Playing Catch Up

It's pretty sad when your husband calls you from work and has to ask if you could PLEASE update the blog! I haven't felt much like doing anything lately, so really only the most important things have been getting done, ie, laundry, eating, sleeping (here and there), and work. Other than that, I have pretty much been on the couch asleep. The great news is, I really can't complain that much. I haven't been near as sick as many I know (so sorry Jennie!), and I am already starting to come out of it! For the past three days, I have only been nauseous on and off at night, and I can start to eat things that are outside the realm of grilled cheese and tomato soup, and fresh from the garden tomatoes from my amazing mother in law and a little bit of low fat cottage cheese. My energy is finally picking up enough that my daily walks through the cotton fields with Bronx have resumed, and I am finally getting my house back into the swing of dinner being ready, floors vacuumed, and things clean. There has been quite a bit that has happened since I announced our little one so I will try to go back and catch up without boring all of you!

1. Rusty had a BIRTHDAY!! That's right, my husband is as old as me now! He turned 26 on October 15Th. Unfortunately, I wasn't that great at his birthday this year, but it all ended up working out in the end....huh honey!!! I love you so much, and am grateful everyday that your mother didn't stop after Josh! I think I should send a huge shout out to Janet also! She and Dennis raised one amazing man, and I am so eternally grateful! Oh, and next year, we will do it right, maybe I will get creative again like Vegas!

2. I know that everyone says that nesting starts at eight months, but I think they are all smoking crack! I have really been into "Spring Cleaning" now that the weather is cooling down. I love that I can open my windows at night and let a breeze through my house. I imagine this imaginary burst of air sweeping through my house and taking with it all things stuffy, dirty, and old. The only problem with that is that with that gust of air in Mesa, you get a whole lot of dust on EVERYTHING! So, a few weekends ago, Rusty and I took on the task of cleaning carpets and our couches with our good friend, THE RUG DOCTOR!

This is what my kitchen looked like during the whole process!

This is after cleaning carpets, couches, baseboards, and blinds! I love how clean it is!


Then, this last weekend, Rusty and I pretty much cut our front yard down to nothing. I really want to change the plants and shrubs in our front yard, so we cut everything down so that when we decide, we can start to plant. Then somehow I suckered Rusty into helping me scrub bathrooms really good. I don't think they have been that clean since we moved in. I love when Rusty mops the floors and baseboards because Janet taught him well! Ya, I think nesting can hit at any time!

3. Last, but definitely not least, yesterday we had our second doctors appointment. We got to hear the heartbeat this time! Everyone had told me how awesome it is to hear it for the first time. Honestly, I just kept thinking that it couldn't be that much better than seeing my baby for the first time, but WOW......I was way wrong! Hearing that heartbeat was the coolest thing I have ever heard. Because of my career, I have watched hundreds of ultrasounds of women expecting. As I watched our baby's heartbeat, I thought "How cool, that's a baby in there!", but it almost seemed like I was just in there again for someone else's ultrasound. When the N.P put that doppler on me and she found the heartbeat and then compared it to mine, I couldn't find words! I just sat there with a huge smile on my face. The baby all of sudden became OURS! It wasn't another woman who I was listening to, it was MY baby's heartbeat. AMAZING! They will do another ultrasound at 18 weeks for the growth and sex of the baby. I can't wait. I have already picked out what type of stroller travel system I want, and am pretty much decided on color scheme for both sexes, I just need to know what this little person is so I can decide. I think I will go pretty neutral anyway so it will work for all of my babies.

So, needless to say, we have been busy. Hopefully now that I am starting to feel better, I will be much better at updating!

