Snowed in!

It started yesterday and hasn't stopped since. Brad got to stay home from work today and has decided to pass the time by finding his truck under all of that snow. Yes we have a garage and yes their is room for it in the garage but this was gave him something to do. Part of me wishes I had gone to PHX when I had the chance, the other part of me loves being snowed in with my little family.

Does this make us officially local now??

Brad called me last night on his way home from work and said, "you'll never guess what just happened to me." With Brad that could mean a number of things. He has been doing great at work and life has been happy so I was expecting for him to tell me some silly story about him meeting the President of something etc. Oh how I wish it were the case. We live about 7 minutes or so out of town and drive through a canyon to get home. So with that in mind we are always on the watch out for something. Well this crazy deer had a death wish and it was granted yesterday. Brad's truck was totally side swiped taking off his side mirror and denting the side of his truck. Brad hasn't a scratch and I wish I could say that for poor Bambi. I think the entire idea of the deer hitting Brad is silly but even the highway patrolman wrote it up as the deer hitting the truck. I just think my poor sweet husband he has been through so much with his truck in the past month, we finally get it all fixed and then this!

Halloween AKA how to torture your kids

This year for Halloween we spent it in Pagosa Springs about an hour away from Durango. The reason was that's were the grandparents were. So all was going really great until it was time to go trick or treating. Then it was crying time. Vanessa and Brigg both didn't want to get into their costumes and heaven for bid we make them go and get candy. They balled all the way up 'til the first house. Once they realized strangers were giving them candy there was singing and giggling. Mind you it took us 15minutes to find the first house! We only stayed out a short while and then came back for hot cocoa and cards. Good Halloween but honestly I wonder of what kind of torture they thought we were up to.

Batman

Spiderman Princess

SutherLand Farm's Trip

Several weeks ago we took the kiddo's to Sutherland Farms in New Mexico. It was a great trip that the kids are still asking to go back to the pumpkin patch. They had so many things to do and see like a corn maze, corn pit, a train, they even had a potato gun that they launched corn out of. Charming day and we'll for sure have to do it again next year!

Curses YOU Day light savings

I have decided I hate day light savings time, it totally messes with your head!!

Guess what happened this Morning!!!

Never thought I would be so excited for this.

I really hate posting without any pictures but I think it's time for a little update on us. Well Brad has finished his reffing for football and was asked to do Basketball. I think he is going to take a breather though and pass on that thank heavens! He is also the new 2nd counselor in the elders quorum. And he really is enjoying being a banker although still is planning on being a developer eventually.

The kids and I just got back from a trip to AZ. I am finding that no matter how long the trip I can never find the time to see everyone I want to and do all I want to either. It feels good to be back at home though as good as the trip was. Brad didn't get to go so I think that is why it's so sweet to be home again. I am the enrichment leader in the ward and just hosted a chocolate appreciation night and despite my never used chocolate fountain being broken right out of the box I feel like it went well.

Brad's truck is in the shop and we finally decided it's time to sale both of the vehicles and get something different for both of us. So I am pretty excited for that even though my 4runner has been amazing to me. I have been wanting to do this forever so I don't think it will be to hard to let it go.

As for the kids, Vanessa is a busy two year old and Brigg loves being with her. Brigg has stopped wearing his Batman Mask 24/7 mostly because I purposely left it in AZ. I think it was starting to change the shape of his face. So instead of being batman all of the time he is now back to buzz light year and shoots everyone he see's. I'm glad most people give a kind smile as I just can't seem to explain well enough that we only shoot bad guys.

Well that's us for now. Just mostly getting ready for the winter that I hear is going to come on earlier than usual. Isn't that just my luck huh! Have a happy Halloween.

Chuck Wagon Dinner Theater

The bank recently sponsored an event for the boys and girls club at this really awesome chuch wagon dinner theater. They had a little train there that the kids really loved and the entertainment was great. The location is of course beautiful too it has lots of red rock cliffs all around it (if my camera were working better I would have gotten some more pics).


Brad on occasion will ask me if I think he will be one of those Dorky dad's.....well honey if the hat fits.
Brigg was so happy they let him ring the bell on the train. Life doesn't get any better than that for my little three year old.

