A Ride on a Steam Locomotive

Do you ever imagine life in the days when taking a train ride was a normal thing?  A regular way of travel... where you'd see you're love come off the train, coming back from war?  Such simpler times...

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A Little Preview of what I'm up to

A quick little run down

I took a couple day break from blogging without announcing it ~ and I enjoyed it!

I'm working on a couple of special posts ~ one will be posted tomorrow for a very special birthday girl. I'm just jumping in to give a little update on US!

Our trip was wonderful! We spent 9 nights in hotels, one my absolute FAV Little American in Salt Lake City.... talk about gorgeous! We got scared to death by a scary thunder & lightening storm at Water World..... we were split up from each other taking cover, but we are still alive. We all got to go to a dinosaur museum for the first time ~ amazingly cool! We swam, we ate, we drove (a lot!) and almost finished the final book of the Twilight Saga on audio. We watched funny and scary movies, and laughed a lot. We got to visit family, see our possible future home, go see 2 gorgeous temples (including the SLC temple) and had a couple of hot dates with my oh so hot husband. And most importantly I got to see people from my past, people that mean the world to me.

The time away has helped me to clear my mind, refresh my soul, and be happy to get back into my routines. I discovered things I love about my husband, I enjoyed the constant together time, and realized that I am truly happy with my life. I got to be free for a while, and I definitely needed it!

I will be doing our vacation in pictures, but need to finish all of my editing first... so stay tuned!!! And in the meantime enjoy this shot I got of the SLC Temple... it's is my favorite.

The most BORING Garibay Soup post EVER!

I'm just popping in to say hello... we're doing quite well. If you don't follow me on Twitter you might be wondering where the heck I've been. Well, I've been everywhere. Tonight I lay in the world's most comfortable bed in Salt Lake City at Little America Hotel. I am planning on being home Tuesday night ~ don't know how I feel about this yet. On one hand I can't wait on the other hand reality sucks!

Tomorrow {Just a Motivating Monday} will be posted @ 8:00pm PST as usual. In the meantime I hope all is well with all of you. We've really been enjoying our vacation and have a million pictures to go through and upload... including pics of our maybe, possibly new home ~ We're not rushing into this decision ;) Above is a pic we took at the Salt Lake Temple today. Gorgeous... absolutely gorgeous.

So, thanks for bearing with me as tumbleweeds have been flying around these parts, but although I've wanted to blog... I've been having too much fun to blog. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe travel home. I can't wait to get back to my addiction. When I get home I'll have so much to share!

Twitter & Traveling... I'll be doing twitter while traveling!

Boy these days have been flying! I am leaving for vacation in 2 days and am completely unprepared... I know it will all come together! I'm looking forward to this week's Works for Me Wednesday to scoop out travel tips w/kids. It's summer... there has to be some! We are driving from Oregon to Colorado ~ I definitely will be needting tips - so in addition to giving some comment love on my Works for Me Tip below, I would love it if you'd leave some comment love with your best traveling w/kids tip ~ BECAUSE I'M GONNA NEED IT!!!

Lately I've found that something works for me that I'm sure works for a lot of people here in the bloggity world. That's Twitter. I HEART twitter. Believe it or not, I actually kinda boycotted it for a while, because I did not get the point. Who cares if some random person's kid is watching Elmo.... do you really think I care.... now, YES!

Ways that Twitter works for me:

It is the most AMAZING way to receive prayers ~ especially for your sick baby. When Ella drank her heart medicine I posted a quick tweet asking for prayers and was amazed at the response I got. TONS of people started following me and praying for Ella... and their prayers worked! I am now seeing it happen with baby {Stellan} ~ that baby boy is receiving SO MANY prayers ~ (((HUGS))) to his family. These tweetin' mamas have always got your back.

It is a way to get people to come and read your blog. I have noticed that ever since I started using twitter I am clicking more on the links people are tweeting than actually reading the blogs in my google reader. I have many, many more readers just from them finding me on twitter. And I have found some of my favorite blogs on twitter as well, and made great bloggin'/twitter friends.

If you want to promote something, it's a great way! Just tweet about it and ask others to retweet for you!

Besides my blog I use it with my family as well. If something is going on, like the birth of a baby, we can update the progress through twitter... that way everybody is getting to see it. Family gossip also goes well through twitter as well, just make sure the one you're gossiping about isn't reading it LOL

It is like your own virtual party. You can peek in and peek out whenever you see fit. I used to be huge on mommy forums, but am now finding I'm more happier hanging out with my tweeple. I don't feel obligated to always respond or communicate (unless of course it is a direct message or an @anjyldream)

Twitter has become this virtual world, where everyone is joining in to be a part of the new "big" thing online. I can't believe how much I actually really LOVE twitter...I love it so much that I'm constantly checking my Ubertwitter on my blackberry to stay in the loop ~ and my husband has even joined with me!

