Back on Track

Well I am back on Track I was on such a role with my things I Love and then we all got sick at our house.   I wont bore you with the details.  I did have a couple more ideas for my things I love and now I'm just a little out of touch.     So Friends sorry I didn't forget you and know that I am saving you for another day.   

I decided I better hurry and blog the last couple of days.  Zeak earned his Bear award Wednesday night at scouts.   We really struggle with the whole scout thing.  It is just one more thing to add to the already full agenda.   I really try to remember and send him and then every few months I panic and go oh yea we need to be working on things.   But, I do know that it is a good thing that gives him a little culture and heaven knows this cowboy needs a little culture.   I tell him it is OK to be a Cowboy but I do want him to know there is a lot in this little old world and the more you know the more successful you will be and the better Cowboy he will be.   So Zeak I know you would have rather taught the group how to rope and ride but I'm proud of you for seeing it through and getting your Bear.   I am proud of you.  




Zeak is a fun kid to celebrate with.   He doesn't demand a lot he is pretty simple.  All he needs is some wranglers  (Cinches),  a little horse tack, a donut, and to go Ride.   Thursday nights are 4-H and since he was sick the week before he didn't want to miss again.    I made him biscuts and gravy one of his favorite meals and then we went to 4-H and shared donuts with everyone.    How much more simple can you get.  He was in Heaven on his horse.  In fact Dixon Winn you are the only one that got his birthday spankings in.   By the time we got kids and horses to bed I was to tired to remember we needed spankings.   Thanks Teresa for letting 4-H be the Birthday Party you did all the games and entertaining, thats the part I hate.  The food was easy.   Zeak Thanks for being a great kid and reminding me that sometimes we get the most joy out of the simple things in LIFE!   Happy Birthday buddy here is to another great year of growing, :) (maybe keep that to a minimum your already double most the kids your age) roping, riding, and being with the ones you love.  

Feb 16th & 17th Photo Tag & Ute Stampded

This works great with my things I Love in February.   Because I Love Photos wether they are mine or somebody else's.   So here is what you do.

1.  Go to my pictures

2.  Go to your 6th folder

3. Select your 6th picture

4.  Blog about it

5.  Tag 6 friends

Brandy

Stefanie

Jessica

Kathryn

Suzanne

This is a cute photo from the Ute Stampede parade.   You can see from Jakes Rosy cheeks this was the 2nd parade to sit through.   The kids and adults all love the Ute Stampede and the fun festivities that go a long with this fun Holiday unique to Nephi.    This also works for my today blog of Rodeo.  The Ute Stampede use to be a highlight and tradition.  I Love Rodeos and have since I was a little girl.  Now for us to spend all that money to watch a not so great rodeo we would rather spend the  money and participate in one.  The Ute Stampede is not what it use to be.  I remember coming as a little girl and watching, Billy Etbuear, Fred Whitfield, Cody Ohl, Brock Andrus, Big name cowboys that had actually been to the NFR now you don't see them at our rodeo.  It is sad but I still Love Rodeo and love to watch the American Flag come down by parachute.   What an amazing site.  

Feb 15th Families

I have a Family here on Earth, They are so Good to Me!!!

Family Always, Forever, and No Matter What!!!

                                  

Just incase the siblings were wondering I did not forget about them.   In fact I have been thinking about this blog  since the parents blog.  There are two things I decided number one I couldn't find the Woodland family photo I wanted.   So I am not very organized :)  Number two we need some current Family photos.   Lucky for the Barnhurst side Cody left on his  mission this summer so we got a group photo then.   the Woodland have added quite a few since this photo and the most recent photo was Disney Land a year ago which still didn't have all of us in it so the deal is I am requesting a family photo sometime this summer from the Woodlands.   (Sorry Jessica I just realized your not in it where were you?) If any of you have a more recent family photo email it to me and I will replace this one.  

Really Dan and I were blessed with amazing siblings.   I think as of late we have felt this in abundance as we have helped each other,  We Both have the most amazing support system out there.    I remember as a little girl always wanting an older sister.   When I married Dan I got one and she is the best big sister a girl could want and I would guess that even Suzanne and Kathryn would agree with me.  I currently have 9 brothers and seven  sisters.   I am hoping that Dusty will even out those odds a little more sometime this year. :)  We Love all of you,  and yes incase anyone was wonder we all still fight like siblings do.  But I think that just makes us that much tougher and closer.      You need siblings to teach you how to survive out in the world.  No one can teach you how to love, fight, tease, manipulate, over come fears, take challenges, give you competition, ect.  I think the list goes on.   So thanks for all of the life lessons and most of all thanks for being our best friends the ones who love us no matter.

