Water Logged

I'm currently writing this watching Devious Maids (please someone else watch this so I can OMG with someone!!) while Wesson and Remmi are both deep in nap time. Our hike with Sam up Mineral Ridge (I know I'm obsessed) wore us all out. This was the first time I've hiked up and down with my 26 pound babes strapped on my back. I was sweating like a pig but I'm just calling it a Monday detox after a babyless weekend.

Last weekend Mike and I were suppose to be in Butte, MT watching our friends compete in the Montana Lineman Rodeo with drinks in hand. Well somehow, which I'm still confused how OCD, control freak Cayla screwed the dates. The rodeo isn't until this upcoming weekend. Well we had planned on having my parents watch Wes so we could go and really enjoy it and not worry about the heat & nap times. My parents had already made plans for the 20th so yes we're missing out on the rodeo BUT we still took advantage of this weekend.

Now I'm not complaining because this was our decision to have me move home but this "part time single mom" gig was starting to take its toll. Wes spiked a fever of 104 suddenly and the sick bug stayed with him longer than I could mentally handle. By the time Thursday came around I was so ready to hand my sweet but whiney baby boy to mom and dad!

Mike and I got loaded up and headed up to Priest Lake Friday afternoon and started our wifey/husband trip! It was perfect and yes I'll use that word a few more times in this post :)

freeeeeeedom!

We stayed at Indian Creek at Priest Lake it wasn't exactly our cup of tea. We usually camp where we have no service, no camp neighbors and no "dogs on a leash" rule. After we set up our tent and kept getting dirty looks from Rem running around chasing squirrels we unloaded the 4 wheelers and got outta that camp!

wanna see a girl shine? put her in her natural elements

We found an old logging trail that took us up a mountain that over looked the lake. Random fact: I married a good old Idaho boy that had NEVER picked huckleberries before! whaaat? I don't know how I didn't know this fact and its probably better I didn't ;) anyways so on our ride I was on a mission to show Mike what huckleberry bushes look like even if the berries weren't ready yet. It worked out great and not only did we find bushes we found berries! big yummy ones! So my dear husband now can say he's picked berries before! We actually were able to pick over a quart of huckleberries. I'll be attempting to make a pie soon.

my boys picking berries!

 

huckleberries <3

When we headed back to camp it was a quick hot dog dinner and bed. We got up real early to start our big day! #16 on my 25 before I turn 25 list was to hike into "God's Waterslides" I had gone with my parents maybe 15 years ago!! When writing that list I knew I wanted to show Wesson the beautiful falls but after Saturday I'm so glad it was just us two. We rode 12 miles until we turned at Lion Creek and rode another 8 miles up on a pretty rocky path and than hiked 1 mile into see the beauty!

yogi-nature love

 

I know this post and my pictures are probably going to make this sound pretty cool but I'm telling you right now, you have to make a trip and see this for yourself. Its just unreal!! Since we got there pretty early in the day so there wasn't anyone else around so it felt like our own perfect natural water park.

 

The falls aren't exactly water falls but its part of the creek where the water has molded the giant rocks into "slides" and moss has grown over the rocks so you have to be very careful where you step until you're ready to slide down into the pools. It's just a beautiful site that if you live in the Northwest you have to take advantage of it! If you want to go and need better directions I'd be happy to help! :)

 

 

ridin buddy

 

Once we got our fill of lunch and slides we rode back to the truck and headed home. We got home and I got a pleasant surprise! I had ordered a skirt from another blogger who just started making the adorable chevron skirts. I've looked for long skirts before but had no luck! They were always short! Go check out her store HERE and keep with her blog HERE, she's also a super cute mommy blogger ;)

seriously how cute is this skirt!?

We showered and got dressed up to go get drinks downtown before heading over to a friends for a little BBQ. Of course we could have taken Wes to do these things but I wouldn't have been able to wear my cute dangle earrings though!

date night!

 

Sunday morning was another trip that wouldn't be able to make with baby Wes: floating!! We had to put in the water a little earlier than normal because Mike needed to head back to Omak once we got home. Well too much sun and beer and he ended up not living til midnight. Haha Mike defiantly took advantage of the float trip. It was such a fun day and great friends. I of course have tough days through out the week and start thinking it would be easier with Mike but days like yesterday makes it all better. We're able to do the things we love and with the people we love again.

floooooating!

