Home on the range

It's calving season at the ranch.  Now that grandpa and grandma are on their mission, we have added responsibility over at the ranch.  Blake has been going over every Thursday night, only to wake up every two hours and ride through the cattle to check for struggling newborn calves.  Fortunately, the boys have had some time off at school, allowing them to go with him.  Another bonus is being friends with a "real-life" delivery doctor, Gary Fowers.  We appreciate their help so much.  This picture is taken before they all left.  I should have taken one upon their return.  Their eyes were much more red, and the clothes a lot more dirty.  Ethan came home at 5:00pm the following day, went to bed at 5:30, and didn't wake up until 9:00am then next morning.  I publicly thank Blake for going over every Thursday without complaint.  I think he is probably wondering,  not for the first time, what he has gotten himself into marrying a Blotter girl!  

Winter Adventures

A lot of my friends and family have just returned from vacations in warm, far away places.  This year, the economy has squashed all our plans for a warm holiday adventure.  Instead, we went to our parents cabin again in Bear Lake.  We met up with cousins, and even I was surprised at the fun.  When you live in frigid Utah, I guess we just have to embrace it.  Somehow kids handle the cold much better  than me.  These little cousins were outside ALL DAY long!  

HAIR CUT!

Okay all my loyal blog readers.  I am asking for your vote.  It was haircut night at our house.  Ethan signed up for BYU football camp, and they had a bold warning about haircut and appearance.  Ethan jumped at that, and asked for a haircut.  It's about time!!  He is sure it looks better long.  What's your vote?

Top Ten

You should've smiled honey!  I told you!  Okay, since it's past Valentines, I thought I'd write a post on my dear hubby.  I am listing the top ten reasons why I love him.  They are in no particular order.  That would take too much thinking time.  

1.  Best darn foot-rubber this side of Texas

2.  Honors his priesthood, and leads us in prayer, FHE, and scriptures.

3.  A primo father.  

4.  Always makes me laugh.

5.  Keeps our family organized.  Almost to an extreme!

6.  He helps me.  He gets me all set up with everything.  From electronic, to fixing anything, to teaching me to balance a checkbook;  he just helps me.

7.  He picks up after himself.  

8.  He pulls the bed down every single night.  It's terrible when he's not home!

9.  He never, ever, complains.  Not about his church calling, work, or anything.  He is not a complainer.  I guess I do enough for both of us.  

10.  He does not speak ill of anyone.  He is fantastic that way.  

I love you honey.  Happiest late valentines day!  

stolen camera

Should I be worried?  I let my son borrow my camera for a second up at Beaver Mountain.  This is the photo that showed up on my camera that evening.  No, not a fancy ski jump, not a picture of his BOY friends.  Alas, a group of teenage girls!  I am up in arms!    What age do boys love girls?  I am thinking this is MUCH too early.  I better go drown myself in hot chocolate.  Speaking of which..... my most favorite kitchen accessory for 2009 has got to be the hot chocolate maker.  My kids think I am a little bit addicted.  I say I am a lot addicted!  I love constantly having hot chocolate.  I even took it for my beehive lesson.  It was on the holy ghost.  The warmth of hot chocolate definitely relates to the warmth of the holy ghost.  Wouldn't you agree?  

Beauty

Wow!  Can you believe this beautiful world of ours?  We went to the cabin in Bear Lake this weekend and had a great time.  The lake is totally socked in by clouds.  Global warming and all, it's just plain beautiful.  January is usually just a downer month for me.  Added to that is the bonus of my parents leaving on their mission for 18 months.  I thank a wonderful husband and children for putting up with all the tears and sadness.  I have resolved to pull myself together and focus on all the beautiful things in my life.  A husband I love, beautiful children, a brother that lives close, and great friends.  I am so blessed.  

Resolutions

Okay, since all the blog buzz is New Years resolutions, I guess I'll add mine.  Blake and I have been thinking a lot about what we wanted to do to make this year great.  He has made up a whole calendar for the year in hopes to keep me organized!   I guess that is his subtle resolution for me:)

  One thing that works great for Blake and I is making three resolutions for each other.  This has cut nagging in half!  Instead of me always nagging about stuff, I get it all out at the beginning of the year.  Then I know when it comes time to nag, I've already voiced my resolution, and that he must be trying his hardest to work on it.  After all, aren't we all trying our best most of the time? 

  I also have made more resolutions for myself.  I have lumped them all into one basic resolution.  It is the primary song, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".  It is my current favorite primary song.  We asked the children in the Accra branch if they new this song.  Their faces lit up.  I could tell it was one of their favorites also.  They sang it for us, and I cried the whole way through.  I decided what a great and simple resolution this would be.  "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do? "  I won't bore you with all the of the lyrics.  I just hope that each day I ask myself that question.  Hopefully this will keep me on track with my other resolutions.  Have a very happy 2009!  

Also, mom and dad.....we miss you!!  Life is not quite the same without you.  Best of luck at the MTC!!