Kelly Ann Madsen

In July of 1994 Dad and I had gone to Phoenix for a visit with Derek just after he got stationed at Luke AFB from Germany. One evening we were BBQing out by the pool, when the cutest young lady walked by and yell "Hi" to Derek. As a mother needing to know everything, I asked him who she was. He said "Oh, just a girl that lived in the apartment next to mine". I asked if she was single and of course he said he thought so and I (being in my motherly mode) told him he should ask her out. His response was "Oh, Mom".
Well, she was persistent and one day out by the garbage dumpster she asked him to go out with her to some place (I don't really remember the details other than she asked him out first).
The first time we offically met her was in April 1995, when Derek brought her home to Denver to meet us and for the baby blessing for Tiffeni. We immediately fell in love with Kelly and was so thankful that Derek finally got his duckies in a row and found a girl that would make him happy and be the best wife in the entire world for him. They were married on May 6, 1995 in Las Vegas. Oh how very happy we were to have this beautiful young woman in our family.


One of our favorite early memories of Kelly was during our family trip to Granby Lake in Colorado. She was the great Fisherwoman of the bunch and ended up catching everyones fish limit. Derek even had to carry her out to the rock that Dad had found and there she perched upon the rock and fished until her heart was content.

We were so happy when Derek and Kelly were sealed for time and all eternity in the St. George Temple. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever layed my eyes on.
Kelly is one beautiful woman not only on the outside, but her inner beauty is the envy of many. Her heart if made of gold and she is in the service to her family, friends and neighbors all the time. Kelly is like a magnet and others are attracted to her.

I love Kelly very much and one of the greatest joys in my life was being with her and Derek the day that Evan Makell (I call her "Heavenly Evan" because she is my gift from Heaven) was born. Nothing is more beautiful that being with your child and sharing the birth of a grandchild. This was the first time I had actually been in the room as a grandchild entered the world and it was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. She has given to me two most precious bundles of joy to love.

Happy Birthday, Kelly!!!! I love you dearly and thank my

Father in Heaven daily that you are a part of my life.

You are one very special daughter.

Curbing is finally in

CURBING IS FINALLY DONE!!!!!

Today Dean finally was able to come up and do the curbing in our yard. I am so excited and it looks so super. I always get flowers for the yard on Mother's Day and this year had to wait for the curbing to be installed before I could get the flowers. Now the flowers can go in this weekend.

WATCH OUT NURSERIES, HERE I COME!!!!

Happy Birthday Danielle

What a joy it has been to have you for a daughter. The day you were born, I was in a meeting and went into labor at 11:50 am. My attorney asked me if he needed to take me to the hospital, but I said "no not yet". At 12:00 another pain hit hard and I decided that I had better leave and get to Grandma Harvey’s house so she could take me. Then at 12:10 as I was getting to her house another pain hit and I knew that you wanted to make your grand entrance.

I hurried into the house but Grandma was not inside so I ran out the back door and there she was planting her garden. I told her it was time to go and she ran into the house and got cleaned up and then the hospital was the next stop. You came into the world at 1:34 on Monday, May 25, 1970.
You were the only baby girl in the nursery along with six little boys. The nurses would carry you all over the maternity ward saying you were the cutest baby they had ever seen. I am not to sure that set to well with the other mothers, but I sure was proud of you. Your features were so tiny and your coloring was so rosy and clear and I immediately started to call you “Little Rosebud”.
Your first night was a little complicated as you decided that breathing was not important and the doctor had to work with you and give you oxygen for a short period of time. After that scare you learned that taking breaths was very important and we did not have any more problems after that.

You were always such a fun little girl and would make us laugh with your funny ways and sayings. One year, I think your 10th birthday, you got as some of your gifts a new dress and some snorkel equipment. You put on the dress and snorkel goggles and mouth piece, jumped on your bike and rode up and down the road thinking you were the coolest kid on the block. Aunt Helen came over to see you and was laughing so hard at the sight before her eyes and said you were the funniest girl she ever knew.
I would get so mad at your Uncle Lane for teasing you so much when you were little. Well he got his deserved punishment when you got older and could dish it out as well as he could. Every time the two of you are together the teasing begins and never ends until one of you have to leave to go home.
You were truly your Grandma Jacque’s little girl and it was her arms that you always wanted to be in. You and her have been best of buds and always will be. The love you two share with each other is very special and precious.

