It's summertime in the desert...

time to setup the beloved pool and cool off! It's been in the 100's here the past few days.

Yesterday it was 106 degrees when I was heading home from work at 4:45pm. Sheesh...that is just too damn hot!

Here's a couple pictures of our 3 handsome boys cooling off after a long day...
Even the 2nd picture (approx 8pm) was very warm out... UGH!

See the moon above the mountains?



Come see us and we'll share the sweaty heat and cool, crisp, pool water!

June 11th

On June11th, 2008, Matthew Craig Stevens turned 6 years old. To celebrate the momentus occasion, Grandma Beth cooked spaghetti (at Matthew's request) and we all gathered to have dinner, cake and ice cream.

In the midst of the iron man toys, games, and books I realized that my 5 year old was gone forever. 6 will be a wonderful age and first grade will bring so many new adventures... but I will sorely miss and remember fondly the Kindergarten days.

The youngest child is much like the oldest... With the oldest, everything is new and different. You savor each milestone and document everything. With the youngest, you know it's your last chance to enjoy these amazing childhood years... so again, you savor each milestone and document everything.

Let me tell you a little bit about Matthew Craig Stevens....for posterity reasons of course!

Matthew Craig Stevens, 6 years old, 41" tall, 33.8 lbs.
Matthew currently is playing coach pitch little league, which he enjoys and is quite good at. He is an excellent batter and plays a mean 2nd base! His first love; however, would be soccer. Matthew loves to run and is very fast. He typically outruns the taller kids on his teams and at school. So given this, soccer is his favorite sport. He is very coordinated and is good at soccer.

Matthew is an avid reader who is reading at about a second grade level. He loves books, especially scary ones or ones about bugs and creepy, gross things. Matthew loves movies (especially seeing them in the "feetier" or "theetier").

If you ask Matthew today what he wants to be when he grows up he will tell you "an inventor". "Why?", you would probably ask next.... "So I can invent an Ironman suit." Hello, WHY ELSE?

Matthew loves to hang out with his older brothers and do everything they do. He is sad when Nathaniel isn't with us. He adores Nathaniel and whenever possible, he dresses exactly like him (or as close as he can get his own wardrobe to match).

Matthew's best friend; however, is his Grandpa. They play, laugh, and crack each other up. What a lucky little boy.

Isreal is a friend who Matthew loves to be with. They play all day without issue. They stick up for each other with brotherly force and like the same things.

Some other friends Matthew likes to be around are Morgan (and her sisters), Jaedyn (who lives 2 doors down from Grandpa & Grandma), Frankie (his best friend at Chaparral Elementary), Rey and Ernesto (also friends at Chaparral).

Matthew misses his cousin Ben. Matthew and Ben if they lived closer I'm sure would be as close to brothers as 2 boys could be. One month apart in age, they are 2 peas in a pod. Not exactly the same in any respect, but just different enough to compliment each other. Matthew talks about Ben on a daily basis like he just saw him yesterday!

I'm sure I will think about more things to tell you about Matthew Craig Stevens, but for now I will take a break. It's summertime and he's busy working on his First Grade workbook. Gotta keep the mind sharp, so I am summerschoolin'!

I will post birthday party pictures this weekend after the Chuck E. Cheese party on Saturday.

Movin' on...

For those of you who don't know yet...

Craig recently accepted a promotion within Michelin. He will be working with their mine group as a Mine Account Manager. It's a great move for him and the job will be one I'm sure he will enjoy.

To keep the family together and close (our middle son lives in Las Cruces with his mom), Craig has turned down numerous (many, many) offers from the company to move up. Being the ONLY Michelin employee in the state of NM, there are no other options for moving up here. Moving up and being promoted means moving. Craig is loved within the Michelin community and very highly regarded in his trade. The last offer/request was to the Sacramento/Reno area, we turned that one down. Craigs boss did tell him this time, though, that this position was an excellent one for him and he was highly recommended for it.

He started his new position on June 1 and will be living full time in Wyoming August 1st. As of now, the plan is for the rest of us, Me, Michael, Matthew and Mom to stay in New Mexico until Michael graduates from High School. It will be hard and I am not sure how things will shake out in the end....we shall see.

Here are a few pictures we took in Wyoming when we were there in May. We actually got snowed in for 2 extra days! Can you believe that...in MAY!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bzci2ff.9vo6xc5n&x=0&y=o1zyny&localeid=en_US

We loved it though. It is a beautiful place and will be a great adventure... I'll follow you anywhere baby!

I know this guy...

I know this guy. He's a dear friend...one of those I don't see but once every few months (if that) and still can just talk to like we hung out yesterday. That is a rare kind of friend. He is an absolutely brilliant musician. You can give him words you scribbled on paper, tell him your feelings about something, or even tell him about a dream in passing and he can put it to music in a way that will grab your soul and keep it!

