The goings on at the Maurino Home

New House!!

2010-12-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

We have moved for the last time..Atleast we think so. I closed on our house on November 15th. It was kind of bittersweet. At the closing the documents all stated, Traci Maurino, unmarried woman. I know that, and so does everyone else now. That was the first thing. One of the others was that when you close on a house you do it with a spouse. Someone to share your anxiety, concerns and happiness with. The last one was I guess we won't be moving back to New Mexico. For the past year we had rented. Always giving us the chance to possibly move back. Buying a house made it so permanent. Now don't get me wrong. We love being here. The kids are doing really well in school, making friends and adjusting. I love my job!! My co-workers are the best.

Everything is all good!!!

2010-03-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

WE ARE MOVING AGAIN!

2009-11-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

We got the house.. We close on February 16th. That gives us 12 days to move out of the rental house(lease end on March 1) and into the new one. This house is going to be closer to my sister. She has been an awesome sense of support and help. I have been working an average of 45 hours a week. My drive each day is 35 minutes there and 35 minutes back. Makes it for a long day sometimes. I've been truly blessed with how things have been ending up.

Christopher talked in church today and did awesome. I was at work and missed it. I heard he did awesome. He was also called as the new deacon's quorum president. He's excited but sad because we are moving so soon. He is also in the fiddling club and taking private Violin Lessons. He has been doing alot of reading and just finished a 300 page book in 2 days.

Craig has been a big help. He loves playing with his cousins and helping my sister out... He has been acting out and been having issues with following the rules. One night he was taking his friend home in the gokart. I told him it was just down the street and that was fine, but to hurry back. Twenty minutes later, he still wasn't home..In my pajamas, I got in my car and went looking for him. Down at the end of the road was someone standing on the back of the gokart and then someone else driving it. The closer I got, I realized Craig was the one standing on the gokart and the friend was driving..We have strict rules that no one drives but my kids. I won't go into the details on the other things. I've been told that's what having a teenager is all about.

Cameron is doing really well also. He is in cubscouts and is really enjoying school. He likes having little kids around because he thinks of himself as their big brother. One thing he truly misses is the red chili. It's hard to find up here.

The boys are leaving on the 24th to go see their Dad in Albuquerque. We will drive down on the 23rd and stay in Salt Lake and then they fly out the next morning..They are really excited to go and see him. Cameron can finally get to have some chili.

2009-11-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

This is my niece Aubrey. My brother taught her to say, "Yo-Yo-Yo"

We went to niece Shelby and Taylor's Halloween Carnival. Down in Albuquerque they never did these. The boys loved it. Craig and Cameron won 2 liters of soda...Chris just wanted to hang out at home and read...

Always needing to make caramel apples in the fall. This is what they look like this year.

Nephew Dyllon, Nephew Alex and Cameron are enjoying them.

This is what Cameron was this year for Halloween.

Hopefully our new house

2009-11-11T21:31:00.001-08:00

I put money down on this house today. When I contacted the mortage lady she said everything looked good but one thing. She said because I was only employed for the last year, this will be a problem. I was a stay at home mom for 8 years and now I am being punished because of that. Are you serious!!!When I applied at Verizon Wireless they had the same issue. I need to have 7 years of work history to qualify for the job. I say its discrimination. Oh well....I guess that's life.

More pictures

2009-10-01T08:52:00.000-07:00

My boys have gotten really close to my sister's two boys. This is Cameron and he is carrying Garret that fell asleep.
I've gotten into canning. I canned 2 boxes of peaches, 2 boxes of pears, raspberry jam, and raspberries.

Chris is working on his science project. He is cutting out golgyi bodies.

2009-10-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

We were waiting to get a new doggy door. Tanner decided to make his own.

It was Spirit Day at Adams Elementary. Cameron and Cousin Alex painted their hair red and white to show their spirit.

Some of the things we are doing

2009-10-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

Craig went Dove hunting with Uncle Ty
Craig and Cousin Garrett are inseperable.

We had a huge windstorm one day and Cameron and Cousin Alex decided to collect all the tumble weeds and make a fort. Can you see them?

We went to Idaho Falls to feed the geese. We fed them 2 loaves of bread.

Any idea what this is???? Chris had to do a 3-d model of a cell. This is what he came up with.

Do I look cute or what

2009-06-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

Chris and Cameron had their eyes checked today...They were dialated and Chris was the only one that is wearing the glasses..Cameron says it makes him look stupid...

Steak dinner

2009-06-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Melanie and Uncle Rich took us out to dinner while my parents were here. We went to Montecello's Steakhouse (spelling is probably wrong). My Aunt recommended the chophouse cut steak. So we took her advice and this is what they brought each of us. It looked like a roast. It was HUGE!!!! We all took home a doggy bag and had it for another meal. Boy was it good.

Cameron's baptism

2009-06-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Cameron was baptized this weekend. My mom, dad, and brother Tory came down for it. Here we are playing the candy bar game. A very simple game but my kids love it. We ended up playing it twice. Jeff Bludworth and my Aunt Melanie spoke at Cameron's baptism. Thank you guys!! You did a great job. Thanks for making his day so special.
This is my dad and Cameron. My dad has been able to baptize all of my boys. I love you Dad!!

