Mt. Rushmore or Bust!

Wednesday, September 9th, Troy received a call from the contractor he works for. There was a problem with an a/c unit in Gillette, Wyoming. Gillette is only an hour to hour and half away from Mt. Rushmore and I thought it would be great if we used the business trip to help our family to be able to visit Mt. Rushmore. Troy agreed, and while all the kids were in school on Thursday I packed all their clothes and all the food so we could leave that night. Everything went smoothly. We reached Gillette and after 3 hrs of work we headed to South Dakota to find a place to camp. It was beautiful. Troy's mom had told us she had been there twice and a cloud was covering Mt. Rushmore both times, so I was worried about driving all that way for nothing. I prayed hard that it wouldn't be a wasted trip. Saturday morning we woke to rain. I thought, great. We packed up and proceeded to the mountain and it continued to rain. As we reached the viewing site we were pretty depressed thinking that there was no way we would see Mt. Rushmore but lo and behold there it was in all it's glory. I laughed and told Troy that next time I should be a little more specific with my prayers. It continued to rain constantly. We toured around and Vance was the first one to get his Jr. Ranger badge and was very proud of that. We decided to head out and find another place to camp and decided to head towards home out of the rain to do so. While driving we saw the sign for Crazy Horse Mountain and decided to stop and check it out. They had a huge museum of Native American artifacts. It was really neat. Vance got hurt while there. He was hopping and his shoe hit a crack in the concrete and over he fell right on his face. He got scraped up a bit but nothing to horrible. We continued our journey out of South Dakota with the plan of stopping to camp at Glendo Resevoir in Wyoming.

About an hour before our destination we stop for gas and food. I took over driving so Troy could eat. Not more than 15 miles out of the town, I was trying to pass a car when the truck lost all power. Luckily the car let us get over to pull off the side of the road. As we looked at the two lane highway we worried. It was quite desolate. Not more than 5 minutes passed when a truck pulled over to help and he actually thought he knew what the problem was and proceeded to fix the truck. It worked! We were amazed and ever so grateful. We said a family prayer and proceeded to Glendo. Just a measly 1 mile from the Glendo turn off the truck did the same thing as before. It was dark and wouldn't you know it, raining again! Ugh! Troy tried to do the same thing as before and we got it started and only got 100 yds. when it did it again. We didn't know what to do. Truck after truck and car passed and no one would stop for us. After about an hour we called Troy's brother who's a mechanic to see if he had any ideas. He couldn't help and so he looked up towing services nearby and gave us the numbers. We started calling and they were all the wrong number or in a different town than listed on the internet. One towing company gave us new numbers to try and we also asked him for the highway patrol number just in case. We tried the numbers and again they weren't correct or no one would answer so we called highway patrol who gave us even more numbers. Again no answer until the very last number. At this point 2 hrs had passed. We finally had a tow truck on the way and it was capable of holding our whole family, barely. As well as to tow our camper with the truck. We waited another hour for him. While waiting I got numbers to local hotels where we could stay the night in the little town we were headed for. We were towed in the opposite direction as we were headed to the town of Douglas. We were blessed by the hotel we went to. They quoted me $90. per night but when we got there the gave us the walk in special of $65. and they kept that rate the whole time they were there. They gave the kids permission to swim in the pool with their shorts since we didn't bring any suits. We had coupons for breakfast which was free or nearly so. Troy thought the problem was the fuel filter and Sunday morning he went to the auto part store and proceeded to fix the truck. Not the problem though. Ugh! The repair shop wasn't open until Monday. We had to have the truck towed Monday to the repair shop. They scoped out the situation and came to the conclusion they found the problem but they didn't have the tool to fix it. They called around and found a mechanic that had worked to the GMC dealership before it shut down and he had the part and the knowledge to fix it. Then they discovered that they needed some seals which they had to have shipped UPS. So the truck sat again for another day. We spent 5 nights and days at the hotel. Very boring. The kids took turns on who got to sleep on the bed each night. Let me mention that the first night at 3:00 am Vance woke up and threw up on the bed. Poor Brianna. She ended up on the floor after all. We watched a lot of t.v. and swam. We walked to a school nearby and let the kids play on the playground. We also walked a mile to a pioneer museum and then walked back and had ice-cream at the McDonalds. Finally the truck was finished Thursday afternoon. We decided to push it hard and get home so we put a pull up on Vance and took off. How grateful we are to be home. How grateful we are for all the love and concern shown us by friends, family and the strangers who took us under wing during our stay in Douglas. They went above and beyond what was required and we so appreciate it. This is one fast, cheap vacation that ended up very long and very expensive but one we will never forget.

News on Troy

Yesterday Troy went in for more blood work and an ultrasound. His liver, gall bladder, kidneys and pancreas all look great. Now we wait for the results of the blood work. Hopefully it's even better than the last one. If it is he goes back in a month to see if it's normal. He still has to take pills to help with the nausea but it's a lot better than before. They think he'll live. LOL! They have two theories: 1- He had hepatitis and it's getting better(they can't test for all forms of hepatitis).
2-An overload from all the antibiotics he was on.
Whatever it was doesn't matter that much as long as it's going away. I am so glad he feels better.

On a side note, my sister from Alaska is moving back here and will be staying with my mom until her husband can sell there mobile home and come here. I have mixed feelings about it. The two of us have had a lot of problems. I can deal with her in small doses and her being gone has done wonders for our relationship. I hope it will be okay.

