The Day of 2s.

I slept in a bit today, only about 30 minutes, but still! The goat house is still standing. The morning routine has gone as usual, so far. I put the flannel sheets on the beds yesterday. That is the earliest I have ever done that. Man, I love living out here.

Yesterday I took all the kids on a hike at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Nikki said she couldn't stop imagining cutting up Big Morongo Canyon and putting it in a jar. Jake didn't want to go but I made him anyway. Bad Mommy! He doesn't want to go anywhere lately. He isn't doing anything and if we all go out he is bored stiff alone here with Grandma, but he still doesn't want to go. And the stranger part is that he always has a good time when we do go. It isn't like he is dragging around not having any fun. There were tons of bees everywhere and it was 65 degrees out. Warm in the sun and really cool in the shade. Perfect.

We made cookies and played a game called "Buy It Right". The neighbor boys came over and played with us. If I ever wonder if I'm doing something wrong by not teaching math from a textbook, smack me. This boy is 12 and doesn't even see the difference between a one and twenty dollar bill. And he can't roll the dice and make up the smallest or largest amount. Crazy. Part of it is attitude. I think he plays dumber than he is because of school, but still. If that were completely it, you would think he would want to play just a bit smarter than the 9 and 7 year old in the room. My boys felt sorry for him and were at least nice about it. Tom let him win. ;)

Tom wanted to have a fire last night, so we spent half an hour trying to light it with his tinder box. To be fair, he is very short on char cloth, so it didn't end well. We made a valiant effort though and it was fun. We ended up using out last match. It was a nice fire and we all sat in the front yard watching the boys roast twinkies. Yes, I said twinkies. Life is good.

I'm off to get the goats their breakfast!

OMG It's 41 degrees!!

I guess Fall has started. ;) It isn't windy this morning, yay! I had the worst dream about trying to escape terrorists. They killed my daughter and then I was forced to marry him. I felt like I was on the edge of death for a year. Just crazy. I guess quacamole, wheat thins, coke, and cinnamon bread is not a good dinner.

I fixed the goat house yesterday! I made some modifications and used deck screws, so I thought it might hold up better. They were standing on it last night and this morning it is still standing.

The dogs got in a huge fight yesterday evening while I was feeding the goats and I had to pour a bucket of water on them to separate them. Of course, that means that I had to bathe them afterwards since they were wet and covered with dirt. And it was cold! Whiskey is still a little sore after that one. Kiara is such a spaz! She has always been a nervous dog and quick to get upset, bark, and nip if people are yelling and running (especially the adults). When we play with the kids or chase after them and wrestle, she gets upset. But now that we have Whiskey, it is her fault and she gets it full force. Kiara goes nuts and the only way to get her to let go of Whiskey is to squirt her with the spray bottle (she hates any amount of wet). We were outside near the goat pen, so the only water I had was the goats bucket. They got soaked, but Kiara was still trying to get at her. Poor puppy. Mean old lady dog.

We found a really neat house that we are going to put an offer for. Be sure to pray that we are doing the right thing. It is an awesome house. Ann (MIL) would have her own house on the same property! Thanks for an awesome friend for helping us with this place.

Well, off to get some breakfast and start this day. I hoping to do something fun. Maybe go for a hike or something.

Good Morning World!

The only bummer about writing here early in the morning is that I can't type worth a hill of beans! Yikes!

Tom said his birthday party was the best birthday ever and gave me several big hugs last night. So I guess it was a success. ;) I had fun too. I love having people over. It is rather sick really. If I could get all my friends and family to come out every weekend, I would. That is why I used to host the playgroup at my house when the boys were little. It was a blast.

Burgers and hot dogs, soda and chips, it doesn't get better than that. It was a full day of kids running around playing and grownups sitting around eating and talking. Tom and Jake loved having their friends visit and Nikki liked having so many people to harass with her stories. The presents were great. My cousin brought his dirt bike and quad over for us and they are now in the garage awaiting a ride today. The boys are beside themselves.

It is windy! It was windy yesterday, but as it started to get dark it really picked up. I actually have all the windows closed. And I had to put on my jacket to go feed the animals this morning, crazy! It was about 75 degrees yesterday and today it is only supposed to get to 60. Desert weather. And it is so dry. I feel like I need to bathe in oil!

