Gotta Love May!

Ahhhhhhh! The signs of Spring! We went to hitch our 5th wheel up to go out for the weekend and what did we find??? A hummingbird had made a nest in our hitch!!! We had to move it, so Brent put it in a bush right next to where the trailer was. Hoping the mother finds it!!! It is amazing though. The little eggs are the size of a jelly-belly. Way cool! A time of birth & new beginnings....especially at our house!!!

Spring is the time we celebrate a lot of birthdays at our house and in our family. April brings ReyAn's on the 5th, Jennie's the 7th and mine on the 12th (busy week). Then we start May off the same way!

My boys! All of them!! May 4th. Happy Birthday, Cameron. You made me what I am, a Mom. You helped teach me so many things. When you came into my life, I had no idea how much I could love such a little person and how much he would impact my life. You are my Sunshine. You always were, you always will be. You are my thinker....my worrier. We have gone through so much together. I have watched you grow into an amazing man, husband and father. No greater reward for a Mom. But, you have helped me grow so much as well. The oldest child is not a position to compete for. It's a tough one. I know that better than anyone. You are the "test" child and sometimes it really sucks!! But, you also get through everything first and sometimes that isn't so bad. (lol) I'll love you forever.

May 8th. Happy Birthday to my #1 guy, my husband Brent. He is the love of my life and my best friend. He knows my heart, my soul, my insecurities, my shortcomings. AND loves me anyway!!!! Thank you for seeing something in me back then that I didn't see in myself and allowing me to evolve into the person that I am. It hasn't always been easy. You are my strength, my shoulder, my peace and definitely the better half. I love you.....truely :)

May 11th. Happy Birthday, Jake. My baby. Sorry, but you always will be. You were born a teddy bear with the biggest smile in the world. You have been the glue that held me together so many times with that smile and those eyes! You are the peacemaker in our family. Always wanting our family to be together. Needing to know where everyone was. You are a great end to our little family chain. Even though you are a grown man, you will always be my Baby. That song will always mean so much to me. Thank you for being my Bear. I'll love you forever.

I have been SO fortunate in my life. My family is the greatest blessing and we have been through so much together. We are stronger for it. Each other's true friends. Happy Birthday to the greatest men I will ever know.

Then comes the next generation.....May 17th! Happy Birthday to my buddy, Jackson. Happy #5!!! What a big boy you have become and I love you so much. You are so smart and what an imagination! I am amazed at the things that you know. You are such a great big brother!! Papa and I are so proud of you and so happy to be able to share your life and watch you grow. We'll love you forever.

Popcorn Popping on the Cherry Tree!

Finally! Spring has sprung!!!
It's been a beautiful weekend.
Hopefully, it stays. :)

Dress-Up at Grams

The photos say it all (lol). Just fun to watch them. Such fashionistas!!

April 7th!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN!!!!! Every mom wishes for a little girl to dress, fuss over, shop with, share secrets and giggles. Someone to be their best little and big girl friend. Thank you for being all that and bringing all those hopes and dreams to pass. You have been a gift in my life. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for you, your strong spirit. I am so proud of you and of being your Mom. I love you.

Easter!

We celebrated Easter in Elsinore. Traditions. It was different for us this year since for the first time since she was born, Jennie wasn't with us. We were just very grateful that we had just finished a great week with her and her family. Celebrating a little early in the sunshine. We are also very grateful that we are a strong, close family unit. The 850+ miles don't keep us apart. We are so thankful for that, for our kids, grandkids and extended family. Our family has truely been blessed.

We arrived around 10:30 pm on the 1st. Cameron and his family were already there waiting for us. It was cold but dry. At least for a few minutes, then a blizzard hit and we hibernated for the night.

On Friday, I took Sam and Erica over to see Grandpa. They were getting ready to start a Bingo game and we joined in. What a competitive bunch! (lol) The girls caught on quick and even got a couple of bingos each. The weather was even better. We colored Easter eggs in the afternoon. The snow that fell the night before was melted by noon. That evening we took Grandpa out for chinese. He loves chinese!! Erica's hair even got excited about it! Then after dinner is always a game of Phase 10!

Later, Jake and Whit arrived with their brood. It was cold and had started snowing again. We stayed up and talked for a while, then went to bed. The kids took a ride Saturday morning. Bundled up for the cool air. When they got back, we had an egg hunt for the girls. It was fun, but quick. Cameron and his family packed up to head out to meet ReyAn's Family to have Easter, camp with them and celebrate her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REYAN!!!!!! Aunt Sandy and my folks came down so it was quite a group. Grandpa came home for the day to watch conference with his girls and to have a dutch oven dinner. Brent and I love to do dutch oven. And it's always fun to cook for everyone. It was a nice night. We watched several episodes of "The Big Bang Theory" with Jake and Whit and are now hooked!



Sunday morning Jake & Whit headed out early to have Easter Sunday with her family. We finished some chores around the place while the weather held out. And spent the evening with Grandpa, Sandy and Mom & Dad.

