CRICKET'S CORNER

My Girls

2011-02-14T19:08:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of my daughters, I see that they are self sufficient, strong and compassionate women. It makes my heart swell with love everytime I see them overcome a trial or accomplish a great feat in life, I am so proud that they love their Heavenly Father and are trying to be strong in these hard times. I am proud that Contessa is such a good mommy and that she keeps strong in what she believes in, I am proud of Cherokee and that she is getting an education and that she keeps her chin up and doesn't back down. I have been truly blessed to be the mother of these two daughters of God, I love you both more than anything.

I love the men in my life!!

2011-02-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

First I love of course Marty, he truly is my soul mate. I can't believe we have been together for 22 yrs., I am happy to say that we still look at each other like we are the only two people on earth. We had a great weekend together, we went to lunch and a movie, got roses and some other very fun stuff!! We haven't had a lot of alone time lately, so it was so nice to just have him to myself and talk and hold hands. I am so glad that cupid shot my heart in the Hardee's parking lot 22 yrs. ago!! I love ya s.t.
My two boys are next in my life, I love being a mom to them. I love that Chevy is so good at helping me when Marty is gone and the fact that he smiles and laughs with me. I love that he is still my fluffy kitty and has a tender heart. I love that Cash is my shinning star, he gives me kisses and doesn't care that others might be watching, he tells me he loves me all the time. He reminds me everyday that I have witnessed a miracle in my life and I am so grateful to have him.
I love these men who are truly still little boys at heart, they are my life and I am thankful for that!! Love ya Marty, Cash, Chevy

GOOD GRIEF!

2011-02-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

I LIKE TO WRITE IN CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM ANGRY JUST BECAUSE I CAN SEE BETTER!! JUST IN CASE ANYONE THINKS I AM ANGRY AT SOMETHING. LOL WELL THE TIME HAS FLOWN BY ONCE AGAIN AND I AM STILL BLOGGING ON A HALLOWEEN BACKGROUND, I JUST CAN'T KEEP UP. THE BEST NEWS OF THIS MONTH IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE GRANDPARENTS AGAIN!! I AM VERY EXCITED SINCE I STILL FEEL YOUNG AND I STILL GET VERY BABY HUNGRY, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW THE SEASONS OF LIFE JUST SEEM TO PASS BY SO QUICKLY. I REMEMBER HAVING CONTESSA AND HOW YOUNG MARTY AND ME WERE, I WAS WAY THINNER OF COURSE, AND MARTY HAD TONS MORE HAIR!! I WAS FEELING A LITTLE DOWN THE OTHER DAY, IT SEEMS LIKE MY NEST JUST KEEPS GETTING A LITTLE MORE LESS EACH DAY. OF COURSE I WILL HAVE MY CASH FOR AWHILE, BUT I MISS MY GIRLS AND HAVING EVERYONE HOME TO PUT TO BED AND DO HOMEWORK WITH AND CLEAN UP AFTER. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF ME THAT HAS FELT THAT MARTY AND ME AREN'T DONE BEING PARENTS, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS, SINCE I AM A "IT" NOW!!LOL MAYBE IT IS JUST THIS WINTER, IT IS DRAGGING ON, I NEED TO BE OUTSIDE CLEARING OUT THE COBWEBS IN MY HEAD!! OUR FAMILY IS DOING GOOD, WE HAVE BEEN VERY BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH THIS YEAR, MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE WE NEVER GO ANYWHERE, BUT I AM PRETTY SURE IT IS A BLESSING ANYWAY. MARTY IS STILL TRAVELING, I THINK HE IS SICK OF IT, BUT IT IS A JOB AND THOSE ARE HARD TO COME BY. HE IS SUCH A GREAT HUSBAND AND DADDDY, HE IS ALWAYS DOING THINGS TO HELP ME AROUND THE HOUSE, I THINK HE WILL BE VERY GLAD TO HAVE OUR BASEMENT DONE. CHEVY IS A STRAIGHT A STUDENT IN SCHOOL, I AM SURE HAVING VIDEO TIME HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH GETTING GOOD GRADES. CHEROKEE IS BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND WORK, WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL SHE DOES TO BE INDEPENDENT, SHE IS A AWESOME DAUGHTER. CASH OF COURSE CONTINUES TO DRIVE ME CRAZY DURING THE DAY, BUT IS GREAT TO SNUGGLE TO AT NIGHT. HE IS SO READY FOR SCHOOL AND IS ONE SMART LITTLE WHIP A ROO. I AM JUST TRYING TO KEEP UP ON EVERYTHING WHILE MARTY IS AWAY AND BE CONTENT AND HAPPY. WE LOVE YOU ALL, THE CARRILLO'S

TIS THE SEASON!!

2010-11-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

WE ARE ALL JOLLY HERE IN IDAHO!! WE ARE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, I THINK IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE REALLY STRESSED TO MY KIDS THAT I WANT IT TO REFLECT THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS, SO WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SERVE ALOT. WE STARTED OFF IN SEPTEMBER WITH OUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS, WE DECIDED INSTEAD OF DRAWING NAMES FOR STOCKINGS THIS YEAR WE WOULD TAKE THE MONEY AND BUY SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE HUMANITARIAN PROJECT. WE ENDED UP WITH AROUND 60 NOTEBOOKS, SCISSORS, RULERS, GLUE STICKS, TONS OF PENCILS AND COLORED PENCILS. THEN AS THE MONTHS HAVE GONE BY WE HAVE DONE MANY DINNERS AND KIND DEEDS FOR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. WE EVEN GOT LORIN TO HELP HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN A FREEZING COLD STORM FOR A SWEET FRIEND OF MINE. WAY TO GO LORIN-HE IS AFRAID OF HEIGHTS!! MY KIDS DIDN'T EVEN COMPLAIN TO MUCH WHEN I STARTED CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON HALLOWEEN, NOT A LOT JUST A BIT!! AS A FAMILY HERE IS A LITTLE NEWS ABOUT US ALL-MARTY IS BUSY AT WORK, HE WORKS SO HARD AND PUTS ALL HIS ENERGY INTO WORK WHEN HE IS THERE. HE COMES HOME EXHAUSTED AND JUST NEEDS SOME DOWN TIME, SO I HAVE SHORTENED HIS HONEY DUE LIST(CHEVY BLESS HIS HEART HAS TAKEN OVER), HE CALLS HIS DAD A OLD MAN!! MARTY IS VERY EXCITED TO BE WORKING ON HIS OLD GMC TRUCKS, HE IS LIKE A LITTLE KID WHEN HE GETS A NEW HOSE OR SUCH. IT IS KINDA FUNNY, HE IS STARTING TO GET LITTLE ACHES AND PAINS, I JUST TELL HIM TO USE THE ICY HOT, I HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR YEARS. WE LOVE GROWING OLD TOGETHER AND LAUGH ALOT ABOUT IT. I AM ALWAYS BUSY IT SEEMS, I CLEAN, CLEAN OF COURSE IT'S THAT OCD COMING OUT IN ME!! ARGGH!! I HAVE BEEN DOING PRE-SCHOOL WITH CASH THREE DAYS A WEEK, HE IS SUCH A SMART LITTLE WHIP A ROO! IT KEEPS ME BUSY DOING LESSON PLANS AND OF COURSE CRAFTS WITH HIM. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF SEWING AND SCRAPBOOKING LATELY, SOMETHING I TRULY ENJOY!! CASH IS FULL OF IT, VERY SASSY AND SOMETIMES A LITTLE DEMANDING! HE WORRYS OVER THINGS THAT ABOUT DRIVE ME NUTS, LIKE RAINBOWS AND WHERE THEY COME FROM OR IF THERE ARE MONSTERS IN THE BASEMENT(THANKS CHEVY), I TELL YOU HIS MIND NEVER EVER QUITS. HE IS LIKE HIS DADDY THAT WAY, HIS WHEELS ARE ALWAYS TURNING. CHEVY IS MY BESTEST FRIEND RIGHT NOW, HE IS THE GREATEST SON, ALWAYS HELPING ME WITH EVERYTHING AND KEEPS ARE HOUSE HAPPY WITH HIS TEASING!! HE LIKES TO DO MODELS AND IS ENJOYING HIS AUTO CLASS AT SCHOOL. HE LIKES TO HELP HIS DAD IN THE GARAGE AND THEY TALK CAR STUFF, SO I JUST SMILE AND NOD. CHEROKEE IS BUSY WITH SCHOOL AND WORK, SHE GOT A 3.8 ON HER COLLEGE CLASSES, SHE HAS A BRAIN BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE CLASSED WERE VERY HARD. WE ARE PROUD OF HER AND MISS HER BEING AT HOME. SHE DOES COME HOME EVERY SO OFTEN TO SQUEEZE CASH AND THE PUPPIES, RAID THE CUPBOARDS AND WATCH A MOVIE WITH US. WE HAD A AWESOME THANKSGIVING WITH THE JOHNSON AND HOWELL FAMILIES, IT WAS GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE AND JUST RELAX-THANKS TO DEBBIE AND JACK!! WE HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH EVERYONE AND THEIR FAMILIES, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!! LOVE YA THE CARRILLO'S

P.S. THE ZIPPAY'S HAVE THEIR OWN BLOG TO READ ABOUT THEM-GRANDPA DID GET TO BABYSIT THE OTHER NIGHT AND HE SAID SHE IS THE CUTEST LITTLE DICKENS!!! I THINK HE IS A LITTLE BABY HUNGRY-TO BAD HONEY WE ARE DONE!!

GENERAL CONFERENCE WEEK!

2010-09-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

YA-HOO THE ZIPPAY'S ARE COMING TO MY HOUSE, SO I CAN MUNCH ON SOME LITTLE CHEEKS!! IT IS PRETTY FUNNY WHEN YOUR ONCE TEENAGE DAUGHTER WHO SWEARS SHE WILL NEVER DECORATE LIKE YOU DO, CALLS UP AND ASKS FOR HALLOWEEN DECOR!! I LOVE IT, A LITTLE BIT OF PAY BACK, BUT I ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT SHE IS CRAFTY!! LIFE IS GOOD FOR OUR FAMILY, LEARNING LOTS AND TRUSTING IN OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WE HAVE TWINS AT OUR HOUSE NOW AND WITH CASH AROUND IT FEELS LIKE TRIPLETS, THEY ALL KEEP ME GOING THOUGH. WE NAMED OUR TWINS-POSIE AND PICKLES, THEY WERE A EARLY B-DAY PRESENT FROM MY SWEET HUSBAND. IT'S HOT HERE, LIKE 90 DEGREES, HOW WIERD IS THAT, I EVEN HAVE THE A.C. ON, CRAZY STATE OF IDAHO FOR YA. LOVE YA, C

IT'S BEEN FOREVER!!