Girls Camp

I just wanted to take some time and blog about the girls camp I helped chaperone. Brianna and I rode to the camp in Franks car and enjoyed the music from the 50's. Well, at least I did. Much to everyone's chagrin I have found a new radio station. When we got to camp we quickly started to unpack but not quick enough for the banana bread Shelbi had made. A bushy tailed grey squirrel climbed into her truck and proceded to have a snack, right through the plastic zip locked bag. We enjoyed the luxeries of cabins with bunks, picnic tables, refrigerators, sinks, showers and most important flushing toilets. What a beautiful area Heber is. We were able to learn about the pioneers who traveled through and settled the area, folklore, as well as flora and local animals. We went boating on a nearby lake. The 3 women, including myself, got a paddle boat. We thought we got the easy one until we started peddling. Talk about a lot of work and not much progress, but we had a great time laughing about it and just being goofy and silly. The men, namely Jared and Frank, were trying undo our rutter in jest. Lucky for them they couldn't do it. You see they were the rescue team for the lake and if they succeeded in dismantling our boat they would have to tow us in. I went to a training meeting to learn how to work a game in the challenge course and it was opened with a prayer and I felt the spirit so strongly that I had to fight back tears. It is amazing how close you feel to God when you are in the mountains around so much beauty and animals. When it came time for the challenge course once again I was strongly hit with the spirit. So much symbolism and truth was revealed on that course. The need to help others on their journey as well as the need to allow others to help you. The best part of it all was Testimony meeting and the chance to be with Brianna and to get to know her in a different type of way and to watch how she interacts with the other girls. I think she will love the Young Womens program. I wish Liz had been able to come up. Work got in the way though. Thank you Shelbi for all your work and dedication to and for the girls. I really appreciate it. All the pictures are hanging up in the church hallway for this little expedition.

Happy Birthday Brianna!

Brianna's birthday blog is late, no fault of my own.  The 2 of us were at girls camp for her birthday July 22nd.  We had a wonderful, spiritual time up there.  We were able to do some bonding.  Brianna and I had a rocky start when she was born.  She was unfortunate to arrive during the time my husband and I were having all our problems and were seriously contemplating divorce.  I think all the stress I was going through transferred to her.  She was born at Cottonwood hospital and weighed an even 7 pounds and was 19 inches long.  I wanted to name her Celestia but lost the argument in the hospital with Troy and his mom.  I was so frustrated I said, "FINE!".  Her name is now Brianna Celeste, at least I got a portion of what I wanted.  Brianna has the distinguished honor of bearing the female version of my brothers name, Brian.  He is the one who blessed her when he returned from his mission.  Brianna spent a lot of time crying in the middle of the night and the only way to get her to stop was to do the Priesthood bounce.  Ugh!!!!!!  Talk about hard on the arms.  As soon as you stopped she would start crying.  I spent hours doing this at night.  One Sunday morning Brianna was crying and I happened to turn on the t.v. to drown her out and I put on the Tabernacle Choirs Music and The Spoken Word.  Miracle of all miracles she instantly quieted.  Talk about music soothing the savage beast!!!  I feel bad that most of my memories of Brianna are more negative.  I spent many nights and days praying that I would like her.  Now she is such a joy in my life, always willing to help and love me.  She has brought me breakfast in bed, made her dad buy me an ice-cream cake for my birthday, and numerous other things.  She reminds me a lot of me when I was her age(12).  I passed the family Christmas Nativity director on to her.  She is the one to get all the cousins together and make costumes and practice for the play.  I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it.  Her creativity amazes me.  She's smart, loves to read, loves to camp, four wheel and hike.  She has a great love of animals and sleeps with both our dogs.  She does a wonderful job of helping watch Vance when I need a break.  I know Brianna had a rocky start but it will be a wonderful journey a long the way.  Thank you Brianna for being you and Happy Birthday!

Like father like son...

True colors of Greg

Updates

Troy's rash has turned the corner.  It is actually looking better after 3 antibiotic shots and about 3000 mg of oral antibiotics.  Yay!!!!!  The high doses though has messed up his appetite and gives him some flu like symptoms.  We were warned about it.

We went to the Ward camp out and had fun.  We had Brianna and her friend watch 5 kids while the 3 sets of parents went to lunch.  I think the conversation we had was better than lunch.  It was a bit pricey.  It rained part of the time but not to bad.  Vance decided to copy the big boys and got into the mud puddle located in the middle of the campsite (check Collette's blog for a picture).  I was okay with it but after we had to clean him up and it smelled like he rolled in cow manure.  Ugh!!!!  Gross!!!!!  Thank heaven kids are washable.  Dad wasn't to happy with it.  We didn't have our camera but we did have the video camera.  On Saturday while everyone was packing up to go our friend Shane came up with his boat and took us boating for a few hours.  It was a blast.  I got sunburned.  Not to badly though.

Vance also learned how to ride a bike without training wheels this week.  I guess it's the summer for all the neighborhood kids to learn that.  Vance saw Tyson riding his bike and decided that he wanted to try.  He was determined to push start it himself and couldn't quite get it.  Sam pushed him off and off he went.  I got a picture on my cell phone but no way to download it.  Sorry!  That was the end of the lesson and he didn't give it a try again for almost a week when Tyson gave Vance his little bike.  In a matter of minutes he was off and riding.  No help needed.  That was the easiest child to teach how to ride a bike since I didn't have to do anything other than sit back and watch.  What a determined child.  I just love him so much.

