Our Little Spot

What More Can I Say......

2011-12-26T16:05:00.002-07:00

What is Your Weather Today?....

2011-12-05T08:41:00.004-07:00

Our weather today is snowy with a likely hood of SNOW! Hurray! No one is complaining here, even Wilfred has an official snow day. This is our 3rd storm in 3 days. Clayton built this snowman yesterday.
Joel loving on our good dog Ed!

Enjoy your day!

Feeling very Spoiled.....

2011-12-02T20:52:00.003-07:00

Just before Thanksgiving I had a birthday. Nothing too impressive...just inching ever closer to 30! I received some beautiful Lilies from my hubby and some yummy chocolates. Kaleb did his part by eating the entire bag of chocolates. Thanks buddy, guess I didn't really need the calories! I was also taken out to dinner, but the real treat was the dishes.
That's right I said dishes...Not just any dishes, FIESTA WARE!!!! Aren't they beautiful?! I love them and am feeling quite spoiled! Birthdays aren't so bad, especially when they come with Fiesta ware!

Kaleb, oh dear sweet, naughty Kaleb! At 2 years old he insists that he is old enough to cook at the stove. No matter what I do I can not keep him out of MY kitchen.....I guess I had better get used to it and accept the help!

Today came the with the first bits of moisture. We are desperately needing any wet we get. Today it came in the form of ice and a bit of snow. We don't get that much snow here so our state is ill equipped to deal with it. Wilfred got caught up in this mess trying to make his way home this afternoon. This is on the interstate, which they finally just had to close. But then there was a rollover on RT 66, which blocked the 2 main routes to our town. Wilfred made it home unscathed.....I wish I could say the same for these poor trucks!

They were effectively holding each other up, keeping them from rolling over.

And the WINNER Is.........

2011-11-28T22:55:00.005-07:00

.........RUTH S!

Congratulations Ruth! Please send me an email with your mailing information at

thepinklimosine@aol.com

The Runner - UP was AMY from the White House!!!

Now I know I only mentioned the Grand Prize of a NORWEX Basic Set. (yea Ruth!)

However, The kids decided they wanted to draw 2 people, so Congratulations to AMY! As the runner-up, She will get a FREE Travel Cloth.

BUT....I am not done yet!

For the 6 of you who were willing to share with me your cleaning trouble spots, I have a one time offer of 10% off any order you would like to place with me in the month of December. I LOVE Norwex so much I want to give you the opportunity to try it too! So....

Cassie

Melinda

Lynisha

Rachel C.

Ruth S.

Amy

Send me an email at thepinklimosine@aol.com, if you would like to take me up on this offer!

Thanks for sharing your stories with me!

These offers and prizes are valid only thru ME.

Challenge/GIVEAWAY!...

2011-11-16T12:23:00.006-07:00

The Holidays are here....The non-stop whirlwind of activity that starts with preparing for THANKSGIVING, (My absolute FAVORITE holiday!) and ends with New Years Day.

Now most of us at some point between now and January 1st will host some type of event in our homes. A dinner, family, party, ect...

I don't know about you but that usually means a deep cleaning of my home. Man oh man how I HATE cleaning! If only someone could give me a magic wand that would make cleaning easier.......

OH WAIT!!!!!!

NORWEX to the rescue! What is Norwex? Norwex is 100% environment safe, chemical free cleaning. Just add water....really....JUST WATER! Streak free windows, shiny floors, Gleaming appliances....the list goes on and on! No more lugging 5 different cleaners around. No more paper towels. No bulky mop and bucket. Did I mention that by just using water the Norwex Antibac cloths remove up to 99.94% of bacteria, yeast, and viruses. Move over Flu, Strep, E. Coli, MRSA, and all the rest of you little bugs, NORWEX is coming through!

I would love to challenge and reward you......Please leave a comment (click the comment link at the end of this post.) Tell me your biggest challenge or hurdle when it comes to cleaning. Or tell me what you love most about Norwex.
On November 25th I will have my kids randomly draw a winner....The GRAND PRIZE is a Norwex Basic Set a $30.99 value!

Disclaimer: I am an Independent Norwex Consultant. This giveaway is only valid through my personal blog, and is Independent of any other Norwex Enviro Products specials.

To find out more about Norwex you may visit go my Personal Website: www.jeanettecronk.norwex.biz

Idaho Trip PART 1....

2011-10-03T13:27:00.008-06:00

Wow....what happened to summer? I have lots of pictures I could post but it would take me days. So I decided to just tell you all what we have been up to and only post the pictures from our latest adventure. Enjoy them and don't forget to comment!
We have been keeping busy...our well went dry, we lived water-less for a few weeks. We did finally manage to get hooked in to a water system. Lindsy got a Beagle puppy, named her Daisy. Kaleb turned 2! A week later Clayton turned 7! A trip to the zoo with Auntie Rae and Jeremiah. The start of schooling again. Lindsy is doing Kindergarten, Clayton is tackling 2nd grade. Wilfred has been working both in town and out of town. I became a Consultant for NORWEX Enviro Products. I love the company, the products, and the change it has made for me. I will post more on that later. Until then find out more at www.jeanettecronk.norwex.biz
That it is Summer in a nutshell...
Neither Wilfred or I drew out for our Elk hunts, so we decided to celebrate our 8th Anniversary and take a trip. We decided to go to Idaho and back via Wyoming. We loaded our 4 kids and 2 of the dogs, (Missy and Daisy) plus all our camping gear into the car. Drove all night and pulled into Green River, WY in time to eat lunch and stay the night with Grandma and Grandpa Wilson. (Wilfred's grandparents)

Grandma taking the kids to see the trains. Joel is 9 Months

Green River, WY

Old Bording station for the trains

Workshop for the trains

The Engineer in Yellow honked and waved to the kids, I think he was grinning as big as the kids were!

Grandpa Al

A rare Family Picture!

Five hours after leaving Green River, WY..........

This is how we Roll! Remember 2 adults, 4 kids, and 2 dogs packed in here!

A real Happy Camper!

Can you find 3 kids here?

Not a real morning person when there is FROST inside the tent!

Fishing....

Lindsy was the only one to catch a fish! It must be the pink pole!

Lots of hiking....had to watch for bears.

It happened to be time for the yearly Salmon Run. They turn red as the trek upstream to spawn. Amazing to watch!!! Also part of why the bears were so active.

Making homemade biscuits in camp, Kaleb was a great help!

Idaho Trip PART 2...

2011-10-03T11:50:00.013-06:00

Our Tent....during the middle of the first night, Wilfred had to go out and tarp us. There was frost on the inside of the tent. We were cold but enjoying the whole experience! Breakfast.....yum!

I do believe this is the first time EVER, that my children were allowed sprite for breakfast. It will likely NEVER happen again!

Water, water everywhere.....

Wheat Harvest in the Swan Valley. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Lower Mesa Falls.

Upper Mesa Falls

YELLOWSTONE BEAR WORLD REXBURG, IDAHO

www.yellowstonebearworld.com

Wolves following our car.

Bear Cubs

Joel Bear

Yearling Bear

Swan

Huge Trout

Feeding deer

Loving the goats

White Elk Baby

Getting to feed the bears some bread and donuts

White Elk...daddy to the baby.

Will sit for donuts!

The Tetons outside of Jackson, WY

My Handsome Hubby! We have been Married 8 Years as of 9/23

Michael W. Smith - There She Stands

2011-09-08T13:33:00.000-06:00

In honor of those who lost their life on September 11, 2001. I know that day changed me, But one thing remains true..... GOD IS ON THE THRONE! We may not understand why, but we can trust. Trust God, Trust prayer! We will be strong as long as we remain ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Bebo Norman - Nothing without You

2011-07-24T16:54:00.000-06:00

This song sure does say A LOT! Tell me what you think......

Happy Independance Day!

2011-07-01T12:28:00.001-06:00

I know this is posted early.....But I think it should be up all weekend!

Dolly is a bit nuts.....That said;

May God Bless America. Please remember our freedom isn't FREE. Don't forget the biblical beliefs this country was founded on. Thank a Solider.

Have a wonderful 4th of July.......Thank God for the few Freedoms we have left!

Spring Time, Hooray!...

2011-06-18T10:33:00.010-06:00

Spring finally came....but so did the wind. Now the wind won't stop!!!! Also with spring came litters of wild baby bunnies....This one hopped right in through the front door. We were chasing it about the house trying to catch it. Of course Wilfred finally did and gave Kaleb a chance to feel it.

Kaleb helping out with the Homeschooling.

Sweet boys sleeping together. Clayton injured his head by hitting it on something in the garage. Boy did it ever bleed!

Ducks in the pool for the first time. 4/27/2011, May 1st it snowed!

Mom I want this Shaun the Sheep.....

A quick call to Grandma....... Hey guys look what I got! Can we say spoiled?!!!

New car seat for Joel. He is too big for the infant carrier. Here he is 5 months old.

Kaleb actually got the brand new car seat, he gave his old one to Joel.

Kaleb and his crazy fashions! Winter hat and gloves, with rain boots while holding a box of licorice.

Wilfred met us for a picnic lunch in the park!

Sitting in the Studebaker and dreaming......

The new fire wall he is building.

Matching Cuties!

My new way to corral Kaleb, he can put himself in, but he can't get back out.

This shirt was Clayton's. It is just as funny now as it is was then.

This is his favorite place!

One for me......

One for you....

I love these Jammies...they say 'Ruff Night'

What'cha looking at Dad?

Grandpa and the boys...

Resting in the Costco cart.

Kaleb took a whipping by a rooster....then I shot the rooster!

Cousins...just checking each other out.

Joel the bottle inspector....he hasn't ever had one of these, so he felt the need to check it out!

Joel and the GreatGrandparents Granny Esther and Grandpa Cliff.

Kaleb found the Bon Ami powder...UGH!

Enjoying a nice, smoke free, evening outside. (a huge rarity lately)

Very intently Watching Baby Einstein on Auntie Rae's lap.

I hope you enjoy all these pictures. Joel is 6 months now...so hard to believe. Kaleb is going to be 2 next month. I can barely stand it!!!! Now I realize that most of these pictures have glares in them and aren't that great....but hey they all came off of my cell phone, what can I say?

In Christ Alone

2011-06-05T11:57:00.000-06:00

Where have the days gone?....

