Long-O-Bongo

Void

2011-03-05T23:25:00.003-06:00

It is coming up on a year since I got that phone call from my younger brother telling me that my dad had died. It was March 13th, a day that I will always remember. It was a Saturday and I had to work which was becoming the norm for the project I was on. We were behind schedule and so this was an attempt to make up some time. During that day I kept getting this feeling that I needed to go to Amarillo and pick up my suits that I had ordered and gotten tailored. I didn't know why but knew that I needed to. So when I got home I told Codi and she was ok with it and off I went tired and worn out from a long week. As I was almost to my destination my phone rang and it was Jonathan..."I have some bad news...dad died."

Those words have stuck with me for a year now and it has been pretty hard to imagine. Growing up my parents divorced when I was 5 and my dad was on the road a lot working construction. After the divorce we didn't get to see him a lot and by the time I was 7 we didn't get to see him at all. It wasn't until my teen years that I was able to find my dad and reconnect. He wasn't the same person I remembered because of some life choices he made, however, he was still my dad and I loved him no matter what.

I can remember the first time I took Codi to meet him and the house he was living in was kind of scary, but when I saw him he knew who I was and embraced me with open arms. I continued to tell me he loved me and how he wished he could have been there more for me. He never spoke ill of my mother and would not allow me to do likewise. Everytime I would see him he would try his hardest to straighten up a little, be a little taller and try not to indulge in the demon that raked his body. But he would have to have a drink, and he would apologize for it.

My dad loved me so much and when he was admitted to the hospital the first time in late September of '09 and we didn't know if he would make it he knew who I was when I walked into that ICU room. He was being detoxed and experiencing the worst tremors anyone could imagine. I was told by the nurse that he didn't recognize people and would become violent. When he saw me and I said Hey dad, how are you feeling...he said Coby I love you and am sorry you have to see me like this. He would come in and out of sleep for the rest of the night but when he would be awake we would talk. He wanted to hear about his grandkids and how he hoped he would ge to see them. That week was a trying week as he was moved to a VA hospital and detoxed some more, but I also had to set up the medical power of attorney and start making arrangements for when he would eventually pass away. The doctor told me he would likely have 6 months to 3 years to live. Not something you would like to hear but knowing the battle he was facing it was reality.

I was able to take the family back to Moberly and see him one final time at Thanksgiving. My kids got to meet and see their Grandpa Ray. They still talk about that time at his house and I hope they never forget him. He was so happy to see his grandkids and Codi and I as we were happy to see him again. I later found out that on the following Monday he was admitted to the hospital again for about a week. Things were starting to not look good, but I held out hope.

On March 13th my dad passed away quitely in his home with his friends around him. He always seemed to have friends around, many people loved him and he would love them back. He was a very caring and compassionate man. Unfortunately on March 17th we buried him with a proper military funeral. The following six weeks were difficult for me as I was in a haze and couldn't quite get out of it. Eventually real life kept creeping in and took over my thoughts and I was getting better. But these last two to three weeks have been a very difficult one for me. I feel a big void in my life. I am not able to sleep and I want to scream out, cry and be angry all at the same time. I have never felt this way before and it really bothers me. I don't know what I can do to fix this pain I feel inside. I have recently resorted to sleeping pills to help me, but I don't know if they we help much.

There is a void that I carry with me and love that I am missing in my life right now. A love that a father has for his son, one that I know very well as I have that love for my boys. I truly miss my dad and know that he is looking out over me as I can feel his love, but it hurts inside knowing he is gone.

My he rest in peace...Charles Raymond Long March 13th, 2010. I love you dad!

Love at Home

2011-02-20T10:33:00.002-06:00

It has been several months since our blog has been updated and some may think we have fallen off the earth after our move back to Katy. Let this be proof we are still alive and kickin'.

This past week Codi has been at her mom's helping her with a quilt show that her guild has been putting on for several years. This gave me the opportunity to stay home and take care of our kids while she was away. I don't get the chance to be home as much as we would like due to my new position, but when I am home I cherish the moments.

Wednesday Codi flew out and I took off work early to ensure that someone was home when the kids got off the bus and to pick Gavin up from a neighbor's house. Everything went really well and smooth. Codi made it safely and everyone was still alive the next morning...Yeah me, I can be trusted with the kids :D

As this week/weekend has gone on there has been an underlying them I keep thinking of and that is "Love at Home." Why...when we all got home on Wednesday Codi had left all of us a treat with notes on them and they showed us she loved us. As I made Gavin's lunch on Thursday I remembered how Codi would write little notes in our lunchs to show us she was thinking of us and how much she loved us.

Each night as we would kneel for family prayers whoever was praying would always pray for Codi and her safety. As I would tuck the kids in and give them hugs and kisses each one would seem to hug me a little tighter or give me a more meaningful kiss on the cheek. I don't know if this is because Codi is gone or because I am home, either way it warmed my heart. I love my family very much and appreciate all Codi does for us to keep this house running as such a well oiled machine. I can't quite fill her shoes but there is one thing I know while she is gone is her love for us is always here.

There is such a feeling of love in our home and I hope friends and family notice it when they are visiting. We may not always get along with each other, but at the end of the day we always love each other. Whether it be by saying it, hugging tighter or showing it in other ways...there is always Love at Home.

Moving Day

2010-07-07T06:26:00.002-05:00

It's been no secret that Borger was a VERY hard move for our family. Leaving lots of friends and a strong ward in Katy and moving to a more remote area in the panhandle of TX was HARD! When I heard that we would be more than likely moving from Borger back to Katy over 6 months ago, I was excited! I've never moved back to a place where I had lived before (at least not where I actually remembered the people - did it a couple of times when I was young).

Today the packers/movers come and this has been more of an emotional time than I anticipated. So far this summer the kids and I have been almost gypsy-like in our constant traveling and so moving day always seemed so far away, something to write lists in anticipation of, but wasn't really going to happen...

About a week and a half ago I got hives all over (itchy, itchy) and after 2 steroid shots and a week of steroid meds I hope they are gone for good. I stress differently with each move and I guess it was hives this time. SOO grateful for modern meds!

Borger has been a learning experience for our whole family. Coby has had yet another opportunity to deal with a local management team that is better at knocking down then training and building up and a job that he loved, but was very emotionally hard dealing with the people involved.

The kids had a hard time making friends, but have finally bonded with a few and they will be missed. They have been playing with them the last couple of days and I know they will be sad to say goodbye for good.

I have struggled to get to know people and find a niche in Borger. Just about the time I did we are moving. I have learned some great lessons here though, some I have learned before and some new. I have felt the love of the Lord when I'm at a low point and know how important pondering and studying the scriptures is to my personal well-being. I know that "what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger" and I know that I can be a force for good.

Got up early (4am) today - wasn't sleeping anyway - and headed out to bootcamp (5am). Now that I have my nervous energy gone (really all my energy gone - been over a month since I've been and I'm tired!) I'm ready to tackle the first day of moving!

YUMMY!

2010-03-12T08:39:00.002-06:00

I had a friend post on FB post that she was looking for something to make with leftover key limes...this is the perfect thing! Wish I had a picture to post, but it's been a while since I've made this. It is YUMMY though!

Key Lime Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Southern Living

Makes: 10-12 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 1 hr. 13 min.
Stand: 15 min.
Chill: 8 hrs.

Crust
2c. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
Stir together above ingredients and firmly press on bottom and 1 inch up sides of greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake 350 for 8 min; cool.

Filling
3 (8oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
3 large eggs
1 (8oz) sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. grated lime rind
1/2 c. key lime juice
Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs - one at a time - beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream, rind, and juice. Pour batter into crust.

Bake 325 for 1 hr. 5min.; turn oven off. Partially open oven door; let stand in oven 15 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately run knife around edge of pan, releasing sides.

Cool completely in pan on wire rack; cover and chill 8 hrs.
Garnish with lime slices, lime zest, and whipped cream, if desired.
Serve with Strawberry Sauce.

Strawberry Sauce (makes 1 c.)
1 1/4 c. strawberries
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. grated lime rind
Process all ingredients in food processor until smooth - scrape down sides.

The Pledge of Alliegence??

2010-02-04T12:13:00.005-06:00

Gavin came home from preschool today and had a certificate which said "Congratulations to Gavin who can say the "Pledge of Allegiance". I asked him to tell me the Pledge - this is how it goes (in Gavin's mind anyway):

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic ... who believeth in Him shall not perish
but have Everlasting Life. Amen."

I think that he has gotten Primary and Preschool mixed up, but I believe the scripture about "out of the mouth of babes" is right on the money...how TRUE would this Pledge be?? I believe the "Proclamation to the World" on the Family says this, just in more words.

Had to share, this totally tickled me!

On the road, again

2010-02-02T13:07:00.004-06:00

One of my many fabulous cousins (on my mom's side) left for the MTC going to the Barcelona Spain Mission (she is the older sister to my cousin that got married in November). Her "farewell" was over MLK weekend and even though I wanted to go, I couldn't find a way to get away. I knew that it would be a blast and a HUGE party with family and FOOD, but just thought there was no way to go.

Then the Monday before her farewell weekend, I got a wild hare and decided to take the kids out of school on Thursday and make the drive to Las Vegas (a road trip in the new van - Coby couldn't go :( Someone has to earn the $$ to pay the bills). I did lots of laundry, packed suitcases, snax, etc. and Thursday morning we were up and on the road by 6am. Leaving in the dark made me SLEEPY and we had lots of potty stops early on in the trip (mostly because mom had to potty too), but we fell into a rhythm and 14.5 hours later we arrived in LV just in time for a YUMMY dinner!

We partied late into the night (esp. because LV is two hours behind central time), ate WAY TOO MUCH FOOD, the kids got to swim the in hot tub (too cold for the pool), played with cousins, shopped (Costco, Best Buy - all the "big city" places), and had LOTS of FUN! We enjoyed the opportunity to be with family, meet new friends, and have I mentioned the FOOD?

What a fun time, what great hosts, and it was great to hear Makayla's talk on the Atonement. What a great topic to study and teach about. She will be such an awesome missionary! Another cousin (Shayla) will be leaving for her mission to the Madrid Spain mission in March. She was there too. Since most of the cousins on my mom's side are younger than me (by 10+ years) it has been great watching them grow up and go on missions/get married! How exciting!

I also reconnected with an old friend - Colleen Peterson - while there. We share a common friend (Kathleen Briggs) who passed away after years fighting cancer. Kathleen was the most wonderful person! She was a people cheerleader and always saw the best in people! She is an amazing woman!! Colleen is awesome. She has so many talents and abilities!

The time to leave came too quickly and we were off at 4am (LV time) on Monday morning. The trip home was easier than the trip there. We made it home in about 13.75 hours, in time for a quix dinner and bed for the kids (and me, with all the partying, I was TIRED!).

It was well worth the 2 days of driving. That is one of the best parts of living in the panhandle of Texas, we are a day drive closer to family in the West. When we move again that will be one of the hard parts...

I LOVE my family!

The New Year brought change

2010-02-02T11:21:00.004-06:00

January came (and has gone) before we knew it. The break between Cmas and New Year's evaporated and we decided it was because we were sitting in front of the TV too much, so we made a command decision and cancelled our DirecTV. I thought it would be TOO hard to keep going, but after about a week the "cravings" went away and life has continued on. We do have an antenna and get the basic channels. I have to admit that PBS is my favorite! The kid shows are great (and I usually don't have to worry about the content) and the Masterpiece Classic version of Jane Austin's Emma has been addicting! We are lucky to live in a modern age so we can access Hulu and the websites for different shows that we like to watch or have missed. Our computer is hooked up to the big TV so it's just like watching it on TV (and it's free).

