Give a Day, Get a Day

We decided back in February that we would earn a free day in Disney World. Grandma Honey helped us come up with the idea of what to do.



We decorated bags and filled them with goodies.



We also cut out and sewed stuffed monsters.



All this hard work went to a local hospital.



They hand them out to little kids who either have to stay in the hospital or are at the hospital a lot visiting a family member who is sick.



All the kids did great. It took us all day and none of them complained.



By the time we were done we had about thirty monsters and over a dozen goody bags. I think that's pretty good for a days work.

We had a great time in Disney World, how could you not. We split the day up, Big D and I took the boys and Papa Guy and Grandma Honey took the girls and then we switched.



We had a hard time getting the boys to go on any rides. We tricked them into going on this airplane Goofy ride and both boys were hanging on for dear life.



Next we went on the tea cups and that was a mistake for Big D, he got queasy afterward.



Both the boys enjoyed this ride because it didn't leave the ground.



When they saw the speed way they wanted to go. After we were done with the first go around, and a thirty minute wait in line, Bud wanted to go again.



Bud got his wish because halfway through the ride Big D and Bear's car broke so they let us all go again without having to stand in line. I wonder if they wrecked their car because the driver couldn't see over the steering wheel?



When we got to trade I was super happy to ride some more "grown up" rides. So we went on the magic carpet...not so grown up if you ask me.



The girls were getting on my nerves so I locked them up for a bit till they had an attitude adjustment.



I don't know what kind of special powers Grandma Honey had but she could get the boys to go on rides, fun rides. The first time she took the boys on Pirates of the Caribbean Bear got a little freaked out when the went over a little waterfall. He grabbed Honey and screamed, "I thought you said this wasn't a fast ride!" By the end of the evening Bud was saying, "Man, I sure wish I could go on the pirate ride just one more time." So, of course, Honey took them one more time.



The hats were super cute but I couldn't spend $40 a hat for four kids, so we took a picture of them. Oh, and Big D too. Some times I swear I have five kids.



This isn't the best picture, but we were on Splash Mountain. We got to ride this one back to back too because it was while everyone else was watching the fireworks. My philosophy is: you've seen one firework show you've seen them all, lets ride.



It was great being able to take our kids there. I hope it was a magical place for them. I feel a little bad because they didn't get excited to meet any of the characters because they didn't know who any of them are. That is one of the draw backs of not having a TV.



By the end of the evening we were all toast, my big toe was in a coma, and Bear didn't think he could walk anymore (thank goodness for the $15 Wal-Mart stroller we picked up). I hope they look back and think to themselves how great it was to give service and get two wonderful days full of fun memories in return: one serving and one playing.

Someone Let The Sunshine In

Do you ever get the feeling that the universe is working against you? It is a battle I face every day as I'm sure all of you do too. In my world I have a beautiful family, four healthy kids and one very sexy husband. I have every thing I could every want, so why do I search for more?

Am I selfish?

Am I human?

Am I just a girl who is trying to find herself and her purpose in life?

I don't know the answer. I wish I knew what drive one person to become a politician and someone else to be an engineer. I love to write! I've never claimed to be good at it. Writing is what makes me feel like I am living up to my potential. When I write is when I truly feel the closest to my Father in Heaven. I feel I am using the talents he's given me and not hiding them under a bushel.

My mom, the wise woman she is, told me once when I was a new mother and being torn between what I wanted to do and what I needed to do, she said their is a time and a season for all things. That has stuck with me and gotten me through some rough days.

I feel my season is coming. My youngest will be starting kindergarten next year and I will be able to focus, hopefully, on more than one class next semester. I understand it will still take me awhile to graduate with my degree in journalism. But this is the path I chose, to have a family before I finish college.

I know this is probably just the sunshine talking, I have to admit I'm a huge fan, but I am okay with putting myself second and some times third. I may never get to travel the world and be a well known writer for a popular magazine. I am fine with that. I may never make enough $$$ to support my family so my hubby can be a stay-at-home dad, which he would be awesome at.

