Let The Fun Begin!!!!

What a fun and wonderful day we had today. Our first trip out on our ATV's. There was Mike and I, Danielle and Shawn, Uncle Don and Aunt Irene along with our next door Paul. We went up to Ant Flats just underneath Monte Cristo. We had planned on driving the 14 miles to Hardware Ranch but we found a better route, purly by accident, but it was the best route we could find. Took us up around some of the prettiest mountains and views that our wonderful Mother Nature could offer. At some places it was pretty muddy, which makes Mike pretty happy. We headed back into town around 3pm and had a good meal at "Golden Corral". When we got back home we unpacked and Dani surprised me by washing my car. Bless her heart. But we all had a wonderful time, it was great seeing dad and daughter work together in harmony. Now we are enjoying a quite evening home watching "Up" and munching on M&M's.

Thoughts From the Past...Or Are They Ghosts!

I've discovered as I grow older, not that I mind it, I find that I am more well seasoned in age and wisdom, like a well used and worn dutch oven. In theory, a dutch oven cooks so much better after so many uses, not saying that I have been used or are being used, it's just a theory. It's like fine wine...it gets better with age...that's what I am saying. They say we learn from our past and our mistakes...I believe I have learned a lot, wishing I could go back in time to change a few decisions, rethink things, etc.

One decision I regret and I will blog about because it affects my family directly. Back in 1994 my ex-husband's sister passed away who lived in Texas. He went down there before me and I soon after joined him. During that time in Texas we discovered two children that were extremely neglected and needed to be taken care of. Long story short, we brought them home to Utah and adopted them. That would be our Danielle and her big brother Aaron. During the course of 4-5 years, Aaron was diagnosed as BiPolar and was showing inappropriate behavior towards Dani. The decision was made to take him back to his great grandmothers in Texas, where she gave him back to his birth mom...wrong decision on our part and hers. He was soon taken away from his birth mom and put up for adoption.

Well, to show that miracles do happen and to always listen to our promptings and dreams, my niece Joanne in Washington had a dream that she needed to look on a website (this was a couple of weekends ago) and there she found Aaron. 12 years later, there is my little boy (I still consider him as my son) and he is looking handsome. But the disturbing part is he was back up for adoption, leading me to believe he had been in and out of homes for close to maybe 12 years. What would have happened if we would have still had him, would he had a better childhood, it's just ironic that he is experiencing the same problems as our Danielle.

So I've contacted the State of Texas and I am just waiting to hear if there is anything I can do, any assitance of history, etc, or even just to see him. We'll just wait and see. It's funny how life plays out! Here is a picture of brother and sister, Aaron and Danielle!

My Growing Family

I just have to share, I took these pictures a couple of days ago and just can't get over how different each girl is. And how fast they grow. When I see these three gorgeous, wonderful, energenic granddaughters of mine, I remember my own three daughters growing up. Each one of these girls are so different in their own way, it's fun to sit back and watch life unfold for them.

Memories!

Do you ever just have those memories that bring a tear to your eyes? I guess I am having one right now. I'm sitting here at my desk at work, looking at my pictures on my computer and I ran across these pictures of my trip to California last year to see my daughter Ashley. I had a marvelous time and enjoyed being with her and being by the ocean again. I so miss that ocean, the sea air, the cleanliness of the breeze, the squacks of the seagulls, that is what I grew up with and so did my daughters. That is the hard thing about growing old, the childhood days of your children growing up, goes by so fast but it makes my head spin. And then the thoughts go through my mind, "I wish I could go back in time and change things. If I only knew then what I know now". I am trying very hard not to live with regrets to keep saying to myself "I did the best I could with what I had". But at times that doesn't work. If I could gather my daughters around me again, right now, I would, but I am so happy and thrilled with how they are living their lives.

Now this picture here is pretty pathetic, no make up, didn't do my hair but look at my face and the face of my daughter Ashley's. We were just happy for that moment! My dream is to one day have all my daughters at the ocean having these kinds of days, along with my grandchildren and their husbands and of course my wonderful husband.

Love to all my family...and when I say family I am including my "Hess" family, all branches, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, etc.

Stay Tuned...

If you are one of my blog readers, just stay tuned, there are some major changes coming to our little family. More later!

My daughter Raelyn and her husband Mitch came into town this weekend. They are moving from Maryland to Sacramento, CA and my home is the pit-stop. I've enjoyed their visit so much. My Mother's Day was great also. Went out to lunch with Brenna, Raelyn and Dani. Mike even had the dishes done by the time I got home from lunch. That was special. But now Raelyn and Mitch will be leaving tomorrow and I feel I didn't get to spend that much time with her. Just too many people for them to visit. I'll just have to take a little vacation and go out there to see them.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day also!

