For those of you who don't know, I twisted my ankle my last weekend with Katie. Brianna came and got me and we went to the emergency room in Mesa. They applied a splint, went to the doctor the next week, and on Tuesday (the 16th) I'll be having surgery to repair my ruptured achilles tendon. Would send a pic of my splint but dad has the laptop and for some reason my printer won't accept my photo card. I've been in a wheelchair since it happened (the crutches were killing my left hip) and so it's been extremely frustrating. Without Brianna and Jason and Janel I don't know what I'd be doing. We're still having Thanksgiving in Thatcher because Emily is coming home and Katie and Kameron will be here too. Janel and the kids will come up on Friday. Wish so much that everyone was in town (especially dad) and we could be together. Brianna and Jason already got the tree in the living room and I'm sure my "helpers" will take care of the decorating. Makes me really appreciate my two legs and arms and I promise myself I will take better care as soon as I'm up and able. I'll be in a cast for 6 weeks and then one of those stupid boots. I know stop complaining, at least it can be repaired. So, that's where I'm at here. Hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving, send pics.

Cousins! Brianna came up to Flagstaff to pick
me up so we just had to take pictures! Aren't
they just so cute!!

We are so happy!

Is that my ear you have in your hand?

This is so fun???!!

Friends for life!

My time at Katie's has come to an end. I'm

really bummed, but we'll be together again at

Thanksgiving. Wish all these little boys could

be together. Maybe August?? Keep sending

pictures, these babies change everyday. Mom

Hard to believe but I'm actually blogging pictures with Katie's help. See any family resemblance between our two babies? Both Killian and Brianna will be at Katie's on Friday so watch for more pictures. Love these babies. Mom.

Baby Jeter

Yes we're only 6 weeks apart!

Looks like Daddy!

What a ride!!

Proud Grandpa

What an exciting week! And, I do have the most marvelous children!! Little Jeter arrived as the pics have shown, he is a cutie. Such a cute cry, kinda hoarse and very small sounding. Katie was a real hero and I must admit it's rather intense watching your daughter have a baby! It was great having as many of us there as we had, (sorry Katie), the support and love we have for each other is very intense. Just wish we could all be here to enjoy the moment. Nothing like it! Now we have Emily here for the weekend, so the fun really begins. Can't say enough about Brianna and Janel and how they helped Katie. Sister's are the best! Anyway, as you can tell, it's been a great week! Be sure and check out the pic of Killian next to Jeter. Amazing what a few weeks can do!

We are very excited dad has a job. Unfortunately, it's in Nevada. Really wish it was in AZ and a WBE contract, but we'll take what we can get. He is supposed to be there the 2nd of Nov I think. I'm hoping he gets home for Thanksgiving, but definitely Christmas. Our family is definitely changin, but we're learning patience and gratitude.

Love to all of you. Thanks for the Hannah updates. The kids are so cute!

It's been almost a month since I blogged last...Katie's shower turned out great and yes I'm the guilty party who hasn't sent the pics, but I will. Dad finished his big job and it was a huge success. He worked really, really hard. Glad he's home. He and I (mostly him) have been putting in a winter lawn in the front. I told him today I though that was good enough. We'll just cut the back and fertilize. Way tooooo much work. I think the front yard has been cut 15 times just to get it to a thatched stage. He's still working on the sprinklers, then it's spread the rye and fertilizer. So many projects! I went and got all the Halloween decorations from storage, but they are still sitting on the back porch. Got to do it though. I don't think I'll put as many out this year. Love hearing from all of you, seeing the new pics. Now if we could all just live in the same neighborhood I'd really be happy. Just dreaming, huh???? Love to all. Mom

The baby is here, the baby is here! What an exciting week for the DeRusha's. Killian Jax finally entered the world at 1:50 a.m. 8/31/10. It was quite the ordeal for mommy, but well worth it! Can't get enough of that baby! Wish all could have been there for the event. Family is everything! So grateful Katie came down on Wednesday...met the new little man. Wish all the grandkids were nearby and we could really celebrate! Proud of you new momma's and know how much work it is. You are all doing a great job and just can't wait for Katie's baby to be here. Love to you all. Hannah, love the new pic on your blog! You are such a beautiful girl, and what a handsome husband and beautiful kids you have.

I just had the best weekend with Katie! It was so fun, shopping, talking and more talking. It was great. Now I'm back in Mesa for one day and then home. I must admit I'll be happy to be home.

