Vacation....too bad it is not everyday

I love vacations!  I love being away from work.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if  we could work only 4 weeks a year and vacation the rest?  Right now, I think it would be wonderful.  I so do not want to go back to work tomorrow.  I want to  stay home for a week and vacation in my home....relaxing and doing nothing.  That will not happen though so I will have to live on the memories of California.

We had a great time in Northern California.  There was not much time between coming home from Utah and leaving again.  I spent my days at work and my evenings washing clothes so I could pack again.  Thursday afternoon I took off so I could get everything ready to leave early Friday morning.  I have decided that Southwest airline points are wonderful as I have been able to fly us free this whole summer.  Our trip to California would have taken us 14 hours to drive but we flew in 1 1/2 (but the one hour drive to our condo took us three). Still, it was much shorter than driving all day long.  It is fun to see the kids excited to fly too and fight over the window seat.  They can all have it as I take the middle - that way I have two hands to hold when we take off and land.  However, it has gotten to where it does not bother me anymore...I just use it as an excuse to hold Rob's hand. 

We stayed in Tina's timeshare condos again in Windsor, California which is about an hour outside of San Francisco.  The nice thing about condos is they have the full kitchens and we can cook some meals there and have fridges to put our food in.  It sure cuts back on the cost of eating out everyday.  We spend the first couple of days just sightseeing. We all wanted to go to a beach on the coast, but our drive never took us to the state park we were looking for. It only took us on a very curvy road that made people car sick.  We did find a small beach by some picnic tables so the kids were able to play in teh beach for a few hours.  I was not getting in - I don't swim in ice cold water.  It was funny - Rob said he was going to wade in just to get his legs wet, but the first wave in took him down and he went under. After that, he was in all the way.  The kids had a blast and it was nice on the beach - not like the beaches in Hawaii, but nice.  Our next trip was to the Redwoods to hike and picnic. We had a BBQ lunch under the huge trees of the forest.  The kids were able to climb inside of trees - all 15 of them and still have lots of room.  We went on a hike through the forest and even took mom and Mckay in their wheelchairs. I have not laughed that hard in a long time.  My mother was hilarious and had a great time. She was four wheeling in her wheelchair - literally.  I loved the mountains and the cooler weather. I love to be outdoors. 

We took a day to go to San Francisco and I loved it there.  I would love to go back just for a weekend with just Rob.  One day was just not long enough. It was fun to shop in some of the little shops outside of China town, go down Lombard Street, see the trolleys, and head to the wharf.  I would like to ride the trolleys just to say I have done it and I would love more time to stroll the shops of the wharf.  Trying to get everything into one day just was too much.  We did shop some and I bought a jacket that I love.  The kids had fun seeing the ships and shopping too.  They liked the cheap prices.  My whole family (I forgot to mention we went with my parents, Tina and Rick, Scott and Diane - and all their kids), went to Bubba Gumps for dinner.  My sweet husband I know would have loved to go there to eat seafood but the rest of us don't like it, so he sacraficed and ate greasy food with us.  I need to take him back for that seafood.

Our children decided they were not too tired to do a canoe trip that we had planned, so we headed for the Russian River one morning for that.  They were all excited - for about 1/3 of the trip.  I do agree, the trip needed to be much shorter.  It was only 10 miles long - but that is a long 10 miles to row.  Poor Rob was the "driver" of our canoe the whole way so his arms were pretty sore.  I got the luxury seat in the bottom of the canoe and needless to say, could not feel my bottom half when we were done.  I think I bruised my tail bone.  It was  beautiful day for the trip and the river was pretty.  The kids wanted to be done about 5 miles in but we had no choice but to go the whole way.  It was either that or carry our canoes the 5 miles back to our cars. 

I think the highlight of the trip for the kids was the day we spend at Six Flags.  I am spoiled and love Disneyland and DisneyWorld.  Six Flags was okay but it was not nearly as fun.  I think I only went on one ride but that was one ride enough.  Those roller coasters are very harsh and extreme there.  Too many twists and upside downs for me.  I was not too well when I got off for about a half hour.  I spent the rest of the day watching the kids loving them all.  They really enjoyed the rapids and came off soaked each time.  We were able to watch some marine shows and see live animals too there so that was nice.  It was another long day but it was a good one.

