This is just going to be a quick post as it is 4:00 in the morning (I can't sleep and what else is there better to do than blog). I just thought I'd let you know what I've been up to lately since I haven't posted in a while. We've been so busy around here lately. Last weekend I worked here at home and finally got caught up on some things that have been neglected (mowing, flower beds, garden, cleaning house, etc..).

Every night of the week someone in our family has a ballgame. It pans out kinda like this:

Monday - Kale baseball
Tuesday - Nikia softball, and I help coach a 16-under girls softball team
Wednesday - Amy softball
Thursday - Nikia softball, and Trevor softball
Friday - Kale baseball

Busy? YES!! But I love watching the kids play and it's a good time to chat with the other parents from the community.

We've been getting ready for our Father's Day vacation. In past years we've gone out fishing to the Missouri River with my Dad and Mom and one year my brother's family came too. This year Dad decided we should all (except my sister and her family because they're being party-poopers and don't want to) go to the Black Hills. We're taking 4 horses and 6 4-wheelers. We're staying in tents and Mom and Dad are bringing their camper. We're not going to a campground.....no, no, no, we're staying out in the woods and "roughing it". It should be a lot of fun if the weather cooperates.

I'll be sure to let you all know how the trip went and post some pictures when we return. Have a great weekend.

Just Horsing Around!!!

Almost every day Nikia asks me if she can ride a horse. When we're at the farm she spends a lot of time by the horse pasture talking to the horses and feeding them grass. She LOVES horses. In fact, she wants her own Paint horse someday. I've never been that big of a fan of Paints but maybe for her I'll change my view. Maybe. The other day my niece Lexy went riding and helped Nikia and Kale get all set on some horses.

Nikia riding Zippy.

Kale riding Bo.

Nikia has no fear of horses and Kale is a little more nervous around them. I think Kale's fear stems from seeing my horse accident. When it was time to put the horses away, Nikia cried because she wanted to ride more and Kale had had enough.

Who Are You, And What Have You Done With My Children?

We've had so much rain lately that it's been hard to keep up with the mowing. The other day we finally had a break from the rain and the sun was shining so I sent Kale out to begin the task of getting the whole yard mowed before the clouds came back. It takes about 3 hours (non-stop) with a riding lawn mower to finish our yard. He was such a trooper and only took two breaks. One for lunch and one for a much deserved popsicle. I was going to take over but he never complained or seemed to get tired of it.

I was so proud of him for getting the job done so quickly. I told him that Pirates of the Caribbean was on t.v. if he wanted to watch it. He loves that movie and hurried into the house to watch it. He only watched about 15 minutes of it and then came and asked me if there was anything else he could do for me outside. WHAT??? He wants more work? Ummm, okay. I told him there was some piles of old straw/hay in the goat pen along with a couple piles of sticks and branches that he could pick up and haul to our dump. He simply said "alright" and got to work. Again, no complaints, and he finished that job too (this time with a little help from his sister). She didn't have any complaints about the task either.

That same morning, Nikia asked if she could dust for me. Ummm, of course you can. She was walking around dusting and singing away. This can't be normal. Kids enjoying work?

Yesterday, I explained to Kale that for one of his summer chores I would like him to clean the toilet in his bathroom once a week. I have shown him how to do this before and he was thrilled to learn (go figure). So yesterday, with no hesitation he got the job done and then came and asked me what I use to clean the mirror in the bathroom. Again, he's wanting to do more work.

Wait just a minute! What is going on here? I promise, I don't threaten them, or bribe them, or run any type of sweat shop. I'm just simply wondering who took my kids and what did they do with them. My kids are usually really good workers but I usually hear some griping and wining about the chores they're having to do. Hmmmm, what are they up to? They must want something. But what? I bet in some way or another their father is involved in this little conspiracy too.

I guess the only things I can do is consider myself extremely blessed to have such willing little workers, and make up a list of things I want done so I'll be ready for the next little volunteer.

I sure hope this lasts all summer. Yeah, right! Who am I kidding.

A few months back Trevor had bought me a t-shirt that said BRUNETTE'S GO TO HEAVEN BUT BLONDE'S GET LOST ALONG THE WAY. Nikia had asked me what it said the first time I wore it and I told her and thought nothing more about it.

