Spring?

We got up to gorgeous weather on Saturday. It was in the low to mid 60s! Wow was it amazing. Sharman, Syd and I went for a short motorcycle ride and I couldn't help but smile to myself as I remembered how much I love doing this.

I hung up a load of laundry on the line and love the way it smells when I fold it.

Sunday morning we got up and it was a VERY different story. Overcast and threatening rain.

This morning we got up to SNOW! What is wrong with this picture?......Oh that is right, nothing....we live in Idaho.

One Year Later

When Dad died a year ago, I was certain I wouldn't live through the night. How could life go on without Ben and now Dad? I just knew I couldn't go on. But then the night came and in the morning the sun rose and so began a new day. Each day this same trend occurred until here we are a year later. It seems so surreal. I can still see Dad in my mind's eye sitting on the couch in the entry room of his home talking with me, Amy, Laurie, and our kiddos. I can see the crows feet lining his eyes as he smiles while his grandchildren run around yelling, "Papa, watch this...watch me!" He truly delighted in each one of the grandchildren and they knew he loved them with all of his heart.

I am really grateful for my family. This past year has been very difficult and tried us to the very foundation, but it has not changed my love for each and every one of them. How I hope that one day we will all be together again watching our children and their children and their children run around shouting, "Hey, watch me!" It is truly one of the greatest things our Heavenly Father has ever done. Family....It really is what it is all about!

Mama....Tell Me About The Good Old Days

Last night after dinner, Sharman and I were in our room thinking back to when we were dating, first married, our first house, etc. After a while we pulled out the good old photo albums and started through them and looked back at things we have done and places we have been.

Soon we had one little kiddo curled up next to her Dad looking at the photos too and asking all about them and who and what and when and where. Not too much time had passed and another kiddo (this one not so little) had weaseled his way onto our bed and into the fold of his Dad's arm looking at the photos too.

Before the night was over we had lots of albums and squeals of "Oh look, there is Amy and me!!!" and "Wasn't I so cute when I was a baby?" and "Is that you or Kendon Dad?" and "Mom, where was I in this picture?" It really was a wonderful night and we all felt wonderful. It is a great way to connect again with your kids.

We loved looking and reminiscing. This morning, Syd got up and asked if we could do it again tonight. She wants to focus more on her album tonight.

Yep, I Am Classified As A Grown Up

I was talking to my sister-in-law Lisa the other day and we have come to agree that we are officially classified as grown ups. Why? Because we get excited when we buy things like a new upright freezer or a new washing machine.

I am now classified as a grown up because I am thrilled with the kitchen and dining room floors that Sharman just got finished staining. I love it.

Do you think this means I have to give up other fun things I love like.....

Riding my bike...... or.......

Roasting marshmallows and hotdogs over a campfire...... or.......

Feeding ducks at the nature park in the middle of winter...... or.........

Helping grandma do her makeup ..... or.......

Getting piggy-back rides from the most favorite man in my life?

If these things are out now that I am classified as an adult.....I want to change my vote.

You Have To Be Kidding Me!

I just got off the phone with Zack's doctor.

The good news...

The final pathology report is back. Nothing bad shows up. No infection, no inflammation and the tissue looks fine.

The bad news....

No idea what is happening.

The good news....

The doctor took two separate bone biopsy samples to send for testing.

The bad news....

Both biopsy samples ended up in pathology so microbiology never saw it and considers it contaminated once pathology opened it.

The good news.....

Antibiotics may be the key.

The bad news....

Another trip to Utah to see the doctor for a follow up visit and a scolding for Zack on why being 10 doesn't mean you are a doctor who can remove your own stitches.

The good news....

Zack's toe itches terribly. This means it is healing.

I am just shaking my head right now and thinking....You have to be kidding me!

Fun Giveaway

I just found this really cool blog that is giving away free stuff. Check it out at http://mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com/.

And no.....you don't have to be a Mommy to enter!!

Another Update

We go into surgery tomorrow morning. Fasting begins at midnight tonight followed by check in at 11:15 a.m. This is really hard as a parent to take your child in to have surgery. You would so much rather do that than have them go through it themselves.


As many of you know, Zack being the somewhat (ok really) dramatic child he is, isn't going to be a fan of this at all. I worry more about his ability to deal with it mentally rather than recover or endure it phyisically.


I have been incredibly grateful to family and friends for the love and support you have offered. You have no idea how great it is to have you in my life. I really feel loved.



On a downward note.....my sister and sister-in-law both have to have surgery for cysts on their ovaries. Although I am not disclosing their names.....please pray for them. At this point prayer can only help us. (This disclosure is to protect the innocent (them) and possible guilty parties (me for disclosing.)