2011-04-20T11:11:00.008-06:00

Well, since the wind is relatively calm today I have sent the kids outside to play while I get a few moments of sanity. I tell you this wind is enough to drive a person nuts!!!
I don't know what happened to the rest of March, and now April is almost over as well! I am sure looking forward to better weather and gardening. However until then enjoy these pictures taken within the last month.
A breakfast picnic with some playtime at the park.

What a group of cuties!

IT RUNS!! Wilfred finally got this McCormick tractor up and running....it's only been taken apart for like 12 years. I really never thought we would see this day.

Joel loves his Pluto.

Kaleb having a sweet moment.

Such a happy baby!

Looking at tool catalogs with dad is sure exhausting!

CHICK SEASON!!!! This year we have baby turkeys and DUCKS! I love my ducks.

Very proud of these puppy jammies...

The OBall... All our babies have loved this. It keeps them busy for a long time.

I also love my Ergobaby carrier...sure wish I had this with the other 3, life could have been so much easier!

This is what T.R.O.U.B.L.E. look like.......

Ducks are growing fast!

A good looking man and his dog.......

Birthday cake baking help.....

Nothing like Grandpa's shoulder to take a nap on.....Joel rocking his super wild hair!

Joel has so many expressions....this one is just way too funny to not share!

This is a little better!

Joel at 4 months old....getting his first bite of food from daddy.(there were lots of watery eyes here. He is growing so fast! )

Who can resist this banana face?

Cowboy Clayton....he spent most of his own money on this hat. He wanted one just like his daddy's.

Of course Lindsy couldn't get left behind in the hat contest.......Grandpa Morris she is ready to come wrestle your cows!

All I Can Say.....

2011-04-17T18:55:00.001-06:00

Make it stop......PLEASE JUST MAKE THE WIND STOP!!!!

An Overdue Update...

2011-03-30T11:19:00.009-06:00

A 6 week old Joel Matching boys...Joel and Kaleb

All 4 watching a movie

Love Kaleb's style, construction jammies and pink crocs

Look at this haircut!!!!

2 months old

Loves his bouncer!

Kaleb had to try it too.....

A bantam egg in Kaleb's little hand

The shirt says it all!

Wilfred had a birthday in February. I made him a chocolate cherry rum cake.

The beginning of Clayton's dental saga. It ended with him having oral surgery yesterday. He is now minus 8 teeth!

Doesn't everyone carry their chickens in their pockets?

A true flower girl....

We love our tummy tub!!!! Fits Kaleb.....

And Joel.

Look at those baby rolls!

This is why we have 2 sinks......

Cousins...Jeremiah 4 months, Joel 3 months.

That's one way to wear 'em

Happy Boy!

Once again...Kaleb has to try it too.

LOVE the tummy tub!!!

Fell asleep while using the bathroom....at least she got her undies up! She insisted she was NOT tired!

The Winner Is......

2011-03-07T11:11:00.003-07:00

Lindsy picked our winner and that was comment # 1 from Mo. Send me an email to thepinklimosine@aol.com with your mailing information. Also let me know if you want a soap bar, cupcake, soap slice, or a jar of whipped soap. CONGRATULATIONS!

(I must admit that I am a bit sad that only 3 other people out there love soap as much as me!)

Sharing Chocolate Pie....

2011-03-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

Kaleb shares his Chocolate pie with the dog...

Sanctity of Life....

2011-02-27T12:08:00.005-07:00

Something that is near and dear to my heart....the ability to choose life. Now I am going to avoid my soapbox here...but I would ask that you take some time and listen or watch this. Carol Everett is a woman who has been through abortion, helped sign others up for abortions, and had a change of heart and became a pro life advocate. Carol also tells how sex education in Public Schools is paid for by abortions. Just another reason why I choose to HOME SCHOOL my children. Please note that there are some difficult pictures at the beginning of this...just turn your head to the side. This message is IMPORTANT.
http://www.calvarycch.org/ccch/media_center.php?video=1&p=GSX&s=482

You are Welcome to your opinion, just as I am Welcome to mine.

Choose Life, Choose ADOPTION over ABORTION.

Soap Lovers.....

2011-02-24T09:48:00.004-07:00

SOAP IS ART! Picture from My Natures Art Soap. http://mynaturesart.net

Who doesn't love a good smelling soap? If you just raised your hand or said "not me" YOUR WEIRD!

Thanks to Kimberly at My Nature's Art Soap, I am hooked! She graciously let me try some bar soap and some whipped soap. I love the smells and the bar soap feels like silk. Wilfred loves the whipped soap for shaving. I love this soap so much I am doing my first GIVEAWAY!

The above slice of soap is one of the few wonderful offerings Kimberly has at http://mynaturesart.net

To enter leave a comment telling me something about soap. On March 6th I will put all the comments in a hat and let my kids pick the winner. I will send the winner some awesome My Nature's Art Soap!

Planned Parenthood Caught on Video Covering up Sex Trafficking | LifeNews.com

2011-02-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Planned Parenthood Caught on Video Covering up Sex Trafficking LifeNews.com

6 weeks of Life with 4 Kids.....

2011-01-20T16:47:00.008-07:00

Joel is 6 weeks old this week and doing well. Growing like a weed. He is huge!!! We are all adjusting to having 4 kids in the house. We have been ever so busy with homeschooling and just plain life. Get ready for a picture overload as I catch up on our life for the last 6 weeks.

Joel is 1 week old here, his shirt says 'Everyone knows I was born this cool!" The Grandma and Great Grandma holding the 2 baby cousins. My mom is holding Joel and her mom is holding my Nephew Jeremiah. Jeremiah and Joel are exactly 1 month apart.

Lindsy in one of her more crazy fashions. If you can't get your cape to stay on, just use your winter hat.

Clayton loving on his brother.

A bad case of the stinkbugs in this house! Maybe those are just showoffs instead.

2 Weeks old and full of smiles!

We love our Moby Wrap!

Daddy helped the kids build a gingerbread train.

Rub a Dub Dub....kids in the tub.

Joel's first real bath. It took 3 weeks for his cord stump to fall off. He is 3 weeks old here and loves the bath.

Great Grandpa Cliff holding Joel on Christmas Day.

Lindsy was beginning to feel a bit left out. So I decided that she was old enough to have her first 'REAL' haircut. The woman who did it was so sweet with her. I took her to the Style place in our local Walmart. Lindsy loved it and felt quite pampered...I may have created a monster!

Sleeping with Daddy

A Costco Shopping Cart full of Kids. I had to push a cart of kids while Wilfred pushed the cart of goods. Thank goodness for HUGE shopping carts!

Kaleb playing with his workbench.

Joel 4 weeks old.

Wild Man.....he goes like this all day long. He is a walking natural disaster....leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

1 Month old!

Like I said WILD!

Clayton sent us to the Emergency Room on 1/13. This was our first ER trip for a child. We made it 6 years without one....hopefully we will make at least another 6 years. Clayton fell and hit his head on the tile at my mom's office. He didn't brace for impact or anything...just full force crash to the side of his head. His ear swelled and turned purple immediately. It also left an imprint on his skull. I was scared good as he had a bit of a hard time remembering things. They did a CT scan at the hospital and all looked fine. We have one VERY EXPENSIVE picture of Clayton's brain on our fridge. His ear is purple and quite large and flappy. Other than a good concussion he seems to be fine. Scared us all good!

Baby Joel 6 weeks old fresh from a bath with lots of cute baby chubs!

Also on Monday, Kaleb took a tumble down our flight of 13 stairs. He hit every one on the way down. Clayton screamed and cried certain that Kaleb would be dead. I was prepared to head for the ER again. But he seems fine, a bit bumped and bruised,but fine. He still has no fear of the stairs, but we all hold our breath when he goes near them.

Hope you have enjoyed all our pictures.

Meet JOEL...

2010-12-11T19:39:00.004-07:00

Joel Matthew was born (finally!!!) on Monday, December 6 at 1:19 am. Much to the shock and awe of the Doctors and Nurses, he arrived without the c-section I had been prepped for. Several times he came down and tried to get through my pelvis and then ended up going back up, flipping between face down and face up. After hours and hours of hard labor and his inability to get through my pelvis the decision was made to prep me for a c-section. As we were waiting and the doctors were busy delivering 2 other babies, Joel made his appearance. I for the first time in my life am absolutely grateful for the hospital and doctors. Without them I would not have survived, nor would have Joel. His birth story is a miracle, made possible only by the hand of God.

The minute he was out, he was placed skin to skin on mom. A big boy....8 lbs 14 oz and 22 inches long. His head measured 15 inches around.
Amma....love at first sight with her 5th grand baby!

Daddy and Joel with their identical noses!

One day old.....

I love this outfit...we were finally going HOME!

I am well...I feel a bit like I was in a boxing match from the inside out. My back is a mess, as are my hips and pelvis. In an odd way I am thankful for the pain....It just reminds me that I am alive and can feel it. I'm am glad to be home with all my children under my roof.

Joel's birth story is very long but amazing. My one hope was that the glory of God could be seen in Joel's birth. I really feel like his life is a gift to truly be treasured.

Hi-Ho-Hi-HO......

2010-12-05T06:23:00.001-07:00

It's off to the hospital we go. No sign of baby on his own. Doctor says time is up, he must come out...ready or not.

Did I Mention.........

2010-11-30T09:50:00.004-07:00

That we are STILL WAITING!!!!

We watched and waved as my due date flew by several days ago. My midwife says enough is enough and scheduled me for an induction on Sunday. I really don't want to be induced....so for my sake this stubborn one had better come before then!!!!

Until then we will continue waiting, and twiddling our thumbs, and watching the paint peel off the walls, and any other activity that requires insane amounts of waiting!

The Waiting Game and a Post of Pictures........

2010-11-18T10:54:00.011-07:00

We are just playing the baby waiting game this week. I am 39 weeks and waiting. Baby will come when he is ready.....I hope! :) To help pass the time I thought I would get caught up with some pictures. We have many more to share, but these are the ones from my cell phone. Sorry for the quality in some, but they still get the idea across.

In September we went to Wyoming for a week. In that week we also went to a Cow Sale. The kids and I have never been before....We are hooked!!!! Kaleb was clapping as the cows ran through, so his hands are blurry. Pens full of cows as far as the eye can see.....smelled like money to me!
One of Grandma's puppies wouldn't quit following Lindsy around.

When we got back home a friend of Wilfred's gave him a basket of apples. Kaleb ate several right away. When I say he ate them I mean he ate them completely leaves, stems, cores, all of it. We finally had to hide them so he would stay out of them.

