Oh Deer, Oh Deer

Tony and Deborah have been great renters. Our mobile home (their current home) is just behind our house down the driveway maybe 1/4 mile. Deborah has a great way with her camera. She shares her pictures with us. She even knows how to write little inscriptions on the photos. She is able to see things that I would have missed.

Enjoy her latest pictures. This curious deer is trying to check out her cat. Keep the pictures coming Deborah, and thanks for helping with the cows this weekend!

Junk Mail..Can't get enough!

The mail keeps coming! There is nothing Derek likes more than Junk Mail.

Sunday we picked up some junk mail from the Roberts. They had been out of town "forever" so Derek missed their "load" on Sundays (they would bring it to church...Derek would look around all during Sacrament Meeting for them). Derek couldn't wait to knock on their door for their "treasures"(Marianne felt bad that she forgot to bring it to church.. she knows how much Derek looks forward to it) But wait.. as we drove out of the driveway, what did I spot... but several deer.
Derek was not as excited as I was to stop and take some pictures. (Forget the deer mom, the Robert's mail is waiting)

Then today in the mail Derek got a package of junk mail catalogs all the way from Reno, Nevada.

Our sweet friends the Evans sent him a little care package.
Patty and Rodney lived (and still live in the same house) next to my grandma Garrett. Patty has kept in touch with all of our family (my siblings, aunts, uncles, my parents). How sweet was it for Derek to receive a fun box in the mail. Thank you so much Evans! Too thoughtful!

Home Away From Home

Bob is a truly dedicated husband and father.

Because we are paying for Derek's program and Taylor's college, Bob continues to work in Portland. The commute is horrible (especially this time of year, and ever since his accident in April) which he dreads. He does have a nice place to stay while in Portland, which we are grateful. This weekend Derek and I were able to spend some time at the condo and with Bob. (besides shopping and going out to lunch) Thanks for the time for us to be home away from home!

Friends for Life

When we lived in West Linn we had the Volpigno's as our neighbors.

Shelli and I grew so close during those years. We had our youngest children that each had... (as we called it) "situations" We have helped each other, listened to each other, advised each other (alright, Shelli advises me.. and the turtleneck isn't the issue Shelli) and we laugh with each other. Shelli is my very talented, artist, clever friend. In fact check out her website. She went through the process of getting an idea of hers patent. She'll take your orders at any time!

While in Portland, Shelli, Kayla and husband Michael (Daughter Alyssa is in Rome) met us at McMienamins before Niquelle's wedding. Even though our visit was short, it was so good to see them. We talk at least 3 times a week (if not more.. and I especially like to call during Survivor.. just to be a home wrecker.. as Michael puts it), but we rarely see each other.

Thank you for coming to meet us! Kayla, Derek loves his motorcycle, and the pictures you drew were great! The turtle makes me laugh. Thanks for your continued friendship!!!

American Idol Fan Club President meets Mema

Saturday I was so excited to see Mema.
I'll back up a bit. Several years when American Idol started it's show, I would e-mail my aunt and a few other people about the happenings of the show. One thing led to another and through the years we have a little e-mail club. (Anyone can take part)
It is so fun to see everyone's take on the singers, their outfits, tatoos and the judges. We have all ages from 10 year olds to 80 year olds, teen-agers.. closet watchers, spouces who have to endure, and sons of the President who want to turn off the tv rather than take part. Mema is Niquelle's (Read about her wedding)grandma. We all love reading Mema's comments. Her and Dick are either in Florida, Arizona, the Coast of Oregon, or vacationing somewhere usually warm and sunny. Mema usually attends the American Idol concerts. She has treated us with little souveniers articles about the contestants, personal letters to idol fans and pictures from the concert. Derek and I had ice cream with her months ago, and we ran into her at Costco (Even though she lives elsewhere.. she was here in Oregon helping Niquelle and her mom with the wedding) Mema looked amazing at the wedding. Mema is so sweet. She always makes you feel so happy! Thanks for the hug Mema, the wedding was wonderful!!! Until next AI season!!!

"Here Comes the Bride"

Saturday was a fun filled day.
Derek and I hitched a ride with Carol & Terry Virgin to Portland. They work in the Portland Temple every other Saturday. Bob met us at the Temple (Bob worked all day on Friday since we were joining him on Saturday).
The three of us went to Bob's condominium, shopping, out for lunch and then on to Niquelle's wedding. Derek has never been to a wedding before. He did great!! Niquelle looked stunning, happy and glowing. Niquelle is such a fun lovin' kind of gal. Wow, the laughs we had (Where's the panels?"). Niquelle is such a patient person. Derek learned so much from her. She has been working in Portland with other children... but "WE WANT HER BACK" (Hey Niquelle isn't that from the New Kids on the Block?) It was great seeing Niquelle so happy. We are sure her and Alex will live happily ever after. So, all I can say is "Top of the mornin' to you" Love to the two of you.

A Free Concert in our Living Room

Like I've mentioned before, we have some great kids come and play with Derek. They have been so helpful! Derek looks forward to their visits.

