Tis' the Season

I don't know if anyone else had this problem with Santa, but he was a slob and tracked snow in our house, then I got to clean it up!! I thought he knew better. Merry Christmas.

You can tell by the look on Kinsley's face that we had a rough Christmas Eve, I'll get to that later.

Here she is later feeding her new baby in her new high chair.

Ryder's new PJ's and cowboy boots!

So we had a great Christmas........, kind of. We did, we had a good one, the health fairy just wasn't on our side. Kinsley woke up from her nap on Christmas Eve with a high fever, Tylenol and TLC and we started the Eve festivities. By midnite she was really sick and I was on my way to Urgent Care in Idaho Falls for a double ear infection diagnosis, then we were off to Walgreens for their 24 hour pharmacy and antibiotics. We got home around 2:30 am and no one slept (except Ryder) for the rest of the night, so the three of us had a long Christmas day. We had fun, but were super tired. Kinsley is now feeling a little better. But Ryder was at Urgent Care on Friday for his ears, throat and sinuses, more antibiotics! Then Wade started getting sick Friday night and has been very sick for the last two days. I am just praying that it doesn't get to me. It has been a long week and am looking forward to getting back into our routine and back on track.

We also have to ask all of you to keep Wade's Grandma Janet in your thoughts. She is very sick and has a long recovery ahead of her, we hope she gets feeling better real soon.

We also have a good friend that is seriously ill and in the hospital in Salt Lake. He is now going to get a pacemaker and that will hopefully help him. He and his family are in our thoughts.

A couple posts ago I put out information about the Idaho Food Bank. I am still urging everyone to donate money or time, they need both. And I want to thank my good friend from Kuna for commenting and sharing her Food Bank experience, I love hearing your thoughts. I appreciate all the feedback, it makes this a lot more fun.

So 2013 is coming to a close and I have been thinking about it alot lately. (I've had a lot of time since I have been sitting on the couch with sick kids for 6 days!) There have been many good times this year, but I do hope that 2014's good times are just as great, if not even better. I think we should all name the top 13 highlights of 2013. Keep in mind that the word "highlight" has different meanings for each of us, and to narrow the year down to 13 moments is ridiculous, but I am going to give it a heck of a try:
1. Our 2nd nephew joined the Christiansen crew
2. Ryder rode a horse by himself for the first time
3. Kinsley walked for the first time
4. Wade and I got to ride with Ryder by himself for the first time
5. We went on a great family vacation
6. We have a great family
7. Remission
8. Hugs
9. A new addition to our home to make the "living" area more user friendly
10. We lived through the addition
11. Our jobs
12. Kinsley's 1st Birthday
13. I am going to call this one Etc. because I really can't narrow it to 13, it's impossible

Take the time to cherish the moments in your life. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so we have to make the most of today. 2014 has already posed big challenges for our family, but we are going to buckle down and take them head on. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Resolutions? I haven't decided if I will make any this year. There are some that I really I need to make, but I still haven't decided. A friend of mine said that I should make some goals for myself personally instead of making them for me professionally. I hadn't thought about that, but I think it is very important. I am going to give myself the 30th & 31st to make some decisions and then I am really going to implement the changes/goals however small they may be and work on them. If I don't talk to you before, please have a safe and happy New Year.

Ready or not, here comes 2014, make the best of it and let it make the best of you.

Goal: Practice (or at Least do Better) at What You Preach

What a princess. Love this little girl. This was the happiest she was all stinking day.

It took a lot today to get these two in the same vacinity at the same time. We were going to see Santa today. I sure hope he wasn't watching Kinsley's behavior today.

Here we were riding the stool, hey whatever works to get a good smile and a happy memory.



What a handsome dude. Love this guy.



This is where Kinsley should have been today - JAIL!

