Stuck In The Van

Reality Check

2010-10-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy since the day I was born, but different stages of life are busier than others. For instance, I remember as a child that I wanted to go out every night and have tons of friends. I was gone from sunup to sundown some days playing (the world was much safer then) but my life was so carefree I don't think I realized I was busy. As I have married and have had children life has changed so much. At first I stayed home with my children and though I never left the house some days, I only got a shower when I managed to get up before everyone else or took it after everyone went to bed. My life revolved around bottles, toys, dirty diapers and trying to keep a house clean and good food in everyone's tummies! Alas, those were the days!
My life is different now, I work, go to school and still try to keep everyone's schedules organized. I may not drive everyone everywhere anymore, but I still have to make sure someone else is. There is still, soccer, piano, ballroom, church activities, scouts and jobs to get to and from. We only have two cars which can be difficult to manage, but somehow we do. Sometimes when I lay my head on my pillow I wonder how we do it! Thank heavens for car pools and bicycles! I lie in my bed organizing the next day and then I realize I didn't think of something and I have to get up and figure it out.
Life is crazy now, but in a good way! Kaylee will be heading off to college soon and though I am amazed that she is old enoug to go, I am thrilled for her. I loved those years so much! April will be 16 next week (holy cow!)and plans to get her license that day! It will be nice to have another driver, but I doubt she will ever have a car to drive! Oh well, we lived through it as teenagers!
Alex is such a rock for me. She is there when I need her in so many ways. The truth is all my girls inspire me and this busy life I live has been and is wonderful!
So if I ever spend my time whining here, please give me that reality check I need that I am so blessed and that busy is good! Some day all these kids in my van will be on their own and I will look over at Troy and say "Everyone is so busy!"

2010-09-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't written in over a year! Times are sure a changin! Since my last post a lot has happened. I have gone back to school,we have moved to our new home, I am working and serving as Primary President of a ward with just over 200 primary children, Kaylee has graduated from High school and recieved her young women's medallion.She will be heading off to college in January at BYUI. She is working two jobs to earn her way and I am so proud of her! April has joined the varsity ballroom team and is now competing individually. She will be turning 16 soon and has a line of guys waiting for the day! I think she is most excited to be able to drive! Alex is on the HS varsity soccer team and JV team as needed. She became a teenager last April. She plays the drums at school and is a straight A student! Kameron is on the freshman ballroom team and starting to enjoy scouts more, he was ordained a deacon last April! He is now in Jr. High. He is still so funny and happy all the time. Abbey is playing piano, soccer and doing gymnastics. She still can't gain an ounce, but is quite happy and easy going. Troy has been busy completing our basement and being the best dad ever. He has really picked up the slack because of my change of life! I am sure he could never realize how much he means to me!

20 years oh my!

2009-08-09T20:29:00.001-07:00

I know it is hard to believe, but I have been out of high school for 20 years! I am seriously freaked out that is even possible! Much to my dismay, it is true! After several weeks of denial I relented and decided to go to the reunion! I am so glad I did! Even Troy had fun, of course, he didn't go! He lucked out, my friends from school didn't bring their husbands so I allowed him to gleefully decline the invite! Anyway, I wish more people would have come, but seeing so many was wonderful and brought back some really great memories! I loved hearing what everyone was up to and how many children they had.
I didn't have the most children which was good and I hadn't even come close to living the farthest away either! It was fun to hear what people remembered most about those days! I loved high school and the carefree world I lived in. I loved having friends and going to dances and being involved. Though, I would never want to relive the emotions, I am grateful to have been reminded of the relationships I had there and the fun times! I highly recommend you give it a try next time too!

