Cowley Family Reunion

This past weekend we had our annual Cowley Family Reunion. It was fun, as always, and we really enjoyed ourselves. And instead of writing about it...I took lots of pictures! So we shall do Cowley Family Reunion via Instagram!

The beautiful cabin we stayed in (among other buildings, this one is just the prettiest :)

Off in the distance is a kid sized barn, swings, teter toter, swing set and volleyball field that we enjoyed

They added this pretty little pump pond since last time, it was very nice

The pretty flowers in bloom

Photo Op moment in the sleigh....there was even a plastic Santa in there at one point!

The B-Ball shooting game that the boys absolutely loved, thats Ty playing with cousin JJ

These little bike scooter things were cool, I can't remember their names. But the boys also loved them...Nate probably more than the rest. He spent a lot of time racing his cousin James around the big barn/garage place

Ry on the hop-a-long horse. There were a few of these kickin around too. And obviously he is the only one who would stop playing long enough to allow me a non-blurry picture haha!

What family reunion isn't complete without a Piniata? This one had lots of yummy treats inside

The fam gathering to hear about the Burrville murder

Nate pulling the Rickshaw. I think he's found his calling in life

The family getting ready to play a skeet shooting game

The boys aiming for skeets

Nate shooting the 22

Nate shooting the 22 Cricket (the cutest little gun I've ever seen!)

Tyler shooting the 22 Cricket

Tyler shooting the 22 with the help of Jeremy and Blake

Ry getting in on the action and shooting the 22 Cricket with Steve

Not pictured.....
*A delicious dinner of marinated then grilled chicken that was absolutely delish
*Lots of catching up with family and meeting new/soon to be family
*S'mores!
*A movie night projected on the side of the garage featuring Only a Stonecutter (the link is the shortened version), The John Tanner Story (this link is part 1 of 2), and Nacho Libre - which is one of my very favorite Jack Black movies.
*A yummy breakfast of pancakes, fruit and egg/sausage/pepper/onion scamble
*Many four wheeler rides
*Volleyball games
*Awesome sunburn lines
*Much, much more fun and excitment had by all!

We really had such a great time, it was the perfect de-stresser from a rough week. I wish we didn't have to leave but I am sure happy to be home to my own bed. Heres to a successful reunion and I look forward to the next!

A Moment of Reflection - Grayson Post

  **This post does have pictures of Grayson which I know is something that some may be sensitive towards, so just lettin' you know ahead of time.**

I don't generally discuss (in too much depth anyway) things that have to do with Grayson. But as I was dusting my dresser today, I picked up my Grayson box....

 

I was given this little yellow box at the hospital to keep momentos and such. I honestly haven't really opened the box more than a couple times in the past 3 years, and even that was just to add stuff in there as I came acrossed it. Well today I decided to open it up. I remembered there being pictures and maybe a card in there, but wasn't sure what else I would find quite honestly.

And, I actually found a few things I hadn't remembered about. I had the pictures of course, the CD that had the original proofs of the pictures that were taken at the time but I found some other treasures that I am so happy I kept, as I didn't keep much from that experience.

Don't mind the extreme need for a re-paint of the nails.

The nurses did the ink hand and foot prints...I had forgotten all about it. It is crazy to think that his little pigs were smaller than my thumb. His hands too. He had 10 perfect toes and 10 perfect fingers.

I hadn't opened this card when it was given to me, I had just put it right in the box and never looked at it since that time. Well I opened it today and found something so very special to me. Grayson's stats when he was born. I think it just all kind of sunk in when I looked at it. Seeing this card made me go back and remember that day, the feelings I had felt and how much I have grown since that time. It also helped me remember him, which sounds odd because I think of him a lot but it made me remember the physical side of him, not just the experience. My Grayson was 13 oz and 9 1/2 inches long. He fit in my hand with a little wiggle room left. He was a perfectly formed little boy.

 I think I need to open that box a little more often and remember just how much of a miracle he is to me and how he changed my life. He was taken from me before I even got to know him, but he had served his purpose. He had given me a change of heart and continuously helps me learn and grow so that I can be his Mother again in the next life.

