More Positive Time

I love this picture...

Everything about it makes me feel secure.

I have wanted to make a real conscious effort to make sure Kirk KNOWS how much I love him.

How grateful I am for him and everything that he does for me and our family. 

January started with HELPING reinforcing this effort.

Kirk had done something to his knee... he isn't sure even when or what but he was having a hard time getting around. 

And let me tell you something about my husband... HE DOES NOT JUST SIT AROUND... the man does not know how to relax and just ... relax. It doesn't matter if it is a day off or if he just got done with a 

10+ hour day at work, he is doing something.

This is how I knew his knee was hurting because he would try to go go go but,

was spending more time with ice on his knee than not.

ANYWAY... back to the knee.

He and his doctor picked Monday, January 13th to do the surgery.

BUT, not to be out done, I decided to get sick on Friday the January 10th with pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital.

Crazy I know.

Monday, the 13th, Kira arrived at the hospital with her dad to play babysitter to her parents.

She went and stayed with Kirk until they took him back to surgery.

They even let her see pictures of the tear and repair on his knee.

While they were in there they found that he had a fracture on his tibia so they fixed it also. 

4 hours later... Kirk was awake and on his way home.

I am glad that Kira is such a photo journalist... she is awesome at taking pictures and I love her 

"TWINNERS" one.

I did get to stay in the hospital for a few more days

 and when I did get to come home 

I had this little buddy to hang out with each day for a BIG dose of antibiotics.

I am so glad  that I have been "trained" to administer my own I.V.'s so I do not have to make a trip to the hospital for the 30 mins of IV therapy. 

Now, Kirk and I are hanging out at the house, watching tv, reading, talking and 

WALA...

Habit is being formed

Hanging out together...

and I am conscious to tell him I love him and to hold his hand, to find quiet moments and all those things that after 30+ years together you sometimes forget you still need to do.

Because, I do.

I NEED HIM TO KNOW just how much I truly love him.

Cozumel

A quality of Kirk's that I love is 

his love of adventure.

He just got home from diving off of the Island of Cozumel.

They go out on "dive boats" to where they are going to dive from.

On Sunday they went to the "mainland" to check out some of the ruins.

This is the Coba Ruins.

before leaving they spent one last day of diving.

They saw tons of different fish, including a shark & spotted eagle ray.

They also went through the a tunnel/cave called "Devil's Throat".

The video was pretty interesting... They had entered the cave at the top and exited the bottom,

As they went to the top of the cave again.. a 

"nurse shark" was heading into the cave!!! EEAAKKK!!

I sure missed him and am so glad he is home.

What I Have To Do To Heal

Sometimes you have to talk about something to start healing.

If you read my blog you know that my little Itsey died in February.

I still miss her.

Her puppy Reku  was born a little "special". 

He has always had a problem with long term memory and he has terrible anxiety issues. 

 Kirk was never very fond of Reku and from the time Itsey died Kirk kept telling me it was time to get rid of him, he didn't want anymore inside dogs.

I said something to my kids about it and they were like, you can't do that. 

You love Reku he is your buddy.

The grand babies love him.

The list went on and they were correct.

So, I just ignored Kirk's comments.

In August I couldn't take it anymore.

I knew I couldn't just give him to ANYBODY.

It had to be someone who would love him even with his silly quirks.

A very good friend of mine and told me that her in-laws had lost their little dog a year or so ago.

I called her and asked if they would still like a dog, and a "special needs" dog at that.

She said to bring him over and introduce him to them.

Without saying anything to my family I took Reku for a ride to meet some really nice people.

I knew Reku would not go to anyone else if I was still there.

So, I went to run a couple of errands. I had only been gone a few minutes when I got a call telling me that he was 'freaking out'. I was on my way back to get him when I received this picture...

and the message... "He likes him"

and that he was ok.

I finished running my errands and returned to pick Reku up.

His new family had already taken him home.

WHAT!!??? I didn't get to say bye!

When I got home Kirk came out and asked what was going on?

I just looked at him with tears running down my face and told him I hated him.

The next few days were horrible.

Miss H would set and call for Reku.

Miss C would run around looking for her and getting mad at me because I would not find him.

My family didn't want to talk to me because I had not let them say, "bye".

But, 

I know it was what I needed to do.

It has taken me a little while to adjust.

But, it is good.

I am ok.

I love Kirk and sometimes we have to really weigh both sides of things to keep communications strong in our marriage. I know it has meant a lot to Kirk to know that his feelings and opinion mattered to me. I know it will sound strange, but it really did help Kirk and my marriage and that my friends is worth it.

I am really grateful to a really nice couple for taking Reku and giving him a good home with lots of love and attention.

I get reports of how well he is doing. Does the heart good!

WOOPS!

I guess you know when you have been married a LONG TIME

It is when you BOTH forget your anniversary.

I love you Kirk.

