Playground Reasoning

I took Katelyn and Ryan to school last week. I usually walk them to the doors because Ryan thinks it's funny to close the door on Katelyn. She's too little to open it with her backpack on.

When we got to the door, one of Ryan's friends came running up- "Hey Ryan, don't forget to meet at the slide at recess, and DON'T bring your sister." Before Ryan could even speak, Katelyn jumped in with-"I can go wherever I want and play on the slide- MY mom pays taxes too!" Where do kids come up with this stuff??? Truly brilliant on her part- The boy just looked at her and said, "Oh, alright." For someone so little, she can hold her own with her wit.

Ned's Head

Ned's Head is a game that the Mystery Giver sent to Ryan and Katelyn. They've had hours of fun playing the game. It has really gross things in his head that you have to find like a dead rat, a sticky sucker and a spider. They giggle and laugh when Wes plays with them- he holds their hands in the head so they can't find the pieces!

This is Ned's head and the gross pieces it came with. It had ten additional blank cards so that you can add more pieces to his head. Ryan and Katelyn went with what they consider to be scary things to add to Ned. Kermit is scary because he is green like boogers. The golf ball is scary because if it hits you in the head it will hurt. The rock is scary because it has a spider crack on it and the plug cover is scary because electricity can kill you. The last item they selected is scary without explanation...

This is even scary to me!

Another Blast From The Past

The McKoy Cousins- Here's an oldie! I'm guessing this is from about 1977. (Jana is still little so it had to be before September 1977) I think this was the family get together before Grandpa and Grandma went to Washington on their mission.
Top Row L to R: Dana, Robyn
Seated on sofa L to R: Mindy, Jeremy, Grandma Mckoy in her sweet glasses, Grandad McKoy, Jana on his lap and that's me on the end!

I think that the dresses that Mindy and I were wearing were from Randy and Susan's wedding.

Puzzling With The Mystery Giver

Our Mystery Giver sent us a magnetic puzzle of the United States. Ryan and Katelyn have put it together several times already. They even put it together once on the fridge. Katelyn likes to read the pieces. She lets us know where the east coast and west coast is too. West coast is Disneyland, East Coast is Disney World. They can both point out Utah, California and Florida. Imagine that!

It's a bit of a surprise to me, but they actually sit and put the puzzle together without fights. This is a nice change of pace! They enjoy finding the pictures on each state. Wyoming has a cowboy. Kentucky has a horse. Oh, and then there's Georgia- Katelyn is sure that her Dad will never go there- it has peaches on it!

Our Mystery Giver Strikes Again!

Our mystery giver has sent another package. Ryan and Katelyn were so excited! They were literally jumping for joy! The package was loaded with cool activities. First, they wanted to color the pillowcases...

Ryan got right to work coloring the car pillow case. He was really taking his time to make sure that it was perfect!

Katelyn decided to go with a rainbow colored princess theme. They both sat for nearly an hour and worked on their pillowcases. I unloaded the dishwasher.Here's Ryan finished product...
...and here is Katelyn's. Now I just need to find the iron to set the color. I'm pretty sure it's packed at Grandma's.

Must Love Dogs...

It's not that I don't like dogs, I just don't want one in my house. ( I don't want two in my house either!) The three kids still at home make a big enough mess!

When I picked up Ryan and Katelyn the other day, they had decided that Santa was bringing them each a dog...Katelyn thinks she is getting a Yorkie from Santa...Ryan says he is getting a Chihuahua. Debbie and Lacy helped them to write name lists for their new dogs. I had to make them cry and tell them that we are not getting dogs from Santa...it was then that I thought of the best plan ever.

I told Ryan and Katelyn that we didn't have a fence- it would be really sad if a dog jumped in the canal and drowned or ran in the road and got hit. I said they should try and find a place to keep them that had a fence and then maybe Santa would bring a dog. Ryan decided that Debbie's house has a really good fence. So they plan to ask Debbie to keep their dogs at her house.

Turn abouts fair play....

It's coming together...

Jeremy H. has been to the house installing the cultured granite. I'm glad I went with the darker color. It compliments the tile well! The grain is really fine- it looks really neat.

Woo-Hoo! A make-up counter! I just need to find a chair for it now.

The Disney Keys to Excellence

I was able to attend the seminar "The Disney Keys To Excellence" on Wednesday with two of my friends from work. We had a great time and learned a lot too. It was really a fun atmosphere- the instructors were awesome. I can't wait to get back to work and "create magic"!

