Time...

Time has a way of getting away from me.  It seems I'm busy all of the time and before I know it, another week, another month has slipped away.  Already since January we have celebrated my birthday, Weston's birthday, Bailey's birthday, Tad's birthday, Presley's birthday, Gunnar's birthday and Gunnar's baptism.  Mom and Dad celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in February, then we celebrated Tanner's first birthday. In March we had the arrival of Callie then the next day celebrated Trentin's birthday, Dad's birthday, spring break, and wow the year is one fourth over and we've been busy every single month.  We don't have any April birthdays, but Don and I would have been married 40 years the 25th of April...40 years wow!  Mom, Dad and I went to the Gilliam/Stover Family reunion in Nutrioso in April.  It was a lot of fun and it was good to see my remaining aunts and uncles.  Mom and Uncle Dennis are the only two Gilliams left.  Alvin, Carolyn, Sandie, George, Eddie, Van, Lawna and Cheryl are still left on the Stover side along with a whole bunch of kids. 
Easter was quiet this year.  Tad was in Nebraska working, Maggie and Troy stayed in Thatcher and Jenna and Weston stayed in Gilbert.  I had Mom and Dad over for dinner, it was quiet but nice.
I hate Mother's Day, I always have and I always will.  To me it is the day to reflect on my failures and shortcomings.  There are no do-overs, no taking it back, it is what it is and I hate it.  Tad got Ryker on the 18th of May for 2 weeks and it has been fun to have him.  Chelsea is in California with Robin and she has pulled Cache back out of Tad's life so we have the boys separated for two weeks which I think is bull s*#$;.  Ryker loves his dad and Tad is crazy about Ryker.  Ryker was pretty upset they other day when he was watching a dvd movie and it froze..."argh...Sadie got her finger prints on the dvd!"  I said what?  "Sadie got her finger prints on the dvd."  I was about to pull the movie out when it started again, "that's ok...it's working."  Poor Sadie just doesn't understand the rules about finger prints on dvds.  We went to Thatcher on Friday for the weekend.  First we went to Kamryn's ball game...the kids mostly played at the park.  It was fun to watch Kamryn, she's a pretty good ball player.                   
We were supposed to go on the reservation to fish but due to fires, the reservation was closed so we went fishing at a private pond in Pima.  The boys had a good time throwing rocks in the pond.  Fish weren't biting...Gunnar caught the only fish a small blue gill that wouldn't have fed everyone so we threw it back. 





The kids played, played, played and played.  We had 11 kids from 8 years to 2 months at Maggie's.  On Sunday we celebrated Kamryn's 8th birthday.  I can't believe she's eight.  She and Gunnar have grown up so much this past year.  I can see the wisdom in waiting until they are eight to be baptized...they understand so much more, they get it.  Kamryn will be baptized in July so we will all be back then. 

We have a few weeks off then we celebrate Ryker's birthday in July.  There were a bunch of really tired kids from the weekend, and Ryker will be visiting cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents before he leaves on Monday.  I will be sad to know he's going back to a travel trailer but can't change that.  I'm headed to the valley this weekend for Callie's blessing. 

These kids are what life is all about!

Welcome little one...

At 12:03 a.m. on March 7, 2014 I sat up in bed and had the thought "Jenna is going to call in a bit...she's on her way to the hospital."  There was a 2:32 time too... well 2:32 came and went but at 5:43 a.m. I get the call "we're on the way to the hospital."  I jumped up, showered, loaded up and was on my way by 6:30 a.m.  I got a text right around 7:00 that she is here...Callie Young Farnes is here.  I got to the valley right around 10:00 and went straight to the hospital and saw our newest little angel.  She is beautiful.  Short darkish hair, long hands and to me she looks like Brinley. 

Best of all, she was born on her great, great, great grandmother, Cordellia Melissa Morris Stover's birthday.  "Nary" as she was known was my great grandmother and I know to this day I was a favorite.  She was an only girl, my grandma, Geneva was an only girl, my mom, Doris was an only girl, and I was Doris' oldest daughter.  I was thrilled Callie was born on that day.  She shares that day with my Nary who always called me "sister".  She was kind, loving, hard working, talented, and a wonderful cook.  I miss her even now, 30 years after her death.  I have felt her presence and know she is on the other side pulling for me.  Callie, you have so many people on both sides of the veil that love you.  I for one am thrilled you waited until March to make your entrance and on such a special day!  Trentin's birthday is on the 8th and Grandpa Gilliam's birthday is on the 9th.  She didn't make her March 22nd due date - none of Jenna's babies have made their due date.  She is loved by her big brother Gunnar and her big sisters, Bailey, Brinley and Presley.  She is number nine and won't be the last.  I am blessed and grateful she is here safe and sound.

