Changing times for Steve, Lesley-Ann & Beth

It's catch up time again!!! Well the last few months have been very exhausting physically and emotionally as we packed up and said goodbye to Blackbrook Farm House (BBFH) after 10 fabulous years.

Our fun evening out with Tony & Debbie

Since obtaining a visa for Beth at the end of June it’s been very busy as we started to go through all our possessions deciding what to pack to go into storage and what to throw away or find a new home for! Steve is a hoarder and we had accumulated a lot over the 10 years! Time to leave and say goodbye was soon upon us; I have to say one of the hardest things we had to do was to find good homes and say goodbye to our beloved animals.

Another fun evening with the Corbins and the Kears

We had many pets during our time in BBFH and we were so blessed to find great homes for all our animals with the exception of Zak who due to failing health we put to sleep. Zeena our other dog, our 2 goats Milred and Lilly and our chickens and ducks went to our dear friend Gilly and Dotty our cat is now Rebecca and Ronan and their 3 children. The biggest upset especially for Beth was taking the horses Cyril and China to their new home the week before we left, but we were comforted in the fact that they went together too a loving family.

Zak (top left going clockwise), Lilly, Milred, Zeena, Beatie, Dotty & our hens

Beth loved these boys and they her, she had an incredible relationship and bond with them and we shed a lot tears in the days that followed.

The boys Cyril & China with Beth

We tried hard to get together with as many of our family and friends before leaving.

A family gathering for Chester's baptism

Our Nephew Chester was baptised the weekend before Beth and I left and so we got to see most of my family with exception of my brother and his family who live in Australia. It was a lovely day and good to spend time together.

Me with my Mum and Sisters - Sarah, me, Julie, Mum & Katie

The day before we left the 3 of us spoke at our church the Loughborough ward and they gave us a great send off after the meetings.

The cake that was presented to us our last Sunday at church with good luck messages (all around the sides too)!

Joyce & Val, Beth with the Young Women, Steve & Teresa & Debs, Dan & Olivia.

Just some of the many that gave us a wonderful send off!

I felt bad leaving as we left Steve with still a lot to do before he left on the 31st, but Beth and I heading to Denver on the Monday the 19th October (5 weeks ago) to spend a few days with Jess, Ben and Jack. Jack was so excited and giddy to see us when he and Jess picked us up at the airport.

Fun in Denver - Jack and our very flexible daughter Jess

Beth and I had a great time with the Carney family other then the fact it wasn’t long enough, but we excited to see them again at Christmas.

Our beautiful daughters Beth & Jess (photo 1 & 2 by our talented Jess)

On Thursday 22nd we flew to Salt Lake where we were met by Aaron, Kimberly, Josh and Rachael. Rachael was only a few weeks old when we saw her last now she was 7 months and just gorgeous! Josh was really excited to see us but was even more excited at the thought that his POP’s (Steve) would be joining us in 2 weeks.

These next 4 photos of Josh & Rachael were taken

by their very talented Mum Kimberly

We spent Friday and Saturday getting Beth’s school uniform as she started at the ‘American Heritage of South Jordan’ on Monday 26th, she did look the biz.

Beth in her school uniform

Beth is loving her new school and the students and teachers love her, probably something to do with the fact she is a pretty English girl with an accent! Beth was also excited to have 2 new additions to our family 2 baby rabbits Twix and Rolo, who live in a wonderful new hutch made by Steve. Beth has been extremely lucky as her new school is right next door to a British Equestrian Centre, where she works a few hours a week in exchange for riding lessons, boy is she happy!

Beth with Rolo and Twix

Rolo and Twix aren't they just gorgeous?

After a manic 12 days of stress and problems Steve closed up at BBFH on Friday 30th October spending some precious time with his Mum and Dad. He then stayed the night with our dear friends John and Vicky who kindly took him to Leicester the next morning at 5.15am to get his coach to Heathrow, where he flew out off to Denver just in time for Halloween!

Jack all dressed up for Halloween

Wow the Americans really do go to town for Halloween, Steve got to experience it with the Carneys and Beth and I with the Presbury Jr. Family; we had a blast.

Josh with Rolo & Twix and on his bike












Steve too enjoyed his time with Jess, Ben and Jack, but Jack was so not happy when his Pops left a couple of days later, telling his Mum not to go to the airport and crying when they said their goodbyes. The grandchildren (Josh and Jack) really love their Pops.