If you haven't talked to dad lately, he is extremely excited about his job. Keep him in your prayers...we need this to be a winner. He is very organized and has had Jason helping him on the computer. The Job Box is coming together. When I get back to Thatcher, I'm going to get with the EAC business guy and try to get our 8A certification. Apparently the stimulus money is for minority businesses and women owned businesses. This certification would help us get government contracts. And since the government seems to be the only ones working...

The Duncan deal is still up in the air. We did not accept they're proposal, issued ours and we are just waiting to hear. Again, keep us in your prayers that this can all be put behind us.

Well it's late, got to get to bed. Love to all. Mom

Good news, good news! Dad got a job!!! He starts on Monday. What a blessing. I know the Lord is watching over us. He'll be in Mesa for a couple of weeks. This will really help us out. We've not heard anymore from Dana. Our lawyer said to not contact him. The paperwork will be filed this week with the court, confirming the judgement. I guess after it's filed and recorded, we can request an asset disclosure conference. I can't imagine him declaring bankruptcy, but you never know. Greg Lambright called last night and said he saw Paul Rowley heading to Dana's. I can just imagine what those two have cooked up. So, today is a great day. Tomorrow I'm heading to Mesa for a few days, will be so fun to see everyone. It's only been about 2 weeks, but it seems like forever. Next weekend I'm planning a trip to Katie's. So fun.

Loved reading the new blogs from everyone...hmmm....almost everyone, haha. The pics are great and Emily, you really crack me up!

Love to all of you. Mom

It's another late night and so I decided to update everyone regarding the Duncan "thing"! Guess who showed up today and visited with dad for 4 hours? You got it, Dana. I gues he did the crying thing and said he was broke and if we filed our judgement he'd have to declare bankruptcy and they would lose everything. Hmmmm. Been there, done that almost. The best part was the first thing out of his mouth was ,"Could we keep this private, just between us?" Hello, I think that's how this whole mess started. Anyway, I was feeling rather compassionate yesterday towards their family, not so much now. I guess they took another loan on the house, his work is crap, and that land in Mexico, time share in Mexico, plane and new cars and equipment have really taken a toll. Offered his land in Mexico, which dad of course turned down and basically told Dana, "Go home, regroup and come up with a plan." The best part was he said he could have paid us in full just 6 months ago. Yea, right. Still can't believe anything that comes out of his mouth because he contradicts himself constantly. Dad stayed cool, but told him how it was. So, keep those prayers coming. Hope everyone is surviving the heat! We did get a nice downpour tonight, probably just add to the humidity tomorrow. Love you all, I know we've been in your prayers because I've felt them. You don't know how much that means to me. Mom

Katie, I love the new background! Thanks!! It's almost 11:30 p.m. and I'm finally finished typing for the lawsuit. My brain is seriously worn out! I'm too old for this. I think it's a nervous breakdown waiting to happen! HaHa, kind of. Keep us in your prayers tomorrow (we're meeting with our attorney to decide on the battle plan) and again on Thursday. The more I worked on this, the more angry and just plain confused by Dana's actions I got. It seems pretty clear to us what he was doing...let's just hope the Judge agrees. Love to you all. And don't forget, Jason's b-day Thursday. Maybe we can all go out for the dual celebration or maybe just eat at Janel's??? I'll call. Mom
P.S. Everyone remember Katie in your prayers on Saturday, she's retaking her test! Go Katie!!

Heh girls! That had to be one of the best weekends!! I'm still recovering, so it had to be good!!! Seriously, thank you Janel for all your hard work, you too Bri (I think we wore you out). It was so fun seeing you with your high school friends. Everyone is grown up, but still the same. How does that happen?? It was fun for me to see Robyn, Anne and Nancy, and all the Emerson's. What a great day. Now we get to do it again in September!! Thanks Katie, we always love an excuse (baby shower???) for a party. Can't wait. Love ya. Mom

Heh!
Got back about 6 pm to Thatcher, sad to leave Em behind. Hit a patch of rain out of Globe, but it was dry in Thatcher. I'm ready for Fall!! It's way too hot and humid! I was looking at my blog, and there is a comment from someone I don't recognize. Janel, or someone, check it out for me?? It was fun to see everyone, sorry you were late for church. I'll be back probably on Thursday. Love you all. Mom

Had another great weekend with all of my daughters! We haven't all been together for a long time, and it was especially nice as it was in Thatcher!! Enjoyed the grandkids too, but there's just something about you girls'!!! Got the house cleaned up, only found a few things left behind, and then Emily and I went to see Eclipse. Loved it! I might even have to watch the other movies, maybe even reread the books??? Emily is now reading her latest short novel. Anyway, thanks girls for a great time! Can't wait for the shower on the 24th!
Made Grandma's reservation. She's leaving the 28th of July, returning the 14th of Sept. That's 6 weeks! Hope she loves it!
Dad finished his job in Lordsburg today. He looks like a lobster! I told him he was too old for that stuff, he agreed!
Talk to you soon! LOve Mom.

