Graduation Pics

Yay for Jay!!

 

She did it!  Graduation from High School!

Sitting on the stand as one of the Valedictorian

Fun hats

Jess has a soccer ball on her hat

There she is!!

Funny looking spectators!

Some of her awards and medals

Meli and Jon barely made it!

Proud parents

Samantha, Mary and a bit of Loren

Jess and her goalie coach!

The whole fam plus a picture of Daniel!

Way to go Jess!  What a gal!

Jessica Belle Stone - graduate of PVHS

Disclaimer:  this post if full of bragging about my daughter and how awesome she is!

Jessica graduated from high school this past week.  But it's all her other accomplishments that are so amazing.  I can't believe this girl is my daughter!  She is really awesome.  Really!

A list of her awards for 2010-2011:

Certificate of Recognition in the 2011 Utah Ambassadors of Music

UREA Youth leadership Representative

First Team Region 9 Honoree for Keeper in Girls Soccer

Wendy's High School Heisman award

Region 9 Academic All-Region for Soccer

PVHS Diamond Paw

Outstanding Performance award for French

PVHS Academic Letter

National Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award by US Army

UHSAA Academic All-State for Track & Field

Seminary Centennial Letter

Utah Scholar Award

High Honors at PVHS

PVHS Valedictorian

Wow!  I knew there were alot, but I didn't realize that there were so many. 

Now, a list of scholarships awarded thus far.

Regents Scholarship for $6000 by WCSD

Dixie Escalante Electric for $2000

University of Utah for $1000

Southern Utah University Presidential Scholarship for $4250

SUU Housing for $4000

She's still applying for scholarships as obviously, she won't be able to use all of the above.  She's decided to go to BYU Provo in the fall.  I'm sure going to miss her!
(Next - Graduation pics!!)

First date for my Last child

MEMO to all you young moms out there:

These are the best days of your lives!

 No, REALLY!!

When the kids are living at home, hanging on your leg, begging for a cookie, smearing sticky kisses on your cheek, coming down with the sniffles, needing a kiss for an "owie", wearing your high heels and lipstick, making mud pies in your garden, and on and on and on; take a moment and savor it! 

  Because it passes too quickly. 

 After my first child was born, and I was sore, confused,  overwhelmed, and felt like I couldn't go anywhere without a luggage carrier, my mom wrote me a letter.

Long story short, she told me that these days would pass before I knew it and to enjoy them as much as I could.

I didn't listen very well. 

 

Not until my 4th child was born did I begin to think about what she had said to me in that note.

And something miraculous happened!

I began to slow down, let the unimportant things go, and enjoy being a mom.  I began to LOVE mornings (instead of dread them) when all the kids would pile into bed with me before the day began.  I would take hikes with them, meet them at the bus stop, go camping with them, take them to the zoo - instead of staying home to clean while Dad did all the fun stuff.

You see...

Children have a naughty little habit of growing up too fast.  Before you know it, the oldest ones have left home and are starting lives of their own, and your youngest is going on her first date.

Rachel and Michael Finch - Sr Ball 2011

 I'm telling ya, 

slow down...

and smell the baby powder.  

It won't be there forever, you know.

She's leaving me!

What's wrong with this picture? (in theory)

You want a family.

You have cute little babies.

 

You teach them to be nice people.

You fall in love with them over and over.

You raise them and they raise you.

They grow up.

You go through some tough times.

Sometimes you're not sure you like them.

But you love them anyways.

They grow up some more.

They become really cool people.

You like "hangin"  with them.

You are proud of them.

Then...

They leave you!

Just when things are going really well, you shove them out the door to fly away on their own!

Crazy, huh?

Who ever thought of that??  (*wink*)

 

So, yeah, Jess is starting to prepare to leave.

Against all my whining, and begging, and hanging on her leg while crying my eyes out, she has decided to go to BYU Provo!! 

I wanted her to stay close.

To me.

I've done this with 3 other kids. 

Each one gets a little harder.

Not easier.

Harder.

But, my "sensical" side wins out.

And I am happy for her.

She is achieving one of her long term goals and

will move on to more, and more.

Gosh, I'll miss this girl!!

Just as I miss the others - so - very - much.

CONGRATS  JESS!    YOU GO GIRL!!!! 

 

Junior Prom 2011

I have mixed feelings about relating this story, but I don't want to forget is as it tells much of Jessica's character. (Please forgive me Jessica)  

 

Early in January, Jess and her friend Jill were approached by Robb - who is a Jr. who has been befriended by many of Jessica's friends.  He wanted help in asking another of Jessica's friends (we'll call her X) to Junior Prom.  

So, Jessica asked X (for Robb) if she had a date yet for prom.  Long story short, X indicated that she didn't want a " charity date"   for a formal dance - she'd had enough of those.  So, quickly, before Robb had a chance to ask X,  Jessica told Jill to talk Robb into asking herself to prom, so that his feelings wouldn't be hurt.  

(You see, Robb is a little awkward socially, and on one of the earlier dances, his date ditched him.)  

Jessica wanted Robb to have a good experience at a dance, so she volunteered herself without Robb's knowledge.  

So, the date of Prom came.  Robb and Jess had a great time at the day date with a fun group of kids playing miniature golf in someone's empty house.  

For the evening date, as she was getting ready to go, she made the comment;  "  I just want him to have a good time." 

When he arrived to pick her up, he was SOO nervous, he was shaking!  But he was a kind, sweet boy.

Turns out they both had a good time, and he was very appreciative, expressing on facebook that it was his best date ever.

Let's just say, I am very proud (well-pleased) with J.  She learned that it really feels good to think of others' first!

She even taught me a thing or two!!

I love you Jessica!