Boobies!

I went bra shopping the other day. Of course the boys had to stay with me while Steve was shopping for a belt. It didn't take too long before Jaxon realized that there were some bras at his level. Can you guess what happened next? No, he did not try one on. I am sure it is because that is what I was anticipating. Instead he reached straight out with both hands, squeezed the cups (I am sure your husbands have all done this to you!) and said "Boobies Mommy, just like yours"! I corrected him by telling him that it was in fact a bra! Can we say that this little apple doesn't fall far from the tree?!? He isn't even three and he is already fascinated by breasts! Am I in trouble or what?

To ....Facebook or not?

I have been sent multiple invites to join face book, but never have because I didn't know much about it. Steve is on it and showed me what it was all about so I thought that I would give it a try. It has put me back in touch with people that I haven't talked to or seen since I moved to Utah almost 13 years ago. It is almost as fun and addictive as blogging. It has been nice to catch up on old friends and to see their families. I must admit that there are some things that I found out that I didn't want to know. Some of my friends seem to not have aged at all (I hate you all) and others that have added wrinkles and inches like I have (glad that I'm not the only one), then there is the rest who I had a hard time recognizing. It is exciting to renew old friendships. I must admit that I haven't had as many friends since I was a young adult as I do now in my current neighborhood. I feel sad for those who have few friends and hope that I can be a better friend to those who consider me their friend.

Did you know that......

I am a parent who likes to believe that my child can ask me any question and I will give them an honest answer without making them feel stupid. I failed in that tonight. As we were driving home, I pointed out the moon to Jaxon because he always wants to know where it is. I proceeded to tell him that it was growing and would be a full moon before too long. Raven piped in and asked if full moons made women pregnant. I couldn't help but laugh. It took me about 30 seconds to control the laughter as she paused to think about what she said. She corrected herself by saying she meant to ask if it makes pregnant women go into labor. Kids really do say some of the darnest things!

What do you see?

This is one of my favorite pictures because it helps me remember to look for the beauty in things. I find that you can apply this principle of positive thinking to anything in life, it just may be harder with some things. I know each of us struggles with different things. I try to find the beauty in the situation which is hard in the day and age when we are surrounded by so much negative. I am trying to teach my kids this idea. Some days it is easier than others. It is definitely easier to snap back at a snide comment than turn it into something funny. Let me tell you of a recent situation that I had to deal with. I was promised something from someone. I asked several times when I could come pick it up after it was promised to me. I heard nothing from them for a couple of days, then I finally got a response. I was told that they were sorry, but they had felt impressed to give it to someone else, even though it was promised to me first. I was a little upset, because I wanted it and had been promised it. After taking a deep breath, I responded back, letting them know that I appreciated the honesty that had been presented and that knew that it had to be hard, let's face it, being honest can be hard. I then let them know that I was grateful for people who followed their inspiration, because that person probably needed the item more than I did and then I let them know that we were good. The response I got back was cool and made my day. This person had expected me to slam them and was extremely grateful that I hadn't. They had worried about getting back to me and that was why it took them so long. I felt really good and had never had such a response for turning the other cheek. I was so grateful that I had reacted like I did because it truly lifted another and isn't that what we are supposed to do. It really gives me more reason to be positive. So I hope that you too can see the young woman instead of the old hag.

The place I grew up....

Sidnee is off on a grand adventure in my home town. There are many things that I loved about growing up there. I am hoping that she will get to experience some of those things. Here are a few things that I know she will see while she is there.

The logging trucks tend to own the road. You really don't want to come around a corner and run into one of these. My dad did and totalled my absolute favorite vehicle that I drove growing up. A red ford 4 door pick up. I had tons of fun in that going digging.

It is hay season up there and she will get to help her "Papa"(my dad)drive the tractor and learn what haying is all about. I can't tell you how many times I fell asleep while plowing a field. I will say that I had a lot of fun on the haystacks playing king of the castle. I could usually beat my brother, right Brett? Oh well, he was better on the basketball court, which is where you could find us when we weren't busy on the farm.

Main street in the "Hoof". Yes there is actually a 7-11 in my home town. They even have a KFC so they are really hip. Both of those didn't exist when I lived there. My brother and I never did cruise Main as there was always stuff to do at home or at the high school gym.

The many forests around my parents house where our horses and pigs would frequently play hide and seek with us.

