one moments peace

A no pic update

2012-01-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

We have been socked in with winter weather this week starting on Wednesday. With a bad call by the school district for a 2 hour delay with 5 inches of snow expected by the time the boys school was to be let out. Wyatt's morning kindergarten was cancelled but the other two went in. After watching the high school bus and Max's middle school bus spinning out I was very hesitant to send Cooper. His bus did the same thing so I spent the rest of my morning and afternoon stressing about them coming home. I was worried the buses would get behind schedule and that Cooper wouldn't make it home until after dark. But the school district pulled their heads out and starting releasing the high schools and middle schools out early so all ended up well. Silly, but I was very relieved to see their smiling faces. No school on Thursday or Friday and Monday is a scheduled day off for the a teachers workshop or whatever so the boys are getting 5 days off!! Barry has been working the last two nights which of course have been the nights where we have had the freezing rain and temps in the teens and twenties. Always scary to send him out the door. But today we are already up to a whomping 32 degrees and at the moment the sun is shining! Beautiful!
Our animals have made it through. Chickens have been pretty unhappy. They end up spending way to much time in their coop. Our heated water bowl is in their large run which unless the ground is completely bare they won't venture out there. Hindsight, on day one I should have moved it. So I made several trips a day out with new buckets of water. We had one or two hens with bleeding feet. A quick search on the internet and they possibly got stuck to the frozen ground. I spread some hay in "run one" and it helped them to come out a little more and no more bleeding feet :) The bunnies are hanging in there. On Tuesday I prepared for the weather a bit by making sure they had fresh hay for some warmth. Cooper's high maintenance bunny had crap caked all over her back end. I had to give her a little bath! So gross! But I was glad we found out about it before the temps dropped down so low. Would not have been fun finding that out when the snow and freezing rain was coming down! So their hutches got covered in tarp to protect them from all the element and they are enjoying the tarps being opened up today.
Need to try to make it to the library and feed store today. Rally the boys to do homework. Some snow clean up and Joe's special for dinner!
My wrist is getting better! Still sore but very much on the mend!
R

Cruising through our pics

2012-01-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking at our recently uploaded photos and found this one. Our poor Cooper had the flu last weekend. Apparently, this is a photo opportunity???? Even when he is sick this kid can find some humor. I asked him how he was doing and he said "well....we have a couple of things going on here!" The poor guy gets the flu like his Mom. Coming out both ends and shaking like a leaf! Oh how I felt bad for him. Just for the record Cooper when you are older and see this picture it wasn't me who dressed you up in a rabbit fur hat and took your picture. It was all your Dad!!

Rough start to a Wednesday :(

2012-01-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

We had a rough morning. Cooper and Wyatt sometimes are the best of buds. In the morning they are a great team. The two of them spend their morning in somewhat of a harmonious rhythm.......until... Well this morning Wyatt was in a singing mood and Cooper was in a teasing and controlling mood. Wyatt wouldn't be quiet so Cooper poked him in the eye. It was not his intention to aim for the eye but it is where his finger ended up. He got in trouble which brought out all of Cooper's fury! Stomping and crying and yelling about all that have done him wrong lately. The girls at school are mean to him! A boy on the bus is mean to him! His best friend doesn't go to the school anymore. No one will play with him on the playground. We don't listen and we don't understand. My kind, funny, fun, thoughtful Cooper at this point is worked up into a complete frenzy! A mouth full of saliva because he is so mad and has so much to tell us about that he won't even stop to swallow. We manage to sit on the couch to read our favorite Skippy John Jones. He starts to relax and then the cloud over his head starts to pass and he starts feeling horrible for his outburst. Our Cooper is back! Lots of hugs and understanding. In this house we all have our moments of decompression. Unfortunately, it is way more than any of us in this family like to admit or more than anyone outside our family would understand. But we all forgive each other. Tell each other how much we love one another and move on with our day. There is a lot of personality in this house and sometimes we just don't gel!!!!!

R

Back in a routine

2012-01-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

We are off to a great start. Second day back to school and they are up eating, brushing teeth, getting dressed and out the door with barely an arguement. It is a surprise to me that no matter how much fighting or how crabby they were or how tired I am after winter break that when the bus shows up to pick them up and I have spent the last ten minutes telling them all the exciting things school will have for them that when I turn around and head back to the house I am crying because I already miss them.

R

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

We had a very nice holiday here. Family came and shared the day with us. We ate and drank and played games. Hot tubbing and relaxing. Stayed put and enjoyed. There was a few melt downs. Wyatt is such a Christmas fanatic. He talks about it all year long. In his wonderful little mind he truly thinks it is a magical time. So he had some moments of disappointment. It is hard. As parents we try out best within our means to create a fabulous time for our kids. He is really good about talking about the true meaning of the holiday so I know he gets it. But this was his year I guess for a little reality to set in. Soooooo.........anyway....Christmas eve's potato bar was a half a success. I don't think I liked the potatoes cooked in the slow cooker. It really simplified the day but I think potatoes are better in the oven or even microwave. The lasagne's were very good and with a nice fresh green salad it was a nice way to finish off the day. Garry and Susan gave the boys a bingo set. We had a bunch of fun playing.

We spent the week between Christmas and New Years slowly putting decorations away and the boys played with all their new video games and toys. Barry and Max went hunting a few times.We had no plans for New Year eve which is the way I like it. Friday while Barry and Max were hunting, Coop, Wy and I headed to the club for some swimming. It always feels so good to get back there. It wasn't over crowded and the two boys had fun swimming again. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day here. Wy got new rollerblades for Christmas so he and I headed out in the cul de sac to practice. Max and neighbor Caleb joined us and soon after Cooper came out. We have a park very close by that recently added some nice winding paths around some ponds with ducks and geese so we jumped in the car and headed down there. Nice park! Embarrassing that I haven't taken my kids down there before. We had fun in the sun but at the very end Wyatt clipped me and I went down. Right on my wrist. I did my best to hide the pain because I really didn't want Wy to feel bad. He was so sorry and I felt bad for him. We headed home and my wrist was swelling. My foot situation has really made me realize that if you get hurt, have it checked out. I don't want to have surgery on something 15 years later to try to correct something. Had an x-ray and luckily nothing is broken. A bad sprain though. So my wrist is in a splint for a week to 10 days. A bit of a set back. Not the way to have a fresh start to a new year!

So the kids are back to school today. We didn't practice any school work but did a lot of reading with the boys. I am going to try and have a better outlook on Wy's kindergarten class. His teacher is officially back and she has a fantastic reputation so I need to see how the rest of the year goes. I am going to SHAKE OFF that unsettled feeling. On to bigger and better things!!!

R

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T07:41:00.000-08:00

Well the big day is almost here. Amazingly, I feel somewhat prepared. Knock on wood. I have some appetizers to kick out today and of course some cleaning. Very little wrapping and I will be done and able to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Max and Barry are going to go hunting this afternoon which will be great for Lucy. She really needs some excercise. What kind of dog chews glass ornaments?!!!!! Mom and Niki will be here this afternoon. Niki has been working this last month as a UPS driver helper and is looking forward to a hot tub to soothe her aching body. Poor gal is really beat up! She worked hard and got a letter of recommendation from her driver. We are all hoping and praying for a better year for her. So we have a full line up on the menu. We are going to try a baked potato bar for Christmas Eve. All kinds of toppings and I am going to cook the potatoes in the crockpot! I know half of my potato is going to to have chili!!!
Breakfast casserole in the morning with fresh eggs from our very happy hens! We are back to getting 4 - 5 eggs a day. Lots of appetizers to get us through the day and then dinner will be my Mom's yummy meat lasagne and I made a seafood lasagne in a white sauce . Should be epic! Our holiday beverage will be a pointsettia. Prosseco, splash of vodka with cranberry juice!
Garry and Susan will be here on Christmas day so we will have a full house. I am sure we will have a fire in the firepit and lots of hot chocolate to keep the boys warm!
I got mmy Christmas present early this year. Barry got us a laptop. I am cuddled up on the couch with my Cooper instead of isolated in the computer room.
So I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas holiday! Ours is looking pretty good so far!

Mom....How many more days???

2011-12-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

All Cooper and Wyatt can think about is Christmas. All I can think about is am I going to get it all done in time? Will they be happy? Will it feel special for them? I don't remember ever having a disappointing Christmas growing up. Some how my family pulled it off. Whether I was a young kid playing or a teenager laying around watching football it was all great. It was simple. Those were the days. I didn't have to cook or clean up. My Grandma, Mom and Aunt always did. The kitchen was so small. I don't know how they did it! We had all kinds of snacks and cookies and a full dinner and different pies for dessert!!! One big picture perfect christmas! In my head I try to duplicate that, but it is a lot of work. If the boys could just settle down a bit and stop teasing and fighting and if the dog would just stop chewing up remote controls and toys. Maybe I could keep my head from exploding and finish this seasonal project!!!! Can you say "Spa day in January!"

Saved from the dumpster from my Grandma's house were these Christmas candles. She always had them on the kitchen window sill. I've got them on a cake plate with some epsom salt snow. I cover them with the cake dome but I am going to search for a cloche for next year. They are in the hallway and they make me smile when I walk by.

Max has his Christmas concert tonight. He is very excited. Working in Wyatt's class tomorrow. Christmas tree this weekend and keeping my fingers crossed to get a good pic of this family so that I can get my holiday cards out. We didn't send any last year so it really needs to happen this year.

Dear Santa

2011-11-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I want you to know that I have tried my best this year. For Christmas I would really like a lap top. It doesn't need to be brand new just something I can update my blog and check my emails and Facebook.

Thank you for listening

Rocky

Where did the time go II

2011-08-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

We went this morning and picked up our fair stuff! It was a great experience for our family. Since we are not part of a 4H group we did everything "open class". So it was all new for me but I weeded my way through the online registry and we were in :) So Max got a white (he really didn't apply himself for his age group) and Cooper and Wyatt got red ribbons. Which made them very happy. I put in 2 cucumbers, summer squash and zuchinni and much to my surprise had 3 little blue ribbons. Now I think everything at the fair gets some kind of ribbon which is a relief because the boys were so excited to get a ribbon at the fair. Especially Wyatt. Every time he made a Lego thing this summer he would ask if it was good enough for a ribbon. So we are inspired to do more next year and find a 4H group this fall.
Next week is BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As much as I love my boys they need to go back. They have spent way too much time together this summer. We didn't go on any trips for fun. They did check out the new water park in Prosser and Max has made little trips out to shoot for the day. Cooper learned how to ride a bike without training wheels and throw a frisbee!
Wyatt spent big time with Legos and resented his brothers' birthdays in July and is beside himself with all the waiting he has to do before his birthday. Just a couple weeks now. He really gets himself worked up. We have been talking about school so hopefully he is going to be ready. I can not believe that all three of them are going to be in school 5 days a week!!! Wyatt will be coming home around 11:30 then Max at 2:30 and Coop at 3:30. So the afternoons will be a little choppy but the mornings are looking pretty darned good :) I remember when I would be up ever 2 - 3 hours through the night with each one and sometimes with more that one and I would be so tired and fearful that I was never going to get any sleep. Then there was Barry snoring and not waking for a thing! I would just tell myself that I could catch up when they were all in school. So I am going to sleep or read or watch a movie or garden or ride or got to the gym. I suppose there will be housework in there and volunteering in the kids classes. But dammit I am going to get some sleep!!!
Barry is going to his Front Line Supervisor meeting this week. But Niki is coming this week!!!! Looking forward to some time with her.
Lucy completed her first heat cycle. That was a very, very long 21 days! So she needs to get to the vet. She is still waking up around 5 a.m. Get this...the kids are sleeping in until around 7 sometimes 8 but Good Old Mom is up with the dog. Because just like there Dad they sleep through the dog whining/baby crying once they are asleep. Ugh! O.K. enough of my pity party.
Looking forward to all of the excitement of the first week of school!

Wow, where did the time go?

2011-08-28T11:59:00.001-07:00

Cheese Louise

2011-07-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

We got a new chicken! She is a good layer so far. The previous owner had a pair of these Silver Laced Wynoedett hens. This one got a little too noisy for city living so she had to find her a new home. So her and her sister were called Macaroni and Cheese. We have Cheese so I call her Cheese Louis! She is Cooper's new chicken. Whatever that means. Does it mean that he takes care of all her needs? I wish. She has settled right

in and is a great addition to our flock!

Wyatt had his hair cut at Great Clips....finally! He has been so frightened to have his hair cut but he finally did it with a little bribe and there was no crying or whining involved! Some things they just have to work out for themselves in their own time. Hard for us adults to put up with. But he did it!!! He looks so different to me now. I liked his long hair. Except when I had to comb it :) So for now Barry is one happy Dad having all 3 of his boys with short hair.

We are enjoying some nice summer weather. Fun times in our backyard. Max and Coop made some bb shooter things out of pvc pipe and duct tape and my dish glove. Barry had a "barrel of bb's" somewhere in the garage of his (of course he did. Will I ever know what he truly has stashed everywhere?). So the boys have been shooting at a target for the last few days. Leaving me feeling somewhat unsettled. But they are very careful.

Wyatt went to a birthday party yesterday! Star Wars theme. Cooper tagged along. Great fun. This family has about 60 chickens!!!! It was really interesting to me to see their set up for them. And it made me really appreciate our small flock. 60 birds looked like a lot of work!!!!

