Monday, December 21, 2009

OH WHAT FUN IT WAS TO SEE EVERYONE!!!
WELL WE DID IT, WE SPENT THE PAST FIVE DAYS VISITING FAMILY AND SHOPPING,EATING,SEEING LIGHTS, SWIMMING,SHOPPING SOME MORE AND ABOUT GOING CRAZY IN UTAH!! I WAS SO GLAD TO GET AWAY FROM ALL THAT CITY CLUTTER AND CRAZINESS!! ANYWAY, THIS IS OUR TRIP IN A NUTSHELL, WE STARTED OFF ON WED. NIGHT AFTER CHEROKEE GOT OUT OF WORK, THE KIDS AND ME WENT TO LOGAN AND ARRIVED AT ABOUT 11P.M. AT VIC'S TO SPEND THE NIGHT AND SOME TIME WITH HER AND ELLIE. I THINK CASH PROBABLY DROVE VIC NUTS WITH ALL HIS CHATTERING. I THINK HE MIGHT OF HAD A LITTLE TO MUCH SUGAR ON THE WAY!! WE WOKE AND VIC MADE US YUMMMY WAFFLES AND HOT COCOA, WE GOT READY AND HEADED TO DEBBIE AND JACK'S. VICKY'S TREE WAS VERY PRETTY, CASH SAID IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, SHE HAD IT DONE IN SILVER AND PLUM, IT LOOKED REALLY PRETTY SHINNING AT NIGHT.
TO THE JOHNSON HOUSE TO SAY HI AND GOOD-BYE TO JACK WHO WAS HEADED TO WORK, I HAD A NICE LITTLE LAUGH AT DEBBIE, SHE HAD ELECTRIC CURLERS IN HER HAIR WHEN I ARRIVED, I DIDN'T KNOW THEY STILL MADE THOSE THINGS!! DEBBIE HAD GOODIES ALL OVER HER HOUSE WITH CHRISTMAS IN EVERY CORNER, IT REMINDED ME OF A GINGERBREAD HOUSE!! WE HAD A NICE VISIT WITH DEBBIE AND CORY AND A NICE LUNCH WITH THEM. HER TREE WAS LIKE A OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS TREE, SHE EVEN HAD THE CHARLIE BROWN GANG ON IT!! HER AND JACK HAVE BEEN SINGING CHRISTMAS SONGS AT NIGHT TO EACH OTHER-PRETTY ROMANTIC!!!
TO CONTESSA AND LORIN'S HOUSE WE GO!! I LEFT DEBBIE AND JACK'S AROUND NOON, PICKED UP MARTY IN BOUNTIFUL AND HEADED TO UTAH COUNTY-YIKES!! IT WAS A MAD HOUSE AROUND THAT AREA, WE DID STOP AT IKEA, CHEVY AND CHEROKEE THOUGHT IT WAS THE COOLEST STORE EVER!! I GOT THAT ANXIETY FEELING IN THERE AND MARTY JUST HAD FUN CHASING CASH EVERYWHERE!! WE WENT OUT TO DINNER WITH MARTY'S MOM AND RANDY, JOHN AND KATHY, THERE IS A REALLY COOL PIZZA PLACE IN PROVO THAT WE ATE AT, IT WAS NICE TO SEE THEM AND ENJOY THERE COMPANY. CASH LOVED ALL THEIR CATS, HE CHASED THEM ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
WE WENT SWIMMING THAT NIGHT, BUT IT WAS PRETTY COLD, SO WE BASICALLY JUST TALKED AND GOOFED AROUND. WE WENT TO THE HOWLETT HOUSE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, SHAWNA GOT A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT EARLY, JUSTIN CAME HOME AND SURPRISED HER, I THINK THAT MADE HER WEEK!!! THEY STILL HAVE THEIR HORSES, BUT THEY ARE PRETTY OBEDIENT, SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOUR IN A BARN, JUST A FRONT ROOM WITH HORSES HA-HA!! WE GOT TO VISIT WITH SPENCER AND SAM TO, IT WAS NICE TO SEE HOW THE HOWLETT BOYS HAVE GROWN INTO FINE YOUNG MEN-YOU TO SAM HA-HA!! SHAWNA OF COURSE SPOILED CASH WITH A FARM ANIMAL SET, HE LOVES THE PIGS AND HE CAN STILL GET HER NAME RIGHT. FRIDAY WE SPENT THE DAY SHOPPING AND GOING TO SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES, I GOT TO SPEND ABOUT FOUR HOURS FRIDAY NIGHT WITH MY GIRLS SHOPPING AND GIGGLING. IT WAS SO FUN TO JUST BE WITH THEM AND WATCH THEM, THEY HAVE BOTH CHANGED SO MUCH AND IT WAS FUN TO LISTEN TO THEM. CONTESSA TOOK HER SIBLINGS TO HER HOUSE FOR PIZZA SO THAT MARTY AND ME COULD GO OUT TO "MI RANCHITO," THAT IS ONE THING I MISS ABOUT UTAH!! CONTESSA DID HER TREE IN SOME DISNEY ORNAMENTS, IT IS A LITTLE TREE, BUT JUST RIGHT FOR THEM.SATURDAY WE WENT TO GARDNERS VILLAGE AND WALKED ALL OVER AND TOOK PICTURES, THEN WE WENT TO THE GATEWAY AND SHOPPED A LITTLE, THEN IT TURNED COLD SO WE LEFT AND WENT TO CROWN BURGER FOR DINNER, IT WAS YUMMY!! WE THEN WENT TO TEMPLE SQUARE, THEY DON'T HAVE AS MANY LIGHTS AS THEY USE TO, BUT IT WAS STILL REALLY PRETTY. WE TOOK LORIN TO THE JOSEPH SMITH BUILDING UP TO THE TENTH FLOOR, THAT WAS WAY COOL FOR THEM, THE REFLECTION POND ON THE SQUARE WAS AMAZING. AFTER TEMPLE SQUARE WE HEADED TO WENDY AND NORM'S, THE FOG WAS REALLY BAD THAT NIGHT, AND I GOT A LITTLE NERVOUS DRIVING, BUT WE MADE IT.WE STAYED AT THE HOWELL'S OVERNIGHT, WENDY OF COURSE HAD HERE HOUSE ALL COZY AND WARM!!! CASH SAID HER HOUSE WAS BEAUTIFUL, NORM MADE US A NICE BREAKFAST SUNDAY MORNING AND WE HAD A NICE GAME OF HAND AND FOOT!! WENDY HAD TO UNWRAP SOME PRESENTS TO SHOW ME, THAT SHE HAD MADE, SHE DOES A AWESOME JOB ON JEWLERY!! CASH LOVED ALL HER TOYS AND EVEN CONIVED HER OUT OF A GOLF SET-THE LITTLE WEASEL!! WENDY AND NORM HAD THEIR TREE DONE IN REDS, IT GLOWED REALLY PRETTY AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY!! HER PUPPIES ARE DOING WELL AND ACTIVE!!
CHEROKEE GOT SICK AT THE HOWELL'S AND SO WE THOUGHT WE BETTER GET ON THE WAY TO THE ROBERTSON HOUSE BEFORE SHE GOT WORSE!! WE GOT TO JOIN IN ON THE ROBERTSON FAMILY PARTY, IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES AND WATCH THEM INTERACT TOGETHER. BECKY MAKES CHRISTMAS FUN, SHE DECORATES BIG-MEANING HER TREE WAS REALLY TALL, SHE MADE YUMMY GRANDMA CAMPBELL CHICKEN NOODLES, IT MADE ME WANT TO CRY, IT BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES!! THE ROBERTSON GRANDKIDS PUT ON A NATIVITY AND GRANDPA PAUL READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY, IT WAS FUN PLAYING GAMES WITH THEM AND WATCHING THEM OPEN THEIR PRESENTS FROM EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE TALENT IN THAT FAMILY, THEY DID HOMEMADE GIFTS AND WOW I WAS AMAZED AT WHAT THEY CAME UP WITH!! BECKY AND PAUL HAD SNOWFLAKES ON THEIR TREE WITH PRETTY BULBS, IT WENT TO THE TOP OF THEIR STAIRCASE!!! THEY WERE VERY GRACIOUS HOSTS TO LET US BE A PART OF THEIR FAMILY!! AFTER A LONG WEEK WE HEADED HOME, OUR BEDS FELT WONDERFUL AND CASH EVEN SLEPT THRU THE NIGHT-I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!!! THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US COME INTO YOUR HOMES AND FOR SHARING YOUR HEARTS AND FAMILIES WITH OUR FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE GIFTS AND FOOD, BEDS AND FOR BEING A PART OF OUR LIVES. WE LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE YOUR WEEK IS FILLED WITH LOVE AND LAUGHTER AND THE PEACE OF OUR SAVIOR. LOVE, CHERISE, MARTY, CHEROKEE, CASH, CHEVY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

A LITTLE CATCHING UP!

WHAT A BUSY PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ARE FAMILY HAS HAD!! OCTOBER FLEW BY AND KEPT US PLENTY BUSY WITH CHEVY'S EAGLE PROJECT AND CHEROKEE GOING TO INDIANA. CHEVY'S PROJECT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME, WE HAD ABOUT 120 PEOPLE THERE AND EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE PERFECTLY, IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY, BUT PEOPLE DIDN'T SEEM TO MIND. I AM SO PROUD OF CHEVY FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK, THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A HUGE PROJECT INSTEAD OF A LITTLE SERVICE ONE, BUT HE HAS HUNG IN THERE AND IS ALMOST DONE YA-HOO!! MARTY AND ME DRESSED UP AS CLOWNS, WE EVEN WENT OUT TO EAT WITH THE CAMPBELL FAMILY DRESSED UP, MARTY HATED THE FACE PAINT AND COMPLAINED THAT IT ITCHED HIM ALL DAY, HE DID HAVE A RASH ON HIS FACE WHEN WE GOT IT OFF, SORRY HONEY!! CHEROKEE HAD A BLAST IN INDIANA, SHE TOOK 31ST IN INDIVIDUAL COMPETION OUT OF HUNDREDS OF KIDS AND THEY PLACE 9TH OUT OF ALL THE UNITED STATES TEAMS, WHICH THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF. SHE TOOK 1ST IN INTERVIEWING IN THE STATE OF IDAHO AND WILL GO ON TO NATIONALS THIS SPRING, WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER ALSO, SHE IS VERY DEDICATED AND WORKS HARD FOR HER FFA TEAMS AND STILL FINDS TIME FOR SCHOOL WORK, WHICH SHE HAS A 3.9 AND WORKS A JOB FOUR DAYS A WEEK. SHE IS OUR LITTLE ENERGIZER BUNNY!! I AM ALSO PROUD OF CHEVY AND HIS GRADES, HE GOT A 4.0 THIS TRI AND HE HARDLY EVER HAS HOMEWORK, THE KIDS ALL GOT THEIR DAD'S BRAINS, THEY ARE ALL DEEP THINKERS AND HARD WORKERS!! AS FOR LITTLE CASH A ROO, WELL LET'S JUST SAY HE HAS GIVEN HIS DADDY A RUN FOR HIS MONEY THIS PAST TWO WEEKS!! I TELL MARTY ALL THE TIME THAT CASH WEARS ME OUT AND HE JUST KIND OF LOOKS AT ME LIKE I AM CRAZY-LIKE A THREE YEAR OLD CAN'T WEAR YOU OUT! WELL SINCE I HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO STAY DOWN AND NOT LIFT OR ANYTHING, MARTY HAS FULLY TAKEN OVER AND HE IS REALLY WORE OUT!! I JUST SMILE AT HIM AND ASK HIM HOW CASH IS?? HE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME TOMORROW SINCE DADDY HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK, HE LOVES MARTY TO PLAY WITH HIM AND TAKE HIM PLACES!!
AS FOR MARTY, WELL HE HAS BEEN AWESOME THE PAST TWO WEEKS, HE IS AWESOME ALL THE TIME, BUT HE REALLY OUTDID HIMSELF WITH GIVING UP HIS VACATION TO STAY HOME AND HELP ME. HE IS SO GOOD TO ME AND OUR KIDS, HE NEVER COMPLAINS EVEN WHEN I AM GRUMPY, AND WHEN HE WAS IN UTAH LESS THEN 12 HOURS AND HAD TO TURN AROUND AND COME BACK HOME-YOUR A TROOPER MARTY AND I LOVE YOU AND FEEL SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS MY HONEY-BUNS!! AS FOR ME, WELL I AM FINALLY HEALING THE RIGHT WAY AS OF FRIDAY, IT IS NOT A FUN THING TO RIP YOUR STAPLES OPEN, BESIDES THAT THEY LOOK NASTY!!! I STILL AM VERY SORE ON THE INSIDE, AND TIRED ALOT, BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS THAT IS NORMAL AND TO JUST BEHAVE!!! OUR LIBRARY CARD RAN OUT RIGHT BEFORE SURGERY, SO I HAVEN'T HAD ANYTHING TO READ, I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY LIFE HISTORY AND I HAVE ABOUT 80PAGES HANDWRITTEN!!
CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE DOING ALRIGHT, TESS HAS BEEN VERY SICK WITH THIS PREGNANCY, I HOPE IT GOES AWAY NEXT MONTH, WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER FOR STICKING THRU SOME TUFF THINGS THAT SHE HAS HAD TO DEAL WITH, AND WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THEM HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SHE WANTS TO GO SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY, I THINK SHE MAY HAVE TO PUT ME IN A SHOPPING CART!!
AS FOR THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR, WELL I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR GOOD HEALTH AND THAT WE HAVE SUCH AWESOME THINGS TO HELP US FEEL BETTER AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO DO SO!! I AM GRATEFUL EVERYDAY FOR A WONDERFUL HUSBAND WHO HONORS HIS PRIESTHOOD AND LOVES ME AND OUR CHILDREN. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE A MOM TO FOUR OF THE MOST COMPASSIONATE CHILDREN, WHO ARE STRONG IN THEIR LIVES TO BE HARD WORKERS AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE GOOD CHOICES, I AM SO LUCKY TO BE THEIR MOM AND I LOVE THEM DEARLY. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR FAMILY AND TO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO BE WITH MINE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I FEEL SO LOVED AND AT PEACE WHEN I AM AROUND MY SIBLINGS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WE HAVE SUCH A CLOSE BOND AND I LOVE THAT. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE GOSPEL NOT A DAY GOES BY, THAT I DON'T THANK MY HEAVENLY FATHER FOR THAT AWESOME BLESSING IN MY LIFE AND THAT I HAD PARENTS THAT LOVED ME ENOUGH TO RAISE ME IN THE CHURCH, THAT IS SUCH A MIRACLE IF YOU REALLY LOOK AROUND US AT THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE THE GOSPEL, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR MY FREEDOM AND TO RAISE MY KIDS IN SUCH A GREAT COUNTRY-THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE TO KEEP US FREE!!
I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR MY SAVIOR, HE IS THE VERY CENTER OF MY LIFE, I HAVE SUCH RESPECT AND LOVE FOR HIM THAT IT IS OVERWHELMING AT TIMES TO THINK THAT HE DIED FOR ME, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE OF HIM AND TO BE ABLE TO TEACH MY CHILDREN THAT KNOWLEDGE AND SHARE WITH MY HUSBAND THAT GREAT BLESSING OF ETERNAL LIFE. I TRY EVERYDAY TO JUST STOP AND TAKE A MINUTE TO BE THANKFUL FOR SOMETHING AND IT IS SO PEACEFUL TO GIVE THANKS AND TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED. I LOVE EACH OF YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU HAVE MANY BLESSINGS OF LOVE, AND PEACE IN YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON!!! LOVE, THE CARRILLO'S

ONE THING I HAVE TO ADD-ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE CAMPBELL PARTY, MARTY AND ME WERE TALKING ABOUT THE SWEET LITTLE NATIVITY THAT THE SECOND GENERATION OF GRANDKIDS DID, WELL I ASKED MARTY IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SPECIAL THAT HE NOTICED AND HE ASKED ME THE SAME, IT WAS SO NEAT BECAUSE AT THE SAME TIME WE BOTH RESPONDED THAT WE FELT THE PRESENCE OF GRANDMA AND GRANDPA CAMPBELL THERE AT THAT MOMENT WHEN THOSE SWEET KIDS GOT UP, WHAT A NEAT THING TO BE ABLE TO BE WORTHY OF HAVING THAT VEIL SO THIN FOR A FEW MINUTES, WE TRULY ARE BLESSED!!

