Happy Birthday Mike,
Last year I had to come up with 40 facts about you,
This year just a thank you.
Happy Birthday and thanks for loving this crazy chicken farmer with all those kids and pets.
I love you.
Love Betty.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Good Bye Summer, Good Bye
Schools back in session here in the hundred acre woods.
and while we must now get to bed early and wake even earlier,
we are still having fun.
Summer recap,
Popsicles= approximately 20 boxes, and four bags.
pop corn= 14 bowls,
ice cream= about 8 gallons(we are Simper descendants after all)
sunburns=10 at least
baseball games= 14
games won= 12
nights spent in our own beds= 1
nights spent on the trampoline=10
night we never went to sleep=2(mom says it feels like more)
movies watched at the theater= 2
classic movies rediscovered= way to many to count,
tubs of "fart noise"=5
giggles from "farts"= lets not go there,
trips for ice cream cones= 8
drives to see the wildlife=5
times we saw wildlife=1,
what we saw when we got home= elk, deer.
baths and showers missed= way to many
mornings we slept in= none, mom says it is impossible for us to sleep pass 6:30
school shopping trips= 4
pairs of flip-flops the freezer "ate"=3,
pairs of school shoes bought= 6
kids attending school= 4
lunches packed= 5.
days our dad has been gone= 6
nights the cats have slept in the house= 6(do you see a pattern?)
number of eggs gathered= 0
school days left before summer break=179
memories= countless.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The "Olden Days"
Remember sitting on your grandparents couch and watching the old shows with them?
You remember Lawrence Welk and how he would introduce some ancient Big Band and your grandparents would get that look on their faces and their eyes would mist over, and you would roll your eyes.
And after the infomercial was developed they would sit and watch the Time Life music sales and you would laugh because it reminded you that they were so stinking old and that you would never sit on the couch and sway along to the music and think about the good old days.
Ever.
Well we all get old, and all our memories get better.
Just like a fine wine,
or the picture on your drivers license.
And the music we would not have been caught dead listening to, say twenty years ago because you would never have been caught listening to stoner music because you can't be a stoner and wear long sleeved buttoned-up clear to your throat shirts with dry clean only pants and like those heavy metal bands. Right.
Remember that?
Well last night after watching the Antiques Roadshow, Mike pried the remote out of my hands and started channel surfing. He landed somewhere up in the boring cable channels, they were playing an old old 80's rock song.
We froze, we got "that look" on or faces, our eyes glazed over, and we both started swaying and singing along.
Yup it was a Time Life infomercial.
Our children were on their best behavior and they just sat there with "that look" on their faces, and carefully whispered between themselves.
And gave us the look.
Then they started singing along.
Turns out we had given birth to closet stoners.
We watched the whole infomercial, sang, laughed, and "Oh My Goshed" for the entire half hour.
And then beat it over to the computer and looked up the Time Life website. Just to look you know, we would never buy something like that.
Wow, five easy payment of 29.99. OMG my wistful memories are not that priceless(or maybe I am not that old after all).
I Ordered it off Ebay instead.
Got the entire boxed set for 50.00.
Plus 3.00 shipping and handling, of course,
because I am "hip and trendy" defiantly not an "old rocker".
So let me know if you would like me to burn you a copy.
You remember Lawrence Welk and how he would introduce some ancient Big Band and your grandparents would get that look on their faces and their eyes would mist over, and you would roll your eyes.
And after the infomercial was developed they would sit and watch the Time Life music sales and you would laugh because it reminded you that they were so stinking old and that you would never sit on the couch and sway along to the music and think about the good old days.
Ever.
Well we all get old, and all our memories get better.
Just like a fine wine,
or the picture on your drivers license.
And the music we would not have been caught dead listening to, say twenty years ago because you would never have been caught listening to stoner music because you can't be a stoner and wear long sleeved buttoned-up clear to your throat shirts with dry clean only pants and like those heavy metal bands. Right.
Remember that?
Well last night after watching the Antiques Roadshow, Mike pried the remote out of my hands and started channel surfing. He landed somewhere up in the boring cable channels, they were playing an old old 80's rock song.
We froze, we got "that look" on or faces, our eyes glazed over, and we both started swaying and singing along.
Yup it was a Time Life infomercial.
Our children were on their best behavior and they just sat there with "that look" on their faces, and carefully whispered between themselves.
And gave us the look.
Then they started singing along.
Turns out we had given birth to closet stoners.
We watched the whole infomercial, sang, laughed, and "Oh My Goshed" for the entire half hour.
