Faith that Holds the Pieces Together

They have arrived

2010-12-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

Wednesday December 15th at 12:00pm in the afternoon Madison Elizabeth made her big debut into the world. She weighted 4lbs. 4oz and was 16 and 3/4 inches long. And one minute later followed her little sister Madelynne Mae weighing in at 3lbs. 6oz and was 16 inches long. True to their form in my belly Madison was spunky crying making it known she was not happy and Madelynne laid on the table wide eyed and just took in the world around her. The littles were taken into the NICU after we got to take a quick peak at them. They had to go on Cpap but within a few days they were both taken off and breaking in regular air on their own. Aunt Brandi and Daddy got to be in the room while the c-section took place. It took about 45 minutes all together. Davis was in the waiting room and everyone else waited patiently for the news.
We were beyond surprised that we had two little girls because mommy thought for sure she saw boy parts in a sonogram. Mommy is still in shock that I gave birth to two beautiful little girls.
Mimi flew in to help take care of everyone on Friday and Papa Wayne and Momma Stacy got here on Sunday to help out as well. But Aunt Kathy, Uncle Cooper, Greg and Alicia were the ones that got us through the entire month of mommy being on bedrest at the hospital. The saying it takes a village has never been more true in my whole life. Daddy and I could not have managed life without any of them these last few weeks.
While on bedrest mommy made a new friend. Her name is Jill and she was one of our many nurses that took such good care of us in the antepartum part of our stay. I am excited because her husband and daddy seem to have lots in common aka their love for trucks.
Your brother has been one of the best troopers during this time of craziness. He has been shuffled from one house to another so that daddy could come up and help take care of me. He is so excited to help take care of you. The saddest thing for mommy is that he hasn't been able to hold you or see you. He has only experienced you through the window of the NICU but seriously it made his day. There is so much more to say about each of you but for today we will leave it at this we love you and my heart is so full right now. We love you littles and are so glad you are ok.

Baby Thoughts

2010-12-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Growing up I don't remember dreaming about a lot of things that maybe other girls did. I never really thought about what my future husband would be like or dreamed of a fairytale wedding. I was never big into make-up, clothes, or decorating things. I guess you could say I was just all around a tom boy. But the one thing I do remember dreaming about and alot was having children. I remember watching the Baby Story on TLC every single day. I remember the first baby sitting job I ever had. I remember I couldn't wait until my baby cousins came to town so I could help take "care" of them or when my mom's best friend had a baby. I loved changing diapers and picking out clothes for them and getting them dressed. In high school amongst hanging out with my friends I always had many families I baby sat for. Now those kids are graduating high school soon, driving cars and going to prom. It blows my mind. In my world I always assumed if and when I got married I would have a house full of kids. I would watch the Baby Story and cry because I could not wait to be a mommy. I couldn't wait to be pregnant and see my belly grow and feel a baby kick. I have spent years looking at all the baby equipment that has come out over the years. My job pretty much since I graduated high school has been taking care of children in some way shape or form. I started collecting baby clothes and cribs way before we had children just assuming that because I wanted them they would come.
Cliff and I decided shortly after we moved to Buffalo to start trying to have a baby. Wow that seems like a life time ago. I look back over our journey of trying to have kids and what a journey it has been. Zacky blessed our lives beyond anything we could ever have hoped for. Then 4 years later here I sit in a hospital bed waiting as patiently as possible for our babies to be born. It blows my mind.
Many years ago I gave up the dream I had as a little girl to have my own babies. I knew that God wanted us to adopt and so we did but I also knew that with all our infertility issues that us getting pregnant was probably out of the question. I sat on a boat in the middle of the Bahamas on a missions trip with an amazing group of teenagers and decided that God had to be in control of us having children or it could very possibly ruin me. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life miserable at other people's baby showers or crying every time I got my period or loosing it when a friend told me she was pregnant. I knew and trusted that God had a plan for us. We never dreamed we would have the money to do infertility treatment and I never thought it was for me. But then when my dad passed away we decided that it would be a great way to honor him. And if dad could pick anything in the world for us to do with the money we got it would be to put it towards growing our family. So we did and WOW here we are having twins. Yes even at 32 weeks and 5 days I am still in awe of this almost every minute of the day. How did we get so lucky with Zack and now our littles. I just don't know. God is so good. We are so blessed.
As I sit here tonight in my little hospital room thinking of what sex they are and making sure I really like the names we have picked out so far I am sad that my dad is not here with us. I know that my daddy is in Heaven tonight waiting just as patiently as we are to see their little faces. I miss him a lot tonight and just want to be able to tell him thank you. Because of a really shitty situation it has allowed my biggest childhood dream to become a reality. I miss you dad every day and love you beyond measure. Thank you for our littles!

We keep moving forward

2010-09-21T08:39:00.000-07:00

We keep moving forward with the move. Time is going quickly which I appreciate beyond belief. There for awhile I felt like we weren't getting much done and that we were spinning our wheels but now with only two days till we leave for Colorado I feel like we are making huge progress. We have a few more hurdles to jump through one of the biggest being that we have four vehicles and a trailer to move and only two of us to do such a thing. We thought we would be able to sell the truck and my Rover but no such luck. So we have to decide to let them go for a much cheaper price then we think they are worth and cut our loses or park them in the neighbors yard and have Cliff come back for them later. Ugggg I am just about at my limit for decision making. So please continue to pray for us. I am so beyond excited to be with our families. I am taking all this in stride because I know that what awaits us will be totally worth today's stress.

Zack continues to have a wacky schedule. He is still waking up super early and unfortunately because we are packing and trying to get things going he is playing a lot of Wii. It will be packed up soon though and we will have a whole week that we can just focus on him and play with him. Lot's of swimming and bowling is in his future. Can't wait.

Did I mention that I think these children are getting very close to my ribs. I am finding at night that it is harder and harder to get comfortable. If I lay on one side they roll and put pressure on that side then when I roll the same thing happens. They are so very active. I really didn't expect it so early. I thought I would feel flutters for a lot longer but they are in full swing of moving and flipping. It's fun to feel.

21 weeks these babies are everywhere but so are our lives.......

2010-09-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

As of yesterday I am 21 weeks. Half way to my due date. Eeeek. I can not wait to meet these children. Moving continues to move forward with many bumps in our road. First of all Zack has been completely off. He had four days of the runs followed by throwing up. Then he fell and busted his face on the hardwood floor. Then he he ran head on into a poll at the park and promptly threw up twice. Then he has gotten up at 4am everyday for a week. Then last night Cliff took him to the park and then to the store and he ate an entire pack of oreo's the snack pack kind and threw up. Ugggggg that's not to mention that the trailer got stolen with our quads and dirt bike on it. Thankfully Cliff found the trailer parked down the street and only the dirt bike was gone. Cliff also broke the huge mirror that hangs across our bathroom sink, isn't that like 7 years bad luck or something. I don't know I am just thinking either it is a sign from God that we shouldn't be moving to Texas or Satan sucks and is trying to deter us. I am going with Satan is a jerk and we are trying to stay positive and get stuff taken care of here so we can move somewhat peacefully.

Some good things that have happened is that we had a garage sale and sold a lot of crap and made enough money to get Zacky a new bed and mattress. My mom and memo bought us two cribs and two changing tables. What a freaking blessing that was and is. Thanks I love you both a ton. Our babies are doing great too. We had a sonogram Tuesday and the Dr said quote that I have the best twin pregnancy a person can have. My cervix looks nice and long Texas size is what he said and the babies are in full motion anytime I stop moving. It is one of the most bizarre weird experiences my body has felt. I literally spend the entire afternoon yesterday watching my belly move. At our sono Baby A was sucking it's middle fingers and I showed Zack the picture and told him this baby is sucking it's fingers like you do and he said yea I taught that baby how to do that then he laughed it was so cute.

Ok I must sign off for now we are up and running today.

Almost 20 weeks almost packed almost ready to move

2010-09-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

We are trucking along here trying to get life ready for our move. We packed one of our two pod's and will be working on the other one in about a week and half. First we need to have a garage sale and get rid of some stuff. All in all it is going well. This morning we are resting our bodies and will get moving after lunch. We both are on the computer trying to figure out insurance for a pre-existing condition that we call pregnancy. Not so fun. We were hoping to stay on with who we have now and just pay extra money but they won't let us. GRRRRRRR............

Speaking of my pre-existing condition I am almost five months. Can you believe it. We are well on our way and half way through if I make it to 40 weeks. It's crazy. We are feeling them move every night just about and they are kicking or poking or what ever as I type it is crazy. It is more defined everyday. Cliff and Zack have both been able to feel them sooooo fun. At first it was a little annoying because I couldn't tell if my stomach was just growling or if it was movement.

My mom and my grandma each ordered us a crib this past week. What a huge blessing that is and burden off my shoulders. I can't wait to see them. I also have spent the last couple days going thru the tons of bins I have of baby clothes trying to sort thru them and get all the same sizes together. I figure between me and my sister in law who is due three days before me that one out of three of these babies will be a boy so I am taking the new born stuff with me. I am so excited our kids will be so close in age. It will be a lot of fun. Wish us luck. LOL

Please pray for us as this move is very exciting but also stressful. I have not lived in someone else's home since I went to college and I am a little nervous. But it's Coop and Kat how stressful can it really be we love and so excited to be close. My sister is also a hop skip and a jump away as well as other family and close friends.

