Nov 12-18th Miss Holly Kay & Sawyer Brown w/ Girls

Nov 12 - Today was a great day and I say that because I felt like I accomplished alot! I woke up early primed the bathroom, got the kids to school, met with Condie Construction for our road to the farm house they are working on, found Terry's boots in our mess of unorganized boxes, fed the animals, came back to the house painted bathroom ceiling, visited a horse farm w/ mom and dad to get some advice, took Terry his boots so he could go hunting, went to IFA, picked up kids, painted bathroom walls, made dinner, and watched Terry hook up the bathroom toilet and sink! I love days like that! I am sure I will sleep well tonight!

Nov 13 - OOPS! So right after preschool I sat down at the computer to update the preschool blog. I had a sudden urge to just check out the livestock and pets on ksl but resisted that urge for about 3 seconds. When all of a sudden I don't know how but it was up on my screen and just 5 minutes before was posted a Beautiful White Well Broke Mare. I clicked on it because the price was not listed and read the ad, this is what it said...

"Mystery has been used for English and Western lessons at a riding school, but we are cutting back on horses and she needs a new home. She is a 22 year old papered grey Quarter Horse. She loves trail rides and would be great for anyone on the trail even as a confidence builder or first time horse. She loads great and is easy to work with. She is calm and cool, crosses water, follows, leads, or stays in the middle. She has done a little of everything. She has no bad habits and is an easy keeper. She gets along well with other horses. She has no special requirements and travels well barefoot. She is up to date on all shots, worming, teeth, and hoof care. Easy to work around an has been used for beginning riders.Very sweet horse, She is on the smaller side at about 15 hands. Give me a call for more information." Here is the clincher "FREE TO GOOD HOME"

After reading that and knowing that we would be able to give sweet Mystery a GREAT home how could I not "Just Call". Well that call turned into an appointment to immediately "Just go look at her". All the way there I told my mom and dad "Ok if she is not just absolutely perfect we are not saying we will take her" They agreed and when it came down to it we all agreed we just couldn't feel good about ourselves if we didn't take her so we told Summer yes we would love to give her a home!

Now the tricky part was telling Terry who had just very firmly told me just 2 days ago when Bowdee's "Little Lady" goat died that we were not to get any live animals until we were living at the farm. But Terry took it like a man. I told him I had fallen in love and he asked "what kind of horse is it and how much did it cost me?" Then I told him all about it then added at the end that if he didn't want to keep it for our family that was ok because my dad wanted to keep her if we didn't. So there you have it he told me how lucky I was that it was for the right price and she was so pretty. But his one stipulation was that we were NOT going to wait until Christmas like I had planned. We were going to give her to the kids right away.

Nov 14th - This was the day to go pick up our horse. I was so excited I could barely sleep the night before. I got up and got my chores done and then went down to the farm and started putting up Christmas Trees with lights on them and decorating her stall. Then Mom, Dad and I drove to Provo to pick up our horse. She loaded in the trailer perfectly and they gave us her papers and instructions and away we went. We stopped by all a dollar for some ribbon and decorations.

Went back to the farm and brushed her and put ribbons in her mane and tail with a holly wreath wrapped around her neck and a big red bow on her chest with a jingle bell. She was so pretty luckily Terry came home just at the right time. Picked up the kids and brought them down to the farm. They walked in the barn, right after giving grandpa and grandma big hugs they all rushed over to see what the Christmas lights were about. Matia was first with the biggest smile on her face that I have ever seen asking "and who is this?"

We saddled her up and took her in the arena. Matia was the first to ride her. She asked if she could lope her and I asked her just to walk her for now. Then Bowdee took a turn he didn't seem like he enjoyed it too much. Then Treg and he was alright with it but would rather me lead her then him just ride her. Of course Matia just had to ride her again and this time she took her into a trot. Mystery wanted to go faster but she kept her at a trot. When I asked what they wanted to name her they all agreed with Matia that Holly was a perfect name. So I added the Miss and Kay to make Miss Holly Kay since her paper name is Miss Boston Kay. And that was our magical night! Thanks Terry, Mom, Dad and Summer for making this all possible.

Nov 15th - Tonight I went to see the new Breaking Dawn part 2 movie with Ang and Tonya my sweet friends. We first went for ice cream and then to the movie. The movie was good although there was a little twist in there that really surprised all of us. But most of all it was just fun to get out and mingle with some fun ladies and relax during the movie. I sure hope these girls know how much I enjoy their friendship.

