Michael's new job

Michael started a new job today. He is very excited for the change, but it was a little hard for him to say goodbye to friends at his old clinic. In October it would have been 5 years. His first PT job out of school. Good memories for him. But he really wasn't satisfied with "corporate america." All about numbers, blah, blah, blah. He's been shadowing an orthopedic surgeon pretty much since he started. Physical Therapists do that to 1) get to to know the doctor so the doctor will also refer patients to his company and 2) to watch surgeries, and commiserate (sp?) about how to treat the patient, etc. He's really liked this doctor and loved getting his patients because they healed faster b/c he is such a good surgeon. About a year and a half ago this surgeon said to him, "why don't you see if Healthsouth wants to open a new clinic next door to my office, and you run it" Michael was very flattered that he asked him that. Well Healthsouth toyed with the idea and went back and forth and ultimately decided not to do it. Then they kinda went under and got sold. ANYWAY....last October the doc said, "I'm gonna open a PT clinic and I want you to run it." It was never official until about April, but now it is officially official. Michael is very excited, but he will be the only PT there and kinda running the whole deal, but the doc funded all of it. There are actually some laws Michael has to figure out, because physician owned clinics are actually illegal in some states, but not in Texas (something about a doc sending patients to PT when he owns it, even if they might not need PT). He needs to make sure he follows all the guidelines correctly. We shall see how this all progresses. He gets to choose his own hours, and they aren't concerned about a time clocks (like before) and he gets to go on bike rides at lunch time and be home at regular hours (they were really odd before t/th 7-4, m/w/f 10-7). That's the news here! We're really excited about it all! Keeping fingers crossed that it isn't too good to be true.

Thank you for coming to the other side

I just sent out 124 invitations to the people in my life. Many of you I haven't seen in a very long time. Friends from Jr. HIgh, High School, College, my grandpa, my aunts and cousins, my neighbors and friends here in Texas, and even to some people I haven't actually met yet:) I love to share my life--I am an open book. You can ask me anything and I'll probably tell you. However, I often don't just offer up information to people unless they ask. I guess if you come to my blog, you are asking to know more, so here you go!

A couple of months ago I got a site meter on my blog that tells me how many are visiting and from what city they are visiting from. I think I started to get a little freaked out when I was people were visiting from places I didn't know anyone. Even from countries I didn't know. As much as I love to "Blog hop" to peoples blogs that I don't know, it was a hard decision to make this private, also because those people that want to read my blog that I do know, I didn't want to make it harder for them to get here. I hate to sign into things b/c I forget my user name or password, etc.

I have been blessed in my life by the people whom I have met and they have helped influence the person I am today. I love meeting new people and I feel that every person I cross paths with, I can learn something from. Thank you all for the things you have taught me and by the stories you've shared. When I came across each of your names entering them into this to invite you...I smiled and had stories flash across my mind. I hate the idea of not keeping in touch with people that at one time in my life meant so much. I'm doing my part, now you do yours....email me, start a blog, or just leave a comment so I'll know you stopped by.

our trip to Utah

The main reason I wanted to take my kids to Utah is because I wanted them to see and experience all the great memories I have from my childhood. I got concerned when my Grandma H. said a few months ago that she was going to sell her land to developers. She lives on about 5 acres and they have horses, etc. My stomach sunk at the idea that my children wouldn't get a chance to really know that place. To love it like I did as a child. I wanted to document it photographically as well as show the kids all the things I love about it. My granparents and their homes are filled with memories for me. The horses, the knick knacks, the cousins, the mountains. Utah is a beautiful place in the summertime!


I wanted to put lots of picts up for my grandparents and extended family to all see...and so it begins the beginning of my travel log. I've resorted to collages to make it easier for me, and thus have the trip also ready to print as a scrapbook page.

We begin with airplane shots and the kids acting crazy all crammed together in our rental car. They were so excited to go to Utah to see the mountains and whatever else was in store. I wanted to take them to a place that I visited every summer growing up. I love Utah in the summertime. I lived in the state for 2 years of college and thats it. I don't think I'd want to live there with my family, but I do love to visit. My grandparents are all there as well as most of my extended family. We had a very packed full week, and had so much fun together as a little family of 5.

This first collage depicts the kids rolling in the soft Utah grass. I told them it was a must and I walked barefoot when the opportunity presented itself. The grass is SO soft there. One memory of my childhood.

My little brother, Kirk also finished his two year mission in Boise Idaho. We decided to surprise him when we met him and my parents up at my grandparents home. He had never met Alyssa--he left a few weeks before she was born. It was so much fun to see him again and have the boys play.



