'Neu' Beginnings

Been a while...

2009-08-26T18:39:00.003-06:00

It has been a little while since I posted anything. We closed on the house on July 30. We have worked on the house a ton but are still a bit away from moving in. My intentions are to get as much as we can done so we can move next weekend.
It slowed things down so much when we refinished the hardwood. Pretty much wiped out a week of production time to get work done. Then my grandma passed away which made for another unproductive week.
We will get there. May have to take some time off next week...
Erika started soccer this week but is not totally committed to it yet. We will see if she continues this next week. I am encouraging her to but it is ultimately her decision. We will support her whatever it may be... It is time to go pick her up from practice tonight. Take care...

The House

2009-07-24T23:50:00.001-06:00

Hey just got new that we are probly going to close on the house on monday or tuesday!!! thanks bye!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-14T20:56:00.002-06:00

Well, we still have not closed on the new house. It is expected to close by the end of July. We have been working on the "lender required improvements" to bring things up to a status that the bank will lend on.
Roger is working like a mad man. He is amazing in all that he does.
I am tired. Taking a break from heading to the house tonight after praise team practise. I came home to pay bills and balance the check book but as soon as I sat down, I just want to close my tired eyes.
It is nine o'clock and I have been home for an hour. I better get to it while my mind is still active. I will update photos and house news soon. I hope.

Quick Update

2009-06-08T20:32:00.004-06:00

Erika holding a hummingbird in Rockland.

Been pretty busy lately! It seems like we have something going on every evening. Roger did an auction Friday evening for some friends of ours. He does such a great job! Then he had an estate auction on Saturday.
We wrapped up the spring soccer season with a party on Thursday night. Had a wedding in Pocatello and a wedding reception in Inkom on Saturday night and watched it rain all day Sunday. The sun broke out for an hour or so last night, we went for a nice bike ride.
Still waiting on word about the house. The appraisal has been ordered but not done yet. As soon as that is done, things will move along pretty quickly!
Work is good. Erika is going to a volleyball camp this week and 4-H camp next week.
We will keep you posted!

Birthday & House

2009-05-23T12:42:00.003-06:00

Erika's birthday was on Thursday. We had grandma and grandpa, Kris & Jason and the kids, my brother's family and Erika's friend Julia and her family over for dinner. It was a lot of fun. The little girl turned 11! Crazy how fast the time goes by!

We also got an accepted offer on a house! We might be homeowners in a month! It is absolutely a project house but it is so exciting to be moving into a place of 'our's'. Finally! I will keep you posted as to the progress on this front!

Is is spring yet?

2009-05-14T19:22:00.002-06:00

We have had a pretty busy month. I can't believe it has been a month since my last post!
Soccer is three nights a week and a couple of games on Saturdays if not a tournament and it is officially auction season. We have been on the go for a while. I am able to stop today because Roger is gone to an auction in Phoenix and Erika is gone for her school field trip. She backpacked up the south fork of Mink Creek and will be sleeping in a tent tonight. I hope the rain missed them. It was a downpour when I came home from work!
Roger is in Phoenix at an auction for the NRA. It is their national meeting and he will do two auctions. One tonight and one tomorrow. It is the national meeting for the entire nation so there should be a lot of big wigs there! John McCain, Oliver North, etc.! Wow! I am so excited for him! He was a little nervous but Kevin got to fly to Phoenix and join him! So fantastic for both of them! They were pretty excited to see each other and what an incredible auctioneering opportunity for Roger! I (of course) think he is wonderful and am glad that others have that opinion as well!
We have seriously started looking for a house and think there is a possiblity that we have found one! Exciting but a little scary! I will keep you posted if things fall into place. We are praying for God's will and hoping that it matches our will! :o)

Long week!

2009-03-25T19:17:00.002-06:00

This week has seemed sooo long. Spring break without the spring!
Erika went to the dentist this week. No cavities! Wahoo! Only one baby tooth left and the 12 year old molars are ready to pop up anytime. The baby tooth will probably be out within the next couple of days. Cool...
Roger is out of town for his CAI class. He is in Indiana. He has caught a cold and has been studying very hard. Doing well on his quizes. I am proud of him.
Erika has been doing day camps with 4-H for the last couple of days. She got to spend Monday with her friend from school and tomorrow will probably spend with Kris and the kids doing something fun.
Pretty mellow because it is so cotton-pickin cold outside!

