Memorial Day

This is a day that we honor those that we love who served and who gave their all for our freedom. It is a day that is special to my heart as there are so many in my family who have served. Gary's Dad served in the Navy in WWII and we miss him so much. We honor is memory and can't wait to see him again!

After decoarting the graves, we went for a spur of the moment picnic in the canyons. Here I am with my best friend, my companion, my sweetheart, my soulmate Gary. We make a pretty cute couple still after 32 years, huh?

And speaking of pretty cute... here is my daughter and I ... I love her and I think that she is just about the most beautiful young lady that I have ever seen!

Here is Justin ( under protest ) smiling for me so that I can take his picture. Thanks Justin for humoring your mom... I loved it!

And last of all... my hottie movie star daughter... She's darling!

Thanks for the wonderful day! I loved every second and this will be time well spent in my memory bank. I can't wait to make more wonderful memories... I was missing Josh and Jared. Maybe next time we will all be together!

Happy Birthday My Sweet 16 Beauty... !

Jenna's sweet 16 balloons that were sent to school for a surprise!

Jenna and her balloons

What is this??? Yes!!! A tinkerbelle key chain for what???? Her first set of car keys!

Her Tinkerbelle seat covers!

Her Tink steering wheel cover!
I can't believe that my baby girl is 16 all ready! And ... gulp... driving! She got a new ( very used ) car. Her brother Justin has been building this car from the ground up and now we only need to have a paint job on her Saturn. We've asked her if she wanted to have her picture taken by her new car... and she said... um.. not till it's painted! Happy Birthday baby girl.... Happy Sweet 16!!
more to come... in part 2!

Here you go Jill~

So, my friend Jill saw my post about my first 5K. She was there with me but I didn't get any photos taken with her. However, I did take one of her team and posted it with my others on facebook. She gave me a load of crap for not putting her photo on my blog... So here it is Jill!!! For all of you who want to know which one she is, she's the one in the pink sweater!!! You are officially on my blog now....

My Special Mother's Day

So, this year has been such a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. I ran my first 5K ( see post below). But my real Mother's Day began even before that. It began on Wednesday night. I had my RS presidency meeting and Gary wouldn't let me go. He was stalling and wouldn't give me my keys, etc... Justin and him were trying to get me to skip my meeting. Finally, I was getting angry and he told me that Jared had a special gift for me and that I had to stay there for it. A little while later, this darling girl comes to our door. Gary asks her in and she comes to ask me if I am Jared's MaMa... I told her that I was.... She said that she had a special gift for me. She lives in Metz, France, where Jared is serving right now. Her family feeds the missionaries weekly, and she got the opportunity to be a foreign exchange student and come to America..... She is staying with a family , where??? Tooele!!! Of all of the places in America that she could have came to, it was Tooele Utah. When Jared found out that she was coming here, he wrote a special Mother's Day letter for me in French and had her translate it for me. It was just beautiful. I cried the whole time she was reading it. I could not believe that this beautiful young lady would take time out of her schedule and do this for a missionary's family, especially his mom. She told me that Jared told her that I would cry when I saw her... and he was right!!! She told me that he is so good and that he is wonderful and that he loves me so much. I loved her visit with us. She stayed almost 2 hours. I want her to come back. She likes to scrapbook, and says that it's so expensive in France. You can be sure that before she goes home, I will fill her bag with lots of supplies to scrapbook with. We even gave her Mountain Dew ( Jared said that she needed to experience that and Root Beer!) She really liked the Mtn Dew. She was just darling.

On Sunday, we had a wonderful day. Gary made me my fav breakfast snack, and that was followed by my all new favorite items, Willow Tree figurines. Then church, and we left after Sacrament to get our phone call. Justin and Jenna made sure that I had a wonderful lunch, and Josh had to work all night and he called wished me a Happy Mother's Day and gave me a wonderful facebook greeting before he went to sleep. The long awaited phone call was amazing and I loved every second of our hour and 15 minute phone call. Jared sounded so good. It was wonderful to hear his voice. It was the best possible medicine for my heart. Then we watched a great movie and I had a scrumptious dinner. I was full, happy and satisfied. And isn't that what it's all about??? Being a mom is the best job that I've ever had. It's the only thing that I've ever wanted to do... and I'm in love with all of my kids. It's the best job in the whole world!

My First 5K!!

I did my first 5K for Race for the Cure last Saturday... I loved it!!! I did it for a special Mother's Day gift for my mom... I hope that she loved it.... I know she was watching from Heaven. We ate breakfast first. Thanks Patti and Tyma for your support!!! Patti (middle) is a breast cancer survivor herself. Way To Go Patti! My goal was to finish... not try to be first or even in the middle... just to finish... And I Did It!!!!!

