Freedom

I took this pictures years ago on my back patio and absolutely love it!

There is nothing more beautiful than driving down the road and witnessing the American Flag waving in the breeze. Sends shivers down my spine. I also reflect on those serving our country un-selfishly for our freedom. Freedom to say and do whatever it is we want. How great is that? It makes me sad to see those religions and others who belief that we shouldn't be fighting in this war. Of course nobody wants to fight in a war but don't belittle or protest those fine soldiers who fight so people can protest and say what they want. I read somewhere that there is a religion that will go and protest at our fellow American soldier's funerals, against war. How inconsiderate can one be? Brings me to a story that I want to brag on and it as I am writing this brings a tear to my eye.

Jace was noticing all of the flags being flown on flag day. He was in the drive thru getting some lunch waiting, when he peered in his rear view mirror and thought he saw someone wearing camo. He looked again when he saw the elbow sticking out the window and it was one of our beloved soldiers in their camo gear (sorry, don't know the correct term). Jace could see the patched and the American Flag, the real deal. So Jace being the thoughtful person told the person at the window he wanted to buy lunch for the car behind him. The employee struggled a little confused but ended up getting it figured out. As Jace is telling me this we talked about how little respect our soldiers get and this is the least he could do. I am proud! Proud of Jace and Proud to be an American.

As our Independence day rolls around and we are grateful for this great nation we live in, I encourage everyone to do something for a solider, veteran, and/or both. Not that we all need to buy them something, we need to let them know how much we appreciate them risking their lives so we can be free. I think a simple THANK YOU is deserved.

God Bless America and our Soldiers!

How Rude!!

I am not an emotional person, I can't remember the last time I cried. That leads me into my story. My sister-in-law and I are giving our other sis-in-law a baby shower. I have to admit I do like to do parties like this. So I made some invites kind of last minute but I still thought they were cute. I put them in our mailbox and I had missed the mail. Bummer - maybe tomorrow. Because I had a stack of them I put a rubber band around them to keep them together. I also had another package attached to them. So as I am driving out of the drive way the next morning and down the road I think, there is a lot of garbage on our lawn what is the deal. The neighborhood dogs always get into stuff so I didn't think much of it until I saw a bunch of blue and brown paper and blue toole. My invites were spread from one stop sign to another (maybe a 100 yards). They were all torn up and a mess. The other package I had in the mail was all torn up. Who, what would do this?

So as I am picking up the remains I am ready to swear, no CURSE I am livid. Then I cry. I don't cry so this was a surprise to me (and my boys). I was so frustrated, annoyed you name it. So I huff around and the mailbox lid is closed so I ruled out they were blown out by the wind and a dog got them. How rude! So I get in the car and the boys don't know what to do. Apparently they haven't seen me cry. I call Jace and I can't talk I start blubbering and he said we don't have a red flag so what if mail person threw them out. I respect the postal workers so I know they would never do that. We were outside playing until late the night before and I would have noticed the snow of envelopes in our yard & the neighbors so it happened when we went to bed. Again I don't cry much and so I don't know how to handle myself. I just have to vent because I thought that was very rude. A mile or so from our house there was a smashed mailbox on the side of the road so someone was out and about.

Life lesson. I talked to Tyler about pranks and how kids think they are funny but they aren't. I did spend some time, energy & money on making the invites but that isn't the point. It is respecting other people and their property. There were some neighbor kids riding their dirtbikes around the neighborhood the night before and Tyler said mom do you think it was him(a kid he looks up to)? I said no, he knows better and his dad would kick his butt if he found out and your dad would kick his butt too! So hopefully when Ty gets older he will remember how disappointed we all felt that someone would do this.

Then I see these pictures on my phone and can't help but smile and be grateful for my little ones. These pictures are the result of someone taking my phone (Tyler) & having fun! I LOVE them!

The Mighty Hunter

Tyler with his first rock chuck. He was pretty excited about this guy. He splatter blood & guts all over the rock and I had to see it! He is a great shot. Jace was helping him steady the gun and he would say to Jace a little to the left a little to the right up a little and then he pulled the trigger. It was pretty fun to see him so excited! I think he shot a total of 3 that weekend. He wanted to save them but I said a picture would be better.

This is my mom riding Tyler's 50 motorbike. The yellowish circle tint at the top of the photo is Chris's rope. We were taking turns riding Ty's bike around and Chris grabbed his rope and roped mom. It was pretty funny. This is Tyler's new bike. I will post pictures of him & his bike soon. He crashed and smashed his fingers but he got right back on the next day. My dad would always say you have to get back on if you get bucked off. So I was glad to see Tyler get back on when he got bucked off!

April Fools

This picture has nothing to do with the post but a post is always better with a picture!