This morning when I was fixing Nikia's hair she was looking in the mirror at my hair with kind of an odd expression and said "So, I guess now, you get lost and you go too."

me: Ummm, what are you talking about?"

nikia: Well, remember that shirt Daddy bought you?

me: Which shirt?

nikia: The one that says you get to go to heaven

me: Oh, yeah

nikia: Well, now it looks like you get lost and you get to go too.


NICE!! I might have caught on sooner, but I wasn't even wearing the shirt. I guess those blonde streaks are a little too prominent!!

Ladies, I'd like to ask you to all pray for my little girl. Nikia is still having a real hard time with her Great-Grandpa's death. Remember when my Grandpa died and how she was there and saw everything? Almost everyday with tears in her eyes, Nikia tells me how she misses him so much. She's asked me if it's still okay to cry about missing him. Yesterday, she described to me the scene of the accident again. The other day I was taking a shower and when I got done I found a note that she had slid under my door. It was a picture of a little girl with tears rolling down her cheeks and it said "I really miss Grandpa". Today, she told me that she wished she was in heaven so she could see Grandpa. I know being at the farm and seeing his empty house doesn't help (I still have a very hard time with it too). She used to go to his house often just to see him and have a cookie and chat with him. About a month before he died he had slipped and fell and broke a bone in his arm, and Nikia was his "nurse" to make him all better. She brought him water, the paper, a Kleenex, his slippers, etc... She had such a special place in her heart for him and now his death and all the visual memories of the accident are really hard for her. I know God knows how to mend her heart and I just ask that you say an extra prayer for Nikia.

Thank you!!

Last Days of School

The last days of school were jammed pack with lots of fun stuff for the kids. Nikia's last day was on Thursday and it started out with her graduation. The kindergartener's program included demonstrating they could count to 100, they said the months and the days of the week, they said nursery rythmes, sang songs and said the alphabet in sign language and they also signed an animal for each letter (that was very cool).

After graduation they traveled to the zoo for the rest of the day and ate their sack lunches in the park. Of course Nikia couldn't resist to touch the snake as it passed by her during the presentation. EWWW!!

On Monday, Kale's class had their "field trip". They went to the the HyVee grocery store for a "behind the scenes" tour and to the Fire Department for another tour and then to the rec. center to swim. Friday, however was his last day of school and they had their "field day". They had various activities to do: three-legged race, dodge-ball, kickball, water balloon toss, 100 yard dash, tug of war, and inflatables to jump in. It was an amazing day and fun to watch all the kids have so much fun.

To celebrate school's end and summer's begin Friday evening, we went to Pizza Hut and then Shreck The Third . The kids and I loved the movie! It was a perfect way to end the school year.

It's The Thought That Counts!

Yesterday my little princess decided to make me breakfast. I usually never eat breakfast so this was indeed a sweet treat. Just how much of a SWEET treat you ask...........

I'm not sure if she dropped the jelly jar on the toast or if she just thought I liked a lot of jelly with a little toast. Either way, she made my morning sweet.

Just a couple pictures from Mother's Day.

It was a beautiful Mother's Day. We went to church and taught a Sunday School class and then out to eat at a delicious buffet. Then we went home changed clothes and headed to the farm. Nikia rode horse with her cousin Lexi. I was going to ride also but I had to help Kale with his homework first. By the time we got finished, the girls were done riding. BUMMER! Trevor helped my Dad work on his boat. Then, we all went driving around looking for carp to spear. (Since we've had so much rain the creeks are full and the carp have made their way to our neighborhood). I really wish I would have had my camera with me. It was a lot of fun. To finish out the evening I went to Spiderman 3 with my Sister-In-Law, my niece and nephew. We went to the late movie, I was so tired I actually found myself falling asleep a couple of times. Oops! It was a good movie - just a little too long.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms!

I hope you have a very relaxing, and enjoyable day of pampering. May your husband take you out to eat to a delicious buffet with all your favorite foods and may your children clean your house for you.

Okay, Okay.....just make mac n cheese and leave the house looking like it does.

It's your day....don't stress over it... enjoy it!!!! After all - it's those people (husband and kids) that qualified you to partake in the "Mother's Day" holiday in the first place.

Have a fun weekend with your family!!

Hauling Pairs To Pasture

We bring up pairs from the pasture to these corrals. Sometimes we get two or three pairs at a time, and sometimes just one pair at a time.....

Once we get ten pairs (because that's all the trailer can hold per load) into the corrals then we sort off the calves from the cows. This little rascal snuck back in the pen with his mama...not for long, we shoved him under the panel........

Bringing the calves down the alley to load them into the trailer......

