Pikes Peak view from my window........

This is the house we lived in when my family lived in Colorado Springs. The thing I remember most about this house was that at the time we moved in, the neighborhood wasn't that built up and I could look out my bedroom window and I had a great view of Pikes Peak. I thought that was just about the best thing in the world at the time.

I struggle to pull out memories, but I have a few of Colorado. I remember having a very physical fight with a boy with whom at one time I had a big crush and he and I were "boyfriend and girlfriend" what ever that meant. I don't think I ever kissed him, but we held hands and hung out a lot. What caused the fight was all his fault (of course, it's my story......). He was hanging out with his friends and he called me a sissy, I told him to take it back and he wouldn't so I think I smacked him. Can't tell you where.....just pretty sure I struck the first blow. It turned into a rolling on the ground, biting, scratching, kicking and hair pulling fight. I remember he had scratch marks on his face and they were bleeding. I felt as though I had proven my point and was pretty sure I wasn't going to get called a sissy again......at least not from anyone in the "hood". That was the first and last fight I can remember being in.

Dustin's back....hide your young and impressionable

Ah......Dustin. What can I say about Dustin. He's a party in pants that boy! I love Dustin so much. He and my son Chris get together and I laugh so hard I should probably have a "Depends" on standby. We met Dustin at the Airport when he came back from basic training. Kid's goodlooking and lost a bunch of weight, something like 30 or 40 pounds I think he said. He's pretty ripped and in great physical condition and feeling good about his path in life now. I think all of us that loved him worried about where he was headed, but he's taken a higher road and traveling down road going somewhere better than where he was headed. Good going Dustin! I love ya with all my heart......keep it going sweetie.

Kirk came back to ICT!

It doesn't happen very often that we get to see our little (youngest) brother Kirk, what with continent hopping, speaking in front of thousands, family, church, friends, book and article writing and his various hobbies. Busy man that he is, we are always happy that he finds time to drive all night from whatever state where happens to be that is somewhat close to Kansas to see us.

We all relish the time we have with him. For some reason he seems to gel the family and for awhile, we all enjoy his humor, wit and engrossing storytelling (he's got some good ones) and his general easy going and charming nature. I think I will always be impressed that he rubs elbows with Bill Gates......and I'm not easily impressed. I would love to find a man like my brother. I think the world of him and I love being around him.

We thought he was coming in the week before, but we got the weeks wrong (actually it was my eldest sister Becky who got it wrong, but I'm not one to point fingers or anything....).

We had a great time despite the fact our entertaining and much missed brother was not there. We kind of had a practice gathering to warm up our sense of humor, wipe the copwebs off our storytelling and sharpen our wit before Kirk arrived. We all decided we didn't make time to get together enough and should try and do it more often and not just when "Golden Child" came to town (giggle), we love ya Kirk!

From left to right: My nephew Dustin(Luann's son), Samantha (my 16 year old younger sister), my dad Wayne in the chair, Leah (in purple, second oldest), Luann(third oldest), then Becky (oldest of all of us and our second mom).

Home in Althornbach, Germany

My brother travels quit a bit with his postion at Microsoft which gives him the opportunity to visit some of the places we lived as children when dad was in the military. While he and his wife were visiting Germany he went to Althornbach and took some pictures of a house we lived in while stationed there. Most of the cities we were stationed in we lived in the family baracks, but we got to live in the city with the civilians at Althornbach and it was a great experience for us all. That's where I learned to speak German, while playing with the german kids. I have lots of memories of this house. I especially remember the coal drop and having to go down into the creepy, dark and spider infested basement and fetch coal. It probably wasn't as bad as I remember it.

This is a back view of the house. I remember this well. I especially remeber that little balcony. My sister Luann threw a doll that I loved with all my heart off that balcony once when she got mad at me. My poor doll was never the same after that. It was terribly traumatic (she says dripping with sarcasm). One of my best memories was when all of us kids would get together in an upstairs "play room" that had wood floors and we would play "foot eater"? I think that's what we called it. We would all wear socks and the designated foot eater had to move around on all fours.........while all the rest of us skidded frantically around on the hard wood floor trying to get away from the dreaded foot eater before he caught us and ate our feet. Ah....good times. I can't imagine what that must have sounded like to my parents underneath us. But maybe that was a small price to pay for all six of us to be out of their hair for a few short minutes.

This is the back yard. I spent lots of time back there. We had a vegatable garden, mom always made sure that if we had a patch of ground somewhere, we were growing vegetables. I know I griped a lot about weeding and watering, but some of my best memories are being in the garden with my mom. I now love growing things.......just about anything, and I know it was because of mom and her gardens. Anyway, one of the most poignant memories I have are of my brothers pouring salt on the slugs in the garden. They thought it was so cool to watch them shrivel up. I hated it and thought for sure I could hear little slug screams while they melted under the salt.

Here are some other pictures of the church we went to and of the farm house across the street from us. I don't have as many memories as the rest of my siblings, except that the services at church were in German, I was bored and would play with my dad's huge hands. Funny the things we remember.

