Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Mathias's in Oregon

We had a great trip to Oregon to see Tammy & Ammon and family. What beautiful country! We really enjoyed our visit with them and all the Allen & Geraldine Mathias's! We've adopted their children in our grandma/grandpa hearts! Their family is wonderful. Here are a few pictures of our trip. I have TONS more.
It was so hard to leave them - but I know they are happy and where they are supposed to be.

Friday, October 17, 2008

My 100 Day Challlenge

On September 22, there were 100 days left until the end of 2008. I made a personal challenge to myself that I would exercise 5 days out of 7 each week and read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. I'm please to announce that today is day 75 until the end of the year and I have been successful to this point. Yeah!!!! My daily routine has been to wake at 4 AM, throw on my exercise clothes and drive to the gym at Higley & Baseline. I then do about 40 minutes of cardio/fat burning (elliptical, treadmill, stairstepper, or bike) while reading the Book of Mormon and then about 10-15 minutes of weight lifting/circuit training. Then I will shower, throw my wig on and get to work by about 6AM. The man who checks me in at the gym always looks at me pretty funny - when he sees me coming in looking like I just got out of bed (which I did) and then an hour later when I leave I have perfect hair - aren't wigs great! I'll put my face on (you know, makeup!) at work and then get on with my day. It feels so great to exercise each morning. I actually look forward to it and I have an internal clock which wakes me up on time each day.....unfortunately even on Saturdays and Sundays. I love reading the Book of Mormon each morning - such a great start to each day. It will be no struggle to finish the Book of Mormon before December 31, 2008.

Latest exciting news - A NEW GRANDBABY IS ON THE WAY! Rick & Tammy announced that they are expecting their 5th!!!!! OMG!!!! Jenny and the new baby will only be about 13 months apart! Whoops!!!! This new grandchild will be number 22! How blessed we are.

Don & I are going to Coos Bay, Oregon on November 7-10 to see Tammy & Ammon and family. Allegiant Air had some $29 each way fares (to which they added taxes, seat fees, luggage fees, priority boarding option, change reservation options, etc.....)So instead of it costing $29 each way per person - it is costing about $60 each way per person - which is still a great deal. We will fly into Medford, Oregon and then will have to drive about 170+ miles to Coos Bay. Tammy and Ammon will either pick us up or we will rent a car. We'll see. I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE MY MATHIAS BABIES! I miss them so much - not to mention my sweet Tammy and entertaining Ammon. Oh how we miss his animated stories.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Mathias Update

Mathias's got to Coos Bay yesterday (Wednesday 8/20/08) during a rain storm – but their vehicles did make it upppppp the hill ok using their 4 wheel drives pulling the trailers. Last night after the kids were all in bed (13 of them total – ALL under 11 years - OMG!!!!!!!) the power went out. Evidently when it rains the trees get so heavy they fall over on the power lines. Evidently a common occurrence. Tammy said the couches are more comfortable than sleeping in the car. They don’t have the motor home there yet for them live in – but hope to soon.

Their cell phones do not work at their house. But they do if you can happen to catch them in town. Internet only works during the mornings and evenings!

Alexis is excited about having a girl cousin who will probably be in the same class as she is. They haven’t got enrolled yet in school, but there are no foreseeable problems.

Jacob learned that you eat when the food is put in front of you. They don’t have snacks at their house. He chose to not eat lunch yesterday and got hungry around two – but learned that food wouldn’t be available until dinner time! Tammy said that her children will learn all about living in a huge family, without her and Ammon having a huge family!

Even though things were rough getting up to Oregon – Tammy and Ammon still feel good about their move. She sounded good!

Ammon’s brothers name is Allen and his wife is Geraldine. They have 9 children all under 11! Geraldine is evidently a saint – Allen leaves early in the morning and doesn’t get home until around 9 pm.

I’m missing them…….I think they’ve gone back in TIME about 10 years or so. It will be an interesting adjustment for them all. Lots of changes – but she did say IT IS BEAUTIFUL up there.