Journey Rae Schiess

I am a great aunt! My niece, Paetan had a beautiful little girl today. Mom and baby are doing well. I can't believe Mike is a Grandpa. Congrats Paetan and family!

Busy Week

We had such a busy week. On Monday, Kevin and Lindsay came over for breakfast and we celebrated Kevin's birthday with breakfast and red velvet cupcakes. It was so fun to have them in town. You can see how well the princesses get along! Lauren maintains Brooklyn is her best friend and gets so excited to play with her. Britton is growing up so fast! He is such a cute kid. Landon started pre-school this week and Lauren started a weekly play group with some girls. They were both so excited and had a great time. The first thing Landon said when I went to pick him up was that he told his friend Lauren that her lunch box was cool. He is working to impress the girls already! It was amazing to come home and have an hour and a half with only Avery and she was asleep! It is amazing how much work you can get done without the "help" of a three and four year old. It was good for everyone. That night Landon had soccer practice. It was so cute. His Dad made him cry when he told him not to grab the ball with his hands. He is so sensitive! It is three on three soccer and the other boys on his team are super excited as well. We went to the library story time the next day and one of the boys on his team was there so it will be good to make some new friends. It was really fun to watch him play on Saturday. He dribbled the ball all the way down and his teammate scored their only goal! Lauren had fun playing with her friend Gaby and we realized we were totally unprepared to play in the heat! Next week we will be better prepared with an umbrella and lots of water. Jerry spent the weekend keeping up on football. He was happy with a Michigan, BYU and Cowboys win. It is so fun to be home and together as a family.

Michigan

Jerry went to Michigan and attended their first home game. His parents came and met him. He had a great time. He also went to a Tigers game. He definitely wants to make this a yearly tradition. Maybe he'll take the family next year? We were able to hang out with Jill and her kids because Steve was out of town. We are so glad they are here. They have helped us so much since the move here. Jill is a great friend. We were a bit lonely without Dad and Lauren kept saying, "Avery misses Daddy, that's why she is sad!" I think that is why Lauren was sad. We were all happy when Dad returned.

Jason Darwin McPhie

Dec 28th,1976 -Aug 24th,2008

Obituary:
NIBLEY, UTAH - Jason Darwin "Little Speed" McPhie" J.D", "Jase", (31), was born on December 28th 1976 to the proud parents, Darwin "Speed" and Jean McPhie. He was the fourth child and little brother to three loving sisters. Sunday August 24, 2008, Jase accepted a full time position on Heavens Olympic Football Team where he will specialize in both offense, and defensive tight end, and special teams. Jase touched so many lives with his determination and positive attitude. He has been such a great example to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed, especially his contagious smile. J.D. was an avid skier, and unfortunately was injured in a ski accident at Snow Basin, in Ogden UT, on December 24, 1993. His accident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, with many other disabilities. With the help of his parents, sisters, and great nurses, Jase lived a very full life for the past 14 1/2 Years. He fought through many hardships always coming out on top. He especially enjoyed celebrating his birthday each year with all of his family and friends who came to share it with him. Jase excelled at everything he did, from schoolwork to the sports that he played. He especially enjoyed baseball and football, and played both for Mountain Crest High school. He played for State Championship Games, both his sophomore and junior Years. J.D. had two hero's growing up, His Daddy and his Grandpa Jack. He was his Daddy's shadow, and His Grandpa's "little fiest", often following them around like a little puppy dog, hammering nails into everything in sight. His specialty was building "Love Boats" at the age of 4 that reached the lengths up to 30 ft. His biggest creation was finishing his Mama and Daddy's deck with every board he could find, and about 7000 nails. Jase also liked horseback riding with his daddy, and enjoyed all of their trips together. Jase is survived by his Parents; Speed and Jean, Sister's Tonya (Greg) Houston, of Blackfoot ID; Mic (Justin) Sampson, of North Logan, UT; Heather McPhie of Fairbanks, AK; His Nephews and Nieces; Marlise (Jesse) Burgi, Derek Dyreng, Taylor, Lane and Dustin Houston; Parker, Hunter, Laker Speed, and Tucker Jase Sampson; Jayden Rinderknecht, and River Quayle; and many Uncles, Aunts and Cousins. His Grandparents Jack and Varna Schiess, and Virgil and Velma Gibbons precede him in death. The family would like to express their deepest thanks to all of the nurses who became members of their family for all their love, and dedicated services. We would also like to send a special thank-you to Dr. Robert Nash, and all of the staff and nurses in the ICU unit at Logan Regional Hospital, for their special care and concern. A viewing will be held Wednesday August 27, 2008 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, Logan, UT. The Funeral Services will be Thursday, August 28 at noon, at the Nibley Stake Center 3701 South 450 West, Nibley. There will also be a viewing prior to the services from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the Church. The interment will be at the Providence-River Heights Cemetery, 900 East River Heights Blvd.

