Friday, November 05, 2010

New House



Oh, and we bought a house, too! Closed on the house Labor Day weekend, moved over the weekend, then three days later I went to Vermont. I felt so guilty!!




We are starting to get settled in this huge place.

Vermont

I went to Vermont for my niece's wedding (Ashley). Loved every minute of the trip.






















Back to School

Time to get back to school. E is in second grade, and B started Kindergarten.




B learned to rock climb!



Just relaxing and doing hair....


Even Grandma got her hair done...

WOW! Time to Catch Up!

So, I guess the world of FACEBOOK has taken over, and I haven't updated this for almost 8 months. So here we go....


This summer I took the kids to Utah for three weeks. Here are a few pictures:


BBQ and Fireworks at Aunt Tiff's











Uncle Cam caught frogs for B.

E and Grandma enjoyed game time.


Went to North Fork with cousins.






Of course some play time at the pool.


Feeding the ducks with more cousins.

Special play time with Aunt Angie.


Grandma taught E how to mow the lawns!





We had a great time in Utah!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Quick Trip to Missouri


This last weekend we drove out to Independence, Missouri for John's cousins, Scott, baptism. We were so excited to be a part of this family event! We can't wait to go back and spend more time back there. Here are a few pictures...


























Saturday, February 20, 2010

I Hate Being Poor!!

This is not a cheerful post, so if you want to ignore it, you just may want to...

It seems that there are constant reminders of how poor we are. (I know, count your many blessings...but sometimes it is ok to be down....and I feel down...)

1. Had to relinquish my rights to my kitty. I fought so hard to get her, and she was so perfect. Quiet, no clawing of furniture, used her potty...Perfect. But earlier this week she ate a bracelet of Brynleys and it got stuck in her small intestines. Needed surgery, and we couldn't pay for it. Too many medical bills with B...so, I cried all day hoping to find a miracle, and in the end had to sign her over, and walk away. She was more than a cat. She was a step to having a normal life. Heartbroken!!

I'm reminded of a line from one of my favorite movies: Sleepless in Seattle

Doctor Marcia Fieldstone: What are you going to do? Sam Baldwin: Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning... breath in and out all day long. Then, after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed every morning and breath in and out... and, then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for a while.

2. Eric and Brynley keep wanting to be in sports. Last fall I had to tell Brynley that she will never get to play soccer like her brother, since she can't play contact sports. Then quickly told her we would place her in dance. Well, once again, money is so tight that we can't afford to place her in dance, or Eric in any sports. (I know... a time and a season for all things...)

3. Would love to have my own house, but will probably be an eternal renter. We have absolutely no savings, so I have no idea how this would ever become a reality. Especially since for the last year we have been waiting for John's job to come to an end. So that leaves my income, which will be limited with the problems in DCSD and the lack of funds. Plus hitting the top of my pay scale unless I go back to get my masters...which again needs $$$.

I know I need to have faith that it will all work out. I know that everyone is feeling the same way, the effects of the economy, so I need to be more understanding... Tomorrow I will try counting those blessings, meanwhile, today, I will be sad, and feel sorry for myself.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Happy Birthday, ME!!!

Yup, it's my birthday! The best is that I don't have to go to work today....SOO nice! This past year has had it's ups and downs, but I certain that this coming year will be great!

My list of top 5 things that happened this past year:
5. Never made a trip to the emergency room or stayed over at the hospital with Brynley!!
4. Nearly lost my job, hit rock bottom, but now can see the light of day!
3. John was able to work for another year with his company
2. Cut and colored my hair about 4 different times, 4 different ways...
1.Realized my happiness is dependent on me, my out look, and that I am of worth.




So, since it is my birthday, I thought I would write a list of 10 things I would like to do during my 33rd birth year. Then, in a year check back to see what I was able to accomplish...