Our Mexican Adventure

2009-08-05T03:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't sleep so I figured I would take a minute to write about our Mexican adventure! You know how you do something and the next day it seems surreal? I feel like that. We had such a great time, but then you come back to the day to day real life and you seem to feel like it was all just a dream! A good one, mind you, but still a dream.
Anyway, the trip started out early! To get the best deals on flights we had a 6:30am flight and for international that means you have to be at the airport at 4:30 which meant we had to leave our house at 3:45, which really didn't happen until about 4:10, but not much traffic and wa-la we get there in time! Now everyone is really excited and so that didn't sleep much before and we have a very long day ahead of us! Amazingly, Abbey, who as you know can't sit still, handled it fairly well. I mean I know she is almost 9, but for her, it's a record! We finally get checked in and on the flight. I think Kaylee managed to sleep through most of the flights, but the rest of us were just too dang excited! After a 3 hour layover in Houston, we get to Cancun. We finally locate our driver and about 45 minutes later we are in Playa del Carmen!
The condo we stayed at was so amazing. It was right on the beach, but had a huge, beautiful reflection pool, which Abbey and Kameron liked most. The condo itself was so pretty and it had a washer and dryer! Yeah! After immediately hitting the pool and ocean we finally got some zzzz's!
Friday we just hung out at the condo. It was really nice to sit by the pool and relax! We checked out the local "Mega" grocery store and filled up on goodies! By Saturday we were ready for the good stuff! We rented a van and headed to Xel-Ha (pronounced "shell-ha"!) We got there early (as we always do when Troy's in charge) so we had plenty of time to snorkel until we couldn't stand it any longer! Xel-ha is an amazing place. It is an enviromental refuge where the fresh water hits the ocean. There is a great river to float down, snorkeling galore and all the food you can eat! We each decided to do a "extra" here. Swimming with the dolphins is way too expensive for 7 people, so a few of us went to Snuba and myself and 3 others went on the Sea Trek. I never did hear how good the Snuba was, but the sea trek was amazing. You put a large air filled helmet on and then go to the bottom of the ocean and hold on to a bar while you walk along the bottom. Really, "walking" is used lightly here, because the current is really trying to pull you away. This was amazing, but difficult and Kam and Abbey had chosen to do this! Poor kids, the helmet weighed as much as Kam and more than Abbey. The were so nervous, but they stuck it out and had a great time! The purpose of walking on the bottom (I know you were wondering why) is because they feed the sting rays there and you get to touch and see them right there. The coolest part is when they basically sit on top of your helmet and there soft white underbelly rubs you as they go by! I love to snorkel, but I usually don't want to touch the fish! This was very cool though! Kameron ended up coming up just a few minutes early, but everyone had a wonderful time. This isn't for the clausterphobic, I have some issues with elevators, but I did ok. On the river there are places to cliff jump or dive if you are Troy, I was so impressed that both Alex(my daredevil) and Kameron jumped several times! I personally have found with age comes wisdom and I stayed plenty far away so not to be coaxed by the big guy! There is also a rope that you walk across while holding on to another rope above your head. I think we all tried this, Alex was the only one to actually make it across, because once anyone else gets on it is very difficult to balance and stay on the rope. Abbey did a great job at this, but because she is so short at times she was hanging from the rope when adults got on behind or in front of her. She and Kameron ended up getting smacked pretty hard in the head by the rope when several people fell off at once! They cried and laughed at the same time then got up and tried again! Gluttens for punishment is what I would call them!
We had arrived at opening and we left when they shut the doors, it was a long and perfect way to start our great trip!
Sunday, was kind of a special treat. We found the local LDS church and got there early. Now that in itself is funny for us, but we found no matter where you are mormons are late! The congregation was full by the end, but sparse in the beginning! We couldn't understand anything except for an occasional "Hyrum Smith", but we felt the spirit. Our family had helped Alex in a young women's project and we were able to bring several suitcases of donated and purchased shoes and clothes for the locals. That was fun! We only stayed for sacrament, but we met another American couple there who was from Preston Idaho! Holy cow, you go thousands of miles away to meet people from practically your home town!
