A Day of Memories. . .

Alright so it started back in September of 1997. We met on a blind date. That blind date was amazing! I didn't think so at the time, I thought Big Daddy was the typical guy trying to impress me. He apparently did impress me because I called him next and asked him to go to devotional with me on Tuesday. He said he normally watched the devotional in the theater arts building and so that's where we went. We saw each other everyday from that point on.

On October 19th, Big Daddy proposed. Surprised me and I surprised him too letting him know I needing to think about it. I said yes the same day, later in the evening. I already knew I wanted to marry him. We were engaged and started planning our wedding date and all the other fun stuff that goes along with getting married. We rented our first apartment by putting a deposit in on it in February and holding it by paying "most" of the rent on it every month for the landlord to hold it for us since we loved it compared to everything else out there. I'm telling you our friends all hung out at our place because it was roomy and didn't have pigeons living in it with us. Oh, and, the bathroom was not IN the kitchen.

Big Daddy had a goal not to kiss until he could kiss his wife. So, not really fond of this idea, I tried with all my might to sway him away from his goal. I really did try! But, he when he has a goal he is trying to attain, he reaches it. So, that's right we didn't kiss until. . .

May 15, 1998 over the altar.


On our wedding day, we walked over to Wendy's, we weren't hungry - just thirsty from all the kissing we had to do to make up for lost time, and we both ordered BIGGIE Pink Lemonades. So, in honor of our wedding day, we always have gone to Wendy's and gotten pink lemonades to celebrate. A couple of years ago, Wendy's stopped carrying their pink lemonade. So, now we make our own. So today, I made pink lemonade. I didn't have enough to make TWO BIGGIE pink lemonades so I made one pink and one blue raspberry lemonade. That's our two glasses we typically use. D-for Dad and M-Mom. Big Daddy even called today and asked if we could make a date for some lemonade. I love that man!
So, here we are today. . . a portion of our journey together completed and lots of years ahead of us. This is our first anniversary apart. Lucky 13! Seeing how we have been in the military for almost 10 years, we do consider ourselves lucky.

I'm so happy with the choice I made those many years ago to marry Big Daddy. He brings a smile to my face, still makes my heart flutter and holding his hand is still one of my FAVORITE things to do!

Sweetheart, Happy Anniversary! I love you!

Wk 1 and a Few Confessions

• We survived the first week of Big Daddy's current deployment. Here are a few of the highlights. . .

Picture Credit

• 
  
  So, as you can see from the picture above, I think I might be the one who leaves the toilet paper roll empty. Sorry, Big Daddy, I have blamed you plenty in the past.


• 
  
  Miss Priss announced proudly as we were leaving the airport: "If Daddy dies, we will be fine." She was very matter of fact about it and wasn't upset at all.


• 
  
  Things that have broken this week: the master bathroom sink stopper, Big Daddy's drivers window won't go down, and the second scrubbing bubbles automatic shower sprayer (I keep killing them - not sure how but if it makes a sound like an elephant trumpeting underwater, it will stop working in less than 48 hours)


• 
  
  We have had one adult chicken die. Not sure why. . . Three of the 6 baby chicks we transfered over to the big coop also died - I'm sure that was the pecking order.


• 
  
  The roof on the house is finished! Yay!! I about went bonkers with all the pounding. Now the only thing left is to paint the rest of the vents.


• 
  
  I officially joined the gym and have had good sore muscles and I'm liking it. I still prefer my old gym but distance makes it impossible to go.


• 
  
  I've opened Big Daddy's deodorant and smelled it twice. I miss his smell. Not the Ooh, honey I just got done working out give me a big ol' hug smell but his nice clean smell.


• 
  
  Made a great recipe for dinner this past week : Mango Chicken Rice it was super yummy and a keeper recipe for our family


• 
  
  Diva got her progress report and all looks good 6 A's and a B


• 
  
  Cowgirl has a for sure contagious laugh. She starts to giggle and in no time others have joined in.


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  I've enjoyed a few solid cadbury chocolate eggs with the pastel coating on them. Thank you Walgreens for marking down the individual packs in your after Easter sale to $0.18 each. I'm praying the 5 bags I bought last a while (remember they are tiny bags). I do love chocolate!


