Tombstone Trip

While on pause, I have decided to introduce the children to a bit of Arizona's interesting history.  Is there a better place to start than the infamously famous town of Tombstone, Arizona?  I think not.

Upon arrival we head straight to the famous Boot Hill Graveyard to see the most famous headstone of Lester More.  We are first stopped by the sign at the door.  "Unruly and unaccompanied children will will be caught and sold as slaves. Signed Wyatt Earp"  I catch a quick shot of the first three children I see.

It was after all, a three hour car ride! PHEW, I am glad it wasn't on a charted boat off the coast of Hawaii.  We might have gotten into some trouble.

After seeing all those headstones of people shot, murdered or otherwise removed from this life, we decide to get some lunch...Yes, a little morbid, but we really were hungry.

By this photo you might think it was a good ole' western Saloon, but no it really is just a restaurant and that REALLY is Sasparilla my kids are drinking.  Honest. What kind of a parent do you think I am.

After filling our tummies, we go check out some famous gun fight reenactments. One at a Gunfight show.  The other at the O.K. Corral.  Does this story ring a bell...ring-a-ling?  The Earp boys, Doc Holiday and the Clancey Brothers.

      My innocent children with guns. Alright, you can stay up late tonight and eat all the junk food you want!

    Doc Holiday, the Earp brothers and Me(The one with the smallest mustache...What? I'm 1/4 Italian!)

My kids refused to take pictures with these guys.  The other gunfight show must have been funnier...

After the photo op, we went for ice cream. (making good on my previous promise).  We saw part of the Bird Cage Theater (famous brothel/play/gambling house), The Epitaph (Newspaper still printing today) and The WORLD'S LARGEST ROSE BUSH.  Who knew it was in Tombstone.  Just had to see it, and yes it cost $5.

After teaching my children their history lesson for the day, we were spent. How much can a young mind absorb in one day? Saloons, Gambling, Bar Brawls, Gunfights, Murder, Brothels, "Cribs", Prostitution and of course the Enormous Rose Bush. It can be overwhelming to a young mind.   It was a very entertaining, educational and enjoyable day.   Maybe I will start to home school......Not Likely.

©ColleenFisher

Delayed

We had to reschedule our flight to Belgium pending a FBI background check.  The new date of departure is July 5, 2010.  Brent will be leaving for Utah today and staying at his sister's condo in Park City for the next month and I will be in AZ. with the kids at my parents.  It is going to be a long month.  It always is when you are away from the one you love.  We are planning to meet in St. George for Brent's 20th high school reunion the middle of June.  Here's hoping time flies....

©ColleenFisher

Almost There, but To Where?

A Little Background

Approximately three years ago we made some financial investments that were going to be a great source of residual income.  All went south within a matter of months.  To help against these financial troubles and to keep our home, my husband started working 2 jobs   He would work his regular 9-5 job, have dinner and some time with the kids and I, and then work his second job from 9 p.m.-2 a.m....sometimes longer.
 

We decided that he would work 2 jobs and I would do just about everything else.  Our decision was based on the fact that he could probably make more than 2x's what I could and that anything I did make would just go to pay for daycare for our preschooler, during the school year and all three of the children during the summer months. I took care of the kids and 99% of the home stuff.


We tried working with our bank and modifying our loan, but the whole process was a complete joke. In September 2009, we hired a financial coach for help.  The numbers were in.  Enough was enough. The outlook was bleak for keeping our home.   We listed our home with a realtor that specializes in  short-sale properties.  It is now the middle of May 2010, and we signed papers yesterday.  The buyers will today and then our house, which was once OUR home will be a home for someone else.


As I reminisce about the last 6+ years I have had there, I feel a roller coaster of emotions.  There were wonderful days and memories that bring a smile to my face and make me laugh out loud. Others, which honestly parts of me wishes to forget, but have made me who I am today, also are now held dear.  I am grateful for those wonderful friends that were formed and will remain with me wherever I may roam.  Let's face it.  We live for those relationships that just are so real, that keep us going and from which we learn so much from, to love deeper and more true.  They need no more explaining, they just are.  Thank you to them for being a part of my life.


A Glimpse of the Future

Upon learning our home was approved for short-sale, we were given a suggestion from one of my husbands' co-workers.  He was taking his kids to the company office in Ireland for the summer and said, "If my kids were your kids' ages, I would try and go for a year".  That got us thinking.  Why not?  Our credit will be shot, we have to rent anyway...why not show our kids a little more of the world?  So that is what we are doing.


This same company has an office in Belgium and we are working our way there.  We have applied and are currently waiting for the work visa to go through and we will be off on an adventure, to a country where we don't speak either of the languages (Dutch and French) and know little of what to expect of our new life abroad.


This blog is about my life, rising again from the ashes like a Phoenix, attempting to making MY lemonade from MY lemons.  Sit down, kick your legs up and have a nice cool glass.  I hope you enjoy.

©ColleenFisher