DECEMBER 15, 2018
~AMANDA NIKOLE PHILLIPS~
Happy Birthday Kid
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA
LET'S TAKE A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE...
Our last little angel to be born. You had to wait a loooooong time to get here, and have been hurrying to make up for it ever since! Being at the end of a line of great kids, you've done an awesome job of learning from them and helping them along the way. We are all so proud of the person you've grown to be!
Finally technology got to a point that the image resembled a human!
Your birth day was such an exciting day! You went through a lot to get out; my body wasn't cooperating (I don't advise having kids when you're close to 40, but I'm really grateful that you made it here!) and you managed to get yourself into some trouble~ flipping inside those tight quarters you stretched the cord to over 6 feet long, tied several knots in it, and wound it around your neck and under your armpit. No wonder your heartbeat was straining in the last hours of your delivery! No wonder you were blue when you emerged. Every delivery was hard and scary~ but your's was the first where I actually thought I might watch my child die. They took you across the room and out of view to work on you, and we waited what seemed like forever to hear you cry. Finally they told us you were going to be ok. When they did, your cry was like music. And it was a very happy song.
Don't get freaked out by your buggy eyes, you didn't like the flash! Look how cute you were in your Christmas Stocking! The hospital gave this to us because you were a December Baby.
It was wonderful to have a newborn at Christmas time, we tried to act out the Nativity, with you as the baby Jesus, but lets say it wasn't our best rendition... too many characters (brothers) were uncooperative to participate, and I think we gave up. One day we may find a movie to give the real story of how bad it was. Our first year to have a new born baby to play the part of the Savior, but the kids were too cool to make it work! Ha Ha. But Everyone was so excited to have you in our family- it was like you were our favorite present! We all enjoyed holding you and hugging you, and feeding you. You got to be fed by everyone since you couldn't nurse well, and I had to find another way to get food in~ It was a blessing for everyone to get to feed you though, and a good time for you to bond with the family.
Sorry I didn't write the time on the card... but you were officially born at 17:22 and you weighed 8 lbs 4 oz. You were the second biggest baby born in our pack.
See how wrinkly your hands are? You were in almost a month extra (due date was off) and came out pretty pickled! your skin was like a reptile for being in the water so long.
BATH TIME
with cousin Ashley at your Blessing Party
The blessing day and dress~ you shared the special weekend with Brooke. She was baptized the day before you were blessed, so all the family could enjoy both occasions with us. Cousin Natalie on left.
You were easy going and you liked to have everyone around. You paid attention to people in the room and loved to imitate others with noises and when you got good control of your body, you weren't' afraid to try to do even difficult things. Cartwheels, headstands, splits, picking heavy things up, picking people up :), dancing...you were game for anything!
Yep, that's Gabe in the background giving the speed necessary to propel the board. So trusting :)
A soccer ball. Your first motivator. You learned to walk, and soon ran, kicking a regulation size ball ahead of you.
You weighed almost as much as Errin before you were 1! She loved to hold you and ride with you.
Brooke feeding you a popsicle.
You were a hit at your sibling's sporting events~ the people in the stands loved to see you-and you liked watching sports and your family play from a very young age.
Introduction to cold spring water, you preferred warm! Lake Powell Warm!
Happy and active :)
Angie Hepworth holding you at a RS Meeting. As I said, everyone loved to hold you.
You loved getting your picture taken from the start!
We had so many fun pieces of furniture over the years. This was a happy chair. Just up from a nap.
Look at the fixation on the food~ you were so eager to bite into real food. But like everyone else, you had to wait until you were old enough to digest it.
You also liked to make a lot of noise. Always with the clinking and the banging! Anything could make noise if you hit it hard enough. And you loved to accessorize with anything on your face, body or head.
You started walking at 9 months and were pretty steady in the 10th month. You also liked to plant your feet and dance. I think you had some food in your mouth, but if not, would you look at those cute chipmunk cheeks!!
You kind of tormented Errin in Photo shoots, look at you, so young and so determined! And I have evidence of this in more than one photo! Look at Brittany trying to pry your hands off. And Errin trying to keep the pose, and Brooke ignoring it- It's funny now-Ha Ha
You loved to watch your sisters getting ready, and you luckily didn't hurt yourself in your attempts at learning how to "get ready". The iron wasn't plugged in!
You and Errin
This was very popular~ the 'ol blow a kiss pose. You caught on quickly.
One of my favorite photos. So sweet!
Spanish Fork Ut, at a county fair.