Once the calves are in the trailer we spray on Dectomax - aids in keeping the ticks, fleas, and lice off of them. This is Shane, Dad and my Sister-In-Law Terri, getting the spray set up.....

Oops, no picture of just the cows - but next we load up the cows into the trailer and spray them as well. Then they are hauled to their new pasture for the summer.....







Then, back down to the pasture to get more pairs. We used three 4-wheelers. Notice the mud flying behind Trevor's 4-wheeler - we had to go through this mud hole every time so naturally we (Trevor, Shane and I) would always try to plaster the others with as much mud as possible. Hey, we try to make everything we do fun!!!

Finally, after hauling around 70 pairs out, we're done.....for now. Once more cows have their calves we'll do some more hauling. (click on this picture - you can see just how speckled with mud our faces are)

It was such a beautiful day for working with the cows - not too hot, not too cold. No one got hurt, and only a couple of cows got a little feisty. I was hoping to get a picture of us all when we got done but my camera batteries died - BUMMER!. We were soooooo muddy. My hair literally had clumps of mud in it - thanks to Shane and Trevor. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that they had plenty of mud clumps on them from my 4-wheeler too. Ha Ha!!! All in all - it was a perfect day!!!

Another Day on the Farm......

Warning! this may not be for those with weak stomachs.

Yesterday I saw something I haven't seen in awhile...... We had a heifer (young cow having her first calf) cow that was having problems having her calf and so after getting her in the barn Dad and Shane tried to pull the calf but it still just wasn't coming so they gave the Vet a call. The Vet (I'm trying not to be too graphic here for those with a weak stomach, just use your imagination on how they do this - it's not just fingers - it the whole hand and arm that goes in) could feel that the calf's head was twisted way back and to the side, also, by now he could tell that the calf was not alive anymore. The doc gave her an epidural to ease the cow a little (even cows get tired of labor pains). After much work trying various things to get the calf's head to the position it should be, a second Vet, with much more experience (whom we would've preferred in the first place) was called in. He tried for a while as well and decided the only next option was a C-section. Now, for those of you ladies that have had one of these, it really is quite similar except they make the incision on the cows side rather than underneath on their tummy. Could you really imagine a cow laying on her back with her feet sticking up in the air? Not going to happen! They shaved the hair on the cows side in the area about the size of a basketball, and gave her a good wash with soap and water (they try to make it as sterile as possible - even for a cow). He numbed her up in that area and then the doc begins with the knife and cuts about a 6 - 8 inch incision. That's all the farther I'll take you on that - it really is the same as surgery on a person. I'd hate to gross you out with the finer details, if I haven't already, but it was simply amazing.

Through all of this the heifer just layed their, wide awake, calm as could be. After they pulled the calf out the Doc dumped an entire bottle (about a quart) of antibiotics into the incision area (don't want a chance of infection). When the Doc was all done stitching her back up (which was about three different layers to stitch), we untied her and she stood up just as perfect as could be (well, she did look a little worn out).

We decided that since her calf was dead that we would put a different calf with her (one that had belonged to a cow that had to be sold the other day). Cows go by the scent of their calf and so to get the heifer to take this other calf we had to make it smell like her calf. Well, the easiest way to do that is to take the "afterbirth" from the dead calf and smear all over the new calf (gross and disgusting -I know - I had to hold down the calf while Shane smeared - EWWWWW). Anyways, it worked like a charm. We put the new "smelly" calf in the pen with the cow and almost 2 minutes later the calf was drinking from it's new mama. YAY! It doesn't always work that smoothly - many times a cow just won't take a different calf.

I've seen C-sections performed on cattle before - but it truly is amazing each time. I guess if you made it through all of that without losing your breakfast or your coffee - you're doing pretty good. I had honestly thought about taking some pictures for you to see, but thought some of you "city" gals just might not appreciate it so much. So, no visuals. I hope I didn't get too detailed for you, but I thought some of you would find it pretty interesting. If not, and you're totally grossed out - Sorry!

Unanswered Questions...

Thought since I really had nothing else to write about today - unless you're interested in picking rock, fixing fence, tagging calves, loading a huge tank into a truck to haul liquid fertilizer, helping Dad make a few changes to the sprayer, bottle feeding calves, hauling a few more cows to the sale barn (except one who refused to let us chase her up to the barn - don't worry, her day is coming).........I'd answer some of the questions you had about our school's prom.