Photo of Jack by Jess - he loves the bath

I was really excited to see Steve the following Tuesday as I had been worried about him on a couple of occasions when I couldn’t get hold of him as I knew how stressed and exhausted he had been. On a couple of occasions he broke down in the 7.5 ton truck he had hired to put all our things into storage and he didn’t have a phone to contact anyone and we couldn’t get hold of him for several hours and so I was thinking the worst. At least it broke down on the way home it could have happened when it was loaded with all our things!

Beautiful Rachael, she is such a happy baby - Photo's by me :-)


















So 3 weeks on we are doing just great. The weather has been fabulous mostly sunshine and a couple of flurries of snow, but even when it’s cold the sun is shining which makes it feel warmer and we often go walking in shirt sleeves.

Some of the scenery we see on walks near where we live

We are living within 20 minutes of 4 temples and plan to go each week (we have done
twice).

Oquirrh Mountain temple - seen for miles because of it's prominent position

The greatest blessing is spending time with our children grandchildren. Obviously we see more Josh and Rachael but will we will also be able to see more of Jess, Ben and Jack with them only living an or so hour flight away or a days drive.

The beautiful weather and scenery we have experienced most days, Steve & Beth










This week is Thanksgiving and although we don’t celebrate it in England we are looking forward to joining in the celebrations with Kimberly’s family this Thursday.

Just click on any of our photos to see them in larger size :-)

Catch up - My Birthday weekend over 2 months ago!

I was spoiled rotten by my family and friends

Wow I started this post a week after my birthday and was awaiting some photos from a friend to finish it, but he hasn't been to well and then the packing up and moving I'm only just doing it now.

Me & Beth at St. Pancras train station

Anyway another year older, but as my eldest daughter told me in her beautiful birthday message to me on her blog, I'm not as old as her friends mothers, I think that was meant to make me feel better! So one more year before I hit the big 50 and i'm scared by that thought, mainly because although my body is aging inside I don't feel that old.

The 3 of us after a lovely Italian meal before seeing Oliver

But back to my 49th birthday, it was fab and started on Saturday evening with a party for a hand full (well a large hand full) of friends and my sister Sarah. We had decided a few months ago to have a party as we won't be here at Christmas when we usually have a bash and the free weekend just happened to be 2 days before my birthday.

The best birthday cake ever because it was covered in chocolates!

It was a lovely evening, warm (well I was but looking as some the photos others weren't so warm) and a clear sky which meant we sat outside. Steve did a BBQ (this is his speciality) and we had lots of yummy salads too, followed by scrumpous deserts. But the big surprise was a beautiful chocolate made for me by a very special friend Vicky. It was covered icing and Cadbury's Roses, it looked and tasted divine!

Vicky (centre) my wonderful friend that made my birthday cake

After the eating and the chatting we played 'Mafia' and fun game, but too complicated to explain, but girl power shone through with Debbie and I winning.

I love this cheesy photo of the 3 of us

Monday was my actual birthday and my treat (well it was a treat for the 3 of us) was a trip to London on the train to see the musical Oliver. It was another warm sunny day and we had a blast, shopping on Oxford Street, sitting in sunshine in Hyde Park, a delicious meal and then the show. We got home about 1am the next day exhausted but loving our day out.

Me & Beth at St. Pancras train station it was about 11pm

Waiting for the tube, they come in to the station so quickly

Beautiful Beth

The Summer is going too fast and there is so much still to do......

Our day in London

I can't believe that we are half way through August; the weeks are flying by way too quickly. The last 2 months have been kind of crazy, but not as crazy as the next 2 months!


















Aaron became a citizen of the United States of America on the 27th May and he ran his first relay race in June, the 'Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back' Race. Aaron was one of 12 that ran the 187.9 miles from Logan to Park city, Utah, over 24 hours. Sadly though Aaron was forced to pull out of the race after his 2nd leg because of serious bout of sickness and Diarrhea, he was gutted that he couldn’t do his 3rd and final leg, but is doing another race in September.

Aaron on is first leg

On the 30th June we went to London on the train, which is so much nicer then travelling down in the car. We visiting some of the sites, like Big Ben, The London Eye, Horse Guards Parade, a River cruise and we had dinner at Planet Hollywood. But the reason for our trip was to obtain a visa for Beth from the American Embassy to study in America. We had been invited to have tea with Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street, but sadly he had an emergency that called him away and so he had to postpone!












The school that Beth will be attending is the American Heritage school of South Jordan and it is not far from Aaron and Kimberly. We will be heading out there in October with Beth and spending a couple of months settling her into school and celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas before Steve and I head back in the new year.

How High Beth?

