Halloween Romance

Jace pretended to fall down to the ground last night on our date. I didn't really appreciate it. His fall came mid my mad dash in a dark and haunted corn field. Growling, crouching creatures were yipping at our legs and a large, chain saw carrying man was on our heels.

"Oh, Jace! Jace, Get up! Jace are you OK?"

He giggled and grinned like a 12 year old.

It wasn't real funny at the time. Just kind of.

Jace and Jordy said Jessica and I screamed like children. Jessica and I said they used us as body shields.

I clung too tight to Jace's middle. My heart raced. We screamed real loud. Jace got "a handful" of the slow walking patron in front of us.

As you can see it was a very romantic night. Though I can think of someone else I'd rather share a bathroom with, I can't think of one other person I'd rather help up and scream with in a haunted corn maze.

Jace.... Will you take me next year? I'll bring my brave heart and pretend that I've been snatched by a monster hiding in the corn. You will scream and rescue me. And then we will laugh and laugh. It will be Halloween romance all over again.

Goodbyes

I remember the day very clearly, or the moment rather. I was 9. Kristi Monson was her name and best friends was our game. My mom and I were dropping her off after our last official sleep over. She would move to Texas the next day. As we pulled into the driveway of that blue house, Kristi mumbled something like goodbye and hopped out of the van. To hug, cry, carry on, and tell each other how much we were going to miss each other would have been too hard and besides we didn't have to. We already knew that our lives would never be the same without each other in it. I thought my heart was going to literally break and the tears never end as I rode home beside my mom. I would not lay eyes on Kristi Monson again until the night of my wedding reception. I have often wondered how different my life would have been if she had stayed in it.

Macy is 6. Mattie Claire is her name. Macy has never loved another like she loves her Mattie, her "spirit sister". They were forced to officially say goodbye last night. Mattie is on her way to the far, far away place of Wisconsin. The girls half heartedly hugged each other, mumbled something like goodbye, looking at their parents like - "is this for real?" and climbed into their separate vehicles. It was then the tears and carrying on started and has yet to stop. Life will not be the same with out Mattie Claire.

There are 6 of us. Sisters. Kirsten is the 2nd oldest. I half heartedly hugged her last night, cried, and mumbled something like goodbye. To tell her how much I love her and how much I'm going to miss her would have hurt too much. Besides, I think she knows. She is my sister. My heart is broken. I do not have to call my other sisters today to know that their hearts are in pieces as well. My life in Snowflake will never be the same. Who's going to call me to say "I'm just checkin' on you" and who's going to come over to hold up pictures on the wall, help with paint chip choices and look up phone numbers for me? I need to hear her smartelic comments, her laugh, and the way she can make my mom laugh. You could hear my mom's heart breaking last night. This day was bound to come. But Kirsten? Never. She married Dan. A true blue Lobo for life. This day was not suppose to come. We have never had to say goodbye. That was the plan, to never have to say goodbye.

Hurry home Flakes.

Oh, and Macy - I lied. You do need a sister. 2 brothers won't do. Every girl needs a friend in the world like a sister. I just happened to luck out. I happen to have 5. I'll see what I can do about that.

Good Finds of Late

Manzanita branch from my Mother's yard.

Have you ever tried to steal a road sign? It's not easy. It was probably the moment I decided to spend the rest of my life with HIM. Doesn't it just belong on Kirsten's white shelves?

Best $5 I've spent in China Town. The only $5 I've spent in China Town.

The boxing gloves are a constant source of smiles, tears, but mostly free entertainment.

Sheets that wrap completely around the mattress. Thank you Ross. My 3rd attempt.

Halloween birds found at the local Dollar store. Dollar Tree to be exact. We have 3 you know.

Love note from a daughter. She too was so impressed....she framed it herself.



This scripture. It's simple folks.

What good finds are treasured up at your house this week?

Who's Joe?

Meet

Jace     the     

              Plumber.

He is lovely, smart, hard working, punctual, the best looking plumber for miles around, and mine.

He too is looking for the best tax plan for his small business, namely the plan called "tax break for small business owners."

Have I mentioned 

    he's currently pursuing 

       a new career?  

This one.

Yes, I too think the suspenders will be a nice touch.

Disneyland and Such

TO DO:

1. Find your "true love, first kiss"...........................check.

2. Multiply and replenish................................check.

3. Load up the family wagon..............................check.

4. Drive the 9 hours to Disneyland...................check.

5. Walk, ride, eat, scream, walk some more, wait, push, and then ride some more................check.

Short Ezra waited the lines like a champ, thanks to a father that filled the stroller with suckers, tootsie rolls, and such every morning.