I really should hand these questions over to Miss Frazzled Farm Wife or even Lurker Lauri as they had kids dressed up for the evening event. But, since Miss Lurker doesn't have her own site up YET... and I'm sure Miss FFW is working hard on her farm today, I'll give it my best attempt.

First of all, when you attend as many school events as we do, and you attend a smaller size school, you get to know the students pretty well, and they get to know you and your children as well.

Their evening starts out with a banquet and then they have a Grand March and then the dance and then depending on the year (every-other-year trip) they head to Kansas City for a day of fun.

For the Grand March each couple is introduced (as proud parents, grandparents, and people who just go to see what everybody is wearing and how well they all "clean up") and walk down a very beautifully decorated "red carpet", spot light shining on them as they stop and pose for pictures and show off their date and their selected dress and tux for the evening. Only one couple on the "carpet" at a time so you get a good look at them - and so they're nerves are rattled a little too! After each couple has made their entrance the music begins and the boys find their moms and the girls find their dads and they share a very special dance ( I love that part - can't wait till my boy dances with me someday - for now we dance in the kitchen). Then the lights come up a bit (usually- not this year, they stayed dim and it was a little hard to get the best pictures) and the spectators can make their way to the floor and take pictures with whomever. The best part is that the high school kids are so willing to take the pictures with everyone. After that, they make their way into yet another beautifully decorated room and the real music of the evening begins. Except this time, no spectators, just chaperone's and the couples. Then at 1:00 am they get on a bus and the trip begins.

Hope that covered all the questions. If I missed anything or got anything wrong Miss FFW and LL can feel free to correct me or add anything.

Wahooo!

Only 13 more days of school !!!

....thats all I have to say today.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY

NIKIA SHAE

I just can't imagine life without my little May Day baby. She is a breath of fresh air with a heart so sensitive it melts often. She has a love for people and animals like no other I've known. She probably gives out a hundred hugs a day with a smile that can bring sunshine to anyone.

Over her tiny little lifespan, she has accumulated a nickname from a few family members...(for real, this is what we all call her)

Mom ~ Princess
Dad ~ Sunshine
Kale ~ Squirt
Grandma ~ Sweetheart
Grandpa ~ Fuzzball
Uncle Shane ~ Hairball
Lexi and Tylor ~ Squeekers
Natasha ~ Bummers

Fuzzball and Hairball - don't ask, I can't even remember how that got started but considering who it is that calls her those names there is no telling what the story is.

These last six years have gone by so quickly. Knowing she's my last baby makes it even a little harder to watch her grow out of the baby and toddler years. I know there is no holding this child back though. The other day she was telling me how she would be moving out soon and going to college and then probably getting married. (What??) I told her I wasn't going to let her go but she said I had to. What is she 6 going on 26? That's one of the hard things too - she wants to be a "big girl" and grow up and do the big girl things. Her two older cousins (Lexi and Natasha) have become quite the role models for her. She can't wait to do everything they are doing. I guess since I can't slow her down any I'll just have to try to keep up with her.

We've decided to hold off on a "friends" party until a little later in the summer. I've convinced her that a party at the outdoor pool would be really awesome. So, we'll have just a little family party with cake and a few presents and call it good for now.

Prom

Shipwrecked In Paradise was the theme of the night. The girls looked very beautiful and the guys were looking mighty handsome. Nikia and Kale made their way to each of their high school friends to get a picture with them. (click on the pictures to see the finer details in the dresses - they were soooo pretty)


Nikia and Lee - he's a really nice guy and so sweet to Nikia!!



















Kale and Jade - her dress was gorgeous, so was she!! Oooo, he's touching her bare shoulder.



















Is he blushing? She's always been so nice and kind to him. He's going to miss her next year.













Kale, Cassie and Nikia - loved her dress and her hair was fixed so cute too!










LaRae and Kale - pretty as always!
















Kale and Dani - she's beautiful and a nut!

Nikia and Travis - looking good big guy!

Kale, Megan and Nikia - she's a beautiful girl inside and out!

















Kale and Kasey - She was ready for the dance by the time we finally caught up to her. She's another one that has a
beauty on the inside and out.










Nikia and Kari Anne - She is the sweetest foreign exchange student our school has ever had.










Nikia and Jenny - This girl is a cowgirl and was a rodeo queen last year. She's a really gorgeous girl too!!!













It was a lot of fun to see all the different styles and colors of dresses. I have no idea what they pay for those now days - lots more than I did way back when.