This one's for you Kell

So we have fallin in LOVE with Durango. There is so much to do here and the land is beautiful. You can't deny beauty even through a dirty car window. So here are a few scenic shots of our beautiful little valley

The above picture is part of what I look when I am driving to town. We live about five minutes out and at first I didn't know if I would hate having to drive but I find that I can't complain.

Here is Brigg's train. When we first moved here if we took him into town, which wasn't often for this reason, he wouldn't be quiet about the train. But everyday around seven or so the train comes back into town from Silverton and we try and catch it as often as we can. We have yet to take a ride but are planning on something for Brigg in the near future. He can't get enough!



Above shots are a little fourth of July fun in downtown. The guy with the camera looks a little goofy but don't worry he's a really cool republican so we were friends. There are so many liberal democrats here! This town is so fun they shutdown Main st for anything to have a parade or festival etc.
This is the Dora house that we found in our backyard upon arrival. I thought it was kindof cool until I picked it up and all of these nasty ear wigs came crawling out. They are everywhere up here. So I sprayed it down and the kids got a kick out of it. Brigg uses it as a parking garage for his cars mostly.
I will get some more pics up soon of some current things we have been up to my favorite being Brad in his Reff outfit, it's all football all the time around here. I am starting to see progress on this house of ours and getting projects done and the babies have adjusted really well so far. Love our ward to bits we spoke in sacrament meeting and no one left the room crying so so far so good.

Free Paint and pretzel parties

I know this tid bit would normally go on my ideastalker blog, however, I am so totally excited about this. Glidden is giving away free quart of paint until July 2nd. So if you don't want yours I totally do heehee. It's like they say on their website free is always a good color!! go to Glidden and get ya some!!!
Yesterday I think it finally hit me that I was leaving my beautiful hometown and I was a lot bummed. But I think that happens every time I leave for a new adventure. It only lasts for a little while until I snap out of it. So here's to the five year plan!! I think the kids are protesting the move too. Brad and I went to a reception last night leaving our kids in bed supposedly sleeping. When we came home my mom was in bed but my kids were on a destructive rampage. They knocked over full boxes and erased my to do list. They were snacking on pretzels and laughing when I found them. Probably celebrating what they had accomplished. It was so cute I didn't know if I should giggle and hug them or spank them and send them to bed. Brad says that he and his sister were the same way and it makes me scared about having my kids share a room in the new house. So back to packing for me. Have a great day!!!

Greener Pastures

After some serious thought, job interview, and a fantastic time we have come to a conclusion. It's a big one for our little family and I am really excited. Come July first we'll be moving to Durango, CO. Brad got a job at the bank up there and we said why not. It's so beautiful and it seems like they really have an active life style up there. We found a house to rent on our two day trip up, I was surprised that we were able to find one so fast. So it's just a matter of moving now. I am dreading it this time as I feel like our stuff is everywhere. But come July second I will be a happy box un-packer. So I will have picks to come on the new pad etc. This is only a five year plan because we really love AZ. So here we go to hopefully greener pastures.

I know I will be forever changed from going through the emotions of losing my father. I now stop in my tracks when someone else mentions that their father has passed away. Before I viewed it as just a part of life now I am moved with compassion. I think of when the savior wept for Lazarus only to raise him shortly after. I have learned so much from this and thought I might share some of the things that I've learned.

Hug, kiss, talk to, sit by or even sit on your daddies lap if you can get away with it when the times are good. It makes it easier When things aren't so good because you know that they know you love them.

Many people avoid the topic or tippy toe around bringing up my dad. Don't I want to remember him and think about how wonderful he is even if we cry.

Sympathy cards are great but it's good to laugh so a tasteful joke card is much needed.

Don't say, "if there's anything I can do let...." (u know the rest) but say what you can do to help.

I think the number one thing I have learned from all of this is It's important to make time for people even if it's putting off your to-do list. My dad was a great example of this his entire life. I don't think he ever told me he was too busy for me.

This has been ruff and probably one of the harder things I have gone through emotionally,after the funeral I think we all came home and crashed for three hours. I am thankful for the spirit because I know it carried us all that day.

Daddy

Peace finally came early this morning.

