The Misadventures of the McPherson's

McPherson Family Christmas Letter 2010

2010-12-21T18:11:00.002-07:00

So, here we go again. Look up procrastination in the dictionary to see what I look like at age 45. I just keep getting later and later with these letters, but I guess I can be optimistic and say it is because I have a full, busy life. So, all of you know the routine by now. I sit and brag about our family so you will send us a letter bragging about yours. If I was better at twittering face book through wikileaks, this letter would become obsolete. But, I am not a user, so please keep the letters coming. It is the one time of the year I don’t get all of my information from Melissa the instant anything happens. So off we go on our merry journey.
Melissa (age undetermined) is number one of course. Anything good that happens in this household is a direct result of her patience, kindness and understanding. (Please let go of my ear now) She is still gainfully employed at the YMCA, volunteers at the school, keeps a mean schedule for all of us and manages to remain partially sane while doing it. She is entertaining thoughts of getting her teaching credentials (see above) in her spare time. Kids at the Y still think she could play in the WNBA, and I really think that is the only reason she still works there.
Garrett is now 14, and the big P has kicked in. He will soon be taller than Mel, and is growing into a fine young man. He is in 8th grade and is involved in choir, football, basketball, baseball and wrestled this year. He is also a fantastic hunting partner, when it’s not too cold or too far to walk. We harass him (that’s what parents do) about his chores etc, but is a great worker when it comes down to it. He is also a philosopher in his spare time. His great quote, “ I saw this last night, and the blue team wins, or was it the yellow team, one or the other, (while watching a high school all-star basketball game on TV) will live in infamy. One warning, if he visits, offer foot powder early and often.
Ethan is a 12 year old 6th grader (who will soon be taller than Mel) enjoying middle school life. He is involved in killing cats, I mean playing sax, football, baseball, academic bowl and is currently playing on a competitive club basketball team. One can tell that he is approaching teen hood as his ability to argue is improving. One of his highlights this year was a 98 yard touchdown reception to seal a big win for his team. His pursuit of perfection in all things must have come from me because Melissa still has hers. At FCA camp he tried lacrosse, and loved it. Ethan is everyone’s friend and stands up against all of the unfairness in the world, and I do mean all of it.
Cayden “The Crazy” is now an 8 year old 3rd grader.(Fast approaching Mel’s height) His teacher asked Melissa, with genuine concern, if he was ever going to come out of his shell. If there is a student who has ADHD, ADD or any of those other afflictions hyper kids have, Cayden gets to sit by them. They dance on the desk and he sits there and ignores them. This comes in handy when ma and pa try to distract him with ridiculous requests like “go to bed” or clean your room.” I can see his little devious grin come out, but nothing more. He is involved with football and basketball and is really quite smart. Though he does his best to hide it, not much gets past him.
Macy is now 7 and in 2nd grade. (It may be the final straw when she passes Mel) She continues to wrap every teacher she has around her finger by studying and getting good grades and helping in class and all those other overrated things that people in charge tend to appreciate. She played baseball. And took dance, and gymnastics and Brownies and will start basketball soon. Her grades are great, her smile deadly, and her tantrums monumental. Brothers all pick on her, as they should, but they watch their backs while doing it. She has her mothers tremendous sense of style, and has learned that if she sleeps in her clothes, then it takes less time for her to get dressed the next morning. Pretty smart.
I continue to apply corrective adjustments to 1700 kids at Vallivue HS in Caldwell. I love it, but it has been a crazy year. I hunt as often as possible, coached Gman in baseball and cheer like a corpse at our kids games. I have to because it is true that the only thing worse than coaching your own kids is having someone else coach your kids. I’m on therapy for this right now.
In June we took my ma and pa to the Oregon coast for their 50th anniversary. Side note, sea lion poop stinks. We had a condo right on the cliffs above the ocean. Was cool. We picked up a couple of horses after mine died. Free horses are expensive these days. Still have the two labs, and pickles the cat. Had a couple other cats that left and replaced them with two more that we haven’t named yet. Well, gotta run. Hope everyone listening to this had a great year. Hope to see more (or less if you are on a diet) of all of you this year. Never seems to happen, but Dave Ramsey is helping us get to the point where we can relax a little more. I thought if he would just pay off our debt with his millions, financial peace could happen faster, but I guess the joy is in the chase. Have a blessed Christmas, and come visit. Please call ahead for reservations though as at this time we only have 52 weeks open for visitors next year.