THE DANG PIG GOT US!!

IT'S OFFICIAL WE NOW ARE IN THE FIRST STAGES OF "SWINE FLU," I SAY STAGES BECAUSE THE DOCTOR SAID IF YOUR NOT REALLY CAREFUL IT WILL JUST KEEP RECYCLING ITSELF, SO BASICALLY CASH HAS GOT IT AND WE WILL GO FROM THERE!! I AM PRETTY SURE HE GOT IT FROM NURSERY, IT IS LIKE ONE BIG GERM POOL IN THERE, I TOLD MARTY LET'S JUST ROTATE FROM WEEK TO WEEK AND KEEP HIM HOME UNTIL NEXT SPRING!! I HATE SICK KIDS, SO IF ANYONE ELSE IS GOING THRU THIS AT YOUR HOMES, I FEEL WITH YOU!! ANYWAY, A LITTLE INFO. ON THE GOINGS OF OUR HOUSE, CHEROKEE WAS ON THE NEWS LAST NIGHT FOR FFA, SHE WAS SO CUTE AND OFFICIAL, SHE MADE ME VERY PROUD!! SHE LEAVES FOR INDIANA NEXT WEEK, I JUST HOPE SHE DOESN'T GET SICK-SHE HAS BEEN SMOOCHING WITH TRAVIS AND HE HAS BEEN REALLY SICK WITH SOME WIERD THING, SO I TOLD HER THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SMOOCH TO MUCH!! BUT IT SURE IS FUN!! CHEVY AND CHEROKEE COMPETED IN BURLEY THIS PAST WEEK FOR FFA, THEY TOOK FIRST IN STATE AND WILL GET TO GO TO NATIONALS IN NEVADA THIS SPRING, CHEVY IS THE YOUNGEST TO COMPETE, SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM, HE DID AWESOME AND EVEN THOUGH HE WON'T ADMIT IT, HE LIKED IT!! THINGS ARE COMING TOGETHER FOR THE BIG EAGLE PROJECT, I WILL BE GLAD TO HAVE IT DONE-HE HAS WORKED SO HARD AND I REALLY AM PROUD OF HIM FOR OVERCOMING SO MANY OBSTACLES WITH IT. CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE STILL IN OHIO, SHE SAYS SHE IS READY TO COME HOME-SHE HAS BEEN PRETTY DANG SICK AND GOING FROM PLACE TO PLACE HASN'T HELPED-SHE SAID THAT OHIO IS BEAUTIFUL THERE AND WOULD LOVE TO LIVE THERE IF HER IN-LAWS DIDN'T DRIVE HER NUTS!! I JUST LAUGHED AT HER!! MARTY HAS BEEN BUSY AS USUAL, I WILL BE GLAD WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT HE CAN TAKE TIME FOR HIMSELF, HE WORKS WAY TO MUCH AND THEN COMES HOME AND HELPS ME, SO I JUST WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM RELAX A LITTLE! AS FOR ME , MY LIFE IS CASH, AND TEEN-AGERS, I JUST TRY TO KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER EVERY WEEK, BUT I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS-I LOVE BEING A MOM AND WIFE AND IT MAKES ME FEEL COMPLETE IN LIFE!! I FOUND OUT THAT MY NOSE DOCTOR I WAS SEEING WAS IN JAIL IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA FOR FALSE-A FYING DOCUMENTS TO MAKE MONEY-I KNEW THERE WAS A REASON I DIDN'T GO BACK TO HIM LAST SPRING-HE MADE ME FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, SO I PICKED UP ALL MY EX-RAYS FROM HIM AND TOOK THEM TO ANOTHER DOCTOR . THE FIRST DOCTOR TOLD ME I WOULD NEED SURGERY TO REMOVE 12 POLPS THAT I HAD, THE SECOND DOCTOR TOLD ME HE COULDN'T FIND ONE POLP AND THE ONLY THING HE COULD SEE WRONG WAS I HAVE A CROOKED BONE ON TOP OF MY NOSE THAT COULD BE CAUSING SOME PROBLEMS, I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE IN MY WARD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FIRST DOCTOR IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW, SO I AM GLAD THAT I LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST, AND HOPEFULLY MY NOSE WILL CLEAR UP. IT IS KINDA SCARY TO THINK THAT YOU TRUST THESE DOCTORS AND YET THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN TO AND CAN MAKE WRONG CHOICES. LIFE IS JUST FULL OF ADVENTURE!! WELL MUCH LOVE TO ALL, I NEED TO GO AND HOLD CASH-HE IS SO WHINEY TODAY AND MARTY IS TRYING TO SLEEP(THANKS FOR GETTING UP WITH HIM THRU THE NIGHT HON). LOVE, C

A BUSY MONTH

I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR NEXT SUMMER, YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, I AM TIRED OF SCHOOL HOMEWORK, GETTING CHEROKEE READY FOR DANCES, AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND TRIPS TO COLLEGES, I ALREADY MISS MY GREEN GRASS AND BEING ABLE TO WEAR CASH OUT, BY BEING OUTSIDE, LIFE NEVER SLOWS DOWN, I EVEN MISS SNUGGLING WITH MY SWEETHEART-THIS IS COMING FROM SOMEONE WHO IS VERY CLAUSTROPHOBIC!! I DO LOVE FALL, I JUST WISH IT WOULD SLOW DOWN LONG ENOUGH TO ENJOY IT!! CHEROKEE HAD HER BIG DANCE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WE FOUND HER A CORAL DRESS THAT WAS ABSOLUTLY BEAUTIFUL, IT LOOKED SO PRETTY ON HER, SHE GOT HER HAIR DONE AND EVEN WORE JEWLERY, I HAD TO PULL TEETH TO GET HER TO, BUT SHE DID FOR ME!! SHE OF COURSE WENT WITH TRAVIS, WE WILL POST SOME PICTURES SOON!! CHEVY IS SO BUSY WITH GETTING HIS EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT READY, IT IS A LOT OF WORK, HE IS DOING A CARNIVAL AT OUR HOUSE FOR THE HANDICAPPED SCHOOL AND A CHURCH IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS PRETTY MUCH BROKE, SO WE ARE BUILDING PROPS, GATHERING DONATIONS OF GOODIES AND MAKING THINGS, I THINK WE ARE CRAZY, BUT LIFE IS GOOD AND I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!! CASH IS DRIVING ME NUTS, HE NEVER QUITS TALKING, AND IF HE CAN'T GET MY ATTENTION THEN HE SCREAMS MY NAME UNTIL I ANSWER HIM, MARTY IS DOING GOOD, HE HURT A NERVE IN HIS NECK, AND HE IS JUST SO STUBBORN, HE WON'T GET IT CHECKED. HE TELLS ME THAT HAVING SEX WILL CURE IT, I JUST LAUGH AND TELL HIM, HE IS GOING TO BE IN A LOT OF PAIN!! CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE GETTING READY FOR OHIO, THEY WILL BE GONE FOR TWO WEEKS, I AM EXCITED FOR THEM TO GET TO SEE HIS FAMILY, I THINK HE IS HOMESICK. WELL FOR NOW WE LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE YOU ARE ALL WELL!! LOVE, C

OH A LITTLE NEWS-WE ARE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS IN MAY!! WOW THAT IS SO STRANGE!! CONGRATS ZIPPAY'S, WE LOVE YOU LOTS!

I LOVE FALL!!

SO IT IS SOOO VERY BEAUTIFUL THIS TIME OF YEAR, OUR LEAVES ARE CHANGING QUITE RAPIDLY, THE CATS FUR IS THICK, OUR PUMPKINS HAVE BEEN ORANGE FOR OVER A MONTH, THE NIGHTS ARE WAY COOLER IN FACT YOU DON'T WANT TO SLEEP WITH TO MANY WINDOWS OPEN, BECAUSE YOU WILL WAKE UP SHIVER-ME-TIMBERS!! THE AIR IS AMAZING, IT SMELLS SO GOOD, THE STORES ARE PACKED TO THE BRIM WITH FALL ITEMS, AND OF COURSE HALLOWEEN YA-HOO!! I LOVE HALLOWEEN AND THE CANDY, I LAUGH AT MYSELF, BECAUSE I WILL BUY A PACK OF CANDY JUST BECAUSE IT HAS A CUTE WRAPPER!! I KNOW I NEED HELP, I AM A LITTLE OVER BOARD WHEN IT COMES TO HALLOWEEN!! I JUST HAD TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS ON FALL!!
AS FOR THE FAMILY, IT HAS BEEN A STRANGE MONTH, WE HAVE HAD SOME KIND OF COLD CRAP THAT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL REALLY TIRED AND IT WON'T GO AWAY!! BUT LIFE IS TO BUSY TO BE SICK, SO ONWARD WE HAVE WENT, MARTY HAS BEEN BUSY DOING WELL I AM NOT QUITE SURE, I SWEAR THAT BASEMENT IS TAKING WAY TO LONG!! MAYBE I SHOULD CHECK ON HIM MORE OFTEN AND SEE IF HE IS SNOOZING!! CASH IS SO FULL OF IT, HE TAKES NON STOP AND IS SASSY!! HE LOVES PUMPKINS-KINDA TAKES AFTER HIS OLDER BRO AT THAT AGE!! HE ALSO LOVES SCOOBY-DOO AND ANYTHING SCARY!! HOWEVER THE SCARY BASEMENT IS NOT FOR HIM! CHEROKEE IS DRIVING HER MOM NUTS, SHE CONSTANTLY HAS SOMETHING GOING ON THAT SHE FORGETS TO MENTION TO ME, UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE WHEN SHE NEEDS SOMETHING!! HER BRAIN IS ON OVERLOAD FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, SHE HAS VERY HARD CLASSES, STUDYING FOR COMPETION, AND WORKING, TRYING TO FIND A HOMECOMING DRESS-THEY CHANGED THAT TO FORMAL - THE DORKS!! CHEVY IS ALSO STUDYING FOR COMPETION, CHEROKEE GOT HIM INVOLVED IN THE FFA SO HE IS GOING TO POCATELLO AND BURLEY TO COMPETE. IF THEY WIN, HE GETS TO GO TO OKLAHOMA THIS SPRING!! HE IS SUCH A GOOD GUY, HE HELPS ME OUT SO MUCH AND ONLY COMPLAINS ONCE IN AWHILE!! HE IS NOW TALLER THEN HIS MOM BY ABOUT TWO INCHES AND HE IS SO PROUD OF THAT FACT!! I JUST STAY BUSY WITH BEING A MOM AND I AM COMPLETLY CONTENT TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SCENE BEFORE ME!! BEING A MOM IS THE BEST!! I HAVE STARTED A EXERCISE CLASS, EVERYDAY FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, I AM GOING ON MY THIRD WEEK AND SOME DAYS I HURT SO BAD I WANT TO CRY, THANK HEAVENS FOR MEDICINE!! IT WILL GET BETTER SO I WILL KEEP TRUCK'IN ON.
CONTESS AND LORIN GOT TO COME AND STAY THE WEEKEND WITH US-THANKS FOR BRINGING THEM PART WAY SAM AND SHAWNA!! WE HAD SUCH A RELAXING WEEKEND WITH THEM, WE WENT AND SAW THE MOVIE, "UP" IT IS SO CUTE AND HAS A WONDERFUL MEANING FOR ALL OF US OLD FOGGIES!! WE HAD A HUGE HOTDOG ROAST ON SATURDAY NIGHT, WITH LOTS OF FRUIT AND YUMMIES!! THE FRIUT WAS SO GOOD FOR SOME REASON, MAYBE IT IS THE SEASON!!! WE WATCHED A MOVIE LATER AND WENT FOR A WALK, SUNDAY WE TOOK SOME FAMILY PICTURES, PLAYED NINETY-NINE (AWESOME GAME), I THREW IN SOME RIBS FOR DINNER AND THEY WERE DELICIOUS, IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE THEM COME AND CASH LOVES LORIN AND HIS SISTER, IT IS HARD WHEN THEY LEAVE, HE CRIES AND HITS THE DOOR WITH HIS FIST. CONTESSA AND ME ALSO WENT CRAFTY SHOPPING, IT WAS FUN BUT NOT LONG ENOUGH, WE GOT SOME CUTE THINGS THOUGH!! THANKS FOR COMING SISTER SUE AND TEDDY BEAR! WE LOVE YOU GUYS!! WELL I AM OFF TO DO LAUNDRY AND SEE WHAT THE MONSTER IS UP TO-HE IS BEING WAY TO QUIET!! LOVE TO YOU ALL, C
OH DOES ANYONE HAVE A GOOD HOMEMADE SCONE RECIPE??

A LITTLE ACCOUNT OF OUR SUMMER FUN!!

THIS WAS SUCH A BUSY SUMMER AND FULL OF FUN AND EXCITING THINGS! IT WENT BY WAY TO FAST THOUGH AND IT SEEMS THAT IT GOES BY FASTER EVERY MONTH, I MADE A COMMENT TO MARTY THE OTHER DAY, THAT WE JUST HAVE TO LIVE EVERY DAY TO THE FULLEST, BECAUSE IT IS JUST GOING BY SO FAST. I SEEN A COUPLE THE OTHER DAY THAT WAS CELEBRATING THEIR 65TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, I DON''T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, BUT IT STRUCK SUCH A CORD IN ME. ON ONE HAND IT MADE ME WANT TO LIVE EVERYDAY BETTER WITH MY SWEETHEART AND ON THE OTHER IT MADE ME KINDA SAD TO THINK THAT MARTY AND ME HAVE BEEN TOGETHER 20 YEARS AND IT JUST ALL WENT BY SO FAST. SO I TOLD HIM THAT WE HAVE TO BE THE CLOSEST WE HAVE EVER BEEN IN LIFE, SO THAT WE NEVER HAVE ANY REGRETS, AFTER ALL WHEN THE KIDS ARE GONE, WE ONLY HAVE EACH OTHER AND I WANT US TO BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS STILL!! HE JUST SMILES AND TELLS ME, HE LOVES ME AND THAT I WORRY OVER THE SILLIEST THINGS!! ANYWAY SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR SUMMER WERE,
1. CHEROKEE GOT HER DRIVERS LICENSE (THIS WAS HUGE!)
2. THE 4TH OF JULY WITH CONTESSA AND LORIN (IT WAS SO RELAXING AND CONTENT KNOWING I HAD ALL MY CHICKENS UNDER MY WING) IT'S A MOM THING
3.WORKING ON THE BASEMENT(BECAUSE I GET TO DECORATE SOON)
4. WATCHING CHEVY TURN INTO A YOUNG MAN(HIS VOICE CHANGED)
5.WATCHING CASH LEARN TO TALK(HE NEVER SHUTS UP)
6.WATCHING MARTY JUMP INTO THE LAKE TO RESCUE OUR PHONES(HE IS PRETTY FAST FOR 38)
7.GOING TO SOME GREAT PLAYS IN ISLAND PARK
8. GETTING MY NEW SANTA FE
9.GETTING PRODUCE OFF MY GARDEN(SO FAR ONLY ZUCCHINI) BUT HEY I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH IT!!
10.GOING ON CAR RIDES WITH MARTY AND SEEING THE BEAUTY ALL AROUND US FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
ALL IN ALL IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUMMER AND WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH FUN BEING TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.
IT IS KINDA SAD WHEN YOUR KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL, KNOWING THAT YOU ARE LOSING ANOTHER ONE THIS YEAR TO LIFE. SOMETIMES I REALLY WISH THAT I COULD OF HAD TEN KIDS, BUT WE ARE SO GRATFUL FOR OUR LITTLE CASH A ROO, HE WILL BE HERE UNTIL I HAVE A FULL HEAD OF GRAY AND MARTY HAD A CRICK IN HIS BACK!! ALTHOUGH, I HATE LOSING MY CHICKS, I ALSO HAVE GAINED ANOTHER AND I LOVE WATCHING MY KIDS EXPERIENCE LIFE AND I HAVE CHUCKLED MANY TIMES AT WHAT THEY LEARN AND HOW THEY HANDLE IT. BEING A PARENT IS THE GREATEST BLESSING ON EARTH!! GOOD -BYE SUMMER AND HELLO FALL!! LOVE TO ALL, C

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK TO MARTY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTY, WE LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR US!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND A FUN BIRTHDAY!! SINCE MARTY IS TURNING THE BIG "39" I AM GOING TO TELL YOU 39 THINGS I LOVE OR REMEMBER ABOUT HIM!!