Despite his brilliance, this guy; however, is constantly questioning his abilities. God has given him such great talent... No, he isn't the best speller and it's true, he can't always think of the right words or phrases he means in speaking....but we all have special gifts to offer the world.
His are HUGE and beautiful.

This guy...he has a heart of gold. He is compassionate and wonderful, kind, caring and sweet. He is someone you can talk to. You can tell him your deepest, most meaningful secrets and know they are safe. He listens without judging and only gives his opinion when he is certain it is correct enough to not do harm. He is beautiful and a wonderful friend.

We all have insecurities. Life is short and we all have goals we want to accomplish. The trick I think is remembering that despite the previous sentence... life is a gift and should be enjoyed, EVERY STEP, each endeavor, each person we meet, each life we affect/touch, each victory, each failure, every step we take has meaning at that point in our life.

Finding a soulmate will come, making our millions or finding the place we'll be for a while, deciding what job we want long-term...all that will come.

I hope this guy remembers that he is an amazing person with incredible heart and talent.
I hope this guy remembers that his true love will come... when it's right.
I hope this guy remembers that everyone he meets and every job he does changes his life.
I hope this guy remembers to smile everyday!

What Mom's and kids talk about in the car after school....

So Matthew and I were on our way to Burger King after school today. He is ALWAYS hungry when I pick him up at 3. So today, here's one of the topics we hit on...

Mom: So Matthew, how was your day?
Matt: Good.
Mom: Who'd you play with at recess?
Matt: Rey......pause....tomorrow is Caleb's birthday.
Mom: Cool, did you get an invitation?
Matt: No.
Mom: How come?
Matt: He's Alex's friend.
Mom: Oh.
Matt: Rey and Robert and Frankie are my friends. How long until Burger King?
Mom: What'd you have for lunch?
Matt: I don't remember, but now I want chicken fries. Can I get a drink, too?
Mom: Sure.
Matt: How long til Burger King.
Mom: We're here.
Matt: Yay.
Mom: 'order's a 9 piece chicken fries and a drink'
Matt: I need a 12 piece.
Mom: You didn't finish all 12 the last couple times.
Matt about 10 minutes and a few miles later: I'm done.
Mom: With what?
Matt: ALL.
Mom: no...??
Matt: uh-huh.

Learning the Cha Cha...

Craig, Kath & Michael took ballroom dancing class here at our gym. It was fun and we all learned the Cha Cha quite well. We love practicing...

Michael took the class with Julisa, one of his co-workers at the gym; however, Julisa and Craig couldn't make it to the last class so Michael and I went together. It was nice and we had a lot of fun! My baby got MOVES! :o)

Here's a few pictures of Michael dancing with our insctructor, Nicole...

We're almost ready!!!

We're almost ready for our horses! We are really excited for the fence and barn to be done so we can bring them home...

We are planning to ride in the Pancho Villa Parade on March 9th. As long as everything goes as planned we will be riding. The annual parade starts at the Mexico border (Palomas, Mx) and ends in the Village of Columbus, NM.

For now, we are concentrating on getting our fence up for Zip and Rage. The fence will go up just east of our house and will look amazing with the great Florida mountain view in the background.

I wish...

...I had a belt with an "M" on it and when I flip it over, I became a Super Hero.

Matthew (while watching El Tigre)
January 26, 2008

Watching the Cowboys get defeated...

The Cowboys lost to the Giants, yes; however, Matthew and Daddy had fun watching the game anyway! Matthew had only one request before the game started and again after the game was over... "Can I have a Cowboys shirt like Daddy?"

So, I begin my quest to find one his size....

NEW MEXICO SUNSET

Some of the most incredible sunsets I have ever seen have been in the Southwest. Click the picture to get the larger, more intense effect of the picture!!

Daddy's little helper!

We re-did our bedroom recently. Matthew mopped and helped throughout the whole process. He's quite the trooper. We'll just call him Craig Junior...he is so much like his Dad.

Michael's Christmas in NY with his Dad and Step-Mom

Michael had a wonderful time in New York with his Dad and Dawn. He saw the sights and got to experience Christmas in a whole new way. He really enjoyed himself and their company.

What's in a letter???

In this letter I see hard work, a sense of team, a lot of effort, pride, accomplishment, drive, and so much more!

Michael worked hard this year in football. He played both Junior Varsity (certificate), and Varsity. He earned his letter, which he received at the Football Banquet on 12/3/07. He missed very few practices and no games. I am so proud of him. Playing football was waaay out of his comfort zone and not something I ever thought he would do; however, Michael has proven to be tough and determined. Michael is NOT a quitter.

He has learned teamwork and that being a part of a team is the ultimate reward. He has made friends and has gained the respect of his peers. Very important to life in High School and an excellent life lesson.