February 2010

2010-02-04T07:51:00.001-07:00

Okay so it's been a REALLY long time since I've actually posted anything on here again. I've gotten so absorbed in Facebook that it seems like I never take the time to check in this way...unfortunately I know I have friends that aren't on FB so...I was going to try and update this at least once a month. A lofty goal however I am already one month behind. Oh well...I'm going to just jump in right where I am at. I am sitting at the computer at my desk in my office in our house. We moved in almost a year ago now and are loving it. There is still a lot of landscaping that needs to be done but we will hit that full force this spring. The kids are all doing really well...busy with school and sports and church activities. We went from baseball right into football and soccer and on to basketball and then a second basketball season and baseball sign ups are tonight so it goes. I am still working at the YMCA and for the most part LOVE my job! Right now I am trying to type with a jammed finger which is hard though! I also got a little frustrated at work last night with some people but other than that my work is awesome! Mac and I have been working out a lot and trying to get healthier and lose weight. I wish it melted off of me the way it seems to off of him but alas...such is life. God's blessings continue and we are thankful for every day. It seems my prayer time is overloaded lately with so many people's sufferings and I am very thankful for what we have. Best wishes to everyone for a blessed and happy 2010. I will try and update again soon and fill in some more about the kids, dogs, cats, life, etc. Until then....

CHANGES

2009-04-03T08:50:00.003-06:00

SO much has happened since I last posted on here...crazy how time flies! Shortly after I posted last I got really sick with the flu and it literally KNOCKED me out of commission for awhile. The first of March we moved into our new home and there are a few pics on here of that. The kids had their core fair at school and there are a few pics on here of that. Garrett's 6th grade basketball team took second (lost by 2 points I think) in the end of season tourney after remaining undefeated the whole season! Ethan's team WON their tourney in a great game led by him! The Ashton girls basketball team made it to the state tourney which we got to go and watch... I just got back online and am really trying to get caught up on everything...bills, taxes, FB, my blog, some 200 plus emails...etc...Spring Break has come and gone and we painted our shed and got things lined up for a sprinkler system. Did a little fishing and camped out in our backyard in the camper. Work is going well. Mike is a daddy to baby girl Ellis...Greg is getting married this summer...CHANGES...Baseball is in full swing and God has richly blessed us. I'll be back soon to update some more!!