Hurricane, UT- rare snow day
A Christmas gift at Gramma Stoller
Kitty born from Patches. One of your favorites.We found homes for 6 out of 7, but Garfield we kept. He was soft like a bunny, huge, and super mellow. He was the giant orange Fluff Ball. But you loved all of them.
The Garfield, look how patient he was- he let you guys and Dobi drag him around. He died young- (not because you choked him- he got poisoned) and missing having a cat, we got Tyrone.
Tyrone, the seven fingered cat. The cat you've grown up with.
Another rare snow day in Hurricane
Pretty sure you have makeup on too!
Awwwwwwwe.
At Aunt Kara's House, Nephi, UT
~Let's look at some fun Birthdays~
LOOK WHO'S 1!
Grandma Phillips helping you with some toys she got for your birthday. 2001 It seems like yesterday.
Making Stuffed animals for party activity
~Early School Stuff~
Kindergarten school Dance- Hurricane, UT
First Day of School- Amanda 1st/ Errin 6th
Hurricane Elementary School Dance
2006
You wanted to donate your hair to a place that makes wigs for cancer kids. So you had me chop it off
And we sent it in, then got a letter back thanking you for your sacrifice.
But not before posing with your long hair and some extensions Brooke added!
~Middle School Stuff~
~High School Stuff~
Look at the Scholar!! Great goal to get great grades and get school and community recognition- joined the Honor Society~Cedar City, UT-Way to Go Amanda!! Mar 2016
4.0 BABY!! Way to Go!
~DANCES~
First School dance- pre 16, by a week- Stag Dance :)
With Kayla Gleaves and Kaylee Lloyd
date with Drew Fakahua
Sweethearts Dance-Cedar City, UT 2016-with Errin (helped her get ready)Prom Cedar City- 2017
2017- Hurricane, UT Homecoming with Blakely Wright
Sadies 2017-went with Mathew Myers
Homecoming 2018- Jacob White
Group for Sadies 2018- Manda went with Jeremiah Johnson
~SPORTS~
I had a great time coaching you for my final effort! We played January to May and had a lot of good lessons and times with these girls. It was a year to remember. I loved how you always played to win and gave your all in practice and games, to dive and run and do all you could to keep the ball in play.
You were always super competitive, but you also liked to be silly for pictures- this surely wasn't during a game! But you definitely had fun.Brittany helped me coach this year- this is the year I fell on the soccer ball trying to demonstrate why we don't stand on the balls! One of my more memorable coaching demonstrations!
this was you not being scared at Summer games 2005 Cedar City, UT- while waiting for Brittany to play in a soccer match
While Brooke played volleyball-With coach Mckeehan's kids Zane and Kaylie (?) and Angela Sheilds little sister- at the Cedar City Region match where we took Region.
We traveled up to Salt Lake City for 3 years to watch our tiger team play at the State Football playoffs- This was a good year- not too much snow!
IDAHO SPORTS
You had an awesome Soccer coach in Meridian, and a great group of girls to play with. You loved winning and you loved playing hard. End of year party
Your coach wanted you to be tough, but remember you were still girls.
So he had you wear formal dresses and brought you tiaras to wear for the team photo.
After a soccer tournament-Meridian, Idaho
CEDAR CITY SPORTS
You played volleyball in 8th grade, then switched to soccer for the next two years in Cedar City, but I can't find a picture of that. You did track and Basketball and softball. You learned a lot- and you played on both winning and losing teams.
Your specialty was defense, and you caused a lot of turn-overs and assists, and you made several points for the extra effort. You would play a full court press, while the rest of the girls ran down to set up, because you could still keep up the pace and you made the other team force errors with the pressure. And everyone commented on how FAST you were!
.
You were a good player, getting to play third, second, left and center field. You hit deep drives and a few lobs- you also ran fast so you got some home runs on hits that didn't actually go over the fence. You had a great arm, accuracy issues every once in a while, but you could throw a long ball, so they put you in outfield when they saw you could get it to home plate! And don't forget how many times you scored on steals! You kept them on their toes!
And the most fun you had- POWDER PUFF !
You guys kicked butt!
HURRICANE SPORTS
2017
Volleyball & Track
Ooopsy- no pictures, just video :(
2018 Volleyball
Club & Camps
You had other coaches freaked out because they knew you would get the balls they threw down. You had a reputation and we heard about it from the other coaches and players.