Monday, we went shopping! Shopping in Mexico is like a flea market. A deal on every corner! It was great fun and we loved to see and talk with the locals. In Playa it is a tourist trap, but in between the nice resort hotels there are very poor homes. It was very good for us to recognize the simplicity of the people's lives. We met some great characters who speak very good english and give great compliments! Everyone wants to buy something from someone who tells you how pretty you are! We enjoyed fresh pineapple, mangoes and other fruit in a cup while we watched the ocean roll in. The ice cream was pricey, but well worth it when it is over a hundred degrees and the humidity is a 100%! I truly enjoyed it, but not everyone shared my joy!
Tuesday we rented a van again and headed to the ruins! We first set out for Koba. We took a little tour and after walking about a mile in the jungle we climbed the countries highest pyramid! I(mom) managed to cause a little upset when I found this bean-like thing on a tree limb. Ok, so it looked like a pinto bean to me, so I just wanted to taste it! Evidently the tree it grows on is poisonous and after much panicking on my part, I learned that the ugly "bean" thing was not. However, that is debateable, as my tongue tingled for the rest of the day! My kids and husband will never let me live that down!
We had so much fun finding out how the Mayans lived, but we had an even better time at the "cenotes" (see-note-a's). They are underground caves filled with beautiful clean fresh water! You swim and can jump in them off platforms! It is really a neat experience. We headed for Tulum, which is now a tourist trap, but wasn't so much 5 years before when Troy and I had been there. It was too hot and several of the kids ignored the ruins and jumped in the ocean. I don't blame them I was just too lazy to hike down the really long stairway to get there! We didn't end up staying too long as we were sweating to death so we went and had lunch at "Subway" and did a little shopping and then headed to another great snorkeling area. It was getting late in the day by now and we had to return the van so we had to cut that short, but while I was walking with Abbey on the shore line because she was "done" snorkeling, the rest of the family was able to see a sea turtle. Maybe next time!
We got the van back just in time and went back to rest! It was a long, but great day!
Wednesday, was hang out at the condo day. The kids made some friends and had fun taking silly pictures of themselves! The internet was readily available so no one had to miss their facebook moments or computer games! All the comforts of home for a teenager! Troy started feeling ill this day and ended up with a case of e-choli. He spent most of the day in bed. So on Thursday I was on my way to the pharmacy when the parents of the kids Kam and Abbey had made, came running by. Dad ends up being a anestesiologist and we head off to the pharmacy to by a presciption over the counter! I love Mexico! It was a long day for Troy as he spent most of Thursday in bed as well.
Friday he is feeling better and we head off to Cozumel, an island just off the Yucatan peninsula. The water is soooo blue there and we were excited to snorkel! We decided to try a snorkeling tour. You take a boat out into the reef and then snorkel from there. The boat has a section that has a glass bottom so you can watch the fish from there. It was a lot of fun. We saw sea snakes, a hint of an eel, baracudas, but the coolest part for me was the 1000 or more in the school of fish. It was just like on "Finding Nemo" the fish are so packed together and as the guide moved into them they just made a ring around him, but stayed in a close pack. It was really fun to watch. Abbey had decided to stay back in the boat, but she got out once and snorkeled too! She is really good at it, but it makes her a little nervous! After we got done we walked to a really good resturant and had an amazing meal! Our guide had recommended it, but evidently he didn't understand the word "cheap"! Oh well! I was worth it! There was a couple of guys who sang for us and sang for Kaylee's birthday which was coming up! They were so cute and the kids helped them with the morraccas! We headed back to the ferry and went back to the condo to recuperate from our fun!
Saturday we played a little in the morning, but headed home around 1:30. We didn't get back to the van until midnight so it was a long day too!
All in all I must say it was the best vacation we have ever been on! Our children were the perfect ages and we were all able to participate in everything. I am so grateful that Troy convinced me to go! I will never forget it! The best part was that the kids really seemed to bond. There was very little fighting or contention and we just had a great time! It was also really nice that Kaylee could speak enough spanish to bail us out of a few quandries! Thanks hon! I love Mexico and I would go back again, but I think I will try Hawaii first...hint hint!!