 

family love

girls girls girls!

big ass fun group :)

 

Thanks again Mom & Dad for taking care of the little monster for the weekend. I forget how important it is to see your spouse as your husband again and not just as Wesson's daddy. I love falling in love with my husband again :)

 

love being married to my best friend :)

Sweet Summer Time

There is nothing better than summer time in Coeur d'Alene. Everyone knows that. It's literally a nation known fact that Mike and I have been missing for two summers now. We're so happy to be able to enjoy the beautiful down town, local restaurants, beaches, and of course the lakes.

Technically we didn't enjoy anything of those favorites last weekend but our weekend was a typical true North Idaho weekend, camping up Fernan Mountain.

Mike got home Thursday afternoon to deep Wall wedding bash deets happening. Alright actually we were pic stitching people's faces and characters in Wesson's story books haha. One of the best things about living in town again, spending time with crazy Brandy & Robyn. Those girls are hilarious and make me laugh so hard.

one happy, naked baby sharing pancakes with brandy!

 

After we shooed them out we got busy packing up our camping gear for Wesson's first actual camping trip. Last year I took him on our family reunion camping trip but had my parents help the whole time and an unlimited amount of water and the past 12 months living in a rv does not count as camping, despite what some people think. No sir, we were tenting it, in the middle of the mountains. Love!

We left bright and early Friday morning. Which worked perfectly. It was hot out so as soon as we set up camp we immediately got out water toys, chairs and a couple cool cans and planted our asses in the river.

happy rem

There's just something about being without cell service that makes us so happy.

yes we still had bath time in the mountains... yes I am my mothers daughter.

Luckily Friday was a perfect day because Saturday wasn't and we were quick to pack up and head home after Remmi woke us up barking (he decided chasing a MOOSE would be fun, well it was a site to see that moose charging Rem with his tail between his legs, hauling ass across the river *sigh*) and thunderstorms. Yeah... another beautiful things about the Northwest, those storms sneak up on ya...

taking shelter in the tent!

 

hi most adorable camping baby!!

 

Although we came home with everything soaking wet, at least we finally have a real garage to dry everything out in :)

The rest of our weekend was spent relaxing and hanging out pool side in the back yard :) ps if you come over while the sun is out and while Wes is awake I'm warning you now... our child will most likely be naked. That boy is obsessed with water and really there's no point in clothes.

 and lastly Happy July! I love planning out my weeks and it makes me extra happy when Monday marks the start of a new month also. Mike and I have a very, busy, fun filled month and I am loving every day of it. I mean how can I not with the handsome boy filling up my days?! My day ended with running through the sprinklers with this little man. I can not even remember the last time I did that. Maybe we'll end every day with sprinkler running, I haven't laughed that hard in awhile :) xxx See ya all next Monday!

Normal is Weird

Wow I've been slacking majorly on my blogging duties.

We are officially settled in our cute, little place complete with two bathrooms, three bedrooms, a big enough back yard for crazy Remmi to run and Wesson to get pulled around in the wagon, a full sized kitchen with normal sized appliances- I have a garbage disposal!! and lastly, this momma's favorite- my own washer and dryer set! seriously I'm living the dream.

Our home :) I'll post more, as I get more situated. Turns out organizing with a 14 month old is crazy hard.

 

Dog's life.

Its been almost two months that we've been back home and each day it still takes a minute to hit me that we're home.

We have play dates, go on hikes, have yogurt dates, dinner dates, I'm busy helping plan two weddings, we're visiting old friends and making new ones, we go on walks around our neighborhood and go swinging at the park, we have friends over for fires & drinks, we go thrift shopping with grandma, we have dance parties in the living room, we get to actually use our 4 wheeler (which we just paid off! 3 titles down, 2 to go!!)

1st time hiking Mineral Ridge

 

favorite guys on their archery shoot last weekend.

 

We're living a normal life. Well a normal tramp lineman's life. We stay busy through the week but we love Thursday  nights when the handsome man in our life walks through the door...

Normal is really strange through. Its amazing we moved away two years ago and now I'm home. I love that my friendships lasted and picked right back up. It is awkward running into people that I used to have relationships with and as time went by kinda faded... I forget that some people haven't left and still hold onto the past.

All I can say about that is, it's done. The past few years have reeeeally let me work through some personal issues and let me, just let go. We have all been young and mean. We've all been hurt and hurt others. We've been friends, moved on and became friends again. I've always believed that God gives you people that you need in your life at that moment. That couldn't be more true. It hurts when people's lives drift, especially when you spent every Monday catching up. I guess what I'm trying to say is life is tough. We all have challenges. The thing about moving back to the town where I graduated and went through some "growing up issues" is sometimes even though I moved away and lets just say... moved on? some people hold onto things and if that's you and you're reading this I'm sorry.

