tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76221517120429951232024-03-13T22:01:00.300-07:00My 3 ring circus!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-41575970342054139852010-08-09T10:21:00.001-07:002010-08-09T10:27:22.270-07:00It's back to school time!!!Back to school! August 9-2010!!<br />Here is Max in his classroom!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA55hkSFUI/AAAAAAAAD4w/41YgPXjIElw/s1600/DSC09504.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503462405072622914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA55hkSFUI/AAAAAAAAD4w/41YgPXjIElw/s400/DSC09504.JPG" /></a> Max and Abby ready for school!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA55YfES9I/AAAAAAAAD4o/bGGHwkr9vjY/s1600/DSC09502.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503462402634828754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA55YfES9I/AAAAAAAAD4o/bGGHwkr9vjY/s400/DSC09502.JPG" /></a> Max<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA54jLDbeI/AAAAAAAAD4g/qxPQ_z_Jb5k/s1600/DSC09499.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503462388323806690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA54jLDbeI/AAAAAAAAD4g/qxPQ_z_Jb5k/s400/DSC09499.JPG" /></a> Timothy! First day of Jr High!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA54fD9voI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/epO4C23EpgU/s1600/DSC09496.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503462387220332162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/TGA54fD9voI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/epO4C23EpgU/s400/DSC09496.JPG" /></a>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-85668753203872964222010-07-19T15:53:00.001-07:002010-07-19T15:53:11.514-07:00It's been a long time!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-69783879777320240702009-11-14T20:42:00.001-08:002009-11-14T21:15:49.265-08:00Reflections-I have been thinking a lot lately about what it is I really want my kids to learn from me....not the ABC's and the 123's of life but the things that get you though the day....<br /><br />Here i a go at it...<br /><br />General Rules or Thoughts I would like them to take away from their early years....<br /><br />Be a friend and a good one at that!<br /><br />ALWAYS ask someone with a broken down car if they need help, even if you have no idea how to help them, just offering goes a long way for some one who is having a bad day!<br /><br />SMILE- A friendly smile on your face can take you twice if not more the distance of some one with a sour puss...people will look forward to talking to you and will listen more intently<br /><br />BE KIND- Hold doors, say "bless you" to complete strangers... they will not help but smile.<br /><br />BE INVOLVED! BE THE CHANGE....some times it will be fun, others a challenge, other times blood sweat and tears but I promise it will all be worth it!<br /><br />Be thrifty but not cheap<br /><br />Be genuine! When your words and actions come from your heart, it shows....<br /><br />LAUGH OFTEN<br /><br />EVERYTHING in MODERATION- Don't set your self up for absolutes" I will never do___" Try it all (if it's legal and safe)<br /><br />....leave only foot prints....take only photographs...<br /><br />Hike and enjoy the outdoors- Your grandfather will smile upon you for such things<br /><br />Observe but then join in! The doing is always more fun and rewarding than the watching!<br /><br />Don't expect others to think they way you do, you will just be disappointed- plus a lively debate is good for the soul....<br /><br />Do what you love with the people you love!<br /><br />Always send out Christmas cards! Everyone loves to get mail!<br /><br />Always take time for family, yes we are crazy but we do love you so!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-3957393514395377092009-08-18T15:33:00.000-07:002009-08-18T15:39:32.102-07:00Fall?When you start thinking back to school, it in my mind elicits thoughts of FALL. In Arizona it is w whole other story! We are now on our second week of school and it is 107 degrees as I type this. Just waiting for the kids the amount of sweat is amazing. The stranger thing is store here such as Target and well all clothing store turn over to their fall lines. I hear many a story at open house of mom snatching up the last pair of clearance shorts because there were no new ones in the store. Did Target not get the memo?? I know national chains all that but it would be like selling swim suits in Alaska in January!! It just doesn't make much sense to me at all.<br /><br />I love Fall the idea of it at least the leaves changing a crisp to the air...that is pretty much winter here! When you go for so many months of hot hot and hotter the the image of putting on a sweater is a nice thing!<br /><br />So here is wishing everyone a cool start to school and dreams of cooler weather!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-78786134985095989452009-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:002009-08-10T12:05:36.283-07:00These pictures can only mean one things!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368410129447070914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SoBskdZNLMI/AAAAAAAAC3U/ImgamJgYkrE/s400/DSC01328.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368410122289519682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SoBskCutnEI/AAAAAAAAC3M/_hcDEAwwjZ4/s400/DSC01322.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SoBsjgIbO8I/AAAAAAAAC3E/rMQyrohay6E/s1600-h/DSC01319.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368410113002126274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SoBsjgIbO8I/AAAAAAAAC3E/rMQyrohay6E/s400/DSC01319.JPG" /></a><br />School is back in session! Yippee! </div><div>Abby is starting 5th grade and is elated that her wonderful teacher from last year moved up along with the kids! I had never seen her so excited about learning as she was last year and it was a great year for her so I hope that trend continues! </div><div></div><div>Tim is excited to be in sixth grade and be the oldest kids in the school. He has his ambitions set high...he is running a grass roots campaign to get vote class clown in the year book.... When he approached me about it he asked would you be mad, I said no as long as he is not disrespectful to anyone to reach his goal. </div><div></div><div>Max is starting school this year too! He is very excited and he actually starts on Wednesday. My friend Marin is going to be his teacher, we are working on calling her by her last name, but she insists Marin is just fine for him to call her. She has an amazing perspective on kids and a true passion for it. </div><div></div><div>Jim is going to get to go to school too! Max's school is a cooperative school and since he will now be off on Fridays he will get his turn at working in the class. I think it will be great for both he and Max. </div><div></div><div>As for me I am also starting a new adventure, I will be working with the Shade Foundation, an opportunity I am really excited about! I have also joined the committee for the 57th annual Parada Del Sol, Scottsdale's annual horse drawn parade. So it is expected to be yet another busy year!<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-74980920253699871922009-07-03T19:19:00.001-07:002009-07-03T19:33:32.200-07:00The boys are making their bunkers...Tonight I decided to throw all caution to the wind and let Tim have 3 of his closest friends spend the night. Abbey is at her friends house so one part of the disaster waiting <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">to</span> happen has been taken out....Jim not being as brave as I, when to the movies by himself just to get out of the house!