Graduation! - Finally

Even though it's been a few months since Graduation... going through these pics. still brings tears to my eyes.

2,307 students were eligible to receive 2,479 degrees and certificates of those, 529 were eligible for honors: The Hubby was One of those 529! - So Proud of Him! -Taco Bell Arena hosted a capacity crowd of 10,493, making it the largest Commencement in school history. 

Go Class of 2014! 

BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY

It was Super long... the kids were starting to get restless (even with Electronics) 

Little Mason (4 yrs) was such a Trooper! I had bought some activity books from the 

Dollar Store & brought treats in along with noise makers. 

Ok... I have to tell this Story. 

The Lady I was sitting next too had 2 young girls with her, 

grandkids - they were younger than Mason. 

She wasn't prepared for the long sit & so the activity books were shared. 

As I sat next to her I couldn't help but not visit with her & share my 

Excitement for Tom & Us as a Family & what we had accomplished. 

She sat with tears in her eyes. 

She then proceeded to tell me her story & who she was there for. 

Her Daughter had just recently passed away 

& she was there to see her Grand daughter graduate! 

I sat with tears in my eyes. 

We both cheered, with tears in our eyes, as our Loved one's 

whom had made so much Sacrifice over the years & Overcame 

Trials & Bumps in the road to Graduate!

This was The Hubby's First Graduation. 

Ever. 

Words can not Express the Feelings we BOTH felt that day.

I Hope the kids will always remember this Day... 

We Did It! 

It did Not Come Easy. 

It was Hard. 

We Cried many times over the years. 

We were Tried.

We Endured. 

We were Not alone.

We were Blessed 

EVERYDAY. 

After a long - FULL SUMMER - 

we are ready to get back to Work! 

Grad School Preparation is underway! 

Here we GO... 

Round 2 

Bring 

It 

On!

He wants to be called Dr. Weekes 

(he wants his PHD)

It has always been a Dream of His. 

I know We can Do It! 

We are Not Alone. 

-xo 

The Hubby's Graduation PART ONE... Boise State McNair Scholars Program

You know it's pretty sad when you have to look up your Sign In info to your blog... lol 

It appears It's been 13 months & a few days since I've "Officially Blogged!" 

I hope the tidbits in the noVae Newsletter counts for Something - because that's

where I was posting info. ;) 

Well, we are going on 2 weeks since The Hubby Graduated & it's been an adjustment. 

In a good way. 

I was afraid if I didn't blog about all this within days of the Graduation I would forget stuff.... 

nope.  - not the case for me - Just Looking through all the Pics. I took brings all those 

Feelings & Memories back as if it just happened yesterday! 
It kinda feels like looking at your Wedding pics. after you come back from your Honey Moon a week or 2 later.... It's still Fresh! I got teary eyed all over again... 

So want to start this Part One off with His Graduation - Recognition Reception in the Scholars Program he was part of for the last 3 years of his 5 years.  The McNair Scholars Program is such an Amazing Program!  ---->  I got this from the Boise State McNair Scholars site page

The Boise State McNair Scholars Program serves students from groups underrepresented in graduate education and first generation college students from low-income backgrounds, preparing them for graduate studies through scholarly enrichment, exposure to research, and other academic experiences and opportunities. The program collaborates with Faculty Mentors to prepare McNair Scholars to successfully pursue a Ph.D. and careers in university teaching and research.  You can read more HERE 

They are basically taught How to do Undergrad Work while still 

attending there regular classes, etc.

They do Research Papers alongside with a Staff Professor, attend Conferences, present their Research & eventually get it Published. 

There is an Interview Process that you have to do - they just don't let anyone in this 

Program.  It's a 2 yr. Program but some Scholars, such as Tom, went 3 years. 

He could have Graduated about 3 years ago but when he was 

introduced to this Program - He Just knew it was something he was supposed to do

So he extended one more year & then another last year when 

he realized he needed more Math after he found what he really wanted to Study 

the Year Prior.  (did you get all that...lol) 

He would like to Study in the Field of 

Cognitive Neuroscience

It's Fairly new & is Incredibly Difficult to get into Programs 

because it's not in most Universities. 