Feb 14th Roses

I Love Roses.  When I was a Freshman at SUU I got a job at a floral shop on main street in Cedar City.   My mistake was getting the job right before Valentines Day.    I had been to school for a semester and thought I could handle having some extra play money.   I started the week before valentines and I worked more hours in the 3 days before Valentines than I had ever worked.   My fingers were blistered and cut and wow.   I did learn a lot about florals and I grew to love red and white roses with blue lace (status).   I loved the ladies I worked with.   For my first Valentines Dan gave me a dozen red and white roses with blue lace.  I still have them.    The night of Valentines Dan came into the shop about 10:30 pm and said ladies I have not seen her in 3 days (which he had but he had to come into the shop he would bring me lunch an dinner)   it is Valentines can I PLEASE take her.   They gave him  a hard time but as we left they gave him his bouquet to give me.   It was a Valentines I will always remember.     Every year Dan gets me a rose for  Valentines.   My favorite is when he shows up with a rose just because.   I am hoping to start a rose garden this year.    I know some of you are thinking don't do it they are hard to take care of.  I know and the thorns are awful but its a small price to pay for beauty and aroma that are Heavenly.   HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!   

Feb 13th Sugar

I love sugar in all forms.   Chocolate mini cadbury eggs are one of my favorites,   I love cinnamon bears, hearts, drops.  my favorite candy bar is a snickers with almonds (mars bars.)   I love cheesecake, brownie sundae,  pumpkin roll, really there isn't anything that I don't like as long as sugar is the main ingredient.  So if you are not having some craving about now for your favorite dessert you are probably not normal.   If sugar cookies are on your list of favorite come on over.  I got a little excited about my valentine sugar cookies and made one batch two many.   Heres to a Happy Valentines Day full of sugar.

Feb 12th Scrapbooking

I Love Scrapbooking.   It is a creative outlet that helps me journal, do my family history, and preserve precious memories.   It is the only way to keep my children small without mother nature getting in my way.   I love learning and playing with all of the papers, colors, stickers, and as of late my new thing  is digital and printing them into hard bound books.   It is a huge learning curve but I Love it!

Feb 11th Our Home

I Love Having my Own Home!   I Love Making It Ours!!!

Feb 10th Blogging

So I was stumped on which thing I love to write about today.  Then I read my friends blog and decided to write on how much I LOVE BLOGGING.   I love to read everyone's blog even if I don't know them.  I love seeing the pictures and learning from everyone.   It is amazing the strength I have gained and the different perspectives I have learned to look through, just from reading blogs.   So on this cold snowy Feb Day I Love Blogging. 

 

A Little side note I got two new nephews today.  My sister-in-law had her twins this morning.  Things seem pretty good right now.  Baby A is 4lbs 11 oz  Baby B is 3lb 15 oz.  They are waiting names and to see how they are doing.  Mom is really tired and sore but doing great.  Congrats Alan, Suzanne, and Ashlyn.  We can't wait to see them!

Pay It Forward!!!

So, I got this from a friend.  The first 3 people to leave a comment on this will receive a hand made gift from me during this year.  When and what will be a surprise.  There's a small catch... You knew there would be didn't you?  Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in.  Fun, huh?  Remember, only the first 3 comments receive a gift.  Let's see who looks at my blog!

Feb 9th Sourdough Pancakes

My grandma makes the best sourdough pancakes.  She has taught me how to make them.   The secret Grandpa says is in cooking them slow and knowing when to turn them.   You have to wait until the pancake is full of bubble on top.  The heat needs to be low so that you don't cook it to fast and burn it.   

Recipe :   2 eggs

1/4 c oil

1/2 c sugar

1 tsp soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 large overflowing spoonfuls sour dough

1 C milk

enough flour (usually 1-2 cups) to make the right consistancy.  not runny  not to thick.

cook on med-med low  tempature.   

These are my favorite and are becoming my families favorite we even have them for dinner at least once a week.  I Love a lot of foods but this is one of my favorites.  

Feb 8th Sun/Sunday

I love the sun.   I love how bright it makes everything.  I love the warmth it provides.   It is this time of year that I really miss the sun.  I think everyone gets a little or a lot sun deprived this time of year.  Tuesday the sun was out and I said to Dan lets take the horses out.   Well they love the sun as well and started prancing and bucking and playing.    Everything and everyone needs sun to feel good and live.     I went for a walk yesterday and was out and about.   Today when I got out of church it was snowing again.   Today  I really love and miss the Sun!!! 

