HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE!

I just wanted to take a moment and tell my wonderful husband Happy Anniversary! Babe I love you more than anything in this world! Thank you for loving me, being so kind, caring, supportive, loving....I could go on and on...I know I am not always the easiest person to be married to especially with my health nightmares but you always stand by me...and love me unconditionally.....

Here is to the rest of our lives together Sweetie!!

Love you TONS!!!!

Airports/Airlines -the things that suck...

If you have been following my very sporadic blogging you will know that I have been doing a lot of traveling lately....As I was walking thru DIA (Denver International Airport)on Friday night I thought for just a moment about how I should seize the "un-expected" extra time and update my blog..Needless to say it didn't happen, but not because I didn't have the best intent but rather as the title of this blog states "Airports/Airlines the things that suck"....So I decided to enlighten all of you with my thoughts on Airports & Airlines...

First and foremost can I say "SECURITY CHECK" bless the lovely TSA folks that have to deal with us impatient travelers that just want to get thru....those of us that just want to by-pass the making sure all liquids, gels, aerosols etc are smaller than 3oz, and making sure ALL of it fits in ONE (yes just one that is all you are allowed) of those cute (note the sarcasm) ziploc bags...no I am not talking the gallon size ones just the regular good ol' sandwich size ziplocs...which is really hard to do. I arrive at security after presenting my boarding pass and drivers license (mind you they look at it look at me look at it look at me) and get some snickerish remarks about the fact that my DL picture shows me w/light brown hair and currently I am blonde! Ok hello just cuz my hair color changed doesn't mean I am a terrorist! Anyhow finally I am at the part where I have to strip down taking off my shoes, belt, bracelet, coat, sweater etc then proceed to dig my laptop out since it has to be in it's own tub...Finally I think I got everything....after taking up 5 bins and a lil round one for the odds and ends....I proceed to walk thru the detector thing that really likes to beep at me...I set it off then you hear loudly "SECURITY CHECK" everyone turns and looks at me..they guide me to a "special" screening area and do further wanding inspection...The wand gets to my lower back and it beeps I say as I said as I walked thru in the first place I have metal in my back...They proceed to wand me several more times before finally letting me go on my way....I know all this jazz is to keep us safe but my heck give me some sort of "hall pass" on screening! And honestly what am I going to do hi-jack the freaking puddle jumper plane??? Holding up my bottle of hair spray and using my tooth brush as a knife??? Ok ya'll have heard enough about security.

Point 2...If I book a round trip NON-STOP flight....that usually means I DO NOT WANT TO STOP! I mean seriously here are my choices from flying out of my cute lil' airport an hour away....There is the ta da 6 am Denver flight and the oh so appealing 2:15ish Denver flight...and last but not least the late fight to guess where???? Denver...Did you notice my choices?? All 1 location Denver..no where else...I don't get frequent flyer miles w/this lovely airline so I really am earning nothing when they decide as we are on the tarmac with no bathroom yes ladies and gents there is NOT a bathroom on the plane...no beverage or snack service to top it off my lil' airport when you go thru security there are no vending machines to buy a drink...So basically for the flight which isn't bad only an hour I am bathroom and drinkless which I guess in theory is a good combo, however when again you are on the tarmac and they say and by the way we are stopping in Alamosa to pick up some more passengers and it is no big deal...I pop up and think in my heat it is a BIG DEAL I did not plan on an extra 1.5 hours so I need a drink I have cotton mouth and I drank 3 cups of coffee before I arrived at the airport since it was only 4 am when I left my house!!!!!!! Of course I have to use the lil' girls room they won't let me get off in Alamosa so I concentrate very hard for the duration to not kill over dead from dehydration or wet the seat I am sitting in.

Point 3 if you are going to call it a crew doesn't it have to be more than 2 people??? "The Crew" Our lovely flight attendant for the trip is none other than the co-pilot...who goes thru some stupid safety information then plays an overhead instruction on how to use our seat cushions as flotation devices...Um HeLLo we are flying over the MOUNTAINS i am thinking if we crash there isn't a way in hell we are going to make a safe water landing...At this point you can't really hear the overhead instructions on how to get out safely because the engines twin propellers are cranking and anyhow I am to distracted to pay attention cuz I sware I see Fred Flinstone running beside the plane getting us up to speed so we can take off....even if i wasn't distracted by Fred I wouldn't be able to understand anyhow since I reach for my ear plugs so i can at least hear myself think...think about the fact that wow I am the only passenger on the plane...or why they made me sit in the back for weight reasons, or why I saw them throw sand bags in the cargo area, wondering if by some crazy insane possibility we do a crash landing into the water and we all know I didn't listen to those instructions.....

Point 4...Delays I know reality is there are always delays, but that being said it is really nerve wracking when you are in the terminal waiting to board and all you hear is flight 5678 is delayed for mechanical reasons, flight 1498 is delayed due to electrical problems. On Friday I sware the entire time I was there not one flight got out on time, including mine which was supposed to depart at 8:56pm when we finally boarded around 10 getting our hopes up only to sit in the freezing damn plane for 30 mins getting de-iced....Mind you they had given us ~15 different times we were supposed to depart by the time we finally did...Seriously just be realistic don't tell me we are going to depart in 10 mins when our plane is not even there yet!!! I guess my point is....don't make it sound better than it really is especially when my poor hubby is standing by waiting to hear from me so he can drive to the airport to get me!!!