All too soon, it was our last day.  The kids spent the day at the swimming pool and game room. Rob went to an air museum with the guys and I packed everything one more time.  We packed into the car like sardines to take the trip back to the airport so Rick did not have to drive in the traffic.  It was a late flight home and we got here about 12:30 a.m.  We were tired but relaxed.  I wish we could have had another week.  Instead, I spend the next two days washing all the clothes and repacking them for the men in my life to go to scout camp for a week. They left today and I miss them already. I can't wait for them to come home so I can do 20 loads of laundy again :-)

I do have to mention, Boyd went on a mini mission the last two days. I thought for sure he would be too tired to go, but he really wanted to go.  He actually got a "call" for his mission and spent it with the elders here going to all their investigators.  He loved it!  He said it makes him want to go on his mission even more.  I love those opportunities for my children.  I love vacations...I love being a mother

Life flies by....

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Life flies by....

So, it is a quiet Sunday afternoon and I am here at my parents house in Orem, Utah. All of my brothers and sister will be here later today with all there children so with 30 people in the house, it will no longer be quiet. I am trying to keep myself entertained so I dont snack all day, and I really don't want to take a nap. I suddenly remembered that i have been wanting to post few a while now but life has been so crazy....so, hey, lets do it now. It will keep me awake and I will feel good about myself. Our lives have been so crazy busy since Britt's graduation that time just flies by. We have had lots of exciting things happening during that time, so hopefully I can remember them all.

I am here in Orem with the two boys. Boyd is heading out to EFY tomorrow for another wonderful week. I get jealous that I can't spend a week doing nothing but feeling the spirit and learning about Christ. We have sent our children every year and will continue to do so as long as we possible can. They come home with such strong spirits and wonderful stories. He is so excited to go...always a little hesitate about finging out who his roommate is, but excited just the same. Boyd turned sixteen a coupld of weeks ago and has matured so much this past year. He still does not have his drivers license as he needs another six hours of driving time before he can get it. He tells me all the time...."if I had my license, I could go do this or that". Hopefully by the end of June he will have it. Turning sixteen also meant he becamse a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. We felt bad that none of our family could come down for the ordination (another downfall to living so far away). His ordination was wonderful. Rob has such a knack with blessings. I love to hear him give them. The first Sunday that Boyd blessed the sacrament, he was very nervous. He was able to have Rob at the sacrament table with him though and what an honor that was. I teared up to see them both there with the sacred ordination. Boyd's voice was very trembly as he blessed the water, but he did a great job. He has yet to have to repeat the prayer - knock on wood. He is very honored to prepare the sacrament and loves perfoming his duties. I still can't believer how quickly they grow up.

School is out for the summer already which is unreal. Again, life flies by. The boys finished with good grades and were ready to be out. Skyler was given the award for the top sixth grader in the school which is quite remarkable. He is such a smart kid if only he would channel his mind that way. He thinks that he can do anything and get straight A's without having to study. He learned the hard way that is not possible and did better after that. I know I am his mother, but I think he too has matured in the last few months. He behaves better and minds better but he is still a little bit spoiled. The best part is though, he still loves to come running to me to give me hugs and kisses. I hope he never grows out of that one. I love those moments. Our summer will be spent here in Utah, then a trip to California topped off with the boys all going to scout camp. Hopefully maybe we can go on a weekend campout too before school starts.

Brittnie had a wonderful trip to Japan. I created a blog for her while she is gone that you can read here.. brittniejapan.blogspot.com I felt so bad for her when we picked her up as she had only had about 2 hours of sleep in 30 hours. She was way tired but stayed awake until midnight as she wanted to tell us stories and pass out presents. I have not seen my daughter so happy in so long. I dont' know if it is the fact that she graduated, that she is older, that she has a good job, that she went to Japan...not sure. It matters not though to me as long as she is happy. I love having all of my children home and enjoy the times we have together. We have lots of long nights and lots of laughs. She loves to tease her little brothers (well, Boyd is not so little anymore as he is taller than all of us - including his father). Hopefully she can continue to enjoy being home. She has gone to a single adult activity and hope there will be more. The bishop in the other ward has a really cute son that I keep telling her I am going to line her up with. She only laughs but I know deep inside she would like to date.