So Tyler wanted to play a trick on someone, anyone. So we called my mom and he said grandma we are going to have a baby sister in October. I could hear the squeals through the phone. Before she could even dwell on what he said he shouts APRIL FOOLS! He laughs hands the phone to Jacob and coaches Jacob to say the exact same thing. My mom thought it would be funny if Jacob went around telling everyone that a baby sister was coming in October but he soon forgot what he even said. So my mom called Tyler back and said Merry Christmas (because it was snowing) she kept asking Tyler if he was ready for Christmas. He wasn't really paying attention so he was like um ya, then I said it's Easter and then Tyler said g-ma it's Easter, April Fools! You didn't get me grandma! He thought he was pretty sly.

So still plotting on what to do for a trick he thinks of one for Jace. He is excited to try it. Jace went over to the neighbor's house to feed their chickens & dog while they were out of town. While he was gone Tyler made a For Sale sign with Jace's cell phone number at the bottom. I wrote the information on a piece of paper so Tyler could write it on the big piece of paper. We ran outside in the snow and put it in the truck. We giggled the whole time. Jace & Jacob return and in the mean time I had text Sara & Colton to see if someone at their house would call Jace because I know Colton or Cole would. Yep, sure enough someone calls Jace. We had him & it was good until he saw the paper where I had written For Sale with his number, CRAP we didn't get rid of the evidence. Hook line and almost sinker. Jace thought it was Cole but he wasn't for sure but it was still awesome, THANKS COLE & SARA!

The next morning Jace put the sign on Tyler's bike and said a kid name Ronney came by and bought the bike for $5. Tyler started getting worried until Jace said April Fools! We had a great laugh!

Ty's b-day Preview

My mom's b-day is in March exactly one week before Tyler's so we went out to eat in between their b-days. They got fried ice cream with a candle.


My mom didn't want to mess up her hair so she is holding the hat. My nephew Colton's friend was our waiter and teasing my mom that in order to get the fried ice cream free she had to wear the hat the whole time Tyler was fine with that, mom wasn't.

I made a big cupcake cake for Tyler. You can't tell but I bought some gummy letters that say Tyler on the side of it. If you didn't know he turned 6. The blue on his face & hands are from the blue sunflower seeds that he sprinkled on the top.

We had a sports party for Tyler's birthday. As part of pinata prizes Tyler wanted moustaches. It was hilarious especially when the girls put them on. I will post more pictures when I get them downloaded.

Jacob tried opening Tyler's presents whenever someone wasn't looking. When Tyler's friends came to the house and handed me the present they brought Jacob would say I'll take it then run and start opening it. It was pretty funny to me but not to Tyler.

I can't say it enough how blessed I am to have such wonderful boys! It is so exciting to watch them learn and grow and be their own person (even if the independence of a 2 year old makes you pull your hair out). Tyler is so willing to help out and do what he is asked. He is talented in many ways. If he can't do something, he is determined to try until he can. He is willing to try new things. I love his sense of adventure and creativity. It has been a great 6 years and every year is more exciting. So to my T-man who is now 6 I love you never ending!

Q-Tees

Here is Tyler zonked out. I was trying to take his picture & Jacob's but had to get them individually. Jacob was watching a movie.


This extreme close up Tyler took of himself on the way to work. He loves, loves, loves to play with my phone. I have received many phone calls saying sorry I missed your call. Um, I didn't call you but my phone says otherwise. Silly guy!

This is Jacob chillin while Tyler was sleeping. Usually Tyler gets to hold the DVD player so Jacob was really excited when Ty fell asleep.

Tyler taking more photos up close. Jacob is sporting some chocolate milk all over his face. I can't figure out how he got the milk mustache when he was drinking out of a straw?

A few random shots of my Q-Tees.

4 Things Tag

4 things I like to watch:
1: A funny movie
2: Grey's Anatomy
3: Sunsets/Sunrise
4: Sports/Olympics

4 things I am passionate about:
1: Jace
2: My Boys
3: Siblings
4: Being Positive

4 words or phrases I say alot:
1: What the chicken? (sometimes it is not always chicken winkwink)
2: Awesome
3: Cool
4: Like

4 things I learned from the past
1: No regrets
2: Life's too short
3: Who cares what others think
4: Work hard, play harder

4 places I like to go
1: Lagoon
2: Out to eat
3: 4-Wheeling
4: My parent's house

4 things I did yesterday
1: Text
2: Watched Olympics
3: Went to work
4: Wrote an Essay

4 things I am looking forward to
1: Jace building our house (I don't think Jace is looking forward to that)
2: bigger shower & closet
3: Not renting
4: Spring

4 things I love about winter:
1: Watching the boys build Snowmen
2: Tubing
3: Frosted Trees & Icicles
4: Hot Cocoa

4 things on my wish list:
1: Hot Tub
2: Camper
3: G.I.P. Weekend
4: A trip to Mexico

4 people to tag:
1: Jessica N.
2: Suzy H.
3: Karyn B.
4: Katie P.