The support that you can receive from other's is amazing. In so many situations I've tweeted a question and got a great reply from a complete stranger, and a reply that I actually really appreciated.

Twitter is the new thing that's working for me. If you're not a part of twitter I vote that you should be! And once you join you can find me {@anjyldream}

Huge thanks to {Kristen} for hosting Works for Me Wednesday ~ it's one of the best carnivals out there! There's nothing us mama's love more than reading what works for other's.

If inspiration is something that works for you be sure to follow me on {twitter} or subscribe to my {RSS Feed} so that you are in the {know} on Mondays for my inspirational carnival {Just a Motivating Monday}. It's my new baby and I hope to see it blossom like Works for Me Wednesday has. Hope to see you back here on Monday!!

Our Family's New Addition.... and I need advice :)

Here's Sophie!! She's such a sweet addition :)

What a Sunday. It started for me at 5am waking up to Sophie pooping in her crate.... me not knowing, because it's dark and letting her walk out of the crate instead of carrying her. It was gross, and made me want to cry, but we dealt with it.

She's honestly done pretty well today on going to the bathroom outside.... I'm pretty proud! I must say though that dogs have HORRIFIC GAS! EWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! The kids have been having an absolute ball with her. They all run around the house chasing each other and having fun. Ella is hilarious and Jayden is so happy.

So, I'm funny in a way that I don't like change. I hate it actually, and when you throw something new in the mix I feel kinda down. I'm feeling that way today and I'm not sure if it's Sophie or if it's a decision that I think we're going to make. It actually could be a mixture of the 2.

A while ago I talked about an opportunity that my Grandma had offered us, which you can read about HERE. Basically I just never talked about it with her and made up my mind that it's not doable. There's no way in hell that I'm going to live in a *&it hole like Ely for 2 years. Just not happening. Well, she called today saying that she really needs our help, and I know this. I am the manager of this mobile home park there that is her's, and I know that there are many things that need to get done. Things that I can't make sure are getting done from Oregon. So, her new proposal is that we come for 6 months. This is a lot better than 2 years and is actually doable. If we leave when Jayden gets out of school then 3 months of that will be summer, in which we can take lots of little vacations with him. I won't need to actually be in Ely for the entire 6 months, we can do 3 weeks there, 1 week on the road.... or something like that. The next 3 months after his summer break I'll home school him until we return to Talent.

So, what's my husband to do about work when this is all over? What are we going to do about insurance since I do have a Cardiac baby? This is why 6 months just might be okay. Gino can take a leave of absence from Home Depot for up to 6 months (I believe this is the max he's going to check into this). At the end of our journey he will be guaranteed his job back at Home Depot, with no change in position or pay. Nice huh? For insurance we just pay Cobra and we will all remained medically insured.

The Perks?

1. We get a 6 month vacation from life with guaranteed jobs after we're done.
   
2. Get to live for free
   
3. All money I get paid just gets saved up
4. We get to travel
   
5. I get to spend time with my Great-grandma before she passes away
   
6. Did I mention we get to travel????
   
7. We will get to help my Grandma out in ensuring that the park is running smoothly and looking it's best.
8. We'd get to take the kids to the Salt Lake Temple.... Gino definitley needs to see that!
   
9. All the above isn't too bad right?
   

The Downfalls?

1. Well, first off I'd be leaving all my friends that I've learned to love so much.
2. I'd be leaving the beauty of Southern Oregon
3. I would miss out on the first 2 1/2-3 months of my nephew's life
4. I'd be in the miserable town of Ely
5. We'd have to change wards, which is something I really don't want to do, but I think we'd be okay here. We are a very strong family, we've been through it all.... literally, and I know that we can make it through about anything. I know that we can stay strong in the church, and if Gino has issues with it I'll just stay strong and set the best example I can.
6. Jayden would miss out on the first month of school.... luckily here they don't start school until September, so if we came back in October I'd only be homeschooling him for a month.

I think we might do it. We've been planning on moving out of this place anyways, since we're growing out of it. So, in June we can leave and come back in October to a new home.... maybe even one we'll own :)

I had amazing feedback on my last post regarding this topic, and I appreciate it all so much, so I'm begging for some here! Looking at the perks and downfalls, would we be dumb not to do this?

