Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you. The highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethic over convenience, and truth over popularity ... these are choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Idaho Capital Building

On our way to and from Cali. {you know back in October...of last year, yep folks, I am right on top of things} we went a little out of our way and went through Boise so we could see Grandma & Grandpa. We barely got to spend any amount of time there but at least we saw them for a little {tiny} bit. The morning we were coming home we decided to tour the Capital Building before we left. We had been talking about it for years every time we were in Boise, so we finally made the time to go. It was incredible, just beautiful. The marble was breathtaking. It was so open & inviting, they have a rule where basically if the door is unlocked, you are welcome to go inside. We happened to go right after elections (since we had been in Cali we totally forgot) but, when we arrived they were actually swearing in the new officials, the news was there and it was crazy. We slipped in a back door and went through the place backwards.
The Courthouse is located right next door and was also beautiful from the outside, we never went in but I loved the fallen solider memorial!


I can't tell you how beautiful this place is!!


In order to expand without changing the original building, they built office space underground, this is all you see from ground level.


The House & Senate



In the gift shop they had some cool wooden trinkets made from trees they had to take out during the remodel. The trees were planted by some of out 1st presidents, I can't remember them all but Thomas Jefferson was one of them! It was really neat. Hal got a wooden key. We also got a copy of the Declaration of Independence & The Constitution. Hal has a thing for coins, so we also got one of those from the treasury office. All proceeds going to the Veteran's. :) I am sounding totally NERDY right now, but oh well, this place was so awesome!



I can't remember what this statue represents but when the kids asked what it was Hal told them it was of a woman who talked back to her husband too often! BRAT!




When we got to the Governor's office I was telling Hal how I'd heard he was a very down to earth guy and his wife was actually my little brother's school teacher yadda...yadda...when he whispers umm...I'm pretty sure that's her in front of us talking. LOL, yep...she told us to feel free to go on in and check everything out! They even had story books and pencils for the kids.


One of the coolest places was the Treasurers Office. They invited us in & it was so neat! The original vault was amazing so cool. It is kind of hard to read in the pic but they used to post the State debt. Also the original treasury book, that was awesome!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Heavy Hearts

My happy catch up posts will be delayed a little further. Kayla the silly blond girl in so many of my blog posts one of our "adopted" girls around here and Haliee's bestie lost her brother almost 2 weeks ago. They were finally able to bring their son home yesterday and we will lay him to rest Monday morning. We are all trying to get Kayla and her family through this hard time. Words cannot describe the pain to listen to, thank, embrace this Mommy and Daddy who have to bury their baby. Please pray for strength and guidance through this hard time. Hug you babies a little tighter, don't sweat the small stuff, and PLEASE shake the hand of every.single.serviceman young and old, listed and veteran. As a society we take for granted all these great soldiers who risk and give their lives for us. Breaks my heart. Anyway, I will be back in a few days with a happier post. I am off to watch my baby play some All-Star baseball so thankful I get this chance, every moment I am going to soak up. Here is a little about Tyler.

Tyler Patton, 20
Airman First Class Tyler Joseph Patton, 20, of Coeur d'Alene, passed away June 27, 2011, while stationed at RAF Lakenheath AFB, UK. Tyler was born in Riverside, Calif., Oct. 28, 1990, to T.J. Patton and Sherri (Laake) Patton. The family moved to Coeur d'Alene shortly after Tyler's first birthday.
Tyler grew up in Coeur d'Alene and went to Borah Elementary, Lakes and Woodland Middle School, Lake City High School and graduated Kootenai Bridge Academy in 2009. Shortly after graduation Tyler enlisted in the Air Force and was in Security Forces based in Suffolk, England. He was deployed to Afghanistan in September 2010 and served there close to seven months. He has made many friends during his military service who have become a large family. So many of Tyler's friends, old and new, would have gladly laid their life down for him and he also had no problem doing the same. Tyler loved music and was an accomplished guitar player. He dabbled at the piano and was a violinist (and a vegetarian) for a day. He loved the outdoors and was always planning the next adventure. He loved to travel and see the world. Most of all he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is in his mansion now.
Tyler is survived by his parents, TJ and Sherri Patton; brother Randy and sister Kayla, all of Coeur d'Alene; grandmother Toni Laake of Riverside; grandfather Gilbert Laake of Bellevue, Ky.; uncle Bryant Laake of Riverside; aunt Jayme Laake of Riverside; nephews (technically cousins) Dakota Laake and Jayden Laake of Riverside; great-grandma Madeline Laake of Bellevue; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in the Southern California area and the Northern Kentucky region.
Tyler had a great hunger and thirst to study God's word especially over the past year. He shared his faith and truly wanted everyone to have the same joy in salvation that he had. His desire was to go to Bible college after the Air Force. He would be very pleased if we could start a scholarship in his memory. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to this fund at any US Bank branch "Tyler Patton- Bible College Scholarship Fund."
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 11, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, in Hayden followed by a procession to Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens Cemetery for graveside services followed by a reception at Yates Gathering Center on Hayden Avenue.
Please visit www.yatesfuneralhomes.com to leave some thoughts or stories about how you knew Tyler.

Friday, July 1, 2011

OH MY HECK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew I was seriously behind in blogging, but APRIL 18???????????? REALLY!!!!!!!!?????????!!!!!!!!!!! I have so much to say but every moment I think I have is gobbled up almost instantly. I promise to be back soon...getting my groove back next week...that's my goal :)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Really??

UGH! I love snow but mid-April?

Friday, April 8, 2011

Can you guess why I'm MIA....

Yep, this is why...well 1/2 the reason. Haliee had her 1st game Wednesday as well against Heather, SUPER FUN!! (Haliee hit off her too yay!), I'll have to shoot pics at the next one as Drew has practice at the same time as her game tonight...despite it still being FREEEZZING...I am so excited to be sitting out there watching all these babes again! Matter of fact yesterday Haliee's practice was cancelled so it was our 1 free day this weeek, and what do we do??? We all load up and go watch Kayla's 1st game, lol! {Great pitchin' Kayla my love <3 }


And...hmmm...more mystery pics...ever wonder what your kids are doing when you are out??