Christmas 2008

We had Christmas and now it is over. It was a hard time for me and I got through it, not without buckets of tears but I did get through it. We were suppose to have Christmas at my house but it snowed alot so we had to travel to those that did not want to drive in the snow. We ate and it was good I made Prime Rib. I am proud of my self, its not hard to make just very expensive. We won't do that again.

Tori in her dress Grandma Tana made for her. She loves it.

Ethan playing his guitar he loves it!!!

My new cousin

She is like a third cousin or something like that. This is Payton, she is my cousin Embry's granddaughter. Her mommy is Crystal. She got to come and play with us and we loved it. She is a very good baby and I hope she gets to play again soon.

Granby Colorado

The week before Christmas we spent a week in Granby Carls job paid for us all to go and we had a good time. Specially Tori in the snow.

Get a round tuit here.

Thanksgiving Day we went to see Dad and I left him a gift. Carl and I made Round Tuits and I thought my Dad would appreciate one. If you look close at my brother Joshua's blog you can see where he perched it up in the snow on the top of the headstone last week after Grand Junctions first snow storm of the year

Has it really been a month?

This month has truly flew by and evidently I have been busy or just lazy. I enjoy reading every ones blog so I had better keep this updated for those that enjoy mine. We had a great trip to Arizona the weekend of the 15th to move my mom down to the warmth. I will miss her terrible but it is what she has always wanted to do and I need to share her with my siblings. And Mariah, my niece absolutely loves my mom and needs her close by so she has an escape from two brothers.
Carl bought me a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherrokee, my little Camry was nickle and diming us and with kids growing so fast we just did not fit well. It is white with gold trim and has all the bells and whistles. I really like it and it is nice that we all fit.
We had Thanksgiving with Josh at his in-laws, boy do they put on a spread, we ate well then went to Carl's parents and ate again. And I only gained 1 pound!!! Yeah for me.
The weekend after Thanksgiving brought great sorrow, my Daddy's oldest brother Terry passed away on Saturday. Wanting to be there for my Mom, and not knowing her travel plans, Josh and his family, myself and my family drove to Denver Saturday afternoon. The weather was terrible, so after staying the night in Avon Saturday, we arrived in Denver Sunday afternoon. A 24 hour trip. Thank goodness we had my new Jeep, and Carl and Josh have the driving skills they do. Mom flew in on Tuesday, and flew back out Wednesday, so we had a vacation of sorts with Josh's family. We went to the Capital Building and a tour of The Mint. The kids liked it but with it being the end of the year they weren't making money so it was not exciting. We will go again when money is being made.
I hope to keep you all updated more regular, thanks for stopping by.

Halloween 2008

Victoria borrowed Grandma Wilsons dress and bonnet for her costume. She was Laura Ingalls.

Ethan was a Texas Ranger, but of course we did not get pictures. He was handsome though.

Halloween 2008

Ethan's

Carl's

Heather's

Victoria's

We had a great time carving pumpkins this year. Very creative I think.

Just a thought

“There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.” -

Washington Irving

Cutting wood

I had to remind Carl we were cutting wood not doing plumbing.
Half a truck full, taking a much needed break.

Last Saturday we went to cut firewood. It was alot of fun. We packed a lunch and all went. The woods make the tree falling ALOT louder. We have to return in the next few weeks and get some more.

Well I'll be darned

I get online every morning to check emails, and the such. I also check bank balances, and there I see a direct deposit for $103. 43 from Family Support Registry. For all those not in the know that is CHILD SUPPORT! Its been 3 years since I got the last deposit and that was $148. I am owed back support the total being about $2500 now. What fabulous thing I can buy for my son with these new riches you ask? Lets see 2 weeks of food, or is it the new boots he would like to have, or maybe 2/3 of the monthly ortho bill, or how about some jeans and pajama bottoms because he is growing so fast (5'7").
I mean every bit helps but sometimes its an insult. I have to say I am so grateful to Carl that he loved us enough to fight and spend all that money on attorneys and custody evaluations so Ethan could have the things he needs because we all know the child support won't do sqat in this economy.

Talking to Dad

I always enjoy going to the mountains. It seems the perfect place to talk to my dad. It's almost like I feel closer to him when I am in the hills. Carl took this picture so I could remember that beautiful day and how it was so easy to talk to my Dad. We probably won't return to the hill till spring, so this photo will remind me of my afternoon talking to Dad.

