Phone Dump...a million pictures of things you probably don't care about--but I love them anyway! :)

I just got a new phone (Sprint sucks, by the way), so I had like 700 pictures on my memory card to go through and transfer to my computer!  Yikes!  Some of them are junk--but some are just awesome, and they need to go in my book, so here goes...
Cub Scouts has been my calling for 4 years now--so I have lots of these pics!

 Lots of pics of Jack--he is the only one left at home!  Love this kid!

 Josh's Raingutter Regatta...not too shabby!  :)

 Random headshots...

 Cosmic Bowling, Yummy dessert, face painting, haircuts, good lookin belly dancer, and BATMAN!

Christiaan won state, Anniversary surprise, Jack is an indian, Abby is Egyptian, Lunch out, Carousel, Todd being Todd, Erin chillin', laundry sucks, etc.

 Jack bangs his head up--A LOT!  Mother of the year yet?  NOPE!

 Funny camera pics...

 Emie got asked...and answered to prom...Gorgeous!

 We got a DOG!  Can you tell?

 Random pics...Utah, Oceanside, Lake Powell, Women's Conference, graduation, etc.

 People over here are WORN OUT!

 Roadtrip Pics...Vegas, Utah, Lake Powell, Beach, Girl's Camp

 Kinda love my family...never a dull moment!

 Some of my favorites...things I've made or just LOVE!

 It's been raining!  A LOT!  The kids loved all the water--until they got eaten up by mosquitoes!  Bottom left corner is my favorite!  Puddle jumping!

Finally, no matter where you are in the world, if you want to feel God's love, just look at a sunset. Beauty is everywhere--and I'm grateful.

The Justice System Sucks...(and other thoughts I should not be having on a beautiful Sunday afternoon)...

UPDATE ON THIS POST:  Today I found out that I have a creepy blog stalker in Oklahoma who's been reading my blog.  You want to know how I found out?  They sent a letter to my lawyer.  Seriously?  What a jerk.  Yes, creepy blog stalker from Oklahoma--I share my feelings and my frustrations on my blog. So sue me. Go ahead. P.S. Oklahoma Sooners suck, and I hope they choke like they did last year.  That was just thrown in for good measure.

Warning:  Pity party, hormonal-fueled crazy lady rant, and brutal honesty ahead--read with caution!

This weekend, we got more news on our lawsuit, and *surprise*--the news isn't great.  Actually, we should be jumping up and down, because for 3 weeks now, all we've needed is a signature by a judge on a pending judgement that says we win our case.  But for 3 weeks now, said judge has been to busy, or to tired, or to whatever to sign the dang piece of paper.  Nevermind that for 2 YEARS now, we have been in the middle of this litigation, and every deadline has been met with another, softer deadline (we found out that deadlines, in lawyer speak, are soft, or hard, and neither mean a dang thing), and the people we're suing are thrilled at the pace at which the justice system works.  One of them is a lawyer--so that tells you he went into this knowing what was going to happen--unlike me.  So there they sit, in Allen Funeral Home, the business we built, the business they bought (but never paid for), and here we sit...WAITING.  Waiting for a stupid signature on a stupid piece of paper, that says, what we knew all along, YES, they owe you the money.  So I should be happy, right (my lawyer thinks so)?  But I'm not.

On Friday, we get a letter from the people who bought (but never paid for) the funeral home.  Now, they are interested in negotiating a settlement.  But they don't want to pay me money...NO, they want us to BUY the business back from them.  Now that they are facing a judgement worth over 800K, now that they have destroyed the business that we built--and it is doing fully HALF of the cases we did, now that they have put us through four years of  HELL (not to mention financial ruin), now that we have paid a lawyer for two years to deal with their constant stalling, and evading, now that they are facing a judgement that would put them on the hook at last, and destroy their credit--NOW, they want to sell the funeral home back to us.  You don't want to know what my exact words were when Todd asked me what I thought about the letter.  It had something to do with how they could shove something up somewhere, and it had a lot of 3 and 4 letter words that a nice Mormon shouldn't use, and it really wasn't nice. Certainly something I shouldn't type or think on a Sunday afternoon (but I do). Everytime I think that I have made progress, everytime I think that my heart has softened, (it really has, I couldn't even talk about this a year ago without breaking down), everytime I think that we are finally making some progress on this lawsuit, and there is an end in sight.  Every time, I am disappointed. I am just so tired of all of it, and so tired of the process.

The justice system in this country SUCKS.  It is totally ineffecient, and completely corrupted.  You are at the mercy of a judge or a number of judges, who know nothing about your case, and a lawyer, who gets paid by the hour whether anything happens in your case or not.  In our case, the other side wasn't even paying a lawyer, which meant they could stall or put up road blocks at every turn.  Do you know that in this civil court process, I have actually gained respect for the ambulance chasing Accident Attorney?  At least they have to get results to get paid.  I am just tired of this process, and bitter, and fully aware of the fact that at the end of this horrible ordeal, all I may get is a piece of paper with a judge that we have never met name on it, that says, "Yes, you were right."  Do you know what I have to do then?  Hire ANOTHER LAWYER to go after these people and actually try to collect money from them, which could be another years long process, and an entirely different game altogether.  aaaaaaaaaAAAAHHHH! 

