Halloween

I tried very hard to avoid Halloween this year, I was a halloween grinch.  But my sister wouldn't let that happen and made me put some costumes together, so as a last moment brainstorm this is what I came up with.

yes I cried!!

Corban took it upon himself to cut his hair, I was never going to cut off his curls.  Ok, that's a bit dramatic, but I wasn't ready to cut them off yet. It was not salvageable so I had to cut it off.  As much as I hate to admit it, it did turn out cute.

She was born with a Talent!

My little Lady Rayney was born with one of the best talents, I wish it was a talent I was blessed with. She has a way of making people feel good. She has had this talent since birth, everyone would say how much they loved Rayney because Rayney loved them, and this started when she was days old. She has always loved people, she is happy and would go to anyone. She loves to share and she naturally gives complements, without even thinking about it.

One of Rayney friends, Oceanna, adores Rayney's curly hair, and is always asking her mom if she could have curly hair like Rayney's. So yesterday I decided to straighten Rayney's hair for school, she didn't ask me to, or even give much notice that I did. I sent her off to school! After school at gymnastics Oceanna's mom was so pleased to tell me her daughters excited and happy story. Oceanna, seeing that Rayney had straight hair, went up to her and said, "Rayney, why isn't your hair curly?" and Rayney replied, "because I wanted to look like you!" Oceanna was so happy she said to her mom "wasn't that so nice of her, I do have pretty hair huh!" I am so glad that Rayney could make her friend feel so happy, and in the process make her realize that her hair even though it's not curly is very pretty. I told Rayney later how happy that made Oceanna and she smiled and said, "really?" I could tell how good it made her feel to know she made her friend happy.

Anyways, I could learn a lot from that girl, I sure do love her!

Kids Back in School

The kids started school Sept. 8th. They are going to a new charter school, called Nampa classical Academy, so they get to ware uniforms. I have to say I love it!! It is so easy to get them dressed in the morning, they only have a very select choice and it's all ready. They look pretty cute in them also. I am excited about this school and the classical method of learning, and the values they are learning. They have completely enjoyed their first week, although I have missed them while they are gone. These are a couple of the options they have for school clothes, aren't they cute?

Latest Cagle News!

No it's not a baby!

We just found out that Dustin has Skin Cancer! UM, not that big of a deal, I think we caught it early enough to not be too serious, at least we hope. He just has to have it removed layer by layer until it's gone. The bummer deal is that we had to cancel our heath care because it was so high due to Lincoln heart defect, that's how it goes right? Well, I guess we just have to have faith that it will all work out. It always does!! So his procedure is on my birthday, "yippy". POOR GUY!

WOW has it been a year!

my kids lazing out on my bed
SkotLynd stuffing her Little angel face.

Sun Pinata, I think I will retire from the pinata making business now!
Dagan's crazy teeth he has earned a lot of money from the tooth fairy this year.

Corban in all his cuteness
Lincoln, such big eyes! He is my comedian!
um can you say about the funkiest hair I have ever seen on a baby! Just a big pile of curls on top.

Rayney is her Dance costume, they danced to Cruella Devil!

So a year has flown by! How did that happen? Life gets so busy. First I just wanted to say happy birthday to my most wonderful husband. I can't believe he is 33 years old, he was 23 when we got married and we used to sing "no body likes you when your twenty three". Has ten years really flown by so fast?

So highlights from the last year I haven't posted. I missed all of my kids birthdays, Dagan turned 7, Rayney turned 6, Corban turned 4, Lincoln turned 2 and SkotLynd turned 1. I wish I had pictures for them all but Dustin's computer died and luckily we saved them to an external hard drive, but I haven't gotten them off of it yet.

Ok, so we start School on the 8th, yes late in the year. My kids are going to a new charter school that is opening this year. Nampa Classical Academy, we are excited. Dagan will be in the second grade and Rayney in the first. Rayney did dance last year, she had a lot of fun, but she has found her true passion in gymnastics. All the kids have had fun in Gymnastics, but she loves it.

