O MY GOODNESS!

It has beem forever since I have been here. I will need to catch up very soon, and I will. I have moved to St. Louis, Mo since last on here. My son Jake is in Brazil on a mission, Tay is in Utah going to school and working, Heather and Oliva are also here in St. Louis and Kif is married and she and Mike just moved to Ak.! I was able to visit fam this past month and will catch everyone up on this! This is my sister Ginger with me in Oregon a month ago.

Just a few random thoughts...

Well it is now April, 2009. Jake left today for Tech school in Mississippi for the Air Force. Kif is still flying the friendly sky, Tay murdering the volleyball and Heather being Olivia's momma. Olivia is coming to stay for a few days and I am very excited about that. She is finally saying Bella along with many other things!
I am currently seeing someone. His name is Kevin and this is the longest I have been in a relationship for years. He plays professional softball, and competitive softball. At one time he pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. A long,long time ago he would tell you. He doesn't live close and I hate that. We are lucky to see each other on weekends. We do talk every day sometimes several times, email and the like.
Relationships are hard. Relationships with parents, siblings, kids and significant others.
I think about Jared and Megan a lot and how strong both of them are at this time in their lives. Jared is the best person anyone could have the chance to even know. He is in Afghanistan, and sometimes that is just hard to wrap my head around. Meg is in Alaska with the boys and also an awesome person. Their examples are truly ones to appreciate and strive for.
I was in tears reading about Jared sending Meg perfume and that he picks out and buys shoes for her. Man could any of us be lucky to have half that in our partners. Don't misunderstand the perfume and shoes would be awesome, I am talking about the love and commitment they have.
I use to think after my divorce that Heavenly Father would send me this awesome, priesthood holding man. Well that isn't happening, so I now date non members. It is not the worst thing in the world but I do not kid myself in believing that not being with a priesthood holder is going to be ok. I also do not kid myself in believing that there is one out there for me either.
So I live and learn.
Life is what it is and I am ok with it for now. My kids are healthy and active, contributing members of this world in a positive way. My brother is doing well and safe. My family members in general are doing well and are loved so at the end of the day what else truly matters?

Happy New Year!
SO starts another year, a few changes have occurred so time for an update.
Jake is now at Lackland Airforce Base in Texas. He joined the Air National Guard in Utah and started basic Dec. 30. I received his first photo with the bald head and fatigues. It is exciting and nerve racking all the same. His address to write him a letter is:

AB Groom, Jacob M
331 TRS/ FLT 197 –Dorm A-3
PSC #3 1320 Truemper Street
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5570

Taylor is now a St. Charles resident, bummer, and turned 17 on the 30th of Dec. Wow Dec. 30th brought a few changes huh? She is on a club volleyball team that does very well in St. Louis. I miss her.
Heather and Olivia are now out on their own and soon to live in a new apartment taking Tay with them. Should make for interesting life stories....
Kiffen has moved to Mesa, Az for the winter and then will most likely move back to SLC. SLC is still her hub to fly out of. At the end of the month we are going to fly to Alaska, I am so excited!!
I was lucky to have had Olivia for Christmas and New Year's. I love being her Bella. She is a mini Heather, walks on her tip toes and looks just like her! She loves the cats and they love her enough to let her use them as pillows when she was sleeping.
I have added some pics of the kids in Hawaii, Nov. '08, it looks like heaven!
Well I am on to work and will talk again soon!

Ms. Olivia herself!!

I know it has been a while since I have been here. With a gentle reminder form my bro Jared I have come back to update!!
Ms. Olivia is now 1 and is the light of my life! This Bella could not be happier.
All the kids are doing well. Taylor is hard at work in her honors classes and volleyball. Heather is an awesome momma to Olivia and Will an awesome daddy! Kiffen is traveling every where and loves her Mike (mushi). Jake is in Utah working hard, joined the Air National Guard, starts basic Dec. 2 and his mission is soon approaching!!
My Kids rock!!
I am back to school myself finishing up this teaching degree.
Dating a few nice guys and just finishing the remodeling of the kitchen and floors.
Disappointed about the election results and re-stocking food storage for the Great Depression Part Deux!

Power of the Hood

So we are leaving Wally World in Eagle River and tragedy was averted by.......
The Power of the Hood.
It was raining and chilly, as we approached the van Gavin runs over Corbin and that is when tragedy struck!

Corbin fell and his Happy Meal transformer/truck disappears under the van!!

Quick thinking Megan says she will back out so I can get the truck. Since it was raining and I was the only one wearing a hoodie, I volunteered for the task of saving the truck from under the van.

That is when Asher says, while getting in the van, "It's the Power of the Hood aunt Tammy" Because I had the hoodie on, only I could save the truck. I did too, I saved that truck in the chilling rain and tragedy was adverted.

It truly is all about the Power of the Hood....

Moose

So here we (Megan, the Twins, Corbin and I) are leaving the BX/PX at Fort Richardson 'n what do I spy with my little eye, moose, MOOSE!! They were just outside our car window in the vast Alaskan tundra. We pulled to the side and took these pics, it was awesome.

Jared, Megan and fam have been here, Eagle River, for all of a month and no moose sightings, I fly all the way from MO and my first day here I spy the moose.

Makes me wonder how many times they may have driven by and just not seen the moose.....