The ~)(urleys~

Our Anniversary

2011-01-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

Seems like we just had one of these last year, oh yeah! Just kidding. My problem is finding something to do for it. I love him, he loves me, we know that. He's REALLY romantic, I'm REALLY NOT! I'm trying. Jim made me an appt to get my nails done today, and hates that that's all he's done so far, but come on what else is there up here? I'm trying to plan a date. One he will like. My perfect date? Horror movie with blood guts and checking under my bed for monsters, a BIG steak dinner and bed! Not his idea of a romantic date. Any ideas?? Oh happy anniversary Cori and Danny Reiswig!

Trevers Christmas Helicopter

2011-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Trever got this really cool remote control helicopter for Christmas. It takes pictures and videos. They have had so much fun with it. This is video he took with it. Remember our house is 3 stories and thats the TOP of it.

Suspended!

2011-01-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

Maybe not great for a public blog and by no means am I actually condoning it, but I'm not mad and wanted to journal it.

Thursday night Alex went to a soccer game and was texting me from there and telling me that his ex friend kept running his mouth about his sister and me. Being a gross boy. He was getting really mad but I told him to leave it alone. Friday at school he couldn't leave it alone anymore. Apparently, from Alex and 4 witnesses that told the school officer, the boy kept running his mouth and got even more vulgar. Alex picked him up, threw him on the desk and then threw him onto the floor before being pulled away from him. The other boy didn't fight back but still got the same 3 day suspension for the filth he was saying.

Alex isn't in trouble at home. But.. he is learning that it's not vacation being suspended. If he isn't in school he is working. Not punishment, just working. Glad he stood up for his sister but he need to thicken his skin a little, she will be in the high school next year and she's very pretty and he will probably hear a lot more. As for me, I told Alex that I've been called worse by better people and it doesn't phase me. Hard situation but the school did what they had to even though the officer didn't really want to suspend him but rules are rules.

My first day back to school

2011-01-11T15:57:00.000-08:00

Today I had my CPR for Health care professionals. From 8am until 6. But I got done at 3. I was so nervous this morning and tried to find my class room and couldn't and wanted to cry. I found it and things went smooth after that. I learned adult, child and infant CPR, how to use a defibrillator and what to do if someone chokes. Signs of heart attack, stroke, choking and stuff like that. Jim took me to lunch on my bread and bought me an energy shot and kept telling me how proud he was of me all day. My friend Marci sent me an encouraging text on my way to class that I really needed. What a great friend. I took my final test and got 100%. Yeah for ME!!! My EMT classes start next Wednesday because Monday is a holiday. I know I will be nervous but not as bad as today. I LOVED IT!!!! I was teasing the kids and had them take a picture of me just like I do of them on their first day of school. It turned into a fight because Trever was the only one ready so he got to touch my new camera and nobody else gets too.

Back to School

2011-01-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

I am so nervous, or scared or something. Tomorrow is my CPR class from 8:00 am until 6:00pm. I got my book today but I am incredibly nervous. Next Monday my EMT classes start 3 days a week from 7:30-9:50. I hear it's a hard class but I'm a pretty good student. For me it's a new chapter of my life. Expanding myself from only being a mom to do something I've really always been interested in. Just need to get over the first day jitters. Wish me luck! I could be saving your life one day. (hopefully not yours)

New Years 2011

2011-01-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

We don't go out, ever. So the kids decided last second to have a few friends over and watch a movie and hang out. It was fun... for them. We keep saying to ourselves that at least they are here and not out doing what their friends want them to do. They acted like dorks, it was fun. And I took some cool, fun pictures. WITH MY NEW CAMERA!

No resolutions, ok that's a lie.
1. No wrecking any cars
2. No buying any Big trucks
3. No moving
4. NO PUSHING ANYONE DOWN THE STAIRS!!

I think I'll stick with these ones, since I did them all last year.
(in no way is this any confession to pushing anyone down the stairs)

One downfall of a new camera is a TON of pictues... is that a downfall?

Dalton being himself

fun with the camera quick shutter speed

Alex, Jimi, Dalton, Matt and Brandon

Fun with the multiple picture option

Yes Trever was there too

And Sami

The BIG storm

2011-01-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

This is totally blog worthy! The day I wrecked my car the rain started. It didn't quit until after Christmas. We had 10 inches in the first storm and close to that in the second. This caused major flooding, where Erskine creek overflowed and closed our road from our house to town. It also caused a major rock slide in the canyon that still has the canyon closed. They had to blow up the rocks to haul them out. It flooded Havila and Caliente so Lions trail was in and out. Walkers pass was in and out because it kept getting closed because of snow. Same with Greenhorn, lots of snow up there on the mountains. Not to mention the bridge on the backside of the lake washed away, and a HUGE part of the road back there gone. With all the outlets of our valley being closed it would be my luck that I needed to be in Bakersfield many times over those two weeks. Good thing we had the truck with 4-wheel drive because I swear we used it more than we ever did in Colorado.

Weldon by the school, Kelso flooded

Top of Walker pass in morning

Weldon

Walker pass

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas eve at Jim's family's house where the kids did their gift exchange like they always do. (drawn names) We did something different and did the white elephant gifts. I got an awesome lucky watch, orange with crazy hands and hard to tell time on, but it looks super cute. Jim got a blanket, that I had actually bought for the game. I also received my BIG gift from Jim.

YES! MY NEW CAMERA!
The Canon Rebel T1i, and the extra lens that zooms more. I couldn't be happier, I've wanted this camera for over a year.

Cool Bronco blanket!

Sami got a digital camera too

would Christmas be complete without air soft guns?

Jimi's favorite gift, her guitar

Grandma Tommie with Sami

Best Bronco hoody, Austin and Jake got them too. That's a plus from being in Colorado on black Friday

Alex with Audrey (our friend and neighbor)

Kenny and Terrie

We spent Christmas morning at our house and Santa came bringing a mixing board for Alex, a camera for Jimi, a sewing machine for Sami, and remote control laser tag cars for Trever. Oh and remember a BIG truck for Jim. We spent Christmas day at Kenny's house and had a big dinner. We had a great holiday!

When life gives you lemons make lemonaid... or just buy a BIG truck

2010-12-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

I was Christmas shopping in Bakersfield one evening, well all day. It started raining and I started heading home. I stayed off the freeway because of traffic, I should have gone on the freeway. I go through a light, everyone slams on their brake and I slide right into the car in front of me. They get out, look at my car, don't speak any English besides "OWE my neck" and "ambulance". I was going like 5 mph and didn't hardly dent the trunk of their little car. I know I sound harsh but the very nice police man even said they were seeing dollar signs. Anyways... My car was towed and I got a ride home from my nephew and his friends. It was exciting. HAHA! My car estimate to get fixed was $3900.00. My car did what it was supposed to, crumple.

The next day Tommie took me down to get a rental car but I had a different idea. I had been looking at a truck for Jim for Christmas so instead of waisting money on a rental I got his truck. He was happy he got it but sad I got to put 2000 miles on it the next few weeks and he only got to drive 20 miles. It's great, a 2007 Dodge, diesel, crew cab, long bed. Best feature is when you open the doors steps come down to get in but you can't see them at all when the door is shut which makes it look really tough.

see the step?

I got my car back and don't like it. I have to take it back to re-fix it. It has a huge gap between the hood and lights. They said no problem they will fix it. I just have to get it down there and the roads have all been closed. Maybe next week.

Kenny's annual song

2010-12-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

Not a video, just audio

For the past 8 years Kenny sings in Sacrament for Christmas. He sings "Oh Holy Night". It's always amazing. For some reason I tear up every time, can't help it. I recorded it this year (ok last year too), but while I am listening to it I notice how silent the chapel goes. Babies aren't crying, and people aren't talking. He is mesmerizing to listen to. Trever has said how hearing uncle Kenny sing makes him want to cry, so he sat and stared and listened and didn't move, and at the end HE CLAPPED! We don't clap in the chapel, he knows that. He said he just got really into it and forgot. It was only like 2 claps before he caught himself but we couldn't stop laughing after that. It was truly beautiful to hear. As my friend Krissy said though, he will be struck down for not singing for us more than once a year. Jim just says God will make him pay for it.

Listen for the clap at the end, it's Trever. And it's long but worth listening to the entire song, it's truly moving.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jimi's Winter Formal

2010-12-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

This is Jimi's first winter formal at the new school. She didn't say much about it until that day. She had her friend come play dress up and find something to wear. Sometimes Jimi is so considerate. I know she would have loved to go shopping and get a new dress and shoes but she didn't even mention it. She even said she could use one from different years because nobody had seen them. (obvious to an adult, NOT to a 13 year old girl) She looked beautiful. I did her hair, straight on bottom and the top layers curled.

Tanner Jimi and Brennon (Medley)

Jimi and "The Girls"

Angel, Alex, Brennon, and Frankie (Brennons the boy)

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

After Disneyland we went on to Colorado to visit my family for Thanksgiving. We had a nice easy drive there and a great Thanksgiving. It was great being back in Colorado, cold. I have missed it and, dare I say it, I wouldn't mind going back to the snow. I miss Colorado but both Jim and I know that one day we will be in Cedar City Utah, we've know it from the first time we drove through when we only married a few months.

My daddy

My mom (Sandra) My dad (Wes)

Alex, my nephew Rory, and Trever

My niece Courtney

My niece Kaycee

My big sister Stacie and Sami

The drive home was much different. I was driving and when we got to about Green River Utah we hit a blizzard and nowhere to stop. Good thing I learned to drive in the Colorado snow. We saw at least 10 roll over accidents and over 40 cars off the road. Nothing we could do. The scariest was the fuel tanker we watched roll his back tank. I'm sure they had to probably close the highway until haz-mat came out. It was scary. We played a fun game though, I would "guess" the people we would see off the road ahead. I was right about 95% of the time. The kids were amazed I could tell the future. Really it was that they were usually the idiots flying by. When I say flying by I mean going over 30. We got to Cedar City and took a break. This is my family outside Denny's in Cedar City. We got stopped to eat and get gas in case we didn't have another chance.

fuel tanker

More of the fuel tanker, it was a double

looks fun huh? Almost looks like match box cars

yes I'm driving. this is outside Cedar City when it started to
get better.

We had great weather by by Mesquite Nevada we hit the only thing worse than a blizzard. Stupid people traffic! We were stuck from Mesquite Nevada to Kramer Junction. The normal 13 hour trip took us over 19 hours. Note to self- DO NOT LEAVE COLORADO ON A SUNDAY!!

Disneyland

2010-11-30T12:11:00.000-08:00

Jim broke his back in August and he will be back to work next week so we decided for one last hoorah! Sami and Trever have never been to Disneyland so it was about time. Sami hates magic mountain rides but we promised her this would be different. I booked and paid for our room and tickets before hand through getawaytoday and it was perfect. Because of our big family we stayed at Raddison suites which is 6 miles from Disneyland but they have free shuttles, we didn't use them because Jim has anxiety and wanted the car "just in case". Free breakfast buffet every day and with Alex that saved us a TON! We had great weather most the time. A little rain but long sleeve shirts and very short lines except for Tuesday. We stayed 4 nights and had a lot of fun. Favorites: really the usual, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Small World. I hated Space Mountain last time but liked it this time. I love Peter Pan adventure. And Sami and I wore our princess tiaras.

Walking into the princess castle

This is where my family belongs

Trever got to guide our boat in the miniature land

Sami begged to ride the tea cups but they were closed the first day because of rain. Finally she got to ride.

Princess castle at night. It was so beautiful lit up.

The haunted mansion

Sami and her butler friend at the haunted mansion

yes we planned it

welcome to Disneyland

Football and Cheer 2010

2010-11-30T10:08:00.000-08:00

Well a little late, because it's now over but oh well this is how it went.

Alex freshman year #7 (mom's number! Dad's was taken)

Alex, first year in high school and did great. The coach would call Jim all the time and said Alex hits like a truck! He did. He played tight end on offense and could catch anything near him. No touch downs but did get to the 1 yard line. He caught a lot of long passes but our quarterback is a first year Q.B. so needless to say there were a lot of bad throws. He played defensive end on defense and like we were told, we saw for ourselves that he hits like a truck! He had too many sacs to count, a blocked punt and was in on most tackles even if they were on the opposite side of the field. His downfall- typical Alex, focus. He had a hard time remembering plays, otherwise he would have ran the ball because he's a big ole boy and still one of the fastest on the team. He's 5'11 1/2, I say 6 foot but that would make him as tall as Jim and that's plain weird! He was out for a game because we were playing down in L.A. and he got hit and couldn't answer the 100 questions the guy was spitting at him so we were handed the stupid CIF form and spent most the night at the ER in L.A. It was fine, the hospital was nice, even had valet parking. I am sad the season is over and I'm looking forward to next year, so is he. He had a very busy schedule: up at 5:15 to get ready for school, seminary at 6:30, school, football practice until 5:30 then he would have to wait for the youth practice to get over at 7:30. Dinner, homework, and lucky to be in bed by 10:30 or 11. He's looking forward to some spare time to work on his suburban. He drives in 6 months. I KNOW!!!!

Trever. He had a good season. He got bigger but not taller. He needs to work on speed but still hits like Alex. I know it's horrible for me to say but he hit a kid so hard the first game he walked off the field and quit. I think Alex did that to a boy last year. Trever is a running back. We have some coaching issues, coaches kid got fed the ball so Trever had to work 10 times harder with what he was given. That's ok, we try to explain that's how it goes. He does need to work on speed again, he's still fast but he's moving up next year and those boys seem huge to me. He made several touch downs, never came out of the game all season until the last play off game with 2 minutes left, he was part of a really big hit, 3 helmets collided and he came off seeing stars and puking. He was fine about an hour later. Rough sport, but he loves it. So do I. With practice in town it's so much easier and more enjoyable.

Trever youth freshman #30 (dad's number like always)

Jimi Lee. Hard season. Her coach didn't seem that into this year so they did most themselves and they have a younger team. She is still the best on the squad, not just because I'm bias she really is. I helped out with tumbling and by mid season had 5 girls out of 11, INCLUDING JIMI, doing back handsprings. And 3, INCLUDING JIMI, doing round off back handsprings. They took second in competition out of 9, so they did good. Jimi sprained her wrist really bad at competition and is out for the last comp this Saturday at Magic Mountain. They needed her. She's starting basketball now. She has to take it easy at practice for a few more weeks, no force on it. (back handsprings, throwing girls in the air)

Youth Senior Cheer. Bottem row Jessica, Danielle, Marissa, Haddi, Molly
Middle: Mary Ann, Sherry, Harleigh
Top: Destiny, Sammy, and yes Jimi

Yep that's my Jimi Lee top right! HAM

Sami didn't cheer. She was so cute though. She went to every game and practice and was a social butterfly. She is such a DIVA! Unbelievable. She demands chocolate daily. All she needs is a tiara. (no she's not getting mine)

2010-09-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

The canyon fire didn't stay in the canyon long. It moved quickly towards our house. They had evacuations a mile away from us, we packed a few irreplaceable things, just in case. Luckily they had several hundred firefighters on the fire to keep all but one structure safe. I think they said they had like 11 helicopters on it and they would fly over our house after filling with water from the lake, dripping over our house the whole time. The smoke and ash was pretty bad for the week and they ended up having to cancel football practice one night because of it. I wish I had a better camera because at night from our deck you could see the entire mountainside lit up with embers. On Tuesday when the fire hit the ridge you could see 200 foot flames break the ridge. Scary but neat. Glad it's out and over.

