WE PAID OFF OUR MORTGAGE!
(can't say that every day...)
(can't say that every day...)
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Lake Powell...Boley/Boley style
The 3rd Annual Boley/Boley Lake Powell Trip is complete...More Fantastic Memories were made with the M. Boley Family...Matt, Maria, Mercer, Marshall and Mena.
It cracks me up that the kids most favorite thing...and the thing each of them requests every year...is to find a beach with mud. This is a MUST! Everything else they can live with out...But without MUD, the trip would NOT be complete! We found the same beach as last year. We love that it has a little bay where the kids can swim out of the way of the boat traffic. It's private and safe...
Andrew
Barik
Cooper
Drake
Mena
Marshall
Drake
We found lots of little critters. The beach was swimming with big fat red ants, Paul found a few scorpions hiding under rocks, and the boys caught this cute little horned toad who looks like he walked straight off RANGO.
The kids loved the campfire. What not to love about Smores, "telephone" and scary stories?
The scenery was fantastic too...
Sunset (Night 1)
Sunrise (Morning 1)
Andrew and Marshall
Paul and Barik
Barik and Cooper
Andrew
Paul
My heart was in my stomach every time Paul jumped...
What would I do without him?!
Mena, Cooper & Drake watching the Big Boys jump.
Andrew
Floating Restrooms?
You never know when you're going to need one of these...
"Please clean up after each use."
Do people really need to be told this?
A huge storm blew our tents over while we were out boating...The stakes that were securing the tents were completely ripped out of the ground. With the wind still howling, we found boulders to line the edges of the tent to keep it from blowing away. We needed shelter from being sand blasted. But we couldn't escape the sand. The wind was blowing so hard that it blew sand up the sides of the tent (through the rain tarp) and then it would rain down on us through the screening at the top of the tent.
Matt and Maria provided Room Service for dinner this night...BBQ chicken with a side of sand.
Sunset? (Night 2)
Poor Tent. I'm not sure it will ever stand upright again...
Drake throwing rocks (with a swimsuit full of poo...he wasn't comfortable taking care of business in our LugaLoo, so by default, his swimsuit became the portapotty. This swimsuit didn't make the trip home with us)
Happy Cooper
What Cooper does, so does Drake...
Barik
Thanks again, M. Boleys for sharing another Fabulous weekend at Lake Powell. Next year, let's put in an order for just sunshine. We can live without the wind and rain. I'm still finding parts of the Lake Powell beach around our house.
It cracks me up that the kids most favorite thing...and the thing each of them requests every year...is to find a beach with mud. This is a MUST! Everything else they can live with out...But without MUD, the trip would NOT be complete! We found the same beach as last year. We love that it has a little bay where the kids can swim out of the way of the boat traffic. It's private and safe...
Mercer, Barik, Cooper, Andrew, Mena, Marshall
Andrew
Barik
Cooper
Drake
Mena
Marshall
Drake
We found lots of little critters. The beach was swimming with big fat red ants, Paul found a few scorpions hiding under rocks, and the boys caught this cute little horned toad who looks like he walked straight off RANGO.
The kids loved the campfire. What not to love about Smores, "telephone" and scary stories?The scenery was fantastic too...
Sunset (Night 1)
Sunrise (Morning 1)
Andrew and Marshall
Paul and Barik
Cooper
Barik and Cooper
Another favorite is Cliff Jumping...
The Worry Wart in me comes out in a BIG way watching these boys...
The Worry Wart in me comes out in a BIG way watching these boys...
This was Barik's first year of Cliff Jumping. He LOVED it!
He would climb up the smaller rocks and jump; climb and jump; climb and jump...
He would climb up the smaller rocks and jump; climb and jump; climb and jump...
Andrew
Paul
My heart was in my stomach every time Paul jumped...
What would I do without him?!
Mena, Cooper & Drake watching the Big Boys jump.
