MY GRANDKIDS ROCK!!!

2011-03-15T17:25:00.001-07:00

"Get Motivated"

2011-03-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Portland to a "Get Motivated" seminar with my kids, my nephew, my neice and my sweet friend Diane. We had an awesome time. We listened for eight hours to amazing speakers like General Colin Powell, Steve Forbes, Laura Bush, Rudy Giuliani, Bill Cosby, Terry Bradshaw, Rick Belluci, Howard Putnam, Krish Duhnahm, James Smith and Alan Andrus. Oh man!! We laughed. We learned and we got motivated! It was one speaker after another that told us how to live our lives with purpose. They told us how to set goals and how to step out of the box. They told us to take charge and take risks. They encouraged us to network and to use technology. They inspired us to be creative and to also be grateful. We learned to believe in yourself and stay positive. We were reminded to treat everyone with respect. You are no better than anyone else. We were encouraged to smile and make every day be a good one. They had drawings through out the day. One person won $10,000. I felt like the tools that they showed us were worth more than the $$ they gave away. One person won a trip to Disney World. I felt like I had just as much fun hanging out for the day with my family and friends, learning and being inspired to the best that I can be. One thing that I thought was strange was, they gave away a huge flat screen television. But they also suggested that we turn off the tv. Quit watching the dorks on tv and get motivated to do stuff. I am motivated and inspired. I am ready to learn new stuff. I am ready to step out of the box, as if I haven't had to do that many, many times in the last couple years. One of the quotes that stuck in my head was, "It's your attitude, not just your aptitude that determines your ultimate altitude." I like that! So, get yourself motivated. Do something today that makes you happy. I am.

ground hog

2011-02-28T18:48:00.000-08:00

Somebody needs to shoot that stupid groundhog in Pennsylvania. He didn't see his shadow and what I heard is that's supposed to mean "SPRING." Last week we had two snow days and school was cancelled. At my house we had 4 to 5 inches of snow. Then last night we had crazy wind and rain. And today it snowed and rained and snowed and rained. The weather man says that we are supposed to get a lot more wind and snow this week. Well, I have spring fever. I want to fertilize my yard. I want to mow my yard every other day and make straight lines in the grass. I want warm sunshine. I want to hear the frogs at night. I want to get out of the house and quit eating cookies and pies and home made bread. I want to put my muck boots away and get out my flipflops. The camelia's and daphne and daffodills are blooming. It's just wrong to have to shovel the sidewalk and take warm water out to unthaw the water for the chickens. The days are getting a little longer. Baseball is starting and they have swim suits out for sale at Costco. BRING ON THE SUNSHINE.

amen

2010-12-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

46 days......really hard workers....thousands of trees....hundreds of trucks...hours and hours spent in the car...lots of Triscuts and Tillamook squares.....dozens of donuts and muffins and coffee....6 turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner in the barn.....snow storms....freezing weather......cars in ditches......helicopter crashes (not ours)...trucks wrecks (not our truck but our trees)....tree stealing theifs caught..... muddy roads....mean Mexico tree buyer....nice customers.....elevators, bailers and chainsaws put away...... slings hung back in the barn......pallets stacked......tractors pressure washed......prayers answered.....greatful heart......AMEN.........aaawwwwwwhhhhh

32 years ago

2010-11-24T19:31:00.000-08:00

November 25, 1978.

I loved you then. I love you still. Always have, always will.

My way or the highway

2010-11-17T08:16:00.000-08:00

I was watching the news the other day before I headed out the door for another crazy busy day of tree harvest. There was a short video from You Tube of a house cat standing up to a crocodile. The cat slowly crouched down and moved forward towards the croc. The crocodile then turned and retreated back to the safety of the water.
That is how I feel the last two weeks or so. In my case, the crocodile is a Mexican tree buyer that has been yanking my chain and being dishonest. We have went round and round about how our contract of him buying and me selling trees would work. Eventually I was like the house cat. I decided to stand up to him, tell him like it is. It's my way or the highway! He tried to lie some more. He begged for trees. But with everything I had, I stood up to him and sent him down the road. Ahhhhhhhh, sometimes stubborn trumps over smart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sAF8gMN9c0

timesheets

2010-10-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

It's almost Christmas tree harvest time again. You know what that means. . . . . .it means that the punks have been asking where the time sheets are. They like to turn in time sheets with hours on it of things that they have done around here to get paid for. They really do work sometimes. Other times they put stuff on their time sheets that crack me up and so I pay them for that, too. The other day it was payday and they wanted to put something on their time sheet. I asked them what the did and they said . . . . . "well, we put the clothes pins on the clothes line in groups of five." HUH??!?!? I went and looked. Sure enough, they did group them in fives. Since I haven't used the clothes line in at least a year I would have never noticed. But now that I see what they have done, I know that the next time I need to hang clothes out to dry I won't even have to worry about how many clothes pins there are. I can just look and see the groups of five :) See, they saved me time and money. I think I should pay them for that, don't you?

reunited

2010-10-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Last night I sat glued to the television. I watched as the miners in Chile were lifted from the bottom of the mine and reunited with their loved ones. Each reunion was so amazing. I was overcome with tears with each miners reunion. You could see the emotion and joy on the faces of the families waiting as they were lifted. There was also excitement among everyone involved in the rescue. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. As I layed in bed I thought about that same kind of reunion that I imagine myself having one day with Jay. I pictured it in my mind. I felt it with my heart. And I know that, just like the miners and their families, if I stay focused and I remain positive that day will come and it too will be amazing.

FOCUS

2010-10-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

Man, talk about stress. It is almost Christmas tree harvest time again. Because of the economy and the over supply of Christmas trees, the orders are SLOWLY coming in . We usually know by now how many trees we will be harvesting. This year is different than any year before. The buyers are waiting and waiting and waiting. I am not sure what the hold up is. I know that it is a buyers market and they have the control. We have really good trees and it is hard to sell so cheap but we will have to do what ever we need to do to move a bunch of trees.

I know, too, that all of this is making me crazy. I try my best to DON'T PANIC. BE STRONG. DON'T STRESS. HAVE FAITH. BE POSITIVE. Well, let me tell you, I failed the "don't panic." My hair is all turning grey. And the "be strong", I failed that too. I cried. It didn't help. "Don't stress" made me eat all the chocolate that I could get my hands on. I do "have faith." That one I can do. I talk to God and Jay a lot. The "be positive", well, I am positive that if lots of orders don't come in real soon that I will be a grey haired, chubby, crybaby. But I will keep talking to God and to Jay and I will get focused and we will get thru this harvest.

You make me smile

2010-09-23T07:31:00.001-07:00

They make my world go round

2010-08-30T20:12:00.001-07:00

Why does summer have to be over? Why do they have to go to school? We were just starting to have some fun!!!

BOYS!!!

2010-08-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we took the punks and went to some yard sales. We love us a good yard sale. I gave them some money so they could make their own purchases. I think it is funny to see what they buy. Last time Connor bought a little coleman camp stove.
When we got home I got them some propane and we roasted marshmallows.
That was fun.
So, this time when we went, Caleb found a ball hitch. It was 50 cents.

Then Connor found one, too. They each bought them and said they would put them on their four wheelers.

When we got in the pick up they got out the handy wipes and started cleaning their balls. I said, "Boys, quit playing with your balls, we have more yard sales to go to." They said, " we want to make our balls shiney." Whatever........ I'm glad that girls don't have balls to play with. We have way more important things to do.

Happy 95th Birthday Grandma

2010-08-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

A little over a week ago we went back home to celebrate my Grandma's 95th birthday with her. There were lots of family and friends visiting. Some came from as far away as Wyoming.

Grandma had five of her brothers come to share the day with her.

There were kids and grandkids, great grandkids and even great, great grandkids.

When you are 95 years old, there isn't much you want or need. So, all of us, her family, got together and spiffied up the church. We put in new sod, new shrubs and new light fixtures. The trim got a new coat of paint. We stained the front doors and front steps. New gravel and new bark was spread around. A cute new sign was hung over the front doors. It all turned out really nice and made Grandma happy.

Then we partied. . . . . . There were around 150 of her family and friends that came to wish her a happy birthday. See, she is not just special to us but to everyone who knows her. She was the cook at the school forever and she is pretty much Grandma to all who live in her town. Even the UPS man was there. Heck, he stops by her house and watches an inning or two of a Mariner game with her now and then. (She hardly ever misses a Mariner game.) The Schwann man stops by every two weeks to see what she needs. Then he brings it in, takes it out of the boxes and places it in her freezer. Then he writes her check for her and she signs it. If she happens to not be home, he looks in the freezer to see what she needs, puts it in there and catches up with her next time to get paid. He's cool.
We put a tiara on her head and made her "Queen for the Day." In church on Sunday she requested that we sing "How Great Thou Art." She said it was her favorite song. As we sang I started leaking a few tears. I heard sniffles behind me. I like to call that liquid love. I know the song is about Our God but it was like we were singing about Our Grandma too. Happy Birthday sweet, sweet Grandma. Let's party again next summer for your 96th.

It ain't right

2010-07-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people do things that are just not cool. They may even be really nice people, but they just get talked into something that just isn't right. Sometimes they expose a side of themselves that you would rather not see. This happened to me recently and it was rather unpleasant. But it is "behind" me now, and I don't ever want to experience that again. . . . . . . . . . . .

You see, I took the little punks to the park. We were having a great time, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine and then we saw this. . . . . .

EUWWWwwwww :) You know what I mean. It ain't right.

