Post Surgery

3 years ago we had tubes put in Zeak's ears they were a huge blessing no more ear aches until this summer,  The ear aches started up again only this time it was the tubes causing the problem so in for another surgery this time to take the one out.  Zeak was so nervous and when the nurse came in to give him instructions he talked her ear off.   She gave him the low down and then asked if he had any questions?  He wanted to know how long before surgery, how long would the surgery take, how long before he would wake up, how were they going to put him to sleep, where was he going, where would his mom be, when could she be back with him, where would I be while he was in surgery, who was the Dr???? The last BiG question... can I rope on my horse tonight?  She said, "no you have to wait 24-48 hours."  He said,  "OK, but I have a ropin scheduled in the morning so I have to rope then can I at least ride tonight?"  She said, "not tonight but maybe in the morning."   She finally told him he would have to talk to the Dr and the Anesthesiologist to see what they thougt.   As they were wheeling him in I heard her telling the other nurses that is one cute kid he was so worried about everything and his biggest concern is riding his horse.  He is so cute I could just take him home!!!
This Cowboy Aint' so TUFF with a little anesthesia in him.   He had tears in his eyes when he left and tears in eyes when he came back to me.  
First thing he wanted was a COKE he did ask permission and to know if the Dr would let him ride his horse yet.   He didn't want to talk to Dan.  He was so emotional and didn't want his dad to hear him crying.   When he was finally good enough to go we got him dressed and he told the nurse he was fine to walk.  She watched him get off the bed and told him.  NO horse and I am going to get the wheel chair.  I did ask her for a bag incase he got sick on the way home.   Thank Heavens I am a pro at this because we needed the bag.   He didn't even ask to ride his horse until dark.  He spent most of the day chillin on the couch watching High School Musical and Roping Videos.

By 6:00 AM he was up and ready to go roping.  Dan took Zeak and Jake in to rope steers and then we went back that night to rope calves with Clay.  So he made up for missing out friday night.  

Soccer Has Started

The Lucky number six Both cousins have it.
Jake and Keanna are on the same team Andy is their coach.  They were so excited.
Last Wed 19th we had a battle of the cousins Madison and Jake's teams played each other.   Madison stopped by our house to show us her new hair and to start trash talking.  She told Jake that her team was going to play his team and they were going to beat him.  She said, "she was the best soccer player on her team."  He was really cute with her and humored her by saying, "well Maddy you have never played soccer before and this year is harder because you actually have to know what you are doing and where you are playing."  It was really cute.    I missed the cutest picture and we all wish we would have been able to hear the conversation but Madison had her finger pointed at Jakes's chest at one point during the game.  Jake's team ended up winning and Jake scored the first goal.  The bad thing is non of us saw him make that goal.  Not even his coach.  He is having so much fun and he is learning to be aggressive.   We love watching him and his uncle Cody would be really proud of him.   