I am very excited to now go and help him pick out his letterman's jacket. Like I was, he will be so proud to wear it. We all beam with pride now and then when our children meet a milestone in life head-on and conquer it. Michael has met every milestone and challenge thus far with a wonderful attitude and I must say...it really makes me a little teary to think about how fast and beautifully he has grown up.

Michael, I am immensely proud of ALL your accomplishments, large and small.

2nd Annual Cowboy Ball

All dressed up and ready to DANCE!

Anytime, any day, anywhere. I love to dance with Craig!

Waltzing, two-stepping....he is so wonderful to be with.

I had so much fun!

The Stevens are getting ready for Christmas!

Our little elves!

Our 5th Annual Turkey Trot

Matthew ready to RUN!

...and they're off!!!

Michael and Jessica (volunteers) running with the 30+ kids who participated.

Matthew looks forward to the Turkey Trot every year.
This year, he got to run with his pal Israel (in the plaid).

Israel & Matthew race toward the finish line!
Almost there...

Freezing cold didn't stop these two troopers from finishing 7th & 8th!
Most excellent, superb, incredible boys!

Well we have made it successfully through another Ultimate Fitness Turkey Trot.

With 208 participants, all our hard work paid off once again.

Matthew ran the kids race for the 3rd year in a row. Last year he placed 8th out of 24 in the half mile run for kids ages 3-12. This year, he was 7th out of 36 in the one mile run. The kids participating were ages 3-15.

Granny and Michael volunteered...everyone had a great time and we got many compliments on our race.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyy Matthew!!!

Matthew loves his big brothers!

This past weekend after our Thanksgiving lunch, Nathniel laid down on the floor to watch football and put his hands behind his head. Not 10 seconds after he laid down, Matthew noticed him there, leaped off my lap and joined his big brother...exactly the same way! It was so cute.

He loves them so much and looks up to them. Most of the time they don't even realize how he absolutely watches and adores everything they do and say, or how their reaction to him can change things he will do and say for weeks to come.

Matthew is lucky to have two great big brothers who are 90% of the time really sweet to him.

I wish I had a picture of him and Nathaniel laying there... next time I will be more prepared.

Now you can be a little fly on the wall.....

Matthew says the darndest things...really! Here's a little sample for ya...

A few days ago, Matthew and Daddy were driving home from town. The song playing on the radio was Montgomery Gentry's "Some People Change". Here are the main lyrics...

His old man was a rebel yeller:
Bad boy to the bone.
He'd say: "Can't trust that other fella,"
He'd judge 'em by the tone of their skin.
He was raised to think like his Dad:
Narrow mind full of hate.
On the road to no-where fast,
Till the Grace of God got in the way.
Then he saw the Light an' hit his knees an' cried an' said a prayer:
Rose up a brand new man; left the old one right there.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

Matthew has heard this song many, many times.
On this day, here's a recap of the conversation it sparked...

Matthew: Dad...I change.

Dad: You do?

Matthew: Yes.

Dad: How?

Matthew: Well, I used to only like the meatballs in Spaghetti O's, and now I only like the noodles!

Our New Additions...

Meet the two new additions to the Stevens Family...

Zip (brown) and Pi (white Arabian).

Zip is old and is the perfect horse for kids Matthew's age. He is a horse you can crawl over, under and around without even a flinch on his part. He can't do long rides any more with a full sized person on his back, but for Matthew, he is perfect. Zip (originally from Washington State where he was a show horse) needed a place to spend his golden years.

Pi is a beautiful Arabian who is full of spunk and energy. He has been on many long rides all over.

They can't wait to meet you in person!

Grandma's 90th, Las Vegas - Nov. 4, 2007

Grandma's kids, Dad was there in spirit...

Grandma's grand-kids, most of them...

Grandma's great-grandkids, a few of them...

Aunty Elissa

Uncle Tony

Dad's family

Uncle John

Aunty Lynn

Uncle Bobby

Michael, Kath & Craig

Michael's Grandparents visit him in Deming

Michael's Grandparents, George & Charlene (his Dad's parents) came down to Deming to visit with him and go to his last two football games. They went to the JV game in Silver City and the Varsity game against Silver City the following day. It was good to see them, we enjoyed their visit!

Golfin' in the summertime makes you sooooooooo hot!

Trick or Treat

Matthew tricks or treats at Grandpa & Grandma's house.

"Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!"

Rattle Snake!

Well this video clip speaks for itself. Today Mom walked out our back door onto the porch and took one step toward her little Casita and heard a rattle.... She turned to her left only to see a 2' rattle snake all coiled up next to the door. She kept walking (smart lady)...and called us in a panic.

Craig drove home at around 70-90 mph and killed it. Then, being the small town folk we are, we let the dogs play with it before discarding it!

Matthew & Nathaniel do homework together...