Helping on the Farm...

I've been helping on the farm quite a bit this week. Shane and I tagged 19 calves on Monday. There were quite a few since we didn't tag any over the weekend. It went pretty well since we didn't have any mean mama cows to mess with. However, yesterday we encountered one mean ol girl. Shane is very brave (sometimes too brave) when it comes to these feisty beasts, and the worst part about that is that I'm riding with him on the same 4-wheeler so I have no choice but to get close to these cows.

The way we tag the calves is Shane and I are both on the same 4-wheeler and as we drive around the pasture we look for the new calves with no tags. We find their mamma's, who each have a tag with a number on it. We than make out a tag for the calf with the same number as the cow. Then the little rodeo begins. We drive up and get as close as we can and when the calf is right next to us I reach out and grab its tail and hang on for dear life. Now, as you can imagine, some of these calves can be pretty darn fast, especially if they're more than a day old. So, this little race can carry on for quite some time. Shane reaches over and tags the calf in the ear, left ear if its a heifer and right ear if it's a bull calf. It really is a lot of fun, but at times very frightening, depending on the cow.

Today, Shane and I hauled 3 cows to the sale barn and we fixed fence. It was a beautiful day and one of the pastures that we were working on is right next to a big slough. I could hear ducks, geese, and other birds constantly. Shane had to wade out into the water (it was up to his waist) to fix one part of the fence. He said it was still plenty cold. Of course I sat on the 4-wheeler and just snickered at him. He even got a shock once while he was in the water. It was kind of my fault - but funny nonetheless!

At the end of the day we tagged more calves and then had to give a sick cow a shot. We were going to chase her up to the barn but after a long time of her not cooperating with us we decided to rope her. This would have been so much easier to do while riding a horse but instead we stuck to our 4-wheelers. If anybody would have been watching us I'm sure they would have been laughing. It took us awhile to get her roped and then to give her the shot was yet another challenge. But-we got it done and neither of us got hurt.

I absolutely love being able to help out and be with my brother. It's always fun and never seems like work.

Last Tuesday started out like any other day, until about 2:15 in the afternoon. My brother Shane, and I had just chased a cow up to the barn with the two 4 wheelers and we both saw Grandpa backing out of his garage and heading down our long driveway. We both knew he was heading into town for his afternoon coffee and thought nothing of it. Shane and I went back down the pasture to get the calf and then brought it back up to the barn. We were in the barn trying to get the calf to drink when Shane's pager went off (he's a volunteer fireman). He tossed it to me so I could turn it down so the cow wouldn't get startled. I listened to hear what was coming across the pager when I realized that the address that was being reported was only about two miles from the farm. They said there was a vehicle that had gone off the road and the person inside was unconscious, and that they couldn't get the doors open and needed something to break the windows. I told Shane that he needed to go right away, that we'd probably be the closest to the accident. Neither of us even considered it to be Grandpa, because over the pager they were saying it was a female. Shane took off in his pick-up and sped down the road to the scene. I ran to Mom's house because I realized I still had Shane's pager and thought if I got the address wrong I needed to be by one of our business band radios to let Shane know. I was standing by my Mom's door and we were both listening to what was coming across the pager when the phone rang. Immediately I had a gut feeling it was Grandpa. My Mom answered the phone and she couldn't hear anything but beeping noise. She hung up and the phone rang again immediately. It was Shane and all he said was - "It's Grandpa!" She hung up and told me and we (Mom, Nikia and I) got in my suburban and speeded to the scene. I told Nikia "Do not get out of this vehicle, you have to stay in here!" and then Mom and I jumped out and ran out to where the pick up was (out in a field about 35 yards). As we were running out there, Shane and another guy were just pulling Grandpa out of the pickup and laying him down in the field.

To back up just a little bit...when Shane got to the scene he had it in his head that it was a female and never even thought twice about what the vehicle looked like. He ran to the vehicle and another guy was there talking to 911 and handed Shane a big 'ol bar to try to break the window. This other guy had already tried to hit the window about 20 times and couldn't get it to break. So Shane grabbed the bar and went to swing it and that's when he first noticed it was Grandpa. It totally startled him. He had to hit the window 3 times before he could get it to break. He unlocked the doors, ran around to the drivers side, opened the door and started to holler and shake Grandpa. He was still unconscious. He tried for a pulse and couldn't get one. Then they pulled him out of the pick-up.