Nov 16th - Today is a day I have been waiting for since May when I bought 5 tickets to Sawyer Brown. I was so excited to go watch a SUPER GREAT concert with Tonja, Holly, Kami and Emilee. However, Kami and Emilee were not able to go so it was just Tonja, Holly and I. We of course had a great time and it has been since July that I have seen them so it was nice to catch up on each others lives. Sawyer Brown was simply perfect and it was a great concert. After the concert we went dancing at the Rainbow which you know how I feel about dancing!

Nov 17th - We only had one night at the hotel so we woke up went and gambled our free money at the Red Garter came out $30.00 richer and drove back to Tonja's house to spend just one more night. We went shopping and out to eat and then we just decided to get a RedBox and chill to a movie. This is always nice for me because I have been so busy lately that it was nice to just slow down for a bit. Like Tonja has on her wall, "Sit Long, Talk Much and Laugh often!" That is alot of what we do when we are together. Love you girls!

Nov 18th - While I was gone on my weekend away Terry and the kids have been working their guts out on the farm. They got the pantry framed, fencing moved to back yard, and Bowdee's closet cut out. Terry and I are really going to try hard to bust our butts this next week and get as much as we can done while he has time off for Thanksgiving. So that just maybe we might be close by Christmas. We would really like to be able to move in by then, although I am afraid it just won't happen. Thanks for all the work you did while I was playing, I love you babe!

Nov 5-11 Matia's 1st Dance this year

Nov 5th - Have you ever had a day where you just wanted it to end? Well I don't know why but today was one of those days. It seemed like everything I tried to do just couldn't go right. My kids and my husband can always sense when I am having one of those days and they seem to do everything in their power to make it better for me. But after our salmon dinner I vegged out to the Eagles football game and Terry finished the tile. Can you believe it all the tile in this house is completely laid not grouted yet but laid! I guess I just got to have a little more faith, less expectations of myself,

Nov 6th - Today we voted! What a privilege it is to have the ability to go and vote on who we think should have the voice of this country, state and county. I have never been a politician or even politically interested. That is just who I am, but I do value the power of voting and I do my best to vote for the politician I feel like has the best interest of this country in mind. The one that I feel will make this world a better place for our children. I also loved the fact that my kids were dying to go vote with us and there was NO line!

Nov 7th - Today first thing after getting the kids to school I went down to the farm. I ended up staying there almost all day helping my dad with sawdust, boarding up hay barn, help mom with Christmas gifts, merit badge requirements for friends, finding Bobby the cat a new home at the farm, vaccinating Bowdee's goats, blowing leaves of the roofs and cleaning gutters, painting rust on barn, winterizing the well and pipes. It was a good day, busy, happy and good!

Nov 8th - The day to catch up all the laundry. So Terry got the washer and dryer finished enough that we get to start doing laundry again. And since we boxed up 3/4 of our clothes we were getting down there to almost nothing. I can't tell you how THANKFUL I am to have a working washer and dryer in my own home! Just looking at this photo makes me SMILE! Never thought I would say I was so excited to do laundry! I guess I should also be thankful for sweet Terry who works so hard to make all this possible!

Tonight was Bowdee's end of season football party. It is sad to see it over again but I am sure he will be back at it in 9 short months. It feels so nice to not have any sports except dance right now. We need the break especially when we are doing so much everywhere else. Bowdee along with 5 other boys was awarded the Ironman Award for never missing a practice or game. Way to be consistent, and dependable!

Nov 10th Saturday - Today was great it was Matia's first dance performance with the Dance Academy in Lehi. It is a beginners competitive team and I was so nervous to do her hair and makeup. She was nervous to dance because she had only practiced 2 months. So together we were a bundle of nerves. Off to the South Expo Christmas Gift Show and WOW Matia did amazing. Her teachers all rave about how fun and expressive she is to watch.

After her dance and after we stopped by to buy a raccoon trap and get a snack from dads work we headed to the farm to try and get some framing done on Bowdee's room. We got a wall up and the other wall built but we ran out of the right size of 2x4s so we called it a night and went home to watch a Utes game with Troy and Kyle. It was fun to have them over but I always worry we are too loud now that we have REALLY close neighbors. It was a good day, just wish we could get more done.

Nov 11th - Such a sad day when we got to the farm Bowdee went to feed the goats, Matia headed to check on Bobby Fluffkins McKoy the 3rd (Bowdee's kitten) and Treg fed and checked on the chickens. When Bowdee came back in tears to announce his sweet pregnant nanny goat "Little Lady" was dead. My heart just came crashing down because I remember as a child having pets die and it breaks your heart. We don't know what happened and "Buddy" was crying so we put him in a stall for the night. And Bowdee kept Little Ladys Horns. SO SAD! Bowdee your such a tough kid with such a sweet heart, I am so sorry!

