New Stovetop

My stove top has been broken for a few years. The burners would heat too hot and when we turned it off one burner would automatically come back on. I was always nervous that someone would leave a pan on and it would start a fire. Which thankfully when they did leave a pan on I was able to find it. We were finally able to get a new stove top! It's like I have to learn how to cook all over again because the temperature of the burners are not as hot. It cooks nice. It will be so nice for canning this next fall to have accurate temperatures. I'm grateful that Larry was able to put it in for me (us).

The left side is a grate that I can also take off and put a griddle on. Or I can put another set of burners in.

Cool huh?

Welcome to the "Real world" Asher!

May 28th, 2012 Asher David Joseph joined our family! We are so happy he has arrived. April had made a nice warm water bed for him and so he took his sweet time arriving. He was born 16 days after his due date of May 12th. April's water broke early early Monday morning and she went into the hospital. Misty and her family came into town and she stayed with Matt and April during her labor and delivery. I was at my home taking care of the kids and waiting for news all day and then calling Misty when I couldn't wait any longer. After Asher was born and I was taking Jovie, Clara and Ainsley to see him Monday night I got into town and received a lot of text messages on my phone. Misty had been texting the progress all day to the family. I felt left out at that point. But that's OK. I was trying to help where I was needed the most. Misty got some lovely pictures which will be cherished.

Asher was 8 pounds 3 ounces and 20.5 inches long. He arrived at 7:14 pm.

He's 28 seconds old. I love the look of wonder on April's face as she meets her new born son.

Love this picture!

Jovie, Ainsley and Clara loved being able to see Asher Monday night but he hadn't been born very long and April was nursing him when we got there so we could only look. 

I was able to get a picture of April and Asher before we left.

Jovie, Ainsley and I were anxious to be able to hold Asher so we went back to visit Tuesday. I loved watching the girls faces and joy they had seeing their baby brother.

Precious.

Jovie and Asher. She whispered in his ear "Welcome to the real world".

Matt and David gave April a blessing Sunday evening and more than once Jovie said that it was such good thing mommy got a blessing. That's what Asher was waiting for was mommy to get a blessing. And she said it was a good thing that she prayed too so that he could be born. Isn't that sweet.

Ainsley's turn. Is this really ours?

Oh I love him!

Yay!!! It's finally my turn! My 12th grand baby in my arms. I am so blessed. I'm grateful that April and Asher had a safe and healthy delivery. 

Isn't he cute!

As Jovie said. "Welcome to the real world Asher."And I'm so excited to get to know who you are baby.

Mother's Day

The second Sunday in May is set apart each year to honor mother's. Today is mother's day. I am grateful that I am a mother and grand mother. That I have 5 great children who married great people and have blessed us with the greatest grand children. I appreciate that I was able to talk with each one of my children today. I received this on my Facebook page from Michael and Emma.

The card that April and her family gave me made me giggle with a ring of truth to it.

The picture on the front was of a mom holding suitcases and it said...

Mom-I'm sure you've thought of it a few times... but thanks for not running away! Happy Mother's Day

I love to read and am grateful that from Rachel that I get to put $10.00 towards a book on my nook. Joshua called me on his way to go back to the city he is working in. Misty called me too and I received in the mail from her a really nice cd by Lower Lights, a Hymn Revival. It's a bluesy sound to the hymns. Good sounding music.

I know that each of my children are busy with their own families and I do appreciate that they remember me too. I love you ALL!

Hot Air Balloons. Pictures Taken by Larry

These pictures are again taken by Larry. The surprising thing is that they were taken by him using his cell phone. A first for him.

He was golfing and the hot air balloons started floating overhead. He was wishing he had my camera but used the closest thing he had and took pictures with his camera on his cell phone. He brought them home and just hoped that they were saved on the camera. Which they were. I did some cropping and editing but I was impressed that he used his cell phone which he said was NOT a good camera because the balloons were much closer than the pictures show. So... I'm still impressed.

