June 24, 2026 – The Day Sam Married Paisley

June 24th was one of those days we will treasure forever.

For days, the forecast had threatened cold temperatures and rain. We watched the weather, hoped for a miracle, and crossed our fingers. Sure enough, we woke up to sunshine! It felt like a gift—one perfectly wrapped for Sam and Paisley on their wedding day.

At 1:00 p.m., Sam and Paisley were sealed. As I watched them begin their life together, my heart felt so full. There is something beautiful about gaining a daughter. Our family didn't just grow that day—it felt bigger, better, and more complete.

After taking pictures on the temple grounds, we hurried to Stirling to help prepare for the family dinner. The venue was absolutely charming—a little tourist homestead with a rustic, relaxed atmosphere that suited the day perfectly. Paisley's homemade napkin banners looked absolutely darling, adding such a personal touch to the celebration.

Paisley's mom had taken care of so much, and it showed in every detail. Lunch was served outdoors and included pulled pork and ham-and-cheese sliders, dill pickle salad, pretzel fruit salad, chips, and fresh vegetables. It was simple, delicious, and exactly what a summer wedding meal should be.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, heartfelt tributes, and some of the sweetest moments as Sam and Paisley shared their love and gratitude for one another. Watching those two together, surrounded by people who adore them, was a joy beyond words.

The reception was equally lovely. Guests enjoyed a lemonade bar, popcorn "thank-yous," cookies, squares, butterhorns, and adorable little charcuterie cups. Every detail reflected the warmth and kindness of the people who had worked so hard, or travelled so far to make the day special.

Around 7:30, the weather shifted. The sunny skies gave way to darker clouds as a little rain rolled in. The brief sprinkle chased away the mosquitoes and cooled the evening air. Although the rain only lasted a few minutes, the clouds and breeze remained—creating the perfect backdrop for Sam and Paisley's departure. Family and friends lined up with ribbon wands, waving and cheering as they made their darling exit into married life.

John and I stayed behind to help clean up before finally heading home around 9:00 p.m. As we drove back, our hearts were overflowing with gratitude. The day had been beautiful, joyful, and wonderfully successful from beginning to end.

Most of all, we were grateful for Paisley.

We love her so much and could not be happier to welcome her into our family. What a beautiful beginning for two people we love dearly. ❤️

June 2026: A Little Chaos, A Little Basketball & A Brand-New Baby

June showed up with absolutely no intention of slowing down.

In fact, I’m fairly certain June looked at our calendar, saw a wedding, the end of school, a family trip, basketball, and a new baby on the horizon and thought, “Perfect. Let’s put all of that in ONE MONTH.”

And so we began.

Youth Days & Baseball ⚾

At the beginning of the month, we got to enjoy Youth Days with the 3rd Ward youth—a day of baseball, sunshine, and a whole lot of fun.

I love these kids. Truly.

There is something pretty special about spending a day with teenagers when you aren’t responsible for teaching them anything, grading anything, or reminding anyone to hand in an assignment. We just got to play baseball, laugh, and enjoy being together.

June also brought the end of school, which is always a special kind of madness. The last few weeks of school are basically a combination of excitement, exhaustion, unfinished paperwork, lost pencils, missing assignments, celebrations, and everyone collectively wondering how we possibly made it this far.

This year, though, the chaos was turned up a notch because the last week of school was sandwiched between a wedding and a family trip.  Apparently, I enjoy scheduling my life on hard mode.

Because Grade 6 is moving down to the elementary school, I will be moving UP to Grade 9.

Am I ready?

No comment.

Am I excited?

Actually...yes.

Am I hoping I become ready somewhere between now and September?

Absolutely.

I’m going to learn a lot, I suspect. And hopefully, by the time September rolls around, I’ll look like I know exactly what I’m doing.

Sam and Nate also spent the spring playing on a spring league basketball team.

And those boys had a pretty great run.

Their team knocked off a couple of groups that were supposed to be the contenders for first place, which made things interesting very quickly. They worked their way all the way into the final, where they eventually lost by just a few points. So, no championship banner for the wall—but they definitely rattled a few cages along the way and they played really well. 

the biggest news of June came when we got the message we had been waiting for:

Bella had arrived! Brooke had her baby at the end of May, and suddenly I am officially a Great-Aunt.

I LOVE this little baby.

There is something about holding a brand-new baby that makes you forget absolutely everything else happening in your life. School chaos? Gone. Wedding details? Irrelevant. Grade 9 panic? Who cares. There is a baby.

Sam, Paisley and I have already managed to get in a few precious snuggles with little Bella, and I have a feeling we are going to be finding plenty of excuses for more.

June was busy. Really busy.

But tucked in between the madness were baseball games, basketball wins, the end of one teaching chapter, the beginning of another, a beautiful wedding, and the arrival of a brand-new little person to love.

