ROXIE'S BAPTISM - AND OUR SPECIAL DAY TOGETHER!

ROXIE turned 8 years old and was so excited for her baptism - but when the scheduled date arrived, she was so sick!  So it got moved back to February.  Rick and I went to her home and took her presents to her.  Usually we take grandkids on their special day with us, with a scanvenger hunt for their gifts and then out to dinner.  This time it had to be delayed.  Jonique, Xelly and baby Quinton arrived the night before Roxie's baptism (they came to look for a home, as they are moving here in May).  She asked me to play the piano for her baptism, and we arrived early at the Stake Center (it was the building by our Hampton home).  It was wonderful to see Ryan and Cam and their children walk in - so clean and radiant.  Roxie looked beautiful! 

Maddaux gave a talk on Baptism - and it was apparent that he had been well-taught, because he stood in front confidnetly and shared his message.  So precious!  Ryan baptized Roxie, and the first time her foot came out of the water, so it required her to be baptized again.  The little kids were all sitting up front watching (Alex, Aurora, Xelly and Maddaux).  Richard and Bailey arrived a little late - but i was so happy that they came! 

 

Zander gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and bore his testimony - turning to counsel Roxie.  He seemed like a church leader or a missionary, and not a brother 10 years of age!  After her baptism we all went to enjoy cinnamon rols, yogurt and hot chocolate at their home.  The cousins played on the swings, the trampoline, and saw the sheep.  Then we went to Roxie and Devanie's soccer games and enjoyed the sunshine of a beautiful day.  After the games Ryan's family came to our home, where Lena Gean, Kent and Carolyn were staying in their motorhomes.  We built a fire in the outside fireplace, visited, the kids played, and we had snacks and cake.  It was a wonderful and memorable day!  Roxie - - we love you so much!

NEW HOME - MOVING TO QUEEN CREEK FROM GILBERT

 When I got home from Utah, helping Jonique with her new baby boy, Quinton, this is what Rick had built  for the grandkids!  He told me he was going to fix the dilapidated swingset that had been on our newly purchased property (as of September 1, 2013).  The past month had been a whirlwind of intense work, packing, painting and repairing this house on 17424 E Chestnut Dr, tearing out the food storage room, the aquarium, and Jonique's "loft bed" in our Hampton house and all the other details that go with moving.

We experienced miracles and felt God's hand in our lives as our prayers have been answered.  It all started when Riley and Ashley got their "miracle" home, and we came to help them with the re-build and the move.  Several times Riley told us we ought to buy the house across the street, until we finally went and checked it out.  The price was more than we could afford (we wanted to pay cash) after selling our Hampton home and the Elliot shop - so we let the idea go.  One Sunday Rick said, "we need to go talk to those people about that home by Riley".  He had been having strong impressions when we were at the temple that we needed to do the move.  I told him that it was already sold. 

Rick said that we should go visit Riley and Ashley anyway, and when we got to the neighborhood the owners of the home were in the driveway and called us over.  They said that their buyers had fallen through, and did we still want the home?  I wrote up a contract - - that was much lower than their asking price, and stating that we would move in the home with no money down - - but that we would cash them out in 6 months, live in the house, and make the monthly payments.  We were shocked when they accepted the offer!  Then we were in gear and our lives took a huge turn (for the better!)  Since that time we found that we had some months without work and would have been in a huge financial problem at the Hampton house, because our payments were $2400.  Our Hampton home sold in 6 days (another miracle!) and the Elliot shop sold in 6 months. 

With the Elliot property money, finally, Rick and I drove to the Title company to pay-off the house and get it into our names.  We had pulled money from savings and from coins that we had stashed, and had just enough to the penny to pay for the home.  After leaving the title company (on our way to the temple) we both cried as we drove - our hearts so full of gratitude.  Once again, we experienced a miracle!

This home has been a place of peace, a place of safety, a haven for our grandkids, and a place where we can build gardens, a shop, a mother-in-law home (which we will probably live in as we age), etc.  At night I go out and look at the stars and at San Tan mountain and walk through the orange trees.  They are my age - and I talk to the "girls" to make them happy and healthy!  The grandkids play in the back yard, chasing each other, swinging, and I feel that I am in heaven! 

The best thing is living by Riley and Ashley, being able to be spontaneous, dropping by, enjoying Brailyn and Bodie so much more, and feeling the closeness of family!  They decided to board horses, so Ashley gets her dream to have horses, and Brailyn gets to ride.  Yes, thank you, Father in Heaven, for being aware of us, and for looking out for us!  We are truly grateful!

QUINTON BORN! October 12, 2012

QUINTON JACOB BEACH was born in the Riverton Hospital while Jacob, Jonique and Xelly lived in West Jordan, Utah.  Jonique wanted him to be born on October 11th, so his birthday would be 11-12-13 ... but Quinton decided to be born on the 12th.  It was more peaceful in the hospital on that day - - and that is the kind of spirit that this little boy is!  He was born with oodles of black hair (a pattern here!) and when I took Xelly to the hospital to be with her mom, dad and new baby brother, she couldn't stop jumping up and down ... and hiding in the closets, and everything that a big sister would do out of excitement.

Jonique and I had made drapes for his room and Jacob and Jonique made Scrabble-Square letters for his wall that spell his name.  He came home to a wonderful home and lots of love!  Before I flew home we took Xelly to the Pumpkin Patch - and this picture of Quinton, born in October, is so appropriate! 

When Quinton was a few weeks old Jacob, Jonique and their family of 4 flew to Arizona to be with us so Quinton could receive a name and a blessing from his father - - and have family members enjoy this special event. The Sunday of Quinton's blessing Jonique was noticing that he was not able to hold any food down, and was becoming lethargic. She followed her motherly inspiration and took him to the Urgent Care, who immediately sent them to the Emergency Hospital, who immediately sent them to Cardon's Children's Hospital. Quinton had a blockage of his pyloric valve and was in danger of not "making it" without surgery.  Jonique and Jacob stayed with him in the hospital and we had Xelly at home to love and enjoy!   The surgery went well and Quinton has recovered completely.  He is beautiful, calm and precious!  While in Arizona, Jacob felt that they should move back home as soon as he graduates from his accounting program at University of Phoenix (ironically, in Utah) - yeah!