Point 5....lost luggage...you probably are wondering why I have all these liquid rules and why I just don't check my bag since they aren't limited in size if you check it...Well it all has to do with the fact that I did check my bag once...and if you recall I only have 1 destination I am not switching planes not going further than Denver yet they managed to loose my luggage??? How in the heck??? I give up so I just plane side at least I know I handed it to the trustworthy co-pilot that is standing next to the plane as I board....Why is he trustworthy? Cuz he is flying w/me and you can bet your bottom dollar if they can't find it when I land I have someone that I KNOW I can yell at....

Needless to say I am sure the TSA and an"un-named airline" employees just love seeing and dealing with me every other week. (I still have a few more trips to make hence the not naming the airline, as I might cause myself some bodily harm who knows maybe they will try and do a safe water landing just to prove that you should listen..

Now that you have all seen the fact that my patience are running a little thin and clearly I would not be a good fit for a job with TSA or the Airline's I will leave you with one last thought.....

Really if this all didn't happen what would I have to complain to all of you about??

Slacking-yet again

Well as you can see I have yet been slacking again on my blogging. Life is just to busy that is what I have determined, I thought after Christmas things would just slow down, but reality is nope they are just as busy. Christmas was great we had such a good time. We spent Christmas Eve at our house and our good friends Bryan & Jymi came over and we hung out. Christmas Day we did the traditional opening presents and such and we were invited over to Jymi's parents house for Christmas Dinner. Of course not being with all of our extended family was different but at the same time it was really neat to be part of a family function yet be so far away from our own. All of Bryan and Jymi's family are amazing at including us in family stuff since we don't have family down here. I am truely grateful for all of thier acceptance and love :) You guys are awesome!

Mom & Dad came down the day after Christmas and spent the weekend with us, other than Dad getting sick it was a really nice time. It was good to see them since it has been a while. Thanks for making the trip Mom & Dad!

We have been keeping busy of course now that I am traveling to Denver every other week leaving on Tues morning (at butt dark early) and getting home at 1130 at night on Thursday's makes for some serious much needed attention to the kids, house, dogs etc. Jim has been great about trying to keep the house tidy while I am gone so I don't come home to a disaster. Also Bryan and Jymi have been great about helping with the kids if Jim get's paged out while I am gone and so on. I am so grateful for thier friendship, love and everything!

The kids are all doing great! Darrien has offically come off his attendance and grade contract meaning his attendance and grades are much much better YA! Connor and Patrick are having a great time with scouts and playing thier new Wii video games. CJ has been having a blast playing with his friend Machiah. Aubs is obviously playing with her friends and also dance has started back up.

Well other than the normal everything is good here on the Walker front!

I also want to send get well soon wishes to Kaitlyn! She just got her tonsils, adnoids and ear tubes taken out! She is such a cutie and a trooper!!! Get better soon beautiful!!!

Thanksgiving

My friend Marcie inspired me to post all the things I am thankful for! Marcie thanks for the great idea!

This Thanksgiving is going to be the hardest one I have had in a long time, actually in my entire adult life. Every year we have always been around extended family. Last year all of Jim's family made the journey down here to spend it with us and it was such a great time! This year Jim is on call and all of our family is going to other places which is really wierd for me. My brother, sister, Dad and my beloved Mother were always always at my house for the Holiday's this year I won't have that and I am not exactly sure what to do? Honestly I don't know how to cook small. I guess I should be grateful that I have my immediate family around.

so here are the things I am thankful for...

Darrien the smartie pants he is
Connor for his hugs, snuggles & kisses
Patrick his random stories and imagination
CJ his beautfuil eyelashes and his laugh
Aubrey her outgoing personality
My wonderful husband need I say more? Actually I do Jim is my rock, my foundation, my best friend, his love, his kisses and most of all the way he makes me feel I love him so much I don't even know of any words to say to emphazise it any more
My brother Kylon he is always there for me
My sister Michelle and her crazy stories that make me laugh
My Mom even though she is not by my side physically she is in my heart
My Dad his crazy stories and his love
My Gramma Tanner she is the most caring Gramma a gal could ask for
My Mother & Father in law how they have accepted me and the kids in thier life and love us
My job especially during these times even if some days I feel like pounding my head against the wall
Jim's job him being able to save lifes
My home...even if it is not always the cleanest it is our Home
And of course my friends who I love dearly
Even if my health isn't the greatest I am thankful I am alive and not as bad off as I could be
All of our extended family that we love

There are so many things in this world to be thankful for! I have learned to not take things for granted because plain and simply life is to short!

I am thankful for each one of you and how you have made a difference in my life!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love you all!

Happy 9th Birthday Connor Aldon!