2010-09-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

WELL I THINK THE LAST TIME I BLOGGED, I HAD JUST COME HOME FROM HAVING MY FIRST GRANDBABY. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE TRULY ENJOYED HAVING THAT CUTIE AROUND, SHE IS SO ACTIVE AND CUDDLY!! I GUESS I WILL JUST START OFF WITH JUNE-MARTY AND ME CELEBRATED OUR 21ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, OF COURSE HE WAS IN VEGAS AND I WAS AT HOME, BUT THE WEEKEND BEFORE THAT WAS GREAT!! WE HAD A WONDERFUL FAMILY REUNION, HOSTED BY THE ROBERTSON FAMILY, IT WAS ALOT OF FUN AND CHEVY REALLY ENJOYED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH FOR THE TEENAGERS TO DO-THANKS AUNT BECKY AND UNCLE PAUL, WE LOVE YOU BOTH FOR ALL THE EXTRA THAT YOU DO FOR OUR FAMILY!! WE WORKED IN OUR YARD ALOT THRU THE SUMMER, JUST TRYING TO GET SOME TREES AND LANDSCAPING DONE, THEN IT JUST GOT TO BUSY AND THE LAWN WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT SUMMER. JULY BROUGHT US A FEW HUNDRED TRIPS TO UTAH, WE CELEBRATED THE 4TH BY GOING TO KENNEDY'S BABY BLESSING, WE SHOPPED AND ATE GOOD FOOD, CHEVY WENT ON A TREK WITH OUR WARD AND HE WAS GREATLY BLESSED TO HAVE HIS TESTIMONY STRENGTHENED. CHEROKEE JUST PRETTY MUCH WORKED ALL SUMMER, AND HUNG OUT WITH FRIENDS. CASH DROVE ME CRAZY OF COURSE, HE THINKS IT IS COOL TO FOLLOW HIS FRIENDS DOWN THE ROAD, BUT AFTER A GOOD WHOOPIN, HE HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD. CHEVY BUILT MARTY TO WORK BENCHES FOR HIS B-DAY, HE TURNED THE BIG 40 THIS YEAR!!! CHEVY DID A AWESOME JOB AND I THINK HE KINDA LIKED WORKING WITH HIS HANDS OTHER THEN VIDEO GAMES, HE GETS THAT WOOD WORKING FROM BOTH HIS GRANDPA'S. I TOOK THE KIDS TO UTAH IN AUGUST AND WE WENT TO A SWIMMING PARK, SHOPPING, THE ZOO, AND TO LAGOON. CONTESSA AND KENNEDY JOINED US FOR MOST OF IT AND IT WAS FUN TO BE WITH ALL MY KIDS. THANKS MARTY FOR WORKING SO HARD SO THAT WE CAN HAVE FUN!! WE WENT TO A FEW PLAYS AT ISLAND PARK THIS SUMMER, WENT OF SOME DRIVES, WENT TO THE DRIVE-IN AND REALLY JUST ENJOYED BEING WITH EACH OTHER. WE ALSO WENT TO A REUNION ON MY MOM'S SIDE THAT WAS FUN, IT IS WIERD TO SEE YOUR AUNTS THAT LOOK SO MUCH LIKE YOUR MOM!! WE LOST TO OF OUR LOVED ONES THIS SUMMER, MY UNCLE DIED AND MY SWEET NEWPHEW, WE WILL MISS THEM BOTH DEARLY, BUT WE KNOW THAT THEIR MISSION RIGHT NOW IS WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. WE ALSO LOST OUR SWEET LITTLE NOODLE DOG, HE RAN OUT IN FRONT OF A CAR AND WE HAD TO HAVE HIM PUT TO SLEEP, MY HEART HAS BEEN SO SAD, HE WAS LIKE ONE OF MY KIDS AND CHEVY AND ME MISS HIM GREATLY.
I HAVE BEEN DOING ALOT OF CANNING THIS SUMMER, JAMS AND SALSA, PEACHES AND I HOPE TO CAN SOME CORN BEFORE IT IS TO LATE!! THE KIDS ARE IN SCHOOL, CHEVY IS IN TENTH GRADE-HE JUST GOT HIS PERMIT AND IS WORKING HARD TO GET HIS OLD GMC DONE. HE IS SUCH A GOOD LOOKING KID AND HAS SUCH A BIG HEART!! CHEROKEE IS IN COLLEGE AND WORKS AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE HOSPITAL, SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE WANTS IN LIFE AND IS DETERMINED TO GET IT!! SHE IS DATING TRAVIS AGAIN, HE LEAVES ON HIS MISSION IN FOUR WEEKS, THOSE TO ARE JUST PEAS IN A POD!! CASH AND ME HAVE BEEN DOING PRESCHOOL IN OUR HOME, HE HAS SUCH A GOOD MEMORY, BUT HE IS MISCHIEVIOUS. HE RIPPED SOME OF OUR OLD VHS TAPES APART AND MARTY TOLD HIM THAT HE WANTED TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT, WELL CASH SIMPLY REPLIED THAT IT WASN'T A GOOD IDEA TO TALK. I HAVE BEEN WORKING LOTS ON MY CRAFTS AND LIFE HISTORY, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW TIME FLIES, SOMETIMES IT REALLY MAKES ME REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. WELL I LOVE YOU ALL AND PRAY THAT YOUR HOMES ARE HAPPY, I HAVE TO GO CHASE DOWN CASH!! LOVE, C.

A BUSY WEEKEND

2010-06-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

MY GOODNESS, TIME HAS JUST FLOWN BY THIS PAST MONTH. MARTY BROUGHT THE ZIPPAY'S HOME FOR FOUR DAYS AND WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!! MARTY AND LORIN SET UP CASH A ROO'S NEW BED SET FOR ME AND HELPED CHANGE SOME BEDROOMS AROUND. I GOT TO HOLD MY SWEET LITTLE KENNEDY LOTS AND SPOIL HER, I LOVE TO CUDDLE WITH HER AND SING TO HER. SHE HAS LOTS OF CUTE OUTFITS AND WE HAD FUN DRESSING HER UP!! WE COOKED YUMMY FOOD AND OF COURSE WENT SHOPPING AND TO THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN, BUT I AM GETTING TO OLD TO STAY UP UNTIL 3A.M., BESIDES CASH GOT UP AT 5A.M. HE IS SUCH A LITTLE STINKER, HE LOVED, "PETTING" KENNEDY AND IT WAS FUN TO WATCH CHEROKEE AND CHEVY WITH HER. THANKS FOR A FUN TIME ZIPPAY FAMILY, WE LOVE YOU LOTS!!! I AM NOW CLEANING THE HOUSE, I GET TO BE WITH CASH THIS WEEK ALONE, CHEVY IS WORKING WITH MARTY AND CHEROKEE IS AT A FFA CONVENTION, HER LAST ONE. I SHOULD GET LOTS DONE, BECAUSE IT IS POURING RAIN OUTSIDE! LOVE TO ALL, C

WOW WHAT A WEEK!!

2010-05-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

I AM SITTING HERE IN THE DARK JUST TAKING A MOMENT TO BREATHE, THIS PAST TEN DAYS HAS BEEN CRAZY AT OUR HOUSE!! WE STARTED OFF WITH CHEROKEE'S 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY ON THE 21ST, SHE WANTED TO GO TO "CHUCK A RAMA" FOR HER BIRTHDAY DINNER-IS SHE CRAZY OR WHAT?? THEN WE HAD SEMINARY GRADUATION FOR HER THAT SUNDAY, IT WAS AWESOME, SHE LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL, SHE JUST HAD A GLOW ABOUT HER IT WAS SO NEAT!! THEN ON MONDAY MORNING MARTY AND ME AND CASH LEFT TO GO TO UTAH TO HELP CONTESSA GET THAT BABY HERE!! WE STARTED WITH HER IN THE HOSPITAL AT 10P.M. ON MONDAY NIGHT, SHE TOLD ME I WAS NOT TO LEAVE HER, SO I STAYED UNTIL 3A.M., THEN I SNUCK TO HER APARTMENT FOR SOME SLEEP, AT 5A.M. LORIN CALLED TO SAY SHE NEEDED ME, AND THAT THEY BROKE HER WATER, SHE WAS VERY NERVOUS AND SCARED AND ANYONE WHO KNOWS HER WELL, ALSO KNOWS THAT IS SAYING IT VERY MILD!! ANYWAY WITH TWO HOURS OF SLEEP I STAYED THE WHOLE DAY TUESDAY, EXCEPT FOR ABOUT 1HOUR, I WENT TO LUNCH WITH CASH AND MARTY. CONTESSA WAS SO AWESOME, SHE NEVER COMPLAINED AND WAS VERY BRAVE, I WAS SO PROUD OF HER!! AT AROUND 11P.M. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER WE WERE GOING TO START TO PUSH AND TWENTY MINUTES LATER THE SWEET LITTLE BABY CAME. CAN I JUST SAY THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE TO SEE THAT LITTLE GIRL COME INTO THIS WORLD, I COULD HARDLY HOLD IN MY TEARS AND MY SMILE WOULDN'T LEAVE MY FACE. I LOOKED OVER AT MARTY AND WE JUST BEAMED AT EACH OTHER, HE GOT TO SIT IN THE CHAIR, IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE HIM IN THE ROOM ALTHOUGH FOR PRIVACY REASONS HE DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE ACTUAL BIRTH, HE STILL FELT THE SPIRIT IN THAT ROOM. IT WAS AWESOME AND YES I AM SO EXCITED TO BE A GRANDMA!! THANKS TO SHAWNA FOR TAKING CASH SO THAT MARTY COULD BE THERE AND THANKS TO MARTY FOR TAKING CASH TO WORK MONDAY AND TUESDAY SO THAT I COULD BE WITH TESS AND LORIN!!
WELL WITH ABOUT FIVE HOURS OF SLEEP WE PICKED UP CASH AT SHAWNA'S AND HEADED HOME TO IDAHO FOR CHEROKEE'S GRADUATION. BY THE TIME WE GOT HOME I HAD 45MINUTES TO SHOWER US ALL AND GET US READY, WE WERE A LITTLE LATE, BUT STILL MADE IT!!! THE GRADUATION WAS GREAT-SHORT AND TO THE POINT!! IT ONLY WAS ABOUT 65MINUTES FROM START TO FINISH!! AFTERWARDS WE TOOK CHEROKEE TO BIG JUD'S, HER AND CHEVY ATE ONE OF THEIR BIG BUGERS AND FRIES AND ICE-CREAMS!!! MARTYS AND ME BARELY ATE 1/2 OF A BIG BURGER, 1/2 OF OUR FRIES AND I DIDN'T EVEN EAT MY ICE CREAM!! TEEN-AGERS!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF CHEROKEE, SHE IS TRULY A SWEET DAUGHTER AND WE FEEL SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER IN OUR LIVES!! MARTY AND ME TOOK OFF THURS. TO GO BACK TO UTAH TO HELP THE ZIPPAY'S, WE WERE SO EXCITED TO HOLD THAT LITTLE GIRL AGAIN, MARTY COOKED DINNER WITH LORIN'S HELP, WHILE I SHOWED CONTESSA HOW TO BATHE HER LITTLE"SNAPS" THAT IS WHAT GRANDPA MARTY CALLS HER. ON FRIDAY MARTY AND ME TOOK CONTESSA'S HOUSE TO TASK, WE CLEANED, MOVED FURNITURE, HUNG PICTURES, WASHED EVERYTHING FROM LORIN'S UNDIES TO THE BATHROOM RUG!! WE COOKED AUNT BECKY'S CHICKEN CHOWDER-IT WAS YUMMY, FOR DINNER AND THEN WE PRETTY MUCH POOPED OUT!! SATURDAY WE FOUND THEM A BED AND SOME MUCH NEEDED THINGS FOR THEIR APARTMENT AND THEN MARTY AND ME HEADED HOME!! WE GOT UP SUNDAY AND WENT TO CHURCH AND SPENT SOME MUCH NEEDED TIME WITH OUR OTHER THREE MONKEYS, THEN ON MONDAY WE CELBRATED CASH A ROO'S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!! I CAN'T BELIEVE HE IS FOUR, HE IS THE LIGHT IN MY LIFE!! MARTY HEADED BACK TO UTAH FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN IS BRINGING KENNEDY AND MOMMY,DADDY BACK TO IDAHO FOR A FEW DAYS!! CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE GREAT PARENTS, THEY TALK SO CUTE TO THAT LITTLE "SNAPS" IT MAKES ME WANT TO CRY, THAT LIFE IS SO FAST, IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT SHE WAS IN MY ARMS. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE TENDER MERCIES THAT WE AS A FAMILY HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THIS PAST WEEK, I THANK MY HEAVENLY FATHER FOR MY SWEET BLESSINGS!!
MARTY AND ME TOOK THE TIME TO GO TO THE CEMETARY ON SATURDAY, HIS FATHER'S GRAVESITE IS SO PEACEFUL, IT IS AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN AND YOU CAN HEAR THE BIRDS AND HEAR A STREAM AND IT IS JUST SO SPECIAL TO FEEL THAT PEACE WHEN YOU GO THERE TO KNOW THAT SUCH A GREAT GUY WAS A PART OF YOUR LIFE, I MISS HIM DEARLY AND I KNOW THAT HE THINKS OF US AND PRAYS FOR US. WE ALSO GOT TO VISIT WHERE MY GRANDPARENTS WERE BURIED ON MY MOM'S SIDE, THAT WAS NEAT TO, I GOT TO TELL CHEVY AND MARTY SOME STORIES AND I JUST FELT PEACEFUL WHILE I WAS THERE. ONE MORE THING I NEED TO SAY TODAY, I LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD, I MISS YOU WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ARE DOING A WORK FAR GREATER THAN RAISING US KIDS, SO FOR NOW I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOVE YOU!! A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL MY FAMILY FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO MARTY AND ME AND OUR KIDS, AND TO ALL MY SISTER'S FOR BEING CASH A ROO'S GRANDMA'S AS HE CALLS ALL OF YOU!!! THANKS TO MARTY'S MOM FOR SENDING THE KIDS CARDS AND GIFTS THEY REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND LOVE YOU!! TO MY HUSBAND- I THANK YOU FOR BEING MY BEST FRIEND AND SUPPORT!! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM, 143MARTY!! LOVE, C

