ohhhh...it makes me happy!

Sitting here at the computer with my insanely busy life, my now healthy 11- year old came to me and reminded me that one year today she was just coming out of surgery, miserable and scared. Holy cow, time flies! Despite the whining, pity party, selfish thoughts, I am reminded of the amazing blessings our Heavenly Father gives us all the time. Wow, how happy I am!

Ashlie

Gratefulness

While playing around with blogspot, I noticed a post I had started and never actually got done, (story of my life). Well, after the lesson today in Sunday School, I thought I had better get it done. It's from the beginning of the summer and I hope he reads this himself knows how much I do appreciate him and all he does for us.

I'm so thankful for all my husband does for me, I mean us. This week he dug us a fire pit (although he was informed at our first fire, it was the wrong kind of fire - thanks Justin.) He even made benches. He has been doing so much work around the house, even when he's tired. I hope I tell him enough how much he is appreciated and loved. So, just in case I don't, I love you honey!!!PS We've had some good family talks around this fire pit as well as some magnificent s'mores.

Soccer

My kids have loved Sugar City soccer this year! They've learned a lot of skills, had lots of energy and enjoyed their teammates. Their coach, Derek Rhoton, has been awesome, praising every moment he can. Justin has declared, "This is my favorite sport." That's great by me. He even played while being under the weather a couple of times. Even though it's kind of a pain twice a week to get the games on time and have homework etc done before games, I'm kind of sad it's almost over. Gooooo TEAM!

It's Finished at Last

This has been a long summer while working for Walmart. Alan has not been home much and when home very stressed. The store finally got its much needed face-lift since it's original grand opening a lot of years ago. Retail is already high-stress but add to it many extras and it's just plain nuts. But now it's finally done, yeah and Alan got a week off of work (well that work but all we did was work at home too). Alan was in charge of the re-grand opening stuff. I think he did a mighty fine job.

The kids and I went that morning to support our dad in his job and I think they're glad they did for the cake at 8:00 in the morning and a chance to climb into a Walmart big rig and honk the horn.

Pheww! What a day!

It's 10:00pm and I'm glad I can officially say I'm done for the day. If most days I feel like I have no energy or show that in what I get done, today was not one of those days.

I picked raspberries, made a batch of jam, fed kids, did dishes, did some laundry, defrosted the freezer, made bread (nothing better than warm bread and fresh jam), made a dessert, fed kids again, did dishes again, met with Qwest to see what is wrong with the phone...again, went to town, had s'mores in the fire pit and somewhere in there thank goodness I had a shower. What a day!

Meet the newest family member at the Beagley home.
SANDYWe all love her and so far (OK, it's only been one night), she has slept through the night and been a lot of fun. We hope Curly will get used to her and love very quickly. Right now jealousy is running rampant at our home.

our new cutie cousins!

Kristoff and Kolya with Grp Beagley.

We had the honor and privlege to witness the sealing of our newest cousins, Kolya and Kristoff. We're sad they live so far away from us in Alaska but were happy to see them this last week. They were adopted from Russia and have been with the Alaska Beagleys for about a year now. We could just hug on them all day.

AND this is our little cousin Kempton (the most adorable thing) who was born almost 2 years ago that we haven't met yet either. (Again that Alaska thing comes into play.) I told his mom I would just take him any time for as long as needed. What a precious little soul who lights up the room and makes everyone around happy. We are so glad we could get to know him a little. I need to get a better picture of him because you can't see his cute eyes. Hogle Zoo wore him out.

Hula-hoopers

I didn't even know Ashlie could hula-hoop. This video doesn't do her justice, but she could go on and on. Savannah gave her this awesome hoop for her birthday. Garrett got in on some action and we couldn't help giggle at his animations at keeping it going.


I'm a dork, didn't know you couldn't rotate the video clip...I'll do better next time. Don't kink your neck.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This is Hallie and Brooke Sanderson on a Sunday no less, while us mom's are chatting. Before we knew it they were completely in the water, soaking wet and grinning from ear to ear. They weren't even afraid of what we would say and really what could we say? We obviously weren't watching them very well, it was a wonderfully warm Sunday afternoon and water was close by.This coincidentally happened to me and my brother David while visiting a home in California with a swimming pool, parents not watching too closely, a warm Sunday afternoon and water close by. Photo taken approx. 1976.

I have to say I've felt like there's not much to say on our blog, well, I mean that is upbeat and happy. I know, I know pathetic, but it's really the way I feel. Life for some reason has been hard on me lately (lots and lots of pity parties.) I just can't seem to get on top of anything and as a result feel like a horrible mom ( testament to that, that my kids would really rather be anywhere else but home. No really, they really don't want to be here.) I have gone to bed many a night wondering what to do to fix everything and also waking up in the morning wondering how I could possibly face another blasted day feeling like this.