Oy what a day

Today was not a good day. I'm sure if I would've checked my health stats my blood pressure would've been through the roof. It was a morning (to be specific) that I truly just wanted to lay my head on my desk and cry...while being all shaky and ugh feeling. I made a few pretty costly mistakes and it made me question if I could really do the job. And then my amazingly awesome bossman did what he does best and bouyed me up. I really cannot comprehend what potential he sees in me sometimes, but he does. And I really REALLY appreciate the fact that he is there to help ground me. I appreciate that he understands the learning curve and still feels I am doing awesome at my job, even with my mistakes. I am still feeling the burn of the biggest mistake made today, one that I have offered to take the cost out of my commissions if we can't work the issue out with the Lender. A cool $2,500 mistake that was. Yeah. That bad. I learned my lesson and will definitely not make that mistake ever again. But that learning curve sucks.
I am so looking forward to the 3 day weekend and the upcoming Family Reunion that is going on this weekend. It will be nice to get away and have to force myself not to work. I need the break I think. Time to re-group and come together. This big mistake also makes me see that moving would've been extremely bad. I wouldn't have had enough money to cover the much higher rent had I moved... so I am feeling a little blessed.
So ya'll...I hope you have a relaxing weekend. Have a happy Labor Day!

Squishy Baby!

After a very long and busy day, it was such a breath of fresh air to able to see a new addition to the family of some good friends of mine. He is an adorable little guy...or I really should say big guy, he's 12 lbs already! It almost makes me miss the baby age....almost. Don't worry family members/ friends.... no more kids for me until I am happily married :) I'll just have to squeeze and hug on this cute little fellow instead!

Baby Cooper!!

Happenings

We've had a very eventful couple of days, holy cow. Its been great, but busy busy! On Monday my niece Melissa was in the play Annie Jr (Jr because all actors were under 18) and she did a great job! The whole production was wonderful. It was a great family home evening for us.
Tuesday was the most insane day thus far. Work was hectic busy and then after leaving work much later than normal we went to Nate's pack meeting for scouts. He earned a few badges and they had a really good time.

Crappy cell phone picture of Nate recieving his awards

Right afterwards Nate, Melissa and I headed to auditions for a second Annie production that is being put on by the community theatre. I never thought Nate would want to be part of a play, but he did so away we went. It was soo hectic and crazy, and auditions were running late and we were there about 30 minutes later than expected. But in the end it was worth it because......

Boys will start rehearsals on Saturday, September 22 at 6:00 pm (the FULL CAST rehearsal). They will rehearse some Tuesday and/or Saturday evenings for their specific scenes. A more detailed schedule will be posted in a couple weeks.

Cast of Boys

Luke Barnes
Andrew Barrick
Jeremy Cain
Nathan Stubbs

Woohoo! Nate got a part! He is very, very excited. We aren't sure what part yet, as it only says Cast of Boys but I guess we will find out in September at the first rehearsal. He is soo excited to be able to be part of the production. I'm excited for him!

I'm finally getting some loans starting to close out...it's awesome! I am very much looking forward to my paychecks coming in regularly and not being on salary advances anymore, it will be a great day let me tell you. I am also seeing that moving didn't happen for a reason with some events that have recently happened (good events that will be discussed at a later date if they continue to progress). Life is going pretty darn good. I'm happy for that.

And to end the post....random funny picture of Ryder! It made me giggle :)

He's a cowboy!

I Won't Give Up....On....Us....

As much as I hate commuting, being able to listen to two hours + of music per day has been enjoyable. I love music for anyone who hasn't  caught on to that yet. My favorite kinds of music are the more mellow ones that are relaxing and have awesome lyrics. Yep I am one of those that pays attention to the lyrics. So I hear this song probably 4 times a day between my morning and afternoon commutes and I haven't gotten tired of it yet. I love it. So I'm sharing it. I hope you get gushy gut feelings from it like I did and enjoy your weekend ya'll!

I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

When I look into your eyes it's like watching the night sky or a beautiful sunrise, well there's so much they hold. And just like them old stars, I see you've come so far to be right where you are. How old is your soul?
I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough. I'm giving you all my love, I'm still looking up. And when you're needing your space to do some navigating, I'll be here patiently waiting to see what you find 'cause even the stars, they burn. Some even fall to the earth. we've got a lot to learn, God knows we are worth it. No I won't give up.
I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily, I'm here to stay and make the differences that I can make. Our differences, tehy do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts we got. Yeah we got a lot at stake and in the end, you're still my friend. At least we did intend for us to work, we didn't break. We didn't burn. We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in. I had to learn what I got and what I'm not, and who I am.
I won't give up on us even if the skies get rough. I'm giving you all my love, I'm still looking up. I won't give up on us, God knows I'm tough, he knows I am loved. We got a lot to learn but God knows we're worth it. I won't give up on us, even if the skies get rough. I'm giving you all my love, I'm still looking up.



