Liver Day

Christmas Cards

Working Together

Allen got to come this weekend and even had an extra day since the post office will be closed on Monday.  The kids are always so excited to see their daddy and they always crowd him! 

Allen loves to nap and sleep with Rock, so he makes sure that he gets to put Rock down for naps whenever he can.  And, like father, like son, they both just LOVE to sleep.  And, both of them are wild sleepers, they never stay in one place for very long.  Because they slept together so much this weekend, I was able to quite of few pictures of them!

When Allen and I got our new sectional last year, our plan was to move the old one down to the kids' tv room.  One night when I was working, Allen called me and told me that one of the pieces of the sectional was stuck in the stairwell; he had tried to take the couch down the stairs by himself.  And do you know what I said to him right before I left for work?  I told him to wait for me until the next day and that I would help him.  He NEVER listens!!  Well, with the couch stuck in the stairwell, he also caused a hole in the wall.  I've been after him ever since to fix the hole he made.  Finally, this weekend he got what he needed to fix it.  The kids loved trying to help him.  The girls helped him sand the wall and Rock just watched with his potato chips always close by. 

Dad's Home

After meeting Allen at Becky's house we headed for home. Mom stayed the night with Becky's family and Sarah came home with us. Allen and I mowed the lawn and tidied up the yard. Then the kids ran through the sprinklers and played with hose spraying each other. Rock became very territorial with the hose and at one part accidently soaked himself. It was actually quite funny, even though he didn't think so.

On Sunday we went to church as a family and Allen taught his class in Elders' Quroum.  After church we all relaxed and rested.  Allen and Rock actually napped together, they both love it!!  Then we had a great Sunday dinner before Allen and Sarah headed back.  We were all tearful as they drove off and are looking forward to seeing him again!!

 

1 Years Smoke-Free

It has been a full year since Allen has quit smoking.  We are all so proud of him.  He's had a few rough moments, but he didn't give up, he has been so strong.  We didn't get to see each other on this wonderful anniversary, but I wanted Allen to know just how proud of him I am.  I knew he could do it, and I am so happy that he finally was able to believe in himself also.  The kids are also very excited for him.  We are very open and honest with the kids, and they have been great cheerleaders for their Dad.  Along with this monumental day, in 2 days we celebrate 5 years and 10 months of sobriety!!  With all these wonderful and healthy lifestyle changes, we'll get to have him around for a long time!!  I LOVE YOU, ALLEN!  Keep up the good work!

Easter Weekend

Our weekend to visit Allen just happened to fall on Easter.  I got lucky that way, because when I was planning time off, I never even though about Easter.  We left after school on Friday.  Mom drove her car with the girls and picked Sarah up on the way.  I drove separately with Rock and ran a few errands before leaving town.  We drove two vehicles because Mom and the kids stayed the next week since it was Spring Break and I headed home for work.  Mom and I met up at Little Acorn before entering Price Canyon so that we could caravan.  We were trying to get there before dark, but we didn't quite make it.  The kids and I met Allen at Dad's and stayed Friday night there while Mom continued on over to Kris'. 

Dad and Denise had gone camping so invaded Dad's house.  Allen had to work Saturday morning, but the rest of slept in.  That morning Dad called to say they were on their way home because it was so darn windy and cold on the desert.  So we did get to visit with Dad some.  They got a new puppy and the kids had a blast playing with her.  She really is a cute a puppy but she is going to be a BIG dog!!  That evening we left for Kris's like we had planned.  we colored eggs that night and the kids just got to play with all the cousins.  There are always fights, but they always end up making up and having fun!!  Sometimes they fight like siblings instead of cousins. 

On Sunday morning, the kids had to wait for everyone to wake up before they could come out of their rooms and look for their baskets.  At Aunt Sexy's house the Easter Bunny always hides the baskets as well as the eggs.  It was a little new to my kids and Sarah but they had fun looking.  Rock's basket was under the end table, Sarah's under the hide-a-bed, Danni's in the pantry, Sammi's in the dryer, Ashton's in the hall closet and Gage's under a laundry basket in the laundry room.  Once all the baskets were found, we all headed outside to find eggs.  The bigger kids helped the little kids find eggs and it was so cute to watch them all.  It makes me sad that they all have to grow up!!  I can remember when Gage was only as big as Rock is now.

