Living in the Moment

Some Mountain fun

2010-07-01T15:10:00.000-06:00

Sorry it has been quite a while since my last post, but I haven't been very motivated to do much of anything...so anyway....

My sister-in-law came over from Denver, with her family, to pick up the camper trailer only to discover that they needed to do some additional things to their Pilot before they could haul it up over a few mountain passes. So with the extra day to spend with them we decided to do some ATV riding up at Ouray. What fun! Here are some snapshots of the beautiful mountain views.

Snow on the ridgeline of the mountain near Red Mountain Pass

Whats left of an avalance on the drive up to Yankee Boy Basin

One of the many waterfalls

Beautiful morning...just a bit of haze

Nice beautiful blue skies...no clouds in sight

the kids loved the drive especially this part...well for the most part the actual four wheeling Brett didn't care for at all ~ sorry no pictures of that - my camera ran out of batteries :(

my niece Kelsey

Beautiful...we are almost above timberline

we loved this waterfall

the water nice and cold...wouldn't want to be in it

my favorite picture

What we drove...actually ours is already parked...this is Charissa, Jay and the girls

Charissa and I

Jes and I

And of course we had to stop and check out the water fall from the highway on our way home

We found our rainbow but not our pot of gold :(

Wishing we had more time to spend together but am looking forward to going to Denver/Fort Collins for some major birthday parties at the end of July!!!!!

Almost vacay time!

2010-05-20T17:37:00.000-06:00

6 more days of working with kids ~ then I am off for the summer and I so can't wait! I am so glad that tomorrow is a play day at school. Hoping the weather is great!

Not quite sure what's in store for the summer...maybe a trip to Vegas, visit some family and just hang out at home.

What I am thankful for...

school almost done and summer break will be starting soon
nice weather ~ especially for wearing flip flops
friends to go to dinner with
mint chocolate chip ice cream
longer daylight hours

what are you thankful for?

Memorial for my mom

2010-05-16T20:28:00.000-06:00

It hasn't been a year yet since my mom has been gone and we miss her so very much. Mother's Day for me this year was a hard one but I know she was with us. She was a special lady to people she met. All the wonderful people I work with dedicated a Memorial Stone in her honor. It was a very special event and here are some photos ~ minus the stone will get that picture up later as soon as I find a copy.

The plaque I received thanking her for her service to her country ~ this was given to me by the Southern Ute Veterans

This is the shawl I also received from the Veterans ~ it is just beautiful - The Circle of Life along with the flag all I can say is "Awesome"

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU MOM BUT WE ALL HAVE A PIECE OF YOU WITH US ALWAYS

Washington DC - a few pictures...long time in getting them posted :(

2010-04-30T01:49:00.000-06:00

Well here are some of the pictures we took from our trip to Washington D.C. - if you have never been there you need to check it out. We didn't get to see everything we wanted so someday we will make another trip out there hopefully

We are standing in front of the White House But you really can't see the house very well. The person who took this forgot to include it...she was concentrating more on us I guess.

This is the Captial Building (the back side) as seen from The National Mall

Washington Monument...It is really huge! We didn't get a chance to go inside for the tour...maybe someday we will.

Lincoln Memorial. The reflecting pool was drained :(

There is Jes and Brett...

A picture of the Washington Monument and the Veterans Memorial

The kids standing in front of Lincoln

The worlds 6th largest Cathedral - Washington Cathedral

The carving inside the Cathedral is exquisite

Gargoyles on the outside which Brett found fasinating

Of course we had to go to China Town for some very delicious sushi - mmmm!

Same place just taken at night

A bronze statue taken from inside of The American Indian Smithsonian - their most recent museum

The Capital taken from Capital Hill (front side)

Guards posted every where (front and back) they stand there all day!

The figure on top of the Capital - "Freedom" is his name

Picture of George Washington on the ceiling of the Rotunda

Another shot - the Rotunda is where people can pay their respect for presidents who have passed away.

The tour inside the Capital is pretty cool. It all starts underground.