I'm Ok With Being a MoM

So today was one of those days that I needed to have.   I should be blogging about my wonderful children and their first day of school or the soccer game ect.  But instead I need a little Me time.  A few days ago I had a call from an old colleague asking me to join them in SLC for some Hunter Douglas Training.  (For anyone who doesn't know I use to manage a furniture store in Nephi where I sold Hunter Douglas Blinds.   I kept the account and sell blinds every now and then.  Mostly to Dan's costumers, friends, and family.)  I told Chris I just don't know I need to be here with my kids it is their first week of school.  So I had decided not to go until the first day of school.  Kaci and Cort had fallen asleep and it was just me.  I didn't know what to do.  (really there is plenty to do here laundry, dishes, ect.ect.ect)  I was   caught off guard  by the quiet so I called my mom and she agreed to take Kaci and I decided I could go to SL and be back by the time the boys got out of school.  Seems like a logical plan.  So this morning Dan and Kaci headed to Fillmore,  I took the boys to school and headed to SL.  I was so sick to my stomach.  I hadn't been alone in a  very long time and then I was driving in traffic!!!!   I kept thinking you did this once a week with a truck and trailer get a grip.  I talked to my sister Becky once for directions and Brenda once for moral support and made it safe and sound.   I was greeted by a warm welcome  back into the Career World.  Everyone was so complimentry.   I wasn't called mean or told I Hate you once.  So after spending a few hours in a different world it was time to head home and I was  back on top of the ladder.  I was thinking of all kinds of scenario's in my head of how to make it work with me having a career and being a mom.   Then I made a detour and started down Redwood road.  If you have been on this road at all this summer it is a mess. CONSTRUCTION ZONE.   Then something hit me hard (not literally) I had a sign jump out and say Danger, Fines double for Speeding, Warning. Caution.  Then there was a man holding a stop sign.   I stopped at Walmart and went in for some puncture proof bike tires for the boys and then the signs all made sense.  I got a call from my boys mom where are you it is early day and the doors are locked we are at Tina's.  ( that is where the flaw in my plan came dang early day it gets me every time.  Thanks Tina for bailing me out I owe you one! lol)  So from the top of the Career Ladder straight to the bottom with a loud crash.  The signs smacking me all the way down.   I decided Career Mom is not me.  I need to be where I am.  A mom who is home with the doors unlocked for her kids to come home to.   I find comfort in knowing that I still have the career drive and that I could go back if I have to.  But for now I need to be where I am.  I look up to other moms who are home, I look up to other moms who are Career Moms and make it work.   It is tough being a mom and it is such a sacred role with so much weight that it seems almost impossible to bear somedays.   I think that it is hard to choose and sometimes we unfortunately don't get a choice on just being a mom.  So here is to all the moms in my life.  My mom who was always home, my grandma, who had an awesome career and shared that with me, my mother-in-law who is a teacher and mom to many,   My sisters and sister-in-laws.  My many friends to many to name with out getting myself in a lot of trouble.   Keep it up and make it work no matter what Zone you are in make sure that Mom Zone is at the top. One of the last things I learned today is there is no room to judge, everyone's situation is so different and so personal they have to make it work for them and what makes their life and family life Happy.   Here's to all the MOMS I know, I Love you all, it's a tough job but someone has to do it! lol  Thanks for all of the great expamples I have all around me. Most of all Thanks Dan for your love and continued support.  I know if I would have come home and told you I was going back to work you would have supported me.  THANKS for making it possible for me to be at home.  Here is to my career, Mom of 3 wonderful children.  If I never get my other career back I can say that I am OK with that.  

(This is a touchy post to write and I am treading on vulenerable waters, but I really do hope all who read this feel the sincerety in my thoughts and feelings.   That you find strength and comfort as I did today!)

Angel Hair

So the other day I was out mowing the lawn and Kaci was in the house watching Cort.   Jake came out and said mom your going to be mad at my sister.   She came out and I said, "what have you done."   She said, "but my hair was in my eyes."   I couldn't believe it she had just cut her hair.  She did cut it all and put it in the garbage can.  And when you see the garbage she really did cut more than I thought.   So after spanking her and wondering how short we were going to go to fix this cut I started calling Ange.   The problem was she was stranded on the side of the road between Fillmore and Beaver.  So we had to go to the soccer game like this.  My sister said, "Kaci why did you cut your hair it is ugly now?"  She said, "Nut a it is Angel Hair!"    Ange did a great job fixing it and all morning Kaci cried because she was going to have to have "Boy Hair."  If it is not curly it is pretty short and could be boy hair.   By the time we got to the soccer game the next day it was pretty straight and Dan really was stressed about her looking like a boy.  So I guess we will keep it curled as much as possible.  This could be hard since her hair is very thin and doesn't hold a curl.   So if anyone is in need of an Angel Hair cut Kaci's schedule is open!!!  

Tag

8 things to look forward to:
1. Fall Harvest I love fresh tomatoes, peaches, rasberries, corn, ect,ect,
2. Church on Sundays
3. Christmas
4. Spending Time with Dan
5. Riding  horses, watching my kids rodeo
6. Taking Pictures
7. Being with Friends and Family
8. Being an Eternal Family

8 things I did this weekend
1. Laundry
2. took pictures at the fair and my brothers wedding
3. Had a shake at the Malt shop with my family
4. saw an old friend
5.  Went to Church
6.  Had a  much needed Nap
7. Went to the Temple twice
8. ate a tomatoe out of my garden

8 things I wish I could do.
1. Scrapbook more
2. understand the scriptures better
3. Keep my house Clean 
4. Be more organized
5. Worry Less
6. do more Interior Design  work
7. be more soft spoken
8. Be Happy no matter what.

8 shows I watch:
1. I don't watch T.V.
2. Good Things Utah 

3. The NFR

8 places I would travel
1. Southern States
2.Alaska fishing for Salmon
3.Australia
4.Brazil (Dan's Mission)
5.  Texas
6. Montana
7. Holland
8. Hawaii


8 people I tag:
1.Tina WIlliams
2.Brandy Jense
3. Brenda Winn
4. Stefanie Shaw
5. Dan Woodland
6.Mary Dawn Mier
7.  Becky Teeples
8. Anyone that wants to be tagged

Brothers Wedding

Happiness

They were all smiles all day long.  We had a great day, the temple was amazing as usual and it was neat to see Dusty and McKenzie start their new family and life together.  We wish them many years of Joy and Happiness.  