First day of school 2010

2010-09-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

This year brings us lots of changes. The move meant a new bigger school for all the kids. Alex started high school this year. He's playing football and had 5am practices for weeks before school started. Then when school started he also started early morning seminary. He starts his day about 5:30, and by the time he gets home from his football practice and the other kids practice it's about 8:30. Dinner, homework, and bed. So far he's doing a great job and making great choices and keeping his grades up. Football is going amazing for him, but that's a whole other entry.

Jimi started 8th grade this year. Her old school and new school have always been rivals. Besides the fact she is beautiful and all the boys LOVE her, means most the girls don't. She had a rough start but it's gotten much better for her. She is anti-drama, and is doing really well at it considering she is a 13 year old boy crazy girl. Her grades are great like always and she has made some great friends. The worst part is her middle school is right next door to the high school and for some reason the high school boys LOVE her now too. Daddy and I HATE it!

Sami Jean started her year off with a new hair cut. It is really cute. She is in 6th grade and her best friend Tayah already went to this school and she had a lot of friends that already went to this school so she is having an easy time. Her grades are good and she is just checking out all the boys and letting them check her out. No boyfriend for her. Daddy and I LOVE that!!

Trever has had anxiety over the new school for a year now. (imagine that) He knew a lot of boys because of football and he really had a smooth transition socially. He is struggling pretty bad with the work they do. They taught it differently at the last school so he is a bit behind and trying to catch up. Luckily Jimi is using it as her Personal Progress (church goal book) to tutor him. She does a great job and he really lets her help him. He's in 4th grade and it's a hard year for kids in school because up until now they have gone to school to learn to read, now they change and are reading to learn.

We absolutely LOVE living in town. I love taking the kids to school and picking them up. I love running to the store and being home in 20 minutes, I love being able to come home in the middle of practice to start dinner and just run back to pick everyone up. I LOVE how much gas we have saved. I really love everything about it so far.

I'm still around

2010-09-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Busy busy summer and a broken computer cord, everything packed and a Vegas trip. All great reasons for not blogging. Hopefully today I will get back to work on it. Yes, today while I have a sick kid home, a fire that we are possibly going to have to evacuate over, a football article I have to write for the paper and getting my house back after a long weekend, oh and taking care of a sweet husband with a broken back. Yep, I'll blog later FO SHOW!!!! (my kids would say I was so uncool right now, I would say "I know!")

2nd Annual Chic Trip 2010

2010-07-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

Once again this trip was just amazing! I LOVE Kern River Tours, Marci, Kenny, and our awesomely good at what they do river guides who made us all very safe which helped us have a great time.
Highlights:
the rock jump. I did this at least 10 times last year and probably the same this year. It was scarier last time because it was a higher jump because the river was lower.

The fact that I didn't fall out of the raft again this year, actually nobody in OUR raft did!

Lunch! Yummy sandwiches, for some reason they are the best ever.

Laughing and giggling the whole trip.

The super cute shirts Marci and Tabi made, I loved them.

The fact that because this was 2nd annual means hopefully that we will have a 3rd annual.

Low lights:

Because the river was higher some of the rapids weren't quiet as intense, that's normally a good thing but the adrenalin junkie I am I missed that!

How sore I was the next day! I'm out of shape!

That it was over until next year, that makes me sad.

Free collage created with Smilebox

Summer Fun, add MUCH sarcasm to that!

2010-07-01T16:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, worth blogging.
Sami has a female goose. She lays LOTS of eggs. Hot summer + lots of eggs that don't get taken out regularly = ROTTEN EGGS! Now lets add Sami, Trever and 3 girl cousins to the mix. I had NO IDEA they had one in the house. The egg was hot, Trever put it under cold water, it exploded! Needless to say my house REEKS! Making me puke. Febreze helped tremendously but it still REEKS!

Trever is far from being my favorite today!

What am I doing?

2010-06-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm constantly busy. But nothing is ever done. Maybe it's because I'm constantly walking behind my kids picking up things or better yet screaming at them to do something. We have gone swimming at my brother in laws awesomely huge saltwater pool a few times, and I must say my tan is looking pretty good so far, but nothing really great. Yesterday I deep cleaned the house. When I was trying to get the kids to help they kept saying "why do we have to clean when we're moving?" I wanted to scream even more. I have decided that I'm not giving them a chance to screw up once we're in the new house. I have told all of them that if they can't pick up after themselves here then they won't do it at the new house. I'm sticking to this. If they don't quit treating THIS house like a dump then when we move all they will get is a mattress and a blanket and 2 sets of cloths. They will have to earn everything else. I think they don't believe I will do it. One reason to write it down, now I have to hold myself to it. My kids are just too spoiled. Oh, and why can't laundry stop during the summer? I still hate laundry! Besides it makes my house even hotter running the dryer. I can't wait to move!

Moving

2010-06-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

Finally we are pretty sure we are moving into town. We, yes even the kids, are incredibly excited. We won't be moving in until at least July 15th, but I think it will be more like August 1st. The landlords are really great people and live in the house right now but just built a smaller house next door for just the two of them. They are just very happy because they want the house to be lived in, by a big family so it doesn't just sit and rot away. There are a lot of things that need to be done before we move in and I need to go through 6 years of junk, and she needs to go through much more. I'm up sizing while she's downsizing. Before we move in they want to paint the outside of the house, cut down some dead trees and basically just clean up around the property, oh and build us a spot in the garage to store shed type stuff. Dirt bikes, Christmas decorations you know that stuff. They need to replace a set of french doors in the master bedroom. We need to paint most of the house. We don't agree with the landlords on colors but they said it's all up to us, which is nice. It's 5 bedrooms, downstairs has a HUGE bathroom, 2 bedrooms for Alex and Jimi and has a small TV/game room. Great for sleepovers, as long as one will sleep upstairs. 2 1/2 bathrooms, huge laundry room, huge pantry, huge kitchen, huge dining room. It's awesome. Oh and it's on a well so I get to have grass. Lot's of grass and a great back yard for the dogs, they LOVE dogs. The landlords travel 4-5 months out of the year too. Oh and we will keep the horses up there with us. Only 2 miles to the school and town to save us at least $500 in gas a month. Plus it's literally HALF of what we pay here.

Just a few not so great pictures that Terry took on his cell phone, before it's painted, I'll keep posting as it becomes OURS!

This is from the front of the house. By that big palm tree and up on the brick wall will be my green green grass.

This is just a different angle from the front but you see the dead trees that will be gone.

Alex's 8th grade graduation

2010-06-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Graduation time. It was a nice ceremony. Alex looked so old. I didn't really get emotional but I did make sure he knew how proud we were, mainly because he raised his grade 4 letter grades in 2 weeks. Just goes to show he can do it. And... he was only .05 away from silver honor roll. He's never gotten honor roll before. Jimi got Platinum and has a 4.15 gpa. Sami got silver honor roll and Trever got most improved in reading. But homework for the last quarter was down for him drastically. Spring fever I guess. Alex starts summer school at the high school Monday. A lot of kids here do it. He is getting some math out of the way so he can be ready. He also has to log 24 workouts in the school gym to be eligible for football. Then 2 a day's, I can't wait to move into

Alex's graduating class of South Fork Middle School. All 26 of them.

Alex getting his diploma!

Bobbi McKim. She is on my softball team. A really talented girl. Sweet heart, I just love her.

Jimi with her BEST friend Destiny Peaker.

Jimi, Destiny and Heather, ready for the dance.

My big old Alex all fancied up.

Ty and Alex, two pretty handsome boys

Alex's graduating friends. Tawnia, Cody, Alex, Vanessa, and Jenna

All 27 graduates

Destiny and Jimi, they COULD NOT stop talking during the graduation

I told them I wanted a brother, sister picture. They thought this was how it should be.

This is more like it! Fake like they like each other!

Alex and Cierra

Alex and Jimi's friend Heather

Vanessa (the valedictorian) and Alex

Alex, Destiny, Cody, and Jimi

Alex, Desiree, and Ty

Their class sweatshirts. They have all their signatures in the 10.

When I like kids

2010-05-31T13:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite. Trever sleeping. Well, crashing. Hands sweetly crossed, almost like a rotten angel.

Harleigh, Tylee, Maddy, Ariel, and Jimi. Outside playing nicely together.

Peyton and Preslie. Not much else to say, cute cute babies that I can hand back over when they get cranky. Peyton looks so much like Jimi when she was that age.

My 2010 Junior Wolverine softball team

2010-05-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

I ended up coaching the junior level softball league this year. I won't lie, I was intimidated at first and very nervous. It had been 16 years since I had actually played ball myself and I was sure I could bluff my way through the younger girls but these girls were 13-15 year olds. Jimi was technically too young to move up but since I was coaching, and she has the talent, they moved her up. Her best friend Destiny who is just a little older than her couldn't play because her aunt (WONDERFUL woman who raises her) was just too busy to get her to all the practices and games so I volunteered to take her to everything, so I had her on my team too.

They took the pictures in Kernville down by the river. They all turned out really good. This is Destiny and Jimi. We treat Destiny like one of our own kids. Her and Jimi have been great friends for a really long time. I'm hoping they keep each other holding tight to that iron rod and stay out of trouble.

I didn't know at try-out times that I was coaching that level so I didn't get to see all the girls try-out. Draft time I blindly choose. I did know who I wanted to pitch but that was about all. I ended up with 4 girls who had never played a day of ball in their life, and another few that was there only for the social aspect. I was worried at first and we started off a little rough but when we got rolling we took off. We have one more regular season game this Thursday in Kernville at 5:15 (if anyone wanted to go) then a playoff game, then our regular season is over. But... I am coaching the all star team. Normally by this time of year I am ready for this all to be over. This year I'm just not. I'm loving it! I can't wait to do it all again next year.

This is my team this year. We are the Michigan Wolverines. (did you know wolverines are super ugly?)So this is who we have. From left to right:

Top row: Assistant coach Scott Tedrow, he has coached a few of these girls before. He was a good asset because he knew most of them better than I did and knew the rules better, besides the fact he umpired for me so I didn't have to. Then, Adriaunna, she had a great attitude. She got nervous in serious situations but never ever had an attitude with me. Then Skylr, she loved to be out there playing she wanted to play all the time. Then Brandi. She is Scott's stepdaughter, an AMAZING catcher, she's in high school. The first practice I thought oh boy she is going to have the worst attitude in the world. I was wrong. She was so respectful, friends with everyone and just a great girl. Next to Brandi is Bobbi. I have so much to say about this girl. She is an athlete! She is an amazing pitcher but I knew I could put her anywhere and she would be great. She always called if she was going to be even 2 minutes late to a game or practice. Her mom had a stroke during the season and almost died. She spent most of the rest of the season in rehabilitation home trying to learn to talk and walk again but Bobbi always came to play with her game face on. NEVER an attitude and nice to everyone! Her mom will be at our last game, we are so excited to see her. The Shy, she had never played but came from a family who did. She showed so much improvement! Her biggest setback was that she wasn't aggressive enough, and she got nervous when she was up to bat. Very sweet girl. Then my sexy assistant coach Jim, and me!

Middle row: Erica, Alex liked her. They went out twice but it's over again. She was a nice girl with very little attitude. She was a good hitter. Next is Cassi, she was friends with everyone, her biggest problem was her own confidence in herself. Then it's Karli, she's Erica's twin sister. She played third on and off. She definitely wanted to play sometimes too much. She was a hitter too and really showed a lot of improvement through the season.

Bottom row: Destiny, played second, and center field for awhile which was great because that's where we were getting killed at first. It showed the other girls that we weren't putting them in the outfield because we thought they were no good. We could always count on Des to hit the ball, even if it wasn't to the outfield she ALWAYS hit the ball. She gave me a little attitude but that's because she's just like one of my own kids. Then there's Marissa. Great fast pitcher. Another athlete I could probably put anywhere. Great girl most of the time, but sometimes her head gets way too big. She is a good hitter and an aggressive runner. Jimi, she is a great athlete too. She was a great shortstop and depending on who was pitching she either played shortstop or first base. This was her first year playing first and I was impressed. She's really aggressive and she's a great hitter. Scott worked with her just a few minutes on her batting and after that she was hitting them to the fence. But of course she gave me TONS of attitude. She listened a little better to Jim but when we were really having issues with her we would have Scott talk to her, she listened to him. Then there was Brook. Another one I was worried I would get lots of attitude from. NO WAY! This girl is so sweet. She had never played a day in her life and at first it showed. She struggled first with sliding but improved on that. Heck she improved on everything. She can hit the ball like crazy. She is an aggressive third baseman but we also loved her in center field because she can catch anything! All she needs is a little aggression on base running and a little more experience and she will be amazing. She may even make our all star team.

Our record ended up being 8-6. (we won 8) we actually had a harder first half but started catching up towards the end of the first half and only lost one game the whole second half and that was only by 1 and it was called because of lightning, so we could have won.

I think I love Smile Box.

2010-05-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad, I'll be sending you REAL copies in a few days.

2010-05-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

This photo album created with Smilebox

who knew it would feel so acomplished

2010-05-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Since I scanned and uploaded those pictures for my Mothers Day post, and learned how easy it was, I have been scanning all my old pictures. Not only am I scanning them but I am naming them and putting them in the right files, like for each kid and vacations and other family. I am not quiet finished (I have a ton) but I am over half way. I had no idea what an accomplishment it would feel like. I have meant to do it for years and years and years. I am scared to loose all of those pictures. I know I still need to buy memory sticks and transfer them so I don't have a computer crash but I know I'm almost there. I would like to eventually digital scrapbook and print the kids a photo book. I still haven't done my blog yet so that could still be a long time coming. I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures though. Its also amazing how much I do remember about each picture, well and how little I remember on some of them. I do know which kid it is. There were a few of Sami and Jimi when the were first born I had a little trouble with but I did get it sorted out.

When I started finding my favorites I decided there are a TON, so I'll do each kid as it's own post. Starting with Alex.

Things I should have learned... Alex would play and play and when he would stop, he was out cold. He still does that.

Alex loved being the big brother, this is him with Jimi the day we brought her home. I nursed her and one day when she was sleeping on the couch he took his dinner and laid it by her. I asked what he was doing and he said "you don't feed her, so I wanted to give her my dinner" I cried of course, then explained the whole breast feeding thing to him. He's a great big brother.

Alex with Sami the day we brought her home. Both him and Jimi were so excited.
Alex was thrilled to finally have a brother. He was also thrilled to finally have Trever home. It was hard on them to see Trever in the hospital and not bring him home right away.
Yes I used to be super crafty. Alex's first Halloween. He was 5 months, yes crawling. I made his dinosaur costume. (look how young I was, and skinny that quick)
I think this was one of his 8th grade graduation pictures. We laughed so hard. Him showing off his muscles. Not to mention Jimi being a diva. Nothing has changed.

