Familial situations have changed a bit and I’ve got my own blurb going now.  So you say you want the web address?  Well, email me… normally I wouldn’t be selective about my readership, but considering the idiots that walk this earth, its become a sort of necessity.  I’m happy to announce I’m back to marching to the beat of my own drum as it should be.  Follow me there and you won’t be disappointed! =)

Family drama, lunch with a good friend, followed up by another car wreck, subsequent ticket, Tori peeing her pants during previous said incident,deposit on a cute duplex, family drama, weekend hotel stay because of family drama, Charli being sick, Dave starting school in two weeks, getting the $20,000 bill for Dave’s first year of school, farmer’s markets finally starting(my favorite part of summer), and more family drama, etc. etc. etc.

I mean really?  Where does one start???  I think I’ll just review most of all of that.  Cause really, the details are depressing.  Lunch was fabulous, then fast forward a few hours and crash… literally.   I was not happy about the car wreck or the pending ticket.  It was one of those days where you think you’ve got some things finally figured out in life and then “WHAM! Take that!” says the universe, and you’re back to square one!  It was crappy buying new car seats again, as we JUST bought those  a few months ago.  It was crappy paying the deductible (which thankfully the car seats were part of).  It was crappy having a rental car covered in cat hair and being allergic wherever we went for 3 days.  Silver lining: It was awesome, having the car only gone for 3 days as opposed to the 2 months it took last time. 

Also even more awesome was putting the deposit down on a place we love, but realizing we’ve only seen the side of the duplex we won’t be living in, as well as hearing the whole situation has been delayed due to the current tenants… no bueno.  Hopefully more to come on that later.

And the creme de la creme????  I must say, I adore  grown men, who are really disguised as incredibly disrespectful boys.  Really??  I say this with the largest amount of sarcasm humanly possible.  I think that men who conduct themselves so incredibly cowardly are probably the most pathetic excuse of a human being I’ve ever seen.  I wish I could refer to one individual here, but sadly, I can’t.

I can’t stand individuals who hide behind who they really are as people.  I’m a brash person at times.  I know that.  I can be extremely confrontational when put between a rock and a hard place.  I know this as well.  I can also be the queen of all b****** if you double cross me.  I’m well aware of this.  But I also know that I’m fiercely loyal, I let it be known what I think, stand up for the ones I love, don’t sugar coat things, and most days I’m a pretty damn good wife and mother.  Regretfully, this person(s) has been disrespectful from the beginning.  I’m at my boiling point.  In the name of civility, I’ve stood by for a long time and not said anything.  Those times, as discovered earlier this year by the same said family, are now over.  Thankfully, it appears as though Dave is at the end of his rope of toleration as well.  The situation is far less than ideal, and boy am I grateful we’ve only got a few years left of school.  I think buying a desert island after Dave’s done with school is a fabulous idea. 

Let it be known far and wide, our plan was to NEVER move in with Dave’s parents, or any family for that matter.  I think people, namely Dave’s family, thought that when we got pregnant and married “so fast” we were going to be dependant.  I think it should be addressed that we never moved in here for monetary reasons, and its most likely cost us more living here then if we’d been on our own.  That’s a whole other story though.  Unfortunately, we were put in a crappy situation, and basically forced into an even crappier situation.  Since moving in, we’ve looked at over 300 places.  This is not an exaggeration.  We have put many hours and lots of effort into getting out of here as soon as possible.  To our credit, and something I will always be proud to say, is that I don’t feel like we’ve ever taken advantage of Dave’s parents.  We’ve conducted ourselves as adults should(most of the time at least!) and we have not depended on them or shirked the responsibilities we signed up for.  It should be known as well that we want out of his parents’ house more than any of his siblings or his parents want us out COMBINED.  We are so fed up with the BS, its just getting ludicrous.  On the same token, we’re grateful that Dave’s parents were able to let us come live with them.  When its just us and them, its not so bad most days.

I suppose a blog post is not quite the right avenue to discuss this all, however, I know there are people that are very concerned as well as those who have asked what’s up, that I really don’t have the energy to explain it all over again to multiple people.  So, in a nutshell that’s what’s been up.

On a lighter note, I seriously HAVE to share this story.  Its hysterical.  I think that in life, people cross into our lives, even for moments, to spice things up a bit.  While I’ll be infinitely happy for this little quip, I’m sure glad this woman is not someone I normally associate with!  A word of caution to those easily offended or with young eyes.

Whilst standing in the valet line after Charli’s doctor appointment(her ped said cold sores, which I really think is Hand Foot and Mouth) I met a woman.  I’m not sure of her name, but she walked up and was waiting behind me.  Quite the character really.  She first started off with how much bull sh** this was having to wait in the sun for a (free) valet service.  Then continued on about her kids, grandkids, previous 3 marriages and this just in, her current husband, who’s 12 years her junior. 

This shriveled up, too-tan, saggy-boobed, chain smoking lady, in far too little clothes might I add, then proceeded to tell me how it’s ok that her husband is so young, because she “doesn’t look that old”.  After trying to contain my laughter regarding her complaints about having to be in the sun as well as how “young” she looks, (when clearly she’d been in plenty of sun and really looks about 10 years older than her confessed age) she brazenly continued on.  I heard far too much of this woman’s life, and our exchanged pleasantries ended in the following comment, this as a relieved me went RUNNING to our arriving car.

“Weeelllll! Just you wait!  You’ll get to be my age, 3 marriages down, two kids, 4grandkids, and 3 stepkids.  Your kids will be in jail and you’ll be taking care of your old parents. Enjoy these years!  They’re EASY!!  I have to take care of my mother.  She drives me crazy.  I told her, ‘Don’t you piss me off, or I swear to G–, I’ll bury you in a G-String with an open casket.  TAKE THAT BI***!!!”

I about died laughing.  I wished the woman all the best with her jailbird children, her spring chick husband, and her old mother and assured her I am in fact enjoying these years and that when I’m her age, my children will not be in jail.  Funniest part?  Her mother was sitting in the shade about 10 feet away.  Shining parent moment I’m sure.  Needless to say, we’ve re-evaluated our parenting skills.  We’re pretty new at this still, but I’m pretty sure, contrary to what the uber LDS family of ours believes, we’re not raising the girls to crave or aspire to jail time!

This entire situation has come back to me, a few times every day since then, where I just replay it in my mind and have a nice little laugh again.  Seriously?  I could do with more people like this wandering onto my path in life.  This woman has provided me with such an immense amount of comedic relief, I wish I’d taken her number down, just to listen to more!  Anyway, I’m sure that some of you feel that reading this ridiculous blog is the same amount of comic relief, and if thats the case, cheers to laughs.  Sometimes thats about all you can do in life!