I would really like to be able to attend the 3 1/2 day Leadership Excellence program at Disneyland or Disney World some day. Maybe next year...

One of my favorite things that was said at the seminar regarding leadership was the following:

"You can't push a rope-You can only pull it!"

We need to be leaders and take the lead position- pull others along! After all, you can't push people into anything. If you pull the rope, they'll soon be onboard pulling too!

We were given a copy of Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell to enjoy too. I've already starting reading and it's a fantastic book- can't wait to finish it. Maybe it will help with Hunter...

New Fridge Art

One of the best things about school being back is session is the new fridge art that I get every week. We have to rotate sides of the fridge. Ryan get the bigger side one week and then Kate gets it the next.

Oh, and as a bonus-this first grade art has a moral to it!

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl sat in an oak,

The more he heard, the less he spoke;

The less he spoke, the more he heard;

Why aren't we all like that wise old bird?I think this will stay up a while longer!

Kiss The Easy Suppers Goodbye-

Katelyn loves Spaghetti-Os, or rather she used to. I can't talk her into eating them anymore. They were so convenient to make for her when she was starving- RIGHT NOW! Gone are those days- Here's what happened: It was pretty late and she was starving- she wanted Spaghetti-Os. The whole can. She has eaten the whole can before, I didn't think anything of it. She wanted milk with her Os. She drank two glasses- about 16 oz. You can see where this is going, right????

She got up to get her jammies- she made it halfway down the hall... Wes laid her on her bed just in time for what we like to refer to as "Spaghetti-Os, Out the Nose!" and in her hair, on her bed, and in her ears! Poor girl! She stood in the shower and gagged the entire time as I washed the Os out of the ringlets! YUCK!

She can't even look at a can now without dry heaving! I guess she'll have to eat corn dogs...

A Cute Little Sweetie

We went last weekend to see little Paizlee May. Charlie and Alisha are great first time parents. They're really cute with her. It's pretty funny to see Charlie with her. It's amazing to see how fast that sweet little girl wrapped her daddy around her little finger! We took her a Roxy girl dress that matches Katelyn's. Katelyn is so excited to have pictures taken together when Paizlee's big enough for her dress.

Sleepy Girl!Katelyn giving Charlie a tutorial on Guitar Hero for the DS!

Soapstone

Raul came last Friday and installed the soapstone in my kitchen. I LOVE it! It's looks really neat! Check it out...The grain really shows up with the camera flash- It looks more black without light. Here's what it looks like standing back. I can't wait for you to see it in person!

Fall Pics Around the Farm

Ryan wanted pictures in the field on a bale of straw. I was happy to assist him.

It kinda looks like he's sitting on the ground. But he really is on the bale of straw.

We had to take Katelyn's glasses off- they were dark black! If the bales are still there this weekend, I think I'll take them back at dusk for better shots!

The Letter

It often times seems unfair that the harder you work to better yourself, the bigger price you pay. Let me explain a little using a recent experience.

It's not a secret that I was once younger than I am now and VERY dumb. I ended up divorced with three really great kids to care for on my own. I say on my own because unless I was able to find where out where their dad was working, the state made no efforts to seek him out to collect child support. (Oh, and it took me nearly a year to save the $50 required by the state to instate a garnishment on his wages.) BLAH-BLAH, long story short- this has not been easy at times.

Along the way, I met a really sweet guy (who I love very much!) and he was more than happy to take on the role of substitute father. Truly a blessing in my life.

Through the years, I've made every effort to learn and better myself. (Busted my behind if you will.) I managed to earn a really great job that I love and it pays well too. (Okay- that may sound like I'm bragging, but it isn't intended that way- bear with me.)

Where does all this hard work get me in relation to the fore mentioned days of stupid???? Well, let me tell you- I get a bigger share of the support bill for Hunter! I'm not complaining about paying more, I love the kid. BUT- the ex has done nothing to better himself. Alcohol (and probably still drugs), bouncing from job to job, trouble with the law, whining about how difficult his life is, wah-wah. Something about assaulting an officer and going to rehab instead of facing the music- Now he claims that he is incapable of working and reports zero income. (Funny- He told Hunter that he works at Cal Ranch...)

Now comes the kicker- since he is so poor and pathetic, the state reduces his share of the child support to a whopping $48!!!!!!!!! Can you believe that???? Outrageous! I work hard and earn more so he can pay less- What's that about?????? Hunter suggested that I just send a thank you card.