Coming From Behind...again.

The end of 2013 was unusual for me...I was cooking at Elk Camps.  Who knew?


It started out with my 58th birthday - holy heck...that's close to 60.  I'm in a good place in my life.  I am single, I am happy and I love my kids and grand kids.  I have good friends and family that I like to play with.  Life really is good.


Weston had a birthday on the 17th of January followed on the 22nd by Bailey who turned 5.  She is into "crap" projects, coloring, etc.  She tickles me with her love of food, ice cream in particular.  She will stay up all night if she has to to get some ice cream.  She loved pre-school and loves learning.  I picked her up at school on crazy hair day...her hair was pink and so cute.  Her daddy sent her flowers to her pre-school on her birthday and that little girl was in heaven!


February 4 was Presley's 1st and Tad's 30th birthdays.  Seems to be a pretty popular day... Clancey McBride, Gage Wiltbank, Tad and Presley to name a few share that birthday.  Presley is such a Jenna "mini me" that I can't believe it.  She's a cute little toot.  As the year progressed she is quite the mess maker with her big sister, Brinley.  They empty every toy and put on every princess dress in the house. 


A week later on the 11th Gunnar turned 7 with a bounce house party with school friends and neighborhood friends.  He had such a good time and it was fun to see him with friends from school.  he loves school - he gets to play boy things and rough house that he can't do at home with the girls.  He is such a good big brother and Presley LOVES her brother!  Gunnar loves to wrestle and play baseball and electronic games.  His mama monitors the electronics like crazy.  We got to go to Las Vegas in December to watch Gunnar wrestle.  He brought home a 3rd place trophy out of a million wrestlers - we were so proud of him.  February 9th was mom and dad's 60th anniversary.  60 years, can you imagine? 


Tanner decided that March was too long to wait and showed up 4 weeks early.  He was such a tiny peanut.  Sandy red hair - he is a good baby and Kamryn and Trentin love their little brother.  He is such a blessing to their family.  Tanner is still a tiny peanut - and has the biggest smile ever.


March brought Trentin's 5th birthday - we celebrated with Pizza and bowling in Show Low - it was a fun day.  Cold but fun.  Trentin does well in Head Start and will do well in Kindergarten.  He is a sports NUT!  Trentin wrestled too and it was fun to go watch him.  He and Gunnar both wrestled in St. Johns and both brought home 1st place ribbons!  Woot!  Woot!  I got to go to Disneyland and Sea World with Jenna's family in March for Spring Break.  It was so fun.  The older kids loved the beach the little ones liked the sand but not the water.  Sea World was awesome...so relaxed for everyone - I think that was my favorite.  Jenna and the kids came up for a week during their Spring Break - the kids all have a ball playing together.  Daddy turned 80 on March 19th... I still remember when he was 33 - funny I remember that year but not any other milestone years. 


April...can we catch our breath?  Not a single birthday!  Hooray!  I'm not even sure what happened in April anymore.  Guess it's good we stay busy every month with birthdays.


May brought the end of a good school year for Gunnar and Kamryn.  Kamryn turned 7 on May 26th - she is such a quiet little girl sometimes.  She also can be a poop like her mother, too.  She's a little feisty.  She does well in school now that Troy and Maggie have settled down.  She really struggled when they were apart and messed up.  Kids suffer the consequences of our choices.


June warms up so that we are so anxious for the summer rains.  Jenna and the kids came up and spent a week and the kids had a ball.  They were up and out of the house early and not back in until after dark.  They played in the ditch, flashlight tag, trampoline, park, Maggie's house, up and down the street...they all had so much fun and freedom that I think they truly had a great week here.  Tim got married on the 1st of June in Tucson.  Tad, Brianne and I took mom and dad and stayed at Jays.  It was a nice wedding and mom and dad enjoyed their little trip.  In June the Yarnell fire took the lives of 19 firefighters and was such a tragedy.  I was so selfishly happy that none of my nieces and nephews were fighting that one.  Bood Hall was the incident commander and took that really hard.


