Montana with the Aitons!

Well after spending a week in AZ with the Aiton's we didn't quite get enough so I came home and worked for two days then Izzy and I drove to Idaho then onto Montana the next day with the Aiton's. We arrived in the evening after seven hours in the car! Isabella did amazing in the car and loved having her cousins in the back to play with her. We stayed in Meadow Lake which is in Columbia Falls, MT. We visited Glacier National Park which was breathtaking in the winter. There was so much snow! Izzy was amazed by all the white stuff! She really hated getting all dressed up in her winter gear though. We spent a bunch of time at the pool and outdoor (super nice) hot tub. All of the girls are a bunch of fishes! None of the Aiton's had ever been skiing except Alex so we went to Whitefish which had an amazing deal. It cost $69 for two days lift tickets, rentals and two lessons! I had never heard of such an amazing deal. The powder was amazing. I love to ski, I tried my hand at snowboarding twice before and it did not go so well! I only fell twice and it was when my retarded instructor was making me do some hippy sayings while patting my head and breathing exercises to go down the mountain. I don't think she liked me very much after I told her she was nuts! I was a little sarcastic during the whole lesson and the other couple was laughing cause they thought it was funny but they were to chicken to speak up. Isabella stayed at the cabin with the other two wee ones and Jennifer went the first day and Kyle went the second day. The girls all loved it and Addison looked totally adorable skiing down the mountain (she is six). We spent a ton of time just relaxing.

Kyle woke me up at midnight when Japan had the earth quake and we all sat up watching the news. My heart goes out to all those affected, may they find comfort and peace in this devastation.

Isabella and I came home on Saturday to Layton and stayed with Jennica's dad, Matt & Jennica were there visiting. We got to visit with Aliesha for a little while before heading home to Mesquite. We were so happy to make it to Mesquite but only for an hour before we left for Vegas and went to Aunt Donna's for dinner and to stay the night.

I had to work doing concierge medicine in Vegas at the Palazzo Hotel all week. A very long week!

We got to hear from Jared through letters quite a few times and we really miss him. Isabella kept calling Matt & Kyle Papa. She would catch a glimpse and say "Papa" She really misses him and every time we are home and she hears a noise she thinks he is coming through the door. We are getting through it but I do admit I have shed some tears. Some of the tears are good ones because I think of that very moment when I get to touch him, kiss him and know he is still there. Sometimes it feels like it is not real and I am being told he is ok but I don't believe it till I physically get to see him. I know without my heavenly father and my family and friends I would not be able to do this!

Snow Day, Arizona Adventures!

Since Jared has been gone we have been staying very busy! I love spring time because it is warm enough to play outside in a t-shirt here but then bundle up and go on a short drive to play in the snow! We went up to Mt. Charleston to sled, Izzy hated every moment of it until she was out of her snow gear and in the driver seat of the truck next to Jennica and Ava playing while Caleb & I raced down the mountain! She wasn't feeling very well that day so that had something to do with it plus she hates wearing snow gear! The next week Jared's family (Jen & Kyle & Co.) invited us to join them in Flagstaff and visit the Grand Canyon, The Meteor Crater and Walnut Canyon! We stayed in their timeshare condo which had a hot tub and Isabella thought it was her personal swimming pool! She had a blast with their six girls and also got to see what an AZ urgent care was like! The first night we got there they had dinner for us and we got to visit, the next morning we left for the Grand Canyon which was only 30 miles away. Izzy has discovered the words "I want out" and asks several times during every car trip! She did great though! We went to the visitor center and checked out some cool stuff then walked almost a mile and we were right there on the South rim which was breathtaking. Isabella wanted to walk everywhere and explore everything (making me nervous as we were so close to the edge). We walked back and had lunch and then went on another walk and explored. We then watched the IMAX movie which was awesome! We then headed back. The next day we visited the Meteor Crater which is owned by the Baringer family and on private property. They have a really cool museum and guided tour! It was really interesting. Again Izzy wanted to walk on her own and it was rough terrain on an edge, On the way back her Uncle Kyle carried her. It was very cool! The following day we went to Walnut Canyon and did a hike from 6,600 feet elevation down to the canyon floor to check out these really cool cave dwellings that were in the canyon walls all throughout the whole thing. The park provided these really cool backpacks to put little kiddos in, Isabella was not super thrilled at first and a few times throughout because she wanted to walk and climb the steps. She thought it was so fun to play in the caves. She was so tired from playing that on the way back up she layed on my shoulder in the backpack and started to fall asleep. We climbed 234 steps + trail, an amazing quad workout! Jen & I went for a massage after and then we all hit the hot tub before Izzy and I left for home! It was so relaxing!