Zack seems to be having a little anxiety about all the change and unfortunately with him he doesn't understand appropriate ways to express himself. Instead of just talking about it he would rather throw fits, growl at us and argue about EVERYTHING. He also has a weird little thing he does when his nerves are shot and that is he has diarrhea which came in the driveway at school this AM. Poor little dude. Pray for him as he will be out of his element and the way I see it is once we move his life will never be the same. He will be living in someone else's house, sleeping in a bed not his own, playing with toys that aren't his and then he will be having twins enter his life. Pray pray pray for him and patience for us.

Can't keep waiting for pictures

2010-08-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

So I am realizing life is flying by at lighting pace and I can hardlykeep up. I keep waiting to blog till I can upload pictures to go along with each story and the reality is that is not going to happen. I don't have time to figure out pictures then take the time to sit and up load but the story must continue.

Here goes Cliff lost his job about a week ago they pretty much laid everyone off not just him. Thank you sucky econmy in Vegas. I am pregnant with twins insurance runs out the first of October. YIKES. We have made the excutive decision to move to Ft. Worth before Cliff finds a job. Number one our bills are our bill rather we are here or there minus utilities. Number two we know Cliff can not get a job here there is no new construction any where in this town. Number three we want out of Vegas for a lot of reasons. So why not just go and trust that God will provide a job. Well that is our theory and we are going with it.

The plan is as follows: we are getting out house together, floors are being put in, landscaping finished, windows and doors replaced. Side note we woke up this morning to a broken window so weird a perfect circle through the window weird. We have started packing we need to have a garage sale, we need to say good bye to our lovely friends here in the Valley, entertain for one more week while family is here then hit the road. Its ALOT to say the least.

We are well on our way, We have rented out our house which is really fabulous and it seems the family is really nice at least thats what it seem through appearance. Just a couple in their 40's no kids at home and no pets yay.

So for now this is where we are. I will not have pictures for a while but I do plan on someday backing this story up and telling about our summer but for now the show must go on. Let the packing and moving begin.

More babies

2010-08-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Check out that tongue.

A perfect hand by Baby B getting prepared for lots of high fives.

Baby B has more pictures because he or she was a lot easier to see then it's poor squished sibling

Baby B 12 weeks 4 days He is sticking out his tongue. Almost all this babies pictures he is sticking it out.

Baby B 12 weeks 4 days hand is under his or her chin

Baby A and B Baby A is clearly getting squished the Dr said that Baby B has the up stairs apartment with a lot more room.

Baby A 12 weeks 4 days

Sonograms in order from littlest to biggest...........

2010-08-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Baby B 10 weeks

Baby A 10 weeks

Both Babies at 10 weeks

Baby A 8 weeks 5 days

Baby B 8 weeks and 5 days

Baby A at 8 weeks and 5 days

So Far Behind

2010-08-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ok I am so far behind that I am totally overwhelmed with catching this crazy blog up. Part of me just wants to delete it and start over but then I see our wonderful printed copy of Faith that holds the pieces together and then I come back to my senses. We have been a fairly busy family. Well ok not that busy but we have a ton of pictures to add on here. So I have decided that I will just continue with the pictures of all my sonograms up to date that way you can see how big they are getting. Then I will talk about our trip to Disney, Zacks birthday and our travels to see my family. Oh and the boys also went to Denver so those are a must as well. It will take me days. But I will get this done.

My funny funny boy

2010-06-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

Last night I wanted us to eat dinner quickly and head over to the pool for a dip. Unfortunately right before we ate I started feeling crappy so while the boys and Bob ate I laid down on the bed for a quick rest. Zack comes in to tell me he is done. I said ok your suit is in ur bathroom put it on so you will be ready for the pool. So he runs to the kitchen and this is what I hear him say. Mommy can't go to the pool because her babies in her belly are sick. She is going to stay home and take care of them. He comes back in the room almost dressed and I said, Why did you tell daddy and Bob I am not going to the pool. He said you didn't your dinner and your babies won't like the pool they are too little so you have to stay home. I said well I want to see you swim he just looks at me and says sorry and scurries away. Oh man he is a riot. We told him that is why I didn't got to Denver because the babies were too little fly. Now he is turning that on me.

We are having a baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Oh wait no we aren't having "A" baby we are having two babies. YIPPEE! I can't hardly believe it and I find myself looking at these pictures over and over just to make sure I am not crazy. We are due on January 28, 2011. Please pray for us as we are still early in this need to make it through the first trimester. Both babies had great heart beats. Baby A's was 135 and Baby B's was 122. Baby B's sac was pretty small so I was advised to drink lots and lots of water and to take it easy which is what I am doing. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! Zack thinks it is a brother and a sister but we will have to wait till the day of delivery because we aren't finding out.

Preschool Graduation

2010-06-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

In late May Zacky's school had a little graduation for all the kiddos going off to kindergarten. And man was it adorable. As you can see from Zacks mouth he screamed every word to every song and then they put on a little play and Zack was one of the only ones that didn't need to be prompted to say his words. Oh the child is edible.

We love Mrs. Ines. She was very patient with my wishy washiness of whether or not I wanted Zack to be a graduate or not. I wasn't sure if he was going to start kindergarten or not so on the day before the party I asked if he could go ahead and be part of it. So she got his stuff together so he could be part of it. Love her. He was so proud. We love you booboo.

2010-05-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Swimming season has been sketchy thus far in Vegas. With the wind and the chilliness we haven't been able to go that much. But we took advantage about a week ago.

He is diving for rocks and lovin life

I love this face more then words can ever express

2010-05-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

More pics from the excavation

2010-05-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

Trees are gone yippee now room for storing our trailer that the quads go on and room for a bigger trampoline and hopefully a small above ground pool someday.

A friend of ours told us about a store called the Restore. It is a place that raises money for Habitat for Humanity. People donate cabinets or left over supplies from building projects. We headed over one Saturday and found these great tiles that we couldn't pass up. They are super high end out door tiles that we are going to use on a front porch. So cool.

The pond is finished and we totally enjoy it everyday. We have plans to put in several plants and a few decorative rocks to keep the dirt to a minimum. It is beautiful and now three gold fish and a koi are the happy occupants of this place.

Let the excavation begin

2010-05-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our yard has always been somewhat out of control since we moved in. So we decided that we would pay landscapers to come and clean it out, cut down some trees help us with our pond so that we can start from scratch.

Everyday Zack had to be out there helping the guys scoop rocks it was so cute. He would fill that little pail then take it and dump it over and over. So funny love this child

TIMBER

Ben the boss and one of the workers making a plan for the pond.

Easter

2010-05-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

Cliff was still in Amarillo on Easter so the boy and I went to church then came home and decorated eggs. He loved it.

We hid them, hunted them, then needed to count them.

Then we cracked the eggs and ate the eggs. MMMMMMMM.

White Sands

2010-05-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

We had plans to go to Las Cruces to see a friend of mine from high school but the last few days we were in C-bad I got a horrible cold. I didn't want to pass my germs along. So intead the boy and I drove up through Cloudcroft then into Alamagordo where we played at White Sands for a couple hours. I still wasn't feeling the greatest at this point but the weather was fabulous and it was a nice break in our travels home. I think Zack could have spent the entire day here.

How to Train YOUR Dragon

2010-05-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have the cutest nieces and nephews ever. We got to take the kids to see the movie How to Train Your Dragon while we were at Mimi's house. It was a super awesome movie. All week I had been seeing the cutest PJ's at Walmart that were the dragons from the movie and I couldn't resist getting them all a pair. So after the movie I headed over to get them all some. They has so much fun.

What are they looking at. You'll see...........

They were all waiting patiently for their baby dragons to hatch. They were so proud of them. Zack still has his little dragon it is a beloved little toy.

March Birthday's

2010-05-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

After we left the Ft. Worth area we headed to Odessa to surprise my mom for her birthday. Unfortunately as I look through the pictures I realize the only shots I took were of her new kitty cats. We had a great time. We got to town and headed to the store to get her purple flowers since it is her favorite color and Zack discovered miniture cupcakes that Nana had to have. After knocking on some random persons house we discovered we were at the wrong place so by the time she opened the door she new it was us. We played with the cats a lot, played some farkel, and then the next day we went out to eat at Red Lobster for my mom's birthday. it was a nice trip.

Then after lunch we made the mad dash to Carlsbad which after all the other driving we did seemed like a hop, skip, and a jump. As soon as we got to town we went shopping again for my brother a birthday gift because it was his big day as well.

After dinner we headed to Mimi's house for cake and icecream. It was fun all the kids and grandkids were there. Fun times.

Nothings funner then getting to blow out someone elses candles. Love these shots. PRICELESS

Worship on the Ipod

2010-05-30T09:30:00.001-07:00

I snagged this from my friend Peter's blog because it is truly amazing. Gotta love technology.