2018-SEASON
5 Really good Seniors- Little Drama, and some great effort to be your best.
Trademark effort- you went to the line to make sure the ball was out! One of my favorite things you did consistently.
One of the other awesome things, you kept your head and had a feeling about where the ball would be, and you got to it even if people were in the way.
You guys didn't make it to state, but you improved so much over the course of the year and you had some amazing games- you also had moments where the game was such a fight, you scared the opponents and you looked amazing as a team.
You had some fans in the stands!! Sr Night Volleyball 2018- Hurricane Utah
Sr Year-Powder Puff Football, Etc-
~HOLIDAYS~
EASTERS
2003
2001- Hurricane
2003- You went to see Errin at School Parade
Your Kindergarten Parade- 2006
Trick or Treating with Chandler 2009
2011- Hurricane
Meridian 2013
2014 Cedar City, Utah
2015 Cedar City- carving pumpkins with Brittany
EASTERS
2004- Hurricane
Easter Egg dying in Idaho 2015
~Halloweens~
2001- Hurricane
2003- You went to see Errin at School Parade
2004
Your Kindergarten Parade- 2006
Trick or Treating with Chandler 2009
Meridian, ID~ 2012
~CHRISTMAS TIMES~
Look who wanted to get up so early!?
2005 Hurricane
Hurricane 2011
You were Joseph for our Nativity this year -Hurricane, UT 2011
~VACATIONS~
2004 San Diego Trip- a beach... not a warm beach, but a beach.
Digging to make sand castles
2005- Church Tour Vacation. Carthage Jail, Illinois
Niagra Falls, New York
staying out of the sun
Nauvoo, Illinois
Staying at a KOA in Cohokia, Illinois
At the Smithsonian, Washington DC
More riding in the van with family trips
Grand Bahama's 2009
Walking across the bridge to Mexico from Texas 2006
At the ALAMO, San Antonio, Texas 2006
Corpus Cristi, Texas- warm gulf coast waters, with lots of jelly fish. You got some serious stings.
The extra long car ride in the 15 passenger van. Gabe loved this mode of travel.
Love this water pose
Grand Bahama's Island Cruise
Trying to time a really good shot -ha ha
GIRLS TRIP TO VEGAS-2009
In the great state of Florida- we went to the Aquarium in Tampa 2012
Busch Gardens, Tampa Florida
The ABSOLUTE Funniest and grossest place we have ever stayed. It was the last room at the last stop on a scary road in Florida. But it was close to the airport. It also cost a ton! I feared for our lives that night.
Fishing Trip in Florida On The Gulf Coast catching the snook
We go to church when we go on vacations :)
Hike Up Provo Canyon 2015
St Augustine, Florida- one of the oldest towns on Eastern seaboard- 2016 Thanksgiving
Balmy weather in Florida in November 2016
~FRIENDS~
2003 CHURCH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM- KAI
LEE YARDLEY AND YOU
2008 KAILEE AND A SLEEPOVER
CHARLEY LANDIS JESSICA VICK
Shania
School Friend
School Friend
Lexi Hammel, friends since you were babies- Donna's granddaughter
Idaho Friends 2012-2014
Rachel
End of School year Meridian Middle School 2014
Rachel and Sammi 2014
Sammi Rodriquez- Meridian Idaho
Honor Society Night- McKenna the Rodeo Queen from Cedar City
Marquessa and McKenna- Cedar City
Jasie and Kaila- Cedar City
Meridian Idaho Temple 2017
Rachel in Meridian
Shaunie- Twin Day- Hurricane School Dress Up day for Halloween 2017
This still creeps me out! But we did a good job with the gore
Manti Temple- on a Camping and Temple trip with friends summer 2018
This still creeps me out! But we did a good job with the gore
Shaunie in Sunny California
Santa Monica Spring Break 2018
Ashlie Prince- from childhood (birth- to now)- Friends forever
Jody Rich, best principal EVER!
Trell Shamo- friends since childhood
Ty, Ash, Manda, Alexa, Maisey, Hannah, Aubree
Ty and Ash
Ty and Ashley in Cedar City visiting
2018 Christmas Gift exchange
~NIECES~
Jocelyn- November 11-2013
Brittlyn Phillips- born January 22, 2015
Boise 2017
Hazel Holmes- Born June 2- 2017
June 3, 2017
July 2017- Virginia
Ava Tobiasson- born June 27, 2017
Ava's Baby Blessing Sep 2017
2 months old
Not sure what happened, but it was good! Gramma, Me, Linda, Deanna, Diana in Back row.
