09.04.2012 1st Day of School!

Today was the 1st day of school for both the kiddos.  We did a "practice run" yesterday with getting to bed on time, waking up on time, and our drive to the school(s). We did great.  We did great this morning too! 

It's AMAZING how fast the kids grow and change from year to year.

Without further a do.....................

Timothy starts his first day of THIRD GRADE (yes i did say 3rd grade!) today at the local primary school. He is excited for school to start, though honestly, not so much his teacher. She's the "scary" or "mean" one if you are a little.  Really she is just one of the more strict teachers that don't put up with the kids BS I suppose.

He got his hair cut a week ago. Yes, he is sporting a MOHAWK. Ugh.  But i feel it was important to let him express his individuality and it was what he wanted. Momma won the battle and did not allow him to spike it up for the 1st day...so he looks like an 8yr old with a bad comb over. LOL



 But a cute guy eh?  Look at that adorable grown up face. Oh and the eyes - kill me now.

They both chose the 1 strap back packs this year. Um I think Bubba needs to adjust his. Pretty sure all that weight is not supposed to be balanced on his BUTT.

 

 

 Excuse the cat (Cowboy) both cats were in just about every shot until I had to shoo them away from the kids to grab a picture.

 

Danielle's dreams came true when we put her back in the Private Christian School this year. She is going to be a big FIFTH GRADER. 1 1/2 years at the local primary did nothing for her.

She picked out the cutest little jeans last night and chose this top because (....sigh....) it matched her new shoes. LOVE THAT GIRL!

 

She was raring to go about 10 minutes before her brother...even took her stuff out to the car and all!

 I am so excited for these two!  They are growing fast. *sniff* *sniff*  They make their momma proud!  Well it's go time....gotta go pick them up now.

Wow.. the day flew. Though I admit i took a 2hr nap..... hehehehe.

ANNOYED 08.14.2012

Can I just start by saying that I am *almost never* on Facebook. I just don't have time. If I really need to track someone down or wish a long lost friend Happy Bday it is a God-send. Otherwise....not so much. It's a time sucker.

But that isn't the point of my little rant.

I have obvioulsy been a little BUSY, and thus haven't posted a whole lot on my blog either, especially lately (sorry). I am surprised that you faithful readers even take the time anymore. But thanks....

As we all know, my entire purpose of having a blog is to document our daily lives, special events, and my children's lives. Almost entirely only for the enjoyment of family members that are far away. Every once in a while it is an outlet for me to "vent" , ask for prayer, and just be relevant.

Today is a "VENT" day.

I just so happened to log on to my Facebook account to get some info from my daughters school that is posted only there. Apparently I had "messages". (Again I almost never am on Facebook- so a message was from June that I never saw until today).

It was a message actually asking me to delete photos of said person (that sent me the Facebook message) from my Blog. No names will be mentioned here..........

Seriously!?!

As if I delete it then it never happened? That I cannot document actual events without having to get approval from the subjects who willingly stood there and smiled for the photo? Um, let me see, everytime I take a photo of my kids and their friends I should be carrying around a little waiver form for all the people in the photo's? Just incase they come back 3+ years later and ask that their photo be removed?

It's a sad state of affairs let me tell you.

So i guess I just stop posting photo's at all - or better yet, I could just make my Blog PRIVATE so only people I WANT to read it can?? Hmmm, maybe a good idea.

So to you little miss "please remove my photos"...you win! All photographic evidence that you exist has been wiped from our lives. The commentary however has not been. No last names were ever used in connection with the photo anyway. Since my blog is about documenting events that happened (when they happened) a comment from 3yrs ago should not really be bothersome I would hope. If so too bad..and guess what?....I still have the original photos. Perhaps said person is entering in a witness relocation program, has had reconstructive surgery, or is just not secure enough with themselves to have pictures of them "out there" in cyberspace. I am sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities.

Hope said person is very happy with their petty little selves.

05.12.2012 Mother's Day

Wow two posts in one day...don't have a heart attack but I finally am able to upload photos again. YAY!


I had a nice Mother's Day this year. They asked me what I wanted to do - or where I wanted to go. My answer is usually the same.