Happy Mother's Day...Meet my Daughters!

I was looking through some of my family pictures and thought I would talk about my family a little. I spend a lot of time talking about my granddaughters and Dani and Mike that I don't spend enough time on my other three daughters. Here are some fun facts about my daughters. Starting with the oldest:

Brenna: Born May 21, 1981. Brenna is my miracle baby because I was told by several doctors I could not have children. Surprise! Her dad and I fooled them. But one of my favorite stories is when I was in labor, the nurses were getting me ready for a c-section and when my doctor came in (he was a Stake President in Pasadena, CA) I had asked him and my husband for a blessing, I was scared half to death. But during the blessing my doctor stopped and said "we have to go now". Well, when they pulled Brenna out she had two knots in her umbilical cord. If they would have waited longer, we might have lost her. Another fun fact, Brenna has always been drawn to the dramatic side of life. Always performing something, she would put on the funnest plays...all by herself. Now she is a fantastic mother of three beautiful daughters, and she is still putting on little shows for her daughters.

Ashley: Born June 7, 1984. For this pregnancy we were living overseas on Guam (Air Force). I came home to California early because I couldn't travel past a certain date and my husband had to stay there. But Ashley had other plans...at about 6 weeks, I kept going into pre-labor. So I was in and out of the hospital many times. But when it was pretty clear I couldn't go the full term, my doctor contacted the Red Cross so they can contact the Air Force to get my husband home. He made it home in time for the big event. Again, it was a c-section and within two weeks after delivery, it was a big move to Great Falls Montana. Like Brenna, through Ashley's life she has also been part of the dramatics department. But...during her childhood, if you were to ask Ashley what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer always was "a mommy". Ashley also received the honorary title of "The Bag Lady". She always carried some kind of bag or bags around with all her stuff in it. And as an adult, she still does.

Raelyn: Born April 21, 1986. Raelyn was born on my best friends daughters birthday. Raelyn was named after my best friend who I met when we lived on Guam. Raelyn's story is a little different. Brenna was born weight 6lbs 12oz, Ashley was 5lbs, 13oz, Raelyn was 3lbs 2oz. Born 7 weeks early. But she was only in NICU for two weeks. My first look at her was a picture the NICU nurse took for me. She had tubes coming from her head and arm. So small and fragile. Raelyn surprised us in every way, you would never know she was a premie. She would walk along the back of my couch, on top, not against a wall...without falling. Through the years Raelyn has been our comic relief. If there were tense times she was the one to make us laugh! She is still that way today. She always knows how to make me smile or laugh!

Danielle: Born December 7, 1994. She came to our family in a different way. My dear sweet sister in law died unexpectedly and while we were at her funeral, my niece was holding this baby who was limp in her arms, actually failure to thrive. She was wearing a dress that was so big on her. Tugged at my heart. I remember going up to my niece, taking the baby into my arms and saying to her "thank you, she's mine now". She has been in my life ever since she was four weeks old. Yes, we have had our challenges and yes she has some problems. But her spirit and talents have brought many blessings to my family. She is extremely talented in the arts department.

Brenna, Ashley and Raelyn grew up in a musical family. We were like the VonTrapp family, always singing, mom at the piano. We sang for sacrament meetings, primary programs, etc. They sang through high school and Brenna and Ashley sang with a special singing group ran by Mark and Jeannette Bishop (Choral Edition). That is where we met Adam and Kyle! We knew them before I ever met Mike. That is where the connection is with me and my husband.
That's just a little bit of each of my daughters. I am extremely blessed to have them in my life and very blessed to be their mother! Happy Mother's Day!

Graduation Day!

This past week has been pretty exciting for my husband Mike. His second son, Kyle, graduated from college on Friday. I wasn't able to go because I wasn't able to get off from work, but Mike took Grandma Hess with him down to Orem for that graduation ceremony. I know that he is extremely proud of his son.

This on Saturday was a bridal shower for Chris and Dacia's upcoming marriage. Meeting Dacia was fun...I think she is the perfect match for Chris. She will definately keep him on his toes. I didn't take my camera which I regret, I would have loved to have a picture of her for my family update. The wedding is scheduled for June 18th up at the Logan Temple. Aunt Debbie and Emily sure are excited to have a new female to the family. I think she fits in just wonderfully!

And believe it or not, there isn't much to report. Mike and I are diligently planning our annual anniversary trip. This year we are going down to Bryce Canyon for four days. During that time Danielle will be in California with her sister Ashley. I know that Dani is so EXCITED and believe me, SO AM I!!!!

Everyone in my family is in good health and spirits at this time. Love to all!