Emma's school Dance Festival!

Nick's Band

 to check out nick's band go to this link

http://youtu.be/8VBbYwUOdY8

Emma and Lily's Dance Recital!

Lily's 5th Birthday

Families are Forever!

Ward talent show, follettcrew does not have much talent but we can have fun!

Soccer Champions

Jackson's soccer team won the Championships!  Way to go Extreme Strikers! and way to go Jack!

BYU Graduation

so after 26 years, 6 kids, 4 states I have finally finished my BA degree in Art History!  It was an emotional day for me and as I began walking in the processional I was trying to fight the tears back...good thing I had my sunglasses on!  While all the young people in line with me were busy talking to their friends, and just competely filled with excitement, I was overwhelmed by gratitude of so many things....parents who encouraged me to go to college,... husband who always supported me,... kids who were understanding and so excited to see me graduate....my scholarship,...friends who inspired me and who rejoiced with me....family who loved me and were proud of me....I was not the oldest graduate, there was a 66 year old woman.....and most of all a Father in Heaven who loves me and who I know is very aware of me and my needs!  so much to be grateful for! 

I knew all of these young adults understood that what they had done was amazing and important but I couldn't help but think they really have no idea how much this means but they will in about 20 years!  As we walked through the tunnel of the Marriot Center I could hear the music and then it really hit me.....I knew my kids were at the top of section U (the very top) and so I waved to them as I came in and I saw all 7 of them wave to me and then it was just to overwhelming!  I was overcome and the tears really began to flow....and I had no sunglasses to hide them.  I really tried hard to keep it together, and Im sure out of the 6000 students graduating no one really noticed the old lady in blue crying...hopefully!  I felt my mom's presence there, which meant so much to me!  I miss her and I have only felt presense a handful of times and usually it is in the temple or my home and so this was really special to feel her there with me.  I think that is why I could not hold back the tears!  What a blessing that the Lord can make that veil thin just when we need it!  I don't know if anyone else in the Marriot Center had such a spiritual experience as I did yesterday, but I am still exhausted from the emotion I felt and just so full of gratitude!

We had a great party after....my kids were wonderful and stepped in when dad was too sick!  Barbeque...signs, cake, volleyball...(Jackson set up the volleyball net cause dad was sick) and a live band (courtesy of nick and friends)....family that came to celebrate with us was the best!.... Ashley even missed a pop quiz (which if you know ashley would stress her out big time) and she wore a BYU gymnastic shirt (although she did cover the word gymnastics on the shirt with duct tape), Emma missed her school's walk-a-thon for my graduation and Nick went sick!  "Lily just kept asking did you get an A?"

 I just have to thank everyone in my life that ever had helped me watch kids while i studied or went to school and who supported me....especially this year Kelsi was a huge help watching lily for me!  Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Easter 2012

I was asked to speak in church on easter.....here are some of my thoughts on the Atonement!

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall." (2 Ne. 2:25-26) Without the Atonement the effects of the Fall would be irrevocable and mankind would be lost, forever separated from God. The word atonement denotes reconciliation of those who have been estranged and the purpose of the Atonement is to reconcile us with God.

Through the fall, Adam brought death into the world, both temporal and spiritual and was cast out of the Garden of Eden. In another garden, Christ, redeemed men from that fall bringing life through the atonement. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Cor. 15:22) The doctrine of the atonement was taught immediately after Adam and Eve were driven from the garden. The Lord made coats of skin for them to "cover their nakedness." The Hebrew word for atonement is kaphar, a verb that means “to cover," symbolizing the Lord would "cover" our sins through the Atonement.

Adam and Eve were then commanded to "offer the firstlings of their flock, in similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.” (Moses 5:7) Sacrifice continued through the days of Moses to help point the Children of Israel to Christ and His Atonement. Alma taught," And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice.” (Alma 34:13–14) At the exact moment the Savior was arrested, faithful Jewish households were celebrating the Passover, while the Lamb of God was taken to be sacrificed.

Lehi taught, "Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit;.....Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and the grace of the Holy Messiah." (2nd Nephi 2:6-8)

1. We are saved by his Merits, because he was the only sinless man to ever live and not subject to spiritual death as a result of sin. He was the only begotten on the Father and the only one who possessed the power over physical death.

