Camera Fatality

Today I use as my excuse for the lack of blogging a camera fatality.  I accidentally put it through the wash over Christmas break in Texas.  I did discover, however, that the card was ok.  Thank goodness!

'Tis the Season

Holiday madness and holiday germs...we've got it all this week.  Last night was the school holiday concert.  The auditorium was packed with parents.  The kids wore their finest.  Ben was really cute in his class songs.  David and Rebecca sang with the choir.  During their second number, David's face started getting white.  By the end of the song he stopped singing.  After the song was done, he threw up...all over the choir risers.  The audience let out a collective gasp.  Poor little guy.  I tried to help him feel better by pointing out what a great story he will have to tell his children and grandchildren.  Not sure if it helped...

 Sarah, Jacob, and Kevin were all up sick last night.  So, why am I up writing on my blog at midnight?  I have no idea.  I am operating a bit like a zombie at this point.  Good night!

Morning Baths

 Cold!

 Good to go...



I said...Good to GO!

Chicken Thief

Caught red-handed...literally.  Who would have thought our sweet princess, Bella, would have an intense passion for chicken?  Our poor departed rooster :-(  I probably should be mad/  I was sad.  Yet, she acted so sweet and innocent, as if I wouldn't notice the bright red incriminating evidence all over her white fur. Truth be told, roosters make me kind of nervous anyhow.

Christmas Soap and puppy

 Today David is home sick.  We have been working on packaging some soap the kids made with my mom for their teachers.

Here'is one of our lab babies.  This is our first litter of puppies.  The momma, Sissy, was pregnant when we got her.  She has five beautiful chocolate puppies we will be selling for Christmas.  Sissy is Keith's, so he will be the first to add to his mission account.  What fun it has been having puppies!  They are so cute!  I am loving having dogs!  We go running out on our farm together as often as we can.  Yesterday, Jason, Keith, and I went running with seven dogs and one pig.  It felt so good to be running with my boys and my dogs...truly a dream come true.  All was roses until  our poodle, Bella, caught wind of the fresh bacon running behind her.  Needless to say, we ended our run a little early and got the dogs and the pig back home safely.

Ben's Birthday

This week we celebrated Ben's birthday.  I realized the day before his birthday that I have never had a "friends" party with him.  I felt so bad!  I guess since his birthday is right during the holidays...it's just a busy time of year.  So, I put together a party at "House of Bounce" two days later.  We invited his class and one family from church.  I was worried no one would come with such short notice.  Thirty-five kids came!  (Some were siblings.)   It was crazy, but fun.  I think Ben felt pretty special.  He sure got quite a haul of gifts!

Oodles of Poodles

Some may wonder why I have not been posting.  Not much to report?  Nothing to interesting going on?  Quite the contrary.  I had another one of my big ideas.  Why not raise poodles and/or labradoodles to help our kids earn money for missions and college?  Not being one to let the grass grow under my feet, I plunged right in.  The stories that have followed, although many very funny, have been a little much for even me to make public.  Here's a picture of family home evening tonight.

The funny thing is, I should be feeling totally overwhelmed by it all.  Suprisingly, I have been totally and blissfully happy.  I have been loving it.  I have always loved dogs, and this seems to be bringing out that aspect of my personality.  I have especially enjoyed watching the kids with the puppies and learning to take care of the bigger dogs.  We have been praying for our sweet dogs, that they will help send our kids on missions and to college.