With all the sadness we finished framing his room and started venting on the kitchen. Then we went to visit my sweet Aunt Dixie and Uncle Jim. It was so good to sit and talk with them. When I talk to Dixie somehow I remember my grandparents and remember happy thoughts. Then we came home and Terry finished texturing the bathroom, fixed and then hooked up the dishwasher... Have I mentioned how much I love my Terry, every woman should have a Terry!

Oct 29th - Nov 4th Halloween Week

Oct 29th Monday - Today I spent the whole day in the basement organizing our new living space. It is fun to have the opportunity to live in the basement before we move. It is so rewarding after all that work we have put into finishing this place to get to enjoy it. Then I took a load to di, went to the farm to feed animals, grocery store then back home to cook my family their favorite meal "Fried Chicken" while Terry put up sheet rock in the bathroom.

Oct 30th Tuesday - Man I will sure miss teaching preschool, I love this day when we have our party and all my little friends come dressed up and ready to share treats with their friends. Of course I was a witch again, some may say that is not really dressing up for me... And truth be told that may be more correct then they think. Matia had her dance Halloween party and she just looked so cute in her black cat costume!

Luckily we had enough time to carve pumpkins! The kids did them all by themselves... Don't they look fab!

Oct 31st HAPPY HALLOWEEN - What a fun day filled with the kids Halloween parade at school, picking up Halloween Pizzas for dinner, then back to the school for Tregs Halloween party, pick up the Jr. High boys, then back home to make sure all the costumes are not missing any pieces.

Then of course we have to have time to enjoy our annual Jack-O-lantern Pizza and touch up our makeup, find our trick or treat bags, call our friends to make plans.

Then off they go a Trick or Treating. Probably Bowdee's last year, we figure next year on the farm we will throw a great big Halloween party for those that don't want to trick or treat, but this year we just can't. I am just so thankful that my kids have good friends to go with that I can trust them with. Terry had to work late so he didn't even get to see them before they left. I had a sore throat and have absolutely no energy to go even if the kids did want me to go with them. Since Tia and Treg deemed this the year they would trick or treat alone, I was left to my own misery. It was kinda sad to see them go off and leave me behind. Don't get me wrong I am glad to be raising such independent children who are trustable but kinda sad they don't need me much anymore. They did say there was a headless horseman out there that I wish I could have seen. But Kami came over to keep me company so I wouldn't get too lonely until Terry came home. So it was a fun safe Halloween night which was topped off by a marvelous waffle delivered by our sweet Mark Harris... Man we are going to miss our neighbors like him.

Nov. 1st Thursday - Wow, today I was suppose to take my friend to lunch for her birthday but we were both so sick that we stopped by for a milk shake then went home for a nap before our children got home from school. I can't tell you the last time I took a nap and I was out for almost 3 hours. Luckily I woke up just in time to go get Bowdee from school. Then it was off to piano lessons, making dinner, cleaning the house, homework, dance, and sheet rocking the basement bathroom some more when Terry got home.

Nov. 2nd Friday - Finally it is Friday! Not that we are going to get much of a break this weekend. We hope to get the washer and dryer hooked up and the bathroom sheet rocked and mudded so we can finish that and then finally get working on the farm house. I enjoyed a yummy lunch with my sweet Angela & Tonya, I just don't get to see these ladies enough. After lunch we went on a field trip to the farm to show them what I have gotten myself into.

Nov. 3rd Saturday - We woke up early to my sweet sister in law calling to invite Bowdee to go the the Utes game with her dad at 11:00. When Bowdee woke up and I told him he was so excited he could barely focus on getting his chores done so he could go. But he did it and he went and man they had a great time. He said it was so cool that he could barely stand it! Dunn made a new NCAA record of 4-100 yard kick off returns during this game. Wolfman (aka John White IV) one of Bowdee's favorite players had a great game, along with all the other team members for a 49-6 victory over Washington.

I wasn't feeling well so while Terry worked on the tile I watched part of the game. Late Emilee and Kye came over to watch it with us and man I just love being with these people. Poor Terry hates it when I don't feel well because then he doesn't have his wing man to help him out which makes him more productive. So he got the 1st coat of mudding done yesterday and then the self-leveling flooring on so we can tile tomorrow.

Sunday morning Terry woke up and jumped right onto laying the tile and I made a mean french toast breakfast. By 12:00 the tile was laid and we were on our way to the farm to get some work done there. We put the kids to work doing miscellaneous things here and there, I was cleaning the garage, Terry started working on framing Bowdee's bedroom when Kyle called to see if he could give us 3 more workers.

