hola

Baby Uno says hola world!!  =-)  He's growing REALLY well.  He's very....stout. (I say HE, but we really are not sure. HE has a big blocky head like a buck, so I'll be REALLY surprised if IT turns out to be a doe.)


Due to the rabbits taking over our lives, we decided to let go of our chickens. =(  I know it's silly, but I miss those nosy ladies!!  They went to a farm and I know they are being taken care of, but it seems strange to not see them scratching around their little yard.  

Simplify!!   I am trying to simplify our lives as much as possible.

School is almost out. Counting Play Day, I only have to wake the dragons 6 more times!!   Our vacation count is ticking down too....."I think I can, I think I can."  

Does anyone know what these are? Weeds? Wildflowers?  They are all over the west back of our property.  We even had someone stop the other day and ask if they could dig some up.  I have no idea what they are, but they resemble Phlox.  

 

Visiting ME

"Do you live in tomorrow when you must face today? At times, I forget to live in the moment, but what do I miss? The setting sun, the sound of birds' singing and, most importantly, I miss meeting myself. I am constantly changing, and if I don't spend time with myself in the here and now, I will never get to appreciate who I truly am because I am too busy focusing on who I want to be."
~Gary Barnes

For the past year or so, I had tried to resume walking off and on.. I love walking. Walking makes me feel incredible. It gives me energy, time alone to think or rock out to my MP3 player.  However, I haven't been able to do this because about half way though my calves would lock up with horrible cramps.  These things would wrap around to the front of my legs and even make my bones hurt later.  Several times it has gotten so bad I've had to call D to come and pick me up half way though the walk.  I had tried everything to making sure I was hydrated to buying new shoes and stretching out before hand,  and pretty much just given up.   I talked to my very favorite nurse practitioner, and the local pharmacist, and they both told me that I was lacking either calcium, magnesium, or potassium.  The pharmacist grabbed 2 bottles off the shelf, chucked them at me, and sent me on my way.  Whatever, I thought.  I didn't think anything was ever going to help.  Started taking the meds, gave it 2 weeks before walking again. T had been on my case to walk, becuase he's been going with me and riding his bike.  He loves to ride ahead and then loop back around me over and over again, chit chatting about nothing.  So I take off, with a pit in my stomach, waiting for the cramps to start any moment.  Get to the point they usually start bothering me.  So far so good. Past the point where D has had to come pick me up.  "Wow, Mom, your walking FAST today!"  Holy cow. This might be working!!  Get over by the hospital and all I feel is the delicious burning in my calves that's tells me my legs have missed the walking too.  Almost home and I'm grinning, listening to T's endless chatter and the birds chirping, loving my life.  I felt amazing. I felt incredible! I felt like ME! I haven't felt like ME for a long time!

I missed me. I hope she sticks around.

Our Weekend in Pics

A little mowing...

Well, actually a LOT of mowing is going on our at house. D decided this was the year the boys really started helping out with the mowing. I had issues with them using the mower.  I got to see my dad wrap wire all through his calf, and also got to see my brother put a stick through his leg when I was a teenager...(Remember that Eric? And I yelled at you to stop your bawling and that mom was going to be mad at you for dripping blood on the carpet?? Yeah...sorry about that!) Anyway, D patienly pats my back and explained that all will be ok. J actually got a job this summer mowing for our neighboor.  He's loving the extra cash flow!!

A little tattooing..

 D got all the babies tattooed today. Ugh. I hate that job.  He's getting better at it, but it's hard to watch because they squirm and cry. =(  He hates the gun, and would much rather use the clamp, but you can't get the big ol clamp in those teeny tiny ears.


A little chess...

J's learning how the play chess and spent a couple of hours over at Grandpa Chucks house this morning learning the moves.

A bit of pasture grazing...

Not for us..for the cows!! They are officially out in the pasture, since Rosy decided we were being much to slow getting the fence ready.  She, at 9 months pregnant, jumped the corral fence, to get to the greener grass. Not many women I know can do that! =)   They are REALLY enjoying all that room and grass, and I love seeing them out there as we drive by!  Whiskey has adopted Chewy  and they are never far apart!

Happy Mother's Day To My Mom!

Whirlwind Days

Packed lunches, stinky shoes,  nasty track clothes,  and bedrooms that resemble Greensburg 3 years ago....there is a peek into my life this week.

