Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Easily Entertained
My brand spankin new iPod Touch finally got here yesterday. I opened up the package, updated my Facebook status to let the world know and plugged it in to fully charge. I didn't really mess with it much when I first opened it up other than to see how the camera works. Stephanie won't be surprised at this. About an hour later Dalan comes waltzing in and asks, "Where's your iPod?" And I didn't get to mess with it at all except for a few mintues here and there. He is addicted to Hells Kitchen Vs and has already loaded my leader board up with all his scores. I haven't played it once...yet. Stephanie, my cousin, was nice enough to send me some app suggestions. I was really looking for apps geared towards fitness since I'm trying to get back into my workout routine. She didn't send me any of those. She sent me Talking Tom Cat. That app is hours...and I mean hours of entertainment for someone like me. Most people who know me know I am very easily entertained. For those who don't know, which is probably few since I'm late getting into this cool and fun technology, the cat repeats what you say. I know right!?!? FUN! Stephanie made the mistake of telling me it's funny when you make it cuss. Well, Dalan took it to a whole other level last night as I was in bed trying to go to sleep. He kept telling me, "Say something bad to it." Me, "Umm...no. That's just not right." The cat is too cute to say such things. The fact that it's a kitty made some things even funnier. We laid in bed cracking up! The app, for me anyway, is just as fun now as it was the first time I said something to it and it repeated it. In fact, at Trent's football game last night I went to show it to my sister. Most mature people would just say "Hi" and leave it at that. Not me. I make it say, "Chrissy smells." HA! Seriously. HOURS of entertainment....for me. Kaela now wants me to put all the other talking animals on it. The talking hedgehog, hippo, etc. There may not be much talking me into it. I love my new toy! I did put some fitness apps on it...no thanks to Steph. I found them myself. I'm gonna try one out today. Probably the yoga one. Dalan said he wants me to take that up. Not sure why *scratches head* But I'm gonna give it a shot. Hopefully I don't get all tangled up.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I gotta just let it go....
Months ago I allowed the kids to buy DSi XL's. They had birthday money that they have been given by grandparents that I have saved up over the years and we just never really spent it on anything for them so I decided to let them buy their own DSi's with it. I figured this way if they misplace them I won't stress about it because it was bought with their own money. Yup. I was wrong. Kaela has misplaced her DSi and we are unable to find it. I sit here and tell myself, "Not my problem. It's hers. She bought it. Let it go." Then I find myself tearing apart the house trying to find the damn thing and am completely pissed when it's not in the spot I just finised making a disaster out of. Ugh. As I sit here and type this I'm still telling myself to let it go but I just can't. I am completely annoyed about the whole thing. When she bought it I knew it was a mistake letting her but again, it was her money. I tried to talk her out of it but she wasn't backing down. She told me over and over she would take care of it. And here we sit....trying to find a lost DSi...ugh...
Moving on because really there are just more important things in life than a lost DSi (move on Sandy). Today is September 11th. On this day 9 years ago I think Alan Jackson may have put it best, the world stopped turning. For one moment everyone was watching the same thing happen. Whether we were on the couch in front of the tv or on the streets of NYC. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. In fact, I can remember every night weeks after trying to go to sleep and just not being able to do so without thinking of all those poor families. The children who were on the planes. That killed me the most. It took...and still takes me to a place where I'm thinking, "What if I were on that plane with my kids?" What do you say to them. Or do you say anything at all and just sit there and hold them knowing that this is it. The thought of going through something like that is a complete nightmare. It's amazing how the country pulled through such a tragedy. People were friendlier and willing to help one another. That scene has slowly disappeared and everyone is back to the way things were before 9/11. Sad really. I always think back to that day and will never forget it. Ever.
I really want to say that I am so very appreciative to those who have chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice. To those who are away from their families. To those who don't always have a soft place to rest, if they get even get to rest at all. Thank you to the men and women who serve in our military. What you do to protect those here in the USA is greatly appreciated. We, as a country, could probably never show you just how much. You are the real heroes of our time.
