Swing set and friends

I have been searching for a swing set on Kijiji for a few months now. And I am happy to say I FINALLY found one that was a reasonable price and what we were looking for.

Kent and I went into Calgary on Friday and picked it up in the rain. It wasn't in pieces like we thought it would be...thank goodness! The guy had taken it apart in 3 big pieces for us.

 Kent called his brother Jeff to come over and help him put it together Saturday morning. Cole and Tyson helped as well. All the kids were anxioulsy waiting for them to finish so they could play. 

In the bottom right picture you can see Bryn had climbed up the ladder and went down the slide as they were still putting it all together...she just couldn't wait any longer ha ha!

Poor Nathaniel and Izabella (our foster kids) aren't allowed to go on the trampoline so we knew we needed to get this swing set up A.S.A.P so they had something to play on in the back yard.

  Our new to us swing set.

It has a slide, 2 swings, monkey bars, trapeze bars to hang from and mini picnic table under the fort/slide part of the swing set.

We were at Home Depot and saw this cute pirate wheel and pirate telescope with a compass on it to attach to the swing set...the kids LOVE it!! 

 Pirate wheel and Telescope and compass

They are on it every second they can be. Bryn and Nate woke up Sunday morning around 7:00 a.m. asking if they could go out and play on in ha ha. I said no as it was too early and we needed to get ready for church...they were seriously disappointed!

Friends...

Some friends from our ward that live out in Crossfield were out for a walk and came over to play. They have 4 little kids...2 boys and 2 girls. Nate had a great time with the boys and they ran all over the yard and on the swing set playing Pirates.  

Brynley, Bella and the other 2 girls had so much fun together as well. They played and played and there was so much giggling...it was great to hear and watch!

 Tyson and Emmalina sitting at the picnic table being silly together.

 How cute are they...I love these pics of them.

Tyson was SO, SO good with all the kids. They kept calling him their babysitter ha ha!

Emmalina and Brynley going down the slide together.  

Note Brynley's outfit...rubber boots, shorts and a long sleeved pull over fleece hoodie...can you tell her Dad got her dressed today :) She didn't care as she was having a GREAT time!

Cake Balls and Cake Pops!

Have you ever heard of Cake Balls or Cake Pops? Have you ever made them? 

 Yummy Cake Balls from the Bakerella website

There are SO many different kinds you can make and so many different ways to decorate them...they are just too fun! And better yet, they taste WONDERFUL!!

I have been wanting to make them for a while now and I finally made them last weekend for my Young Women's. I made it for the Birthday treat to hand out last Sunday. They were a huge hit and the girls loved them! On those Cake Balls I put each of them on a sucker stick so they weren't so messy (forgot to take a picture).

 Cake Ball on a sucker stick...better known as Cake Pops!

I made some more this week for a couple of families in our ward, our neighbors and the painters that just painted our house....ok, and of course I made enough for us as well :)

I made whatever cake I had in our pantry...this time it was a white cake mix. And I dipped some in white chocolate and drizzled milk chocolate on top...

and some dipped in milk chocolate with white chocolate drizzled on top. This time I didn't put the sucker stick in them though.

It is always so fun to make things for other people and see their faces light up when you surprise them with it :)

Within my power

 I came across this one as well...so, needed to hear this!

When they attack you & you notice that you love them with all your heart, your work is done.

Hurt feelings or discomfort of any kind cannot be caused by another person. No one outside me can hurt me. That’s not a possibility. It’s only when I believe a stressful thought that I get hurt. And I’m the one who’s hurting me by believing what I think. This is very good news, because it means that I don’t have to get someone else to stop hurting me. I’m the one who can stop hurting me. It’s within my power.

—
Byron Katie

Embrace your vulnerablilites

When I saw this picture and the comment that was with it, I fell in love with it and just had to share it!

