Welcome Home Mack!!!

Well, Mack has returned to Utah after spending two months in rainy Seattle! He had a great time! I was so happy to see him! And Mals was too....She was so sweet, just standing there quiet as can be with a big smile on her face! We are all together again! She just hung out with him in his room last night. She loves her brother!

...so happy together...(for now)

...home for less than a minute and he is already in the cupboard looking for something to eat...

...that's my boy...

African Thunderstorm

You have to listen to this choir! They are not using any musical instruments, only their voices, fingers and the stage! After the thunderstorm they sing "Africa", an old 80's song by Toto. It is a little long (6 minutes) but its UNBELIEVABLE!

http://videos.komando.com/2009/06/18/african-thunderstorm/

Memories.....

I got this from my sister, Mel. Here are the rules:

1. Add a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It should be funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. I've done this on a couple of my friends blogs and it is fun to see every one's memories! Please, take the time to comment and write a memory of us!

Ode to the Otter Pop

Last night as I lay down in bed,
I was thirsty. I was hot.
Then to my mind came the perfect treat,
"Go get an Otter Pop!"

Then I realized much to my surprise,
They do more than quench your thirst.
Otter Pops are “magical”
I was so excited- -I thought I’d burst!

We eat them when we are happy.
We eat them when we are sad.
They help cheer up a lonely child,
And stop fights when we are mad.

You can put them on a knee that’s skinned
'Cause you wiped out on your bike.
You can use them for refreshment
When you are in the mountains on a hike.

Did you ever think a tube so thin,
With flavored water it is filled,
Could solve small problems in our lives?
What a simple answer….to be sure, I’m thrilled!

So next time you are sad, or mad,
Lonely, bored, or even weary.
Have yourself an Otter Pop-
And smile…..it’s all OK…..really, really!

Life is Good

Happiness is the feeling you're feeling when you want to keep feeling it. ~Author Unknown

This morning I woke up with an overwhelming feeling of peace, contentment, and appreciation for my life. My life is good! Things may not always be easy and every moment is not filled with utter glee....but I feel terrific....I am happy to be me!

I have supportive and loving parents who have graciously allowed me and my children to live in their home. They always stand beside me at times when I need them the most! I have a great family!

I have the best boy in the world! What would I do without him? He saved me by just "being!" He is my long time sidekick! When I need reinforcements....he is always there! Mack is my night in shining armor!

And then I have Mals, my modern day Punky Brewster, what a hoot! She lets me know I'm alive! But when the chips are down....she is there to lift my spirits! Along with her brother, she is the reason I do the things I do!

I have surrounded myself with people who lift me up, not push me down. I have amazing friends who laugh with me, cry with me, shop with me, love me for who I am! There is "Sunshine" all around me!

I have food, clothing, and shelter. I have my health-physical, mental, and emotional. I have a great job and work with strong, intelligent women. Most of all...I have peace of mind! I am content with my life, who I am, and where I am headed! What more could one ask for? Of course life is not perfect.....but if I catch myself complaining I step back and ask myself, "What are you complaining about? Life is Good!"

Stock show or BUST!

The Tooele County Stock Show is quickly approaching. Mals is doing her final preparation to ready her lambs for their final showing. She went to a fitting and showing workshop where she learned how to get the lamb's muscles to flex. She is handling them extremely well. I am impressed! She is getting really excited! The show is August 1st-the auction is August 2nd. I will give more details later.

Anyone hungry for lamb chops?

The New Doo.....

Well, here you have it.....the new doo! I'm a redhead once again! I wonder what Jared will think......

Bang!

To "bang", or not to "bang"...that is the question! I am getting my hair done tomorrow and I am contemplating bangs. And I don't know what to do!!! I am ready to shake things up a bit......but I just can't decide...Wo, wo, wo is me! And I have until 8AM tomorrow to decide! Any thoughts out there?

Is that a couch? Why, yes it is!