At that same time we decided that we don't use our home phone enough to justify paying the bill every month, so we cancelled that too. It was thru AT&T (as WAS our internet). When Coby called to cancel it, he was told that the Internet MIGHT be down for 24 hours. Although that would put a cramp in my system, I can go 24 hours without Internet (luckily I have it on my phone). Well, after losing it EARLY on a Monday morning, I waited until Tuesday afternoon before calling AT&T since I didn't have internet yet. The very nice customer service lady told me I was on the schedule to get my internet hooked up Wednesday between 8am -8pm. Although I didn't want to wait another 24 hours I said ok. Well, at 4pm on Wednesday I STILL didn't have internet so I called AT&T again. This is when it all went bad. I talked to MULTIPLE customer service reps, supervisors, etc. and NONE of them could find an account for my internet to be hooked up and after spending WAY TOO MUCH TIME on the phone, I told them to cancel it. The final lady I talked too was so nice, but I have had bad luck with AT&T before and so it was a big decision for us to go with them again.

A couple of months before a nice lady had come to our door to introduce Clear Communications in our area. We liked her and the product, but had put $$ into a new modem, etc. for AT&T and didn't want to switch (since we should be moving soon anyway). Well, Coby was on the phone with Clear as I was dealing with AT&T and within 30 minutes of cancelling AT&T and calling Clear the sales lady was at our house and we were set up and I was back on the Internet.

AT&T is now dead to me and I LOVE that Clear was so on the ball. They are starting up in the Houston area so we hope to continue our account down there when we move. If you are looking for new Internet I HIGHLY recommend Clear. Even during the massive snow storm we had here last week we didn't have a problem with it! If you are in the market I would consider Clear!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas (or it was in December)...

2010-01-10T17:17:00.002-06:00

The only down side to the trip to MO for Thanxgiving was that the van was acting very poorly. It was "hiccuping", stalling, squealing, etc. We were just very glad to make it home. Well, although I LOVE not having a van payment we decided it was time to start looking for something new for me to drive. We were tired of putting money into a dying vehicle (new fuel pump, air compressor (for the a/c), transmission, etc, etc, etc.) and wanted to still get a decent amt for trade-in so the hunt began. Although Coby really wanted an SUV, the mid-sized ones were too small and the big ones were too big. I just wanted a van again because they are family friendly and easy to drive. After a search we decided on a Toyota Sienna and purchased our new van on Dec. 10th. It is very nice with actual plugs in addition to the regular car plugs, a built-in DVD player with cordless head phones, an AUX jack in the radio for the iPod and XM and many other features. I love the silver color because it is so much easier to keep clean than the blue. I LOVE IT! Having a payment again is painful, but knowing we can get where we need to go without any van troubles is worth it!

Before Thanxgiving we started decorating for Christmas because we entertained a bit at the beginning of December and then my family came in for the holiday. I usually don't like to put up alot of decoration because then you just have to take it down after the holidays, but with people coming and a beautiful house to decorate we went all out. Icicle lights across the front of the house, wreaths in the front windows (the wind was so strong it blew them all down), Christmas tree decorated, garland, lites and bows on the banisters, mantel, and piano, etc. It was fun to see the house all dolled up. Although the house sometimes bugs me because it has required so much updating and fixing, it really is a beautiful home.

The month of December flew by, and before we knew it Christmas was upon us. The kids and I made a trip to Amarillo to go to Sams, Super WM, and all the other places to get the food, paper goods, and everything else ready for the masses to come. Both refrigerators were full, the pantry stocked, the house cleaned from top to bottom, and the kids excited for Gpa & Gma and Santa to come (maybe even in reverse order). My brother Cyle got home from his year tour in Iraq just in time for Cmas with the family and it was great to see him again. Both my brothers returned home safe from their tours in Iraq and I was grateful for that knowing that not everyone gets to experience that blessing.

Christmas was so much fun with family and friends in town. My sister and her family made it in the day after Christmas and we ate, partied, played, talked, and enjoyed our time together. Reality hit all too soon when everyone left Tuesday, but what a great time. My brother Clint (stationed in CA) wasn't able to be with us (he was at a friends wedding in Hungary), but he was there in spirit and hopefully we can all get together again soon.

Halloween & November...lots of travel!

2010-01-10T16:47:00.003-06:00

We went to Gpa & Gma Adair's for Halloween. Mom got a new computer and so we went over there to help her set-up the new one; "sucking the guts" out of the old one and transferring it to the new one. The benefit for doing this, besides getting to have a fun weekend with Gpa & Gma, was that the kids inherited the old computer. They now have their own and I LOVE IT! No more messing with mom's computer. Aedan ontime opened so many windows (over 21) that it froze my computer and NOTHING but a cold shut-off would get it moving again.

The beginning of Novemeber I was able to take a trip to Las Vegas for my cousins wedding. Although we wanted to take the whole family, when we got down to the nitty-gritty it just wasn't going to work. With the budget, schedule, and real life considered, we decided I got to go ALONE! We have plenty of frequent flyer miles to pay for the ticket and with family there it was a cheap (and quick) trip. The sealing was awesome, the reception WONDERFUL, and I had a BLAST reconnecting with family and bonding with my most awesomest cousin (you know who you are...)! It was a much needed break from the kids and Borger. Coby was a trooper to take time off to be a full-time dad for 4.5 days (Thurs afternoon - Mon nite) and I was ready to resume my status as mom, wife, housekeeper, accountant, head chef, laundry goddess, taxi service, and whatever else I'm sure I could put on my resume when I returned.

Over Thanxgiving we traveled to Missouri...this was fun! We drove to OKC the first night and stayed with some friends from college. It was such a late night catching up with them, but what a great time we had!! Once in MO, we stayed with Gpa & Gma Lawrence (parents of Coby's "big brother" from the Big Brother/Big Sister program years ago - some of the only people from Coby's hometown we are still in touch with) who were above and beyond in their graciousness, generosity, and kindness to our family. They are truely an example of Christ-like love. We got to see some of Coby's dad's family on Thanxgiving night and had fun catching up with them. Because of Coby's family dynamics Coby didn't have much contact with his dad's family until about 4 years ago, so we are getting to know them better. Coby also reconnected with one of his oldest friends and on our way home we stayed with a great friend from my days in San Diego. It was so much fun to see her and meet her family!

Catsup, Ketcup, or is it Catch Up??

2010-01-10T16:10:00.003-06:00

I can't remember what school it was, but I remember moving part-way thru the year to somewhere and I remember hearing the teacher saying it was catch up day. Well, how ever old I was I didn't hear "catch-up", I heard "ketcup" (remember, I am a natural blonde!). It was months of hearing the teacher announce it was "catsup" day before I figured out it was actually "catch-up". That being said, it is that day...
I think one of the reasons I don't blog so much is because I don't know if I acutally have anything valid, or funny, or profound to write. Our family is like so many other families - we have our great days and really not great days - living currently in a very small town just trying to figure out our place in the world.
As I have written before Borger has been a challenge for us and I can't deny that I was VERY excited that we should be moving back to the Houston area in the next 6 months. My nightmare is that they decide that since Coby is supposed to travel so much with his next project the company doesn't need to move the rest of the family to Houston, but I hope that just stays a nightmare and I can awake in Houston before too long.
The next couple of posts will be the catch-up...I know that I usually can read only a short bit at a time before I'm pulled away by an "urgent need" by any member of my family so I figured a couple of short posts is better than one really long one.

Cleaning kick

2009-09-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

The temperatures are falling here, it is still in the 80s & 90s during the day, but at night it is in the mid- to low-60s so we have the windows open. These temps (and the fact that we still have boxes that haven't been unpacked or moved from there original location) make me want to clean! Yesterday I cleaned all 4.5 bathrooms, including our master bath that needed HELP!, completed washing and folded ALL the laundry (the kids' drawers are almost empty - it was LOTS of loads), and cleaned our master bedroom (home to many of those boxes). It was very fulfilling and I'm trying to get that same motivation today.

I figure when we put a house on the market it is very clean and I would like to have that same level of cleanliness most of the time! Wish me luck!

Exotic Creatures

2009-09-02T09:22:00.003-05:00

Well, living in the panhandle of Texas I knew it would be a desert-ish climate, but I didn't expect all the creatures that come with it. We had the snake about a week ago, and now the scorpions have visited. This is #4 that we have counted. 2 in the basement, 1 in the entryway and this guy was in our master bathtub (no idea how he got in there, but he was vacuumed up when I was cleaning the bathroom yesterday). We plan to spray this weekend to keep all these lovely critters out of our house...

New Blog Look

2009-08-31T17:19:00.001-05:00

I figure that most of you read this blog on Google reader - or something like that - but I wanted to write a note to say drop by my blog to see the new layout. I still have some changes I want to make, but the basics are there. I made everything from scratch using a DS kit. So click on over...

Chore Charts

2009-08-26T14:28:00.005-05:00

Ok, so we tried ever since school got out last May to set-up a chore system and well...this summer it didn't happen. So with the new school year we vowed to get it done! With a little extra time on my hands (I'm no longer on the entertainment committee or referee at home - and I'm not as involved here as I was in Katy) I created a chore chart.

We wanted to have some paid chores (Chaz begs to be able to earn $$), but some chores they just do because they live here, eat here, and have it pretty good. Here is the result (since I didn't know how to post a Word doc [if that is even possible] I made them into a JPEG)! The blank spots to the left of Feed Winnie, Family Rm, Dust, Vacuum are for the kids' names. They will rotate those tasks every week (in hopes they won't get bored).

I printed both pages and laminated them front/back (I LOVE my laminator). This way the kids can use a viz-a-viz marker to keep track of their stuff and if they have any questions about the job they can look on the back (I will have to read it for the little ones).

In the morning and evenings we use the Children's Miracle Music system my mom gave to us a couple months back. Again, we waited for school to start with this, but my kids LOVE it and I'm not having to "strongly encourage" (translation - yell) at them to get them to get ready on time for school or to get in bed. My kids dance around like crazy people to the songs, and they get done the task at hand.

I had to reorder the morning CD since my kids don't get dressed until after breakfast (they tend to get whatever they are eating all down their shirts), but I just put the CD on iTunes, reordered the songs and burned a new one. Easy!

I haven't been able to find the points chart since the move so I created my own. I needed the morning one downstairs and the evening one upstairs - so I created one for each. This program is purely points based, so no money, but instead of just offering a "date" (the suggested "prize") we offer DS/Wii games, meals at McDonald's, happy hour at Sonic, etc. as "prizes" giving each a point value for the kids to work towards. We will see how all of this goes, but I am encouraged.

Yesterday was the first day the "Opportunity Chart" was in play and I told the kids they have to do their Everyday Jobs before the TV or Wii came on or they could play outside. They did a good job. I had to help Gavin and Aedan a bit, but they were efficient and got the job done in good time.

Off to pick up the kids from day 3 of school!!

P.S. If you are interested in a pdf of any of my charts I would happy to email them out! :)

There's a snake in my....house?

2009-08-24T11:19:00.003-05:00

We came home from errands on Saturday and when Aedan walked in from the garage she yelled, "there's a snake". I came around and looked, but couldn't see anything - so we unloaded the van and went on with the day. Then around 2:30 the kids were coming down from quiet time upstairs and she said, "mom come look, there's a snake". Since this was the second time she talked about it I decided to look - and yep...there was a snake! Coby was on an errand so I called him and he was just about home so he came in and we caught it in a box. Took some shots and then he went out and dumped it over the fence. We think it's a bull snake, but not sure...any guesses? I know the pix is fuzzy and the shiney stuff is just something that was in the bottom of the box, not from the snake!

School Dayz

2009-08-24T10:32:00.003-05:00

And their off...
Chaz and Aedan start today, Gavin on Sept. 8th!