2010-05-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

So truth be told if I had my way I would live in Ft. Worth. I always have so much fun with my brother and sister in law. Zack and I were there for a week. Our time was spent doing all kinds of things but most evenings we cook ridiculously amazing meals. Ok truth be told Phil Kathy's dad made us amazing meals and we all just partook. Also Kathy's brother and sister in law live around the corner with their two wonderful kids Raylee and Connor. Here are some pictures of there crazy slidecapes.

I am not sure at what point this was encouraged but they had so much fun. They were lying down on there bellies dog pile style. They were having so much fun.

Notice Kaycee isn't in on this mix. She is either or chicken or just a smart little girl. I have to go with the latter.

St. Patties Day

2010-05-13T11:59:00.000-07:00

Momma Stacy hooked these little lovies up with their green wear on St. Patties day. And Aunt Kathy with the help of the kids made a cookie cake.

Cousin Snuggles

2010-05-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

I had snuggled Zack up one night to watch a movie and when I went up to check on him Kaycee had crawled right up there with him. He even shared his pillpo. They love each other.

Meeting up with old friends and hitting a hockey game

2010-05-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday before Cliff went back we got to go hear our friend Mike Belt speak. And then had dinner with his wonderful family. We met the Belts in Buffalo and God now has them in Ft. Worth so we finally got to hang out with them since they aren't far from family. Then we said our goodbyes to daddy then hit the rink for a hockey game.

Only a cousin and an aunt would get away with such things. I barely touch his hair and he freaks out.

Borger to Ft. Worth

2010-05-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

After spending the week in Borger with the Mitchell fam we headed to Dallas to see the rest of the Mitchell clan. We only had one day with daddy before he went back to Amarillo so we wasted no time eating good food and hitting the Ft. Worth Childrens Muesum. Are you seeing a trend.

These two muffins are just too cute

Brudders

My lovely sister in law teaching Baby Kaycee to stack domino's

This was so cool because you made an airplane out of materials then stuck it in this air shoot to see if would fly. We spent a lot of time there.

This was a fun little maze that Zack spent a lot of time on. At one point I realized it was all boys. Then realized that all girls were probably sitting calmly somewhere. LOL

That's a BIG turtle Kaycee

Kaycee and her momma playing with some interactive stuff in the toddler section. Although don't let her size fool you she wanted to everything there.

Super cool out door water area.

They had an emergency room set up with real xray's, stethascopes and syringes. It was cute. They both took care of the babies very nicely. I think they are both just practicing for the possiblity for siblings:)

She is such a good girl. We definitely thought she would freak out having to leave her baby. But I don't think she did.

I think Zack and Kaycee's most favorite place was the out door dinosaur dig. In typical girl fashion Kaycee found the appropriate tools to dig up bones while her cousin in typical boy form went straight for the water. This was the spot they had to pulled away from.

Just chillin with his hands in his pockets

She couldn't take it anymore she needed her pants rolled up and get in that water.

Just chillin with his hands in his pockets

She couldn't take it anymore she needed her pants rolled up and get in that water.

Ask us if we had a change of clothes for her. NOPE but that's ok.

Grandma Turned 90

2010-05-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Cliffs Grandma Alford turned 90 and we saw it the perfect reason to get the families together. We had late nights with lots of silly conversation. The baby cousins got to love on each other and we got to listen to Grandma Alfred talk about her life. It was wonderful. She is such an incredible lady. Aside from her eyes deteriorating she is still going strong.

They love each other

baby Conner

Baby Kaycee

I know this post is about grandma turning 90 but how do I scroll past these little lovies. Can you tell out whole family is baby struck

Look at Momma Stacy's eyes she loves Conner

Grandma Kim is smitten with this little boy

Aunty Cherl loves them both too they are edible

They were so cute sharing a bowl of fruit together.

There's the birthday girl. She got some nice gifts several of them were gifts that allowed her to use her other sense besides her eyes. Cards that sing and lotion and a nice warm quilt.

Cliffs family is really great about taking pictures if could be because they have a professional in the family and no I am not talking about me. So everytime they are together we take generation pictures.

This is five amazing generations here. Aren't they awesome

Coop and grandma in deep conversation

Who can resist this man seriously.

I am telling you we are obsessed with the children in this family. Here we all are just watching the kids play outside.

Yes Zacky was at the party but so was his Rinda so we didn't see him much because he was attached at her hip. I think at this point the newly weds left for a little while so he appeared to be interested in something other then Rinda. lol

Throwing dirt clods at the neighbors dog is a great pass time at Papa Wayne and Momma Stacy's. Don't worry the dog LOVED all the attention

This game started with Zacky but then the littles enjoyed it too.

Someone thought it would be a good idea to get a picture with grandma and three littles. Well I will let the pictures do the talking here.......................LOL

Can I just say that Connor is the baby of the three of them.

He was trying but he just couldn't cooperate to the fullest

Another generation of greatness

While Zack is obsessed with his Rinda Kaycee girl is obsessed with Colten which is just adorable. I think it was the this trip or the one before or after that she mastered his name and let me tell you. IT MADE HIS DAY. She is definitely our little princess and as you can see what 18 month old can convince two grown men to get in the floor and color with her. Love you sweet girl.

March Maddness and I am not talking about basketball

2010-05-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

March was a crazy run for Zackary and I. First we went to Amarillo to see Cliff. Then headed to Amarillo to have grandma's 90 birthday. Then Zack, Papa Wayne and I drove back to Vegas for a week. Then we drove back to Amarillo. Then we all went to Dallas. All meaning Cliff his parents and the boy and I. Then Cliff and the grandparents went back to Amarillo. Zack and I stayed and played for a week at my super awesome brother in law and sister in laws. I went up to see my sister. Then we hopped in the car and went to Odessa to surprise my Teresa mom for her birthday. Then we headed to Carlsbad where I then got sick. I was suppose to go see some friends in Las Cruces but decided to keep my germs to myself. So the boy and I went to see White Sands National Park. Then we headed home. Wow that is a lot of miles on our bodies and my poor Landy. So now to upload pictures of all those adventures.

While Cliff worked during out first leg of the race, papa came and took us to the Amarillo Science Muesum which was super cool.

This was a farting machine. Everytime you would sit on the seat.

Papa making a bubble around himself

He put together all these mats to do gymnastics stunts. He had the place to himself.

Visiting Daddy in Texas

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

In February Cliffs office asked him to go to Amarillo to work for a little bit. While it is never good to be separated from your family for extended periods of time a job is a job so we couldn't complain to much. Zack and I went to see him and we stayed at a hotel with a pool. Some of the following are pictures of Cliff and Zack doing the guys thing.

We only got to see daddy for a little while but we cherished the time we had.

Ragamuffins

2010-04-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago I watched my friends Dorie and Brock's beautiful children. The kids had a ton of fun. If Zack had a girl friend these two little girls would probably be a toss up for him. He loves them both and they equally love him. Although after Dorie and I read a book called The Pact we are no long encouraging a life long love arrangement between any of them. Ok that's another story sorry:)

This is Kade. Under his big spidey shirt is his little broken arm. He was such a toughy though it didn't bother him a bit.

Trampoline+Hair=Lots of static

Mia and Zack at the park

2010-04-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

There is this fabulous park here in Vegas. It is way on the other side of town so unfortunately we don't make it there often but when we do it is one of the greatest places on Earth. Not only is it a park but you can also hike to the top of the mountain and see all of Vegas. It is a lot steeper then you think. So one weekend while Cliff was working in Texas we took Mia, our little friend next door and headed to the park.

Isn't she the cutest little thing

Looking towards Red Rock

One cool dude in his shades

Future Rock Climber

Papa Tom would be proud look at his form!

More climbing. I am sure for a four year old boy life does not get much better.

At the top of the hill

Looking towards the strip

Looking down on the park

The kids being airplanes coming down the Mountain

The mountain behind them is what we hiked up too

Mia on a huge lizard.

My blog is getting back into action........

2010-04-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine told me about a website called blog2print.com it is fabulous. They will print your blog in order including pictures and comments. I ordered my 2007 blog a couple weeks ago and it got here in perfect timing for my birthday. I LOVE IT. I seriously just cried because I don't do the whole scrap booking thing so Zacky doesn't have a baby book. Well I have decided this is way better. Its like my journal to him. So I will definitely be getting back into blogging on a regular basis now that I know they will have meaning to him when he gets older. He liked looking through it last night and seeing that he wore diapers once upon a time.

So with that said I am cleaning up my blog a little posting old stuff that I want on my blog. So it will be somewhat out of order but new stuff coming in the days to come. Yea.......For the internet and books that can be printed at the touch of a button.

Veggin at Memo's

2010-04-16T09:15:00.000-07:00

After football the boys climbed in the tree for a little unwanted photo shoot then snuggled in the bed with a movie. They were sleepy boys.

Finally got to take out the quads

2010-04-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

We bought our quads then the next weekend Zack and I headed out of town, so we never got to take them out. But on our quick trip home we loaded them up with BOB-O of course and headed out to some trails outside of Vegas. It was beautiful up there we road to the top of a hill and it had a great view. We decided to turn around because we didn't have time to do the whole loop.