Good Times

2010-06-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

When you were young were there certain things that you will always remember about someone or some place that you went? I can remember when we would go to my cousins Grandma's house, there was this ladle hanging by the kitchen sink. That is what we used to get a drink of water. Not a glass. Not a cup, but a ladle. It was so cool. I also remember when we stayed the night at Uncle Paul's house he would always make us popcorn with real butter and gave us a soda pop in a bottle. We thought we were special. This last weekend Stacy and the kids traveled with me back home to attend a wedding at a friends ranch.

It is a five and a half hour drive each way. We had barely started on our trip when the little punks started asking "are we almost to Freddie's yet? "Freddie" is a little old Indian that lives out in the middle of a meadow close to where we were going. He lives there alone. He doesn't own a car. He rides a bike. I don't even think that he has electricity. He has an old chair out on his front porch and he sits there and waves to everyone that passes by. The punks couldn't wait to wave to Freddie.

When we finially got to "my town" we stopped to see my Grandma. She is an amazing lady that will be 95 years old next month. She lives alone except for her cat,"Stupid." Stupid was given to her years ago by her neighbor when he moved away. He was the one who named her Stupid. For some reason the little punks love to go to Grandma's house just to see her cat and call it Stupid.

The wedding was beautiful. Grandma was beautiful. We got to wave at Freddie. And, Stupid........ well she was older and stupider than the last time we were there.
The little punks made smores by the fire. They took apart an old lawn mower and they danced with the pretty girls at the wedding. Sunday we headed back home. Freddie wasn't there on the porch when we went by. But when we go back next month for Grandma's birthday party I am sure that we will be looking for Freddie and maybe, if we remember, we can pack some treats for Stupid the cat.

Philosophy

2010-06-11T21:50:00.000-07:00

PHILOSOPHY: if God has a face, surely it is that of a child. and if there is a place called Heaven, it must smell like a baby. and if we do live forever, it must be in the pure joy of a child's innocent laughter. and if we have lived before, then the arrival of your baby feels like reconciling with the most important spirit you've ever loved or will love. in the eyes of a baby, we feel all the fragility and all of the magic of the universe and beyond.

(I don't know who said this...but it is true)

Welcome baby Maddox

2010-06-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

Louis and Mindy's family grew by two feet last night!! Maddox Jay arrived at 10:55 pm and weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds 13 ounces. Everyone is doing fine. Stacy and I stayed in the room with them and helped welcome Maddox into the world. After lots of pushes and a couple of #*?%#'s he finally arrived...... And then I cried.

My baby had a baby!!! But then I smiled a giant smile when I saw how proud they both were. When I got home there were lots of teenage kids running around my house. Some in the hot tub, some not. I was not happy. Who told these kids they could be here while I wasn't home. Then I started to cry again. Teenageers make me crazy. Soon I was smiling again thinking about Mindy and Louis and what they just signed up for....... teenagers someday! As I layed down in my bed I started crying again. It was just so hard to not have Jay here to experience this whole day with me. He would be so happy. Today, the sun came out, the birds were singing. The only kids at my house were the ones that live here. I went back up to the hospital to see my newest grandbaby. He is just perfect. It's a good day. I have alot to smile about. (this is the song that was playing in the labor room last night...tonights gonna be a good night)

new shoes

2010-05-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been away from here for awhile. I have been busy. Every part of my life is different now. Every day brings a new challenge. I can't say that it is getting any easier, but I am getting more used to doing things that I never imagined myself doing before. It still seems like there is always another mountain to climb. We are just decending down the back side of a very big mountain. It was exhausting. It was so very hard. But now we can put it behind us and start moving ahead. I never want to climb that one again. I think that the kids and I should go out and get us some new climbing shoes. We need to get in shape for whatever lies ahead. And, heck, new shoes always make me feel better.

I read a quote today. It said: "I don't believe that things always happen for the best, but I do believe that it's possible to make the best of things that happen." I agree.

Brighter days ahead

2010-03-11T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hughgacious mountains! That's what I have been up to. I am looking forward to sunshine, baseball, spring break and....... Easter. I gave up junk food for Lent and I am in serious need of some chocolate.

sunshine

2010-02-22T12:27:00.000-08:00

All it takes is a little bit of sunshine and all I want to do is go outside and play in the dirt.

The daffodills are blooming. The daphne is, too. It smells so good.

The little birds and the frogs have been singing their happy song. In just a couple of weeks the time will change and the days will get longer.

I went to the yard and garden show with Diane and Danielle and I saw lots of things there that I want to do. It is probably a good thing for the rainy days tho, because I have alot of inside stuff to do, too. But it sure is good fun to play in the dirt.

Mountains

2010-02-18T08:21:00.000-08:00

There are a few things that I can't imagine myself doing. One is mountain climbing and another is running a marathon. Lately I have been doing both.......at the same time. It seems like there is one mountain after another and they just keep coming at me.

I have been reading a book called YOUR BEST LIFE NOW by Joel Osteen. I read Mark 11:23 and it says: Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. There fore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.

It also says: STOP TALKING TO GOD ABOUT HOW BIG YOUR MOUNTAINS ARE, AND START TALKING TO YOUR MOUNTAINS ABOUT HOW BIG YOUR GOD IS!!!!........Lately, I have been doing alot of talking.

We have decided to adopt!!!

2010-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Yep, we have decided to adopt. We have the extra room. Raising little ones is what we have been doing for a long time so it just seems like the thing to do. We have checked out a few nurseries and found the ones we like. The guys have been busy getting their beds ready. It was time to go and pick up the little ones and bring them home. ....... We will promise to take good care of them. We will nurture them, feed them and even groom them so that they will grow up to be beautiful, healthy and mature. Then.... we will send them on their way so that they can go out into the world and make others happy too.

Starting new

2010-01-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Some things recently have been sorta painful, like Tuesday mornings mamogram!! And then there is this:

We have to cut down some perfectly nice trees and burn them because it just doesn't make sense to keep them. When you have already cut thru the field for a couple years and there are just a few left, it makes more sense to cut them down and start over with new seedlings. We did this today.

For me it is painful to see this happen. I feel an attachment to each tree. After all, I have known them since they were babies.

But this is how it works. Fortunately for us it is on a very small scale that we have to do this. Some growers are cutting down thousands of their trees and burning them. There is an over supply of trees and it is hard to market them, so you just have to bite the bullet and get it done.

Some farmers cut them down and leave them lay for a few weeks. Then they pile them and wait for a dry spell to burn them. Not us!!! The guys cut them down real fast while I wasn't looking and piled and burned them. Then they get the tractor and the stump grinder out and grind up all the stumps. They work the dirt, check the PH in the soil, adjust it and replant. Before you know it there will be new little trees planted again.

Oh yes, Mindy and Louis are having a boy!!!!!!!

BOY OH BOY!!!!

2010-01-18T13:07:00.000-08:00

Boy oh boy!!! Mindy and Louis went to the doctor today for an ultrasound. They find out what they are having. I can't wait for her to tell everyone so I can tell everyone else!!!!! :)

Garmin Nuvi

2010-01-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I got all the kids a Garmin Nuvi. It's a navigation system that you use in your car. It is a GPS device that you can use to locate addresses. It tells you how fast you are going, weather you are headed north, south, east or west. It also tells you what time you should arrive at your destination. It gives you points of interest and has blue tooth technology, so you can talk on your phone and not get a ticket. It is voice activated. You just say who you want to call and it calls them for you. Cool, huh? It also has a FM traffic message channel. It will tell you if there is detours ahead or if there is a traffic backup. It will recalulate your route and give you a different route. Can you imagine how cool this will be to take garage saleing?

I feel like Oprah telling you about my favorite things. And everybody gets one!!!

I thought it would be really nice if the kids all had one. That way wherever they go, they will always be able to find their way home.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T19:55:00.000-08:00

We went from being stressed with the chore of marketing trees in October and early November to being crazy busy with harvest. Everything went smoothly. All trees were shipped on time and the weather was very cooperative. We had unusual dry days for most of harvest. It was certainly cold but dry.

Then we went right into a full calendar of Christmas programs, Saturday morning basketball games, cookie exchanges, Christmas parties with Santa and shopping.

Last year was the first time we stayed here for Christmas. There was just too much snow and ice to travel over the mountain. But this year we needed to go home. It just feels right being with family at Christmas. It's funny how much you can cram into just a few days.

The boys rode snow mobiles and four wheelers in the snow, sometimes with saucers of little people behind them. There were bonfires and snowmen.

They made a batch or two of jerky in the smokehouse (from tags filled last fall).

The girls and little guys made cookies and candy. Nights were short and the ride home was long. But being with family is what makes my world go round. Now that everything is settling down from harvest, I find myself in a restless place. I need something to keep me busy. A couple days ago I cleaned and organized my pantry. Now every time I walk by, I open the doors and look inside. Ahhhhh, I love organization. I had no idea that I had that much coconut and chocolate chips!

Yesterday was New Years Day. Last year on that day was when the wind blew down 11 big fir trees in the woods. We sure don't want that to happen again.
I guess I am breathing a little sigh of relief from the last couple months. I know there are mountains ahead to climb and I need to stay focused and positive. I read something today, it said: "Everyone is born with a limited amount of time. Every moment we live--weather we're working, playing, complaining, or being thankful--is time that we've spent. Nothing is more valuable than the time we have left." I hope to make each day a good day. I decided not to make any New Years resolutions. I usually don't stick with them for very long anyway. Instead, I will focus on doing my best everyday to stay positive. My mew motto: B+ (be positive) The biggest reward for a thing well done is to have done it. Now, I think I will go organize a closet or something. Happy New Year!!

Christmas Shopping

2009-12-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

We are real close to being finished with this years Christmas tree harvest. There are only a few trees left to find homes. I will post about this in a day or two. Right now I wanted to show you what my kids did last night.

