Visit From Liz & Family

We were so lucky to have Liz and her family come and stay with us for a few nights last week. Liz is a friend from college. She was a great help to me when I was new in the gospel. Not only did we live together for a few years we had most of the same classes in college too!


It is crazy how we started out single and now a few years down the road we both have kids and are on to the next phase in life. I will always look back to that time with fond memories!

Garden Fever

I want to document the difference that just a month and a half has made on the yard. (It also helps for me to see before and after photos so I am not so impatient with the whole growing cycle!) This is the backyard beginning of June.

This little side area Michael has made into a second garden area. He built that structure for the our upside down veggies and I am very pleased that he took this eye sore and made it functional.

This is what is looks like now. It may not be much to some people but I love this area. And I can't believe what started as just another skill that I thought I needed to try has turned into a complete joy.

I love this little fence Mike built he is so handy to have around. I am hoping when I do another update of this area it will be flourishing with big beautiful plants.

I am growing strawberries, raspberries, asparagus, herbs, beans, peas, cucumbers, squash, watermelon, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and some corn in the other garden. We will see how year 3 at gardening goes.

There really is something to growing and working in the dirt. I don't know if you want to call it therapeutic, spiritual or just plain fun, but whatever the adjective for it is I have caught the bug. I am not very good at it yet but I want to be.

I think next year I want to make a little raised bed for the kids to have as there own. Cole's plant is the watermelon and Carson's is the parsley. Cole is liking the process and it is so fun to watch him get so excited over the plants development. He found the the beginnings of 2 watermelons on his plant and was ecstatic.

Boys Night Out

A little history will be made known leading up to this night. We have had sickness in this house now for a good two weeks. We all got it including Michael, which is strange because he usually doesn't get colds. I had a few really rough days earlier this week because of who knows what maybe sickness, maybe cuz my parents left (will tell that story as soon as I get pictures from my mom so I can post about it....hint hint mom!) maybe it was my time of the month. Whatever the case may have been I felt like running away and not coming back.

Well, Michael my amazing husband not only lets me vent without judgement he agrees to letting me have a whole weekend off. What that entails is not a lavish get away like Mrs. Brya received, which I am not jealous about in the least (of course I am what mother is not!) it is me staying around the house but I can come and go as I please. I don't have to make meals, wipe bums, break-up fights or take kids with me. I can deflect all issues, needs and wants to him. Sweet, hu?

This picture was taken yesterday of the boys getting ready to go to the baseball game. Mike took them with Nathan and his kids to a game in Reno while I got to stay home with Morgan.

I was thrilled to have the house somewhat to myself. I got Pride and Prejudice and a Caramello and enjoyed what I could. Today is day 2 of my vacation and it is going very well. I slept in a little this morning, just made my breakfast, worked outside without having to be interupted by needs, and I even got a nap! By Monday I will be ready to tackle the daily routine of meeting needs.

Whats Been Going On

This year is flying by! Its really hard to believe we are half way through it. Things that have been keeping my attention are:

1. Couponing (I love it!) I can't believe how much money I have been saving by getting involved in this savings world. It makes me happy to know that I am a smarter consumer now and I can tell when I am getting a good deal or not. It helps me to feel a little in control in this out of control world.

2. Learning about the Constitution and the founding fathers. I have really enjoyed watching Glenn Beck and have taken his suggestions on reading about these subjects. I am amazed at how little I have known. And as a added bonus in this pursuit I have come to LOVE Cleon Skousen. I can't get enough of his books right now. I will now put him in my hero category with my husband and Stephen Covey.

3. Planning and working in the backyard. This is my 3rd year at gardening and I have to say that I am really enjoying it. Being outside and watching how things grow has really enhanced my gratitude and amazement in what our Heavenly Father has blessed us with. Michael has joined in this year with gardening. He has made the cutest little fence for a second garden area. (I am so impressed with him.) I have high hopes this year.

And of course trying to keep up with the kids. I have the best kids I really do. They are so trying and loving and maddening and sweet and being there mother is really hard work but I know this is my most important task.

So to sum up this year so far I would have to say.........um........pretty good. Things are pretty good around here.

Freedom To Protest!

I am very happy to say that we attended a tea party in Fallon on Wednesday the 15th...tax day. It was absolutely freezing and we were not able to stay long but I am glad we went and stood up for what we believe in. I had the kids hold up their sign's but that didn't last long.

Adelia and her kids came with us and it was a good experience. Adelia is my politically active friend. Her and I both went to a city hall meeting where we sat from 5 pm to 11pm on a issue that would directly effect us here in our neighborhood. Yes, it was annoying and long but I am planning on doing it again. I am finally getting the fact that if we want to keep our REPUBLIC strong and alive we need to get out and get active in the community!

I know for some they didn't understand what the tea party's represented that day... a lot in the media are calling those who supported them "radical extremists". I wish that they truly would take the time to understand what middle America is trying to say. I know for me it was about saying no to all the bailouts, no I don't want you to take care of me, no I don't want you to put away our Constitution anymore, no I don't want you taking from me and giving it to the person down the street that is not working!

I love America and I love that we have the freedom to protest and have our voices be heard. I hope that I can teach my boys about what this country was founded on and what our duties are in protecting her.

Sewing 101

These lovely ladies are Summer, Janie and Lindsey. They are wonderful friends. We are here learning to sew. This is an activity through church that Summer put on. I am so thankful for the opportunities to learn and acquire new skills that can bless my family.

Here is Adelia looking like a pro at this.

Morgan did not have fun that morning but the boys sure did running around and playing with the other kids that were there. Here is Reece, Janie's baby. She is 4 months older than Morgan. And we are hoping these two girls will be great friends.

March Shots

The last few months have been crazy, but good. Morgan is doing wonderful. She is crawling all over the place now (mostly army crawl but does get up on her hands and knees) and is pulling herself up to standing positions very treacherously. This past week she turned 7 months old and slept through the night I'd say about 3 times.

Carson is into everything but is learning so quickly about things around him. He is my little sensitive guy. We have to be careful with him because he is just tender at times. Of course on the flip side of that he is a little hellion too!