Memorial Day at Canyon Lake

I loved having a 3 day weekend with my family. We had a great time just being together but we wanted to do something extra on Monday so we decided to go to either the lake or the river to play. We originally wanted to go skiing and such on the boat with Grandpa but he had some skin cancer removed off of his face of Friday and wasn't quite up for it. We could have taken the boat ourselves, but it was the first time the boat would be out this summer and knew Grandpa would want to be there for the first time, so we decided to attempt the river.

One of our main goals on this excursion was to let Jon try out his new fishing pole, so we didn't really care where we went. We left about 1pm, much later than originally planned due to a stupid headache (hate them!!). We didn't' get far in our attempt at the river. The roads were all closed because it was so crowded. We then decided to go to the lake, knowing that it would also be overcrowded and we probably wouldn't get in there either. It was so crowded! Cars were parked in every single place along the side of the road and all the parking lots to the beaches were closed. We figured we would try the pay beach by Canyon Lake Marina and then when we couldn't get in that we would go back and go swimming at Grandpa's house and make the best of it.

Well we pull into the parking lot and it didn't look good at all!! Cars were just stopped and getting nowhere. They were doing u-turns and backing out of our side of the road so we figured we were out of luck. Bryan suggested that Jon and I walk up to the toll booth just to check prices and availability, so we did. There was a really nice guy working there and once he saw that it really was just our little family and not a huge group of people, he said we could be the last car in for "day use". Woo hoo! We drove down and surprisingly there were a few spots available and while the beach was crowded, it didn't really feel like it. The beach was grassy and nice and the water was cool. So we had a great time!

Jenna and Alex thought is was fun to sit there and pour warm sand on their arms. They loved the beach!

Ring around the rosies, except we jump up. Alex loves it!

We stayed for a couple of hours and then when a lot of people had left, we headed over to the fishing dock to let Jonathan try out his new fishing gear. He caught his first fish, a small blue gill, on his first cast. We were impressed! Then it came time to pull out the fishing hook and Jonathan couldn't do it. He tried and was kinda worried about hurting the poor fish. So I had to do it. I have NO experience with this stuff and Bryan wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, so I did the best I could and ended up tearing a small piece of the fish's mouth. Poor fish! So sorry little thing!

While Jonathan was debating whether or not to put the fish back, he said some of the funniest things! Forgive me for posting it, Jon, they are too great not to! He wanted to keep the fish but was worried about upsetting the fish's family! He thought the fish's family would be feeling bad and missing this little fish. I died laughing, it was so sweet and funny at the same time! Once we corrected his thinking about fish families, he decided to throw it back anyways cause it was so small. While it was funny, it was nice to see how much he cares about Heavenly Father's creatures and doesn't want to cause unnecessary pain to one of them. He was kinda upset that I tore that fish's mouth. So was I actually, poor little fishy!! So, what a funny bunch we are I guess!!

It was a wonderful day with my family! It reminded me again how lucky I am to have these people in my life. They are good, kind and loving people and I am blessed to have them all in my family!

Staying strong!

As some of you know, I have had a really hard time dealing with the hand that life has dealt me. I still am, but today I am feeling stronger. One foot in front of the other. That's the best I can do, right? It's been hard to accept that I don't know when or if things will ever get better. There are times I feel angry and times I feel jealous and even resentful of others and what they appear to have. I know it's not right or fair, but it's how I sometimes feel. But today, I don't have any of that. I am still broke and my hubby is still dreadfully underemployed and nothing has changed, but I am trying to be grateful for what I do have.

Besides, JT won Survivor and Kris won American Idol, so things can't be all that bad, can they?

Oh, on the funny side, at least to me it's funny, Jonathan always says he bombed his finals in a class or two and I always tell him that he does better than he thinks. He said he bombed the science final and I laughed and told him he would get an A like he always does. He was very insistent that he failed so I was starting to believe him this time. He just texted me that he got a 100%. Silly kid! that's a perfect score, sooo far from bombing! He is funny, to me!

Anyway, I am trying to find humor and fun in this crazy and depressing time in my life. I hope you can all do the same in the bad times and make sure to recognize and appreciate the good times. Whenever they are!

Meet the New Vice President!!

Kaitlyn won!! I am so excited for her! I honestly did not know if she could win because there were 9 kids running and we have only been here for about 8 months. SHe was so happy, she came in the house and said that another girl won and she looked like she was trying to be happy. In reality, she was trying to contain her excitement! So, yeah to my smart, beautiful, kind daughter who was brave enough to go for something she wants! CONGRATULATIONS!! You Go, Girl!!

Super Duper Kaitlyn Hooper!

Kaitlyn has decides to run for Vice President for next year. The campaining starts this week and she has to do a speech on Thursday. I am proud of her for putting herself out there and trying for this! Her slogan is "Super Duper Kaitlyn Hooper for Vice President!" Note the Superman logo with an H instead of S. We thought it was clever! Voting is either Thursday or Friday, not sure, but good luck, Kaitlyn! We love you!!

So busy! So loud!!

Man, I don't seem to have 5 minutes to myself now a days! So busy here! Every night baseball, meetings, YM, grocery shopping or whatever. I will be glad for things to slow down! And the noise! There is always someone laughing/talking/singing/crying/wannabe beat boxing or whatever! Sometimes I would just like to stand in my living room and scream "BE QUIET!!" Lol! Oh well, that's not gonna happen! Mostly the sounds are happy, but mix that with the TV and it's like chaos exploded in my home! I have had my nephews a bit more than usual, my sil is battling something and is stuck in the hospital. Going on 4 days with no end in sight. She should be ok, but I am still worried about her. Her boys are being good, but they really miss their mom. 4 days without seeing her tiny girl and sweet boys! Poor kids and my poor brother! He doesn't like being a single dad!

On another note...tonight is the first night in about 2 months where we don't have to go anywhere!! Yeah to being home! I am gonna catch up on laundry and start to empty my DVR. It is exploding! How old am I getting when I am so happy to stay home on a Friday night? At least I am in a good mood!! Yeah for cheering up and so happy to have my hubby home soon!!