BIZZZZZEEEEEEEE

Busy past few days. Baseball games to preschool programs. Five hour drives over the mountian late at night to early morning donuts with family. Baby showers to branding calves. Shooting ground squirrels to seeing a black bear. Going golfing in the love bug to visits with Great Grandma. Biscuits and gravy at Granny and Papa's to having cookies after church in the parish hall with the new priest. Then over the mountian again for pizza with Tom and Michelle before the 5 hour trip back home in the truck with the kids, the puppy and cousin Henry. Whew!!! I'm tired. So heres a few pics and I'm off to bed.








I'm too tired to figure out how to make this picture straight. But it is cute so I wanted to show it to you :)

Kids say funny stuff

On Monday we were at Taylor's baseball game. The boy that was up to bat foul tipped the ball. It shot like a bullet off the bat and hit the umpire in the hand. It looked like it hurt pretty bad. Well, ever since the kids were small, I always carry a first aid kit and extra instant ice bags in the pick up. Stacy was standing by me and wondered if we should ask him if he needed some ice. But we watched and waited a few minutes. That's when Connor said to me, " Nana, do you want me to get some ice for the vampire?" Oh, those little guys crack me up!!!

Last week both Connor and Caleb stayed the night with me. We were laying in bed saying our prayers. Caleb had said his and it was Connor's turn. He said "and forgive us our tresspasses, and liberty and justice for all." Are they cute or what?!!

Happy Birthday Casey

Casey,
After having two girls, dad and I were so happy to have a son. You were so cute. Dad would call you his "little man." It looks like we knew early on that you would be a baseball player.

This little sailor suit that you were wearing was made out of Grandpa's sailor suit from when he was in the navy. Cool, huh!

When you were three we got a puppy. We named her Tiarra, just like the dog Dad had when he was a boy.

Hey, look at those socks. I remember that you would NOT wear socks that had a seam across the toes. It was really hard to find socks that you WOULD wear.

Here's another picture of you with a baseball helmet on and cleats.

I'm sure you are getting some really good advise from Papa.

For 6 years you got to be the baby in the family.

Then you grew up and started preschool. Mrs. Laura was your teacher. Isn't that funny that she is Connor and Caleb's preschool teacher too. (and she is their Grandma)

When you started first grade, you went from being a baby brother (to Stacy and Mindy, ) to being a big brother to Taylor.

You were so cute without your front teeth.

You were a really good big brother, most of the time. There were times tho that you would make weird noises at night in your room just to scare Taylor.

This is you when you made your first communion at church. You were ssssoooo cute.

You look way too innocent.

And innocent you were not. You and Austin used to steal Hailey's Victoria Secret Catalogs and sell them to Thomas.

When we would go to Alaska you would make Dad and I crazy. You would want to stay in the motel all day and watch tv. We would be out fishing and catching them like crazy. Finially, you would come out to the river and throw in your hook, and you would have your limit in no time at all. You didn't know what the fuss was all about.

In high school, we enjoyed watching you play ball. Dad knew alot about softball, you taught him alot about baseball.

Then there was proms and pretty girls. Your mom wasn't the coolest girl in your world anymore.

Cute girls and cool cars. Graduation came way too fast.

High School years go by and before you know it you are going to college.

I have Dad's student body card from Junior College and yours from Chemeketa Community College. It amazes me how much you two look alike. You have so many of the same things you do and say. The apple really didn't fall very far from the tree.

Dad would be proud of the man you are. You have big shoes to fill and I know you will.

Just remember to have some fun along the way.

Happy Birthday Casey. Love ya to the moon and back again, Mom.

Serenity Prayer

This past 15 months has me feeling like I am standing by the ocean. Sometimes it is calm and peaceful, that is when I gain strength and confidence. Other times it is rough and scary, that is when I pray for peace and wisdom. Occasionally there is a sneaker wave that knocks me on my butt. That is when I hold my head up and swim with all my might. I would rather be sitting on the shores of "Golden Pond" with Jay, talking about the kids and grandkids, making plans for the rest of our lives. But for now, as long as I have things to finish here, I will keep on saying the Serenity Prayer. I am learning how to be brave. Learning how to give respect to that "big ocean" and looking forward to the time that I really am at the peaceful shores with Jay.

GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE; COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN; AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME; ENJOYING ONE MOMENT AT A TIME; ACCEPTING HARDSHIPS AS THE PATHWAY TO PEACE; TAKING, AS HE DID, THIS SINFUL WORLD AS IT IS, NOT AS I WOULD HAVE IT; TRUSTING THAT HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT IF I SURRENDER TO HIS WILL; THAT I MAY BE REASONABLY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE AND SUPREMELY HAPPY WITH HIM FOREVER IN THE NEXT. AMEN

Last weekend with the peeps!

Just a few pictures of our activities last weekend.
Friday before school, I met the boys at the farm store. They helped me pick out some baby chicks. We only have one hen and one rooster and so we needed some more.
Here's Kenzi in her leapord print jacket and hat. I hope she doesn't scare the little chicks!!!
Saturday we went to Al's Garden Center for kids day.
They got to start seeds for their gardens.
They planted cucumbers, pumpkins, cherry tomatoes and carrots.
Mariah got to come with us. She is Stacy's niece. She is a sweetheart.

The kids have lots of fun learning about gardening but I think it's a trick to get mom's and nana's in there where all the pretty flowers are. It worked. I had to have some.

From there we went to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. The tulips weren't blooming yet but there were lots of other things to do.

Kenzi rode a pony. She thought she was soooo big.

The boys thought this parrot was cool.

And they had to check out the rhino.

We had a little lunch and headed home.

Sunday after church the boys came home with me to help in the yard.

They talked Taylor into building a fire in the fire pit. They worked hard and I paid them in dilly bars.

Cats

We live on a farm. And on a farm there are usually animals. We have chickens, a dog and three cats. When Taylor was a little guy, I took him with me one time to JJ's. It is a junque shop out in the country. When you go to JJ's there is always a litter of kittens. The mama cat's name is Margaret Mary and I think she has had a million kittens. This time when I was there, Joyce asked me if I wanted a kitten. So I said sure. Jerry went and got a box and brought it to me. But inside wasn't one, but three kittens. He said one would be so lonesome so we brought three home. Taylor named the kittens Ed, Edd and Eddy. To make things easier we called Edd, Double D.

Then a few years ago we had this black cat. She was really fat when she was about to have kittens and they started calling her Mandisa (after the large black lady on American Idol)

Well, now we have three cats. One man cat and two mama cats. They act nice. They rub up against the patio window. They come running when you go to feed them but they are wild. You can't catch them. The mama's are both pregnant. We can't catch them to take them to the vet to have them fixed.

Anyway, the man cat we call Shy Ted, (that is really shit head) but you can't say that around the little guys.

The calico one is Hoochie Mama. She is always pregnant.

And then there is Toot.

I don't know why she is Toot that's just what the boys named her. A couple days ago Shy Ted got in a fight and he is limping on his back foot. Connor says that Toot whipped him. They must be fighting about who gets to stay in the cat house. We will have kittens soon. Let me know if you want one!!!!