It's Basically the Study of Decision Making. 

I found a great site that explains more in depth HERE

Anyways... So FRIDAY, May 16th 2014 was a Big Day for us! 

He was Graduating with his Cohort!

The Cohort from last year was so Fun - We got to know them

pretty well & I know Tom really Connected with them & Friendships 

were made. Last year was really hard for Tom to attend the 

McNair Reception as everyone in his Cohort Graduated without Him. 

They were an Incredibly close group. 

Tom was one of the Last one's to Speak at this Reception... 

He put the Kleenex box in it's rightful place. 

\

He spoke for about 10 mins.  I loVe Listening to Him Speak... 

Like a Talk in Church or Teaching, he truly has a Gift of getting 

everyone's attention & touch their Souls with Every Word.

Needless to Say He made Everyone at our Table Tear up... 

Even his Dad. (Who like Never Cries!) 

Tom Giving the Program Coordinator - Helen- a Big Hug! 

She is Basically the "Mother" of Every Cohort. 

These Scholars Sacrifice so Much & Spend more time with each other 

than their Own Families.  She is a True Blessing to Everyone. 

There are No words for these next few pics... 

I tear up Every time I see them... (tearing up now) 

This little Boy is our Youngest (4 yrs) & all he's know is 

"Daddy going to School" 

Even though he was So Incredibly Bored at this Reception... 

This is what He did afterwards. 

I think deep down he knows His Daddy Accomplished something 

Pretty Big! 

A lot Of People have been Asking what all the Cords mean? 

I have to admit 

He was VERY COLORFUL & It just made me even more

Prouder!! (is that even a word? lol)

The Thick GOLD Cord = Graduate with Honors. 

So here is a little Story - Facts - 

2,307 students were eligible to receive 2,479 degrees and certificates of those, 529 were eligible for honors: The Hubby was One of those 529! - So Proud of Him! -Taco Bell Arena hosted a capacity crowd of 10,493, making it the largest Commencement in school history.

Boise State University - 2014!!!

The Red / White = APS (Association Psychology Society

Teal = 1st Generation College Student

This is something they Just Started This Year - I thought It was So Cool

& Hope other Universities Start doing this! It was Suggested by 

a First Generation Graduate Student Last Year!

Blue / Silver = Psi-Chi National Honor Society 

(He was President this last year!)

Gold / Black = Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society 

Blue / White = McNair Scholar

On Top of All his Responsibilities, Goals, Homework, Meetings, & I'm 

sure I'm leaving more out... 

He was a Father to 4 kids & Husband & Shoulder to 

Cry On. 

I would be Lying if I told you it wasn't Hard. 

It Was one of the Hardest things I think we've 

ever endured Together! 

I would also be Lying if I didn't tell you there were 

times when Both of us, not at the same time, wanted 

to GIVE UP! 

The Business was & Is Growing & I'm 

running it All By My Self. 

(I know have Huge Helping Hands) 

But it was at those Times is when we pulled the other one 

up from the Dark & Dreary Ground & Told 

the Other - We've Come Way too Far to 

GIVE UP! 

We were both Living Separate Lives.

He had the School Life... I had the Business & House to Run during the 

day - taking kids to Dr's appts, picking meds, etc..

He would wake up with the kids in the Morning 

get them ready for School & take them. 

Because I would Be up Late the Nights Prior Working on 

the Stuff that didn't get done during the day. 

Remember - we still have a little one at Home. 

Being a working Mom from Home & Running a Business 

is NOT an Easy Task. -lol 

Most of our "Dates" were Grocery Shopping. 

(boring - but we made the Best of it! ;) 

I would take Him to School 

Pretty Much Every Day & Pick Him Up. 

(Did this for 3 Years) :) 

He was just like one of my Kids... 

I would sometimes pick him up from School after I 

picked up Everyone else. 

Sometimes he would Stay Super Late & work 

because He knew he wouldn't be able to get his Homework 

done at Home... way too many Distractions. 

Plus He is THE PARENT that Plays with the Kids.... 

I, on the other hand, am not. 

However, It is something I'm working on. 