A few years ago Jay and I told the kids that for Christmas this was our wish:..... We would give them each a certain amount of money...... That was our gift to them...... But what they did with their money was their gift to us.

They check around and ask at the schools and churches and with people they know if there are people that they know that are in need. What do they need? They ask if they can please be specific as in shoe sizes, coats etc. Maybe it is food or fire wood or car repair. Maybe they need blankets or power bills paid. What ever it is, the kids talk it over and decide what to do.

After they make their choices, Stacy usually makes the lists and pairs everyone up and off we go shopping. I go along to take pictures and pay. Really, I have the most rewarding job of all. It makes me so happy and so proud of these guys.

They shopped for small boys and girls. There were a couple of kids in middle school and some were in high school. It was fun to watch them as they shopped.

Taylor and Brandi paired up. They were on a mission to find things for a little guy in kindergarten. As always Taylor was into red and black flannel. He isn't usually a "shopper" but this was fun. Brandi was more helpful with their middle school girl. Taylor just doesn't do "girly stuff" very well.

It was all business for Stacy and Mindy. They had two girls. They got cool stuff. There was clothes and boots, they had jewelry and nail polish. There was art supplies and toys.

Then there was Cody and Casey. This shopping thing was hard. They had a grade school boy and a girl. Can you imagine what they picked out for that sweet girl?

Casey, we are shopping for others not for you. Put that hat back.

Taylor, put that hat back too!

All this shopping made them hungry so they had to take a break and eat. Then it was back to their lists.

A few times I had to look around and find the boys. They weren't enjoying the clothes shopping nearly as much as the toy shopping. They got basketballs and leggo's and movies and games.

We needed socks and underwear and shoes and gloves. Some things like underwear were just too much for Louis and Ryan to figure out. Boxers or breifs? Ankle socks or calf length?

Stacy says we need to get toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner.

It was finially time to go check out.

Casey was checking out the magazines. Oh, look its Tiger Woods! Do you know his new nick name? Cheatah!!!

Cody and Ryan find something rather amusing.

We got gift cards for food and movie tickets for the parents.

We got it all home, sorted it all out and went and delivered it to the schools today. Oh, my!!!....... that

was about as much fun as I can imagine!!! We have a few more families to do things for and I can't tell you how awesome this makes us all feel.

Thanks kids. You rock!!!!

Don'tworry, be happy

2009-11-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

The last week and a half has been so intense.

But I think we can say that the busiest (maybe just the most stressful) part of our harvest is behind us. I'm pretty sure that we are done cutting unless some late orders come in. Now we just have to process the rest of the trees that are cut and in slings.

Today is our last scheduled fly day.

The guys have been busy bailing and loading.

The last week or so has been crazy busy. Lots of trucks!!!!! It is so nice to see them headed down the road.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in the shop with the guys.

This family and these guys are truely something to be thankful for. We fixed 6 turkeys. Three on the Traeger, one in the oven and two that a friend smoked for us. We had mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and rolls and lots of pies and a big Costco Thanksgiving cake.

We have spent our Thanksgivings in the barn/shop with the crew for the past 20 years. It's a lot of work but even more fun. It's just a small way to thank them for all their hard work. I think they enjoy it too.

Hey I said we were almost done. Now quit standing around and lets get to work.

Thirty One Years Today

2009-11-25T14:08:00.001-08:00

LOVED YOU ONCE, LOVE YOU STILL

ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL

This is awesome!!!!

2009-11-16T17:27:00.001-08:00

Well, yesterday I told you about Mindy and Louis and that they were expecting a baby. When she went to the doctor a couple weeks ago, they did a pregnancy test to confirm that she was pregnant. At that time they told her that she was probably due around the first of July. Then.... last Thursday, she had an ultrasound and they measured the little teeny tiny baby and said, "oh, I think you are a little farther along than you thought." So....today when her doctor looked at the ultrasound, she calculated things and then called Mindy. She told Mindy that her due date is the 8th of June!!!!! That is mine and Jay's birthday!! How cool is that?!!!!!!! The doctor had no idea that the 8th of June was our birthday. I just think God is so cool!

guess what?

2009-11-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

Mindy and Louis

sitting in a tree,

K......I.....S.....S.....I.....N......G!!!!!!!!!!

first comes love,

then comes marriage.

Now they're out shopping

for a baby carriage!!

Another day

2009-11-12T20:23:00.001-08:00

Today we picked up a few hours of fly time that we hadn't scheduled. That is good. It does change things, tho. The cutters kept cutting and the slingers kept slinging. But we needed a hooker. And then we needed some extra help.

So we got the "boys" to help us out. They love when they "get" to help.

They know just what to do. They know that you have to turn your hat around so the helicopter doesn't blow it off.

They know that you have to go fast.

They know that there is always cookies or donuts for the workers.

Caleb can work and eat cookies at the same time.
They know that they get to turn in a time sheet. They also know that Nana pays them even if they put 50 hours a day down. They should get paid just for being cute.
And when you smile while you work, you get paid even more.

Blessed

2009-11-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today was another busy day for the guys. The cutters were cutting. The slingers were slinging. And some of the trees were carried out of the fields by hand. Those were the trees that were already close to the landing area.

What a day! Sometimes it was raining, sometimes there was even a little snow mixed in over at the other farm.

Every once in a while the sun would come out and it was so pretty.

On our way home we got to see a beautiful rainbow. We could see both ends at the same time. It looked like it was right there in front of us. We had to stop and take a minute to soak it up.

We felt blessed with it's beauty.

And then we came around the corner and saw this.

I know these boys were blessed with something but right now I don't think it was brains.

When I lay my head down tonight and I pray for God to give me courage and strength, I think I will ask Him to give me an extra shot of patience so I can deal with all my blessings!!

Breathe in....breathe out............

Bailing and sorting

2009-11-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

After the trees are flown to the landing area they are carried to the shaker. The shaker is behind the little tractor.

The guys put the stump into the shaker for a few seconds. It shakes most of the loose needles out before the tree is moved to the bailer.

At the bailer it gets pulled thru and wrapped with twine. This makes them tightly bundled so that you can get more trees on a truck.

After they are baled they get sorted into size piles.

Some buyers take straight loads but others want some of this and some of that. That is what we use the pallets for.

Some trees are stacked on the pallets so that we can move a pallet of trees to a truck rather than move a truck to another pile. I'll show you more about that later.

Besides all this we have other activities going on. Taylors football team won the league. It was the first tiime in over 30 years that they won the league outright. Now we have a playoff game on the 21st. I am really excited for them. Also, Connor and Caleb started basketball last weekend. Their team didn't have a sponsor so we decided that we would sponsor them. Their Paw would really like that. We got to pick out a mascot and name for them.

They are the Jay Hawks. I love that!!!!

And then you have Princess Kenzi. She had two halloween costumes. One day she was a lady bug and the next day she was a princess. She is pretty much a princess everyday.

More harvest activities!

2009-11-08T15:41:00.001-08:00

We started flying early in the morning. There is usually less wind and fog. Today wasn't windy or foggy but it was raining like crazy.

We have one guy out in the trees. He wears a bright orange vest so he can be seen by the helecopter pilot. When the pilot spots the hooker, he flys right over him with the hook. As quick as he can, the hooker places the rings on the slings in the hook and off they go. This is usually just one continued motion. Our hookers are really good and so is the pilot.

The trees are carried to the landing. The pilot gently sets the trees down and off he goes for more. When the trees are on the ground, there are two or three guys that go as fast as they can and pull the slings out of the pile. Then they get out of the way for the next bundle that is on its way.

When there is a little time, they will roll up the slings in sets of two and get them ready to go back out in the fields again.

These guys work hard all day, rain or shine and almost always have a smile on their face.

And then there are these guys that just showed up cuz they heard there were donuts and hot chocolate.

Harvest time here

2009-11-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

I was thinking that it might be kinda cool to show you what we are doing here at the tree farm each day. I will try to have my camera handy and take some pictures and post updates. I won't guarantee anything except that I will try. Up until yesterday there wasn't much activity as far as harvest goes. It was mostly office work and getting the chainsaws and bailers ready. Today is a different story. The cutters have been busy. The pickups are loaded with slings and the rains have started. So in a little over a month, we might see the sun again! It's not fun to work in but it is good for keeping the trees fresh.

In the fields the trees are marked with colored ribbon and/or tags. Each one is different for each buyer and they are all color coded to tell from a glance what size the tree is.

A cutter (the guy with the chainsaw) can cut around a thousand trees per day, some times more or less depending on the field. Some trees are on steep hillsides. They walk up each row, look for the ribbon for the buyer that we are cutting for and in a matter of just a few seconds, they cut it down.

After the trees are cut, the next guys come with slings. Then they carry the trees, usually over their heads, to an area that they bundle 10 or more in a set of slings. From a distance it looks like the hillside is moving as they gather the trees and carry them.

They loop the ropes around the bundles and thru the rings on the end of the ropes. Then they move on to another area and do this again, and again, and again. The size of the trees makes a difference in how many trees go in to each bundle. They usually weigh a few trees so they know how much each bundle should weigh. It is really important that the bundles don't weigh too much for the helicopter. Tomorrow morning the helicopter will be here.

Ready....Set....Go!!!

2009-11-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

We have been busy with marketing and scheduling and now it is time to get the chainsaws going. Today we started cutting our Christmas trees. It seems so early but it has to be this way to get them all harvested and ready to deliver. Not all trees are cut at the same time. We have buyers that want their trees early and some that take theirs later. Then there are all those who want theirs at the same time.

