Deep in the heart of Texas.

It's a superhero thing. (and sort of dirty and slobbery)

This too!



this too

and this.



My new cute neice Olivia.

My other cute new neice Ember.

My mom will have 4 new grandbabies with in a year. 2 down , 2 to go.



This is one of memaw's favorite book and it's tradition for her to read it to the grandbabies.

Horton Hatches The Egg.

The boys helped grandpa wash the car.

We helped grandpa with his square foot garden on Earth Day! Yep, we're green.

We went to San Antonio for Time Out For Women. (Well, the girls) We all fit in the small elevator.

We ate Mexican food. Yum! They just don't have Mexican food in PA.



Noah fell asleep at dinner with uncle Josh. He carried Noah all the way back to the Hotel.

We saw the Alamo. It's part of Texas history. I'll let you google it.

Me with my Sister-in-law, Sommer. We are just a few weeks apart. Apparantly, her husband (my brother Josh) has put on some sympathy weight or he might be pregnant too.

Noah wore this helmet most of the way home from San Antonio.

Asher has red long johns. When grandpa got home we found out that he has some too.

We had an Easter egg hunt but my pictures were all terrible.

Heard Sherri Dew speak at Time Out for Women.

She's great!

I've seen all my family here.

I've been with my mother to buy a dining room table.

I got sunburned helping put in a square foot garden.

I had a miagraine after I mowed my sister back yard.

It was fixed by essential oils and reflexology (which is amazing because if I don't have good meds I'm usually in the ER with a 2 day hang over)

I've read good books.

Learned a little bit about aquaponics and solar gardening.

Missing my husband.

Glad my mom is retired.

Glad my sister does awesome research on everything.

She found stainless still baby bottles. cool, huh?

The boys like to run around in their undies (and diaper) in the warm weather.

My dad stepped in dog poop today.

I watched a good movie (What If) with my mom.

I've heard ya'll, thank ya, and been around a lot of nice southern folks.

I got a few books I can't wait to read.

I made burp cloths and a baby blanket.

Went to a rain harvesting class with my dad.

ate BlueBell ice cream.

Missed a months worth of Biggest Loser.

Did I miss the finale?

My mom got me the first baby girl onesies.

I think Asher weighs 23 pounds now. I know!

Pretty sure we are moving back to Utah.

and just so you know I'm not going to proof read this. It's taken too long with pictures and such.

That's all I guess.

I'm a little more country than that.

I grew up in the country.
and not just the country but the country in Texas.
I don't and never did consider myself a cowgirl but maybe a country girl.
We lived in a small town where most everyone knew each other.
We had a humble home with rabbits, chickens, and goats. (Yes, we drank goats milk.)
We didn't have much but we didn't need much.
With becoming a teenager so came the desire to be a "city girl".
I tried to lose my accent and found good friends in the city.
When I was 18 I moved a few times, went to school, and finally found the boy of my dreams (at 24).
Now I reside in the country with that boy and two little boys.
I'm back (to the country) and it feels like home.
makes me wish I never left.
With the hustle and bustle of the world today and all the stress and anxiety that it brings, it makes me want to head in the opposite direction.
So, I have (started anyway). Sometimes it's a little like swimming up river.
Sometimes I have to pause and regroup.
I'm trying to make an efforts everyday to live a little more simply.

I'm sure I'll be posting about my adventures in simplicity.

We are putting up a clothesline soon.
The Amish in our area even hang clothes out in the winter. I guess it has to work or they wouldn't do it.

Why it's good:
1. Save money.
2. Clothes last longer.
3. Clothes and linens smell better.
4. It conserves energy and environmental resources.
5. Hanging laundry is a moderate physical activity that can be done outside.
6. Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.
7. Indoor racks can humidify in dry and cold climates.
8. It is safer. Clothes dryer fires account for about 17,700 fires, 15 deaths and 360 injuries annually.
9. It is a fun outdoor experience that can be meditative and community-building.
10. Small steps make a difference.

(information from www.care2.com)

Tips & Tricks for Hanging Out

Find an outdoor dryer and hanging style that suits you. It is a matter of taste in any case.
Turn most clothing inside out to prevent fading and faster drying of pockets and seams.
Hang T-shirts upside-down.
Use hangers for button shirts, or hang from collar points.
Shade dry Silk, and fine fabrics. Linen in hot sun = less wrinkles.
Give all items a good snap when hanging up, which will help prevent stiffness, especially on towels, and again when removing, this softens fabric and removes any creatures or tree bits, also cuts down on wrinkles.
If clothes or towels are still too stiff or slightly damp, throw ‘em in the dryer for a few minutes. It will still save you lots on your energy usage.
When hanging fitted sheets, fold elastic in around edges and hang over line with pins at folded edges.
If using plastic pins, do not leave on the line permanently, and use caution, as some varieties have been known to weaken with age and sun, and can break under spring tension causing sharp fragments to go into the eye, when using! Wood lasts a long time if taken off line.
Have a bag that slides along on the line, or pocket apron to keep pins handy.
It is air and wind as much as sun that dries clothes. Shade dry for best results on man-made fabrics.
Plant wonderful smells near your lines, lavender and lemon verbena and thyme

(linedry.com)

or do without!

