One of my favorites!

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays!!!

I thought I would share some pictures of the kids dressed up starting in 2004

2004 - Alexis (Lady Bug) Joe (Skeleton Pirate) Hailey (Rapunzel)

2005 - Alexis (Ribbon Fairy) Joe (Alien) Hailey (Geisha)

2006 - Alexis (Princess) Joe (Egyptian Warrior) Hailey (Vampire)

2007 - Alexis (Gabriella) Joe (West County Chopper Biker Skeleton) Hailey (Rock Star)

(Alexis was also an Egyptian belly dancer last year for her Girl Sc0ut Halloween Party)

Madame Vice-President

It is with great pleasure and a honor to be the one to tell everyone. Last week, Mel had applied for a new position at Warren Federal Credit Union -- Assistant Branch Manager. And, I'm so excited -------- she got the position!!!!!!! I couldn't think of anyone more qualified and skilled for the position. With the change of duties, will be a slight change in her "normal" working day. She won't be home right at 5:00 pm like usual, but we can eat dinner a little later anyway. And, she has to work every third Saturday from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (or something like that), but the kids and I will be thrilled to see her when she comes home.
I can't tell you how proud of Mel I am. She's the one who tirelessly works her fingers to the bone without seeking any recognition. For example, I don't remember the last time she had taken an hour off away from the Credit Union for lunch. She will do a FANTASTIC job in her new position!
We are so darn proud of our Madame Vice-President!!!!!!!!!

A Wonderful Day

Well, I'm finally getting to this blog thing to tell you Mel has turned another year younger!!!!! Sunday was her 31st birthday. Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling well with a combination of a cold and symptoms of TMJ -- they couldn't have come and a more unfortunate time. But, none the less, we celebrated and love her just the same. Here's a picture of her opening one of her presents:

Family Football ~ Hobbs vs. Jessup

This year, being 5th Graders, Joe and Hailey are able to play flag football for their schools. The cool thing is that all of the Elementary Schools verse each other over the next few weeks. The 2nd game of the season - Hobbs Elementary (Hailey's School) and Jessup Elementary (Joe and Lady's School) versed each other. So....I had to get some pictures of the action - before the game.

You are probably wondering...Which team won???

The final score was:
Hobbs - 0 Jessup - 12

Joe was on cloud 9 and Hailey was disappointed but they were both Big Kids about it and we ended up having a great evening.

Being Part of the Group

Clint and I had Dorothy (My Grandmother) over for dinner this evening.
The kids got all of their instruments out to show her and ended up
bringing her an electric guitar to be able to be "part of the group."
I had to get a picture of this!

1st Girl Scout Meeting of the Year!

Alexis had her first Brownie meeting of this school year ~

The girls had 3 leg races, spoon and egg races and received their

patches and prizes from last years cookies sales and activities.
It was great fun!

Our Wedding Vows

4 Years ago today Clint and I exchanged these vows:

Clint to Mel

"It is rare in life to find a love like the one we share. When I look towards the heavens at night, I see the ever-lasting and deep love we share for each other. When I see the sun shining, I feel the warmth of your smile, your embraces and your commitment to our new family. When I smell the rain, it comforts me as it reminds me of the growth and the transformation of uniting two families into one. When I feel the wind blowing against my skin, it reminds me of how you help me feel alive and of you holding me in your arms helping me feel safe and secure. When I look into your eyes, I feel the love and devotion you share with me. I hope when you look into my eyes, you feel how much I love you, cherish you and am devoted to you. My love for you continues to grow as the wind pollinates the flowers, the rain and sun give the flowers the necessary elements to grow and nighttime allows the flower to rejuvenate. I love you now with the truest of hearts, and I always will."

Mel to Clint

"I am the luckiest woman in the world to have found a love that never fails. I am amazed that you can always make me laugh and never fail to comfort me when I am saddened. One simple glance or touch from you still has the power to take my breath away. My love for you is unconditional and I find myself falling more in love with you as each day passes. As we grow old together I promise to love, respect and honor you. I will always support your plans, decisions and interests, ideals and emotions through all the trials and tribulations of life. I will be with you to celebrate the joyous times and will nurture you and our children in this lifelong commitment. I will honor the special bond and unique relationship between us, and promise to always keep this eternal flame in my heart for all the days of my life. My Love....you are in my voice when I speak, you are in the air that I breathe. Thank you for making me complete, showing me the true meaning of love, and allowing me to give my entire heart and soul to you. I love you now, always and forever."

I must say I was a ball of nerves and overly stressed (to say the least) the last few days before the wedding knowing that I had to write my own vows...Clint was as cool as a cucumber about it.

I saved the vows, the exact papers we read them off of, and have pulled them out on our anniversary each year since the wedding. I am so thankful that I saved them! They are so beautiful!

One last thing - Although September 11th, 2004 was an amazing day for our family; I don't want to forget those who lost family and friends on September 11th, 2001. Our prayers remain with you and yours now and forever. In addition, Thank You to all of the Troops who risk their lives for our freedom to be an American!

