Updates...

July 29, 2008 - Tuesday Is it August yet??? Welllll, Is it August yet?!?! Ah, the final month of summer. Cramming in all the last summer activities with little tan faces, knees and toes!!! Waiting impaitiently for new books and clothes...for new teachers, friends and adventures! Also the month of the final Cram!!! Scram. Amy. Scram. My brother is getting married in almost exactly one month. We are to the final countdown. *HOORAY* I am so excited for him. If you could only see how much he adores his sweetheart! ( I can still hardly believe my baby brother is old enough to GET married, but I am getting old you know! ) Weeding, mowing, edging, spraying. Moving, painting, cleaning...clearing and scraping. Bit by bit...this old farm cleans up nicely!!! In a week I will be on a plane to L.A. *HOO HOO* I am so excited. A group of friends are all flying out together to see a band in concert and for a book signing. It will be a highlight of my summer!!! 3 days in L.A. With the girls!!! *LAAAAAAAAA* In a nutshell. That is August. Month of finality. Summer coming to a close. Roll the windows down for the last cruise into the sunset. Cause here comes bedtimes and routines...knocking at your door!!! *evil laugh here* School is coming. Change is in the air. Fall is at our footsteps and soon will be here. Happy August everyone!!! ~Amy

July 20, 2008 - Sunday Sun, Air, Grass and the flu...ewww So it's summer. Right? Full swing... Where the heck did I get a sore throat and the flu?!? Besides feeling totally lame, and running a fever for the last week, it seems that things are pulling together around here. Finally! I got a stack of books read that I have been dying to read. And things are coming together for the wedding in September. ( Not mine, my brother's sillly! ) Although we do celebrate 14 fabulous years this September...(geez, I AM getting old). GAH! Good thing I still act 4, LOL! We had the family reunion here over the weekend of the 4th, Sam has an abnormally large family. Which is great. Just loud. And confusing at times...Now the 24th is looming...it is a holiday in Utah. It commemorates the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. It really is a cool story. Our kids are descendents of the Willey-Martin handcart company. Another cool story. Progeny. What a blessing and curse, in the same breath!!! Anyway, I am starting to feel better. Besides having my hands incredibly full...(wedding, yardslave, maid, Mom, wifey-poo and a multitude of other things I will spare you) I am going to LA for a concert and book signing. WHOO HOO!!! It is for the release of Breaking Dawn. The concert will be given by Blue October. One of my favorite bands!!! I am going with some good friends and am well prepared to go sit on the beach, stay up late, and shout the words to my favorite songs. It almost makes me giddy!!! Tee hee. Those who know me well, know that the book series by Stephenie Meyer...Twilight, has really turned me into somewhat of a fanatic. Obsessed...um yeah. Really. Me. ( I never get obsessed, whatever could you mean? ) Ha, ha. Whatever. So anyway. I miss you guys. Write me. Send me some pictures. I know you are all alive out there!!! ~Amy~

July 1, 2008 - Tuesday Its so hot...seriously. It is so hot outside. Humid too! That is kinda weird for Utah... Even at 7am, when working in the yard...sweat just pours off me. Right now it is hovering between 99 and 100. What happened to spring? It just dumped us off at 99!!! Really, the temperatures went from comfy 60's to 100? I think my brother is getting married in my back yard...Christian if you read this...you owe me one!!! While planting some flowers this morning, this ominous hissing sound came from the hole I was planting in. Holy Adreniline rush...the screech that issued from my throat should have warned anything within a five mile radius to run like hell... Yah. It wasn't a snake. It was the water sprinklers coming on. Ha, ha! Well after my heart returned to it's normal place in my chest...I continued to play yard slave. Now, with dehydration and a headache like no other...I am parked in front of the computer. When really I should be getting ready for tonight. Tonight, you say? Yes, Rileys Baseball team is coming over for a BBQ. Not to mention we are hosting the family reunion this weekend. Those of you who know me, know what happens when these things are coming. It all starts with..I should touch up that paint. That turns into...I think I will paint the entire house. Der. What planet am I FROM??? So, I really should finish painting upstairs. Do some more laundry. Edge the flower beds, pull up the rest of that sod, feed the horses, shovel some poo, beat my children, just wanted to see if I could slip that in unnoticed in the incredible run on sentance I just created, and oh so much more. Flowers need to be planted, weight needs to be lost. But, it SO DARN HOT. The paint is melting, the flowers are wilting, and here I am. Eating. Reading. Hanging out. LOL! Omigosh. It is so hot.

