Just stuff

Well, I am back for a brief moment in time. No computer still and probably won't have one anytime soon. Another Christmas gone. Nothing super special or happily memorable this year. Maybe I am just having the holiday blues. Joe had his wisdom teeth taken out the day before Christmas Eve day. (also the day before his birthday). Saddness of a sweet baby lost to a good friend. Saddness of another wonderful life lost that everyone seems to have great memories of. (sadly i didn't really know the sweet lady.) I don't know maybe I need to look at some brighter things for a while and perk up.

Ohhhh, here's a happy thing, my sweet baby boy finally can say Mama and Mommy. For those of you who don't know, he has been calling me Daddy for the last 3 months. It makes me feel good to finally have a name and title from my special little guy that I am with 24/7.

Yeah, I really need to look at the small happy things and I am sure they way weigh against everything else. Since I am the only one in my family on this blog, here is some family updates.

Lavan and Dorothy finally moved to Central, AZ (about ten miles from Pima) They lived in a camping trailer (with a dog and a cat) for about a month until they finally were able to buy a house 2 weeks ago.

Carter is still going to Phoenix College and working at the hospital as a Pharmacy Tech. He is currently applying for pharmacy school in Tucson and a lot of other different states. Hopefully he will get accepted to U of A and stay in AZ. Collin loves his uncle Carter and runs to the door to greet him everytime he shows up, which is every other day since is work is about 2 blocks from my apartment.

Malcolm and Company are doing GREAT. Malcolm got a promotion at the prison where he works and actually has a normal (9-5) working schedule. Susana is one of the most popular teachers at the school. She is currently teaching 1st grade. They still have three fun little girls who are growing so FAST!! And because of it, I am once again the shorter one in the family.

Morris and Suzy are highly enjoying grandkids and the fact that there are no kids at home anymore. They go on vacations to CA and various camping trips. Both are still working and seem to be enjoying it for the most part.

Sorry this is getting so lengthy, but I don't know when I will get the chance to Blog again. I suppose I could go to the library, but I don't think Collin would hold still long enough to even let me log in. yes, I know Leaner, I need to just visit you more. Let me get through New Year's, Anniversary and Birthday and then we will play a lot more. Also Leaner thanks for all your help and for the lengthy SCREAMING trips to Coolidge.(maybe that can be a story for one of your blogs if you haven't done it all ready.)

Happy New Year to everyone and hopefully it will be a much better one than the last. It is late so Sweet Dreams, Rosy Cheeks, and Happiness in the Morning.

Computer Coma

Hello world! How are you? I miss my source of writing release and comfort of reading everyone else's lives. Well it is official, my laptop is in a Coma. The price to revive could also be the price to pull the plug and just buy a new one. We are in long debate over it and even when we make a decision, the $$$ won't be readily available to just buy one.

I will try to blog whenever I am somewhere where there is a computer. Here's a new assignment for everyone: Helena and I are making a book for grandma for the reunion and would like everyone to write their favorite memories of Grandma and Grandpa (if you were lucky enough to know him) and we will print it and make a neat scrapbook. So either email your stories or just post them on your blogs so that we can print them.

Love hope and happiness to all!!!!! -Hairball

Who's Missing?

Howdy Yall!!! We need to get Jill, Aunt Kim, Shawn's wife (sorry can't remember her name), Aunt Suzy, Kristie Dawn, Carabeth, Valerie, Susana, Dorothy (lavan's wife), Carter, Stacy (Jessie's fiance'), and many others I can't think of off the top of my head. I am working on my family to start blogs, but it isn't going as well as I thought. Hey aunts!!, call your sister Suzy and nag her for me. She keeps forgeting about it. If anyone else knows how to find these other people, drop them a line or give them a call and let's see if we can get a "representative" from each cousin's family here. Of course, guys are welcome to join us chattering hens. (if they are brave enough). Tee hee.

Define Loser

A few nights ago I had a spontanious moment and invited a heapload of friends from high school days to celebrate an old friend's birthday. We had a nice roomful, ate food, played games, and watched little Collin flirt with all the women. As we sat talking, I realized I had NOTHING (except the far long past) in common with these people. I am 24, I am happily married, I have a kid, and I am almost done with school.

