The Chase is on

Summer update....

2009-11-03T13:05:00.004-07:00

I wish I could update with pictures but my USB cord to my camera died and I keep forgetting to get a new one when I am at the store.
The kids and I spent a week in Moab Utah this summer with Dusty while he was working.. It was beautiful but OMG hot. 115 degrees in town so we did all of our site seeing in the late evening. We drove though Canyon lands and it was simply wonderful. I have some amazing pictures to share from there. The kids and I spent most of our time in a nice in door pool with air conditioning. My kids are water dogs and Chase cried every time we got out. We also got to take our kids to some nice restaurants (not Wendy's) and Cody was very cute with the whole fork and glasses thing. It also showed us that we need to take them out with us to nicer places too..They all tried foods that they would not eat at home and that was fun to see what they liked. Cody LOVES samon..Chase on the other hand could careless as long as there was mac and cheese or any kind of pasta dish.
We did some shopping on the old main street and Dusty bought me a pair of dragon fly ear rings made by the Paiute Indians which is the same tribe he comes from. The kids all picked something out to remember the trip too, Cody bought a necklace with a scorpion in it. Courtney got a charm for her bracelet and picked one for Chels as well. Chase got a pink stroller ( very long story) and a t shirt. Dusty brought back key chains for the other boys.
All in all it was a fun trip....Even if Dusty did have to work too..

We have been camping, I flow to Elko Nev to see Dusty for his birthday, made a few trips with him out of town, and just hung out with our family.

There is no real big news in our lives which is not always a bad thing. Dusty is still working way to much but then I am not going to complain, and just be very grateful he has a good job right now.

The next update will be alot of pictures put into a slide show. Plus the big DEER hunt story...lol I love this time of the year but this year was just a little more special for our boys....

2009-07-03T03:08:00.001-06:00

2009-07-03T02:23:00.001-06:00

2009-06-23T13:45:00.001-06:00

2009-06-23T12:57:00.001-06:00

2009-04-06T13:33:00.001-06:00

2009-04-06T13:32:00.001-06:00

San Diego and Tjuana, Mexico

2009-04-06T13:14:00.003-06:00

SEA WORLD!

Have you ever been to a PARK like this with out kids? WOW, it is so fun!!! Not saying we don't have fun with our kids but we do everything with our kids...Dusty and I acting like kids, we ran around looking at thing we wanted to look at for as long as we wanted to. It was a first! We had a ball. Dusty really liked it and this was also a first for him, he had never been to Sea World either..

Tjuana Mexico!

What more can I say? Dusty found out we were very close to the border and he really wanted to go so we did! I don't think he wants to go back. We were "detained" at the border as we reentered the US...No joke and man did it suck...we did not have the right papers, guess you can't trust the bus driver...It is a sad little place and makes you VERY happy for what you have...I grew up in Southern Cal. and went there as a kid a couple of time, it has not changed in 30 years...

San Diego trip 2009

2009-04-06T12:26:00.003-06:00

What trip to Cal. would be complete if you did not go the beach....At least to Dusty as this was his first time at the beach or seeing the Ocean. We went to Disneyland a few years ago but never went to the beach so he wanted to make sure he did not miss it this time...We loved this little trip so much I think we might do it again....

Our trip to Dan Diego

2009-04-06T12:05:00.005-06:00

This is not the best picture I have ever took but I took it them found that my battery was dead! Anyway it is the San Diego Temple.

When we were planning our little get away we really want to see this Temple so it was the first thing we did. It is sooooooooo beautiful inside and after a few Temple workers found out we were from Utah they were more than happy to show the whole Temple to us.

We both thought it was beautiful as you drove to it on the Freeway, you make a turn around some pine trees and there it is, this beautiful house of the Lord. It takes your breath away...I have decided that my picture just does not do this beautiful place Justice I will post one from the church website..

Kyson & Kinsley 2009

2009-03-19T21:05:00.001-06:00

Together for ever!

2009-03-03T07:49:00.002-07:00

This is the Salt Lake City Temple here in Utah. It is the house of our Lord and where we as faithful members of his church go to take out our own endowments and have our families seal to us for time and all eternity.

This is where Dusty and I along with our children went on Feb. 19th 2009 to become a eternal family. It was the most humbling experience I have ever had and the Temple is all and more than what I was told it was. A place of peace to be closer to our heavenly father. I am so thankful to all of those who made our day in the Temple so perfect. We love you all!

Dusty and I also went on a short vacation without the kids to San Diego for 4 days. Where we went to the San Diego Temple. It was just beautiful! I will post pictures later. I have pull tendons in my right hand and I can't do much with my left. Hee hee....I do it teaching my son to do the wash, who by the way thinks 15 pairs of jeans fit in the washer, after all it shut! Now they are learning to do more than the wash!

Christmas and New Years Eve

2009-01-19T11:11:00.001-07:00

Do you see what I see,?

2008-11-20T13:08:00.003-07:00

Chase can too! He got glasses today. We have a year to get him into wearing them full time. Keep your fingers crossed.

Tirck or Treat 2008

2008-11-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

I love trick or treat! The way the air smells in the fall. The colors of red and brown, just the whole feeling of fall.
This year brought back a lot of really fun memories for me and we had a house full of kids to share the excitement of the Holiday.
My niece and nephew with their little girls, Kenny, Kacey and my grand babies PLUS Cody and Chase made for a nice sized crowd of ghouls, princesses, cats, and even a horse. It was so much fun and reminded me of the big kids in our little group when they were young. We all would meet at my house and eat homemade chili, then off we would go with our herd of kids trick or treating until you thought your legs would drop off or freeze to death, then back to our house for hot chocolate. Thanks Melissa and Mike for sharing Halloween with us, we had a ball with your girls....
NOW FOR THE COSTUME:
When my older kids were young I loved to make costume for them but kind of stopped a few years ago. I guess it was just fun to make girl things than boy things besides the boys like scary thing and the girls like fairy ect. at least in our house that is how it went.
Anyway, I went to the local Wally World and picked up Cody this gross looking costume he wanted and seen the cutest little skeleton costume for Chase. I thought wow they even have his size what a find! It fit tight so I thought this will be so dang cute as he is a skinny kid anyways, I get it home and guess what he does? He screams at the top of his lungs SCARY NO MOM SCARY! Then runs and hides. Being the I hate to return anything mom I am, I chase him down and wrestle him into the dang thing and it was as I thought sooooooooooo cute but he wanted nothing to do with this cute 12.00 costume. I get it off of him put it in the bag so I can return it the next day for something he would wear without have him scream the whole time. This is the day before our party at church which was a trick or trunk which he would need a costume of some kind for....
Next day at Wally World! We get our money back and I bring Chase with us (Us being Chels and I, I needed reinforcement's) We head to the costumes and as we turn down the aisle Chase screams again so loud that everyone in the whole store stops and looks at us. That was a no go, I had Chels go down there while Chase and I waited in another aisle without anything scary in it. Nothing he liked NOTHING!! Then I spot these hoodies brown ones, the ideas come flowing in. I think to myself horse he can be a horse with a little yarn and some felt ears he can be a horse. Chels high 5's me and off to find pants to match...45 mins in line and a fruit roll up later we are in the car. 1 hour of sewing and cutting yarn and poof the magic mom transforms a sweat hoodie into a beautiful stallion and the scary boy was pleased!
All I can say is THANKS to MY MOM for teaching me how to sew something out of nothing and making it work.........

Trick or Treat

2008-11-13T08:17:00.001-07:00

First Day of Per school

2008-11-07T08:20:00.002-07:00

Grandpa with are sweet girl Kinsley....She just loves her Grandpa but then that is easy to do...

Chase is on his way back to School....Thank the Lord! I love having him at home with me but he needs to be with kids his age too and he LOVES it! I guess old mom gets boring after so long plus the other kids go to School and he wants to do what ever they do...

Grandkids and Cody

2008-11-07T08:00:00.001-07:00

Results:

2008-10-15T08:13:00.003-06:00

I am sorry to those who I have not updated but I have just simply been to tired to do much after the testing....
It has been a little over a week and I think I am starting to feel a little more like myself. It was how ever a long week with additional hospital visits to check for blood clots too. That ended up being a really bad pinched nerve and then I got the flu from Cody. Needless to say Dusty took more time off then was planned (the whole week off) so now he is trying to get all of his work caught up. He has been working long hours. But good news is everything with my heart checked out good. Now it is believed that it is reflux and a Hyetial Hernia(spelling?). Which I am controlling with Meds. So far so good...
That is it for now and thank you to those who have called or emailed me, I am good just tired....

I will try and post updates and pictures of Chases 4th birthday soon keep checking Danielle they will be on here soon!

Angioplasty....