Catching Up - the condensed version

2009-08-23T19:32:00.000-05:00

Coby has posted, but I've been silent for quite a while. I would like to blame it on the move, but I think a better excuse would be a general lack of motivation. This move has been hard (I guess in retrospect all the moves have been a challenge in one form or another)! After 6 months we have: moved into our house, made it a home; the kids finished one school year and are about to start another; become a force for good in our small ward; learned that the nearest Super Walmart is 30 minutes away (in Pampa) and my parents are about 3 1/2 hours away (a quick drive); reconnected with friends from college; found out Coby LOVES what he does (lucky man) and has a good management team behind him; been told the next project is probably cancelled so we will be moving again; discovered the ABQ zoo is AWESOME; gotten a dog from the pound and named her Princess Winnie the Pujols (the princess part was Aedan's idea, the rest was from Coby); had a VERY successful garage sale (made over $400); just tried to make this small town a place we belong.

Borger has been very hard for me because although in this small town everyone is friendly, no one wants to actually be a friend. I have gotten involved on a committee for the school district and I'm PTO treasurer at one of the kids' school (all pre-K and K in one school, 1 & 2 in another, 3 & 4 in another; 5 in another; 6-8 another - then HS - CRAZY) and love being Gospel Doctrine teacher at church (I guess you could say I "campaigned" for the calling and got it [the Bishop asked what callings I liked and I told him my favorite...] - although I LOVED being in the RS Pres too). I also play the piano for RS (this isn't an official calling and it isn't very good - even using the super easy hymns book I ordered from Church Dist), but it is better than the acapella we were singing when I first got here.

The kids and I tried to stay busy this summer, but there isn't a ton to do here. No playdates could be found (people don't even go to birthday parties here, it is strange!), etc. Luckily we went on a 10 day trip to Durango, Co and Farmington, NM in July for a family reunion and reunion with great friends and in August went to Gpa & Gma's for a week. That helped! Although Chaz won't admit it, they are ALL ready to head to school tomorrow morning and I have to admit I am MORE THAN READY!

Chaz will be in 1st, Aedan in K, and Gavin in preschool 2 mornings a week. What will I do with all that alone time??? :)

Father/Son campout

2009-05-03T23:35:00.003-05:00

It was time for the annual Priesthood commemoration campout and so we "Men" went out for a bonding experience. This was Gavin's first time sleeping out in a tent and Chaz's second that I know of. We loaded the truck up Friday after I got home from work and headed east towards M.K. Brown Scout Campgrounds, about 1.5 hours east/southeast of Borger...near the Oklahoma border. We arrived about 7ish to the campgrounds and set up camp, the boys were so excited that they almost forget to help set up. Once we got our game plan together we quickly unloaded and set up the tent and chairs and inflated the air mattress and unrolled the sleeping bags. Once all set up we walked down to the area where they were holding the fireside talking about the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood and had snacks. I thought it was a great fireside...the boys loved the snacks...priorities I guess. Once all was done we headed back to the camp where we sat around a big campfire and roasted marshmallows...Gavin didn't like his crispy and Chaz just wanted to be near the fire. Gotta love my boys. About 11 or so they both informed it was bedtime and so we got all settled and gave Codi a quick call goodnight...had to have a cell phone in case of an emergency of course. It took a bit to calm down and get ready for sleep, but also I was asked to snuggle each one so they could fall asleep like the way I used to do it when they were babies/toddlers. Once everyone was asleep the storms rolled in around 0200 and didn't let up until 0500. The boys slept through most of it, but not me...I had to be on comfort/snuggle alert. Funny thing happened...Chaz is so much like his mom, but nicer...he woke me up to tell me I was snoring...Codi usually kicks me until I roll over or stop. During the night we got to listen to all the sounds of the animals and some that Chaz made up and Gavin tried as well. Chaz kept swearing there was a bear, but it was someone snoring in the other tents in the distance. The next morning we got up and started to roll up all of our stuff and leave it in the tent and headed to breakfast...both boys with their newly acquired walking sticks. Had a nice warm breakfast with Tang...Chaz loved it and Gavin had to get his watered down. Once breakfast was all done we drove back to the campsite and did our final roll up and took down the tent and headed off to go fishing. The boys loved this a lot...I would cast their lines out and they got to watch the fish steal the worms off their hooks. Chaz and Gavin both could have caught 4 fish each had they understood what it meant to set the hook when I showed them and told them. I think they just liked see the bobber get drug under water and pop back up. We finally loaded up and head home...Gavin passed out within five minutes of the trip and Chaz hung on for dear life...the boy hates to miss anything. Got home and unloaded and set the tent and chairs up so they could dry off. I know I had a lot of fun bonding with my boys and I am sure they did too...a memory to last a life time for sure.

It's been a while

2009-03-24T21:18:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since we have updated our blog and so now that we are in our new house finally and have the internet working I will update everyone.

Chaz - loves going to his new kindergarten class and has made many friends. He had to switch teachers on his first day of school and we didn't know how he would do with that, but he just rolled with the punches and had no problems with it. He has started playing soccer and I am his coach...fun, fun, fun. He is glad that he finally has his own room and doesn't have to share with Gavin anymore. He trully thinks he is a big kid.

Aedan - She is now going to 5 day a week preschool and loves it. They have been doing lots of activities lately around the cowboy theme...she is having a blast. She too is playing soccer and will have fun. She is back in her pink room and has been enjoying reconnecting with her things after being away from them for a month.

Gavin - He is 98% potty trained...2% = diaper at night only...he has been trying to talk us into not wearing one, but he loves to have water before bed, however, he hasn't mastered the art of getting up in the middle of the night and going potty. He has been a big helper around the house, but has also a big attitude. We just keep reminding ourselves that he will grow out of it. He is still making us laugh though with all his antics and demand for independance.

Codi - She is very busy making our new house a home and keeping up with the kids and preparing her Gospel Doctrine lessons. She is the new GD teacher in our ward, replacing the teacher who had done it for 13 years...yes that is 13 years.

Coby - I have been working long hours at work and loving every minute of it...not because I get out of house work or unpacking but because I truly love my job and enjoy all that I am learning from my new boss. At home though I am perfecting my plumbing and electrical skills, updates galore to be done. I am working with the Young Men at Church and I am also the Assistant Scoutmaster so Chaz and I will be going on campouts each month.

Life is good in the Long home and we are working hard here in Borger to make it our new home, but we still miss all of our friends in Katy.

All he wants for Valentine's Day...

2009-02-04T19:47:00.002-06:00

Chaz has now lost FOUR teeth. He lost his second tooth on the top while visiting our counsins in Dallas January 18. He has found it hard to eat some things; whole apples, etc. but he loves the toothless grin! What a big kid! He is growing so fast!!!

Officially Official!!

2009-01-15T21:15:00.002-06:00

Our house is FINALLY on the market. After waiting for everything to come together to make this event happen (job transfer, relocation company, interviewing 2 realtors, etc) the time has arrived!

If you know anyone in the market for a house in Katy, TX, send them our way. It is clean as a whistle and ready to go!

Look Ma, No...Training Wheels

2009-01-15T21:11:00.004-06:00

Ok, so I'm a bit behind on this one, but Aedan has taught herself how to ride without training wheels! Coby and I were doing a TON of cleaning preparing to list the house over the holiday break and with the gorgeous weather and friends to play with in the cul-de-sac we let them play from sun-up to sun-down so we could get stuff done and they would wear themselves out. Well, Chaz comes running in one day and says "dad, do you want to take the training wheels off of Aedan's bike?" Coby said, "No!" Then I asked, "Why would we do that?" Chaz then told us that Aedan was riding a neighbors bike with no training wheels. We rushed outside and sure enough...she was riding like a champ! Well, her training wheels are off and she is a big girl on her 2-wheeler!

Another One Bites the Dust!

2009-01-15T21:00:00.002-06:00

Well, Chaz has lost another tooth. This time his top right middle tooth! I was cooking chicken on a Sunday to follow the pattern for his other teeth, but the tooth just wouldn't wait. During Sunday breakfast (Jan. 11) Chaz was eating his bowl of Cheerios when he start crunching on a really crunchy "Cheerio" - he finally spit it out and it was his tooth! He loves to retell that story about trying to eat his tooth.

The tooth fairy traded him $1 for his little white gem and now he is working on loosing the other front middle tooth! Stay tuned...

All good things must end

2009-01-09T13:43:00.002-06:00

As my time here in Alaska is coming to a close and I have less than a week left...YAY!!!...I thought I would share my final thoughts.

When I arrived in this beautiful state back in August I was ready to go and take on all that it could throw at me...fleeting daylight, cold weather, and whatever. As my time has gone on and my perspective has changed a little I have learned a few things or remembered a few things...not sure which is the best way to put it. But one thing I always knew was family is the most important thing along with the love of our Father in Heaven. Times have been great and I had fun, but there were times where it was hard for me emotionally and spiritually but I have gained much from this Alaskan experience and wouldn't trade it for the world...well maybe next time have the family with me so they can enjoy it as much as I did...even the - 20 degrees we have "enjoyed" these last couple weeks.

My next assignment in Borger is one that I am looking forward to, one because Codi and the kids will be with my and two it will be a great learning experience for me and a growth for my career. We bloom where we are planted in our family and I know the sun shines in the Texas panhandle.

My Baby Brother (not so 'baby' anymore)!

2009-01-08T13:16:00.003-06:00

I wanted to quickly mention something that has made me appreciate my "baby" bro. When I found out Cyle was deploying to Iraq this past week I wanted to make the 3 hr. drive up to Killeen (Ft. Hood) to see him before he left. After trying to work out the logistics, etc. we (Cyle and I) decided that a phone call before he left would be fine. I was perfectly ok with that plan until I was sitting in R.S. on Sunday and out of the blue was hit with a strong feeling that I needed to go see him.

After church was over I texted my brother to let him know I needed to talk to him ASAP (he was in church...don't tell Elder Oaks ;) ). I tried calling him once also and the after the 2nd call I got ahold of him (between meetings). I explained my prompting totally ready to ignore, down play or defend it when he said "if you got the prompting then you better do it". End of discussion. We planned for the kids and I to load up and meet him for an early dinner the next day (Monday).

The kids, Amber B., and I made the drive to and from Killeen on Monday (6.5 hrs total) and had a great dinner (thanx Cye) - gave him a quick hug and then we were on the road again.

What a great reminder to me that when the Spirit prompts I need to follow thru and not ignore or down play those feelings. Also, when others tell me they are prompted, I need to only say "if you got the prompting then you better do it" and not question or down play their promptings!

Thanx Cyle for the opportunity to learn!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T23:01:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year to everyone! This year will bring change to our family as we get ready to list our house and move to Borger, but 'change is the spice of life'! We will 'bloom where we are planted' and 'find joy in the journey'! Ok - enough with the colloquialisms, we are sad to move, but look forward to what lies ahead. That being said...

As a kick off to this whole concept of actually keeping the blog up-to-date I decided we needed a new background and header. Thanx to help from Pocket and Cutest Blogs and my hubby buying me Adobe Elements 7 - I created, uploaded, etc. all the stuff I needed to create this. As noted at the bottom of the Blog the credit for the products used to make all this goes to GABhappyscrap using their 'Tickled' collection (way cute)!

Watch out...next I might actually try to SCRAPBOOK (digitally, of course)!

How Blessed I Am!

2008-12-25T18:59:00.002-06:00

Today is Christmas and for most parents with small children excited about Santa Claus it was a early morning. It started fast and furious with presents being opened, breakfast made, showers and getting dressed to face the day, Wii set-up, and getting ready for friends to come over. We had a good day playing the Wii as a family and then when friends came over there was plenty of food and friends to enjoy. After tidying up, PJs & medicine for the kids, and saying good night (so glad dad is home to tuck them in to bed) I had a moment to sit and think.