First trip to Disneyland

dirt heads, what else can I say

Again crafty Halloween. Alex a bumblebee, and Jimi a flower.

Alex blaming Jimi for spilling the egg dye, see nothings changed. It was her fault, but she was cleaning it up. Ok SOME things have changed.

Alex looks so old. And Trever looks so nice. (oh the date stamp on most of these is wrong Trever was only 10 months I think) Alex was 5.

Alex went with Jim on a scout camp out. They took their motorcycles. Yes the first born is always spoiled. He had his first dirt bike when he was 3.

Ran out of gas again.

Alex at just 1 week old.

Jimi's turn

2010-05-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

Jimi was a good adorable baby. She was a daddy's girl, after going through the mama's girl phase. We moved a lot when she was little but she always adjusted really good. She was very mothering and did EVERYTHING her big brother did. She really did worship Alex.

Jimi when she was about 6 months.

Disneyland Trip

Jimi's 2nd Birthday.

Karrie just did a post on loving babies rolly polly thighs. Jimi had them.

Jimi holding Sami when we brought her home. One day Sami was sleeping on the couch. I was in the bathroom and when I walked in Jimi was carrying her, saw me, and threw Sami over a coffee table. Sami landed back on the couch, flinched like babies do and went back to sleep.

Jimi at one week old

Blurry, but she was 5 months old

Jimi about 6 months. We can't get over how much she looks like Preslie, her newest cousin. In her older pictures she looks just like Peyton, Preslie's older sister.

Jimi 11 months, she could walk

but not very well in those bigcow slippers .

Of course we are big Bronco fans.

This year they went to the Super Bowl

so we had a super bowl party.

She LOVED baths. We had a huge sink

when we lived in Vancouver WA. for the

short time we did. Adorable.

This was one reason I NEEDED to transfer

pictures, this ones damaged. Daddy's girl.

Jimi just a few days old.

Sami's turn

2010-05-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

I feel a little bad about saying this but I have told the other kids and they all really agree. Sami was my cutest baby. I know moms aren't supposed to say that but she really was. I don't know if it was the bald head or the fact that I don't have one grumpy picture of her, not even the ones when she's just in the background. Not because she smiled when the camera came out but because she ALWAYS had a smile on her face. She didn't get hair until she was 4, and has only had trims NEVER a real hair cut. See for yourself how cute she was. She had a pacifier (sucky) the longest of all my kids, I think until she was 4. And was a sippy cup addict.

Sami's first birthday, and first baby doll.

I was pregnant with Trever (had him a month after this).

We went of vacation to South Dakota and stopped by Mt. Bedrock. Sami always hugged everything. She still does. Just ask her teachers.

She could entertain herself with anything.

Even as a dirt head she was still adorable.

She was a sucky addict. We would put it in upside down and she would flip it the right way with her tongue.

As you can see the crafty was gone by

a store bought costume. She was 16 months.

She was about 9 months here (I think)

This was her 2nd birthday present. No more

great fun parties by the 3rd baby too.

Sami 1 month old

First born
minutes old

Sami with her uncle Kenny. Thanksgiving in

Phoenix when Tabi and Tim lived there.

Sami was 16 months.

The day we brought Trever home.

My attempt at cute pictures. They're cute but my pictures are stupid.

She started sucking her thumb almost instantly

that was the whole reason for starting her on

the pacifier.

She was the only one I could keep in the middle

the others would fight. (different now, I can't

put ANY of them in the middle, they all fight)

And now presenting Trever monster

2010-05-12T12:43:00.001-07:00

God gave me Sami because Trever came along and ROCKED our world. He was sweet at times and a monster at others. He was definitely the last one. One reason being that we felt very blessed that until him we had very easy pregnancies healthy deliveries, fast labor and healthy babies. The other reason is it got VERY hard. Sami was 13 months when he was born and a HUGE mommy's girl. Trever was a mommy's girl too. I know hard to believe now that he's such a HUGE daddy's boy. He wasn't afraid of anything, just like Alex. He was the hardest to break from nursing and HATED the bottle. He loved being outside, we camped a lot when he was little and he loved it. From the time he was 3 months old I would put him in the snugly in front of me and we would ride the quads all day long. He would cry when we would stop. He was and is a pouter from the start.

This was at a park where we were camping.

He was 4 months old.

Trever at 2 months and Trever

Staring Sami down to stay out of his chair.

My Dad and Mom at Trever's first birthday.

Trever's first birthday cake.

Wyoming on his 3rd birthday. Looking for
adventure. (or trouble)

My favorite picture of all. We were in Sturgeouse (sp?)
and this guy in a restaurant was playing with
Trever. We walked out the same time and Jim
asked if he could sit on his Harley and take a
picture. Trever LOVED it.

And this is the pouting I was talking about.

This was the first time I held him. I think he was 3 days old.

3 months old.

I can't figure out how old he is here. Probably5 or 6. I love his smile.

This was his 3rd birthday. We were

at a family reunion in Jacksonhole Wyoming

staying in a cabin.

Trever didn't crawl because of the wood floor instead he did the Mowgli thing from JungleBook. On his hands and feet. It was so cute.

Halloween in Colorado was freezing
this one was really bad. We had a
blizzard. Trev was 3 months old. We
went trick-or-treating but that was
when we lived in a REAL neighborhood
with sidewalks and streetlights.

Finally Jim and I

2010-05-12T12:41:00.001-07:00

I've already posted most of our wedding photos so there won't be many.

As soon as we moved here I bought those California
girl shoes. We went to visit Ports O' Call. It was
a lot of fun. Yep I had a perm, the only one I've ever
had. Or ever will.
Me pregnant with Sami
moved to Lake Isabella for the first time. (yes I would have been 19 here. Just married and just we've lived here twice)

We lived an hour from Seaside Or. The water was freezing and there were sharks!

We rode the quads almost every weekend. Yep even in the snow. I didn't take mine outa lot in the snow because it wasn't 4-wheel drive. Jim and I just days before we got hitched

We had been married 4 months. Jim was 21.

Jimi was 1 month old when Jim got a huge

opportunity to work for the phone company in

Portland. He moved first and we moved with him

a month later. We started out in Vancouver WA.

I loved it.

Jim right after Jimi was born. Almost 22.

Randy, Patty, Jim and I won a jackpot
in a place in Colorado, Central City. I know, we
are so bad. I was barely 21.
Trying out the timer on a new camera. I was
24, Jim was 26. Yep almost 10 years ago.

Mothers Day

2010-05-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big "Mothers Day" fan. I guess I don't see the big deal about making a big deal about mom one day a year. Maybe because even on Mothers day we are still busy being moms to even notice. I hope that my mom knows that I cherish her EVERY day of the year, and that even though I call on Mothers day the other calls through out the year are probably more special because I do it because I want to hear her voice or get her advice or comfort, not because of the day of the year that says I should.

Mothers Day 1997

Alex 2, Jimi 2 months

Sunday mornings aren't usually fun at our house. I try really hard to make sure everyone has their cloths laid out and shoes and showered so there isn't a fight for the bathroom or a fight over shoes or black socks. And I choose my shoes first and if I can't find something to wear with them it ruins my day so I make sure I have it all together the night before. Saturday was extra busy so this didn't get done. Every Sunday Sami gives me fits getting ready for church. This week both girls wanted to match what I wore. I had a jean skirt on and the search was on for them to find the one that looks most like mine. Jimi found it first, probably because it's hers, but Sami flipped out and refused to wear anything else. I HATE being late and so I told her I wasn't dealing with her and if she wasn't ready on time then we would leave her.

So sitting in Sacrament meeting, one child short. (yes we DID leave her! Uncle Kenny was home in case of an emergency, I hope she learned her lesson) The young women and young men of the church were to get up and say why they loved their moms. Jimi was very first up at the stand. She had hers written out and said how she loved that I cooked dinner and cleaned and did dishes and laundry and drove her everywhere. She said something about being a good example and knowing that I loved her no matter what. It was very sweet. All the other girls went, they were good too, about the same Except Toni. She said a lot of the same things Jimi and the other girls said but then she said she was so proud of her mom for standing up for her religion and bearing her testimony to her dad. It's what convinced him to really read the Book of Mormon which lead to him becoming a member. It was neat. Then the boys get their turn. Alex didn't go up on the stand when we got there, he didn't even know what they were doing but ran up last minute. So he stands up and leans over the podium and says "well I don't have a cheat sheet so this comes straight from my heart" then the boy looks straight at me and says how much he loves me and how I am his personal chauffeur but instead of him paying me I pay him will my eternal unconditional love, all the chores I do and how he knows I'm always in his corner. I don't know what it is about an almost 15 year old boy telling that to his mom but he made me mushy. They passed out chocolate to all the moms. Much better than the usual flower. And a bookmark with a nice quote about mothers. Going through old pictures I found some of the reasons I love being a mother to my kids.
Alex 2, with Jimi about a week old. He loved his sissy and took really great care of her. After having her I realized that the fear of not loving your second child as much as the first was just crazy. I learned the capacity of a heart to love.

Alex 4, Jimi 2, holding Sami about 2 days old. They loved their baby sister. Again, even with baby 3 my heart grew bigger and loved deeper than I thought it could.

Jimi 4, Sami 2 and still no hair. I loved the sisterly bond my girls shared.

A Hurley family portrait.

Jimi 3, Trever 3 days old. It was scary for the older kids but they instantly loved their baby brother even if they couldn't hold him or bring him home.

The first time Jim got to hold Trever, and give him his first football.

The day we brought Trever home and had our family complete. I can even see the pure happy glow that the kids have and the love they have for each other. I should show this to them now and remind them that they did like each other at one time. (isn't Sami a doll?)

Mommies little monsters!

When we got home Sami had cleaned the living room and has her church cloths out for next week. (YES! A good parenting decision) Jimi helped me make dinner, and did dishes. We had a nice talk while doing this. We don't get a lot of chances to have nice little talks without one of us having an attitude. We had one with her friend Destiny the day before, it got pretty deep and when Jim mentioned how nice it was to hear us chatting Jimi made sure he knew about the depth of the conversation the day before. Jim bought Trever a small game trap at the swap meet the day before so he spent most of the day trying to trap something, anything really. I think he's hoping for a big rat. He took his bow out for awhile and tried hunting something. I hope it wasn't going to be my mothers day gift. Thank goodness he didn't get anything. About 10:00pm Alex remembers that he has to have a report typed out. Luckily he had it written already so I quickly typed it up for him and sent him to bed. Overall it was a good normal day. I love the crazy chaotic, joyfully painful job of being a mother. I want to be better at it. Nothing has ever terrified me more than having kids, and now one that will be going to high school and driving in 370 days. I never imagined the battles I would have ahead of me. Things I would NEVER normally fight for if it were for myself, but will fight till my death for my kids. I remember when Alex was maybe a week old and I was up feeding him at 3am. I remember bursting into tears and asking God what I did to deserve something so wonderful and special. How my heart was capable of so much love. I remember thanking God for my mom who must feel the same love for me. I never knew how much my parents loved me until I had kids of my own. And when Jimi, then Sami, and yes even Trever came along I was shocked all over again, like it was the first time of feeling that much love. I'm still amazed of the capabilities of the hearts ability to love. I guess that's really what being a moms about though. Growing up I didn't want kids. I didn't like to babysit. I wanted to be a cardiac surgeon. My mom made being a mother look easy, I admire how she did that because I wasn't an easy child. I love being a mom and I'm glad that I met Jim who changed my mind on being a wife and a mother. God definitely has a plan, Jims mom may not agree but God had to make him as stubborn as he is so that he could put up with me! I know I have a lot more pain and suffering to go through, probably my whole life, over my kids but I think it's like that song "the Dance" I can deal with all the pain just for those joyful times of seeing them succeed and be happy. A friend of mine said sometimes she wished she could stop them from growing but then also wants to see how they turn out. I couldn't agree more. There are days I want to stop them right there, but I also want to see them grow and become their own person. It's scary! I will continue spending a lot of time kneeling in prayer for the sake of my kids. Hey Alex, Jimi, Sami and Trever, I love you to the moon and back! I'll love you for eternity and couldn't be happier that we're sealed so I can. I want you to read this after you have your first child and realize that your old mom feels the same way about you that you do about that baby your holding in your arms. And if you ask Nana, I bet she's saying the same thing to me about holding my grand kids. (right mom?) Jimi, being a Dr. will be a great achievement, but so would being a nurse and having the time to be a stay at home mom. The most rewarding job will always be a mother. Sami, hang in there. Make sure your husband can handle blood and needles. Because even though you think it's scary and tough for you to get a shot, it's a million times worse to watch your baby go through it.

May 14th, 1995 Alex Wesley was born.

March 13th 1997, Jimi Lee was born

June 18th 1999, Samantha Jean was born

July 22nd 2000, Trever James was born (this is actually a few days after he was born, we couldn't take pictures right at first)

After showing the pictures of me after having each of you, you better know I love you. Alex, Jimi, Sami, and Trever, you are the most important things, people, achievements, mistakes, endeavors, projects in my life. I live my life for your dad and you guys! I will always drop anything and everything for anything you will ever need. I may let you fall at times, but it will only be for your own good and it will break my heart more than yours. You'll never know the full capacity of your heart until you have kids of your own, don't rush it but please don't put it off either. The only other person who will feel your love and pain more than dad and I will be your Heavenly Father and you can trust in him and I pray you do. You all need to know that even though there may be days you don't believe it I love being your mom. I wouldn't change my life for anything, not even millions of dollars. I'll always be on your side and I'll always love you unconditionally. I'll help even when you make a mistake, I'll lift you when your down, and yank you down when your head gets too big. I'll be your number one fan! I love you guys!

The Best weekend EVER!

2010-05-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

It must have been fate. Sami didn't have a games scheduled for Saturday, and somehow Jimi's got canceled. That meant I got to go with Jim to the youth Pioneer trek.

We take our 4wheel drive diesel expedition pulling the 2 horses straight up to the high country. The drive was super easy and beautiful. By the time we got there I was so relaxed. That night we stumbled upon a corral to keep the horses, it already had fresh water and plenty of room to run. Later the mountain night air was a little cool but we were warm and cozy sleeping in the spa up the hill. The next morning we had breakfast and headed out to saddle up the horses. We get this easily and quickly done. We hop on the horses, mine seemed a little upset. He did buck but I stayed on and handled it just fine. I did hop off once. Like Lane Frost used to, I just jumped up and landed on my feet. Jim and I spent the whole day riding up and down the trail with the horses, so close we could hold hands. We even stopped and took a little rest on a hillside full of wild flowers. It was truly amazing! Thank you for a perfect weekend Jim. I had an amazing time.