I have a plaque that sits on my computer desk at home that I will always and forever remember sitting at Granny's house. It says:

"Do it Tomorrow - You've Made Enough Mistakes Today"

There is so much truth to this, both professionally and personally. I think we all have a tendency to blow things out of proportion, it's human nature. Shame on us. Something to think about: Is a grudge necessary, is it reasonable, is it stupid, how would you feel if the person you hold a grudge against was gone tomorrow? The answers to these, if you are truthful to yourself are probably: NO, NO, YES, and TERRIBLE.
Just think about it.

In my post a couple days ago I also urged everyone to donate to your local food bank. Well after researching it a little more I found that you can specify what area of Idaho (or any state probably) that you would like your money to support, so for me I would like my money to support East Idaho AND you can also set up an automatic payment monthly to take directly from your checking. Let's do the math one more time: $10/month = 30 meals, so $120/year ($10/month) = 360 meals, you are basically providing at least one nutritious meal to one person for an entire year. Will you really miss the $10/month?

Have a great evening and week. Take care.

Think about your life. Think about your actions.
 

Ramblings....

I just returned from my second session of Leadership Idaho Agriculture that was in Pocatello. I had a really good time and got to know everyone just a little bit more. This session focused on public speaking, not the funnest subject, but one that I am definitely lacking in both confidence and ability. In each region we tour a different industry. Moscow was Bennett Lumber and Pocatello was the Idaho Food Bank. There are three food banks in Idaho (Poky, Boise and Lewiston). The above picture is a bag of food for their Backpack Program. Just a little history on the Backpack Program. They give each child (in need) a bag full of food for their weekend meals so they don't miss meals while they are away from school. Pretty amazing, this Backpack costs around $6. The Food Bank can provide 3 meals for every $1 that is donated, wow just think a $10 donation feeds 30 people, are you kidding? Can you imagine what good we could all do if we each donated $10....... A lot of people think a lot of people take advantage of the system, and I agree, but there are honest people that need our help. Everyone matters, lets take care of our fellow Idahoans! Every donation counts, I challenge everyone to donate $10 OR MORE to the Food Bank. 208-233-8811 - call now, volunteer, donate funds, donate food, DO SOMETHING!

https://www.idahofoodbank.org/?page=donate

Gift Processing
3562 S TK Avenue
Boise, ID 83705-5278

I love flowers. I love geraniums because they remind me of my Grandma Virginia and Granny. They both always had geraniums everywhere, they always smelled so good, and were so beautiful to look at. I try to plant something each year in my flower beds that reminds me of important people. My flower beds are a gentle reminder every time I pull into my driveway, look out my window or sit on the porch of just some of the great people in my life.

Geraniums - Grandma Virginia & Granny
Iris's - Grandma June
Marigolds/Lillies - Mom
Little, drought tolerant flowers that I can't remember the name of - Susan
Tulips - Grandma Bea
Wind Chimes - Grandma Janet
Christmas Star - Tammie
Horseshoe Flowers - Wade
Toys scattered everywhere - Ryder and Kinsley

I am urging each of you to start this tradition. But the key is letting those special people know why these items are always in your yard, brightening your day.

It's the little things you can do to remind you of how lucky you are that truly make the most difference.

So this is a little out of order, but here are some of my LIA classmates at the Food Bank learning how they can make a difference. From left to right: Derek Romer (USDA/NRCS), Sandy Porter (Treasure Valley Community College), Aaron Johnson (University of Idaho), Gary Halverson (Glanbia Foods)

It is finally Friday and I couldn't be happier. Leaving my house at 6 am and returning at 10 pm has made this a long week. Agriculture makes it worth it.

One final note: Please keep my new friend, Renae from LIA in your thoughts and prayers to keep her son safe.

"We try our hardest to teach our kids about life, but they truly teach us what life is all about."

What a great week!

The kids decorated their own gingerbread men, they have a really good time and it's fun to see their imaginations at work.

Here is Kinsley's, Okay I helped her a little!

