My Adventure

I have been working on the Gulf Coast for the last few weeks in response to the oil spill. The media has potrayed the events so much differently than I have seen them. The news shows picture after picture of oiled and dead pelicans. The locals say that they are the only bird not smart enough to get out. The beaches in Mississippi are white and beautiful. They are also completely vacant. No tourists in site. I visited a local gift shop yesterday that sold local seafood and trinkets. Everything was 40% off. She said they would probably have to close unless the word got out soon that the beaches are clean. The news has also blown up the tropical storm depression noting that it may cause more oil to wash up on the beaches, further hurting the local economy. Very sad, I bought a silver deviled egg holder. Which is probably the last thing I want to fly home with, but I was not going to leave empy handed. When a tarball is reported on the beach they have a crew of 60 people to clean it up. It takes one person.
I have learned and seen a lot on this adventure, but can't wait to get home. I am definately in the count down mode. I can't wait to snuggle up to my kids and husband. It is nice to live in an alternative world and life, if for not other reason than to appreciate the life you have that much more. Taylor, Nolan, and Jessy I love you guys to the moon and back again, and will be home soon!

Spring

I haven't felt up to getting back to a "regular" post yet. It seems like life is still in limbo. Spring moves on, projects move forward, new goals have been made and there is such an empty space around all of it. It used to be that there wasn't anything that Jay and I did that my Dad didn't have a hand in or advice to give. I always got along great with my Dad and always appreciated his interest in us. Now that he is gone I do not have to look far to find him. He is in the play house he helped design and build for the kids, a forever structure that will hold many memories, secrets, and stories. He is in our house, our yard, our driveway, our plants, and even on our roof. He did so much for us. I have missed him so much this spring. He spent so much time outdoors, and now we sadly pull weeds, mow yards, switch horses for cows, and try to find other ways to cut down the work load. I get teary eyed every time an improvement is made that my Dad would have liked to see get done. Just last weekend Jay improved my Moms sprinkler system, and now it is watering a spot in the yard that every year my Dad would add grass seed to and drag a sprinkler out to. That spot never grew grass. I will be both sad and proud when it does.
I often gave my Dad a hard time about keeping his garage a mess or just generally keeping too much stuff around. Now that he is gone, I do not notice his mess, just his absence. I notice what he left us was peace and stability. We live on a portion of the property he bought 15+ years ago. When we moved out here in jr high I complained that we had too much work to do, too many weeds, too much dust. Now I see the kids out on adventures, four wheeling, cows grazing, enough space for any dream to come to life. Most of all I notice how peaceful it is out here and how safe my kids are. I don't worry about traffic or strange people. This is all thanks to the dream of my Dad.
The kennel always seemed like a less than ideal idea of my parents. My Dad made it happen. Now my Mom has stability at a time that otherwise would have been very difficult to find a job. It has supported my family for a time, my brothers, and two of my sisters. It is a blessing! He made it a priority to better his family, and worked very hard to do so.
If I could leave even 1/10 behind to my family that my Dad left us it will be a proud moment for me. I am thankful to not have any regret moments in my relationship with my Dad. I just heard a song about things the girl should have said, and have a soft spot for all of the people who have guilt about that sort of thing. Treat people well while you have them.

Dad

I have been avoiding writing this post.
On the morning of New Years Eve I lost my Dad. Although I realize that this has already come and gone it is just as devastating every time I say it. My Dad has always been a source of inspiration and strength for me. The loss of him has left such a big hole in my heart. I find comfort and sadness knowing he has been reunited with Nick, and his own Dad. The sadness I feel for myself, my children, my husband, mom, and sisters is indescribable. He will be missed for the rest of my life time. Rest in peace Dad. I love you!

Bruce Wallace Young

May 30^th, 1951 – December 31^st, 2009

Bruce Wallace Young was born to Deryl and DeEsta Young on May 30^th, 1951, in Brigham City, Utah. On December 31^st 2009, he passed peacefully in his home when he went to be with his son Nicholas and our Heavenly Father.

Bruce was raised in Perry, Utah and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Montana-Wyoming Mission. He eventually landed in the Tri-Cities area where he made his home for the last 28 years. His passions were his family, his “speed buggy,” his horses, and all of his treasures. He will fondly be remembered as “Santa” bringing Christmas joy to many children and adults.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years Sandy Young, his four daughters Brenda (Sean), Michelle, Wendy (Jay), Brooke, daughter-in-law Kirsten, Mother DeEsta, Brothers Phil and Boyd, Sisters Teresa and Roseann and his eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Nicholas Young and father Deryl Ross.