Feb 7th The Gospel

I have recently attended two baptisms.   My nephew Tel Shaw and Yesterday Jaxson Cowan.    I Love the gospel and the peace and hope it gives me.  The blessings that I receive are more than I can count.   I love going to church and participating in church activities.    I Love feeling the spirit and knowing that I am a daughter of God.   I Love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

Feb 6th Parents

On the 6th day of February I thought It was probably time I pay tribute and tell my parents that I Love them.  It is a funny thing all growing up you love your parents because they are your parents.  Then something happens when you leave home you really Love your parents and gain a sense of Gratitude for all that they do for you.   Then you become a parent and a sense of respect and love is gained.   I am grateful for my parents and their great example all though they are not perfect nor were they perfect parents they had a perfect Love for me.    They also have an amazing testimony of the gospel that was always there for me to rely on.   To this day they are still there for me when ever I need their help which is often.  Thanks for everything.   I Love you Both.

When you find that special someone you get a second set of parents.     It becomes double the examples and double the help.    Double the Love.      I am grateful for them being so close and able to be involved in my children's life.  My kids love to go to their house for Sunday dinner.   It is the highlight of their week.   Thanks for always having room for us around the table.     I Love and Respect my in-laws most for the son they raised.  They taught him many qualities that bless me and my family everyday.    Thanks for everything.  I Love You Both.

Feb5th Grandparents

Today would have been my Grandpa Barnhurst 103 birthday.  So in continuing my things I love I thought today would be a great day to focus on my Grandparents.    My Grandma and Grandpa Barnhurst lived in Hatch, Utah.  We always lived far away from them.   So we would only get to see them once or twice a year.    My grandma was an amazing cook I loved her homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies.  My grandpa  Barnhurst was a funny guy he was always teasing us and telling us stories.   He made wind chimes and wind tunnels.   He built his house on a hill that all of us grand kids loved to roll down.  He had the coolest steps going  up to his house.  He made marble and glass designs in the concrete and his handrail was cool wood that he built.   One of my favorite things about my grandpa is that he had no teeth.  He always would tell us grandma got mad and knocked them all out with the rolling pin.  I loved going to visit them and be in their old house and hearing their stories.  They are great people who I am excited to see and be with again someday.   

Grandpa and Grandma Miller

My Grandma and Grandpa Miller  I lived a lot closer to in fact for a year and half I was privileged  to live with my grandparents.   My grandparents ran a fabric store for 30 years.   My grandpa is  a born repairman & salesman and my grandma can sew amazing things and loved to order fabric, she is amazing with colors.  I loved spending a week or two with my grandpa and grandma every summer.  I would get donuts for breakfast get to work all day which was the highlight of my summer and then go rope and ride horses with my grandpa and uncles at night.  We would eat after 10 p m and do it all over again.   When I was in High School I would go work the fair booth with my grandma all day and then go to the rodeo with grandpa.  I learned to cook with grandma and grandpa taught me more than I can share we have a lot of the same views on life, business, and the gospel.  I Love them very much and grateful they are in my life.   

I can't not say something about Dan's grandparents.  When Dan and I first started dating and were first married we loved going to Grandma Woodlands on Sunday afternoon.  She was a  big tease and Dan loved teasing her back.  She always served moose bars  or big sticks for a treat.  This is where my kids got their love of popsicles and ice cream.   Dan has never met his grandpa and is told he is a lot like him.  We are both looking forward to the day when we can meet him.  

Grandma Nelson with the Great Grandkids
After visiting Grandma Woodland we would go to Grandma and Grandpa Nelson's house they always had a treat and lots of visiting.  Dan gained a love for working and construction from his Grandpa whom he misses daily.  Grandma and Grandpa have taught us both how a marriage should be two people who love and respect each other and work together to accomplish miracles.  They are very loving and generous with all that they have.  We love spending time with them and one of our favorite traditions is the pizza birthday dinner.  

I feel very blessed to have such a rich heritage and love them all very much. 

   

 

Feb 4th Kaci Fae Woodland

Kaci Fae (Precious)  11-25-2005    

Does her nick name say it all.  I remember holding her in my arms when she was just a few days old and I was talking to my sister-in-law Shannon.  I told her to remind me in a few months how much I love her and how sweet she is.   That comment has saved her life a few times lately. I love the soft voice she has that counteracts the loud boys.  I love the gentleness she has taught me and her dad.   She has taught me so much about being patient and calm if only I could reverse that statement.  I think I have taught her to be mean and feisty.   She is definitely all girl she loves, makeup, earrings, her hair done, fancy cloths, and babies.    She does have a little cowgirl in her as long as she can wear her PINK boots (thanks to grandma Janice.)  She loves sparkles her shitzu/poodle cross.   She loves her horse (Dan & Jake's) Tuff.   We are so blessed to have her in our home.  I am glad I have a best friend to shop and scrapbook with she loves those things too.   I can't wait until she is old enough to shop for me, I hate to shop.  I love you Kaci.