Owning your story is hard, but not as hard as spending your life running from it. Embracing your vulnerabilities is risky, but not as risky as giving up on love, belonging and joy - the experiences that make you the most vulnerable. Only when you are brave enough to explore the darkness, will you discover the infinite power of light.



 ~Brene Brown  

Sometimes you have to let go to see if there was anything worth holding onto.

Relationships

April was a VERY spiritually uplifting month for me with all that happened. Since January I feel like my soul is finally at peace and so happy with where I am at in my life. Getting my calling, seeing my parents and my sister, my Grandma passing, finishing the Book of Mormon...all good things that have touched my life lately! So grateful for all those experiences. They have helped rejuvenate me and gave me that pick me up I needed!

Hard realization...

Over the past couple of years I have lost a few relationships with people whom I was very close with...or, whom I thought I was very close with. It was tough when I realized that some of these relationships had been one sided and/or I had to walk a way from a friendship that was just too hard too watch their life fall apart before my eyes. That was the toughest thing for me to do...but in the end I realize it had to be that way or I would have been sucked down with them and all that was going on in their lives. 

I miss those friendships dearly and those people whom I adored and who meant SO much too me! I miss having that friendship, that connection. Someone whom you can confide in and they care about you and what is going on in your life and vice-a-versa. Yes, Kent is that person for me, but every girl needs a girlfriend...at least that is how I feel. I am close with my sister Emily and my Mom. We can talk openly and freely, but they live so far away.

When I hear other girls talk about their girls night outs or their friends who have been their for them in their time of need, I will admit I am envious and long for that. It has been tough as I have taken a good hard look at myself and wondered why? Kent told me that I can't stop being me because of how other people choose to be. True, but it still is hard to have to face.

I am a fiercely loyal person. I am protective of the people I care about. I care! I care about the people I love and maybe to a fault. I think I get misunderstood and things I say or things I do get taken the wrong way at times. I have taken a lot of crap over the years from people that I care about. But, I am finally in a place where I no longer feel the NEED to please everyone else. So therefore I have taken a step back from certain people and that is when I realized that some of these relationships where VERY one sided. And if it wasn't for me calling to see how they were doing and trying to get together with them then it would never happen. Did it hurt when I realized all this, you bet! BUT, it is what it is and I can't force someone to care about me, nor do I want that...so therefore I don't need that kind of relationship in my life. It has taken me a while to get to this point, but I didn't have a choice really. 

I guess I am having one of those deep thinking kind of days. My heart is sad, but I am slowly adjusting and trying my best to move on and not let it bring me down. Plus, the sad thing is, I don't think these people have thought twice about me and the friendship/relationships we had...that is what hurts!

I feel like I have always had to be the one to suck it up and deal with it when I have been treated badly by someone and just let it go and move on. I am tired of that...I don't want/need that in my life anymore. I have learned to listen to myself and how I am feeling. If I don't want to be around certain environments or people because I it feels like I will be walking into the lions den...then I am not going to put myself in that kind of a situation anymore. I am not going to just put my feelings aside and suck it up anymore. I choose to be happy and to feel safe! If I don't feel safe around someone, I am not going to be around them.  It has been nice to give myself this permission finally...I needed to do this for me.

When we were in Utah at a church bookstore I saw this wall hanging on the wall and had to have it. It says:

Living Life

Life is not a race- but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say, "Thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it as best you can.  Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment.

~Bonnie L. Mohr

So, from all this, I choose to be happy with those relationships I did have in my life at one time. And try to remember the good and the happy times instead of the negative of it all.


What I have learned so far from all of this:

1) Not to expect others to react the way I think or feel they should react to certain situations. Just because I would react and do certain things, doesn't make it the right way and that others should do the same thing.


2)To try not to have expectations of people...less disappointment that way!


3) If someone wants/expects to be treated with respect of course treat them with respect as you should treat them that way. BUT, it goes both ways...if you want to be treated with respect then you should treat others with respect and not justify why it is ok for you and/or your family to not show others that same respect. 