2008-10-01T10:57:00.002-06:00

That is where I am heading for on Friday Morning at the butt crack of dawn! I have been having some trouble with my heart for the last few mths and have been having some test run to find out what it is that is causing me to be in pain from time to time. I have failed 2 test as far so that is why I am having Angioplasty done on Friday.....And that is where I have been, to tired to breath that is why I have not done any up dates but I do have some great pix to share but it will have to wait until morning now as I need to get Chase from School....

Here she is just after she was born....

2008-08-12T11:15:00.002-06:00

Kinsley Boo AKA Kenny.....

IT'S A GIRL!!!

2008-08-12T10:52:00.001-06:00

Kenny our oldest son and his wife Kacey had their baby Sat. morning at 12:30 am.
Her name is Kinsley Boo BUT Dusty and I call her Kenny....
She was 6 lbs 3 oz and 18 1/2 inches long!!
She had a rough start but is doing good now and went home to met her big brother on Monday...
She is a beauty with Strawberry blond hair, long fingers, long legs and looks like Kenny.

I will post pictures when I get out to see her this week.

We where out of town when she was born and only got to see her for a few minutes in the NICU....

Camping 2008 Skyline Drive

2008-07-31T15:59:00.001-06:00

Cody and Dads big day out!

2008-07-31T15:50:00.001-06:00

Tribal Tattoo...

2008-07-18T13:31:00.004-06:00

Dusty has always thought he would like to get a tattoo but could never come up with something he felt he wanted to wear for the rest of his life.
He came up with this after he had a dream. In his dream this is what he had on his arm . It is a full arm band with a bear claw in the middle. It has very speaial mean to him and to his family which he protects.

Dusty's Great Grandma was full blooded Paiute. This is to honor his heritage and his Great Grandma......

And just a foot note, it hurt like hell!!!!

Fathers Day!

2008-07-12T08:39:00.003-06:00

Dusty love nothing more than to be able to hand down to his sons the tools of his trade.
The day before Fathers day our 17 year old son bought his first truck. He was so proud of his new toy and wanted to know everything there was to maintain the new love in his life. Dusty and Austin went to the auto parts store and got all of the things to service the boys new truck. With the gentle guidance and a helping hand Dusty explained all of the things his boy should know to keep everything in good working order.
This picture I am sure is one of many you might see of a father and son but the difference in this one is that Dusty is the step dad. Austins dad pasted away when he was 9 years old. Dusty has been a dad to this now young man with pride and love. Fathers Day is a day when dad gets to do what dad wants to do. In our home Dusty did what Dusty wanted to do, shared his skill and time with his son. I could not have asked for a better dad for all of my children than the man on his knees making memories with our son and his first truck.
All of our sons will be better men because of the time and love Dusty has put into each of them teaching them about life and what is inportant in it. In Dustys words " I work to live not live to work, family is always first". Good words to live by...............

Another dare devil is born!

2008-06-23T12:41:00.003-06:00

That is my Chelsey!!! Jumping out of a plane at 13,000 feet!!
She was so excited to do this, she went with a guy friend. He was chicken to do it by himself so she said she would go with him. Now guess what Chelsey wants to do every weekend!
Mother like daughter. I remember how much fun it was when I did my first jump a 100 years ago! She loved it!

I just love summer!!!

2008-06-09T11:01:00.002-06:00

I have not had time to do much posting anywhere! Summer always is a very busy time in our home.
Homework is replaced with yard work, rides to school are replaced with rides to work, and planning camping trips around work with Austin. ( He is a camping fool ) Then I have just all of the other fun things that come with all of the kids home, MORE HOUSE WORK!!! But as of late we have been on a hunt for Austin a little truck, he is 17 now has a job and wants a truck so bad. Dusty has taken him from one end of the county to the other looking at trucks for the last 3 weeks. I know that doesn't sound like a long time but to Austin it has been a life time. Dusty just wants him to have something that will run well for a long time but also haul his 4 wheeler too. So Dusty crawls under and inside every truck to check to make sure it is sound and not a dummy up truck with additives to make it sound good for a few miles down the road. I the truck they look at tonight is clean and meets Dustys approval. I am tired of looking for them and driving Austin to work.

Wish them luck on the truck hunt, THEY need it!

Chase update:

He went to the eye Doctor last Monday, both him and Cody did as Cody flunked the School eye test. I thought well I can kill 2 birds with 1 stone and just get them both done. Long story short. Chase will be getting glasses in about 9 mths as he has Lazy eye just like Austin but not quite as bad. We are waiting 9 mths to get Chase use to the idea of wearing glasses first. That means tons of sun glasses and sunglasses with no glass in them. It might sound a little odd but Chase will not keep anything on his face and glasses are pricey so we want him to do well with them from the start. We do have a little time to play with our Eye Doctor said but no more than 9 mths.
Now Cody:
We took him to have his eyes checked, he has been telling us that he can't see. I guess I never knew how much he wanted glass until he was told he had perfect eyes. He cried and said that she made a mistake to check them again. She humored him and checked again they are perfect. Cody wanted glasses like dad and everyone else in our family. I felt so bad. We came up with a good idea and took him to the dollar store where we got Chases sun glasses then let Cody pick out 5 pairs of very cool sunglasses. He was happy about that and we told him he should wear them all of the time out side so he did not hurt his eyes by the sun. ALL is well now!

More updates later, right now I am going to tan, the only thing I do for myself once a week!

Prom Pictures....2008

2008-05-09T09:18:00.002-06:00

Chelsey does not have her formal pictures back yet! But I will post them when she gets them plus she has 2 more proms to attend at other schools in the next 2 weeks.....Austin says 1 is enough stress for him a year! What a guy!

Prom and testing....

2008-05-02T09:47:00.003-06:00

First I got a all clear for 6 mths. The report say no sign of cancer at this time but repeat testing in 6 mths to confirm results. That is good enough for me!

Prom:

Austin: His date was just beautiful. Her name is Tess and is a tiny little thing 5 feet maybe. Her Grandmother made her prom dress. It was black with a big pink bow in the back. Austin was so excited to take Tess that when he picked up his Tux he did not notice that they had for got to put the shirt in. At 4;30 pm, 30 mins before they need to be at the school for pictures Austin is running back to the store to get a shirt!
He picked up the shirt and all went well with the rest of the night!

Chelsey: Her date was with Tony. He has been friends with her since 5th grade. He had his tux picked out before Chelsey even went shopping for her dress. And as you can see they are very cute together! BUT.......................there is a very funny story that goes with Chelsey prom:

Chelsey spent a lot of time trying to fine the perfect dress to go with the 1920's look they had planned. With all that has been going on in my life I gave her the money to go buy a dress so I would need to make hers this time. Chels and her friends all go shopping. She fines the perfect dress after days of looking. She calls me mom I FOUND IT! I think Thank You God!! And you are going to be so proud of me. I told her 250.00 for a dress, well she found her 350.00 on sale for 117.00. The same dress I had told her no on for sweethearts dance. She was so excited.
All goes well she dresses and date comes with the other couples in their "group". They go to dinner, have pictures taken, then off to Salt Lake City to the prom.
As they pull up to the doors of the hotel where the dance is taking place at everyone gets out of the SUV they are in so the valet can park it. Chelsey get out and one of the guys steps on the little train on her dress and the ZIPPER SPLITS all the way up the back. Now this might sound odd but in the passed I have sewn up almost all of her and her friends dresses with fishing line before they leave just so this would not happen. Chelsey was in to big of a hurry so I did not get this one done this time.
She said everyone at the hotel and the valet EVERYONE in her group ALL seen her. This zipper was one that ran from the base of your neck to the start of the train. YEP her TINY HINY was hanging out. Tony hurried took his coat off and helped her put it on. OFF to the ladies room her and 3 girls she had never met before try to fix the zipper. After 15 mins she said just find some safety pins. Out of the bathroom they all came Chelsey with a big smile on her face and sporting her dates very long tux jacket.
She never cried on tear and as a matter of fact all of the kids in her group told her date Tony that she was so awesome. Chelsey never sat 1 date out and they laughed and had a great time.

After the dance they went for ice cream before coming home and one of the guys said " Does anyone feel a draft in here?" Chelsey in a small voice said "I DO" She said everyone laughed until they all were crying.......It will be her Senior Prom to remember!

Needle Bio and all other questions and advise....

2008-04-17T11:45:00.003-06:00

First of all AGAIN I have shared something personal and someone has decided to comment on it in a nasty way. Who ever you are which I think I know who it is PLEASE just stay off of my blog if you have nothing nice to say. There are a few people I really can not stand and I don't go to their blog or post nasty comments. This blog is for my friends and family to read not someone trying to get off on being a backbiting bitch!!! This is the new me TELL IT HOW IT IS!!!

