03.20.2010 We Survived it!

The next time i get the GREAT IDEA to hold a joint birthday party...please slap me!

Sis didn't get her Birthday PARTY last month because of the throws of construction (not to mention lack of funds) so we decided that when Bubba had his Birthday party she could have hers. Two birds with one stone. 1 day of cleanup as opposed to two. So i went for it. I survived it too! (With a whole lotta help from April i might add...so thanks girlfriend!)

The kids had SO.MUCH.FUN! There were 13 kids here (which included ours) ranging from age 4 to age 10. There was no fighting, no whining, no complaining. It was a beautiful day (sunny, breezy and about 50 degrees) We did crafts, ate rainbow cupcakes, played outside on the PLAYSET and of course did presents.

I tried to make it special for each child in their own way - each got to pick their cake (or in Bubba's case-cupcake style). They each got their own pinata~, and their goodie bags were different for their friends. They each picked out a gift for their sibling, and it was very special for each of them. Bubba, well Bubba had 1/3 as many "friends" that could make it and less presents, but i think mom & dad saved the day with our present.

Now, before i get scolded...we were gonna make him wait until he was 7 or 8yrs old for this certain present he got. But we have a road trip in the near future, and this momma needs her sanity. Plus he "steals" his sisters all the time when i pick him up from Kindergarten and she is not there to protest! And honestly - he's pretty good at it. I'm thinking those 9-10 hours in the car will include at least 2-3 hours of peace. It's worth it's weight in gold in my opinion. Can you guess what he got?


I love the REAL moments caught on camera! This is him saying "Seriously?! You got me a DS?!!" He was truly shocked and thought he would have to live out the next 2 years drooling over his sisters metallic pink one.

The kids all loved the crafts! The boys painted wooden snakes.

The girls decorated flower pots with jewels, glitter glue, and pom-poms.

J, K, Bubba, and C enjoyed playing out back!

Sis is looking more and more like her Momma don't you agree???... Except that dark hair - i only try that in the winter!

Sis really enjoyed the cake - she can only have ice cream cakes since frosting always makes her sick!

Bubba got his special Rainbow cupcakes - Auntie April slaved to make them with only basic instructions from me!

Once all the guests left -we all took turns riding the 4-wheelers. Aunite April & Donnie brought theirs and we had ours. Here Donnie was taking Sis & Colton at one time. Couldn't have helmets on for the picture LOL! We just rode & rode around our property. Sis & I on one and Donnie & Colton on the other - raced and raced.

We were all tuckered and out by 9pm! There was a little mess to clean up on Sunday but not too bad! Thank you to April & Jacque who saved my sanity by helping with watching the chaos and cleaning up after 13 rowdies. Cuz that will be the last time for a long time. =)

03.18.2010 Happy Birthday Bubba!!

It's so indescribable. The feelings you have when say - your oldest goes off to college. Or days like today - when your youngest is SIX. Six is huge. It's Kindergarten, it's doing things like dressing themselves, or pouring their own cereal and milk. My BABY is SIX. I can hardly believe it.

As we speak he is assembling some Lego's he got for his Birthday. All by HIMSELF. Step by step going through the instructions BY HIMSELF. Nevermind that the box says ages 7-14. He's a Lego Fan, and doesn't need me. HE DOESN'T NEED ME he insists. That is the part that makes my BABY turning six so hard. But you gotta love him!

People often ask how this little man got the name Bubba. I'll tell you how. He was a FAT little roly poly with fat little fat rolls on his fat thighs. And had a big Bubba head. He ate like a chow hound and got fatter and fatter. And he was just "BUBBA". (Nevermind the numerous ear infections, bouts of pneumonia and allergies to just about everything a short time later that caused him numerous hospital visits and he lost ALL THAT BABY FAT!) He was a sick little boy.

By age 4 the Lord blessed us by making him WELL. No more ear infections, no more food allergies, no more pneumonia. My little snuggle muffin that i constantly cradled and rocked to health in my arms became better. Became Independent. Didn't need his Momma. He became a little bit defiant. A little bit bossy. Temper Tantrums became the norm. His hearing loss makes his "inside voice" non-existent. We struggle with the new normal that is our independent little man. He is still our Bubba and will always be.

He is our .............Dirt Stomping, Camo Wearing, Lego Creating, Heart Song Singing, Candy Loving, Big Eyed Bubba who LOVES
-Bubble Baths
-Vanilla ice cream
-Banana Splits
-Bionicles
-Cap'nCrunch
-Veggie Tales
-God
-Snuggling
-Taunting his Sister
-CheetzaNeetsa Pizza (Pizza/Cookie Lunchable)
-Vegetables
-His Family
-Praise & Worship Music
-Cowboy Boots
-Vanilla Yogurt
-Moms Homemade French Toast
-Digging and Exploring in the Backyard
-Bathrobe Wearing
-Movie Watching (Robin Hood, Eight Legged Freaks, Jurrasic Park, Ice Age, Clone Wars,and Backyardigans are current favorites)

He sings to the beat of his own "Heart Song" as we say. And he sings everything. We love that most about our little man. And i wouldn't trade it for the world!

Happy Birthday Bubba.


We brought you home..