I saw this saying on my friends blog and it was exactly what I need to hear:

"Stop trying to find friends.....instead develop the SKILLS of friendship."

 

 

The need for more finishers | Mormon Times

My Mom emailed me this article called  

The need for more finishers | Mormon Times

It is such a good read and SO true! It has motivated me to continue to do my best and always be a finisher!

Enjoy!

Frustrated!!

It amazes me how each week can be so different from the next one. Being a foster parent is TOUGH!! Last week I was positive and ready for everything and this week I am the complete opposite and feeling so defeated and drained. 

Dealing with Case Workers and all of their nonsense is SO FRUSTRATING!! Our Child Welfare system is messed up with how they do things and as a foster parent my hands are tied and I am to take care of these kids and pretty much shut up! I want what is best for these kids, just like I would my own kids. BUT, we are really restricted with how things are done and we as the foster parent are always the last to know anything...plus, we have no say in anything either.

Last week I met Izabella's Mom for the first time. I was nervous and anxious about meeting her...but in the end it all went well. It amazed me how much Bella looked like her Mom. I left there heart broken for Bella thinking there is NO WAY she can go back to her Mom. Her Mom can't even take care of herself let alone a BUSY 21 month old girl!  

Izabella is doing well and growing and talking more and more each day...she really is a smart little thing!

 Princess Brynley and Princess Bella all dressed up!

Izabella and Brynley wake up and give each other a hug and then fight ALL day...so my days are VERY long! They are only 10 months apart so it has been tough to say the least. Most days I am EXHAUSTED!! 

I was shopping the other day when a lady heard me call Brynley to come hear. She smiled and told me her daughters name is Brynn and they call her "Brynn-a-licious" for fun. I smiled and said,  

"ya, we call ours Beast"

  
and we all started laughing!! Sad, but so true! It is funny though as we have Izabella whom we call "Bella" and Brynley whom we call "Beast" every now again...get it...Belle and Beast from Beauty and the Beast ha ha...I know, I know!!

At church it is a struggle with the girls to keep them from fighting and keeping them preoccupied and corralling them in where we are sitting so they don't take off on us. On Sunday it was so sweet as I was holding Bella on my lap when we started to sing a hymn. I was holding the hymn book out in front of us and using her little finger to touch the words as we sang them. All of a sudden she started to sway back and forth and trying to sing along to the music...it was so sweet! I love those moments and those are the moments I have to remember and hold onto when I get so frustrated with everything. 

Izabella is definitely going through the terrible two's and is very dramatic. She throws herself to the floor A LOT when she is mad, so therefore she hurts herself as she usually does it when she is on our slate floor which is rock so it hurts! She is constantly whining and follows me like she is my shadow all day long whining...it is hard. Bella puts everything in her mouth and destroys most things. BUT, she has the greatest smile and is so fun to cuddle.

Bella is with us for sure until the end of June and then Child Welfare and her Mom go to court to decide what is going to happen next. So we shall see what happens.  Bella gets to see her Mom once a week for a couple of hours. They are trying to get another visit with her Mom each week set in place. Which I am looking forward to as it will give me a break :)

Nathaniel is really good about the routine of things around here. He is enjoying praying and he even reminds us every now and again that we need to pray...how cool is that :)  Nate gets to go on 2 visits a week to see his parents and his siblings.

We will find out next Wednesday how long Nate will be with us...if he will be here for 6 months or not. He is a chatty little guy and has lot's to say ALL OF THE TIME! ha ha  He is really enjoying Kindergarten and is like a sponge as he is just so eager to learn all that he is being taught. He has had his moments for sure and it can be tough with him as well...but over all he really is a good boy and we are so lucky!

Our kids are such a big help with all that is going on. Nate and Bella LOVE Cole! Whenever he walks in the door from being gone, he gets greeted with kids running to him, open arms and big hugs from the kids. He really is so good with them! 