Beth finished school 5 weeks ago and only has 2 1/2 weeks left. She has been busy riding her beloved horses and last week spent 3 days at summer camp with Cyril, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Beth and Cyril have such a wonderful trusting relationship

I also rode last Tuesday for the first time in many months, it was fabulous to ride out with Beth on a beautiful sunny afternoon, why do I get so nervous about riding as our boys Cyril and China are the perfect gentlemen and pretty bomb proof.

Kisses for Cyril

My crazy daughter jumping bare back and hands free!!

Last weekend we hosted our church BBQ, with over 150 people in attendance, it was a beautiful sunny and warm day, we were really blessed.

Beautiful Rachael

Josh, Rachael and Jack

Cool dude Josh

Rachael in her bathing suit

We are missing our family who reside in the 'Land of the Free', but we speak regularly and both Jessie and Kimmy are very good at updating their blogs and sending photos of our beautiful grandchildren, Josh, Jack and Rachael, roll on October :-)

Jack the man with his new haircut

The monkey's Jack and Josh

On the tramp

The boys with their ice lollies

A Tribute to Smurf - By Beth

Another sad day in the Presbury house hold, we lost Smurf over the
weekend and once again our Beth has made a beautiful but very sad tribute.

Smurf ~ By Steve

Smurf, or as we often called him Smurfy - Jet black in colour, with a little
white spot on the front of his neck

He was quite the character and purred like a little tractor afraid of nothing
and game for everything!

He was very soft and gentle and loved to play and have his belly tickled.
When he came in to see you he always wanted a fuss - he was irresistible.

Smurf was a busy little chap often with a plan - going here and going there
We would see him crossing the paddock dragging his prey, in preparation
for an awaited banquet.

He had learned the art of hunting from his great pal Oscar - the master
hunter, who sadly, also left this world earlier this year -
At least they will be together now.

Smurf could catch a good number of rabbits, rats, mice or birds throughout
the day He obviously reached the stage of a plentiful harvest as we saw
him sharing his food with others.

This became apparent when in recent weeks, each morning Smurf would
meet with Zak, our 11 year old German Shepherd Dog. And following, their
nose to nose talk and morning chat Zak would promptly leave and go to a
place, as instructed by Smurf usually into one of the farm out-buildings
and find there - 'a Smurf present' - usually a juicy rabbit, that smurf had
caught and left there for Zak to eat; they were the best of buddies, Poor Zak,
will also miss our lovely Smurf.

Smurf also had no fear of horses, he would weave around all four trotters
of both Cyril and China our two sixteen hand horses who waved at him by
swishing their tails.

When Smurfy came to us, he was only 6 weeks old so small, he could fit into
the palm of your hand Beth loved and cared for him from the very first day
and you could see that he loved her so very much - They were like two
peas in a pod.

There are few cats around as kind and lovely as Smurfy. Beth was his Mum
he would do everything with Beth he would always be with Beth.
They had something very special.

He will be surely missed by us, at Blackbrook Farm House - but only for a
time, until we shall all meet again in the eternities of life.

Thanks Smurfy, for giving us the best of times.

Another crazy Presbury video

Ok so Steve's birthday was a month and a half ago, but this video is so funny (well we couldn't stop laughing!) that I wanted to share it, well done again to Beth for her editing skills.

Unsual cake design! Well the cake was a fruit cake (Steve's favourite and what he requested for his birthday), but as Beth doesn't like fruit cake I made her 4 cup cakes from the mixture before adding the fruit :-)

An action packed weekend

Hippies Steve and Beth

Beth really went to town on the fine detail ~ I'm not sure who this is!

On Friday night Steve, Beth and me attended our good friends Tony and Debbie Twigger's Silver wedding anniversary party. We eat, chatted and played 2 games of 'Mafia' and Beth won the 2nd game, I didn't realise what a good little actress she was.

Steve & Jim ~ Teresa & Steve ~ don't they look cool?

On Saturday night we attended a 60's, 70's & 80's dance that I organised. I put Steve in charge of the decorations and he got a team together and i'm sure you will agree they did a grand job.

Beth, Rachel and John

Dude James and the lovely Laura-Lee and Debbie

It was such a fun evening, boggying on down to the fantastic music of those decades with our resident DJ Graham Rasmussen or to the members of our church Bishop Rasmussen.

We didn't know Hayley could dance so well

David, John and Steve - they looked fab

We had a competition for the best dressed guy and girl and that was won by Jim Young and our Beth. The winners were decided by the attendees who voted. We also had a competiton to guess who was in the photo. And of course we had lots of yummy food. I will be posting a few more photos of this event when I receive them so look back in a few days.