This is my friend Lynne and I before the race. I was still cold - hence the jacket.

Tyma and I.

Patti and I

Our director Amie was there to support us as well. It was an experience that I will never forget. I am so excited that I got to have that experience. I had my mom's picture with me and when I crossed the finish line, it was very emotional for me. I loved every second of it. To think that I've never done this before... it was qute an accomplishment for me. It was a wonderful way to honor my mom and I hope that she was proud of me finishing! Happy Mother's Day Mom... I love and miss you!!

Catchng Up

So many things have been going on lately... I think it's called LIFE! My blog, however, has suffered. So I will try to catch up on the news that has been happening to the Walch Family!

First off......

Hunter Adam Walch is going to join the Walch clan on or around August 30th. We are so excited to have a new member of our family and we are so excited to be Nana and Papa. We can't wait to get to hold this little angel from Heaven and he will be one of our greatest blessings. I am sure that he will be one of the cutest babies that have ever come down from Heaven ( okay... I may be a little bit biased.. but that is my opinion!!)

Second....

We have less than 300 days before I get to hug my missionary son. I can't wait for that day. The first year seemed to drag by, but the second one has been going faster. I am excited that he has been out for 15 months and we will be able to talk to him next month for Mother's Day. I look forward to the day when he is home for good.

Third....

So, my Twilight Lovin , Team Edward Fan Daughter who can't STAND Jacob. LOVES NEW MOON and is going to be 16 in a few weeks and that means dating! Ugh!! I am not sure that I am ready for that to happen. She's so cute... ( here I go with the biased opinions again...sorry, can't help it!) And so I think that the boys will be knocking down the door. She all ready has them in line I think. Her newest 'beau' is David and she thinks that he is just the best thing ever!!! Another thing that I am very proud of her for is this.......
She has earned her Young Women's Medallion. Actually, both JENNA AND I have earned our medallion. She was finished long before I was and she waitied for me so that we could get it together in Sacrament meeting. I love her for achieving that objective. She is now working on getting her honor bee. We do, however, have both of our medallions in silver instead of gold. I am very proud of her... just like when Jared got his Duty To God. It was a nice day... And it was one of the paydays of being a mom.

Fourth...
We have finished Jenna's room. It looks so pretty in brown and pink. Her giant bed takes us most of the room but it is totally her and she is very excited to have all of this space to spread out! I will post pics later when she has her bed made and her room straightened. She went to the temple today with her Young Womens for baptisms. What a good girl....!

Fifth....
Jared has been promoted to District Leader and is over the missionaries ( Elders and Sisters) in his district. We are loving hearing about all of his successes and adventures ... and we can't wait to go pick him up in 9 months!

Well, I think that I have updated everything that has gone on I think in our family. I will try to be better at keeping this up to date. Until next time my friends......

She's SOOO Happy... Me... not so much!

So, after much persuading on her part, Jenna finally convinced me to let her cut her hair. She was so excited, but I had to leave the salon ecause I cried when she cut 14 more inches off her hair! She is so happy and I do have to say that she looks just darling. She made me a deal that she won't cut her hair again until after she graduates, so we will see if we stick to the deal. I want her hair to be long for her Senior pictures!
Here is the finished product... she's adorable if I do say so myself! I am excited to see her so happy with her braces off and her contacts in and her hair cut. She's such a darling girl !!!I love her alot!

Jared's First Year Mark !

Jared has been out for one whole year. It has been the best and the hardest thing that I have ever done. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin. On January 28th, I sent out an email thanking everyone for being there for me. I also brought a cake to work that said.... Hip Hip Horray! 1 Year today!! Everyone enjoyed the cake, but I loved being able to thank everyone and giving hugs and such. It was a wonderful day, but a hard day. I didn't think that it would be hard, but it was! Jared was on my mind every second of the day, and there were more tears. My sweet friend, who is also a missionary mom, left this on my desk.

It said, "Happy Hump Year! You are one half way there Mom!" She gave me half a snickers bar, one half pkg of M & M's, one half pkg Starburst, one half Granny's pink sugar cookie, and one half coke. It was co cute and it made me laugh! She made my day and it made it better. She helped me to get thru the day. It was a great day and I am so proud of Jared for making it a year and even more. I am glad to see the changes that have happened to Jared. I am very proud of who he is becoming. He is an amazing young man and I am proud to be his mom! We have 11 fast Sundays and counting!!!