September 11, 2001
NEVER FORGET
Moving on because really there are just more important things in life than a lost DSi (move on Sandy). Today is September 11th. On this day 9 years ago I think Alan Jackson may have put it best, the world stopped turning. For one moment everyone was watching the same thing happen. Whether we were on the couch in front of the tv or on the streets of NYC. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. In fact, I can remember every night weeks after trying to go to sleep and just not being able to do so without thinking of all those poor families. The children who were on the planes. That killed me the most. It took...and still takes me to a place where I'm thinking, "What if I were on that plane with my kids?" What do you say to them. Or do you say anything at all and just sit there and hold them knowing that this is it. The thought of going through something like that is a complete nightmare. It's amazing how the country pulled through such a tragedy. People were friendlier and willing to help one another. That scene has slowly disappeared and everyone is back to the way things were before 9/11. Sad really. I always think back to that day and will never forget it. Ever.
I really want to say that I am so very appreciative to those who have chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice. To those who are away from their families. To those who don't always have a soft place to rest, if they get even get to rest at all. Thank you to the men and women who serve in our military. What you do to protect those here in the USA is greatly appreciated. We, as a country, could probably never show you just how much. You are the real heroes of our time.
September 11, 2001
NEVER FORGET
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
No regrets...
When you are a child you are in your learning and discovering stage. You are pushing limits and trying to see what you can and can't get away with. As you approach your teen years you think you know it all. Somewhere in your 20's you find out you actually know nothing. And now...at least for me...I think I'm slowly figuring it out.
I used to want. I thought I had good friends. I still want but feel more fulfilled. Somewhere along the line I found better friends. Great friends! I'm always laughing when I'm with them. And sometimes even when I'm not. I found someone who is an inspiration to me. The last two or three years have come to be some of the best years of my life. I've gotten out. I've done things I never thought I would ever do. I have had new experiences. I smile more. I laugh more. I dance more. I let go more. I see an opportunity and I try my hardest to grasp it. Nothing is ever too far out of reach. If you want it, make it happen. One of my worries a couple years ago was that I did not want to be dying and lying there wondering, "What did I do with my life!?!" I can say without a doubt that I will not be wondering that when the time comes. Things have changed. Even though there are things that haven't gone exactly how I wanted them to, the things that have gone right definitely outweigh the things that didn't. Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. And good things definitely come to those who wait.
I used to want. I thought I had good friends. I still want but feel more fulfilled. Somewhere along the line I found better friends. Great friends! I'm always laughing when I'm with them. And sometimes even when I'm not. I found someone who is an inspiration to me. The last two or three years have come to be some of the best years of my life. I've gotten out. I've done things I never thought I would ever do. I have had new experiences. I smile more. I laugh more. I dance more. I let go more. I see an opportunity and I try my hardest to grasp it. Nothing is ever too far out of reach. If you want it, make it happen. One of my worries a couple years ago was that I did not want to be dying and lying there wondering, "What did I do with my life!?!" I can say without a doubt that I will not be wondering that when the time comes. Things have changed. Even though there are things that haven't gone exactly how I wanted them to, the things that have gone right definitely outweigh the things that didn't. Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. And good things definitely come to those who wait.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Are you ready for some football....the little league kind
Trent found out on Sunday that he was put onto the red team. When the coach called and asked for Trent I handed the phone to him and said, "Listen to what he says!" So, he gets off the phone and says, "I have practice tomorrow from 6:00 to 6:45." I think and say out loud, "That's a really short practice." It didn't sound right to me and Trent insisted it was. There is no arguing with that kid. So, Dalan takes him into practice at 6:00 and drops him off. Dalan calls me and says, "I think he was late. They were all out there practicing. I think it started at 5:00." Go figure. I knew that wasn't right. So, of course, Trent heard wrong or didn't listen or whatever so he was late.
As far as his number goes he had it down to three choices; 7 (Ben Roethlisbergers number), 34 (yeah...I have no clue) or 10 (for our friend Ren). He then narrowed it down to 34 and 10. I of course was leaning towards 10 :o) I'm about this (-) close to burning my Ben jersey. I'm currently looking for a replacement. But that's a whole other story. He ended up choosing 34 and I am just beating my head trying to remember why! AARRGH!! Guess it will have to wait til he gets home. He got white pants this year and I was pretty saddened by it. Last two years he had black. It was so easy to spot him on a field full of kids in white pants. Now I'm going to be sitting on the bleachers thinking I'm watching the right kid when I am really watching the wrong kid. I know, I'm a bad mom if I can't even recognize my own kid but under the helmet and the pads it's hard to tell so cut me some slack.