I am no fool I have explored all avenues of this subject. I have choose not to share EVERYTHING I am having done or what is being done for me but for those who THINK they know me. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER!!! I do know what I am doing and are looking into other options that I am not willing to share at this time as they are private and between Dusty and I! Needle Bio will not be in the plan, it is for other reasons I am not having it done. From now on I will not be sharing what is going on with this, it was just meant to let friends know what was going on with out having to make a ton of phone calls but I can see some people who don't like to leave their names want to take something personal and turn it into a way for them to get there ROCKS OFF by being assholes! Thanks to who ever you are I loved the way you put me down, it must make you feel big to kick someone when they are down.....Here is a middle finger back at you babe!!!!!

To those who really have been a support THANK YOU!!!! and know I love you all!!!!

Breast Cancer..........

2008-04-14T15:44:00.003-06:00

Those words just scare the shit out of me! I have had 2 friends past away from it in my home town this last year. So when I found yet another lump in my own breast I went to the doctor....

For those who did not know please don't feel you have been left in the dark...I choose not to tell anyone.....

Today was the big day! After 2 weeks of waiting to get in to have a Diagnostic Mammogram done it was nice to wake up this morning and know I would finally have some answers.

This is why I have not been on line for a while or updated my blog. I just did not know what to say or how to say those words.....Breast Cancer.....No matter how you look at it my life was about to change forever!

Today when they did the diagnostic mammogram. They came in and said they would like a "better look". The only thing I could think of when the blood ran out of Dusty's face was " Oh dear God here we go". After a 45 min "look" everyone left me and Dusty in that little cold room with nothing to do but think and hold each other. Then finally the news. We don't "think" it is cancer but we want to keep a close eye on you so we need to do all of these test again in 6 mths.
I know this is how it started out with my friend and co worker who past away this last fall. But I am going to think of this as I am safe for 6 mths.
I have always known I had a potential problem as I had my first Lump removed when I was 19. I really never thought to much about it when I was younger but now that I have children That has changed.
I seem to over think everything and what everything to fall into place as is should.
The possibility of not being there to making my daughters wedding dresses, and planning their weddings with them, watching them have there first child, watching all of my grandchildren grow, my sons turn into grow men and married the woman they love then be the same loving husband to them as Dusty is to me. Chase, missing everything about him and him not even getting to know know who momma really is has been more than I could deal with. Free for 6 more mths has taken a whole new meaning.
I will over look all of the little things in life and just simply enjoy mine.
Run away with this perfect husband I have when ever we can,
enjoy every small detail of my children's life and dreams.
Just write the check and smile when I see my daughters in their prom dresses and hold those moments in my heart.
Hold Cody and Chase just that much longer to remember the sweetness of youth.
Remind my boys the key to happiness in life is marry a girl who is your best friend, one you can talk to about anything with out fear.
And to tell Dusty just how much his love means to me.........and to thank him for the last weekend at the hotel in town just to be alone and the dinner I did not have to cook.
Dusty you are what makes me strong, I Love You!

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice.......

2008-03-21T06:52:00.002-06:00

that is what little girls are made of .......

Kenny and Kacey are having a girl!! She is due July 24th........

A boy and his dog.......

2008-03-19T11:43:00.004-06:00

For Christmas Dusty got me a puppy, a mini wiener dog. His name is Sparky or as the kids started calling him "Sparky with the broken paw". He has never had a broken paw but that is what they call him. I on the other hand call him "Damn it Sparky" as that is all I seem to say when referring to this now not so puppyish dog.
He has eating shoes, steals things and hides them under the couch, cries like a baby if he can't see me and thinks Dusty's side of the bed is his. (we are breaking him to sleep on the floor with his blanket).
Before the surprise of our youngest Chase, Dusty and I where done having kids having become parent of 8 children we felt our family of Yours, Mine and Ours was more than complete.....But Chase had other plans and no matter what the Doctor in the past had said nothing was going to stop him from coming here to be with our family. After Chase was born we made SURE we were done this time.....I was after all 40....

Now however I have this dog that is by far worse than any spoiled brat child I have ever seen. He has been on my last nerve for a few weeks now with the 2 year old type messes he can and do make.
Then I see him with Chase......

When Chase wakes up the dog greets him with a million kisses and his tail is going so fast that his butt can't keep up.
The minute I walk in the door from school with Chase the dog goes nuts.
He allows Chase to do just about anything to him without so much as a nip. He just licks the boys face off.
Chase drags the poor dog everywhere, lays on him puts him on the laundry basket and pushes him threw the house. Sparky ever rides in Chases dump truck with a look in his eyes like "Dear God not again". He even allows Chase to put doll hats on him and looks at Chase as to say "This is what I am here for" but the other night I had no idea how close they really are and how much this dog cares for HIS boy.....

Chase was playing outside with the older kids and Sparky while I was washing dinner dishes. Dusty was out of town and when he is gone Sparky is edgy about strangers coming to the house. He is fine when Dusty is home.
A man from our Church stops in to check in on us. He got out of his car and Sparky runs right over and sits on Chases feet and watches the man go to the door. He barks a few times but nothing more than that. The friend goes to leave our front door and bends down to pick Chase up and the Sparky attack dog goes NUTS and gets ahold of his pants and drags him until he puts Chase down the chases after him until he gets in his car. Then Sparky ran back to Chase licked his face and did not leave his side until the man left...
I felt so bad that I called his wife and told her how sorry I was. But in the back of my mind I was thinking, No one will ever get to far with Chase as long as Sparky is around.....Sparky will now be on a leash even in the yard from now on at least until the big gate for our yard go in next week.
Sparky also lets the kids know if Chase is doing things outside he should not be doing.......

I guess we will keep Poor Sparky with the broken paw....

Okay I do love the fact he loves me so much too....

It is great to be 8....

2008-03-03T08:01:00.004-07:00

Darren and Cody before the Baptism...
A few of our kids before Church...And Cody in his Sunday best, He looks so grown up...

It is great to be 8 ! Cody could not wait to be 8 years old. He would finally get to go to Scouts and he would get Baptized as a member of our Church and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost...

We asked Cody who he would like to Baptize him and perform the Conformation? He spoke right up and to our surprise it was not a family member but the 2nd Counselor. Darren.

This man is an amazing man. He is a wonderful person and a friend to all, he never looks down his nose at anyone and he has the funnest sense of humor so Dusty and I could see why Cody would want him to preform these rights for him.

Not only that but Darren lets Cody come to all of the young men activities with our older boys even if Cody is not old enough to go...I think Darren just likes Cody to be on his team when they have gaming parties...

Anyway, My mom did the opening prayer and I did a talk on Baptism. Which to mine and everyone surprise went quite well. I did not cry or talk to fast. I just felt very at peace with myself. I felt as if my dad who pasted away was standing by my side giving me strength. It was always the plan to have Cody Baptized by my father but my dad past ways last February.

All in All the weekend went as planned and Cody has now joined the rest of his family in becoming full members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...

Yes, it is great to be 8!!!!

Whats been happening?!

2008-02-28T07:58:00.003-07:00

Update I guess would be in order....

As some of you know we have had phenomia at our house. Me, Chase & Courtney. The kids are finally over it but I seem to be hanging on to it...Anyway, here is what has been going on...

Chase had his first Valentine class party! It was so cute and he liked the cards much better then the candy.

Chelsey and Austin both went to the Sweethearts dance at the high school. Chelsey and her friends decided to go dressed in 80's outfits. It was very cute and reminded me of my younger years. The 80's was so fun.

Then she had another date the next weekend with a boy at a different School for their sweethearts dance. I have not got the pictures from that one but she said it was a ball...

Austin took a girl from school and I have to say he is one handsome boy when he gets all cleaned up. He is so like Dusty and was trying to sneak out of the house with a ball cap on. Chelsey chased him down and took it. I don't know why it is such a big deal to go a couple of hours with out a hat on?! They both had a great time and Austin even danced with Chelsey. She was very surprised at her little brothers groovy moves.

Cody is getting baptized this Sat. as a member of our church. I am giving a talk and have yet to finish it. I have the outline (I have done this talk before) but just need to add the final touch. We are coming back to our house for cake after.

Dusty is leaving for Atlanta on Sunday morning for a week. He has some class he is going to. He told me what it was ( Drill Tech) but like I know what that means.

Courtney is getting ready for her big b-day trip. One of her friends is having a b-day party but the twist is that it is in Malibu, Cal. Courtney was very surprised to find out the new girl in school she befriended when the other girls would not has a dad who is very wealthy. You can never judge a book by it's cover! Anyway she is a very sweet girl. Her dad has a jet and will be flying in to pick up all of the girls, they are going to be staying at his beach house for 3 days. They have 4 moms going and my brother lives in Long Beach so she should be fine. I don't know why I worry so much when my kids go somewhere but I do.

The girls and I had a wonderful Valentines, We all got flowers. Courtney got flowers from a mystery person. They were delivered to her School! Dusty did not like that one bit but what can you do, they grow up!

That is it for now.....

Happy 18th Birthday Chelsey!!