Scolded

2009-03-15T19:13:00.002-06:00

Well, it has been a little while since I posted a blog and I was scolded today to catch up. I have been having a hard time with photos and am trying to make it a priority. I have so many priorities though! Darn it!
Been a busy couple of weeks for all of us. Roger had three auctions a couple of weeks ago. One for the church. One for... hmm... gees... my memory is... apparantly very short lived! The third one was for a lady with cancer in Grace. He does such a great job helping people and groups in need. we are in a giving community and he helps to bring out the best in people.
Last weekend we took Erika to soccer practice then down to American Falls to meet her Dad. We took Jackson with us just to spend a little time with him. He caught a bunch of little fish that were floating near the surface of the river and now is counting the days til we take him to the river again. We took him back for his final basketball game. He was so excited about his little fish that he caught! I don't think his coach knew quite what to think! His Grandma or Auntie Kass either! He is counting the days til we go again! Good time.
Roger and I celebrated ISU winning their basketball game and went to dinner with a few friends.
We painted one accent wall in the apartment and brought in my furniture out of storage. I have hesitated doing anything in the apartment to make it feel more like home because I have been hoping we find the perfect home to buy first. Got tired of waiting. Might as well be comfortable.
We both had productive work weeks. My work had a seminar with a guest speaker at the Mystique on Tuesday. We had close to one hundred people from different businesses around the community attend. I have had a couple of job orders placed after I went to the businesses and reminded them of our service and I had a great day meeting businesses in American Falls on Thursday. Things are gearing up in AF as we get closer to spring. Roger finished out this week with the regular Saturday auction. Appeared to be a good one from my unprofessional eyes.
We had Erika's PEP conferance this week. (Parent-teacher conference or personalized education plan). She is reading at an 11.2 grade level in the fifth grade. Cool! Doing good in math but having a little trouble with some of the concepts in geometry. She is totally at her grade level and is understanding concepts much better this year than she has in the past. Good teachers!
Erika had a sleep over with her friend Julia this weekend. It is so good when the kids have good friends!
Erika and I decided to update the white walls in our living room yesterday. Without much success. I don't think I picked up very good paint. We/I will have to give it another go next weekend. Ugh!
Kris invited us over for lunch today with her family and Jason's family. Great food and a nice way to spend the afternoon. She
We are planning on going to Boise on Friday night to watch Mercy Me and Jeremy Camp at the Idaho Center on Friday night. Cool! Then Roger will be flying out to go to CAI (certified auctioneer institute) on Saturday. It will be his final week of this auctioneer school for an important designation for auctioneers. I am very proud of him. He is very good at his job. He is having a little tidy attack right now. I better run and see what he is up too before he messes up my system...
Have a wonderful week!

Missed One

2009-02-21T06:06:00.003-07:00

I thought I made a post last weekend. Apparently I didn't save it or something. Not too much new going on right now.
Erika is going skiing with school on Monday. She is really excited. I know I would feel better if her dad or Roger was with her... Maybe Roger and I can work something out :)
Roger has been working a lot as a repo man for the banks and bankruptcy attorneys. Not so much fun for him. I come home from my job talking about all of the interesting businesses I have been to and the interesting people I am meeting and it makes him miss what he loves most about his job!
My dad's birthday is this weekend. My mom is having a surprise 65th birthday party and retirement from the sheep party. He doesn't have a clue! It is so funny! They have been redoing the bathrooms and she has been cleaning, rearranging and tidying like crazy and he is clueless! I can't wait to see how it turns out! He is supposed to help my brother do some tile work at his house today so Erika and I can run out this afternoon to help her finish getting ready.
My brother Victor will be coming down with his family. It is the twins birthday this weekend as well! They are getting so big! It seems like they are still so (hmmm... stuck on spelling) susceptible??? to colds and ear infections and the like. That is what happens when you have a rough start I guess. 4 years old! Amazing!
My brother Scot and his family are finally finishing their addition to the house. When they added the extra space it was designed for a new kitchen. For the last few years it has just been... space at the end of the family room. They have started putting the tile floor down and will have new cabinets in a couple of weeks! How exciting! My little niece Amanda will be turning sweet 16 next month! Erika will be right behind her as fast as time flies!
We got to spend a little time with Kris's kids before work yesterday. I so enjoyed being able to watch them a little bit in the fall. They are changing and growing so fast. Kaden is starting to lose that toddler sound in his voice and Miss Brooklyn is getting to be so much of a conversationalist! No. No. No. Ha ha ha. Jackson is such a smart kid. If we could just channel his energy and enthusiasm... man!
I would like to ask my friends and family for continued prayer for my young friend Ryliegh. She is still struggling with her health. Better for a few days and then she has a set back. What a strong and brave girl she is!
Well, Jackson has a basketball game this morning at eight so I am gonna run and face the day!
I will let you know how dads party turns out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T09:01:00.003-07:00

What a lovely day today! Roger has to work so we will celebrate a little tomorrow. Tomorrow will be one year since we got engaged! Wow! How much life can change in one year!
Erika and I are being a little lazy this morning. We don't have that opportunity very often. We have been sitting around discussing the merits of the aqua globe. And snd cursing that we didn't stop and grab some milk on the way home last night. Bummer!
I am still really enjoying my job. I am looking forward to spring because I think it may mean that we can find more jobs for people.
Erika had speech festival yesterday. She did a great job! I wasn't able to spend the entire day or be a judge like I have been in the past. I sure missed it!
Roger and I went to a friends birthday party last night. We had a great time! Great dinner and dancing and visiting!
Hope you all have a happy valentine's day!

Snowy Day!

2009-01-25T11:52:00.002-07:00

Life is marching forward! It has been very busy since I started back to work full time. We have a friend that is picking up Erika after school and she is a God send. Kia is a great, strong healthy young woman with a heart for service and a great example for Erika.
Erika is getting ready to start learning how to ski at school. I am missing school... I really liked working with the kids and seeing them all the time.
I am still liking my new job! It is fun and exciting to get out and try to help people in the community who need jobs and those who have little jobs that they need a days help for.
The snow is gorgeous today... I need to stop gandering aout the window and fold clothes...