What are you looking at???? (Aunt Judy Cronk this is the towel you sent for Kaleb, Thanks so much!!)

A watermelon harvest!

I got a new backpack carrier for Kaleb. We love the Ergo Baby Carrier! I also love my hubby who hauls my kids around through Walmart, while I waddle behind. I had many people stop me to comment how cute my husband and kids were....I totally agree!!!!!

Clayton is working on basic fractions already!

In October we had a Birthday Princess in the house. My mom bought her this dress with one to match her dolly.

Someone left the back door unlatched. Kaleb loves being outside and he took full advantage of the opportunity. I found the escapee out back wearing nothing but a diaper.

This is why we keep all pens put away up high. The little tattoo artist and his work. He was so proud of himself!

Like I said we had a Birthday Princess in October. Her crown (from my sis) says Birthday girl. She turned 4!

Showing off some of her loot....new Tinkerbell jammies with matching slippers and a princess scooter.

What????? I was hungry! You'll notice the empty bread bag under his feet.

Playing on the grass with Amma and her doggies.

Here Amma have a sniff.

This picture is so SWEET!!!

This girl LOVES Shopping. This is proof....2 different pairs of pink boots in one day! S.P.O.I.L.E.D. by Amma!

One evening this month we stopped to get gas at our local gas station. While Wilfred was out pumping I watched this swaggering cowboy come out with a few newly purchased bottles of Whiskey. As he packed them away in his saddle bags and lit a smoke, I couldn't help but get the giggles. He pulled a small mini bottle of whiskey out his jacket and chugged it. I couldn't take it any longer I had to take a picture. His horse is tied off at the vacuums.

He may be too drunk to drive....But apparently there is no such thing as too drunk to ride!!!

Boys in matching Jammies.....How CUTE!

Of course Lindsy felt a bit left out...she is wondering why they don't make equipment Jammie's in pink!

Who can resist a sleeping baby? Not me!

Wilfred's newest addition to his garage.....yes, he scoops the cat pan! But I will admit she is pretty sweet.

The quilt I made for our baby boy to come.

He is a shopper also! I love how he is holding Lindsy's Tinkerbell purse on his arm. He is just mimicking what his mommy does at Costco!

He can feed himself cereal with milk and not spill....now if only he could teach Clayton.

I'll have one of everything! Kaleb knows exactly what to do with a menu!

I hope you've enjoyed the pictures....check back soon....maybe our waiting game will finally be over!

Kids and the Things They Say....

2010-10-29T16:19:00.004-06:00

Yesterday as I was getting dressed I had 4 extra hands and eyes. They claimed that they were helping me out, but mostly I felt like a fish in a fish bowl.
As they watched my every move Clayton pipes up with a very innocent question. "Mommy why is your belly button so big? It's ugly."

What do I say to that??? As my self confidence quickly evaporated I replied, "Uh, well, uh, I am kinda pregnant! This sweet boy is so big he his making my belly get big, which is stretching out my belly button. "

Clayton "Well, it's still ugly."
Lindsy "Look guys I can stick my belly out too, See my belly buttons all stretched out. Ewww"
Clayton "Oh Yeah? Look I can stretch out my belly more"
Lindsy "EWWW! Your belly button is gross. Mine is still stretched more."
Clayton "No, yours is grosser. Mine stretches more cuz I am bigger."

And so the competition was born. I quietly slunk away and left them to compare while I tried to go repair my self esteem.

Whoa! Look At THAT Belly....

2010-10-19T12:11:00.003-06:00

These are a bit blurry because they were taken by my mom with her cell phone. It is very rare for me to post pictures of myself but I couldn't help posting these.

Here is a rare "family" photo. I think this shows what we are really like. Forget those posed portraits. We were having some snuggle time before bed. Clayton was climbing on my back and pulling my hair up, so I was making a goofy face to go with it. Wilfred is playing his harmonica on the couch. Kaleb was up to mischief behind me, while Lindsy was trying to snuggle in as close as possible. Even our unnamed 4th child made himself known. Notice the bulge in my belly up against Lindsy? That is his butt pressing out. Yep, My belly is huge! That is no understatement. I have scooted my seat in the car back as far as it will go, this week I am once again rubbing up against the steering wheel. That makes it a bit hard to make turns. My maternity shirts are no longer long enough....thank goodness for that bright blue maternity panel on all my jeans....maybe I will start a new fashion trend!
We are a goofy family, this is proof. I may regret posting these...so enjoy them before my sanity returns!

BTW, I still have 5 weeks to go...should we start taking bets on how much bigger my aching belly can get? It is pretty much stretched, maybe it will just explode! :)

No, Mr. President: John Piper's Response to President Obama on Abortion

2010-10-17T08:45:00.000-06:00

This is pretty good. I never wept for Joy over this president, but I do think this message is right.

Pumpkin Ideas....

2010-10-15T14:33:00.003-06:00

Fellow Bloggers I need your help! We have an abundance of Sugar Pumpkins....I am not complaining, but I am out of ideas. I have canned up 15 quarts of pumpkin which will make 30 pies. I still have a wagon full of pumpkins sitting in my dining room. I love pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin bread, pie, and just baking and eating pumpkin. Can you give me any other ideas for using pumpkin? I would love a pumpkin coffee cake recipe or anything else you can come up with. In fact lets make this a pumpkin recipe exchange.... Leave your recipe in the comments below!

Baked Pumpkin

Cut the top off a pumpkin and scrape out the seeds. Fill cavity with quartered apples, a bit of butter, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Replace top. Place filled pumpkin in baking dish and bake at 375 for an hour. Your house will smell great and there will be arm wrestling competitions for every last bit of it!

Are Parental Rights About to Be Taken?

2010-10-08T10:45:00.002-06:00

http://www.oneplace.com/player-custom/family-talk/parental-rights-at-risk-in-america-138426.html

This begs the question;

Are parental rights at risk in America? You really should listen at the link and find out for yourself. I will just say I am appalled....I think you may be too. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Little Baby Dumpling.....

2010-09-24T10:26:00.003-06:00

Let the countdown begin....9 more weeks to go!
I had an ultrasound yesterday just to check the baby's growth.....he is already head down and has dropped. He will drop more...but this is the earliest any of the kids have dropped. He is big and has a big head.....OH JOY! I thought Kaleb's was big, this one is bigger!

He is face first into the placenta, since the placenta has attached itself to the front. That makes it hard to get a good look at the cutie, but we did see a partial of the face. The blob under his chin is his fist. And no...the boy parts didn't disappear, they are still there more than ever. There is no doubt that this is a boy, now if only we could come up with a name.

The Man I Married....

2010-09-23T10:09:00.002-06:00

This is the Handsome Man that I married 7 years ago today! It was the first day of Fall then too! He doesn't like fall but he was happy to indulge me, since it is my favorite season. 7 years and 3 (almost 4) kids later, I love him more than ever!!!!! Thanks for putting up with me!

Happy Anniversary Wilfred!

Clayton Turns 6!!!!...

2010-09-01T09:10:00.004-06:00

Exactly 1 week after Kaleb's Birthday Bash we were partying again! Clayton turned 6!!! It was hard for me to have my oldest baby and my youngest baby marking milestones at nearly the same time. I really felt like my kids were just growing up way too fast and getting away from me. Wilfred spent his weekends building Clayton's birthday gift this year.

Yep, that is one bright yellow custom made digger.....My husband is AMAZING!

I tried to make Clayton a Lego cake. Others said this looked like a lego, but I didn't think so.

Playing a safe distance away from the bigger boy party.

Clayton with some of his buddies that came to help him party the night away. Who knew 6 could be so fun!

Kaleb Turns1!!!....

2010-09-01T08:50:00.003-06:00

On July 25th Kaleb turned 1! He started walking about 1 1/2 weeks before his birthday. (Of course I don't have any pictures of that.) I made him a Carrot Cake and we had the family over to celebrate.

I love his shirt! Best part is I got it in the sale rack for 5o% off!

Snow White even showed up to dance with the Birthday Boy.

Big Brother gave him fast rides around the living room.

The presents were GREAT!

He loves to play ball.

Then it was cake time....Kaleb did not hesitate!

The cake has been demolished. He learned the word Cake that night and now he asks, "Eat Cake!" pretty often.

Into the tub he went....he came back out fresh and clean and totally satisfied with his birthday.

Where did Summer Go? Part 2......

2010-09-01T08:11:00.007-06:00

oops...I found more pictures of our summer.
This is our first snake of the season. See how well it is hidden? I was wearing flip flops and walking out near the garden with Wilfred. I stepped on the stupid thing, when it twitched I jumped like 10 feet. I was screaming about a snake when Wilfred informed me that it wasn't just a snake, but a RATTLESNAKE! I nearly sprouted wings on my way to get a shovel. (and a camera)

It is only a itty-bitty one but those are the worst. It attacked the shovel and spit it's venom everywhere. I do believe the only thing that saved me was that it had just rained and it was cold, so that made the snake slow to react. Our snake count this summer has been 13 on our 2 acres. All but 2 of them Bullsnakes. I have run over 2 LARGE rattlesnakes on the road right by our house, but they were not on our property.

In June my Mom and Dad took the kids and me for a Day Out With Thomas. Durango was beautiful as usual and the kids and I had a blast. Wilfred opted to stay home and take care of things.

IT'S THOMAS!

Sir Topham Hat

This is a bull snake that scared 10 years off my life when taking the trash out to the dumpster one morning. 6:30 am and I am screaming and dancing around at the top of my lungs, "Wilfred SNAKE come kill it!" He didn't hear me but all the neighbors did!

A beautiful full rainbow after a evening rain shower.

Where did Summer Go????

2010-09-01T07:13:00.006-06:00

Here it is September 1st already! Don't get me wrong I LOVE IT! I love fall and the harvest that comes with it. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, cool nights, warm days, the air is crisp, the harvest, canning, I could go on forever about fall!
I kept meaning to post pictures about our summer, but it never happened....I guess better late than never right? We did go to Wyoming and help Grandma and Grandpa Cronk brand their cattle in May. But I just made those photos into a book and never got them posted, sorry! Also in May....
Clayton graduated Kindergarten!

Wilfred had a few days of working at the yard doing equipment maintenance. The kids love to see what daddy is doing at work, so we took a picnic lunch to him. Kaleb spent some time dreaming of driving Daddy's truck.

The kids eating with Dad.

