Raylee Knowledge

After picking up Raylee from school today I hear her and Bradock talking. Ray:"Hey Bradock, do you know what reptiles have?" Mr. B: "No" Ray: "Oh come on...just think about it!" Mr. B: "I really don't know Ray." Ray: "Well let me tell you...they have scales and cold blood." And that my lovelies is the life and wisdom of my 4 year old. I just love that she told him "come on just think about it" like she is some miss-know-it-all. I do believe we are in trouble with that one...big, big trouble:)

Hunting Weekend Again

Well, hunting season is yet again in full-swing. Instead of elk, Brett is on the hunt for white-tailed deer and instead of a weekend alone with the kiddos we had a house full of 9 crazy hunters (Brett, Bob, Chance, Jack, Kale and his friend, Jake, David and Tyler). As I have said before, one of the great benefits to Brett hunting is that I get the bed and TV all to myself...so not the case this time!!! My house was in total chaos with all those smelley hunters in and out from Thursday to Sunday. I was on major cooking/cleaning duty, but my kids loved it and I think the guys appreciated it. It also was a crazy busy weekend with the kids' last soccer game and several Halloween parties. I was also in charge of my first sharing time on Sunday and to top it all off I got a cold that just made everything that much more fun...not! Well, needless to say we survived and it turned out to be a great weekend. None of the guys shot any deer or saw any bucks for that matter, but I think they still enjoyed their time up here. Bradock ended his soccer season with a bang...scored 3 goals!!! Raylee seemed to be more interested in picking the grass or playing with her hair then playing soccer, but at least she tried:) My sharing time went really well and to be honest I was super thankful for Sunday evening with my home kind of back in order and a little time to relax.

Mr. B (aka Star Trooper) and RayRay (aka Brave) had a blast at the town library Halloween parade/party on Friday. Bradock's costume hasn't arrived yet, so he has gotten to pick out of the dress-up box for now. Raylee was quite a hit with her awesome wig...seriously hilarious on her. 

Saturday night was the community multi-faith trick-or-trunk held at the Nazarene church this year. Once again the kids had a blast and got lots of treats. 

Bestie's Bday

Last Friday was Rachel's bday so I headed down to the valley to celebrate. We started the night by going to dinner at Firebird's Rocky Mountain grill, which was super delicious! Afterwards Rachel decided she wanted to do something she had never done before, so all 5 of us girls (Rachel, Meegan, Chelsee, Shelley and me) headed to JumpStreet for a night we will never forget. We walk in and it is full of kids jumping on trampolines and foam pits. To say we felt out of place is a huge understatement. I did a little smooth talking to the manager and was able to score us a private trampoline room, so we could jump at our little heart's desire. I have to admit it turned out to be a lot more fun than I expected. In fact, I think we almost (or actually may have) peed our pants several times. I got so hot from all the jumping around I had to take my jacket and g-top off so I could jump in the tank that I was wearing. It was seriously a great night and I'm so glad I got to spend time with some of my best friends...it was much needed.

The Cadillac Coop

I have been dreaming about raising my own chickens for quite sometime now. I have a few friends in the valley that have their own chickens that lay the best, yummiest eggs ever and I wanted me some. I buy organic, cage-free eggs at the store so I figured why spend the extra money when I can do it myself. So, with the help of my dad and Brett my dream to have my own chickens has now come true. As I mentioned in a previous post, my dad came and stayed with us for awhile during the kids' October break. It was a very productive break indeed. My dad is quite the perfectionist and I know that whatever he creates will be the best to his ability. Because of that I now have, what Brett refers to as the "Cadillac Chicken Coop". It is seriously awesome and it was completed the day my chicks arrived. All last week I had been anxiously awaiting a phone call from the post-office to let me know my chicks were ready for pick-up. It was Friday morning as I was heading to the gym that I finally got the call. After a nice, sweaty workout (extra-excitement=an extra awesome workout) I rushed to the post-office. As I walked in I instantly heard a lot of chirping going on. I rang the bell to the side door and was handed a small, but loud box. I ordered my chicks from Murray McMurray's Hatchery where they send you a minimum of 25 chicks plus one exotic one. It must have been my lucky day because I ended up with 26 chicks and one red-headed exotic, who is now named Spidey (short for Spider Man). As soon as I got home, Raylee and I excitedly opened the box to the cutest chicks you ever did see. I have been doing so much research on chickens, especially baby chick care and I am proud to say that it has now been 8 days since they arrived and they are all healthy, strong and growing like a weed. I was told to expect to lose about 10% of my chickens, but I am bound and determined to keep them all well and alive! We have a heat lamp and space heater in the coop to keep the chicks toasty warm. The first week you want to keep the temp around 90-95* and every week after that you lower it about 5* until you reach a cool 70* where they will be comfortable and happy. I have been feeding them organic chick feed and putting a 1/4tsp of chick starter in their water each day. So far things are going really well and the kids just love them, especially Raylee. She calls all the blonde chicks Princesses. Bradock isn't quite so brave when it comes to holding them...he's more of an observer. Our goal is to have some nice egg layers by spring time...I seriously can't wait!!!

