The Wild West Show: January 2009

JESSIE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Today was Jessie's birthday party at my parents house. There wasn't a very big crowd there because of the AC/DC concert in Fargo and the local bank in Leeds had their Christmas party. Brandi Duran and her two oldest boys, Denae and Desidy Schwanke, and Grandpa and Grandma Hanson did make it to the party. There were gifts dropped off at the house by Kim Nelson and her kids, and Breanne Larson and her boys, and even Auntie Missy mailed a gift card to Jessie.

Jessie got a lot of cool gifts. She got a Diego backpack, the Magic of Pegasus Prince, the Dora the Explorer twin dolls, a pink VTech laptop, a yo yo ball, watercolor paints, coloring books, clothes, a new pair of snow boots, and some movies. After gift opening, it was cake time.

All the kids played very well. It was nice to talk to Denae since I only seem to run into her when she is working in the pharmacy or in the bar. I was really happy that Darren's parents came down to enjoy the day with us. It's nice to know that even though Darren and I are not married anymore, we are all still friends.

Enjoy the pics.

Jessie's Birthday cake.

Cassidy and Jessie possing sweetly.

Jessie with her Diego backpack from Aunty Missy

Jessie's first breyer horse from mommy that looks like our foal Oreo.

Jessie opening her Tom & Jerry DVD from Grandpa and Nana.

The girls playing with the laptop Jessie got from Jillian and Bree Peterson.

Blowing out candles.

YUMMMMY! Cake!

Cassidy and Desidy.

Jessie, Cassidy, and Desidy playing with watercolor paints.

IT'S JESSIE'S BIRTHDAY

At this moment, Jessie is on the couch watching Dora the Explorer and eating a small bag of Cheetos puffs. Why? Because that is what she wanted and it's her birthday. I hope she has a good day today. I'm not worrying about celebrating anything today. I'm saving all of it for Saturday. You are all welcome to come if you can make it. This weekend is supposed to be nice. The party will start around 2 p.m. I'm not sure how many people will be there. I know my sister cannot make it, my brother might be busy, and my dad is going to be gone trucking. I think Rainy is going to try and come out with her children, I'm going to invite Billy Jo and her boys, the neighbors, and Brandie from Leeds. I hope to see those of you that can make it there.

FUNERAL, BIRTHDAY, AND WORK

I went to RJ's funeral on Saturday at the Leeds School. It was really sad and I must have cried through 3/4 of the service. The gymnasium was FULL. It was nice to see so many people there that loved RJ. RJ's uncle, who is a pastor, spoke in the middle of the service and I must say it was one of the best speech's I've ever heard at a funeral. He talked about how people blame God when things like this happen and to not be mad at God, but embrace him instead. He answered many questions a lot of people were thinking but were to scared to ask.

Tomorrow is Jessie's birthday. I cannot believe that my baby is 3-years-old already. We are going to have Jessie's birthday party at my mom and dad's house in Leeds this Saturday, the 17th. I am working on invitations and hopefully will get them out in the mail tomorrow. The only problem with Jessie's birthday following so closely after a holiday is that I don't know what to get her that she didn't already get for Christmas.

I have applied for 9 different medical transcription jobs over the weekend. I have gotten two responses saying they didn't have positions, and one company sent me a link to take some online tests before hiring. I am going to take my tests tonight after the girls go to bed. Hopefully I don't freak out and bomb the tests. Wish me luck!

RJ DARLING 1989-2009

RJ Darling was a friend of mine. He wasn't one of the closest friends that I had, but I am glad to say that I knew him.

He was a nice man that thought of everyone before himself. He had man MANY friends. He played basketball in school and was also a member of FFA, FCCLA, and was also his class treasurer. I got to know him when I entered Cassidy in swimming lessons at the Leeds Public swimming pool. He taught Cassidy her lessons. He didn't have any enemies and became friends with everyone he met.

I was heartbroken to hear that on Friday night, for whatever reason, RJ decided to end his life. His suicide has brought grief to many people and he will be great missed by everyone whose life he had touched. His funeral is planned for Saturday at 10:30 in the Leeds High School gymnasium.

RJ, I hope that you found the peace that you were looking for. You must have been in a pretty bad place to do what you did. I am sorry that there wasn't anyone there for you when you needed someone. Rest in eternal peace, friend.

CHRISTMAS 2008

Christmas this year was fun. The girls and I spent Christmas Eve at my parents place. At 5 o'clock we all went to the Christmas mass, when that was over we enjoyed my mom's homemade lasagna, and then the girls opened gifts. When the girls got finished, we settled them down for bed and us adults opened up our gifts.

On Friday, Darren picked up the girls for the weekend so he could celebrate his Christmas with them. My mom, dad, sister, brother, and I made a trip to Grand Forks to do some shopping and to stop at my aunt and uncles house to visit them. It was a very long trip and we ran into a bunch of snow coming home. We didn't get back to Leeds until 11 o'clock.

My sister had to head back the next day because she had a shower to go to in Grand Forks and then she was heading home. Mike stayed an extra day and then he was back in Jamestown. Mike took some very awesome pictures with his camera while he was home. I have posted a few of the sixty or so pics. I think he has now become the designated picture-taker in the family when we all get together now.