A picture of the lamp posts around the Capital

Brett's fun picture! He is holding the Washington Monument in his hands :)

There is so many more pictures we took and maybe sometime I will post more but this is all for now

Heat Wave today

2010-02-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness we had a nice day today temp was in the low forties...HEAT WAVE hee hee

Snowstorm Jan 2010

2010-01-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

Well the snow has come here are some pictures so you can say "wow did they get snow!"

the river from my back yard

the Purple Cliffs from my back yard

the deck

another view from the deck

can't tell to well but this is the end of my driveway - I was plowed in glad I didn't have to go to work

my mailbox that always gets burried -good thing we dug it out last night might have not found it today (hee hee)

the snow again this morning - shoveled the front pathway last night at 11:30pm but gave up doing the rest was to tired you can see the difference

All the snow on top of the truck will clear it tomorrow - just plain tuckered out today to do it

the view of my house from the street - should've seen it yesterday - was knee deep in some places (like at the end of my driveway) - check out the snow in the bed of my truck it is over flowing

my buddy George - he gets the job done! What would I do without him - probably still be shoveling!

BTW see the big mound of snow that's Brett's sledding hill he discovered later. He enjoyed sledding onto the street - only when no cars were coming which was not very often

the driveway - cleared at last with the help of George and Cody

there's my mailbox - now we can reach it - Brett is hoping his boyscout uniform arrives soon!

the view from my front porch

the trees in my front yard - my rose bushes almost completely covered (lower right corner)

the boys in the front yard

Brett sitting in the front yard on top of the snow - said his boomerang in under all the snow - he said he'll see it again in May (hopefully LOL)

Cody - I'm glad I'm done with working!!

One more thing

2010-01-18T03:51:00.002-07:00

While I was up in Denver I went to visit with Noah at Childrens Hospital. Wow he was amazing to watch. During his physical therapy we worked hard and his spirits was high. He can't wait to get out of there! He was talking about getting a wheelchair that could go in the snow. Even though his prognosis is not great his attitude is. He told the doctor that he had a 50% chance of walking. The doctor looked at him funny and Noah said "Either I walk or I don't that 50/50 right?" Great huh? He will be coming home by the end of this month and I can't wait to see him home. Jason is doing well as can be expected. Amada had the pins removed from her leg and she is doing good too. Going to physical therapy but it is great to see her walking. Pretty soon there will be no stopping her. I don't know much about Dante since he is living with Cassandra's parents. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

A new year

2010-01-18T00:42:00.010-07:00

Sorry all for not posting in quite some time. Time just seems to go by to fast for me. As a matter of fact we are already 18 days into a new year YIKES! Since it is a new year I have decided that I will TRY to keep my blog updated more often...TRY is the operative word LOL!

Just thought I would post some pictures from our Christmas Break that we spent with Bryan's family. It was a hard Christmas for me because I was missing the two very special people in my life but I made it through. Here are some pictures that i took from my new camera the kids got for me - A brand new spankin digital Canon XSi 12 mega pixels - now that a very sweet gift!

BTW most of these pictures are candid shots so bear with me-hope you enjoy

Brett trying to stay serious

My nieces Kelsey and Dani

brothers

Bryan's dad - Grandpa looking great it was great to see him!

Kelsey with grandpa

Cody and his new present - an ipod touch

my niece Evan

Celeste-Bryan's sister

Tony-Celeste's husband

my nieces Dani and Ashley (sisters)

Charissa-Bryan's sister with Snicks

Jay-Charissa's husband

Jes and Dani

The gifts for Christmas Bingo

Grandma explaning Christmas Bingo (sorry the picture got blurry I guess I moved the camera)

Cousins - Jes, Evan, Ashley, Dani on the floor by Jes is Abby and Kelsey

Celeste, Grandma and Tony discussing an answer written on the bingo sheet

Jay - still trying to get a good picture of him - he avoided looking at the camera all the time

The cousins just hanging having fun!

And last one of my most favorite pictures - cool huh?

A Prayer request

2009-11-18T21:28:00.009-07:00

For those of you who follow my facebook you already know what i am about to say and for those of you who don't this week has been a very difficult week for me and my heart breaks for what i am about to share.

Monday night on my way home about 5:15 (which was late because of Parent/Teacher Conferences) my co-workers and I came upon a terrible accident scene. Earlier I had heard sirens blaring past our school and as i always do i say a short prayer for the people responding as well as for those who need assistance. Well as we approach the scene all I can see is a truck that looked like an accordion and a taco all in one. It was bad...so I prayed again. Needless to say I didn't get home til about 45 minutes later (usually it only takes me about 20-25 minutes to get home) because they re-routed the traffic on the county roads. Anyway Brett had a Cub scout meeting so during the meeting my phone starts vibrating and i didn't check to see who was calling. Well it vibrated again so I decided to answer it. It was a call from my friend Mari Jo telling me that a former student of mine along with his sister, step-mother and step-brother had been involved in the accident and that my former student's step-mother was killed on impact and the children in serious condition and that they were being air lifted to the Children's Hospital in Denver. I was devastated. I got home and let some close friends of mine know the details that I had received and asked them to pray. When I got home a friend of mine who is a trooper with the state patrol called me and gave me some info he felt he could share at the time which wasn't much. Due to next of kin being notified he couldn't really share a lot except to say that the kids were in pretty bad shape he was able to share some of the conditions on the boys but not the little girl. He said it was on of the worst head on collisions that he had seen in a long time.

