Monday, November 26, 2012

Cody's Football Banquet

Tonight was Cody's Football Banquet. We've been so excited for this to come. He's wanted his trophy since the Championship game was won. But at the same time, attending this banquet also means that Football Season has officially ended. And we miss it.

We went to Madeline's Steak House in Sandy. They reserved a nice banquet room. It was awesome to walk into our room. On the floor were 24 huge trophies - 22 and a half inches tall. All with their names and numbers engraved. Even the coaches got a trophy. We had a steak and baked potato dinner with a salad and rolls. It was yummy. Cost a bit more then I wanted to pay, but the banquet was really nice, so it was well worth it.

They started out by showing a movie made by Coach Parks to announce the awards. It was put together like a CMA awards  show is typically done.... they'd announce the award that was up and then either show pictures of those nominated, or a short film clip from a game. It was really neat how it was put together. Cody won the "No Quit Award". Once it was announced, Cody went up front while Coach Parks talked about why Cody won this. He said Cody was a determined boy. He wasn't the fastest on the team, but he always tried his best and finished what was expected of him. Especially on ladders. He struggled with this. He never came in first, and sometimes wasn't last, but he never gave up. And he never saw Cody cheat. I thought that  was neat that he mentioned Cody never cheating. Cody was so good to those coaches. He did exactly what was asked of him and never complained. Coach Parks mentioned that as well.

Once he gave all the awards, Coach Parks talked to all the boys about how well they did this season and really prepared for it. They ate healthier, exercised all the time, took better care of themselves, and made some really good friends on the team. He compared that to life and encouraged the boys to not quit what they've worked so hard to become. He talked about how they need to stay away from drugs, bad choices, bad friends, and things in life that can hurt them. It was really good! He is a cop. So I hope the boys really listened to what he had to say.

Then Coach Medina got up and presented the trophies to the boys. He called them up one at a time. He started with what he said is the most important part of a football team - the Line. Cody was second. Again, he talked about how Cody never gave up and worked hard on the line to help block and protect the Center. He also said as he gave the other "X" man his trophy that his only two "X" men (Cody and Shaneck), did really good to block, hit, and defend their team. He said he was proud of them.

Afterwards, all the boys were allowed to get their yard stakes and have their team sign them, like a yearbook. It was cute. They were all so excited to have everyone sign it. Cody asked me to sign his. It made me feel so proud. I wrote "Mom. Love you! Great job Trigger!" And then put little hearts all around. He didn't like that part too much because other boys would see it. But I didn't care. He got a few autographs on his jersey as well.

He had all the coaches sign, too. And we told them all thank you for everything they had done. Coach Smith was especially great with Cody, and told me he instantly took to him the minute he saw him. Said his cousin is the spitting image of Cody. I told him how much this season of football has really brought Cody out of his shell. And that we didn't realize how funny he really is. Coach Smith said he saw that, too. And then we exchanged numbers so the kids could play. That's one thing Cody asked me to do, was get numbers so he could still see all his new friends.

Coach Sohm told me as we told him thank you, that Cody helped him get through a marathon he ran. He said he was ready to quit, had about 3 miles to go and didn't think he was going to make it. He was ready to call his wife and have her come pick him up when the image of Morse popped into his head. He said he saw Cody and how much he struggled with ladders, and would even cry through them at times, but he never gave up. Coach Sohm said if Morse can do it, so can I.

I wanted to cry as he told me that.

Coach Medina is more shy and reserved, so when we thanked him, he kind of put his head down and didn't say as much. He just said 'the parents did more work with the boys then I did'. But we talked to him later on, and I thanked him again for how much he worked with the line. Because without a line, you don't have a good football team. He immediately said he didn't even work with the line as much as he wanted to, but honestly, I've never seen a coach spend as much time as he did with them. He spent probably 50 to 75% of practice with them. He'd go over everything. He'd literally walk them through individually showing them  exactly where and what they were supposed to do. They spent a lot of time just talking, but it paid off. It gave them the confidence and the ability to literally "see" exactly what they were supposed to do. I'll always be appreciative of this. Doing this made a huge difference in Cody enjoying football. If Cody knows what he is supposed to do, he does it.

