witches, springtime, lawn mowing, ramblings!

*V. lately has been very complimentary towards my cooking. We'll be eating something store bought and she'll say something like,"Your food is way better than this, Mom." Or," I just want your cooking, Mom."
Anyway, it's very sweet of her. And makes me feel good! She also has been eating food she used to not to eat. Well, food she would eat as a baby/toddler then quit eating as a pre-schooler but is now eating again! Yay!
{But she still won't eat potatoes or red meat. She hasn't liked those since she could start eating solid foods.}
*Steve and his brother went to the Super Cross in Salt Lake this last Saturday. They had a lot of fun and had perfect weather! While they were gone V. and I had a fun day! V.'s teacher has been reading her class 'the Twits' by Roald Dahle and she really wanted to buy it. So we went to the bookstore and she used some of her allowance to buy it. Then we went to Winger's for lunch. When the waitress asked if we wanted dessert I was about to say no when V. piped up "yes!" So we had an Asphalt Pie. V. LOVED it! She was like," This is so good  Mom! Why haven't we had this before?" I was like," ummm....Dad and I eat this fairly often. But I guess we've always had it just us." Oops!
Anyway, then V. ran through the sprinkler a little bit. But she got cold within 15 minutes {because come on, it IS Idaho and only April }, so then she got in the tub and had a nice warm bath!
So all in all, a fun day!
*My back has been feeling better so I asked the chiropractor about when he thought I could start running again. He said that honestly he wouldn't recommend running until NEXT summer. What?! I'm pretty upset and disappointed. He said even though my back may feel better and I might feel okay running now, my disks won't be fully healed. And with my vertebrae pounding on each other there would be a good chance of hurting myself again. Possibly even worse than now. So to be safe I need to wait a year to make sure everything is healed fully. Then I can run all I want. Makes sense. But still.... I was contemplating doing a half-marathon this Fall. And I had other goals I wanted to reach this year. And now all those goals are out the window. When I DO start running next year I'll have to start all over with my training. *sigh* And plus, running was such a stress reliever for me. I always felt so much better and happier after a run. Oh well. I guess I need to find other ways to relieve stress and just focus on other goals and staying healthy and getting stronger.
I also asked about mowing the lawn. I usually do that while Steve is at work. I feel bad that Steve and V. have been having to do so much because I can't. Well, Dr. Ellis said sure I can mow the lawn! But I can't start the mower. The whole pull-start thing would not be good for my back. Great! So yes, I can mow the lawn but I still have to wait for Steve to get home to start it for me! Too bad V. isn't big enough to start it for me....
* Today marks my 13th anniversary of being brain tumor free! YAY! You can read more about that here. One of these years maybe I'll talk more about that week and how I felt and all. But not today.
I have MRI's and a doctor check up every 2 years. That is not this year, but next year. Last year though, the doc said everything looked good. So I guess we'll wait and see what he says next year!
* I went to the Temple this morning. I always love going to the Temple. I really love going with Steve, but no where does it say I can't just go by myself once in awhile. I feel uplifted, re-energized, re-focused and peaceful. That's the key word here, peaceful!
* Today is the first of May. And we had snow. It's funny that just a few days ago V. was running through the sprinkler and now we have snow! But what can I say, that's springtime in southeast Idaho for ya!
I also realized today, that being May means school ends this month! When I told V., she got all sad and said she didn't want to school to end because she loves her teacher so much. So cute! You know, I think I would be totally fine with year-round school. And I think V. would be fine as well! Just have 2ish weeks off in the Fall, Christmas, Easter and Summer time. I think it'd be fun!
I also think it'd be cool to go to boarding school! Now, I don't think I could part with V. and send HER to boarding school. But I would LOVE to go to boarding school in England, Switzerland, oh alright I'll say it, " HOGWARTS!" {V. would love to go there as well!}
* Speaking of magic, V. has really been into Harry Potter. However, she watched the 3rd one for the first time the other day and had nightmares and ended up crawling into our bed that night. I warned her it was one of the scarier ones, but she wanted to watch it so I let her.
She has been waving "wands" around and shouting magic spells at everything. Even while we are playing chess{which she is pretty darn good at, I might add} she points her wand at the chess pieces and shouts spells. Interestingly, she likes Ginny more than Hermione. She pretends she is Ginny, wants to be Ginny for Halloween and wants to buy a Ginny Weasly wand. I asked her why she likes her over H. and she said it was because Ginny has brothers. And she wants brothers. Awww!
And I think Ginny is a good role model. {So is Hermione.} So I love that she wants to be like Ginny!
Anyhoo, this has turned into a bunch of rambling. So I'll quit. For today. {this thought jumping around I do has me questioning if they put my brain back in correctly after that surgery 13 years ago...}