Don't get me wrong.. I loVe my Kids & I loVe being with them! 

I've just never been one to just drop everything & Play.... 

I'm a Work - a - Holic. 

It's in my Blood or a Disease... It's one of my many 

trials I have here on this Earth that I'm trying to change. 

Ok, sorry, this post is starting to turn directions. 

I guess what I was wanting to accomplish with all this 

rambling is that it wasn't Easy But it was 

WORTH IT & we couldn't have done it 

without Each other & a Loving Heavenly Father. 

When we Obeyed .... 

We both become a Stronger Couple & Family.

We have been Truly Blessed. 

To Be Continued... 

(It won't take a Year... Promise) 

- xo

A Pinterest Contest!! Pin to Win!

A Shopping Spree to noVae Clothing!!

WIN a $150 Gift Certificate to shop at our Boutique!! Just in Time for Mother's Day!!

Please read below on How to Enter... 

Click on HERE to get started!!

Good Luck & Have FUN! :)

Modest Clothing... what is Modest?

Ever since coming back from our Business trip to California. I felt the urge to type about something that I've been struggling with a little bit.

While we were there Shopping & Meeting New Wholesalers/Manufactures each one was very excited to show me (us) what they had to offer. I would say about 85% or more of the items they presented to us was immodest.  I would tell them, I can't sell that on my site... or I'm not sure what they would look like with a cap sleeve tee layered with it.  They would look at me weird (a puzzled look on there face) & ask why would you put a cap sleeve under it?!  These are Selling like crazy!! This is what you want!

I would then explain that we sell Modest Clothing. - Current Fashions with Modest Style!

They would always say... well this modest! - I would then reply, it is to some people... but not necessarily to our Customers.  Then I would tell them, we are looking for Tops that at least have a cap sleeve, (so we don't have to layer all the time), Knee length (or longer) Skirts & Dresses.  They would shake there heads like I was crazy then come back to show me a "smaller" selection of clothing... which most of the time didn't work either.

During the Spring & Summer months it is VERY difficult to find Modest tops that are not sleeveless, or even missing a sleeve or sleeves all together & Knee length Skirts & Dresses or longer. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.  So when we find an item that fits the modest criteria that we are looking for we get sooooo EXCITED!!

Anyways... so after being home for a few weeks... I've been looking at other competitors (I know, I shouldn't) because they shop the same places I do... some "Claim" to sell Modest Clothing (modest clothing boutiques) & I just roll my eyes.

I watch what they sell & judge from from the comments & all the likes they receive from a particular item(s) & just shake my head...because this is what people/Girls like!  They are not Modest clothing items... but yet, they are Liking them.  It made me question for a minute... am I doing this business all wrong?  Should I be dipping into some of these items...??  Because what is immodest for me, may not be for someone else.

 Modest... to us.

Immodest... to us. 

(cute though ... needs to be longer & another sleeve)

I had to talk to The Hubby about this. It was really bothering me. He told me to Pray about it...

just like I had to Pray (several times) about starting noVae when a bunch of well known Modest Clothing businesses where going out of Business.  I needed that reassurance - that what I was doing & the road I was taking with noVae was in deed the correct way - for us.

After Praying... I felt Very Good About the direction I was taking noVae... 

It has always been difficult to find Modest Clothing & I think some of these other Boutiques are teetering the line on what is modest & what is not.

(just like some people may say about us...) 

Modesty is different for everyone.  I respect that.  We are going to try & stay as consistent as possible with the items we find. Not too much layering... to make an item modest... & we will try & find other Fashionable options to make a not quite long enough Skirt/Dress to the length that is comfortable for us & our models. 

I feel so Incredibly blessed to have created noVae & have it grow as much as it has over these past 2 years. 

I know I did not do this on my own.... I have always had help from above - to keep me going & comforting me when I start to question what heck I'm doing. :) 

Thank you so much for the Support! We Seriously have The Best - Loyal Customers!! (just like modbe did!)  You gals keep coming back & Shopping Over & Over & Over again... & now we are seeing some of your Friends too! (they tell us - they heard about us from a friend!)  

Thank You! - Thank You - Thank You!