2008 Christmas Letter....Blog Version

2009-02-02T12:09:00.004-07:00

2008 McPherson Family Christmas Letter (Edited Version)

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year (and a Happy Valentine‘s day etc…). The end. I know this is a little shorter Christmas letter than most you receive, but what is there to tell to all of you that is different. My lovely family is all doing well, I couldn’t hold down a job and had to move them again, and it’s snowing. Actually it’s raining now…and there is NO snow on the ground which is slightly different from the previous ten years or so which is…nice…I don’t miss it at all!! Life in a nutshell. If you want any further information about us, too bad as we are in the witness protection program still. And you really thought I wanted to move all these times? Right. Let me give you a very slight insight into our familial situation, starting at the top and moving to the bottom, and if I hear one wisecrack about how much bigger the bottom is than the top, you will be removed from our mailing list for all time. (The bottom is actually getting smaller now too since we’re almost through January and have had a month to work on those “resolutions”.
Macy the Muffinhead-continues to grow rapidly in her decent towards womanhood and at five feels she has almost gotten there already. She prances and dances and does her makeup in front of the mirror while twirling around. If these are five year old hormones, someone turn off the spigot please. She started kindergarten this year and is doing better with this than mom is. She is enrolled in gymnastics at the YMCA and is a natural. She also thinks she is cute and has me wrapped around her finger (much to his dismay I might add!). As if that will happen.
Cayden: aka Calvin- continues to amaze us with his ability to concentrate in school and never make a peep, and then turn into a perpetual motion machine at home. He is in first grade and scored a touchdown in football the first time he got to run with the ball. He’s a fast little sucker when he wants to be. He continues to do well in school in an all boys classroom and is just wacko and off the wall most of the time. Takes after mom. Hmmm…all I can say about Cayden is we REALLY should have gone with the family name of Calvin…seriously! We went to Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday last weekend and the hostess asked him how old he was…he said 8. I said, “how old are you?” He adamantly said, “EIGHT!” so I then I said, “Cayden, you are only 7.” OHHH….and then there was the incident with the short sleeved pants…you’ll have to check out my blog for more info on that and other fine stories!
Ethan the Elder: hence named due to the fact that, as a 10 year old fourth grader, asks questions most 40 year olds wouldn’t think about. Wants to know real answers as well and questions any that don’t sound right. He is once again enrolled in the gifted and talented program at school, but how he got in is a story I won’t tell. (NO, he didn’t sneak in like I would have had to) He played all-star baseball, was the leader on his football team and is now enjoying basketball as the new point guard. We love watching him play as he exhibits knowledge of situations that is way beyond the norm. All very true information here. The only thing I can add is that he has a very sweet spirit and cares about other people…unless it is his older brother whom he can’t seem to get along with. Macy and Cayden just think he IS THE MAN! He is also at a stage where he thinks fair and equal are the same thing….unfortunately they are not!
Garrett the Gargantuan Hunter: continues to be a duck slayer in his spare time. I can’t tell you what I would say to his mother every time he took a handoff in football and made everyone miss on his way to another touchdown. He continues to amaze with his athletic abilities, and he has come a long way as a student who is now 12 and in sixth grade. Well, last week was parent teacher conferences and I had a shock…GMan is a VERY intelligent young man but is struggling a bit with his lack of organizational skills and the new responsibilities that come along with his foray into middle school. A new plan of attack is in order and we are working hard to overcome! He too has a gentle spirit and is VERY laid back…almost too much so. The competitor in me just wants him to figure out HOW good he could do in school and sports if he fired it up a bit…he’ll be alright! We don’t love him because of those things anyway!! Garrett played baseball on the all-star team as well and is now involved in basketball.
We are waiting for the inevitable growth spurt (he’s seriously like a pre-pubescent time bomb just waiting to EXPLODE!) when he will catch his mom in height and be able to rest his elbow on her head as I once thought of doing with mine. (of course I would never really do that)
Melissa the Magnificent: As has been the case for the past 15 years, (my gosh, she has actually put up with me for that long? I know…sainthood awaits…and it‘s actually been almost 20 years since we first met…) Melissa is the bondo (crazy glue is probably a more likely choice! I really do go a little crazy every time we move. I think it‘s just an adjustment period but this was the hardest for me. I left my best friend, coaching job I loved, my dog, my horse, “family”, on and on…but God has blessed us here and I think I’m almost back to “normal” whatever that is!! ) that keeps our family a cohesive unit. Few people actually know that we had to move because Melissa went ballistic and had me fire all of her co-workers in coaching. It was a messy ordeal, but needed to be done. Now she is busy overseeing the family, keeping me in line, yelling at construction workers (actually I was over playing black jack with them the other day during their lunch break…uno mas…no mas!) , and working at the YMCA. She seems to have boundless energy and insists I am the cause of her newly found grey hairs (It‘s really not fair because gray is SO distinguished looking on men…thanks dad…and apparently I have some sort of allergy to things like shampoo and hair color so it‘s either gray or nothing…hmmm) . I keep trying to tell her that gray hares are really good to eat, but she calls me an oxymoron and we go on our way. I guess this is better than the “fatty acid” she used to call me. So much for science jokes.
Me: I got laid off as basketball coach (still one of the BEST basketball coaches ever in my humble opinon and it never ceases to amaze me how life just goes on without you…) and AD because I worked too much and now am enjoying life in the sun as an administrator in a large school in the Boise area. I deal with problem kids all day long and can use love and logic with the best of them. Sometimes I forget and use an illogical boot instead, but I haven’t been fired yet. I am so happy to be out of coaching and teaching that I actually looked forward to returning after Christmas break.
It was a tough year for our pets. With the move came the giving away of two family members. Q, our Chessie, went to a family that hunts ducks and geese a lot, but he only had a few months with them before he got run over. Dylan. Our 15 year old black lab, died a couple of weeks after moving over here. He had a great life though. We had him cremated and took his remains down to Ashton and buried him with his buddy Jake by the river at Bev’s. Melissa’s dog Bailey also went in the move, but we will get a part of her back when she has pups later this year. Assuming she ever HAS pups!! We only have one dog left, and he is even growing on Melissa, like a fungus. I finally had to come to the conclusion that Dreck is NOT Jake and it’s really NOT his fault and the fact that my husband spends so much time with him shouldn’t really make me jealous and it wasn’t REALLY his fault I had to leave Bailey and Q in Ashton and so on…We are in the process of building a house as we couldn’t find one that fit our needs and Melissa’s lack of knees. She has a blog page going that will keep all of you informed as to the progress of that adventure, but we should be moving in and accepting visitors around the end of February. Please forward the $400 nightly deposit to us by a week before your arrival. This will guarantee clean sheets and witty humor. Depends on who you ask about the humor…Hahanah!
I can’t think of any other news, so I will forward this to my wife and she can finish up. Please bother us at any time. Bye. Editorial closing remarks….I deeply miss some things from Ashton (and LOVE things here like swimming close by, recycling, garage door openers…sunshine!) but KNOW that God is with this recent move and after going through the initial move depression have settled into a bit of routine. We are very blessed and hope that 2009 finds you all the same…Merry Christ-mas (wishing you all more of Christ this year!) I do have our blog page at http://www.idahaomcphersonfamily.blogspot.com and have made contact with TONS of old friends via face book (an addictive time sucking internet option you should all join if you haven’t yet!!).
Our NEW new address is the return address on these letters and if you need to reach us before then or are just getting the internet version email me and I’ll fill you in! My email address is moeslish@yahoo.com and Mac can be reached at cmcpherson@vallivue.org Have a Blessed 2009...