I want to go out to breakfast. Something about having someone wait on ME for a change is oh so appealing!

So we headed out to the big city (Missoula) and I decided on Cracker Barrel. It was busy, but we had 20 minutes or so to be goofy and have fun. The weather was PERFECT.

Is it just me, or do you just love getting to sit in the rocking chairs always outside every Cracker Barrel?

I guess it's just me.

I got an entire morning of my kids cooperating, smiling, and just generally being good.

What this day is all about....being a mom.

Took a picture of my two favorite boys as well. Daddy got new glasses! YAY!

After the nice morning in Missoula, we headed home and I got to have another great Mothers day treat!!

My friend Alisia and I went for a short Horseback ride around our houses. I rode her (very well trained) horse Nala, and she rode her other horse Lucy. They did pretty well considering it was their first trail ride of the season this year. It was HOT, so the ride was short and sweet. Neither of my horses are "ready". They both need a bit more training before we can just jump on and go. I didn't get any pictures of the ride, but it was fun.

Overall it was a great day. I relaxed after, took a nap, and read. All I could ask for.

Plus I just love that my kids brought home plants and homemade cards from school for me.

Hope yours was good as well.

05.06.2012 Never thought this would be a "Family Day" activity

Moving to Montana nearly 10 years ago was culture shock in its finest.

I wont lie.

There was a HUGE adjustment. Primarily, the weather was the biggest adjustment. There are "seasons" here. REAL SEASONS. We experience them all, but in all actuality it feels like we have WINTER and SUMMER. The other two seasons are just the "rainy" and the "windy" in my mind.

The S.L.O.W. pace was the second biggest culture shock. People drive slow, talk slow, walk slow, and are just generally not in any kind of a hurry. I spent the first 30+ years of my life knowing only "HURRY". I admit I still feel the urge to hurry. Hurry my children, hurry in the car. Some habits are hard to break.

Some of the easier things to adjust to are things like; Genuine people, Gorgeous Scenery, and Small town mentality.

But I am a "CITY GIRL" at heart.

I try to "fit in" and embrace all this country life has to offer (though "Pioneer Woman" REE I am not). I have LAND. I have CRITTERS. And we have GUNS.

A simple fact of life around these parts. Guns are for hunting.....Shooting is fun.

I grew up thinking guns were for "killing" and thugs had guns, and there was nothing fun about that!! I had no other frame of reference. You don't hunt in L.A. (i guess unless you are a gang banger). I thought GUNS killed people, PERIOD. Now I realize that PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE. It has been the hardest change / adjustment I have faced - without a doubt.

My husband grew up hunting, and being around guns. It was normal. It was accepted. It was life. You want to eat, you hunt. You need a gun.

Where was I going with this?

Ah, a few weeks back Bubba went with Daddy to visit Grandpa in Wyoming for a few days. Daddy was busy out and about actually "working" so Bubba and Grandpa spent some quality time together. They ventured into Grandpa's huge garden, they puttered around the house, and then Grandpa let him try out his .22 rifle. Grandpa is a skilled marksman, and got trophies and awards for his shooting in the Army. So they set up some targets (cans and whatnot) and had some fun!

It seems Bubba was a "natural" just like his Grandpa and his Daddy. He did exceptionally well.

So when he got home Daddy bought him his own Rifle.

That's the way it works in Montana. A prouder moment was not to be had. That boy tried them all out. We actually got him a .22 that is still too big for him. The smaller sizes he will outgrow by next year - and a gun is quite an investment. So he will need to grow into his gun. He got a cool scope mounted - and even though he cant get right up to it, it's just a matter of time. (For the "details" kind of people.. it's a Marlin .22 we got the composite shaft vs. wood because it's less maintenance..that's about all the gun talk I know)

One fine weekend (May 6th) we took our boy out to the local "shooting Range" and let him have at it. He (and sis for that matter) had been there before a few times with Daddy using Daddy's guns. I went too (another culture shock). Wanted to make sure my boys were being safe and see what all the fuss was about.

It looks like that. Rows of stations where different people can stand. We had the whole place to ourselves at that time of day.