Anyway, should be great fun. He better be out there running hard and hitting hard otherwise it's just no fun to watch....ha, ha...I kid...but not really.
GO RED TEAM!!!!
As far as his number goes he had it down to three choices; 7 (Ben Roethlisbergers number), 34 (yeah...I have no clue) or 10 (for our friend Ren). He then narrowed it down to 34 and 10. I of course was leaning towards 10 :o) I'm about this (-) close to burning my Ben jersey. I'm currently looking for a replacement. But that's a whole other story. He ended up choosing 34 and I am just beating my head trying to remember why! AARRGH!! Guess it will have to wait til he gets home. He got white pants this year and I was pretty saddened by it. Last two years he had black. It was so easy to spot him on a field full of kids in white pants. Now I'm going to be sitting on the bleachers thinking I'm watching the right kid when I am really watching the wrong kid. I know, I'm a bad mom if I can't even recognize my own kid but under the helmet and the pads it's hard to tell so cut me some slack.
Anyway, should be great fun. He better be out there running hard and hitting hard otherwise it's just no fun to watch....ha, ha...I kid...but not really.
GO RED TEAM!!!!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Happy Birthday Gram!!!
August 28th is a special day for a couple reasons. Both this year and last we have attended weddings on this day. But, it's just a little more special than that...for me. It's my Gram's birthday.
When I was 15 I lost my Gram. I can't believe that much time has gone by already. It seems like just yesterday she passed. I can remember my cousins Jodi and Mike and my aunts, uncles and parents playing horseshoes the day of her funeral. I remember the beer ball my cousin Kelly and Uncle Butchy ;o) hauled out to the lawn by the pool. The day was more of a party than it was a day of sadness. It's just how my family rolls. We all have a great time when we are together, which isn't too often. My Gram was a tell it like it is kind of lady. She never held back anything. Fiesty...damn straight. She was someone us grandkids never messed with but we loved her like crazy. I can remember sitting at the foot of her bed chatting with her. Her making Puppy Kush. I LOVED that soup and sadly don't have the recipe. Jodi and I came dang close to it but it wasn't quite right. I remember how she ALWAYS had flavored soda. I can still smell the aroma of her cooking corn. I know weird but it's just something that has stayed with me. I got many bee stings up at her place and she was always right there with an onion and telling me that wouldn't happen if I wore shoes. I very rarely ever wore shoes in the summer. Sledding down the hill and making the trek back up to do it again. The lightning bugs up at her place were one of my favorite things and picking blackberries...or raspberries so she could make pie. I still don't know which one it was. Some say blackberries others say they were raspberries. We were always told to not eat any when we were out picking but we always came back with less than what we probably should have :o) She would always just smile and tell us that will do. Those are just a few memories. I have so many from when we would go back and visit and maybe a few from when we lived there. I don't think a day goes by where I don't think of her. I always wish she could've been here to see my kids and maybe in a way she is. She was such a special person in my life that her name is a part of Kaela's middle name....Roseann. It's actually my mom's middle name which is a combination of my grams name, Rose, and my aunts name, Ann. I really can't say enough about her and she is always brought up when we are all together with my aunts and uncles. She was a strong and independent woman who didn't take anyones crap. I can only hope to be a fraction of what she was.....or is.
We love and we miss you Gram! Happy (one day late) Birthday!
