4-H

The girls first day of 4-H here in our local county. They are not going to ride their bikes..they are required to wear helmets whenever they work with live animals. My girls were some of the few who actually wore them but at least I know my kids are safe!!
I thought this picture was so cute of the 3 of them together, protecting each other from the unknown Alpaca world!
Bryanna is trying to get them to eat out of her hand. These are 1 year old Alpacas and they really didn't want to have anything to do with it. Later though, we saw them eating the leaves!
Love this picture of Abby and Gracie. They are being so careful and patient.
The one day old baby girl. She was sooo soft. You see the mama..she was whining because she was stressed about this situation. It was so sweet;she didn't leave it's side while the farmer was passing her along. The bond between mom and baby is strong even in animals!
Our entire group The Cloverbuds plus Kirkwood the Alpaca on the left. My 3 musketeers are on the right. We had a great time and the girls are so excited to be a part of it. We will meet atleast once a month and work with animals, do some cooking and crafts and be apart of some holiday events too. Yay for 4-H!!

Abby turns 4

Today is Abby's 4th Birthday. I really can't believe she is 4 already!! 2 years ago when we moved here she was still a chubby cheek, short hair, curly head baby.
Abby is such an extra blessing to our family. She came to us with such a happy spirit! We love her to pieces.

This morning we went to the beauty college and the girls got mini-mani's. They were SOOOO excited about this. They each picked their own colors and it definately represented their personalities. We had a fun time and decided we're going to make this a tradition and do this for everyone's birthday.


Abby helped me make her birthday cake. A FABULOUS rainbow cake that I saw on this awesome blog: http://megduerksen.typepad.com/photos/recipes/6a00d8341c469c53ef01156fa980df970c-640wi.html.
It was a little time consuming but so worth it because it looks so cool!!

Abby, Bryanna and Gracie-The 3 Musketeers!
The FABULOUS rainbow cake! Happy Birthday Abby. We love you!!

Abby's First day of Preschool

Abby started preschool at our friend Karla's house on Monday. She was so excited to go to her own school and be with her friends. She came home with her very first homework page and sang a song about apples.
I can't believe this is my last preschool experience with my girls. Abby is growing up so fast..

4 Cars and a Girl!

3 weeks ago my husband of 11 years whom I love dearly, took our only reliable vehicle hunting. No, we do not own a truck, it was a 2002 Ford Windstar minivan. He took the seats out so he could fit all of his stuff in there. The morning that he was getting ready to leave he pulled out of the garage but forgot to put the hatch down......the window caught on the garage door and shattered everywhere. It was 3:00 AM at this time. Yah, I know!!! My husband whom I love dearly decided he was still going amid my cries of please don't go , this is a bad sign!! So he left with no back window. Long story short...on his way home(10 days later) the van broke down 4 1/2 hours away from home. It has gone to ford windstar heaven and will never be seen whole again.
We are forever grateful to Jeremy who rescued Derek and let us borrow his vehicles


This is the "monster truck" that I drove for 10 days. Take a good look at the skulls and crossbones on that thing. I had to jump in and out of this truck and I had many looks on the street. I also had to explain my situation to every one I ran into that knows me.
My girls thought it was pretty fun though!!

While we were car hunting and Jeremy wanted to take his truck back, I had to drive this thing for 4 days. It's a beauty alright!! 1990 something Ford Aerostar. It only has one back seat so when we drove it to church Derek had to sit on the floor in the back so Bryanna could be legally seat belted in the front while the other girls were in the back. Check out those wheels though. Gotta have bling on an Aerostar. By the way I had many looks for driving this one too. Also it sounded like a commercial lawn mower!


Finally!!! On Wednesday I got my new van. A 2006 Nissan Quest!! And I love it!! It is so nice to have a reliable car to drive that is actually mine! We are grateful that we were able to get a new car and hope to have this one for a very long time. So I survived and yes Derek is forgiven (there is way more to the story but I will never tell) and we are still married and I do love him very much..I just hope he never goes hunting again!!

Remembering 9/11

Preparing for child birth

Bryanna holding Abby September 19 2005

Every once in a while as the girls are playing house I hear this: "hurry get the doctor my baby is coming out!" then a few baby cries. Oh my goodness... It's usually Bryanna. At first I am a little shocked that they are actually pretending to have babies but then I think, well at least they are preparing themselves...right?
They don't even know what reality will be when it comes to that time but I'll let them think it's all "fun and games" right now. My girls have such big imaginations!!

A smile on my face

On Monday Bryanna left me a note, "just like the notes you leave in my lunchbox mommy".

It's the little things like this that put a smile on this mommy's face.