Ta Ta till next time, and if you so desire, make sure to send some happy thoughts and/or prayers, meditations, or whatever, in hopes that we get the aforementioned cute duplex, lest we lose our sanity.  Sionara!

Wednesday at about 3pm Chris disappeared from some of my parents’ friends house.  My parents were in Seattle together, and had left Chris with their friends while they were gone.  My mom first tried to call us at about 8pm to let us know he was gone, and niether of us had our phones near us, and so we didnt hear until we got about 4 emails between the two of us to call them. 

At about 11:30 our time we called my mom and she let us know he was gone, along with a few vague details.  I asked what they’d done, and up to that point, they had searched all over, and filed a missing person’s report.  I guess the police up there are reluctant to do a whole lot if its a first time run away child.  Reluctant doesnt even begin to describe it I learned.

Immediately Dave and I tried to think of things that we could do.  I called every TV station up there to see if they could air his picture and get it out there.  They are reluctant to air run away stories because of the frequency.  A few people were very willing to help, and gave me emails for the stations as well as let me know they needed a missing persons case number.  I called the local police up there and got a case # and spoke with an officer.  I was floored at his response.  He was very blase about the whole thing and not only insensitive, but told me that his own son does marijuana and runs around with druggie kids and dealers.  That its not uncommon to have drug use up there, and even less uncommon for these kids to run away.  I about lost it.  I let him know he was the most pathetic excuse of a police officer I’d ever seen, and he sounded like a hick.  That drugs, even marijuana, are a huge deal, and maybe if they made a bigger deal out of it, they wouldn’t have such a problem.  Needless to say, this adds another reason to never live in Oregon, much less Clackamas County.  I know my parents have enjoyed it there, but the trade off I’d feel for the lack of safety, in no way makes me feel like the pro’s are worth it.

After speaking to this guy, we continued to do everything we could think of.  Dave pulled a picture off of Chris’s facebook page and made a missing poster of sorts to send out to the media.  Dave emailed everyone that had commented on Chris facebook in the last few weeks and asked if they had any idea where he was.  We did everything we could think of, and then finally went to bed around 4am. 

The next morning, Dave got up and went to work around 7am.  My husband is amazing.  Even more amazing, that morning when I called him, he came straight home so that he could watch the girls while I tried to think of anything and everything I could to give us clues as to where he went.  The girls were largely by themselves watching TV that morning.  My sweet father in law came home to watch the girls before Dave got home, so that I could be calling and doing other things.  From 3 states away, we were able to really learn a lot about where a run away child would go in the Portland area!

Dave watched the girls the remainder of Thursday and frequently came  in to see who I was talking to, or to give ideas of other things to try and do that my parents nor I had thought of.  When he put the girls down to bed, he came in and helped me.  Thursday night, we went to bed, again, around 4am.

Friday was another whirlwind.  I was in pretty much constant contact with my dad.  Anything that either of us could think of, that he would do if he was home, I did from the little office in  Dave’s parents house.   I seriously did not leave this office for about 10 hours straight every day that he was gone.   

I’m so grateful for modern technology because it allowed me to help out in ways I would not have been able to otherwise.  I’m so thankful for a sweet, supportive husband, who was as worried about Chris as I was.  But also for my father in law, Dale, who helped out by faxing posters to different places that did not have email addresses.  My in laws would come home every night, as well as call frequently through out the day, to see if there was anything they could do, or anything new that had happened.  In a lot of ways, its been such a blessing living here during this, because I’ve had the help I would not have had if we were living somewhere else. 

Chris was found at about 9pm local time on Friday night.  A reward had been put out, and that got the jaws wiggling of some of the delinquent kids that had helped hide him for 2 1/2 days.  He was found by a police officer and taken in, before being released to my parents a few hours later.  The police officer that found him was his Student Resource Officer, a guy who had really impressed me after talking to the first idiot.  This officer was completely concerned about Chris, and finding him and bringing him home.  I’m quite certain he probably was not on duty when he found him.

I’m just so glad he’s safe.  I hope now, he realizes that so many people love him.  That now, he should not be worrying about apologies to everyone, but getting the help he needs to get his life back together, and that getting it together would be the biggest apology and say more than anything he could portray in words.  So many people love him and want to see him succeed.

I’m so impressed by the friends and family we have.  Dave and I sent out emails to everyone we knew, and got so many responses back offering prayers and thoughts, and even people who had forwarded his picture on to anyone they knew in the area.  The response that we got to a simple email, was so overwhelming, and comforting as well.  Strangers that I spoke to in OR were willing to go past protocal and help in anyway they could.  Attendants at Greyhound bus stations were giving me their personal email addresses to send a missing flyer to so they could print it out and post it.  It was amazing, and kept me going.

Sometimes I think we underestimate the value of people.  I think we underestimate the need to have solid, healthy relationships in life.  Before I met Dave I really believed that I only could rely on myself and that I could make it through life on my own.  Dave and I fought a LOT when we were first together.  A lot of it was about family, but the things that only had to do with the two of us, were because I would not let him in.  Dave stood next to me and never left, no matter how many times I tried to push him away.  Believe you me, there were plenty.  He never left, and taught me that being able to count on someone, no matter what, is one of the best things a person can have.  I love being married to Dave, because I know that no matter what, we can face anything together and still come out on top. 

I’m so grateful for him and our relationship.  I’m so thankful for the Dad he is.  Last night when I came into bed, he and Charli were snuggled up together and the song “Butterfly Kisses” was playing on the iPod.  Tears came to my eyes as I realized how short everything in life is.  I love where we’re at right now.  Where our girls are still so young and the problems are relatively small.  I hope as they continue to grow they’ll always know that they can come to us for anything.  I hope home is a place they want to be, and want to come home to.  I know it won’t always be that way, but that when things get tough, they come there, and to us, not anyone or anything else.  Growing up is so hard, and I only hope that we ease that transition and facilitate the growth.

Lastly, I’d like to wish Chris a Happy Birthday.  Today my baby brother is 15.  I remember the first time time I held him in my arms.  I remember sharing a room with him when I was a kid, and waking up to his chubby little face and giggles.  I remember staying home to babysit him when he was little.  He’s such a funny kid with so many things going for him. 

Chris, we love you, Dave and I, and your nieces.  We hope that today is a good day and that you find something fun to do.  Please know that we’re always here for you and only want you to be happy and the best you can be.  Don’t forget all your plans and aspirations.  Have a Happy Birthday, and we hope this next year brings lots of smiles and good things.