Troy, Sarah and Vance have gone to Scofield with the Pitts.  I will join them with Jacob late tonight.  This week is EFY and Jake and Liz are there.  On the first day Jake found out that his hair didn't meet the For Strength of Youth standards.  I guess I should have read it before I sent him.  He had to get his hair cut or leave.  Liz called and told me about it saying that they had someone there who could cut hair.  I asked to talk to Jake and he told me he didn't want to cut his hair and I told him it would grow back.  He insisted.  So I told him I wouldn't force him to do it and to come home.  I was pretty mad and frustrated at that point because I knew that the Stake paid for it and they couldn't get their money back.  After a few minutes I thought that maybe I should go pick him up so I text Liz and asked her if he needed a ride.  She text me back saying that Jake had decided to cut his hair.  I am so proud of him! Of course it's not as short as I want it to be but it barely fits into the standard.  Baby steps, right?  I can't wait for long hair to go out of style again.  I didn't like the 70's style the first time around.  Back to the story of going to Scofield, our kids get to ride on a float and throw candy.  So Cool!!

Some may be wondering what happened to Greg during the Ward camp out.  He got caught by the police with his friends at my house drinking alcohol.  He and his friends all received tickets and Troy showed up and had a good talk with all of the boys.  Hopefully this won't happen again.  I think I have updated everything.  Have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend to all.

Spider bite, Shingles, or Fungal infection?

What a full couple of weeks we've had.  Troy did a side job for my sister, putting in a new furnace and a/c unit.  After 2 days in a crawl space under her house Troy found a circular rash on his arm and 2 on his back.  He doesn't remember feeling bit.  He didn't think much of it but after a week it had all grown and joined together into a giant rash.  I won't go into to many details or post pictures, it's pretty gross.  His brother and I finally convinced him to go to the doctor.  Who claims whatever it is, is infected.  He was prescribed high doses of antibiotics.  It seemed to be doing better, sort of.  We had my brothers wedding on Saturday and Troy's rash didn't grow much.  Sunday the rash started to get worse again.  We call the doctor and she's out for the week.  We see a different doctor who prescribed more antibiotics which specializes in the Mercer staph infection.  He has also had a blessing.  Today it has grown even more.  The doctor did take samples on Monday and we should know what it is come Wednesday night.  Unfortunately Troy has been feeling flu like symptoms now and isn't sure if the two are related.  Of course because Troy is sick he has problems at work and can't stay home to rest.  I pray that they find out what is wrong.  Please put Troy into all your prayers for us.  Thank you!

Graduations Galore!

If only I knew how to format these things it wouldn't be so confusing.  Sorry!  From top to bottom we have Liz with her father Harry and her dad Troy, both beaming with pride.  Next, is Liz clothed in her robes of glory (for now anyway).  The real ones come later.  On the same day as Liz's graduation from high school, our Brianna graduated from elementary school and we got pictures of her with her 6th grade teacher Mr. Kirschner and one of her and her dad.  Before that we had a special graduation for Liz.  She received special recognition for her studies in Hospitality and Tourism.  She received an orange cord to wear with her robe on graduation day.  She only has one semester left at the Community College until she gets her Associates.  We're so proud of her.  Last but definitely not least, Vance graduated from preschool.  He's not that into pomp and circumstance as you can see, he was moved to tears.  The only up side was he was able to give me "hand"made flowers as an early Mothers Day gift.  I am so glad it's over, it was quite a hectic week but well worth it.  Now it's time for all the camps and trips for summer.  Congratulations to Liz, Brianna, and Vance for jobs well done.  I love all of you and am very proud of your accomplishments.

Happy Birthday Vance!

The long awaited story of Vance finally come.  After Sarah was born I had a feeling we were supposed to have another baby and nothing happened.  So I decided I had been mistaken about the feeling and got a job as a lunch lady at Bennion Jr. High.  Not a glorifying job, but not many jobs keep school hours and I wanted to be home for the kids and I relished my time with Troy and so I refused night jobs.  About a month into the job I realized something was up and discovered I was expecting.  I was excited and bewildered as to why at the timing of it.  I told Troy and he dropped to his knees and cried (not for joy either).  He was crushed.  He felt like he was to old.  Well another month goes by and I start having horrible abdominal pain and went to the doctor who put me on bed rest.  So much for my job.  As it turns out Vance has always lived up to his name even then.  Vance means "thrasher" or "to thrash", separating the wheat from the tares so to speak.  We didn't know that when we decided on the name.  He was actually named after Troy's grandfather.  Vance was stubborn and liked to lay sideways inside me which ended up okay since I had placenta previa and he was going to have to come by way of C-section.  First time for me.  Then I developed diabetes and had to give myself insulin shots and what chore for some one like me who passed out at the sight of a needle (slight exaggeration).  I felt the spirit so strong around me lifting my up during that time.  I felt as if angels surrounded me.  I figured with all these firsts for me during this pregnancy that I would carry it a little further and not give Vance a middle name.  With most of my other babies I had an epidural and didn't have much problems.  Well it's a little different with a C-section and Vance.  They had a difficult time getting the needle in my back and I started to pass out.  They finally did it and the surgery began, well the drugs began working to well and I couldn't breathe because my chest muscles started becoming paralyzed by it.  They corrected the problem and Vance arrived kicking and screaming.  It took me 6 hours of oxygen to recover from the drugs.  Every time they tried to take away the oxygen my blood pressure would plummet.  Vance is also the first child not to breast feed because he was to impatient.  He also wanted to be propped up in the exersaucer when he was 1 month old.  He would only let Liz and I take care of him.  I am happy to report that his temperament is finally starting to get better and more fun.  I now know why the Lord chose his timing.  I needed everyones help to raise Vance.  As for order, one Vance would be a very good birth control if you could bottle it.  I love him so much and am grateful for him.  I have grown so much and am now more patient because of him.  I wouldn't trade him for the world.  All that energy he has just needs to be focussed in the right direction.  Nothing beats a hug from Vance, they're always giant bear hugs.  After all wouldn't the world be boring if we didn't have Vance's in it?  I love you Vance and Happy Birthday!