Mexico in July

2009-08-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun with the kids! My girls are growing up to be so beautiful and wonderful! I am so proud to be their mother!

2009-08-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

So here is the church which we enjoyed going to even though only Kaylee could understand anything! A picture of the entrance to the ferry to Cozumel and a "don't slip" on your behind sign!

Mexico!

2009-08-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well I must admit, I didn't want to go. Let me explain...Troy and I went to Mexico in May of 2003. We had a fabulous time and Troy wanted our children to experience the thrill of Mexico, but I was nervous! There were girls getting kidnapped and I didn't want to be afraid the whole time! After some coercion and promises that everyone would stick together, I relented! I am so glad I did! What a fabulous time!

REMEMBER!

2009-01-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Helloooo again! I think I must have sounded a little discouraged in my last post. My brother called my mom to see if I was ok. I am ok! In fact things are getting better all the time. Kaylee seems to be doing very well at school and socially too! She has made a few friends with the young women in the church. April and Alex seem to be doing a little better, but are still working on finding "JOY"! I know it will be better. I wouldn't want to be in Jr. High for anything! Would you want to go back? The elementary kids seem to be fitting in great! Kameron is loving having a scouting program. Abbey is loving Activity Days! They are easily entertained so it doesn't take much! Throw them in a room with a tv, computer and plenty of food and you wouldn't see them for days! I try to only use that scenerio as a last resort!
Talking about school has got me thinking...do you remember your school years? I know that I went to a different school every year until high school, so my experiences are very different than most. I remember how hard it was to fit in, how the secretary at almost every school needed to buy a bra, how I loved the school lunches because they made them from scratch at some of the schools, especially the cinnamon rolls! I remember the plays, the debate team,the school newspaper and the very important recess. I remember swinging on the swings like spiders with my best friend Susie and singing "Private Eyes are Watching you". I remember riding my bike everywhere; it was a yellow ten speed and I think I wore it out! I remember mowing lawns, babysitting, cleaning and farm work to earn money for school clothes and fun! I remember lots of great times and a few really hard ones. I think as you get older when you look back you remember the good and try to forget the bad. Someone once told me that works with children too. When they grow up they don't remember that you yelled at them!? Do you think it is true? It is for me! I cannot remember my mother ever being mad at me...now I know that can't be true, but I really can't remember. Maybe I really was as good as I thought!!Haha! I bet my children won't be that lucky! It is fun to look back and remember all the experiences that have shaped you. I wonder what I would be like if I had never moved. Or if I didn't have to learn to make friends all the time? Both of those experiences have proven to be great assets in my life. I usually make friends easily and have learned to adapt to change. I wonder what my kids will remember. Do you think it will be vacations or game night? I think the most memorable things are usually the little things!

The beginning....dadada!!!!

2009-01-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Ok. So we made it to Utah and we are mostly unpacked, at least as much as we are going to. I must admit I am a little disappointed that we haven't met the neighbors or very many church members. When you come from a small branch you attack anyone new that enters the doors. Here they don't even know if your new. There are so many people. I think the children are feeling it too. Only they are feeling it in a different way. Yesterday they started school and I am not allowed to comment much on it, it evidently did not go well. The schools here are huge. There are 1600 kids in the high school 10th-12th grade. There are just as many in the jr. high. The elementary kids have 1000 kids in their school and they seem to be fairing better.
There is nothing harder than watching your children suffer with any problem. I have prayed and cried and prayed some more that someone might step in and be a friend to them. Everyone needs a friend and moving is so hard. I should know I went to a different school every year until high school. There are some advantages. You get to be whoever you want. No one knows if last year you were a geek, because this year your amazing! The other advantage is the "I'm new here and I don't know what your talking about!" That is a classic! Of course, I here that all the time! I am proud of the kids for doing their best to make the most of it. I know it will get better, but change takes time and we are an impatient society!
I know I tend to blabber, but if you know me then you know that I am like that in person too! I love to talk. Not the best thing to do when your new. The best idea is to be friendly, but be a listener. Not my gift! I am working on it. Especially since Kameron informed his primary teacher and school teacher that his parents NEVER listen to him! How can that be? I am sure I have heard him talk before. I mean in the last 10 years I have had to have heard something he said.....no..I guess not! What a funny kid! He is a riot though and I would be sad if he were to ever go away! See you later!