What a great weekend! It was so much fun having you all here! Well, almost everyone. Food was great, Settler's was great, didn't get a lot of sleep, but so what...and just sitting around talking. It's every mother's dream!!! Well, I think it is???? Can't wait for this coming weekend, Emily, Katie and Kameron will join us. We'll miss Jason and Mark, but I'm sure we can keep busy. Jason called to say what a good time he had and he wants to plan another time before school start for the kids. I think he seriously considered skipping school to come this wknd. Told me, to wait and we will work on another date.
Bri, love your blog, thanks for indulging me!
Em, you are a hoot! Aren't we grateful for the Christensen's?
Janel, what a trooper, you are such a hard worker! Can't wait for the sewing and crafts to come. Thanks for encouraging me to scrap while you were here.
Missing all the rest of you. Thanks Hannah and Nick for sending the pic texts. Love you.
Dad and Cade are off to Texas for a week of fiddle and guitar camp. I'm sure they'll miss us...NOT!
Well, again thanks for a great 4th of July, let's make it a tradition!!
Love mom.

I really do get excited when I see new blogs. I don't write on facebook, so it's fun to read your blogs. Brianna, Janel???? Has everyone seen the new pics of Max? What a cutie. I wonder if he is related to Dane??? Seriously, it's like seeing doubles. Hannah and Nick, you did a great job making those babies! Paige is so sweet, Dane looks like trouble waiting to happen, and just can't wait to hold Max. December can't come soon enough. Dad just keeps talking about lining those new babies up together and taking a pic. Won't it be fun? Grandma told me today, she really only wants to live until she sees the babies. I'm sure she'll be here longer than that, but I thought that was special.

Looking so forward to this Friday when we can get together and celebrate Katie's birthday. You guys are all growing up so fast. HaHa. Yeh, I know those of you who have children already say that about them...well my babies are growing up too!! Does that make sense??

Received a new calling on Sunday. Dad and I are the Ward Preparedness Specialists. Should be fun. It's pretty open as to what we want to accomplish. No handbook, rules...any suggestions? If your ward has done something cool, let us know.

I love you. Love reading your blogs, talking to you on the phone and of course, reading on facebook. Mom

Hi everyone! So I asked Emily to please change my background as I wasn't likin' the last one that much. Thanks Em! Hannah, love the blog and pics. Can't believe how much Max looks like Dane. And that scowl, have I seen that before? You are wonderful parents and we're really proud of you! Can't wait to have you all back here. It's gettin' lonely!!

So, it is pretty exciting all these little boy's! Looking so forward to Christmas, hopefully, we'll all be together and can line those little guys up. What fun! It really makes dad happy that they are all boys! Must be a guy thing, cause we are hopin' for girls next time!

Love to all of you, and please keep blogging. Brianna????....please update your blog?? Love ya.

So, do you like the new background? Emily changed it for me just before she left. Which brings me to a sad moment. Loved having you here Emily! Wish you could have stayed!! But, the next few months will go quickly and then you'll be here all the time. I'll drive you crazy and you'll wonder why you ever came back! Just kidding.

It was fun seeing Janel and Brianna for a little bit today. We're going to miss the PT cruiser, or I should say dad is. Hopefully he'll find some work so he can get his truck fixed and get it back home. Lot's of ifs, huh?

Our arbitration with the Duncan's is scheduled for July 9th. Please put that date on your calendar and remember us in your prayers. It would be especially wonderful if you could remember us in your fast for July. This just has to go in our favor, or I don't know what we'll do. Well, I do know what we'll do, we'll pick ourselves up, brush off the dirt and move forward. Dad and I are working very hard to find any and all backup evidence to present to the arbitrator. It's been somewhat of a miracle how we'll be looking for something, and a document is right before us that we didn't even know we had. I pray that is a good sign and Heavenly Father knows that our intentions are good. I don't know if I'll ever understand the Dana Duncan's of this world. But, I'm beginning to believe that there are a lot of them.

Enough depressing stuff. Love to all of you. Mom

Thanks for a wonderful Mother's Day! Love hearing from each of my kids. We have the best family!!