My Raylee Girl

Man time sure flies! I have no idea how Raylee got so big, so fast. She is absolutely loving school and seriously has multiple art projects going on at our house. Last week Raylee had a fun time dressing up for school everyday. Monday was pajamas day, Tuesday was sports day, Wednesday was favorite color day and Thursday was crazy hair day. I somehow only got a pic of her on Crazy Hair day...pretty proud of that creation. She said she wanted it in a ponytail going straight up...she asked and I delivered:)

Our friend, Meggan, went and visited my parents for a couple of days and on their way back to the Valley they all stopped by Payson for a quick hello. Raylee is absolutely in love with older girls, especially if they give her any sort of attention. Poor Meggan had a little shadow for awhile. 

Here is one of Raylee's recent school projects...a self-collage. She got to cut out pics of things she loves and a baby pic of herself. This collage couldn't sum her up anymore perfect: books, animals, makeup, lipstick, nail polish, food, Jesus, heels, purses and of course the color pink! 

The kids love to visit their dad at his office...not only to see him but to go digging in the kids toy chest and playing dress-up in all of dad's dental gear. Raylee loves the pink gloves that the girls wear at the office. Both her and Bradock say they want to be dentists when they grow-up...looks like my teeth will be taken care of for life:) 

October Break: Part II

We have had so much fun this second week of break. The kids and I have actually gotten kind of creative at coming up with fun things to do. Who knew cardboard boxes could be so fun?! We used them for soccer goals at the park, to clean up toys faster and for our drive-in movie at home.

We have also really been enjoying the cooler weather...and by cooler I mean sweatshirt weather.

My dad came to our house on Tuesday and stayed until Saturday. It was so fun to have him visit and hang out for awhile. I can't ever remember spending that much time with him...it was nice:) We even busted out a major project that I will post about later. Sarah, Chance and their girls came up on Thursday evening and stayed until Saturday too. We all went out on Friday night and had dinner at LaSierra Mexican Food and then went and saw Pitch Perfect...stinkin hilarious!!! 

I added a little somethin, somethin to my hair last week...extensions!!! I have been trying to grow my hair out for a little while now (taking biotin, multi-vitamin, eating clean, etc to help the locks grow) but for some reason the only part of my hair that seems to grow is the back. Last time I checked the mullet style was not in...unless I want to go straight up redneck (not my goal). So with the help of my bestie and fabulous hairstylist, Rachel was able to make all of my hair dreams come true. It's amazing what a little added length to the front and sides have done...it's where my hair should have been all along. To say I am in love would be not be giving it enough justice:) 

Yesterday, at church, I was given a new calling...Second Counselor in the Primary Presidency! Hmmm...not sure how I feel about it yet. In fact, a couple weeks ago and on several different occasions the old presidency had been asking Brett if I liked being a primary teacher because they loved having me, but couldn't tell if I liked it or not. HAHAHA! I feel a little out of place since I don't really know primary songs and all, but looks like I will need to start learning them. I will also need to start stealing some good sharing time ideas. I am kind of excited about the new challenge and hope I will be able to both gain and give what I need to. 

Yesterday afternoon we headed down to the valley for our friend, Brinton's, surprise 30th birthday party. We had so much fun being back in our old hood, hanging out with all our friends. It makes me miss having all my friends close by, but I also love all the new friends I have made here in Payson. 