Thank you Aiton family for such a wonderful time!

Having a "Need a Hug Moment"

So this is my outlet so I don't write anything negative in my letters to Jared. I want him to stay focused and positive. I have been on a group site for families with soldiers who are at BCT in the same Company as my husband. They are split into platoons after that. Several platoons in my husbands company received hour long phone calls today and cell phone pictures. They must have done something amazing to get that. I have to say I am pretty jealous. I sat here crying because of it. I am happy for those families but today when I came home Isabella brought me the phone several times asking to call daddy and on our way to AZ we stopped at Matt & Jennica's and she found their phone and did the same thing. She also kept asking for him today. I remained strong for her but soon as she fell asleep I balled my eyes out. It has only been two weeks but tonight it felt like a lifetime. Today was the hardest! I can't wait to hear from him again, I find myself writing him all the time because he was the one I could tell anything to. I long to have that back.

Sorry for the depressing post but like I said these are the raw feelings!

Property of the U.S. Army!

Warning: This is also my journal so Jared can read what has been going on when he arrives in Texas for AIT after he graduates Basic.

It's official, Jared belongs to the Army now! Jared left on Feb 13th and arrived at Ft Jackson, SC on Feb 15th. He spent 5 days in reception (orientation, paperwork) then began official Basic Combat Training last Saturday. I heard from him on the 21st informing me of his address and telling me it was the last time we could talk on the phone for awhile. Phone calls are a privalage, one that is frequently lost. He says that he has a few challenged people in his platoon which means he will be really buff when he comes home.....still has his humor even after getting smoked (push-ups, pt) all the time. He asked for pictures and letters, he really misses us!

On the home front: Right before Jared left we received an offer on the house so we quickly put in all the papers. Now to the person who sent letters to my neighbors and to the people who think I moved to South Carolina. I am still here, the house has not closed yet. I am moving to Las Vegas with Isabella and I will continue working at the FD.

I have been struggling the last couple of days, I really miss him. I miss him even more because Isabella is sick. She has been staying in Las Vegas for the two days I am at work, the first day I get home she really pushes her limits and is whiny and clingy. I feel bad, but I know she is ok and even more glad to know that Matt & Jennica take such good care of her. I think the hardest part is knowing I can't talk to Jared, knowing he is going through physical and mental pain so we can have a better life. I broke down in tears a couple of times but only for a few seconds. Last night at midnight Izzy was coughing so hard she almost puked, she couldn't breathe through her nose, had a fever and was miserable. I had to clean out her nose, medicate her and then came the reward... we snuggled till I was falling asleep.

I know this last couple of days is one of the "tough times". I am glad we are getting it out of the way right off the bat. I have a whole new respect for all of the military families. I know I am not the first to go through this and I am grateful for all of the support I have. I love my family and friends and really appreciate all that they do for us.

I watched Isabella kneel and fold her arms so reverently for bedtime prayers tonight, she sat in the chair and read books so preciously and kissed me goodnight. I kissed her goodnight for papa and she pointed towards the door and said papa. She frequently points to the door when she hears noise and says papa! She loves looking at the pictures of daddy.

I had to take out the trash today, i know most of you are laughing but in our house Jared has always done this. He also is the one that scrubs the toilets. I was so useed to him doing it I almost forgot, thank goodness for all my neighbors cans being out reminding me. I ran from the time I woke up till I put Izzy to bed. I am determined to get more organized. Izzy was a good helper, she loaded the washer, mopped (after I did), vacuumed (followed me helping with the cord), I will have her shining the china in no time!

