Mama and her Blessings...

New Address...

2010-11-06T16:01:00.000-05:00

My new blog address is...

http://www.shadygrovebiz.blogspot.com/

Come on over and join us!

Changes????

2010-11-04T12:15:00.000-05:00

I may be moving the blog...

What would this mean for you?

It would mean a new blog address (url)...

That's all.

I will update more on this later.

Momma's Day!!!

2010-11-02T22:27:00.001-05:00

Mom...

You Done Good :)

You give out more love then anyone I can ever think of!!!

You have taught me everything I know!

You have taught me to be silly...

To give...

To Love God...

To Be Loved...

And Most Important...

To Love Back...

People always say you are crazy for having so many kids...

And that might be true :)

But you give all these many kids something that lots of kids dont get...

A Mom who CARES about us...

A Mom who KNOWS us...

A Mom who is a GREAT example to us...

And a Mom who is a REAL Mom...

Even when we mess up you still give us a hug and Love us :)

Im not too good with words...

so I found this poem for ya :)

There is no love like a mothers love,

No stronger bond on earth...

Like the precious bond that comes from God,

To a mother when she gives birth.

A mothers love is forever strong,

Never changing for all time...

And when her children need her most,

A mothers love will shine.

God bless those special mothers,

God bless them every one...

For all the tears and heartache,

And for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over

A mothers love lives on...

Through many generations

With Gods blessings on each one.

Be thankful for our mothers,

For they love with a higher love...

From the power that God has given,

And strength from up above.

We LOVE you Mom!!!!!

Thank you!!!

I Know You're All Wondering...

2010-11-02T01:54:00.000-05:00

What is happinging in this photo.

A little brother/sister bonding time...

Can you tell this is a house filled with girls?

The one boy is in desperate need of his big brother-n-law to come and get rough and tough with him.

Daddy and Grandpa can only do so much!

January can't come soon enough...

Let Me Just Say...

2010-11-01T09:19:00.000-05:00

The last 3 months have been something out of the ordinary for me.

Deep, Deep, REALLY DEEP DEPRESSION.

Why? You ask...

So many reasons that I can think of and even more that I haven't begun to discover yet.

What I have come to realize is how we, as humans, don't like being confronted with others dark sides.

The fear, anger, sadness, anger, quiet, anger...

Did I forget to mention the anger?

And then, if you are the person going through this dark valley,

you start to feel guilty that you are feeling what you are feeling...

Which makes you feel even worse!

Does that make any sense at all?

This is the place I have been in.

Dark, dark, d.a.r.k.

My family didn't know what to do with me...

so, I think the tried to ignore that it was happening.

For me, this just added to my feelings of loneliness and self hatred.

It really wasn't until 2 members of my family,

who live far away (from me and each other),

acknowledged what was going on with me

and gave me advice and a

chance to "talk it out" that I started to feel better.

Sometimes when we know someone is feeling down, we avoid them.

Or we avoid talking to them about what they are going through.

I am soooo guilty of this.

We don't want them to bring us down.

Or...

We don't really want know what lives beneath the surface.

For the person facing those dark days,

it feels like you just jumped off a cliff

and you know the landing is going to be rough...

really rough

and yet you are falling, falling, falling...

Knowing the landing is coming...

But it hasn't hit yet...

And it's coming...

You're anticipating it...

Where is it...

When will this end...

Why won't this just END!

And Yet, the falling continues.

All I can say is thank God that I seem to be on the upside of things... for the most part.

I am having more up days than down.

I seem to have a bit of my smile back.

I have a bit of my sense of humor back...

(although my husband may not see that as a good thing... lol... He does tend to be at the butt of the joke more times than not.)

Sitting here this morning, writing about this dark place, it would be easy to sweep it under the rug and act like it never happened.

Infact, that is what I would normally do.

I don't like to share those kinds of things with people.

I don't like to show my vulnerable side.

It did happen, though.

It did.

Thankfully, when I felt at my lowest, I knew that God was with me.

I didn't have anyone else I could scream and yell at...

But he allowed me that liberty.

Just as David cried out to God asking WHY?

I did the same.

Yes, I felt guilty for what I saw as my lapse in faith...

but now I can see that my loving Heavenly Father was with me the whole time.

He never let me out of his sight.

He stood beside my while I cried and held me in his arms to comfort me.

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. Psalm 77:1

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:6

How blessed we are when we have that friend that never leaves us.

No matter how dark the place is where we are.

No matter how low we think we are...

He is with us...

waiting for us to call out to Him.

Maybe...

2010-10-30T09:24:00.000-05:00

With a new deck being built on to the front of the house, my little guy has been spending a lot of time hanging out with Daddy and his tools.

Hammering is the big thing.

I am surprised that we haven't had a major smashed finger catashtrophe yet.

Yet....

This little guy is so intent on learning to use these tools...

whether real or play.

I am proud of his initiative.

Maybe we'll get lucky and not have any big disasters...

Maybe...

In the photo above you can see what has become our path out of the house. A series of plywood slabs that keep us from hitting the ground.

But...

Below is the beginning of a beautiful deck.

Beautiful.

We are using the old barn wood.

Planed.

Planed

and then trimmed to size.

This is gorgeous stuff!

The photo was from a few days ago...

so the deck is about half finished now.

Hooray!!!!!

My man is working hard at it...

and he loves every minute of it.

What was I doing while this work was being done?

Only making the most gorgeous french bread!

It really did turn out beautifully.

No.

You don't understand.

I have been making the transition from an electric stove to a gas stove.

It has been years since I used gas...

It is a much bigger change than you would expect!

Some things haven't gone so well.

There may or may not have been some burning of certain items...

maybe...

This bread...

This very bread turned out amazing!

I think I am finally getting the hang of this stove!

Maybe...

Barns and Firepits...

2010-10-29T07:08:00.001-05:00

I've been noticing a trend.

The men...

Out in one of the back fields...

While we girls sit at the firepit.

Sometimes, it is really good to just sit at the firepit...

and enjoy watching two men try to take down a barn...

with ropes, chains and a truck.

My excuse for not being out there

(ummm I don't think they invited me, thank you Lord)

is that I have to document the process.

Taz is smart.

He doesn't get too close.

He stays in the yard with us.

