Odens Oasis

Oh my goodness...so many going ons....

2011-10-04T13:56:00.000-07:00

Ok I don't even know the last time I updated this blog so here is just some random ramblings......

In February I quit my job to go back to school full time for Special Education. In March I hosted my first annual Spring For A Cure for Children's Tumor Foundation and we raised a little over $1500 for research for Neurofibromatosis. In May we hit 1 year post chemo and since all MRI's had been stable we moved to MRI's every 4 months!!! In July we took Kyle to his first NF summer camp in Prescott, AZ. It was so much fun and we made so many new friends. We have enjoyed going to the ASU football games again this season.

Kyle started Pre-kindergarten and loves it. He is growing up so fast!!! He was also selected to model halloween costumes for Phoenix Children's Hospital and will be on Fox 10 Morning Show On October 10th!!

I have also started up couponing and started a frugal living blog www.mycheapandcheerfullife.blogspot.com and I started up my medical blog again www.luvmyNFboys.blogspot.com so it keeps me busy.

Bennett was called to teach Elder's Quorum and I was recently called to Primary for sharing time.

So that is some of the crazy things that have been going on around here....

Please help spread the word.....

2011-03-15T14:30:00.001-07:00

This little girl has NF like Kyle. But she has a high risk plexiform tumor on her leg. Insurance wont cover the expense.

They have moved up her surgery because her tumor grew 4 times it size over the weekend. We are not talking weeks, months or years. We are talking days!!

I cant imagine what this mom is going through and yet it is something I fear everyday.

Please help spread the word.....

http://munciemenn.blogspot.com/

life at mannchester estate: The word is...: "Our appointment today went. That's it, it went. It was with a developmental pediatrician. She is phenomenal. We didn't walk out knowing ..."

2010-09-17T20:05:00.004-07:00

Spring For A Cure Carnival

I am planning a fundraiser for "Children's Tumor Foundation". CTF is a foundation that supports families dealing with Neurofibromatosis. They currently are making great strides and have drugs in clinicial studies. They hold conferences to help and support families, they have a lot of literature available and help the NF community come together and support each other.

There is currently NO cure for NF. Families are left to deal with the devastation it can leave behind. As many of you know Kyle has a brain tumor on his optical nerve. After 13 months of chemo the tumor is only stable and he is permanently blind in his right eye. This has been a tough year and I cant sit by and not do something to help others and to help improve Kyle's future. I have met many amazing mothers who loving are strong for their children. I met a mom with a 5 yr old girl who had to make the incredibly difficult decision to have her daughters leg amputated. I met another mother that didnt get to make a choice. The choice was made for her and after her sons NF turned malignent he was gone in a year after a brave fight.

There is NO cure for the condition that rules the lifes of our children. What will you do to help find a cure.

Please check out http://www.springforacure.blogspot.com/

for more information. The carnival is tentatively set for March 5, 2011. I am in need for volunteers. The carnival itself will run for about 3 hours and then set-up and cleaning. Even if you can only help for a couple hours. Anything and everything will be so appreciated. We are also looking for concession food machines (popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs), Photographers, businesses or groups to sponsor carnival booths, & printing services.

Chemo4Kyle Fundraiser

2010-02-21T15:20:00.002-07:00

Our HUGE fundraiser for Kyle is this next weekend. February 26/27 from 7AM-5PM at 238 S. Olive, Mesa, AZ. Come on out we have a wide variety!! Something for everyone. Also search on Craigslist for larger items we have! Please leave a comment or email chemo4kyle@yahoo.com with any questions.

2009-11-08T08:10:00.004-07:00

Our 1 bedroom/bath apartment is for rent. I am attaching pics and the description is below. If you know of anyone that needs a place please forward on the information.

1 bed/bath

full size washer/dryer

Storage area

Small back porch area

Built in shelving in closet

Tenant pays electric/trash

couple blocks from Temple, close to downtown Mesa, couple miles from Light rail

Brittney or Bennett 480-325-9034

br_oden@msn.com

Apartment for Rent

2009-10-30T19:41:00.001-07:00

Please see our post here http://odensoasis.blogspot.com/2009/06/apartment-for-rent.html for details and pictures.

