July

Dave's plant always shuts down the first week of July.  The last couple of years he has just done so much around the house and farm that he doesn't feel like he has had a break at all even though he loves that work.  We made sure to plan a few things this time.  On the first we had a few things to do and then went into the local Show and Shine.  Not worth it sadly.  As Dave said most of the cars there were newer than what we drive.  The next day we went on a hike.  We looked for a new one that neither of us had done before and found a cool one that ended at a ghost town.  It was a beautiful hike.  I definitely wore the wrong shoes.  I had gotten some knock off barefoot shoes and they have thinner soles.  Which for every other hike we have ever done would have been fantastic, but this one had tons of sharp jagged rocks covering most of the trail and I could feel every step.  I was very sore at the end and my calves hurt from stepping oddly over them.  It was a neat spot.  Sadly most of the buildings had been moved out in 1920's.  Dave took the drone and we flew it at the top around the mostly empty town site to see where things were.  The old fire hydrant was cool.

There was remnants of the hotel and lots of the coal mines and ovens.  We had a picnic lunch and walked all around. 

On the way home we stopped at Blairmore and had ice cream.  I have heard for years that their ice cream is amazing.  Not sure what the hype was.  But ice cream is always a nice treat. Next we stopped at Lunbrek Falls and soaked our aching feet.  Wow did that feel good.  When Dave stopped I thought we were just going to look around.  I didn't know you could climb down to them.  And to put our feet in that water after walking all day, heaven! 

Most of July I was filling in for other at the clinic.  Worked almost full time. We keep having rain, a few nice day and then more rain.  It is still green.  It is never green this time of year. We have been taking care of the garden, mowing lots and working.  

Blake is doing great.  He is really enjoying his companion right now and how they work together.  Still has the bed bugs even after 4 times being fumigated.  I have started planning how to take care of his suitcases so we don't get them in the house when he gets home.  He has had a few things thefted.  His favorite plastic chair and his tan pants to name a few.  

He says that is just life in Sierra Leone. Blake has had a lot of times that the branch president will tell him that he is speaking in 5 min, he plans a talk quick, then the speaker will show up. It's funny.  They are still finding lots.  It is the middle of rainy season.  He is soaked through most days.  Videos he sends us the water is just running down the street.  They roll up their pants and away they go.

One day I went out at lunch to find my tire a bit low.  I drove to UFA and filled it up.  When I got back to the clinic it was lower than when I started and by the time my lunch break was over it was flat flat.  I know how to change a tire, but did not know where to put the jack on this car and how to get the spare from underneath when usually they are in the trunk.  I called Dave and he said he would come rescue me.  He was able to leave early and was waiting for me when I got off.  I wanted to do it so I would learn how.  He said he felt like a bad husband just watching me.  We did it together.  It was a good thing he came because even with the instruction sheet I never would have figures out that spare underneath.  What a weird set up.  Then we went for Chinese after, because I did it. :)

At the end of the month the girls came and it was a blast. 

Jane is walking all over and starting to say a few words.  Being a grandparent just gets more and more fun.  Dave is often saying he doesn't want to put pressure on anyone, but he would like at least 10 or 15 of these little souls running around. 

All in all it was a great month.  Sunny and rainy and green, and busy, and blissful. 

Family Time

At the beginning of the year the girls got together and decided when they were going to spend a whole week at our house.  We put it on the calendar and excitedly waited for the day.  At Christmas we had way to much food.  This time I said everyone bring ingredients for one dinner they want to share, milk, yogurt, and fruit, because we go through a lot of that when we are all together.  Then we would figure out what we felt like and how big a meal we wanted each day.  I took most of the week off, Dave took it all off, but none of us knew this till a couple weeks before, and Leah's clinic was closed.  Saturday Leah and I drove up to get Cora.  When we got there we picked saskatoons and went to the beach.  We helped her get things ready.  Sunday right after church we left to come back.  As we were saying bye to Ammon I told him I would drive extra careful as I had all his precious girls.  He said yes all 3 of them.  Then Dave sent a text saying drive careful as almost all that was precious to him was in the car.  We thought that was very sweet and we all felt very loved.  I drove there and back without George's help at all.  I was very proud of myself.  (George is what I named my maps guy as he has an English accent :)) I had made a pasta salad with chicken and vegetables to eat so we just drove.  Jane did great and only got antsy a little bit.  We talked the whole way up and down.  It was so fun. 