2008-02-14T09:37:00.003-07:00

Miss. Chelsey enter this world on Feb. 12, 1990 at 10:27 pm. I became the mom to a beautiful baby girl who has now become an amazing woman I am proud to call my daughter and best friend. Soon she will go off to College, get married and one day have children of her own. I knew this day would come but it seems like yesterday I was walking her into the school for her first day of Kindergarten. I don't know who was crying harder her or me.
I do at times miss my baby Beans but love the way our relationship has grown from child and mom to Moms close friend. She is not just a pretty face but a woman with a good head on her shoulders that is not only smart but moral, a friend to all, never judges, and can see others pain and tries to make things right. I am so proud that she has been a good example for her younger sibling. Chels, I love you! Happy Birthday!

Now for a funny story:
For Chelsey's birthday I decided to take her and my mom out to breakfast after I dropped off all the kids at school. Chelsey and I picked my mom up and we went to IHOP.
Chelsey decided to ask my mom if she would let her make a profile on a online dating service.

My mom has been single for about 20 years and does not date. She just retired from Kmart this fall and worked there for 35 years. She has a dog named Teddy who is her constant companion. My mom is a religious woman who is still sealed to my dad who pasted away a year ago. Even though they we not married at the time of his death my mom and dad remained very close.

My mom tells Chels "No, what do I need a man for? I have had all the men I ever wanted in my life" This teasing goes back and forth between them until the food arrives and the subject is dropped. After we ate our food and the whole place sang Happy Birthday to Chels we went to Ross to find Chelsey a dress for yet another Sweethearts dance she will be attending at a different school this weekend. Plus she had 3 dates with different young men later that day so this was the only time she had to find a dress.
As we were walking in to the store my mom out of the blue says to Chelsey " Chels, I don't want a man b/c all he will want to do is have sex with me and want me to take care of him" We both just looked at her like what the h**l?! She just walked away to look at a dress for herself with out another word....I thought poor Chelsey was going to die laughing. She looked at me and said mom that's is why I love my grandma.....
3 generations of silly woman at Ross laughing and giggling until they were all in tears. What a wonderful day of fun memories!

Wordless Wednesday.....

2008-01-24T06:41:00.001-07:00

The Outlaw.....Smiley Chase.....

Wordless Wednesday

2008-01-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Siblings..........

My new blog!

2008-01-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

It is called Redneck Funny Farm so you can imaging it all about life with Dusty and the kids...I want a place to do nothing but have fun and share some very funny stories...The link to it is http://dustyandrose.blogspot.com/ if you want to bookmark it. It is a work in progress.
Grab a RC Cola, Moon pie and you can watch the bug zapper with our Redneck Family and maybe even giggle....

Down Syndrome is NOT a disease!!!!!

2008-01-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is Courtney's report on Down syndrome for her health class...
This whole subject has been a very difficult one as Courtney is learning how to Advocate for her little brother and others with Down syndrome...
Courtney's 7th grade health class has been studying different diseases. Down syndrome was brought up as one of the diseases they would be talking about and was added to a list for the class to do a report in front of the whole class on..Down syndrome was listed among other diseases like MS, Alzheimer's, Cancer, Asthma ect.....When Courtney said to this "teacher" that Down syndrome was not a disease she just ignored my daughter. Courtney decided if she was going to be heard she would just put her name on the list next to Down syndrome...As you can emgine I was PISSED at what this "teacher" was teaching ALL of this young adults in her class..I decided to not jump the gun and just let Courtney present her report and go from there.
Courtney had a girlfriend record her as she gave the report..One thing that you don't see is that when Courtney walked up to the white board she changed the word disease to defect...Listen very close to the end what the "teacher" says to the class after Courtney tells them there is no way to prevent Down syndrome, the teacher says " the best way to avoid having a child with Down syndrome is to have them while you are young!"
NOW I am taking the gloves off and WILL be visiting the school and educating this "teacher" the facts my way!
It just amazes me at how people can still live in the dark ages!

I am very proud of my 13 year old daughter for advocating for those she loves so deeply!

I took the video off of here b/c some people are upset that my daughter was nervous and they feel she did not do a good job...and said so in not so nice of words...I have no idea why people missed the whole point...maybe I should just shut the hell up!

The point is that there are teachers still teaching crap like this to our children...

2007-12-27T21:59:00.001-07:00

Christmas 2007

2007-12-27T21:28:00.001-07:00

Christmas Morning! I know it looks like a ton but we wrap EVERYTHING...After all isn't that the fun of it, opening the presents! Before anyone comments on how much we buy remember we have 9 kids...

As you can see we had a great Christmas and the puppy at the end of the slide show is "poor" Sparky as Chase calls him. And you would not believe how amazing this dog is and how having him in our home has improved Chase speech and the dog can't even sign or talk...When ever I ask Chase who made this mess he responds with "Sparky did it"..Chase can also say "Sparky naughty boy" "Poor Sparky" and my fav "Sparky farted". The boy and this dog are always into trouble together. We love "Poor Sparky"....Thank You Santa, you always know how to put a smile on all of our faces...

Oh and we are getting another Grand baby I think in July! Kenny and KaCey are having another baby! They don't mess around, but then Kenny does have a few brothers and sisters. I really hope it is a girl.

We have so much to be thankful for this year! I am so proud to have kids who know the true meaning of Christmas and are so excited to help others. From the time my kids where very small I have tried to show them the meaning of love thy neighbor and to see the needs and wants of other who are in need. This year we were blessed to help a couple of families with Christmas. I want to thank them for allowing us to help and for the opportunity to teach our children to be better people so when they are grown and on their own they will teacher their children to do the same not just at Christmas but all the time. They will never know who we helped but will be better for just giving that helping hand to some else.

Again thank you for the honor to serve.

Christmas Eve....

2007-12-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

I love Christmas eve! The excitment on ALL of my kids faces and Cody running to the door every 5 mins all day long to check to see if Santa has filled the sock yet.

We spend Christmas Eve with our kids, we don't go to anyone elses house we just stay in and play with the kids...Santa alway brings a big sack on Christmas Eve filled with PJ's their socks filled with candy, a few small toys and a new family game to play together on Christmas eve...

This year he brought "Are you smarter than a 5th grader " and guess who thinks he is so smart, Yep the Redneck Manchild Dusty! He is SMARTER than a 5th grader. But we decided it should he called "Rednecks are only as smart as a 5th grader" hee hee!

Just kiddin' Dusty is a very intellaget man. It was tons of fun and we laughed and giggled for hours...

Chase and Santa......

2007-12-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

All of the other kids think they are to big to sit on Santa's lap so it is just Chase this year. And HE LOVED SANTA! I was so glad he did not kick the crap out of the poor old guy while I tried to get a good picture...

Decorating the tree...

2007-12-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

I am a little slow this year posting pictures. I have found myself less interested in posting on boards and on my blog. I Guess I am "growing out of " the need to share so much or ask questions all of the time. Plus my children keep me on my toes with school and all of the other things they like to do. Dusty has been out of town with work a lot and all of the household things have fallen on me to take care of so I have less and less time to myself...I think I will break from the boards and just up date on my blog from now on, it is much more personal anyway...

So here we go with a ton of pictures.......

We like to put our tree up just after Thanksgiving...and we let the kids decorate it all by themselves. I don't go in and redo it, it is after all THEIR tree...I put all of the things on our tree that the kids have made over the years and even one that Dusty made his mom in boy scouts 32 years ago. The one the kids make are by far my very favorite. I collect Santa's and Snow people so we have some old and some new but most have been given to me as gifts over the years. This year my niece Tiffany gave me a pink flamingo to hang in our tree and I did it with pride. I will post about it later as it was one of my favorite gifts I received the year...

Now on to Pictures: Chase has got the hang of everything to to with Christmas this year, from decorating the tree to the fine art of taping everyone presents so they can not peek...

Chelsey giving Chase a helping hand to some Santa's up high too.. Courtney showing them how it is done. She never forgets to put some on the back of the tree too. Courtney and Cody making sure the whole tree gets covered.

And Yes even the big boys in our family get involved. Kenny says it is just not the same putting ornament on someone else's tree. He wanted to come over and help put the ornaments he remembered as a kid. So this year I gave he 5 of the ornaments off of my tree to put on his own tree. They were ones his dad had given me over the years before he pasted away. Now he will have a little piece of his childhood memories on his tree every year. Once a child aways a child.

And Dusty, He loves everything to do with Christmas, the lights, smells, shopping, but most of all playing with the toys on Christmas morning...

Christmas card pictures......

2007-12-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Why do the boys HATE to have their pictures taken so bad!? I took about 150 pictures and this is the best of them......The last one is the one we are using for our Christmas cards....
I am blaming the goofing off of the boys on DUSTY, He is the king of face pulling when we are tring to take a picture.....And Chase loved it so much he cried pretty much the whole 15 mins it took to take 150 pictures...Anyway this is 5 of our 9 kids. These are the ones still living at home....

Who is that boy behind the Beard? Is it CHASE....