Glad we are growing old and forgetful together.

Wishing us another 31 years!

Happy Anniversary, to the amazing man in my life

 30 years ago

 Kirk and I stood in front of Bishop L. Hinckley, at my home in Spokane, Washington.

It  may not have been

 in the "right place" or

 the right time ( do NOT plan your wedding or reception the same night as a BIG ball game)

BUT IT

most certainly was the right person.

Kirk planned a stunning honeymoon in Glacier National Park and Waterton Park in Alberta, Canada. 

Our first night we stayed in a one room cabin with a HUGE feather bed, a sink and a shower.

the views were beyond amazing.

I still can not believe I took this picture with a Polaroid Instant Camera.



While in Canada we went on a moon light cruise

 that took us across the US and Canada borders and around the Upper Waterton Lake.



US/Canadian Border is in the middle of this valley.



10 years later 

we went back to where we had gone on our honeymoon.

This time with a little more money in our bank accounts we stayed in some of the castles that are in

Glacier National Park and in Waterton Park, Canada.

We stayed at Glacier Park Lodge

There are no words to describe the lobby to this hotel.

The pillars are trees that are so large I could not began to reach my arms around.

It makes me sad that the pictures of this trip I have not been able to find for years.

We stayed in the Prince of Wales Hotel

what a beautiful hotel.

Kirk and I stayed in a tiny (maids quarter) but we had an amazing view of the forest and lake.

We woke to a beautiful morning  fog lifting ...AMAZING...

for our

20th Anniversary

We went on a cruise with our family.

The food was amazing, true...

I learned a very important thing: I am not a cruise person.

BUT, two of my favorite parts were being with my family

and "there's the boat"...

See the bridge in the background of this pic? It is still the best laugh that we as a family share...

We crossed the bridge several times before we could get on to the road that would take us to the dock of the cruise ship.

Maybe  someday we will try another cruise.

On this cruise we also went with  Josh's demo team, I am glad we did not miss it and the kids LOVED it.

I can guaranteed if I ever do go on another cruise it will not be a baja Mexico cruise

 EVER..can't say that one enough.

I bet you can not wait to hear where we spent our

30th Anniversary

You will notice that there are not any pictures...

It is because I spent the past 2 days in bed!

And are you ready to hear where that was...

.......DRUM ROLL.......

part of it at home and the other part

in the E.R with a 102+* temp.

They ran a HIGH POWERED anti-biotic through my IV,

 tons of  fluids, due to extreme dehydration, and let me go home with another anti-biotic for

 a sever sinus infection.

I must be doing a little better because I have been able to stay awake long enough to do this blog,

and my fever has broke. (my heart blood work test came back great)

My heart hurts for poor Kirk.

He had a wonderful Southern Idaho road trip planned. 

Taking the back roads and seeing sight that I have wanted to see for 30 years.

Hopefully, I can make it up to him at the 40th.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart,

and YES I would do it all again.

thanks to google images for several of my pics

Shoshone Falls Part II

Sergio's brother, Juan and his wife Antonella have came for a visit from Argentina! 

They arrived May 29th

 and are expecting their first baby this fall.

With Shoshone Falls being so amazing we HAD to take them to see the "show" 

and introduce them to Sonic.

I really enjoyed it because Kirk was able to come with us!

 He actually got to have a 4 day holiday weekend...I can't remember the last time that has happen. 

So...Kirk had been checking out the falls...

He had moved over by the rock wall with the guys getting a different view...

and then I could not see him...I asked Kira, "where is dad?"

She laughed and pointed...

I had to shake my head...he had gone over the wall for a "better view"

This is truly one of the things I love about Kirk.

He has not lost his sense of adventure.

He never ceases to amaze me.

When he came back to where I was standing...

He just gave his cute mischievous smile (with the look of what??) 

I just smiled and was grateful I had my camera and that

he still lives life to the fullest.

Grandpa LOVES To Spoil...

Celes has always liked her Grandpa.

On the days that I get to watch "Miss C" she gets so excited when

Grandpa gets home.

She wants to be right next to him.

and this is ONE of the reasons....

We were eating ice cream drumsticks...

and well....

the pictures can not do the "event" justice...

sorry the video is so dark

Kirk is such an amazing Grandpa...

I was just glad Josh and Ali were here to say it was o.k. for her to have it,

WHEW!!!

How Can I Be So In Love With A 50 Year Old

My dear husband, KIRK was born in 1960

Here is the proof...HE IS 50!

I do not know how old he is in this picture, but I would guess 3 or 4

It is no wonder Kirk has such a love of Football...

I wish I could have found a picture of him as a Senior playing Football...

But I do have his Senior Picture

So, how can I be in love with someone who is 50?

It is very easy.

Kirk I love you with all of my NEW heart!

Happy Birthday!

Do NOT Try This At Home

Kirk has been working on our Tile Roof...

I came home to see this...