<br /><br />Max is here and as you all know he has no idea he is a 3 year old so he is helping build the bunkers. This bunker building took almost an hour with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">instructions</span> that it all must go back where you found it...we will see....<br /><br />They are having a Nerf war, there is an intrinsic flaw in "Nerf waring"...you have to reload...and reloading requires everyone stopping the game and picking up all the bullets...They lasted all of 3 and a half minutes before they had all unloaded their weapons and well got too hot to reload...Now it is not like they have just one gun each or a few bullets each they have an arsenal! Clips full of bullets and still just a few minutes, then they all have their bullets <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">labeled</span> so they sort it all out....it is more than I want to even think about...They promise they are going to go out later when it is "cooler".<br /><br />Stay tuned for more war coverage....Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-90335238819514365472009-05-28T14:50:00.000-07:002009-05-28T14:56:17.423-07:00Abbeys' afterschool party...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340996640512592322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IJZBOycI/AAAAAAAACww/Hl_pIAHLlr8/s400/DSC00091.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340996644577169554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IJoKTUJI/AAAAAAAACw4/MOaqrvaTEEY/s400/DSC00095.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340996647942604882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IJ0sryFI/AAAAAAAACxA/9zZmJAMuUcg/s400/DSC00231.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340996655728979618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IKRtGbqI/AAAAAAAACxI/x3D-JudQcDo/s400/DSC00240.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IKu9CvfI/AAAAAAAACxQ/9gSxJt7dVJs/s1600-h/DSC00241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340996663580474866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sh8IKu9CvfI/AAAAAAAACxQ/9gSxJt7dVJs/s400/DSC00241.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><div><div><div>We had Abbeys party with her school friends right after the last day of school, it was early release so it was a perfect ime for a dip in the pool! </div><br /><div> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-29608021038035909502009-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:002009-05-26T16:51:11.279-07:00Wow how time flies!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282200654393826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-XhJYseI/AAAAAAAACvY/elhrJzmsO5o/s400/Tims+birtday+079.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_fYzKlvI/AAAAAAAACv4/CN8UXnQiaxI/s1600-h/DSC08853.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340283435364292338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_fYzKlvI/AAAAAAAACv4/CN8UXnQiaxI/s400/DSC08853.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_fHGzvLI/AAAAAAAACvw/LU6VXgU1YfE/s1600-h/DSC08894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340283430614842546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_fHGzvLI/AAAAAAAACvw/LU6VXgU1YfE/s400/DSC08894.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_ezVK-qI/AAAAAAAACvo/neZLqjhMXhY/s1600-h/DSC02939.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340283425306376866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_ezVK-qI/AAAAAAAACvo/neZLqjhMXhY/s400/DSC02939.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_ee7n2qI/AAAAAAAACvg/9kY3BhcGvfE/s1600-h/Copy+of+DSC02809.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340283419830508194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx_ee7n2qI/AAAAAAAACvg/9kY3BhcGvfE/s400/Copy+of+DSC02809.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-XOS1d7I/AAAAAAAACvQ/Zv0bz6c8J00/s1600-h/Copy+of+DSC05510.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282195593754546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-XOS1d7I/AAAAAAAACvQ/Zv0bz6c8J00/s400/Copy+of+DSC05510.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-WjJZ58I/AAAAAAAACvI/RSPuXlIBUVg/s1600-h/232323232%257Ffp%253B4%253Dot%253E2338%253D5%253A6%253D42%253A%253DXROQDF%253E2323%253B%253C46%253A5%253B8%253Aot1lsi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282184011474882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-WjJZ58I/AAAAAAAACvI/RSPuXlIBUVg/s400/232323232%257Ffp%253B4%253Dot%253E2338%253D5%253A6%253D42%253A%253DXROQDF%253E2323%253B%253C46%253A5%253B8%253Aot1lsi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-Wa_CkLI/AAAAAAAACvA/0BCfkPpryb4/s1600-h/DSC00917.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282181820518578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-Wa_CkLI/AAAAAAAACvA/0BCfkPpryb4/s400/DSC00917.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-WEm-L4I/AAAAAAAACu4/qMT-pJlnaDU/s1600-h/Bana+60+rock+gym+max+2+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340282175813988226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Shx-WEm-L4I/AAAAAAAACu4/qMT-pJlnaDU/s400/Bana+60+rock+gym+max+2+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>It is May, it has been awhile since I posted a new entry! Tomorrow is the last day of school and the house is filled with the smell of cake for Abbey's 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> birthday party we are having right after school tomorrow! </div><br /><div>Ten years! I can't hardly believe it! She is not my first to reach that mile stone but at times she seems so much younger and older all at once. </div><br /><br /><div>She is just finishing up 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade, she is one of the youngest kids in her grade...most of the kids have passed the 10 year mark...Abbey has done a lot in her 10 years...<br /><br /></div><div>She went to her first major league baseball game when she was just 5 days old. </div><br /><div>She was born a city girl we lived in the heart of downtown Phoenix. </div><br /><br /><div>When she was born had one grandpa (Carl) and a great grandfather(the great One), two grandmas (mom and sue) and two great grandmas (my grandmothers). Ten years later she has One great grandfather (the great one) gained and lost a grandpa (Bill)and three grandmas (Mom Sue and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bana</span>) and two Great grandma's (G.G. my grandma and Grandma Jean, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jims</span> grandma). She has lost but also gained!</div><br /><div>When she was born she had one brother, 10 years later she has two. Tim 11 and Max 3.</div><br /><br /><div>She has been to both coasts and the sea of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cortez</span>. At 7 she <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">parasailed</span> and 9 she surfed. </div><br /><div>She has grown oh man has she grown, a few days before her birthday she is just over 5 feet tall! </div><br /><br /><br /><div>She is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">spirited</span>, never afraid to be different or to really care what others might thing. She is far more confident than I was at her age. She is caring and loyal, she has a big heart. She is never afraid to try new things and never shy around other people! </div><br /><div>She plays volleyball and has tried other sports tennis, t-ball, basketball and even gymnastics. </div><br /><div>She is a pesky little sister and a helpful mothering big sister. </div><br /><div>What will the next 10 years bring, we wait at the edge of our seats to find out, I am su<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">re</span> they will be filled with joy adventure <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">angst</span> and all those lovely things that go with teen age years....