Someday I'll be Famous

Sidney is reading the book Yours Truly, Anne Frank. She was reading me a part in it that said Anne frank is famous because of her diary. We would not know much about her if she had not written in her diary. Then she proceeds to tell me, "One day you are going to be famous because of your journal mom, and all those scrapbooks you do, they are going to make us, (her and the kids) famous because they will know so much about us." She was totally serious.

I never knew. All those hours of scrapbooking will pay off. Let me remind you that Anne did not become famous until after she was gone. Oh, well someday I'll be famous.

She has Arrived

She's SOME PIG!

Two weeks ago Parker and Bruce went to the auction in Huntly, Montana. It is about an hour Northeast of Billings. This was Parker's first time at a an auction. He learned a lot and picked out his choice of the top four pigs. This pig was his #1 choice. He had 20 other people bidding against him but he was the last one standing. Way to go bud. She weighed in at 75 this week. By the time Fair comes around in August he should be up to around 270lbs, we're hoping.

She is a gild, which in pigology is a female pig. In the past Parker has always raised a burrow, (a male pig). To educate all those that are interested (pigology 101) she is a Yorkshire/Hemp cross. More Hemp, that is why she's black with a white belt.

We have been trying to think of a name. Bailey came up with a great one: Barbie Q. Parker states that he doesn't want to name her. Any great ideas?

Just to reassure all of you that we are safe up here in Montana from the swine flu. I believe this is how it is passed and I assure you we have kept clear of this kind of contact.

Happy Birthday My Love

Bruce shares the same birthday month as his older brother, David, who just turned 50. His fabulous kids did such an awesome tribute for their dad David, I truly love the idea so I hope you don't mind that I am stealing it. (Thanks Amie).

Happy 42nd Birthday Dad! 42 reasons why we love our dad -

1. Have the patients of a Saint. - Mom
2. He's a good baseball player. - Hannah
3. He makes me laugh. - Bailey
4. Takes care of our cars. - Mom
5. Tells me he loves me every night. - Sidney, Mom
6. After each volleyball game he tells me how good I did and what I can do to be better. - Sidney
7. Loves to be home with the family. - Mom
8. He plays baseball with me. - Sidney, Parker
9. Makes memorable weekends with the kids while I am off scrapbooking - Mom
10. Enjoys his Thanksgiving dinner. While everyone else is done eating he is still buttering his mashed potatoes. - Mom
11. He encourages me. - Sidney
12. Is meticulous when hanging a picture. - Mom
13. He laughs with me. - Sidney
14. Likes to play sports with us. - Bailey
15. I can always trust him, he's honest - Hannah
16. Gives me flowers - just because. - Mom
17. He listens to me. - Sidney
18. Love to go hunting with him. - Parker
19. Sleeps out on the tramp with the kids. - Mom
20. Provides for us. - Mom, Hannah
21. Loves to tickle me. - Bailey
22. He gives me father's blessings. - Sidney
23. He loves to watch Kong Fu Panda with us. - Hannah
24. He always tries to come to our games to support us. - Hannah
25. He reads the scriptures with the family in the mornings. - Sidney
26. He prays with me every night. - Sidney
27. Loves to watch movies with us. - Bailey
28. Honors his priesthood. - Mom
29. He listened to my Chief Joseph presentation. - Sidney
30. He's AWESOME! - Hannah
31. Goes snowboarding with me. - Parker
32. Takes us camping. - Bailey
33. Serves diligently in the church. - Mom
34. Makes yummy food, especially pancakes! - Bailey
35. Helped me pick out Mother's Day gift. - Sidney
36. Helps me take care of my pig. - Parker
37. He's HOT! - Hannah
38. Taught me how to drive the riding lawn mower. - Sidney
39. Helps me make my bed. - Hannah
40. Likes to spend time with us. - Bailey
41. Helps me with my home work. - Hannah
42. He gives me hugs and kisses every night. - Sidney

Since we couldn't fit it all in to just 42 reasons here are two more for good measure

43. Listens to my comments about movies. - Sidney
44. Comes to our sport games. - Bailey, Parker

We love you Dad. Hope you have a fabulous birthday.

Farm Life

The past two weeks we have enjoyed our mornings feeding baby lambs. Every year our dear friends pick up anywhere from 10-14 bum lambs and raise them. In the first stages they have to bottle feed the lambs every 4-6 hours. It is quite an ordeal. This year Hannah, Sidney, and I wanted to help with the 6am feeding. Every morning bright and early we headed over to our friends farm and enjoyed feeding each lamb a bottle. With four of us we were done in no time. Especially when we would sometimes feed two at a time. The lambs have now moved on and do not require bottle feedings. It was fun enjoying farm chores while they lasted. Next week Parker picks up his pig and we will be back to taking care of animals for a while. Truthfully, I think I am enjoying this farm life.

update

We are all alive! doing well and staying busy. Thurs we are getting carpet in the basement and the girls are so excited to start moving into their new rooms. Friday we are all going to the temple as a family. It is the girls first time, they are so excited to do baptisms. These past coulple of weeks we have had the fun opporunity of feeding our friends lambs in the morning. I have some pictures that I'll post later. But for now you can enjoy a fun video of the lambs at my friends blog.

Bi-annual Renewal

Every April and November I look forward to watching General conference. It is a time for me to break away from my daily routine. A time to watch TV for 8 hours and not feel guilty. A time to focus on what really matters and receive instruction on how to improve myself. And most important an opportunity to listen to our living prophet and receive counsel on what the Lord would have us do. Elder Paul V. Johnson said, in Conference, October 2005

"Decide now to make general conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good."
"The Blessings of General Conference", Ensign, Nov. 2005

What a powerful promise.

Enjoy Conference this weekend. Whether it be to relax, lift your spirits, or if nothing else to watch 8 hours of TV without the guilt.

The Finishing Touches

It has been a few weeks since the girls rooms were painted. We are waiting to lay the carpet - hopefully soon. They picked bright, fun colors. I usually pick the paint colors and then convince them that that is what they want. This time I decided to let them have full range. It looks like rainbow sherbet at the end of the hallway, bright, fun and colorful. All the electrical work is up and running. It is so fun to actually flip the switch and have light. Bruce did a great job. Not too much longer and then my little ladies can move into their little kingdom.