Happy Be-lated Birthday Sarah!

I feel so bad that I forgot to blog her birthday.  She weight 9 lbs 13 oz.  Sarah has the distinguished honor of being our only child who has never been in the hospital.  Other than to visit someone else.  Troy and I have never had insurance with his jobs and have relied on state medical insurance for the birth of 4 children.  In Sarah's case we earned to much by $30 a year.  Talk about frustrating.  She was our most expensive baby.  We paid a midwife $600. for all the prenatal and delivery.  The midwife was a polygamist woman and her husband was a doctor and about 30 years or more older than her.  It was very interesting.  Sarah was born in our West Valley home on May 27th  exactly 6 years to the day of Troy and I meeting for the first time.  It was probably the easiest pregnancy and delivery out of all my children except Greg.  It's a toss up on which was easier.  My parents showed up with my sisters and were going to pick up my kids and take them to their house when the midwife told them not to leave because the baby would be there in a matter of minutes.  My labor and delivery was a whole hour long.  I just had enough time to sanitize the sheets and get the bed made before she came.  My mom watched stunned as I practically ran around the house trying to get everything ready stopping only as a contraction would hit.  It's amazing how the brain can ignore a lot of pain by focusing on something else.  I never understood visualization until then.  I just learned how to control it during exercise.   Kind of cool, I think.  Anyway, she was a great baby and was happy most of the time.  She has always loved school and books.  I hope she continues that as she gets older and life gets tougher.  I love you Sarah!

Stay tuned for tomorrow.  In all the chaos, I forgot to blog Sarah's birthday.  So I will have 2 birthdays to blog about tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

My Jacob was a whopping 10 lbs. 2 oz.  He beat Greg by 1 oz.  You wouldn't believe it by looking at him now.  Jacob is so vivacious and loves adrenaline.  He has always anything athletic.  At 2 yrs. old he tried to roller blade with Greg's blade.  When he put them on they were so heavy and big on him that they promptly fell over two each side.  That didn't discourage him.  He was determined to do it and he finally did manage to stand up.  He didn't actually learn to blade until I believe the following year.  

Jacob almost hung himself twice.  The first time he was 3 yrs. old and playing with the tetherball and he wrapped it around his neck and it got stuck and he was on his tip toes.  I wasn't active in church at that time and still felt prompted to go check on the kids when I saw him hanging there just as his face was starting to change color.  The next time happened when we lived on Chateau Ave.  The kids strung out a rope from the tree to the truck mirror which was parked on the street.  Jake was roller blading and didn't notice or forgot or both, the rope.  It hit him right smack in the voice box.  He hit it with such force it left him winded and coughing and he had a nice rope burn.

As much as Jake likes extreme sports he is a little accident prone like me.  He broke his leg at 2 jumping on a tramp.  Broke his arm jumping off a tramp at the age of 6.  He had his appendix out when he was 11.  One time he got a bike for his birthday ( I think he was 5).  He decided to test it out and took off down the road.  On his way back he ran into a parked truck and manage to take some skin off his private parts.  Owwww!  He has no fear, a bad thing if you have his luck.  A couple of years ago I got a phone call from the police telling me that Jacob had been crossing over the overpass from Eisenhower Jr. High on the wrong side.  Some lady thought he was trying to kill himself and going to jump.  Jacob didn't know what all the fuss was about, he had his friend there guarding him so kids wouldn't push him off.  He thought he took all the precautions necessary.  He was off the bridge and on the ground by the time police and the fire trucks got there.  I grounded him for a month for that one.  

He is a great kid though and can make you laugh.  He is charismatic.  He loves life and thinks everyone feels the same way.  He is probably the most optimistic person in my family.  I love you Jacob and have a wonderful 14th year.  I can't wait for your ordination.