Brooke & Ben St George Temple- 2013
Recent, but not last...
Errin & Kolby~2016 St George Temple
Kolby's sister Kaylie
~FAMILY FUN~
Still Jumping off that shelf!
Adventure in Kolob Canyon, Utah 2001
Gabe loved showing you off- Oh my goodness, is this where you got that you needed to wear name brands! The crew just collected some popcorn to ask a girl to a dance (the big black bags). They dropped it on her floor. Not such a good way to ask.
What mother with anysense of safety would let this HAPPEN? You begged to get tossed and your favorite way was to get thrown over the plant shelf and hopefully get caught by one of your brothers! You never were dropped, thank goodness!
Dance Offs
Family Home Evening Competitions
You guys always made plays and skits, and this was rhyme day
Sand Hollow Fun
Still Jumping off that shelf!
Cousin Brinkley's Horse that you and Liza rode in Lehi, Utah
One of our favorite things to do- we went to Powell to boat and camp.
The headstand competition- you grew some nice Abs, with this activity!
Always competing- you had to join in, it was a family thing.
First trip flying- from top of stairs to the love sac
You liked to go to Powell to fish with the boys- and you did a good job! 2009
First trip flying in an airplane- with family friend McKae Ballard
Driving in a Razor with cousins- Sand Hollow park
The girl cousins
Riding motorcycles with the Hughes cousins, Hunter and Harv in back, Chan in front with you
Hiking with the sibs 2011
Washington County Fair 2012- Hurricane Utah
Playing games in Idaho with Jake and Ivory- this game was SCUM, with Crowns made from pie boxes
We lived by a cool park in Meridian, so we made some balloon propelled boats and raced them. Fun!
You and Errin having fun in the Idaho leaves
Not your traditional Christmas photo for us!
Last Christmas in Idaho- Foreign Exchange students Joy and Cecilia with Britt and Stew
Always a family affair to make a snow thing- Cedar City, 2014
Loa- family Reunion 2015
2017- In and Out Burger
After Easter Sunday in Cedar City, UT
At our Loa Phillips Family Reunion
Gramma & Grampa's 50th + Wedding Anniversary Party in SLC, UT
The Lake, Cedar City, Utah
Before Britt's baby shower- Errin and you playing with some poses
~CHURCH STUFF~
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2004
Really sad day to say goodbye to Jacob for two years. 2005
Girls camp, Cedar City 2014
16th Ward Cedar City 2015
Such a cool picture- and wow- so dirty!! Just pulling people until they fell down and got filthy in the dirt! You guys loved it!
Las Vegas, Nevada Temple trip
~PHOTO SHOOTS~
Your first photo shoot- you felt no stress! 4 months- Hurricane, UT
One of my all time favorites :) The summer before Jake left on his mission.
Then both boys are gone on mission and we take a Sunday family photo- 2006
2007- Now you know why I don't like the crazy face shots ha ha
Vegas Trip for the Girls
Britt practicing
Cedar 2015
Trying for a serious look- right?
No, here it is...
Jk- you do smile!
Family Reunion in Loa, UT- 2015
Loa Family Photo 2015
Fall of 2015
Fall 2016- Hurricane, UT
July 2018- Cedar City, UT
Amanda Nikole Phillips
AMANDA
Amanda is confidence, my believer. She can do all things. She can adjust, she sees opportunity and is not blocked by opposition. She is creative and looks to improve. She sees the good in life and appreciates her opportunity to live. She strives to learn, she will not quit. She is driven, with organization she sets goals and pushes herself to succeed. Amanda is peace. Thoughtful and observant, she wants good for mankind; she understands He who is the source of peace. She forgives. Full of the ability to accept apology, wise enough to not need it, Amanda lives without grudge. She is beauty and strength, she is hope. Our final gift to guide~ a blessing to us all.
I'm actually glad that I am writing this blog for you as you get close to graduation- you are mature, you have been through a lot of different and hard things these past 7 years- and you have done a great job being strong and resilient. You have been focused and you have grown up into a wonderful person. I had no doubt you would, but it's been really awesome to be along for the ride with you!
You had great role models with your siblings, but I want you to know that with all that observing while they were at home, you had lots of time to figure out life by yourself. And you have developed into your own person. You have similarities to each of them, but you have been able to let the real you shine through, because you were not watching how to act or how to feel through their lives. That was both hard and sad- you were basically an only child through those years, and yet you figured out how to learn things on your own, and to understand how to handle problems with grace and wisdom. You have been a loyal friend, one who can be trusted and one who keep confidences. You also have developed a sense of helping others emotionally That is such a beautiful gift, it will be draining at times, and you have to protect yourself from it taking too much of your heart, but it will also fill you with a sense of value and a reward that your kindness is building others.