And then beat it over to the computer and looked up the Time Life website. Just to look you know, we would never buy something like that.
Wow, five easy payment of 29.99. OMG my wistful memories are not that priceless(or maybe I am not that old after all).
I Ordered it off Ebay instead.
Got the entire boxed set for 50.00.
Plus 3.00 shipping and handling, of course,
because I am "hip and trendy" defiantly not an "old rocker".
So let me know if you would like me to burn you a copy.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saige and Nate are getting a baby, unless we steal him!
Most all of you know that Saige and Nate(my little sister and great bro. in law) have now been happily married for several years and have been patiently waiting for the phone to ring.......
Well come August a precious baby boy will born to them.
I will let them announce his name and all the other great details upon his delivery, but they have graciously agreed to let me announce his pending delivery and wondrous adoption.
Saige and Nate are very excited and a bit apprehensive.
When you carry a child you worry until birth about their health, size and who they will look like.
When you adopt you also add the worry that the birth parent(s) will change their minds.
When you give birth to a child you are required to provide a car seat for the drive home.
When you adopt, you are finger printed, your background is searched, your house and bank account is scrutinized, and every detail of you life is on display for not only the birth parent(s) but their lawyer, your lawyer, the social workers, and the court who ultimately makes the decision if you truly get to keep this child that you have fallen hopelessly in love with.
Getting pregnant and giving birth is relatively easy.
Adopting can take years of struggle and heartbreak.
This little boy is so loved and wanted.
So, since most of us have never gone through this process I thought I would help out by answering a few questions for you. Because as my friends and family I would really hate for you to look stupid.
1, So how much does it cost?
a lot, so unless you want to donate, just remember that all babies are priceless.
2, How can you love a child that you did not give birth to?
Never question God, also I did not give birth to your children but I would still step out in front of a moving bus to save them, love knows no boundaries.
3, How will you discuss adoption with your child?
That is up to the family, but yes this precious child will be of mixed decent so he will always know that he was loved by so many that wanted the best for him.
4, Is this baby off the black market?(really a question that was asked)
No it is all legal. But if you have info on black market adoption please alert the proper authorities.
5, Are you willing to adopt more?
Yes we, okay they really want more.
6, Can we give a baby shower?
Hell yes, do you know how much this is costing, they are also not afraid of hand-me-downs.
7, Can we come and love on this baby when you get him home?
Again hell yes, but remember kiss the toes not the nose.
Saige and Nate know what they are doing and we are all in love with this little miracle, we as a family are humbled by both their dedication to have an eternal family, and the amazing love shown by a wonderful birth mother willing to give the most precious gift a family can receive.
Well come August a precious baby boy will born to them.
I will let them announce his name and all the other great details upon his delivery, but they have graciously agreed to let me announce his pending delivery and wondrous adoption.
Saige and Nate are very excited and a bit apprehensive.
When you carry a child you worry until birth about their health, size and who they will look like.
When you adopt you also add the worry that the birth parent(s) will change their minds.
When you give birth to a child you are required to provide a car seat for the drive home.
When you adopt, you are finger printed, your background is searched, your house and bank account is scrutinized, and every detail of you life is on display for not only the birth parent(s) but their lawyer, your lawyer, the social workers, and the court who ultimately makes the decision if you truly get to keep this child that you have fallen hopelessly in love with.
Getting pregnant and giving birth is relatively easy.
Adopting can take years of struggle and heartbreak.
This little boy is so loved and wanted.
So, since most of us have never gone through this process I thought I would help out by answering a few questions for you. Because as my friends and family I would really hate for you to look stupid.
1, So how much does it cost?
a lot, so unless you want to donate, just remember that all babies are priceless.
2, How can you love a child that you did not give birth to?
Never question God, also I did not give birth to your children but I would still step out in front of a moving bus to save them, love knows no boundaries.
3, How will you discuss adoption with your child?
That is up to the family, but yes this precious child will be of mixed decent so he will always know that he was loved by so many that wanted the best for him.
4, Is this baby off the black market?(really a question that was asked)
No it is all legal. But if you have info on black market adoption please alert the proper authorities.
5, Are you willing to adopt more?
Yes we, okay they really want more.
6, Can we give a baby shower?
Hell yes, do you know how much this is costing, they are also not afraid of hand-me-downs.
7, Can we come and love on this baby when you get him home?
Again hell yes, but remember kiss the toes not the nose.
Saige and Nate know what they are doing and we are all in love with this little miracle, we as a family are humbled by both their dedication to have an eternal family, and the amazing love shown by a wonderful birth mother willing to give the most precious gift a family can receive.
Friday, July 10, 2009
The dog days of summer
Sorry for no new posts,
but,
this about sums it up!
p.s. this is Delaynie our 130 pound lap dog
and today is her seventh birthday. She is usually
much furrier, but now that she is getting older I
had her shaved for the summer, so she could
spend time in the house out of the summer heat.
but,
this about sums it up!
p.s. this is Delaynie our 130 pound lap dog
and today is her seventh birthday. She is usually
much furrier, but now that she is getting older I
had her shaved for the summer, so she could
spend time in the house out of the summer heat.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wild Arizona(bite this Marty Stouffer)
Mike spends most of his working days at the helibase located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Mostly whiling away the hours between medivacs and short haul rescues and fighting wild land fires by reading, riding his bike, reloading bullets, and holding down the couch.
Some days though he really goes to work. This is the stuff he truly enjoys.
He gets to mix his love of flying with his love of the outdoors and wildlife.
Papillon contracts their helicopters and pilots(mainly Mike) out to the Arizona Game and Fish.
Recently they were over on the Arizona/Nevada border doing a sheep capture to monitor migration with the new road construction around the dam.
Usually they hang some under paid wildlife biologist(gunner) out of the helicopter with a loaded rifle(modified to shoot game nets instead of bullets). This poor guy sits and waits as Mike flies around the desert while another AZ game and fisher acts as the mugger. When they find the poor animal the gunner shoots,
Some days though he really goes to work. This is the stuff he truly enjoys.
He gets to mix his love of flying with his love of the outdoors and wildlife.
Papillon contracts their helicopters and pilots(mainly Mike) out to the Arizona Game and Fish.
Recently they were over on the Arizona/Nevada border doing a sheep capture to monitor migration with the new road construction around the dam.
Usually they hang some under paid wildlife biologist(gunner) out of the helicopter with a loaded rifle(modified to shoot game nets instead of bullets). This poor guy sits and waits as Mike flies around the desert while another AZ game and fisher acts as the mugger. When they find the poor animal the gunner shoots,
and then the mugger jumps out of a still flying helicopter. After the helicopter lands the gunner then jumps out and runs to help. Normally they draw blood and put on a tracking collar,
and then the animal is released, at which time the unharmed sheep stands and shakes him/herself off and runs back to the herd with nothing more than a great story and a new expensive necklace to show off later that night while grazing with the fam.
But sometimes things don't go as planned,
and the sheep go a little wild,
especially if say, you had previously survived a mountain lion attack,
and the gunner/mugger doe-si-doe,
and after obviously winning the great wildlife dance off,
while they dust themselves off.
and then the animal is released, at which time the unharmed sheep stands and shakes him/herself off and runs back to the herd with nothing more than a great story and a new expensive necklace to show off later that night while grazing with the fam.
But sometimes things don't go as planned,
and the sheep go a little wild,
especially if say, you had previously survived a mountain lion attack,
then all bets are off. At which point the sheep start showing off their moves.
The moonwalk seems to be a favorite,
and the two step with a little shimmy and a twist
always scores extra points with the judges.
and going all Shawn Johnson really works at putting a little fear into the guys that just pushed your fight or flight button really hard.
and if you really want to make those guys wish they had never left the office,
it is always a good idea if you can look'um in the eyes,
while going all kung fu fighting while issuing the dance off challenge
and then step back and watch the pumpkin boogie,
and then step back and watch the pumpkin boogie,
and after obviously winning the great wildlife dance off,
it is always best just to run off into the sunset,
while they dust themselves off.
Last week
Last week,
we ate doughnuts from J.D.'s espresso,
drove to Flagstaff, watched a movie,
and ate pizza in the car.
Carsten and Ardynns' baseball team played,
and won two games,
we made smores on the stove top,
while we listened to the wind blow.
The kids and I played a 12 inning softball game,
that ended only after the mom hit it out of the park,
and lost the ball in the 100 acre woods.
We bought a new softball,
a bright green one.
Mike stained and painted the porches,
and two chickens and one dog.
Kallison learned to ride a two-wheeler,
and how to put on many band-aids,
she also learned that older sisters make patient
and loving cheerleaders.
the brave ones slept on the trampoline,
with a pile of kitties,
the not so brave slept on the family room floor,
with a smaller pile of kittens.
Braxton purchased his first hunting licence,
and put in for his first deer hunt,
good luck my little hunter.
Mike took lots of fishies on a tour of the Grand Canyon,
and helped to reestablish a healthy population of endangered chub,
into the Greater Colorado River.
We cried over and buried our last goldfish,
well some of us.
We have sat out under the stars,
while listening to the coyotes howl,
we ate watermelon,
and spit the seeds at each other.
we ate boxes of popcicles,
that dripped down our chins and hands,
and then skipped baths and showers,
just because it was summer.
we ate doughnuts from J.D.'s espresso,
drove to Flagstaff, watched a movie,
and ate pizza in the car.
Carsten and Ardynns' baseball team played,
and won two games,
we made smores on the stove top,
while we listened to the wind blow.
The kids and I played a 12 inning softball game,
that ended only after the mom hit it out of the park,
and lost the ball in the 100 acre woods.
We bought a new softball,
a bright green one.
Mike stained and painted the porches,
and two chickens and one dog.
Kallison learned to ride a two-wheeler,
and how to put on many band-aids,
she also learned that older sisters make patient
and loving cheerleaders.
the brave ones slept on the trampoline,
with a pile of kitties,
the not so brave slept on the family room floor,
with a smaller pile of kittens.
Braxton purchased his first hunting licence,
and put in for his first deer hunt,
good luck my little hunter.
Mike took lots of fishies on a tour of the Grand Canyon,
and helped to reestablish a healthy population of endangered chub,
into the Greater Colorado River.
We cried over and buried our last goldfish,
well some of us.
We have sat out under the stars,
while listening to the coyotes howl,
we ate watermelon,
and spit the seeds at each other.
we ate boxes of popcicles,
that dripped down our chins and hands,
and then skipped baths and showers,
just because it was summer.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Canyon wide pandemic (The Mule Flu)
Poor wee Angus was just hanging out while the men worked on the trail. His rope got loose on one side and Angus went for a bite to eat. As luck would have it Angus slipped and fell over the edge and hung himself. Now Angus is mostly dead and on his way out.
When pigs fly Mom always said. But in a pinch a mule will work.
Angus checking the tail gate before he climbs in (safety first).
P.S. MIKE HIJACKED MY BLOG.
A little update
Wow, what a busy week, Thursday I saw my ob/gyn, lovely lady, she sadly confirmed that we had indeed lost another little one(we already new that, but we both cried anyway).
Ultrasounds are no fun when all you get to see is a still heart or this time an empty womb, but at least they were able to confirm that uterus and ovary wise it all looks okay, they were even able to see/find my right ovary that apparently was "lost" at the last ultrasound back in December(which for me was good news cause after all I think I would have noticed that one leaving).
Tuesday I met with a new Dr., a wonderful Dr. of internal medicine(she is also a new chicken farmer) she checked out everything including my nose/eyes/throat, because after all reproductive wise they are super important. She agrees with both myself and the very peppy ob/gyn that it is most likely related to my thyroid or should I say half a thyroid. So she took blood to check its(thyroid) level and also kidney and liver function, hormone levels, and complete blood counts.
Results will be back tomorrow and honestly I am a little nervous, I want it to be so simple, a tiny little pill will help regulate the thyroid and some progesterone cream used until 14 weeks will help maintain a healthy pregnancy. But then there is the guilt that if only I had given a little thought and had it checked every six months like I was supposed to that maybe my babies would not have died and that really does lie heavy on a person.
So tomorrow when the phone rings I will pick it up but only after it has rang a few times and I have had time to breathe.
Ultrasounds are no fun when all you get to see is a still heart or this time an empty womb, but at least they were able to confirm that uterus and ovary wise it all looks okay, they were even able to see/find my right ovary that apparently was "lost" at the last ultrasound back in December(which for me was good news cause after all I think I would have noticed that one leaving).
Tuesday I met with a new Dr., a wonderful Dr. of internal medicine(she is also a new chicken farmer) she checked out everything including my nose/eyes/throat, because after all reproductive wise they are super important. She agrees with both myself and the very peppy ob/gyn that it is most likely related to my thyroid or should I say half a thyroid. So she took blood to check its(thyroid) level and also kidney and liver function, hormone levels, and complete blood counts.
Results will be back tomorrow and honestly I am a little nervous, I want it to be so simple, a tiny little pill will help regulate the thyroid and some progesterone cream used until 14 weeks will help maintain a healthy pregnancy. But then there is the guilt that if only I had given a little thought and had it checked every six months like I was supposed to that maybe my babies would not have died and that really does lie heavy on a person.
So tomorrow when the phone rings I will pick it up but only after it has rang a few times and I have had time to breathe.
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