Time to Recoup

I got home from Girl's Camp last Friday and headed straight to the Valley to pick up the kids. I was soooo excited to see them. After a very physically and emotionally draining week I was ready to spend our second week of October break just relaxing and goofing around. Saturday and Sunday we lounged around the house watching General Conference. Can I just say Elder Holland's Sunday morning talk was uh-mazing!!! It reverberated all the feelings and emotions I had had the last week about who I was and what I want to stand for. It was a great conference. Later that day we went for a little family hike and afterwards ended up picking up all of Brett's elk meat from the processor...holy mackerel 350lbs of elk meat stuffed my freezers to capacity. All I have to say is the meat is awesome...super lean, super tasty...not one bit gamey. This is definitely a big pro to hunting...lose a husband for awhile, but gain some awesome meat that will last a long time:)

Girl's Camp 2012...Remember the Journey

Holy moly these last few weeks have been a whirlwind and I am just now feeling a little caught up. I have been drowning in girls' camp stuff lately and all the hard work finally came together the first week of October. Sunday afternoon, Brett and I drove the kids down to Mesa to stay with Bob and Terri for the week while I was at Girl's Camp and Brett was at Scout Camp. This was the first week of October break for the kids since Payson is on a modified year round school schedule. After getting to bed super late Sunday evening I woke up early Monday morning to finish packing my car and headed up to Camp LoMia to start the crazy, funfilled week. The theme for camp was "Time Travelers: Remember the Journey". Each day was a different decade or era and the activites, lessons, crafts, etc. were centered on that time period. Monday was "Western Day" so I had to bust out some boots and wranglers. I am bummed I didn't get my full get-up in the pics, but you get the idea. Tuesday was 80s day, Wednesday was 50s day, Thurs was "Future" day and we packed up and came home on Friday. As the Asst. Stake Camp Director I was in charge of high adventure, hikes, service projects, helping with decor and crafts. I actually really enjoyed having a Stake calling rather than being a "Cabin Mom". I got to know and became friends with a few of the ladies at camp and am thankful for the experiences and time we shared together. Even though we had some really fun activities and dressing up was a blast I also really enjoyed the spiritual aspect of remembering the journey. At the beginning of camp we started off in the pre-existence and traveled to mortal life and by the end of the week were were in the after-life. I think my favorite part was from Wed night. I got to participate in the "Life Choices" Activity. Out past the Sacred Grove there was a rope that lead from the beginning of the "path" to the end, which was the sacred grove area. Along this rope several leaders were placed with a piece of paper with a scenario on it and a bowl full of white and black rocks. Each young woman was blindfolded and directed to the rope where she had to hold on and kind of walk/fumble her way to the different leaders standing along the path. All of us leaders were dressed in white (we literally looked like a bunch of angels) and the only sound that was heard was quiet music and the whispers of the leaders reading the scenarios to the girls. The girls would reach a leader, the leader would stop her with her hand, read the scenario that was printed on the card and then have the girl reach into the bowl to pick a white or black rock indicated the choice she made in regards to the scenario on the card. All of it was done at random, so the girls never actually spoke during the activity. My scenario was: You and your friends finally got to go see the new, popular movie playing at the movie theatre. The movie was great until about halfway through there was an immoral scene that made you so uncomfortable you wanted to leave. You have 2 choices: 1. Even though some of your friends will make fun of you, you decide to leave the movie 2. You decide to stay because that was the only bad scene in the whole movie. It was so hard to have to tell the girls that chose black rocks that they made a wrong choice...it kind of broke your heart. At the end of the rope path the girls were at the entrance to the Sacred Grove. They were able to remove their blindfolds and then Pres. Payne told the girls about the power of the Atonement and that all those black rocks/wrong choices they had collected/made could be washed away if they excepted Christ and his atonement. The girls then randomly chose their last rock and those girls that chose a white rock got to go to the right to be with the Savior and their family and friends. Those that chose black went to the left side and were told that they had chosen not to partake and would therefore be alone after this life. I can't even type this without crying like a baby. It was such a powerful, visual experience that I will never, ever forget. It was a lesson I desperately needed and one that I know was a big reason I was called to be at Girl's Camp. The next day we traveled through the different kingdoms...Terrestial, Telestial and Celestial. In each kingdom was a different speaker and what led them to be where they were after this life. Choices...good and bad, knowing vs. doing, truly being Christ's disciple and deciding to follow him 110% were lessons that re-affirmed the feelings I felt the night before. How could I not feel the feelings of inadequacy and failure and yet a sense of joy and peace knowing I am not alone, I am not expected to do this on my own and I have a Savior who already paid that price...I just have to follow him!!! But why does it seems so difficult sometimes? Why do I sometimes feel void of feeling? How and what do I need to do to make sure I have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost with me? Those are things that have been outlined in the scriptures, from our Prophet and Apostles and things we can ask individually in prayer to our Heavenly Father. It always amazes me how the Lord knows ways to touch the very core of your being, to shake you from the feelings of "going through the motions" and to help place others in your life to be those "real-life" angels. I had some amazing conversations with women at camp that I know will be lasting, life-long friendships and I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience all that I did. Now that I "know" what I need to do and where I want to be after this life and where I don't want to end up...I need to "DO"!!! I need to re-commit to being his disciple and get my life in order so that someday he will look at me and be pleased:)

