New Hairdo

Zac needed a hair cut - but he was having a hard time deciding whether or not to grow it out again. So, he asked me for a compromise - part of it long - and part of it short - here's what we came up with.

What Do You Think?

When You Set Your Mind to Something You Can Accomplish Anything!!!

Okay, just so you have a little background, Josh has never been able to ride a two-wheeler bike without training wheels before. He's tried many times and we've tried to encourage him to keep trying, but it just never happened. I personally think it just didn't interest him.

Well, this year Hayden asked me "Mom can you please have Dad fix the bikes so I can ride outside?!" So. . . with that, Jeffrey fixed both bikes. AND that was it - that was all it took. Josh was bound and determined that HE was going to ride bikes this year - nothing like a little brotherly competition - eh?

So. . . Josh hopped on the bike without training wheels

(and I'm a little embarassed to say, I thought - oh boy - here we go

this will be a long day, but he is going to do it.

This year Josh is going to ride a two-wheeler bike
Seriously - it's about time!!)

Well . . . without any hesitation, Josh got on that bike and took off. . .and . . . BAM - just like that! Josh was riding a bike!! He just got on and off he went zippin' around!! Holy Cow!! I couldn't believe it - I was so pleasantly surprised!!

Josh - you are awesome and you taught me a huge lesson today - when you set your mind to something you really CAN accomplish anything!! Way to go!!

So - here's the video to prove it!!

You'd never know he just learned yesterday!!

Wow!! Way to Go Bud!!

We Want to Sell Dutch Oven Gold

So. . .lately we've been creating a product to put in your dutch oven to prevent it from going rancid when you store the dutch oven away.

It works - it's been in the process now for nearly a year and so far - so good. Still no rancid smell. So now the trick will be to advertise it, get it in a store, promote it, get the word out.

How to do that is the BIG question.

Any help?

If you click on the picture it takes you to a blog about the product - but really - I don't love it yet. I need help, suggestions, any thing else you'd like to know about it and ideas to spruce it up.

The plan is to send an email to D.O.G. (dutch oven going) people and ask send them to the blog in the hopes they would like to buy it or put it in their little stores.

HELP - please - (send me an email or comment here) suggest away, please.

Sharing is Great Therapy!

I was a little nervous about making that last post - because really - it wasn't very positive - but it's been great therapy to share. Since that special experience with a sweet friend listening to the promptings of our Heavenly Father, there have been several more like that.

What a beautiful day we had this past weekend! Friday was just that pretty. I got home and it felt so good - I found out that Jeff had been outside working in the yard. He had trimmed up all the trees and our neighbors butterfly bushes (long story) anyway. Zac had power raked the front yard too, and there were piles all over the yard - I love it!!

I know I'm a little nutso about that, but I really do love working in the yard. So I immediately called the kids over to help clean up the piles. I was able to keep a good feeling going despite their sadness from being pulled away from playing.

It wasn't long before some friends from next door came to help. Then all of a sudden it was fun for everyone. Isn't it neat what friends, smiles and work can do for your soul?

Then Zac and I and our friends from next door went for a walk, while Jeffrey cooked up some hamburgers on the grill - yummmmm. What a great day!!! I sure needed that!!

I has a sad :(

So I haven't updated for some time, because there really isn't much in the way of positive to tell you about. Since we got home from Hawaii it seems our whole world has been torn apart.

Oh - we really will be fine - really, it just seems that one thing right after another has gone wrong.

It actually started before we left, we found out that there were two people who wanted to sue us. All because we ended up not qualifying for a house we wanted to try to build. So as it stands now - we paid off one - so that's one down and one to go.

Then when we got back Jeff received reduced work hours and then was let go (fired - canned!!) - so he's out of work. Next thing I know, I got demoted in front of about 9 co-workers at work and just feel ornery, embarassed and just plain sad about it all.

So. . . that's what's been going on with us. We are trying to find a silver lining. Jeff is looking for work or another source of income and I'm looking for a new Mayor.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

One more thing to add - I am so grateful for those who listen to the spirit and act upon a prompting. A friend of mine one who I am not really best friends with but we are friends - (I say that only because it makes it that much more interesting) - called me yesterday. See I had been praying to know how to handle it all. I wanted so bad to visit with mom or dad and get a big hug. She called me and said, "Hi Cindy, how are you doing?" I told her the new phrase I tell everyone lately "Fabulous - how are you?" She said oh good because I've been thinking about you all day - I could not get you off my mind. Isn't that weird?! So you are good then?" I went on to tell her the truth because she really wanted to know. She followed the prompting of our Heavenly Father who found a way to send me a big hug!! I am truly grateful she listened to that prompting and acted on it - oh how I needed that hug!!

Everything wasn't magically fixed - we just found out that jeff's unemployment claim was denied - but for that moment - I felt that I mattered - I felt thought of and loved.

Artists in the Making!!

Zachary has become quite the artist and I had to post some of my favorites. Wow ! ! ! I've got to get this kid in some art classes, don't you think?

And. . . look at Josh - he drew the last two! Another artist in the making - cool huh?!

Going Private!!

I've thought about it for a while now and the worries have got to me, so I have decided to go private! I still want all of you to be able to share in our family blog though and just need your email address.

So, please comment here, email me or call me and give me your email address that way I can add you to my list of approved people to invite and then you can continue to view our family blog.