First Work Accident!

Here are some pictures of my leg. I was moving a wheel barrow full of wet concrete mix when it started to tip over. I tried to move to the left to get it stable, but in the process, I tripped over a huge metal beam on the ground and fell over. When I landed, all my body weight, plus the weight of the concrete, shoved my leg into the sharp metal corner of the beam, causing a huge chunk to be scraped out. I even had pieces of leg fat on my pants. I started to go into shock a little bit, but was able to calm down before I would have passed out. It was a 30 minute drive to the hospital so you can imagine there was lots of shaking, pain, and overall shock! I ended up getting about 9 stitches, I think. They're big ones since the gash was so big! I can walk on my leg, although it hurts. I have pain in both arms due to getting a Tetanus shot in one arm and pain meds in the other! Now that it's been a few hours, the pain medicine is wearing off and I'm quite sore and exhausted. But good news!! I'll be able to work tomorrow. I may just be sorting through paperwork or operating the fork lift...anything simple that doesn't push pressure on my leg. I'll have the stitches for 10 days...what fun. This was my first trip to the hospital for stitches since I was 3 years old! It wasn't too fun, but I'll have the memories! 

Pretty Princess!

Etni is a princess this year for Halloween! She looked so beautiful! She loved having me take pictures of her, as well! We had a dinner, carnival, and trunk or treat party at the church on Friday. She had so much fun! It was so cute to see her on the cake walk, hopping from one number to the next. She's just getting so big!!!

DINNER TIME!

For the first time in 7 weeks of living in NM, WE HAVE A DINING TABLE! We had our first family meal tonight and it was so fun! I made an enchilada casserole and it was so yummy! We started dinner with a prayer and Etni finally folds her arms for the whole prayer and says, "Amen." It's precious! I'm so happy!

The Search Is On!

Well, it's about that time. The busy season on the lake is over and now I have to find a new job. I'm sad that I can't stay at the marinas, but I do still have a month left. I applied at 4 different locations today and hope one of them will hire me! Pray for me! Wish me luck!

FIRST DAY OF PRE-SCHOOL!

Today was Etni's first day of Pre-School and she loved it! We took a few pictures before we left for the day. She had on her new outfit and pink bows in her hair! She was sooo excited and SO WAS I! Once I left the school, my heart was pounding and I almost cried! I know it's just Pre-School, but I can't believe she's growing up so fast! Isn't she just so beautiful?! I'm the luckiest mom to have her all to myself! :) Well, kinda.

Can't fool me!

On Thursday night, I was texting my friend, Casey, back in Washington. He was a good friend who loved Etni and she gave him lots of love in return. She also loved his dog, Katie. Casey sent me a text and asked me to tell Etni that Katie(dog) says hi.

I walked over to Etni and said, "Etni, do you remember our friend Casey and his dog, Katie?" She replied, "Yes." I then said, "Katie says hi." Etni looked up at me with a very serious face and said, "Katie can't talk."

Haha! Profound! Can't fool my 3 year old! Love her to death! By the way, the photo above was taken a few months ago of Etni and Katie.

Just what I needed to hear!

I've got to share a moment I had with Etni that was short, but precious.

Last night, Etni and I decided to go get the mail. When we got back to the house, we were standing on the sidewalk looking out on our driveway. Etni looked around, sighed, and said, "I like this place."

HOW AMAZING IS THAT?! I was so happy to hear her tell me that! It's good to know she loves it here as much as I do!

Life in New Mexico!

Well, we're here. Starting our new life in Truth or Consequences, NM. It's been interesting since we've been here, but I LOVE IT!

I really enjoy my job, but it sure is tiring. I work for Lago Rico, Inc. which consists of 3 marinas on Elephant Butte Lake. I work mainly at Marina Del Sur. I scrub n' clean boats, work with customers, set up boat rentals, sort inventory, and anything else they can give me to do! My coworkers are all so fun and it's mostly a quite relaxing job even though it's pretty much go, go, go and very physical.

Etni will soon be entering into a 3 yr old pre-school that is payed for by the state! She should love it! I'm very excited and will update later on that new little adventure! She instantly calls everyone she meets her "new friend." She LOVES seeing her cousins and adores Ginger. Sometimes she'll cry to Ginger and sit on her lap instead of asking mom to comfort her! She LOOOVES our new house and wants to show everyone!

Speaking of our house...it's cute and just right for the two of us! It's a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom. I am working on decorating it currently and trying to make it feel like a home instead of a house. I've got colors picked out for the walls and now it's painting time! I can't wait to get it all finished! I finally live in a house and not an apt complex! Yay!

