Fuller Files

January 1, 2010

2010-01-01T14:15:00.000-08:00

The kids stayed up soooo late! Grown-ups made it to 12:30am. Then we all slept in till noon! Except for Stephen who left for work at 7:30am. Firefighters never get vacations! lol....anyway, until we get our professional pix taken....here is a family shot from last night. We were all loopy from lack of sleep, so be kind. LOVE TO YOU ALL!

Last BLOG of 2009

2009-12-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

Melissa and Brandon got home last night! I am so happy to have all of my kids under the same roof! We are having fun so far. Saw "Sherlock Holmes" today. Pretty good movie. Tonight we are eating yummy food and enjoying our time together! Cannot believe it will be 2010 in 2.5 hours! I'll post some pics of the kids tomorrow.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Why I don't blog everyday...

2009-12-18T20:42:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things happen that we do NOT want to BLOG about. Like the past month! HAHA! No, I haven't been lazy, just stressed out! TO THE MAX!!! Life has continued though.
School got out for Christmas Break today. The kids are all very very happy! We celebrated at McDonald's. UHG! I am so gonna pay for that later. We also had a mini-present opening session for Brandon. He is flying to California tomorrow to see Ed, Stacy and the kids. He is excited, and a bit nervous. Flying is not his favorite thing. He always has a blast though! He and Melissa will fly back to Arizona on the 30th. That's what I'm looking forward to. I LOVE HAVING ALL OF MY CHILDREN TOGETHER! It's the best.
BTW...I had an MRI a few weeks ago. I actually have 2 bulging discs in my neck. I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. They called and I said "no thanks". I really do not want surgery and I have no intention of letting them give me shots in my neck! At least at this point. If the pain gets worse I'm sure I will look for more options, but so far I just put up with the pain. I'm actually starting to get used to it. That's pretty lame. I have good days and not so good days. That's life.
I'll post some pics next time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELISSA

2009-11-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

Happy 17th Birthday Melissa! Hope it was the best birthday yet. We love you so very much! We are so happy to be your family! xoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

My Melissa is turning 17 tomorrow.....

2009-11-13T11:12:00.000-08:00

HOW???? How did this happen? 17 years have flown by since my baby girl was born. She weighed only 6lbs and was 19 inches long. Such a pretty little baby too. Soft sandy blond hair. Tiny little fingers. So petite and perfect! I remember when she started walking! SO FUNNY! It was more like falling and running at the same time! We loved how excited she was about being able to run around on her own! She was always smiling! BIG BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES and golden blond hair! Just like a princess! She took our breath away! When Brandon was born she fell in love! Watching Melissa hold him and love him was so precious. She was always worried about him. She was like a little mommy. SO CUTE! Melissa has ALWAYS loved animals. She will be their protector and defender her whole life. She loves her dogs and is so good to them. Animals love her right back too. They can sense what a special lady she is. Melissa has SO MANY friends, but has a special group of kids that she spends most of her time with. They are all such good people. She loves them so much and always has fun with them. They treat her like gold and she will probably be friends with them forever! Her little brothers and sister think the world of her. She is a "true" teenage sister. Very protective and sometimes annoyed by them. lol....but she loves them and they adore her! I feel so lucky to be her mother. I miss her everyday, but I know she is so happy in Aptos. I just love that she keeps in touch with me. Tex ting has been very good for our relationship! ;) I am so proud of the young lady that she has grown into. She loves life! She is so out-going and friendly. I am very proud to be her "mommy". I LOVE YOU MELISSA ANN!

Arizona Sunset

2009-11-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

OK, I did not take this pic, but man oh man! Tonight we had a beauty! Couldn't find my camera in time either! FRUSTRATING!!!! So I googled for a pic taken here in the White Mountains....does that make me a thief??? Whoops! It's a great pic though. Whoever took it. We have had so many amazing sunsets lately. I think it's due to the prescribed burns they are doing on the reservation. The smoke makes the most amazing sunsets! YUMMY!!!!! Gosh I love Arizona!

Getting Old ???