The next day i kept getting updates but they would change alot and at one time had posted on fb but decided not to post anything more until i was sure all the facts were straight. So here are the facts

Cassandra - killed on impact her son Dante has swelling in his brain and is in an induced coma and will be waking up as soon as the numbers for the ICP (inter-cranial pressure) get closer to the normal number which is below 10. His was above 30 on arrival. Then the doctors will assess for brain damage he also had numerous broken bones, cuts, ect...

Noah, my former student, had plastic surgery on the area surrounding his right eye and the orthopedics team set his right arm. His biggest obstacle right now is his back. His spine was damage in two places, bruising in the thoracic region of the spine and some vertebrae separation in the lumbar region of the spine. Due to one or both of these injuries he currently has no movement or reflexes below the waist, no feeling in his right leg, and very faint feeling in his left leg. the doctors have scheduled him for surgery on Tuesday, November 24th to have four of the vertebrae in the lumbar region fused together, if they don't heal on their own. Right now he has some of the best doctors assessing and working with him with the goal to have Noah regain back some mobility.

Amada has a broken left leg and right arm along with fairly extensive plastic surgery on her forehead and the top of her head as well as on her left leg. She has been sedated since Monday and they will be waking her up soon. Her condition looks great and she should mend fairly well.

Jason will definitely need all of our prayers. Please pray for comfort while he grieves for the loss of his wife; strength and endurance because he has a very long, hard, and difficult road ahead of him. Pray that Dante will come out fine with no brain damage, and for Noah to regain mobility so that he can go back to being the kid who loves to play soccer and loves to ski! Pray that Amada will heal quickly. Also for this family to grieve for the loving wife, mother, daughter, friend they have lost. Last but not least pray for Noah and Amada's mother Kimberly. I know she would appreciate your prayers.

Until next post

Updates

2009-11-12T23:04:00.009-07:00

Sorry about not posting anything in quite some time but have been busy, busy, busy with everyday stuff. Time just seems to get away from me.

Well...

Brett has started Cub Scouts and so far is liking it. He absolutely can't wait to get his uniform and hand booklet to start earning those badges? patches? you know what i mean. As for me I'm a bit overwhelmed with Cub Scouts. I feel like a fish out of water at the meetings but i suppose things will get better in time. He has his Den meeting tomorrow and he just turned in his popcorn order. Can't wait to have some of that delicious popcorn that i ordered, mmmmmm. He is also looking forward to making his design for the pine wood derby race car races that will be held in February. Brett is doing good in school even though he doesn't like school very well.

Cody, believe it or not, is doing wrestling and loving it whoo hoo! Tonight he won his first match but lost his second one and then his third one was won by default because there was no one to wrestle in his weight division. I am so proud of him. He getting some muscle now so everybody better watch out! LOL He definitely stepped out of his comfort zone to do this sport and he is having fun too! He is doing well in school and of course still taking piano lessons.

Jes is taking a break from basketball this year. Not sure what is going on with that. I think she feels like she has let her dad down because she promised him should would continue playing basketball but she can't seem to get motivated to play. I will definitely be checking up on this. As far as school she is doing well still getting A's and B's and really is liking her science classes. She wants to be a vet and is looking at going to school at CSU. BTW that's where her dad went to college. She is planning on getting an internship at one of the local vet clinics here in town. She has been a tremendous help with the bus driving as my mom would have said or was it the chauffeur? She picks up Brett afterschool since Brett started having problems with some kids on the bus. Christina's parents pick Brett up afterschool, since they pick up their grandson too at Park and then Jes picks him up from their house. (BTW Christina is a very dear friend of mine.) Then she picks up Cody from practice on the days that I get home late from work. Then she takes Brett to his Den meetings because his meetings start at 3:30 on Fridays which of course is the time I get off of work in Ignacio. And then she picks up Cody from piano practice on Fridays at 5:00 since I have to pick up Brett at 5:00 from his den meetings. Oh did i mention she also makes sure the boys are out the door in time for school since I leave before they are fully awake? It is alot of responsibility I have put on her shoulders but she hasn't complained and for that i am so thankful.