Amazing Success!!

2009-10-25T08:40:00.002-07:00

Our hearts are overwhelmed by the great success we had a couple weekends ago with the fundraiser. We couldn't have done it without our many wonderful family, loved ones, friends and honestly some very giving perfect strangers.

It was a crazy ride getting it organized, accepting donations, trying to sort and price through everything and then the whirlwind that was the sale. It started out in my mind as just a simple yardsale. I myself was gathering things off of freecycle and craigslist to try and gather a few things. Then my sister helped me with a flyer and it took off from there. The sale and donations we received were beyond any expectations I might have had.

Bennett and I would like to offer our sincerest gratitude to everyone who helped make this a success. I know there are people that we will never be able to personally thank as so many people helped, so many in fact that we will never know.

May the Lord bless you and your families for the generosity and kindness you have shown our family in out time of need.

Fundraiser

2009-09-25T20:10:00.005-07:00

We are having a fundraiser for Kyle October 9&10th. I am posting the flyer my sister Starr made for it. If you have any questions please let me know.

Christmas in July!

2009-07-10T15:36:00.004-07:00

July has arrived with hotter days and we find ourselves trying to stay indoors and think of cooler months. Our family has a few projects to keep us busy. We are excited to share them with you, our family and friends. First up is a service project for the Oncology clinic where Kyle is receiving his weekly chemo treatments. After discussing several options with our Social Worker Gina we decided to make stockings for the clinic for Christmas. I have already started to plan this with my mom. Our goal is to make 100 string quilted stockings by December 1st. My mom has generously donated several boxes of Christmas fabric scraps. We have been ironing & sorting these scraps into pieces that will be easier to work with. I am excited to organize a few service activity nights where we can all come together and work on this wonderful project. We were trying for a date sometime this July but with Mom trying to get Bennett off on his mission I am thinking this wont happen until August and then we will have another one or two in the Fall. So stay tuned for more details. If you would like to get started or think you cant make it to the big activities please let me know and we can arrange to get you some fabric. You can help by sewing, ironing or sorting fabric. All help will be greatly appreciated as our goal of 100 stockings seems like quite the undertaking.

Now our 2nd project is a fundraiser to help offset some of the rising medical bills and expenses. We will be doing a yard sale/bake sale sometime in October. My sister Marian in Utah was going to host one as well but she is afraid she wont have enough time to organize it and pull it off before it gets to cold up there. She is however going to do something, we have kicked around several ideas. So if you are in Utah and would like to help her organize something or paticipate in her fundraiser please contact Marian in Utah. If you do not have her information please let me know and I will get you in contact with her. Now for the one is AZ if you have any items you would like to donate or would like to help with the bake sale or in any other way please let me know. If you have things you have been meaning to get rid of but haven't found the time to take it to goodwill or DI just let us know. Don't get out in that heat when we will come do it for you!

Our family is grateful for all the Lord has blessed us with. Including many wonderful family and friends. Thank you for all the prayers and words of kindness. Thank you to those individuals who have come over to help my family or have offered other assistance. We pray that Kyle will heal in the Lord's time and that we may continue to be blessed with patience and peace during this time.

Love,

The Oden's

Bennett, Brittney & Kyle

Apartment for Rent

2009-06-14T09:21:00.003-07:00

Well people keep bugging me to update my blog. But between working 10 hour days, taking care of Kyle alone at Night (Bennett is working swing shift), treatments on Friday, and taking care of Kyle over the weekend there isn't much time for anything else.

So here is a new post. One out of necessity. Our 1 bedroom apartment is still for rent. The description is below as well as pictures. We have lowered the rent and are now over $100 below the other one bedroom apartments we have seen in our neighborhood. If you guys have any questions please let me know. Please feel free to hand out our contact info to anyone you know needing an apartment.