2009-11-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

So, the past week and a half I have been out of commission. My neck slipped out of whack. Technically the disc between my C6 and C7 vertebrae is "bulging". That sounds so dumb! LOL! Been to the Chiropractor 6 times in the last week. Can't sleep, cause I cannot find a comfortable position, can't exercises...for obvious reasons, can't do anything but sit still ( as long as I have found a position that isn't too painful ). So, every time someone calls to see how I am, I feel like an old lady complaining about all of my aches and pains! Is this really when it starts? At age (almost) 39 ???? I am so bored and totally frustrated! I feel like a bump on a log. Actually I am doing better, I'm writing on my BLOG after all. haha! Anyways, just venting. Hope I can run soon, I feel trapped! Thanks for all the calls though! And for the meals! I have great friends and family!

SNOW

2009-10-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

What a chilly surprise! We woke up to snow flurries this morning! The kids were thrilled! I thought it was pretty, but I must admit that I am not a big fan. It's nice if you can stay in, read by the fire or watch a movie with the kids. But to be out and about, trying to accomplish things, well....I hate that! Then it melts and makes everything muddy and yucky! Oh well. "We need the moisture". That's what they keep telling me. "They" being anyone who has lived here on the mountain for more than 10 years I guess. lol. (that'll be me next year). Whatever. It is pretty. From the window.

My sweet "Gramma Ina"

2009-10-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

photo taken Feb. 2004

Fish went to visit Gramma Ina tonight. She called to give me an update. Since then I cannot get Gramma off my mind. I have so many amazing memories with this special lady! I am so blessed to be her granddaughter!
After Mom died in 1984, I spent a few weeks with Gramma in Oregon. I remember going to Marie Calendar's to get Peanut Butter Pie! YUM! Then we went "piggy shopping". I still have the stuffed pig that she surprised me with that day.
When I was really young, going to Gramma's house (in Eugene, Oregon) was better than going to Disneyland! She always made me feel like I was the most important person in her life. She would stop anything for me. (for all of us kids). I remember picking blackberries in her back yard, swimming in the river, playing in the basement, sitting with her on the porch swing, feeding the fish in the pond, going to church with her, her friend Hallie, sitting on the "Golden Lions" that guarded the driveway! I remember all of the smells from those days. The mint fields, the grass, the smell of the barn. I loved going to sleep with the door to the balcony open, the sound of the trains is one of my favorite memories EVER! The sound that the cars made as they crossed the bridge next to her house. Gramma was always there. Singing, dancing, cooking! We even watched the news together the day that Elvis Presley died. I remember that she was sad.
In 1992 Papa and Gramma showed up at my home in Seaside, Ca. to help with my first baby. Melissa Ann. Gramma made those few weeks so special! I was sad that Mom couldn't be with me, but Gramma swooped in and took care of Melissa and me. It was December of 1992, she made gingerbread houses for each family in my little kitchen. Then she mailed them to everyone! She was AMAZING!!!! She loves her family so very much! She has always had her priorities straight! ALWAYS! I know that I see her through the eyes of a granddaughter, but what better way???
I love my Gramma Ina! She is a good and virtuous woman. I am so thankful to her for the example that she has been to me in my life.

Fall

2009-10-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I've been running in the mornings. I love the cool air and the smell of wet leaves on the ground. Sometimes I head over to Woodland Lake to do my run. It is so beautiful there! Just wanted to share a pic I took the other morning. It was taken at about 6:15am. That sun really takes it's time during the fall and winter months! Made for a great run and beautiful picture though!

Pinetop Fire Dept. Station #110 Dedication

2009-10-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

October is fire safety month. There was an OPEN HOUSE at the department, and Station #110 was dedicated at the same time. The building is beautiful! Finally the firefighters have a nice, safe place to spend 1/3 of their lives. ;) The old station was torn down a little over a year ago. It was condemned due to the presence of black mold. Hard to believe this new building was built in a year. There is even an elevator! My favorite room is the gym. I am lucky enough to be the wife of an Engineer/EMT , so I get to use the facility! WooHoo! (actually, all employee families are welcome. I'm not special.)

Melissa "signs" at the 49er game...

2009-10-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a great example of how outgoing our Melissa Ann is....Two Sunday's ago she signed the National Anthem at the 49er-Falcons football game. I KNOW HUH!!!!! I was so proud of her and she was pretty pleased with herself....She is BRAVE! She got to watch the game afterwards with her dad. They had a blast, even though the 49ers lost. What an amazing experience! We are still talking about it. (pic is of Jesse Sapolu, former starting guard for the 49ers, with our Melissa)

Jenny turns 6 and life goes on!