You can see that all of this did not sit well with me- until the letter.

The Letter-

Dear Dad,

I just wanted to thank you for your continued lack of support and disregard for my care. It has taught me something very important- others love me.

I have the privilege of having the best father in the world. I work with him. He teaches me about hard work, respect and honesty. I have also learned how to be responsible by watching him. He respects me and our family. He gives me the things I need, and gets me some extra special things too.

The best part about it is that no one told him he had to take care of me and teach me to be a responsible man. He did it because he wanted to and because he loves me. I hope when I grow up, I'm just like him.

Thank you for the opportunity that you gave me- to see the world with open eyes and to decide for myself the example that I want to follow.



...I guess life is fair after all

Finally! A Bit More Progress

Someone told me that once the paint is done, everything else goes really fast...

...NOT!

So far, it's gone slower than I could have even imagined it would.

The kitchen hasn't been touched in nearly two weeks- Oh wait- they cut the hole for the downdraft vent in the cabinet.

This still looks the same-DEPRESSING!!! I wish they'd hurry!

Doesn't really look like an island yet, does it???

This is the wall that Wes has to cut- OOPS! Missing wires! I suppose that's what happens when you're working full time and staying up late to wire. He thinks he wired this part of the house somewhere around 01:00.

Look! I found something that's new! This was not here yesterday! (I'll bet Wes did it.)

WOW! The pillars are FINALLY sided! Nice!

Front view with gutters and sided pillars-

And finally- a few views of the trex deck. I was worried when the frame was the only thing up. It was pretty ugly- I have to say it's starting to look better!

Does This Look Clean To You???

I've sent Hunter to his room every night for the last two weeks to get it cleaned. He claims this is clean. Is he blind???? What do you think??? Any suggestions??? I understand that most teenage boys have messy rooms, but this is utterly ridiculous! The worst part is that the house is on the market...what am I supposed to say to someone looking at the house??..."We don't open this door, just trust me it's a bedroom."????

Birthday's are Still NOT Happy Days...

Another birthday has come and gone for me.

I'm still holding at twenty-eight. There will be no discussion regarding this matter.

I tried to sleep in- kids were up as soon as the phone rang.

They don't get along- they can't go even a few minutes without a battle- Oh joy!

Hunter tried to keep their fighting to a minimum- but somehow Ryan was pushed by Katelyn- He'd been standing on the arm of the couch- Ryan called Kate a goo-goo, gaa-gaa baby. Kate says she accidentally bumped him off- it was his fault he almost hit the brick fireplace. (Hunter says she shoved him pretty hard!) By the time I made it downstairs, Ryan was on top of Katelyn and her glasses were on the carpet. Good morning to me!! I sent them directly to their rooms to think about it. Ryan hollered down the hall- "Happy Birthday Mom!, Can I come out now?"

Wes spent nearly the entire holiday working at Buttars. The rest of the day, he worked on the house. I decided that I wanted blackened shrimp for dinner- Ryan and Kate will both eat penne pasta. So, that's what I made. I also made an apple pie. Wes and Hunter weren't answering the phone, so I ate alone. They reheated later.

Wes surprised me- He picked up a few things when he was at Disneyland for my birthday- A gorgeous watch with interchangeable bands and bezels. Way cool!

He also got me a shirt- it's a little small, men just don't get the buy the size for the boobs! I'll need to loose @ 10 pounds to fit in it. At least he didn't buy too big! I'd rather he thinks I'm smaller than bigger!

Be Safe! Put Down Your Phone!

After losing a great friend to a fatal car accident late last year, things seem to touch home more than they used to. A recently watched a video about texting and driving- thought I'd share it today with you.

http://ut.zerofatalities.com/images/0809/vid.jpg

Please watch the video- and remember, there is no text, email or phone call that cannot wait until you are safely off the road...

Love You All!

Busy Week

The first week of school has been extremely busy, so I apologize for not posting for awhile. I just love the hour plus of homework each day with Ryan and Katelyn!

The finish-up stuff on the house has kept me busy too- both days that I have off, I've spent running around the entire state...at least Ryan and Kate weren't whining in the back seat the entire time! (I did enough whining for the three of us because of all the adventures I had on Monday getting a sink!)

Thought I'd share a few pictures of the first day of school.. Katelyn (a.k.a. Roxy Girl) showing off her style...
Ryan happy to be going back to school......I mean really happy!