As soon as we arrived we got out and picked raspberries.  Just fresh to eat and let Jane run around.  Grandpa was pretty happy to see that little girl. 

It worked out that Cora had a lot of appointments this week.  We will have to plan better next year.  Monday was off to the dentist.  Leah and I took Jane to the park during her appt.  Then we just hung out at the house, picked the garden, played 4 square volleyball, and Leah made us a lovely dinner. 

Tuesday I had to work and Jane had a Dr's appt.  I knew how much she hated laying down, I would need her height and our tape measures at work were not low enough, so we measured her at home before I went. The girls just chilled with Dave, did some suntanning and Cora made dinner that night.  Braydon came and joined us. 

Wednesday Cora had a midwife appt.  We packed some snacks and went to that.  Stopped in to see Grandpa and Grandma Smith.  Went to Leah's to do some dishes and pick up a package from her post office.  Dave met us at Leah's and then we went to Wally's beach.  It was quite low but lots of nice sand.  Dave then went to high council and we went back to watch my parents as they were doing a presentation on my Candy Grandma for the historical society.  It was neat to hear all the stories again about her. 

We spent a long time after chatting with Cannon, Nicole, McKay, and Levi.  The girls had fun seeing their cousins that they haven't seen for awhile. 

Thursday they wanted to do some shopping.  We were going to Shakespeare in the Park that evening.  So we went down early.  I hung out with Jane and followed the girls from store to store.  We had a picnic dinner that Dave and Braydon met us for at Henderson.  Then we went to watch the play.  It was the oddest play I have seen.  And sadly not as well done as the past productions in my opinion.  Not a great first impression for Braydon who had never been before. 

As we were pulling in the garage that night, Ammon surprised us.  We had not expected him till Friday.  It was good timing.  He arrived just after us.  Braydon had come back to our house after the play as well.  The four of them stayed up and played Five Crowns and had a blast.  

Friday was the first full relaxing day.  More card games, volleyball, sitting in the sun, chalk and bubbles, naps (Braydon had to work), getting the boat ready for the next day.  We were supposed to feed missionaries but they back out.  We had Grandma Puzey over to eat with us.  It was a fun day.

Saturday we all got up early, packed snacks and drove to the lake.  We got cover off and boat loaded and went to grab the plug only to discover that it was not put back at the end of last year.  We searched EveRyWheRe!  Cora suggested we go to the beach since we were there.  Ammon had brought a frisbee.  It was a bit chilly that early, it did warm up.  At first we were in the water, knee deep with sweaters on. Jane loves the beach. Dave had a stake activity he needed to be at all afternoon.  We came back and had a bite to eat.  He left and we did nothing the rest of the day.  More volleyball, naps, bubbles, bugs, chalk and card games.  I loved it.  Easy, simple, fun.  Leah made another great dinner that night.  More raspberry picking. 

Sunday Cora and Ammon left after church and Leah and Braydon shortly after.  It was such a great week.  We learned things we did that were great and things we will do better next year.  Not having set plans for activities and food was good.  Much more relaxed.  We just had a bunch of things available and whatever we felt like.  We got rained on a few times playing outside, but it was all good.  I love my family and having them home together.  We hope to make this a annual thing.  Where ever they all are to come home for a week each summer.  To just be together.

June

Half done the year!  Oh my.  We didn't do anything exciting but it had lots to do and made it go by fast.  We have been working through our To-do-before- Sept list.  We were so close to finishing the deck when we ran out of stain. We did finish a few days later and it looks fantastic.  No more splinters in our feet when we go out.  And it looks cared for now.  Staining the railing was a pain and took many many hours longer than we had thought it would.  It is complete and I hope it lasts a few years before we have to do again. 

A couple of trips to blow out the gallows of the co-op.  Not my favorite thing, but I tag along and help a little.

Our garden is coming along.  Our strawberries have surprised us and we get a medium bowl full every 3-4 days.  It is lovely.  Potatoes and beets are doing awesome.  We planted far less potatoes this year.  Didn't need to keep planting for family of 5, we just did enough for the 2 of us to get through the winter hopefully. Sadly our carrots and peas did not do well.  We even did a replant but not much is happening. Raspberries are thriving.  It's amazing.  Life is lovely without grasshoppers. Amazing what can survive without them eating everything. 

