Happy Memorial Day!

(This picture was taken a few years ago. My Grandpa served in the military and loved his country. One of his jobs was a cook and they called him "maggots". This is my two cute, funny, hilarious, wonderful Aunts and my great mom with a flag in my beloved Grandpas honor)

Thank you to all the military who are serving now or have served in the past. We love you and your sacrifice with all our hearts. We know that "Freedom isn't free" and we are trying to remember that every day.

I married into a family that loves Memorial Day! We always visit cemeteries and take flowers to the graves. Corey's Aunt goes to over 70 them. They take flowers to each one. It is really neat the care they put into remembering the dead and this holiday.

I have been trying to teach my children the same. We only do two though. Their two grandpas that died. Corey's dad, Bruce, and Corey's mom's second husband, Roger. Miss them both. Love them both. I like going to the cemeteries and honoring them. I think it is a good tradition and a good reminder.

Me and my in laws

My kids and some of their cousins

My niece and her veggie dreads


I thought the flowers we prepared for the graves tuned out great!

We miss you, Roger!

We feel cheated we lost you so soon, Bruce.

Appreciation for husband Sunday the 21st

My husband NEVER falls asleep while driving. I don't know how he does it, but it is never a concern. Last night we were driving home from a relatives cabin and it was 1:30 am. I didn't want to fall asleep but I was out before we were even half way home. Even if I was driving and knew I had the responsibility of staying awake, I couldn't have. I would have had to slap myself. Or eat ice, or pull over. But I never have to worry about that with Corey. It is awesome!

Am I married to a hick or what! Several years ago he went hunting on his motorcycle. He got a deer and didn't want to go back up for it. So he just threw it on the front of his bike and off he went. The neighbors were quite surprised when they saw him drive through town.

I have a kid in High School! How can that be when I am still 25?

Kassidy has been taking an art class in High School. When I asked if she like her teacher she gushed how much she really did like him and how much she liked art. The thing I really like about this teacher is he strongly believes that through practice and effort anyone can be good. That just changes things for me. I took art class but I was not good and I assumed I just didn't have the talent. I think if someone had let me know that I could become good I might have continued on.


So here is Kassidy's self portraits from the beginning of school and then from the end of school to show her improvement. I am not sure if there is improvement or not because they look completely different and I really don't have an artistic eye but I thought they were good and interesting.

(Some smoothing down of hair might have been a good idea...)


Also, here is Kassidy's funny post on her blog.

"School is out, sad sad day! I already miss all of my friends and my teachers! I love my school! It Da' Bomb! I have some very special friends at the school that are going back to Tiwan or going to other schools. But me, Im staying at my school, not because i dont want to go to the other schools, its because i love it at my school, its a great school to send your children, yeah its a small school, but in highschool you know everyone, and you (mostly) love everyone! Because it's such a small highschool, i know everyone's names, i know who they are, and i like (most) of them. :) School is a blast, and im excited to go back! I can't wait! If you are having trouble finding a school that's right for your kids, send them to my school- it'll be the best disision you'll ever make.
I love you my dear friends and teachers!"

I CRACKED up reading this! I am sure you all will want to send your kids to her school! It will be

the best

"DISISION"

you'll ever make!

The Frankster, The Frankmiester, The Frankincense

F-R-A-N-K!!!!!!

The late night, pajama bottom wearing, American Idol deliverer!

We aPpReCiAtE yOu!

Sometimes I really disappoint myself! And no, it's not just in my lack of knowing how to properly use comas.

Actually many a night I disappoint myself. Especially when NONE of my children will go to bed at night.

I don't get it. NO ONE can fall asleep at night. Last night I had kids up until MIDNIGHT! I thought they were asleep and they were still in their rooms doing "stuff"! Kate still naps but then she will not go to sleep until after 10:00pm, and if she does go to bed early, like if she doesn't have a nap, then she thinks she has a nap and is up until midnight! I still, right now, at 10:38pm have 4 children awake!

The way I disappoint myself is I yell, and it breaks my heart. I am REALLY mostly good at not yelling. I think. The kids may have a different opinion. But I yell when they won't do work that I have asked them to do when we are all trying to clean together, and I yell at night when no one will go to sleep. I NEVER get to bed before midnight! I have never met children who need less sleep, than mine!


So even though I may change my mind in one week, I am glad school will be out because at least I'll be able to sleep in an hour or two more. But that is another thing. When I was growing up I never, ever, never, ever, not once in my life, saw my parents sleep in. Never. Ever. Not ONCE! What will my children think of me someday, sleeping in. Often. And then how much more lazy will they be.