We do our best to keep them standing as long as possible to keep them fresh. There have been times that we were cutting, bailing and loading them on the truck at the same time. That's fresh!! There is so much involved. We have to organize all the orders, schedule the helicopter and plan how many guys we will need to cut, sling, hook, bail and load. Hopefully everything works out just the way we want but a lot of the time weather "happens" to change your plans. If it is foggy or windy, you can't fly. Then you get bumped out of your spot and you have to reschedule your fly time. The hard part is that all of the other growers have the same demands.

Their customers want their trees at the same time and so we all have to work together. We like to be organized so we know what is happening but it can't always be that way. That is when you breathe in......breathe out.....pray...and make a new plan and then pray some more. I know that the devil would like to see us screw up. I know that he wants us to be afraid and confused, but we won't let that happen. There will be new challenges everyday. We will face each one of them with confidence. I know that we can do this. We have Jay looking out for us and with God on our side, that devil can't hurt us. He might as well just get the heck out of the way cuz we have got things to do.

Happy Birthday Mindy

2009-11-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

Twenty six years ago you made your appearance in this world. From day one you were sassy and sweet. You were also very independent. You let me and Dad know from the beginning that you could do things your way.

Your big beautiful eyes and contagious smile always got you out of trouble. Well, almost always. I remember one time when Dad spanked your bottom and it hurt him more than it did you. Those big eyes could melt his heart.

Another time when your smile didn't work was when the cops called me and dad one night to tell us that you and your friends were rearranging reindeer in peoples yards at Christmas time. That was funny, sorta.

You didn't really like the hunting and camping that we always did. After all, you were a princess and being in the woods without running water just wasn't your thing. Dressing up and being a princess is what you liked best. You were a good little sister for Stacy. She was shy and you were NOT. She could get you to do things that she was afraid to do.

You were also a good big sister for Casey and Taylor. You taught Casey how to ride his bike and Taylor how to burp the alphabet. You were always a little on the crazy side. Even when you were little, you had no fear. You would jump off the high dive at the pool at age 4.

You are still the funniest one to pull behind the boat at the lake. You might be a princess but you aren't a sissy. Dad was so proud of you when he got to coach you in softball. When you won the state title I don't think there was a happier, prouder dad anywhere.

Now that you are all grown up, I hope that you always have a smile on your face, that you never give up your independence and that you someday have a little princess that is just like you. Love you to the moon and back again. Happy Birthday, Love Mom

I need a better attitude

2009-10-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

There are so many things happening right now that are negative. So much discouragement. There are trees sales that aren't happening, friends with cancer, broken marriages and so much more. As hard as I try to stay possitive, it sometimes is almost too much. And then.......I drive by a field of cows. I see these cows in the pouring down rain and wind. I see them in the heat of the sun. They are in the same field day after day, night after night. They eat the same thing over and over. They never go shopping. They never hang out with their friends. And I say to myself, come on girl, it could be worse, you could be a cow. Today I will work on my attitude. I will be positive and look forward to what I have to do instead of being fearful. I will do my best and then try hard to improve. And, I will do it with a smile.

coolness in the boys bathroom

2009-10-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

Since the girls have their own homes now and I have boys only living here, I decided we needed to do something different with their bathroom. I like the wallpaper. The rugs are ok. But it just needed some coolness. We needed to make it more manly. I saw in a magazine where they had made a toilet paper holder out of a pipe wrench. And I saw where they made a towel hanger thing out of faucets. So... I went looking. It was so weird, the first yard sale I went to with this mission in mind had two pipe wrenches and four faucets. It was like they fell out of the sky. So I grabbed them up and took them home. Then I had to figure out how to put it all together. Uncle Charlie said I needed a flange. I never heard of a flange. Now I know what one is. I got five. One for the toilet paper holder and one for each faucet. Cody welded the pipe wrench to the pipe. Then we screwed the pipe to the flange. Then we screwed the flange to the board and then we screwed the board to the wall. Cool, huh?

We did the same thing for the faucets. We screwed them to the flange and then to the board and finially to the wall. I like this. The boys think it is awesome.

We even have a pickup truck on the counter to hold toothbrushes. No more sissy bathroom at this house.

It's funny when I go to the hardware store in town and ask for something like a flange. They look at me and smile. They wonder what is she up to this time? I just smile back and say thanks.

Christmas Trees

2009-09-30T20:44:00.001-07:00

Jay was an outstanding athelete. Our kids were good at sports, too. Me, not so much. I tried but wasn't very good. I don't like playing games either. I don't play cards. I don't even play the Wii. I do love to watch sports tho, just not good at playing them. That's how it is with me and Christmas Trees. It seems like marketing trees is a lot like playing games. Some people won't sell you nobles unless you take their dougs too. Some like to play numbers games. If you take so many, you can have them at this price. But if you only take this many, the price is more. That makes sense but if they tell you they want a certain amount and agree on a price and then back out later, you are stuck with them or have to sell them for the lower price. Well, I don't like this part of it. I know we have the best trees around. I am confident that we have the best harvest crew and can handle what ever you want. So, if I tell you how many trees we have and how much they are, all you have to do is tell me what you need and we can get it done. No games. I can get up early and go out in the rain and snow. I can work long hours day after day until we are finished shipping. I can do all that, I just don't like the marketing games. All I want is to do my very best, to sell the trees, to work hard and get thru harvest, to fill all orders on time with quality and efficiency, to make all customers happy, to keep the legacy going that Jay worked so hard to build. I need to get a good attitude real soon. I need to stay positive and if I'm not good at games, maybe I can be a good cheerleader. Maybe I can stand on the sidelines and keep a smile and do what I know how to do.

Fraternity House Mom

2009-09-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday our newest house member showed up. My nephew, Jesse, will be living with us while going to college to be a fireman. We are all excited! Another boy!!!!! Casey is working out of town during the week. So we just get to see him on the weekends. Cody is working out of town too but commutes each day. We get to see him in the evenings. Taylor is in high school and playing football. He is home in the evenings and weekends. Now, Jesse, will start school next week but will be here afternoons, evenings and weekends. I love my boys. I was just thinking about all this testosterone around here. Who's pickup is louder, who's tires are cooler and stuff like that. It is almost like a fraternity. So much boy talk. I am glad that they all get along AND that they aren't picky eaters. I am pretty sure there will be requests for biscuits and gravy but not quiche. Maybe some steak and chili but not salad and steamed vegetables. I think we just might go thru alot of cookies and brownies but not biscoti or scones. Oh, well I can do that. It isn't too far to the girls houses. I can always count on them for some girl time, a pedicure, a little retail therapy or a lunch at the Olive Garden. Maybe we could come up with a name for our "frat house." What about Phi Kappa Lamba? And I am pretty sure I will need to set claim on one of the tv's. I'm really not into "Trick my Truck" or "Ultimate Fight Club". And they most likely won't want to watch "Dancing with the Stars." But as long as they turn their socks right side out and pick up after themselves, sorta, we will get along just fine.

Second time around

2009-09-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our friend Denise is having a sale at her house on Saturday. She has been working really hard to make lots of really cool stuff that girls like us need. There are things like chalk boards and old doors, buckets of mums for your porch and cool birdhouses. I know that you will really like this stuff. Come take a look. It is this Saturday, September 19th from 8 till 5 at 1253 Sceinic View Court in Stayton. I hope you can make it. I just hope I get there first!!!!

Labor day weekend

2009-09-08T06:45:00.001-07:00

What a busy weekend. Casey and Cody, Mindy and Louis and the other Mindy left on Friday evening to head south. Stacy and the little cowboys stayed here and went to Taylor's football game with me. Then we loaded up at dark thirty and headed south. Our mission was to paint the barns at Granny and Papa's in Lakeview.
Connor and Caleb took their live trap. I told them I would pay them $1 each for live chipmunks. I don't think they will catch many chipmunks if they are sitting on the cage.

The boys got started painting before we got there.

These are really good boys. They worked hard.

Mindy tried to hide so she wouldn't have to help.

Oh, I see you Mindy. Maybe you could get the boys something cold to drink.

There, thats better. At least you are doing something.

Papa came to check on us. He had his little girls with him.

There was important jobs like drivng the tractor. And jobs like watching the guy in the scoop of the tractor.

We even had armed guards to keep the squirrels away so they wouldn't bother us while we were working.

We scraped and painted most of the day.

There was alot of this going on.

Even this was happening.

Granny was at the house fixing dinner for her crew.

She didn't have to call them twice to come and eat.

Hey stand still Taylor. I want to take your picture. You're cute.

You're cute too.

Obviously, I wasn't working too hard. I was the picture taker lady.

Here's what the barns looked like when we got done.

Pretty cool, huh?

After they got finished, they cleaned up and went to town to the Lake County Fair. Granny and Papa bought them tickets to see Aaron Tippin in concert. I stayed home with the little guys. I am a party pooper and go to bed earlier than my kids do.

The next day they finished painting and then got out the big boy toys.

Some people might think this is work, but at Papa's house it's just fun.

This is the face of someone who loves to drive equipment and get dirty. It doesn't get any better than that.

On Monday morning we took some family pictures.

We said our good byes and everyone headed home.

We made a couple more stops on the way home. First at Grandpa and Pink Grandma's house. The rug rats had to ride the ranger with Pink Grandma to feed the chickens. Then one more stop to say goodbye to Great Great Grandma.

Then it was over the mountian and thru the woods. A very long five hours in the pickup with tired, cranky little ones. We stopped one time to stretch our legs and play for a minute and then back on the road.

Safe and sound back home. What a busy three days. Did I tell you how much I love these guys?

Guess What??

2009-09-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not braggin'. I just wanted to share with you what Stacy did over the weekend. It was opening week end of archery season. Stacy and Ryan and the kids went over the mountain with Ryans parents. They hunted on Saturday. They saw lots of deer but weren't able to get close enough. On Sunday, they hunted in the morning and then packed up to head home. That is when a three point buck made the mistake of standing still long enough for Stacy to knock and arrow, pull back and let 'r go. She said it was about a 20 yard shot. The buck went about 40 yards and dropped. No tracking blood trails, no packing up out of canyons. That's my girl. Her daddy would be so proud of her.