We can't "THANK YOU" enough! 

-xo 

Stay tuned... 

We are Hoping & Praying that we hear back from several colleges  this month

(or just One - would be nice!)

 that The Hubby applied to for Grad School!  :)

We are Hiring!! Could it be You?

We are looking to hire a photographer or photographers (you & a friend) that can commit to novae Clothing and are able to establish a long-term business relationship with. 

We are looking for local Photographers in the Boise/Treasure Valley Idaho Area for now. 

We are looking for a photographer(s) that has a good eye,

and can produce editorial photos while blending the novae Products in the pictures.

Capturing the uniqueness & beauty of each of our models... knowledge of how

to position them (if needed) to get their best angles while also capturing the

product (in it's Perfect state) at the same time.

Finding & Capturing that Balance between the 2 is key.

On average we would need a photographer who is available to do a photo shoot about

Every 7-10 days

(about 3-4 shoots a month) 

with a pretty flexible schedule to help accommodate the models schedule. 
 

The photographer would be working with 1-3 models at any given time and

shooting 4-6 products in various sizes and colors. 

Photo shoots will be taken in 1 location. 

We would need about 6-10 photos for each product & this may vary from time to time.  Photo shoots should only be a Maximum of 2 hours.  Turnaround time is based on the product(s) and the release dates.  Generally it would be about 2-5 days after the shoot, (not all Products that are done in a photo shoot together are released at the same time) but sometimes on occasion we would need photos of a certain product immediately. In those cases you would be notified! ;) 

We are willing to pay $100 per shoot up to $200 depending on the number 
of products & models. 

Each shoot will vary & the pay will be adjusted accordingly.

We are flexible, so if you & a friend , as mentioned in the beginning, want to Share this Commitment we would be more than willing to look into that.

We will have at least 1 if not 2 photo shoots that will need to be done before the end of the month. February & March will be Super busy months as we start to

Release even more Spring Items!  

If you’re interested in becoming a part of the noVae Clothing Family & share your talent with our Customers whom are all over the World please email us at

admin {at} novaeclothing {dot} com

Please type in the Subject line: noVae Photographer Opp.

We ask that you include, in just a few short paragraphs a little bit about yourself and why you think you’d be a great fit for noVae! 

Please also include your contact information

(name, number where you can be reached, city you live in) 

Plus a link to your photography website.

If you & a Friend want to do this together 

 You can send separate e-mails mentioning one another or send one together.

The LAST DAY to Apply for this Photography Opportunity is:

Wednesday January 16^th, 2013 at the end of the day (midnight)

We hope to have it narrowed down & have a decision made by the following week sometime.

“Thank You!”  

In advance for your Time & Sharing your Talent with us!

We know this is going to be very difficult to choose.

Good Luck!

Please feel free to Pass the Word along…. We think this is a Wonderful Opportunity & feel Blessed that our Business has come to this Point of Growth.

What is Success??

ok, ok, so It's been "a while" since I've blogged...  I've been dying to though... 

It's the thought that counts right?!  ;) 

The Christmas Shopping Season hit us Early this year... (Sept. & never really stopped) It's something I wasn't expecting... but grateful I had the helping hands ready & available. (phew!)

I've been pondering this question for sometime now... 

"What is Success?" 

To some people "Success" is driving fancy expensive vehicles, living in a large house, etc. 

all the things that people can "see" -materialistic things.

As friends, family & neighbors have noticed & made comments to me about all the BIG Boxes coming in & A LOT of Packages going out (sometimes the same day!)

They Smile & Congratulate me/us on our success.... Was it Success?

For me... I had to dig deeper. 

Did I think Success was about fancy cars & big houses? 

-No. those things don't matter to me. 

I'm perfectly happy with what I have.

So I thought again... 

Did I have something to show my Success? 

-Yes. I was paying my bills & putting food on the table

& I was Happy. 

But I felt like I was still missing something....

One Day after one of our fb Offers went Viral I knew the following week we would be Slammed... so I gave the Post Office Peeps a heads up... the First load we dropped off they brought out one of those fabric carts & we dumped the packages in it...(it was pretty cool!) 