These guys started talking about all their high school peers, "the losers", messing up by not getting degrees, by getting married before the age of 30 and having kids. (I have been excluded from these "losers" because I am the Mormon in the group and that means I am doing what is expected of the "mormon girl"...gee thanks stereotypes) They started ranting on a friend of mine who just graduated with her bachelor's degree because she decided the next best step was to go on a mission, instead of getting her Master's degree first!!! What is so bad about traveling, standing up for what you believe in for 18 months and finding oneself???? Yes, eduacation is important, but knowing who you are and finding what you want I think is slightly a little more important.

And to have children before the age of 30 is the worst sin imaginable. After all, having kids means you can't get drunk and party all night and we are not ready to give those things up. "Of course once you have kids, you will never go to school again." I know of several who are attending school and have graduated after kids. "And those people who have kids will never get to be themselves again, won't get to experience, to live." You have got to be kidding me, I have learned more, and experienced more wonder from my one year old than I did at ASU.

Have I mentioned that these people range from 24-30 years old, still live with their moms, and don't have their bachelor degrees yet?

So I sat with my friend Lindsey yesterday. She has been married as long as I have (2 weeks apart), we got to be pregnant together (our kids are two months apart) and she is such a good person. She is such a good friend and I realized from the party the other night, that I take her for granted. We talked about needing friends that have related values and who put family as a priority above anything else. So watch out Leaner, I think we are going to start a Mama's Club and try to get some NOT "loser" people together.

Here's to Mama's and to married couples that are in love no matter how young or old they may be.

Yay!!! Happy October!!!

A Request

(sorry this is one of the only pics I have of Lavan right now.)

Lavan has requested that I place this on my blog. Lavan and Dorothy are moving to Pima, Safford area and wants to get in touch of all who are in the area. If everything goes as planned their house will be sold before the end of the month and then they should be gone from Pomerene by then. Lavan is already working in Safford(?) (sorry all those little towns are so close togother, I forget which one) and would love to contact any family for a visit. Lavan says: "Hi! Congrats on babies. Excited to start a blog thing with his wife as soon as they move and get internet."

The World in 5 Pictures

Only in America

Only in China


Only in Thailand




Only in Mexico

My story

Ok, I feel left out on the "how we met stories." So here we go......

I had just broken up with a cheating fiance' and decided to go to summer scout camp (Raymond) to get my mind off "guys are the spawn of satan" thing. I had decided I would never date again for at least 2 years. It just wasn't worth it. I worked at Raymond for 7 weeks as the camp "nurse". I was just an EMT at the time, but "camp nurse" was more fun to say. I met Joe on the first day and thought "oh, he's tall." And at the time being, that was pretty much it. I hung out with the "it" group at camp. The "it" group at a scout camp usually consists of the geekiest and not ashamed of it people around. Being a geek somehow makes you popular at a place like that, which was great cause then I fit in! Joe and I hung out with this group for about four weeks, talked, laughed, and played silly card games.

I kept telling myself I am NOT going to get involved with anyone and was very determined. Joe invited me to go to Holbrook with him for the weekend (just as friends) to get away from the scouts for 24 hours. After five weeks of nothing but 12 year olds day and night, I NEEDED to get away, even if it was just Holbrook.

So we go, and end up going to one of his friend's wedding reception. There were yellow roses on the tables and Joe asked the groom if he could steal one. When we went outside he gave it to me with the awkward "I think I like you" smile. ( that rose is still on my truck's dashboard to this day.)

On the way home, we talked a little more "seriously" and I told him my situation. He was willing to go slow and I accepted. (sealing my doom :) ) We had one or two more weeks of camp left and one night we were talking in the Health Lodge. Suddenly without warning he got down on his knees!! What was he doing? Did he want to pray or something? Did he drop something under the couch? Was gravity suddenly getting heavier on just him? Did he fall off the couch? What's going on!?! We haven't even gone on a date. Well, he popped the question and in awkward words I said yes.

We knew each other for five weeks, got engaged, and were married in five months. ( we had to wait for a school break from college) I swore to myself I would never date again and Joe found a way to skip that part. We have been married for almost three years and can't wait to see what happens next.

