Amazing Senior Video

While many of Katie's classmates created a senior video to fulfill graduation requirements, none were to the quality of Katie's video. In fact, it was used throughout the school as the example to be followed. Video production is an amazing talent Katie has developed over the past few years. Enjoy Katie's Senior Reflection Project Video!

Returned with Honor

Leaving for the airport my stomach was full of butterflies. Reggie was due home in just 1 hour. His flight was on time and our family gathered at the security gate for a huge 'welcome home' pep rally. After pacing back and forth for what seemed like an endless 30 minutes, we spotted his plane slowly approaching the dock. As the passengers began to pour into the terminal our eyes strained to see past the security gates trying to spot our tall, handsome clean-cut son among the crowd. "I see him," "we see him," "there he is," "Is that him?" we all shouted out at once. And then ... YES ... there he was. He gave us his famous Reggie grin and ducked his head as he approached into hearing distance. I rushed past the security guards--surely they wouldn't stop a mom, would they?--and wrapped my arms around one of the most precious blessings in my life, my son, Elder Riley. One only had to look at his countenance to know that he had, indeed, "returned with honor." The future days and weeks will be hard for him, no doubt, but one thing I've learned is that our Heavenly Father honors his missionaries. Welcome home Reg ... returning home with honor will serve you well the rest of your life.

Reggie's on his way home!

As I type, Reggie is in the air somewhere between Sao Paulo and Miami ... on his way home from Brazil after serving 2 years as a missionary. My dear boy--what is he feeling right now? Excited? Apprehensive? Sad? Scared? Probably a little of all the above. I know that because that's how I felt sitting on a plane flying between Toronto and Phoenix over 25 years ago on my way home. For months I thought of the day when I would be going home … I thought I would be so, so excited … giddy perhaps. But it wasn't anything like that. I was sad … even melancholy. Would I ever have that incredible feeling of bearing my testimony to others about the gospel … especially the Book of Mormon and the story of the 1st Vision? I couldn’t believe it would ever be the same. Little did I know how wrong I was--absolutely I would have that feeling again. Nothing ... nothing ... nothing ... can compare to how I have felt as a mother teaching the gospel--teaching about Noah and the ark, Daniel in the lion's den, Jesus in a manger, Ammon cutting off the arms of the Lamanites, Joseph Smith's 1st Vision, the Angel Moroni, to my little "converts" Trev, Reg and Katie. Unlike all the converts I knew in Canada, I am still seeing "the rest of the story" so to speak, witnessing how my children are using gospel teachings to influence their decisions. So even though Reggie is probably feeling sad about leaving his life as a missionary and anxious about his future of school and (gasp) girls--I mean friends, I do know he'll have many, many opportunities to continue bearing his testimony. 24 more hours till I have my Reggie hug ... I'm ticking each one off with a smile on my face.

Happy Mother's Day to Mom Riley

Almost 25 years ago I met one of the most amazing women that has ever lived. I would say she's right up there with my mom. Oh wait ... she is my mom! My sweet mom-in-law. On this Mother's Day I pay tribute to her. She's so lovingly accepted me into the Riley family, has made me feel like one of her own daughters, and absolutely gets the "Grandma of the Year" award--year after year. For four years she has sent a letter or email to Trevor and Reggie EVERY week while they have been on their missions. Letters of love, encouragement, humor and, of course--updates on the world of politics. There has not been one birthday, one Christmas, one graduation ceremony, one anything that our family has celebrated but that she has so lovingly remembered. I know she loves my children as much as Nena loves them. What a beautiful thought. Thank you Mom for raising a wonderful son like Tracy. He is my life, my sunshine, my love ... and he is a product of you. Thank you for your love, your patience, your kindness, your generosity, your dedication, your loyalty. I love you. Happy Mother's Day!

Nena: Bigger Than Life

Even though Mom has been gone for almost nine years, I don't think a day goes by without seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling something that reminds me of her. "Bigger than life" takes on a whole new meaning when a loved one--a truly loved one--is no longer here in this life, but whose presence one still feels almost daily. Mom is and always will be "bigger than life" as her life continues to bless my life and those of my children. "Nena" is a cherished word in the Riley family. I miss her dearly. I miss her perky personality, her beautiful smile, her warm touch, her positive attitude, her patient love, her flirtatious moments with dad, her acceptance of life's challenges, her tolerance, her long-suffering, her charity, her testimony and her enduring words, "I love you Shelley." Mom, I love you! Happy Mother's Day.

Father's Blessings

This is one of my all-time favorite pics. I have "my king," "my castle," and "my subjects." (I'm smiling.) In Sacrament Meeting last week two young fathers blessed their new babies. It touched a chord in my heart. Wasn't it only yesterday Tracy was holding Trevor, then Reggie, and finally Katie in his arms giving them their names and priesthood blessings? As our family approaches a new crossroad, with Katie graduating and joining her brothers in starting her own individual road, while Tracy and I start down the "empty nest" road, my mind has reflected over and over on all the beautiful blessings Tracy has given them through the years. Blessings such as growing up with testimonies of Jesus Christ, having a desire to serve Him, to marry in the temple, having righteous posterities, becoming leaders in the work of the Lord, and so many more. I want my children to know as they move along the roads of their lives, that the direction they are going is fulfillment of many of the blessings they have received from their father, inspired by our Heavenly Father. I look forward to the future with hope and optimism for our whole family. I can't wait for us to be together in 3 short weeks. Love, Mom

"Home is the Anchor Of It All"

"Life can sometimes be a storm. Earthquakes can cause you to lose your balance and fall over. Lightening can strike you when you least expect it. Even a flood can take you down a wrong road you never expected to go. But through all the whirlwinds and catastrophes, the home is the anchor of it all." -Katie Riley

Katie All Grown Up

They say you can learn a lot about someone by looking into their eyes. Katie's tell it all, don't they? You are an amazing, talented young woman, Katie ... and as much as I hate to say this, you are absolutely ready to leave the nest. My love will always go with you--no matter where your life leads. I love you. Mom

Truv and Reg

I came across this photo of Trevor and Reggie and couldn't resist ... it absolutely has to be a part of this blog! How could one NOT LOVE being a mother to these two adorable boys (sorry Katie--you weren't with us yet.) They were such adorable boys to raise--never a dull moment--and now, almost 20 years later, knowing they are still very close to each other, I'm wondering what mischief they'll dream up when Reggie gets home from his mission? (It probably would be best if I just didn't know. I'm smiling!) I love my boys.

Gilbert Arizona Temple--Wow!

Last week our Bishop read a 1st Presidency letter announcing a new temple--right in our back yard!! Literally ... only three miles away from our home in Queen Creek, on the corner of Pecos and Greenfield. What a blessing. My heart filled with happiness when I heard the announcement. (The above temple is the Snowflake Temple ... we haven't seen an artist's rendition yet. )