New Job

2009-01-14T13:31:00.002-07:00

I am in the second week of a new job. Exciting, I know! I am liking it so far but all I have done is online classes to teach me how to be successful. Next week I am going to be actually working! Looking forward to it.
The holidays were lovely. Kind of mellow but nice.
Roger and I went to Coeur D Alene last week end for Idaho Auctioneer Association. Good time. Stayed at the resort. Fabulous! Roger is 1st runner up auctioneer for the state of Idaho. AGAIN! I am proud of him though... he did an amazing job on his presentation.
The Montero is having issue again. Thank goodness we have a son-in-law that is also a good friend and is letting me drive his car for a little while.
Life is just cruising along. Readjusting to living on an 8 to 5 schedule again. (kind of a bummer!) but good none the less.
We will work harder on pictures. Not our strong point. Hope all is well with all of you.

2008-12-14T15:52:00.002-07:00

Whoops! I wasn't quite finished. I have been waiting for a job that I thought I was perfect for that didn't pan out. But... when God closes one door, he opens another. I was offered a chance to meet with the owner of another locally owned company for a postion with them. We will see what the week brings. In the meantime, please keep that in your prayers.
As for what is next with us, it is in God's hands and that is where it needs to be. Holiday wishes to one and all!

2 weeks before Christmas!

2008-12-14T15:41:00.002-07:00

Hey all! Been a busy couple of weeks. I have been temping at ON semiconductors. Organizing files. Something I am good at. Filing.. filing... filing... Exciting! It will spread over a little this week which helps out for Christmas spending.
Our house is lovely. We went out last weekend and got some trees in the forest by Malad. One for us, one for my folks, one for Kris and one for the church. They are all really pretty and we had a really good day.We just finished decorating outside. Hung a few boughs and lights. The snow is what it takes to top everything off though. It is beautiful outside!
We will be heading out to my folks house this afternoon to celebrat my mom's birthday. She is a very very young 62! Which means I will be 42 in two weeks. Holy cats! I can't believe it! We made a cake, some potato casserole and cooking some butternut squash. Brother Scot and family are bring meatballs! Looking forward to the evening in McCammon.
I guess Lizzie (our dog) is ready to move back in with us. Mom and Dad won't let her come in when it is cold like we do. Mom called and said she has been knocking on the window to let them know it was cold outside and she was ready to come in. She is a smart dog and we miss her so much!

2008-11-25T21:02:00.002-07:00

Trying to put pictures in sequence inside my blogging. Kris?? Help!?

Happy Holidays!

2008-11-25T20:25:00.006-07:00

I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving! How much I have to be thankful for this year. My husband of seven months. He is supportive, handsome and loving. I am so greatful to have someone who understands my wicked sense of humor, appreciates my beauty and loves me as I am. My beautiful, amazing daughter that lights up my life daily (just not usually first thing in the morning!) My wonderful family and their unconditional love. The fact that I still have a grandmother to share my life with on this earth. My step children in whatever capacity they allow me to be a part of their lives. I am so proud of Kevin and Jessica and their loving kind ways in accepting Erika and I into their lives. I am thankful for Kristina's friendship and her courage to make her life what she wants it to be. Even if it might not follow the path I would choose for her, she is brave and amazing to follow her dreams. I am thankful for Jeff for stiving to be the parent he wants to be and for working through the struggles to find out who he will become. For Chad for being such a support for Kassandra and for providing a beautiful place for his family to grow and develop. I am thankful for Kass and I pray for her daily. I pray for her relationship with her father that it will grow and develop. I am thankful for my friends that listen and support me always. I am thankful for my church family that pray for me daily. I am thankful for my new brother-in-law and sisters and thier love and friendship that they have offered me. I am thankful for my new father-in-law and the time that I had to spend with him this fall. Mostly, I am thankful for my Lord and his comfort and his grace that allow me to start all over again tomorrow with fresh and renewed hope.

2008-11-19T11:15:00.002-07:00

I had an opportunity last week to go to Seattle to CMS. Christian Musicians Summit. How awesome it was! We went as a group of seven from First Baptist Church and their were three kids from Chi Alpha at ISU that were there. Classes were offered on a variety of subjects ranging from technical to vocals to songwriting to playing an instrument. It was mixed with motivational speakers from people in the Christian Music industry and worship through song and art. It was really terrific! Concerts throughout the day and big concerts in the evening.
I got to visit with Randy on Thursday night and got to see James briefly on Saturday.
We had a lovely manners dinner the week before. I ended up burning the tips of my fingers on my right hand. Bummer. They are healing now but were pretty painful for a couple of days.
We went to Twin Falls last weekend and had dinner with the Miller family and witnesses Miss Stephanie getting baptized. Fabulous!
Erika spent the weekend with my folks while I was in Seattle and Roger had a big auction on Saturday. He said the auction went really well.
We have a dinner at the school tonight then bible study. Tomorrow we are helping husband with an auction for the Christian Womens Club and Friday is the auction of Chad and Kass's house. Pray for buyers!
Gotta run to the school for student council. Have a great day!