I was lost, but now I'm found...

2009-01-12T19:48:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since I wrote which is actually kind of sad since there has been so much going on. Let see, we had the holidays, which we spent in Minnesota. They were great. The best part was Troy was home with us! We shared Thanksgiving with a couple of wonderful branch(church)friends! Troy flew out just after Thanksgiving and it was a very long month until we saw him again! I am so glad that is over! Christmas was stressful, as we were trying to get things packed. We took the Christmas tree down on Christmas day. That was kind of sad. Then the day after Christmas a bunch of men from the church came and helped Troy pack the truck. Oh didn't I mention...we moved! No, we didn't sell the house, but we have some great friends taking care of it until it sells. Anyway, we finished loading the truck, cleaning the house and started on our way to Utah! It took a lot of effort to get most of the stuff on the truck we rented and when it didn't all fit I started to lose it! Troy gave in to my pleadings (reluctantly, since he thinks we should just have disposable furniture!) and got a trailer to pull behind the 26' truck. I was happy until I realized we would still be leaving things behind! I know it is just "stuff", but we are those kind of people who don't replace things that we get rid of. Anyway, after some mourning for my unpacked possessions,we began our journey to Utah.
We decided to make it a little fun for the kids and so we stayed at a water park hotel in South Dakota. It was a lot of fun! Troy and I were so heavy together on the tubes we thought we would never stop in the toilet bowl slide! That is another story! So that night we drove up to Mt. Rushmore to see the lights shining on the mountain. It never even dawned on me that it would be closed. The last time we had been there it was summer you know! The roads were pretty clear and when we arrived the gate was open, but no one was there. The faces were all lit up and we enjoyed a full, clear view, without the crowd! It was great! I imagine most people don't go to South Dakota to look at the mountain two days after Christmas. We also went to reptile garden and though we couldn't see all the reptiles because it is too cold, we had a good time. The bonus is that it is way cheaper in the winter!
We arrived in Utah on New Year's Eve! We had a couple of guys show up to help us unload, but mostly handled it ourselves. Thank heavens for my tough girls!
So we are starting a new year in a new town, with new faces and new schools, but we keep reminding ourselves that we are finally together and that is truly all that counts!

One of those Days!

