4th of July trip....part II

Sorry, but I'm gonna post a lot of pics from my trips over the 4th. I was able to go to Arizona for my 10-year class reunion, and to see my all my little nieces and nephews....and then I was able to fly up to Montana to meet Eric for his mom's side family reunion. We stayed at a place called seeley lake, and camped. It was awesome! So pretty. It was warm in the sun, and chili in the clouds. The summer high was in the 60's. It was awesome. One of the days, most of the family took a hike up to a really pretty waterfall. Eric and I decided to ride our bikes instead. Thank goodness for that. I didn't feel like hiking 3.1 or so miles one way. That just takes too long.

Once we got to the waterfall, there was a place to hike up to see other waterfalls. I HATE heights...so it was difficult for me, but Eric just kept going and going.....

Here is Eric and some of his cousins....

Before the trek up to find the hidden falls...

One of the pretty lakes in the area.

Our stop to take the picture. Not a great pic, especially of me, but it was a good time together.

Me, keeping as far away from the edge of the top of the first fall.

And of Course, Eric, out IN the falls....It's only a 400ft drop right behind him.

Here is the actual first fall.

Adopt-a-highway

Ok, How strange would it be to be driving down the road, and you happen to glance up and see an adopt a highway sign with your dad's name on it. It's not near where he lived, you know nobody in YOUR family did it.....You shake your head, and end up pausing your trip, to stop the car, turn around, and go back to make sure it was the correct name.

Yep! Joe Madrid!

That would be my daddy! and the story happened to my sister, not me. I just think it's funny. Somebody, though not exactly sure who, but some have their guesses, put this up in memory of my dad. How sweet is that. Angie and Cimmeron first noticed it last year, and then a few weeks ago marnie and her gang passed it and decided to take pics.

Thanks marn. I just think it's neat. The two cuties are Korey, aka "Little Man" and Keilani.

More house and entertainment center.

This post is mostly for Marnie...who told me to post pics of our house. I reminded her i had, but oh well. this is my awesome attempts at flowers. I definitely lack 'green thumb' skills!

The front of our house driving up the road!
The back is pretty darn plain.

The latest wall decor.

Here's the hallway from the front door. (which is on the right, just outside the photo.)

Below are two 'before' pics. This entertainment center Eric made. He finally finished it this weekend. you can't see that easily, but he painted it black, then he distressed it this weekend, and put clear coats on. It turned out awesome! he is so talented. Love it!

This is the other direction, where the shadow box is now on the right, and the wedding pics are on the left.

This is the center after just the black paint. Looks WAY better now!

TODAY's.......tomorrow.

Today….
This week has been a week of reflection. Tomorrow is the 4-year mark of mom’s passing. With that I have had many thoughts, and some emotion. I know last year I also posted about mom and dad….and I will most likely continue to post about them every year, because every year I seem to appreciate them and miss them all the more. I’m beginning to believe in the phrase, “Time wounds all Heals!” :) I am certain this will be a long post, so if you don’t wanna get sucked in….stop here. Enjoy some random pictures. I realize the quality of many is not great…but it’s what I have.

Today…I remember Grandma Karen, or for me, “mom”.
Today…I think back on many memories I carry with me, wishing they were not final, but alas, they are and so I cherish them.

Today…I remember all the trouble I caused, and the many, Oh so many times she came flying through the front door after learning from her secret spies at school what I had done ‘that’ day.
Today…I remember the breakfasts and dinners she would prepare, not to mention my favorite- requested every year chocolate birthday cake!
Today…I tremendously miss her cooking and baking and treats-and wish for more of those moments.
Today…I remember the support she always rendered in my many activities. From Show Choir to Volleyball to Basketball, to plays. She never missed anything if she could help it.
Today…I remember holiday decorations and traditions. She always made our house so cozy. And no holiday has EVER been the same without her.
Today…I wish I had taken more notes on her creativity! The woman never ran out of ideas. I never seem to find them.