I'm a different person than I used to be. I'm a better wife, better friend and now I'm a dang good mom. I love the woman I am now. I'm not a 20 year old, selfish jerk who took every. little. thing. to heart. I burned a few bridges because I thought people should be friends like I was (or thought I was) and I dove whole heartily into "defending" what I thought was right, when really what place did I even have? Wow did I just posted that?! haha yeah I know a few people who are probably shouting "amen, you bitch" right about now. Good thing I deleted fb and now my followers probably disappeared so I probably don't have to worry about that ;)


Anyways I guess what I'm trying to say is. I'm here and trying to find a new balance without loosing what I found living in trailer park isolation. Its a pretty damn good feeling when you finally like yourself again. When you aren't worrying about every thing and finally just living life. I'm happy. I'm excited to continue to grow and develop more, find our place in this town again.

view from a journeyman lineman.

And the happiest birthday wishes go to my amazing husband. Mike works his ass off every single day to provide for us and follow his dream. He has selflessly stuck by my craziness over the years and has never once made me feel bad for who I am. Mike is my best friend and I can never thank God enough for giving me such a patient, kind man to call my husband. Happy birthday babes, I'll see you tomorrow night....<3

 

Omak, WA

Good evenin, ole sport! -Great Gatsby anyone? Was one of my favorite books in high school, now one of my most favorite movies. I want the DVD, like now.

my new view.

 

Anyways so Friday we took off to get Mike set up in his new town before he started his first official job as a journeyman lineman!

The weekend was exactly what we needed. Between moving 18 hours home, trading in trailers, moving all my crap out into the storage unit, lots of friends & family visiting time and trying to find a place for us to live in a few days time we needed a break.

We rolled into Omak, WA early afternoon. We weren't exactly sure where he could be working so we didn't look up places and just planned on figuring it out once we got there. We went into the visiting center to ask a few questions and ended up staying at the fair grounds where they hold the "suicide stampead" Okay quick sidebar. The stampeed is a horrifying event where cowboys race horses down this steep mtn, across the river and into the stadium. Crazy! The mountain was huge and we've already decided if Mike is still working in the area we will have to check it out! :)

Daddy's helper. such a boy!

 

haha much tighter spaces but it fits!

The fairground park wasn't a bad place but you could only stay there for 8 nights. Plus I think Mike would get tired of all the retired travelers coming over to visit. We ended up moving him out to Riverside, a few miles outside of Omak to a very remote park. Luckily two other guys are staying there to keep Mike company since service isn't the best.

Saturday morning we went to Tonasket, Justins (one of the lineman from Alamo) hometown. His wife had seen we were on our way out there and told us about their local founders parade. It worked out perfectly. Its always nice to meet other linewives along this journey. We wish Marah and her girls good luck as their start their tramp life! :)

Besides the parade, we all napped and played too much candy crash, we decided Sunday we needed to get out and find a hike. We took off to Coconully Lake to try to find a hike to try out our new hiking back pack.

 

We made it out there and it was such beautiful area. It reminded us so much of home, which is a major plus for Mike. We asked around for an easy hike and we got sent to an area but we both couldn't find where the lady was meaning for us for go so decided on a little trail that ended up not being a trail at all. All in all we probably walked only 1.5 miles before we took shelter in the truck while it down poured on us.

After our little adventure we headed back to Omak to load the trailer up and move it to Riverside. It really is such a beautiful area! It was sad saying bye this morning and leaving Mike. I've spent the last 2 years being home every day, listening to Mike's day and now we barely have service. We know this really is the best decision but I forgot how sad it is. I'll definatly be looking forward to Thursday nights!

Mike's view out the trailer

Although it was hard saying good bye I think Mike was ready to have a night to himself after getting this little section set up ;) TV, Xbox and oreos? yeah man dream!

Poltelco's newest journeyman :) he's so cute!

 

Living in Limbo

Hey all!

 

So ya know when everything starts falling into place and you just sigh a little relief and look up and say "thanks God" yup that's kinda been our 2 weeks. Well that and a big old side of crazy.

 

We spent a day searching for houses and that same day we got a call from a company saying they might be hiring locally... great but if that didn't happen and they sent him to Sandpoint we'd be stuck in a house we bought and can't sell. Needless to say we again changed plans and tried to find a rental.