Today I hurt for what once was. Most days I can stay happy and look at life as just a chapter in a book. But not today. My big strong daddy is slipping fast. I hate the pain he is in and I hate that I can't do anything about it.

Lately

So lately I have been trying not to think about what is really going on in my life and focusing on the here and now. Denial is what I guess you could really call it. I have been doing this for quite sometime and then there he was. Sitting on the coach with his eyes shut looking so peaceful and asleep but probably just trying to bare the pain quietly. I don't know what it is about shutting your eyes when you are in pain, some how it helps. I love knowing that he could be listening. So I walked over and sat by him and situated myself in the spot that I have been so comfortable in for all of my life. It's different now because I worry about what side I am on. If that's the side that causes him the most pain or not. He carries this trial so well. Always a smile, a joke, a look to let you know he loves you. He looked over at me slowly as soon as I sat down and he whispered "I love you". I remember calling my dad shortly after I was married to tell him I loved him and really nothing more. He responded with asking what I wanted from him and I remember saying, Oh daddy. I have been wanting lately to just sit by him in "my spot" with his arm around me. His I Love you through me for one today and spun my head around thinking about what is to come in the next short while. It's a comfort to know that he can still be with me when he has left this life. I will definitely be a spoiled brat with two Father's in Heaven watching over me. This is comforting as was his I love you today.

D-backs tour

Brad scored some tickets to take a tour of the ball field this morning. It was really cool. I think this makes us total d-back weirdos but I guess you have to be weird about something. Oh and we found out that the pool is like 6,500 dollars to rent out for thirty people and you get all kinds of cool stuff so if anyone wants to dish out some cash and split it let us know and we'll find some other sucker, ooophs! I meant person to split the other part and we can all have a great time. Until then we'll have to move the TV out to the pool area.

Brad couldn't have been more jolly being there with his two kids. He really loves baseball, so he was like a kid in a candy store.


Our babies had such a good time. I think they felt like the place was there's for the morning.




While we were checking out the dug-out a guy walked up and gave Brigg a ball just like in the movies. He was so excited to have received it and the way that Brad looked at it I think he was just as excited.

Things get crazy around here. Some days are good other days I fall to pieces and other other days I don't even get dressed. I have had two total break downs in which I am not proud of. One was at the dentist. Our dear dentist is a wonderful friend of ours and is a totally genuine person. So he walked in to see me and asked how I was doing and I couldn't answer because I broke down so quickly that I couldn't even speak. He hugged my head (I was laying back) and wiped the tears out of my ears. Pathetic. The other was in relief society and the women giving the talk spoke about how she had talked to her dad on the phone yesterday. I think the women is like 50 or so and I hated her for still having her father in her life. I screamed in my head it's not right!!! and I broke down crying so bad the RS pres came and sat by me as well as my visiting teacher. I felt like a complete idiot and wanted to just run out of the room. Luckily enough for me and everyone else those day's are few and far between. If I think about it I cry or if someone tells me about how wonderful my dad is etc. For the most part however, having a one year old and a three year old keeps me on my toes and laughing. I mentioned last time that Vanessa was good medicine for my dad, I think she is good medicine for all of us. I am glad Brad and I didn't wait to have kids because they bring so much joy.

As you can imagine I half to have an outlet or two to deal with all of this stress. I have been working on a site of decorating ideas for a short while. I don't know how many people know this but I love to decorate and I want to get better at it. So I just thought I would introduce the site to the rest of you who love decorating or just like to look at beautiful pictures . It's called Idea Stalker since I don't have a home I steal other people's great ideas and post them til I can use some of them in my own space. Who knows when I'll get it but at least I'll have a really good place to get ideas. I hope you enjoy it!

Breaking the Silence

I have thought long and hard about sharing this on the blog and finally decided to break the silence. It's been a long past couple of weeks at our house. It started for me of all places on the trampoline. I was watching Tylee and my two jump with my mother. My mom had just come home from the Dr. with my dad. They took him because he was certain that he had shingles and needed to get something to treat the pain around his abdomen. I was kind of having a ruff day with feeling a little overwhelmed with kids as mother's sometimes can feel. My mom started talking about the Dr's appointment and had said that the Dr. had found large masses in his liver and pancreas. At this point it didn't feel like anything was the matter. I like many people my age think that they will out live their father. Well quite a few Dr appointment's later our family was informed that he has between 3-9 months to live.