True definition of Irony

So, I just realized there was an important part of our weekend last weekend that I didn't post about. Like I said before, Rusty and I had taken that Friday to just spend time, him and I. We had an awesome day riding around the base of the escudilla and coming out in Alpine. We stopped at Bear Wallow and got some pie and ice cream, and then headed back down through Nutrioso to where we parked the truck. It was a beautiful ride as you can see from the pics below. However, we both were sick. We had come down with a cold a few days before, and I had been feeling sick for about three weeks. I couldn't figure out what was going on. When we went riding with the Maldanado's, the dust made it to where I couldn't breathe. I was supposed to head to the Womens broadcast with my mom and sister, but wasn't able to so we met up at Boogas for some salsa to make my throat feel better. It didn't settle very well on my stomach though and it worried me. So, the next morning I had Rusty run to the store to pick up a few things that I thought maybe would make me feel better. This is one of the items he picked up......

And YES, WERE PREGNANT! We waited to tell everyone until we were sure we had a stong heart beat and all, and we do! It's definitley a human in the making! I had asked Rusty to pick up a test just in case. I knew I had/was taking a lot of medicine and just wanted to make sure. I had taken one three weeks earlier that was negative so I was sure it was nothing. Rusty and I have taken probably 30 of these things in the last two years. We have a definite routine that we do. I "do my thing" and set the test on the counter. I wash my hands, we wait for the appropriate time, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, we look at the test together. Rusty knows by this point that every neg test makes me a little sad. He begged me to wait until we got to the valley to take this but something inside me told me not to wait. So, this time, I "do my thing" and set it on the back of the toilet. As I was headed to wash my hands, I happened to glance at the test. I saw two blue lines but that didn't mean anything to me as I didn't know what a positive sign for this particular test was. I think to myself, "Oh, this one must need a positive sign in one of the windows to be positive." I wash my hands and grab the box to confirm what I already knew, that there was no chance I was pregnant. As it registers what positive is, I start to scream Rusty's name. I ran into the bedroom where he is laying on the bed (you can tell he didn't think we were pregnant either!), and I practically throw the test at him as I crumple on the floor and start to cry. I don't hear anything for a minute then "Wow". I look up and he has tears in his eyes! He tells me to come and lay down, and we lay there crying(me) and staring(him) for a while. One of the only things I remember Rusty saying was "There goes my boat!" Ha Ha! Later, I went to the car for the camera so we could take a pcture of the test for proof, and when I was walking back, Rusty was there on the porch, crying and he grabbed me and told me how excited he was. It was amazing! Really, we are soooo excited!

I do have to say though, it is ironic that I found out three days after I finally had the courage to talk about my feelings of our trouble getting pregnant. No, I didn't know when I posted "Our Story" that I was pregnant. I didn't do it for attention or anything of that nature. I knew I needed to work through my feelings of shame and saddness. I knew that there were other people out there going through the same trails as me. I also knew that someday, if I could have children, I might have daughters who fight this same fight, and I could show them that I truly know what it feels like. For all of those reasons, I wanted to document how I felt about this time is our lives. It was something that consummed me everyday. I think maybe that when Rusty and I made the decision to start fertility in January, I stopped thinking that it was possible for it to happen naturally for us. I don't know why Heavenly Father waited until now in our lives to bless us with this little one, but maybe it had to do with the fact that I stopped blaming myself and relaxed a little. I had finally given in to His will and said, "Thy will be done", because I knew I could not "make" myself whole without His help. All I know, is that I know He loves me and He loves Rusty. I know that for two years He has heard my prayers and pleadings. I also know, that I have come to know of His love for me NOT because He allowed me to be pregnant, but I learned this through the two years of trying to follow the counsel to be patient and the comfort that was given. It is not because I am pregnant that I know he wants me to be a mom, it's because I have been promised to be so. I knew that I could have been a mom through other means. I am so grateful for this little one who makes me sick everyday! In my worst of days of not feeling very good, I think of what it felt like every time I thought I could have been pregnant, took a test, and found out I wasn't. That makes all the nausea worth it! So, mark your calendars folks, there will be a new Wilkins in May!