We got the cows moved to the sand.  Just 4 of us this year.  None of my kids were available.  So just Dave and I, Jared and Emry.  Dave and I drove the first load down.  We had 7 loads to do and were going to go every other load.  But then I thought if Jared drives cows and we go ahead and open the gate, then the trailer, and close the gate, he would not even have to get out of the truck.  So that is what we did.  Dave and I had a blast. Last load we got water for the cows and then Dave flew his drone around checking that all was well.  It was not. 

We only had one bull.  Dave did a walk around to make sure he hadn't missed anything.  Later with Jared's help we got the bull back through the fence.  He was very stubborn.  He could not see our cows and was not wanting to leave the cows he had broken through the fence for.  Jared went up and moved our herd down over the hill so he could see them, as Dave and I tried to move him up.  He had his ears back and snorting looking directly at us.  I was a bit concerned.  Eventually when he saw our herd he was all good to go and trotted up the hill like nothing.  We then fixed the fence.  It was raining and then hot and sunny, then rain again.  We came home and had hot chocolate and watched a movie. 

We have done a few ward service projects this month.  We moved a lady and her kids.  It was pouring rain.  Pouring driving rain! And only 3 of us there to help.  That was not fun.  But later our house almost flooded.  If Dave had not been downstairs at literally the exact moment he was it could have been a big disaster.  He felt it was very much a blessing of helping this family move earlier in the day. 

Ward clean of the church.  Also not a lot came.  Usually our ward is amazing at service projects, I guess lots of other things were going on.  We were fed tacos then got in and cleaned. Dave and I took the chapel.  Apparently our job took longer than most others.  At the end we had a few people coming in to help us finish up.  Party in the chapel. :)

Also a ward adult party we attended.  It held at our friend the Holland's.  Great pulled pork and so many many salads.  I chose just 3 to try and they were great choices.  We were about to leave when Crystal said we needed to play a game.  I don't love games, but she convinced me.  It was so fun.  4 Square volleyball.  Great for any age and any number of people, basic rules, easy and you rotate in and out constantly so no waiting around and can add people of leave whenever.  Glad I stayed.  We found it fairly cheap in town and Dave picked it up the next day so we can play this summer with the kids. 

Dinner with the Puzey's was nice.  I really enough this dinner out with just the siblings and Myrna.  This is our second year and we will continue to do it.  I feel we get to talk and be together with out the kids is so lovely.  Kids are great too, but smaller and no distraction is nice sometimes. 

Got the boy's flight plans.  He will be arriving Sept 18th and we are beyond excited.  He doesn't want to talk about it much.  Just wants to focus and work hard his last 3 months.  He said he is not getting trunky.  He will make the most of every last day.  He also got a new companion which is a huge blessing.  He was telling a few stories and it was rougher than he was letting on.  Did say it was nice to have someone that followed the rules for a change. Rip! There is an Elder Smith from Nevada in his apartment that has saved Blake's sanity. Blake also got a new MP at the end of the month.  He has only had a zoom district meeting with him and is not sure he will see him much before he leave. 

The girls and families are both doing well.  Braydon's recovery has been great and their jobs are going well.  Leah always has fun stories for us.  Patient care is a whole other world.  It is fun when we can talk together about what crazy things went down.  Ammon and Cora found out they were having a girl.  Two little girls together, we are excited.  And their project is pretty much on schedule despite a few set backs.  They will be moving down south again right around the time the baby is born.  Leah is very excited to have her sister back close for a while. 

It has been a grand and glorious June.  Time continues to march on. Have a blessed day!

May

I am enjoying these monthly overviews of our life.  I may miss a few things but it is easier than waiting for something amazing to happen to blog about.  Cause my life is pretty boring :) So as Blake would say, let's get to it.

One a beautiful May morning Emily got married. The Hatch's travelled down the day before and hung out with us.  Always love an excuse for them to come.  Leah was a bridesmaid and was involved all day.  She went and waited outside the temple and after the lovely couple came out and pictures were taken, her and Braydon visited with the G's.  We all then met at the family dinner.  It was a fun program and we enjoyed ourselves.  They are a cute fun couple and I'm glad Emily and Sam found each other.  Bean buddies got a few pictures together as their posse is growing.  This is original buddies picture.  The one with spouses and Jane, Jane was very upset.  That girl does not like to lay down. 

