On the last day of school, there was a 4th grade talent show. I was so excited when Jacob told me he and a few friends had signed up. (I had been telling him the whole school year they should do something.)
Well, here is the video of their performance. It is about 3 minutes long and mostly repeats, but was so cute and a crowd favorite!!!!
This is my first attempting downloading to YouTube (the only way I could get it off my phone~it is private download) so hopefully it comes through as it should.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
When I drove Jacob over to camp, I opted for the road less traveled and there was some beautiful scenery. (Took Bree along to run)
On our way to camp, we stopped at the Natural Bridge Caverns. Wow, the water was flowing. This is where the water flows under the rock (thus creating the natural bridge)
All I could think about was someone falling in and having to travel through that little hole. Made my stomach turn as we have had several 'falling into the river' water deaths recently around here.
This is the side it comes out.
We ran into Jacob's school buddies who were also heading to camp.
On our way to camp, we stopped at the Natural Bridge Caverns. Wow, the water was flowing. This is where the water flows under the rock (thus creating the natural bridge)
All I could think about was someone falling in and having to travel through that little hole. Made my stomach turn as we have had several 'falling into the river' water deaths recently around here.
This is the side it comes out.
We ran into Jacob's school buddies who were also heading to camp.
On Sunday we took Jacob over to camp! He was a little bummed to realize some of his school buddies were not in his cabin. However, I was so proud of him, that he did not sulk and eagerly met some of the other kids in his cabin, even if one of them was initially rude to him. He extended his hand and introduced himself and then proceeded to get lost in a game of basketball.
The camp is tucked back in the woods...really beautiful.
Could not believe the wall to wall bunk beds. They are so small, hoping the only thing they are gonna do in there is sleep!
It is a week long camp. He will ride the camp bus home on Saturday and then we will turn around on Sunday and take Benjamin for his week.
So, it is quiet this week. Benjamin has started a few mowing jobs. He and Jacob have both committed to helping me with my boxes. Hopefully they will both be able to earn 20-40 bucks a week. Benjamin is saving up for 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. and Jacob is always saving up for something...I think he really wants a phone and does not want to wait for us to buy him one when he is a little older.
The camp is tucked back in the woods...really beautiful.
Could not believe the wall to wall bunk beds. They are so small, hoping the only thing they are gonna do in there is sleep!
It is a week long camp. He will ride the camp bus home on Saturday and then we will turn around on Sunday and take Benjamin for his week.
So, it is quiet this week. Benjamin has started a few mowing jobs. He and Jacob have both committed to helping me with my boxes. Hopefully they will both be able to earn 20-40 bucks a week. Benjamin is saving up for 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. and Jacob is always saving up for something...I think he really wants a phone and does not want to wait for us to buy him one when he is a little older.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Quick check in.
Looks like rain the next couple of days. Benjamin leaves for 4H camp today and will be gone for 3 nights. Jacob leaves on Sunday for week long camp and then Benjamin leaves the following Sunday for week long camp. So lots of coming and going around here.
It snowed in the higher elevations today! Crazy!
The younger two went to the dentist today. Poor Jacob. He grinds his teeth so bad that the pulp is starting to show (its baby teeth but if it continues with adult teeth, will need a mouth guard). The dentist said the teeth kind of adapt so that is why they do not hurt. The dentist is recommending to the orthodontist that several teeth be pulled. He just has no room! Will be interesting to see where we are in about 3 years with him.
I played in a one day tennis tournament over the weekend. I lost the first match, won the second and lost the third. It was great to get on the court, but man, my body has aged significantly since I last played competitively :-). I got really frustrated because the last match was one that I just beat myself mentally. The other player hit drop shot after drop shot. I would make it to the ball, only to be lobbed over. Ugh.
We finally got Bree a laser pointer. She goes crazy for that thing! It is also fun to watch her with flies. She tracks them and then pounces on them, then proceeds to eat them! Ugh.
Not much else happening around here. Will be quiet with at least one kid gone for the next 2 1/2 weeks!
Looks like rain the next couple of days. Benjamin leaves for 4H camp today and will be gone for 3 nights. Jacob leaves on Sunday for week long camp and then Benjamin leaves the following Sunday for week long camp. So lots of coming and going around here.
It snowed in the higher elevations today! Crazy!
The younger two went to the dentist today. Poor Jacob. He grinds his teeth so bad that the pulp is starting to show (its baby teeth but if it continues with adult teeth, will need a mouth guard). The dentist said the teeth kind of adapt so that is why they do not hurt. The dentist is recommending to the orthodontist that several teeth be pulled. He just has no room! Will be interesting to see where we are in about 3 years with him.