We had a very nice visit with our neighbors who are back home for a visit. They have been living in Vienna for the last year and will stay one more. I have a link to their blog on this page. They are an amazing family. They are seeing so much of Europe and the kids are learning so much. So nice to see them!

Barry made a quick trip to Spokane yesterday. His Uncle has an extremely aggressive cancer. Our hearts are heavy in this house as we pray for his comfort and for the strength and comfort for the family.

Peace!

When I close my eyes I see weeds

2011-07-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

We have been super busy around here. The weed population got way out of control very quickly with the nice weather we have been having. So I feel like that is all I have been doing. Barry has been busy with projects. Yesterday he widened the gravel driveway and added new gravel. It looks nice. Now I see I need to trim the bushes in front. That's the way it is. One project leads to another.
We have a broody hen. She keeps laying on the other hens eggs. Sometimes breaking them. We have been trying to break her of the intuition. They say to dunk her in cold water or isolate her. We have tried both and neither has worked so far. So we have to check the nest boxes often and retrieve the eggs as soon as they are layed.
Cooper and Wyatt got their haircuts! This was Wyatts first time having in cut by a professional. Much to my relief. I loved his long hair but now he looks like a little boy. I need to get a pic to post.
With the new chicken pen we will be getting more chickens. Cooper is very excited. I just need to decide what age would be good for us. Now that one of ours is broody and not laying, I may need to get one or two of laying age and then 2 that are teenagers.
I have a riding lesson this afternoon. Looking forward to that. Barry is back to work on the night shift tomorrow. We have enjoyed a staycation this last week.

Max's Day

2011-07-01T09:12:00.001-07:00

12 years ago today Max was born! It is so fun remembering the events of that day. Scary because he was so early. But as you can see everything turned out just wonderful!

Happy Birthday Son! We love you!!!!

My little guy!

2011-05-27T08:25:00.001-07:00

Wyatt is done with preschool! It was his class picnic yesterday. The sun was shining but it was very windy and cold. He had a great time despite his shyness. He is going through another phase . It is hard for me to watch him struggle with his emotions. I think the only reason he went to the picnic was to drink the root beer that they had made in class. He had two full bottles! Anyway, he settled in and played with his school friends. So he is off to Kindergarten next year!!!!! All three of the boys will officially be in school 5 days a week. Wyatt for a half day but....Yea! The preschool has been so very good to us. Very kind and understanding. A good foundation for the boys I think. Co-op preschool is hard work!!!! But as I look back it really was the best for our boys. There were many times I considered switching to more of a drop off school. Especially when Coop started going and Wyatt was a baby. Things would have been easier. But I am glad I stuck it out. Many friendships have been formed for all of us through our participation there. So a little bittersweet. But I am very excited for our next step :)

I have been battling the crud since May 3rd!!!!!!!! Finally, went to the doctor last Friday and found out I had a sinus infection and bronchitis. I had a fever of 101 and didn't even know it. How whacked is that?!?! I just kept plugging along telling myself that I would get better. So what I did in the end is make it difficult to shake even with antibiotics but I think they are starting to finally work.

The weather....Ugh! I really need some heat!!! Usually by now it is strictly shorts and sandals weather. But not this year :(

Big weekend. Barry's birthday on Saturday. His present is all wrapped! My Mom is taking a break from cleaning Grandmas house to come spend some time over here. The boys have a 4 day weekend. I have a riding lesson and hoping to spend some time working on some projects inside and out. Hope everyone has a safe Memorial weekend!!!!!

Art by Cooper

2011-05-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

The above is a picture of my birthday card! My Cooper loves to draw. Every time I walk by this it makes me smile.
My Grandma passed away on April 16th. Peacefully in her sleep. It all got pretty bad for her in the end. I miss her deeply. She was never the same after Gramps passed away. So in a way I have been preparing for it since then. I cherish my memories and will honor her every way that I can. I need to learn how to bake berry pies before the Fourth of July.
We have been really busy. We had to find some place to board the dogs before the funeral which required some quick vaccines for the both of them. They still managed to get kennel cough and Lucy has conjunctivitis and now the neighbor dog is coughing. So some meds for Lucy and I think we are done spending money on them for awhile. There is a good side in that now I know we have some place to take them so we can go somewhere for a couple of days.
Cooper's bunny has some kind of fur mite that we are treating! Yikes! I am so glad we saw it early because Coop couldn't handle another animal loss.
The chickens are enjoying the spring weather. Recently, the wasps have started trying to build nests. One was really close to the nests box prompting them to find someplace else to lay. I think we got it figured out so that they can relax again.
Cooper's swimming is done. Wyatt has just a few more days of school and he will be a kindergartner! The other two are officially done with this year on June 10th! No official plans for the summer. It always seems to work out.
Baseball is going really well for Max. First base and outfield are the positions he plays. He has great reach at first and is quick to cover home plate when needed too! His team the Angels are in second place! He has been so fortunate to be on two winning teams and that he has had a great coaching staff both seasons. There has been more volunteering on our part. I have learned to do the score book. It is fun participating but when you have two other kids with you it is hard to follow the game. I hired a sitter which worked out great for learning how to fill out the official book.
Barry and I went to Coeur d'alene for a supervisor meeting. My sister came and took care of everything around here. A huge job but she made it through. Barry and I had a great time. Despite the terrible head cold I had! It had been 13 years since we had a couple of days together and I had to catch a cold. If you drink enough you can't even tell you have a sore throat. :)

My Grandma

2011-03-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

I made a trip to see my dear Grandma and family. My brave sister is her primary caregiver and keeps me in the loop as to her condition. Recently she has lost her will to live so there has been a quick decline. I timed it for Barry's days off and he stayed home with the boys so that I could have some quality one on one with Grandma and my sister. I had a nice relaxing drive over and the weather was nice and gave me no troubles. When I got there Niki had managed to get Grandma up and at the table for a bite to eat. Nik and I had cocktails. What I didn't know was that hospice was on their way over. A little awkward I suppose at 3:00 to be sitting there having happy hour :) The gals were so very nice and were very reassuring. Hospice is a very emotional transition. So much help is needed and welcome at this point but in your heart you know that your loved one will not be with you much longer.
On this trip I didn't have my boys preoccupying my mind. I noticed from the moment I walked in to the house how comforted I felt. I was the little girl sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea and reading magazines. Or coming down for lunch. Spending the night in the yellow bedroom reading my uncles old MAD magazines. I was always so close to my Grandparents. I slept in that yellow bedroom this trip and had a very restful sleep.
Such wonderful memories. I am truly blessed to have so much from them. So many of my core values come from Grandma. It came time for me to leave and I woke her up to give her a kiss good bye. She gave be a big smile. It was hard to leave this time. Usually, I am anxious to get home and get back in to my routine here. Hard because I guess there is a possiblity that I won't see her again. You just don't know. It truly felt like there was a rubberband attached to my heart pulling on me as I drove farther away. Needless to say tears have been dripping down my face off and on. So do I hope she keeps on so that I can make it back over? I don't know. I just want her to be at peace.
I stopped at North Bend on my way home to go through the Starbucks for a latte. A very nice thing happened to me there. I noticed the car ahead of me was talking to the speaker and laughing and I thought to myself what a very happy person. I pulled up to the window and went to hand the "barista" my money and he said "your drink has been paid for" I said "no, I haven't paid yet" and he said " the gal in the car ahead of you paid for it" and I said "you mean like an act of random kindness" and he said "I guess so". Just when you think there isn't much kindness left in the world. I am hoping I can pass it along some day soon.
So today I am going to start some seeds indoors. Still haven't done that. Hopefully, I can rally a couple of kids to help. I saw on a web site that our area should have its last frost sometime in the middle of April.
Baseball has officially started. Max is loving it. I am trying to remember how I actually did have fun last year. We have some conflicts of schedules with Coop's swimming and Max's baseball. It will be interesting to see us pull it off.

Bench

2011-03-12T13:02:00.001-08:00

We are a house full of sickies!!!! Temps and runny noses and hacking coughs. Thats us :) All except Barry. Lucky guy. But we were able to do a project despite of it all. We had two of these benches with the rattan seats. The one that Wyatt sat on had started to break up and one side of the bench had no rattan anymore. So we replaced both sides with wood and upholstered the little wood seats. What is also great is that I have always wondered how long the benches were going to last and now we have a great solution. And we can easily replace the cusions as needed!!!

Had to throw in a new pic of Lucy and Max.

All for now.

50 degrees!

2011-03-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Can I get an Amen!!????? I am so done with the frigid weather! I feel it in my bones that things should be turning around.
Coop started swimming lessons last night. He is going T/Th at 4:30! The other two didn't want to. Max is all signed up for little league. Try outs are this Saturday so he has been throwing the ball around. Our neighbor Joe who helped Max with the hunter safety course offered to practice baseball with Max. That is going to be so nice for Max to have an extra "glove" to practice with. I am no longer an option as he throws it way to hard for me :) Wyatt is giving me trouble. He doesn't want to go to school. It is almost embarrassing when I take him and he is mouthing off about how boring it is. But when I pick him up he has so many things to tell me. I am really starting to sweat about next year. I picked up his registration paperwork for kindergarten and I realized he still needs one more vaccine!!!! He hates shots. I am literally going to have to drag him in there screaming his head off. I am not above bribing him either. Why can't all the shots be those nose spray kind????
Barry has been very busy at work, gathering our tax info up and making a fabulous little shelter/shade for the chickens in the chicken yard. It turned out great and a lot how I imagined for them. I told Barry we are going to have to post our chicken set up on the Backyard Chickens boards. Next if the weather clears up we are going to somewhat duplicate the chicken yard fence around the gardens. It will provide the chickens with a safe area in the fall to clean up our garden. They are amazing at clearing out the beds.
With the weather the way it has been I have not been able to see Nicster. I was so spoiled with my friend Charlie's place in Olympia with the covered arena. I have scheduled a riding lesson for this Friday with a very nice young gal to polish up my skills. It is very exciting . She actually will give me a lesson on her horse or come down and give me a lesson on Nicci. It feels nice to expand a little bit more with my hobby.
My seeds came in the mail. I am hoping to start some indoors although I really don't know where. Maybe in the dining room/playroom/greenhouse :)
Foot Saga Update!!!!
It still sucks! Did I mention that while making a bed I kicked the metal frame while barefoot. It turned black and blue and hurt like a hell!!! Although it doesn't hurt any worse then it did. But it is still not getting better. I am considering going back to the doctor.
I have been making it to the pool. We even went as a family on Sunday. I really hate putting a swimsuit on but swimming seems to really help my joints.
And I have a question today. Why is everyone always yelling at me? Mom!!!!!!!

New fence

2011-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

We are trying to cope with having a puppy. The other day she got into the chicken run and chased a chicken over the fence and into the neighbors yard where the poor chicken didn't make it back over before their dog got a hold of her. Poor Cooper was very sad because it was his chicken. We knew that if a chicken got out of our yard it didn't stand a very good chance. So......we had to move up our goal of a new chicken yard. After alot of painting, 2 coats Barry was able to get it all up except for the gate which he will put up some other time. For now a temporary gate is working just fine. After focusing so much time on it we need a break. So it is doing great for keeping dogs out. But today I saw a chicken on the top board :( I am going to try and clip more feathers from their wings. After spring we will get a few more chickens but not until I do some reading on the breed that is least likely to be able to fly. These little ones get air way to easy!

Lucy has been chewing a few things. She got a hold of one of Barry's favorite hats. Then my big down coat that always keeps me warm. Finally, Max's favorite hat and there is usually a few legos. Yikes!

Hunter safety

2011-01-29T07:50:00.000-08:00

Max is a little over half way through with his hunter safety course. The last two nights Barry has been able to go to the class with him and today the class goes to the shooting range in the morning and then class from 1 - 5 this afternoon. Yikes!!!!! During the break they are going to go sign Max up for baseball. Poor Max is getting pretty warn out. School all day and then 4 nights this week hunter safety class from 6 - 9:30 ish. He will have lots of studying to do tomorrow. His test is on Tuesday night.
So its me and the young ones today. Some errands and then we will go out for lunch!!!!
So our Boxer dog Hailey went to the vet because she has been limping after rough housing with Lucy (we think but don't really know). She still runs like crazy on it so we didn't think it was a huge problem. It is really tough to keep her down. Turns out she has a torn ligament in her back knee. The bill for repairing it will be.........
around.......$3,000.00!!!!!!! after all the x-rays and surgery are done. Plus, we would have to travel to Spokane for 24 hours or so. We have her on some medicine. I really don't know what to do. My Mom's dog has the same issue and has had it for years. She has had a surgery and it is back again. It so sucks to see her favor that leg because she is such an athletic and active dog.
Cooper has been busy playing Webkinz. It is nice that he is playing something that doesn't have guns it it. He just bought a Mazin Hamster which came in the mail.
Wyatt is busy all the time with Legos. We are trying to encourage him to write his name and he is having very little interest in that. He may be a tough one :)
I went for a ride this week and it went really well. The sun came out for awhile making it even nicer. Looking forward to getting out and doing that more. Kindra found a gal who is offers riding lessons and I am going to call her and see if she will take me on as a student. I just need to make the call which for some reason I keep putting off.
Barry is working Sunday night, Monday night and Tuesday night.
Tomorrow is the SAG awards RED CARPET time! So fun for me to watch!