To messy of a dinner to have little girl eat in clothes.  But she loved it.

Cute all ready for the wedding, and a nap on the way over. 

The next day was Mother's Day.  We invited Myrna over to eat with us and it worked out good that she could see the kids too.  Hatch's did need to leave soon after church to get all the way back up home.  I am excited for them to move closer again for a bit. 

The next weekend was Victoria Day.  Since it was a holiday, the Barrett's came out to spend time with us.  Did some work on cars and looked at gun set ups.  Dave did some painting around the yard.  Dinner didn't turn out as expected but it was ok. A few days later Braydon had surgery on his knee.  It has been a long time coming.  We are hopeful that he will not have constant pain and that he will be able to bend his knee again with the growth gone.  He is recovering well so far.  Fingers crossed. 

Dave has been trying to get to the temple on Wednesdays when possible.  One week I was able to go down with him. 

We got out garden planted.  I found some rainbow carrots that I am excited to try.  Purple, yellow, and white.  Dave spent a lot of time getting the weeds from our lilacs and dogwoods.  They had not been growing well out in the yard where we planted them years ago.  So two years ago he moved them into the garden to help better nourish and water them.  They have been doing much better and we are hoping to retransplant them next year.  There was a lot of grass growing around them that he couldn't just rototilling that close too.  He spent hours doing that as I mowed and did some weed whipping.  He cleaned out the water tank and we hauled water.  It was a hot day and we got a lot done. 

This is my favorite little calf.  I look for her each time we go out.  2 years ago she had a sister that looked the same just a little lighter that Blake named peanut butter.  It fit her coloring.  I was happy to see the same dark nose and cute face again this year.  I was trying to think of a name but so far she is just my pretty girl. I think that is what is going to stay. 

We actually had rain!!  I know, shocking.  We had a good 2-3 days of it.  Even had puddles in the yard.  had to take pictures for prove. 

We did some roof maintenance on Myrna's roof as well.  Luckily just before it rained.  Much easier climbing around on this roof then ours. :/

Blake has not had as much data lately and the banks have been out of money a lot.  They don't have a debit or credit card.  Each week they are given an allotment of cash from the bank.  If the bank doesn't have it they travel to the mission home and see if they do or they just go without.  Which means no data and no food.  They keep a bag of rice in the apartment to eat when there is nothing else. This last transfer has been a bit rough.  Bed bugs are horrible.  He has tried everything to get rid of them and finally just accepted them.  He did say they are a little less now and they are managing.  His companion doesn't want to do a lot of work and for a few weeks wouldn't speak English.  Now there is and Elder from Nevada in the apartment which is making it a bit better.  At least he has someone to talk to at nights.  And this Elder has been doing Taco Tuesday.  Blake said he almost cried when he had a taco, bison taco, it was so good and has been so long.  He said despite this all it is amazing the blessing he has seen. 

They have been teaching a lot of potential priesthood holders.  That is what the ward needs.  And finding them has been some miracles. It is rainy season again.  They are forever wet and happy.

Blake was released as Zone Leader a couple weeks ago as well.  It was the first time on his mission that he has not been a leader.  He was looking forward to it at first, but said there was so much extra time on pdays it felt weird.  He is kind of missing it. He had a baptism last week.  A choice man named Henry.  As is usual in the country no water was delivered for the event.  Blake got on the phone and called the water people himself.   They said they would be there soon.  4 hours later they arrived.  Haha, it doesn't even phase him anymore. Just what it is. At the end of the month his MP goes home.  He has loved Pres and Sister Jarvis as his MP.  He will miss them greatly.  It will be interesting to see how different the new MP will be.

We got the email asking which airport we want our missionary to fly into.  Means it is getting real close.  He said the other day that he does not want to come home.  He loves missionary work.  He loves the country.  He loves the people.  

