Headed For High School

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009- Ashlee started high school. She was so nervous, which made me nervous and I worried ALL DAY LONG about her. She made it through the first day, and the first week. I am not so naive to think that it will be smooth sailing from here, but we are at least in it full swing. Each day as she ages I notice more and more of me in her, which makes me proud and also scared. (My momma said paybacks will come sooner or later).
The first way that she is like me starts with this picture. This is the only picture that I was "allowed" to take/ at home/ not at school. Of course not at school. What was I thinking.

Family Golf Day

The Monday before school started (well my school had already started... but Ashlee's school) I took the day off work and we all went golfing. We had a blast. I had not been for over two years and Ashlee had never been, except to the driving range.

Ashlee's favorite part of the day was driving the golf cart. May I just take a moment to say that I am dreading the "drivers permit" phase of my life that is about to take place. SCAREY!!

May I Apologize for Llama's Bad Habits

Llama came to stay with us while Grandma and Grandpa went to visit Shaun, Becca, and Ella in Virginia. She has been having a blast playing with Sadie. Everynight they play for hours running through the house. She has been swimming, to the park to play ball and for a walk down by the river. She has had bones, and chew sticks, steak and chicken. She has also learned to sit on the couch and watch TV and well....

But don't worry Mom and Dad. Gato has already punished her for her bad behavior several times with a nice little hiss and kitty smack to the face.

E- Ella

Today I find myself sad that I don't live next to Ella. I feel like I am missing her grow up and I don't get to be as close with her as I want to be. I look at pictures of her often and I am shocked at how much she looks like me. I love to hear about what she is doing, and how her personality is developing. I hope I can see her soon and I wish that they lived closer so I could see her on a regular basis. I will get to see her at Christmas!!! Very, very excited!!

P- Patriarchal Blessing

On Easter Sunday this year Ashlee received her Patriarchal Blessing. It was a touching experience for her and for me, as she received it from the same Patriarch that gave me my blessing, Patriarch Esplin. What a wonderful spiritual giant he is, with such a sweet spirit inside. It was so great to be able to hear what Heavenly Father wanted Ashlee to know. At the end of the blessing as we were leaving he said to Ashlee, "You have a great spirit about you." I was so honored that day, as I am everyday, to be her mother.

O-Officer

On Saturday July 25th, a police officer in our town was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. Sgt. David Kinterknect has been on the force with Montrose for many years. I didn't know him well. He was sworn into the Sherriffs Department the same day that Woody (my ex-husband) was in 1995. Then when I got in a car accident while passing through town in 2004 he was the officer who responded. He was thought of highly by so many people. It is a shame that he died while protecting others. On the Friday following his death a funeral was held for him at the high school so it could accomodate all the officers and family members from around the state could attend. Following his funeral his procession came down Main St. in Montrose where the streets were lined with people who came to honor him. I was very touch by the support of our community for this man, and for the law enforcement. I was also touched by all the law enforcement officers from around the state, clear from Denver and New Mexico, that came to honor one of their own. It is sad, however that a town has to have something like this happen to show appreciation for those who serve them. I then thought about all the people who serve and support me, and decided that I need to do a much better job at showing my gratitude at all times, instead of just special occasions.

M- Mesa State

Okay so this post might sound a little "braggy" and I don't mean for it to be. This is my journal too. So I wanted to post about my schooling so that next Sping, when I am down and tired, and thinking I can't make it through another semester I can read this.



I started school full time in January to get my nursing degree. It was probably not the best time, or the smartest thing to do (with Bill being gone), but this is the first time in my life that I have qualified for financial aid and so I had to take advantage of it. In addition, I teach early morning seminary and I am the primary chorister, which means that in addition to my school work, I also have to prepare a lesson every night, and my Primary music each Saturday. Keeping up with Ashlee also adds another ball to my juggling act and she keeps quite busy. With that all being said I am so proud of myself for getting through it. I have completed 23 credits in 7 months, with a 3.67 GPA (which I am not happy about. Can't do it all) I start my next semester on Aug. 17, seminary on Sept. 8th, and Bill leaves again on Sept 7th for 9 more months. Here comes round 2.

A- American Idol

I just wanted to start my ABC blog with a little brag. That my Idol pick one this year. Everyone loved Adam. (He was good okay, but......) I loved Kris from the beginning and I took a lot of crap from many people for sticking with him. Especially some of my friends around here. Let me just say that I was so excited that he won, and can't wait for his album. Two more seasons till Ashlee can audition. She can't wait.

C-Cinderella

In May Ashlee was in the Cinderella play at Magic Circle Playhouse in Montrose. She had an awesome time and was even asked by another director who is putting on "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" next year if she would be interested in playing the lead for that. Cinderella gave her a lot of experience and confidence to do more.

Ashlee and Momma on Opening Night

Ashlee and her Dad on Opening Night

Grandma and Grandpa Black

D- Dance Costumes

Proof that you never grow to old to play "Dress Up".

