Spring Break Part 1

When you have a blended family of children Spring Break is always a difficult one. This year Jackson and Jason went to their moms. Joshua decided to stay with Ryan for the week and help him at home. Cassie and I decided to go from California to Washington to see Betty. Betty is this amazing person who has been in my life and the kids life since they were born. To her I am her daughter and these are her Grandchildren. She has been this positive influence in my life and always thinks of the kids. We decided to finally go visit since it had been a long time seeing her face to face although we talk on the phone weekly.

Cassie and  I on Road trip

The drive was amazing, slow but amazing. It took 11 hours to get there but Cassie kept me entertained with her 11 hours of music that never replayed a song. She is forever going to be my DJ. I was thrilled that we could have some girl time. With four guys in the house it was nice to just get out the two of us. I wish all of my boys could of come but this worked out anyways.

Bye Bye Adin

 A bittersweet moment though was on our way up Betty got sick that day. We decided to stay in a hotel that night. Bitter because Betty was sick but sweet because we ordered Chinese food and laughed a lot at the hotel. The next morning we decided to go to Coeur d' Alene Idaho which was only an hour away and see the sites. We had a great time! We stopped off at this coffee shop and Cassie asked for a large. These things were HUGE! No way I could drink the whole thing but it was yummy.

Biggest Coffee Ever!

Coeur D' Alene

Girls just gotta have fun

Once we were at Bettys she was thankfully feeling better. We talked and talked and caught up as people do. It was nice to see her in person. We were able to stay there a couple days and really catch up. My favorite part was hearing some of her stories of her life in the past. She also gave us the most AMAZING quilts that she had made and stocking caps for the kids. They even won top prizes at the fair. I love quilts. To have something someone put so much time and effort into becomes my most prized possession. We had a good time visiting, playing games, watching American Idol together which I never have time to watch. It was a good visit and I am glad that we came. Next time we all will have to come up. Was sad to go.

Cassie and Grandma Betty

A positive light in my life

One funny thing while we were there was Cassie. I do this crazy thing where I always brush her eyebrows with my finger just to annoy her. She hates it but its kinda our thing. It because a laughing thing eventually and I always say that If I died she would miss it. So one of the nights we were there I took a picture of me doing that in her sleep. Showed it to her in the morning and she told me she was going to get me lol. I had to buy her love with another huge coffee ha! She loves it! I wont stop doing it  because now its kinda become our thing.

She tried to take this cat home. Hat made by Betty

HAHA got ya!

Our first half of the week was a great visit. We decided to travel 6 more hours to see all of my family after that. It was impromptu so I was calling people left and right on the way up there. Before we left though we were able to see Cassies Aunt for lunch on her Dads side. It was a super quick visit but fun all the same.

Cassies Aunt Nina

6 more hours of driving and we were off again.....Still had 3 more days of vacation and what came next was definitely interesting. Read Part 2!

6 more hours to go

Look at that view

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A new family member

I am behind in writing because I have been so excited about the website that my friend Rachel and I have finally launched after working on it for four months. cushingstories.com

We have a new family member....meet Molly!

Ryan and I went to our old stomping ground to do some paperwork. Grandma Sally, Ryan's mom, so generously watched the kids for a couple days so we could make the trek to Placerville and get that done. THANKS MIL!!! Lets go back a little bit. My mother passed away four years ago and lately more than ever I have been really missing her. She used to have this dog named Azuma that was a Shih Tzu. So the other day I got the great idea to get one that looked just like Azuma but a girl. I don't know why I thought this would make me feel better but well....honestly....it does. I looked on Craigslist all the towns on the way to Placerville (which is a lot) and actually found one. She is a pure bred but we didn't get her papered so she wasn't as expensive. You know me....I like to save money.

We decided to leave early so we could spend the night at our good friends house Carla and Greg. They had a new puppy too so I knew she wouldn't mind if we picked one up along the way lol. We were going to get a hotel but Carla wouldn't let that happen. Made it better anyways since we could chat for awhile before the next morning when we had to do all our errands. My dad wasn't going to be home so I didn't want to bug my step mom since they go to sleep early anyways. Carla and I had a great time. Greg and Ryan are good friends too so they were laughing it up too. We went to Denny's which used to be our little stop when we wanted to get out with them and leave the kids at home. We can be a little rowdy sometimes because we laugh so much. It was a fun time! We talked and had fun watching the puppies be with each other.

The next day after our errands I knew my step moms birthday was coming up. We went and got her flowers, candy, balloons and a card. She loves Chocolate so that worked out well. I drove by the house three times but she was always out lol. I had told my dad we were coming but not to tell her because we wanted to surprise her. Finally we ended up just leaving it on the stoop for her to see once she got home. :)

All our paperwork got signed and we were off to head home. Ryan and I.....and Molly :) We tried waiting around town as long as possible so we could drive and go see my BFF Laura when she got off of work. I knew we wouldn't have much time since we were going to drive 6 hours home but I couldn't go through there without seeing her and her family. Her kids (my babies) loved Molly. They played with her the whole time and just had a blast. Wore her out for us for the drive home. I love seeing Laura. We have been friends since we were 12 years old. I cant believe its been 26 years of friendship and she still loves me haha! We didn't have tons of time to stay and it was almost dinner for the kids so we headed out with promises of them coming to the Ranch this summer to feed the new lambs and calves. I cant wait to see them!

Apparently driving home seemed too long so we called Grandma and asked if she would watch the kids till the next morning. She said yes. She is always so amazing and helpful. Seriously some days I don't know what we would do without her. She drives 3.5 hours just to help us. Anyways we decided to stay half way in Reno and do some food shopping the next day on the way home. I found this super cheap hotel room at Circus Circus for 29.00 for a King Suite. I know they do that so people will come and stay and gamble but....we don't gamble so we just got the great deal. Molly was behaving the whole time and we decided to give her a bath for the first time. Man oh man did she look different HA!

By the next day we headed off to home after doing food shopping and normal shopping of clothes for the kids. I swear we arrived 30 minutes before we had to get the kids and go to their basketball games. Only Jacksons team was playing this time but Joshua's class had the bake sale. Jacksons class had the feed of which we were working. It was a long couple of days but good ones. I miss my friends already but was so happy to see them even if for a very short time. I am glad we got Molly! While I was in Placerville I went to my moms grave and showed her my puppy. I also gave her a pepsi which is something my mother was so addicted too. She LOVED Pepsi! I know in my mind she is not there that she is in heaven but it felt good to be there and just say hello. I love and miss my mom. Now I have a little puppy that will stay little that reminds me of her everyday! Sounds crazy since we have other dogs.....but it makes me feel better.

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