Desperate Times

It's potty training time again. What is this, the fourth attempt? I've stopped counting. I blame my niece Natalie for putting the "cat" idea into my head. I like cats, as long as they aren't rubbing their hair on me or jumping into my lap and they aren't in the house and they aren't mine. But, I had a weak moment. A free kitten was offered and I needed some serious leverage. Z wins most of the battles around this house, but not this time my friends. This cat is the bartering tool I've been dreaming of. I dangle it in front of her pee-laden bladder all the day long. (Figuratively speaking, I don't physically dangle the cat in front of her, although that may work) And you know what, progress is finally being made. I'm seeing glimpses of Z's future and they don't involve kids pointing and laughing at her diaper clad bum in Kindergarten.

4th of July Fun

Cousins.

Water balloons. Volleyball tournament.

I want to squeeze this kid all the day long, he's so stinking cute.

Fun at the Firth reunion. Love is in the air. YEEEHAWW. He is getting hitched and we couldn't be happier to have Angela in the family.

Zannah took an impromptu swim while we were racing stick boats at the well. We had an excellent photographer who captured the whole ordeal. I was impressed with Z's doggy-paddling skills and bravery, not one single tear.

A new trampoline and 6 adults playing "crack the egg"

Is always going to end in one broken nose

Bucket List Check Off

Many months ago, a highschool friend began planning a bike trip across Idaho. After all it is our 10 year reunion and we like to make things memorable. She talked 5 of us into purchasing road bikes and taking 6 days (we finished it in 5 days!) out of our normal lives to go on an adventure and I'm glad she did. We started on the Wyoming border and biked across Idaho to the Oregon border. I learned that you can push your body to do hard things and with these girls have a good time all the while.
Meet the Crew:
Maryann--the Boss, instigator of the trip and creator of most of our wild adventures. Trish: Die-hard runner. Got up and ran every morning BEFORE our 85 miles of biking. Only fell over once.....those darn clip on shoes. Bobbi: Can climb hills like nobody's business. And I would have to award her the "whined the least" award. Nicona (on the left) Tough as beans and sweet as honey, always has been and always will be. These two rocked some killer outifts. Annie: (on the right) Definitely the most fearless when it came to downhills, she was speedy. I really tried to convince her that she should do hair commercials since she has the most fabulous, thick, healthy hair. I just tried to keep up with these girls and devour as much as food as possible on each break. I had a fear of starving between pit-stops. Day One: (Wyoming Border) Driggs to Mud Lake
Waited in the truck for a snowstorm to pass. Stinking cold, but beautiful country. At various points we each had very painful thigh cramps. Pretty glad when the day was over. Camped at a pretty lake. Tinfoil dinners never tasted so good. Talked and laughed past midnight (which became a nightly occurrence and my favorite part of the trip).

Day Two: Mud Lake to Arco

Better weather, except headwind was nasty. Let's face it City of Rocks isn't exciting landscape. Bless KOA's and their hot showers. No leg cramping, but shoulder/neck pain never goes away. Below was our nightly accomodations.
Day Three: Arco to Fairfield

Weather good. We are all excited to get past the halfway mark. The truck transmission went out at a rest area at the last mile of the day, perfect timing. Generous husbands came to the rescue at 1 AM.

Day Four: Fairfield to Grandview

I prayed constantly riding out of the canyon into Mountain Home. Narrow shoulder, big hills, and lots of traffic scared the poop out of me. The fastest my bike clocked was 35 mph. Slept and showered at my house.

Day Five: Grandview to Homedale (Oregon border)

Best weather yet. Because we pushed the other days, the last day was an easy peasy 60 miles. Also made easier because our muscles were finally getting used to the daily routine now that it was over....isn't that how life goes.

No one was injured on the trip and not one flat tire.....now that is amazing.

385 miles!!

Chill-Bill-Relax-Max

Bless Max and his chill ways. If you could only have seen how happy and relaxed he was in this wagon Z was pulling. He literally was getting his head knocked on every corner, but he didn't care. Aren't he and Zannah the perfect pair?

Holy Cow, I forget how much I love the 1 year old stage. They are still chubby and baby-like. They coo and babble and are just as entertained with toys as they are with a wrapper. And to top this stage off, Max still likes to be held and cuddled.

My mind constantly "oohs and aahs" over the miracles in my life. The way that everything had to line up just perfectly for Zannah and Max to come to our family. Heavenly Father does not make mistakes. I'm so glad He is in charge. What a mess I would have made if I had gotten things when and how I wanted them.

She Ain't Colorblind

One of Zannah's quirks lately is to separate all things into various colors and shapes. And if you'll notice in the last picture, all beads are separated by shape except her beloved blue beads. She would have everything in this world blue if she could.

Funny things she has said as of late:

"Marcos, don't yeave me" she screams as he leaves for work.

"Yook, yook, yook in my face.

"Be careful with my teeth mommy, if they come out, I will be a baby."

"You have a beautiful nose mommy" as she is lying in my lap and caressing my nose.

"What's the big idea."

And the most recent and said most often in a commanding tone, "Oh Yeah, What about it!"

So my kids are naked 90% of the time.

"Oh yeah, What about it!" :)

Far From Perfect I Am

For journaling sake, I must record the following incident yesterday, judge me if you must, but keep it to yourself, I've already shed more than one tear over the situation.


Marcus has been traveling a lot lately and I'm learning that the real single moms in the world should be applauded and kissed and have their feet rubbed. Sunday, as you know with small kids, is a day of trying not to curse during church and applying large amounts of deodorant before, during, and after the 3 hour block. The Z-meister had been in a mood all the day long. I decided we needed a break from the house so we headed to the park. While there she decided to bully two girls at least 5 years older than her by knocking over there sandcastles and then moved onto stealing a teenager's bottle of water and making a run for it. Maybe she wasn't being a bully, maybe she was just shooting for annoying, either way it was embarrassing, so we headed home. Once home, she emptied a brand new box of cheerios onto Max's highchair and floor. I kept my cool and cleaned most of them up, but explained that she would have to help clean up the rest. She refused. I then lost my cool and spanked her and took her up to her room. She cried. And I cried. I felt like an abusive, rotten, mean ole' hag. That is not who I want to be, I really don't believe spanking does any good, but goodness me, I'm far from perfect, especially in the temper arena.


Zannah stopped crying and came out of her room. Sweetly and innocently she says to me, "Mom, I fink you are mad at me." And then I laughed and cried again. Oh how that girl tries me and I love her all the fiercer for it.

Easter Weekend

Z loved hunting for eggs. This is Damon discovering cat poo in one of his Easter eggs at our family egg hunt. Lex should win an "uncle of the year" award.

Angela and I hid Easter eggs for the boys, they spurned our creativity until they learned there was money involved.
Which quickly turned into a wrestling match.

Branding was scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Max got his first horse ride.

While Zannah got her first kick from a horse (no pic from that incident). And we witnessed the first ever afternoon of a very somber Z, it scared her and us to death. Luckily all is fine and maybe it put a little fear into an otherwise fearless little girl.