Tyson has a harder time and doesn't have much patience for them (hmmm, wonder where he gets that from) but really he does his best. He just needs a gentle reminder every now and again to be nice. It is interesting to watch the pecking order cause Ty hates how Cole treats him, but yet Ty treats Nate the same way.

Brynley, well what can I say, she bugs everyone ha ha ha!! Bryn really is at that age where she is just a pest and giggles and giggles when she can get the kids all worked up. Let's just say she has A LOT of time outs each day.


Lately I have felt like such a bad Mom. I am needing a pick me up and I am hoping it will come sooner than later as I NEED an attitude change. I have my hands full and I wouldn't change a thing. I am human and this past week has just been hard! 


Thank goodness for Kent!! He comes home each day after work and relieves me as much as he can by being so helpful with the kids. I SO appreciate all his help!
  

Busy bees...

Since Tyson is now 10 1/2 years old we figured it is time he learned how to move the lawn. He was excited about this as he has been waiting to be old enough to do it ha ha...and I am sure once he has done it a couple of times he will wish he was never taught ;)

Kent teaching Tyson how to mow the lawn.

Tyson did a good job. Cole and Ty will take turns mowing the lawn each week they said. I have to smile as it just amazes me how quickly our boys are growing up!

Tyson has been learning how to play the recorder at school this year. He is really enjoying it. He comes home with it every time he has learned something new and plays it for me.

I love his excitement when he learns something new :) 

Cole had a fun week last week...but no pictures to show for it as I was not there with him. He went on his first band camp on Wednesday, May 11-12th, which was for one night. I believe they went somewhere near Cochrane...shoot I can't remember exactly. 

Then on Monday, May 16th his school band was playing in a recital up in Red Deer so he got to miss school again that day. He was happy about getting to miss another day of school and said he had a good time and they played the best they have ever played. I am so bummed I missed it...wish we could have gone to listen to them play.

Cole left this morning around 6:30 a.m. as he had to be in Airdrie at our church to meet the bus for 6:45 a.m. The Youth of our ward are going to Cardston on a Temple trip for the day. Once again I SOOOOO wish I could have gone, but it just wasn't possible. They will eat in the Temple cafeteria when they are done and then head off to Waterton to do some hiking and then head home.

New Trampoline...

We bought a new trampoline as our last one had had its day. It was fun to watch the boys and one of their friends try to put it together. I told him how to do it properly and then I told him to make sure he reads the instructions as trampolines are tough to put together. Cole said, "I know, I know" and went to work on putting it together. 

 Cole and his friend Braden and Tyson trying to put the trampoline together.

Look at all those dead patches of grass *sigh*...we were so frustrated when the snow melted to see our grass in the backyard looking like this.

 Almost done!

About 2 1/2 hours later they were done. Cole came in and said how hard it was too put together and that they had to do it (the way I told them to to begin with) this certain way and once they did it went way smoother. I smiled and nodded and said great job son! It took everything I had to not say REALLY...I told you so...but since I am the nice, loving Mom that I am, I restrained myself from such criticism ha ha ha!!

It is great having a trampoline again for the kids! They spend A LOT of time on it and that is a good thing :)

Painted toes...

Last weekend Kent and I went together and got a pedicure. Kent likes getting them just as much as I do and it is always fun to go together to get them done. When Bryn saw my toes all painted so pretty she said,

"Ohhh, pretty, pretty Mum!"

On Thursday, May 19th Bryn was looking at my toes and she kept touching them and petting them saying how pretty they were. And then I thought, hey we have never painted Bryn's toes!  

So I went and found some teal finger nail polish in my drawer and asked her if she wanted her toes "pretty?" She smiled and said yes. I was a little nervous how I was going to do it. Keeping her still and not touching them till they had time to dry was going to be tricky.

Bryn's "pretty" toes!

It is a teal color...hard to tell in this picture.

 

Brynley showing her painted toes...this is what she does...she will be walking and then she will stop and point at her toes and say "pretty" and smile! She LOVES having her toes painted!