As far as my work well it is really crazy right now. There seems to not be enough hours in a day to get all that needs to be done. As i am sitting at the bar typing my post Shadow is demanding some attention which makes me have to stop every so often cuz he keeps pawing at me to pet him silly cat! Can anyone say multi-task? I think i need to clone myself into at least 5 of me to get anything done. And to top it all off there has been problems with getting my mothers death certificate correct and I really want to settle her estate. UGH!!!! I am so looking forward to just getting a break at Thanksgiving. I just have to hang in there for at least 9 more days! Yippee. We have been invited to my friend Carie's house. She lives up the valley in Hermosa...I am so very thankful and glad that she's my friend. She's looking out for me!

So until next time...Cecelia, Jes, Cody and Brett

the white stuff

2009-10-28T23:11:00.004-06:00

Haven't posted anything in a while so just a short post. We are definitely not ready for the white stuff or the cold but we are hanging in there. Well I should speak for myself...I'm not ready for the white stuff the kids I think are.

Brett has decided to join cub scouts so he's ready to start selling some popcorn (another thing to hit friends up for LOL)

Cody has another wrestling meet tomorrow. He is enjoying it so far even though he hasn't won a match yet...came close to winning one on Saturday.

Jes handled driving with slippery roads this morning. I'm so thankful that she made it to school with no problem. Prayed for her while I was on my way to work which took me 40 minutes rather than the 25 minutes it usually takes me.

Until next post :)

Flu season

2009-10-20T19:31:00.006-06:00

Well the flu bug has hit my class. Three children are out because of the flu. Thankgoodness it is just the regular flu. Making them use hand sanitizer and spraying with Cavicide on their tables. Tonight Jes is not feeling so hot...her tummy doesn't feel so great. Cody is the only one of us who had received the flu shot (done during his physical) must get the rest of us. Interesting enough his shot was a nasal spray done in both nostrils...never seen that before

Well hope this post finds you all surviving the flu season...wash those hands and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize.

Thankful Thursdays

2009-10-08T17:56:00.003-06:00

I am thankful for
...my kids. This morning I think we were all running late and as I was leaving for work (at 7:00) Brett was the only one I saw briefly just to tell him to have a good day and then yelling down stairs (nice huh) i told cody and jes to have a great day. They get themselves ready and out the door to school...how many of us are fortunate to have kids this responsible (ages 17, 13, and 12). I miss seeing them off to school but when you have to be out the door no later than 7:05, in order to be at work by 7:30, they help each other out. Bryan and grandma would be so proud of them. I look forward to getting home and seeing them and just talking with them asking how their day was. Working on having them fix dinner when they get home. Going to cody's conference for school in a bit and he's doing great so far despite all the stuff that's happened in his young life. Jes so far is doing good (A's and B's) and so is Brett...his conference is next week

...thankful that I have not gotten sick especially with the swine flu about...i make sure the kids at school use sanitizer every time they cough or sneeze or blow their nose.

...thankful for the wonderful colors of fall. It is beautiful to see the changing of the leaves on the trees...especially down my street

...thankful for my krazy kids at school...they have been teaching me to be patient and i definitely need alot this year

...thankful for heat. Now that it's getting colder in the mornings it is nice to have heat to stay warm.

What are you thankful for?

Getting fit part 2

2009-10-07T20:34:00.002-06:00

NOW I am feeling the workout from yesterday...squats, lunges, abs, upperarms, eyelids (hee hee) i wish they would be quiet and not complain so much.

Hoping to be more fit

2009-10-06T22:53:00.002-06:00

You know when you haven't exercised in quite some time you realize that you have muscles you forgot you had...I did a great work out today and my arms, legs, back, shoulders, abs, hips, toes, eyebrows and eyelashes got a workout today...it was so worth it! I had fun and can't wait to do it all over again. Some high school girls (cheerleaders) were also in the class and I had better stamina than some of them. I am very proud of myself for not stopping a lot and pushing through the pain...just thought I'd share

What I am thankful for

2009-09-17T19:49:00.006-06:00

Life has become kinda crazy...kids back in school...going back to work...trying to eat better and get in more exercise...kids getting sick...life in general. This week was a hard week but I made it.