A before and after pic and updated animal pics

2011-01-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

Cooper is getting better AGAIN. He tested positive again for strep. The doc was suggesting Mono until the test came back. Yikes. He is really showing some signs of being sick since the begining of the month! He stayed home again today. I wanted to make sure that he seemed really on the mend. The doc said 24 hours until he wasn't contagious but really 48 until he would be feeling better. Cross you fingers that this high powered antibiotic works this time.

I have caught a little bug. I am fine now. But I need to vent that it is AMAZING how when I am sick it getting rest does not apply to me. Ugh!

We have seen the sun a few times the last couple of days. Oh, it makes me excited for the seasons to change but seeing how it is only January I best not get to hopeful. Although, I did get a seed/plant catalog to go through and start planning.

I have some pics to share. Bunnies got out finally for a little. The poor things have been cooped up in there hutches full of hay to keep them warm and tarps covering them at night and when it is really bad during the day. It looks like a shanty town for rabbits out there. I hope I come up with a better plan next year.

A picture of Lucia (Lucy) who is coming along. I still am on night duty and have spent way too much time sleeping on the couch. Which really bothers my joints. I am sticking it out because I really need this hunting dog to work out for us. Because I am not going to do this again any time soon!

Finally, there is a before and after picture of the end table that I sanded, primed and painted. Got'er done in one day. It felt good to not just throw it away but to repurpose it.

Strep!

2011-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Man poor Coop ! Diagnosed with Strep back on the 6th. Took all of his medicine and 2 days after finishing started having symptoms. Of course the Dr. can't just refill a script. You got to go in to do that! They reswabbed his throat to which he has decided that "it sucks". Tested positive again! This Dr. was in disagreement on the previous Dr.'s choice of antibiotic. So he is on a mega version now. Home today because he needs to be on them for 24 hours before going to school. He told me on Saturday his throat was scratchy and that he thought it was back. Of course I thought it was in his head. But by yesterday he couldn't swallow again and I rushed him back to the walk in clinic.
So I am feeling a little puky myself. Hoping I can just ignore it.
Barry and Max took Lucy out hunting yesterday. She did great and did well with the shotgun going off so that is a releif. I would hate that I am loosing all this sleep house training her and then she wouldn't be a good hunting dog. While they were gone I sanded, primed and painted my end table. It was a sunny day so I took advantage of it and got a project done.
Barry is back to the night shift starting this week. Which is always a fun transition for the family :)

quick post

2011-01-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

I haven't felt much like posting lately. Sorry! We have become an extremely unorganized family over the holidays. We are all really needing some refocus time. Back to the basics. More exercise. More reading. Try for less video games and t.v. They become my crutch for me getting things done and I really want to try to do that less. I have to say that the boys eventually get bored with them and search out for something else to do. This is when things get crazy around here and they will after time get into some kind of scuffle with each other. Then of course I am mad and stressed out. So my proactive skills are lacking. Need to work on that.

I want to shout out to my Aunts and Uncles in Wisconsin who check on my blog! It is wonderful to know that you are checking in. But on a sad note I want Aunt Nancy to know that I am thinking of her and her family since the loss of Dick. He had a long battle. O.K. I am off to be proactive. After a hot tub :)

Had to do it

2010-12-15T14:54:00.001-08:00

Had to festify the chicken coop!!! We are very busy here. The new puppy has added a bunch of extra "stuff" for us. We have zero room in our kitchen because Lucy is taking up most of it :) Making it hard for us to move around. Hopefully, she will be easy to potty train. More later!

Welcome to the farmlette!

2010-12-04T08:08:00.001-08:00

It all happened so fast yesterday. It was so meant to be. Max has been looking at craigs list and petfinder for weeks trying to find a dog. When he gets his mind set on something he doesn't give up :) He got home from school early yesterday and ran and got the newspaper for the classifieds. He found an ad for hunting puppies. It didn't really say what breed. I kind of shrugged him off thinking that they were probably not the breed we would want. Poor Barry got home at 7:00 pm and Max was on him right away to call. I think he was thinking the same as me ...lets just get this over with. But you know they were purebred German Shorthaired Pointers located right in Richland. Just a 10 minute drive and only one female left. Barry loaded all 3 boys up in the car. I said "check the pedigree ...just out of curiosity. Now with 3 boys with him the chances are pretty slim that he was going to be able to get out of there without a puppy. But it was one look at the pedigree to see the Radbach von Grief line in her blood. Our Judy was a Radbach dog. And the rest is a new beginning!!!! Wish us luck! Our animal family is growing!

quiet

2010-12-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

Braving the snow for eggs!

2010-11-27T10:28:00.001-08:00

Go Cooper!!!!!!!

Day before Turkey Day!

2010-11-24T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well our outside temp was 5 degrees and I have no idea what the wind chill factor was over night. Whopping 17 degrees now! The bunnies and chickens made it through the night and we still have one more night with single digits and then we should be in double. That just seems manageable to me now :) Barry found some spots in the coop that he could put some foam sealer in. I put some hay inbetween the tarp and the bunny hutch. So glad that I bought a bale of hay instead of fooling with bags of it. I think it has been the key to the bunnies comfort.
They seem fine. I think as a Mom I am over thinking this but I would rather do that then have to tell someone their bunny didn't make it. Next time I see a weeks worth of temps like this I am moving them into the garage!
I still haven't started cooking yet. Ugh! I am going to get started on that next. After I finish my little sippy of Jaeger! It is the holidays you know. Breakfast for dinner tonight made by Barry and hopefully Max. Although, Max has been on the couch all day. Seems everything is catching up with him.
Made it to the library. I requested a couple of dvds. Tonight "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. Barry has to work tomorrow :( I am hoping to have very little cooking tomorrow. Bird and potatoes and gravy. I WILL
have everything else done. So I have the movie "It's Complicated" for me to watch. Can't wait. And the library also had the new version of "Clash of the Titans". So maybe some crafts and a movie day for us until Barry makes it home.
I got to see Nicci the horse yesterday and the new Icelandic ponies that arrived over there. The ponies are fab! Kindra put a blanket on Nicci to help her hold some heat in. She looks great and happy!
Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember to share all your thankfullness!!!!!

Wintery pics

2010-11-23T15:23:00.001-08:00

It has been very blustery! Barry put some insulation in the chicken coop and put a heat lamp in there and it is still so cold in there that the water freezes. So a couple of times a day I have to drag fresh water out to chickens and bunnies. The bunnies are completely tarped with a bunch of hay so I think they are fairing o.k. Outside chores were chilly and Barry thinks it is funny watching me haul water.

Boys are having fun. The neighbors have been taking Max up to the school for a little downhill sledding.

Poor Coop has a sinus infection AND pink eye. Walmart was out of pink eye meds so we have been waiting to give him his treatments. 24 hours after eye drops and he shouldn't be contagious. I really do not want a whole family with pink eye!!!!

Tomorrow I need to start cooking my Thanksgiving spread!!!!

Turkey fun!

2010-11-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

Cooper brought home a turkey he made at school. He was so excited to show us how to make one at home. He set up stations at the kitchen table with supplies for us to make our own. He was so cute explaining every thing in perfect detail.

So a couple of us sat down and made some. I looked at the clock and it was 6:30 in the morning!!!! My kitchen table went from clean to total chaos in the 20 minutes that he was out of bed :) No wonder I always feel so behind!!!

The boys are off from school for a week. It is teacher conference time! I don't expect any surprises Thankfully!!!!

We are making our way out of a round of colds. Wyatt some how has managed to avoid most of its discomforts. So we should be healthy for Turkey Day. Turkey day this year is going to be different. My sis won't be here. I am trying to make the best of it. We will have a smaller version of our normal fare. Less work for me. Barry is working Thanksgiving

day so I may just make our turkey the day before.

There has been a little improvement on my foot. It is still very painful and range of motion has a ways to go. But the P.T.

seems to think it is better. Easy for him to say :)

Made it to the gym two times this week. I have been using an exercise bike at physical therapy so I hopped on one at the gym. It feels good to get myself back in there. It is kind of a snobby place usually but they seem to have some new people working there that are pleasant. We have a gold's gym going in so maybe they are finally feeling some competition. The Gold's gym is going to be in a much better location for us. But I don't think the pool they are putting in is going to be as nice. We will have to see.

Yesterday the electric heating fireplace started to smell. I asked Wyatt if something happened to it. Did a toy or something fall in? No! So I had Barry look at it today. Crap! Legos in the heat element!!! Poor Wyatt. I told him next time just answer me so I can take care it. Poor kid.

Still only 3 of 5 chickens laying. I think we got 2 parakeets!

Weather is turning cold. Making caring for outside animals fun! We are trying to figure out how we are going to prevent water bowls from freezing.

Halloween and a yard sale treasure

2010-11-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

We had a fun halloween with Auntie, Auntie Carol! Barry ordered us some masks and we made full use of them!

Thanks for visiting Carol!!!!!

So I went to a yard sale on Friday! This saddle was there and I talked the gal down to $40.00! It was a mess but it cleaned up really nicely. The gal is a western/rodeo rider who bought it because she wanted to try english and quickly decided it was not for her. It was years ago and the saddle has been just sitting. I wish I would have taken a before picture. So it didn't come with a girth and the whole thing is stiff as a board. So I am going to watch ebay for a girth and I do not know if I like the stirrup leathers it came with. They are nylon lined so really thick I don't know how comfortable it will be. Then I need to hope that it fits Nici and that it is comfortable for her. Oh, and I need another saddle pad too :) If everything falls in to place it should be a nice saddle to hack around in. If it doesn't work out I will just craig list it and start over. But it really looks pretty.

I got on line yesterday and printed out some simple instructions for the saddle rack. It is small so you can put it in your "suv/van". Barry grabbed the plans went to Home Depot and got wood from the "scrap area". He said he spent $1.50 on wood!!! He was on it and finished everything in the morning! I love it!

We got a fabulous call from our friends Trish and Andrew. They were driving home from Milton Freewater yesterday and stopped by. We had a great visit. The boys loved showing them the chickens and bunnies. The visit was too short.

Well I am off to buy Max another pair of shoes. He wore out the pair he got at the beginning of the school year all ready!!!

This week I have to go in for a "deep cleaning" below the gum line kind of thing. I can't beleive it! And then Thursday is another physical therapy session. The kids have no school on Thursday which I think bites!

Have a great week everyone!

Fall is here

2010-10-17T10:09:00.001-07:00

It has really been getting chilly at night. The house cools down really fast but is really cold in the morning. Makes for great sleeping but hard to get out of bed :) Makes for fabulous Mums in the garden too.

It was the book fair and that was Cooper's deal this week. Somewhere in his head he got the idea that he should be able to go purchase books nearly everyday. Barry took him after school one day and then he still wanted to go one more time. Needless to say, the "badger" was pursistant and he has a new collection of books.

Wyatt has been busy playing WII batman. Singing Wheels on the Bus" and Head Shoulders Knees and Toes". Although yesterday He and Coop came up with some new words to the head shoulders song. It was funny but slightly inappropriate :)

Max has been rollerblading. He built himself a wood ramp to jump on and off of. We are going to Home Depot today to check the "extra bin" for bigger scraps for a bigger ramp!

I have had the privilege of scrubbing Henrietta's chicken butt! She seems to have some digestive trouble and walks around filthy! I have to catch her flip her upside down and wash away! Anyway, it is no fun. But I can't stand the thought of an egg coming from that butt! Met the girls for coffee. Started physical therapy again.

Barry is still on the night shift and has had a few extra dinners or meetings lately. Because of some training we have extended night shift schedule. It is hard on all of us. We had one more polar bear swim for those who where willing and he has worked hard getting up early to start putting the pool away. It is a process. But we do enjoy that pool!

Made a temporary pond in the back. Coop had fun "fishing".

We visited with our friends Pam and Doug. Had a very nice dinner at Olive Garden. I had the "tour of Italy" and it was yummy! Brought some home for the next day. Pam and Doug are off to Florida. We wish them safe travels and will look forward to next Summer when they return to "home 1".

So we start another week. I am working at Wy's school on Thursday. I really wanted to hire someone but Wy has shamed me into working. Physical Therapy for me. Cooper is getting orthotics made. Barry is off until Wednesday night. I am hoping to get a ride in there. The weather is perfect for it.

Hope everyone has a great week!

List of things

2010-10-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

!. Max lost another tooth. Cooper is still hanging on to a tooth that has only one root. And it has been that way for a week!
2. Worked at Wyatt's school on Tuesday. Doesn't disappoint. I am exhausted every time. Working again on the 21st.
Should I hire?
3. Weather cooling just a bit. Not ready for full on fall. But do like it chilly at night.
4. Barry modified the yard so that the chickens can't get on the patio. Very Nice!
5. Thursday noticed that after dropping Wyatt off at school and a quick shopping trip that there can actually be a couple of hours where Barry and I have the house to ourselves. Note to self.....save shopping for another time :)
6. Halloween decorations still in attic. Need to rally! Auntie, Auntie Carol coming for Halloween.
7. 3 eggs today!
8. After FIGHTING with Aentna now have 3 more physical therapy sessions for my foot. Foot still sucks
9. Made Lasagna today. Not as good as my Mom's but I Foodsavered 3 portions!!!!!!
10. I had a great Friday. I was lazy in the morning. Had a great ride on a wonderful horse. My boys had great friends over on an early release day. I have hot tubbed and now I am going to read a little and catch some early zzzzzzzzzz's.