Last day of Easter Break

Being a Monday, Steve had work. :( V. and I tried to talk him into calling in sick but he was already taking this next Friday off because family will be in town. So he got up early and went to work while V. and I slept in!
When V. woke up she asked if she could play the Wii. Sure, why not? So she did that while I got myself ready for the day and cleaned up a little.
Then we went to my chiropractor for my appointment. My back has been feeling much better. More like an achiness at times and not so much a pain. Good sign! Or so I thought.  Dr. Ellis has this table that I lay face down on, he straps my legs down, then stretches the table out a bit then lowers the table where my legs are. It's supposed to stretch my back. Or something. Anyway, we had gotten to the point that he could lower my legs a good amount without me feeling any pain in my back. But when he did it today he just barely started to lower my legs and I already felt pain! Which isn't good. He asked if I've been lifting heavy things or stuff like that. I told him no. I still have Steve help with the laundry and V. vacuums and all that. So he said maybe we started backing off too soon with treatments? Anyway, I see him again on Friday and we'll see how my back is doing then. I'm kinda bummed. I honestly felt like things were getting better...
After that V. and I went for a walk around Jensen's Grove. It's about a 1.75 mile walk. Then she played on the playground while I laid out in the sun and read. I love how easily kids make friends! We were there not 2 minutes and she already was running around with another girl and playing with her!
After that we got some groceries. I asked V. if we should pick up Subways while in town for lunch. She said," No. I like your cooking. I just want you to make me something. " Well, okay then! You compliment my cooking and I'll make anything for you! So we went home and had homemade mac & cheese.
 Then we did some reading and she did her piano practice. Then I got out my paints and she painted a little wooden bird house we had picked up last week at the store. Then she played outside with a neighbor girl until it was time to go to cheer. After cheer we ran to the library to sign her up for softball then home to dinner, bath and bed. It is a school night after all!
 This has been a very fun Easter break! Beautiful weather and lots of family time!
 

Easter Break Day 3

Since Steve had fallen asleep at like 5:00 the night before, he woke up around 3:00 am and made himself a sandwich then got into bed with me to watch t.v. I vaguely woke up, then went back to sleep. But then around 4:00ish I woke again. Steve turned the t.v. off and snuggled down into the bedclothes with me. We lay facing each other snuggling. {And no, that is not code for anything!} We just talked and talked until about 6:00. Then Steve got up and dressed and went out to the desert to do some glassing {look for deer and elk}. I didn't fall back asleep so I got up and had a nice, long, bubble bath!
 After V. finally woke up I made her breakfast and we just hung out. Then Steve called and said it was such a nice day did I want to call my Dad and see if he wanted to go shooting? My parents both bought pistols a few months ago and we kept saying we'd take them shooting but either the weather was crappy or our schedules were busy. Dad was excited to go. So after Steve got home we ran to the grocery store then out to pick up Dad. Steve took us out to the desert where there is a shooting range and we spent maybe 2 hours shooting. Dad hasn't shot a gun for quite a few years and I think he enjoyed himself! This was V.'s first time shooting and she did great! There was a glass bottle a couple of us tried to shoot and kept missing. She got it on her second try! Even though Steve has said he would take me shooting we never have gotten around to it. He had shown me how to load and hold his gun. But I have never actually shot it. So this was my first time as well and I loved it! I shot his pistol, .22 and shotgun. {I also got a little sun burnt. But no one else did. I'm just the fairest one in the family!}
After that we took Dad home and came home to have a late lunch. Then Steve and V. went fishing. While they were gone I took a nap, did laundry and went to the gym. Yay me!
They had a lot of fun even though they didn't catch anything. They stopped to help someone who was stuck in the mud, rode the 4 wheeler and V. got stung by a bee. It had crawled up her pants leg and when she went to scratch it stung her. Steve said she cried a little but was pretty brave about it. They came home happy and overflowing with excitement to tell me all about everything they had done!
We had dinner then to bed. V. fell asleep quickly, she was so tuckered out!

Day 2 of Easter Break

Day 2:
Steve had an Union meeting in I.F. this morning. So V. and I went with him. She and I hung out at the Mall where she played on the indoor plaything while he had his meeting. Afterwards we got some errands ran followed by lunch at Applebee's. { Steve's sister had given us a gift card for there for Christmas }.
Then we came home and tinkered around getting stuff done.
Then we had a family bike ride through the neighborhood until a training wheel fell off of V.'s bike. { Yes. She still has training wheels. She's a little afraid of hurting herself and can't seem to let go of them... }
Then Steve fell asleep. V. and I ate sandwiches for dinner followed by a warm bath for V.  I think I might take a bath myself later on....
Steve promised V. he'd take her fishing today or tomorrow. He stayed up late last night preparing hooks and she has been talking about it all day! Unfortunately it was too windy today. So they both are hoping for good weather tomorrow so they can go then! Her motto today {and tomorrow} is 'Keep Calm and Go Fishing!'