</div><br /><br /><div>But mostly I hope they are filled with love and laughter and good friends....to help her get through it all!</div><br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY Abbey!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-65021286657633950622009-03-29T18:18:00.000-07:002009-03-29T18:36:24.094-07:00It's a good day...We are on a roll today!<br /><br />The battery died in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Xterra</span>, it was under <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">warranty</span> and we got a new one for free!<br /><br />I went to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jewelry</span> party and won a real cool bracelet!<br /><br />Jim and I went to move a chair and found the remote we have been missing for almost 6 months!<br /><br />We are now turning <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">everything</span> else in the house upside down to see what else we can find!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-80683876670270806362009-03-15T07:41:00.000-07:002009-03-15T08:02:32.462-07:00Spring BreakI thought it was about time I showed you all our home away from home! This is it in all it's glory!Yes that is a "veranda" you know if you can't have on on the house if you can fit one in on your vacation home I would highly suggest it! It features just enough room for the 5 of us but when you can consider anything around you back yard it is a pretty good deal! I have really started to enjoy camping, Tim and Abbey are old enough to wander around with friends and they also do a good job of letting Max come along for the little things. I have resigned myself to know that I will be the one packing up all the stuff to go. I have created a system to where I just have to grab one big box from the shed that has the stove and all the other camping must haves. Then in a truck I have the tent sleeping bags therma rests and the all that jazz. Then it is just the clothes and we are set. I do believe the last hour of camping can kill the trip! The take down! Everyone is either tired or distracted and it is always I lot of "I told you to to bring th<span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">is</span> to the car" I don't want to have to ask you again" " you can't just sit in the car while everyone else works" I dream of the day when they "get it" that it would be so much easier if they just bucked up brought a few things to the car and we could be on our merry way with out all the nagging!<br />Oh well a girl can dream! Now here are some pictures as I am off to put everything back in it's place so it will be another grab and go at least out the door!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1_QA4dI/AAAAAAAAB8c/ebLwqgyqW54/s1600-h/DSC09041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313426053111275986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1_QA4dI/AAAAAAAAB8c/ebLwqgyqW54/s400/DSC09041.JPG" border="0" /></a> We took our home to Sedona this weekend with some friends it was a lot of fun.<br />Here is Tim at Slide Rock State park, we all agreed we will have to come back when we can play in the water...Pictures make me realize how many freckles he really does have!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U15UTSyI/AAAAAAAAB8U/uRPDq2lZ6xA/s1600-h/DSC08959.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313426051518647074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U15UTSyI/AAAAAAAAB8U/uRPDq2lZ6xA/s400/DSC08959.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a family picture they are rare to come by! Again at Slide rock<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1rVWZNI/AAAAAAAAB8M/SoDG9SUj-4U/s1600-h/DSC08969.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313426047764948178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1rVWZNI/AAAAAAAAB8M/SoDG9SUj-4U/s400/DSC08969.JPG" border="0" /></a> Max and Mommy! Max was an amazing hiker, he could climb the boulders "better than Batman" or so he said!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1BfXniI/AAAAAAAAB8E/xymY3XD9e0I/s1600-h/DSC08961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313426036532682274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0U1BfXniI/AAAAAAAAB8E/xymY3XD9e0I/s400/DSC08961.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tim<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UKR55HdI/AAAAAAAAB78/CniPo6zpUu8/s1600-h/DSC08956.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425302204521938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UKR55HdI/AAAAAAAAB78/CniPo6zpUu8/s400/DSC08956.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Abbey and Max in what I think was an old pump house.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UKEwOrlI/AAAAAAAAB70/k1HL5dVxAc8/s1600-h/DSC08936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425298674331218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UKEwOrlI/AAAAAAAAB70/k1HL5dVxAc8/s400/DSC08936.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Max loved his ice cream<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UJJ7YihI/AAAAAAAAB7s/If6z9DfLD1k/s1600-h/DSC08908.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425282883422738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UJJ7YihI/AAAAAAAAB7s/If6z9DfLD1k/s400/DSC08908.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At the Chapel in the rocks.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UIx5ExeI/AAAAAAAAB7k/a6sK3gte0e0/s1600-h/DSC08894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425276431287778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UIx5ExeI/AAAAAAAAB7k/a6sK3gte0e0/s400/DSC08894.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Abbey with the view from the Chapel<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UIOicanI/AAAAAAAAB7c/dp24y8r2X2I/s1600-h/DSC08891.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313425266941127282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/Sb0UIOicanI/AAAAAAAAB7c/dp24y8r2X2I/s400/DSC08891.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-86132658989691542982009-02-21T18:34:00.000-08:002009-02-21T19:05:58.138-08:00Moving forward with 2009 one day at a timeTo say that 2009 has seemed like an uphill battle so far would not be too far off. It has been one challenge after another. Bill (my father in law) died a few days after Christmas and then I got a concussion that I kept re-injuring, I was on the job hunt because...well the kids have to eat... I started a new job very part time, got sick lost my voice, the kids all got LICE from somewhere while I was sick as ... mom has a growth that is going to require surgery and that ugly "C" word was thrown around in the Dr visits.... it has been an uphill battle. <div><div><div><br /><div>As January came to a close I had high hopes for February! So high that I almost felt bad for it in some ways, in others, I thought as long as no ones dies or the plagues of the earth are not unleashed it has to be better right???<br /><br /></div><div>I did however keep saying to myself, things will work out...they ALWAYS do. My girlfriend Patty reassured me of this...telling me, Amy you have had all kinds of crap thrown at you in your life and it does always work out...and always for the best...