And we set up some targets....

AND THEN THE FUN BEGAN

He knows how to load the bullets into the magazine. (It is BOLT ACTION - so he can only shoot once, then has to move the bolt to expel the used bullet and get another in the chamber from the clip. Safest for young shooters!)

Trying to get the height just right

Studying the target from his scope

When we were nearly done he got to try out Daddy's pistol. I even shot a few rounds with the pistol. It is quite "empowering" I should say. I felt confident I could defend my family should the need ever arise.


With smiles like THIS...............

This momma is sold on this new family activity!! He was so excited he practically was skipping by the time we left.

Oh, and he shot real well too!!!

I think I have adjusted well, dontcha think?!

04.26.2012 BASEBALL ! ! !

(p.s random picture...we don't have our uniforms yet) It is officially here. Well technically it has been here, and been practiced for the past few weeks. Games start next weekend. My ringtone on my phone is officially changed to "Take me out to the Ballgame" in honor of this season in my life. Hard wooden bleachers, concession hot dogs & peanuts, dirt flying in your eyes, and the sound of the crack the bat makes when it comes into contact with the ball are a staple in my life. Oh how I love Rookie baseball. That is not to say that my son is a star. He misses the ball more times than he hits it. He often times can be seen kicking dirt, staring at his cleats, "adjusting" himself, wearing his mitt as a hat, or - heaven forbid - picking his nose instead of paying attention. He is still at the age of learning the fundamentals and not expected to catch every ball, hit every ball he is pitched, and spit sunflower seed shells with accuracy. That doesn't bother me in the least. I love that team spirit is alive and well. I love that what he lacks in inate ability he makes up for in "hustle". I love how cute he looks in those polyester pants and new cleats. I love that every season he is with a new bunch of "old friends" wearing a different hat and shirt. Last year he was a "Dodger", this year he is a "Mariner". Though he'll never be a "Brave" like mommy would prefer - I love it just the same. I especially LOVE how I was not asked to be chained again to the responsibility of Concession Mom and some poor other sucker has gotten that baton passed their way. Our team has been asked to man the concession booth a mere FOUR times this season. FOUR. Not FORTY like last season where I was there for Rookie, Minor and Majors games - weekdays, weekends. The never ending drama of coming home smelling like hot dogs and smoke....or where dinner time consisted of concession food and an abundant supply of Laffy Taffy. Whatever I did, right or wrong, apparently paid off. So I can officially enjoy all those things I love about baseball - with my bum planted firmly on those blue, hard, wooden bleachers. So I think I'll buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks and enjoy the ride! Afterall, Softball season is only a month away!! Oh, and to my sis that hates the new "updates" in Blogger - I wholeheartedly agree. Where the heck did my separations in paragraphs go? It just runs it all together. The preview button sucks, and well... i guess i shouldnt complain.

03.09.2012 My Cup

(I couldn't resist...he's so cute!!)

I grew up a "Cup Half Full" person. You know the type. Always an optimist. Always knowing there is good in everything.

Sometime in early 2002 that part of me dissapeared. I wasn't even a "Cup Half Empty" person - - there just was no longer a cup. Not on purpose. Not because I couldn't see good anymore. Not because I didn't desperately WANT to be that person. Truly, because I couldn't make myself be that anymore.

It's called "depression" and it transforms you into someone you yourself don't even recognize.... If you have ever seen the "Cymbalta" commercials they are so accurate it is scary. (LOL)

I think Cup Half Full people are also called "perky". Which is hilarious - since it is a coffee reference.

I was also labeled "perky" when I was growing up. I always had a smile on my face. I never thought it was negative. I embraced it as part of who I was. I guess if you aren't a perky person...people like me could be somewhat annoying. (Or so my friend and neighbor tells me)

The funny thing is....as I got pulled deeper and deeper into depression, it was one part of me that was out of reach. I would always ask my Dr. - "When will I ever feel like 'ME' again?" Try another kind of medicine....I would feel better....but still never like "me". Try something else....but I still never felt like 'me' again. There is no way to put into words the clouds that you live within when your brain decides to "alter you" through depression. I had to try really hard (honing my acting skills) to portray being "perky" or "happy" because that was what was expected of me. What previously was a natural part of "me" was lost. No one wants to be around someone who is tired, mopey, angry or negative all the time. (No matter how much they love you - if they haven't 'been there' they just expect you to be able to "snap out of it") I can't tell you how many times I wondered if I would EVER be able to feel again.

