Pig Time 2

Getting the pigs settled at the fair grounds

Trying to get Gonzo where he needed to be in the show ring!

Part of the project for Brooke's portfolio

We put this in the portfolio as well.

Although Brooke needed to be reminded A LOT to feed & water her pigs, she did great and raised some nice hogs.  4H has given Brooke some responsibility, which she really had to think about, some confidence in herself and is learning the importance of hard work.  Sydney can't wait to start and says she wants to raise rabbits (i don't think so!) She took care of the pigs a lot too. 

PIG Time

Once again the summer has come and gone and we have been busy.  PIGS.....This is what Brooke (all of us) did from April until the first of August.  We end up loving these pigs and have a hard time selling them at the 4h fair.  Brooke did great showing them and got all blue ribbons.  This years pigs names were Petunia & Gonzo.  Such a hot summer that I still find myself thinking, "I need to make sure the pigs have cold water!"  Couldn't be happier though that I don't have to go do it!!  When I figure out pics I will post them.

SLEEP I NEED YOU!

I need to write some things so I will remember them maybe for future use, for a laugh (or cry), or just to remember.
My little Sarah has just recently started having a hard time going to bed. Like screaming and fighting bedtime. Let me say it is just like this if it is in her bed and room. If I let her sleep on my bedroom floor she goes without a peep! We have been up countless nights with lots of crying and being mad at each other and very sleep deprived. I'm not the mom that welcomes them into my bed all the time. Once in a while if they are scared or something like that then it is okay, but not every night. I've asked her what is wrong and the only answer I get is that it is boring!!!!! Her bed is boring, sleep is boring, it is all boring :) My 34 year old mind doesn't grasp the concept of sleep being boring, haha! Anyway, her 3 year old one does and so we are clashing. She says she isn't scared she just is bored. (I hate that word by the way). She also is in tears when Ryan leaves for church meetings and or goes to work. She isn't normally like this and so I don't know what to do. We've tried bribes, Grandpa Les giving her money if she sleeps all night in her bed, which she gave back a $1 bill because that was for 2 nights and she wanted to sleep on my floor for one night so asked him for change instead! LOL!! She is so headstrong and stubborn. I keep waiting for her to grow out of this but I don't think that is going to happen. We've been praying and looking for answers. Last night finally she slept all night in her bed by herself (with Sydney in the upper bunk), and so I made her a sleep and bed chart that she gets to put stickers on and then get a little prize at the end of each week. I'm really hoping this starts us off with a week of good sleep.

Oh my how she is growing!

Here is Baby M in her blessing dress. It was a great find at the local mini bazaar. She is such a joy to snuggle and coo with and love!
I wanted to get the picture without the binkie but I had taken too long and she said "enough Mom". She is my binkie baby though, so it fits!

What a great day this was. I have to wonder who was there on the other side of the veil that day. I'm sure M and Rachel were close before M started her journey here with us. I still think a lot about Rachel and smile and sigh (and usually tears come) and know things will one day be so grand!!!!
You know.... They are grand now and I have 4 beautiful girls right now that make each and everyday such an adventure.

Christmas 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Where did the time go?!

New arrival of Baby M

Baby Madisyn is here!!!

We did it!!!

Weighing in at 7lbs. 4 oz.

19 1/4 in. long

She is very loved by all and we couldn't be happier.

Mom and M are both doing great.

Sisters and Dad are huge helps! Especially the 2 year old!

Girls, Girls, and more Girls!

Raising 1 girl......lots of money
Raising 2 girls.......lots and lots of money
Raising 3 girls.....lots and lots and lots of money
Raising 4 girls..... priceless!

We are proud to announce that a 4th girl is on her way to our home in November!
I never would have thought that we would have that many girls in our family without adding any boys. It looks like Ryan and our pig Howie are the only men around here (and Howie won't be here too long)! I was sure it was a boy but the ultra sound proved otherwise. We are really so excited though and glad to be able to add to our family.