CRAZY WEATHER, CRAZY LIFE, CRAZY MOM!!

2010-05-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

SO OF COURSE I GET ALL MY BEAUTIFUL MOTHER'S DAY PLANTS AND BUSHES ALL IN THE GROUND AND IT SNOWS!! IT HAS BEEN FREEZING HERE THIS WEEK, EXCEPT FOR A LITTLE PATCH OF SUNSHINE ON MONDAY, WHICH I TOTALLY ENJOYED!! I AM JUST HOPING THAT MOST OF MY PLANTS SURVIVED, MY HOUSE SMELLS LIKE TOMATO PLANTS, BECAUSE I DON'T DARE PLANT THOSE YET, AND CHEROKEE GAVE ME PLANTS FOR M.-DAY. LIFE HAS BEEN SO CRAZY LATELY, I WAIT EVERYDAY PATIENTLY FOR A PHONE CALL, SAYING THAT I WILL BE A GRANDMA, WHILE I AM WAITING I SHOP FOR LITTLE KENNEDY, NO HARM IN THAT HA-HA!! I HAVE STARTED BUYING HER 24MONTH OLD CLOTHES NOW, I LOVE LITTLE GIRL STUFF. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT GRANDMA AND KENNEDY ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST OF PALS!! MARTY HAS BEEN VERY BUSY WHEN HE IS HOME WORKING ON HIS GMC, DOING THE BASEMENT, YARDWORK, AND FIDDELING IN HIS GARAGE. HE IS SUCH A GREAT GUY, HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP ME WITH ALL MY PROJECTS, HE DOES GET VERY JEALOUS OF "NOODLES," THOUGH. I HAVE A VERY SPOILED DOG ON MY HANDS, HE IS LIKE MY LITTLE SHADOW, AND WHEN I GO TO BED HE WANTS IN, HOWEVER I WILL NOT LET HIM SLEEP WITH ME, I ALREADY HAVE MARTY AND CASH WITH ME, SO THE DOG SLEEPS WITH CHEVY!! CHEVY HAS BEEN THE BEST HELPER TO ME THIS PAST MONTH, HE HAS DUG HOLES FOR ME AND THAT IS NOT A EASY TASK WHEN YOU HAVE "ROCK GARDENS" FOR SOIL!! WE ARE AWARDING HIS EAGLE SCOUT SOMETIME THE FIRST OF JUNE, MAY IS JUST TO CRAZY! CHEROKEE IS WAY EXCITED, SHE FINALLY GOT HER LETTER TO SAY SHE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM, SHE HAS BEEN CRAZY BUSY WITH GRADUATION STUFF AND WORKING AND FILLING OUT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GOOFING WITH FRIENDS. SHE GAVE THE MOST AWESOME SPEECH AT HER FFA GRADUATION NIGHT, SHE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE HER PARENTS TEAR UP REAL GOOD!! I WAS SO PROUD OF HER, SHE GAVE ALL HER GRATITUDE TO HER HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT IS NOT EASY FOR A TEENAGER TO DO IN FRONT OF THEIR PEERS, SHE IS SUCH A AWESOME DAUGHTER!!
CASH IS READY FOR THE SUNSHINE, HE FINALLY WILL SIT AND PLAY AND ENERTAIN HIMSELF WITH TOYS, I MIGHT ACTUALLY GET SOME SEWING TIME! CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE DOING WONDERFUL, THEY ARE EXCITED FOR THEIR BUNDLE TO COME, I AM SO PROUD OF THEM AND I LOVE WATCHING THEM GET INVOLVED IN THE GOSPEL, THEY ASKED MARTY AND ME WHAT MADE US SO HAPPY IN LIFE AND IN OUR MARRIAGE AND WE TOLD THEM, IF THEY ARE LIVING THE GOSPEL AND DOING WHAT HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS THEM TO DO, THEY WOULD ALWAYS FIND HAPPINESS IN THEIR LIVES. I THINK THEY WERE EXPECTING A ANSWER THAT WAS MORE COMPLICATED, AND WERE A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GOSPEL. WE HAVE TRULY BEEN BLESSED WITH OUR AWESOME KIDS, I AM PROUD OF EACH OF THEM, I WAS WATCHING THE NEWS THE OTHER NIGHT AND HOW SAD SOME OF THE TOP HEADLINES WAS, IT MADE ME SO GRATEFUL FOR THE SMALL THINGS I HAVE IN LIFE, LIKE FOOD, CLOTHES, A JOB, KIDS THAT ARE HEALTHY, THE FREEDOM TO WORSHIP AS I PLEASE, I SOMETIMES WE DON'T STOP AND THINK HOW TRULY BLESSED WE ARE. I DECIDED THAT I AM GOING TO THANK MY HEAVENLY FATHER EVERYDAY FOR THE SMALL THINGS I AM BLESSED WITH THAT USUALLY GO UNNOTICED!! I HOPE ALL OF MY FAMILY IS DOING AWESOME, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE REUNION AND TO HAVE LOTS OF WATER FIGHTS, CAMPFIRES AND ALL THE MARSHMELLOWS WE CAN EAT!!! LOVE YOU ALL, C

P.S. MARTY I KNOW YOU READ THIS SO-I LOVE YOU TODAY AND FOREVER!!

2010-04-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

WE HAVE BEEN CRAZY BUSY THIS WEEK, WE GOT CHEVY EAGLE PROJECT APPROVED SO NOW IT IS ON TO HIS BIG INTERVIEW!! WE ARE GETTING CLOSER, I HAVE BEEN FINISHING BABY SHOWER PRESENTS AND HAVING LOTS OF FUN SHOPPING AGAIN!! CHEROKEE HAS A HUGE PROJECTS DUE THIS WEEK AND HAS BEEN A LITTLE STRESSED, SHE HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL TO ME WITH CASH, I WILL MISS HER WHEN SHE GOES TO SCHOOL. CASH IS ON HYPER DRIVE, I THINK IT IS THE NICE WEATHER, BUT HE DOESN'T QUIT, UNTIL I PRETTY MUCH SIT ON HIM TO GO TO SLEEP!! MY POOCHIE KEEPS ME BALANCED, I LOVE SITTING DOWN AT NIGHT TO WATCH THE NEWS AND HAVING HIM HOP UP ON MY LAP FOR A CUDDLE, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE A INDOOR DOG, BUT HE HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO MY HEART. MARTY HAS BEEN BUSY AT WORK, I REALLY MISS HIM WHEN HE IS GONE. HE HAS BECOME ATTATCHED TO ME, SO WHEN HE LEAVES I HAVE WITHDRAWLS. ANYWAY WE ARE GETTING EXCITED FOR THE BABY TO COME AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME WITH CONTESSA AND FAMILY. SHE IS DOWN TO ABOUT THREE WEEKS-YA HOO!! LOVE TO ALL MY FAMILY, C

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE REUNION-IT HAS BEEN TO LONG SINCE OUR LAST GET TOGETHER IN JANUARY!! HAVE A HAPPY WEEK!

SIN CITY

2010-04-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

JUST A LITTLE SIDE NOTE-BECAUSE SOME MIGHT BE OFFENDED-THE WHOLE "SIN STATE UTAH," THING IS A PERSONAL JOKE WITH MY SIBLINGS, SO DON'T EVERYONE GET UPSET, WE JUST HAVE TO JOKE ABOUT IT!!! ALL HAS TO DO WITH MARTY MOVING TO THE PROMISED LAND!!! SO IF ARE OFFENDED SORRY, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYONE PERSONALLY, EXCEPT MARTY-AND HE KNOWS IT'S A JOKE!! HAPPY DAY TO MY FAMILY, LOVE, C

EASTER

2010-04-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

AFTER A WONDERFUL TRIP AND 12 DAYS WITH MY HUBBY, IT WAS KINDA SAD TO SEND HIM BACK TO THE "SIN STATE," WE ALWAYS HAVE SO MUCH FUN TOGETHER AND IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF A LET DOWN WHEN HE HAS TO GO BACK, BUT THE HYUNDAI STORE WOULD FALTER WITHOUT MY AWESOME HUSBAND, THAT IS WHY HE WENT BACK!! ANYWAYS, CONTESSA AND LORIN SPENT SAT. THRU TUES. WITH US AND THAT WAS FUN, WE TOOK TESS TO GET HER HAIR COLORED AND CUT, WHICH TURNED OUT DARLING!! WE ALSO FOUND A BLESSING DRESS FOR KENNEDY, IT LOOKS LIKE A CINDERELLA DRESS!! I STUFFED LORIN WITH FOOD AND HIM AND CHEVY BONDED WITH VIDEO GAMES, CHEROKEE HAD TO PACK FOR HER TRIP AND DO LAUNDRY. WE HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER AND I ALWAYS HATE TO SEE THOSE TIMES END, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE OTHER TIMES WE WILL HAVE TOGETHER THIS SUMMER!! CHEROKEE DID REALLY GOOD AT STATE, SHE HAS WORKED HARD AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER, SHE IS GEARING UP FOR GRADUATION AND COLLEGE, SHE JUST WANTS TO MOVE ON IN LIFE. SHE IS SUCH A GO GETTER!! CASH THINKS WE ARE GOING BACK TO PETER PAN EVERYDAY!! CHEVY FINALLY GOT HIS PAPERWORK DONE FOR HIS EAGLE SO THAT WILL HAPPEN SOON. MARTY IS BACK AT WORK AND KEEPS US ALL TOGETHER, I AM BUSY MAKING QUILTS AND SCRAPING. LIFE IS GOOD AND WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE GOSPEL AND THE PEACE IT BRINGS INTO MY LIFE, EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT PERFECT. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY SWEETIE, MY KIDS, SON-IN-LAW AND NEW BABY SOON!! I AM SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE FREEDOM AND THIS BEAUTIFUL LAND WERE I LIVE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR GOOD FRIENDS THAT MAKE ME SMILE!! LOVE, C

WHAT A GREAT TRIP!!