2008-11-03T08:26:00.002-07:00

I posted a bunch of pictures and covered up my blog.
Erika had her last soccer tournament for the season in Boise this weekend. Tied one game and lost two. I am proud of her. She had a little adventure on the way home. Her dad's truck broke down but luckily we were able to get a hold of a team mate and she caught a ride home with them.
We are having a manners/dress dinner tonight for family night. (I know Roger had better table manners when we were dating!) Every time one of us gets caught doing something against our ettiquete rules, we will have to put a quarter in the jar. We will let you know how it turns out.

2008-10-30T11:31:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:30:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:29:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:27:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:26:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:25:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T11:22:00.003-06:00

2008-10-30T11:21:00.000-06:00

2008-10-30T10:57:00.003-06:00

We have been busy in October! Imagine that! I have been temping a little. It is kind of cool and working at the school and hopefully will have finished up the project I have been working on for the Bannock County Fair Market Stock Sale. There is a job opening up at Erika's school that is full time that I will ask you all to pray about for me.
Tomorrow is Halloween. My mom made a great costume for Erika. It a colonial dress. She has been studying it in school. It is great. She will have to do any trick or treating with her soccer team in Boise tomorrow. We have one more soccer practice and tournament in Boise this weekend and fall soccer is over. Her dad is taking her to Boise.
We had a great short visit with Jessica when she came in to ride home with Kevin. I am so thankful to have them in my life. I have been able to watch Kris' kids for one day a week for the last three weeks. Too much fun! I continue to lift Rogers kids (my stepchildren) up in prayer.

Roger's dad is doing good. He is still suffering from ulcers in his esophagus. Luckily they are not painful for him but it is preventing him from taking his heart medicine to prevent stroke. What a delicate balance life is sometimes!
We are doing a church wide study at church and have joined a small group. What a great thing to have people to pray for you and support you. You can read more about it on the links to Pastor Bill, Karl and Aaron's blogspots.
Wishing you all the best for the week!

2008-10-30T10:53:00.000-06:00

Still October

2008-10-20T10:06:00.003-06:00

I can't believe how fast time has been flying by! We have been busy. Imagine that! Erika has only two more weeks of soccer. (Whew!) I have been doing some temping and working for people here and there. A little more at the school now that I haven't been to see Grandpa Stockwell every week.
Kevin came for a month. Jessica flew in Thursday night. We got to see her a little bit. Had lunch on Saturday before they had to leave. So good to see them! Too short though. I have been watching Kris's and Jeff's kids one day a week for the last couple of weeks. No wonder she is so skinny! And strong! I have been enjoying it but boy, it wears me out!
Saturday was ISU homecomeing. Erika had soccer in Twin Falls and stayed with her dad. Won both games! Roger and I were both in the parade. His work had a float supporting the bengal auction and I was with the charter school. We were the last float. The parade was supposed to start at 10 am. We didn't start walking until 11:45. Roger made chile and he and Tanner hosted a tailgate party. It sure seems like we don't have much down time. We are trying to start a family night on Mondays. Tonight will be our second night. We have also finally got into a small group for church. We are doing a church wide study for the next few weeks. Good to get into group again but hard too. We have family night monday. Praise team and soccer practise Tuesday. Small group Wednesday. Soccer Thursday and soccer and or auctions on the weekends. Doesn't leave much 'down' time.
We missed Tessa's birthday on Friday night. It is amazing that a year has gone by so fast since the girl's were born. Makes me feel like a grandma!

October updates

2008-10-06T17:43:00.003-06:00

Can you believe it is October already? September just flew by... After Grandpa Stockwell's set back, I had the opportunity to stay with him for six days at the hospital in Utah. Home for a few days then back with him again for a couple of days. What a great opportunity to spend with your new father in law and get to know him without the influence of family all around. I have been blessed to be able to spend so much time with him (and what not). LOL
Straight from Grandpa's house to Jackson last weekend and Erika already posted about her awesome goal! It was too cool! From waaay in the back field!
Roger had 4 auctions that week so we have hardly seen each other this past month. Is it terrible to wish for snow so we can just stay home and veg for awhile? Just kidding! We have to hold off for another month til soccer is over.
Kevin is here, well, kind of here. He is in Idaho for hunting season. Jessica should join us in about 9 or 10 days. It will be nice to have everyone here, just hard to get everyone together.
Kevin did get to spend a little time with my family on Sunday. I know it meant a lot to Grandma Carol since she really hasn't had very much opportunity to bond with her new grandchildren.
Oh man, homework is calling me... wait... didn't I already pass 5th grade?
Have a great week!

Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-29T18:03:00.003-06:00

We just got back from Jackson Hole (beautiful!!!!!!!) we watched erika play soccer and guess what she made a goal from half 1 goal of the game and her first goal ever!!!!!!!!!!! AND IN A TOURNAMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO ERIKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! her team won their divison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PUMA'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-10T09:16:00.004-06:00

Home this week and recovering from a touch of something. Roger and Erika were not feeling good this morning though. Body aches and just not feeling good.

Prayer requests for continued healing for Roger's dad, Stan. He is home now and doing good. Seems to be resting better at home. Susie and Elizabeth are staying with him this week and I will go down and stay next week. He has a doctor's appointment this morning to make sure we are on track with the healing.