I was struck how blessed I am to have a family with 3 beautiful/handsome, smart, healthy kids. A husband who provides so well for our family and makes personal sacrifices (6 months alone in AK) - who loves me no matter how much of a toot I am sometimes. I'm grateful for a family - extended - who stays in touch, has fun together, and likes each other.

I am blessed to live in a free land, a PROMISED land. I am so grateful for those that will fight for that opportunity in other lands, putting their own life on the line for others. I am blessed to be related to such individuals, not only in this generation, but in previous generations.

I am blessed to believe in Jesus Christ. I am blessed to know of His love for me - for EVERYONE! I am blessed to work with AMAZING women both in church and in other areas of my life. I am blessed to have a love of the scriptures and the true doctrines they teach. I'm grateful that a loving Heavenly Father has blessed me with the capacity to understand, apply, and teach.

In general, this Christmas like so many before, I realize I AM BLESSED. I bet others feel that way in their lives. As the Hymn states, "Count your many blessings name them one by one...and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"

P.S. When Coby came downstairs after putting the kids in bed and found me blogging he was shocked - I guess that means it has been too long. Hopefully this next year I will get much better! :)

It's Officially Official

2008-12-21T16:19:00.005-06:00

Last week we received the news that we will be definitely be moving to Borger, TX...where? Borger, TX to the north and east of Amarillo, TX about 45 miles.

I am to report to work on the Gasoline Benzene Reduction Project the week of January 19th. So I am leaving Alaska on January 15th come home pack and head out. Some where in there we are having a birthday party for Gavin who will be 3 on the 13th. Codi and the kids will be following closely behind (we hope). If you are looking for an adventure come and stop in on the Texas Panhandle. Borger is about the same size as the town I grew up in 12,000 -14,000. Just a little difference in size from Houston, but a change of pace will be nice.

It's the final countdown

2008-12-13T23:18:00.002-06:00

As the year is coming to an end so are many other things in our lives. I am about to come home from Alaska for the rest of the year. As long as there are no delays I land in Houston December 19th around noon. I know that we are all ready for that. My time working in Alaska is also coming to an end...we should be finding out really soon how much longer I will be in the great white north. As my time here ends that means our time in Houston will also end. Once we find out for sure (100%) we will post where our new location will be. This time apart has been good for adventure and yet hard for our family to be apart and we are so ready to be together again...as we like to say the fun is now over.

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse

2008-11-22T02:33:00.002-06:00

Tonight I write this blog as I am sitting in the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, AK. I am supposed to be on my way home, but for some reason the delays keep mounting up and I was originally delayed for 45 minutes and then 1 hour 15 minutes. At present my delay is 2 hours. Mind you I am supposed to be on the 0045 flight, so late enough, but now I have to manage to stay up an extra 2 hours. I tried to take a nap before I came to the airport but I think the excitement of knowing I am going home to see Codi and the kids was too much for me to nap. Best laid plans they say. There is some solace to this whole thing. Continental is giving us snacks as we wait, a free flight would be nice, but beggars can't be chosers. If I have one thing I can't complain about is the fact that I was smart enough to upgrade my seat to first class several weeks ago. I hope this will allow me to get some rest, or not be so uncomfortable, it is an 8 hour flight. I am just ready to be home.

Codi's visit to Alaska

2008-11-08T17:51:00.010-06:00

A couple weeks ago Codi made the long plane ride up to beautiful Alaska. Many thanks go out to her mom for making this happen. She came down to Houston to watch the kids while Codi came up to visit. We had lots of fun and got to see and do many things. Codi even ate fish...this doesn't normally happen. I think if you were to ask...she had the time of her life, even if it were a little colder than Houston was when she left.

We went down to Seward which is on the ocean side of the Kenai Pennisula. This guy was a total camera hog. He saw me coming with the camera and was posing the whole time. I wish I could have gotten some better pictures.

We were got this close to Exit Glacier...the road was closed.

On our way down to Seward we saw this cool bridge and so on the way back we had to get some picks. In Alaska there are not a lot of service stations and we coming back from Seward when we realized that we didn't have enough fuel to get even to Girdwood so we had to stop and ask a guy who told us that Cooper's Landing was the closest place. On the way down the road we saw the Adopt a Highway sign with ConocoPhillips on it so of course we needed a picture.

You can't come to Alaska without doing a hike so we went out Friday morning with some friends and it was just a little cold that day with a 25 mile an hour wind. So I would imagine with the wind chill it would have been well below zero.

We also had the chance to see the world premiere of Echos at the Anchorage Symphony. It was really cool with the story of the whaling adventures from the East Coast, Alaska and Hawaii. It included natives in the performance.

On Sunday we had the wonderful experience of visiting some friends that I grew up with. They live in Eagle River and are stationed at Fort Richardson. We had so much fun and laughed a lot.

Thanks again Mom for making this happen.

Snow Sweet Snow

2008-10-19T16:14:00.011-05:00

Recently I have been going on lots of hikes as you can tell by other posts. The last couple have given us lots of snow and different wild life to see. To catch up I went on a hike to Hidden Lake, or so we thought until we got back and looked at the map. We took the wrong trail and added about 1.5 miles to our journey. We ended up at Rocky Lake...DJ said we should have taken the map, but we men "knew" where we were going eventhough none of us had been there. From here on out we are taking the maps with us. I got to see my first state bird while on this hike...a Ptarmigen (snow pigeon). These are the dumbest birds ever...you can almost touch them before they decide they should move away from you.

It was pretty cold that day (2 weeks ago) the sweat on my beanie was freezing, but for some reason I wanted to keep taking off layers to cool down. This weather is crazy, or maybe it is just me. You learn that layers are your best friend out on these hikes.

These are my friends DJ and Michael that I go with on these hikes in the wilderness of Alaska.

Yesterday we went out and it was still cold, but we got to see some moose and lots of cross country skiers and their dogs. I think I may try my hand at cross-country skiing but we will see.

This bridge is about 2.5 miles from where we started and this water...freezing cold, the ice doesn't even melt in it. I think it just keeps building up.

If you look close you can see moose, I wasn't brave or dumb enough to get close enough to see their nose hair. Right now the bull moose are in rut and so they are very aggressive. You can see people getting much closer than I trying to get pictures. I think I was far enough to see them well enough knocking heads trying to see who will get the herd of cows.

Life is good and the sunlight is getting less and less and the temps keep going down but that won't deter me from trying to see as much as I can of this great wilderness.

High on a Mountain Top...

2008-09-26T21:28:00.011-05:00

Today I went on my first official hike...one that required more than following a wide trail and no climbing. Last week's experience of my hike inspired me to do it more and more. I went with one of my OSU Fire Protection Alum friends and his wife...also OSU alum. We started the day off around noon heading to the trailhead, an absolutely beautiful day in Anchorage...haven't had a clear and wonderful day in quite a while. We headed up the trail of Flattop Mountain...2.5 mile hike to the top and about 1500 feet of elevation change. I should have taken pictures on the way up...sorry guys hind sight is 20/20. We made it to the top in about 1.5 hours...my legs and feet are sore. We had to climb up the side of the mountain the last 300 or so feet of elevation. We started seeing snow as we approached the top and once up there we in the snow, roughly 2 - 3 inches or more in most places on top. The trip down was kind of tricky until we got the "2nd Saddle". From there we felt like we were sprinting down the side of the mountain. Finally it back down about 2.75 hours after we started.

Here are some of the pictures that either me or Michael took while on top of the mountain.

Apparently someone thought it would be a good idea to make a snowman.

A view of Anchorage from up top. A view of Denali (Mt. McKinley) from the top.

A couple of the different mountains that were "close".

My Latest Alaskan Adventure

2008-09-20T19:55:00.014-05:00

Today I took a drive and a hike...I drove all the way to Houston, what a ride. On the way though I stopped in Wasilla...home to the next VP. On the way back from my roadie I saw a sign for a couple of places I had been wanting to go...Mirror Lake and Thunderbird Falls. T-bird falls was quite a hike...1000 vertical feet in a very short amount of time...some may think nothing of it, but it was quite the climb. It was a very beautiful area and an amazing view. Walking through the forest it reminded me somewhat of the forests in North Central Missouri where I grew up.

Here are a few pics from my adventure today.

Just for Chaz...this is an auto body shop that is in Anchorage. My view heading north to Houston.

Welcome to Houston, Alaska...not quite like home.

Welcome to Wasilla, the home of Sarah Palin...next VP of the US

Mirror Lake and Thunderbird Falls

From the top of the falls ...................and from the bottom of the falls.

Track this

2008-09-10T23:12:00.002-05:00

For those of you wondering really what is going on in the gulf don't be fooled by the talking heads on TV. Predicting the weather is like winning in Las Vegas...you get lucky some of the time to keep you at it.

Check out this website...I have found it is better than most sites and weathermen.

http://www.stormpulse.com/2008-hurricane-season

Above the Arctic Circle

2008-09-10T23:01:00.003-05:00

Today was my first time going up to the North Slope of Alaska...technically north slope of the Brooks Mountain range. Pretty awesome place...look at a map of Alaska, go all the way to the top find Prudhoe Bay/Dead Horse and go to the West about 25 miles and that is where I am. On the flight up I got to see the most amazing creation...Mt. McKinley in all of its glory...absolutely unbelievable. Today as we got off the plane it was snowing and 35 degrees or so. Best of all I have cell service from Verizon pretty sweet.

Me in my Arctic Survival Gear. I don't have to wear this yet, but soon enough when I come back up here I will have to.

Summer Vacation - In the Beginning...

2008-09-06T13:37:00.005-05:00

My counsin Donny with his daughter Kate, flanked by Aedan & Gavin

We've been home almost 2 weeks, but it so often seems that a vacation after the vacation is truly needed! Here's the scoop:

Monday, Aug. 11 - the kids and I left about 6am to head up to Oklahoma to pick up Grandma for our trip out west. They were great! We left early because I wanted to get on the road to get to grandma's house earlier in the afternoon so they kids might get some energy out before our 18 hour drive the next day to Las Vegas!

Tuesday, Aug. 12 - got on the road early again. Not as early as Monday, but still in good time. Mom & I braced ourselves for a very long day of driving. We had all four of the cigarette lighter type plug-ins full. One for the converter for Aedan's Cyber Pocket, another for Chaz's DS Lite, the two up front were very connected - one for the iPod converter (a tuner for the iPod to play thru the radio - my van is just a couple years too old to have the direct connect), and the other with a splitter - on plug-in for the GPS and the other for the kids movies in the back (yes - they played almost the whole way and even when they were playing their games). We were packed with snax, pillows & blankets, and the necessary electronics in the main area, fully packed in the trunk, and a car topper strapped on top. The drive went rather well with just a couple of stops for gas, potty, & food. After covering MANY miles we arrived in Vegas to stay with my Aunt Bonna, Uncle Stewart, & cousins. Man, the air was dry and I was LOVING it! I miss the west coast!!
The best part about traveling west is the time change is in our favor - we arrived about 10pm Vegas time (midnight CST).

Wednesday, Aug. 13 - Sometime during the trip to Vegas from Ok Chaz started to cry - his ear was hurting him (in hind site mom and think it was when we went over the Sandia Mountains into Albuquerque - the first real elevation change). He had been complaining before the trip, but because we had been going to the pool so much I thought it was swimmers ear. I had the drops and gave him Tylenol and we continued to drive. By the end of the trip on Tuesday he was in pain and so I called my aunt in Vegas and asked about a good Dr. She suggested a walk-in clinic down the road and so on Wed. morning Chaz and I went to get his ear checked out. It wasn't too bad of a wait for a walk-in - about an hour. When we finally saw the Dr. she looked in his ear and there was so much fluid she couldn't see the ear drum. She determined that it was probably a burst ear drum and prescribed antibiotics. We filled the prescription ASAP and after a stop at a HUGE Jo-Ann's Etc we were back to pick up my mom and the other kids and get on the road again - this time for a short 7 hour trip!
We made it to Fallon, NV in good time and began a 3 day 4 nite stay with my aunt's family in Fallon (about an hour outside of Reno to the East - the relatively new home to Top Gun).