Brynley and Mommy's "pretty" toes!

Bella was napping so it was nice to just have time together with Bryn like that. Once her toes were dry we laid on my bed cuddling and then she fell asleep in my arms...so nice!

If I am wearing socks Bryn will take them off of me and touch my toes and then touch her toes and say over and over, 

"ohhh you pretty, pretty, me pretty, pretty!"

Please excuse the quality of the pictures as they were all taken with my cell phone ha ha!

Funny Story... 

I was sound asleep and it was 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. At some point in the night Bryn had crawled into our bed and fell asleep between us. Unfortunately for me Brynley was cuddled up right next to me while she was sleeping and she peed the bed. I was rudely awakened to a hot, wet sensation all down my side. It was N-A-S-T-Y!! That is the first time she has ever had an accident in the night like that...and of course I got soaked as well ha ha! Ohhhhh the joys of being a Mom :)

I am so blessed to be Cole, Tyson and Brynley's Mom!!

 

What a week...

I am not sure why, but this week has been a real struggle for me emotionally, physically and spiritually. I find that I have been dragging and just can't seem to get on top of things this week. Come to find out a lot of other Mom's I have been talking to are feeling the same way...so who knows what and why...but enough already!!

Monday once Kent got home from work I was in tears and went on a drive. That is something that I usually do when I am needing to get away and think and be alone with my thoughts. Some times it is maybe not a good thing to be alone with my thoughts LOL, but it usually helps me get out whatever it is I am needing too and then take a deep breath and go back home and face the next day. It is never a good feeling or place to be when feeling that way. I try so hard to put on a happy face and grin and bear it...but this week was a tough one for me. 

I have a couple of people in my life whom I trust and that means a lot to me as there aren't many people around me like that anymore...that is a whole other post ha ha. I know I can call or email these people whenever I need to and vice-a-versa. Everyone needs to have someone in their lives who they feel safe with and can trust and not feel judged...feel listened to and not made to feel like their is something wrong with you. Everyone needs to be able to vent to someone! I cam across this saying on a friends facebook page and I now have it posted up on the wall in my computer room to remind me :)

Every day may not be good...
but there's something good in every day! Have you done any good today?

I was reading my friend Rose Travers mission blog (she was my sewing teacher) and she said something that really touched me.

"Do I need to be told what to do, or do I do what needs to be done willingly? Am I able and willing to respond to immediate needs? I remember a saying, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." I hope I am a doer of the "Word" and not a hearer only and that in some way I will also be a rescuer."

Those words struck me to my core as it is something I needed to hear and always remember to do and be like! I miss Rose and I am so happy she is loving where they are serving. Whomever comes in contact with them will only be so lucky and oh-so ever blessed :)

 

Baby steps...

Our Brynley has been sleeping in our bed with us since she was about 7 months old....Bryn is now 2 1/2 years old! Kent and I are EXHAUSTED to say the least! It is not something we wanted, but it is something we did to get through all that was going on at the time. 

Seriously, we don't get much sleep as Bryn sleeps sideways so she is either kicking Kent all night or me. And no matter how many times we lift her up and turn her so she isn't kicking us...she ALWAYS ends up back that way. We get snide remarks all the time about how "Brynley is the queen bee of the house" and she tell us all what to do and gets her way....well, let me tell you...then YOU deal with it all and see how well you do...just sayin'!! 


Brynley also (since she was a baby) throws up whenever she gets really upset. So much so she can do it on demand now...NOT COOL!! We tried letting her cry it out in her crib and then in her bed and she would always throw up everywhere. So no now we don't let her cry it out as we don't want to be cleaning up barf all the time. Especially not in the middle of the night or in the morning when it has dried up and everywhere. So therefore she has been in our bed with us *sigh* and that hasn't been good either...let me tell ya!!

When she was born she was the best sleeper. She slept in her crib and slept 10-12 hours at night...it was AWESOME!! Then, when she started teething and Kent's parents had just moved in with us (so there was LOT'S going on) she did a complete change and now, well, all I can say is that she is "broken" LOL!