Next post will be with recent events and pictures! I am going to post at least twice a week so Jared will get to see life at home!

My Surgery Adventure!

I woke up pretty earl and drove myself to the hospital where they rushed me to register so I could sit and wait for the lab. I was then rushed to another lobby to sit and wait for a volunteer to take me back to pre-op. I had to wear one of those sexy little hospital gowns that have the built in peep window for the neighbor to see everything. They had me remind them why I was there and what my name was like fifty times, talk about memory issues! Then came time to put in the IV, I laughed as they pulled out a 22g and insisted on numbing my arm before they poked me and well they missed the first one leaving me a huge bruise on my arm. They were successful on the second try, yeah!!! I sat and waited for my turn to go back and then Jared showed up to kiss me before I went in. The Dr. came and chatted with me and then the Anesthesia guy (who was wearing a jester hat) came in to give me some drugs and we were off. By the way the jester hat messes with you when you have Fentnyl on board. I barely remember the trip through the OR hallway, from what I hear I was hilarious under the influence of the drugs..... good thing I don't remember! Then next thing I remember is waking up to people all around and feeling alot of pain. The had this awful yet very effective humidifier oxygen mask on my face, I was very drugged and Jared was feeding me ice chips. I was told that my tonsils were pretty full of junk, I am so happy they are gone. I spent some time there in recovery and they decided to move me to the OB floor to recover (they didn't have any patient's) which is where a NICU nurse got to take care of me. She was thrilled....lol! She was a very nice lady and almost got to hold my hair back as I thought I was loosing my cookies (wish I could eat cookies). Jared went home to get some rest and I was stuck there until I could do all the fun tricks they wanted me to do before they would release me. Amanda Kindel was very sweet and came to pick me up but when she showed up they weren't ready to let me go yet so she stayed and hung out with me. I attempted to stay awake and chat with her, something that was very difficult to do with dilaudid on board. She was entertained to say the least. They finally said I could go home and just as I was getting into the wheelchair Jimmy & Mikey from work showed up to make sure I got home alright (Such sweet guys)! Once home I slept and ate popsicles, my mouth is very sore and so are my upper torso and neck muscles. I am so glad that Jennica and Matt took care of my daughter and my home while I have been laid up. Jennica even did my laundry, that's love! It was so fun to have the kids here. I ventured out for the first time last night to our ward Halloween party which was fun but I was so tired. All of the costumes were adorable!

Change is Good!!!!

Jared & I have made a ton of really BIG decisions in the past few weeks! We are selling our house and moving to Las Vegas......(This is the part where I cry through a whole box of Kleenex). Jared wants to go to school full time and well we can't pay for it so ............ wait for it, here comes the really HUGE news...... Jared is joining the Army National Guard part time. He is taking his ASVAB test tomorrow and will soon know what his job will be and what unit he will be joining. He will then go onto the medical and from there they will give him a list of dates to leave for basic training for 9 weeks. He then will do additional training for his specialty, he could be gone for 3-6 months. Isabella & I will be moving in with Matt & Jennica for the duration so I can work and have support to care for Izzy. I will also be finishing my degree in the next semester or two while Jared is gone (I hope). We are really saddened to think of leaving Mesquite, we have made some amazing friendships, the good news is I will still be working in Mesquite so we will still be around. We are very nervous and excited as we move forward and want to tell everyone how grateful we are for their support. We have decided to stop waiting for things to turn around financially and are going to make them turn around and finish our education!

Murphy has moved in and won't leave!

Dear Murphy's Law,

You have overstayed your welcome..... wait you were never welcome. I do not appreciate you destroying the AC in my car and house this summer! I think $1100 is a little much to ask for a new AC unit in the car when I have a family to feed, clothe and keep happy. Oh and I can't forget to mention all the little minor things like new tires, windshield and check engine lights that you have caused. I have decided your reign of destructiveness is over. Also while I am not usually a mean person, I believe that is the only way to tell you that you are never welcome in my home again. You have been evicted!

The LeBaron's