2010-04-13T17:23:00.000-07:00

WE LEFT ON A THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND DROVE TO OREM, ON THE WAY DOWN WE STOPPED AT SMITH AND EDWARDS COUNTRY STORE, CHEROKEE AND CHEVY LOVED ALL THE CANDY AND FUNNY THINGS WE SAW!! WE SPENT THE NIGHT WITH CONTESSA AND LORIN-ORDERED PIZZA AND WATCHED, "BLINDSIDE!" WE LEFT THE NEXT MORNING FOR CALIFORNIA, WE STOPPED IN ST. GEORGE FOR A LITTLE WALKING BREAK, WENT THRU MOST OF THE OUTLETS, WE LOVED THE OLD NAVY, AND RUE 21 STORE THERE. WE GRABBED SOME LUNCH AND A DRINK THEN HEADED TO PRIMM. WE STAYED AT "WHISKEY PETE'S," IN PRIMM NV, MARTY AND ME BOTH HATE VEGAS, BUT PRIMM WASN'T MUCH BETTER!! THE ROOM WAS NICE THOUGH AND WE WERE ALL TIRED FROM A LONG DAY. WE LEFT THE NEXT MORNING AND DROVE TO BAKER, CALIFORNIA TO SEE THE WORLD'S LARGEST THERMOHEATER, MARTY HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THIS, IT WAS FUN, WE ALSO WENT TO THE WIERD "ALIEN JERKY," PLACE!! THAT ACTUALLY WAS ALOT OF FUN, WE GOT SOME DELICIOUS JERKY AND THEY HAD GREAT PICTURE SPOTS!! AFTER THAT WE DROVE TO BARSTOW AND WE STOPPED AND HAD A ICE-CREAM, THEN ON TO ANEHIEM. WE GOT TO OUR HOTEL AT AROUND 1P.M., DUMPED OFF OUR LUGGAGE AND THEN HEADED TO THE BEACH, CASH LOVED ALL THE SAND AND WATER, BUT I THINK CHEVY AND CHEROKEE LOVED IT THE MOST, THEY CHASED WAVES AND WE BURIED CHEROKEE IN THE SAND!! WE GOT CLAMS AND SEASHELLS FOR LORIN, ALL IN ALL WE HAD FUN, BUT COULDN'T SEEM TO GET THE SAND OFF OF US!!! THE KIDS WERE STARVING SO "LITTLE CEASARS," PIZZA WAS ON THE AGENDA!! WE WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL AND WENT SWIMMING AND SAT IN THE HOT TUB, EVERYONE WAS EXHAUSTED AFTER A LONG DRIVE AND PLAY AT THE BEACH, SO WE HIT THE SACK PRETTY EARLY.
DISNEYLAND-PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK US WHY WE LOVE TO GO TO DISNEYLAND SO MUCH, WELL MARTY AND ME LOVE IT BECAUSE IT IS ONE PLACE WE ALL LOVE TO GO AND THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, WE LOVE SEEING OUR KIDS AND THEIR SWEET LITTLE FACES LIGHT UP AT ALL THE RIDES, FOOD, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS. THEY STILL LOVE IT AT THEIR AGES AND SO DO WE, SO WE FIGURE WE WILL DO THE EXOTIC TRIPS WHEN OUR KIDS GET TIRED OF GOING TO DISNEYLAND. WE SAY TO EACH THEIR OWN AND WE HAPPEN TO LOVE DISNEYLAND!!
ANYWAY, OUR FIRST DAY THEIR WAS CRAZY, IT WAS 80 DEGREES AND CASH JUST WANTED TO DO EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE!! HIS EYES WERE AS BIG AS SAUCERS THE ENTIRE TIME WE WERE THERE, HE LOVED THE PIRATE RIDE AND SPLASH MOUNTAIN!! HE ALSO LOVED WINNIE THE POOH AND HIS FAVORITE, "PETER PAN!" WE WAITED IN LINE FOR 1HR AND 30 MIN. TO GET ON THAT RIDE, AND THEN IT LASTED ABOUT 40SEC. HE LOVED IT ANYWAY AND WANTED MORE!! CHEROKEE AND CHEVY WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN AND DID THE BIG KID RIDES, THEN THEY MET UP WITH US AND MARTY WENT WITH THEM. MARTY AND ME BELIEVE THAT IF WE PAY THAT MUCH MONEY FOR A TRIP, THEN WE WILL STAY TIL THE END, SO WE STAYED OUR FIRST DAY THERE FOR 13HOURS!!! THE SECOND DAY OF OUR VACATION WAS SPENT AT CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK, THEY HAD A LOT CLOSED DOWN FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE KIDS STILL HAD FUN, THEY LOVED THE FREE TORTILLA'S, CASH GOT SOAKED IN THE BUG LIFE LAND, SO WE HAD TO CHANGE HIM, THEN HE FELL ASLEEP FOR 3HOURS. THAT NIGHT WE WALKED DOWNTOWN DISNEY, I LOVE THE RAIN FOREST CAFE AND THE LEGO STORE!!
OUR THIRD DAY WE SENT TO KNOTT'S BERRY FARM, WERE WE ENJOYED THE BEST CHICKEN DINNER AND OF COURSE ROLLS AND JAM!! CASH AND CHEVY BOTH LOVED THE SAMPLE JAM, OUR TEEN-AGERS AND MARTY DID ALL THE ROLLER-COASTERS AND MARTY I THINK WAS A LITTLE SCARED AT TIMES IF HIS HEART WAS GOING TO SURVIVE!! CASH AND ME ENJOYED SNOOPY LAND AND ALL THE OTHER WONDERFUL ATTRACTIONS!! SEEING SNOOPY AT THE END OF HIS DAY, CASH THEN FELL ASLEEP INTO A PEACEFUL NAP! WE HIT ALL THE FUN STORES, BUT BECAUSE OUR BELLIES WERE FULL AND THE FACT THAT FUNNEL CAKE WAS 8.00 FOR ONE, WE HELD BACK EVEN THOUGH THE SMELL WAS WONDERFUL!! THE NEXT TWO DAYS WERE SPENT AT DISNEYLAND AND CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, WE TOOK TONS OF PICTURES, WATCHED AWESOME FIREWORKS AND PARADES, ATE HAMBURGERS ALOT YUK!!! WE DID HAVE SOME GUMBO, IT WAS ALRIGHT, MARTY LIKED IT THOUGH, PLUS HE GOT A HUGE TURKEY LEG-IT LOOKED LIKE SOMETHING FROM A MEDIEVAL MOVIE!! WE WERE SAD TO LEAVE, BUT WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!! WE STAYED IN ST. GEORGE ON THE WAY HOME, STOPPED IN BARSTOW AT THEIR OLD NAVY AND EVERYTHING WAS 40% OFF, SO WE HAD SOME FUN SHOPPING, WE PICKED UP LORIN AND TESSIE ON THE WAY HOME AND THEY SPENT EASTER AND TESSA'S 20TH BIRTHDAY WITH US!! THE ONLY REAL MISHAP THAT WE HAD WAS, ON THE DAY AFTER THE BEACH, WE GOT INTO THE CAR THAT NIGHT AFTER BEING AT DISNEYLAND ALL DAY IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER, AND OH MY WHAT A WONDERFUL SMELL WE HAD-I FORGOT TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE CLAMS AND THEY ROTTED!!! IT TOOK US ALL THE REST OF OUR VACATION TO GET THE SMELL OUT!! THANKS TO MARTY FOR DRIVING US THERE AND FOR LETTING US HAVE SO MUCH FUN-WE LOVE YOU DADDY!! LOVE,C

LOVE THIS WEATHER!!

2010-03-17T09:32:00.001-07:00

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE HIGH 40'S TO LOW 50'S THE PAST THREE DAYS AND I AM LOVING IT, WE PLAYED OUTSIDE AND WENT WALKING AND I THREW OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS FOR A NICE CLEANING OF THE HOUSE, IT SMELLS SO FRESH, WELL EXCEPT AT NIGHT WHEN WE GET SKUNKS UP BY THE PORCH!!! I AM GETTING SO EXCITED FOR SUMMER, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT THE LAWN MOWER BUSTED, SO IF ANYONE KNOWS OF A RIDING LAWN MOWER FOR SALE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO USE THE PUSHING ONE AND CHEVY IS GETTING A JOB, SO IT WILL BE ME PUSHING!! I AM ALSO GETTING EXCITED TO GO TO CALIFORNIA AND HANG OUT ON THE BEACH FOR TEN DAYS!!!! CASH IS EXCITED TO, HE KEEPS ASKING TO SEE PETER PAN. WE ARE HOPING TO STOP AT THE GRAND CANYON ON THE WAY HOME, BUT IT STILL MIGHT BE CLOSED, SO WE WILL SEE, I JUST WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THE PHONE, MY WARD CALLING, NEIGHBORS, AND BE WITH MY SWEET HUSBAND AND FUN KIDS-SO CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!
AS FOR NEWS ABOUT US, CHEVY GOT HIS BRACES ON THE TOP AND HE LOOKS JUST AS CUTE AS CAN BE, HIS BOTTOM ONES COME ON IN ABOUT TWO MONTH-THEY ARE SO OVER PRICED IT'S JUST METAL FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!! CASH HAS BEEN LEARNING LOTS OF NEW WORDS AND SONGS, HE LOVES TO SING, "FOLLOW THE PROPHET," AND WE TAUGHT HIM A SONG ABOUT ST. PATRICKS DAY THAT HE SINGS AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS!! THANKS AUNT WENDY FOR THE WORDS!! SPEAKING OF WENDY-SHE SENT ME HOME WITH A WHOLE LOT OF GOODIES FOR MY HOUSE THE OTHER DAY-MARTY JUST ROLLS HIS EYES AT ME, BUT THANKS ANYWAYS WENDY AND NORM!! WE HOPE YOUR MOVE GOES SMOOTHLY-AND LOVE YOU BOTH!! BACK TO OUR FAMILY-CHEROKEE WENT TO DISTRICT COMPETION AND TOOK FIRST IN ALL THREE CATAGORIES, SO SHE IS GOIN TO STATE IN APRIL IN TWIN FALLS, WE ARE SO PROUD OF HER, SHE WON A $500 SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE CITY OF COMMERCE AND THE BOARD MEMBERS TOLD US THAT EVERYONE ON THE BOARD VOTED FOR HER. SHE JUST HAS A WAY WITH WORDS AND AND SUCH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, HER FAITH IN HER HEAVENLY FATHER ASTOUNDS ME AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR HER. I AM EXCITED FOR HER TO BECOME A NURSE, SHE CAN TAKE CARE OF ME WHEN I NEED MY DIAPER CHANGED!! HA! MARTY IS JUST BUSY AS A BEE, HE IS SO GOOD TO ME AND OUR KIDS, I LOVE HIM AND AM ALSO PROUD THAT HE HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO WORK HARD, I AM GRATEFUL THAT HIS DAD INSTILLED IN HIM THE TALENTS THAT HE HAS, I KNOW HE MISSES HIS DAD ALOT. CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE DOING GREAT, THEY ARE SO EXCITED TO BECOME PARENTS, I AM EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PATH IN THEIR LIVES. I AM SO HAPPY FOR LORIN AND THE WAY HE IS EMBRACING THE GOSPEL, HE WAS MADE A PRIEST LAST TUES. NIGHT, I THINK HE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS, BUT HE WILL BE GREAT. CONTESSA LOOKS AS CUTE AS CAN BE, I AM SO PROUD OF HER AND HOW MUCH SHE HAS GROWN AND ACCEPTED THINGS IN HER LIFE THAT ARE POSITIVE, I LOVE HER SO MUCH AND I MISS HER SMILING FACE AT HOME, BUT I AT LEAST GET TO TALK TO HER TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY. LIFE IS JUST GREAT, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE TRIALS AND SOMETIMES SORROWS, I HAVE TO BE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH. HAVE A HAPPY DAY TO ALL!! LOVE, C

