The In-Laws

(My Mother and Father in law. Rosemary and Gary)

(Rachel with Alyssa and her boyfriend Andy)

(Kimbo with Buddy's Aunt Kathy)

(Garrison saying goodbye to Mitzi)

(Rachel with Bob and Lucy)

I feel the need to get sentimental and mushy. I have many friends who I often hear complain like crazy about their spouses family. Either it is their mother in law is too over-bearing or their sister in law is too judgmental or their spouses aunt and/or uncle are just nuts. Well I have to say that I have been extremely blessed with AMAZING in laws. My mother and father in law are just fantastic. They know when to step in and offer guidance and advice and yet they know when we have things under control and don't butt in. They respect our decisions as parents and support us 100%. They have made me feel loved and as much of a daughter as their own daughters. I love them unconditionally and will be eternally grateful for their love and guidance.

I cannot say enough about Buddy's two sisters. I ADORE them. I am as close to them as I am my own sisters. They are two of my dearest friends.

Buddy's dad is the oldest of 7 kids. One, sadly past away as an infant so it was just Buddy's dad and his 5 sisters. Now let me tell you..when you get these 5 sisters together...LET THE FUN BEGIN. There is nothing these ladies will not do. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see them bungee jumping off some bridge. When you are around them, hold on to your pants. They are a blast. Often times, all 6 of them (including Buddy's dad) will burst out into song. If you say anything that resembles a song, they start singing. The cool thing is they sing very well together. I love to hear them sing.

While living in Omaha, I got the awesome opportunity to get to know one of Buddy's aunts (Lucy) and one of Buddy's cousins (Mitzi) so much better. Mitzi lived in a suburb of Omaha and Lucy lived a few hours away in a small town in Iowa. I loved this opportunity. I grew to love and cherish these two amazing women. They got to know our children and my children grew to love an absolutely adore them. Garrison grew very close to Mitzi, Kimbo grew very close to Mitzi's husband Al, and Rachel grew very close to Mitzi's daughter Alyssa. It was so fun to see the love that each of my kids developed for them. Thank you Mitzi and Lucy (and of course Al, Bob, Nicolas, Christian, and Alyssa) for all you did for us while we were there). We miss you more than words can say.

In short, I feel incredibly blessed to have such amazing in laws. Yes they are a tad bit crazy at times, a tad bit loud sometimes, and a bit passionate about their college football but you know what??? I wouldn't trade any of them for anything. (Not to mention that they have done a darn good job at sucking me into their Alabama football obsession.) I will forever love them all. Thank you to all of the Hopkins clan for loving me.

My New Hobby

So my mom and step dad came to visit a week ago and while they were here they taught me how to make these blankets. Now those who know me, know that I cannot even sew a button on a shirt. Crafty things just are not my cup of tea. However, this was so easy. I am sure those of you who already know how to do it are thinking "Hello, it's not rocket science." However, I am very excited about it as it is a huge accomplishment for me. The first one is Kimbo's. That was the first one I ever did. It is Monkeys. The second one is Natalie's. She is obsessed with Elmo. I found this material today and thought she would just love it. She is now in bed so we won't know until morning. I am so excited about them!!!

P.S. I just added a picture of Rachel's. It is frogs. I made it this morning. I seem to do better every one I do. Poor Kimbo got the smallest and least attractive one. She loves it though!!

Happy 10th Birthday Sweet Boy!!!!

Today is Garrison's 10th birthday. I can hardly believe it. I remember so vividly the day he was born. It seemed like he would never get here. I could hardly wait to see the beautiful angel that me and my amazing husband had helped create. The minute I saw him, I was overwhelmed with the love I felt for him. He truly was an angel from above. To this day, I do not quite know what I did to deserve such an amazing little boy but I am sure grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who trusted me enough to entrust him in my care. Anytime I talk about Garrison, I have a difficult time controlling my emotions and even as I write this, I have tears in my eyes. When you have a child with special needs, there is just a different and most sacred spirit about them. He knows no hate and loves all who come in contact with him. He is so accepting of all. His innocence is just precious. I love you son. Thank you for all of the joy you have and continue to bring into my life.

