Favorite people's favorite things

It happened again, all the Bush-Coil girls gathered together and shared their favorite things. I had debated for months about when to do it, because I knew it wouldn't be the same with Shay gone. I'm so glad now that we waited as long as we did, because the theme was "No Empty Chairs". Not that we had a theme going into this, but before it was over, it seemed obvious that we love each other so much that we will do anything to prevent even one empty chair in heaven. It started with Lauren giving each of us a DELICIOUS yummicake cupcake. But that wasn't her main gift, she actually created a beautiful wall hanging for each of us with the quote from President Benson and a picture of the Salt Lake Temple. Of course, as Lauren read the poem and talked about what it means to her, we were all crying. At least I think everyone was crying, because I couldn't hear a lot over my own tears. The AWESOME part was that Aubrey's favorite thing is a vinyl wall lettering that says, "NO EMPTY CHAIRS". Totally a coincidence, but not really, since Aubrey and Lauren love our family so much.

June was a rough month. Matthew was sick, I mean REALLY sick. I even called his parents, which we don't normally do until whatever bad thing has happened is over and we are all better. I was emotionally a mess going into the Favorite Things Event, and though it made me cry, I came out of it even more grateful for my 5 daughters and their loving attention to one another.

Erin gave each of us a beautiful binder with her favorite talks in it about being a daughter of God. In the front was a letter she wrote to us listing each of our qualities she admires. Erin, the one we all want to be like, is telling us what she thinks is so amazing about us.

Danielle gave everyone a hand sewn cosmetic bag that she had filled with her favorite things. Hello, of course, it had Carmex in it. (If I had a dollar for every tube of Carmex that went through the laundry when D. was in high school, I could buy the company and make it myself).

Shay made me feel so good when she talked about coming home and how our house always smells so good and she wants her home to be like our home. She said there is always a safe, happy spirit in our home that she and Andy are trying to create for their children. She gave each of us a scented plug in from Bath and Body Works. The girls were thrilled. That's something we all love but rarely buy for ourselves.

I was excited to give everyone my favorite things, pictures of my favorite things, each of our kids and grandkids. I created a 2008 Coil Family Yearbook. It has 28 pages of just us and the fun memories of 2008.



NO EMPTY CHAIRS

"Make it a family objective to
all be together in the Celestial
Kingdom. Strive to make your home
a little bit of heaven on earth
so that after this life is over,
you may be able to say:

WE ARE HERE!
FATHER, MOTHER,
SISTERS, BROTHERS-

All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled-
We're all at home...
We're all, all here."

President Ezra Taft Benson























I'm sure you noticed, there are a lot of pictures of good, because there was a lot of food. Danielle was kind enough to host at her house again, which is so much easier with little babies. We had Iggy's, since that is one of my new favorite places to eat. For dessert, we had Lala's cupcakes, chocolate and carmel dipped pretzels, Lion House Chocolate Cream cake, 3 different kinds of cheesecake and Italian raspberry cream sodas for the drink.

We laughed, we cried, we talked, we listened, we shared, we loved. It doesn't get any better than being sharing favorite things with my favorite people. Thanks each of you for making life beautiful.

Practice makes perfect

Encore 1

Blue Knights Practice Session

The Blue Knights spent 2 nights at Roy High School. The day following their performance at Weber State, I went up and helped in the kitchen. Later that evening, Aubrey and I went to the practice on the football field. We are so proud of Seth...AWESOME!

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The Blue Knights, Starring SETH

...and here he is the one and only cutest nephew in the world! We LOVE YOU SETH

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The Visit

The pictures are downloaded, now give me a few days to write the captions.

How many surgeries does it take...

to remove 4 kidney stones?

Stonehenge, Rolling Stones, stone ground, stone, stone, stone. June was one huge emotional roller coaster. We were in the emergency room 7 times with Matthew and 1 time with Carlee. The doctors and nurses just kept shaking their heads. I kept calling Andy thinking he should be able to fix things, even though he is in OH. Matthew had 4 surgeries, pneumonia, and finally they admitted him for 3 days just to keep the pain under control. I don't know how he endured it. Yes, I had 3 children without pain meds, but after watching him go through kidney stones, I'm thinking having babies is a breeze.

NO, NO, NO NOT AGAIN

From This





To This



If the last picture looks familiar, it's because Carlee broke her other leg last year. Same story, trampoline, laughing, jumping to crying, poor thing. Carlee was very brave through the whole thing. Her mom and grandma, on the other hand, were beside themselves with shock and sadness. I went from feeling sorry for Carlee to feeling sorry for Shay. I didn't know which direction to go to offer comfort. So much for swimming this summer. Hey, on the other hand, Carlee will look dang cute in a pink cast...again!

And the winner is...

EVERYONE!!! The Grand Prize of CHOCOLATE is ready to be mailed. Thanks to all who participated. Be Watching Your Mailbox for your Reward!!!

Picture Perfect

Mike's Sugar 'n Spice

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The contest will end in a few days...

...so don't miss out on your chocolate reward.

Yeah! This has been fun. I think I'll give it a few more days and see if anyone else wants to share their favorite. While reading a book to Carlee tonight I was reminded of one of my favorite quotes.

"A PERSON'S A PERSON, NO MATTER HOW SMALL"

Do any of you know what book that came from? Put your guesses as a comment and you may win 2, make that TWO, chocolate treats.

Really good quote contest

Yes, I am going to sponsor a quote contest and guess what you win...chocolate, of course. So here goes. There are absolutely no rules. You can submit as many quotes as you like. I get to decide who wins. And I get to decide what you win. Knowing me, there will be no losers. Anyone who submits a quote will get chocolate, so why not join the friendly competition. This way, with everyone getting a prize, you can never say that you never won anything. Once in everyone's life they should win and this is your opportunity. To get you started, here is a quote I recently heard. I have no idea where or when I heard it. In fact it may have come from one of the blogs I follow. So if I'm copying you, I'm sorry, but then again, if you respond with a quote, you win.

NOTHING MAKES HOME FEEL LIKE HEAVEN MORE THAN HAVING SOMEONE FROM HOME IN HEAVEN

Now it's your turn!!!!!!

P.S. If you are an out of towner, include your address so the prize can be sent straight to you.

Hey Mom!

Hey Mom! I just wanted to write you a little note and tell you that I have been thinking about you a lot these past few days, with Seminary ending and then with the many trips to the ER for dad. I love you and want you to know that you are doing such a great job. If you need dinner or for me to help with work or the house work all you need to do is ask and I would be there willing to do what ever is needed. I love you.

Lawson's in Spring

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