God Bless America

4 Short Years Ago

On this very day, a mear 4 years ago, I was trembling with anticipation and excitement. As tomorrow was the day I would wed the most wonderful woman on this planet. As the day arrived, it couldn't have been more perfect!! The weather, friends, family and my soon to be wife. She was radiant; glowing with a halo over her head, a gift from God. My love for her never ceases to grow -- her devotion, her passion, her pure essence. My life changed forever on that day. As the days go by, I continue to learn how to be a father and a husband. I have made mistakes in my life; as an individual and as a spouse. The single constant thing: my wife and her unconditional love for me. My love for her is just that -- unconditional. She has taught me to be a better husband, father, son and person. Without Melissa, my life would not be complete. On the morrow, we celebrate 4 years together. Four years of experiencing things many are not fortunate enough to experience -- togetherness. To you, my love, my spouse, my reason for life -- I love you like no other and will until the sun ceases to burn. Happy 4th anniversary my love!!! We have two families bound together, forever, by love!!!

Our WEBELOS II Cub Scout!

(Thankfully, after 4 doses of Antibiotics Joe is already making some improvement in how he feels and looks.)
Tonight was the Pack 219 Cub Scout 2008-2009 Season Kickoff Meeting! Joe has moved up to a WEBELOS II. This is the highest rank he can go into Cub Scouts ~ His next step up will be to Boy Scouts. He has grown into such a great young man and Cub Scouts has helped him become a better Citizen and Son.

We were very proud of him this evening at the meeting ~ He was an excellent example for the younger cub scouts and he was very proud of himself with all he has accomplished so far in scouting.

Joe performing the opening flag ceremony
with his buddies Jake, Nate and Logan.












Joe looking handsome in his uniform!

One of Those Days!

Do you ever just have "One of Those Days?" I know, that is a stupid question to ask but I had to do it. Today was "One of Those Days" for me and I am even going to Blog about it.

Parenting
Parenting is the toughest job on earth. No bones about it! This morning I wake up "semi" late and get the kids up and moving. They had a long weekend so Monday morning was tough on them too. They eat some breakfast and as I am heading downstairs to take a shower and get ready I tell Alexis "When I get back upstairs you should be ready to go - that means breakfast gone and dishes in the sink, put on your clothes, brush your teeth, brush your hair and put on your shoes!" Those are my exact words, I use them every morning and I be sure and list it out just in case it matters. Well, I get dressed and head upstairs and Alexis is dressed but her hair is a wreck, she hadn't brushed her teeth and her feet were still bare. So, I finally get her together and am ready to leave when Joe tells me that it is too cold to walk to school and by the way "I don't feel well". I tell Joe - "This is nothing compared to how cold it will be later in the year" "Get Moving Joe - Otherwise, you will be late." Now, I am off to work!

Day Care
I am one of those Mother's who feel guilty just dropping the kids off at the door at daycare. Instead of letting Alexis walk in and sign herself in on her own ~ I have to do it. So, I go in, sign her in and look around to tell her bye - she is hugging and saying good morning to the teachers. I am thankful that she likes them all but - I am late! Please, kiss me goodbye first - oh well, she does run to the door so I stop and give her my morning hug and kiss and tell her "Have a good day - go to Gymnastics after school, I will pick you up from there".

Work
That's right - I am LATE. I have a training class this morning at 9am - so technically I am not late by I start my job at 8am and even if class doesn't start at 8 - I have to be there on time. I have this issue about lateness. But, because I have training I need to go to Albertson's to pick up snacks - Donuts, Pretzels, Candy - thankfully the checkout line was free and clear.

Cell Phone
What did we do without cell phones? Yes, I am one of those freaks that goes back home to pick up the cell phone if I happen to leave it. I may as well name it - I take so much care of it!
Well, as I am paying my "snack" bill at Albertson's I get a call from Joseph in TEARS - He is sick and doesn't feel well. I tell him "Joe, go to school and this afternoon if you still feel bad I will take you to the Dr." - oh no, you would have thought I said the worst thing imaginable because the crying, sniffling and coughing got even louder. I break down and tell him. Okay Joe, you will have to stay home by yourself today then - I can't miss work today. I have training. He decides to do this but he CAN'T do this. He has just recently started staying alone by himself for more than an hour and when he does he isn't sick. What am I going to do?

Made it to Work
Well, I successfully made it to work carrying my purse and two grocery bags. Plop them down on my desk and realize.... My baby is sick - Clint can't stay home with him (he was just off work for months becuase of his back surgery and has an important training obligation today too) what am I going to do. Normally, at this point I would have called Omi (Clint's Mom) to see if there was any possible way he could go to her house but she is leaving on a cruise in two weeks and can't get a cold - I can't blame her for that so I knew that option was out. So - I make arrangements with HR and the new hires supervisor - I call Joe and give him the news " I will be home in a few minutes, get dressed, I am taking you to the Dr." Now, normally leaving for the day with training classes to train would be bad but to make it worse ~ I am considering trying to transfer to a different position within the company so I am thinking this absence could really shoot me in the foot. But, all in all, my family comes first.