J had music contest Wednesday and did a solo!  We have never heard him practice or even heard the song for that matter, and we were asked not to come watch the performance becuase he "didn't think he could sing if we were in the room." So we stayed away, and it must have worked becuase he got a I on it.  He says he's not sure if he will EVER do that again.  He was terrified.  I was super proud of him!   He finished up his track season last night and is headed out on the Jr High Mystery trip this morning.

WE have lots of fun stuff coming up, and we are going to have to pick some and not do the rest.  T has a 3-day geology trip in June but also found out there are Mini Rex and Havana rabbit specialty shows (The boys raise both of those breeds)  that same weekend in Wichita.  J's made his opinion loud and clear, but T just can't decided what he would rather do.  I think either way, he's going to be sad he has to miss something.   I'm not sure if we should go try a new adventure and one I know he will have a ball with, ( He LOVES hunting rocks!)  or go to the show...and take the rabbits they have worked so hard on and spent butt loads of money on.  See what I mean??  Ultimately, we've left it up to T.  There fore, we probably won't have a definite decision until the day before! ;-) 

Our family grew this week! Niece Samantha gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! (And I DO mean BEAUTIFUL!)  So, at the age of 31, I am a great aunt! (I don't LOOK like a great-Aunt...do I?) We have to get over there soon to love on that baby!  Now we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of D's sister Sarahs little man! We can't wait!

FINALLY got my tomatoes planted...and was shocked when I discovered I had more than I had thought.   (In my defense, some of the six packs I bought were actually nine packs.) There are over 50 tomato plants in my garden this year!! Oh well.  Good thing my family loves tomatoes and salsa!!!  I do not think there will be a shortage this year.   (I have a salsa garden this year!! I am growing tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, green peppers and even the cilantro!! I wanted at least ONE batch made of NOTHING but homegrown veggies! I hope I get my wish!)

Almost There

The school year is almost over!! Our family is so ready for a little R&R!  The countdown has began!  It seems most of our life mainly consists of passing each other in and out the door.  We put a NO SPORTS rule into effect for the summer, so that means no baseball.  J doesn't seem to really care, but T is a bit ticked about it. I almost gave in, but have been strong so far!  I just want NOTHING to worry about this summer--no practices, no games....the thought actually seems strange to me at this point.  It hasn't happened for a VERY LONG time.

Thursday we spent a windy afternoon in Greensburg at J's track meet!! It was my only one I got to go to this season, but I enjoyed watching him!!  We were there about 4 hours, and T started complaining he was bored about 15 minutes in.   I mortified him by screaming at his brother as he was running by. (His exact words where:  "MOM! What the heck??   I am going to pretend like I don't know who you are!")   =)

Something else we are doing is making sure all of the boys' projects for the fair are done BEFORE we go on vacation.  I informed D we only had one month, and a week left before we went, and the only response I got was bugged out eyes.  Hmmm...I guess I need to get everyone pointed in that direction.

Remember me writing about J's doe he was waiting to give birth? The one he was using for the meat pen for the fair?  Well, she had *2* babies, and one was still born.  =(  This is his first experience with a still born, and he was very upset. (I am hoping he realizes more what us mamas have to go through to get our babies here!  He turned several shades of green while watching that poor bun give birth.)  The baby had a lot of bruising, and had been stuck for a little bit.   He always learns something with them.  Anyway, meat pen will wait yet ANOTHER year, I guess, since you can't do a meat pen with one baby and he can't rebreed because of  the min weight and age...they wouldn't make weight by fairtime.
He's named the new baby "UNO".  hehe  Baby UNO is being closely watched, as sometimes single babies don't stay warm enough since there are no brothers and sisters to curl up with.

I can't ever say my life is dull.  ;-)

 I snapped this picture yesterday of J's cal babies snoozing.   Can you just see what that poor girl is saying??  I've looked that way MANY MANY times since becoming a mom!

Ever Wonder?

 What 32 rabbits in the back of a 1986 van looks like?? In case you have, it looks like this:

We have 11 kids enrolled in the rabbit project for 4-H this year, but D and I were worried they would not know where to get rabbits from.  (Pet stores and auctions are NOT good places to get buns.)  Long story short, we mentioned this to a breeder buddy, who mentioned to HIS breeder buddy, who mentioned it to HIS breeder buddy....next thing we know my men are unloading 32 rabbits that these guys donated to the kids.  (I'm telling you, the nicest people in the world all show rabbits!!)

We've already re-homed 7 of them and hope the rest go home today.  If not, we are thinking some of the surrounding 4-H county's will have a use for them.  They are all on my porch, and still in their carriers. Hoping to be able to find cages for all of them to get into and stretch out pretty soon!