We also had some scorcher days here this summer.....

We experienced our first lost tooth! Just a week later he lost his 2nd tooth.

Why buy toys when a bag of $4 plumbing parts is far more interesting...he played with this for hours!

Clayton got to spend nearly a whole week working with his Dad. Wilfred was not on the crane, instead he was doing some tree clearing and pipe fence building. I was able to take lunch to Wilfred everyday that week....the kids loved seeing and eating lunch with Dad. Clayton had built this shelter for himself. (Dad helped just a bit.) So he and Dad ate lunch in there.

Kaleb has become a climber.... He was climbing onto this box and then sliding across it, plopping off at the end, just to get up turn around and do it again. I think it looks like he is practicing his iron working skills.

In May Grandpa Gary made a camping/fishing promise to Clayton. So the last week of July we went to Heron Lake for 4 days. The kids had a blast......can you believe this is the only picture I took, and we were leaving?!

We also Celebrated 2 birthdays and started school but I will post those separately.

Walk for Life...

2010-07-19T11:28:00.000-06:00

I am going to be walking in the Walk For Life on August 28th. It is a fundraiser to benefit Care Net Pregnancy Centers. I am hoping to do the 3 mile walk/waddle with my kids. Would you please consider sponsoring me? THANK YOU!!!!

Walk for Life

P.S. Each of us is here because our parents chose life! Remember to thank them.

Baby is a.....

2010-07-14T10:57:00.002-06:00

BOY!!!!! I would like to know who my 5 BOY guessers were.....just announce to the world here that you were RIGHT!!!

All looks well. Heart is very strong and fully formed. All fingers and toes are there. The measurements were perfect for my due date. I am due the 29th of November, which signs me up for one miserable Thanksgiving! Here it will be the BEST holiday of the year and I will be too miserable to eat. Wah me! (there I am done with my little pity party. )

Now we just need a name....

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE...

2010-07-12T08:57:00.001-06:00

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup....

2010-07-05T15:01:00.004-06:00

Now I will admit, chocolate isn't my preferred vice, but sometimes I do crave it! Recently that craving has been for chocolate syrup. (Blame the pregnancy hormones!) I can not stand the stuff that you buy in stores. Not only is it artificially flavored, but you can't pronounce half the ingredients. So this craving caused me to search for a homemade version. After looking at several recipes I found one I liked, but still had to change it to suit my tastes. Most versions came out pretty watery or runny. I like a mix between syrup and hot fudge consistency. So here it is my version of Homemade Chocolate Syrup.

Homemade Chocolate Syrup
½ cup cocoa powder

1 cup water

2 cups sugar

1-2 teaspoons cornstarch

⅛ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon vanilla
Mix the cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch and the water in a saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa and sugar. Boil for 3 minutes over medium heat. Be careful not to let it get too hot and boil over! (Boil over it will! Don't turn your back for a second!!!) Add the salt and the vanilla. Let cool. Pour into a clean glass jar, and store in the refrigerator. Keeps for several months, but will most likely be devoured before then. Yields a bit more than two cups.

Serve over any ice cream....especially the Homemade kind.

Thank GOD For FREEDOM!

2010-07-04T14:07:00.002-06:00

free·dom
Pronunciation: \ˈfrē-dəm\
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being free: as a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another

Happy Independence Day! I am thankful to those who have fought and served for our freedom. I am thankful that I am FREE to serve GOD. To openly own a bible, and read it. That freedom means more than any other to me.

Celebrate, enjoy time with family and friends, but don't forget to thank GOD for that FREEDOM which we celebrate today!

It is Well With My Soul, Jars of Clay

2010-06-29T15:44:00.000-06:00

I love this Hymn. It feels like it was hand picked for me this week. While this is not classic version, it is nicely done.

Health Warning!!!...

2010-06-16T18:36:00.001-06:00

Information about Gonorrhea Lectem

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of this old disease. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim. It's pronounced "Gonna re-elect 'em," and it is a terrible obamanation. The disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior involving putting your cranium up your rectum. Many victims contracted it in 2008...but now most people, after having been infected for the past 1-2 years, are starting to realize how destructive this sickness is. It's sad because Gonorrhea Lectim is easily cured with a new drug just coming on the market called Votemout. You take the first dose in 2010 and the second dose in 2012 and simply don't engage in such behavior again; otherwise, it could become permanent and eventually wipe out all life as we know it. Several states are already on top of this, like Virginia and New Jersey, and apparently now Massachusetts, with many more seeing the writing on the wall

(I LOVE this....Thanks for sending it in my email Raelene.)

Lay 'Em Down - NEEDTOBREATHE

2010-06-08T13:36:00.001-06:00

This song seems to be the words that have been on my heart for so long. "All you sinners, weak of heart, all of you burdened broken down, bring all of your troubles, come lay 'em down!"

Oh for me to know how to just come and lay those troubles down to the one friend I have that gave his life for me.

My Little Dare Devil......

2010-06-07T16:49:00.004-06:00

This one is going to keep me on my toes....if not completely gray haired in a few years!
He is always climbing up onto or into something. Or standing up and pulling things over on himself. He is always sporting some type or red mark or bruise. He is also the one who finds it incredibly entertaining to bash his forehead into yours hard enough to make your teeth clatter. The louder you yelp the funnier it is!
Today I ran out to turn on the water in the garden. I was gone maybe a minute. As I came back on the porch I heard him banging on the piano. I sighed with great relief knowing I could safely open the door without mowing him down. (This is another common occurrence as he thinks it is his duty to stand in front of any closed door and wait for you.) I swung the door open wide and found this.......

Yes Folks, that's right he IS standing on the vacuum! While I was out he had pushed the vacuum up to the piano and climbed on top. Normally he just stands up and reaches the keys from the ground.....but no not this time. This time he wanted to reach the piano books as well! So there he was playing and dancing atop the vacuum. Yes, my heart stopped. I quickly recovered and ran for the camera.....all the while praying "don't let him fall, don't let him fall!" Just another normal day with our Cub.

Just My Thoughts Today.....

2010-06-05T15:27:00.002-06:00

We are making slow progress on the garden. We had planted all our tomatoes and peppers the last week of May. We put them in Hot caps to protect them from the wind. We left for Wyoming and came back to find they had FROZEN!!!! So I planted 12 jalapeno plants for Wilfred and 2 more tomatoes this week. Maybe just maybe we will have a long enough season to get some fruit. Wilfred is out now planting the corn, beans, and other goodies. This is the latest we have ever planted our garden before....but with such weird weather I guess we had no choice. It is 95 outside right now. It was supposed to get to 105 in the big city today, makes me glad to live on the other side of the mountain. The news said we haven't had it this hot this early in June since 2004. We also have a HOT, DRY wind gusting out there.

Wilfred put in a window a/c for me on Thursday night. I am enjoying it! It is much quieter than our swamp cooler was. (Swap cooler had to go when we built Kaleb a room.) It manages to keep the living room about 10 degrees cooler than outside.....I'll take whatever I get. I have always gotten heat stroke easily and it is much worse when I am pregnant. Yesterday I planted moss roses out in my porch planters. I had the kids out helping me....when I got too hot I began throwing up. The kids were sure worried! Lindsy was quite fascinated with the color and Clayton was certain I was going to die. We have eaten our dinner out on the porch every night. It has been much cooler outside than inside. The kids have enjoyed the picnic style eating and the neighbors have taken to staring as they drive by. We just wave real big and smile.

Wilfred butchered the Cornish chickens this morning. We had 5 birds that all weighed in at 6.5 pounds dressed. Not bad! Lindsy started begging her dad to get more baby chicks. So he caved and put in another order for more chicks. We have 15 Cornish, 5 Black Star laying hens, & 5 Rhode Island Red laying hens coming again in July. I put an ad on craigslist a few days ago to get rid of my surplus of eggs. I said I would charge a dollar extra per carton if I had to meet someone in the big city. I sold out in no time. I am taking a load of eggs with me to the grocery store tomorrow, I have a few ladies who are going to meet me there. They were more than happy to pay the extra for fresh eggs. This has given us some hope for selling our eggs more. If I can build a regular client base that would be awesome. That is why Wilfred put in for more laying hens as well. I guess we will see what happens. Maybe Clayton will get his wish for a farm after all. It'll be an egg farm!

This morning we also had our first snake on the property. Wilfred found it under the feed bin down at the chicken coop. Just a bull snake....but still too much snake for my liking!

Baby #4

2010-06-05T15:20:00.003-06:00

4D 3D and measuring the length.

These were taken at 14 weeks and 2 days. Baby looks good with a very strong heartbeat. However the baby is measuring small. They are keeping my due date the same, but want to check for continued growth. I go back in July for another ultrasound. We will also be able to tell if we have to dig out the blue boxes or the pink ones. Make sure to vote (upper right corner) before my next ultrasound.

Mothers...

2010-05-07T15:33:00.003-06:00

I am posting this today as I won't have time on Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers......especially MINE!

MOTHERS
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors ,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.
Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.
Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up...
Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says , 'Because I love you best.'
Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.....
The Images of Mother
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't know everything!
14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn't have a clue.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.
18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well , she might know a little bit about it!
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide , let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears , the figure she carries , or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes ,
Because that is the doorway to her heart ,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole ,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives , the passion that she
Shows , and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

(This was sent to me by email, I've no idea who authored it.)

Something I Don't Understand....

2010-04-30T12:12:00.002-06:00

Here is my beautiful girly girl daughter. If you look closely you can see that she is wearing a frilly spring dress with some incredibly sparkly pink shoes, while playing in the dirt. She will wear her puffy dresses even on the coldest days. Our arguments usually go like this; ME: "Why don't you wear some pants today so that you stay warm and your legs don't freeze." HER: "I have to wear a dress!" M: (somewhat exasperated) "Why?" H: (equally exasperated) "Because I am a princess and girl princesses wear dresses." M: "Well Princess Jasmine doesn't wear a dress." H: "Well I DO! I have to wear a dress Mommy!"
At this point I give up and throw my hands into the air, all the while giving in and getting down her dress. I don't understand her. I love her dearly....but don't get her.