That's how I am trying to make it in my head. Now what really happened. I DID NOT want to go on this stupid thing. Jim really wanted to go so after our game got canceled he kinda roped me into going with him. I was rushed getting ready but we got out of here on time. Our expedition is not 4wheel drive, nor a diesel, nor does it have trailer breaks. Still we head straight up the side of the valley wall. After driving a few hours we realize they didn't mark the spot correctly and we had traveled about an hour out of our way. We start up another HUGE hill to get to camp. Everyone stopped on the road at a blind corner. We had to stop but the trailer kept pulling us down the hill. I was FREAKING out. Then we get off pavement. I'll just say this. I would have bet my life we wouldn't have made it up there in one piece, and if we did, surely not home too. Happily I was wrong. Once there we had to find the corrals to keep the horses in. They had no water. So we packed at least 20 gallons of water up a hill from a small creek. Back at the pioneer camp they had a really cool presentation, except it would have been MUCH better if I wasn't on the verge of hypothermia. We headed to bed, which was in back of our car. On a thin mattress, and on a hill. The temperature got down into the 20's. I would gripe more but all the kids slept outside or in tents. We get up and head to saddle up. That all went fine. Then I get on. Then my horse starts to buck. Not a small 10 second buck. I full fledged buck, kick, spin, run. that lasted at least a minute and a half. I was doing pretty good, but soon realized he wasn't going to stop so I started making a plan on how I was going to get off this crazy horse. I had already been on 30-40 seconds. (Jim said, I'm not making that up)1. don't go off the left side because it will blow out your shoulder. 2. when I go off the right side, tuck and roll. At that point he spun and I just didn't get my balance as quick as I would have liked and came off. I did tuck and I did roll. I caught the back of my left leg on the saddle horn and have some gnarly bruises to show for it. Next the horse continues bucking after I was thrown. He heads straight for a group of kids with their handcart, luckily not hitting them he came within a foot of my car, turned, jumped over a 5 foot metal post sticking out. Kept bucking hit the road and took off in a full sprint. To top it off this all happened in front of about 50 people. (my pride hurts worse than my bruises) Jim chased my horse down and since we were still responsible for walking the trail and helping out, he went. I sat in the car for 4 hours thinking "I NEVER even wanted to come!" We load up fairly quickly so we could attempt getting down the mountains slowly and easily. Again I was freaked out the whole way. Jim did a great job and really there were no worries. News traveled fast so by the next morning at church everyone knew. Just to make the point "I'm not thanking you Jim"

This is how I fell off. EXCEPT I tucked and rolled. This guy will have one heck of a headache.

My thoughts.

2010-04-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

I can't stand ignorant people. I just can't even tolerate them. That doesn't mean you have to be brilliant, or heck even smart, for me to like you. To clarify this is the definition for ignorant.

Ignorant: noun
The condition of being uninformed or uneducated. Lacking knowledge or information.

Except I don't really mind if people lack knowledge or are just uninformed. There are things I lack knowledge in, and I don't feel like everyone has to be a college graduate for me to want to be their friend. So to make it more clear I hate, yes a strong word, willful ignorance. Definition.

Willful ignorance: (unaccountable)
A bad faith decision to avoid becoming informed about something so as to avoid having to make undesirable decisions that such information might prompt. It may also be shown as for a person to have no clue in a decision but still goes ahead in their decision.

I'm sure everyone deals with ignorance, even willful ignorance, but I got kicked in the gut with it the other day. A quick, vague explanation so years down the road I can remember WHY I started the battle that I'm taking on.

I believe a school psychologist would have to have some kind of degree, credential maybe compassion and be educated in her field? I guess not. I was told that people with a mental illness (depression, anxiety, bipolar) are, ready, MENTALLY DISTURBED! Of course that doesn't sit well with me. When I hear mentally disturbed I picture a serial killed cutting his victim into tiny pieces. I was also informed that bipolar is a brand new illness that hasn't really been studied yet. Really? I mean does this woman live under a rock? I don't expect the average person to be an expert on mental illness, or even know much at all about it. I do absolutely expect a psychologist that works every day with children to know at least a minimal amount. It is unacceptable to me that she is willfully ignorant! She knew of my bipolar and continued to tell me the myths she believed to be true. She had no desire to ask any questions or clarify what she didn't understand and even when our encounter was over I don't believe she had any interest in educating herself about it. Because in her words "mental illness doesn't really affect our valley, it's just too rare and we don't know how to handle those type of children so we would have to ship them somewhere else." At that point it took a ton of self restraint to not show her mentally disturbed! I haven't been an unashamed advocate for mental illness for very long, but I DO know that mental illness in one form or another effects over 25% of adolescents.

I ended my conversation with her by letting her know that I would be in close contact with her often, and that until she could educate her ignorant self on mental illness that I would also need to be in close contact with her supervisors and the district for the safety of our children in this valley.

I'm appalled that this is what Kern high school district would hire for our school psychologist that is supposed to have the best interest of the kids in mind. Looks like I have my work cut out for me because I will FORCE education on all mental illnesses onto her until I can trust the kids she oversees will be protected and given the education they deserve.

The vacation continues...

2010-04-05T10:23:00.000-07:00

We left Vegas on Wednesday, no rush. We headed toward Flagstaff Arizona. The drive wouldn't have been so bad except that they are doing road work for about 20 miles near the Hoover Dam and it's only 2 lane road. We didn't stop long to see the dam, but Flat Stanley got out to get his picture taken.

We got to Flagstaff and immediately loved it. We even talked about looking into jobs there. We relaxed that night and when we woke the next morning there was about a foot and a half of snow on our car. I know I've mentioned I HATE SNOW! It melted off pretty quick so we headed up to the Grand Canyon. I went when I was a kid but the rest of my family had never seen it. It really is beautiful but I didn't realize that there is no railing anywhere, and I don't have boring kids. My kids think it's fun to pretend to push the other one over, they didn't realize why this just wasn't funny! My kids also didn't realize that the Grand Canyon is a place to reflect on the beauty and splendor. They ran around laughing and joking like wild banshees. I guess I rather have them like that then some of the boring kids we saw.

Sami made sure we got the picture quick!

Sadly this is the best pictures of my kids that I could get. They're all sticking their tongues out in the rest of them. BRATS!

This is so Sami!

The only thing she would climb the Grand Canyon for.

My boys being dorks. They really play it up when the camera comes out.

Alex, don't jump!

There was this overlook at one point and when we first got there there wasn't too many people there. We started taking pictures, not normal scenery pictures but pictures that made it look like we had fallen off. People started gathering around, we tried to be inconspicuous, but it didn't work. We were all giggling and couldn't stop.

Always a HAM BONE!

We are all surprised he didn't just drop her... I would have.

We drove up a back way to the Grand Canyon. They have a lot of Elk up there and we saw tracks, but no Elk. These were the railroad tracks for the train that goes through the canyon.

We all had a really great time. I am glad that I'm not afraid of heights, and glad that most of my kids are. Everyone needs to see the Grand Canyon at least once and I'm glad I didn't take my kids when they were younger. This family with little kids came up behind us and one of their young boys, probably 4, came flying by me and I wasn't too far from the edge. Mommy mode kicked in and I grabbed for an arm and yelled STOP! I think I scared him, I felt dumb because I don't think he would have fallen off, but the parents were still glad I stopped him. A few memories of this leg of the trip.

1. The highways in Arizona are ridiculous, they have 4 different numbers for one highway. Jim missed a turn and went to turn around. A man rolled down his window and asked Jim "do you know this is a one way street?" Jim felt stupid. We all laughed until we almost cried.

2. Arizona people HATE California people. We were treated very badly, people cutting us off and not letting us over. Then when we were leaving and getting gas, I ran in to get a drink and the guy at the counter said "now get out of here" when I was done.

3. There are no gas stations up by the Grand Canyon. (where we were anyways) We had to back track about 5 miles because we realized we probably would be cutting it close on gas if we didn't.

4. IHOP has cheesecake pancakes. mmmmm

5. The iphone maps are the coolest greatest thing ever ever ever ever. We found our way everywhere with it.

Vacation Day One and Two, Vegas Baby!

2010-04-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

Monday morning, way too early for some of my family, we headed to Vegas. The entire day, well trip, we heard "Vegas baby!" We got there about 2:00, we would have been there a lot earlier but we had to shop for Jimi a bathing suit for 2 hours. Jim LOVED that. (add lots of sarcasm)
We got to Vegas and Jim and I went out to buy show tickets. We got tickets for Blue Man Group for that night. We rushed and ate dinner then headed to the show. It was really amazing, we loved it. The next night we went and say The V Show, ultimate variety show. We didn't think we were going to love it at first but we were wrong. It was really cool. We ate dinner at Pampas in Planet Hollywood, Alex was in Heaven. They had all you can eat meat, but they brought it around to your table and cut it fresh for you. We ate shrimp, prawns, salmon, cod, tri-tip, prime rib, smoked ham, and my very favorite the filet Mignon. We stayed at the MGM Grand, with the lions. The kids didn't believe they had real lions in the hotel, until we saw them. They have an awesome pool that's only 3 feet deep. So the kids played and Jim and I laid in the sun. We had a slight sunburn but it was 86 degrees and we loved it!

We wore our kids out running all over Vegas, when they crashed, they crashed.

Yes, Alex is under the table. I don't know why. Maybe its because it makes him feel like home like his bunk bed.

Most memorable moments from Vegas.

1. Watching the Treasure Island show with the ships and watching the pirates dance on top of the sail. Sami freaking out that they were going to fall. She said "I can't even watch, they're going to fall". Then during the V show they had a drummer that was hanging from the wall playing drums and Sami freaking out again that he was going to fall, she stressed the whole show. I would look over at her and she would watch the drummer and flinch when he would swing out.

2. We were in the elevator and Jimi says "why do they play elevator music in here?" she's our smart one.

3. Vegas Baby!

4. This guy yelling "Smoke week, do pot... blah blah blah..." while we were walking back from a show. Jim telling him to shut up because of the kids (not his exact words, but it wasn't much worse than that) Then him and his friends following us, while Jim gets madder and madder. When Jim gets really mad he goes silent, it scares me. They guys friends thought the guy was stupid too. We all stopped at a light, and after running his mouth for 3 blocks, he was standing shoulder to shoulder with Jim, well his shoulder to Jims chest. He shut up, but started back again when we went the opposite way on the light. It only took one more look from Jim for him to shut up for good. The kids were scared, but I wasn't worried.

5. The Beligio water show.

6. The billboard of a woman's cute butt that was highly visable from our room. Alex was fine with it.

7. The fact that it was Spring Break so there were parties in the hallway most of the night, besides a bunch of women who had barely any cloths on stumbling drunk. I think it was a good lesson for my kids. There is NOTHING attractive about that.

Jimi the dork!

2010-03-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is what I deal with almost daily. When kids are little you can't wait until the kids go to bed without a fight. I'm wondering when that happens. Jimi sent me these texts over the past 3 nights, while she is in bed. All I can say is she is VERY VERY strange. I laughed so hard though and definitely had to save them so one day I can show her kids how big of a dork she was.

Can u bring me some water plz. I feel weak and like im gonna pass out. Plz. Do u want me to play good tomarrow or not. And make sure the glass isnt dirty when u fill it up. Thanks. Ur a doll.

Nvm. I jacked samis water. Thanks anyways tho.

Have a sleep safe.... I mean safe sleep.... Wait.... Sleep good.... Be safe. Lol

Hey batta batta batta swing swing!!! Batta swing. Swing batta. Swing that bat batta. Swing swing.Hahahaha.

Gotta go to bed. Night love u. Tell the newborn baby dinosour i said night. (rolls on the floor cracking up laughing in a nice fashionly order)

You play softball... U get snow cone at end. U play the whole game for snow cone and the other players who play half game get snow cones. Y not play half game for free snow cone. "hey! Im playing half game for snow cone" and u play half game for snow cone. those ppl who play full game get a full snow cone.... Those ppl who play half game get full snow cone. So y not play half game and get a free snow cone thats full? Mmmmmhhh

"i" after "e" except after "c" on holidays and weekends and on airplanes and at burger king where u have it ur way and youll always be wrong no matter wat u say!!!!

I have a rock in my eye. Jumping left to rite. It stings and hurts then acts like alex and flirts. Its green and mean like trever with leprocee. Its winey and yet shiney like sami and her hiney. It makes me yell and scream like mom when we go out to sell. Its sleeping without peeping like dad when hes sleeping. Its also fake like the prostitute down the street. Hahahahahahaha

No one panic!!!!!! The rock jumped out of my eye. I repeat... The rock jumped out of my eye!

Need good lines? Go to 1-800-GETLINES. " hey... im redbull... Not lets fly away" "lets be murderers and kill time" "i could knock ur lights out and u could still shine" "i hate to watch u go but love to watch u leave" "im runnin back and forth... Like the soccer team" lol

Ssshhhh. Ppl might hear my jokes. Now go to bed!!!!

Um.... U can call my parents.... There number is 1-800-GETALIFE.

Wallart.... Eat fresh
Burger king.... Life well spent
Reedd rroobbinn.... Have a nice day
Ok. Im done.
Good well. I mean... Well night... I mean good night... Well bye!!!! There we go!!!

Brace Face

2010-03-17T11:08:00.000-07:00

Today Trever got braces. He has the same under bite that Jimi had when she was his age. The good part, it is preventive care so insurance covers most of it. Dr. Kent put them on and from what his assistant said they're going to hurt but move quick. Oh and they're not green and pink, it's a lime green and orange.

Mini Vacation

2010-03-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

( 3 of my goofy kids, no confidence problems here)

We had a great weekend. Jim has been working a ton, then softball, not to mention teenagers, the point is we were both feeling disconnected from the kids. A perfect opportunity came along to get away for a weekend. Jim's brother Tim graduated from the fire academy in Sacramento and we wanted to be there to support him. We left at about 4:00 am on Friday to get there have a few minutes to clean up in his mom and Lindsey's room, grab a bite to eat and get to the graduation. It was great! We are all so proud of Timmy.

We had decided to leave Sacramento and get to San Jose to spend the night then move on to Santa Cruz to play at the beach on Saturday and head home. We got to San Jose where I got a smokin deal on a 4 star hotel room, Jim checked us in and got us all free breakfast ticket for $100. Really I have no idea how he does it. Before we headed to Sana Cruz I saw an add for this huge flea market. We ended up going, nobody would bargain so we left. By the time we had checked out, eaten and went to the flea market drove to Sana Cruz it was 5:00. The pier rides were closed and it was freezing cold. So we had Samis laptop found a hot spot and booked a nice hotel there in Sana Cruz.

(This was the Sana Cruz pier at night)
Again, Jim checked in and got us an upgrade to a 2 bedroom Suit. We were in a nice area but something in the hotel across the street had lots of action, ALL NIGHT LONG. There were 2 ambulances taking off with their lights on. About 20 cops up and down the road, then walking around looking for something. I saw this car pull up next to the crime scene and 2 guys jump out run over to a car on the backside of the hotel parking lot and both cars took off. Then about 20 minutes later the officer was searching the ground around where the car was parked. Weird huh?