Bruce was the most kind, devoted, selfless individual anyone could ever run across. His crooked smile, jokes and endless stories allowed him to make friends everywhere he went. He was always the first person to lend a helping hand to those in need. It has been said many of times that “Bruce was the neighborhood.” He has touched many lives and will be missed dearly by all who knew him; each and everyone one of us knowing that we are better people because he was a part of our lives. Heaven has our angel now.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at the LDS Jadwin Building, 1321 Jadwin Ave. in Richland, on January 7^th, 2010, at 11:00 am. A burial service will immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 Bypass Hwy in Richland.

Christmas

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Christmas might as well have been a year ago, but certainly not forgotten. I had a five minute thought that I might send out Christmas cards this year and attempted this photo shoot. It looks a lot more fun than it was. "Sit here!! Look here!! Smile Nolan!! All eyes on Mommy!" Yeah right. We had a very busy Christmas with a lot of family in town. I can hardly remember what the kids got, but do remember that it took a long time to open gifts and I loved it. I always hoped I could just sit back, watch, and enjoy. They did a great job evaluating everything and enjoying everything. No toy goes unplayed with. As a suprise to us, the kids picked Jay out a sweat shirt and hot chocolate set with smores as a bonus. I got an I Carly purse...love her, and a beautiful broach. So adorable. A lot of work, and a lot more memories...too bad my is already foggy. Truly though, I love Christmas! How can I not with a 1, 4, and 5 year old. They believe in Santa, magic, and the Polar Express. Jesus is the reason for the season and the smile on their face when they have been told they are on the good list.

Sleep Baby Sleep

Nolan 4 years old
Taylor 5 years old
Jessy 11 months old
Precious little ones! When I look at these pictures of these beautiful children I see so many different things that I hope to never forget. Taylor sleeps like her Dad, usually on her stomach or else with her arms over her head. She packs her bed with stuffed animals and books, I used to find rocks in her bed all bedded down for the night. She loves to listen to puff the magic dragon on repeat, get rocket rides to bed, two kisses and two hugs, and if she needs more than that it means she is thirsty or on the verge of a meltdown.
Jessy has slept through the night a handful of times in her short life, and started out by only being able to sleep on her tummy. She would move so much that we had to use the weight of her body as a newborn to hold her in place. She literally got herself half way out of her bassinet before she could roll over. She doesn't like a lot of snuggling, but will humor us every now and again. I will find her laying on the floor sometimes with her head resting and say awhhhhh, instantly she pops up as if to say, "what, I am not tired."
Nolan my boy doesn't like to sleep in his sheets, only on top of his blanket with his big blankie over him. I am not sure he could sleep at this point with out that thing. It is more comforting than I will ever know how to be. He doesn't like kisses, but every so often tells me, "Mom, one kiss, only one, on the cheek today." I'll take what I can get. He doesn't like his wallpaper in his bedroom and has slowly been pealing it off, I have given up on that, because truthfully I would do the same thing if I didn't like it. He is definitely my sweet and sour boy, underneath it all he is the sweetest little guy that can absolutely melt my heart.
Sweet dreams.

Trick Or Treat

We had the pleasure of spending Halloween with Barney, a black spider man, a one eyed purple people eater, and a giraffe. We went to a childrens carnival at a school this year, and were happy to be warm and safe. Jessy chomped down two suckers...quickly. The big kids had a blast and went down the big slide at least 50 times. They surprisingly weren't disappointed when the collected a bag of candy and could only have 1 piece. So much work for one piece. Halloween pictures are so priceless, and such a great way to compare them year to year. I can almost guarantee I wont get Nolan into a one piece spider man suit when he is a teenager. Precious!!

Fall

Fall is here....my favorite time of the year. The leaves are beautiful, the weather around here is usually awesome, and the excitement of the holidays around the corner. The kids went to the pumpkin patch with Jay this year and each had a pumpkin carving night at school with their Dad. Things seem to be going by quickly as we don't seem to be make a whole lot of progress around here. Kudos to those of you who have jobs and still get your yard work done. We are busy trying to wrap up things we never got around to over the summer. I am proud to say we kept it together during our first year with three kids. It has been an adjustment with three, if plan to get something done we know we just can't stop working until our heads hit the pillow. Jessy is more than keeping up with her brother and sister. She started walking at 9.5 months and is now climbing onto the furniture and trying to hop to the next piece of furniture. I can't believe all that she can do for only being 11 months. Taylor and Nolan have taken to her sooo well! They adore their baby Jessy. We are excited to spend Thanksgiving in Sandpoint this year, and to no suprise the kids have started making their Christmas lists, which include every toy seen on any commercial they watch...no exclusions. :)