Sometimes You Gotta Make Your Own Fun........

My friend Kathy sent me this picture she took as she was traveling along I-70 here in Kansas. She said, "Sometimes you just gotta make your own fun"......"especially on I-70". I thought the picture was funny and thought her comment was even funnier, just had to share.

Lindsey's Graduation

My niece Lindsey graduated high school June 14th. She lives in Issaquah, Washington (near Seattle). She is going to be attending BYU in the fall. She is beautiful and very accomplished. We are all proud of her. She sang the star spangled banner at the graduation. That's my brother Kirk and his wife Christine.


This is all the kids in the family together. My brother has a beautiful family!

Sebastain's First Communion

Sebastain had his first communion and I was lucky enough to be able to be there. I brought my digital camera, and took some mpegs and lots of great pics, but when I got home I dropped the camera in the water and lost them all as well as my camera. Good excuse to buy a new one......

Thank goodness for Darren, Sebastain's uncle. He is a photographer and had a camera I wouldn't even begin to know how to work and his son was actually taking these shots. My sincere thanks to both of them for sending these to me and helping me preserve some memories of my own! Thanks guys!

How do you eat and Elephant? One bite at a time....

Meagan definately has shown that the "one bite at a time" logic works!

I am so proud of my daughter and all she has accomplished over the past 6 years since her car accident. We were told she was never going to walk and would never live on her own. She now walks unassited which in and of itself is amazing, especially with her severe brain injury. She also lives on her own. Every day presents a challenge to Meagan and she has had her trials, but she is progressing and growing daily. She works hard at keeping her chin up and having a cheerful outlook even with the pain she endures daily.

The past six years have been a growing and learning experience for all of us. Meagan's life has changed drastically, but her future is bright. Considering what she has accomplished already through great odds and barriers, I believe she can do anything she sets her mind to.

I look forward to what the next few years hold for us all, especially Meagan. I believe she will find her path and use all of her past experiences to continue to grow and make progress.

The big guy on the left is my dad. My dad has always been the kind, sweet and compassionate man in my life. I love him with all my heart. Thanks dad for your love and support.

New Addison pictures!

Damon and Eddie at Chamber of Commerce Dinner

Wow, what a couple of hotties I work with!

Anniversary of Adam's Death

It's been six years now since Adam has passed. It doesn't seem that long to me. I still think about him every single day. I still miss him every single day. My brother Kirk said something that has stuck with me so I'm including it with this post. It's from an entry on his own blog.

"Adams was a good kid who needed a little more than this world was willing to give. I don't think he ever said a cross word to me, always respectful. As tender hearted as they come, that boy.

His life went forfeit on a whim."

I have not in all these years gone through the notes and letters that were sent to me after Adam died. I was in too much pain. I've decided to go through them and

will be posting some in the process.

Adam Spackman July 25th, 1981 - May 24th, 2002

My Grandchildren

New pictures of Adison, she's getting so big and strong. She's beautiful and I can't get enough of her!


Chris is such a great dad. He's grown so much and Adison already has him wrapped around her little finger!

Sebastain and his mom Brandy.
Both Beautiful, smart and strong.
Sebastain has so many qualities of Adam

Some of my best friends

Just wanted to add some pictures of friends here at work.
Below is a picture of Mercedes and her friend Dottie. Dottie is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. She's been a friend to me as well.


Here's a picture of my office mate who teases me mercilessly but I love it. She makes the day go by faster and the work day much more enjoyable. I love sense of humor.....except when she's playing pranks on me.....then it's not so funny.Memori is in the center and she's with her two brothers.

Here's Duffy, our Strategic Outsourcing Manager on the left and Alex on the right. Alex is the brother of a friend and umm........a character. Cool guy, funny and seemed to show up in all the pictures that were taken that night.

This is John and Vicki. They are married and I work with both of them. Vicki is the Human Resource Generalist and John is one of our drivers. I sat and talked with them most of the night at this party. I think I did more talking than usual and I can attribute that the one too many cocktails I had. They are without a doubt one of the funniest couples I've ever met. They made me laugh all night. I really admire their relationship and the fact they can work and live together is a pretty tough thing to pull off.

The sweetest guy you'll ever meet!

I have some friends I work and play with and wanted to share their photos, they mean a lot to me in more ways than I can express.

This is Marvin Edward Huckins. I mostly call him Eddie, but sometimes Marvin( depending on my mood).

He's been such a great friend and I've learned so much from him. He's returned me to my "religious" roots. He's also taken on some of my burdens and lightened my load, in a way no one before him had ever done for me. He's a great man; kind and thoughtful and he has restored my faith in mankind. Thanks Eddie, for everything.

This is Mercedes; she is my friend, my boss and my mentor. She's taken my under her wing and helped me believe in myself and my talents and intelligence. I would love to have her intelligence and drive. Love this woman !

Newest Addition to the Family - Addison