A Basket Full of Dawsons

Day 3 - Sunday

2010-11-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

We again went to sleep with rain all night. Woke up to it being cloudy, and raining in the morning. We drove up to Mercer Caverns today. What an amazing experience for all of us! We learned about all the different formations, the way that the caverns are formed, and how it was discovered. We decended 16 floors down, that's a lot of stairs folks. And then when we were down, we had to come back up! :-) Before we did though, they turned out all of the lights, and we got to see what it would've been like before electricity. The tour guide even had a candle, like what Mr. Mercer had when he first decended back in 1885, then she blew it out. William gripped my hand, but when the lights went back on, the smile on his face was priceless! I was the only one who hit her head on the way back up. Go figure! I got plenty of warning about the low spots too! LOL

Day 2 - Saturday

2010-11-21T13:49:00.000-08:00

We all slept in, hard not to with the soothing sounds of the rain outside. Ate breakfast, and sat around for a bit in the morning. Around 11am, we decided to go for a drive up Hwy 4 to Big Trees State Park. Sequoias, hiking trails and about 2500 feet higher up the mountain. (Angel's Camp is around 1700 feet). That drive was simply beautiful! Quaint little towns, cows, horses, vineyards, and about half way there, we noticed snow on the ground from the night before. Had to have been a cold storm that came through for the snowline to be so low. As we were driving through, the colors on the trees again made me long to hike around. Fall is simply my favorite time of year!
Well the trees started throwing snowballs at us. :-) That's how the boys were decribing how the snow was falling off the trees. They wowed, and oooohhhhhed as more cars were coming down the mountain with snow packed on top of their cars. Will's response was simply "Dang, this is cool!" I couldn't have said it better myself!
We pulled up to Big Trees, and as we pulled in, it began to snow. There went our big plan to drive around and maybe hike. We got out of the car, and took a few pictures. They boys grabbed some big chunks of fresh powder and through it over the railing. All too quick, it was "I'm cold mom, my shoes are wet." (That by the way, was why I told them not to step in the soft snow!) The trees at the begining of the park were huge. I forgot just how massive Sequoias are! Maybe by the end of the week, the weather will be good enough to go back.
We turned around, not wanting to get stuck, (no chains) and headed back down the mountain. We went to Angel's Camp Museum. It's a lot bigger then we thought when we pulled up. We started at the lower level, (there are 3) and went into the big wherehouse. There we met Bill, the docent for the Gold Rush/Mining area. He explained all about the history of Angel's Camp, talked about the Mother Lode vein, tools the miners used, conditions, and showed us the different ways that folks got gold out of the earth. There were rows and rows of old machinery, photos, and examples of blacksmith tools, branding irons, and miners tools. We then panned for gold. :-)
Tier two was the carriage house and water wheel. If you can imagine a wherehouse full of horse drawn carriages, that's what we saw. It reminded me of Little House on the Priarie. We saw Charles' Buckboard wagon, Dr. Baker's buggy, Miss Beetle's quaint little buggy, there was even a dairy wagon. William got to draw one. The docents little dog kept the attention of the boys.
Back up at the top, was the small roomed museum. An apothacary shop, a postoffice replica, and a memorial garden. Inside the last section, was a Mark Twain exibit. This was another reason to come to Angel's Camp. The boys school is named after Mark Twain, and their mascot, the frogs, is named after here in Angel's Camp. Mark Twain's first published story was about the jumping frogs here. That image is depicted everywhere (as you'll see when I'm able to post some pictures when we return)

Education Vacation Nov. 2010 - Day 1

2010-11-21T13:40:00.000-08:00

Well we're on our first vacation of the new school year. Decided to come up to Angel's Camp along California's Hwy 49 - Gold Country. Bruce is going to be learning about the gold rush and the missions this year. So we booked our Worldmark vacation up here! We pulled the boys out of school early and Terry took the day off from work. We were able to leave around 11am on Friday Nov. 19th. Made it up here by 5:30. Not too bad if I do say so myself! We stopped in Oakdale to drop some things off at my sister's friends place, and then drove the rest of the way. Hit the grocery store for the rest of the food for the week, and settled into our "vacations house" as William calls it. About 30 after we checked in, it started to rain. Made it really nice to fall asleep to that.
I love having the timeshare! We need money for food (going to do that at home anyway) and money for gas and what activities we want to do. It's nice to not have to pay a grand right then and there for the stay. These places are condos. Washer/dryer, full kitchen, and plenty of space! Plus the fun of the pool/spa, rec. room. Here at Angels Camp, we seriously lucked out with an amazing view!! It's right of the golf course, and the hills around. The fall colors look wonderful, and make me want to live somewhere where the trees are more abundant.