We've never been to a cemetary on Memorial Day. We've never been near one with anyone we knew on Memorial Day. In Utah, it is tradition. It was nice to go and see all the flags and flowers. Two loved ones are in this cemetary. I've visited the cemetary various other times. My dad's dad is there. And my older sister. Grandpa died a few years ago. Ruth Rebecca died as a newborn before I was born. It was a great experience to talk to Tyler and Matthew about cemetaries and about our loved ones. They are very receptive to sacred things.

This is Bridal Veil Falls in Provo. I love Provo Canyon, so beautiful and many great memories here. The kids loved to throw rocks in the raging river and we were just happy not to have anyone hurl themselves accidentally over the edge. They also found a cute little caterpillar to play with.



I love this set. The boys learning gold from their Great Grandpa who LOVES to golf! He was so thrilled to share his favorite pasttime with the boys. And this pict of Alyssa sleeping. Everyone knows that vacation time is difficult to get little ones to nap. They know they will be missing something fun! Alyssa was exhausted and would not nap. She climbed onto Great Grandpa's lap for a safe refuge and I let her be for a few minutes. When I came back she was sound asleep. I guess feeling safe from the nap happy mommy she relaxes so much. They sat there for 2 hours. Grandpa was in heaven with her sleeping on him, he kept saying what a special treat it was that she did that. Awww, so sweet.



Horses at Uncle Dean's...can't go there without saddling up. Well I did, but everyone else got a ride, even my mom. The kids were first a little leary of the horses, but they learned to enjoy them. Also playing in Great Grandma's basement (bright sleeping bag) and eating breakfast at the counter I loved to sit at as a child.



Misc. picts here....the top you see Matthew sitting in the front seat of the car. Our rental car you could turn the airbag off--actually it could "sense" the weight of whomeever sat there and turned off automatically. The boys took turns riding in the front and they thought it was so cool! More horses, ping pong in Grandma's Basement, Grandpa's tool area, and resting.



Bowling in my Grandma's favorite past time and she LOVED going with the boys. She wasn't feeling so great that day and even after Michael beat her by a few points, she challenged him to another round and she beat him. We called her Super Grandma for this!I love my other Gma eating cheetos--and we then went to Antelope Island to the Great Salt Lake. It was hot that day!



Temple Square is a place that has deep meaning for me. The Pioneers of my hertiage settled here to have religious freedom. The temple is so beautiful, and see the Christus statue is always so peaceful. People from around the world come here to seek out their ancestry or learn about the Savior. And we even got to see the huge conference center where we hear from our prophet every six months. I feel a great spirit of peace here.

Alyssa's Birthday

My baby turned 2. Oh she is at such a cute stage and loving the "babies" and "dollies" which I love! I have had my eye on the pretend carseat/stroller/crib playset since tyler was a baby. When I was in Utah, my grandma took Alyssa and I shopping for A.J.'s bday and she got the set for us...I mean her. She had to have a baby in the carseat, one in the stoller, one in the stroller basket, and a few got stuffed in her own little diaper bag.

I tried to make a cool strawberry cake, but it didn't turn out quite like the sample, but that's okay. She was actually quite sick on her birthday....bronchitis. Pretty calm all day, but when the presents came out, she got really excited and she perked right up!

It was a fun day, and good we didn't invite friends over (because of her sickness) because she hauled off with a lot of loot! Grandma Duke made her a church bag to match her brothers...grandma Rae got her a cabbage patch, and I found the cool purple haired strawberry shortcake friend--Rainbow Sherbet. Fun time by all! This is a lot of picts, but not even half of what I took! It was so funny to watch her play mommy.

whirlwind!

I just got back from nearly 2 weeks away...first we took a family trip to Utah, then stayed at my moms for a week in Houston. I need to go through all those picts and post them, but I have so much to write about. This weekend, maybe. I came home for 2 days last week (my mom offered to keep my kids so I was home alone--Michael at work) because I had 2 photo sessions. The first one I was a bit hesitant to agree to, because it was a guy wanting picts with his girlfriend. I am charging more now, and wanting to know ahead of time if it is worth my while to invest time into photo sessions, so I want to make sure they will be profitable. I inquired as to what he was looking for and mentioned a minimum purchase to which he agreed to. I then found out after a brief chat with his girlfriend that he was in Iraq in the Army when he found my site on the internet and on his way home for a 2 week leave before he heads back. Michael said, "they'll be engaged by the time they get to you...." Well, they weren't, but about half way through the session, the guy said to me, "I'm going to propose in a few minutes." To which I smiled and simultaneously got butterflies in my stomach. I've done weddings, but this was "off the cuff." I then got all nervous about my camera settings and hoping I wouldn't "mess" this up for him. What a cool idea, huh? So here he is, proposing!