Andrew
Floating Restrooms?You never know when you're going to need one of these...
"Please clean up after each use."
Do people really need to be told this?
A huge storm blew our tents over while we were out boating...The stakes that were securing the tents were completely ripped out of the ground. With the wind still howling, we found boulders to line the edges of the tent to keep it from blowing away. We needed shelter from being sand blasted. But we couldn't escape the sand. The wind was blowing so hard that it blew sand up the sides of the tent (through the rain tarp) and then it would rain down on us through the screening at the top of the tent.
Matt and Maria provided Room Service for dinner this night...BBQ chicken with a side of sand.
Sunset? (Night 2)
Poor Tent. I'm not sure it will ever stand upright again...
Drake throwing rocks (with a swimsuit full of poo...he wasn't comfortable taking care of business in our LugaLoo, so by default, his swimsuit became the portapotty. This swimsuit didn't make the trip home with us)
Happy Cooper
What Cooper does, so does Drake...
Barik
Thanks again, M. Boleys for sharing another Fabulous weekend at Lake Powell. Next year, let's put in an order for just sunshine. We can live without the wind and rain. I'm still finding parts of the Lake Powell beach around our house.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
12 Years...
12 year ago
I married the man of my dreams
12 years ago
I thought I knew all about love
12 years ago
I thought I knew everything about him
12 years later
He's become more than the man of my dreams
12 years later
I realize I'm only beginning to know about love
12 years later
I still think I know everything about him
This man of mine is pretty amazing.
And unfortunately, I don't tell him often enough
Why
I
Love
Him
This man of mine takes all 4 boys camping (the youngest just shy of 3)
So I can have 20 hours of peace and quiet.
This man of mine encourages me to go out with my girl friends
And then leaves a love note for me to find when I get home
LONG after he has fallen asleep.
This man of mine tells me that I'm beautiful
Several Times
Every day.
This man of mine has taught our sons
To do the same.
This man of mine does the dishes
Every time I cook
(which is becoming more frequent).
This man of mine gives me back massages and plays with my hair
With no strings attached.
(Too much Info for our Moms and Dads)
This man of mine LOVES to spoil me
With time
Affection
and Chocolate.
This man of mine works HARD
To provide a comfortable home for the boys and I.
This man of mine is every child's DREAM Dad.
He plays with them
He wrestles with them
He coaches their sporting teams.
This man of mine is
HOT!
Seriously,
He is F-I-N-E!
This man of mine listens to me when I whine,
Comforts me when I cry,
Laughs with me with I laugh,
Laughs AT me when I'm SO funny
(which is OFTEN).
This man makes ME laugh
He's smart,
Fun loving,
A good loser,
A humble winner.
I sure LOVE this Man!
(and I'm pretty sure he's fond of me too)
Happy Anniversary!
I married the man of my dreams
12 years ago
I thought I knew all about love
12 years ago
I thought I knew everything about him
12 years later
He's become more than the man of my dreams
12 years later
I realize I'm only beginning to know about love
12 years later
I still think I know everything about him
This man of mine is pretty amazing.
And unfortunately, I don't tell him often enough
Why
I
Love
Him
This man of mine takes all 4 boys camping (the youngest just shy of 3)
So I can have 20 hours of peace and quiet.
This man of mine encourages me to go out with my girl friends
And then leaves a love note for me to find when I get home
LONG after he has fallen asleep.
This man of mine tells me that I'm beautiful
Several Times
Every day.
This man of mine has taught our sons
To do the same.
This man of mine does the dishes
Every time I cook
(which is becoming more frequent).
This man of mine gives me back massages and plays with my hair
With no strings attached.
(Too much Info for our Moms and Dads)
This man of mine LOVES to spoil me
With time
Affection
and Chocolate.
This man of mine works HARD
To provide a comfortable home for the boys and I.
This man of mine is every child's DREAM Dad.
He plays with them
He wrestles with them
He coaches their sporting teams.