<br /><br />So far February is been an okay kind of month, Max and I go to "work" together everyday. What started out as something to put a little bit of food on the table has turned into more. I must say I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I am! </div><div> </div><div>Mom had an old friend visit and it was a fun distraction to have her here. We enoyed the Desert Botanical Gardens her last night here..</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305449085963407714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SaC91Y7FEWI/AAAAAAAAB68/8USRRQs8aFs/s400/DSC08290.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305449089319504114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SaC91lbPCPI/AAAAAAAAB7M/TbVTcK7f7yQ/s400/DSC08344.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305449085264353474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SaC91WUaWMI/AAAAAAAAB7E/YwZL6xXlp1Y/s400/DSC08376.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Sandra called excited that we got a reservation at the camp grounds at Havasupia Falls in the grand canyon. So the next step is to get in better shape these last few month have been a physical setback as well and it is great motivation to loss some pounds and enjoy the beautiful hike with good friends. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305449080206106754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SaC91DeboII/AAAAAAAAB60/BViH-I6LDns/s400/DSC08263.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Tim is starting baseball and I do love to watch him play, it is his passion and he makes me proud of how he has grown since he started. </div><br /><div>Abb<strong>e</strong>y has decided she needs an "E" in her name! She is growing into quite the pre teen. She is playing volleyball and enjoying time with her friends selling girl scout cookies and playing with Max.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-47965951078953942032009-02-12T12:30:00.000-08:002009-02-12T12:40:37.361-08:00Nothing like snow in the desert!The kids had a half day on Wednesday and a friend said to me at school "Did you see the snow on 4 peaks?" Now 4 peaks doesn't get snow often but when you are in the desert and you can see snow off in the distance it is a thing of beauty! So we drove off to see how long it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">would</span> take up to reach snow on the side of the road...we found it here, just past sunflower where my Dad worked on the Arizona Trail. Every new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mountain</span> that came into view had more snow than the last. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHsP_sDyI/AAAAAAAAB6k/JkSv4hpMfKs/s1600-h/DSC08241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302011855599570722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHsP_sDyI/AAAAAAAAB6k/JkSv4hpMfKs/s400/DSC08241.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHsPnBYjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/kOo9_rTTzZM/s1600-h/DSC08231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302011855496110642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHsPnBYjI/AAAAAAAAB6c/kOo9_rTTzZM/s400/DSC08231.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHr5wjeMI/AAAAAAAAB6U/dzPgHom-6Pk/s1600-h/DSC08226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302011849630513346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHr5wjeMI/AAAAAAAAB6U/dzPgHom-6Pk/s400/DSC08226.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Max was amazed by the "icebergs" that were breaking off the melting snow...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHro1KMFI/AAAAAAAAB6M/3JYokYqp5eE/s1600-h/DSC08210.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302011845086425170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHro1KMFI/AAAAAAAAB6M/3JYokYqp5eE/s400/DSC08210.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHruYyuvI/AAAAAAAAB6E/4FZvnJS35PQ/s1600-h/DSC08192.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302011846578060018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SZSHruYyuvI/AAAAAAAAB6E/4FZvnJS35PQ/s400/DSC08192.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-86677619191678637312009-01-28T13:41:00.000-08:002009-01-28T13:52:00.826-08:00Busy bees....This has been a busy month!<br />Max has invented his own form of transportation... just find a kids with a rolling backpack and hop on! Here he is with Ben<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSGHa9jzI/AAAAAAAAB58/yqz2PMUayMQ/s1600-h/DSC07895.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296464164300885810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSGHa9jzI/AAAAAAAAB58/yqz2PMUayMQ/s400/DSC07895.JPG" border="0" /></a> and mooching a kid off of Abby...he will not ride out the school like this the other kids think it is very funny! I am just thankful he is not darting around the cars so it is a win win!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSF9qSONI/AAAAAAAAB50/iMG-UHgWDoM/s1600-h/DSC07994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296464161680799954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSF9qSONI/AAAAAAAAB50/iMG-UHgWDoM/s400/DSC07994.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Tiny took a ride on of Max's cars...<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSFXvQA_I/AAAAAAAAB5s/I-XH6foRgaA/s1600-h/DSC07879.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296464151501079538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSFXvQA_I/AAAAAAAAB5s/I-XH6foRgaA/s400/DSC07879.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Max has started to go to "work" with mom when she is working at the daycare! He is loving it!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSFbYsc9I/AAAAAAAAB5k/ZRzHS8HUg6M/s1600-h/DSC07909.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296464152480216018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDSFbYsc9I/AAAAAAAAB5k/ZRzHS8HUg6M/s400/DSC07909.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Abby has started up volleyball again! They moved up to the 10-12 year old bracket! There is some serious players they are coming up against!<br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296463530284494402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhNhrLkI/AAAAAAAAB48/AOCXLe2n4jE/s400/DSC07867.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhzlgg1I/AAAAAAAAB5c/iNXOJXuXyk4/s1600-h/DSC07880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296463540501119826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhzlgg1I/AAAAAAAAB5c/iNXOJXuXyk4/s400/DSC07880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Max also found a way to stow away! Who wants to take him on their next trip???<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhigIFHI/AAAAAAAAB5U/VRLU8LCCERA/s1600-h/DSC07876.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296463535915144306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhigIFHI/AAAAAAAAB5U/VRLU8LCCERA/s400/DSC07876.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I refinished the patio furniture.... Here is the before<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296463533956393682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhbNH6tI/AAAAAAAAB5E/gXEtWEsvyek/s400/DSC07870.JPG" border="0" />and the after!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhbwImsI/AAAAAAAAB5M/t9WhtB1U10I/s1600-h/DSC07871.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296463534103239362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SYDRhbwImsI/AAAAAAAAB5M/t9WhtB1U10I/s400/DSC07871.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-81575791933966312902009-01-07T17:30:00.000-08:002009-01-07T17:42:52.003-08:00Not sure...