Hello Everybody!

I just wanted to say, it's good to be back! Somebody {ahem} flaked on paying the internet bill, so there was an "interruption" in our service. My bad!

Things have been so good and busy the last few weeks! I am enjoying so many aspects of life. The kids are doing good, the hubby's doing good. . .the goats are doing good! All is well on our end. How are YOU??

Honey-Do.

 *Sigh* Have I ever told you that I love my Honey?

He makes me laugh, sheds light on my darkest days, completes my life. I thank God everyday for the gift He has given me. You know, we have been married 17 years this June? We are more in love today than we were almost 20 years ago. We've grown up together and plan to grow old together. He has supported me through so much that he hasn't had to. He could have chosen to walk the other way. If humans were capable of unconditional love, he would be the poster child. He is nearly perfect in all ways. Again, thank you sooooo much Father for the gift you have bestowed upon me!

The Spring Puyallup Fair. . . good times!

Scott, Dominic, and I went to the Puyallup Spring Fair last week. (Nina stayed home to spend the night at Ellie's.) It was fun, despite the light rain. I was sad that all they showed off were pygmy goats--not a single nigerian dwarf goat to be found! I giggled all through the piggy races. I loved it! I had a blast walking through the Expo where there were a multitude of sale booths. I scored some yummy loose teas and balsamic vinegars. Also grabbed Nina some cool hair ties and Seattle's Fudge. Scott landed himself a killer deal on paintball courses, of which D will benefit. We all gotta little something. I really enjoyed the walk through the photo contest area. . . Scott and I fell in love with a photo called The Honey Pot. We actually got in contact with the photographer and bought a print. I will post it later so you can see it!

 We went to the Fair for two reasons: one, it was military appreciation day so the tickets were free. Two, the monster trucks were running that night! We were a little disappointed with the show. The arena was so small there wasn't much they could do.

 We ended the night with fireworks then headed home. It was a good day.

D's Birthday Celebration!

 Dominic's Birthday was April 15th. On the Friday before, Jacob spent the night and the boy's had fun having an air soft gun war. By boy's, I mean Scott, too!

 On D's wishlist for his birthday, he wanted to do something really weird. . . climb up in the attic! We figured, why not? I think D thought he would find treasures up there. He was sorely disappointed. 

 Monday was his actual birthday and he had soccer practice that evening, so I made cupcakes for the team.

 D noshing on his cupcake after practice.

 After practice, we presented him his present. . . Scott picked out the gift bag himself!

Dominic requested spaghetti tacos. Weird (again), but we did it. 

Happy Birthday, Dominic! When D was three years old, I said to him, "You're momma's love bug!" He looked at me and said, "I not your love bug. . . I your Love Dragonfly!" Dominic, you will always be momma's Love Dragonfly! I love you!

Dman's Birthday Weekend.

 So Dman had a wish list for his birthday weekend. At the top of the list, was to have his buddy, Jacob, over to spend the night. 

 Air soft war was next on the agenda. 

 They must have expelled about 700 rounds all over my yard. 

 This is Jacob. It's not a skirt, it's a kilt, lol! (He's wearing the top of one of Scott's old uniforms.)

 It was boys against dad. Then later, Nina joined in and played the hostage.

 Running from dad.

 The perfect shot. . . 

 D had a weird one on his wish list. He wanted to go up in the attic. Curious boys do curious things, I guess.

He was a bit disappointed. I think he thought he would find treasures long forgotten. But he only found insulation and dust. But at least his curiosity has been satisfied.

Under Attack & Redemption.

So this past weekend started on a crazy note. Scott was verbally attacked about our parenting skills. He was told that we need to stand on our own two feet as parents and that Scott was an "asshole" and a "fucking liar". He also told Scott that we need to get help. Pretty much because we aren't making the decisions the way this jerk would be making them, we aren't good enough parents. We are wrong in his eyes. He was yelling, swearing, and provoking Scott to no end. Scott finally got in his car and refused to acknowledge the bum.

My reaction to what he said about us: up yours. (Don't even get me started on the fact that he attacked my husband. Bad move.) No two children are alike, and so it goes with parenting skills. God paired us with our children for a reason and He thinks we are doing a damn good job. You raise your child and we'll raise ours. Respect that concept.