As for Cortnie, she is Cortnie. She still likes to stay up really late and spend money on her primary class. She was suppose to meet with the bishop today to start the mission process, but he did not have the papers he needed so they could not meet. Hopefully he can get her in before we go to California so she can meet with the stake president after that. Her papers can go in on July 11th which is only a month away. I have such mixed feelings about it all. We went to the temple last week and I could not stop thinking that I would be taking her there soon. Then I think about it during church and start to cry. It is so bittersweet. I want her to fulfill her dreams, but I am going to miss her sooooo bad. I try not to think about it, but it does not work. When Brittnie left the first year for college, I practiced saying good- bye. It did not help but I think it prepared me a little bit. I am doing the same with Cortnie. However, it is never easy and this will be no exception. She managed to get through her doctor's appointment on Friday and only need 3 shots, a TB test, her blood drawn and a finger poke. She is paranoid of needles and was crying before they started. I held her hand tried to comfort her, but she still screamed. She made it through though and now just has one more step...the interviews.

So, life flies by. I love all the blessings that we have and I love time with my family. Summers are really hard for me to work as everyone is home. The girls working this summer though has helped some but I hate the boys being home with nothing to do. I work only 9 days this month and will only do 4 days a week in July. MOney will be tight, but I want to be home. I prefer that over anything. I just pray that I can fly as fast as life is and continue to be happy. Life is really good for me right now....

Congratulations Brittnie

Wow...I can't believe she is actually a college graduate!  I have not seen a smile on that face that large forever. She deserves to be happy and proud of herself.  I know we are way proud of her!  It still seems like yesterday that I graduated with her inside of my belly - so she actually walked the stage at SUU twice as a graduate.  Congratulations sweetheart...be safe in Japan

All Are Safely Home

Our house is now a full home again.  We went from having jus the boys at home to having all four children back and it is wonderful.  Well, Boyd is not sure about that as he had to give up his room for the girls, but I think it is great.  I love sitting every night with all of my family, going to church together, playing, laughing, and just sitting together.  It is great!  For some reason the house seems so much smaller to me now but that could be cause the kids are bigger and take more room.  I have lost my garage as it is now a storage unit for all the stuff from college but I have not parked inside for a couple years now anyway.  If it means they are all here, it is fine.  I worry about the girls being home with no social life here, but they seem to be happy.

Cortnie was so excited to come home last weekend.  I flew to Salt Lake to be able to drive back with her so she was not alone.  I did not expect to have to get up at 3:00 a.m. to help her finish cleaning her apartment before check out at 8:00.  I should have known better after last year, but my hopes were up (and then were crushed).  We managed to get it done though and then spent the rest of the day resting before the big drive.  She is going to work again at Payless Shoes until she goes on her mission this fall.  We get to start on the paperwork really soon and turn those papers in the first of July.  That is only like two months away - it does not seem real.  I am excited for her but also sad too.  Selfish for myself but know that she will be an awesome missionary and wants to serve so bad.

This week we leave for Cedar for graduation - I can't believe I will be at one of my childrens college graduation. It seems like just yesterday I was graduating while pregnant with Brittnie and now she is going to be walking the stage in her cap and gown.  Where has all the time gone?  Where is that little baby girl that I gave birth too just two months after recieving my diploma?  She is now a beautiful young woman whom is so strong and so wonderful.  She leaves for Japan in 12 days for a study abroad program.  I will worry the whole time she is gone as it is a foreign country and you never know what happens there.  I can't deny her the right to go though, she has worked so hard to get there.  I am excited for what she will learn and what she will see. 