Mom and I stood two feet from Grandpa and watched as they hooked up the defibrillator and as my brother tried to do CPR on him. The defibrillator shocked him once but still no heart beat. They continued to try CPR until the ambulance arrived, which seemed like forever, but I was told later it got there pretty quickly. They rolled him onto a flat board and carried him to the ambulance where they continued to do CPR all the way to town.

By the time I got back to my Suburban Nikia was screaming terribly. She had sat in the vehicle and watched everything. My Mom just held and hugged her trying to calm her down as I was driving trying to catch up to the ambulance. Shane had also jumped in my vehicle too. Nikia just kept on repeating "Grandpa's dead, Grandpa's dead." I figured I had probably just ruined my daughters life for what she had just witnessed. While I was in the field I was trying to call Trevor but couldn't reach him. My sister finally reached him and he caught up behind us. We pulled over so he could take Nikia - I didn't want to take her to the hospital. Trevor said she just kept repeating the same thing over and over. He asked her what she all saw and she described everything very specifically. It took her a long time before she finally settled down.

When we all finally got to the hospital, they informed us that they never did get a heart beat and that he was gone. It was so hard to accept. He wasn't sick or anything. His morning had been just like every other morning. I had just seen his pick-up leave the farm.

This has been so hard for me not only because I constantly see flashes in my head of them pulling him from the truck, my own brother breathing into his mouth, - just everything!

I grew up seeing Grandpa literally everyday. He only lived about 150 yards from my house. I have countless memories of my Grandpa and now, just like that, he's gone. My Grandpa was a real cowboy. He lived and breathed the cowboy life. It wasn't an act or for show, it's who he was. Anybody can wear a cowboy hat, but it doesn't make them a cowboy. He was the only true cowboy I've ever known. I miss him so much and every day is still really hard for me.

I want to thank you all for your very kind thoughts and prayers. It really means more than you'll ever know. You are all so very special to me.

Sorry gals, I don't mean to leave my ridiculous hair post up forever, but I just can't find any creative skills or reason to post right now. My Grandpa passed away very unexpected and it's been really hard for me. I've just felt kind of numb and empty. I was one of the first ones to the scene and saw everything. It's been a rough couple of days. Maybe I'll try to explain it all next week.

I will probably be back to posting on Monday. I hope all is well for you gals and you're having a good week.

New Look

A few weeks ago I made an appointment to get my hair highlighted and cut off because I was so sick of my perm. Wouldn't ya know it, a few days later I kind of started to like it again. Well, the day of my appointment was coming up and I kept going back and forth on what to do. I had kind of decided to just leave it long but go ahead with the highlights. The thought of not being able to pull it back into a pony tail, or up in a messy bun worried me. I called my sister for advice - she told me to just shave it all off. She was joking of course, but nevertheless, no help. I asked Trevor what his opinion was and he said to cut it off short and add the highlights. HELP!!!

Well, today was my appointment and I kid you not, I probably changed my mind every mile on my way into town on what I was going to have done. I even wanted to cancel but I knew I couldn't do that to my stylist. I had several pictures of short hair cuts that I thought were so cute - but would they look that way on me???? So I got to the salon and we talked it all over, about still having some curl left, what length would be best, what highlight shade would be okay. You name it - we covered it. I'm sure my stylist was wishing she'd called in sick today after all my questions.

Anyway...this is what we came up with and how it turned out.




BEFORE:










AFTER:











I took this as soon as I got back home - I hadn't even tried to work with it yet, so no snickering. It's a little too light and will take some time to get used to, but I'm glad I cut it off. I got 5 inches cut off but I can still get it in a pony tail if I want. I think I might go back soon and have her razor the back a little more yet. So, anyway, that's the new look I'm sporting. What do y'all think. Don't be shy, I can take the criticism.

Weekend Happenings.....

What a beautiful weekend of warm sunshine and snow melting. There are only a few spots on the north sides of buildings where a trace amount of snow is left, otherwise IT'S GONE! We were outside most of the weekend. Here are just a few of the highlights that I can recall....




~ Nikia picked up a cat and it pooped all over her. After a shower and about two hours later she picked up the same cat and the same thing happened again. New rule: don't pick up that cat!!

~ Two bonfires in one weekend. Thank goodness my parents live close and had marshmallows since I can't seem to remember to pick any up at the store. There's nothing like sitting around a fire and looking at all the stars and hearing the birds singing their last songs for the night, hearing a coyote in the distance, an owl hooting, and just enjoying the company.