When I was 15 I lost my Gram. I can't believe that much time has gone by already. It seems like just yesterday she passed. I can remember my cousins Jodi and Mike and my aunts, uncles and parents playing horseshoes the day of her funeral. I remember the beer ball my cousin Kelly and Uncle Butchy ;o) hauled out to the lawn by the pool. The day was more of a party than it was a day of sadness. It's just how my family rolls. We all have a great time when we are together, which isn't too often. My Gram was a tell it like it is kind of lady. She never held back anything. Fiesty...damn straight. She was someone us grandkids never messed with but we loved her like crazy. I can remember sitting at the foot of her bed chatting with her. Her making Puppy Kush. I LOVED that soup and sadly don't have the recipe. Jodi and I came dang close to it but it wasn't quite right. I remember how she ALWAYS had flavored soda. I can still smell the aroma of her cooking corn. I know weird but it's just something that has stayed with me. I got many bee stings up at her place and she was always right there with an onion and telling me that wouldn't happen if I wore shoes. I very rarely ever wore shoes in the summer. Sledding down the hill and making the trek back up to do it again. The lightning bugs up at her place were one of my favorite things and picking blackberries...or raspberries so she could make pie. I still don't know which one it was. Some say blackberries others say they were raspberries. We were always told to not eat any when we were out picking but we always came back with less than what we probably should have :o) She would always just smile and tell us that will do. Those are just a few memories. I have so many from when we would go back and visit and maybe a few from when we lived there. I don't think a day goes by where I don't think of her. I always wish she could've been here to see my kids and maybe in a way she is. She was such a special person in my life that her name is a part of Kaela's middle name....Roseann. It's actually my mom's middle name which is a combination of my grams name, Rose, and my aunts name, Ann. I really can't say enough about her and she is always brought up when we are all together with my aunts and uncles. She was a strong and independent woman who didn't take anyones crap. I can only hope to be a fraction of what she was.....or is.
We love and we miss you Gram! Happy (one day late) Birthday!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
First Day Of School 2010
Yesterday was Trent and Kaela's first day of school. Trent is going into 7th grade and Kaela into 4th. This is Kaela's last year in elementary school and then she goes into the middle school with Trent. I'm not looking forward to this because 5th grade just seems too young to go into the middle school plus she's my baby but I'll make it through I'm sure.
This is Trent's first year switching classes and I was pretty worried about it. I wanted to take him to Back To School Night to do a practice run with him so he would have an idea. However, Back To School Night was Back To School Afternoon. I thought for sure it would be the same time as the elementary but nope, I was wrong. I probably should've read the paper they gave out telling you when exactly it was but who has time for pesky little things like that anyway. At least I got the date right. When Trent got home I immediately ran upstairs to ask how it all went. I thought for sure he would get lost and have a mini freak out in the hallway. Apparently, not so. He was excited about the fact that his homeroom is the only homeroom that gets the big lockers. I guess they took the kids on a tour so he was able to locate his other classes that way. He also really likes ALL of his teachers...for now. I'm guess when the homework starts piling up his feelings might change. He only has one class with one of his best friends. That could be a good thing. I can just see the two of them goofing off. BUT the class he has with him is the class I want Trent to really pay attention in because I want him to come home and teach me....SPANISH! So far, so good for him. I hope this year is much better than last year as far as him staying on top of things.
Kaela didn't want to go to Back To School Night...even though I knew exactly when hers was. She said she didn't care to see her teacher til the first day. Well, okay then. She came home and pretty much gloated about the fact that she was the only one to finish her math worksheets IN class. Go figure. She has always been kind of a teachers pet. I would love to be a fly on a wall in her classroom. Her teachers always talk about what a great student she is and how she always helps others. I cannot picture this girl not being a total goof. She is just a crack up. Last year her issue was getting her homework in. She would either forget to bring it home or forget to hand it in. Hoping this year she stays on top of that.
So, two days of school down and I have no idea how many left til next summer. All I know is Christmas is only 4 months away. Didn't we just celebrate it 4 months ago? No? Hmm...time really needs to not go by so quickly.
This is Trent's first year switching classes and I was pretty worried about it. I wanted to take him to Back To School Night to do a practice run with him so he would have an idea. However, Back To School Night was Back To School Afternoon. I thought for sure it would be the same time as the elementary but nope, I was wrong. I probably should've read the paper they gave out telling you when exactly it was but who has time for pesky little things like that anyway. At least I got the date right. When Trent got home I immediately ran upstairs to ask how it all went. I thought for sure he would get lost and have a mini freak out in the hallway. Apparently, not so. He was excited about the fact that his homeroom is the only homeroom that gets the big lockers. I guess they took the kids on a tour so he was able to locate his other classes that way. He also really likes ALL of his teachers...for now. I'm guess when the homework starts piling up his feelings might change. He only has one class with one of his best friends. That could be a good thing. I can just see the two of them goofing off. BUT the class he has with him is the class I want Trent to really pay attention in because I want him to come home and teach me....SPANISH! So far, so good for him. I hope this year is much better than last year as far as him staying on top of things.