Church. Now, most of my friends and family know I've struggled with church the last year or so. Not here. I LOVE IT. I actually enjoy every lesson taught and talk given. Relief Society is a little hard for me because the women are all so different and the lessons are very...odd? I just think it doesn't feel like it should and hope some changes get made soon so it feels more like a unity of women and not just "the 3rd hour." I don't get to spend it with Ginger because she is 1st Counselor in YW. But...I'm trying to have a positive attitude and enjoy it anyway!

Boys...ahh, boys. Well, I have a friend here and he's great. I don't know if it'll turn into anything more than that, but he sure is a blast. I met him at AutoZone a few days after I moved here. He manages the store and helped fix a loose screw and bolt on my serpentine belt. Two weeks after that, the other side of the belt came loose and "I had to" go back and have him fix it again! He gave me his number and I was so excited! He is divorced as well and is such a sweet guy. He's not a member, but has a good head on his shoulders. I invited him to church, so we'll see where that leads!

That about sums up the info about the few areas of my life! I'll be posting more stories later! I've had some amazing experiences while here and I can't wait to share them!

Chit-Chat with Grandma!

I love this photo, also. Etni was so excited to see Grandma and ran over to her. I wish I knew what she was saying when I took this picture!

Strollin' the yard

I absolutely love this photo! I have been trying to capture Etni as much as I can! My photography hobby will hopefully someday be a business for us! Have I mentioned I love this photo?!!

Best Buddies!

I was lucky enough to spend Easter with Ginger and her family. Etni loved it! She and Jordan had so much fun together. In this picture (seen above) they were playing in the kitchen sink and giggling about who knows what! They're both getting so big now! I love Etni's smile. It's just precious! Take a look at those eyes and dimples on Jordan! Talk about a future heart breaker!

Shootin' Pumpkins!

I went shooting with my buddy, Wayne on Saturday morning. I loved it! I didn't know shooting could make me so dang happy! Believe it or not, I out shot him that day. He was pretty impressed! I shot a 30-06, shotgun, and a 22! :)

Hangin' Around

Playing outside isn't all Etni loves to do! Anytime she can find a bar, she'll hang from it!

Playing Outside!

Etni insisted on playing outside in the cold! Don't worry, we got her all bundled up! Her favorite thing to do EVER is to be outside! Yesterday, we were out by the pool and she said, "Mom, swimsuit?!" Ha! She's nuts!

Haha! I love this picture. Etni smooshed her face next to mine so she could be in the picture and pushed me out of it!

Dress up!

Etni was having fun trying on clothes. I got a picture just before she threw off the hat!

Happy Halloween!

I was a kitty for Halloween! Very simple costume but it worked! Etni had a tiger costume but it terrified her! She ended up being a little Hawaiian girl- meaning a flower in her hair and a lei around her neck! Talk about an easy costume at the last minute!

Laundry Time!

Etni decided to play in the hamper! Cutest laundry I've ever seen!

Long time, No blog!

My heavens! It's been so long since I've posted anything new! My job is ending it's season next week and I'll be looking for a holidays season job! I hope I find work quickly!

Etni is getting bigger every day! She's talking so much lately and repeating everything she hears! Her favorite word seems to be "football" as of late. That makes me so proud!

I think I'll post any recent pictures that I can find of Etni. I've been a lazy bum and slacked on the picture taking! How ironic, seeing as how I am a photographer!

Sunday Morning Trials!

My heavens! What a morning! I woke up late, of course, and was hurrying around the house to prep for church. I drop off Etni at my home ward about 10:10am for nursery and then head to my Singles Branch in town at 11am. I got Etni all fed, dressed, and ready to go. Buckled her in, hopped in the front seat and turned the key. Nothing. Dead as a door nail. ARG! The only vehicle I can use to jump start my battery is Kirby's pick up. I hopped into the pick up and in a matter of seconds, had to re-teach myself how to drive stick shift! By the grace of God, I managed to get the pick up moved over to where my car was parked. Now I just needed to pop the hood and grab the jumper cables. BUT WHERE THE HECK IS THE LATCH TO POP THE HOOD?! I searched for about 3 minutes, but found nothing. I had to call the church, ask them to find Kirby, and THAT took about 2 or 3 minutes. While waiting, I was pathetic enough to pull out the manual to try and find where the latch is located, but it's not very helpful when Kirby's dashboard has been ripped out and nothing is intact! He eventually found his way to the phone and told me how to get the hood popped. I went as fast as I could while hooking the cables to the right posts on each battery...all while in a white skirt and 4 inch heels! Etni was waiting so patiently in the back seat, bless her heart!

Ok...so I got on the road and was almost to the church. I was trying my best to get my daughter to nursery on time, so despite it being against the law AND on a Sunday morning, I was speeding my butt off! I passed one car and was about to pass another but that little punk decided he was going to go faster. So, in an attempt to achieve my "get to nursery on time" plan, I sped up as well. I was almost over 80 mph but that blasted car wouldn't let me pass him. As a result, we were practically racing each other down Eltopia West! I would have passed him, but a car came so I had to give up and slow down and get back in the other lane behind the "not so nice" car.

