Gardening and Sidewalk Drawings

Well I went out front to do some finishing touches for Halloween and found that I needed to weed again. I did the whole thing about a month ago. It wasn't horribly bad, but looks much better now. The neighbor children came over and played with our children. They drew pictures on the side walk and we drew a few pictures of Halloween stuff.

Our House Anniversary

We have officially lived in this home for 9 years now. We have made several changes to it since we moved in, and still have several to make. Such as a couple of new fences, tiled bathrooms, Parkay wood flooring, painted the inside, chair railing in the kitchen and Baylee's room, and carpeting, also a ceiling fan in the living room. (It was one of the hottest rooms in the house.) We also added some trees in the backyard and moved the rocks and the stepping stones, and Merik put in a new gate and retiled the roof. One I look forward to is a new kitchen flooring. I never have liked it. It looks dirty even when I have just cleaned it.

Ward and Stake Changes

There no longer is a Hazelcrest ward. It has been dissolved and the Villa Bonita ward has some of them. The people that are no longer with us are those that live by the elementary school from Bunch street to Boulder Hwy. This is where the Deither's, April Davis, Pam Mathison and her grandkids are as well as some others. What was added was between Flamingo and Harmon above Harmon Hill. From Flamingo the light before you get on the freeway is Annie Oakley and then up to Sandhill on the otherside of Flamingo (the Smith's store side) over to Viking by the church to the freeway. So basically all those town homes. The Eaton's home is still in the ward boundaries, and over to the football stadium. I do not think that the apartments are that are on Russell road up to Stephanie are though. There will still be many changes made. Since the only person left in the Relief Society is Emily Latham, and I think the Elders Quorum Presidency has to be revised as well. I will miss Sister Deither, the Aguilar girls, Pam, and April, as well as Peggy Broadway and her mom. I think it will be interesting to see how we have really been affected on Sunday. I will have to type an update later. So far this Sunday we are the only ward meeting at the Viking building. I think there will be another ward soon though. I believe it is one of those changes that we will be made aware of on Sunday. As hard as change can be, it can also be a good thing. The best part about it is getting to know knew people. The hard part is missing the ones that have to move on. At least we can still get together and call one another. The Stake Pres. talked about the wrestle he had with the spirit to actually revise the boundaries. He said he first recognized a prompting that it needed to be done back in April and tried to ignore it, but the prompting to do so grew stronger and again he felt impressed to do so in July I think he said. He said it was such a painstaking task the first time he really was reluctant to do it again, but then once again he knew he had to do it in Aug. so he no longer put it off. They began to get out the maps, drive around, and mark the boundaries, ask for computer printouts of the people left in the boundaries, and when they unanimously felt it was good, he wanted to make sure it was what the Lord wanted. So he instructed them all to pray and get a confirmation that it was right before they sent it to Salt Lake. Generally this is a process that has to be revised many times after it is submitted, but it was accepted and approved immediately the first time. So they knew it was right. I think that the important thing is that we as members accept what the Lord wants, and pray for the ability to adjust to the changes. And put our tust and faith in Him.

School Changes, Oh What a Joy!

Recently Brandon was chosen as one of 2 students to be moved to a new teacher and a new track. I was not thrilled by this, because he normally has a hard time adjusting at first. Can I just say the Lord hears and answers prayers. I went in and talked to the principle and vice principle about the situation and my concerns. There is a boy he has had great difficulty getting along with since kindergarten, and gotten in trouble for hitting him. This other boy is on the new track. I was afraid he would have more problems, because they would be around each other more often. Brandon was excited to be the one who was chosen to make this change, he likes his new teacher alot. He has gotten good reports since he has been in there. And so far has not had a problem with this other boy. I hope that continues. I had a confrontation a few weeks prior to this change with the aunt of the other boy, and it was not fun. She was pretty rude to me. She said I act like I don't care. Which really ticked me off, because she doesn't know me from Adam. She said if Brandon doesn't leave her nephew alone maybe she should tell him to fight back. I sarcastically said yeah maybe that will help. Maybe he'll learn his lesson. First of all she made it sound like it happens every day. I have a hard time believing that, or he would have been sent to the principle. Also, when it did seem more of a problem I the uncaring parent started to go to the school at recess to make sure he was behaving, and nothing happened when I was there. Of course she doesn't know that, and her brother, the boys father at that time would see me, and make comments to me that his son would never hurt anyone. He's a very shy boy. So she commented that I was uncaring, because I would not talk to him about the problem. Basically I did not feel he really wanted to listen, and had already decided that the entire thing was because of Brandon so what was I supposed to say. I did not want a confrontation, and therefore choose not to comment. If I am such an uncaring parent then why do I take the time to make sure my child does his homework, and I check it to make sure he is doing it right and understands it. I also check with his teacher daily to make sure he is behaving in school. I talked to Brandon afterwards about the situation and asked him about it, and he told me I try to leave him alone like you told me, but he won't leave me alone. He keeps wanting to be my friend. So I went back and told her what Brandon told me. And that I told Brandon to stay away from him. I also told her it's not like I can be at school all day. What do you expect me to do? I also talked to his teacher about the confrontation and the teacher, said she had problems with her the year before and one of her children. She tends to cause problems according to his teacher. We tried the old what would the Savior do, and would he want us to be unkind or hurt others. Everytime he would make friends with him, he would end up in trouble again. So then I thought not everyone gets along, and sometimes it is better to leave things alone. Supposedly they are now getting along fine and are friends. I told him what the aunt said about telling him to beat him up if it continues. I honestly think she was exagerating. I talked to the principle and vice principle about this and told them I do not want him on the same track next year. I know that there is not a whole lot of choice right now, but I want them to gaurantee I'll be able to put him on a different track next year. The principle said if there are anymore problems with that lady to let them know and they will have the police come and remove her from school property.