House Update

2009-01-29T20:59:00.002-07:00

Latest update on the house and a few pictures... Things are still moving along..I'm so excited to be getting closer to move in day! Everything is painted inside, cabinets should be going in today or tomorrow, lights should be installed today, formica and tile next week, doors hung today...all that fun stuff. The fireplace was finished up and looks great. The driveway froze so it had to be taken out and repoured last week as well as the sidewalk and patio and back stoop...Not much else to say right now...I wish you could see it!!

Tonight....

2009-01-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

Macy and Cayden were talking in the van on the way home tonight and Macy said, "Kenzi is in love with you Cayden. She told me so!" Cayden replied, "No she's not." Dad said, "You're so cute" Cayden, "I'm not cute at all!" Macy said, "She is in love with you, she told me so!!" Cayden unbuckled his seat belt and came up to get Macy. Dad said, "Cayden get back in your seat!" Cayden, "I just wanna beat her up....smack her around a little!!" So goes our evening entertainment....

Mel's Monday Musings Volume 3

2009-01-19T19:19:00.002-07:00

Hey there...and it actually IS a Monday... I think?!? Okay, it is. Yesterday was Cayden's 7th birthday...quite an uneventful affair. Macy and I flew down to Colorado on Friday night, had a birthday party for Michelle (33 more than Cayden) then flew back to Boise yesterday. The boy's picked us up at the airport and we met up with Steve and Nancy and headed off to Chuck E. Cheese for a little lunch and birthday fun! I guess I should throw in my birthday 8 days before that as well (4 less than Michelle). Anyway, it was fun...Macy and I had a fun time but it was TOO short...not enough time to recover the plane trip over before we had to fly home!! The trip home was First Class however and I did have a little orange "juice" which helped me relax a little bit...the trip to the lav at the back of the plane was a little bumpy though!! We had a lot of fun and got to see a lot of family and friends. Mom also flew in Saturday night as a surprise addition to Michelle's party. Saturday morning we also had breakfast with Lisa and Joe and there 3 little ones, Jason and two of his boys, Ron, Lori and Stacy, Tam, Mik and Gina, and missed a few others I was hoping to see. Maybe next visit we can get together.

The house is really coming along quickly...we're hoping to be moving in around the end of next month which will be amazing. The painters are supposed to be starting tomorrow. We need to go pick out some stone for the hearth. I do have some more pics and I will try and get them posted sometime. Charles has written our 2008 Christmas letter as well which I need to still edit and then I will post it on here for all to see.

I am really thankful for no snow on the ground and kids being able to play outside, my new job at the YMCA, recycling and a garage. I guess that's it for this edition. IT was SO nice to see everyone...love you and miss you. I'll add pics as soon as I get a minute or 10!