RV

Rusty and I had the chance to go watch the RV vs. Williams Field game last weekend. They played in RV, but one of Rusty's priests from the ward plays for WF, so we wanted to go support him. This is Omar, #71.
(I couldn't get very good pics with the dome lighting. I'm not that good with my new camera yet.)

The Maldanado's came up with the whole gang to watch. This is a family in the ward that has all three of their son's in YM's with Rusty. It was fun to have them in the dome, Darwin just kept saying that he couldn't believe how nice our facility was and that it was for a high school to use. During the game, Rusty's parents were sweet enough to invite them to stay the night and go see some elk in the morning. Bro. Maldanado was very excited, but I can't say the same for the rest of the family. They did stay however, and it was great to get to know them a little better. The boys were really excited to sleep in Brother Wilkins old water bed! The dads and Rusty got up the next morning to go hear some elk buggle. They got to see and hear quite a bit! After they returned, we fed them some of Janet's famous biscuits and gravy, and then headed off to Escudilla to let them ride quads and see the changing colors. Rusty and I had been up there the day before on an all day ride. The colors were beautiful and the weather was perfect!

This is a pic of a tree that has been trashed by an elk thrashing to "scratch" it's horns.





I think the Maldanado's had a great time, in fact I think it left Darwin with idea's of moving! Marcus just kept telling us that "mountain people are wierd!" Sounds like Marcus doesn't it? My mother in law has the best pics of the boys riding the quads. As soon as I get them from her, I will post them. Marcus even named my parents razor some funny name. He became quite attatched! Well, they left back for the valley that Saturday afternoon, and Rusty and I went to my parents for some much needed R&R before I had to get ready for the Womens broadcast. I had planned to go with my mom and sister to the broadcast. I don't get to spend much time with them and even less with us all together and just us girls. It was really sad when I was too sick to go with them. We did get to have dinner with them after since I was craving some of Booga Reds salsa. It was a great weekend with the Maldanado's and with our families! One of the best I would say, since Rusty and I got to spend a whole day, just the two of us riding and talking. Thanks babe for taking me, it was awesome! Oh, and if anyone wants to come and stay with us up there, we will take you around for some fun too!

The best of friends....with benefits!

Bronx has a really good friend in Zoe! She is a full breed Boxer that is owned by Rusty's brother, Josh. She is beautiful and so sweet! We have had her at our house since last night and she has been really fun to have around. Boxers play very differently than most dogs. They are very fast and athletic dogs, but when they play, they usually bound and jump like deer, and then crouch and spring like a kitten would. It's awesome to watch the two of them play. As you can guess, we also have ulterior motives as well. Last night we were able to breed them so hopefully around mid-December, she will have some Bronx-Zoe puppies! They will be so darn cute, look at the two of them! Almost identical! Except for the size of our dogs HUGE head! We didn't realize how huge Bronx is until we starting having them around each other. Everyone asks us if he is a mix of something else, but he's not. 100% boxer, but he is pretty massive. Bronx is on the right and Zoe is on the left.