Honestly, that's a pretty good month. ❤️

 

May 2026: A Little Family, A Little Nostalgia & A Lot of Green

May was one of those months that didn’t necessarily scream “LOOK AT ME, I’M MAKING MEMORIES!” but quietly went about its business making a whole bunch of them anyway.

We started the month with a lovely evening at the Bayshore Inn in Waterton, where we got together with John’s two sisters and their spouses, his Uncle Glen, and a couple of cousins. It was one of those visits that reminds you how nice it is to slow down and reconnect with people you don’t get to see nearly often enough. Good food, good conversation, beautiful surroundings—and absolutely no one asking me to grade anything. A win all around.

For almost ten days, we had the privilege of dog-sitting my brother’s dog. We shared the responsibility with Jewel, which was probably a good thing because apparently one extra dog in the household is enough to send Radar into an emotional crisis.

Radar was definitely giving jealous.

May also brought some serious wedding prep. Jessica and I spent a Saturday with Paisley and her family making 11 or 12 thirty-foot napkin banners for the wedding. Yes. You read that correctly. Approximately 360 feet of wedding-banner-making chaos.

But they turned out DARLING.

And since I’m not about to spoil the wedding-day reveal, you’ll just have to stay tuned for pictures. They were worth every inch of napkin, ribbon, string and questionable measuring decisions.

While visiting Jewel one day, she showed me some baby clothes that had belonged to us when we were babies. Clothes that I had eventually put my own baby girls in—and now, all these years later, were being passed along to Brooke, whose baby was due any day.

It was sweet. And nostalgic. And just a tiny bit rude of time to move that quickly.

I took a picture of the clothes.  I do not need to emotionally unpack the fact that the babies who wore those clothes are now adults who are having babies. A photograph is plenty of nostalgia for one afternoon, thank you very much.

Jessica has been home for almost a month now, and having her here is pure JOY. I love the noise, the laughter, the comings and goings—and especially the moments when one of her friends pops in again.

For a brief moment, if I close my eyes, I can almost pretend we’re back in the old days when the house was full of kids, friends, shoes by the door, and approximately 47 people coming and going at any given time.

I seriously love that girl.

And finally, May brought GROWING.

The tulips are up. The garden is planted. The yard is waking up. And thanks to what feels like approximately 947 days of rain, everything is gloriously, ridiculously green.

It has been a wet spring, but I’m not complaining. Not when the reward is this much life popping up everywhere.

So, May was family, dogs, wedding banners, old baby clothes, grown-up kids coming home, gardens growing, and more than enough rain. Not a bad month at all. 

Paisley's Bridal Shower

In early May, my niece Brooke and my sister, Brooke’s mom, hosted a beautiful bridal shower for Paisley. It was so incredibly kind and generous of them to do this for her, and I was beyond grateful to them and to everyone who took the time to attend and celebrate with us.

It meant so much to see Paisley surrounded by so many wonderful people who love Sam. How special that she had the opportunity to meet some of the people who have been part of Sam’s life and who care so deeply for him. It was truly a beautiful and memorable day, and one I will always be grateful for.

Mother’s Day: Love, Memories, and a Little Bit of Waterton Magic

Mother’s Day has always been a complicated day for me.

Don’t get me wrong—I love watching my kids celebrate me. I love the thoughtful messages, the hugs, the little reminders that somehow, despite all the mistakes, chaos, and questionable parenting decisions along the way, they actually turned out pretty amazing.

But there has always been another feeling that quietly sneaks in.

I miss my own mother.

I miss her deeply, and Mother’s Day has a way of making that space feel a little bigger. There is something about being celebrated as a mom that also reminds you of the mom who taught you how to become one.

This year, though, Jessica decided those blues weren’t getting a chance to settle in.

Not even for a minute.

She came prepared.

The day began with a gift from John (a Northern Lights projector) and a beautifully organized menu, presented by Jess like I was dining at a five-star restaurant. I wasn’t allowed to peek ahead. Instead, I had to peel away each meal reveal one at a time.

Apparently, Mother’s Day came with a little suspense. And let me tell you—this girl went all in.

Jessica cooked. She prepped. She planned. She created one delicious meal after another, and my only job was to sit back and enjoy it. I didn’t have to lift a finger (which, honestly, may have been my favourite part).

The food was incredible, but the best part was watching the care and thought she put into every little detail. It wasn’t just a meal—it was a reminder of the kind of person Jess has become. Someone who notices. Someone who serves. Someone who loves deeply.

And then came the grand finale.

Dinner.

In Waterton.

My absolute favourite tradition.

There is just something about sitting in that beautiful place, surrounded by mountains, fresh air, and the people I love most. Somehow, every Waterton meal tastes a little better. Maybe it’s the view. Maybe it’s the memories. Maybe it’s because my heart is always a little fuller there.

Whatever the reason, it was perfect.

This Mother’s Day was a beautiful reminder that while I will always miss the mother who came before me, I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of being the mother I am today.