Amazing how perspective can change in an instant. This world constantly reminds me that it's not about me but about serving others. I don't know why I haven't figured that out sooner because I have had two of the greatest examples to learn from. The wave of people coming over and sharing their thanks and I love yous is overwhelming. There are men constantly outside working on projects that need to be taken care of before he passes so my mom doesn't have to worry. To all of those men Thank You. And to all of the wives that bring over dinners Thank you. I use to take naps for fun but now I find that answering the phone and the door leaves me exhausted.
Some things I have learned about my dad in these past few days is how strong he is. He is in constant pain and he puts on a smile and shows us how much he loves us. My dad cares about the "one" regardless of the group that he often is teaching. A women came to the door and had brought my dad a quilt and some tortilla's. She had said that she felt like she had found a new son in my father only after meeting him once. I am amazed at that. But it's not taking much these days.
So today he goes in for chemotherapy and we'll see what that does for him. The Dr's are saying perhaps it will buy him a few days or even months. I am glad I am here with him. I think my daughter is good medicine for pampa.

Brigg's 3rd Birthday

My little baby is growing up. It's wierd to think that I have a three year old. I went to bunco last night and a girl there had told me she had been married for 5 years. I thought wow that's a long time until I realized that I will be married for four in July. It's amazing how quickly time passes. So here are a lot of photo's of briggs happenings of the day.

We started the day off right with some blueberry pancakes and fruit. (fruit is a must because Nessy is anti bread and meat. If she grows up to be a vegetarian I think she's going to get a spakin')

We let the kids play all morning and then went to sweet tomatoes for lunch and played at the park next store.








This bird was insane. Brad and I don't know what kindof bird it is but it would go under the water for what seemed like minutes and then pop up on the other side of the pond. I have never seen anything like it, thus the pic.






Brad and I had fully intended on throwing brigg a birthday party with his buddies but I think it just became too overwhelming for me. There never seemed to be a good weekend so after going to the park and to target (he picked out new shoes) we came home and threw together a party for the little guy.


Brigg is really into buzz lightyear right now and Vanessa is really into cake so this is what I came up with. I can't take total credit for the design because I stole it off of "be different act normal". When Brigg saw it he said "OH MY GOSH!!! MOMMY A ROCKET!!" I hate him saying oh my gosh but it was still really cute how much he loved the cake.

New York

So Brad went to New York with his Master's program and had a great time. He says it looks bigger in the movies, he makes me laugh. Thought I'd post a few pics of the trip.

I didn't want to say it but.....

I think when choosing a name for your child you try and think about all of the ways that other kids can make fun of it. I know we really may have scarred Brigham for life but we'll chalk that up there to a boy named Sue. At any rate I thought we had a real winner with Vanessa. It's just such a pretty name in my opinion. Well since she has been born she has been called Vanna, Nessa, Nessy, Nanny, Sissy, Sissy LaLa, Sister, and I think Nessy-Pessy is one Brad has proclaimed upon her. Well I am okay with all of those but the one I was dreading was Messy Nessy but if the boot fits....

The Red Polka Dot Give away

So my site TheRedPolkaDot has a new look and I am celebrating by doing a give away. If you are interested in winning this tutu and checking out the new look go to TheRedPolkaDot

BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!!!

So my sweet husband is finally coming home and it's my Birthday. It's the best gift ever!!! He has been so sweet this entire week by remembering the birthday monster. Every morning I wake up to find a clue on the table as to where my present is hidden that day. It has been so nice and has helped pass the time. I have a wonderful guy!

SO my little girl has been hanging out with a really bad influence lately. As you can see she is wearing old man glasses and a hunting shirt. Guess who the bad influence is??? You guessed it it's grandpa Joe. The silly glasses crack me up and the camo shirt I could live with out but the girl spits like grandpa. I am not even kidding you. I hope it's a phase and as soon as we move she will move on too, until then I am raising the librarian from the mountain. Thanks DAD!