1.HE IS A VERY TENDER HEARTED GUY
2.HE IS A VERY GOOD DADDY TO OUR KIDS
3. HE IS A GREAT HUSBAND
4.HE IS A GOOD BEAR HUGGER
5.SOMETIMES HE IS A LITTLE STUBBORN
6.HE LOVES HIS FOOD SPICY-VERY SPICY!!
7.HE LIKES TO LOOK AT AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINES
8.HE LIKES TO GO TO THE MOUNTAINS
9.HE LIKES TO GO LOOKING FOR OLD TRUCKS-50'S
10.HE LIKES REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
11.HE LIKES HIS STEAK BLOODY AND MOOING
12.HE LOVES THICK BOLOGNA WITH RUNNING EGGS
13.HE TREATS ME SOOOOO GOOOOOOD
14.HE DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE WHO PUT DOWN THE THINGS HE LOVES-IT REALLY GETS HIM RILED
15.HE RAN INTO SOME ROSE BUSHES WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY ON HIS BIKE
16.HE HATED SHARING HIS BIRTHDAY AS A LITTLE BOY
17.HE GAVE A GIRL A NICKEL RING WHEN HE WAS IN ABOUT 6TH GRADE
18.HE LOVED WORKING AT LIONEL PLAYWORLD, BECAUSE HE GOT TO BE OVER THE "GHOSTBUSTER TOYS"
19.HE IS A GREAT KISSER!! YUMMY!!
20.HE IS PATIENT WITH ME
21.HE IS A HARD WORKER AND CAN BUILD AND FIX ANYTHING
22.HE LIKES TO WORK ON OUR BASEMENT AND LEARN NEW THINGS
23.HE HAS A PINCHED NERVE IN HIS NECK-AND HE IS TO STUBBORN TO GET IT FIXED
24.HE WEARS A SIZE 13 SHOE
25.IF HE HAD LOTS OF MONEY HE WOULD WANT TO HAVE HIS CHEST FIXED AND FIX UP HIS OLD CHEVY
26.HE HATES COLD NOODLES
27.HE HATES CASSEROLES
28.HE REALLY HATES DOGS!!!
29.HE LOVES STRIPPY KITTIES-GRAY ONES ONLY
30.HIS FAVORITE PASS TIME IS WORKING ON HIS OLD TRUCKS
31.ONE OF HIS REGRETS IN LIFE IS NOT SPENDING MORE TIME WITH HIS DAD
32.HE IS AT THE TOP WHEN IT COMES TO HYUNDAI MECHANICS-HE CAN'T GET ANY HIGHER-I AM SO PROUD OF HIS KNOWLEDGE
33.HE TRIES VERY HARD AT GARDENING-HE DOES PRETTY GOOD
34.HE LOVES TOMATOES AND CORN
36.HE HATES TEXTING
37.HIS FAVORITE DRINK IS DR. PEPPER OR SPRITE
38.HE WANTS SOME OVER-ALLS BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY LONG ENOUGH
39.HE IS JUST A GREAT PERSON ALL THE WAY AROUND!!
WE LOVE YOU MARTY AND HOPE THAT YOU GET ALL THAT YOU WANT IN LIFE AND DREAM FOR!! LOVE, CHERISE AND KIDS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!! LOVE, CASH

ONE OF THESE WINTER DAYS!!

I AM SO TIRED OF MY BLOG PICTURES, BUT SORRY I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WINTER AND WHEN I HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO CHANGE EVERYTHING, YOU SEE I HAVE THIS LITTLE MONSTER THAT LIKES TO GET ON THE COMPUTER WITH ME AND SO MY TIME IS USUALLY LIMITED TO SHORT SESSIONS. I WOULD DO IT AT NIGHT EXCEPT, I AM FORTY YOU KNOW AND I NEED THE SLEEP TO HELP WITH THE WRINKLES I AM GETTING!! SO FOR ALL OF YOU THAT ARE IN YOUR THIRTIES, TREASURE THESE YEARS!! ANYWAY, I THOUGHT I WOULD AT LEAST CATCH UP A LITTLE ON WHAT WE ARE DOING AS A FAMILY, CASH IS WITH MARTY AT THE MOMENT SO I HAVE A FEW MINUTES. JULY WENT BY SO FAST AFTER THE FOURTH, WE CAUGHT UP ON YARD WORK, WORKED IN THE BASEMENT, WALLPAPERED-THEN ARE TAKING IT DOWN BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE IT!! CHEVY WENT TO SCOUT CAMP FOR A WEEK, SO I DECIDED TO GO TO UTAH WITH MARTY AND STAY AT CONTESSA'S, WE HAD ALOT OF FUN DOING SOME CRAFTS AND I HELPED HER RE-ARRANGE HER LIVING ROOM. IT WAS NICE TO SEE MARTY AT NIGHTS, PLUS I GOT TO COOK DINNER FOR THE BIG TEDDY-BEAR OF OUR FAMILY. I ALSO GOT TO VISIT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND THAT LIVES IN LEHI, SO THAT WAS ALOT OF FUN. I THINK THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT OF THIS MONTH WAS-EVERYONE IMAGE A DRUM ROLL IN YOUR HEAD, BECAUSE THIS IS BIG!!

CHEROKEE GOT HER DRIVER'S LICENSE FINALLY!! AND YES I HAVE EVEN LET HER DRIVE WITHOUT US!!

WE ARE EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO START, WE ALL DO SO MUCH BETTER ON A SCHEDULE AND BESIDES I NEED A BREAK FROM TEEN-AGERS THAT ARE BORED ALL THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN BUSY SEWING AND SCRAPBOOKING TO HELP TIME PASS, CASH IS PRETTY GOOD WHEN I DO THIS, SO THAT HELPS ALOT. WE HAD TO SHAVE HIM THIS SUMMER, BECAUSE SOME WOMAN MESSED UP HIS HAIR CUT, WE WANTED WHAT YOU CALL A FLAT TOP MOHAWK, AND SHE JUST GAVE HIM A MOHAWK, IT WAS HILARIOUS, I WILL TRY TO POST A PICTURE LATER. SO HE IS A LITTLE BALDY AND HE MISSES PLAYING WITH HIS DILLY-Q AT NIGHT, SO HE HASN'T BEEN SLEEPING REALLY WELL. ANYWAY, WE ARE ALL GOOD AND HEALTHY FOR NOW, WE MISS EVERYONE AND HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOU SOON. WE ARE GOING TO ISLAND PARK TO SEE A PLAY FOR MARTY'S BIRTHDAY ON THE 7TH IF ANYONE WANTS TO COME AND SEE IT WITH US-THE TICKETS ARE $25, FOR A PRIME RIB DINNER AND THE PLAY-PER PERSON, IT IS WELL WORTH IT!! LOVE YA ALL, CHERISE

4th of JULY FUN!!

WE HAD A VERY BUSY WEEK, LOTS OF THINGS GOING!! WE STARTED OFF WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP, (THIS IS WHAT I CALL THE UTAHANS, INCLUDING MARTY) COMING HOME ON WED. EVENING, WE JUST SAT AND TALKED UNTIL AROUND MIDNIGHT THEN OFF TO BED, FOR THE FUN STARTS TOMORROW. THURSDAY MORNING WE GOT UP AND GOT READY AND WENT TO THE IDAHO MUSUEM, THEY HAVE THE, "TITANIC" EXHIBIT RIGHT NOW, IT WAS WAY COOL. I THINK IT WAS GREAT FOR THE KIDS TO SEE A LITTLE HISTORY, THEN WE WENT TO THE FALLS AND TOOK SOME PICTURES AND GOT A DRINK. THEN THAT AFTERNOON WE WENT SWIMMING FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS, IT WAS GREAT FUN. WE HAD A FIESTA NIGHT FOR DINNER, YUMMY!! THEN WE JUST RELAXED AND TALKED SOME MORE AND THEN AROUND 8P.M. WE WENT SHOOTING, THE GUYS LOVED IT AND US GIRLS JUST GOT ATE BY BUGS!! FRIDAY MORNING IT WAS UP EARLY AND ON OUR WAY TO FLOAT DOWN THE RIVER AT MACK'S INN, THAT WAS WAY FUN, IT TOOK US THREE AND A HALF HOURS, BUT WE HAD A GREAT TIME. CONTESSA FLIPPED OUT BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE HAD LEECH EGGS ON HER ARMS, CHEROKEE GOT THROWN IN TWICE, BECAUSE SHE WAS BEING A LITTLE TOO SASSY!! CHEVY GOT ATE ALIVE BY BUGS, CASH DIDN'T WANT TO GET OFF THE BOAT AND CRIED, LORIN HAD HIS FIRST RAFTING EXPERIENCE, CHERISE DID NOT THROW UP THIS TIME, AND MARTY JUST SAT BACK AND ENJOYED IT ALL!! AFTER OUR RAFTING TRIP WE WENT UP TO, 'OLD FAITHFUL," WE GOT DRENCHED BUT SAW A LOT OF WILDLIFE AND BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, WE STOPPED ON THE WAY HOME AND SAID HELLO TO THE ROBERTSON BUNCH AND GOT HOME AT AROUND 11P.M. EVERYONE WAS POOPED, SO WE SLEPT IN UNTIL 9A.M. SAT. MORNING. WE WENT TO THE MENAN HOME TOWN CELEBRATION ATE SOME FUNNEL CAKE, YUMMY!! THEN WE WENT OUT TO LUNCH, AND WENT HOME FOR A NAP!! WE HAD A B-QUE THAT EVENING AND STARTED DOING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AT AROUND 4P.M. THE BOYS STOPPED IN MONTANA AND GOT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS, IT WAS HILLARIOUS TO WATCH LORIN AND CHEVY, THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING !! FIREWORKS WAS GREAT FUN, WE HAD NEIGHBORS DOING THEIRS AND THEN OURS, WE HAD MUSIC GOING, NEON NECKLACES FOR CASH AND TONS OF SPARKLERS! SUNDAY MORNING WE MISSED CHURCH ON THE ACCOUNT OF LAZINESS, BUT WE HAD MUNCHIES ALL DAY AND JUST ENJOYED A AWESOME WEEKEND TOGETHER!! HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE, LOVE THE CARRILLO'S AND ZIPPAY'S

WHAT CRAZY THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES!!

WELL TO START OFF WITH I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT OUR CRAZY ADVENTURES ON OUR ANNIVERSARY!! WE WENT UP TO ISLAND PARK TO WATCH A PLAY AND HAVE THEIR DINNER AT MACK'S INN, IT WAS SO FUNNY AND THE FOOD WAS SO GOOD, THEY HAVE REALLY IMPROVED ON EVERYTHING THERE, SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FUN THING TO DO GO SEE THE PLAY AND EAT. WE GOT THE PLAY, THE FOOD, WHICH WAS PRIME RIB AND A TON OF OTHER YUMMY STUFF, PLUS A ONE NIGHT STAY FOR A $100.00!! ANYWAY, AFTER THE PLAY WE DECIDED TO DRIVE UP TO BIG SPRINGS AND FEED THE FISH, WELL ALL WAS GOING WELL UNTIL MARTY LEANED WAY OVER THE RAILING TO LOOK AT A MUSKRAT!! PLOP PLOP WENT OUR CELL PHONES, HE HAD BOTH OF THEM IN HIS SHIRT POCKET!! SO MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND GOES RUSHING INTO THIS ICY COLD WATER(PLUS IT WAS RAINING LIKE CRAZY), TO GET OUR CELL PHONES. IT WAS HILARIOUS TO WATCH, HE WAS HURRYING SO FAST AND WAS ALL OUT OF BREATH BECAUSE IT WAS SO COLD, HE DID GET THE CELL PHONES AND WE STRIPPED THEM NAKED AND PUT THEM ON THE HEATER!! AS FAR AS MARTY WAS CONCERNED HE DIDN'T BRING ANY EXTRA CLOTHES, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HIS WIFE, SO HE WAS FREEZING, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY WAY TO GET A HOLD OF THE KIDS FOR AN EMERGENCY, SO WE JUST ENDED UP GOING HOME!! MARTY GOT TO WEAR ONE OF MY T-SHIRTS HOME AND MY SILKY P.J. BOTTOMS, IT WOULD OF TOPPED OFF THE NIGHT TO GET PULLED OVER BY A COP-HE WOULD OF THOUGHT MARTY WAS DRUNK OR SOMETHING, BUT ALAS WE WENT HOME AND RENTED A MOVIE AND THAT IS HOW WE SPENT OUR ANNIVERSARY!! IT MADE ME LAUGH THOUGH AND THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT!! CONTESSA AND LORIN CAME DOWN SATURDAY NIGHT AND WE JUST KINDA HUNG OUT, WENT TO A MOVIE AND THEY WENT TO CHURCH WITH US, I DON'T KNOW IF LORIN HAD REAL FUN, BUT I APPRECIATE THEIR WILLINGNESS TO GO WITH US AND BE A FAMILY!! THANKS TESSIE AND LORIN-WE LOVE YOU LOTS!! IT HAS NOW JUST BEEN PLAIN BUSY AT OUR HOUSE, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON AND PEOPLE COMING AND GOING, I LOVE IT, BUT IT IS A LITTLE EXHAUSTING AT TIMES!! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE 4TH OF JULY WEEK, CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE COMING AND WE HAVE A FUN WEEK PLANNED, I WILL WRITE ABOUT IT LATER. SO HAVE A GREAT 4TH WEEK AND REMEMBER TO CHERISH OUR FREEDOMS!! LOVE TO YOU ALL, C

TWENTY YEARS OF LOVE-NOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SAPPY!!