• 
  
  On Sunday, we played a game in senior primary where we sang some opera and silly monster voices. I LOVE singing opera style and the kids love it too. My silly monster voice was a ridiculously high squeaky voice and the kids were laughing so hard. I do enjoy my calling!


• 
  
  Drama Queen was wanting to test out the Lord by asking Him multiple times the same question hoping He would change his answer for her. She has since talked to me and says she doesn't think it would be a good idea to test the Lord like Joseph did when Martin Harris wanted to take the 116 pages of translated materials. Thank goodness the girl must have thought about it on her own.


• 
  
  I've slept with all the lights out! That's a biggie for me.

Spring Family Pics

Big Daddy & Little Mama

Kissing! Love Miss Priss' face. Climbing trees makes taking pics more fun!

Family. . . isn't it about time.

A big BIG thanks to Dee Miller for being our photographer!

Please Tell Me This Happens To You Too. . .

I spent the day at home today waiting for Big Daddy's new shed/workshop to arrive but that didn't happen - the truck broke down so we are supposed to be the first delivery in the morning. Yay!



It's pretty cold here today. I think it might have gotten up to 38 degrees. Pretty chilly if I do say so myself.



I wandered out to check the mail and should have grabbed a sweater or a jacket but I didn't. I was moving quickly but became very curious about something in one of our burn piles. You take a look. . . (it's a bit yucky so you are warned)



What do you think that is?? I think it's a cows spine, that's what Big Daddy thinks too. Some dog must have drug it into our yard (Patch of Heaven). Seriously gross, huh?! The funniest part is when I showed the girls, Drama Queen was facinated and wanted to be the one to show everyone else. I headed back in to the warmth of the house and let her share the discovery. I was only able to observe through the window but you would have thought all the girls lost a long time family pet. The looks on their faces were so sad - guess that's life in the country - you never know what the dog will drag home (even if it isn't your dog). . .

Just One Good One. . .

Nana Banana was nice enough to offer to take a family portrait for us in front of the tree on Christmas Eve. It's always fun to do family pictures. We say off the wall comments just to make us smile. One of our favorites is "Daddy wears pantyhose." (don't worry Big Daddy would never do that) Another way to get us going is to do a little fanny pinching and squeezing.

One of the first shots. Notice Miss Priss is spinning around to find out WHO touched her. Cowgirl is protecting her backside. Big Daddy is checking to see if his aim is right and Little Mama is protecting her backside too.

Now it's Drama Queen's turn to mix it up and do a famous dance move trying to squirm away from fanny pinches. Miss Priss is protecting her assets. Diva is making sure she can be seen while Cowgirl obviously has her hand covering her hiney.

Great smiles in this one. Cowgirl caught her attacker! Miss Priss is tired of smiling and protecting her hind-end. Drama Queen's face is saying, "Enough Already!"

Finally, a good shot. . . for the most part!

Couldn't skip putting one if of just the girls. They are all so beautiful and full of energy. Such a delight to have kids at Christmas time.

We Made Them Look!

Don't you just love Miss Priss's slumped shoulders??

Big Daddy's Hat

Being able to snag this picture the other day after Big Daddy got home from work was wonderful. I'm glad he is home. He came home early and surprised me for my birthday. I'm so thankful he is here for the holidays!

Thanksgiving Alien

Miss Priss came home from school on Monday wearing this new "hat." She quickly and proudly announced she was an "Alien." I'm sure she had rehearsed in her head several times exactly what she would say when she burst through the front door. I laughed, Big Daddy laughed and so did Miss Priss when she realized she was trying to tell us she was an Indian.

My Baby is Tri-Lingual

Yes! You heard it first here. Miss Priss is Tri-Lingual. Guess she follows in Big Daddy's footsteps.

We were sitting at the doctors office yesterday and she looks at me and says, "I know how to clap in Spanish." I smile and say, "Oh, you do?" She proceeds to hold up both her hands and shakes them twisting at the wrist - making no noise at all. She's beaming! I tell her, "That's how you clap in sign language." "Oh, then I know how to clap in Spanish too," she says. She then claps her hands. "Mom, I'm smart." "Yes, Miss Priss you are." Now, I am smiling ear to ear because this is just too funny. I couldn't pop her bubble! She was quite proud of herself.