2007-12-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to get all of my kids together to do pictures for our Christmas cards...What a joke! I have decided today is the day I am going to do them and who ever is here will be in the picture and the others....Well I am sorry, I can't wait forever kids...This picture might be what I use...I think it is cute..This is what happens kids when you don't show up for family pictures...More to come and boys your heads look really nice on Super Models. Hint Hint!!

Cookies, Candy and Breads....

2007-11-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

What would the Hoildays be with out them! Well here is a link to Mrs. Claus' Cook Book......
http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0005.html

Now off to finish filling Christmas wish lists......

Chase goes to School....

2007-11-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my youngest guys first day of pre-school !

I walk in with Chase and had noticed that the class room was so much cleaner than last year when I went to check out the class room. Maybe that is due to the fact that there is a new sherife in this class and she likes it clean. This was a big plus and all new aids, another plus as I was not going to send him if this one aid from last year was there. She was just flat MEAN and I could see me and her butting heads.

Chase being so small and the very smallest in his class has an aid who the teacher assigned the job of keeping a watchful eye on the boy who runs..

All in all I was happy with what I seen and I really think his SP. She will be working one on one with Chase on the 2 days he attends school.

It was a very long 2 1/2 hours for not only Chase but me too....I had no idea what to do with this free time on my hands so I came home and cleaned house in record time. Checked my phone every 10 mins to see if it was still working. Called a couple of friends and even talked to one good friend while I waited outside of Chases class room. I was pretty brave I think, I did not cry when my baby ran to play with the toys and did not cry when he waved to me as I was leaving and he said "good bye" in his sweetest voice. I did cry when I called Dusty and told him I took Chase to school after all....When I picked him up from School he smiled at me and ran to my arms gave me a big hug and signed "Chase all done". I was happy, he was happy, home we went!!!

This might all seem a little silly to you but Chase is MY baby, he is 3 years old! The last of 9 to go to school and frankly I am having emety nest syndrome.

For the first time in 26 years I don't have a little one at home with me.

I am sure in the mths to come I will enjoy my new found freedom and will put my spare time to good use but for today I am just happy to have him home to play with and snuggle while we watch PBS.....

Tuesday and Thurday Chase goes to school, I know it will be in his best interest that he goes and he needs to play with kids his own age.

I am still a mom who misses him with all of my soul for the 2 1/2 hours he is gone.

Haloween Fun....Trick or Treat

2007-11-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

We LOVE Halloween! spooky costumes, treat's and scary movies.
I was hoping Chase would like the whole trick or treat thing more this year than the last but he didn't. After going to the Grandma's houses he was done. But Cody and Courtney had a ball. They came home with enough candy to supply a small army. We weighed Cody's bag or treats and it came out to be 14 lbs! He was pretty proud of himself.
Austin was to big to go this year so he went to his friends house (who is a girl) and watched movies and Chels went out with friends to a haunted house where she won a t-shirt for her knowledge of the 7 deadly sins. Chels also had a dance performance that day for school. They danced to Thriller..Wow did that take me back to my younger years.....

Cody is a dead football player. Chase was a cowboy and I loved how cute his little bum looked in his chaps, spurs and wranglers.

Cody, Courtney and Chase at Grandma Kay's house..
Chels ( the blond ) in her costume for her dance performance. Boy this girl can REALLY dance! I love to watch her dance even if it is just around the house. The girl has moves!

Wordless Wednesday....Part 1

2007-10-29T23:27:00.000-06:00

Part 2 will be up on Wednesday!

The Deer Hunt and Camping 2007

2007-10-29T10:58:00.001-06:00

Wordless Wednesday......

2007-10-23T08:07:00.000-06:00

Award winning post.........

2007-10-20T09:43:00.000-06:00

I am in shock that a post of mine would win anything! It is my post I wrote about Chase's assessment......

To read what was said about my post click on the botton on my side bar it will take you to Rising Bloggers and that is who gave me this award.

Thank You Rising Blogger for this award and for letting me know someone really does read my blog.....lol

Please go check out all of the other daily awards that are on this site....Here is the link to read about mine.... http://therisingblogger.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday

2007-10-17T06:24:00.000-06:00

Chase's 3rd birthday....

2007-10-09T21:54:00.000-06:00

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wordless Wednesday....

2007-10-09T12:36:00.000-06:00

Chase is a big boy now.....

2007-10-06T10:10:00.000-06:00

Guess who is 3 years old today?! Yep, it is our littlest man CHASE!!! It is hard to believe he is 3.

HAPPY BITHDAY CHASE !!!! WE ALL LOVE YOU BIRTHDAY BOY!!!!

Shoe giveaway....

2007-10-06T09:57:00.000-06:00

Chase has a friend with an amazing mom! Her name is Christina and blogs at Prince Vince Meets the World.

She has just opened a new shoe store and shops all over the world her childrens shoes.....The great thing about these shoe is that they are full of style and function. Check her new store out by following the link on her blog and don't forget to add your name to the list for the free shoes give away. They are the cutest little Wellies (rubber boots) you have ever seen! And boy I hope Chase wins them, maybe we can keep his feet dry and mud free when he goes our to feed the dog and horses with dad. Wonder if Dusty wants a pair....hehehehe But Please go check out all of the shoes she has on her website.

You know what I say a person can never have to many shoes.

Wordless Wednesday........

2007-10-02T23:34:00.000-06:00

This month is Down syndrome awareness month...

2007-10-01T11:36:00.000-06:00

I have add this link so those of you who don't know or understand what Down syndrome is can go to the link and read your little hearts out...

But for me Down syndrome is just a couple of words....It is not who Chase is....

Chase will turn 3 in this month that we are going to be promoting awareness. October!
We had no idea when he was born where Chase would lead us. The one thing I can say is that our road is more traveled by friends like Chase than we could have ever imagined. We have made many friends on this sometimes bumpy road. Friendships that we would have never made without our common treads of Down syndrome.

As I look back on the last 3 years we have made new friends, lost some of the sweet souls of Ds and felt their pain in a way you can not explain in words, prayed for the health of many, witnessed milestone of Chase's and others with pride. We have found friendship in our groups of friends with children who have Ds that are just like family. We are very proud of our children who are Chases biggest fans and advocates. But most of all we are THANKFUL EVERYDAY to have this wonderful soul in our lives to teach us humanity...For that we thank God for sending Chase to the right home...OUR HOME!!!

If you are LDS and reading this I just wanted to put this foot note on here....

I now understand my Patricidal blessing I received at 20. It all became clear to me the night Chase was born and I looked into his eyes......

Kenny and KaCey's Wedding.......

2007-09-26T14:44:00.000-06:00

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It is finally over!!
We are proud to say we have a new daughter in-law.
The wedding was just beautiful as you can see and everyone had a lot of fun.

Chase's School Assessment....

2007-09-25T14:18:00.000-06:00

I have known the day would come when I would have to let my baby grow up.

On Monday I took Chase for his Per school assessment. They do all kinds of testing and give you a ton of forms to fill out while these educators take your baby and do testing. Tests are done in a room with other screaming kids who don't want to be there and 50 strangers watching.
I remember reading the booklet I was sent before I was to come to this appointment and it said "please do not bring other children with you as it may impair the testing".
When I walking into the room for the testing my first thought was "you have got to be kidding me, how in the hell is anyone going to test any child in this place".
It kinda reminded me of Chucky Cheese on a Saturday afternoon. (we went there once, never to return to the mouses house AGAIN) Dusty said he would just assume have his you know whats cut off with a dull knife then go back to that house of hell....
Anyway, this lady comes over to us and says "go sit down and someone will be with you in minute". And in fact a lady did come over and yelled "what is his name" and grabbed me by the hand and said "come with me", in a voice that sounded a lot like Vincent Price...
They put Chase in the chair and snapped the desk to get his attention as he was more interested in the kid crying at the table next to him. They quickly showed him 4 pictures of different animals and said "Chase where is the horse" He points outside and says "side" for outside. She then says "NO where is the horse"? Chase looks at her like she was on crack and says VERY loud "SIDE". They look at me and I said "Well, our horses are outside at our house"....That is pretty much how the whole thing went.
We were then asked to go play with the toys until they get done "scoring" him. So we did and then I hear Vincent Price say behind me "You forgot to fill out a page in your papers"
The papers she is referring to is this booklet that I found almost funny if I was not so pissed off that I had to spend 2 hours filling out. The age range on this assessment booklet was from 3-18.
I don't know about most kids but mine that are 18 and Chase are totally different in ALL ways. Some of the question were so out there for a 3 year old I started to put in the margins "HE IS 3" or "give me a break", or my fav was "Does your child do his/her own wash" I put "no, but he would, given half a chance".
For some reason they did not think I was at all funny in anyway shape or form. I figured if they were going to waste MY time then I was going to make it fun and interesting.
I did see them handing it around and a few people were laughing.
I know I should have looked at this in a much more adult way and just done it with out any bitching but it is bad enough to go there and have them think that in that kind of environment they could get any kind of an aquarite score if Einstein had been sitting there himself.
A half hour later they come over and announce that Chase qualifies for per school. Like I was going to be thrilled with this offering of information. What, was there any question on their part that he would not?
And then they said he has an IQ of 68, normal is 100...by the way they acted with their sad voices I think they thought I was going to be upset or cry.
I didn't, I simply said "that is great and is it alright if I have him retested when he is at an age where it is more aquarette". With shock in their eyes they said "YES you can".
I don't remember anything they said after that as I was watching my beautiful son, he was sharing toys with a little boy his age and loving it, then he took a toy over to a little girl who was crying and gave it to her so she would stop crying, then gave her a hug...the tears fell down my cheeks and I knew why these test meant so little to me, an IQ test will never measure the love this child has in his heart for his fellow man. He is like watching an angel at work, comforting those who are scared.
I would not change one thing about Chase, he loves so deep, deeper than anyone I have ever seen and I wish the rest of the world could slow down long enough to see the true beauty in his eyes that I do everyday.
Maybe that is why it has been so hard for me to let him go to school, I will simply miss his sweet face......

