Errands for Ethan!!

One year ago today, Ethan Ellsworth went to live with his Heavenly Father after suffering from a sudden brain hemorrhage. This is Drew's cousin's kid. To honor his memory, loving spirit, and self-less attitude, today was declared Errands for Ethan day, a day to do random acts of kindness to keep his memory alive. What a way to honor Ethan!! And so much fun. 

This is the picture of Ethan we used on little notes attached to our random acts of kindness (RAK). What a cutie!

Since moving up here, Cynthia (Ethan's aunt) and I have been doing a lot together with her boys. I found a blog via Pintrest (where else!?!?) showing lots of great ideas to do for random acts of kindness so I cannot claim nearly any of these as my ideas, but they were so fun none-the-less. Most of the day will be blogged via pictures so here they are:

Cannot start the day off with a bad do...so they both rocked the hawk.

Still working on the "Cheese" doesn't mean look for the cheese...but look at the camera and smile :)

First stop: Dollar Store in Clifton. I can't really say what we got without giving away what we did. So we got some stuff at the DS.

Cade checking out the eggs and ripping off the necklace we put on him.

Camden loved them but very willingly stuffed them in the eggs!

Filled up the Easter bucket with our filled eggs. We got necklaces, some erasers shaped like yummy treats, army men, and noise makers...what to do with them...

We hopped back in the car and drove to the park. But there were people there so we went to the elementary school to pick up some wonderful cards the kindergarteners made for a RAK to be named later. 

Back in the sun...sunglasses on! He insisted on wearing them ON his ears instead of wearing them resting on top of his ears. Pretty funny...and no matter how many times Cynthia corrected them!

Those silly people were still at the park...so we stopped to play for a little bit. Looking so big!

AND then finally we got to our RAK...an Easter egg hunt at the playground for whoever found the bucket!!

Sneaky sneaky hiding the egg under the rabbit bench at the BIG park.

The basket we left for the lucky person/people.

Here is where the bucket was left.

Then off to Safford to WalMart for supplies and nourishment. 

Gotta have a snack on the way that's yummy and messy.

Fighting sleep.

After a quick stop for lunch, we went on to WalMart to get some things we needed for the next two stops, PJs for Camden, and random things for both families. And not to mention the stop at the fish tanks and outdoor center.

Camden loved zipping the sides of this gazebo!

3/4 of the group. About 1/2 second before the shudder snapped, both boys looked away!

While at WalMart we got two gift cards.

We put these little tags on most of the things we left explaining why we were doing what we were doing.

Lucky van #1

Lucky van #2

Then it was off to the hospital.

Camden carrying in the flowers to give to a person who needed a little lift. There was a big helicopter on the right or left side of the picture...which do you think it is???

I think he was feeling very important and helpful today!

Putting the coloring books/crayons in the treasure chest they have set up for another little kiddo that lost their lift last year. It has the families hand prints all over it and filled with stuff animals. Such a great idea. The animals are given to any family that may need them.

At the hospital we were hoping to go to a pediatric unit, but alas, small towns don't really have that kinda unit so we got to provide a coloring book to their one and only peds patient. 

One last stop to a nursing home to give playing cards and homemade cards to the residents that need them. 

We didn't get to see anyone at this place, but they were given to the lady who knows who needs them.

While I wish there didn't have to be a day to celebrate Ethan's loss of life, I am so happy to participate in Errands for Ethan! 


One quick memory to end the post: Drew played football on the XBox with Ethan about a week or so before he went into the hospital. I remember coming home from work that day it was all Drew was talking about! He was laughing because he kept doing random plays (faking a field goal on the 2nd down is the one I really remember). And then Drew said I beat him sooooo bad because Ethan was talking trash the whole game. They both had so much fun that day and I am so ever grateful they had that memory together. 


Ethan's death reminds me to keep my loved ones close, let them know they are loved, and use each day to the fullest!


Have an amazing day everyone!

