Grateful for my legs...however dumb they are!!

My legs are giving me fits. I have old lady knees; which translates to chondromalacia patella! The tendons that hold the patella in the right place aren't doing their job and my knee-cap rubs wrong. Anyway, it hurts. I have been going to physical therapy and they are better. I guess I should be happy. But this weekend is a hike with my family. I was supposed to go two weekends ago but I decided my knees needed the extra time. Well, here it is...hike time. Because of some of the exercises for my knees, my back hurts. So we are working on my knees AND now my back, too. And...I hurt. I'm scared of what I will feel like during the hike and after. I miss my years-ago hiking body that could do the Grand Canyon!! But, I am grateful for my legs. I can walk and if REALLY, REALLY pushed by something terrifying, I can run. I can take care of myself. I can do errands and shop. I can clean my house. I can play and help with my grandbabies. And, there are really great over-the-counter meds to help. And ice packs. But...I freakin' hurt and I don't like it one, little bit!!! But, I AM grateful for my legs! Here are a few pics from last years hike:

Happy Saturday! Today, Steve and I worked in the garden. We transplanted the pumkins and watermelons that we started from seeds. We had to dig the dirt down and mix in the mulch and then make cute little mounds for the plants. It was fun working together. Hot, but fun! Now I just hope they grow and produce. We have lots of tomatoes, a couple of peppers and great herbs. So far, the zuchinni plants are just really leafy. The few zuchinnis we have are very tiny still. One of Steve's strawberry plants got "black root" disease, so we had to buy new plants today. However, one of the other strawberry plants had the prettiest little berry on it...and we ate it!! Here are few pictures:

Steve told me to wear gloves. I didn't think I needed them!!

And...this dog LOVES Steve:

Have a great weekend!

Syrup!!!

Today was a great day. First, it rained! So exciting! Wonderful! Then this afternoon, I went to the Mesa Cannery. It is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There are members of the church that are employed there, but they also ask for volunteers a few times a month. I went today. It was amazing. We bottled syrup. It was so great to see how it all works. We bottled about 3000 to 4000 thousand bottles; but the cannery bottled 8000 in all today. These bottles of syrup will be sent to distribution centers and Bishop's storehouses throughout the states. If you would like more information on the LDS Church's Welfare Program, you can go to LDS.org and get enlightened! It is an amazing program! I am so proud to be a part of the church and be able to help. It made my day!

And just because:

Easter Follow Up

Well.....Easter morning we went out to the backyard and...lo and behold, things grew where Keegan planted the "magic jelly beans!"

A new shovel:


Spinning wheels for Keegs and Brax:


There was also an insect catching net and magnifying glass, a Bubble Wand...and "Bunny" prints in the flour!!!


Keegan and Braxton then looked for the hidden, dyed eggs. Rufus helped. Literally. That dog would pick up an egg he found, then drop it for Keegan. Finally he got tired of letting Keegs have them and when Steve went to pick up an egg from Rufus, He "grabbed" it. Look close, (it's an orange egg:)


We all then got ready to go to church. Our sacrament meeting was so perfect. We were privileged to hear three wonderful talks and two beautiful musical numbers that brought both chills and tears. I am so grateful for spring and all the new life that surrounds us at this time of year. The colors and the smells invigorate my soul. However, I am eternally grateful for the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. How thankful I am for the knowledge I have of this great man and all he has done for me and for each one of us. I know I can live forever with those I love and with those that have gone before me. And Christ's willing sacrifice makes this possible. "That He should extend His great love unto such as I."
Eternally grateful!

Wonderful Easter Weekend

We had a really fun Easter weekend. After spending Monday through Wednesday up in Flagstaff helping Kristen, (because we all know she stabbed a knife all the way through the palm of her hand)....she and I and the boys came to Phoenix. It is ALWAYS so great to have them here. Jamon came down on Thursday and his little family spent some time with his side of the family for the holiday. Tracee and Rees came over to this side of town for the weekend. On Saturday afternoon we had our Easter Feast. I held my first ever Easter Egg Hunt with my grandsons, Keegan and Braxton (and my adopted grandson Quaid.) Quaid is the son of some dear family friends! We had a great time and enjoyed each other's company.

I love this smart little boy!


This is what Uncle's are for: they let you throw balls at their face!


The hunt is on!






The beautiful table set by Tracee:


No explanation necessary:


Kristen and Keegan planting magic jelly beans in the garden:



And, putting flour out to try and get some "bunny" footprints!


Stay tuned to see what "grew" in our garden and if we were lucky enough to get "bunny" prints!!!

Hi...it's been a while!

Just an update. Let's see....I quit my job at Michael's after 4 years (miss my friends but not the place,) Steve continues to work on our outdoor kitchen, LOVE spending time with my kids and grandkids, went fishing, almost had a fire(lots of smoke, no flame thank goodness,) hosted a prom dinner for 7 couples with Chef Trent and Hostess Courtney (and assistant chef Steve and assistant hostess Wendi), Went to Flagstaff several times, made a garden, bedroom re-do, got a bike, LOVE spending time with my kids and grandkids, Steve had a wonderful medical check-up and Josh comes home in August for a looonngg visit!!

Random pictures: (OVERLOAD)

It's Monday

So...it's Monday. I woke up, went to work, now I am home. Depressed. Melancholy. Sad. Worried. Not wanting to fold the laundry. Not wanting to pay bills. Wanting to go fishing. I even asked my very busy husband to call in sick today and take me fishing. He couldn't. Crap!
Why do I get like this? Life isn't that bad. But, to me, today, it is. I miss my Flagstaff family and my Tempe family. Weird. I had them all weekend. I miss my son who is in Korea, (pronounced Kurea.) I worry about him and that drives him nuts. I wish we could all live in a big compound. With acres of land for the kids and dogs to run around on. Each of us in our own home of course, to keep us sane, but near each other. We could share stuff, and borrow stuff, and hang out, and my grandkids could come over anytime they wanted. Wouldn't that be cool?
But, what would help cheer me up is to go...fishing! Because, as you sit there, watching your bobber bounce on the water, waiting for it to dive....you can think clearly. And think and think and think. And you have time to put everything back into it's proper order. Everything into perspective.
Yep, fishing!!




And camping on the rim would help, too!