After months of searching and sitting.....Jared finally has a couch! It took a special order and waiting for 4+ weeks for it to be shipped, but we now have a place to sit! It is big and beautiful! And comfy! And it fits perfectly! I guess there is something to be said about being patient....he didn't settle for something less than perfect and he is happy with the result! Good things come to those who wait!
Now Jared gets to sit, relax and watch The Outdoor Channel in the comfort of his nice cool basement! What a lucky man! And I get to sit with him....What a lucky woman!

SNAKE............!

Yesterday, we were visiting a great couple who live up South Willow canyon (the canyon above the city). They have two little boys, Decker (3) and Sawyer (9 months). What a great place to live! BUT............the kids were just playing around the house when all of the sudden.......Decker comes running towards us at full speed, yelling "SSSNNNAAAKKKEEE............!!!" After further investigation we found out it was, in fact, a rattlesnake!!! OMG! But Decker did exactly as he was taught....see a snake....RUN! Thank goodness the rest of the kids followed him! It wasn't very big, but a rattler is a rattler! Needless to say, after a bit of drama, the snake was destroyed! Heat up the BBQ honey, we're havin' snake for dinner! NOT!

Mals took home the rattles....now there's a treasure!

"Calling All Women"

OK, I will only stand on my soapbox for a minute...

I must urge my female family and friends, capable of becoming pregnant, to add folate (folic acid) to your vitamin regimine...if you haven't already! Let me repeat, women - - CAPABLE - - of becoming pregnant! By taking at least .4mg/d of folic acid you are reducing the risk of the development of a fetal neural tube defect (most commonly, anencephaly and spina bifida). If you are at high risk, you should take 4mg/day. I am sure there are some of you that do not plan on getting pregnant at this moment in time but unless you are barren or have taken permanent measures, this means you too! NTDs develop during the first four weeks of gestation, before most women even know they are pregnant which equates to....you have to take it before you get pregnant! Prevention is easy! Any women's daily vitamin has the necessary amount of folic acid to protect against NTD's. There are several foods that also contain folate. Stop and think....what a simple thing! Please just do it!

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/796_fol.html

Land that I love............

I love the 4th of July! A day filled with parades, BBQs, baseball games and fireworks. The day America celebrates freedom and independence! And once again, a time to ponder……….What does it really mean be an American? This time I decided to do a little reading as I mulled over this critical question….

Of course my thoughts turn to the men known as the “fathers” of our country. Those valiant men who stood up and fought for what they believed was right! What an undertaking! Imagine sitting around a table writing a formal explanation of why the American Colonies should be independent! Imagine building an army out of merchants and farmers and asking these brave men to take up arms against larger numbers and more skilled armies, in order to escape the rule of Great Britain.

The Revolutionary War actually started a year before the Declaration of Independence was written and signed. It was on the morning of April 19, 1775, when the first shot rang out. In 1783, eight years later, the sovereignty of the United States was truly recognized.

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson drafted most of the Declaration of Independence at the ripe old age of 33? Along with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston, he composed the document that ulitmately severed all political ties between the United Colonies and Great Britain.

"…We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

No wonder Jefferson was voted the best writer by the other members of the Continental Congress!!!

Another question...Have you ever wondered why George Washington did not sign the Declaration of Independence? While he was elected a member of the first Continental Congress, he was appointed as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in 1775, by the second Continental Congress. He was actually fighting in Boston when the Declaration was signed.

These courageous men, willing to die for freedom, hold a special place in my heart! Their neverending devotion won us independence, granted us the right to live how we choose and ensures that our human rights will be protected! These men stood and declared that everyone counts!

"...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

What does it mean to be a patriot-an American? To me, it means love and support of my country....national loyalty....It means to respect the flag and those serving in the armed forces....It means voicing my opinion and not being punished....It is the right to own a gun....It means I can worship the God I choose....It means that I have an obligation to instill in future generations love of country! Love your country - - Fly your flag!

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave..................