The next day we were running a tad late (after 5) & when we got to the Post Office they were obviously closed... so I peeked around the corner to where I normally knock on the side door & noticed one of those Fabric Carts sitting there empty with a piece of paper taped to it with the word : novae written on it.

My heart melted & I knew right then in that moment that I (noVae) was making an impact on our little Post Office.  It made me feel good that I was helping generate work, not just for me to support my Family while the Hubby is in School... but to others - complete strangers in my Community.  In that moment I knew I was Being & Hopefully becoming Successful in taking noVae to the next level. 

 We filled 3 of these with our First 1st fb offer.

As I repeated to tell this Story to my parents...
both (ok all of us) had tears in our eyes. 

I guess this is what "Success" is to me... Providing Work for People. 

Making an Impact in Someones life & helping with Finances....because lets face it, we all have 

bills to pay & food to put on the Table. 

Plus. It's kind of Fun to ship all those Packages! :)

 

This is My Assistant...Shauna & her Sweet Family! 

I'm so Grateful for her & her husband, who also works & goes to school!! 

Working from home & being a Stay at Home Mom

I have to say is one of the most difficult things I've ever done thus far on our

noVae Journey.  I know the sacrifices that are made (for both of them)

& I am Grateful. 

 

This is Linda - Our Seamstress & the Lady that makes my Crazy Ideas come Alive!!

She has sewn almost 3,000 Fabric Blossoms for us since March 2012!

I bet she can do them with her eyes closed now! ;)

We are currently working on something for you for Spring 2013!!!

Can't wait to show you! ;)

 Fabric Blossoms on Headwraps too! 

This is Amy. 

(sorry Amy... this is the only pic. I had of you!) -lol

She is the "Main" helping Hand in helping us Ship :)

She is a mother of 2 boys & is also going to school.

 Our noVae Models.... noVae wouldn't "be" without them! :)

Grateful for their time & support in Helping us become Successful.

This is the Hubby & I... 

there wouldn't be a noVae Clothing if it weren't for him & his 

choice to go back to School.

 

Grad School is next after Graduation in the Spring 2013!! 

Stay tuned! :)

We are Truly Grateful for YOU!

You. Are. Key.

Without Your Support & Sharing noVae with your Friends & Family 

we would not be able to Create Jobs & Become Successful! 

We Just Can't "Thank You!" enough.

We should "hopefully" be hearing back from some of the Schools the Hubby has applied to 

for Grad School in a few more weeks!  We'll keep you posted! 

-xo

to be Continued...

Summer Memories... Life Changing Trials

Over the last few weeks I have been having this little voice telling me... 

you need to Blog, 

YOU NEED to BLOG...

I've been telling this voice back,

 " I know, I know...I have so much I want & need to talk about! "

I want to tell you about some of  the Highlights that happened this Summer for me...

it had some happy & sad moments. 

{this is your cue to get a tissue, you may need it later}

A "Bummed" moment.... but ended up being a Blessing later...

The Hubby had been applying to hopefully get accepted into a Paid Summer Research Program at diff. colleges but did not get accepted to any of them... We were pretty bummed. 

But looked at this as more time to spend with Family this 

Summer since it will mostly be our last one here in Boise.

{grad school is next!}

On June 6th, 2012 

Jamie Hilton, her Husband Nick & bro. 'n law Greg were Fishing at Hells Canyon.

She fell about 10-12 feet on her back on 2 large rocks & then slid off...

To read more details about her accident go HERE to her blog.

 I had gone to HS & Graduated with Nick Hilton but had only seen Jamie once at the 

Grocery Store with Nick many, many Years ago.

In Dec. 2010 - I was going through my fb page looking for fb friends that I could ask to model for

noVae.... I wasn't friends with Jamie at the time but was Nick.

I messaged him asking if his wife would be Interested in helping us by modeling, etc. 

noVae was only like 1 month old!

He said me that she would love too!! I was super Excited!

I did a little research on fb & found out that she had been Mrs. Idaho America 

the year before. I thought to my self... WOW! - so cool that someone as "Big" 

{in my mind} that I hadn't really officially met would be willing to drive 

all the way to Star (about 40 mins. from where she lived ) 

in the Snow to do a fitting... basically playing Dress Up! ;)

She came & was so Nice & Happy to help! 

