In case you were wondering, my mom is here!

Aaron is out of town for the week. He is playing Army games in San Antonio. (Really, he is doing training about combat trauma and advanced trauma life support, freezing his butt off, and having to eat MRE's - but I like to think that he's enjoying his vacation. I'm mean that way.)

When I found out about this training, I did what every self-respecting girl does - I called my mom to complain that I had to be a parent all alone FOR A WHOLE WEEK. I am just so blessed to have a mom that has a job that really doesn't need her right now, and allows her to fly for free. Yeah! So mom is here. Yeah!

We went to the outlet mall and spent lots of money - getting fantastic deals the whole time! We found darling shirts and jeans at Gymboree - $1.99!!! I think I spent $16 for 6 items - and if you've ever gone into a Gymboree - you know why that is super exciting. We went into the Crocs store adn I got Alex 2 pair of alice crocs for $15. I found a Coach purse for $100 - smokin' - and I have my anniversary/birthday present. (Actually, I told Aaron that I earned the purse for him being gone. He said, "Heaven help us if I ever get deployed!") Mom found cute clothes for nieces. It's exciting to find something dramatically marked down! If you happen to visit El Paso, stop by the outlet mall here. Give me a call, I'll go too!

Seriously, my amiga Emily and I joined the gym to avoid the outlet mall. It's great deals, but after a while - you are still spending too much money. Mom's favorite hobby is finding a good deal; so when mom comes to visit, it's the place to go.

Ramblings on a late night. I miss Aaron. :)

White Sands, New Mexico

Temple trip

Since the beginning of the year, the city of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico has had 61 murders, most related to drug cartels. Scary. Aaron can't go; as a member of the military, he is not allowed in Juarez.

However, we have been counseled by our local priesthood leaders to go to the temple. No one that has gone straight to the temple and straight back has had any difficulty.

We had Stake Temple day today. Members of our ward carpooled to the temple. Getting into Mexico was easy, but the line to get out (at 8:30 am) was LONG! I was surprised that it only took us about a half hour to get to the temple. We did the session and had a nice, peaceful visit. Then, we got back into the cars, and after looking at this morning's line of cars, several members figured that it would be faster to walk across the bridge. (The drivers had a special pass to get the cars back faster - but they couldn't have passengers. They met us on the other side.)

We paid our $.30 to enter the bridge and walked up and over. The line looked long, but only took us 25 minutes to walk and wait. At the end, the line snaked into a building where we entered and showed our documents. I joked that the last time I waited in a line that long, there was a roller coaster at the end. Our bishop's wife said that she waited 3 hours in the car once, trying to get back from the temple.

In Dallas, Aaron and I lived less than 30 minutes from the temple. It was awesome. In Arizona, it was a good 45 minutes - in good traffic. Now, it's a fairly short drive, but with a huge obstacle in the middle, the possibility of danger - and no potential of my husband going anytime soon.

Dear friends,
Appreciate your local temple, and go often. :)

*The sun was in my eyes.

Hi Dad

Aaron just told me that my father-in-law read my blog. He said it made him feel worse about the fact that he doesn't.

Hi Dad! I hope you enjoy it, even if there's not a fishing report in it.

Texas is funny

Really funny.

I've known this for a while, but our trip across it (3 1/2 hours one day, 11 the next) confirmed it. Here is why:

I've been to several states - not all of them, mind you - but only in Texas have I gotten to eat a waffle in the shape of the state.

Many cities in Texas have names "stolen" from other places: Paris, Moscow, Pasadena, Iran, San Diego, etc.
But this one made me feel so much better.
If it weren't in the middle of NOWHERE,
I would love to live in Comfort.

That's all for now. Enjoy.

2009

I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging.

But I've gotten to see this little chronicle of me grow for the past 8 months, and it's been wonderful. I'm using it as a journal of sorts, and this is a point that I reach in all of my journals. Trying to recap all the craziness that has been the last couple of weeks, without it dragging on, just so I can get back into the swing of posting. So here's where I am.

Christmas was wonderful. The kids were thrilled with their gifts - thank you to everyone! Here are some highlights.

My parents got Ben a Nintendo DS. Santa brought him games and the accessory kit. Because Santa and grandmas/grandpas are good friends - they talk all the time.

Allie got a Big Wheel from my parents. She fell in love with it, and rode it around the house for days. Santa brought Alex a set of 7 princess Barbies. She took the crowns and shoes off in seconds.









Santa also brought Ben an Indiana Jones Whip that makes noise. Totally a hit at our house.










Santa brought Audrey her own swing to go on the swingset that was Nana and PawPaw's present.

Yes, our children are spoiled by everyone. We are blessed with loving and generous parents and siblings!

On Christmas night, we got in the car and drove to Houston. The kids slept until San Antonio, and remarkably, Aaron and I weren't zombies when we arrived. The kids got to play with their cousins, Aaron and I got to go to the temple, and we had a nice visit. We stayed at Jessica's newly remodeled home.

In case you were wondering, Aaron's parents house is still a work in progress. They are living in the garage apartment, while restoring/remodeling the house. The exterior walls are there, the roof is there, but there is no drywall on many of the walls. No furniture, no flooring. It's going to be a lot of work.

On a sadder note, Bobbie Jo had been sick for a while with what she thought was the flu, and asked Aaron to check her out when we got there. He felt that her spleen was huge and encouraged her to get it checked out. She went to the hospital later that day, and after numerous blood transfusions, test, bone marrow biopsies, etc. The diagnosis is that she has T-cell lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) and will begin chemotherapy today. With treatment, the prognosis is good, and Bobbie Jo is stubborn enough to fight anything. We love her - please keep her in your prayers.

I can't get any more pictures to upload for now. Frustrating. More later. Glad to be back.

Checklist

It's getting closer.

Presents bought?

Check. (actually credit... :))

Christmas outfits for church?

Check.

Pictures with Santa?

Check.

We're ready, Santa! See you soon!