As I sit here and gripe my way through the first blog I've written in a long time, I know that I do need to write these feelings I have because it is our history and it's not always going to be rosy.

As I watched Ashlie get on the bus this morning by herself (everyone else was not feeling well), I realized as she hopped up to the first step just how long her legs have grown, no effort needed. A far cry from the first day of kindergarten when I had to help her up the steps.

I don't know what to say my sweets except that one day you will look back on these growing up years and realize that it didn't matter quite so much. Right now I know it's hard, but you really do have friends; you have friends that care for you and love you. It makes me sad to see your tears over such things that come with childhood friendships, finding ourselves and being true to ourselves; and realizing I can't make it feel better. Just keep looking for those rainbows, I know you'll find them.

Love, mom

Not Funny.....Not Funny At All!

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! Not again. This is what we woke up to this morning and it hasn't let up yet.
I realize this is all too typical of the weather here in Idaho and it happens at least once every spring; but for some reason I need it to be warm and cheerful and bright in my life. (I have to say though, this kind of weather will keep me glued to the TV even more to listen to conference tomorrow.)

Top 10 Reasons I'm Not Laughing:

1. I hate the winter bin all over the place and I just got it ALL cleaned up.
2. When it snows everything comes in from outside wet and I usually step in it.
3. I had to dress my kids like this again in order to go to school and stay dry. (Ashlie is "too old" for this now and won't get wet.)
4. I was enjoying hearing the birds outside.
5. Propane is expensive, warm up already so I don't have to heat my house so much.
6. My kids' shoes are always needing drying out.
7. It's been a long winter, I need sunshine and warmth.
8. I'm ready to get the garden going.
9. The Easter egg hunt is coming all too quickly and we want dry ground this year.
10. April is supposed to be synonymous with spring, right?

A homophone by Justin

A hare lives in the desert.
My dad lost a lot of hair.

...the one with the Waggely Tail

Look what crawled through my living room the other day. A cute little puppy with a bright orange tail. If you asked real nice he'd give it wag that turned that tail right around in a circle. (giggle, giggle). Braxton Meyers is too cute when he's being silly.

A growing UP Conversation

Ashlie: What's that bump in people's throats?
Mom: That's an Adam's apple
Ashlie: A what?
Mom: An Adam's Apple
Ashlie: Oh, is it only in guys?
Mom: Mostly
Ashlie: Does daddy have one, I need to notice that.
Mom: yep, he does.

Garrett oh Garrett

For some reason I have one child that just likes to whine. Oh, I said that all wrong, it's WHIINE!! If he is tired at all, the whine starts immediately. Saturday while going to Bear World to see the fantastic new bear cubs (OK, the experience wasn't that great, but how many times to do you get to pet a bear in real life and even hold it? For me it won't probably be again.) Anyway, while standing in line to get our picture taken, Garret spied a "cool" key chain with bear paw on it and he just had to have it and could he pay me back and why didn't he bring his wallet?
This continued on through the line and clear back to the car. It absolutely exhausts all patience left in me.
I tried to capture the "look" he gives during his whining session so he could see just how silly he is, BUT of course he grinned at the camera every time I snapped the photo. HOWEVER, being the smart mommy that I am, he doesn't realize we had captured several shots of him on our trip to California and are now saved for posterity. (Is this where I say I hope he has one just like him?)
***I do have to say though Saturday's incident was not as bad as Disneyland's.

Bear World Mini Excursion

We decided to go to Bear World on Saturday and see the bear cubs. (A little disappointing but at least we did something as a family.) Even though we did not get to each hold one, being up close and personal with bear is amazing to me. Lucky me, I got to hold the little one for our picture, but afterwards the kids, if they wanted too, could pet one and get another picture with it. Of course Garrett and Hallie were having a bit of a tif and so did not choose to do this.
As scared of bears as I am, these little creatures just don't seem intimidating at all. Too bad they grow up.

Spring?!?

What a gorgeous day it is! The sun is shining and all around the neighborhood I can hear kids playing all sorts of things. I hear ripsticks on a driveway, kids jumping on a tramp, someone walking down the street and even door opening and shutting. It just means we can all start going outside......well, sort of.....look at all the snow STILL!The song "in the sun it melted, melted, melted", comes to mind and I don't mind if it does.