Howa ya'll doin'?

I've been away from Texas so long.
My accent is gone but everyone there still has one
including my mother who is in denial. :)
It's true that I didn't even know that "fixin'" (as in "I'm fixin' to go to the store")
wasn't even a real word until I was 18.
Here's some good ol' Texas fun.

Memaw sharing oreos.

Noah and Asher were wrestling. They were laughing and it was too cute.

The birthday party for the adults. From left to right: Mom, brother Josh (holding nephew Anson), brother-in-law Sam (aka the one armed man), Aunt Janna, My sister Melissa (the witch doctor) holding Noah, two kids below Kamin and Analise (Nephew and Niece) 

Noah fell asleep in the car. 

The birthday cake.

My sister the witch doctor (that's what Heath calls her anyway)

Noah is uncle Jon's UFC stuff.

These are 3 of my siblings. Matt, we missed you. We are all laughing because Noah gave my mom (taking the photo) a swift punch to the guts right before. From left to right: Josh, me, Melissa, Jonathan.

Home again

We made it home.
He gave me flowers. Gerber daisies, some favorites.:)
He does love me.
Things smelled different when we got here.
More like a man but still like burned wood.
It is good to be back but those we left are missed.
We fed the horses across the street old carrots.
My hands smelled like horse
My shoes were muddy.
It's home and I like it.
I love my family in Texas.
The words thank you just do not express enough the gratitude for those
who care about us so much.
I'm so blessed, so blessed.

Pictures

The last of the reflexologist appointments was today.
Asher didn't throw up this time and he seemed to be in less pain.
I got a hair cut and Heath made me promise to post a picture and blog today.
Here you go.

 This is a borrowed princess umbrella. It was not raining. 

We had an unbirthday party. It was no ones birthday but everyones party. We had balloons, hats, blowers, presents, and cupcakes. 

Analise and Asher

6 teeth and counting

Asher has picked up a few words. "up" he says when he climbing the stairs and "eat".

My Mother, an angel.

Today is my mother's birthday.
I love my mom more than most other people love their mothers (I'm pretty sure)
She is kind and loving and is the best example of charity.
She does everything in her power to do what she can for other people.
She's a thinker and loves to find inspiring quotes especially if she thinks they will inspire someone in need.
She loves her children.
She works full time during the week and on the weekends takes care of my grandfather whose health is very poor. He loves her, too.

She has sacrificed without complaint.
She has loved without judgement.
She has served without question.

She has fasted for my baby
She and my father pray for our little family by name EVERYDAY.

I'm glad I get to be here with my mother on her birthday.

I love you, mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Texas and reflexology

We are in Texas. Well, me, Asher, and Noah that is.
We have had our Blue Bell ice cream, some warm weather, and 2 visits to the reflexologist.
In the beginning things were great.
After the first visit he was swallowing better.
Yes, I said swallowing. He puts food in his mouth, chews it, and swallows.
It's great. He has been eating pancakes, waffles, pizza, lasagna, and  other stuff.
Only at the next visit she told me to switch to coconut milk and almond milk and to really simplify his diet.
Having him eat one fruit and vegetable and waiting 3 days and adding another.
This is suppose to help the lining of his stomach.
Well, the kid is not fond of the coconut milk and won't drink it.
I'm trying to do what this lady says but he's not having it.
I don't know why it's stressing me out so.
I think it's because I have tried so many things and what this lady is saying is making since to me
but it's not working out.
I told my mother to take him for a week and get him to eat the way he's "suppose to" and bring him back.
I didn't really mean it but it's hard sometimes.
I'm just about done trying to "fix" him.
I like reflexology and I think nutrition has a lot to do with our well being.
This is how I'm feeling today.

I've decided I don't like the new Star Wars movies and that the way Yota talks is just annoying.
Sorry, this post is sounding a little depressing
skip it if you want.
no hurt feelings.

If I didn't love that kid so much this would be a lot easier:)

today

No weigh in today. A lot of snow came down last night and is still coming down.
We attempted to go to the appointment but turned around and came home.
Just too much darn snow.
I did some P90X (a "gift" from a neighbor) yesterday. My first day.
I'm sore. A good sore. It's been a while.
needless to say I've put on a few. Glad I don't have weigh in's. 
I am going to Texas for sure with the babies. 3 whole weeks.
I'm excited. I know I will miss Heath but it will be a good trip.
My sister and her husband are saints, really.
College life does not make it possible for us to do a lot of things but we are so blessed.
Heath made a bow for Noah out of a plastic hanger and a shoe string. Noah loves it.
Heath can't wait for the boys to be old enough to go hunting.
Noah (right after "shooting" the bow): I got it. holy moke (smoke)
Heath: nice shot!
a high five follows.
Noah even does a coyote call with his hand over his mouth. Too cute, too funny.
I wish I could find my camera.


"There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us...Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." -Thomas S. Monson

There's something about the words "when are you due" when you're not pregnant that gets a girl moving.