Thank you

1 bed/1 bath

Fullsize washer/dryer
Small outside porch area
Storage area
Tenants pay for electric/trash
Hardwood floors
Built in shelving in closet
couple blocks from temple
close to downtown Mesa & Light rail

Contact: Brittney or Bennett 480-325-9034
br_oden@msn.com

Update...We are going where now? How do you say that?.....

2009-03-04T06:53:00.002-07:00

So I am sorry I know I didnt get an update posted as soon as I would have liked. Here is the run down and below is the latest update. We ended up having to go for an MRI. Kyle was so congested I wasn’t even sure they would do it. What a stressful day that was. Then the next day our appointment with the pediatric neurosurgeon was cancelled because he was sick. So we met Monday with his associate. In the meantime we took Kyle to the pediatrician because his cold didn’t seem to be going away. He had a double ear infection. Then Bennett got sick...went to the doc and he has a sinus infection. Then this last weekend I got sick and I am debating if I should go to the doc because it has been a week now. Ok back to our appointment with the neurosurgeon. He referred us to a Geneticist...A what? And how do you say that? Anyway, even though we pretty much knew this tumor was caused to Neurofibromatosis with Kyle gets from his dad's side of the family we had to get an official diagnosis. So that Wednesday we were back up at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Only to have that specialist say he hadn’t looked at the images of the MRI yet. I would have been so frustrated but this doctor is really nice. He actually carries a little black doctor’s bag around! So he gave the diagnosis without any further tests (I was very relieved) because he had to markers for it. He said to call him back Monday to see if he had reviewed the images or to remind him to look at them. Below is that update.....

We heard from the Geneticist yesterday. He said that he had a chance to look at the MRI images and something does need to be done with the tumor. It is pushing the eye out 3mm. At this point Kyle has little to no vision in that eye. So the doctor is hoping that whatever medical treatment we go with will restore most if not all of the vision to his eye. He said that they will be reviewing Kyle's case at their next Oncology conference next Wednesday. I am supposed to call him Wednesday morning to remind him to call us back with what they decided on. He is leaving Friday for 2 weeks so he said I am to call and bug him until I get a hold of him. I assured him that wouldn't be a problem! ha ha So by next Thursday at the latest we should know what they want to do for treatment. Once again we will let you know when we hear anything. Thank you for the continued support. We have truly felt our Savior's love and blessings through this.

But I am just here for a pair of cute glasses

2009-02-16T19:39:00.002-07:00

We took Kyle to the eye doctor thinking he might have a lazy eye. From everyone I had talked to I figured our options were 1) do nothing 2) eye patch 3) cute pair of glasses or 4) surgery. Well when the specialist came in he said he was really concerned with the vision in his right eye. Kyle didn't really react to anything the doctor flashed in front of him when he covered the left eye. The doc said he wsant really using his vision in that eye. He was also concerned because Kyle's right eye sticks further out than his left one. When we dilated the eye he said there were signs of pressure on the nerve on the backside of his eye. He said it was swollen, irritated and showed some signs of hemorrhaging. He said it could be a bone growth, a tumor or something else (i cant remember what he said). He just kept saying he was concerned (which wasn't really helping me stay calm) and that we needed to get him in for a ct scan as soon as possible. So if they couldn't get us in soon he told us that he would have us go to the ER so they could get it done. He said they would call us by end of day last Thursday to let us know if they got us an appointment of if we need to take him to the ER. I left thinking but wait I was here for some cute glasses.

When we went for the ct scan I was running late because I initially went into the wrong building. There are a lot of building at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Anyway we went to admitting and they put a bracelet on Kyle. He didn't like that at all. I thought oh no this is going to be rough. They finally called us back. The tech was a really nice guy and asked if I thought he would lay still. Well I honestly didn't think he would. But the tech said well lets try anyway. So we went in the room and there were Disney cut outs all over the walls and the machine. They had a hand held dvd player for Kyle to hold and put on Nemo. They also had a Elmo doll the size of Kyle and they put it on the machine and showed Kyle what it would do. Then they asked Kyle if he would like a turn. He eagerly laid down and they got him buckled in. He laid there like a champ and let them take the "pictures" they needed to. They gave him a beanie baby and we were out of there by 12:58 (our appointment was for 1pm)!! I asked how soon the doc would get the results, they said it might be Monday. Once the radiologist signs off on the scans they are electronically sent to the doctor. So we settled in for a long weekend.

