Happy 18th Biirthday! Justin

It seems like only yesterday that we were living in Grandville, Michigan, Michael was out of work and life was busy and chaotic and then we were blessed with this little bundle of joy we named Justin Wayne. I am so blessed to have him in my life. His sense of humor and the quiet acceptance that he has for the way things are bring joy into my life. I am proud of him and the man that he is becoming. I hope that life and his decisions bring him as much joy as he has brought into my life. I love you, Justin. Happy 18th birthday!!

Happy Mother's Day...

In the words of Washington Irving," A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."

"She's my teacher, my advisor, my greatest inspiration." Whitney Houston

My mom was my best friend, the person I went to when life got overwhelming and an amazing example to me. She was such an important part of my life so on this Mother's day I would like to honor her...she taught me about compassion, acceptance, unconditional love, patience, trust, to listen with all my heart, to love with my whole heart, to be the best that I could be and that nothing worthwhile is this life is easy but it is worth it. Without her I would not be the woman, wife or mother that I am today. Thanks for all the great memories. I love and miss you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day.

Yippee!!

The boat is officially ours...well almost. Michael and I got the boat registered and titled today but could not do the trailer because we do not have a clear title on it. Who even knew that a boat trailer has a title? Go figure. We have had to contact the old owners and hopefully be able to work this small wrinkle out. We do have a temporary permit for the trailer. So if the weather was better here, it is cold and rainy again, the boys and Michael could take the boat out for it's first shakedown cruise of the season but that will have to wait a few days.

A month of changes.....

In the words of Tim McGraw,"It's the family that grieves for a lost loved one, and we carry on when our lives come undone. We carry on because there's is promise in the morning sun. We carry on as the dark surrenders to the dawn, we were born to overcome. We carry on."

There have been lots of changes over the last couple of months for the Phillips family and more to come I am sure in the months ahead. Mom passed away in February, I have been released as Relief Society president and that has been a difficult transition. Michael was released as the Executive secretary in the bishopric and we have been called to serve over the Young Single Adults in our ward. Talk about a quiet house now....no ringing phones. Justin will be graduating in June and he is now busy trying to start and finish his Eagle project and play tennis in his spare time. Tyler is finishing another quarter of school. Despite all the changes we are looking forward to the summer and all the fun outings with friends and family. We are carrying on. I am sure that Mom would be proud of us.