Happy B-day to my son Clay, 11 yrs old!!!

I seriously can't believe that Mick and I are the parents to an 11 yr old. It just doesn't seem like 11 years have gone by since we've had him enter our lives.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant with Clay I knew he was going to be special. He is the spitting image of his father, with the attitude and determination of his mother! From his first word "tractor" to him wanting to do everything on his own we have always known how special he would be. We are blessed to have him!


Clay loves to: go to Hells Canyon, drive Grandpa's boat, fish for sturgeon, bass and trout, usually can out fish most he is fishing with. Run the rapids with his grandparents and jump off sturgeon rock when he can.. He learned to water ski behind the boat this summer.



He loves to tear things apart and then tries to put them back together. He is tough, likes to play hard and get dirty. He's a protector when it comes to his sister. (Even if he doesn't think I know this)

He got his hunting license last fall, loves to go turkey, goose/duck hunting. He is Mick's shadow, anywhere he is Clay wants to be. He wants to do everything that Mick does and I think sometimes they act more like brothers than parent/child. He looks up to Mick, see's how hard his dad works and wants to be just like him when he grows up. I don't think he has a better role model than his dad..


He is smart. Gets A's & B's in school, loves to play baseball and football. This year he is going to venture into wrestling, his grandpa wrestled when he was younger, so he will be there to give pointers.


Clay is almost as tall as his mom, skinny like his dad, has long legs and beautiful hazel eyes. He hates to wear his glasses and wants to wear his contacts all the time.

Clay has definitely shown Mick and I the different aspects to being a parent. He challenges us like any kid does and also proves to us the rewards of our parenting. I am aware of how challenging the next few years will be for us, but I hope that the relationship that we have with him will only get stronger. I hope that he always comes to me for advice and that he always holds our family true to his heart!

I thank God everyday for bringing Clay into our lives. We adore and love him so very much!!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy, I hope the next 11 years are even more special for you!!!

So much has happened...

Well I have found my way back to the blogging world. SOO many things have happened and changed since my last post.
Let's see, where to begin. After almost being at my job for a year I decided to quit due to some unforeseen circumstances with one of the Dr's. It was not expected, just one day had enough and decided that I had better leave. It was very sad as I adored all of the gals that I worked with, but it is what it is and I am now back at home and have been for the past month.
We moved out of the house at the end of July and to our surprise we moved to my parents. It was kind of on a whim, decided in less than a week. At first I had a very hard time with it. I know it was my pride telling me that I am 30 ys old and I haven't lived at home since I was 17, what in the world am I doing??
After a lot of discussion, tears shed and Mick pretty much telling me that this is what we were going to do, I agreed.
My parents have been very generous, the have given up a lot for 4 additional people to move into their house. They have spent money where they didn't have to and re-arranged the house to accommodate the kids.
Clay has my old room and Michayla has Amanda's. Mom & Dad were nice enough to buy us a 31ft camper with slide out. **Originally we were suppose to move into Dad's shop, but I think after he really thought how little time he would get to spend in his second home, he decided to offer something else to us** We really have appreciated it. It isn't bad, a queen size bed, couch, table/booth, bathroom, bunk beds in the back, A/C, heat pretty much anything you could ask for.

Mick and I are able to spend a lot of alone time together. Every night we put the kids to bed then we come in here and have 2 whole hours to talk adult talk, and not worry about those little ears listening in.

I can't remember the last time I have played so much Uno, Aggravation, Battle Ship and Yahtzee. We have been having a fun time together as a family. We always eat dinner together every night. This move has definitely made our family have an even deeper bond with one another, my parents included.

This move will allow Mick and I to pay off some debt, save money and hopefully be able to buy a house next summer. Mick has a new job that he starts this Monday. It couldn't have come at a better time. One good thing is the benefits start in 90 days, something we've done without for too long.

The kids both start school on the 31st, I can't believe that Clay will be in Jr High, the same school Mick and I both went to and met each other at. 6th grade will be completely different for him, I hope he does well. Michayla will be in 3rd at a school just back behind my folk's subdivision. She has to walk to school something I am not too sure about yet. For now I will be walking her, she will ride her bike every day, good exercise for me I guess!!

I can't believe that Clay will be turning 11 years old in less than a week. Where has the time gone? Way too fast, he is almost as tall as me, and quite handsome.

A lot more has happened but that's a quick run down for now. This Sat is his B-day party and I'll be back to update about school. Clay has his orientation next Thurs to see his classroom and meet teachers.