2008-11-12T18:12:00.000-08:00

Today has been one of those days! You know when you want to crawl back into your bed and throw the covers over your head and sleep until tomorrow? Oh, you don't have those days?! Well anyway, I was having just such a day. It started out with a two hour late start for my two youngest because of ice on the roads, which just throws a kink in my day. Then off to take Kaylee to Chamber Choir practice, home again just in time to find Kameron and Ab's snow hats, boots, mittens, pants and whatever else they think they need for the first day of snow (less than an inch, mind you!). Then I managed to throw them on the bus as it went passing by! Whoosh! So I am feeling fairly successful at this point until I realize I had rented the ole' rug doctor and my floors were waiting for my attention! I started to empty rooms of their furniture and vacuum up the crap that grows on the edge the carpet. I am not sure how that stuff gets there, but man it is gross in just a couple of days! Anyway, I finally finish that task and begin the cleaning drudgery, but wait, there are spots to rewash and goop to dissolve! OK finally that is done. It is now about 11:30 am. Not bad considering I have been up since 6:15. (Which I should of been able to sleep in because of the late start, but my friend calls to tell me there is a late start and for some bizarre and unusual reason I can't get back to sleep...go figure!) I begin the actual cleaning process. You know it. The fill the base then walk back and forth slowly for hours on end. I was thinking how amazing this store brand machine was doing. I hadn't had to change the water yet. Two rooms later it dawns on me why. The whole dang floor is soaked and very little is actually making it back in the catch tank....Sheesh! I want to scream, but it would be a waste of energy since no one would hear me anyway! Just then my new realtor drops by to give me some forms. She is all dolled up in her expensive suit and I stand there in my sweats (which are wet) and greasy hair pretending I am fine with the way I look in the middle of the day!
Back to the carpet mess. I had to take the machine back to the store and get another one. Of course, they "just can't believe it doesn't work, it has never had a problem". By this time I have a problem! I am hungry, ugly and sweaty and I still have a couple hours of cleaning to do. Oh and by the way, the computer is fixed and could you pick it up now. No problem I love running all over town looking like I live in my car! Did you know you could have 700 or whatever spy ware thingies? Well evidently you can! So at 2 pm I am finally home, fed, taken some ibuprofen for the backache my fat body is causing me and am ready to begin again. OK so this time the machine works, but the carpet still looks dirty. What do you do about that? I say add more furniture and no one will notice! I finally get a shower, but don't have time for hair or makeup so I just pretend it suppose to look like that.I throw the Shepard's pie I had made the day before in the oven and set the timer to start at 4. I toss the cleaner back in the car to return it by 4 so I don't get charged a late fee. I run to the library to pick up Abbey's school library book that I had dropped off at the public library. "Yes, I know I should look to see what library it belongs to" do they think I can't read or something...I mean it is a library! I know how to read I just don't have time! They find the book and tell me to pay closer attention. Seriously, I wanted to swat her. She has no idea what I am thinking as I smile and nod my head, but inside I am...well nothing really. I am just annoyed and insulted and patronized and whatever....who cares! I know she isn't a mother of five because she is only about 12 (older I am sure, but college kids look younger to me everyday...right?). Off to the post office to mail some packages. Actually waiting in line at the post office is almost therapeutic at this point. Now I can go home and enjoy the wonderful dinner I have prepared and enjoy the kids. You'd think right? Oh no! Dinner goes OK. I get the dishwasher started (Kaylee's job this week) and clean up (Alex's job this week) because everyone has disappeared...conveniently! I have to take the girl's to young women, but Kaylee has decided to drive. She does well, except for the time she almost turned into oncoming traffic, it went fine. My heart is racing when finally arrive at the church and I drop them off. I come back home. Aah home! Time to relax? Nope homework and bedtime for the little ones. Now I am off to pick up the girls and then I think I am going to bed....this time I am going to keep the covers over my head...maybe no one will find me until tomorrow!
It is only Temporary and then we die...Enjoy!

My teenage Girls!!

2008-10-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

I can't remember how to get the pictures like I should! I am such a novice! So anyway the girl's went to a stake dance! It was April's first dance! She turned fourteen last Sunday! The picture's were so cute! Kaylee is Belle from Beauty and the Beast and April is the one next to her. She is a princess! We must thank the Kenner's for the dresses! They had a great time even though only 7 boys showed! The young women came here to get ready and this is all of them. They went another 45 minutes to get to the dance! Our stake is almost 4 hours long from end to end! We aren't Utah! I can't believe how much my daughter's have grown and how beautiful they have become! They are great examples of doing what is right for their friends! They seem to have a good time together too! April isn't smiling wide because of her braces, which, by the way, are adorable! She still has the dimple!

