Alaska!! Top 10 things I loved about it!

These are just a few of the things I loved about Alaska. In fact there wasn't anything I was disappointed in or didn't like. I never really thought about visiting Alaska until Faren had a business trip there. He was there for 5 weeks helping the Sheraton Anchorage install a laundry facility. I joined him the last 9 days he was there. The flight I had was a straight flight, no layovers from Dallas. It was 7 hours of flying time. Like I said I never really thought about going to Alaska, but I would of missed out on a trip of a lifetime. So to Faren's job I am very grateful.
I have lots of beautiful pictures and tried to capture the awesomeness of it all. I will post them later. Here it goes, I will try to describe it to you.

1) The air smelled amazing, and was cool and clean. My lungs have never experienced such a thing. I couldn't get enough of it!!
2) The water tasted amazingly good, right out of the tap or faucet. It was better than any water I have drank from a bottle or otherwise. If the airline would of allowed me to bring it on the plane I would have brought it home by the gallons.
3) The scenery and landscape. We took alot of pictures but nothing compares to the magnitude of the seeing it and being there. It was majestic and well, God did good. It was breath taking.
4) I never knew there were so many shades of green. The mountains, were a colorful rainbow of green and shades of green.
5) Glaciers are blue. We took a day cruise and saw many wonderful and amazing glaciers. They were beautiful. The boat stopped by one of them and we could hear the glacier. It cracked and creeked as we all just stood and listened in awe. Then all of a sudden a big chunk of ice would fall and drop to the ocean, sounding like thunder.
6) We hiked to a glacier that was in the crevous of a mountain. It was really cool to be able to see one that close up, we could of touched it, and to see the amazing formations the wind or rain
had caused.
7) There are moose crossing signs everywhere. I wanted to see a moose so bad, everywhere we drove I looked, but it was moose hunting season, and I guess they knew it. One of Faren's co workers saw one in the Wal-mart parking lot. I guess I should of looked there, I knew Wal-mart had everything but really, a MOOSE! We went to a wildlife conservation place and saw moose and bison and brown and black bear and other wildlife associated with alaska. It was amazing to look into the eyes of the moose and be that close to them.
8) There are only about 470,000 people that live in the whole state. They are very friendly and everyone that lives there loves it. The goverment will pay you $2,000 a year to live there. It is expensive to live there, groceries were high and so was housing. But not so far out of reach that it would be outrageous to consider living there. No I am not planning on living there.
9) There are hundreds of campgrounds and hiking triails. Motor homes were everywhere. There are great places to stop off the road and see. We hiked to a waterfall. It was fun, we waded in the creek to get better pictures. I was very adventerous. I started to cry as I could feel the spray of the waterfall on my face. It was beautiful and worth getting my white pants dirty and having wet cold feet.
10) Salmon do swim up stream! We saw them!!! We stopped at this off road look out and went over to this stream and there were red and gray salmon swimming against a current that seemed impossible. They would swim and inch and be pushed back two. I wanted to help them. I have pictures, it was an act of nature that was amazing to witness.

I guess you can tell I was excited about everything. I hope you enjoyed hearing about it. I will send pictures soon, when I get them on my computer.
Love ya, Cindy

More of Disneyland!

These our good friends Robyn and Richard, we are standing in front of a horse drawn hurse, in front of the Haunted Mansion!!

Eyeore is one of my favorite winnie the pooh characters, when Staci was little she use to watch the show and I asked her one day why eyeore was so sad all the time, she said, "He's not sad he's depressed." It was hillarious.

I put this picture up for my granddaughter Autumn. She loves Winnie the Pooh! Well who doesn't!

Here's Mickey. Yes that's my autograph book in my hand. We got to walk through his house in Toon Town. It was such a cute house. Everything was big and oversized and colorful.

Richard and Robyn with Gipetto. They love Disneyland they live in Huntington Beach and go there all the time. They are so lucky. Thanks again for a wonder time.

The Happiest Place on Earth is Pretty Happy!!

Me and Cinderella, it's hard to tell the difference between me and Cinderella, but I'm holding the green autograph book, yes I got her autograph, along with Mulon and Sleeping Beauty.

Don't we look happy!! This was our first trip to Disneyland. It was so amazing. Our friends Robyn and Richard Coyle have been trying to get us to go with them for years. We finally made it. They were great tour guides and showed us a great time.