Thursday, Aug. 14 - Loved being with Aunt Shawna, Uncle Grant - their kids and Mojo (the dog). The kids and I enjoyed the first day of the week NOT in the van! Mom, Shawna, & I went on a bike ride after breakfast. I loved the cool morning temps - something I don't get in the summer in Texas! We played, rested, relaxed and enjoyed being with family we hadn't seen in TOO LONG!

Friday, Aug. 15 - More relaxing and playing. Shawna, Grant and I headed to Reno for a Costco run and met Grandma Christiansen, Great Aunt Gwyn, Mom (she drove up to Reno Thurs. morning), Dad (flew into Reno earlier on Friday), Bonna & Stewart (drove up to Reno Wed) at Claim Jumpers (YUM!). My cousins stayed in Fallon and watched my kids so it could be an adult dinner (yeah!!).

Saturday, Aug. 16 - Laundry! I needed to get our laundry done so that we would have enough clothes to last us thru Tahoe and the trip home! Shawna was so great to feed us, give us a comfy place to sleep and let us use all the other amenities! We packed up what we had brought in and got ready to leave early on Sunday morning to head to Reno to go to church and then prepare for the mass exodus to Tahoe (finally!). That evening my brother Cyle & cousin Shayla flew in to Reno from SLC and the Skouson cousins drove up from Vegas! Fun to reunite with EVERYONE! We stayed up WAY TOO LATE with an awesome Fireworks display by Josh and Millie (cousins) and yummy ice cream! The off to bed.

Sunday, Aug. 17 - Got up early-thirty to head to Reno. Shawna and Grant were having Stake Conference and I wasn't prepared for 2 hours with my kids (only brought a small church activity bag) and they didn't know who the visiting authority was going to be - so I chose to drive up to Grandma's ward to attend church with the rest of the family. Ironically, once we all arrived to Tahoe and talked about church earlier that day the visiting authority was Elder Pickard - my old stake president from Katy! His family had recently moved to Phoenix and he was in Fallon on church business! It would have been so fun to see him again - would have surprised him I'm sure! Oh well, loved church in Reno, had some pretty good revelation from one of the Sacrament talks!
After church we went back to Grandma's started the great load-up, ate a delicious breakfast provided by Bon and Stew and were outta there! We were all so excited to finally start the "official" family reunion at Lake Tahoe - something that had been planned for, thought about, & traveled too for about a year!

The Skouson and Moulton kids (missing Quinn) with a couple extras - enjoying the yummy ice cream after the fireworks!
Lt to Rt Front- Sharah M. (head down), Josh M. (green shirt), Aedan (tounge out), Kate (1/2 in picture) Back - Shayla M., Millie S., Mikayla S., Jacob M., Marissa S., Shalese M.

Alaska - Majestic

2008-08-16T07:28:00.006-05:00

I haven't gotten around to posting some of the pictures from my Alaska trip from early in the month but now I am. Codi and the kids are off on vacation and I will be joining them soon. As for my trip it was absolutely amazing, apparently when I was there it was the hottest day of the summer a whopping 71 degrees. The sun stayed up until around 1130 in the evening and rose again around 6. My sleeping was at a minimum to say the least. I think one of the only words I can use to describe Alaska for those who have never been is simply majestic. Breathtaking and unbelievable are a few others come to mind, but simply put...majestic. I hope you agree.

Heading South towards Indian Point

Still heading towards Indian Point

This is heading North towards Palmer...they used to pan for gold in the area pretty heavily.

While I was there I also have a chance to go to a Musk Ox farm and to go by the Anchorage, AK Temple. Little known fact about the Musk Ox...they don't produce an odor and they are not an ox...they are actually part of the goat family and only have two stomachs and not four like the bovine family.

The Musk Ox farm just North of Palmer...these guys were pretty cool. Their under fur or tuft is used to produce Keiviet which is softer than cashmere and much more expensive, but it is so warm.

The Temple is much more beautiful than these picture give it credit. The Stake center next to it is still under construction...people have either tried to burn it down or destroy it while in the construction phase. However, they have done nothing to hurt the Temple.

More to come once I am in Alaska at the end of the month for my assignment.

It's Electric (boogey, oogey, oogey)

2008-08-07T13:35:00.003-05:00

This past week has been crazy and EXPENSIVE as we do our final planning, shopping, packing, and over-all preparation for our trip to Tahoe! The kids all earned their points (chore chart stuff) to get the desires of their little hearts! Chaz finally got the DS Lite he has been BEGGING for since last April. Aedan earned the new Vtech Cyber Pocket game system. Poor Gavin gets the hand-me-down "My First LeapPad", but he got a new "Cars" cartridge and booklet and he will be the "master" of the 5-in-1 joystick game in the van. To be honest, these were not only because the kids earned the points, but because we hope this will make the 3 days car ride to Tahoe and 3 day car ride home a bit easier. The fact that we can watch movies in the van just isn't as cool as it once was (if only they had done car trips when I was a kid - no movies and the FIRST GameBoy came to our family when I was a teenager!).

Here is the day after we got the new stuff. It was a good day to have it because that was "Tropical Storm Edouard" day. Although it wasn't as big a deal as people thought it might be - it was still rainy.

Alaska Bound

2008-07-24T16:54:00.003-05:00

By now many probably know that I am going to be in Alaska for 6 months and how crazy is it to leave the family for that long. Well, I do get to come once a month for visits, but that may not seem enough. As part of the Summit Program I am in at work we are to do two assignments (4 - 6 months) and a three month classroom component...this summer. I have completed my first assignment and this will be my final one. This program is a new one and 20 individuals were hand picked to participate in the very first class. We are learning to be Project Managers and are kind of fast tracked in this role.

Alaska will be awesome, but I will miss my family, sunlight and warm winters. I found out that the ward I will be in, Inlet View Ward starts at 3pm, but the time may be changing according to their ward website. When I saw that my head dropped and thought 2pm was bad, but 3 is insane. Hopefully, it will go to like 8 or 9am.

I leave next Thursday night for a home finding trip to Anchorage for the weekend. Pictures will be taken and posted. I plan to have posts and many pictures of my time in the great white north. Stay tuned.

Olympics!

2008-07-24T13:50:00.002-05:00

I LOVE the Olympics! Not the politicized crap that seems to over-ride the months leading up to them (it seems to get worse every time!), but the whole word watching the best athletes from so many countries, cultures, faiths, & backgrounds! I usually end up getting teary eyed during the opening ceremony and love the excitement! I found the Olympics Widget on Marci's site and HAD to put one on mine!! Can't wait!!!

The ONLY Constant...CHANGE (Part 2)

2008-07-21T15:29:00.003-05:00

I'm finally catching up with the news of the family - if you read Part 1 of this story you know Coby is leaving for Alaska in about 5 weeks. One of the challenges I was trying to figure out when it was confirmed that he was leaving is how I was going to teach Home-Study Seminary every Sunday morning with 3 kids. Because they are early risers teaching as home wouldn't work. I had already tried changing the time the students could meet and Sunday AM is about the only time. I had just about decided that I needed to ask the Bishopric for help when I got a phone call one Saturday about noon. I was speaking in church the next day and so I figured that the member of the Bishopric was calling to make sure I was ready, etc. When he told me he needed to meet with me that day my mind started thinking ---- "The Primary's 1st Couns. had just moved out of the ward, but the bishopric counselor wasn't the right counselor for a Primary calling - but yet the counselor over the Primary had been out of town. No, they don't move Seminary teachers...it must be something about seminary."

I was very curious and the 3 hours until my appointed meeting seemed to take forever! When I finally arrived at the church I figured this would be as good a time as any to explain that Coby would be gone for 6 months and I would appreciate some help finding someone to help me with my kids for Seminary purposes.

Luckily after I walked in, we started with prayer and he got right to it...I was asked to be the Education Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency! WHAT??? They don't move Seminary teachers!! This was a surprise to me!

Admittedly I had been feeling the winds of change coming, but thought that I was just imagining things. I said something like "I guess this means I'm done with Seminary" and he responded - well the Bishop knows how much you love Seminary and wants you to see what your RS load will be like during the summer and then assess what needs to be done in the Fall. After I told him that Coby would be gone, etc. he understood that Seminary would be over for me.

Now almost a month later, our Presidency is in full swing and we are a great team. The president reminds me a ton of my mom and she is a real fun, hard worker. The Bishop asked that we visit all the sisters and I think that she will get it done before the end of the summer! We have a sister from each stage of life. The Prez who has almost all her kids out of the house, me who still has young kids at home, the Enrichment Couns. who is a grandmother, and the sec. who is a relatively new mother. It's great to get so many different perspectives!

Since the call and the setting apart I have felt such a love for the sisters in our ward. I love our ward anyway, but man, what a unity I desire for the women of our ward - and when the women unite, family friendships are strengthened and the ward becomes a cohesive unit!! ZION! What a goal!

The ONLY Constant...CHANGE!

2008-07-21T14:44:00.004-05:00

It all started a about a month ago when...well it actually started in February when Coby accepted his new job. He has been in the "Summit" program all summer long. This is a program to train 20 hand-picked people to become Project Engineers - in other words it is to get them ready to manage. When he was hired the program was still in development stages and so we knew that he would be in the program, but didn't know much else. Although the program is a HUGE boost for his career, it has thrown a couple of "wrenches" in family life. He isn't able to travel to Lake Tahoe in August with us because he has to stay for the program and then once he started the program he was informed that he would need to complete two 6-month assignments.

Well, on June 19th as I walked out the door to go to take the kids to the pool (our morning ritual) Coby was on his way to Louisiana for a "field trip". I had the most peaceful feeling come over me. After the peace and calm dissipated a bit I was worried about Coby...it was such a calming feeling that I honestly thought he was going to get hurt (car wreck, site accident, etc). I felt the peace and calm all day and anticipated his call that night (it was an over-nighter) hoping that the report would be A-OK! When he called, he was fine. Nothing exciting had happened on the drive over and the site tour was great. He had one tidbit of news to tell me - the 6-month assignment that he was probably going to get was in ALASKA!! I told him "sounded fun", etc and after a bit we ended the call. The next morning when the calm feeling had completely worn off I was wondering what I was thinking when I said, "sure, Alaska sounds great!"

Well, time has passed and Coby is preparing to go to Alaska in September. The rest of us will remain in TX - Chaz starts Kindergarten, Aedan will be in Preschool & I have settled in here. It wasn't until I was talking to my friend about the happenings around the time that he got the assignment and it dawned on me that the most likely reason I felt the peaceful calm flood over me was because Heavenly Father knew that Coby would call that night and inform me that ALASKA would be his new place of residence for SIX MONTHS!

What a loving Heavenly Father to help me have such a potent feeling before my dear hubby dropped such a piece of information on me. Since then we have been preparing for the assignment and although it will be hard to be a full-time mommy 24/7, I feel up to the challenge - with an increased babysitting budget!! :)

Oops, he did it again!

2008-07-21T14:23:00.003-05:00

Well, it seems the recipe for Chaz to loose teeth is a wiggly tooth, a Sunday evening, & anything chicken for dinner! He did it again! He pulled out his own tooth! Here's the latest picture!

Although he URGED me again to take a picture of the tooth on the ruler - I assured him that this tooth is relatively the same size as the last tooth. The void from the tooth he lost a couple of weeks (on the left) ago is already being replaced by an adult tooth.