Good boy, Taz Miraz!

Okay...

I'll admit it.

These photos are from last week, when the weather was still warm.

Today...

FREEZING.

But, trust me, I'm not complaining.

This has been the easiest Fall I've spent in years.

There is no snow.

Mild days.

I can handle this!

Have a great day.

I know I will!

What Kind of Day Am I Having...

2010-10-28T07:58:00.000-05:00

Great!

Wonderful!

Full of hugs and kisses.

Thanks for asking....

2010-10-27T07:04:00.000-05:00

I have run out of photos for you guys... that don't seem like repeats.

I love them...

but for you they seem like the same old thing... and are.

So...

I decided to prove to you that we made slab apple pie To celebrate Cadi's 21st birthday...

even though she is far away. Sad.

Sad

Sad...

I miss you, Cadi Lady!

2010-10-26T08:02:00.000-05:00

I may have posted these photos before...

I honestly don't know and I am so tired this morning that I am not going to go look...

Some pretty severe storms came through last night and Momma was up making sure all was safe.

This morning, things are beautiful.

Although I did find visiting Raider in the basement and a broken window where he had managed to get in... again.

He just wasn't meant to be an outside dog.

We spoiled him.

He needs Uncle to come back from his trip and take him back to his warm house in Arkansas.

So...

now that I have rambled a bit...

Enjoy the pictures and have a great day.

Choice...

2010-10-25T07:11:00.000-05:00

I took Aubrey out for a quick photo shoot the other day.

She is such a special girl.

She is beautiful inside and out!

I am really tired this morning. Hopefully I wake up soon.

I plan to make this day great.

It's my choice, right?!

I had a great chat with my second oldest last night.

I love when we really share from our hearts.

She is an amazing young lady...

just coming into her own.

She is just starting to figure our who she is.

I love it!

We have lots and lots of sniffles going on around here.

Hopefully, that passes soon.

Well...

That about sums it up.

Go out and CHOOSE to have a great day!

Personality...

2010-10-24T12:20:00.001-05:00

I sat down this morning to do some editing of photos from the past couple of days.

I was planning on doing a whole post on the excitement that took place when we received a box from Galen and Cadi...

but I couldn't resist posting this picture!

This is a perfect example of crazy attitudes in this house.

Take special notice of the little one on the left...

Do you notice anything... strange about her face?

Click on the picture to get a close up...

She thinks this is hilarious!!

It is definitely a true representation of her personality...

Crazy Face!!

My Wish...

2010-10-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

... that all the little ones

(who have runny noses and nasty coughs)

would wake up in the morning feeling GREAT!

The Road Not Taken...

2010-10-23T09:14:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling good today.

Wait.

Did I just say that?

Was that me?

For a second there...

I thought I...almost... recognized myself.

Even if it was only a second...

it was nice to see myself...

for a bit.

I miss... me.

Now, I'm off to make this day...

Wonderfully Dreamy.

The Road Not Taken

~Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Ups and Downs...

2010-10-22T08:23:00.000-05:00

We are in the process of building on a new front deck. There was a teeny tiny little cement step (two steps really) that you couldn't even stand on while opening the door...

Hmmmmm.

Weird.

Anyway, we finally got tired of knocking people off the step and started building a deck. Eventually the deck will wrap around the house, but for now it will just be a large section of the front.

Why am I telling you this?

Well, because this means that there are planers and saws and drills and such taking up space all over the front of the house.

Really ugly?

Yes.

Necessary?

For now, yes.

This has brought a few new ideas to the kids, however.

Kids imaginations are always at work.

They managed to convince Grandpa to let them "use" a sawhorse.

They "borrowed" a long board.

Now, they are trying to figure out how to make this a permanent feature...

And...

When Daddy has time to make this new project a little safer...

Permanent it will be!

By the way...

I'm sorry for all of the whining and complaining lately.

A lot of emotions and feelings have been brought up with this move.

And...

I am a "stewer"...

It takes me a little time to work through some of this stuff...

I am getting there, though.

I think I have more good days than bad...

I think...

For those of you who are praying for me right now...

Thank you and I feel it!

Really.

You are appreciated.

Someone sent me a facebook message yesterday that just made me feel loved and thought of...

and, well...

not crazy!

lol

Everyone needs to know that they matter, I guess.

This process has really made me do a lot of thinking about how many times I may feel like someone is hurting, but I move on and don't take the time to just love on them.

I am not someone who gets down often...

Thank God!

I will say, that the next time I feel like someone is feeling extra lonely and just needs a listening friend...

I will be so much more understanding!

Now, let's get over my ups and downs and prepare for the onslaught of seesaw photos...

I have a ton of them people...

A ton!

All Things...

2010-10-21T02:53:00.000-05:00

I Would love to say this is a Wordless Wednesday photo...

I just don't seem to have anything to say.

All I seem to feel these days is anger...

At what?

Who knows.

Everything.

Anything.

All things...

So, since I don't want to drag anyone down with me...

I will just leave you with a photo

of a couple of amazing little people

on a beautiful Fall afternoon.

Curls...

2010-10-20T01:09:00.002-05:00

Anyone who knows our Ari...

knows that she has some of the most naturally curly hair around!

This girl has no hope of growing out of it...

as if we would want her to.

I think it is absolutely beautiful.

My hair is also curly...

but where she got amazingly beautiful curls that frame her beautiful face, I got weird tight curl here... loose curl here... wave here... poke straight out here...

So I straighten my hair frequently.

She got the best of the curls!

We have been talking about straightening her hair for the past year or so.

You know... someday we should...

While dad and I were out the other day I received a picture text.

It showed that the girls had been busy...

straightening Ari's hair.

This is a photo of our Ari...

It doesn't even show how tight her little curls are, but you get the idea.

The following photos are of some strange girl with straight hair...

that none of us recognized.

We took photos to remember this strange girl...

and popped her in the shower to get her curls back!

Curls or not...

You can see her spunk!

Beautiful baby girl!

Scenes From This Big Boys Day...

2010-10-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

Brysen turned 5 yesterday...

People!

He IS 5!!!!!

Oh My!

The end of the baby years has come and gone.

He is a big boy now.

Awwwww....

For those of you who couldn't be with him yesterday...

here are a few scenes from his day.