As a little girl I hated dresses....with a passion. I felt dumb in them, and hated how they felt on me. I hated to be sent to school and get screamed at by the P.E. teacher for wearing a dress on P.E. day. I hated the cold air nipping at my ankles, and the fact that wearing a dress translated into wearing dress shoes. Given the choice I would have gladly picked pants and tennis shoes over dresses any day! As I grew into my teen years and started playing sports and working at the vets office I wore pants far more often. (Mostly it became my choice as I began picking my own clothes) Scrubs were required for work and one just doesn't show up to play basketball in a dress. However, there were still the mandated times and occasions that I was made to wear a dress . My fight with my mom became about the length of the said dress. If it wasn't to my ankles or longer I wasn't interested. Many dressing room conversations with my mom went like this; MY MOM; "What is wrong with this one?" ME: "Ugh! I look stupid, like I am waiting for a flood or something." MM: "You do not, stop being ridiculous!" ME: "I am not being ridiculous, it's just not long enough!"
We would both sigh with frustration and give up. I would be mad because I didn't want to get another dress. Mom would be mad because she didn't understand why I wanted my dress so long.

Now with some changes in my life and some long conversations with Wilfred, I wear pants pretty much everyday. Its not that I am against dresses, I guess I just don't see the point of them. I do have a hard time with the modesty argument. I remember beating off many boys who were trying to peek up my skirt as a kid. So to me how is that modest? If I was wearing jeans I didn't have those problems. Now, I don't agree with jeans when they are painted on a woman. That is just gross and immodest. The same goes for mini skirts, tube tops, midriff tops, and skin tight dresses. I guess for me the issue of modesty comes down to not necessarily what your wearing (dress vs pants) but how you are wearing it.

Back to my original thought with Lindsy. I don't understand her need or drive to wear dresses all the time. I can say I do understand that she is a GIRLY girl. To be completely honest I am a bit jealous of her girly style. I have always longed to be more feminine and a bit girly. I just feel like I don't know how. Without a doubt I know Lindsy is one of my many gifts from God. So while I may not understand her.....I guess I should step back and learn a thing or two about being a girl! After all dresses aren't really that bad. I did just get a beautiful, floor length one from the maternity store this last weekend. It is for a wedding next month. Oh, and yes I did say the maternity store. We are expecting baby #4 in November. Another gift from God!

Life Doesn't Get Much Sweeter......

2010-04-28T13:59:00.003-06:00

Or busier!

Kaleb is loving chewing on this apple. I am loving the blue eyes and curly duck tail!
ATTACK!

Such peace!

The whole picture.....

Working with Amma was such hard work.....he got caught sleeping on the job.

I love it!

Believe it or not Kaleb really doesn't sleep that much. But when he does he sleeps so soundly I love to take pictures of it.

Nothing is safe anymore.....

Just Too Good....

2010-04-08T16:40:00.001-06:00

Maxine on Government Healthcare.....

2010-03-31T16:37:00.000-06:00

Once again Maxine says it best!
Now, let me get this straight......we're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president that also is exempt from it and hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to beoverseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.
What the hell could possibly go wrong?

5 Sure Signs of Spring....

2010-03-26T13:24:00.004-06:00

I meant to post this on Saturday, which was the first day of Spring. I took all these pictures on that day.

1. A snow covered dog begging to be let in. 2. A stir Crazy Hubby who would rather be planting a garden, instead he is watching the snow fall.
3. We are ready to trade these boots for.....

These Boots!

4. Tulips in my windowsill.

And on my Table

5. I can't take a picture of it but We are suffering allergies and 65MPH winds. Yep, It's spring!

Pumpkin Pants + Fuzzi Bunz = AWESOME!!!!

2010-03-26T12:32:00.002-06:00

I guess I had better explain myself. I have been toying with the idea of cloth diapering for quite sometime. Kaleb turned 8 months yesterday....in his 8 months we have spent a fortune in diapers. We can not find one that doesn't make Kaleb get a rash on his body. He is very sensitive to the filler in the diapers. We have tried them all....natural and unnatural brands. The other thing is Kaleb is a very HEAVY wetter, leaking through most disposables. I decided to give cloth a try. I have have gotten just a handful of different brands/types. I have some Bummis prefolds and covers. I have one Bamboo fitted diaper that needs covered. I have 2 Bumgenius pocket diapers. Last but not least I have 1 Fuzzi Bunz perfect fit pocket diaper. I am not a huge fan of the Bummis. They are pretty bulky and the covers are a crap shoot in fitting well. The Bumgenius is ok..... I like it, but it is also bulky. I love the Bamboo one.....but put a cover on it and once again too bulky. I LOVE MY FUZZI BUNZ! It isn't a one size diaper, so it doesn't have a whole lot of extra to it. I would gladly trade all of my Bummis for the Fuzzi Bunz perfect fit diaper. I have been doing some Internet searching trying to find a different type of cover that won't make the bamboo one so bulky. I stumbled across Pumpkin Pants by Jenoa.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenoahp She made Kaleb a pair of Longies in fleece. I am not a huge fan of wool so I liked this option. I was able to put Kaleb in the Bamboo diaper and these longies with out any soaking messes. The fleece held the wet in. I LOVE THESE! Thanks Jenoa, I will be back for more!
Here is the one Fuzzi Bunz that I have. Very trim and fitted, NO BULK. I would recommend these to anyone who is interested in Cloth diapers.

Of course when you cloth diaper, you must be careful of the type of laundry detergent you use. I usually use Seventh Generation scent free. While this works just fine, sometimes I feel like I have to use way too much soap to get our clothes and now diapers clean. Dalayna suggested that I try using Crunchy Clean, so I ordered a few sample packs. Once again I am really impressed. I am not a huge fan of the essential oils they promote as I use Young Living Essential Oils. YL Oils are far more pure than their brand. http://luv2oil.younglivingworld.com That being said, I do love the Clean of Crunchy Clean , I just stick to their unscented and plain version. Check them out at: http://www.crunchyclean.com/

Anyone have any Fuzzi Bunz they don't want?????

Lions & Tigers &........KIDS OH MY!

2010-03-19T06:43:00.002-06:00

Last month we had lunch at the Elephant Bar. The Kids were given these cool glasses to help keep them busy.

What Kaleb Is Up To.....

2010-03-04T16:50:00.003-07:00

Looks like TROUBLE to me! He is Just barely 7 months old. He has been crawling for 2 1/2 weeks and now he thinks he is ready to walk???????? AAAAAHHHHH! After a heart stopping moment of realization that he did this all by himself....I grabbed the camera. I foresee the crib being lowered in the immediate future.

Question of the day...

2010-03-01T16:03:00.000-07:00

Spring Has Sprung!...

2010-02-22T10:54:00.003-07:00

Can you feel it? Spring is here..... Go Karts to be raced, Tractors plowing, gardens being planted, houses needing scrubbed to a shine, tulips blooming, grass turning green, baby chicks hatching..... Oh the many things of spring. It's here, it REALLY is!

Awwww SHUCKS! I guess the chicks gave me spring fever. It is snowing here today. I got a 5 a.m. call this morning informing me that my chicks were at the post office. I guess I just started dreaming of Spring. It can't be that far off can it?

WHERE HAVE ALL THE BLOGGERS GONE????

2010-02-10T16:29:00.002-07:00

Am I the last remaining blogger holdout? Is Facebook really that good? I am beginning to wonder......after all I updated a week ago with some pictures of my super cute kids. How many comments did I get in a week????? ONE- Thanks Maxine! I know I've been a bit slow updating....but really if I don't have blog readers what is the point of blogging? The fate of my blog may be in your hands......Say Hi and let me know I'm not really alone in blogland.

January 2010

2010-02-04T09:56:00.004-07:00

One Very COOL Dude! (Yes, those are sister's princess glasses.)

Great Hair Broden!

What is Your Problem?

Broden, Kaleb, Jaylen

Kaleb is the oldest born in July, Broden born in September, Jaylen born in November.

I can see a lot of trouble being created by these 3 cousins!

Swimming in the tub.

Thanksgiving...

2010-02-04T09:43:00.002-07:00

Meeting Jaylen for the first time.

BTW, Kaleb's outfit says it all. "THANKSGIVING ROCKS!"

WE'RE BACK......

2009-12-10T16:14:00.022-07:00

After much personal debate We are finally back to the land of the blogging. When my computer deleted itself, I gained a lot of time for thinking. I am not sure I want my family's information out on the web for just anyone to see. However I do realize this is an awesome tool for family and friends to keep in touch. If I didn't post recent pictures of the kids, most of our family and friends would never see them. So for now I am going to keep blogging. Someday I may decide to go crazy and delete it.
The past 2 months have been super busy. So get comfortable there are lots of pictures ahead!

It's a bird.....It's a plane........It's Nemo's Butt???? October started with balloon fiesta!

What was I thinking taking a newborn out in this crowd??????

Thanks for coming to see us April, Juli, Laney, & Heather. We hope you had fun!

What is this? I do believe we have found Princess Lindsy!

October ended with Lindsy's 3rd birthday.

A dollhouse bombing the morning after Lindsy's birthday. Thankfully Wilfred was able to find all the pieces and put the dollhouse together.

Kaleb kissing his Duck.

Meeting New Cousin Broden. He is 1 month younger than me. Welcome to the family cutie! Like my COOL hat?

Trouble looking for a place to happen! Before I grabbed my camera she was sitting on the dog and eating the bagel. Yes, she is clomping around in brother's boots while he is at school.

Thanks for the Bumbo Amma! He was riding in it through the store.

NOVEMBER

Kaleb's first vacation! My parents took my sister, her husband, and us on a Disney Cruise. Then to Disney World and Sea World.

Look who we found in Orlando!!!!!!

Grandpa and Granny Hughes (the great-grandparents)

The group of us ready to get on the ship.

Scale model of the ship.

The Cruise Director's name was also Clayton. The weirdest part is that his last name was Lindsey. Creepy eh????

Fun Napkins Hats!

What is this white stuff between my toes???? Meagans Bay, St. Thomas USVI.

Lindsy was afraid of the waves but she did LOVE the sand.

Our waiter showed Clayton a Magic trick every night at dinner. Clayton thought there was water in the cup.

Cinderella stopped to talk to Lindsy. Lindsy was very excited to show her the picture she'd taken with Daisy Duck.

Kaleb wasn't as impressed with Cinderella as she was with him.

Disney's private Island, Castaway Cay.

That is it for the cruise pictures. There are so many more I want to share. But I only have space for so many. I will post Disney World, Sea World, and Thanksgiving in a few days.

Nope......

2009-10-16T22:09:00.002-06:00

Nope...we're not dead....BUT our computer is. Along with so many pictures that will never be replaced. Ahhh, the crappy part of technology. I do have lots to share...so be patient and keep checking. I will post again soon.