Competative soccer. Hmm... Three games a week. One every Tuesday night. (Roger gets to attend those as I have praise team practice. And two games every Saturday. We will see how dedicated to this she is before we commit to it in the spring. They won the first two games on Saturday and it is good for her.

My friends Dan and Christy need prayers still. Dan is undergoing more surgery this morning to make sure there aren't any traces of the cancer he has still in there. I do love my friends and am so greatful for their presence in my life.

Kevin will be here Saturday! Wahoo! Looking forward to seeing him! We can't go down until Sunday because Roger has their big fall auction on Saturday. Sunday is sooner than next month though.

I better get a move on and get my work done this morning.

Update

2008-09-04T13:16:00.002-06:00

We have spent the past couple of days in Ogden with Grandpa Stockwell. He was scheduled for a triple bypass. They ended up doing 5 bypasses but he is doing relatively well. Had a little arythmia (not sure of spelling) this morning but they have medicine for that and he responded the way they wanted him too. Doing great!

Update

2008-09-01T11:43:00.003-06:00

Well, Erika did okay with her demonstration at the fair. Not as good as she did at the county level but I think she was a little more nervous. Roger and Kris and the kids were there to watch as well as her dad from Twin Falls. He came and spent the day with her at the fair.
Her livestock judging turned into a little bit bigger of an ordeal than we thought. It started at 4:00 pm and lasted until about 8:30. I think they ended up judging 10 different classes. Three beef classes. One market steers, feeder calves and a class of charlois cattle. She is not really sure what the classes were. Two classes of swine. Two of goats and three sheep classes and then they gave oral reasons on three different classes. Good learning experience. I hope they focus a little bit more on learning what they are supposed to be doing in Bannock County for next year. The other two girls on her team both showed promise of being good at it even though they were bored stiff. I know you can get scholarship money from judging though. It will be a good thing to have on your records if you are going to a land grant school or agricultural school.

We ended up going to my brothers house on Sunday. My aunts are here from Oregon and California and one uncle from Boise. My Grandma has been on hospice care but they are going to take her off of it because she is pretty stable. Her health has been steadily declining for the last couple of years. We may have to stay with her to take full time care of her in the future. We will just be ready for when and if the time comes.

In the mean time, Roger's dad is having surgery in the morning so we will be going to Utah early in the morning. Erika will stay with mom and dad and they get soccer practice duty tomorrow night. Makes a long day for my mom. I really appreciate all they do for us. We will keep you posted on how things go.

2008-08-30T02:25:00.003-06:00

Well, we are off to the Blackfoot fair tomorrow. We have Erika's lamb in the horse trailer outside and I woke up to check on it and decided to pop in and update. I have spent an hour changing the background when I should be sleeping.
I think we brought flys in from the farm too.

Labor Day weekend is upon us. I can't believe that summer is winding down. Erika started school this week and so far 5th grade is fabulous! They started a new math curriculum at school and math is her favorite subject! Couldn't get any better than that! Hopefully it lasts a long time!

I don't have any idea about what this little holiday will bring but I hope it is a great time for everyone. Have a wonderful weekend!

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-26T13:30:00.002-06:00

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not posted in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNGGGGG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is Erika and i LOVE posting!!!!! Well got to go.... BYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-11T13:52:00.003-06:00

Well, we are home from the fair and finished washing and putting everything away from our super extended stay away from home. This past week, we went to the Downey fair on Monday. We retured from a 6 day vacation to Oregon and Washington which was preceeded by 5 days of house sitting for a friend here in Pocatello. Too long for me to be away from home! Makes me tired and cranky!
Erika did a great job at the fair again this year. She won the rosette for her scrapbook and got a blue on her record book, her leather work, her fitting and showing for her lamb and her bucket calf and a blue for quality on her calf. She had a couple of red ribbons. Her cookies were a little dry. (They tasted good to me!) and her lamb was a little roly poly. (He fit really well in this family! We could all do with a little more excericise and a little less cookies!)
It was good to be home and go to church. It sures makes me feel like I am missing out when I miss my home church.
My neice Courtney stayed with us at the fair. Good times. She is just enough older than Erika that Erika is wiped out by the end of the day by hanging out with her. She is crashed hard again today! Sleeping off the running non stop.
We had to sell Erika's calf and it looks like it was a project to teach the kids all about the hard facts of life. The buyer that was going to buy the bucket calves did not pay as much for the dairy breeds so 6 of the 9 kids that had the project are bound to have lost money. It cost more to raise them and sell them at this age than they made selling them. A bunch of sad little kids loading their little calves into the trailer. Tough lessons.
My nephew was a treat to watch with his chickens. Finally something to spark some interest in the boy. He is entralled with chickens! My sister in law likes them too! Go figure! Pretty funny! A couple of fair photos for your enjoyment.

Lisa's Wedding

2008-08-04T11:44:00.002-06:00

We just got home from a trip to Oregon and Seattle for Lisa's wedding.
Took a lovely sight see down the Columbia River Gorge and then a trip out to the farm in West Linn. Got to see West Linn High where the older Stockwell's and Pat went to school. Lovely place!
My allergies were almost non existant on the west coast. Bonus!
Went to Randy's place. (BEAUTIFUL!) Went on a day trip to Vashon (spelling is messed up I am sure) and to Seattle. Great day!
Met Lisa and Matt. What a lovely wedding! Laydon is super! Fun times!
Now we are finishing our preparations for the Downey fair. We will keep you posted.