All I know is I am going to write. I am going to write even if no one else reads or agrees with me. I am very blessed with the gifts and talents I've been given and I plan to use them to the best of my ability. Then I pray I learn to use them even better.

Thank you for making it through my sappy post. Some times I just have to get things off my chest. It seems to happen when I've been kissed by the sweet intoxicating rays of sun.

Can You Say, "Hello Nurse"?

My sister, Ann, just got glasses. She is also studying to be a nurse.



I think she looks muy sexy. Big D said she looks like one of those librarians that all men fantasies about. I don't know if I should be worried about that comment or not. Who knew Ann was in the wrong profession.

Big Weekend

It was a big weekend for us. We went out to Papa Guy and Grandma Honey's to help with branding their cattle. The kids went out the night before and I waited until Big D was done with a service project of cleaning the cemetery. By the time he got home he was so tired he didn't want to go. He asked me to cut his hair right as I was getting ready to leave and I told him I'd do it that evening when I got home.



Branding went pretty quick because they had a lot of help. Not me of course, I was there in a documentary position only. I think one guy ended up with a concussion from being danced on by one of the calves. A couple guys ended up a little bloody. My Uncles Mike and Jeff got diarrhea shot all over them. There are many MANY reasons I stay on the other side of the fence.



This little man, Aiden, belongs to my cousin Rachel and her husband Jared. I thought he was so cute watching his dad wresting with those cows. He looks like a future cowboy. Who knows maybe a couple more years and he can be in the pin with the big boys.



The darn shoot kept breaking down. I think this was about the fourth time. Some of those cows were trying to escape so hard that they would slam against the on side of the shoot and lift the other side off the ground. No wonder it kept breaking.



This is Bear watching all the fun. As you can see from his bum, the cow pies did not elude him.



When we got home from Papa's I was surprised to see Big D had taken the shears into his own hands. Every time I looked at him I'd bust up laughing.



He had this perfect one inch white stripe around one ear, circling the of his neck, and back up over the other ear. I think next time he will be more patient and wait for me to get home. I asked him if he learned his lesson and he said probably not. Some how I believe him.



As if the tooth fairy hasn't come to our house enough this week, Bud decided the first go around was exciting enough to want to do it again. He showed us at Church today that his other front tooth was loose. I told him the more he played with it the less it would hurt and we were definitely pulling it when we got home.



He didn't want a repeat of the other night so he worked really hard to get it as loose as possible. It worked, Big D didn't even need floss this time. He reached in and yanked. There were no tears, no losing the tooth (once it was pulled), and very little blood. He is going to make the tooth fairy have to take our a small business loan if he doesn't slow down. I think he really wants to enjoy himself in Florida. Too bad the tooth fairy will be too broke to enjoy herself.

Everybody's Loosing Stuff These Days

We were eating dinner last night, fajitas and corn on the cob (Bud's favorite). When Bud bit down on his cob his front tooth started bleeding. We were all super excited because he refuses to wiggle his teeth so it takes forever to get them out.



Big D talked him into letting him tie floss around the tooth, I think the $$$ factor didn't hurt. Once he got the floss on he changed his mind and didn't want to do it anymore. TOO LATE!



Big D used me as a way to distract Bud. He told Bud to smile big so I could take his picture and as soon as he did Big D yanked the floss. Not my idea of a good approach but it worked. I think Big D lost his 'favorite parent' status though, which is good for me because I'm always the 'bad guy'.



Flinging the tooth, Big D lost it some where in the restroom. I think Beaner was a bit confused, she thought it was "Dinner and a Show in the Restroom" night. She came prepared.



Those big alligator tears just about broke my heart. He didn't quit crying for a good five minutes. I tell you what though, he was all smiles when he woke up this morning and the tooth fairy left him $1. That's one more dollar to spend in Florida in two weeks.

I'm Addicted To Cuteness

I can't quit taking pictures of the puppies. I think I'm addicted.



