Sunrise, Sunset

"Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset

I don't remember growing older

When did they?

Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset.

Swiftly, fly the years.

One season following another.

Laden with happiness and tears."


My beautiful parents...Maria Elida and Feliberto Chavez

 Aw... I remember these two looking like this as if it was just yesterday. These two great parents were my shelter. They were my rocks. I ALWAYS knew they loved me. My dad would provide and keep us safe. My mother was my best friend, and kept us extra safe.


I received a call earlier this evening. My family in Texas informed me that my father is not doing well. My father is 83 years old and has always been so healthy. He was always known as the man who never aged. His younger siblings and friends always looked older than him. I'd say he was born with good genes. He has always taken pride in taking care of himself.  Daddy has always dressed very nicely. He has always watched his weight by exercising and eating healthy. I think he's had a few colds in his lifetime, but that's about it. He never even had a cavity until he was in his 80's.

Nine months ago he was still walking up to two miles a day. Then he had a stroke. With the stroke, he lost his swallowing reflex, so he was unable to drink or eat for three months. He had a feeding tube. He bounced right back. Then around three months ago, he had another stroke. Dick and I flew to Texas and were able to spend 3 days there. He really hasn't gotten well enough to bounce back. It's been one thing after another.

Tonight he is lying on his bed, unresponsive most of the time. My family said that they took him to the hospital earlier, and that he insisted on going home. He did not want any heroic measures done. He just wanted to go home.  I love my father. I've been thinking of my childhood. All my memories of him are so warm and tender. My father got up in the morning, went to work, came home for lunch, then after work, he was home by 5:15. Every single day. He was never late. He was a family man. He went with us to every parent-teacher conference. I was always so proud to introduce him as my father to my teachers. He was very over-protective. Sometimes too much! Now, I am thankful that he was. I am thankful that he took such good care of me, and that he gave me a loving home. In 2001, he came to Idaho and stayed 2 weeks with my family. He helped me sell tickets for the Wizard of Oz. He also went to see the performances every night with me. He loved seeing Brianna play Dorothy. He was Giselle's date for her company Christmas party back east. Giselle is so thankful that she got to know him better. She said she never realized he was such a goofy man. He was always making her laugh and telling her jokes. Four years ago, he came back to visit us in Idaho again. He stayed with us for an entire month. I am so thankful that he made the sacrifice to come see me. I know that when you become an older adult, it's hard to leave your home and your comfortable environment.

Through the years, he has mailed me lots of poems that he writes. A lot of them are about my mother. Three of them are about me. I will always cherish his poems.

I wish I was with him by his bedside tonight, but I do not want to see him this way. I want to remember him healthy and strong. I am so glad that I was able to see him 3 months ago.

I love you Daddy, and I will always be grateful for you. You were only 17 years old when you married mother, and you did the best you could to always have food on our table. I always had beautiful clothes to wear. Since you were an interior designer, you always told me which colors matched, and which colors didn't match.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you for teaching me well.

My mother passed away when she was only 69 years old. Boy do I miss her. I miss her so much, and I think of her always. She was the most unselfish woman in the world. I only hope to become like her one day. I loved her with all of my heart, and I know she loved me with all of hers.

Trampoline Fun and a Yummy dinner!

Today Giselle bought the ingredients for homemade bacon cheeseburgers. Travis cooked the meat.

Everything was so yummy!

I love it when I don't have to worry about dinner,

and the kids just take over.

After dinner Brianna was blowing bubbles outside

while Deacon chased them.

I think the bubbles looked so beautiful.

I had to take a picture.

Then the girls started jumping on the trampoline.

I had to take pictures of that too.

Deacon was even showing us some of his tricks.

He is pretty amazing!

Dad taught his CSI classes tonight. 

Tuesdays are his long days. We don't see him until 9:30 pm.

He comes home physically exhausted on Tuesdays.

He had a delicious burger, watched TV for a little bit while he put his feet up, then he went to bed.


Brianna and I also started walking this morning.  We walked Aubrey to the Jr. High with Deacon in the stroller and then we kept on walking for a full hour after that.  We plan to do it every day! Wish us luck!

Kirby Shmirby...

Yesterday a young lady came to the house and asked if we could let her boss clean one carpet in one room of our house with the Kirby vacuum. She said, "You don't have to buy anything, I get paid no matter what. As long as they clean one room in your house, I will get money that goes towards my tuition for college." Brianna had done this like 2 months ago and had said that as long as you don't give them any information, they cleaned one carpet in one room really good. The young lady wanted to do it yesterday. It was already after 8:30 pm so I told her it was a bad time because it was so close to bedtime for the kids. She was so persistent. She pleaded and pleaded. I finally told her we could do it the next day just to help her out. 