I can't tell you how much of a relief it was when *gasp* just over a month ago I literally woke up and felt "changed". Happy permeated through every part of my being. Nothing mad me sad. My smile returned. I can't explain it. I had not changed medicine. My vitamins were the same. There are a couple things I tried to pin it on;

1.) I got about 5 pairs of new (new to me) jeans that fit great and felt good

...Who wouldn't love to say a pair of jeans changed their life! LOL

2.) I started drinking Chai Tea

...I was sure the caffeine - that I could never previously tolerate - was the "magic trick" that made me all better.

But the funny thing is - I know it was neither. I felt so good I decided to wean off my meds (without consulting my Dr.) and then stopped altogether.

Bad idea.

So I started back on. So I guess for now I still need them....but i feel GREAT. My medicine alone has never allowed me to feel great. I could just survive the day.

BUT NOW?!! The cup seems to always be Half Full.

As a matter of fact, my cup runneth over!

The very strangest thing, is that we are financially in a very BAD place. My husband is stressed beyond belief. He snaps. Medically he is in a bad place. I am supportive, I am strong, I don't snap back. I can only see the good. I know the Lord will let me bend - but never let me break. I can feel it. I know it will be okay.

I haven't "known" in so long it is very foreign to me.

But what I do know is that for TODAY I feel like singing. All day. Everyday. And that smile...well it just won't go away.

So if you need a dose of "perky" in your life...I'm your gal! Even though my literal cup (of Nonfat Vanilla Chai) is empty - I see and feel the possibilities of the days ahead.

And it feels good.

03.08.2012 KONY 2012

Each ONE of us can make a difference. It is worth the time spent.

03.06.2012 Not as Planned

Well surgery happened yesterday.

Unfortunately, when the Dr. came out to tell me all about it...it was not the outcome anyone wants to hear.

They could not get to the stone.

DeRell was devistated. I had on my brave face all day.

Bottom line, Dr. was able to put the Stent in below the stone. (this is important to stretch the walls of the Ureter so fluids can pass and the Kidney is not permanently damaged) However,due to his Ureter clinching he could not get his scope/camera/laser up the additional inches it needed to get to the stone that is imbedded in his uppper kidney. Mainly he said in healthy males it is common for the Ureter (tube that takes byproduct/urine from kidney to pee-pee) to contract or swell when there is a problem. So basically after his stone being in there so long that is what happened. For the Dr. to try to FORCE his instruments up any further he could have created problems or worse... permanent damage.

No one wants to have a catheter, or have to pee in a bag for the rest of their lives if there is some other way...so the Dr. decided to back up and call it a day. When he told me this i think i sunk in my chair about 6 inches. "Well cant you just cut him open and get it out the "hard way"? I asked. Basically the Dr. answer was 'Not unless he wanted a 12 inch scar running across his side to the front'. If there is ANY WAY to avoid that they typically do. So he said we will meet in his ofc. Weds and come up with a game plan. Also once he saw the final xray and was "in there" he thought it very possible it could be a Uric Acid stone. If that is the case, then it is the only kind of stone that can dissolve with medication. So he is going to analyze his last 4 samples to see if it is possibly that - and then we can medicate and hope it dissolves enough to pass on its own.

If not he has to go back in for surgery in about 2 weeks. Basically the maximum amount of time they want someone to have a stone lodged in their kidney (where his is located) is 4 - 6 weeks. That is why he had surgery at that 4 week mark. Now if we can't fix it in the next 2weeks he will need to have SOME KIND of surgery to successfully remove it otherwise he could have permanent damage to his Kidney.

Scary stuff, but hopeful that it will all be worked out in the next couple of weeks.