11 days to our year mark

Hello everyone!
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I have had so many things that have gone on and something had to give, so it was this. Work has been crazy busy and things have been hectic at home as well, so hopefully it will be better soon!
Christmas was just wonderful. We got the best gift ever.... an hour and 20 minute phone call from Jared. He is doing just amazing and he couldnt' be happier. I am so proud of him. He is loving his mission and is still in France, but hopes to be transferred back to Switzerland soon. He has such a great attitude and is loving every second. He says that he doesn't know how this time has gone so fast. He can't believe that it's been a whole year almost. 51 weeks and counting. I can't wait till we get to start doing down on our mountain on our calendar. It's been such a blessing to have him serve the Lord is this capacity. We are so proud of him. It's so amazing to see him grow and learn. We all got to talk to him on the speaker phone. It was terrific!!
Next, Jenna asked for a bedroom redo for her gift. She got a new bedroom set with a Queen Cherry sleigh bed. It is so pretty. Her room is pink and brown and her bedding is really pretty. I will post photos when it gets all completed. It has been postponed a bit because she had surgery in the middle of this. She had her tonsils and her adenoids out and it was a bit harder than we had expected. She is doing better now, but one side still hasn't healed yet. She has been out of school for 6 days and will go back on Wednesday. We are excited that she gets to go back to school. It will be nice to get back into our routine.
Grandma is still hanging in there but we wish that she would be able to go home soon. I know that she is waiting for Jared to come home but I don't know if she ( or we ) can make it another whole year. I know that she is trying to keep her promise to Jared. He wishes that she will get to go home and be with Grandpa soon. My Dad is also having a hard time being alone without Mary. I wish that I was closer (in distance) to him so that we could visit him more often.
Also, things with Relief Society have been keeping me hopping! This week I have 3 nights .... Tuesday visitng, Wednesday our meeting, and Thursday, a Stake training. I love being in the presdiency with such great ladies.... Sometimes it just overwhelming. But I can take some time and serve the Lord with gratitude!!!
Jared is supposed to let us know if he is staying in France or is getting transferred. I will post his next letter soon. Until next time my friends..... take care.

How cute is this?

And with all of the returned missionaries that I know... this MUST be true! I just had to post it as I was so thinking about Jared!!! Too much fun!

I figured it out!!!

For some reason, my posts aren't showing up. I figured it out when I updated Jenna's blog ( with my address.) I deleted it and then added it again and it worked. Please do that so that all of my updated will show up! Thanks everyone!!!

Posts not showing up

I think that there is something wrong with my blog. My new posts aren't showing up. I am writing this little post to see if it will update automatically and catch up. Sorry guys, I've been posting, promise!!! Let's see if this remedies the problem!

And the winner is..... Education

Yesterday, I was set apart as the Education Counselor in our Relief Society. I am so excited to be serving with this group of sisters! Two of them I know and love and the other one, I am excited to get to know. It will be a great adventure for sure and I am super happy about beginning this journey. I love our ward and I am so grateful for our last presidency. They were amazing! Treasa is my visiting teaching partner and she has taught me so much! And she is my next door neighbor and wonderful friend! Our sweet Michelle just moved to begin her new adventure with her family, (we will miss her so much! ) and Suzanne was the first one to congratulate me on my new position! Thanks Laurie, Sandy and LaRay! I can't wait to start working together with you in our new presidency!!!

It's Only So Long For Now

Mary, my Dad's dear wife, just passed away this last weekend. Our house has been in turmoil since we heard the news. I am so worried about my Dad. He has been widowed twice now. Not fair!

I decided to post this picture of Jared and My Dad... just to be a reminder that Families ARE Forever and that Jared is out helping others realize that. Although I have sad feelings about Mary's passing, I want to seal my Mom and Dad together for our forever family. I know that is something that I don't have to worry about.... Heavenly Father is in charge!! Thank Goodness and I am so grateful that all things will be right in Heaven.

Rest in Peace Mary: no more pain, no more sickness. God Be With You Until We Meet Again!

Jared's last letter

Hi everyone! We haven't had a letter from Jared in over 2 weeks and I was beginning to get a little worried!! You know that I would have so called the mission home for sure! But, alas, he redeemed himself with a nice long letter in my inbox this morning. It was his 20th birthday on Saturday and so we sent him a 'party in a box' and he had a good celebration anyway! Read on friends:

Dear Family
What is this??? You said that I haven't written in two weeks? I have written every week! Did you change your work email or were there some other problems with the computer?

Thank you for the package. I had Elder Williams take some pictures of me opening my presents. We made the cake, and I had him video me blowing out the candles. It was pretty fun. I bought myself a couple of gorgeous ties the other day. They are really shiny.

This week has been good. There were a few weird things that kind of happened to our ami's. Jackie, the Brazilian wife of our less active, had a huge fight with her husband and she was thinking about divorce. We went over there and prayed with them and kind of helped to calm her down. She is much more calm now, so we will see what happens. We are going to help them move into their new appartment on Wednesday.

I cant believe that you haven't got my package yet!!!! I sent that clear back at the end of September. I hope it gets there soon. If not, I suppose I can just do it again.