And...

You were GREATLY missed.

The doctor pepper in a football bottle was one of the two things he asked for.

He opened it right before bed, but mean old mom made him put it away.

This morning... right after breakfast... it is out and being sampled again and again and again...

If it were in any other bottle he wouldn't care.

LOL...

Talking to Bampa and Grandma...

He hasn't put this thing down since he opened it!

Seriously...

I had the normal plan of catching the perfect shot of him blowing out the candles...

but he blew the darn things out before the cake was even on the table!

He just couldn't wait.

What a great day...

What a great boy!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday...

2010-10-18T03:48:00.001-05:00

Today is Brysen's 5th Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful boy!!

I can't believe so much time has passed already...

This will be a very busy day with cake baking... and eating.

There will be presents to open and games to play.

So...

I will leave you with some beautiful photos of our evenings so that you won't feel to depressed when I tell you that the cake was wonderful...

He wants chocolate.

Now, off to bake.

Birthday photos will come soon...

Talking and Texting...

2010-10-17T12:38:00.000-05:00

How I feel after talking to my two oldest babies

and texting my son-n-law...

Full of HOPE...

I Know. I Will.....

2010-10-16T01:35:00.002-05:00

I don't feel like I've had much to say lately.

It's all been fluff...

filler...

meaningless.

I'm struggling to find my place.

My voice.

I have so many thoughts running through my head.

I can't seem to make them reach my mouth.

I know what I'm supposed to say.

I know what is expected of me.

I know.

I know...

SCREAM!!!!!!

I know...

I just can't seem to find the feelings that go along with that knowledge.

I'm in a dead zone.

The one thing that I know is that I love my family.

They are what gets me through another day.

I miss my older peeps.

I miss them so much.

But...

That is the way life goes.

My little ones have really drawn closer.

They spend a lot of time. reading and doing puzzles.

Watching them makes me smile.

Smiles are good!

Don't worry.

Really.

Stop it!

I will get through this...

whatever "this" is...

Lonely sounds wrong and empty and stupid.

I WILL get through this.

I will.

I WILL........

Sisters...

2010-10-15T01:25:00.001-05:00

Sisters

doing homework...

A beautiful sight at the end of a long day.

He Didn't Think That Was Funny...

2010-10-14T10:09:00.000-05:00

The first thing I heard yesterday morning...

"I got my armadillo."

This was said with just joyous abandon!

He was thrilled...

over the moon really.

He had shot one before...

and then we had one that was completely destroying our property.

Holes everywhere.

Their holes are really common for breaking people and animal legs...

Anyway, when the kids started tripping in the holes Mark got real serious about trying to find this thing.

He only seems to come out at night...

which limited Mark in his "hunting" time.

But Tuesday night...

He got his armadillo.

He wanted you all to know.

He really did...

He is the proud hunter.

He also wanted everyone to know that it only took one shot...

( the last time was 3... remember?"

So...

I reminded him that that means 2 armadillo...

4 shots.

He didn't think that was funny.

Happy Birthday, Cadi...

2010-10-13T02:50:00.000-05:00

Time has a way of catching up with you...

Before you know it, decades have gone.

Life changes.

Moves.

Morphs.

Mom has to learn a new role.

I won't say every single day of the last 21 years was pure heaven...

That wouldn't be reality.

Arguments were argued.

Words were exchanged.

Lessons learned.

Mistakes made... (oh, how I hate that I made so many)

I will say that I wouldn't trade a single one.

Each and every moment was spent learning and growing and loving.

Happy 21st Birthday, Cadi!!!!

I love you so very much!

Flying...

2010-10-12T07:42:00.000-05:00

Laughter, giggles, smiles, joy, dreams...

flying through the air...

A moment in time.

sick

2010-10-10T15:38:00.000-05:00

I am sick today.

Flu-ish.

Yuck!

I went to church but could barely keep my eyes open...

came home and fell asleep on the couch...

went out into the hot sun with a jacket on...

because I was freezing...

the kids made fun of me...

I came inside because all I want to do is sleep some more.

So...

enough about me.

The photo is of Big Mama.

Our sole surviving guinnea hen.

The only one who made it out of the Raider years alive.

Poor things.

Man...

2010-10-09T05:29:00.000-05:00

My dad said something very important the other day...

"A little boy has so much to learn to become a man."

I've been thinking about that statement ever since.

It is so true.

It is so beyond the scope of what I can understand alone.

It is what so many people miss in this day and age.

We are not all the same.

We can't step into the shoes of something we are not.

I am not a man.

I will never be a man.

I can't begin to understand all of the things that make men... men.

Thankfully...

Brysen has a dad, two grandfathers and a brother-in-law to help guide him along this journey.

The road ahead is long and... I'm sure... full of bumps and pot holes.

With the help of those good men I mentioned above...

He should travel that road just fine!

Thank goodness I don't have to figure it out all on my own....

Woodchucks...

2010-10-08T13:28:00.000-05:00

How much wood can a woodchuck chuck...

If a woodchuck could chuck wood...

The Haps...

2010-10-08T07:52:00.000-05:00

Mark and I are heading out to visit with our Cheyenne today.

I am so excited.

I miss her tons.

Besides, a little birdy told me

that someone is turning 21 soon

and I don't live where the big stores are...

so I will be doing a little shopping and

heading to the post office tomorrow.

I hope it makes it in time.

I told Mark that everyone is going to think we have become some type of firebugs...

Besides the burn barrel and the burn pit...

and burning the garden field...

Last night, we finished making (I use we lightly.. since I had nothing to do with it. lol) our fire pit.

We then proceeded to sit out there long past Mark's bedtime and enjoy a cozy fire.

It was really nice.

I thought I would share this photo of me and my dad.

... now I need to get one of us with my brother!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Dream...

2010-10-07T07:46:00.000-05:00

Pulled from a field...

unused...

unwanted...

A child's dream.

The tire swing.

Mutual...

2010-10-06T07:13:00.000-05:00

We have 4 new additions to the family.

Two cats...

Rosie and Cinderella...

named by the little girls.

David and Goliath...

named by Miranda.

David is the teeny tiny one laying down.

Yesterday, he seemed very sick and we think he has worms,

so please pray as we see if the medicine will do its trick.

