Dally

Back in May we met our friends the Fletchers in Denver and spent a day together at the Science museum. We met through our homeschooling group when when they moved here and became fast friends. We got together several times each week, and they were an inspiration to our family. The boys were best friends, and we learned a lot more about ranching from them. We also learned a lot about hard work, prayer, faith and attitude. It was hard for us when they moved away.

When they moved to Alamosa, Tanya was expecting a baby. The doctors told her from her ultrasound that their baby would be born missing limbs from the elbows and knees on. Tanya and Regin were happy to take their baby, however she came. They were not expecting when she was born to find that she was born without any limbs. She was tiny. I held her Dally when she was first born. She was so little and so fragile with only her left foot having three toes, and a right toe.

We have watched Dally grow up. She is already three, and can feed herself, go up and down stairs, walk, play with toys and even pick her nose. She has a happy nature and is amazingly independent. Her parents don't think she is limited in what she can do....instead they figure out creative solutions to help her do whatever she wants. They are currently in the process of figuring out a way that she can ride horses with the rest of the family. She has a wheelchair that she was able to manipulate in and out of elevators and through the exhibits at the museum.

I know it is because of the faith of her parents and brothers that Dally is leading such a rich and full life. I could write volumes about all the lessons I learn from them. I feel privileged to know their family and am grateful to call them friends.

Small-Town Fourth

The first two weeks living in a small town were a shock to my system. There was absolutely no place to shop. We were two hours from civilization. We were two days from family. It was culture shock. I eventually adjusted to the differences. When we came to our first 4th of July I was introduced to a small-town parade.

I often comment that living here in Alamosa is similar to going back in time about 20 years. That is very true for our celebrations. Our parade isn't very long, but it is a lot of fun. The participants throw candy to the children, they shoot guns off,

there are plenty of tractors and horses,

signs on the floats are miss-spelled,

and best of all, you know half of the people in the parade.

Andrew and Connor got to march with the cub scouts in the parade. They had a fun time and still got some candy at the end. One of their scout leaders also happens to be our nurse.

She has given Andrew appoximately 468 shots since we have moved here. We fasted and prayed for her through her chemotherapy and radiation after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has helped us through many illnesses, including Danielle's most recent mosquito bite on her eye.

In small towns, people are there for each other in a way that I hadn't previously experienced.

We had a great day at the parade, invited 8 families to our house for a bar-be-que and then ended at the fireworks which were paid for by a local bank and offered much excitement in starting a few little fires and nearly setting a couple of residents on fire.

Speaking of our small town, the City Hall/Library complex is coming right along. It will be beautiful when it is done.

The fire station is nearly done on the end of the current city hall. Once the new building is finished the current city hall will be remodeled into a new Police Station.

This project has been so challenging but will be so good ultimately for our community. Nathan has worked so hard, since we moved here, and I think he does an amazing job.


Small-town life can be challenging in many ways, especially when you aren't from that small town. Still, I am impressed by the tenacity of a people who live and work in such a brutal climate. I love being exposed to an agricultural lifestyle and the faith that comes with it. I admire the generations who came and stayed to build this community. Most of all, I like feeling a part of a small community.

A Full Heart

I went into my pre-practicum experience knowing that it would be intense and emotional, and I was right. I learned so much about myself and my way of being in the world. I bonded with the people in my group. It was interesting to discover that even though we were from a variety of places including Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, Wisconsin and Colorado, we were so much alike. We all have the same basic needs for love, approval, and compassion.

We practiced counseling each other in what they call the "fishbowl" where everyone gives feedback. I thought I would be able to do it, but I was very anxious and unsure. After the first few times I relaxed and it felt very natural for me. I also had my feelings confirmed to me that I absolutely love it! The feedback I got was positive and encouraging. I learned a lot about where I need to learn and grow, and I am apprehensive about all the work the next few years will entail, but I am sure that I am going in the right direction.

My boys went off to Vail with Nathan for his City Managers conference. They had a nice time relaxing. My girls had a harder time with my daily disappearance and were pretty emotional. Thank goodness for good friends and neighbors who made sure they were taken care of and loved.
The second to last night of my practicum, I got a message from Holly Sandiford Bartlett on Facebook. She was trying to track down the sister missionary who found and taught her. I hadn't seen or heard from her for over 16 years, and I didn't know that she had ever been baptized. She wrote on her page the following:

"After years of searching, I think I just found the first sister missionary who gave me the discussions all those years ago (1995)!!!! I wouldn't commit to baptism back then, but she left an indelible impression on me and I never forgot her! She has a beautiful family, and I can't wait to hear what she has been up to all these years."

My heart was full!

So much that we feel is impossible to express.

God Be With You

I am thankful for the time we had last week to celebrate the life of a wonderful example to me. She was patient in tremendous adversity, a champion for all around her, an avid reader and learner, a fabulous cook. She was a faithful wife and mother and was surrounded by friends, because in her eyes everyone was a friend. I was able to gain another Grandmother when I married Nathan, and I was sad to lose her. I'm so grateful that my older children were able to know and remember her. They were privileged to feel her love. Goodbye Evah LaRue Bybee Costello. Until we meet again.....