6 Years!.....

2009-09-23T11:02:00.002-06:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to My Dear Hubby! We've been married 6 years today. Sadly I can't get a wedding picture to scan. I searched through all my pictures and this is the only picture I could find that had the 2 of us in it. It was taken nearly 2 years ago! WHOOPS.....I think it is time for a family picture!

Long & Very Overdue.....

2009-09-12T10:30:00.006-06:00

It has been a long while since my last post....

We have been so busy trying to cram in as much as possible in these last few weeks of summer. I love this picture of Clayton protecting Kaleb. Kaleb has a million dollar smile hidden behind that fist! My mom had a birthday a week after Clayton's. Here are the 3 musketeers enjoying the porch swing.
Clayton started Kindergarten on the 17th of August. This is his first, first day of school picture!

Sitting tall at his work station in Class. Yes, I cried. Wait....I didn't just cry, I bawled!

That next weekend we went camping at El Rito. We were right along a shallow creek. Even Missy got to go!

Here is our tent. We heard the creek babbling all night.

Kaleb was a happy camper.

The camp cooks.

This is my walking setup. I LOVE my Bob stroller, and so do the kids! We drop Clayton off at school, come home, buckle in, and walk 3 miles.

We also spent a weekend butchering chickens. We butchered 12 Cornish rock chickens. Our largest was 6.75 pounds dressed. The smallest was 4.89 pounds dressed. We celebrated by smoking one the next day. YUM!!!!

I have been canning, canning, canning, and did I mention Canning? This some of what I have done. My regular pantry is full of jars too. I still have some tomatoes and sweet corn to can. I love all the colors.

My dad reserved a cabin at a Lake for Labor Day weekend. Lindsy and Clayton LOVED fishing on Grandpa's boat! Grandpa even bought Lindsy a PINK fishing pole! (I love Clayton's shadow on the door.)

I spent 2 days 4-wheeling. One day with my mom. The other with Wilfred and the kids.

They are ready to get the show on the road.

We rode rough trails, rock and hill climbed, even stopped and ate some wild huckle berries.

I am a bit windblown....but having fun!!!!!!!!

Kaleb at 6 weeks.

Clayton came home from school 3 days ago with his first love note. Written by a girl named Darien. His best friends are Stephanie and Emma. (Sounds like little boy paradise! I wonder what will happen when he realizes that girls have cooties?)

I had so many pictures to share...but narrowed them down to a few. Wilfred took Clayton bear hunting this weekend. I am home with Lindsy and Kaleb. I hope to get Kaleb's room painted so Wilfred can get the baseboards on this week. The we can put the finishing touches in his room and move him in!

Hiking & Kaleb....

2009-08-13T14:10:00.002-06:00

Found an acorn, Found an acorn.........

We went for a small hike in the forest on Sunday afternoon. Wilfred and the Kids went further and faster than me, but it was still fun to get out. We saw LOTS of Bear sign.... Maybe Wilfred will get a bear this fall.I am a proud baby wearing Momma!
Me and the Kids

My mom and Lindsy in their matching shirts.

"Mom, what is this strange vibrating feeling?"

The shirt says it all; 'Totally Cuter Than Dad'

Too Cute To Resist.....

2009-08-07T16:12:00.002-06:00

This is one of my favorite pictures of Kaleb. I can't resist the cuteness of his butt sticking up. He is curled up like he was in my belly. He is 12 days old here. He had a check up and PKU test yesterday. In 12 days of life he has grown 3/4 of an inch and gone up to 8 lbs 15 oz. Clayton is sooooo excited to be 5. Yesterday I took him to get his school supplies. Here he is starting to sing happy birthday to himself. Once those candles were lit he broke into song and led us all into wishing him a Happy Birthday!
Kaleb and I enjoying an evening on the front porch.

Snuggles after a bath.

Yep, he smiles already!

Happy Birthday Clayton!

2009-08-01T16:10:00.003-06:00

Clayton is 5 Years Old TODAY!!!! We plan to celebrate with Coke Cake and Fireworks!

HE'S HERE!!!!!!!

2009-08-01T15:53:00.003-06:00

My baby belly, from my view point! This was taken on July 11th. Kaleb Tyler Born July 25th at 1:28 am.
8 lbs 2 oz 21 inches long

Daddy holding him for the first time.

The kids seeing Kaleb for the first time.

Lindsy is PROUD of her baby brother.

Clayton is so good and gentle with Kaleb.

Soon to be Dad, Collin, learning how to change a diaper.

1 week old!

Delivery was fast....but not painless! At 1 am, I was dilated to 6cm and had no medical intervention. Shortly after 1 am, I finally ok'ed a pain shot. They put in an IV and gave me a shot of Fentinayl (sp?) at 1:10am. Kaleb was born at 1:28 am!!!!!

Do We Really Want To Be Like Canada?.....

2009-07-22T11:06:00.001-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2jijuj1ysw

Another Clayton-ism....

2009-07-20T22:37:00.002-06:00

Tonight Wilfred finished the last of the drywall sanding on our remodel project. We have been living in several inches of drywall dust for the last 3 weeks. Clayton was on the potty tending to business when Wilfred came to tell me that he was finally done. Just being silly Wilfred and I started shouting things like: Yippee! Woo- Hoo! Clayton who could hear us from the bathroom yells, " WHAT HAPPENED MOM? DID YOUR WATER BREAK?"
My 4 year old made my night! The sound of disappointment when I told him no it had not yet broke. To know that my kids are just as ready and waiting for the baby to make his appearance, fills my heart with joy!

But, yes as you have more than likely guessed....I am OVERDUE! We are still waiting!!!! Also, my midwife has left for NH, where she will be for the next 3 years. On the upside, I met the one who is filling her place today. All of us love her just as much if not more than my last one.

I am guessing this is my latest lesson in patience......and not an easy one at that!

Just Waiting.......

2009-06-29T18:36:00.003-06:00

My mom had surgery to repair some tendons in her foot on the 10th. I went and helped her out during the day, until she went back to work. Here she is snuggling with one very tired girl!Of course the kids were with me while I was taking care of my mom. I didn't realize how much they hear and pick up until I found them playing hospital. I was finally back at my own home and scrubbing the bathroom when I realized it was deathly silent in my house. I searched the house over and heard a bunch of giggling coming from Clayton's closet. I yanked the door open to find them like this:
Clayton says to me, "Hi mom. We are playing hospital." Lindsy says, "Yeah, I had foot surgery cuz Clayton poked me!" I nearly died from laughter. Lindsy even had her feet elevated on a little pink pillow. (It's hard to see since everything of hers is pink!)

Clayton is our little chicken farmer. (He shares my love for chickens!) Friday he was outside playing. I hear him singing sweet songs and went to look. He had my chicken scooped up and was walking her around. He would stop and kiss her head, sniff her a bit, sway side to side, and then go back to singing and pacing. (Think he is practicing for the new baby?) This hen took it all in great stride. Apparently she doesn't mind too much since she is always following him around the yard. Here we have a whole pile of Rio Grande baby Turkeys. ( 10 of them) They are also currently taking up residence in the dining room.

So while we have an abundance of babies around here, we are still waiting for THE BABY to grace us with his presence. They had though he was breech again. After a weekend of doing every trick in the book, I had an ultrasound which did indeed prove he was in the proper head down position. However, he weighed in at 6lbs 14 ounces in the ultrasound. (That was a week ago today.) The little stinker still didn't give us a picture of his face. We did get a glimpse long enough to see he was sticking his lips out in a fantastic pout! I am on pins and needles.....begging to be done! Any day now!!!!!!!!!!!

Chicks, Bears & Demo......

2009-06-07T18:44:00.005-06:00

This is one of the Cornish roasters that we are raising for meat! The food scale was just a fun way to measure the growth of our chicks. It is pretty Ironic! Friday we took the kids on a picnic to the mountains near our home.

Getting ready for our hike!

You didn't know that the desert southwest had places this pretty!

The grass was taller than Clayton.

And YES, We ran into a bear! That is a REAL bear!

The demolition has begun.....Wilfred is taking out a wall to build a room for our baby.

Wilfred made the kids happy by giving the kids a tub of water to make mud pies in. Of course mom had to clean up the mess!

Lindsy just had to help me make cinnamon rolls this morning. She was so excited she forgot to get dressed!

The Chicks Are Here!....

2009-06-02T17:28:00.002-06:00

Sunday afternoon we got a phone call from the post office. "Your chicks flew in today would you like to come pick them up?" Wilfred took the kids and raced to the post office! Lindsy came home singing "the chick-ies love me this I know" (Tune of Jesus loves me) They are currently making themselves at home in the dining room in a horse tank. Our Turkeys should be here tomorrow.

My mom got Lindsy a new 'Princess' phone. (She wore out her Polly pocket one!) Last night she would not go to bed without it. When I went in to check on her I found her sound asleep with a death grip on the phone. I took a picture and then pried the phone out of her hand.

My nesting syndrome seems to be kicking into high gear. I am feeling the need to scrub anything, plant everything, and cook, cook, cook. Yesterday I had this panic feeling that we might run out of Jelly. Costco had a great deal on raspberries. I stayed up til midnight making jam. I went to bed but not for long...I laid there thinking that I should clean the bath tub. Today I went on a baking spree which was good since I need to make up some of my Amish friendship bread.

Last but not least-----

We were in the car the other day listening to the radio. The cops theme (bad boys, bad boys) came on for a commercial. When it was over I hear Lindsy pipe up from the back seat "Cowboys, Cowboys whatcha gonna do?" She can sing the correct tune and everything. I nearly drove off the road from laughing so hard. I am very afraid of her turning 16...............

Where Has May Gone?