I think Dagan has lost most of his teeth, we wonder how he eats anything. Corban is my cute little man that never stops talking, I think he has grown a little, but he will be five in December and still weighs 28 pounds. Will he ever break the 20's? I think he's a Dwarf!!!

Lincoln is 100% potty trained, I like to potty train young and I was worried that he would be later because of his problems but he potty trained easily before he turned two, yeah. He took a lot longer to start talking than the other kids but once he decided he could talk he just said it all. SkotLynd is walking everywhere and she is saying her first real words. She says gradmom, papa, love you, Apple, well quite a few words it's cute.

Dustin is going back to school to become a nurse. So we are back in full collage mode. We are looking for a new home, and have an accepted offer, hopefully nothing falls through. It's an older home with lots of character, it has five bedrooms and is right down from a park. It is only 67,000 so our payments would be wonderful, it would be a perfect house for us!

I have been busy with Vinyl, working at the store, advertising committee leader for the PFA, and cleaning at the gym to help pay for the kids gymnastics. How does life get so busy? I will try to be better at posting!

Fun pics of SkotLynd

lot's of kisses

yes he loves her

this would be perfect if Rayney was in it!

SkotLynds Blessing

When I found my wedding dress their was only one thing I didn't like about it and it was that it had a train.  Call me crazy but I didn't want a train so to the horror of many I had it cut off!  But look at the beauty it has created now.  We made Skotlynds Blessing dress out of it and it was so beautiful.  It looked like a miniature wedding dress.

Yah, we had very little success with the kids picture this was the best one.
Daddy and his little lady bug!

my two little Princesses 

She's such a happy little Lady!

More family reunions

We had Two family reunions we went to one at Baumgartner, it's a really fun place to camp.  It has a natural hot spring and a beautiful river with a great jumping hole in it.  We stayed there Wednesday, Thurday and part of Friday.  Then we headed up to Lake Cleavland Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Lake Cleavland is an old volcano, very pretty!  We tried fishing and Rayney caught a couple minnows off the rocks but no other success.

Our ride home after five days of camping, we were pooped and very dirty, but we had a blast and the kids didn't want to leave after meeting fun new cousins.

This is the jumping hole at Baumgartner. Dustin decided to take dagan off of it.  Dustin jumped first and then Dagan jumped after him.  I thought we would have to talk him into jumping since it was a 14 foot jump but he jumped off before we could even say ok jump.
This is his splash, he jumped so fast I missed him actually jumping.  I was so proud of him!!!

Bugs

Rayney has a fascination with bugs, I don't know where she came from.  Anyway I decided I needed to start taking pictures of her with her bug friends.  Ant's, roly-poly's, butterflies, it doesn't matter what they are she loves them, maybe at the exclusion of spiders.  I haven't seen her picking up many of them.  Oh and I threw in the frog picture again because it's cute.

Afro Baby

So I get home from the Hospital and decide it's time to wash Skotlynd's hair, well look what happened!  it turned into an Afro, believe me these pics don't even do it justice.  I do not know how they had it so tame in the hospital, I can't even get it in to a mohawk with out it curling up and out of wack.  Corban and rayney both have curly hair and I noticed it shortly after they were born, but it wasn't like this.  It's so curly everyone asks if she has black in her!  If it's this curly in Idaho I could  only imagine how crazy and tight it would have been in Georgia.  It will be interesting to see it grow out and what it does, hopefully it's not too scary!  I have to admit, I think it is so cute!!  But the only experience I have with curly  hair is Rayney's and Corban's and theirs is easy to take care of since it is the big softer ringlets.  If anyone has any advice for me on how to take care of my daughter's crazy afro, I would accept any advice you offer.  who knows though, hair is a funny thing, it could grow out straight for all I know.

