Pieces Of Us.

E-I-E-I-O

Tonight, I sit here, watching the sun going down, and feeling THANKFUL for nights at home.

We had Carne Azada, Quesadillas, and Mexican Soda for dinner.  {And we ate all together}.

Right now, it is still light outside, and Max is upstairs reading a story to the kids. {And I hear them all giggling}.  {And my heart hurts, as I think about how horribly we are ALL going to miss him, VERY SOON!}

Softball was canceled tonight, because the Coach had something come up.  {And, I secretly thanked God, for a much needed night of rest!}

The sun was shining, and the wind wasn't blowing, and I grabbed my camera and went outside with the kids to do their chores and spend time with their new animals.
And, I laughed at how funny this life of ours looks right now... 

It all started with a Baby Piggy, who was just about to die, because his Momma wasn't taking care of him.  He came to live with us...  And has been living in a box, in my house for a couple of weeks.

The plan:
To baby him along and keep him alive, until he was able to live like a normal Pig, and eat normal Pig food.  Have you met me?  And have you heard about my Baby Fever?  My maternal instincts went off the charts, and I have snuggled him, and spoiled him- every.single.day.  And, I want to keep him.  In a box.  In my house.
Not gonna happen, but seriously...  He is the sweetest little thing ever, Yes?

This is Norton.  And he is hysterical.  The kids and I love him!  John says he is the perfect size for one meal.  :(  Poor Norton. 

So, while we babied Norton along...  One of Madi's favorite friends sold us a lamb, and Madi is going to start 4-H, and show and sell her.  Holy Moley.  I almost cried just typing it.
We will see how that goes!  We are not exactly raise and slaughter kind of animal owners.  
I have been proud of Madi though.  She has been going out there every afternoon, and talking to her, and playing with her and walking her.  She has done a good job.  
I am looking forward to where this little adventure will take her.  At any rate, I am sure it will teach her some great things! 

Meet Pepper-
 

And theeeeeennnn...
Somehow we ended up with this sweet little bummer calf.
I know, I know...
So...  The plan for this one is for the kids to bottle feed her and raise her up until she can go out to pasture, and then she will probably go back out to Grandpa's, (where she came from) and eventually she will be bred.  Depending on how it goes, the kids will either sell her calves every year, or use them for a 4-H steer.  
We'll see how it goes though...  For now they have been busy little beavers taking care of all these babies.  And, Annie, and Bella, and Bella's 5 babies, which are getting ready to look for new homes, by the way!
Baby kitty, anyone?  They are seriously adorable and will be ready for new home just as school gets out.
What better reward for a good report card?  Or I bad one...  Whatever, just please take a baby kitty and give it a good home.  Thanks!
And, just for kicks...  Here is a BUNCH of pictures from our afternoon.

 

 
 
 

{Hermiston Hurricanes}

The Hurricanes had some great wins this weekend and took 1st place in the 12U bracket in Moses Lake. 

{Mother's Day}

This year my Mother's Day started on Friday, at Ashlyn's classroom.  I was pampered with lotion, a massage, and my finger's and toes being painted.  I was even served a snack, by my Little Girl.

Here is the story that she filled in the blanks about me:

My Mom's name is  Misty.
My Mom is 32 years old.
My Mom's job is to work in a ofis.
My Mom does Takes Good Kare of Me Best.
I love my Mom because she is nice.

Saturday, Madi, Laura and I headed to Selah for a Softball Tournament.
I think I was more proud of the girls (and Coaches) than I have ever been.  Honestly, it was fun to watch and though the girls still have some growing and learning to do, they kept their heads up and played hard in all 5 games.  They won 2, lost 2 and tied 1, which was a welcomed change, after losing all 4 the weekend before.
We drove home Sunday, and I was busy getting the car unpacked, and laundry done up, before Monday morning came, and John took the kids to buy Mother's Day dinner.
They came home with a pack of pork chops for all of them, and a Rib Eye Steak and case of Diet Coke for me.  My 2 favorites!  And what a thoughtful way to make a Momma feel special, to buy her favorite, while everyone else has Pork Chops.  And John even B-B-Qed it for me and it was PERFECT!
The end of that day found me feeling blessed and adored...  And wishing that Mother's Day came more than once a year!  :)

So Thanks John, Madi, Deven, Ashlyn and Max...  For making me feel special and loved!

 

{Right Now}

So, 12 years and 4 months ago, at barely 20 years old, I gave birth to a scrawny little 6 pound baby.  I have never, ever, even once wished I could change a thing about being this girls Mom.  She is smart, and nice, and a good friend...  And, honestly, just a good person.  I am proud of her.
 
She makes me laugh SO MUCH!  And she makes me proud, and well...  Sometimes she makes me crazy too.  But, I adore her.
12 years and 4 months later...  She is an inch taller than me, and wears 2 shoe sizes bigger than me.
And, I think it is so cool to hang out with her, and talk to her, and I LOVE that she is intelligent, and can have interesting conversations. 
I have LOVED watching her grow up, and everything she has done has been exciting and new to us.

And then there is the "Baby" of the family.  And, honestly...  I am just sick of watching her grow up.
Everything she does marks a last for me.  The last first lost tooth, the last to ride a bike without training wheels, the last first day of Kindergarten, the last Mother's Day Spa at school. 
Quite frankly, I am just not ready to be done having babies.
But we are done.  And, it isn't up to us anymore.  And, I know that it is the "right" choice.
But, honestly, my heart breaks daily when I realize we are one day closer to not having  "Babies".

Anyway...
Today my "Baby" is sick.  Very sick.  She has a fever, and is miserable.
I have so much to do at work right now...  So I grabbed some work and my laptop, some juice for my girl, and tucked her into my bed.

I worked from home, and she slept pretty much all day.  And, I can't stop thinking about how fast the time is coming, that I won't get to snuggle her up in my bed, and rub her back and poor Tylenol and juice down her.  
It honestly scares me to think ahead to the time when there is nobody left for me to take care of.

So, for now, I will cherish EVERY SINGLE second.  I will be thankful that I can make it work to ALWAYS be there when any of the three of my children need me.  I will snuggle my burning up little girl all I can for now.

I will take their pictures and do the best I can to remember every single second of Mommy-hood.  It honestly is the most important thing I will ever do in my life.  Hands Down! 

And, I will do the best I can to raise my kids to know how to be amazing parents.  

So...  There you have it.  What's been on my mind.

My internet is back!  So, I will be catching up on posts!  :)  
I bet you just can't wait, RIGHT???