Big Daddy & Ship Food

I'm not talking cruise liner food with grand buffets and endless options. Big Daddy has said the food is ok on the ship he's on but that he's tired of it. It's the same old same old, day after day.

Drama Queen had the opprotunity to learn about the skeletal system the week of halloween. She came home from school with this elaborate cut out. Since we hadn't decorated for the holiday, we wanted to post it. This is what we did.

We hope Big Daddy hasn't gotten THIS thin.

We love you and miss you!

Christmas Wishes

They are just wishes, right?


Miss Priss's Christmas Wish List:

• Toy Puppy



• 2 front teeth or maybe some of these



• Nursery play set



• Unicorn Pillow Pet



• Zebra Zhu Zhu Pet



• Fun Keychain with keys wants to clip it to her bag



• Frisbee



• Teeter Totter - Big Daddy and I are willing to build this



• 3 Barbies



• Barbie Accessories

Drama Queen's Christmas Wish List:

• Locket



• 2 Barbies



• Charm Bracelet



• Doll House



• Lots of Play Money - some of these and these and don't forget this too



• Razor Scooter



• Mighty Beanz



• Purse



• Play Cell Phone (not that she doesn't already have several)



• Puppy Pillow Pet

Cowgirl's Christmas Wish List

• laptop computer



• One of these



• Cell phone (she has to share with Drama Queen and wants her own)



• Big Digital Camera



• Zhu Zhu Pet - Stinker



• Digital picture frame



• RC Pet



• Baby doll


• Wood Carving Kit


• Volleyball Set
  

Diva's Christmas Wish List:

• Make-up (she's only wearing lip stuff so far)


• CD's - this & this & this


• Lots of Gel and Glitter Pens


• Dangle Earrings - (if you can find sets with three earings this would be awesome since she loses only one earring regularly)


• More of these


• Oragami Paper & Book


• I-pod Green Please


• Flatscreen TV


• Wii Games she really wants this one


• Curling Iron or curlers

Big Daddy's Christmas Wish List:

• Flatscreen TV - The biggest one there is


• Blue Ray Player


• Tractor with shredder and discs


• 16-18 inch Chainsaw


• Power tools like this it's what he REALLY wants or this too


• Wii Games for the Family (4 players please) like this


• Storage Building


• One of these for the whole family


• Guarana the drink not the supplement


• Nativity - unique not ugly
  

Little Mama's Christmas Wish List:

• 20 pallets of this


• A Gator


• Laptop Computer


• One of these


• 6qt Kitchenaid Mixer - mine needs some serious repairs I've used it to death


• Peafowl


• Subscription to this, this, or this


• Cricut Machine


• Egg scale or Egg Basket size medium please


• A Gift Card Here

Amazing!

The past two nights this has been amazing! What's even better? Knowing that Big Daddy sees the same moon I do.
♥Love you Big Daddy♥

Big Daddy's Adventures

At times, Big Daddy has to travel for work. Don't worry, I told them to act sad for this picture. When he does travel, he packs this giant bag. Each of the girls gave it an honest try to see if they could carry it. It made for some great laughs right before Bid Daddy had to leave.Drama Queen pulling with all her might! She's a tough one, got it to budge just enough to knock her over.

Pretty much Drama Queen looked just like her big sister, Diva, does in this one.

Cowgirl gave all she had and didn't get it to move an inch.

Miss priss tried and basically knocked the bag over so I staged this photo. The bag is bigger than her and for sure weighs at least double what she does.

So, how many of Big Daddy's girls does it take to lift this giant bag???

All 4!

I love Cowgirls face, looks like she's the only one trying.

This is our countdown chart. One globe per day of travel. It's in the hall where everyone can see it all the time. The girls can say and kiss their Big Daddy goodnight every evening on their way to bed.

This time, he's gonna have fun and keeps telling everyone his work is sending him on a cruise for his birthday. We sure are gonna miss him.