The poor little guy is very weak.

Certain family members are enthralled.

In love.

Infatuated.

The feeling is mutual, I think...

Where Were The Marshmallows?

2010-10-05T02:21:00.002-05:00

Sunday was chilly.

After church, the kids department had Family Fun Day.

Everyone had a blast.

They fed us mexican food... yum.

Then the kids played on inflatables.

When we got home, the weather was perfect for getting some jobs done that just can't be done during the hot weather. Who wants to do anything when it is boiling outside? Not us!

There was some painting and cleaning up of the outside... which is a huge problem for me.

We all like a little pride in our homes when we drive up, right?

Anywho...

My dad started asking me some questions about our garden next year.

What did I want to plant?

How big did I want to make it?

We got busy talking this over and then took a walk out in the left front field to kind of map out how big we want this thing.

I was told that we would need to mow very slowly through the overgrown brush around the perimeter and then burn the inside.

I guess those boys meant NOW!

Then next thing I knew, Dad was mowing and then as the sun was going down...

the kids came running in to tell me that they were setting the field on fire.

I walked outside with the bigger girls and...

indeed...

fire was everywhere.

But...

it did warm things up a bit!

Mark is seriously having too much fun out there!

The little firebug!

Buck doesn't really care for the fire..

He proved several times why he is named Buck.

Above is Miranda and Sydnee...

my walk around the perimeter of the fire, "garden", partners.

and...

To prove that I actually live here too...

A photo of me at the fire.

It was a fun and productive way to watch the sun go down on a sunday afternoon...

But, where were the marshmallows?

From Ari...

2010-10-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

Ari decided she needed to send something special to Cadi and Galen.

When I suggested a picture, letter, cookies...

she said, "No."

So, this is what she opted to send...

For Cadi...

For Galen...

For fun...

Love you, Cadi and Galen!!

Amazing...

2010-10-03T09:10:00.001-05:00

It's a cool day today...

Mark and I have headed into the big city to visit with one of our older daughters.

So, I will just have to leave you with a photo of the most amazing young man in the world!

Making Memories...

2010-10-02T05:54:00.000-05:00

Summer days are coming to an end.

We are waking up most mornings with a chill.

The fog lays into the valleys and makes for an eerilly beautiful start to your day.

The kids love that it is cool enough to get outside and really enjoy their surroundings.

Every morning, once the chill and fog burn off, they ask if we can head outside to play.

With camera in hand, we usually do just that.

Tomorrow the weather is taking a decidedly cool turn.

I am actually looking forward to it.

I expect to have a fire burning at least one of those days.

I guess it is time to find the boxes that are still holding the kids warmer clothes.

There are so many jobs around here that still need to be completed.

You know how it is.

This job can't be completed until this and that get finished.

It can seem like a never ending job.

It will get completed.

We will have a long winter ahead to get a lot of inside work done... I hope.

... not the winter part, but the work done part.

For now, I will just enjoy making memories with my sweeties.

Crazy...

2010-10-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

I love this girl...

Especially when she gets a little crazy!!!!

A Little Longer...

2010-09-30T02:42:00.003-05:00

Our son loves football.

Especially now that he actually goes and sits in the stands.

He loves to scream, "Go Blue!"

He loves to hear the sound of bodies crushing other bodies.

He loves the screaming fans.

He loves the noises, smells...

He loves to buy an occasional funnel cake...

... just saying...

When we are at home, he is in constant motion.

Ball in hand, toss, throw, jump, fly, hit, run...

You get the point.

Mama has a hard time keeping up with him.

Nearly every day, he will grab that football and say, "Let's play!"

So I do.

I just can't maintain the same energy level that he can.

I wear out.

Then he says, "Galen likes football."

... and I sigh...

and play a little longer.

Summer's End

2010-09-29T03:34:00.002-05:00

Summer is officially over.

Not just on the calendar, but on the weather map.

I love these crisp days, though.

The leaves blowing around.

The colors on the hillside.

The breeze blowing and making everything feel somehow new... or old.. or different.

We had a very busygreatbigchange kind of summer.

I am glad to see it come to a close and get on with this new chapter of our lives.

As a friend recently reminded me...

Change is NEVER easy.

It is possible, though.

And...

It is possible to do it without completely losing my mind...

...partially, but not completely.

Learning...

2010-09-28T02:49:00.002-05:00

It is chilly today.

Fall may have officially arrived in our part of the country.

The other day, however, the sun was still blazing and the kids were out and about.

Pay no attention to Aubrey's hair.

This was crazy day at school...

and she knows how to do it right!

I guess every animal on the farm came for a visit...

or that is what it felt like everytime I was called outside to see their newest find.

I did NOT take a photo of the snake that I "nicely" told them to get away from me...

I'm sure you can understand.

This little boy thought I was honestly going to let this turtle sleep in his bed!

No Way on EARTH!

He carried that poor thing around forever!

I finally had to make him put it down..

and then he wouldn't leave it alone.

I sent him off to do another task and that poor turtle moved faster than any turtle has moved in the history of the universe. He knew he had his chance and he took it!

Raising country kids is hard...

when you have always been much more of a city girl than you realized.

I am learning, though.

No Photos... Just A Goodbye...

2010-09-27T03:20:00.000-05:00

Today, my beloved Raider will leave us.

He is going to live with my brother in Arkansas.

I will spare you all of the gory details, but he likes to chase birds and... well, sometimes chasing isn't enough.

He hasn't assimilated to being a country dog as well as we would have hoped for.
He needs someone to let him curl up at the end of the bed.
He needs someone to let him hide in the bathtub when the thunder rolls through...

He has been my constant companion for 7 years.
He has been my protector.
He has been my friend.

I will miss him... greatly.

Goodbye my big sweet baby.

Very Quiet...

2010-09-26T08:19:00.002-05:00

Growing up

Quickly

The body always seem to get ahead of the brain.

Either way, it is always to soon for a mom and dad.

I want to keep my babies... well, babies.

Sydnee is off on her first official youth trip this weekend. Thankfully, her older (wiser) sister is along for the ride as well. This seems to be the point when a little girl starts changing into a young lady (hopefully). I know they will have fun and get some good solid training in the Word.

I just miss my baby...

hmmmm...