Urrrrgggg

I got home from scouts this evening around 8:00, ate dinner, and actually went to bed at about 8:45. It was a first for me. And a mistake. I had a wonderful three hour nap and here I am blogging again. Oh well, now I can get things done without Collin clinging to my leg. I have a big scout meeting this Friday Night. We are going to have a campfire, cook dinner, and play some campgear related games. (Really requirements for their badges but shhhhh, we won't tell them that till afterwards.) I am excited but really nervous. The boys' parents will be there and my partner won't be there. My partner just had a death in the family so she is taking the week off to get things squared away. I hope she will be ok. I can do it, I can do it. I can handle this, right? After all they are only a group of six 10 year-old boys.........what trouble could a bunch of 10 year olds be...............?.......

Daddy I Love You

Bugs of Doom

We took Collin to the Whiting Homestead over by Snowflake to see the new cabin Joe's family is building. He sat down to "taste" the flowers but within seconds I think an ant bit him. Joe quickly swooped down and rescued him from the mean and evil insect of doom. It made me ponder a little about when Collin is older. Will Joe and I always be able to swoop out of nowhere and save him? Can I keep the bugs of the world away from him? Will Collin let us be involved when he is in trouble? Should we always save him or let him learn for himself? If so, when do we start backing off? Is there an instruction manual with all the answers that we forgot to get from the hospital when we brought Collin home? Maybe they will mail it to us soon. (i hope)

Here Are Some Pics I Finally Downloaded

Conquering the Dragon Pinata!!!

Birthday Cake

Collin and Rhayn at the zoo.

Collin and Squish Baby

I Am Only Old Cause My Childhood Toys Are Vintage

I cleaned out my closet at my parent's home finally and found all of my childhood memories and toys. It was a blast from the 80's. My Little Pony's, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Transformers, even a bunch of old McDonald toys that were slowly rotting away. Well for the last few hours I have been searching Ebay and other various sites to see if I could actually get rid of some of this junk to finally get a washing machine. Ahhhhh no more landromat. No more searching for quarters. That would be wonderful.

Anyways, the days are slowly starting to cool off and the foliage is starting to look beautiful. (even though there are very few trees here) Anybody been to Arkansas? Now that is some beautiful "foilage". Halloween is slowy creeping upon us. (Best holiday ever!!) Collin is going to be a mini Darth Vader. He looks sooo cute with his cape on. It sways back and forth as he waddles around the room. I know it is only September but I just can't help myself. "It's all about Halloween!" ...right Rhaynnon?

Home Alone

What Conner does when the "Man" is out.

Lonely

"We haven't spoken to anyone else for thousands of years, so we started talking to ourselves."

That is how I felt today as I wondered around the house wondering what to do. Lonely and bored. I have several sewing projects I would like to finish but Collin wants to "help mama," and I don't want a sewing machine or an iron landing on his head. While it is hot, I don't like to leave the house because I end up going to JoAnn's or the mall or something and spend money that should not be spent.....so I am grounded. Collin doesn't let me read cause he wants to eat the book. I could pick up the house but what is the point if it is messy within the half hour? Not ready to start school yet, I just can't ditch Collin at a sitter yet. Can't play video games, in fear of baby electricuting himself. I am tempted to decorate for halloween a month early....that would give me something to do. ( I don't think Joe would appreciate that) Please weather cool off so Baby and I can go out to play!!!!

I offered to watch Rhaynnon for Helena this week. Hopefully this will happen and she and Will can go have a night on the town before baby comes......or at least sleep. If Rhayn comes over we will do Halloween crafts!!! Fun Fun. Collin isn't quite big enough to do things like that with mama. Collin loves Rhayn, she runs around the apartment and he chases after her with squeeling delight. Collin such a social bug and loves people that are small like him.

Recently I haven't been able to find my fat gatoman, Conner. Found out is new hiding spot is in Collin's bedroom, right up against baby's playpen. It's like he started watching over the baby for me. He is mostly in there when Collin is asleep, just purring away. I didn't think the kitty liked Collin, especially when the baby runs and tackles the cat to the floor. But I guess there is a connection there finally. It's very sweet. Kitty even lets Collin pet him and shows a face of appreciation.

