And a little child shall lead them....

My name is Kira.

I am a daughter, granddaughter and a friend.

But most importantly, I am a child of God.

  Today was the primary program in Sacrament Meeting.  I don't think I have been to a meeting where the Spirit was stronger.  The theme this year in primary was, "I am a Child of God."  Nothing is dearer to Heavenly Father and the Savior than children.  Their testimonies and music were so sweet.  Kirstin and Brandon came to watch Kira.  She did an awesome job with her part and with singing.  There wasn't a dry eye in the congregation by the end of the program.  Each heart had been touched....we witnessed the truth in the prophecy, "And a little child shall lead them."
 

Game 5 - SUU vs UNC

It's another T-Bird win!  

Grandpa, Mindy and I went to the game in Greeley, Colorado.  We flew out Sat. morning to Denver and then drove to Greeley.  It was a beautiful fall day for football.  Sunny without a cloud in the sky and the temperature in the 60's. 

Griff had a great game.  He had 6 catches and one of those was for a TOUCHDOWN!!!! Northern Colorado was ranked higher than us in the preseason polls so that made the win even sweeter.  

The T-birds are doing awesome....I think it is going to be a great year!

 This is Griff's Touchdown catch....it was an awesome catch!

 They tried an on sides kick and the good hands team was in.....

 The kick went out of bounds so they had no chance....

 A great win for some great guys....

 Grandpa and Griff...

 So happy for another great game for Griff and a win!

Griff and his best bud Fatu....two amazing receivers.

A little bit of SUNSHINE

Madison is growing up too fast. She is starting to smile and say such cute little sounds.  Griff and Whit send me pictures and videos all the time.  I love it!  It makes being so far away a little bit easier.  

She is a little bit of SUNSHINE!

Game 4 SUU vs Sacramento State

What a fun game!  The weather wasn't the best.  It rained all afternoon and stopped right before the game.  It sprinkled a little during the game but not too bad.  Grandpa, Mindy, Anna and I came to this game.  We didn't bring any rain gear because the weather report said it was suppose to be nice.  Don't believe them....come prepared!  We were scrambling trying to find something to keep dry.  We ended up with clearance rain jackets from Eddie Bauer and garbage bags.  I must say we did stay pretty day and warm.

My old (I hesitate to say that) roommate from college lives in Sacramento.  So Anna and I met her for lunch.  It was so fun reminiscing about old times and catching up.  It's hard to believe those days were 35 years ago....where does time go?

We trailed the whole game.  Our defense was having a hard time stopping them.  We kept getting penalties at critical times.  We were behind by 8 points.  We were moving the ball with just a few minutes left.  Cantu, our quarterback threw two interceptions, one which the defender returned for a touchdown.  I thought we were beaten and then Sac. St. had two penalties called on the two interceptions that gave us back the ball.  We scored with 30 sec left on the clock.  We had to go for two to try and tie the game.  Cantu threw to the front corner of the end zone.  The receiver fell down and and the defender reached up and tipped the ball.  Griff came from the back of the end zone reached out and grabbed the ball and fell into the end zone for two points!  It was sooooo exciting.  We were all jumping and screaming.  We went in to overtime and won with a field goal.  It was an awesome win!

 Karen (Evans) Hardison and I catching up...

 Griff getting getting ready for the game to start....

 We are ready to cheer for #3.....Mindy, Grandpa and Anna

We were model material with our garbage bags....okay we look more like bag ladies!

 The scoreboard says it all...

 So fun to congratulate Griff on an amazing catch!

Game 3 - SUU vs Washington St.

The last time we were in this stadium was two years ago when Utah played WSU.  It snowed so much at halftime that you couldn't even see the lines on the field.  Utah won the game right at the end and all the players were making snow angels in the snow on the field.  This game was much different...if fact it was hot! 