Our lives are always busy.  Work has been so crazy and I am so tired of working 45 - 50 hours  a week.  Something needs to be done cause I can't continue that way.  I am ready to go back to my four days and have some down time for myself and with my family.  Hopefully soon.....at least I have a few extra days off this week for graduation.  Other than that, we are good.  Boyd turns 16 in a couple of weeks and wants to drive alone but he is not ready yet. Skyler keeps my hoping as he wants to be grown up but yet is still my little boy.  As for Rob and I, we are very happy parents and best friends.  I miss him when he is gone and long to spend all my time with him.  He makes me happy and gives me so much.  Life is good....

A Great Year...so far

Can you believe it is already the middle of March. Time seems to speed by as each year comes. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be able to board the train before it takes off. Life....so busy yet so wonderful. We are truly blessed.

Can I remember anything outstanding about our year so far?....not really. I just know that I am so happy and love life. I have the most amazing husband and he truly is my best friend. I will say that we have not been home many weekends together so far this year. He has been at lots of airshows, helping friends move or I have been away too. I am so glad our weekend trips are finally over. We can not settle down and enjoy being together ----- and we get to work in our yard!! I know that Rob can hardly wait for that bonding time.

We have Brittnie living back home with us now as she was not able to secure a job in Cedar and we could not afford to pay for her apartment as a storage unit. She kicked her brother out of her bedroom and he is now back in with Skyler. Boyd was not too happy about all of that. In fact, he wanted us to set up a bedroom for Brittnie in the garage. Isn't he so loving? It is fun having her home but it is never quiet now. The minute she comes home from work, the teasing starts. The funny think is, her brothers egg it on so they can't complain when she teases them. She has worked hard to find a job and actually had four offers at one time. She is trying so hard to earn the money needed for her trip to Japan in May. She even did dirty janitorial work. For now though, she is working in the afternoons at charter school and will start this week working for an eye doctor. It is nice to see her working and I think she is loving the paychecks.

Brittnie and I were able to go to Orem for my nephews wedding in February and that was wonderful. There is nothing comparable to a temple wedding. To see a bride and groom kneel across the alter to be sealed for time and eternity is tear jerking. I look forward to the day as a mother when I can witness that for my own children. It was great to spend those couple of days with my family just relaxing and having fun. We even went to my niece's baptism while we were there so it was awesome. I wish I could be there right now as my mother just had another shoulder surgery to repair the first surgery she had that fell apart. She is finally out of rehab and everyone has been assigned shifts when they are available to help take care of her. My wonderful daughter, Cortnie, has offered to take my spot and fill in whenever she can. She loves to take care of her grandparents and is such a help to them. Now to just get mom healthy enough to go on vacation with all of us in June.

The boys, well, they are boys. They love to play electronic games and watch TV. The weather is so perfect outside right now that I hate to see them stay in the house all the time. Boyd is getting better at driving even though he still scares me. To think he is suppose to have his license in two months is really scary - but they all grow up.

We are in Panaca right now for the weekend visiting Rob's parents. We don't do a whole lot while we are here so we bring stuff to keep us busy. Rob's father can not do much anymore so we just try to stay close to visit with him. Mom does all that she can to take care of him but I worry that it is wearing her out too. How we love them. They gave me the best gift anyone ever could and that is my husband. They raised a righteous son and taught him to honor me and love me. For that , I will be forever grateful.

So, life is good. We love to help people and love to be with our friends. I look forward to the time with Cortnie can come home for the summer too and then we can all be together again. My house is not complete when there is an empty chair.....

Great end to 2011

Yes, I am only about three weeks into the new year, but so far it has been crazy and I have not yet had time to write. 2011 was a wonderful year for us. We are so blessed and had so many blessings giving to us last year. I can not even begin to tell you all that we have.....I would be writing all day and never be able to stop. I am so grateful for all that we have been given and that we are healthy and happy. Let me recap the last little while .....

