Planes

Saturday we decided to drive to downtown Phoenix to get to know our surroundings better and see some of the sites. There is an area you can park behind the airport and watch planes take off and land. The boys LOVED it! Maybe it's a boy thing, I don't understand the fascination with watching planes but I did enjoy how excited the boys were. Brady asked if we could go every weekend. Tony did good finding this free activity of a gem.

Wendy's Poetry

I have found myself reminiscing about my mom a lot lately. I miss both my parents a great deal. My mom was a gifted artist and poet. While her life ended tragically, she had such a tender and beautiful soul. She had more love in her little finger than most people have in their whole body. After chatting with my sister we decided it would be great to get my mom's poems up on a blog for her family and friends to enjoy. I started this project just before moving and will hopefully finish it in the next few months. If you would like to read her poetry feel free to visit www.wendywinchester.blogspot.com.

The Move

With my decision to stay home with the kids, Tony's career possibilities expanded. I would have to say it all started during our trip to California in April. Tony was visiting a client while we were there and he innocently asked if Tony had ever considered moving out of state for work. This sparked conversation between the two of us. Years ago we discussed we would be open to moving out of state in the future. The idea of a new adventure in uncharted territory was appealing to us both. We agreed then that if we ever moved it would have to be after Alex graduated high school. So here we were, having the same conversation with Alex's graduation just around the corner. California is absolutely beautiful and an excellent place to vacation, but after researching the economy and cost of living we quickly scraped the idea.

Tony's brother lives in Arizona so it was the obvious next consideration. After researching the area we found the cost of living to income ratio to be excellent and the schools to be top rated to boot. The fact that one of my dearest friends from high school lives here too was icing on the cake. Tony got his resume together and started applying and interviewing. I'm still amazed how quickly everything happened and how well everything ultimately fell in place. Tony was offered a job with a great company with excellent growth potential. Less than two months after that conversation in California our Utah house was in boxes and we were preparing to move to Arizona.

I should be a pro at moving. This is the tenth place we've lived in our eleven year marriage. However, this was my first out of state move and by far the most stressful move of my life. It was borderline traumatic to be quite honest. I still recall the day Ryder managed to soak several packed boxes in the kitchen with the garden hose. (Brady carelessly gave Ryder said hose claiming he thought Ryder would do something productive with it, like clean the bikes. I may have cried.) I remember Ryder crying incessantly during the lengthy drive. There wasn't a dvd, song, or other distraction in the world that would make that kid content with being strapped in his car seat for hours on end. It's also a well known fact I detest driving. Around the town errands I'm fine with, but long distances and freeway driving stress me out. I followed Tony in the good old minivan, meaning I drove the entire distance. It was quite the accomplishment for me. In other news, I still loathe driving.

I was thrilled when we made it to our destination. So much so that the record breaking scorching 120 degrees we were welcomed by only made me mildly delirious. I'm adapting to the Arizona heat by hibernating mostly indoors. Many people have reassured me that the three months of hellish heat are well worth the nine months of absolute heaven. Utah summers were typically too hot for me anyways so I spent most of my time indoors there as well. I'm looking forward to the lack of snow and freezing temperatures in the winter. While snow is beautiful, it's also too cold for my liking and horrible to drive in. All and all, I think Arizona is going to suit me just fine and I'm excited for our new journey. The sunsets are absolutely stunning and the area we landed in is superb.

The most challenging part has been missing all the family and friends we left behind like crazy. I have admittedly been homesick on several occasions and am extremely thankful for modern technology that makes it easy to stay in touch.



Thirty Years

This month I reached a milestone most women fear, I turned thirty. It's funny, the female majority typically wants to appear to be younger and will go at great lengths in this venture. Why? Because that's what society has told us is desirable? Why should being perceived as young and attractive be top priorities? What about being charitable, intelligent, healthy, accomplished, and most of all... happy?

When I was working I wanted just the opposite, for people to think I was older. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to be perceived as vibrant and attractive but I didn't want to flaunt the fact I was still in my twenties. I was managing a large division of employees, a lot of which were in there thirties, forties, and so on and so forth. I didn't think some would take too kindly to reporting to a twenty something girl. Due to this I always tried to present myself in a mature professional manner. I was going for "Wow, she is definitely in her thirties but looks like she is in her twenties". I always thought people would take me more seriously if they thought I was thirty. I don't know if I was successful in this endeavor and don't dare ask my past colleagues, that conversation could prove a bit awkward.

So... what do I think now that I'm actually thirty? To be quite honest, I struggled with the momentous birthday a bit in the beginning. The reasons behind this internal battle were vastly worldly and vain, and luckily I pushed past them. The last year has served as a reminder that growing older is a privilege denied to many. That being said, I'm ready to fully embrace my thirties. I'm excited for all the adventures that are still on the horizon. I'm eager to watch my children grow and develop their talents while discovering all the happiness life has to offer. While the world may not always perceive me as young and attractive, I hope to leave a legacy of being good to others and happiness.