Abundantly Grateful

I went to work early in the morning with Dave last week.  Usually I do this when he is working a short day and I need groceries. I go for a walk around the lake, read, then grab my groceries and back to pick him up from work.  This day we had appts for vaccination and he was working a full day.  We also had a few errands to run after I picked him up and then grabbed a quick early dinner.  With all this we had a long day and when we got home still had things to do.  We got going on our chores and a few hours later as the sun was setting I sat down to read.  I have had some books I wanted to finish before Blake returned.  So for I have finished Jesus the Christ, Oliver Twist, and part of Saints 3.  I want to finish the Saints series before end of Sept.  Anyways...as I was sitting there reading I was filled with this amazing abundance of gratitude.  Here I was sitting on my comfortable couch in my beautiful home as a cake was baking, the dishwasher was running, the dryer was going, my husband was mowing the lawn, and all after a day of travelling to his job and getting groceries and vaccination so we can hopefully visit Blake's mission.  What a beautiful part of the world I get to live in.  Blake handwashes his clothes and dishes which takes a big part of his Pdays.  I don't have to do that. I didn't have to ground the flour to make the cake.  Dave wasn't out there with a scythe.  He had a great job to go to. I live in a free country, in a peaceful land. Also as I was sitting and reading I was texting my girls, getting pictures of the little girl and updates on Braydon's surgery from the day before.  A surgery that will hopefully help him not be in pain constantly . While I know that there are many talks and warnings out there about how we live in an instant world and we need to be careful.  In that moment with all the things I had at my fingertips, I couldn't help saying a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for all the little things that I don't think about most days.  The ease and convienance with which I live.  Modern medicine and doctor's knowledge.  Rain.  Green grass.  Jobs and transportation.  Loving husband.  Great kids.  I could go on and on. I am blessed.  I am grateful.

April

April was General Conference.  Always a great way to start a month.  I found a General Conference Fantasy game online and printed it for Dave and I to play.  I thought it was a lot of fun.  Fantastic messages, never disappoints.  

Leah and I went to Emily's bridal shower.  Dave came over with me and picked up a few groceries, ate at DQ, and then waiting with a book in the car for me.  I had just jokingly said he was welcome to come if he wanted, very sure he never would.  Then he surprised me and said that I have waited for him and the kids through things so many times that he would come and hang out with me as I travelled.  It was a fun shower and nice to see some people I haven't in a while. 

Leah texted and said they missed us and could they come watch conference with us.  Of course!  It was also Leah's birthday.  We had a little treat for her.  It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed checking cows with us. 

Calving started with a bang this year.  A bit earlier than usual and they have come pretty steady, which is awesome.  We only have 4 left to calf.

Dave and I got the fence set up for calving and the summer water ready.  We have been getting some things done in our yard as well.  We have a list of things we want to get done before Blake returns to make it all nice for him. 

One day I was out hanging laundry and saw something that looked out of place across the road.  I watched for a while trying to see if it was a goat or a ram.  When Dave got home I spotted it again and had him look.  By this time it had got in with the cows and they were not liking it.  Kept chasing it around and away from their calves.  By this time I was pretty sure it was a goat.  Working around the farm and setting up the fence and water the next day I didn't see it at all.  Assumed it had found it's way home.  Then in the afternoon as we came back I spied it in the barn.  Dave was behind me bringing the tractor back and I didn't have my phone.  So I stayed very still until he came then motioned for him to come take a picture.  It was pretty funny to see this animal running around. 

Blake got transferred to a new area.  He said it is not near as hilly as his last.  He is now in Allen Town area of Freetown.  If things stay as they have his whole mission this will be his last area.  He does get a new MP in July, we will see how he does things and if Blake gets moved.  Seems like it is a bit of a clean up area.  Some thing that needed to be changed in how they were being done.  He is still zone leader.  He enjoys his new companion and they are working hard to find as many people as they can and teach them the gospel of Christ.  He got to watch some of conference this time. 

Easter was fun to have everyone home. 

This little girl isn't walking on her own yet, but she sure love to hang on to one finger and go all over the place. 

 I had a few extra day of work this month.  Dave has had to go in most Fridays, but when he does he is usually done by 10-11.  To save a little gas and spend time together, some Fridays I will wake up super early with him and go to town.  I usually go for a walk around the lake. Go grocery shopping meet him back at work to pick him up. 

Last week Leah came out to do some printing.  She is throwing Emily a bachelorette party.  We then drove together to go vote, came back for a quick bit to eat and Dave looked to see what was making a strange noise in her car. 

 We have had hot days and cold snowy days this month.  I wrote Blake and told him that Mother Nature was having mood swings.  It was been another fantastic month.