I am so proud of Cody. I am so happy he was able to play this year. With all his medical scares the first 6 months of this year, we didn't know if he'd be able to play. But honestly, I think Satan was trying his hardest to keep him from playing. Because of football, Cody has more self confidence in himself, he smiles SO much more, is much more out going, is very funny!, and overall just plain happy. I will forever be grateful to his coaches who worked so well with him. Who built him up to believe in himself, and called him 'Trigger' when he excelled in hitting hard just so his coaches would call him that. I can't wait for next year's season to begin. 

We love you Trigger! 

Go Silverwolves!!!

(P.S....Six and a half more month's until sign-ups. I can't wait! )

Friday, October 12, 2012

The Little Stinker

Hunter cracks me up! Everyday I'm amazed at what this kid comes up with. Just once I'd like to get inside of his head to see how he views his 7-year-old world he lives in. Here's the newest thing I caught him doing this morning...

Hunter woke up at 6:20 this morning. He's had a stomach ache lately and woke up with it.

At 6:45 he finally got up. And seeing as it was still completely dark, he thought it was still night time but wanted to stay up anyways. So we put in Spongebob and he watched it for about an hour, while ordering me around with bringing him drinks, cereal, and such. (He was on his high horse this morning, that's for sure!)

Around 7:30, as it was starting to get light, he realized it was finally morning and decided he needed to put his socks on to get ready for the day. I looked down at him right as I caught him pulling out a pair of dirty socks from underneath the pillowed cushions of the couch, and then put them on. I was shocked, and started laughing. He told me he keeps his socks in there all the time. It's a lot easier, I guess, then to have to walk into his room and pull them out of his drawer.  What a little stinker!

I had to laugh. Then he had me look at his socks that he'd just put on and asked if they looked weird. He had one pulled all the way up, and one bunched down. He said, "I look like Moore's Dad." I laughed so hard. On T.J.'s team there's a Dad who has to wear a special circulation sock to help with medical issues on one leg. Apparently Hunter noticed this, and of course it bugges him, so he mimicked it. I wasn't laughing at the Dad's circumstance. Just the fact that my 7 year old noticed and decided to be him this morning.

I tell ya. I'm going to have a run for my money with this kid. I can't believe his sense of humor, the things he notices, and does.

And this whole sock thing. Who knows where else he hides his socks. It's no wonder I have to buy him a new bag of socks about every other month.

Once Cody and T.J. got up this morning, Hunter couldn't wait to tell them he'd been up since last night. (In reality, he'd been up two and a half hours.) Lol!

That kid.

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Embarrassing Second Day...

You know how normal kids are usually hoping their parents don't end up at school one day, doing something that completely embarrasses them?! Well instead of the kid being embarrassed today, it was his Mom. Here's the scoop...

It's my second day of working at the school. Today we're subbing in the classrooms teaching "Meet the Masters" art program. During the first part of the class, I'm in a room along with another aid, watching her as she teaches our two classes about the famous artist. Then we split and I take my class into their room so we can work on our art project. This time I have Hunter's class. He is so excited to have his Mom as a substitute teacher on Fridays, and then a regular helper in class the other days. Of course, he can't hold still for long today because of this.

So I'm explaining to the class how to draw something in a box that represents the word "dented". I explain they can draw a car that was just in an accident and received a dent from it. Or they can pretend they threw something at a wall, and put a big dent in it. Then I said, "Hunter's Dad once made a huge dent in our wall at home when he bumped something into it, and guess who had to fix it? Me!" The kids laughed. Hunter immediately piped up with, "Ya and guess what he did to my Mom... shot her in the butt with a blow dart gun!"

Let's just say I changed the subject as fast as I could despite the enormous bout of laughter that erupted.

I think this is going to be a fun, but interesting year. I'm so excited though to work in Hunter's class every day!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

My Patriotic Boys

I love living in America. I love the freedoms we have here. Free to choose for ourselves. Free to practice our religions, and so on. I love the land here. Especially where we live, being surrounded with beautiful, tall mountains, lakes, and big western skies with gorgeous sunsets. And I love our flag. Especially being at a rodeo as they run the American Flag around at the start of a rodeo. It's very humbling and yet a very prideful moment for me. One of my favorite things to see is our American Flag blowing in the wind.