(the hotel with all the action, the next morning)

Ok, so the kids were a little freaked from all the police and helicopter. Alex helped Jim sneak out of the room where he found the hotel phone and called our room, disguised his voice. I put it on speaker phone and he said, "we are just letting our guests know there may be a possible evacuation because of an intruder in the hotel, we will let you know". Thanks to Alex he snuck back in the room unnoticed. He had the kids really going, had them all get their stuff together just in case we had to leave. He finally told them when Sami started having a panic attack. It was a late night. We were woken up very early 7:30 but time had changed, so it felt way earlier, by a fire alarm. After getting dressed quickly we evacuated only to find out there was a malfunction in the system.

So it's Sunday, we went to get some cash out to finish off the trip. My card has been shut off because of some fraud and I haven't received my new card yet. Jim went to get the cash and Wells Fargo had shut off his card even though he had let the bank know we would be out of town for the weekend. After an hour on the phone fighting with the bank to get it turned on, they fixed it. Whew!

We head back to the beach. Jim took me to the beach for the first time in January right before we got married. I absolutely LOVE the beach. To me it's the ONLY great thing about California. After some persuading on Jimis part she got me in the water, which was extremely freezing. We went out about 300 yards and attempted to body surf. We did ok. We did have one wave come and tear us up, slam us in the sand and hurt like... When we got out we were freezing so we went to change and for about 2 hours Jimi and I couldn't move our hands and it was really hard to talk, we weren't cold anymore but our muscles must have been. It was a really strange feeling. After a long day at the beach we headed home. We got home about 1am and the kids were only a few minutes late for school the next morning. It was so worth it!

(after being in the water way too long)

(Jim said Alex would love this picture because it shows off his abs)

( never too old to play in the sand)

(Jimi and I heading out, Sami almost came with us but it was too cold for her)
Jimi and I had decided about a month ago that we both wanted to learn to surf. I have ALWAYS wanted to and I think I need too before I get too old. This summer we are going surfing.

dun ta dun...

2010-03-09T09:05:00.001-08:00

It's finally finished! (well mostly) It looks beautiful, the girls say it looks like a magazine, I'm going to pat myself on the back and say it does. When we started to paint the wains coat I almost cried, it was so pink. I kept on full force and I'm glad I did, it worked! And I figured out I love Ross for all the bedding and curtains, they were so cheap and nice quality.

Jimi started putting her awards on the wall, it looked trashy. This shows how orange it was.

Love the green carpet? No more mowing the room.
This is what was under the carpet. It was gross.

Jim had to fix drywall from where we remodled the living room and moved doors. We also had to re-texture the room, that was messy.That's Trever under the tabel, painting, not helping.

And the finished product of all my work!

Overwhelmed

2010-03-02T09:52:00.000-08:00

I'm just overwhelmed right now. I dove in head first on a new project. I'm finally getting the girls room remodeled, I was going to lay laminate floor because I know how, and paint all one color. Easy right. Right, until Jim came into the picture and wanted to try wanes coating half way up the wall. One color. Chair rail on top of that. Two color. And the top a different color. Three color. Then he found a remnant of carpet that will cover both kids room for $70 so he decided we needed carpet in there. I like the idea, the problem... I have NO idea how to lay carpet. Guess I'll learn. Add softball try-outs, then deciding to coach, drafts and now practice all while not knowing where all our gear is, yet everything from the girls room is in my living room, which equals stress when you walk through the door. Oh yeah and currently after doing about 5 loads of laundry I only have about 6 or 7 more. Other stuff too but they will be blogged later, same with the after pictures of the girls room.

Progress in my bedroom

2010-03-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Jim is making HUGE progress in our room. He has been working 100 hours a week then going out to work on it. Most of the plumbing is in so we have been waiting for our shower so that the garage door can be taken down and the wall can be put up. Jim's the smart one, I would have put the wall up then realized when the HUGE shower showed up we would have no way to get it in. It showed up on a pallet all crated up. Jim mentioned the movie "A Christmas Story" when the dad gets the leg lamp and he is digging into the crate. We were like that. About an hour later we had it out.

No sexy leg lamp in here!

Mariah helped us out. I have no idea why she has to make these faces when a camera comes out, but she does!

Now onto the next step. But this shower is SO awesome! Whirlpool tub, 8 acupressure jets up your back, a rain head shower, a sauna that is computerized to adjust the temperature, a place to hook up your mp3 player and a speaker phone to answer phone calls while in the shower.

(I won't use that so don't call when I'm in the shower)

The things Bo teaches Trever

2010-02-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

When we first moved here 6 years ago when Trever was 4 one of his favorite things was getting to live by Bo, his favorite cousin. In the years he has been Bo's little buddy and Bo has done a lot with him and really taught him a lot. Bo has been into archery for awhile and we knew Trever would go over and watch. Last week we had a cord of wood delivered and they just dump it in the yard. Jim and I had both had a long day but had prepared ourselves that when we got home we would have to stack this huge amount of wood. To our surprise it was done, and done so nice. Trever had came home from school and did it all himself. He worked his butt off because he had really wanted the compound Bow they had found a week prior. Jim was so impressed that he took him down right then to get it. After Jim bargained his way down. The bow "expert" was showing Trever how to use it and was amazed at how perfect his form was and how much he really knew about it. He had learned it all from Bo. They came home and Trever was hitting the target every time. Today Bo even made him his own leather arm protector. The night he got the bow he was exhausted and fell asleep with the bow.

Another Winter Formal

2010-02-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

This was Alex's last winter formal at the middle school, and Jimi's second. We didn't let Sami go because really she's too young. Next year we will let her but we will chaperon. She was a good girl and didn't even ask. I realize how big my kids have gotten, and how old they look. Instead of feeling like I'm old I've just decided I look like their older sister. HA HA HA!

Although at one point when I was helping Jimi with her hair we were standing beside each other in the mirror and it took both our breath away of how much we looked alike.

This year Tori and Harleigh also got to go, they all looked so beautiful. From what I hear they all had a really great time and it isn't like when Jim and I were in middle school where everyone stands on opposite sides of the gym until the last dance where everyone dances then wishes that they would have danced the whole time. They dance the whole time.

Whiskey Flats

2010-02-26T22:23:00.000-08:00

We aren't really a whiskey flats family. Jim had to work and at first the kids didn't realize why I wouldn't take them without dad going with us. Later, when Jim got off of work, we went. They then realized exactly why we don't go without him. It's really a lot of drunks running around. They have a lot of booths, where I got my Miche handbag, coolest bag in the world. It was my Valentines gift from Jim. Got some decorating ideas for our bedroom, that I found cheaper at Ross a few days later. I was so glad we didn't buy them at whiskey flats. We did take the kids to the small carnival one night where we went out on a ledge and gave Alex and Jimi a little freedom (thanks to cell phones and constant knowledge of where they were) they got to hang out with friends most of the time. We would see them in passing and it's really nice that they aren't at all embarrassed of us. I sometimes wish Jimi was, but it's the other way around, she brings ALL her friends to me and she embarrasses me. The little ones, and me, rode a few rides. Jim, as always, bargained with the ride managers and got most of them for free. We even got my favorite carne asada tacos for free because Jim is friends with the family that owns the truck that makes the best ones ever.

Sami and Trever on the tilt-a-whirl.

We went through the fun mirror house and I thought the family would get a kick out of this picture because they tease me so bad about having short legs. (really they all have FREAKISHLY long legs)

This is what I would look like with short legs.

Wallpaper

2010-02-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Seven hours taking down just a small wallpaper boarder in a 12x12 room. If I ever mention wallpaper again slap me!

This week

2010-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

I have no pictures. Why? I don't know I just don't! I did something funky to my neck, I've never had neck pain until this week. I went to the chiropractor Monday after not sleeping or being able to move without excruciating pain. He didn't adjust it because he didn't like the fact my face on that side was numb and second because I was too tense for it to move. I had to get x-rays (and good pain meds) and my neck is completely straight. Apparently it's supposed to have a curve. Back to the chiropractor who did some minor adjustments but still really tense and he said it looked like, and what I described was an inflamed/injured disc. And that it would take about 2 weeks to feel better. Here it is Tuesday and it still hurts, not near as bad but I still can't look to my right without turning my whole body. Back to the chiropractor tomorrow. I'm over a week so only half a week more of pain. Thanks to Karrie and Cori for bringing my family dinner. It helped so much!

That's really it. Jim has worked almost every day since the 1st, and tons of overtime. It's bitter sweet. LOVE the money, but his body doesn't like it much. All I can say is it got us "caught up" and I can see my bedroom in the distance. Not long now!

The Beauty I try to see here, and babysitting the Bunting kids

2010-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

So the other day I was driving the canyon and got behind a long line of cars stuck behind some jack... sorry going about 25. So instead of getting road rage I pulled over and took a few pictures of the canyon. This place is usually so ugly, but after some good rain there are some very beautiful views.

I LOVE watching the Bunting kids. They are so fun. I do realize that I forgot how hard it is to watch little ones, but I LOVE when they laugh that deep belly laugh and cuddle up to you. And the dinner Karrie brings is a huge bonus because I don't have to cook that night, and it's usually something that's not on our "regular" menu list.

By the way, I LOVE when I run spell check and it says "No Misspellings found" it makes me feel smart.

Video

2010-01-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

I love the fact that Jim has a video on his blackberry. Hope these aren't all of the same things, but blogger sometimes takes a long time to upload a video, if they are I'll try to fix it later. I love the memories of our anniversary, and the horses.

The kids reward for all their help

2010-01-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

Here we are all eager to go. Boots on and as many cowgirl shirts as possible.

Tori on Hazel (who is difficult to ride, but for some reason Tori has complete control over that mare. And Jimi warming up Abbi with either Trever or Tylee on the back.
Tori and Jimi excited to get going.

I think it was mainly Jimi who recruited Tori but they helped make our evening dinner so amazing and memorable and I really couldn't thank them enough. The only way I knew how was to take them horse back riding. Tori sometimes begs to go and loves all horses, even if she doesn't get the chance to ride she is happy just cleaning pens or running them. And not to knock any of the others but Tori is a born natural on a horse and we are really proud of her. The problem is there was no school Monday and it poured rain in Canebrake to the point it almost flooded. They were all troopers and hung in there. We ended up taking all of our kids plus Toni, Tori and Tylee.

We let Trever ride Abbi all by himself. This is me on Kayak with Tylee on the back. Tori is ahead of us riding Hazel.

Here we are coming back from our ride. You can see how deep the puddles were and how cold we all looked. This was Tori's second ride right in a row. What a trooper.

I know this looks like Jim but I borrowed his hat and it's me riding Kayak with Tylee on the back.

Off we go!
Trever has wanted this colt since she was born. Hazel is her mom and we don't know the daddy. She is only 3 years old and he has almost broke her. I saddled her up and threw him on, with no reigns yet and led her around. She, and he did amazing. Next time I will bridle her up and see what happens. It's a secret so don't tell.

Jim has even more pictures so I will post those when I get the rest of his others.

Our Anniversary Events

2010-01-19T10:41:00.000-08:00

With not a whole lot of money that we would want to spend on our anniversary and the fact that this could be the last time I ride my horse (since she has technically been sold) Jim and I both combined and made our own plans. He took Friday off of work, I thought was extremely thoughtful. We loaded up the horses and went to one of my favorite places to ride, the lake bottom by rabbit island. He packed a lunch and off we went. I love this place because it has a mostly shallow stream and my horse LOVES the water. Jim has more and better pictures and even some video but he has been too busy to let me transfer them on the computer so there will be more later. We sat by the old look out tower and had a nice lunch and just talked. It was really amazing, we couldn't have asked for better weather. Because the lake is low and the bottom is fairly flat Jim and I raced (since my horse is a race horse) Kayak won, but as soon as Hazel heard him coming she kicked into gear and wow she was fast.

See the spread he made, it was so yummy!

This was one of my favorite parts of the day. He went onto this hill and wrote in the dirt J+D=Love forever. It's hard to see because it slid on the hill but it was still sweet.

This is the beginning of the stream. After Hazel splashed and soaked both of us pawing and splashing in the water. It was so cute we didn't want to stop her. Jim has a cute video of it.

This was Jim hiking up to write his love for me in the dirt. AAAWWWHHH

One of the highlights/scariest part of the day was when we came up to a very large "pond" around the edges you could see the bottom so I figured it wasn't too deep. Jim too the other way around and Hazel and I thought we would cut through, little did either one of us know her hooves would sink and that it got super deep. My horse is HUGE and we had water up to my saddle. Her butt was under water, my boots were FULL of water. He back fee started sinking so she would rear up and try bend her back legs and try to lunge from the deep water. She was starting to panic, Jim was starting to panic but was still a long ways away. I wasn't panicking yet. It did cross my mind to jump off (I'm a good swimmer) hold on to the horn or get out and help pull her out. But luckily right at that point she got us out. We were both soaked, my saddle was soaked and as I said my boots were completely FULL of water. We had a great laugh and I took her back into the water and she didn't seem to mind. Good horse. And a good experience for me.

So it was my turn to plan the evening. I knew we would be busy all day Friday so I did a lot of preparing on Thursday. I made home made manacotti (Jim's favorite) a home made NY style baked cheese cake that turned out perfect. Salad, and garlic bread, oh and artichoke dip. Jimi, and Tori helped set up to make it look like a restaurant which will their reward will be posted later. But it looked amazing. We had a great day and a great night and both Jim and I agree it was one of the very best anniversary celebrations we ever had.

That is sparkeling Palmagranit cherry cider, it was really good!

I can't wait to see Jim's pictures and videos!

Happy Anniversary To Me!

2010-01-14T10:12:00.001-08:00

Today is Jim and my anniversary. This one is more special than a lot of the others and I think I know why but I am extra mushy about it. Things have literally never been better in our relationship. I think we finally grew up. I am queen of arguing and either he learned to ignore me, or I've learned to choose my battles, or a little of both. All I know is that I'm excited to see him when he gets home from work, I miss him when he's gone. He's the first one I want to tell about anything that happens in my day, good or bad. The only one I want to cry to, the one I love to laugh with, and I know he knows me better than anyone ever has before. He's stuck by my side when it wasn't the easy thing to do and when I pushed him away the hardest. I knew he was hard headed but until now I thought that was a bad thing. Now I know it's just how he had to be to put up with me. At 35 years old I still think he is the sexiest man in the world and just check out all his hair! He makes me laugh and pushes me to do things that he knows I want to but that I'm normally too afraid to do. He is a great dad and I never worry about my house when I leave him and the kids alone, he takes care of it better than I do when he needs to. He loves babies and it melts my heart to see him hold and play and love and kiss a baby. I love his romantic side and how sentimental he is, it's taken a long time but he's finally rubbing off on me I think. All I know is that I am truly blessed to be his wife and I can now say that I KNOW things will only get better as we go! I don't have a lot of wedding pictures, mainly because we only planned our wedding in 2 days. We had planned on getting married in April but we came out here to California to help Kenny and his family move back to Colorado and so that I could get to know his family better. His mom mentioned us getting married in Vegas on our way back home. I knew my parents wouldn't miss a Vegas trip so we did it. My parents met us there and we tied the knot at The Little White Chapel on the strip in Vegas at about 11pm. My sister was there and all his siblings (except Tami I think) were there. I found my perfect dress on clearance at JCPennys for $40, I wore white lace, lace up cowboy boots and a white cowboy hat with a veil. Jim wore black wranglers black boots and a black vest and a yummy black cowboy hat. He looked so so so good! We only dated for about 3 months before we got married but there was no doubt in my mind he was the one I was supposed to be with forever.