2009-10-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe it has been 6 years since my last child was born! She was a "little bundle of cute" as Stephen would say! My little pink baby! To this day she ADORES the color PINK. I wonder if I encouraged that! LOL! ye-ah! Poor girl didn't stand a chance!
So, she's 6. I'm sad and happy. Fun to see her growing and changing. Sad to know that soon it will be all about her "friends". She still loves to "hold you" (me). I still tuck her in bed, she still gives me kisses and hugs. I am cherishing each moment with my kids. It's sad that it took me almost 17 years to figure out that they don't stay little for long. I was sitting on the couch with them yesterday watching a Halloween movie. Tyler and Jenny were laying on me, Brandon and Alex were rubbing my feet! LOL. I thought..." I wish I could freeze this moment forever!" I'm scared for them to all be grown and gone! I love the busy young family life. I have my selfish moments, but they are not as often. I LOVE getting the kids at the bus stop! They are always so happy to see me! And going on Field Trips! Wow! They still want me there! I know the day will come when I embarrass them. It's already happened with Melissa and Brandon.
So, after years of warnings from my, shall I say "more seasoned friends", I have finally witnessed the "flying by of years"! I vow to pay attention to the little things! To enjoy the laughs, the hugs, the kitchen creations of my little ones and all of the other wonderful things about having children in my home. I am very blessed!

A new school year...

2009-08-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe the kids are all back in school! Even Jenny! She is a kindergartner now! She is also the tallest kids in her class. Maybe even her whole grade! LOL...tall and beautiful! She is loving school. Her teacher loves her! Mrs. Spangrud. She taught Tyler last year and requested to have Jen in her class this year. Special!!! Jenny lays out the outfit she wants to wear the night before. She is super prepared for school in the mornings. She even likes to make her own lunch. She is a little grown up! What a baby doll!
Tyler has Mrs. Ramirez this year for 1st grade. He loves her. She calls him "little love". He is over the "newness" of going to school. He could take it or leave it. What a stubborn kid! He is so funny! He started soccer...that is all he cares about at this point.
Alex is in 5th grade. He has to be on the bus at 6:40am. He has been doing really well. That is saying a lot considering...he is not a morning person! He makes sure to be in bed early every night. He knows!!! He is in "HORIZONS" again this year. It's the "gifted" program. HE is totally gifted too! Smarty pants! He just informed me that he is running for class VP....so outgoing! Must be my kid! LOL
Brandon is in 8th grade! School bores him to death! He just wants to go out and kill an animal! I KNOW HUH! He and Stephen are hooked on hunting and survival. WHATEVER~! I guess I just don't get it! LOL... Anyway...Brandon has been called as Deacon's Quorum President. He's gonna do a great job! We all know how he is! He does really well in all of his school classes....even though he doesn't wanna be there! He is so tall now! Almost as tall as him mom~!
Melissa Ann is a Junior this year! WHAT! again....I KNOW HUH! She runs track and has tons of friends! Loves being at school and paticipating in everything!!! She is a social butterfly! She'll be 17 in November! Don't ask...I have no idea how time flew past me this way!

So....long entry. Sorry. Just catching up. XO

YIKES!!!!!!!!

2009-07-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

Been so very long since i updated! School starts back up in 2 1/2 weeks already! Jenny will be starting Kindergarten! Melissa will be a Junior in High School! All of my babies will be in school! WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY FREE TIME???? lol....probably get a job. UGH!
I'm going to girl's camp again with the stake. I get to be YCL Leader over the 3rd Years again. Been fun planning it. Not as much participation from the girls this year as last year. Still, camp is great! I always float home on a spiritual high!
Anyway....I'll be back with something a bit more interesting very soon!

Facing the Giants

2009-02-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Our family just watched this movie. I've seen it before, but it is so amazing! I recommend it to all! The message is beautiful. My kids really enjoyed it, especially my boys. It has a lot of FOOTBALL in it! LOL. Anyways, rent it and watch it! Such a great Family Home Evening movie!