June 23, 2008 - Monday And so it goes, and so it goes... The hot, dawg days of summer are here!!! It has been burning up HOT. Replete with burning sunshine, unforgiving shade, and tempratures near 100. Ah, the joy of life in the desert. The kids have been playing ball, just two more weeks to go!!! We have already had a couple of fun overnighters... We went to Manti, and spent the night for the Manti pageant...and went to the Anasazi/Freemont Indian museum, which was totally cool, and amazing!!! Then on to Cove Fort, an old Pioneer stop along the pioneer trail of history. It really is neat to see how they lived, and how they rose above the challenges of their day. It is very encouraging, uplifting, and humbling. We also spent a long, somewhat wet day at Lagoon. It is way pricey, but the kids enjoyed it. It was the big splurge of summer. With gas prices as they are...we are pretty much staying in the surrounding territory. Our next adventure awaits at Sundance...where we will hike, bike and make pottery. Paint some pictures and have fun togther in the shadow of Mt. Timpinogas. HOO HOO! If anyone has some fun ideas for summer... I am game...let me know what YOU do! Till then, LURVE YA Amy

May 21, 2008 - Wednesday Holding on... A dear fellow TM wondered how I was holding up. The recent loss of Sam's Mom has left the proverbial hole in my heart... this was my reply... One does as one must do. Simply, go on. It seems that life should stop, at least for a moment. But, it doesn't. Though I miss her with all my heart, and it physically aches... I have to stay strong for Sam, and my kids. The nights are harder than the day... But, it was a gift to have her when I did, so...chin up, I defiantly stare at the moon and move forward with her in my heart. And the rain won't stop. In my head or in my heart... So as for holding up...not so much. But holding on. XOXO Amy

May 19, 2008 - Monday Of Book Signings and Stardom Sightings Current mood: amused So, the long weekend has ensued. Take a big breath and come along with me! Stephenie Meyer started the whole thing...I blame her!!! She wrote these addictive books, that lead to addictive friendships, that lead to addictive lifelong obsessions...anyone see a pattern here?!?!? Welllll, The Host was released and TM's...( Twilight Moms, the greatest women under the face of the sun, in my humble opinion).... decided to all get together to read, discuss and have our books signed by Steph in SLC. Friday begat the madness, at Thanksgiving Point. Where under the beating sun we waited. Patiently for everyone to arrive. Finally with really suhweet sunburns and dehydration we were admitted into the barn...where we had reserved seating. 52 TM's descended upon poor unsuspecting hosts...bwhahaha...and laughed, discussed, giggled and passed the time among friends. At long last, Steph emmerged from backstage to a standing ovation. ( yeah, we sorta like her ) Answered a few Q and A's... that I thoroughly enjoyed... and starting signing books. Yes, I felt like cattle. Driven, directed and herded in general. Finally it was my turn. She is kind, direct and very, very beautiful in person. Her agent Elizabeth is the greatest agent...probably ever. She was keeping things as smoothly as she could. After we all had our books in our hot, happy little hands, we went to eat at TP. We were late so there wasn't much food left, but the cookies were phenomenal. Emily, Steph's sister came with some of the other family, including the cousin, Melanine. Whom Melanie in the Host is written after!!! Cool, yes? They were all very sweet, tired and happy to be there. We chatted, ate and all went our ways. Saturday brought on a whole new meaning to lack of sleep and function. After a looooong night with some other TM's, we got up had a fantastic breakfast, chatted with the cute guys at Starbucks...who thought I looked like Jenny McCarthy...hmmm yeah, in my skinny dreams maybe! And headed to Highland High, for the second signing. It was freakin HAWTTT outside, but a nice breeze kept it manageable. Twilight Moms from all over were a strong presence. Which I think is AWESOME!!!! Again, we laughed, chatted, awed and ooohed over Steph's ability to create such detailed, amazing works. Lisa, the coven mother of TM's was reduced to tears at the sheer amount of TM's, who came for the group picture. She is pretty neat. We love Lisa, hear that...WE LOVE YOU LISA!!!!!!!!! We got our books signed, sealed and delivered and headed to the Park. Where in the shade of the trees, we squeeeed, swooned and all agreed that Steph is the greatest ever! Her kindness and ability to convey her genuine concern to her fans is unique. She is unique. And has brought us all together. I owe her more than I could ever afford. She has given me a reason to read again. Friendships that will last my life time. And moreover, a reason to hope... Thanks, Steph. Amy

May 1, 2008 - Thursday J’Taime Je T'Aime Je T'Aime toujour I am forever yours Sweet dreams Sweet dreams mon cher You're always in my prayer Softly Sweetly Wrapped up in heaven's arms Sailing Soaring Over the moon Gathering star dust Be still Be safe Be sure Je T'Aime Je T'Aime toujour Wishing Praying All of your dreams come true Please remember Wherever you are My heart is with you Sweet dreams Sweet dreams mon cher Always in my prayer I am forever yours Je T'Aime Je T'Aime toujour