Most of us have had times were you don't feel very in tuned with the spirit.  I'm in that place.  It usually follows a spiritual high.  I sometimes wish that the high lasted forever and then I realize that if I don't have the low moments then I wouldn't appreciate or even realize I had the high moment.  Life has that circle in everything, health, finances, weather, friendships or other relationships.  It used to depress me when I couldn't be perfect all the time.  I even gave up all together on everything spiritual because I couldn't be perfect all the time.  I am so grateful for patient and righteous parents who set the right example to me and encouraged me and had faith in me even when I didn't have it in my self.  I am so grateful for the gospel in my life.  I used to think it was hard (sometimes still do) but find it easier than I ever thought possible and a lot more peaceful.  I joke sometimes about liking the boring life.  My life is really not that boring, just more peaceful.  I used to think I was having fun doing wicked things but I was confused, depressed  and deceived.  It's amazing how much better our vision is once you clean out the cobwebs of sin.  I am so grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ our Savior and the ability to confess sins and to be forgiven for them.  Back to the highs and lows, you never really realize how low you are until something comes your way and shows you the spirit again.  Conference was great but I still didn't get the full feel of the spirit until tonight just watching a video of a skit.  No words just some music.  It was poignant in how it depicted our relationship with Christ and how the world and all the temptations out there distract us from Him and all that is good and right in this world.  I want to get back that spiritual high feeling again.  I miss it.  Maybe this is the step to get me back there again.

     I have finally beat the internet conflict and am able to make a new post about our weekend with the Pitts.  Let me fill you in on a few before facts.  First Troy had decided we were going with some old friends to Strawberry Reservoir for Memorial weekend.  I balked at the idea because I had my sisters two kids on Saturday and Sunday and did not like the idea of trying to keep track of the 2 yr old in all the tall grasses out there, plus the standards of our friends are far from ours and I can only handle it in small doses.  It depresses me to see what they are doing to themselves and their family.  I decided I would just stay home and planned a girls sleep over with Samantha.  I was so excited.  Then some plans changed and she and her family decided to go camping at Cherry Hill.  I was so bummed, I cried.  My husband finally took pity on me and decided not to go to Strawberry and to stay with me and do some day trips.  I told Sam that we decided to meet them at Cherry Hill on Saturday and they were kind enough to invite us to camp with them on their site.  We made all the arrangements and packed up and left on Friday.  Troy had to do a side job on the way so he was going to meet us up there when he was done.  The Pitts and I were at Cherry Hill only about an hour when I got a call from Troy.  Let me back track once more briefly.  Thursday Troy and I went window shopping for trailers and found one we liked but knew we wouldn't be able to get one because we are considered high risk since we own our own business.  Well when Troy called he told me that we were proud owners of the tent trailer hybrid that we liked so much.  I was in shock.  I know we're completely nuts, but we have all the excuses ready as to why we should buy it.  Any way, I needed to go back to Salt Lake to sign the papers so we could use the trailer that weekend.  I really have no regrets doing this and we completely enjoyed camping with a trailer especially since we had 2 extra children with us and it helped corral them at bedtime.  

      We went swimming on Saturday and my nephew xander fell asleep sitting up on the tube in the lazy river.  It was so cute!  I took him out of the river and onto a lounge chair life jacket and all and laid him down and covered him with towels to keep him warm.  It was a breezy day.  My admission paid for me to sit there and watch my nephew sleep.  A rather pricey nap, I'd say.  

     We packed up and left Sunday and it only took an hour to do it!  So much nicer than the 3 hours we're used to.  It started to rain and continued most of the day much to Troys chagrin.  He wanted to go camp out at 5 mile and go 4 wheeling.  The weather cleared for about an hour and Troy was on top of it and had everything ready to go.  We left again and headed out to 5 mile just as it started to rain.  We ended up on the Pony Express route where there is very little rain and sure enough it was pretty dry.  We set up camp and got to enjoy a fire and marshmallows till about midnight and went to bed.  The next morning Troy called his sister and her and her children and Troys mom met us at 5 mile to go 4 wheeling.  All and all we packed up the trailer 4 times during the weekend and it was a breeze.  We could never have done everything if we had tented it.  It was a nice weekend.  I enjoyed it especially Sunday and Monday because I didn't have my nephews.

I just want to say thanks to Sam and Jason for allowing us to encroach upon their family time and adding a lot more noise and confusion than they are used to.  Sorry for the wake up call on Sunday.  Jason, thanks for the good time putting up the awning.  LOL!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so glad we have you for friends and I can't wait for the next outing.

Once Upon a LONG LONG Time Ago.......

since I wrote my last blog. 

 If you saw my journal you'd feel lucky.  I write in it about once a year if I'm lucky.  Vance graduated preschool and wouldn't go up front with the other kids to sing because he had serious stage fright.  We were lucky enough to talk him into walking up to get his diploma and his Mothers Day and Fathers Day gifts he made.  Hopefully he'll out grow this.

I have been so busy watching kids that I haven't had much me time to play on the computer.  I have been watching my sisters two boys and a friends daughter but at least it's some extra income since our business has been so slow.  I was able to buy a couch and love seat that I have put off getting for 2 years.  Good bye hand me downs!

Troy and I have been working in the yard a lot lately.  We got our garden planted and tore out some grass and made a new flower bed under my bedroom window.  I just love it.  It is so beautiful.  I always remember to take before and after pictures after I finish my project.  I will try to get some pictures downloaded this next week.  I love to show off our work.  I know it's not professional at times but I get such a joy out of the accomplishment that I like to share with everyone.  I guess I'm like a child still in that department.

Surprise!