Life and stuff

2008-10-22T09:30:00.001-07:00

It has been nearly a month since I wrote. I am not very good at this Des! Check out the gunnellfamilylife blog to see a good one! So life is good! We haven't sold the house and haven't had any lookers for a while, but we have faith it will happen soon! Meanwhile, Troy has been hanging with his parents on weekends and that has been great for all involved! We see him about every 3 or 4 weeks. It's hard, but we truly enjoy him while he is here! The kids finished soccer! Yeah! Alex's team won their championship game and finished out the season on top! The picture is the indicator of success! Kaylee's HS games pretty much stunk, but hey they had fun! The kids are eager to get moved to be able to participate in activities out there. Waiting is never fun1 I think it is like being 9 months pregnant, but having no due date to look forward too! Painful!
I recently left my job to concentrate on the kids and getting packed. I think I miss it already. Being really busy keeps your mind off things.
Ok enough already!
You know lately I have been thinking about fathers! I mean with Troy being gone I have thought a lot about the role he plays here. Some father's don't do much to help with the kids, but he does and so I miss him more. I have also been thinking about my own father. Up until recently I would call my own father every single saturday morning. It was "our time". He told me about what everyone was doing in the family, how mom was and what he was thinking about. I loved having that time to bond. I am not sure I did it enough as a child. Anyway, the best part is he tells me how much he loves me (0f course!), but he also tells me specific reasons why he thinks I am a great person! Everyone needs that! He inspires me to keep going and to do more! He keeps me level headed and motivated! I think everyone could use a dose of "why your worthy" times! So I think I am going to add some here!

YOU ARE Wonderful because...
God loves you! You have a great smile! You makes others feel good! You are my friend! You are a mother, brother, father, sister, wife, husband or child! You get things done! You keep trying and trying... You CAN do it! You do do it!
That's just a few! I want you to know I appreciate all of your support and kindnes!

Take care!

Been a while!

2008-09-23T12:59:00.000-07:00

I know it has been over a month since I dived into this place! My life is crazy! Since I last wrote we had a wonderful experience! Abbey was baptized! I can hardly believe my baby is eight! Troy (who is living in Utah right now) came home over the Labor Day holiday to perform the feat! It went well! I must say the Spirit was so strong and I think Abbey actually grasped the importance of it! She had to wear the only available white jumpsuit the branch has and didn't like her hair up...so she took it out! After the baptism, we forgot a brush, so she didn't bother having her hair combed! Now if this would have been my first daughter I admit, I would have been having a coniption, but with number 5 the importance of the occasion overshadowed the crazy hair! WE love you Abbey!!!
Grandma and pa Bailey were able to come as well as friends Mike and Lynda from Chicago and some other great friends! Lots of food and fun was shared! We are so glad that we have been able to develop so many terrific friendships in many places and are looking forward to the new friends we will make in our new home!
Nope we haven't sold the house yet, but I do believe it won't be too much longer! I went to SLC this past weekend to house hunt and found there are a lot of beautiful ones to see! We hope to be there before the holidays! I must say I am going to miss many things about this place! For one, the midwest is very green most of the time! You don't have sprinkler systems, it just stays that way! Also, the traffic were we live is practically nil in comparison to what Utah has become! I will especially miss the wonderful people I have met! The friends I have made here have a special place in my heart! To all of you I say 'thanks and it's been a good ride!'

Well I am off to the van! There are soccer games, drama practices, soccer practices and other places to be! Thank heavens for the van! It is were memories are made!

The current "home of the van dwellers"

2008-08-06T18:50:00.001-07:00

On the road again....

2008-08-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

I guess most of you have heard we are "On the road again"! Yep, we are moving out west as soon as the house sells. I am not sure how fast I want that to happen. I mean I want to go west I am just a little apprehensive to make the journey. Transition is such a crazy thing. Doing something new is wonderful and exciting, but just like the first day of school or the first day on a new job there is fear of the unknown. There is the question of will we fit in, how lost are we going to be and of course, the "I don't wanna go to school" day, feeling. You probably know what I am talking about.
I think God has a great sense of humor. It seems when we first move (mind you this is #38 for me) it is exciting then reality sets in and everyone is miserable. Because even if we just left a garbage dump the place seems like a palace when you aren't comfortable in your new surroundings. It happens every time. Everything was better in the last place. Everyone was nicer and you loved it there...even if the week before you were complaining about how miserable you are and can't wait to leave. Then as time goes by you make new friends, develop new relationships, get use to the school, roads, stores, churches and neighbors and then...we move again! Don't get me wrong, we were looking for this job and we were praying for a home closer to family. WE all miss them so much and were hoping for a days drive away...2 hours is a much better deal! I often think God is looking down on me and telling all his friends "Watch this one, she is about to lose it...it is so funny when she does that!" If I am going to be the star of the comedy I am glad it is his!
Well I better get to packing and packing and packing....it never seems to end. I notice I leave more in boxes every move. I wonder when the final one will be? Who knows maybe this will be home sweet home for the next 50 years! Ta!