Baylee's name

If you ask Baylee what her name is these days she will say....Baylee Bug. Why does she call herself this, because I call her Baylee Bug all the time. The first time I heard her say it. She was telling someone her name when they were introducing themselves. I told her no that is not your real name we just like to call you that. Then I told her what it is and she says, no!, it's Baylee Bug. It's funny to hear her say it, and she is so serious, and adamant about it.

Deer bottled and vacuum sealed

I hate to say it, but I just don't enjoy all the work it is to bottle and vacuum seal the deer meat. It is a messy, time consuming, job. And I do the easy part. Clean up, write the labels with dates, vacuum seal the meat. Merik cuts all of it, and cans it.
We have green bell peppers from our garden. I misplaced part of my dehydrated and finally found it last week. So I was able to use it for the bell peppers. Thank goodness this is easy.

Greasy hair gal

Baylee got into the Eucerin - Aquaphor and put tons of it in her hair. It is not for the hair. It is a very thick saave type of stuff for really dry skin. It is very similar to the consistency of Bag Balm or Vasoline. This was about a week ago on friday. We had to use dawn dish soap to get it out, and it took a few days to come all the way out. This is after I bathed her and tried to get it out. It looks wet. That is how it looked for days. I put her hair back in a repeated ponytail to get it out of the way and so it wouldn't be so noticable, but the rubber bands kept braking (I think from whatever is in the Aquaphor). Moral of the story don't let your child get into the Aquaphor. What a nightmare.

Tagged 7 Things You Don't Need to Know About Me.

1 I have a bad temper. (Usually when I have to tell my children things more than 3 times.) It gets old.
2 I can't stand it when the toilet seat is left up. There's nothing like not noticing it and falling in.
3 I have a fear of dogs that growl at me. Usually the bigger ones. I 've been bitten 2 times.
4 I enjoy decorating for Holidays.
5 I spend too much time on the computer.
6 I like Vegas, but not the traffic and the increase of crime. We want to move out of state eventually. I do have a lot of family here and would miss them though.
7 I grind my teeth in my sleep. When I was young I spent the night at a friends and she said she heard a noise that scared her and she didn't know what it was and then realized it was me grinding my teeth. I had no idea I did, until then.

7 people I am tagging Claire, Nicole, Mary, Jessica, Donna, Denise, and Nancy

Our Prayers Were Answered Once Again!

Can there be any doubt that our Father in Heaven loves and watches over us? Not for me. I know that God hears and answers our prayers, and he has once again. Merik got his deer this morning within the first hour of being out. He knows our needs. He listens and if we do our part and try to obey him. He will bless us. Merik will have to watch conference when he gets back, via the internet. After talking on the phone I realized I forgot to say how big the deer is. It is a 3 by 3. He said it was in the middle of about five deer and they didn't even move. Even after he shot it they all sat there for a bit before they took off and scattered. It was like the other deer didn't even realize what had happened. It's already been skinned and quartered. Merik does not waste anytime with that process. He does that right away, because if you don't then it will taste gamey. He also cuts the glands off right away for the same reason. The next fun thing is for him to get it and cut it up and freezer wrap and label things. We also like to can the burger stuff. It turns out more tender once it has been processed in the canner pot.

Opening Day of the Deer Hunt

Merik is with Brandon somewhere in Ely NV. I believe area 11 for the deer hunt. They changed opening day to a Sunday which is very disappointing. Merik needs to work and really doesn't like to do this type of stuff on Sunday. We are hoping and praying he will get it right away and be able to come right back. We really can't afford him to be off very long. The Lord has blessed him the last couple of years. 2 years ago he got his elk within 2 hours of opening day, and the year before that he got his deer the first day. Merik is good, but we know the Lord has blessed him to be able to do so well. He definetly knows our needs, and answers our prayers. For those of you who know anything about this stuff, getting the deer, or elk that fast is highly unusual. Sometimes getting it at all doesn't happen. Merik said he is going to shot the first deer he sees with horns, so he can get back. Hopefully it's a good one.

Grateful for Internet to watch LDS Conference

Just wanted to say I am grateful for the internet, because I cannot get the conference on regular tv and was able to by way of the internet. We do not have cable tv. I know I could go to my moms and watch it if needed, but it is 45 min. away.

Eight Is Great!!!

8 TV shows I love to watch:
Heroes
Cooking shows
Home Decorating Shows
Rachel Ray
Numb3rs
Deal or No Deal
Smallville
the new detective series where they claim he has psychic abilities, and he says there's no such thing-he is just very observant

8 of my favorite restuarants are:
Red Robin
Cheesecake Factory
Black Angus
Mimi's Cafe
Baja Fresh
The Lotus
Da Vinci Pizza
In N Out Burger-grilled onion yum!

8 things that happened yesterday:
Went to get part at lawnmower store they did not have
Bought camo pants, shirts, and boots for the deer hunt for Brandon
Organized Physical Therapy paperwork
Walked home from Walmart for exercise
Went to DI and dropped off toys, and clothes
Read to Baylee
Did laundry
Read emails, blogs, and commented

8 things I am looking forward to:
The Second Coming
Getting my resume completed
Getting my food storage ordered
Getting a job
Making more money
Moving someday
Getting my visiting teaching report done and called in
Sleep-I stay up to late

8 things on my wish list:
To be at my goal weight
To have a clean and clutter free home
For my children to pick up after themselves without being told
To go on vacation
Not to have to be so tight with money
For Merik to get his deer quickly
For me to stop feeling like I have to yell at my children to get them to listen-poor kids-it's frustrating
For my car and house to be paid off

8 people that I tag:
Donna
Rachel
Jillian
Denise
Ragan
Becky
Katrina
Melissa