So to see our boys taking on the prideful spirit of being an American is awesome. For the last 3 years, Jared has been Young Men's President in our ward. And during certain months of the year, his group is in charge of taking the flag down at our church once all the meetings are over. Well, as it sometimes goes, there aren't always young men there to help. That's when Jared has our boys come to help him. He's taught them how to lower the flag and grab it before it touches the ground, and then fold it neatly so it ends in the triangular shape before returning it inside the church. It's been a good learning experience for them. At times we are taking it down after dark, on our way home from Granny's house, but since our time change with our meetings this year, it's been directly after church. The sweetest moment was three weeks ago, as I was walking out of our building, I turned and saw Jared-all dressed in his suit, with T.J. and Cody- who were also in their nice church clothes (wranglers and cowboy button-up shirts) taking the flag down. They seemed very still and quiet, Jared only speaking as he reminded them what to do, all three showing respect as they did it. I wish so bad I had taken my camera to church with me just so I could capture that moment. Cause you know with boys, there is hardly a quiet moment to find. But this time there was. It was like time stood still as I and a couple others in our ward watched on. Once they were finished, they turned and walked towards the church, Jared holding the flag in his hands. Then Hunter who had been playing down on the hill, saw they were done and ran towards the church, bring the everyday noise of a boy back with him. It was one of those moments that a Mom will never forget. And as an American, will never be more proud of.

Then there was this morning. Jared turned on the Olympics. It's the last day of the London 2012 Olympics. The U.S. men's basketball team had just received the gold medal and they began playing the National Anthem. Hunter sang right along with it, only stumbling over a few words. I was so impressed! He's only 7, and yet sang almost word for word our National Anthem. He had a big smile on his face as he finished, because he knew I was watching and was very proud of him at that moment.

Again, it made me smile to see how much American Pride our boys have.

And so, I will end this post with one thing. One of my very favorite pictures I have of our boys. This was taken at the Cedar Fort Rodeo 3 years ago as they were running the flag around the arena at the start of the rodeo. Look at the respect they have showing in their faces.



I'm so proud of these boys.

And so thankful to live in America.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

My Unexpected Job

Today I got a call from the school saying Cody wasn't feeling good. His throat and his stomach hurt. (I was really hoping he didn't have strep again! Grandma Morse has been really sick with strep - we think. She hasn't gone into the doctor to confirm.) So I headed to the school.

I do the normal thing. Walk in, talk to the receptionist, and sign him out. In the mean time, I hear Stephanie - the head secretary - call my name, and then appear right next to me. I thought, "Um, something must be wrong." But it was a good surprise instead. She said there was an opening to be an aid there and if I wanted the job, it was mine.

What?!

I was shocked! She said one of the teachers mentioned to her I'd be interested since I'd already asked Mrs. Wilcox (who is in our ward, plus Cody had her as a teacher, and is one of the best teachers there!) about maybe getting on as an aid. At that time, which was about 3 weeks ago, the only opening was to be a computer teacher. i laughed at that job offer. Me... a computer teacher?! I'd have all the computers broken or seriously defective if I tried to do that. So I kind of forgot about getting on this year as an aid and decided after football season, I'd check into a company where you work from home.

But apparently, one of the aids hired didn't work out, so if I wanted the job, it was mine. It would be everyday from 9:30 to 12:30 and I'd be on A track. Of course I wanted the job! A chance to work and help out with money while being able to track off with my boys so I can be home with them while they are home? Yes!!

So here's the details of my job... I'm called a Power Hour Aid. I work with 1st through 3rd grades helping students who need help in reading. Sometimes I'd be running teacher errands and such, and sometimes I might be on recess duty. Fridays I teach and art class. Teachers now have a mandatory class every Friday for an hour or so, so while they are gone, I will go into classes and teach art. How cool is that?! I absolutely love art!

The only draw back was I had to call Cherie and tell her I wouldn't be able to watch Blakeley all day anymore. And of course, it's her birthday so I had to give her this news that I was quiting, on a day like today for her. But she was so good about it. She told me I need to do what's best for my family first and that she was happy for me. I told her I wouldn't mind taking Blakeley after my shift until she's done with work, if that helps the new person who's lucky enough to watch her. Although it's hard to go back to the baby stage after not having babies for 7 years, I'm going to miss it. Blakeley is so sweet and has been so fun to have around for my boys. They got to experience a little of what it might be like to have a sister.

