Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Box Elder County Fair 2013

 
As I sat to reflect on the events the last few weeks I found myself feeling sad. Sad for opportunities missed, sad for things in my life not working out as planned, sad because I am missing three of my kiddos- they are so far away right now and all I want to do is hug them tight and tell them I love them.  So I did what I usually do lately- seek the solace of the deck out back.  I was treated to a beautiful sunset that was created just for me. 
I realized that although the thunder clouds to the south were looking quite dark and ominous, without them my Heavenly Father would not have been able to paint this beautiful view that I was enjoying.  Somehow, this spoke to my heart.  Although the storms may be raging in my life, there is still beauty in everything around me.  Everything that seems so wrong right now can be fixed.  I know that everything will work out- I have a pure and simple faith in that.  I was merely reminded that it will be in my Heavenly Father's time and not mine.  I need to be patient.
 
 
So, I decided to update the blogs tonight while Wes sleeps in the chair.
 
Last week was the Box Elder County Fair.  My kids all think this is the coolest part of summer. The only thing really great about it is that I don't have to cook all week!
 

Ryan and Katelyn having a hot dog and a Coke from the Farm Bureau stand. Not my idea of good eats, but they're happy.

Ryan with his lamb over his shoulder. He did well showing his lamb this year- fifth in his class.

Katelyn and her lamb- it was a bit skittish and she ended up turning it loose during the show instead of letting it drag her around the show floor.  Good choice Katelyn!

Ryan getting his lamb ready to sell in the Jr. Livestock Auction

Making sure that the feed boxes are properly placed.

Katelyn getting ready to auction off her lamb.
What was I doing this day? Sitting for five plus hours in the smelly, hot lamb barn! Thankfully, Rikki brought wipes for the benches we sat on.  She knows me well!

Ryan waiting to go ride the Ferris wheel in the background.

Pizza for dinner after visiting the booths for the loot.
We had a good time at the fair this year and the best part is that now it's over we can
GO BACK TO SCHOOL!  MOM TIME!
 
I couldn't resist putting this next picture in here.  This is the afternoon after the second day of school.  Ryan was a beast!  He yelled at me instead of doing his homework and when I went down to take the smart card out of the satellite receiver, I was informed that I am the worst Mom ever and that he wished I was a different kids Mom since I can't seem to understand that he is his own person and no one can boss him around. He got to go to bed at 2:20 p.m.  When Dad got home and woke him up, he was told to put on his chore clothes that he was clearing weeds.
According to Hunter, pulling weeds changes attitudes...

Ryan was upset because he thought he had slept all night and we were making him miss school and pull weeds.  He didn't even get breakfast!  Haha!  It was only about 7:00 p.m.! You would think that the sun in the west would've given him a clue.  After about an hour, he was invited in to eat dinner- he still asked if he should change into his school clothes!  Delirious little kid! Since when do we have quesadillas for breakfast???  He didn't believe us when he was told it was bedtime.  Lucky for him he gets to get up at 6:00 a.m. to adjust his attitude a bit more before school.  There are always plenty of weeds to pull.  Maybe he will learn fast to be nice to Mom. One can always hope!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

God Be With You Soldier

Today is the day that our sweet Ty deployed. 
He is first heading to Spokane, then Texas to get ready to go to Afghanistan.  We will miss him desperately and can't wait to hear from him. We are so grateful for his service to our country.
Your thoughts and prayers on his behalf and for his unit would be appreciated.  God Be With You Tyler!  We love you! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see you again.