<div><br /><div><div><div>I am really not sure what to write about today but I fell like I should update something here so lets see where this goes....OH wait I have some pictures!</div></div><div>Every New Years day Tom's mom has a big party, each year it has a theme this year was Chinese New Year. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Max ate a ton of food using kid chop sticks...(note must pick some up)<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288730107980025922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SWVYAycQEEI/AAAAAAAAB3s/z_CvVmuzuVA/s400/DSC07611.JPG" border="0" />Here is the Dragon I made with Sue- the head is a kite head hte rest I made....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288730114810627154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SWVYBL4yxFI/AAAAAAAAB30/021I9-XHBWk/s400/DSC07640.JPG" border="0" />They had noise makers- not so great when you have a concussion!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288730117055670962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SWVYBUQDarI/AAAAAAAAB38/_HyN085zQKY/s400/DSC07644.JPG" border="0" />Here are the kdis walking down the street with it. They were a little embarssed taking it out on the street they are that age now...but they did it!<br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288730121416842482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SWVYBkf1nPI/AAAAAAAAB4E/CXSUtoTmusE/s400/DSC07676.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288730135273788930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SWVYCYHl1gI/AAAAAAAAB4M/maLpodoSGgE/s400/DSC07792.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Here is Abby with her loot bag, an abacus chinesse jump ropes Po from kung fu panda and lots of fun things....</p>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-63791649634788451672008-12-27T06:42:00.000-08:002008-12-27T06:57:12.395-08:00The world lost a great guy...Last night my father in law had a stoke and died, those are the simple facts. Bill was one of those all around good guys, always with a story or two to tell. We had the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privilege</span> of spending time with him on Max's birthday and then a few days later on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Christmas</span> Eve.<br /><br /><br />I made him a western apron for his new BBQ.... He wore it the whole night and modeled it well!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284481271253313154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SVY_t8NCJoI/AAAAAAAAB2s/INZX458zmiE/s400/DSC07493.JPG" border="0" /><br />Tim has been wanting a Swiss army knife and we knew Bill would be the "perfect" one to pick one out for him. Here is Tim and Bill when he opened it. Bill later had a good talk with him alone on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">safety</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">responsibility</span>...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SVY_t-kCi2I/AAAAAAAAB20/L9_Hd5_yf0k/s1600-h/DSC07495.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284481271886678882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SVY_t-kCi2I/AAAAAAAAB20/L9_Hd5_yf0k/s400/DSC07495.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> Here he is with Max, Bill always understood because we only see each other every few months that Max had to warm up to them. After being here for his Birthday a few days before, Max ran out of the house when they arrived on Christmas eve yelling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Grandpa</span> Bill and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Bana</span>, Grandpa Bill and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bana</span>. He even gave him a big hug as they left.<br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SVY_tbFAV-I/AAAAAAAAB2k/8FCyr6aHvo0/s1600-h/DSC07487.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284481262361270242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SVY_tbFAV-I/AAAAAAAAB2k/8FCyr6aHvo0/s400/DSC07487.JPG" border="0" /></a> If there was ever a time that I was with someone and had to think back and say is there something I should have said or did we leave on a sour note this was not one of them. Bill raved all night what a nice <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">eveing</span> it was he gave everyone their bear hugs and it was a perfect night one I will remember forever. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We will miss you Bill....<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-74039159723677775642008-12-19T15:57:00.000-08:002008-12-19T16:17:34.392-08:00Somedays you win somedays you....well you know...I am glad to report today it was a win, even when it seems there are so many things that could be and are going on that are not in the "win" catagory!<br />I didn't have work today, and while that sounds great it is just a reminder that I need to get another job. I decided to take advantage of the time with Max while Tim and Abby were at school. He had a little bit of birthday money and I thought we would go to the mall and see where that took us. As I was getting ready Jim called from work and asked if I would bring him something he forgot. Max loves to go to Daddy's work because it means a trip to the airport and there are so many things that he loves there! On the way they we drove though Papago Buttes by the zoo, Max exclaimed Mommy mountain! I want to climb it! So we drove on to the airport and we saw the new light rail trains (very exciting) then a large crane, and of course plane after plane. It was a trip filled with ooohhhs and wows! On the way back I decided we would "take a hike" Max was VERY excited! So we pulled into Papago Park, I though hole in the rock would be the perfect "hike". We drove in at the zoo entrance and right away he knew where he was, I thought we might have to take a quick walk around the zoo, but he was focused he wanted to hike! We drove around found a parking place and started up the hill! I asked him to stop to take a picture and he was not going <span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">to</span> have that! "No Mommy hiking" He raced up the back of the hill which is mostly stairs out of railroad ties. When he spotted "the hole" he asked' Who made that" I let him know that god and the wind did.<br />Here he is in his victorious moment!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281654918463229874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1KjkyD7I/AAAAAAAAB2E/U00OpXN-nUE/s400/DSC07211.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here he is with the zoo in the back ground<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281654931885325426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1LVk2_HI/AAAAAAAAB2M/85Xe8FRfGgw/s400/DSC07212.JPG" border="0" /><br />When we got to the bottom we checked out the pond near the car. He is waving at the ducks.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1MJ89pMI/AAAAAAAAB2c/Df9SwMXCnsI/s1600-h/DSC07218.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281654945945068738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1MJ89pMI/AAAAAAAAB2c/Df9SwMXCnsI/s400/DSC07218.JPG" border="0" /></a> Carefree skipping across the bridge...