Funny Kids

My kids crack me up. They are super funny when they want to be. Two gems that I heard today make me laugh still just thinking about them.

Ryder was sitting at the table after dinner and Grandma was trying to tell us something but he kept interrupting so Grandma asked if he could give her a turn. He gave her the funniest look (I really need to catch it on camera some day, its hilarious) and asked her "What do you want to say?!" So grandma said "No I'm asking if I can have a turn to talk." and he replies with "But what do you want to say?!" It took a few more rounds of this until he finally gave Grandma permission to share her story. But you better believe as soon Ry thought Grandma was done he was back to chattering. The face plus the funny way he was saying it was just too hilarious. I have one feisty child...he is very silly.

Then on the way home Ryder starts singing really loud "The cows are in the meadows...eating buttercups. The thunder and the lightning make us jump!" I don't know why that struck me as soo hilarous but it was. Maybe because after singing it he would just bust up laughing thinking it was soo funny. So we've heard a couple different renditions of the song as the nights progressed. Tooo funny.

I love my kids, they make sure that I never have a dull moment!

Rain Rain Don't Go Away!

The last week or so we have had storm after storm of rain and thunder/lightening and it has been absolutely fabulous! I love the rain! Driving in it is not so fun but I manage. Anyway, not much of a post but I wanted to share my lovely ride this morning. You know...just in case there are non-Utah readers who are curious about what I get to look at for 2 hours a day :)

Headed to St George this morning - I LOVE the clouds that don't rise all the way

Headed home from St George - clouds never did rise. So pretty :)

Whats New

Lets see...whats new with us lately?
I haven't been blogging much due to lack of time mostly and really just nothing going on. Which is funny, because there is a lot going on just nothing that would be interesting to write. Most of it is work stuff. I'm still debating when to move....I'm starting to lean towards moving after a get a few good checks coming in which could be in the next month or next few months. Commuting is proving to be difficult and expensive. Especially on days like today when Nate woke up sick and I didn't have anything to work on at home. Needless to say, we took a short trip to St George. It almost felt like a waste of gas but I got alot done in the short time I was there.
On a hotter note...my house is has hot as Haiti. The AC stopped working well over the weekend and I'm sure I just need a new filter (it hasn't been changed in longer than I care to admit) so thats another thing I need to put on my to-do list. Until I figure out what size I need and get one bought...we are kicking around in as few clothes as possible just because it is soooo hot. Thats my goal tomorrow... new filter. Hopefully that is all thats wrong with it.
My date over the weekend went well. The guy is very nice and put together, and we get along well. I still have the battle going on in my head as to if it feels right or not but I think that is just my inner self battling as usual. Does this dating thing ever get easier? I sure hope so. I hate dating. Its a pain in the neck. And I really don't mind the actual dating, it's just trying to figure out if its really the right person for me or not. Thats the tough part. I guess time will tell right?

Well...I think thats about all for now. Pics below from the last few days to round out a mostly boring blog post :)

The crazy rainstorm I drove into on Friday. This pic was between a super fast wiper job. Seriously huge...

Pretty double rainbow at the Mud Bogs. After we had gotten rained on for like an hour. Awesome.

Ry all cuddled up in a towel after his tub. I thought it was pretty adorable.

Sweet beautiful sleep

via google images

I can not even express the exhaustion that I am feeling right now. This week has been one of the most stressful weeks I've had in a long time. I am soooo very tired. I just want to sleep. I am so looking forward to my bed tonight.
On my way into town after work it was raining soo hard that I literally had to drive 10 mph and have my wipers on full blast just to be able to see less than 2 inches ahead of me. I have never ever been in a rainstorm that bad. Water was just pouring down the street, so much that I could feel it swishing around under the car (on my feet!) when I drove down the road.  Very crazy storm indeed. Very wierd to go from super hot St George weather to very cold and rainy Cedar weather in a matter of a few minutes.
And the plan for tomorrow....more work, house cleaning and...
A date! :)

The fellow and I have been talking for a couple weeks and I think its working out okay. We shall see how it goes. We are going to the Mud Bogs in Parowan and it should be fun. And now....bed. I can barely keep my eyes open.
Goodnight all :)