Monday the weather reports weren't sounding good, so we headed home. We managed to stay out of it until close to home. It was cold and nasty. I WANT TO GO BACK TO ARIZONA!!!!!

Looking for Sunshine!

Well, March went by like a whirlwind! So, this blog will more than likely be a long one. Other than work, snow, work, cold, Whit's birthday it was pretty uneventful here at home. On the 13th, Sammy called us to tell us that she had lost her first tooth! She is getting so big!

Things in AZ have been a worry. We got word that little Miss Reagan was having some possibly serious issues. We left for a visit on Thursday the 25th and headed south....in a snow storm. Stopping in Elsinore for the night, we visited with Grandpa and caught up with my Aunt Karren and Uncle Larry in Richfield for dinner. They are headed to Moab for the annual Jeep Safari. It was a fun evening. On Friday, we set off to see the kids in the sunshine. As the day progressed, we watched the temperature go from 32 degrees to 74 in Phoenix before the sun went down. (I must say though, that 50 degrees in the dark there felt much colder than it does here.) We got to Jen's house before the boys went to bed and they were very happy to help us unload the car and "move in". Brent got to finally meet his new little granddaughter. It was love at first sight!!

Reagan still had all her beautiful hair and it had evened grown longer!! She loves her bath and when it's wet, she has blonde roots!!! She had a cough and Harrison had been to the doctor on Thursday night and was diagnosed with Strep. He didn't seem to let it bother him too much though.
Saturday, Harrison was not feeling very well. So, we did some Easter crafts which Jackson was VERY proud of. He made a very special plastic chicken egg for Uncle Jake. (lol)

Sunday didn't begin well. Harrison was worse and Reagan's cough was getting to be a concern. Patrick took Harrison to the ER and they spent a few hours there. He came home with a cotton ball taped to his arm from a blood draw and a bandaid on his leg from a big shot of penicillin. He would not let anyone "chutch" his arm. Jennie was able to convince him to let her take it off. He was proud, but not too perky.
Monday, Brent and I decided to get Jackson out for a while. We went to the Pima Air and Space Museum at Davis Air Force Base. He had a ball! We all did. So many planes, so little time. The museum is bigger than the one at HAFB!!! They had Air Force One from Kennedy and Johnson there. It was awesome!

Tuesday, Brent and I decorated easter eggs with the boys. Jennie and Patrick decided to go ahead and try to set up a time to bless Reagan. It was set for 6:00 pm that evening. Both kids seemed to be improving. Miss Reagan got all dressed up and looked like a little princess and we were so glad that we were able to be there for it. Then Harrison had to model his fro for me.
Wednesday was a trip to the Tucson Zoo with the boys. It was really fun. The zoo is pretty small, but everything was there. It was a beautiful day. On the way home we knew it had been a success when both of them crashed before we got 10 minutes from the zoo! Funny! We had a little egg hunt before they went to bed.

Thursday was a travel day. We hated to leave them. Always do. So back to Utah we went. Left in the sunshine and 70 degrees......by the end of the day we were in a blizzard north of Kanab and trying to avoid a bgillion deer. Got to Elsinore and the ground was dry, but about 38 degrees. About 15 minutes later it was snowing.....hard. Ahh....spring in Utah! (eye roll)

THIRTY-TWO YEARS TOGETHER!

Brent & I celebrated our anniversary yesterday. I can't believe how fast it's gone. Well.......until I stop to think about it. Then it amazes me how much has happened and it does seem like we've been together forever. I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just most of my life.

We have had a tremendous ride together. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I am the same person he married all those years ago. I was so insecure with not a great self-image. Then along comes this guy with all this confidence and changes my life. All for the better. Brent has allowed me to grow and make my own decisions. Never making decisions for me, giving me unconditional love and taught me the meaning of trust. I would never had chosen my professional path or done as well as I have done in my life without his encouragement and support.

We have been through wars, military separations of many types, job losses and health crisis' (well, some of those continue). All of which we have faced together and grown stronger as a couple and then as a family. We've raised 3 amazing children and now are blessed to be watching our grandkids come into our lives. Blessed to be a part of their growth and lives. They and the most unbelieveable little people.

We celebrated our anniversary again this year at the Desert Star Playhouse. We have had season tickets for 4 or 5 years now. We love that place. The production going on now is a spoof on Twilight (the movie). It was really funny, even for Brent who doesn't know anything about them. It was that well written. Anyway, about half way into the first act, one of the actors came into the audience a grabbed a couple of guys to help on stage. One of them was Brent! They dressed him up and put him in the classroom scene. I tried to take a picture with my phone, but I don't use it that much, so this is the best I could do. He is right in the middle of the phone with the leather jacket & bird helmet on his head. He did great! And his improv skills were surprising to say the least.

I am so lucky to have this man as my partner in this life. He is my best friend. Thanks honey for putting up with me for so long. Happy 32nd Anniversary and here's to another 32 (or more)! I love you with all my heart.