 

Now I'm not sure if you're aware but holy cow it's hard to find houses to rent in cda right now. We spent 3 days filling out apps only to get told the house we liked just got taken. We finally found a rental house and signed on it the same day, the only issue- the folks aren't moving out until the middle of June! but we got a house! A cute 3 bedroom house, with a back yard, and its right down the road from my parents! haha okay not planned but it will save gas and my car from dog hair.

 

With not being able to move in yet, we needed to gut out our trailer completely and move everything into storage. Its amazing how much crap we could fit into that trailer! Our storage unit is 100% full of 98% of our processions. Haha seriously its going to be so fun to move...

 

 

In the middle of moving stuff around Monday, Mike got the call we've been waiting for. His first journeyman lineman job :) He was planning on leaving Tuesday morning for Montana to sign local 44 books (that's the two jobs he was offered earlier in the week...also just got a call again today for another job, if you're looking to get in the Northwest 44 is clear on the books :)) Although he had job offers, he was really wanting local 77 to call because ultimately he still wants to work with Avista but he needs to get some hot sticking time in. The job Mike took is a "dock crew" basically a local utility job, working 4 10s, Mike gets to come home everything Thursday night! We're not positive where the job will be but we know it will be in the Wenachee area so only around 4 hours from home. Seriously perfect! 

Mike's new home!

 



 Rental house: CHECK! Mike's job: CHECK! Everything into storage: CHECK! Moved into new trailer: CHECK CHECK (and its SO cute!!!)

walk around bed (complete with line boots :)) 

view from standing next to little couch, first thing in the door

 

little kitchen. oven perfect for little cinnamon rolls 

 

view standing in bathroom (bathroom not pictured but come on its a trailer bathroom ;))

 

view from couch

 

Its not the largest trailer but that's what we were going for. It's perfect for Mike to live in for now and will be even more perfect for camping in a few years. I love it and am bummed we won't be able to camp before Mike needs to take. But I'm sure we'll be getting lots of visiting in with it.

 

Despite all the busy, fast moving days things are all falling into place and slowing down. We've been able to squeeze family time so far with bow shoots, graduation parties, a caddy shack date and a birthday party where Wesson got to meet his second cousin. In a few years Rawlin and Wesson are going to be running wild at Grandpas cabin!

Mike's grandpa, mom and copper!

proud dads and handsome babies



 

Hope everyone has a fun memorial weekend! I know we are going to have lots of fun.... we're heading to Ritzville in the morning and I have a feeling the boys are going to be running wild all over Grandpa & Grandma McBrides property. Me? I'll be enjoying a few glasses of wine, not having to worry about moving, jobs or houses.

xxx :)

turning in my tramping wheels

ha, okay that sounds kinda bad but if you've been following this blog long you know for the past 4 years my husband has been a tramp lineman which automatically made me a tramp linewife the day I moved into our 28 ft trailer two years ago.

But yes I am turning in my tramping wheels. After long hours of tears, kinda "planning" (Kristina I am sure Ian would be rolling his eyes at me by now;)), discussing all options again & again... we've come to a decision. Well as close as a decision as we can right now. I'm moving home.

Coeur d'Alene, home. And I'm a ball of nerves about it, naturally. So as of right now Mike has gotten 2 calls by foreman asking for him, seeing how he just came off of 3 months working and only 9 days off!! he said he'd love to but he needs some time to get us set up and he needed some time to relax a bit. Our plan was wait for him to get a job than I'd try to find a place to rent where ever we were and see how that would go. Problem with that was if he got moved I'd most likely get stuck in a town with no one. If he got a call to Kennewick that'd be one thing but like most ideas, it wasn't solid. His two calls that he got were both for Montana.

After reevaluating our situation we knew the best option would be for me to just stay in Cda. If he goes to Montana or Washington we're still only a few hours away and now I'm more central regardless which direction he goes... plus my support system lives down the road.

On Friday we took step one to putting this plan into place: get rid of our monster trailer and get Mike a new home (that eventually we can take camping!) We planned to just go look, but left the lot owners of a 2013 Autumn Ridge! Its sooo cute! It was all way sudden so I didn't get pictures inside yet but we'll be making the trade next week.

sold! traded our 37 ft in for 24 :) perfect!

 

Step two happened by meeting up with our loan officer aka my best frans husband Steve to figure out what we need to do and than today we met up with another good friend Wendland(I'm liking my friends having with grown up jobs.)  to check out houses.  Like real houses. Houses without wheels. With back yards. With damn bath tubs!!! I'm not excited at all.

We decided our best option is to purchase a small house for me and Wes. We searched rentals and we would just be throwing money away. I, of course, fell in love with a house today but obviously until Mike accepts one of these jobs we're just looking for now. And of course things can and most likely will change again but until than I'm dreaming of paint colors.