Wednesday Elijah came over. He just started learning the violin in middle school, and asked if he could bring it along. I knew Derek would like to hear Eli play and maybe try it himself. Derek did strum the strings with the bow. It was so sweet of Elijah to tell him what the bow was made out of and how to be very careful with it. Eli knew two of the songs that Derek also knows how to play on the piano. Felicity and I decided to have them play together. Of course the violin and piano aren't tuned to each other, and Derek plays really fast, and Elijah has just started... but check it out for yourselves. (Thanks Felicity for helping them try and stay together) They did a great job. Wish you could have been here to enjoy! Keep up the good work Elijah!

Melanie Meets David Archuleta

I've never heard Melanie more bubbly, excited and hyper.
I wish you could have heard our phone conversation.
"Wow.. New Kids on the Block?!"
"Free tickets?!"
"What... David Archuleta?!"
"Autograph!!!"
Melanie was one of the faithful members of the A.I. Fan Club. (Someday I'll blog about that) We both LOVED David's singing, and continue to love his newly released hits.. call us Teen-agers.. that's o.k.
Go to Melanie's Blog and see what I'm talking about. (Look under Who's Kids?) Surely you can feel her excitement jumping out through the computer. That's just as thrilling as Rebecca meeting Corbin Bleu! Who can add to that? Blog me and we'll see! (No, Bob Shaw the weather man doesn't count... I'm still looking for the Pregnant man, if so, I'll make sure to get the picture)

Alisha turns 30!!!

It's hard to believe that Alisha is 30. Alisha, you are so young. But then again it is really crazy that I feel like we are on the same "page" and really I'm old enough to be your mother. I loved Alisha's 30 things list. It made me think... I'm going to start compiling one (if that's OK with you Alisha?) for my big Five Zero in July. Great idea. I thought everyone would like to see what I'm talking about. Thanks for sharing your great self with us Alisha. We miss you. I miss seeing Ben and Hannah and having them over from time to time. Derek misses your junk mail, but will remember your address for life. Thanks for letting me use your children as "models" for Derek's verb drills. I miss honking at your house 2 times a day. But I do have fun memories of us being stuck in Snowville with your family, Derek and me and Rebecca and Trey.. (nasty place to be broken down in)! But we still can have laughs from it. Also thank you for winning me tickets to the American Idol finale' and Dinners Done Right (you have the best luck) and the push you gave us all to walk the Butte. YOU are my Biggest Loser Friend!

"This ones for You Trevor"

For years we had Trevor as the supervisor over Derek's program. He would travel from Eugene once a month to check out how good we were doing, and to see Derek's progress. Our meetings would last for hours. I would fix lunch so we could eat while working. I don't know how it started, but we decided that we would have Taco Soup each month. We would call it "Trevor's Team Meeting Taco Soup" Trevor is off with his wife and 4 children studying to be a Physicians Assistant in Springfield Minnesota. Good Luck Trevor! We still think of you and thank you for all you did for us.. Your traditional meal continues! We miss you!

Just Whistle While You Work!!!

What did you do you on Saturday?
Well, Bob has been itching to build a wall in the barn.
Each hay season the man with the stacker (too bad I don't know what kind of truck it is.. but it is an amazing truck) suggests it would be a good idea for him to have a wall to stack the hay next too. So, with a stack of old pieces of fence, we (Bob, I should say) started the process.
Derek and I would go retrieve a good enough piece of wood, bring it to the barn, and go back for another. We picked out 22 pieces. While we were getting the wood, Bob was sawing the ends off.

It was such a nice sunny day (I did have my thoughts on something more relaxing), thank goodness for nice weather. I wore a coat to protect me from slivers, dirt, bugs, paint chips... The whole time the cows were totally confused. The mooing was non-stop. The only time they see me is to feed them ("Bad farmer wife" they were thinking).
Finally it was time to build the wall.

I would stand on my tip toes with my arms stretched as high as I could. Bob would hammer his side up first, then come to my end. Can I just tell you, I did not like the things that must have been sprinkling in my hair with each bang of the hammer. (Hum.. now I know why Bob was doing the hammering) Yes, dirt, bugs, paint chips.. who knows what else. By the time we got to the bottom, I was practically laying down to hold up the board. The wall got up and we were happy with our accomplishment. I suggested painting the boards or staining them (I did it just to see Bob's reaction.. he didn't appreciate it) Now I can't wait for Mr. Stacker/Hayer man to come next season and see what we added to the barn. He'll appreciate not hearing me screaming and yelling "I think the stack you just layed down looks like it may crumble"
Now.. if I could only learn to whistle, it would have been a pleasant day!

Bend, Oregon... Yahoo!!!

Today when I turned the computer on and went to Yahoo there was a great article. Great in the fact that it named Bend as the best place in Oregon to raise a family. I was excited and felt proud. So... hurry back to Bend,Oregon Rebecca.
Justin,you and the boys will love it!
Here is the article it's from Business Week. You'll have to scroll down to see your state. Shelli, Hillsboro, Oregon is the next best city in Oregon.

Bob (Grandpa Bend) Meets Tian for the first time!

