is showing up at last. Kacey visited his girlfriend in Hawaii in February and now wishes he was back there, I'm sure. She'll come home the end of April. He's working at Domino's and keeping up on all the reality shows. Our family sounds so boring. . . but we like to keep it simple.

December

So, Happy Birthday to me today. . .

Yeah--I'm pretty much feeling old--ick. But it's a good excuse for a day off, right?!

We celebrated Kacey's birthday at a Jazz game last weekend and hit IHOP afterwards. He's 22 now--eek---that makes me ancient (although I'll never be as old as Donny). He's delivering pizzas for Dominos and gearing up for his girlfriend, Lanae, to head back to BYU-Hawaii on January 5 (boohoo). He couldn't wait til Christmas and gave the family a Wii a couple of weeks ago. We're loving it, but now need therapy for carpal tunnel, tennis elbow and the like. Kacey's helping out with our local coalition, the Youth Empowerment Team, and trying to help kids avoid drugs. We're training some youth to do presentations in the spring (Kody and Krystle are part of the group, as well).

We enjoyed Krystle's choir concert this week and she boobed over the fact that it's her last Christmas concert at the high school. She's plugging away at the credit union and busy with various club activities. She also cleans for a lady and I'm trying to get on that list, as well.

Kody is working at McDonald's now and loves being the ham of his shift. His car is on it's last leg, so he's in the market for a vehicle if anyone knows of a great deal. Toad's really enjoying his dental hygiene classes at school and gearing up for his career as a dentist.

Keaton is totally loving wrestling even though he hasn't mastered the moves yet. He gets frustrated when he loses, but he's hanging in there. He's also playing percussion in band at school and loves his bells.

Moises is doing well in school and scouts. He and Keaton went with Kacey to a hockey game last night and loved the brawl that broke out (they said even the ref got put in a headlock). Mo also had fun buying gifts for the whole family with money he saved from his paper route.

I had a blast at the Billy Joel concert the end of November---he's the man! It seems like every one of his songs reminds me of someone in the family--it was great.

Merry Christmas to all! Love ya!

Random. . .

I heard about this "tag" thing and thought I'd share seven random things about myself:

1. As a child, I wanted to grow up to be Kelly Garrett from Charlie's Angels. My friends and I would play Angels all the time. We had an old Javelin parked beside the house that made the perfect car for chases and I had lots of purses and gadgets to play the part. Those were the days! I still think Jaclyn Smith is gorgeous.

2. I've overcome my horrible (childhood) fear of bees! I used to run screaming from anything resembling a bee, but with some self-imposed exposure therapy and positive self-talk, I can now look a big old fat bee sqare in the eye without increasing my blood pressure the slightest bit. Yeah me!

3. I am writing a book. . . or procrastinating it, at the very least. It will be titled "Obstacle Illusions" and will contain brief chapters promoting positive self-esteem and empowerment in order to overcome all those daily and lifelong obstacles blocking our successes. I'm hoping that my bff, Susan Woodruff and I will also collaborate on a book and travel the world discussing it and empowering women. (Don't stress ya'all, I will remember you, the little people!)

4. I saw the movie Titanic more than a dozen times in the theater and several more times on video. It was EPIC for me and I secretly drooled over Leonardo DiCaprio for many moons (he made my heart go pitter-pat in that movie).

5. I twist my hair when I'm bored or tired. I've done this since I was a little girl. I also like to twist Krystle's hair.

6. I love for everything to be in its place. Dougie was very surprised the first time he came to my office because of how organized it is. It just makes sense to have a designated place for EVERYTHING and to put it back there when you're finished with it. My home would be equally organized if I could only train my husband and children. They are always rolling their eyes at me as I rant and rave, "Where are the scissors? Who moved the stapler? Why can't you guys put things back?!"

7. I am still very close with my very best friends from elementary and high school: Susan Woodruff Carlson, Jenny Smith Walker, Carolyn Olsen Morrison, and Becci Carr Battaglia. There's nothing like reminiscing with them about the old days and sharing new events from our daily lives. Friendships are important to me.

Aside: When I asked Keaton about something random about me he said I should mention my "supermodel walk" that I use to get to the bathroom when I really gotta go---good to know what my children remember me for. . . (sort of reminds me of Mary's "oh my neck, oh my bunion!)

Spoooky . . .

It's downright scary how long it's been since I've updated this blog---so sorry for the inconvenience. I do have a life, ya know! We've been juggling all sorts of activities and deadlines at the Ayotte household and now we're crossing our fingers for slooooower times.
Football is finally over and now we actually get to have dinner together (sometimes). Keaton's team lost out in the first round of the playoffs (in three inches of snow), but he doesn't feel too bad because So. Ogden went on to win the mini-bowl. Kody suffered another concussion and missed the last week of his season, which ended poorly. Now we're on to basketball and wrestling. . .
I've presented numerous topics at local seminars, but this week I had my first experience as a "key note" speaker for an IRS conference--it went well and I earned some dough for Christmas. All the talk about the IRS prompted Moses to dress up as an IRS Agent for Halloween. . . everyone will figure out who he is because he'll take 40% of their candy and leave without saying thank you (HAHA). The practice is booming as well and I'm still teaching online psychology for the college.

In a 'fall'en state . . .

Greetings! I'm hoping the rest of you are feeling better than I am this week. I seem to have brought home a cold from Oregon--nifty souvenir. I am so loving the changes of fall, though. We drove the canyon on Saturday and the leaves are gorgeous! I must be an old fuddy-duddy because those types of things really float my boat. This week is Homecoming for Box Elder, so we're still ballin'. We're desperately trying to finish Krystle's room in the basement. Then I can have an office/guest room in her old room. She's chosen "Green Banana" as the main color with one wall striped green, pink, purple and turquoise. We're plastering the place with fun frames and pics--it'll be cute. Krystle and I are saving our dough for the choir trip to Washington DC this spring--that should be a blast (although she says we'll need a chaperone for me). She's doing well in school (being a senior hasn't totally gone to her head), featured on a billboard going up soon and working on an article for the local newspaper. Dougie hates it when I brag about him, so we'll see if he actually checks up on what I write here--This man is my hero! He is one of the most selfless and generous people I know. He is there for so many people. His insight into the problems of others and his willingness to follow the spirit in helping them find solutions is absolutely amazing. I worry if he gets any more 'perfect,' he'll be translated!

I'd like to brag a minute about my first-born child as well. Kacey is so back on track! He is dating a spiritual giant (Lanae Hunt--Dougie set them up) and they are quite serious. He's talking temple, folks! He's installing cement curbing again with our good buddy Kurt and also delivering pizzas at night. He plans to start at USU in January. Life is GOOD!