 

 

Dang! This always happens! Time flies without a post! So like most of the previous, this will probably be a touch longer than it should be.

So after Rebekah's visit, we had our normal work week then headed back to the valley del sol. My grandma was going to be in Goodyear staying with her sister-in-law at their super awesome retirement community (Drew insisted I start working more so we can go live there ASAP). But as every visit is to the valley, TIME FLEW! We got there about 8 or so and stayed with Nancy. Spent some awesome time with our girls!! We miss them so much and cannot wait to get them out here to have in our everyday life again. (Which might come before we get a house when Drew starts working nights to keep me company/safer.) 

How sweet is that sleepy face?!?!

Where is Abby?

Smiles from the sweet girl!

Loves it when we come to visit although not showing her classic smile in this one!

 

The next morning after an amazing breakfast with Nancy and Jerry at the house, we headed out to Goodyear to see my grandma. I was so happy to get to visit with her while she was out here. She is still so sad about adjusting to live without my grandpa. I got my angel's wing ring in his memory; she started to cry when she saw it, and then quickly said "I'm not doing this right now!". She is so strong. We had lunch, toured the property (amazing workout facilities, outdoor pool, indoor pool, golf courses, etc.). Then we had to move on to our other obligations. We looked at trucks quick-like and then heading to the other side of the valley to have dinner with Drew's dad for his birthday. Getting great food is rare out here in a restaurant, its all "okay". We originally were planning on ostrich fest in Chandler but found out the last race started at 5 and knew with the other plans we needed to fit in there was no way. If you have never been or can't imagine, this is from last year:

Those men running behind them are suppose to be on their back. Its on of the strangest things I've seen...grown men trying to ride a bird...

And then obviously you need to have chariot races with these things...duh.

 But anyway. We missed that this year (our friend Josh said we really missed it...one guy straight out the gate ran right into the fence!). But we got to meet up with our friends at Fox and Hound to grab some drinks before heading back to the west side. We thought we would have a late night of laundry but Nancy had done it for us! Thanks!!


The next day we attempted to meet up with grandma again but no phone calls before 10 kinda knocked that off our list. After another super breakfast at Nancy's we took off for the east valley again. Lunch with Dan. Horizon for some printing/picking up tests. Kim's for picking up a train table. I loved at Kim's (only Parker and Madilyn home) how once we got the train table loaded, Parker dismisses us (well it was good to see you!). Haha. We ended up shooting some hoops. Madilyn shot on the outside hoop. First time, complete air ball. Second time, hits it! I gave her a high five, then she says in a very small voice, "That's the first time I've ever made a basket out here". Great job Madilyn!!! 


Finally after all our little chores, we hit the road!! It was after 4 already! And we still had an awesome train table to deliver. Totally worth each stop tho!


The next week (12-16) was my first week with Horizon kids! Goodbye working one job 2 days a week. It was a nice run. But really enjoyed meeting my new kids. I dearly miss my kids from the valley. Love that I can still keep up with some of them via text, blogs, and CaringBridge websites! But the level of appreciation out here for therapy is very high! They haven't have an OT in this area for a long time. Some of the kids were getting therapy every other MONTH. Insane. Glad I can serve out here and bring some education to parents to help better life with their kids. 

Cade's birthday party was this week! Happy 2 years to one funny boy! They had a party for him at a hotel in Safford, using the pool to party! Since Drew and I didn't know where our suits were, we were sideliners at the party, but got to do some throwing in of kids (Cade loved it, Camden, not so much....he had one eye on Drew the rest of the night). Won't post pictures per someone's request :D.


Creston's brother's family were in town for the party and the girls/kids went to the park the next day. Some pictures: 

Camden and "Kobes" as he would call him having fun on the double swing!

Khloe on the swing.

Cade having a fun time in the swing.

So proud of himself for being so independent! And his one pant leg up, one pant leg down. That's how he rolls. Straight thug.

