Gotta love baby chicks

I forgot to mention in my last few posts we have some new members of the family.....Baby chicks. Ok they are not really BABIES anymore, more like teenagers. Just what I need 12 more teenagers. Seriously tho they can be moody and a little snappy sometimes.
Early this year we decided we wanted to get some chickens. Not boiler chickens as we dont plan on eating them, just the eggs. We purchased 6 white leghorns and 6 brown sexlinks. The names of the chickens available "cracked" me up. But it is what it is. They are just a few weeks away from laying their first eggs.
Ron built the chicken coop and my gosh it turned out nice. The girls wanted him to just build them another coop cuz they had settled in while the babies were still in the brooding box and wanted to use it as a playhouse.

Here comes the bride and a bit of sadness

Well its official, my sister is a married woman. She and Rickie have been together for nearly 8 years, and have 2 sons together. I would say its about time, huh? It was a quiet (relatively speaking considering there was Holli and Rickies 7 , Erics 2 and my 2 kids involved) The day was beatiful and so was my sister. I didnt get pics of anything but us at the courthouse but they still turned out cute.
The same week my uncle Gus Hoover died. He was my mothers oldest brother. He had survived a long battle with brain cancer and was a year clear, when they found the cancer had spread to his bones. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

Summer starts early around here

The girls (and admittedly myself) have a serious case of SUMMER FEVER! The weather has been more than great! School is almost over, in fact Amaris graduates from kindergarten this week. Her offical last day is Wednesday. She will go to school Thursday but only for the award ceremony and a little reception afterwards. She has asked Dad to make her favotire chocolate chip banana muffins to share with everyone at the reception. He of course said yes.
We have the garden completely planted and all the starts and seeds are thriving. This year we have 2 kinds of cucumber, broccoli, califlower, early and late green cabbage, brussel sprouts, 6 varieties of tomato, radish, pole and bush beans, corn, potatoes, pumpkins and a sunflower garden.
We wanted to be able to afford a pool this year, since we bought the trampoline last summer there is a new toy needed to keep the girls busy durning the summer. Because Ron has been out of work since his leg injury we just knew the money would be tight so thought a $400 investment on a outdoor toy would be out of the question. Well I am a loyal craigslist reader and just happen to stumble across an older couple in Sedro Woolley who were selling everything needed for a summer of pool fun for only $60 bucks. This included everything from a 18x42 pool, ground cover, security cover, ladder, 4 huge blow up floats, and about $80 dollars worth of chemicals and filters to keep the pool in perfect running order all summer. Seems their teenage kids decided after just one summer a full size in ground pool was in order so their trash was our families treasure! We have it set up and oh my it has gotten so much use in just this week than I thought it would. The girls came home from school everyday last week and jumped in their swim suits! We had out of town guests this weekend and at one point we had 5 teenage girls and 3 kids under 7 in there at one time. Enjoy some of the first pics I took of the girls enjoying themselves

spring sports 09

Well spring soccer season has quickly come to an end. Amaris did very well her 2nd season she is quickly becoming an all star player. The team is young enough that the goals don't really matter much, unless of course you ask the kids. They know exactly how many goals they made. Madeliene seemed to enjoy herself as well. She ended up getting mono in the middle of the season so she missed 4 practices and 2 games. She is considering trying out for volleyball this fall and maybe taking a break from soccer. She was actively involved in her schools drill team and really enjoyed herself. They took 1st place in the Ski to Sea parade.

Its a new year, we have new dreams!

Happy New Year! My resolution is to not make a resolution but rather focus on the goals I hoped to achieve last year but was focused more on school and the health of Ron. Speaking of which, he has been released to go back to work part-time and light duty. He is doing physical therapy to strengthen his muscles and his leg. While you sit for 5 months something happens to your body. Can you imagine?!?!?!
I will be going back to school in the spring, hopefully by then Ron will be fully recovered and busy with his catering stuff. I would like to start a water aerobics class to get into shape, anyone want to join me? I hate to do those things alone and think thats one of the reasons I dont stay commited or even start. Its nice to have a friend there to encourage you and give words of praise.
The girls have been busy. Madeliene started color guard and Amaris is doing mini cheer camp. Madeliene did it when she was in elementary school and really enjoyed it, as I am sure Amaris will as well.
Today the U.S swore in the 44th president and made history. As I watch the Inauguration I was inspired by his hope for our country but am still so worried, he has certainly got his work cut out for him huh?
We are preparing our list of seeds to order for the garden this spring, I cant wait to plant again. There is a few things I will change and a few more veggies I would like to add. Anyone want to put in a request? :)

Happy Holidays

WOW Christmas went fast, eh? The snow came fast and time went faster. We had a lovely 21 inches of snow at our house not to mention the 4 ft snow drifts from the wind. It trapped us and we were unable to join the rest of the family for Christmas celebrations on Christmas eve. We were all very disappointed but it just wasnt possible. We stayed home safe and warm, made cookies for Santa and just enjoyed each other company (after the tears stopped)

Christmas day we had a great time, my sister and brothers family suprised us with a visit. They all have big vehicles so they made it thru the snow without trouble till they got to our driveway. OH MAN!

Our neighbor brought out his bobcat and plowed our driveway well enough that would could finally get out. (we were seriously out of things like milk and bread.

We have a lot to be thankful for this season. Ron is nearly recovered and has been given the ok to return to work! He will start out part time and I know he is looking forward to getting out. I cant image what it has been like for him.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Being thankful

Hello Everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, we certainly did. While fixing dinner for Ron's family this year I had time to reflect and remind myself we have much to be thankful for. Things have been rough and we continue to struggle with health issues and everyday worries we also have to count our blessings. Family, friends, talented doctors, medication and the grace of God.

There has been many times in the last 4 months that I have questioned the reason this is happening to us. I have decided that the answer is "why not us?" It could be worse and it seems as though our prayers have been answered. Ron continues to improve everyday. He still struggles with pain and swelling. His PIC line came out on Thanksgiving morning. (We joked that the option care nurses just work on holidays so they can make the rounds on yummy food all over the county) The IV antibiotics worked and his wounds have all healed over and are scabs now. (gross I know) He is now using an air cast to help stabilize his foot while walking, in the hopes that the limping will subside and he has more support. His blood sugars have been under control and he dropped his A1C (that's an average blood sugar test for a 6 week period) from a 14 back in August to a 7 just last week. AMAZING!

The girls have both been sick and are currently on antibiotics, steroids, and breathing treatments. When they get a basic cold it goes straight to the lungs and flares up their asthma. Amaris has missed 3 days of school and Madeliene missed 5. Both seem to be on the mend now after battling it for almost 3 weeks. The doctors want them both on a preventive medication for the winter and made sure they both had their flu shots.

Ron's mom is in the hospital after having shoulder replacement surgery. She did very well and is expected to come home tomorrow or Friday. Ron's brother Randy and I have made a deal that he will supply the food and I will make the meals so they don't have to worry about cooking. I know that it was a huge concern for her that she wouldn't be able to fix Richard meals for a week or so after she gets out of the hospital. Its not much trouble to just fix a little extra and send it on down the road. They have helped out so much in the last 4 months its my pleasure to return the favor.

My mom is selling her house and has decided not to decorate her place for the holidays so she has donated her Christmas decorations to us. We had lived in an apartment for 9 years and never had the opportunity to decorate outside so it has been fun for us all to put up lights (yes that means me on a ladder) and I even put garland around the poles on the porch. We have an artificial tree and we put that up last night. I even got my scrap booking/stamping stuff out and made Christmas cards.

Have a great week!