Dr's Office
You would have thought that the whole city of Cheyenne was in line to see a physician today. The Dr. said - School must be in....all the kids are sick now. I am thinking - "My thoughts exactly" ~ I remember that I couldn't wait for them to be back in school - I must have forgotten the germ thing. Come to find out, Joe has a sinus infection and is now on an antibiotic and cough syrup with codeine to keep him sleeping through the night without coughing his head off.

This Evening
Because of Joe being sick today - he not only missed baseball practice, I didn't take Alexis to soccer practice this evening either. This also wouldn't have been an issue normally but Clint is teaching at the University of Wyoming this fall on Monday evenings so my extra help was not around. Then comes the homework - Joe's friend dropped off his homework from missing today. I thought how nice - little did I know that it would be the breaking point of the day.....Joe cried, and wined and complained about the article that he had to read. After tons of complaining I tell him "Okay, I will read it to you, listen closely so you pick up on what you need to write about". Well, he picked up on it but then the writing became an issue. I should have thrown the towel in at that time but .... once again continued to help. (I believe that I mentioned this before but, parenting is sure a tough job - especially with a sick and sensitive child - that is going through some hormonal "growing up" emotions on top of it all) Let's just say that it almost took 2 hours for this assignment to get completed and I honestly didn't have the heart or the energy to look at the finished product. One thing is for sure - it is finished.

Bed Time
I think that hardest time of the day for me has been and continues to be bed time. It seems like at this time, I am exhausted too - so I am not as fun as I would like to be and am just hoping that they go to bed nicely without every few minutes saying "Mom...." But, being the wonderful fun mother that I am let them sleep on the fold out couch bed downstairs. Alexis keyed in on the "Clint isn't going to be home until late" and usually if he is out of town they can sleep downstairs. Well, she remembered and asked so I decided to let them sleep downstairs tonight but, I should have known better. Alexis decided to be her ornery self and not listen well. The normally hectic bedtime became even worse. I am not even sure if there is a word for it.

Now
As I sit here and type I look at today and think - Wow, I made it though. Behind me I hear Joe sawing logs (due to his stuffy nose) and remember why parenting is the hardest job in the world ~ Becuase you do your best and love them with the deepest of love. Children are blessings and as hard or chaotic that the day becomes with them in it, it is worth every second, and it would be miserable without them. Their sweet faces, funny jokes, laughs thought the day, kisses and hugs at the right and wrong times, and their unconditional love for their parents - no matter how good or bad we are at it - they are still a blessing and love us too.

So, I ask that if you read this far (and made it down to the bottom of my book) one thing you can do is pray for me to continue to have the strength and stamina to work like I do to be a good mother and remember why I am doing it. When I look at these three beautiful children - again, I see it is all worth it. If you wouldn't mind maybe you can pray too that I may still have a chance at this job promotion at work - if it doesn't work out, I need to remember - God has a plan for me. And last but not least thank you for being my friends and family and putting up with me! I am thankful for you and thankful for the wonderful husband that I have too - he too loves me for who I am.

Go Pokes!

Today Clint and I had an opportunity to go to the Wyoming Cowboys Football Game! It was GREAT FUN! We had season tickets two years ago but decided to give them up since we didn't have as much time to go and enjoy the games. Today we realized how much we miss going to all of the home games!

To make the day even more exciting....We took Omi! We all had a great time and enjoyed each other's company. We ended our fun afternoon with a meal from "El Conquistador" - The best Mexican restaurant this side of the border!

(Unfortunately the Cowboys didn't win.)

~ 6 Hamster Babies ~

Clint and I knew that we would have to "bite the bullet" and get the hamster cage cleaned this evening. With the kids at their other parents' houses, we decided to get the job done so they wouldn't be trying to help. Although they would have loved every moment ~ It would have been much harder to move quickly with three curious bodies in the middle of things.

The hamsters are a week old today and we honestly didn't know what to expect when we opened the cage. I knew that there had to be at least one left because "Jaggers" (the Mom) stayed up in the top hideout a lot.

Before we cleaned the cage we called PetCo to see if it was safe to clean it yet. They thought that after a week - we should be okay.

There are 6 live babies. They have gotten pretty big. They still have not opened their eyes but their bodies have some nice color (not as pink) a little bit of hair growing in.

If you click on the pictures they will expand - you can get an up close look!

Backyard Camping

Last night Celina, my Goddaughter, stayed the night with us. Since there was no school today Clint and I decided to let them (Joe, Celina, and Alexis) sleep in a tent in our backyard. They had a great time.

Alexis stayed out there about 10 minutes max and then decided to come in and sleep on the couch. Joe and Celina ended up making it through the night out there and slept in longer than we thought. They got up around 8am.

Our Black Lab "D.O.G." slept most of the night on the back porch watching over them. He is very protective of the kids.

(Hailey had to be back at her Mom's house Sunday afternoon so unfortunately she missed out on the backyard camping experience.)