Derrik's Temple Day

Derrik went through the temple tonight. He lots of support. He is such a great kid. He has been doing baptism's for the dead for months now and going often. I love how he has been preparing.

People left before we were able to get a group picture. Here are a few that stuck around.

German Chocolate Brownies

Jordan and Kamryn came over to my house and made some German Chocolate Brownies. I can not believe this combination has not been thought of in this German Chocolate Cake loving body of mine! They were heaven.

Derrik's Ordination

Derrik was made an Elder today. An important time in his life. I hope he always remembers it.

His dad ordained him.

Standing Tall

The last time the 3 of us took a picture they had to hold me up. It was so nice to be able to just stand there and feel happy doing it. This was at Andi's oldest daughter, Bryndee's, wedding reception. Last time we were all together was at Sadie's wedding.

Look at these beautiful sunflowers that randomly grow on the sides of the roads. I enjoy everything so much more than I use too. I love to stop and gaze at nature that God made for us to enjoy that I was too busy to notice before.

Derrik's Graduation 2016!

Lots going on with Derrik in the next month, Graduation, Ordination, Temple Endownment, Mission Farewell, Mission! All in a month.

Derrik has always been smart. It just seems like yesterday he was wearing his Spiderman PJs to school telling the class that was what he always wore and telling his mom it was pajama day but really he was too lazy to change. He really had a great senior year and enjoyed himself. I am glad.

We had a little party for him and family came. Granny Nelson got sick and was not able to make it.

Look who I found behind the sound stage. It was so good seeing them both. I miss it kinda being behind the scenes. I made sure and put my 2 cents in via texting and they appreciated it I am sure.

Derrik for some reason didn't have a partner. He was either a fast walking line leader or a very behind caboose!

As soon as the graduation started a very disgruntled neighbor who HATES ALA started burning trash. It was so bad the sound equipment almost burned up. The 92 year old vet who was speaking was getting sick but carried on. It made me so sad to see someone hate so bad they were willing to jeopardize the health of all the people and put a damper on a day that these kids worked for for 13 years. All the pictures of the kids getting their diplomas were full of smoke.

Derrik did not let the smoke get him down. He was so happy.

Mission to Minnisota

Derrik's best friend Stratton's grandma took these boys out and did pictures. I was so happy to see them. I am overjoyed that Derrik is looking forward to his mission and working hard at getting there. We are so proud of him. I can't wait till he learns all those great lessons you learn while going on a mission. Life lessons you won't learn any place else.

Mr Patriot

Derrik got talked into doing a male pageant at the school for Senior boys. It was very tasteful and fun. I was happy he did it. For his talent he dressed up like a hunter and did a turkey call. He then found himself a cute turkey named Daisy. He didn't win because the votes were cast by people paying for them. He wins in my book. Center stage that kid is.

Cocoon to Butterfly

I was able to have a total transformation and change my life completely. Miracles occurred. I am walking and happy. If you want to read about how things happened I kept a blog. It is capullo2mariposa.blogspot.com. I won't clog up the family blog with this but if I hadn't lived it I wouldn't have believed it myself. Amazing. This award means a lot to me. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

Prom 2016

I am kinda bias but Derrik is the most handsome kid! I was surprised when he said he was going to go prom this year after last years bad experience. He took his good friend Daisy. I like her. They were together but they are just friends now they say. I am glad since he will be leaving on his mission in just a little bit.

Spring Break Kamryn

Kamryn went away with the Shepards again for Spring Break. They are so good to her. They went to San Francisco this year. They flew and Kamryn had to earn her plane ticket to go. They had lots of fun.

Permit Permitted

It only took 2 times but Kamryn got her permit. Kamryn is a stickler for rules and has not let us teach her anything about driving like we did with the other 2. She said it was against the law and would not drive until she had her permit. Doug let her drive on the way home and quickly determined she will need some driving lessons before we let her drive on a public street. She about killed them. She didn't know the difference between the brake and the gas. At least we know she is honest just not a very good driver... yet.

Date With Granny

Granny Slade took Kamryn out on a date for makeovers, movie and Bahama Bucks. Sounds like my kind of date!

Isn't she beautiful in her new glasses. She actually wears them too so I think for once she won't loose them.

Big Green Tractor

Derrik is not much of a communicator but I did see this picture posted online. Not sure where he got the tractor but it did help secure this cutie for Prom.

Basketball Honor

 Derrik's basketball season was amazing and it made his senior year a fun year and that makes his momma happy. This year the basketball banquet was at a fancy place that was catered. It was a nice event. I was not able to go but I did participate by doing the highlight film. It took me 2 solid weeks to make but I think the boys liked it. I then made a Youtube channel so they could watch it online. I plan on adding their games as time allows. Our internet is just dumb and slow so it takes forever.

Doug, Judy and Kamryn went to watch Derrik get the Most Improved Award. Judy recorded it for me so I could hear all the great things Coach McCurdy said about him. He talked about how last year when Derrik got pneumonia he just had a hard time getting his game back on but how this year he really helped the team and rocked it. I was so glad I was able to see one of his best games on Senior Night.

Even though I am not an athlete I see all the many things that are learned from being on a team and working hard at being disciplined. I am grateful for the opportunities my kids have been able to have at the school they are at.

Minnesota Minneapolis

Derrik will be 18 May 2nd so he was able to get his mission papers in and his call to serve a mission before he graduated. We anxiously awaited for his call. I knew if I got to that mailbox first I would peak without a doubt. I can not wait for anything. When you aren't able to drive though it pretty much makes it impossible to get to the mailbox first. Derrik was bragging about how when it came he would hide it or keep it on his person until his opening party. It might have had to be a long wait too if Doug was working so we hoped it would come on Doug's day off.  Luckily it came on a Monday. Derrik comes barging in the door declaring it had arrived. Doug was cooking dinner, I was in the chair and Kamryn was downstairs. 

He says he could not wait and was opening it right then! It kinda freaked me out and I felt like I wasn't ready! I told him to hold on till I got my phone out to record it and for at least Kamryn to come upstairs. There was now way he was waiting for Sadie or anyone else to be there it was getting opened! 

As he read his call the words Minnesota came out of his mouth. I remember distinctly him saying before he didn't really care where he went as long as it wasn't cold. He really wanted to go to a place where there were crocodiles to hunt or maybe it was alligators. Well my skinny boy is not going to a warm hunting place. He is going to the Minnesota Minneapolis mission June 22nd. He reports to the Provo training center. It is so surreal to me. Where did the time go?

The mission boundarys are HUGE. It covers several states including parts of Canada and has lots and lots of water all around. It is a bike mission and we are told he will learn how to be proficient at biking on ice as it gets 40 below 0 sometimes. With all that said Derrik is very excited to go and serve the Lord. What an eventful year the Slade family has had this year.