What is that I hear?????

I... can't... quite... put... my... finger.. on... it.......

Silence.

Without my chatterbox girl here... it is VERY quiet.

Homecoming Parade...

2010-09-25T16:10:00.001-05:00

Friday was Homecoming...

and therefore, the Homecoming Parade.

Now, I know that some of you live in areas like I used to...

where you think your school has some spirit...

and you think your town isn't too bad...

I am declaring that people around here are HUGE supporters of their school and their town.

There is pride in their community.

They love it here and so do I.

Miranda participated in building her classes float.

She spent many, many hours down there putting this thing together.

She is sooo tired, but glad that she was a part of it.

The kids who helped put the float together were allowed to be a part of the float.

This is such an important thing for a kid who is new to the community. You have got to be out there getting to know people... because every other person around has know EVERY other person in town since conception!

The middle school chose 20 kids to ride on one of the fire trucks.

Somehow, Sydnee managed to be #19...

Lucky girl.

Anyone who knows Syd, knows that she was over the moon!

Which means that this already talkative young lady NEVER shut her mouth from the second she was chosen until she had told us about 500 times what it was like to ride up there!

And even then...

I had to tell her that we had already heard the story and could probably tell it ourselves since we were there!

As usual, for our family, we arrived a little early.

We managed to snag a parking spot right on Main Street and let the kids hang out on the street and in the back of the van. They loved it!

I kept taking pictures from our spot...down the road to where the parade would begin. If you notice, there are a lot of cars, but not people at first... and then it gets busier and busier.

I think the picture below was about 5 minutes before the parade began...

People are just coming out and getting serious about finding their spots.

I loved how everyone just stood along the side of the street and talked with friends and family. No one argued over their spots or felt like there wasn't enough room

I was really surprised by how many people were there. It felt like 2000 people where standing along that road. Maybe more!

This is the High School band.

12 kids.

They sound really good!

Football players, Galen...

Football is serious business around here!

You don't mess with football in this area.

If you don't like football... You keep it to yourself!

The firetruck was pretty close to the front of the parade.

Syd was there with a huge smile on her face.

She threw us tons of candy...

just like she had been instructed to do.

LOL.

Candy in the face?

Oh, yeah!

Ouch!

The kids have a bike decorating contest.

I loved the kids who were dragging bears behind there bikes.

We were playing the bears that night.

Last years homecoming queen and her escort....

I happen to play in the worship band with both of them.

Hey Katelyn and Travis!

Anyone want to play

Whack a Bear?

Here comes Miranda!

She is one of the dice walking alongside the float.

They did an amazing job with the floats.

I loved that the alumni from years gone by had a float and they carried signs that showed their graduation year. It was cool to see how proud they all still are of their hometown and school.

... and would any post be complete without some pictures of my crazy munchkins?

That's how it works...

Aubrey tries to "control" the situation...

while Brysen and Ari wreak havic...

and Lily tries to wreak a little havic... but not get caught.

Brysen and Ari don't care if they get caught.

They just think its fun!

Oh...

By the way...

We did NOT win...

but that doesn't dampen our town spirit a bit!

Engraved...

2010-09-25T02:02:00.000-05:00

The other day, the kids were cleaning up cookie crumbs and for some reason I thought that would make a great photo...

Yeah, still not sure about that...

Anyway, when I was looking at the photos, it got me to thinking...

No matter where I am...

No matter what I'm up to...

No matter what I'm thinking...

No matter how alone I feel...

God is with me always.

He never lets me go.

He never abandons me.

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

Isaiah 49:16

I think I was supposed to take those photos...

to remind me that He loves me...

even when I feel unlovable.

Homecoming...

2010-09-24T09:46:00.000-05:00

Today is HOMECOMING in our small town.

I have never seen a town get more ramped up, excited and go all out!

Today is a parade....

for homecoming.

The whole town has decorated and I have been told to come early because everyone attends the parade and the game!

Miranda has been working on one of the floats for the parade and she said she was amazed that you can call up any store around here and ask for Cabool Bulldog blue paint...

and they know exactly what you are talking about...

and they keep a steady supply of this color on hand.

So cool!

So, tonight I will be sitting on some very uncomfortable bleachers (if I can find a spot) and scream and yell to support my team. I wouldn't be surprised if I have a bit of a sore throat later... afterall, I am that kind of gal.

All 3 schools get out early today so they can prepare for the parade and the game.

The kids are loving that.

Sydnee gets to ride on the fire truck in the parade...

Which has her so excited she can hardly contain her middle school self.

Miranda will be with the float she and her classmates have been working on.

She is equally excited, just better at hiding it.

I will be there with the camera to "capture the moment", of course.

The following photos have nothing to do with homecoming or the parade.

They are just of a beautiful little girl with a thousand emotions running across her face...

What a blessing!

Loves to Tell the Story...

2010-09-23T08:18:00.000-05:00

Growing up is hard to do...

Besides all of the hormonal issues, there are just a lot of things to learn and experience.

Miranda has been on overload the last couple of weeks.

She has been very busy with a homecoming project at school and has been getting home late.

She is tired.

She may not be hearing everything I say to her.

We had a very specific conversation about exactly who was riding home from church with her last night...

She may or may not have been listening when I told her that she would be giving her younger sister a ride home. Do not forget her, I clearly said......

We arrived home...

followed a few minutes later by Miranda.....

alone.

There was not a soul in the car with her...

Her dad immediately sent her back to the church to pick up her sister...

as the phone rang with a very tear filled Sydnee telling me she had been left at the church.

Thank goodness for a wonderful church family who loved on her a bit until Miranda was arrived.

They offered to give her a ride home, but Miranda was already on the way.

Poor Sydnee may be scarred for life!

Miranda, however, will never live this down.

We have been telling the story of losing Chey... twice... once when she was a year and a half old...

We were at a car show and I stepped away for about 30 seconds...

Daddy swore that he would keep an eye on her...

She was gone, lickety split!

Thankfully we found her, but that traumatized me big time...

And then, the story that Chey hears at least 30 times a year...

Chey was with Bampa at Marine World when she disappeared on the way to the bathroom.

I think Bampa was traumatized because he loves to tell that story!

I think we may be telling the story of Miranda and Sydnee for years to come.