Faren getting hugs from Tigger and Dale they were such friendly characters.

Cinderella's castle was beautiful, there was a fireworks show their at night, that was awesome. We saw Tinkerbell flying high above the castle and Dumbo too.

Us with Minnie, we had breakfast with our friends the Coyle's at this restaurant in the park where we got to meet alot of the characters. We road alot of fun rides, Space Mountain, Star Wars, all sorts of fun rides. I loved this place in the park called toon town. It was like walking around in a cartoon. We got to meet Mickey there. It was a great day, we spent 15 hours there. We thought we were going to die, we were so tired but I would do it again.

Noelle and Ryan's Bundle of Joy

Proud great-grandparent of Mason. He's 5 weeks old and such a good baby. I'm so glad we got to see him. He's tiny and cute and weighs only 8lbs. (He was only 6lbs at birth)

Mason sleeping like an angel on his daddy. I didn't get any pictures with Noelle, sorry. I guess because when she was holding him she was feeding him, that would not of been appropriate.

I think he looks like Noelle, but he has blonde hair and blue eyes like his dad. He's just cute, and grown alot since Amee's adorable pictures after he was born.

How to eat a New Orleans Po-Boy!!

You have to smile, it's the best food on the planet. I know my dad has eaten a million, but he said this is the best he's had.

You have to take a picture of it, it's a work of art. This is a roast beef, ham and swiss po-boy! My dad's new favorite.

Open your eyes really big and take it all in!! My mom would close her eyes everytime I took a picture of her trying to take a bite, that's how good it is, but I asked her to open them wide for this one.

Open wide and let the gravy run down your arms to your elbows!!

Wash it down with a cold Barq's rootbeer!! When we decided to go to New Orleans last weekend my parents asked me what we wanted to do. I said what else EAT!! And eat we did!!

Just Random Stuff

Thought I'd share these beautiful orange and yellow roses Faren gave me last week when I wasn't feeling well. They were just little buds and bloomed into these gorgeous flower.

This Brayden and his great invention. When ever the grandkids come over to play, Brayden likes me to take pictures of his creativity. He's a cutie isn't he!

This is Adam and Marilyn in our backyard sitting under the willow tree. It's one of my favorite spots in our backyard. Don't they look happy!!

This is Autumn and me sharing a bag of Zapp's chips. A few seconds after this picture the bag ended up in her lap. Yep she's got that New Orleans gene. Those chips are pretty spicy too!

Stone Mountain Georgia

Faren and I went to Atlanta and got to visit Stone Mountain. It brought back alot of memories, when we use to take kids and family there. We just brought blankets and sat on the ground and at dark they have a laser light show that is spectacular on the mountain. It's really cool.

I wish I could remember more of the history, but someone carved this right out of the side of this huge rock. I think he died before he could finish the legs on the horses. It's pretty awesome the way that it is though. It is so pretty in Atlanta so many trees and lots of green.

We use to bring picnics, like most of the people here and the kids would run and play. Faren and I had fun just watching and reminising about old times with the kids and family visits on that hill. By the time the show started the place was packed and it was a Tuesday night. We tried to take pictures of the laser show but they didn't turn out, it was too dark.

Trip to Florida Postponed

Kay Marie and I were planning a trip to see Kevin and Kelly and spend a few days at the beach in Pensacola, but we had to cancel. Kerrie and her family are moving to Nebraska and guess what, they picked the week Kay and I were suppose to be in Florida to move. So to make things easier on Kerrie and Kay Marie we decided to go another time. Oh well, it was fun thinking about and planning it. It's all good though, Kay Marie has the whole week off work now, and can now spend as much time with Kerrie and kids their last week before they move. So that's a blessing. I know I would of wanted to do the same thing myself.

Not to be out shopped by my girls!!!

Okay, you've seen April's great savings; and now Staci is on the coupon and saving path.
Here is what I saved today at Kroger: I spent $26.74 on 18 items and saved $29.96, with coupons and store savings. I wish I knew how to load pictures on my computer, but I don't so you can't see it but I bought :
4 yogurts (not on sale--I'm trying a new smoothie recipe)
4 containters of Wisk laundry soap (32 load size)
4 boxes of Betty Crocker (low fat) brownie mixes
1-6 pack of scott paper towels
2 Hormel complete meals
1 bag of spinach
1 bag of mixed broccoli and carrots
1 Healthy Choice frozen pizza (my lunch)

I'm not quite as good at April, her and her spending $7.00 on a grocery cart of food. But it's all good. Staci keep it up.