So I want to say I'm thankful for...

...hand sanitizer - being around kids who sneeze, cough, and sniffles...you know what I mean

...being able to walk and sort of run - On Wednesdays I will be helping the walking club afterschool and we will do alot of walking before it gets to cold to walk. Yesterday was our first day and after we got the kids all registered we went to the park by the Rec. Center in Ignacio and had the kids run some relays since we didn't have a lot of time to walk. The kids enjoyed it especially when the teachers and parents ran the relays too! You know I couldn't let the kids have all the fun so I ran some too. My knee is paying for it today but I did have a good time. It's only been a year since my knee surgery and I did pretty good.

...weekends - I am so looking forward to the weekend. It can't come fast enough the down side the weekend goes by to fast :(

What are you thankful for?

Our Labor Day weekend

2009-09-07T21:13:00.010-06:00

This weekend we went to see Kool and the gang in concert at The Sky Ute Resort and Casino. The kids and I had a fun time although, Brett did get tired because he had to wait a long time before they came on stage. (9:30pm - didn't i mention we were there about 7:15?) I forgot there is usually an opening act. They took about an hour and then of course getting all their equipment removed...which wasn't to bad they moved fast. They were a group from Farmington called Fools Gold I think? Anyway Kool and the Gang still sound pretty good. Yes "C" here is a picture just for you...I know that it is not the same as being there maybe next time.

I do apologize for the picture being so small but it came from my camera phone and we were in the 7th row so not to bad. (NOTE to self - I should remember to take my camera with me now that I have started this blog.) I'm must use my camera more often!

Then we decided to go to Telluride just for a drive and to get away from the house. Of course no pictures to show because I didn't take my camera again. The leaves haven't changed yet but they will pretty soon. Anyway we made a huge circle of a drive. Should have know that the passes to Silverton and Ouray would be busy with lots of very slow drivers. We got stuck behind 3 motorcycles that traveled anywhere from 20-25 mph and even slower on the curves on the passes. Just when I thought it would be safe to pass they of course sped up. Then slowed down again. The cars behind me were just as frustrated as I was so what else could we do but creep along them and look at the scenery. Other groups would pull off and then pull back on when a group of cars were behind them. Apparently nobody told this group about having the same courtesy. Just to get to Ouray took almost 3 hrs.

We finally arrived in Telluride, they too had lots of motorcycles plus the Telluride Film Festivals so it was a very happening town for a Sunday. We window shopped, ate lunch, bought some Palisade peaches (last of the season), looked in a few stores and road the gondola. Jes and I walked into a jewelry store just to look. I saw a very beautiful diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet and tried to peak at the price (all through the glass case). The price was more than what I paid for Jes's car YIKES!! Definitely jewelry for the rich and famous. Didn't see anyone famous btw. We arrived home with our peaches and they are delicious mmm, mmm, good!

Hope you all enjoyed this holiday...

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-03T19:49:00.016-06:00

Well I haven't posted for Thankful Thursday in a while just have been too busy. So for this post I decided to dedicate to my son Brett.

I am so thankful for him. He keeps me laughing when I feel like crying some days. I can't imagine my life without him.

See what I mean?

Today my heart broke because when I got home he was crying. I asked what had happened and he told me that some kids on the bus were mean to him. Saying that his name was "a girlie name" and that his clothes looked stupid. In the process someone else was spitting spitballs at him. Then he had to walk a short distance from the bus stop to the house and one of the kids got off with him and started kicking rocks at him. Well let me tell you that when this mama heard all of it I was ready to do some serious damage. Even his sister and brother were ready too. Fortunately for those little kids I didn't find them. Anyways I reminded Brett of all the wonderful qualities he has such as...

great kid
kind

loving

caring

considerate
respectful
funny
helpful

just to name a few...I mean seriously WHO WOULD WANT TO BE MEAN TO THIS SWEET BOY?! He has been through so much in his young life yet he is still this sweet, precious, innocent, loving son. He has been such a blessing to me. Thank you Lord for giving me such a precious gift to care for and cherish.

I learned how to play music on our blog

2009-08-31T18:58:00.005-06:00

Well if you have checked in lately you might have heard something on our blog. Yep you guessed right "A PLAYLIST". I finally figured out how to add this gadget to our blog. BTW Jes wanted me to tell you that You Belong to Me by Taylor Swift and You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson were her requests. And of course Brett's and mine ultimate fav...I Can Only Imagine. Then there are the old time fav's by Billie Holiday and Frankie Boy Sinatra. Stay tuned for more to come...