This man of mine is
HOT!
Seriously,
He is F-I-N-E!
This man of mine listens to me when I whine,
Comforts me when I cry,
Laughs with me with I laugh,
Laughs AT me when I'm SO funny
(which is OFTEN).
This man makes ME laugh
He's smart,
Fun loving,
A good loser,
A humble winner.
I sure LOVE this Man!
(and I'm pretty sure he's fond of me too)
Happy Anniversary!
Brains
Andrew came home from school the other day...
"How was your day?"
"Not good."
"What? Why?"
"I have to go to a new Math Class.
I tested really well at the beginning of the year.
And I have to go to Mrs. Maloney's Gifted class.
It's for the kids that Math is super easy.
We can't talk.
Or we'll have recess detention.
If we don't do well, we can't go anymore."
"Wait, are you telling me that you're going to an advanced Math class?
That's FANTASTIC, Andrew!
We both know you won't have any problems being quiet and respectful.
Call Dad to tell him."
I really don't know how he was so ambiguous and monotone telling Paul this great news!
We're SO proud of Andrew!
I guess it's just
No.
Big.
Deal.
To him...
"How was your day?"
"Not good."
"What? Why?"
"I have to go to a new Math Class.
I tested really well at the beginning of the year.
And I have to go to Mrs. Maloney's Gifted class.
It's for the kids that Math is super easy.
We can't talk.
Or we'll have recess detention.
If we don't do well, we can't go anymore."
"Wait, are you telling me that you're going to an advanced Math class?
That's FANTASTIC, Andrew!
We both know you won't have any problems being quiet and respectful.
Call Dad to tell him."
I really don't know how he was so ambiguous and monotone telling Paul this great news!
We're SO proud of Andrew!
I guess it's just
No.
Big.
Deal.
To him...
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Bullies
3 weeks into school...
Yesterday I got a call from the Principal.
25 minutes before they would be released from class.
My heart sunk to my stomach as I wondered which of my kids had "Done it"
And then it sunk further when Mrs. Winterstein said,
"Cooper is fine..."
(WHAT happened to my little Kindergartner?!?!)
On his way into class, one of his classmates took out some unjustified anger on my 5 year old
By punching him.
In.
The.
Face.
All I wanted to do was rush to the school to hold my little boy in my arms and give him loves.
Logic set in...
Letting me know that he would be home (and in my arms) within the hour.
Mrs. Winterstein assured me that Cooper was alright.
She checked on him that afternoon.
1:15
The Boys RUSHED inside
"How was your day, Cooper?"
"Good!" (said with a huge sweaty smile on his face)
"Did anything happen at school today that you want to tell me about?"
"Oh yeah. Conner punched me in the face."
"Right here" (pointing to his cheek)
I took my sweaty 5 year old baby
(aren't they always our babies when they're hurt?)
In my arms to snuggle him
And get the rest of the story.
"When did this happen?"
"What were you doing?"
"What did Mrs. Connelly do?"
"Did she give you a love?"
"What did the nurse say?"
"Did Conner say sorry?"
"Was he nice to you the rest of the day?"
He answered my questions,
Then said, "Too many questions Mom."
Hopped off my lap.
And went to play.
Obviously no worse for the wear.
I was more upset about the punch than HE was.
Kids are so resilient!
Yesterday I got a call from the Principal.
25 minutes before they would be released from class.
My heart sunk to my stomach as I wondered which of my kids had "Done it"
And then it sunk further when Mrs. Winterstein said,
"Cooper is fine..."
(WHAT happened to my little Kindergartner?!?!)
On his way into class, one of his classmates took out some unjustified anger on my 5 year old
By punching him.
In.
The.
Face.
All I wanted to do was rush to the school to hold my little boy in my arms and give him loves.
Logic set in...
Letting me know that he would be home (and in my arms) within the hour.
Mrs. Winterstein assured me that Cooper was alright.