The Latest

Wow, since my last blog this is what has been going on in my world.

Faren and I took an RV trip to Arizona.
I made plans with my sister Kay Marie, we are taking an RV trip to Pensacola, Fl. in June.
I get to spend lots of time with the grandkids while Heather helps Bryan.
Bryan opened his new Chiropractic office here in Frisco.
Heather enrolled Brayden and Savanah in public school for next fall.
Adam got a new car, has had a girlfriend now for several months and is now full time at his job.
April and Drew and Autumn and Weston came to visit us in Texas.
Autumn turned two. Weston rolled over for the first time.
Christy and Mark had a fun water party for Parker's first birthday.
Mark graduated from ASU, got to hear Pres. Obama speak at commencment excercises.
Christy and family are in Hawaii with Mark's parents.
Staci graduated from college. Andrew made it threw a sememster.
Staci and Andrew are looking for places to live when they move here in August.
I have lots of pictures and will try to get them posted soon!!

Easter Miracle

Early Saturday Morning, Easter Eve, Adam was in a terrible car accident. He was stopped at a red light, behind one other car. He heard tires squeal, and just as he looked into his rear view mirror a car was coming at him fast and in an instant hit him going about 50 miles per hour, slamming Adam's car into the car in front of him and both of them ending up in the middle of the intersection. Adam being stunned just sat there, he said when he saw the car coming up behind him he thought he was going to die. The other drivers got out of their cars and came to check on Adam. He got out of his car and couldn't believe he wasn't bleeding or broken. It was truly a micacle. None of us can believe how he came away only sore and a headache. Of course it was tramatic and he was pretty shook up, and what made it worse, Faren and I were in Florida for the weekend and Bryan had gone to his in-laws for the weekend. So Adam called my brother Howard and Howard and Burke came and got Adam and took him home. Adam said it weird having to come home and be by himself. Bryan and Heather left Gilmer early on Saturday to check on Adam. I'm so glad they were able to that. I felt like Adam should of gone to the emergency room, just because he looked fine on the outside didn't mean everything was okay on the inside. But Bryan didn't take any chances he checked out everything and bone and he said if any thing looked suspiscious he wasn't taking any chances and would take Adam to the ER. By the time we got home on Sunday, Adam was feeling alittle better, and his headache wasn't to bad. Bryan checked him again and he could tell Adam's symptoms were improving. Adam went to work on Monday and came home looking like he does every other day, maybe just a little more tired, but I can't believe he was able to go to work all day. His car was totalled, smashed in the rear and front. I don't know if i even want to see it. But I'm so thankful he wasn't hurt any worse, none of us can believe that, and I'm so thankful Howard was home and able to help Adam get home. and that Bryan and Heather came home to help Adam. Having a family is wonderful.

A Cool Dream

I had the coolest dream last night. I've been debating on whether or not I should share it. I was just sharing with Bryan and Faren and they said that is so cool, and I should write it down. So I'm decided to share it with you.

You know how weird dreams can be sometimes and I usually don't think much about them. But in this dream I learned something.

In the dream I was very pregnant, and I was in the hospital. I was there because I thought I was in labor but actually I was having false labor so when it stopped the nurses asked me to go out side and walk around and eat something and come back and they would see how things were going. Well I went outside for awhile, and when I was about to go back into the hospital I saw President Hinckley. He was about to go in the door and I was right behind him. When he saw me behind him he opened the door and walked in then held the door open for me to go in. The door was heavy and I assumed because of his age it was hard to hold open and it slipped out of hand and hit me in the stomach. It hurt a little because I was 9 months pregnant. President Hinckley looked at me and said very kindly, I'm sorry, and he put his hand on my shoulder and let his hand slip down to my elbow and then turned and walked away.