School starts

2009-08-24T00:28:00.005-06:00

Well the summer is "officially over" according to the kids. Tomorrow they start back to school. The summer just went by tooooo fast. I'm hoping that I have got the kids all settled for school. Clothes - check, School supplies - check, Registered - check, lunches paid - check, whew that's all done yippee!

This weekend Brett and I went to Albuquerque for a last minute get-a-way for Brett and some clothes shopping for me which I failed to get when we went to Denver :( We stayed in a hotel which was ok for one night but I would not have stayed there any longer than that, we went to Red Lobster for dinner, went to play Putt Putt Golf and they also had an arcade which Brett loved, and two malls - Coronado Mall and Cottonwood Mall. Whew I'm glad I made it through all of that - was that exhausting or what?!

Here are some pictures to share:

Here I am - anchor away

I'm taking a break while you are trying to putt and take a picture at the same time mom

Just me and the turtle hanging or better yet - "Peace out dudes"

Don't I look "cool" or what

Here is one of the malls we went to - Brett said "Mom aren't you done yet?"

Still here

2009-08-20T22:57:00.003-06:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while but with trying to get set up for kids to return to school, trainings, staff meetings, getting my kids ready and registered for school, i've just been slightly busy.

Today is thankful Thursday and in short I'm thankful that

...tomorrow is Friday

...my to do list is getting shorter

...I figured out how to reset the internet connection (big step for me!) i've been without internet connection for 2 whole days - ugh

...at least Jes got herself registered today for school since i couldn't leave work

...my kids have been a huge help since i've returned to work

What are you thankful for?

Survived first week of work

2009-08-15T11:35:00.005-06:00

I survived my first week back to work! Spent the latter part of week in the classroom setting up almost all finished and it's looking good. This next week I will be in training so not much time for classroom work :( I'll post some pictures when the class is all set up so you can see where I will be spending all of my weekdays with "my little/big munchkins".

On my agenda for today...washing clothes, school supplies, groceries (oh so much fun...yeah not really)

Last of the summer fun

2009-08-10T16:50:00.014-06:00

While we were in Denver we had a little bit of fun in addition to getting clothes for school.

Here are the kids at the entrance getting ready for some fun...can you tell how excited they are...I can't but maybe it is because the sun was in their eyes

Jessica and Cody are strapped in tight for the "Slingshot"
They claim this is the best ride in the park

"The Slingshot" is just what it says...this ride shoots you straight up in the air and then you bounce around for awhile before they bring you down.

Cody says the take off is the best part...by the way it costs and extra $ amount to ride

Charissa, Jessica, Cody, and Evan are in the back row on "Shake Rattle and Roll"

I could not get Brett to ride this because it spins you all around while it is turning hence the name

Cody and Evan riding on Chaos another fun ride!

The kids and I enjoyed our time in Denver shopping, playing, and visiting with family. We returned home yesterday after a very, very, very long trip home. I was not feeling well at all diarrhea, nausea, chills, and just plain miserable...I had to have Jessica drive all the way from Saguache to home. I thank God that Jessica made it safely home and that she can drive otherwise I don't know how we would have made it home. When we got home I went straight to bed. Today I feel a little better and that is good because I had to return to work today. I don't have any more nausea thanking the Lord for that. I am praying for the diarrhea to stop. It is much better than yesterday but it is still here.

Anyway my first day back at work was fun. We went to Towaco today to see the Ute Mountain Ute Pottery store. We had a tour from the start to finish of the production of making pottery. Pretty interesting...at the end of the tour we got to see how they "hand paint" ALL of the pottery. Truly amazing. After our tour we had the opportunity to make our own design on our mugs. I didn't have my camera so I will post a picture when I get the mug maybe by next week. I did purchase a pot because I couldn't resist! I even got a discount which was a blessing. My mug is not even close by a long shot. Not bad for my first day back to work! Tomorrow is going to be a loooooooong day...in-service day.

Thankful Thursdays

2009-08-06T16:48:00.016-06:00

We have so much to be thankful for...