We drove down Wednesday, as Dave had taken Thursday off.  The drive was a LOT of rain.  The girls were excellent and we got in sometime after 12am.  We went to bed and then Thursday didn’t do a whole lot of anything.  We got in the jacuzzi and played with the girls, and that night went to our favorite store, Trader Joe’s, and picked up some dinner and a couple side things to go with the wings we were having from Buffalo Wild Wings.  My Granny and Grandpa work at the LDS temple in Las Vegas on Thursdays, so it was a little break for us with just the girls, which doesn’t happen very often, considering we live with family.

Friday my cousin got there(WAHOOOO!!!!!) and I “skyped” with my Aunt Anita.  I haven’t talked to her in something like 2 years.  I think the last time we spoke was when I told her I was pregnant with Charli.  It was good to talk to her, I got to “meet” her little boy Andrue, who is about a year older than Tori.  Its so weird to me because Andrue is technically my cousin, but it feels like he’s not, because he’s the same age as my daughter.  That’s how spread out my family is.  Anita also got to “meet” Dave and then later Tori, when she woke up screaming.  It was good to talk to her and catch up!

I had an AWESOME time with my cousin Brooke.  The time was too short, but we managed to spend a large chunk of Saturday just hanging out.  We went and with Tori, all got manicures and pedicures.  The place we went to sucked, but it was more about the time together, then the actual manicure.  We were able to talk a lot and it was so fun getting to know her.  She’s 7 years younger then me, and being that we’ve always lived away from family, I’ve never really had the chance to get to know her.  We had so much fun together and I only wish it was longer!

The rest of the trip was a wash.  I’m not going to go into too many details, as really, the details are exhausting and maddening.  However I will discuss my BIGGEST problem of the whole trip.

I CANNOT STAND people who don’t respect others rights and wishes.  In this circumstance I’m referring to my parenting rights for my child, and my wish that she be in a car seat AT ALL TIMES when in a vehicle. 

On the 4th of July I awoke to, “Sarah, I can’t find Tori anywhere, she not in the house, in the back or front yard and both your grandparents’ cars are gone.”  I flew out of bed freaking out.  I called my Granny’s phone and my Grandpa answered and said that Tori was “wandering the house” and so they took her with them when they drove over to the park where their church breakfast was being held.  I nearly had an aneurysm.  They did not take her in a car seat and they did not tell us where they were going or even leave a note.

When Granny got home she justified it to me that we weren’t awake and that Tori was up wandering the house- Dave was awake in our bedroom when Tori first woke up.  The total amount of time she would have been “wandering” was about 20 minutes.  It was 7am, not 12 in the afternoon- it wasn’t like we were just being lazy and sleeping in.  She then continued to tell me that they only went 6 blocks-which was actually 3 miles, ONE WAY, and that’s if she only went there and back, and didn’t take any detours, which are normally commonplace for her.  And furthermore they “didn’t pass one car on the way there or back.”  Obviously a blatant lie.  On top of all this, she claimed that she “double buckled” Tori.  When we talked to Tori about this, she explained to us that she was in the front seat(can you say airbag and windshield?!) and she only had one buckle on.  The details could go on and on.   Here is why Dave and I are really upset.

What is most frustrating about my family is that this is not the first “car seat” incident that has happened.  A few years ago we were at my parents house.  My little sister took the car that had Tori’s seat in it and promised she’d be back before church the next morning.  She wasn’t.  My father gave Dave and I a huge lecture about how nothing is more important(apparently not even the safety of my child, his only granddaughter at the time) than going to church and that car seats didn’t exist when he was a kid, and he’s still alive. 

To Dave’s credit, he was very adamant about not taking her and repeatedly told me that he was not comfortable with her not riding in a seat, and even while driving to church said, “Just so you know, I’m really NOT happy about this”.  To my discredit, I allowed my parents’ shortsighted, extremist views about church attendance influence me enough to tell myself that we needed to go and take Tori without a seat.  Sometimes I get after Dave for not standing up for us to his family and his parents, but really, he is so much better at this than me.  I wish I’d stood up for not just, Tori and her safety, but for Dave and I.  We knew then what was best for Tori, and we still know now what is best for both girls.  Taking Tori without a seat that day is something I regret still.  Yes, nothing ever happened, but if it had, I probably would have died out of anguish and guilt.  That is the ONE and ONLY time Tori has ever ridden without a carseat-that is, until this weekend.

On top of all the fear and everything else, there is another part of this that makes absolutely no sense to Dave and I.  A few years ago, my cousin was killed in a carwreck.  She survived the initial wreck, but was basically in a coma for 2 years before she died.  Towards the end she’d started to regain some communication form, but she never spoke and was a vegetable for the remainder of her life after the accident.  While my cousin could not have been saved by a car seat, it is still baffling to Dave and I, that my family, who has experienced tragedy as a result of a car wreck, does not ”get” the whole car seat thing.   I guess to us, it would make more sense for my family to be car seat Nazi’s, considering the things that we’ve seen and experienced as a result of the wreck that eventually took my cousin’s life. 

Its saddest to me that we cannot trust our children’s safety with my family.  Especially after this past weekend, Dave and I feel like we now have to be even more protective of them around my family, because of the lack of care, concern, and respect for not just our children, but our wishes as their parents.  Its sad to me that in my family, we can’t learn a lesson from someone else’s mistake.  That one tragedy is not enough to make people realize how short life is, and that everything should be done to keep children safe- even the “inconvenience” of a car seat.

Today I am so thankful for a husband who will always support me.  Who doesn’t care that my body is pretty much the polar opposite of what it was when we met.  Who I know, will love me no matter what happens.  Who makes sure that I know he believes that I’m more beautiful today then I was the day we met.  Who makes me laugh and down right giggle, everyday.  Who makes me seething one minute and ready to kiss him all over the next.  Dave makes time for me when I need it and I know that even through the ebbs and flows of life, I can ALWAYS count on him for support.  He’s incredible.

Davie, you my dear, today, are my greatest blessing.  I love you forever.

We opened this letter Sunday:

6/19/2009

Dear David:

Your application to the David Eccles School of Business has been reviewed and I am pleased to inform you that a recommendation for your acceptance into the Professional Masters of Business Administration Program beginning in August 2009 has been forwarded to the University’s Office of Graduate Admissions.

It was possibly the best Father’s Day present ever.

I was checking  our email and saw that the letter had been posted.  Dave was downstairs and I yelled for him to come and come FAST!  When he came up and saw what I was talking out about, he opened up the page to log in to.  He was fumbling with the password and log in and I was freaking out the whole time, thinking, “OH crap, this could either be really good, or really bad, dear Lord, please make it the former of the two!”  