OUR STORY

Ok, with much thought and......nervousness, I sit down to write this post. I am not nervous because I do not know the content of what I am writing about, but rather, I know it all to personally! I have started this post many a time but, have chosen to leave it among the unpublished for a plethora of reasons. One of the most important being, I hadn't talked with Rusty before writing it. So, after some inspiration and a month of craziness for my husband ("EMOTIONAL cleanup on isle three"), I asked Rusty what he thought of me writing about this. His response, "If you feel like you want to!" He is amazing ladies and gentleman, always willing if something will make me feel better! Rusty and I were married over three years ago in May. I waited patiently for this man who was supposed to be a cross between Mr. Darcy and Freddie Prince Jr. in "She's all that!" All the while I was hanging out with this guy who, quite frankly, irritated and excited the hell out of me! He knew everything about me, even those moments when he would show up at my house and my hair was tousled and makeup running down my face from sleep, just to take me to breakfast. He would call me everyday at 6:00pm sharp just to talk about our days. Then, all of a sudden, when he seemed so unavailable and in love with another, I feel in love with him! My cross of those "Hollywood beau's", was so much better than I had planned on! We had planned to NOT get pregnant for the first two years. This decision was not based on anything but the fact that we were best friends for over a year, and after our first kiss, were engaged two weeks later. We wanted time to get to know each other in the "non-friend" ways we hadn't yet! (Get your minds out of the gutters, I don't mean just that!) So, Rusty and I spent our first year and some, happy and content to spend time with one another, traveling, spending unbelievable amounts of money on Christmas presents, at sleepovers at other married couples houses, and just having fun. I got a call from my sister (who is 6 years my elder), she was pregnant! As she sat crying on the phone (oops #4 was a bit of a surprise), I heard through the sniffles and moans "I would feel better if you were pregnant with me, get pregnant RIGHT NOW!" I laughed, but inside something pricked me. Now, Rusty's side of the story would be that the only reason I decided to get off birth control was because of my sister, but tis not so! Of course the option to be pregnant with my only sister who, was absolutely having her last one, was definitely tempting, but my feeling were pricked that day. In some way, it was jealousy that she was pregnant. Hmmmm... I hadn't felt that before? So, Rusty and I began talking. I can remember the day very clearly, Nov. 26Th 2006 I stopped birth control. I was so nervous and excited! The thought that I could actually be a mother before next Thanksgiving made me giggle inside every time I thought about it. Of course I was nervous and didn't feel quite like I was ready to be a mom, but who really is READY? Isn't that one of those things that you achieve after all of your kids are grown and out of the house? That is when you are truly qualified isn't it? So, I patiently awaited my "monthly present"....it didn't come. Oh well I thought, my body just needs time. Well, three months went by and.....nothing. Five months went by......still nothing! After six months, I decided to see my GYN for a check up. I had done a lot of research and studies say it could take a year for my body to regain it's "normality". I go to the doctor, she does a simple physical exam and sends me off with a lab sheet. Thyroid for sure she said. Ok, I have a family history so I'll believe it, we will get this taken care of and presto, baby-making here I come! Well, my regular doctor received the results that showed I have a thyroid problem. His solution, "Maybe that's just normal for your body?".............blank stare from me..................Are you freakin serious? That makes no sense! So, after changing my records, I see another GYN who is said to be amazing with fertility. At this point, we hadn't been trying for a year yet, but what they hey! Most GYN's don't consider you for infertility until after a year. The GYN gets my results and IMMEDIATELY jumps on it. He also suspects I have PCOS, a condition contributing to infertility in women. So, a huge round of test, more blood work, ultrasounds etc. I finally was put on medication for the thyroid. The ultrasound shows cysts, but nothing that would cause this much disruption of my system. So, we await my second round of testing on my thyroid, and it's still not regulated. Another six weeks, and voila' my thyroid is within normal range. Well, that was the beginning of this year. As of yet, I still go three months without any regular period. My GYN looked at me and said "You are just going to be really hard to get pregnant!" Oh, well SWEET! So your telling me that I am the impenetrable castle? Great! So, the next option for me is some minimally invasive procedures that are too personal to explain. Now, the reason I tell personal and some not so personal friends about this is......I don't know! I have been reading the c jane blog (a button is on my blog), and she started her blog while going through five years of infertility challenges. I have started from the beginning and realize that the same need she had to work through her feelings...I have. It is not easy to describe to someone who is holding their 2,3,newborn, or five year old child, how it feels to be a failure to what you SHOULD be doing. It isn't easy to feel like you are that person who walks into church for the 3rd year in a row, without a child, and has a huge sign hanging on you that screams in big, bold, italicised letters "INFERTILE!" I do good most of the time. I love children, I love being around them and helping others with theirs. I do not shy away from new borns because it is too hard. In some ways, it helps me to think that maybe someday that might be me who watches my husband hold up our son or daughter so proudly after giving them a beautiful blessing. *Tear* But, I won't lie and say that Mother's Day doesn't make me want to bury my head in a toilet in the church bathroom. I won't lie and say that as I watch a pregnant women unknowingly stroke her swollen belly so lovingly, I don't ache to feel my baby move inside me as well. All description aside, it gets hard sometimes! I do however, feel peace that my Heavenly Father knows me! I know that He knows what is best for me. I may not always understand, and right now most definitely don't, but there is always reasons for why these things happen. I also realize that I am not alone in this fight. Many family members have struggled with miscarriages and trouble getting pregnant. I have watched them be really strong and faithful as they go through their trials. I am pitifully not as strong as them, as my husband can attest but would never admit to. At least once a month (week), he has to pick my feelings up off the floor! Thanks you Rust for being the most amazing husband! I love you! So, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not pity me. I have never desired in my life nor do I now to be the person that people pity and think is weak. That is not what this post is for. It is also not to make some "show" to prove how faithful and strong I am either. I am definitely not that right now. I am just a normal women struggling with the possibility of children. I am one of thousands who want so bad to be Mothers but, as we learned in Julie B Beck's talk, can all be mothers if we have a "Mother Heart." I take courage in the thought that I have not been told I CAN NOT bear my own children. Only that it might be more difficult. In a blessing I was given while going through some painful parts of this process, I was told to be "patient". I pray everyday that I can be more patient in waiting for my children to come to us. Afterall, I have been promised that it will be so. I just need to trust and hold on to the promises that Heavenly Father makes! Until then, I just get to think of and love the ones I don't know yet. Plus, I get to enjoy NOT having cramps every month! Beat that ya'll!

