A Moment In My Day.

Had the old mamms grammed yesterday.  As the tech was, um, you know, putting things in place, she asked how old I was. 43.  She said, "Oh, I didn't even think you were 40".  I then wrapped my arms around her and squeezed her tight. 

 WAIT! 

No. 

No I Didn't.  Part of me was stuck between, well, the gramm-er. I couldn't really move.  So I thanked her profusely and didn't breathe while I smiled as she took pictures of the old girls.

15 Years!!

15 years ago today we got ourselves hitched!

Everyday is like a fantastic mater ride... you always make me laugh

There is never a dull moment

I love you Daniel! 

If the next 15 years are half as good as the last, it will be awesome!

And those Disneyland pictures remind me that I need to blog our Spring break trip.  Maybe tomorrow...

Every Day Is A Spa Day... For My Toes!

Last Monday was the day.  The carpet guy came to our house!  He laid all the pad in the basement.

Red... Pretty!

I thought about leaving the pretty red forever.  But I was overruled.

Tuesday the carpet guy brought his grandson to help.  Here is half the basement with carpet ready to be permanent.  It smelled so good.

The grandson ripped out the living room carpet first thing Tuesday and put the new carpet in. 

Isn't it yummy?!

Tuesday night was our big move the furniture day.  Our bedroom ended up in the living room.  We even have our headboard.

Have you ever slept in your living room on your own bed with your headboard? 

It's weird. Trust me!

Much of the stuff from our room that didn't fit in the living room or bathroom, was put in the family room.  Ruthie's stuff was in the family room, too.  We lived in crowded confusion for a night and a day.

Wednesday the old and nasty and yucky and rotten and gross and and and carpet was ripped out.  15 years in the waiting.  The pad was gross and falling apart underneath it.

But Thursday morning and every day there after, we put our house back together.  The basement is a large playroom and we got out some game shelves and book shelves and a table for game playing.

Sam's blue room was a room taking shape.  He was so excited to finally have his own space to do whatever he wants.

Isaac's green room has been in set up mode for months.  He has posters on the walls and being able to put a real bed in was super exciting.

I have a living room.  Did you hear me??  I have a living room.  We still need a couch, a table, a floor lamp and to put the pictures on the walls, but that will come soon enough.  15 years has given me the patience of Job.  Well, not really, but close. 

We will be working on the boys' old room's walls and painting them for Ruthie to move in there.  Then I'll re-do her room and have an office/craft/sewing room!! Can I get a Hip Hip Hooray!

And can I just share how much I love love love my new carpet?  It's like a spa day for my toes.  Everyday!  It's like walking on butter.  Yummy butter.  Come on over and give your toes a spa day.  They'll love you forever.

Dad.. Dad.. Daddy O.

You remember that scene on Back To The Future when Marty is talking to his dad, but a young, his own age dad?  He says something to him and ends with dad... dad...Daddy O.   That's why I titled this post with that.  I always say that to Daniel. Dad, dad, daddy O.

Anyhoo, it's his day!  Dad's day.  We began with his gifts.  Some shirts.

His favorite drink.

A Creeper from Mine Craft

And the best one yet...  World's Coolest Dad!  Yep!

We had a fancy dinner after church.  Ooh, a table cloth.

Pinkies up

Roast, mashed potatoes, corn from last year's garden, gravy and rolls.  Daniel's request.

We love our dad and are so glad he's ours.  Life would be boring without him!

And a happy father's day to my dad and Daniel's dad.  Both men have been a huge influence in our lives growing up and are still a big part of our lives.  And we are grateful for the brilliant role models our kiddos have!

What A Week!

It's Saturday.  Our Spring Break is coming to a close.  It's beautiful outside.  Tomorrow is Easter.

We've had a seriously busy week.  Last Saturday Daniel's car engine bit the dust.  It's gone.  He had a guy looking for an engine, but to no avail.  We are in the process of finding another car.  Little, cheap, quick.

We blew eggs on Monday and then colored them.

I love the egg blowing rather than boiling.  Less stink.

We got some clay and made some pretty cool stuff.

My fruit basket.  So life-like you wanna eat it, right?

A dog.

We also had a day of making stuff out of these weird things called nuudles.  Yes.  Weird.

 But loads of fun.  We also went to the zoo.  But it was so crowded we left and went to the Museum of Natural History instead.  Good times.

Kids played outside in the absolutely gorgeous weather. 