I played in a one day tennis tournament over the weekend. I lost the first match, won the second and lost the third. It was great to get on the court, but man, my body has aged significantly since I last played competitively :-). I got really frustrated because the last match was one that I just beat myself mentally. The other player hit drop shot after drop shot. I would make it to the ball, only to be lobbed over. Ugh.
We finally got Bree a laser pointer. She goes crazy for that thing! It is also fun to watch her with flies. She tracks them and then pounces on them, then proceeds to eat them! Ugh.
Not much else happening around here. Will be quiet with at least one kid gone for the next 2 1/2 weeks!
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
A few weeks ago I went out to a local youth ranch to take some pictures of an event they were having. Joseph went along with me.
This family caught my attention. This mother was pregnant with her 12th child. She had 5 girls and 6 boys! I can't imagine.
As we left, Joseph wanted to ride his scooter on the deserted road. We were in the middle of nowhere.
3 days left of school. On Friday we are having a sundae party and inviting everyone we know to stop by to celebrate the arrival of summer. Would be fun to make it a yearly tradition and watch it grow of the years. The boys are writing up their summer contracts (expectations, bedtimes, etc) Jacob has asked me to put together some workouts for him to do this summer. Would be fun to do them alongside him! We have lots of conversations about what it takes to be an athlete and the daily disciplines. The other day he wanted to see how many times he could bench press 50#. He asked me to do it and was shocked when I did it 20 times. (I am so glad I can still impress my kiddos!)
Allergy season is fully upon us. Poor Jacob suffers so much. I think we finally found a combination that at least holds the allergies at bay. On Sunday he took a 4 hour nap and then still went to bed on time.
Benjamin went to the dentist the other day. The dentist says he does not push orthodontia but that Benjamin really needs to go back to the orthodontist to prevent some huge problems down the road...breaking of teeth, tmj and other things. It appears that his back teeth only meet up in two different places. So, I have an appt for all three of them to go to Jacob's ortho. I guess the ortho needs to prioritize my boys needs! Maybe if Benjamin's needs are more so than cosmetic, insurance will cover it? Joseph seems to have Benjamin's bite, so we might need to take some aggressive measures with him. If there are things we can do now to prevent more stuff later, I am all in.
This family caught my attention. This mother was pregnant with her 12th child. She had 5 girls and 6 boys! I can't imagine.
As we left, Joseph wanted to ride his scooter on the deserted road. We were in the middle of nowhere.
3 days left of school. On Friday we are having a sundae party and inviting everyone we know to stop by to celebrate the arrival of summer. Would be fun to make it a yearly tradition and watch it grow of the years. The boys are writing up their summer contracts (expectations, bedtimes, etc) Jacob has asked me to put together some workouts for him to do this summer. Would be fun to do them alongside him! We have lots of conversations about what it takes to be an athlete and the daily disciplines. The other day he wanted to see how many times he could bench press 50#. He asked me to do it and was shocked when I did it 20 times. (I am so glad I can still impress my kiddos!)
Allergy season is fully upon us. Poor Jacob suffers so much. I think we finally found a combination that at least holds the allergies at bay. On Sunday he took a 4 hour nap and then still went to bed on time.
Benjamin went to the dentist the other day. The dentist says he does not push orthodontia but that Benjamin really needs to go back to the orthodontist to prevent some huge problems down the road...breaking of teeth, tmj and other things. It appears that his back teeth only meet up in two different places. So, I have an appt for all three of them to go to Jacob's ortho. I guess the ortho needs to prioritize my boys needs! Maybe if Benjamin's needs are more so than cosmetic, insurance will cover it? Joseph seems to have Benjamin's bite, so we might need to take some aggressive measures with him. If there are things we can do now to prevent more stuff later, I am all in.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
This past week our community held a service for a fallen officer. What an experience. There was law enforcement from as far away as Chicago, New York and Texas (in a weird interaction, I met one from Fort Worth). The procession was over 7 miles long and included more than 600 Law Enforcement vehicles.
Here are some pictures taken from a local photographer.
Someone made this for the church....
They flew the flag in...awesome to watch.
The younger 2 boys and I watched the procession at the end. Another great lesson of respect and honoring others. I watched about half the funeral. When the dispatcher did the last call...wow. I don't know that I had ever heard that. Pretty impactful.
Not too long ago, Benjamin and I sat down to watch a Netflix series that has been getting a lot of attention among middle school and high schoolers. It is called 13 Reasons Why. I find it very frustrating that as a parent I even have to consider whether my child should watch anything like it. I figured he would sneak it in, so offered to watch with him, hoping for some dialogue. It is about a girl, who in the end, commits suicide and I guess she lists 13 Reasons Why. So sad that it is seen as an option for kids. Almost glorified in certain circles. The world that kids are growing up in these days. I don't know that I want to finish the series, but at least there is another avenue for conversation.
