Sedona daytrip

A couple weeks ago we took a trip to Sedona just for kicks and giggles. It was a cloudy cool day and we were feeling trapped in our house so we decided to do something spontaneous...a rarity for Darrell and I.

Our first stop was a small hiking trip around some of the wonderfully beautiful red rock formations just outside of Sedona. It was a short hike, because any hike with 3 little kids does not last long. Emily enjoyed playing with the fine red dust and Derek like finding sticks. Both of them of course were on the look out for rocks.

Our next stop was a museum. I absolutely love historical pioneer museums. This was the old Schnebly farm. It was a farm that grew fruit trees, mainly apples. The kids enjoyed the time because they got free little toys. In the fruit shed there was a little kids corner with costumes and crayons that they could play with. They loved that.

This is Sarah sitting on a saddle in the kid area. The museum trip was very relaxing for me. I bought a few history of Arizona books...I'm a sucker for oral histories...and the kids bought some rocks. The main part of Sedona was so incredibly crowded, but the museum we had all to ourselves...it was great. After the museum we stopped at KFC for lunch. It was almost 2 by then and all of us were quite hungry.

On the way out of Sedona we stopped and visited the grave of Darrell's grandpa. Derek kept wanting to take all the flowers off graves and they both wanted to stay and play. But of course we said no...there is just something odd about letting kids run all over graves:)

On the way home we stopped by a creek. It has been raining so much as of late that the water was flowing beautifully. The kids of course enjoyed lots of time throwing rocks into the water and watching the water splash. Derek liked hoping from rock to rock.

The picture on the right is Derek trying to hide when it was time to go. He did not want to leave, but Dad and Mom were exhausted.

This is Sarah and I watching the kids play. Yes...I am the wimpy one. I was freezing sitting by the water, especially since it was windy, so I was all bundled up. No one else seemed to mind. It was a tiring day and the kids had their cranky moments, but all in all it was an awesome trip.

"My bums hurts..."

Emily comes to me often saying "Mom, my bums hurts," this meaning that she wants baby powder in her underwear...why, I have no clue, but it makes her happy. Well on this particular day she decided to help herself...I think the pictures speak volumes:)

The Massacre

This is a very sad tale, so be prepared:( A month or so ago Darrell brings home a dog after school...yes a dog! He had been talking about getting one and then surprise...we have a dog:) Well the dog was sweet, but the next day sometime in the afternoon, Derek starts yelling that the chicken is dead...great!!! Here we go again with dead chickens. I go outside to investigate, and what do I find...a massacre. The dog killed 5 chickens! Only one was in pieces thank goodness, but the other 4 were in various locations around the yard. Then to make it worse, I couldn't account for all the survivors.

I called my brother and asked him to get a chain and bring it over. He brought one and I tied the dog up (she was in the garage until he got back). I felt bad for the dog because it is just instinct and she was a sweet dog. She had literally just torn her way into their cage, we didn't think she could get in there. Well we decided we would keep her anyway and just reinforce the cage, well....the next day one more dead chicken:( Darrell found the dog inside the cage again! So the dog belonged to us for less than 48 hours and was returned to the shelter. I was relieved, because although she was a sweet dog, she needed a lot of training...she would jump all over Darrell and I and it was very annoying, and starting a new job and all I just did not want the added stress. So that is the sad story...our 48 hour ownership of a dog which resulted in loosing more than half of our chickens. There are only 4 lonely survivors...Darrell wants to add a few more soon.

Spring is here!!!

My favorite time of year is definitely Spring. The weather is beautiful, flowers are in bloom, the peach trees in our yard are in bloom. It is just beautiful. I love sitting outside just watching the kids play...granted I sometimes neglect to take time to do this, but when I do I wonder why I don't do it more often. It is starting to warm up which does sadden me some because in the valley when it starts to warm up, watch out!! I'm not looking forward to the summer heat but I guess I should just focus on what I have now. ]

This past Saturday we spent some time in the yard planting and doing yard work. I planted cantaloupe, cucumbers, herbs, and then I also plan to plant beans, carrots, and peppers this week. Our tomatoes are starting to turn red, and they are delicious...I have missed their wonderful flavor. We have a wonderful pea production this year...first successful time...yippee!! We almost gave up on peas in the summer until last year around this time. We were at Sister Harris' house (a sister in our ward), admiring her garden and were astounded that she had huge pea plants. Our problem was planting way to early in the fall. This time we waited until it was chilly and then planted, and it was worth it. They are so tasty. I love them lightly sauteed, so sweet!! The kids and Darrell like them straight off the plant, and when I serve them heated for dinner the kids turn their noses up...funny.