So, my days of being a stay at home mom are coming to an end. I went into the district and filled out my application, and once orientation and finger printing is done sometime next week, I start back to work. It's been just over 11 years since I've really worked. Yes, I've done little things here and there at home, and I will still do Mary Kay, but now I also have a little job that gets me out everyday but allows me to still be Mom. It's on a year to year basis right now. If the school gets the grant, I'll probably stay on. If not, I'll count my blessings that this little job came at a time we need it.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Here We Go Again

I cannot believe I'm writing about this again. I thought we were done! Cody woke up this morning and even before he got out of bed was in extreme pain in his right ankle. I was hoping he just sprained it jumping on the tramp last night, or twisted it while he was playing in the irrigation water at his friends, but as our luck goes lately, it's not from that. Cody's in so much pain right now he's crying. And he's walking like he did a few months ago when this all started.

I think his reaction from strep is back.

It makes me mad just writing this.

I honestly thought he was done with this. It's been almost two months exactly since he's had any claritin and he's done great. I have noticed him limping a tiny bit the last couple weeks, but he says he doesn't hurt, and that it's just from his boots being uncomfortable. In the back of my mind I've had a feeling to take him in to the doctor and be checked for strep just to make sure it isn't coming back. Guess we're heading there Monday. I don't want to go to any other doctor but his own given he knows Cody's whole medical history with this. Until then, Cody's back on Claritin and Advil. He's not happy, and neither am I.

Jared and I leave Wednesday for Trek. Cody is so nervous about this and so am I now, too. And with how much needs to get done between now and Tuesday night when everything has to be packed and put into the trailer, I don't have time for this. Not to mention the stress it brings now. Ugh... I'm ready for Trek to be over with. As much as I am excited to go on it, I am ready for our life of chaos to be done. In our last meeting for Trek this past Sunday, the stake was saying they know how our lives have been turned upside down these last few months. Satan does not want any of us going on Trek and knows it can be a life changing experience for everyone, especially the youth, so he's trying everything to stop us from going. That right there tells you how awesome Trek is. We've felt Satan trying to work us. There's been moments of doubt wondering if I'm really going on this thing. But guess what?! I AM. I'll do everything I can to help Cody, and then turn it over to the Lord. Satan is  not going to win with me. It's amazing to look back and see how much he's been trying to work on everyone. Even our bishop is getting it. His other shop in No. Salt Lake caught fire Thursday. The minute I heard this, I thought "because it's time for Trek".

I know things will work out in the end. Carrie will take good care of him for us while we are gone. Just wish I knew when Cody will officially be "cured" from this weird reactive arthritis from strep.

Poor kid.


Saturday, May 26, 2012

So Long Ol' Buddy...

I just attended a funeral for one of Cody's toads, a.k.a. "Chicken Noodle". Cody's had these toads for just over four years now. They are called fire bellied toads because of the neon coloring on their stomach. His are bright orange with black webbing throughout. They are really neat. Jared had some when he was younger and always wanted our kids to have some. So four years Cody got two toads. He named them "Chicken Noodle" and "Freckles".

It was fun to watch them over the years. At times we'd walk in their bedroom and find the toads climbing up the wall of their aquarium. That's when you can really see their color. They have been so easy to take care of. Just make sure they have water and feed them crickets a couple times a week and that's it.

Lately though we haven't been feeding them as often. And when we did, "Freckles" took all the food. At times we'd find "Freckles" trying to eat "Chicken Noodle". I knew "Chicken Noodles" time was coming to a close. He was getting so skinny and couldn't jump like he used to. And with "Piggy", a.k.a. "Freckles", hogging all the food, there wasn't much we could do for him.

And so his time came. I found him the other night as the boys were going to bed. He was lying on his back, with his front legs crossed over his body like arms, and his legs lying outward, bending at the knees of course. He looked like he just lied down and died. Poor thing.

Cody buried him out by the chicks. Hunter and I attended the funeral. We sang "Taps" as he put the dirt over him, and then ended with a moment of silence. Despite this coming from the death of our friend, it was cute to watch my boys as we had a funeral for our toad. We kind of laughed together as we sang "Taps". It's funny to have a funeral over such a small thing as loosing a toad.