Mel's Monday Musings Vol 2 Tuesday edition

2009-01-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

I think it's time for the second edition...I keep waiting to be home and able to work on a Monday...and now the phone rings! So... I have another few minutes but it's no longer Monday and it's not even December anymore let alone 2008 but oh well...I'm going to finish what I started! We had a nice Christmas vacation. Spent time visiting with friends and family... a long drive in the car...well ride for me actually as I didn't drive at all and we were in the Suburban which has so much more room!! We had dinner with my Grandma and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and Sister which was great, spent a week with the in-laws and then another couple of days with friends before we headed home. I took these pictures of our house before we left and then added to them when we got home. Yesterday (January 5th) I went by and they were putting in all the insulation and stuff. It's been snowing like crazy for around here... nothing compared to what we are used to but more than what the people around here are used to for sure! I am going to put a few pics on here and also ask for prayers for mil Jean as she was injured yesterday riding their horse.

We've picked out all the flooring for the new house and paint colors and appliances and light fixtures and....I think the majority of the major decisions have been made. It's good that someone else is doing the house building because I think that if Charles and I were actually DOING it we would either be divorced or one of him wouldn't be around anymore!! Haha..just kidding but it is kind of stressful and I really haven't figured out why. I guess because we both have our opinions about what we want or like but they aren't necessarily always the same and it's really hard to accept other peoples wrong opinions...but opinions really aren't (or shouldn't be) right or wrong they are just opinon!

I saw a quote at the church in Olney Springs that I really liked..."Christian=Being able to walk side by side even when you don't see eye to eye" or something like that. I just really appreciated that. Okay, my Tuesday ramblings for Monday's musings are over! Have a blessed 2009!!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-26T22:44:00.003-07:00

We just spent the week in Rocky Ford with grandma and grandpa and grandma did an amazing thing...she got all of the kids to sing at church. Garrett's first solo...Here is a link to the video clip...consider it our Christmas card to you until we get our annual letter written. Charles is dragging his feet on that one this year so I may have to write it myself...nahh!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. Graham

2008-12-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Poppa, MT, dad, padre, h.a..... we love you...hope you had a great day!!!!!

Extreme Home Makeover Saturday

2008-12-13T14:01:00.001-07:00

The latest updates.... It really is going quickly... I also threw in a picture from the view from the front yard I took this morning. Those are the Owyhee Mountains and that is to the South of our house....

Monopoly with Macy

2008-12-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

Now...if you ever played a board game with a five year old you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Our mornings have been spent playing Pokemon Monopoly lately. That in itself is great...I love that the kids actually WANT to play games with me!! Anyway, the other night we were all playing and it was time for bed. We decided to mortgage all of our properties (considering the current economy you know) and so I gave Macy all her money. Then I took what she had and cashed it into larger increments so that we could add up the totals. Well...that's where the problem set in. She took off screaming and crying at the top of her lungs telling me I was a cheater... and you just don't take other peoples money. Cheater cheater cheater...quite an experience let me tell you...she was personally counting her money and wanted to have as many dollars as she could so when I cashed it in for her she was cheated because although she had a $500 bill she wanted 500 $1 if you catch what I'm saying. Anyway, twas fun!! :)

More Updates

2008-12-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

WOW!! Garrett said...it's just like Extreme Home Makeover...and he wasn't kidding! The cement is all poured. I took the kids out this afternoon and had them put their handprints into the cement pad off the garage in back. It's crazy how the size of the house seems to keep changing! It looked big when it was dug out, then small when the foundation was poured, then big again when the floor went on, now small again as the walls go up! CRAZY!! Anyway, just a few more pictures to keep you updated!! Since I took those this morning our bedroom, bathroom, and closet are all framed in...the garage is framed in...the kids bathroom and bedrooms are almost done. The trusses are here waiting to go up.... Praise God.

House Update

2008-12-10T11:19:00.001-07:00

Well...we got back from our weekend trip and the footings have been poured, the house is back filled there is more concrete work being done today. It looked like they were drilling the well and there was ALOT of activity over there yesterday. It's so exciting!! I will keep posting pics on here to keep you updated. I'll take some more Friday!