Polar Bear Swim

2010-10-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Polar Bear swim was so much fun this year. We had our friends The Vincents over for the event! Our neighbors came by too to join in on the fun. Barry had them doing 100 laps. They did them in between soaks in the hot tub. The water was cold! Hot Cocoa , cookies , a fire and lots of running around in the backyard. The boys got up this morning and all said "man, we had a great time last night". Wyatt said " I had so much fun with my friend Tyler and Baby Brooke"

Barry printed out little mini certificates for everyone to take home. Next year we are going to work on a more authentic certificate! Oh, the possibilities!

Henrietta is a layer!

2010-09-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Wyatt's chicken Henrietta has layed two eggs! Hers are starting out a good size. So we are getting a whopping 2 eggs a day now. B.B. had a good size one on Saturday and when we put in in our burger meat it turned out to be a double yoke! It is such a simple thing that is giving us such entertainment. Cooper is playing the waiting game still with Foxy Brown. I hope she hurries up! The other two pullets are some kind of mix of who knows what. Have no idea when they will lay.

I am making a batch of Joe's Special tonight for dinner! Eggs, beef, garlic, onions,mushrooms, fresh spinach! Yum!

Wyatt has a doctors appointment. I am hoping he will give us a referral for an allergist. His skin is in a constant state of a rash. Which he says doesn't bother him unless I try to put lotion or cortisone cream on it. It makes me sad to look at. Plus I don't want people to think that we don't care. Poor kid. I took a look at his vaccination card and I fear he needs a chicken pox shot booster. Yuck!

Also, we are back to fearing the dreaded hair trim. He cries when I comb it and I try to explain to him it would be easier if it was shorter and that it wouldn't hurt. Whatever!

Coop is really having an up and down start at school. He dreads Mondays. He finally opened up that it is his P.E. day and that they have to do a lot of running. Well this really is hard for him with his extreme flat feet. His right foot actually caves inward. We have a referral for the Podiatrist. Hopefully this will help him. But until then I sent his P.E. teacher an email to which I haven't heard back. You would think as a teacher you would check your emails first thing in the a.m. for any concerns parents may have and give them some kind of answer back. I don't know...I am just saying.

O.K. so I have a list of phone calls to make today and it is after lunch already and have only made a few.

Insurance company tops the list and then a couple of 4-H leaders to see if I can find a good match for the boys.

What we are reading

2010-09-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

We set out to read three Hank the Cow Dog books and two Pippi Longstocking for our summer reading. Our reading time is right before bed and we managed to accomplish our goal. Although I can't find the first Hank book we read. It is buried in the house somewhere! We all really enjoyed the books. It is a little past summer but we didn't really start until the end of June. So I am cutting us some slack. Wyatt got a "Pillow Pet" for his birthday. He really likes it! Thank you Mom.

It is Saturday and we are up to a lot today. Max got invited to go to Pullman with a friend to the Cougar football game. Great opportunity for him and he was very excited.

I am going to go ride this morning but first I am going to make some ham and eggs. We have 3 fresh eggs. They arel pretty small. Still only one hen laying. Come on Chickens!!!!

Barry and Cooper and Wyatt are going to start harvesting pumpkins. It is always fun to see how many of them are actually hiding under all those vines.

If Max gets home at a good time we will head to Prosser for the Night Glow at the Balloon festival. A full day for us. !

Proud!

2010-09-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

I am thinking my son is so cool right now! Beatles t-shirt and a chicken in his hand!!! Love you Max!

Our first egg!

2010-09-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

What a wait! You should have heard this chicken this morning. She was squawking and almost barking like a dog! I would go check on her and she really seemed to be a little worried about something. And after Wyatt and I took a little nap I went out to check on her and there in the nest box was the most perfect little egg.

This being our first time you sit and wonder if they will just plop down and let it go. But she did the right thing just like the books all say! Miss B.B. is Max's chicken and I couldn't wait to tell him when he got off the bus. He was smiles from ear to ear! He spent most of the rest of the afternoon talking to his girl and eventually was able to pick her up and hold her for awhile!

The egg was small but a great shell meaning that we are on the right nutritional track. This environment of animals and a garden makes me feel like we are showing our kids something real. The boys play video games and watch movies with futuristic figures in them and they love them. But I love that we are showing them another part of life! Wyatt an Coop can not wait for their chickens to lay. Cooper wants to "dissect " his egg to identify all the parts that he learned in kindergarten!

The timer is beeping for the banana bread that we made with the egg! Got to go!

First day of preschool Go Wyatt!

2010-09-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

Wyatt's first day of preschool went great! After spending the last two weeks telling me that he wasn't going to go he went today with a smile! So pround of him. One who shall not be named (until October) took Wy to Chuck E Cheese. He had a blast! And when he turned in his coupons he got some things for himself and then bought his Mom a "saphire and diamond ring". I wore it proudly today to his school. Had a fabulous cup of coffee with Maryjoe! Some girl time is always great. Wyatt was tuckered out and so we read books and then took a very nice nap. I am always in for a nap :)

The new bunny, Hoppy (final name) is adjusting very well and Cooper spent some time brushing her in the bunny run today. Chickens are doing great too although, still no eggs.

My Mom was here last week and I need to shout out to her for helping me get some tomatoes in the dryer and some green beans in the freezer. Thanks Mom! She also washed the kitchen floor. That is a job!

Went out to pick some more beans and found some cucumbers! The plants got off to a bad start but I left them in the ground out of laziness. I really didn't even see a bloom on them until the end of July. I got 4 cucumbers and some more are growing! Yeah! You just never know.

Tomorrow; appointment with the foot doctor and then physical therapy. Had a set back last week but after some ultrasound therapy I bounced back. I even find myself wiggling my toes again when I am watching t.v.

This is a good sign.

Coop's teacher's daughter was ill last week so she is having her class open house tomorrow night.

7:30 and it is dark better put the chickens away!

Meet Hoppsy!

2010-09-12T16:12:00.001-07:00

Wyatt had a nice birthday and thank you to all who sent birthday wishes. He had vanilla cake with green frosting and requested mini marshmallows on top! Which he picked off and didn't eat!

This little bunny has been at the feed store for a month. She is a Netherland Dwarf and very sweet. She is in a makeshift bunny hutch from the all versatile wire dog crate/chick brooder :) I looked everywhere for a hutch but found one on the internet with free shipping and it should be here in a few days. I am very excited! The bunny is for Cooper to replace the one that past away. R.I.P. Hopper. So I guess you can understand why her name is Hoppy!

Wyatt's b-day!

2010-09-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my dear Wyatt! We love you so much! Enjoy your orange chicken and your vanilla cake with green frosting!

proof reading ? and toes

2010-09-06T12:50:00.001-07:00

Max swung by the computer while I had my blog up and briefly read my blog and pointed out that I made a mistake. It was not Max and Wyatt's first day of school but Max and Coop's first day last week. I swear I am losing it!!!!!! I rarely call them by their correct name when I am talking to them and now I can't even keep them straight while blogging.

Bryan, Spencer and Ruby came for a visit! Ruby and I went and got our manicure and pedicure. We went last year and yet a great time so we decided to do it again! I was a little worried about my foot but the gal was careful. I always forget how nice it feels to have your feet done.
I started physical therapy this last week. I do alright while I am there but the next day it is very painful. I have work to do at home. There is still little movement in the joint. They all say that it will get better so I am doing my best to believe them.
I did manage to go see Nicci the horse. Max came along we put a bareback pad on her and trotted around a little. 5 weeks with no time in the saddle and I do notice that I am a bit wobbly. I suppose there is a small part of my mind that is thinking about the foot. Need to relax about that.

School is off to a good start. Max and Cooper both have family projects which are due on Thursday. Wyatt has orientation on Thursday and it is also his birthday. My little guy is going to be 5! He can not stop talking about it. I have no idea what to get him. He changes his mind every hour.

Barry is going on his Front line Supervisor training in Fort Worth with his stop in Nebraska/Iowa. He starts the night shift when he gets back and then he goes to Seattle for a football game. Home in time to go back to work. This will be the last time I am going to mention him in this blog until at least October. It will take me that long to have anything nice to say. I will say this....I hope the next time Barry tries get people to feel sorry for him that they remind him of his travels.

Fall is in the air. I already miss summer. Usually by now I am excited for the weather to change. Summer took so long to get here this year I hate to see it go.

School has started. I not only know this because the boys go but because Cooper caught a cold and gave it to Wyatt. And so the year begins.

Off to ice my foot. Hope everyone has a great week!

Fair and first day of school

2010-08-31T09:11:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun at the fair. I gave the boys ten dollars and watched them walk over to the sno-cone booth. Forgetting to tell them that all they needed were smalls. You guessed it they came back all proud with larges. And very little change back. But that is the type of thing you can do when you leave Big Daddy home. For the first year they were very happy to be in the animal barns. Which just really made my day. No rides! Only grossly expensive games. For cheap toys. Wyatt lost and proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs. Lord it was bad! It is so unexpected coming from him. But now becoming more regular. Anyway, we moved on and the boys finished the day with an elephant ear and I had a lemonade slushy. They all are excited to see if we can join a 4-H group so I am going to check in to that. We have some pretty chickens that we could take.

Today is the first day of school for Max and Wyatt and they were so excited. Max said he had butterflies in his tummy and Coop was just being goofy. I woke up this morning around three and started feeling sad about them going and over thinking their first day. Crazy. They really needed to go back. That playroom has not been clean for more than an hour since they started their vacation!!!!

I am off to my first physical therapy session. I am not looking forward to it as I don't like anyone really touching it or even brushing by it. I hope I don't spontainiously kick the therapist :o

All for now!!!!!

Fair Week!!!!

2010-08-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hurray it is fair week! I plan on going. I will not let this foot stop me. We know two families that have various fair entries and I hope we run in to them or atleast see their animals and "wares".
Cooper really wants to see the rabbits and look in to getting his own again. We will see.
I am hoping the boys can keep their ride needs to a minimum. It is so expensive!

Our friend Tanner got a new job in Seattle and will be driving through on Wednesday and is going to stay.
We are all excited to see him and hang out!

For me I have an appointment on Wednesday for the foot. I am hoping he will have good news for me that I can start ditching the boot. Although, the foot still swells and I don't know what shoe I will be able to wear. I do sometimes use a sandal for short little jobs around here but it really is not supportive or comfortable. I will have to see.
Boys are all good. Wyatt can not stop talking about his birthday. Cooper has taken to teasing. And Max is trying to use poor vocabulary in front of his Dad which is not going over very well. Oh, and I can't forget to mention that Coop likes to flip the bird which he learned from Max. Here's hoping that I laugh about all this someday.

This and That

2010-08-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Frustrated!

Ahhh! Much better!

My husband takes good care of me! Sometimes. Beer and Tequila!

That will fix me!

Foot is getting better everyday. I can't wait to get back in a routine.

Beginning of summer I really thought that we weren't going to get much out of the garden. Onions, tomatoes, carrots and basil have done pretty well.

I made a batch of pesto and froze some. Started drying tomatoes in the dehydrator for winter pizzas. Getting ready to harvast the carrots. I will freeze those as well as some chopped onion. We did get a Foodsaver. Man, it rocks!!!!!!

The boys have their last swimming lesson today. Both Max and Coop advanced a level. They feel great about that.

Wyatt quit lessons. I couldn't believe the tantrum he had in the pool. "I don't want swimming lessons!!!!!!" I thought it was Max or Cooper. Usually, I can get him to calm down and reason a little but he was having none of it. My foot is not ready to get in the pool with 20 kids swimming around so Wyatt is getting out of it. For now.

Chickens are just a couple of weeks away from laying. We have some work to do on the coop. Need to change a few roosting boards and get the nesting boxes ready. We can't wait. After hearing about the egg recall I am excited to know where our eggs come from.

Wyatt is counting the days until his birthday. So hard for a 4 year old to watch his 2 brothers have their birthdays and he has to wait. He cries so hard and walks up to his room and hides under his covers. Poor little guy. It is getting closer Wyatt!

The temp is going to be perfect for awhile. The pool is nice too! A little under two weeks until school so I want to just enjoy the rest of our time. Some things will have to wait.

I am feeling so unsettled about the state of this country's economy. Feeling guilty about some of this families excess. I want to work harder at making do with what we have. To a point :)

All for now! Thanks for checking my blog!

I managed

2010-08-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

I managed to actually do a few things around here yesterday! Short spurts of accomplishments and resting on the couch in between to rest my foot. I cooked a little and actually was able to have a small dinner for Barry when he got home. Did some laundry. Hung out with the bunny and chickens for a bit. Pulled a few weeds. The boys did great at playing together. Hardly any fighting. Knock on wood. Cooper used birthday money to order a Lego game. They make these great little board type games using lego pieces etc. Coop, Max and even Wyatt sits down to play. Wyatt even wins sometimes :)
I wish that I had more to say. I have been able to manage my pain with mostly Ibuprofen so I feel like I have a brain again. The pain was pretty tough to take the first week so I was needing to take the pain pills around the clock. I couldn't even really enjoy reading because the pages would get blurry and then I would fall asleep! Feeling a little more coherent this week. Just a little. :D

Ugh!