WOW WHAT A WEEKEND

2010-03-01T06:55:00.000-08:00

I TOLD MARTY THAT WHENEVER WE GO AWAY, IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF WORK TO GET THERE AND BY THE TIME I COME HOME I AM EXHAUSTED AND NEED TO SLEEP FOR 8 HOURS!! WE HAD A FUN WEEKEND WITH THE ZIPPAY FAMILY AND MARTY AND ME EVEN GOT A NIGHT TO OURSELVES, THAT HASN'T HAPPENED IN OVER A YEAR-TO BAD WE JUST WANTED TO FALL ASLEEP!! IT WAS A AWESOME BAPTISM AND LORIN DID A GREAT JOB, I THINK HE WAS VERY NERVOUS TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON JUST HIM, BUT IT WAS GREAT AND THE SPIRIT THERE WAS VERY STRONG. MARTY DID A GREAT JOB ALSO, I KNOW HE WAS NERVOUS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING TOO, HE HELD TIGHT TO LORIN SO HE WOULDN'T SLIP TO FAR UNDER!! CASH HAD WAY TO MUCH FUN WITH LORIN'S BIRDS AND OF COURSE GOT SPOILED WAY TO MUCH, CONTESSA AND ME WENT SHOPPING WITH SHAWNA AND WENDY AND WE FOUND SOME CUTE MATERNITY CLOTHES FOR HER AND OF COURSE THE BABY!! CONTESSA LOOKS LIKE A LITTLE BUTTER BALL, SHE IS GOING TO BE SUCH A GOOD LITTLE MOMMY. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM THANKFUL I LIVE IN IDAHO NOW, THE CRAZINESS OF UTAH ABOUT DROVE ME BONKERS, I GUESS I HAVE CHANGED ALOT SINCE WE MOVED, I WAS GLAD TO GET HOME LAST NIGHT AND CRAWL INTO MY OWN SOFT BED!! IT WAS A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF THE ZIPPAY'S LOVE YA ALL, C

GOOD GRIEF LIFE IS BUSY!!

2010-02-15T08:15:00.001-08:00

I TOLD MARTY THE OTHER DAY THAT WE MUST BE GETTING OLDER, BECAUSE TIME JUST SEEMS TO NEVER BE STILL!! I USE TO DREAD IT WHEN HE WOULD LEAVE TO GO TO UTAH TO WORK AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE HE GOES AND IS BACK OVERNIGHT, I THINK IT MUST BE PARTLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KEEP VERY BUSY AT HOME WITH MY THREE MONSTERS, AND THE FACT THAT I KEEP MYSELF BUSY IN MY HOME. I CAN'T EVEN GET A GOOD BOOK READ, I SEEM TO FALL ASLEEP IF I SIT DOWN TO LONG. OH WELL I WANTED MY LIFE TO HAVE FULLFILMENT AND KNOW I AM BLESSED WITH AN OVER LOAD OF HAPPINESS!! I PUT SOME CURTAINS UP IN OUR BEDROOM, I HAVE NEVER BEEN A GOOD SLEEPER, BUT SINCE WE MOVED TO IDAHO IT GOT EVEN WORSE, ANYWAY I GOT THIS IDEA THAT MAYBE IF I BLOCKED OUT THAT BIG OLD MOON I WOULDN'T THINK IT WAS MORNING AND WAKE UP. I AM SOOO HAPPY TO SAY THAT EVER SINCE I GOT MY CURTAINS UP I HAVE SLEPT EVERY NIGHT, EXCEPT OF COURSE WHEN CASH WAKES UP(HE IS SLEEPING THRU THE NIGHT BETTER), I CLOSE MY DOORS, CLOSE THE CURTAINS, TURN THE HEAT WAY DOWN AND AS MARTY SAYS, "WE GO TO SLEEP IN OUR TOMB!" I LOVE IT, MAYBE I AM PART VAMPIRE OR MAYBE IT IS JUST PLAIN OLD MENOPAUSE!! ANYWAY, IT SEEMS LIKE A LONG TIME SINCE I BLOGGED, LIFE HAS BEEN GOOD. ON VALENTINE'S DAY MARTY AND ME CELEBRATED THE FACT THAT WE WENT OUT ON OUR FIRST DATE, 21 YEARS AGO. I REMEMBER IT CLEARLY FOR TWO REASONS, FIRST HE TOOK ME TO A RATED R SHOW-WHICH I DON'T WATCH, BUT WAS TO AFRAID TO SAY ANYHTHING, SECOND AND THIS IS THE REASON I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM, WE WENT TO HARDEE'S AFTER OUR DATE AND IT WAS FREEZING OUTSIDE IT WAS LIKE MIDNIGHT AND HE LEFT HIS BIG OLD ORANGE TRUCK RUNNING THE ENTIRE TIME WE WAS IN HARDEE'S. HE DIDN'T WANT ME TO BE COLD WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE, SO HE WASTED GAS FOR OVER A HOUR, I THOUGHT HE WAS A KEEPER IF HE WOULD DO THAT FOR ME ON THE FIRST DATE. HE TAKES SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME STILL TO THIS DAY AND I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THAT LITTLE ARROW THAT GOT OUR HEARTS!!! I THINK THAT MARRIAGE IS A PROCESS OF SEASONING, OVER THE YEARS MARTY AND ME HAVE BEEN THRU TOUGH TIMES, BUT WE ALWAYS COME OUT SMILING AND I KNOW IT IS BECAUSE WE PUT EACH OTHER FIRST ALWAYS. WE HAVE BEEN HAVING FUN GETTING OUR BASEMENT DONE AND JUST LAUGHING TOGETHER WITH A FEW PUTTY FIGHTS IN BETWEEN. WE HAVE ALMOST GOT THE TEXTURING DONE AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THE FIREPLACE, I WANT IT ALL VERY PRIMITIVE, SO IT WILL BE EXCITING TO SEE WHAT WE DECIDE ON!! AS FOR THE KIDS AND THEIR NEWS, CHEROKEE IS SO READY TO GRADUATE AND GET ON WITH LIFE, SHE HAS DECIDED TO BECOME A NURSE SO I AM VERY EXCITED FOR HER, SHE HAS THE BRAINS SO I TOLD HER TO GO FOR IT, BECAUSE ONCE YOU ARE MARRIED IT IS WAY HARDER TO GET A EDUCATION!!! CHEVY GETS TO HAVE BRACES ON IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEY SURE HAVE GOTTEN PRICY SINCE OUR LAST CHILD, HE IS SUCH A GOOD HELPER TO ME, I DO REWARD HIM WITH VIDEO GAME TIME THOUGH. HE WANTS TO WORK AT BEAR WORLD THIS SUMMER. CASH IS JUST FULL OF MISCHEIF AND HAS A MOUTH THAT NEVER QUITS ASKING, DEMANDING AND BEING SASSY!! CONTESSA AND LORIN ARE DOING WELL, SHE IS FINALLY FEELING A LITTLE BETTER, VERY BIG AND TIRED THOUGH. GRANDMA AND MOMMY SPOIL LITTLE KENNEDY ALOT ALREADY, I CAN'T WAIT TO BE A GRANDMA!!! LORIN IS TAKING THE MISSIONARY DISCUSSIONS AND WE ARE EXCITED FOR WHAT EVER HE DECIDES, WE ARE JUST THANKFUL THAT HE LOVES OUR DAUGHTER. I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR LIFE AND ALL THAT IT TEACHES US, I MISS SEEING MY SIBLINGS AND THINK IT IS TIME FOR A SPRING HOLIDAY FOR US ALL!! I WOULD EVEN SETTLE FOR A ONE DAY THING, IT IS NICE TO HAVE FAMILY. I LOVE YOU ALL AND HOPE YOUR LIVES ARE BLESSED WITH LOVE THIS VALENTINE'S SEASON!! HUGS AND KISSES C
P.S.- FOR MARTY I KNOW YOU READ THIS SO HERE IS A BIG KISS FOR YOU, CHEER UP THINGS ALWAYS GET BETTER IF YOU HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, BESIDES IT JUST SOME DUMB CAR-DON'T LET IT KICK YOUR BUTT-KICK IT!!! LOVE YA C

2009-12-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-22T19:55:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-10-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-09-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-08-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-08-03T17:18:00.001-07:00

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!!

2009-08-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-07-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-06-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-06-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-06-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-05-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-05-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-04-28T08:17:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-23T13:52:00.001-07:00

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!!

2009-04-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-04-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-01T22:09:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-02-23T12:47:00.001-08:00

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!!

2009-02-10T11:01:00.001-08:00

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??