She checked on him that afternoon.
1:15
The Boys RUSHED inside
"How was your day, Cooper?"
"Good!" (said with a huge sweaty smile on his face)
"Did anything happen at school today that you want to tell me about?"
"Oh yeah. Conner punched me in the face."
"Right here" (pointing to his cheek)
I took my sweaty 5 year old baby
(aren't they always our babies when they're hurt?)
In my arms to snuggle him
And get the rest of the story.
"When did this happen?"
"What were you doing?"
"What did Mrs. Connelly do?"
"Did she give you a love?"
"What did the nurse say?"
"Did Conner say sorry?"
"Was he nice to you the rest of the day?"
He answered my questions,
Then said, "Too many questions Mom."
Hopped off my lap.
And went to play.
Obviously no worse for the wear.
I was more upset about the punch than HE was.
Kids are so resilient!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Dear Grandma...
How sweet your reunion must have been with your sweet mother (who passed away just days before your wedding), your oldest daughter Charlene (who passed away in January) and the love of your life (who passed away in December). The love you two shared for each other is evidenced in the letters you wrote to one another while Grandpa was on his mission. Your love story is a Real Life Love Story. It inspires me to love my honey better.
Gwen's letter dated Mar 1, 1937 declared--
"I got your letter and picture to-day and decided then to sit right down and answer pronto. By the way--those are right smart pajamas you're sporting. . . You know, more dash. You make me feel like a very conservative person. I guess I must rush right up town and get a pair of fancy ones or you'll leave me behind the style. Anyway I kind of liked to see you perched there with those fancy house slippers . . .only why didn't you beam kid? Come on beam for me please. If you will then I'll feel more like beaming too. OK now we're both laughing be careful or it'll be a giggle. Remember how we threw dish water at each other and how you always got the best of me[?] You wait though. I'm going to train for a couple of years and then you dear old 'villain' I'll show who's got the muscle in our family."
April 18, 1937--A letter from Gwen reads:
"Darling,
Just think three more days and it will be exactly three months since I kissed you last and then only 21 months to go but I'll bet you a malt you'll make it 27 months to go if you learn to love England as you seem to have done already, but Jim dear, it's worth it isn't it. I'm so glad for you that you are enjoying such a wonderful experience. I guess I am a little jealous though. I wish I were having the same experiences. . . You flatter me when you say you are doing all this for me. I like it though. You understand how blondes are. I guess next best to filling a mission oneself is to have someone you love fill one for you.
". . . Kid, those were surely grand pictures your folks received. . . And say those things you sent your dad just put him sky high in glory.
" . . . Say Jim, how fat are you now? Have you lost any hair? How many towns have you been kicked out of? Say what do you look like anyhow[?] I've forgotten it's been so long since I had a good look at you
"About the Municipal swimming party it was sort of a bachelor girls affair so don't be worrying about who we were with because Maxine, Elizabeth, Bernice and about 3 other girls and I had a swell time all by our lonesomes. In fact, Jim you don't need to worry about me very much but I don't want you to take me for granted ever.
"Well, Jim dear it's almost the 'wee' hours so I must stop now . . .Be good sweetheart and love me as I love you because I do tell you the truth for I have nothing to conceal and I hope you'll tell me the truth also even if it's not so easy to take.
Love, Gwen"
Gwen's Letter, also dated Sat. April 3, 1937, reads
Goodnight Sweetheart
Til we meet to-morrow
With lots of love and a big X O,
Gwen"
Your quiet presence had nothing to do with weakness. Instead it had everything to do with strength. You held your tongue and quietly waited for a private moment to express your thoughts and feelings. You allowed Grandpa to rule the House with his tongue, yet you were the law governing Grandpa. Always with love. Always in grace.
"Goodnight Sweetheart
Til we meet to-morrow
With lots of love and a big X O,
Gwen"
Til we meet to-morrow
With lots of love and a big X O,
Gwen"
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