He opened the link up to the letter and I read, “pleased” and starting yelling and screaming and crying and the whole bit.  Dave said, “You haven’t even read the whole letter!”  I yelled, “THEY DON’T PUT PLEASED ON DENIED APPLICATIONS!!!!!!!”  He was pretty hilarious.  He turned to me and was just floored.  All he could do was look at me with this huge adorable smile from ear to ear.  I’m not sure if it was because watching me was so funny or because he was thrilled; probably a lot of both.

With all the deferments on a final decision, we’d really lost hope.  With the last deferral, we talked about it, and I told Dave he should really call his coordinator.  At this point, we were sure they were either sitting on the fence, or sitting on a “no”.  I told him that really, what harm would it do in calling them and really letting them know that we’re anxiously awaiting a final decision, that he really wants to be in this program, and oh yeah, he’s got a 3rd letter of recommendation if they’d like to see it. 

That last letter of recommendation was from a radiologist that Dave works with.  It was a stellar letter, but the U only allows 2 letters to be attached to an application and not only that, but specifically states that only two will be reviewed.  When Dave called up the coordinator that he’s been in contact with throughout the process, he mentioned the letter and the guy asked Dave to forward it to him and he’d attach it to his application.  This was about two weeks ago.  The last notice that we received stated that a decision would be available July 1. 

Much to our surprise and delight, we received the answer we’ve been waiting, hoping, wishing, and praying for.  It just makes so much sense to stay where we’re at right now, even though we’d really like to move out of state.  My aunt Ronda told me that while my uncle was in law school, she’d always remind herself, “short term pain, for long term gain”.  In reality, this will be such a short time, even though it seems like its going to take forever.  We’re anticipating 3-5 years, though hopefully its on the shorter end of that estimation!

I am so incredibly proud of Dave.  He’s worked his arse off for this.  He has surpassed so many people’s expectations and predictions.  When we got pregnant with Tori, and then married a few short months later, there were many people, even his own family, that were terrible to him.  They said he’d never graduate if he “took a break”.  That he’d never get his degree and never end up finishing.  A couple idiots even tried to tell him to not marry me, as he’d be ruining his future.  Well, to those people- SCREW YOU, cause guess what?!  He did it and he’s done it again!  I’m so incredibly proud of my husband.  He’s one of the best people I know.  He’s dedicated- not just to me and the girls, but to everything he puts his heart into.  He’s done exceptionally well with his education, and I know he’ll do just as good this time around.  Its one of the most thrilling things to me to do things our way, and still succeed and prove people wrong.  My excitement and emotion cannot be expressed over a mere blog post about all of this!

To my Davie: You’re the best.  We can do anything together and I’m so proud of you.  Well, lets face it, proud doesn’t even come close.  Beaming, thrilled, ecstatic, overjoyed- and everything in between.  You are gonna be great, and I know it!  I’m so glad that we’ve chosen to slough off the trash talkers, naysayers, and even the occassional family members. I love that we work together on everything.  We have a beautiful family together, we don’t rely on others, and I’d say we’re pretty dang honest about life.  I’m so happy that you can be you around me and that I get ALL your laughs, smiles, and even the occassional growls, about life.  I’m so proud of us and all the we have accomplished together.  I know this is just the beginning of it all!  Thanks for always supporting me and the girls.  We can’t wait to support you and ride the next adventure all together!

Dave and I have tried gardening a couple times at our measly duplex, and also grew a small herb garden from our apartment deck a few years ago.  I really have loved it, even though I barely keep th

ings alive.  I am not good at watering and of course, no water = dead plants.  Well what do ya do? 

You plant with family!!!!!  This year, Dave’s Dad really kinda let us decide what was planted, and needless to say we have quite the assortment!  My in laws have a huge garden plot and then another smaller one on the other side of the yard.  The soil is rich, and this year, even better, as we’ve been doing a little composting!  Last year we threw the rotting pumpkins(among other things) out in the garden.  A few weeks ago Dave and his went out to look where we should plant what and realized there were a few seedlings that were NOT weeds!  It was so exciting!!!!!!  I took on the job of transplanting them and while digging them up, I saw that more than a few were pumpkin plants, surely from the rotten pumpkins!  So, the girls and I moved about 15 little plants across the yard into a plot we’ve decided will be just vine plants.  Hopefully we’ll get some pumpkins this year!

Dave and I had fun going together with the girls to get quite a few plants and seeds.  Dale got the rest of the stuff- as anyone knows, no way in hell would I spend money on habanero peppers!!!!!!! 

We’ve also planted a myriad of other things.  Here’s the list!

Tomatoes- a few different types

Cherry tomatoes

Grape tomatoes- green and red

Habanero peppers-two different varieties

Potatoes- russet and red-skin

Carr0ts

Onions

Leek

Garlic

Bibb Lettuce

Parsley

Dill

Cilantro

Oregano

Basil

Chives

Watermelon

Cucumber

Squash- two different types of Italian yellow

Zucchini

Pumpkin

Pretty impressive eh?  Don’t lie, its easy to be jealous, and it will be pretty much inevitable when we’re harvesting all this goodness in a couple months!  I’m STOKED!

I seriously consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world.  I’ve got some amazing people that I call friends.  People that are closer to me than family.  People that have supported me endlessly and continue to.  Here are some stories!

Almost a month ago my best friend Emily came out from Oklahoma!  Emily and I met in high school, officially, in a French class that we both loathed.  I’d seen her my freshman year a few times because we had the same lunch, but never really got to know her till sophomore year.  Our friendship started off on a mutual hatred toward this class and its teacher, and grew from there!  We passed numerous notes back and forth that had nothing to do with French and found a friendship that was pretty out of the ordinary.  Soon we were skipping class together to go get lunch or just hang out.  We had quite a few conversations about life and got along great.  Our shenanigans continued until she graduated, the year before me.  That summer, after my parents had kicked me out, she came to rescue me a couple times.  Every time we hung out, without fail, she’d get pulled over.  Once it was on the UCO campus, another was around town when we were out past curfew where the officer pulled her over for fog lights she didn’t even know she had.  Always, whenever we hang out, something ridiculous happens.  Its made for some great stories, and even better memories that now I can reminisce about when I can’t see her for long spans of time.

We’ve been talking about one of us visiting the other for years now, and it just never happens.  Earlier this year she wrote me an email and said it was going to happen.  Much to my shock, less than a week later I received a Travelocity forward stating her trip itinerary!  I almost peed my pants in glee!!!!  She was coming out for about 3 days JUST to see me!!!  (ok, so maybe Dave and her nieces had a *little* to do with it)  Due to schedules, she was never able to meet Dave, and we were not able to see her before we left Oklahoma after we got married.  So!  This was the first time she met Dave, and also the girls! 