SUU played with WSU until right before half time.  Griff had a really nice punt return that set up SUU's only touchdown.  Our quarterback threw three interceptions, two of them that ended in touchdowns so it was pretty much over by then.  It was fun to have the Longs, Kathleen, Brian, Grandpa, Mindy, Whitney and Madison there.  

Whitney, Maddie and I stayed with Kathleen and Brian.  We flew up on Friday so we had an extra day with them.  They are always so good to us.  We shopped on Friday.  On Saturday, Whitney, Madison and I went for a really long run/walk before the game.  The weather was beautiful.  It was a fun weekend!

The gangs all here cheering for #3....GOOOO GRIFF!

Here he goes.....running back a punt.

This was the first time the Longs met Maddie....Boo and Avi.

She's the cutest cheerleader ever....

Branson loved holding Maddie.

And I can't keep my hands off of her....

No matter the outcome of the game....Griff is always happy to see his girls!

A Perfect Weekend

     Ever have one of those extra special weekends that you just wish wouldn't end?  They don't come around very often but the weekend of September 6-8 was just one of those for me.  We left right after school for Cedar City.  Ryan, Caitlin and the girls were already there.  We stayed in a family suite at one of the hotels with them.  Saturday we just enjoyed visiting with each other, doing a little shopping and playing in the pool at the hotel.  Griff's first home game was that evening.  There were 27 family members there to cheer him on.  He had a great game and SUU beat Fort Lewis 49-0.  We got to stay over Saturday night because little Miss Maddi was being blessed on Sunday....
     And that is what made this weekend extra special.  There is nothing more that I love than being at church will all of our family.  Kirstin and Kira were going to come and then circumstances made it so they couldn't so we missed them.  But everyone else was there. Madison Lee is beautiful!  Griff took her to the front of the Chapel and as I watched the men that love her so much and that I admire so much (grandpa's, great grandpa and uncles) take her in their hands and with the power of the Priesthood, which they honorably hold, be the support as Griff gave her a beautiful blessing the tears started to flow.  I am so very grateful for the Priesthood, for the blessing it is in our lives, and for those who bear it with reverence and use it to bless our lives. I am so grateful  for a son who is worthy to hold and use that Priesthood to bless his family.  The spirit didn't whisper this to me....it seemed to shout it and it will be a moment that I will cherish forever!
     We went over to Griff and Whit's for dinner afterward.  It was so fun to have our families together.  I absolutely love the Jackson's.  You will not find a better family anywhere.  I was sad when the day was over and we had to say goodbye, but I will always hold close the wonderful feelings of this day!

Kalli meets her cousin Madison for the first time....I think they will be good friends.

Caitlin, Kalli, Hannah, Jordan and Josh enjoying the pool.

It's so fun to watch #3....we are so proud of him!

This was Maddi's first game....she was the cutest cheerleader for her daddy.

The three stooges cheering on their brother in their game day shirts.  Jordan, Josh and Erin.

I think their favorite player is #3...what do you think?

Kalli enjoyed the popcorn...

Such a cute family...Whit, Madison and Griff.

These two grandma's love this baby...me, Whit, Madison and Whit's mom Roxanne.

We love our grand babies...So grateful for each one!

She looks like a Angel from Heaven....

I am so blessed....

Madison with her two friends.....Austyn and Ella.

Outside the church after the blessing....

Happy 5th Birthday Kira Rose!

It's hard to believe that this princess is 5. Just before her birthday when someone would ask her when her birthday was, she would say, "Tepsember 6." So cute! I told her the day before her birthday that her birthday was the next day and she said, "Right when I wake up it's my birthday?"  She was so excited! She has grown in to a beautiful little girl.  She started Head Start Pre-school this year and loves it.  Kirstin, Kira and I went out to lunch to celebrate her big day.  Kira picked the place....McDonalds!  She loved her presents....a mermaid with a purse, new cowgirl boots that light up and a new outfit for church.  We love you so much Kira Rose....

Happy, Happy Birthday Sweetheart!