Saturday started a short visit from my parents! Spring break for my momma and myself (a HUGE bonus in working at a school!!!) and my dad has a million days off so they always getting to go somewhere. We met them at the Cat Walk in Glenwood, NM. Second time for Drew and me but still pretty none the less! 

Momma Bear and Poppa Bear at the Cat Walk!

At the top!

So my mom had read online about this hike...made it sound super hard when it isn't that bad at all...it even said the bridge swayed really bad. So this is to prove she was on the scary bridge.

 Then we drove back to the trailer (they said it was nice compared to some of the places they lived when they were newlyweds!). Humble Pie for dinner and then they went to their hotel in Safford. No, they didn't stay in the trailer. Even though the table can convert into a bed and the couch is comfy, they (thankfully) got a hotel room. Guess where I took a shower each day they were here??? The shower at their hotel had so much water pressure it almost hurt. Almost. I was in love. Took an at least 15 minute shower one of those days. Alas, I am back to my no water pressure showers now...dun dun duuuuunnn.


So they probably had the most horrible weather the next two days we have seen since being here. The temps were cold, it snowed, rained, hailed, sleeted, fogged. We couldn't even see into the mine due to all the fog. They got to see no long horned sheep, no sunny, warm days while they were here. We still attempted to bird watch and see some sights. We drove up Mt. Graham on Tuesday. We couldn't go up nearly that far because of the snow. 

BRRRRRR!

My sweet snow man. Not nearly as tall at it looks (not even to my knees).

At least it was pretty...?

We had a little cook-out the last night they were here with Creston/Cynthia and the boys. My dad had a good time feeding Cade relish (the only thing he ate at the trailer that night). Camden had fun looking into the abandoned trailer next to ours and trying to find out who had the keys so he could go in it (Aunt Elizabeth must have them!!). 


It was hard to say bye to my parents as always. Its so strange to think that more than likely I will only ever see them for short stents of time...the week at the longest. Oh growing up. Another sad thing about growing up and moving away...my mom refuses to get me an Easter basket. What the heck!? Another sad realization in life I suppose. :D


Took the boys to the park this week while Cynthia had a piano lesson. Love spending time with them! They are pretty funny! Camden was making fires (sounds like showers when he says it so it took me a few minutes to catch on...) with marshmallows and chocolate chips (COME EAT SOME NOW!!). While Cade was pretty impressed with the three dogs next to the park. 

Camden and his castle.

Cade in his super cute, new shirt!

Last new thing for the post: I have officially become the shift work wife. Drew had his first 12 hour shift yesterday and today! The worst part: yesterday he didn't know he would be staying the extra four hours. So like a good wife that is on spring break, I brought him a drink, seeds, and stuff to occupy himself because he sat in a truck all day with another guy (ask him about this dude...funny stories) and did NOTHING. He is doing the same thing today and can't go to the Hunger Games first showing here in Morenci. That's right...Morenci has Hunger Games the first week its out!! Cynthia and I are going to wait in line to get tickets early. :D I have never got to the first showing of a big movie like this. 


We are also gearing up for Errand for Ethan on Monday! We have some super cute ideas from where else but Pintrest! Hope to blog (with lots of pictures) about them on either Monday night or Tuesday. Here is the event on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/205054322933240/
Hope everyone can see it. Please try and do some random act of kindness on Monday to help the memory of Ethan go on!! This is Drew's cousin Kim's boy. 


Until next time, everyone have a wonderful day and don't forget the random act of kindness!!

 

First visitor in the trailer park!

Well lets see here...what has happened since I posted last??? Lots of things, but the most exciting is having our first overnight visitor to the trailer park!! One of my besties from the valley and former co-work Rebekah came to stay for an overnight. We gave her the full tour of the mine (as much as we could without driving into the actual mine), showed her the school/town I work at in Duncan, went to a yummy pizza place (The Humble Pie...and no, not the same as the chain in Scottsdale), made a blanket for Drew, and went to the Cat Walk in New Mexico (it was our first time too). Here are a few pictures to show our weekend...

