Oakley!

We took our first "girls only" road trip last weekend to visit Grammy and Papa in Oakley, Idaho. Onward, ever Onward! We were happy girls and were looking forward to our visit with Grammy and Papa. But first.....we had to get there!!

The Drive:
We left Thursday afternoon from Reno. Much to our dismay, there was an accident on the freeway outside of Reno. We made it to Fernley 2 1/2 hours later - usually this drive takes 30 minutes. Thank goodness I packed the girls their own backpack full of books, color books, crayons, doll, doll accessories, sunglasses, Magna Doodle, and anything else I thought would hold their attention for a few minutes. I packed the DVD player with a wide selection of movies. I packed food - mostly good for my sake, but a few sweet treats as well. The drive was rather fun. The girls were very well behaved. The car, on the other hand, at least the back seat, was a war zone. But!!! We were happy girls and were looking forward to our visit with Grammy and Papa!

The Visit:
Breakfast, baths, trampoline, cold one, bike rides, four-wheeler rides, trips to the store for candy, trampoline, bike rides, four-wheeler rides, park adventure, sidewalk chalk, lunch, bike rides, puddle jumping, rain, Barbie Dolls, trampoline, throwing rocks at the Oakley Dam, fly-swatting in the pool, rain, dinner, bedtime, out of bed, bedtime, out of bed, bedtime, out of bed, bedtime!! This was the schedule for the weekend. It was fun!

There were several highlights:
Grammy & Papa - They are wonderful. Papa took the girls on a four-wheeler ride, we drove to the ranch and the dam with him. Grammy attended to the our every need, wonderful meals, walks, bike rides, park trips, reading books. We love Grammy and Papa!
Aunt Stephanie- She was a trooper! Taking the girls on bike rides, four-wheeler rides, feeding them Pop Rocks Candy, taking them on walks during Sacrament Meeting - she did it all. The girls loved it and so did I!
Golf - Stephanie and I played a little golf in the backyard. I needed the practice and Stephanie needed the good laugh!

Thanks Grammy and Papa for the wonderful weekend. We can't wait to visit again! We love you!

Homeward Bound....Boundward Home?

Yep....the Annie from Oakley, that we all know and love so dearly, is on her well-deserved-over-due-way, with her two young, adorable pups, to visit what still IS "Home Sweet Home." And, yes, for the next few days, she'll be enjoying 3 fun-filled days with lihP and amroN. LihP and amroN are waiting anxiously for their arrival! I would have loved to accompany them on their trip, but, I WASN'T INVITED!

Kidding, Oakley! Just had to go there!

Addison and Payton are real troopers....just like their mother! Considering the circumstances, as tough as they are......life is really going well for them. They are so blessed. I mean.....Tea Parties almost twice a week!? What kid wouldn't LOVE that? Gosh, I've even been caught sippin' the "party" drink with the adorable Smith girls! The hardest part for me is getting up from off of the floor. Floors are much lower in Fallon. My saddle doesn't quite fit on the party chairs!

Annie is and has been amazingly strong throughout this life changing event. Addison and Payton's well-being are top priority! She sacrifices so much to be sure they have stability through all of the instability. She is such a wonderful mother and is a grand example to us all. I've NEVER seen her mad. - (Oh!...Ask her about California road cones and pilot cars!)

Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to attach some GREAT PICTURES from my last visit to Falla-bama without a banjo on my knee. The girls and I always make and take lunch to Annie from Oakley at school when I'm there. Anne loves it! She never wants us to leave. -Last visit was SPAM on Japanese RICE w/soy sauce. Yes, we deliver to Elaine, too!

Anne's obviously been TOO BUSY cleaning tea-party dishes, feeding the fish that hatched from the "fish-eggs" the girls found in the driveway....in FALLON, picking up Skittle wrappers, vacuuming party crumbs, and, the list goes on, to add the pictures to this wonderful bLOG of hers! --So....I'll just do it myself! I've been itchin' to do this for quite a while! ---- Hi Steph-FUNNY!!