I asked Ashlee to clean out the costume boxes so we could take them to my neice Maddie. A few minutes later she was having her own dress up session. She was cracking up that she could still fit in her dance costumes from three years ago.

F- Family Reunion

Over the 4th of July this year the Calderwoods held their family reunion in Coalville up at the ranch. We had an absolute blast. Saturday we went to the lake where my cousin Derek spent hours trying to throw each of us from the tube, sucessfully assisting me with a back layout into the water. (I was sore for days) Ashlee especially had a wonderful time re-kindling her friendships with her cousins. It was amazing to me the strength of friendships within our family. My cousing Jeremy, who I haven't seen for over four years said that it was great to be able to see each other again, and it feel like we have never been apart. (Luckily for my family we did spend time apart because we were quite the trouble makers when we got together as kids.) I felt that way with all my cousins, now grown up and with families of their own.

My Mom and Dad at the Lake. This is before Dad and his two brother were all three thrown off the tube at the same time.

Haley and Jason swimming in the lake.

Ashlee, Jaci, and Laney getting ready for the tube ride.

Kaden, Ashlee and Kirby all set to go.

Jason, Bill, and I... what was I thinking.

Oh Sadie. Note the other two dogs resting after a long hard swim. My OCD Dog Sadie could not stand to miss a thing. Keep in mind that I just had to carry her in from the water becuase she was so exhausted that she could barely swim anymore. Bill and I had to take turns on the bank trying to keep her out of the water so she wouldn't drown.

And here he is... the king of meaness. The driver with no remorse...Derek. This man is alone the man who made us all sore for weeks after the reunion. You should have seen his grin as he took the sharp turns in the water. Like Dr. Evil.

The family relaxing after dinner.

Haley, Dad and Grandpa watching the activities.

My Aunts, Uncles, and Dad.

G- Grandma and Grandpa Calderwood

When I think about my extended family I realize that I am so lucky that I was sent to a family like mine. I am close to all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I have a great relationship with all of my grandparents. But I don't think we would all be so close if it wasn't for Grandma and Grandpa Calderwood.



My Grandma and Grandpa Calderwood are the foundation for all of this. I have so many wonderful memories of them starting from when I was a tiny girl. I loved to go to their house. While Christmas's were the highlight and so rowdy with all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins there opening presents in a circle, the whole place as loud as a stadium, I also loved to go and just spend time with Grandma. I remember Fridays and Saturdays in the summers when we would go to garage sales. I remember going with them to Arizona one time and it was a blast. I remember flying with Grandpa in his plane as a little girl. My mom would get sick and would sit in the back and Grandpa would let us come up and sit in the cockpit with him. I remember fishing trips in the bottom of the Black Canyon with all my cousins and how much fun we had together. I remember them being to all my softball games as a child and cheering me on. I remember Grandpas old green jeep with the most annoying horn on the planet.



I was very lucky when I moved to Virginia that Ashlee and I were able to live with them. They were always so much fun to be with. Ashlee used to love it when Grandpa would fall asleep on the couch watching one of his many western movies, snoring out of control, and then she would love to sit with Grandma in her room. I was especially touch when just last year Grandma and Grandpa drove to our house and surprised us with a bunch of food storage at a time when we were really struggling. These are just simple examples of love, kindness and support that they have offered, and then passed down to each of us children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.



More than that, however, they are examples of truth and righteousness. Their constant service to the Lord has blessed generations in the gospel. They have served a mission in St. Croix, and two temple missions. One in Washington D.C and one in Nauvoo. My Grandpa is a sealer in the temple and has sealed many of his Grandchildren within the temple walls, including Bill and I with Ashlee. It is such a powerful experience to be able to have your Grandpa seal you. I believe it creates a clear glimpse into a forever family. Because of my Grandparents examples, our family is strong. They have taught us to love and support one another. They encourage us to build and keep strong relationships amoungst each other. Most of all however, they follow the example of the Savior and have shown each of us the importance to do the same. I thank the Lord for them, and for the blessing they are in my life and my families life.

B- Bill/ BYU-I

May I just take a moment and write about my awesome Husband. I am so lucky that Heavenly Father sent me such a great man. And when I say sent I mean it. While I was a single mom I had no desire to date at all, and I often joked that if the Lord wanted me to get married again he would have to put him right in front of me. The way Bill and I met was exactly that. We met online, he was living in Denver and I in Virginia. We originally became friends and would spend hours talking about being a single parent in the church. Before we even met in person, we both knew that we were going to get married. It hasn't always been a fairytale, but at this point in our marriage we have such a strong relationship. We are the best of friends and I feel lucky to have someone I can trust. The best part about Bill is that I know everyday that he loves me. He is so selfless and kind. He strives to make sure that our families needs are met.

I am especially grateful for all his help over the past few weeks that he has been home from school on break. He has fixed the swamp cooler, washed the windows, mowed the lawns, made dinner, done laundry, done dishes, washed the dogs, and dug sprinkler trenches. All these things that I can't do.