April 30, 2008 - Wednesday The Legacy of Love A new day has come for Mom. She passed peacefully into heaven yesterday. Surrounded by her family and loved ones. Though a star has been stolen from the sky, a brilliant sun arose in it's place. Her love radiates to us all as the warmth creeps across the horizon. From limb to limb I feel her love. Unconditional and pure. Real and true. She brought to this world goodness, and has left a great legacy of love. This legacy is knit with stitches tight and secure. Sewn by heart and hand with love deeper than the sea. Now it is our journey to continue the tapestry and weave the shreds back together. Love will bind us. Christ will comfort us, and Mom...well she is an angel dancing amoung the stars today. Her legacy lives on...I can see it in the bright eyes of my children. I can feel it when Sam wraps his arms around me. My faith is secure in the seeds she has planted within my soul...that she will always be with us. And she is waiting. Paitiently as ever for us to come to that eternal home. Where the sting of death is erased. And love lives on, and on, and on. Can't you hear her singing? Can't you see her dancing? Can't you see her wrapped in the arms of her father? Free from pain, hurt and suffering. The legacy lives on in each one of us... Dance with the angels Mom. We will see you soon. Love, Always...Amy

April 12, 2008 - Saturday Still hanging on Mom is still hanging on, by a small, sheer, very weak thread. It has been just over a week that we have been back from Florida. The exhaustion has given way to numbness. I am not sure what I feel anymore. It seems that the verge of a nervous breakdown is imminent. And right before I fall over the edge...something pulls me back into reality. Days and nights begin to blur and the slope is wet and slippery. It feels like auto-pilot, where you go through the motions with no reaction or emotion. Which is great for the kids. All the cookies they can eat, shorts in 40 degree weather, flushing cardboard down the toliet. Ok, so I really did fuss about the shorts! I am STILL a Mom!!! Cookies and cardboard never hurt anyone. It is hard to remember where something began, what I am doing, and where to stop... The edges all blurred somwhere... My thanks and heartfelt gratitude to all of you who are thinking and praying for all of us right now. I love all of you so much!!! Keep praying, and may you be blessed for it. Love ya, amy

April 8, 2008 - Tuesday Sadness... Sadness can’t quite convey how I feel right now. We headed out of town last week, ready for sunburns, sun soaked beaches and some quiet time. What unfolded was an unexpected turn of events. Are you ready??? Come with me and hold on tight... We packed, cleaned, squared away kids, horses and chickens! And flew out on a cold, blustery day...I boarded the plane shivering...and deplaned stripping...well, I wanted to anyway! It was 38 degrees when we left, in Florida it was 86 degrees...it was wonderful! We rented a car with a somewhat malfunctional GPS navigator and headed out to see my Dad! The pull of the beach was ALMOST irresistable...but a late thunder storm quelled that in a hurry. We had a wonderful dinner with Dad and Heidi...played with Mack and had a blast. We headed over to his place around midnight, showered, and went to bed. By 6am we were up to catch another flight over to Ft. Lauderdale...to make the cruise ship on time. Upon arrival, I took my very first ever TAXI! That was weird... We stopped at three camera stores trying to find a battery for my camera, to no avail. Finally we headed to the Port to get on the ship. They herded us like cattle, poked, prodded and peered at our pictures. Finally, after two very long exhausting days...we got aboard!!! We were not able to get to our state rooms for about an hour, so we ran through the buffet line...( like EVERY one else!!!) Wow, that was a lot of people. The hour was up and we decided to rest for a few. We had been up for way too long and were having serious jet lag...as there is a 2 hour time difference!!! Just as we dozed off...Sams phone rang. It had been ringing...but the pit of my tummy tingled. All along I had my reservations...I really didn’t want to be there. It was Sam’s sister, his Mom wasn’t expected to make it through the night. EEEeeekkkk!!!! Let me tell you about Sam’s Mom. She is the single most amazing person, I have ever known. Always kind loving and gentle...patient. Really, I could go on and on...but I don’t want to make you go commit suicide or anything. She has bravely fought Ovarian Cancer for 4 almost 5 years. The fight has come to an end. My mind was spinning. HOW DO WE GET OUTTA HERE!!!! I ran across the hall and knocked on the door, and asked the kind lady to hold Sam’s hand...I TOOK OFF RUNNING. I found someone to locate our luggage...Gathered our things, and put Sam on the phone with Delta...GET US HOME!!! NNOOOOWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took three planes, over 24 hours with no sleep, no idea where my kids were, holding Sams heart in my hand, and my heart...welll, I have to keep it together. We made it home by 1:30 after 12 hours on planes and 4 hours in airports. Mom was weak, we watched her sleep. I cried, Sam cried...and in the morning...she staggered out and tried to make BREAKFAST! Well, that was last week. This week has been the downhill plunge. With heavy heart, I say...this is the end of her mortal journey. The sojourn is coming to a close. With dignity, compassion and great love...I must say, that I love her with all my heart. She is the most wonderful mother a girl could ask for. I know, I know...she is my MIL, but she claims me as her daughter. And with humility and gratitude, I accept. In my dreams, a little girl leads her to the Savior. He takes her by the hand, and she asks to sing praises to him forever. Green pastures lay before her...she has yet to step across...she glances back and a single tear runs down her cheek. And in my mind I hear Poor Wayfaring Stranger...then wake up.