that dreaded phone call...

Montana and I stayed home from church today not feeling well. Jerry leaves early as he is serving in the Bishopric, so he leaves 3 hours before church even begins. Cherida drove the Expedition with the girls. Just as I was getting out of the shower...my cell phone rang. Jerry tells me he was in an accident. He said he was okay, but he was sitting still when he was hit...propelled into ward members SUV (the Hadley's) in front of him, that was pushed into a car in front of them. Jerry seen it coming and stepped hard on the brakes closing his eyes anticipating the collision. He was complaining of his back and neck and how tight the seat belt got, no air bags deployed. The vehicle causing the collision never stepped on the brakes and Jerry estimated her doing about 45mph. I went over to pick up the Hadley family (mom and her three sons), so she could get her kids fed and not waiting and brought waters for anyone wanting it. The lady at the front of the line waiting at the light was from California. She was up cleaning out her mother's home as she had passed away a month ago. She had an emotional weekend she said. She was on her way to Goodwill to drop off clothing.


Now, keep in mind this truck is Jerry's baby. We have "conditioner" for the leather seats (my Expedition does not have conditioner). He is very careful washing it and cleaning it which is a lot for him if you have ever seen his vehicles in the past... stuff all in the floorboards in the back. Now, you have to be careful what you sit on the seats and not just anyone gets to drive it! The photos of his truck do not look too bad, but when you see it in person...there will be a lot of work to be done. The back bumper was shoved in so hard that it is up in the side panel of the bed of the truck. The bed appears fine, but the side panels that go to the cab may need to be replaced. Who knows what kind of damage is upfront. The grill, surrounding the grill, the bumper and everthing was shoved right into the frame. The woman has Allstate insurance. I just hope she is in good hands as they claim.
I have him talked into calling the chiropractor tomorrow. I had him hang on the inverter as soon as he got home. We did the electronic accupunture and I put BioFreeze (THANK YOU Dorothy down under!) on his back as I massaged the lower back. His back is tight in a place I have never felt so tight before...down below his original back surgery scar. We then put the ultrasound on his back followed by ice. Jared popped his back tonight after he and Gerald gave him a blessing. He was saying it hurt for him to sit which is usually just the opposite for him. I am concerned about his pelvis as that tumor ate away the bone leaving it fragile enough the doctors told him no skating, skiing, or riding a bicycle for fear a fall might cause it to fracture. I wonder how he will fill in the morning. I got up from bed with empathy pains in my neck. His was bothering him, but mine would not allow me to rest.

Completion...at last

I think everyone in our extended family living around us had a hand in preparing this shelf. It actually could have been 1-2 shelves taller. I was hoping to get rid of the shelf on the back of the door.

I cannot believe ALL that was stored under the stairs! Once again we have it set up to "play" inside. We do need to have better lighting in there. Right now, Matti is not over enough to warrant a permanent light, so we are improvising with small under the cabinet lights. Television with Nintendo is set-up and the kitchen with the table is inside. Pillows and bean bags to lay on and watch a movie or "oovie" as Mattisyn calls them. We need to mount the television on the wall and it free the table space for more important things like setting a table or making dinner!

Back tracking...

So, I have not been regulary recording my thoughts. I feel lost and off track! I want to consolidate my photos by creating collages. I personally boycotted until I figured it out. Guess what...I still do not have it figured out. I put in a call to Angie's daughter, Julie. I am thinking there HAS to be FREE templates out there, but I seem to be having trouble finding them. I created a cute Disney page on a software trail and cannot convert into jpg format without paying $30.

I want to add the Halloween Dance at Canarelli Middle School. BOTH girls went, so I was glad they could go together.