We visited grandma and grandpa, got our teeth cleaned, I was set apart as a ward missionary, I went to my last Wolf Den Meeting, we had many late nights and had a most wonderful time.  We also have been doing our Easter week lessons about the things Jesus did each day before the Resurrection.  Boy are we grateful for Him.  Happy Easter and enjoy the beauty of Spring!  

Brrrrr....

Are you freezing???  We've been seeing single digits for so dang long.  My bones are cold and there is not enough heat anywhere to get me warm again.  Maybe Hawaii.  But I'm in Utah.  You've probably heard the news stories about pipes freezing and then homeowners using propane heaters to unfreeze them and then their house burns down.  Yikes!  Don't do that.  We have succumbed to just letting the faucet drip all night.  It keeps the pipes from freezing.  And better than exploding pipes!

Despite the freezing temps, my heart has been kept warm by my sweet kids.  Here are a few things that heat my heart.

Last week Isaac had to go to a different bus stop and at an earlier time.  I dropped him off because it was like 2 degrees outside.  After I got home I got this text from him...  It meant he was on the bus and all was well.  And seeing that one misspelled word made my day.  Success!  Isn't it what we want for our kiddos?  Even if it's just getting on the bus?

Ruthie keeps people out of her room.  I figure it's because no one can walk into her room because of all her stuff on the floor.  But she just wants her room to be hers.  So last week she put this note and picture on her door.  It says "You must be pure to enter" with an arrow pointing up to Jesus.  Being pure to her is more than inner cleanliness. You must also be shower fresh!  But the point is this... We all need to be pure to enter.  Why not be pure?

And then there's my Sam.  This one almost 11 year old young man still calls me mommy.  But more often he calls me Momma.  And when he does my heart swoons.  I don't have babies anymore but my babies they will all remain.  And to be called Momma, well, what a wonderful thing.  I love being his Momma!

And so even though my bones are cold, my heart is warm and my Joy is full.

Are You Jolly Or What?

Are you having a jolly week? I sure hope so. Considering tomorrow is the end of the world. But then again, maybe it won't end. So I hope your week is jolly so you can keep going after tomorrow with the jolliness. Or something.

 

I know it's been a tough week and it's kept me from blogging.  I don't want to move into funny and stuff too soon, but I also don't want to be sad.  Here is where I am...  We live in perilous times.  No laws or confiscations or medications or anything else will stop bad guys from doing bad things.  Or from getting guns.  Satan has got a hold on the hearts of the children of men and he will not let go or even loosen his grasp until Christ comes. I hope you are praying, as we are, that He will come soon.

 

On to the happy.  Because happy is good.  Happy is Joy.

Last week our cub scouts went to the Veteran's home in Ogden to pass out ornaments.  It was so fun to watch our cute cubs and their sibling go into the residents' rooms and give them an ornament.  Or 15.  I took pictures as they passed them out then took a picture of the group.  Sam wouldn't stand with the group so I snagged this one.  

Sam wrote this special piece in school.  I love the last line.

**********

AAAAGGGHHHHHH!!! Isaac just texted me from school and said his science fair project is going on to the district!!!!!   AAAAAAGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

*******

We got our tree up last Saturday night.  Sunday was the family party and since it was a Christmas party, I figured it would be nice to have a tree up.  Plus, it's Christmas next week.  Notice there are only like 2 decorations on it.  Those are Ruthie and Sam's ornaments they just made in school and gave to me this week.  The lights are part of the tree.  Luckily. And there are really presents under it too, much to our kids' delight!

And here is the play room minus the toys and games and clock and other such things.  Also minus the chairs and tables for people to eat dinner Sunday.  The basement, for which I have NO pictures, mostly because I don't go down there since Sunday because it was a disaster and there were games destroyed and toys EVERYWHERE!, is awesome.  Well, messy.  But still awesome.  And it was a big hit.  It was so hot and crowded in my house that it was a relief that it wasn't more crowded and hot because most of the children and teenagers were downstairs.

So now I'm ready for Christmas and am so grateful to celebrate with our home full of safety, peace, love, completeness and JOY.

On to more Jolliness!

I Had A Time Out.