2010-08-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

I am having a rough day today. My foot has been giving me some pain. I don't know if I over did it or if it is just the way it goes. To top it off the boot that I have to wear makes my lower right side of my back just ACHE!
I suppose because the boot throws everything out of wack! I use to look at the boot as comfort and confidence and protection. Now all I see is total pain and the thought of that it is the only way I can get around for a couple of weeks. The family isn't holding up very well either. Everyone keeps fighting! Barry and Max are the worst. I am like "it hasn't even been two weeks yet, the Dr. said I wasn't going to really be able to do anything for 3 weeks at least" And Max of course is blaming me because "I had to go and have surgery on my foot and it is making Dad all cranky".
On an up note.....Barry picked up almost all of the school supplies!!!!!!!!! We just need to get kids some new shoes and a couple shirts and shorts and they will be ready for the new school year. I have to say this seems like it has been the quickest summer ever! Their swim lessons has been going great and they are considering continuing them after summer. I am so glad because it is such a good skill to have.
Our weather is getting a little better. Out of the upper 90's and back to upper 80's next week. Which I think is perfect. Hopefully, some gardening is in my future! That usually cheers me up.

Niiice!

2010-08-04T17:31:00.001-07:00

So this is it! This is what all the hubub is about. They went in to the joint and cleaned out the spurs and arthritis and then at the foot bone area cut in and made a new space so that the joint could function. Then put a screw in. There is a reason for the screw and it makes total sense when I am talking to the doctor but for the life of me I can't explain it. One more week with the stitches. Went to the Doctors today and he said that everything looks to be on target. Advil is working so I am getting back to normal. In many ways :)

Cooper had a great birthday and a big Thank You to everyone for sending gifts his way. His dinner of choice is crab and steak. Grandma Bean was here (we said Happy B-day to her) and all enjoyed a huge dinner with vanilla cake and chocolate frosting! He got a new lava lamp!!!!!!! And more legos (ugh) It was a nice day.

Huge day for Wyatt. He saw his first Praying Mantis of the season! He loves that!

All for now as my foot is starting to talk to me!

Pullets

2010-07-18T14:37:00.001-07:00

Out of 6 chicks hatched 3 were roosters. Now I did not get to name them. Only the one in the middle.

B.B. is the black beauty on the left. Then Talula Lu in the middle and Mo on the right. The white ones are smaller than B.B. The roosters went over to the horse barn a couple of blocks away so we will be able to visit.

They will be living under and in a little willow tree. I am trying to find Barry's camera so I can show everyone.

The girls are acting a little confused. I think they are learning to think for themselves after being bossed around by those boys :)

Had a great time in Seattle. Here is a pic of me and niece Ava Joan with Auntie Niki shucking corn.

And look quick everybody the Gellner boys got there pic taken on the hammock!

Like everyone we have been really busy. The weather has been awesome and we have been outside in the pool alot.

Hope you all are having a great summer.

So much going on!

2010-06-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Chicken coop is finished. Well, for the most part. I think that we will always be updating it in some way. Right before our 12th wedding anniversary! There were many disagreements. Imagine that. But we managed to see our way through. This morning was so grand. I opened up the shoot from the coop to the run and watched them all wander out!!!! No getting down and crawling around trying to catch them. Getting scratched and pooped on! I think I am close to getting all the little chick down feathers out of the kitchen area. Barry worked very hard yesterday and even got the nesting boxes on the building. They are outside with a hinged top so that when we are collecting eggs we won't have to go in the coop to get them. Hopefully, they will take to the nesting boxes and not just lay them where ever. Things to look forward to.

We had a complete spectrum of emotions yesterday. We had to put Cooper's bunny Hopper down. We have no idea what could have happened to him. He was playing with Cute in the grass run one minute and then a half an hour later Barry said "this bunny has a broken foot!" I was painting the coop and I just couldn't believe it. The poor bunny's foot was literally turned outwards. I was frantic. Checking the internet. Calling the vet. Vet services for rabbits are more than what you would pay for a dog or cat. We are talking $400.00 to like $800.00 to reset his leg and then follow ups.

I just feel so sad and sick about the whole thing. Cooper's little heart is just broken. I have read many posts on the internet about rabbits breaking their legs. They really are a very fragile animal (I knew pygmy goats would have been better!). How my childhood bunny ever survived I do not know. There were a lot of posts from people who said if you are going to own a bunny be a responsible owner and be prepared to spend $800.00 or whatever to fix your bunny. That is so much money. I really think that Hopper would have experienced so much pain and then their is the isolation because you have to keep them so still (if you can) and even then he may not have been healed and that is if she would to make it through the surgery. I just hope we did the right thing. We love you Hopper R.I.P. Miss you.

Fulfillment from the finished chicken coop and run. Extreme sadness from the loss of Hopper. Huge excitement with Max's baseball team. They played a great game last night. They play again Wednesday.

Max had a couple of great hits and played both first base and right field. As you all know I really struggled with the amount of time this family was going to have to dedicate but it has been a very nice experience and Max feels great about his accomplishments. I will actually be a little sad when it is over. Go figure.

It is time to really get back in the garden and get this house caught up a bit. I am not going to have as much in the garden as I want. I will have to rely a little more on the Richland Farmers Market to preserve what I want to this year. That is o.k. though because the time spent on the chickens has been well worth it and there is always next year.

Wyatt had an amazing school year. He started out shy and didn't want to go. He kept to himself. By the end of the year he could not wait to play with his friends and loved to go. Huge year for him! He loves to sing. He remembers songs that he learned and words movies and commercials! So funny. We checked out Monty Python and the Holy Grail from the library and the boys and I laughed so hard one night. The next day Wy was walking around the house yelling "bring out your dead". Sorry but that is funny! Age appropriate? No. But funny? Yes!

This is the last week of school. Barry is up there right now helping with Field Day. I am cleaning the house. Well that is what I am supposed to be doing. So far I have been uploading the pictures and updating the blog. :)

Cooper's class is having "Fun in the Sun" today. He even got to wear his bathing suit today so I hope he is having fun. He needs it!

I also hope my sister has a good meeting today with the railroad. She needs that. I am hoping for a non eventful day for us. Something nurturing to our soul and relaxing to our tired out bodies :) Hope you all have a great one too!

Happy Birthday!

2010-05-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Barry! You rock me!!!!

Chickens,baseball, end of school year

2010-05-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

We have been so very busy this last few weeks. It has been exhausting but in a good way. The Horners gave us a fantastic start to the chicken coop. Barry has been very busy trying to get it reconfigured. It was built very solid and proved to be a challenge to get down the cul de sac. But the neighborhood pulled together and with a trailer and some heavy lifting it was set right in its place on the end of the garden. The chickens are growing and are starting to bug me being in the kitchen. With this ugly, unpredictable weather we have been having it is just too cold for them to live outside. But I got busy putting together a mini-run with a dog house on one end so that when it is nice enough they can go outside. When I can, I plant my butt in a chair and watch them. Driving myself crazy with the question "is it a hen or a rooster?" We only want hens. The roosters will go back to the farm and the farm will give us hens of around the same age. At least, that is how I am told the program works. What happens to the roosters after that I am not sure and since we are becoming attached I try not to think about it. The whole process has been a great learning experience and fun!

Max's baseball team made it to the finals! So we will have baseball for an extra week or so. It has been great to watch how much the kids have improved and we have a good time at the games. Cooper and Wyatt get a chance to really run around with other kids while I get to sit and enjoy. So my attitude about Little League has improved I am happy to say.

End of the school year. It is funny how all of a sudden schools are cramming projects in. Wyatt's last day will be the 27th and then June 11th is the last day for Max and Coop. I got the boys signed up for swimming lessons the last part of July and beginning of August and other than that we have no big plans.

The garden is looking better. An unexpected frost killed off a jalapeno plant and the tomatoes are struggling. Peas, carrots and lettuce are doing great and of course the pumpkins are everywhere. Betty and Doug mailed Barry some Rhubarb which is planted and doing great too!

The bunnies are doing well. Although, they are not as friendly as we would like. Once things settle down around here we need to spend more time with them. I wanted to have two so they wouldn't get lonely in the hutch but I think all they really care about is themselves.

The inside of the house feels like a disaster! I am trying to not panic but it seems to be a bit out of control. Everyones clutter is everywhere! We are all guilty of it. The chickens have sort of disrupted things temporarily. The coop and run really need to be done right the first time so we don't have to spend a lot of time rethinking things. Then the inside of the house can get caught up. Unfortunately, it will all be here when that time comes :(

So I am supposed to be going to Home Depot to get paint for the coop and be out there painting. But now my kids have dispersed through out the neighborhood and they are going to cry when I tell them they have to get in the car! I can't wait until Max is old enough to watch Coop and Wyatt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Earth Day

2010-04-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

First a picture of Nici. She is such a great horse. I have been able to go over once a week or so to see her. It is fun. I have forgotten more about horses then I remember but it is slowly coming back.

The neighbor whose daughter is in Coopers class stopped by the classroom the day after Earth day and she had a great Cooper story to tell.

The teacher asked the students what they did special for Earth day. One student said "I turned the faucet off when I brushed my teeth". Another said "I ate organic food". Cooper said "I cleaned up all of my Dad's empty beer bottles out of the lawn". How funny! In Barry's defense there was 2. But still it IS a funny story!

Bunnies and baseball!

2010-04-14T18:03:00.001-07:00

The top bunny is Cooper's bunny Hopper! The other bunny is Wyatt's and she does not have a name because Wyatt wants to call her Wyatt. So we are still working on that.

Max getting ready to hit the ball!

Quick post. More later.

Yes a sunny day with little "breeze"

2010-04-11T17:37:00.001-07:00

It has been a beautiful Sunday here in the Tri-Cities. Finally, very little wind. But with all that wind allergy season is proving to be nasty for some of us.

There is alot on my mind. I hope I can put it down without it being too confusing. If not

thpt!!!!!

Baseball is going well for Max. It is very challenging. Not just the physical part. But the politics of it. Coach said he was going to pitch. But he hasn't pitched yet. "Why is Walker playing first base?" We try to reassure him that it is so early in the season and coaches are really still getting to know their kids and to not worry. He is able to work through it and that is all I really want. School is very busy for him and with his week Saturday and Monday games and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday practice it is going to be challenging for him to get his homework done and fun time with his friends. I am finding it fun to watch the games. Max scored a run and I almost cried. How silly is that?!!!!!!

So check out the rabbit hutch we scored from Craig's list. Cooper and Wyatt are working towards being bunny owners! It has been a process. This hutch has its problems. For the most part is going to work out great once Barry reinforces a few things. Although he is not really a willing participant. So for the most part me and the boys are on our own with this one. We will be fine (I hope). More on that project when we find bunnies. I told the boys "First the rabbit hutch and THEN the rabbits". And if it would have been Barry that went to pick up the hutch we wouldn't have it. The place was a little "off" of the Gellner scale of approved properties :) I really scrubbed that hutch down and it is in the sun baking out any bad Karma.

Sick! That best describes Barry and I this last two weeks. Just a nasty head cold but slow to move on. Bummer to spend spring break and Barry's vacation being sick. On a good note that meant that we could trade off getting some rest.

Quietly celebrated my 46th birthday. Recieved wonderful birthday wishes which helped see me through! Thank You!

Getting back in the saddle and most important being around horses again has been great for my soul. But like everything else is not always easy. I missed so many years and things that I just knew like breathing I have to think about. And I am learning new rules and new ways. I was completely spoiled being with my friend Charlie and her wonderful place. She taught me well so I know these are just little bumps in the road of me getting started again. I am having fun. The gal who owns the horse is so very understanding. And of course Nici the horse is a gem! Although, just like me I can see she can be a little bitchy when she wants to.

We got the call today that the sofa and loveseat will be here on Friday the 16th. AHHHH! I can not wait. I really feel that we have extracted ALL use out of the set we have. They are truly ready to be retired.

I have planted peas, lettuce and carrots in the garden. We have filled the walkways with gravel. I am hoping that this will keep my weeding time down a little this year. Our neighbors have been letting their cats out at night and I have been finding cat prints in my garden. Barry laid down some wire fence over the fresh dirt. Hopefully, this will keep them from visiting. I really hope they stay away from the bunnies when they get here.

Anyway, life is good. I am busier. Had coffee with some lovely ladies. Not once but twice. My house is messier. But I am o.k. with that. I know that I will eventually get to it.

Sun today!!!I mowed the back yard. Planted a few geraniums. A fresh salad for Barry to take to work. Chicken, cranberries and Gorganzala cheese with a dijon vinegrette. Now dinner for me and the boys and school week prep.

That is all for now. Hope everyone has a great week.

Friday

2010-03-12T08:45:00.000-08:00

It is Friday!!!! Barry and Cooper are in L.A. until Monday. They have huge plans and will be pooped when they get home. We have a busy week next week with conferences at the grade school and our helper day at Wyatt's school on Tuesday with clean up night the same day. I think I will plan nothing for Wednesday. I have to say that it is very strange not having Cooper here. Both Max and I had moments where we were expecting Barry and Coop to be here and a "Duh" to ourselves that they weren't even in town :)

Max decided to play baseball this year. He hasn't played since t-ball so this is a giant step. Little League just isn't what I remember it use to be. The kids actually have to try out and then be placed on a team. Since he hasn't been on a team in a long time he is being placed on a AA team and his friends are on AAA teams. To top it off they announced the AAA teams on Monday and Max has been confused and so upset that he had not heard anything. He was so sad last night. I called and they are placing AA on Saturday. So at least I was able to have an explanation for him but he is feeling embarrassed that he is going to be on a "younger" team. He didn't know how he was going to tell his friends at school. We practiced his speech that he "has to start somewhere" and I told him that he will probably be able to gain a lot of confidence this season.

