In the Rocky Mountains to be precise.  I'm here with my family, my parents and my 2 sisters and their families.  We organized a trip here for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.

We're having a wonderful time.  If I can I'll post later tonight... but I can't promise anything since tonight is the big celebration.  

Copyright 2008 Treasuring the Moments

Happy 5th Birthday, Little Man!

Little Boys
Little boys come in all shapes and sizes,
Shy and adventurous, full of surprises,
With misshapen halos and mischievous grins,
Small dirty faces, and sweet, sticky chins.

They'll keep you so busy, and yet all the while
Nothing can brighten the world like their smile.
And no greater treasure has brought homes more joy
Than a curious, active, and lovable boy!

Copyright 2008 Treasuring the Moments

We had an enjoyable anniversary get-away.  We went to Sedona for the night and then took a train ride the next day through Sycamore Canyon to Perkinsville.

One thing I began doing a few years ago was an Anniversary Memories notebook.  I asked Russell different questions and wrote his answers down and in the column next to his I wrote my answers.  On another sheet of paper we each wrote about the get-away.  I also put in a couple of brochures of places we went that I thought were interesting.

The questions I asked were:

What is your favorite supper?

What is your favorite breakfast

What are the 3 top things you like to do?

What is the least favorite thing you like to do?

What is your favorite dessert?

What Scripture has meant the most to you this year?

Name some of your favorite things about your wife/husband.

What are some changes or improvements you would like to see in your wife/husband?

What do you want to work on this year in our marriage?

 It was fun to read what we had written two years ago.  As the years go by memories fade so this will be a nice way to remember our special day.

Two years ago Russell's least favorite thing to do was shopping.  This year it was the same.  How do you figure?  The man never goes shopping so why he even considers it baffles me.

Well the time has come for my kids to sell the 4-H lambs they've been raising for the last several months.  Starting Wednesday we haul their animals in, Thursday they show and Saturday they're auctioned off.

Wesley decided, with strong encouragement, that it was high time to work with his lamb, Billy.  But lambs, as Wesley experienced, can be quite stubborn. 

First things started off with a smile - even if it was just a courtesy smile.

But just minutes later, fierce determination had set in.

"Billy, get moving."

"Ha!  Just try and make me!"

"You're going to move if. I. have. to .... IF. I. HAVE. TO. bite my tongue off!"

With that dire threat and sheer muscle, Billy started to move. 

Besides understanding more clearly why the Bible says what it says about lambs, and just how thick their wool can be, among other things, Justus (4yos)  has discovered how much fun it is to ride a bronc lamb.  You can really get a good grip with all that wool. 

But sometimes it doesn't really matter.

Have a great week.  I don't know if I'll get another chance to post this week since we'll be busy with 4-H AND my husband is taking me away for our 19th anniversary on Tuesday & Wednesday.  I tried to tell him I was too busy but he wouldn't hear of it.  I guess I'll just have to suffer not getting to cook and clean for two days.

Too many things were going on this month for me to be able to post.  Things like a trip to Louisiana, a lot of visitors and a lot of  cooking.  It's a good thing I like to cook or I'd be in a heap of trouble.

Zachary, my second oldest turned 16. 

Our church is in the process of building a church.  A few weeks ago we had an Amish-style barn raising except it was for our church.  The slab was poured ahead of time - then Thursday, Friday and Saturday about 25 men showed up and put up interior and exterior walls, doors, windows, trusses, started the roof shingles, and siding.  It was an incredible three days!  My mom, sister and I fed the men every day hot meals.  The ladies in our church helped out by contributing food too. 

Building and setting interior walls.

Discussing something important, I'm sure.

My brother-in-law didn't want to miss out

on the fun, so he flew in from Pennsylvania.

Setting the first truss.

Our youngest supervisor directing one of the workers

Laying the first course of shingles.     

The Dining Hall, where lunch preparation

was underway.             

My dad was in charge on this day. 

He came from Nevada.     