Jes

...for family that live in Denver..."it's fun to hang with my cousins, aunt and uncle and also for the mall...I was able to find some nice things for school :)

Cody

...for traveling and getting away from home...and I know I have said this before but I'm thankful for the rain...it smells so refreshing and it cools things down

Brett

...I'm thankful for the sunlight...and for my new set of legos...I like to build things and it is fun

...hearing - listening to Cody play on the piano, Jessica's laughter, and Brett's singing, kids fighting (believe it or not - even though sometimes it drives me crazee) good conversations with family and friends

...coolness after a rainshower - soooo refreshing

...good food yummy, yummy, yummy

Here are some picture to share just because I wanted too

Jes and Zoe - Zoe used to be our chocolate lab but now she lives with my sister-in-love Charissa

Charissa - my sister-in-love - she is quite talented {plays the piano and is learning to play the cello :)}

New Bed Part 2

2009-08-04T21:07:00.004-06:00

Well here is Brett's new bed all put together and made...he loves his new bed! :)

Here is the dresser...he wanted metal but the closest we could get was chrome

Now for the picture of his desk...all he needs now is a pencil sharpener and a chair and he'll be all set...who knows maybe he will get his homework done here?

Doesn't he look soooooo comfy? Maybe I should try out his new bed tonight *hee hee*

Sweet Dreams my sweet "Angel Boy"

New bed

2009-08-03T13:53:00.003-06:00

We just got Brett's new bedroom pieces set up. Now we are off to buy bedding...Brett is very happy...hopefully he will now sleep in his own bed...his mattress is pretty comfy. Will post pictures when we get back...

Just hanging

2009-08-02T00:25:00.002-06:00

I enjoyed tonight because I just got to relax with my girlfriend Carie. We talked, ate, saw a movie. This was just what was needed :) What a great friend I have.

It's thankful Thursday

2009-07-30T18:57:00.002-06:00

Oops! Not finished don't know what happened there

Anyway so many things to be thankful for...

For good health and that my cousin is alive. J. who is about 32 years old had a heart attack a couple of days ago. The doctor said his arteries were pretty bad and that he is lucky to be alive.

For good friends. God has sent me some very good friends that I have depended upon a lot this year and with my mom's passing...Linn, Carie, Karen, Christina, Shawna...may God richly bless them. Thank you God for blessing me with such wonderful friends.

For fresh sweet corn...yum, yum, yum

For fruit that is in season {peaches, cantalope, honeydew, ect... :)}

For flip-flops...I don't like wearing shoes

Cody

I'm thankful for my mom...she takes very good care of me!

Brett

I'm thankful for my new bedroom set. Now I will sleep pretty good.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR THIS THURSDAY?

It's Thankful

2009-07-30T18:55:00.001-06:00

Jes
Thankful school is not starting yet and I still have alittle bit of summer...I'm also thankful that we get summer breaks:)

Our new Toy

2009-07-28T13:28:00.004-06:00

We went to Farmington yesterday...just to get out of the house...it quite wasn't the same without my mom...but it is all part of picking up the pieces and starting over.

Anyway the kids and I went to American Home Furnishings to look for some bar stools and an umbrella for the table outside. Didn't find any so then we went to the Mall just to window shop. We enter in at Dillard's and I remembered that a friend of mine has her bridal registry at Dillard's. (She is getting married in September). So as I was waiting for some help Jessica noticed "THE JUICER" the exact one I had been looking for on-line but seemed to be "out of stock". Boy did this make my day...Cody said "mom we should get that" so that is what I did.

So guess what we have done today...play with our new toy. We made juice from strawberries, grapes, honeydew, apples, oranges, carrots, broccoli, and lettuce.

ALL NATURAL - NO SUGAR ADDED....MMMMMMM,MMMMMMMMMM, GOOD

We want to try adding some cucumbers, spinach, zucchini, and other veggies along with watermelon, pears, peaches, and other fruits. Cody will definitely have his daily servings of veggies this way...so he said.

The best part is drinking our creations...and clean up is not too bad...fairly easy and I like that!!

Moms Memorial

2009-07-24T22:51:00.004-06:00

Today we buried my mom. Her memorial service and gravesite service were beautiful. I miss her so much. I keep thinking I need to call her to see how she is doing only to remember she is no longer here. I feel so lost without her. I now have to pick up the pieces and start all over again. Where do I begin to start?