Kaela didn't want to go to Back To School Night...even though I knew exactly when hers was. She said she didn't care to see her teacher til the first day. Well, okay then. She came home and pretty much gloated about the fact that she was the only one to finish her math worksheets IN class. Go figure. She has always been kind of a teachers pet. I would love to be a fly on a wall in her classroom. Her teachers always talk about what a great student she is and how she always helps others. I cannot picture this girl not being a total goof. She is just a crack up. Last year her issue was getting her homework in. She would either forget to bring it home or forget to hand it in. Hoping this year she stays on top of that.
So, two days of school down and I have no idea how many left til next summer. All I know is Christmas is only 4 months away. Didn't we just celebrate it 4 months ago? No? Hmm...time really needs to not go by so quickly.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Summer 2010
It has been awhile since I posted and thought now would be a great time to start up again. We had a busy summer this year so this might be a long one. We didn't do our road trip like we have the last two years but it was still busy even without the trip. This summer was a hot one. It was a summer where I felt like we were never home. Good times were had, new friends were made and a few loved ones were lost but all in all a great summer with many great memories.
The kids got out of school end of May this year. Things were pretty calm those first two weeks out of school and they complained they were bored there for awhile but things picked up quick and they rarely had a chance to complain about boredom. They spent some time at the pool....and not very much time at the rez. We took them to Lagoon...TWICE...both times for at least 2 days. They have been on every ride except for the kiddie rides. I went on the Skycoaster with my two little daredevils and that is a memory I will never forget. Hearing Trent yelling, "Woah, woah" almost like Joey Lawrence on Blossom and over my screaming on the way down is something that is burned into my brain. Kaela didn't make a sound...I think...until we swung back and out came, "THIS IS AWESOME!!!" That girl! I have always said that one day I'm gonna get a phone call from her saying, "Mom. I'm in a plane and I'm gonna jump. I love you." Sigh. Just call me after the fact when you are on the ground and safe...PLEASE! They both also went on the Catapult together. We bought the video...PRICELESS! Their expressions and the things they are saying to eachother are just flat out hysterical. I've watched it probably 10 times and it's still just as funny as the first. I hope that they never grow out of this will try anything phase. Trent just kinda got into it. Kaela has been riding crazy rides since she was 4 or 5! That was the first time she went on Tower of Terror at Disney and LOVED it! That and Splash Mountain are...or at least were her faves. I just want to them to grasp at opportunities that are given to them because they might not come around again and tomorrow is never guaranteed. I've learned that...the hard way....this summer.
Dalan and I kind of took separate vacays this summer. He went to a shooting class in Vegas while I went to NYC with my cousin and met up with some friends. This was my first trip alone! I can't believe I survived it. I had never flown by myself before...ever. When the taxi dropped us off near our hotel I stepped out of the car, looked up and couldn't stop saying "WOW". I was amazed at the buildings and how close together they are. We saw all the must sees like the World Trade Center site, the Today Show and GMA studios, the Statue of Liberty, experienced "the train" and walked 5th avenue down to Central Park. We still didn't get to see everything we wanted to see. We decided we needed a few more weekdays. It was a fun trip and I can't wait for my next trip with the girls.
The 4th of July was spent here. We went to the parade, then the park and then...I don't remember what we did. It was just like every other 4th of July spent here. At the end of July we went to Lake Powell with Dalan's parents and some friends of the family. I hadn't been there since high school. The kids LOVED it and it was a good time...well, the boats breaking down wasn't all that fun but sliding down the slide of the houseboat and jumping off the back of it from the top was pretty awesome! Just being able to float and relax and not have a worry in mind is nice.
August...ugh...my birthday month. We will just skip that part but Trent had a great birthday. All he wanted was an Ipod Touch. So, he got it! Kind of an expensive birthday gift but he needed a replacement for his old nano. I bought the nano off Ebay for him two or three years ago and told him if he took care of it and actually used it we would eventually upgrade him. Years passed and he never really asked for a new one til this year. The Ipod Touch is pretty fun and now I want my own! The day before his birthday we went up to Seven Peaks and I allowed him to take a friend. We also tried out Cowabunga Bay this summer and it wasn't too bad. My niece and I stood on the walkway by all the tube slides and sprayed people as they slid down. I could've stood there all day! I know...how old am I again?