Disneyland 2009

We had been planning Disneyland Nevada Day for a while. It was good to get away...we did not get to leave as prepared as I would have liked to, but we got away! We actually went to Disneyland on Thursday, October 29th to avoid Vegas crowd. It was like I remember going to Disney the first time...room, lots of room and only a few long lines. We discovered Jerry can do roller coaster rides of course it was Space Mountain in the DARK!!! Although, we got on the ride and the girls were in front of us and I forgot to tell them to close their eyes if they were scared. Jerry initially was whooping and hollering and then he quit making noise...I tried to see in the dark for his head to see if he passed out, so I had to feel for his hands and they were clenched. It put me in mind of our honeymoon riding with the white knuckled husband on the Screamin' Eagle. He was all wide eyed like London and Savannah...me...I was glad to have made it off with everyone! No way would he have rode that ride if he would see the tracks in the light!!!
Montana went with Josh Sweetin to ride rides with his more venturing family. From our scores...its plain to see who spends more time playing games! It was a fun ride though!

Where do I begin...

Well, on Wednesday, October 21st, Lois fell while in Missouri at their previous home they now rent out. Gerald left a rubber mallet on the floor that she tripped on as she was on her way to get a tool for Gerald. She fell in the livingroom on the carpet or it could have been far worse on the tile floor nearby. My parents were enroute there for a visit and arrived shortly after her falling. Between the three of them, they could not comfortably get her up as she was crying in pain. Firemen come and they too tried, but did not have the proper gear to get her moved. Paramedics arrived to get her in the ambulance and to Southeast Missouri Hospital.

After a series of x-rays and CT scan it was determined her shoulder was fractured. She was released and told to follow up with the doctor on Thursday. He released her to travel. We urged for her to fly home and Jerry could fly back to drive home with his dad over the weekend, no one else would travel back with him. They decided to drive home. My dad made a wide based step stool that helped her getting in and out of the vehicle, yet she still had to pull herself in the truck with the left hand. They arrived home safely on Tuesday. I had an appointment for a follow-up and it was with Dr Grondel. He had exrays ordered there in the office and he come in to re-group with her. Doctor stated her arm was broken in three places. I told him I was not in Missouri, but I was told it was fractured. He explained that it is a latin based word and fracture is basically the same as broken. He went over her health issues and said that surgery was not an option, but there was no guarantee on promised full range of movement with surgery. Basically, time is the key to healing as there is nothing they can do. Now, it is just a matter of keeping her in the velcro harness.

New aspirations...

It has been delightfully overcast and a "stormy" feel, just nothing materializes. I miss the storms, my children have not been able to see the wrath of Mother Nature...just the ocassional thunder. But it certainly is bringing a homier feel with the seasons beginning to change. Savannah just recently decided to add the oboe to her list of learning how to play. She and a friend were over practicing today. Savannah is definitely chartering her own way!


"I am not afraid of storms, I am learning to sail my own ship." ~ Louise May Alcott

TASI...SWINE FLU...WHAT!?!

Tasi has been tested positive to the swine flu! He was at our house on Friday, Saturday and Monday!!! Once you have the virus in your system, you can spread the germs 1 full day before feeling the flu like symptoms. Montana was not feeling well on Monday and I gave him water, Elderberry and flu solution. He seems to be doing better, but I will definitely keep an eye on him. MIND OVER MATTER, MIND OVER MATTER!!!

Homecoming 2009

I hope Montana will enjoy his memory of this year's homecoming. His date was Erika and they went with a large group of Student Council kids along with most of those that were on the court. The group met at Kayla's home. They were a part of a Party Limo Bus, so off they went to P F Chang's for dinner and then to the dance. Montana cut out of the dance a bit early and went to see Phantom of the Opera. They should enjoy that production...I want to go see that! Here is the photo montage...

Homecoming Half-Time Royalty

Sierra Vista really needs help with the football team and I can now understand why he is not on the team by his choice. At half time it was 28 - 0 and this was Western...Montana was paired up with a girl that wore a dress so short it was ridiculous. Montana's body language told it all. He was respectful and opened the door for her father to assist her getting out of the vehicle. It is always a disappointment to walk onto campus, but even more shocking to see the dress and dance for these students.

