San Antonio Here We Come

It's with great saddness that we're moving Troy and Kori and kids to San Antonio, Texas. They broke the news to us in September and Roger and I just looked at each other and started to cry. We were in a restaurant too. But they reassured us that they had fasted and prayed about their decision and felt like it was what they needed to do. Before they left we cherished every second we had with them and especially the kids. We've been so blessed to have all our kids close by so this was going to be quite the adjustment. My prayers are with them day and night as they follow their dream. Troy will be selling Alarms year round and I pray that God will bless them in this adventure.

Addie's loving the new pool

Just a few sights that we visited once we finally arrived there. It took us 26 hours of driving but we finally made it. Here we're at the Alamo. It's such a sacred place to visit. You couldn't wear hats, your phones had to be turned off. And only whispers. . 

We ate at so many good places. This one is Rudy's. Their sign said "The Worst BBQ In The World" But we had heard othewise. 

I think Colby was most excited about the beautiful pool area to swim in. The water was quite cold but it didn't stop him.

We ate at this really delicious fish restaurant. It was so awesome and so expensive . lol 

Here's the San Antonio Temple that Troy and Kori live by. What a beautiful sight.

Rog and I drove down to the River Walk. It was lots of fun until we were ready go home and couldn't find our car. It took us 1.5 hours to find it. That was NOT a good experience. lol

We went down to the River Walk and took a ride in a horse and buggy that took us around the town.

While we were there it was Halloween so we got to share in the fun of decorating pumpkins and trick or treating

This is their new place. It's really nice and the area is so beautiful. 

River Walk

Such a cute family. I'm so glad we got to share this fun time with them.

One of the beautiful buildings and churches downtown

Adalines 3rd Birthday

This beautiful little stinker turned 3 yrs old on Sept. 9th. She has such an easy birthday to remember since she was born on 09-09-09. Adaline or Ads or Addie, is such an adorable 3 yr old. She's learned to talk at such an early age. She potty trained easy and she's growing up to be such a beautiful young lady. Grandma loves to snuggle her and read her stories. Addie loves her dollies, her stuffed animals and her silkies and she also loves to fish. Which makes her grandma happy. Addie loves playing with her brother Colby. In fact they're pretty much inseparable. I sure love you sweetheart!

A Parents Love Never Ceases

I've had so many different emotions regarding my children lately. I titled this blog  A Parents Love Never Ceases because no matter how old they get we still care about what's going on in their lives. We pray for them that they'll be healthy, strong, and blessed with those things that they stand in need of. We want them to know that we're always there for them.
I know that I did things as a parent that I wish I could take back. I wasn't a perfect parent that's for sure. There are many things I would have done different but time has been lost now.
I guess I thought as my children grew up that they would begin to value mine and Rogers advice or at least ask us for our input. They certainly wouldn't have to take our advice. Roger and I don't have a college degree but we've been through life a lot more than our kids have.
We have to face the fact that our children are grown and have their own lives. They make their own decisions and we all have to live and learn. Sometimes there are hard knocks and other times there are victories.
I just think it's funny that when they ask for our advice and it's not what they want to hear, they go to their friends and if they tell them the same thing then it's the friends who get the credit. Crazy but true. It's ok..I'm just venting.
Just as an example, my kids will have a concern with one of their kids regarding a medical question and will ask me to ask our doctors opinion. I ask our doctor and they give their answer but then they turn around and tell me that it's not what the Internet said. Lol...So the next time that happens I'm just going to tell them to go look it up on the Internet.
I feel like I'm constantly being demeaned as a parent. I wish I could feel better about myself in the areas of parenting but my self esteem is horrible. Some day I'd like to have my kids proud of me for something.
My husband, kids and grand kids are my life. I'd give my own for them. I'm rambling at this point so I'll end this excerpt..

Bryce Canyon Trip/Anniversary Trip

Married 35 years. Who would have thought?

Well, here we are celebrating 35 years of marriage on August 1st. Married when I was 18 and Rog 20. We're now 53 and 55. I'm so blessed to be married to this wonderful man. What an awesome husband, father, grandfather and friend he is.
It's crazy to look back and think of all the things we've been through together. In our marriage vows we both said "In sickness and health, in good times and in bad" and trust me we've had our share of those times. But we're here to say that we've made it. We stuck it through and I'm so thankful we have. I don't know what I'd do without him. He's my rock! He has such a big heart and full of unconditional love for me.
I pray that God will grant us the good health and continued happiness to share many more years together.
I love you honey!

Happy 11th Birthday Brayden

Brayden just got done playing a baseball game. We came out to watch him play and give him his presents.

I'm so proud of him and so blessed to have him in my life. I remind him often of how important it is for him to be a good example to his smaller cousins. We sure love going and watching his sports. He's so into baseball now and is such a good ball player. He plays 1st base and pitches. 

It's hard to believe our oldest grandson is 11 years old. June 7th. He's trying on the clothes we bought him that ended up being too small.

This picture was taken at his basketball game. Grandpa was giving him some advice. Look what a fine young man he's growing up to be.

4th of July

It's 5:10am. Happy 4th of July. I'm sure I've written a post about this before but this holiday always has a downside for me.
On this day 31 years ago mom took a turn for the worse. She slipped into a coma and never came out. Slowly her body started to shut down. The hospice nurse told us everything that was going to happen to her such as her kidneys shutting down, she started having the labored breathing etc. I remember so vividly all of her siblings coming over to say goodbye. Each one leaving her room in tears, knowing that was the last time they would see her alive.
On July 6th, 1981 we lost our beautiful mother. I remember wondering what I was going to do without her. How could my life go on without her to call, go shopping with, go to lunch with etc. ?
I know I was robbed of her at such a young age and so were my children.
So on this 4th I'm working a 12 hour shift with no other holiday plans. I will miss having our kids over or going to the Stadium of Fire and feel bad that Rog is by his self. But it is what it is.
I'm so thankful for our freedoms in this beautiful country. I'm thankful for our men and women who serve us by protecting us.
Happy 4th of July.