Wyatt is really liking school now. He gets ready lickety split, jumps in the car and hops down the hall to class. Those words are really how it is for him and it puts me in such a happy place in the moment. He is still bashful and reserved when he is there but is totally happy.

I was hoping to put Coop and Wyatt in swimming lessons this spring. But I had to wait to here about baseball and when practice was going to be. With Barry's rotating schedule everything needs to be scheduled for me to be the one to drop off and pick up. And then Barry helps when he is off. So we missed spring swimming and will now be there for summer lessons along with every other kid in the community. As my Grandma would say "that's the way it goes...I guess".

I have been swimming again. I have been taking it slow so that I don't aggravate my joints. So I am getting stronger and every time I go I can swim a few more laps.

There is someone new in my life. Nicky the wonder horse! I can't believe the opportunity that has come my way. A month or so a go a mom of a boy in Wyatt's preschool class wanted to get the boys together to play. Wyatt had a bit of a cough so I was hesitant but it was a nice day and they were going to play outside. I really wanted to stay home and take a nap :) but luckily I thought about Wyatt instead of myself and we walked down the street to their house. Of course we got to chatting and after awhile she mentioned that she had a horse. I said "how do you take care of 3 kids and still find time to ride?" Turns out there was another mom who was helping her exercise Nicky who just got pregnant and wasn't going to ride anymore. She offered for me to try to ride again and honestly I said that I hadn't ridden in so long that I really didn't know if I would be much good for her. We left it at that but she called me a few days later and offered for me to come check it out. I had such an amazing time that day that I think I was smiling the whole day. So.....I have been back a couple times and it looks like I will get to ride!!!!!! I am trying to not get ahead of myself and also be respectful of this fortune. I ordered a riding helmet and a pair of barn boots that I can garden in and use for riding. I have no idea how long it is going to take to get my seat back but every time I am there I do notice a difference. Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed that this continues to work out.

Spring is right around the corner. The weather this weekend is going to be kind of crappy but next week is looking great. I need to get working in the gardens. The theme this year is to streamline what we have. Make the areas more weed free so that I am spending more time enjoying the garden and not weeding pathways. We can really get a lot of produce from the 3 raised beds and I am going to try and do more staggered seed planting.

Well, I must get moving!

Oops

2010-02-22T18:45:00.000-08:00

I need to really start proof reading my posts more. I got too many duplicate words.
"fish on fridays"!!!!!!!!!! (Rainman)

shoe and backpack clutter and a frog visits!

2010-02-22T16:23:00.000-08:00

Shoes and Backpacks! Our entryway is always a big sea of shoes, coats and bags. And the entry really isn't that big. Sooooo,

I purchased this today. It traditionally goes at the end of a bed but it is great for the living room. Now the 3 boys will place their stuff in the new shoe center! I put it all together myself today. I usually am terrible at this kind of thing. I only do this kind of thing with my sister because she is good at it! I am hoping that this is going to help contain some things.

One night when Barry and I were still eating, I looked up and saw this a frog playing video games at the table. Grandma Susan and Grandpa Garry got these snugglies for Wyatt and Coop.

Coop's is a moose!

The weather has been terrific and I am inspired to get some things done so that I can spend more time outside.

We purchased a sofa and loveseat for the family room this weekend! It won't be here until April!

Usually, this would have convinced me to cancel the order but I am going to be patient!

A visit

2010-02-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

I just had a great visit from a friend who was our neighbor here 9 years ago! We chatted like she had just left yesterday! I miss her and wish that she would move back. It was great getting caught up. She had never met Cooper and Wyatt. Wyatt shared all of his valentine cards he got from his friends at school today. It was so cute. She is a proud Grandma now. You can tell she just loves her grandson. I was going to remember to get a picture of us and I forgot!

Cooper brought a gift home from school today. It is a heart shaped dish made out of clay with mom and dad stamped on it. It is very nice. So nice that he has since taken it back and wants to keep it for himself! Turkey!

I made a recipe from my friends blog "I made this up, cooking with Mimi". Creamed Chicken with Biscuits Casserole. It was very yummy! I added part of a bag of mixed vegetables (thawed) and did the crescent rolls on top. It is a keeper! I have a link to her blog "I couldn't make this stuff up"

Avatar!

2010-02-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

After giving it some thought we decided to take the boys to see Avatar. We knew it wasn't rated for kids but we decided to work through it anyway. It was a great movie. I was not excited about going. Usually not the type of movie I would go see. But it truly was fantastic. Visually stunning and made us think about a few things. So there is some swearing in it. Nothing too drastic. Really don't see why they felt the need to use some of the language it would have been just as effective without it. You walk away feeling like you had escaped the world for a few hours (and I do mean 3 hours). Which is what I think going to the movies should do for you.
Tomorrow, Cathy Ross who lived next door to us 8 -9 years ago will be in town and will be stopping by to visit. I can't wait to see her! It will be fun to catch up!
Barry has been busy planning his trip with Cooper to Disneyland in March. The plan has been that he will take each boy on a special trip with Dad to Disneyland. They will stay with Auntie Carol. Max had a great time when he went. Cooper is a little nervous about going. Hopefully, he will get excited as it gets closer.
It has been nice having 2 working computers. I no longer have to wait to use one.
Thanks Barry!

Finally updating! New computer for Mom and Dad only!

2010-02-02T13:43:00.000-08:00

We were having such computer problems. It seemed like every week Barry had to fix it. So we now have a computer for the kids and one for us. Hopefully, this is going to keep us up and running!

We haven't been doing too much so really you all haven't missed anything. Our friends John, Katie and Julie Ann came over and hung out with us one afternoon. The teepee was a big hit as you can see. So was the dirt hole out back which was very muddy. We sent the kids home covered in dirt but I think they all had fun. It was a cold day so Barry lit the fire and we just did our "thing". I wanted to share some of the pictures from that day. Julie Ann and Wyatt are in the same pre-school class and Cooper actually went to preschool with Katie. So cute!

I will try and do a quick run down on a few things. I am going to try and get better at updating.

Cooper's Kindergarten class got a visit from a local t.v. station weather man. They filmed it and aired it this morning at 5:10 a.m. and 6:10. I managed to get up in time. I had to wake everyone up! And I really do not like doing that! I couldn't take the guilt if he missed it. Coop's face was on there two times so that was exciting for him to see. Barry watched it on one of the smaller t.v.s so he missed it. While we watched it on wide screen and Cooper made it in! The station had a bunch of typing at the bottom of the screen. So it blocked some kids. It reminds me of the scene in Monsters Inc. when Mike sees himself on t.v. but part of him was blocked and he says "I was on T.V.!"

Wyatt is doing so much better at preschool. He is coming home and telling stories of all that he is doing there. He likes to sing the songs from music. Starting to open up too with the other kids.

Today he said "that Julie Ann is so funny" and I asked him if he ever plays with Tyler(he lives down the street from us so thought maybe he could get to know him) he said "I try but he always moves away" but he wasn't upset by it.

Max has been having lots of fun playing with his friends in the neighborhood. He is working on a paper mache' mask and is so excited to be painting it. They have been really focusing on math

and he is trying to memorize his multiplications which they are being tested on with a stop watch. This has put some stress on him but he is working through it.

We have joined the racquet club......again. We weren't using it for awhile so we closed our membership. The boys are getting older and it is easier to get them in and out of there and now that there are no diapers and everyone can dress themselves it isn't so much work to go. I am starting to swim again and hope that this will help the arthritis/joint problem and give me some strength again to enjoy some other things.

I am counting the days until I can feel spring and I am starting to look forward to getting the garden going again. We dehydrated so many tomatoes last season and I didn't think that we would eat them all but we just finished off the last bag. So when I am sick of those things next summer I need to force myself to dry just a few more!

In a funk!

2010-01-11T14:29:00.001-08:00

I just can't shake it! I just wish I could find out what it is I need to motivate me. There are so many things I want to do around here but just can't seem to break through the barrier. Ugh!

We went to kids night last Wednesday at Applebee's. When you purchase adult meals you can get kids meals for .99 cents. Barry and I do the 2 for $20.00 which includes one appetizer. They had a gal there passing out little toys and doing face paintings. The boys were hesitant until Barry suggested the football look.

They were silly. It was nice to have a break from the kitchen and the boys are getting better at eating out.

I am getting a crown put in tomorrow. Last time I had to have novacaine my face swelled up for a week!!!!

Happy New Year! It is frigid!

2009-12-31T10:54:00.001-08:00

We have just enough snow on the ground to have a little fun. Barry pulled them behind the lawn mower. Wyatt and Cooper never got bored with that. I love the moon over the orchard and our garden looks nice covered with white. Expecting more snow sometime today and then turning to the worst....freezing rain. I have everything that we need so I am just going to stay home until it clears up.

We will just hang out today and tomorrow. I am sure watching some football and I have some reading that I am absorbed in. Trying a new Chicken Parmigiana tonight. I got the recipe from The Pioneer Women's blog. It is going to go great with some red wine. Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!

Getting excited

2009-12-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

The boys are really getting excited for Christmas Day. They go through moments where they just can't stand it! There is still lots to do. None of it is really that important so if it doesn't get done then so be it. I ordered a Divine Prime Rib from the Yokes butcher. It will be prepped for us to pick up on Thursday and that is what we are having for dinner. Yum!
The sun is out this morning. Me and the boys are going to go down to Beaver Bark as they have some real reindeer. I am hoping to get some pics of them. If it starts raining like it was yesterday then we will skip it. It was pouring!
I need to mail some packages and I still have some wrapping.
The boys all got haircuts. Barry wants his money back for Max's. Wyatt wanted me to cut his so that really needs some improvement. Can't wait until he warms up to the idea of someone else cutting his hair. Of course Cooper's hair is short which helps the other two out because then Barry has one boy that has very short hair. :)
I am off to walk on my treadmill. I have gained weight since this foot started bothering me. Just hoping to not gain anymore at this point! Didn't know how important cartilage was until I was missing some!

New week!

2009-12-14T09:51:00.000-08:00

Wanted to let everyone know that Barry is doing very well. His calf doesn't seem to be bothering him so much and he is well on his way to recovery. He is actually helping at Coop's class today. Cooper is very pumped about that.
This is the kids last week of school before winter break. Then they are going to be home. Yikes. It will be a challenge keeping them busy.
We got some snow the other day and it is still sticking to the roads near our house but has melted on the grass.... so not much fun. We are expecting a little more tonight. Not much new just wanted to let everyone know that Barry is doing much better
Happy week!

Barry's knee

2009-12-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

We are feeling a touch relieved today after yesterdays scare. Barry has been having pain in his calf muscle. More painful then his knee. I was out running errands and he called and told me he was at the hospital and that they were concerned he had a blood clot. They did an ultrasound and found no blood clot. But he is still experiencing discomfort. I was so unbelievibly frightened. I wanted to be at the hospital but I had kids to pick up from school and by the time I had gathered them he was on his way home. He has an appointment with the Dr. today and hopefully they can help him so we can relax about the blood clot thing. It was an emotional day.
This week has been different in that Barry has been home a lot. He worked for 4 days so he could have rest time and then work a quick 2 and be off again. I actually got invited to 2 holiday get togethers. I was planning on not going to either because what kind of wife leaves her husband at home with 3 boys after he has had surgery? But Barry was very insistent that I go. I had dinner with some lovely ladies on tuesday at Tony Romas and last night went to a neighbors for a cookie and ornament exchange. It was HUGE and I felt very much out of my element. I am pretty sure I was the oldest one there and after my emotional day I was pooped!
So my boys are telling me "no more friends for you" and "no more fun for you" Which I am o.k. with. I will have my fun at home with them.

He is home

2009-12-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

We picked Barry up. All went well. He is on the couch with remote in hand.

Knee surgery

2009-12-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

Barry is in having his knee surgery today. I should be able to pick him up around 3:00.
He was in true Barry form. You would have thought I was taking him to be the headline entertainment on a river showboat! Should I write my name in sharpie on my body? They said no wallet or any other valuables. The jokes with the female docs assistant or when he is totally out will they look under his robe......I found humor in it and felt bad that he was going through this. I was feeling the love! UNTIL, while driving he said "are you even paying attention to the road?" I said "you better be more worried about that doctor who is going to open your knee up! Not my driving!" Taxi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post turkey day round up

2009-11-29T09:14:00.000-08:00

All was well with us on this Thanksgiving. The turkey turned out great. Cooper could not wait to dive in to the drumstick. Max's cornbread was a big hit!

A busy day! An attempt at a family photo. Early dinner, hot tubbing and the movie Home Alone! I love watching that on Thanksgiving. I really don't know why. Just a way of kicking off Christmas I guess.
Just a quick update today. Barry will be off tomorrow and I am sure he will update the photo albums.

Hurray It is prep day!

2009-11-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

I am going to spend my day making all of our side dishes so that tomorrow we all can just hang out. My sister is usually here for this day to help but she can't make it until later tonight. Barry is home today although he had to go in last night and do some "testing" and he didn't make it home until after 4:00 a.m. so I don't expect him to be up for awhile. So......I need to hope that the boys can keep themselves occupied.
I am so looking forward to lighting a fire outside making hot cocoa for the kids and just relaxing!
In case I don't make it back on here again before it is turkey time.... Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! And I hope you are all able to enjoy the day the way you most like to!!!!!!!!!

Finally a diagosis!