Here's the family.

I would like to thank my parents for always being there. For driving down all the way from Wyoming to be here for Cameron. Also, a thank you to Ernest, Josie and Jeff (grandparents) for coming and also making his day so special. We are so lucky to have so much support. Thank you to everyone that came to his baptism. It shows how truly loved and supported we are. It was a packed house. We arelove you all and we will miss you when we leave.

Cameron's getting baptized

2009-05-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Cameron will be baptized on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at the Seven Bar Stake Center. Everyone is invited to show Cameron how excited we are on his decision to get baptized.

Headed to the pool

2009-05-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

Cameron's 8th birthday party.

2009-05-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

His mouth can't get any bigger
Always love money

Color explosion

Bakugans...Bakugans...and more Bakugans..
Does he look suprised. He didn't know he was having his party today. I have to work on Friday (his actual birthday), and was feeling guilty. So, I threw him a suprise party today.

I have the bestest mom in the whole wide world

2009-05-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

I woke up Sunday morning thinking it would be just like any other day. All of a sudden Craig comes out of his room with roses, 2 gift bags and said Happy Mother's Day. I asked where did you get these. He didn't say anything just smiled. I said where did you get the money for these. He smiled again. After a while he told he that my mom had sent money to my good friend Sabrina, so she could take the boys shopping for Mother's Day. There were two cards in the bags that had special messages from the boys in it. It wasn't about the gifts, it was the thoughts they wrote to me and even though life is tough, and I might yell alot, they love me bunches. Thanks Mom for helping the boys make my Mother's Day special..

The house is on the market..

2009-05-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

The house is on the market as of yesterday. Nancy came over and took some pictures to put them on her website. If you want to check it out her address is nancycarlisle.com.

Anybody want to buy a house???

2009-04-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

I'm putting my house on the market this Friday. I'm hoping to have moved up to Idaho by the end of June. Scared, excited, worried, that this is the right decision. We are needing to move on and start the next part of our lives...So, if you know of anyone that wants to buy a house send them my way.

Future Missionaries

2009-04-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

Craig -13

Chris 11

Cameron 7

He huffed and puffed and blew my fence down.

2009-04-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday To ME!!

2009-03-31T19:18:00.001-07:00

How come when you get to be older (not that I am because 36 is old) that your birthday is just another day. I realized that I am closer to 40 that I am to 30. I feel real old. I had to go to work today and by the time I got home I was ready for bed. My boys suprised me this morning with presents and Christopher took out his violin and played Happy Birthday for me. I'm so grateful to have such thoughtful boys to make me feel special on my birthday.

Craig's Boy Scout Service Project

2009-03-29T19:55:00.000-07:00

Craig was asked by our Scoutmaster to help fix this rank advancement board. All that we had was the big board with the patches on them. He put each of the boys names on a board, drilled the holes, and put the eyes and hooks in them. This is the finished project. I think he did a really good job.

Yuck!

2009-03-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, my dad shot a buffalo. While we were there Cameron and my dad went into the shed look at the buffalo head. YUCK!!!!

Quick trip to Wyoming

2009-03-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

My grandmother passed away this past Monday. We quickly caught a flight up to Salt Lake City on Tuesday, then drove to Pinedale Wyoming for the funeral. The Funeral was on Friday and then on Saturday we drove down to Logan, Utah for her burial.

This is Bear Lake.

Cameron with Cousin Alex and Cousin Shelby after the funeral.

Christopher with Cousin Ellie and Cousin Taylor at the funeral luncheon.

All of my parents grandkids. I am so suprised we were able to get this picture.

Stuck!

2009-03-12T06:25:00.000-07:00

Craig and Christopher decided to take the four wheelers for a ride.

They ended getting both of them stuck. Grandpa to the rescue.

Cameron's new look

2009-02-22T15:34:00.000-08:00

Cameron went to a birthday party and had a blast. He had a snake drawn on his face and a dinosaur on his arm.

Wii Fit

2009-02-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

I came home from work last night and this is what I found. Ernie had gone and bought Wii fit. The boys love it. I tried it and was attempting to hula hoop. That was a pretty sight (you won't see me doing this, sorry).

On our way to Eagle Scout

2009-02-06T06:22:00.000-08:00

First Aid

Genealogy

Family Life.

Craig and Christopher went over to Sister Shingle's (Family Life Merit Badge Counselor) house last night to finish up their Family Life Merit Badge. They weren't very happy because I told them that they needed to wear their scout shirts. I told them that if they wore their shirts I would give them a ride to her house. If they didn't they would have to walk (it is only 2 blocks). I was happy they chose to be in uniform and I was glad to drive them. As of now, Craig has three merit badges, and Chris has one. For their Eagle Scout, they need a total of 21 merit badges. Craig has two of the required ones and is working on others. We have alot of work to do. By the time the Court of Honor happens in March, Craig will be receiving his First Class Scout and Chris will be getting his Second Class Scout. Good Job Boys!!!! We are Proud!!!

