Where Does Time Fly To?

I think more appropriately the title of this post should be, when will I learn?

I spent over an hour writing this morning.  I was pretty happy with what I had managed to put down.  However I was once again writing directly into the blog site and not in WORD, and low and behold I finished the piece, hit save draft and a blank screen appeared.  Everything I had worked so hard on this morning was gone, nowhere to be found.  I even asked my nerdy, techie, hubby to save my sanity and find it, but it has vanished.  Of course he had to remind me that he has told me before not to do my writing on the blog, use WORD so it autosaves.  Yeah Yeah.  UGH.

So let’s see if I can manage this again.  And yes I am writing in WORD so that it will autosave.  No guarantees though, I am sure if there is a way to lose everything I work on within WORD, I will find it.

As I sat with my cup of hot tea this morning, listening to the rain pouring down on the RV, I was pondering all the amazing adventures we had last year.  As I reminisce in my head I pull up our blog to realize we are behind in keeping you along on our journeys!  Oh not just behind but WAY WAY WAY behind.  Now this is where the question came in,  Where does time fly to?  It has definitely been flying by, just not sure where it went.    I realize I left you all in July and it is now January!! Oh my goodness.  And no we have not been idle and staying in one place, hahahaha.

So I have decided to catch you all up within this one post with a brief overview of where we were the second half of 2018.  I believe I have some posts started for the individual trips so hopefully I will get those finished up so you can have the true experience of each adventure.

We enjoyed a few small chores we did at Cody and Michael’s new house.  Some help with some jobs and some teachings for others.  The boys took it upon themselves to do a ton of the work all by themselves.  Not asking or wanting any help even from those like Tracey experienced in the matter to which they are attempting.  They have done themselves proud and attempted and achieved things they never thought they could.  They have finally moved into the house, even though there is not a working kitchen or one bathroom that is fully functioning.  But I think they are loving life.  I will post some pictures on our Facebook page for you all to see the progress.

Caitlynn finally competed in ice skating for two competitions, one in August and one in September.  She finished strong with a  first place and a second place!!   She was even proud of herself which doesn’t come easy these days.  She is looking forward to the next competition season, after originally deciding to not compete and just advance through her moves tests.  She has taken the month of December off almost completely from skating due to school and finals.  She also turned 16!!  How did that happen??  She received a car for her birthday and is loving her new found independence.  

After the competition in September which was in Las Vegas, we joined up with Tracey’s childhood BFF Trevor and his family and friends in Moab Utah for some RZR riding.  We had a blast even though I didn’t particularly like the type of riding.  Okay to be honest I was very scared on some of the ride!!  I am a baby and like trail rides and this was definitely not trail riding.  I hope to finish this piece and get some pics and videos posting so you all can experience it with me.  We had so much fun hanging out with friends that I forgot all the scariness!  

September also found us attending the annual doTerra convention in Salt Lake City.  If you don’t know what all the hype is about essential oils we would love to share with you.  The health of our family has dramatically changed and the more toxins we remove from our home and lives the better we feel.  We love sharing our testimonies and giving samples so you too can change your health.  We learn so much every year we attend, we look forward to each year to gain more knowledge and spend time with friends and we always seem to make new friends along the way.

The last weekend of September we were blessed to witness our daughter making the biggest decision of her life.  On Saturday September 29th she was baptized at Compass Christian Church by Pastor Lisa Spidle.  Something we have praying for, and in God’s perfect timing we saw our prayers answered.  Congrats Caitlynn!  

October brought on hunting season here in Arizona.  Tracey headed north for some elk hunting once again.  He ended up never seeing any animals nor any signs of animals and headed home about 4 or 5 days into what was to be a two week hunt.  This is his second time trying elk hunting with friends, that have a totally different way of hunting than what he is accustomed to and has decided it is just not for him.  He did get to try out our new to us toy hauler and said it was perfect for hunting.  He and his brother are already making plans for 2019 where the hunting trip will take them to Nebraska.