Ryker turned 2 on July 7th - that is Trace's (Emily's little boy's birthday, too) He is such a smart little guy and like his dad will talk to a rock.  He talks all of the time.  Dr. Wilson said his communication skills were exceptional for his age!  He loves his daddy and Tad loves his boy. 


Tad and Brianne got a house together on Poverty Flat road - their relationship is pretty rocky at best.  She claims to be pregnant and due on my birthday with a girl.  By July we aren't seeing a baby bump.  I heard that she was drinking at Tim's wedding in Tucson in June...  They had a nice bbq at their house on the 4th - then we all went to the fireworks.  Kresta spent the night with me.  She and other firefighters walked in the parade to honor Yarnell Hotshots and local firefighter Michael Pena who died in a car wreck the end of June, too.  That was too touching, I cried when they walked by.


Jenna and Weston went to California for a Young reunion for the 4th of July so the 4th was different for us.  Jenna's kids started school the middle of July!  That's still SUMMER...she hates that part of living in the valley.  Gunnar is in 2nd grade and Bailey is in Kindergarten at Riggs Elementary.  They both like school...Bailey in particular.  She LOVES learning.


Brinley turned 3 on August 4th - She shares that day with Sarah.  I missed her birthday.  Weston was going to Alaska so they did it early.  Jenna and the kids came up for Valerie's wedding on August 10th and then I went back with them for a week while Weston was gone.  Jenna has her hands full, that's for sure.  Brinley is such a little mess...I love her!  She loves makeup, dress up, dance, ballerina, mermaids, princesses, anything frilly and girly.  She is my "drinking buddy"...she loves to share my pop with me.  I was busy with the ATV Jamboree and Trophy Elk Contests at the same time.  I am crazy and I over do and get burned out.  I have to figure a way to cut back...


The 10th annual ATV Jamboree was held in September.  Tad called and asked if I would be interested in cooking at Elk Camp at Josh Ranch again in September...the hunt started on Friday after the jamboree was over so basically I was home for three days and gone again for 13 days.  It was a lot of work but fun.  I enjoy the hunters and they seem to enjoy my food... a win win for me.  As it turned out I cooked in September, October, November and December...I left home in September and was home two or three days an gone again until January 14th...  I felt like a stranger in my own home.
Maggie turned 29 in September.  Where has the time gone? 


My mom turned 76 October 16th.  She is getting forgetful - tells the same story or asks the same question many times in a short period of time.  It makes me sad.  Daddy is her world.  I hope and pray that they go together.  One will be lost without the other.


In November I went to Datil to cook - Tad and I were never in the same camp until December - that was for 2 nights...we passed each other like two ships in the night.  I was blessed to be able to pay my bills and buy my pellets for the winter.  Can't ask for more than that. 
Don would have been 61 November 1st - I still get mad at him for missing the best part of life.  He truly would have loved all of these grandkids...and they would have loved him.  We all miss him  all of the time.  Tanner has been sick a lot and the Dr. did some tests that came back inconclusive and they are sending him the Phoenix Children's hospital blood disorders/cancer unit.  We are all concerned for him and pray that it is nothing.  He is still a little peanut.  Smart as a whip and a good baby, just small. 


December 3rd was Troy's 35th birthday; Jenna turned 33 on the 9th and then we had Christmas...we all went to Vegas the 1st weekend in December for Gunnar and Trentin to wrestle.  They did ok...6th place but not their best.  It was still fun to go watch them.  Tad, Kamryn, Maggie, Tanner and I were all sick for Christmas.  I got the bug about noon on Christmas day and the next day was horrible.  Vomiting, diarrhea, yuck...for three days.  The kids got me an Ipad for Christmas.  I was so shocked but am so happy with it.  Cache turned 5 on the 26th.  Chelsea and the boys spent Christmas day with us before she went to Las Vegas.  It was good to have them here.   Maggie and Troy moved to Thatcher during Christmas break and I went to Datil to cook on New Year's Eve.  Really a different New Years for me.  I was out there on my birthday, too.  I turned 59...do you know how close to 60 that is? 


Cache had an incident at school where he was spurring another little boy and Chelsea called Tad to talk to him.  It was determined and decided that Cache can call Tad what ever he wants, it's his choice.  He chose "dad"...Tad was so happy.  Another incident at school caused Chelsea to visit with a therapist who told her that she and the boys were "blessed to have Tad" and that they were blessed that Cache chose him to be his dad.  One step forward...


