Zeke Ellis Stanger

To start it all off it was Leejean giving me the happy news, " Mom, I'm going to have a baby!; in the fall."

"Yah, happy day ," was probably my joyful reply.

Then my sweet daughter-in-law, Aki tells me, "Mom, I'm going to have a baby in Oct."

Another baby. Wow! Next Stephanie tells me. "Mom, I'm going to have a baby boy in Nov." My joy is multiplied.

"But Mom, I've had a miscarraige." Leejean's word came to me.

Oh, I'm as sad as I can be.

Then Janet tells me, "Mom, I'm going to have a baby in Dec."

Oh my, that will make three.

But no. Word comes again to me. Mom, I'm going to have a baby.

It's Leejean. But this wasn't meant to be.

Oh my dear Leejean. How much grief will you see?

In a little while the news returns, "Mom, I have some good news and some bad news. I'm going to have a baby sometime in the spring.

Oh rejoice rejoice. My heart begins to sing. "Mom, it's a baby boy."

Oh happy day but what's the other thing?

Trisomy 18

What does that mean?

Oct. 29th Tristen's is born. He came early to our surprize. It was the day his mother was supposed to be having a baby shower. She couldn't attend. We didn't even have it. Aki never complained.

Nov. 28th. It was my sister's birthday. Jared arrives in the evening. Stephanie had been patiently waiting all day then she went in for about four hours, the second time. She had the baby and was back sitting in her chair in the living room again that night.

Dec. 21, Lance is an early Christmas present. I could hear Janet's cries of joy all the way down the hall. I ran to see the little fellow. He was beautiful and his little tongue was just licking his lips and licking. He was licking and looking for something to eat.

My three baby boys had arrived.

Mar. 26, "Mom, you better come." It's Leejean calling from the hospital.

"My baby boy is born."

"Is he alive?" I asked.

"No. Come and see."

Both joy and sorrow happening in the same room. The families gather to celebrate a birthday. This was Zeke Ellis Stanger's triumph. He only lived a moment. His daddy saw him blink. But he was born in the covenant and he has a family here on earth. WE LOVE HIM.

He will live again and when that day comes we will rejoice without sorrow.

Johanna's Graduation from Richfield Highschool

It's graduation night at Richfield High School. The seniors are right on target. As they graduate they find themselves leaning into life from here on out.
Bolder, getting bolder. We find the class of 2007 stepping into life. Taking the first step is always the hardest. Just watch them. They can do it.

Johanna's gold cord around her neck indicated her high gradepoint average.

These are the Hensens, James and Elaine. They are good friends of our family coming to the graduation.

Debbie and Bernave Marquez, great friends and family too as their son, Berny Lee Marquez is married to Johanna's sister, Janet.

Now we have a line-up of souls; from left to right we have Shannon Ellis, Johanna's brother Derrick's wife and their little girl, Hallie. Stephanie Green, Sylvia Ellis (mom of course, to the gradiate), The Graduate, Johanna Ellis, Stephanie's little Joshua being held by none other than Dad and Grandpa, Kevin Ellis.

Close-up, Happy and Proud.

Johanna honors her parents. We are honored by her beautiful example of excellence in academics and also her life in general all the way to specific. You name it. She's good for it. She is a good girl, always respectful and obedient as well as individual and aspiring.

More smiles. . . .

Johanna, Hallie, and Derrick

At home after graduation we celebrate. Hallie is having a good time watering Grandma's house plants.

Gorgeous Grad Garb!

You're looking good, Johanna.

Mollie and Preston are in the picture with Joshua here celebrating after the graduation ceremonies.

Preston postpones eatting to pose for us.

Presents! For the Graduate. Not for you, Preston.

It looks like it has been a hard day's night for the deputy. Somebody must have clouted him in the head. Could it be that bad?
Come to think of it Sylvia looks more worked over than the deputy. It must be hard to graduate a daughter.


Derrick and Preston

Engagment Photo's for Mark and Aki and Their First Baby, Leiloni

Mark and Akeey marry in the Tongan Temple on
May 25, 2006.

They arrive at The Salt Lake City airport at 9:00pm on June 6, 2006.

We were there to meet them. Grandma Dalton, Sylvia,Tanisha, and Matthew. Kevin is taking our picture. He was there too.
2006










I got these because Kevin took them.
This is the Idaho desert north of Shoshone.

In this desert is a reservour of water that ran off the mountains. The water comes from the snow melt off the mountains. The water is high in June. Some of the water is spilling over the dam.

Mark and Akeey picked a beautiful place to picture their wedding announcement. We held a reception in Richfield on July 15, 2006.

Leilani Naunivia Ellis, arrives Sept. 14, 2007. She weighed 6 lb. 14.5 oz. and was 20" long.

She was born in Coeur d' Alene. I was there. I flew from Boise on Sept. 5th leaving at 9:00 am and arriving at 9:00 am. We cross the time zone.

We crossed a time zone for Mark and Akeey too. They are zoned for parenthood now. Life will never be the same again. It will be richer and more character demanding than ever. Raising a child is a demanding occupation both night and day. The rewards are boundless and everlasting.