<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1Ln3UAFI/AAAAAAAAB2U/hIlyYRFndlk/s1600-h/DSC07216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281654936794562642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SUw1Ln3UAFI/AAAAAAAAB2U/hIlyYRFndlk/s400/DSC07216.JPG" border="0" /></a> We went to the mall and picked out a new "Cars" toy and had fun just wandering the mall. It is interesting to see where a almost 3 year old will take you! </div><div>Tomorrow we are celebrating Max's 3rd birthday! I enjoyed today so much, he is really putting his words together and becoming such a little man. I am going to take advantage of this time with him. Max gets the short end of the stick a lot catering to the older kids schedules and activities, it was nice to have a carefree day..... and all day all I could imagine was my Dad smiling from ear to ear to have another hiker in the family! </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-9419773628953186602008-12-08T15:26:00.000-08:002008-12-08T15:36:08.207-08:00Winter is here!I sit here at the computer looking out at the cold cloudy sky, I just can't get warm today! I have my sweats on and fleece vest and I am watching the kids run around the back yard. I had enough time out side today and I tap on the window to signal to stop fighting or some other command...<br />It is winter in Scottsdale! It is 64 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ish</span> degrees as I type this, that is near freezing! I did just have to go outside <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">toi</span> verify this fact for you and I now have goose bumps! For those of you who have never lived in Arizona, there is just no real way to understand. My friend Gena lives in Georgia and freezes there and blames it on being an Arizona girl.<br />You see when you spend over a hundred days of the summer and fall over 100 degrees it changes your body! When you spend most of month of July over 110 degrees 60 is a bit of a chill! They like to say your blood thins out...(what ever that means) I just think the heat messes with you mind so much that you go a little insane!<br /><br />The sun has also not been out in two days. This is rare, I guess it rained because there was mud all over the playground at school. I never saw it or heard it, but man I miss the sun!<br /><br />I hope it is sunny and warm where you are!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-80797397945978738282008-12-03T20:58:00.000-08:002008-12-03T21:10:23.117-08:00It's is DECEMBER!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/STdlWFvAcOI/AAAAAAAAB18/7swzpwyhdAQ/s1600-h/DSC06847.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275796918658691298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/STdlWFvAcOI/AAAAAAAAB18/7swzpwyhdAQ/s400/DSC06847.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I love Christmas! I do ad<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mitt</span> to getting a little over zealous with it but I do love it! I love buying presents for people. I love wrapping things up, I LOVE to decorate the house. I already have plans for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tim's</span> room to be a Christmas / sewing craft room when he moves out! It will be Christmas all year around! </div><br /><div>Sure the economy sucks and the job market well it sucks too. There are a million things to be fearful and dreadful about, they will be here just the same after the holidays too, so I am giving them some well deserved time off! </div><br /><div>This is a year to be THANKFUL for what you have and for what you can give or do with your friends and family. There will always be people who have more and people who have less than we do. This Christmas is not about keeping up with the Jones, I am g<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ladley</span> give them a rest each year! They are not all they are cracked up to be!</div><div><br /> </div><div>I have great promise for what 2009 will hold. I hope you do too! I hope you get to share it with all the people you love and hold dear!</div><div> </div><div>May your days be Merry and Bright...... </div><br /><div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-47934004907580152702008-12-03T07:13:00.000-08:002008-12-03T10:01:35.305-08:00I am going back to school....I started back at school, I am doing a total do over! I am starting at preschool!<br />When my hours were cut at my job I needed something to fill just one day a week during school hours. This seemed like an impossible task! Where was I going to find such a job. In walks my "village" most of whom work at the preschool the kids went and will go to. The need an assistant in the monday class! A one day of the week gig, things just have a way of working out!<br />I LOVE this school, it has always had a special place in my heart. The teachers and the director were not teachers there when Tim first started school but parents of classmate, who became teachers there as other teachers moved along. They brought a new life to the school and it has been fun to watch the program grow evolve.<br /><br />Going back to preschool has also given me some perspective. The philosophy at the school is to foster independence of these tiny little people. I am helping in Mrs H's class on Mondays when she has 3 and 4 year olds together. There are 14 little people. They sit in cirlce time, they do a craft project to varying degrees of success. They have snack and even pour their own drinks! (this has always been an adventure). We expect a lot of of them, to say please and thank you to acknowledge when we have hurt someone and say your sorry. We don't expect that they are all going to be best friends but we do expect them to polite and courteous to each other. We do have such high expectations of them, I was thinking about this yesterday out loud with another friend, how can we are parents, teachers (not just in the classroom sense) and role models expect our littlest kids, not just at the school but our kids at home to do this when at best as adults we have the hardest time following the rules we have set forth for them.<br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Be Kind</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Say your sorry</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Keep your hands to yourself</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Take turns</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>Don't hurt our friends feelings</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Put things away</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Clean up after yourself</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#333333;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#333333;"></span> </div>The golden rule and all those great cliches.... that we repeat time and time again to our kids....<br /><br />Instead we seem to implore the opposite, do as I say not as I do...<br /><br />Sometimes life lessons are best learned when we take a step back and start over, I think everyone could use a day at preschool now and again to remember, LIFE IS about the small stuff, not a career or new car, but about being a good citizen, saying please and thank you and playing nice in the sandbox of life.Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-39026433231600686072008-11-21T10:57:00.001-08:002008-11-21T11:26:50.239-08:00Like her or not Hillary was right....<span style="font-family:arial;">It takes a village...<br /><br />I am very lucky to have a "village"! When you think of the word it self it is very much about a "place" like the dictionary defines it....<br /><br />Village<br /><br /></span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/V01/V0129600" target="_blank"></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> –noun<br />1.<br />a small community or group of houses in a rural area, larger than a hamlet and usually smaller than a town, and sometimes (as in parts of the U.S.) incorporated as a municipality.