AND Anna got Dan and Ann in to see a house Dan was curious about. It looks promising. I hope we get it because they are so nervous about getting into a house soon.

Party Day!

Yesterday I spent cleaning and shopping. This morning will be spent cleaning and cooking. :)

I can't believe that Tom is already 9 years old. Half way to 18! He is so tall now and a real sweetheart when he wants to be. ;) Grandma Ann got him a bow and arrows yesterday for his birthday and he was playing with it all afternoon in the front yard. Jake likes it too. They won't let me have a turn though, except once. I guess I'll have to get one of my own. I caught them trying to shoot a rabbit yesterday and told them that I would make them eat it if they killed anything. They stopped.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of my friends and family today. I should be a good time. I bet you can't wait to see the pictures!

Early Friday Morning

It is 6:20AM, and today I have decided to write on my blog instead of play solitaire! :)) I might as well use this time wisely.

Yesterday, the boys and I built a house for the goats. That was our major accomplishment of the day. I made Jake go to Home Depot with Tom and I. He is addicted to the computer (as am I) and misses out on all the fun. He told me he was happy he came. We were singing crazy in the truck on the way to the feed store and at Home Depot we played on the lumber cart, much to the chagrin of several employees. One tried to help us get lumber on the cart. I know he was trying to be nice, but the boys were doing fine and they were so proud showing how strong they were. And then one woman decided it was her duty to interrupt me telling the boys they could ride but not climb the cart. She was telling them they would break their heads on the concrete because it was a "different kind". Ok... I was trying to check out and they were playing monkey bars. I tried twice to finish my sentence to them and then gave up and waiting, rolling my eyes at the boys. I'm so bad. When she was done and went back to my order, I told them to sit or stand, but do not climb because it makes it very hard to hold the cart still. The stood the rest of the time.

It took us about two hours to build the house. Tom has seriously inherited my stubborn streak. He worked on sawing with an old rusty handsaw that I had said probably wouldn't work well. I just did something else and told him to tell me when he needed help. I suggested moving the wood lower so he could get above it, but he said it was fine at he shoulder height. We did end up moving it but it didn't help. Tom suggested that I use the circular saw. He knew where the one with a blade was and found an extension cord. I asked him to hold the end of the wood, but that wasn't working because he was holding his ears. Jake held the first one but then lost interest in the project and went inside. I had to break down and ask Dad for help with the saw because I couldn't change the blade depth and it kept loosening up on me.

So we got the legs cut! Cut the plywood top to size and started nailing things together. The goats and dogs were curious to know what we were up to. I did have to stop to run and get Whiskey from next door. She ran out to chase a squirrel and was next door trying to intimidate a dog four times her size.

The nailing got to be fun. Jake got one nail in and then gave up on it. Tom worked on three or four. Then his arm was tired. I did the rest. He told me I should use screws. I know! But I like hammering nails! We dragged the pieces out to the goat pen and started putting it all together. It looks so nice. Tom brought me a glass of water. Dan finished the gate so that we could pen them in. It is much sturdier than the house.

It does look nice. This morning I didn't wake up to the goats head butting the back door. I woke up to them head butting their house! They moved it half way across them pen and then were trying to jump up and stand on it. It is sloped and slick so they would slide off. I guess that was fun because they kept doing it. Crazy animals.

Well, it is light out now, so I'm going out to feed them. Bye!

Just a little behind, huh?!

I'm back on the blog, I swear!

We have spent the past few days visiting with my MIL's brother and his wife. They are so fun to have around. He is 84 and has done so many fun things and he loves to talk about them. His wife is the nicest person. You feel like you can talk to her about anything and she is always genuinely interested. Tonight we went out to an early dinner at the new restaurant in Morongo Valley. It is called Rattlesnake Jake's and we LOVE it! The boys were playing with the owners' kids in the game room and were having so much fun. They had a Sunday Brunch today that was awesome. It was like eating at a family members house.

Last week we went to Disneyland. We missed out on the "Not Back to School Day" but it worked out way better to be there on Friday instead. Thanks to my fabulous friends Chad and Terri! ;)

Oooo Grumpy Mom Day!

I'm just in a serious grumpy mood today. I could make a list of my family's offences, but it would take me all night and I don't think it will help. Suffice it to say that everyone (except my lovable husband) is on my nerves. :)

I feel better now. Thanks.