The Northern Lights are beautiful and one of the things I miss the most about being down here. They are beautiful and the most colorful between now and September. It is amazing to watch them. There is no denying the existence of a God when you watch them. They really do take your breath away. So Mom, take Sidnee to Cheslatta Falls, tubing down the Nechako River, put a life jacket on her before you let her jump off the Nechako Bridge, because she will jump if given half a chance. Don't forget to take her up Sinkut Mountain to see the beautiful view, and Deni, show her how to saddle a horse so that she can go riding whenever she wants and feel the wind on her face and in her hair and take her skinny dipping. A ride or two on the four wheeler up to Crystal Lake if there is time and maybe a pull or two behind the boat on some skis. Oh, don't forget to take her for some fries & gravy, she'll like those.
I don't want to live there, but I sure am grateful for some fond memories of Vanderhoof and would love for my children to experience some of my favorites. Thanks Jill for being the taxi for Sidnee. I really appreciate it. Hey Sid, bring me back some ketchup chips and Laura Secord mint chocolate, and maybe a bar or two of MacIntosh Toffee.
P.S. Don't forget to take some pictures!

Ooooowwwwwaa!

Yesterday was haircut day as our boys looked like nobody cared about them. They hate getting their hair cut. Mason is not as bad and he looks the shaggiest. Here are their before and after.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE(blurry because he wouldn't hold still)

AFTER
I didn't realize how much the boys look alike until their haircuts were the same. I really do like Jaxon with longer hair, but it is summer and it will grow back. He, however, hates it. He screams when I show him his haircut. He says that he wants it back. I tried to tell him that it will grow back, but he doesn't believe me.

My little thorny rose!

I have this beautiful rose that I love the smell of so much, the problem is that it is very thorny and I find that very irritating sometimes. Sometimes I get such pleasure from it's beauty and other times I struggle to see past the thorns to it's beauty. I am trying to learn how to prune the thorns without marring it's aroma. I have sent this beauty to Canada to one who is a much better qualified gardener than I. I am at the point where I am totally frustrated and wanting to prune it back totally, which I know would in all likelyhood cause it to stop thriving. I am hoping that this experienced gardener can give this rose the attention that it needs while I take a break to brush up on my gardening skills and pay attention to the other plants that need my attention. I have noticed that I tend to spend more of my time and attention on the rose and the other plants don't get as much of my time. It will be nice to have a couple of weeks to spend on the rest. I seems like the rose demands as much of my time as the rest of my garden all put together does. The rose will be gone for 2 weeks on this adventure. Maybe the cooler climate will be good for her. I am hoping during this time that I can petition some insight from the Master Gardener on how to help this rose grow to it's full potential. I know that I have the tools to help it grow or He wouldn't have given it to me.

Jaxon on the 4th!

Jaxon and I picked up Seth Clark after our BBQ at the Smith's. We went home and then down to the neighborhood BBQ because they had stuff going on. Cherokee Street is the happening place after all. Jaxon and Seth were quite excited to see this little train going around. It was a golf cart pulling some garden carts that had some seat belts put in them to make them safe for the kids. They had a blast and didn't want to stop riding. They rode 3 times and whined whenever it stopped and they had to get out. It was good fun. We watched some fire works after it got dark. The loud ones scared Jaxon and he begged to go home, so home we went. We popped some popcorn after we got some jammies on and the boys watched "3 Ninjas". It was a full day for ones so little, but a good one.

I'm having a blast Mom!

Mason got to go to Idaho with Luke and Erick last Wednesday. I half expected a call from Erick a few minutes after they left because Mason didn't look to sure about going. He called at midnight when he got there and hasn't called since. We have had to call him. He has been having a blast. I knew that once he got there and got busy that he would be fine.

The Hull made him one of the family and he has fit right in even though he looks a little different. Can you pick him out of the crowd?

I love this picture of the boys, whom Tami said have been so busy that it was hard to get them to hold still.












They went to an annual chicken chase on the 4th. I thought Mason would have been afraid as he is my more timid child.










"Look what I caught Mom. Can I bring him home? His name is Fireball and I love him so much"!












This is what no looks like. I knew that this was his face before I ever saw the picture because I could hear it on the phone. He will be home tonight. I am glad that he had fun, but I miss my little buddy boy.

Finally!

I awoke this morning to a migraine. Luckily the girls were at sleepovers and the boys were all asleep. Quiet helps. Susan brought me some Lortab and that has taken the edge off enough that I was able to get up when my doorbell rang. This is what was on my doorstep. I didn't sign for it. The Fedex man just left it there. I debated whether or not I should go back to bed or put the bike together. Since the doorbell also woke the boys up and Raven had just come home, I knew that I couldn't lay on my bed in silence anymore so I chose to put the bike together.

There weren't quite as many pieces as Steve's. I once again pulled out the scissors, tape and glue and began to put it together. Mason and Luke helped me this time so it didn't take as long as Steve's. I was disappointed to find out that I have to put air in the tires. You think that they could have at least thrown in a can of compressed air for me!

Here is the final product. If you look closely you can see a little bit of the tape that I used near the back wheel hub. I didn't disguise it as well this time. If you want a cruiser yourself, check out this link.
http://www.bikebuyers.com/beachcruiser-classic.htm

They have the best selection and prices. I even bought the wrong size bike the first time and they refunded my money instantly with no problem. I give them 2 thumbs up.