9 more days of school. I am already getting my plan of attack ready! I am going to have to be very creative this summer. Hopefully lots of day trips and some camping!
Here are some pictures taken from a local photographer.
Someone made this for the church....
They flew the flag in...awesome to watch.
The younger 2 boys and I watched the procession at the end. Another great lesson of respect and honoring others. I watched about half the funeral. When the dispatcher did the last call...wow. I don't know that I had ever heard that. Pretty impactful.
Not too long ago, Benjamin and I sat down to watch a Netflix series that has been getting a lot of attention among middle school and high schoolers. It is called 13 Reasons Why. I find it very frustrating that as a parent I even have to consider whether my child should watch anything like it. I figured he would sneak it in, so offered to watch with him, hoping for some dialogue. It is about a girl, who in the end, commits suicide and I guess she lists 13 Reasons Why. So sad that it is seen as an option for kids. Almost glorified in certain circles. The world that kids are growing up in these days. I don't know that I want to finish the series, but at least there is another avenue for conversation.
9 more days of school. I am already getting my plan of attack ready! I am going to have to be very creative this summer. Hopefully lots of day trips and some camping!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
A quick check in!
I am still plugging away at the gym! It seems that our workouts have gotten more intense lately. We did Adam's WOD (workout of the day). He was one of our coach's sons who died of cancer last year. I guess he loved long, endurance type workouts that uses your own body weight. It consisted of
1000 meter run (800 is half mile), 100 jump ropes, 100 sit ups and 10 pushups, then
800 meter run, 80 jump ropes, 80 sit ups and 8 push ups, then
600 meter run, 60 jump ropes, 80 sit ups, and 8 push ups,
it continued through 400 and 200.
I finished is 47 minutes. It was a booger! I still thing running is one of my weakest areas!
The WOD that is done every Memorial Day in all the gyms is Murph's WOD (most of the WODs are named after fallen military personnel). I have not yet decided if I will do Murph's WOD Memorial Day evening..It is a mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 sit ups, 300 air squats and then a mile run! I will have to see how I am mentally that day. And to think some people do it wearing a weighted vest!
Jacob recently participated in something called Farm Fair. It is for any 4th grader in the valley. I think they have just over 1100 that participated this year. They travel to a local farm and learn all about where their food comes from. Jacob loved milking a cow and a goat, as well as making homemade ice cream in aluminum cans. A wonderful way for kids to see where it all starts!
Jacob also signed up for 5th grade classes last week. He had to pick 2 electives. He chose robotics and Spanish. I was very excited to see Spanish as an interest of his!!!! He is also considering band.
This kiddo dressed up as a cowboy the other day. A classmate of his said he wanted to dress like a cowboy, so Joseph joined him. Now he is wanting boots and a hat for his birthday. I think it was the first time in a long time he has worn jeans to school...usually it is sweats! He did leave the gun at home! And by the looks of the picture, he has just about outgrown his belt!
I am still plugging away at the gym! It seems that our workouts have gotten more intense lately. We did Adam's WOD (workout of the day). He was one of our coach's sons who died of cancer last year. I guess he loved long, endurance type workouts that uses your own body weight. It consisted of
1000 meter run (800 is half mile), 100 jump ropes, 100 sit ups and 10 pushups, then
800 meter run, 80 jump ropes, 80 sit ups and 8 push ups, then
600 meter run, 60 jump ropes, 80 sit ups, and 8 push ups,
it continued through 400 and 200.
I finished is 47 minutes. It was a booger! I still thing running is one of my weakest areas!
The WOD that is done every Memorial Day in all the gyms is Murph's WOD (most of the WODs are named after fallen military personnel). I have not yet decided if I will do Murph's WOD Memorial Day evening..It is a mile run, 100 pull ups, 200 sit ups, 300 air squats and then a mile run! I will have to see how I am mentally that day. And to think some people do it wearing a weighted vest!
Jacob recently participated in something called Farm Fair. It is for any 4th grader in the valley. I think they have just over 1100 that participated this year. They travel to a local farm and learn all about where their food comes from. Jacob loved milking a cow and a goat, as well as making homemade ice cream in aluminum cans. A wonderful way for kids to see where it all starts!
Jacob also signed up for 5th grade classes last week. He had to pick 2 electives. He chose robotics and Spanish. I was very excited to see Spanish as an interest of his!!!! He is also considering band.
