A long goodbye...

Saying "goodbye" has always been hard for me...but I didn't know saying "goodbye" to Deming would be this hard. Dan and I have always considered Idaho to be our first and hopefully our last home. However, since our move to Deming 6 years ago, we have both realized that the location does not make your house a home. It is the PEOPLE. The very dear people who become etched in your hearts forever. It is those same people who make life bearable when life is too hard to stand. Those people who become your second family. Those people who become unforgettable.

Saying goodbye to Deming was not sudden, but started when we left for Roswell in August 2010 for seven months, California in May of 2011 for three months, and finally when Dan was offered a supervisor position in the Tucson, AZ  on November 17, 2011 of last year.

Dan and I both felt strongly that he should take the job, but didn't know the hardship we would face within the next year. After accepting the offer, Dan was mandated to start his new job in January. Our plan was to find a house within the first few months of Dan being in Tucson; while the kids and I stayed in Deming. We thought our plan was simple and would work out perfectly. Little did we know that 2-3 months would turn into 9 months.

In February, (shortly after Dan's arrival in Tucson), he was sent to Artesia, NM for some training. For the last couple of months, Dan had been commuting back and forth on the weekends. I decided it was my turn to pack up the kids and meet him in Roswell (45 min. from Artesia). We had a great time together and was able to visit with some old friends. During our time in Roswell, Dan was informed that there were some openings for Instructor positions at the BP Academy. Against my wishes (after just accepting the job in Tucson), Dan decided to apply.

Our prayers turned from "please help us to find a house in Tucson"...to "please help Dan get the job he has wanted for a long time in Artesia". Because our prayers had changed, we thought it best for the kids and I to stay in Deming until we had more information. The weeks turned into months...and after listening to Elder Eryings Conference Talk and listening to advice from some really good friends, we decided enough was enough. Our prayers had not been answered the way we had hoped, but we knew our most important priority was being TOGETHER as 1 family unit.

We said our goodbyes and headed for Tucson on Friday November 2, 2012. We don't know what's in store for us...but we are grateful for our 6 years in Deming and the PEOPLE who made our house a home.

October

Berlyn did great for her first visit to the Dentist and was so brave! Her favorite Primary teacher also got to clean her teeth, and she loved practicing on the gator:)

We were so happy to see Dayne and Meagan's little bundle of joy; along with my parents! Evan Chris Ivie (named after both Grandfathers) is such a sweet and gentle spirit! He is so special to us already and we hope to see him as often as we can.

Halloween was filled with goodies, visiting Braxton and Blaze's class, dancing "Thriller" with the Deming H.S. choir students, and just having a SPOOKTACULAR day!

The kids and I wanted to match this year, so when Braxton thought up the idea of characters from Harry Potter...it just all came together! The kids looked adorable and really became their characters:) We had a fun night at the tri-ward TRUNK OR TREAT and afterward spent the evening with the Richins and Barentines for 1 last hoorah.

GO BOISE STATE!!

We had a wonderful time at the Zoo and Briggs especially loved seeing wild animals for the first time!

When we found out that Boise State would be playing University of New Mexico...it was a "no Brainer" that we had to see the game!! Of course our home state kicked UNM tails:) Other than the sun in our eyes, we had a great time!

We had time to see the Museum of Natural History on our way home and really enjoyed all the different and unique displays! The favorite of course was the T-Rex:)

 

 

Saying Goodbye to Bella...