So...in the end...I was righteous, right? I might have had a few trials on the way to church and may have broken the laws of the land, but dang it, my daughter got to nursery just in time to go outside and look for bugs with all her little friends! Oh, and don't worry, I made it to my ward, too. I was about ten minutes late, but I stayed after wards and recruited some much needed people to add to our choir!

All in all, it's been a great day!

Toooootles!

I am having so much fun with Etni lately. It's entertaining to watch her grow up right before my eyes. She LOVES watching kids cartoons. As of now, she prefers Dora, Go Diego Go, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Spongebob Squarepants! My favorite thing to see and hear is Etni singing along with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! She'll sing, "tooootles" along with Mickey. So dang cute!

Volleyball!

Every Tuesday night is Volleyball night for me. It's my release from the world of chaos and a chance to feel like I once did in high school...or at least TRY! The women I play with are so much fun and always make me feel welcome. I love it! I'm meeting new friends and catching up with old friends from years past. Some nights, I even get a few good kills in! I miss playing volleyball on an official team. If only I could get my high school years back! I'm so grateful for sports!

Future Big Sister!

I had a fun few hours in town today with my close friend, Beth. It was nice to get out of the house and be social! We headed to Plato's Closet with 2 kids! Etni is just loving babies right now. She insisted on feeding Beth's son, Caleb. She will be such a loving big sister...whenever that day comes!

Family- Isn't It About...Time?

I had a wonderful time in Oakley, as I stated before, but I failed to express all my feelings about being there. I never spent much time with the Hale side of my family while growing up and that's something that I now regret. I was lucky enough to stay with Alan and Lynette for a few nights. I love the feeling in their home. While be around their family, I got to see a different side of the Alan Hale family and Alan himself. I'd have to say that Lynette is one lucky lady to have that man as her eternal companion. He sure seems to be a great guy, wonderful husband, and a fun dad.

I also worried about being around all my new "cousin-in-laws" during that weekend. When you have so much fun with your cousins, you worry about who they'll marry and if they'll become BORING! (he he) BUT! I am very happy to say that I LOVE who my cousins have decided to marry. Every girl fits perfectly in the Hale family and I'm so happy to have them be part of my life now.

The last thing I am so grateful for, when it comes to visiting Oakley, is seeing the happy marriages between my aunts and uncles and cousins. I have realized how badly I want to have a happy temple marriage to a great Mormon guy who will give my daughter and I the best life possible. Being a single mom is beyond difficult and knowing that someday, I'll get to marry someone hopefully like my cousins, makes me look to the future with high hopes!

Thank you to all my male cousins who let me run around with you while growing up. You're all my heroes!

Another Generation of Cousins!

I had so much fun over the Pioneer Days weekend in Oakley. I missed my relatives so much! It's interesting getting older and seeing new babies every time we get together the next year or so. It's still amazing to think that I have a 2 year old and Barry has 2 kids! Etni was playing with Clara and trying to wipe her nose. She's a very "clean" toddler. I hope Etni and Clara can have as much fun as Barry and I had in our younger years!

All Smiles!

Not sure what is happening here to cause such excitement, but I love the expression on Etni's face! She had so much fun at the Hale reunion with all her little cousins!

Gretchen's Shadow

Etni was reunited with her cousin, Gretchen, over the Pioneer Days weekend. She loved every minute with her! In this picture, Etni is doing Gretchen's hair and talking jibberish to her while styling!

My Day Off!

I have been experiencing "single-parenting overload" lately! My parents agreed to watch Etni for a day so I could relax. I went to Moses Lake, Wa, about an hour and a half away, to a water park alone for the day. What are the odds that I end up sitting next to a family from my home ward?! They snapped this picture of me! It was a great day! I read New Moon, snacked on goodies, tanned my pale body, and cooled off in the water every now and then! I am happy to report that my legs are no longer white! Woo! I need more days like that!

Listen To Your Daughter!

Etni loves to imitate her mom! Here she is saying, "don't don't don't!"

Thirsty?

I love this picture! I have loved drinking out of the garden hose since I was little. Etni loves it, too!

Potty Time!

Etni sat down to go potty and apparently wanted to be modest and cover up! She is growing up so fast and is so dang cute!

Grandma's Little Garden Helper

Etni loves the garden! She helped her grandma plant as much as she could! She is definitely a country girl who loves to be in the dirt and water! Recently, she helped me pick the peas, but ended up eating more than she put in the bucket!

What am I doing?

Well, I have no idea why blogs seem to be the big thing these days, but I thought I'd try it out. I'm THAT bored. I'm not sure what to say or add on my blog, but I guess I'll learn. I'll have to look at everyone else's blogs to see if I am doing it right or not! Wish me luck! Here I go!