I picked her up from the airport and showed her a little of Salt Lake at night.  We got to her hotel and talked for about 2 hours before going in.  She checked in around 2:30.  She mentioned about how there were only 3 cars in the parking lot, but I just blew it off, cause really, Utah is not exactly a happenin’ place.  Wellllll, well, well, well… we checked in and went up the flight of stairs to her room, since there was no elevator.  Getting to her room, we passed one room that had the lock hacked off and was slightly ajar.  I just kept trying to think positive, certainly this was because they needed an extra storage room and not because some pimp needed into the room…

UH YEAH.  We unlocked her room and found a few surprising things.  The room was insanely hot, and had these little bugs flying around.  We only saw a couple and figured with some air flow, they’d be gone.  She set her stuff on the floor next to the TV stand, that had a massive chunk torn out of it.  Hesitating, she sat down on the bed, surely waiting for it to bottom out as well.  I took a seat on a dilapidated chair that was haphazardly added to a desk that was in about the same condition.  We talked for a little while longer, and then I told her I should probably go so we both could get some sleep.  I asked her if she was ok staying here, and then mentioned maybe we should check the sheets.  Sure enough- hair in the sheets- and not the long straight kind that comes from brushing one’s head.  We pulled back the mattress pad to reveal a bug carcass and a nicely stained mattress.   Emily screamed at the sight of all this and said, “I gotta get the hell out of here, is that ok?!”  I was dying laughing and still am.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, the nicely mannered, generous and thoughtful person, she asks me if its ok that she not stay in this whore house.  I didn’t know what was funnier- that she was asking me if it was ok, or all the stuff that had transpired in the last 20 minutes.  We went downstairs and informed the front desk attendant, who spoke very little English, that this was not acceptable and we’d be staying elsewhere.  After about 45 minutes of fighting with the no-English-front-desk-guy, and the no-English-Travelocity-rep, surely half way across the world, Emily was told she’d still have to pay for this night. 

We left and couldn’t decide what to do besides laugh our butts off at the entire ordeal and remember that this shouldn’t really be shocking us considering the past.  So, by this time its about 3:45am.  She asks me for a hotel recommendation.  I’ve never really stayed anywhere in UT, besides Park City.  When my mom came out earlier this year, we stayed at a Hilton Garden Inn with her, so we headed that way.  After being informed that the ENTIRE hotel was booked, we drove over to the Holiday Inn Express.  This is where Dave and I usually stay when we travel.  They have nice rooms, normally clean, and the staff is always friendly and accommodating.  I went in and asked what kind of a rate they could give my sweet friend, who had travelled all this way, and had a disgusting room down the road… the girl was SO sweet!  She gave her a SMOKIN deal, that’s about half of the cheapest rate Dave and I have ever paid!  It was AWESOME!  I went up to the room, just in case, and when everything had checked out nicely, I finally left to go home- at 4:15am.

I slept for a few hours, and that morning we went up the canyon and took pictures.  Emily is an EXCELLENT photographer and that was one thing I told her she had to do while she was here.  The girls were really restless and it was pretty warm out, so we got a few good ones.  I just can’t wait till they’re older and can follow directions a bit better- and it would be nice if they cared about bribery!  

I should also mention during our little photo shoot, I was attacked by some sort of worm.  I HATE bugs as everyone knows and no kidding, these things were in my hair, on my neck, down my shirt- everywhere.  They were so disgusting and I’m sure it made for some hilarious viewing for everyone else watching me do a jig to try and get all these damned worms off me.  They came from a tree we stood by.  I still get the willies thinking about it!

Later that day, I took Emily up to my favorite place in Utah!  PARK CITY!!!!!!   The whole way up I told her how gorgeous it was and how much cleaner the air is, and bragged all about how awesome it is…when we got up there it started raining.  I figured it would just be a little rain, no big deal.  We did some outlet shopping and then went to the Olympic Park.  I’d seen this being built in 1999 when we lived up in PC, but had never been up there.  It was really interesting and we got to watch some bobsledding-during a rain/sleet/snow storm!!!!!!!

The park is located pretty high up on one of the mountains, and so it was not just rain up there- 50 mph winds and hard rain, mixed with sleet and a little bit of snow.  It was FREEZING!  While it was interesting, I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of driving in a short bus, with a senile old man behind the wheel who wreaked of smoke and marijuana, up the side of a mountain, on a one lane “road”, that is wet.  When all was said and done we made a beeline for the car.   Correction- I made a beeline for the car with Emily holding onto me so she wouldn’t have to take the brunt of the wind and rain, and since she’s about 6 inches shorter than me and weighs nearly nothing.  We got to the car and were both soaked through AND to top it off- it took me 2 minutes to be able to pull my door shut, it was that windy.  I think I’ll plan to tour this in the heat of July next time!  It was still fun, and again, pretty comical.

That night we went to Rodizio Grill.  I LOVE that place!  They’ve changed it around since Dave and I went last, but it was still SO good!  We left stuffed and went back to her hotel.  We talked in the parking lot for another couple of hours and just caught up on all the years that had gone by. 

Her last full day here, we did a few more things.  In the morning we went to the zoo- she got some AWESOME pictures again, and it was fun to watch her with Tori.  She’s so good with kids, and she joked that its because little kids don’t see her as an adult cause she’s “their size”.  Emily is short- I’m guessing 5 feet?  and she weighs like 90 pounds.  I was dying laughing when she told gave me her version of why she gets along so well with kids.  She’s hilarious. 

For lunch, we met Dave up at the Hunstman Cancer Institute where they have a nice little bistro that overlooks the whole valley.  We met some friends of his from work, and enjoyed the last day with Emily.  Charli was so tired, she conked out before we even ordered food!

