The Great Vacation - Lake Powell

When Jared was around 7 years old he would ask when we were going on "the Great Vacation". That vacation was usually to Lake Mohave and cost all of about $500.00 for the entire week. That included food, lodging in the "beautiful" casinos and gas. So that is probably why we continued for years to go there. An added plus was that is was only 4 to 5 hours away depending on potty breaks and food stops.

But we had been saying for years we would love to go to Lake Powell on a houseboat. Every time I looked at how much it was going to cost I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So this year when I got a postcard in the mail from American Express that said they had a half off deal I just couldn't resist. We called up Steve's family to see if they wanted to come with us. His parents and brother and his family decided they would come join the fun. So we are packing for our "Really Great Vacation" and will be heading off tomorrow. To bad the van broke down leaving us to drive two cars to Page, AZ instead of one. Oh well, I should just be grateful we have the means to get there and will worry about fixing the van when we get home.

My Baby Boy Turns 11

I can't believe how fast they grow up. Sometimes I really wish I could pause time and keep it from happening. I know I don't want to get any older. In fact, if I could, I would like to be 35 again. I don't want things in my life to change back to when I was 35. I just would like to not get any older than that.

But, alas, time marches on and people get older. And my last son is no longer really a child any more. He is a preteen. So my house now consist of 2 teenage sons, a preteen son and a toddler (who won't be considered that for much longer).

We finally had Jacob's birthday party today. I had told him we should wait until we got our new pool up but we ran into some snags along the way with that and I was afraid he would turn 12 before I managed to throw him a birthday party in that pool. So instead we headed down to the community pool with a few of his friends and some pizza. It was one of the most relaxing birthday parties I ever threw. I didn't have to clean my house or organize any games. And Jacob was thrilled because everyone brought him money for presents.
Hanging out at the pool
Pushing Bobby around in his tube.

Turning the kiddie pool into a whirlpool
Having fun using his sister's pink floaty to bump into people.
Big brother Josh taking care of Nevaeh so I could keep on eye on all the boys.
Happy Birthday Dear Jacob, Happy Birthday to you

Happy Mother's Day

So I told my husband the other night that I think I am an amazing woman. I know at first this may sound like a joke. Who would actually brag about such a thing unless you were kidding? The thing is that I know a lot of amazing women who don't realize they are amazing. We think of amazing women as those we here about on the news or interviewed by Oprah. But I know women in my life who do amazing things everyday.

So why am I amazing? Is it news worthy? Maybe not to Oprah but to me it is. Why should I only look up to everyone else thinking that they are amazing and that what I do isn't good enough? Have I been burned in a plane crash and write an inspirational blog? No. Have I overcome some debilitating disease? No. Do I have a career that saves people's lives? No. But I took the time to save one starfish in the sea. I put my heart out on the line and took the risk of loving someone else's child while they tried to get their life back on track. I am a loving wife and dedicate mother. I am amazed that I made it through the last year of my life as well as I did.

So this post is for all the women in my life who forget to realize they are amazing. Why? Because you are a daughter of a Heavenly King. Because you are compassionate, understanding and helpful. Because you have your own trials that your are going through yet somehow manage to think that everyone else's must be so much more difficult. And because you are my friend and find ways to lift me up and make me smile when I am not sure I can make it through another day. You truly are amazing just the way you are.

42 years

Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me. Happy Birthday Dear old wrinkled woman. Happy Birthday to Me. Okay, so maybe not too old and wrinkled but I am definately feeling my age. Maybe having a toddler at 40 will do that to you. I had a great night out with my wonderful sweet husband. We went to El Torito to celebrate because I am the coupon queen and received a free meal coupon from them. I then was sung to and had this beautiful sombreo place upon my head and I received a free ice cream. The boys watched Nevaeh for us and it was nice to get out for some alone time with my sweetheart. He is away at work so much and I am busy with the children so we don't get out a whole lot by ourselves. Of course, I couldn't help remonise about how depressed I was last year on my birthday. What a difference a year makes.

Beth's Wedding

My little sister Beth got married today. There is such a big age difference between us that when she was two I use to make believe she was my daughter. I would take her to Disneyland and people would say "Your daughter is so cute." She would look at me and say "How comes people thinks your my mom?" So it's hard for me to believe that she is old enough to be married and have children of her own. I guess that just means I am really old.








It is always interesting when you get the whole family together. So I have to post some of the pictures. Beth looks beautiful and so do her children.