~ Two more dead snakes! I threw them into the bonfire pit just to make sure they were dead :)

~ The kids played on the swing set, rode their bikes, blew bubbles, practiced batting and played catch.

~ Nikia came home from church and went directly to the goat pen to play- with her good church clothes on. I chewed her little hiney out.

~ Kale running on foot and trying to beat Nikia riding her bike full speed down the driveway. Nikia wiping out and crying like we needed to amputate her leg. Then finally, after much crying and whimpering she decided she should probably get back on her bike to see if her leg would work. It did - quite well actually. They raced several more times. Kale won most of the time - he's fast!

~ I got to see a calf born. I've seen so many born, but every time it still amazes me of just how much of a miracle it is. Within minutes the little bugger was standing up and looking for milk.

~ While trying to fix the electric wire in the goat pen I got shocked. I absolutely hate it when that happens. It's a feeling I will never get used to.


There was more, but that's all that come to mind right now. I hope you all had a great weekend too.

Praise The Lord

The Snow Is Melting!!!!!!!

I just checked the forecast and it looks like it's suppose to get to 54 degrees today and even a little warmer tomorrow. YAY!! You can just imagine the happy dance I'm doing. I may be going to a baseball game this afternoon. My nephew Tylor is playing a doubleheader. First, though, I am going to make some banana bread and then Nikia and I need to do a little house cleaning - the in-laws are coming tomorrow for a very brief visit.

The sun is shining - it's going to be a good day!

I've Been Tagged......

Thanks for the tag Lori B, I'll do my best.

What is a Real Mum?

First of all I just have to ask, why is it spelled that way? Anyway, I thought instead of giving you my opinion I'd ask my kids what they thought a real Mom was. This is all I got out of them:


Kale: She's a person who helps out men. She's a person who stays home. She loves us. She cares about us. She's nice and thoughtful.


Nikia: She's a person who raises her kids until they get married and then she goes to visit them.

Yep, that's it. That's all my children could come up with. I've made that BIG of an impression on their lives.

April Blizzard

I took these pictures of my yard this morning. There is probably around 6 inches and there is supposed to be more on the way. Last night I was on my way home from town and I couldn't go faster than 35 mph or the slush would grab and take me toward the ditch. I live 25 miles from town - it was a long, white-knuckle, ride home.

Dear God,

We really need to have a little chat about this weather. What's going on here? Oh yeah, please excuse Kale's words this morning when he said "cool, I love this weather, I hope it keeps on snowing for days". He's only a child, Lord, and he really doesn't know much.

It's suppose to be Spring. Yesterday was a very nice day, not one of your best, but not as cold as it has been. We like that kind of weather and a little warmer this time of year. So, this morning when I woke up and looked out the window to yet another blanket of snow you understand why I quickly buried my head back into my pillow. I understand that the moisture is good for the ground but if it came in the form of a light sprinkle now and then that would be just as effective.

As you know, the baby animals need to have warmth. They can't keep going back and forth between warm, cool and freezing, it makes them get sick. You know that when calves get sick they sometimes tend to die and that costs the farmers and ranchers money. And God..., well never mind, that's a whole nother subject about the farmers and ranchers needing more money and I'll save that for another chat.

As I look out my window it looks like it could be classified as a blizzard. A BLIZZARD in April Lord? The snow flakes our falling down very fast and heavy and the wind is blowing and tossing them about. You realize that if this is your idea of a lil humor, we're not laughing. I already sent Nikia's winter jacket to good will and she is getting real tired of me putting two layers or more of Spring jackets on her. So please, God, please allow the sun to come out and melt away the snow. I'll even put up with seeing a few snakes (but mind you, I will be carrying my hoe as I can't stand that member of your creation).

I'll wrap this up, as I know you are a busy guy. I think you understand what I am trying to say here: take the snow away and don't bring it back until the season of winter!!!!!

Thank You, AMEN!!!

Happy Easter!

It was a nice weekend (not exactly weather wise). My family got together on Saturday instead of on Sunday due to my Aunt and Uncle being here. We wanted to include them so we switched days. The kids enjoyed hunting for eggs in the house and us adults enjoyed playing games and chatting. Of course the food was yummy good also, too good actually.

This morning the sun was shining but it was still chilly out. I tried to curl Nikia's hair all over but by the time we got to church it just looked like a few kinks here and there - bummer! Nikia did well and remembered her line and said it very clearly. After church we ate at Minerva's for their Easter Buffet. Mmmm mmmm good.