Wordless Wednesday.......

2007-09-18T16:24:00.000-06:00

Don't Blink....

2007-09-13T09:08:00.000-06:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My baby is getting married on Saturday! This is what he has waited for all of his life, to be a father and husband....I am so proud of Kenny and love him with all my heart.

Please help us in wishing them a life time of happiness, they both have earned it.

Kids at Lagoon 2007

2007-09-09T19:20:00.001-06:00

This weekend was going to be our weekend away from the wedding planning. We only have 6 days until the big event. Dusty's company party was at a amusement park this weekend. We loaded the trailer and the kids up for fun in the sun. Yep, we are Red necks, we go 1 hour away from home and drag a trailer just so us old folks can rest our sore old bones while the kids run a hundred miles an hour from one end of the park to the other....
After 6 hours of the Park I was ready to go to bed and so was Chase. But we ran into some friends who have a daughter Chases age so we all headed to camp REDNECK, put out toys for the little ones and we relax....This is my way of camping, kids had fun, dad played with his redneck friends, kids rode everything at least 2 times, no one got sick and mom got to sit on her butt and do nothing the rest of the night.
This is a vacation..........

Oh and our 20 year old daughter called and said she was getting married too...The cycle of hell seems to never end.....At least this time her mom will be doing all of the planning.....I hope!

Stay tunes for BRIDEZILLA 2.....Coming soon to our blog.......

Wordless Wednesday.....

2007-09-04T14:05:00.001-06:00

What's in a MIDDLE name......

2007-08-30T09:05:00.000-06:00

What's in a MIDDLE name?

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.

2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.

3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.

4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I was tagged by Amy at www.theflegefarm.blogspot.com I don't have much time to do things like this lately. But today for some reason I have found myself with not to much to do..I just put the last load of wash in the washer and will mop with Chase goes down for a nap...But KaCey, the soon to be daughter in law, if you are reading this I am up to my eye balls in work and can not come hold your hand while you pick out shoes....I HATE TO SHOP!!!!!!!!

Anyway, My middle name is MARIE....My dad wanted it to be Mary......WOW that would have been great...Rose Mary, in the 70's...Scary movie, Rose Marys baby.....It was bad enough with a name like Rose...I was called. weed, rag weed, thorny, buttercup, okay you get the pictures. So my mom own out and it was Marie.......(when I was young I thought it was after Marie Osmond)hehehehehe.....

So here goes......

M.....Mom---First and foremost THAT is what I am, that is all I ever wanted to be and to become a mom it came at some high prices and a lot of tears. And it was all worth it.

A......Aunt---I pride myself on being the fav Aunt in our family. Most of my sister and brothers kids I have tended while their parents worked. These were my practice kids. And where I became a mom I knew everything! LOL But I do love my nieces and nephew just like my own children and have tried to be there for them when their parents can't be. Miss Tiff hold a very big chunk of her Aunt Roses heart as she is so like me...

R.....Religious----I know "who would have thonk it"....but I am and even if I am not in church every Sunday don't assume I know nothing of my religion. It is the belief in it that makes my world a better place, it is a blanket I wear both in good times and in bad to keep my soul and heart from turning to ice. I pray daily and am very thankful for what the Lord has given me.

I.....Independent---I have never depended on anyone. If it was money, I worked 2 jobs. If it was fixing things around the house I rented a video from the hardware store and fixed it myself. It has always been hard for me to ask or receive any help in any way. But I like to think I am the first one to offer mine.

E....Eternal----Eternally grateful. For the love of a man who look at me from the inside out. Who tells me of his love everyday and has been a father to my children with the same love he feels for the ones we have had together. I will be eternally grateful that I was lead to him at a time in my life when I needed this kind of companionship and love. I am also eternally grateful for children who have made it so easy to be just the mom......

Okay that is it....Now who is going to be the next victim of a tag......

M..... http://momof12andlovingit.blogspot.com/ Debra is a mother of 12 and my hero, her blog is MOM of 12 and loving it, and you know what is crazy? SHE DOES! Deb is a friend who I can talk to for hours. She does things with her youngest daughter who has Ds that others say can't be done. When I talk to Deb my day is just a little brighter.

A.....http://lifewithmywildchild.blogspot.com/ Sara, the A is for her blog, ALWAYS something. No matter what happens in her life she ALWAYS greets it with a smile...

R....http://redlights.typepad.com/ Monica, the R is for her blog REDLIGHTS, she is gave all of us a place to go and meet other moms from all over the world who have children with Down syndrome. The T 21 online board has at times gave me a place to vent, cry and laugh. Thank You Monica for your gift to us all.....

I.....http://itsminasworld.blogspot.com/ Julie, the I is for her blog, Its Mina's world. Julie is my online friend who I can call just to shoot the shit or cry on her shoulder. She has a beautiful daughter named Mina, who one day will be Chases Prom date. They both are dancing fools.

E.....http://momtojesse2005.blogspot.com/ Erin, she has a son with Ds named Jesse. She just started to blog and I think she would enjoy doing a tag. I also don't know how she does it. Her hubby serves our country via the Navy and is on a ship out to sea ALOT. Erin cares for her sweet boy and his medical need by herself for the most part and never complains. I was an Army brat and I remember there was alot of things my daddy missed when I was growing up to protect our freedom and I have a lot of respect for Erin and the sacrifices her family makes so we can have the freedom we love so much..

WOW!! I kinda went on and on today!!!

Wordless Wednesday....

2007-08-28T11:46:00.000-06:00

Who needs girls when you can fish!

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY CODY!!!!!!!

2007-08-25T10:55:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!!!!!

Yep the boy is 8.......and it is great to 8......He can now go into BOY SCOUTS!

First day of school......

2007-08-23T08:24:00.000-06:00

First Day of school is at our house usually is a day of celebration for Dusty and I but this year is was a little different......Cody is in the second grade and is in the elementary school by himself. No big sis to guide him or watch out for him.........as he got of the car at the school I felt a lump well up in my throat. The school look so much bigger that it had the year before. Cody gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and out the door he flow, high 5's from his friends in line and a quick look at the girl he likes and a small smile flashed to her. Then back to his friends......I sat there with tears running down my face asking how did he grow up so fast....

Chelsey, she is a senior this year which gives her the right to be who ever she wants in school this year and has choose to have a spiderman back pack....When I asked her why in the heck she would want one at her age she said "well mom if you can't afford a bag from Abercrombie & Fitch like my friends then be different, creative and start a new trend." Wise girl if you ask me. She works every summer to pay for most of her own clothes for school. This will be her last first day of school here in Lehi and it makes me very sad, she will go off to College this next fall. I can't even talk about THAT right now...........

Austin is a Jr. this year. He has always hated school until last year when he found his nitch....WELDING CLASS. Ag, and FFA.......All I can say is THANK GOD we still have teachers that care about teaching and can keep kids interested in school. Bushmen and Robinson THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART....Austin went from struggling in Jr high to a 3.5 GPA in High School all because he had teachers who cared........Oh don't they look happy that it is the first day of school..
And the High kids are off in Chelseys new car, this year she has a VIP parking pass so her car won't be stold this year.....
Now for my Jr. High girl, Courtney is in the 7th grade this year. And boy does she have a long walk to school. It is down our short lane about a half block. It was funny when she asked me for a ride. As you can see she is still sporting the latest fashion in arm wear. It is in our school colors. When she came home I asked her how it went and she said "All of the boys sat with me at lunch so I could tell them the horror story behind my broken arm" "It was cool and they want me to go 4 wheeling with them when I get my cast off" Why do the boys think it is so cool?" Well, Shorty boys don't like to hang out with girls who are not willing to get dirty and have fun" The boys also wait her to carry her tray at lunch. I have told Chels not to make a big deal about it, Courtney has no idea that they like her, they are just her friends and I want it to stay that way for just a little longer. I just hope some where down the line the boys find out she is a girl but not until 10th grade. It is killing her dad that she is growing up.......She tried on her dress for Kens wedding and Dusty cried when she left the room to change...He had to go outside....
Courtney's half block to school........