The girl and the gentleman showed up today around 4 pm. She left and the gentleman started putting the vacuum together. I made it very clear I wasn't going to buy anything from them because with all of our medical bills, we couldn't afford one more monthly payment. After seeing the magical Kirby at work, I was so impressed.

Our carpets were cleaned the day before we moved into this house. We've only been in this house a little over a month.

This carpet looks clean right?

NOT!

This is what he found underneath our carpet! Not once or twice, but after 5 tries yucky stuff kept coming out from underneath our carpet! Yikes!!! I wonder why my son suffers from allergies! Well, this is the culprit!

I called Dad so that he could see the ugliness. The gentleman started getting a bit pushy and insisted that we buy a $2600.00 Kirby. They take payments of 250.00 a month! You only have to give an $800.00 deposit. I told the guy there was no way we could afford that. He asked if he could use the bathroom. He was in there forever so I ran to the computer room and asked Dad to google door to door Kirby salesman. I got a strange feeling. A feeling like this was a scam. I don't know why, I just did. I told Dick that I thought this was a scam and all they want is for people to give them their credit information or money. I also asked Dad to join me in the living room because the gentleman was acting a little pushy. As soon as the guy came out of the bathroom, the doorbell rang. It was his boss. I think that is who he called when he was in the bathroom. His boss comes in and stands on the wet carpet with his shoes, and said, "Are you ready to make a purchase? I have some great specials." I told him under no circumstances. We just couldn't afford it right now. I told him that we loved the vacuum cleaner and if we could afford it we would definitely buy it. He had left terrible shoe tracks on the wet carpet. I then told him, "Oh no! You got my carpet all dirty!" The other gentleman that was here said, "No problem, I'll clean it up." His boss then said how about $1,700.00 with no down payment and $99/month?" I told him there was no way. Then he said, "How about $1000.00 with no down payment and $50/month?" I then told him that the only reason I let him in our house was because I was trying to help the girl that needed help with her tuition, and from the very beginning they knew I wasn't going to purchase anything. Then I asked him if I would buy one, how long would it take to receive it? (Wondering if they just wanted money or credit card information, and then you'd never see them again.) He said, "Today, you get this one that we used." After his boss left, I asked the gentleman that was cleaning why you would get an old one and not a brand new one. He said, "This isn't an old one. I've only used it a couple of times door to door, and we do have new boxes in the van. Yeah right!

We sure got our carpet cleaned, but it sure was a weird experience. I hope not too many people get tricked by them.

BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY FOR THE KIDS!

 Giselle, Brianna, and I hosted a "Back to School"

party for the kids. 

Everything was so delicious!

We had hoagie sandwiches from Walmart.

The bread and the meat were so fresh and it was 

only $20 for 4 feet.

That includes all the salad, mustard, and mayonnaise on the side.

Thank you girls for everything!

This will be our new tradition.

 

... and school begins for everyone!

This Saturday Aubrey watched Deacon for Brianna.

Dad assisted Aubrey for a little while and turned Deacon into Obi-Wan Kenobi.

When Brianna got out of work,

her and Deacon joined Aubrey and I.

We all went to Twin Falls.

Brianna and Giselle are so good about helping

Aubrey find clothes for school.

If they'd leave it up to me, I'd buy "old ladies" clothes for her.

Giselle wasn't able to go because she works on Saturday nights. We missed her so much!

It's not really a party without all my girls.

We went to Target to get some things and had to play with the hats, like always.

Before church today, Makena stopped by to say goodbye.

She spent about an hour at our house.

I could tell that Anson's heart was breaking.

These are the times when I wish I could take

all the hurt away from my babies, but I can't.

I wish I could raise him in a glass bubble,

and then when he's done with school send him off on a mission. When he'd return, I'd hand deliver him to his eternal companion.

I know so much can happen in 4 years, and he's aware of it.

He has two years of high school and two years as a missionary.

By then, Makena will be done with school.

I told him that what ever is meant to be will happen.

As long as he is doing what the Savior has asked of him, and he always lives righteously, the Lord will guide him.

As for now, they will continue to be best friends and stay in contact via phone, and facebook.

She will be coming home often too.

Brianna and Travis went to Giselle's house tonight

because she had a little get together with some single adults. Since Brianna and Giselle are pretty close,

Giselle always invites Bree to her single adult adventures.

We watched Deacon for a couple of hours.

He loved playing with bubbles outside.

I love this picture.

Deacon noticed that Anson was popping the bubbles with his finger and he started doing it too.

I love how Deacon is really concentrating to pop a bubble in this picture.

My baby girl will be going into the junior high tomorrow.