Dynamics of FHE changes when kids work and go to school at night...

Even dinner changes...I went from feeding 10-12 most nights to now 4 people. We aim for FHE on Sunday nights to try and catch everyone home, but sometimes we slip and we have only us four on Monday night. This week Jerry put his girls to work.

I think the only one not to work on this shelf is Cherida and Martha. Lois supervised and Gerald was a huge help as it was initially put together. Something so simple, yet hoping to be so functional to hide, I mean hold all, embarassingly enough, only some of the movie collection we have. Nonetheless, making things look more tidy! That makes mom happy! I think it is important for our family to know how to work with their hands even if it is just holding while someone else saws or sanding to make smooth, so someone like mom does not get a splinter. If there is one to be found, mom finds it in her hands and feet. And I did just that in my hand, so first aid was provided by dad! Next will be some filler applied and more sanding then finally we can stain it and anchor to the closet wall. Can't wait for the finished product and a job well done!

Family Trees

I love this pictorial of a family tree...I only wish it was my clever ancestors in that tree! It still is grand. Just like I enjoy indexing names of other people's families. I did it today!!! I reached 20,013 names I have extracted from photo
images into data for others to obtain via searching through indexes. It is amazing what you notice about people. I am truly amazed to know that women were older and single. Contrary to my belief of all women marrying at early ages. Explains why my grandmother did not marry until the ripe old age of 20 in 1922. The names, such as Belle Bottom and that divorces occured long ago. Amazed that some did not know where their parents were born or how medical terms we know today were diagnosed in the late 1800's. How did they know it was cancer? or for that matter, cancer of what? It has been a journey I have enjoyed and plan to continue and share the love for it with my daughter, Savannah.

Conference Weekend

A weekend of listening to leaders of the church and feeling inspired to strive in doing better. Cherida had her friend Nathan over and I tried to catch him dozing off, but never got to... Plans to build five new temples were announced Saturday morning by President Thomas S. Monson. With 130 temples currently operating and with another 16 in some phase of planning or construction, these five temples bring the worldwide total to 151 (with 14 in Utah). Monson noted that 83 percent of the faith’s 14 million members now live within 200 miles of a temple and predicted that the percentage of Latter-day Saints living near their church’s most sacred and significant edifices will continue to climb as “we construct new temples around the world.” The following five locations:

1. Brigham City, Utah
2. Concepcion, Chile
3. Fortaleza, Brazil
4. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
5. Sapporo, Japan



There were so many good talks...the ones that come to mind were L Tom Perry speaking of the San Pete Valley members building the Manti Temple, Quorom of the Seventy speaking on virtues - the "ities." President Monson's daughter who spoke...Elder Jeffrey R Holland spoke with such a pleading boldness. As we reread the words of his talk, one will not be able to gather his tone while reading.


We had notetakers, massagers and snoozers during conference...but we were together as a family, so that made it nice!

It seems like dad felt he could catch up on his "honey-do" list this weekend, so mom got a shower head installed and London got her room painted and we went to the cemetery. With all that, we somehow managed to watch ALL 4 conference sessions and have dinner together each night with family. Oh, and we did scamper down to see the beauty of the atrium at the Bellagio and the fountains. We never made it to Gilcrease Orchard nor to Mt Charleston. Another weekend another time...

Farewell summer 2009 and welcome fall 2009

No more fish with fruit salsa...on to baking...my girls are ready for fall and look at my house so far! I like that I did not have to do it! They have the fall scents going in the house. I arrived home the other day and thought...hmm...it smells like Thanksgiving. Funny how powerful smell is to make you think and feel.



We even had hot cocoa for breakfast!

The girls were concerned Holly might feel the chill, so they dug out her shirt! Ah, the joys of fall weather!!! This is the best photo yet...70 degrees without an air conditioner or ceiling fans to cool it!!!

hmmm....what's that crunching noise?