2009-02-10T10:52:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-02-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-14T07:30:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-12T20:22:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-09T10:01:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

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

SOME THINGS I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T06:54:00.000-08:00

I JUST LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR AND THE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS THAT ARE BROUGHT OUT BECAUSE OF SIGHTS, SMELLS, AND SOUNDS!!! I LOVE THINKING ABOUT THE FUN HOLIDAYS WE HAD GROWING UP, THE EXCITEMENT OF TRYING TO STAY IN BED JUST A LITTLE LONGER, THEN SNEAKING INTO THE LIVING ROOM FOR A PEEK UNDER THE TREE. THE SMELLS OF BAKING, HMMMM HAM I GET ALL WATERY INSIDE MY MOUTH FOR THAT TASTE YUMMY!! I LOVED OPENING MY STOCKING THE MOST, WE DIDN'T GET PRESENTS IN OUR STOCKINGS, LIKE THE KIDS NOW DAYS, WE GOT PEANUTS, FRESHLY ROASTED, ORANGES AND HARD CANDIES THAT STUCK TO YOUR STOCKING, BUT YOU DIDN'T CARE THAT THERE WAS A LITTLE STOCKING FUZZ ON IT, INTO YOUR MOUTH IT WENT!! THERE WAS OF COURSE ALWAYS A TOOTHBRUSH, TUCKED INSIDE SOMEWHERE-OH WHAT SMELLS!!! THEN OF COURSE SOMETIMES OUR DAD WOULD MAKE US GO IN ORDER, SO THAT EVERYONE COULD SEE WHAT EACH OTHER GOT, WELL FUNNY HOW I HATED THAT TRADITION, BUT I HAVE IT IN MY OWN HOME NOW-SOMETIMES I THINK I GOT A LITTLE MORE OF MY PARENTS IN ME, THEN I THOUGHT!! HA-HA I THINK THE WRAPPING PAPER GAVE OFF A CERTAIN SMELL BACK IN THOSE DAYS, OR MAYBE IT WAS A COMBINATION OF THE TREE AND PAPER. I THINK MY MOST FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GROWING UP WAS, WHEN I GOT MY SUNSHINE FAMILY DOLL SET AND FARM SET, I WOULD PLAY WITH THOSE DOLLS FOREVER!! MARTY ACTUALLY FOUND THE DOLLS ON E-BAY AND BOUGHT THEM FOR ME THIS PAST YEAR!!! I REALLY LOVE THE FACT THAT SOMEONE VERY DEAR TO ME GAVE ME A NATIVITY SET FROM THE OLD CHURCH ONES, YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT WAS MADE OUT OF PAPER AND YOU PUT IT IN SLOTS, I WILL TREASURE THAT NATIVITY FOR AS LONG AS I AM HERE, MY KIDS KNOW THAT IT IS NOT TO BE TOUCHED, THEY ALWAYS KID AROUND WITH ME, AND TELL ME IT GOT RIPPED OR SOMETHING, THE LITTLE STINKS!!! I REMEMBER LAYING IN FRONT OF THAT NATIVITY AS A CHILD AND JUST WONDERING IN MY BRAIN ABOUT IT, I WOULD EVEN TALK TO IT, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE HAD SOME MARBLES MISSING BACK THEN!! I LOVED THE HOURS I SPENT OUT IN THE SNOW, HAVING SNOWBALL FIGHTS WITH THE NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE STREET, OR BUILDING SNOW FORTS AND LITTLE CARROT NOSED MEN!! I WOULD ALSO PRETEND TO BE LAURA INGALLS IN A BLIZZARD, BEING TOSSED AROUND BY THAT WICKED WIND, THEN FOUND BY A PRETEND FATHER AND TAKEN HOME TO BE LOVED AND WARMED!! ONE OF MY FAVORITE DOLLS THAT I GOT WAS PROBABLY THE UGLIEST THING EVER, SHE WAS HARD PLASTIC, BUT I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER AT THE HARDWARE STORE DOWN FROM THE OLD WAGON WHEEL STORE MY DAD OWNED. I CALLE HER, "BIG EYES," I THINK THAT IS WHY I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SUCKER FOR EYES!! I HAVE A SNOOPY DOG THAT I GOT WHEN I WAS AROUND TWO, IT IS ORANGE AND YELLOW, AND ONE EAR IS RIPPED, BUT I STILL HAVE IT!! I HAVE MY STOCKING FROM WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, THAT MY DAD STAMPED WITH PLASTIC LETTERING, IN MY NAME, OF COURSE CRICKET!! I STILL HAVE THE ORNAMENT THAT WE HUNG ON OUR CHRISTMAS TREE FOR OUR DADDY, THE YEAR AFTER HE PASSED AWAY. I HAVE FUN MEMORIES WITH MY OWN FAMILY NOW, I HAVE TO LAUGH THAT EVERY YEAR NO MATTER WHAT, MARTY IS THE LAST ONE TO OPEN HIS PRESENTS ALL THE WAY, HE USUALLY GUESSES WHAT IS IN THEM TOO, I HAVE ONLY SURPRISED HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES. THEN THERE IS CONTESSA, WHO ALWAYS ORGANIZED HER PRESENTS A MILLION TIMES IN ONE HOUR, CHEROKEE WHO SCATTERED HER PRESENTS EVERYWHERE, AND WE ALWAYS HAD TO LOOK THRU THE PAPER FOR LOST PRESENTS. CHEVY ALWAYS THROWS HIS CLOTHES BEHIND HIS BACK AND DOES THIS LITTLE GRUNTING NOISE, I AM NOT SURE WHAT CASH WILL DO YET, BUT I AM EXCITED TO SEE A NEW MEMORY CREATED THRU HIM!! OH WE HAD A NEW LITTLE MEMORY HAPPEN YESTERDAY, THE TREE FELL OVER, OF COURSE I WENT NUTS, MARTY JUST CALMLY PUT ALL BACK TOGETHER AND SMILED AND SAID, "IT'S ALL GOOD CRICKET!" WELL I AM OFF TO WATCH A "CHRISTMAS STORY," WITH THE KIDS AND THEN WE ARE GOING SLEDDING!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GREAT NEW YEAR!!! LOVE YA, C

CHRISTMAS PEACE

2008-12-19T22:11:00.000-08:00

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN HOME IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT I WAS GLAD TO BE SURROUNDED BY THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND LIGHTS AND SMELLS AS WE UNPACKED AND WASHED, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. I AM AMAZED THAT A TREE WITH LOTS OF LIGHTS AND BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTS CAN BRING SUCH PEACE INTO YOUR HOME. I FEEL SO AT PEACE WITH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND ALL THAT IT REPRESENTS, I LOVE THE FACT THAT I CAN PONDER ON MY SAVIOR AND PUT THE COMMERCIALISM IN THE BACK AND JUST FEEL LOVE AND PEACE FOR EVERYTHING AROUND ME, I AM SO BLESSED IN LIFE AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT PEACE WITH EVERYONE, SO MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY THE LIGHT OF OUR SAVIOR BE IN YOUR LIVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! LOVE, C

A GREAT BLESSING

2008-12-19T22:08:00.000-08:00

THIS PAST WEEK, MARTY AND ME TRAVELED ALL OVER UTAH AND IDAHO TO SEE ALL MY SISTER'S AND BROTHER AND TO TAKE PICTURES OF THEM AND THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES!! IT WAS SO MUCH FUN TO SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES COME OUT IN THOSE TREES. THANKS FAMILY FOR OPENING YOUR HOMES TO US AND FOR ALL THE LITTLE PRESENTS!! WE LOVE YOU ALL AND WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!! THANKS TO HEAVENLY FATHER FOR SAFETY AND PEACE AS WE TRAVELED AND FOR BEING WITH OUR MONKEYS AT HOME!!! WE OUR SO BLESSED!! LOVE, C

I LOVE YOU MARTY!!!

2008-12-19T22:02:00.000-08:00

WELL I THINK THAT I JUST HAVE BEEN OVERLY BLESSED THESE PAST TWO MONTHS, NOVEMBER WAS AWESOME AND THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED, I THOUGHT I WAS TRULY BLESSED THAT MONTH, BUT THEN DECEMBER CAME AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AGAIN, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND FIVE WONDERFUL DAYS WITH MY SWEET HUSBAND, TRAVELING ALL OVER UTAH AND IDAHO VISITING FAMILY AND JUST SPENDING TIME TOGETHER. WE WENT TO A MOVIE, WENT TO SOME PLACES WE NEVER GET TO GO WITH THE KIDS, ATE SOME GOOD FOOD AND MARTY GAVE ME A EARLY CHRISTMAS-LATE BIRTHDAY PRESENT, WE SPENT ONE NIGHT AT THE ANNIVERSARY INN IN SLC. WE STAYED IN THE JUNGLE ROOM, HE SURE IS A MONKEY!! IT WAS SO FUN, WE REALLY RELAXED AND TALKED AND JUST BONDED THAT LOVE EVEN MORE. THANK YOU MARTY, YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHAT I NEED AND ARE WILLING TO HELP ME. I LOVED SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH YOU AND JUST BEING ABLE TO LAUGH AND RELAX!! I LOVE YOU, LOVE, CHERISE

IT SNOWED!!!!

2008-12-08T13:44:00.000-08:00

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF WHITE , WONDERFUL SNOW!! THIS WAS AROUND 6A.M., THE FIRST THING I DID WAS RUN OUTSIDE AND TURN ON MY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, THEY LOOKED SOOOO PRETTY, THEN I GOT ALL THE KIDS INTO THE KITCHEN TO LOOK OUTSIDE, THE TEEN-AGERS JUST SAID,"YA-HOO IS THERE SCHOOL?" BUT, MY LITTLE CASH-A-ROO WAS SO EXCITED, HE KEPT GOING TO THE DOOR AND SAYING, "WANT OUT, SNOW." I BUNDLED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM OUT AND HE HAD SO MUCH FUN, UNTIL HE GOT SNOW ON HIS HANDS AND THEY GOT COLD, THEN HE CRIED AND TOLD ME OWWWY. HE DID LAST OUT THERE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THOUGH, MY NEIGHBORS PROBABLY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY, I HAD A TODDLER OUTSIDE AT 7:30A.M., AT ABOUT 16 DEGREES PLAYING IN THE SNOW!! ANYWAY, I GET TO MAKE AND DECORATE SUGAR COOKIES TODAY, YAH, I LOVE HOMEMADE SUGAR COOKIES, I ONLY EAT TWO AT THE MOST, BUT I LOVE DECORATING THEM!!! I TOLD MY KIDS THIS IS WHAT WE WERE DOING FOR FAMILY NIGHT, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD COMPLAIN, BUT THEY, MEANING THE TEEN-AGERS WERE ACTUALLY EXCITED!!! I AM RUBBING OFF MY CRAFTY SKILLS TO THEM HE-HE!! WELL HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY TO ALL THAT READ THIS AND I HOPE YOU ARE GETTING THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE STUFF!!

OH CHRISTMAS TREE!!

2008-12-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

MARTY PICKED US A BEAUTIFUL TREE THIS YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO DECORATE IT TO NIGHT. I ACTUALLY DECIDED TO PUT UP ONLY THREE-YES THREE-BOXES OF DECORATIONS THIS YEAR, MY KIDS ARE SO EXCITED. WE USUALLY TAKE DOWN ALL MY EVERYDAY DECOR AND PUT UP ALL CHRISTMAS, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SEEN MY HOUSE YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS NO EASY FEAT, IT TAKES DAYS!! SO TO CHEROKEE AND CHEVY AND MARTY-MERRY CHRISTMAS, NEXT YEAR IT STARTS AGAIN!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON, I LOVE THE SMELLS, MUSIC AND LIGHTS AND THE LOVE THAT YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART!! I GET TEARY JUST THINKING OF EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH AND KNOWING THAT MY SAVIOR LOVES ME AND THAT WE CELEBRATE THIS DAY BECAUSE OF HIM, I WANT SO MUCH FOR MY KIDS TO KNOW THAT THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS THE SPIRIT OF GIVING, I KNOW I HAVE TAUGHT THEM AND IT IS SO AWESOME TO REAP THE REWARDS OF THAT TEACHING, I HAVE PEOPLE TELL ME ALL THE TIME HOW SWEET MY KIDS ARE, THAT JUST FEELS MY HEART WITH JOY. I KNOW I AM RAMBLING, THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I EXPRESS MYSELF!! HAPPY DAY!! LOVE, CRICKET

IT'S OVER!!!