Brittnie is officially a college graduate...it actually says so on her college transcript now. I still can not believe it. Now what?? I am sure she imagined that she would be married and having babies by the time she graduated, but life does not seem to be that way for her. She is still trying to figure out what her Heavenly Father wants her to do but I think part of her is afraid to ask Him that question. In the meantime, we moved her back home yesterday. Boyd is not very happy about giving up his room and moving back in with Skyler, but he is being a trooper about it. I have mixed feelings. I love having her home but I worry so much that she will not have a life here. She has applied to be a substitute school teacher so hopefully will start to get phone calls for that. She is going to Japan in May for three weeks so it will be hard for her to find a job now that will give her the month off. If she subs, it will not be an issue. I just hate to see her sit around all day with nothing to do and no one to talk too. There are no kids here her age (let alone boys) so that leaves her with no social life. Bitter sweet to have her home...just hope she can figure it all out soon.

Cortnie finished out strong last semester at BYU and had her best one yet. She was worried about getting new roommates, but has fallen in love with the two she has. They are both freshman so she plays mother hen to them and helps them around campus. She is so happy when I talk to her at night and it was so great having her here for a few days over Christmas. Our home was complete with her here and it was wonderful. I miss her terribly. It is almost time for her to start her mission papers and that too is bitter sweet. I think everyday "how will I do this when Cortnie leaves" but I knwo that it will all work out with our Heavenly Father's help. We had a wonderful Christmas with her home and an enjoyable week in Utah after. I am looking forward to seeing her again in two weeks.

Boyd is Boyd. He is doing much better with his driving and school. I will say that I think he is the most like me. He worries way too much and cries so easily. He loves to give me hugs and protect me and that makes a mother proud. He is not embarrased to have me around and tries so hard to make us all happy. He was given his fathers bow for Christmas which before that was his grandfathers. He takes such care of that bow....and he is pretty darn good.

Skyler has grown in the last month. He was able to recieve the priesthood on the same calendar date of his baptism, which is also his grandfathers birthday. He was so excited to pass the sacrament the first time. The bishopric made sure he could reach the bench before church started and he could so no stool was needed. He did forget to wait for the cups as he passed the water on the first couple of rows, but he did not spill on anyone. He is so proud to pass that sacrament and his young mens leader says he has really settled down. We had 40 people at his ordination and it was quite the night. I am so grateful we did it in Utah where his family could all be there. Christmas was kind to him too as far as gifts, but he did get one he did not want...the stomach flu. He woke us up sick on Christmas morning about 2 and puked all night. He was suppose to talk in church that day which he was not able to do. We waited for him to feel somewhat better before opening the presents, but he was just not well that day. I felt so sorry for him. Luckily he was good the next day and no one else got it.

We had a wonderful Christmas and vacation. Christmas is always my favorite time of the year. I am proud to say I spend way less this year and everyone was still happy. The kids got new games and clothes and lots of love. It was fun to watch them buy for each other with a five dollar budget. Creativity works good that way. We had a great time with our relatives but I don't remember really doing much. There was no snow so we could not go sledding this year but we laughed and ate like we always do. I left missing them so much again - especially my daughter. It is hard to drive away and leave her there. I am so grateful for the emphasis the church puts on the family. They are the most important thing in my life. I would give up everything for them and they are whom I want to spend all my time with. They make me happy.

Here is to another great year!! 2o12, here we come\.....

I am not getting old!!

So, my husband tells me the other day that it has hit him that he is getting old. I told him that he might be but that I was not....I am still 29. It is amazing that I can be only 29 when my baby is turning twelve this week and will soon get the priesthood. He has been told they will be providing a stool for him to stand on to be able to reach the sacrament table. He sang for the last time today with the primary children and he looked like he was one of the kids in junior primary. Poor kid, such a short small body. He makes up for it is spirit though.

Rob also feels old because our oldest finished her college career this week. She finished her last final on Wednesday afternoon and is now officially a college graduate with a BS degree. She will not walk for the graduation ceremony until May but she is officially graduated. What will she do now? She has no idea. She is taking a couple of weeks off to enjoy the holidays and will figure it out from there. Hopefully a job is in her future and she will be able to earn money - and hopefully that will not be here in Bullhead. I would LOVE to have her here with us (Boyd hopes note as he does not want to share a room again) but there is nothing here for her. She needs to be where she can have a social life and earn a decent living. It is just hard to believe that my baby girl is a college gradaute.

So yes Rob, you are getting old but your dear sweet wife never will be old. She will always be as young as her children. I love you