So London was practicing her violin in the livingroom, she decided she wanted some chips. She gets a bowl and puts her chips in and off to the livingroom for more violin playing. She knows we do not eat in the livingroom, so she compromised by setting the bowl on the steps. I heard this crunching noise and look that direction from the kitchen wondering...about that same time, the noise caught London's attention. "Hey! Holly is eatting my chips!" It was kinda funny as she just casually goes to the bowl and swipes a chip!

It's a hit!

Well, Jerry & I both used to drink from cups similar to these at our Grandparents when we were younger. I could not pass them up...we have seen them in the past and did not get them. The very day they were shipped to our home, these aluminum colorful cups have been used! Does anyone else remember these from their youth? Here in Las Vegas they are wonderfully refreshing to drink from!!!

a weekend with nieces...

So I don't get to be with Mattisyn and Hailee an awful lot, but we got double daily bonus this weekend! Brittney's grandmother, Arden, had been in the hospital since Tuesday over a gall bladder. She had a terrible time prior to surgery as the scheduled and rescheduled, then the meds they were administering to her was creating an allergic reaction. This was not discovered until Sunday!!! She had her gall bladder removed lapriscopically, so that sounded positive for her recovery, but coming out of that surgery, she could not keep her blood pressure down and not breathing on her own due to the allergic reaction. The gall bladder was full of stones and had backed into the bile ducts causing some jaundice issues. Another procedure needed to be performed, but the doctors were waiting for her to stablize. She finally had the particles removed from the ducts on Friday and she continued to have difficulty breathing on her own. She was sedated to let her body rest and heal, but she had to be restrained...Brittney was spending time up there with her mom, so I offered to keep the girls on Friday afternoon when Shannon had to go to work. The girls loved having them over!

We traced Mattisyn on some paper that was just her size for grandma great as she calls her. We drew a polka dot dress on her and tried to start with her hair, but we become distracted and thought we'd finish her face later. Well, mom come to pick her up before we got to finish it~ We still made time to play kitchen, watch Cinderella II twice, Sleeping Beauty and the movie Cars. Princess snacks, chocolate milk, played in the park with Deborah's granddaughter Jasmine and invited her over for playing in the kitchen and doll house. They played side by side nicely and used manners...it was cute. We walked Jasmine across the street and Matti told Jasmine thank you for coming over to play!

Of course, I got the scare of my life earlier when I thought I would take the girls to the park while Savannah and London worked at homework. I was carrying Hailee and Matti was walking beside me, as we get to the block wall there are TWO uncollared PIT BULLS. NEVER have I seen these dogs much less running free...I took a few more steps to the park after Matti hoping to see the dogs owner and they would call them off...NO SUCH LUCK. I am thinking...here I am with these two babies and these dogs have already began jumping on me. They seemed playful, but I am NO WAY a fan of big dogs, much less pit bulls. I had already picked up Matti as best I could and my mind was racing. They were panting telling me they have been running a while, so I thought no way am I going to let these dogs sense my fear. I turned and walked towards our driveway thinking they would turn and run to the park...NO...they continued to dance around us...jumping on me. Matti tells me, "Aunt Cindy, I want to go home"...another startling statement as she is NEVER afraid of dogs. As I made that turn to my driveway, I seen a mother and three smaller children up on the park playground equipment...with a prayer in my heart, I thought I have to get to my door. ONLY Miss Holly would be there YAPPING...I got to the door...dogs following and jumping at my back, I crack the door and sure enough...Holly is right there. Thank goodness for prayers as she did not bark. I proclaim very calmly but sternly for the girls to come get the dog...I wait and wait, nothing...I said, I am not kidding, immediately get the dog. STILL NOTHING...I glance over my shoulder and see the dogs sniffing around the patio furniture I open the door shoving Matti in first and as I turned to close the door, the dogs are right there. I simply do not know what kept Holly from barking. I slammed that door so fast. My heart began to pound and I call for the girls to take Hailee and I am shaking by this time. I went to the computer and typed on Google, Clark County Animal Control. I called to report it, but have no way of knowing if they were ever picked up. I am so grateful I remained calm.