Congrats to Nick and Hannah. What a boy! Can't believe all these "big" baby boy's we're having. So happy they're healthy. Just wish I could hold him. Big hugs to each of you!

Last weekend was fun with Harris 2nd Ward (minus the Duncan's). It was a 10!! So fun to see a few of my old friends. There were quite a few I didn't know, a few investigators, but so good to be having a party. Anne ended up staying Friday and Saturday night so that was fun. Didn't get to play Settler's, we were too busy!

So fun having Emily home. She just puts a spark back into our home. Not that we aren't all fun to have around, but definitely a nice change.

Again, thanks for remembering me on Mother's Day, and love to each of you. Mom

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO OUR WONDERFUL MOM!!! SHE'S THE BEST!!!! LOVE YOU MOM SOSOSOSOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

LOVE,
KATIE

It's so cold!! I think this global warming is a hoot!! Seriously, it was only 39 degrees this am. I know I shouldn't complain, Katie it's probably snowing in Flagstaff?? Anyway, we're loving it. I'm so excited for the 15th. Hope everyone is still planning on coming. We'll have everyone here but Nick and Nate. It's been awhile.

Nothing really new on the homefront. Sure enjoy reading everyone's blog. Sue and Jill are coming down today for the temple openhouse. What a beautiful temple it is!! The colors are exquisite and it just feels so wonderful. We are truly blessed to have had a temple built here and I can't wait to use it!!

Nothing more except I love you all. Mom

Hello family,
Well I think spring is officially here and there won't be anymore cold mornings. Darn! I should take pics of my flowers, they are just beautiful and certainly provide great therapy.

I still haven't put my pics from SLC on my computer, what's the matter with me?? Soon... That was such a wonderful vacation. It was a little short, but we certainly crammed as much as we could.

Dad and I are still working in the yard and on projects. Wait until you see his tables!! He's quite the craftsman. He's still working on his English class. I wish I had been so diligent! Hopefully it will pay off and he'll get an A. I certainly think he deserves it. He's worked very, very hard.

Grandma is still hanging in there. Her dementia is progressing, but what do you expect at 88? I just wish my "old" mom was with me. Her health is good, so for that I am very thankful.

Had a funny one happen on Thursday. We've been having a lot of trouble with the squirrels. I mean a lot. So I'm at Walmart and see these dynamite looking tubes that you light and put down the squirrel's hole. Well, we did the front yard hole, no big deal, smelled pretty bad, but no problem. Then dad decided to put one down the hole by the electrical box where the squirrels have dug a hole under our tub. Well, we both forgot that the person who installed that tub, didn't adequately fill in the gap between the tub and the counter. Yes, the fumes came through that gap and filled the house. I was running around opening windows, turning on fans, and of course was most concerned for the cat. Yes, we all went outside, but LuLu was stuck inside. Long story, but we all survived and yesterday we went to Home Depot and got some stuff that filled in the gap. Haven't heard anything from the squirrels, so I expect the next step will be the odors of cadivers. Funny, huh? Really though, I hate killing anything, but these squirrels were having a regular party in the attic and the window seat in the office. LuLu would sit under the air conditioning vents, because she could hear all the pitter pattering of little paws!!!

So, hope you're all doing great. Brianna, can't wait for you to get home! Looking forward to being together again. Love to all, mom.

We had a wonderful weekend in Mesa! Wyatt was baptized and it was wonderful being there and partaking of the spirit. What a wonderful young man!! He looked so handsome in his suit. Cade gave a talk on baptism, which was special and the talk Dianne gave on the Holy Ghost was really great. Wyatt was totally taking in everything. Love that little boy. Only Katie and Kameron were there, so we did miss the rest of the family. Janel, can you believe you only have Dayton left?!? Hardly seems possible.

While we were at Janel's, I got to talking with Katie and said it sure would be nice to have one girl grandbaby, but then the more we talked about it, it would be so fun to have 4 little boys so close in age. They could really rule at our next reunion!!

Talked to Nate on Friday and they are getting pretty excited for their delivery. Song Mi is pretty uncomfortable, but anxious for the baby to be here. He likes his job and they are really enjoying the area where they live. Sure hope we get to visit at some point. Want to see that new baby!!

It has been a historic weekend with the health bill passing. I'm not quite sure what we have in store for us, I'm hoping it won't be as bad as they are predicting. I love this country and hate to see the progressive liberals destroying it. Let's all remember to vote and to know who we are voting for and what they believe in. If anything, this weekend has awakened the American public. Just wish it hadn't been on the sabbath. I can't think our Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ were pleased with such legislation taking place on the sabbath. Remember our country in your prayers.