Missing Jay

2009-08-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

They that love beyond the world

Cannot be separated by it.

Death is but crossing the world

as friends do the seas.

They live in one another still

Happy Birthday little cowboys

2009-08-24T21:26:00.001-07:00

My little cowboys are 5 years old today. How did they go from this

to this.

And from this

to this?

They used to be so sweet. Now look at them. Does this look sweet to you?

They had a birthday party last Wednesday.Great Grandpa and Grandma came up for it. They made little birdhouse kits for all the kids to make. They each had their own hammer and tape measure and carpenders aprons. Each birdhouse was precut, pre drilled and ready to assemble. They did a good job. There was lots of hammering going on. I can't believe that they are already 5 years old and getting ready for kindergarden. Oh, that poor teacher. They are double trouble. I love them to the moon and back again. Happy Birthday!!!

Things I know

2009-08-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

There are things I know and things I don't know. Like... we just butchered a beef and they sent me cow tongue when I picked up the meat at the butcher shop. I don't know why people eat cow tongue. I don't know why weeds grow without water and fertilizer but flowers and grass need constant feeding and watering. I don't know why July and August have the same amount of days as November and December but July and August go by at lightning speed and November and December go slower than cold molasses. I don't know why boys can't hear you when you ask them to clean their room but if you call them for dinner they are there in an instant.

Things I do know are... that all flowers are pretty, and that all chocolate taste good. I do know that anything over 100 degrees is too hot. I also know that if you miss the first step out of the dump truck it is a long way to the ground. And the ground is hard and rocks hurt.

I do know that if you stand near a fire you will feel it's heat. And if you are in the company of family or friends that you can draw strength from them just by being near them. I am so blessed to have family and friends that are hear with me. There is just something about being with family that makes you feel good. They love you unconditionally. They listen to you, laugh with you, cry with you and would do anything for you. They help you make pickles and celebrate birthdays. They tell you how good you cook even when you make hamburger helper. They would drop whatever they are doing if I needed a hand.

Right now, I know that August is almost over and November will be here before I know it. I am starting to feel the panic of harvest time. So many Christmas trees to market and harvest. But I know we can do it. Breathe in, breathe out.

I do know that it is Sunday and the kids will be here for dinner. I better go get things cooking. I do know that they would love me just the same if I made them hot dogs and twinkies, but I have a better idea. I think I will make them cow tongue and prune cake. Hope you have an awesome Sunday.

I know it's about time!

2009-08-14T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have been super busy and a little distracted lately. It's not that I don't think about you all, it's just been busy. I can't believe that summer is almost over. Why does the rainy, winter months go so slow?

I remember when my kids were little and it was time to go school shopping. I used to take all four of them on the same day and try to get it done. That was a disaster. Finially, I figured it out. If I would take them one at a time and spend a day with them by themselves, it was so much more enjoyable. It would be "our" special day. We would have lunch at a special place and take our time. I thought it was fun to pick out a couple new outfits and shoes, a back pack and glue sticks and what ever else was on the list. The girls were fun. We got cool stuff. Then there was Casey. He really likes shoes. He really likes clothes, too. But Taylor, he hates to shop. It wasn't fun to shop with him or for him until I figured it out. He likes one kind of jeans. So if you know the size just get two or three and be done with that. Don't even try to dress him cute or stylish. Taylor has his own style and nobody is gonna change that. He still has lots of things in his closet with the tags still on because it just isn't him. Buy him two or three shirts and a hooded sweatshirt, a pair of romeo's and you are done. His backpack from the last few years is just fine. Boring!!! But that is just my Taylor and that is fine with me. But guess what??? Connor and Caleb are starting kindergarden this year so I was all excited to go shopping for school stuff. That is, until Stacy told me they don't need anything, Mom. They have too much stuff, Mom. No, Mom, they don't even need shoes. Well, we went shopping anyway. She let me get socks and underwear. We got super cool underwear, the under armour kind. And we got cool socks, too. And cool belts. But the thing that they thought was the coolest was....... little trial size deodorants!!! Isn't that funny? We had to get Kenzi some hello kitty panties and her own belt with rhinestones. OK, I'm done for now but just wait..... it will be Christmas soon and I am going shopping.

A good day

2009-07-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

Mindy took the day off today so she and I could spend some time together. We left home early and headed out to some yard sales. Not quite sure what we were looking for but we were sure it would be fun. Before we stopped at the first sale she said, "Mom, we should be someone else today. How about you be Lucielle. Who should I be?" I said , " OK , you be Vesper." And so we were. We came to a sale that looked to be just a drive by but decided to stop. There were two little old ladies selling things. They must have been in their 80's at least. As we were looking at their "stuff" one of them started clapping her hands. She said, "People, can I have your attention? If you are serious about purchasing some of our treasures, come and get a bag and you can fill it up for $1." (ONE DOLLOR) Are you kidding me? They had some pretty good things. Then I spotted an old quilt. I asked her if it was for sale. She said she really didn't think about selling it cuz it was so old and worn. I knew it was more than a dollar so I asked her how much she would like for it. She said, "well it is really worn out but you could maybe cut it up and make something out of it. How much would you like to pay for it?" I told her I am really not good at that. So she asked me if $2 was too much. OMG! I have to give her more than that. I said "can I give you $5?" She said , "ok, honey, only if you take some other treasures for free!!!" She said that her mother had made it. Well, there is no way I am going to cut it up. I will love it just like it is. All I could say is, "Hey, Vesper, this is a good day!"

A new attitude

2009-07-19T13:36:00.001-07:00

Every day I am more aware of how important family is. Whether it is a wedding, a graduation, a reunion, or a funeral. I don't know how people without close family ties can get by. On Thursday Stacy and I flew to Northern California to attend a funeral. Just to be with family in sad times makes it a little easier. On Friday when we flew home we were seated in seperate rows. Sometimes I think God does these things for a reason. I was seated by a woman who I assumed was about my age. She was knitting and sorta keeping to herself. After a while she told me that she was going on a mini vacation for a few days to see her sister. She said that she and her husband owned a dairy. They have four boys. She said that she just needed to get away for a little bit. The stress was getting to her. She said that there can only be so much cheese and the price of milk was way down. You can't just stop milking the cows. It is an everyday job. She said she was tired of cooking and cleaning up after her boys and her husband. She loved them, she just needed a break. Then she must have seen my wedding ring and she asked me what me and my husband do. Some times it is so hard to say the words. But I told her my husband died in a plane accident a year and a half ago. I told her that we raise Christmas trees. That the market is flooded with trees right now and the price is way down. I told her that now I have to do so many things that are out of my comfort zone. I told her that we have four kids, too. They help me try to figure everything out. I told her that I remember thinking that I used to be tired of laundry and cooking. If only I could have that life back. I would give anything to just do the laundry and cook the meals. There were a few tears, both her and me. But she said that she can't wait to get where she was going so she could call home and tell her husband how much she appreciated him. She said that she would have a different attitude when she got home. I think God needed me to sit there beside her that day, not just for her but for me too.

Family reunion

2009-07-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

We were up at O'dell Lake a little over a week ago for a family reunion. My Grandma (who will be 94 in a couple weeks) and four of her brothers were there.

Doesn't she look awesome? She is the best. She lives by herself . She has lots of family near her. They look after her day and night.

This is her brother Wally. He is from Minnesota. He will be 91 this month. He is the leader of exercise classes where he lives. He walks every day. A m a z i n g!!

This is another brother, Uncle Lawrence. He went sky diving a few years ago for his 80 something birthday.

This one is Uncle Lloyd. He lives near me. Him and Auntie Jean come to my house for coffee every Tuesday morning.

Here is Uncle Dick. He is the youngest of Grandma's siblings. It was awesome to have them all together for the weekend.

They had lots of stories to tell. It was fun to listen to them.

The little guys were busy playing in the lake

and the big kids played a serious game of horseshoes. Some went fishing while others went on a hike.

Me, I pretty much stayed in camp and hogged, I mean held, babies.

The guys did most of the cooking

while others just hung out looking way too cute. It was a really fun weekend. I LOVE my family.

puppy shots

2009-07-02T21:32:00.001-07:00

Did I tell you that we got two puppies? Cody got one and we got one. They are blood hounds. They are soooooo cute. Ours is Gurty (short for Gurtrude) and Cody's is Dixie. Anyway, today the boys helped me take them to the vet for their shots. On the way home Caleb asked me, "why did they need shots." I told him, "so they don't get sick." He thought for a minute and then he said, " well we better take our chicken to the vet cuz he has dirariah!" Oh, man, they crack me up.

Garden Tour

2009-06-29T06:45:00.001-07:00

Come on, I'll take you on my garden tour. It was a beautiful day and lots of really nice people came out. I got to show off a bit. Grab a cute water bottle and a yummy cookie and lets take a walk. Enjoy!!

Garden Tour

2009-06-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

2009-06-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

The little peeps have been gone since last Saturday. Their other Grandma and Grandpa took them camping to Eastern Oregon for the week. We have gotten phone calls telling us of the fun adventures they are having. They hand fed some deer, caught chipmunks in their hats, caught fish, rode trams and lots of other fun times. I really can't wait till they get home. I need some sweet kisses from those little guys.

Taylor was gone too. He was at football camp for 6 days. Talk about quiet around here. I didn't even know what to do. I thought Costco was gonna call and ask where I was. I was really glad when he got home. He got home Thursday night and we had a baseball game last night (Friday). We were supposed to have a double header today but not enough boys to play. Some of the boys play basketball, baseball and football. So they split up their time. The boys are really busy, so are their parents getting them to all the games.