2009-05-25T11:14:00.008-06:00

Where has May gone? It seems like last time I looked at the Calendar it was just May 1st. I never believed my mom when she said that time goes faster the older you get. Maybe it's not that I am getting older...it's that I'm getting busier! So many things to do and only 24 hours a day to do them! I took Clayton down to the school to register for Kindergarten. He is so very excited to start school. I was in 5th grade the year that school first opened. The office lady is the same one that ran the office when I went to school there! She recognized my maiden name, and had me point myself out in the school picture hanging on the wall in the office. Talk about a weird feeling! Here it was ME pulling up to the school with MY kids in the car....Not me being the kid with my mom driving!
I also had another ultrasound...I haven't gained much weight and my midwife was concerned. Turns out everything is fine. This little boy is a stinker and wouldn't show his face (again!) I got 6 good pictures of proof that he is without a doubt a BOY! For the ultrasound he was in a Frank breech position. (Both Head and legs up) He has since moved in to the correct head down and ready to go position. I am at 32 weeks and counting! Also since I had a reaction (again) to the RhoGam my midwife typed Wilfred's blood. We found out he is an A-. So she said I will no longer have to have any RhoGam unless one of our children pops out with a + blood type. (But that would be very unlikely!) I am so happy, If I could do cartwheels I would!
We have been working outside in the yard every spare moment. Clayton always runs and jumps into the wagon anytime he sees his dad pulling it. Wilfred decided that it was his turn for a ride. So as Clayton was going to put the wagon away Wilfred ran and jumped in. Clayton managed to pull Wilfred for a ways.....mostly it was down hill!

I realized that my kids have never been to the zoo. (I am a bad mom, I know!) We took a Friday afternoon and took the kids to the zoo. It was HOT and busy. Lots of end-of-the-school-year field trips. I sure did gain an appreciation for my mom who always chaperoned at our zoo field trips. Nonetheless we had fun. Here was the pink, pink, pink birds that Lindsy liked.

This condor was using his wings to cool himself.

A bobcat sleeping in his swing in the shade. He must have lots of personality!

Last week we went to lunch with my mom. The kids begged her to ride in the back with them. And since what the kids want they get, when it comes to grandparents, my mom crammed herself between the car seats.

Daddy brought Lindsy her first flowers! She was so proud of her "lel-low lilies"

CAN ANYONE HELPS US??????? Does anyone know what kind of mouse this is? We have caught 3 in the chicken coop. They are grey like a regular field mouse, but 4 times the size. They are not as big as a rat, nor do they have the tail of a rat. It is like a mouse on steroids. Anyone have any guesses?

Since Wilfred has been working out of town during the week, he has been making sure to spend time with the kids on the weekends. Clayton has been needing a set of shelves in his closet. Wilfred had Clayton help him build them. Here is Clayton sanding down his shelf.

And the finished project. They just need painted!

The picture of a TOTAL girl! (She is wearing her sunglasses to watch Hanna Montana)

One last thing, I have to tell on Clayton again!

With Wilfred getting his blood typed and all this mess with RhoGam, there has been a lot of 'blood' talk in our house. I didn't really realize how much until I was playing with Clayton a week ago. He was pestering me, tickling me and just being ornery. I started to tickle him back and he grabbed my 2 hands and sat on them and held them with his own for extra measure. Very smugly he says to me, "There mom you can't tickle me now!" I replied with, "Are you sure about that?" Clayton, "Yes" Me, "Are you really sure about that?" Clayton, "YES!" At this point I had started to wiggle my fingers to see if he was still so confidant. I asked him, "Are you POSITIVE about that?" He looked at me strange and says, "NO mom I am an O-!" I laughed myself to tears. And yes he is right, he really is an O-.

Catching up from April.....

2009-05-04T23:50:00.013-06:00

Here we go another long post....... a week after our beef run William and Jenna flew down to see us. The kids were so excited to see them! Here Lindsy is showing off for 'Uncle Will-um'. She doesn't seem to notice that he is fast asleep and not paying any attention to her. :)

Everyone is reading. Lindsy on Uncle Will and Clayton on Aunt Jenna.

We drove up to Red River, NM to spend the night and do some fishing. We went to Eagles Nest Lake and had no luck. Pittman's drove over and met us for dinner that night. Our kids sure enjoyed spending time with their kids. I forgot to take pictures but Marlene didn't! ( http://marlenesmosaic.blogspot.com/2009/04/cousins.html)

The next morning we woke up to snow/rain/sleet. This was the view out our door.

Lindsy and Aunt Jenna.

A duck floating down the river.

Uncle William took Clayton Fishing. (William has hero status in Clayton's book.)

On the way home we decided to stop and check out the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. I couldn't stomach walking all the way out on it. Wilfred with Lindsy. William, Jenna, and Clayton are way up ahead.

Further down the road on our way home we stopped to fish the Rio Grande River. I got a bite but had no luck. We did have lots of fun though.

Wilfred really wasn't cranky he just looked it here.

Dad volunteered to go with us to the grocery store. While there he decided that he would like to have a coconut. Neither Clayton or I enjoyed it but Wilfred and Lindsy loved it!

Notice her shiny coconut milk chin and cheeks!

We also celebrated Grandpa Gary's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!!!!

Then there was bowling! Best Buds...Collin and Clayton.

Korina and Collin (They are so cute finally married!)

Getting some last minute instruction from Amma.

Cousins.....kissing cousins! Alexander and Lindsy. Alexander is 4 months younger than Lindsy.

Lindsy got a new Car seat to go in her Amma's truck. She had to try it out through the store!

Missy is nearly a year old. Here she is giving me her best sad eyes.

And here she is in her FAVORITE pose. She loves to sleep like this.

Grandpa Morris also flew down for a weekend visit.

Here is a RARE photo. Me pregnant. I hate to have pictures taken of me and I found this on my camera that Wilfred had snuck thinking it was his camera. No my hair is not yet combed here but as you can tell I am not only wide in the front but also in the back. UGH! Just try to focus on the cute girl who is so intent on helping mix the muffin batter. Lindsy's new 'cheesy' grin.

The next 2 pictures are for Lou Puderbaugh. She made these quilts. Lindsy's is Raggedy Ann. Clayton's is Thomas. The kids LOVE their quilts and sleep with them every night. (Check out Lou's blog at the right.)

Wilfred spent April trying to get a sprinkler system put in. He finally got it nearly finished this past weekend. Here he is digging some of the trenches.

Of course, you can't have those fun trenches with out having 2 kids full of imagination to play in them!

I hope you've enjoyed catching up on our April. May is sure to be just as busy!

Clayton is Saving the Chickens....

2009-04-30T15:42:00.003-06:00

Now it is Clayton's turn to be told on.......

The kids and I were outside watering today. It felt great to be out in the sunshine! We have 10 chickens 1 of which is blind. This poor little chicken in a great layer...so we just let her be. When she is threatened and not sure of where to run she will crouch down and tuck her head into her chest. To get her moving again we just nudge her with our toe or pick her up and move her. A few months ago I taught Clayton how to pick up the chickens and carry them around. He thinks it is great fun and tries it out on a regular basis. Now back to today.... We were watering and the chickens all came rushing over to scratch at the water in the tree rings. I asked Clayton to shoo them off as they make a mess. They all scattered but the blind one. Clayton gently picked her up and coddled her up against his chest. He began to coo and talk to her as he hauled her across the yard to the chicken coop. About halfway there I hear him start to snicker. I asked him what was so funny. He turned around and grinned. With all the seriousness a child can muster he said, "Oh, I just like to baptize the chickens in their water bucket!" After I recovered from shock I yelled, "You'd better not!" He replied, "But mom, I've done it lots of times before." Now I am thinking on the days egg production is down I had better make sure Clayton wasn't baptizing the chickens again.

RhoGam....

2009-04-28T09:25:00.003-06:00

I went in to have my supposedly mercury free, preservative free Rhophylac IV injection on the 23rd. I am finally feeling brave and or good enough to talk about it.
After receiving the injection my arm immediately began to ache and go numb. It took her about 8 minutes to push the injection into my vein. I personally think she should have taken a bit longer. 10 minutes after the injection was finished I got an extreme headache that pounded directly between my eyes. I felt like I had been sledgehammered between the eyes. I also went very pale and was dizzy. I think that if I would have stood up I would have passed out. I also got a very nasty metallic taste in my mouth, that is still there days later. The metallic taste leads me to believe that this injection was NOT truly mercury and heavy metal free. They are still allowed to use preservatives and mercury in the injections, the flip side being that as long as the amount is below a certain percentage they can label them as mercury and preservative free.
I was kept for over an hour because of my reaction. One of the nurses there mentioned that since I have had a reaction before that I am most likely not reacting to the RhoGam itself but to the mercury in it. Yes, That is right he admitted there was really mercury in it!
One of the other nurses also mentioned to me that while Rhophylac claims to be free of those toxins, they did have one other patient who did her research on Rhophylac and found their claims to not be true. In this patients research she did find that there is one RhoGam that is truly free of those toxins. This is made by Bayer. The nurse told me that she couldn't say anymore, but that she did know that they could order it as they did so for that patient.
I have included the information that I have found on the Bayer RhoGam and how to get it at the bottom of this post. But before I get to that I wanted to mention the KNOWN side effects of the injection that I was given. I am typing this FROM THE BOOKLET that came with the injection.
WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS: Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions may occur. Products made from human plasma may contain infectious agents and diseases. For patients with anemia Rhophylac will increase the severity of the anemia. ADVERSE REACTIONS: Most common are nausea, dizziness, headache, malaise, chills, increased body temperature, and mild extravascular hemolysis. SEVERE REACTIONS: Death. Pretty scary considering these booklets are sugar coated, so they don't scare people! Something else that I learned in my weekend of research. Many children who have never been vaccinated and are autistic usually have a RH- mother who was given some form of RhoGam at 28 weeks. There is no way to actually test the reactions and effects that Rhogam has on the baby growing in your belly. They just ASSUME that it won't harm the fetus. Most children who are autistic test off the charts for heavy metal toxicity in their systems. Parents who have never vaccinated but still have a autistic child couldn't figure out the link.....until they looked at the mothers blood type. If you are an RH- mother please look into making your midwife/Dr order you the Rhogam without Mercury! Remember that just because it says it is free of those toxins doesn't mean it really is. It may only have less than is required to print in their booklets, still allowing them to call it toxin free!
[ ] MERCURY-FREE RHOGAM VACCINE If someone you know is pregnant and RH-negative, they will have to be given the Rhogam vaccine - a vaccine that contains mercury. Babies born to mothers receiving this vaccine have been shown to have mercury in their bodies before ever receiving any vaccines of their own. Since mercury is a neurotoxin, obviously less is better. The good news is that mercury-free Rhogam is available in the United States from Bayer Pharmaceuticals. It used to be called BayRoh-D, but is now called Hyper Rho. You can get a list of distributors that your doctor can use to order it by calling 800-243-4153.

FYI Gardasil.......

2009-04-28T07:59:00.000-06:00

Click here: YouTube - Urgent Warning about Gardasil

The Right Attitude.....