It's Pretty Quiet Around Here

School is back in session. The girls all went back to school last week and I have been taking it easy. Super easy! I watched a movie almost everyday last week without interuption and without the hundreds of questions that always happen when it's a new movie. Why don't kids understand that if it's a new movie, I don't have answers either since I've never seen it? But I digress. . . Here's Miss Priss sporting her sassy little attitude that is sure to win her lots of new friends. She was super excited to be heading back to school. She did come home disappointed that her teacher doesn't sing with her. She let me know everyday that there was no singing. Her kinder teacher used music a lot in class and the kids loved it. Miss Priss has settled in well and will have her first night of homework tonight.

Drama Queen is cute as a bug with that little pixie cut hairdo. She sports it so well! Drama Queen was looking forward to school too. She loves to show people how smart she is and man alive is this one too smart sometimes. She has enjoyed school so far and is making new friends everyday. She loves that she has PE everyday. I like that too!

Cowgirl is the shyest of all of my kidlets. Don't let it fool you, she has made several friends this year already that sound like that are great kids too. Cowgirl is loving the big life of having more than one teacher this year. She's in art for right now and that is a perfect match for her. She's quite creative and very detailed oriented when she wants to be. Oh, and check out those cute little glasses too. Cowgirl started wearing them about a month ago and they look stinkin' cute on her!

Diva is growing up too fast at times. She's developing into such a beautiful young lady. She's a social little butterfly and gets to know everyone. She's a smartypants too and is in the pre-AP classes again this year. She loves a challenge. She is in choir and horticulture this year. She loves to sing (just like her mama) and she has found the horticulture class very interesting so far.

Here's the obligitory picture of all the kidlets on the first day of school. They are sitting on one of the benches Big Daddy and I made this summer. Can you believe how big these girls are all getting?!

. . . and. . . they're off. . . One happy Little Mama and one very quiet house everyday. . . love it!

What we did this summer

Hello all this is Big Daddy. I thought I'd take this chance and up date you on a few of the projects we completed this summer. As many may remember we built the hope coop in the Spring well as the chickens got older we needed to build a nesting box so that they would have a place to lay eggs. So afters some reserch and planning we built this Nesting Condo for them they really seem to like it and the hens that are laying have adapeted to it really well.


One of the next projects was to build some outdoor seating. We finally settled on two separate designs. One for the Patio and one to place through out the yard. Below HOT MAMA (i mean little Mama) models the patio chair we built. I don't have photos of yard ones but we like them to.

Next on our list of things to do was a swing set for the girls. Again planning and research led us to this hefty design that should last many generations to come and if we ever don't need swings we can replace them with a "porch" swing.

And last but not least is our never ending project THE YARD it is looking a whole lot better and we have only had a few minor incedents, including my getting stung by two wasps and my hand swelling up like a balloon resulting in a trip to the ER. I was told that it was just a bad reaction and not an allergy (as of yet).

Well that covers our major projects over the summer, I am sure I may have missed one or two but those are the big ones so until I grace the blog again, good-bye

Tortoise & Tye Dye

I've got to do some catching up with the blog. School starts in two weeks and then, maybe then I will have the time to get back to my daily blogging.

Last Tuesday, while Miss Priss was eating her breakfast, she came running into the living room to inform me there was a turtle out on the lawn. I was surprised to see him/her as we've never seen one near our Patch of Heaven. Apparently he/she is a native tortoise and likes to eat prickly pear. We have plenty of that out here on the property so I'm sure he/she was just looking for a tasty treat. We held on to our tortoise for the day so Big Daddy could see him/her. We set up a nice little box with pine shavings, water, a carrot, some grapes and some lettuce. We named our tortoise, Valentine. We painted a nice heart on Valentines back so if he/she wants to come back to visit, we will know who it is. Drama Queen walked Valentine out to the edge of the property and set him/her free. We've not seen Valentine again but we do hope someday to have our special visitor return.

Last Tuesday we also Tye Dyed a bunch of shirts. I should have worn the gloves included in the kit. I was many shades of various colors and had to deal with that for several days. All of you who really know me, Little Mama, know I have issues with dirty hands. Here is the results of just a couple of the shirts we made.

This Didn't Work

Why are there timers on cameras? When Bapa was visiting this last week, we went out to do some pictures. This is the result of the 10 second timer on my camera. I love my tripod, it's great! The timer part, we'll have to work on that. Imagine what we would have gotten if I used the 3 second timer! More posts about this past week will follow.