So long ol' friend. We'll miss ya but will be getting another one to take your place soon. "Freckles" is lonely now that you're gone. Maybe he should have thought about this before he stole your food and then tried eating you.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

In the Mind of a Child...

We went to dinner with my family for Jamie's birthday to Five Guys Burgers and Fries. While we were waiting for Jim and Cherie to come, we noticed there were 3x5 index cards available with crayons to draw pictures to hang up on the wall. 
So once the boys table, including Jared and John, finished eating, they set to drawing pictures. Here's what Hunter surprised us with..                                                                                                                 
A story of Jesus' Life. (Narrated by Hunter himself.)
"There's no room at the Inn!"

"Jesus is born. See the bright star?"

"There's baby Jesus."

"The shepherds with their dog."

"Jesus growing up."

(Hunter with a huge smile on his face as he shows me this.)

How cute is that?!

He made sure everyone saw these.

Love that last one... "Jesus Christ Rocks."

All in the mind of a seven year old.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Hurray!!!

It's been 13 days since Cody's had any Claritin and I think it's safe to say he's over his weird strep/reactive arthritis thing!!!! 

Can I just have a moment to....
Happy Dance!!

It's such a relief to us to hear him say his legs and feet don't hurt. It's such a relief to not be dealing with strep over and over, pain in his legs and feet and swelling so bad it's extremely painful to walk on. And the unknown of what's causing this. 

It's such a relief!

I'm crying as I post this because it's such a relief.

We finally have our Cody back. Our happy go lucky kid who is content with life, who appreciates the little things, and is always there with a hug. I was talking with his teacher today - Mrs. Melton - who told me she was worried she'd never have the real Cody back. She, too, is so happy to hear he's doing better. She knows he's back by the way he acts everyday. Now that's a good teacher - someone who knows a child well enough that she knows when he's sick or some thing's wrong just by watching him.

I'm so thankful for prayer, and priesthood blessings, and modern day medicine. Ya, it took a little while to figure out what was wrong with him. Cody stumped the doctors with this, but we have to remember we're all human, too. And we learn day by day with the things that surround us. All we can do is try something, and if it doesn't work out, move on to something else. I'm so thankful for the doctors we were able to take him to. They figured it out and brought us our Cody back.

We're just working on building up his immune system now. He ended up contracting the 5th disease twice in the last month, which is unusual, but not serious. He's on vitamins, BCAA's, and eating right and exercising (training for the up coming football season. He's going to be able to play!! We weren't sure if that would happen this year, but I think it's safe to say it will!).

I know looking back now, this was a trial I'll be thankful we went through, but right now it's still such a relief we made it through. We appreciate our kids more. We appreciate good health more. And modern day medicine. Who knew it would only take something as simple as Claritin to cure this?!

It lasted 3 months. From January 20 to April 14th (the last day of claritin). A quarter of a year.

I feel like it should only be the beginning of April. Being so focused on this, this year has flown for us.

I feel like we can get back to normal now.

Whatever that is.




Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Not So Rained Out Softball Game

I know this isn't a good picture. I took it from my phone. And seeing as I've had my phone for almost three years now, it doesn't have the latest phone technology, so we're just going to have to deal with this picture.

This was at Jared's softball game. It would have turned out better but I was sitting in the truck because it was raining. Plus, the windows were fogging up. I had to have them partly down so I could see. I wasn't about to sit with the truck running for over an hour.

I know what you're thinking, "Oh, that's why it's such a horrible picture." Yep.

If you can make it out, Jared's up to bat.

I took a chance and parked behind the field. Usually we park on the opposite end of the field, but I knew it would start raining any minute and didn't want to hike back to the truck in that, so I sat here and prayed a flying ball wouldn't hit our truck. We see that happen many times to cars who park just a few down from us.

They're game was at 9'o-clock but it didn't start until 9:35, which meant it wouldn't get over until 10:35. Way past the kids bedtime.
And mine.

Right before they're game started it started raining pretty good and was lightning. And with the wind blowing the rain around, we thought they'd cancel the game. But they didn't. So I watched the whole thing from inside here. It was cold outside, so I was a baby tonight. The kids joined me about half the time. And the other half they ran around with friends getting soaked.