Kyle did great all day Friday. We had a couple rough moments when he couldn't eat or drink. I felt so bad as he asked for juice and I couldnt give him any. On the way home he downed some serious juice and enjoyed some fishy crackers. he was a little lethargic on the way home but once he got some fluids and something to eat he perked right up. A few hours after getting home he started sounded sick. Well he ended up pretty sick all weekend. We even cancelled our babysitter for V-day night. I know it sounds wierd but I am so thankful he was just the right amount of sick to lay still on that table. I honestly believe that was Heavenly Father taking care of me. I was worried about them sedating him. I had to take him alone and I was nervous. But he wasnt so sick that they wouldnt do the scan. I really loved all the cuddle time I received this weekend. To bad it was theresult of him being so sick.

Well it is Monday and the doctor called this morning. Kyle has a tumor in his optical nerve. He is referring us to a pediatric neurosurgeon, we should get in to him in the next day or two and then we will be going for an MRI, where they will also be checking his other optical nerve. The tumor is benign and most likely due to a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis from his dad’s side. Thank you so much for all the prayers (from those that already know). We will have several appointments with the eye specialist after the neurosurgeon is done with whatever ends up happening to monitor Kyle and the vision in that eye. We will make sure to keep everyone updated. And to think I had myself all excited for a cute pair of glasses! ha ha

The lord has truely comforted us already and helped so many people be intune to help us get procedures and appointments quickly. We have amazing home teachers that have been there for us along with family and a multitude of friends that have helped us through the last several days. Thank you for all the prayers and continued prayers on our behalf.

We love you all
Bennett,Brittney & Kyle

Apartment for Rent

2009-02-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a long time since I have posted and I have pictures of the finished porch I will post later. I just wanted to get this information posted as soon as I could.

Our tenants are leaving the middle/end of March. We are very sad to see them go but are happy and excited for them and they new adventures that await them. So our apartment will be available. If anyone is looking for a place or knows someone who is the information is below. Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks.

$500/mo
1 bed/1 bath
Fullsize washer/dryer
Small outside porch area
Storage area
Tenants pay for electric/trash

Crash.....Boom.....Ba!!!!

2008-12-27T19:50:00.008-07:00

So a couple weeks ago Bennett and I had retired to bed. I had been up to almost 10pm (which is late for me) and was exhausted. I figured I better get some sleep before Kyle decided to wake up. well the next thing I know Bennett is flying out of the room at lightening speed yelling "what was that!". My first thought was oh my gosh it is a home invader and Bennett is goign to get killed. Dont know why I thought that but it was the first thing that came to mind after being woke up like that.

Well apparently this is what made the noise that startled him so......

That is right. Our porch ceiling caved in. Well imagine my suprise when I get out there and the Gardners are out there to as they also heard it. I slept right through it. Thankfully Kyle did also. So the Gardners helped us lift it off our car. As that big piece you see was still hanging from the porch ceiling. They held it so Bennett could drive out from under it. Thankfully the car only suffered some scuffs and scratches. Then Jared got up on a car and clipped down that whole big piece. While I was cleaning up the mess in subsequent days I was amazed at how heavy it was. Our porch celing was sheetrock nailed to woode beams with chicken wire stretched over it and then plaster (a pretty good sized layer) over that. So now we are trying to get quotes to get it fixed. It isnt covered under our warranty and is to small for an insurance claim. So if anyone knows anyone that does this kind of work let us know. Below are some more pictures for your viewing pleasure. The day after it happened I had already planned on being home because Kyle was sick. Well I ran out to the truck to get something and I told Kyle NOT to follow me. Well we started to but he looked up and saw the mess and stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes were big and round when he exclaimed "Uh Oh!" and wouldnt go near it. Up until I got it all cleaned up which was just this Friday he would stop and say "Uh Oh" and "where'd it go?" Oh the joys of owning an older home. And I have no idea why my pics are posting all funny. Sorry

First time ever......