Smith family reunion

This weekend we had our Smith family reunion.  This is by far my favorite reunion!!  We have the craziest, greatest, funnest family ever.  Not many of my first cousins ever show up, but I have always been very close to all my second cousins.  This year the reunion was here in Idaho, we had a pirate theme, thanks to Dustin, who spent hours upon hours working on a fun treasure hunt.  We had tons of fun, finding clues, a treasure map and finally a grand treasure.  My kids had a blast and have gotten so close to all their third cousins, which is great because saddly they don't have any first cousins their age.

The cousins all camp out in my parents yard when they come.

We had tons of fun finding clues and compleating tasks. This was a tug-a-war over the pond,  we also did things like walk the plank, pole valt over the ditch, bob for apples and many more crazy things that led us to the map.
Rayney eating a Sardine

Corban searching for Ducks in the muckDagan was not even going to touch the sardinesWe found the map

That led us to the treasure, it wasn't proving too easy to dig up but eventually we got it out.

The treasure was worth the effort!!




We also had a pirate pizza decorating contest, this was one of the pizzas.  We never actually judged them but had a blast making them and of course eating them.  We were sad when everyone had to leave, we will miss them and wait impatiently for next years grand adventure at the Smith Family Reunion.

Skotlynd Sky Makes Seven

Welcome  to the zoo!

Skotlynd Sky was born at 12:52 Am on June 12th.  I had a few contractions in the 9:00 hour of the eleventh, they started picking up at 10:00, (We were at my parents watching a movie)  I announced around this time that I was having pretty good contractions.  my dad said well get to the Hospital, NOW!  I said no, I'm not ready to say they are the real thing yet.  Finally I decided we could go, we got to the Hospital at 11:30, I was on the verge of being dilated to a six, I decided to try jumping in the jacuzzi tub (this was around 12:00) because i had never tried that before.   After 20 minuets or so of that I got out and said lets have this baby.  She was born at 12:52, Dustin was about right on the nose, he predicted 12:50, how much closer can you get?  it's was a nice fast delivery.  Skotlynd was 6 pounds 9 ounce, and beautiful of course!

My five little munchkins, they love their baby sister!  

Skotlynd with her daddy!

Skotlynd with her mommy.

We thought this was a fun picture, Lincoln seems so big now.  Oh DaLee, you have two forward facer's and ahhh, I have two now in infant car seats.  Hopefully Lincoln gains some weight soon, We have to stop the madness. 

She's an Angel!

some of our latest pics

First off I need to show off my dads latest toy.  He has an obsession with blow up toys and buys a new one every year.  I wish this was an obsession when I  was little but, we still have fun on them now and the kids love them.  This one is his newest and biggest.

Rayney found some new friends, we decided it would be best to let them live in the ditch so we let them go.

And Corban and Lincoln are learning to drive young as they take a ride in the little beetle.

Fun in the car!

We were trying to get us all in the camera

but someone was always missing, we had fun trying 

though!

Dagan's program

dagan had his school program, he was cute!  I am so excited that this school year is almost over, I love having the kids home all day!!  I can't believe how good looking my little man is getting, they grow up too fast!

He got his dads charm!

Corban is about the cutest little thing, of course I am bias!  Not only is he cute but he got his dads charm, he knows how to treat the women.  While we were at Dagan's Kindergarten Program, Corban was watching two little girls, about two or three, playing.  When they split up and went to their moms he took the opportunity to pick the best wishing flower he could find (dandy lion gone to seed), my kids love wishing flowers!  and he walked up to this cute little girl with the cutest smile and gave it to her.  She took it, but was then so shy, she hid behind her mother.  It was the cutest thing ever, he is so suave, I gave him a big high five and was proud to be his mother.  A little later he tried to give her another one but, to her mothers demise, she was to shy to take it.  her mother had camera in hand, and was so disappointed she did not get to get a picture of this sweet event.  I unfortunately didn't either :(

Freckles

I love freckles!  I love mine and I love them on other people.  Well I have to show everyone the cutest spray of freckles that have decided to pop up across Rayney's Nose.  So cute!!! Can you see them? You can't see them as well in the picture, but they are so cute in real life!

