12.2.10

dear readers,

do you all remember little bronson and what an amazing miracle he is?

reflecting on this year, he is definitely at the top of my lists in more items i have to be grateful for. this morning, sara, matt, and little b were on the today show, to give an update on how he’s doing… if you missed the show live, you can watch the interview, here.

i thought it was an awesome interview. they all looked beautiful, little b was as charming as ever. i know they had very little sleep and were up very early for the show. sara’s interview skills match her writing talent, both off the charts with such class and ease.

***

on facebook this week, i got a message about this family, a friend of mine from h.s. said,

“Some friends of ours…were in a terrible accident on Thanksgiving. They are from American Fork. A website/blog was set up for them…Their insurance company is not cooperating because the dad (the employed) was killed. The mom, daughter and son are all in the hospital. The 15 year old son is in the ICU with a crushed pelvis and face.”

what a heartbreaking story and challenging situation, i hope they receive miracles and love from all those who know them… if you are looking for somewhere to donate at this time of year, please keep this family in mind.

***

may we all remember to love those around us, be patient, forgiving, squeeze them a little tighter, and be so thankful for all we have.

xo.

7.7.10

the provo freedom festival…

is a local festival that coincides with the fourth of july, every year.

the festival honors four values…

family.
freedom.
god.
country.

i love the HUGE celebration for america.
the activities included in the festival are phenomenal.

there are traditions that melt my soul, every year.
my american heart beats and my eyes tear when the

three f-16′s fly over utah county for the stadium of fire.
i stand amazed when my body truly trembles from their power,
to me, it represents so much, so much bigger than me.

i love waking up and seeing the hot air balloon festival right above us. as we were driving to breakfast, i snapped a picture of kj looking right out his window with four of the balloons in his immediate view!

we joined dear friends for the parade this year.

do you remember little bronson?

he is doing so good! he is one healthy, handsome, all-american boy!!!

my soul knotted up, like every year, when the plane flew overhead to begin the parade. when the soldiers walked by in the parade, i turned around and met the gaze of teary eyes from my sweet sweet husband. as the soldiers went by in their vehicles, marines walked the outskirt of the parade route and gave high fives to everyone along the sides. kj was right there, waiting with so much excitement. it was so tender to see his pride and adoration for the soldiers. they are so brave, so courageous, thank god for the service they give to all of us.


we took this family + mckenna picture right as the cannon in the background went off!

you can see by kj & myla’s reactions, they jumped right as we said, “cheese!”

the hot item at the festival in the park:
bows & arrows…


one tired baby girl,
we exhausted her every day!


what did you do to celebrate the fourth of july?

4.1.10

b strong…

our family {minus kiana – she was dancing} ran our first race together,

for a great cause.

it was so fun & i am so proud of kj and myla!

kj had his heart set on not running.

then just a moment before the race started, i grabbed him, stuck him with his buddy tegan and his dad troy…and said, “you’re running buddy! go! go! go!”

the kids’ fun run had just started and he took off with full gusto…

afterwards, kj said it was pretty hard {rumor is that the one mile fun run was actually a 1.5 mile fun run, but who knows…}

kj has a little sparkle in his eye that he’s even proud of himself!

{our handsome little miracle, reminding us to b strong!}

more photos from the race, here.

3.11.10

be sure to watch the ‘today’ show, tomorrow!

because…

the staker family is going to be on the NBC ‘today’ show, sharing bronson’s story!

an NBC crew came to their home a few days ago to get footage for the show…

the picture below is sara & matt in their kitchen,
interviewing for the newscast tomorrow morning…

right now their family is in nyc, enjoying the sights! i am beaming with jealousy, i loooove that city!

2.19.10

B strong 5K & fun run

one more reason to B motivated, and get in shape!

“undisputed champion of the world,” his story, here.
2.12.10

welcome home!

my life will forever be changed, for the better,
because of this little guy.

in fact, i believe thousands of lives were touched by his miracle.

guess what?

those of you who are suffering from my challenge

the sugar-fast is over!

i’m serious! {shannon, enjoy valentine’s day!}

it’s unbelievable…

little bronson came home today!
with a big welcoming!