2008-12-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

MARTY JUST LOOKED AT ME SUNDAY AND GAVE ME A HIGH FIVE AND SAID,"IT'S OVER!!" LITTLE DID HE KNOW THAT AFTER HE LEFT SUNDAY NIGHT I BAWLED MY EYES OUT, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN ON A EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW AND I JUST HAD TO LET LOOSE, TO SAY THE LEAST IT IS NOW THURSDAY DEC. 4, AND I STILL FEEL LIKE BAWLING SO WHAT IS UP WITH THAT??? I AM NOT SURE THAT I AM STABLE RIGHT NOW, MEANING MY HORMONES OR IF THIS IS HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO FEEL AFTER GIVING YOUR DAUGHTER AWAY. I AM SO THANK-FUL THOUGH THAT EVERYTHING WENT SO WELL, CONTESSA LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL AND WAS SO HAPPY, I REALLY GOT TO GET TO KNOW LORIN THIS PAST WEEK AND I AM SO AMAZED AT HOW MUCH HE REMINDS ME OF MARTY WHEN WE FIRST MET, SO I KNOW SHE WILL BE OKAY, BECAUSE I HAVE THE GREATEST HUSBAND EVER!!! I HAVE TO THANK ALL MY SWEET FAMILY, I HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE SAY TO ME, "WOW, WHAT A FAMILY," THEY ARE AMAZED THAT WE ARE SO CLOSE AND THAT WE PUT EACH OTHER FIRST. SO THANK-YOU, AND I LOVE YOU ALL!! NOW TO MY SWEET HUSBAND, THANK-YOU FOR KEEPING ME TOGETHER THIS PAST MONTH, I KNOW IT HAS BEEN HARD, I LOVE YOU MARTY!! TO MY OTHER THREE MONKEYS, THANKS FOR HELPING MOM DO ALL THE EXTRA THINGS THAT HAD TO BE DONE, I KNOW PLAYING WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP AND EXTRA HUGS!! NOW A BIG THANK-YOU TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER AND SAVIOR, MAN THEY MUST REALLY LOVE ME, MY GREATEST THANKS AND LOVE TO THEM!! I LOVE LIFE AND THE ADVENTURE IT GIVES US!! GO! FIGHT! WIN! LOVE, CRICKET

JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!

2008-11-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

WE ARE DOWN TO THE COUNT DOWN OF DAYS BEFORE, WE MARRY OFF OUR FIRST CHILD, I TOLD MARTY THE OTHER DAY, "I DON'T THINK OF IT AS LOSING A CHILD, I THINK WE ARE GAINING ONE, A BIG CUDDLY TEDDY BEAR!" I JUST WANT TO REVIEW A LITTLE OF CONTESSA'S LIFE BEFORE SHE STARTS A NEW ONE. I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW EXCITED WE WERE WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY, I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER SEEN MARTY SMILE SO BIG, HE WAS NERVOUS, BUT EXCITED. THE PREGANCY WASN'T TO BAD, A LITTLE MORNING SICKNESS AND CERTAIN THINGS THAT MADE ME SICK, BUT I GOT PRETTY BIG FAST!! WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR YOU TO COME INTO THIS WORLD, YOU DIDN'T QUITE KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO, SO THE DOCTOR HAD TO HELP YOU A LITTLE(C-SECTION), THEN YOU CAME OUT JUST A SQUALLING, THE FIRST THING I REMEMBER IS YOUR HAIR, YOU HAD GOBS OF IT AND IT WAS JUST AS BLACK AS COULD BE!! YOU CAME INTO THIS WORLD A WHOPPING 9LBS. 5OZ. AND WAS 20IN. LONG. WE WERE SO PROUD TO BE PARENTS, FROM DAY ONE YOU WERE SPOILED!! GRANDMA CAMPBELL WOULD COO AND GOO AT YOU FOR HOURS AND ALWAYS WANTED YOU TO BE BY HER, I AM NOT SURE IF THAT WAS BECAUSE SHE HAD TO MAKE SURE IF I WAS MOMMING RIGHT OR WHAT!!! YOUR TODDLER YEARS WERE FUN, WE DRESSED YOU TO THE T, RIBBONS AND BOWS, MATCHING SHOES, CLOTHES. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE ABOUT ONE, WE WENT TO THE MALL WITH GRANDMA AND YOU SAW THIS UGLY BIRD IN THE TOY STORE, YOU THREW THE BIGGEST FIT, WHICH UP TIL THEN YOU NEVER HAD REALLY THROWN A FIT, SO I DIDN'T QUITE KNOW WHAT TO DO. GRANDMA OF COURSE BOUGHT YOU THE BIRD AND IT IS NOW KNOWN AS,"BIRDIE BIRD," AT OUR HOUSE, I THINK IT STILL CHIRPS. YOUR"SUCKIE" HAD TO BE IN YOUR MOUTH AT ALL TIMES, AND IT HAD TO BE UPSIDE DOWN AT ALL TIMES. YOU HAD A WAY OF TURNING IT AROUND WITH YOUR TONGUE, IT WAS FUNNY TO WATCH. YOUR GRADE SCHOOL YEARS WERE FUN, YOUR TEACHERS WERE ALWAYS SAYING WHAT A GOOD GIRL YOU WERE AND ALWAYS WANTED TO PLEASE THEM. YOUR KINDERGARTEN TEACHER EVEN ASKED IF SHE COULD ADOPT YOU MORE THAN ONCE. YOU WERE A GOOD STUDENT AND LOVED TO COLOR AND READ, THEN CAME YOUR JR. HIGH YEARS, AND YOU TURNED INTO A SASSY LITTLE PRISS, YOU STILL GOT GOOD GRADES AND IT WAS FUN WATCHING YOU CHANGE INTO A TEEN-AGER. YOU LOVED TO FLUFF YOUR HAIR AND GO SHOPPING, BUT STILL BE A LITTLE GIRL AT TIMES. I DIDN'T THINK YOU WOULD EVER GIVE UP BARBIE'S AND PET SHOPS. YOUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS WERE A LITTLE ROUGH, WITH THE MOVE AND EVERYTHING, BUT IT WAS STILL FUN TO WATCH YOU WITH YOUR FIRST BOYFRIEND AND FIRST KISS AND SUCH. THE FRILLY DRESSES AND CRAZY OUTFITS YOU WORE AT TIMES MADE ME SHUTTER, BUT I REALIZED YOU WERE JUST EXPRESSING YOURSELF. I HAVE SO MANY MEMORIES OF GOOD AND SOME BAD TIMES, BUT I AM EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PHASE INTO YOUR LIFE, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT LORIN WILL TREAT YOU WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, LIKE YOUR FATHER HAS TAUGHT ME. I WISH YOU MUCH LOVE AND LAUGHTER IN YOUR MARRIAGE LIFE AND OF COURSE A FEW TEARS AND TOUGH TIMES, BECAUSE THEY ARE WHAT BUILDS YOUR STRENGTH AND CHARACTER. I HOPE FOR LOTS OF GRANDBABIES AND FOR YOU JUST TO TRULY BE HAPPY, IT HAS BEEN A JOY WATCHING YOU AS MY DAUGHTER, GROWING AND LEARNING AND FINDING THAT LIFE IS GOOD!! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THAT I AM, LOVE, MOM

THANK-FUL THINGS IN MY LIFE

2008-11-17T09:18:00.000-08:00

SINCE IT IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON OF BLESSINGS AND PONDERING WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST IN LIFE, I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE A FEW OF THOSE THINGS!!

1. MY HUSBAND, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HIM AND HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO HAVE HIM AS MY BEST FRIEND, LOVER, AND HUBBY. HE TRULY IS ONE OF HEAVENLY FATHER'S GREATEST CREATIONS!! I LOVE YOU MARTY!!
2. MY CHILDREN, THEY EACH BRING SUCH A SPECIAL SPIRIT TO MY LIFE, CONTESSA IS MY CONSIDERATE CHILD, SHE IS ALWAYS AWARE OF OTHERS AND THEIR FEELINGS, SHE IS ALWAYS THE FIRST ONE TO GIVE A HUG OR SAY SHE CARES. CHEROKEE IS MY LITTLE COMPASSIONATE CHILD, SHE HATES TO UPSET ANYONE, AND ALWAYS TRIES TO PLEASE YOU AND LET'S YOU KNOW THAT SHE LOVES YOU. CHEVY IS MY LITTLE TEASE, BUT HE DOES IT IN A NICE WAY, HE ALWAYS TELLS ME I SMELL GOOD, AND LOOKS FOR WAYS TO HELP OUT WITHOUT ME KNOWING. CASH IS JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE, HE JUST BRINGS JOY T0 ALL THAT ARE AROUND HIM.
THERE IS NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I AM NOT GRATEFUL FOR MY CHILDREN, AND THAT I TRY TO LET HEAVENLY FATHER KNOW THAT I AM GRATEFUL.
3.MY EXTENDED FAMILY, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THEM, I LOVE THE MOMENTS THAT WE SHARE ON THE PHONE, E-MAIL, AND THE CHANCES THAT WE DO GET TO BE TOGETHER, THOSE TIMES ME SO MUCH TO ME AND I CHERISH THEM IN MY HEART.
4. MY PARENTS, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THEM, I MISS THEM SO MUCH, BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY ARE TOGETHER, I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE WONDERFUL LIFE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THEM AND BY WATCHING THEM. I WOULDN'T TRADE THOSE MEMORIES OF THEM FOR ANYTHING, AND I TREASURE THE PICTURES AND STORIES I HAVE OF THEM.
5.THE GOSPEL, IT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME, EVEN WHEN I SCREW UP, I KNOW I CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON IT TO TEACH ME AND LEAD MY FAMILY TO WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE.
6.MY SAVIOR AND MY LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER, MAN I AM SO THANK-FUL FOR THE ATONMENT AND THE PART IT PLAYS IN MY LIFE, I AM THANK-FUL THAT I CAN KNOW FOR MYSELF THAT THEY LOVE ME NO MATTER WHAT AND THAT I CAN GO TO THEM FOR ANYTHING AND THEY WILL HELP ME, I HAVE SUCH PEACE IN THAT KNOWLEDGE AND I LOVE THEM BOTH VERY MUCH.
7.I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE FREEDOM'S THAT I HAVE, I LOVE BEING ABLE TO EXPRESS MYSELF WITH NO LIMITATIONS AND KNOW THAT I CAN CHOOSE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY WITH NO LIMITATIONS. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES SO THAT I CAN HAVE FREEDOM AND FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT FOR THAT FREEDOM EVERYDAY, MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND THIS COUNTRY.
8.I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIESTHOOD THAT MY HUSBAND HOLDS AND FOR THE GROWTH WE LEARN FROM IT WHEN MARTY EXERCISES IT IN OUR HOME, WE CAN LEARN SO MUCH FROM THOSE BLESSINGS.
9.I AM GRATEFUL FOR A BEAUTIFUL HOME AND THE WARMTH IT GIVES TO ME AND MY FAMILY, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PEACE AND SAFETY IN IT. I AM SO GLAD WE HAVE PROVISIONS AND A STABLE JOB, THANKS MARTY FOR WORKING SO HARD FOR US.
10.I AM THANKFUL FOR GOOD FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, BOOKS, MUSIC, THE CHANGING OF SEASONS AND ALL THE LITTLE THINGS THAT GO UNOTICED, UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED, THANKS BE TO ALL OF THEM.
11.THANK-YOU LIFE FOR BRINGING SUCH JOY, HAPPINESS, SADDNESS, AND LEARNING TO ME AND MY LOVED ONES.