After lunch, we headed up to the Great Salt Lake.  On a side note, I’ve never been here as an adult.  I know my parents took us when we were little kids, but I don’t really remember anything about it.  We pulled up to the place, paid around $10 for our car and drove into the park.  Its not really a park, but its considered a State park in UT.  You drive along a causeway with the lake on either side of you.  It was kind of neat at first.  I say at first because as we were driving we kept seeing these little plumes of what we thought were smoke.  Looking closer, we saw they were actually swarms of some little bug!!!  It was SO gross!  Every 20 or so feet, there would be another column of swarming bugs.  So, we drive further into the park, up this little mountain where the gift shop is.  Its gorgeous up there with a little overlook down to a sandy beach and just very picturesque.  HAHA!  Not for long!  We get out of the car with both girls.  I’m holding Charli and all the sudden these bugs are everywhere.  Just these little tiny gnat looking things.  Tori is hanging out behind me when she all the sudden starts freaking out.  “THEY’RE ITCHING ME MOM!!!!! GET IT OFF ME!”  I tell her to calm down and quit being so dramatic.  We continue walking, thinking these things will leave us alone.  Literally, withing two minutes of being out of the car, these little bugs are EVERYWHERE.  All over Emily, all over me, and worst of all:  all over the girls and in their fine hair.  So we make a mad dash to the car, but when we open the car, the damned things fly inside.  So I tell Em to just get in her side and shut the door as fast as she can.  I throw Tori in her seat, Charli in hers, and then run to my side and get in.  I turn around and take a closer look at the girls- these little gnats have bit them ALL over.  They both have bugs(alive still) in their hair and both girls are itching their heads like crazy!  Oh my gosh, I almost flipped a lid.  So, I figure we can just drive half way down the mountain and there wont be anymore- we can brush the girls hair out, get all the bugs off as well as change Charli’s diaper.  So, we drive down some.  I get out of the car to check for bugs.  Again, a swarm surrounds me.  I jumped back in the car, we drove another 100 feet or so.  Emily gets out to help me cause Tori is freaking out.  All the sudden a HUGE gust of wind picks up and blows my skirt up- poor Emily got a full frontal flash!  I was about to die!  So after the shock, she grabs Tori, the brush, and brings both over to the passenger side to get the bugs out.  I grab Charli and the stuff to change her, and we do the mad dash again, to jump in the car.  It was insane.  We finally left the park without really “seeing” anything except thoe bloody gnats.  We both had bites all over as well!  When we left the park I asked the attendant what kind of bug flies around everywhere, because we were attacked every time we got out of the car!  He non-chalantly says that its a “biting gnat” as if we should have expected this.  I was disgusted that this guy would not say anything about it as we drove into the park, clearly seeing we had two little kids.  This is the first and last time I’ll ever do that again!  A week later, Emily wrote me and said she still had the bites on her face.   Amazingly enough, she was still able to catch some shots!  I’d say they’re gorgeous, but they come along with the memories of profusely itching myself and picking live gnats out of my childrens’ hair!! 

That night, I took Emily on her first Costco adventure.  True to Oklahoma- they only have Sam’s out there and so she’d never been to Costco, but heard how fabulous it was.  We got a couple things for dinner and then then went back to the house to put it all together.  She met Dave’s parents and we ate dinner and had cupcakes afterwards. 

After Tori’s pleading, Aunt Emily tucked her in and put her to bed, and we went down to watch the American Idol Finale.  For those of you that watched- I really like Kris Allen, but Emily LOVED Adam Lambert.  The moment finally came and I sarcastically, in my best Ryan Seacrest said, “And the winner, of this year’s American Idol issssss KRIS ALLLLLEN!!!!!”.  I seriously did it in sarcasm, as I was sure that Adam was going to win.  Three seconds later I’m hearing a repeat, only this time, it really is Ryan Seacrest.  I was FLOORED.  Emily was freaking out and I couldn’t decide what was more funny- her reaction or the actual results. 

The next morning, we drove to the first hotel to take a picture of the dump.

Afterwards we grabbed some breakfast at the Original Pancake House(which they don’t have in OK, but is amazing!) and then went to the park to feed the ducks. 

We stayed for about a half hour, then had to go cause she needed to be at the airport.  When we dropped her off, I started getting really choked up.  The time with Emily had gone by way too fast, we’d had so much fun and now it was all over and I had no idea when I’d be seeing her next.  We said a quick goodbye, as we were both tearing up, and I got back in the car and started sobbing as we pulled away.  We didn’t leave the airport for about an hour.  I pulled off and sat and cried, while Tori watched the planes take off and Charli slept.

Dave called while we were sitting on the side of the road.  He’s always very good about being sensitive when my friends or family leave, and its pretty much a habit now when anyone leaves for him to call or talk to me.  The first thing he says is, “Are you ok?”  and I give a sorry excuse for “yes”.  And then he says, “Same thing?” and I say yes, and then proceed to start sobbing again.  I think that’s been the hardest thing for me about living here.  When Dave sees his family, he knows it will be a mere few days before we see them again.  In the last 8 months, its more like, minutes before we see them again, since we’re living with his parents.  But, when my friends or my family come, each time they leave, I don’t really ever know when I’m going to see them again.  Its very difficult and has been a huge sacrifice for me.  I’m just glad because Dave has come around and really warmed up to moving out of Utah.  I can’t wait!  Then maybe the tables will turn and I’ll be asking him, “Same thing?”.

Our little family had such a spectacular time with Emily and we miss her tons already.  She brought the girls and I little gift bags, and Tori carries around her “lipstick” that Auntie Ems gave her.  We have some great pictures and even better memories of Emily’s first trip to Utah!!!!  I miss her everyday and am so grateful for the amazing friend she is.  She’s been through some tough stuff the last couple of years, but always manages to ask me how I’m doing and give much needed encouragement.  I couldn’t ask for a better friend and I love her tons.

I’m feeling guilty, because I have another amazing friend that comes out just to visit us, who I also have not been back to see.  She’s another one of my best friends from high school.  Cynthia is equally amazing in her own way.  She’s come out twice in the last couple years and every time we have so much fun too.  She came out about a year and a half ago for the first time with her boyfriend David(great minds think alike!) to go snowboarding, and then again by herself last September.  While we didn’t get out and do as much because I was still recovering from surgery, we still had tons of fun.  We went out for hibachi and then went to a movie downtown.  I somehow managed to get us turned around and so we spent about an hour looking for my father in law’s jeep.  It was hilarious and something we still laugh about.

I have so many fun memories with Cynthia.  We’ve been friends for almost 10 years(HOLY CRAP! We’re getting old!) and every minute has been awesome.  She was a bridesmaid at my wedding.  And she’s been there for me so many times.  When we were 18, her parents took her on a cruise for graduation and she chose me to come with.  It was a blast and a memory I’ll treasure for forever!!!!  Junior year, we had lockers next to each other and would spend the mornings before school hanging out together.  She spent tons of time at my house spending the night, or hanging out.  Once, my mom and sister were fighting downstairs and I went to close my door so as not to listen to it.  She goes, “Don’t close it!  This is funny!  I wanna hear it!  There’s never any fighting at my house!”  She’s an only child and so the dynamics of our families were just so different!  That still makes me laugh.  There was a time we paid off my little brother to not tell my parents we had some boys over while they were gone… he still told, and we still laugh about it.  She’s been there for me for so many things, and is like another Auntie to my girls.  I love her tons and miss her all the time.  We always talk about when we’re rich, how we’ll just fly to wherever and meet up whenever we feel like it.  It’ll happen, one day!