This summer was also a sad one. My grandma passed away about a week before my NYC trip. I wish the kids could've met her at least once but with them living in Florida, it was always so hard for us to try to fly all four of us out that way. We were actually going to try this summer and do DisneyWorld and decided to wait one more year. Wouldn't have mattered anyway I guess because we would've done it in July and would've missed her anyway. RIP Grandma. We love and miss you!
Our friend, Ren (aka Ren 10 10 or just 10) also passed away this summer on my birthday. A few days after we found out the strangest thing happened. I hadn't really looked at the clock all morning that day. I had just gotten out of the shower and something popped into my head and told me to check the time. When I looked at the DIGITAL clock in our room it said 10:10. I only knew him for about a year but he was a very likeable guy. It was tough to hear about his death and come to the realization he isn't here anymore. I will never forget his smile and how he always seemed to be having fun no matter what. For years, Dalan has been trying to get me to pick up the sport of golf. I hated going because I would get so frustrated with the sport...and him. One day this summer, Dalan begged and begged and begged me to go out with him and Ren. I kept tellin him no and then finally gave in. Ren gave me little tips here and there and helped me out. I've been going out on the course a lot now and I'm really starting to like it. I'm even getting better at it. Finally found something Dalan and I can do together that we both like. We love and miss you Ren and we will never forget you!
Just a couple of weeks ago my Aunt Terri passed away unexpectedly. Her and I just reconnected over Facebook a couple months ago. I chatted on IM with her a few time or we'd e-mail or she'd comment on my page or I would her. Our very last convo was....on my birthday (sigh...like I didn't hate my birthday enough already. What is it about that day?) She wished me a happy birthday and we commented back and forth a little and that was it. One of the last things I said to her was, "So glad you found me on here. Makes it seem like you aren't so far away." A lot of people are really negative about Facebook but when used right it's a great tool. If not for Facebook, I probably wouldn't have gotten that opportunity to chat with my aunt. I know, I could've called. I'm just not a phone person because once I get on the phone I have the kids and Dalan driving me crazy. I have found so many old friends on there and have been able to keep in touch with my east coast family so much easier. They can view the pictures of my kids and feel like they aren't missing out on anything. Anyway, there are a lot of people who are going to miss her including myself. It's too bad I didn't get to see her just one more time.
After going through all that this summer I have told friends and family they are not to go dying on me anytime soon. Not sure if I can deal with it anymore. I know I'm gonna try to have more fun in life and do and go places when I can. I will try to live every second I can of my life. Right now is all that matters. Not yesterday or tomorrow. Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.
The kids got out of school end of May this year. Things were pretty calm those first two weeks out of school and they complained they were bored there for awhile but things picked up quick and they rarely had a chance to complain about boredom. They spent some time at the pool....and not very much time at the rez. We took them to Lagoon...TWICE...both times for at least 2 days. They have been on every ride except for the kiddie rides. I went on the Skycoaster with my two little daredevils and that is a memory I will never forget. Hearing Trent yelling, "Woah, woah" almost like Joey Lawrence on Blossom and over my screaming on the way down is something that is burned into my brain. Kaela didn't make a sound...I think...until we swung back and out came, "THIS IS AWESOME!!!" That girl! I have always said that one day I'm gonna get a phone call from her saying, "Mom. I'm in a plane and I'm gonna jump. I love you." Sigh. Just call me after the fact when you are on the ground and safe...PLEASE! They both also went on the Catapult together. We bought the video...PRICELESS! Their expressions and the things they are saying to eachother are just flat out hysterical. I've watched it probably 10 times and it's still just as funny as the first. I hope that they never grow out of this will try anything phase. Trent just kinda got into it. Kaela has been riding crazy rides since she was 4 or 5! That was the first time she went on Tower of Terror at Disney and LOVED it! That and Splash Mountain are...or at least were her faves. I just want to them to grasp at opportunities that are given to them because they might not come around again and tomorrow is never guaranteed. I've learned that...the hard way....this summer.