So the next day...I do get to watch Hailee as Shannon took Matti and London, Savannah and Montana to the Car Show that was on Water Street in Henderson (or Hendertucky, as Shannon called it). I found out he took the day off, so I suggested I could watch the girls again if he wanted to go up with Brittney and her mom. As they were at the Car Show, Shannon called me to tell me that Brittney's grandpa had passed away. He was getting worse daily from his battle with cancer. Chris was really having a difficult time with that news and her mom in the state she was in. So when Shannon returned, he did go to be with them. Savannah made tissue flowers with Matti and Cherida and Nathan, her friend visiting had fun with the girls.

Saturday night was quite the housefull! It began with Matti& Hailee. Then Sierra Waldron come to hang out with Savannah. Montana brought Heather, his friend, over. Jared & Martha stopped in and Gerald popped over to say hello just missing Cherida & Nathan. Shannon returned from his hospital visit to pick up the girls. The only family we were missing was Teanna & Marco with Micah and Lois. I did not take any photographs as I was too busy trying to keep up.

As time would have it, Arden is much better and on the road to recovery. We visited her at the hospital last night and she has her oxygen off. She had hanging the picture we had traced of Matti with a photograph where the face was not drawn. All is well once again.

Pennies by the Inch

This is a program that has been implemented for 87 years! I cannot beleive it has been that long. This is a program that our family has utilized and important to continue to support. Children's Primary Hospital in Salt Lake City is recognized as one of the largest hospital's for children. Miracles do truly take place there daily. Since I am part of the South Stake Primary, it was my job to share with the Primary children and invite them to donate their pennies.

I love visiting the different ward primaries as you get to see their bright faces. I challenged them to go home and clean out the couch looking for coins and to look in the car. Help mom with some chores in exchange for emptying out the coins in the bottom of her purse. We talked about the economy and how we can put forth a little effort and still serve others in our efforts.

Savannah blossoming and venturing out...

This has been a life changing year for Savannah. She is not afraid to venture and try anything! She has continued the NJHS and participates in Jazz Band which is an early bird class for her. Savannah recently turned in paperwork for Secretary on Student Council. Tonight she plans to attend the school dance without her sister!
Savannah called me from school on Thursday and asked if she could stay after school to learn to play the Oboe. I'm like what? She said her teacher would teach her to play the Oboe. So we pick her up and she now has an Oboe on loan from the school that she will practice on. She said the fingering is very similar to the flute. Savannah mainly complained of her cheeks hurting...now she is playing through a reed.

Savannah will definitely try to enjoy life as strives to put forth much effort!

Following our promptings...

After Aunt Lillie's memorial service in St. Louis, she would be buried next to her husband in the Mount Hope Cemetery in St. Louis the following day even though she had been creamated.

As my mom retells the story, this is what happened. Her memorial service held Sunday, September 20, 2009 and her family needed to report back to work the very next day in Kansas, Tennessee and Arkansas. They discussed the horror stories of things like that just never occuring if there was no one there to verify. I suppose Aunt Darline, Aunt Bert and my mom were part of this conversation expressing their concerns.

Aunt Bert living very close to the cemetery said she would be glad to check in. There was no specific time discussed for her burial. Aunt Bert was out driving and felt impressed to drive to the cemetery as she was nearby. It had been a while since she had been to the Tallent grave site and she was looking through the head stones working her way to some employees. They asked if she needed some help finding someone and she said, "yes, she was looking for Lillie Tallent." They said they were preparing the area for her burial right there.

The Holy Ghost definitely prompted Aunt Bert to stop...it could have been any other time of the day, it could have been the following day to bury her, but she listened to that still small voice and acted upon it. I am grateful she listened. A tribute to her sister indeed!
Aunt Bert Emmenegger, Aunt Darline Long, mom, Marie Rhodes

Homecoming is upon us...