2008-11-28T20:55:00.003-07:00

We took Kyle to his very first movie at the theater tonight! We went to see Madagascar 2. He loves the "move it" song so we thought we would try it. He did awesome. We sat on a back side row. Kyle got down a couple times but didn't try to get out in the aisle. He would chime in with some "roars" when he saw the lions and would dance and bob when there was some catchy music. He would also put his hands on his cheeks and say "oh no". It was so cute. I didn't get any pictures at the theater. Bennett had him and Kyle out in the parking lot before I could stop him to get a pic. But we went to the mall afterward. Here are some pics from the toy store. Kyle found a shopping cart and wheeled that little thing all over the store. Then he found this little car toy and daddy conveniently hid the cart. But smart ole Kyle turned around and shrugged his shoulders and said "where'd it go?" So we steered him out in the mall under the pretense that we would look for it! ha ha I told Bennett we will have to start being careful taking Kyle in a toy store.

2008-11-02T07:16:00.004-07:00

Cool..Bridgette tagged me....I have never been tagged before.

I tag.....Lindsay, Marian and Missy

Answer each of the following with one word answers!

Yourself: baker
Your partner: lovable ;-p
Your hair: short
Your mother: service
Your father: quiet
Your dream last night: none
Your favorite drink: water
Your dream car: dunno
Your home: humble
The room you are in: kitchen
Your fear: losing my family (ok I cheated it isnt one word)
Where you want to be in 10 years: Chef
Who you hung out with last night: Family
You're not: rich
One of your wish list items: baby
The last thing you did: Homework
You are wearing: Clothes
Your favorite weather: crisp
Your favorite book: non-textbbok
Last thing you ate: Mac and Cheese
Your life: Chaotic
Your mood: complacent
Your best friend: Marian
What you are thinking about right now: Kyle
Your car: Checy S-10 pick-up
What are you doing at the moment: chillin
Relationship status: married
What is on your TV: nothing
When is the last time you laughed: Yesterday

Oden Look-alike Meter

2008-10-19T13:57:00.001-07:00

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Geneology software - Free genealogy

Schnepf Farms

2008-10-12T15:18:00.013-07:00

Yesterday Bennett, Kyle & I met up with some friends at Schnepf Farms. I have never been before and it sounded fun. We thought Kyle would enjoy it. It was a nice little jaunt down there. (It is in Queen Creek for those of you that might not know). It look us a little more then 30 minutes. The weather was very nice. It was supposed to get up to 79 yesterday.

We saw a dog show....(I couldnt get a pictures of the dog show. Bennett had Kyle up front and I was holding Bennett's drink) But here they are after.

and Bennett went on the go karts. He thought they were motorized imagine his suprise when he sees they are horse powered all right they good old fashion way...

He did the single one and decided to do the "family" sized one and went with our friend Michael and the son of their friends Ashton.

They had a petting zoo. I took Kyle in to see the little pygmy goats...yeah yeah I know I should have felt right at home :-)...

Then we enjoyed some chili and fire roasted corn on the cob. I tried to get a picture of Kyle going to town on his corn but everytime I got the camera out he put down the corna nd wanted to camera. Silly Boy

Then we went to the pumpkin patch. Kyle moves way to much and I couldnt get a really good picture of him. But these two girls brought him a pumpkin. They thought he was so cute....

All in all we had a great time. He got home around 6:30-7:00 and put Kyle to bed. he was so very tired.

