Ive received a request to start up my blog again. Kymbre has moved to Texas and is living with my brother and Denelle. So, here are some quick updates of the past year:
San Diego - Robb, Jazz, Bobby and I went to Sand Diego for our summer trip. We had such fun. We went to a Padres game, we did baptisms at the temple. (One of my favorite temples. It looks like a castle.) It was such a wonderful experience to spend the morning with the kids in the temple. So peaceful and such a reprieve from the crazy world we live in. We also spent time at the beach, and, we did something that made me able to check off something from my bucket list. We visited another country! Unintentionally. It was one of the scariest two hours of my life. After we got done going to the temple, we decided to drive to the border, just to see what it looked like. We assumed that you would have to show your passport to get into Mexico and none of us had one, so, when we passed the huge Mexican flag and the Mexico sign, we were all very excited! We're really here! We were snapping pictures and having a blast, until we actually hit Tijuana. Then, stuff got real, very fast. It was like nothing we had ever seen. We couldnt find our way back to the interstate. Every exit that said USA was blocked off with huge cement slabs. We thought we found our way out at one time and started driving when we were waved down by this nice fellow. (Ya, right.) Remember, we just came out of the temple. Robb has his white shirt and tie and we are all in Sunday best clothing. Im sure this nice young man had dollar signs flashing in his eyes. Little did he know that we really were broke. Anyway, he told us that we were going down the wrong way and we would get a huge fine if we went that way. He said he would help us back out if we gave him 80.00. Robb tried to explain that we had no money. He kindly showed Robb the way to the ATM. By this time, another man is with him. They walk Robb to the ATM. This leaves me and the kids sitting in the car by ourselves. I start thinking of all the 60 Minutes Ive watched that talks about teenage girls getting kidnapped and living a life of prostitution and I honestly become very afraid for my daughter. If someone snatched her, we truly wouldnt be able to do anything. I work with ladies who are from Mexico and they constantly tell me that the police there are corrupt. Luckily, the ATM is broken. They are still demanding money and Jazz pulls 20.00 from her wallet and they leave. One problem over, but,we are still stuck. We drive around with no luck. I decide that its time to pray. As we are pulling over to pray, the police pull up in front of us, grab this man from the street and shackle him in the bed of their police car. After we pray, Robb drives to where I swear we had been 20 times before, but, we drive right to the line to get back into the United States. Our ordeal isnt over yet, though. Like I mentioned before, none of us have passports. It takes us two hours to move up to where it is our turn. Right when we drive up to the border agent, Robb is honest with him. "None of us have passports." "What?!" So, Robb explains what happens. The border agent says, "You didnt see the huge yellow sign that says LAST AMERICAN EXIT?" No. He then walks to the backseat and looks at Bobby and Jazz. "Where did you get these kids? Did you buy them in Tijuana?" He then looks at us with a smirk. I had never felt so relieved in my life.
This really was a very traumatic experience for us. Robb and I were planning on going to Cancun for our 25th anniversary that December, but, changed our minds. We never wanted to go to Mexico again.
It seems like everywhere we go, we have an adventure. I do love our life and we did get a good story out of that trip.
The week after Christmas we went to Wyoming. I missed my mom and dad and we knew that Bryant wasnt doing very well and we wanted to go see them. It was so nice to see my mom and dad. Milisa also came down and we kept Faith with us for a few days. We played with Jadalie and Annalynn. What beautiful nieces I have. We visited some other friends, hit the spots you need to when you go to Wyoming, but, the highlight of the trip was the day we spent with Jolleys at Cottonwood Cabin. We used to go there in high school, to mostly do things that we shouldnt have been doing. The day was just perfect. Bryant had been feeling very sick and weak, but, this day, he felt good. We just sat and talked and laughed. So wonderful. Even the weather cooperated. It was sunny and just gorgeous. The minute we started to leave, a storm blew in. The sky turned dark and it got very cold. We then went out to eat and then went and hung out at my mom and dads. I am so very thankful for that perfect afternoon we had with Jolleys. Something that I will cherish forever.
Jazz was able to participate in a program the high school put on called Every 15. It is about drunk driving. They picked kids from all walks of life to participate. The reason they did this was so every kid in the school could relate to someone who was participating. We knew Jazz was chosen as a couple of weeks before, we had to sign permission slips as well as write an obituary for her. I couldnt even attempt to do it for almost a week. One of the most difficult things Ive had to do. I was an emotional wreck the whole week. On, Thursday, The Grim Reaper came into the classrooms and tapped the chosen kids on the shoulders. They were to get up and leave without saying a word. After an hour or so, the junior, seniors and parents of the kids chosen met in front of the school where a mock accident had occurred. It was very realistic, as you can see with the pictures. From the very beginning of the wreck, from where dispatch made the call to the emergency service personnel, we were able to hear everything over a loudspeaker. They really went all out. Ambulance, fire department, police, the life flight helicopter came. They arrested the driver, and eventually, Robb had to take the other boy to the mortuary. It didnt end at the scene, though, which is what I really loved about this program. The parents of the kids they took to the hospital were told to go there. One of the girls died in the hospital. The parents were informed after they got there. The boy that was taken to jail, actually got booked and went in front of a judge. And, the boy that Robb took to the mortuary, well, his parents had to come and identify him. Robb said it was very emotional. This boy is one of Jasmines good friends, so we know the mom and dad. It didnt even end there. The chosen kids were taken to a hotel for the night with no cell phones, where they had the county coroner come and speak to them as well as the police. They also did some team building activities. These kids all became very close. The parents met that night for a debriefing. We also did some team building activities and wrote letters to our kids. "Jasmine, every 15 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk driving accident. Today you were killed and I didnt get to tell you . . . " The kids also wrote the same kind of letter to the parents.
The next day, we all met in the school auditorium where they held a funeral for the kids. They all came in and stood behind the casket. One of the sweetest senior girls attempted to sing Amazing Grace while all her friends stood up there "dead". She had a tough time. There was not a dry eye in the school. One student and one parent read their letters. They then had a woman who lost two of her boys in a drunk driving accident speak. The whole week was very emotional. I hope it had as much impact on the kids as it did on the parents. What a great opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful program.
April 10th, we lost one of our best friends. Bryant Manning Jolley. Robb and I were fortunate enough to be able to go to Wyoming to the funeral. We stayed at Dawns for three days. Robb sang at the funeral. "Go Rest High On That Mountain." He struggled, but did great. I was so proud of him. It was a beautiful service. My sweet friend, is struggling so much. I wish I could take some of her pain away. She is lost without Bryant. She has known nothing else for the past 25 years, and for the last two, her whole life has been keeping him alive. She is just lost. I pray for her and the kids everyday. I pray that she will be able to feel The Lords arms around her comforting her. I pray that she can find peace. Its hard being so far away.
Here are some pictures of Jasmines Junior Prom. I dont have to say how beautiful she is, because anyone who isnt blind can clearly see it. She had a blast with her big group of friends. They went hiking in Zion for their day date.
Bobby and I ran the Color Me Rad in St George. Im so thankful that my teenage son still likes hanging out with his mom. (Its because I'm so hip. ) We had a blast.
On a side note, we have Hope and the kids living with us for a little bit. So, I thought I would throw in some pictures of my crazy grandkids. They have made my quiet, clean, organized life a small, out of control tornado. But, thats okay. I wouldnt change it for anything. They keep me on my toes, they keep me busy and they make me smile. The best part of my day is coming home from work and hearing squeels of Grandma and getting leg hugs. I have a pretty great life.
There you go
Kymbre!!