Later we were sealed in the Portland Temple but I will go into those details on that anniversary!

Motivation or Stupidity?

2010-01-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

So I'm having cub scouts like I'm supposed to every 2 weeks on minimum days. Marcus and Trever get this great idea that they want to climb the mountain behind us. There is an old Indian burial ground and I USED to run up to it and around then back down, it was a hard run because it doesn't look like it's too much of an incline, but it is. So we get up to than, and the boys look up and say "we want to go to the top". I say ok and we were on our way. This was such a steep climb that we would slip a little in places. At one point I was dying and stopped to rest, I was ready to be done but they convinced me to keep going. We didn't get to the top but we got pretty close. I want to think I could have done it, a little slower, but we ran out of time and had to get back down. I promised to do it again when I was in better shape. Marcus won't let me forget it!

This is at the very bottom where we started. You can barely see the circle cut trail at what looks like the bottom. That's the burial ground. We were headed up to the point on the left with the little (from here) rock on it.
That flag was the highest I got. Sami and the boys went a little further, not much because I didn't want them too far, maybe 10 yards is all. The top left is still where we were headed. As you can see, it wasn't far.

This is where I was, looking down at my house which is not the first group but the second one on the left. I was dang high up.

I'm a little excited to try it again, with more time.

What Motivates You?

2010-01-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

Stupid thing that's on my mind lately. Who knows if it's because of New Years resolutions or that my house is spilling over with un-organized junk, but I am the most un motivated person I could ever meet. I KNOW reading scriptures daily blesses my life, I've done it, experienced it, loved it, and influenced my family... but I don't do it. I KNOW that exercise makes me feel so good outside and in, it brings up my mood, it takes out aggravation, and it's addictive once I start... but I don't do it. I LOVE a clean organized home, for years I was a neat freak (before kids) it's not really not that hard to keep up on, I have kids to help... but it's not always clean and definitely not organized. So as I talked to a friend yesterday, about the exercise one, she helped me realize I'm just not motivated. So I'm trying to think of HOW to get motivated. There used to be a time when my house was clean and I was doing crafts and I was actually BORED. And that's when the kids were little! I guess it's just different now. I do run for the kids most of the time. And where I live does not make a quick trip to town but I would love to be bored just once. So I'm trying to figure out HOW to get motivated to do any of these things. Every time I walk into the girls room, I back out and shut the door behind me. By the way... thank you Alex for a semi-clean room. I love you!

New Years Resolutions

2009-12-31T10:45:00.000-08:00

I make these every year, sometimes kept sometimes not. Usually when they are kept it's by coincidence. Jim just rolls his eyes, but here they are.
1. Get better at managing money, I really really stink in this department. Great at many things and a complete failure at this one.

2. Get organized. I don't feel like I have enough room for cloths and stuff that has been acquired in the last 6 years. I have a friend, yes Karrie, that lives in a 5th wheel trailer for goodness sakes. I can fit our crap in this house. I need to start with the girls closet. It's full of cloths they don't wear. Moving quickly onto Jim's then even more quickly onto goodwill so Jim doesn't know what I have taken.

3. Get fit. Hopefully that will get my weight down, and back into my very favorite pair of jeans. I can here Jim's sigh and eye roll from here. I seem to make this one EVERY year.

4. Continue to be a better communicator, with everyone. In other words find a filter that fits and use it!
That's really it. Not too much to set myself up for failure. I looked at last years and did quiet a few of them and it made me laugh so this was my life last year.

a. going to Sunday School AND Relief Society in the SAME day!
~I am still working on this, I do MOST of the time but I get side tracked sometimes

b. not getting a speeding ticket (that doesn't mean slow down, that means NOT getting caught)
~ I DID it! I swear, and I did actually slow down A LOT! Don't laugh, I did, and this meant I didn't get ANY tickets. I did get pulled over a few times, on my birthday and maybe once or twice at other times.

c. not sweating the small stuff. Who cares if my house is a little messy, I have 4 kids in a cracker box. Who cares if EVERY pair of socks in the house are clean AND folded? Who says dinner can't be cookies once in awhile? Who cares if I neglect my home once every couple weeks to just blog and play?
~ This is the one that I did without meaning to. Yes laundry finally got better towards the end of the year but it was a long wait. But I do have to say this is why #2 this year.

d. I AM going to sing in front of people, besides my kids... although I have the sweetest thing I have ever heard in my WHOLE life that made ME cry! Trever is so much my favorite this week! I will blog on that later!
~ I did it. Thanks to Mindy Young. The first verse sucked so bad, but when I finally realized if I would stop being nervous it would sound a lot better I got through it.

e. I'm going to try not to procrastinate, but I will probably work on that one later, after I master the others.
~ I'll still work on this later. hahahaha

Kayak's head a few days later

2009-12-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

So I go out to Dr. Jim's horse and his head looks worse. Along further inspection it looks like it is probably healing but not soon enough for Jim or Kayak. I am worried about the poor horses skull and hope this isn't worse than we thought.

Kayak (Jims horse)

2009-12-30T15:17:00.000-08:00

Jim loves his horse Kayak. I think it is probably his best friend (besides me, and Keith). The other day Jim and Tim and Nick went bird hunting on the horses and when they were done they were loading the horses in. Kayak always goes in first and he's a little bit of a jumpy horse and something caught his eye and he reared up. He gashed his head open about 6 inches or more. It's really gross. Jim took Kayak up to the Porters (The Mule Makers) to get him Dr.d up. They showed him this neat little lip twist trick so that Kayak will let us wash it out and Dr. it up every day. These pictures are from the second day, and today is actually the forth and it looks a little better and a little worse. It's cleaner now so you can see skull, but it looks like the swelling has gone down. We pray Kayak will be his old self and will heal with no problems. And I know this makes Jim love me even more because he doesn't have the stomach for shots (I had to give him his tetanus) or cleaning out oozing wounds, so guess who gets to play vet? I don't mind I just want Kayak to get better.

I'm going to take pictures when I go out tonight because this looks good compared to what it does now.

Christmas at the Hurley home

2009-12-29T15:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas was great. We all had a good time. First we had a sing a long party on Wednesday night with Nick and Mindy's family. There were like 50 people there and it was a lot of fun. The best part was Mindy's dad and laughing song at the end. Mindy's sister in law cut my hair for me and I like it. Then Christmas eve is when all the Hurley's get together and open the gift exchange gifts. Lindsey got me a really awesome A.E. shirt and a necklace that is super neat with a key and a pearl and a heart all different lengths in one necklace. LOVE IT! Then Friday morning Santa came and we opened all our presents and the ones from my family. The kids got spoiled. So did Jim and I. My parents got us a 32 inch flat screen TV that will go into our NEW room. (as soon as it's done) but for now it's in the living room. Jim got some much needed jeans, and I got an iPhone! I love my new phone/camera/computer/game system/everything else I could possibly want to use it for! Boys got PSP's Jimi got a Zune mp3 player and Sami was supposed to get a laptop but Santa's elves forgot it at the North Pole. It came a day later but I think we are sending it back... I'm mad at the ebayer I bought it from! Anyways... we had lots of fun and I am really glad it's over. Now onto New Years and I'm thinking of my resolutions already.

Trever also got a high power pellet gun and he is such a good shot. He is having a good time with it and so far no windows have been shot out with it. (knock on wood)

My nieces and nephew... well the 3 I miss most!

2009-12-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

Jim has a HUGE family here and I get to see most of these nieces and nephews pretty much whenever I want, and even sometimes when I don't. (ok that's not true, I never mind seeing them, they are all fun in different ways) The bad thing is that I have 2 other nieces and 1 more nephew that I almost NEVER get to see, so this post is ALL for them.

Kaycee is the oldest. She will be 15 April 5th and I can't believe how beautiful this girl is. She has grown so much. She is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. (Coleton and her would have great conversations) She isn't just smart but she is so musically talented. She plays the violin and I think the guitar. She is on the debate team and participates in the school drama productions. She goes to the high school I graduated from because it is the best in the city they live in but is a little ways from her house. It's worth it for her to get a chance to grow the way she needs to. She has had a boyfriend for awhile but they just broke up. I think it's because she is just way too smart to let a boy get in her way of success at this point in her life. Last time I went out to see her I got to watch her in a track meet and I was so proud of her. It was her first and even though she didn't finish first she looked beautiful crossing that finish line. My sister and her lived with me for a short time when Kaycee was a baby and I was pregnant with Alex and this baby had me wrapped around her finger. I love her so much and can't wait to see her again, and this time not in pictures!

That's my sister behind her, don't they look a lot alike?

Rory is my nephew. He turned 14 September 12th and hit his growth spurt. He is tall blond and so handsome. He is a computer gamer (like Alex) and is a great soccer player and starting to be a great basketball player too. He goes to a private Christian school and from what I hear he is doing amazing. He is doing great in school and doesn't really care what people think of him. He's going to be a heart breaker but I think he's going to wait. He makes great decisions about what movies to watch and what music to listen to. It's awesome to see him following Christ and hanging on to that iron rod!

Rory and Kaycee

Now Courtney, she's my youngest on my side. She shares Jimi's Birthday March 13th and is a year younger so she is 11. All I can say about Courtney is that she is identical to ME! She is outgoing and try's everything and loves boys and is so active in everything. She does good in school but only so she can go be social. I can't imagine this girl failing at ANYTHING. She wraps everyone around her finger. My mom said that she loves when Courtney cleans the kitchen because she is very thorough and pays attention to detail. From my own experience I know this girl can probably read people in about 30 seconds and knows how to play them in that short time. When she was little she really really loved her aunt Dany, we loved to spend time together, maybe because she saw how I could make her mom so mad (cuz we're sisters) and get away with it. I think she was trying to figure it out, I hope she didn't. She just reminds me of me, so of course I love her.

These are just a few pictures my mom gave me from her phone. I hope I get more soon, and this time in person.

My Parents Visit

2009-12-17T09:09:00.000-08:00

It's been a really long time since my last post so I'm gonna try to catch up. I think we all know that when December comes around the theory of time goes out the window.

After about a weeks notice my parents flew out from Colorado... boy I bet their arms were tired. (ok and in December I do loose my mind and pray it comes back in January). They brought with them snow... and lots and lots of it.

They took the kids shopping, only 2 at a time but I think that's still when my mind got lost and it's wandering around lost in Bakersfield and I don't want to go to that DEVIL city to find it.

This is Jimi, my dad Wes, and Alex being a dork in the back.

Jimi's shirt is cute huh? It's mine!

One night we went to Kernville to look at the lights in the park. I've decided that they do a really neat job. I LOVE the ice cube snow man thingy! And they have one of those blow up thingies that the Grinch comes up and then goes back down the chimney. It was super cold but still fun. Then we drove around Kernville and looked at lights, we saw a REAL deer and a few neatly decorated houses.

Trever, Sami and Jimi

Trever acting like the snowman.

Yes, my mom and dad, Jim and Alex were there but they were big wimps in the car. Not my mom but she was the one taking the pictures.

Sami, me, Jimi and Trever with his cheesy grin. (devil child)

Things went great and we had a good time, except that it was cold. And one day Trever decided to be the brat that he is and go on and on to my parents that I NEVER cook for them HE always has to make dinner or he won't ever get to eat. When I almost killed him I took him to his room and spanked his butt (hasn't happened in a long time, but probably needs to happen more often) and he starts screaming at me to STOP BEATING HIM! I was so mad! That's my kids for ya though.

Pictures from Kenny

2009-11-29T20:39:00.001-08:00

The boys hobby is hunting hunting hunting. When we first got this dog Maggie, I wasn't thrilled. I was less thrilled when she didn't get worked with as much as I thought she should have to be a good hunting dog. I have since changed m mind. She is an amazing English Pointer and the boys say she is so much fun to hunt with. It makes quail hunting a whole new experience and they go every chance they get. This is Maggie in a point, she won't move until they flush them and shoot, and even then sometimes if there is a stubborn one is still in there she will hold her point. The crazy thing about this dog is that she is so hyper until it's time to hunt, then it's ALL business.

While out Quail hunting the other day they saw a Pheasant, it was really cool! (Trever didn't shoot it, but wanted to look like he did)
These are some of the pictures from when they took the horses up deer hunting that Kenny took.

I LOVE this picture. It is neat scenery both of Jim's butt and the mountains, oh and my baby boy too.

Glad to see it wasn't all work. Is it ever work when it comes to Trever?

Sitting back watching movies... that's my way of camping.

This was the squirrel foot. You can see the look in this childes eyes that he was up to NO good even then.

I had to make sure these were still the feet of the squirrel and not the balls, I'm the mom so I'm not sure I got a straight answer.

Off to hunt for the day.

Jim after a long day of horse back riding and looking for deer.

I think their camp looks so pretty, when it's warm I don't mind hanging out like this.

I think they all enjoyed taking the horses up. Even if they didn't get anything, I think they all had a great time riding.

Now, let's compare camps. This one....

OR THIS ONE

They look happy for almost dying!
Thanks Kenny for sending over your pictures. My camera got broken on the trip so we didn't get too many pictures.

HAVE YOU EVER WASHED A POMAGRANATE

2009-11-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

I have and even if I had pictures it wouldn't do it justice!

My bedroom and digging

2009-11-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

We want our bedroom and bathroom so bad and we are getting closer and closer, it won't be long now. The bathroom has been what's stopping us since we moved in. The thought of tearing up good concrete and tapping into a septic tank is scary. Jim has a good friend Greg who really helped us out. He is loaning Jim all the equipment and holding our hand though it. He is "donating" all the fittings and flex pipe he can. It won't be long now.

I hope you can tell how deep this really is. It is also Trevers favorite place to play with his cars.
Ok so Jim cut the concrete out and jack hammered it all out. He dug a smaller deep hole to find out exactly where the pipe was and ran out of time. The other day I was sick of my kids and needed to work out anyways so I started digging and digging and digging. At the deepest point this hole comes to my shoulder and the shallow end comes to my mid waist. Luckily the dirt kind of soft but lifting shovel full of dirt over my head was not the greatest on my body. My shoulder didn't go ALL the way out, but almost did 3 or so times. But I will say I felt my age the next day. I couldn't move. My back hurt so bad, and honestly still does. I'm not as young as I once was. If only my body could keep up with my mind.

No more a youth

2009-11-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

ok, I did steal this from Cori but I cried on her post and thought it was a great idea. Alex had his end of the year football party on Sunday. We all had a lot of fun but it was very sad. For me it represents him growing up so fast. No more youth football for him, sounds trivial but for me it stands for not being a kid anymore. He has had two amazing seasons and I know he will play again next year in high school but it will just be different. He had great coach's this year the head coach was Scott Tedrow and he did put a great team together and they had a great team. Alex was the "go to guy" but a good friend of his Tristen was a great blocker and couldn't have done it without him. Just some memories I don't want him to forget.

