Sandbox fun...

This will always be one of my favorite pictures of Colby. No expensive toys just the pure delight of playing in the sandbox.

Class of 2025...

It's been a very happy and emotional day for me. It was Colby's 6th grade graduation. 

Tiffani would hold up a sign she made and Colby would shake his head. He may have been a little embarrassed but he knows how much he is loved.

Colby is always kind and pushed one of classmates wheelchair into the amphitheater.

The Cedar Hills Heritage Park was an idyllic setting for the graduation. 

The mayor of Cedar Hills and a N.O.V.A police officer spoke. Colby really liked the police officer that came to his school, they call him DT. I wasn't familiar with N.O.V.A. but it's similar the D.A.R.E program that Chris and Mark had in elementary school.

N.O.V.A. Principles is a program taught by uniformed law enforcement officers who encourage positive development and growth.

Core N.O.V.A. Principles

5 Core Principles 

Accountability: I own my thoughts, feelings, choices, and actions.
Positivity: When I choose Positivity I experience success and happiness.
Knowledge: Knowledge creates opportunities.
Work: The path to excellence requires work.
Respect: I respect myself, others, and everything around me.

The NOVA Lone Wolf  

I courageously stand against those who want me to do wrong.

STS: Study the Situation.
The Cause and Effect: When I do or do not do something, something happens.
The Paradigm: How I see things.
True Colors: What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong.
Lifetime Decisions: Good decisions I make now and forever.
Which Wolf Am I Feeding: Which wolf is stronger? The one I feed.
Fire: Some say fire is good, others say it is bad, in reality fire is powerful.
Harvest: What I put in is what I get out.
Initiative: I proactively look for what needs to be done and do it.

Colby wrote an essay about the N.O.V.A program and was selected to read it at the graduation. He delivered his message with confidence and feeling. He got an award too! 

Nurturing ~ Opportunities ~ Values ~ Accountability

Colby's essay...

Throughout N.O.V.A. program I gained many valuable insights that are preparing me for the rest of my life. One of the most important things I want to take away from N.O.V.A. is the idea of holding myself to a higher standard.
It’s easy to follow the crowd and get caught up in situations that aren’t the best for me.
But through N.O.V.A. I’ve learned that it’s crucial to stand strong and stay true to my values even when things get tough.
One of my goals is to act independently, to be a lone wolf.
Another lessons I’ve taken to heart is the importance of staying away from drugs and tobacco. Drugs can destroy lives often starting from just a small mistake or a moment of weakness. They can lead to addiction, poor decision making, and often have devasting consequences.
One of things I want to be is a hero, a positive influence on those around me. A hero isn’t someone who is perfect, who always gets it right, but someone who tries their best to inspire others to be better.
I want to set the example by living a drug free life and encouraging my friends and peers to do the same.
One of the most powerful lessons DT taught us was the importance of maturity. He stressed that we should aim to be at a little pre-maturity level and not too far. 
To me this means acting in responsible and respectful way but also thinking about how our actions impact others.
It’s about doing the right thing even when no one is watching, making sure my behavior aligns with my values that I believe in.

Colby Mark Williams
May 21, 2025

And there he goes, off to junior high! 

I could not be more proud of our Colby. He is polite, a loving brother, he never demands anything, and is grateful. Colby is respectful and just a whole lot of fun! I love him with all my heart. I know that growing up happens in a heartbeat, so I'll keep savoring every moment.

Last day of school award, I think this might just happen!

Colby wasn't our first graduate, just for fun here are pictures from Cash and Grahm's Kindergarten graduation.

Sunshine boy, tumbleweeds, roses, and the last games of the season...

Grahm worn yellow clothes to school the other day. The teacher said they would get a prize if the students in his class wore yellow. I think he said they did get a prize! He's so cute and it's a perfect color for our sunshine boy!

The joy of a tumbleweed!

This rose bush is so happy in it's little corner!

I will miss watching the grands play soccer and flag football. I know they have learned a lot and gained more confidence. I'm grateful for Coach Williams and Coach Curley! They are good guys.

I love that tall #12!

Grahm and Colby's flag football teams both made to the playoffs. They didn't win but they had a good season.

Football cookie treat for the win!

So proud of our grandsons!

Heavenly joy...

If you wait for sorrow to end before you experience joy, you might miss joy completely. Experiencing a measure of sorrow may enable your heart and mind to receive pure heavenly joy!

Joyfully Receive the Unexpected Messiah | Dieter F. Uchtdorf
April 2025

Marvelous Mother's Day...

Grahm finally got to show Tiff the cake he made.

Mark grilled up the most delicious chicken and shrimp stir fry! Thank you so much son.

Cash was comforting Ruby. She had to have surgery but she's healing up just fine.

Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm all helped prepare Mother's Day dinner and we had a marvelous time together.

Grahm made this for Tiff at school. She loves it and her boys.

She's absolutely amazing and then some.

Thank you for all the thoughtful gifts, cards, and pictures. I love them all and am so grateful to be a mother and grandmother. It's just everything!

I wrote of poem for Tiffani and Colby read it for me. It was simple but it was from my heart. We are so grateful for Tiffani and her devotion to her sons.

A Mother’s Heart Like Yours

To my dear daughter-law, so precious and rare

A woman of faith, full of love, and of prayer

Your heart is anchored in truths that are sure

You follow the Savior and know His teachings are pure

Your life is full of a myriad of things to do each day

Rousing sleepy boys out of bed when they would rather stay

You are always on call to rush to school and pick up a sick one

Not to mention doctor appointments, games, 

and still making time for fun

You have taught your sons to be self-sufficient and to do their part

They can make dinner, help with the laundry, and that’s just the start

There are those sleepless nights when worry fills the space

Exhausted but you still keep going and seek for His grace

You make sacrifices that will be remembered for years

There can never be too many kisses and hugs that always calm fears

It’s from you that your children are learning to stay on the right path

And to be worthy of all our Heavenly Father hath

They know the joy of music, art, dancing, and nature because of you

You are the perfect mother for Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm too

I’m thankful our grandsons have a mother that knows her divine roll

A mother who is devoted, patient, wise, with the most beautiful soul

You are leaving your indelible mark, 

and I applaud you for all that you do.

You are truly one of my heroes and l really love you.

Grey said the cake is real good. Grandpa even made some of his famous strawberry ice cream.

Thank you all again for a really marvelous day.

When I got home there was a package on the porch from Christopher. I love the bracelet and flowers. Thank you!