Wordless Wednesday..........

2007-08-21T14:24:00.000-06:00

Dad, I miss you.......I lost him 6 mths ago......

The gift of Gabi's Grace.......

2007-08-21T08:55:00.000-06:00

To the right on our blog has been a button for Gabi. She is a little one in our online group (T21) who we have asked prayers for as she under went her OH Surgery to repair the same heart defect Chase had when he was born. There was complications.
Gabi pasted away in the arms of her mom Monday morning at 12:50 am. Now we ask if you would please pray this family will have comfort in the days to come and find peace with the Lord in his decision in calling Gabi home so soon.....

Wordless Wednesday.......

2007-08-14T15:41:00.000-06:00

Uinta Mountains

Why women take so long in the restroom........

2007-08-09T17:40:00.000-06:00

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women,
so you smile politely and take your place. Once it's your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.
You get in to find the door won't latch. It doesn't matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty.
You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't - so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume " The Stance."
In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance."
To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother's voice saying, "Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!" Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday - the one that's still in your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It's still smaller than your thumbnail.
Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. "Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late.
Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper - not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you're certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, "You just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get."
By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes.
The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.
At this point, you give up. You're soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat.
You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.
You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.
You are no longer able to smile politely to them.
A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this."
As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered, used, and left the men's restroom. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?"

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you've GOT to be kidding!!).
It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long.
It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs.
It's so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!
This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe it so accurately!
Send this to all women that need a good laugh AND, don't forget to have a mammogram!!!!!! It could save your life!
A Friend Is Like A Good Bra...
Hard to Find
Supportive Comfortable
Always Lifts You Up
Never Lets You Down or Leaves You Hanging
And Is Always Close To Your Heart!!!
Share this with a friend!

Thanks Cherish for sending this to me!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-08T10:16:00.000-06:00

Sundays Grains of Gratitude

2007-08-05T14:26:00.000-06:00

This is my first Grains of Gratitude:

1. My husband has a very understanding boss and when Dusty is needs to be with me at the hospital he is able to leave or take a day off with out any repercussions.....

2. Courtney was able to have her arm repaired with out pins......

3. That I have a house full of children to remind me how blessed I am......

4. For good friends who care so much for me and my family........

5. For the large close net family I was born into........

6. That Chase has been healthy for so long and that we can start to enjoy the things we like to do as a family without worrying so much about his health.......

7. I am truly thankful for my sons mother in law to be for taking charge of their wedding so I don't have that to deal with along with school, doctors, dentist, and all of the other things that come with kids.......

8. I am thankful for a son the same son who has show everyone that HE can do this and stay clean and be a responsible partner and dad.

9. For my grandson who has saved his dads life and gave him a reason to live and breathe.

10. Finally for Dusty with whom I have made a home with and for the love we have for each other that is the glue to our family.

The blessing of having a child with Down syndrome...

2007-08-05T14:11:00.000-06:00

This is a wonderful story about life and Down syndrome....

What do you see..........

2007-08-05T00:44:00.000-06:00

When you look at this picture what do you see?

A boy who can walk on water?

A girl who is swimming in her clothes and about to bean her brother in the head with a toy snake?

Or a man who never takes his shirt off, has the tummy of Austin Powers, a real live REDNECK taking his weekly bath?

You could be right on all accounts but it is a DAD PLAYING WITH HIS KIDS!! Crazy I know but some dads do this thing called playing around with THEIR KIDS!! I am making a big deal about this because it is something I have noticed as of late, at ball games, pools, parks, ect. There are very few dads that can find the time to play with their kids. Maybe there is a shortage of them or maybe they are hiding in the bushes watching other dads play and taking notes. The family who lives next door to me has a dad but in the 5 years I have lived here I have yet to see him come outside and play with his kids so they are always at my house. The dad goes to work and once a year he takes his kids to the ward party. That is sad. So when his son asked me what Dusty was doing I said "PLAYING" the little boy looked at me and said "And he doesn't care what the neighbors think " Makes you want get on a P.A. and say "attention all dad it is okay to come out and play with your child we won't laugh, well much" It is cool to chase your kids down the street with a hose and spray them. No one is looking, well maybe they are but they will have a smile on their face and say "boy he is a good dad, redneck but a good dad". The Lord love a man who will teach his children to be great dads.......

Courtney's Surgery......

2007-08-03T13:07:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Courtney had surgery on the broken arm....
We were not sure if she would need pins or not, so after 4 hours of surgery her doctor decided he would just re-break it and set then he put it in a cast.......
He will re x-ray it in 10 days to make sure it is healing right and if she will need pins then.......
3 weeks if all goes well she can have a "short" cast that will allow her to bend her elbow but for now she will have to learn to write with her left hand. Courtney is already going nuts with the cast on for only 6 days, she should be really fun for the next 8 weeks.......

This is before the surgery.......

This is waiting for the IV to put her to sleep......

On her way to surgery............

And finally after her surgery...............

Courtney is one tuff girl, she never cried and has not even wanted any pain meds........She can't wait for the short cast so she can get back on the 4 wheeler and go fishing.....

Wordless Wednesday

2007-08-01T11:10:00.000-06:00

Courtney's new name is "Launch Pad"

2007-07-30T15:50:00.000-06:00

Before...........

After..........

Always something exciting going on.........

2007-07-30T14:54:00.000-06:00

We went camping up to the lake this weekend where my brother has a cabin. We have been looking forward to going for weeks. It is nice and cool up there and 2 of my brothers have boats. The kids were excited to spend a weekend with their Uncles fishing, riding 4 wheelers and water skiing. I was looking forward to relaxing in the cool mountain air a good book and some peace and quite while the guys took all of the kids boating.
It is a 2 hour drive to the cabin from our home which ended up taking us 4 hours with the road construction that was going on at the mouth of the canyon we were going up. That was really fun with 4 kids and Chase kicking the back of my seat the whole way up there and Dusty veins in his neck standing out 2 inches because of the traffic, then there was the slow drivers who have never drove on a canyon highway EVER......that is a story for the redneck file......
We get to my brothers and set up camp next to his cabin, at this time it is 10:00 pm. I make all of the kids up a bed and turn on a move for them (we really ruff it) and go inside to visit with my family. About 2:30am we go to bed. The next morning we are all suppose to go boating when one of my brothers "friends" shows up with his boat and 4 kids. I love kids and pride myself on mine being very well behaved but these kids were WILD!!! They had a son who was 8 right around Cody's age and the 2 of them hit it right off and Cody was thrilled to have someone his age to play with who could also stand to pee. He is always out numbered by girls and all they want to do is chase him and try to kiss him. (I am sure in a few years he will have a change of heart towards girls chasing him) THEN 3 little 6 years old triplets come running in the house screaming..... I am so glad I was blessed with just single births... There boat won't start so Dusty being the only real mechanic in the herd of redneck-men folk ends up pulling the whole thing apart and on the phone trying to find a starter for it. Day was a bust so off to the trailer I go to start the fixing for our big dutch over dinner my husband decided at the last min. I would love to cook. I am good at it but what happened to reading a good book and relaxing......
Here is where the fun begins.....
We have a 4 wheeler, it took a lot of begging on my sons and husbands part for me to agree to Austin buying this thing. He even bought the helmet before the 4 wheeler. All of them have had a ball on this thing and yes I have even been known to giggle when they were TRYING to teach me how to drive it. As everyone knows we have 6 boys and 3 girls... our 3 girls are as tough and fearless as any of our boys. But we have one who really has a hard time being a girl and always wants to do EVERYTHING the boys are doing. This daughters name is Courtney, she is 12 almost 13. She has been getting riding lessons from her dad and brother. They have went over all of the safety things with her ect....... The boys went down from the cabin where there are some small jumps to ride and Courtney begged to go with them so her dad caved and let her go. They all came back a hour later and said how well she did and she just beamed with pride that the boys all thought she was so good on the thing. Courtney rode all day and was having a great time until............
I had just put all of the dutch ovens together and Dusty (Chief Boy-r-dee) put the coles over the overs to cook so I went in the cabin to see what help was needed there for dinner. My brother John says " where is Dusty and Jeff running to" my heart went to my toes thinking oh god where is Chase!!! We all go running out of the cabin and see Chase is with my 17 year old Austin....I look down the road and see Courtney walking and she is wet from head to toes. She had missed the turn and drove the 4 wheeler over the edge of and bank of the creek (10feet straight down) The only thing she was worried about was that she might have broke her brothers 4 wheeler. I am looking at her arm as I am running to her I notice her arm looked funny and not in a good way. So after some dry clothes and some ice pack were filled and Dusty in dry clothes off to the nearest hospital we go. She is now sporting a cast and is waiting for surgery in a week or so to put pins in her arm........When we got back to camp everyone asked her if she was ready to go riding she smiled and said " if one of you will cut the cast away from my elbow I will be"..................I hope one day she finds out she is a girl ......but then she will be like her mom and just find a man to marry that love the fact she will do the same thing he likes to do...............The rest of the trip was fun, the boys went boating and caught lots of fish..Chase loved it when they put the fish in the cooler and he would open it the fish would splash water on him and Sunday while the boys went fishing I did get a long hot bath and a nap.... with Courtney begging to stay just 1 more day!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-07-25T10:29:00.000-06:00

The boy can fly.....