Friday the 13th

My sister-in-law, Jen, asked on Facebook tonight what people thought was their idea of a good social activity. My answer is our favorite family Friday night activity: Movie night/Treat night. By the end of the week, I am so exhausted from the busy week and endless evening meetings that most of the time I don't feel like doing anything except relaxing. We sometimes make pizza, but today it was cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries. Then we get a bowl of candy and popcorn and settle down for a nice family movie.

The past two Fridays the endless meetings for Nathan took him away from even this fun evening. This week he's at a work retreat and won't be home till tomorrow night. Brandon was at a party with his friends, so it was just me and the younger four.

If I could personally hand pick the weather, this evening was right on the mark. We barbequed our burgers, and ate on the deck. The birds flew around us and we watched a Canada Goose land on the pond. It was idyllic. The only thing missing was Nathan and Brandon.


I'm glad for the weekend. Life is about to change for me. I start my classes in less than two weeks now. I've been reading my new textbook and getting really excited/nervous for the upcoming change. The closer that I get to it, though, the more I feel like I'm doing the right thing.
Lenaya's life changed drastically tonight as well. She had Kolton James today. He was 6'5". Both are doing well. It's fun to look forward to meeting this new little nephew. We won't be able to make it to Nevada until August, so we'll get to meet two new nephews and a new niece. I'm so excited to hold these little babies. My own baby is getting too big!


I'm generally not superstitious, and I think that Friday the 13th must be pretty lucky.

(Knock on wood).

Bonk and Bimmer

Brandon has sometimes bordered on the edge of becoming Obsessive/Compulsive. I have a very vivid memory of him walking along as a 4 year old and stopping every couple seconds to pull up his socks. He is very aware of his surroundings as well as his effect upon the world around him.

His every interest becomes an obsession. The first I remember was trucks. Then it was rocks, the space program, trains, remote control cars, tanks, legos, transformers, and jets.

Then his interests moved more toward weapons, starting with swords and knights and progressing to knives and then to guns.

At each stage Brandon obsessed about his current interest. He read every book on the subject, role-played that particular interest and couldn't think about anything else.

That's why I found it so funny that his favorite show on TV is Monk, which is about an Obsessive/Compulsive consultant who has a knack for solving difficult murder cases.

Brandon streamed the entire 8 season show in just one year. In the end, they finally both had closure. In honor of watching the final two part episode he dressed up and acted like Monk. It was pretty hilarious (and a little scary).

It was a great ending to the series and after it was over we reminisced about our favorite episodes. Probably the unanimous favorite was Mr. Monk and the Airplane. Interestingly enough, the stewardess who Monk drove crazy was the actor Tony Shalhoub's real wife. We thought the show was hilarious and even more funny was a story that Brandon related after it was over. When he and Andrew flew to California by themselves, he pushed the call button to ask if the stewardess could put their luggage up in the bins. Later, he pushed it to see if they could play their gameboys. Finally, he pushed the button to see if they could take off their seatbelts.
Another favorite episode was Mr. Monk's 100th case, because he accidentally solved two cases and couldn't stop at an even hundred. Brandon loves to laugh at and copy Monk's idiosyncrasies like how he has to touch things and can't shake hands without a wipe. His favorite quote is, "It's a gift....and a curse." Brandon also loves Captain Stottlemeyer and has always looked up to our former Police Chief John Jackson who took him on a ride-along.

Brandon has a new obsession. It starts with a "B" and ends with an "L" and involves a certain BYU player of the year. His fingertips have bled from his continuous practice, and I have had a number of people tell me how much better he has gotten at basketball. The competitive side of him keeps him practicing hard.

It's hard to believe that this Friday, Brandon will officially be a teenager. He is a good boy who always tries to do the right. He read the Book of Mormon by his 8th Birthday, and is making his way through the Bible and is already in Psalms. He just gave a wonderful talk on Easter and has made a lot of friends. He is a good example to his brothers and has developed a hilarious sense of humor. I love my Bonk and Bimmer.

A List

1. During the Spring Equinox we tried something that I heard you can do: balance an egg on end. It worked! It only worked for a few hours, but it was pretty cool.


2. We took a short trip to Albuquerque and visited the Science Museum. While it pales in comparison with Denver, they have a decent dinosaur exhibit.

Danielle doesn't like being trapped in a stroller. She wanted to be free.

The kids especially enjoyed the park across the street.


3. My new neighbor grew up on a cattle ranch, and she invited us to see how they work the cattle. One thing that never comes across in the photos, and that even the Pioneer Woman has never mentioned, is the horrible smell the comes from the burning fur and flesh, when they are branded. There is no fear in this mama of her babies growing up to be cowboys.

4. The Alamosa City Hall is coming along slowly but surely. They are pouring the cement pad right now, and next week they will be putting up the steel frame. It is exciting to watch.

The fire station now has the steel frame attached to the current city hall. Once the new City Hall/Library is built, the current building will be remodeled into a police station.

5. We went to Utah for Spring Break and had a wonderful time. The kids enjoyed Temple Square with the Phelps.

I somehow forgot to take pictures with the Days and the Talbots, but I do have them on video. We also went to BYU and saw the Carl Bloch exhibit, which was wonderful. We swam with the Days and ate Sushi and went to IKEA with the Talbots....well just with Cami, while the kids fended for themselves, but we did get them cinnamon rolls. Poor Cami is getting over Strep Throat.

6. Danielle really likes popcorn, and she is a greedy baby.