Back to Life Again....

I love living in the valley and the awesome people we know and get to be around. With how much Rusty and I love the lake, the summer fits us pretty well, however, I HATE THE HEAT!! I do pretty good all summer, but usually start to resent living in the valley this time of year. I always get caught in the trap between now and Halloween because no matter how much I will it to, the heat does not relent until after Halloween. But, even with all of that, there is no time of year that makes me as happy as Fall and Winter. This time of year, I start to live again! I have been thinking this last week of all of the things I am excited about for the upcoming holiday seasons. 1. FOOTBALL!!!!

I love watching football! I would prefer to do it when I get to bundle up with a coat and scarf and take hot chocolate with me, but no matter what I love it! I even enjoy watching high school, every once in a while!
2. Holiday decorating....... Decorating my house is one of my ways of celebrating the season. I feel more apt to feel grateful and close to the spirit when I turn on music in my house, and just enjoy decorating.I also tend to get in trouble with my checkbook during this season.... dang Rustic Hutch!
3.Hot chocolate.... You usually won't find me drinking this three or four times a day, but every once in a while, after a long hard day (night) at work, nothing does it like hot chocolate! I remember one year gathering as a family at Grandma and Grandpa's to watch the Holiday parade. Grandma would always make a huge pot of hot chocolate, and no matter how hard I try, I just can't make it as good!
4. The smell of my house... I love candles, but when this time of year rolls around, my favorite smell in my house is my homemade spices. I add pumpkin spice, oranges, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, and bring it to a boil in water. It makes my house smell amazing and helps to keep moisture in the air when we get really dry!
5. Traditions.....There are two traditions that are my MOST favorite! Rusty and I started this first one a year after we were married. We make mini pumpkin breads and take them to friends and loves ones. I think last year I made 25-30 mini loaves! It was a full day of baking and delivering, but so worth it! (Thanks to Kylee for helping get them all delivered!) Also, my Mom's famous Veal Parmigiana for Christmas dinner, it's unbeatable! It's that one thing all of us kids expect every year! Rusty and I decided that early on we wanted to make traditions for our family. Since no kids have arrived on scene yet, we still have many more to go, but I love that we both are big on making and keeping the traditions of both of our families and the ones we make together!
6. Elk bugling.....Many of you may not know what that is, but it is the mating call for Elk. During the fall is when early hunting starts, and also the "rut", which is the mating season. During this time, we head up on the mountain in early morning or late in the evening, and listen to the Elk "talk" to each other. It is pretty amazing! One year, my family was out bugling. They were calling the Bull in, when my brother crawled up next to a log and fell asleep. Next thing my family knew, the Elk had come and was standing there straddling the log and my brother. He never even knew what happened, he had slept through the whole thing!