Posting a Comment 101

2008-07-10T14:08:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I get a call from my mother today - "Codi, how do you post a comment on your blog?!?!? I've been trying to post one ever since you put up the post about Chaz loosing his tooth!" Emily was over and stated that she too had found it tricky to post a comment - so I pretended I was not the author of the blog and tried to post a comment...it was a little trickier than most, but being the computer genius I am - I figured it out. he he he (Please read very tongue in cheek!!)

HOW TO POST A COMMENT:
1. Click on the comment link immediately to the lower right of the post.
2. If there are multiple comments on the post, scroll up to see just above the first comment.
3. Look for this text - "This entry was posted on DAY, DATE . You can leave a response and follow any responses to this entry through the Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)." This text is box outlined by stitching.
4. Click on "leave a response" (it should be yellow & underline when touched by the mouse arrow).
5. This will lead you to the usual "Post A Comment On:" page.
6. HAVE FUN!

I Love my MOTHER!! By the way, this posting comes at her suggestion!

Where'd it go?

2008-06-29T20:16:00.007-05:00

Chaz earlier last week told me he had a loose tooth. Being the bad mother I am I didn't believe him (in my defense he has told me that several times and the tooth wasn't moving anytime soon!). After I got back from my Seminary Inservice on Thursday night Coby confirmed that it was loose. We told him that it might take a couple of weeks to get loose enough to pull.

Well, we get home from church today and at dinner he kept saying that his tooth hurt when he chewed. Then without warning HE pulled it out! Holy smokes! It is the smallest tooth! He is so excited! His cousin Morgan has already been loosing teeth - she's about a year older - and when he saw her in May he was so jealous!

Congrats Chaz!!!

A Little Behind - as usual!

2008-06-23T14:53:00.007-05:00

Ok, so I was cleaning up the guest room (that is always available - COME VISIT!) with my hubby on Saturday. He was great to have for muscles as we were not only cleaning up the space, but cleaning out the space and rearranging some big furniture. Love his BIG muscles!

We were talking about some of the things that had happened and I kept saying "I need to blog about that!", so here is my chance to catch up on some of the "stuff" that has happened in our lives lately.

Aedan's Birthday
Our princess turned 4 in early June and as she has been planning her party since the party the year before we knew that she needed to have one! Talking with her and some ideas of our own sealed the deal.
We invited many friends from church and decorated birthday hats (an Aedan Requirement [A.R.]) and aprons that I made for the party. They weren't anything big, just denim from a cute pattern I found from Joanns.com. I liked them because the string to tie them also helped to fit the apron high enough on the kiddo. The kids decorated their aprons and then we had games. Duck, Duck, Goose (another A.R.) and pass the parcel - a game from best we can tell is Canadian in origin since most Americans don't know what it is (my friend that is Canadian introduced me to it and a father at the party that is Canadian knew what it was, but the Americans were clueless :)).
We then ate mini pizzas (part of the reason I wanted the kids to have aprons) and decorated Pink cupcakes (A.R.). Aedan opened her gifts in record time - with the help from big brother - and before we knew it the party was over! I think that everyone had a good time and Aedan LOVES all her new gifts!

Red Robbin & the Cardinals Game
After Aedan's Birthday we napped the kids and then about 3:30pm headed towards downtown Houston to go to the Cardinals v. Astros game. As dad told Aedan: "It's to celebrate your birthday!" hmmmmmm
On the way we stopped at Red Robbins for Aedan's free birthday burger and birthday dessert!
At the restaurant we discovered Chaz had a fever and had caught the flu that Aedan had earlier in the week. He decided to be a trooper and go to the game. The game was great! Good seats and the kids were great until about the 7th inning. The boys and I went for a walk around the discovered the Reliant Energy Free Photo Booth.

We also went to the kids area - the Minute Maid Squeeze Play - the boys had a blast. Before we knew it the game was over (and considering it was after 9pm the kids did great!). The Cards won! What a fun birthday!

My new PRINTER
I've been complaining about my old printer off and on. It doesn't scan so well, you have to fax off the glass because the scanning lite won't go all the way to the end so the feeder won't work (I actually fax more than I could have imagined when I got my first 4-in-One). Etc, etc...so Costco's wonderful coupons came in the mail for June and there was a screaming deal on the printer I had been eye-balling since Christmas (better than the after Thanxgiving deal that was good). So I took the plunge (with Coby's blessing - he was tired of hearing me whine). I got the HP Photosmart C7250 All-in-One. The color ink cartridges are all seperate - there is a photo screen on the printer and it has the memory slots for a variety of memory cards! It prints crystal clear - even on the 'draft' setting! I LOVE IT! Thanx hon!

A Great Friend - Gone

2008-06-18T19:22:00.027-05:00

Codi & Kathleen - May 22, 1998
It's taken me a while to be able to write down my feelings about a wonderful lady who lived well and died too young! While visiting my family in OK in late May I called home to check our answering machine messages (I was anticipating getting some attendance info for seminary class that HAD to be turned in by May 31 - I'm not really that addicted to my answering machine) - and I heard a message from a friend I hadn't talked to in a long time. She told me that my sweet friend Kathleen Briggs had died.

I was driving down the road when I heard this message and I involuntarily cried! I missed my friend! I was so sad that I hadn't seen her in years and planned to visit her this summer when I head out west. Sad I didn't keep in better contact with her and sad that she won't be a part of my life - even if it was just the occasional email and Christmas newsletter.

Kathleen was the Relief Society President in our student ward and bravely called me to be her second counselor. The more I got to know Kathleen the more I loved her - mostly because she loved me - and she was one of the best "people cheerleaders" I know. [definition of people cheerleader: someone who ALWAYS finds the good in someone and lets them know about it, NEVER speaks ill of anyone, and LOVES everyone!]

Colleen - Kathleen's best friend and a great person in her own right - left a long message detailing what Kathleen had put in her PDA as a message to me when she died. I say when because during our adventure in the RS presidency together Kathleen was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of breast cancer. She survived the chemo, etc. only for it to show up in other parts of her body - which eventually killed her. She also survived - with a "can do" attitude - a horrible t-bone collision! She is amazing!

The message that Kathleen requested be passed on to me demonstrates her love for the individual. She was incredibly organized and Colleen said that she left messages on her PDA for all the people Kathleen wanted to be contacted and what she wanted them to know about themselves and how she felt about them.

I sure love Kathleen. April 2, 2008 was the celebration of 10 years surviving cancer - she made it 10+ years!!! She will be missed, but it just gives such hope for the eternal nature of our spirits and the blessing to reunite with friends again!
Kathleen, Codi, Coby, Colleen - May 22, 1998

Here is a copy of the page I sent to her for the surprise 'Survival Celebration Book' Colleen put together (thanx to my sister for help putting it together - I'm totally "cute scrapbook page" illiterate!):

Deep Dish Apple Pie - using dried apples

2008-06-17T08:40:00.004-05:00

5 c. dried apple slices
4 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt

Bring to boil in large saucepan. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.

1 1/3 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Add to apple mixture and stir.

1/4 c. cornstarch
1/2 c. water

Put cornstarch into small dish and add water. Stir into a smooth paste. Then stir paste into apple mixture and cook until thickened, stirring constantly.

Cool slightly and pour into a purchased “Deep Dish” pie shell (Marie Calendar is a nice brand & size). Or, you can pour into pastry-lined 9 x 13 baking dish.

Mix together and top with the following:

1 c. flour
1/2 c. butter (low fat or whipped butter will not work.)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. rolled oats

Cut butter into flour; then add other ingredients. Crumble over pie filling before baking.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes. Place foil-lined cookie sheet underneath to catch drips.

Out of the mouth of Babes

2008-06-15T08:08:00.003-05:00

Last night we were running errands and decided we would go out for dinner as well. We were asking the kids where they wanted to eat. Here is how the conversation went:

Codi - Where would you guys like to eat?
Chaz - At the restaurant with the pepper.
Coby - You mean Chili's?
Aedan - I don't want to eat there because I am not Chilly...I am Cool.

Gavin's choice was McDonalds, so we ended up eating at Jason's Deli. Great food, great time and everyone got ice cream. Yum!

Radio Flyer - flying down the stairs

2008-06-13T16:05:00.012-05:00

Ok, we decided since the kids are getting older that a wagon might be a better choice for outings - like the zoo tonight - I searched out for the best wagon for our family and decided due to price, etc. that a radio flyer plastic with UV canopy would be a great choice. Went to Target early today and bought it. During quiet time I assembled it...the kids were so excited to see the new wagon when they woke up! They watched some TV in the wagon, checked out the UV canopy, flipped the seats up and down, and when I thought they had done all they could with the wagon - they discovered the box! First they crawled in and out - stood it up - dragged it around - and finally...they took it to the stairs! They hauled it to the top - one of them climbed in - and down they go! Makes me wonder if finding just a box would have been a less expensive choice, but then how would be get around the zoo???

Chaz

Gavin

Aedan - love the trash talk at the end!

Memorial Day by Coby

2008-05-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a great day to be with family and to remember those who are currently serving our military and those who have lost their lives in service. We went to a Memorial Day Ceremony at a National Cemetery at Ft. Sill, OK. As I had time to ponder before, during and after the service it brought many thoughts to my mind. I thought of my family members who served from my dad, my uncles, and aunt. Then there was my father-in-law and my two brothers-in-law and one of my friends currently in Iraq. I also remembered all the experiences that I had during my eight years of service between active duty and the reserves and all the friends I had made and great times we shared. Most of all there were two moments that I remember the most from yesterday, the first being the song "I'm proud to be an American" by Lee Greenwood. A gentleman sang this song at the ceremony and it brought a few tears to my eyes. This was a song that was played for us during Basic Training during a very tough time for our Platoon and Unit. We were not getting things done collectively as a unit and the Battalion Chaplain had us join him one night away from the Drill Instructors and spoke to us and at one point he played this song and it made us all stop and think, and that was the turning point for our Platoon and Unit. Plus, there was not a dry eye in the room after that because we came to a realization, or at least I did, that fighting for the freedom of our beloved country is more important that I am as an individual and we can not complete a mission as an individual or group of individuals but as a team.

The second moment that hit me yesterday was when my brother-in-law Clint was speaking during an interview that was done on our family. He was relaying one of the reasons service in the military is so important to him and one of his driving factors. He had a very dear friend growing up at Ft. Sill who died in Iraq about five years ago and Clint is now attached to the same unit that Jeff was when he died. Jeff's dad was my Battalion Commander when I was stationed at Ft. Sill so it touched me deeply when I heard that Jeff had died because it was as if a member of our family had died. In the military you usually become very tight with those whom you serve with and I had a chance to serve next to Jeff's dad and be around him and grow to appreciate what a great man he was. So you take it hard when one of your "family" loses a member of their own.

Even though it is no longer Memorial Day, take a moment to remember those who have died in the service of this great country and thank those who have served or are serving to defend this powerful strong nation.

God Bless our Troops and grant them protection.

So Blessed...

2008-05-20T23:25:00.002-05:00

So I don't write too much on the blog because I feel like some of what I have to say wouldn't be too interesting. I guess when you think about it, that is relative to each person - so here goes on some of my thoughts for the past couple of weeks.

Coby has been traveling - lots - lately which means that I'm a single parent. This isn't as bad as it used to be since the kids are getting older and they are able to do more for themselves. I love that my kids are growing up! Sometimes I feel lonely when he is gone...I get into a self-pitty mode, but last week and again this week when the quiet nites and quiet mornings leave me with time to think I have felt the overwhelming love of the Lord! Last week I was studying about Abinadi in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 12-17) in prep for subbing in the Gospel Doctrine class. Abinadi tells King Noah and his wicked priests about the Savior, His atonement and love for all men. When I was reading Mosiah 15 - I felt so loved!

Elder Merrill J. Bateman gave an excellent quote about Mosiah 15 and Alma 7 in a talk when he was BYU President that helps me to better understand the atonement and the Saviors ability to succor, heal, mend, and take on our infirmities and afflictions!