<br />2.the inhabitants of such a community collectively.<br />3.a group of animal dwellings resembling a village: a gopher village. –adjective<br />4.of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a village: village life.<br /><br /><br />I like this more...<br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;">村庄</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">This is the Chinese symbol for it. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Look the figures look like they are holding hands the they building upon on another. That is what my village does. So you might ask where is your village you live in a large city in a major metro area. My village is more of a "pie in the sky" type of thing. You know those little halo's that follow your character on a video game... that is is about how it is. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">You see I have a village of friends and family that have the same goals and ideas on how to raise our kids. My village started when my oldest two went to preschool but didn't really fully form until the kids grew a little more as did our friendships and relationships. The members of my village are there for me, I have to get two kids to two different places at the same time....one of the villagers is always there to help. I need to figure out what homework is due, my village is the fastest way. Need to find out what needs to brought to girl scouts tonight they are there. A shoulder to cry on... there they are, a drink after a long week you guessed it I call on the village. There are many children in our village, the great thing is you can see that sense of community in them when they branch out in the larger groups they belong to. They stand up for each other, they know they always have someone to talk to. If a mom is running late they know who to ask "is she coming? Are you taking me home" they know the elders in the village and wouldn't hesitate to ask for help from any of them. They are great kids the kids in our village. Some are in the same grade and class others on the same teams. The oldest child in the village will be going to high school next year (gasps) the youngest is Max, don't tell him he has no clue.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Ultimately the village is about give and take, being there at just the right time, knowing in a moment you can call them and they will be there. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Do you have a village? I sure hope so it would be a lonely world without one!</span> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;"></span></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-46060259944938492222008-11-08T11:15:00.001-08:002008-11-08T11:24:55.730-08:00This life so Far IIIf you have been reading along or if you haven't you can ship down a post or two and find the story of the trip Jim and I took to see our friend Ian's fathers art show.<br /><br />It is bitter sweet for me to tell you that he passed away this last Monday. I say bitter sweet because when someone has been sick like Jim was, like my Dad was there is a bit if sweetness in their passing. If you have lost someone to a terrible cancer you know what I mean. The suffering is over, they are at peace there is a sweetness in that.<br /><br />Peace...to you Jim....Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-73113182681605042722008-10-30T15:35:00.000-07:002008-10-30T15:42:00.631-07:00VOTE VOTE VOTE!Which for me and those who know me personally would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">probably</span> find it hard to believe this is my FIRST <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">political</span> post!<br />I am sure by my new video you can tell who I am voting for, but that is not the message here.<br />You see I just want YOU to vote!<br />We as Americans have a choice, to stand up and be counted.<br />We have a choice on who we vote for!<br />We have a choice!<br /><br />Now who you choose is of your our convictions, I just ask that you vote for your convictions in a way that you pick the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">candidate</span> that most suits your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">values</span> and morals, and that you vote for them because YOU know where THEY stand on those issues. Not because someone else told you where they stand by YOU looked it up.<br /><br />So I ask you my friends to be informed and VOTE!<br /><br />Oh and may the best man win!Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-80671356838220963222008-10-16T21:30:00.000-07:002008-10-16T21:43:25.874-07:00I miss my mommy!She has been gone for 2 weeks, she will be back in two more. I made the mistake of saying it while I was doing laundry when she was calling to check in. You see she does the laundry in the house. (I know hate me) The fact is she has d<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">one</span> my laundry most of my life. Laundry is just that one thing I can't quite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ever get</span> on top of, or get done in a timely manner or just dedicate time to. Know I know there are people with more kids who work more hours and it really isn't that hard to do. Open the door fill it up push a few buttons, it is not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rocket</span> science! Yet somehow it is my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nemesis</span>! Even when she is here to DO the laundry it can sit for a week clean in a basket because it HATE to even put it away! This is not Jim's strong suit either, when I finally get the motivation up he still has not found it!<br /><br />Anyways the laundry is not the reason I miss my mom. Although it is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">casualty</span> of her being gone. The fact is my mom has been a part of my daily life well pretty much most of my life. Some days we laugh so hard we could pee our pants, others are days of quite companionship. I know people who don't really talk to their parents and others who find it is chore. When she said she was going for the whole month I thought oh that will be nice for her and had dreams of being able to walk around the house naked or have a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">romantic</span> diner with Jim heck maybe even naked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">LOL</span> but we haven't we have both decided we miss her.....and it is not just because the clean and yes folded laundry is still on the couch in the family room, some even on hangers just waiting to be hung up....Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-44496661575403768572008-10-02T20:54:00.000-07:002008-10-02T21:21:28.104-07:00-This Life So Far-<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWZLVRtlXI/AAAAAAAABU4/wzYBbJxF4Xc/s1600-h/DSC06012.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWZLqsu1XI/AAAAAAAABVA/mqpufrU_Iq4/s1600-h/DSC06077.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWZLhOo44I/AAAAAAAABVI/KEeMS8rPnRk/s1600-h/DSC06079.JPG"></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252771751918486194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYE_dOwrI/AAAAAAAABUg/R_kVC1mbGns/s400/DSC06156.