2. We are saved by his mercy which satisfies the demands of justice conditional upon our repentance. Alma taught, "And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice" (Alma 42:15) Because of the Atonement, mercy can prevail when we repent and allows us to return to the presence of God. "For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit." (D&C 19:16-19)  Besides providing a way for us to escape the demands of justice, our Savior extends mercy to help us in time of need. Isaiah prophesied that Christ was “anointed to bind up the brokenhearted." (D&C 128:42) Alma clearly testified of this when he said, "he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people....and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy...that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people." (Alma 7:11-12)  Through the atonement and His mercy, Christ is literally "At-One" with us because he shares in our sorrows and knows how to comfort us. Both Isaiah and Abinidi said He is "acquainted with grief." Isaiah 53:3) To be acquainted with means, "to know personally, or firsthand." Christ descended below all things so he could comprehend all things. His atonement is infinite and reaches all and is powerful enough not only to pay the price for sin but also to heal every mortal affliction. This is why he is called the great physician with healing in his wings.  James E. Faust said, "The Atonement not only benefits the sinner but also benefits those sinned against—that is, the victims. By forgiving “those who trespass against us” (JST, Matt. 6:13) the Atonement brings a measure of peace and comfort to those who have been innocently victimized by the sins of others. The basic source for the healing of the soul is the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope, James E. Faust)

3. Lehi explains we are also saved by his Grace. The bible dictionary says. "It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts." “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). The Savior’s grace is activated in our lives through the Atonement, which purifies us and can perfect us. D&C 76 says, "These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus...who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood." (D&C 76:69)
The impact of the atonement is felt each time one of us experiences the miracle of forgiveness, finds hope and healing from lives wounds, or strength to overcome adversity. True comprehension of the atonement and his suffering literally breaks our hearts insomuch that we become humble, teachable and willing to repent. "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19) Christ is the perfect example of one who did submit all to the Father.
We commemorate his atonement by partaking of the sacrament. The water renews our memory of the "great drops of blood" that Christ shed. The broken bread symbolizes the Saviors body, broken upon the cross. As Adam looked forward to Christ in faith we promise to always remember Him. The sacrament reminds us of our need to repent and by worthily partaking of it we renew our baptismal covenants and the Lord renews its cleansing effect and we are again made clean. The sacrament is the only saving ordinance we do for ourselves over and over. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18)
How blessed we are as Latter-day Saints to have the teachings of the Book of Mormon. For centuries good men have debated the consequences of the fall and the very nature of Christ. Within these few pages the doctrine of the fall and the atonement are taught side by side with great clarity. Through studying the Book of Mormon we can experience a mighty change of heart and we will have a greater desire to do as our Bishop has asked, "come unto Christ and be perfected in him." (Moroni 10:32-33)

Our temple ordinances not only teach of the creation, the fall and the atonement, they symbolically teach us of our reconciliation with God. By making a greater commitment to attend the temple we will increase our understanding of His atoning sacrifice and draw closer to Him. Most of us would say we have a testimony of Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God, and that He died for us. But what we really need is a undying testimony in the matchless power the atonement has to cleanse and purify us, faith in his ability to sanctify us and make us perfect "through the shedding of his blood." (Moroni 10:32-33) That Jesus Christ is the "Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.” (Alma 7:14) The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ has for each one of us. Just as Christ was lifted upon the cross...The intent of the atonement is to lift our hearts and minds to that joy that comes as a result of "applying the atoning blood of Christ" in our lives so that we might "sing the song of redeeming love"(Alma 5:26)

BYU Men's Volleyball

Kenny and Jackson are huge BYU volleyball fans and have not missed a game this season.....This last game Kenny took all of his deacons to the game after a pizza party and they were big fans of the setter Ryan Boyce...not really for his volleyball skills but for rocking the cool mustache which they all tried to copy!  Even got them on BYUTV and they were a hit with all the college girls who wanted to take their pictures with them!  After the game they got to meet the team and get signatures and of course a pictures with their favorite mustache!

Nick at Sadies Hawkins Decade Dance

The Laurels in our ward asked all of the Priests in our ward to a Sadies Decade Dance

the 40's, 50's and 70's were represented!  They had a great time together!

