...All because two people fell in love. 9/17/1998

Summer fun

2008-06-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

Jaymi had a great time in DC and made it back in one piece! She is now in cheer camp and doing great and soon will be off to other places for the summer. Eric, who has been living with us for the year, just graduated high school and it looks as if he will be off to Canada to play hockey, congrats Eric! Katie has been visiting us from Tucson for two weeks and we will miss her when she is gone.

The basement is mostly up to me now. The rooms and the floor look great and the new windows go in the second week of July. The hard part is I have to paint the entire basement, two coats primer and two coats color. I like to paint but not that much! Top that with school full-time, houseguests, travel, and running Jaymi around - I am fairly busy! Hopefully I will get it all done by the time the Weatherby's get here from Arizona - we are so excited to have you all come visit!

To all the kids (brothers and sisters) and grandkids (nieces and nephews), we miss you all greatly! Don't be strangers, okay? Same with all the friends and other family members, Jaymi and I are still here and we are wondering where everybody went...

If any of you are the praying type, stay hopeful for my marriage and say a little prayer for us. Divorce is never an answer and I certainly don't plan on rolling over and playing dead - what can I say, I really love the guy!

2008-06-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

She's off! Jaymi left for DC today and I am so excited for her! I have houseguests from Sweden and today Katie from Tucson comes! When Jaymi gets back the three of us will go to Lagoon, Lava, St. George, and anywhere else we can!

The weather here has been cold and rainy so it has been hard to stay busy. All I want to do is yardwork and be outside - too bad. I seem to find other things to do somehow... homework, housework and painting the basement!

2008-05-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

It has been forever since I last posted to my blog! Sooo much has happened and I won't bore all of you with the details; except to say that I have lost weight and Jaymi and I are having the time of our life!

Jaymi has just loved being a cheerleader at the JHS and is so excited about next year cheering at the HS! She has become this amazingly beautiful, smart, talented young woman and I am so pleased with her! Sad that there have been some negative stresses in her life lately that have caused her to have Shingles - what a horrible thing to have! Good news is that she is recovering quickly and I have made some life changes for both of us that will eliminate some of that stress - Whew!

Summer is practically here and my lettuce, tomatoes, onions and strawberries are growing so fast! I can't seem to keep the pets out of the mint so it isn't doing so well. I am also almost done with a complete remodel of the basement; I took out walls and everything! All that is left is the floor and paint and ordering the pool table. Come on over and let's play! The best news of the remodel other than it looks FANTASTIC is that it is now time to have a huge garage sale. I am getting rid of so many things that I don't need and it feels liberating.

I am really getting the hang of being back in school. Take my advice, get your education done when you are young - It is so hard to go back! I figure that with some family time off I should graduate in 2010 or 2011; a little before my chickadee graduates high school! It's about time I did this!

Jaymi and I booked a great trip to Germany for spring 09! I can't wait to visit with all of the friends we have there. We are also planning time to go to Paris - Look out! I here the shopping is great so I had better take extra bags! This summer we will plan to visit family and friends in KS, OK, AZ and CA! I hope to try to fit in IL, too!

Let me just say a few things about this picture...First, Jaymi IS wearing heels, but I do have to say that she is now officially taller than I am! Second, doesn't she just look stunning!?!!! OH, and one more thing - she finally got her braces off!

2007-12-04T06:11:00.000-08:00

December is finally here and I am so in the mood for the holidays! I have already decorated the house, except the tree, I want to do that closer to Christmas so that it is fresh. I start the holiday baking today and the first two things I am going to make are Pepper Nuts and Toffee. Thanks for the recipes Diane, these are my favorites!

We started the month with a huge snowstorm and it is so beautiful. We also went to the Billy Joel concert with some friends and it will be a night I will never forget. There just isn't anything like good music with good friends!

If you get a chance to reflect on the reason for the season, I promise you won't be sorry! I hope I get a chance to blog again this month but if not, Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

2007-11-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my wonderful life. I have been truly blessed. I have a wonderful family, good health, incredible friends and live in a beautiful place.

