Looking Back

On Bessie's funeral day I received word that my Aunt Jessie had died. She is my mothers sister. Kari and I went to her viewing last night in Midvale. I have to tell you that there were cousins there that I would not recognize if I saw them on the street, or anywhere else! There are a few that I knew, the ones we played with as kids and have seen at other funerals and weddings. But, there were some that I had no clue who they were. I feel bad that the family has been apart for so long. My kids didn't know any of the extended family that were from that side.
My mom had 12 brothers and sisters, so the families are all over the place. It's just that as kids we got to go visit and see them and it was great to know them. Now, I don't know them anymore. I felt bad as I walked through the line, I knew my cousins that were there and was glad to see them, but sad at the same time because they really don't know me either! Aunt Jessie didn't have kids, so she spoiled all of us when she would visit. She was little in stature but big in heart. I know that she appreciated the family that took care of her and watched over her home and belongings.
We are celebrating my mother and her twin- Aunt Myrts birthday on Saturday- They will be 80 on May 20th. There are only three of their family left. Their younger sister, Aunt Betty lives in St. George. I can see changes coming in our family, too. It's hard to see these things and not be able to do anything about them. I just hope that when the time comes I will know what to do to help my family through whatever happens.
I really hope that my kids and their cousins keep in touch and I hope that my grandchildren stay friends even after they are grown and moved away! They all mean more to me than I could ever say. I pray that they KNOW it!

Grandma Bessie

What can you say about a person who has been a big part of your life for over 36 years? That's about the amount of time that I have known this lady. I was dating Curtis and my first meeting was very intimidating. I was pretty shy around adults and I was totally unprepared to meet someone so straightforward and opinionated. It took me a while to get to know her for who she was and what she stood for. She helped me to can food every summer for my family. She sewed for my kids and taught me how to do my sewing better. She took care of my kids when I had emergencies and at other times when she could. She was invloved in Farm Bureau and got us started in it when we were young. She loved her children fiercely and wanted the best for them, no matter what! She eventually accepted me in to her family and was patient with the things that I did differently than her. She raised my husband to be the man that he is today, which I am so very grateful for. She will be missed in ways that may be totally different from anyone else in the family, only known to me, but she will be missed. I cherished the times I got to take dinner to her and visit while she ate. There were times when I didn't know if she would make it through another day, then she would rally and be great again. I felt for her when she would comment that she would like to either get better or die. Well, she got better! She is now preparing the places for her family to meet her again. She has left a legacy and I am a small part of it. Hopefully I can take what she taught me and pass it on to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wednesday will be our last good-bye and then it will be back to making life the best we can so that we will be able to meet her again and remember our times on earth! She took her next step and we need to follow the best we can!

More Malad

We spent Saturday afternoon at the ranch. We took Molly, Kaden and McKay with us and we had a great time! We rode the four-wheelers around and got to see places that we haven't been able to before. We hiked, took pictures, played, and the boys and Pokey (Our Dog) ran around until I thought they wouldn't be able to walk! There is still snow there, but we could get up to see the beaver ponds. The cranes were there and they were beautiful! Kaden named a pond "Quacker Pond" because there were some Malards in it and he named the valley "Rock Valley" because there were pretty rocks on the ground. I came up with a name for the ranch, but so far it hasn't gone over too well.. Crane Creek Ranch. We could call it C.C. Ranch then it would be Curt's initials also. He thinks we should keep thinking! Jim thinks it should just be Christensen Ranch, but I think we need a cool name too! We hope to be able to spend a lot of time there, because there is a super amount of work to do to get it up and running. I think it's beautiful, even though there is nothing there! Pretty meadows and streams, mountain views, trees and birds that are awesome! We picked out the sight where we will eventually build our cabin, it overlooks the one meadow and the road leading onto the ranch. Big Dreams.... maybe someday a reality! Then we will have room for everyone to come camp and play!!!

Second Try on Portraits

I decided to try to paint Dalan, since he thought I didn't love him as much as Brooklyn. (He thought I should do his first, I guess!) I have a long way to go, but at least you can tell who they are supposed to be. I am learning alot about painting with water colors through these exercises. I think it will get easier with each one I do. Watch out Molly...you are next! :)Final painting of Dalan!

Baileys update!

Bailey had her surgery today. It was more complicated than what the doctors thought. The growth (tumor, cyst, whatever it was) grew in to her jaw and around the permanent tooth that hadn't come up yet. They had to remove the tooth and a portion of the jaw to get it out. They sent it to the lab to see if they could tell what it was. She is still sleepy from the surgery, so I didn't get to see her when I went down there. Jenny said that she could be numb in her jaw area for up to 6 weeks. I just feel for her, having to go through surgery this young. I hope they got it all out and it won't come back. She is a tough girl, so I'm sure she will get better fast! That is one thing about being young, your body can get going much faster! I'll post more when I know more.

New Ranch

Well, it's official... we signed on the ranch in Malad, Idaho on Friday! We are sooooo excited for the new adventure that this will lead us on. It will be a change from the farming that we have been doing for so many years. We attempted to go look at it after we signed, it still was snowed in and so muddy that we didn't walk too far. ( I will know not to wear my Crocs next time, I absolutely ruined my socks and all I did was walk around the car to get in the other side!) We have been dreaming of this since we found out we would have to roll the land over after the farm sold. We can now settle down for awhile and maybe get the sleep that we both need. I didn't realize how stressful it really has been until we got home on Friday night. I think I had a small meltdown! Luckily I had some grandkids here and they got me back on track quick! We have big plans for the clean up and changes that need to be made. We have our friend, Travis, looking for Kari and the grandkids some horses. It is remote and there are no amenities at all. We will be pioneers for awhile until we figure things out. My family will have this for generations, I hope. It is for them and for our future family members that we may never know here, but we will in the eternities. Life is good. We never know what is around the corner, this time it was a good surprise. Now on to the next path; we'll see where that leads!

Update on Bailey

Next Wednesday is the day to remove the lump in Bailey's mouth. They think it might be what is supposed to push the baby tooth out... gone wrong. They'll know more then. She knows it has to come out, but you can't use the word surgery or she gets scared. Thank you all for praying for her and supporting us in this. It's been scary, I think more for us than her, she is doing well with it!