So there you go. People told us these things about the justice system, but we were just naive.  We really thought our case would be different, the contract and purchase note were cut and dry. They were written by a LAWYER after all!  And here we are now, 2 years later, and no closer to justice than we were the day we walked into our lawyers office.  It's absolutely mind boggling, which brings me to my next point, when you go to church or people in your family say, "Trials are there to make us better people." Or, "Everything happens for a reason." Or my favorite, "You will look back on your trial and be grateful for it!"  I heard it in testimony meeting this morning.  I hear it all the time.  Heck, I've said the same thing on this blog--trying to make myself feel better! Your trials make you better, make you stronger, make your testimony grow.  I just sat there today and thought, what in the world are they talking about?  Maybe some trials are just that--TRIALS.  They are not meant to make us better people, or make us more patient, or more kind, or more loving, or more forgiving.  Maybe some trials are just to there to let us know that life sucks! That everything isn't fair!  Maybe some trials have nothing to do with us at all--but are caused by complete jerks that we have no control over! Even with time and perspective, I'm absolutely sure I will never look back on the last two years and be grateful for this trial, except to look back and realize that it finally ENDED--if it ever does-- (and right now, that is not anytime soon).  Do you know what this trial has taught me?  The great, earth shattering life lessons I've learned?  Well here you go--here are just a few:

*Don't trust anyone--and don't trust your instincts about people.
*Sometimes even some decisions you've fasted, prayed about, and gone to the temple to confirm your feelings about can be wrong.
*Don't be naive.  People that are naive get taken advantage of.
*Don't tell people during their trials that "everything happens for a reason", or "you should be grateful", or "at least you're alive, not dead".  It's not all that helpful.  In fact, sometimes it's hurtful.  Some things happen for the reason that people are stupid and make stupid decisions--and they don't need you to patronize them about it.  In fact, sometimes the best thing you can do is say, man, that SUCKS!  Because it does.
*Judges get paid by the state, and they have no reason to do things quickly or efficiently.  No one can question them, so they are pretty much God--and they know it.  I wonder why they feel like they don't need to hurry.  Duh.
*Not every trial makes you a stronger person.  Some of them make you bitter and resentful.  If you're still reading at this point, that is quite obvious.

Now, I apologize if you suffered through that whole post.  Wow, am I a brat or what (and I warned you about the PMS)?  Maybe you think I just have a bad attitude, or I need to be more prayerful, or I just need to go to church, or read my scriptures more.  Never fear, I'm doing all of those things.  Isn't it amazing that even doing all of those things, I sound like Satan's mistress on this post? 

No, I shouldn't be thinking these things on a Sunday afternoon. But I am. I'll just try to keep on swimming.

Legacy Funeral Home...

It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since we decided to go ahead and open up a new Funeral Home, which later became Legacy Funeral Home.  Trust me, it's been a LONG road, and one fraught with new challenges and trials, but it has been such a blessing to get Todd back to doing what he's good at, and what he loves to do.  Legacy Funeral Home has been such a blessing to us, as we are still dealing with the aftermath and lawsuit from selling Allen Funeral Home.  It has given us hope, and it has helped us to stop focusing on ourselves, and our problems, and get back to the work of fixing them, as we serve others.

This last week, we had the opportunity to serve a family from our old ward in Mesa, and some of our dear friends. Our friend died suddenly, with no warning, of a massive stroke.  He bore his testimony on Sunday, and collapsed on Monday morning, never to regain consciousness, leaving behind a young wife, children, and some grandchildren.  For me, funerals are always a reminder to be mindful of our mortality, and tell others how we feel about them each and every day.  Life is precious, and we never know how much time we have.  As I talked to this mans widow at the funeral, she expressed to me how kind and loving Todd has been to their family.  She told me how much she appreciated him helping her, and how grateful they all were for him, for his kind, compassionate demeanor.  It's amazing to me that over the years, I have heard this again and again as he has served thousands of families. It is truly what he was meant to do, and I think when my husband crosses over one day to the other side, there will be many there to thank him for how he served them. It is truly a sacred profession, the kind of profession not everyone gets to enjoy.  I am so grateful for him, and the way he sacrifices time with his family to help other families in their time of grief.  It's not always an easy profession, but it is worth it.

I was down at the Funeral Home yesterday, taking some pictures for our website, so I thought I would post them here.  We are in a great location, on Arizona Avenue, and Knox Rd., in Chandler, and feel so blessed that we were able to find a building in an area of town we have wanted to get into for a very long time.  Sometimes, when times are the most challenging is when God shows us the most blessings.  We are grateful for our new business, grateful for a new start, and grateful for a Heavenly Father who shows us tender mercies daily. 

Take a look at our building, and come visit our website!  Click HERE...

Back to School!