We had a pretty restful day while the kids played.  Allen took Rock for a ride in the Rhino and then Allen and I went for a ride on Shaun's bike.  Allen was in heaven while I really tried to have fun in between all the thoughts of what if's - what if we don't make the turn, what it we fall over, what if we both die on the motorcycle!!!!  That's the worrier in me, but it was pretty fun most of the time.  Allen said he could tell when I got scared because I squeezed him almost in half.  So he would then slow down until I let go a little.  It's a good thing I am such a calm person!!!!

Dad came over that night for dinner and we barbecued steaks and just visited with everyone.  Once the kids were asleep, Allen and I headed back over to Dad's because he had to work early the next morning and I was headed home to Logan so I could work the next day as well.  Mom and the kids will be home next Sunday and Allen will get to see the kids everyday.  He plans on heading over to Kris's every night when he gets off work.  I am actually pretty excited to be home by myself.  I won't have to feel guilty about how much I am working or how much I sleep in between jobs.  I'm sure by the end of the week I'll be missing the kids lots, but for now I'm looking forward to my time all alone!!

Saturday

Kris called me a couple of days ago to let me know that Ashton had a basketball tournament in Ogden this weekend.  So Mom, the kids and I drove down today to watch her play.  She is great ball player and I always enjoy having the opportunity to watch her.  Kris coached today and that, too, is always fun to watch.  Then we went to lunch at Chili's and was able to visit a little longer.  It's always a joy being able to see family!!

After lunch, I told the kids I had a surprise for them.  They got so excited!!  They kept trying to guess what the surprise was, but never came close.  We drove up the freeway just a few exits and pulled into a Chevron.  We pulled up right next to Allen's car and just sat there for a few minutes (Allen walked in the store before we pulled up).  Then Mom got out and started to unbuckle Rock and got him out of the van and just then Allen walked out of the store and Rock ran right to him, so happy and screaming for Daddy.  The girls still didn't get what was happening and I told them that there was their surprise.  I'm not sure how happy about it they were, but they did run up to Allen and give him lots of loves.  I think they were hoping for something a little more fun?!  But Allen ate it up and loved every minute of it.  Mom offered to drive the car and Allen jumped into the van with us to drive the rest of the way home.  Danni interogated Allen about staying at Dad and Denise's and all about his new job.  From what I could gather from the interview, Allen is liking the job and has had quite a few experiences with dogs on his route!!  He even got flashed by someone - should I be jealous?  Anyway, both Allen and the kids are loving being together and just keep teasing each other.  Tomorrow will be another sad day as we have to say good-bye for another week. 

Dad's Home

Allen did not have training today so last night after class he drove home for the night. I was going to surprise the kids with thism, but Sam asked for a playdate after school and was so upset with me when I told her no that I had to tell her why. So, needless to say, the girls were very happy to know Dad was coming home for the night.

He let the girls stay home from school today, too. He wanted all the time he could get. When I started to object, I could tell how improtant it was to Allen, so kept quiet and let them have their day. They all got to sleep in this morning and after Rock's (and Dad's) nap, they went to the park. Then they came to visit me at work, which is always such a great surprise!! After that, Mom treated us to dinner at Golden Corral. It was a nice day together.

When we came home, I gave Allen a much needed haircut. After another tearful goodbye, Allen was on the road again for more early morning training tomorrow. He may or may not have training Saturday, he'll find out for sure tomorrow. So we will get to see him again this weekend before he heads down to Helper to start work on Monday.

Good Night, Daddy!

We have been waiting impatiently for Allen to start his new job with the post office, and now it is finally here. Tomorrow is his first day of training in Salt Lake and then next week he starts in Helper. He left tonight to stay at Becky's house because he has to be there at 7am. I worked last night and then wene to church this morning, so I went to bed and was sleeping when he left. But the kids told me that Rock was so very upset when Daddy left and stood outside screaming to be able to go with Daddy.

