The most recent graduate...

...and isn't he handsome?

It's time...

...for an update on the newest family member. Logan was very cooperative today, smiling and cooing.

I am so far behind...

...that it may take several posts to catch up on all the happenings in the Coil fam.

I'm not sure where to start because I can't remember the order everything happened in. That's how busy last month was.

That's OK, because it was all good and it was all fun and I loved all of it.


So here is a look at all of the pictures...

Is this the little girl...

...you know, the little girl that was my shadow? Is this the little girl that taught me all about angels?

Look at her now...











...still an angel, but now an angel with a degree.







...speaking of angels...

another angel in our family had a big celebration. Emry had a butterfly birthday party complete with a butterfly cake and pin the butterfly on the flower game, not to mention face painting and tons of wonderful food. Emry is a darling little girl, so polite to everyone and always excited to see her cousins. My favorite moment was when she opened her soccer shin guards and hugged them. It was so just like her dad. It was a wonderful party!

Logan's blessing was beautiful. My favorite part was Jake blessing Logan that he would smile. Isn't that so sweet? And so, Logan has been obliging, smiling and talking to everyone.






He reminds us of Danielle, he's glad to be alive. He is a joy!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to one of the greatest women of all time.

We love you so much and are so grateful for all that you do for our little family.

Porter, Carlee, and Tessa, love you so much and are so lucky to have you as their grandma.

Hope you like your baskets, we can't wait to deliver them in person in just a few weeks!!!!

One continuous round...

...at least that's what I've been told. You know, the whole circle of life thing...birth...life...death...and then another birth. I've always believed it, but with the grinding of a chainsaw and a great quake of the earth I had the past 14 circles of life before my eyes.

Literally...circles!

We had a death in the family last week. A good friend. He was there 24/7. Watching us and watching over us. Making the cold, windy days more bearable and the hot, humid days enjoyable. He's gone now, but our family took time to note his passing and talk about his 16 years of life. We only knew him for 14 years though, because he came into our lives as a scrawny, leafless 2 year old.

The day we brought him home, the man who had been charge of his life up to that point, told us all we thought we needed to know. Protect him, give him food and water and he will give you much more in return. He did.

He forgave us when Michael kicked him with a soccer ball and took off a branch or Matthew got overly excited with the pruning shears, leaving a slighly odd shape on one side. For a time we had a rope swing hanging from one of his lower branches. Few people came to our home without giving it a tug or taking a little swing. Last summer Preston was strong enough to climb the rope and slap the rough branch bulging around the old knot.

Time was good to the old cottonwood, for a time, but then, as time does with all of us, it caught up with him. He was infected with disease and the last snow storm had left him branchless on the south side. It was sad.

...and so the chainsaw man came, sized him up, hooked a chain around him and put him out of his misery.

This is all that remains...

but wait, look closely, do you see them? Do you see the rings?

There's the ring the first year we planted him. We have a picture of Matthew, Andy and Mike with the fishing stuff loaded in the boat heading out for one last excursion before Andy headed to Mongolia for 2 years. And there he is in the background, just a broomstick of a tree, but you could see him. Of course, he was there when Andy got home two years later in October. He was bigger, the tree, not Andy, because Andy was skinny as a rail.

I have another picture of Lauren and D. building a snowman family, he's in that picture too. He's in pictures of Preston riding his bike for the first time, Madison pushing Abbie on my old tricycle and Luke...(I mean Superman) cape fluttering in the wind, hanging from the rope. We have pictures of Carlee, Emry, Sammie, Porter and Luke eating popsicles in his shade.

Looking at the rings, Matthew and I could see the history of the past 15 years. My dad, Debbie and Susanne each have a ring. The kids graduated, went on missions and got married. They each have a ring and some rings have many names written on them. The birth of Preston, Madison, Abbie, Porter, Luke, Carlee, Sammie, Emry, Tessa, Cameron, Millie Jo, and baby Logan are written there.

The years of service, Bishop, Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President, temple sealings, and the last thing I saw as I headed down the street at 5:45 a.m. for seminary are all represented in the rings.

The small things too...summer evenings on the front porch, Mike, covered with paint after white-washing the V, planting flowers, mowing and mowing more, pushing grandkids in the swing, shoveling snow, raking leaves, flying kites, even a few fishing lures were lost in his branches due to the practice casts in the street.

He is gone. All that is left is his stump and our memories of him.

...I vow to plant another tree this summer, somewhere, for our grandchildren. Someday they may stand around its stump, count the circles and talk about the memories they have of us, our family, together.

The circles continue...

And the winner is.............

.......Ok, Ok, you didn't really think I would tell you right off the bat did you?


First I have to tell all my faithful followers, that would be my 5 daughters, that you are all WINNERS in my book. I don't want any of you calling and crying to me that the winner is my favorite and that's why she won. That's simply not true. This was a CONTEST, AN HONEST TO GOODNESS CONTEST. No favorites here, because you are all my favorite.