I have been busy tidy-ing up the yard. Next Sunday is the garden tour and I still have lots to do. I put on some weed and feed but Stacy thinks I got the wrong stuff. She said maybe it was feed the weeds.

I get easily distracted. An estate sale here, a garden shop there. Here a ballgame, there a ballgame. Oh well, it will look just fine. I like it, so I bet others will too. It is raining out now and freshing everything up. Tomorrow I have a few things to plant, a couple projects to finish and maybe another idea or two. I'm sure the boys will be glad when I get finished. They are pretty good helpers.

Cody is coming home today. He is bringin us our puppies. (One for him and one for us)

Today is Fathers Day and I feel like I have the best father and father in law in the world. I love them to pieces. I hope they both have an awesome day.

I can tell you this, neither one of them will ever know a day that I don't love them with all my heart.

The other me

2009-06-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't been me lately. I've been the other me. It seems like I cry over anything and everything. Stacy showed me pictures of Connor and Caleb playing T-ball and the tears just started. All I could think about is how proud Jay would be of those little guys.
I went back home to watch my nephew Jesse graduate from high school last Saturday. There were 37 kids in his class. The salutitorian was a young man who spoke to the crowd about God and how he needed God in his life. I cried. It was awesome that he would talk openly to everyone about God. It was also awesome that the principle and school board allowed him to reference God in his speech. So many schools wouldn't allow that. I cried when the validictorian spoke about choices. That every day we have a choice to be happy or not. Every day it is our choice to have a good attitude or not. Then, as each graduates name was called, they stood up and walked out into the crowd to find their parents, siblings, grandparents and who ever they wanted to hug and thank. I cried each time. And the weird part is that Jesse is the only kid I knew. But I cried. After the graduation we went to my brothers house for a bbq. A good friend of my mom and dad's was there. Alice is such a nice lady. Her husband Bob died less than a year ago. Alice and I visited for a long time. And we both hugged and cried. On Sunday when we were at my family's church, Father Charles had us sing "Here I am Lord." Well the tears started and wouldn't stop. Then when Father Charles told the people that he was being moved to The Dalles parish in two weeks, I cried some more. On the 5 hour trip back home there were tears that snuck out every now and again. I like to go places but coming home is sometimes hard. Even tho I love it at home, it is hard because Jay isn't here. But once we are home and life as we know it now returns, the little guys come out and then there are smiles. I was fine until I started to write this. Now I am cryin' again. I think there is one more chocolate hershey with almond bar in the pantry. I think I will eat it and maybe I will feel better.

Soulmates

2009-06-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

We were soul mates. He knew what I was thinking even if I didn't tell him. I could finish his sentences before he could. We shared a house, a family and a life. We even shared a birthday. Today is our birthday.

Not too long ago I was reading a book and it said that June 8th is "Best Friends Day." I had to look it up and see for myself.

Sure enough, "Best Friends Day is June 8th." Is this a coincidence or not? I think not. I miss my soulmate with all my heart. I think of him every minute of everyday.

As I was working in my yard I saw this statue of St. Francis. It has been standing there in the same place for a lot of years. The branch on the tree has grown and shaped itself to the statue. They have been together for so long that now they are almost one. You could move the statue and the branch could still remain, but it won't be as strong as it was. I feel the same. For all those years we were best friends. With Jay's physical presence no longer here, I feel not as strong. But with the strength that God has given me and the support of my family and friends, I will be as strong as I can, one day at a time, until our souls are together again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR

2009-05-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Taylor.....You might be 17 years old today. You might be over 6 foot tall. You might be over 200 pounds. But you will always be my baby.
You were the cutest little guy.
Stacy and Mindy and Casey were happy to have a new baby brother.
When you were learning to talk your first word wasn't mom or dad, it was truck.
You would play trucks all....the ....time.
When you were four we were putting in our back yard.
We had ordered a load of top soil.
After the dump truck had dropped the load of dirt in the yard, you and me went out there in our bare feet and stepped in that nice cool dirt.
You thought that I had got that dirt just for you.
You threw your arms around my neck, looked me in the eye and said "you are a good woman!" That was so funny.
So Dad and I got you your own load of dirt for your birthday. It was the best birthday present ever.
You would spend hours and hours in that dirt pile.

We would go to Wilco Farm Store and get a tub of grass seed.

Then all summer you would plow your fields, plant your crop of grass and wait for it to grow.
After it came up you would work your dirt again with your equipment and till up the grass and start over.

You were the best customer at the John Deere store. Instead of Ninja Turtles like Casey had, you had farm equipment. I think you have at least one of everything they make.
We had lots of ballgames to go to for Stacy and Mindy and Casey. You didn't mind. You took your toolbox full of trucks and tractors with you. There was always dirt that needed played in.

Dad took you to an equipment auction when you were about 4 or 5. He said that you climbed on every backhoe, cat and excavator there.You begged him to buy one.
You just had a thing for equipment.
When you were 7 or 8 your favorite thing to do was to have Dad take you to Circle K on Thursday after 4pm. That is when the "truck trader" and the "equipment trader" magazine would come out.
Dad would buy two. One for him and one for you.
Both of you would sit and look at them for hours.
You would have a highlighter pen and you would mark the ones that you thought we needed.
I remember a few times that you would even call the phone number, get the guy on the phone and then hand it to Dad and say, "here Dad, this guy wants to talk to you."

You were good at convincing Dad that we NEEDED that.

You talked Dad into a backhoe when you were 7.

He brought it home and told you to get on it.
He told you to practice digging a hole and then fill it back in. So you did, over and over again.
It was funny to see this little kid running equipment, but you were good at it.
We should have named you "Shadow" because you were always right beside Dad.

What he did, you did.
What he ate, you ate. (except tomatoes and jalepenos)

He would be so proud of you Taylor.
You don't let anyone influence you into how to act or what to wear.
You are who you are.
You could be a model for Carhart clothes and Romoe shoes.

I had to tell you that you should really wear something nicer than a plaid flannel shirt and old romeo shoes to Homecoming Dance with Brandi.
So when we went shopping you got a new shirt, black wranglers and new romeo shoes. No tie for this kid. Like I said you are who you are.
I could tell Taylor stories all day long. But I really just wanted to say happy birthday.
Thanks for being a great kid.

Don't ever change. I love you just the way you are. Love Mom

Memorial Day Weekend

2009-05-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

We had a really busy weekend. On Thursday morning Stacy and I and the little ones loaded up and headed south to a funeral. It was a five hour drive with these guys. That is a long time for them to sit and be good. For some reason it looks like Connor is up to something. I think he took Kenzi's Polly Pockets and hid them.
The rest of the crew will be coming on Friday after work.

We got up early Friday morning and we went with Grandpa and Pink Grandma to town. There is a pretty park that has a memorial set up for veterans. We wanted to find my dad's brick with his name on it. They also had 1500 flags on display. It was really cool.

I wanted to get a picture of Great Grandpa and the brats.

First they had to wrestle. Like I said, it had been a long trip and they needed to burn off some stored up energy.

There, just set there and be cute.

We left there and took Uncle Tom a soda where he was stacking logs.

When we got back home we went to Great great Grandma's house. We took her dinner. While her and Kenzi ate, we mowed her lawn and trimmed the edges.

On Saturday we had our "white trash bbq".

Some dressed up.
Some didn't.

This is what Louis looked like when he saw his bride.

"Just kiddin' hunny, you're hot!!"

Grandpa and Pink Grandma were too cute.
Next day we hiked,

looked cute
ate some more,
rode horses and looked at new baby colts.

rode golf carts,

and go carts.

We rode rangers.
We looked at Billi's stinking cute yard.

And we took naps.

Monday we headed home.
We stopped to look a new baby elk at a friends elk ranch. This one was one day old. There was one just an hour old. Too cute.

Then back in the pickup for the trip over the mountian.

We were PLUM TUCKERED OUT!!!

Home is where my heart says Aaahhhhh!!

Fixing up the yard

2009-05-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

I was asked a few months ago if I would like to be on the "Garden Tour" for a fundraiser that they do each year in town. At the time I was so excited and honored to be asked.

Of course I said yes. I thought that it would give me motivation to get a lot of things done that I have been putting off.

At first I couldn't quit thinking about things that I wanted to do, flowers that I wanted to plant and the ideas kept popping in my head.

I knew that I had 6 months or more to get these things done. Well, that was before the wind storm that took out 17 big fir trees.

That was before one of our employees came to help clean up in the yard after the storm and cut down all the lilac trees, the snowball bush and all the spirea. That was before the poa grass started taking over my yard. But you know what, it will be just fine. I have been busy planting and fertilizing, raking and hoeing. I have been cleaning and rearranging and things are starting to look pretty good. I still have lots to do and the ideas keep popping in my head. The boys might be glad when I get the rocks where I want them. They have made me planter boxes and bean trellis's. They have spread compost and bark and trimmed trees. I have fertilized the yard and now I mow it 3 times a week. (but I love to mow so that's ok) I have added a few different pieces of yard art around the house. But my favorite yard decorations are these:

I will show you more pictures soon. I really should go. The grass needs mowed. Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Daddy

2009-05-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Today , May 15, my Dad turns 75. I know he isn't exactly excited about it. If you could be what ever age you wanted to be, what age would you choose? When I was little I remember thinking that 75 was really old, not any more. I also remember when I was a little girl he told me this. He said that when I was born he was 25 times as old as I was. But when I was 25, he was only twice as old as I was. He said that if we lived long enough that I would catch up with him. Well today he is 75 and I'm still trying to see if that really works. Have a great day Daddy. I love you to the moon and back again.