The winners & runners up - James, Jim, Beth & Teresa

Tony and Debbie were able to come to the dance and stay over night and spend Sunday with us. We attended church which was nice for them as Loughborough was their ward when they first married. After dinner we went on a lovely walk, what a beautiful day it was.

Tony & Debbie at their celebration party

Tony & Debbie on our Sunday walk

A Belated Happy 24th Birthday Jessica Emily

The day you were born Thursday 16th May 1985

I remember all too well the day you were born Jessica for several reasons. Firstly my pregnancy had been long with some complications, a low lying placenta that put me hospital for a week and then being tested regularly for diabetes which meant lots of extra hospital visits and overnight stays. In spite of my doctor knowing I was having a big baby I was still allowed to go over my due date and I actually ended up admitting myself because I was frustrated with being on bed rest for the previous 2 weeks and was so uncomfortable and tired from the lack of sleep.

I had this picture taken of me so I would remember just how big I got!

Secondly during my labour I had just about the meanest midwife ever who treated me like I was a woman suffering with period pains and not in full blown labour, telling me I was being a baby offering to give me Ibuprofen and to top it all telling Steve he needed to go home because you would not be arriving that night! I absolutely knew that there just no way that I was experiencing that kind of horrendous pain for you not to arrive within a few hours. So I told your Dad that if he went home he would miss the birth of his second child and convinced him that I needed something much stronger then Ibuprofen. He relayed this to the midwife who very reluctantly gave me at 11pm a pethidine injection which is only given if there is a minimum of 4 hours before the birth of the baby because drowsiness effect on mother and baby.

A very proud Dad - who had hair then too!

So consequently when I started pushing in my sleep just before 1am and shouting that I wanted to push (one of the many side effects of pethidine is speaking your mind) the lovely midwife came running into my room telling me to stop being so stupid and that I couldn’t possibly want to push, to which I replied oh yes I do and pushed! Horrified she said something that I can not write but was basically shouting at me to stop pushing because your head was crowning and she wasn’t ready!! HELLO I thought what a pity you haven’t listened to me and I have to say I think your Dad who had fallen asleep over the bed was dazed and shocked at how quickly things had progressed, but I wasn’t I was just very annoyed. Of course the midwife couldn’t be nice enough to me now but I was having none of it, I was wanted to get on with it and have you out at this point not knowing if you were a boy or girl. Amazingly this didn’t take very long considering that you had a shoulder dystocia which basically means your shoulders got seriously stuck.

Jessica on the day she was blessed, can you believe she was only 17 days old?

Your Dad and I both thought that the 2 nurses would just have your head in their hands, but thankfully at 1.07am on Thursday 16th May they safely delivered you a beautiful baby girl who we named Jessica Emily and you weighed 11 lbs 1oz (no wonder your shoulders got stuck!). It was only when discussing delivery options for having Beth did I realised how serious a shoulder dysticia can be because once the head is delivered there is little time before it is considered an obstetric emergency. After delivering you my body went into shock shaking uncontrollably and my blood pressure dropped drastically and I was told it was because I had delivered a large baby very quickly!

Aaron loved his sister taken on Jessica's blessing day

Your Dad soon named you his ‘Princess’ and he still calls you that today right? Your brother Aaron loved you and was very gentle and we never worried about him hurting you a bit like Josh and Rachael now. Unlike your brother you were a fairly healthy little girl, bonny, fair and bright describes you very well, with beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. From a young age you loved to dance, sing and perform and so we enrolled you in dancing classes taking us several years before finding the right school that you and we were happy with. We found an excellent singing teacher and at the age of 12 you started having lessons and from this young age you had the ability to perform beautifully with the voice of an angel to a large audience, singing one Christmas at the Stake carol concert to over 400 people with your Dad accompanying you on the piano. You enjoyed school and the teachers loved you always singing your praises telling us what a delight you were to teach and this was the case throughout your school years with you never having a bad report. You were often in school productions and had the lead role in Fame at the age of 16. You studied A-level performing arts getting an A grade and full marks for you practical in spite of kicking over a bucket of water (a prop) and taking out all the electrics! You completed 4 years of seminary gaining a greater understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of the scriptures. You never gave us cause for concern, you were a good girl and you made the right choices because you were solid with a strong testimony and desire to do the right things.

Jessica's 3rd birthday a bike and 'My little pony' video, what more could a girl want?