WHENEVER I READ A ROMANCE STORY, I KINDA HAVE TO LAUGH, THEY ARE SO PREDICTABLE, THE COUPLE ALWAYS ENDS UP TOGETHER, WITH A LOT OF MONEY, STRONG IN THE GOSPEL, NICE KIDS, NICE HOME, NICE JOB, ETC. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE A "REAL," ROMANCE NOVEL, LIKE WHAT KIND OF REAL EMOTIONS A COUPLE GOES THRU WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR JOB, KID, THE WIFE AND HUSBAND GET IN FIGHTS, THEY HAVE TO LIVE IN AN APARTMENT BECAUSE THEIR BANK ACCOUNT IS ZERO, THEY HAD TO GO THRU BANKRUPTCY BECAUSE OF NO OTHER OPTIONS, THIS IS WHAT I CALL A REAL LOVESTORY!! ANYWAY, I HAVE BEEN THINKING ALOT ABOUT LIFE, AND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SPOUSE, I THINK THIS IS MOSTLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT MARTY AND ME WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR TWENTY YEARS TOGETHER NEXT WEEK, IT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH TOGETHER. MOST OF THE THINGS WE HAVE GONE THRU HAVE TAUGHT US VERY GREAT LESSONS, WHILE OTHERS WE HAVE LEARNED ALOT, BUT HAVE NOT WANTED THESE TRIALS. IT MAKES ME SMILE TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE COME THIS FAR IN LIFE AND WE STILL HAVE THAT LITTLE BUTTERFLY FEELING WHEN WE SEE EACH OTHER AFTER BEING AWAY, I LOVE THE FACT THAT WHEN MARTY IS GONE FOR TEN MINUTES, HE CALLS ME AND SAYS HE MISSES ME!! WE ARE EACH OTHER'S ONLY BESTEST FRIEND, HE TAKES A GREAT INTEREST IN MY HOBBIES AND I LIKE TO WATCH HIM DO HIS, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT I DON'T REALLY LIKE GREASE UNDER MY FINGERS, BUT I LOVE THE FACT THAT HE HAS GREASE UNDER HIS. THIS SHOWS ME HOW MUCH HE CARES FOR HIS FAMILY!! SOME OF MY GREAT MEMORIES OF BEING WITH MARTY OVER THE PAST TWENTY YEARS HAS BEEN:
1.THE FIRST TIME WE WENT TO LAGOON TOGETHER, WOW WAS THAT EVER FUN!!
2.WHEN I TOLD HIM, "I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!" HE WAS SO EXCITED WHEN CONTESSA WAS BORN!!
3.OUR TRIPS TO DISNEYLAND WITH THE KIDS, HIS EYES JUST LIGHT UP TO WATCH HIS KIDS
4. I LOVE WATCHING HIM AT CAR SHOWS, HE ALWAYS HAS A GRIN
5. EACH AND EVERY TIME I GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE WITH HIM, HE IS JUST SO DARN SEXY IN WHITE-I ONLY THINK OF THIS BEFORE AND AFTER!!!
6. THE FIRST TIME WE WENT TO THE ANNIVERSARY INN, HE WAS HILARIOUS!! THE SEX WAS GREAT TOO!!
7. EACH AND EVERY TIME HE HAS HELD ME, AFTER LOSING A BABY, THERE IS NEVER ANY NEED FOR WORDS, HIS STRENGTH JUST GOT ME THRU
8. I LOVE THE WAY HE STUDIES THE GOSPEL, HIS MIND IS WONDEROUS AND HE PONDERS POINTS I NEVER WOULD IMAGINE
9. HE CALLS ME, "CRICKET," JUST LIKE MY MOM USE TOO
10. HIS LOVE OF HIS WORK AFTER ALL THESE YEAR, HE IS AWESOME AT WHAT HE HAS DONE IN HIS CAREER FOR NEVER HAVING ANY SCHOOLING, I AM SO PROUD OF HOW FAR HE HAS COME

THE NUMBER ONE REASON I LOVE MARTY IS, HE IS REAL, HE NEVER PRETENDS TO BE ANYTHING DIFFERENT FOR ANYONE, HE SAYS IT LIKE IT IS, AND HE STICKS UP FOR WHAT HE LOVES AND BELIEVES IN!!
WE ARE GOING TO GO TO WEST YELLOWSTONE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY, NOT REALLY ROMANTIC, BUT WE BOTH ENJOY THE PLAYS THEY DO THERE AND WE ARE SPENDING THE NIGHT IN A LITTLE CABIN!! MARTY GOT ME A WONDERFL SURPRISE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY, HE FOUND ME A SANTA FE, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THESE SUV'S, HE GOT A SREAM'IN DEAL, IT WAS OWNED BY A OLDER COUPLE WHO TOOK IMMACULATE CARE OF IT, IT HAS LEATHER SEATS, THE INSIDE IS LIKE NEW, THE COLOR IS TEAL, IT IS REALLY PRETTY!! WE ONLY HAD TO PAY $2800 BUCK A ROO'S!! I WAS SO EXCITED!! ANYWAY, WHAT A AWESOME HUBBY I HAVE, I WANT TO TELL HIM I LOVE HIM SOOO MUCH!! HERE IS TOO TWENTY MORE YEARS, AND AN ETERNITY TOGETHER!! LOVE YA, CHERISE

HERE IS TO A "REAL" LOVESTORY!!

BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!!

MAY WENT BY SO FAST AND IT WAS EXTREMELY BUSY FOR OUR FAMILY, I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE MY KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL AND HAVE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR!! IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HOMEWORK! WELL THE SUMMER STARTED OFF BY CHEROKEE GOING TO MOSCOW FOR A WEEK, SHE DID AWESOME ON HER COMPETITION AS USUAL, CHEVY WAS A SUPERMAN THAT WEEK, HE HELPED ME OUT ALOT, WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR YARD LANDSCAPED A LITTLE BETTER, BUT IT IS SO MUCH MONEY, SO WE JUST DO WHAT WE CAN AND BE HAPPY WITH ALOT OF GRASS!!! THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE WE CELEBRATED CHEVY'S 14TH BIRTHDAY, HE GOT A TWENTY-TWO AND IS SOOOO EXCITED!! THEN WE HELPED MOVE CONTESSA AND LORIN INTO A NICER PLACE, PLUS IT IS TONS CLOSER TO THEIR WORK, THAT WAS A FAST TRIP TO UTAH!! THEY ARE DOING SO GOOD, I THINK THAT LIFE IS TEACHING THEM SOME GOOD LESSONS, I AM JUST GRATEFUL THAT THEY WORK TOGETHER WELL AND TREAT EACH OTHER WITH LOVE!! IT IS SO AMAZING TO ME HOW LIFE PASSES YOU BY SO QUICKLY WHEN YOUR RAISING YOUR CHILDREN, I AM SO THANKFUL THAT YOU STILL GET TO BE A PART OF THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY MOVE ON. MARTY AND ME HAVE BEEN TALKING ALOT ABOUT LIFE AND ALL THE CHALLENGES IT BRINGS TO US, I WAS SEEKING HIS ADVICE ON HOW TO GET THRU SOME STUFF THAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE, AND HE JUST TELLS ME IN HIS SOFT VOICE, THAT SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO LET THINGS GO AND TAKE IT A DAY AT A TIME, THIS IS NOT EXACTLY THE ANSWER I WANTED, BUT I AM TRYING TO LEARN MY ANSWERS DAY BY DAY. LIFE IS TRULY NOT A BOWL OF CHERRIES!!! WELL FOR NOW I MUST GO AND FEED MY THREE YEAR OLD, HE SAYS, "MOMMA I WANT SOME FOOD NOW!!" THE LITTLE SASSY MOUTH!! LOVE,C

WHAT A FUN WEEKEND!! WELL SORTA OF?

THIS WEEK STARTED OUT NOT SO FUN, ONLY BECAUSE WE DID YARD WORK FOR THREE DAYS STRAIGHT AND WENT GROCERY SHOPPING YIKES!! WE DID GET OUR GARDEN IN, ALTHOUGH I AM KINDA SCARED FOR WHAT IT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, I TOLD MARTY JUST PLANT ALL THE ZUCC. PLANTS WE HAVE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 50SEEDS, HE SAID ARE YOU CRAZY? I JUST LAUGHED AND TOOK THE PACKET FROM HIM AND CHUCKED THEM OVER THE GARDEN, ACTUALLY IT WAS MY CAMPBELL TEMPER COMING OUT AND I WAS A LITTLE TIRED AND FRUSTRATED AT THAT POINT. SO WE WILL HAVE ZUCC. AMONG EVERYTHING ELSE!! THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT, THAT IS ALL I CAN SAY!! MARTY AND CHEVY GOT MY HAMMOCK UP, WELL SOMEWHAT, IT NEEDS A LITTLE MORE CEMENT ADDED TO BRACE IT, WE GOT ALL THE FLOWER GARDENS IN AND WEEDS PULLED AND WE ARE TRYING TO LEVEL SOME GROUND FOR CHEVY'S SWIMMING POOL, THIS IS NOT A SMALL TASK IN IDAHO, THERE ARE ROCKS EVERYWHERE!! WE HAD A VERY NICE B-QUE WITH THE CAMPBELL FAMILY SATURDAY NIGHT, AND A HUGE BONFIRE WITH THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE, THAT WAS A SIGHT TO SEE, IT WAS FUN BEING WITH THEIR FOUR ROWDY BOYS, MEANING KIM, WES AND ZAC, BEN-POOR MARY!! THANKS GUYS!! SUNDAY CASH AND ME BOTH GOT SICK DURING CHURCH AND SO WE WENT HOME, I HAVEN'T BEEN THAT SICK IN A LONG TIME. MONDAY I STILL FELT PRETTY CRAPPY, SO WE TOOK THE KIDS FOR PIZZA AT LEO'S AND STAYED HOME UNTIL THAT AFTERNOON. MARTY TOOK ME FOR A CAR RIDE TO SWAN VALLEY AND VICTOR, DRIGGS AND UP AROUND THE PALISADES DAM, IT IS ABSOULTLY BEAUTIFUL UP THERE-IT IS TRULY ONE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S MOST WONDERFUL CREATIONS!! WE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME JUST TALKING THE TWO OF US, I LOVE IT WHEN WE GET THOSE CHANCES TO JUST HAVE A GOOD OLE TALK ABOUT WHATEVER, MARTY IS BEST BLESSING I HAVE IN THIS LIFE!! I LOVE YOU HONEY BUNS!! WE ALSO TOOK IN A FOSTER GIRL THIS WEEK, JUST FOR THE WEEK, SHE IS NINE AND HAS BEEN THRU SOME HORRIFIC THINGS IN HER SHORT LIFE, SHE IS SO SWEET AND LOVES TEASING CHEVY. WE ONLY HAVE HER FOR A WEEK AND THEN SHE GOES BACK TO HER ORIGINAL FOSTER FAMILY, THEY JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO WATCH HER THIS WEEK. EVERYTIME ONE OF THESE KIDS COME INTO OUR HOME, IT MAKES ME SO GRATEFUL FOR THE LIFE I HAD WITH MY PARENTS AND THE GOOD UPBRINGING I HAD. THANKS MOM AND DAD!!
SPEAKING OF WHICH. SINCE IT IS MEMORIAL DAY I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE MEMORY OF THE PEOPLE I MISS THE MOST. TO MY PARENTS, I WISH SO MUCH THAT I COULD JUST HAVE ONE HOUR WITH THEM, TO LET THEM GET TO KNOW MY HUSBAND AND KIDS, I AM SO GLAD THAT I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER THOUGH. ONE FUNNY MEMORY I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER DAY THOUGH WAS, WHEN MY DAD BOUGHT MY MOM A BEAUTIFUL WHITE AND BLACK DRESS FOR CHRISTMAS, I THINK IT WAS THEN, ANYWAY IT WAS VERY LOW CUT FOR MY MOM'S TASTE, BUT THAT DAD OF OURS WAS A CHARACTER AND EVEN THOUGH HE WASN'T VERY TALL, HE WAS TALL ENOUGH TO SEE THAT CLEAVAGE!! MOM WOULD ALWAYS SAY, "OH WENDELL!!" I CAN HEAR HER JUST RIGHT IN MY HEAD, I AM SURE SOME OF YOU CAN TOO!! ANOTHER PERSON WHO I MISS ALOT IS MARTY'S DAD, WE DIDN'T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE, BUT I MISS HIS INNER STRENGTH, AND THE CUTE WAY HE WOULD TEASE MY KIDS, I REALLY MISS SEEING HIM PUTT AROUND OUTSIDE AND HIS SUSPENDERS. MARTY AND ME FEEL LIKE HE HAD SOME DOING WITH THIS LITTLE CASH A ROO OF OURS, HE HAS A LOT OF TRAITS LIKE HIS GRANDPA CARRILLO. I SURE DO MISS HIS ADVICE EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T ALWAYS TALK ALOT. I AM GLAD TO KNOW HE IS ALSO IN A BETTER PLACE, YOU MISS THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PASSED ON BEFORE US, BUT WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE HAD THEM IN OUR LIVES AT ALL. WELL I AM OFF TO ANOTHER BUSY WEEK, BUT THE BLESSING THIS WEEK IS-I ONLY HAVE TO SLEEP WITHOUT MARTY FOR ONE NIGHT YA-HOO!! LOVE YOU ALL, LOVE C

A LITTLE NEWS!!

IT HAS BEEN A CRAZY MONTH AND VERY BUSY!! MARTY AND ME GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE TWICE THIS MONTH WITH THE CAMPBELL FAMILY AND IT WAS SO NICE AND BROUGHT MUCH PEACE TO OUR MINDS, THANK HEAVENS WE HAVE THAT COMFORT IN THIS CRAZY WORLD!! CONTESSA AND LORIN CAME DOWN FOR MOTHER'S DAY AND WE HAD A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM, WE SHOPPED, SHOT TWENTY-TWO'S, AND B-QUED, AND TALKED LOTS AND JUST ENJOYED BEING TOGETHER, I EVEN GOT LORIN TO PUT MY SWING UP, THAT MARTY BOUGHT ME!! CHEROKEE HAD PROM AND SHE LOOKED BEAUTIFUL, TRAVIS LOOKED REALLY HANDSOME TOO, THOSE TWO ARE JUST TWO PEAS IN A POD!! CASH WAS JUST HIS NORMAL SELF, HE CLINGS TO CONTESSA AND LORIN WHEN THEY ARE HERE, HE LOVES ALL THE ATTENTION AND CRIES WHEN THEY LEAVE, ACTUALLY THIS TIME HE THRU A MAJOR FIT WHEN THEY LEFT. CHEVY IS BUSY TRYING TO EARN MONEY FOR A 22 RIFLE, HE HAS TO EARN FIFTY BUCKS, THEN HE GETS THE REST FOR HIS BIRTHDAY!! HE ACTUALLY DID IT, HE WORKED FOR 12 HOURS IN THE YARD TO EARN THAT MONEY, HE IS PRETTY PROUD OF THOSE BLISTERS!!! MARTY JUST SITS BACK AND ENJOYS HIS FAMILY, I CAN SEE THIS LITTLE TWINKLE IN HIS EYES WHEN HE WATCHES THE GOING ONS OF HIS FAMILY!! CONTESSA AND LORIN HAVE HAD A HARD MONTH, TESSIE LOST HER BABY LAST WEEK AND IT HAS BEEN PRETTY ROUGH THE PAST FEW DAYS. SHE ISN'T DOING WHAT HER BODY IS SUPPOSE TO, SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS, WE ARE SO PROUD OF THE WAY THOSE TWO ARE HANDLING EVERYTHING THOUGH, THEY ARE REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF EACH OTHER AND I JUST WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE LOVE THEM AND THAT THINGS WILL BE OKAY, OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHT ARE WITH THEM. WELL I HOPE ALL IS WELL FOR EVERYONE, LOVE C

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHEROKEE ON THE 21ST AND CASH ON THE 31ST!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

