Our own version of National Lampoons Vacation???

Yea, that's what we are making. This has been a trip full of highs and lows...but we are still enjoying!

Before I get to the lows, lets look at the highs!! We have seen some AMAZING country!! I never would have guessed that Utah had so much to offer. It was so beautiful, I wish we could have stayed many more days there!

This first picture is Bridal Veil Falls. This is outside Salt Lake City...so amazing, double waterfalls and you can climb up to the bottom of the lower falls. Worth stopping at!

From there, we ventured the rest of the way down through Utah to Zion National Park. Please, if you EVER drive to the Grand Canyon, go to Zion!! We literally drove through and stopped at two different places and went for a hike. There are trails all over, but you will find some challenging and some not. They didn't have good maps so we just went for it! Let's just say that I was VERY challenged and Zion almost broke me, but I made it and everyone else did too!

Here is a photo from our first hike in Zion....to get to this waterfall, we literally had to climb over and around boulders, over the stream, along slick and steep rocks...it was crazy, but SOOO worth it!! It was a hard one! But the waterfall was beautiful. It was even sprinkling on us a bit which was super nice!

On our second hike, we just pulled to the side of the road and went for a look. We saw a river bed and just followed it along, for probably about a mile. It went from open to very narrow. Quite an adventure. Here is one pic...

Yesterday we left Utah and headed in to Arizona. Totally different landscape...and more green. We got quite a bit of rain yesterday. Our first stop in Arizona was the east end of the Grand Canyon. This was my must see. I have always wanted to see the Horseshoe Bend. I've seen the pictures and wanted to take one for myself!! Here is what I got with my phone (since it takes panoramic shots!)

Our rental RV is all the lows. I can see why people buy their own...seriously! The rental company called this rig the Pinata. We can completely see why. It seems to be falling apart more and more. Lets just say I've been praying A LOT!!! I would covet your prayers also! Day before yesterday we were driving down the road and all of a sudden the largest pull out started to PULL OUT while we were on the road. We literally had to rig up something to keep it in. The biggest problem....we couldn't get the generator started so we could pull it back in! But we made it to our destination just fine. Turns out, someone (who will remain nameless) pulled it out just a bit at one of our stops to get shoes out and forgot to put it back in....Our table in here is now being propped up because it won't stay up on its own, we keep shorting out circuits...for no reason also. On top of all that, we are headed into some seriously hot weather (108 degrees) in Vegas and we won't have AC in the main compartment because of the generator not starting. YUCK!! So we will be rotating who's in the cab!

No matter what, we are having a good time and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. Time for me to go as we are headed out to the south rim of the Grand Canyon today. Hopefully I'll have decent internet so I can do another update!

I'm BACK!!

So, it's been a LONG time..I apologize! But really, not sure who's reading this, if anyone. It's been an incredibly busy 8 months!!

We packed our house and moved at the end of March. Another move...you would think we would be used to this by now, but it's never easy. So much to do. I neglected my blog because something had to give. :) We got the move taken care of with no major issues, thankfully! It was hard on us as a family tho. My husband works an average of 55-60 hours per week and in the times he was home we had to be working on the packing. Thankfully we had ample time so it wasn't overly stressful. We have, in turn, realized that my husband does actually stress a little over moving. But rather than outwardly stressing, he keeps it internal and he ends up with gout attacks. So painful and it's so hard to see him in so much pain! He did eventually get over the attack after we got moved and mostly settled....thankfully! The kids have all LOVED being in the house. More space, larger bedrooms and it's just a good place to be. We are very fortunate to have my parents living on the property for a while...can I just tell you what a blessing that has been? I have seen them getting to know our kids more and more and our kids have loved having them around. Yes, it's been helpful, but the relationship building is what I'm loving most! What a blessing for myself and our family! Such precious time!

So, you may be wondering what has changed that has allowed me time to FINALLY write another post? Well, truth is, we are on vacation. Finally taking a break from the norm and doing something totally different. We are currently in Salt Lake City (for the night) and headed further south through Utah tomorrow. Final destination....the Grand Canyon! So much fun! We rented an RV and have been driving like crazy, but trying to see some sights along the way. I kind of think of this as a "once in a lifetime" kind of trip. We are missing having my stepson with us, but we will pick him up along the way back home.