I am so proud of how well he is doing up at school. I know that it is very hard on him being away from us but he is working so hard to finish and he is keeping his grades up at the same time. In June Ashlee and I made a quick trip up to Idaho to see him. Ashlee had a blast, especially since she looks a lot older than she is and had a good time with all the BYU boys while on campus with Bill. On the Friday that we were there Bill was asked to student teach an accounting class for one of his professors. Ashlee went with him and several of the people thought she was a student there. A funny conversation between her and a male student up there went like this. Ashlee: Awesome shirt. (it was some racing shirt) Boy: Thanks do you race? Ashlee: No. My Mom would never let me, plus I don't have a bike. Boy: You should take out a loan and get a bike if you like it so much. Ashlee: Dude! Im only 14. I can't get a loan. Boy: You're only 14?????It is wierd when you start to go places and boys are checking out your daughter.

Ashlee with her first "Big Judd" Experience. She ate half of that thing!

I-Irrigation

My big project this summer was to put in a sprinkler system. Tugging the hose around to try to water was not working. In early Spring (in a serious moment of poor judgement) I decided to start digging trenches as it was the only "free $$" thing I could do to get the process moving. It took me two months to get the trenches dug since I lack the arm strength of my Husband and Dad who, in May came to my rescue and within two days had the rest of the trenches dug, the sprinklers lines in and working. I am so greatful for the men in my life who help me with my "man" projects. Now watering is on a timer and brainless! Yeah! And my grass is growing great now. Thanks Dad and Bill.

J- Jaci

In June Jaci went to see Bill up at school. It was really fun for them to be able to spend time together alone. She had to go to class with him a few times and thought that was fun. They went swimming in a nearby lake and of course he took her to get a Big Judd burger! They had a great time and Bill said that he enjoyed being able to talk to her and spend time with her.

K-Kylie

Kylie is Ashlee's best friend from Las Vegas. Since we have moved to Montrose they have kept in touch and have seen each other both summers. Last year Kylie came to Montrose to stay with us for a week. This summer Ashlee flew to Vegas to spend the week with her. Within one week they went to the mall (of course), went to the Circus Circus Adventuredome, rode the Roller Coaster at the New York, New York, and went to a water show. On the day of her return they were in Abercrombie and Fitch shopping and she saw Carrot Top. So she got a picture with him on her phone. She said he was really nice.
So now the drama... Right before her flight to Vegas we learned that Kylie's mom would possibly not be able to get a pass to meet Ashlee at the gate. So of course as a Mother I was freaking out. Ashlee has flown alone many times, but I have always dropped her off at the gate and there has always been someone to pick her up. Sure enough they did not get a pass so she had to walk through the Las Vegas airport alone. Then add to that she was at the D-gates which are the furthest away from the main terminal and baggage claim. It was that day I learned just how grown up and independant Ashlee has become. Here I was a nervous wreck, and she was calm, cool, and collected. She followed the signs and made arrangements for Kylie and her parents to meet her at her luggage carousel. I was very proud of her.

L-Lap Dog

Is it too late to inform Sadie that she is not a Poodle or Chihuahua, that she will never fit into one of those cute dog purses or designer pet sweaters, or that she is not a lap dog. Everytime we travel she does the same thing. She starts in the back, then she inches her way up to the front slowly. First her head is in the middle of Ashlee and I, then she rests her arms on the middle console. Next her paws and arms will move to Ashlee's lap and her back feet will be on the console. Pretty soon she is all the way on Ashlee's lap. Rotten, Spoiled, Dog!!

N- National Anthem

Ashlee has always dreamed of singing the National Anthem for some sporting event. She got her chance this spring when she was asked to sing at the Little League Opening Ceremony. She did awesome and had a blast. You can check out her video on YouTube under SadiePollyPops.

H- House

My house was BLUE!! Blue I tell you. Horrible. There is nothing worse than giving directions to your house and having to use the phrase "the blue house across from the park." Thankfully my mother shared my distaste for blue and came to paint the house. Now I cannot take credit for alot of the painting cuz I was at work a lot of the time. So my Mother spent a week at my house painting with Ashlee and I helping when we could. The change is amazing and I feel so much better now when people tell me that they almost drove by becuase they didn't recognize the place!

Much improved house now. I love my Mother for all she does for me. Her and my Dad spend countless hours helping our family. (Note the brown patches in the grass, from the sprinkler system Dad helped put in.)

Q-Quincy

Meet my new nephew Quincy Rollins (Q as we call him). What a sweet spirit. I am just in love with him. Quincy just turned 1 and for his birthday he arrived in America after spending most of his first year in an orphanage. He is so precious and such a good baby. It is so wonderful to see him change and grow with the love of a family to change his world. I am sure Heavenly Father loves him so much to send him to a family that adores him.

This is Q's first time meeting his Aunnie and Ashlee. I love him so much.

Here are Maddie and Q at home during a family picture session.

This is a picture of Quincy and Maddie in Africa the first week that they got him. You can see a huge difference in him from then to now. He is so happy now!