My bed ok Rays too

So this crazy animal has totally taken over my bed.  Sadly he has started sleeping with us when they are home for the weekend.  Yup, I just said that and quite frankly I don't believe it myself.  He ususally snuggles up next to Ray, but if I lay on my back he really wants to sleep like in the picture.  Silly dog, but I must like him to let him sleep with us!!

 

 

This was the day before school started and for some reason they both ended up in my bed before I left for work.  They do not look very happy that it is the last day of summer.  I guess I should have taken the day off and done something fun with them.  Mother of the year...thats me.

 

 

Hanging with the boys

I realize I am super scary in this pic but Gaven was just too cute not to post the picture.

 

 

They both actually settled down long enough to relax for a minute.

 

If you count the dog, the girls at our house were out numbered for once.

 

I told them to pose and this is what I got. 

Let the tests begin

Volleyball Manager

As some of you already know, Kinlee did not make the volleyball team this year, as stated below.  So I guess if you are reading my blog you do know, I think.  Anyway, they did offer her the job as manager and so she gets to practice with the team and travel with them to all the games.  This was her first managing gig and it was at Sugar JH and so her dad and I were both able to go.  She was pretty excited and said "dad really gets to come see me manage".  I will be going to all of the games no matter what, because it is just important to her even though she doesn't play in the games, she is on the "team".

SO SERIOUS!!

 

And..... if anyone in the Sugar City area tells you that your child really doesn't have to start playing sports until they are older than third grade, they are telling you a lie!!  The girls on this volleyball team have been playing together since 3rd grade and they have had the same coach as their JH coach.  It really is all about sports in Sugar City, but I guess that might be true everywhere else too.  So, I will end my rant there on sports. However, I may rant after next weeks game about something else that I noticed.  I am hoping, however, that it was just in my mind and it doesn't happen on a regular basis. 

Me biking? Yep

My cute friends have been riding bikes most of the summer and I finally decided I would go with them.  If any of you know me you know that there are 3 things I really dislike:  1: Being outside; 2: Early mornings and 3: Exercise

Well the first morning I went it was even a Saturday and I rode 8 miles.  And I will admit it felt pretty good.  I have gone a few times since then and on Saturday I talked Ray into riding with me.  My bad outside luck must happen when I am with Ray, because once again while we were outside I twisted my leg really bad and have had issue walking on it.  Which makes me really worried, I have gotten a little addicted to exercise the last few weeks.

This last week I have been to zumba twice, rode my bike 3 times and walked 3 nights also.  So, this might really put a cramp in my style.  I am also doing a little weight loss challenge and really need to be able to exercise.  So, we will see what happens, but I can see now how people can get addicted to exercise and being outside.
 

Selfy while riding....not a good idea.

 

I have learned to appreciate the quiet mornings also.  Since Allisa and Amanda have been riding longer than me, I felt like I was holding them back a little so they would go ahead and that gave me some alone time.  Who knew you could actually hear the power in the power lines.  I love where I live and the fact that I can go outside and exercise and not worry about being alone makes it that much better.  And look at that scenery who wouldn't love that? 

 

Doctor week

National Anthem at Rodeo

So thankful I only have 2 kids

Yesterday was such a stressful “MOM” day, but we made it through with just slight ego damage.  We are not a sporty family, but Kinlee loves volleyball.  Yesterday she tried out for the 7^th grade volleyball team and sadly did not make it.  I would like to think it isn’t political and they just chose kids on their merit, but sometimes one has to wonder .  Needless to say I had one sad Kinlee, which is heartbreaking and I even shed a few tears.  As Jerika read me the letter Kinlee received she got to the bottom of the letter and it said Kinlee was invited to be the manager of the team, however.  Some of you who know me well know I was the volleyball manager for years in high school.  It goes back to the not sporty thing, but I really wanted to be where my friends were and they were all on the volleyball team.  And I had just as much fun doing that and supporting them as I would have being on the team. That being said, I explained that to Kinlee and told her I would call the coach and see what was involved and then Kinlee could make her own decision.  I called the coach and you could hear a little bit of fear in her voice (I do have a very small reputation for being a little confrontational if I don’t agree with something) and I am pretty sure she was elated to hear that I was just calling to see about the manager job and not to freak out. I found out the manager goes to all the practices and practices with the girls and travels with them but just takes stats at the game instead of playing.  I relayed this information to Kinlee and you would have thought I had handed her the world on a silver platter.  She is so excited, she just wants to play and what better way to keep her in the loop so she can try again next year.  So, Kinlee will be the 7^th grade volleyball manager next year, YEAH Kinlee!!

Part 2 of my day included Jerika getting Sr. pictures for the Year Book.  They go to a local photographer and have them taken at their studio, which requires an appointment.  However, there was still a lot of waiting and it was a little stressful there too.  We did pick a picture we both liked though and moved onto our next adventure.

Which was Jerika singing the National Anthem at a rodeo.  I have pictures and story to follow in a later post.

Pedicure

So, my girls are at camp this week, well Jerika was and now she’s somewhere else.  Anyway, today I talked to my friend Miriam (love her) and we decided to go to dinner since none of my kids were home.  We were meeting in Rexburg at 6:30 and I didn’t really want to go home and come back.  So, I could either stay and work some necessary overtime or I could find something else to do in this big city.  Decision made, I would go get a pedicure, I deserve it right?  So I made the appointment at the only place in town that has oriental people (I didn’t want anyone I knew rubbing my feet, yep I am weird like that)  As I was leaving work I was telling the ladies at work that the last time I ventured out doing something like this for myself (which was actually a gift from someone else) it was a massage.  Then I proceeded to tell them about my mortification level when the masseuse was a man and I had no clue until I got there.  Anyway long story short, I checked in to get my pedicure yesterday and you guessed it, a man is doing my pedicure.  I am okay with that however, when he started rubbing my feet I realize he only has 3 fingers.  Really, you can’t make this stuff up.  He was super nice and did a good job, however he and the other 2 workers in talked the entire time (fast) and whatever they were talking about the whole time was super funny (to them). The rest of us non oriental people just sat around in dazed confusion.  I would consider having another pedicure but I don’t know how I feel about not understanding anything they people working on me are saying.  Ok, that’s all.

Mothers Day pics

Lydia's Baptism

Lydia’s baptism was in Terreton, which isn’t too far in the grand scheme of things, but seems really far because it is all deserted desertlike land.  Anyway we were there early and the only people from our family that didn’t come was Nakia’s family because they were at a reunion.  My point being that several people travelled far to attend.  Such as Shelby and Catie who came from Utah and the rest of us were closer, but still far enough.  As one of the other little girls was getting baptized I overhead one of her parents ask the bishopric member presiding if he could be a witness.  They only had one grandpa there to witness and nobody else from their family.  As I looked around that little room, I realized that little girl only had her parents, one set of grandparents and young siblings there with her on her special day.  It really put into perspective how supportive my family is and how much we are willing to do for each other.  This makes me so thankful to be a member of this family and makes me appreciate them even more.

July 24th Celebration - Pioneer Day