Of creatures big and small

I already shared how last week we went to visit my parents for a few days. Alot of our time was spent with their Angel and Caleb’s horses Gracie (red) and Buck (blond).

The horses have a huge field behind my parent’s house they call their own, but they can come up pretty close to the house.  When we got there Monday afternoon they came to see what was going on. The kids spent a little time with Papa feeding them some grass.

Gracie sometimes gets jealous when my dad pays attention to anyone or anything other than herself. So I was there to make sure Gracie got lots of loving too!

After some time with the horses we were on our way back to the house when the kids found a baby rabbit in the driveway. We’re pretty sure my parent’s golden retriever Cobo was playing with it because it’s back to legs were paralyzed. My parents put it in a box for the kids. (Oh dear.) I almost caved. Oh yes I did. Almost. But thankfully my husband is sane and said absolutely not are we bringing a wild rabbit into our house.

For the longest time my mom and I have been trying to convince my dad to open up a petting zoo. The live in a little tourist town and during the summer we think it would be a huge hit with families passing through.  Unfortunately the first member of the petting zoo died shortly after we left town. Or at least that’s the story I heard.

We were planning to go on a horse ride on Tuesday but it was so hot. So we decided to wait and go riding on Wednesday morning before we left for home. Unfortunately Grama Susie wasn’t able to be with us as she had to work.

Papa and the kids – on the way to the horses. Dad had already put them in their pen.

Watching Papa. He got them all saddled up and then did a little running/training with them in the pen to help them remember who was boss. It had been awhile since they’d been ridden.

It’s so cool to watch him work the horses. He broke both of them himself pretty quickly and they have turned into the sweetest, most gentle horses. It’s also pretty funny because when dad says jump they say how high. He just has to whistle and they will literally come running.

Caleb on Buck. He was so brave and he had a blast!

My view.

Papa and Caleb on Buck.

Angel and Mommy on Gracie.

Me and my girl!

Angel didn’t like it as much as Caleb. She said it was too bumpy!

The view. So beautiful!

After our ride Dad took the horses back to the pen to take their saddles back. When he was done they came running back up to the house. Guess they had fun with my two wild things!

Can’t get enough

On Monday of this week the kiddos and I took a road trip to my parent’s house. One of the things I’m most looking forward to this summer is many road trips there. Not only is it a great place to visit because of my parent’s, but being on the boat on the river is probably one of the my favorite places in the world. Throw in the horses, beautiful sunsets, fishing and two little people who always have a blast, and it’s the best place ever.

We slept on the boat Monday night but decided to go to the house Tuesday night. The kids usually sleep great on the boat but I guess since Mama was along this time, they felt the need to wake up in the middle of the night. It was pretty hot during the day, but in the evening it would cool down and it was absolutely beautiful. Thank you Jesus!

We seem to always forget about the playground at the campground. But not this time. Unfortunately the mosquitoes were brutal and so our playtime didn’t last long.

Me and the kiddos on the boat.

My mom and dad with kiddos.

Time for breakfast!! We usually eat on the boat but decided to be lazy splurge and go to the restaurant.

Caleb and his “lasso”.

Angel’s “mom quit taking my picture” face.

Taco Johns on the boat!

Best place ever.

A little bit random

Yesterday was the first day in about 4-5 weeks that I’ve felt half way decent. It was great. I even felt a little motivated to clean my house. That is a miracle people. And then one of my amazing co-workers brought us supper and the most delicious dessert ever.

Unfortunately lately I’ve been eating alot of dessert. And I fell off the no soda wagon a few weeks ago. I’ve come to finally realize that my swollen stomach has nothing to do with my recent surgery. And it’s time to get serious. The frustrating and exhausting part of getting serious is having to start from scratch as far as exercise goes. I obviously won’t be running anytime soon but even walking I have to take it easy and slowly increase my miles. It will be a long road but hopefully in the next 4-6 weeks I can be running again.

On Monday the kids and I took a spontaneous trip to see my parents. We got home Wednesday afternoon and as I’m sure you know, it’s so good to be home. I’ll share lots of pictures with you tomorrow and more next week. I took alot of pictures.

And for your viewing pleasure, some random pictures from my phone.

Daddy and Caleb… “Aaahhhhhh.”

Angel driving Papa’s boat!

Ouch.

Angel on the boat. Yes. Yes that is a bunny in her lap. Stay tuned.

“I’m watching you.”

Nice. My son is choking his grandmother.

Guess who came to visit me in the hospital?! It’s Prince!

Me and my sister. We miss you Aunt Nellie!

Speaking of sister. She bought this tent for Caleb when she was here. He will sit in it all day to watch tv, read books or smear chap-stick all over his body. Ya know, kid stuff.

Angel at the park. Does she do a good head tilt or what!?

Let’s go fly a kite!

Me and hubs at Casting Crowns concert.

The Easter bunny is a rock star

I realize I’m a little behind, but as always, I still have to post about our holidays.

We had a nice, low-key Easter weekend.  Well I did anyway. Probably because I was on the couch most of the weekend.