Misc Ramblings

2008-08-31T09:55:00.005-07:00

Well I havent posted in awhile life has been pretty darn crazy. I started school last week in hopes this will be my last semester until Kyle is in school. If all goes well I will be getting my Associates in Arts in December and walking in Graduation come May. I am taking MAT 142 (critical mathmatical thinking) and FON 241 and FOn 241L (Food and Nutrition and the lab) The science classes dont start until next week. But my math teacher assigned a fair amount of homework. I got most of it done yesterday.

Kyle's sitter couldnt watch him this Friday so Bennett and I tookt he day off. It was thrilling!! I took a day just because and it felt great! I took Kyle into to work to show him off and they couldnt believe how big he has gotten! Of course he reveled in all the attention of mostly girls. Then we took kyle out to get him so new shoes. And Bennett attended "Menrichment" at church that night.

Bennett was selected to be on an opinion panel for KTAR. He was so excited! He had fun, they fed them and he got a goody bag full of neat things from the sponser Traveler's insurance. He got a t-shirt, sticky notes, car air freshener and his favorite a $50 gift card! Score!!! He thought they would draw for it but everyone got one.

Kyle starts at Cactus Preschool on Tuesday. I am excited and nervous. My little man is growing up and going to pre-preschool! ha ha I am excited for the interaction he will have. I worry sometimes about him beign the only one at home. I am nervous because I didnt see him going to a school type setting for at least another year. But it is a nice place. The 1 & 2 yr ols have their own playground, they have a music program, they tailor the curiculum for the little kids. It is close to work, Bennett and I both liked it. But the reason for the new shoes was becuase he has to wear closed toe shoes. We will see how he likes them.

Well this is longer then I inteded it to be. Especially since I didnt I had anything to write about!

And he is off!!

2008-08-05T18:07:00.003-07:00

Well a couple weeks ago Kyle took a few steps all by himself. First he took 3 steps after I got home and we were playing. Then when his daddy got home he took 2 steps with hima nd I was able to get it on film! He is trying harder and harder to walk. Last Friday we would stand up with his legs stretched far apart and when he tried to take a step he would fall. But he thought this was to funny and soon started playing that way. he would stand up lift his leg and fall over on purpose! ha ha When we was walking he would take anywhere from 3-7 steps on his own! I told Bennett I think we need to brace ourselves!
In the video it is kind of hard to see. But Bennett lets go right at the end and Kyle takes a couple steps.

Ode to my niece!

2008-07-22T11:02:00.002-07:00

I have the coolest 13 year old niece. I remember the day she was born. I was 16 and working at House of Fabrics. All of my customers that day knew I was an Aunt for the first time! Of course my regulars knew she was coming because the minute I knew Marian was pregnant I told them! ha ha I was fortunate enough to go to her blessing. I even helped make her blessing dress. I had a wonderful time (even if marian took a picture of me sleeping with rollers in my hair and put it in the scrapbook, yes marian I still remember you told me you wouldnt) I was able to go to Lindsay's baptism a few years ago and I hope to see her next year.

What has always impressed me about my niece is how caring she is and always wants to help others. On one visit to see their family We ended up at the hospital and Lindsay needed an x-ray of her leg. She was nervous and asked me to go with her not her mom..me. I felt like a million bucks! It was so special to me and I still remember feeling so good I could be there to comfort her. A few weeks later Marian told me that Lindsay had a $1 and wanted to go and give it to the Children at the hospital. Now she was 5 if I remember. Another time she saved up some $ and her dad took her to buy toys and donated them to some children. She helped out in her brothers PE class to help her brother. Lindsay has always been a great example to me.

She has a wicked awesome blog www.lind-z-skippy.blogspot.com she loves 60's stuff and loves a lot of the same things I did growing up (and still do). She loved going to the batting cages with Uncle Bennett last time they were here. (Which was awhile ago!) She has great taste in music. She is just plain cool.

I cant believe my little niece is now a teenager. My only regret is that in recent years I havent spent nearly enough time going to see my family that lives so far away. I hope she knows how many great memories I have of her and how proud I am of her.

Love ya Lindsay!!!

Timber!!!!

