Crash Dummies in person

Just when you think you've seen it all, in walk our good friends Vince and Larry, of crash dummie fame. Larry had a little trouble with the door frame, good thing his head is kinda foamy.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TO YOU

Here we are, the "bigwigs" from upstairs and the rest of us, trailer trash, rocker girl, witch, super hero's and don't forget our very own wrapper girl. Have a very scaaaarrrrryyyyyy day!

The countdown is on

Just Stuff

I just wanted to say what an awesome mother I have. In 2 weeks she will be 87 and she is "just a little" slower than she used to be. Yesterday afternoon she got her hair done, had a pedicure and then went to the drivers license office and renewed her license in person. All this was done by herself. She is very energetic and has lots of spunk. As I grow up, one of my goals is to be more like her. I love her so much. What a blessing she is in my life.

Also this morning, I was reading an email from a friend, one of those that talk about soldiers and a good deed done for them at an airport and on an airplane. At the end was a sentence that pretty well sums up a veteran. It said:

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' Hooah!

Have a great day, be happy and thankful.

Don't be a dead beat - Get out and vote

With such turmoil in the world, we really need to exercise our right to vote. Even if we aren't really voting FOR someone, we need to make a statement that we are concerned. Early voting is all next week at the Cedar City and Enoch City Offices. Get out there and voice your opinion.

Iraq and Back

I haven't been able to think of things to blog about. We don't have kids at home, so I've wondered what to share. Then I realized I could write volumes about Rick and his military service. So here goes, the first installment, of what may be many, about his Iraqi Freedom experiences, and my feelings while he was away. This will serve as a kind of journal.

Speaking of journals, Rick wrote faithfully, every day in a journal. He didn't write much, just short descriptions of his days. He ALWAYS ended with "God Bless America" and "Good night Wendy, Justin, Otis and Baxter". It makes me cry still to remember the tender feelings we all had during that time.

Rick was put on alert the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, 2004. He was at the Enoch City Offices at a meeting when the call came. What a Thanksgiving that was. We went to Todd and Lorie's for dinner, it was pretty emotional thinking he might be leaving for an 18 month tour in Iraq. While in St. George he and his brothers and some nephews were playing football. Rick must have torn his ham string. He was in extreme pain, didn't go to the doctor, and it was about 6 months before he felt better. All this time he was running on the torn muscle and not letting on that it hurt.

The Triple Deuce was activated and left for training in Mississippi in January 2005. Rick went with the advance party and left January 5, 2005. This started our 571 days of activation, WOW what a long time. I remember seeing his orders and reality finally hitting me, this was going to be a long separation. I remember I almost felt like someone had hit me in the stomach, it really took my breath away realizing it really was happening. You kind of get caught up in the excitement and preparation, but reality does set in and it's not very exciting anymore.

The 222nd spent about 5 months at Camp Shelby, Mississippi training for their tour of Iraq. I was able to spend a few days in Mississippi with Rick in March 2005. It was a beautiful area, lots of trees and pretty sandy beaches. Hurricane Katrina hit Gulfport hard, devastating the coastline and casinos located there. We had a great couple of days, but it was almost not worth the visit, having to leave him there and fly home alone.

Here is a picture of Rick on the Beach in Gulfport, Mississippi, March 2005.

First snow of the winter

Well, we got our first snow storm of the winter. It's beautiful outside this morning. As you can see Baxter loves the snow. The first thing he does is lick it then he scoops it with his nose. Pretty fun to watch. Crazy Southern Utah weather, we should be back up in the low 70's by mid week. I knew sandals were still in fashion.

Special Families

I've just been blog hopping, looking at my great family. I am truly blessed to have the great family that I have. I've watched in awe as Lindsay and Collette have posted updates and pictures of our beautiful Madelyn Jane Marriott, what a gorgeous baby she is. I'm so happy for Tim, Alayna and Dawson that they will soon be taking little Madelyn home. It is so fun being with my nieces and nephews and their kids, so fun to watch them turn into parents and find instant unconditional love. I've been watching as Nikki posts pictures of little Kamry and am still amazed that Nikki is a mom, and what a great mom she is. I'm especially lucky that I have good looking nephews and nieces, (and spouses too) because they make beautiful children.

I just talked to Justin on the phone and am totally stoked about him coming for 10 whole days at Christmas. It really gives me something to look forward to. He'll be here on the 20th and not leave again until the 30th, way cool.

Tomorrow is Justin's 36th birthday. That isn't even possible. It was just the day before yesterday that we were planning for his birth. Time has gone so fast. I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments. He is a great man and my very best friend. (Even if he is a weird boy).

Rick is in the midst of the mighty hunting season. This week it's Elk, then a week off, then the deer hunt. Right after the deer hunt, he's off to Camp Williams for another 2 week 1sg Course. He'll be home before Thanksgiving and then maybe we can have a little "normal" time together. The whole summer, at least the past 2 1/2 months have been crazy for us.

I'm in Salt Lake this week attending out State Treasurer's Academy that is being presented by the University of Utah. I'm staying at the Cottontree Inn on 106 South, right across the street from South Town Mall - what a tough place to have to stay!!! We are in class from 8-5 each day except Friday, then we are out earlier for us to drive home if we desire. This should be a great week, I have a lot of good friends who are Treasurer's around the state, and we'll have lots of fun, besides the long days.