Tag: family

Ranch in the Desert

A few years ago Aaron and I were fortunate enough to acquire 20 acres about 25 minutes west of our home in Tonopah, Arizona. We needed a place for Aaron’s dad to call home for the winters and they don’t make any more dirt, so as far as an investment we didn’t think we could go wrong. The property was divided up into about 7 different parcels and on 2 of the 7 parcels were 2 structures that required demolition and major cleanup. Now when I say major cleanup, I mean a demolition crew that took about a week to fully get rid of all of the structures, trash, and debris. The property had 3 wells which all required re-drilling and had electrical to 1 of the larger parcels.

Aaron and I were gone for work the first year we owned it, so not much got done other than getting water and the electricity up and running for his old man. We had to get the septic cleaned up and back to code. We also fenced in about 12 acres of the property for his dogs and security. Once we finally had some time to be home and get serious about the actual aesthetics of the place, we put up a large shade structure that would accommodate his dad’s trailer, my parents 5th wheel, and our own 5th wheel. My dad and I worked tirelessly on adding extra shade on both sides which turned out exceptionally well. Way to go pa!

We bought a 40′ sea container to house all of our goodies. We then decided that we just needed to plant some trees and bushes to give the place a cozy feel and add a little color to the dry desert. Our first quote to install irrigation to the property and plant the plants was about 18K. Aaron and I about fell over. So after many quotes and not one of them sounding reasonable to either of us, we said “hey, we have watched enough DIY tv, let’s do it ourselves. How hard can it be!” Two back breaking weeks later and adding my father to the work roster, we planted 212 plants/trees, laid down 3,684 feet of pvc pipe, and added 4 watering stations to our irrigation system. We brought in about 10 loads of gravel/rock and kept my dad busy on the tractor for days.

I have a few more ideas for the ‘ranch,’ and I’ll share them with you hopefully in the fall. But for now…ranch life has been just another exciting adventure for all of us, and we love spending time outdoors.

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Magnolia Marie and Grace Ann

I’ve been reminiscing about all the amazing adventures Aaron and I have had, and the wonderful memories we’ve shared with our family and friends. That’s why I’m still keeping this blog going. Most of the posts I write are about happy and exciting adventures. But I don’t usually share the tough times or when we’re feeling lost.

A few years ago, we lost our two precious Persian/Himalayan cats, Dee Dee and Fraizer. They were such beautiful cats, and they brought us so much joy and happiness. Dee Dee left us after 16 years of love and cuddles, and Fraizer stayed with us for a few years after, making us miss them even more. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. It’s a hole that never seems to be filled, but you wouldn’t trade those years for anything.

After much, MUCH, discussion and finally getting my dad’s approval, we decided to open our hearts to two more beautiful babies. We searched for years, and this time around, we wanted female cats. I wanted a calico-colored baby, while my mom wasn’t too picky (she’s less picky than me, lol). After countless months on the internet, many fake claims of having cats all over the US, and a ton of emails and text messages, we finally found a breeder in the Phoenix valley who had exactly what we were looking for.  

We were a bit worried that we couldn’t love another pet like we did our last two babies. I was concerned that my dad might regret the decision since he’s also allergic. But guess what? Maggie was love at first sight! She wasn’t exactly the color we wanted (she’s a diluted calico), but her soft fur, delicate features, and stunning amber eyes instantly melted our hearts.

We had about 5 or 6 weeks with Maggie first, since Grace was from a different litter (the same male but different female than Maggie) Maggie became the spoiled single child, and she bonded with my dad right away. It was so cute!

Even though I’m technically her mom, she’s my dad’s cat all the way. I couldn’t be happier about it! We took turns baby-sitting Maggie during her first 5 weeks with us. Mom and dad would go play cards at their friends’ houses and drop off Maggie at my place so I could be with her. Let me tell you, she had us all wrapped around her finger (even Aaron!). She was the perfect kitten, and we were a bit worried about how it would be when we got Grace.  As perfect as Maggie was and as calm as her personality was, I didn’t think it would be an issue! Haha, about that.

The time finally came for Grace to arrive, and we couldn’t wait to let the bonding begin. We took Maggie over in the car to meet her new sister. Dad and Aaron waited in the car with Maggie while mom and I went in to fill out the paperwork and start the “love fest” with Grace. She was also perfect, and her little face lit up a room. She just sat in your hand and let you love on her. It too was love at first sight!  

Once we got into the car, we took it easy and held Grace close. We put her face near Maggie’s, and that’s when our precious little “I wouldn’t hurt a fly” Maggie girl let out a loud hiss. She hardly ever cried or made a sound, so this was a big surprise. We couldn’t believe it, and my dad kept saying, “Uh oh…did we make a mistake?”

Right away, we started searching online for “how to bond two kittens,” and everyone said it just takes time. It was tough to accept, and we had our doubts along the way. But after a few weeks of them being separated by a cardboard wall and only getting supervised visits, and a lot of hard work from us to make them bond, they finally did! They’re now inseparable.

Our hearts and souls are full again. So, let’s say hello to Magnolia Marie and Grace Ann!  

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I D A H O

There’s truly no place like home, and after a few long years, the prospect of reconnecting with my roots filled my heart with joy, especially since our summers are typically whisked away by wildfires. With Aaron tirelessly battling fires in Ontario, I seized the opportunity to dedicate a week celebrating Zoey’s early 8th birthday alongside my parents, who were camped out at my brother’s Idaho haven.

Todd has devoted countless summers to transforming his getaway into a dream retreat, and this year was no exception. With our dad— the official “professional”— by his side, Todd seized the moment, building a magnificent lean-to on his pre-existing structure. Each morning unfolded with the promise of shared labor as they worked on that project while Mom and I cherished precious playtime and storytelling with Zoey, all against the backdrop of stunning scenery.

When the boys reached a point where lunch beckoned, it was our turn to share cherished childhood memories with Zoey, introducing her to the thrill of shooting a BB gun and mastering the bow and arrow under Papa’s expert guidance. I even crafted a delightful birthday scavenger hunt, a labor of love that brought immense joy to both of us.

Our adventure included a serene visit to the river, watching others float down while sharing a sweet ice cream cone from town. Yet, as always, the moments with loved ones slipped by too swiftly—filled with laughter, radiant morning sunrises over steaming coffee, card games, storybooks, and Zoey’s entertaining concerts. As we savored every second together, the bittersweet moment arrived to bid adios, holding on to the promise of our next reunion

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