Boys brains

2009-05-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you read the 10 things that each of my kids wrote to me for Mothers Day you can see how cool that I think they are. Its easy being a mom when you have cool kids. If you go to Stacy's list and go to number 8, I can explain. Back when the girls were in high school, one of the girls had a nice, handsome boyfriend that broke her heart. He was a jerk and it made me mad. So I was thinking about it one day and decided to write her this letter. This is how it went:

This is a story about boys and girls. You see, all your life you have believed that boys and girls were created the same except for, well you know. But what you didn't know was there is something else different about boys. God gave them two brains instead of just one like us girls. Their second brain is a very small but powerful brain. It is so small that He put it in their.... #$*&$ . They can only use one brain at a time. So, when their big brain (the one in their head) isn't working properly, it's probably because their little brain is. They don't even grow this brain until they are around 13 years old. Then they finially discover this brain and they are always trying to use it. But, you see, the one brain that He gave girls is SO much smarter than either brain that He gave boys, that we don't act so stupid. We use OUR brains to tell us what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes when we fall in love we can get hurt unless we understand this whole brain thing. Some girls don't have very big brains either. They are usually ugly girls. I think God didn't want to waste alot of brains on ugly girls. Those are the girls who usually help the boys when their little brains want to take over for their big brains. So, sometimes us pretty girls with big brains get hurt because ugly girls with little brains do things with our boyfriends when they let their little brains take over. I'm not sure if they know how to controll their little brains sometimes. And I promise you, there will always come a time when you are with a boy that his little brain will start acting up. And when this happens, his other brain has to shut down temporarily. But when he gets his big brain back to work he usually is feeling really bad about what happened and he will try to make it up to you. I hope this helps you understand a little better about boys. They are so cute sometimes but so stupid other times. It usually has something to do with what brain is in charge. Try to be patient with them. Some boys are worth it and some aren't. Don't let any boy mess with your brain. They usually can't even controll their own brains. Love Mom

Happy Mothers Day

2009-05-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

I am a visual person. What I mean is that I can understand something much better if I can see it. Oh sure, I can read a book and learn...but if you try to explain something to me it is much better to see what you mean if you show me. I like to steal ideas all the time for my yard and my house by going to garden shows or looking in magazines. Some of the best things I learn are from watching people. With Mothers Day here I think of how blessed I am to have such awesome examples every day, my mom, my mother-in-law, my grandma, aunts, daughters and sister, sister-in-laws and friends. They are all perfect role models for me to copy. My mom has given me nearly 49 years of lessons of how to be a loving mother. She taught me how to treat people, took me to church, gave me advise and showed me that family is the most important thing. My mother-in-law has blessed me with 30 years of unconditional love. She has never judged me or made me feel like I was anything less than wonderful. My Grandma has got to be the greatest Grandma ever. She is 93 years old, lives by herself, goes to church and watches the Mariners every game. She has the cutest sense of humor and unending love for her family. I have lots of aunts that are the kind of people that I want to be like. They also know how important family is. My sister is such a giving person, there isn't anything she wouldn't do for anyone. I feel so lucky to have the sister-in-laws that I have. It is like wining the lottery with each one of them. I AM A LUCKY GIRL. I also have the best friends that a girl could ever want. They are always there for me. We laugh together. We cry together. I don't know what I would do without them. I have two daughters, one that is a mom and one that will be a mom some day. I pray every day that I can be the best example for them. I also pray that my boys will always need their mom. I know that God hears me and I know that He will continue to bless me with the best examples so that I can SEE and BE the mom that I want to be. If you are a mom or have a mom, I hope you are surrounded by love today. Happy Mothers Day!!

10 Things We Love About You

2009-05-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day this year...we decided to sneak on to our MOM's BLOG (hehe) & make a blog about her. So...all of My Grandkids Rock's children made a list of 10 Things We Love About Her!

Taylor says he Loves...
1. When she makes breakfast, lunch and dinner.
2. She helps me with everything
3. She cares about everyone
4. When she goes somewhere she asks if you want to go
5. How she keeps everything clean and organized and trys to get us to do the same.
6. How shes not like girly, she likes to do guy stuff too.
7. She knows how to run the backhoe and bobcat.
8. when she does the laundry for me.
9. when she getson the treadmill with me
10. how much she loves everyone.

Casey says he Loves her Because...
1. She has never made herself the priority. She has always made sacrafices to put all the kids first, never missing a game or anything.
2. She won't sugarcoat things just to make you feel better. She looks out for your own good by giving you straight advice.
3. No matter where you eat, if someone asks how you like the food you can always honestly say "Moms is better."
4. She is the epitome of toughness, going through many tough things and never losing touch with her faith.
5. That she keeps the ugly things you make her as a kid in wood shop ans swears she likes them.
6. She always has ways to make family gatherings fun.
7. She invented White Trash Weekend and made it so everyone could do a project while there to make work fun.
8. She is the Best Garage Sale partner and knows all the cool off the path places to go.
9. The countless times she has dropped what she was doing to bring socks or slidding shorts to a baseball bus waiting on one kid.
10. Because there is no other Perfect Counterpart for Dad.

Stacy says she Loves her Because...
1.She knows every fun place to go and every fun thing to do. Estate sales, auctions, plant sales, junk stores, kids days. Everyone loves her for that.
2. When we were in highschool she made the best lunches that all the kids wanted like french dips or she would go to Silverton and bring us burritos from the Taco stand.
3. For four years before every softball game she would bring us bitesized pieces of bbq chicken because we told her Wade Boggs said there was hits in Chicken.
4. She makes the best Sunday dinners. Everyone plans there weekend so that we don't miss dinner at Mom's. Its that good.
5. There is nothing fake about her (except her nails and tan) She doesn't have to put on a show for anyone.
6. Even if I make fun of her for buying another bucket, bench or jar, they all get put to good use. But you might think she is crazy if you knew how many she had.
7. If what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, Mom is the strongest person I know. What she does and what she has done takes a lot of courage and faith.
8. Her analogies are really good and you would know this if you ever read her story about boys having two brains.
9. She loves her family and its obvious. She doesn't even have to say to see it and feel it.
10. She does everything for everyone. How is there ever enough time??? Geeez. I want to be like her.

Mindy says...
1. I love that you are like a Mother Hen & always want your chickies around. (We love being your chickies)
2. I love that as the years go by I realize that I am more & more like you. (I vaccuum @ midnight, can't sleep if the dishes aren't done) But aside from our cleaning OCD, it's our looks too. Come On! We could be sister's! And I loooove that!
3. I love that every sale, cute lil shop or anywhere you go...you always find me a treasure or bring me a prize! Even if I am 25, I still love the prizes.
4. You know how to make anyone feel good. It's about the small things you do that make huge impacts on people.
5. You may throw like a girl, but your the toughest girl I know!! And as we battle through this life together, I'm sure glad your on my team!
6. You are so thoughtful, generous and fun, honest and quite whitty.
7. You're like one of my Girlfriends! When it comes to anything where I need your opinion, you know how to word it just right. Ialways know my Mama's Got My Back!
8. You would write notes in our lunches and on homecoming week, you wrote in sparkles..."Princess" on my sack lunch! That was awesome! Alot of my friends knew you for your sandwhiches.
9. I love that it doesn't take fancy things to make you happy. It's really just about family and the simple things!
10. I love You because you met Dad & Dad met you! And that you fell in Love. Because Love last forever and Families will always stay together!

Louis (Mindy's husband) wanted to do it too...
He says he Loves her...
1. Because you make enough food, not only for Taylor, but me too.
2. Because when you laugh I laugh, when you smile, I smile and when you cry, I cry...I always want to give you a hug. You just have that effect on people and we all love that.
3. Because even though I am just an in-law, you make me feel like your own. I'm never frowning at Pam's.
4. Because you are you and I wouldn't ask for anything more...well, maybe another peice of bacon.
5. Because family is your priority & I always feel like part of the family b/c of you.
6. Because your an inspiration to all of us.
7. Because you raised the greatest kids, friends and family.
8. Because for some reason you understand me...(you might wanna get that checked out)
9. Because you agree with me on Mindy's, well let's just call it a valve adjustment on her rear.
10. Because if I wanted to you would let me call you, Mom. But I still think, "Pamalicious" is way cooler!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

You are the Best and We all LOVE YOOOOU!!!!

BIZZZZZEEEEEEEE

2009-04-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-19T20:43:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-04-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

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!!!!

Treasure waiting

2009-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

When I went to bed last night, I was thinking about how using a gps to find a treasure was sorta like how my life is. When you're geo-caching , you use a gps to lead you to a treasure. In my life I can use a hand held devise (bible) to lead me to a treasure (heaven). If you use the information presented to you and you follow directions, it will lead you to an amazing treasure. Some times you may want to give up on the search. You may not believe that there really is a treasure waiting for you at the end. But, if you believe, and you keep going, one day at a time, you will get there to the treasure that God promises. It's nice to enjoy the scenery along the way. And it is really nice when you have the ones you love with you, showing them they way too.

Sunday with the kids

2009-03-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

Today after church Connor came home with me. We made a pot of taco soup and a big pan of enchiladas for dinner. We got it all put together so it would be ready for dinner later. Then the rest of the crew came out. We down loaded some geo cache's on the computer for our area. If you haven't done this before, you should try it.

It is really fun. You need a hand held gps and a few little treasures. On your computer you type in "geo cache" and your zip code and it will give you cordinances for your treasure hunt. Then you use the directions, de-code the clues and find the hidden container.

They are hidden all over the world. We decided to split into two groups. Each group took 6 different caches to find. We had our two way radio's and off we went. When you find the hiding place there is a box or rubber tub filled with treasures.