Sarah is crawling around now which means we have to be on the look out for those little baby hands that love to pull out baby plants. She too loves pulling peas off and sucking on them! Isn't she cute!!

Now a small bit about me

Some know that by profession I am a registered nurse. I worked full time for 4 years before leaving to be home full time. At the time it was right for our family, but lately I have had the desire to return to work for a variety of reasons. I have been nervous about returning after a 2.5 year absence, plus leaving my kids and such. I love being a nurse and really have no other "hobby," other than reading. So I decided to take the plunge and applied for a job at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. I worked there previously on a telemetry (heart)/stroke unit and loved it. I usually go for what I am comfortable with and was going to apply there again but decided to try something new. I applied for an Emergency Room position. Well I interviewed last Monday and found out this past Tuesday that I was hired. I am really excited! I got a full time but only 32 hour per week job. The best part is my sister in law Hailie will be taking care of my kids so I don't have to put them in a full time day care which I have never wanted to do. Well anyway, just thought I would share. I'm excited for this new adventure and nervous...hopefully it will be just like riding a bicycle.

More random pictures

Just some random shots to enjoy:)

Sarah dressed up in Derek's "worker" clothes and tools.

Emily "playing" the piano.

Sarah and Derek sailing in a "boat" a.k.a. - Mom's Step turned upside down.

Emily with 2 of her many bags...she is currently very into things going in bags and purses.

Doubting Mother...

There comes many an opportunity in a parent's life when they learn from their children. Well I have learned twice in a very short period of time not to doubt the faith and determination of a very strong willed almost 5 year old. First example...the above chicken...the fact that it is living is truly a miracle. One day a few weeks ago Derek had a friend over and in true boy fashion was showing off his chicken and doing things with the chicken he is told repeatedly not to do. One of those things being not to close the chicken in anything. Derek come to the back door..."Mom there's a dead chicken!" "What!!" I yell. "Derek what did you do?!" "I didn't do anything mom."..with that very suspicious...very obvious sound of voice that makes it very easy for a parent to know that is not the truth. "I just found it dead." Yeah...a perfectly healthy chicken an hour ago just drops dead for fun! Well his friend turned on him..."He put the chicken in the fridge" (the playhouse fridge) "I did not!!" shouts Derek in his defense. Well anyway to make a very long story not so long...the chicken looked DEAD. Neck hanging limply...blood from one ear and one eye...will not sit or stand...DEAD!! Still sort of breathing but with little hope. So I set the poor chicken in its cage to be dealt with later when Darrell comes home.

At lunch Derek prays "please help the chicken get better." My friend and I turn to each other with eyes full of doubt...and mutual thoughts..."poor kid, he'll just have to learn about life and death." Well that was the exact second the prayer was probably answered:) The above chicken is the same chicken. After a few bad days the chicken slowly revived and is now walking around just like the others...well maybe a little slower but still in fine health:) The faith of a child...

Story number two. Derek frequently wants to add animals to our humble abode. We have 10 chickens 2 recently acquired goldfish that Derek wanted...and now doesn't because he can't hold them...last week he wanted a rabbit (Darrell and I said NO)...this week it is turtles. No matter what Darrell and I say he is determined he is getting a turtle. He has built a home for the turtle and tells me every day that he will take care of it.

Two days ago Derek comes in with a piece of wood wanting to make a sign. (No more Arthur books in this house!...read "Arthur's Pet Business" By Marc Brown if you don't know why) I help him spell the words he wants but continue to explain he can not go door to door for his business:) Today he want to pick a bunch of lemons stating that Darrell said he could sell them for money to get a turtle. I did not believe him because he uses the "Dad said I could" line all the time and 90 percent of the time it is untrue.

Well, Dad comes home while we were at the park. When I drove up to the drive way there is dad...he has put out Derek's sign and the lemons Derek picked. Then there's doubting mom again, thinking he will make no money and this is such a waste of energy:) Darrell went and picked more lemons for Derek and made a white board sign. Thanks to some kind neighbors and Derek's ability to shout at people walking and riding bikes, he earned $8.50 today. Wow....pretty good for a first business. So he is excited...not enough for a turtle yet, so we'll see:) Plus he already has two new suppliers. His Grandpa Lamb has offered their grapefruits to the cause and our across the street neighbor has offered his lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.