(7th grade)

My baby boy will be a junior this year at the high school.

Where have the years gone?

After church today, when we were driving home, Anson said, 

"I can't wait for the first day of school tomorrow! 

I am so excited!"

That boy loves to socialize at school.

He loves his friends!

Aubrey is so excited about going to the junior high.

I hope the Jr. High will be as wonderful to her

as it was for Anson.

One good thing is that she has some of the best teachers ever!

 Dad offered a very special prayer before the kids went to bed.

He always says an extra special prayer

the night before our children start a new school year.

During our family prayer tonight, 

we noticed that Deacon was on a little corner of the couch

being very reverent.

He was folding his arms and closing his eyes really tight.

When the prayer was over, I asked him if I could take a picture because he is always so good during the prayer.

He closed his eyes again and said, "cheeeeeeeeese."

  Today was little Richie's birthday.

I can't believe he is 6 years old already!

He is in the first grade and has gotten really tall.

Every time I see Richie III, he is always drawing or writing stories. The drawings that he makes go along with the stories that he writes. The books that he makes are truly amazing.

He sure loves his baby sister, Grace.

It seems as if it was just yesterday that we were all waiting

for him to arrive at the hospital.

Him and his beautiful blue eyes have brought us so much joy.

Thank you Richie III for making us grandparents.

I love you.

First football game of the season

Yesterday we had the high school faculty picnic for the teachers and their families. Aubrey, Anson, and I joined Dad. When the picnic was over we brought home lots of friend chicken because there was tons left. When we got home Giselle, Brianna, Deacon, and Travis joined us. We had a big fried chicken feast. Dad, the kids, and I did more yard work. We only live 3 blocks away from the high school so we could hear the band practicing. I love that sound. It reminds me that football games are just around the corner. The yard is looking so much better. 

Today was Anson's first football game of the season.

Before I knew he had a game, I planned on hosting a Scentsy party. Since when does the high school have their first game before school even starts? Dad went to the game early because he announces it. Travis and Deacon went to the game too. Deacon loves the band and the football game. Giselle was working tonight so she wasn't able to make it. After the party was over Brianna, Aubrey, and I rushed to the football game. We got to see the last quarter. It was a very exciting game. Travis had been reporting to Brianna all through the game, and Brianna would tell the people at my party. Burley lost by 1 point! (21- 20) It was a great game. Burley did awesome! I can't wait for the next game. I won't be planning any parties.

One of our guests had this 6 week old, handsome, little guy and Deacon got to hold him. He was very gentle with the little guy.

 Deacon brought Makena a book so that she could read it to him. He usually doesn't like any one to read books to him unless it's Brianna or his Grandpa.

It was a fun night and the Scentsy party was a success.

White moths in your yard keep the apples away.

Dad started school today.
He had meetings/inservices all day.
Brianna and Deacon came to visit.
While Brianna was painting Aubrey's nails,
Dad showed up for lunch.
Giselle also showed up for lunch.
We had a great visit. I can't believe that summer has come and gone.
The kids will be starting school on Monday.

Anson was a busy boy as usual.
He went to work, came home, and left for football practice.
The kids were planning on going boating for mutual today,
but instead decided to stay home.
They both helped us with yard work.

Dad is home!
Yes, he makes us work hard in the yard.
He really doesn't ask any of us to help him.
We just feel guilty when we see him working outside,
so we all join him.

After the yard work, Anson and Makena went to the movies.

When I was pulling weeds in our herb garden,
I noticed lots and lots of ladybugs.
I think ladybugs like sage.

Our apples are gone. :(

Our apple tree did not get sprayed by the previous owner,

so the white moths laid their eggs on the apples.

Most of them had worms.

Dad picked them all and threw them away.

Next year we will spray our apple tree in the late spring to keep those awful moths away.

 What a waste.

It makes me so sad. :(

I was really looking forward to having fresh apples in our own backyard. I love apples!

Oh well, there's always next year, and the rest of our lives!

Today I'm am thankful for a loving husband.
I'm thankful for EVERYTHING he does in the yard.
I'm thankful for everything he fixes around the house.
I'm thankful that he makes us feel safe when he's home.
I'm thankful because he always kisses me goodnight,
and always holds me at night.
I am thankful that he takes care of me and our kiddos.
Thank you so much Dick.

Cleaning pinto beans with Deacon

Today I made a huge pot of beans.
Guess who helped me clean them? 

Deacon helped me identify impurities in the pintos.

He removed the discolored or shriveled ones.
I told him we needed to find pebbles so he was looking
  very hard for pebbles as he sorted the beans.
Then he helped me put them all in the bowl.
Towards the end of the process, he got a little bored and started throwing handfuls across the kitchen.