Anyways, Kent and I decided to lay a blanket on the floor beside my side of the bed and a pillow and that is where she can sleep. We told her that the bed is Daddy and Mommy's bed to sleep in, NOT Brynley's bed. We showed her where she is going to sleep and you could tell she was a little confused. I told her she can sleep there on the floor OR go sleep in her nice comfy bed (I walked her down to her room and we sat on her bed). She ran back to our room and laid on her new bed on the floor pointing at it smiling saying, 

"me sleep here, no mummy's bed, no daddy's bed." 

And she was so cute as she listened and kept looking at me and then pointed to our bed and said,  

"Daddy, Mummy's bed."

Brynley asleep on the floor beside our bed.

We started that over a week ago...so far so good! So we figure that that is GREAT progress!! Yes, she is still in our room...but she is not in our bed and that is SO nice :) Next step, to get her in her own room and in her own bed...can't wait!!

OUCH!!

Bryn asleep on the floor beside our bed. I wanted to take a picture of her owie that had just happened the day before...poor baby :)

Brynley was running around outside in our backyard with her cousin Logan and our foster son Nate when she tripped and landed on her face on the cement....OWIE!!

My Mother's Day...

I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend! It started off by my sister in law Melanie and I going out Friday night to do a little shopping, have dinner and then go see a movie. It was fun and so nice to have a night out. 

Saturday morning my son Cole and I were up bright and early to go do Highway clean up with the Youth of our Ward (check that out here). Later on Saturday the kids came home and gave me flowers and a card. Kent and the kids tidied up the house as well. 


Sunday morning I woke up to breakfast being made and brought to me. It was YUMMY! Tyson gave me his gift he had made for me at school...very sweet and funny! Kent gave me his gift and it is for a massage...can't wait to use it :)

I called and talked to my Mom on the phone to wish her a Happy Mother's Day. She was over a my sister Emily's house. My Mom is the best!!

We slowly got ready for church (as it is at 11 a.m.) and then headed out the door once we were all ready.

My kids and I!

I wanted a picture with me and all of the kids as we didn't have one. I am not aloud to show our foster kids faces online so I blurred them out.  Being a Mom to 3 GREAT kids and to 2 foster kids has its challenges, but I wouldn't change a thing. I am SO lucky to be Cole, Tyson and Brynley's Mom. And we are so blessed to have our foster kids Nate and Bella in our home. I love being a Mom! 

Sunday we had Kent's Mom Debbie over for Mother's Day dinner and Kent's brother Jeff and his family came over as well (forgot to take  pictures). We had steak, roasted baby potatoes, carrots and onions, buns, Caesar salad, brownie and ice cream with toppings for dessert. It was all so, so good! We played some games and visited for a while.

Life is good...it couldn't get any better than this!! I LOVE my family more than life itself. 

Thank you to Kent and my kids for making me feel so special and pampering me all weekend long!! I love and adore you guys :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day as well!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I have been told my whole life that I am "a carbon copy" of my Mom! My Mom would always apologize to me about that...I was always SO proud to resemble my Mom as I adored her...and still do!

 My sweet Mom and I this past April when we surprised them for a visit!

She is one of the strongest women I know. She is such a good example of perseverance and carrying on in spite of all things going on around her.

I love you Mom, and I am SO grateful to be able to call you MY MOM!!

 Happy Mother's Day to ALL you wonderful Mother's out there. Know you are doing the hardest job in the world!!

Highway clean up...

Yesterday (May 7th) Cole and I were up at 6:15 a.m. so we could get out the door and be at our church by 7:00 a.m. to do Highway clean up with the Youth of our Ward. We were a little tired to say the least!