But I am mostly just disgusted with myself because I yelled tonight when no one would go to bed. And last night. And I yelled at Bo. And he is just a little boy. Who won't stay in bed.

Wrong, wrong, wrong! Yelling is just wrong! Wah! I am sad at myself. My lip is literally sticking out in a self disgusted sad pout.

Bo came up to me the other day looking like this! Maybe he is trying to give me a hint!




I am going to try to heed his deep council. Smart boy!


Also, I doubt my brother in law reads my blog, but I have to tell him thank you in a public forum for bringing me over a recorded tape of American Idol season finale. (yes, as in the old VHS). It made my night. He is so sweet sometimes! So if you ever need your Idol fix at 10:30 at night, he is your guy. Pajamas and all.

My son takes perseverance to a whole new level!

.

I use to sell scrapbook supplies. A home business like Tupperware. It was fun and when I really pushed the business I did pretty well. But after I had my fifth and sixth child, and was pushed off the cliff into partial insanity, I decided to quit. I miss all my friends.

The company gave incentives and cute little tokens as rewards. I earned these cool little silver stones that I still have. Minus the one I just lost.

I really liked them and thought they were all trendy motivationaly cool. Until yesterday...

Sadly, Perseverance has been lost. I might be able to get it back if I really want to....

Might I add, the ER staff was QUITE amused that he had swallowed Perseverance! They had really hoped the words would have shown on the X-ray.

Khronicles of Kate

Painted finger and toe nails....Check!




Hair cut....Check!




Mascara on....Check!

Angels among us in my garden!

Dearest Charles Ingalls,

I am sorry to confess.... I have betrayed you.

The offer of free tilling by sweet friends was just too good to pass by.

(Carters- nicest, most selfless people on the planet! Love them!)

Rhett has been cracking us up lately...

About a month ago our "Home Teachers"....

(In our religion part of the men's responsibility is to watch over the members of the Church, home teachers visit their assigned families at least once each month to teach and strengthen them. Home teachers establish a relationship of trust with these families so that the families can call upon them in times of need. Definition from LDS.org)

.... came for a visit. We, including all the kids, were sitting around the living room chatting, when there was a little lull in the conversation. For the first time ever I heard my eight year old sing, "AWK--WARD" and suddenly, indeed, the tiny lull became significantly awkward. After a moment we laughed but it took us a minute to recover in conversation.


A few weeks ago when we were at the doctors discussing, in depth, Rhett's ADHD, and learning of his dyslexia,.... these were the doctor and the cute intern who saw my glorious white tag sticking out of my backwards sweater .... the doctor was writing down something I had said and there was quiet in the room. All you could hear was the loudest ticking of any clock I have ever heard anywhere, when Rhett sings his little "AWK--WARD", and once again, all the awkwardness in the universe floods into the room. The cute intern says, "It wasn't, until you said that!" and then we laughed. And trust me, it was much funnier than my sweater on back wards. Much!


From now on I am going to have to watch this kid and make sure there are no more pauses in any conversation!

Appreciation for Husband Sunday the 20th

I am really grateful for a husband who will let me put my cold feet on him in bed.

I would NEVER do that for him! Eewwweeee! Feet! Bleck!

But he always lets me put my cold feet on him and never makes a negative comment about it.

I love this picture of Corey. Kassidy had just been bucked off the Shetland pony (which our beloved Bruce referred to as "shorty high pockets"). I think all woman can agree there is nothing more attractive than a man fathering his children.

Come on "Follow me"! It'll be fun!

If you are reading my blog, "follow me" so I can see who you are! I have a live reader thingy on the side of my blog and I can see readers from lots of different States and I am curious who you are. It's only fair since I bare my soul everyday. If you don't know how (mom), I understand. I am computer challenged in lots of ways as well.

Well, that was fun.

We went to work in the garden today like I promised.

I am thinking we maybe should water it first to soften up those weeds. But Charles didn't have that option so how did he do it? Its really hard dirt. We dug some holes and got some squash and cucumbers planted and then were trying to make rows for corn.

So the boys chopped away at the tops of the weeds for a while and then I decided we better put up the fence since people (aka-Bo) kept stepping on the places were we had planted the cucumbers and squash (which only I will eat mind you. More on that story later)

I think I am in over my head. I want things done when I want them done!!!! Corey didn't have time to help me today since he is trying to hunt a bear.