Today…I long for her bursting contagious laugh.
Today…I miss church, and her solo giggles...then looking at the Hamblin’s, just to see their faces, especially Lee’s face beat red from laughing at her. (with her) :)
Today…I remember learning of my father’s cancer, and my mother’s strength in carrying on although she herself felt ill.
Today…I remember the trips home from college and each time there was something different in the house. She was always making things better in our old house.
Today…I remember a birthday trip home from college, when I brought a bunch of friends to go skiing. She had the house spotless, awesome Christmas decorations and beds ready all over the house for each guest.
Today…I remember Her own diagnosis with Cancer, and once again her strength as she fought back with surgeries and radioactive treatments for years.
Today…I remember her last years as she had valleys and peaks with her health-yet just kept smiling and just kept going.
Today…I remember my last Christmas with her, KNOWING it was our last, only to be surprised that the day after Christmas events would start the down-hill spiral to her final days.
Today…I remember the beginning of a trip to mesa with my nephew Kameron, and getting a phone call from my sister that mom had fallen and broken her hip.
Today…I remember being flooded with tears, then drying them quickly so kameron would be calm.
Today…I remember Kameron telling on me for shedding those tears. :)

(This pic is shortly after the hip fracture....in the Hospice house.)

(This is from decades ago, when they visited the polynesian cultural center in hawaii.)

(And this is visiting the PCC when she came to Hawaii for my graduation. Still the same fun lady!)


(This is from her visit to my graduation as well. We're at windy point.)

Today…I remember that night in the Springerville hospital, and the stupid events that took place. Scott being kicked out of the ER for asking the MD for pain medication for mom, and the MD being completely inappropriate.
Today…I remember I was threatened to be thrown out of said hospital, with police escort.
Today…I remember Marnie being the only one who could keep her cool and communicate with the incompetent staff that night. She is “mom” in every way possible.
Today…I remember aunt Wilda and Grandma Neita racing the wheel chairs up the hallway of that same hospital!
Today…I remember the brief airplane ride down to the Mayo Clinic…where we learned the true extent of this hip break. Did the fall cause the break? Or did the cancer, which had eaten the bone, cause the weakness, that caused the fall, which ended in the break, which couldn’t be repaired due to the non-existing bone, due to the cancer.

Today...I remember going over options for mom after this episode.
Today…I remember finally taking mom to Angie’s house so we could be the ones to care for her.
Today…I remember the selflessness of my oldest sister Angie, whom I’m afraid has never been adequately thanked.

(Just a fun picture I sent mom when I was attending BYU-H.)

Today…I remember the opportunity of caring for mom. From the days of Hawaii, I KNEW, she would be ‘crippled’ before she passed, and that it was my duty. I needed to be the caregiver. (one of the many.)
Today…I remember a sweet grandchild, Cimmeron, who brought so much joy to her life everyday. As did all her grandchildren. He was the lucky one who got to see her everyday!
Today…I remember mom yelling at Cimm from the other room as he practiced piano, to fix the wrong notes, just as she did to me…and all my sisters I’m certain. We laughed!
Today…I remember the years mom spent changing, and stopping her little habit of swearing.
Today…I remember the last time I heard her say Sh**, as she accidently dumped water all over her table and nightgown.
Today…I realize some habits die hard!

Today...I remember mom trying to dial the remote control to make a phone call. :) Technology these days! :)
Today…I remember taking her home to Eagar. A gift from Jason and Tim Eagar…and Neita. They drove to the valley in their van, put a recliner in the back, loaded her up and off we went. Neita kept her company in the Van, and I followed close behind for any needs that should arise.
Today…I remember finally getting back to her own home, and saw how glad she was.
Today…I remember the MANY visitors and friends who offered such service and love to mom through those last months. She was blessed with friendships!
Today…I remember mom being pushed in her wheelchair by Neita up to Bashas to buy Ice-cream. (our favorite food group.) -though we had 4 or 5 different types in our freezer! Who could tell her that.

Today...I remember mom using Bill Franks motored scooter...and us almost getting caught in the middle of main street due to a little mal function.
Today…I remember mom wanting to be pushed down to the bank to see Scott.
Today…I remember dad, having Jr. drive him around town in his last days, until he found where Scott was working for the day, where they sat and watched him.
Today…I remember mom asking “if Scott would be embarrassed.” I assured her No. Hopefully I was right.
Today…I remember making my bed on the floor, by mom’s bed each night as it got dark. She didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t blame her.

Today…I remember that each night, I would read to her one, two or three talks from the latest General Conference ensign. She loved the gospel more than anything, and it ALWAYS brought her such comfort.