2009-11-20T15:26:00.001-08:00

I went to the foot Doc yesterday and finally found out why I am in such pain in my right foot.
My big toe and top of foot has been giving me trouble. At first there was the can of spaghetti "O"s. Which actually fell on a different part of my foot but I wanted to believe that it was the problem. So 13 years ago most of you know I was in a car accident. I hurt my back and my foot but my foot really didn't bother me and it was mostly my toe and I knew that they do not tend to do anything with those so I focused on my back. Big mistake. It seems that I fractured it at the joint! The joint has completely deteriated. It is grinding against bone and I have also grown bone spurs. The damage is ireversable. So now what do I do. I am going to have orthotics made hoping to relieve the pressure on the joint. Hopefully, this will make day to day living less painful. If not they can go in and "clean up" the joint, maybe inject some of my platelets in there. If or when I have used that option up they can fuse it. Then I will lose the mobility in the joint. Now a part of me knows that people live with much more devastating situations. I mostly am just kicking myself for not having it xrayed at the time. Let this be a lesson. No matter how you get hurt or how slight you may think it is you best get it checked out. And another thing, if your doctor doesn't give you a good explanation about your pain, keep bugging him/her or go see someone else. I spent the whole summer dealing with this. I thought I was losing my mind!

On an extreme up note. I am meeting my Tri-Cities pals for dinner and drink tonight! I can't hang for long as Barry is going to work tomorrow.
Turkey day is almost here. The kids are already off! Made cranberries today.

A shout out to Auntie Carol........It's not bunions that make people disply voilent behavior it is deteriated joints grinding against bone!!! I can't believe we couldn't self diagnose that!

Shots!

2009-11-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, am I ever glad that is over. The boys have had their H1N1 vaccines. Wyatt went first and boy did he howl. You should have seen Cooper's face after that. Wyatt kept on screaming "no more Doctors....ever". Coop was next and he just let out about 30 seconds of tears. Then it was big brothers turn. He was pretty frightened. The nurse gave him the shot and he said "hey, that was easy". For Pete's sake!
I am one of "those" who never feels totally confident with immunizations. Unfortunately, I have this feeling in my heart that we don't really need as many as these kids get. But a bigger voice that reminds me of how terrible I would feel if they would get something terrible.
Big day tomorrow. Dentist for Barry. Ortho for Max and a Podiatrist for me.

Not much news

2009-11-14T10:17:00.000-08:00

It has been pretty slow around here lately. Turkey Day is almost here. Sounds like my Mom and Sister will be here for just a couple of days. Weather permitting. I am looking forward to my favorite holiday.

Wyatt is doing much better at school. He is actually staying there without me. Not without negotiation. He wants me to "wait in my car" and "don't go grocery shopping". He gets so mad when I pick him up and he sees grocery bags! But gets over it. He tells me his is shy and that's why is isn't talking too much at preschool. He is starting to though and that is enough for now.

Coop is loving school and loving learning. Conferences are coming up and I look forward to chatting with his teacher.

Max is a reading machine. He has read 3 books in two weeks and is working on his 4th. He has been reading a series by author Rick Riordan. The first book was The Lightning Thief and they are making it into a movie. He has a book light and as you can see from the pic he gets totally absorbed!

I have been reading again too. I can not believe that I have denied myself the Twilight series books! I read two books last weekend! It was so great! I am just starting the 3rd. I am going to have to pace myself this time because I did not get anything done while I was in vampire land!

Max and Barry started a game of Monopoly this morning. The other kids wanted to quit and do something else. Now Max is looking for some more game players.

I am stuck in a rut with cleaning and organizing the house. Really do not know where to start.

All for now.

Pumpkin fun

2009-11-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

Barry has updated his blog with pics of pumpkin carving and Halloween festivities. Had a great weekend! The boys were way too ramped up but we survived. Catch the link to the right for Barry's blog.

Preschool Halloween

2009-10-30T09:22:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the Halloween celebration at Wyatt's preschool. He is going to be a skeleton tomorrow but that is too "scary" for school. The pic on the left he is waiting to go to the red square and show off his costume. Which at that point I started running out of batteries!

Tonight Auntie, Auntie Carol will be arriving. Tomorrow is a big day. Pumpkin carving, trick or treating at the Uptown Mall and then of course our neighborhood tricks or treats. I usually dress up as a witch but Coop and Wyatt said that was too scary. So in honor of "Mister" I will be a black cat tomorrow. More later, until then Happy Halloween everyone!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-21T15:42:00.000-07:00

Coop's class went to the pumpking patch today. Barry was off so I got to tag along.

He had way too much fun. But I did not get one pic of him with his pumpkin he picked. It was really pretty low key. It was at a nursery and the focus was on just this patch of pumpkins. There was no maze or anything halloween. Which I could only imagine trying to keep track of everyone if there was all that extra stuff. So it was low stress but still fun for the kids. I think that since we have so many pumpkins growing here that I am just kind of spoiled with them.

Tomorrow is my helper day at the preschool. Barry has been taking Wyatt and is able to leave the class. So he is getting better. Wyatt that is.....not Barry. Ha Ha!

We are having rain today. The pumpkin patch was one big mud patch! Cooper managed to stay out of the worst of it. Some kids found a hole and had mud up to their knees.

O.K. so I went on a rant yesterday. And when all was said and done I was completely exhausted.

I will try to make this short. On the front page of our paper there was an article about a 114 unit apartment complex going up less than a mile from our house. BECAUSE the developer who purchased some land from an orchard owner and turned the zone into commercial zone built a grocery store building and then was not able to fill the grocery/office/mini mall. Something happened with the negotiations. (boo hoo shouldn't be my problem). Anyway, I sent a batch email to the email at the city web site. I was a smart ass. I admit. But I said that I really needed to start paying more attention to what they where doing down there. That I didn't move to West Richland from Seattle for a city atmosphere. That I am here because I liked the ruraliness of it. And that I was glad that there is an election looming. The city administrator shot me a 2 page email back (cc to the mayor). A complete run down on city managment and that if I cared I should have been at the public hearing when they announced that Vandervelt Development needed an "anchor" to attract businesses so that he could fill his buildings! Oh, and that there are a few openings on several boards if I was interested. I honestly thought that (1) my email wouldn't be read and( 2 )that it would just go in some bucket as someone against the building. Now, I am not against apartment living. I have lived in apartments and I am not judging anyone who lives in an apartment. This property is surrounded by people who have 2 -3 acres and I just really wanted things to stay with that kind of look. Anyway, I made up with this City Admin. For now. Some day I am going to have some time to learn more about their system and when I do I have some ass kick'n to do!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last of the flowers

2009-10-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

It is supposed to get pretty cold tonight. Barry is hearing down in to the 20's. So I thought I would cut what is left of the Dahlias. We had some great sunshine late this afternoon. It was pretty gloomy before that. So "B" blew out the travel trailer and all of the garden hoses in preperation. I have some lettuce planted that is still pretty young. Other than that I am preparing to close up the garden. I may start looking for an old window for next year to make a cold frame .
Barry has to work tonight. Wyatt and I went to the library and we found the second season of Land of the Lost. An old show from when I was young. SLEESTAK! Now I just need to find Sigmund and the Sea Monsters!!!!!!!!!!
All for now, It is dinner time!!!!

Wyatt's hair

2009-09-27T14:48:00.001-07:00

Wow! I did it! I cut Wyatt's hair. He is just as bad as Max when it comes to his hair. I finally had it with spraying detangler in it and listening to him cry everytime I tried to comb it. I still think his long hair was cute. But it started taking too much effort to get it combed out. What a bunch of "hoo haw". Screaming and crying! Is it cocktail hour yet?

Of course!

2009-09-24T15:51:00.001-07:00

School has started and Barry is out of town. So you know I had to come down with a head cold today. I would like to think it is just allergies. I was feeling really run down yesterday and thought that I was just feeling lazy. So far it is not too bad. Just enough to bug me.
Wyatt was very out of sorts at school. I stayed with him almost the whole time. The last half hour I ducked out for about 20 minutes. He did fine but was excited to come home. So many tears. Part of me is very anxious to have my own time. Maybe he senses that. I went rollerblading down by the river on Tuesday. It was so great to get some exercise. Time that I didn't have to "ask" for. Find someone to watch the boys so I can have a 30 minute walk etc. It will come. It is just going to take a little longer than I thought. Besides, I lost a "dohicky" on my skate and now I need to get it fixed so I don't break a leg or something :) I have to admit that after all the little injuries I have had this past year or so, I really had to get some nerve up. But it was just like riding a bike!

We are on our own!!!

2009-09-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

We had a very nice weekend. A visit from Tanner. Our friend Matt came by too! We watched some football. I even sat down many times to catch some of the action. Made some homemade pico de gallo. Tomatoes and jalepenos from the garden. The boys did great at playing in the neighborhood and not putting too many demands on us.
Barry left very early this morning for his trip to Fort Worth. He is going to be gone for a week. Now some parts of this is actually nice. Me and the boys can just hang out. Leave our dishes until the end of the day. Watch junk on TV. Eat or not eat! And NO cooking big meals. But it is a long week for me. By the time he gets home I just really want to get out of here for awhile. He will be on vacation when he gets back so things should work out.
Wyatt is still hesitant about school. He really has a hard time when I leave and gets ansy for me to come pick him up. It is kind of sad for me. He is so completely outgoing at home and in the neighborhood. He hangs out with all of the big kids and has so much fun. At school he is just hanging out by himself. Which makes me feel that he is struggling with this step in growing up.
We are enjoying some fabulous weather. Hot days and cool nights. LOVE IT!

Update

2009-09-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

We have gotten off to a great year of school. Coop is such a champ! He walks out to the corner with his big brother and gets on the bus. His teacher says he is happy there. What more could I ask for after one week. Wyatt goes to school tomorrow for his first official day. Since it is a Co-op I am working. It is a good thing because Wyatt hasn't done the "school" thing yet and he is a little nervous. All will be good I am sure.
We are expecting Grandpa Garry and Grandma Susan to stop by on Thursday. Barry is switching to nights on Wednesday. He can get up a little early and visit on Thursday. We have a big day on Saturday. Our friend Tanner is driving over from Seattle very late on Friday. We have not seen him for awhile and have missed him. Wyatt is looking forward to seeing him. He really thinks Tanner is cool! After that it is Barry's annual front line supervisor meeting in Fort Worth, Tx and then an extended trip to Betty's.
We are having great weather here. Nice and hot. I have way too many tomatoes and really can not stand to eat another one. The heritage tomatoes were late but are ripening now. If you like a nice slicing tomato......we have them!!!!!
Barry is breathing down my neck to get off this gadget! Have a great week everyone!

Happy Birthday Wyatt!

2009-09-09T12:56:00.001-07:00

My baby is 4 years old today! He is such a good boy! So good to his Momma. We love you Wy-wy!

Cooper's first real day

2009-09-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Cooper got on the bus today for the first time. It was no easy job. He has been a bit worried about it. We know he will do great once he gets there. After spending the last few weeks WAITING for school to start so that I didn't have to watch and hear them fight all day, I cried watching him make that big step up on the bus. I could feel his hesitation deep in my heart. Max was being such a great big brother. I could see him sitting by Coop in the Kindergarten section as we waved good-bye. I am worried Cooper will be upset. I am worried that because he is unsure he may get mad about something. But he was so great at preschool and his teachers all loved him. He is just hitting a little bump!
Max has started his school year great. Not even one argument. He has been getting up every morning, even before I get up, to take a shower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Packing his lunch on his own!!!!
Wow!
Well, I am going to go spend some time with Wyatt. It is so unbelievebly quiet!

Quick post

2009-08-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend. My Mom and Grandma came for a visit. Grandma has not been here since Max turned one year old. We were having too much fun on Sunday and didn't watch the time so Mom and Grandma got out of here later than they wanted. I had to get busy and start emptying out the family room because WE ARE GETTING THE NEW CARPET TODAY!
Well we better be.
Last push to get kids ready for school. Only getting some basics. Shoes, socks and underwear.
We got letters from the school. Max's teacher has requested 3 additional items that were not on the school supply list. He already has two completely full paper grocery sacks of supplies. Also, he is supposed to bring back the "summer learning packet". I have no idea what that is. But that we never got it or I threw it out when I got rid of all the other pounds of stuff they send home at the end of the year! Oops!

Consumer rage!

2009-08-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

I WAS the proud owner of the Reynolds Vacuum Freezer Storage Kit. Since we are in the middle of harvest season, I have been to every store near me looking for the freezer bags which go to the system. Finally, went to the official web site. They have DISCONTINUED this item! It was not able to generate enough interest. Ugh! Now I am left with a sucking unit and no bags. I tried the Ziploc varity bag. It worked but the Ziploc bag's seal did not remain closed and air leaks in. This unit has solved many of potential arguments as you see I (apparently) don't get enough air out of bags before I freeze them. So I am back to the beginning. Do I just bust the bank and get a real Food Saver!

Computer troubles

2009-08-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

We are having computer troubles again. So if we disappear for awhile that is why.

I painted the family room yesterday!!!! So now I can feel good when they come to lay the carpet in there next monday.

My Mom and my Grandma are coming next weekend. My Grandma hasn't been here forever! Barry is off on Saturday so we are hoping to have a fun in the sun day. Complete with some fireworks and roasted marshmellows at the end of the day.