You can take a treasure but you have to leave one too. You sign the notebook with your code name and date it.

You can see when the last person found the cache. It really is a lot of fun.

Even the little ones like it.

Taylor didn't go with us. He went to Sandlake with his friends. They took the jeeps there to ride in the sand.

He has so much fun hanging with his buddies. But at the end of the day we were all back home eating enchilada's and taco soup. What a nice day. I love hanging out with my family. Now we will have to figure out some adventure for next weekend.

Old Spice

2009-03-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Paul died 19 years ago in a pickup accident. I will always miss him so much. One of the many things I miss about him was the way he smelled. I remember that he always used Old Spice aftershave. I love that smell. After his accident I would always buy that kind of deodorant for Jay, Old Spice Original Scent. The other day Casey went to the store to get toothpaste and deodorant. When he came home he had two kinds of deodorant, he asked me to smell them and tell him which one I liked the best. No question about it, I like the Old Spice original. He asked me who it reminded me of. I told him Uncle Paul and Dad. He smiled and said, "yep, it reminds me of Dad too." So I went up stairs and took out Jays deodorant, took off the lid and left it on the counter. Who needs and air freshener? I will just use a stick of deodorant with the lid off to always give me a scent of Jay and Uncle Paul. It might just be a little thing, but I will treasure every little thing that reminds me of them.

Going fast and getting nowhere

2009-03-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

I know that I haven't been getting much done, but it seems like I've been busy. It kinda feels like when I'm on the treadmill. I'm on an incline at a fairly fast pace, but I'm not getting anywhere. It's not crazy busy like it is sometimes but there always seems like there are things to do.

We've been busy with everything from baby showers ........
to baseball games.

We've had swimming lessons....

and tree planting.
Last weekend, my middle brother Tom and his oldest son, Jesse came up to see us.
We went in to the college where Jesse wants to learn to be a fireman.

While Jesse and Tom talked to the instructor, the boys and I got a tour of the place.

Connor and Caleb got to get in the fire truck and touch everything and ask at least a million questions.

Then this weekend my older brother Jeff and his wife Billi came up.

They also came to help. We got the logs out of the woods and in a big pile down by the shop. It is SO MUDDY!! Now I can't wait for the sun to shine and the rain to stop so we can get things cleaned up.

So, today since it was raining, I played inside with my little kitty, Cocoa. (AKA Kenzi) Isn't she cute?

Happy 27th Birthday Stacy

2009-03-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Twenty seven years ago you made one of my dreams come true. I was a mom for the first time. I can remember when we found out that I was pregnant, I made Dad tell Grandma and Grandpa and Granny and Papa because I was too scared. They will know what we've been doing!!:) Silly girl, we were married for three years what did I think they thought we were doing??!!!

You were such a cute baby.

Dad adored you.
He would go with you to swimming lessons, take you swimming at the lake

and help you dry your hair when you were done.

He would take you for a ride on the four wheeler every morning before I went to work. He worked the swing shift and had to see you before we left in the morning.

You were his first softball player. He loved coaching you.

You always played your hardest.

It didn't matter if it was softball or basketball , you gave it your all.

Dad was so proud when he walked you out on the track to be crowned homecoming queen. How cool was that to have both of his girls on the homecoming court at the same time.

And when you were valedictorian of your graduating class, we both felt blessed to have such a smart, talented and beautiful daughter.

From the time you could pull 50 pounds on your bow,

you were Dad's favorite hunting partner.

How many other girls would go in the woods with only a bow and arrow and compass,

walk for miles, don't shower and wear camo paint on their face?

He was so proud when you shot your first elk.

Mindy and Casey and Taylor were lucky to have such a good big sister to teach them so many things.Then you fell in love with Ryan and Dad had a hard time giving you away.

But he knew you weren't too far away. He could call you any time and you were there.

It wasn't long before you amazed us again with Connor and Caleb. Oh, what joy they are.

And a little later you blessed us again with Kenzi Elizabeth .

They are lucky to have you for a mom. And I am lucky to be your mom.

Happy Birthday Stacy Love Mom

Fun times

2009-03-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Yesteday was "Taylor and My Day" with Stacy and Ryan. (It was our gift from them for Christmas) Casey got to come along, too. We started out the morning leaving home at 7 am. Stacy and Ryan picked us up. They had hot, fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls and sunny delights for us. YUM!

We headed over the Santiam Pass to the Sportsman Show in Redmond. This has been a favorite place to go for a while. Jay used to love to talk the talk with all the hunters and fishers. He would take in all the seminars on survival training and elk bugeling and coyote hunting. I sure wish he was here with us.

There was a lot of snow on the mountian pass. We took it slow and easy. We got to chat alot on the way. Lots of "Jay" memories were told.

First we went to Bend. We used our little magellan gps to find a couple yard sales. Everyone found a treasure or two. Ryan got a live trap. Taylor got some tools and drill bits. Stacy found an archetectural piece to put on the wall. Casey found a record album for Cody and I got a little mirror. That was fun but they boys were anxious to get to the show.

We took in a dutch oven cooking class and looked at lots of camp trailers, four wheelers and boats. I think Ryan was trying to talk Stacy into a boat.

Do you think she is impressed? There were lots of things to look at and samples to taste. It was super windy and really cold outside, so we looked fast and then went on our way. After a late lunch we went to Sisters to get a treat at the bakery. If you haven't been to Sisters Bakery you really should go there. Then we started on our way home (the back way.) THRU the woods, ON DIRT ROADS COVERED with about 10" of snow!!! Boys and their 4 wheel drives. Good thing we had our donuts and gps. What if we get stuck????

After a while we made it back to the main highway. It was snowing and blowing and freezing and getting close to dark. Right there on top of the pass was a guy riding a bicycle over the mountian. What in the world was he thinking? It was a long way from anywhere. I couldn't quit thinking about him. Where was he going? Will he freeze to death? How will people see him in the dark with the wind blowing and the snow? About that time we passed a woman driving with her window down. She had to see where she was going out the side window cuz her windshield wipers wouldn't work and her front windshield was iced over. OH MY GOSH!! Just get me home!! Back to my warm house where I am safe and people aren't crazy. Thanks Stacy and Ryan, we all had a great day!

Today is Sunday and the kids are coming out for dinner. I was inspired by the dutch oven guys so I think we will have a chili cook off. I guess if I make all the chili (regular chili and white chicken chili) then I win!! I'm just glad we won't be traveling in the pickup with the boys tomorrow:)

Time on my hands

2009-03-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

I was just thinking last week that I needed something to do. I have time on my hands. I like to be busy. I am looking forward to the time change so that we have more daylight hours. And then if I could just get it to just stop raining.

Well, just when I think I am bored, then there seems like a lot of things happen. Last Thursday my Mother and Father-in-law came up for a few days. Casey took Papa to the state wrestling tournament and we got Granny to ourselves for a couple days.

On Friday us girls went to the Portland Yard and Garden Show.

It was MORE than amazing. I came home from there with WAY too many things that I want to do.

Those people are too creative. We spent the afternoon ooh and aahhing.

Then we had to get home so we could go to OSU to the gymnastics meet. Jami is a senior this year and she only has a couple more home meets, so we didn't want to miss it.
Then on Saturday, Stephanie and I went to meet a couple nice ladies that we have been blogging with.

It is fun to finally get to talk in person to them. It seems like we already knew each other. After all we read about their families daily and know what they have for dinner and how they decorate their houses. We already knew their husbands names and their kids too. It was like meeting old friends.

We had lunch and went to a couple cute shops. I hope we can do that again. What special friends they are. God just keeps blessing me with these awesome people in my life.

Sunday was kinda kicked back. After church we had more company for lunch. Jay's nephiew and his wife and two adorable little girls stopped by. (I didn't get any pictures, sorry.) Then, later that evening we had dinner. All the kids came out. I love it when they are all here. I kinda picture it like that in Heaven. Like God welcomes everyone home for dinner. He prepares all their favorite foods and they laugh and love. That's how I like my Sundays.

How much are you?

2009-02-25T15:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was sitting at my desk not doing anything important and Caleb came in and said, "Nana, how much are you?" I said, "I don't know. Probably alot." Then he came with a tape measure and said, "Nana, I want to measure you." OH HECK NO you are not. You get outa here.

So since it was raining cats and dogs and we didn't have anything to do, we just went outside and played in the puddles for a while.

OK so that was fun for a while.

Then we came in and changed clothes and decided to rearrange the pantry in the basement.
I have decided that if we are in a deep depression and we can't buy food, I have enough food to feed a small village for a month.

Somebody slap me if I go to Costco and buy any more peanut butter or brownie mix. I almost feel like Dr Phil is going to do a show on hoarding and he is going to be knocking on my door.

Sunday dinner

2009-02-21T20:20:00.000-08:00

Almost every Sunday all the kids and grandkids come out for dinner. I really like it when they do. I am making a recipe from my friend Diane for dinner. She calls it "Chalupa."

It is really easy and it smells so good when it is cooking.

You need:

1 lb of dry pinto beans

3-4 lb pork roast

6 cups water

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 T cumin

1 tsp oregano

1 4 0z can diced chilies

1 8 oz can tomatoe sauce

2 cloves minced garlic

1 T salt

2 T chili powder

Place the pinto beans in the bottom of a heavy pan and then place the roast on top. Then just pile everything on top in order. Cover and bake in 325 oven for 5 to 6 hours. Should be moist but not runny. Remove any fat. With forks, break up meat for filling burritos or taco's.

This is super easy and goes a long way. ( Well..... not if Louis is here: ) I think we will have spanish rice and virgin margarita's. Hmmmmm what should I fix for dessert?

This is what I do when I get bored, I read recipe books. I just got a new one, I think I will go to bed and read it.