One of the Last Things My Dad Taught me.

( Not actual Trees I was to lazy to go take a picture and besides it's snowing out there.)

"What difference does it make?"

There I was, kneeling down on the ground next to a freshly planted Red Crimson Maple Tree. My Hands were covered in dirt and it did, I admit, look quite pretty there between the other two Maples and three Blue Spruce. "You know" I say to my dad, whom I'm helping. "These Maple trees aren't going to make it." Wayne County is not really the best climate for most vegetation. My dad Looked at me and said "Cathy, What difference does it make?"

I had completely overlooked the purpose of the whole experience. That was, Spending time with my dad, doing something we both enjoyed. I have never forgotten that moment in my life, nor the lesson learned. It was made even more potent to me when my father died the following winter. Those poor little Maple trees never died. they would just freeze each winter and then send out a new shoot each Spring from the ground, But you should see the beautiful Sruce trees. Now every time I question myself in a, seemingly unproductive, activity I'm doing with my children I ask myself "Cathy, what difference does it make?" and we continue, because it isn't, necessarily the results that will always have meaning. It's the things we learned and the time we spent together while reaching the results that matter the most.

Chance, at it Again and another So this is what it's like

Yep, Chance is at it Again. This is his latest uh.........sculpture. For those of you who don't know. Chance spends an undisclosed amount of time finding random objects around the house to build himself.

I woke up this morning to this:

Roger:(in a sweet husband voice, Whatever that means As he points towards the back door) "I have a surprise for you."

Me:(Clueless)HMM?

Roger:(Again)"I have a surprise for you!"

Me:(thinking, It's to early for my Birthday or Mothers Day, and it's to cold to plant anything, and who would have left something inside my back door......... I finally spy the dirty purple bucket sitting in my laundry room.)

Roger: (Pointing into the bucket) "I really didn't think it would make it through the night."

Me:(not very happy) "Why did you bring it home Lamb milk's so expensive it's cheaper to let them die."

Roger:(Ignoring my whining)" I really didn't think it would live."

Now, Don't think I'm heartless. You have to understand. I've raised many doggies and I've babied each one and loved each one and I've even spent 1/3 of each hour today taking care of this little lamb so it nearly breaks my heart every time one dies. Now, I would say out of every 4-5 doggies only one will survive, and normally that's worth it both financially and emotionally, but the way things are now it costs more to raise doggies then to not.

As far as emotionally well........."And if it so be that ye should labor all your days......and bring, save it be one soul unto me, How great shall be your joy...."

D&C 18:15

I would never turn any Doggie away. I think that Roger knows that. That's why he just keeps bringing them home and ignoring my premature,broken hearted whining.

So This is What it's Like Raising Cowboys on Sunday.

This is our attempt at a family picture. They never work as well as our outdoor attempts, Ah well.

We had a wonderful stake Conference this weekend. Beginning with A Friday temple session and there's a little cherry on top with the dedication of the new temple tonight that we get to go to with our two oldest boys.

Sunday dinner, we are sitting around the dinner table, we had a roast potatoes......the typical, and, among many discussions, we discussed the importance of manners. Nothing to unusual for a family dinner.

Dessert rolls around and we begin discussing what was said at conference. I brought up a topic I thought sure that at least the older boys would remember.

I say: " A rattlesnake was talked about today durring conference. Who can tell me what the talk was about?"

Caib surprises me by telling us all about the story of a rattlesnake on this scouts path and how the scout was taught to completely avoid such dangers.

I say: " So what does the snake represent?"

Again Caib pipes up with the right answer "Temptations"

I say: "So what do you do if Temptation is right on the path in front of you?"

Braden says "Pull out your shotgun."

End of conversation. I'm not to worried about my boys knowing how to deal with temptations. (or Rattlesnakes)

Another Longing for Warmer Weather.

This is another longing for warmer weather blog. I can't help it. I know a cold storm is blowing in soon, but we just had an awesome couple of hours out at big rocks. It was a little windy, but we enjoyed every minute of it and you can, just, feel spring is in the air. Notice that things haven't really started turning green we never do really green up until well........at this point it seems like July.This is Angee's first trip to Big Rocks. She was so cute. I couldn't help getting a picture of her with every one.
I love this dog. We had reservations about getting a Labrador because they're such big dogs(we like Medium to small, though, not toy) But I haven't regretted it yet except for the normal puppy annoyings.

For some reason I love taking pictures out at Big Rocks. The colors may seem drab to some but I, absolutely love the unique colors on the rocks and the numerous colors of greens and Oranges.

It may be hard to see in the pictures, but there is definitely something magnetic about the place.

And the pictures are so darn cute. Oh that's just my kids!

O.K. I got to this point and realized I haven't put any pictures of The baby, and She came with us, but we wore her out.

Caib and Roger missed out they went to a Bull sale in Salina. I'm sure they think were the ones who missed out. Dad and Caib just got back with the new bull His papered name is Great Plains.

sisters

Just a little update on the little filly. She's doing great. very curious little thing. She has a great Mom, who puts up with me going out and playing with her baby.

Aren't sisters great? I just snapped this picture and thought the wide, blue eyes and smile were cute. Oaklee's such a patient little sister. she get's so much love and hugs from her sister and brothers. Ah....but she loves it.