Family Friday: Featuring My Daughter (by marriage) Melissa

As a mom to three sons I knew that the day would come when additional "daughters" would join our family, I feel very grateful for the choices that my sons made in their wives. Melissa was the second daughter-in-law to join our family when she and Jeff were married in the Bountiful Temple on October 20, 2004. Knowing Melissa, and having her in my family has truly blessed my life.

I was the first one in our family to meet Melissa. While I was serving as Relief Society president Melissa's sister Kathryn moved into our ward. One evening my presidency went to visit Kathryn and welcome her into the neighborhood, Melissa was there also, she sat quietly off to the side and was playing with Kathryn's new baby. During the visit I turned my attention to Melissa and started to talk with her, at some point I asked her if she was dating anyone; I told her that I had a good looking son (can you believe I did that?). It was several weeks later that Kathryn and I exchanged Jeff's and Melissa's phone numbers in the hallway at church and as they say... the rest is history.

Melissa has a great sense of humor and there have been times when she has made me laugh really hard. Case in point: while Jeff and Melissa dated they spent a lot of time at our house, oftentimes in the family room downstairs. Once in awhile, probably more often than not, if I was coming down the stairs I would knock on the wall (teasingly) letting them know that I was approaching. One day Mike and I were standing in the family room embracing when Melissa entered the room, without skipping a beat she turned around and went back to the hallway where she knocked on the wall as she entered the room again. We laughed so hard.

Melissa is very motivated and hard working. She graduated from WSU with a Bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene in May of 2007. Hygiene school is a difficult program to be accepted into and Melissa did it. Before and during her schooling she worked for a Dentist, following graduation she worked as a Hygienist until Avery was born.

Melissa is very creative and enjoys crafting. She and her sister share a craft blog called Nannygoat and they have almost 800 followers. You can always find a variety of creative ideas when you visit Nannygoat; sewing, paper crafts, mod-podge, painting, room decorating ideas, holiday decorating and crafts, household tips, food... recently an idea from the blog was featured on Good Things Utah. Melissa designed and painted Avery's nursery; she made the curtains, the bedding, re-finished the crib, and made pictures for the walls. You can see it all on Nannygoat.

A few months ago Jeff invited Mike, Caitlin, and I over for dinner and to watch a sporting event on TV. I am not very interested in watching sports on TV and so I spent the entire evening sitting at Melissa's kitchen counter visiting with her. I enjoyed our conversation so much and left that night feeling uplifted. Amazingly, Melissa was flying to Kentucky the next day, if I had been leaving on a trip like that the next day, I would have been running around like crazy preparing to leave. But not Melissa, she fixed us a nice dinner and spent the entire evening talking to her mother-in-law.

Things to know about Melissa: She is a wonderful wife and mother. She has naturally curly hair. She was living in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. She keeps her home spotlessly clean. She decorates beautifully. We always feel welcome and comfortable in her home. She's funny. She's organized. She enjoys to play board games and card games. She can swing dance. She taught me how to crochet the edges on baby blankets. She is patient. She thinks of others. She teaches "Sunbeams". She magnifies her callings. She is a good cook. She is very wise with her resources. She made her own baby food for Avery. She teaches Avery baby sign language. She loves purses. She is good at photography. She always looks good. She loves being a mommy. She serves others. She's always willing to share her talents and abilities with the rest of us. She loves the Lord. She's kind. We are all grateful and blessed that Melissa is in our family and we love her.

Melissa's family: Jeffrey, Melissa, and Miss Avery

Family Friday: Featuring My Granddaughter Avery

Women have the need of other women in their lives. Whether it be mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, friends, daughters....we need each other. I am so grateful for the women in my life; young and....not so young. I had three brothers before my sister was born, three sons before I had a daughter, and four grandsons before the birth of my first granddaughter last November. It is my #1 granddaughter Avery who I am featuring today. Isn't she beautiful!!!!

Miss Avery has been a joy and a blessing to our family since her arrival. She is such a petite little doll. She has the tiniest little mouth (it is so cute) that becomes the biggest smile that's guaranteed to melt your heart. This picture was taken in Disneyland last summer. That is how happy she looked all day.

Avery is a good little eater. She eats good nutritious meals and enjoys them. One night while I tended her I was eating my dinner as I was feeding Avery hers. She seemed interested in the stew I was eating, so I got an extra baby spoon out and gave her a taste of mine. She liked it and wanted to try more. She knew the difference between the two meals, she was so cute to watch as I knew she wanted more of what Grandma was eating. As you can see from the picture she also enjoyed the ice-cream her daddy was eating on another night.

Avery loves her Mommy and Daddy. She always likes to know that her Mommy is nearby. She is at such a fun age. The other night at Daddy and Grandpa's ballgame I sat down next to her and when she saw me she smiled, a few minutes later she leaned towards me and even put her arms out in my direction. What more could a Grandma want?