2008-07-24T11:38:00.002-06:00

Dang it! Dang it! Erika won a blue ribbon on her 4-H demonstration. She will be eligible to go the the Blackfoot fair and compete! It really is a good thing except that she is doing it on how to shear a sheep. She had her 4-H lamb 1/2 shorn and she showed how to shear it the rest of the way in her demonstration. Only problem is, her market lamb will be sold at the Downey fair! We will have to tame another lamb if she wants to compete in Blackfoot! Dang it!

HELLO....GOODBYE

2008-07-22T13:55:00.003-06:00

I am going to Seattle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first time :). You can see I am excited!!! Bye the way this is Erika. Tommorrow I am going to do a speech for 4-H. I should probley go work on it.BYE!!!

Time is flying by...

2008-07-21T09:46:00.003-06:00

We finally have internet and email set up at home. Yeah! We went up to see Kass and Chad's new house Friday night and they let us use one of their old phones so I should be connected again by the end of the day. I have been feeling a little isolated without email and phone. Thanks Kass!
What a beautiful place they will have! I am so happy for them! The plans for the house look great! It looks like it will be a practical use for all the space and they will have great views from every window! How lucky Paxton and Tessa will be to have that great place to form their childhood memories! I am proud and happy for Chad and Kass of taking the big step of building. It will be awesome!
We got to see Jackson playing football Thursday. What an athelete! If he can stay focused on the game, he will be a force to be reconned with. How cool for me to have five grandkids to start. A little overwhelming how much I feel like a grandma! Kind of weird. Great kids.
We had a great visit with Kevin and Jessica. They have a lovely home and Kevin is a lucky man to have Jessica. Nice to get to know them both a little more. It didn't feel like we had enough time! I so appreciate Kevin treating Erika like a kid sister. He is a good brother for all of the girls!
Erika has been working on her 4-H record books since she got home from Bible camp. She is sure growing up fast! She has been such a good kid this summer with all of the new stuff we are throwing at her. Good to see glimpses of the adult she will be.
She helped Roger with an auction Saturday night. She does a pretty good job for a ten year old.
Roger has been working a lot and has a lot on his plate right now. You know the old saying, 'make hay while the sun shines', I think that is the way it is with auctions. Busy, busy in the summer. It was nice yesterday to spend some time at home with the three of us together. It seems like we haven't had too much of that so far this summer.
Grandpa Stan is doing well. Erika and I are preparing to spend a little time with him after his surgery before school starts. Erika loved being at his house last weekend. She said it felt just like being at my mom and dads. We will have to remember to get a new ball for Dolly next time we go down.
I better get moving, we have a busy day!

Church camp

2008-07-18T22:18:00.002-06:00

I just got back from church camp and from being eaten alive on my head, my back, arms, ankles, and chin. Now that os eaten alive.:p

-Erika

Long Time no SEA!!!!!

2008-07-18T21:47:00.002-06:00

Wow it has been a long time since we....I have updated!:) Well as most of you know we went to California here are some pics they may not come out good because it is my first time doing this....oh...this is Erika

Nothing Neu

2008-06-23T11:26:00.004-06:00

Hi!!! This is Erika so if i spell something wrong...sorry!:) We haven't been up to much except I just got back from Alpine 4-H camp. While I was there I made a marshmellow gun and guess what my mom thought it was...... COOL!!!!!!!! As soon I got back we went to my 2 cousins wedding WOW it was short. Then i went to my dads and Roger and mom went to Jackpot.

This morning we went to Jaxson's T-Ball game it was VERY COOL!!!!! I think his team won but I'm not sure.

And thanks thanks for reading "Neu' Beinnings"!!!!!!!!!HEHEHE

2008-06-13T17:26:00.003-06:00

What a crazy week it has been again! I didn't have any big plans for the week and that turned out to be a good thing. My good friend Christy called on Monday from the hospital. Her husband Dan was having trouble breathing Sunday evening and they ended up heading to the hospital. They found a mass in his chest wall that needed to be removed. Thank you to the surgeons and staff at PMC for their quick assessment and removal of the mass. They had to take a little bone with it but so far everything looks good and Dan is on the mend. They will decide what the next course of action will be. In all this, I have been blessed with the knowledge than Dan accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He has been on the path for a while now. He is a great friend, a great husband to Christy and a great father. I have also been blessed with the opportunity of hanging with the kids. Great kids! Good friends for Erika and good friends for me and Roger.

Roger has been very busy this week. We haven't had any evenings together since the weekend. Two lunches and a quick wave in the morning.

Erika went to a horse judging event on Monday and placed 7th overall in the junior division. Great job for the first time out! She qualified for state but the state contest is during the week of church camp at Cathedral Pines near Sun Valley. She has been helping Grandpa with the sheep this week and I haven't seen too much of her either!