Ethan Mac

2008-12-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

So...Ethan got a pogo stick for his birthday and has been hopping around like crazy! He took it with to the skatepark and was jumping off these high jumps and stuff. It just hurt my knees to watch. Anyway, we thought this clip was so funny because he does this really hard trick and then when he got off... he fell just walking!! But don't laugh at him... :)

Conversations with Macy

2008-12-05T08:38:00.000-07:00

So this morning we were sitting here doing dishes and Macy said something about Kody (a classmate) saying that he was going to go back to Ashton today like we are. I said he's not...then I asked her if he was her boyfriend. She said, "NO!!" Then I said, "DO you have a boyfriend?" She replied, "NOOO!!" and then a few seconds later, "YES!!" "Who is it?" "It's Nick! He doesn't know though." "How can he be your boyfriend if he doesn't know?" "He just is... I love him!" "Well, maybe you don't really LOVE him but just like him a lot?" "Nope! I REALLY just love him!"
So...here we go!!

Macy Anne for Thanksgiving

2008-12-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

House Update!

2008-12-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

So...the digging has begun! Wow!! I guess we are really going to do this! That big pile of dirt is right in the middle of the garage if you couldn't tell! :) Our builder says that he is hoping to set the forms this afternoon, pour foundation tomorrow, set walls and other work Monday or Tuesday, frame and possibly have the roof on by next Friday. I will go out and take some more update pictures as things happen. Praise God!

Cute quotes...

2008-12-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Okay...so this morning it's about oh...let me check the temp...about 30 degrees out...and Cayden has put on shorts to wear to school. Now I'm trying the whole love and logic thing with him so I let him wear them. We were walking to the bus stop and about halfway there he says, " I should have worn long sleeve shorts!" I said, "pants?" He said, "yep!" So...it may be a cold day for him but I bet next time he goes with the long sleeved shorts instead of the short sleeved ones! Too funny!

Now last night Macy got to have her "late night" with mom and dad. That's one night during the week when one of the kids gets to stay up later than all the others and do whatever they want with us for some extra two on one attention. It works out to one week a month for everyone...so last night was her night. She wanted to play "Guesstures". Now basically this is not a game that is played with only three people...especially when one of the three can't read all the cards quite yet but we improvised and worked together. After Macy guessed all four of the cards correctly she jumped off the floor onto the chair, put her hands in the air and said...look at me...I'm a Rock Star! Too funny!!

Moved but moving again...

2008-12-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

Well... I will use this opportunity to let you know that WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A HOUSE!! It's kind of exciting...okay it's EXCITING! So... it will be on almost two acres and we've been working with the builder on designing and all that.

This summer and fall we looked at so many houses but none of the houses that we've looked at have been anything like what we need and since there is no work for everyone right now we thought we'd provide some jobs for people. You know, do our part to stimulate the economy! So I will include a few of the pictures of our lot. And...since I haven't sent out our address I was going to include it here but just had thoughts of crazy people who spend their lives on the internet getting that info so... I will just personally email it to those who requested it okay. If you need it email me and I will send it to you!!

Mel's Monday Musings Vol 1

2008-11-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

So...by titling this volume one I'm assuring you all that it will happen again. I just figure that if I'm going to keep you updated on our lives and stuff I should do it regularly and I liked all the M's so there you go! I wasn't even EXACTLY sure on the definition of musings so I just went and looked it up:

mus·ings [ myoozingz ]

plural noun

Definition:

thoughts: thoughts, especially when aimless and unsystematic

Today IS Monday and my ever rotating mind has been once again spinning out of control. I go from thoughts of the economy, to God's provision, to basketball, to Fly Lady and on and on and on....so I guess I can pretty well handle the aimless and unsystematic! Well today I'm just going to pick a topic or two and share with you. The last two weeks have been the pukes around here...literally. Cayden started out sick, then Ethan had it, then Macy, then Cayden again, then Macy again, then Garrett and then Cayden again! WHEW! There is nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning to the sound of vomit splattering. At least when it splatters you know it's not on the carpet...it would be better if it was splashing in the toilet however! After the initial incident has been thoroughly cleaned up, floor and subject(s) and proper sympathy and care has been administered to said subjects, the fun is just beginning. Mom (me) gets to sleep with whomever it was that was sick that time and listen for the tell tale signs of upcoming (hahahaha) episodes and place the bucket at just the right moment. Needless to say life as a mom is NEVER dull! I can honestly say as well that it doesn't matter how often you change sheets on a bed...the day you do...that night there WILL be an accident in it...be it vomit or whatever. This theory has proven true numerous times in our household so... we just don't change sheets very often! Okay...enough of that.