Huge Cupcake!

2009-02-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Craig was invited to his first boy-girl birthday party for a young woman in our ward.(don't worry the parents were there the whole time). He wanted to do something different for her to make her day special. Kylene (the birthday girl) loves penguins. So we ordered black and white balloons instead of normal birthday colors. He also wanted to make her a cake. This is what we came up with. She loved it and he had a blast doing it.

Well, Cameron has strep again.

2009-02-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

It seems I can't catch a break. I had to go back to work last year and didn't have to worry about if the kids were sick becuse Ernie was not working. As soon as he starts working, the kids get sick and I have to take off time to take care of them. Not once while Ernie was home for the 4 months did they ever get sick. This is Ernie's third week and I have missed 2 days of work because of the boys being sick.

2 down 1 to go!

2009-01-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

I ended up taking Craig to the doctor yesterday and he has strep and also bronchitis. I can't win for nothing. The doctor suggested that I bring Christopher in and have him tested because he should be next. I can't take anymore time off for work. I have to work. Can't the kids get sick on my days off or Ernie's days off.

Cure for my headaches

2009-01-22T13:50:00.000-08:00

I went to the eye doctor today because I haven't has my eyes checked since 1996. I know, I know. When the optomotrist came in she said she was going to exam my eyes but with a puzzled look on her face. She said I think I know you. I told her she sees me when I brought the boys for their check ups. She asked why I hadn't come before now. I told her, that I was always focused on making sure the kids and husband were taken care of and that I am last to make sure I am taken care of. Needless to say, I have 20/20 vision. YEA!!!! But I have been having really bad headaches at work. I told her I was on the computers for 10 hours a day and wanted to make sure my eyes were okay. She said that because of the long hours and the lighting at work this might be the cause. She told me of these new glasses that have come out that help with the eye strain. They help your eyes relax. I said lets try them. I did not know they were yellow tinted glasses. Thank goodness I am married and don't have to worry about the way I look. I will be getting these in two weeks. I hope these work. Here is the website if you want to learn more. http://www.gunnaroptiks.com/

What now!

2009-01-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

Chris came home from school today with a very long face. I asked him what was wrong and all he said was his day was good except for 7th period (PE). He wouldn't tell me why. I kept asking and asking and asking, finally he told me. He got in trouble with a couple of other kids because they weren't paying attention and walked through newly poured cement. Chris and only one other boy confessed while the rest stayed silent. All I could think about was how much is this going to cost me. He told me all he has to do is write an apology letter to the work crew. Thank goodness. I told him thank you for telling the truth at school. I know it was hard. I guess I might be raising him a little right.

2nd Home

2009-01-21T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is my home away from home. I am here from 10 am -9 pm Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Any ideas on how to make it more homely?

Feeling guilty!

2009-01-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Cameron woke up yesterday with a croupy cough. Now with it being a holiday I knew once he was up and running around he would feel better. He did. He was great all day. He woke up this morning with the cough and a really bad sore throat. All I could think of is I can't call in to work. At Verizon they stress attendance, attendance, attendance. Up to now I have had perfect attendance. With Ernie not working I was able to still work and know they were being taken care of. He started his new job on Monday and is not able to take time off. I knew I had to call in. I sucked down my pride and call in. I felt so guilty. I needed to be at work, but more importantly I needed to be at home. Why do I fell this way. I took him to the Dr and they said he has Strep. Thank goodness I didn't act on my guilt and send him to school.

Cute and easy

2009-01-18T18:38:00.000-08:00

I found this on my favorite website..sugardoodle.net. Are they cute and easy to make. I'm going try these on my day off.

My side job

2009-01-04T19:31:00.001-08:00

Here are the cookies I made for my hairstylist that gives me and my family free haircuts if I make her cookies. She loved them.

I am graduating from my training class at Verizon this Saturday. I will begin what they call Transition for the next 11 weeks. This is where we can ask for help with our calls. After that we are released onto the main floor to be on our own. I am terrified I will fail at this. My life has changed so much in the past couple of months, I don't know what is up and what is down.

Christmas!

2009-01-04T19:20:00.001-08:00

Craig has been wanting a PSP for the past couple of years. I bought it for him back in August. He loves it.
Chris wanted a stereo because he wanted to jam out while he was in the shower. He got that from Craig.

Cameron loves Bakugans. I have no clue how to play or what each one's power is. All he wanted for christmas was Bakugans and Pixo's.

Seems like Christmas every year goes by faster and faster. You do all of this preparing and then it's over in a matter of minutes. The things we do for our kids.

Craig turns 13

2009-01-04T19:11:00.001-08:00

Craig turned 13 on December 17th. I can't believe he will be driving in less than 3 years. He is growing up into a wonderful young man. He is the Deacon's Quorum President at church and is very involved in scouts.

Where to begin???

2008-11-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

I'm back!!! I totally missed blogging. A lot has happened since I left the blogging world. Where to begin. Okay, I can't tell you everything. I am just going to stick to the facts.

I got a job! I start at Verizon Wireless on November 11th. The training lasts 18 weeks and I work 10 am- 9 pm Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.