You joined the Loughborough Amateurs Society and did 3 shows with them. From a little girl watching the BYU Ballroom dancers perform live in Leicester you decided that you wanted to go to BYU and this was a dream that came true even though it wasn’t easy because they didn’t understand the British schooling system, but we got there in the end.

You will look at the camera Jess!

You and Aaron had a love hate relationship I guess like a lot of siblings and I’m sure you will never forget the time Aaron nearly lost the top of his finger when you slammed the bedroom door on him to keep him out of your room after you had taken something from him, you felt so bad.

A family of four

A 9 year gap meant you adored your baby sister Beth so much I guess that you wanted her in your bedroom when she was first born, we warned you that she would cry and keep you awake but you still wanted her in your room.

Beth with you on your wedding day

You were always a pretty child and in your early teens we started realise what a beauty you going to be and we were not wrong. You weren’t short of admirers because not only were you gorgeous to look at you had a beautiful personality that shone. You loved animals and from a young age helped care for our rabbits, cats and your mice that sadly got eaten by one of the cats one Christmas morning! Then when we moved to Blackbrook Farm House we got the dogs, chickens, goats and Shrimp! You loved Shrimp your horse more then I realised at the time, you learned so much from her and it was indeed a sad day when she died.

You Jess with your beloved Shrimp

At 18 you started life as a student at BYU, I remember the summer of 2003 very well as we spent a fun couple of weeks together as family before you started. We were excited for you as you realised your dream of attending BYU, but we were also very apprehensive about you going to school so far away from us. I remember all to well saying goodbye to you in your apartment not wanting to let go of you thinking that Christmas (when we would see you again) seemed so far away and how would I get through the coming months. Well I didn’t and I made a visit over to see you and Aaron in the November.

Professional pictures taken of you while at BYU for an acting class you took

We knew that going to BYU meant that you would probably never come back to England to live, although you disputed that by saying ‘No I’m going to get my degree, go on a mission and live in Scotland!’ Your first summer 2004 saw you up in Island Park performing at a ‘Diner Theatre’ with the lead role of Laurie in OAKLAHOMA and I was glad I got to come and see you perform, you were just great.

I love you this photo of you taken at the time of your engagement

It was also in Island Park that you met the love of your life Mr. Benjamin Carney who had just returned from his mission and was coincidently going to study at BYU. 14 months after you started dating you were married here in England on 17th September 2005, it was a beautiful sunny, warm day just as you predicted! After the civil ceremony at the Loughborough chapel, we had a wonderful reception here at Blackbrook Farm House in a marquee on the paddock. Later that day you were sealed for time and all eternity in the London Temple a best ending to a beautiful day.

Jess and Ben on their wedding day 17th September 2005

On 18th May 2007 Jack Michael Carney was born you to and Ben and he has just had his 2nd birthday, oh how time flies. You are a wonderful mother, patient beyond believe always putting your family above your own desires.

I love this photo of Jess and Ben

We are so very proud of what you have achieved Jessie, most recently with you graduating from BYU along with Ben. Your love of life is evident with your gorgeous smile and countenance; as a teenager you went out of your way to talk to the older folk and those less fortunate than you; you really are a very compassionate person. Jessie we love you and miss you and so look forward to the day when we can see more of you and your family especially that little monkey Jack.

Ben, Jess and Jack

Finally I just love the gift you gave us at Christmas – oh I forgot to mention how gifted you are at coming up with the most amazing gifts that are priceless and I wanted to post a picture of the gift and allow others to read what you wrote.

Blackbrook Farmhouse


Some say I am old, others say I am inefficient,
To some I am a glimpse of another era.
But to a select few I am their home.
I am Blackbrook Farmhouse, home of the Presbury’s.
My nick name is BBFH.

My floor boards are creaky and say in the middle,
Each of my door knobs needs a gentle jiggle.
My stone brick walls scare heat away,
And the third floor bathroom reminds some of golf play.

I’ve watched moments unfold into priceless memories;

The Christmas Parties and birthday wishes.
Cold mornings of seminary and kids doing the dishes.
I’ve watched parents teach by love and example
Even when their kids were more than a handful.

Numerous employees have worked hard and played pool,
While good friends have stayed late, chatting in the hall.
Animals have filled my corridors with sounds and smells,
And left morning presents worthy of a YELL.

I am Blackbrook Farmhouse the Presbury’s home,
I hear rumors of them leaving me all alone.
Even if they go their memories will remain
And my life will continue but will never be the same.

…Oh the wonder I have witnessed…

By Jessica Carney