Dear 4:53 AM,

I am writing you this letter to break up with you. I no longer want to see you. I have started a new relationship with 6:00 AM and would like to keep that relationship strong. If I continually spend time with you, I am sure 6:00 AM will get a little jealous. We had some good years together but the time to break up is now. If the time comes that I feel I need you again, I will contact you. Please don't call, text, or contact me; I will contact you.
Sincerely,
Me

5 months and growing

Little Baby Barnes #2 is growing right on track; and so am I. Up 6 pounds and wishing this was all the weight gain I would encounter. Yes, you may laugh now.

This picture is for you to compare; 5 months pregnant with Edward.

It all happens at once...

Does it seem like your life is trailing along happily; then, suddenly, out of the blue you are hit with three or four things at once? It can sometimes seem like that to me. I can be living my daily life. Step by step reaching my little goals. Then, BAMMO! I am hit; hard. So to start, I will write the things in which I am eternally grateful.
1) I know my Heavenly Father loves me and I know he lives.
2) I am sealed to a wonderful man who is an amazing husband and father.
3) I have a safe place to lay my head at night.
4) I have a healthy rambunctious boy.
5) I have food to eat for each meal and crystal clear clean water to drink.
6) I have never been denied anything I truly want or desire.
7) I am healthy.
8) I have a family that loves and supports me no matter what silly things I put them through.
9) I am alive.
10) No matter what, I have been loved, I have loved, and I will continue to love through to the end of time.

A few blog posts ago, I wrote about not getting ahead. Well I didn't mean to fall so far so fast, but I did. I thought the $546 dollars we paid for our condo's new A/C unit would be the biggest financial crises we would face this summer. I was wrong. Shortly after returning home from our amazing, relaxing vacation; My car died. I just bought the 2000 Honda last year as my "family" car. I sold my beloved mustang to accommodate a family. The cost, $5000 big ones! I took my car in to the Honda dealership to learn that I needed a NEW transmission. $3000 big ones! As it turns out, the car just had a new transmission put in it not to long ago.

Not that money matters... it just stinks.

Beware of the bears and a few tantrums...

Sunday, July 4th, Independence day, Stephen and I headed out for Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We left right after church with the hope that Edward would be willing to take a LONG nap for the three and a half hour drive. He slept. However, that was the only time he slept on the trip. We arrived at our cabin a little before dusk so we had plenty of time to set up to watch the fire works. Edward had other plans. He was ready for bed so we ended up watching them from a far distance.
We walked up to our cabin and the first thing we saw was a sign that said, "Beware of the Bears" Yes, it is bear season. Yes, there was a real bear that wandered around the cabin site. Yes, it ate the trash every night. Yes, everyone was a little scared. I actually never saw the bear; however, one could easily see the mess he made each morning.

Monday morning, we all woke up and went separate directions. My Dad has always wanted to go White Water Rafting. It is hard to believe that he had never been. Stephen, Sharla, Wade, Mom, Dad, and Amanda all headed to Durango to ride the rapids.


While they were busy on the 60 degree water, Edward, Landon, and I went on a small hike to Treasure Falls. This is where all the trouble began. Edward hiked the entire way up the hill to see the falls. Once he arrived at the top he decided his stomach hurt and I noticed poo running down his leg and leaking through his pants. I ran back down the mountain but it really wasn't fast enough. Poo was everywhere. It only took those 20 minutes to cause a rash that would last then entire trip. This fine Monday night, Edward decided he missed home and cried for about 2 hours straight from Two AM to Four AM. I don't see how a bear would make his way to the cabin when screams could be heard across the forest. Stephen ended up giving him a blessing and shortly thereafter, Edward fell asleep on the couch.

Tuesday was set aside for just lounging around. Although, we are an active bunch, so this didn't happen. We went to sit in the hot springs and planned to relax. Stephen, Sharla, and Wade decided they wanted to Kayak the San Juan River. This proved to be a bit more of a challenge for the three of them. The San Juan River was a bit low and the kayak was harder to maneuver than they imagined. Stephen is still sore and recovering from a terrible sunburn on his legs.

Wednesday we headed out for Silverton Colorado. Mom, Dad, Amanda, Landon, Sharla, and Wade all took the 3 hour train ride one way while Stephen and I opted for the 2 hour car ride. We arrived around the same time to find that most of the train riders were sea sick. They actually said they were glad they missed the train and thus missed the first 45 minutes of the train ride. Silverton is a beautiful town set deep in the Colorado Mountains; however, it only exists for the tourists. I can't imagine actually living there.
Thursday was our last day. We packed up and headed back to Treasure Falls and to drive Wolf Creek Pass. Each night we played some fun family games that proved to provoke mostly anger and a little fun. We Skousen's play to win. It was a wonderful, relaxing vacation. I can't wait until next year when everyone will be able to come. So many great memories.

Happy 30th Birthday

To my wonderful husband and best friend, Stephen!

And the winner is....

Pattie Skousen

Also Known as, Mom!!! I will email you with directions so that you can claim your prize!