"May I share with you my witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement in the meridian of time is the most important event in human history. I know that in a garden Adam and Eve fell that you and I might experience mortality. I also know that in another garden and on the cross, the Lord and Creator of this earth suffered our sins so that we can return home if we will exercise faith in him and repent. There are many scriptures that have helped me understand the personal nature of the Atonement. Two are exceptional. The first is from Alma 7:11-12.
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
"Alma reveals to us the process by which the Master learned perfect empathy in the flesh. He experienced not only our sins but also our pains, sufferings, temptations of every kind, sicknesses, infirmities, and weaknesses. He also experienced death in order to loose the bands of death for his people. Consequently, if one of us has a special problem, it is not possible for him or her to say, "No one knows what I am experiencing. No one understands my pain or suffering." The Lord knows! He not only knows the depth of your experience, he knows how to succor you because of his suffering.
"The second passage comes from Mosiah, where the prophet Abinadi quotes chapter 53 of Isaiah to the wicked priests of King Noah:
"And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
"Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets [and has] hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people . . . are his seed. [Mosiah 15:10-11]
"For many years I envisioned the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross as places where an infinite mass of sin and pain were heaped upon the Savior. Thanks to Alma and Abinadi, it is no longer an infinite mass but an infinite stream of people with whom the Savior became intimately acquainted as he suffered our sins, pains, and afflictions. I testify that he knows each of us, is concerned about our progress, and has the infinite capacity not only to heal our wounds but also to lift us up to the Father as sanctified sons and daughters. “A Precious Treasure” Sept. 1996 – BYU Speeches

I love this quote!!

The other reason I feel blessed is because of the sisterhood of the church. Tonite I co-hosted a baby shower for a wonderful friend in the ward that has waited 9 years to have a baby! They are over the moon as she is due in July and everything is going great! We had so many ladies come to the shower to show support and love! It was terrific! After the shower died down there were 6 ladies that stayed after and talked - until 11pm - some are still out in the cul-de-sac talking. What great friendship! What love for others! What FUN!! We come from different places, lifestyles, backgrounds, cultures, but when we become a sisterhood there is a strong bond! I had a friend come help me clean today since Coby was gone. The ladies tolerated my kids as they mingled during the party and all was well. I reorganized my furniture, cleaned a bit (there will be more to do tomorrow) and just felt blessed!

What a blessed woman I am!!!

It Made My Day!

2008-05-04T19:50:00.002-05:00

I don't know if anyone else "suffers" from this, but sometimes I feel like I'm a total dork and everyone else is really cool. I wonder how people - especially those who as so skinny, beautiful, smart, nice, etc. - will hang out with me. I got a call from two friends on Thursday to include me in a WAY TOO MUCH FUN night at Minute Maid Ballpark (home of the Astros). It was about 14 ladies and we had club seats with food, dessert, drinks, and excellent seats all provided.

I was so grateful to be invited and get to "hang" with people that I totally admire and hope to be like one day. It sure made my day - ok, my week or even month!

Thanx ladies!!!

Tis the Season

2008-04-16T20:53:00.002-05:00

Tis the Season and that season is Baseball Season, or in our house Cardinals Season. So far "our" beloved Cards are atop their division and mashing like no other. I know...I am a lot biased. Tonight at dinner we were talking to the kids about plans and things and we got to Aedan's birthday and how she is having a Pinkalicious Party that morning and then that evening we are going to a Cardinals vs. Astros game. So I asked her what team ws her favorite baseball team and to my astonishment she said the Cardinals (note sarcasm), and then Gavin followed up with the Cardinals and so did Chaz along with his favorite t-ball team which is the Cardinals.

Codi and I are going to our first game on Saturday night...Colorado Rockies vs. the Astros. I would prefer the Cards, but I will not complain because it is a live major league game and no kids.

We hope for a great season from our Cards and Chaz's t-ball team...GO CARDS!!!!

FIRSTs

2008-04-03T19:12:00.014-05:00

Yesterday I mowed the whole yard for the FIRST time this year (I love the opportunity mowing gives me to think and reflect)...as I did so I was thinking about FIRSTs for our family - whether it be for this year or a true FIRST.

Aedan had her FIRST soccer game yesterday. It was a true showing of her sense of drama as most of the game she was either pouting on the field or crying off the field (for no reason we could tell). Luckily we have two girls on the team who are great players and they made up of the lack of a player on the field. Through the YMCA - they don't keep score, but just emphasize fun at this age.

Chaz had his FIRST t-ball game. He played second base & FIRST base & made his dad a happy man as he batted both right and left handed. He did very well hitting and the team had fun. As with soccer, we don't keep score for t-ball either & just have fun!

This past month I enjoyed a FIRST as friends & husband so kindly watched the kids and I went up to Oklahoma to visit with my siblings (Carli came in from Denver, Clint was returning home from a 2-year stint in Korea before leaving for Iraq in June, & Cyle is stationed currently at Ft. Sill) & to present at a Stake Women's Conference. We had fun and it was the FIRST time I was away from all of my kids.

Kindergarten FIRST - March 25th Chaz and I headed to Kindergarten Orientation. He was such a big kid as he left with the other soon-to-be kindergarteners to play, draw, etc. while the parents were given the details of registration, attendance, etc. He walked right off, with a couple of kids from preschool & church tagging close behind (they weren't so excited to leave their parents). We toured each of the kindergarten rooms & met the teachers...he is excited for next year & I'm excited for him.

March 26th we got the call that my Aunt Anelle had died - most likely of a blood clot after knee surgery. This is my FIRST aunt or uncle to die. It was sad...she is my dad's younger sister. The next day I packed the kids and myself (Coby was away on business in NM & met us in CO) in about 4 hours and jumped in the van to head to Cortez, CO. The occasion bringing all the family together was sad, but it was great to see everyone again. It was the FIRST time I had seen the majority of my dad's family since my Grandma's funeral in 2000.
April 3rd was the FIRST time I was at the gym in a month. It was good to exercise again. I love a good hard sweat (probably another reason I love to mow).

Lastly, this weekend being General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this is the FIRST General Conference after President Thomas S. Monson was sustained as the President of the Church and Prophet. What a blessing it is to be able to listen to a Prophet's voice!

Easter Recipe

2008-03-26T11:49:00.004-05:00

I'm stealing the idea to post this - instead of emailing it out - from my friend Amber - fellow blogger!

As requested...

Berry Delight

-Cream Mixture-
Mix together:
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and then add to above ingredients:
1/4 tsp. almond extract
2 c. cool whip (I used a 16 oz. tub)
1 tsp. vanilla

-Cake-
Angel Food Cake (I bought mine from the store, but you can make one)
Cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes (if you make yours it might be easier to bake them in loaf pans. I tried to find the loaves at the store, but no luck...this will make your cutting easier - this doesn't have to be exact...I ended up tairing mine at the end).

-Berries-
Mix together:
32+ oz. bag(s) of frozen unsweetened berries:
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries
I found a mixed bag at HEB and bought 3 of those
8-12 oz. Berry Jam (flavor of your choice) mix with berries to thicken.
3-4 Tbs. Sugar

Layer the above 3 items in this order:
1. Cream mixture - VERY THIN layer
2. Cake - about half the cubes
3. Cream mixture - very thin, just enough to seal the cake from the berries
4. Berries - about half the mix
And repeat step 1-4. You might want to reserve just a bit of the cream mixture to dollup on the top of the dessert, but choice is yours - you can also use spray whipped cream. Add fresh berries and greenery to top, if desired.

ENJOY!

Catching Up!

2008-03-26T11:21:00.003-05:00

Well, as you can see by the date between postings we haven't been very vigilant! During the last postings I was in Ok visiting my family. I landed Saturday night at about 8:30 and Coby left for a week of business travel to St. Louis Monday morning at 6:00 - at least that is when the flight left the airport. That week was crazy busy with at least something (more like somethingS) going on every day and night. Luckily it rained Monday, so T-Ball practice for Chaz (the first week of...)was rescheduled for Wednesday. This was good that we had Monday night "off", but that added one more thing to an already tight schedule on Wednesday. Tuesday night was the first soccer practice for Aedan. Coby is the coach (he was supposed to be the asst. coach but no one else volunteered), since he was out of town I became the coach. The kids both loved their practices!

We finished off the week with meetings for Council for St. Peter's ECDC and committee meetings and I was bad a skipped Thursday night Enrichment because something had to give. We had been away from the house most of the days and most of the nights and the kids and I needed a break. I wanted to go and from all reports it was wonderful, but just wasn't going to happen!

Coby came home late Friday night and the kids were very glad to see him on Saturday morning. This last week Coby was home and that was good because it was Spring Break for Chaz. We didn't do anything really exciting, but Friday Coby had off for Good Friday and so we took care of hair cuts, errands (Costco run) and tried to go to the Zoo. The weather was so beautiful that most of Houston had the same great idea as us and so the Zoo was so crazy we couldn't even find a parking spot! We drove around for about an hour in the traffic to try and find a spot and there were NONE (which is pretty amazing because there is lots of parking).

We were lucky to have "plan B" tucked away for just such an event. Coby and I had been talking about getting a trampoline for some time now. The kids are always jumping on the beds, ottomans, couch...whatever they can find to bounce them and I'm tired of it! The "need" a trampoline. We were actually trying to buy time by going to the zoo so that we could meet up with our friend - with the truck to transport said trampoline - and get it home. The timing was perfect. Just when we decided there was no parking, he called to say that he was ready (he was downtown Houston too). We headed up to I-10, jumped on the HOV lane and within 30 minutes we were at Sam's for the big purchase! It was home and up before sun down and the kids love it. I love it because I can tell them to head outside to jump!

We enjoyed Easter with lots of friends over to stuff our bellies and Coby left again for another week away - this time in Farmington, NM. Chaz and Aedan resumed practices after a week off and lucky me I'm the substitute coach for soccer this week. We look forward to a community garage sale this weekend and I hope to make lots of money selling our junk...it is so true...one mans junk......you finish the thought.

I hope Easter found you happy and healthy. What a blessing to remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to celebrate this wonderful time with so many friends. We are blessed!!

Another Day gone by

2008-03-05T20:07:00.002-06:00

Tonight we got the actual experience of restaurant night...we went to King Burger as Chaz calls it. "They have the biggest play land you know dad, and it's on the way to my school" direct quote from our beloved 5 year old. So we go to Burger King tonight, not my choice, and I guess I am getting old because the kids in High School seem to be more punks or just really rude. We were trying to get our drinks and these kids were cutting in front of my darlings and I thought Gavin was about to go UFC on one of these kids. This one had the full peach fuzz gansta beard thing going, looked more funny than anything. Anyway, the kids were just looking at these punks and I think Aedan even said excuse me you are in my way. I totally loved it, miss priss afraid of her shadow is taking on some high school punks and Gavin was ready to strike...the whole time Chaz is getting his straw ready for beverage consumption. After all that we sat down everyone ate like champs and then played for 20 min and then we came home and took showers. All is still going well but we sure do miss having mom at home. Being a single parent is not the easiest or most fun job in the world.

While the Mom's away...

2008-03-04T20:55:00.002-06:00

Well day two are coming to a fast close and the kids and I are still alive. Codi is at her parents' house visiting for the week. Clint was in from Korea and will soon be heading off to the deserts of Iraq. She will also be teaching a class at a women's conference on Saturday. So while mom is away the kids and I get to "party"...lots of story time and "restaurant" time...last night it was frozen pizza before the gym and tonight it was chicken nuggets and peanut butter sandwichs. I talked them out of Chick-fil-a or Whataburger. After a long days work it wasn't easy finding the energy to wrangle them in a restaurant or really even cook a good meal. The kids have been great and have behaved better than expected. What happens when Codi and I are together is a mystery. The kids pray for her each night and at meals...I am sure she will be well watched over until we pick her up on Saturday night. Then Monday morning it will be my turn to head out for the week for work only to come home for a week then travel again and come home on my birthday. Nothing like coming home to family on a birthday.