This is my cousin Jason who passed away this week. We spent a lot of time together growing up and have so many memories with him. We are sad for his family and know how much he will be missed!

Rash

This picture is of Landon and his rash. He has had a rough summer with what the doctor thought was eczema. I was not too sure and when he broke out again on Monday I took him to the doctor who agreed he may have an allergy. He referred us to an allergist who wants to do some allergy testing. The poor kid has done really well considering what a horrible rash he has had. He is finally looking better and we will take him back this week to get some tests done. I hope we can figure out what is causing him to break out. I was talking to him about the testing and he said, "I sure hope I'm not allergic to fruit rollovers (aka fruit by the foot)!" Poor kid. We spent the day at Mary Jane's as our air conditioning was getting fixed. It is so nice not too have it so loud and I think it will be more efficient as well. For young women's we took the girls to get a smoothie and visit our class president who works there. It is really fun to be in the YW program. It makes you realize how badly you want those teaching your kids to love their calling. You want as many good influences in their lives as possible. Jerry officiated football this weekend and was gone alot but really enjoys it. I had a jewelery party and spent time with the kids. I taught a lesson today on scripture study. I know the lesson was for me and it inspired me to re-commit to doing better on my own study. I need revelation more now than at any other time in my life and I need to provide myself with more opportunities for it to come. I am so grateful for the gospel.

Gratitude

I have been really trying to be more grateful to be a mom and wife. It is so hard at times I feel like I am being stretched to my limits but I do love my life and am so grateful for my blessings. I have been blessed with wonderful friends and I am so grateful for the encouragement and support that comes with amazing friendships. Yesterday Jerry went to SLC for his annual review. He was really pleased with the result and we are so grateful he is working for Jacobsen. They are a great company and he is really happy with them. Thanks for all the prayers and support. I love my kids. They are teaching me to be better, more patient and more loving. I pray each day for patience but I am also starting to pray to enjoy them more and take advantage of each day we spend together. I am so grateful for my husband. I could not make it without him. Even just having him in SLC for the day felt like he was too far away and I am so grateful for all he does for our family. I know the experiences we have in this life are to help us learn and grow and pray I can face all the challenges that come with faith.

Olympics

I have just been so inspired by watching the Olympics. I am also very tired and understand why TIVO is important. I am staying up so late every night to watch but I am so amazed at the Olympians and all the hard work they do in preparation to compete. I have loved watching Michael Phelps and also the women's gymnastics. Even watching Dara Torres made me think you are never too old to give up on your dreams. It makes me so grateful to live in the United States and to cheer on our amazing athletes.

Company

We have had company for the past few days. Katherine (my niece), her husband Matt and their friend Tanner came and stayed for a few days. She is expecting a baby boy in October. We are so excited for them. Tanner and Matt went hiking in Zion's, rock climbing and a few other guy bonding things. Katherine and I went to the temple, In and Out and shopped for her little baby. We had a great time. They were able to see Les Miserables at Tuachan and visit some friends as well. It's fun to live in a place where we get visitors!