Yummy Apple

Lincoln is really enjoying his Apple; well actually I don't think it started out as his apple, but he doesn't care!

Moon Sand

Moon Sand really is a great invention!  My kids love to play with it, and I love how it never dries out!  One step better than play dough.  I only wish they would come up with an invention to separate the colors. 

Lincoln Cardiologist App.

Lincoln Had his card app. and all went great. His pulses are great and everything sounded good. Dr. Womack did talk to us about how soon, probably when Lincoln starts walking, we will notice that he tires out easily and needs to stop and take breaks. He said he will turn blue more often, although don't worry this is normal. We are used to the blue color a bit, he is blue every morning, lips arms and legs! But it will be new to see him turn blue do to activity. He said to not hold him back, let him exercise that heart. he will know his limitations. He warned us, that if he did not seem to turn blue, that is not a great thing for Lincoln and could mean that veins are growing from his heart to his lungs and this actually gives a false sense of health, they will hinder his heart function and will need to be dealt with. Seems funny that we have to make sure our son isn't too pink.

All in all Link, is doing great! He doesn't have to get anymore Synergist shots this summer, since RSV season is finally over! It will be nice to give him a break from getting shots every month! He is so terrified of laying down on a doctors table, because every time he does it means more needles going into his legs. He needs a good break! before it starts up again in October.

Oh, more fun news, he has started taking his first steps, and as the days go on he gets braver and braver. I can't wait till he is walking everywhere! I have been spoiled by the others walking early that it seems like he will never walk, but he has good excuse! I just hope he is walking fairly good before Skotlynd comes. If not I am sure we will make do just fine. Well three cheers for my tough little man, he's a trouper!!!

Eight Years!

So I feel like this year has flown by so fast. I can hardly believe I have been married for eight years!! It feels as though we are still two young collage kids having crazy fun at Ricks, with the added bonus of a life time of experience behind us. how did we come this far? We are about to have our fifth child, and this is my sixth pregnancy; really? how did that happened? There just wasn't enough time for that right? It's amazing the experiences, trials, joys, and accomplishments you can have in such a short time. Well, I do wish sometimes I could just slow things down, but since I can't I will have to savor and enjoy life in hyper drive. i just want to take time to say, I love my husband!! I can't imagine life without him, I can't wait to see him each day and would honestly love to have him every minute of every day. He is my everything and has become such a part of me, I would be lost without him. He is patient, humble, loving, and fun. He was my best friend long before I knew I loved him and he will be my best friend for Eternity. I love him!! Thanks Dustin for putting up with me all these years, for being so patient, loving, forgiving, and wonderful. I Love You!! We have been through a lot, our life together has not been without great trials and bumps, but we have grown so much together because of our trials. I would not choose an easier path with anyone else. I love the small reminders of how strong our love is, like when the Doctor caught us holding hands while in the hospital with Lincoln, her comment "I can't believe after all this time you are still holding hands" It amazes me how trials can tear couples apart but they only seem to make us stronger. Hey if you can love me with no hair, I know you can love me through anything, he he!! Thanks for loving me! I love you!

Spring!

I was beginning to wonder if Spring was ever going to come. April was a roller coaster of weather, very crazy and a bit annoying. One day it would be 70, (I mean literally one day) then the next day it would snow, yes snow! IN APRIL! then it would continue to be chilly for the next week and a half, then the cycle would repeat itself. Yuck! I was so ready for it to just get nice. We bought some fruit trees and would have to bring them inside at night so they wouldn't freeze, yes againI stress, "In APRIL!" Well I am glad to say that I think, spring has finally arrived. although some days are still a little chilly, it has been so nice to get outside more. I am just worried it is going to bypass that beautiful spring weather and go strait to scorching summer heat. Luckily Dustin has talked me into getting water park season passes this year, so we can spend tuns of time in the water. Although, and excuse me for getting a little direct here, but most of the summer I am going to be bleeding from just having a baby. So I might be beached with the babies. unless anyone has any magic info they want to share with me to rig that!