I love this picture of Avery and Annabelle, her Grandpa and Grandma Law's dog

Some fun things to know about Miss Avery: She has recently mastered the art of showing us her "bad cough". She is learning some baby sign language (she's so smart). She's been to Disneyland. She's been to the beach house. She went on a whale watching boat in California. She's had a couple of trips to Mesquite. She's been to Tuacahn. She's flown to Kentucky twice to visit her family there. She's always dressed so cute. She's even been on TV!! She is a precious baby girl. We all love our Avery and are sooooo grateful that she's in our family.

Avery's family: Jeff, Miss Avery, and Melissa

Family Friday: Featuring My Son Jeffrey

It is week 21 of Family Friday and this is the first week that I'm featuring one of my own children. I have already introduced many of my handsome nephews but now I get to feature one of my handsome sons; in fact, I recently introduced Jeff to one of my friends who said to me afterwards, "you have really handsome sons." I think so too.

Jeff is a wonderful son; right from the very start he was such a good baby and then toddler.When he was a little boy I quickly discovered that he was a hard worker, I remember one day when he was just a four-year-old that he was washing the walls in the upstairs hall without being asked. He has always been very neat, tidy, and organized. As he got older (elementary school) he was also very particular about his appearance; his hair was always perfect and he liked his clothes to look nice too. As a young adult he would often have me do an "outfit check" before he went anywhere. I seriously felt it was a privilege that Jeff considered me someone whose opinion mattered in giving him the stamp of approval before he left the house.

Jeff has always been a good friend, and if you are Jeff's friend you are very fortunate. In high school he became friends with a group of boys that he played Jr. Jazz with, they called themselves the Fab 8. They are all the best of friends to this day, including their wives. Every one of the Fab 8 was in attendance at the temple when Jeff and Melissa were married. I am grateful that Jeff has had such good friends, I am one of the Fab 8's biggest fans!!

Jeff was the first to leave on his mission; The Fab 8 served missions all over the world

Jeff has always loved sports; throughout the years he's played t-ball, Jr. Jazz, little league, and soccer. Currently he plays in a softball league with his Dad and brother Jeremy. While on his mission Jeff was diagnosed with Leg Perthes Disease. At some point (now) he needs to have both of his hips replaced, he experiences a lot of pain, but he doesn't let it stop him from enjoying the sports he loves so much.

Anyone who is anyone knows how much Jeff loves golf. Last fall while visiting family in Kentucky Jeff spent three days at the Ryder Cup. I usually peruse the family blogs to lift pictures for Family Friday, but when I found this picture I came across a quote from Jeff that I couldn't resist: "I have a massive headache, my hips are killing me and I need a Coke as soon as humanly possible but besides that it was pretty much the best day of my life!"

Last fall Jeff also made his television debut as a sportscaster. His Father-in-law Scott nominated him as "Fan off the street" for KSL's Sportsbeat Sunday NFL Edition. When Jeff arrived at the studio he was given an NFL highlight (video footage) for which he was to write his own story and then report it on TV. Mike, Caitlin, and I were able to go to the live taping and it was really cool. Jeff did a fantastic job and we were all very proud of him.



Jeff usually sits back and enjoys the show when the family entertains, but every once in a while he jumps in and entertains us too. One year at our neighborhood eat-in-the-street he spontaneously got up and performed Ice, Ice Baby to everyone's delight, and at last years family Christmas party he was invited to participate with his nephews Adam and Zach in the talent show. Once Jeff got going there was no stopping him and he stole the show, he really has some good moves.
The greatest joys of Jeff's life are his wife Melissa and their daughter Avery. Jeff is a wonderful Father to Avery, I love it when he sings to her and you can see that she loves it too. Last Sunday Jeff called to tell me that while they were out on their family walk he and Avery were stung by hornets. Of course I was very concerned about Miss Avery and her traumatic experience and was expressing my concerns to Jeff and trying to relay the information to Mike all at the same time, when I heard Jeff on the other end of the line say, "I seem to remember telling you that two of us were stung." Yes, we were concerned for Jeff too.

Some things to know about Jeff: He is very tender hearted. He loves his family. He's loyal. He's funny. He's smart. He's generous. When he was 14 he visited England and Ireland. He was a runner-up in the Duchesne County baby show. President Spencer W. Kimball kissed his hand. He owns and operates two Leger's Deli's (and he hired his Mom). He's a great boss! You will always feel welcome in his home. He can lip-sync to the Osmond's like nobody else. He likes vinegar. He thinks of others. He was an excellent missionary. He's a Miami Dolphins and Dan Marino fan. He once spoke to Harrison Ford when he saw him coming out of Crossroads Mall. He takes his younger cousins to the golf course to hit balls. He's an excellent Uncle. He's a great negotiator. He's a peacemaker. One of his nickname's is Cubby. He once lived in a log house. He enjoys playing games. He's dependable. He serves in his church callings faithfully. He is supportive of family members activities. He is very family oriented. He has rhythm. He honors the Priesthood. He hosts the best Super Bowl party. He reads the obituaries. He's happy. I am so grateful for Jeff and I know that everyone else in the family is too, we all love Jeff.

Jeff's Family: Jeff, Melissa, and Miss Avery