Service, I want to do service. There's gotta be something I can do with my time. I am an able body. Maybe I should apply to work at the arena this month at the state fair grounds to help the Katrina victims. Maybe there is something fun I could do for the kids there to cheer them up. Like balloon animals maybe.....I don't know. I just imagine these sweet little 5 year olds sitting in a big building they don't know, not a lot to eat, probably wishing they could go somewhere to play or have something to play with. Sad. I think I will check that website out next.............

It's OVER!!

I did it!!! Months of planning, hair pulling, will there be enough room, will there be enough food......37 people at my apartment. Collin's birthday party is OVER! Now we can sit, relax and enjoy all the leftovers and all of Collin's loot and swag. Inhale, exhale and sigh.
We even had Aunt Merle and Grandma Taylor there..... an amazing feat. I don't think either of them have ever even been to one of Malcolm, Lavan, Carter, or my birthday's ( not to mention graduations)
Anyways food was good and there was enough of it, friends were great and there were definately enough of them :) The pinata was awesome (carter hit me in the head with the bat..ouch) Presents were funny, Collin had no interest in them. Collin recieved an annual pass to the zoo, so now we can go with Helena every week!!
Wheeeee, now what do I do with my life? Maybe I can start planning next year's birthday....ha ha.

Fireflies

Speaking of animal's rearends. Anybody read Robert Fulghum? His short story about the fireflies is very cute......(and his writing style is inspiring both spiritually and for people who wished they could write...like me)
"The tree in front of me was full of fireflies-as though somebody had overdone it and put too many little tiny white lights on a Christmas tree. And, I kid you not, the fireflies were doing synchronized flashing. All together. On. Off. On. Off. My Thai host said they were all males "calling out for love."
One of these little flashers landed on my pillow when I went to bed. So I put a water glass over him and watched him up close. And wondered:

Just how much control does a firefly have over his stern light?
Could one be trained to do Morse cade and be worked into a flea-circus act?
Does a firefly ever attract teeny-tiny moths?
Is his light like the stars and always there, only we can't see it in the daylight?
Does a firefly ever enjoy being turned on, or is it more like having hiccups-just an urgent, involuntary spasm?
Do fireflies come with different wattage, like light bulbs?
Do firefly bulbs burn out, leaving old fireflies to wander around in the dark, unnoticed and unloved?
What might it be like if we humans were similarly equipped? What kind of pants would we have to wear?
I know some people who give off a lot of light. Because they have absorbed a lot of light themselves. They shine. This is not the kind of light you can actually see with your eyes, of course. But there are lots of parts of the spectrum of light we can't see. We experienced the results of its existence. It takes a different kind of looking.

To look this way is to see.
To see is to have vision.
To have vision is to understand.
To understand is to know.
To know is to become.
To become is to fully live.
To live fully is to matter.
And to matter is to become light.
And to become light is to be loved.
And to be loved is to burn.
And to burn is to exist
Off and on.

Maybe the fireflies are on to something."
-Robert Fulghum UH-OH Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door

Caused By Lack of Sleep?

I called my cat over to me and he walked toward me. And just as I reached down to pet him, he turned aroung and walked away with his tail hanging high.........................could it be that he mooned me? Did my cat just show me his butt in mocking retribution? Do all animals do this as they turn around and walk away from us. Especially the ones that do it slowly? You know, animals can totally get away with it. Humans get frowned upon and judged, but not our innocent sweet wildlife. Maybe it's a conspiracy.............................

For Leaner

Doom Kitty's most favorite dream :)

Family Reunion

Well, it is 12:00 am again. And here I am blogging only for the joy of knowing I have easy family contact where I can spell check (when I remember) and not make a fool of myself over the telephone. Some stories are just better read than heard. In the last two weeks leaner and I have tried to contact family and have them write blogs so we know they still exist. In only two weeks we have gone through a happy birthday and a sad death. (and soon to be a couple births. hooray!) But now we all know that both happened and we can send each other congrats and sympathies. Stories and unrelated crap that everyone enjoys reading. This is awesome. (especially for us stay at home mommies who need the gossip and news.) Thankyou everyone in Family de Carter for trying this out!!!