Have you ever feasted on spiritual things and been so spiritually filled that you realize you've been starving for a long time?  I went to Time Out For Women on Friday and Saturday with some fantastic women and I feasted and was filled and my spiritual starvation came to an end.  Friday night's speakers and music were meant especially for me.  I could have come home that night feeling that my cup was full and the ticket price paid.  Then we stayed up late and talked and laughed and ate and talked and laughed.  After a few moments of sleep, we were all up at 6 am to shower and have breakfast and get back to Saturday's events.  More feasting and filling and moments of joy.  The last 2 speakers were, again, meant for me.  The Spirit whispered the counsel I needed to hear.  TOFW is an event we all want to go back to for more feasting and bonding.  And laughing and eating. 

We got home late that afternoon and I changed and started laundry and then went to the adult session of Stake Conference.  Wow.  More feasting.  Spiritually uplifting messages were abundant.  Then Sunday morning was the general session of Stake Conference.  Wow again.  This time they announced Miracle Choirs.  First the youth were called up to sing, then the women, then the men.  What an amazing thing to watch as almost every youth, sister and brother went up to participate.  By Sunday afternoon I was wiped out.  And now that Monday is here I am ready to take on PTA, kids, laundry, dishes, meals, service, cub scouts, and everything else. 

Wherever you live, look up Time Out and see when it will be near you.  Go. Enjoy. Feast. Live. 

Blogging should begin to happen more frequently.  At least that's the plan. 

A Little About Us.

Now that the fair is over I feel like I can breathe..  And it's nice to not breathe in barn smell!  So I thought I'd catch up on how our summer's been winding down.

We begin school next Wednesday.  Ruthie will go into 3rd grade.  Sam will go into 5th grade.  Isaac is going into 7th grade, which means junior high.  He and I went to register Monday morning.  Much to our dismay, so did every other 7th, 8th and 9th grader. There were lots of long lines.  Then there were other longer lines.  Isaac is nervous, but so is every other 7th grader. (and so is his mom.. sshh) We will go back next Monday to meet teachers and then Tuesday we will have orientation.  Then the real life thing begins Wednesday.  Sam and Ruthie will be okay.  They will have terrific teachers and I know exactly how things work in 5th and 3rd grades.  And I'm the PTA secretary and will be there a lot.  A. Lot. 

We've finished up school shopping, except for shoes.  Everyone needs shoes.  I just don't understand how they go through shoes so quickly.

Last night we went to a dinner with my mom's family.  Sort of a family reunion, but my cousin got married today.  So his parents did a dinner for all the families so we could visit and enjoy some time together.  I sat with my aunt Ruth most of the evening and caught up with her.  When I lived with my grandparents after high school, Ruth and her hubby Chuck lived very close by.  I spent a lot of time with her and her young family.  Her oldest is 25 now.  Old I tell ya! 

We have been going through milk like crazy cakes I tell ya.  Between Isaac and Daniel, my two milk drinkers, we can go through a gallon a day.  I can't wait for school to begin just so Isaac isn't drinking it during the day.  At least you can't accuse either of them of being calcium poor.  Both of them are at a priesthood meeting tonight.  I love that Isaac will get his Sunday duds on on a Tuesday night, and then again tomorrow night for a fireside (Which he may not actually realize yet!) and not complain.  At least not too much.  He's a terrific priesthood holder.

Sam just had 2 cavities filled today.  We all went for cleanings yesterday and Sam was the cavity winner.  He's never had the shots in his mouth for fillings.  He was so brave and didn't even flinch.  I flinched.  And I didn't get the shots.  Both teeth were filled and he is nursing a sore mouth.  Ice cream and cake.  As long as he brushes tonight.

Remember I couldn't go on a date with a hot guy last Friday night because I got a Frisbee in the eye and then couldn't have gone anyway because we had the goat show?  Ya remember that?  Well, this Friday night is date night with hot guy.  I'm looking forward to it.  I go see the eye doc again in the morning.  I hope the swelling has gone down enough so I don't have to do the drops anymore.  It's a thick milky stuff that makes my eye cloudy. Needless to say I haven't been doing 4 drops a day.  2 is more likely.  At least the doc can rest assured I won't sue for malpractice!

This Saturday is Poppy's hike.  All the dads and sons go on a hike with my dad.  Then we all meet at McDs after for lunch.  And then we break the McDs.  Happens every year.  But we sure have fun breaking it. 

