It's Alive!

Ok ok, a bit dramatic but we love our plant babies.

We have 3 different seed starter trays and we could have used more. Now, if we only had a rototiller.

Thanks for the seeds Mom.

Photo catch up

Hanging out in the shed shade because you don't own a hat.

Emma watching Daddy mow the lawn

Artist at work.

Playing cars

Tummy time and loving it

Well, this one pretty much sums up my kids: Little Miss with her crazy hair and silly smiles, and Mr. Man taste testing whatever he can grab. I live a great life *smile*

Redneck Wednesday: Playhouse

Well, I've had a few emails and several comments from family and friends (specifically those who were visiting for Easter) so here it is: Redneck resourcefulness at it's, um, finest?

This structure is a makeshift playhouse. One of my family members said it reminds them of the Weasley's house from Harry Potter. I have to agree, that's not a bad description. I think my favorite part has been waiting to see if those branches coming out the top are decoration or if the structure is built around a tree...well Spring has sprung and there's no buds on those branches, I'm guessing the are dead tree boughs stuck in the top.


I still get a kick out of these neighbors comments while my Hubs was building the shed:

Little boy watching from 'playhouse': "Mom! it's a shed. They are building a shed!"
The mother, with borderline inappropriate distain: "Yeah, a nice shed. I wish your FATHER would build a nice shed!"

Blessings in Disguise

I've decided to do better at looking for the silver lining in life. I think I may feel influenced by the news lately. There's too many negative things happening. There are too many things surrounding us that are unhappy and imperfect that I'd like to do better in choosing to be happy. 

For example, I really don't care for snow. We had a small storm last week and these are the positive things I am choosing to take away from the experience:

Shane took half a day off of work.

He and Emma went outside to play.

He taught Emma how to make a snowman.

My heart was bursting with joy too watch them play together.

We made cookies and drank hot cocoa for snack.

We were all grateful the weeds were gone so the yard was inviting.

I'll be the first to admit that negativity is contagious and it's turning into a plague. I will do better, I don't want to spread the disease.

Five Months

Parker, you need to know that you have the best sister ever. She treats you so well, and you just adore her. You want to be where she is in the house. In fact, it's become normal routine for Emma to announce to me where she'll be playing for the next little bit and ask that you lay on your blanket next to her to keep her company. 

Week 16

Trying to copy sister: Week 20

You are more opinionated these days. There's more complaints about how and when to be held, you don't like to be left alone in a room if the action is happening somewhere else. You want to be more involved, but you're still the most patient person in the family.

Week 17

 You're obsessed with trying to sit up. You just have to see what your sister is up to. You need assistance still which is fine with me. I'm not really encouraging your development in crawling, sitting up, or becoming mobile...I learned my lesson with the first child!

Week 16: That's one big Eeyore 

Week 18

We had a lot of great company for your baby blessing. It happened to fall on Easter Sunday, but that only made it more fun to see family and friends. 

Week 17: Baby Blessing

You are full of laughter and joy. You find pleasure in simply being with your family. You think your mom is great, your sister is hilarious, and your dad is awesome. You study your sister's movements and play. You study your dad's actions and tool sounds. You study your mom's face and singing.

Week 17

This month you found your toes, you haven't figured out that they can fit in your mouth just yet but you're always swinging them in the air from side to side and grabbing them to make sure they are solid. It's extra fun for me to put you in footy onsies with animals on the feet. You get so excited.

Week 18

Your nails grow too fast. Try as I may I can't seem to get your nails trimmed and you're always scratching your face.

Week 19

Olivia is still obsessed with you. It's official: she likes your blankets but she loves to snuggle you. There was question and doubt up until this month. 

This cat seems to be glued to your side...almost literally in this photo.

You can grab and hold objects now. You're favoring the plastic cup but I just went to the dentist and you were given a toothbrush that's not half bad either.

Week 19 new trick: playing with cups and things with your hands.

Week 20: First toothbrush, LOVE IT!

Parker, we think you're great! You're a funny dude that loves to jabber and observe. You are so easy going that you're easy to travel with, easy to change plans with, and easy to please. I hope someday you'll understand how much I appreciate that quality. We love you Mr. Man.

April 19th: Week 20, 5 months old

Redneck Wednesday: Mowing the Lawn

Our weeds, like many in the neighborhood are were out of control.

It takes a redneck to mow the lawn with a plow attachment on an ATV... and a fire. Not something you see in the city that's for sure!

However, I must say that cheap second-hand mower was holding it's own too!

There is hope for this yard!

General Conference in Review

Deep contemplation of spiritual matters caught 'on film'.

Redneck Wednesday

My first week here I noticed some large signs along the highway. Reading only the first and last few words I discovered Three Peaks (the area I live in) was having a potluck. I naturally thought it must be a fundraiser for the local elementary school, being so named. A local potluck held at an Elementary school is redneck enough but it gets worse!

When a month later I saw the signs out again I read more words: Three Peaks Ward...potluck. My church holds a monthly potluck and they announce to members and neighbors through large homemade signs on the highway ('The' highway, one and only thank you very much). Well having a testimony that God lives and believing in living prophets today just like in Christ's time I love to invite friends to church events, however, this was very very redneck for me.

 I've since seen the homemade poster signs for other church events and I can't help but wonder if an email would be better suited for modern day communication!

Grateful

My Dad and my sweet Hubs built me a shed. You see, I'm terribly claustrophobic and my home doesn't have a garage so all storage has been crashing down around me and spilling out of the closets.

I'm very pleased, it's good work and almost completed. I'm thinking of painting it barn red.

Working fast before the rain came.

Got the doors on.

Building her own shed.

Bright sun!

Redneck Wednesday

Our library has a policy that I don't care for much. To renew a book you must physically bring it in and show them you still have it before you can renew it...I've thought long and hard about this one. I can think of a few redneck reasons they want to enforce this policy:


a.) They are really possessive about their books.

b.) They are unsure how to use an online system.

c.) They think everybody lives less than 20 minutes away and has the time to bring a book in just to get permission to keep reading it.

No matter what the reason I don't have a lot of spare time to read a book and I don't think I'd go to the effort of renewing a book in person. I used to always renew my books online. Perhaps if I wasn't such a slow reader this wouldn't bug me as much!