It's a good thing we were able to laugh about this...

after putting some fear into Miranda.

He Loves Me...

2010-09-22T08:59:00.000-05:00

There has been so much to do.

Some days, I feel like I do nothing... and that is probably true.

I feel overwhelmed.

I get so much going on in my head that it is hard to move at all.

Other days, I feel like I get a ton of things (even if I am the only one who can see or recognize them) finished and it feels good.

My sweet husband has been very busy.

Besides the little things that I need him to do...

He has bee doing plenty of things that will keep his family safe and warm and fed and...

Well, you get the point.

One of his biggest fears is the firewood.

He and my dad have been hard at work getting those huge logs hauled up here and then chopping it.

The kids have been helping to stack it.

Again...

my back fails me and makes it impossible to do this kind of work.

Thankfully, my family jumps in and gets this work done.

Yes, we could rent a splitter... but where would the fun in that be?

Mark is proud of the muscles he is building by doing it the old fashioned way.

I am proud of anything he does that shows he loves me.

Sister...

2010-09-21T02:37:00.000-05:00

A sister shares childhood memories

and grown-up dreams.

Eventually...

2010-09-21T02:24:00.000-05:00

For so many of us...

It is that time of year when we must lay in some wood so that we won't freeze to death during the winter.

My loving men have been doing just that.

It's a noisy, messy job...

so basically I just try to stay out of the way...

Another keeping it real moment...

They boys head out there, drag the big logs out of the lower field and start cutting.

It can keep them occupied for hours.

It makes them dirty and stinky...

And I appreciate it beyond belief!

While I am warming my toes this winter, I will have to remember how hard they worked to make that possible.

I really don't look forward to winter.

Any of you who have read this blog for any length of time knows this...

I am not looking forward to this winter any more than I did past winters, but I am so thankful for all of the blessings we have.

God is so good.

...and spring always returns...

eventually.......

Makes You Smile...

2010-09-20T02:15:00.000-05:00

My favorite time of the year has to be the end of summer.

You know, when the weather has started to cool off just a bit, but it is still warm enough to play outside and enjoy the evenings...

My girls know how to have a good time...

After school, they are outside.

They run, play, laugh, scream, fight and come back loving all the more...

The armadillo holes needed to be counted aparently...

so they all headed back to the swingset to count...

When I caught up with them, they were huddled up laughing over something...

Have you ever noticed how infectious a child's laugh is?

It just makes you smile.

Inside and out!

Brysen...

2010-09-19T02:05:00.002-05:00

This boy is always on the go.

He has been helping to haul wood.

Infact, that is how he got poison ivy...

During the moments when he has to backaway, he keeps busy with whatever is on hand.

The hoola hoop seems to always be close by.

He always wants to play football and Mama seems to be the only one he can get to play with him...

Galen, I have wished for your expertise many times while I stood out in the yard being tackled or chased.

I am sure that I am scaring him for life with my "girly" way of playing.

I'm sure he will survive but he may need some type of survivors class...

However, He is a hoola hoop master...

He would tell you he is a Jedi Master...

For Cadi and Galen...

2010-09-18T20:14:00.000-05:00

I love you both!!!!

Your Days Are Numbered...

2010-09-18T01:35:00.000-05:00

Mark has been stalking the elusive armadillo that has decided it belongs on our property.

Why do we want him gone?

Holes!

Yucky deep holes.

Lots and lots of them...

This is really bad for horses, dogs,and people...

My husband has been tracking him on the nights he can stay up late.

This little monster seems to be aware of that and has gone into hiding on those nights.

He is sneaky...

creepy...

and soon to be a goner!

Beware, Armadillo...

Your days are numbered!

2010-09-17T13:35:00.000-05:00

I had a bad day yesterday...

So, I decided to keep as busy as possible.

I asked my two buddies if they wanted to make cookies and they jumped up and said, "Yes!"

We made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

They had a blast!

They added ingredients and mixed it all up.

The best part of all is getting that handful of chocolate chips at the end...

You know, because you were a good little helper!

Just Isn't...

2010-09-16T08:55:00.000-05:00

Blurred...

Off kilter...

Out of sorts...

I don't know what the right words are...

but it has been coming on for awhile.

I am, by nature, a very positive person. I am somone who seems to get over things quickly. I move on. I don't spend a lot of time fretting about stuff because it doesn't serve a purpose.

This time...

This time, I cant seem to shake it.

I am trying.

I am really trying.

I don't like feeling this way.

I can't even put my finger on what the problem is.

I love where I am.

I love my family.

I love my kids and husband.

Things are good...

But something just isn't... just isn't......

I want to cry.

I literally want to sit here and cry and there just isn't a reason for it!

If you are a praying person... pray for me.

I don't like this place that I seem to be bogged down in.

I just don't know how to find my way out.

Cattle...

2010-09-15T13:22:00.000-05:00

We went over to where we are wintering the cattle this year.

We decided not to do it at our place for various reasons...

one being that the kids are small and not used to these kind of animals...

and the cattle are very large!

Each of them is well over 500 pounds and growing daily.

I know that the smallest of the kids would not think twice about climbing into the field and "playing" with these large animals.

So, we made a decision to let them hang out at our neighbors home, which my dad takes care of during the winter because they only spend the summers here.

We walked out into the field.

They cattle kept their eyes on us the whole time, but they have calmed down considerably and let us get within about 10 feet of them before they stood up and seemed a little nervous.

Now...

I will tell you that I am the mother of 8.

I have changed diapers.

I have been the main cleaner of "sickness".

There is nothing quite so special as following behind some cattle while they all decide to pee.

But, Hey...

I'm just keeping it real!

We herded them over to the pond that is in this field and they all gladly had a drink.

I thought one of them was stuck, but he managed to get himself free.

I did NOT want to go in there and try to rescue him...

but that would have been an interesting blog.

As we stood there discussing the ins and outs of cattle...

we made a decision to get a couple of pigs and raise some bacon...

yum.

Three months ago, you couldn't have convinced me that this would be my life.

But I love it.

I love it!

I just miss my two oldest babies!!

You guys are too far away!

Grandpa has decided that Galen is a great young man.

Wow! What have I said to convince of him of that?

I mean, I tease him all of the time!