Loved the clothing items & was Excited to do the photo shoot the next day! 

She called me later that evening telling me that she didn't feel so well... & thought I better find 

someone else... We were both pretty bummed. She ended up like having the flu or something

'cause it lasted for days.... 

We lost touch with each other after that.

So when I heard about Jamie's accident My Heart & Soul just Sank with Sadness....

I cried for Nick having read that he witnessed the accident... I cried for her Children & for Jamie for days,

the pain she might be in & the "Possible" Outcome!

I read Nick's fb page updates & then a friend set up a Blog for Jamie...

another source for people to go to for Updates & Follow!

I was glued to that for days/months - still am!!

Are you a Follower?

After reading one day an update about the Hilton's not having any Ins. to help with medical 

bills... I just knew & "Felt" I needed to do something!  Heavenly Father had blessed us (noVae Clothing) with the Creation of the Distressed Blossom Cadet 

We hadn't released them on the site yet but had been selling them with another Site & Sold many!

I knew this was the Product we needed & the Timing of it all...

(it had not being released on our site yet)

I used my one BIG Advertising Blogger to help me advertise this 

Fundraiser we were going to do 

for Jamie & her Family!  My first concern was I didn't want people thinking I was doing this to 

gain attention ... to noVae... 

Our business was & is doing Great, we just wanted to help & Give back!

I struggled with this thought for days.... 

but knew, once again after praying, that it was the Right thing to do! 

I don't recall exactly how many hats total (150+...) we ended up selling for Jamie's 24 hr. Fundraiser

but we ended up donating: $2525.00 to them. (that's a lot of hats...)

Mrs. Idaho Amercia 2012- Beverly Hartle With Jamie in the Hospital

My Mom & Sister came over to Pin some 

Blossoms on the Cadets to help me not fall so far behind.

{we had just finished a Deal with another site selling these hats for a 2nd time & sold 360+ cadets} 

They worked for like 2-3 hrs. & had to have done 100+ hats! 

Each Cadet has 2 blossoms...

I know their Thumbs were sore! 

{I've also Pinned 100's!} -lol

I Was so Very Grateful for their Help!

When the Hubby & I went to visit the Hilton Family a few months later, 

There were Tears Shed, the Spirit was felt & Gratitude filled the Room!

It was AWESOME!

Jamie wanted so Badly to give back in any way... she offered to Model again...

I was so EXCITED!

I told her that we had some CUTE hats coming & I was planning on pairing them

with Outfits, so it wouldn't be awkward for her to be modeling Every outfit with a hat.

{again, Perfect Timing!}

I'm very grateful for Jamie & her willingness to do this....

She is so BRAVE & COURAGEOUS 

a True Inspiration to me & a Living Walking MIRACLE!

Go HERE to Read & Follow 

her Full Story & her Inspirational Stories & Thoughts!

On Sat. June 16th, 2012

(10 days after Jamie's accident)

I was surfing my fb news feed, which I rarely do on a Saturday.

I stumbled upon an article posted by one of the local News stations that caught 

my attention. I opened it & read it. 

It talked about a Crash happening on HWY 44 & HWY 16- just outside of Star.

We lived in Star for 6 years!

As I read more the report stated that a Ford Explorer had crashed into the back

end of a Dodge Caravan, full speed. The Van was at the Stop light - stopped.

 It said that there were 3 children involved & driver in the Caravan....

as I kept reading I just knew I knew these people... but couldn't pin point it! I looked through my fb feed again to see if any of my Star friends had posted anything about the accident, etc. 

nothing.

It weighed in the back of my mind & I thought about calling one of my 

Best Friends Chelsea from Star to see if 

she had heard anything but I chose not to "bother" her on a Saturday.

Later that day we went on our First Family Bike ride down town on the Green Belt!

On our way home my daughter's bike handle got caught on the handle of the Bike trailer that our 2 yr. was riding in & she fell & tried catching her self & in doing so 

she hurt her arm just above the wrist.