This is a picture of the daddy, Roxer. Sorry it's a little fuzzy, he's a mover and a shaker. This is the best picture I could get with my phone. He is so cute I wanted to put him in my purse and take him home. Kinnzi loved him too. She wasn't feeling really well when I took her over to meet him, she'd just gotten some shots. I thought she'd get snippy with him and not let him near her, boy was I wrong.

As soon as I put her down she started chasing him. When she turned around and Roxer mounted her the kids started laughing and asking questions. I knew it was time to leave and give them their privacy.



Kinnzi is such a great mom. I tood them in to get their tales docked and dewy claws removed yesterday. I thought Kinz was going to have a heart attack. Her and I waited in the lobby while the Vet took the pups. It's a good thing someone brought in a cat who really didn't want to be there, she drowned out the puppies cries. But that didn't stop Kinz from lactating all over me.

Kinz doesn't want anyone to see her puppies so every time someone comes close to her bed she puts her head over them. I've tried and tried to get pictures of just the puppies and I haven't been too successful.



Until now. They still look a bit like mice, but way cuter. I love their little squeaks. Bear asked me the other day why they do that and I told him that they are babies and they're crying for their mama. He laughed like the was the silliest thing he'd ever heard. He said, "I didn't cry all the time when I was a baby." Then it was my turn to laugh.

We Didn't Forget The Kids

With all the festivities going on, we didn't forget to let the kids have their Easter. Granted we did tell them the Easter Bunny wasn't coming until noon, that bought us slacker parents a bit more time.



I might be a mean mom but I make my kids wait in the other room while the Easter Bunny is delivering his goods. Big D and I hop around the living room hiding eggs. Big D even does a weird bunny voice like we are talking to him. The kids go crazy with anticipation.



After the torture is over we release the hounds and they pounce on their goods. The kids are fascinated with pregnancy right now, go figure, so Bug had to show us her belly.




Beaner pounced a bit quicker than everyone else so she found the most eggs. As you can see she is not about to share, too bad for her. She finally relented and gave one to Bear who is the slowest and shortest egg hunter.



Despite the fact he didn't find the most eggs, Bear is still happy with his finds. And thanks to Aunt Kathy they got SOME candy in their eggs instead of the boring $$$ that mom always puts in. Aunt Kathy also spoiled each of them with a book that they love. Thank You Aunt Kathy!!!



After we were all done we got down on the floor and counted out their $$$ to make sure everyone got the same amount, $5. More $$$ for them to spend in Florida, YEAH! Unless the $$$ burns a hole in their pockets first, darn those school book fairs.

Happy Easter! Kinnzi Had Pups

We had a busy Easter. First we were listening to General Conference when I noticed Kinnzi, my pregnant dog, was not snuggling with us. We went on a search for her and found her on her bed giving birth to her babies. We were a little surprised because she wasn't due until the next day.

He first puppy, a little girl, didn't survive. I don't know if it was because I wasn't there to help her remove the sack from the head or if we spooked her when we found her and when she picked up her pup to move her she killed it. Either way we lost the first puppy which was sad for all of us.



This is Kinnzi saying her good-byes to her puppy who passed away.



She went on to have two more puppies, another girl and a boy. Kinnzi didn't have any problems delivering, she knew just what to do.



She is a great mom. She has a hard time leaving her puppies. Every time she gets up to go potty or get something to eat or drink her puppies cry and she runs right back to them.

Kinnzi's bed that she gave birth to her first one is our downstairs couch. Big D hurried and cleaned every thing up as soon as we'd moved her to the whelping bed we prepared for her upstairs. That night after all the drama was over we decided to watch a movie. We were all snuggled on the couch and Kinnzi came down, borrowed under the blankets and started digging trying to find her puppy she'd lost. It broke my heart.

She is doing a lot better today. She is nervous when anyone comes by her bed, which is normal of a good mother. We already have someone to purchase the female, my sister-in-law. She named her Princess Rinnzi Kellen.

Kinnzi's dad was hit by a car in September and his owner has expressed interest in one of his progenitors so we'll see if she wants to purchase our male. I'm just excited the puppies can't go any where for eight to ten weeks. I'm excited to watch them grow.