Women's Conference @ BYU

2010-05-23T14:48:00.001-07:00

I was so thankful to be able to attend Women's Conference at BYU this year with my wonderful Aunt Beth & Baba Lucy! I needed that spiritual recharge so bad! Will post more later...

Update...

2010-04-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

I found my Driver's Licence!!!!!! I had looked in the same spot so many times, and after a heartfelt prayer.....it fell out of a folder onto the floor. :-)

Persistent Looser of Important Things

2010-04-22T20:16:00.001-07:00

So I'm so excited to be going to BYU for the Women's Conference with some wonderful ladies I get to call my family. I am realizing that I don't have my government identification that you need to have to board the plane!!!!! I misplaced my driver's licence around my boys birthday party (end of Jan.) and have been using my passport for id lately. Yep, you guessed it, can't find that one either. I have cleaned out ALL of my purses/bags/backpacks, and now just cleaned out hte closet that I keep them hung in when not in use. I FIND a pair of shoes that I bought who knows when for me (super cute by the way) , an unopened kite, the missing bike helmet for Bruce, and the bag of goodies from Night at the Village during the California womens conference back in October - with the food goodies I was saving for the following week. Yes, Erica, it is now 6 months later! Needless to say that yummy brownie, is no longer yummy.

I was up late last night crying because I don't know how I'm going to get on the plane on Wednesday. Now I'm getting a stress migrane because I'm franticly looking around. UGGGGGGHHHHH

Full of events...

2010-03-18T10:16:00.001-07:00

Bruce participated in his first Pinewood Derby with our church pack (he's been in the one at school the last 2 years) and he won 2nd place out of 24 cars! He was so very excited, he'd never done that well before! Go Bruce & your "tank"!

William began his first year of T-ball/coach pitch on the Angels in the Lakewood Village Little League. He is having so much fun! We are thankful, as we already had Angel gear to wear & didn't need to go out and buy too much stuff!

Terry and I took another trip to Las Vegas (we took the family there for Christmas for a week) all by ourselves! We went to celebrate lots of things, Terry completing his Master's degree & teaching credential, and early Anniversary get away as this summer will be quite hectic & 15 years ago this month (March) we began dating. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life. He is my other half.

We decided to have family pets! We got our two baby guinea pigs at the beginning of February, they are about 4 or 5 months old right now and just as cute as can be. The boys love holding them, (me too!) and we've even ventured outside on the clover filled grass to let them explore under their cage. It is a nice thing to be able to teach the kids about caring for someone else.

For our birthday present to Bruce this year, we got tickets for Terry and him to attend their first Monster Truck Jam (make sure you say that like the commercial!) They had a blast! I can't wait to go next year as a family!

All the hard work has paid off!

2010-03-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yippeeeee!!!!! Terry got his Master's Degree in the mail a few weeks ago, and yesterday, his Teaching Credential arrived! WE have been waiting for this for sooooooooo (yes, that's a lot of o's) long! Congratulations hunny!

2010-02-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling so down lately! I'm not too sure what is going on. Lots of things really. It seems everything is finally catching up with me all at once. I'm finally allowing myself to feel things that I have been pushing down, because I had to be there for my family. Terry is DONE with his Master's degree & teaching credential. After our whole married life of him being in school, and working toward this goal, he is done! He's had time with anxiety problems, depression, health issues, on top of the stress of getting school complete & working in all of that. I have HAD to be the strong one, working, doing the finances, and being the emotional rock for the two of us. I think it's finally catching up with me. We are coming up to some more crossroads this year. We are going to have to move this summer, as my grandparents house will need to be sold now that they are both gone. So, we are going to buy a place. Not the 5 bedroom/3 bathroom house in New Mexico that we've been wanting to do. Most likely a townhome/condo/mobile home that we can actually afford here in Southern California. The reason??? This wonderful economy & job situation all over! He wouldn't be able to find a teaching job in NM now. Thankfully he has a wonderful position, and he's not going anywhere. So we're going to stay with the secure job, and the great thing, close to lots of family.