So, as I was saying, these next few days will be fab-dab-u-lous! (Did I say that?)
There's no place like home....There's no place like home...There's no place like home!!!!
~Merry Christmas~

Payton is 2!

My blue-eyed baby, Payton, turned another year older today! How time flies! Seems like yesterday that I was checking into the hospital in Reno, anticipating her arrival. Payton had an early birthday party in Susanville with Addison. She got to blow out candles, play with her friends, open presents, and wear the "birthday crown" a little early this year! So, today was a pretty low-key day. I had to work, unfortunately. But after school, I made one of her favorite foods for dinner - corn-on-the-cob! Yummy! Addison and I made her birthday cake. After dinner we drove over to Mont and Elaine's house (Several short stops at the horses, stinky cows, and the stinky goats) for cake and ice cream. She sure was cute! I am so blessed to have Miss Payton (Addison and I call her Payt.) as my daughter. I treasure her - she gives the best kisses and loves to snuggle. She is a daredevil and not afraid to do anything. We love you, Payton Jeanne! Happy Birthday!

My Mother

"I know a name, a glorious name, dearer than any other. Listen, I'll whisper the name to you: It is the name of mother. Mother, so tender and kind and true, I love you, I love you."
--Frances K. Taylor

On this Mother's Day, I want my mother, Norma, to know how much I love her. My mother is a sweet woman. She has so many wonderful qualities. She IS inspiration, faith, good works, devotion, loyalty, encouragement, love, humor, and honor (the list could go on and on and on). My mother has been a beacon of light throughout my life. My mother's faith is sweet and simple - but it has made a profound difference in my life. I am constantly amazed at her strength when life gets bitter and difficult, she complains little and does so very much. She walks in the light of the Lord. It guides her in all of her actions. I am a stronger, more valiant woman because of her example. I am so proud to be her daughter. I love you!

Addison's 4th Birthday

Addison had a wonderful day turning four! I took the day off. Kathy Moore and I planned a little birthday party with some of Addison's friends from Susanville. But first....we had to go to the beauty shop for a little dolling up. Addison had her hair done and her nails. She looked like a princess for sure! The party was a great success. There were lots of kids there, I won't name names I would never get them all right. But thanks to all who came - I know the girls loved it! A big thanks to Kathy Moore, the entertainment director. She throws a wicked party. A wicked party. (She is for hire too!!)

Miles of Contentment.

The last two days have been really good days. I feel like I am starting to claw my way out of the pit that I put myself in. I miss my girls badly; this was their weekend with their dad. Despite that, I have had a good two days.

I feel as if my depression is gone, but there is still some sadness. I am hoping that this is the beginning of my journey to become reacquainted with who I really am and who I was before life was interrupted by divorce. I cannot change the past, but I am trying to change how I look at the past and how I feel about the past. I found a saying that I really like:

You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present. --Jan Glidewell

It has only been a little over a month since I moved to my own home. It has been a little over 3 months since Jason filed for divorce. I am beginning to feel content with his decision and often I find myself counting my many blessings that he did file. I know this sounds very heartless but there are many wonderful blessings that have come about because of his decision. I believe that there will be many more blessings in the future as well. With prayer, scripture study, and optimism, I will make it to the top of the pit. I will rise above this crisis a stronger person.

One person who is so funny, is one of the cutest young men that I know, and plays one heck of a golf game, is Miles Adams. He is the son of Mont and Elaine Adams. This family has done SOOOO much for me. I couldn't even begin to express my gratitude for them. But tonight as we were watching the Jazz game, I recognized how much Miles made me laugh. He is a crack up. Miles raps - he will take my comments about something and turn it into a rap. He is sarcastic. He cracks jokes in all the right places. Miles has many one-liners. And the girls?! They absolutely adore Miles. Miles is so patient with them. He plays and wrestles with them. He takes them on walks out to the chicken coops and pheasant pens. He lets the girls body slam him and punch him. They LOVE Miles. We are so thankful for Miles and his sense of humor.