This kiddo dressed up as a cowboy the other day. A classmate of his said he wanted to dress like a cowboy, so Joseph joined him. Now he is wanting boots and a hat for his birthday. I think it was the first time in a long time he has worn jeans to school...usually it is sweats! He did leave the gun at home! And by the looks of the picture, he has just about outgrown his belt!
Sunday, May 21, 2017
It seems my quiet little life has gotten busy. They called me back to work, so 10-15 hours of my week are now consumed with work! I am so thankful though for the added income. I am trying to get lots of things done as I head out for a long Memorial day weekend! Last week we had a deputy that was killed in the line of duty one county over. His funeral is just around the corner from us and I will probably be helping with that most of Tuesday and frantically trying to meet my work quota by Wednesday!
A week or so ago Bree had something happen to her, we are still not sure what. She had been inside most of the day and when I got home, she would not leave my side, was shaking and not walking on her hind leg. After further inspection, it appears several of her back claws came off. Have no idea what happened but she would not go out in the backyard for a day or two. She is back to 100% on it now though. We did lose the use of the field, although I guess we never should have been out there. The 10 years we have lived here, people just used it to walk their dogs. Then cows came last summer and the fence was replaced. The field stayed empty most of the winter and as it started warming up, the field was slowly used again. Well, I let Bree run out there a few days ago and went back inside. Pretty soon there was a man at our back gate hollering for me. He was getting the field ready for the cows and could not understand how people kept going in the field when it was not their property. He ranted for a few seconds and when he took a breath, I told him 'you are right, we were wrong and I am sorry'. It almost stopped him in his tracks...I think he expected me to rant right back. It was not our property and we had just been using it. He calmed down and he and I even joked that maybe Bree should help him with his cattle cause she needs a job. But I am bummed!
Jose took a day off and him and I headed to a lake. It was beautiful. He took his raft that he adapted for him personal liking.
The sun was out, it was warming up and proving to be an awesome day.
Then I put my camera away and literally 2 minutes later it looked like this.
A huge wind came up. He decided we would try to boat anyways. It has a small trolling motor on it and he was not sure how powerful it was. I got in and he pushed us off and we made it about 5 feet before we were blown back into the land. It was just too windy for us so we played it safe before we got blown across the lake and no way to get back!
He has made several platforms and seats so it is pretty comfortable for a day of fishing.
Jacob has started football. They are 1-1-1, with 2 games left (a very short spring season).
This has been a fun football season, because he is on a team with a lot of boys that go to a different elementary school but they will all go to the same middle school in the fall. Great way to get to know other kids!
The guys who were doing the Eragon filming have put everything on hold. I sort of wondered if they would. It seems two of them do not have a car and one of the carless guys lives an hour away. Benjamin was bummed, but maybe they will pick it back up at some point.
A week or so ago Bree had something happen to her, we are still not sure what. She had been inside most of the day and when I got home, she would not leave my side, was shaking and not walking on her hind leg. After further inspection, it appears several of her back claws came off. Have no idea what happened but she would not go out in the backyard for a day or two. She is back to 100% on it now though. We did lose the use of the field, although I guess we never should have been out there. The 10 years we have lived here, people just used it to walk their dogs. Then cows came last summer and the fence was replaced. The field stayed empty most of the winter and as it started warming up, the field was slowly used again. Well, I let Bree run out there a few days ago and went back inside. Pretty soon there was a man at our back gate hollering for me. He was getting the field ready for the cows and could not understand how people kept going in the field when it was not their property. He ranted for a few seconds and when he took a breath, I told him 'you are right, we were wrong and I am sorry'. It almost stopped him in his tracks...I think he expected me to rant right back. It was not our property and we had just been using it. He calmed down and he and I even joked that maybe Bree should help him with his cattle cause she needs a job. But I am bummed!
Jose took a day off and him and I headed to a lake. It was beautiful. He took his raft that he adapted for him personal liking.
The sun was out, it was warming up and proving to be an awesome day.
Then I put my camera away and literally 2 minutes later it looked like this.
A huge wind came up. He decided we would try to boat anyways. It has a small trolling motor on it and he was not sure how powerful it was. I got in and he pushed us off and we made it about 5 feet before we were blown back into the land. It was just too windy for us so we played it safe before we got blown across the lake and no way to get back!
He has made several platforms and seats so it is pretty comfortable for a day of fishing.
Jacob has started football. They are 1-1-1, with 2 games left (a very short spring season).
The guys who were doing the Eragon filming have put everything on hold. I sort of wondered if they would. It seems two of them do not have a car and one of the carless guys lives an hour away. Benjamin was bummed, but maybe they will pick it back up at some point.
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