9 years ago today at exactly this moment Connor Aldon came into this world. He is such a special kid and boy are we glad we have him! He is the peacemaker the one that protects the others, you will often find him reaching out to Patrick to make sure he feels important, he will read to his little sister and help clean up around the house. He also is a very loving little boy there isn't a day that goes by that Connor isn't giving Dad & I kisses and hugs telling us how much he loves us, and not at the normal times like bed time either.

Connor you are such a special lil man, I am so proud of you and who you are. Dad & I love you so much and hope you have a wonderful year!

Happy 9th Birthday Buddy!

We LOVE you!

9 things I love about Connor:

-His compassion
-His love
-The way he tells a story so into it!
-How he protects Patrick
-His hugs and kisses
-When he turns his head and smiles at you
-How he has to have his blue blanket to go to sleep each night so he can play with the "nobbies"
-How smart he is
-How strong he is, his ability to fight like heck when he needs to!

Adventures in Dentist's

Can you all take yet another story from the diary of the Walker Family? I guess that really isn't a question since if you are reading this you must somewhat get a kick out of the adventure's we seem to have in our house. Anyhoooooowwwww...here goes the story of the Adventures at the Dentist....

Monday morning Aubrey wakes up saying my tooth hurts...me thinking she just doesn't want to go to school "Aubrey you are fine, now hurry up so you aren't late for school" she comes home from school and goes to play with a friend. Around lunch time I get a phone call that says Aubrey says her tooth is hurting can I give her some Motrin...I say sure hang up and pound my head against the wall for not listening to her, buck up and call the dentist. We were able to get her an appointment for 4:30...Mind you this is the first really BIG thing Aubrey has had in her life. Never had a shot (no I don't immunize her), never had to give blood nothing. So we get there and they do an X-Ray they see that her tooth is BAD I mean to the point the infection went down into her jaw!! Can I just tell you I feel like the worst Mom ever!!! Dr. Miller tells me there is a very slim possibility to save it, but the pain wouldn't be worth it since it is a baby tooth so we decide to pull it....

We get the happy gas on her and of course she gets all happy and giddy it was actually quite hilarious. At one point she became quite un-girly like and started tooting!! I said "Aubrey say excuse me your a girl" Aubrey's reply "NEVER giggle giggle giggle" this had us all laughing pretty good. They started the anesthesia and she was such a big girl no tears nothing...it was good...until Dr. Miller tested the tooth and it wasn't numb...UGH...so we had to move up to the "high pressure" numbing stuff...mind you I am getting really nervous now..and this time the shots hurt her she had alligator tears and everything....I am trying to hold back tears of my own and then....finally this stuff started working and we were able to get that puppy pulled out!!! WHEW is all I could say....

After we got home she was actually in pain poor baby and she didn't want Mommy how sad is that???? she wanted Daddy who was out tilling the garden...so I go outside and tell Jim Aubrey wants Daddy, so he comes inside dirty boots and all Aubrey says "Daddy I want you to hold me it hurts" For those of you that know us well know that Aubs and Jim don't always see um let's say eye to eye they actually butt heads quite a bit so I am really surprised by all of this...Jim proceeds to take off his boots and get Aub's comfy blanket and cuddles with her all night!! It was the cutest thing actually even if my feelers got hurt I am glad that Daddy and Aubs are getting closer.

Needless to say Aubrey is now a member of the. "I lost a tooth club" at school, she got a nice present from the tooth fairy can you imagine 5 bucks!!! tooth fairy must have deep pockets now days LOL! (or be a total sucker, i am going with that one) She was proud to go to school today and even pose for some pictures of the gap now in her mouth.

I guess for the first experience it went as good as it could have....unless it wouldn't have happend in the first place..but then again these are the days of our lives!!

Kitty Meow

Jim & I had to make a sad and heart wrenching decision regarding our Kitty better known as the fat cat that lives under our bed.....Kitty has been with me for 7 years now, honestly I don't even know how old she would be.......as I seem to have this weird ability to inherit animals from other people. I inherited Kitty from the owners of the house I rented next to the church. She has been a good cat, very quiet and shy she doesn't like crowds or kids probably why she decided to make under our bed home. She ruled the house though even though she was a hermit, the dogs knew not to mess with her unless they wanted a good butt whooping, Cloe (my friend Jen's cat who I am watching) wouldn't mess with her either. The kids knew that if she was on the bed they better not come close or they might loose a finger lol. However every night without avail she would come out from her "hiding spot" climb up on the bed and lie on Jim's chest and purrr....we both came to love this about her she would morph from being this grumpy fat cat to this loving cuddly kitty.

Kitty lived a good life full of love, joy, food and family. Her physical ailments were starting to get the best of her and we wanted her to go in dignity so we decided to put her to sleep. On Thursday morning the vet came to the house and gave her some sleepy medicine. Jim was able to hold her until she was calm then I took over. Kitty peacefully passed in my arms at 8:23 am. Jim had to go teach a CPR class so it was all on me at this point. The vet offered to take her, which we had decided we were going to do, however I couldn't bring myself to let her go when it was time. Instead I wrapped her in her favorite blanket that she would kneed and buried her in the yard. Kitty will forever have a place in our hearts and our home.

We will miss your fiestyness, spunkiness, purring and love in our lives. We love you Kitty!