It was a harder game for them. That wind made the pitching nearly impossible to throw good strikes.

Highlights of the game...
*Jim got a home run his first time up to bat. I honked the horn to cheer.
*Jared did some pitching and from what I could see, didn't have any close calls with getting smacked with the ball (Thanks goodness! That's my biggest fear!) 
*And he hit a triple his second time up to bat. First time he got walked.
*They won 15-12!
*And everyone survived the rain.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Sorry Bandit

I've been keeping a secret the last few days. I've only told Jared and T.J.. I've felt so bad about it. And if word got out to Hunter, it would break his heart. So it's a good thing he fell asleep during prayers tonight and didn't hear what Cody prayed for.

As Cody was finishing his prayers tonight, he ended with, "And please bless Bandit cause she hasn't been looking so good lately." It was a sweet prayer. And all I could do was burst out laughing.

You see, Bandit is our cat. Actually she's Hunter's cat. We've had her for about 5 years now.

And on Friday I accidentally shot her.

I know, I'm a TERRIBLE person.

I can't even post this without laughing either. What's wrong with me?!

Here's the scoop on what happened Friday morning...

After waking the boys up for school, I heard the stupid rooster outside. You know, the rooster's we've been trying to kill for a couple weeks now. The stupid things have it down to a science now when we are coming after them to shoot them. So we have to take other measures to try and trick them. This morning I was trying to be sneaky and go around the house a different way, hiding behind our lilac bushes and sneak up on him.

No I wasn't in camo. Although, maybe that would help. I should make a mental note of that for next time.

Anyhoo... So I'm sneaking around and what do I see? Bandit in our garden pooping! Oh that irritates us so much. We've had it with the cats going in there after we till up the garden to get it ready for planting. So an idea comes into my head...'Shoot just underneath Bandit to scare her away from doing this again'.

Good plan, don't ya think?!

So I get into position. My pellet guns already pumped (45 times mind you. That was going to be a powerful shot from a pellet gun.). So I aim. I had it pointed two inches below her. She had no idea what was coming. And with her holding still, it was going to be a piece of cake. So I shot. Bam! She took off and ran out of the garden and that's when I noticed it. She was LIMPING! Oh I felt HORRIBLE!!! I got her in the back left leg. I realized something, that stupid pellet gun is off. I knew it had been for a while now but I didn't think it was that bad. And I had to find out just how bad on our cat. Poor Bandit!

After running out of the garden, she stopped and turned her head to look at me with that look of shock like, "I can't believe you just shot me!" Then she turned back and limped a few more feet, then turned her head again with that same sad, pathetic, shocked face full of disappointment. Oh I felt so bad! And what makes matters even worse, she's pregnant. She continued to limp towards the pile of trees we are still cleaning up from last year. She ducked down inside and didn't come back out. I tried and tried calling her but she wanted nothing to do with me. I don't blame her. You know why?

All I could do was laugh.

And laugh.

And laugh.

It was a laugh of shock at what I'd just done, but I was still laughing. And Bandit knew it. I just shot our kitty and was laughing! How horrible is that?!

I couldn't tell the boys. Hunter wouldn't be able to go to school from being so upset by it. So I just text Jared and told him. I had to tell someone!  He texts back with a response.... "Good job. T.J. will be happy." Ya, that was comforting. Thanks Jared. He hates cats. So does T.J..

I ended up telling T.J. later that day. He was happy about it, too. But I never told Hunter or Cody.

Over the weekend, I got Bandit to come out and let me pet her. Poor thing's been limping pretty good still. But she comes out to eat and laze around in the sun. She's been a pretty tough cat, so I'm hoping she'll pull through.

Jared even prayed for her tonight as well. But I think he did that to make me feel bad. Again, I laughed through that prayer. I have a problem with laughing. I laugh even when I feel bad about something.

I ended up telling Cody why I was laughing and why Bandit didn't look so good. He had the disappointed look on his face as well and shook his head at me.

I learned my lesson...

Aim more then two inches away from a cat when you are only shooting to scare it. Or, reset the gun to aim better.

So sorry Bandit.

Tuesdays

Jared has Young Men's every Tuesday evenings. So to help me get ready for Trek, I've been trying to go to the park every Tuesday night to walk. The kids usually go with me and ride their bikes, play on the playground, or if there isn't anyone there on horses, they love to play on the rodeo grounds in the chutes.