How did you get so fat? Love those chubby rolls!


So Stinkin' Cute

Never one to pass up DESSERT - you have a sweet tooth like your daddy!


Your second hospitalization - but you were on the mend!


Much Better Dessert choice!

My ever so curious boy - you love tide pools!

A boy and his Lego's shall never be parted. You can play FOR HOURS with the basic ones!

Those eyes. Mamma always says yes to. I love you Bubba Boy!

03.17.2010 H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. - The Perks of Being a Fan

I can't stop laughing. You see, i follow quite a few blogs. My husband is not so approving. I have a daily "ritual" (which i wish i could come up with a better word - but i can't right now cuz i am laughing so hard). But i get the kiddies off to school, come to work, and first things first - hit all my favorite Blogs for my latest fix -or- "spiritual shadowing"/"Blog Stalking". (I prefer Spiritual Shadowing since a good many of the Blogs i follow are fine upstanding Christian Mommies) which i think should be Trademarked! (Thanks Angie) Or as my sis Lynnette would call it "Blog Stalking". But the best part is being a part of someone else's world. To get to see glimpses. To get ideas. Parenting tips. Spiritual Guidance. Lot's of reasons really.

Well this Fall/Winter i happened upon a really great Blog that took me to the place i love so much - HAWAII and some really great girls (Connie & Sandy are their alter ego's) named Cerina and Brooklyn. They were missionaries that had served in the Frozen Tundra of Minnesota and headed out for Hawaii on a new mission...to feel the warmth of the sand on their feet and embrace the colors and culture of all Hawaii has to offer (and forget all about the cold/snowy Minnesota! (Or really - have an awesome extended vacation) Little did they know lil' ol' me would happen upon their blog and answer their challenge of unvailing who us stalkers really were. And i happened to think they were "H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S." as i told them.

And as much as i wish i could go back to my annual Hawaiian vacations - having kids changed all that. So i tried to live vicariously through these great girls. Their blog is awesome. They have spark! I love their adventures they did at reader's requests...and me? Well i am a SuperFan with her own song - i've never heard my name in a song - so if you have 7-10 minutes, pause my music at the bottom and watch this "HILARIOUS" Video on their blog! Thanks Connie & Sandy - you make this Montana Mom so proud!

03.16.2010 A new addition to our "HERD"

No i am not pregnant.

Now on to the happy news! Our family got a bunny last night. It was inevitable. For 2 years Sis has begged and begged. She has whined each year when we go to the county fair and she see's all the cuties. But she, and we, were not ready for a bunny! But i think, dear ones, now it was time.

We happened to be in our local feed store buying doggie toys, and checking out electrical fence wire. They had 1 left. There were 10 last week, and last night only ONE. He was adorable. My heart ached for him but i didn't let on. The feed store is one of daddy's clients, so he happened to be there as well. So we begged - and hubby was so good to say yes. (I think he was more surprised that i was ready to say yes)

The first question i got (from multiple sisters) is whether this was the Katie (our missing cat) replacement. The answer is NO. We still hope - and pray daily that she will find her way back to us. It's merely us settling in our new place. We want it to be homey, with lots of love, lots of animals, and our little piece of farm life if you will. Animals require more care, more time. That's what we want too.

Slower pace, more family time - and to enjoy the piece and quiet and BE STILL. Do you know what i mean? I crave that opportunity. If having more animals (bring on the horses!) means i spend more time at home - then bring it on. The peace i have looking out my window..the peace the Lord has placed in my heart is overwhelming. Amidst all the to do's of getting this house completed i have PEACE. And life is good.

And "Patches" is awesome! He's the newest member - an opportunity to help us all slow down and appreciate him. He soft, he's cute, he's cuddly. He's FAMILY.

(I left the camera at my office so all i have is this bad cell phone pic, sorry!)

03.15.2010 The Monkeys Go Wild!

The kids and I got our wish! The playset is complete. Did i just type that? WOW! It was quite the ordeal. If you remember..for a couple years now we have really been wanting tot get the Costco big playset for the kids. It's always been out of our budget reality. Well we found one on Craiglist last month - Honey (and grandpa)drove 4 hrs there, disassembled it, and drove it 4 hours back. So it is used - but the kids got what they wanted and it didn't break the bank. Monkey Bars and all! Which was a sis requirement.

Honey in his OCD ways, had to make sure the area was level first. So he had to get out the rototiller and dig it out then move the dirt back so it would be level in the back. Hilarious. But they raked and dug and made it perfect. The whole deal took less than 3 hours. A whole lot better than the initial retrieving of the set!



See the kids in the back - all their nervouse energy - just WAITING!!!





Yes, that is my boy in his pajamas. Why get dressed when he is comfy & warm?
On a side note..the previous owners painted the chains PINK. Those will be going back to blue as soon as i unpack that royal blue spraypaint i have!



Sis was only dressed bcuz we had to go to the grocery store! She tried out those monkey bars the MINUTE we drove in the driveway. She ran straight to the playset! (so much for helping me unload the groceries!)

We had a nice dinner and our friends over - so Colton got to play on it too. I even turned the "runway lights" that were on the back balcony on so they could play on it as it was getting dark. I even joined in - that rock climbing wall is awesome!