Life is good.  I have been blessed way  beyond my worthiness.  I am so grateful for my own kids, their spouses and extended families and my sweet grand kids.  Jenna is bringing us up to 10 in March with another little girl.  We are blessed!

Datil Just About Do It...

I started cooking for Van Hale's Trophy Outfitters last September when they needed a fill in cook at the Josh Ranch for an Arizona Elk Hunt.  Tad called and wanted to know if I would consider it.  Being me, I couldn't say no, but you have to know I was as nervous as a cat.  I can cook, but for total strangers?  What do they eat?  Marsha Ziegler who is the Head Cook told me to make up a menu for the week, go to the store and cook.  Tad's hunters were a father and son from the Valley - Bruce and Rex Neely.  Brad Hale's hunter was Ron Smith, a dr. from North Carolina and his wife, Jill who came along for the trip.  It was quite enjoyable and they all complimented the food and when all was said and done, I got $600 in tips!  Now that was a blessing in itself, bought my pellets for the winter.  Fast forward to August 2013 - I get a call that they need a cook for Josh Ranch for two hunts, one in September and one in October - both small hunts...well again I can't say no.  I had two hunts back to back in September and two hunts back to back in October.  It was a lot of hard work but fun.  I thought about my great grandmother, Nary, who was a lumber camp cook for many years.  She fed lots of hungry men three meals a day without the luxuries I cook with.  I had a nice new kitchen to cook in with a six burner gas cook top, double ovens, two refrigerators, a warming drawer, two dishwashers and a microwave; all things she never even dreamed of.  There were times when I thought of her I felt her "Sister, you can do it."  Nary always called me "sister" and I loved her so much and I KNEW she loved me.  Well, Tad said that Van told him the hunters were very complimentary so that was good, huh?  I got a call on the 10th of November...they needed me to cook in Datil.  Datil?  are you sure?  Well on Thursday I came out and cooked for Shane Sass, Jeremy Walker and their hunters, Chris Curtain and his son, Grant.  Jeremy and Chris are hunting on the AZ/NM border and staying here in Datil a 90 minute drive!  Shane and Grant are basically hunting on the other side of Hwy 12 - a 5 minute drive.  Day one, nothing.  Day two, nothing.  Day three - Grant has a kill!  Yay!  He's a nice 5 by 6 and Grant is very happy.  I'm cooking chicken fried steak for his celebration dinner along with Tad's blueberry cobbler.  Sounds like a winner.  Shane has loved my cooking, don't know if that goes back to him being at my house 24/7 as a kid or if it's like Tad says.."you name the day and we can tell you what we're having to eat".

Tad says I might even cook in December - I don't mind AFTER after my Vegas trip.  Gunnar has been invited back to Vegas for wrestling and I'm going.  Last year was priceless.  When he won his final match, his coaches, Jerry and Scott were jumping up and down and "high fiving" each other.  That is a sight I will never forget.  Last year I got to cook for Tad and his hunters at Josh Ranch - this year he's in Datil when I'm at Josh or home when I'm in Datil.  He has Ryker today.  I guess Ryker had a melt down when he thought he was going to my house and Tad went to Larry & Nola's instead.  They had to call me so Ryker could talk to me.  I love that little toot. 

Jenna called and said she finally got her car back - I guess when Brinley saw it she said "Yes! Our black car! can we watch a movie?"  Well the suburban is white and that is Brinley.  I love her kooky personality.  I love that she has to have her make up on before she leaves the house.  I love that she is obsessed by mermaids - she is one, you know.  I LOVE being MOMO SADIE to 9 of the cutest little people on the planet.  Life is good and I am blessed.

Finally Fall

The summer was beautiful and wetter than I have seen it in years.  We had almost 24 inches of rain from July 4th through the end of September. I was so grateful for the help with my new lawn.  It looked great!  Summer was busy and ended with me being busy 24/7 getting ready for the 10th annual ATV Jamboree.  I looked forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  I was humbled and honored by being selected as the Bill Stinson Volunteer of the year.  I didn't expect that and truly was surprised.  Rick Carey, Kevin Kness & Bev Parker were here for the first time in two years.  I was happy to see old friends. 

Van asked if I would be interested in cooking for Elk Camp the 13th through the 27th...I did it.  It was hard work but I earned thirteen hundred dollars to catch up on.  I was worried about being able to buy my pellets for the winter but the Lord does provide.  I am blessed in spite of myself and I do recognize Heavenly Father's hand in all things.