I just wish I could sleep.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2009-12-28T18:50:00.001-08:00

For the first time since we've been together (15 years!)(married for 13 1/2) we spent Christmas AWAY from our family! We had an amazing deal with our timeshare and took it. 7 nights in Las Vegas, NV was where we spent our holiday! It turned out to be a really fun vacation.

We got to see a few shows, (The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas, and V-The Ultimate Varity Show) ate at some amazing resturants (The Grand Luxe Cafe - my favorite), got out and took a picture by the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, spotted Elvis, bowled, saw a movie, watched the fountains of Bellagio, went to the kids science museum, and visited the Old Mormon Fort. All of this done together! It was a nice expierence to just spend time with each other and reconnect in our own family unit.

The first night we took a drive down the strip, the ooohhhhs and aaaahhhs for all the lights, and the volcano euruption were great. I had never stayed more than a night passing through, and had a great time. We even stopped in Calico (ghost town outside of Barstow) for some "old west" expierence. Terry broke the law, but Sheriff Bruce took care of him! :-) I missed being with my family (all 3 Christmas celebrations) but having just my boys and husband to bond with was worth it.

Life and Death

2009-12-01T14:38:00.000-08:00

My grandmother - Desma I. Elkins - passed away on Wednesday the 25th of November. The day before Thanksgiving. She was a vibrant, generous, caring, funny woman whom I was so fortunate to know for so long before Alzheimer's took her away. She fought the disease with dignity, and taught her whole family so much in the duration. I am so glad to have known her, and feel blessed that she loved me. I miss you grandma.

Results & other stuff...

2009-11-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Nothing major from all the tests. Everything is working like it should, with one exception - elevated colesteral. Knew that one was coming, but with TTC (trying to concieve) in the works, no meds to get it down. So - adjusting the food intake, and more exercise! Getting on the flonaise, wonderful! Only 1 major headache/migrane in 1 month! It's wonderful finally figureing out what the trigger was. :-)

I've been able to volunteer in my son's classroom this past week. It's been so nice to be in there to help out the teacher and see what Bruce has been doing. I'm able to actually see how he is working, and it's not much different than when he is at home. Ugh! Concentration is a huge problem, and we're trying to break things back down into chunks of time to help. He's getting better.

I still have no motivation to clean my house! I serriously want to hire someone to come in a do a BIG cleaning, and then I'll take care of the upkeep. Oh well, that's my life!

To the doctor I go...

2009-10-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I went to have my annual physical. Lovely as always. It was nice to have some time to really talk to my Dr. about some major concerns. 1st my headache/migranes that have been consistanly getting worse over the months. In talking about where they are beginning, she thinks it might be allergy related (on top of the obvious stress/hormone that trigger as well) So, I'm going back on the flonase again to try to curb some of the sinus problems. - Ultimatly, no big deal, hopefully this will work!

Second, still not pregnant after trying since a year ago last July! I am more determined now then ever to get some of this extra weight off. I know that that has been part of the problem. Lots of tests were ordered for my bloodwork yesterday, so we'll see if there is anything else going on. She's going to give us until next July, then its off to see a fertility specialist. If anyone has any other tips, they are welcome! :-)

Went to El Dorado Park today to go to the Nature Center and go on one of the little hikes. William just loves going there. (so do I!) It's so nice to have such a calm beautiful place to go to so close to home.

Ahhh, the stay-at-home life

2009-10-08T10:35:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how many things have gone amiss since I had been back at work. So many things around the house un-done! I've begun cleaning up the gigantic mess under this roof! It's also fair to say, that this is the longest we've been in one place - EVER - in our 13 1/2 marriage! So normally we've moved and have gotton rid of loads of stuff, can anyone say garage sale?? Wish me luck!

