Just not in the mood!

So, I haven't really been in the blogging mood lately! NOT that there isn't anything to blog about, maybe it is just my creative juices are all drained....I don't know!

But since I've started this post, I better finish it and finish it I will. :-)

This past weekend we did the rodeo concession at the High School Rodeo here in the DL. It was great fun, we didn't make a ton of money but the kids had a great time and the weather was beautiful!

T has been in track for the past month, he runs the 1miles, 800 meter, 400 meter and does the long jump too! He is doing great. He says he doesn't want to do track next year because it cuts into his making money time! Oh what a guy! Where did he come from! At his track meet last week, he took almost 20 seconds off of his mile time. I was so proud of him and thanks to Coach J for helping him out with his running strategies. He is not the fastest kid but man does he ever have heart! There are only 2 kids from DL that run the mile and the other kid wins all the races, so he calls him Ricky Bobby (from Talladaga Nights) and he calls himself Cal! I tell you what, the kids got a GREAT sense of humor.

E has been busy with Dance and softball now too. We never really slow down too much around here. She has her recital for dance in a couple weeks, can't wait to see what she has learned this year. She just started her season of machine pitch and she is a sure hitter just like her mom and brother. :-) Maybe I like softball so much because it was the only sport I was actually ever kind of good in. :-) I wanted to be good in sports, really I did.....just wasn't a huge priority...I guess. :-)

WE have the THREE little PIGS!

The kids both have their 4-H pigs and they are so cute. They are growing everyday. Why are little pigs so cute? T has one pig and E has two this year. This is her first year of actual 4-H and she loves it.

Since this is a completely random post...can I just add that I love working half days with my student and then subbing when I can. If you ever get the chance you should just work 1/2 days, it is GREAT! I am loving my "spring-time" schedule. Back to reality in June but I'll take this fun little work schedule while I can. :-)

Needless to say, life is good....busy as always. I look at our calendar and I wonder holy crap how can the summer be soooo busy. But we love it and we won't change a thing.

Already looking forward to going back "home" for the big Canada Celebrations on July 1st! Hm, craving a slurpee already. :-)

Here are some pics of the goings on around here.

Working T's cows.

E the head catch girl!

The Three Little PIGS

The crew giving shots and taggin'

E with the pigs!

Deep Thoughts....

On Saturday I will graduate with my Masters in Education, an adventure I began about 2 years ago. At times it seems like that was a long time ago but at others it seems just like yesterday. Regardless, what a relief...I can't believe I actually made it through and will soon be a certified teacher in Montana. Let me just say how empowering that sounds! Oh the "power" of education! I always knew I wanted to get a Master's Degree, when I was finished with my BS degree I was just so relieved to be done and couldn't even think of school. Then we moved to DL, life happens, things change and new opportunities came my way. I absolutely love being at the school and knew after being there for a few months that education was where I wanted to spend the rest of my working days! :-)

Wow! One goal completed......what will I cross off my "bucket list" next?

Keep dreamin', hopin' and prayin'.......you just never know what opportunity will cross your path.

Never give up on your dreams!

BIG E and her play

A couple weeks ago (I wonder why I am even blogging about this....seems like ancient history)! E was in a Missoula Childrens Theatre Play called King Arthur's Quest. She had a blast and just loves every minute of it! She was the Blue Squire and did a great job. Here are some pictures of her in her glory!

I remember the days of Good Ole' Raytown Playhouse Theatre, brings back many fond memories. I hope if she continues to enjoy theatre that she can be involved! It is fun watching her.

I'll finish this post with a good story. The other morning we were driving to school and she saw this METH billboard that said something about a Prostitute. So she asks me as we were driving by, "Mom, what is a prostitute". So I matter-of-factly told her, "it is someone that sells themselves for sex". She immediately pointed out all the cars that were in the parking lot at the GK Ranch. I had to laugh at how quickly she changed the subject!!! :-) Kids, they make me laugh everyday.

E the Blue Squire

The cast of Squires and Knights

E - in the role!

What's Happening Here........

In the past few weeks we have busy as usual.

On April 16th, one of T's cows had twins! It was very exciting. Here is the short version...D got home around 3-3:30 in the afernoon and noticed that the cow was calving and he knew we had a very busy night/weekend ahead of us, so he decided just to pull that calf.....T and I got home about 4:30pm and so T went out to check on her and noticed she had another sack coming out. He called D and said I think she is having another calf...Dave was like NO way it is just her afterbirth. So T called Gramma B and asked her to come check it out. So B came out and checked, she thought it was afterbirth too. Meanwhile, I'm running across the valley to get his friend to come hang out with him, while I go do a Scentsy show and T calls to say she had another calf. He was there and saw the whole thing....he was so excited. She had a red bull calf and a black heifer calf. They are just so cute. Then about 5 days later on of his other cows had a black bull calf. I just love this time of year and seeing all the baby calves!

Here a few pictures of the babies.

