Kids & Mommy

Drake and Mommy

Addyson and Mommy

Mommy and ..............

Grandpa Kunz Turned 80

This weekend we went to a party for my grandpas 80th birthday.  He is an amazing man!  We love you grandpa Keith!

80 candles right there

Grandpa with the girls

Had to get a pic of me and this handsome guy.

Grandpa Kunz and our family.  

Happy late birthday!

Earlier in the day, we went out to Palisades reservoir and took a ride on a boat with my sisters and their hubbies.   HUGE SHOCK, we didn't get any pictures.  But that is why my kids are in swimwear and I didn't take off my glasses, no makeup.  But here are more pictures.

Addy and cousin Hattie 

Addyson showing off her new swimsuit from her grandma Kunz.

Beau & His Mission

Today Beau left for the MTC, I'm so excited for him. He is seriously an extra brother to me. He lived with us when Addy was brand new, he worked with Kade at the time. Kade and Beau became close working long hours, he is just really awesome. Everyone that knows him loves him.

Last Tuesday. Over a week ago, Kade and I went through his endowment session, with him, it was a great day. 

Later that Tuesday, we went on a maiden voyage with our boat, of course we had to bring Beau. 

Sunday he gave a talk in our ward, I just kept thinking, he will be such a great missionary. We will miss seeing him around. We are so excited for him and this next chapter in his life.

Look What Is Finally Here!

June 4th I received this in the mail.

I waited almost a week to post about this because I didn't know if I should.  I mostly am for journal purposes. Try to ignore my negative demeanor.

The last 3 years I have gone to school non-stop, not including summers.  I went from full-time in class, to part-time online, back to part-time in class.  I can't even explain how selfish I have felt in doing this.

What? Selfish?  That's right, this school experience has taken so much time away from my kids and husband.  Plus, the whole time I was going and getting in a mountain of debt I knew that this degree wouldn't help our family out financially!  Sounds pretty selfish right?   Then, I decided I wouldn't finish after all but instead get an associates degree and stop because I couldn't justify anymore spending.

I can't describe how much work and tears went into my schooling, and yet I don't feel like I can celebrate it.  My brother, asked if I felt relief, the answer is I don't, I feel unfinished.  I feel like there is more for me to do.  But for some reason I can't go anymore until I am either closer to school or have a place for my kids to be.  I decided to be a mom, and that is what I need to focus on, because balancing home and school is tough.  I don't feel like you can give 100% if your time is so split up.

Kade is the one that should be given a certificate.  He would go to work everyday, just to come home and be with the kids, while I hid in the bedroom with my books.  He is seriously so patient and hard working.  He puts his kids first, spends so much time with them, and because of this they will always know he loves them more then life.

Ignore the really yucky nose.  We were riding four-wheelers...and having a blast.  

The 2006 Uplander

We sold my van. It was a good thing but I am still going to miss it. It was just another payment that we can't afford and so it is nice to have that over and done with.

I wish it gave us more financial freedom to be without it, but it didn't make a huge dent in our finances, I guess every bit helps. 

The day after we sold the van our alternator went out in the car I drive. We went from 4 running vehicles to 2. Kade had to drive his truck to work a few times so that I could use his commuter car (without power steering) to go into town. If you want a good arm workout drive a vehicle without power steering, you would be amazed at how sore it can make you. :)

For journal purposes here is a picture of my van that is no longer with us.

How cute!

My walking buddies

Today after a long nap, I decided I need to get a walk/run in.  I had not exercised in 3 days straight, that isn't a good streak.  Lately, my walks have taken so much energy that it is hard to motivate myself out the door.  I know that is just how life is, some days certain things are easier, some days those things are hard.


When I went on my last walk, I turned around to go home and noticed that 3 of our 4 cats were following me in a straight line.  The dog is my walking buddy all the time, but the cats???  Cats like to sit around in the sun, not take 2 mile walks.  I had gone a whole mile and didn't know they were right on my heels, I was super worried they would get hit by a car because I walk on a highway.  But it was funny to see my little herd of animals following me.

None of these cats are wild, they are indoor/outdoor cats and I am pretty impressed with them.  If they come in the house and you don't want them in you tell them to get out and they listen.


I finally got my butt out the door, and I decided to take a route I have never done.  There is a field in front of our house that is split by a road, I went down that road and made a loop on the highway back to our road.  I calculated it to be really close to 2 miles.  I looked behind me almost halfway through and noticed my favorite little kitty was following me, but she was pretty far behind.  I thought I should call Kade to come get her, but then I talked myself out of it thinking she should be okay.  On the last turn I realized I couldn't see her even a little anymore, I worried she would turn around and walk back and get hit on the highway.  Plus if she turned around now, that would mean another mile and a half, instead of just a half mile.

I ran the last half mile hoping to get my workout done faster to go back and find her.  The whole family got on four wheelers and we went looking.  I was getting nervous and thought she would be lost and have no way home.

Kade somehow spotted her in a very tall grass field.  She was exhausted and just laying down,  I don't think she could have gotten home by herself.  She has been acting funny ever since and I hope she is okay.  I learned my lesson, that cats just don't make the best walking buddies.