Also, I am so VERY THANKFUL we have medical insurance through his job. We went over 2 years without insurance (and just got it back last May) and something like this... if we were un-insured.... would be catasrophic. He has had so many CatScans, CT's, Xrays...and now possibly TWO surgeries. Yikes. We haven't even paid off our co-pay amount from his Colonoscopy from last year. I can tell you without a doubt we have met our family deductible already this year.

The moral of this story, is that not all things go according to plan. So we will continue to pray and hope for the best possible outcome.

As far as how DeRell is feeling....well lets just say for a guy that normally refuses to take pain meds - he took a 1/2 last night in hopes he could function. He has an Extrememl HIGH pain tolerance and this thing is kicking his butt! He has to drink LOADS of fluids....but it is SO painful in his Kidney and where they placed the stent when he has to urinate that he has been crying out in pain.

Not a fun thing.

03.04.2012 Surgery Day

Well we will be leaving bright and early for DeRell's surgery in the morning.

What surgery you ask?

Well if you recall he has a Kidney Stone. A rather large Kidney Stone. It has not passed. It is stuck in his upper Kidney.

So Dr. Urologist has made the decision to do surgery.

What does that involve? Basically, he will undergo general anesthesia, they will insert a tube into his....ummm...Well it is explained ever so well here. Oh and what this doesn't say is that they actually place a shunt above and below the area they are going to laser as well. It's awesome stuff.

Excuse me while I lay my head on the glass top of my desk for a minute.

Aw nice and cool.
..................Ok I am Back.

As you know, I am not so good with medical "procedures", anything involving blood or bodily fluids, needles of any kind...or graphic depictions of the process. Just hearing it outloud makes me 8 shades of green. I get woozy, I feel faint.

Yes, basically I am a whimp and I admit it. It's amazing in itself that I have birthed 3 children and lived to tell the tale.

Thankfully I have a new awesome book my friend Alisia passed on to me when she finished...and it's sequel...I think I may be able to finish all of them as we will be at the hospital at least 6 hours or longer depending on his recovery. You know, they make sure he can pee and all before they let us leave.

Sorry if this whole thing is T.M.I. But getting it out forces me to "man-up" about the whole thing. So i dont just pass right out when the Dr. comes out to tell me it all went well. I'm gonna hope for the not so detailed version of the procedure at that point.

Seriously, I am woozy right now just thinking about it. Yikes!

Monday is a busy day - Sis has her CRT's (all this week) starting Monday, Daddy has surgery, Bubba has wrestling practice (OOOOH did i mention he got 3rd place w/ a medal in his weight class at the Tournament this weekend??, Darla has her appt for the results of all her tests, and then a 4H sheep meeting at 7pm. It's gonna be one long/full day.

Just another Manic Monday................

02.29.2012 Happy LEAP DAY

It's leap day, that extra day in February that makes my son's birthday next month a whole day further away. HAHAHA

That is all we can talk about lately. His birthday, what he is going to do, what he wants, who he wants to invite, what kind of party he should have, can he invite girls, etc.

He seriously gets on our Amazon account every few days to drool over his wish list and add more things.

Not like it is hard to know what interests my boy. Plain and simply, it's

L E G O S

Always has been. Forever shall be. His newest adoration is NINJAGO Legos. Pretty much Ninja fighters with all kinds of cool weapons and fighting palaces, yadda yadda.

I learned the hard way last night at KMart that there is a WHOLE NEW type of Legos out there - the Dinosaur Legos. (If ever 2 things did NOT go together it is that!) We had a minor meltdown when I wouldn't buy him all the sets RIGHT.THAT.MINUTE so he could scratch that itch.

It is hilarious. It is Jurrasic Park for Legos. The same jeeps, velociraptors from the movie are now in boxed sets. I guess this fulfills all parts of the boys imaginations. No need to build cities then get out your dinosaur toys to crash them down. Now those ever so smart Lego people found a way to combine those things the boys love into one set. First was the blocks, then Star wars, then pirates, then Ninjas, now Dino's. I don't think it is ever posssible for my son to move past his "Lego phase".

It is as ingrained in him as eating.

He loves nothing more than making "creations" and playing for hours.