I could go on and on and on.  Emily and Cynthia are my two best friends, but there are many others who I just feel so dang lucky to know.  My friend Stacey has been there for perspective on parenting and kids that I can’t get with most of the people my age.  She’s like a big sister to me and I know I can call her whenever.  I recently reconnected with Sheila, after 18 months of no contact!  We had dinner and went for ice cream, and she’s like a mom to me.  She’s so much fun and we have a ball every time we hang out. 

I can’t even name all the people that mean so much to me.  I consider myself one of the luckiest people to have lived in so many places and met some pretty awesome people.  Thank you is not enough to all my friends for all they do for me.  I love you all!

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg, even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”  -Bernar Meltzer

I am a HUGE fan of Memorial Day- same with Veterans Day.  Here’s why. 

*Approaches soapbox, and stands up*

This country is amazing.  I’m originally from Canada, but in a heartbeat would claim these great States as my home.  I’ve been to quite a few of them, and each one, even the forsaken Wyoming, has something to offer, and some beautiful people and scenery. 

Today, as I logged into my facebook account I noticed how many people had their statuses updated to reflect their day’s activities.  Pool parties, barbecues, family outings- you name it, people were out and about on the day off.  But what bothers me immensely is how much people forget and take for granted all the freedoms we enjoy. 

I was like everyone else today- spent most of the day with family, getting things done around the house, running some errands, nothing overly patriotic.  While leaving Albertson’s today, I noticed some delinquent juveniles loitering in the parking lot.  There are a lot of refugees in Utah, and these teenage boys looked the part.  When I first saw them the thoughts that ran through my head at first were the typical, “stupid teenagers, doing stupid things”.  Then I recounted not so long ago all the stupid things I did.  And how awesome it was.  These rowdy teenage boys were hanging out the car’s windows, sitting on the hood, blaring the loudest, most obnoxious rap music, simply because they could.  I sat there for a minute and was grateful.  Grateful for these kids, who no doubtedly came from a war torn country where they were not able to listen to the music they wanted to, and most likely did not have a nice SUV to hang from or sit on top of.  And this is why I’m grateful for my country- because obnoxious teenagers can have the right to freedom of expression and speech however they choose- even if its hanging out of their car window with their butt cracks exposed for all to see, while listening to ridiculous music.  It may not be my cup of tea, and chances are in ten years, it won’t be theirs, but the fact they can choose to do that and not have repercussions from their government or mobs or anyone else, is great to me.

I think people in this country have a serious problem.  They’re entirely too introverted and not clued into what’s going on in the world, or even in their own neighborhood. Granted, thats quite the steretype, but I’d say its largely true.  It makes me sad that people can be so opposed to a war where their own neighbors are giving up their lives.  I understand AND agree, that we went in on some of the wrong pretenses.  However, I think its a more noble thing to go in because you sincerely believe there is a problem and human lives are at risk, than to stand by and wait to see how many people die.  I don’t disagree with the fact that we’ve done some things terribly wrong in the war in Iraq- what I do recognize though is that my friends, and my neighbors are losing their lives to make sure that my standard of living is not compromised.  And for that I’ll be forever thankful for.

I’m so grateful that these people risk their lives and make huge sacrifices for the rest of us, even the ungrateful people who ridicule the military and government.  I’m even more grateful to personally know people that have dedicated their lives, or part of their lives to the service of our country. 

Dave’s paternal grandpa, who is still living, served in WWII.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and love hearing about his time in Japan.  While the A-bomb was very controversial, he will swear up and down that he’s sure it saved his life, as well as hundreds of thousands of others.  I’m grateful to him for serving his country and for his example to the generations that have come after him.  He’s an amazing man and I love him a lot.

To my Father in Law, Dale, who served in the Army Reserves.  While he served in a time of peace, I’m still so grateful.

My cousins’ dad Gary, was also in the military, and was over in Iraq, I believe twice.  He sacrificed time away from his family and kids to make sure their quality of life(and ours) was secure. 

One of my dear friends Meghan, who is in the Navy and stationed out of Virginia Beach.  She has been there for me countless times, and I am so grateful to her, for her service.  I can’t ever get a hold of her via phone cause she’s always out to sea.

My friend Megan and her husband Daniel, who are both stationed out of Mississippi.  Just a couple weeks after they were married Daniel left for 3 months to Germany on duty.  Its a tough thing to be a military wife, and something I’ll never know, but to have both parents/spouses serving, I can only imagine is more difficult.  I’m so happy they’ve chosen to serve our country as well. 

The girls’ dental hygienist, Sarah, whose husband is in the Air Force.  She has 4 kids, and though we don’t know her well, I’m so grateful for her sacrifice.  I cannot imagine being a single parent and having to transition yourself and the kids back and forth between a two-parent and a single-parent home.  AND having to comfort FOUR children?!  I admire her tons.

My ex-boyfriend, David, who died in a helicopter training accident while stationed out of Texas.  He was an awesome guy, with a big heart, and we had some great conversations about life, and he was there for some very tumultuous times in my life.  I still have his Notre Dame hat and often think about the sacrifice he made for me and my family. It also reminds me that while men and women are injured and die abroad in the well known places, many of the military’s training is dangerous and things can happen and go wrong on our own soil.  I believe firmly that it doesnt have to be in Iraq to be considered a hero’s death. 

My two friends Cliff and Josh, from high school, who both serve in the Army.  I’m so grateful to them as well.

I could go on and on and on.  I could also name about a half dozen people who I went to high school with who have died fighting.  I’m so happy that I can enjoy life, and do the things I want to, and choose to express myself(or not) as I please, and that these men and women fight for the values this country was founded on. 

I wish so much for people to understand how lucky we are to live in this country.  Its flawed, and we have our ups and downs- just like a human being would, but the resilience and dedication of the American people will hopefully always bring us out on top.

I love this country.  I love living here and knowing I do not have to worry about my safety or my children’s safety.  Its nice to know that our government is comparatively incorrupt.  I’m so happy to be part of the U.S.A. I can’t wait till we can actually afford to prove that I’m a citizen!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Memorial Day and that while you were enjoying your day off, that you thought of those who do not have a day off.  Who are a half a world away, fighting for your freedom, for this nation’s freedom.  I hope that when the next election comes around, that people realize what an honor it is to vote.  Even if you’re not for the candidates, that its imperative that you practice your right to vote and let your voice and opinion be heard. 

We are so lucky to live here.  To enjoy the freedoms we do and to enjoy the peace we have.  Thanks is just not enough for those who fight for our rights and this sovereign nation.  I’m proud to be an American, and I hope you are too.

Dave has long been wanting to figure out something special to do, as in our family, this day is for me.  He knows I love Park City and knows I’d rather be spending this day in private, with just our family.  Since this is not really possible when you’re co-habitating with in laws, he searched the internet for some good deals. 