So, so far, we have been in Twin Falls, ID. Just outside the town there, there is a beautiful canyon that the snake river has created over time. A miniature version of the Grand Canyon, per say. Super fun and neat to see. I will post pics later this week. We also visited Shoshone Falls. Also outside Twin Falls. This has been dubbed the Niagara Falls of the West. SO pretty!!! Thankfully it was such a nice day we got some great pictures. There was even a rainbow in the mist at the bottom of the falls. Well worth the visit.

Today as we got into Salt Lake City, we visited a little area called Ensign Peak. This peak is at the North end of SLC and you can literally see the entire city & beyond. It was beautiful. The husband and kids hiked to the top...I haven't been feeling too good today so I chose a lower vantage point, but still saw the view.

I'll confess something though. It's not all been perfect! Who's vacation is??? We rented an RV...it's been well used and abused. We blow fuses constantly, it rattles so much you'd swear parts are falling off as you're cruising (at 60!!) down the highway. We had no lights in the back bedroom until tonight when we had time to figure it out. The AC has had it's own learning curve. There is so much broken in this RV it is comical. The rental company actually calls this one the "Pinata"....go figure! We are just praying it gets us through this trip and back home! We left a bunch of our food at home, Chick-Fil-A was closed today (Sunday, duh!) and we were excited to eat there. And, last but not least....I'm not the greatest co-pilot! Yep, we drove an extra 30 minutes today in the wrong direction....oops! Thankfully my husband is so gracious!!!

All in all...this has been a fun vacation so far! We are looking forward to more fun and adventures! I will try to update every day or so. Not sure how often I'll have wifi though! Please pray for our safety, our Pinata to get us home and for us all to stay healthy and have a great time!

Thank you!

Resolutions or Not?

Are you a person who makes (and breaks) New Year Resolutions? Or, are you, like lots of people, one that thinks they are silly and a waste of time?

I think either is fine. I have years where I make resolutions and other years where I don't. I don't always see the need for them. I'm never one to bash others on what they do or don't do on New Year. I think they are fun.

THIS year....is a year of resolutions. It was time :)  I think many people would understand my reasoning. As a wife, mom, employee, etc. I put myself last on the list. I always have. I'm no martyr, it's just how God made me. My family gets the best of me (and that's what I believe is right). So, I decided a few months ago that I still need to make sure I am taking care of myself. I didn't wait until January to begin, I started a while ago. And, so far, it's been kind of nice :)

Now, I need to be honest....I am not one that washes my face nightly like I should. I also have been HORRIBLE about taking vitamins like I know I need. These things have just not been a priority.

Now that you know that, I have good news! Nightly, my face is clean and each day I have taken my vitamins (well, most days!) and boy can I feel a difference!! In both! My face is clearer and I feel so much better from the vitamins! I may never go back to being super lazy with myself. Lol! This has been really nice.

So, simple resolutions made and I plan on keeping them. After all....my kids need their mom to be healthy and available to them. Baby steps....

On another note.

I find it impossible to believe it's 2015. Didn't 2014 just start? Where did the year go?

Looking ahead to this year...at first I was thinking there wasn't much that was going to be happening. I was SO very wrong! After a couple minutes, I realized that we will be MOVING in a few months. This is exciting yet at the same time a bit overwhelming! Also, we have begun the preparations for planning a big vacation for August. Mind you.....we haven't been able to take any big vacations with the kids, but have really wanted to. So, this year is the year! YAY!!! We are planning on a road trip from Washington to the Grand Canyon. Yes, in August....HOT! But that's the time my husband gets off work, so that's when we go! Anyone have any advice??? We have rented an RV which will make the driving SO much more enjoyable for everyone but we aren't sure what the the MUST SEEs on the way or way back. I would love some advice. There are 6 of us so it's not a super small RV, but not the HUGE ones.... :)
After the trip we will be getting ready for school. In September, we will have 3 high school boys. I about start crying every time I think of this. I don't know how we will manage...but we will make it! Ha! So far, high school has been so fun...so much adventure and so much learning! It's been fun to watch the boys getting older and growing up into such amazing young men.

I will probably need to come back and read this in about 10 months when we are in the throws of next school year!

Anyway...now I'm rambling...so I will say good night! It's back to work tomorrow after 10 days off.

Have a great Monday tomorrow!