Today...I remember Tracy as the back-up. Always ready to come at a phone call. I took a shower one morning, and got out to Tracy there, helping mom. Apparently she got nervous by herself for a few minutes.
Today…I remember my siblings and their effort to visit at every opportunity. Angie, Cimm and I there daily. Leisel and her kid’s daily visits and meals. Her one-on-one time with mom to quickly get stories recorded for each child. Marnie came with her kids, as often as she could. And Scott drove down from Eagar every weekend. Nothing brought mom more happiness than her family.
Today…I remember our disparity, to take away mom’s pain.
Today…I remember Kissing mom good-bye to go start nursing school. The 2 phone calls that I received the following week, from a weak and tired lady who wanted to say hi and check in! She wasn't quite all there...but her intentions were pure.
Today…I remember the phone call to tell of her final breaths. I hadn’t wanted to be there. But I quickly regretted it.
Today…I realize that time will not heal the hole left behind when you lose your parents. It merely dulls the sting.
Today…I wish I had spent more time appreciating and loving and living every moment I could with my parents those many years ago.

Today...I realize regret gets us no-where.

Today...I realize that though I feel somewhat shorted, there is NO DOUBT in my mind there is a reason for EVERYTHING.

Today...I realize one day everything will be oh so clear! the hurt will only be worth it.
Today…I wish my Love Eric had the opportunity to meet some great in-laws, and know of their love and get to know their awesome personalities.

TODAY...I miss my parents!

Love you Mom and Dad!

Meet the Zweifel/Smuin side.....

Looks like these ladies are getting all snookered up at the reception.

Eric's brother Scott got married in April. This is the luncheon after the wedding.

This is Scott (Eric's brother) and Amanda, the newly weds cutting their cake.
They then had a reception in Vernal. They had a pretty 'neat' style goin. Eric got to wear this sweet hat. I know the name of it....but can't for the life of me spell it...so, for this purpose...it's a hat. Plane and simple.

Eric's only niece and nephew so far. Kobe and Abbey! And they are adorable. Kobe is the smartest little guy ever! and that little sister is sneaky!

This is Eric's dad, and his date Lynette. I think if they break up we'll keep her and kick him out! :) Just kidding.....but they are a fun fun couple.

And this is Eric's mom Marie and her husband Kay Smuin with the grandkids for his side. Good times had at the Smuin house! Talk about a mean game of Mexican Train!

Kinda blurry....but here is Eric, kenneth and Dustin. The brothers, Minus one who is on his mission, Darren!

And of course one last pic of us! I just love this guy! How Lucky I am he found me! Love you tons babe!

More Dogs!

Yup! Another post about my awesome dogs. They are so fun on a day to day basis,,,,that I couldn't possibly describe that on a blog. So, I'm just gonna post pics to make myself feel better. They are my little family!:) As dumb as that may sound! Drake-has managed to petrify any-and-everyone who comes over. Where he is the biggest baby to us, he is definitely on the protective side, especially to those who have any fear of dogs.

This little guys dirty sweet face looks like an e-walk(spelling anyone?) He is always into, onto, in the middle of trouble, but is the biggest cuddler and loves attention. It's not nice to say he's my "not so intelligent" boy, but he is sooooo sweet and cute he makes up for it.

THis is the same guy, after walking around in the freshly mowed yard, and staining his paws green. Just another bath!

Here is my #1. Chuy was my first pup. He is the intelligent one, who only likes to cuddle on his conditions, in his time, in his way. LOVE LOVE LOVE him!!!

Both of these little guys LOVE to sit up on my lap. THey fight for it. So this day, Eric and I were just sitting at the table, chatting, and up came one.....then the other....and trust me, there was not enough room, they were not comfortable, but neither would get down. They just layed their heads on the table like the world was perfect!

Perhaps what made me post this, was the fact that another pretty special dog, (Grandma Neita's Cassie-for those of you that knew that dog) got hit in Eagar this past week. I remember after my mom died, when I would go to Eagar, I would end up over at Neita's house, sitting on the front porch, chatting and letting our dogs play. Sounds so little.....but when special people start leaving your life, you tend to find the tinyest moments that mean something to you, and hold on to them forever! I cried immediately when I heard about Cassie....like she was my own dog. But, she is with grandma neita now. And that's comforting!

Gift from Mom.

So, I wanted to post this....and show off the last gift from my mom. I have had it with me, but it has been put away, not to be pulled out until I got married. Well, then I got married and somewhat forgot about it. This is a blanket she and some awesome ladies up in RV had quilted for me for when I got married. I wish the picture could do it justice. I just love it! The detail....and colors. And I love it because it was from my mother of course! I really miss her!