Dave is hilarious.  His family didn’t travel much and when they did, did not stay much in hotels.  My family- polar opposite.  We were professional movers and in limbo from one place to the next we stayed everywhere from Timeshares, to DoubleTree resorts, to Motel 8′s.  Early on I learned to appreciate a good hotel.  So, Dave enlisted my help.  We found a place online in Park City for pretty cheap, that looked really nice.  Its part of Marriott’s Vacation Club, which is pretty much a timeshare thing. 

We left Friday right after Dave got off work.  We got our room and were impressed!  Take a gander….

The room was a “Villa” and was about 1000 square feet.  It had a bedroom with a king in it, a living room with a hide-a-bed, and a MASSIVE bathroom- there is a two person whirlpool tub(that was gross, so we bought bleach and cleaned it ourselves), a shower, and two different vanities.  It had a full kithen with a dining area that sat 6.  It was quite the place!  I’d stay there again, but make sure to add in my reservation notes, “Please make sure to clean out the black sediment out of the whirlpool tub prior to our arrival, THANKS!” 

The first night we went to dinner at MainStreet.  I’d been there years ago when we lived in Park City for the summer before we moved to Oklahoma.  I remember it being a lot different.  People came and took your order, they actually waited on you.  Its a lot more laid back now- you place your order at the counter, get your own drinks and then someone brings your food out later.  It was still good though!  We ordered this yummy 5 cheese pizza.  It was a TON of cheese, but soooo good!  Their hotwings were also made to order and though they looked like wings off of a fetal chicken, they were still good!  Here are some pictures of Tori devouring the pizza!  Charli had quite the time too!

After dinner we took a short stroll around Main Street.  If you’ve never been to Park City, Main Street is ADORABLE!  Its a hot spot for celebrities during Sundance and really a cool place to just walk around. There are lots of little “landmarks”.  The bear the girls are pictured with is just one of the many little things around!

Tori and the moose!  She really wanted to ride this!

Later on that night we went swimming and came back and had a shower with WARM TOWELS!  Warm towels are one of my favorite things in the world!  Being that we had a washer and dryer in our villa, I was able to lap up the warm towels the entire stay!  Dave and I have decided when we’re rich we’re going to have a dryer in each of our bathrooms, just so we can have warm towels all the time!

The next morning we woke up to this!

It doesnt look like much right now, but its the “off season” in Park City(probably why we got our room so cheap!) Its the time when the snow is still melting and not everything is green yet.  Still gorgeous though!

Saturday we went to the activity center and the girls played with sidewalk chalk, we played some basketball as a family, and then went inside and did puzzles, games, coloring, played the Wii they had, and all sorts of fun things!  Here is the activity center, its not a great picture, but you get the idea…

We came back to the room to put Charli down for a nap and have some lunch.  We ended up switching rooms down the hall to one that was not right next to the elevator.  That morning we had been woken up by the elevator’s dings as well as people coming off the elevator pushing luggage across the noisy tile floor.  No good… note to self, remember to ask for a room farther down the hall thats been cleaned… We ended up cleaning that room’s tub too.

That evening we went to the “Last Samurai“.  Its a Hibachi type restaurant and it was so good!  Our chef was really fun with the girls, and thankfully they were really good.  We sat at a table with two ladies and they loved watching the girls!  Tori even used chopsticks!

One of the funniest parts of our stay were the elevator rides.  Their elevator was probably the slowest I’ve ever ridden-not that I’m a professional elevator passenger, but you get the point- REALLY SLOW.  Well everytime, as soon as we’d get in Tori and Charli would run and grab onto the rails.  It was hilarious!

A lot of our time was spent swimming.  Every night we’d come back from the day’s activities and go swim with the girls.  The both LOVED it!  Half of the pool is inside, and the whole thing is heated.  It was neat to watch the steam rise off every night when it got chilly! 

Here’s the pool…

They also had this life size chess set outside- it was so cool!

Sunday we got up and did the outlet mall.  I LOVE shopping and love Park City shopping even more!  We found a shirt for Dave at Tommy Hilfiger for $15!!! As usual, I found the girls tons of stuff.  I tried to scale back, as in the last couple months I’ve already been shopping up in Park City TWICE for them.  I went once before my mom came, and then when she was here for my birthday we went up too.  Its just so difficult cause their clothes are too dang cute and when each article is five bucks or less, how do you resist?!  I’m happy to say I showed some self control! 

After the outlets we went to Whole Foods to pick up a couple things for dinner.  The resort had some really nice gas grills so Dave grilled me and the girls some ginger chicken and himself a bleu cheese burger.  We had fresh fruit, pasta salad, a green salad, and the meat.  It was so good!

Monday morning we got up to head home and took a short walk around the grounds before leaving.  Its just gorgeous up there.  This stream runs down one side of the entire resort.

Walking down along the stream towards “Shoe Tree Park”

Here’s the tree!

Overall it was an awesome weekend.  I had so much fun just being with Dave and the girls.  It was nice to have that much space and left us REALLY wanting our own place again.  Its been nice to be here with Dale and Rose, but this isn’t us or our home. 

Thanks to my great husband for planning a weekend a way, which is just what I needed.  Dave always tries so hard to please me.  I know I’m ornery and pretty much the most stubborn person ever.  I’m so grateful to have a patient husband who not only supports me, but stands up for his family.  He’s a great guy and we are so good for each other.  I’m so glad and think about often, how he never listened to anyone but himself when it came to our relationship.  He’s the reason we still exist as a couple.  Not only did I break it off with him multiple times, but pretty much did everything I possibly could to drive the guy away and he never left!  Its nice to know that we’re with each other because we want to be.  This may sound terrible, but some of my greatest memories with Dave have been when we’re fighting.  Dave most of the time fights fair.  He doesn’t call names or degrade me.  And often times its him that apologizes first and waits for me to come around.  I remember once, I was not giving in and he just lost it and said, “Damnit woman!  You’re so stubborn!  Can you just look at me!?  I’m trying to tell you I’m sorry!”  We both started laughing and realized that whatever it was, was not that big of a deal to fight about.  I’m so glad that we have been able to work things out.  We seldom fight or argue anymore, and its been nice to have such a calm relationship.

To my Davie, thanks for always trying.  Thanks for always supporting me.  Your hilarity is what keeps me going somedays and I love how we can laugh all the time together.   I’m so proud of the man that you are.  Your changes amaze me daily, and I’m sorry for the times I don’t give you the credit you deserve.  I wouldn’t trade this ridiculous ride we’ve had thus far, for anything.  I wouldn’t trade you for anyone.  I love you always.