Red Bull Calf and Black Heifer Calf

E with Bull Calf

E and D with the calves

The twin calves

Happy Easter and a trip to Canada!

Holy smokes, I haven't blogged forever. It is NOT like nothing has happened, we have been busy with kids, work, sports, and well just living! But I just never could get into blogging!

This past weekend, we had a great trip back to Canada to see the family and spend Easter up there. It was a great time. All of my mom's grandkids were there and we even got professional pictures done of all of them. They are all growing up way too quickly and are so cute and handsome and pretty and stinky and definitely kids! But I love them none the less!

We had so much fun while we were there. The kids had an egg hunt, a pinata, had slurpee after slurpee and just got to play with one another!

D and I even got to go on a double date with my bestest cousin D & her husband R. It was so awesome, adult conversation, a nice restaurant .......pure enjoyment!

I think I ate everything in sight this weekend. My mom is a wonderful cook, make roast beef and ribs for us. My sister H, made homemade pizza, J&J brought heartattack bars and homemade chocolate cupcakes! YUMMMM. Plus all those mini eggs.......how could I resist. My grandma holt and her sisters always make/made hot cross buns. So we went over to cousin J's and had us a few. OM, they were delicious! Thanks COUSIN for sharing!!!

I have a few pics of the nieces and nephews. Aren't they just the cutest.

Love you!

All of the grandkids!

a & q

A & E

The vowels, I, E, A&A

A, Q, I & T

some of our favorite easter traditions have been going on egg hunts, and of course rolling easter eggs at the coulee's. Sadly this year was just way too cold and windy and we didn't brave the elements. NO egg rolling for this crew but the kids had a great time dying easter eggs. I think between Aunt H and Gramma B they dyed almost 100 eggs! Aunt H set-up an egg hunt...HOLY candy! And they got to whack at a pinata too.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Since we spent the weekend in Canada, I made us our very own ham dinner last night. It was delicious. I made ham, funeral potatoes, rolls, corn and a green salad. I made creme pies to go along with the easter theme! Yum, yum, yum!

Hope you all had a a GREAT EASTER, I know I did.

Great food

GrEaT company

and a GREAT time

100th Post

This is my 100th Post....why NOT celebrate with my latest accomplishment. I am now officially in the Half CLUB! What the HALF club you ask?

I ran my first Half Marathon this past weekend in Seeley Lake Montana. It is a race that is always ran on the last Saturday of February. If you are familiar with Montana at all, that could be very scary. BUT the weather was amazing, in fact it was unseasonably WARM! I ran in a running sweat shirt, under armour shirt and I was roasting. It was an amazing setting, the course is around Seeley Lake, it was beautiful. To summarize the day in one word...it was amazing!

I wanted to (one could say my goal) was to run the race in 2 hours....and I almost did it. I ran it in 2:09:07. I was so please with myself. I totally have the running bug and can't wait to run another one. If you ever have a desire to run one, I have the most amazing training schedule. I am not a runner and still don't consider myself a "runner". I'm just a 30-something mom, professional, wife and lady....that needs another hobby. :-) Once you have experienced the thrill of finishing a race whether it be 3k, 5k, 10k or Half------you just have the "bug".......it is some kind-a thrill. Maybe I'm an adrenaline junky that is just too chicken to jump out of planes or from high buildings. :-)

Can't think of anything better I would like to write about than becoming part of the Half club.......for the 100th post.
Enjoy and enjoy the pics.......remember I just 13.1 miles

Dave & Candice - post race

Brother & sister - Aerie & Stacey!

The Deer Lodge Crew (part of them, Teresa & Karen are missing)
Dave, Candice, Stacey and Aerie

Candice & Stacey (I love this lady)!

Another shot of us......superstar girls!

Karen & I = I am so proud of her!

Karen - just crossed the finish line!

Mrs. Miller

For the past 6 weeks (approximately), I have been student teaching in a kindergarten classroom here in the D.L. It is fantastic and has been a wonderful experience so far. The children are wild and are a lively bunch most days but here are a few reasons why I LOVE teaching in Kindergarten.

• They tell me on a regular basis how beautiful I am. I don't care if they are 5, or 6 or almost 7.....they think I am beautiful! :-)
• When I tell them how smart they are and how great they are going to do in 1st grade, they turn to their neighbor and say...."I'm going to miss Kindergarten". I LOVE it!
• I love being sneezed on, coughed on and bled on. I have seen more buggers, snot and blood than I have in a long time....and yes I DO have 2 children! That says alot!
• I love how they listen and watch in anticipation as I read a story.....even what sometimes seems like the dumbest story ever! :-)
• I sing all day long and they listen, maybe in wonder but I sing goofy songs all day long and they LISTEN! :-)
  
• I get hugs all day long, even if I've just scolded them! Children are so forgiving, which is the way it should be......
• But most of all I love seeing their faces as you compliment them on their work or as they work so hard on reading or writing.

Truly nothing beats teaching children, what a wonderful experience!