Cardiology Appointment....

Our vacation was nice! I didn't take a lot of pictures, but I did get a few. I did a couple maternity shots of my sister and there's some of me with the girls in my family. I'll post them up this weekend.

The trip was fast. Wednesday we left home for Reno and the next day I was in a seminar for the majority of it. Friday we were on our way to Sacramento so that I could give my sister a baby shower on Saturday then we headed home Sunday. We stopped at Gino's parents on the way home, but it was really a rush rush rush vacation.

It's good to be home.

Today was Ella's pediatrics and cardiology appointments. The cardiology appointment was not a good one. They did the EKG and found that her WPW is STILL there, which I was totally expecting, but what I wasn't expecting was for her cardiologist to tell me that he wants her to go off of her medication.

I don't see the point in this. I don't see why in the world they would want to take her off of something that has done wonders with her. Something that has kept her out of the hospitals and healthy as any other child out there.

I am not too sure on what to do. He told me that if she has any episodes she can go right back on it, but what's the point of taking her off then?

I'm Okay!!

I have a couple of voice mail's and emails checking on me.... I didn't realize it had been so long LOL. Time flies when you're having fun!

I'm okay. I've been on vacation and started it in Reno and arrived in Sacramento today to do my sister's baby shower tomorrow.

Sunday we'll be on our way home and will be stopping by Gino's parents to visit them. Then, I'll be back to blogging. I had to share this precious picture though, Gino snapped it this morning....

Our trip in pictures and some words

Our trip to California was quick. We had such a fun time though. Friday after Jayden got out of school we took off and got into town around 8:30pm. At 10:30 pm we went to the movies with my sister while my mom watched the kids. We saw that 3D My Bloody Valentine movie - I actually really liked it!

Saturday I picked up my niece Alana so that she could go to the birthday party. She is such a beautiful little girl. I hadn't seen her since she was 6 weeks old, so it was an amazing reunion. And so fun to watch her and Ella with each other.

We went to Chuck E Cheese for Vani's 2nd Birthday. Ella was in HEAVEN there! She'd never been to anything like it before, so her eyes lit up and she was having the time of her life. The little smarty pants even figured out that you needed tokens and would take the token and try to put it in the machine.




We finally got a picture of all of the cousins together. This is the first time that they've all been together at the same time. Sad it took so long, but we FINALLY got it!!




Then on Sunday morning we woke up early and went to Stockton to see Gino's mom and little brother, Gabriel. We took them to Arroyo's, which is probably the best Mexican food I've ever had in my life. It was a nice visit. I really do enjoy visiting with his mom.




After lunch on Sunday we headed on our way home, but we had one more stop to make. We were going to do a surprise visit to Gino's dad and step-mom's house. We pulled up and they were so happy to see us. We only stayed for a couple hours, then we ventured on our way home and arrived at 9:30pm. And we went straight to bed.





So, it was a quick, but very enjoyable trip.

Going to Cali TOMORROW!

Well, I definitely didn't expect this, but we had plans on going to Sacramento next weekend, but there's going to be snow.... and I don't do driving in snow. So, I called Gino and asked if he'd rather go this weekend and he said yeah. So, he's playing hookie on Saturday and we're leaving tomorrow when Jayden gets out of school (Gino gets off work at 2pm).

I'm SO EXCITED to get to go and see my sister and my niece and nephew and my mom. We're also going to take a trip to Stockton on Sunday and see Gino's mom and go eat some yummy Mexican food and my favorite Mexican restaurant.

I'll post lots of pics and some videos when I get back. Keep us in your prayers that we have a safe and happy trip.

We're Back!!

The trip to Reno was AWESOME! Not so much being in Reno, but driving to Reno and home. We listened to Twilight on CD and Gino was finally brutally forced to understand what I've been talking about all this time. He likes it too. We're only half way through the book, so I anticipate either him reading the rest (don't see that happening) or us listening to the CD's in the house.

The seminar was actually a lot of fun. I learned a lot and my tenants are going to hate me, because by law there are certain things that have to be in the rental agreements that aren't. So, they'll all be having to resign rental agreements when they just did that 2 months ago. Sorry tenants

Gino and the kids just hung out in the room while I was in my seminar and watched movies. After I got out we went swimming in their gorgeous swimming pool. Then we ate a yummy buffet and went to see Ksee and the kids.

It was such a quick trip, but it was such a nice break to get out of here.