The kids had an absolute blast with their Grandma and Grandpa and getting to hang out with all their fun cousins that week. They swam, played, went to Kiley and Mindi's preschool, got spoiled with fun new toys from cousins and just had a ton of fun. Terri told me that Bradock was very conscious of the time he would be spending with them and how many more days until he would be going home...love that sweet, boy! She had also said that one day they wanted to play out front so she said they could as long as they stayed in the yard and didn't go in the street. Bradock responded, "Oh Grandma...that would be a bad idea!" Hahahaha...so grown-up and responsible!

Eating Clean and Training Dirty

I have been finding such fun, clean recipes lately and even throwing together some random things on my own. I am really trying to build muscle, which is so hard to do, but eating clean has definitely re-shaped my body. I can honestly say I feel and look better now than ever in my life. I am healhty, happy, strong, energetic and I know it's all from eating good and working out hard. I have decided that the scale isn't a good measurement for me, so I like to take progress pics. This helps me see the changes my body is making and not to be controlled or obsessed with a certain weight. I am at a healthy body fat% right now and it has taken awhile to reach that both physically and mentally. I have been reading my patriarchal blessing lately and there is a part in it that has always hit home...one of the biggest reasons I got my bachelor's in Food and Nutrition Management. It says that I will have opportunities to give service in helping others' have good physical and mental health. How can I help others if I haven't reached that myself? That has been my goal and although there is always room for improvement I feel like I have found very good balance in my life. I have also gotten more proactive at posting pics of what I eat or workouts I love on instagram and facebook. This has spurred a lot of questions from friends, family and people and it has been so fun to be able to help out...even if it's in just a small way. Nutrition and fitness has been a passion of mine since college and I just love sharing that passion with others. Like I said, even if in some small way it can help someone then I have fulfilled what I feel is one of my purposes here on earth:)

My spin on a Cafe Rio salad. Cabbage, peppers, cucumbers, pinto beans, shredded chicken, avocado, lime juice, nutritional yeast and sea salt...yummy! 

This was such a random, thrown-together post workout meal, but man was it good. Cinnamon/Stevia egg whites, yams, Pb2 and a few slivered almonds for some crunch...jackpot! 

Happy Fall

It's not even October, but we just love the fall and all the upcoming holidays that we jumped the gun and decorated the kids' pumpkins early. Can't wait for Halloween!

Proud Mama

A couple weeks ago, Bradock's teacher told me that I would want to be at the school on Wed Sept. 26th @ 8:30a because Bradock was going to be getting something special. So, I arrived at the school that Wed. morning and was directed into the cafeteria where the school assembly was being held. Little did I know, but Bradock was awarded the Principal's High Five Award for Good Character. It was such a proud moment for me as a mother. I would take this kind of award over a report card of straight A's any day. Bradock has always been a kind and sweethearted child and I am so glad that those characteristics are noticed by others. The next week I had parent-teacher conference with Bradock and his teacher, Mrs. Daley. She had nothing but positive things to say about him. She said that he is just one of those "one-of-a-kind" kids and students and he just has that something special about him that just sets him apart from everyone else. She is very pleased with his progress and showed me that he is testing above average in the iSteep monitoring reports for the required reading, writing and math. She is also very excited about how much more outgoing he is becoming...still very shy but slowly coming out of that shell. I am still debating whether or not to put him in pre-first or first grade next year, but Mrs. Daley made me feel very good about how well he is doing and that we can just wait and see how he continues to progess through the year. I am so proud of him and so thankful he loves school. He has made some great new friends and just seems to be the kid that everyone wants to be friends with...so thankful he is that kind of a person:)

Our "Foreign Exchange Student"

Raylee's preschool class has a pet bear named, Rose. Rose gets to travel to each student's home and spends a few days with them. A couple weeks ago it was Raylee's turn to bring Rose home. During that time Rose got to do everything that Raylee did and then we took pictures and kept a journal of all their fun adventures together. Rose and Raylee ate meals together, helped dad on his tree-house project, went for a ride on Magic, visited dad at his office (Raylee gave Rose a cleaning and a shot...she said Rose was such a big girl and didn't even cry:() and helped run errands with me (Raylee always made sure Rose was safely buckled up. I wasn't too excited about having this stuffed bear (I hate stuffed animals), but it was a fun little activity for Raylee and her preschool class.