I have been reading each night to my kids through the summer.  We've read One Crazy Summer, Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of Nimh, The Princess Academy and now I'm reading Tennis Shoes Among The Nephites.  After I got home from my mission, my youngest brother Aaron and I got the book on tape.  Yes, tape.  Cassette tape, not eight track.  I do remember eight tracks!  And had quite a few vinyl records.  Those were the days...  Anyhoo, Aaron and I would drive around in my green Grand Am on Saturdays.  We would go to the car wash, wash my car, go to 7-11, get a couple of bigs things of nachos and drinks and then drive around town listening to the book on tape.  And eat our nachos.  We got through the first 3 books on cassette.  When the 4th book came out we started listening and I don't think we actually finished before I was getting married.  Aaron and I never got to listen to the whole thing together.  Right after Aaron died I found the cassettes in my glove box as we got ready to sell my car.  I was sad that we never got to go back and finish.  But now I am reading the first book to my kids.  It's a series I hope to keep reading to them and not stop for any reason but the end of the books.  It's my tribute to my little brother and my kids' uncle Aaron. 

I challenged myself a bit ago to not chew on my nails and fingers.  Nasty habit.  So I bought some fun nail polish colors.  Black.  Orange.  Green.  Purple.  I love the black but Daniel thinks it's weird.  Whatever.  My favorite is the purple.  When I wear it I don't bite or chew.  Then my nails grow.  It's been wonderful to have nails.  Then came the fair.  Oh my!  My nails got chewed!  Not by me, though.  Just the whole deal of caring for an animal and the stall tore through my nails and they are still recuperating from the splitting and ripping and such madness.  I hope to have them back in good shape (literally) soon! 

So that's what's going on here.  We have had a fun and full summer.  I am so grateful for all the opportunities we've had to do new things and travel and spend time together. I will miss my kiddos come next Wednesday around 8:30 am.  After all, they are my Joy.

But then again, I am looking forward to a nap.  Oh, and a clean house!

Going To China?

This morning I was going to China to get my baby and so was my neighbor Mandy. Our hubbys were still at work but would meet us at the airport. So I grabbed our suitcases, one very large one and one medium one with a smaller one inside of it. I never zipped the suitcases up. I also grabbed the one paper that I would need in China. So Mandy and I drove together to the airport. As we got out of the car I asked what time our flight was. Mandy didn't know. Then I realized I hadn't even talked to the adoption agency to make sure we had a flight. Maybe we didn't even have a flight to China!

I looked at my watch and it was about 5:53 pm. And then I looked at the paper I needed for China and it said I needed to have it checked by a “street person” for verification. Strange. And then it occurred to me that I didn't pack anything in my unzipped suitcases. Nothing. No clothes, no toothbrush, no nothin'. I mentioned it to Mandy who just laughed a little. I called Daniel, who would be driving home from work, to ask him to bring me my clothes. And toothbrush. And stuff. He didn't answer. So I called my kids at home to get my things together.  And then I woke up.

Last week referrals came out for our LID. If we hadn't pulled our paperwork a year and a half ago, we would have a picture and information on our new daughter. Or son. But we pulled the paperwork. No referral.  Just a really strange dream. I asked Daniel if he thought the dream meant we just aren't supposed to go to China. A reiteration, if you will. No clothes packed in the suitcases, no flight tickets, unzipped suitcases, and I don't even wear a watch! Daniel said it's just anxiety. Well, yeah. Me and my anxiety driven self have been up since 6:30 this morning.

I look at where we are now in our lives and know that Heavenly Father knew at the time what we didn't. I am helping to care for Daniel's mom right now. I can't imagine doing what needs to be done with a toddler who is working on attachment. Isaac begins junior high at the end of August, close to when we would be traveling. I will be able to focus on his preparation without travel plans and without a toddler who demands 24/7 care on attachment. One of my kids is having some health issues that need to be cared for at Primary Children's hospital and I can't imagine taking care of him while taking care of a toddler who is dealing with abandonment issues. And so many more things going on. Some that could be canceled or put off for the time if a toddler came. But many that are just how we live right now.

I sometimes wonder if I am trying to talk myself into just accepting (once again) the fact that we are finished. But I know that we are. I know that things have worked in our favor and in our best interest. And I do love where we are right now. I am so excited for the few who stayed and saw it through. They now have a referral and the future is bright for them and their growing families. And I am a bit sad for those of us who had to make the heartbreaking decision to be done before referrals came. Hearts will mend over time. And children keep us busy and Joyful.

Joy And Reality.

A moment of Joy.  I was in the kitchen and heard Sam playing the piano.  Ruthie came in and asked if he was going to start taking lessons again.  He said "No. You're going to teach me." So Ruthie began his first lesson.  They even played a duet.

I just love moments like this.