I am so thankful for these kids of mine. For the ways they love me, surprise me, challenge me, and remind me that all those years of messy kitchens, late nights, driving to activities, and wondering if I was doing enough were worth it.

And I am especially thankful for a daughter who knew exactly what my heart needed this year—good food, a little adventure, and a whole lot of love.

Mother’s Day 2026 was one for the books. ❤️

May at Police Lake: Birds, Walks, and a Very Serious Cheesecake Situation

May has become one of my favourite months for one very important reason: it usually means our first trips out to Police Lake. There is just something about that place that feels like the official beginning of summer. Police Lake has become one of our favourite Sunday destinations. It’s the perfect place for a quiet walk, a little bird watching, and pretending we know more about birds than we actually do.

Our bird identification skills may need some work, but our appreciation for nature is top-notch. This year, however, Police Lake got a serious upgrade.

Enter: Jess’s homemade cheesecake.

Apparently, a peaceful Sunday walk surrounded by birds and beautiful scenery wasn’t quite enough. We needed dessert. And not just any dessert—a cheesecake that looked (and tasted) like it belonged in a fancy bakery instead of being carried around on a family outing.

Jess absolutely knocked it out of the park. It was creamy, delicious, and somehow made our little walk feel like a five-star outdoor dining experience. Who knew bird watching pairs so well with cheesecake?

Honestly, this may have started a dangerous tradition. Next year, we may need to bring binoculars, walking shoes, and a full dessert menu.

May at Police Lake: a little fresh air, a few questionable bird sightings, and a reminder that the best family memories are often the simple ones... especially when cheesecake is involved. 

April - The Month of Growth: Gardens, Games, and a Mission Call

April has a way of convincing us that winter is finally over... at least long enough to get us outside. We happily reacquainted ourselves with our backyard, tackling the annual spring rituals of weeding flower beds, prepping the garden for planting, and chopping what felt like an endless supply of firewood.

One of the month's highlights was watching Nate graduate from stacking wood to cutting it. He learned how to safely use a chainsaw this spring, and I'm pretty sure he enjoyed every second of it. There seems to be something deeply satisfying about turning a fallen tree into a perfectly stacked woodpile.

When we weren't outside, John and I rediscovered another favourite pastime: board games. Scrabble has officially claimed the title of our game of choice. Even more satisfying? I'm still undefeated. The pressure, however, is mounting. The higher the climb, the harder the fall, and John is becoming increasingly determined to be the one who finally hands me my first loss. For now, though, I'll gladly enjoy my winning streak.

Without question, the biggest news of April came from Jessica.

Mission call day is one of those moments every Latter-day Saint family dreams about, but somehow ours unfolded in the most Jessica-and-Nate way possible.

Jessica received the email while she and Nate were at the gym. Instead of opening it herself, she handed her phone to Nate.

Yes... Nate read her mission call before Jessica did.

As if that wasn't surprising enough, Nate managed to tell someone else at the gym where she was going before Jessica had even read the letter herself.

Then came the phone call.

"Mom. Dad. You have five minutes to get to the temple lawn... or I'm reading it without you."

Nothing motivates parents quite like a mission call countdown.

We made it just in time, and together—John, me, Sam, Paisley, and Jess—we learned that she had been called to serve in the Angeles Philippines Mission, beginning September 30.

There were tears, hugs, laughter, and more than a little disbelief that the little girl we've watched grow into such a remarkable young woman is about to head halfway around the world to serve.

April gave us dirty hands, competitive Scrabble games, and one unforgettable family memory we'll be talking about for years. If the rest of the year can keep up with this pace, we're in for quite the adventure.

From Stirling, with Love.

It is with absolute joy and overflowing hearts that we welcome Paisley into our family. From the very beginning, their story has been a testament to timing, patience, and a love that’s worth the wait. They dated before Sam left on his mission, parted ways while he was gone, and then—like a storybook reunion—picked right back up when he returned. Some things are just meant to be.

Sam worked hard to find the perfect ring, navigating the realities of adulting and the eye-opening costs of “grown-up things,” all while keeping his focus on one goal: making Paisley feel cherished. And when the day came, he orchestrated a proposal that was equal parts thoughtful, intimate, and perfectly them.

He asked me to head to a special spot in Stirling—one of the places that holds meaning for them—and I set the scene: a little picnic with sparkling cider, a fire, and a gift Sam had thoughtfully chosen for Paisley. Then I hid, peeking out just enough to watch magic unfold.

As they arrived, I couldn’t help but feel joy, admiration, and a little bit of awe. Watching Sam propose and Paisley say “yes” was a moment of pure, heart-stopping love. They are each other’s person—that undeniable kind of connection you just know is meant to last.

Seeing them together fills me with confidence that their life ahead will be beautiful, because both of them strive to be kind, thoughtful, and steadfast. Their love is the real deal, and we couldn’t be happier to witness it and celebrate it. Sam and Paisley, here’s to a lifetime of joy, laughter, and love as bright as that day in Stirling. 🥂💖