So he couldn't help me today and I want it done and think just because I am a girl there is no reason I can't put up the fence.

So me and my boys put up a perfectly acceptable fence, with cattle panels we had from the previous year. And after the initial complaining and the "why are we the only ones working" bawaahaaa, it became fun and we were mostly all happy out there working together. Me teaching my boys how to properly twist the wire and trying to let them do every step they can. It is funny how work becomes fun. I told the boys we'd be proud to figure it out ourselves.

I decided to make the garden smaller this year so I have room for a sand box and then we realized we could have a little fire pit and we are very excited for that. We love tinfoil dinners.


Also, Corey advised me I should weed (and till) before I put up the fence. And that the weather is cold right now so it wouldn't matter if I just waited until he could help me. But I don't listen and I do what I want and that is sort of how I am. Plus I am worried about not getting the garden in. And I am worried about my children not having enough work to do. So he is going to abandon me with the garden this year...I can feel it, because I am bratty and want things done when I want them done... and now I have to PROVE to him that my way was the best. Dang it!


And also...I am a little stressed out about getting the weeds out. My horticulturist friend said she had some advice so we will see what she can help me with. If it isn't Charles Ingallsy, I ain't doing it!


Then a few hours later we had a blizzard. See? I don't think I like gardening.



And all the great pictures I took, got lost on my kids camera.

My friend is a horticulturalist but she won't touch the dirt. Weird, huh?

To my great disappointment, I have decided, I don't think I really like to garden. LOVE to plant flowers, don't think I love to garden. Want to, but lately I have been thinking... that I don't.

I LOVE to DEATH the idea of gardening. Love it, Love it, Love it. But then after it is done being planted (really do love that part) I don't like it anymore. Even though it sounds WONDERFUL, once I'm out there trying to work in the garden, I start feeling hot or dirty or lazy and then that is that.

This is our most hellacious garden spot.

It looks terrible!

Normally we have a guy come with his tractor and till it and it become this beautiful, soft, lovely, dirt. But this year I have decided (actually the checking account decided for me) that we should till the earth like Charles Ingalls did back in the day! With shovels! So tomorrow is going to be dedicated to that. I feel all excited about it, but once I'm out there I will change my mind. Blah.

My kids are going to HATE it. It is not going to be pretty. It is going to consist of wailing and gnashing of teeth... and that is just going to be from me! The kids are going to be crying and complaining and running into the house every five seconds to pretend to pee. But we are going to work on it by golly! We are going to till the earth with our bare hands and feel good about it, darn it!!


I'll keep you posted how it goes...

Oh yeah...I forgot to say I really don't like this garden spot. I adore garden boxes! ADORE ADORE ADORE. But I only want the kinds made out of real red treated wood so they last. So I can't afford to make all that I want. This year I am going to make one though, for strawberries. Next year I might do one for peas, since I never get the ground ready to plant those early enough. I might add one a year until I have a beautiful garden box garden like so....







Don't you just covet them?

This is what I want to do in my spare time...Isn't it grand?

Be still my soul!

Angels among us on the side of the freeway.

Along with my "Appreciation for Husband" and "Khronicles of Kate" I also keep a look out for wonderful things and blog them under "Angels are Among Us" posts. I haven't documented any for a while. I guess I have been to busy to notice and that is sad. But I did notice one yesterday and thought I'd write about it.

Yesterday as I was driving down the street I came upon a fender bender accident. As I switched to the other lane to get out of the way, I could see a man in his 30's, and a man maybe in his late 50's, standing together, at the side of the road. They obviously were the drivers of the two wrecked cars. You know, in accidents it seems like people get SO riled up and mad at each other. It is almost a little scary. Like how mad my husband was at himself, when he backed over a mail box. (hee hee. That was the best! He never lets dumb stuff like that happen to him. He thinks it only happens to me! I just loved that day.)

Anyways, in the few seconds as I was driving by, I witnessed a sight that caused my heart to soar with love for all humanity. I saw the younger man extend his arm to the the older man, and offer him his hand. The older man instantly responded and they shared a firm and beautiful handshake. I swear I could feel their emotion and it was either an apology or a I forgive you handshake. Either way it was a beautiful, simple sight. I feel blessed to have witnessed the goodness.