Jenna called a few weeks ago...she is expecting baby number 5.  She found out on the 28th that they are having another little girl.  Poor little Gunnar took the news kind of hard, he really wanted a baby brother.  Maggie also called a few weeks ago and she is pregnant with baby number 4.  Tanner is going to be a big brother and he is such a peanut.  Both girls are pregnant together for the third time and due probably within 6 weeks of each other.  I am excited that we have two new babies coming.  I feel so blessed to be a mother and grandmother.

Tad and Brianne split up and I can't say that I'm sorry.  I am sorry for the emotional hell she put him through and the games.  I truly believe she is borderline nuts and certainly puts new meaning in the word "crazy".  After faking a pregnancy that we all doubted for over 5 months she conveniently miscarried during the jamboree but never told Tad or me.  She couldn't tell either one of us because we would know for sure there was never a pregnancy.  Cuckoo...

Conference weekend is such a special time.  I enjoy listening to conference and pondering the talks.  I always hear something that was directed to me.  Again, Heavenly Father knows me and what I need.

Gunnar and Trentin both participated in a wrestling tournament in Queen Creek a couple of weeks ago and both took first place.  I was so proud of them.  I saw Gunnar's video first and broke down and cried as I watched him totally dominate and win - then I watched Trentin's video and broke down again.  These two boys worked so hard and did such and awesome job.  I am so proud of them and love them beyond measure.

Jenna and the kids came up last Monday.  It was a horrible trip from the word go for her... the kids didn't feel good, the car broke down in Show Low, the kids got sick, and it kept getting worse day after day.  She finally loaded up and went home Friday morning at 4:00...I felt so bad for her. 

I am trying to finish up on the Trophy Elk Contest and then I'm going to the valley for a couple of days to visit - hopefully everyone will be well.  Yep it's been a busy summer and fall so far...

Prayers Answered

It is so dry in our State and during the Granite Mountain Fire Tragedy the news said that the last time there was "normal" rain and snow in the State was 1992 so that means we are in year 21 of a drought.  When we went to Tucson for Tim's wedding I was so surprised when the Gila River was bone dry as was every other creek, wash or pond that we saw.  When Tad was moving in June I had to take some diesel to him just across the New Mexico State line and and thought that there wasn't a hint of green grass anywhere except on the highway where any moisture at all will run to the edge of the pavement.  We got a rain on the 30th of June and everyone just new our monsoons would start the 4th of July.  They did to some degree...it rained a little a couple of days.  It was announced in church that there would be a community pray for rain day on the 10th at 10:00 a.m.  the rain came and it rained hard.  Prayers answered.  The next day the rain came and it rained hard and fast.  Prayers answered.  It has been pretty much raining everyday and last night it rained just about all night long.  There are puddles of water in my driveway and in Stephen's driveway across the street. It's still cloudy and looks like it could rain some more.

Early morning clouds

The puddles in the driveway

Prayers answered.  I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father does hear and answer prayers. He knows our needs, our wants, our desires and blesses us with our needs and forgives us for our wants and desires.  I look out and see my new green grass and am so grateful for the prayers answered.

Front lawn 7/162013

Front lawn 5/26/2013

Side Yard 7/16/2013

Side Yard 5/26/2013

Side Yard 5/26/2013

Back Yard 7/16/2013

 I am grateful for the beauties that surround me, each and every one.  I love the smell of the air up here, I love the sound of cars going to and from work. I love the smell and sounds from the sawmill across the road. I love hearing the doves cooing in the front trees.  I love watching the birds fight for seed in the feeders.  I love where I live and I love the summers here.  I wouldn't trade them for anywhere else in the world.

Look Who's 2...

Ryker Damar Allred...a real heart breaker.  So cute, so sweet, so loving.  I am so happy he's one of mine!
He LOVES his Dad and his Dad loves him.  He was helping his dad irrigate and I went down and snapped some pics.  We will have a birthday party when he gets home.

Not so sure about the cold water...

A penny for your thoughts?

If Dad says it's ok, then it must be ok...

SOS...capsized boat

Yep, it is ok!

He looks so much like Tad did at that age.  Makes my heart smile when I see him.  He LOVES to talk and will talk your leg off.  Gets that from his dad, too.  Dr. said he communicates exceptionally well for his age (that was back in January or February).  He came to this world with something to say - that may be an Allred thing because Brinley is the same way.  Well heck, I bet its a Rogers thing!