And Ryder did his all by himself, pretty fun huh?

Working heifers

We branded some cattle on Friday at Jeff and Mindy Eddington's. It was a wonderful, beautiful day.

Wade let Ryder cut the tags out of the cattle's ears, he thought it was pretty amazing and he did an excellent job.

Well, not the best picture, but we don't get a lot of pictures together, so I had to post one. Thanksgiving was good, good food, good company, good times. Now we're ready for Christmas.

There is supposed to be a big snow storm tonight and tommorrow, so please drive safe and stay warm. I welcome the snow, simply because the farmers and ranchers need it for next year. We need the moisture or we'll be in big trouble next year.

"Live With a Happy Heart"

Thanksgiving Week, So Much to be Thankful For

Ryder's first snow angel for 2013!

Kinsley fell asleep under the ottoman in our living room.

Kinsley is slowly learning the art of eating with a fork and she LOVES spaghetti!

What a character. She is growing up so fast.

Thanksgiving, my second favorite holiday. I haven't mastered a pecan or lemon meringue, but at least I am trying. I think the pecan looks okay, well except the crust and the lemon meringue looks awesome, but who knows how they'll taste!! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We have tons to be thankful for this year and every year. I am thankful for my husband and kids, food, my camera to capture all our greatest moments, our home, our jobs, all my family, Zoey, our horses, our cattle and all the opportunities we have each and every day.

Today at daycare Ryder said what he was thankful for:
His bed, his shoes, his house, his family and his toys - not too shabby for a 4 year old

If Kinsley could talk "english" she would probably be thankful for:
Her dolls, her family, her shoes, food, olives, cheese - typical of a 1 1/2 year old

My camera is one of my most cherished possessions, it helps me to remember all the moments in our lives. How easily we forget special moments that are not caught on camera.

Thought:
I was talking with a good friend the other day and she said that you have to learn to not have expectations of others, that way you are never disappointed. This didn't really make a whole lot of sense to me at the time, but the more I have thought about it, the clearer it gets. The only expectations I should have are for myself and only myself. They eventually broaden out to my kids and my husband, but I think that is all the farther they need to go. I have to almost say outloud to myself, "Does this concern me? Will it effect me? What will it help to worry about this?" and more often than not when I am worried/concerned about something I can answer each of those questions, NO. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff. Make sure you and your family are happy and the rest has a funny way of taking care of itself.

Anyways, that is my deep thought for this week.

For a week in November (in Moscow), a week in December (in Pocatello), a week in January (in Twin Falls) and a week in February (in Boise) I will be attending or have attended Leadership in Idaho Agriculture (LIA). I have been asked if I would like to attend for 4 or 5 years now from my bosses at work, but I have kindly declined each year because I have to be gone so much and it is so hard to be gone with my kids. But this year they didn't get me a choice so I agreed. I have been to the Moscow session where we did lots of public speaking, toured Bennett Lumber (amazing), and learned to think on our feet. It was probably the hardest, most stressful thing I have ever done, but man was it worth it. I am so excited for Pocatello I can hardly stand it. LIA is focused on speaking, self presentation and confidence, it is awesome. Idaho AgCredit sends someone every year and each of the participants have a different opinion of the class. Some hate it and some like it, luckily I am one of those that love it. For the Pocatello class (in 2 weeks) we have to give a 5 minute speech on a topic of our choice, make a poster of our life, plan an LIA Alumni dinner and go on another tour, just to mention a few. It has been a lot of fun. Probably the best part of the whole class is getting to know 32 other people in every field of agriculture you can think of. There are producers, government workers, canal company workers, winery workers, fertilizer and barley salesman. What a great group of people, I have enjoyed getting to know a few of them and look forward to learning more about them over the next 3 weeks.

Another note: Thanks to Grandma Kathy, Grandma Susan and Wade for taking over while I have and will be gone for these classes, I truly appreciate you all and could not do it without you.