The neighbors moved yesterday. My heart just ached for Cooper and Wyatt. They were having so much fun with the twins. Cooper was really out of sorts yesterday and it didn't help that I spent the whole day painting. So no painting today. We are going to go to a park and play. Painting will have to resume tomorrow..

Niki is coming next week! Fair week too. Then school!
Wow, this summer has gone by fast!

Snap

2009-08-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

I haven't been feeling like posting. So many things have been going on with me/us. Some good and some has been a bit frightening. But everything has turned out fine. This post may to some seem too personal but that is what this blogging thing sometimes is for me. So if you don't want to hear it ......then wait until I post again :0 .......whenever that may be.
I finally got caught up on some health tests and exams. One was for a pain on my right side. Which after an ultrasound they found nothing on the right but a cyst on the left but they seem to think it is the type which will go away. FINE. But what the hell is wrong with my right side!!!!They have no idea.
Girls, I finally had my first mammogram. Late because of my need to have children into my 40's. So you all know the drill they tell you before you start that there is always a chance to need to come in and get additional pics since they are trying to find your "baseline". So I have known people who that has happened to and I was prepared when the call came and they said I needed to get back in and have some more pics. What I wasn't prepared for is when I went back the paperwork they handed me said "urgent spot compression needed" "abnormal right breast". So after I read that I calmed down and told myself that they probably have to code it that way to get insurance to cover it. Then when I was with the mammographer she told me that I will be meeting with the radiologist right after the additional pics so that I know what I needed to do. I was like "I never get to talk to a radiologist for anything right away". Even if you are a pregnant bitch and want results from your ultrasound they won't talk to you. I did start to panick. I also started a support plan right away. I started ticking through my mind everyone I knew who has battled breast cancer and figured out who I would call first for support. Everyone on the list was someone I adore and knew that they would have great wisdom for me. I had no cell phone and I just sat silently with my thoughts. I forced the tears back because I told myself that they did not give me any real details and so really it could be nothing. The radioligist came in and said that the previous pics showed a rather large mass but with the new compression pics (which is code for make her boob a pancake) the mass flattens and moves too so it is nothing and just have another mammo next year. So I was happy to get home and just let my emotions go and let some tears out. What a bunch of crap!
Gave blood and hear is a surprise high cholesterol. I can't beleive that all my McDonald runs are letting me down. So better choices are needed to be made. I have done it before so I can do it again. I have been having a reaction to my blood pressure meds. A dry cough at night which is very common and tingly hands and feet. I quit taking the meds and after 5 days the symptoms started to go away. Imagine that. You know I talked to the Dr. in April and he shrugged me off. So new meds. But these are making me very fatigued. I have to give them some time.
I also need to mention that while putting the groceries away in the pantry in my bare feet a can of spagetti "o's" fell on the top of my foot. I limped around for about 10 days until I went in and had ....yes another x-ray. So I now have a fracture on the top of my foot near my big toe. Which they can't do anything for. Can you say arthritis when I am 60? That, with the fractured toe from 4 years ago and the sprain from last December and the pain in my foot from the accident 12 years ago makes my feet gonners! I miss the days when I was tough. Falling off horses and water ski and jet ski crashes. Lets move on.
Max has one of his good friends, Caleb moving in to the house across the street. He is very excited and so are they. Wait until they get a taste of the real Gellners :) I hope they are ready!
I am not holding back anymore. It is the 4th family to live there. They can take us or leave us.
Cooper is getting a little nervous about Kindergarten and mostly the bus ride. They give the kids plenty of time to adjust so I know he will be o.k. He is such a crack up. Free spirit. Skinny dipping and making "baby belugas" in the water.
Last night we were watching Blue Planet and a sea creature came on the screen that none of us had ever seen before. So we kind of all said "what is THAT called?" And right on the money and clear as day Wyatt said "that is a FA, FA, BING-EE". We all asked him to say it again and he did just like the first time. We still can't stop laughing. The creature was bizarre looking.
Barry has been working hard of course. We have pumpkins forming. He dug up some potatoes and is always keeping our pool and hot tub up and running. He also took the boys fishing the other day. No fish but they had fun.
Visits from Uncle Bry, Spencer and Ruby. Ruby and I went and got pedicures. It was fun to be away from the boys and we are planning on doing it again. We all commented how Barry was counting what exactly that was going to cost him :)
Jacob and Ava's Aunt Maryann came for a quick stop. She had never been here and it was nice to show her our simple (boring to some) life.
We have way too many tomatoes. The cucumbers are bigger than I like. I am making a note that I want to be more selective on seeds next year. I will need to post some veggie pics soon. Barry changed the picture process on the computer. I have to learn how to hook up some skookum whatcha macallit device to get pictures. Frankly I have not the patience.
20 days until the kids go back to school. Mixed feelings about that. But I am going to join one of those smaller gyms so that I can use some equipment that will be easier on my feet and joints then my treadmill.
Fair week is Aug. 25th. My dear sis will be in town for an interview. And Barry said we can go by ourselves for a little while so we can see some horses and I can check out the flowers and veggies. All the kids every want to do is go on rides. I may just take them on another day.
And for the GRAND FINALLE......The carpet for the family room will be installed on
August 24th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So now I need to get painting again :(
All for now. Isn't that enough!

Ahhh! No computer!

2009-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wow, our computer crashed! I have been without it for about 4 days. Thanks to Barry for taking most of the day to get it up and running again.
The boys had their dentist appointments yesterday and NO CAVITIES! I have no idea how we dodge that bullet! Wyatt had his first appointment yesterday and did great!
Today Wyatt and I have a doctor's appointment. His allergies are pretty bad so it is time for some Nasonex.
Niki is here and has an interview with Lamb Weston/Conagra. We are very excited for her.
Barry is going to mow before it is 100 degrees out there.
****Kitchen/family room floor update The carpet is going but the vinyl will stay for awhile. It still has function.
****Garden update Seeing beans and cherry tomatoes have been ripening one at a time. I know next week I will have a ton all of a sudden.
Barry ordered a 1,000 watt food dehydrator and we are set for the rush of tomatoes.

Moses Lake

2009-07-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

We are off to Moses Lake Aquatic Center today. 100 degrees so it should be fun! I feel like I should be staying home and getting some work done. But I have to remember that is summer and I need to have fun too! Went shopping yesterday for flooring. Thought I was on to something but found out that I wasn't. I swear I am just going to take it down to the sub floor myself and paint it! Not really but we just can't come to a mutual decision. Ugh!
Barry and the boys put together a bean pole structure with bamboo from the neighbors house. It is very cool.
New pics on Barry's blog!

Carrots!

2009-07-13T08:24:00.001-07:00

Carrot time! Wyatt helped me harvast our carrots from the garden. We got more that I expected and they are healthy! Niki helped peel and cut and blanch and freeze! Now we have a good supply for soups and stew this fall/winter.

Our onion crop has been a big disappointment this year. But the tomatoes are looking good and we are going to have more than enough. We are shopping for a dehydrator so we can dry some for pizzas and pasta later.

Niki was here for a few days. She had a job interview and we are hoping for the best. She helped us finish up our vacation. Barry and I were talking and we don't have very many vacations left this year.

So it is Monday and we are getting back in to our routine. Coming up...Coop's 6th birthday!

Happy Birthday Max!

2009-07-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Max! He is 10 years old today! We love you! Max had a sleep over with Will and Caleb and fun was had by all. O.K. maybe not by Mom and Dad so much! Swimming, Mario Kart WII and make your own ice cream sundaes!

Looking forward to the 4th of July and then camping at Lake Easton!

Grandpa's visit

2009-06-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

We had a very nice visit from my Dad. The kids managed to hold up fairly well. They were really busy with vacation bible school in the morning and then played with friends in the afternoon. Grandpa Bob is calling the boys The Three Muskateers. "All for one and one for all!" I think I will get some books from the library about them. It would be interesting for the boys to learn about them. O.K. mostly because of the swords :) We have some pics so we will have to get those downloaded and posted soon.

I wish I was better at organizing things. We have a busy couple of weeks ahead. First up is Max's b'day. He wants to have a sleepover. We are limiting it to 2 guests. It is all I can really handle having 5 boys in the house for 24 hours. Then we are staying home for the 4th but we have a fun day in the neighborhood celebrating. I like to have a yummy 4th of July celebration. Then the day after is our trip camping to meet up with Spencer and Ruby Gellner. We have lots to do to get ready for that. I am already thinking that I better get started sorting clothes and purchasing supplies for the beginning of the school year. Since all 3 boys will be going to some kind of school next year. I can not wait!

O.K. lunch and then off to a birthday party. And will you look at that.....Grandpa Bob actually checked the blog!

Hi Mom and Niki

2009-06-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Hi! I am talking to my sister and mother on the phone and I wanted to share my flags I made for summer mostly for 4th of July. They look better in person!

Garden update

2009-06-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Weeds! Weeds! Weeds! Even though Barry has installed filters on the irrigation we still have a lot of weeds. But, we have good things going on too. We have been enjoying lettuce from the garden. Everything else has been growing great. We will have tons and tons of tomatoes this year. The raspberries are getting established. The Dahlias are up too!

The school year is officially over. I need to make a note to find a "camp for boys" for next summer (kind of kidding)! Wyatt has figured out how to spit. So he keeps spitting on his brothers! Max has decided to tell little white lies and Cooper thinks it is very funny to tease. Until one of the others smacks him then he cries for an hour.

It is 10:30 on a Sunday morning and Max already has a friend over. I think I will put my Mp3 on and just tune them all out. Hope you all are having a much quieter day :)

Saturday!

2009-06-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

The neighbors across the street are moving and they had a yard sale today. Earlier in the week I thought about having one too but the week got a way from me and I didn't do much about it. But when the kids saw the neighbors having theres they really wanted to sell some toys. So even though I wasn't ready, we threw some stuff out at the end of the driveway and gave it a try. We got rid of a few things but all in all a complete waste of time! Now I need to get the rest of my work done! It probably would have gone better if Barry was here and could help with the kids. Now we are off to the Goodwill and grocerey store.

coop's end of the year picnic

2009-06-08T10:49:00.001-07:00

The pic on the left is this year and the other is from last year. He gets so silly about having his picture taken with his teachers. He really does like his teachers. I think he just gets a little shy and embarrassed.

I am just really far behind lately. The boys have been really challenging lately. All they have been doing is teasing and fighting. I feel like I am going to have a heart attack!

busy, busy, busy!

2009-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! We are way behind on our blogs. Lots of pics to share. The cameras are full!

Coop's end of the year picnic was a bunch of fun and his pic with his teacher is hilarious. Mostly, because he has the very same look on his face as his pic last year with last years teacher. I am going to try and put them both on here.

I am very proud of Max. He saved his money up for a real bow and has spent a lot of time practicing with the target and also practicing safety. Barry has pics of that on his blog.

Wyatt is the bug kid. He has been spending lots of time turning rocks over in the yard to look for rollie pollies. I am glad he is having so much fun but the rocks of course don't get put back. You can tell when he has made a pass through one of the gardens :)

I painted the master bedroom! I am really glad that it is done. Barry wanted it all done in one day. I managed but was exuasted afterward AND I see some spots that need fixin! I rewarded myself with a new quilt for the bed. It will be so nice to have a new look in there. We have been here 12 years! The house is really showing it too!

June already! One more month and Max will be 10 years old. Yikes! 12 days and Barry and I will be married for 11 years. What a whirlwind we have been on!

A very nice Mother's Day!

2009-05-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

My Mother's Day t-shirt! My boys worked on this yesterday morning. They did a great job....don't you think? There are more pics on his blog. WhyBarry couldn't give me a heads up before the pic so I could put some make up on I will never know. But I am sure that there will be a time that I will be thankful for these photos of me!

We have had a few nice days and things are starting to grow. The raspberries are starting to get green leaves. I was a little worried that I had bummer plants. But the weather is going to cool down again. I just can't believe it! It is feeling more and more like Seattle over here. I need some heat!

It's Saturday again!

2009-05-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

Barry is at work today. But we are going to have a nice sunny day...finally! I really need it to warm up and stay warm.
Max is off to his friend Calebs this morning so it will have to be a short post. We have a wonderful accomplishment by Max to report. He is officially graduated from speech therapy.
His teacher called this week and said that Max really worked hard this year and was very focused to get the job done! We are so very proud of him. It has been a very long road
Cooper lost his fist tooth. Barry has pics on his blog.
Wyatt is just being cute. All the time. The twins in the neighborhood have been coming over in the afternoon and playing with Coop and Wyatt and they all have so much fun. There is no fighting just good ol' fashion outdoor fun.
O.K. the taxi cab is leaving!

Where did I go?

2009-05-02T08:32:00.001-07:00

Another lapse in posts. Sorry to those who actually check it often. I have been just trying to get back in the groove of things. I had such an awsome time with all the girls in Portland. I met some really fun girl pals and had fun with some gals that I have known for so long but haven't gotten to spend any time with them in recent years. We raged and we relaxed at the spa. Went everywhere on foot and ate very well. Celebrated our womenhood. That was the most important. Being surrounded by beautiful women helped me to start finding my own which becomes buried deep inside since this house is full of men!

I received the warmest welcome from the boys. I was missed and I think somewhat appreciated so that was good. Anyway, a great time and a door opened for opportunities to go again.

Back to reality though. Barry filled out the 2 month calendar on the wall and the end of the school year is getting so close. I need to start finding some summer activities to keep these guys busy.

It is 8:30 in the morning and the boys are asking to cook brownies. I think I will go get that done.