     My friend Samantha and I have our birthdays the day after each other and they both fall an Mother's Day occasionally.  Well, this year Sam's husband and my husband got together and planned a surprise for our birthdays.  My husband played dumb like he really didn't know what was planned.  He did that because he knows that I am very good at figuring out surprises.  Which worked until it was almost time to leave.  I'll tell you more in a minute.  Sam and I had planned on going to get a pedicure for our birthday.  This was Sam's first time and she was nervous.  She got herself pretty worked up by the time we got into the chairs and so when the guy started to file her toenails she started to squirm.  It was a new and odd sensation and she wasn't sure if she liked the feeling.  After pulling her feet away a few times she decided she didn't like it and was just about to get up and walk out.  Luckily, the guy finished the toes and moved on.  By the time it came to the calf massage, Sam was sold.  She is now hooked on pedicures.  We left the nail solon and headed home feeling pretty good.  We were told to go to Sam's house and I explained that we couldn't because I hadn't done my hair yet, which of course messed up the surprise a little.  As I was getting ready to do my hair I notice that Troy's brush is gone and my brain started whirling with ideas.  I thought that the guys might be taking us to dinner and then to Sam and Jason's family "cabin".  I then thought maybe a hotel.  I made a comment on the missing brush and my daughter Liz said that maybe the kids took off with it again.  She was in on the plan.  I considered it and then I thought I would check to see if my bathing suit was were it was supposed to be but I got side tracked with getting my hair done.  When I was finished getting ready we headed over to pick up Sam and Jason.  After a few minutes we find ourselves heading up Parley's Canyon and figured we were headed to Park City.  We pull into the Ruby Tuesday parking lot in Kimball Junction which also shares it's parking lot with the Hampton Inn.  We hop out of the truck and the guys proceed to pull out suitcases from the back of the truck.  It was great.  After we got settled at the hotel we went to go find dinner.  Jason had found out some places that were supposed to be good.  We decided on an Italian place.  We saw a menu on the window stating that they have a four person family dinner for $24.95 and we thought we would give it a try.  Talk about a fancy restaurant!  They asked for Sam's name and then they seated us.  We ordered Cokes and water and took a look at the menu and about died.  The cheapest entree was $20.  After some conversing we decided we needed to leave.  Something I've never done before.  Of course Sam and Jason made a clean get away and just as Troy and I get up and start to walk the waitress shows up with the Cokes and water and we had to explain things to her.  She was very nice about it as we gave our apologies.  We ended up at a Mexican restaurant.  We were able to pay for that dinner and a movie and snacks for the same price as it would cost for just the meal at the first place.  After the movie we went back to the hotel and played cards and went to bed.  The next morning we had breakfast (not impressive) and then went for a drive.  We all went home and decided to get together again that night for some more games with our children.  Sam and I decided to put hair bows together instead and told the guys to go watch sports.  Instead they go to the store to pick up dog food and when they got back they got the kids together, which we didn't notice since we were busy with the bows.  They all came in the house singing "Happy Birthday" and had a cake in hand with candles on it.  They say they just grabbed the candles, which were the trick candles, on accident.  I still don't know if I believe them on that.  We were so surprised!  They definitely got me on that one.  I had no clue.  It was a wonderful weekend because of our loving husbands and children.

Mile stones

Everyone has milestones as they go through life.  Yesterday was a big one for my extended family.  It was Greg's birthday but this doesn't have anything to do with it.  My sister- in- law went through her closet and packed all of my brothers clothes.  She then took it to my moms house and had each of the siblings go through it to see if there was anything that anyone wanted.  This was very difficult for Teresa and my mom.  We all knew it was time to move on but it is always sad and difficult to let go of the things that we feel attaches us to someone and their memory.  The time has come to finish the healing process.  We will all still miss Brian and will continue to remember him and honor his memory.  Brian would be happy about this.  He was very adamant that Teresa not mourn to long and move on and get remarried.  Hopefully she will, for her sake as well as her children.  

     On another note.  Our family is now preparing for my other brother, Mark, to get married.  Which is scheduled for June 20, 2009.  It looks like it will be a busy summer this year.  Congratulations Mark!

Happy Birthday Greg

Greg's birthday is Wed. April 29th.  He will be 19 yrs. old.  Where has time gone?  Greg weighed 10 lbs. 1 oz.  and 19 in. long when he was born.  He was the easiest pregnancy and birth out of all my children.  My husband at the time was at boot camp and was unable to be there.  I called my parents and told them that I was in labor.  They only lived 5 min. away from me but had to get dressed since it was 3 in the morning.  By the time they got there, I was outside waiting and pacing back and forth with a grin on my face.  My mom asked if I was sure I was in labor and I said yes.  I guess it's not normal for a woman in labor to have a grin on their face.  I was just so excited that it totally over road all the pain.  Scientific proof of mind over matter.  LOL! My labor and delivery was 3 hours. I was dilated to an 8 when we got to the hospital. The pain finally kicked in and it raised my blood pressure so the nurses had me get an epidural and it stopped my labor.  Go to find out it wasn't just the epidural, my body always takes a break at an 8.  Go figure!  Greg was born blue from lack of oxygen.  He pinked up quick and had no problems other than they couldn't get the new born T-shirts to fit his shoulders and arms.

    Greg was always a happy baby and a tease.  All the nurses were totally taken with him through his whole toddler years.  Greg has a charisma that I don't understand.  He failed Jr. High and High school, yet all his teachers thought he was one of the greatest kids in class.  I guess I'm not the only sponge when it comes to Greg.  He has me wrapped around his little finger.  

     He is so lovable and talented.  I am so glad he is my son.  I am proud of him.  Happy Birthday Greg.  I love you!