Valentine's Day with Attitude

2008-02-15T08:27:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a great day, we had my farewell lunch at work and Codi was there. Got my office all packed up and pretty much emptied of all the junk that I had collected. The weather was unbelievably nice and the day was going really well. Earlier that morning before I left for work Codi found her Valentine's Day card and loved it. When I got home we had a couple of different friends come over and drop some things off as valentines. Codi made pink heart-shaped pancakes for dinner and still the day was going well.

All of a sudden we had a Valentine with attitude...Chaz being the oldest and wisest child...he decided it was time to unleash the Chazmanian Devil and boy did he ever. Normally this is where I would join in with him and get excited, but I refrained. He was sent to his bed right after family scriptures. He and I had a discussion on respect and how it is important. I love this little guy to death, but we like to not back down from one another ( I know who is the child here).

The night went on very well after the kids went to bed. We relaxed and had a valentine cupcake the Bonds brought over - very delicious and thanks. Settled in to watch Survivor and then off to a peaceful slumber.

New Job

2008-02-05T09:14:00.000-06:00

Life is getting ready to get exciting. I am going to be changing companies for the first time in five years. I have had a wonderful time and many great experiences at the different locations we have been "stationed". I will be going to work for ConocoPhillips (COP) now. I will be part of the Project Development Division working in the ES&H organization. This is an opportunity that we could not pass up and it is going to be an outstanding career developement path that I am wanting to take. It is amazing how things fall into your lap when you are least expecting it. I was/am very happy at Bechtel and have a wonderful boss and have made great friends and that is going to be the hardest part of leaving. My last day here in the Bechtel office is February 15th and I start at COP on February 18th. The greatest thing is my commute much shorter now.

Gym-dandy

2008-02-04T09:52:00.000-06:00

Last year Codi and I decided it was time for a change in our lives and we were tired of feeling "fat". So we took on the challenge in April/May to do something about it. We joined the YMCA and have not looked back ever since. Those first few weeks were very difficult in terms of the whole body pain, but once we got through all that it was go time. Over these 9 or so months Codi has lost over 20 pounds and several inches. Myself the weight doesn't seem to be going away but the inches are. Codi has to remind me that muscle weighs more than fat and I totally agree and knew this from my Army days. Codi tends to do more of the toning type work where as I do more of the strength training.

We made a goal last year to lose the weight and feel better about ourselves and not have to increase the size of our wardrobe. So far that has happened...but we haven't bought any new cloths unless it is for the gym. We are waiting until we need to because the cloths don't wear/hang right.

There are nights that one of us isn't feeling the motivation to go, and that is where we pick each other up. I have a friend at work who is also a motivator for me, and he is helping me with the different workouts I do, and I am benefiting from it.

All in all we are still doing well and keeping each other motivated. This only shows that dedication does pay off. It will be fun to see how we look and feel in May when we celebrate not only our 10 year wedding anniversary, but our 1 year YMCA anniversary.

Make tomorrow better than today

Glenn Beck's Tribute to President Hinckley

2008-01-31T08:03:00.000-06:00

There have been many tributes done to President Hinckley, who passed on Sunday evening. He was such a great man and lived a great example for all of us to follow. One the tributes that touched me the most is the one that Glenn Beck did the other night on his show. Unlike all the other talking heads on television he tends to actually show his emotions. He lets you in on his personal life and I admire that. Take a moment and watch this touching tribute.

The Passing of a Great Era

2008-01-28T08:10:00.000-06:00

As you probably already know, President Gordon B. Hinckley - 15th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - passed away last night. My initial reaction was mixed. I was sad because he has been such a positive force for good in the church and the world during his long life and that is now over. I was happy because I know that he wanted to be with his dear wife and now they are united for all eternity! I love that through the gospel I know that death is not the end.

I am also extremely grateful that there is no question about the future leadership of the church. There is no political positioning among the leadership - there is no question about the organization. I love that the church moves on.

I loved President Hinckley - he gave profound counsel and didn't beat around the bush. In seminary there are quite a few quotes from him in the lessons and I love their directness - there is no question how President Hinckley feels about a topic - he states his feelings directly! I look forward to President Monson and like so many will be acutely tuned in during the next General Conference!

The awesome one

2008-01-23T11:27:00.000-06:00

Codi and I are coming up on our 10 year anniversary in May...it is amazing how time has flown by. Three wonderful children and many lessons in the school of hard knocks. We have endured the college years together, the many location changes of work, and the joys and sorrows we have faced in our married lives. However, through it all, Codi has been an amazing and wonderful companion to journey this adventure with. I know of no one else who would put up with my crap and still tell me they love me everyday.

Some of the things that I admire most about her in no particular order:
Loving and caring attitude, smile, her wit, her spirituality and how she relies on our Heavenly Father for guidance when she knows she has reached her limit, her love for our children (when good or bad). There is so much more I can say about how wonderful she is, but I only have a few moments.

She claims to be shy, which she can be, but once you get to know her you will see why I love her so much. She is the awesome one in our relationship, she keeps us all going through it all.

Take some time to really get to know her as I have and you to will know how awesome she is. Besides, it takes an awesome person to spend an eternity with me.

Congress - Uncle Jay Explains it all

2008-01-23T11:01:00.001-06:00

This now explains why Congress is the way they are.

You may need to click on it a couple of times, but it does work and I think it is pretty funny.

Dumping Debt

2008-01-17T13:14:00.000-06:00

My mom, gotta love her, has asked me to give a class at their Stake Women's Conference on getting out of debt, titled - What Do I Do Now?. I am by no means an expert since we still have student loans that are older than our children and credit cards that just never seem to have a $0 balance (we are working on that though). I have to admit that we are very much better off than when we were in college (I think that goes for just about everyone) and we are much smarter with our $$. We took the Financial Peace University course by Dave Ramsey at the church where Chaz goes to preschool last Spring and that was motivating, but again, does not make me an expert.

Does anyone have any practical advise about this topic that I can share with my classes in waiting? I have scoured the Internet (mostly lds.org, providentliving.org and byub.org) for talks, shows - any insight! I have found some, but I love giving real life advise and stories. I have some of my own to share, but would love to hear from other people. I will hand out the "One for the Money" booklet and the new pamphlet that was in the September Ensign and base most of the class on those - but again...any help, advise??

We went to the temple last Friday and I took my concern to the Lord. I felt very peaceful, but now that I am back in "reality" and sitting in front of my computer trying to make a PowerPoint presentation and the worry returns (I can't even find a "design" I like for my slides!). So I return to my knees for the peace I felt and the ability I know can only come from a LOVING Heavenly Father who knows the needs of those whom I will teach and teach me through the Spirit what I need to know. What a blessing that is in life!

Congrats in Michigan

2008-01-16T11:35:00.000-06:00

A big congratulations goes out to Mitt Romney and his campaign team with their win in Michigan last night. Hopefully, this will finally get him on that roll that he has been in need of. I have come up with another reason that I like Mitt so much and that is because he reads the Drudgereport several times a day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq7vyLkzNrk

He made it known in an interview with Harry Smith this morning on the CBS early show.

Congrats and lets hope for favorable results as he moves on to the other primaries coming up.

Mitt's Response

2008-01-10T12:13:00.000-06:00

Hi Coby,

Thank you for contacting me regarding issues pertaining to our nation’s veterans. I appreciate your interest in my campaign for President and would like to extend my sincere gratitude for taking the time to share your views on this very important issue with me.

Our men and women serving in uniform, in Iraq and around the world, are an integral part of our nation and we need to be sure we are doing all we can to support them. It is imperative that all our veterans receive the necessary benefits and care they need. Our nation is confronting a new generation of global challenges, which requires a greater investment in our military and expansion of our Armed Forces.

As Governor of Massachusetts I was able to help create the Welcome Home Bill, a part of the Massachusetts G.I. bill. One of the many benefits of this bill included tuition and fee waivers for veterans at state and community colleges and fee waivers for members of the Massachusetts National Guard. Another part of the bill entailed awarding high school diplomas to eligible veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

I have been, and will continue to be, a strong proponent of veteran’s issues. My track record of advocating for veterans as Governor of Massachusetts demonstrates my commitment to protecting those who serve our country, and I will continue to work on their behalf as President of the United States. Our soldiers and their families make countless sacrifices every day to help keep our homeland secure.

I am running for President because I fervently believe that I have the experience and vision to address the issues facing our country. Throughout my years in both the private and public sectors, I have been successful by pursuing innovation and transformation. If there ever were a time for change in Washington, it is now.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I encourage you to visit my website at www.MittRomney.com for updated information on other issues that may be of interest to you. I look forward to hearing from you in the future, and earning your support.

Mitt

Our Babysitter

2008-01-08T12:03:00.000-06:00

Just thought I would share how awesome our babysitter is. He and his dad went to Iowa to help support the Romney campaign and he got interviewed by MTV. Here is the link to check him out.

http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF0098989A00170098C41D/

Brett is a totally awesome and smart kid/young man.

Veterans

2008-01-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

Last night as Codi and I got a chance to sit down and watch the New Hampshire debate from Sunday night, gotta love Tivo, I got to thinking. Then as we were turning in for the night we were watching the local news in Houston. A story was delivered about the troubles with the Veterans Affairs hospital in Houston. The story continued on to talk about how many of our soldiers are treated as heroes when they come home, but once real life settles in we forget about them. When the ones who were wounded go to receive treatment at the VA hospital there is even more trouble for them and also getting the deserved disability compensation is a nightmare.

I myself am a disabled veteran, and I know from first hand knowledge how hard it is to get the compensation and benefits from the VA. I feel for these men and women who give so much only to be treated so badly by a department of our government who was set up to help them. I know that there is time to process paperwork and such, but it shouldn't take several months and even years for this to happen. My own case took almost a year and later the re-evaluation took several months to hear anything. Thankfully, I am able to work and provide for my family and don't have to worry about how I am to pay my bills or where my next meal will come from while I sit and wait on the VA to make a decision. My heart really goes out to these disabled veterans who are worse off than I am.

Earlier this morning I submitted a question to Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney regarding this issue. He has said that he is planning on changing our broken government. I asked how he would help the veterans who desperately need the immediate assistance and what he would do to fix the very broken Department of Veteran Affairs. I know his camp is very busy today trying to get as many votes as possible to win the New Hampshire Primary. Hopefully, an answer will come from the question and when/if it does I will post it.

Next time you see a soldier or a veteran disabled or otherwise tell them thank you for their service to our great nation. Regardless of their appearance they sacrificed for our freedoms and the deserve to know we care.

The first blog

2008-01-05T21:12:00.000-06:00

Tonight is the first night of having this blog. We have been talking about it for a while and now we finally did it. It is a good idea to have one especially with the political races that are going on and it is a good way to share information on our family with our friends and family.

Tonight as we watch the Presidential Debates in New Hampshire it was very interesting to see/hear what was and wasn't said. There were views by each candidate of the Republican party that we agreed with. However, Coby is supporting Mitt Romney and Codi is still undecided at this moment. Codi's sister Carli will tell you why you should support Mitt if you give her five minutes of your time.

Ron Paul had good ideas on the way to deal with inflation and to not make the value of the dollar be less than it is now. The Huskster didn't say much, but tried to take pot shots and Mitt as did Senator McCain, him worse than the Arkansas governor. Rudy proved he is a huge Reagan fan, and Fred Thompson had a couple good ideas, but I like him better on Law & Order.

We hope that we can get into the swing of this whole blogging thing and continue on successfully.