Reflections of Christ

2009-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

Last summer the kids and I were lucky enough to see this exhibit at the Mesa Temple Visitors Center. "Reflections of Christ" is a collections of photographs created by professional photographer Mark Mabry. Can I just say WOW!!! Jenny and Brandon shared a sweet spiritual experience together while we were there. Call me if you have my number...I'll share. It was the most tender moment of my life! I cannot put it into words really. I wish I could. What I can say is that it was such a blessing to witness little Jenny Marie feel the Spirit for the first time.

Mark Mabry has now had these photos published in a book. There is also a collection of music. The "play list for the photographs". My dear friend Tricia lent them both to me tonight. Jenny and I have spent the last hour listening to the music and looking through the book. I'm gonna get my own copies ASAP!!! Yes, this is a HUGE plug for Brother Mabry! Just GOOGLE "Reflections of Christ"....and watch the video clip! You'll thank me later!

Charity....a blessing in my life!

2009-01-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

So, I had an "Abdominal Hystorectomy" two weeks ago. How strange it is to be put "UNDER". Not a fun experience for a control-freak like myself! Alas, it had to be done. People keep telling me how great I am going to feel when I am recovered! Still waiting to recover I guess. I just feel weird. I feel like I am always dreaming! It's strange. I'll live though! Promise.
This has been an eye opening experience for me. Really! I honestly never realized how many amazing people I have in my life! I have had meals everynight since I came home from the hospital. YES!!! Phone calls (even one from Bagdad, Iraq!), visits, I feel so blessed to know these wonderful people. They have all served me and loved me and been there for me! I have no way to ever re-pay them for the care they have given me and my family! I know what Charity is. It never faileth! It has also been a HUGE blessing in my life these past 2 weeks. I am so thankful for the Christ-like love that my family and friends have shown me. I have had time to ponder my relationships with these people. I look forward to serving them in their times of need. I love them all.

Sweet Jenny Marie

2008-10-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Jenny has a very low tolerance for the smell of gasoline. She has actually thrown up in the car while I was pumping gas once. The smell makes her nauseous. So, yesterday she and I were driving around town. We ended up behind an older vehicle that smelled really bad! She covered her nose and yelled..."Mom! That smell of gas is making me obnoxious!..."
Man I love that little girl! She makes me smile everyday!

Pres. Uchtdorf

2008-10-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

I taught RS on Sunday. It was Elder Wirthlin's talk..."Concern for the One" from last April. It hit home in many ways. He gave some reasons that we stray or are lost from the gospel. One was that we may feel weary or inadequit. As soon as I brought that up, 5 hands shot up in the class! All of them wanted to discuss Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from RS Gen. Conf. We had an awesome discussion! I learned so much! I went home after church so that I could watch the conference online. To my disappointment it wasn't up yet. Finally last night I was able to watch. I will never skip another RS Gen. Conf. again! Pres. Uchtdorf's message was meant for me. I'm sure all of the sisters in the church are saying that! tee hee. He is truley a man of God! My favorite quote from his talk is this one..." the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance...". So, as I have been taught my whole life, but somehow seem to always forget, I am looking for others to serve so that I can forget my worries and sorrows! I'll need reminding every so often, but thank goodness I have amazing people in my life who love me enough to do that.

I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of my Savior's love for me! Some days I question it because I am human. Today I am confident! To my sisters in the gospel...listen to this talk from Pres. Uchtdorf!!! It is a message to us from our Father in Heaven!

Primary Program Sept. 28, 2008

2008-09-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Alexander, Tyler and Jenny all participated in our Ward's Primary Program yesterday! They did an awesome job! Jenny sang her little heart out! I'm always amazed that my kids know the words to all of these Primary songs. What amazing teachers we have in our Ward! I am so thankful for all of the time they put into enriching my children's lives. I appreciate the help more than they know!!! Tyler had his small part memorized. SO CUTE!!! His little raspy voice makes my heart melt! Alex gave the ending talk. He is so bright! What a beautiful job he did! I feel so blessed to be their mother. ..."Children are an heritage of the Lord..." I'm a lucky gal to be trusted with these amazing little ones!

Figuring It Out

2008-09-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

This is new to me...I hear about "blogging" a lot, so I wanna try it out. Myspace and Facebook are fun, but I want something more ME. So here we go....stay tunned for updates.