{and – an intruder blanket!}

how beautiful is this picture?

there has always been love in this home, a deep love,

but i believe now there is a tender, more appreciative love,

a more patient love, a more tolerant love,

that runs bone-deep in all of us.

welcome home bronson, we love you!

*****

for those of you interested in continuing the ‘low-carb lifestyle,

don’t give up!

i’m still going…

enjoy your valentine’s day
{in moderation – don’t eat the WHOLE box of chocolates!}

then get right back on track!

eating low-carb is a lifestyle, not a temporary diet!

2.9.10

show your love for bronson!

i wish i was the eloquent-creative writer that sara is.

but i am not.

i am brief.
i lack detail.
i am not as captivating.
i cry, way too much, tends to delay my typing.
but, let me not miss a single detail here…


sara is a humble girl with a soul full of love, and faith.
if you know her, you have in some way been shown compassion or
service by her. she is always thinking of others.
it’s literally impossible to know her and not admire her.
she is beautiful on the inside & the outside,
stunning actually.
she is oozing talent from every pore of her body,
a creative genius with the most incredible eye for detail.
she is a devoted daughter,
a loyal friend,
she is a loving, supportive wife
and doting momma, most of all. she adores her family.


matt is extraordinarily humble, full of faith.
a very committed, hard-worker,
he is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.
he honors his family,
he is always there to help.
he is always there to serve.
he is a true & constant friend,
honest to a fault.
he is the most perfect daddy to his boys,
an admiring, loyal husband.

matt & sara’s beautiful family, which consists of kaden (9), trevan (6), daynen (2), and bronson (16 months) had a terrible, tragic accident ten days ago.

since then, sara has so graciously opened her soul to the world in the past seven days via their family blog. She and Matt are true examples of faith, testimony, and courage. their little bronson is a little miracle as he has survived a drowning accident and continues to improve daily. i believe, as his family does, that little bronson must be the most prayed for baby in the world right now.

bronson’s final prognosis is unknown, and will remain unknown for some time to come. sara & matt are continuing to spend every minute possible at the hospital with little B, and their home is 40 miles away. at home, friends & neighbors are helping to run family life with their three older boys.

the staker family is in awe of the outpouring of love, prayers, and support they are receiving.

sara told me today, “i will never feel alone…ever again.”

but, i am not content with the outpouring of love, prayers, and support.

it is amazing.

but, i, like many others still are feeling the urge to do more…

here are a few options i wanted to share,

1. matt’s sister mindy has said,
“We have set up an account at Wells Fargo.
PLEASE instead of buying food to make them dinner..
Donate $5, $10.. whatever you may have on their behalf.
As we all know the ICU isn’t cheap. Just the life flight for B cost $15,000. :(
The account is set up under “The Bronson Staker Donation account”.
If we could even make a little dent in what will be an EXTREME amount,
I know they would be tremendously grateful.
In speaking with Matt, I know all he asks for are prayers.
This is MY plea. My desire to in some small way help them.”

2. help a momma out, by buying her book!
sara, being the humble gal that she is, has not shared some of the most exciting news she has had this year – she is officially published now!

sara designed “latter-day occasions: my baptism keepsake,” cover to cover, and the book is beautiful! a portion of the books expense goes right into sara’s checkbook, what better way to support the staker family than to purchase one of her books?!?

Inside you’ll find a wonderful book perfect to give to that newest member of the LDS Church. The cover allows for the child’s picture to be placed inside of it as well as pages in which to write. Each page has meaningful letters signifying important parts of a child’s life surrounded by the Gospel. “M is for Memories” includes several pages to write about this important event and “T is for Testimony” includes a page to write their personal testimony. This would be a beautiful gift for 8-year-old who is about to be baptized.

3. are you doing a remodel? building a new home?

matt is one of the fine owner’s of carpets america,

located in downtown provo.

call them for your floor covering needs!!!

*****

please, share your love for the staker family, for bronson,

this could have been any of us, any one of our babies.

warmly,

jane.

xoxo

© 2013 jane rhodes.