The Follett's have officially become AGGIE FANS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qUtj2KzVZc&list=UUzZ37v48YJH1gjns2uQ6k6A&index=8&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gwCEtfq5TM&list=UUzZ37v48YJH1gjns2uQ6k6A&index=19&feature=plcp

Happy 10th Birthday Emma! Double Digits!

A POLKA-DOT BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH HOMEMADE PIZZA, TWISTER,

AND HER VERY OWN BEACH CRUISER!

Park in the Winter!

Emma's 4th Grade Utah Play!

We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas......Love the Follett Family

"Adoration of the Magi" Jan de Bray 1674

Our hope is that each of us can re-create that familiar scene in Bethlehem in our own lives and in our families. Each of us has a star to follow just as the Wise Men did. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105.) We can kneel at the feet of our Savior just as the shepherds and the Wise Men did when we pray. The gifts we give are the service we render in his behalf in building up the Kingdom of God. We can shout “Hosanna” like that angelic choir and spread the good news by bearing our testimonies. By works of righteousness, we can come unto Him each day of our lives just as if we had trod in our sandaled feet the rocky path to Bethlehem, holding a staff or bearing gifts.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas this year, and are so grateful for all our friends and family!  Especially this year with the wedding, Kenny and I had each of our sisters and brothers there which meant so much to us, we had friends travel from California and Texas to be there and just an outpouring of love and help from our ward family who worked for many hours to make it a special day for us! 

We love you very much and wish you all the best!

Follett Crew Top 11 Plays of 2011!

1.  Kelsi and Stephen's Wedding!

2.  Jackson and Nick surviving a 50 miler! Nick says he will never do it again and Jack can't wait to go again!

3.   Emma awarded 3rd grade Superstar and voted Best Big Sister in Utah County!

4.  Ashley Graduating from American Fork High School, becoming Utah State Level 10 Gymnastic Champion, and signed with USU gymnastics!


5.  Lily learning how to ride a two-wheel bike in about 2.2 seconds!


6.  Jackson receives 2nd place award at Utah Central Science and Engineering Fair!

7.  Kelsi sells her first screen play!

8.  Caveman Football! Defend the Cave!


9.  Hiking to Mt Timpanogos Cave with the Smith Family and our California Visit with Allen Family!


10.  Kenny completing his Woodbadge Training and receiving his beads!

11.  Jane awarded De Lyle and Laurie Bloomquist Scholarship so she could finish her last year at BYU!

Utah State Blue and White Meet Ashley on Beam

Quadruple the Love!!!!

We got a new bishop, who we just love, he was the YM President so our boys just love him already!  His vision for our ward is to Quadruple the Love in our homes.....they have talked about it in sacrament meeting, the boys have had a fireside about it, and we have followed up with a family home evening!  so the new saying in the follett house especially when mom starts getting a little crazy about someone's behavior is "Quadruple the Love...Mom"  or "4X the LOVE baby!"....somehow hoping that this will help them with getting in trouble....actually i think it does....how can you be angry or not forgiving when you are reminded to quadruple the love(Patience, long suffering, gentle, temperate)?  This has become so enduring in our home that i asked kelsi to draw something and im going to make t-shirts for everyone for christmas!

November Newsflash

We had a relief society activity about the four different seasons, and they asked me to talk about Fall, activities to do with your family, holidays etc... I love the fall and this was a great opportunity for me to remember why I love the Fall, it's all about the GATHERING!

I love the imagery of the spiritual gathering that is taking place with the beginning of the restoration of the gospel and i was reminded with doing this class about the Feast of Trumpets that is celebrated by the Jewish people for centuries. Most of us know and recognize that the early harvest which occurs in the springtime along with Passover represents the Lord’s first coming, his death, crucifixion and resurrection.




Ancient Israel and those of the Jewish faith today celebrate three holy days or “holidays” in the fall, the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Together they are called by Jews the “High Holy Days.” These holy days have an important relationship to the Lord’s spiritual gathering in the latter days. “For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not” (D&C 4:4).

