Bailey Cakes

She is growing soo fast and learning so much. She is up on her knees now, getting around all over town. She loves loves loves being alive. I am learning how to be happy and attentive from her all over again. I remember every day what it means to be alive and I remember why it is I came here to this earth to play. The Bailey Cake song has been adopted by all in the family whenever she starts getting a little fussy. She starts clapping her hands right along with the song. It's too cute.~~~Taste of RASPBERRIES~~~YUM!

and grapes.....

She loves the feel of hair. Whether it's Alex, or a Buffalo rug on the wall, or the cat, or the dog, this is one of her favorite things. She laughs at hair whenever she feels it. See her smile?

Pretty in a dress

8 months and almost crawling....

Wow what a year

There is a big oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we have three family reunions within a months time, buying a new vehicle (new to us - it's a 2000), Chickens are getting big, Dogs are growing up, Bailey is going to be crawling any day now. Just this week she learned how to move from her belly to a sitting up position. The boys are amazed by how much she is changing and how fast. She blows my mind every day. My boys are great. Colton has a funny sense of humor. It seems to me like he is finally stepping into his body. As his eyes reach my eye level - he seems like his spirit is finally saying 'Hi mom' I love it. Alex, he is a little turkey. He even sqwaks like one. He tells me probably fifteen times a day that he loves me and he gives me kisses. He is such a sugar. It's challenging too though. I raise my voice more often than I would like. Our neighbor, Mark, put up a beautiful corrugated metal, and redwood fence between our yards. It makes it much more private and it feels like I can focus on what I want to do better.

I remember that I must focus on the good things, and remember that those times that are lesser than great are passing. If I move three steps away from them, they are gone.

Shanon is wonderful. Through all the challenges we go through, we continue to grow closer and closer every day. I love him so much for being my husband. I don't know if I show him how much I cherish him. I need to show him more. Cuddle with him, rub his feet, make him wonderful dinners, tell him every day how special and wonderful he is. I am so glad to have him to share my life

I have been wanting to run, and have slowed down my gluten intake. Not quite stopped. I haven't made it an entire day without eating something with Gluten in it. I haven't yet today - it's 9:04 a.m. It's as hard if not harder than quitting smoking.

My writing skills must improve. I am a writer. Lately I've been lazy about it and not taking the time to really think and sound it out. I use to write at least three times a week when Colton was small. He will be thirteen this year, I can't believe it.

It's Independence Day today. Shanon took the boys up to the La Sal Mountains yesterday for a backpacking trip. They will be gone until tonight. I think I'll take Bailey to the park for the festivities. Pretty sure the Parade is at 10 am I'll have to check. There will be music and I saw some camels set up to ride. Maybe we will get out picture taken on a camel. Who knows.

Happy Firework day!!

Good morning!

I'm wondering how I can build a sustainable, loving relationship with my hubby. Here's how our days look right now. The kids wake us up. Shanon or I make the coffee, listen to the mumbles and grumbles of everyone squirming out of bed...except Bailey. She loves the mornings, she sings and screams her morning songs - it's my favorite. That, and coffee. If there is no coffee to look forward to, I have a hard time wanting to move at all. Laying there after being nursed on all night makes me want to squeeze my eyes shut just a few seconds more. Unless there is coffee, with cream and agave nectar of course.
Next Shanon gets on the computer to check stuff. Facebook, the chicken forum, ect. ect. Shanon or I make breakfast for the kids, which lately includes cold cereal. Then Colton is off to school and Alex gets to wash the morning dishes. Mostly a challenge. I mean it's fun playing in the water. Not washing the dishes, but playing in the water. It may take the next thirty minutes for him to get the dishes done. Bailey and I go to work at the B&B. Shanon gets Alex out the door, to the bus stop and he is at work by 7:30.
Bai is great at the B&B again, a morning person by trade she sings and screams until everyone is awake and telling her what a great baby she is. Smiling at her while she pretends to be shy and blush away. She loves talking with people as I cook breakfast and serve the coffee. It's good for her. I get as much as I can done before she needs me again, which ironically is right around the same time that everyone is ready to eat. If I can get everyone served within fifteen minutes it's wonderful. Things usually work out perfect timing there. I love the variety of guests that come through. And I love that they all eventually leave to. It gives me the spice I need in my life. Most of the guests are couples. I get to see how they interact with each other and I aspire for what I want in my relationship at home. I ask questions, and listen attentively to their responses. Imagining what it's like in other people's lives. This job is probably really good for me too.
After the rooms are clean we head home to attend to our home. Laundry, any remaining dishes, eat lunch, decide what's for dinner, change the diaper, nurse, go to the grocery store, lay down for an afternoon nap, that sort of thing.
Colton is the first to get home at 3 p.m. Then Shanon at 3:30. Alex around 3:45. If there is time, and the weather permitting, we will go out to the garden and water the plants, turn on the water for the lawn.
Shanon will get on the computer to check the regulars. He thinks I'm jealous of his friends and of his computer time. But really I just want to spend time with him. It seems we could be closer. I know we have three kids, and they all have needs and I do to. I don't feel like I nag. It seems to me with all the guests that I've seen come through that it would be possible to feel a deeper connection. I know there are 'those' that don't. I don't want to be a 'those'. Is that wrong?
I'll make dinner around 5 and we eat around 6. Movie after that. Then bed.
Pretty standard really.
I know I have a really great life. Finally some established roots. Feels awesome. There is a flower that wants to bloom but I don't know what kind of nourishment it needs to flourish. I'm not giving it what it needs. I hope the knowledge comes to me soon, I would love to get started right away.

Colton at his Concert

Doesn't he look handsome? I was so proud.

Aren't they cute?

My Boys....

Run boys, run.....

Alex 6 1/2

I know I'm not writing much in these posts but it's only because I have a very social little girl who wants to have her mind stimulated often. Any suggestions???

Our little Bailey Cakes

Thinking...thinking....

All smiles for the camera

Um...

What is this stuff?

I don't know how I got both Meow and Bai to look at the same time.

Well, Hello! Fancy seeing you here.

I caught a bee!

Huh?

Days gone by

Our boys are getting big, and Bai will be 6 months on Sunday. I can't believe it. It is also our one year anniversary on Sunday. Amazing how the dates work out.

I love my little family. If only I could show them just how much they mean to me.

The only thing I really get upset about is when it seems that Shanon and I aren't spending enough time together. If that's my biggest complaint, I guess that's o.k.