MyRtlE's BirThdaY and BrEa ToO!

Myrtle (also known to the world as Charlene, Char, Charlie, Charles-p-butter butt, and mom) is having a birthday. I won't tell you how old she is, cause a lady doesn't like her secrets told. But she is 4 1/2 years older then me. She was lucky enough to not only be born on our grandparents wedding anniversary, but she gave birth to her first daughter (second child) on that day as well. May 27th marks a big day!!! Not to mention she usually always has a long weekend right around her birthday thanks to Memorial Day. So a big shout out to Char and Brea for their birthday! Hope you ladies have a great day!

I thInK I CaN

It seems strange for a 31 year old woman to be amazed at a simple thing such as getting a few good grades. But I have to say, after 12 years of what has felt like dormant brain activity, I am a little proud. O.K., so maybe it hasn't been completely dormant, but I promise you one thing, my vocabulary has changed, but not strengthened in the last (almost) 11 years of mommy life. My multi-tasking skills have definitely been kicked up a notch, my patience has increased, and every fiber of my being has felt love of all kinds. And to my astonishment, it has all made me a better student.
I know that some may think I am crazy, but I enjoyed learning again. Well, learning of a different sort. Not the kind that wakes you up in the middle of the night, crying and you are learning the lesson of why mixing sugar and carnival rides makes for a really long night for you and the groaning kid. Or, the teaching I received from my daughter when it comes to her fashion and tastes. Not that kind of knowledge, because I have had a lot of that. But the kind that makes you use big "words" and out of the ordinary numbers.
So I finished my first semester back at college the second time around. I earned A's and 9 more credits. I don't know what my future holds. My life is going to change in the next month or so, and I might have to once again put things on pause. But I now know that I can do it. And that is a touch satisfying in my simple mind.

....As for an update on our life. We our waiting for 1 possibly 2 interviews in the next week or so, and from there we will see what our life will bring! We could be moving to the middle of nowhere, or the middle of nowhere, or to a destination yet unknown! You know me, I will keep you posted on "further developments" as my wise old dad says!

SmeLL oF BurNing FleSh

I don't know why I am so attracted to this. But I love branding season. Nothing like the smell of burning calf flesh, crap all over you (sorry), rope burned hands, gritty eyes and teeth, and all the glory that comes with it (no glory really). The kids love it too, well except for maybe #3. Hyrum is missing in these, cause the kid didn't want to miss school, but as soon as school was out, he was in the thick of it. As I type they are getting dressed and ready to head off for another one. Extra laundry and long showers tonight!

LifE's LitTle JoyS

We had our first emergency trip for stitiches! Not bad considering we have four kids. Poor Reed, who already has so much one on one time with doctors, was the lucky canidate. He is good though, stitches are out and he is back to being as wild as ever!

For over a year now, Mike has been saving money for a Spade bit (spade spoon is the type of the mouth piece that goes in the horses mouth), and after a lot of looking, and I mean a lot, he finally purchased one and is quite happy with it!

Spencer started baseball. He played 3rd base his first game, and he was so excited. He is number 10, and quite handsome in his uniform, if I do say so myself!


Life is a little crazy, but we are surviving. I have said it before, the unknown is a bit overwhelming, but we have a whole world to conquer! Well, maybe not a whole world, but Mike wants me to consider Australia anyway :) Til next time!

LoVe SpRinG

I Love Spring and Here are some reasons why:

Blades of green grass shooting up in unexpected places.
Spring Break with my kids home.
Hearing the baby calves outside my window, and watching them play.
EASTER (this has always been my favorite)
Cool mornings that lead to sunny days.
The occasional wet snow (just a reminder where we live)
The smells in the air.
Branding season up and coming.
A reason for my sister to bring Boston up to visit!!!
AND.... My husband shaved his beard off!

I love Spring!

A WeEk To RemEmBer

A lot of people have been wondering why I have a dazed look on my face. One that is on the brink of tears. I have told some, but the story is that to me some days, just a story that I am not sure if "that all just happened" or not. SO to put it briefly:

A couple of weeks ago Mike received a call from a guy who wanted his resume'. We sent it to him and immediately he called back and set up an interview. We met with him on a Friday, amongst me going through mid-terms, an extra work load, and a huge Relief Society project coming up, we went. We spent eight hours with this gentleman, and at the end of the day, he had won both Mike and I over.

He told us over the dinner he was buying us, that he would like us to go home for a day, think about it, and if it was what we wanted to ask Mike's current Boss how soon Mike could leave. He said that Mike was his first pick, and he would meet with us in the next day or two to finalize things. So we went home, prayed, made some hard decisions, figured out how we would make it all work, and Mike gave notice to his current employer. We then tried to make contact with the new future employer.... after 3 days, we finally did. To find out, he found someone who could be there sooner. Mike happened to mention that it put us in a bad situation, because he had given notice like he was told to, to his current employer. But in an unfriendly manner, the gentleman told him that was not his fault. So, here we sit, knowing that Mike is going to be replaced in a few months here, and we will be starting a new adventure, we just don't know when.

So if I look a little dazed, or you wonder why I have to keep going to the Dr. for ulcers and stress induced pancreas problems, why when Reed says he doesn't want to leave his house or his Buzzy, and Hyrum says he can't stand leaving his best friend of 5 years, And I want to cry every time I think of leaving the amazing friends, the job, and school.... well maybe this can explain why I tend to be somewhat of a basket-case......

But then I remember, the Lord has given me so much. I have so much to be grateful for, and he has never let me down yet. This morning as I read about faith, and planting it as a seed and then nourishing that seed, I realized that my little sapling is far from bearing fruit, and it will take these life experiences for me to get enough faith that I can someday enjoy the fruit of faith!

That is my last week or so, in a nut shell. And yes, I am going to be ok....

AliVe We aRe

Just a look at our last month in pictures!

Cousin Reese and Reed. Reese is actually in Argentina, hence the cardboard cutout for his sister's wedding.


KwinLee working the Guest Table


Country boy meets long legged beauty

Roland taking his Aunt Kadie for a spin around the dance floor!


Spencer's Scout Troop got 2nd at the Chariot Races