SHAYLI'S VERY FIRST DATE---WITH HER DAD!

Shayli went on her very first date at the same moment she was born in the wee hours of the morning just as she turned sixteen...a goal she had set for herself many years prior....a very special date for that reason and for the reason that is was with the greatest guy she has ever known on the face of this planet and a perfect model of qualities she wants to find eventually in her dating experiences....HER DAD!...later in the day she was able to go on her second date with another one of the men in her life that she admires and loves so much... Her Grandpa Du Bois to the Roof restaurant, another unforgettable moment in time, and then that evening her third date... with one of her very first friends in mortality...since she was 1 years old...Thatcher Allred! It was a wonderful day filled with so much happiness for the dawn of a new season of life and surrounded by friends and family that seemed to really understand what it meant to this remarkable , beautiful spirit! These are the experiences that create the kind of eternal memories that contiue to ignite us when mortality brings it's rough spots and challenges and reminds us once again....that that it is all worth it!!!

SHAYLI'S FIRST PROM-APRIL 19,2008

DARLING DARLING DARLING- I feel I gained much more of a "mothers heart" experiencing another lovely memory with my children as we got excited and planned for Shayli's first High School Prom. I now share a little more with those of you that have had this opportunity with your own and I am sooo excited for you that still have that ahead of you. Yes, it is hard to hit reality and realize how fast this 'little babies'grow up, and Yes, it can be very emotion and somewhat unsure, but it seems like more and more those feeling are crowded out by the thrill of watching my children feel joy in those small steps and extended leaps of growth- this was one of those times that watching this beautiful gal find such thrill in this new season of hers I was reminded once more how much 'fun' our heavenly parents too must feel when they watch us enjoy our leaps into our new seasons of growth-I love being a mother

"The Hair Dress Rehearsal"

The week before Prom we had a "Hair dress rehearsal" and tried a few ideas for her hair and took photos--I suggest this for all of you that have or will have gals going to these dances--we learned alot and found out how long it would take to do it PLUS it was ANOTHER priceless memory

Cinderella Getting Ready For The Ball

The afternoon of the big date we went to Kohls to have her make up done and then when we got home her "team of experts" took the field and we made such incredible memory of everyone putting in thier personal touch. Shayli is such a great sport and extrordinarily humble. I really think I was too self centered to have allowed my mom and sister to do whatever they wanted to get me ready for my dates....Shayli continues to be such an example of allowing others happiness to magnify hers instead of being consumed with only hers. Thank you Shayli for allowing us to find so much joy in your life.

The Dress Rehearsal

Before Caleb came, we had a little dress rehearsal of another "tradition on trial". Ryker Escorting his sister to her date. Ronald was standing in for Caleb during this rehearsal...I missed videoing the real things, but it was so funny and pretty darling...Ryker is a great brother and a wonderful sport. It was very kind of Rylan to allow Ryker the honors!

Little sister taking good notes!

Syvanna was the "watchman on the tower" upstairs as she awaited the arrival of Shayli's date. Meanwhile Shayli made her way downstairs for his arrival!

It was really fun to watch Ronald during this process-It is by divine design, no doubt, that mothers and fathers play different roles in their children's lives-Shayli was so kind an respectful to her dad and his feelings-she wasn't even about to leave until Ronald ushered them to the door. Tenderness is many times UNDER rated.

Pictures With The Family, OF COURSE

Of course we took A MILLION pictures... it was great and Caleb was a superior sport-
Ronald and I suprised shayli by dressing in our "FORMAL WARE" for the pictures-very fun. It was so thrilling to help them put on his boutineere (sp) and take many fun pictures-these are only a small percentage of the pictures in our personal archives-

There They Go!

We watched them drive off --ALL SMILES!Shayli took the camera and so we were able to retrieve some visuals of their date. They drove with Two other couples to PF Changs where the met again with the rest of their huge group--and then to the dance--took pictures and had a marvelous time. In fact, when Caleb returned Shayli back safe and sound that night, he truly was beaming when he said "Shayli is SO MUCH FUN- that was the funnest date I have been on"-(and the fact that he is a year older than her we guessed he had something to compare it too:)) That did not suprise us...Shayli has a genuine feel for who she really is, she has a kind and loving, and free spirt...All the makings for 'The funnest date"

Post Date Party

We started a tradition that I planned long before I was even married---at the end of each date that our children go on--we share one of their favorite treats (usually some type of ice cream,(hopefully it won't be too frequent or we will end up as big as a house in a few short year:))and we review the adventures of that date...So it was with Shayli's first Prom- What a joy it was to see her arrive home sooo happy about how everything went. We talked about everything- where they went, what they ordered, how he treated her, what they talked about, how they posed for their pictures, what the most awkward moments were and what the favorite parts were. It was everything I could and have dreamed about for my 'first Prom'...I mean my daughter's first Prom!
Thanks Caleb for not only giving Shayli such wonderful memories and feelings for her first Prom, but more importantly for treating her like a princess...a literal daughter of God! What a wonderful experience for all of us!!