So he dropped off his girls then Troy showed up with his 3 girls so we had 12 extra hands to work. And not one of them complained. We had them driving the 4 wheelers through the fields pulling big rocks out of the dirt. Then hauling stuff from the garage to the hay barn. Man I love to see these kids working. Now I realized why my dad and mom loved watching us work as a kid.

Of course I remember after getting all my chores done playing on the farm was so fun because there was a million things to choose from. Well these 9 kids chose to rake then jump into a pile of a million leaves! So ya I love to see our cousins playing so well and having a good time just as much as I like to watch them work together. We finally got all the door locks changed and door jams fixed! We are making progress slowly but surely!

6:42pm with daylight savings the sunsets pretty quickly these days. So we called it a night hit Wendy's on the way home for a super healthy dinner of chicken sandwiches, potatoes and chili then to the basement to watch "We bought a zoo" together. Then to turn it off brush our teeth and put this weekend to bed. Ready for another week of homework, piano, chores, and happy memories! Thanks for the beautiful photo Bowdee.

Oct 22nd - 28th Move into Basement Week

Oct 22nd Monday - I have a feeling this is going to be a long week of cleaning, walking up and down the stairs, more cleaning, organizing and boxing. Our house is starting to feel empty upstairs and every once in a while I glimpse at it and feel sad. Then that moment is gone. I don't have time to feel sad. I remember thinking we would never move out of this house that it was the house of our dreams.

But here today I clean, box, and move constantly from the time I get up till I fall on my bed at 11:30pm. Dad did a burn of all the weeds on the farm today so when we went down to unload the trailer again, we helped put the fire out, enjoy a beautiful sunset then head back to start working on the basement washer/dryer hook ups. Wow, what a day can I please call it a night and go to sleep?

Oct 23rd Tuesday - Before then after preschool I spent the whole day (until I took Treg to his football game) moving the kitchen from upstairs to downstairs. My mom came over and she mentioned aren't you so lucky that your moving so close. I thought that was funny but I went up and down those stairs so many times today I want to throw up. But by the end of the day it was complete, we ate our first dinner in the basement, the kids made us french dip sandwiches while we sheet rocked the closet and finished the dryer vent.

Oct 24th Wednesday - Today 2 of my wonderful friends Tara and Mindee came to eat lunch and clean part of my house. I have been stressing this much cleaning all at once. It was so much funner to clean with my friends then just myself! Thanks ladies I owe you a great big frozen yogurt when I have time to sit down and eat it. Then Treg had his last football game of the season! Which is a GREAT thing cuz it is getting colder and colder. Then back to the basement working on plumbing for the washer and dryer again.

Oct 25th Thursday - Today was the day to move the office to the basement. I know this is a major big job but I started right after preschool and then when Terry got home he tore down the computers and reassembled them downstairs. I am so glad to have that job done. It was a mess but it is sure nice when you complete something major like that you realize we are getting somewhere.

Oct 26th Friday - This morning another great friend/neighbor came and helped me clean some more. Kim is my visit teacher but as you may have figured out she is more than that, she is the salt of this earth kind of ladies. I sure hope she will come visit me at the farm because we really do have alot in common. Then after I couldn't move my arms anymore I went to take care of the farm and get some sushi for my hot date tonight with my honey! Man I love this guy he sure makes all this craziness so much better.

Oct 27th Saturday - We woke up early and started working on our bedroom since that and the laundry room is all we have to move. Then thank heavens Bowdee had his semi-championship football game against Lone Peak. So we went and watched them play. They lost the game so that ended up being the last of the year. Today my favorite part was when my dad and Kyle showed up to support Bowdee. I don't know why but Kyle and Bowdee seem to have some kind of personal connection that I adore.

Then after the game it was back to packing and moving and cleaning. We busted our butts to be done by 6:00 so we could turn over the keys so our friends could clean the carpets and get ready to start moving in on Monday. Pretty crazy how this all worked out, I am sure it was meant to be and will be GREAT! Then we had Troy, Kami, Kyle, and Emilee come over to watch the Utes. The Utes won but the best part was creating some good times with our family. I LOVE YOU PEOPLES!

Dad offered to take any of the grand kids to the farm for a sleepover and of course they all were thrilled to go. He is so cute with all of them trying to figure out what he can feed them to make them all happy and then what movie they could watch to help them unwind. They ended up waking up at 8:00 and hit the saddles in the arena. By the end of the morning Matia and Tayla had those horses looping around like pros. Thanks dad for being such an amazing grandpa. The kids all missed you grandma but I am sure you were having fun with your girlfriends.

