5 months to go~

In five months, Loren and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary. I always like to remind myself how far we've come and how much we have "grown" in our relationship...literally! 

Remember when.....

In honor of Earth Day 2010

This morning (April 17, 2010) our family went on a little cleaning spree around our neighborhood. All the neighbors got together to beautify our community. We were assigned a spot where the main traffic come in, which is a place where there are not any homes built yet. This area has become a dumping ground for many who are passing by, throwing there paper, cans and bottles out the window.

Taylor was tired before we got going, but she was a trooper and kept on going.

Loren and I had decided we wanted the kids to learn to give service to others. What a better way to serve than in our own community.

Connor got an award for being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible

On Thursday, April 15, 2010 Connor got an award for being Safe, Respectful and Resposible at school. His teacher announced that he has mad the biggest gain in reading that she had ever seen. I was so excited for Connor has he stood there with a grin on his face from ear to ear.

Actually, how the day went was, I was just about to start painting the kids bathroom when my phone had a little beap, I didn't know what that noise was for, and looked at the phone and there was a message 1 hour until Connor's assembly. WHAT?  I took off running jumped in the shower, got ready, got Taylor ready and out the door we were. Then I backed out of the driveway, knocked over the trash can, had to pick up the trash in the street. Jumped back in the car and made it to the school with 10 minutes to spare. Here are a few pictures of Connor's special award.

Yeah for Connor!

The morning of the assembly, Connor walked in the kitchen wearing strips and plaids. I was about to tell him to go change, because I usally pick out his cloths, but I just said oh let him make his own choices. Since I didn't remember that there was an assembly, I did not think it was any big deal. Until I got to the school and realized what he was wearing...oh well, he is cute anyway!

Spring......

I feel like that song Oh Where, Oh Where are you tonight...I long for spring. I know per the calendar spring is only a month away. I am doubtful that March 20, 2010 will feel like the first day of spring.  The day will be special you can be sure, since it is Taylor's 4th birthday. But I'm longing for nice days and sunshine.

All last week I was sick, Loren's sick too. I barely got dressed last week, I wore my nightgown all week except for the brief moments I threw on my sweats to go pick the kids up from school. One day, while I was trying to find my tennis shoes so we could go pick up the kids, Taylor says to me "Grandma, you need to find some shoes for your age" ....hummmm what the heck?  I need to find shoes for my age?  What does that mean exactlly? I did not dare ask her, she was dead serious.

Today Taylor and I had another discussion. I'm with her all day long so we have a lot of those. I was fixing her hair so we could go to the store, and she said "make my hair pretty grandma" I said "of course I'm going to make your hair pretty." She said " sometimes you don't" hahahahah She is so funny. I thank God everyday that he has given me these kids. They have added so much joy to our life.

Our family Etiquette dinner

Loren Trying to eat dessert

So full! 

Everyone was so full we could barely move!

More of January 2010

Utah January 2010

The last year was horrifically hard on our family. This year although it hasn't been easy, there is hope and light that times will become easier for all of us. On Wednesday, January 27th we had a family dinner at the Roses house. Matthew's family and Laura's family were all there, we had a great time. Grandma and Taylor had traveled to Utah, so it was so fun visiting with grandkids/cousins (for Taylor). Here are a few pictures that I have from that trip. Our good friends Rhonda and Ted were there too..

Happy New Year

Wow, where does time go? This year (2010), is a big year for our family. We are looking forward to some very good things happening. I have tried to figure out what kind of goals I wanted to set this year. I suppose one of those ought to be graduate from College. I am almost there 6 more credits and I am done with my undergrad. WHEW, for someone who never wanted to go to college, I am so glad to see my undergrad over. I will graudate this summer with a degree in Human Services, I hope to start a masters as soon as I can. I have not decided on where I am going to school yet. Although the University of Phoeinx seems like a great choice for me personally, I do not know if I want to get both of my degree's from Phoenix. I have been looking at a few programs, though nothing seriously. I hope to finish my graduate work in two years, that will be perfect as Taylor will be in school then and I will be able to work. I am not sure I will work full time, but I will at least work part time. Loren has a flexable schedule so if I am not home, he can meet the bus.

My next goal is to figure out how to change our way of life such as: our eating habits, our sleep schedule, assignments and chores. I hope to instill in the children a work ethic and a reason for why we do the things we do. I also want our family to get healthy. Loren and I have realized that we need to change a lot of what we do, for the very least to live long enough to see these children graduate and start their own lives.

The next thing I want to do, is to be a better reader, I love reading but sadly with school my time is so limited. I am praying that I can figure out a time that I can do more reading for me.

So far, 2010 has been a wonderful year and we hope that the whole year is full of good news.

Aubrey was baptized

We can not believe that Aubrey is already 8 years old and old enough to be baptized. Today, her grandpa baptized her and she was so beautiful, she looked like an angel.

Our family

Although, I am not a big fan of this picture of "me" it is a decent one of everyone else.

Something that I have not talked about a great deal or is not total public knowledge is that Loren and I now have custody of Aubrey, Connor, and Taylor. For those that do not know, I will explain what has happened.

Our daughter Danielle (27 years old), has been missing since June 5, 2009. She drove to Utah after she was missing with the children for a week, dropped the children off with her sister Laura, and then left. She disappeared and except for four phone calls to my father in June and one to me on July 14th, she has not been heard from since.

My mom and dad were in Colorado visiting in June, when my mom and I drove to Utah to pick the children up. To start court proceedings to have some sort of custody of the children.

Our life changed on a dime, not only are we raising three incredible children, but our daughter is missing. The children have been an enormous blessing in our life, first they are so loving and pure. They have given Loren and I such love, I can only express how blessed we feel. I cannot imagine my house being quiet again; I do not ever want to imagine that, for these three children have brought life and joy into a very dull home.

Although, there are days that I have a difficult time dealing with the fact that my daughter is missing, most days I try to focus on the children and be the best I can for them. I won't say that I haven't have days when I have broke down and fallen apart, to say that would be a lie. I feel like I have fought for Danielle's life since the day she was born. She was not breathing when she was born and the first few minutes of her life were frightening. On several occasions, I have fought to help her and get her help. Danielle has a knack for making poor choices. I pray that one day she will come home and get the help she needs. I pray that I will have an opportunity to tell my beautiful daughter that I love her again. I most especially pray that it is not too late.

Sandie's uncle Scotty passed away recently. As a tribute to him, here is his picture.

Aubrey's report

Aubrey had to do a school report on Parker, the town we live...so here are some pictures of Aubrey around Parker!

Labor Day Weekend Getaway!!!

Over Labor Day weekend Loren and I took the kids up to Steam Boat Springs to spend the weekend in our condo. Laura, Wayne and Parker met us there. We had the best time! I was going to post pictures, but apparently, I haven't loaded them on the computer yet. Since, I do not see the camera sitting near the computer and I am to lazy to get off my bootie and find it, I will post them tomorrow.

Monday, the kids and I are leaving for Utah, we are going for their fall break from school. The kids are so excited to see their cousins! We have great plans for our trip. I will also post pictures of that soon too! Until then, know that I am sorry for slacking so much, but I am getting my act together again!

Happy Birthday Aubrey!

Aubrey is now 8 years old...where does time go?

Happy Birthday Aurellia

Aurellia's birthday was on July 24th she turned 3 years old, but that girl is smart as a whip, she acts more like a teenager! :-)