Maybe the fact that he takes care of my wonderful daughter and loves her wholeheartedly has something to do with it...

Cheyenne is working hard in her new location.

She loves living out here.

She loves her new apartment and her friends.

I am very proud of her!

Okay, enough updates...

Next year, we will be eating one of those beautiful babies photographed above...

No, it won't be Mark!

Ha ha.

Driving and Playing...

2010-09-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

Somedays around here (not often) we get a chance to play more than work.

Play comes in all forms, though.

Just because something sounds like work to one person doesn't mean it is work for all.

Mowing the lawn is a perfect example.

The girls have fallen in love with the riding lawn mower.

Sydnee was the first to learn to use it, although I somehow can't find the photos I took of her driving it.

Then Daddy got in on the action and drove Brysen around...

who thought it was "So Much FUN!!"

Ofcourse, the swing is always in use.

Aubrey loves nothing more than having someone push her really high...

up into the leaves and branches.

Grandpa is more than happy to help out.

Grandpa noticed a large rock right under the swing and decided it wasn't safe.

He took a couple of minutes, removed it and the swinging began again.

That is Aubrey pushing Lily up into the branches...

The belly laughs coming out of Lily were so cute!

Then Aubrey took her turn on the mower.

Hey Galen...

Now Syd and Aubs know how to drive a stick shift...

Have you learned yet?

Uh Oh....

Am I in trouble for asking that question?????

Capture The Moment...

2010-09-13T04:54:00.003-05:00

Lately we have had some major downpours!

The ground is saturated...

full...

overflowing...

In otherwords, it can't hold anymore!

Now, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining.

I know I have a tendancy to do that when that yucky white stuff would fall...

but now...

Now...

it is the wet stuff and I love it!

One way or another we have to get to the mail box and see what the outside world has to say to us.

I'm sure they have nothing good to say.

I'm sure of it!

However, I go out to that mail box anyway...

Who makes me do this????

I don't kow, but I am sure it is NOT my fault...

Cadi, STOP laughing!

Anyway, back to the point.

Rain has been falling.

The ground can't soak up any more.

The kids had a great idea.

Let's walk to the mail box and jump in the puddles on the way.

Now, the mom in me said, "What? Why would we do that? We might get dirty!"

Who am I kidding?

I said, "That sounds like a great idea!"

And away we went...

For some reason, Ari felt the need to hold her pant legs up the entire trip there and back.

This caused a few problems...

tears...

pout sessions...

meltdowns...

But we persevered.

Brysen did what Brysen does...

He ran and ran...

Run, Forest, run...

Sorry, random movie line going through my head.

He made it to the mail box and then started heading back towards me.

He seemed to be paying more attention to his little sister's meltdown than I was and noticed that she was now at a standstill... or a squat (sqwat, scwat, sacwaat... naw, none of them look right.)... let's just call it a semi sit down, shall we?

Superstar!!

He walked right past his mother, who was trying to "cature the moment" people.

He treated me like I wasn't doing my job.

He acted like I was letting the world down.

He may have mentioned that I was falling down on the job...

and he went to see if his little sister was okay.

He wanted to comfort her.

He wanted to shield her from the worries of this life.

He wanted to make everything right with the world.

I'm sure this was all an attempt to out-do me at my mothering job...

except, remember...

I was busy "capturing the moment".

Do you see the disappointment in the way he is carrying his shoulders?

Can you hear his heavy sighs?

Do you feel the chastisement?

I feel so bad...

but for posterities sake, I needed these shots!

Stop harrassing me!!

Then even the dog got into the act and comforted her first!

Who does that dog think he is?

He beat us both to the punch!!

Finally, we got her back on her feet.

Finally, she approached a puddle...

checked things out real well...

thought about it long and hard...

Checked to see if Mama was watching...

Yes, sweetie...

I am "capturing the moment"

smile

...and in she went!

Good times...

Good times.......

And don't you worry!

I will be around to "capture the moment"...

should anything equally entertaining arise!

** and, yes, Galen... if you look closely...you can see my "under construction house" in one of the photos**

Smiles and Because of Galen...

2010-09-12T04:10:00.000-05:00

I love nothing more than seeing a big old smile on the face of one or all of my children.

The swing seems to be a great place to get this type of shot these days.

They love that thing!

Lily is hanging on for dear life.

Anytime I can't find some of the kids, all I have to do is look out the window and there they are...

on the swing...

laughing...

enjoying the last days of summer 2010...

Aren't those the best days of all?!

And...

Just because Galen loves him...

Here is a photo or two of beautiful Taz.

He doesn't know what to think of the crazy lady

running around taking photos of him all of the time.

So, he just ignores me.

Typical.

What We've Been Up To...

2010-09-10T15:07:00.002-05:00

This house, as many of you know, is under a major amount of construction...

on a budget...

which means...

TIME.

We finally have started putting windows in the front addition.

It only had the one window in, and part of that was blocked by the ac unit.

Great things are starting to happen, though.

Men with tools...

make Mama happy!

This is a view from inside the dining room...

through the addition and out the hole for the window.

The window is now in!!!

Hooray!!!

I sure love those boys.

They are putting so much hard work into making this place our home.

I feel loved!

The boys, however, want to know when all of the benefits of having a son in law is going to kick in...

tee hee hee....

2010-09-10T12:39:00.000-05:00

Even boys can hoola hoop!

Brysen was hanging out with the men while they put a new window in for me.

He got a little tired of waiting to "help"...

so the hoola hoop contest began!

He beat me......

Because My Son-in-law Says We Have No Grass...

2010-09-09T04:01:00.000-05:00

I was talking to my daughter today and she informed me that she and my wonderful son-in-law think we don't have any grass around here.

Now, I will admit that it has been a very dry year...

but since receiving two huge rain storms, things have greened up beautifully.

So, out I went to take some pictures of some of my favorite spots around here.

I love some of the random spots that just have the most amazing beauty.

I mean, the green alone makes your eyes hurt.

... and this is the end of summer!

I thought the spot below would make an amazing tree house!

Shhh...

Don't tell the kids or they will expect it to be built tomorrow!

"We can take a ride on my big green tractor..."

If you don't know that song...

My son will no longer talk to you!

It is his favorite!!!