A View of Our Home From Up Top

Dad grabbed the camera and took off on the 4 wheeler to get some pictures of our home and property while everything is so green. He rode to our property at the top of the hill on the other side of the rode and took these. I really like them. (Don't tell him I did a little editing with them)

I love our place. I love being in the country away from neighbors. I love the quiet, watching the deer and other animals around here. I love to watch the hummingbirds that come each year. I love our garden, orchard and our animals. I love our home, our pool and that it's a fun place for our children and their families to come home too. We are in the process of naming our place and Aria (9 year old grand daughter) gave the suggestion "Big Fat Happy Place". Sums it all up I think.

These are pictures of the farmers fields around our property.

Our place. Home.

April is Very Pregnant

We were at the wedding reception and I got a side view of April and I couldn't refuse to take pictures.

I swear she is telling Asher that she is ready for him to come out!

Joshua and Ethan 4 wheeling

Joshua and his family came into town for a wedding. Saturday after the wedding but before the reception Joshua brought Ethan out to visit us and Ruby. A friend of Joshua's that he's known since grade school and church and a new friend of Ethan's came out with them. Craig and his son. It was nice to have them all come up and visit. The little boys loved seeing and feeding the goats and chickens. But no boy can refuse the call of throwing rocks into the creek behind the house.

I asked Ethan to smile for me.

Papa got the 4 wheeler out and Joshua took Ethan for a spin. He loved it. He told his momma about his ride that "It's so big" and was not quite as sure.

But according to these smiles I'd say he liked it.

Look Ma I'm driving!

Hunter and Ethan enjoying some time on the porch before they had to leave.

I was happy they came up to see us!

Date with Ainsley

I took Ainsley on a little date to get some hot chocolate. We had a fun time.

This is a dog sculpture outside the hot chocolate shop.

A nice lady took a picture of us together.

On our date we saw a huge duck on top of a building. April told me that they were down town a couple of weeks later and Ainsley saw the duck. She told her mom dog? hot chocolate? She remembered our date. *smile*

Goats. Again.

Spring had brought rain and with rain means lots of new grass. So I decided to move the goats to the pen out behind the barn during the day so they can eat all the grass down in the old dog pen. 

They didn't like it at first. Agnus and Francis like to be around people. 

They do like walking on the railroad ties and an old bathtub we have in the pen. And decided the grass was an added bonus.

Ruby loves going out with me when I walk the goats back and forth. She was trying to get a mole out of the hole. She definitely needed a bath after this one. It also seems like she tries to herd the goats back into their yard at the end of the day. Which is sometimes not a help but I appreciate the effort I guess.

The goats love to stop at the pine trees and get a snack on the way back to their goat pen.

It may take a bit of time each day to do this but we are saving money on alfalfa which is a good thing.

Papa Babysitting?

Papa J is helping David babysit while Misty is at Time Out For Woman.

So, that's what you call it?

Sweet.

Jessica and Aria got to go to Time Out For Girls while we were at Time Out For Women. Time Out For Woman and Girls is sponsored by Deseret Book. Deseret Book is more or less the church's bookstore. So LDS speakers and musicians are invited to share their stories and talents with us to inspire us as woman in families, communities and church to improve and know we are special daughters of God and to help others. 

I was with 3 of our YSA's girls from the branch but I would catch up to Misty, Shannon, and the girls every so often. Shannon had to leave early so she didn't get to be in the picture.

When Your Down Does That Mean Your Out?

Cockle is our rooster. He thought he was the top dog in the chicken coop and he was. He let the other rooster know that and the chickens and goats. He even tried to let me know that by coming after me and trying to attack me. Especially when my back was turned. I smacked him a couple of times and he'd leave me alone for awhile then be back at it. I went out to the chicken coop one Sunday morning and noticed him limping. I tried to catch him to help him but he wouldn't have anything to do with me. He ran and wound up hurting himself even worse. I left him alone and he was able to get himself into the coop. Monday he just stayed in the coop. Tuesday morning he was in the coop but a couple of hours later I went out to check on him and he wasn't in the coop so I looked for him and found him cowering in a corner of the pen with his comb bleeding. By that time he let me help him. I picked him up and got him cleaned up. I set him up a space in my garden shed so he could heal.