Sam told me that a couple of hours after Allen left that she was missing him so much that she called him. She said that Dad started crying because he missed her too. When I finally talked to Allen tonight, he said that he cried all the way to Brigham City. Sarah was with him because she stayed at our house over the weekend. Allen said that Sarah cried with him. When he was finally starting to gain control of himself, Sammi called to tell him she missed him and he started to cry again!! When they got to Becky's, Sarah ran in the house and right to her bedroom and started crying because she wants to live with Bubba and Sam! What a long day of sadness and crying!!

After the kids' baths tonight, right before I put Rock down to bed, they all posed together to tell Daddy good night and blow him kisses. We love you, Hon! Good luck tomorrow!

Fresh Haircuts...Is Allen Going BALD??

Rock and Allen got fresh haircuts yesterday afternoon, didn't I do a good job? Allen was a good boy and didn't squirm or complain too much. Even though Rock has had his hair cut several times now, he still gets a little scared when he hears the clippers buzzing. But he also did pretty good, aren't they both so cute??


I told Allen he was thinning quite a bit there on top, what do you think? Is he going bald? (That glare you're seeing is from Allen's shiny scalp - it is a very healthy scalp!!)

Allen's New Job

Allen started his new job today with Qwest, it is going to be an adjustment for all of us. One of the best things about it is that I get to cut back on work and be home more with the family! I had last night off, so this morning I was able to get everyone up and going, usually that is Allen's job. After Allen left for work, I had to finish getting the kids ready and get them to school, again this is usually Allen's job. It is really strange to be doing all of this again.

Now it is just Rock and I at home. Normally about this time, I am falling asleep while Allen and Rock are doing their thing, but this morning it is just Rock and I - very strange, but fun. The kids aren't too sure about all this change. The other night at the dinner table we were talking about how I would be home more and Allen would be gone during the day. We asked Sam if she was excited and she said "not so much"!!

Allen is always so laid back and not much bothers him. The girls also have him wrapped around their fingers. But I am pretty anal about things and I guess not as much fun, according to the kids. Like I said, this is going to be an adjustment for all of us. Allen, especially, is having a hard time. He feels like Rock is going to forget all about him. He has been able to spend every day and night with him for the last year and today is his first full day away from him. He has also really enjoyed spending so much time with the girls and making sure they get to dance and activities on time. Before our move to Cache Valley he always worked and didn't get the chance to do any of these things. Now he is back to that and he is struggling with it.

All in all, I think it will be good for all us. I am excited to be home and do some of the stay-at-home mom things, but I still really love my work and am glad I am able to stay working at the hospital. It is also a good thing for Allen to get out of the house and be able to socialize with people his age. We just have to make sure our family time is now spent as quality time, since there won't be as much quantity. I really love my family!

Anniversary

 
March 21 was our 11th wedding anniversary, WOW! Some days it seems much longer than that and others it feels like just yesterday Allen was trying to hit on me and get me to go out with him :)

Actually, I was the pursuer. He was friends with my roommate's boyfriend and I happened to think he was pretty hot. I made Ashley and Corey set us up. He was an entire HOUR late to our first date. We went to "Fools Rush In" and just as I thought I was getting stood up, he walks in and sits next to me. Can you believe I gave him another chance? In reality, after that night we were always together, even though it took several months before we declared it "official".

So much has happened since that night; we have helped each other through so many different circumstances that I believe we can make it through whatever else comes our way. First, we had a baby born with medical problems, in and out of the hospital for years, not knowing if she was going to make it, financial struggles on top of that. Then, me finding out about Allen's drug abuse and dealing with a separation for awhile. Then Allen checked himself into rehab and we were able to work things out. Both of us went back to school at the same time with two kids at home. Then, Allen had to deal with me while I worked through some awful childhood memories that no one should have to endure.

Now we are so happy and have grown so much. We have 3 beautiful children, own our home, made some pretty good traditions and our next step? It may take awhile, but I do believe that we will make it to the temple. I love my husband and am proud of what he has accomplished after all that he has been through. I am glad that he has stuck by me through everything and am excited to see what life throws at us next.