OUR LITTLE AIRHEAD!!
I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE GETS A 4.0, MEMORIZES TONS OF STUFF AND GOES TO ALL THESE COMPETIONS, SHE MUST SUCK IN A LOT OF AIR!! WE LOVE YOU ANYWAY BUGS!! SO THIS IS SO TYPICAL OF CHEROKEE, THE OTHER DAY MARTY TAKES HER TO WORK AND ON THE WAY THERE, HE ASKS HER IF THE PLACE SHE WORKS FOR HAS SHELF BRACKETS, SHE SAYS YES OF COURSE WE DO. SO WHEN HE DROPS HER OFF MARTY GOES INTO THE STORE TO BUY SOME AND CAN'T FIND THEM ANYWHERE. HE GOES AND FINDS CHEROKEE AND ASKS WHERE THEY ARE??? SHE GOES THEIR ON THE SHELVES DAD, SHE IS SUCH A LITTLE AIRHEAD!! MARTY JUST SHOOK HIS HEAD AND WENT TO SCOTTY'S TO GET SHELF BRACKETS. CHEROKEE SAYS IN ALL FAIRNESS SHE DOES HAVE THEM AT HER STORE, THEY JUST AREN'T FOR SALE AND MARTY NEVER ASKED IF THEY WERE TO BUY, JUST IF THEY HAD THEM THERE!! HAVE A GREAT DAY! LOVE, THE CARRILLO'S

A MOMENT OF PEACE

WOW WHAT A WHIRLWIND OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I DIDN'T THINK LIFE COULD BE SO NUTS, I AM SURE THE NUT HOUSE IS CALLING MY NAME!! WE HAD FOSTER KIDS IN OUR HOME FOR A WEEK, THREE LITTLE GIRLS AGES TWO, THREE, AND ONE, WHAT A HANDFUL WITH OUR LITTLE CASHAROO. THESE GIRLS NEEDED SO MUCH LOVE AND ATTENTION, I WAS SO THANKFUL FOR OUR CLASSES THAT TAUGHT US HOW TO DEAL WITH THEIR BEHAVIOR AND NEGLECT. I WAS SAD TO SEE THEM GO, BUT FAMILY IS BEST AND THEY NEED ALOT MORE ATTENTION THEN I COULD POSSIBLE GIVE THEM. BESIDES TAKING FOUR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF THREE WAS A NIGHTMARE AT THE SOCCER GAME!! WE HAVE BEEN BUSY GETTING CHEVY BACK DOWNSTAIRS AND RE-PAINTING HIS ROOM IN BRIGHT BRIGHT BLUE AND PUMPKIN ORANGE!! IT ACTUALLY TURNED OUT AWESOME, WE ALSO MADE MARTY A MAP ROOM UPSTAIRS, WHERE HE CAN HANG UP THE MAPS HE LOVES TO STUDY AND PUT OUT ALL HIS CAR STUFF. WE HAVE BEEN SO BUSY IN OUR HOUSE AGAIN!! WE DID GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE WITH WES AND MO AND IT WAS AWESOME!! MARTY AND ME GOT TO BE THE WITNESS COUPLE SO IT MADE IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL, WE ARE SO PROUD OF THEM BOTH AND THEIR DECISION TO STAY WORTHY IN A WORLD OF CHAOS!! WAY TO GO!! CHEROKEE HAS BEEN GOING CRAZY WITH ALL HER FFA STUFF, SHE MADE PRESIDENT FOR HER SCHOOL NEXT YEAR AND THEN TURNED AROUND AND GOT DISTICT PRESIDENT, SO SHE WILL BE VERY BUSY NEXT YEAR!! SHE IS SO EXCITED AND WE ARE PROUD OF HER!! CHEVY HAS BEEN BUSY WITH SOCCER AND SCOUTS, HE IS PULLING A 4.0, SO I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM AND HE IS A GREAT HELPER TO ME ALL THE TIME!! CASH JUST KEEPS GOINGGGGGGGG, HE NEVER SLEEPS AND STILL HAS ENERGY, HE HAS BECOME VERY SASSY!! HE IS ALWAYS TELLING ME TO GO TO THE NAUGHTY CORNER!! CONTESSA AND TEDDYBEAR ARE TRYING TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE, AND WORK OUT ALL THIS BABY STUFF, SHE HAS BEEN PRETTY SICK. I LOVE IT!!! IT IS CALLED PARENT PAYBACK!! I JUST TELL HER TO KEEP ON EATING THOSE CRACKERS AND WARM SPRITE. LIFE IS SO GOOD, I SIT BACK EVERYNIGHT AND JUST BREATHE AND THINK HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR ALL MY BLESSINGS AND TRIALS, I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT FAITH THAT THE GOSPEL IS THEIR FOR MARTY AND ME TO STRENGTHEN US AS A UNIT. I LOVE YOU FAMILY, LOVE, C

THIS IS MY AWESOME PARENTS!! LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TOO!!

Grandfather Odell & son Wendell Odell Campbell
THIS IS MY DAD WHEN HE WAS TWO YEARS OLD WITH HIS FATHER
.

I HAVE TO BRAG A LITTLE
I AM SO PROUD OF CHEROKEE, SHE GOT HER STATE DEGREE IN FFA AND TOOK THIRD IN THE STATE FOR NURSERY, PLUS TODAY SHE FOUND OUT THAT SHE IS NEXT YEAR'S FFA PRESIDENT, WHICH IN TURN HELPS HER CHANCES FOR A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP. I AM VERY PROUD OF HER AND THE CHOICES SHE MAKES TO BE A GREAT EXAMPLE TO OTHERS!! I LOVE YOU BUG A LUG!! PLUS SHE IS GETTING READY FOR HER BIG PROM DATE WITH THE TRAVO!! LOVE YA MOM

OUR CALIFORNIA TRIP!!

MARTY AND ME DECIDED THAT WE WANTED TO TAKE THE KIDS TO DISNEYLAND, WE WANTED TO TAKE CONTESSA AND LORIN, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GO. PEOPLE WONDER WHY WE TAKE OUR KIDS TO DISNEYLAND FOR VACATIONS ALMOST EVERY FIVE YEARS, WELL IT IS THE ONE PLACE WE ALL LOVE TO GO, EVERYONE HAS THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS AND THIS IS OUR FAVORITE SPOT AS A FAMILY TO GO, SO WE GOT IT ALL PLANNED OUT AND PAID FOR THEN JUST HAD TO WAIT FOR THE DAY TO ARRIVE!! MARTY DECIDED THAT HE WANTED TO DRIVE THIS TIME, HE WANTED THE KIDS TO SEE VEGAS AND ST. GEORGE AND ALL THE DESERT IN BETWEEN, WE GOT A NICE SANTA FE FROM HIS WORK TO TAKE. MONDAY MORNING BEFORE OUT TRIP BEGAN WAS A NIGHTMARE, WE ENDED UP WITH THREE KIDS SICK WITH STREP HROAT, SO TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS LATER WE HAD THEM ALL ON MEDICINE AND PACKED UP READY TO GO. TUESDAY MORNING WE LEFT BRIGHT AND EARLY AND DROVE TO UTAH TO MEET MARTY, WE STAYED THAT NIGHT IN UTAH AND HAD PIZZA AND WENT SWIMMING WITH CONTESSA AND LORIN. WE LEFT ON WED. MORNING AT AROUND 9A.M., STOPPED IN NEPHI FOR A POTTY BREAK, STOPPED IN ST. GEORGE FOR LUNCH AND POTTY BREAK AND A LITTLE RUNNING AROUND FOR CASH, STOPPED IN VEGAS FOR A POTTY BREAK AND ICE CREAM, STOPPED IN BARSTOW FOR DINNER AND POTTY AND SOME MORE RUNNING AROUND, THEN WE HIT ANAHIEM AT AROUND 9:30P.M. THEIR TIME THAT NIGHT TOTALLY EXHAUSTED AND READY FOR BED, BUT CASH NEEDED TO RUN AND CHEVY WANTED TO SWIM, SO MARTY AND ME TOOK CHEVY SWIMMING, I SAT IN THE HOT TUB OH YES!! CHEROKEE TOOK CARE OF CASH FOR US, THE KIDS WERE SO GREAT ON THE WAY, THEY NEVER COMPLAINED, IT WAS ME WHO WHINED, MY BUTT HURT!! WE GOT UP BRIGHT AND EARLY ON THUR. MORNING AND HIT DISNEYLAND AT 8A.M., WE HAD SO MUCH FUN SHOWING CASH EVERYTHING, HIS EYES WERE AS BIG AS SAUCERS, WE HAVE A TRADTITION TO ALWAYS RIDE THE HAUNTED HOUSE RIDE FIRST, HE LOVED IT!! HIS FAVORITE RIDE WAS THE PETER PAN RIDE, HE KEPT WANTING TO GO BACK. WE STAYED UNTIL CLOSING THEN WENT BACK AND HIT THE SACK. FRIDAY WE WERE UP AND AT IT AGAIN EARLY, WE WENT TO CALIFORNIA ADVENTURELAND, THE KIDS LIKE DISNEYLAND BETTER, CASH FEVERED UP AND SO WE GOT HIM ON ANOTHER KIND OF MEDICINE, WE ALSO WENT TO DOWNTOWN DISNEY, IT WAS WILD ON A FRIDAY NIGHT!!! SATURDAY MORNING I STAYED AT THE HOTEL WITH CASH UNTIL ABOUT 3P.M. HIS MEDICINE FINALLY STARTED TO WORK AND SO WE TOOK HIM BACK TO DISNEYLAND, OF COURSE OUR TRADTIONS WITH OUR KIDS IS THEY EACH GET 100.00 DOLLARS TO SPEND, SO WE SHOPPED ALOT AND THEN WE EACH PICKED OUR FAVORITE RIDES TO GO ON BEFORE THEY CLOSED THAT NIGHT. CHEVY AND CHEROKEE PICKED SPACE MOUNTAIN AND SPLASH MOUNTAIN, MARTY AND ME PICKED THE HAUNTED HOUSE AND PIRATES, AND CASH DID PETER PAN AND SNOW WHITE, WE LOVED IT AND IT WAS TONS OF FUN!! WE STOPPED IN VEGAS ON THE WAY HOME, I HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY ABOUT IT, IT IS FILTHY!! THE ONLY FUN THING WAS THE MANDM FACTORY!! WE LEFT MONDAY MORNING AND ARRIVED IN UTAH AT ABOUT 3P.M. WENT TO THE PARK AND LET CASH RUN, ATE DINNER WITH CONTESSA, AND THEN ME AND THE THREE MONKEYS HEADED HOME, WE GOT HOME AT AROUND 10P.M., I WAS POOPED!!! THANKS MARTY FOR ALWAYS FINDING A WAY TO HELP OUR FAMILY HAVE FUN, I LOVE BEING WITH YOU AND YOUR KIDS, YOUR MY PRINCE ON A WHITE HORSE, LOVE YA, C

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONTESSA!!

SORRY THAT MOM IS A LITTLE LATE, BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I WAS THINKING OF YOU ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE IN DISNEYLAND!! WOW IT HAS BEEN 19 YEARS AGO THAT YOU WERE A STUBBORN BABY AND DIDN'T WANT TO COME OUT!! I WENT IN FOR A CHECK UP AND THEY SENT ME TO THE HOSPITAL TO GET STARTED, AFTER BEING ON THE"PIT" ALL DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT THEY SENT ME HOME AT 12A.M. AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN A WEEK UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENED. I WENT BACK IN A WEEK AND THEY STARTED ME AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I KNEW I WASN'T GOING HOME BECAUSE THEY BROKE MY WATER AND AFTER A ANOTHER FULL DAY OF LABOR IN WHICH I CURSED YOUR FATHER FOR HA-HA, THEY FINALLY DECIDED TO TAKE YOU C-SECTION AT 10P.M., I THINK DADDY WAS MORE RELIVED THEN I WAS, HE WAS TIRED OF HEARING ME COMPLAIN!! ANYWAY, IT WAS A HARD C-SECTION, THEY HAD A HARD TIME GETTING MY BODY TO GO NUMB, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HARD TIME WITH THAT. YOU WERE WORTH IT THOUGH, YOU HAD SOOO MUCH HAIR, BLACK AS NIGHT, AND THE BIGGEST BLUE EYES!! YOU WERE A FAT LITTLE MUNCHKIN, 9LBS. 5OZ, I THINK YOUR PARENTS WERE TOTALLY IN AWE OF YOU THE FIRST WEEK, I KNOW YOUR GRANDMA CAMPBELL LOVED YOU FROM THE MOMENT SHE LAID EYES ON YOU, SHE COULDN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOU AND HOLDING YOU. SHE TAUGHT ME HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND SHE WOULDN'T STAND FOR NO NONSENSE, I WISHED YOU COULD REMEMBER HER AND HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH HER, SHE WOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOU GREAT THINGS. I HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL DAY, I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WAS THINKING OF YOU AND ALL THE FUN TIMES WE HAVE HAD TOGETHER, I LOVE YOU CONTESSA!! LOVE, MOM

A CHILDHOOD MEMORY

WE HAD FUN NEIGHBORS GROWING UP, I HAD THE MALLORY BOY AND THE BENCH GIRL AND BOY CLOSE TO MY AGE, AND ONE SATURDAY WE WERE ALL VERY BORED. WELL THE MALLORY'S HAD A POTATO TRUCK PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THEIR HOUSE FOR SOME REASON AND ALL OF US DECIDED IT WOULD BE FUN TO HAVE A SPUD FIGHT!! WE THREW A LOT OF MUSHY ONES AT EACH OTHER AND A FEW HARD ONES, TWO OF US ENDED UP WITH BLACK EYES, ME BEING ONE AND THE FUNNY PART WAS, THE BOYS ENDED UP GETTING A BUTT CHEWING OUT BY MRS. MALLORY FOR MAKING A MESS IN THE ROAD AND THEY HAD TO CLEAN IT ALL UP. US SWEET GIRLS TOOK OFF, ACTUALLY WE JUST HID THE WHOLE TIME AND LAUGHED AT THE BOYS. THEY WOULDN'T TALK TO US FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN WE DID SOMETHING REALLY DUMB WE DARED EACH OTHER TO THROW ROCKS AT THE MEXICAN CHURCH BY OUR HOUSES, STUPID IDEA, WE BUSTED A WINDOW, BUT NO ONE WOULD EVER CONFESS TO THEIR ROCK BEING THE ONE TO DO IT, WE SURE DID RUN FAST THOUGH, I AM PRETTY SURE NO ONE WAS IN THE BUILDING AT THE TIME BUT WE DIDN'T TAKE ANY CHANCES. I HARDLY DOUBT THAT THE WINDOW HAS EVEN BEEN FIXED, IT WAS A DOUBLE PANE AND ONLY THE FIRST PANE BROKE, I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE BY AND LOOK. I GUESS I WAS KINDS NAUGHTY AT TIMES!!!