Love to you all, can't wait for this weekend with Emily, Katie and Janel. Just wish we could all be together soon. Mom

P.S. Hannah, just loved the new pics of the kids!!!

Blogger? oh yeah! we have this family blog! Did we all forget?

I feel so bad reading this Blog! mom you are the only one who ever posts on it! I am sooo sorry! I really should be on here more to feel more connected to all of you! I want everyone to know that I'm really missing all of you more than you think. I'm almost tempted to move back to AZ I'm just not ready... It's harder than you think to have to chose. why can't California just fall into the ocean already so AZ has ocean front?

I guess I have a ton to report about my life but I'm sure most of it has already been talked about on the phone. but I'm going to my interview at Turtle Bay tomorrow to get my old job back... and if I pay my dues at this job long enough the benefits will be well worth it! I still have great girls here that are very supportive and I just found a great doctor that will be deliverying my baby. I'm gonna have to spend some money but it will be well worth it. I guess overall I'm just trying to stay healthy and positive :) But I love you all and I hope to see everyone sooner rather than later! Ciao!

Hello everyone! It's been a busy week...I was at Janel's Wednesday and Thursday helping her with Dianne's shower. I don't know how much help I was, but I did do dishes and laundry. Janel, the shower was so much fun!! I had a great time and I must admit I spent a lot of my time checking out the decor. Amy's house is unbelievable! And, the best part is she and her husband, Brian, seem pretty down to earth. I came away wanting to clean and organize our home. Maybe put some of the decorations away for awhile (not that her house wasn't decorated to the hilt). Also, I got some practice in holding babies. Amy has a 4 month old little girl (Vanessa), who is just adorable. She was decked out and just about the best baby. Can't wait to hold all the new grandbabies coming this year!

Dad and Cade left today for a bluegrass festival in Lake Havasu. Hope they have fun. Dad is working on the sauna room and making progress. He is highly motivated with our old Harris 2nd Ward coming in April.

Looking forward to visiting Emily in a few weeks. Janel, Katie and I will head up to Provo on the 27th of March for a long overdue visit. Can't wait!

Love to everyone, and again Happy Birthday Nick! You know 30 is a great age to be!! Mom

Hi! Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Dad surprised me with chocolates and a huge, red heart pillow with feet. Now if I knew how to put a picture on, I would...Everything here is pretty status quo, could be good, could be bad???? Working in the yard and trying to clean up a bit. 50 members from our old Harris 2nd Ward are coming on April 24th for the temple open house. We'll be having a luncheon here, so need things to be spiffy, right? Hope those of you who can, will make the trip somtime during the openhouse. This valley is really excited for the new temple. It will certainly be a blessing in our lives.

Attended the funeral yesterday of Tommy Mullenaux. He was in our Thatcher 1st ward and is Trent's grandpa. It was a beautiful service and caused me to reflect on just how much I love each of you and how proud I am of our heritage. Be proud of your name and carry it with honor. Be kind to one another for that is a reflection of who you are. Beautiful tributes were made and I think Tommy was proud of his legacy.

Hope you're all staying healthy (grandma has a really bad cold, may have to take her to the doctor today) and feeling good about life. I love and miss each of you. Mom

It's rainy and cold and all my company has gone. Bummer!! It's been such a fun holiday. Beginning with Christmas and Emily coming home, Nick and Hannah and the kids, and then Nate, Song Mi and Brianna all spending time with us. Didn't get to see Brianna nearly enough, but any time is good. Having Janel and the fam over the weekend was a real treat. Now I guess it's back to reality. Time to clean, clean and clean some more. Time to start eating healthy and making time to exercise. Got to be back in shape by May. It's was really fun getting some new pics of the fam, just dad and I and Jason and Ava are left. Want to lose a few pounds before I start posing. HaHa. Really loving the weather. Lots of snow on the mountain and rain is definitely in the air.

Tomorrow we'll head down to Mesa for the big move to our new dwelling. Hopefully it won't rain the entire time. It's a nice condo on Gilbert just north of the 60. You can see Deseret Book from the back porch.

I told dad last night we should look into Show Low or someplace like that to move. I know I'll never get him back to the valley, but this place is soooo ugly, especially in the winter. I know I'm just dreaming, but wouldn't it be fun to visit there??? Might look into it a little. Still no job prospects so we're kind of in limbo anyway.

Well, love to all of you. Thanks for making this such a special holiday for me. I just can't get enough of you!!! Mom