Tonight was different though. Jared didn't have Young Men's due to the fact we have an early morning activity Saturday morning - a kick off to Trek. (And I'm talking early... we have to be to the church by 5:15 a.m. and to the temple grounds by 5:45 with all the youth.) So tonight Jared took the boys with him to lift and I went walking by myself.

I love walking and it showed tonight. I went from our house, to the park and around the trail three times, then down our road and back. A total of four and a half miles! Boo-yah! Now that's getting ready for Trek!

I love walking around here. I love that our park is two blocks away from our house. I love that the trail goes right around the rodeo grounds. I love seeing the horses being brushed down and saddled, and in the arena running. I love their smell. I love walking next to the canal full of ducks and looking across it to see fields of green grass with horses running across it. And tractors out working in the field next to them. I love the sunsets out here. These western skies have some amazing colors running through them as the sun sets behind the beautiful mountains. I love the fact that I feel safe here. It's home to me.

And I love my ipod. Listening to country music as I walk is so relaxing. There's some good songs with good beats that gets me going every time. Plus, I downloaded one of my favorite songs to listen to tonight. Eric Church's "Springsteen". Love that song! It's got a good beat to it. And I love the drums and guitars in it.

I was so excited to go that far tonight. Last week I only went three miles and my knee was feeling it. So to be able to go four and a half and not feel half as bad as last week was exciting. I topped off the night with an ab routine with the ball and weights, and then stretches. My workout lasted a total of an hour and 45 minutes. I felt so good!

(And by the next morning, it showed I'd lost a pound and a half! Guess all this extra exercise I've been doing is really paying off. )

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Plowing Through Life With God's Help


I love this quote from President Monson. I needed to hear this. Life has had many struggles for me in the last few years. From financial struggles, to major medical problems with parents, and lately with Cody also, to just living in today's world and all the hardships it brings, this quote sums up the way I've looked at life lately. I can't tell you how many times I've felt that my life is slipping away from me. I've become so busy with these issues, and more, that it seems like there's never enough time for the things I need to get done for myself and our kids. And I'm talking the day to day stuff, and big goals I have for myself to hopefully help better our life. Sometimes it's all I can do to get through a day, knowing that tomorrow can bring on something better.

Life is hard right now. But I know that with my faith, my family and friends, and never giving up, I will make it through, just like others have when hard times hits for them. I think often about the saying, "Heavenly Father doesn't give you more in life then you can't handle." But sometimes I wonder where my breaking point is. That's where the faith thing comes in. And I plow ahead, unsure of what it brings.

Sometimes all the hard times in my life makes me think of the pioneers and early settlers of the 1800's. Before modern day inventions came about. When they had to plow acres and acres of farm land by pushing a plow behind a team of horses, trying to till the hard soil, just so they could eat and sell crops to provide for their family. Can you imagine? I've heard many times in Seminary and times since, that pioneers look down on us today in admiration of the hard times we face in life. But I look to them with the same feeling. They continued to "plow through" the hard soil and hard times in life just like we have to. We might not have to do it the same way physically, but mentally, spiritually and emotionally I feel a connection to them. And I'm thankful for their example of courage and never giving up. I draw a lot of strength from them.

I loved this quote from General Conference. I know it was something I needed to hear. And I love President Monson. Thank goodness Heavenly Father gives us people like him to help us through life.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Pleadge of Allegiance

Cody's 3rd grade class at school got to record the Pledge of Allegiance for KBULL 93, a local country radio station, and have it played on air this morning at 8:00 a.m.. How cute is that?! They recorded it weeks ago, and thankfully it was a day when Cody was feeling OK was able to make it to school so he got to do it with them. I almost forgot about it, but luckily found the reminder paper a couple days before hand. (The boys have been off-track for two weeks, so we got the reminder paper way in advance.)

I text family members and had them listen. And also found a tape to record it on. It was cute to listen. The radio announcers introduced the kids by mentioning how they read a combined total of over 3500 minutes a week. Then they played the Pledge of Allegiance with the kids saying, "God Bless America" afterwards. It was exciting to hear it!