2008-06-26T17:05:00.002-07:00

Well the big Pine tree in the front yard is coming down. The Arborist said it was about 50 ft tall. You might ask why the tree is coming down? What could cause our tree plight. It is simply the guy said your tree has the blight!! It has caught an airborne bacteria. Lovely. So down it comes before it comes down on its own and on a house! So $1200 later next week our yard will be minus one very LARGE pine tree. It is bittersweet. We have talked about taking it down since we moved in 2 years ago. Well at least our emergency home repairs are going down in price. I will try to find a pic of our tree. I know I have one at work.

So the home improvement projects we were hoping to get to the lawn and new flooring in our house will once again move down the list. The joys of a fixer upper. Oh well Bennett and I still love the house.

Trip To Hawaii

2008-06-21T09:49:00.008-07:00

Well we got back from HAWAII about a month ago now. I cant believe it has been that long since we left Paradise. Of course Bennett and I are already planning on how to get back there. We had so much fun and did so much. Yet we still left with so much we wanted to do. We wnt to see our friends Missy, Kip and the 2 beautiful girls. We had a last but I wish we would have spent more time at the beach. Now Bennett and I are dying to get to San Diego. While we know ti wont be the same we are just ready for the beach scene!

I finally fullfilled a life long dream thanks to Kip. Bennett and I went snorkeling at HANAUMA BAY. It was absoulutly amazing! I even saw a GREEN Sea Turtle, one of my favorite sea animals! I even got a charm bracalet with a Sea Turtle on it. Everytime I wear I think of that amazing experience!!

We were able to go to the Temple on Sunday and walk around. The grounds were just as I had always dreamed it would be. Another life long dream was to go to the Hawaiian Temple. It was amzing the minute you stepped foot onthe grounds. You could hear music playing and smell the aroma of wonderful tropical flowers!

Where does the time go??!!

2008-04-18T16:27:00.003-07:00

Outside on Easter Peeking under the Hammock!
Easter Morning with his basket
Daddy & Baby outside getting ready for Easter Egg hunt
EUREKA!! I found the Easter Bunny's stash
That's right..It's an egg!!

I can not believe that Kyle is now 13 months!! That is crazy! He stood by himslef for the first time last night. Bennett and I couldnt believe it!! Bennetts proud moment last night was when we were all playing ball and Kykle starting "palming" his little basketball. That kid had a good grip and just moved the ball all over the place!

School is almost over and all I can say is thank goodness!!! I took a 3 credit Excel computer class and a 4 credit Geology science class. It is crazy they only give you 1 credit for the lab. It is more stinking work then the lecture. I guess for tuition purposes I am glad that is all they charge you for! :-) Bennett couldnt be more thrilled that school for the semester is almost over. He is really a good trooper and does a great job playing Mr. Mom while I study!

May 9th is our 6th year wedding anniversary. Doesnt even seem possible! The next week we are taking Kyle on our first famiy vacation! He are going to Hawaii for 10 days!! Thank you Kip, Missy and girls for having us!!!

That is about all for now. I will try to keep up on this blogging thing a little more. My addorable niece is making me look bad! ha ha Thanks Lind-z! ;-)

Lets try thing blogging thing on for size.

2007-12-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Well I have so many friends on this site I thought I would check it out and give it a try. Kyle is now 9 1/2 months and I cant believe how much he is growing. He is the light of Bennett's and my life! His first Christmas was fabulous and he loved opening the gifts up and all the family that came over.

I just finished up another semester at Mesa Community College. So we are now one step closer to me getting my Associates.

Bennett's work switched companies in September. He is still in the Mental Health field as a senior Case Manager. But now the company is Magellen.

We continue to have fun being homeowners. This year we had to repalce our pipes. When the plumbers got down in there they found that the pipes were the original ones! They were tar covered paper. Come to find out pipes used to be made of cast iron but when our house was built the cast iron was going to the war efforts. Our house was built in the 50's.

Well that is all for now. I will try to post some pics later.

Love
Bennett, Brittney and Kyle