2010-04-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

At the top we took a little break and let the boy hike around a little. Cliff was even able to get service and chat with his mom and dad real quick.

The park

2010-04-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Zack and I spent a lot of time down by the river this time when we went home. The little town that I grew up in has a great river and a river walk that goes along it. We had a great time walking across the bridge. Zack could do it over and over again if I let him. Every morning there would be fishermen fishing and he enjoyed watching them. I think when he gets a little bit older I will take him fishing and see how he does.

Getting a tree

2010-04-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a Mitchell tradition to go and cut down a tree for I think our entire marriage. So we decided this year shoudl be no different and out next door neighbor knew just the place to take us. So we loaded up the weekend after Thanksgiving and went to find one. Let me just say this is straight up forest. It isn't a cute Christmas tree farm like we were use to in Buffalo. Next year we will be taking the quads. It was super fun.

This is Mia and Zack. Zack loves his Mia

Our beast of a Christmas tree.

4 years ago today...........................

2010-02-21T20:48:00.000-08:00

Four years ago today we picked up our little man from the hospital. I will never forget it as long as I live. Its funny because even to this day I can remember the 21st better then his actual birthday. We actually got the call on a Friday evening but because the Monday was a holiday they new they needed to get him a place before the weekend. So unlike most foster parents I had the whole weekend to prepare. It was good and bad. I don't think I slept the entire time. We went over to our friend Erik and Meridith's house for dinner and a glass of wine which I don't drink but I did that night. I guess what I am most thankful for is the exact words from the case worker were this. "This is a very low risk case. This child is not adoptable but it seems like a nice case for your first child. Will you take him." I said of course we will take him and she said well you should call and talk to Cliff and I said nope don't need to. She said Deidra you have to talk to him. Call me back in a few minutes. I called Cliff at work and said these exact words. Cliff we are getting a little boy 7 months old he's little tiny we get to pick him up on Tuesday. Ok...... He was like ok. I said ok I will call you back I have to call Donna and tell her I asked you. Its just funny I knew I didn't need his permission. So anyways here we are four years later and he is totally ours. He was even given Cliffs middle name and his grandpa's name. I love him with all my being. He gives me a run for my money most the time. But he is busy, fun, energetic, loves to watch Biggest Looser with me, enjoys quading with his daddy saying wooohoooo, he is a star in gymnastics, loves to be outside at the park or hiking local mountains. He is such a gem and we are so blessed that God looked at this situation and it could have gone so many ways but he chose to let Cliff and I have him and I thank him everyday for Zacky. Little boy I love you more then you will ever know. I am so glad God choose to give you to mommy and daddy and we are blessed that your parents. Our lives are exciting and new everyday with you in it. My prayer for you as you grow up is to know that although your parents let us adopt you it was because they loved you and knew that we could care for you all the days of your life. Mommy loves you more then life it's self I am so glad to call you my son.

The correlation between casino's and Chucke Cheese

2010-02-17T00:31:00.000-08:00

So today I went down town to pick up some tickets for my moms friends that are coming in at the end of the month. I made some observations while I was there. First of all for as bad as our economy is there are sure a heck of a lot of cars in the casino parking lots. I don't know how many of them are actually gambling but still a ton of people none the less. My other observation was the amount of men that were gambling at card tables or the spiny thing what ever it is called. I am proud to say that I haven't gambled an ounce of my* own money since moving here over a year ago. Nor do I plan on it because Cliff works to hard for our money to piss it away on slot machines or card games. But what is funny is that as I was walking through there it occurred to me that the Casino's are the adult version of Chucke Cheese. I am sure I am not the first person to see this but it is so true. I mean I feel so proud that I am not a gambler but yet I have no problem dropping 40+ bucks on tokens at the kid pizza joint just so they can get tickets to "buy" toys with, that I could really just go to the store and buy for way cheaper. Its all a gamble right rather we are at Chucke Cheese or at New York New York. I guess its all in the eye of the beholder. Casinos are just video game rooms for adults and Chuckee Cheese is where it all starts. LOL just kidding. But really we go for entertainment one way or another whether we are four or forty.

*I have been give other peoples money to gamble with a certain husband to a very dear friend hooked me up one night but we totally lost:) remember that mom........

He wiggled to the very end........

2010-02-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

Sleep is so off in our house and has been for awhile. Zack is pushing five but if you have spent five minutes with this child you know he moves nonstop from the time he wakes up till the time he falls asleep. So some days he gets a nap because it is necessary for all our sanity and some times we let him slide. This particular night he didn't get a nap and he literally moved and rolled until he just stopped and he was out. Too funny.

Valentines Loot

2010-02-13T18:07:00.000-08:00

All of Zacks grandparents were on the ball this valentines. He got dishes from Mimi, a lion from Nana, Glasses from the Mitchell grandparents and Stalhman grandparents. Not to mention cookies, candies, and the cake he decorated at school. He had fun and has not taken off his sunglasses since he got them.

Have you ever wondered what to do with your childrens art work?

2010-02-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

Many years ago before we got Zack I was reading in Parent magazine about the mounds of art work that kids bring home and what the heck you should do with it all. Well one mom suggested you hang it up and when the wall gets too full you take your child's picture with their art work then toss the art work and start over then you have a picture of all of it to put in their scrapbook. Although Zacky doesn't come home with a ton of art work he has filled a wall. So we are taking that suggestion except he will get to choose a few pieces to put in a box that we will keep. So here he is with all his work.

Love in a Baggie

2010-02-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

I came across a blog this morning and this was so awesome I thought I would share her idea.....
Homelessness is very relevant in Vegas as summer gets here chances I will see more and more people that are in need.

Have you ever been at a stop sign or red light and seen a homeless person with a sign asking for help. If you are like me you never know what you should do. Should I dig through my ash tray and find them change, give them the five I have in my wallet that I was going to go get a cup of tea with, go get them food and come back. Do I make eye contact or don't make eye contact. In all honestly my heart usually sinks for these people. I wonder what got them to this place in their life a lost job, a lost loved one, depression, drugs, but then I just drive away and get on with my day in my expensive Land Rover to my warm house filled with clothes and food and all that I "have". It sucks. In those moments I feel like I should do something but that requires getting out of my comfort Zone and really having a plan when this happens so today I found this on a woman's blog so tomorrow when I go grocery shopping I will be picking up large baggies and putting together several baggies to carry in my car to hand to the homeless with a not included telling them about Jesus's love for them.......How about you.......

What you need::
*plastic freezer bags
*non-perishable food items (ex. individual applesauce, granola bar, peanut butter sandwich cookies, bottled water etc.)
*plastic eating utensils if needed
*individual wipes
*a note

What to do::
Fill each freezer bag with your items. You can put more things like travel toothpaste/brush, travel deodorant, socks and so on. Take some time to prayerfully think out what you write on the notes you'll place in the bags. You can include information to an organization that will help those in need physically and spiritually.

Most times we see people in need as we come off the fwy. We know not to give them money and some of us have a van full of kids as we wonder what to do. This doesn't replace listening to the Holy Spirit telling us to stop and physically go over and minister to them. If that's what you "know" you should do than DO IT! If not these bags can be quickly given instead of money. If the wait is longer, than try to communicate God's love and hope with them face to face while you're at the red light.

There's all different ways to make these bags and use them as a tool of spreading hope to others. You can do it alone, as a group or as a family.

Be prayerful and creative as you spread the hope of Jesus in 2010.

Bowling + No Nap= a questionable time

2010-02-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

Zack is really in that in between stage where he doesn't always take a nap because he isn't tired but by 6 or 7pm he is a bear. This past week Cliffy came home and wanted to go "real bowling" (as opposed to Wii bowling) so we loaded up hit Sunset Station to bowl. I opted to watch them and about half way through their first game Zack was having a hard time keeping his body off the ground. He was too tired to bowl. It was also a little scary because they put another family next to us and Zack would run and bowl and about the time he should throw the ball he would watch the kid next to him. YIKES good thing no one got hurt. So no nap plus evening bowling not so sure that's a good idea.