I was going back to my room when I ran into Cheree. I told her what had happened with Pres. Hinckley and even showed her the bruise on my stomach. I thought it weird that he just looked and me and said I'm sorry, I knew he meant it but if I had hit a pregnant woman in the stomach with a heavy door or anything else I would of be apologizing right and left. Helped her get to a chair, brought her flowers or cookies for a month. I would of felt really bad like I owed them a kidney or something.

When I woke up, I was amazed that I dreamed about Pres. Hinckley and I was thinking about his reaction and how he simply said, I'm sorry. And I realized something significant about myself. When ever I do something wrong or hurt someone even unintentionally, I beat myself up about it and worry about it for a long time. I feel like I have to regret it forever and apologize over and over again. And when that person probably doesn't even remember I'm still worried that they are still worried and upset about it. I learned something from Pres. Hinckley in the dream, he sincerely apologized and then went on, probably never giving it another thought. And why shouldn't he. I was alright and he apologized, and let it go.

Anyway, I don't know if you have ever felt like that, and if you have maybe my dream can help you too. All we are asked to do is apologize, even if someone doesn't want to accept it, we are free to go on. I also feel like that this is how Heavenly Father forgives us. When we ask to be forgiven he says okay your forgiven and we should try to forget it, just like he will and don' t give it another thought. But instead we go over it a million times thinking surely it can't be that simple, I must torture myself for a very long time to show I'm really really sorry. But that' s not how it works. Trust the atonement, believe in it's power and go on doing the best you can.

Sorry for the sermon. Hey, I just realized it's Easter this Sunday, what a coincidence.
Cindy

Tagged by Tanya with the letter "K"

Okay, things I like that start with the letter K.

1-Kay Marie: she's a great sister and I don't get to see her as much as I'd like to, but when we do we have so much fun.
2- Kids-big kids, grandkids they are all wonderful
3-Kites
4-Ketchup-gotta have it
5-Kroger-it's the closest grocery store to my house.
6-Kerrie's blog: always updated
7- Kohl's-I have a credit card there, and they have the cutest kids clothes to buy for my grandkids.
8-Kisses-heshey's that is, just kidding, I love kisses.
9-krafts-okay that's a "c", but I had to put in here somewhere
10-Kelloggs-I like poptarts; my favorite is brown/sugar cinnamon without the frosting.

Okay, I'm not really sure about the rules, but I think I get to tag some others.

Heather; the letter M
April: the letter D
Amee: the letter P

A mom has just got to brag sometimes!!

Staci's graduating May 8, 2009 from the Northern Arizona University. The main campus is in Flagstaff, but she's been enrolled in their Criminal Justice two year program in Mesa. Her graduation is in Flagstaff and Faren and I, April, Drew, Autumn, Weston; Christy, Mark and Parker and of course Andrew will all be there. She's completed her bachelors degree in 4 years with a 4.0. She is smart, but knows how to study and work hard too. Her dad and I are so proud of her, she will graduate Summa Cum Laude with highest honors. I am so grateful to see this day. Every milestone with Staci does not go unappreciated. We are greatful for everything she is able to accomplish, we know things could be alot different. I am so proud of all my children and grateful for the college degrees they have earned and the choices they have made in life. I miss them being little and playing around the house, but love seeing them as adults and contributing the way they do to family, church and community. Being a mom is great. Not always easy, believe me it's been alot of work as all you mommies know, but great blessing come everyday, some little and some amazingly wonderful. Sorry for bragging, but sometimes my cup runneth over. I'm very thankful for my life and my family.

One Year Ago

One year ago this month Faren, Adam, Rocky and I took our last RV trip the Grand Canyon befor moving to Texas.

It was really cool because it hardly ever snows on the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

So I thought I would share these pictures with anyone who has been there or would like to see how pretty it is with the snow.

The views are so breathtaking! It was so nice to live so close and be there in a few hours

This was the first time Adam went with us while living in Arizona, it was so much fun.

Rocky

This is Rocky today. He loves me. Sorry I did't know how to rotate the picture. Actually one of his faults is licking you in the face. He hasn't out grown that not matter how many times we say say no. He just loves everyone so much he has to kiss them!!

Happy Birthday Rocky

Rocky is 5 years old this month. This what he looked like at 8 weeks when we got him. He is a Yorkie-Pooh. He's been such a good dog. He loves everyone, since being in Texas I know he misses all the company of the kids coming and going in the house.

Reunion Fun Photos

Remembering the Reunion