Told by Jennefer H, summarized by Gregg Johnson
Alexis is the oldest sibling in the Haymond Family and the oldest grandchild on Bishop’s side of the family. She has three younger siblings and sixteen younger cousins who all adore and idealize their amazing relative.
Darrin and I have always wondered how we were so fortunate to be parents of someone who has become relegated to a status of wonderfulness (smart and talented). Alexis has been a blessing from the moment of her birth. When that event occurred, I exclaimed, “my baby, my baby”. It may have been that she was the first born, but there was instant love for her. Someday, Alexis, you will know the same love for your first child.
Things that are enjoyable to know about Alexis:
• When she was three, if she were asked, “What would she want to become when she reached the level of adulthood?” she would respond, “I want to be a bird who eats wiggle worms.”
• One occasion she was caught with a band-aid secured under her nose just covering the nostrils. I asked her about it and she responded, “It is there just incase I get a bloody nose.”
• One of Alexis’ favorite movies was “The Land Before Time”. It has something to do with dinosaurs. Alexis would have me fix her hair into three pony tails placed on the top of her head. She would dart around the playground charging the other kids with her three pony tails exclaiming, “You better watch out because I am a three horn”!
• Alexis broke her elbow at the age of four which forced her to have surgery. We were trapped in the hospital for an extra day because Alexis refused to take any pain medications.
• As a third grader on Earth Day, Alexis organized a group of friends to carry trash bags throughout the neighborhood collecting trash.
• Darrin used to make the kids pay “candy tax” after dutifully amassing great amounts of candy after Halloween. Each kid was required to donate a portion of their Halloween candy. Obviously, the kids protested such outrageous behavior by organizing a picket line with Alexis as the primary protester. They made signs that stated, “Candy tax is not fair”. They all marched around the house chanting, “No more candy tax” until Darin finally relented.
• Alexis was nearly fourteen years of age when Darin became bishop of the ward. When she was informed of the calling, Alexis exclaimed, “Great, no one dates the bishop’s daughter, my life is ruined!” Luckily for her, dating has not been a problem.
When Alexis was going to turn 13 we told her she could plan a birthday party all on her own. We gave her a budget and set a few rules. A few days after telling her this I got a phone call from her when I was at work. She and her best friends were at the house and she told me they had measured the main floor and that if we moved all the furniture out she was pretty sure we could fit at least a hundred kids in the house for her party! Darrin and I just laughed and said, "no way". In the end we were talked into having 40 kids but I am pretty sure more than that showed up.
Some of Alexis' talents are dancing; she was on Karla Calls first competitive clogging team that qualified to compete in the Jr. Olympics. She loves to play volleyball and played on competitive teams and on the high school team for four years. Alexis is also a self-taught artist and has hand drawn some really cool pictures.
Alexis has been a leader her whole life. She was on student council all through elementary school and was voted Mayor of Young Ameritown. She was the captain of her school volleyball team for two years. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has organized fundraisers for that. She is someone you can count on to follow through with a project if given an assignment and has no problem organizing or planning anything.
Alexis' high school days are almost over and she will be going to BYU in Provo this fall. Her goal is to become a pediatrician. We are so excited for this new chapter of her life. She is going to be amazing. I am so happy Alexis could come to the Relief Society birthday party with me tonight. As she reaches the age of being a part of Relief Society I can't help but see how Heavenly Father has prepared Alexis whether it was organizing earth day projects or planning crazy birthday parties to be ready to be a leader and to love and serve those she will come into contact with throughout her life through Relief Society. I am thankful for so many of you sisters who have influenced, guided and loved Alexis and helped me as a mother to have such a wonderful daughter. The love I felt for her the day she was born has only grown stronger through the years and being a mother to her has been one of my greatest joys in life. I love you Alexis!
Learn more about Alexis at http://mormon.org/me/6QXV/
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