Many Jewish scholars believe that the final spiritual gathering of Israel would begin with the Feast of Trumpets also known as the Day of Remembrance. The Lord commanded Israel to blow trumpets on this day so Israel would remember that their God delivered them out of bondage from Egypt, and ultimately that their God the Great Jehovah would deliver them from the bondage of sin and for God to remember his ancient covenants with Israel. The sound of the “shofar, ”or ram’s horn calls for Israel to repent and prepare for the King’s coming, for new revelation and for the beginning of Israel’s final harvest.

It is not by coincidence that the golden plates were delivered to Joseph Smith early in the morning of 22 September 1827 the same day as the Jewish people celebrated The Feast of Trumpets. Israel’s trumpets sounded throughout the world with prayers pleading for God to remember his people, a call for new revelation and the beginning of the gathering of Israel.

“Unknown to Judah, all that those horns represented was now to be fulfilled. For on that day, God remembered His people and set in motion His plan to regather them. On that day, God’s final harvest began. On that day, new revelation was granted which would bring a return to renewed covenants. From that day onward, Israel would be called to repentance in preparation for Christ’s return and reign. The Book of Mormon exists to serve these ends. Today, Moroni’s image trumpets from temple spires around the world a final call to awaken, repent, and prepare. For Latter-day Saints, knowing this is the final harvest with an ever-shortening time to labor should further motivate us to thrust in our sickles with our might. In that spirit, as we feel joy in that harvest we should make known the marvelous work that the Lord has brought forth in these latter days (see D&C 65:4).” Lenet Hadley Read, “The Golden Plates and the Feast of Trumpets,” Ensign, Jan 2000, 25

In the fall we gather for General Conference as a world wide church to listen to the wonderful and inspired messages from the Prophet and and apostles....it is one of our families most loved time of the year!  one of my favorites... http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng   Im not really good with waiting for anything...ask my kids they never move fast enough for me...but this really pricked my heart that we must learn to "wait upon the Lord"  In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end.

We gather our harvest and crops from our gardens....kenny harvested alot of pumpkins and tomatoes this year! We lived off of pumpkin bread and salsa! but is also a time for farmer's markets and State fairs!


We gather our family together for the World Series(at least us baseball families)and college football....and loved having the college kids down from USU for fall break (ashley, spencer, Kylee and a few others) while we watched the Texas Rangers almost beat the Cardinals! 

We gather as wards and families for Halloween and share fun and candy!  Nothing cuter than little ones gathering at your door dressed as princesses and pirates saying "trick or treat" and being so excited that you gave them a sucker.

We gather together the first tuesday of the month of November to vote and elect those individuals we want to represent us...we are so lucky to live in this country!  Then we celebrate the Marine Corp B-day and Veteran's day and give thanks for all those who have sacrificed that we might have our liberties and freedom!

We gather our families together to give thanks for all our many blessings and especially for each other....we had a wonderful thanksgiving with Kenny's sister Jackie and her family this year.  It has been a really hard time for her with some health issues and it caused us, especially kenny, to think how grateful he is for his parents and brothers and sisters.  They are a wonderful family and his sister Jackie and her husband were so wonderful to us when Kenny lost his job and got a new one here in Utah, he came and lived with them for a few months which was such a blessing for us!  Jackie is the oldest and Kenny the youngest and kenny said it gave them a chance to reconnect in away that usually adult siblings don't usually get to do!  We had a wonderful thanksgiving, and we are so happy Jackie is doing better and thankful for her fun family that we love especially Hailey, Adam and baby Jack!  Kenny injured himself at the annual Turkey Bowl that morning, pulled calf muscle so the boys had to step in!  We had a great day....So much fun that Lily and Hailey didn't want it to end and so they had their first sleepover.....and didn't sleep at all!

Preference Dance 2011

October is Over!

Busy month....Football games, Camp outs! Mini Tait Reuion, Soccer practice, School, Parent Teacher Conferences, BYU Football, Halloween parties, Relief Society, Activity Days, Statistic Exam, Halloween, Scouts, Choir Performance, Italian Final etc..... It just flew by.....Most important was Jackson turned 13!  another teenager woohoo!!!Happy Birthday Jackson, we love you!

Indoor Soccer

Caveman Football 2011