I had the opportunity to have lunch today with my friend Patty. She is doing ministry in a little town in Illinois with her husband Quentin. Lovely to see her and spend time with her. I am so bad about keeping in touch with people so it was terrific to spend some time visiting.

Beautiful weather today so I think I will go out and enjoy it!

2008-06-09T10:32:00.003-06:00

Well, I have decided it to start looking for a regular job. I have loved the past year having some flexability with my time and have loved working at the school but in this day and age, we have to have a regular added income in order to buy a house that we would like to live in. Bummer. Three part time jobs can't cut it.
June is off to a busy month. I have been cleaning and organizing Roger's place to make it comfortable for us and Erika had one free week after school got out with nothing but soccer. She finished the season on Saturday. Although it wasn't necessarily a winning season, it was a good one for the girls. This was the first time she was on an all girls team and it has been great to watch those relationships develop. They really look out for one another. They did great in their tournament this weekend too. Won two out of three!
Now she is off at horse judging and starts day camps for 4-H this week. 4-H camp in Alpine next weekend and in a wedding for her friend Elise this weekend. Keeps me pretty busy!
Roger purchased a camp trailer at an auction last fall so our next project will be to fix that up. Not that anyone can afford to go camping with the price of gas the way it is! It will be fun family project by any means! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Bye for now.

2008-05-27T11:46:00.004-06:00

Another quick note. Maybe by next week I will figure out how to do the pictures quickly.
We had a lovely memorial day weekend here. Erika went to celebrate her birthday weekend with her dad. Hers was last Wednesday. Her dad's was on Friday. She went fishing. Played a lot of Uno Attack and caught and banded hummingbirds! If you get a chance you will have to ask her about it.
Roger & I went to Bye Bye Birdie athe the Mystique. One of Erika's classmates is in it and one of my student council kids is in it. It was really good. My friend Ruth gave us a couples massage at the salon/spa she works at. We had that little treat on Saturday and then went and did a little shopping and went to see Indiana Jones. More fun! We had a lovely lovely weekend!
Went to the horse races. Had dinner with my Grandma and did home chores. Great to not be on a schedule!
Today I will be working on stuff for the Charter School. Getting ready for passage ceremony to be held at Frazier Hall at ISU tomorrow. Lots of stuff to do!
Erika is camping up Mink Creek with her classmates today (if the weather holds out). If it rains like the dickens they will be coming home this evening.
I better get moving. A lot to do and the day is half gone already! Long office tour this morning. We went out to Fort Hall to look at auction properties while on tour.
Hope you all have a great day!

2008-05-22T10:16:00.003-06:00

Just a quick note. We have been busy with passages at Erika's school. What a great thing it has been to be involved at PCCS this year! Lots of community spirit.
We celebrated Erika's 10th birthday yesterday! 10 years old! Wow! Makes me count my blessings so much to reflect on the time I have had with her. She is doing good. Still adjusting to our new living arrangements but it is all good.
She is presenting her passage today. I am certain she will do a great job. I am so proud of her.
Roger started horseshoes this week. Life should balance a little soon because soccer will be over after next weekend. Praise team and horseshoes will be our only evening requirements besides the occasional auction or 4-H meeting.
Just a little update and back to work. Have a lovely day in this crazy Pocatello weather. Rain is good but I am ready to be finished with the snow!

2008-05-20T08:46:00.002-06:00

Just a quick note. Busy time of year with school and real estate. Student council has been having parties and school activities for the last month culminating Saturday with a dance for the 7th & 8th grade. Total reinforcement for having Erika at PCCS. What a great group of kids and a fun time. Getting ready for passages and visiting with parents to set up panels. A lot of phone time for the past 2 weeks.
Real estate is busy too. Gil is out of town so I am covering the phones for him and doing quite a bit more showing and general 'realtor' stuff. Not going too good for Roger and I. We have been looking at place for a couple of months (almost three) and thought we were in line to buy it. The sellers listed it with another agent and did not wait to talk with us after we spoke on Friday. Feeling a little betrayed but I suppose it is an answer to prayer. Roger was praying fervently for something to happen yesterday. Not necessarily the answer we were wanting but an answer for right now. So we wait and keep praying for God's plan for our perfect place. At least we are together and not looking at tail lights driving away in the night.
I better get to work. It is not getting done without me today! Darn it!
Have a super day and I will try to be more diligent about posting on a regular basis.

2008-04-30T10:29:00.002-06:00

Wow! What a beautiful time we had at the wedding and through out the whole weekend! We have been blessed with so many friends and family that love and support us. How wonderful it is to be given a second chance to make things different and hopefully, happier.

Chad and Kass weren't able to join us but we look forward to sharing our new lives with them and missed them dearly. We got a call from Kevin on Sunday! What a treat! Jess might be able to come up for a quick visit in the near future and it has meant so much to me how much support Kris and Jeff have been able to offer. Uncle Randy and Cousin Eric came down from Washington with a beautiful cheesecake and Susie and Dan and family came bearing gifts and food.

My parents were amazing with the amount of love and support they continually offer. They really love Roger and love having him in the family. My folks fixed a lovely assortment of lamb, ham, fruits and veggies for the reception and my friends from church made a beautiful cake with fresh flowers and everything!