"We can go slow... or we can take it faster."

Labor Day Weekend...

2010-09-08T01:07:00.000-05:00

Labor day weekend was a blessing for us.

We were able to spend the weekend with our second oldest daughte, Cheyenne.

She loves the farm.

She kept telling me how peaceful it is out here.

After we had driven back into the big city and dropped her off, we came home and the hubs started working on his chainsaw. You see, it is time to start cutting firewood for the winter.

The weather was perfect.

The light was beautiful...

just starting to set and everything seemed to have a beautiful glow.

We have a large hill made up of gravel that is used in places like... holes that come up in the driveway.

The kids love to play on this hill.

Everyone loves getting pulled around in the wagon.

When I was watching them take turns...

I wanted to take a turn...

but, I decided hanging on to the camera was a better way to go.

Sometimes, you've just got to stop and enjoy the view.

Ari hasn't been feeling her best lately.

The trip home was filled with 3 "getting sick" sessions...

YUCK.

Hopefully, she will feel better soon...

There is always more hill climbing and wagon riding to enjoy!

Caving...

2010-09-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

My oldest daughter just told me that I don't blog anymore...

but it has only been 3 days...

and I have been busy!

On sunday, after church, the youth went caving (spelunking).

They started out so clean...

Yet, ended up sooooo dirty.

Then they went out and took a hillbilly bath... in the river...

so they could get back in their cars and drive home.

"Thank God I'm a country boy" is going through my head right now.

After her "bath" in the river she drove home and she had changed jeans... so she would leave her car a major mess.

It's a good thing she had a blast!

She was very excited about jumping in a nice hot shower, though.

I had pictures of the bath and the cave and...

Yeah...

I can't find them.

Sorry.

I am just so excited to see this church really invest time in these young people.

They are a great group of kids.

And...

As Miranda tells me all of the time...

"Ritchie is the best youth leader EVER!"

While He Waited...

2010-09-04T06:46:00.000-05:00

Brysen couldn't wait to get on the horse and go for his very first ride... ever!

As things go, however, he had to wait for his older sister and grandpa to settle the horse down a bit.

In the meantime, he decided to fly...

Bum bum bum...

Then the MAIN EVENT!

They popped him into the saddle and away they went.

Brysen talked Grandpa's ear off the whole time...

He didn't want to get down.

He wanted to ride forever.

He wanted to live up there.

He is only 4 years old, though...

So down he came.

I have been watching him, though.

He keeps one eye on the horse and one on the swing...

at all times!

Breaking a Horse...

2010-09-03T06:26:00.002-05:00

Aubrey loves the country.

My dad is fond of saying that she was born for this kind of thing.

She was.

She just... fits.

She loves being with horse most of all.

They seem to be kindred spirits...

to borrow a term from my favorite Anne of Green Gables.

Brysen has been waiting for his chance to ride Buck.

I guess he finally wore Grandpa down.

Here he is ~~jealously~~ patiently waiting for his turn.

This was the big day when Aubrey was being given the chance to ride without the lead rope.

She was nervous, but the huge smile on her face was proof that she was so excited she couldn't keep it all inside.

She did a wonderful job!

She really is a natural.

...and Grandpa couldn't be more proud!

In the next couple of days, I will share Brysen's exciting horse adventure...

Joy Comes In The Morning...

2010-09-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

That's me...

watching Cadi and Galen's wedding pics which we were able to access today.

They are amazing!

Anyone, anywhere who wants to hire a photographer...

my friend, Emily Loftus is based out of Reno, NV...

but travels all over to share her amazing talent.

Hire her, people.

You will NOT be disappointed!

No Words...

2010-09-01T01:46:00.002-05:00

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of my mothers death.

Needless to say, I am missing her.

I fee like a sad little girl in need of her mother's touch.

My brother and I will spend this day in each others company.

I won't , however, let this day be all about sadness.

You see, when I look around...

I can only marvel at what my mother left behind.

I have 8 wonderful children who all have been forever changed in someway by her life.

Without her...

They wouldn't be here.

There is so much to celebrate...

but, for this one moment...

I will admit...

That not a single moment goes by where I do not wish I could have just 5 minutes to wrap my arms around her and feel her touch.

No words would be needed...

My Two Partners...

2010-08-31T02:54:00.000-05:00

Everyday...

Is full of these faces...

My superheroes.

Plenty of hugs and kisses.

It is so much quieter around here now!

A Walk...

2010-08-30T13:06:00.002-05:00

Sunday afternoon seemed to be busy for everyone...

except me.

I was out of sorts.

Too "in my head".

I needed to get out and away from...

everything.

So, I grabbed the camera and decided to take a walk down the road.

I am so in awe of the beauty all around me.

I can't believe that I live here.

You may get tired of me talking about how gorgeous this place is...

but somehow this place really speaks to me.

Deep down.

The black dots you see in the photo below are birds.

I could hear them long before they took flight.

I wasn't sure which trees they were in because there are trees all around us.

Suddenly, they seemed to lift into the air all at the same time...

It was magnificent...

and a little frightening...

I am, afterall, a product of saturday afternoon movies like "The Birds"...

Yikes!

The cloud formations are always so beautiful.

We didn't get the same type of clouds in Utah and there just seems to be so much more sky here.

As I passed this pasture, I thought all of the cows had taken off when they heard me coming, but suddenly I realized that this Huge guy had stood his ground.

He wasn't afraid of me.

They really are beautiful creatures.

Oh, sorry...

She stood her ground... and she needed a good milking!

Down, down, down that road....

This house was BIG!

And for sale!

It was so pretty.

There was a garage with a separate apartment attached to it.

I kept thinking how great that would have been if my Mom was still around.

We are getting settled.

No, that doesn't mean the construction going on around here is anywhere near being finished.
Expenses, mean time.

However, the inside is slowly coming together.
I am feeling much more positive about things.
Dirt can be cleaned up afterall.

This has been a really big adjustment.
I don't think I realized how big.

Alaska... I can do it. Bush town. Oh yeah. I grew up in one, afterall.
Farm country? This is a whole new adventure...

But, one absolutely worth taking!

Moon...

2010-08-30T02:51:00.002-05:00

The moon...

coming over the mountains...

Beautiful...