New Horizons...

2009-09-08T21:59:00.001-07:00

I resigned last week. :-) My last day will be on the 30th. I started back to college this semester. Taking 7 units, and will be back full-time in the spring! Terry didn't end up doing the surgery. He did a last chance Dr. visit to an orthopedic sports doctor, who discovered the REAL problem with his back. One of his disc's was 1 cm out of alingment, and all the muscles around it had just about gone away. So, he went to physical therapy, learned the proper streatchs, and is doing wonderful! He's dropped 10 more pounds! So, no surgery, he's going to keep doing what he is doing. He's back to work as of last week, and he walks next month for his commencement ceremony for his Master's degree! Can you believe it?? Bruce starts 3rd grade tomorrow, and Will has been back to pre-school for a week. I'm going to keep him in 3 days a week starting in October so I can concentrate on school, and taking care of the house.

I'm so excited to be coming back home where I belong.

A Camping We Will Go...

2009-07-23T00:41:00.000-07:00

Well it's been I believe since I was a teenager that I have done some real camping. We've done the RV thing, or had someone who had a pop-up trailer go along w/ us the past few times we've gone. But to really go camping w/out the modern helps will be interesting to say the least. I just spent too much money at Wal-mart today to get the rest of the supplies that we need to have. Tomorrow we head out to camp with the boys. They are so excited!! I just hope we all don't melt & or come back looking like lobsters. Who am I kidding, I'd be the one looking like a lobster. The boys have that beautiful island skin! I'll post some pictures when we get back. Wish me luck!!

Life...

2009-05-21T19:37:00.001-07:00

Well, of course when I don't write in here for very long, tons of stuff seems to happen! After all of the sad month of March was over, I had thankfully already scheduled to have Spring Break off w/ Bruce (of course Terry's spring break was the opposite week!) because we didn't have a sitter. We kept William w/ us for a few days, but most of the week was just for Bruce & I. We went to the park w/ a friend, I took him on his (and my) first whale watching cruise out of Long Beach harbor. (didn't get to see a whale though, plenty of dolphins/seals) We went to Disneyland & had a ball! May brough more crazieness! On the 5th, after 9+ years in banking w/out incident, my office was robbed. Got through that ok, then 10 days later, we were robbed again! I had been thinking about resigning for quite some time, and boy, do I ever want to do that now! I've been activly searching since last April for a different position within my company, but then the mergers were happening, and so much time has past. Not able to leave quite yet. Terry has a few more classes in his Master's program, then he's done. I have to wait until ten. No I get to wait until then. We have to ensure that he'll have a job, and be able to work so I can stay home again.

It's been so hard this year, I've wanted to stay home but we really just can't right now. We're using my salary to pay down the debt we once again accumulated when Terry was out of work for a year. Once that goes down, and his school is finished, ... it's really in sight! I've been wanting to go back to school for a few years now. Next spring, I finally get to go back. I'm thrilled!

It's amazing what you learn to let go, and what dreams need to be placed on hold when life gets in the way. I got this quote in my E-mail inbox today that was just what I needed to read from our beloved prophet :

"None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you."
--President Thomas S. Monson, "Be of Good Cheer", April 2009 General Conference

It's nice to get that reminder - nothing will be presented in our lives that we cannot handle - Heavenly Father promised us this wonderful blessing. He is always with us, even if we're not looking, even if we've not thought about it in a while. This brings me peace.

