Jared's Call~

Close your eyes again, and another 10 years will pass! 

It's hard to believe Jared is all grown and ready to be a missionary, especially when I think back to him as a little 8 year old boy!! We love Jared with all our hearts, and know he will make one marvelous missionary while he serves the people of Santos, Brazil! 

All he will have to do is smile and people will convert! :) 

We love you Jerry, and we are proud of you! 

Jordan and Brittney~

We had exciting news in our family this summer when Jordan and Brittany decided they were going to get married. Jordan decided to surprise her with a proposal, and we got to be there for all the romance. 

Brittany works at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake, and we always tell her how much we would love to come and visit and bring the kids. 

We planned a day, and made sure we would see her while she was at work, but she had no idea Jordan would be there waiting with a ring! 

We didn't tell the kids, because we didn't want any surprises spoiled, so they were along for a fun filled day with cousins! 

We went in to the education building where Brittany gives her presentations. She knew we would be there because we had planned to meet up. She was so sweet, and offered to have Miley and Sadie be the volunteers for her show. It was nice to escape the heat and fun to see Britt in action at work! 

Towards the end of the show, the kids are supposed to take a pledge, usually posted on a sign. Well, this time Brittany turned the sign around to see that it had a question on it for her~~~ 

~~Brittany, will you marry me???~~

Jordan stepped out into the crowd with roses in hand. Brittany was stunned and totally shocked. She had no clue, and barely knew what to do. We couldn't hold back our cheers and of course, we all cried. It was so very sweet to see these two, and be a part of this moment. 

In front of everyone, Jord got down on his knee and proposed. It was perfect! Beautiful, precious, and special. And, best of all... 

She said 'YES!' 

:)

We ADORE Brittany, and we are so excited for her to join our family this fall. 

Jordan chose well. 

We are thrilled to have another sister in the Madsen Family. These two are so precious together, so great together, and so in love. 

I felt like I was a part of a fairy tale today. So happy for these two. 

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Later, the kids had a million questions, because they were not expecting the turn of events at the zoo! ;) 

Congrats Jord and Britt! We love you~

GPR Graduation~

Blink your eyes, and before you know it a year has passed. 

Justin had a wonderful experience in the GPR Program at the University of Utah Hospital. 

He worked hard all year, and gained valuable experience that has aided him in his future pursuits. 

We got out of the residency everything and more that we had hoped and planned for. 

Justin was exposed to, and serving a very unique population in Utah, that not many see. 

He learned how to work under the most stressful, fast paced, complicated and demanding circumstances. 

He enjoyed his training in the hospital settings. He made great friends with the staff and other residents in an enviroment where they were all able to learn from each other. He was able to get to know the attending Doctors, and Dental community in the Salt Lake Valley. Overall, he had a very good and valuable experience. Not to mention, that we were able to be close to home and family as we came out of our Canadian Coma. 

I for one am very grateful for the University of Utah Residency. We were blessed with great insurance and connections this past year. Justin was fulfilled as he transitioned from school to work, and I knew his service and learning would carry him into his next adventure. 

We enjoyed a very nice night out for the graduation ceremony of his Residency Program. A dinner was hosted at the JSMB, and it was so nice to see the year come to a wonderful close. 

Justin was honored and roasted at the dinner. Always such a sport. ;) 

Afterwards, we took photos for him to remember the relationships made. 

Here's to my Resident!~~ Congratulations on a job well done!

Stephanie assistant

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Fellow resident and friend, Russel Bullen

Director: Dr. Craige Olsen 

Residents: Dr Hermanson, Dr Mirci, Dr Madsen, Dr Bullen, Dr Lam, Dr Robinson, Dr Beguwala 

Assistants: Brittany, Lindsay, Meagan, Stephanie, Ben and Spencer

and I'm the lucky one who gets to take him home~~~

Kristen and Mike's wedding

It feels as though Mike has been a part of the family for a long time now, how lucky we all feel to have him! Kristen and Mike were married this June, and it was a special, and memorable event. 

I felt so very blessed to be a part of Krissi's wedding day. It was a day full of memories I will always cherish. Heidi and I were the lucky ones who worked on the bride for her big day. We were able to team up with hair and make up for photos and main events. 

I love doing make up for weddings, because often times I am the one with the bride in the final moments before the ceremony. It's such an honor to be there to calm nerves, hear words spoken from the heart, and serve last minute details. Kris was a radiant, beautiful bride. She was calm and collected even though a few circumstances could have provoked a negative reaction. I was full of pride for her on her magical day... not to mention that she looked absolutely stunningly beautiful! 

The wedding was a wonderful event filled with family. The ceremony went perfectly and was beautiful. The family gathered for dinner, and the rest of the evening we danced, and celebrated. 

We are thrilled Mike has joined our family, and are grateful he and Kristen make one another happy. We wish them nothing but the best, and all the happiness the future together can bring~~~

Friends Farewell~

I feel so very fortunate to have been blessed with wonderful friends throughout my life. 

I have always had great friends, who are positive, uplifting, inspiring, and live as examples to me. 

I know so very that good friends are hard to come by, so I feel so very grateful for the ones I have that I love so much. Some of my close friends put together a farewell for me. It was very sweet of each of them to take the time away from their families, and meant the world. I am grateful for these great women in my life, and I will miss them!

Having great friends makes it hard to say goodbye~

Our Family 2014

Helene!

I find myself missing Helene on a regular basis, and a lot. It's like a hole that can not be filled. I deeply long to see her and the kids... so much, sometimes it hurts. So, if you guessed that I dropped everything, and drove to Provo to be with her while she was in town, you are right. -And I know she did the same. I appreciated the time she carved out to be with me, because I sure needed it! 

A whole night filled with laughter and wonderful conversation is just what these girls needed. 

If there is one thing I have learned lately, it is that having great friends truly IS hard to come by. I feel so blessed to have some of the greatest friends in the world. Love you Helene! Many more nights like this one please!!

The restoration of Girl's Club~

Miley and I decided we needed a good ol fashioned girl's night. I asked her what she wanted to do, and she said she wanted to stay up late doing makeovers. I think she has seen me at work a lot this year, and was ready for it to be her turn. I started out giving her the royal treatment, but soon she took over the session, and I was treated to a Miley style makeover... The best kind there is! 

I sure love my girl, and am so grateful for special time with her. 

We will look forward to Loren joining the club when she gets a little older. ;)