A moment of reality.  I am putting together the list of cub scouts going to day camp.  And getting Sam and Daniel's med forms filled out for Webelos camp.  And getting ready to take Isaac in for a physical before he goes to Scout camp.  And making myself available to go to day camp with Ruthie.  And the thought occurred to me that this is the last year for day camp for Sam.  And Ruthie is just beginning.  But in 4 years she'll be getting ready for girls camp.  And Isaac is going to Scout Camp!  What the??  And when I am released as a den leader I won't be going to cub day camp anymore.  Anymore.  And  a small part of me was sad.  And another part of me can't wait for someone else to be a den leader.  And another part of me is ready to paint something.

And so I show you this.  The yellow and red are my inspiration for the work I am about to do.  Yes, my kitchen is already splashed with red.  But the yellow is new.  And the idea in my head, thanks to another PTA mom, is ready to pop out all over the place. 

Just you wait!

Missionary Experience.

Let me tell you a little story.  A few weeks ago I was in the temple and asking for guidance on what to do about my writing.  I had an answer come - write the mission story of the girl who thanked Heavenly Father for her shoes every time she prayed.  But to do it, I would need to get my mission journal out so I could make sure the information was correct.  And hey, how about a name for the girl?!  So I dug my mission journal out.  I thumbed through quickly and realized I couldn't even remember what area I was in.  So I began at the beginning.  Here is a glance at the thickness of the journal.   

That blue thing sticking out is a hospital wrist band.  I was in the emergency room before the terrible illness with no name took over.  Now I need to clarify some things.  It was 20 years ago that I left for my mission.  I have been back for quite a while now.  This is the very first time I have opened my journal to read it.  I have not read it because I have some memories that literally make my toe nails curl.  I'd get a stomach ache every time I would think of my mission. I didn't want to talk about it.  Or even think about it.

I began to read with the goal of finding this girl and all the correct information so I could write it and send it in to the Friend magazine.  What happened was very surprising.  I read.  And read.  And read.  And read.  And I remembered all the wonderful experiences I had.  I remembered all the incredible people I met and taught and laughed with and cried with.  I remembered all the wonderful missionaries, companions and elders, who I served with.  I remembered what an incredible experience it was to serve a mission.  I grabbed my mission photo album and put all the faces with the names and remembered the houses, the food, the kids, the smells, the spirit, the greatness of it all. 

I have had more than a week to digest all that I read and remembered.  And guess what?!  I don't get a stomach ache.  My toe nails have yet to curl.  I smile when I think back on those 18 months of my life.  I love my mission. 

It only took 20 years.  20 years and wanting to clarify details of an experience so I could write about it.  20 years and an experience I never even actually wrote down.  20 years and the cleansing of my memories of a life altering experience.  I received an amazing answer in the temple that day.  The power of a journal and the way it can clarify events from 20 years ago.  And leave me with a sense of Joy where there was once fear and muck.  Go ahead... ask me anything about my mission!!

Random Updates.

I'm thinking I should just start doing A Day In The Life again.  Instead, I keep doing these random updates.  Maybe I'll begin again...  Maybe I won't. 

Last night Isaac had his first official Scout Camp Out as a Deacon.  It was a practice session for Scout Camp this summer.  When he will be hiking in 3 miles and staying there for 4 nights.  It was supposed to be Monday-Saturday, but they squashed it to Wednesday-Saturday.  It's a Wilderness Camp Out this summer.  So we got the pack ($55 at Costco. Bam!) And a good sleeping bag that fit into the bottom compartment and then got his dad packed.  The pack almost took Isaac out.  But he did it.  They are back and smell like campfire and dirt. 

On Friday I got out a big bag of M&Ms and put a few into a little bowl.  OK.  I put a lot into a medium bowl.  I found this sad oddly shaped brown M.  He was so forlorn amongst all the shiny round Ms.  I took his picture for posterity sake.  Then I ate him.  He didn't taste as good as his friends. I thoroughly enjoyed eating all of his friends.

Today marks 10 years since my brother Aaron died.  We miss him.  But the lessons learned and the blessings received because he died are immense.  One lesson-slash-blessing is that I have this sacred partnership with Aaron.  He works on the other side of the veil teaching and proclaiming.  I work here, side by side with my sweetie, in the temple.  Now Isaac joins that sacred partnership because he can go to the temple to do baptisms for those Aaron has taught.  Oh my heart.

Aaron, we love you. We miss you. Come back soon.

Sorrow And Joy.