March - the month to reflect

2009-03-31T21:42:00.001-07:00

Well, March is finally over. What an emotional rollercoaster it has been!
Event #1 - We (Terry and I) have not done such a great job on the dental heath of our little William. He had cavities in all four of his back mollers which needed major repair, and as it turned out, a baby root canal! No wonder he always was fighting to brush his teeth! Duh!! He has inherited the aweful teeth from my side of the family (Terry has a beautiful white - 1 filling - smile, me on the other hand...) On the 3rd I took him to the dentist, had him knocked out for 2 hours while he fixed my babies teeth. We say he has a pirate tooth now which is pretty cool, but are being very diligent w/ his habits now!
Event #2 - My sweet, funny, loving grandfather, or Gramps as I called him left this earthly life and went home on the 6th. He had been sick and going down hill for many years, crooked back, lung disease, heart issues, etc. He was stubborn 'till the end. But loved us every day. His last words to me the day that Leah and I visited him a week before his passing were "Take care of your family, and just love each other"
Event #3 - Robert Woolley Young funeral on the 13th. I was able to be a pall bearer. The boys were so excited to see him, and say goodbye. William is still saying out of the blue "Great Grandpa died, but he's still alive!" Even at 4, he has some understanding of The Plan of Salvation. So good to see family, spend the day with them. Such a nice time remembering the fun, the history, and giving last tags.
Event #4 - The next day on the 14th, Terry's uncle Lawrence passed away. He too had been fighting for a while with various issues, and went home on that day. Finally free of all the pain.
Event #5 - Legoland w/ the boys. What fun that was. And so needed after the past few weeks! We had a great time, (aside from the sick morning w/ William ) Got some great pic's (I'll post to my facebook page later) But it was much bigger than I had expected, we'll have to go back when we get a good deal again!

We get to attend uncle Lawrence's funeral this Saturday up in Sacramento. I'll blog more about that one later.

I love my family. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love that I know where I come from, who I am, and that death is not the end of all things. I'm so thankful that I'll get to see my grandpa again, and hear his laugh when my times to leave this earth life. I'm so thankful for a loving Father in Heaven to let his son, my brother, to die for me so he could rise again and give us all that chance to live w/ him again.

Bruce is getting Baptized!

2009-02-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

Holy cow, where on earth did that time go? Eight years ago this weekend I was holding my brand new little baby, not getting much sleep, sore from nursing, getting used to not working full-time, and getting pains in my back. On the day Bruce will be baptized (Saturday 28th) it will have been 8 years since I had my one and only major surgery as well! Being pregnant with him, I had a complication- gall stones! Who knew. Withing that last week of February, I went from what I though was muscle aches from the new positions I was having my body in, to full blow attacks, and laying on the sidewalk in so much pain because the cold of the cement felt good. I ended up in the ER twice, and the they admitted me the second time, with surgery on the 28th. All with this helpless 4 week old Bruce! We had some amazing friends who helped us out with the baby, and my mother and mother-in-law who came to take shifts that first week back home post-surgery when I wasn't allowed to pick up my baby boy, and of course my rock - Terry. They took care of our microscopic appartment, bathed & changed Bruce, rocked him to sleep, and brought him to me to nurse.

As Bruce has grown over these past years, I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for having him join our family first. He is my sensitive, shy one. He listens, and is loving. I needed him to be my first without even knowing it. I have learned so much from him, and have become a better person because of him. And now as he takes this next step in his journey on earth, I am so proud of the young man he is turning into.

Happy Birthday Boys!!!

2009-01-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

The end of January rolls around after I have finally put Christmas away, and we are upon Bruce and William's birthdays! Yes, we didn't plan that out too well, but hey when those special spirits are ready to join your family, the join! William turned 4 yesterday, and Bruce will turn 8 tomorrow. We have been party filled at the house all weekend, and wouldn't you know it. I come down with a sinus infection, and laryngitis! Friday I stayed home from work and just slept all day. That night Bruce had 7 of his friends over for pizza making and watching Star Wars, The Clone Wars. Saturday was the Pine Wood Derby, (he took 3rd place!), and that evening I took William to Disneyland for a few hours. My family is coming over tonight for cake/ice cream for William. (I stayed home from church-did I mention that I cannot talk!- to make the "snake" cake) And tomorrow I'm picking Bruce up from school to go to Disneyland for his birthday. I can't believe how my boys are growing up!

Is it really almost February!

2009-01-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

Well, these last few months have truly come and gone. I have no idea where November and December went, and now we're almost

through with January!

In November, I along with my mother, a cousin, and 3 of my aunts participated in the Alzheimer's "On the Move" Walk. With both of my grandmothers afflicted with the disease, it was a wonderful way to pay tribute to them. I also got to attend a Longaberger regional meeting and Tami Longaberger was there! I have met her one time before, and it was nice to talk with her for a few minutes again. (CEO and daugher of Dave Longaberger - founder of The Longaberger Company). November also was the end of soccer sesason! YEAH!