I got to thinking about the other chickens and how ruthless they were when they noticed that one of their own was hurt that they turned on him. I was thinking about the whole situation and realized that the rooster in the first place wouldn't except the help that I was reaching out to give to him. He wouldn't accept my help until he was at rock bottom. We as people do the same thing. We run from what or who could help us because we think we don't need help. We think we can get along in this world and can be cocky about it. That is until trials come upon us and we are humbled. Cockle let me help him. It's been 4 weeks and his comb is almost all healed. He still limps, I carry him outside to the front yard and he eats out of my hand. That's a big change  from trying to attack me.

Cockle hops on one leg.

Bread is a favorite treat for our chickens.

The back of his comb is still healing.

He can still be feisty. Ruby was eating the bread off the ground that I dropped and this picture is taken right before Cockle pecks Ruby on the head for getting to close. I have to admit that roosters and chicken in general are not very cute.

It was getting so hot in the garden shed during the day I move him out to the front yard. I have a little fence fixed in the flower bed. I can't believe I'm doing this for this rooster but I felt so sorry for him when I saw him cowering in the corner bleeding. I don't put the umbrella up very often. I put him in with the other chickens once to see how it would go and they starting pecking at the sore on his comb. I'll try again when that's all healed. I pray he starts using his other leg again.

Husky

Husky looks so comfortable on the bottom of the grill I had to snap a picture.

I'm grateful for his mice and mole catching abilities.

Orchard In Bloom

I enjoy seeing all the blooms in the spring on our fruit trees.

Apple blossom lane.

Ruby. She is such a good dog.

Ruby was posing for me among the apple blossom petals.

April's baby shower weekend

With April's baby coming soon it was time to host a baby shower for her. Kaylee one of April's friends helped me. I was only able to get a couple of pictures since I was busy with the food and keeping the record of what gifts came from who. Misty came for the shower so I'm hoping that she'll send a few pictures my way that she took. 

I made this tricycle for a table center piece. I thought it turned out great. It's made from diapers, socks, blankets, bibs, and a bottle.

I made a few other things with my cricut for table decorations too.

Hyrum is sitting on April wanting to get to know his cousin who will be the new baby in the family.

April got some really nice things for the baby. 

As usual we packed a lot into the day. I cooked a BBQ for us. The kids enjoyed the hot dogs. It's actually the first time I BBQ'd all the meat by myself. Not too bad of a job I did if I say so myself.

Clara is feeding Jovie for some reason. Gabe and Ainsley is in the picture too. 

April joined the group.

Misty was plugged in.

I'm not sure what it was that we had that was green unless it was avocado. Whatever it was Hyrum liked it.

Nathan wasn't too fond of me capturing him on camera. I think he's gotten good at hiding from camera's with his mom being a photographer and all. His favorite food of the weekend was Lucky Charms. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Papa J came home from golfing and got the 4 wheeler out. Woo Hoo! Nathan looked at the camera. Jovie and Clara along for the ride

Nathan is such a kind big brother to Hyrum.

Ainsley didn't want to be left out. Love her smile.

Papa got done mowing and took a few of the kids on a ride on the 4 wheeler.

Fun times!

Nathan even got to drive.

Gabe was hitting golf balls in Papa's private driving range waiting his turn.

Gabe's turn. Look at his smile!

Aria finally got there after spending all day with her 2nd cousin Emily so she got a ride too. It was getting pretty dark by then.

We can sure cram a lot into one day can't we? 

Plus April invited a couple of friends over in the evening and Misty did a Henna tattoo on April's belly. It's a legend that it will bring good luck to her and the baby. Late night visiting and talking. 

Family time is always a good time in my book.