Then Saturday came and we were at D's soccer game. And in the cold, pouring rain, D's coach came up to us and commended us for how great a kid D is. He said, "You must be doing something right because he's the best kid I have out there; he does what he's told, he doesn't complain, he gives 110%." Wow, talk about redemption. Scott swelled up and told the coach, "Your words couldn't have come at a better time."

Do I think we are the perfect parents? Hell no. But I think we are the perfect parents for Nina and Dominic. Through thick and thin we have bonded and survived. My kids see me in my faults and in my triumph's. Likewise, with their father. We love each other fiercely and they are good kids. They're good kids by the grace of God AND because we ARE doing something right.

So mean man that has to butt into other's lives: go crawl under your rock and marinade in your self-righteousness. Because that's all you got.

Farewell Hercules and Gemma!

What a great picture! Hercules and Gemma went to their new home yesterday with Melinda--my goat mentor! I know they are in good hands. Melinda has such a talent and gift for knowledge in the animal world. If she don't know it, then nobody does! She's passionate about Nigerian Dwarf goats and helps me no matter how silly my question is. Thank you Melinda for all you do and I can't wait to see what Hercules and Gemma do for you!

Yay!

Added to the blessed clutter of my house. . . Scotty found me an awesome elliptical on craigslist! I'm excited because back in my day I could ride one of these for over an hour! I hope to get to that point again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINA!

 So Nina's 14th birthday is today, but we celebrated a lot yesterday. I took Nina and her best bud, Ellie, to the movies (we saw The Croods--it was a great movie), then the girls got pedicures (Ellie's first time and just for the record, her feet are ticklish!), then we went out to eat dinner at Red Robin. 

 They tried to relax, but they're teens. All they know is "high alert" mode, lol. 

 Nina's purdy feet. . . 

 . . . and Ellie's purdy feet!

 I made them pose again at Red Robin. It's like nailing down a butterfly (not that I would ever do that) to get these girls to take a picture without making faces! I even had to beg. Aren't they beautiful??

We came home to this sitting on our kitchen table. We wondered who left this behind? I had my guess tho and I was right. . . it was Nathaniel, Nina's b-o-y-f-r-i-e-n-d. I wonder, how long did it take him to cut out the letters? It HAD to be time consuming. 

My Nina was born on my favorite numbers: at 7:55 a.m. on April 7th, 1999. We were so thankful to have her, especially when doctor's said that I'd never be able to have my own children. She represented a lot of patience, time, tears, and medical work. And she, most importantly, reflects the love of me and Scott. Nina is a product of something strong, faithful, and enduring. And her personality mirrors those same words. I am very proud to call her my daughter. I don't tell her that often enough. She has grown to be a wonderful young lady and the coming years (little does she know) will be a test of everything she has learned from us. Scott and I want to be there by her side as she experiences life. We want to support her in her dreams, guide her in her trials, and just cover her in our love. 

Life wouldn't be complete without you, Nina. We love you. Happy Birthday.

Goodbye Tally & Capella. . .

My baby girls left us yesterday for a new home and new beginnings yesterday. It was bittersweet. However, Jen, the {proud} owner is very excited. It's her new beginnings as she begins to raise Nigerian Dwarf goats. I hope to be a mentor to her (if she needs me) the way Left Foot Farm has mentored me. I think Tally and Capella are in good, caring hands. 

G.I. Joe

 During Nina and Dominic's three days of peace and harmony, they played with Dominic's plastic toy soldiers. Nina took some really cool pictures of them, so I thought I'd share. . . 

Me.

So, I am at 30 pounds of lost weight. 30 pounds in about 30 days. Not bad. Scott says he sees a world of difference. I don't see it yet. I do feel like my face has become thinner. But as I lose weight, as Scott pointed out, it's not just around my middle, or any specific place. It's everywhere. I think that's why it's hard for me to see. But I was talking (okay, okay. . .I was texting) a friend this morning and she pointed out that it's about being thankful for the body you have and accepting yourself, flaws and all. Losing weight isn't gonna turn me into a super model. I have to accept that. Spider veins aren't going to magically disappear. (Dang it.) But I am thankful for the ability to climb hills now without feeling like I'm gonna pass out. I can walk an hour at a pretty good pace and not be breathing like I'm about to die. I am getting healthier and that's what the surgery was all about.