A year ago today

2010-02-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

I put this song on my blog a couple months ago. I think I play it a thousand times a day seriously. My family is so sick of it for sure. But the meaning behind this song is so deep for me. I wish my dad could have heard this song. Today a year ago my dad took his own life. I think that's why this song holds me some days amongst others but it is so true. Isn't this what we are all trying to do. Just keep our heads above. I wish that my dad would have had the coping mechanism to keep his head above to swim for his life even when he didn't want too. I am in no way suicidal, just for the record, but in the last few weeks especially, I have felt like I was swimming for my life and I know many of you have been in that place in your own life. One of my favorite vs is memories like bullets they fire at me like a gun. This is so where I am this month and probably will be next month too. The memories of my dads death are just firing all around me and cracking my armor. I know that the boys and I will be ok and I know that eventually as the years pass that his death will become less of a shock to me. But today as I remember him and grieve him one of the things I have done is I read through all the police reports and paper work from his case. I read all his emails and texts from the day he died. Cliff really wanted me to get rid of all of that but in a weird way it gives me peace about his choice. When I read the things he was doing and saying it helps me to realize my dad was not in his right mind the last month or so of his life. These records make that so obvious. By experiencing them again it reminds me of what was going on and in a weird way it helps me to make sense of him.
It has been a long year and I know some of you are wondering how I am "REALLY" doing and you wonder if I have been putting on an act the last year but in reality I think I am ok. I have days that are not so good but we are surviving. I have gone to several suicide support group meetings, not every month because they are brutal and I have gone to counseling, I blog private letters to him often, but there are other things I have done as well to help my healing process. One of the best things I think I have done is I have surrounded my family with my dads things. Some of his furniture, his pictures, his bible, and my Liz mom restored one of his old toy trucks for me for Christmas. I listen to the music from his funeral constantly. I guess my goal is to never be caught off guard. I never want to be in a mall or in the grocery store and hear the song Fix You by Cold Play and freak because that was the song on his slide show which I try to watch now and then as well. So my goal is to just be around it constantly to have his memory surround me. Tonight I am going to go to the Suicide support group and morn my loss with other people who like me have lost someone they love to suicide. I think as my day goes on today I will probably shed some tears but all in all I think I am ok. I miss him in a terrible way Cliff and I both do. I have been trying to get out and go hiking and spend time outside as much as possible because these are the things that made my dad the most peaceful. Towards the end of the song it says There's no shame in drifting feel the tide shifting and that is right where I am. I am just coasting, taking life one day at a time and just allowing God to just carry me along. So I made it through the first year without my dad its a strange thing. Here's to you daddy we love and miss you.

You've gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim to brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your families
Your lovers your sisters
And brothers and friends
Yeah you've gotta swim
Through wars without cause
Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking me open now
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
Well I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark
Yeah you've gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim

How big messes start!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

We got a Wii back in September and Zack and I could play all day but the teacher mom in me knows this is not ok. But cutting back on Wii is hard to do for both of us lol. So last night while Zacks small window of Wii time came to an end I was cooking dinner. I knew the second it turned off he would "neeeeed" me. I needed him to play or hang out while I finished dinner but that is hard for him to do. So he climbed up on the counters which seems to be his place if he joins me in the kitchen. He pulled off an old sifter I have hanging on my wall for decoration. He was looking at it and I asked him if he wanted to see how it worked. This is how big messes start.......I handed him a full canister of flour. He promptly got to work. Sifting the entire contents into another bowl. I asked him if he needed more bowls and of course he did. He loved it and needless to say flour was everywhere. My child probably like most always have to take it to the next level though so then he was on top of the cabinets standing in the bowls of flour. My mommy instint kicked in and decided that wasn't the safest choice for him to stand in the flour so we moved our party down on the ground. It was so fun to watch him play like that. We had flour pretty much everywhere but because our flours our just concrete right now there was no harm done and I was able to get dinner done in a flash. He even helped me "clean" up which is another story.

His hands look so chubby but in truth their isn't chubby anything on this kid

Zack said mom can I stand in it me with my back to him says of course you can. Tell me how it feels on your feet I bet you will like it. About that time I turn and realize he is standing of course in the glass bowl that possible could break then we would have red flour that would be bad. So as calmly as I could I asked to step out and pour the flour in the plastic bowl.

This doesn't seem like such a big mess to clean up but what you don't see it the little Zacky feet prints that go from one end of my house to another.

I love being a mom that encourages play outside the box. I know for my house we just don't play with regular toys so much. But the stuff he learned last night in our messy play was how to pour and measure. Try to spend sometime thinking outside the box next time you are trying to entertain your kiddos.

Did you know God blessed us with a spider monkey

2010-01-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday Zacky and I took full advantage of the first day of sunny weather in a week and we headed to Red Rock. Originally I thought we would only drive through shoot a few pictures but the weather was so wonderfully fabulous we decided to take a hike. I LOVE THIS PLACE. It is just beautiful and other then the fact that my child is a spider monkey and scares the crap out of me with how fast he can shimmy up rocks we had a great time.

We found several places that had collect rain during the week

We thought it was pretty cool that there was ice over the top of this little lake. He insisted on holding it then he licked it and threw it on the ground.

If it appears to you that he is climbing straight up the side of the mountain.....well its because he is. Like I said he scares the crap out of me

By the time we made it to the top I was out of breath and needed a break he was raring to go.Endless energy this child.

Yeah that's what we had just climbed up a picture looking down. Scary stuff. I finally had to take the sword away from him. Much to his dismay.

Don't let the look of this picture deceive you I forced him to lay down on this rock and let me take his picture.

A boy in his own personal cave

This picture doesn't give it justice but the amount of people at Red Rock was ridiculous. This is only one picture but cars were pulled over every where and kids played in the snow half of them weren't even in jackets. Unfortunately Zack stepped into one of those huge puddles of water and got his boots and socks soaked so I didn't let him play in the snow. But we had fun watching the other kiddos.

Pics of the fam

2010-01-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

I am doing a little photoshop of our pictures for fun what do you think

Family Pictures by Terry Peak Photography

2010-01-11T21:22:00.000-08:00

During the holidays we got together with the wonderful Terry and got family pictures taken. Colten and, Zackys, Rinda were there with us and so was Kathy, Cooper and Baby Kaycee. It truly was a fabulous time with our family and many memories were made. Thank you again Terry we love you.

Football with Mimi

2009-12-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

My mom bought the boys footballs from the dollar store you would have thought she spent a million dollars on a gift for them. Nope two bucks and here they are entained for another couple hours. It's the simple things

Tackle Mimi

After football the boys climbed in the tree for a little unwanted photo shoot then snuggled in the bed with a movie. They were sleepy boys.

November where did you go?

2009-12-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

November came and took us by surprise. My best friend from high schools grandmother passed away in carlsbad. So the first weekend in November Zacky and I booked it down there for the funeral. The same weekend was my moms birthday and my PaPaw was in the hospital so we hit the road. I didn't have definate plans of when I was coming back to Vegas. My great grandmother (papaw) took a turn for the worse so we stayed a few more days to spend time with her. In the mean time these two little rug rats enjoyed the heck out of each other.

One morning I walked into the living room to find them crunching packing peanuts the mom in me wanted to wring their necks but the teach in me took pictures. I am pretty sure when I was growing up my parents would have freaked if we made this kind of mess. Oh to be a grandparent.

I think it entertained them for at least an hour.....

We came home on a Thursday spent the weekend with our daddy and the following Tuesday my papaw passed away so Zacky and I headed back to Carlsbad to attend the funeral and be with family. It was a great time to celebrate her life. My cousins, my mom, aunts and uncles sang in her funeral. It was so special I am so glad that I am back on this side of the country so that we could be apart of this time with my fam. They are all wonderful people.

Our very own Hungry Catterpillars

2009-12-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

For about two weeks we had a fun time with our very own Hungry Catterpillars. At first we only saw two and then that grew into 8 or 9. At first I wanted to take them into Zacks school but after almost squishing one to get him off his branch we decided to leave them alone. I had cultivated my tomatoe plants from seeds and had just gotten my first green tomatoe when these little fellas took over. I decided to take one for them team and we enjoyed watch them grow by the day. I think next year I will grow a special plant just for the pillars if new ones come.

We went to the races

2009-12-10T12:49:00.000-08:00

I just uploaded all my pictures 421 to be exact. I know why did I wait so long. I almost forgot all the fun things we find outselves doing. So here are some of the races. We knew it would be super loud but thought for sure we could get ear plugs there. Well we couldn't but another family came prepared and blessed us with a pair of theirs. So once Zack had those oranges things in his ears he was a happy camper.

He played and climbed around till he finally passed out. Who can sleep with all that loudness.

Red Rock this summer or Fall I can't remember

2009-12-10T12:06:00.000-08:00

We went out to Red Rock with some friends of ours and of course our bob. We had a fabulous time. We ended up doing about a three mile hike and the kids did great.

Friendly Tranch that we almost stepped on YIKES. Gotta love the desert

Can you see the face

I love setting the timer on my camera and running full force to beat the click.

Take the stairs booboo

This is the view we were hiking too. Isn't it amazing. I think it is sad that most people come to Vegas get off a plane get in a taxi go down on the strip and miss all the beautiful things that surround them. I know we did the first time we came here. But this is Red Rock one of my favorite spots in Vegas my dad brought me here the very first time I came to visit him. Its wonderful.

The boys taking in the view

Zacky and Bob taking a break in the shade after the long hike up.

Amazing Grace.

2009-11-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

Our church put this video together and I cry everytime I see it and hear the this song. Thank you Lord for your Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace from David Tate on Vimeo.

Swim

2009-11-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

They did this song at church on Sunday and I love it.

How are you living your DASH....................

2009-10-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

I have never been afraid of dying. Even after this last year with all we have been through, death still doesn't scare me but after hearing this poem in my small group Monday night it has really rocked me into reconsidering death. Ok not death but how I live my life and what my eulogy will sound like when I die. I had a really hard time putting something together for my dads funeral. I mean what good can you say when some one has committed suicide. But someone, I am not sure who, said this to me, "Deidra you can't let the suicide define who your dad was." That was deep. I am still working that out in my head and my heart but it gets better everyday. So my point to all this is that we have to come up with three "dash" statements that we want read at our eulogy.