Rebecca and I couldn't wait for Bob to get home this weekend so we could get Bob on the webcam. Trey was excited to talk to Grandpa Bend too. Finally Bob could get a good look at Tian for the first time. Once again I think Tian waved at us. Isn't technology wonderful?!

Happy "70th" Birthday Uncle Kent!!!

Sweet Aunt Janice planned a little surprise party for my uncle who is turning "70". He swears he is only 55 which would make him 5 years older than me... I can't imagine that... Yes, he looks great for his age, but I'd say he wasn't younger than my dear husband Bob.
Anyway, Derek just played Happy Birthday on the Piano for Uncle Kent and the Party guests. I was thinking of all the fun summers I spent in Reno with my grandparents and Uncle Kent & Janice. Uncle Kent taught me how to water ski. It comes to know surprise to any of you that I'm not what you call the "athletic type" but I try. So this year, just to prove that I could remember, and to give my hats off to Uncle Kent for being a great teacher, I got up on the ski's. (Oh did I mention that my Uncle Kent is a world champion?) Yes, I actually crossed over the wake. Just so Kent believes me, I will post a few of these really "fine" pictures. The youth went on their annual water ski trip, so I took Derek (which he loved riding in the boats and swimming in the lake)and we joined the kids. I think the boys in the boat weren't sure that I was going to get up (they had to dust off the 2 ski's since they only use wake boards).Here's to you Uncle Kent!!! Happy Birthday and many more birthdays to come!!!

Snow Day!!!

My good friend Melanie called me from Utah this morning (actually it was Wednesday morning.. that tells you how slow I am) asking if we were shoveling our driveway. I luckily reported to her that No, we had no snow. I ventured outside with my pajama's and coat to feed the cows when I walked pasted my car.. Oh, I told a lie. So I turned back to the house to grab my camera. This is what I saw. So Melanie.. yes, we had some snow too.

Mornin' Chores on the Farm (E I E I O)

Now that the water has been shut down, my mornings aren't as hectic. I almost look forward to my barn animal greetings. And look at the pretty sky this morning... I missed the good part while I ran back in the house for my camera.
"Big" and "Mac" are the two we are fatting up for butchering (I could think of some other terms, but I saved you the visual) Poor guys, just waiting for their feeding each day. They think they are something special getting corn and hay while the other cows just get to chew on any grass they can find. Notice the corn in his nose.
Yeah, you'd love to see how he cleans up afterwards.. (that is not a good visual.. you'd never know that a cows tongue was so long)

While they are eating their corn I fill up their water trough. The other cows have the whole pond to drink from (Sooner than I'd like to think... I'll be chopping the ice so they can get to their H20.

Thank goodness the pond hasn't frozen over (I'm sure in time I'll be showing you what I mean).

When the cows are done, I give them their hay. Yum, Yum... The other cows are mooing on the other side of the fence. Every morning I try to explain to them that if they only knew why their 2 friends get the special treatment.. they would keep far away from me. Thought you'd enjoy seeing what I'm talking about.

Rock Star Jake

Derek has some really nice friends that willingly come over and play with Derek and Derek's tutor. When the weather is nice they jump on the trampoline or play basketball. They play games like Old Maid and Uno too.
We had Jake come play this week. What a fun-lovin kid he is. He has the best sense of humor.. he just makes me laugh. While I was taking Jake home I had some sappy song on the radio. I said, Jake do you like this kind of music? He said, "Actually no.. I'm into the old kind of singers, not like Beach Boys or The Beatles, but old time rockers." I said, "Oh, that's nice" Then all of the sudden his thumb was his microphone and he started singing "We are the champions.. we are the champions.. we are the champions... of the world" I didn't want to crack up, so I calmly said, "That was nice." Wow, to feel comfortable to break out in song with an "old lady" listening! Keep it up Jake!
Thanks for coming to play!

It's BACK!!!!

Thanks to my neighbor Tony and his friend Rob, our computer is back safe and sound working like a charm. Thanks guys. You don't think about all the times in the day that you go to the computer... I sure missed it.

We are having so much fun with our WebCam (Thank you Lee for suggesting we get one). I've been able to read Trey his nighttime books, watch Tien make his cute little noises (I think he even waved to me), and entertain Trey while Rebecca was at the door. For all you grandparents, I agree with Lee, what a fun way to keep in touch with your children!!!


It's a good thing you can't see me on the other end... I'm surprised I didn't frighten the grandkids with my early morning hair, and flannel p.j.'s.

One of the first Blacks to get the Priesthood...

Our Dear Home Teacher Brother Black is such a great man. He won't let you forget that he is 89 years old. Brother Black is a faithful home teacher. We know each month that he cares for us and that he loves us. He has quite the sense of humor. He tells everyone that he was one of the first blacks to get the Priesthood. Get it..? Today in Relief Society his wife bore her testimony. She has always been very active. She was a P.E. teacher, has climbed mountains,loved swimming and all sports. Lately she has had major health problem(besides being in her 80's). She hasn't been able to walk without a cane or walker. Brother Black never was physically fit, even though Sister Black would bug him to exercise.

The other day he joined the fitness center and started lifting weights. She asked him why all of the sudden he'd start exercising. He replied, "So I can take care of you!" