Can I just breathe?

Have you ever had a time in your life when it feels like there is so much going on you don't even have a chance to breathe?

That is how I am feeling right now!

Sad thing, the computer I usually work on my blog with, the one that holds all the pictures, is acting up and won't let me do anything on it. I fear losing all those wonderful pictures!
I realized that all of this electronic mumbo-jumbo isn't all it's cracked up to be. One little virus and you can lose years of pictures if you haven't planned ahead.

I haven't forgotten to blog, but I just haven't had the time to do it. I have taken pictures but they are still sitting in my camera! I am really hoping that soon things will even out, slow down or something to where I feel like I have a routine again. Then maybe I will post a little more often.

Sorry, no pictures today - just my sad, little rant. . . maybe it will be better next time!

Ever have a dream come true?

I'm sorry but I had to post this. After being without a dishwasher in a household of five for almost a year, I have to admit it feels as though a dream has come true for me. . . .

Kurt fixed my dishwasher!!!

Somethings you just want to shout from the rooftops!

Where Have I Been?

I just happened to log on here and found out my last entry was for my Anniversary back in April! Where in the world have I been????
Many things have happened since then, things that even included pictures - it has just been so busy that I haven't taken the time to get on here! For some reason I am in "wait" mode, just waiting for school to get out so that life will slow down a little bit! Well, maybe a little for me but not for Kurt. Things will start revving up for him now with the outdoor music season starting!

So, just a quick note to say sorry. I didn't mean to disappear but life just kept on happening and somehow I have been stuck in the center of it all!

Hopefully some fun and interesting posts will be coming! Thanks for visiting my site!

The Winds of Change . . . .

Have you ever had a time in your life where you just feel that things are changing, shifting in a different direction? It's weird but I have had just that kind of feeling lately. It's almost like when you are single and then you get married . . . big shift. You've been married for awhile and along comes the first baby . . . big shift. I think it is just that family dynamics are changing and it just feels weird.



Hailey is waiting for her acceptance letter for driver's training . . . HUGE shift. We are also waiting for her to be accepted into a different High School, the Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School where she is going to to be making a big step toward her career into the medical field. . . another big shift. She is going with her Grandma to Arizona and she will fly back on an airplane for the first time . . . another big shift. She's growing up!



Hayden has decided he wants to be home schooled next year. This is also not only a big shift for him but also for me but I can see so many possibilities to let him grow in his studies at his pace where he will have the opportunity to get as far ahead as he is able without being held back by class schedules. I am truly excited for him. He is very bright and I think this will open doors for him. He's becoming a young man.



Tyler is going to be eight soon. I am not sure why but it seems to be so different from 7. He is not so tiny any more (actually, he is finally growing!) and he is truly becoming a big boy which is a little hard for me. I don't think I will get away with little nicknames like: my little fluffy muffin and spankalicious any more. He is starting to do that thing where he doesn't want to wear his coat anymore to the bus stop. Big Shift. The apron strings are almost transparent here.



I think what it comes down to is I am getting older and so are my kids. Their needs and mine are changing. . . I think of what it will be like when the kids are grown up and have lives of their own. Will Kurt and I have anything left to talk about without the kids' shenanigans (tee hee hee)?
Only time will tell . . .

You gotta love 'em!

This was something that Tyler created for me late one Monday afternoon. It came just in the nick of time. It was one of those days that I felt like I was being pulled in different directions helping different kids do different things while I was trying to accomplish something myself!



We had Jonathan over and he and Hayden were working on a model and Hailey was really bored looking for things to do and ended up trying to work on a craft project. Tyler was feeling really left out and somewhat pouty because no one wanted his help and the things I got out for him to do weren't keeping his interest. I was busy trying to catch up on dishes and people kept asking me what they could do or help me with this or with that.

Someone had mentioned these little plastic dominoes for Tyler to play with and that was just the trick. He actually ended up setting them up with Jonathan and it kept them busy for quite awhile. But, even better was the fact that Tyler found out the white dominoes were really glow in the dark dominoes and he immediately took a handful into the closet and created a picture of Jonathan. It was really cute. But then he called me into the closet because he had something to show me. This is what it was . . .

I absolutely loved it! It made my day! Thanks Tyler!

Snowtastic!

I don't know when my fascination for snow started but I have always loved it!
The weird thing is I don't really like to do things in it I just like to look at it! I don't really ski, don't snowmobile, cross-country,snow shoe, ice skate or even really go sledding. I don't like to get wet or be hit with snowballs but I could just sit and stare at it all day.

Whenever I see snow my mind conjures up scenes of sitting by an all glass bay window while the fireplace is crackling in the background. I am sitting on a cozy chair and covered with an antique quilt holding a cup of steaming hot chocolate while a book rests on my lap waiting to be read!
And when has that actually happened to me . . . um . . . never!
Chances are if I take a look the person in the scene is either not me or is me when I am 80 and my hair is all gray and just off to the side out of the picture is a sleek, steel walker!
Anyway - we had a beautiful snow last night even against Kurt's discouraging comments of how it really was only going to rain and I couldn't help snap a few pictures to share.


I love the contrast of the red twigs of this Dogwood against the freshly fallen snow!

On my Virginia Creeper by the front walk!

Oh to have one of those beautiful spendy professional cameras to get a much closer shot of these beautiful little red, tear-shaped berries on my Rose Glow Barberry. It is really rather stunning close up. . . again, the red and snowy contrast!

The trampoline!

When there was a little bird sitting to the right of the feeder the snow on the left was taller than the little guy. So cute -

My wonderful Honeysuckle that never gives in to the weather. You can always find little birds hiding inside! I am glad I can provide them with some shelter and food!

The butterfly bush that I didn't trim down yet.

Look at how amazing these little puffs of snow are! They are just sitting daintily on the top of these little flower seed heads left over from their profuse flowering this summer. These are a beautiful daisy like flower with a wine red and yellow coloring.

The stark beauty of a leafless tree - amazing how snow can take something so drab and dismal and make it beautiful!

Front yard before wandering pets and kids destroy the peaceful blanket of snow!

Don't ask me why but I found this little snowbound plant to seem so serene!

This tree has so much character - the bark is just gorgeous and it seems so statuesque alongside the porch! I can't wait until a little bird decides to build a nest in it!

Well, if it would be possible it would be wonderful to live up in the mountains during the time of snow! To be surrounded by wildlife, beautiful evergreens and mountain plants all covered in an unbroken blanket of snow, well, until you would need to run to the store for something and it would take you three hours to go a mile!!!

Hope you enjoyed my winter wonderland trip through my yard. It is supposed to rain in two days and all will be changed. At least I can refer back to this and relive the serenity!

Bye Bye Facebook!

This is what facebook looks like after you have deactivated your account. What was really weird was the fact it took a bit of effort to actually push the button that asks if you want to deactivate your account!


This was a very weird but necessary decision! As a wife and mother of three growing children the term that always comes to mind is that "there just isn't enough time in the day"! There are so many things that need to get done and things you want to do that days just whiz by with most of your "to do's" not done.
I had an element in my life that I realized was sucking away any precious time that I may have had left over after housework and homework.
I had so many projects that I wanted to do, time I wanted to spend with the kids but I found myself in any moment in between logging on to this place and wasting time doing "nothing important"!

Believe it or not I found myself slightly addicted to a site through facebook called "fishworld"! This is a site where you can have fish tanks and raise virtual fish, earn money to decorate your tanks and buy more fish and move up in "levels" to become somebody virtually important . . . I had such a pattern set up to where I could purchase enough fish during the day(and grow them to maturity to sell) to raise my level once or twice, maybe even three times a day! But I finally got to a point when I realized my "real" people and "real" duties were become my "I'll get to that as soon as I am done with my fish tank"!

I really had to stop and put this all into perspective . . . What is really important to/in this life? Thankfully I have God in my life and the wisdom of the scriptures to help me see what is really important! Faith, Family and Friends!
All these "technological advances" somehow end up making the things that are supposed to be your focus in life your "I'll get to that later"! Things invented to bring you closer a lot of the time push you apart. How many times in our lives when our kids walk up to us to talk to us do we shush them because of a TV show, your on the phone for the fiftieth time that day or you are busy on the computer? Or you are having dinner with your family and you get a phone call? You are talking with someone and a text comes in?

I have to ask . . . are our lives happier? More fulfilled with all this technology?
All I can say is since I have deactivated my facebook like has become just a little bit more simpler, a little less stressful and more involved with my family.

You know what would be great? If all these technological geniuses would get together with some of the other incredible brilliant people maybe they could all come up with a device that would blast cancer off the map . . . Now that's technology we can all live with!
I just hopped down off my soapbox! Have a great day with your family - don't forget though to shut off the ringer on your phone, computer, Ipod, Mp3 player, Wii, Gamecube, X-box, etc!

Window With a View !

ANYONE who knows me very well KNOWS that fall is my FAVORITE time of year!!!!

This year fall was brought on very fast, weather went from 90's to 30/40's within a week! This of course is sad because that means the fall will probably be shorter but I want to enjoy it as much as I can!

When I design my landscaping I do keep in mind that flowers and varieties of color in the warmer seasons are important but I have to admit the stronger pull for me is "what color will this plant produce in the fall"?

I think I didn't do too bad of a job with my front yard.

This is the view from my front window - I love it!

A few outdoor shots!

I have to admit I got a little hindered in the back yard. I set it up originally with a lot of color but have lost quite a few plants due to not considering how much shade a few choice trees would create.

I am having to dig things up and move them into sunnier areas. They have either died or haven't grown to their potential due to not enough sun light.

My mums plead their case!

There is a lot of work I need to do in the back yard - not nearly as full with plants as I would like but you can see areas of color trying to make their statement!

My beautiful Honeysuckle never lost all its leaves last year and it is huge! I only have one plant on each side of this bench arbor and you can't even find the arbor!

This tree is a love of mine. It is a Autumn Blaze Maple and can be amazingly stunning IF it is healthy! I almost lost it 2 years ago to Borers because we moved it from it's original planting spot and it must have gotten weakened by the move and was attacked. I thought we had lost it for sure but my Mom-in-law told me to just wait and see. She helped me trim it and just sat back and waited. It is looking better but still has a long way to go.

I can see it out my kitchen window and hope to see bird nests in it someday as it towers towards the sky!

That's my small fall tour. I am a little giddy about trees and bushes and plants.

My Mom was a very "earthy" person and I would like to think I get this love from her!

Just A Beautiful Day!

This is just a random addition to my blog! I stepped outside this afternoon and just couldn't get enough of how beautiful it is outside today! Temperature in the 70's, slight breeze, nearly cloudless blue sky, just gorgeous!
Just thought I would share!
Some shots of the back yard!

This shot cracks me up - Willow likes to jump up and run around on the trampoline, I thought I would get a nice picture of her there but my camera likes to take a few seconds after I press the button to actually take the shot! This was the result. I had to add it because that just doesn't look natural!

Thought I would take a shot out front so the front yard wouldn't feel unloved and left out! I love my yard!

Hope you are enjoying this day as much as I am!

Life In The Cave! - Random Thoughts

Wow! It has been a long few days. Kurt had an unfortunate incident happen to him at his last job. Somehow a piece of dirt or sand had gotten into his left eye and really irritated it. When he returned from the job Saturday it was quite red - bloodshot looking. By Saturday evening his lids were actually swollen looking and wasn't all too pretty! By Sunday morning he couldn't take it anymore and went to a quick care place. Turns out that he has a scratch on his retina! Poor guy! Quite an unpleasant situation!

The house at this point turned into a cave! We needed to keep the blinds all closed because the light irritated it, well, I think it actually hurt like the dickens, anyway the house remained quite dark. And, if you know me, this is a tragedy. I am a window person and a sunshine person, it's amazing what you do for love, isn't it (tee hee).

I am surprised at how the lack of light really sucks the life out of you! It didn't help that the t.v. was on constantly too so Kurt had something to entertain him in his convalescent state. You have a tendency while passing through with laundry or such to stop and see what's going on! So, needless to say, it has been like living in a cave and thankfully Kurt ventured out today for a little while and seems to be doing alright. I didn't hesitate as he drove away to run around and open all the blinds and bask in the golden glow . . . ahhhh - Glad your doing better Kurt!