I remember helping my mother clean beans.
I loved doing it!
I loved spending that one on one time with my beautiful mother.
I can't believe I'm starting this little tradition with my own grandson.

The Lion In Winter... a short visit to Logan.

Yesterday we drove to Logan to see Dad and Richie in

The Lion In Winter.

As bad as I wanted to see the show, I honestly didn't want to make the drive because the night before I had a pretty bad fall.

In the morning when I got up out of bed, I really felt like I had been run over by a train.

My neck muscles were so sore and everything else was really, really hurting.

In the shower, when I raised my arms up to wash my hair, they felt like they were broken.

My hip was killing me, and my ribs were achy.

I was so glad that I worked through the stiffness and made the drive though.

Dad didn't get paid to do this play,

and financially it was a big burden on our family.

BUT, nothing was worth more than seeing the special glow on Dad's face.

He really had a special glow on his face when I first saw him.

The play was excellent!

Dad was amazing!

I never realized how much I missed seeing him on stage.

He reminds me so much of his father.

They are so much alike when they're on stage.

I missed seeing him on stage,

but I'd rather see the shows that he directs.

When he directs, it's a family affair.

We all go to his rehearsals

and we get extremely close to the cast.

Even though he's so busy during a show,

we try and make his plays a big part of our lives,

and Dad tries to make us a big part of his plays.

Three generations.
Richard I (Henry II)
Richard II (Richard Lionheart, Henry's oldest son)
Vosco (Director)

 Deacon found his grandpa after the show.

These past few weeks that Dick was in Logan, Deacon would come to the house and look for his Grandpa.

We would ask him, "Where's grandpa?"

and Deacon would say "I don't know."

He also found his great grandpa too.

A portrait of Dick's father,
who founded The Old Lyric Repertory Company.

 This morning, we were enjoying the garden.
I really enjoy the garden early in the morning.
It is so nice, and cool.
Everything looks so green.
Early mornings in this garden remind me of Dick's mother.
Every time we'd visit, we'd have breakfast outside.

Grandpa Vosco surprised us with some breakfast from McDonald's.
Deacon loves the garden too.
He reminds me of a little "boy" fairy in grandma's garden.
I think that if Grandma would see Brianna's little boy in her garden, she'd compare him to a little fairy too.

It is so good to have Dad back home with us.

He starts teaching his Theater Appreciation class and his speech class for the College of Southern Idaho on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the teachers go back to work at the high school.

The students start on the 29th.

I guess Dad will have one day to recover.

Football Jamboree

Anson had his Columbia High School Jamboree

in Nampa, Idaho today.
I dropped him off at the school, 
and he left at 11:30 am.

Each team had 15 minutes of Defense and Offense.

They played against Emmett, Middleton, and Kuna. 

Anson is such an amazing son.

He is the most responsible boy in the world.

He becomes more and more amazing as he gets older.

He's been extra busy this summer.

He got his first job this summer.

Even with a full time job, he does everything

that is expected of him.

This summer he wakes up, starts a load of laundry,

and goes to football practice at 8:45 am.

He gets back at 11 and cleans his room spotless.

He dries and folds his laundry, then he takes

Aubrey to the fair for a quick bite.

He buys her lunch with HIS money.

  At noon he goes to work.

He comes home, and goes to football practice.

Practice starts at 6 so his boss lets him leave

a little before 6 pm.

He returns at 9 from football practice.
If the lawn needs to be mowed, he finds time for it too.
When he comes in the house after work he takes the garbage out and puts a new liner in the garbage can.
I don't even have to ask him.

 This week, he's been even busier because he goes to the fair

until it closes at 11 pm. 

Everybody in our town HAS to go to the fair! 

Any normal person will make time for it,

even if it's next to impossible!

Why does he do all this?
I don't know, but I think he inherited something from his father.
His father has always felt that it's our choice
to be happy or miserable.
He's always felt that you give your 100% to any relationship.
Anson always gives 100% plus more.

Anson is always so happy.

When he leaves in the morning he hugs and kisses me to death. Every time he comes home and leaves,

he kisses and hugs me like he hasn't seen me for ages.

I love that boy!

I wish I was more like him.

I wish everyone would be more like him.

This world would be a better place!

He just got home and said,
"Burley Football is finally back! ;)"

Anson and Aubrey are really the best kids a mother could ask for. 

I am the luckiest parent ever!

They are truly my best friends.

A shade of lime green.

When we moved to this house, Aubrey decided to go from a full size bed to a twin bed. Brianna had a bed in storage so she said that Aubrey could use it. She went with Brianna to go choose the paint last week.

This is the color she decided on.