And why, you ask, do I spend time telling you that you are all my favorite?


Last week Matthew showed me a newspaper article discussing policies at elementary schools to prevent children from having low self-esteem. You know, how every child on the soccer team gets a trophy now. The article mentioned a school back east that no longer allows children to use ropes for jump rope, because they risk tripping over the rope and suffering bruised egos.

Poor dears.....! You wouldn't want to permanently ruin the self-image of little Johnny, because he can't jump over the rope!


How do you solve that problem? Tell the children they can imagine themselves jumping over the rope instead of actually doing it.


This may sound ridiculous, but, seriously, I have been exercising that way for years. I imagine myself trim, firm, well-defined, riding the luge at the Olympics or being the lead runner in the New York Marathon. I feel so much better about myself now.

...anyway...THE WINNER IS......



drum roll, please,



or if you don't play the drums, just imagine yourself playing the drums...


Shay guesstimated (that's a word right?) the little guy would come in at a hefty 7 lbs. 10 ozs. with light hair.



Congratulations to Shay! Now, Shay can imagine herself with a tiara and large bouguet of roses walking the winners runway, envied by all.


Way to go Shay. You look lovely.


Your $5 will be in the mail shortly.

Dani and I...

...had a lot of fun today with the camera and the newest family member, Logan.




And since I couldn't decide which picture I like best, I put all of them on the blog.



By double clicking on the pictures, you can make them larger. Enjoy!

Well, not all of them actually, because that would be 423 pictures in all.



Oh, how grateful I am for digital cameras that have a delete button.

More precious than gold...

...are the memories of this moment

Just a note to my beautiful daughter...

Dani,

It was at this moment that I saw the Dr. hand Logan to you and you laid him on your chest that I remembered a similar moment when I first took you in my arms 25 years ago. I wished then, that you might someday know the same joy I felt when I held you.

Today, that joy was there, in your eyes, and it reminded me to thank God for giving me my hearts desire wished for so long ago, that you would someday know the same love I have known.




I cherish you...


I cherish you for giving me the gift of today.

Trailing clouds of glory...

....Logan E. Lawson was born....


March 17, 2010...


7 pounds, 9.5 ounces


20 1/2 inches


strawberry blond hair


10 fingers


10 toes


...and he is...


perfect!







....anticipation....




1 1/2 pushes...

...Jake giggled








...Dani cried

...Logan turned pink

...and held his daddy's hand for the first time

...they checked each other out

...and prepared to meet the world

...while dad dreamed of taking TWO boys hunting

...and every inch was carefully inspected

...old friendships were renewed

...the first family portrait was taken

...and it is the happy beginning at the end of a wonderful day.

Today, more than ever...

...I missed Chris for what he was missing.

I captured this moment for him. This beautiful moment when his children climbed a mountain and found joy in the adventure. It was a gentle reminder for me that his determination to keep going, even when it's tough, is an example to his children.

Spring fever....

.....sent us looking for a little sunshine today. Kay Lee loved the mountains in the background of this picture. It is actually the Oquirrh mountains about 30 miles away.

During the rescue of Abbie we decided she should take her coat off before she fell down. There are teeth in the middle of that smile, but they will not be visible for about three months.

Abbie got stuck first so Madison went to rescue her. They then had to call on Preston and Matthew for more help.

We are at the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge and found a little sunshine, lots of mud and a plethora of fun. Preston tried to pull Madison out of the mud, but a little push backwards seemed like the more fun thing to do.

The suction sound when they tried to pull their boots out of this gunk was pretty cool. Luke thought it sounded like a goose honking or hissing.


We enjoyed taking Aubrey and her four children on this little outdoor walk. Preston was so excited. He brought his back pack that he received for his eleventh birthday last summer. He brought water and all his camping gear. He was so excited to go hiking. He wanted to lead the way and investigate everything. No eagles about, just geese. They honked at us when we got too close. Kay Lee took the pictures and I, Matthew, tried to control the mud fights and mayhem. The mud won.

I don't want to teach...

...seminary tomorrow.



Alma 39




Help!





The lesson is on morality...actually, it's on sexual immorality. I have 14 year olds all the way up to 18 year olds...boys...girls....together!





I'm having anxiety attacks and sympathy pains for Lauren.





Any suggestions?


Please!!!!!



What do you think about taking in Better Than Sex Cake and starting the discussion with that? I mean, seriously, if you want to get the attention of a teenager, feed them...right?

Don't be fooled...

...by his cute little shy face...

...because shy is not a word you would use to describe this fireball.

I haven't been able to breath...

…all evening

…breath…

...not since the phone call.

…breath…

I’m not sure when it happened…

When she became “MY” Mary Kay. I’m not sure when I became selfish and wanted to her to be “MINE”...to be "MY" best friend. I do know that there is a comfort in saying it that way. “MY” Mary Kay…

...saying it like she'll always be there, because she always has been there.