WE LOVE OUR FAMILY

THE ONE THING I HATE ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER IS, IT MAKES ME WANT TO LIVE CLOSER TO EVERYONE SO THAT WE CAN DO SOME PROJECTS TOGETHER!! I ALWAYS GET A LITTLE SAD WHEN I GO HOME FROM BEING AROUND MY FAMILY, I EVEN THINK MARTY MISSES THE WHOLE WIZARD OF OZ CREW!! I HAD A GREAT LAUGH THOUGH WHEN MAYLEE TOLD US THE SCARECROW UPSTAIRS WAS GRANDMA, UM I WONDER WHERE SHE LEARNED THAT FROM!! IT WAS GREAT FUN GOING TO THE ROBERTSON'S AND GETTING TO SEE MOST OF MY SISTER'S, THE PLAY WAS AWESOME AND THE VISITING WAS GREAT FUN, ALTHOUGH 4A.M. IS A LITTLE LATE, I HAD A HARD TIME STAYING AWAKE DRIVING HOME MARTY FINALLY THOUGHT HE SHOULD TAKE OVER BEFORE I ROLLED THE CAR OR SOMETHING. MARTY GOT MY BLINDS UP THIS WEEK, WE FOUND OUT THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY THE REALLY NICE WOOD BLINDS AT WALMART FOR PRETTY CHEAP, THE ONLY PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE IN HIGH DEMAND SO YOU HAVE TO CHECK OFTEN FOR THEM, WE DIDN'T GET TO MUCH DONE THIS WEEKEND, BECAUSE WE WENT TO GOOD OLD PAUL, THEN MARTY GOT SICK AND BY SUNDAY CASH AND ME WERE SICK, SO WE WATCHED MOVIES AND SLEPT ALOT. IT WAS KINDA NICE TO SLEEP FOR ONCE, CASH ACTUALLY FELT CRAPPY ENOUGH THAT HE SLEPT MOST OF SUNDAY, THAT IS KINDA SAD TO SAY, BUT I WILL TAKE SLEEP HOWEVER I CAN. THE OTHER MONKEYS ARE ALL DOING GREAT, WE GOT THE KIDS REPORT CARDS AND THEY BOTH GOT 4.0'S SO I TOLD THEM WE WOULD GO ON A LITTLE VACATION SOMEWHERE, THEY ARE EXCITED TO GET OUT OF IDAHO!! THE ZIPPAY'S HAVE BEEN SICK ALSO, I SENT THEM DOWN SOME STEW WITH MARTY, THEY GOT A NEW KITTY AND NAMED IT, "BEAR." I DO HAVE TO SAY EVEN THOUGH LIFE HAS BEEN A LITTLE ON THE DOWN SIDE LATELY, IT REALLY IS GOOD AND WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED!! HOPE YOU ARE TOO, LOVE C

LIFE IS GOING BY TO FAST

I JUST HAD A LITTLE DOSE OF HUMILITY THIS WEEKEND, IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE I HAVE REALLY GOT SICK, I SEEM TO BE ABLE TO JUST BRUSH IT OFF WITHIN TWENTY FOUR HOURS, WELL SATURDAY MARTY TOOK ME ON A DATE AND BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME I WAS NOT FEELING WELL AT ALL. I HAD FORGOTTEN WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO REALLY HAVE A ACHEY BODY!! I FELT AWFUL SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING, BUT BY NOON I FELT JUST FINE AGAIN. I THINK IT IS THE VITAMINS I HAVE BEEN TAKING FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. I TAKE A WOMEN'S GENERIC AND A CALCIUM ONE, AND I SWEAR BY THOSE THINGS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD THE FLU OR NOTHING FOR A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS. I THINK I MAY HAVE SOME ARTHRITIS THOUGH, I GET REALLY OUCHY WHEN THE WEATHER CHANGES IN MY RIGHT HIP AND ANKLES. I GUESS I AM STARTING ON THE DOWNHILL SIDE OF AGING, I AM FORTY AFTER ALL, HA-HA, I REALLY THINK IT JUST HAS TO DO WITH BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY, SO HERE IS TO ANOTHER FORTY YEARS!!
MARTY AND ME ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHED ALOT THIS WEEKEND, WE GOT OUR TAXES DONE, WORKED ALOT ON THE BASEMENT, I MADE 42 CARDS FOR THE R.S, WORKED IN MY SCRAPBOOK ROOM, SEWED SOME PILLOWS, FINISHED UP A CLASS WE HAVE BEEN TAKING, AND WAS THE MOTHER TO THREE WILD KIDS, ONE EXTRA TEEN-AGER, AND THE WIFE TO MARTY!! I AM GETTING EXCITED FOR THE BASEMENT TO GET DONE, CASH WAS SO CUTE FRIDAY NIGHT, HE TOOK UP A SCAPEL LOOKING TOOL AND STARTED TO MIMIC WHAT MARTY WAS DOING, HE CRACKS ME UP!! THEN I HAVE THESE TWO RAGGEDY ANN DOLLS THAT HE PACKS ALL OVER AND PLAYS WITH THEIR HAIR, HE TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE HIS DOLLIES!! CHEVY DECIDED THAT HE WANTS TO PLAY LACROSSE, WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS, HE HAS ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE WHOLE BREATHING ISSUE BECAUSE OF HIS CHEST, HE IS DETERMINED TO PLAY THOUGH. CHEROKEE GOT HIM A SUMMER JOB AT $8.00 AN HOUR LOOKING AT WEEDS AND KILLING THEM FOR THE COUNTY. HE DOES HAVE TO TAKE TWO F.F.A. CLASSES NEXT YEAR THOUGH. CHEROKEE IS WORKING LOTS AND SAVING TONS FOR ALL HER TRIPS THAT SHE GETS TO TAKE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, IT IS PRETTY PATHETIC WHEN YOUR OWN DAUGHTER HAS SEEN MORE STATES THEN YOU HAVE OR PROBABLY EVER WILL, OH WELL SHE IS HAVING FUN!! SHE IS STILL DATING THE TRAVO BOY, HIS PARENTS HAVE A STRICT RULE, HE CAN GO OUT TWICE WITH CHEROKEE, THEN HE HAS TO TAKE ANOTHER GIRL OUT BEFORE HE CAN TAKE HER OUT AGAIN. I LOVE IT!!!! CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE DOING GOOD, SHE TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY THAT SHE WANTS TO JOIN A GYM FOR FITNESS AND ENTERTAINMENT, THE GIRL CRACKS ME UP!! SHE IS ALWAYS CALLING ME FOR A RECIPE, SHE LOVES COOKING FOR HER TEDDY BEAR!! LORIN'S MOM IS DOING BETTER, SHE HAD A STROKE, THEY THINK ANYWAYS, SHE IS HOME AT LEAST. I THINK LORIN IS A LITTLE HOMESICK, I WISH THEIR FAMILIES COULD LIVE CLOSER TO US. YES EVEN GRANDMA CONTESSA!! WELL IT IS LATE AND MY LITTLE GUY WILL BE UP IN ABOUT THREE HOURS TO DRIVE ME CRAZY UNTIL HE FALLS ASLEEP AGAIN, SO GOOD NIGHT TO ALL. LOVE YA, C ON A SIDE NOTE-IF ANYONE HAS PICTURES OF CONTESSA'S WEDDING, CAN YOU LET ME KNOW, I WILL SEND YOU POSTAGE AND A DISC, HER PICTURES THAT WE TOOK DIDN'T TURN OUT SO WELL. THANKS!!

FOR MY KIDS, WHO I LOVE THE MOSTEST!!

THIS BLOG IS FOR MY KIDS, IF ANY OTHERS WANT TO READ IT THAT IS OKAY TO. I KNOW MY KIDS READ MY BLOG, SO I AM WRITING THESE THINGS FOR THEM TO CHERISH. TODAY IN RELEIF SOCIETY WE HAD A MOST INSPIRING LESSON, IT IS ONE OF THOSE LESSONS THAT JUST KEEP YOU THINKING AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I DID ALL DAY AND MORE THEN HALF THE NIGHT I WAS UP THINKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT I AM INSPIRED TO WRITE AT THIS TIME. THE LESSON WAS ON TIMES IN OUR LIVES THAT WE HAVE FELT THE SPIRIT AND HOW WE CAN USE THOSE TIMES IN OUR FUTURE LIVES TO HELP US WITH STRUGGLES AND TO UPLIFT US. THE TEACHER CHALLENGED EACH OF US TO WRITE THESE THINGS DOWN SO THAT IT NOT ONLY COULD HELP US, BUT HELP OUR CHILDREN. IT IS FUNNY HOW THINGS FALL INTO PLACE IN LIFE, JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF MY KIDS ABOUT TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN I HAVE FELT THE SPIRIT WORKING, SO I GUESS I FEEL VERY IN AWE RIGHT NOW TO BE ABLE TO LET MY CHILDREN KNOW HOW BLESSED I HAVE BEEN IN MY LIFE TO FEEL THE SPIRIT. I WILL START WITH THE EXPERIENCE I WAS TALKING ABOUT A FEW WEEKS AGO TO MY CHILD. I HAD THE SWEET BLESSING OF BEING ABLE TO GO TO THE NURSING HOME DURING THE WEEK AND BE WITH MY MOM WHEN SHE WAS SICK, DADDY USUALLY TOOK YOU TWO GIRLS SO THAT I COULD JUST HAVE SOME ALONE TIME WITH MY MOM. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE SHE DIED, I HAD BEEN WITH MOM FOR MOST OF THE NIGHT, SHE WAS PRETTY SLEEPY THEREFORE SHE DIDN'T TALK A WHOLE LOT, BUT I WAS JUST CONTENT TO BE ABLE TO WATCH HER, I STARTED TO NOD OFF A LITTLE WHEN I HEARD HER TALKING TO SOMEONE, I SAT UP EXPECTING TO SEE A NURSE THERE, BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE, SO I JUST LISTENED. TEARS FILLED MY EYES AND THROAT AS I WAS ABLE TO WITNESS THIS BEAUTIFUL SCENE. I SAW MY MOM REACH FORTH HER HAND AND CALL TO HER MOTHER WHO HAD PASSED EARLIER, SHE JUST KEPT ON SAYING MOM, MOM, MOM NOTHING ELSE WAS SAID, BUT I KNOW THAT MY GRANDMA WAS THERE IN THAT ROOM TO COMFORT HER, THIS LASTED FOR ABOUT 4 MINUTES AND THEN MY MOM JUST DRIFTED INTO A VERY PEACEFUL SLEEP, I WILL NEVER FORGET THE PEACE SHE HAD ON HER FACE. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FEEL THE PRESENCE OF MY FATHER AT TIMES IN MY LIFE, ONE VERY SWEET TIME WAS WHEN I WAS GOING INTO HAVE CHEROKEE, I WAS FEELING SO ANXIOUS THE NIGHT BEFORE AND I JUST COULD NOT SETTLE DOWN, SO DADDY ASKED UNCLE KIM TO HELP GIVE ME A BLESSING, AS THEY STARTED THE BLESSING I COULD FEEL UNCLE KIM'S HANDS AND DADDY'S HANDS ON MY HEAD, THEN I FELT A THIRD PAIR OF HANDS AND I HEARD A VOICE INSIDE MYSELF TELL ME IT WILL ALL BE OKAY, "MY LITTLE CRICKET." I KNOW THOSE HANDS WERE MY DADDY'S AND THAT I WAS BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO FEEL THEM TO BRING ME COMFORT. ANOTHER TIME THAT I WAS GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT WAS WHEN GRANDPA CARRILLO DIED, DADDY WAS HAVING SUCH A HARD TIME ONE NIGHT, I FOUND HIM SOBBING DOWN STAIRS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, I WASN'T QUITE SURE HOW TO COMFORT HIM. HE WAS REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THE FACT THAT HE DIDN'T GET TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH HIS DAD BEFORE HE PASSED. I SAT THERE NEXT TO HIM AS HE POURED HIS HEART OUT TO ME, I WAS SCARED BECAUSE HE WAS SO UPSET AND I HAD NEVER SEEN HIM THIS WAY, I PRAYED IN MY HEART FOR HEAVENLY FATHER TO HELP ME. MINUTES LATER A SWEET SPIRIT CAME OVER ME AND THE WORDS OF A LOVING FATHER CAME THROUGH TO HIS SON, I WAS ABLE TO TELL DADDY THINGS THAT I KNOW GRANDPA WOULD HAVE WANTED ME TO TELL HIM AND IT BROUGHT PEACE TO HIM.
I WANT YOU KIDS TO KNOW THAT THE SPIRIT HAS WORKED IN SOME BIG WAYS IN MY LIFE, BUT MORE IMPORTANT IS THE SMALL UNDENIABLE WAY HE WORKS INTO MY HEART EVERYDAY AS I READ THE SCRIPTURES AND PRAY. LAST YEAR MOM READ THE BOOK OF MORMON THRU WITH A REAL PURPOSE, THE PURPOSE DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS MET, BUT THE THINGS I LEARNED THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST IS WHAT I WANT TO SHARE. EACH DAY I WOULD TRY TO PRAY AND ASK HEAVENLY FATHER TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND AND TO BE ABLE TO APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE IN MY OWN LIFE, I FELT PEACE LIKE I HAVE NEVER KNOWN IT, AND A BURNING IN MY HEART TO READ THIS BOOK UNTIL I FOUND WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR, SOME NIGHTS I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT IT DOWN AND I FELT SUCH AN URGENCY TO READ ON. I KNOW THAT IF YOU ASK OF GOD WITH A PURE HEART AND SEEK, IT WILL BE GIVEN, THIS I KNOW TO BE TRUE. PRAYER IN MY LIFE IS ANOTHER TIME THAT I HAVE FELT SUCH PEACE, THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN I JUST SAY MY PRAYERS SO THAT I CAN GET INTO BED, THESE HAVE BEEN LEARNING NIGHTS, I START OUT SIMPLE ENOUGH, BUT THEN I HAVE JUST BEEN OVERCOME WITH THE SPIRIT TO PRAY FOR DADDY OR ONE OF YOU, OR JUST TO TAKE THE TIME AND REALLY HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MY HEAVENLY FATHER AND LET HIM KNOW HOW THANKFUL I AM FOR MY LIFE, THESE PRAYERS HAVE BEEN SUCH GREAT TEACHING MOMENTS IN MY LIFE, THEY REMIND ME OF A SAYING THAT LINGERS IN MY MIND AFTER EACH PRAYER-"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM HERE!" THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE AS I AM SERVING THE LORD IN A CALLING THAT I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO DOING SOMETHING, I ACTUALLY WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A TIME WHEN SOMEONE ELSE WAS INSPIRED TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME. I KNOW YOU KIDS REMEMBER CAREEN HANSON, SHE WASN'T ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH, BUT SHE WOULD COME VISIT TEACH ME AND LEAST TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR. THIS WAS BEFORE I EVEN KNEW TO MUCH ABOUT HER AND HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH HER IN YOUNG WOMEN'S. SHE WAS KIND OF A HARD WOMAN, SHE HAS HAD A HARD LIFE AND WASN'T REALLY ONE THAT WOULD SAY A WHOLE LOT, WELL SHORTLY AFTER I HAD A MISCARRIAGE I WENT INTO A DEEP DEPRESSION, I HAVE NEVER TOLD ANYONE THIS, OTHER THEN YOUR DADDY AND I EXPRESSED TO CAREEN ONE DAY LATER, HOW MUCH HER VISIT DID. ANYWAY, I WAS SO DEPRESSED THAT I STARTED THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE AND HOW EASY IT WOULD BE JUST TO END IT ALL AND NOT FEEL ANY MORE PAIN, I EVEN WENT TO THE CUPBOARD TO SEE HOW MANY PILLS I COULD ROUND UP, I NEVER ACTUALLY TOOK THEM OUT THOUGH, HEAVENLY FATHER GUIDED ME BACK TO THE COUCH WHERE I JUST STARED OFF INTO SPACE. I HEARD A KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND I WASN'T GOING TO GET IT, BUT THE POUNDING CONTINUED, I FINALLY GOT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET UP AND ANSWER THE DOOR. THERE CAREEN STOOD, SHE TOLD ME SHE HAD NO EXPLANATION WHY SHE WAS THERE, ONLY THAT SHE KNEW SHE NEEDED TO BE THERE, SHE SAT DOWN AND TALKED TO ME FOR A FEW HOURS AND I POURED MY HEART OUT TO THIS WOMAN WHO I THOUGHT WAS SO HARD. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT CAREEN SAVED MY LIFE THAT DAY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF SHE WOULD HAVE NOT LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT, BUT I AM SO BLESSED THAT SHE CAME OVER AND HAD THE SPIRIT WITH HER AS SHE TALKED TO ME. I CANNOT STRESS TO YOU KIDS HOW MUCH YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES YOU AND IS ALWAYS WATCHING OVER YOU ALWAYS!!! MOM AND DAD HAVE HAD THE INSPIRATION AT TIMES WHEN WE DIDN'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN FOR OUR FAMILY, WE HAVE HAD SUCH SWEET PEACE IN PRAYING AND GOING TO THE TEMPLE TO FIND ANSWERS, WHEN WE MOVED TO IDAHO I KNOW IT WAS ONE OF THE HARDEST CHOICES WE HAVE EVER MADE, IT IS STILL HARD AT TIMES, I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED LAST SUMMER WHEN WE PUT THE HOUSE UP FOR SELL. I WAS DETERMINED LAST MAY TO GET THE HECK OUT OF IDAHO, I HAD ENOUGH, I WAS BEING SELFISH, BUT I DIDN'T CARE I WANTED OUT. I BASICALLY TOLD DADDY THAT IF HE DIDN'T GET ME OUT THEN I WAS THROUGH WITH IT ALL, I WAS VERY STRESSED AND EMOTIONAL. I HAD MANY FEELINGS OF BITTERNESS WITH THE PEOPLE IN OUR WARD AND I WASN'T WILLING TO FIND PEACE IN ANY THING. SO BEING THE WONDERFUL DADDY THAT HE IS, HE CALLED AND GOT A REALTOR OUT TO THE HOUSE REAL FAST. AS THE SUMMER WORE ON, I WAS MORE DETERMINED THEN EVER TO GET OUT OF HERE, WE LOOKED AT HOUSES, GOT THINGS PACKED, GOT LOTS OF BOXES, HAD TONS OF PEOPLE COME THRU OUR HOUSE AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS. WELL SOMETIME IN AUGUST WE HAD A VERY INTERESTED COUPLE, THEY HAD BEEN THROUGH THE HOUSE A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I KNEW THEY WOULD MAKE AN OFFER SOON. WELL DADDY CAME HOME AND WE HAD WENT TO TOWN FOR SOME GROCERIES, WE CAME BACK AND HE PULLED THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE, I GOT OUT AND RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO OF COURSE USE THE BATHROOM, WHEN I WENT BACK INTO THE KITCHEN, I LOOKED AROUND FOR DADDY, I COULD HEAR HIM OUT IN THE GARAGE SO I WENT OUT TO HELP. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW OUR HEAVENLY FATHER ANSWERS PRAYERS IN THAT QUIET WAY OF LETTING THE HOLY GHOST INTO OUR HEARTS, I OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW DADDY JUST STANDING THERE LOOKING AROUND, A FEELING OF SUCH PEACE CAME OVER ME AND THE SPIRIT SPOKE TO MY HEART, I HEARD THE WORDS, "THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE RIGHT NOW," AND THEN JUST LIKE THAT I CALLED DADDY IN AND TOLD HIM I NEEDED TO TALK TO HIM NOW, HE SAID WHAT ABOUT THE STUFF AND I TOLD HIM IT COULD WAIT. I TOOK HIM INTO THE FAMILY ROOM WITH THE PHONE AND TOLD HIM TO CALL THE REALTOR AND CANCEL OUR CONTRACT. ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER WE GOT A CALL FROM A REALTOR WITH A OFFER ON THE HOUSE, I HAVE SUCH PEACE IN OUR CHOICE AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LET GO OF THE BITTERNESS IN MY HEART SINCE THAT DAY, IT IS SO AMAZING WHAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL DO FOR US, IF WE DO OUR PART. I WILL NOW TRY TO WRITE MY EXPERIENCES DOWN FOR YOU, MY KIDS AS THEY COME IN MY LIFE. ONE MORE THING I WANT TO WRITE ABOUT, I HOPE YOU MY KIDS NEVER FORGET THE MIRACLE THAT WE AS A FAMILY WERE ABLE TO WITNESS, NOT MANY PEOPLE GET MIRACLES IN THEIR LIVES, SO ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW BLESSED WE ARE. I KNOW THAT YOU WILL REMEMBER HOW HARD IT WAS FOR OUR LITTLE SQUISHY TO COME INTO THIS WORLD AND THE STRUGGLES THAT FOLLOWED, I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT A NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL, THAT I KNOW YOU WILL REMEMBER. WE TOOK ALL OF YOU UP THERE TO SEE THE LITTLE SQUISHY, I KNEW AS SOON AS WE WALKED INTO THE HOSPITAL THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, I HAD THE WORSE FEELING IN MY STOMACH, I TOLD DADDY YOU BETTER CALL AND SEE IF SHAWNA CAN COME AND GET THE KIDS. I WAS SO BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH A WILLING SISTER TO COME AND TAKE CARE OF YOU KIDS THAT NIGHT. THE NURSES TOLD US AS SOON AS WE WALKED IN THAT THEY HAD BAD NEWS, OUR LITTLE SQUISHY PROBABLY WOULDN'T MAKE IT THRU THE NIGHT, HIS LITTLE KIDNEYS WERE NOT WORKING RIGHT, I DON'T REMEMBER A TIME IN MY LIFE THAT I HAVE BEEN SO SCARED AND YET I FELT THAT WARM PEACE OF THE HOLY GHOST WITH ME. DADDY AND ME DECIDED WE HAD BETTER GET A HOLD OF THE BISHOP AND SEE ABOUT GIVING THE LITTLE SQUISHY A NAME AND BLESSING. REMEMBER BROTHER SECRETAN, HE CAME UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH HIS SWEET WIFE TO OFFER US COMFORT AND LOVE. WE GAVE CASH A BLESSING THAT NIGHT AND YOUR FATHER BEING THE WONDERFUL PRIESTHOOD HOLDER THAT HE IS, BENT DOWN AND KISSED MY FOREHEAD AND SAID, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OKAY CHERISE. I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL THAT NIGHT, THEY WOULDN'T LET US STAY BECAUSE OF NICU RULES, I HARDLY SLEPT THAT NIGHT AND FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING I HAD DADDY CALL. I THINK I STARTED CRYING BEFORE HE COULD EVEN TELL ME THAT ALL SQUISHY'S TESTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE AND TO THIS DAY HE HAS NEVER HAD PROBLEMS. THIS IS OUR MIRACLE AND I NEVER WANT YOU KIDS TO FORGET THAT HEAVENLY FATHER DOES EXIST AND HE KNOWS WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS AND LIVES AND HE HAS BLESSED OUR FAMILY TEN-FOLD. THERE IS NEVER A DAY THAT DOES NOT GO BY THAT I DO NOT THANK HIM FOR THE MIRACLE OF LIFE AND THAT I HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE IT IN MY LIFE. I LOVE EACH ONE OF YOU AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE HOLY GHOST WITH YOU TO GUIDE YOU AND TO INSPIRE YOU TO ALWAYS DO GOOD IN YOUR LIVES, YOU ALSO WILL BE BLESSED TO HAVE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIVES, DON'T SECOND GUESS THEM LET THEM COME AND LEARN FROM THEM. THEY CAN BE A BRIEF LOOK INTO WHAT I BELIEVE CAN BE HEAVEN. I LOVE YOU, LOVE YOUR MOM