Fall in Colorado

We went to the Mesa for color Sunday, we actually went on Saturday. Anyway we got some wonderful pictures. I remember every year for a couple years Hillary and I would drive over the Mesa for color Sunday, my car even broke down one year. Fun times!!! By the way that is NOT snow in picture 3 just dry dirt.

Bread

Yesterday I asked Grandma for some sourdough starter. She willingly gave me some and this is what I made. I am so proud of myself, I have only made bread a few times and I can't recall how it turned out on the other attempts. I am hoping to bake bread and not buy it anymore, it's just getting so expensive. Anything to save a couple bucks here and there.

Dad's antlers

These are my Dad's antlers that were in his living room that his grandfathers gun layed across for the years that my parents lived at their current house. Carl got a mounting kit and put them up for me. They are in my front entryway. They look quite majestic there.

About Nie

I found this on a ladies blog that I enjoy reading, go to it, read it, donate if you want, and above all PRAY!!

Fab new boots

They are brown corduroy and fluffy soft on the inside. And the best thing is they costed me $5 at Wal-Mart.

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We have what it takes to take what you have

So last week I went to Wal-Mart after the kids had gone to bed and as I was on my way home Carl called me on my cell phone to have me drive past a house where we are looking for a car. This car has eluded Carl for several days, bad address and all that. So what do you know there is the car. Carl told me to pull down the street and watch the car till he and Dan can get there with the repo truck. We all gathered around the corner deciding what we should do to repo this car. The car was nose in the driveway and it would cause quite a racket dragging it away. So it was decided that Carl and I would walk past the car and check to see if the door was unlocked, if it was, Carl could put the car in gear and it would drag quiet. As we are walking by, the guy comes outside, so we cross the street as to be a little less noticeable. The guy starts his car and we think he is going to leave, but he doesn't he left his car running and went back into the house. Carl ran across the street, got into the car and drove away, leaving me standing there in shock. I started walking away then this guy comes outside and starts yelling, so I begin to run, let me tell you I was running so fast and I was wearing crocs, I am so suprised they stayed on. Dan followed Carl down the hill so as to hook up, as Carl is driving he hears panting, there in the backseat is the guys dog. Well they had to return the dog, so they had Dans wife bring the regular truck to them and they returned to the scene to return the dog. It was very exciting!!!

First Day back to school!!!!

They got taken sideways so thats how you will have to view them sorry. First day of school for the kids. Ethan in 8th grade Victoria in 5th grade. They are excited to be back.

Lunch

I had a great lunch out yesterday. I was in Grand Junction cleaning a house, and with my mom being out of town and all my friends working or at school I did not have anybody to lunch with. So I went to Burger King drive thru and ordered a whopper minus onion and onion rings and a diet coke. Just the way dad would have ordered. I went to the cemetary and sat down with dad and ate my lunch. I sat on him (there really is no other place) and ate my lunch. We talked and I had a great lunch. At a quiet point I realized it was the 22nd of the month and then I started to cry. 3 months already, sometimes it seems like yesterday. I definetly am going to make this a more often event, as long as the weather will let me. Over the last year of my dads life I had lunch with him almost every week and I figure there is no reason I should stop. If anyone wants to join me sometime let me know, and I encourage everyone that liked to lunch with dad to do so, it is quite peaceful.

I told her to comb her hair

Thats what she gets for not listening. Whoever heard of a girl who refused to bathe? This is what dirty uncombed hair gets you in my house.

We have eggs again

My birds laid eggs again yesterday. We have 3 this time, I will keep you posted as to if we get any live birds this time.


Its been 3 weeks, the eggs did not hatch again this time. My birds are broke. Good thing I think baby birds would be a bit loud and the cage is pretty small. I am a bit sad though.

No baby birds

Today we decided to take a look at the bird eggs, they were suppose to hatch last Friday. Carl held them up to the light and the eggs were empty, just a tiny yellow smudge at one end. We threw them away and we'll wait till the next batch to see if we get babies. Kinda bummed, I wanted to see tiny baby birds. The picture is one of the eggs and a dime, so imagine how tiny the birds would be.

Dad has his marker

Today the cemetary called to tell Mom that Dad's marker was placed. I went with Mom out to the cemetary to look at it this afternoon. It is wonderful to see that Dad has his place marked. BSM on line 7 means Bronze Star Medal. I sure miss you Daddy.