Thank Goodness for Memories

I remember when...my dad carried me down much of Timp Mtn of his back.
I remember when....my dad took me out of school to go skiing at Park West. (sorry mom)
I remember when...my dad would plant his garden with the same precision as landing a plane.
I remember when...my dad would read scriptures with me.
I remember when...my dad would sit for as long as it would take to hear me play something on the piano perfectly and then act as if he enjoyed every minute of it.
I remember when...my dad tried to comfort me when I was hurting from just having 3 babies.
I remember when....my dad picked me up from college for the weekend just because I wanted to go home.
I remember when...my dad would make pancakes or waffles EVERY Saturday morning.
I remember when...my dad came to get me after I was out with a boy AND late. (still not funny.)
I remember when...my dad would give me blessing when I was sick.
I remember when...my dad taught me how to hit a baseball REALLY hard.

I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have a dad like mine. I'm so glad in heaven it was designed that I would go to the parents I have.

It's been two years since dad went back to be with our Father in Heaven. There is not a day goes by that I don't think about him. It's hard to put into words just how much I miss him. As fast as time goes on, there is not a moment of thinking about him that I don't get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I miss you dad and I can't wait to see you again! June 4, 1915-March 12, 2007

School Project

Justin's Pet Care Manual:
One thing you should never feed my pet is....colLate and sugar.
It's favorite foods are... dog bone.
The best way to exercise my pet is... walke him.
this is how to put my pet to bed...peat him to sleep.
Basic rules for my pet:
1. to be obidient.
2. do not go potty in the house.
3. do not chew on my shoe.
4. do not chew on my socks.
5. do not snck a teat.
6. no chaseing car.
7. no chase cat.

Spoken very true words by a very smart 2nd grader.

WAY TO GO ASHLIE!

After having some semi-rough times in school this year....it was very exciting to see her coming home from school so happy. She was awarded the top Abbit((A's and B's because I try.) in 5th grade for spelling. Ashlie loves to spell, so this made her year.

Son, You Sing Out!

As Justin left the bathroom this morning, with all his heart he sang out "Hallieujah"! "Hallieujah"!

If he wants to have his sister included in his joyous singing well, by all means. I almost don't want to tell him what the real words are.

words to live by .....

Today we had our first ward conference in the new Henry's Fork Stake. I have to admit, usually when we have visitors, you kind of know what to expect. Not this time, because I don't know our new presidency members really at all.

I really appreciate the words of wisdom our Stake President, President Markham had for us today in Sunday School. (By the way, I loved, loved the class, I learned so much.)

Two things really stuck out in my mind and hope I can start or get better at them immediately.

Never miss a family prayer. It's our change to come together. If we read our scriptures, even 5 min a day, the Lord will provide us the pointers that will show us the way. Boy haven't I needed that lately.

The Sun is Out! Yippee!

My mom always says "this too shall pass". And guess what, it did. What a smart lady!

I know things just have a way of working themselves out. I know it all just takes time. It's amazing how a whole bunch of sunshine can make a lot of the blues go away.

We had a pretty darn good day here at home playing in the snow and just hanging out. Alan finally got the snowmobiles out, we borrowed a huge tube from the Klingler's and with the Durtschi's and Meyer kids and even one Burton child it was a lot of fun watching the kids go all over the place bouncing around, screaming and squealing. It's the kind of day I wish just wouldn't have to end. I am a moron, however, and didn't get the camera out until it was basically all over. Durtschi's had gone home (sorry Melissa) and Ashlie had gone in the house.

PS Thanks, Bro Meyers for making our big hill even BIGGER.

This year for Valentine's Day, the kids' teacher gave them the task of making their own decorated box for their party. Of course, when we found this idea for a locker, all three wanted the same thing. Emptied soda cracker boxes in hand we got the job done. We love our Family Fun magazine.

Blah, Blah, Blah

It's been a rough start of a new year for me.....(I have to preface by saying I almost feel guilty complaining when we are sooooo blessed). Things just haven't seemed like they have been going how they should. I have decided to blame it all on having the Winter Blues. I'm ready for some sunshine and warmer weather.

Our car broke down, the dishwasher is broken, I can't seem to get energy to anything (hence my messy house), I'm not sleeping well, my neck hurts all the time, of course with headaches, we're having some troubles with Garrett in school and on the bus ( I love him with all my heart and I don't know how to fix the problems), Ashlie has had some social issues (I know it's just a part of growing up, but I still want to make it right, right now), my mom had surgery and I couldn't go be with her, we're having money troubles to the point of feeling like we are going down, my medical bills are sky high and ridiculous (how did that happen?), and tonight of all things I broke my toe.

How's that for a gripe session. As my mom tells me over and over, "This too shall pass."