THE WOES OF MARRED LIFE!!

SO I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO TESSIE ALOT THIS WEEK, SHE HAS BEEN PRETTY SICK AND TRYING TO WORK AND ALL THAT MARRIED LIFE HAS IN STORE FOR YOU. I AM FEELING SORRY FOR HER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE ALL HAVE TO LEARN. SHE HAS NO HEALTH INSURANCE RIGHT NOW AND IS STILL TRYING TO PAY OFF HER LAST DOCTOR BILL, SO DOESN'T WANT TO INCUR ANOTHER ONE. SHE HAS BEEN SUFFERING WITH A BAD COUGH AND COLD, SO I TOLD HER SOME HOME REMEDIES AND TOLD HER EVERYTHING IS CURED WITH HOT SOUP AND SHOWER!! IT IS SO FUN TO WATCH THEM GROW AND LEARN, ALTHOUGH I DO FEEL BAD FOR HER, THEY GET TO COME HOME THIS WEEKEND SO MOMMY CAN TAKE CARE OF HER IF SHE IS NOT FEELING BETTER. I GUESS IT IS TRUE YOU NEVER GET RID OF THOSE DARN KIDS, SO I GUESS IT IS A GOOD THING WE LOVE THEM A LOT!! ALL WILL BE WELL MY LITTLE TWEEDLE BUG GIRL! LOVE YA, MOM

AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW THIS??

SO ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, I DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO GIVE MY SCALP A LITTLE EXTRA TLC, I THINK WITH AGE YOUR SCALP MUST GET DRY. THAT AND THE FACT THAT I HAVE NEVER USED CREAM RINSE IN MY LIFE, EVER!! WELL SINCE MONEY IS BETTER SPENT ON NOT SO FRIVOULS THINGS, I DECIDED TO JUST START OUT WITH MAYBE TRYING CREME RINSE AND FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY, WHAT I MEAN BY THIS IS. I AM USUALLY BOMBARDED IN THE SHOWER BY POUNDING ON THE DOOR OR THE SHOWER CURAIN BEING RIPPED OPENED BY MY TWO YEAR OLD AND THEN HIM TRYING TO GET INTO THE SHOWER OR THROW MY CELL PHONE IN. SO TO SAY THE LEAST I PUT THE SHAMPOO ON MY HEAD AND SCRUB A LITTLE, THEN RINSE, SO FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE ACTUALLY PUT SHAMPOO ON MY HEAD AND LET IT SIT UNTIL IT TINGLES, WOW DOES THAT FEEL GOOOOOD, THEN I SHAVE MY LEGS WHILE THE CREME STUFF SOAKS INTO THE SCALP, AAHHHHH, I HAVE TRULY BEEN MISSING OUT ALL THESE YEARS, MY HEAD AND HAIR SEEM TO BE DOING SO MUCH BETTER, NOW IF I CAN JUST GET MY TWO YEAR OLD TO NOT CLIMB INTO THE SHOWER WITH ME OR THROW THE CAN OF SHAVING CREAM AT MY FOOT-OUCH!! SO IF ANY OF YOU ARE HAVING DRY SCALP OR FLY AWAY HAIR TRY ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS ON THE BOTTLES-KEEP THEM ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WE AS MOM'S DESERVE A NICE HOT, LUXURY SHOWER, TURNING ON A MOVIE HELPS!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY! LOVE,C

I HAVE SOME CRAZY KIDS!!

WELL THE WEATHER HERE HAS BEEN FRIGHTFULLY COLD, THEY EVEN CANCELED SCHOOL BECAUSE OF IT, MY KIDS WERE THRILLED THAT THEY GOT TO SLEEP IN, BUT NOT SO THRILLED BECAUSE IT WAS MOM'S CLEANING DAY AND SO THEY GOT TO HELP!!! OH WELL, IT WENT BY FAST AND WE GOT ALOT DONE SO THAT THEY COULD DO WHATEVER IN THE AFTERNOON. CHEVY WAS HELPING ME IN THE BATHROOM, WHEN HE MADE A SMALL CONFESSION, HE SAID, "MOM, YOU KNOW THAT MOVIE THE CHRISTMAS STORY?" I JUST LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID OH BROTHER, DON'T EVEN TELL ME. HE THEN PRECEDED TO LET ME KNOW THAT HIS TONGUE HAS A BIG SORE ON IT, BECUASE YES HE TRIED TO STICK IT TO A METAL POLE. I JUST LAUGHED AT HIM AND SAID, I GUESS YOU WON'T BE WANTED DINNER TONIGHT, BECAUSE IT IS SPICY!! HE GROANED AND SAID, BUT I AM STARVING. BOYS!!! THEN MY LITTLE TODDLER, THINKS HE NEEDS TO REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT WE SAY, SO THE OTHER DAY WHEN I ACCIDENTALY POKED MY FINGER WITH A NEEDLE AND SAID THE BIG "S," WORD, HE THINKS HE NEEDS TO SAY IT AND OF COURSE HIS OLDER BROTHER EGGS HIM ON, SO IT HAS BECOME WAY OUT OF CONTROL, BUT I HAD A LITTLE TALK WITH THE SIBLINGS AND WE NOW ARE TRYING TO GET CASH TO SAY MORE LOVELY WORDS!! I TALKED TO CONTESSA YESTERDAY AFTER CHURCH, WHICH WAS ABOUT 12:45, AND THE LITTLE LAZY BONES WAS STILL IN BED, I TOLD HER IT'S NO WONDER THEY ARE BORED, ALL THEY DO IS SLEEP! THEY ARE DOING GOOD, OTHER THEN THEY ARE BORED, I TOLD HER WHAT A GOOD CHANCE TO GET YOUR HOUSE THOURGHLY CLEANED AND GET STUFF DONE, SHE JUST GROANED AND SAID, OKAY MOTHER!! WE JUST HAVE TO SIT BACK AND LAUGH, BECAUSE BEING MARRIED IS NOT ALL IT IS CRACKED UP TO BE, MEANING, YOU HAVE NO MONEY!!!! CHEROKEE IS GEARING UP FOR THE BIG VALENTINE'S DANCE, HER WONDERFUL MOM CAME UP WITH A CUTE IDEA TO ASK HER DATE. WE SENT HIM ON A VALENTINE MISSION FROM THE CHURCH. WE GOT A OLD BOOK OF MORMON AND SENT HIM ON A SCRIPTURE HUNT TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, CHEROKEE TYPED UP A LETTER FROM THE CHURCH CALLING HIM ON A MISSION AND WE BOUGHT HIM A MISSIONARY NAME TAG. SHE THEN DELIVERED ON THE PORCH AND RAN OFF. FOR THEIR DATE, THEY GOT T-SHIRTS AND THEY HAVE TO DRAW A SELF-PORTRAIT OF THEIR DATE ON THEM, THEY ARE HAVING DINNER AT OUR HOUSE, PLAYING GAMES AND FROSTING HEART COOKIES. THEY HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AROUND HERE, BECAUSE THEIR IS NOT MUCH TO DO!! ANYWAY, I THINK MY KIDS ARE CRAZY, BUT I LOVE THEM AND WOULDN'T TRADE THEM FOR THE WORLD. MARTY AND ME HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY ENGAGED IN GETTING THE BASEMENT DONE, THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT THIS HOUSE, WELL LET JUST SAY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING, AND IT IS DRIVING MARTY BONKERS, SO WE HAVE HAD TO FIX EVERY LITTLE THING. SO TO SAY THE LEAST IT IS TAKING LONGER THEN WE EXPECTED JUST TO GET THE SHEET ROCK UP. I DO LOVE THAT ABOUT MARTY THOUGH, HE IS A PERFECTIONIST WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING THINGS, NOW IF I COULD ONLY GET HIM TO CLEAN UP HIS GARAGE A LITTLE. WE HAVE HAD FUN DOING THE BASEMENT THOUGH, WE GET TO TALK LOTS AND LAUGH. FRIDAY NIGHT HE TOLD ME HE WOULD TAKE ME OUT ON A DATE, WELL WE ENDED UP AT HOME DEPOT FOR AWHILE, AND I WAS TO TIRED TO GO TO THE LATE SHOW, SO I HAD TO GIVE HIM A HARD TIME ABOUT GOING ON A ROMANTIC DATE. OH WELL, HIS EYES LIGHT UP WHEN HE GOES INTO THOSE STORES AND THAT IS WORTH IT TO ME. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOME STITCHERIES DONE, I AM WORKING ON EASTER ONES, IT HAS BEEN NICE HAVING MY CRAFT ROOM DONE. WELL FOR NOW, HAVE A GREAT DAY AND AS MARTY ALWAYS TELLS OUR KIDS, "CHOOSE THE RIGHT!" LOVE, C

LET ME CLARIFY

NO ONE IS IN THE HOSPITAL, CHEROKEE SPENT THE DAY IN THERE GETTING HER TONSILS AND ANNOIDS OUT, WE SPENT 4:30A.M. TIL 11:30A.M. IN THERE, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY MAKE YOU GET UP SO EARLY FOR, THEY DIDN'T EVEN OPERATE UNTIL 8, THEN IT ONLY TOOK 30MIN. SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING. GOOD NEWS IS SHE IS ABLE TO KEEP SOME BROTH DOWN, AND A LITTLE ADVICE TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE KIDS WITH SORE THROATS OR BAD BREATH, GET THEM CHECKED AND GET THE TONSILS OUT WHILE THEY ARE YOUNG. IT IS SO MUCH HARDER ON THEM WHEN THEY ARE OLDER, I SAY BAD BREATH BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT SHE HAD, NO SORE THROAT, JUST BAD BREATH, I TOOK HER TO THE DENTIST, BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS HER RETAINER, THE DENTIST TOLD ME TO GET HER INTO A SPECIALIST FAST. WHEN WE SEEN THE DOCTOR, HE TOLD US THAT SHE HAD BIG OPEN ULCERS ALL OVER HER TONSILS AND THEY NEEDED TO COME OUT ASAP, SO THAT NO MORE INFECTION WOULD SETTLE INTO HER THROAT. IT WAS A LITTLE GROSS, SHE SMELL LOVELY NOW!! ANYWAY, WATCH FOR BAD BREATH, I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED!! HAVE A GREAT DAY, LOVE, C

WOW WHAT A WEEK AND A HALF!!