…breath…

Last fall while visiting in Ohio, Porter was swinging his light saber, making sounds Luke Skywalker would be proud of, when I mentioned something about “MY” Mary Kay to Shay. Without missing a beat, Porter said, “Grandma, she’s “MY” Mary Kay”.

…breath…
And I realized she wasn’t really mine any more. She belongs to 4 generations of my family.

…breath…

She was the first to the rescue when Michael had an appendectomy, arriving at the door with popsicles for him and chocolate for me. She was the first person I called when Aubrey was told Preston probably wouldn’t survive being born. She was the Young Woman leader that loved Danielle and Danielle loved the most. She was the one that always made sure Lauren was invited to Greg’s birthday parties. She was the one that taught Andy how to do an EKG on elderly women (that’s a great story, ask her sometime). She’s always ready to listen to stories about my mom and never judge me when I whine. She was the one that supported Matthew as Bishop and the decisions he made while serving. She was the one that cried with me when my dad died.

And she’ll be there when I am sealed to my parents one day, because that’s the kind of friend “MY” Mary Kay is.

So now you understand why I haven’t been able to breath tonight without a little ache in my chest.

…”MY” Mary Kay called…

…she’s moving…

…BREATH…

…shudder…

…sigh…

Mrs. Perkins had a great idea...

...and this is what happened.



February 1, 2010
Dixon Students Remember the Families Supporting our Troops
Students at Dixon Middle School participate in regular service activities once a month through the Panther Pride Club. After providing service for our country’s military men and women over the past several years, the group decided it would be fun to write notes and valentines to the families supporting our troops overseas.
"The families of the troops sacrifice just as much as the troops do," said Lauren Perkins, the teacher who organized the activity for the Panther Pride Club. "Because of this, we wanted to recognize the parents, wives, husbands, siblings, children, and grand-children whose loved ones are away serving."
The students made valentine cards for the families of the 478th HR Company currently serving at the Bagharam Airbase in Kabul, Afghanistan. The cards were sent to many states across the country, and Dixon students hope these family members feel extra love and support at this time. The students loved doing this project and now they too will remember what a sacrifice not only the troops make, but the family members of the troops as well.


Great job, Mrs. Perkins!

Do the math...

...in the last blog and you will appreciate my awesome mother-in-law.

Count the candles on Mike's birthday cake. Yep, that's a big FOUR! Mike is all of 4years old in that picture. Now that's not a big deal, right? But when you do the math and see Christine on his left, who would be 5 in that picture, Colleen on his right, who would be 2 and Matthew in the high chair, who is not one yet, you have to be amazed at the woman who managed to bake the birthday cake.

Not only did she bake it, she DECORATED it. And she had the foresight to have purchased birthday candles when she was at the store, because I guarantee you she didn't run to the store every time she needed something. She never ran to the store, not ever, because living in Alaska in the 50's she would have had to hook the mush team up to the sled and then load the 4 kids on the sled to run to the store for candles. (Actually, their groceries were delivered when they lived in Alaska, but Matthew thinks the mushing is a much better story)

Oh, and by the way, Mardella, my awesome mother-in-law, was pregnant with Debbie and would be delivering her 5th child in about 3 more months. To be specific, Debbie was born on my Matthew's 11 month birthday. Did I mention my mother-in-law is amazing?

Yep...amazing! An elect lady woman who was willing to spend the rest of her life scarred by the stretching of her belly while creating my Matthew. The woman of God who held him on her lap so he could watch her take the sacrament on Sunday. The gentle hand that held his to help him learn to walk, to hold a pencil, to tie his shoes.......... and say a prayer.

As AMAZING as all of this is...

...I need to tell you about another slide we found while going through hundreds of Coil family slides.

It was an old slide. It was taken on the beach of what appeared to be a beautiful lake surrounded by pine trees. The slide was dark and the colors were muted. But I could still make out the figures in the water. Children, lots of little children, and then standing there looking svelte (that's a fancy word for sexy, as Fancy Nancy would say) in a swim suit(I don't know any other woman who would wear a swim suit after birthing 8 children and look that good), carefree and beautiful with her hair blowing in the breeze was the first woman my Matthew loved. The first woman to love him.

Remember, she remembered the candles for the cake. Do the math...that's 1,368 candle for 8 kids during their 18 years of life at home.

Do the math...



....that's 1,368 candles with presents on the side, wrapped and ready. 1,368 candles and she had made mashed potatoes for dinner before they had the cake.

1,368 candles and she still smiled when Matthew and I walked in her home last weekend for a visit.

Do the math...



...that's amazing.

I've been saying all along...

...that Tessa looks a lot like Andy when he was little. I would like to amend that statement...

...Tessa looks a lot like the little boy in the high chair in this old slide we found at Matthew's parents last weekend.

Yes, that's Matthew. What a cutie!