Christmas season

Vanessa loves Christmas...........

Her room is decorated all up....................

Even Marty gets in to the spirit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been a busy fall, between elk hunting, deer hunting and haunted houses, Birthdays and Thanksgiving, it has just flown by. I am looking forward to a quiet holiday season!!! Probably not going to happen, but, I can dream about it...... Still lots to do. My house is at least decorated!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Today is my Birthday!!! I look back upon the last 35 years!!! hahahaha, I wish, more like 51 years, and I see so many things that I am so grateful for. For years my mom made my favorite birthday cake, Angel Food Cake stuffed with strawberries and whipped cream. OOOH! it was yummy. I had a few birthday parties when I was little that I remember. It is fun to look back and see all the things that made me who I am today, even the trials I am grateful for, because even they have molded me in to what I am today. So.....even though it sounds old, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

MEMORIES OF THE HEART.....

Today I walked down memory lane...........Vanessa had to have tests on her heart today. Brought back lots of memories that weren't so great. But, also brought back memories of how blessed we are to have her in our home and the joy that she brings to us each and every day. She went on Oxygen this week, (another memory) and her comment was "how am I going to know it's morning?"....The technician who did her Echo today gave her a picture of the ultrasound of her heart, she said "how does my heart look mom?" I only could reply.........."It's looks like a perfect heart to me"..............Again as in my last post, I walk by faith.....................

HAVING FAITH....

I have decided that faith is a necessity in our lives in order to get through the challenges and trials that we face, no matter who we are. Sometimes it is blind faith so that we can just go and know it is somehow going to be okay. Sometimes it is the faith of a child, knowing that no matter what it will be okay. Sometimes there is no other choice but to have faith to move forward and reach toward heaven and believe that Heavenly Father will reach down and take you by the hand and walk with you. "Faith is knowing the sun will shine, lighting each new day....." Today I start my walk with Faith.................................

Our Summer...........

AS YOU CAN SEE IT WAS REALLY FUN.......................

We went fishing a few times and caught lots of fish.............

Proud of her fish...........

I got a new Camp Chef Stove that I absolutely love............

So this Chipmunk.......................................

We went looking for deer..........

Went riding with Uncle Mike and Aunt Alisa...................

Went to the top of Scout Mountain...................

Even went fishing some more.....

Saw lots of deer and even saw a COUGAR.................

We got a new trail camera and Brian wanted to see if it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW IT REALLY DID WORK!!!

THERE WERE TWO OF THESE LITTLE CRITTERS.............

It has been a long time since I have blogged so I know this is a long one, I will try to do better.

We did have a great summer............

GO FOR THE GOLD!!!!!!

SHE WENT FOR THE GOLD AND GOT IT....WHAT A WEEKEND!!

JUST THE BEGINNING......

WAITING PATIENTLY FOR OPENING CEREMONIES..............

VANESSA GOT TO BE THE STATE GLOBAL MESSANGER AND GIVE THE OPENING SPEECH, SHE DEFINITELY WAS NOT AFRAID, DID A GREAT JOB!!

STILL SPEAKING..................

ON THE WAY TO THE FIRST GOLD!!!!

AND THE GOLD AGAIN............

THE MEDAL CEREMONY..............

OUR MOTEL ROOM

TAKING A STROLL ON THE GREENBELT BEHIND OUR MOTEL......

MOM AND VANESSA OUT FOR A DRIVE...........

DRIVING ALONG IN MY AUTOMOBILE......

KEEPING MY EYES ON THE ROAD!!

OUT FOR A BOATRIDE....


We had an awesome weekend in Boise for Special Olympic State Games. As you can see Vanessa won 3 gold medals in swimming, one for the 50 meter freestyle, 25 meter freestyle and a 4 x 50 relay. As she put it she "smoked em'". She had the great opportunity to be the global messanger which was such an honor. I have no pictures of the dance, but I will put a video up as soon as I can figure out how. She had a blast at the "victory Dance" THe last day in Boise we played all day at Wahooz. She had a great weekend, I however, am still exhausted!!

I LOVE THAT GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY....

Competing in Rexburg..............

24th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MORE BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

AT THE PIT PARTY WITH THE DRIVERS AT THE MONSTER TRUCK SHOW!!!!

MONSTER TRUCKS!!!!!!!!

Other than the snow we had yesterday, I have complete Faith that it will warm up and become summer once again. We have our garden in and things are already popping through, our planters are full of flowers in the front yard, my lilies are coming up, the snowmachines are winterized and put away...... so I am convinced summer is here.

We have been busy for the past few months getting ready for special olympics in Boise in June, we went to Rexburg for regional competition with special olympics, Rodeo, Monster trucks, dads birthday, Vanessa's birthday and getting anxious to go CAMPING!!!!!.

More thoughts.....

I realized that it has been almost a year since I started blogging. This has been a fun way to keep track of my life just for me if not for anyone else. It has been a way of expressing my thoughts and yet having fun doing it!!!

Recently we went to both the monster trucks and Rodeo, I will post pictures soon. It is amazing to me how excited about life Vanessa is, I wish I could find that enthusiasm. Also recently we celebrated my dads 82nd birthday. I can't believe he is 82, I see how much he is slowing down and it makes me sad, and at the same time, I know in my heart that he is longing to be with mom once again. I will post pictures of the birthday also soon!!!

It has been raining here off and on for days, I think it makes me melancholy..............

Long time coming......

Rudy Came to stay with us for a few days ....we love rudy, he is so fun and keeps Jake out of trouble for a few days...

OFF TO THE RODEO!!!!

I had not realized how long it had been since I blogged!!! Lots has taken place, We have been very busy doing lots of things. We have had fun moments, scary moments and sad moments all within a month in a half, but we continue to move forward. I am so greatful for my friends and family that love and support us. Next week we are off to Monster trucks...........woohoo!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

This is in emigration canyon outside of Preston..................

Gorgeous day for a ride...................

The canyon is wonderful this time of year...............

Visiting Brian's mom and dad..............

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today, is Brians dads birthday. He is 75 today. So.....we got up and traveled to Montpelier to see him. It was a beautiful day. It amazes me how life just seems to go by so fast, and amazes me even more that we let it................................

Presidents day weekend ......

AFTER ALMOST 26 YEARS, BRIAN STILL MAKES MY HEART FLUTTER AND MAKES ME LOVE HIM MORE EVERY DAY!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!

Every year on presidents day weekend, we go down to Brians parents house in Liberty, Idaho, and we take our snow machines. We have had Jana's (brians sister) family come and Mikes (Brians brother) family come, usually not at the same time. This year we ended up going on our own. It was very nice to get away. We stayed in a motel in Montpelier, but, spent most of the time with his mom and dad. Saturday, Brian, Jay and I all went snowmobiling up to the warming hut above Green basin. It was very fun. Brian would have preferred going Mach 10 thru the trees, but, with me along, he has to behave and stay on the trails!!! ( he should take me more often I think, he disagrees!!) Vanessa stayed with Grandma Hymas and "chatted". Then later that evening we went out in Grandpa and Grandma Hymas's field and played on the machines. We spent most of the day just visiting at their house on Sunday. It also coincided with Valentines day. It was very fun, Brian, vanessa and I all gave eachother gifts in the motel. Vanessa loves each and every holiday and so do I.

Brian and Vanessa going crazy in Grandma and Grandpa Hymas's field

Vanessa loves doing whatever her dad does!!!!

On top of a mountain!! It is so wonderful when you can just get out there and not think of anything, but, where you are and how fast you can go.