You have grown into a beautiful young woman that we as parents are very proud of. Our love for you is deep and you bring much joy to us. You have given to us four grandchildren so precious and dear which is the greatest gift of all.
Thanks for being a special daughter. Enjoy your day and remember that we love you dearly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE!!!!!!

Scandinavian Days

This weekend we went to Ephriam, Utah for their Scandinavian Days celebration. What a fun time we had even though it rained us out on Friday and sprinkled all day on Saturday. Ta'Mera drove down Saturday and helped us. She is such a blessing to us and we want her to know she is going to be a great help in our business this summer. We had a hit on our booth that ran for five hours steady with out any let up. One time I looked over and Ta'Mera was doing the "potty dance". I told her to run and get relieved then hurry back. That has to be the longest run we have ever had without a break.
The neat thing about this event is the location of the event was only 1 1/2 blocks from the home that Grandpa Leon Madsen was born and raised. We got to go by the home and take some pictures. The picture of Leon and Zella on Brook's blog was taken on the front porch of this home.
This morning before leaving we walked through the cemetery and found the graves of Daniel Fredrick and Mary Ann Rasmussen Madsen, the parents to Grandpa. We also found Leon's two brothers Ray and Leslie and his sister Eudora (she died in the early morning after Leon died and their funerals were held the same day). There was such a reverence there as we visited the graves. I know that Dad was feeling their spirits with him today. He has such fond memories of spending time fishing with his grandpa and dad. He always is talking about his grandfather and the things he remembers about him and the sheepherder that he was. When he talks about his grandmother it is a memory of her sitting in the rocking chair in the living room just rocking away and talking. Grandparents are so precious in his memories.

Cemetery in Ephriam, Utah

Center headstone is that of Daniel & Mary Ann Madsen

Daniel Fredrick & Mary Ann Rasmussen Madsen

Beloved Grandparents

What a wonderful heritage we have been given!!!!

The Sun Has Gone Down

Lois, Zella, Richard & Leon Madsen - 1945

On this beautiful morning as the sun was beginning to peak over the mountain and the birds were beginning to sing, a beautiful spirit left this mortal life to be reunited with her loved ones that had preceded her in years past. A joyful reunion was held as she was embraced by her sweetheart who had gone years before and by her parents, daughter, granddaughter, brothers and sister. They patiently waited right to the end as that last breath was taken then releasing her spirit to join those waiting for her return.

Zella Louise Francom Madsen lived 97 years filled with happiness, love and goodness. She loved her family and neighbors and shared with them often. Her home and arms were always open to those in need.

My heart is filled with sadness as my friend, mother in law, and confidant has gone beyond and I will miss her dearly. She loved me as her own and helped me grow in many ways. I could always talk with her and share my deepest thoughts.

I love you sweet Zella and thanks for being the best "mother" to me and grandmother to my children. You have been a great blessing in our lives.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all my daughters this day. Thanks for playing such an important part in my life. You have given me grandchildren that are more precious than gold and have always been there to give me encouragement when it was needed the most. I love each of you dearly.

I hope that this day brings many smiles to your faces and hearts full of love. Wish I could spend the time with each of you, but remember that I will be thinking of you today and thanking my Father in Heaven for sending you to our family.

I could not let this day go by without thanking my Father for the son's in my life. Oh how I do love you and the good men that you have turned out to be. My chest swells with pride just thinking of all the accomplishments you have aquired. Thanks for being the best husbands and fathers a mother could ask for.

My life is full just because of the children and grandchildren I have been blessed with and the love that they show to me. I love you all so much and thanks for making this Mother's Day special.

Thanks Mom for being the most precious gift and for teaching me the values of life. I am not an educated woman, but what was taught in the home and in raising my children could not have been taught in a formal setting. It could only be taught from the heart and through examples as you taught your children. Have a wonderful day.

To sweet Zella thanks for accepting my children and myself into your family 33 years ago and letting us be apart of your loving family. I do love you dearly and have always been thankful for a kind and loving "Mother" who opened her heart and showered us with love for all these years. May you be reunited with your Mother very soon so you can feel her arms around you again.

Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite Mothers!!

New Capes

I am excited to introduce a new reversible cape and will put it in the Kottage Kupboard event today to see what the response is on it. This cape has been in the planning for a few months, but I finally decided it was time to make it for marketing. I will let you know if it is a keeper or tosser at the end of the week.