So....I'm sitting in a hotel in Prescott and trying to figure out why we didn't move here from Mesa. It is beautiful. Pine trees, rain, oh, did I say rain???? The homes are beautiful. Come on what's holding us back??? Family, yes, that's probably a big part, but oh it is such a change and only 2 hours from Janel. Dad says it's too congested, but I say it's a little city with charm. Oh well....I can dream.

Looking back, I blog about once a month. Maybe my life isn't exciting enough??!! We went to Mesa this past weekend and enjoyed Dayton's baptism. Yep, Janel your baby isn't a baby anymore. I can't believe you're done!! Next will probably be Dane. Speaking of Dane, can't wait for Nick and family to get home. So anxious to see Max! Congrats to Nick for graduating and so glad dad can join in the festivities. Back to this weekend...had fun with Katie and fam, Jason and Ava, and of course, Emers and Bri and Killer. It's just so fun to get together. My trips are fewer, mostly because of gas costs and so I miss playing Settlers with the fam. Great lunch at Red Robin, will have to do that again. Does everybody love dad's truck?? Such a man.... Well, again, nothing too exciting, just a recap of our doings. Love you all.

Ok, we live in the SOUTHERN part of Arizona and last night it got down to 7 degrees. Needless to say our water pipes froze and we now have no running water. If I had known I would have left a tap running. Oh well. Now I guess we just have to wait for it to heat up to 32 degrees. The last I checked it was 19 degrees...have a way to go. Stop complaining right??? Really makes you appreciate our "necessities"!

What a great day! At 10 I went to Posh Place and Emily put on eyelashes for me. She then colored my hair, cut and styled it (looks great by the way). Then after lunch, I had nails put on. They aren't acryllics, they are just a polish that hardens in a special light. I do feel almost normal again. Once the boot is gone and I can wear regular shoes, I'll be happy. Emily did break down yesterday and cut my toenails and polished them. They looked so hideous, especially the right foot.

Life is pretty uneventful, had a great weekend with everyone last week and now we're back to our daily routine. More later...

Ok, I apologize for not blogging before now, but I've been waiting for my laptop to reappear so I could post pics. Well, I don't think that's going to happen for awhile so you just get words.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year. Time does fly! Had a great time with family and just having a chill in the air changes my perspective. This tendion thing of mine has been a real challenge (and for my caregivers). I've developed a much greater appreciation for the handicapped and hopefully my patience will remain at this high point forever. My next appointment with the doctor is the 21st of Jan and it will be interesting to see what is next. I'm in therapy (Nick & Hannah, Bro. Judd says hi), no not mental but physical and I'm seeing improvement in my flexibility. Just being able to shower has been an improvement and the walker is only used when I go out for any distance. Thanks to all of you who have helped me. Couldn't have done this without you.

Dad is in Minnesota for a while yet. When I spoke with him today, he was trying to set up retrieving his truck. Once he gets it back to MN, he'll have it fixed and hopefully be on his way home.

Bri is back to school, so I get to babysit sweet Killian. We do have fun and he's starting to give kisses. Wish all the grandbabies were nearby!!

It's great having Em home and look forward to her drop-ins.

Grandma is doing well. Having a baby in the house makes her smile and we try not to drive her too crazy.

Love to each of you. Really want to send out a belated Christmas card. Maybe it will be a Valentine's Day card. I think Rosanne Ripley did that one year. We'll see.

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