It seems that Montana has been putting some thought into asking a girl to Homecoming. He has solicited family help...Cherida come up with a cute idea. She told him to get a big bag of flour; however, I don't think she meant 25lb bag that he got...10 pounds would have worked. She wrote a note for him that said: "at the bottom of this flour I have a question for you." He is to deliver this to her home tomorrow and the next day he will have another "flower" delivered with a note attached. I have been asked to buy the flower since I know flowers (I secretly think its because he spent $15 on the bag of flour). Attached to the bottom of a long stem Gerbera will be a note: "oops, wrong flower, will you go to Homecoming with me?"

I hope this girl, Heather, will not make a huge mess for her mom! Montana may not get to go with her after all the flour mess!

Another shocking Homecoming development...Montana is officially on Homecoming Court. The nominating process is you are elected to be one of 15 that the student body votes on and it will be narrowed down to 5 to be voted on to be King. It will certainly be a fun memory for him. Now there will be a gathering of friends to plan their group activity and date, tuxedo, corsage, and a few nights of fun...Homecoming Game Night and Homecoming Dance night.

Lillie Tallent passes away

I am not at the top of my blogging element. I neglected to write about her passing promptly. Aunt Lillie's health has been seriously challenged all year. I am so thankful we stopped in to visit with her so my children have recollection of who she is. On the 5th of September, my Aunt Lillie passed away. She was born on January 30, 1928 in Ripley County, Missouri to John Dan and Nora Elmina Campbell Purdom. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Norman Ray Tallent; three brothers Nathan Eli, Glenn Calvin and John Carl Purdom; and a sister, Pansy Elmina Kennedy Pond.

Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Keith Allen and Alice Tallent of Dodge City, Kansas, Robert Kent and Kay Tallent of Dardanelle, Arkansas, Mark Steven Tallent of Hendersonville, Tennessee; a daughter, Charolette Ann Tallent of Nashville Tennessee; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Tommy Purdom of Sikeston, Missouri, and Raymond and Gloria Purdom of Licking, Missouri, three sisters and brothers-in-law, Alberta and Albert Emmenegger, Darline and Harry Long, all of St Louis, Missouri, and Joan Marie and Ellis Rhodes of Cape Girardeau, MO; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.


This is a favored photograph of my aunts in the prime of their lives...I am certain there was a reunion sweet once again.

Rental issues...

I can actually talk about it now...I think. I got a phone call from the renter at Alan's...this is the one that we got a letter from after being in the house for 9 months that they needed new filters for the AC. I don't want to even go there! So he says he was broken into and he has all his tools stolen from the storage area on the south side of the house and the other door on the north side of the house where the water heater is was broken into also. Shocked, my comment was you got to be kidding...the renter was rude and said would I be kidding? I don't have time to talk and hung up on me.



Police come to the house and dust for finger prints...The person just totally had to take a sledge hammer to the door knob and dead bolt...then had to pry the door open as he could not just bust the door in. Gerald, when he installed it for Alan, put some long 4" screws in at the dead bolt to deter that very thing from happening.

Meanwhile, we are digesting all of this wondering if the renter has done this himself. He asked us if we had insurance...why would he ask that? I promptly asked him if he had renter's insurance as ours would not cover personal items of his only the structure. Oh, yes, he says he has insurance. So we wondered if this was his way of getting some money claiming things to be stolen? It happened in broad daylight~

Jerry, Gerald & I are off to fix the door. The door is totally damaged, but the door jam is fine. Jerry went ahead and replaced the entire door as what are the chances of hardware aligning? Replaced the door knobs and dead bolts. I was weeding and the clean-up crew for them. We got home around 8:30 after putting the door into one of those huge dumpsters in front of someone else's house that was being retro-fitted...that was nice and convenient for us.