In December, Bruce finally got glasses. He has been in need of them, and we had put it off. He looks so handsome, and of course, he really needed them!

The holiday's were wonderful. They were full of family, and lots of visits. William was so cute this year with Christmas. He was so amazed that the cookies and milk we had left for Santa, and the carrot for the reindeer were gone in the morning, he just sat and looked at the empty plate for a few minutes before moving on to the presents! Very cute! We are now coming up on the boys birthdays! William will be 4 on Saturday, and Bruce will be 8 on Monday! Happy birthday boys! (sorry for the pictures being all out of wack!)

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-10-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

A picture is truly worth a thousand words. I love the age that William is this year, he remembers what is going on from last year,and gets super excited. All month since we bought the costumes, he is asking just about every day "Is it Halloween today?". Needless to say we have been on countdown mode for a while. This morning when I wolk the boys up, it was "Happy Halloween!", Will's response, "It's Halloween today?, Ahhh finally!" He instantly wanted to put on his costume and go trick-or-treating right there - at 7am! I reminded him that he's going to Aunt Leah's house after school, and that we're

going to trick-or-treat around her house. That got him so excited.

Bruce, well, it was pretty much just another day. :-)

After Leah's we made a few stops to try to visit

family - mom didn't answer her door, but Aunt Lurae did,

and we walked around her block.

We came home, and Will was ready to pass out candy on our porch. That let us get rid of a bunch of candy that they had gotton. :-) Terry wasn't w/ us this year, as it's Friday night, and football season. I hope everyone else had a great time!

Crazy Fall Schedule

2008-10-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

We are now in full swing of the fall schedule now. Terry at football games/competitions/& Tue. night rehearsals. Bruce w/ scouts, soccer, and pulling teeth to do his spelling homework. Will just wanting to be a part of it all. And then there is me, the woman who has the hardest time saying not to things. From my full-time job (at least until January), to scrapbooking, running my own business, taking the kids everywhere, remembering where to pick them up each day, and trying to find time to myself every once in a while. I have definatly cluttered up my life. The good news is, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Marching season ends the beginging of December. Soccer ends right before Thanksgiving (oh to be thankful for that). And William is happy to be read to. I don't know how much longer after the new year starts that I will be working full-time. We'll have to see how the merger of my bank goes. In the mean time, I'm sticking to my monthly massage (definatly needed it today), lunch with a friend every once in a while, and saying a prayer to keep me going. After all, it's for those guys. :-)

Why I go to work everyday.?!

2008-09-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really have to wonder just that. Why on earth am I getting up to go to work everyday? I have been back working full-time now for just over a year after taking 2 1/2 years off to be with the boys. I went back into the field that I spend 7 years growing my career. Bank Management. I worked my way up the positions at one institution from a teller up to an Asst. Bank Manager, Asst. Vice President, and officer of Washington Mutual. When I left the company in early 2005, I really missed it. So when it was time to start working again, they were the first place I went to. Boy did that company change. (and in the recent months, WOW!) So, I go to work at another institution, again as an operational focused manager, now just yesterday, our comany gets sold to another! I am so tired of being bombarded with so many STUPID questions, I simply don't know why I go everyday. Please people, read your FDIC info, do your research, keep track of your own balance, don't get mad at me because you can't balance your checkbook, or can't remember what you did with a $95K official check (yes that really happened today!) or have to wait 3 minutes in a really small line (it could be soooooooo much worse!) , and don't totally freak out, even though that is exactly what the media is hoping you will do so you will continue to watch their news.

Ok, there is my vent for the month. It's what I would say to my customers if I really could. Thankfully I have a wonderful staff that I get to work with everyday, and 3 wonderful people to come home to. :-)

The first day jitters are gone!

2008-09-04T09:24:00.001-07:00

2nd day of school for Will brought tears, but today - day #3 - was great. He was excited again, and ready to go.

Bruce was very nervous, and excited too. There were a handful of kids from his 1st grade class there, and 1 in his table group.