We had originally planned to go visit my sister in Aberdeen, which is three hours north. But with all the health drama we figured it’d be better to just stay home. Saturday we didn’t really do much of anything. I think. I can’t really remember. I got my pain meds on Friday!

I almost wasn’t going to make it to church on Sunday but made myself swallow a pain pill and reminded myself that my parents were coming and then I could sleep!

Cookies before church! Yum!

We managed to take a few pictures after church. Unfortunately all I have is the camera on my phone but they didn’t turn out too bad.

Check out my husband. Well no, don’t check him out. But doesn’t he look amazing?! It’s not very often that I can get him in a suit and I didn’t even have to cry or plead this time. He’s just that amazing and knows it’s the little things that make his wife happy.

And my kiddos. They were naughty as EV. ER. at church but I could just eat them up, they’re so cute!

Angel took this one of me and Pat!

My sweeties looked so adorable in their Easter outfits. (Which I found really cheap at a consignment store. Ya!)

For Easter dinner we had talked about just going out to eat somewhere. But we couldn’t all agree on where to go. And so I volunteered that we could eat at our house. I don’t think I even asked my husband. He just stepped in and made pretty much everything by himself, without complaining. He’s a rock star. And a really good cook.

Not only is he a good cook and smoking hot in a suit, but he was the Easter bunny.  Although we don’t do the Easter bunny so he was more like Jesus.  Well, nevermind.

He went to the store on Saturday and picked out everything for the kids’ Jesus baskets.  He did so perfect. The kids have been talking to me about chocolate bunnies for weeks. I failed to mention this to Pat but guess what he came home with! That’s right. A huge chocolate bunny for each of them.  I asked him if the kids had said anything to him and they hadn’t. He’s just that amazing.

I put together a little scavenger hunt for them to find their baskets. Unfortunately the pictures we took didn’t really turn out so I won’t waste your time. But it was fun. The questions were Bible trivia and they took turns finding the clue before the last one led them to their Jesus baskets.

We were going to have dinner with Pat’s family Sunday night but I was feeling pretty crummy so we just stayed home in our jammies and ate way too much chocolate and jelly beans. And most of all we celebrated and remembered the reason we celebrate Easter. We are so thankful for our risen Savior and for His work in our life!

Shark attack

When the kids got home from my parent’s house I showed them my tummy.

Caleb said, “Shark bite you mama?”

Well, kinda.

Not very often do I bare my stomach to the world. You’re welcome. I’m sorry.

The past few days have been spent on the couch or in bed, trying and usually failing to eat, counting down the minutes until I can take my next pain pill, and watching Grey’s Anatomy.

Speaking of Grey’s Anatomy, I’m almost through the 3rd season. And can I just say, get it together people!? I mean seriously.

I had to miss church yesterday and that was such a huge bummer. Not only missing worship, but missing our couple’s group. To be honest it was really scary for Pat and I to take that step of faith and be a part of a small group. It’s hard to make yourself vulnerable in that way. But God has used those friends and so many others to bless our socks off. We are so thankful!

My view from the couch hasn’t been all that bad.

~Grama Susie and kids playing puzzles.

~My sister and Angel cooking supper.   I love listening to my sister teach Angel about cooking. She was telling her the differences between red and green peppers.

(I obviously got off the couch to take this picture!)

I just heard my sister say, “Last night we were cooks and today we’re going to be hair stylists!”

Caleb says, “Woo hoo hair stylists!”

LOL! They are going to cut my sister’s dog’s hair!

~Pat and kids playing cars.

The rest of the week will hopefully be pretty uneventful. I don’t work until Thursday and hopefully I’ll be feeling alot better by then. My sister is here today and tomorrow and then Pat is off work the rest of the week.

We are looking forward to Friday night as some friends gifted us with tickets to Casting Crowns. It will be the first concert that Pat and I have been to together and we are so excited! Granted, I’ll have to take it easy and not be dancing around like a crazy lady, but that’s ok. I’ll leave the dancing to Pat! Ha!

I’ve managed to not quite flunk out of school yet. My teachers have been so understanding. I missed most of anatomy lecture on Wednesday and will probably miss today but I also have some classmates who have been helping me by sharing notes. What a blessing! I had to take a quiz last night on last week’s lectures. My first attempt I got a 50%. I then begged God to have mercy on me. My second attempt I got a 90%! Woo hoo! I have an 88 or 89% overall and I so badly want to get an A.  Unfortunately these chapters, the ones I’ve been sick for, have been the hardest for me.  My other class, English online, is going ok. I had a pretty big essay due yesterday but my professor gave me some extra time so I guess I’ll be working on that in the next few days!

Once again I just want to thank you for all of your prayers and support. You have been such a blessing to us during this time!

And one last quote from the couch.

My sister and kids are cutting her dog’s hair right now. The kids are starting to get a little naughty.

My sister just said, “If you throw hair or put hair on Angel one more time you are going to get fired as a barber.”

Caleb said, “Uh oh.”

And then Nellie was cutting underneath his tummy and she said she has to be very careful because that is where Charlie goes potty.

Angel said, “He has a pee pee!?”

Nellie said, “Yep, he’s a boy.”

Caleb says, “I have a pee pee. See I show you.”

HA!