I really need to update more!

I always have so much to post, but feel like their is not enough time to sit and give it due justice. Things are going great, my pregnancy is progressing rapidly. I thought I was just about to start my fifth month when I realized I was already seven months. Wow, how did that happen? I can't believe I am that far along! My Little women of the house has turned 5, she is turning into such a pretty little thing, I don't know what I am going to do with her. She already has many boys falling head over heals for her, yes at five years old, and I in for trouble or what? She is independent, outgoing, and ready for life; by this I mean kindergarten. she exclaimed in her Drama the other day "I never gets to do anything, all I gets to do is play, play, play! I want to go to school, I want homework!" Awe, what wonderful words, I will hold it over her head for the rest of her life! She is a joy, I love my little women.
Lincoln is 13 months now, he is 17 pounds, pretty good for him. he is crawling every where and loves to stand on his own. He thinks he is cool stuff! although he is not sure about the walking thing yet. his favorite past time is going up and down the stairs, he is getting really good at it. I have just decided he is ready for a big boy bed, since he is aware of edges now and can get down off of things himself. he did great last night, so we shall see; he is such a big boy! he is starting to tone out a bit, losing that flabby skin he aquired from months of immobility. I used to think he was quite goofy looking (I know bad for a mom to say, but he was so saggy) but he has really started growing into himself lately and becoming quite the little cutie pie. He has more facial expressions than I have ever seen, and has uh-oh, and no-no down quite well, pronounced with the roundest "O" mouth that you have ever seen. What a ham!

A dose of reality!

I joined a support group for Lincoln. It is a great group and great to have questions answered by people who have or are going through the same thing as I am. I don't post much, as I am a shy member, but I do reply to people when I have gone through the same situation and have asked a few questions. Sometimes I have to wonder if it is good for me though. I am an optimist, I like to believe the best! so when I am forced to come to reality, it is a hard pill to swallow. Even when Lincoln is in the hospital having a surgery I seem to have no problem believing he is going to come out just fine, sometime I think I take everything for granted. Well I had a reality check! A member from the group, who was not a shy member, sent a post. Her little man about 14 months, who was doing just fine, no unordinary problems, just passed away. He was staying with his grandparents while his parents went out of town. He started acting different and fussy, so his grandparents decided to take him to the emergency room; he stopped breathing on the way to the hospital and they couldn't revive him. Cause: He got a stomach infection and his heart wasn't strong enough to fight it. Oh, how my heart goes out to them. Your Legacy will always be remembered little Seamus.


It is a hard pill to swallow. I have to realize that just because Lincoln is doing so well, doesn't mean he is or ever will be safe. Unfortunately my son's heart will never be whole, it will never be "fixed." He has half a heart. He has been "rewired" to live on one ventricle. His heart could decide to peeter out at any moment. Any little infection, trauma, or illness could take my baby from me. He does need additional surgeries and /or a heart transplant in the future. There is not a fix for Hypo-plastic Left Heart Syndrome. It is easy to take health for granted, but I have to realize that I can't take Lincoln's health for granted.
So that all said, am I supposed to live in fear every day wondering if today is my last day with him? I don't think I want to dwell on that at all. I do have to be more careful with Lincoln, but If I was in a constant state of worry; I do not feel I would be able to enjoy and rejoice in his life. I do not want him to feel different than the other kids, and I do not want to turn him into a wounded Duck. So even though believing that he is a super hero may be over the top and leave me vulnerable to great sorrow, I choose to take the road of the optimist, but I do have to admit a dose of reality is also good for me.
(who knows, he just have to hold on till the Savior comes, and that's my final take on things.)

Lots to talk about!