Terry had a great first few days too. He is so happy to be back working. (and can I tell you I am totally thrilled!) We have some scheduling issues on some days, but not too bad. I'm so thankful that I have family who love my kids and are able to help!

I am back to work now. Just a few hours today and back to regular schedule tomorrow. Happy first week of school everyone!!!

Will's first day of preschool/daycare

2008-09-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, we didn't have the 'no mom, don't leave' at my house. It was 'where's my lunchbox', and 'no you don't get a kiss goodbye' on the playground. My little William is just too grown up for all of that. When we dropped Bruce off for the first time, he cried for 1/2 an hour with his teacher. Will on the other hand, is so thrilled to be going, he ran in the gate! It certainly makes it easier for me. Bruce and I are doing a last day of summer thing today. We had a breakfast at IHOP, and then to Target to get a new backpack that before today he said he didn't want a new one, and now we're heading off to the movies. http://starwars.com Yep, Star Wars - The Clone Wars, was his pick. He really is his father's son. :-)

Crazy few weeks!

2008-09-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Well it's official, I'm done and I'm crawling in a hole to not come out. Sometimes I wonder just how many things can happen before I'll just loose my mind! Work has been nuts these last few weeks - I actually snipped at an auditor! Thankfully he is a friend and forgave me, but wow! The kids have the end of summer, I'm bored, what are we going to do today, I just want to watch T.V., no I don't want to go outside! Terry started & finnished band camp (2 weeks of crazy for him) and of course shopping for back to school. Then my birthday thrown in there on Saturday, and the real kicker, I just found out my grandmother isn't swallowing much any longer. (She's in an alzheimer's home) When my other grandmother (yes that is both of them with this aweful disease) it was just under a month before she went home. Yesterday my dad and his siblings made the decision to not do a feeding tube, or IV and let her pass. Hospice is getting involved sometime this week, and we're getting ready.

Upper Lip Update:

2008-08-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well the stiches came out today! It healed up really quick & hopefully there won't be too much scaring. He's got to stay out of the sun, and wear a hat & sunscreen (once the wounds are healed of course) We went out today and bought a brand new had hoping he'll keep it on! Bruce has been such a trooper through all of this. He saw the whole thing and has gotton up a few times in the night from seeing what happened. They are both all smiles now.

Will's first run-in with an unhappy dog!

2008-08-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well we knew something like this would happen eventually! From the first time he put us in Urgent Care, until now. William has been the one who's a bit to adventureous for his own good. He was playing with a dog that he'd played with before. Terry reminded him to be gentle, and the moment his back was turned, Will grabbed him by the neck and started pulling. The dog had a different way that he wanted to be played with so he batted his paws right into Will's face. It didn't cut completely through his lip, but pretty darn close. 9 stiches in 3 deep lasceration later, you have this for a mug.

After we got home, he happily took his medicine and proceeded to jump off the couch. I asked him what happened and he very calmly said "The dog gave me a boo boo, but he said he was sorry, and the doctor fixed my lip!" What a great lesson in forgiveness, cause I wanted to go and do something not nice to the dog.

EARTHQUAKE!!!

2008-07-29T19:25:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it was a pretty small one @5.8, but it was Bruce's first one! He was at school on the playground and he said that he just froze. "A glass frame broke in my classroom mom, but nothing else was wrong. I don't like earthquakes." Terry said that he was rattled a bit, but that's all.

How did you all fair?

My first post...

2008-07-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well, here I go. Terry and I have been married now for 12 years. I can't believe how fast the time goes. Our kids, Bruce and William are growing up (7 & 3 respectfully) like weeds. We are living in my grandparents house right now in Lakewood Village. It's great being in a home, and we can't wait until we can own one of our own! Terry is going back to work this fall as a High School Band Director after a year off to begin his master's program and stay home with the boys. Bruce will be in 2nd grade, and William is going to start pre-school this fall. I am working full-time as a bank manager. Hopefully I'll be able to cut back a bit next year, but we'll see. I'm also a Longaberger Home Consultant which I've loved doing for the past 3 years! If anyone needs a night out, let me know!