Today Macy and I made "wrinkle" cookies. You know those ones with all the little bitty wrinkles in them. "Huh?" YOU KNOW...hand signals here...the little bitty wrinkles all over them like I had at my pajama party at school! Okay...if you haven't figured it out yet...she wanted to make cookies with frosting and sprinkles on them. So we made a batch of sugar cookies before she left for school. As she was headed out to the bus stop she asked me if I could go ahead and put the wrinkles in them before she got home! Whoever it was that said being a stay at home mom is NOT a REAL job...was never a stay at home mom...
we'll save the discussion about "China" till next time. Have a Blessed Day!

Confessions of a computer junkie

2008-11-19T15:17:00.001-07:00

The computer sucks the life out of me...and I sit here and let it! Rather than doing all the things I need to get done I am constantly checking my email...looking to see if ANYONE has written me back or written me at all. I'm always checking to see what is going on in the world and what news I need to hear about. Checking out bank statements and working our debt snowball. When that's not enough I go back in time and check out to see if anyone has broken my old high school records and what players are still doing what. I check out the lives of old friends and seek out where they are now and if they are married and have families and why they haven't been in touch for so long. I look at old sudents and old co-workers talk to former teachers. Now that I've started doing this blog I let it take my time too...I try to think of fun topics to share and my brain runs wild with ideas for filling you in on what the kids are up to and what I'm doing...the problem is I'm not doing anything really...Don't get me wrong...I don't sit in front of the computer ALL day but I can honestly say that I don't think I can walk past it without checking something...maybe admitting this is the first step to recovery! So...if you read this take pity on my and send me an email or leave a comment or go look at my photos and let me know that you are out there....I know there are other "junkies" out there. Let's help each other out! When I think about it though...I did just leave this computer for about 30 minutes and did a load of laundry, put the duvet back on, got the kids a snack... I helped Macy with her homework and Cayden with his. I get the same way when I'm reading a good book and can't put it down or watching a movie I can't stop...or working out or....I guess I'm not just a computer junkie after all...I'm just me...

Profound wisdom from a just turned 12 year old...

2008-11-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Just after my last post about our dogs and missing them...we received a phone call from the family that had taken Q. Garrett wrote an email to his friend in Ashton about it...

it was nice to here from you remember when we got rid of are

two dogs q and Baily well i found out yesterday

q got hit by a car and was killed i was  so sad but

it's life and sometimes it can be sad.

Dog-gone gone dogs...

