Journey to Yuma?

Jacob called today and asked about the park in Yuma where the monument commemorating the Mormon Battalion has been added. His Grandpa contributed money toward that monument and an ancesteral grandfather had served in the battalion. Jacob and Maria have been talking it over and are considering a drive to Yuma to take pictures of the monument so they can frame one and give it to Grandpa for Christmas. I think that would be a wonderful - and much appreciated - gift. I hope they're able to do it.

Visit the US Army of the West site here >>>

Barbara & Family

Before her daughter and grandchildren left out to return to Montana, I met them and Barbara at the park to get pictures of the four of them together. It was great meeting Monica and her children. She looks so much like her mom, I do believe ... her daughter, too. All the gals have strong family traits.


Barbara's young grandson was just adorable. He wanted his picture taken in profile. It was apparent the three gals standing at the side were sharing a little secret and enjoying the moment. After taking the pictures, which did include one full profile they all chuckled a bit more and revealed the cause of their humor.



Seth was wearing new spurs he had gotten from his Grandma and wanted the spurs to show up in the picture!

You Are the New Day

Things Went So Wrong

It is such a sad and dark day. :(

Philip was sentenced to DOC today. The court and judicial system is so complicated, I'm not sure what the final outcome will be. As near we can tell, he was sentenced to 2.5 years for one offense and 1.5 years for another with 78 days credit for the time he's been confined. It was my understanding there was to be 3 different charges that he'd be sentenced on. I only heard two. I hope the third one doesn't come back to haunt at a later time.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to finish up high school and move on to start his life as a young adult ... with the world to explore. Bad choices have plagued him over recent years. Things have gone so wrong and now they're getting much more complicated. My heart breaks with the knowledge he'll soon be transferred to a prison facility - he'll be alone in a harsh, harsh world.

Remembering Anthony

Today is the anniversary of my youngest brother's death. Anthony turned 25 on November 1, 1988 and he died on November 26th. He lives on in my heart. I still miss him bunches.

Popcorn Popping

There are tell-tale signs of popcorn in the trash this morning. A phone call to Mike with the big question, "Did you pop and eat popcorn last night?" He confirmed, "Yes."

It's startling to realize I slept through the smells and sounds of popcorn popping.

Communications

John and Kelly returned from Florida late last night.

I had been talking on the phone with Kelly and she handed the phone to John so he could tell me about a parking ticket incident at the airport last night. When all was said and done, I'd mentioned to John that he was lucky and told him about a recent incident of a driver in Utah being tasered by an officer when he became argumentative over a minor infraction.

John said, "I should have known" and hung up the phone.

Out of the Blue

Jodie called a bit ago. She had called and talked with Grandpa, just out of the blue. She said she's going to try visiting him sometime over the next few weeks. She didn't know anything about my sentimental observation a few days ago. I haven't mentioned this blog to anyone.

Late Nights

Mike and I used to leave out from the valley very late at night and seemed to do quite well with the drive and being able to function the next day. Somewhere along the way things have changed. We left out from the valley just about dusk and arrived home dead tired at 10:00pm and we're still dragging today after a good night's rest. :-(

Visiting Grandpa

When they were little, the kids used to love visiting in Cottonwood and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma has been gone for a long time and Grandpa has been alone most of this time. The valley is so green and pretty most of the year. The house looks out over a gorgeous pasture where cows graze lazily on long summer days. Boarded horses stride through the pasture and small orchard at the side and back of the house. The tall cottonwood trees shelter a path to the river bordering along the edge of the property. It is a quiet place - until people visit, then it comes to life. Grandpa enjoys having visitors. He isn't feeling well enough to travel much these days. It's been so long since any of the kids have gone to visit. John and Kelly and Jacob and Maria were there to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday with other family members. That was more than a year ago, in August. I don't believe any of them have visited since then.

I don't think Quentin has gone up to Cottonwood since returning from his mission in February. It's been a long, long time since Jodie has visited. Jodie's little TJei has visited a couple times - we have taken her and Great-Grandpa has had wonderful visits with her. She especially likes riding Great-Grandpa's quad with her Grandpa. Great-Grandpa enjoys watching her play on the hammock suspended between the trees in his front yard. He says that hammock has been a pretty good investment. All the little kids have enjoyed playing on that thing. He's enjoyed her visits and has gotten a proud little twinkle in his eyes when she cries, "I want to stay with Great-Grandpa!" when it's time to leave.

He hasn't met little Baylee born in August nor little Mia born just this past October. I'm sure he'd enjoy visits with them. It would sure be nice if the kids could go up and visit, spend some time with him. I know he would enjoy the visit and learning about the events of their lives these days.

Happy Anniversary

Today is Jacob and Maria's first anniversary. They are so sweet together and I am so very happy that Jacob and Maria found one another and are building a life together.

Jacob stopped by for a brief visit earlier ... I actually suspect he wanted to visit his Dad's new vehicle since he eagerly drove out to the plant to trade vehicles and bring the new one back into town. He and Maria will be celebrating their anniversary next week, after Thanksgiving, when they take a cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico.

Jacob and Maria are in town celebrating the marriage (reception) of their good friend, Carrie Bond who is also from SJ.

I am so grateful to have Maria in our family. She is a sweet, sweet young lady and she works hard to support Jacob in his educational pursuits. They are a great team! I love them both.

Odd Results

Mike had an MRI done recently to try and identify cause and source of problems he is having with his feet. The results indicate there is a disk with diffuse compression but it shouldn't be causing the pain and tingling he's experiencing. The MRI also revealed a real oddity ... one of his kidneys is fully non-existent, non-functional ... it is a mass of cysts. He didn't offer or provide an explanation for the condition. Just said Mike shouldn't ever consider donating a kidney, he doesn't have one to give.

Kelly's Birthday

Today is Kelly's birthday. I'm not sure if she has plans or anything for her special day. This isn't a very good picture of her ... I don't have many pictures though. She was trying to read things on the back of her new digital camera, I think. :-)

Happy birthday, Kelly! I am so glad you are part of our family. I love you bunches!

Blessing Baylee

Our darling little Baylee was blessed by her Daddy this morning during a service at their meeting house in Queen Creek. John and Kelly had many visitors helping to celebrate this special occasion. From our family Mike and I were there along with Jacob and Maria, Quentin, Jodie and her two little ones, TJei and new baby Mia. From Kelley's family, her parents Gary and Sue, her Grandmother Georgia, sister Julie and cousin Brittany and family, Brandon and daughters Hallie and Madison. One of Julie's longtime friends also stopped by the house with her husband and three little boys. TJei had a wonderful time playing with the other kids!

Big Little Mia

Jodie's little baby girl was born on Tuesday evening.

Jodie was in labor most of the day but it wasn't hard labor until just the last couple minutes. She was in *much* better state of mind from what she had been when TJei was born. She didn't chew me out or scowl at me even one time!

Mia was a whopping 10lbs 1.7oz (rounded to 2oz) and fit as a fiddle.

There had been just a bit of concern about her little hand and arm because it had been up alongside the side of her head during the delivery. All seemed to be well with the limb and her ability to move her little arm so it wasn't a concern for too long.

Welcome to our world little Mia.