Who knew?

Last night, Samuel decided to bring home a new friend. I should not be surprised since he has brought home numerous creatures on many different occasions and for the most part , I can handle it. Last fall, he brought a Boa Constrictor. This time...... a Tarantula!


I already knew that I do not care for spiders, but I had no idea just how much I can not stand spiders!! As soon as Samuel released the Tarantula in a jar I was sick to my stomach and started having contractions. I didn't know if I was going to pass out or throw up. My whole body contracted as he took the lid off every now and then to take pictures. A few times the Tarantula would jump up and I thought for sure it would become loose in our apartment. After playing with it Samuel and the kids went and set it free as I tried to calm myself down. I felt so weak and amazed at myself at just how much I really do not like spiders! and to think, this is not even as big as they come!

Hope, NM

Bennett having the time of his life!

Bringing in a calf

Samuel in action

Vaccinating the Calves

Brigham in amazement...I don't know how long he stood there!

Two peas in a pod!

Getting ready

Old cliff dwellings on the Ranch

This weekend we had the opportunity to go to Hope, NM for a branding. It was a beautiful 3 hr. drive where we got to see TREES, elk, deer, wild turkeys, green pastures and TREES!!!!( I say that twice because I miss them soooo much!) The kids got to play in dirt until they were completely worn out and run around. Emmaline got to get up early with all the other buckaroos and drive the cattle in, work in the branding pen and then drive the cows home. She put in a good 8 hr day!! Mind you, we did not make her, she kept asking to stay and help and she was amazing! It was a great break from the every day life, full of fun and amazing Mexican food!

Emmaline's Project

This summer Emmaline and I have been sewing away. She helped me make a couple of receiving blankets among other items. Yesterday she asked if we could make her a bag to hold her Activity Day folder. I said sure, why not and let her pick out the fabric. This is what we ended up with. It was a lot of fun!!

Mom, help me!

Samuel and I have never been big into buying toys for our kids. They love to be outside and would prefer playing in the dirt above anything else. It always seemed like a waste of money. Yet, they need to have something to do inside when they are trapped due to weather. So, awhile ago Samuel and I decided that they could earn a toy with each scripture that they memorize. Brigham was the first to try this out. We assigned him Mosiah 3:19. It took him about 6 months( we were the ones procrastinating!)to learn it perfectly. He was so proud of himself and after a trip to the store and a break he was ready for more. This also gave Bennett motivation as well to memorize a scripture.
We assigned Brigham Doctrine and Covenants section 4. and Bennett the first 4 Articles of Faith. Since summer break begun, every day all I hear is " Mom, will you please help me work on my scripture" of course I am willing to help and sometimes I get a little frustrated when they seem to get stuck on that one word, yet I am very grateful that they are eager to pull out their scriptures and read. Some days, it is like an on going scripture study as we quote them and talk about words and what they mean. Bennett has conquered the first 4 Articles of Faith and loves to say them all the time. Sometimes I catch Emmaline working with him in her room, since she also is working on the Articles of Faith for her Faith in God.
I love my kids!!! I am so grateful for their love of life they have and excitement they share with others!

Easter weekend

This Easter weekend we had an opportunity to head up to our Bishop's Family Ranch in Tucumcari New Mexico the help with the Branding.It was so nice to get away from the city!!! The kids and I were able to spend almost every minute outside and just relax! It was so wonderful. It was windy, but we did not mind.Spring time in New Mexico means-WIND NON STOP! and with the wind is dirt. People say you watch Arizona blow to Texas each spring. You can literally see dirt build up on you and your clothes when you are outside. Emmaline had the opportunity to go out with Samuel on her own horse and round up the cows the day before. The day of the Branding she was able to go gather cows with the bishops mom and son. Samuel was not there to help her, but they said she did great! She really felt big--I felt nervous!and very much relieved when I saw her come back over the hill with the cows. The branding took more time than we had anticipated so we ended up being there for Easter, which worked out well. They had an egg hunt for all the kids and treats. They did not want to leave. They had dirt, open spaces, horses to ride,cows to watch, water to play in and more dirt!

It's a......

GIRL!!!!!!!!

We went to have an ultrasound done back in March. The technician was very nice, but was unable to say for certain what she thought it might be. The baby was moving around so much and seemed to be sideways. So, I waited 4 more weeks, and it was worth it! It was so fun to sit and watch the baby. She is VERY active, like Emmaline was. We are all very excited!!!!

When we found out we were expecting, we shared the news right away with our kids, since they have been praying and begging, for what seems like forever, for us to have another one. They were all overjoyed. About a month or two, after telling them we were expecting the prayers started. It started with Bennett. Each night he would bless the baby to be healthy and then it turned into, "bless her". He had decided it would be a little girl, since that was what he wanted.So, he started to pray that it would be a little girl. About a month and a half ago, I still remember him running out of his room, right after he woke up, saying, " Mom, I just had the best dream. It is a girl and I saw her!" I could not convince him otherwise. Soon Emmaline and Brigham joined in and started to pray each night in their prayers that they could have a little sister. I tried to prepare them and explain to them, how even though what they wanted was a g0od thing, Heavenly Father does not always give us what we pray for. This morning before leaving, I told Bennett where I was going and what the doctor was going to do. I said, they will look inside and say, Its a boy! He looked at me and said" Mom, they are going to say it is a girl, silly, but, if it is a boy I will still like it." I know he would.

I am so grateful for my 3 wonderful kids and all the joy they bring to me. They make me laugh each day and always know just what to say to me, to make my day! I love how they are still not too old to run and give me hugs and kisses, after I have not seem for awhile. How they try to take care of me with my ever growing tummy. I do think, I have the best kids there possibly are!

20 March- Amy and Emmaline's birthday & Emmaline's baptism day!

We had an enjoyable weekend with the family we had come into town. Amy's brother Micheal and Caitlin his wife were here and so were my mom and dad. They brought Alan, Taylor and Olivia.
I can't believe I have a daughter old enough to be baptized. It was a great experience for me. I could tell Emmaline was a little nervous although she wouldn't admit it. We had a lot of support from the ward and even had our neighbor Hildegaard, who isn't a member, there for the ordinances.
Emmaline had two baptism day dresses, one from each of her grandmothers. She was baptized in one and confirmed in the other. She was absolutely beautiful. I am determined to postpone the day of her wedding (the day she will again be in all white for another sacred ordinance) for as long as possible- perhaps 30 or 40 years.
Both the baptism and confirmation went without a hitch. It was great having my dad, my brother in law Micheal and Alan join with me in the circle for the confirmation. Alan was just recently made an elder and was excited about the opportunity to stand in.

We are grateful for the righteous girl that Emmaline is becoming. She is such a sweet, obedient girl. She has such a great capacity for good, and her example radiates everywhere she goes. She is friends with everyone at school, even the ugly and lame kids.
20 March 2011 will be a date to remember- when on Amy and Emmaline's birthdays, Emmaline was baptized and confirmed.