It's Friday and I haven't seen Greg in 2 day and his birthday party is on Sunday.  I hope he shows up.  I had him out doing yard work for me a couple of days ago and I think I scared him off because he knows there's more to do.  Sigh!  I wish I knew what to do and how to communicate with him.  Sometimes I think I know what he's feeling and then the rest of the time it's like we speak two different languages.  Being a parent is difficult.  When they're babies you have to wake up all the time at night and change diapers, feed them, bathe them and just love them.  When they get older you don't have as many physical things that you have to do for them but you do still have to love them which I don't mind doing.  For some reason it's harder though.  You have to watch them make their own decisions and mistakes and it's heart wrenching.  

  In my mind it's kind of like the pioneers.  They were the babies.  Almost everything was physical needs.  Our time is like teenagers, it's almost all based on Faith.  We blindly walk into the dark waiting for the light to come.  It's scary.  Just think, Greg is my oldest and I have 5 more to get through.  I hope my heart is strong enough.

Survey

I read the comments on the Prom blog and wanted to survey everyone.

Was Liz's dress modest enough?

Please comment honestly.  I worry about it.  It's so hard to find things modest so we have taken to adding sleeves to the dress and I wanted to know if my efforts are worth it.  I feel like it's okay, but I don't always see things properly.  Thanks!

Working the soil

There is nothing so soothing as working the soil and preparing it for planting.  It brings you so close to the Lord.  So many things in life can be likened to working the soil such as, missionary work, fasting, obeying the commandments, etc.  We are able to give life and beauty to this world.  I get so antsy to start planting.  Some plants can be planted now but most need to wait because we still have threat of frost.  I plan on spending today working on the soil to prepare it for planting.  The soil is still soft from rain and snow but no longer frozen.  I'm going to attempt to move a sprinkler head and repair another.  My first attempt.  I'm a little nervous about it.   I will also be trimming and pruning grapes and trees.  The sun and Son make me so happy!

Prom

Saturday, my daughter Elizabeth went to Jr. Prom.  It has been so fun dressing her up for the past 2 years for these dances and I am so sad that this was the last one for four years.  Liz is a senior and about to graduate.  My next daughter Brianna is almost 12 yrs old and has 4 years until she can date.  The only way I'll get to do this before then is if Liz decides to get married during the next 4 yrs.  I love having daughters.  I guess I'll have to console myself with helping Jacob ask girls out in creative ways until then.  Then, he still has 2 yrs. until he can date.  My husband says I should start a dance fund during this lull.  Maybe he's right.  Even renting the dresses it still ends up costing around $100.00 per dance.  Crazy isn't it?  It has been fun though and I don't regret a dime of it.

There has been much outrage because I have been home from camping for 3 days and still have not blogged.  Hopefully this will be worth the wait.  Camping was fun.  We got to Vernon Creek Reservoir around noon on Friday and enjoyed the sunshine even if it was in the mid 50's.  By ten o'clock almost all our friends were stone cold drunk and amused us with jokes and stories from the past.  Saturday the weather changed to rain by 3:00 p.m. and continued off and on the rest of the night.  Vance being as active as he is, we knew would be impossible in the tent all day so I talked Troy into taking the family mudding in the truck.  We had a blast!  We almost got stuck, at which point we decided to head back to camp.  As a joke I asked Troy to stop and get a dead pine tree and chain it behind the truck and drag it to cover our tracks and to announce Christmas at camp.  I was probably the only one who thought it was humorous.  Sunday turned out beautiful and we were the last ones to break camp and enjoyed a few hours of peace and quiet with just the family.  We saw over 8 deer out there and several hawks.  It was awesome!  Now we just have to talk the Pitts into going out with us.  Hint! Hint!  

Monday we celebrated out family anniversary and went to Iggy's for dinner and then watched The Tale of Desperoux.  Dinner was great the movie not so great.  Let me tell you about our tradition of the family anniversary.  Troy and I were married in November but were sealed to each other and the children April 16th.  We  decided that since we were sealed as a family that we would celebrate as a family each year.  We always go to dinner and an activity as well as dessert.  Since we went camping this weekend we were on a budget for the anniversary and we celebrated early because Liz had to work on the 16th.  It is a wonderful tradition.  I hope to carry it on for many years to come.

The last couple of days have been very busy trying to get all packed up to go camping.  Troy left this morning and will be sorely missed tonight.  I'm already past my bed time since it's almost midnight.  I tend to have sleeping problems when Troy is gone.  It's not really a fear just an emptiness or void.  I used to have a hard time going to sleep then I married Troy and it's better than taking a sleeping pill.  He doesn't seem to think that's a good thing.  LOL!  He has a very calming and comforting affect on me.  I love him very much.  I can't wait to leave in the morning so I can be with him.  I want to give a big shout out to Jason and Sam for letting us borrow their tent trailer.  We really appreciate it.  Thank you so very much, you are wonderful friends.  We love you.

Facebook

I absolutely love Facebook.  I am able to connect with old friends and relatives that don't know that I exist.   I have heard that it is addictive though, so I'll have to be careful not to go overboard on it.  I was a little bummed today to see that they are working on the site and so it is down for a few hours.  I was contacted by several people that I want to connect with and can't do it any other way than through FB.  I have not done much today other than play on the WII.  My kids say I'm addicted to Animal Crossing.  I do enjoy it but I think their more addicted than me.  They play a lot more hours.  Well I think I'll kick Vance off the WII and take another turn at Animal Crossing before the other kids get home.