The boys and milking.

I have been forced to separate Hercules and Orion from the girls because {ahem} the boys are now "men" and I don't want them impregnating their own sisters. That would be no bueno. We had to put our redneck fence up again to do this and the boys are staying in the old chicken coop. Poor guys. I felt so bad for them this morning that I fed them a little grain. They miss their sisters. The other goats aren't taking it too well, either. They try to get to the boys whenever I open the gate and they cry for them. I think the hardest part has been for Frankie and the boys. She was dam raising them and I cut them off cold turkey. It wouldn't be so bad, let's say, if the boys went to another home and they didn't have to see their mom anymore. But in our case, they see her and can't nurse. Frankie cries for them the most. 

Because of the separation, I'm able to milk Frankie because now she's only dam raising Capella. But Frankie is killing me! I do all this work (separating the babies because they like to get all up in the kool-aid, then getting Frankie on the stand, feed her grain, wash her down, milk her, wash her down again. . . ) for a measly cup of milk (each milking). I can't even drink the stuff! I am milking her until she's dry with the hope of her stepping up production. It may be working because this morning I got a half cup more. Whoo-hoo. 

Scott and I are a little frustrated because we have only sold Hercules and Gemma. We HAVE to sell Orion before Hercules gets picked up. Orion can't be on one side of the fence by himself. It would instigate what's called buck mad. (Or something like that.) A goat always has to have a buddy or they get depressed or get angry. I have been praying and praying that they will sell. 

Cousins.

Here's a couple snapshots of my brother's kids--my nephews and niece! There's three that my sister-in-law, Jessica, has to care for when Micah is out of town working: Gabe, Tyler, and baby Harmony.
Scott and Harmony hit it off; Scott loved on her and put her to sleep.
All three are fun loving and adorable.

California.

We got a call Friday, March 22nd that Scott's G'ma Fayma had passed away. She was Paula's, Scott's mom's, mother. She was a dear woman. I remember her mostly from the root beers she got Scott and I hooked on--Henry Weinhard's. I also remember her for love of getting family together. Scott and her were pretty close when he was a younger kiddo, but after his momma passed away, we lost touch with G'ma Fayma. We regret that. The funeral dug up old hurts for us because G'ma was buried next to Paula. Being at Paula's grave made us miss her more than usual. There isn't a memorable moment that goes by that we don't wish she was here to enjoy it with us. 

 This is a picture of Scott and Dominic with G'pa Joe--G'ma Fayma's surviving husband. He was so obvious in love with G'ma Fayma that whenever he spoke at the service, it made me cry. 

 I caught Scott looking at his momma's grave. It breaks my heart. 

 Paula was cremated and buried with her G'ma. Paula had some hurts in  her life and her G'ma was the one who stood by her side through it all. Paula truly had the heart of a lion.

 After the funeral, we got together with Aunt Netti and Uncle Ronnie. It was awesome that we were able to do this. We reconnected and plan to keep in touch. Above, Nina and Dominic's cousin, Chauncy. She is six months older than Dominic. Chauncy (at six months old) was in the car with Paula when it wrecked. Chauncy was originally pronounced dead on the scene, but her piercing cry was heard 45 minutes after the investigation began. The local paper did an article on the accident and stated that if Paula hadn't secured the car seat as well as she did, there would have been no way Chauncy would have survived. They gave Paula the credit she deserved.

 Coming back to Ayla's, this was the scenery. The valley is generally flat and ugly, but the sunsets are beautiful.

 Scott, Dman, and G'pa (Scott's dad).

Scott, Great G'ma Heinrich, Dman, and Great Aunt Linda. G'ma really loved Dominic. She chased him around like a spry young school girl! It was funny! 

Nina opted to stay home to feed the animals everyday. (She also went to dance.) I was so proud of her because nothing went according to plan and she was forced to into an awkward situation. She was so excited to prove her "grown-up-ness" and keep house. Although that was altered a bit, she made us very proud. She is not a child, but a young adult. I couldn't ask for a better daughter. We missed each other so badly and spent hours on the phone, talking & texting. I think our appreciation of each other grew tenfold those 6 days. I realized how much I take her for granted and how much I love her. She's my sunshine.