Once we were at the church and everyone who was helping out arrived I was looking around the room to see who had all come to help. I was truly amazed and SO shocked by the people who arrived to help that didn't have any of their own kids their, didn't have callings in the Youth...they knew we needed help, so they were there to help! I couldn't get over it...who does that...how amazing are they. I know I would never had been there yesterday to do the garbage clean up if I didn't have a calling in the YW and was required to be there. There was even parents of the Youth who stayed to help...WHAT??? 

Seriously, my eyes have been opened, I was so touched by all of their kid act. I went over to them and thanked them for their examples of what we should all be like and they smiled and were surprised by what I was saying. 

We watched a safety video of the do's and don't of highway clean up and then there was donuts for us all to eat before we were to leave. Cole and I were assigned to do 2 KM's by ourselves as we were short on help. We were given gloves and a bright ornage vest to wear. This was my first time doing highway clean up so I had NO idea and really didn't think much of it...no big deal, right?!


The weather was somewhat nice out (a little chilly still) and there were dark clouds in the distance. So we knew we needed to get things done as quick as we could cause it was supposed to rain at some point. 

 This is what it was like when we first started out.

Cole and I in "our ditch" that we were cleaning.

I took a couple of pictures of us with my cell phone and I look hilarious as it is really tough to take pictures of yourselves I have to say. BUT, I am so glad I did as we had a lot of fun together. Ya know, 2 KM's is a LONG ways to clean when there is only 2 people doing it :)

Barb picking up garbage.

This is what we were had to wear and what we looked like. 

Cole picking up garbage.

Cole checking out something on the ground and he was really grossed out by whatever it was ha ha! We only saw 1 dead animal...it was a badger we think...or what left of it was a badger I should say...NASTY!!

Funny story...

As we were picking up garbage we noticed there were these big holes in the sides of the ditches. Cole asked me what animal could have dug those holes and I told him probably badgers. I told him badgers are mean suckers (which they are) so we needed to be careful when we were picking up garbage near those holes. At one point Cole had to go over to pick up some garbage that was right by 3 of these large badger holes. Me, being the nice, sweet, loving Mother that I am, waited for Cole to be picking up the garbage right near the holes and then I yelled, 

"look out there coming" 

and he SCREAMED and took off running and the garbage he had been pickin' up went everywhere ha ha ha ha!!! So, so funny!! Cole and I laughed and laughed...that was a good one :)

It was great as some drivers as they drove by us on the highway would honk their horns and give us a thumbs up or a wave. That helped pick up our spirits every time someone did that as it made us feel good. 

Cole laughing at me as I am trying to wind up the twine that seems to be forever long! If you look closely there is some orange twine that I am holding up in the left of the picture. We had TONS of twine from hay bails that was in the ditch. It was all unraveled and SO long. 

The view of where we were...

 The weather was slowly changing as time went by. It started to get darker and darker out. You could feel it getting colder as well. Right when we finished it started to lightly rain. We were pretty happy that we were able to finish all we needed to do before it started to rain :)

You can't see them in these pictures, but there were horses in some of the fields we passed by. The were watching us very closely and so unsure of what we were doing. I tried to call them over to us, but they wouldn't come. I love horses and it made me want to go for a ride on one. 

My boy and I...

Cole and I

It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get the 2 KM's done. In that time we were out in the country all by ourselves so we were able to have some good talks and good laughs together. When we were done our 2 KM's we got back to our van and drove to the next 2 crews to see if they needed help finishing their ditches.

I really am very grateful for the opportunity that I had to spend so much time with my son yesterday. Yes, we were cleaning up garbage along a highway, but we had some great "alone time" together! I LOVE this boy more than life itself. He is growing so fast and changing before our eyes into such a good young man.

Doing this garbage clean up for our ward has opened my eyes as to what we should ALL be doing. Helping one another whether it is part of our calling or not, whether our kids are in YW or YM's or not. It is something we as a family will definitley be doing to help our ward out each year...I am looking forward to next year and the good talks, laughing and alone time I can have with my boys while doing this. Next year Tyson will be able to come help us :)