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYEG-Ji4I/AAAAAAAABUQ/79GRkJfAY08/s1600-h/DSC06051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252771736755735426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYEG-Ji4I/AAAAAAAABUQ/79GRkJfAY08/s400/DSC06051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYEuEP-ZI/AAAAAAAABUY/H1iNIZyE8XI/s1600-h/DSC06097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252771747250305426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYEuEP-ZI/AAAAAAAABUY/H1iNIZyE8XI/s400/DSC06097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYFHOtiAI/AAAAAAAABUo/-P7AFGmuxOY/s1600-h/DSC06174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252771754005071874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYFHOtiAI/AAAAAAAABUo/-P7AFGmuxOY/s400/DSC06174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYFosdwMI/AAAAAAAABUw/Erc74BsWIIc/s1600-h/DSC06150.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252771762988236994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SOWYFosdwMI/AAAAAAAABUw/Erc74BsWIIc/s400/DSC06150.JPG" border="0" /></a> This last weekend we had the amazing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privileged</span> of going to LA for a showing of art works of Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">McHale</span>. They are beautiful awe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">inspiring</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pieces</span> of art. Now you may not know who Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">McHale</span> is, chances are you don't, I was an outsider looking in and would like to share with you what I was witness to. </div><div>First about Jim he is dying, he has cancer and the morning before this show he checked into a hospice, but still managed to make it to the show. The Dream Foundation set up the event, they are like Make a Wish for adults. The event was held on a sound stage at Hollywood studios. Jim Max and I drove out with Chad and his son Chet. Jim <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McHale</span> is Chad' uncle. Chad is as much family as any blood is to us and my Jim has know Jim for years and it just felt right to be there. I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">skeptical</span> about going, I didn't know if I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">was</span> ready to see another dad dying. </div><div> </div><div>The art work was amazing it is made up of little dots and circles and you get a different perspective at every angle of it.</div><div> </div><div>Just as beautiful was the family and friends that showed up to be a part of the day. There are some things you see happen when someone you love is dying, that you always wish could have happened years ago. Healing between a father and son. Family gathering and are truly thankful for the life they shared, the good the bad and the indifferent all got them to where they are today. It is always bitter sweet, to know that words like "I'm sorry" and "I love you" were not said as much as they should have been and that it takes an overwhelming tragedy to come to terms with what has been -THIS LIFE SO FAR- </div><div> </div><div>But more important is what do we do from this point? This is something we all should think about, not so much the past but what is the next part of our life, what will my legacy be? I wish it was thought about long before we are sitting at our loved ones death bed. I wish it was something we thought about each day as we woke up. If we did I bet we wouldn't fight as much over the little things, I'd bet we would hug just a little longer and say things like please and thank you and I love you just a little bit more. </div><div>So you my friends I ask you where do we go from here. You have lived THIS LIFE SO FAR...what will the rest of the story be? </div><div> </div><div>I hope for you all it will be a story of love, peace and forgiveness, and living each day like it is you last! </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7622151712042995123.post-58212429170139446032008-09-25T16:16:00.001-07:002008-09-25T19:21:52.214-07:00The last week in pictures...There are lots of birthdays in September in these parts!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Amber turned 11<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102481875085810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcZBqPqfI/AAAAAAAABSg/Pwfc7wSiIRw/s400/DSC05755.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Trevor turned 9!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102468940033170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcYReSbJI/AAAAAAAABSQ/n55NHY4h8GI/s400/DSC05762.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102480873659362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcY97fG-I/AAAAAAAABSY/987kAhOKU3g/s400/DSC05793.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p></p><p>Holly turned 9!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250104031440689106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwdzOPeV9I/AAAAAAAABTg/MeuTgTAudwY/s400/DSC05862.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250104028266673362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwdzCautNI/AAAAAAAABTY/0JpUoF4WZ3g/s400/DSC05854.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250104038229423922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwdzniCNzI/AAAAAAAABTo/6tusQ00dRXA/s400/DSC05891.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250104039252936674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwdzrWDx-I/AAAAAAAABTw/wW6WhXUfJQU/s400/DSC05889.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Tim had his 11th bday!<br /></p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcu4UbuUI/AAAAAAAABSw/ydv96U9LTIA/s1600-h/DSC05922.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102857324804418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcu4UbuUI/AAAAAAAABSw/ydv96U9LTIA/s400/DSC05922.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcvKBCtAI/AAAAAAAABS4/IZo0OQLnDzU/s1600-h/DSC05926.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102862075311106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcvKBCtAI/AAAAAAAABS4/IZo0OQLnDzU/s400/DSC05926.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102872409682242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcvwg8sUI/AAAAAAAABTI/_RYT7eDWfYU/s400/DSC05940.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcvXR7vtI/AAAAAAAABTA/KAxneWEouTg/s1600-h/DSC05934.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102865635819218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcvXR7vtI/AAAAAAAABTA/KAxneWEouTg/s400/DSC05934.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102494136388642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcZvVkTCI/AAAAAAAABSo/dDQgzjjEZDQ/s400/DSC05908.JPG" border="0" /><br />Abby had a tonette concert<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcwaR9WkI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Ex1pLId497o/s1600-h/DSC05952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102883621100098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcwaR9WkI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Ex1pLId497o/s400/DSC05952.JPG" border="0" /></a> After which we made 19 2 gallon bags of salt dough for the 5th grade<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250148696390270594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNxGbEJSfoI/AAAAAAAABUI/7eh_rBR-nP8/s400/DSC05965.JPG" border="0" /><br />Soccer pratcie<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcX_SceuI/AAAAAAAABSI/p_rzrjHDsus/s1600-h/DSC05710.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250102464058522338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZeBUlbsasT8/SNwcX_SceuI/AAAAAAAABSI/p_rzrjHDsus/s400/DSC05710.JPG" border="0" /></a> Volleyball and Jr Girl scouts and there is our week!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Amy Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03811806603259042322noreply@blogger.com1