Sunday Storms

Fall is my favorite time of year hands-down, but Spring has become my close second favorite. I used to just think of Spring as a yucky, muddy time of year but of the last so many years it really captures my attention due to the turbulent weather that comes with it!

This is a fantastic looking sky! It is one of my favorite colors. I call it Eeyore-gray and could look at it all day! You know when you see this on the horizon that fun is just around the corner!
Just gives me chills!

This picture doesn't do it justice but the rain was pretty heavy and the wind was blowing fairly hard to where it was hitting our sliding doors which are underneath a covered patio! The water is just gushing out of the rain gutter.

If you look close enough you can see the front line of the storm heading east on the top of the picture and see how hard the rain is falling that the gutters in the street are already full - This is really extra interesting too because at this moment there is a Tornado warning for several of the counties above ours! Tornado's in Idaho?????

Rain has ended but leaves behind it's beautiful reminders!

Since I took these pictures and have done this post another storm has come through with more intense rain than this storm had, lightning and thunder! Afterward the sun poked it's head out of the clouds to give us some respite.

Looking out the window now, the dark clouds are back . . . sinister and looming . . . bring it on!

All In A Day's Work !

It just seems amazing to me how much we can fit into some days and other days feel as if we barely get anything done!
Yesterday was one of those days that was so busy that it was fantastic!

To start the day off, it actually started the night before when I had a little guy (Jayden) spend the night. His mom Holly, who is a very close friend of mine had to go to an all day field trip with her daughter in the morning so we had Jayden. Jayden is five and as rambunctious as Tyler - that means "active"!

One of my goals for this day, since it was supposed to be one of the nicest days we have had in a long time, was to transplant four Red Twig Dogwoods that aren't getting enough sun under my Locust trees and Trumpet Vines. I started to do my transplanting. I had to move them from here . . .

and put some of them here. I managed to get two done (had a late start due to situations) by lunchtime. Time to stop and feed myself and Jayden who informed me he was "starving"!

Did I mention that I was also going to watch another little guy for a friend of mine, Debbie? This is actually her Grandson. So, if this makes sense . . . Jayden is Holly's son, Holly is actually one of Debbie's daughters and Garrett is Debbie's Grandson, Holly's Nephew and Jayden's Cousin!

We have watched him a few times before and he was always the sweetest little baby - happy, content etc. Well, not so today! I think the poor little guy wasn't feeling well. He was fed carrots and a bottle before we got him - which he proceeded to donate amounts of it to a quilt he was laying on, my carpet, his bibs and clothing! He was also fairly grumpy and was mostly content WHILE BEING HELD!

I had him for about 4 hours - so I had to put a lot of things on the back burner for about three of them! I even had to hold him while he was napping so he would actually take one! Of course holding a baby sucks wakefulness out of you and I ended up drifting off a little myself!

I got to put him in the stroller and take him for a walk where we walked up to the front of the subdivision to pick Hailey up after school!

I have to say, this little guy has it made when he comes over. The kids absolutely love him. He rarely touches the ground when he is here and Tyler loves to read to him!

So, when the boys got home from school they had kids to play with. When everyone had arrived and picked up their kids it seemed so quiet! I love babies but am pretty sure I am past the time of life when I would want another one. You forget how much work they are. And nothing compares to the smell of any "urpy" baby!

So, after all that commotion and getting dinner out there I did manage to finish transplanting the two remaining plants. Filling in the final hole as the sky was getting dark!

What a wonderful, fantastic, busy day!

Fantastic News !

I just can't hold this in! I heard the most wonderful news on the Today Show this morning! They have come out with the most life changing information:

The 40's are the new 20's!

Yes! You heard right! I couldn't contain my excitement! Here I am in my early 40's and I don't have to worry about aging at all! What I found really interesting is that when I was in my 30's they had made a statement that the 30's were the new 20's! So I figure as I grow it will next be the 50's are the new 20's, the 60's and so on!

So, when I die, no matter what the age - - - I am going to look FANTASTIC!

But doesn't it make you wonder a little what the age is of the people doing this report?

. . . HMMMMMMM. . . . .