Alex, great job on always giving your all. Both in practice and in the games. We told you it wouldn't go unnoticed and it didn't. Don't forget that you didn't get there on your own, you had help from a good coach good blockers and don't forget your parents and the referee clinic we held at the games. Not only did you get the recognition but you improved so much. Besides you know the girls go crazy for your abs. (aawwhh, my baby has abs) Love you and I hope you take this lesson into all aspects of your life!

End of Football 2009

2009-11-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

Both boys lost their games last Saturday. They didn't play up to their ability. Trever had a decent game but nothing great. Alex had a good game and scored the only touch down for his team. It was sad and yes I cried. It was his very last football game for youth football. I do know he will go on to play in high school so I am dealing with it. I am glad the season is over but we really do enjoy watching the boys play.

Sami and Jimi have their first cheer competition on Saturday, I think in Mojave. We have to be there so early but it's not that far so no big deal. I have been helping both teams and they look really good. Jimi's more than Sami's. Jimi finally got her back handspring. I shouldn't say finally, she worked on getting a back tuck first and finally we talked her into trying a handspring and she had that in about 30 minutes. It looks good. Hopefully I'll have a few pictures maybe video of the competition next week.

Update on Football

2009-11-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

It's almost over which I am happy about but I always get a little sad. It takes a lot of time out of our schedule but it is also a lot of family time and I truly enjoy watching my boys play football and my girls excel in cheer.

- Both Alex and Trever's teams made it to playoffs. They play in Rim on Saturday which honestly I didn't really budget for so it will be up there at 3:00am and home hopefully by midnight. If they loose they are done with their season, I really don't think Trever's team will loose, and Alex's team has beat the team they are playing and lost to them once too.

-The girls are preparing for competition. They have two and I hope Sami's team does well but I KNOW Jimi's team will do awesome! Jimi has been working on a back tuck (flip) for a few weeks, maybe months. Her coach said if she didn't have it by Tuesdays practice she couldn't count on it for competition. So Jim and I talked her into just trying a back handspring. She got it after about 30 minutes and she doesn't need a spotter or anything. I helped one more girl on their team who was struggeling a little with it on Tuesday at practice gave her a few tips and now she's got it too. At this level it really impresses the judges to have at least one tumbler on a squad but two will really wow them and they look great! They have some difficult stunts and really nail them.

-Alex got his 2nd ever touch down on Saturday in Bishop, here is HIS article in the paper this week. From the Kern Valley Sun

The Kern Valley Senior Broncs beat the Bishop Broncos on Saturday in Bishop by a score of 28-19.The Broncs were down 12-6 at halftime, but charged back in the second half.
=Dalton Gallis led the Broncs offense by going 7-for-14 for 110 yards in the air, including a 43 yard touchdown strike to Cody Little. Gallis had four carries for 74 yards and two TD's. Alex Hurley had 14 carries for 78 yards, including a 38 yard TD run.Hurley and Thomas Hill led the Broncs defensive attack with Hurley posting eight tackles and three sacks, while Hill added nine tackles. Tristen Hernandez had seven tackles, and Quinn Bohn posted two sacks.

Just to clarify it never seems like Alex's stats seem the greatest ever but he is one of the bigger boys on the team so one of his jobs is to power up the middle THROUGH the line to get just a few yards for the first down, so he doesn't get as many yards but is tough. He does credit most of his yards and touch downs to HIS lead blocker Tristen Hernandez you does an amazing job blocking for Alex. It's great that Alex sees that he couldn't do it all himself and needs Tristen. They have great field chemistry and will play great together through high school too.

-Now Trever's article isn't so great this week. It seems like when he has a great game it isn't printed but the gist is... he had 2 tackles. It doesn't mention a block he had where he took the poor boy out of the game and made him quit. And the boy was at least a foot taller than him.

- My camera took a dump and doesn't work so I wish I had pictures of them in action. I'm hoping Santa brings me a nice Canon Rebel camera for Christmas. There is a lady who takes a lot of action shots and she is looking for some of Alex and Trever and we will buy some good ones if they have them, and a girl who films all of Trevers games and sells them for only $5 a game.

- The game was on Halloween and the girls did the Thriller dance, I taught Jimi and she taught the team. I though I got it recorded but little did I know my good camera is broken too so I didn't get it. I heard someone else videoed it and I'm trying to get a copy because it was so cute.

This was much longer than I had hoped but that's what's going on with football. We are debating on letting Jimi play basketball for school, I like the break before softball/baseball starts, especially because i am probably going to coach this year.

Halloween in Bishop

2009-11-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

This picture of Sami the "morning after" kind of explains it all! We were up late trick or treating with the Reiswigs in a REAL neighborhood with sidewalks and streetlights and even mail box's. It was great and really not that cold. The kids got lots of candy and Sami woke up the next morning and didn't say a word, just rolled over and started going through candy. I think she may have even fell back asleep.

This is the only picture of Alex. I don't know if he moves too fast and that's why I never get a picture or what, but proof that he was there.

The great candy trade. We were watching Jerry McGuire and the kids asked what an agent was. So I explained and told Sami I would be her agent for the candy trade and it would cost her 10%. Jim said that was way too high but she agreed.

This is all she did all day! Sit and eat candy. SUGAR SHOCK!

Jimi took this picture. He's a dork. And the only one who got a FULL size candy bar.

This is what a sugar coma looks like! (if you were wondering)

don't ask me, cause I have NO idea what she was thinking.

we went to the famous bakery and while waiting for the boys outside there was an old phone booth. I was amazed how many questions the girls had. Jimi didn't think it cost anything to use a "PAY" phone. (go figure)

Halloween

2009-10-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Today the kids dressed up for school for Halloween. Well, all but Sami because she is away at camp Keep. I miss her so bad! I can't believe she didn't come home, I thought for sure she would get home sick. I'm just glad it's almost over and she's coming home today!

Alex and Trever dressed up as rockers, they looked cool.

Jimi had the cutest pirate outfit ready but forgot it at the church on Wednesday night and couldn't find keys to get back in there to get it. So she dressed up as an 80's girl. She looked cute, and a LOT like me back in the 80's, but I didn't tell her that!

yes their hair is orange, and yes Alex's hair is standing straight up! It's called hair glue!

I found the funky smell

2009-10-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

I guess if I blog this it is in writing that I am horrible at laundry but it is too... hmmm what is a good word.... unbelievable to pass up. And the smell was....

SQUIRREL FEET! Yes squirrel feet, in Trever's pocket, dead, rotting squirrel feet! A few years ago he had a quail head in his pocket and even after taking it away several times I had the same funky smell at the bottom of the laundry pile.

If he wasn't so dang cute I would give him away! The joy of having boys!

H1N1 SUCKS!

2009-10-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Quick post, while I'm in bed for the 5th day in a row. We are all sick, really sick. Alex had a game on Saturday where they played Cal City a team that is undefeated, Alex did great and got his very first touch down EVER. He even earned it. I think it was like 25 yards or something, oh and 7 tackles. You would think he was feeling good huh? NOPE! We took his temp when we got home and he had 104.5, I wonder what would have happened if he felt good. Then it all fell apart. We have all had fever (not really Jimi, she seems to be fine). The rest of us aren't. Poor Trever is the worst right now but I think we are all on the mend, I am even going to attempt to go to Jimi's soccer tournament tomorrow, and go watch Sami be Betsy Ross for geography day in school. Hope I make it!

The Hunting trip

2009-10-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been good at posting lately, mostly because I have had NO time, but I will try to get back on track. Starting with the Hunting trip.

It turned out to be more of a camping/horseback riding trip. I guess they didn't see many signs of deer and some loud camp neighbors who were on more of a four wheeler trip. They spent most of the time on horse back.

Jim said it was some of the toughest terrain he had ridden on and was impressed with Bo and Trever who did a great job being new riders. The worst part and probably a great thing I didn't talk to Jim on the phone...

One night they went through the worst terrain, tree's and downed trees and mush and mountain. One horse fell several times and we think at one time had a heart attack and thought they would have to do CPR, luckily they didn't. They did use their last bit of water pouring it into the horses mouth. It was getting dark fast and they KNEW there was NO way back to camp any time that night, so they camped out. UNPREPARED (kind of). I have always said if I was EVER stranded that I wanted Bo along with me and he proved himself. Jim jokes that he and Kenny were in the corner sucking their thumbs while Bo took charge and started giving orders to make a lean too, and start a fire and get dry wood and on and on. He even put his arm around Trever and reassured him that it would be ok. This is some of the thickest bear country around and just a few yards away there were bear tracks ON TOP of the horse tracks from their way in, so Bo stayed awake all night with his gun in hand to protect the boys. LUCKILY, I put a space blanket in Trever's pack "just in case". Needless to say they all loved me that night. I had even packed an emergency dinner, but they had NO water to cook it. I don't know if that was the night Bo cooked them squirl that he had made traps for, I was grossed out and didn't listen to the end. They made it back to camp and slept the rest of the day and watched movies at night and stayed warm. The horses were glad to come home and I think the boys were too.

Jim had a great time and I'm glad he went. It's the longest we have ever gone without talking and I hated that part.

camp
Jim said this wasn't even a steep hill compared to most they went down.

the horses were really thirsty

the dreaded night, did I mention it was the night it got REALLY cold down here

think they heard a bear?

The Dreaded Day has arrived

2009-09-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

I knew it would one day come to an end, but it was something I wasn't prepared for and really as I look back, there was NO way to really prepare for this. Sonic no longer has Mango lime slushes. Please let me know if you know where I would go to detox from this.

What do I do now?

2009-09-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Jim and Trever left on Friday to go deer hunting, and I am really lost without them. The first night I woke up and rolled over to snuggle and he wasn't there. I cried. The games just weren't the same without having Jim explain the penalties to me. And I can't tell you how many times I have counted and re-counted my kids because without Trever it doesn't add up. It's just WEIRD! I know the boys are having a great time, and I really hope they get something, but I will be happy to have them come home. Only 6 more days to go!

Thank You Cori

2009-09-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my great friend Cori I have pictures of my kids at the games. She has a great camera that she brings everywhere and took pictures for me and even let me give it a try. I didn't have it on the sport setting, but the pictures are still great! I am hoping to get one of these camera for Christmas. (hint hint Jim, Canon Rebel XT) Off to Boron this weekend. Oh yeah, and Alex isn't Full back, he's tail back. I guess there's a difference.

I think this was one of Alex's sacks.

Trever

Alex's new secured position

2009-09-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

Alex played his first game in Mojave for the season. He looked great but the team had a few set backs. On the good front... Alex has secured the full back position, was given the ball a few times so that he could power through the line and gain a few yards every time. He proved he wasn't afraid to be tackled or to make a hit, and we won't mention who's place he took on the team, but maybe Alex is the man for the job... as long as he doesn't fumble. Alex's sacks were amazing and he did block the kick, they didn't mention it was with his face. I guess it doesn't matter what he blocked it with, it didn't go in. This is what the paper said.

The Senior Broncs lost 6-0 to the Mojave Mustangs in a hard fought defensive struggle.Tristen Henandez led the Broncs with 14 carries for 43 yards and nine tackles. Alex Hurley had two sacks and blocked a PAT attempt.Quinn Bohn posted six tackles on defense, while David Powell, Chris Aigner and Cody Jarrett each added five tackles.

Nothing in the paper about Trever. His team did great. He played defense the entire game and did a great job. I'm not so impressed by our offense yet, but I am very impressed with the boys defense, maybe the team will come around.

Hopefully pictures next time. I forgot my camera... I know!

Family Pictures

2009-09-14T08:42:00.001-07:00

On Labor day my good friend Marcie came out to take our family pictures. I don't know if she realized what she had gotten herself into, but when she saw all 36 of us in white shirts, hay, and saddles I can't imagine what went through her mind. She did an incredible job and we all have a copy of over 300 pictures to choose from.

This is the whole pack! All 36 of us.

Tommie and all of her grandkids. All 22 of them.

Jake

The Hurley boys! (I LOVE Jim in this picture, YUMMY)

Jimi holding baby Preslie. I can't get over how grown up and just how beautiful my baby girl is, it seems like yesterday when she was as tiny as baby Preslie.

The original Hurley kids.

Hannah and Maddie.

Like it wasn't enough for her to do that, I asked her (before hand) if she would take just Jim and my family because we had NEVER had them done before. I am so excited because there are so many that I love! Thanks Marci, and Jocelyn for doing such and incredible job...

This is how we normally are! (unfortunately Jimi wasn't harmed in this photo)

One of my favorite family pictures.

My boys

Me and my girls. We do this same pose on every roller coaster picture every time we go. I swear if we are all together and someone out of the blue says say cheese, us three will do this!

My darling girls... so dang big!

This is one of the cutest pictures ever, Timmy and Jake... Jake is so adorable!

Sami, sharing chips with Jake.

Kenny got his truck stuck in the mud, but not bad. I think the kids loved having their very own "hay ride" out of the barn set.

I keep thinking, OK. this one is my favorite... but there are so many that look SO good that I don't think I have one favorite. I don't normally like pictures of myself and I'm not photogenic at all, and although I can tear myself apart in any picture, I love so many of these. I love how we are spread out a little, and you can see personality in each one of us. Alex didn't enjoy the cowboy thing, but he looks handsome, and I think he knows it. I can't believe how big he has gotten, he's not my little boy anymore.

Love this one too... look at Trever, he is so cute! You would never know this is an old slaughter house. We told the kids it was haunted by dead cows. At one point Sami looked through a small hole from the little room to the big room and said mmmooooo! It scared Jimi, and Trever to death. We had a great laugh. We had a so much fun and laughed so hard we will have the memories of the day we took our pictures!

Jim's poor back. He had just had shots in his back a few days earlier, then I go jump on him.

This is my favorite of just Jim and I

Trever had no idea he was getting his picture taken. He had to pack this saddle back and forth quiet a few times and it was pretty heavy for him, so he was struggling.

This picture was Jim's idea and I love it!

Me and my girls!

At the very end of the day the sun was starting to set and Marcie and Jocelynn wanted to try a silhouette shot into the sun, they all turned out great. You would never know we were in six inches of mud.

We made the Bushlings part of the Hurley family and they came to dinner last night, I don't think we scared them off, I do think it's weird that the cousins are going to fight over honorary Hurley members... watch out Zach!

It's Chore Time

2009-08-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

For my good friends, you all know one of my big stresses are that my kids don't do chores. I admit it is so MY fault, and a little of my mom's too. Don't get me wrong, I did have chores when I was young, I remember doing dishes... oh and cleaning my room on Saturdays. My house when I was young was PERFECT! My mom is crazier than I am and thinks cleaning is therapeutic! (I warned you she was crazy!) So our house always looked beautiful. I few things I forget when I compare it to mine now....