I know this post is long and probably doesn't mean anything to anyone, but it is important for me to remember the things that bring me joy! Last year, I had one of the most amazing holiday seasons. I didn't have anything huge happen, no gifts that cost millions, but I think I took the time to settle down, listen to the spirit, and truly understand the little joys of life. I felt this spirit so strong sitting in and listening to children sing Christmas songs. Rusty got to play Santa last year for the ward, and I cried watching those children jump on his lap with the most wide, expectant eyes, knowing that something special was coming. I got to sit with family during Thanksgiving and help Jennie and Janet make fun of Dennis with the sweet potatoes! For how crazy our summer has been, I can't wait to slow down, and watch and listen for life's sweet moments!

Dilemma

OK, so as I have been cleaning my house today, I realize that much of HOW I clean comes from a long time of living with a mother who is slightly obsessed with a clean house!(Love you MOM!) I was vacuuming and started to think, when I was growing up, my mother always had me dust everything FIRST, then vacuum. I am wondering today if that is the most efficient way. I mean really, doesn't vacuuming have the possibility of stirring up dust? I know, I know, thats not what "THEY" say(THEY being the people who sell those really expensive vacuums that suck dirt from the foundation of your house), but who has the money to spend $500-$1000 on a vacuum? So, I am leaving the post open to comments of what comes first, dust or vacuum?

ASU vs. Stanford=FUN

Our first ASU game was a blast! Everyone should have season tickets with us, that would be awesome! We went to dinner at IN-N-OUT, (not my fav by the way), and then just walked over to the game. By the time we go to our seat, we were all sweating like crazy! Even though it was super hot and humid, we all had a ton of fun watching the people around us. Grandma and Grandpa Wilkins weren't able to make it this time, so Skye took one of their seats. Let me tell you, that boy had more fun. I don't think the ref could have called the game right if Skye-guy wasn't there! Thanks for keeping us all straight Skye! It seems like we have a good group, no loud jerks so far! If only Tawni and DeWey would stay home once in a while, we would have even MORE fun! GO ASU!

"And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true."D&C 76:53

Rosalez Family, Mesa Arizona Temple.Left to Right: Melisa, Ulysses, Fabyan, Christyan, and Alyssa.

President and Sister Butters, former Mission President Tempe mission.

Rosalez Family with President and Sister Butters, and "Elder" Brown. No one knows his real name?

Alyssa, Fabyan, and Christyan. We almost had a picture of Christyan in the pool!! So funny!

The sweet couple!