2008-11-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well...today is a mini tribute to some special friends in our lives! Today is the anniversary of when our first dog died. Jake...oh Jake... died 4 years ago today. Jake was a Chocolate Lab German Shorthair and he was ALL dog. I find it hard to even try and describe him. He was so big and cuddly. My husband says he was his dog and was basically a hunting genius...but we both know that he was just as much my dog...he used to come stand between my legs whenever he was in trouble and about knock me over...and he never once had a dignified bath (duck ponds and the river only) but he just had a SMELL about him... I could lay with his fur in my face and breathe in his smell. I know that makes me sound strange but...okay, I AM strange! And writing this right now I'm bawling all over again... not just for missing Jake but for all the memories and all of the other losses that thinking about him bring to my mind. Because...never can you mention Jake without thinking about Dylan too...Now Dylan was our other lab that we got at the same time as Jake. We got them both as little tykes a week after we got married. Dylan was a black lab Australian Shepherd mix and was a feisty guy! He wasn't much for hunting but I think a big part of that was because he never had to because Jake was THE DOG if you know what I mean! Now Jake and D were are first kids...we spent hours playing together, hanging out, doing what you do with your dogs...and they were there for me during all those hard times like moving away from home, leaving friends and family, Dylan spent the final days of my dad's life with me (and him too) and they both were just amazing friends! Now as I remnisce about Dylan I must say that I didn't think he would live much longer than Jake...Jake's death hit us all pretty hard. But at that time we had also acquired another fine friend in our Chessie Q. Jake had the responsibility of training Q in the ways of the master hunter you see. So, with Jake gone we were left with two again...Dylan and Q...then along comes "Jakes's Muddy Swamp Buster" or Dreck. Dreck was born two days after Jake died and would become his replacement of sorts... Dreck is a pointing lab and now we had our two hunting dogs again and Dylan. Q was the waterfowl specialist and Dreck the upland game guy. Well, two years later Dreck becomes a father and we added a fourth to our pack...a beautiful white lab custom ordered by me named Bailey. Okay...so if you're still following we are now up to 4 dogs (add to that 5 chickens, 3 cats, 2 horses, 4 kids and some fish) and we very happy. I worked a lot with Bailey because she was MY girl and we spent A LOT of time together. Well...then comes THE MOVE. Now the move includes living in a subdivision so...what do we do?? Well, WE MOVE...without Q and Bailey (or the horses or chickens or 2 of the cats). We couldn't take all the dogs with us so we had to find some new homes for them. Not exactly sure how the decision was made but Q and Bailey both went to live with new families. We were blessed to find people that truly do love them and care for them...but the grieving goes on. So...I'm grieving over still missing Jake, Bailey and Q and Dylan too... Three weeks after the move...at the young age of 15 Dylan passed away as well. He seemed happier then ever and then just didn't wake up the next day. We took his remains to Ashton and buried him by the river with Jake... they were inseperable for so long...So...GOODBYE our friends...Jake, Dylan, Q and Bailey and now we are down to one dog...Dreck. Now I have been making a huge effort to get to know Dreck and actually like the dog. I have been spending a lot of time with him, I KNOW it's not his fault we left Q and Bailey, I know it's not his fault he will NEVER be Jake, so I'm trying. It's just so hard sometimes... but he is a good dog and hey...maybe I'll bring him in by the fire to lay with me and watch a movie for awhile...

Flag Football and POM-POMS

2008-11-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yes... I did say pom poms... now don't get yourselves all worked up out there but I actually did let my daughter be a cheerleader this year... and she did an amazing job and loved it! I'm just hoping that by the time she gets older it will all be completely out of her system!! Actually ALL 4 of the kids participated in Upward Sports this Fall and had a great time. It's a Christian based sports program that has more of a focus on the fact that every child plays, every child learns and every child is a winner. Each week there was practice one day for one hour only and then one game on Saturday. At each practice the kids had a devotional time and learned a scripture. At half-times during the season a different person would share their testimony and the kids were rewarded for different things such as Christ-likeness or Best Offense. It was honestly probably more beneficial for these over-competitive parents trying to raise "normal" kids!! All in all it was a very successful season all the way around! Garrett showed that he has some amazing athletic abilities as did Ethan, Cayden and well Macy too for that matter! Okay so I am a bragging mother but I think that all in all we as a family collected the most interceptions, tackles, and touchdowns... and ...cheers...for the season! We did spend an extraordinary amount of time at the church for practice and games but it was also good family time! Dad made it to almost every game and only escaped once to go hunting so it was awesome. Plus we had games from 12-3 every Saturday afternoon. I did manage to work in some co-ed volleyball playing after the Thursday night practices and some guitar lessons on Tuesday! It was neat being a part of the program though and I'm so glad we participated. It was very interesting to see how the kids stack up to a "different pool" of people. My friend assured me when we moved that the kids would thrive here and I am confident we are going to settle in fine. Thank you Coaches...Praise God.

Back on the Web

2008-11-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Well...the last time I hosted a web site was when my beautiful son Ethan (Robin Hood) was 2 months old and Garrett (the hunter) was 2. Now as I sit typing Ethan (now 10) is arguing with his younger siblings and Garrett is actually out hunting... hence the misadventures of our family! I am going to attempt to keep in touch via this blogspot and hope to get back in touch with old friends and family whom I've lost touch with over the years! I will do my best to keep things updated on a somewhat regular basis and let you know how and what has been happening in our lives. Please be patient with me as I get back into the swing of things!!! We recently moved again and have had a lot of FIRSTS! First time subdivision living, first day of kindergarten, saying goodbye to old friends, making new friends, starting middle school, new jobs, new adventures, first band concerts, first basketball tryouts, first pheasant hunt, and lots more!! Praise God for new adventures and old friends....