Does this mean I can act like I did in my 20's too?????

Have a great day!

Bus Stop !

Ahhhhhh - the morning trip to the bus stop with the boys. I have to snicker to myself about this because I wasn't supposed to be making this trip with them every day. Originally I started off just planning to walk for a week or two, show Tyler the ropes, make sure Hayden was keeping his eye on his brother, etc.

Well, after a few days it was quite evident that I was going to be doing this trip a lot more than I had planned! Tyler is such a sweet boy but as I learned, EASILY distracted! If his brother races him he doesn't stop to think about traffic or anything, he is in race mode! Anything he sees that has been left behind by another kid or a special looking rock, worm on the sidewalk, bird that flies by, all grab his attention and distract him from his destination. Hayden tends to get caught up in chatting with the neighbor and doesn't quite see where Ty is at. And then there is the situation of the kids at the bus stop. Mind you, there is about 27-30 kids total at this bus stop and there has been many times that I was very glad I was there! I have seen brothers take each other down into the street fighting, kids being mean, pushing, shoving, etc. And there are rarely any other parents there sooooo, being who I am I have silently taken on the job of Bus Line Attendant.
Someone has to keep the kids from killing each other!

Here we are leaving the driveway. When Hayden found out I was going to blog this today he tried to hide the camera. Him and the neighbor boy (also named Hayden believe it or not - they even have the same birth date, but my Hayden is a few years older) made a point of staying away from me!


Tyler didn't seem to mind too much.

This is about the distance the boys kept from me for most of the trip. But, actually this isn't abnormal. Hayden is at that stage where he needs you when he's hurt and when he is hungry but after that he pretends he doesn't know me. I try to not go out of my way to embarras him but sometimes it just slips out! Isn't that what parents are for? We keep them humble!

This is another picture of Tyler walking with me but this time he is walking backwards while he talks to me, he also skips and does assorted things to keep as much motion going as possible. He likes to be "active"!

The boys again . . . . keeping a safe distance!

Now we are approaching the bus stop. The boys are already in line pretending they have no idea who this person is with the camera. Of course I let everyone at the bus stop know what I am doing. Hey, they asked!

This is only part of the group of kids that meet at this stop. The really tall kid in the picture is named Trevor. He is a really nice boy. He is taller than me and he is actually a few months younger than Hayden! I KNOW!

He is very nice to Tyler. They have a secret handshake and things like that. I hassle him a lot because he always seems to forget his coat and looks like he should be freezing although he claims he is fine.

You should have seen how all the kids cleared away when I asked this little girl (Brooke) if I could take her picture with Ty. She lives right across the street from the bus stop and her Mom comes out and chats with me sometimes. She has the cutest little sisters. This is also the girl who shares the seat with Tyler. She is really sweet.

Kids loading up! Bus drivers - nerves of steel!

I actually caught a picture of Hayden on the bus. By the time the flash had gone off he ducked in his seat. He doesn't think I got the picture but he will see that I did! Mom's are quick when they want to be. We have stealth when it comes to stuff like this!

I was really hoping to catch a picture of Tyler and Brooke waving goodbye. They do it every morning. It is soooo cute because they both are so tiny. If you look close enough Tyler tried to press his face against the glass. He is right above the word "district". I could see him in the picture while in the folder but I dont' think I can see him here. 7th window from the back.

Have a great day kids! I'll miss you!

Now to turn around and head home. This is usually the time when I am thinking of how beautifully quiet it is and what the bus driver is experiencing right now but then the focus goes back on how quiet it is! This is a strange moment really because it is nice to be alone but the conversations I have just had with Tyler or Hayden resonate in my mind. I love talking with them. I love their perspective on things. But the air feels so beautiful and crisp (it's about 35 degrees), the birds are chirping and I can take a deep breath.

Here I am rounding the corner to the house. It looks so pretty in the morning with the sun just coming over the other rooftops. It is even more gorgeous when all the plants have leafed out and things are much more lush and vibrant. Aaaahhhh -

I can feel the peaceful feeling washing over me with my quiet walk home . . . then it slowly occurs to me that when I step through that door, my other work begins! Hello house cleaning!