I just Knew it was broken... I had the hubby take her to the ER that night, close to midnight.

this was taken a few days before she got it off, therefore the Smile! ;)

Sunday was Father's Day & then Monday came & I get a phone call from 

my friend Chelsea... I thought she was calling to chat like we usually do & I asked her 

how her Husband's Father's Day was. She said kind of crumby.... I thought, oh no...

his Father had past away or something... then she asked me if I new the Strauss'?

Danny & Linda.

um. yea.... then she said: 

"Alvin Passed away yesterday."

{on Father's Day!} 

 I'm thinking.... What? .... then it all started to come back to me.

The Car accident that I read about!

I immediately start crying & then try to tell the Hubby through my tears.... 

I was in Total SHOCK!

Chelsea then proceeded to tell me more details 'n such & the hubby & I made plans to meet up that afternoon to go visit the Family in the Hospital, where their 7yr. daughter had just been moved from ICU.

We meet Danny & Linda & take our daughter with us to keep their daughter company... 

a little History about Linda & I...

Linda was one of my Childhood Best Friends Growing up! Then her Family moved to Utah

& I never saw them again 'till about 11 years ago... 

Linda & I ended up being in the same Ward when we lived in Star (for 6 yrs) & 

we were Visiting Teaching Partners for Years! (per our request!)

She is my "Bosom Friend!" 

We watched each others kids while we went on dates, She came over to our house

with the kids a lot to play over the Years while we lived in Star! 

When we opened the door to the Hospital room both the Hubby & I exchanged hugs with Linda & Danny with Tears & Love... we later found out that they were actually at that same Hospital 

Sat. night when the Hubby took our daughter into the ER... 

Saying goodbye to Sweet little Alvin.

I often Wonder if I would've made that phone call, if Chelsea would've been home? 

Was I needed? was the Lord trying to let me figure it out so I could help & maybe I 

didn't give it enough thought.... 

 To this Day, I still don't know why I couldn't connect all the pieces to the puzzle...

the brand of the van, the 3 kids, the young mom....

then the trip to the same Hospital where they were saying Goodbye...

5yr. Alvin

To read more details about the accident go HERE.

 The 17th of September is the 3 month mark of Alvin passing away....

My heart still aches.

She is in my thoughts & prayers more than I think she knows... 

 Linda & Danny have so much Love, Faith & Forgiveness in their Hearts that I know that is what has helped them through this Life Changing Trial!

They both are my Hero's! 

Go HERE to watch a Video on how Families can be together Forever!

Both of these Accidents happening within 10 days of each other Really Opened my Eyes!

I mean, Opened them BIGGER!

We all have our own Personal Trials that we deal with... 

one of mine is I'm a Workaholic. 

I LOVE to work... 

I struggle with playing with my kids if my "List" in my head isn't Complete.

It's not that I don't want too... Or I don't like too...

Both of these Accidents really hit my Heart & Soul Hard. 

They both made me look at my life -filled with work & the path that it was going.

Was I "making" enough time for my kids & hubby? 

How could I do this? 

What do I need to do to make these Changes in my Life?

I've started by thinking of Linda...  

when I would do certain things with my kids, especially my youngest...like

when I lay my 2 yr old down for his nap in the afternoons & 

I have soooo much work that needs to be done.  

Instead of watching TV to put him to sleep, I read books & Sing to him now. 

(because that is what Linda did with Alvin)

I'm trying to make each Day Count. 

To Live with No regrets! 

Because You NEVER know if the Next Day is 

going to have a Life Changing Accident.  

 

 
We have Hired more Helping Hands because 
noVae Clothing is just too much for me to do all on my own now! :)

Every day I remind my Helping hands 

(I will introduce her to you soon!) 

the time she Gives me is Time she's giving Me to Give Back to my Family! 

I don't want you to think this was our entire Summer.... it wasn't. 

We had a Wonderful Time Spending time with Family & Friends & Traveling!

But, I'm extremely Happy that the Hubby stayed here this Summer to help me & Support me through these Trials & our Friends'.

It just goes to show me once again... 

the Lord knows what is Best for us (& You)

In HIS Time not ours!

  to be Continued....