Pine Wood Derby

So the pine wood derby is next week. Garrison really has no idea what that even is but each year we try very hard to get him to help in making the car. This year, Buddy came up with the idea to do a "Yoshi" car. Yoshi is a character off of the Nintendo Wii game MarioKart. He actually did a great job in helping this year. When they did the weigh-in the other night, all of the boys LOVED his car. We are excited for the race this Wednesday.

High School Musical on Ice

High School Musical on ice came to Rio Rancho a few weeks ago and would you believe that tickets on opening night were only $11??!!!! So my next door neighbor Becky and her daughter Sophie came along with us. We had such a great time. The girls all sat and sang along to every single song. It was so fun watching how excited they got. We had such a good time.

Getting Better

This is me and my next door neighbor Becky and my neighbor Amy!!!

This is me, Stephanie, Danae, Amy and Becky on our girls night out!!!

So after my last post I thought it only right that I let everyone know that these past two days have been my best (emotionally) since I moved here. I made a few new friends and even went out to dinner with a group of girls and had a blast. Then me and my next door neighbor decided to dye my hair!!! We had to do it twice because the first time made no difference. The second time however....wow!!! I love it. In the pictures it looks red but it is really just brown. Not very much red at all. It looks awesome.

Are You Kidding Me?????

It is no secret that since I moved to Albuquerque, I have struggled. I am not happy here and spend more time crying and sad than I do with a smile on my face. One of my new years resolutions was to try and help myself before I lost my mind; literally. So I made some very personal commitments that each involve bettering myself physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.

Every April and October Buddy and I DVR each session of conference so that we can watch it throughout the next 6 months until the following session. Well just this morning, I was listening to Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come What May, and Love It." It is a beautiful talk that brings tears to my eyes each time I listen to it or read it (In the Ensign). Well, if you haven't heard it, it talks about smiling and laughing your way through life; don't take things so seriously. Life is too short to get mad over everything.

Today has not been a good day. I won't get into a lot of details but it just seemed to be one thing right after another. Tonight, I left the kids with Buddy and went to do some shopping at Walmart. Those of you who don't know, New Mexico is home to some of the rudest people on this planet. That is not a secret. The rudeness of people here never ceases to amaze me. Tonight was the ultimate. I was in line to check out and started putting my groceries onto the conveyer belt when this couple walks up and just starts putting their stuff on at the exact same time right behind me. I wasn't even done putting my stuff on. I had a ton of stuff left. They didn't put a divider down or anything. I turn around and say "Are you kidding me?" They completely ignore me and just keep going. So I take about 5000 deep breaths and grab a divider to at least seperate our things (I had to push some of their things back just to make room). I am thinking "where in the heck am I supposed to put the rest of my stuff?" I litterally have no room. So, I scoop up the several items still in my cart into my arms and have to hand each item to the cashier. I was blown away. Now those who know me well, know that I don't handle rudeness very well. Normally I would have caused a big ole scene and probably have made myself look just as stupid as them. I thought of Elder Wirthlins talk and how it just wouldn't be worth it. So I bit my tounge (I wont be able to talk for days I bit so hard) and just paid for my items and left. I called Buddy right away and just broke down in tears. I was so angry. How can people be so rude? I just don't get it. It seems every where I go here, people are just like that.

Now I know that I didn't laugh at the situation like I probably should have but hey, I didn't deck the guy either so that has to count for something right????

So here is to trying to make myself happier in a place that I hate. I am really trying everyone. I honestly am.

P.S. I have to add that there are things that I love about Albuquerque. Most importantly, my awesome husband whom I have missed so desperately the past 2 years and especially the past year. I would follow him anywhere just so we could be together.

I am grateful for a cousin whom I have a renewed relationship with. Without her, I don't know what I would do. She has been an angel in my life since I moved back here. I love her dearly.

I also LOVE my house. It is perfect for our family. It is so beautiful. LOVE IT!!!

I also love that we are closer to our "biological" families. I have missed living so close and being able to just drive in a few hours to see my nieces and nephews who have all been such an important part of my life. Not to mention being closer to my mama!!!!! *I say biological because I feel that I left a family (some biological, but most not) back in Omaha when we left.*