Justus, ready for some serious work.

A view of the interior.

And finally, yours truly, along with my nieces, mom and sister.  We were the chief cooks and bottle washers.  I think we were as tired as the men by the end of the three days.  We fed them, fajitas, salmon and shrimp, beef brisket and chicken over the course of the three days.  My dh wanted to be sure we fed the men well since they were all volunteering.  I don't know how they were able to work in the afternoons after consuming large lunches, but somehow they managed.        

It seems as if many of you are finishing up the year.  Good for you!  Our schedule is always so sporadic that we need to homeschool year-round.  I have some kids finishing their 3rd term, others are still in their 2nd.

As my kids have grown older I find it more difficult to stay on track.  My husband needs them for work outside of the home.  I know this is a good learning time for them but I have to admit it is a struggle for me.  I like my schedules and checklists and if there's any deviation from them it really bugs me.   But what else to do but press onward?  I should be very strong in the trait of perseverance by the time my homeschooling journey is over!

I heaved a sigh as I prepared Audrey (2yo) for bed.  She looked up and said, "What happened, Mommy?" 

I said, "Nothing, I'm just tired."

Her immediate reply.  "Go to bed." 

Good advice, sweetheart. 

I'm enjoying Audrey so much.  I remember when my first two boys were little (they were 17months apart) I would get tired and frustrated at them.  Now that I have 6 children I realize they're little for such a short time, to enjoy them.  Things are also a little different now because when you have older children they help out a lot with the younger ones. 

Don't get me wrong I still get frustrated but I've learned (am learning) to enjoy them where they are now. 

What do you find when you go to Out of Africa, a wildlife park located nearby?

Ostriches, the world's largest bird, who in one stride can cover 10-16 feet.

Zebra's - whose skin is actually white but has black and white hair patterns

 Giraffes - who could care less about manners when eating...

And have no shame when it comes to begging for food.

Common thought on why giraffes tongues are blue/purple is that it keeps them from getting their tongue sunburned .

Bearded Dragons

And many other wild animals from the land of Africa

Since we have visitors here from Vancouver, British Columbia all week, we've been busy entertaining.  Today I decided to stay at home while they went on a 4WD expedition.  Audrey, my 2yod  wanted to go along but I told her no, that she needed to go night-night.  After a few whimpers, she accepted this.  After I laid her down in the crib she looked up at me and said, "Where's, Justus?"

"Outside."

"Where's", Wesley?"

Outside.

"Where's, Zachary?"

"Outside."

"Where's, Daddy?"

Russell had just stepped into the house and we could hear him talking, so I said, "He's inside the house."  (I'm getting a little bit worried that she's going to decide that she doesn't want to lay down and that we'll have to go through the tears, etc.)  She looks up at me for a little bit and then says "Good Night" and rolls over.  And not another peep did she make.  It was so cute!  I feel like going and squeezing her right now except she's still taking her nap.

We had twin goats born today, a boy and a girl!  We didn't weigh these but they say they normally weigh about 7lbs at birth.  They're able to walk too.  So far, the kids are doing well. 

 We're so green at this that we just keep our fingers crossed from one day to the next hoping we do everything right.

Oh, one more little fact about mama goats.  They eat the afterbirth shortly after it's expelled.  I found that to be interesting and thought you might too  Homeschoolers are interested in all kinds of weird things, right?

This week we said goodbye to a dear elderly man at our church.  He crossed over to the other side Wednesday.  He was such an inspiration to everyone, always giving a word of encouragement and exhorting us to keep pressing on in the Lord.  When he would come to church, which he and his wife were faithful to do, he was like a ray of sunshine, with his handshakes, smiles and greetings being spread around.  And love.  You always felt loved by him and that he cared about what was happening in your life.

He died from kidney failure caused from diabetes.  He was 77 years old.  I feel like he was a man who lived a true Christian life, loved others as himself and had his priorities right.  I am so thankful for the privilege of knowing him.