Becky, Stefanie, Dustin, Me(Lisa), Brenda, Cody (South Africa)

All of my siblings minus Cody
Kaci fell asleep right before pictures so she would not smile or be happy in any of the pictures.  
TEAM WORK 

County Fair

New Exhibitor at the Juab County Fair.   They did an open class and I made Dan go in and show I told him he had yelled at the boys all week it was his turn to get yelled at.  He did pretty good for a Dad.   The open class is just for fun.  
Jake was so excited his steer didn't even make weight but he got a blue ribbon.
Zeak did really well in Fitting and Showmanship he received a blue ribbon.   In the Market Class the judge said his steer would eat really well but he wasn't what he was look for so he gave Zeak a red ribbon.  One thing about judges ( and I can say this because I judge horse shows still) it is their opinion and what they see.  I told Zeak that next year he could get a judge that liked his steer.  Not to feel bad because when it was him being judged he did great.  Look at that smile it is a Grand Champion smile for sure.  
Saying Good Bye.   At the end of the week when all of the hard work is over it is sad to say good bye.   The boys worked really hard with their steers all summer, feeding them, leading them, and washing them.   Dan keeps reminding me we are not raising BEEF we are raising BOYS.   The auction was not as good as last year the boys didn't make as much money as they did last year Dan was a little disappointed it wasn't just us it was everyone.  The Grand Champion didn't bring in much more than us which is really sad.   So I kindly reminded him we aren't raising beef, we are raising BOYS.  
We were all exhausted from our trip to Colorado so by the end we were all really tired.  We put on the county fair Roping Tues. night it went well.  Zeak won 2nd in the Breakaway and 4th in the Ribbon Roping.   We ran 110 teams of team ropers and finished by 10:30 which was amazing.  Then Wed night Dan helped with the Western night rodeo.  Jake ended up running barrels on Hadleys horse.   He had never rode her before and he did great he had to start over twice but that third time was a charm he got her to do it right for him.   Wed-Fri we showed steers and Friday and Saturday we went to my brothers wedding.  I will save that for another post.  As you can see we have been very busy the last few weeks.  I am still really tired but keep plugging along.  The lawns finally got mowed today which made the neighbors really happy.   I bagged 3 bags of corn from my garden and I will make salsa tonight.  Jake has a soccer game tonight and tomorrow.  I can't wait for School to come and life to slow down just a little.   Now if a little fairy could just come and clean the house.  :)  

NLBR Finals

We had an awesome time at the finals Dan and I were still a little skeptical of things but we had a great time and both feel like Little Britches is a great organization for Youth to participate in the sport of Rodeo.   We had so many amazing experiences and there are so many opportunities for our kids.   Just like anything else it is trial and error and constant learning.   Zeak did amazing and I think he still has no idea what he accomplished or where he just went.  He did awesome catching all 3 of his steers.   We had some bad luck with the barrier the first day, slipped a leg the second run, and had some tough luck on the heeling end in the short go.  Yet in all 3 runs we learned and have lots to practice and improve on.   Zeak ended up 9th in the Nation and 13th in the World.  The best part is the memories and the things we were able to participate in.  He had the opportunity to learn for JD Crouse and rope with him 2 nights.  We watched so many talented kids most of them we rodeo with year round.   Thanks for all of the fun and memories.    
Kaci did better than I thought she would.   By the end of the week she would ask to wear her new boots and western cloths that her dad bought her.   She loved her horse that Aunt Brenda bought her and she would carry him every where.   She also had a thing of lipstick that kept her entertained as well as everyone else.   
This is our trailer that we stayed in for the week.   It was so awesome.   I loved having a place to shower, and cook.   We are so excited about it.   The kids get to sleep on cots in the back and Dan and I have our own bed in the front.  We had heat and air conditioning and yes we had to use them both.  
Jake and Cole were inseparable.   Most of the time they were good to include Ty.  They are the Fackrell Brothers from Spanish Fork.    Cole was participating and that made Jake really want to rodeo.   He is "gun ho" and ready for next year.   He is just disappointed that he can't rope or tie goats yet.   In the Junior Rodeo in Nephi he is old enough to rope and tie goats.  His goal is to beat his brother in Goatying and he only has 8 seconds to shave off his time and he will beat Zeak.   
I felt like a celebrity in Colorado.  I was interviewed and quoted in the newspaper.  Teresa and I were interviewed by RFD TV.  And our family was interviewed by animal planet.   I was impressed with The kids and their honesty and response to the questions.  That was a great experience for our family.    We had a great time and can't wait to go back.    Little Britches is a great organization that we are proud to be apart of.