Mommy of course hopes this translates into some sort of engineer or other fulfilling career choice where he will continue to do what we loves involving building and creating. It is either that... or the next Justin Beiber.

For now we just indulge in his creative side and let him go wild "wishing" on his Amazon Wish List. He was up bright and early adding more things. Craziness. I guess when athe birthday does roll around i can just point people HERE.

So Happy Leap Day to all of you - I have a party to plan so I better get to it!!!

02.28.2012 I have a "STUFF" Problem

Busy busy today trying to get pictures uploaded and a whole gaggle of stuff listed on eBay. This stems from my need to actually clean out our storage unit downtown that we continue to pay monthly for that is currently home to more "stuff" than I can believe.

I guess when you don't ever visit your "stuff" if is out of sight - out of mind!

Anyway, I did some good ol' fashioned math (i know not my strong suit but...) at the beginning of this year and with a few small calculations have found that I have paid upwards of *gasp* $10,000. to store this stuff.

Let me just say for the record (and to myself) that there is not a single thing, and doubtfully not even an accumulated net worth of stuff in there at the TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR value mark.

It's sickening really.

So in January, when taking my Christmas "stuff" to that dear ol' storage...I paused to take in the enormity of the space. The items carefully boxed and stored there on large industrial/wherehouse racks that are 8 feet deep and over 12 feet tall. All shelves FILLED neatly with boxes and boxes of stuff. Most stuff being in there for the entire 8 years we have had this storage (and embarassingly at least 2 other storage units simultaneously). I truly had little idea what was in alot of the boxes. I grabbed no less than 12 plastic see-thru bins living on only ONE of the many shelves and loaded them into my Suburban.

Want to guess what was in those bins?

BABY CLOTHES.

Most of them adorable baby girl clothes. More than two bins alone were full had BRAND NEW baby clothes, with tags, NEVER EVEN WORN. There were so many outfits all in the same size group it was mystifying. Not to mention near impossible that ONE baby girl could actually wear all those clothes - as fast as babies grow. Shoes, blankets, bibs, you name it.

My daughter just turned TEN. TEN YEARS OLD.

I have a goal. It is a lofty goal....but one i will pursue with determination.

I have given myself until the end of Summer (August 30-ish) to have this storage completely empty. Those 12 bins are a start.

I have already sorted and gave away two Large Moving boxes FULL of stuff to Charity. I then proceeded to enter and price a whole 'nother gaggle of items for the upcoming Consignment sale that i participate in twice a year. (That is where we recycle all of our clothes/toys/shoes, etc. we have outgrown/don't wear or don't like by selling them and buy someone elses outgrown clothes...thereby saving this mommy oodles of money and eliminating the excess stuff problem)Then lastly, I have about 4-5 bins worth of BRAND SPANKING NEW clothes and shoes and stuff that are Ebay worthy. Gymboree, Carters, Big Name brand stuff I can sell. (Thus hopefully helping with our current financial crisis on some level)That way I feel like the storing thing is somehow getting paid back.

Sadly, my garage is FULL of more stuff and I can't just move it from there to here. It is a sad state of affairs that my house is nearly 4000 sq. feet and I have no place to put all that stuff.

I have a STUFF PROBLEM.

Just because mine is put away in furniture, on shelves, in closets or stacked neatly makes me no different than those people on shows like "Hoarders" who have mountains of "STUFF". The key is to just let go.

I don't want to raise little hoarders. My hubby and I both have the same problem in differing degrees. Mine stems from Sentimental issues...his from a "value" standpoint. He can't possibly throw it away because he paid $ "xyz" amount for it.

So we KEEP it. This is CRAZY behavior. And the bottom line is it is COSTLY behavior as well.

So I am admitting I have a stuff problem. That is the first step right? Admission I have a problem. So I am taking steps to rectify that problem. As fast as my little hands can type and box and get rid of. If I didn't need the money I think I would just rent a HUGE truck and load it and drop it all off at the Thrift Store.

That would definately be liberating.

So if you wonder what I am up to....it's "stuff" these days.

02.27.2012 Oh McMissie Has a Farm......

I'm sure I have mentioned a few (or five hundred) times that we have ourselves a mini-farm on our hands. It just seems to have evolved naturally. When one has the room, why not fill the Inn?