I hope all of you have a peaceful Thanksgiving this year and find a quiet moment to reflect on all the things you are thankful for.

To you, my friend, I love you and I am thankful for you.

2007-11-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

So fun! Grandpa and I went back East to his reunion and there just aren't words to express how thankful I am for the time and experience together. So, Grandpa, if you read this, THANK YOU!!!

Halloween was spooktacular at our house! First, our carving party was just as great as ever, and second, I made a new stew recipe that was out of this world! Lots of company and trick-or-treaters.

We are enjoying a fabulous fall and spending as much time with family and friends as is possible. We are so fortunate and blessed.

2007-10-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's finally fall! I just love this time of year ~ The smells, colors and chill in the air ~ So wonderful!

We went to the circus with some of the family (and our good friends Marie and Taylor) and then went to our favorite restaurant, The Matador. Darrel, Erik, Jaymi and I then went up to Idaho for a quick overnighter. What a busy but totally great weekend! This picture is the best I had, kinda fuzzy but I think you get the idea!

We have been updating the garage and putting ceiling fans downstairs. Winter will be here soon so there is lots of work to be done in preparation of the cold weather. I will be sad when I don't have fresh tomatoes anymore. I guess it will just be something to look forward to next year!

I already made a turkey dinner and I think since there is a big storm coming in I will make some yummy chili. Or maybe chicken soup. Hmmm... the comfort foods of fall are taking over!

September 18

2007-09-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile. Darrel and I celebrated a victorious anniversary this year, WE MADE IT!!! I love being married and the best part is my wonderful family, which includes this cute doggy, JACK!

We have also added Erik to our home this year. Erik plays hockey and goes to school. He is from Sweden and is a perfect fit for our home. He is really nice and funny and gets along with everyone!

My parents came to visit on their way to the Reno Air Races and Jaymi got to go with them. They are so sweet, they brought me back several bags of what I call "Tarded Beans", so nicknamed by my friend Joanie. They are really called "Belly Flops", and they are the rejects from Jelly Belly. If you thought the regular beans were fun to eat, imagine how much fun the mishapen ones are! If you are ever having a not so great day, these will put a smile on your face!

I have really been missing my grandkids who don't live here, I just feel like I miss out on so much. I hope we get to visit with them sooner rather than later.

Hope all is well with all of you and remember, a life worth living is worth living right!

2007-08-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Dog days of summer. We have been busy, doing what? Let's see... Darrel asked me out on a date and we went to the drag races and had a blast! Our neighborhood block party was this last week and was a huge success thanks to neighbor Andy. We also had two of our neighbors over for dinner this last week and had such a great time; I am going to do that more often. We are so lucky, our neighbors are also our friends; I just love our little street! I just found out that I get to go to my Grandpa's bomb squadron reunion with him. I consider this a huge privilege and I am so proud and thankful for all he has done for our country. I hosted a bridal shower for my wonderful neice, Amanda. It was great fun and I am so happy that she has found the love of her life. Can I also just say that I have the most wonderful grandchildren - ever!!! Here are pictures of sweet Brooklyn and handsome Eli. Jaymi has started cheer practice and is taking it very seriously. One of my closest friends, Joan, is having a birthday this week. I have BIG plans for her!

July 22nd

2007-07-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

What a great week we had! Darrel stepped down from management this month and is just a financial advisor now. Whew! We have had LOTS more time together and we are loving it! Joe, Darrel's new manager, had a surprise party honoring Darrel and his years of service, it was a great event. Darrel also had a birthday this week and got a new toy for his new garage! We have been watching the Tour De France and went to see the new Harry Potter movie. Jaymi came home from Denver so Jack is very happy that we are all home now. So are Darrel and I, we missed the little red head.

July 16th

2007-07-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time at the Trost family reunion in Idaho. Great-Grandpa Reddout joined us and we were sad that Kayla, Jake and Jen couldn't be there. Lucky me, Grandpa and I did a road trip together to OKC. I am so lucky to have a Grandpa I love so much. As much fun as it was to be with family, Darrel and I have had a blissful few days alone together.