Feb 3rd Justin Jake Woodland

Justin Jake Woodland 12-12-02.  What a funny kid we love his sense of humor that comes from his great grandparents on both sides.   He also has  a passion that I love.  Animals are Jakes passion in fact just last night he was telling me he WAS going to have pigs and sheep.  When Jake was 3 he wanted chickens.  Janice Berezay gave him an egg from her chicken coop and told him to take it home and have me cook it for breakfast.  That started an hour long lesson that none of us will ever forget.  He explained to us that he was not going to eat that egg that those mama chickens would be really mad at him.   Then he explained how eggs and chickens work.   A few weeks later he was in IFA and showed Dan and I an incubator and that is what he wanted for his birthday.   Wow I didn't teach him that and neither did Dan he came to us with a knowledge of animals that is unreal.   He knows more about the birds and the bees than I do for sure.   He loves school and music.   He is also very thoughtful and giving.  He always wants to buy presents for everyone.    I Love You Jake and am excited to watch you learn and grow.   I hope you have a big farm with all of the animals you want someday.   

Feb 2nd Austin Zeak Woodland

Austin Zeak Woodland was born 2-26-99.  He loves life, people, and his passion is horses.   He Lives to Rope!!!    From the time he was old enough to talk he has always been a cowboy.  He wouldn't wear anything but wranglers.   I remember having fights with him at age 3 about what he was going to wear.   Finally I decided there was nothing wrong with just letting him wear wranglers after all that is my favorite jean as well.    I love his drive and passion for Rodeo and know that it will be the thing that gets him through this life.     I love being Zeaks mom and watching him learn and grow.  Being the oldest I know first hand that he is going to have it rougher than his siblings but not because we love him any less.   He brings a lot of enthusiasm and joy to our house.   He is a good big brother that is very concerned about his family.   He has a genuine heart that loves everyone he wants everyone to be happy and safe.   He knows right from wrong and strives to be good daily even though his enthusiasm makes it hard somedays. I think a day that I will always cherish is the day that he took my barrel and pole horse and won the pole bending.  There is no way to explain the feeling of knowing that we both share the experience of riding an amazing animal whose heart was as big as the kid on top.  It still brings tears to my eyes.     Zeak you are a great kid with a lot of talent.  Always stay true to your roots and who you are.    I Love You very much and am excited to watch you grow up (just not to fast.)

Feb 1st The Love of My Life

So I had this great idea yesterday and here it is today so I am only 3 days behind. Since it is February and my Christmas Trees is finally out and my hearts are all up I thought Why not spend the next 14 days on things that I Love. So day one what better place to start than the love of my life. He is tall dark handsome... :) I mean tall, bald, handsome, and so much more! 
We met in Cedar City Utah while attending SUU!   We were at a dance and he was wearing a cowboy hat which he was not suppose to be because it was in the Stake Center.  (This is probably the height of his rebellion)    I watched him all night and never got up the courage to talk to him then I noticed him walking my direction.  I was so excited... then the let down of a lifetime,   he asked me to dance with some other kid that didn't dare ask me himself.   To this day don't even ask me who the kid  was or what he looked like I couldn't tell you.   To my dismay this turned out to be the last dance of the night but, I did get a chance to say hey I have seen you around college ave.  stop by and see me sometime.   The very next night Dan and his roommates all showed up at my apartment.   Man was I surprised and caught off guard.  From that night on I could count on one hand the days we didn't see each other until July when he left on his mission.   Our first date was coyote hunting.  It was really early in the morning, cold, and fun.  We never saw any coyotes but we heard quite a few.    We were married in November 1997, 5 months after he came home from Brazil.   Wow how time as passed quickly.   There have been some rough times but some very amazing times as well.  Marriage is not at all what I expected but if I am going to be married and have to learn and grow I am very grateful it is Dan by my side.  He is a great example, friend, and teacher.   
The thing I love the most about Dan is his optimism an enthusiasm for Life.  He is a genuine  kind person who loves everything and everyone.  He is very simple and doesn't need a lot to make him happy.  He is happiest on a horse surrounded by family and friends.    Horses hasn't always been something we agreed on.  In fact it probably caused many fights in our early marriage.   We have both learned a lot and come to respect what each other knows.   Dan has come a long ways and is very talented on a horse.  He loves learning and helping his children. 

Then second thing that I love about him is his work ethic.  He has ambition and drive that pulls him through.  He is not afraid to get dirty and get the job done.   I know that we will always make it because of the quality.  

The most important thing I love about Dan is his testimony and sense of Family.  He grew up with a strong family background.  He is a loving, loyal husband and father.   I am grateful that he is mine for eternity and know with him by my side we can do anything.  I LOVE YOU thanks for making my life complete!