ALMOST TWO WEEKS LATER on the 15th...I get a phone call from the same renter and he says they broke in again and he is trying to blame us for not fixing the gate. Whatever! The person breaking in would break in with or without a gate deterrant. I need to write a letter to the tenant regarding the bushes. I even mentioned at the first break in that the shrubs could allow someone to hide and cause harm to someone or something. This break-in, they knocked the door handle off and worked on making the hole for the door knob big enough to stick their hand in and unlock the deadbolt. They left blood on the door this time for the police to take a sample of that.

This time they did not break into the water heater area. BUT once again, the door was damaged. Jerry, Gerald & Montana went down to replace the door and locks AGAIN. This time Jerry purchased a security gate to be put over the storage room door, replaced the door and the dead bolt and knob. So $250 later on the second round...we disposed of the second door again in that dumpster in front of the house being worked on!

Friday the 18th, I get a call from the renter and he is asking me if we were down there doing work today. My reply, "no, why?" The security door is gone and the neighbor said there was a truck with no plates on it trying to get in the back yard. I asked, "what about the door to the storage room?" He replys, "I told you that you needed to fix the gate, I don't have time to talk and hangs up." HE PISSES ME OFF! SO I call Jerry as it is like 4:45pm and he races off to the renters. I called Gerald to tell him of this stupid thing happening AGAIN! What the heck...I am thinking I will get a gun and sit in the back yard myself this time!!!

I wait and wait to hear from Jerry. I call just as he was leaving...the renter is not sassy to him, only me. He said, it was all a misunderstanding...the neighbor did see someone, BUT they were there to measure for putting bars on the windows of the store room. The security gate WAS NOT MISSING. This was his irrational mouth spouting off at me. There was a truck, but I am CERTAIN it had plates on it. Jerry neglected to tell me that he was sending someone down there to price it and then to install them. He never mentioned anything to me.

I suppose I do need to draft a letter regarding the safety of the landscaping. But for now...I am VENTING!!!

Labor Day Gathering

a day of laughs and giggles, photos and stories, food and games... and memories planted.

















Savannah took the first photo of Hailee~I LOVE that picture--she is such a happy baby and that picture depicts it well. Grandpa was caught drinking to the last drop from the "birthday pineapple" for Montana's birthday. Mattisyn and Micah played nicely together in Jerry's tents and tunnels.
We even had a party crasher, Lois' friend, Marilyn Agnello. Gwyn was in town with a friend Carol who is from St. Louis. Hailee was decked in a ladybug outfit and for some reason the 10 Little Ladybug book was popular! Jared looked cute practicing for "daddy-hood." While Grandpa and Micah did some serious racing on the Wii.

I am grateful for my family...one that is growing and expanding...

September is the month of "mmmms" in our family!

Don't be thinking we are done with birthdays yet! Martha has one rolling around the corner ver soon...September 25th! She turns 24! I will be sure to get her photo posted on her birthday! Just funny how that works out in our family!

Happy 6th Birthday Micah!

Another one the birthdays just keep adding up! Micah had friends over and they made and decorated their cupcakes! What fun! Spending time with friends and family make the memories! He'll be singing, "all I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!" Exciting time in life! Happy Birthday, Bud!"

Happy 3rd Birthday Matti!

This little girl wants to grow up! I think mom and dad should let her pursue pagaent again! She has the right attitude that would take her far. Of course, mommy & daddy may have another thing to say about that attitude. She wants to be in school, she loves interaction and soaks everything up like a sponge. We enjoyed spending her birthday celebration with her and her family!

Happy Birthday Matti!

Happy 18th Birthday Montana!!!

Montana looking all 18 and that!

It seems like yesterday I went in to the doctor pleading to get labor started. The baby, we did not know what the sex was, had been propped up against one of my nerves and my thighs were swollen down to my knees and the ankles were my normal Wilma Flintstone look. I was round and out there! I remember walking Jared to school the first week until I went in labor.

Jerry and I had a girls name already in place, London Marie, but we were undecided on a boy's name. Jerry liked Dakota and I did not as it was too common. He liked Dallas, but my dad's name is Ellis and it would sound like we tried and missed on matching a name up to his. I was getting anxious and I knew we were embarking on a geographical thing, so I said half joking (in case he did not like it) and really on the serious side, why not Montana? Joe Montana's name was in the news at that time as a popular athlete. Not naming him after the guy, only getting my idea from there. Jerry was not sold, yet...