I love your sense of confidence. You didn't see an obstacle and say- "I can't do it" rather you looked for ways to do anything you wanted to do. You had a "watch this" attitude all of your life. In the beginning you liked to be watched, but after you realized that doing hard things energized you, you were more interested in how accomplishing big things made YOU feel. That will help you in your life. I am so proud of who you are, and for the honor you've brought to our family. You were proud to be a Phillips, and you have added more praise onto that legacy. Because you cared to be kind, honest, hardworking, fun, outgoing, and dependable, you have blessed them and us. And yourself. You have done an awesome job in school, and sports, and you have chosen to do the "bigger thing" when you were hurt, slighted, or treated unfairly. I love that you never made things out to be bigger than they were. You always seemed to keep a level head and just get through trials. That also will really be a blessing in your future.
You had great role models with your siblings, but I want you to know that with all that observing while they were at home, you had lots of time to figure out life by yourself. And you have developed into your own person. You have similarities to each of them, but you have been able to let the real you shine through, because you were not watching how to act or how to feel through their lives. That was both hard and sad- you were basically an only child through those years, and yet you figured out how to learn things on your own, and to understand how to handle problems with grace and wisdom. You have been a loyal friend, one who can be trusted and one who keep confidences. You also have developed a sense of helping others emotionally That is such a beautiful gift, it will be draining at times, and you have to protect yourself from it taking too much of your heart, but it will also fill you with a sense of value and a reward that your kindness is building others.
I love your sense of confidence. You didn't see an obstacle and say- "I can't do it" rather you looked for ways to do anything you wanted to do. You had a "watch this" attitude all of your life. In the beginning you liked to be watched, but after you realized that doing hard things energized you, you were more interested in how accomplishing big things made YOU feel. That will help you in your life. I am so proud of who you are, and for the honor you've brought to our family. You were proud to be a Phillips, and you have added more praise onto that legacy. Because you cared to be kind, honest, hardworking, fun, outgoing, and dependable, you have blessed them and us. And yourself. You have done an awesome job in school, and sports, and you have chosen to do the "bigger thing" when you were hurt, slighted, or treated unfairly. I love that you never made things out to be bigger than they were. You always seemed to keep a level head and just get through trials. That also will really be a blessing in your future.
I am excited for your future. I am grateful to be your mom, and your friend. You are an amazing person- full of talent and ability, you are smart, and most of all, you are kind, and obedient. Never forget who you are. Never forget how loved you are, and above all- never forget that your Savior and Heavenly Father love you deeply. and…I love you for who you are and for what you want to be!! Thank you for being a part of our family and for your loyalty and love. You have been a joy to raise and live with- a wonderful person :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ~ Amanda.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ~ Amanda.
Our Kids Save Us
We’re supposed to be the guide, the one who teaches and pulls aside, who leads with confidence. As parents we want only what's best for the child, growing ourselves... our weakness are revealed.
We bring them into this world, hoping on prayer we can do them some good.
We visualize what we hope they will become,We worry over poor choices we make-fearing their lessons might push them away, or worse... that our guidance leads them astray.
They come so innocent, so pure, so clean. Needing us in every way. Smiling upward-their whole soul alive! Shining eyes undaunted by fear, untainted by failure. They trust and believe, trying to make sense of the things we say and the messages we intend.
They skip without care, play with peaceful minds. They laugh and it pulls us in, when we are open. They are grateful. Aware of the magnificence of life and all it’s glories. They express amazement and look for the good all around. They are full of curiosity and thanksgiving.
They grow, with us alongside them stretching under the pressure of teaching, not sensing that they are guiding us. We have it all wrong.... our kids come to save us.
In their innocence they remind us of hope, their understanding well beyond their years. They seek to make us happy. They worry when we aren’t at peace, offering hugs to bring us out of our sadness. They laugh with us to build our confidence. They cry with us to ease our pain.
They delight us with their abilities, and surprise us with their creations.They love without question and often without reason. They hold to us and believe in us and expect there will never be a day that they can’t! The pressure that we may disappoint them is always in the back of our minds, but their forgiveness helps us to keep trying.
And all the while I thought that we were leading them......
Diana Phillips
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