Ok so I have so much to tell everyone, and so many cute pics to go with it, but they are all on other peoples cameras, so you will have to wait for them. First off, my little Corban turned three on Dec. 4th, he is getting so big, in AGE that is, he is a whole 23 pounds so he is a little pipsqueek, but what is new, this is the story of my kids growth history. he has started primary, and I can hardly believe it, he is way too small, but he does well. I love the little man, he is about the cutest thing ever, and silly as i'll get out.

next, I have great pictures of the kids playing in a nativity. They were so cute, Rayney was an Angel, Dagan and Corban were shepherds and Lincoln was baby Jesus. I was a little was a little worried about Lincoln being baby Jesus because he likes to move know, but amazingly he just laid calmly in the little manger, and waved his cute little arms every once and a while. The kids were so cute with him, they kept leaning down and kissing him and held his hands. They all did such a good job!

Well next I guess is Christmas, we spent it at my parents house. We had our traditional, porridge for breakfast and since Dad snuck in a handful of almonds, lots of people won the prize this year. The kids of course had a blast, and all and all it was a good day. So huh that about all there the pics will tell the rest.

Well another very exciting adventure has come our way, I am the proud new owner of a vinyl business, I am going to call it Say It in Vinyl. I am having so much fun with it, creating new and fun stuff for the store and custom jobs for people. Plus I am just excited to decorate my house with it, I have to paint it first though.

let's talk Lincoln; he is doing so great, I took everything for granted with the other kids. Everything came so easy for them, and I was spoiled because they seemed to do everything early making it easy on me. Crawling by four to five months, and so independent. Well Lincoln was still having surgeries at that point and had no time to learn to crawl or even gain muscle strength to hold his head up. Every time he does something new it is the most emotionally exciting event to happen upon this family. Well he is almost 11 months old now, and when my other kids were just starting to walk, he has just started to crawl. yah, Lincoln, he has been progressing so fast, just about three weeks ago he could still hardly hold up his head, in the last three weeks he has gone from hating to be on his tummy to creeping backwards, then finally forwards, to crawling, he is slow, although getting faster each day, and he grunts with every inch; letting us know how much work this is for him, but still he is a trooper and plugs along. Having Lincoln has opened my eyes so much, the kids adore him and he is such a blessing and a joy.

OK, so after reading the next bit of news, I know many might think we are crazy, and maybe we are, but just know we are so excited about it!

SKOTLYND SKY IS ON HER WAY!!!

she will make her presence in this world in June, bringing our family to a tally of seven. Rayney is of course so excited for a sister and the kids can't wait, they have already expressed that they believe we need six kids. I told them to start praying for twins then, as I am getting tired of being pregnant, but it's just one and who knows, number six will probably happen someday! Right now I am just focusing on number five.
Well I think that is all the fun stuff, pics I hope will come soon, love you all and take care!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

Mom Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of X-Box & Barbie flipped through their heads.

Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's LOVE she is going to steal."
Smiling wisely, Santa said: "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
Sometimes I forget, it won't be very long,
before they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side, Santa said: "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you'll be all right."

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about.
Especially at times when the Holiday season shouts,
and all we do is clean, bake, and procure.
You get the picture -- I'm sure.

So stop for a moment and hug that little one so dear,
whether he/she is 2 or 22, or even older this year.
For they are the gift that God gave us from Heaven above,
and what a special gift to be treasured, with endless LOVE!

May The Real Meaning Of Christmas Be With You All Year.

family Picture

I know it is sad, but this is the first family picture we have ever taken. Life should not be so busy!

My kids ready for church!

How about them Dawgs!

We are Georgia fans in our house, and it was a great day when the Dawgs beat the Gators, GO DAWGS!! it's about time. Dustin has taught my kids a modified version of "see you later aligator" the kids reply, "We arn't gators, we're Georgia bulldogs, RUFF RUFF"

Dagan is 6!!

I can't believe my Little man is 6. I am not old enough to have a six year old!! How did that happen, even after four kids I still get the weird feelings of; where did all these kids come from, I can't be a mother, I'm just a kid! needless to say yes my little man is 6, and he is proud of it, he had so much fun at his birthday party, and even though it was November in Idaho, the weather was perfect.