Happy Thanksgiving - Be Thankful For Today

And Then.....

So the kids and I don't get many photos together because I am always behind the camera taking the photos. So even though this is not my finest moment, I still cherish the picture of my little monsters with their mustaches!

Todd (on the right) shook this tree and leaves rained down on Ryder, he thought it was awesome!

Have I ever mentioned that I love fall and all it's colors?

Ryder was trying to use a back scratcher on Grandpa Wayne, I'm not sure if the scratcher is pierceing Grandpa's skin or if Ryder is choking him, either way Grandpa looks a little uncomfortable.

Playing outside, what gets you dirtier?

Halloween 2013, Ryder was Sonic the Hedgehog.

Halloween, Kinsley was a Devil Diva.

Colt was enjoying the entire Halloween experience. Oh my heck he is cute!

This is a "scary" picture in every sense of the word. From left: Ryder (Sonic), Carly (witch), Lauren (witch), Kinsley (devil), Whitney (Gene Simmons - Kiss), Colt (horse)

These are the best kind of pictures.

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Carly, what a doll.....

Updates

I really stink at keeping my blog updated and I am sure a lot of people have quit following it, but it is my Thanksgiving resolution to update my blog once a week.......

We have all been doing really well. We are glad to have the calves sold and cows home for the year, life seems to slow down just a little which is just fine with us.

We took a wonderful trip in July to Ennis & Virginia City, MT - I absolutely loved the trip, the kids had a lot of fun. I wouldn't reccommend the Lewis & Clark Caverns with a 3 & 1 year old! We will be taking this trip again, for sure.

This is what a little cowboy looks like at a family reunion after playing and running for several hours straight.

Well these are the cutest young gals I have ever seen. Shanny and I were enjoying ourselves at the Butler family reunion in August. Hasn't Shanny grown up to be a beautiful young lady? She's wonderful, love her!

Ryder flexes his muscles and shows off his spiky hair do. He's a lot like his dad.

This is so cute of Kinsley in the beautiful fall colors. She is growing so fast and is now at 18 months old trying to potty train herself, wow, she's amazing.

This was the first of November when we brought our cows home. It was a beautiful day.

Here is Kinsley today playing in our first touch of snow.

Ryder also enjoyed playing in the snow. He was asking at 6 am if he could go play in the snow. I finally gave in around 10 am. It was really cold, but they had a blast. At least we're not preg checking heifers with Wade today, brrrrrrrrrr!

It's Been a Long Time!

So for my birthday Wade took me to the Tulip Festival in Utah to take pictures. It was the best trip ever. I had a blast taking pictures and Wade had fun driving the golf cart. He was a really good sport and we had a blast.

 

Ryder got a new horse a couple months ago and we finallyhad nice enough weather to ride him yesterday. They got along great, what a nice horse. Ryder has named him Jalepeno Bucking Horse!

 

Ryder loves to drive his tractor and Kinsley loves to be in the trailer, it is a great situation, they can drive around and around for quite a while and have a great time.

 

 

How cute is Kinsley. She is now 13 months old, walking, jabbering and bossing all the time.

 

The kids are doing great, Ryder is almost done with his first year of preschool and looking forward to summer. It is 55 degrees here and he has his swimming suit on waiting for it to warm up so he can play in the sprinkler (not going to happen today). We started a new addition to our house and a kitchen & bathroom remodel a little less than a month ago, it has been an adventure. It is supposed to be done by July 1, I pray to god it is done by then!!! We have 10 cows left to calve and will hopefully get them to the hills in a few weeks - I can hardly wait. Wade takes care of them way more than I do, but I am certainly sick of them!!

 

I hope all is well with everyone. I saw the following saying and thought it was the cutest ever:

 

Sorry About the MESS, but we LIVE Here!

 

and

 

You're Never Fully Dressed Without a SMILE.

 

So keep smiling, take care and happy spring!!