MAY WE ALL BE THANK-FUL IN OUR HEARTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR SOMETHING AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL WITH LOVE AND HIS SWEET COMPASSION. LOVE, C

A BIG DECISION IN OUR LIVES

2008-11-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

MARTY AND ME HAVE RECENTLY MADE A BIG DECISION IN OUR LIVES, WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT ALOT SINCE OUR LITTLE CASH CAME INTO OUR HOME, AND WE BOTH DECIDED THAT WE DIDN'T WANT HIM TO GROW UP ALONE, SO WE ARE ADOPTING THRU FOSTER CARE. WE ARE TAKING CLASSES RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO DO THIS, I KNOW THAT IT WILL BE HARD AT TIMES, BUT I ALSO NOW THAT IT WILL BE REWARDING. WE START HAVING ADOPTING KIDS IN OUR HOME STARTING AT THE END OF JANUARY, THEY WILL MOSTLY BE TODDLERS UNLESS IT IS A FAMILY GROUP AND THEN WE WILL JUST DEAL WITH IT THEN. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PHASE IN OUR LIVES AND TO BE ABLE TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. SO WISH US LOTS OF LUCK, LOVE YA, C

THE BIG FORTY!!

2008-11-17T09:05:00.000-08:00

WOW, HAS TIME GONE BY, I AM NOT REALLY SAD OR ANYTHING ABOUT TURNING 40, I THINK I AM JUST OVERWHELMED TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR IN LIFE AND BE SO BLESSED! I USE TO THINK THAT AS YOU GOT OLDER LIFE SETTLED DOWN, BUT I AM MORE BUSY IN LIFE NOW THEN I HAVE EVER BEEN, I AM TRULY HAPPY WITH THE LIFE I LIVE AND THE PERSON THAT I AM. I WOULD OF COURSE LOVE TO IMPROVE UPON THINGS, BUT I JUST DO A LITTLE AT A TIME, IF I COULD MAKE ONE WISH THIS BIRTHDAY, IT WOULD BE TO LIVE ANOTHER 40 YEARS WITH MARTY AND OUR KIDS. MARTY IS SUCH A WONDERFUL HUSBAND, HE ALWAYS MAKES SURE THAT I KNOW THAT HE LOVES ME, HE GOT ME SOME NEW AND BIG SCRIPTURES FOR MY BIRTHDAY, I HAVE NOT HAD NEW SCRIPTURES SINCE THE 9TH GRADE, SO I AM PRETTY EXCITED TO HAVE THEM. HE ALSO TOOK ME OUT TO MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT, "THE OLIVE GARDEN," KIM AND MARY WENT WITH US, IT WAS NICE TO TALK AND JUST RELAX. THE KIDS DECORATED THE HOUSE ALL UP WITH BLACK BALLOONS AND STREAMERS, IT WAS FUN, CONTESSA AND LORIN GAVE ME SOME NAIL POLISH AND BATH BUBBLY. CHEROKEE GAVE ME SOME MONEY TO GO SEE TWILIGHT WITH HER OF COURSE!! WE ARE EXCITED FOR THAT ONE!! I HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I THANK ALL MY FAMILY FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT. LOVE YA, C

SO I AM NOT REALLY INTO THIS BLOG THING

2008-11-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT MY PROBLEM IS LATELY, I AM NOT INTO BLOGGING OR REALLY ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!! I THINK I AM JUST BURNED OUT ON LIFE IN GENERAL, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOME KINDA HELL, AND I AM TRAPPED IN THE PART WHERE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WETHER TO GO BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS. I THINK I AM JUST NUTS!!! ANYWAY, WOW WHAT A FAST MONTH OCTOBER WAS, IT WAS WHAT YOU CALL AN INDIAN SUMMER, EXCEPT FOR ONE DAY, IT SNOWED REALLY GOOD, BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT HAS BEEN REALLY BEAUTIFUL, THE DAYS HAVE BEEN AROUND 60 AND THE NIGHTS AROUND 40, THE LEAVES AND THE CHANGING OF EVERYTHING FROM SUMMER TO FALL HAS BEEN VERY PRETTY TO WATCH, I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE CRUNCHY LEAVES, THE SMELLS, I LOVE TO SMELL DAMP EARTH AND BURNING LEAVES!! IT HAS BEEN A BUSY MONTH FOR OUR FAMILY, MARTY AND ME WRAPPED UP THE PAINTING THIS MONTH, UNTIL WE GET MORE MONEY AND TIME TO START DOWNSTAIRS, IT HAS BEEN KINDA NICE TO NOT HAVE TO TAPE AND PAINT, IT SURE LOOKS GOOD THOUGH. THE KIDS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY WITH ACTIVITIES THIS MONTH, CHEVY HAS BEEN EARNING HIS SCOUT BADGES AND IS GETTING SO CLOSE TO HIS EAGLE AWARD, I AM SO PROUD OF HIM FOR STICKING WITH IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PAIN IN THE HINY!! HE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT GETTING HIS HOMEWORK DONE AND KEEPING HIS GRADES UP, FOR THIS I AM ALSO VERY THANK-FUL!! CHEROKEE, WELL WHAT CAN I SAY, SHE HAS HAD A VERY BUSY MONTH, SHE WENT TO THE HARVEST DANCE WITH TRAVIS, THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER, SHE REALLY LIKES HIM, AND HE TREATS HER SO GOOD. SHE ALSO WENT TO BURLEY FOR TWO DAYS AND PLACED IN STATE, THEN THE NEXT WEEK SHE WENT TO INDIANA FOR A WHOLE WEEK, SHE HAD SO MUCH FUN AND HAD SOME VERY GOOD EXPERIENCES. SHE HAS BEEN CATCHING UP ON SLEEP AND HOMEWORK, PLUS WORKING LOTS, I AM ALSO VERY PROUD OF THE YOUNG WOMEN SHE IS AND HER BELIEF TO STAND UP FOR WHAT SHE HAS BEEN TAUGHT AND KNOWS TO BE TRUE. CONTESSA HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET HER WEDDING ALL TOGETHER AND WORK LOTS, I TRULY HOPE SHE WILL REALIZE THAT LIFE IS GOOD, BUT CAN ONLY BE GREAT IF SHE IS DOING WHAT HER FATHER IN HEAVEN WANTS HER TO DO, I KNOW SHE WILL COME AROUND BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN TAUGHT WHAT IS RIGHT AND HER PARENTS PRACTICE THIS FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW IT IS TRUE. CASH IS JUST SO DANG CUTE, HE IS TALKING A LOT NOW AND FOLLOWS ME AROUND AND ASKS ME, "MOMMA, WHAT'S THAT?" HE IS SO FUN AND I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE MIRACLE OF HIS SWEET LIFE. MARTY HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO HELP ME THIS PAST MONTH, I NEVER HAVE TO DOUBT HIS LOVE OR COMMITMENT TO ME, I KNOW HE LOVES ME AND FOR THAT I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR, HE IS SUCH A HARDWORKER, I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE HE WORKS WITH WORK HARD, BUT HE IS ALWAYS GIVING MORE THAN 100%, HE STAYS LATE, GOES IN EARLY AND ALWAYS TRIES TO FINISH UP WHAT HE HAS STARTED, I WISH PEOPLE WOULD REALIZE HOW LUCKY THEY ARE TO HAVE HIM IN THEIR LIVES, HE IS THE BEST. HE STRUGGLES A LOT WITH HIS FAMILY, HE MISSES HIS DAD SO MUCH, AND I KNOW HE WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO JUST BE ABLE TO TALK TO HIM FOR 5MIN., THIS IS SUCH A HARD LESSON TO LEARN IN LIFE, WE CAN NEVER GO BACK, I TOLD HIM THAT HIS DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD OF THE MAN THAT HE IS AND THAT HE RESPECTS HIS RELIGION AND THE WAY HE LEADS HIS FAMILY, I KNOW THAT ALEX IS WATCHING OVER MARTY, I HAVE FELT HIS PRESENCE IN MARTY'S LIFE AND IN THE WAY HE LIVES. I TRULY AM BLESSED, WE ALSO HAD FUN CARVING OUR PUMPKINS, CHEVY HELPED ME PICK THEM OUT, HE WAS SO CUTE, HE HAS A VERY TENDER HEART, WE SAW A PUMPKIN THAT WAS QUITE DEFORMED AND I TOLD HIM TO PICK ANOTHER ONE, AND HE JUST GRINNED AT ME AND SAID, " NO MOM, I THINK I WILL GET THIS ONE, I DON'T WANT IT TO GET LEFT OUT." THIS IS COMING FROM A 13 YEAR OLD, HE HAS A TENDER HEART LIKE HIS DADDY!! ON HALLOWEEN DAY, MARTY AND ME TOOK CASH TO A HUGE TRUNK OR TREAT THAT THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS HAD, WE HAD FUN JUST THE THREE OF US, CASH DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, BUT LOVED WATCHING ALL THE OTHER KIDS. THEN WE HAD FRIED CHICKEN AND MASHED SPUDS FOR DINNER, THEN WENT TO OUR WARD TRUNK AND TREAT, AFTER THAT WE WENT HOME AND WATCHED A SCAREY MOVIE WITH CHEVY. IT WAS GREAT FUN BEING WITH MY BOYS!! OH, I GOT A NEW CALLING IN THE WARD, I AM THE NEW SERVICE AND COMPASSION LEADER, IT WILL HELP ME TO GET TO KNOW THE LADIES IN OUR WARD, SO THAT WILL BE FUN!! I AM SO HAPPY THAT I LISTEN TO THE HOLY GHOST AND HIS GUIDING LIGHT TO HELP ME KNOW THIS IS WHERE I AM SUPPOSE TO BE RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE, IT IS VERY TOUGH AT TIMES, BUT I AM TRYING VERY HARD TO STAY CLOSE TO MY HEAVENLY FATHER AND I KNOW HE WILL GUIDE ME. WELL FOR NOW THAT'S ALL, SEE YA, C

THIS IS MY NEWEST BLOG SPOT, HOPEFULLY MY LAST!!

2008-10-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

WELL, MARTY HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET ME TO SET UP A NEW BLOG, MY OLD ONE WAS A PAIN IN THE NECK!! SO HERE WE ARE AND HERE WE GO!! TODAY, WE WERE SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT ALL DAY, BUT IT GOT CANCELED, BECAUSE IT IS SNOWING HERE, LIKE WE HAVE 2 INCHES ON THE GROUND AND IT IS STICKING GOOD, BECAUSE IT IS DANG COLD OUTSIDE TODAY!! SO WE WENT TO THE CAMPBELL'S HOUSE TO JUST CHAT FOR AWHILE, THE WE TOOK THE KIDS TO EAT AT JACK IN THE BOX AND WENT TO SEE THE MUMMY 3. IT WAS VERY FAR FETCHED, BUT IT WAS ALRIGHT FOR A MUMMY SHOW!! WE GOT THE LAUNDRY ROOM PAINTED AND I AM LIKING IT, NOW FOR THE BASEMENT REMODELING YA-HOO!! WELL I WILL BLOG LOTS MORE LATER, I NEED TO GET SOME LAST MINUTE SATURDAY NIGHT THINGS DONE. SO WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, HERE IS TWO GOOD THINGS TO DO WITH THEM.

1.MAKE LEMONADE OF COURSE
2. STUFF THEM DOWN YOUR SHIRT IF YOUR A GIRL THAT NEEDS THAT-HA-HA
LOVE YA, C