Halloween pics!

I wasn't very creative this year for Halloween, it was whatever I could borrow from others; but they had fun anyways!

Had to put in a cute pic of my sister and her cutie pie breklynn, too bad Brek was asleep; but she was the cutest elephant ever!

Kids at the Circus

The kids had a blast, they loved the clowns, and all the animals. You should have seen Rayney when the lady jumed on top of the six person stack; she covered her eyes and said "I can't watch!" It was classic


But I think Lincolns face say's it all, hehe :)
I had to through in this pic because he looks so cute in his little knome coat

Circus

We went to the Circus, How fun is that? I think I was more excited than the kids, and they were excited!! My friend Shantel got me tickets for my birthday, she is the coolest friend ever. So I tried to take pics, but they didn't turn out great so I will post some of the better ones.
There were white hourses
tight rope walkers
an upside down show
trapeze artists
and of course our favorite an elephant

camp out on tramp

We decided to have a sleepout on the tramp before it got too cold! They thought it was fun stuff.

Of course there was some fun play time before they went to bed

How cute are they all tucked into bed, Dustin is the best at telling ghost stories; Lucky for me I was sleeping inside with Lincoln! :)

Kids Room

Our store has a kids room that we decorated the walls with vinyl, it's way cute! I think I will do my childrens rooms like this.

All Things Imported

We have opened a home decore store, it is a lot of work right know, but it is beautiful. It seems to be doing very well, so we plan to start one in Idaho Falls soon. We plan and hope to open a new store every few months, if all goes well. Here are some pics!

Twinkled!

I was driving down the road in heavy trafic the other day and Rayney wanted me to look at something. I told her I couldn't because I was driving and I didn't want to die until I get old. She say's "you want to die"? I say "Not until i'm old" Rayney expresses that she never wants to die. So then I start into a whole spiel about how dieing is not a bad thing, living with heavenly father and eternal families. She seemed to understand, and agree, then in an after thought I said, "besides you will probably be twinkled anyways". Well that started a whole new topic, Rayney says, "twinkled? What's twinkled? I don't want to be twinkled!" So again I explain what twinkled is, after my atempted explanation, (it is not an easy thing to explain to a four year old) Rayney asks, "like Shantel?", me, taken back a little, "no Shantel isn't twinkled", Rayney, "then why is she so shiny?" Ahh, the great and pure mind of a child, I love it! Needless to say Shantel got a kick out of it, and I have to agree with Rayney, (who adores Shantel, and thinks she is the most beautiful person in the world) that Shantel is Shiny in every sence of the word. She is beautiful inside and out!!

My Birthday!

still no camera cord, so I thought I would celebrate me. Hey I deserve it right? I'm 27 years old today, Dustin keeps trying to say I'm getting old but I keep reminding him that I'm still four years younger than he is :)

Seven Year Itch!

Well I seem to have misplaced my camera cord to put new pics on; I have lots to post but no pics to go with it. So I thought I would write some thoughts I was having about the seventh year itch. I have a friend who was telling my about her first marriage, and how it ended in the seventh year, I will not put the details as it is not my story to tell, but needless to say she definitely believes in the seven year itch. Well Dustin and I had our seventh anniversary in April; so I asked myself, “am I itchy”? I can say with complete validation that I do not have a single itch on me. I Love Dustin way more today than I ever have!!! He was my best friend before I married him and he is even more than that now. And goodness how could I be itchy in this seventh year? The Lord made sure there was absolutely nothing boring or routine about this year. We found out our child was going to be born with only half a heart, decided to move across country from Georgia to Idaho, finding new doctors, insurance, job. Traveling to Oregon to have our baby, five surgeries and many months in the NICU and PICU without my babies, watch this new little stranger go through so much. Starting a new business, and moving into a new house in the process. Yes, nothing normal or routine about it! But I thank the Lord everyday for these rocky times when I feel his love so deeply, and have the opportunity to grow and become an even stronger family. So all and all no itch for me!!