My Moving Men

This is Carl and Joshua moving my washing machine through my basement window. We would have been in alot of trouble if Josh had not helped us move. THANK YOU JOSH!!! We can always count on Josh!!! He was the only one to show up to help. My freezer came in the same way and the dryer too!! And alot of the boxes!! Very smart boys, they did not have to navigate stairs.

Jack And Jill

Meet Jack and Jill these are my two lovebirds. And we are expecting 4 babies any day now. Jack is the colorful male and he talks all the time. Jill is the white bird and she only talks to Jack. And the only time she talks to him is to tell him he better get into the nest and sit on the eggs. They are pretty funny to watch. I enjoy them alot.

So we are moving SERIOUSLY

We are in the process of moving. We need to return to our roots and move back to Delta. I am sad and mad and also annoyed that Grand Junction did not work out. But at least I can say I was able to be close to my Daddy during his last year. And I was able to be of a help to my Mom when she needed me. The house in Delta is bigger and the yard is huge, and we own it. I guess that is all we can ask for. And NO I will not be returning to the Rec Center. I need a grown up job if I get one. So Pray for me that I don't totally lose my mind by moving back to Delta. Anyone want to help move?

My Daddy

These are pictures during the final days of my Dad's life. Mom always made sure he was handsome, hair combed and always in a nice shirt. I will always remember him in blue, he looked so handsome in blue.

BROKEN CHAIN

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we can not see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

Moab

We went to Moab for Mothers Day Weekend. We sure had a good time, we camped at the KOA and hiked the arches. We drove through some pretty country. Picture one is obvious, two is some ruins along the river in Moab, three is the mother and baby, four the kids climbed there rocks. We had a wonderful time. It was good to be away for a few days. Mom wants to go next time, she made me promise.

Happy Snow May!!

It is May first and we woke to snow. Its just a skiff but it is still snow. I am sure Josh and Ayme got alot more than a skiff in Steamboat. Victoria is suppose to have a jamboree tonight at Stoker Stadium 30 mile per hour winds are expected and we have a freeze warning tonight (pray for the peaches) I don't know that we will go. Last night was a joy for mom and dad. Mom went a a read a thon with Tori and dad came to my house. We had a neighborhood BBQ at my house. Dad thought he might be uncomfortable with all the people but he did well. Carl did something funny and dad laughed. He laughed harder than I have seen him laugh in a long time it even flushed his cheeks. It was good to see. Tori and mom listened to other people read, newscasters, police officers, firemen. And they wore their pjs. They were on the 10:00 news. That is the picture. Tori in green with ponys, grandma sitting to her right.

Chip

Today I am blogging in honor of our beloved Chipper. We put him down 3 weeks ago and our tears have finally stopped. We get a twinge of a tear every now and then but for the most part we are all fine. The kids each have a fish to tend and that seems to make it a bit easier. For those of you that knew Chip well knew that he was pretty crippled up and had served out his lifes purpose. He was well loved and now he's in heaven with the other dogs that served so well. We love you Chipper Boy!!!

Orthodontist

We visited with the orthodontist today and he seems to think that Tori is moving along quite famously and is ready for brackets. This was not suppose to be till next year or even later. However it is only on the top front four teeth. He did say in the begining that Tori was going to be one of his most challenging cases and he feels it is time for the next step. Ethan on the other hand is more than half way done with his braces. The doc says he is an easy case almost textbook. He now wears 4 rubberbands connecting top and bottom jaws when he is not eating. He will have to wear them forever because he is always eating. On the plus side he says it hurts to talk so maybe he won't talk as much!!!

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We are staying

For those of you that thought we would be moving back to Delta, including myself we are wrong. It has been decided that we will sell the house in Delta, and stay in Grand Junction. My mom needs support and help with my dad and Carl's dad is needing some help and support with his mom. The fuel prices are awful, and that makes the commute that in inevitable pricey. I also for the first time in a long time have good friends here. The house needs to sell by May 1st so get your prayers on!!!! Renters are out April 30th, two house payments due May 1st. Not really prepared for this but we will make due. What we will do after the sale is anyones guess, I'll let you know as it is happening. You know us we make a plan and then we change our minds, never can tell with us!!! Have a blessed day.

Is this okay?? NOT!!!

Carl is grilling INSIDE the camper. Those are flames in pictures 2 and 3. It was too windy outside to keep the grill lit. Never a dull moment when camping with Carl.