There is a very good but sad book called "Saying Goodbye to Lula"...which is about a dog who lives a wonderful life, gets old, and passes away. I read this book to Braxton and Blaze a few years before we got Bella, and I thought they would never be the same again. When we got Bella, I imagined her life much the same at Lula's...we would raise her and when it was her time to go, she would die peacefully. However, Bella's life was cut short (only being 1 1/2 years old...still a puppy). Sadly her story was similar to that of "Old Yeller". Still unsure How? Bella contracted rabies; even though she was up to date on all of her shots. On the night of October 14th, she was barking more than usual, but we went to bed and did not think much of it. The next morning, however, would be a day we would never forget. One of Braxton's daily chores was to feed Bella every morning. We awoke the morning of the 15th, to Braxton coming into Dan and I's room; expressing his concern about Bella. He said there was slobber all over the cement and Bella was trying to kick the side of the wall. Of course we got up immediately to see what was wrong. We looked out the back door window and she was staring at the wall (almost in a trance)? When Dan tapped on the glass, she didn't move, but when he opened the door a crack, she bolted across the yard as if something had scared her to death. He then called her name several times to come, but she acted as if we were complete strangers with her tail tucked between her legs. Without saying a word, Dan and I looked at each other and he said, "she might have rabies?" Immediate tears rolled down Braxton and Blaze's cheeks, because they have seen "Old Yeller" and knew the outcome of our morning would probably have a similar ending to that of the movie. Dan looked up rabies on the Internet and sure enough she had most of the signs. We learned that she could have been bitten or even scratched by a bat, skunk, coyote, or cat. Even though we have a tall brick wall surrounding our house, unfortunately all of the animals mentioned live by us. We never noticed a bite mark, but a tiny scratch could have done the trick up to two weeks before seeing any symptoms. We also learned that sometimes excitable dogs can become docile or scared; which is how Bella was behaving. With fear, uncertainty, and tears in our eye's, we hugged the boys and Dan took them to school. With Berlyn and Briggs by my side, I watched Bella closely from our glass door. Her eye's looked glazed and she would snarl at me if I called her name, but never came back to the house. She was not the same Bella...her soul was gone. In the mean time, Dan had stopped by the Veterinary Clinic to get a second opinion. They told him the rabies shot is not always effective and there is no sure way of knowing unless an autopsy of her brain was performed after death. Feeling worse than before, Dan knew it was only going to be a matter of time before the inevitable was going to happen. He didn't say much when he got home, but I knew the terrible job that was lie before him. I shed a few tears, gave him a hug, put Briggs down for a nap and decided to take Berlyn into town with me. It wasn't even 1 hour when I received a text from him informing me "it is done." Dan was very quiet when we got home and we had some quiet moments. Berlyn didn't understand what was happening, but cried with me. Dan had Bella buried behind our house before the boys got home from school. They were heartbroken and cried all the way home from school. Dan and the boys made a wooden headstone and I printed a recent picture and painted her name with birth and death date. We gathered around her grave as a family and said a few words about her, but mostly stood in silence. I didn't know it would affect us so greatly, but the entire week was filled with lots of love, tears and laughter between us. Braxton, being the mature individual that he has always been, said, "Mom...loosing Bella was hard, but we will be able to replace her...we would never be able to replace a family member if we lost them." It was so profound, and it reminded me how precious life really is. Bella was challenging for me and I only really bonded with her and learned to love her 2 months prior to her death. She was a hyper Mastiff who liked to jump. My focus and attention was mostly on Briggs because he was the priority. When I attempted to play or train her, I would end up frustrated instead. With all of that said, I grieved for her like I had lost a real family member and went through the 5 stages of grief. Since her death, I have reflected on the meaning of life and how we have to make the most of every stage because you never know when you have to "say goodbye".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGGS!

Happy Birthday Briggs!

Blaze is my right hand brother...always looking out for me!

Oldest and youngest! Braxton is a really good example of who I want to be like.

"Oh Shucks...!"

"Please read to me while I hold my new ball!"

"I love my new wagon, even though I can't walk yet. Why do I need to walk, when I have 3 sibylings to push me around?!"

"Thanks Richins Family for the Choo Choo Pop!"

"What could it be?!"

A very HAPPY Birthday Boy!

 

Trying to blow out the candle!

"I am having a grand old time!"

 

"Does it have sugar?...Then YES!!"

Just Chillaxin' outside eating my cake.

"Is this card really for me?"

"My first taste of FREEDOM"

Mo' money...Mo' problems!!

"Thanks G & G Willvie for a very "Special" card and money!"

 

What can I say about this SPECIAL boy who came into my life on September 17, 2011?! Words cannot describe my feelings for him. He has been a "medium" hard baby, but my heart melts when I look into his eyes and hear his sweet voice. I don't know if it's because he is my fourth baby or if I am a more relaxed mother. At any rate, he has made my life so sweet! I remember early on in my pregnancy; hoping for another girl...but I can't imagine my life without him. I love you so much Briggs and thank you for coming to our family!!

1st comes love...

August

Blaze is ready for his first day of 1st Grade!

Braxton is ready for his first day as a 4th Grader!

"Ah Mom...the sun is way too bright!"

Bella loves water just as much as we do!

Bella has a thing for Briggs:)

Braxton's cool Space Jet he made for scouts...painted by the "best" mother a boy his age could ask for!

Briggs enjoyed his first Oreo cookie!