Woe is me.

I understand that trials and opposition are a part of life! I’m 32 years old and that lesson should not be lost to me at this point in time. With the passing of time certain lessons should register and become like second nature to a person. We have all heard the clichés “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger”, “The rainbow can only be seen after the storm”, ect, ect, ect. I feel I have been around long enough for this principal to really sink in.

So why is it so hard to take setbacks when we know they will be inevitably coming?

It was one week and two days ago. I awoke that Sabbath morning to put the finishing touches on my lesson for church (actually I was just starting to prepare! I feel terrible when I do that.) And that’s when I got the call from Mike. The goats had gotten in and EATEN all my strawberries (80), all my raspberries (10), and broken and eaten several of my little fruit trees that were trying to get started in this cold world! How did I handle myself? Not good. I didn’t realize my deep love I had for all fruit bearing crop until that moment.

We, I mean the plants and I, have struggled to regroup and keep moving forward and have been doing pretty well until today! Those d*#@ little creatures got in AGAIN! Victims once again to the goats are my strawberries. Truly, I had hoped these berries would be my pride and joy this summer, but now I see it’s not to be.
So as I sit here and reflect on the how and the whys, I guess I just need to chalk it up to that opposition in life will also spill into the garden area too, and maybe three little goaties need to be shot, or sold, or something, but they NEED TO GO!!!!

Bee Update

I LOVE having bees! I love seeing them in the garden and I love watching them in there own environment. Truly they are amazing little creatures. How can you not believe in a God after reading up about how they are made, and all they do?!

We have now put on the second super (box) on our second hive. We checked them after church today and WOW things are really happening out there! In this picture you can see the capped honey and the capped brood. Brood, which is soon-to-be-bees,are the brown capped off color and the honey is the white capped off part of the frame. This is the first inspection we have had where we have seen capped honey! They are doing what they are suppose too!

I think I have explained before that we came into a second hive by a friend capturing a swarm and giving them to us. I am so glad he did because now we have something to compare our hive with. Not to mention double the honey! We were able to taste some of it today and it was amazing. Still have not got stung yet but I am not holding my breath... I am sure it will happen.

Time With The Allen's

Cole with his first love...his cousin, Kandace! Aunt Deni came for a visit with Laura, Max, and Kandice last week. I think I have seen them more in the last year and half than I have for the previous ten...its great!

And then the kids and I went to their house that weekend because Danielle was going through the temple for the first time! How special it is to be close enough to do this with my family. She is a beautiful woman with an amazing spirit! I am so proud to claim her as family.

This picture had to be thrown in because it was just too darn pretty not too. When I think of heaven I think of sunsets.. I don't know why but I do.

Here is Aunt Deni with her daughter Laura. More amazing and beautiful women!

Happenings

Yes, I let Michael do this to our boys! Does it make them look sick? Yes. Will it be easier for me this summer? Yes. I HOPE it will grow out before school starts! They are still cute though.

Memorial day this year was FREEZING! We took the kids anyway to the cemetery and talked about what the holiday was about. Afterwards we went and got some grub. As you can see Morgan was eating on the most gigantic corn dog ever....and loving it.

I was having way too much fun mowing. I thought I could take down our little over-grown mound.....nope. Michael had to come and rescue me when he got home.

This is another project we can mark off the list of things to do! Perimeter fence...done! It is so encouraging to see things get done around here. It still amazes me what we have accomplished here so far.

You know you are in the country when people just give away horses. We are the proud owners of a 100% mustang now. His name is Chase and he is older. I can't help but liking him. He is not as intimidating as the others because he is smaller ...its cute.

Cole expressing his creativity with a napkin hat and his very loose front tooth protruding out. Mike and I took him on a date with us this past weekend in hopes to strengthen our relationship with him through individual time. Not really sure that worked out but we will keep at it.

Its cute to go out back because when we do all the chickens come running. They are so friendly and interesting to watch, minus the rooster Cole of course.

Birthday Party

After trying for two days to post these pictures I am so ready to get this documented and done!!! (Irritating..sometimes blogging is fun and sometimes its a pain in the butt.)

Anyhow, this is Cole's birthday party. He is now a big 7 year old! One more year until he is baptised...wow!

We had fun. We invited my parents who brought Maddy with them and then, T.J.'s family, the Squires and some friends from Mike's work. It was pretty fun to see all the kids running wild.

Mike got a pinata again this year, which is fun to watch the kids take turns at it. We didn't blind fold them this year so it went a little faster than last year.



Our house is not that spacious so we have to really utilize outside when we have get togethers like this. It worked out perfect though, we set up a volleyball net and had fun playing it.

Randy wanted to check the bees out with me so we suited up and went out and did our inspection. It is neat to share that experience with people. You really gain an appreciation for the bees.

All in all the party was fun, Cole had a good time and we felt loved by the family and friends that came to play.

This Makes Me Happy

This picture just makes me happy because she makes me happy! This little girl is a work of art. I am thankful for little girls! (Pray I get another one!)

Beginning 4-H

I have wanted to get the boys involved in 4-H for some time and the opportunity finally presented itself a few months back. We were asked if we would like to join a 4-H group with three other families and we happily agreed. I love that the kids will be exposed to different projects, and I also love the fact that I am accountable to a group, which helps me stay focused!


Our first project was putting together the Mel Bartholmuel's (spelling I'm sure is wrong on that last name) square foot garden. So here the kids are making the mixture for the "perfect" soil.
Here the boys are home and planting their own seeds into there little gardens. Of course Cole is not happy but Carson seemed to really enjoy what he was doing.

It will be nothing less than a miracle if anything grows in those things, due to the high winds we had for the next two days after planting. Not to mention that the boys like to water log the things when they get the sprayer on. I have to tell myself, "Not my project but theirs constantly".

This should be a really great family activity and I look forward to posting more about this. Earlier this week we made our own worm composters so will have to post picture of that!

Carson Update

My little 5 1/2 year old. He is growing so much and it is astonishing to watch it! This little boy is such a sweet, helpful, funny kid. I can count on him to snuggle with, to help around the house, and to tell the funniest stories.

He is going to Kindergarten next year. It is exciting and sad ...kind of the beginning of the end of the little days with him. We are now going into the school phase and I hope and pray that he will do well and make really great friends. I know he will be good to others and that brings comfort.

He graduated from preschool last month, and Mike came to watch and then he treated us to McDonalds. What a good daddy he is!