I am wondering what my dashes are? How is my life defined? Am I living a significant enough of a life that when I am gone I will leave a legacy that my family and son will be proud of? Or am I just going through the motions of life like the rest of the world. I know this sounds morbid with all the talk of dying but we only get one chance (isn't that a song). But seriously we really do only have this time between when we are born and when we die to make a difference. So my challenge is what is your dash gonna stand for. I will let you know when I figure mine out I am still working on it.

The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

© 1996 Linda Ellis

Held

2009-10-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you God that your word doesn't say that our worlds will be perfect once we walk with you but when life seems rough and we don't have the answers that you WILL HOLD us.

Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
[Bridge]
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our savior
[Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
We'd be held

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held

This is what it means to be held.....

2009-10-17T11:16:00.001-07:00

We are dog sitting for the lovely Nikki from Cliffs office and the boy is loving these sweet dogs. They are so good to him.

Lifes Adventures

2009-10-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

On a Tuesday we had our friend Bob over for dinner. Our conversation topic was about living and experiencing as much as we can before we are too old or before we die. We talked about some of the things we would like to see or do in our life time. It was a great conversation. The next day I was on the phone with my Liz mom who was frantically packing for a trip to Albuquerque for a conference.

I was so excited to hear she was going because we were really wanting to go to the Balloon Feista. So I called Cliff and Bob and suggested we make the last minute trip to Albuquerque to see the balloons and reminded them of our conversation the night before. It was perfect my mom and Darla were going to be there and I hadn't seen either of them since May so it was perfect timing. So we loaded up the Rover with the four of us plus my friend Liz and her dog and set out on one of lifes adventures and we were so GLAD we did.

The ballons were incredible. If you live in the area you should make a point to go see them. I want to do it again myself. It was fabulous here are a few of the many pictures I took. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

This was the sunrise. We left our hotel at 5:15 after driving all night and only having a couple hours of sleep at best.

Hail Hail the gangs all here. One of my lovely bridesmaids lives in Albuquerque so she joined us for the morning.

This is called the morning assention. They put all the balloons up in the air together.

Check out his balloon with the moon next too it. SO lovely.

This was one of my favorites just simple and fun and great colors.

Look Zacky it's Nemo did I mention it was freezing and Zack wined most of the time. He recoverd himself though I will explain later.

It was so strange we would turn and look one way to watch a row of them take off and then then when would turn around there would be another whole group blowing up ready to take off.

We had a special thing happen to us that we didn't even realize what was happening. If you notice in the group picture there was a Santa. He was a helper to the blue and red bumble bees. We chatted lots with him and asked questions about the balloons. He noticed Zack was acting less then stellar and he walked over to me and got super close. He said I am going to hand you a card. Act like we are just shaking hands. He said every year all the balloon owners print up thousands of trading cards and I only have a handful of them left. If anyone knows that I have them they will swarm me and it will be total chaos. Well being new to the balloon fest I had no idea what he was talking about but went along with him. He shook my hand and handed me a card. It was like a drug deal for sure:) So a few minutes later this girl walks up to him and says do you have any trading cards. He politely said no we are all out you have to come earlier in the week to get those. So we felt privelegded to have a card of the bumble bees that hold hands. Which I think my mom eventually ended up with.

Yes this is Darth Fader in all his big glory.

As the sun came up and the balloons started to thin out our little boys spirits started to rise.

I love this shot.

This expensive ride is what changed his attitude. Once he realized that there were bounce houses and this trampoline contraption he was a happy camper.

We had a really great time. We ate Sadies for dinner which is one of my favorite places in the world to eat. And I got to spend some time alone with Katie which hasn't happened for years and we had great conversation and some serious laughs.

My cute boy, my niece Kaycee, and the greatest wedding ever!!!!!!!!!

2009-10-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

Tutu's in the making

2009-09-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hey blog friends and my family who thinks I have disappeared from the blog world. I haven't I promise just mad at my blog and haven't been in the mood to work out the huge kink of it not allowing me to upload pictures. So I am trying again. Anyways for my first post I am debuting these adorable Tutu's that I am making and selling. They are so super fun. I started making them for my nieces for Christmas then realized I have so many friends with little girls or nieces and want everyone to have one but I couldn't afford to make everyone one so I am selling them for 25 dollars. They are fabulous and good for Halloween, Christmas or Birthday gifts. Please pass this around, I can ship anywhere and they come in shin length, knee length or shorter for the little, little girls and any color you want. The pictures here are of the ones I am making for my nieces and the green and yellow one is only half finished which is why it is not as full. If you are interested please shoot me an email and we can talk details. Thank you for your support.

Questions on why?????

2009-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

So it has been a rough couple of weeks for the friends and family that surround me. One friend lost her young sister to suicide, another friend just had a miscarriage tonight, my brothers best friend was killed in a car accident, and then a guy I went to high school with killed himself. I didn't know him well but know of him. What is up with all this death. It makes my heart hurt and there are never good words to say to anyone in any of these situations. I remember how I felt so soon after my dad died and as a people we always mean well by the word we offer but sometimes I think it is just best to listen, not ask questions, and never tell anyone you know how they feel. We never know how anyone feels no matter if we have experienced something similar. We have not walked in their shoes so we don't know what it is like to be them. I am in deep prayer tonight for all the hurting people that are in my life. The song that always comes to mind is the one where the chorus says he gives and takes away my heart will choose to say blessed be his name. God gives and he takes away and we may never know why this side of heaven but I know he has a plan for all of us so I lean on him tonight as he is the only one who can truly comfort the pain that is all around. Love to you all.

Zacks first day and the Montessori misconceptions

2009-08-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Zack had his first day of school and it went fabulous as far as I can tell. Apparently they learned about using their quiet feet. It was funny I walked in and it was all boys and a couple of girls so it was a very appropriate lesson that they all learned about having quiet feet in the classroom. When he got in the car I asked him if he was going back tomorrow and he said yes. I asked him what else he worked on and he said lunch. So I guess if he learned to use quiet feet and got to eat food that is a good day.

I have a feeling that with all my talk of Montessori some of you are either curious or have already formed an opinion of what Montessori is. There is a lot of speculation that Montessori is cultish or is based on religion and that is not true at all. As true with most things in life there are Montessori schools that have an element of religion but that was not her original intention. So here is the run down of what it is and where it came from for those of you who are curious or confused.

This information is taken straight from the AMI official website.
http://montessori-ami.org

Dr. Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori, 1870 - 1952

Born in Chiaravalle in the Province of Ancona in 1870, Maria Montessori was the first woman to practise medicine in Italy, having graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Rome in 1896. As a physician, Dr. Montessori was in touch with young children and became profoundly interested in their development. Through careful and exhaustive scrutiny, she realised that children construct their own personalities as they interact with their environment. She also observed the manner in which they learned as they spontaneously chose and worked with the auto didactic materials she provided.

Her approach to education stemmed from a solid grounding in biology, psychiatry and anthropology . She studied children of all races and cultures in many countries around the world, soon seeing the universality of the laws of human development played out before her. She continued her observations throughout her life, widening and deepening her understanding until her death in 1952.

Life's Work

Maria Montessori opened her first Casa dei Bambini (Children's House) in one of the very poorest areas in Rome, the then notorious Quartiere di San Lorenzo.

"It was January 6th (1907), when the first school was opened for small, normal children of between three and six years of age. I cannot say on my methods, for these did not yet exist. But in the school that was opened my method was shortly to come into being. On that day there was nothing to be seen but about fifty wretchedly poor children, rough and shy in manner, many of them crying, almost all the children of illiterate parents, who had been entrusted to my care"... "They were tearful, frightened children, so shy that it was impossible to get them to speak; their faces were expressionless, with bewildered eyes as though they had never seen anything in their lives."... "It would be interesting to know the original circumstances that enabled these children to undergo such an extraordinary transformation, or rather, that brought about the appearance of new children, whose souls revealed themselves with such radiance as to spread a light through the whole world."

Indeed it was as though this radiance had been caught in a stream of consciousness, for a mere six months after the opening of the Casa dei Bambini, people from all walks of life, from every continent came to see Maria Montessori's miracle children.

In 1909 she gave her first Montessori course, expecting to have as students only Italian teachers. To her amazement people attended from many different countries. Probably that was the origin of what would become a serious handicap in the evolution of Montessori pedagogy.

"Since the beginning Montessori pedagogy has been appropriated, interpreted, misinterpreted, exploited, propagated, torn to shreds and the shreds magnified into systems, reconstituted, used, abused and disabused, gone into oblivion and undergone multiple renaissances." (Renilde Montessori)

There are various reasons why this should be so. Perhaps the most important is that although Montessori pedagogy is known as the Montessori Method, it is not a method of education, in other words, it is not a programme for teachers to apply. Maria Montessori was not a teacher .... the Alpha and Omega of her pedagogy lies with the children.