10. Get a pedicure (it always makes a girl feel good).
9. Get a massage at least once every four months or so...
8. Buy a new couch.
7. Lose at least 10 lbs, and keep it off.
6. Go on vacation with just my husband
5. Read the Book of Mormon completely.
4. Go to the Temple at least once a month.
3. Read once book just for fun.
2. Remember others by sending cards/notes (at least 3 a month)
1. Gain a stronger testimony so I can be better in-tune and help others more.

Ok, so one more... I want to live life, not just survive or exist...LIVE it!

Well, we shall see....

Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas at the Cabin




We were so excited to spend Christmas at Grand Lake in a cabin. It was everything we had hoped for!




Christmas was wonderful and relaxing. The kids painted crafts (Thanks Sara K.) and colored pictures while Mom and Dad read books and/or took naps. They were content, and so were we. It was a wonderful time, just the four of us...healthy and happy, and together!



The whole family went skiing one day. Brynley only made two runs, then was completely worn out.


Our last day, Mark and Sarah came up too. John, Mark, Eric, and Brynley went skiing that day! Brynley made 5 runs, and Eric kept up with the big boys. However at the end of the day, his feet were hurting, so he got a ride in sled behind the snowmobile, on behalf of the ski patrol.


Friday, December 18, 2009

Dedication to Eiyse- Cam and Angie's Boy

... if he wakes in Your arms... by R. A. S.




I can hardly see through my tears... today I sent my best friend of years and years

somewhere he had to go, where pain and sickness he won't have to know.

He's been with me ever since he was a pup... today I've had to give him up.

He was sick, we both knew it and I wouldn't put him through it.

Thinking back to the day my wife brought him, I told her then that I didn't want him...

"Noise and mess and bills to pay!" - I can't believe I felt that way.

Didn't know that in the end, he would be my dearest friend.

Didn't know that he would be the greatest gift that came to me.

How did one like me deserve a friend who wanted just to serve?

What was there that made him love me, with nobody else above me?

When I looked into his eyes, never did he criticize,

never did he hold a grudge, never did he try to judge.


Recently, an anxious day. "How come you don't want to play?"

Took him to the vet to see what might be wrong with my "puppy".

Worse by far than I expected, fatal illness was detected.

Nothing much that we could do but keep him comfy til he's through.

Back at home I tried to tell him of the bad luck that befell him

All I could see in his eyes was wondering why his master cries.

I don't think he understood - his eyes just asked "Wasn't I good?"

"How come now I make you sad? Let me kiss and hug you, dad!"


Two last weeks I had to try to find a way to say goodbye.

In that time I told him more than I ever had before

just how much I loved my pup, how it hurt to give him up.

How though gone, he'd always be inside my heart, a part of me.


Then today was no mistaking, I made the decision, my heart was breaking.

I called and asked the vet to come by - I didn't have to tell him why.

He arrived in awhile and asked "Are you ready?" I sighed, I nodded, I felt so unsteady.

Got down on the floor by my boy who was dying, and I just didn't care if the vet saw me crying. As my pup slipped away, the last things he felt were the kisses and hugs of his master who knelt On that "blankie" beside him to bid him goodbye,

who had just one more minute to tell him, to try to say thanks to his boy for a lifetime of love....


"Dear God, let me see him in heaven above!

But for now Lord, please hold him, watch over his rest...

if he wakes in Your arms tell him I love him best."



Please keep this poem in its entirety and attribute it to the author if you download it and use it in any way. Thank you. Copyright © 1996 by R. A. S.
Sweetest dog, such a good boy. He will be missed. Our sympathies and love to Cam and Angie. I know this is a hard time for you. Wish I could give you a big hug!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Halloween Fun


We went to a Pumpkin Patch today after a Halloween party at Lifetime Fitness. How cute are they?


Of course they found two HUGE pumpkins!






Here they are at the gym just before we started the fun.

Sassy Bike Diva!!


Brynley first tried riding her bike about 2 or three months ago, then wouldn't do it again. She had fallen that first time, then never would try after that. So John somehow was able to get her to try again just a few weeks ago, and now she is some DIVA!!


Sweet, and sassy!!




Yup, that's my little girl!