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Spring day

The last 2 days have been sooo nice! V. has enjoyed running around outside while I l have laid on a quilt, soaking up the warmth and sunshine and reading. I'm currently reading "the Language of Bees", a Mary Russell novel. I'm at the part where it's starting to get hard to put the book down. It's starting to get real good!
Today was the first day of V.'s Easter break. She crawled into bed with me this morning and we both slept in. So nice! Then I helped V. dye some eggs. She had fun and made some very pretty eggs!
We then had grilled chicken and green salad for lunch.
Then we spent a couple hours getting groceries followed by enjoying the sun until Steve got home.
Speaking of Steve, his movie came in the mail today! The Hobbit! We just started it and are only 7 minutes in but already are loving it immensely!
So with that, I'll bid you adieu while I snuggle with my love and enjoy this movie!

March 26th

* Today as I was helping in V.'s classroom the school had a fire drill. So I got to walk outside with her class, holding her hand.

* It has been raining this afternoon and I LOVE it!

* V. has had no cheer, ballet or piano this week. Due to Spring breaks. But our Easter break starts on Thursday. So only 3 days of school this week as well. So, so far it's been a nice week and she is excited for the rest of the week! I think we'll dye Easter eggs on Friday. And she bought a little wooden birdhouse that I told her she could paint over the break. Steve wants to take us to lunch or dinner sometime this weekend. Other than that, it will be a slow, nice weekend.

* Speaking of Steve, I am wildly in love with him.....Just had to say that....

* My back has been feeling really good. Yay!! I'm hoping it just continues to get better from here on!

* I pre-ordered the Hobbit. We have been anxiously awaiting for it to arrive. Steve asks everyday if it has arrived. I got it for a good price by pre-ordering it but waiting for it is driving us nuts!Any day now....

* Next week Steve's family will be in town. We can't wait to see them. Especially our new nephew!!

First day of Spring!!

I can't think of a better way to welcome the first day of Spring then by having a spring rain today! No snow, but rain! Okay, it started out as rain then went to a rain/snow mix. But then turned back into rain! I had the heat off for a couple of days. But last night it got just a little too chilly so I turned the heat on just a bit. But I'm hoping in the next few days it will warm up enough to turn the heat all the way off again.

Yesterday we had our lawn care guys come and to their de-thatching, Spring clean up, trimming, etc. The yard looks all clean and neat and ready for warmer weather! It looks so nice!

I am just itching for warmer weather!!

 

Today

*  I'll admit it. I cried a little while watching this video. What an amazing experience these 2 young men are going to have. God works in mysterious ways. But always in miraculous ways!

*  In other news, it's Pi Day. So to celebrate I am thinking of making a chocolate pudding pie. That's the only type of pie all three of us like. But I have a Relief Society thing tonight that is a dinner and program. So I'm hoping when I get home there will still be some pie left for me in the fridge!

*  I moved some furniture around on Monday. I know I shouldn't have. But it's just so hard to sit around all day doing nothing waiting for Steve to get home and help me. I feel bad. He works all day and then comes home and has to help me with stuff that needs done here. I also took out the garbage and vacuumed. Other things I'm not supposed to do. And I am paying for it now. My back has increased in pain the last few days. Alright! I learned my lesson! I won't do ANYTHING until my back is healed. It's just so hard though. And Steve doesn't make me feel guilty for having to help me more. He makes me feel guilty for doing it and not waiting for him. {Okay, he really doesn't make me feel guilty. He just says my name in that small reprimanding way," Mary. You need to not be doing that. Wait for me and I'll do it for you."} He doesn't want me to hurt my back anymore than it already is hurt. He's so good. It's just me and my stubbornness and being too proud to admit that I need to depend on him and V. more. I need to humble myself and let them help me.

*  It's going to be another beautiful Spring day today! The heat is off and soon I'll open the doors to let in the fresh sunshine and fresh air!

* Tonight is our Stake Relief Society birthday dinner and program. They want each ward to have a table set up that shows our R.S. history. So the R.S. president and I have been trying to get things ready and I think it will turn out. You never know until you go over there and actually get setting up. We have framed pictures of each of the R.S. presidents our ward has had as well as their testimonies written down. Sis. Ellis has also put together a very pretty Spring bouquet to have on the table. Then I've put together a little collage of photos we've found. This has made me realize I need to take photos of our R.S. nights we do. Most of the photos we do have are older ones! {Did I tell you I'm the Relief Society night coordinator for our ward? I've had the calling for about 10 months and so far am really enjoying it!} Anyway, we also are both bringing anything we have that we've made or done in Relief Society in this ward to display. So I hope it all comes to together and looks good.....I think it will.... I hope it will!