Maria Montessori was a scientist, and as a good scientist, she was earth-bound and highly spiritual in her pursuit of truth. She studied medicine, specializing in psychiatry and anthropology. She was also an outstanding mathematician. Although she would never have considered being a teacher, she studied educational methods for many years and found them wanting, possibly because none of them took into account the two seemingly paradoxical extremes which are at the center of her pedagogy: the universal characteristics of the human child, and the child as a unique, unrepeatable, respectable and admirable individual to be unconditionally accepted as one of life's most marvellous expressions.

So that is who Maria Montessori was and this is what a prepared classroom would look like:

Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work.

The prepared environment offers the essential elements for optimal development. The key components comprise the children, teacher and physical surroundings including the specifically designed Montessori educational material.

Characteristics of the prepared environment include:

Montessori

Beauty, order, reality, simplicity and accessibility.

Montessori

Children must be given freedom to work and move around within suitable guidelines that enable them to act as part of a social group.

Montessori
Children should be provided with specifically designed materials which help them to explore their world and enable them to develop essential cognitive skills.

Montessori
Mixed age groups (eg. three to six, six to nine, nine to twelve) encourage all children to develop their personalities socially and intellectually at their own pace.

"Beyond the more obvious reasons why it is sensible to group the ages three by three, such as the little ones learn from the older children and the older ones learn by teaching the younger, every child can work at his own pace and rhythm, eliminating the bane of competition, there is the matter of order and discipline easily maintained even in very large classes with only one adult in charge. This is due to the sophisticated balance between liberty and discipline prevalent in Montessori classrooms, established at the very inception of a class. Children who have acquired the fine art of working freely in a structured environment, joyfully assume responsibility for upholding this structure, contributing to the cohesion of their social unit."

There are prepared environments for children at each successive developmental plane. These environments allow children to take responsibility for their own education, giving them the opportunity to become human beings able to function independently and hence interdependently.

Please feel free to walk around this website. It has tons of information on Montessori.

Night time trail ride

2009-08-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

Cliff, Zack, Cameron and Cole went on an night time trail ride on Saturday night. I think fun was had by all the blazer caught on fire well the new wiring Cliff spent all day working on. The got stuck and had to be wenched out, his exhaust is super loud and he can't park in the drive way because something is leaking out. But thankfully we have other vehicles he can drive and the boys made it home safely. The little boys were great which we were thankful for because Tirsa and I were able to have an almost kid free night. We had Conner but he is a jewel so no problem there.

Cliff and I totally agree with this concept so keep your clunkers people........

2009-08-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

"Dave's Thoughts on "Cash for Clunkers"

Dave's Thoughts on "Cash for Clunkers"With all the buzz about Cash for Clunkers, it’s easy to think that it was a great way for people to get a better set of wheels. But was it really? No way! Cash for Clunkers was simply a way for broke people to buy cars that they really couldn't afford. It was a bad idea on multiple levels. But before digging into that, let’s take a little history lesson.

About a decade ago, a fair housing program was started, called a sub-prime lending market. The idea behind it was that everyone “needed” to own a home—including broke people. The government decided to start a program to reinvest in communities, which allowed pretty much anyone to borrow money to buy a house. Lending companies charged high interest rates, causing already struggling families to go even further into debt.

Basically, this was a program designed to encourage broke people to buy houses. Most people didn’t even know it existed until it unraveled and became the number-one cause of our recent recession. The government took those stupid loans back and securitized them, which created the financial mess last fall. Helping broke people buy houses didn’t turn out to be a great government program. Guess what? Helping broke people buy brand-new cars—and now home appliances—will turn out just as bad.

The Cash for Clunkers program was designed exactly for people who should not take advantage of the program. You trade your $2,000 clunker in for a brand-new, shiny $20,000 car, and the only way you can afford it is with a high-interest payment. That just means you really couldn’t afford it to begin with. Doesn’t this sound like the sub-prime mortgage problem all over again?

When you drive that new car off the lot, you’re immediately going to lose $4,500. The worst car accidents happen on the showroom floor. New cars go down in value like a rock. The government thinks it’s going to save the American auto industry by putting broke people into cars they can’t pay for. It’s going to come back to bite them—and the rest of us—in the form of taxes galore.

Another bad thing about this program is that we, the taxpayers, are paying for the new cars! It’s morally wrong of the government to take money away from us—against our will—in the form of taxes and give that money to someone else to buy a stupid car they can’t afford in the first place! This is theft, plain and simple.

Cash for Clunkers is a program that redistributes wealth in the name of the environment, and it’s going to be a curse on the car dealer and the manufacturer that carries the paper. It’s going to hurt the broke person who bought a car he couldn’t afford. And it’s already a problem for our country, because it’s adding dollars to the national debt.

There’s always a twist with government programs like this. They try to think of creative ways to help people, but the situation usually ends up worse than it did before they “helped.” In the end, I should decide what to do with my own money. If I want to buy you a car, I will! And if you can’t buy a car without actually paying for the whole thing, then you’re better off keeping your “clunker.”

So good riddance to a really bad program that has done more damage than good." Dave Ramsey

Mommy take my picture

2009-08-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

We set our pool up again this weekend because we had some friends over and we have gotten a lot of use out of it. The kid loves the water what more can I say.

San Diego

2009-08-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

Ok I think I figured out how to get pics to come back to my blog in the form of a slide show. So instead of posting individual pics I will start doing this if I can continue to get it to work.

Zack and I were very blessed to get to go to San Diego several weeks ago to see some really great friends. We had so much fun at the beach. It was so fun to hang out with the Chester Long family I would do it again in a heartbeat. We miss you guys thanks for letting us crash your vacation. Mark next time lets learn to surf:)

Why aren't you blogging?

2009-08-10T22:32:00.001-07:00

I am farming on Facebook. Sorry:)

7 Pounds

2009-07-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

Last night after going to dinner with the fam Cliff and I decided to rent a movie. Obviously in the world of movies there are a gazillion options. We decided on the movie 7 pounds. If you are interested in watching this movie yourself stop reading because I am about to give away the end.

Here are the basics Will Smith kills seven people including his wife in a car accident because he was playing on his phone instead of watching the road. Scary we have all been there. Anyways his goal is to do something really nice for seven other people to repay for what he did. But in the end to do the nice things he must kill himself. He gives his eyes to someone, his heart to someone, his house house, his kidney, his bone maro, half his liver, one other thing I can't remember. Anyways he didn't want to live he felt so lonely and lost and saddened by the loss of his wife but he also wanted to do something to help others before he tool his life.

I am sharing this with you all because since my dad has died there are just certain things I can't watch on TV: CSI any violence and this movie should have been one of them. I felt so heavy after I watched it. Cliff doesn't know but I laid on the couch after and even cried a little bit. I actually said when it was finally over well at least he was trying to change the lives of other people in a positive way before he offed himself. Suicide is a sad horrible thing. No family should ever have to experience it and I wish I wouldn't have watched 7 pounds it made me relive my dads all over again. So mental note read all reviews of movies for now on so that I know what I am getting myself into. And I need to learn to walk away when I know that it isn't for me. Don't we try to teach our children this type of thing.

This blog is experiencing technical difficulties

2009-07-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

I have come to the capacity in my picassa account. I can take up to like 400 pics on my camera and needless to say I love to take them so I think at this point I am full. So if you are having trouble seeing the pics this is why. I will work on fixing this in the next few days.

Beast two

2009-07-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

I woke my sweet husband up at 8 this morning and begged for his help with this one. We got it down in about an hour, bagged, and now it is at the curb. My original plan for this space was to make it a shaded sand box for Zack but after little convincing on Cliffy's part we are opting for a garden. He says if we do a sand box the neighborhood cats will just use it as a litter box. It didn't take much and I said ok well then how about a garden he said get after it. I will keep you posted. I am in love with a lime tree from Lowe's that will be my first purchase for the corner. Can't wait.

We have been picking prickers out of our hands and bodies for several hours now. I hate cactus.

Beast one

2009-07-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

So one of my many goals this summer has been to remove the three and half cactus out of my yard. I say half because one was itty bitty. So this week while we had a break in the weather that is just what I did. Cactus are super evil by the way and Zack was the best pricker puller outer you can imagine. For all you desert rats I did try to save one and half of the cactus. We'll see if I can keep them alive. The others were just to big.

This bad boy fell over one day while we were away during the fourth of July. The stump to this was massive.

This is a praying mantis that we found.

Now you see it.

Now you don't

These are the two I am trying to save. Don't ask me how I potted them alone but I did.

Then we started excuvating the rocks so we could level the ground where we put Zacks tramp.

This boy worked his little naked bootie off.

Mom these are the directions to my trampoline

Trees don't stop us

What would we do without bob

He was sent to his room for being naughty while we put the tramp together and he went in his room and just opened his window. Booger

let the jumping begin.

I took a stab at it lets just say some body functions don'y work so well when I jump I didn't last long.

Yesterdays adventures......