Take 1 city girl, 1 country boy, procreate 2 small children and move them to the country before "city life" warps their little minds...and this is exactly what happens.

I laugh at the "I will NEVER" statements I have uttered far too often in my life. Like when I moved to Montana and said with pride "I will NEVER decorate my house in anything WESTERN or COWBOY or whatever, that is so Hokey". Also the whole "I will NEVER shovel horse sh*t" has been said once or twice. (I said both of these phrases to my sisters on more than one occasion). I am sure to their complete surprise it took only about 5 years before that cowboy comfortable hit me like a sledge hammer. Not to mention that being a city girl in a rural area goes about as well as 3 inch heels in a snowstorm, so one is forced to adapt rather quickly. ....but getting back to my point...........

When we bought this here piece of Homestead (wow that is really me...the newborn hick talking) we were excited our dogs would have room to roam and play. That quickly evolved to adding a couple more cats. It is very important to have "mouser's" when you live in the country for obvious reasons. My cats do an excellent job of bringing me no less than 1 dead critter as a present each and every day. Then we were so kind as to allow an older gentleman to bring his 4 horses to live on our property (a temporary situation that has turned permanent somehow). Then came (and went) the rabbit. A couple of Goldfishes from the county fair that became Sushi for our cats...then a "friend's" dog(s) and cat. Oh wow, then came 2 MORE horses (ours this time) that actually live at my neighbors house down the road since the only fencing we have holds in that other guys horses. (I know..i know.. what is wrong with this picture you say?!!) Then in September I figured my brood was complete when I got the next horse ACE (for those that lost count - we now have 3 horses, and 4 that are not ours but are on our property). Oh thats not all. Lose a dog, gain a dog. The number of animals don't dwindle - they are always increasing.

Another great perk of country life is becoming a full fledged 4H member. For those of you (city folk) unfamiliar...it is a wonderful organization that has far reaching programs into all avenues of agriculture and country life. My daughter is now an aspiring Shepherd. Yes, you heard that right. She is not only a member of 4H, but will be getting her sheep/lamb (in about 2 months) which she will feed, care for and "train" if you will, to ultimately enter that fine specimin in the local County Fair in hopes of winning a ribbon! Also to ultimately sell said sheep at the same fair in the "market" category where some nice person buys the sheep in order to slaughter and eat it. The circle of life is well demonstrated in 4H!! She learns to budget all her (parents) money spent and keep logs of the care and cost involved in raising an animal. Then after it sells, re-invest in another animal next year or keep funds for college or whatnot. It is a study in real life accounting 101 as well as sh*t shoveling and leading a poor lamb around in hopes of "training" it before fair time.

I shouldn't, and am not complaining by any means. Mainly because we don't have the critter yet and also because they poop tiny little balls into nice tiny piles that can be cleaned up rather easily.

...Is it just me, or can you totally see the sheep talking???... "BAH RAM U" to my other animals just like in the movie Babe? (If you haven't seen the movie NEVERMIND you totally will be lost on that reference) If you have seen the movie I know you are totally busting a gut right now. But I digress once again...

The real point (if i ever have one of those) of my rambling is that our farm has already expanded by yet another critter prior to the whole sheep thing. Unbelievable I know!!!

Our newest member is this gal.....drum roll please.............




Another one of those phrases that is currently biting me is "I will NEVER have a smelly RODENT in my house". It seems ma and pa gave in over this weekend and allowed our daughter (the budding 4H wonderkid) to get a..*gasp*..Guinea Pig.

Now mind you, it was FREE, came with a huge cage, food, water bottle/accessories, and even a book on how to care for it. It seems our neighbor and classmate of my daughter just isn't spending enough time with the thing. It (the "thing") lost it's mate a month or so ago and is "lonely" and not being played with enough. So they offered it to my girl who then proceeded to BEG like her life depended on it for no less than 5 hours on Sunday until we gave in.