* If you were to come over to my home right now you'd find me in my sweatpants, one of Steve's sweatshirts, hair pulled back in a bun and paint all over my pants and hands. I have been creating today! Creating items to take into the shop to sell and creating items for our R.S. table tonight. I am frantically trying to get it all done! As well as trying to catch up on dishes and laundry and housework!
 

Pleasant day...

*The weather has been so lovely the last few days!!! The sun is shining, birds are singing...it's just so lovely!! {Maybe a little on the windy side, but when you live in Idaho you get used to that!}
Today I turned off all the heat and have the front door open. It's so nice to let the fresh air come into the house! Tonight I will probably need to turn the heat on a little bit, but that's okay. I'll just turn it off again in the morning when it warms up! Spring is right around the corner!!
I have been wearing flips flops only the last couple of days!

*I also got to help in V.'s class room today. That's always fun!

*After that I stopped in to her school's gym to vote on the new school levy. I always feel good, and proud after voting. I'm grateful we live in a country where we have the freedom to vote!

*In a little bit I'll be picking the little one up from school and heading down to ballet class. Then home to make brinner and enjoy the evening as a family.

A very pleasant day today.
{I also washed our bedding today. Which means a nice, clean, good smelling, comfy bed awaits me for bedtime tonight!}

The Sound of Spring

Yesterday morning when I opened the door to take V. to school I heard birds singing. LOTS of birds singing!
The snow has been melting.
Yes, it's still cold outside. But...
Spring is about to start!

Creepy Crawlies

V. came screaming out of her bedroom this afternoon. She said there was a spider on her bed!
I went in to look and sure enough there was a teeny tiny spider running around her bed.
So I killed it and then we changed her bedding to make her feel better.
Spring must be right around the corner if there are baby spiders running about!

V's ballet recital

This year V. has been taking ballet at the Brindusa-Moore Ballet Academy . She has really enjoyed it and has loved her teacher! On May 21st, they had their end-of-year recital. I was helping in the dressing room.  And Steve ended up having to work that day. I asked Steve's sisters to record and take pictures for us. Which they did. But I'm having a hard time uploading those. So all I have are the pics I took of her in the dressing room.

I was able to sneak into the auditorium and watch her dance. I was so proud of her! She knew all the steps, and knew when to move and when to hold still. I was worried, because in class she would act like she wasn't paying much attention. But then she did the dance perfectly on stage! So she WAS paying attention in class after all!

Anyway, she was beautiful and did so well. We are very proud of her!

Pre-School Graduation

On May 12th, my little girl graduated from pre-school.

*sniff*

This first picture is of her sitting next to two of her best friends in school.

They did a little program. They started with the Pledge of Allegiance.

They sang some songs and did some nursery rhymes.

This is a picture of her doing some sign language telling the story

of 'Goldilocks and the 3 Bears'.

I wasn't able to get a picture of her getting her certificate.

So I got a picture of her and her teacher after the ceremony.

This was her second year of Pre-school. We have loved her teacher.

V.' has grown so much and made some good friends in Pre-school.

We are excited for Kindergarten this Fall!

Our week in photos

Here are some photos of things we did this week, in no particular order~

V. mashing up berries for our Triple Berry jam we made.

V. and her cousin J. playing after hunting for Easter eggs at Steve's parents.

I added some vinyl lettering to our front door.

{After thinking about doing it for 2 years.}

V. dyed Easter Eggs.

She coddled and kissed each egg before putting them back in the bowl.

These eggs were made with love!

V. and I got our hair did!

V. just got a trim.

I kept my length, but added layers and some red and blond highlights.

I LOVE it!!!!

And that's the highlights from our week!

 Happy Easter everyone!

My Easter Girl!

Wow! I have quite a bit I was wanting to blog about, but I just haven't had time! A quick look at what's to come ~ A fun girls only weekend in Phoenix and San Diego, we think we found the reason why I miscarry, cute photos of V. and her cousin who stayed with us for a few days. And of course after this weekend, photos of V. doing an Easter egg hunt and all that fun stuff.
However, Easter falls on our General Conference Sunday this year { A time when the leaders of our church speak to us thru a live broadcast from Salt Lake City, we watch it on t.v. at home, instead of going to church!}. So I had her wear her Easter dress this last Sunday, and the Sunday following Conference, I think I'll have her wear her dress from last year, since she still fits into it!
So here's a cute photo of her in her Easter dress all ready to go to church!

What a cutie!!!