Me: "Noah, what was your bestest thing about Disneyland?"

Noah: "Uh, I didn't get to see Winnie the Pooh."

note: Jace doesn't think I should enroll him in pee wee football until rational thoughts begin to roll around in his brain. He's sure fun to talk to though.

Macy wanted me to disclose that she "hated all the grown-up rides and loves all the baby rides and that a Star Wars Storm Trooper almost shot her."

note: jace and i just got back from parent teacher conference. Ms. E says Macy loves to organize and dust the teacher's desks when reading rainbow is on and has led the class in a spontaneous singing of "I Am A Child of God" more than once....it brought tears to Ms. E's eyes. You couldn't have slapped that smile off my face the entire way home.

Thanks Papa and Grandma Mikey! We loved Disneyland as much as the Walkers said we would.

Next time, leave the stomach virus at home and remind us to purchase airline tickets.

Kirsten, I'm falling in love with your house.

Ezra, meet grass. Grass, meet Ezra's thankful/sticker free feet.

Bikes have been dusted off and have carried children away to strange places known as "neighbor's homes".

We experience bedroom wars almost nightly but this is what it looks like when it's all over.

And of course, living in the shadow of this.

One could really convert to this paved road, landscaped yards, livestock free, in town way of life.

I'm half tempted to buy the dang thing.

Jace, what do you say?

Dear Grandma Mikey,

Did you hear? I had a pretty big weekend.

Mattie Claire stayed the night one last time. What am I going to do without her, Grandma? It will be fun to sleep in her bedroom while she's gone.

My mom tells me the story about when I was born. You and Papa were there. You bought me a special tooth fairy box and a pair of ballet slippers from the hospital's gift shop.Well, the day has arrived....I lost my 1st tooth!
I heard the tiny tooth fairy, in her tiny fairy shoes, crawl under my pillow and leave me $2 in my box. I think I look more like 7 now than 6, what do you think?

I gave it my all in my 1st organized sporting event this weekend. Dad and Uncle Jordy are my coaches. I ran and ran. My cheeks were red but I loved it. We are pretty much going to win every game this season. Will you come?

Oh yea, Noah played too....for about 3 minutes.

Mom was your substitute at Grandparents Day.

I'll sing the songs for you again. I love 1st grade.

I love you Grandma. Call me.

Macy

Mexico 08

Beautiful Aubrianna (Katrice's numeral quatro)

Raise your hand if you like Mexico!

Whee.

I'm telling you it was Heartbreak Hotel, when these two were forced to part ways on the last day.

Trace amigas with braids

Beautiful Ezra (my numeral trace)

Hunting for seashells.

Beautiful Macy (my numeral uno)

Small found treasure.

Look....see....sea.....ci!

While we're sure the natives were not happy with our arrival.....we managed to have another amazing trip to Rocky Point. Local resort guest included: Addie, Eric, and the boys; Treg, DeAnne and twins, Katrice and her 4; and us. We were graced with Josh, Camryn and Liv's company daily as well.

Notes for next year's trip: learn spanish, bring 4-wheeler titles, bring walkie talkies (1 for you in Mexico and 1 for the worried sick husband sitting in America waiting for his turn to cross the boarder), never again attempt a 20 mile jet ski ride (this one is specifically for Jace), keep plenty of cash on hand for the local police, when the police ask you to follow them to the station to pay your ticket - just follow and don't ask if the unlit, back alley is really where they conduct official police business, and bring ant repellant - lots of it - Addie prefers to take her lunch on the ant free patio.

Push play.

I'm not usually one that speaks my mind about political issues. I find it hard to muddle thru the gray areas, lies, and false hopes that swirl around us. But of 2 issues, I know for sure. While most of you reading this may already realize what is at stake and agree, most of you may be surprised to find who else is standing with us. Interesting.

One more time now....

No, Jace didn't buy that ranch. No, I didn't find that perfect, charming fixer upper. And no, Macy did not click her heels 3 times and a tornado uproot our home, belongings, and selves. I wish.

The REALITY facing us is this:

1. Our landlords, namely Ira and Melissa Parry, sold their house by the golf course and want to move into the OTHER house they own, namely my rental home.

2. My sister Kirsten recently laid down the shocking news that she will be packing up her family and belongings and moving to Wisconsin. (I had to get out a map).

3. The closing date for the Parry's is Sept. 30th. Dan's new job begins Oct. 1st (you see where I'm going with this?).

4. We will be moving once again. Back to Snowflake. Into Kirsten's house.

One might think that I am good at moving, noting all previous experience but really I just lose my mind, don't sleep, walk in circles, and wait for the movers to show up.

So, this should be interesting right? I'll keep you posted.