It's been over a year. Usually when I'm asked about it, I just say what happened. I am getting better at just saying it, not feeling it. I can walk away without sorrow flooding my heart. But there are still times when I'm asked, or when a baby is born, a pregnancy announced, that the flood gates open and I grieve as if it just happened yesterday.

Our family is complete. I know it is. I know that another baby will never come. But there is still a part of my heart that can't accept it. When I see a baby I think, That could have been me again. It could have been our family with a new baby. It's easier to look at a toddler who is throwing a tantrum and feel peace that my baby is 8 and there will be no more. But still...

Our family is in a great place right now. We can go anywhere at anytime and just play. Just do. We don't have to plan for nap times, feeding times, diaper changes. We just stop for a treat or a pit stop. It's fun having kids who will challenge you to do something. I was challenged by Sam to ride the Re-Entry ride at Lagoon. I would rather be bit by a rattle snake. But I did it. The Joy on Sam's face when we got off and he saw my face was enough for me! They are all good joke tellers. And joke deciphers. They crack me up. They can be reasoned with and instructed. Understanding is evident when we teach a principle that they've been taught all their lives, but now clicks. They are growing up so fast.

And so we move on with preteens and look forward to more exciting events as they grow. Do I wish I needed to change a diaper at times?  I would do it if it were here.  Will that place deep in my heart continue to hurt?  Not as much as it used to, but it will always be there. So I find Joy in my family as it is.  Joy in what we are and what we can do and become.  And it is spectacular.

All Shook Up.

Did you shake at 10:15 this morning? Today was the Great Shake Out Drill in Utah. Daniel and I were in the temple and didn't feel a thing!! So I mostly forgot about it. But tonight I had one of my kids tell me about it. He said they got under their desks and held on. Then they listened to someone talk about earthquakes in Utah and watched a video. hmmmm. He had some anxiety. So we talked. And talked. And went over what situations we would be facing if we lived on the Eastern Seaboard, in the Midwest, in California. Heck! Utah seems like the safest place to me. We talked about the earth quakes I experienced while living in California. Scary stuff. But nothing bad happened to me. He asked about aftershocks. I said they are always smaller than the original quake. Like an echo. I told him that if there is an emergency, the safest place to be is here at home with me. The second safest place is school. They will help him. And if they are in school, at church, at a friend's or anywhere else, they will each be my first and only priority. And I will come as soon as it's safe to get to them. I told him I'd put together a school emergency kit for their backpacks. I told him what I'd put in it. Some snacks, a rain poncho, a light stick and a space blanket. I will also put in a letter from me and dad and a list of emergency numbers and other info. I told him that if he is okay after the initial emergency, he will need to look around and see if anyone around him needs help. Then he needs to help them. It will help pass the time until I get there. We talked about the reason for all these disasters-- Jesus is coming soon. We also talked about the reason for being prepared-- we want to be ready and safe. We prayed and I sent him to bed with his MP3 player. He was just listening to Choose the Right. Perfect. Peace after the shake out. And my heart, though shook up with the anxiety of my son, was at peace and filled with Joy.

My JOY.

Time for some JOY. Because there is much.

First one of my favorites in the food aisle. Havarti Cheese. Can't get enough. Perfect to just eat right out of the bag. Perfect on grilled cheese. Perfect in a sandwich wrap. Wonderful, flavorful, mild and delicious. Havarti. How I love you.Of course, there are the new baby goats, Felix and Iris. Felix is the white and Iris is the black. They are so fun to watch. But what I find great JOY in is watching Mama Cass-the skiddish goat-protect, love, care for and mama her kids. Her Mama-ness amazes me. And in that I find great JOY.

And then there are these...
Isaac. Passing the Sacrament, collecting Fast Offerings, will be going to the Priesthood session of conference this weekend, loving the goats, making sure Vegeta and Biscuit are loved and played with, robots galore, writes like a pro and all around great guy.Samuel. Goat loving, gentle baby goat holder, trampoline jumper, creative builder of Legos and Bionicles, A great friend to some great boys, getting his Bear badge this week at Pack Meeting, lost a tooth but enjoyed sticking it out like this for a while, fun cuddler and all around super sweetie pie.Ruthann. Drawer of fine art, super helper for mom, baby goat watcher and wrangler, a great future in babysitting, activity day going and loving, super smiling friend, the best picture taker and wonderful daughter and sister.What more could a cheese eating, goat owning, mother of terrific kiddos want?? O My Heart.