 

 

As a side note, Ryder was NOT happy it was my birthday. The conversation went something like this:

 

Me: It's mommy's birthday tomorrow. Are you excited?

 

Ryder: (looking skeptical) No... RyRy's birthday. RyRy get birthday presents.

 

Me: No, it's mommy's birthday. Ryder's birthday was in April.

 

Ryder: (bottom lip quivering, eyes filling with tears) No! RyRy birthday presents!

 

Oh, to be two again. And no, I did not give in and give the little monster of a charmer any gifts. Thirty seconds after this conversation he was back to giving me loves and being a momma's boy. One thing two years excel at is being quick to forgive and forget.

 

Ryder April 2013. Photo credit goes to my talented sister-in-law Jenn.

 

 

 

Five Months

Today marks five months since we lost my dad. I decided to post the obituary Katie, Sandra, and I collaborated on in his memory. Five months later I still think it's perfect. His birthday last week brought back a flood of emotions and is truly what inspired me to write about his death and start blogging again. Here's to you, Dad! Miss and love you like crazy! 

Paul Dean Winchester (July 20, 1960 - February 25, 2013)

“Catch ya on the flipside”

 

On February 25, 2013, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, Paul Dean Winchester, 52, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours with his loving sweetheart by his side, after a long and valiant battle with stomach cancer.

Paul was born on July 20, 1960, the youngest of four children, in Idaho Falls, ID to K. Duane Winchester and Marie Bybee. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Harrisville, UT where he was raised. He graduated from Weber High school in 1978.

On August 11, 1978, Paul married his high school sweetheart, Wendy Wayment. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS temple on September 8, 1979. Together they had three beautiful children; Mitch, Katie and Sheila. Wendy preceded Paul in death on August 21, 1995. 

In July 1999, Paul started dating the woman of his dreams, Sandra Mayfield, and on February 5, 2000, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Bountiful LDS temple. Together they had two more beautiful daughters, Hailey and Sophie. 

Paul enjoyed an active lifestyle with hobbies including yoga, walking, rock climbing, fly fishing, camping, and card games. He had an amazing sense of humor and was always able to find humor, even in the most trying situations. He always had a smile on his face and a contagious laugh that could brighten any room. He had a great love for music and was a talented chef. It brought him great joy to cook for and serve others. Family was the most important thing to Paul and he demonstrated this daily through his unconditional love and support.

Paul was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many various callings, but his most recent calling as High Priest Group Leader was one of his favorites. He had a love for Jesus Christ and lived his life to reflect that. Paul practiced what he preached. He had an amazing gift of seeing the best in others.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sandra; Son, Mitch (Melody) Winchester, Layton; Daughters; Katie Winchester (South Ogden); Sheila (Tony) Brown, Holladay; Hailey and Sophie Winchester, Syracuse; Father; K. Duane Winchester, South Ogden; Brother; Kelly (Janine) Winchester, Loveland, CO; Sister; LuAnn (Kendell) Kennington, SLC; and seven grandchildren.

Paul is preceded in death by his first wife, Wendy; mother, Marie; and Brother, Brad.

Paul had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a program called Reel Recovery, in June 2012. Reel Recovery is a national non-profit organization that conducts free fly-fishing retreats for men battling or recovering from all forms of cancer. In lieu of flowers, Paul has requested donations be made to Reel Recovery.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

California Vaca

After my dad received his terminal diagnosis we immediately started planning one last family vacation. The plan was to go to Disneyland to make some lifelong memories before he was too sick to travel. Unfortunately his health declined so quickly the trip never happened. In April we decided to go to Disneyland in his memory. We had a great time but I was horrible at taking pictures in the park. Ryder is one of the most charming kids in history of the world but the terrible twos are in full force and he was all too happy to provide distractions galore. Here are some pictures we managed to get.

Alex and Tony



Ryder loved going on rides but HATED waiting in line.

 

My dad on the same merry-go-round 2009

 



I had no idea there were goats at Disneyland. It was by far one of the favorite parts of the trip. Goats are hilarious. If they didn't stink so bad I might consider getting one as a family pet.

Brady rock climbing at the obstacle course at California Adventure

Beautiful Alex

Hailey, Brady, Sophie, and Brendan

One afternoon we took a trip to Laguna beach. We had a blast and got some fun pictures.

Alex, Ryder, and Tony. This is one of my favorite pictures of the trip.

Cute Brady. He LOVED the ocean.

Ryder ADORES his aunt Katie.

This is another favorite of the trip.  I love this little guy.

Update on Alex

The last year hasn't been all heartache and tears. Alex graduated high school in June and is now officially an adult. Yikes!

Alex just before her graduation ceremony.

She also won first place in her district for photography in the Congressional Art Competition.  Her winning piece is currently on display in Washington, D.C. How cool is that?! We are so proud of her!

Alex posing under her photograph in Washington, D.C.

She is going to be attending college in the fall emphasizing on the art realm. This gorgeous girl is crazy talented in so many things: drawing, painting, photography, writing, poetry. I can't wait to see what else she accomplishes in the years to come and hope she is always able to do what she is passionate about.