I thought about that all day. And I wonder why are we so mad at each other all the time? We need to have more compassion and love for each other. "Stuff" happens. If I could give advice to my children, that I really want them to remember, it would be to always remember that the people they are interacting with here on earth are children of God the Father. And they are important. Not perfect, but important. (Read the best quote ever on the side of my blog by C.S. Lewis) They are going to make mistakes and we are going to make mistakes. Be patient and forgive, Be humble and ask forgiveness. Respect and be kind to everyone, even when traffic is bad or the line at the grocery store is too long, or you know you are right and they are wrong, but you still don't get your way. Still be kind. And be thankful to everyone. And fill out those comment cards at stores or restaurants and tell them the name of the cashier/waitress you love (Travis) so you can get them a kudos at work. Take time for people. I'm not saying I am perfect at any of these things. I am just saying this is what I want to teach my kids. That they aren't better than anyone else, despite wealth, health, religion, social status, job position, education, race, knowledge, etc... I want them to know that people are what count.

Don't ya just miss him?

This is President Hinckley-Prophet of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) From March 12, 1995 until January 27, 2008 when he passed away.

He was just the cutest, funniest, loveliest man. He said some wonderful things, and the following quotes are a few of my favorites...


"It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all our relationships. In other words, to become more Christlike."

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

"We can lower our voices a few decibels. We can return good for evil. We can smile when anger might be so much easier. We can exercise self-control and self-discipline and dismiss any affront levied against us."

"Let us be a happy people. The Lord's plan is a plan of happiness. The way will be lighter, the worries will be fewer, the confrontations will be less difficult if we cultivate a spirit of happiness."

There are some who believe, we as LDS people, worship our Prophets. We don't . We just love them a lot.

Another quote by President Hinckley-

“This church does not belong to its President. Its head is the Lord Jesus Christ, whose name each of us has taken upon ourselves. We are all in this great endeavor together. We are here to assist our Father in His work and His glory…. Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere. No calling in this church is small or of little consequence.”

Khronciles of Kate, and Dexter surivies round two!

Dexter and round one!

We have had a cute little corn snake for maybe going on two years now. He is a fine little thing although we don't handle him a lot, but that is the beauty of snakes. They don't feel bad if you ignore them.

One day Bo let him escape and he was gone for a long time after that. Like maybe close to 6 months! I assumed he was dead until the night Kassidy had the fright of her life and unexpectedly found him in the dirty clothes pile. By the way, I am the only one who will handle the snake. Everyone else is scared of the harmless creature. Anyway, we were glad to get the poor thing back and began feeding him frozen/thawed mice in hopes of fattening him back up.

Dexter and round two!

We have had a cute little toddler for going on a little over two years now. She is a fine little thing although I think it is becoming apparent she isn't being properly supervised. That is the worry with toddlers. If you don't watch them EVERY second... big trouble.

One day I let her hold Grayson the hamster. She was instantly hooked after that and wanted to hold him ALL the time. So we keep the hamsters and the snake in the completely, shamefully, undecorated, old basement. Kate was downstairs with me and she was standing on the desk wanting to get Grayson out. I looked away from her for one millisecond and she PUSHES the whole aquarium off the other aquarium (they were stacked) onto the floor! Of course it smashed into extremely sharp shards of glass. I carefully had to maneuver Dexter out of the broken aquarium and save Kate from getting into the glass.

Disaster!

Is now an appropriate time to mention I may not be able to follow in my hero's foot steps?

I love Mrs. Duggar! Don't you?

Just for the record...I know she is awfully close to the broken aquarium but Corey and I were both their supervising and she was safe.


Have I ever mentioned that I love snakes and reptiles? When I was in high school I began working at a pet store and for a reptile veterinarian. I was in charge of all the reptiles and small animals. I had found my niche in life for quite a while. I loved all those little animals and became quite knowledgeable on them and also became a good little sales person! Warning: I look totally goofy in all the below pictures....

Loved my pet rats. seriously one of the best little smartest pets around. I had three. Danny, Clay, and Beau. Yes, I know. I named my kids after a rat. I hate this saying but I think somehow it is appropriate about now..."my bad".


This was Thor. The coolest snake ever. He is a rat snake. They can be a little aggressive, that is why I was holding his head. No one ever took an interest in him until I took a liking to him. He had been at the pet store for a long time and when I declared that he was "rad" others began to believe it too! He found a home in a science teachers classroom! Perfect!

Loved Iguanas! They were so fun! I built a huge iguana cage for my shop class. Is it any wonder why I was never popular? I was so weird! But happy.