WELL I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT WE ARE ALL DOING BETTER THIS WEEK, WELL I SHOULD SAY SOMEWHAT BETTER. AT LEAST CHEVY WENT TO SCHOOL. CHEROKEE IS FEELING BETTER, WE FINALLY GOT HER TO HOLD DOWN SOME LIQUID, SHE HAS LOST ABOUT TEN POUNDS IN ONE WEEK, SHE HAS BEEN PRETTY SICK. CASH IS STILL REALLY SICK, BUT WE TOOK HIM INTO THE DOCTOR TODAY, AND HE SAID JUST TO WATCH HIM CLOSE, CHEVY WAS FEELING SAD BECAUSE HE MISSED HIS OVERNIGHT SCOUT CAMP OUT AND SLEDDING, BUT HE WAS TOOK SICK TO GO, I TELL YOU I AM NOT SURE I LIKE HAVING EVERYONE SICK AND HAVING TO SPEND TIME IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A SICK ONE AND TWO AT HOME, AND HAVING MY HUSBAND GONE TO UTAH, IT PRETTY MUCH SUCKED LAST WEEK!!! THANK HEAVENS THAT MARTY CAME HOME AND TOOK ME OUT FOR A COUPLE HOURS, EVEN IF IT WAS JUST TO THE D.I. I AM REALLY GRATEFUL THAT EVERYTHING IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AND THAT HEAVENLY FATHER GAVE US THE STRENGTH TO HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER! LIFE REALLY IS FULL OF ADVENTURES!! OH WE GOT A NEW KITTY, CHEVY SUCKERED HIS MOM INTO IT, HE NAMED IT IGGY, IT IS GRAY AND WHITE LONG HAIRED STRIPPY, IT HAS A VERY CUTE PERSONALITY AND OF COURSE CASH LOVES TO PULL IT EVERYWHERE AND LAY ON IT. WELL FOR NOW HAVE A GREAT WEEK! LOVE,C

THE THINGS KIDS SAY, CAN BE SO TRUE!

THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS CHANGING A NOT SO PLEASANT DIAPER, MY TWO YEAR OLD INFORMED ME THAT DADDY AND CHEVY WAS STINKY!! IN OUR HOUSE THAT IS USUALLY THE CASE, ANYONE WITH BOYS KNOWS THAT FARTING IS A BIG THING IN A MAN'S LIFE, I JUST DIDN'T THINK MY TWO YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT FACT YET!! THANKS MARTY AND CHEVY!!!

CHEVY HAS ALSO BEEN TEACHING CASH THAT MOMMY HAS SAUSAGE TOES, HE THINKS MY TOES ARE LIKE LITTLE SMOKIES, HE IS SUCH A WONDERFUL TEEN!!

A START OF A NEW DAY

I HAVE DECIDED TO WRITE A BLOG ENTRY ONCE A WEEK ON A CHILDHOOD MEMORY, SO TODAY I WILL WRITE SOMETHING THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER DAY. IN HIGH SCHOOL WE HAD THESE TWO ABSOLUTLY CRAZED HOME-EC. TEACHERS AND AS STUDENTS WE LOVED TO TORMENT THEM, SO ONE DAY WE PLAYED THIS JOKE ON THE ONE. MY GIRLFRIEND AND ME, WERE BOTH PRESIDENTS FOR THE F.H.A. SO WE GOT THE PRIVILIGE OF GOING GROCERY SHOPPING DURING CLASS, AND WE GOT TO TAKE THE TEACHERS CAR. I REALLY DON'T THINK IT WAS POLICY TO LET STUDENTS DRIVE YOUR CAR, BUT THIS TEACHER WAS VERY AIR-HEADED, ANYWAY WE TOOK HER KEYS OUT OF HER PURSE AND AS A JOKE, WE HID HER PURSE. AS THE DAY WENT ON, MY FRIEND AND ME JUST FORGOT ABOUT IT, AND THE TEACHER DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT HER PURSE WAS MISSING UNTIL AFTER SCHOOL, SO TO SAY THE LEAST THE PURSE WAS MIRACULOUSLY FOUND THE NEXT MORNING WHEN WORD GOT OUT!! IT WAS QUITE SNEAKY GETTING IT BACK WHERE IT BELONGED!! WE GOT THE BEST OF THIS TEACHER QUITE OFTEN, ONE TIME WE PRETENDED THAT I GOT MY FINGER SEWN UNDER THE SEWING MACHING NEEDLE, SHE OF COURSE FREAKED OUT, SHE WAS A LITTLE MAD AT THAT ONE!! AS FAR AS THE OTHER TEACHER, WE WOULD GO GROCERY SHOPPING FOR HER AND SHE NEVER DID ASK FOR A RECIEPT, SO WE GOT A FEW FREE SNACKS AND LUNCHES!! I WASN'T ALWAYS INNOCENT AS A CHILD!! WE USE TO ALWAYS HAND IN EACH OTHERS PROJECTS ALSO, SHE NEVER CAUGHT ON, SOME PROJECTS WENT THROUGH TWENTY KIDS OR MORE. ANYWAY, TO SAY THE LEAST I GRADUATED AS A FUTURE HOMEMAKER OF AMERICA!!! WOW!! HAVE A GREAT DAY! LOVE,C

WOW, WHAT A EYE OPENER

I WAS A LITTLE SAD THIS PAST WEEKEND, SOME PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW VERY WELL WROTE IN THEIR BLOG SOME NOT VERY NICE THINGS ABOUT THE MORMON FAITH. I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE CAN WORSHIP AS THEY PLEASE, BUT I ALSO DON'T THINK THAT THEY NEED TO PUT DOWN ANOTHER PERSON'S FAITH JUST BECAUSE IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THEM. IT WAS VERY HURTFUL TO MARTY AND ME AND I HARDLY DOUBT THAT THE PERSON EVEN KNOWS IT WAS, HOWEVER THEY KNOW WE READ THEIR BLOG. IT IS SAD THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THAT WAY. I LOVE THE GOSPEL AND I HAVE EVEN HAD TIMES OF DOUBT, BUT THAT LITTLE SEED OF PLANTING THAT TOOK PLACE WHEN I WAS YOUNG KEPT EVERYTHING GOING, I TRY VERY HARD NOT TO EVER TAKE THE GIFT THAT MY SAVIOR GAVE TO ME AND DENY IT. HOW CAN YOU NOT BELIEVE IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST, LOOK AROUND YOU AND SEE THE CREATIONS WHICH A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER BLESSED US WITH, THE MIRACLES OF LIFE, LOVE. HOW CAN YOU NOT PICK UP THE SCRIPTURES AND READ THEM AND NOT KNOW THAT IT IS FROM GOD, WE ARE SO BLESSED AND I AM JUST SAD THAT PEOPLE THROW THAT KNOWLEDGE OF THE GOSPEL AWAY, BECAUSE THEY ARE TO STUBBORN OR BLINDSIGHTED BY THE WORLD TO TRUST IN THE SIMPLE FAITH OF OUR CHURCH. I GUESS WE ALL PICK OUR TRIALS, I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I HAVE THE GOSPEL TO GET ME THRU MINE. IT WILL BE OKAY MARTY, WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP PRAYING FOR THOSE PEOPLE AND HAVE THE FAITH THAT GETS US THRU OUR LIVES!! I LOVE YOU HONEY!! LOVE, C

WE ARE GETTING EXCITED!!

THIS WEEKEND IS OUR LAST WEEKEND FOR OUR ADOPTION CLASSES, WE HAVE PUT IN OVER 30 HOURS OF CLASSES AND HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL ON KIDS AND THEIR PERSONALITIES!! WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS STEP IN OUR LIVES, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE IN LIFE AND WE ARE SO GLAD FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THIS TO HELP FAMILIES GROW AND LEARN. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE HOUSE AGAIN, PAINTING, YES I SAID PAINTING!! THIS TIME IT IS KINDA FUN FOR ME, I AM GETTING MY CRAFT ROOM DONE, FINALLY AFTER 4 MONTHS, I NEED A OUTLET TO CREATE, SO I AM EXCITED!! I EVEN GOT THE BIG ROOM DOWNSTAIRS, SO I CAN REALLY BE CREATIVE. MARTY FINALLY FOUND US A SNOW BLOWER, AND OF COURSE SINCE HE BROUGHT IT HOME, IT HAS NOT SNOWED ENOUGH TO BLOW, WE ALL JUST LAUGH AT HIM, BECAUSE HE IS SO EXCITED TO GET THAT THING POWERED UP!! CONTESSA CALLS ALMOST DAILY, USUALLY TO ASK HOW TO MAKE SOMETHING, SHE MADE HER FIRST ROAST DINNER, SHE SAID IT TURNED OUT YUMMMY, SHE IS LOOKING FOR A GOOD ORANGE JULIUS RECIPE IF ANYONE HAS ONE, I CAN'T FIND MINE. THEY ARE DOING VERY WELL IN THEIR MARRIED LIFE, IT IS GOOD TO SEE THEM LEARNING THAT LIFE IS HARD, BUT GOOD ALSO. CHEROKEE IS SO BUSY ALL THE TIME, SHE GETS INVOLVED IN SO MUCH, SHE WORKS THREE NIGHT A WEEK AND PULLS A 4.0, I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT, SHE NEVER IS STUDYING, JUST ALWAYS ON THE GO. SHE IS GETTING READY FOR A HUGE COMPETION FOR NATIONALS IN F.F.A, IF SHE WINS SHE COULD GET A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO A WHOLE LOT OF SCHOOLS. SHE WANTS TO BE A EMT, I ALWAYS TOLD HER SHE WOULD GO INTO THE MEDICAL FIELD, SHE JUST LAUGHED AT ME THOUGH. WE HOPE THAT SHE WILL KEEP DATING THIS YOUNG MAN SHE HAS FOUND, HE IS SUCH A SWEETIE!! CHEVY IS GETTING SO CLOSE TO HIS EAGLE SCOUT AWARD, WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM FOR STICKING IT OUT, HE IS ALSO ON THE HONOR ROLL, SO WE ARE EVEN MORE PROUD, IT HAS BEEN TOUGH GETTING HIM TO DO HOMEWORK, LET'S JUST SAY THAT HIM AND MOM HAVE A DATE AFTERNOON EVERYDAY AFTER SCHOOL!! HE IS A HUGE HELP TO ME WHEN MARTY IS GONE AND A GREAT PLAYMATE TO CASH. CASH IS JUST FULL OF IT, HE IS TALKING A LOT NOW AND INTO EVERYTHING, HE DRAGS THE CATS AROUND BY THEIR TAILS, EVEN THOUGH THEY BITE HIM ALOT. HE LOVES CHEVY AND ALWAYS ASKS, "WHERE'S CHEVY, NEED HUG." HE CRIES EVERY MORNING WHEN CHEVY GETS ON THE BUS, IT IS SO CUTE! HE IS ALSO VERY ATTATCHED TO HIS DADDY, WHEN MARTY LEAVES ON SUNDAY NIGHTS, CASH CRIES AT THE DOOR, IT IS CUTE, BUT IT MAKES ME SAD ALSO. WELL IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR ROTATING FOOD STORAGE THAT ARE NOT COSTLY ON THE BUDGET, LET ME KNOW, I AM TRYING TO BE FRUGAL ABOUT THIS. WELL HAVE A GREAT DAY!! LOVE, C

THE BEST TIME EVER!!

WE HAD ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS EVER, I THINK ALOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE GOT TOTALLY SNOWED IN, BUT WE PLAYED A LOT OF GAMES, WATCHED MOVIES, WENT SLEDDING, SAW SOME FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND JUST RELAXED. IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE MARTY HOME FOR 16 DAYS IN A ROW, I HAD SO MUCH FUN GETTING TO LAUGH WITH HIM AND ACTUALLY SLEEP WITH HIM FOR MORE THEN FOUR NIGHTS. THE KIDS DIDN'T GET A WHOLE LOT FOR CHRISTMAS, BUT THEY WERE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY GOT AND I THINK THEY JUST ENJOYED HAVING THEIR DADDY HOME!! WE ACTUALLY SAVED SOME MONEY ENOUGH TO TAKE EVERYONE TO THE SHOW, IT IS 9.50 A TICKET HERE, WE WENT AND SAW, "BEDTIME STORIES," IT WAS GREAT. WE COOKED AND ATE SOME GREAT FOOD AND IT WAS EVEN HEALTHY FOR THE MOST PART, WE WENT UP TO THE ROBERTSON CABIN FOR A NIGHT AND THAT WAS FUN PLAYING GAMES, IT WENT BY TO FAST THOUGH!!! I DIDN'T WANT MARTY TO GO BACK TO WORK, BUT YOU ALL KNOW HOW THOSE BILLS JUST KEEP ON COMING!! WE FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON ON SUNDAY NIGHT, I THINK THE KIDS WERE VERY EXCITED TO READ THE PROMISE IN THE LAST BOOK, THEY ARE EXCITED TO START THE NEW TESTAMENT, THEY GOT TO CHOOSE, AND WE HAVE NEVER READ THIS PART OF THE SCRIPTURES, SO THEY ARE EXCITED TO DO THIS TOO!! I ACTUALLY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO BEG THEM, THEY REMIND ME AT TIMES!! I GUESS MY PRAYERS ARE PAYING OFF, MARTY AND ME ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO KEEP CLOSE TO OUR KIDS AND HELP THEM TO REALIZE HOW TRULY BLESSED THEY ARE!! AS FAR AS NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS GO, I DECIDED TO JUST BE THE BEST PERSON I CAN BE THIS YEAR AND ACCEPT HOW I AM, I AM WILLING TO CHANGE WHAT I CAN, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO GET STRESSED OUT ABOUT IT, IF I CAN'T. I AM ALSO WORKING ON FOOD STORAGE AND 72 HOUR KITS!! I DO NOT ROTATE MY FOOD WELL, SO I AM TRYING SOME NEW THINGS, WE WILL SEE IF IT WORKS!! WELL ENOUGH RAMBLING, LOVE YA ALL C