Oct 28th Sunday - We took our final load to the farm this morning and then we released the kittens into the great Crazy Creek Rance. It was fun watching them run up and down the trees and pretend to sneak up on the chickens then running away. We also let the chickens out and they ran around rolling in the dirt and eating any spider they could find. The kids were scattered here and there playing different games.

After 6 hours of working in the house Terry was about to blow a fuse so we dropped everything asked my family to make sure my kids got home before 8:00 then headed for the mountains to go hiking/hunting. It always does Terry and I some good to clear our heads with that good crisp clean mountain air. Also just to be together and remember what we love about each other. I love watching Terry hunt with his cute little quirky style. Love you babe thanks!

After a little late night touch up painting we left our garage remotes on the counter locked the doors and said goodbye to the upstairs of our home. We are so greatful to have such wonderful people move in that it doesn't hurt as bad moving into the basement because we know they will take good care of the house we have cherished for the last 9 years. Goodbye upstairs and hello basement. Please take note my phone doesn't always work downstairs so keep trying or send an email.

Oct 15-21 Bowdee's 13 and Moving Fun

October 15th - Today my sweet boy turned 13 years old. I can't tell you what a delight it has been to watch him grow day by day and see what an awesome young man he has become. Bowdee is such a fun kid to be around. Yes he can be quite serious at times but that is just because he thinks everything through. I love you so unconditionally Bowdee and I hope that you remember to love and live every minute of this life. Thank you for making me a mommy and coming to this family 13 short years ago. I LOVE YOU so much!

October 16th - Teach preschool, update blog, make lasagna dinner, pick up more boxes, unload a ton of sawdust with dad at the farm, pack box and haul stuff out of the garage, unload a little tension on Terry as he comes home, pack more boxes as I feel bad for my weaknesses, pack more boxes, then get to wound up to sleep. What a fun day lets do it again! I really hate moving I don't know if you knew that about me but I have never liked anything about it!

October 17th - So today I took the day off to go with my mom and dad to buy Bowdee some fainting goats in Goshen. It was such a great day to just spend time with my mom and dad. The goats are really shy because they were just left in a pasture but I am sure when spring comes and we have our first set of twins it will just be magical! Today in itself was magical just spending that much time with my mom and dad getting back to my roots of farmin!

October 19th - Today after packing for a while I decided to take a break and go wash Little Lady (Bowdee's nanny goat). She was a little shy but was so sweet and she looks so much better. Then I went to pick up the kittens from the vet I found a deal to get them all fixed for free. Then to pick up kids for piano, football and dance. Then to the farm to help dad in the dark with the manure spreader hydraulics then take apart our bed and crash at 12:00.

October 20th - 7:00 it wasn't even light yet and Terry's friend from work Greg and his wife show up to help us move all the heavy stuff I didn't want to do again. We got so much moved today and it was heavy stuff that was stressin me out. We got 2 loads finished and it felt so good all before 9:00 for Bowdee's first play off game.

They played at AF High against West Lake who Troys girlfriends son (Jackson) plays on that team. AF won so they will continue on another week. Bowdee played great I wish you could all see him play! He caught his first punt and got a few quarterback sacks. I just kept sitting back and looking at the view of the field nestled in the corner of Timpanogus backdrop thinking man this is one good life!

Then right after his football game he had his last soccer game. It's funny cuz his team has gone undefeated this season and when they see Bowdee show up they get all excited and say oh good Bowdee's here we are going to for sure win now. It was a great game 0-0 with 1 min left. There was a corner kick and they have Bowdee kick those. He kicked a good one but the other team kicked it out of bounds so he got another shot at it. He kicked it over every ones head to the other side of the goal and his team member chested it in for the game winning goal. What a fun game!

At 4:00 was Matia's last game of the season in soccer as well. She made a goal and they won 3-0. Everyone says that Matia is their favorite player to watch because she plays with such heart. If she gets a shove she is not afraid to shove right back. She is one determined player. After the game her coach took them all for ice cream at Macey's what a good way to end a great season. Then we got a hot dog roast picnic and headed to the farm with friends for a campfire and more fun.

October 21st - We loaded the trailer then headed for a drop at the farm. We had Tia's bed in there and we decided to put it up in the barn but to do that we needed to remove some fence panels then flatten with the tractor. I pulled out the power washer and washed the big doors so they would open and finished cleaning the walls. Kye and his girls came down to help and see the goats. We finally unloaded came home and finished cleaning out the office and living room. Things are getting pretty empty!