With all the food I've consumed I should finish the weekend off with a long long run on the treadmill tonight, but let me just be honest - I'll run tomorrow!

Oh by the way, these are pictures of the kids in their Easter attire, as if you couldn't figure it out.

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Does anyone know just how cold is too cold to hide Easter eggs? At what point will they freeze? And how much time should a child be left outside to hunt for these eggs before I should become worried that they have frost bite or are stuck in a snow bank somewhere? Anyone? Anyone?

No. I am totally kidding. I wimped out and bought the plastic eggs and I won't be hiding any outside this year. We will be at my sister's house for Easter (actually on Saturday) and her house is quite big with many good hiding places.

Nikia has a little part for our Easter program at church, so I broke down and bought her an Easter dress. I never buy her an Easter dress because I know it's just still too chilly in this part of the country for frilly little dresses. BUT, I figured since she had a speaking part that she would probably be the only one that didn't have a cute little dress so I went ahead and bought her one. I am soooo kicking myself now because it's suppose to be very chilly. I went to town yesterday to find a little sweater - nope, I couldn't find one, they're all sold out. Well, she'll just have to look adorable in her pretty little Easter dress accessorized with goose bumps!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with family and friends!

Tom-Boy?!!

When Kale outgrows his clothes he simply gives them a big toss across the hallway into his sister's room to see if it is something she would like to wear. Well, the other day he threw over his camouflage clothes. I thought that she might pass on these but boy, was I wrong.

I know, boys clothes for a girl? Hey, when you live in the country and spend a huge portion of your time outside or at the farm, you tend to be some sort of a "tom-boy" anyway.

This has been her choice for clothing around the house lately. The other day I over heard her say "Well, I guess I'm all set to go shoot a bird or something."

She just cracks me up. She even has her brother's brown belt on. Every time I get done washing them, she finds them and puts them right back on. I guess she's going to be a hunter like her Momma!

Under The Weather

Kale had started to get a nasty cough two days ago. It wasn't bad enough to keep him home from school Monday or Tuesday, as he was only coughing once and awhile. BUT, last night he coughed constantly all night long. It turned into more of the croupy cough and his chest got so congested he could hardly breathe. So, at 2:30 am we bundled him up and he and Trevor sat on a chair outside in the cool air to try to loosen up the congestion. It usually takes less than ten minutes and he can breathe better. This is a little trick that my mom always used to do with me and my siblings when we were growing up. I know it sounds ridiculous but it works. The only down side to it was that when they came back in Kale was wide awake. So we watched a few cartoons and then he drifted off to sleep in the rocking chair. I let him sleep there the rest of the night. He didn't cough as much after that.

Soooo, I've got my boy home with me today. Nikia's mission at school is to get his homework for him - we'll see how well that goes. Today will probably be a day of naps, cuddling, medicine, and movies for Kale. I hate it when my kids are sick, but I love to be with them and cater to their every need. With our SPRING BLIZZARD going on - there doesn't seem like anything else to do anyways!!!

Thought I'd share a little bit from my notes on Sunday's sermon. It wasn't a sermon full of new insights but complete reminders. I sat there thinking about my own life and how it's so simple, so plain and boring but how important it is to God, nonetheless.


Do You Want Your Life to Count For Something Now and Forever?

Pastor Steve gave us an example of the number of seconds in a day. What we do with each second is so important. We can't get those seconds back once their gone. We can't bank them to use another day. We have to use them effectively now for Him.

Make sure your eyes are fixed on the eternal things not on the temporal things.

We will spend eternity based on God's judgement!

Are we using our talent and finances for God's kingdom or for our own kingdom?

Make an honest assessment of yourself.
What makes you happy?
- money?
- recognition?

What does God want from us? What is his will?

God is the Judge of the Universe. His decision is final!

Don't get side-tracked in the race for heaven.
Run to win!
Deny yourself anything that would hinder a win.
Do you realize what it takes to win?
The enemy knows it's a real race - do we?

Are you committed to God and His kingdom or to yourself?

This is not our home - our home is in heaven for eternity.


ETERNITY - That word made me sit and think about so many things in my life. Am I living the life of someone that God will judge some day and welcome in to heaven? I really believe I am. However, the things that we do now, here on earth, determine the rewards we get in heaven. What will my rewards be? Am I living the life that God will reward me much or little? I can't be satisfied with just getting to heaven. I want all the rewards that I can get?