Saturday, Rusty and I had the opportunity to watch one of the most sacred things I have ever seen. Other than Rusty and I's sealing, I have only been to one other couples, Brian and Lori Munoz. I have never been present at the sealing of a "family". What an amazing experience it was to see the family in white, sealed together forever! Rusty and I have known the Rosalez family for almost three years now. She and Rusty worked together, and one day while he was training her, she asked about the church and why Rusty and the other LDS guys in the office were so happy. Rusty had the chance to give her a Book of Mormon a few days later. A week went by, and we hadn't heard anything from them regarding the BOM. It was a Saturday night, Rusty and I are on the couch talking, and he looks at me and says "I feel like I need to call and invite them to church, what do you think?" Right at that moment, his cell phone rings and it's Melisa. She talks for a minute and then says, "We haven't had time to read a lot of that book, but we would really like to come to church with you guys tomorrow, is that ok?" Seriously, how does that happen? The next morning we called and gave them directions. Unfortunatley, she heard Rusty say Val Vista, instead of Bella Vista. They ended up at THREE different buildings before calling us. They made it to the last 5 min of sacrament and then stayed for the rest of the block. They loved the feeling of our ward (cuz our ward rocks!). We had them over for dinner after, and they stayed until 11:00 pm. They asked so many questions, Rusty pretty much taught the first discussion. We invited them to listen to the missionaries, and they accepted. Our friends Thomas and Kim Blackwell offered to do the discussions in their home since it was closer in town, but the Mission President wanted to conduct the lessons in the mission home. That is how we came to know President and Sister Butters and the missionaries. Well, fast forward a few weeks, Ulysses (the husband) has recieved a firm witness that this is the right choice for him, but Melisa is struggling. After a lot of prayer and fasting on her part, she recieved her witness as well. A year ago, we were able to watch as Thomas and Rusty baptised Ulysses and Melisa. A month later, Ulysses baptised Fabyan, thier oldest son. It was amazing! With how golden they were, we knew it would be a year, and we would be with them watching as they are Sealed, and that's exactly what happened. Knowing the concerns Ulysses had with death and not wanting to be without his family, I know how much peace it brought to him to be Sealed to his sweet wife and kids. The spirit was so stong as we watched the children come in the room. Not a dry eye in the house! President and Sister Butters, along with Elder Brown came back from Utah to be there. As Rusty and I walked away from the temple Saturday, Rusty looked at me and said "Why are we so faithless when sharing the gospel? Why do we automatically assume that someone will not be interested?" So, I have decided to be less "faithless" and more trusting of the Lord in His promise of "open your mouths, and they shall be filled." D&C 33:8. Thank you Rosalez family for your example and for allowing us to be with you guys on your special day! We love you!

And so it begins.......

Well, actually they have already played their first game against NAU, but tonight will be the first night Rusty and I sit in our season ticket seats for an ASU game. We are so excited! We get to go see a family be sealed together this morning and then watch great football tonight, does it get any better?

Nie Nie

I am sure that many of you already know about this site and this family. I saw this on a friend's blog, and after taking pretty much most of my day, I sit here crying and laughing with this family. Stephanie is a mother of four who has entertained/helped/inspired many with her enthusiastic and positive blog posts. Her and her husband were critically injured in a plane crash in the middle of August near St. Johns, AZ. They are looking better but the burns that cover roughly 80% of thier bodies is making recovery slow and painful. They live here in the valley, but their children are being taken care of by Stephanie's sister who lives in Utah. It is her blog today that has brought many different emotions. As I read about her selfless sacrifice, I can't help but think how much I love my family(ies). What I wouldn't give for all of my nieces and nephews should I be put in the same situation, but she does it with the most amazing love and faith! I can say with challenges that Rusty and I now face, that kind of example of faith and gratitude in life's most difficult trials.... is priceless! I hope it is ok but I have copied a portion of one of her posts about her husband! Amazing!

"But I must say, this experience of taking on my sister's children has made something out of our marriage that I had never seen before. I think it might be summed up in the word power. I look at Chup--intimidated out of his mind--who wakes up with a grin and goes to bed with sore arms from all the lifting of little ones. And he is doing it for me. For me, and for my sister, and for his brother-in-law, and for these children. There is fortification in the sacrifice, and I believe in marriage more than ever."

Thank you so much! I will keep Stephanie and Mr. Nielsen and their families in my prayers!

When did the sky fall out?

It is a tradition that every year on Labor Day weekend, we go camping with the Wilkins. This year I was so excited to go because this summer has been nothing short of.....exhausting! Between Mexico, the trek, girls camp, 4th of july, going to see Reese.....well you get the idea! We haven't been home for more than three weeks at a time since the middle of May. I was looking forward to a weekend where I could sit in a camp chair, listen to the creek run, and read a book! Instead, I was hudled under a pop-up awning with 4 kids, 6 adults, and two really smelly dogs! Amazingly, it wasn't that bad!! Even though we were poured on the whole time, we still had a lot of fun, food, and I can only speak for Rusty and I when I say, a TON of laughs! Friday night we went to the season opener for the Elks, which they killed Coolidge!