Step three: Mike accepting one of these jobs.

Its really, really hard to think of not seeing Mike every night and not experiencing the new places anymore but we're ready to start making a more stable life for ourselves. I guess I'm experiencing what? linewife guilt? I dunno I feel like my "job" as a wife is to support as we travel and I am and will always support Mike but now we're just switching it up a bit. Two years on the road is tough and its just time to start settling down. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a 5 days a week job so Mike can come home on weekends. If not though you bet we'll be in that car driving to see daddy.

We're ready to start making plans that'll actually be able to go through, ready to be around for more stuff, see our family & friends more. We have a fast growing boy that needs some extra lovings and a marriage that needs some dang date nights. We're happy with our decisions and know this is the right directions but it's still scary. Change is scary.

Giving my worries up and praying for the best.

First Drag.

Well we made it! I am blogging to you all from our very North Idaho camp spot :)

 

 

As most of you followed the past few weeks were nuts. Like I was so sick from stress Monday I was throwing up all day. Not fun. We didn't know when we'd be leaving, where we'd be going, I was a mess. Monday was rained out so instead of staying another day Mike decided to drag up and we'd be moving the following morning. I normally would have been all good to go except I was sick and I found out his decision at 6 pm, so we were scrambling to pick up and get set up.

 

We were able to get everything travel ready and sit around the fire one last time with our friends. Although it was cold (seriously we were all bundled up and freezing in probably 60 degree weather) it was a great night. If you've known me long you know I don't do well with good byes. I'm emotional and I get attached to people way too quickly. This was no exception.

 

Our trek back to Idaho started bright and early at 4 am, only to find our stabilizer jack was well, jacked up. I don't know details, I'm scared to ask but I guess it didn't go up very smoothly and daddy was making it very clear with some choice words it wasn't good. haha its all fixed now.



waiting for daddy to fix the trailer

 

Once we got going on the road the trip went pretty great. Wesson was with Mike and I got the fur baby. Both boys did excellent. We stopped in Twin Falls (sorry guys it was a quick grab lunch and stretch moment!) and hung out eating Artic Circle (yes!) in the trailer while everyone was able to stretch their legs and make it a few more hours. We decided to push it into Oregon so we wouldn't have as many hours on day 2.



Comfy Rem :)

We made it to Catfish RV outside of Huntington, Oregon. Which as my dad informed me is known for a slaughter that happened was back on the Oregon trailer. Sweet. Anyways we pulled into the park to the sweetest lady, who had fun showing Wesson the 5 week old puppies. We set up quickly, grabbed some pizza and enjoyed the view of the beautiful Snake River.

The next morning I woke up and took Remmi on a quick run up the road. Wow it's been awhile since we've ran, looking forward to getting that back.  After our run I decided to take devotion to the river and let Remmi run some more. He had way too much fun swimming across the river chasing the ducks. He was exhausted by the time we had to load up.

Water Puppy

 

Once we made it into Kennewick, Wa we made our way to the local 77 union hall to sign the books. Although we didn't find out much work information (we should know more tomorrow) it was pretty cool watching Mike ask for the JL books and signing away. There's so much future in that one signature! So many more adventures coming our way!

signing the 1st jl books! woop!

he kills me, sweetest puppy ever.

 

We made it into Coeur d'Alene early afternoon and headed to what we thought was going to be our park. The pictures looked nice and the price was right buuut the park was not so great in person! So after quickly taking our exit while panicking, googling new places we decided to just chill out, leave our set up at walmart for the night (yup that was our house there last night ;)) and let my parents take care of us.

 

Our day today was busy finding our new park, we are now comfortably set up at Alpine RV, woop come say hi! 

so happy to be home!

Christopher got to stop by after work! Love!!

 

If you're wondering where my baby has been the whole time, he's been with daddy so I didn't get any cute driving pictures and of course grandma wouldn't dream of Wes having to run errands with us today so he was happy playing with the puppies in the pool. I plan on being there allllll day tomorrow :)

 

We're excited to be here. We're of course so nervous, I mean we left a very well paying job to wait for a new one. We know the end result will be so much better being closer to home and we're already happier. We've missed you all. So for 2 weeks we're on vacation mode. Yes, Mike is waiting for a work call but we're not stressing yet. Mike will be busy working with his cool new programmer for his truck and going to bow shoots, I'll be busy catching up with my girlfriends and watching chick flick movies with mom, we have lots of plans with friends and family and plan on taking full advantage of our "vacation" :)