1. My dad is a little compulsive, ok a lot, and for the most part picks up after himself and keeps his area very clean, including his laundry in the hamper and soda cans in the trash.

2. There were only two of us, me and my older sister, and we were smart! We learned quickly that if we picked up after ourselves we didn't worry about it later.

3. My dad worked a lot, my mom worked, and my sister and I were the only ones home and it just didn't get that messy.

Now, my mom may remember things differently, and she's probably right, but I have and always had way too high of expectations for my house. It's caused problems! We have tried tons of chore charts and different ways to do it but what happens is either they do it and I re-do it to my moms high standards. Or we would get caught up with other things and I wouldn't stay on them and I would end up doing it myself.

NOT THIS TIME! For the last 5 weeks straight it has been good, not great, but good. They each have the same chore for one week. Kitchen, Dishes, Bathroom and laundry, and living room. Then Monday night at Family Home Evening we discuss how they did and they rotate. They can't leave their job messy or they have it another week, plus their next station. (so far that hasn't happened)

Last night Trever was doing dishes, he is still so little. I had to teach him and still have to help a little but it was great to see and he was so proud of himself for doing it. Wow things MAY change, I may not have lazy kids after all!

Just my luck

2009-08-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

My van is again broken, has been since about a week after I got it back from the catalytic converter fixed, we thought it was O2 sensors but after fixing those, it's still broken! I HATE HONDA! (I may have mentioned that once or twice before) So we take my mother in law's new Suburban to Mammoth for the kids opening day for football and cheer and it gets backed in to, HARD!!!! When are these trials going to stop? It's just too much to take!

First day of School 2009

2009-08-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

First day of school.

Alex in 8th grade, king of the school. 14 years old, taller than me, all big and muscular. He is too big.

Jimi, miss 7th grade hot stuff. At least in her mind (ok, mine too).

Sami, going in the middle school the big 5th grade, baby of the BIG kid school. She looks too old!

sorry about the pictures of Sami, the kids broke my camera and I had to take them with my phone. They didn't turn out very well.

And little Trever, the baby. The same old kid that will give the teacher a run for her money. Good thing he has the same one as last year, I think it's because the others didn't want him.

All Trever wanted this year was a Hurley backpack, so he did get one. I am hoping it will last for a few years, I hate buying new backpacks every year they are expensive. I am a little emotional about them going back, maybe because I am depressed with all the crap that is going on in our life or the fact that as I was driving Jimi to school the first day, I saw Sami walking down the road to the bus stop and didn't recognize her. She looks too old, tall and grown up with her straightened hair. Going to the middle school. I cried and have a lot since then. I sound like the old women that used to tell us how fast they grow up so fast and to enjoy every moment. But they do and I feel like I missed it. Only 5 years until Alex goes on his mission, only 2 until he drives a car. Only 2 until Trever is in Middle school. It has gone so fast and I wanna cry just thinking of my babies. I have wanted to pick them up every day but I know I can't. I miss them!

Sleepovers

2009-08-26T11:31:00.001-07:00

I don't really like sleepovers a whole lot. Maybe it's that I have 4 kids already, or that my house is a cracker box, but occasionally I'm nice and let them go ahead with a sleep over. The other night was a Family Home Evening when Tylee slept over and we had Trever and her put it on. We did a coloring contest, and I think I won. Jim and I "won" a foot massage... but I think they forgot. They are so cute together, I wonder what they will be like when they are older, married with their own kids. I hope they stay close, they are best friends.

Another night Jimi had one of her friends, Sami V. stay over. I love this kid. She is ornery and can take being teased by me. I coached her a few times in cheer, and she has attitude, but mostly in a cute way. They had a lot of fun, although I think they bugged Ryan (Jimi's boyfriend) and Josh (they love of Sami V.'s life) all night long!

A different night Tylee stayed over. I say stayed over instead of "slept over" for a good reason. They decided to stay up ALL NIGHT LONG! The problem is they did! They went outside to play at 6am, until we told them it was too early to play and they came back in. Then they started trying to wake us up at 7am because they heard Jim's alarm going off for work. By the time he got up 15 minutes later, they were all asleep on the living room floor. I let them sleep until at least noon.

Jimi had her friend Breanna stay over and they were being cute and taking cute pictures. Some turned out really good, others not so much.

I'm not sure if Tori stayed the night, or if she was over playing, but Sami and her have a website and were playing with the camera, here are their pictures... No wonder my battery is always dead.

Magic Mountain

2009-08-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

We have season passes to Magic Mountain and because of our transportation issues we haven't been able to go as much as we would like, but we got the chance a few weeks ago (although the van broke down on the way home, more about that later on).
We didn't get to leave until about 1pm because Jim had to work so it was a spur of the moment thing. We didn't get in a lot of rides but we did get in quiet a few. No luck on the X2, my favorite, but we did get a chance to watch one of the shows. It was a few BMX riders and an in line skate girl that all dropped in on the half pipe. A few dirt bike riders who jumped HUGE jumps and rode in the gold ball, it was cool and Trever and Alex liked it a lot!

Can't wait until we can go again!

When I grow up

2009-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

( Obviously that's NOT me!)

With all the car issues my family has I tried to tell Jim I needed to go to school to be a mechanic. He thinks I'm crazy. Yesterday Jim brought home a new thermostat for out Suburban, while he is closing jobs and doing some work I go outside and change it... yes all by myself. He was impressed, so was I. Until we realized that wasn't the problem... no that would be too easy and too cheap to fix. It's the water pump. So we call Alex outside with me (it will be his burb in a few years) Jim goes back to work and I tear into it! Don't panic I had a book! (Alex laughed when I said that) I tore the darn thing apart, it's not an easy fix, or easy to get to... but by 8 pm I had it ready for a new pump... I think...

this is the thermostat, don't ask me how it works, it just DOES
It goes here

This is the water pump, the thingy with the bolts sticking out... it's harder to get to than you think, refer to the pic above, all that junk had to come out first.

this is the silly water pump that is OUT! It has weep holes to let you know that it's out, all your coolant drains out the weep hole, all over the place and lets your engine overheat... good times

My house and laundry suffered, not to mention my back and poor hands, yes I broke TWO nails! But I figure I saved a lot of money, well if I didn't break the fan thingy taking it off, we have to ask cause I'm not sure.

Anyone need a good mechanic... just buy me a book and I'll be right over. I will warn you that it is defiantly rated PG-13, maybe higher. And you have to be in good physical condition so that your able to jump or duck under the tools I throw!

being negative

2009-08-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday wasn't the best day of my life but I don't want to dwell and complain so here it is and I will TRY to never think of it again! We all wake up late for church, Bo asks me to teach his primary class, and because I was asleep I accept the challenge. We try deciding which vehicle to take to church lets see...

The van... oxygen sensors are out and won't go over 40mph and just doesn't go uphill. I'm not sure if we are doing more damage by driving it so I stopped last week.

The suburban... the thermostat went out and acts like it is overheating, I'm not all that sure if a broken thermostat is that big of a deal.

The truck a.k.a. "The Beast" ... well it's UGLY, and the tags are expired because it is insane the price they want me to pay for a truck we NEVER drive.

OK, DONE COMPLAINING! for now

We decide on the suburban. We get about 5 miles down the road when the thermostat pegs hot. Jim freaks out (like I didn't tell him it was going to do that) pulls over, pops the hood, and sure enough, it's steaming! So we gimp it back home and take "The Beast" to church.

Church was fine, I didn't even end up having to teach. We head home and Jim mentions something about needing gas. I assume that if we needed it that bad he would have gotten it. NOPE! We run out. Luckily Casey was already home and saved the day by sending us some gas to get home!

I ordered O2 sensors online last week. Jim is buying a thermostat for the burb today. Maybe by this weekend we will have at least one legal reliable vehicle. (Since we have to go to Mammoth anyways) The whole time the kids are reminding us that we HAVE to take them school shopping in Bakersfield... BRATS! I just ask if I can have a piggy back ride down the canyon since I don't want to walk that far!

And the season begins

2009-08-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

The start of the football and cheer leading season has began. Practice every night of the week, and in a short three weeks the games on Saturday's will start. Time goes too fast and my kids are growing up before my eyes, so this year we are trying to go into the season with a much better attitude. Enjoy watching and not hosting the referee clinic. Stay out of the politics and drama and watch the kids have fun. They all love doing it, and Sami is even cheering this year.

On the down side, I got my van out of the shop one week ago today and last night the engine light came on and it died as we were pulling onto our street. Come to find out it had NO oil, we put in 4 quarts and it is running great. We checked it at Honda the day I got it back, but then they took it back because it was making a funky engine noise and all I can think is that they were getting ready to do an oil change and stopped in the middle. I can't imagine it burned that much oil. Ok I can imagine it on the van from HELL! I'm going to have a good attitude about it because there is nothing I can do and I should be used to it by now.

Am I a River Rat?

2009-07-31T09:08:00.000-07:00

We spent most of the day at the River yesterday with friends, and are going to the lake today again with the same friends. (mostly) I am starting to feel like a Kern Valley River Rat! It's nice to be able to enjoy our lake and river in the summer, during the week. On the weekends it is over ran by L.A. people and they make it miserably impossible to do anything on the lake, river, or even in town. Oh well, that's why I'll enjoy it during the week. Only 3 weeks until school starts back up, and football/cheer starts Monday, so it looks like my fun summer is almost over.

Alex and Jimi swimming across the river.

Trever and Sami looking for catapults (tadpoles) Trever couldn't remember what they were called.

Cori, Tisha, Michelle (Sara) and me hanging out and cooling off in the water.

Happy Birthday Trever Monster!

2009-07-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Well, my baby is now 9. Not double digits yet, but close enough. Trever is a very sensitive boy, who gets his feeling deeply and truly hurt. He either wants to please everyone or just be a monster. He is a cuddler and loves to sit on daddy's lap. He is defiantly a daddy's boy and follows and does everything Jim does. It's like looking at a little Jim, and talking to him too. He is the funniest kid I have ever seen. He is quick witted and comes up with the funniest things. He amazes me every day. He truly loves people and worries deeply about them too. He will defiantly have anxiety issues, well he already does. He will worry about someone for days, until he knows they are ok. He is very athletic. He loves football the most, and is amazing on the field. he just knows the game, he is a natural at it. Even though he is on the shorter side, he is a brick and is definitely the hardest hitter on the team, and never backs down to anyone. He is a great dirt bike rider, and again just has natural ability. He does things that just can't be taught. As he grows up I see him much more like his dad. Very sensitive, anxious, a worrier and a fixer. He doesn't like contention and can't stand to see someone in pain or suffering. He is an amazing little boy and it makes me sad to see my baby grow up. I know he is going to be a great man, serve a mission, and one day marry in the Temple. He will be a great provider for his family and a very hard worker! If he doesn't kill himself on his dirt bike or on the football field first.

For his birthday Jim did some trading and got him a Kawasaki 65. I don't like it. I HATE it! It goes 80 mph, and while doing a wheelie it got away from Jim. He has dreamed of this bike for a year, and sold his Yamaha 50 so that he could get it. He is a safe and responsible rider and knows it is MANDATORY that he uses ALL safety gear any time he rides.

Trever we love you so much! We don't want you to change one bit!

A rafting we will go...

2009-07-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I can honestly say I had one of the funnest days of my life! Thanks to Marcie and Kenny Bushling and to Kern River Tours I had the most incredible adventure that I could easily be addicted to.

Highlights... the girls we went with. I am closest with Marci, Cori and Michelle. We were also joined by Marcie's sister Teasha, and friends Tisha, Sarah, and a great girl who I can't remember her name but I do know she liked "teaching aerobics for FUN."

Swimming where it wasn't too swift. I did dislocate my shoulder (yes again) but toughed it out, and was a great one armed swimmer.

The 25 foot rock that I jumped off! Five times! The river was so deep right there and the raft guides know all about it and said it was "safe". If you saw some of the rapids that we went down then "safe" for a 25 foot jump into the water was SAFE!

Watching the raft in front of us wreck and flip numerous times, and saving several "victims". Now I know that sounds mean, but I was just glad I wasn't on that raft.

The best sandwich I ever had. EVER! I don't know if it was the avocado, sprouts, or that I was hungry, but it was AMAZING!

The fact that "I ROCK!" inside joke. I was terrified that I would hit my head on a rock be knocked out and drown. Every current looked like it was going to throw my side of the raft into the rocks and I started out saying, ok yelling "ROCK, ROCK, ROCK..." Then deciding that I sounded a little dumb, I changed it to "I ROCK! I ROCK! I ROCK!" I know MUCH better.

Even the bus ride back was so much fun. We all talked and laughed so hard at the happenings of the day. When we got back to Kern River Tours we got to see the pictures that were taken on a few of the big rapids and I swear I almost peed my pants.

The only bad parts... the fact that Tisha and I talked Michelle into jumping off the big rock and she hit the water wrong and bruised her leg really bad. I feel HORRIBLE! (I hope you forgive me Michelle).

When Marcie thought she was going out of the raft and switched it up, due to her guide experience, and tried to PUSH me out! (hahah)

I could barely walk for the next 2 days. EVERY muscle in my body was so sore, not to mention my shoulder. I dug into that raft so tight, with every ounce of strength I had, that's why I was so sore, I wasn't going over!

And when it was over. Yes it was an all day event, 8:15am until I got home at about 6:00pm. I can't wait to do it again and could easily get addicted to rafting. I know I said it already but I just can't thank the Bushlings enough, it really means a lot to me that Marcie would put this together all because Karrie and I said we wanted to go rafting for our birthdays. (although Karrie was at girls camp and didn't go, we missed her)

Just a day at the lake

2009-07-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

I gave Trever the choice to go swim at Jenny's or go to the lake for his birthday, knowing we would celebrate this weekend. A.K.A. payday. He chose the lake. The water wasn't green, and it was actually pretty warm, but it could be that the temperature was around 108 that day. Alex and I played football in the water, while Sami and Trever collected "Sea Shells". A.K.A clam fish bait, but they didn't know that. It was a ton of fun and we will be going back a lot more often.

Out of the mouths of Babes...

2009-07-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Alex is a 14 year old boy so I KNOW he wasn't using this white sheet to make his bed. He comes out chanting "TOGA, TOGA, TOGA" and Jim and I are thinking he's off his rocker. Then Trever walks in, not knowing exactly what Toga means and says "Hey look it's Jesus!" Jim and I about died laughing. My son Jesus!

Go to your room and the goose

2009-07-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for six years for someone to tell me this. Now I'm getting ready. We have been working on our "bedroom" for a few days now, and it has came a long way.
It's going to have a vaulted ceiling, and it's taken Jim a lot of work to get the trusses strong enough to make it work.
Yep, those are windows!!!! Our bed is going in between those two windows.

While working on our room, we decided that the goose had just gotten too big to be in the house anymore. Jim made a great goose pen outside. It's only been two nights and we will see how good it is if the goose is still alive in a week.

Once the goose gets a little bigger this area is going to be my "green" area. Grass, a fountain and flowers. Until then I'm letting the goose fertilize.