Of course we attached conditions though, as any smart parent would. *smirk*

She has a 2 week trial period in which she must prove #1) That she will clean said rodent cage at least every 3 days or sooner if it begins to smell even the slightest like an animal lives in that cage #2) That she, and only she, is responsible for the feeding of said rodent, #3) That she will spend adequate time keeping the "loneliness" the rodent is experiencing to a minimum by playing with, holding, and talking to it frequently - - since that was the entire reason my bleeding heart/animal loving daughter ended up with it. Should she fail at any of the 3 requirements in the next 2weeks it goes back to it's previous owner or new owner that they may designate.

Shall we start the betting now?

Oh and did ya notice said Rodent is also kinda cute? It doesn't have those red beady albino/vampire eyes...it's eyes are Blue and it is white. It's given name is "Snowflake" and it has some black around it's eye or whatnot. I also was excited to learn that said Rodent has once procreated and given birth, only to EAT it's live young. Yummy. Lets just suffice to say it will not be getting a male "companion" again while in our care. Or any time down the road for that matter. ICK!!

So I thought I would share. Who knew that I would have ACTUAL NEWS since regaining my urges to blog?

02.24.2012 I'm BAAAAAAACK.

I was locked out of MY OWN blog - hilarious!! I guess when you become a slacker and haven't posted anything since um....well since the first day of school....the blog fairies remove all evidence that you were once a blogger.

Harumphhhhhh!!!

I think the absence is mainly due to my S.A.D. / depression ...........whatever. But when fall/winter starts to go away, and the sun comes out I seem to be able to once again operate. The days are starting to get longer. Despite the 3 inches of snow we got Weds night, it is sunny (albeit windy as heck) and my soul is dancing.

I have a smile on my face that can't be wiped away by looking at dirty dishes, horse poop or piles of laundry. It's been a couple of weeks so I know it's not temporary. All things seem "possible" or at least "Do-able" once again. Thank you LORD for allowing ME back.

Despite my crazy ailments that do not allow me to function in the winter months, I just don't know what to attribute all of my newfound joy to. Personally i KNOW what (Whom) it is. Hard to explain, but things that would cause me extreme anxiety - well they just don't. I have a calming peace that is incredible. While my husband spends many sleepless nights fretting over our latest "situation" I know it will all work out and I have an incredible peace about it. I also thank you Lord for Chai Tea....

I have NEVER been able to tolerate caffeine (soda, coffee, whatever) but I have recently found Chai Tea which has become somewhat of a new indulgence for me. The smell and flavor is music to my tastebuds and strangely I can handle the caffeine without serious jitters or fainting or whatever. Not long after I began to "function" and cope better, I emabarked on my near daily Chai experience, and it has amplified that calming effect (as well as helped me to be a speedy cleaning force around these parts). I am babbling. Probably none of this makes sense...except to me. But the end all / do all is less meds, more happy, and more productivity. I also slept 13 hours last night (due to a near migraine) and that seems to be icing on the very lavish cake. **smile**

But truly, it isn't the Tea - I think it is my guardian angels pulling me out of my slump and setting me back on my feet. Whatever it is...WHOMever it is....I am just happy as all get out to be ALIVE again.

But dont ask me to catch you up on the last 5-6 months....lets just say as usual too much has changed on this roller coaster ride. As I often joke, I think it is safe to say that about every 3 months something completely life altering takes place in our lives. We take a 180 degree turn and it is something new. You gotta be sharp and hang on tight for what comes next around here. Makes it hard to stay on my toes - especially when i am emotionally "not well"....but I am learning to hand over the reigns because "I can handle all things through Christ who gives me strength". If it weren't for the trials would I ever look UP and acknowledge all that is Good and how much I am truly Blessed? Unfortunately I know that answer has mostly been "Not Likely" too often. I fall then get back up. And He is there to help me up every time. Every.Single.Time. I don't deserve it. But He loves me anyway. It makes me feel that all things are possible, that if I listen for direction I can never fail. I am not in control of my life, and as soon as I loosen the reigns on what I want, the Blessings are poured out in abundance.

So I am going to go basque in the glory of today.
I am Thankful.
I am happy.
I am ALIVE.
I am Blessed.
I am Loved.

It's puppies, kittens and rainbows around here sisters! (family joke)