hard work

I wish I would have taken a before and after picture, but I worked in our yard today, and it was awful. I think winter time weeds are the worst. You know the ones that look like grass but aren't? Well I got the huge planter done, and half of the garden. I need to get it ready so when Gary has some spare time, he can roto-till (sp?) then we can get ready to plant. Jill played and played while I worked. We took a break and blew bubbles, then went to the ranch for some manure to mix into the garden. She took a nap and I went back to work. I am just now done. It is time to shower. I love the feeling of hard work and being done!!!!


This is a pic of Jill when we were playing with her hair. She loves this. What girl wouldn't

Simple.

I love flowers. It reminds me how much delight and happiness can come from one simple thing. Also how much adversity they have to overcome in order to bloom, dirt, weather, animals, etc. Ever since my mom explained to me as a kid how bulbs work, I have appreciated the work the flowers have to go through to become something for us to enjoy. I feel like their struggle can be applied to our lives. We work hard to strive and overcome, then we can enjoy the fruits of our labors, the beautiful flower. And the process starts over again. I am grateful for trials, because I know that once things get better, life will be beautiful again.

We are so excited that Baby Carter is here. My brother Rod and his wife Amy had their third baby yesterday. He weighed in at 10 lbs 9 oz, 21 1/2 inches. He is so cute. Amy's pregnancy has been a big deal in our household because Jill constantly takes about baby in Amy's tummy, She has pointed to everything with a tummy, as says baby, even her stuffed animals are with child! So cute. I am so excited to have her meet baby Carter. Christy also surprised us and came down for the weekend. How we love her.


Just love this little one. This was what she put on to go help Daddy light the BBQ, so funny

My favorite and not so favorite things

It has been a WHILE. I have been working more lately and will be changing jobs next week. So that has been a bit busy. I going from subbing and working one night a week, to subbing and working two days a week. It will mean more hours for me and a bit less stress. Since Gary has been called to Webleos (sp?) we have had to try to find someone to watch Jill because it is the same night as I work. So thank you to those who have helped, so now you are off the hook, I will be home now on Tues nights! And now instead of dealing with 40+ students at night, I will have 10 students and only an hour at a time. Yes!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I just want to share a couple things that I have grown to love.

The Ikea tent. Jill spends hours in it. We have had it for about 6 months now, and I think it gets played with everyday. It just pops up and down, and i store it behind our couch. the best 14.99 I have ever spent


Schwan's Blueberry muffin pucks. I love muffins, but when you make a whole batch, at least in our house, they go bad before they all get eaten. So you can just pop a couple in the oven, and 25 minutes later, you have this.

I haven't eat many since the Healthy Living challenge, but they are great, and Jill loves them


And one not so favorite thing, Getting ready for taxes. This is how I spent 4 hours yesterday afternoon, and this is my task today as well.

And of course these are my favorites...............