We ended up staying in town that night at my parents and then went to breakfast with them the next morning. By the time we got to camp, it was around 11:00 am. We got our tent set up and helped cook lunch.

We all got to play a little until the rains came. Then...it just never stopped! I'm serious when I say never, through the whole night, it didn't stop! I felt the worst for Becky and Kyle, they didn't have a dry blanket in their whole tent! Add Baylie throwing up that night, and you get a pee your pants, wish you were dead, hilarious moment. At around 11:00 pm that night, we had to move Bronx because he was barking at Baylie throwing up, I had to pee before I took Benadryl or who knows, I might pee my pants; and Rusty was in the tent laughing at me after my third pee trip. After a while I broke out my book and read to Rusty until both of our Benadryl kicked in. We woke up at 6:00 am to find that Becky and Kyle's pop up had collapsed. I think it was then that we all made the decision to pack it in and go home. No matter what, we had a ton of fun!




The funny thing is, that isn't the end of my story, long and tedious as it may be! Saturday morning, as Rusty and I were leaving for camp, my dear ole' Dad decided to back into our car.....yes, the one we JUST got out of the shop! I couldn't help but want to cry looking at his face! I felt so bad! So, we stayed Monday night and Rusty called in to work to tell them he would be late, so that we could get the car into the shop first thing in the morning. Monday night we went with my parents to Bear Wallow to eat, and then went and spotlighted on the mountain. Rusty took us up to Sprucedale, which is one of the only working dude ranched left around, run by the Wiltbanks. He and some of our high school friends worked up there during the summers, I think just to make-out with the pretty rich girls who's families would come to stay. It is the best peice of land I have ever seen, and with all the rain, the rivers were flooded. It was awesome! Come to find out, my mother used to work for the Wiltbanks parents when they owned it. My mom hadn't been back up there since like the mid 60's or something, so it was awesome that Emer and Esther were there when we drove up. Rusty and my Mom walked around looking at how much everything had changed. Rusty got some pics but they are dark. I know it doesn't seem like much to a lot of you, but this would be a dream life for me! The weekend was packed full excitement, but I am glad to be home again......that is until we leave for MEXICO!!!

Wilkins Family Reunion/Eagar Daze

This is pretty late,(shocking I know!), but the first of August we went up to see Rusty's oldest brother Reese while he and his family were in town. They live in Colorado, so we don't get to see them that often, but it is always great to have all of the family together! While they were here was the annual Eagar Daze. It is to celebrate the little town we grew up in and as a kid, it is one of the best days of the year. We used to have mud pit obstacle courses, inflatable castles, lots of junk food, and a junior rodeo to keep us entertained. I have not been to an Eagar Daze in years, but this one will be one to remember. With all of the kids around, we decided to enter all of them in the rodeo. They got to play a lot of games, win some money, and ride either a sheep or a calf. It was freakin' hilarious watching those kids get scared and their Dad's having to grab them and throw them on, but they all did great! I was so proud of all of them! I have video of all of them, but I have to mention Reeser, he had the best ride; should have won actually! He got second place to win $50!!! As soon as I figure out how to upload video, I will update this post. Thanks to Dennis and Janet, they always throw a great party for all of us. I think Janet needs at least a week to recover every time all of us are in town! We also got family pics done, I will post those later too! Thanks again Wilkins, it was a blast!

When's the BABY due!!

So, I am so excited to post about Ashley's baby shower! Rusty and I are patiently waiting for this little girl to arrive so we can hold her and play with her! If only we knew what to call her?!?!?! Ashley's shower was great and here she is with some of her friends and some of the presents she got! Congrats again Cameron and Ashley!