Today is going to be spent doing all the things I don't want to do.... I'm going to do laundry, organize the office so it's ready for some major work accomplishing on Monday, avoid the Harvest Festival going on outside (I know, terrible, terrible mom - but come on!), get grocery shopping done.

Goin back to Cali!

In about 2 hours we will be in our car on our way to Cali!!!! I can't wait to see everyone and for everyone to see the kids!

First stop is San Ramon to visit our friends Jen & David. Then Thursday (Ella's first birthday) we're going to San Francisco and eating great food and seeing some sites.

Haven't decided yet if we're staying in Frisco Thursday night or not. We might drive back that night to Sacramento, but that's not set in stone. I think Gino's BFF Dave wants us to stay with him.

Then Friday I think we're going to Stockton to see Gino's mom. Friday night is BBQ at my cousin Jenna's house!!

Saturday is Ella's birthday party.

Sunday we come home!

Boy that's a lot of visiting!!

Pray we have a safe, happy and joyous trip.

24 Hour Vacation

That was one exhausting weekend! I made a decision out of the middle of nowhere that we were going to the coast. So we packed up and had everything ready to take off as soon as Gino got home from work.

We were at the ocean at 6:00pm and it was beautiful. We brought along Mitch and Ryli so we took 2 cars. The boys were in 1 and the girls were in the other. It was probably one of the most beautiful drives I've ever driven.

The redwoods are breathtaking and I got MANY pictures!!! We went to Ocean World, the beach twice and to the Trees of Mystery. Ella really enjoyed Ocean World ~ especially the Sea Lion. We did it all in 24 hours! I have to go through all of my pictures and resize them all and then I'll post a couple up. It's going to be so hard to choose from them all!

We get home and I was EXHAUSTED! To the point of almost being emotional ~ well, Ella had no diapers, so I had to leave and drive to the store to buy the diapers. I get home and finally am in bed when Jayden wakes up crying and crying and telling me that his ear is broken. Poor guy has swimmer's ear. So this morning we went to the doctors and got him some medication.

My visit with my little cousin Ryli was wonderful. She is such a sweet girl and I was happy she was able to have such a fun time. Sometimes it can be hard when you're the oldest of 4, and I'm happy that she got some one on one time w/my Grandma and me! She's flying out today and I'm going to miss her so much! I need make sure that I get together with her at least once a year. She has always held a special place in my heart since she was a baby.... I lived with her when she was a baby, and helped my aunt out during a very difficult time in her life.

Stay tuned for pictures!!

Going to the holy land

I think that we've made a decision after much thought and consideration. Our bishop goes to Israel 2x/year. It is supposed to be the most amazing tour of the country ever and it looks like my husband is going to join him.

Gino has shown so much interest in the church and something has been holding him back from baptism. When I casually mentioned to him that the Bishop was going to Israel later this year he looked at me and said, "I want to go." To be honest I kinda laughed at first. I can't picture Gino going on a trip with the Bishop, but he was dead serious.

I prayed about it and I've never once received one bad feeling. Something inside of me keeps telling me that this is "it". This is going to be the maker or the breaker in Gino's decision to join this church. From what I've heard the tour is supposed to be so amazing that he'll come home begging to be baptized.

This is the website that the Bishop has set up where you can kinda go and see what's in store for my husband. I'm so excited for him. This is an opportunity of a lifetime no matter what religion you are. The trip is for 10 days and I'm happy that I'll be able to rely on the members of my church for help while he's gone, because I have one of the best wards in the world!

Sincerely Fro' Me to You - Sand Dollar Baller

I am SUPER excited about this carnival that Kristen from "We are THAT Family" you know what, Kristen - we so are too! LOL Anways... it's called Sincerely, Fro' Me to You. It's a carnival on taking a trip down memory lane.

Let me explain why this is the most perfect carnival for me. This blog is my family history. This blog is going to be printed every year and put into a hard cover book for my children and their children and their children to enjoy. I'm so happy that I will have something weekly that will force me to dig into memory lane to share with all the generations to come.

So for my first time ever participating.....

Dear Mom,

Do you remember the summer after Delphi? This particular summer you were in New Orleans. I came to visit and had the summer of a lifetime. We were walking down the French Quarters and there was a door open of some bar and I looked in and there was actually a male stripper and when I looked down there was a ton of guys stuffing money in his thong LOL. Remember the creepy guy that was following us?