Cody rewound the tape a few times to listen to it again. He was excited about it. If I can find a link to it through KBULL's website, I'll post it, but right now I can't seem to find one.

I love hearing kids say the Pledge of Allegiance. It never goes out of style!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

T.J.'s Heavenly Drive

Once we finished the rooster hunt and got back to work, Jim finished bringing us the road base. He brought us two loads. After dumping the first, he took Hunter, Cody and Jared with him to load up the dump truck and haul more over. Jared drove his skid steer back (It was at Jim's house. I love having Jim and Cherie live one minute away from us. It's so fun!) After dumping the second load of road base out front, Jim pushed it all around and evened it out with the skid steer. It's so nice to get this in. We get so much mud here when it rains.

Jared had to leave for Priesthood conference, so he couldn't take the skid steer back while Jim drove the dump truck home, so next in line was... T.J.!!! He was so excited! Jim told him to drive slow and stay to the side and he'd follow him, even though T.J. knows how to drive pretty well now.
 Of course I had to get pictures!

 And he's off.


 It's about a mile from our house to Jim and Cherie's. 

A mile of T.J. being awesome as he drove the skid steer down the road.

Man... he's getting old!

And so am I.

Our road base.
Jim is so awesome to always help us. He and my Dad are so handy with all their fun equipment they have (to play on... hee, hee!).

Redneck Fun

Lately we've been having problems with some roosters and a hen coming over to our place to eat our food, and irritate our chickens. Not to mention show our chickens how to cross the road (No this isn't one of those "Why'd the chicken cross the road jokes").

The roosters were Frank's... our neighbor who died on Christmas. He raised chickens like no one I'd ever seen before. He'd hatch 30 or so at a time, usually about every month. Needless to say, it wasn't unusual to look over at his place and see a Mama Hen walking in the grass with 20 or so chicks following behind. When he died, the family and city tried to catch as many of his chickens as they could, but there were a few stragglers left behind. And they seemed to find or house.


They drive us nuts.


Seriously.

They are loud, obnoxious roosters who crow even at 3:00 in the morning sometimes. They make a mess and poop everywhere. And attack our hens constantly. Besides, I wanted to plant our garden (it's time to get the peas and carrots in), and I knew they'd be right there eating the seeds, so we decided to take matters into our own hands.

 Look at this fearsome bunch. Pellet gun and blow dart gun. What Rooster in their right mind would come around this bunch?! Especially the cross-eyed boy!

 That Rooster would. He's in the horse corral. Makes me irritated just looking at him.

 Jim was bringing us some road base this afternoon and had to get in on the fun.

 We chased those Roosters everywhere. We shot them around our place. Then they'd run in the field out back, or down in the ditch. So we'd go around, find them again, and POW.
Then the game would start all over again.
 OK... really... there is a joke with these Roosters.
"Why'd the Roosters cross the road? Because Frank died."
It's a terrible joke, we know.

But it's true.
 While chasing the Roosters, we found buried in the ditch under the culvert pipe, eggs the hen had layed. So now instead of shooting the hen, too, we want to catch her and keep her.
Hope she lives since Jim got her.

 Here he is folks... one of the meanest, sharp shootin'est, cowboys who ever did  draw his Blow Dart Gun!

 I mean.... (ha, ha!)

He looks like one of those actors from an old musical who's about ready to break into a tap dance with his top hat and cane.
You never know what's up with this kid.
He's such a comedian.
 But he's still a good shot with his blow dart gun.

Cody and his spear. He didn't have his blow dart gun or bb gun outside so he decided to stab the roosters when they came by him.
Unfortunately the roosters finally got smart and took off across the street, in an area where the guns couldn't go. 

But they'll be back.

And so will we.

My Cute Hunter/Protector of the garden.
(Love this picture.)


Although we didn't quit kill the Roosters, we got some good shots in, and a ton of fun! Yes, it's redneck fun, but oh my heck... it was a good time! I love seeing these boys out to get their kill. Too bad T.J. wasn't around. He'll probably think twice before going to the store next time with Grandpa and Kai.

And to those Roosters who think they got away, but will be back... let me remind you...

I'm usually home.... and a very good shot!

Hey, I did win "Annie Oaklie" one time against the Drury girls! And that's sayin' something!

Mwahahaha! (evil laugh)