2009-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Zack and I ventured to my small groups play date. It was ok but when I got there I really didn't know any one and if you know me then you know me and big crowds don't get along, but the boy did get to enjoy this woman's amazing pool. The little cave section was a working hot tub. Yes it was super cool. After we left there we met up with my friend Tirsa and her boys and headed to the coolest park I have been to probably ever. Unfortunately it is about 30 minutes from our house so not one we will frequent often but super cool.

Does he stil suck his fingers?

2009-07-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering yes he still sucks his fingers when he sleeps. At night I won't lay with him if he is going to suck his fingers so in his bed at night he is doing good but give him any chance and those suckers go right in.

Hoover Dam Bridge

2009-07-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

In case you have been here to see us this summer and you are dying to know how the bridge is coming along, it is almost finish, well at least the arch part. Because we have had so much company we have watched this bridge come together literally. It truly is spectacular.

Stir Fry

2009-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

While my in-laws were in town we made a huge feast of stir fry on my dads out door stir fryer. I love it and hadn't gotten a chance to use it since it has made it's home in my back yard.

He decorated the inside of his card instead of the back of it. Thank you for the card Uncle Dillon and Aunt Robyn.

Playing trains with his papa wayne

Reading books and wrestlin' doesn't get better then that.

The Actual Party

2009-07-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't decide on what we were doing for Zacks party till like three or four days before it was here. Vegas in July is a rough time to have a party. We only know a handful of people and having the party at our house was out because our house sits on the wrong side of the street so our back yard isn't good unless you want to die of heat stroke. Well at least in the dead of summer. So then I thought we would have it at the Condoplex at the pool but then we decide the sprinkler pads would be good.

I am calling his party the fast track party. We played a quick game of duck duck goose, which they loved, then we ate cake, quickly opened presents and headed to the water.

My friend Tirsa got him this really fabulous spidey chair that worked perfectly for him to sit in while he opened his gifts.

Yes this is a guitar. Thank you Brock and Dorie and seriously we appreciate not doing the drums. Just remember you guys have three children I get to buy annoying toys for no I am just kidding. He loves it though. He is in a band just about everyday.

His nana got him this super cool peddle car. He was very generous and let all his friends have turn before we hit the sprinkle pad. I don't think he realized it was his he was being way to nice letting his friends ride. Unfortunately we haven't used it much because it is too hot to hang out and ride bikes.

Beautiful Kaylie

The adults mingling

My adorable friend Dorie

Baby Kaders. He's my boyfriend.

Grandma Marcia and Kade getting wet.

Wet Noodles.

Scary old man checking out all the kids, no I am just kidding this is our friend. But we told him parents probably thought he was stalking children.

Me and baby Connor

Cliffy me and Connor

even Mrs. Jackie was having fun.

At one point I couldn't find Zack and then I found him running the fastest little circles around this fountain. He was lovin it.

Then we hit the park for a dry off before we came home.

Bob got Zack this killer spidey suit. He loves it. Thanks bob.

Thats just funny

Aunt Sandy and Uncle Norm sent a game, a very melted bag of M&M's and a fun booked called Not Norman.

Zack turned four

2009-07-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

So two Saturday's ago we celebrated Zacks fourth birthday. Can you believe it? How is this child four? Well whether we like it or not he is and four fits him. I made him a racecar track cake. I know it looks like a number eight but it is a race car track. Here are the pics leading up to the cake.

Yes those are chocolate brownies in the background. It is a rare occasion I make them but what can I say I was in the mood for them.

He was doing great entertaining himself while I made the cake. Gotta love this boy

Today you turned four

2009-07-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Zackary,
Today is your birthday and what a four years it has been. I can't believe you are four. It has been a crazy year. I will cap it for you. Last year when you turned three we went to the movies to see Wall-e and then went to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Norm's for cake and ice cream. Daddy was already in Vegas working his new job. In August we moved across the country to Henderson, NV. We lived with Aunt Brandi and Payton for awhile then they moved out and lived across the street. Payton is your very best friend. Yall either play really well together or fight like siblings. We got fifi the ferret this year and she LOVES you. You let her out every morning and she kisses you until I finally have to tell you to let her go.

You took an art class and played soccer this year both of which weren't completely successful. But then we put you in gymnastics and you have accelerated beyond belief. You have coach Brandon on Tuesdays that says you and Mason are the best listeners. On Thursdays you have Miss Bre who also babysits you on occasion and I am pretty sure you have a slight crush on her. She loves you too. You are a super star at gymnastics. Coach is working on getting you to do a flip into the foam pit.

We moved into our new house about three weeks ago. You were a little skeptical and had some issues adjusting now all I hear is that you want to go home no matter where we are. I love that you love our new home. I do too.

You went on your first of hopefully many more white water rafting and 4 wheelin trips. You liked it a lot. But you are a home body some days I can't even convince you to go to the park.

You are a fish in the pool. Yesterday in fact you learned to swim to the bottom of the four foot deep end to retrieve a toy with out my help. You are a super star.

You are also obsessed with video games. Currently crash Bandicute is your favorite I have to really limit your time or you would play all day. As I am typing this you are asking to play.

You have sucked your three middle fingers since we got you. Today you turn four and today we start breaking you of that habit. We have started preparing you but I think it will be a long road. We will see how you do.

We are having your party at Mission Hills Park with some your gymnastics buddies. Your grandparents all pitched in and are getting you a trampoline. I personally can't wait because then you can jump on that instead of my furniture. Mommy and daddy are getting you a leapster 2 which is a little game for you to play.

We love you sooooo much little boy. You officially became a Mitchell last August but to us you have been a Mitchell since the day we laid eyes on you. We are so blessed that God chose us to be your mommy and your daddy. We love you happy 4th birthday buddy.

Love Mommy

Some funny Zack sayins:

I can do it mommy all my by self
Daddy you my boy
Fifi you my girl
Mommy you my best friend.
Mommy you night night me, aka will sleep with me.
Mommy I want to be a baby and suck my fingers.

Our fourth and final trail.........

2009-07-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

was probably the most stressful which is why I only have two pics of it. First of all we knew we wanted to get to the lake. We knew there was a trail because it was marked on the map. BUT sometimes reading a map and getting there via an ATV is easier said then done. We ended up going off road well ok all of this was off road but this was really off road and it was in the desert so the land scape wasn't as beautiful, well it was in its own way. Long story short the trail we needed we still aren't sure we found and we crossed into a place where ATV's were illegal and we knew this because of the sign that said no ATV's past here. Well we were already past it on the wrong side. So we had to knock down a gate go through someones yard who we found out later was a drunk and probably had no idea we were there. It was a little scary considering we had rode forever and there really was no way to turn back the way we came and we weren't sure how long our gas would last. We did have an extra tank. So needless to say pictures weren't first on our list.

5 am ride!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

Our friend Bob that we met at our Condoplex was the one that invited us to go on this trip with him. He owns his quads and we rented ours. So the way the weekend went was we got there Friday at 1ish we ate then borrowed two quads from a friend of his and went out on our first trail. (I don't have pics of that yet). Then we came back had dinner hung out then the next morning we went rafting then picked up the quads we rented at like 12:30. We only rented them for 24 hours so in my crazy head I decided I wanted to get the most out of renting them so I got this guenis idea to get up at 5am on Sunday and go for a morning ride before breakfast. So that's what we did and it was cold and fabulous. It had rained just enough to get the quads wet and dampen the ground so there wasn't so much dirt. A friend on facebook asked me what would posses me to wake my child up that early to go riding my response is pay backs for every other day of his life that he wakes me up so early. JK. Anyways the following are the pics of me and my boys and our morning ride.

Remember when I said to remember the lake that we passed on our way up to Marysvale. Well this is it. Isn't that amazing.

Isn't he so freaking cute. I love this kid he was so fun. Most of the time he road with me. He was so cold I put him in front so that he could get warmed up on his legs by the engine. This was probably the funnest we had together because I was trying to distract him from the cold and so I was being silly and telling him I needed his help getting down the hills.

This was a really steep hill. You can't tell but Cliff got stuck and had to go into four wheel drive. Zack and I opted to go around on the easier trail. Cliff was a super star getting up this, after all he loves rock climbing the only difference is he is usually in a full size vehicle.

It was a nice morning trip we didn't see any wildlife it made me sad but all in all it was a fabulous ride.

End of trail 74

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

It is kind of scary 4 wheeling. Let me explain. First of all you have these huge helmets on and glasses and some people even cover their mouths so that you aren't eating the dirt from the person in front of you. Your wheeler is really loud so the only thing you can hear are the voices in your head. Lets me honest we all have them. You are going semi fast depending on where you are in our situation we were never really sure of the time and when you are deep in the woods like we were you have no idea what is going on with the weather. When we first started down trail 74 it was sprinkling HUGE drops of rain that hurt your body while going fast on a quad. But it stopped once we got going and the sun came out it was perfect. These next few pics are when we came out of the forest. Please notice the skies are getting darker by the minute and we still have a ways back to camp.

Crazy huh. It looks like a totally different day from the earlier pics. Thankfully that storm never hit God was just giving us beautiful skies and some nice cool air as we cruised along the river.

Obviously we made it back to tell you about it. I love going 4 wheelin in case you didn't know. Ha ha