Among the peoples of the earth there is neither inferiority nor superiority; that we are all sons and daughters of God and therefore sisters and brothers with each other; and that we have an obligation to respect and help one another.

Each of us occasionally needs to be disciplined and instructed. But such feedback ought to be offered in a spirit of correcting, helping, and strengthening.

.....Gordan B. Hinckley     Standing for Something

I guess I have a bug up my butt.  I have had to listen to someone blame all her and her children's problems on her ex husband and this man use to be my ex husband so I am more than qualified to reply to her comments.  In all fairness he is not perfect.  It takes two people to get married and it takes those same two people to break that marriage apart.  I definitely had my part in the break up and have apologized for the wrongs I did.  He has forgiven me.  He is a wonderful man and I see no reason to bash him just because he didn't live up to the expectations she had for him.  You can't marry someone just because of their potential.  Each of us have things that has happened to them and it has stopped them from becoming more than they are.  Some are molested, raped or just degraded until there is no semblance of Self Worth.  He is such a man.  He tries so hard and can't get passed  his past.  To use the government system to get your revenge is so wrong.  A person can only take so much before they break.  A person needs money to live on.  If you make them pay so much child support and alimony that they can't live on their own then something is wrong.  He has always payed his child support to me and is currently trying to pay the astronomical amount the state of California is telling him to pay.  They went off what they thought he was capable of earning and not what he actually earns.  I am outraged that his ex wife would do this to him just to "kick his butt into gear" and get more than one job.  She lives with her mom and doesn't pay for anything and it was her decision to move there and guilted him into moving with her and the children then proceeded to tell him he couldn't do anything right.  Her parents did the same thing to him until she asked for the divorce then he decided to come back here to Utah were he could afford to live.  He currently lives with his mom and is taking care of her since she was diagnosed with cervical and uterine cancer.  All his free time is in taking care of her.  I will try to feel forgiveness in my heart for this woman but, it will be hard.  What ever happened to compassion?  Does everything have to be about what we can get out of it?  I could say more but it would only be even more depressing.  I know, you say , why doesn't he do something about it?  The answer is he wants to take care of his kids no matter what the expense.  I wish he could find a good woman, who understood him and could accept him for the person he is.  I'd hate to see him lose faith in all women and in the church.  If anyone who reads this has any suggestions, let me know.

He that governeth himself is greater than he that taketh a city.  

.............author unknown

Ode to Diets

I was one who never really cared about dieting.  I couldn't be bothered with the stress of trying to look like everyone else.  I didn't worry about my weight, I was normal to slightly heavier than normal most of my life.  My weight wasn't a problem, my fashion style definitely was.  I was told every day by a girl in high school that I was ugly and my momma dressed me funny.  It did wonders to my self esteem.  It was hard enough that my family was poor let alone getting teased because we couldn't afford the "cool clothes".  My weight on the other hand was in the okay range and I didn't mind it, until after I had a few children.  I only fluctuated 5-10 pounds either way, but with each child after my third I couldn't remove those last  ten pounds until now where I am over my normal weight by a whopping 75 pounds.  Most of the time it still doesn't bother me because I am strong and healthy.  After so many ads and pressure to look like a sucker kind of gets to the self esteem.  I am today at a point were I am not happy with my weight.  I am not eating right and stuck in this horrible addiction to carbs.  After watching Conference I decided that I needed to change and get control of the addiction.  I use to smoke and drink alcohol and rarely ate unhealthy things, now I don't smoke or drink and I almost always eat unhealthy things.  I guess it's true that you don't get rid of the addictions you just trade it in for a new one.  With the help of the Lord maybe I can trade this bad eating habit in for a new one that is better and healthier for me.  So if I show up to dessert group and try to order unhealthy please be kind and remind me that I'm trying to change my habits.  I could use all the help I can get.  I don't want to be a supermodel just a better me.  A message for Sam, quit crying!  Ha! Ha!  I am okay and I do love myself no matter what I look like.  I am special.  I deserve to treat myself that way and to quit hurting and punishing myself.

Friends old and new

I'm not a professional writer but was encouraged by my friend to start blogging.  Hopefully it won't be as boring to read as I fear it might be.  I am so grateful for my friends, they have a tendency to make you stretch and grow in ways you don't feel comfortable with.  Sam is a new friend and I have so enjoyed her.  She is fun and funny.  She helps me to come out of my shell a little.  I wish I could be as expressive as her.  Her enthusiasm is contagious, even if I don't always show it.  

Last November my husband and I went to New York with Sam and her husband Jason and we had so much fun laughing, playing cards, swimming and sight seeing.  We all forgot that we were well out of our teenage years.  Now I know what it's like to take a mental vacation as well as a physical one.  It was absolutely freeing.

I just got in contact with an old friend from high school and even though all my memories aren't good, they definitely changed me.  A person can not become who they are with out the good and the bad and so I am grateful for everyone who has touched my life.  I am excited to get to know my old friend all over again now that we're both adults and have grown up.  Ginger and I had fun getting into trouble and hanging out and just helping each other get through those difficult times when you feel like everyone is staring at you because you have grown a third head or something.  She was there when I had my first serious boyfriend and we even shared an apartment for a short while.  Thanks again to all my friends, old and new.  I hope to reconnect with some more old friends.  Some whom I miss terribly.