The wedding was lovely. Roger suprised me in the middle of the ceremony by having my good friend Karl sing "The Broken Road" by Rascal Flats. Karl and my friends from worship team started the ceremony with beautiful songs of praise and my friend, Pastor Bill, gave a message of encouragement, hope and love filled with humor that suited our new family to a t.

Erika has been such a pillar of strength throughout the last two weeks. She has been so mature and understanding and helpful that it amazes me to see. She stood with Roger and I and held flowers and rings during the ceremony. I know the changes in her life are SO HUGE but she is being a trooper! She is sad about leaving her grandpa and the farm but she is being great about it.

We (Roger and I) got to run away for a little honeymoon. We spent the night after the wedding in a motel in Lava (not so nice) and then three nights in Vegas. What a great place to visit. There is so much to see that you don't realize that hours have gone by and you are just wandering. Lots of walking and sight seeing. We had a lovely time.

We flew back to SLC on Wednesday then rushed up to Erika's school for expedition exhibition and science fair. We missed Erika's presentation by about 20 minutes but she did place 3rd in her division in the science fair. I am so proud of her!

Thursday we took to move stuff around at Roger's then we brought the necessities to make our lives more comfortable. Then it was back to work on Friday. Roger and I spent part of the weekend fixing up Erika's room to make it feel more like home and then just reorganizing kitchen, closets, garage, etc. Erika spent a wild weekend with her dad chasing illegal fishermen and playing mexican train.

Now we are trying to settle into something that resembles a routine. A little weird, but going fine. So nice to have someone to share everything with. We (Erika and I) have been on our own for a long time. Luckily, we have so many friends that we count as family too.

I should have a couple of pictures later in the week and will get them posted to share. Now, I better get to work. The phones are ringing and it is getting busy again. Work is good.

2008-04-18T14:47:00.003-06:00

Well, it is the day before and I know I won't be around for a few days. I think everything is ready. As ready as it can be, I guess. The week has certainly not gone as I had planned but it is going nonetheless. Almost over.

Tomorrow will be a busy one. We will be weighing in Erika's 4-H calf in Downey and then scurrying back to Pocatello to soccer. Roger is working at an auction. Then we will have a wedding!

Roger and I will go to Vegas for a couple of days and play. The girl is staying here and preparing for science fair. Sounds like a pretty fair trade, right? :)

We will be missing two of Rogers kids at the wedding but our thoughts and prayers will certainly be with them. We will have plenty to share with them when they are ready.

Well, off to work and the weekend festivities!

2 days and counting!

2008-04-17T11:02:00.002-06:00

Well... it is the day before the day before. I think I am doing just fine. Roger on the other hand seems to be getting more nervous. he.. he..

Can't wait to see how the actual day will turn out. I am getting more excited! Just finished a meeting with the Pastor and Worship leader and am really confident that it will be just a great evening of celebration.

Gil, my real estate partner that I work with / for, just returned from California. He received his CCIM designation. Super cool thing in real estate. I am very proud of him. Real estate is getting busier and things are getting geared up for the push for all of the end of the year events at the Pocatello Community Charter School. What a great opportunity it has been for me to work there this year. A terrific bunch of kids that I get to spend time with in the student council.

Ah. I better get busy since I seem to be short on time all the time this week. I did get my taxes done though! Amazing!

close only counts in horseshoes and ...

2008-04-15T14:15:00.000-06:00

Tuesday before the wedding. This morning I had a private little melt down but I am pretty sure that everything is going fine. I am truely looking forward to the wedding part being over but I also realize how special it will be to see so many people that love and care for Roger and me. How exciting!

We are getting everything under control... except my taxes. Hmm... that probably should be a priority. Shoot - it is only 2 pm. Plenty of time...

calm before the storm

2008-04-11T12:43:00.000-06:00

Hmm... My first time with this. I have been commenting on the kids pages but thought I would step into the blogging bit myself. I am sure I will get into it a little more as time goes on and I figure it out.

Of course I want to spend time and make it look pretty like Kris'. One step at a time though. Reminds me of the old days when I worked in computerized embroidery.

Life has been busy and crazy lately. I work as a licensed Realtor for my 'real job' and things are getting busy again. Yeah! I am much happier when I am being productive.

When things were slowing down in the fall, I took a part time job at Pocatello Community Charter School as assistant to the Dean and student council advisor. What a great opportunity it has been to be involved and close what is happening in my childs education and to work and associate with the people and kids that are influencing her. Cool.

I also started working a few hours a week for a friend of mine helping with office work. Filing. Daily office chores. Helps them on a few work details and fills up the tank a couple of times a week.

As I mentioned before, I work in real estate. I am a licensed assistant for someone that is working on his commercial real estate liscence. Exciting! A whole different arena than that of residential real estate. I like learning about it!

Getting married next weekend to a wonderful guy with three terrific kids. A little nervous (based on the rapidly growing butterflies in my stomach). I have been a single mom for a long, long time. I am so excited about the future though. It makes me smile to think about it and brings a tear to my eye when I think of the journey life has taken me on to get to this point.

Well, phones are ringing and work is calling. I will try to figure out how to post a photo and move on to the next thing.

Hope everyone here enjoys the weekend. They are actually forcasting sunshine! WOW!