We found out that starting on November 4th, our preparation days will be on Wednesday. I really like that, because there will be alot more things to do on Wednesdays. More museums and businesses are open. Except for transfer weeks, they will be on Tuesday.

How is everybody doing? I hear the weather is good.

It has been getting alot cooler here. For a while, it was pretty cold and we didn't have heating in our appartment!! But they turned it on on my birthday! What a sweet present huh?!!

Transfers are next week. I will let you know what happens.

We went over to a members house for lunch on Sunday, the day after my birthday. I was a little worried that they were going to start singing to me. It was fine, until they brought out the dessert. They had made tons of brownies and had trick candles and such. After the second time of trying to blow them out, I thought ''Well, this is lame''! But it was fun anyway.

Dont worry, I am fine!
I love and miss you all!!
Love
Jared
P.S. Tell Chris Happy Birthday for me.

So there you have it folks! My son turned 20 out in the mission field and is having the time of his life. I can't wait to talk to him on Christmas. That will be my best gift ever!!!
Until next post my friends....
Colleen

90 Days And Counting!!!

So, a couple of posts ago ( actually one month exactly) my friend at work announced how long it was until Christmas! She's back at it today and I got really excited that in exactly 90 days... 3 short months ( my favorite months of the year ) we get to have our phone call from Jared. I can hardly wait. My coworker started talking about Christmas shopping and I thought about our sub for Santa family... ( No answers yet on who that should be... any suggestions????) and our phone call from Jared. Last month went so fast... I can hardly wait for these 3 to go too. Come on Christmas!!! I want to hear from my boy!!!! :)

Chambe'ry Anyone??

So, we received an email from Jared and he is being transferred to Chambe'ry France. He has been in beautiful Fribourg since he arrived in Switzerland, so we knew that this transfer was coming. While this is not as picturesque as there, it is still very beautiful there.

It is in the French countryside... we are not sure where he will be exactly, but this is what I googled . He will send me real photos soon, I'm sure, once he is settled.

You hear of the canals over in Europe, but this is so amazingly beautiful. I can't wait until we get to see it in person... of course, everything will probably be frozen then.

This photo actually reminds me of where I grew up in California. Not the beautiful old house in the background, just the grape vines. They surrounded our house. I'm sure ( not from personal experience though) that this is why the French wine is so popular. I can't wait to hear how he is and how he is liking it. His French teacher, Bill, who served in the very same mission as Jared, said that Switzerland was heaven and France was H E double hockey sticks. We'll see it he agrees!

Please Pray For Devin!

Hello all...
I have a request that I am trying to get out to as many people as I can. My friend, Cathy, who lives in Florida, had a heartbreak this past weekend. Her son, Devin, who is 26 or 27 ( I'm not sure... he's in law school ) was in a horrible car accident and he is in a coma right now. Please pray that he will recover if it be God's will. She is not a member of our church, but I've felt so helpless so far away. I am amazed at Heavenly Father's church... She is far away from their home in Tallahassee ( about 400 miles away from West Palm Beach) and knows no one there. I asked my friend at work, Lynne, who used to live in Florida where she lived. She said Orlando, and I thought that I was done. I told her that I needed to have someone in Tallahassee. She was so cute, and said, "Oh! My husband's best friend lives there. Let me give him a call!" She called him and 10 minutes later, he was on his way to the hospital with the missionaries. They gave both of them a blessing and she said that it brought her such peace. I'm praying for Devin and for their whole family. Please join me to give this family some peace and comfort. All prayers are good that lead to God. Until next post my friends...
Colleen

I can wait 4 months!

I was at work today and my friend casually mentioned that 4 months from today will be Christmas, and then she let out a big.... UGH! I, on the other hand, rejoiced! You all know how much I love the holidays but this year especially, I will be looking forward to December 25th. I get to have my phone call from Switzerland and talk to my Jared!!! I have been missing him a lot lately, and for some odd reason, 4 months didn't sound like a very long time before I get to speak with him. Also, after Christmas, another HUGE day that I will be looking forward to is January 28th, which officially makes the ONE YEAR MARK, and then we start counting down. Just for the record, as of today, Jared has been out in the mission field for a total of 210 days. I am very proud of him and get to talk to him in 4 short months! Hopefully they will fly by...... come on Christmas..... I can't wait to see you!

Happy Birthday Mom and Grandma!!

I just wanted to make a post wishing Gary's sweet mom, my mother in law and my kids' Grandma a wonderful birthday. She is 94 today and her only wish is to go back home to be with Heavenly Father and her sweet husband Jack. We miss him so much and we know that it would be her greatest wish to celebrate today with him. We love her with all of our hearts and we hope that her wish comes true that she will be able to go home soon. We love you Mom!!! Happy Birthday and May your wish come true!