2007-07-25T09:50:00.000-06:00

As you can see we love to swim. But none more than Cody, Courtney and Chase....

It is all fun and games until the DAD gets involved. Dusty is such a big kid...He does the things he tells the kids not to do, make trouble, kids are flying in the air ect. Cody who is 7 has even told his dad to stop acting like a kid in public because Dusty is embarrassing him. Yep, That is the man I married....ONE BIG KID, I am thankful he is........

Just Horsing Around.........

2007-07-19T17:34:00.001-06:00

Birthdays and Anniversaries

2007-07-16T00:54:00.000-06:00

This is by far my favorite picture. It is My brother Don, me and my sister Tina when we were YOUNG! Don is 2, I am 4 and Tina is 3. We are all 15 mths apart, the youngest 3 of 9 children.

Today is my little brothers birthday, he is turning 41!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON!!

My brother and I have always been very close and Chase is named after him.

Today is also the anniversary of my 3 oldest children's dads death. There is not a day that goes by that they don't miss their dad and think of him.

To memories.................

Mike........

2007-07-12T15:00:00.000-06:00

So much more than a fire chief........

Saying goodbye............

2007-07-11T10:46:00.000-06:00

Penovich, Michael James

View/Sign Guest Book
Michael James PenovichMarch 5 1969- July 5 2007Much loved husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, and co-worker passed away on July 5, 2007, from an automobile accident. He was born March 5, 1969, in Van Nuys, CA. Mike is survived by his wife and sweetheart, Shelly (Barnes), and the "joys of his life" son Colton, and daughter, Chyann all of Cedar Valley, Utah. His loving parents, Judy Austin and Carmen Penovich, brother, Charlie, (Christina) Penovich, Chandler, AZ, father and mother-in-law, Ronald and Laura Barnes, Highland, UT, brothers and sister-in-law, Blaine and Jessica Barnes, West Jordan, UT, Roger and Tina Morgan, Lehi, UT, Jeff and Lori Barnes, Alpine, UT, 4 nieces, and 10 nephews.Mike was an active member of the High School Rodeo Association, PRCA, and Western States Rodeo Association. Mike placed in many events in the high school rodeos. Mike graduated from Lehi High School.Mike married Shelly Barnes on February 21, 1992 in Lehi Utah.Mike was very adventurous and young at heart, enjoying everything from fishing with his family, to watching his children in activities like baseball and gymnastics.Mike finally found his nitch in life helping people through the Fire Department. Mike started out as a volunteer fire fighter in Cedar Valley and moved into the Fire Chief position. Mike continued there for approximately 7 years. He worked for the Public Works Department in Saratoga Springs and made such a great impression on them that they offered him the position of Fire Chief where he was currently serving.Mike always found a way to bless the lives of those around him, whether it was stopping to help someone on the side of the road or just lending a big shoulder.Mike had the ability to spread joy with his contagious laughter, smile, and spontaneous wit. He was loved and respected by his family, many friends, and neighbors, and the many co-workers. Mike will be dearly missed. The funeral and viewing will be held at separate locations. The viewing will be held on Thursday, July 12, from 6:00Ð8:00 p.m. and July 13 from 9:00Ð11:00 a.m. located at 587 South Saratoga Drive, Saratoga Springs, UT. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 13, 2007 at the American Fork Tabernacle located at 110 East Main Street, American Fork at 12 noon. Interment will be at the Lehi City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers we ask that contributions be made at Bank of American Fork in the Michael Penovich Memorial Fund. On-line condolences can be made at http://www.wingmortuary.com/.

Tommrow we will say good bye to a close friend. One who has touch so many lives with his larger than life laugh, kind heart and love for family and friends.

Dustys birthday surprise.........

2007-07-11T09:36:00.000-06:00

On July 9th Dustys turned 41 and that morning I asked him as he was leaving for work what he would like. He said a new truck.........That is just what he got ......a new truck......hehehehe

We had just a small family party with the kids.

Camping 2007

2007-07-10T13:08:00.000-06:00

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This slide show is our first camping trip this year. We went up on skyline drive in the High Unitas. It is or what feels like the top of the world.
This gives us a chance to be with our kids and have no TV ect. We played horse shoes, games, told stories of how it was when we were kids, went for walks. It was also a chance for Dusty and I to spend quite time together with no phones.
With the passing of yet another friend it really makes you step back and really ollk at what is inportant in this life, FAMILY......That is what life is really all about. The love you feel for a grown man playing a childs game just because. The love between 2 brothers as the older one teaches his little brother how to handle a gun safely. The joy of finding your first pile of dirt to play in and noone stops you from getting dirty. The way my small hand feels in my husbands very large hand. And the look of love in his deep brown eyes as he tells me " I Love You Baby " This is all I ever wanted for my life.....to be loved..... Thank You Dusty You make my dream come every day.......

We will miss you Mike...........

2007-07-06T13:51:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning one of our good friends died in a accident. I am posting the link to the story below as it is just to hard to write about it.
Instead I want to remember Mike in my own way.
I met Mike when I was dating Dusty, Dusty has been friends with Mike all of his life, he was this big mountain of a man with a big laugh and a sense of humor that is undecidable. Kindness was his middle name and had the biggest heart. I ran into Mike and his wife just after Chase was born and told him about Chase, he simply hugged me and said that baby came to the right mom. I loved him for that.
All of the kids just loved to have mike around as he was nothing more than a big kid himself.
He leaves his wife Shelly and their 2 kids whom he loved more than life itself. We will miss you Mike...........
If you pray please pray Shelly will find peace in the days to come.....

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1439794

New hair do........

2007-07-01T18:23:00.000-06:00

Most of the time I cut all of the boys hair. But Chase is so wild when it comes to getting his hair cut that I decided to go some where and let them play all star wrestling with wild man.
So, I load him into the car along with my daughters for reinforcement. We get to the hair dresses and Chase runs to get into the chair. HE NEVER MOVED!!! He just sat there as nice and still as could be and smiled at the young girl who cut his hair. And when it was all done, he gave her a kiss and a hug and even said thank you. I could not believe my eyes, my daughters and I were in shock.......... Courtney still thinks the water they put on his hair was drugged....Anyway this is the first hair cut that doesn't look like it was cut with a butter knife in the dark by a 5 year old.

First night away from mom and dad........

2007-07-01T18:17:00.000-06:00

Last night was the first time my son and wife have left the baby with anyone. We had a ball tending Ky while they went out to dinner and to the local Rodeo. And boy does the baby like his Uncle Chase.

Chase has a few issues with the baby coming over but it is getting tons better.

There is something I left out about this date night, we had to give them the money to go out just so we could have the baby to ourselves. It was well worth it............

This is the way we wash the car.........

2007-07-01T18:13:00.000-06:00

Chelsey and her bug.

CARS CARS CARS..............

2007-06-28T20:36:00.000-06:00

In the last week we have had a car in the shop with a blown up transmission......Went car shopping with Chels and I got to drive the coolest car for a rental. I only got it because I now who to cry to........

Cheseys new car has brought back tons of fun memories. I see myself driving down the street, a much younger, thinner me but it takes me back to my day of cruising down main street thinking how cool I was in my little 1972 VW Bug, bright blue. Her has a few more extras like, air, power everything, cd player, leather cars that warm up your butt at the touch of a button, the motor is in the front and the trunk is in the back, oh and it does not make the cool sound the old bugs did going down the road. I payed 500.00 for mine, she payed a little more than that for hers but she bought it on her own just like I did mine. Chels even let me drive hers to the store and back, with her in it. I hope this little love bug who she has named " Bugz me bad" gives her the same kind of fun memories as mine did me.

Oh and I thought I would share the cool car I have been driving for the past week. It goes back in the morning. Dusty will be glad, for some strange reason this car likes to speed ALOT!! There is something about a sun roof that makes you feel young again or maybe it is just me.

Kyson, 7 weeks old........

2007-06-28T20:32:00.000-06:00

This is Ky when he wants to eat.....

This is Ky after he eats. Note that he is signing he is okay now that his tummy is full.

Swimmer Boy......

2007-06-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

Chase the water dog!!

Fun in the Sun............

2007-06-22T12:48:00.000-06:00

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