PS - a celebration of life

2009-07-21T08:34:00.003-06:00

Funeral services for my mom will be on Friday, July 24, 2009 at 10:00am at the River Church, 860 Plymouth Drive, Durango

A celebration of life

2009-07-19T23:54:00.004-06:00

Today my mom went home to be with her Lord and Savior. How my heart is broken yet I am happy because she is no longer here suffering. She is in a much better place. I will miss her so much because she has been my best friend. She has taught me so much and I am glad that I had her in my life. It will be hard to adjust yet again to a "new normal", (it has been hard to adjust to our "new normal" from Bryan's passing) but with God's help we will make it. I told her to give Bryan a big hug and kiss from us and to tell him we are doing okay. She said she would. I just know they are having a good time up there and I can't wait to join them.

The kids and I are doing okay we will miss her but we will not forget her because she is still with us in our hearts. We love you mom and nan!

My Thankful Thursday on Wednesday - My sweet handsome boy CODY!

2009-07-01T16:07:00.008-06:00

My sweet Code-man is a very precious gift to me. He was born on January 13, almost two weeks late. It just seems like yesterday when he was little..now he has grown up (almost 5 feet 11 inches to be exact) to be a wonderful young man who is thoughtful, kind, caring, and helpful. He is often the peace-maker when his brother and sister start fighting...(not Brett and Jes...oy!) He has been such a blessing.

Anyway...as we were preparing for our trip tomorrow he said that he wanted to cut his hair. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes. Now for some background about his hair. Since he was 6 yrs. old he didn't want his hair to be cut. I remember asking him why and he said so people will know that I am a Native American. So we started growing his hair. Growing our hair is not about being vain but it is about tradition and strength. It helps to identify who you are in our culture. Some natives believe it involves the spiritual part of you as well. It all differs in how you were brought up. When someone passes on we show respect by cutting our hair if you want to. Now why would he want to cut his hair? I believe it had to do with people mistaking him for a girl. Now come on people does this picture look like a girl...I think NOT!!! You know he actually had a comment written about his hair in the editorial section of the newspaper, which was written by a student at his school and they used his name...I was not to happy about that so I better not get started talking about it because it just ignorance on their part and for anybody else who thinks that any male who grows their hair long is a girl...

So back to the part where he said he wanted his hair cut before we leave, I said okay are you sure? Yes mom, I'm ready for a change is what he said. Then just to tell you all how caring and thoughtful he is he said I want to donate my hair to LOCKS of LOVE which, I'm sure you all know about, is hair donations of lengths of at least 10 inches that goes towards making wigs for under privileged children who have lost their hair due to sickness. His hair was about 12 or so inches long...That's my Cody!

HERE IS HIS HAIR HE DONATED - TOOK A WHILE TO CUT THROUGH HIS THICK, LONG, WAVY HAIR

AFTER THE CUTOFF OF HIS BRAIDE

HAVING HIS HAIR SHAPED

THE FINAL RESULTS - LOOKS LIKE HIS DAD WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER

Here he is getting ready to donate - he looks good and it is taking me a while getting used to seeing his new look - he still is a handsome young man and still Native American

Thankful Thursdays

2009-06-25T15:58:00.012-06:00

I am thankful for so many things like my house, my children, family, and friends. But for this post I would like to say how very thankful I am for my mom. I have learned so much from her and as she is battling cancer, I see just how strong a woman she is. When I start to complain about pain like when I stub my toe I have to stop and remember, that is nothing compared to the pain my mom endures day after day and how she has to take morphine to help ease the pain. Despite it all she never complains. She tells me she is the daughter of the King and is waiting for the day when her chariot arrives to take her home. I have been very blessed to have the greatest mom ever!!!!!!!

Nan and Jes Brett, Cody and Nan
Kids and Nan

Brett says he is thankful for good health and for having great memories of his dad.

Cody says he is thankful he lives in a nice house and doesn't want to take it for granted because there are other people who can't live in a nice home and he likes the rain.

Jes says she is thankful for family and pets.

Snickers

Shadow

2009-06-18T22:02:00.002-06:00

Just got home from a girls night out and I sure had a blast. I must do this more often!!

Where to start?

2009-06-18T10:47:00.006-06:00

Well as promised I am adding more stuff, well a picture or two at least. I need to get my house in order because it is such a mess it is so bad that I can't even see the dinning room table...YIKES!! I don't event want to show you the picture of that!..The kids are not to happy about cleaning up but I told them the faster they get it done the more time we will have for fun!!!

Not sure about the ice cream picture can't seem to get it to cooperate with me but oh well....hope you all have a blessed day

Our first entry

2009-06-17T23:33:00.000-06:00

I have now decided to start a blog...don't know exactly what I am doing yet but will get it up and working soon...more tomorrow