2009-04-17T12:06:00.002-06:00

THE CONFIDENCE OF A 2 YEAR OLD!

Just a few minutes ago Lindsy did something that was very eye opening. I was in my bathroom and she came in. Let me tell you how she looked. She was wearing pj's that showed what she ate for breakfast, had a very dirty face, and tangled and disheveled hair that was standing out every which way. Also she stunk, having just soiled her diaper. In the bathroom we have a full length mirror with a scale under it. Lindsy stepped up on to the scale, looked down at her weight, looked up into the mirror and grinned! Then she says to herself in the mirror, " Whoo-wee I look BEAUTIFUL!"

After several minutes of side splitting laughter I recovered enough to tell her she was indeed beautiful! Without a second glance in the mirror she skipped off, very confidant in herself.

What a lesson for me....to just have the confidence of my 2 year old. NO matter what the scale says, NO matter what the mirror shows...just smile and tell yourself you are BEAUTIFUL!

TAG....

2009-04-09T08:14:00.003-06:00

4-4-4

I've been tagged......

1. Choose the fourth folder where you store pictures on your computer. 2. Choose the fourth picture. 3. Explain that picture. 4. Tag 4 other people.

This picture was taken on 7-21-2007, a month after we moved into our new home. Lindsy had just finished her 2nd breakfast of the morning and I was attempting to do dishes. As you can imagine she didn't sit still for long! This was one day before Lindsy turned 9 months!

I tag..... Dalayna, Jane, Crystal, & Dustin.

Wyoming Beef Run.....

2009-04-01T10:03:00.009-06:00

We had ordered 1/2 a cow from Kelly's Super in Torrington, WY. (They have the world's best natural beef!) Several of my family members also ordered meat. So wouldn't you know it the weekend that we are supposed to pick up the meat, there is a major spring snowstorm, both here and there! We left Thursday evening to try to get ahead of the storm before it hit NM. We did well until North of Las Vegas, NM. We battled blizzard like conditions the rest of the way. At 10 pm we climbed up Raton Pass. It was supposed to be closed but since there were no police or gates in place we went on a head. We had to turn off the headlights and drive by the fog lamps. That was REALLY scary....but we made it fine and as we pulled into Trinidad, CO we found out we could go no further as they did have the road actually closed. We got a hotel room at 11pm and slept soundly as the blizzard raged outside. The kids wanted to share a bed with us so I slept with Lindsy and Clayton slept with Wilfred. For all of Lindsy's 28 pounds she is sure a bed hog. I took this picture when I gave up trying to fit in the bed at 6 am.When Clayton fell asleep we was laying where the Thomas is. He refused to touch his dad....it was a different story at 6 am when they were snuggled together in the middle of the bed. I guess dad is warmer than Thomas.
At Pikes Peak Raceway along I-25 the truck went over 100,000 miles. This is a cool picture of the odometer.

After tough roads we finally made it to Morris and Jeanie's Friday evening. We spent Saturday playing in the snow and hiking around. They had this HUGE snowdrift. Warner and Wilfred took some shovels and dug out a fort in the drift. Clayton had to have his 'coyote' gun with him where ever he went. (It is a TOY gun) Clayton is inside the fort making sure there are no coyotes in there!

The entrance

Even room inside for the adults

From inside looking out....notice the snow stairs?

Of course we had to have a picture of the cows!

Clayton and Juli playing at the Fort.

Lindsy looking out

Clayton and Juli sledding down the same HUGE snowdrift.

Daddy and Lindsy sledding. (Lindsy even went down by herself...I didn't get a picture)

Even I took a turn at sledding. (I did cheat and go down the shorter side....after all I am pregnant!)

Heading inside at the end of the day... notice Clayton has a wet hiney, and a wet head!

After the bath Lindsy and Clayton each had to play some music

On the way home after getting our meat, Lindsy didn't last 10 minutes on the road. She slept for 2 1/2 hours with a death grip on the box of crackers.

The weekend before we went to Wyoming we spent getting sprinkler stuff. Wilfred is putting in a sprinkler system so we can plant some grass and not have so much blowing dirt! We ate lunch at McAllister's Deli. They were so packed that we ordered our food to go and had a picnic in the truck bed! The kids each had their own roll of sprinkler tubing to corral them.

A covered South Mountain. This was taken outside our house.

One evening we went to feed the horses for my parents. Sassy was being....well SASSY! So my goofy hubby decided to give her a dose of her own medicine. She wasn't very impressed.

yes, he was sitting on her feed.

There you have it.....2 posts in 2 days...don't get used to it. :)

Collin and Korina's Wedding......

2009-03-31T12:46:00.004-06:00

Blogger is posting these all out of order and I don't feel like wasting the time to rearrange them.

The kids enjoyed some morning snuggling with Daddy and a box of crackers.

The new 'Cars' table from Amma. THANKS AMMA!
Beautiful lilies from my hubby!

Now the wedding and these are all backwards!
The Newlyweds leaving for the Honeymoon.....Clayton parked himself in the back seat of their car. They kindly gave him a ride to the end of the driveway.

Caught stealing kisses from the bride!

The wedding cake and cupcakes.

Clayton the ring bearer. He spent the first part of the wedding dancing a jig....then handed the ring pillow off and dashed down the isle. I thought of everything BUT making sure he had gone potty before the wedding. He dashed off to go potty and still made it back in time to hand out the rings!

Collin and Korina and Judge Steve Jones.

Judge Jones is the same judge who married Wilfred and I.

Collin and Clayton before the wedding.

Lindsy playing outside before the Bridal Shower. Yes, the house behind us is for sale anyone want to buy it?

Korina trying out her Honey Do whistle.

I made Korina a Mocha Texas Sheet Cake for her bridal shower.

Wilfred helped by free-handing some umbrellas onto the cake. I think it is unfair to have talent like that!

Lindsy helped with labeling all the party favors.

We had a fun bridal shower and they had a Beautiful wedding! We wish them many years of happiness!

The Results Are In............

2009-02-24T22:14:00.003-07:00

Drum roll please! Those of you who guessed BOY have won the satisfaction of being right.

Playing Catch-Up

2009-02-22T12:08:00.005-07:00

AHEM! I would first like to thank my consistent 3 commenter's!
I have finally hauled my camera to the computer to download the latest photos. So here they are.......

Lindsy LOVES raspberries. (With a little whipped cream of course!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILFRED!

I made him a German Chocolate cake (not from a box or can) I failed to make enough icing so while it won't win any beauty competitions it sure did taste good!

The kids have taken to calling him "Farmer Dad". We (he, I just provide moral support) have been getting this years garden spot ready. It will have been 2 years since we have had a large garden. Even the kids are looking forward to it!

Wilfred is using my Ferguson Tractor that my Dad and his brother shared when we were kids. I remember my dad plowing lots of snow with this tractor. We inherited it 3 years ago not in any sort of running condition.

Clayton LOVED to help out with the POOP, err... Manure!

Missy felt the need to try some out as well. NASTY

Being a little girl is hard work. She fell asleep while chattering on her Polly Pocket phone. You'll notice she still didn't let go of it!

Spoons and noses......... the kids couldn't quite figure it out but I do love their expressions!

Dad says "Enough already !"

My mom brought the kids a Thomas the Train ride on. Clayton was a little more interested in putting the track together.

While Lindsy claimed the drivers seat.

Clayton's first Snowman ever! Thanks dad for the help! As you can see this was done the same day the kids got into Dad's grease paint.

Take a moment and vote in the poll to the right. I have my next ultrasound on Tuesday, so look for an update then.

Leave it to Maxine to come up with a solution for the mess that America is in

2009-02-03T15:39:00.003-07:00

Someone emailed me this and I thought it was too TRUE to keep to myself. Sometimes you just have to LOVE Maxine! I bought a bird feeder. I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed. What a beauty ofa bird feeder it was, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food. But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table,and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile,the chairs, the table ..everywhere! Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore. So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleaned up their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be .... quiet, serene.....and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing,free medical care and free education, and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands. Suddenlyour taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's second grade class is behind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English. Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to'press one ' to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than 'Old Glory' are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder...If you agree, pass it on; if not,continue cleaning up the poop

Do you Eat McDonald's?

2009-01-23T13:28:00.001-07:00

Do you know about the 4 year old Hamburger?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IGtDPG4UfI

2009-01-16T09:34:00.006-07:00

There is not much new around here....just that we are expecting # 3, due in July. I am doing well, so is the baby. Here is an ultrasound picture and a short video. This picture is of the baby and its LONG leg. Also there is a faint hand that is reaching up to touch the forehead.Everyone is excited about # 3. Clayton can't wait until we have the baby and he keeps telling about all the fun he and Lindsy will have while I am at the Hospital. (Last time he stayed with my Aunt Diana. Despite her getting sick, he had a GREAT time. He keeps telling Lindsy all the things they will get to do at Aunt Diana's. )

When we had Clayton I KNEW he was going to be a boy. With Lindsy I again KNEW she was a girl. This time neither Wilfred or I have a feeling. What is your feeling? Boy or Girl?

Wilfred did go hunting but got really sick up on the side of the mountain. He spent most of his time curled up on Boulders sleeping in the sunshine. So therefore you guessed it....no deer in the freezer this year. That is ok...he did get an elk.

More of the Kids....

2008-12-24T11:07:00.008-07:00

Daddy has been running around the house today trying to gather his hunting things all in one place. He has a deer hunt coming up next week. As the stuff started piling up in the living room, the kids got more and more interested. Soon Clayton found the grease paint. Daddy couldn't resist......She looks like she has muddy cheeks.....I guess that is the point, right?

Clayton started using my measuring cup as a bow/gun. Who knew measuring cups could be so dangerous.

Both kids were quite pleased with the results....they thought it was the most fun to jump around a corner and scare me.

Clayton's Corgi pup is growing and growing. She has been needing a new kennel for quite some time. I took her with me to Petsmart the other day and we picked out a new kennel and bedding as well as a new collar. When I got home with the things the kids thought I had brought them and new playhouse. (Clayton is on this kick that he is a pup and Lindsy is a kitty cat) I purchased the kennel extra large so that Missy would be able to use it for the rest of her life. I guess I didn't realize how big it was until both kids climbed in it!

About once a day now my newly repeated sentence is; "Kids, get out of the dog kennel! That's Missy's bed!"

The other night we had some snow blow in. The sun started to set just as the clouds were breaking up. I took these outside on the front porch.