A New Year...brings much anticpated joy!

Despite what it may seem like, I have had actually too much going on in my life, too many thoughts and feelings running through my head for me to even think straight and write it down. Every time I sit down, my mind goes blank!!

First off, we were able to go home for Christmas, which was much needed!!! and what made it even better was that on our way up, we went to Phoneix--and finally got our Transmission truly fixed. FINALLY NO MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS!!! at least for now!

Brigham turned 6 on the 15th!! It was a lot of fun. Mike and Caitlin came down and joined us, making his birthday even better! We took the kids hiking to a place called Kilbourne Hole, 10 miles from the Mexico border. They had a lot of fun and were very worn out by the end. The week previous we also went hiking in a different area. It was also lots of fun. While heading down the side of a steep mountain poor Bennett slipped and sat right in a cactus! We got all the needles out and he recovered quickly. Brigham led the way, falling every once in a while, getting a few cactus needles in his hands occasionally, but he just kept on moving.

Samuel just started his 2nd semester of Grad school. This semester on top of all his fun economic classes he gets to take a GIS class. He really enjoys that kind of stuff and is good at it. Before we left the Roaring Springs Ranch he mapped out all the private pastures--which was no small task. They were very impressive maps to say the least.

I am excited for this new year! For the unknown and new chances and experiences. I feel like we have been very blessed in many ways and feel very over whelmed with emotions. And since I have no idea how to say this--After many months of fasting and prayers we are happy to announce that we are expecting!!!

White Sands National Monument

For Thanksgiving Break Mike and Caitlin came down from Albuquerque and we took the kids to White Sands. Needless to say, all my kids were in heaven. It was a beautiful day!!




The kids made snow angels in the white sand--since they have no snow to play in! The sand is so bright white, it was like we were in snow, but with out the cold and wet affects.

Bennett 2 weeks old

Tonight I had the opportunity to sit and rock my little 4 year old to sleep since he is sick. As soon as I wrapped that blanket around him, lifted him up on my lap and laid him gently upon me, I was quickly reminded of the many times before I held him close and rocked him to sleep. My heart swelled, and I admit even ached stronger than it has for awhile. It is such a bitter sweet moment to watch your children grow.

As a mother we give our all to our children, holding nothing back. Every thought and action seem to be centered around them in one direction or another and we would have it no other way!



Brigham 2 weeks old

While we were in Oregon one night Bennett woke up coughing. He had not had a cough, so it was completely out of the blue. I recognized the cough as Croup, since my children have had it before. I went in to call him and make sure he was OK. I quickly noticed he was not breathing. I took him to Samuel and we both tried to calm him down and get him to talk to us. All Bennett would do was take short shallow breaths, holding his throat and at times he tried to put his hand down his throat like he had something lodged in it. We called the hospital in Burns OR to speak to a nurse and ask for their opinion. They said since we live 80 miles away and he was not breathing that they would send an ambulance and we were to start driving to meet them. We called our neighbors who lived 5 miles away and they came while we took off and started to burns. We met up with the Ambulance after about 40 miles. I got in the Ambulance with Bennett and Samuel followed behind. As luck would have it just a few minutes before we arrived at the hospital Bennett was breathing better and was stable. The Doctor did some x-rays checked him out and we were off.

We got home about 6 in the morning and tried to get a little sleep. He never coughed again.It seemed to go away as quick as it had appeared. That afternoon as I was running I was replaying the events in my mind, asking myself if I would have done anything different, knowing what I know now. Would I have gone to the hospital, would I have gotten in that ambulance with Bennett? Of course I would have! I would not have done anything different.



Emmaline at 4 months on her blessing day

I am so grateful for the Opportunity that my Father in Heaven has given me to be a mother here on this earth at this time. I love my three beautiful kids more than I can say.The joy and happiness they bring to me, I am always thanking my Father in heaven for. I would be lost without them and my life have very little meaning. I hope and pray that if I continue to try to improve myself and be an even better mother each day that I will be able to have more kids as well someday. I LOVE BEING A MOTHER AND WOULD NOT CHANGE IT FOR ANYTHING!!!


Working with Samuel out in Nebraska

Pictures

Ciudad Juarez

This weekend we had the privilege of having Alan, Devin and Dennis come visit us for Labor day Weekend! It was so much fun to see Dennis again after 2 years. They came Friday night. They showed up after our visit from the Boa Constrictor. Saturday Alan wanted to go to Texas, since he has never been there. So, we went to El Paso,TX. which is 38 miles from us. As we entered the city we saw a HUGE flag. As we got closer we realized it was the Mexican flag, it then dawned on me THAT was Juarez. The worst place to be right now on this continent! It was crazy to be sooo close! We were talking about how we were in firing range and could be hit. Devin after it was silent yelled " bang" really loud. Alan jumped so hard.I do not plan on going down there anytime soon again.It is a little discomforting for me to be so close.On the way home we stopped at a country feed store off the highway to see a camel! so random. Sunday we went to church and had a great day. Monday the guys hiked the Organ Mountains while I did homework with my kids. That night we tried to find the most authentic Mexican restaurant and went to the park. It was great!

Oh, I’m being eaten....

Shel Silverstein - Boa Constrictor

Oh, I’m being eaten
By a boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor,
A boa constrictor,
I’m being eaten by a boa constrictor,
And I don’t like it–one bit.
Well, what do you know?
It’s nibblin’ my toe.
Oh, gee,
It’s up to my knee.
Oh my,
It’s up to my thigh.
Oh, fiddle,
It’s up to my middle.
Oh, heck,
It’s up to my neck.
Oh, dread,
It’s upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff . . .



Tonight we had the missionaries come over for dinner. Samuel left to go pick them up and then showed up at the door with 2 missionaries, a guy off the street..and his pet Boa Constrictor- "Baby face". We all had a nice visit and towards the end Emmaline asked Bob, if she could hold Baby face. I am constantly amazed at Emmaline! She went and sat on his lap so Baby face could get use to her. Slowly Baby face warmed up and made her way on Emmaline. Always a adventure here!

One hectic week

On Monday, Samuel and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary! It was also Emmaline and Brigham's first day of school here in New Mexico. Wednesday we got our truck back from the mechanic and took the kids to the coolest park. Adults can even play with the kids at the park. It is all wood and looks like something from Shakespearean times, complete with mazes. The kids loved it. Thursday was Bennetts 4th birthday and Samuels first official day of Grad school. Bennett and I both have to learn to adjust with not having Emmaline and Brigham home during the day. I sure do not like all day kindergarten everyday. I will learn to adjust or home school. We will see anyone know any good homeschooling programs? I am all ears.