There's one moment in my life that I will never forget as long as I live. I don't think I'd ever been more mad at you than I was at that moment. You know, the moment that you almost had me walking into a little shop on the beach to sell them the sand dollars I "found" on the beach for $300 each! You know, the sand dollars that you dropped in the sand behind me, just to lead me into thinking I was finding a gold mine and was going to be rich! I'll never forget that. In fact, I think packed in the garage I still have those sand dollars. I'm glad that you and John had such a hysterical laugh over it. I'll never forget how mad I was. I was only 12... you tell me anything and I'll believe it. I had plans for that money, Mom! I was planning on buying one of those Sony Discmans... remember, the yellow ones that supposedly wouldn't make your CDs skip.

I still wish that you really could take sand dollars in and sell them for $300 each. I'm so happy that you made things so memorable for me, even if at the time I wasn't really all that happy with the little jokes you'd play on me. I love you, Mom!

Sincerely,

Fro' Me to You, Mom

Need To Get Away?

Have you ever been in a situation where there's an family emergency and you can't get to where you need to go, because you don't have the cash? Or how about that unexpected bill that popped up and you need help getting it paid. Or maybe you just can't deal with life anymore and you NEED TO GET AWAY! Trust me, sometimes I feel like that..... actually, I get that feeling at least once a day. Vacation Loans is a website that will match you with a Payday advance loan company that will guarantee you to be approved for up to a $1,000.00, just as long as you have a job, phone number & a bank account.

So, don't forget that the next time you're in a bind and need a little advance, Vacation Loans can even help you buy some new pants!

Planning Our Trip to Vegas

I'm actually getting pretty serious about this trip to Las Vegas. I've almost got the entire trip planned. I've never been to the Grand Canyon, and that is a MUST do on my list. They have a Pirates of the Caribbean show that Jayden would go CRAZY over.

The only downfall to the whole trip is the heat, but there's a Wet N' Wild right on the strip. Jayden's never been on a water slide before.... he's going to LOVE IT!!!

I thought about driving, but let's face it. I don't want to take that long of a trip with Ella - the trip coming home from Sacramento on Easter took us 2 hours longer than usual. So I think if we go through with this trip we'll fly and rent a car. There's so many car rental companies, but I found one that has some awesome specials! Advantage Rent A Car is a lot cheaper than the company I used (I don't even remember what the name of the place was) when Ella had to be admitted into the hospital in Portland. They would have saved me a lot of money! If you're planning on a trip or need a car rental, make sure you check out Advantage Rent A Car and see if they're in your area.

It's Almost Time for Summer Vacations!!

Yesterday it reached 100 degrees where I live. 100 FRICKEN DEGREES in May! It's completely baffling me and I feel like I'm switching from Winter to Summer..... where is Spring? I'm not ready for swimming pools and beaches..... or am I????

This weather has me thinking about this summer vacations, and thinking of summer vacations has me thinking about how I haven't gone on one in FOREVER. The last time I actually got a vacation was in June 2005. See what having kids does to you? I jumped on a plane, left the husband and kid at home, and went to go and watch my aunt get married. Let me just tell you, Vegas after you're 21 and you're not being an active Mormon is INSANE! I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that in my life.

One of my aunt's friends was a VIP manager of an after hours club in one of the casinos and got us in. You take an elevator down and we got set up in the VIP area and had Fillet Mignon, chocolate covered strawberries, endless drinks and anything that we wanted on the house. We got there at around 2am and it wasn't really even packed - at 4am that's when the party in there started. They're not kidding when they say the freaks come out at night. We actually left the club at 6am! When we came out of the elevator there was a line out the door and wrapped around the building just to get in there. I felt like crap that next day, and now when I think about how much I miss the club scene I try my hardest to think about how I felt that horrible day!

The weekend was so hectic that we didn't get to experience any of the fun things that Vegas has to offer. You know, all the things that don't include alcohol and slots. My mom spent the majority of her time down in the casinos playing black jack, counting cards like she was supposed to be in the movie 21 or something. So, I'm thinking that I just might have to make a family trip out of Vegas this time. Trusted Tours & Attractions has a ton of sightseeing tours on their website. CLICK HERE to go and see what Las Vegas has to offer on their site. I've already found so many things that Jayden would LOVE! Las Vegas isn't the only city on their site. They have things to offer for New York, and who doesn't love Atlanta? Things to do in Atlanta

I just signed up for their newsletter and I'm now qualified to win a $150.00 Itunes gift card.... SCORE! You can sign up too for your chance to win..... CLICK HERE to sign up and make sure you act fast, because the giveaway ends on 5/31/08.

I got you thinking about vacations, didn't I? I'd love to hear from others on where they're going on their vacations this year.