Dalan and I kind of took separate vacays this summer. He went to a shooting class in Vegas while I went to NYC with my cousin and met up with some friends. This was my first trip alone! I can't believe I survived it. I had never flown by myself before...ever. When the taxi dropped us off near our hotel I stepped out of the car, looked up and couldn't stop saying "WOW". I was amazed at the buildings and how close together they are. We saw all the must sees like the World Trade Center site, the Today Show and GMA studios, the Statue of Liberty, experienced "the train" and walked 5th avenue down to Central Park. We still didn't get to see everything we wanted to see. We decided we needed a few more weekdays. It was a fun trip and I can't wait for my next trip with the girls.
The 4th of July was spent here. We went to the parade, then the park and then...I don't remember what we did. It was just like every other 4th of July spent here. At the end of July we went to Lake Powell with Dalan's parents and some friends of the family. I hadn't been there since high school. The kids LOVED it and it was a good time...well, the boats breaking down wasn't all that fun but sliding down the slide of the houseboat and jumping off the back of it from the top was pretty awesome! Just being able to float and relax and not have a worry in mind is nice.
August...ugh...my birthday month. We will just skip that part but Trent had a great birthday. All he wanted was an Ipod Touch. So, he got it! Kind of an expensive birthday gift but he needed a replacement for his old nano. I bought the nano off Ebay for him two or three years ago and told him if he took care of it and actually used it we would eventually upgrade him. Years passed and he never really asked for a new one til this year. The Ipod Touch is pretty fun and now I want my own! The day before his birthday we went up to Seven Peaks and I allowed him to take a friend. We also tried out Cowabunga Bay this summer and it wasn't too bad. My niece and I stood on the walkway by all the tube slides and sprayed people as they slid down. I could've stood there all day! I know...how old am I again?
This summer was also a sad one. My grandma passed away about a week before my NYC trip. I wish the kids could've met her at least once but with them living in Florida, it was always so hard for us to try to fly all four of us out that way. We were actually going to try this summer and do DisneyWorld and decided to wait one more year. Wouldn't have mattered anyway I guess because we would've done it in July and would've missed her anyway. RIP Grandma. We love and miss you!
Our friend, Ren (aka Ren 10 10 or just 10) also passed away this summer on my birthday. A few days after we found out the strangest thing happened. I hadn't really looked at the clock all morning that day. I had just gotten out of the shower and something popped into my head and told me to check the time. When I looked at the DIGITAL clock in our room it said 10:10. I only knew him for about a year but he was a very likeable guy. It was tough to hear about his death and come to the realization he isn't here anymore. I will never forget his smile and how he always seemed to be having fun no matter what. For years, Dalan has been trying to get me to pick up the sport of golf. I hated going because I would get so frustrated with the sport...and him. One day this summer, Dalan begged and begged and begged me to go out with him and Ren. I kept tellin him no and then finally gave in. Ren gave me little tips here and there and helped me out. I've been going out on the course a lot now and I'm really starting to like it. I'm even getting better at it. Finally found something Dalan and I can do together that we both like. We love and miss you Ren and we will never forget you!
Just a couple of weeks ago my Aunt Terri passed away unexpectedly. Her and I just reconnected over Facebook a couple months ago. I chatted on IM with her a few time or we'd e-mail or she'd comment on my page or I would her. Our very last convo was....on my birthday (sigh...like I didn't hate my birthday enough already. What is it about that day?) She wished me a happy birthday and we commented back and forth a little and that was it. One of the last things I said to her was, "So glad you found me on here. Makes it seem like you aren't so far away." A lot of people are really negative about Facebook but when used right it's a great tool. If not for Facebook, I probably wouldn't have gotten that opportunity to chat with my aunt. I know, I could've called. I'm just not a phone person because once I get on the phone I have the kids and Dalan driving me crazy. I have found so many old friends on there and have been able to keep in touch with my east coast family so much easier. They can view the pictures of my kids and feel like they aren't missing out on anything. Anyway, there are a lot of people who are going to miss her including myself. It's too bad I didn't get to see her just one more time.
After going through all that this summer I have told friends and family they are not to go dying on me anytime soon. Not sure if I can deal with it anymore. I know I'm gonna try to have more fun in life and do and go places when I can. I will try to live every second I can of my life. Right now is all that matters. Not yesterday or tomorrow. Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.
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