Baby Cursings

Baby went to the ped today. It was time for shots. The nurse had me hold down his top half as she stuck two needles in his leg. And then it began.............he didn't just scream and cry. He annunciated many different syllables and glared through his tears. I know Collin was not saying nice things about the nurse or me. When he learns real words is he going to be a cusser? Will I have to threaten him with soap and other strange punishments for feeling that much anger toward another person? Well, maybe not. Under the circumstances, I think I will let him get away with it this once. :)

Happy Birthday Baby!!

Yay! Collin turned the mighty 1 today. He opened a present and got red converse shoes. (they are sooooo cute!) He also had his first cake. And as you can tell be the picture, he love love loved it!
Happy Birthday my darling baby. I love you so much. I know I am not the perfect mama, but at least I was able to keep you alive and happy for the first year and I hear the first year can either be one of the hardest or one of the easiest. (i am hoping for the first one)

Double-Take?

Do you see a similarity between these two cute sailors?
(well if not popeye, then maybe Uncle Carter?)

Grouch Anthem

Grouches of the world unite. Stand up for your grouchly right.
Don't let the sunshine spoil your rain. Just stand up and complain.
Let this be the grouches cause, point out everybody's flaws.
Something is wrong with everything, except the way I sing.

You know what's right with this world? Nothing!!!
You know what gets me hot under the collar? You name it!
And the next time some goody-two-shoe smiles and tells you to have a nice day,
You just remember......
Don't let the sunshine spoil your rain, just stand up and complain.
JUST STAND UP AND COMPLAIN!!

Have an icky day!!!!!

Happy happy happy happy

This is Collin's Papa's (grandpa Bill) crib when he was itty bitty.
Collin is so happy happy happy happy happy happy!!!

Sweet dreams

Another day....yep.... my hubby is sick, I'm sick but hooray the baby is well and full of way to much energy. Went to the doctor and was diagnosed with the thing every women fears ..........just three little letters and I will write about something else....URI....ahhhh the burning!!
Anyways, I met with my scouts today. There are six of them and they are 10 years old. It is so fun to see their different personalities and the different ways they learn. It's exciting, one day my baby boy is going to be my little scout........awwww......can you just see that cute little uniform. It just brings merit badge wishes and summercamp dreams. Oh the giddiness!!!!

A Little More Carter

My brother came over to cook my family dinner last night. Poor guy... I am not a chef myself and anytime he would ask for a pepper mill or olive oil or even sad to say garlic, it just doesn't always exist in our home. Budget meals of mac n cheese and totinos pizzas, YUM YUM, don't really require such royalties.
Amazing how little kids love Uncle Carter. My son would rather spend any moment (except meals) with him than with mommy or daddy. I can't get jeolous of him though, I have to admit I am quite fond of him myself. My closest brother in years and always so......well,......hmmmm, he's Carter. The only adjective for him is "carter". That should be a new word in the dictionary.
carter verb or adjective. - laid back, only in search of happiness especially if it is helping or pleasing others
Yeah, I think maybe tomorrow I will try to be a little more carter.

Why does he have to be so darn cute??

The fam went to the mall today to get baby's birthday present. We ran into an outspoken black woman who fell in love with my baby. She made the usual goo gaa gee sounds only people do when they see a little one, and then said "You are the most handsome boy in the world, when you are twenty years older call me and I will date you." (let me tell you, her accent and wording, which is not word for word here, was freakin' hilarious)
Wow, my son is already the lady's man. I swear I am nothing without this kid, I now live off of his popularity........i don't even exist to the parents anymore. Scenario: I enter the door, my mom and dad grab the kid, no hellos to me, and they leave the room. Sigh.

gatoman 

hack hack blaaaah

blog? what an interesting thing. Thanx "leaner" for showing me this site.
Hairball? I have a cat. A large amount of cat. Recently weighed at 21 pounds......now just imagine the "wonderful" things a gato grande can cough up. Well sometimes unorganized thoughts and speratic typings can resemble such a lovely regugitated item. Anyway, to anyone who reads this, fair warning and no pity because of the previous fair warning 7 words ago. More writings to come all in due time............................