Life is full of suprises!

2008-07-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Isn't that the truth! We never know what is around the next corner. Take for instant the fact that last week my almost 16 year old got her permit to drive. Now this lovely daughter hasn't grown up in the sticks like her parents and thus has had little opportunity to practice. So I thought we might as well get started! Whoa nelly! I think I am in for a little trial in patience! We made it down the street, but on the corner she hit the gas, but didn't turn quite enough....almost in the ditch! She recovered and so did I! We made it home and she congratulated me on not being near as bad as she thought I would be! I consider that a great compliment!

Coming home from vacation is always such a chore. I mean you get home and you need a vacation from the vacation! You know what I mean! We came home to soccer games and practices, parties, softball, golf and piano lessons. Then my boss needed a vacation from my vacation so off to work I go for her!(Not that I mind too much, she is a saint!) There is a million things to do every day and some days we only get to two! The best part (haha) is that those things just keep waiting for you until the next day and the next week and the next...well you get the picture! Life is great! It really is! Beneath all this sarcasm is a very blessed woman who loves her life and tries to be grateful for it everyday!

Des says I have to add pictures to my blog...I thought this was a good one! Yeah!

What's in a name?

2008-07-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

So I bet you are all wondering why the name. Well besides the obvious that I spend a lot of time running my 5 children everywhere, the truth is that being "stuck in the van" isn't a bad thing. In fact, some of the best memories of this life have occured in the van. The van is not just a mode of transportation. It is where I hear about crazy adventures of a ten year old boy, and where I hear about the trials of middle school. I learn about what it is like to be a 16 year old by listening to a soccer team chatter in the back on the way to a game 2 hours away.I learn about how it feels for a 12 when thy aren't as good as they thought. I become educated about Star Wars, Webkinz and every other fad that a 7 and 10 year old are into at the time. I practice lines for the next musical with the 13 year old. It is where I catch up on my reading while waiting for someone to finish piano lessons. The truth is being stuck in the van makes me appreciate everything I have and especially the family I have been blessed with!
Now, of course, it isn't always a joy to behold! For instance we just returned from a fabulous trip to Utah to visit family. We had a wonderful time, but 7 people in a regular size van for 23+ hours isn't always a delight! It wasn't so bad when they all had mini butts, but now 3 are almost full grown! We almost have to use crisco to get us all in, not to mention the cooler, 5 pillows, 4 blankets, backpacks full of "stuff to do", DVD player and dvd's, a couple of suitcases, bags of snacks (a plastic thingy on top of the van holds the other 7 suitcases) and a variety of other odds and ends. The truth is it is an amazing feat that we get in and out as much as we do without any visible injuries! It wasn't a great van day a couple of winters ago when I totalled the van on a slippery road by our house...not my best day in the van! I don't enjoy it when we are late and their is palpable tension or when someone is just really grumpy, I might then have them walk along the side of the van for a time until they feel the van love!
All in all I would have to say the van is truly one of my favorite places. I can control what we listen to there. I can sing primary songs if I want and where can they run too? I can share my philosophy about life, love and what I hope for each of my children. They can't leave and even if they pretend to not listen, I know they hear. Later when I give my 12 year old and her friend a ride, I will hear her tell her friend what her mother thinks about something and then I know our "van talks" have not only been heard, but pondered upon and even taken root in their own hearts enough that they feel the urge to share them with others. That is a good day in the van!

The Beginning.....

2008-07-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today I begin the full blogging experience! A big thank you to Desiree for making this possible! I now plan to invite you all to learn the inner thinkings of this crazy mind of mine!

Here is a picture of Abbey with her new friends and cousins at Bear Lake in Utah!

I will go crazy when I get home....4 more days! See you then!