Deja vu sadness

Our oldest son and his adorable wife have been trying for several years to have a family.  A couple of years ago they decided to get this "baby" - Cosie (named in behalf of a favorite character in Les Miserables).  She was the object of their love and nurturing.  Unfortunately, this week a freak accident happened that claimed Cosie's life.  We are so saddened by this tragedy and hurt so much for them. 

Backup now 30 years - my hubby and I were trying to have a family with no success.  We got an adorable poodle mix named Cosmo (mascot from my alma mater).  He was the object of all our love and affection.  We had him for a couple of years when an accident happened that took him from us.  I know how they feel and it hurts so much. 

We love you Spencer and Jennie!  Hang in there....

Happy Father's Day

to the men in my life......

My two sons - Spencer and David
Even though they aren't fathers yet - they WILL be.  AND they will be great dads.  I LOVE it when they do things together and help each other out.  They are both so thoughtful and fun loving.  I have learned much about patience, hope, and love from them.  I am so lucky to have them in my life.

My father-in-law
He has always been wise in his advice and counsel to us - I ESPECIALLY like the advice he gave hubby when we were first married - "Always have enough money to get your wife a new frock!"

My two stepfathers 
Because of premature death of my dad, my mom has remarried twice - to men who were and are wonderful grandpas to our children.  They are quick to help with any and all projects that we get ourselves into.

My hubby
ALWAYS supportive!  Whether is was my desire to go to Interior Design School, stripe the walls in our hallway, or raise five children whose genes swim in different pools, he supports me.  He is always prepared with extra paint brushes (I don't like to clean them) or rollers (those either).  He makes time for whatever I drag home from a yard sale or thrift store to redo.

My dad
Due to diabetes, he left us at the early age of 42.  How I want to tell him I'm sorry for a couple of things.  Because he had three daughters and no sons, he would ask me to play catch with him.  I always did, but sometimes I didn't really want to and I hope he didn't know how I felt.  Years later when I moved away to attend college, he called me every morning at 8 am - just to hear my voice.  The conversation would always be the same - "so what did you have for dinner?"  I'm sorry that I wasn't always excited to talk with him. I'm sure there are many more things I've done that might have made him feel bad.  He can take comfort, however, in the fact that I miss him everyday.  Sometimes I feel shortchanged by the fact that he isn't here for me, but then I have moments that I KNOW he is!  

Adventures with Rocky

Every Memorial Day we take our blue heeler - Rocky - on an adventure.  There's a great hike in our area and Rocky loves it.  He is an amazing dog.  With 12 years under his collar, he is slowing down and has a few health issues.  We have to lift him in the car because it's painful to see him try to jump up and not make it.  In his younger years he could clear our 5' fence.  He could also stand on his hind legs to see what was for dinner and help himself if it looked good.  Many times I would have a steak, chicken, or roast sitting on the cupboard to cool - and turn around and it would be gone.  Rocky would have steak and we would eat peanut butter sandwiches.  As frustrating as that was, I will miss him soooo much - I can't even think about life without him.  At night when we lay in bed, we'll say "Rocky is such a good dog" and we'll hear his tail hitting the carpet.  LOVE that dog!!!

                                          Canine lineup:  Rocky, Sarge, Tank (in arms)

A happy ending to a wonderful hike with our beloved Rocky - a stop at Doggy Wash!

Update.....on a missing blogger AND my family room

My creative sister is back blogging!  She was previously at Random Musings from my POV, but has moved.  You can check out her a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. cookies and her bits of wisdom at this site: http://bitsoflifeandcookiebites.blogspot.com/.  She is one smart cookie and one of two amazing sisters I have been lucky enough to have.  We have SUCH a fun time together. 

OK - we are almost there!  My job is next and I am ready.  Just need to let the caulk dry and come Monday, I'm priming.  Just in time for the outside work to be done.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Random Musings From My POV update

For those interested in this darling blog - it expired.  However, she is in the process of creating another one.  I'll be sure to keep you informed when and what the name is.  You know it's got to be good!  That sister of mine is one creative gal!  Her cookies are amazingly cute!

My last kid's birthday party! Can I celebrate or no?

My baby just turned 16 about a month ago - and tonight I threw her a surprise party.  Of course the game system that I was planning on using for entertainment wouldn't work.  We finally got the flatscreen TV mounted last night and the Wii WOULD NOT WORK!  We even bought a new Just Dance - Summer Edition - just for this occasion.  That is how my life is.  Anyway, they had fun being together.  Oh, to be 16 again!

Good times!

Although the weather wasn't the best, the company definitely was!  We had fun playing in the sand dunes, swimming, coloring Easter eggs and playing.  It was a little crowded.

But that's a small price to pay for this:

Have You Tried This Yet?  You Must!!!

This recipe has been all over Pinterest.  It is lots less time consuming than cinnamon rolls and is just as gooey and yummy.   I think I need to make another cake.  I've already made two this past week.  Here is the recipe.  It would be a delicious addition to an Easter brunch.

Angels among us

Look at this little angel.  Who would ever know that he knows the words to Justin Bieber songs, wears his sister's tutu to dance to J B, and spend hours with his daddy working on cars.  He also has a pretty good arm, especially when throwing the contents of his diaper at you!  But he is an angel and all that matters to him right now is his chocolate chip cookie!

MORE ADOPTION HAPPINESS

Spencer, our oldest son, married a wonderful girl that he grew up with in Las Vegas.  We love Jennie, and their oldest - Cosie -.

We are also lucky to have Dallas in our family.  He and Anne have been married for 3 years.

AND the two cutest grandkids ever! - Alexa and Paxton - with #3 on the way in December...

Five blessings of adoption

Although our family didn't come together in the traditional way, we have appreciated the unique story that comes with each child. We didn't go the international route, but we count three different states as birth places - Utah, Nevada, and Illinois. The personalities of each child are as vast as the ocean, but we have a good time together, sharing memories and laughing a lot. Our first two came to us through LDS social services, a private church-owned agency. Our middle child was a private, open adoption and the last two were fostered to us by the state, which turned into an adoption. Even though everything hasn't been "rosy" - it has been good.

Sad new blogger

I've been wanting to join blogland for some time now.  I guess today is the day! 

I'm so sad!  My oldest daughter, Anne, her hubby and MY two adorable grandkids are moving away today. - TWELVE HOURS away!  Dallas is going back to school for a year and a half.  So there is hope that they will be back!  Unless someone offers him an incredible job somewhere else in the country - but I can't think about that right now.  I am going to miss them incredibly!  And if there are any great deals on flights to Phoenix, you can bet I'm there!