I sure have a lot of catching up to do on posts in the next few weeks--I will be back dating them, but I hope to get these 600 pictures I have from summer edited and at least post some of them!  It was a whirlwind summer!  We had such a great time--and there was just no time to blog!  Need to get back to the routine, and I'm sure I will in due time.  Today, the first day of school,  I got more done than I did in a week all summer.  It turns out that I work better in a quiet house--who knew?  Oh yeah, I did! It's why half my posts are after 11:00 p.m.!

I did manage to get traditional first day of school pictures--all of them posed for me--some more excited than others for school!  I am so happy to get back to a schedule, and so happy for my house to get a break from all of these kids!  We both need it...HA!  They all looked so cute for the first day!  :)

Twas the Night Before School Starts...

I first posted this a few years ago, but it's our back to school tradition! Enjoy!...

Is It Time Yet???

'Twas the week before school starts, and all through my house,

There was no rest for the weary--namely me or my spouse.

The new backpacks were hung by the back door with care,

With Mom and Dad hoping Aug. 10th soon would be there.

The children weren't spending much time in their beds.

Visions of video games danced in their heads.
And mom in her sweatpants and I in my cap,

Couldn't remember the last time we had a nap!

When in the family room there arose such a clatter,

I rose wearily from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away from my sight children flew like a flash
"I didn't do it" I heard them say in a mad dash.

When what to my wondering eyes should I see,
This HUGE MESS staring back at me!
Someone must be responsible--this is so lame!
I yelled and I screamed, and I called them by name:

Hey ABBY, Hey JOSH, come here ASHLIE SUE!
Yes EMIE, and ERIN, and JACK come here too!
From the front room door to the downstairs hall,

Clean it up, clean it up, clean it up ALL!

I'm tired of this house always being a dive,

If it's not cleaned in five minutes, you might not be ALIVE!

Your Mom is too tired, and your Dad is worn out,

Torturing parents is what summer is about!

So we are hanging in there, just one more week,

It's peace and quiet, and solitude that we seek!

So parents everywhere--it's a call to UNITE!

Let's get the kids back to school--

and then we'll PARTY ALL NIGHT!!!!!!

Summer is Flying by, and I Can't Keep Up!...But I managed to make it to Girl's CAMP!

We got back from the beach, and I went straight into Girl's Camp mode.  I was called as Assistant Camp Director this year--FINALLY!  I have been practically BEGGING everyone I know in the ward to go to Girl's Camp for years.  Apparently I finally found the right people to beg!  We had the sweetest camp director that I worked with--who was so much fun!  We had one last week to prepare, then left for camp on Monday of this week.

Girl's Camp was amazing.  It has been 20 years since I went to camp--can you believe it?  The last time I went to camp was the year I graduated, and me and my friend Misty went as YCL leaders for the third year.  I will never forget that last year--as I sent a missionary off the day before camp, and my parents drove me up while I was bawling in the back seat, wondering how I would ever live without him.  I spent the whole week in despair, wondering where he was, what he was doing, and how I would ever stop missing him.  Funny how things seem SO important when you are a teenager (who thinks she's in love).  A year later, I would have met Todd, be spending the summer dating him, and be engaged that fall.  Wow, how things can change in a year's time!  I knew it was right--and eventually he did too, but girls camp that year has always been a special memory, since my friends and family gathered around and helped me to smile, and be happy.  Girl's camp is a happy place, and has always held dear memories for me.  

This year, Abby and Emie were both at camp with me--I was Abby's cabin mom for her 1st year, and Emie went as a YCL for her first year.  Erin did the high adventure camp for 4th years--and WOW was it an adventure!  They hiked for 15 miles with frame backpacks on their first day--and slept out under the stars!  For someone who doesn't hike--or camp very often (she is my child, after all), she did great, even though I worried, and fretted, and murmured at times!  Isn't it amazing--how we think our children can't do hard things--and then they go and prove us wrong?  She hated it--but she did it, and she amazes me!  Great job Erin!

Our stake loaded up 4 buses with girls and their STUFF!  WOW! That doesn't even include all the leaders that drove up to prepare for them coming!  We have a HUGE stake with 10 wards--and over 200 girls!  It was amazing that they could organize it so well!

We had a cruise theme this year--and our country was the United Kingdom!  We had so much fun decorating, and making our cabin look awesome!

 I was in charge of the SKIT!  YIKES!  We ended up doing our own version of the One Direction Song, "That's what makes you beautiful"--replacing it with our own group, Right Direction--with "That's What Makes US Beautiful"!  It was really cute--the girls did such an amazing job!

 Sis. Erickson taught this ward time on "Looking Up to the Lord".  We tied all of our problems and frustrations we wanted to be free of, and prayed that the Lord would take them for us, like he has promised. What does it mean when my problems were the ones that got stuck in the TREE?  I guess the Lord doesn't want them either?  Haha!

 It was Abby's 12th Birthday at CAMP!  We pranked her with silly string--and the girls decorated her bed to welcome her to beehives!  So much fun!

Our ward:

Our Stake: