School 2016

We went to Taco Bell for lunch after our first CRAZY day of school.

I don't feel like there has been much to say, although I'm sure there is plenty. Because of Facebook I feel like I have already shared all this, thinking about it I haven't.

The kids started school a few weeks ago and it has been nonstop busy. Now that we are starting week 3, things are calming down. But then harvest will be here and a whole new schedule will emerge. 

We managed to find 5 morning kindergarten kids out here in Pingree. It has been nice only having to pick up the kids less than once a week. But that ALSO changes after harvest. Kindergarten changes to a longer schedule with new pickup times and some kids who need extra help stay the whole day. 

Right now Drake catches the bus in the morning before 7, then he is home by noon. On Monday and Wednesday, Addyson goes to preschool in the afternoon. After harvest I will have 2ish hours Monday and Wednesday with just baby Lex. It's going to be a little weird. 

The kids dressed and excited for their first day.

Addyson's first day, mommy&me day. I promise her hair is done, her bangs fell our and it looks crazy.

Drake and I went to meet his teacher.

He is so little.

He was really cute, waving at his bus driver.  He didn't want her to miss him. HAHA

He was so excited to ride the bus, but he says it's a long ride. I didn't cry until I got into the house.

Drake's first day of school, the PTA shared this picture.

Drake had treats the first week of school, the theme was bus safety. We made little buses for the kids. 

Lex sleeping, because he isn't in this post otherwise.  

Look What Is Finally Here!

June 4th I received this in the mail.

I waited almost a week to post about this because I didn't know if I should.  I mostly am for journal purposes. Try to ignore my negative demeanor.

The last 3 years I have gone to school non-stop, not including summers.  I went from full-time in class, to part-time online, back to part-time in class.  I can't even explain how selfish I have felt in doing this.

What? Selfish?  That's right, this school experience has taken so much time away from my kids and husband.  Plus, the whole time I was going and getting in a mountain of debt I knew that this degree wouldn't help our family out financially!  Sounds pretty selfish right?   Then, I decided I wouldn't finish after all but instead get an associates degree and stop because I couldn't justify anymore spending.

I can't describe how much work and tears went into my schooling, and yet I don't feel like I can celebrate it.  My brother, asked if I felt relief, the answer is I don't, I feel unfinished.  I feel like there is more for me to do.  But for some reason I can't go anymore until I am either closer to school or have a place for my kids to be.  I decided to be a mom, and that is what I need to focus on, because balancing home and school is tough.  I don't feel like you can give 100% if your time is so split up.

Kade is the one that should be given a certificate.  He would go to work everyday, just to come home and be with the kids, while I hid in the bedroom with my books.  He is seriously so patient and hard working.  He puts his kids first, spends so much time with them, and because of this they will always know he loves them more then life.

Ignore the really yucky nose.  We were riding four-wheelers...and having a blast.  

May 2014 Update

I feel like I have totally fallen out of the digital/social world as of late.  Maybe because we just haven't been up to much...

I mean, I have been busy, we just haven't done anything exciting enough to writing about.  In the last week I have shot 2 weddings and so I have photos to edit up to my eyeballs.  Not to mention the one I have the Saturday after next.  I feel completely overwhelmed but it is a good thing, it is keeping me busy.


Finals are this week, and I am really nervous about my math final.  I am hoping for B's in both of these classes.  Finding time to drive down to class and do homework was near impossible with life this semester.  It was hard, I blame this mostly on me just wanting to be done with school....and the fact that I feel chronically fatigued.


I officially have signed up for a 5K, although I won't be in good enough shape to run it, I just need a goal to keep me active at this point.  Kade was going to do it with me, but the races are always on a Saturday and he has a hard time getting work off on Saturdays.  At this point I am trying to decide if I should take the kids or not...

 Our dog crazy Cora, who is the best walking buddy ever.  Don't you love my matching outfit??? ;)

I haven't run much since junior year of high school and I wanted to get back into it, but having kids has made this process harder on my body then I thought.  I also get discouraged because exercising was never this hard before, it makes me want to quit most days.  On the bright side Monteview always has pretty sunsets to look at, I wish my phone would cooperate so I could share a picture with you sometime.  By the time I get back home to a working camera the color isn't as impressive, here is the end of one....

Isn't God great?  Such amazing color, I love how pretty it is here.

I have gained some weight and I have had a hard time controlling how much I eat after I walk/workout (whatever you call it).  Easter was hard on me, I haven't been able to control the candy binges.  So, this month I am cutting out my sweets after dinner, or at least that is my goal for now.  Sweets after dinner is my weakness, I can go a whole day without thinking about sugar, until it gets dark.  I can have natural sugars like fruits, but no candy or ice cream for me.  May is going to be a long month.


My kids are growing and all looking healthy, Drake has been doing a screaming phase that makes your ears hurt. He discovered that he can make a really loud noise and just repeats.  Addyson, has been herself, ruling the roost. She is really into doing things her way, dressing herself, getting into the car, and it takes a LONG time and a lot of waiting on my part.

Sunday at G&G Kunz's

As for next time, I will catch us up on all of Kade's projects.  He has kept busy, and is excited for warmer weather.

Off In My Own World

There has been so much going on in everyday life, I feel like I am lost in my own world.  Between going to actual class, my church calling, my kids, my side job, I feel like I have no time to breath.

I started school on January 14th, I drive to Idaho Falls on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  These two classes are goals that are not offered online.  I am gone from home for about 6 hours each of those days and have homework.  Tuesdays are hard because I often have a YW presidency meeting at 5:30, so I am home for maybe a hour before I leave again.  On my days off I feel like I am struggling to get my homework done in time.  I am still going half time, no online classes this time around! I am burned out and am glad I saved the in class classes for last.  I am taking a physics class and a math class, both with quite a bit of homework. Both classes will be hard, but I think having an actual face to face teacher I will be okay.

I got news today that I if I pass my classes I will be able to graduate after this semester.  I had talked to a few advisers and today I was told by the guy in charge of my degree program that I have the green light to apply for graduation.  I am happy to say that 6 years after graduating high school I will finally have an associates degree (kinda embarrassing).   But it will be a good place to stop for now, I have real plans of going back once my kiddos are older and we will see where life takes us.

This last Saturday, I went to a bridal shower for one of my cousins.  I got a ride with my parents and sisters, Addyson came cuz she is a girl too.

Fall 2013

I am so glad the semester is over.  I never thought I would work so hard for a 1100 level class.  In the end, all I cared for was to pass.  I did get a better grade then expected, but I worked so hard, so it was still disappointing.  The biggest frustration was finals, I had to drive 2.5 hours to Pocatello.   He told us that our final was 75 multiple choice questions, worth 1/4 of our overall grade.  So, I studied for that final, but when it was given to me, it was 16 long answer questions.  I didn't study for that kind of a test and was frustrated and pretty depressed.  But it is done with and I can move on.

My dad told me the other day, "some classes you just have to survive", that was Philosophy a class I did my best to survive.  But at least I didn't get the C I thought I was going to get :)  

What is going on now.

Now it is back to real life

This week the 2 girls are back at my house to be babysat.  I am starting to read Dracula for class, which I never had the opportunity to read and I am hoping I like it. Although, I have only read the preface, I am already spooked.  As for Philosophy, my positive view is that I have less then 11 weeks left. :)  Err, the annoyance of that class is impossible to describe, but apparently I need to just do it.

This weekend I am shooting another wedding, and I hope my last for a while.  They stress me out :)  Then I am throwing a jewelry party on the 24th, and I am excited to do something new.  Although, I have a lot of cleaning before then, which is just the opportunity I need to get my butt in gear.

I have some pictures I want to share that are a bit random.  But they are recent so maybe not so random.

Addyson's curtains in her room are pink, it makes the whole room glow pink.

We picked up some kittens, we don't want mice invading our house this winter.  They are very kid friendly and the kids are both a bit mean.

You like the coat and skirt, without shoes?  Daddy dressed her, good thing it wasn't cold enough to need a coat.  

She is holding two, her favorite is to pick them up by just a leg or just their tail.  I feel so bad, I'm hoping they survive long enough to mice.

Kade working on his newest project.  Kinda getting cold for dirt bikes, I think he forgets where we live. :)

Drake at Target.  After we took of the fedora, and put it away, he kept yelling "MY HAT, MY HAT!" HAHA

Up close :)

The dog is afraid to come in the house, which is okay with me.  But she is also afraid to leave once she is in.  It is like the threshold of the house is hard or scary to step over.  We had a terrible wind storm, like shaking the whole house and blowing trampolines away.  Anyway, during the wind storm, Kade felt bad keeping her in her kennel, he was afraid something might blow and fall on it.  He was letting her roam those days, and once while the neighbors dogs were out,  I brought her in for a few minutes.  For a lab she is rather calm.  Drake kept riding her, all I had was my phone so quality was poor.  But he had the biggest smile on his face.  I just love how happy he is around animals.  

In case I haven't introduced the pup yet, this is Kora.  She is a full blown black lab, which is my personal favorite type of dogs for kiddos. We have had her for about 3 months I think.  Which would make her about 5 months old.  But I don't quite remember so don't blame me if the facts are wrong :)

She does great with the kids, but she is a little hyper at times.  When she gets excited the kids don't love her as much. 

These cats and dog are our only pets right now.  If I haven't explained where the other ones have gone, they either died of parvo, been kidnapped, or ran away.  It is no secret that dogs don't last around here.  But I'm hoping for good luck with at least Kora, who knows about the 4 cats. 

My busy September

I have been in school 6 weeks now, not that it feels that long.  I am taking two online classes, a Gothic literature class and Philosophy 101.  Both of these are required classes and they honestly are kicking my butt.  Before, now I have never been so intimidated by a class and a professor as my Philosophy class.  I work harder and longer on his assignments and I still don't come out as well as I hoped.  Basically, I am just hoping to pass this dang class.  We started with over 30 students and now we are down to 12.  So, I am not crazy.  Gothic literature on the other hand is going more smoothly then I originally thought.  There is a lot of reading, and they are scary books, so lots of nightmares hahaha.

Before third crop of hay started, I was watching 2 girls for about 50+ hours a week.  So, I was busy and behind on my house work.  YUP, boxes are still everywhere.  I was also doing school, but only able to work on it at night.  I had also done a few photo shoots I needed to edit.  I felt really exhausted and busy and knew it would get worse before it got better.

Then the long days of hay started and it rained randomly, I hoped to be done in a little over a week.  But it stretched into almost 3.  Had one flat tire this crop as well. The last week I caught a flu, like I have never had, and I was very sick for over 10 days.  The kids had it before me, but I didn't realize how yucky it really was.  Addyson had a diaper rash that wouldn't go away, we finally treated it with anti-fungal and it killed it dead.

swathing my backyard :)

This 3rd crop has been interesting.  Shyla watches the kids and the last two crops they would get upset when I left.  This time, they would run to the car when I told them where we were going.  They had so much fun playing with their cousins once spud harvest started.

Tomorrow Shyla and I are leaving for a conference in Utah, I am looking forward to some vacation time.

I'm Back!

We moved out of Craig and Patti's and into our wonderful, new, and little trailer home.  About 3 weeks ago, we moved and have not had internet since.  Honestly, I have gotten so much more around the house done, without internet.  But it has made going back to school a nightmare.  I have had to go and "borrow" peoples internet...what a pain for them and for me.  WE ARE BACK ON THE GRID. :)  I am back in school, back babysitting 50 hours a week, and back on the internet. I'm feeling a bit busy.

Our home is such a mess.  Because of its size, if we have any boxes in the room it is crowded.  Sadly, with other peoples kids at my house and homework up to my eyes I have had no time to unpack.  Our house looks the same as it did a week ago.  I will get there (eventually).  I am still decorating and painting and trying to finish my kitchen cabinet doors. Although, it is hard to work on your house and live in it, I am still glad to be in my own house again.

The last three weeks we have watched the movies Finding Nemo, Coraline, Hotel Transylvania, Puss in Boots, and Despicable Me a million times.  I am glad to have my Netflix again :)


Here is a little preview of what has been going on in my house "improvement" wise.

We finally have our living room drapes hung, it keeps the house a little cooler and more private.
I painted the kitchen and a wall in my bedroom.
I painted the cabinets in the laundry room, white.  I also painted the laundry room blue.
We hung out tv on the wall (we all know whats most important right).
We got our dishwasher, microwave, and garbage disposal installed (although the dishwasher still needs worked on).

I feel like I have done so much more, but I guess that is about everything.  I hope to have our front steps and mailbox put in within a few weeks.

Here are some pictures from my phone, when the house is more put together I will post better ones.

Laundry room, I haven't put the doors on the cabinets yet because I need new hardware for them.

Kitchen, the left wall was green...a yucky green.

The kitchen is officially YELLOW.

This was a side project.  My mom gave me a lamp and no offense I didn't love it.  It was free and I have seen a ton of these redone on pinterest.  So I gave it a shot.

..

A new lampshade and some spray paint.  I did it all silver first but hated it...so I put some black on it.  I think it turned out so cute. 

Lots of painting done, and a lot more projects to do.  I'm feeling like there is some hope for our little house.

Let Summer Begin!

This semester is done.  Honestly, I really enjoyed my classes.  A little after I started the semester I dropped from 3/4 time student to 1/2 time student.  After that I could handle my homework.  I know, I will never get done at this pace....  I wish I was super mom and all that, but honestly online classes kill me.  I don't get to go to class and listen, everything I learn has to come from me reading and trying to work it out in my head.  I would use my kids as excuses but there are so many mommies going to school full-time, I don't know how you do it.  I am not sure on my grades yet, I know for sure in Anthropology I got a solid A.  This class surprisingly was awesome.  I never thought I would be interested in learning about other peoples cultures...BUT I do.  All I can say is, even on my poorest day, I have food to eat, unlike much of the world.  It really made me realize a lot, mostly how blessed I am. My history of dance class was good, but nothing I was super interested in, but I needed it.  I think I got an A- possibly a B...but I am done and glad to be.

This summer, I have not much planned.  We have a lot of work to do, we are moving again and getting our new place ready.

I am working for Tony this year.  I am driving a swather...yeah it should be interesting.  But I will work 1 week every 5 or so weeks, 3 times.  It was really kind of him to give me a job, an am really nervous, but i am just a nervous person.  And bonus, I hope to not have to worry about baby sitters because Shyla and Kaitlynn said they would work it out.

I hope to walk/run a 5k in July.  Kade and I were training, but the wind and our stroller braking kinda stopped our progress. I use to be able to run that far without training, but I haven't run in 6ish years and havin babies killed my stamina.


I am still part-time watching kids...but when West Jefferson gets out of school it will only be random.  YAY.

I am at a record low with my weight (since kids).  I am down 31 pounds since starting weight loss.  I am now 162!  Feeling good, but wanting to fit into some of my old cloths again.

kids at G&G Kunz's exploring

Procrastinating again!

WARNING, LONG POST, FULL OF PICTURES AND UPDATES

I find when I am really dreading homework, instead of doing it I do everything else.  I mean everything, I even will clean my house!  I have not blogged for a while it feels like.  I am sure there are plenty of pictures or something I need to share.

I hate French class!  Not that it seems hard, it just seems pointless.  I have to take it, 2 semesters, and I feel like I have no reason too.  I don't want to learn it and for some reason I am fighting with it instead of submitting and just doing it.  

Believe me, I have plenty of homework to do, but I am not doing it right now....NOPE.

One way I have been procrastinating, is with my camera.  I got a very nice camera for my birthday.  I have been saving up for one for YEARS, and I finally got one!  I use it so much that it is always in my hand.  I have seen some wonderful silhouette pictures and decided I was going to do some.  

I am still working on it, I am never consistent, but the ones that have turned out make me smile.  AND I LOVE THEM, they may seem cheesy but I LOVE THEM.  Here are some I have done. The sunset is different every night, so they all look a little different.

First attempt, with Kade and Drake.  Love the color, but didn't think about the big puffy coat.

Yeah, Drake and Kade had fun.  While I was taking pictures and freaking out.  THAT IS TOO HIGH.

Second attempt, this time I used a tripod and joined my hubby.  He was being so silly I didn't get very good ones.  But I do love the purple and blue.

The third attempt there was only clouds.  No sunset :(  It also got too dark towards the end.

But the whole family participated along with our tripod.  :)  Lots of work but I love how some turned out.

FUN RIGHT!

It is hard when there is snow and it is cold and the babies don't want to hold still.  I had to think of all the ways we could hold them so they were distinct and part of the picture.

Now for some more pictures.

Drake in his uncle Jake's boots.  They were up to his butt HAHA.

Drake pulled everything out of the ottoman and decided to sit in it and watch tv.  Made me laugh.

We are pretty sure that our little Roxy is pregnant....we hope she survives, we are unsure of who the father is!

Drake sleeping with his semi truck. :)

Addyson was so pretty in her dress on Sunday.  I wish I had a better picture.

Drake playing marbles with Anne Marie.  I use to play this same marble game at my grandma Kunz's house as a kid.  

Drake is so full of it.  He dumped the bed on his tonka truck and he rides it around.  Not sure where he gets his ideas.

Addyson, was kissing her baby.  She loves babies.  She smiles at them, wants to kiss them, I didn't realize girls loved dolls so early on.  It took Drake 2 years to lean how to kiss,  but not this little flirt!

Addyson is such a good throw.  It seems as though both of my kids will be left handed.  Not for sure, but they both prefer their left hands...not sure where that came from.  I don't know very many left handed people.

Oh, and a pretty picture at the end. :)

I wanted to do silhouettes in front of this sunset, but Kade got home too late :(

LOOK AT MY BACKYARD VIEW!