Okay so I can't find a way to continue writing after the pictures so I will continue with updates here. I have gotten some of the Horizon kiddos I'm going to start seeing out here in Greenlee county. I won't start them until next week. But so far can get them in all on Wednesday or after my school job in Duncan. So I am still working 3 days per week. I am loving it!! So far I haven't gotten bored but I'm sure its coming. 

We have tried finding houses out here in Clifton (Morenci does not sell houses due to its wonderful state of unincorporation...barf). And since we are on the wait list with 74 other families and only 3% of houses are even open, we thought we would try our hand at finding a cheap house out here. It would be totally rent-able if/when we leave because like the other 73 families, there are people needing some place to live. Well, this idea has pretty much already come and gone. We looked at 3 houses: one had this strange looking addition that could have not passed any type of inspection...there was no way. The second was pretty far out of town, a mobile home, and had crazy neighbors (a dog jumped the fence on one side to greet us and the other had music blasting from their truck that was not of from this nation). The third looked so great...two story, super close to the town but on probably an acre. Drove by several times during the day. So we set up a time to meet the agent. And upon arrival, there were probably 10 trucks outside. She said there were people renting the house right now but we could still view it. We walked in to find beds EVERYWHERE!! Not even beds, but air mattresses or cots. Even in the closets (as a positive side to that...the closets were big enough to fit a cot!). It smelled horrible. And was not in good shape. Needed a lot of work. And with Home Depot about 35 minutes away, it would not be an easy feat. Hence, waiting until a house opens in Morenci. 

Two more trailer park (TP from here on out) adventures: one while meeting the neighbors. And one unfortunate part of living in a trailer park. So Drew and I were walking around the TP and saw a guy out watering his lawn and throwing a ball for his dog. We stop and talk to him about his work with the mine. So I notice Drew kinda looking down at his leg and some watery stuff on it. And then make the association: THE GUY'S DOG PEED ON DREW'S LEG!! I kinda whispered to him asking if it was what I thought it was. He tried to make it not a big deal, not wanting the guy to feel bad, but I spilled those beans. So the guy was like WHAT HAPPENED?!?! Drew says "I thought he was just licking my leg at first but then felt he had a very warm tongue. After I looked down, I saw he was peeing!" The guy's reaction was super funny: looking at the hose he offers Drew a "spray down" and then said his dog only learned to lift his leg in the past month or so...HAHAHA

The last adventure: we have had our first experience with a wonderfully clogged toilet! UGH!!! Its the worst. Had to get a special adapter at the Mercantile (yes that's what they really call it here...so Oregon Trail) to attach to a hose to shove down...you get the picture. But let me tell you, having it unclogged makes me appreciate it even more. Even though it is a huge step down from a normal toilet. 

Sorry to end on a poopy subject. But thanks for stopping by the blog! Hope you all have a wonderful day!!

At the Cat Walk in New Mexico. Such a pretty place!! Lots of water which created the whole place over time.

Rebekah welcoming all to the Cat Walk.

At the bridge at the end. Suspended. Just like on the Burris playground in elementary. SO. MUCH. FUN.

Not for Drew though. Rebekah scared him by jumping on it unexpectedly. Kinda funny for everyone but him.

The tie blanket we made: AZ Cardinals because Drew kept stealing my Colts one my momma made me.

It is seriously one of the prettiest places! Lots of fun bridges and water!

The long horned sheep were out and RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD. We drove by them 3 times until the last time we drove by one gave us a look that sent us on our way. Too many stories told about how they can mess up a car!

After looking at the scenic view, we went to a bridge that you can watch the haul trucks drive under. Drew stopped Rebekah from trying to make them honk cause its way super loud!

Driving home from Walmart the morning before Rebekah arrived. Pretty snow-capped Mt. Graham in the rear view.

Driving into to the sunset. Its such a pretty part of the country!