The morning of the 6th, I went in to the doctor and off I went to the hospital relieved knowing the baby would soon be there. My water had to be broke as with all my kids, but there was a lot, a lot of water, no, did I say a lot a lot of water!?! I know this sounds ridiculous, but so much water was released, it literally flowed out into the hall. A staff member went and put a "caution - wet floor" sign out. That Jerry LOVES to retell! About noon was when contractions were very strong and close...soon off we went to the delivery room. The doctor was being very patient as I was trying my hardest to push. Finally, the nurse got up on a stool and literally helped me push by pushing on my abdominal cavity. Jerry was worried it was hurting and at that point...I did not care. Promptly at 1:00 pm he was born! Thankfully, he was born slowly and I did not tear.

Jerry did his usual thing...right there at the nurse's side anxious to hold his new little baby. The nurse weighed him and he tipped the scales at 10lb 1oz. Jerry repeated it to me and we both knew what to name him, Montana. Big name for a big baby!!! I can remember it so clearly. The nursery did not have diapers big enough for a baby that size and funny thing...another baby of almost the same weight was born that day. The nursery staff went to the store for purchase of diapers their size! He was such a cute and cuddly baby! Where did the time go?

Nonetheless, here the time has passed and he is 18! A friend of his helped him celebrate by decorating his car for him. His birthday is usually on or around Labor Day and now, for the past three years he celebrates with his little cousin, Mattisyn. He is very gracious and let's all the focus be on her. As always, he still is a very loving person!

I love you Montana! I canot believe how quickly the time has passed, but to you I wish the best for you! The world will be what you make it, so be creative and make it GREAT!

Montana 10 Days Old




Montana 1 Year Old


Montana 3 Years old...he loved to climb!

Blah moments for my blogging...

What is wrong with me? I think I just got out of the habit, plus I have not uploaded any photos lately. Maybe I should get the camera out and do that! I feel a blogging itch coming on...I can think about Montana, Savannah and Jerry things that need to be shared! I will update in a bit...

Men & Shopping...

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I can't wait any longer

I have been TRYING to capture Montana leaving for work. This is his third day and I think he works Saturday also. Maybe then or I am gonna march right into that store and snap a pic when he's not looking!!!

HE GOT A JOB!!! All on his own merit...not knowing anyone, just applying and getting that call! It is the Target on Blue Diamond.

CONGRATULATIONS MONTANA!

Cannery help

Savannah may look like her mom, but she is a LOT like her dad. She is not afraid to try anything. She is always willing to do new things and not afraid to ask how to do it or what is expected. We canned sugar, macaroni, refried beans, black beans and carrots.

The cannery has a new box stapler out there and that was fun...Savannah and I used that and we were willing to make boxes all night...much easier than trying to tape the boxes. Dad went with us, only he took off his apron, hat and gloves before I could think to take a picture!

School year 2009-2010

As you can tell from the photos...everyone is thrilled for photos and has their best faces on! Montana entertained me with three photos...the one posted was the "best" one. Gotta love 'em!

It is here already! Montana graduates this year! He was off and going this morning...he is mentally done with school, but must complete the motion of finishing his last two classes. He will graduate with 27.5 credits.

London..she is in 8th grade and school will be good for her...older one on campus, now to find out about her orchestra class! I cannot believe she will be in high school just on BRIEF year from now!

Savannah...she is ready to start 7th grade and her accelerated classes! She is already thinking ahead of her service hour committment to National Junior Honor Society.






Cherida informed me she is not taking a photo today...she's almost 20!
She took the girls photos this morning and this is all I could capture of her on the way out the door for her new job!

All of my children are way smarter than mom was! Now, just to get them to continue their goal setting and they will be way ahead of the game!