Caitlynn and I spent fall break doing some mini projects at home, her skating a ton, and shopping shopping shopping!  (maybe that it the real reason Tracey came home early)

We squeezed in a dinner with friends that live a few miles away that we never seem to be able to coordinate schedules with.  We had lots of laughs catching up with Mark and Susanna!

We hosted a surprise and celebratory anniversary dinner for Tracey’s parents.  Jerry and Ellie celebrated 60 years together in 2018!!  Tracey’s sister Melanie prepared and served a multi course amazing meal while Tracey paired each course with a stellar wine from our collection.  Jerry and Ellie’s long-time friends Tom and Marg flew in from Nebraska to celebrate with them.  We enjoyed having them stay with us, the whole family enjoyed catching up with them, but I think Jerry and Ellie were surprised, blessed and grateful for them making the trip.  We are hoping to get them back to Nebraska in 2019 to visit with Tom and Marg as well as other family and friends that are still there.  We will see how that goes!

The last weekend of October we were blessed to attend a Path Finder’s Summit for our church.  Not only was it amazing to realize I have been at the church for 22 years but seeing where we were back then to where we are now, to the real excitement of where we are going.  Not just being told but seeing that we are actually a part of it all.  We have an amazing church family, it truly takes a village.  Love God, Love People, Share Jesus.

On into November we found ourselves in Las Vegas with our bffs Robert and Michelle.  Not sure if they know we call them our bffs but they are about to find out.  We do so much life with them, enjoy traveling together and sharing the good and the bad in our lives.  The boys headed to Vegas to play in a golf tournament put on by In N Out Burgers (they played in the one in Phoenix already) Along their way they stopped in Bullhead City and played golf with Michelle’s dad.  After the tournament they stayed in Vegas where Michelle and I joined them for a few days of rest relaxation and fun.

Tracey and I managed to squeeze in a real estate class, trying not to wait until our license is expiring to get them taken care of.

We spent Thanksgiving at home where we hosted some of Tracey’s family.  We ate, drank, played games, and laughed.  We are so blessed to have family close by. The weekend was spent trying to get ahead on Christmas decorations, seems no matter how early we start we are always running right up to the day when we have to ask ourselves is it even worth putting them up now.

The final weekend of November we were blessed to attend the wedding of our dear friends Robert and Chrissy.  It was a beautiful ceremony.  We thank you for including us.  

December had things planned that didn’t happen and other things not planned that did happen.  We had to cancel a trip to Sedona with Robert and Michelle due to unforeseen circumstances. I am sure it will make its way back onto our calendars at some point.

Tracey and I ran off to Mexico mid week to check out the remodel we are having done on our condo.  We loved what we saw and can’t wait to see the final outcome.  Pictures to come soon.  We miss the beach and always wonder why we wait so long to go back.  So it is high on the priority list for destinations in 2019

We enjoyed an impromptu breakfast with our friend Laura.  She was in from Napa for her niece’s wedding and we were able to steal a little of her time.  We enjoyed a few hours of laughter together. 

Christmas eve we hosted the entire Hayden family along with two of our kids.  We had a house full, and so much fun with everyone.  Ranging in age from a few weeks to 80’s!!!  We did the Hayden family tradition of soup night, drank, sang songs, and played games. Late into the night when everyone headed home, Cody and Michael stayed and we all exchanged gifts.  Love having the kids around even if its only for a minute or two. 

We will end our year celebrating a second Christmas and New Years in Texas with Chris, Rachel and the girls.

We have decided that our time with family and friends is most important.  We did not manage to get out Christmas cards and we really cut back on gifts this year.  We would love to spend time with each and everyone of you!  Don’t let too much time pass by, we never know what tomorrow may bring.  We want to make our travels meaningful and have so many of you near and dear to our hearts.  We have on our radar for 2019, Virginia, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Mexico and of course Texas repeatedly.  If we can’t make it to you, our door is always open even when we are not there!!  We love having company and love having loved ones join in on our journeys.

God Bless and we will see you soon!!

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