My how she's grown.....

Jessica and Rachel are about as different as their hair color. Jessica is very independent, has an opinion in every situation and the leader of the pack where ever she goes. She's had some difficulties transitioning from toddler tantrums, but making great strides as she tries so hard to be a "big girl". Some of the events of this past year have been:









got to take a bus 3 days a week to Little Coyotes Pre School at Queen Creek Elementary School this year. One of her many accomplishments was learning to read and sound out all of her letters, learned her numbers and learned how to write her name.


Believe it or not...this was the scenery while out one afternoon riding ATV's with Gabe, Rosie and Mia. Yes this is the Arizona desert after lots of rain this winter! Jessica is a dare devil and screams for her dad to go faster as they climb up and down the hills.

Jessica had an exciting 5th birthday party with a 18 foot blowup water slide and wading pool and plenty of friends to share the fun with. She slid and waded in the water ALL afternoon!

This is Jessica on the day she graduated from Happy Daze Pre School/Day care. Miss Amy was a God send when Suzette passed away. Jessica struggled with engaging in activities with her classmates, transitioning from any situation to the next and controlling her anger. Even after I was able to work from Arizona we didn't dare take Jessica away from Miss Amy's. The love and patience working through this period was at the very least amazing. She will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Every year, the end of May, the Cox cousins head down to Showlo for a week long visit. We have headed up the past two years and plan to continue the 2 hour trek because we have such a good time. We get out of the heat, jump on the trampoline, swing on the zip line, play with a couple of great labs and eat good food.



Jessica LOVE, LOVES, LOVES the water. This was her first day of swimming lessons. She learned how to "pick the cherries", float on her back and jump off the edge. Jessica is always the very first to jump in and the unhappy last person to be dragged out.

Jessica is very excited to start her Kindergarten career in 3 weeks. I'm sure with the all she's accomplished this year, she's well prepared.

Jessica has grown by leaps and bounds this year. For someone who has been through so much in her short life...we are very proud of the accomplishments that she continues to make.

Surviving the first year as a teenager...

A little less than 11 months ago the family took Rachel out for a special dinner to celebrate her 13 birthday. As a parent we fear the teenage years, but surviving this first year with a teenager has been a breeze. Rachel is kind, loving and respectful to everyone. She puts her all in to everything she does and with a smile on her face. Some of the events of the past year have been:


We went to a Diamond Backs game








A much awaited visit from Uncle Clint in November. We hung out, played paint ball, visited and had a fun dinner at the local steak house. We look forward to future visits!


We spent Christmas in California with Grandpa and Grandma Arnold. Her main gift was a trip to California during Spring Break and while there she saw Wicked with Grandma Arnold and Aunt Amy.



And while she was in California she got to spend a couple of fun filled days with her cousins Sabrina and Jake. They hung out, went to the beach and shopping. She had a memorable week (thank you Terry and Leanna)













Among continuing to participate in the school choir and trying out for soccer, Rachel thoroughly enjoyed being on the track team where she was most successful in the long jump. She made us very proud as she diligently practiced every day and as usual, put 100% in to it. Gabe, Rosie and Mia moved out to Arizona....and one of our favorite family past times is heading up to the lake and riding their ATV's.

Rachel worked really hard this year to get good grades and it paid off. We couldn't have been prouder of her accomplishments.



She just returned from girls camp where for the third year in a row had a great time. She made some new friends, came back closer to her old friends and church leaders.

It's hard to believe, but we have 3 weeks to get ready for high school and seminary. We are very proud of the choices that Rachel makes and look forward to a rewarding and successful high school career

Zette's Girlz...................

A little over two years ago these two beautiful girls came in to my life. They were brought in by their father who had tragically lost their beloved mother quite suddenly to an illness. Although it was obvious to me very early on that Greg was a very nurturing and loving father...he didn't feel equipped to raise his daughters on his own. On June 24th, 2006 I became their step mother. Already a mother of 5 grown children and cherishing that title over any other...I was greatly honored to "step" in.

Family means everything to us, but under these circumstances and life in general...it's not easy to keep connected. The main purpose of this blog is to not only journal the lives of Rachel (almost 14) and Jessica (now 5), but to keep loved ones up to date on the "comings and goings" and the "trials and triumphs" of these precious girls.

I am greatly humbled by this awesome responsibility. I consciously take every action knowing that their mother is watching over us. I will do my very best to love them the way their mother would, to raise them in a manner that is pleasing to her and our Heavenly Father...for I know that one day they will be reunited.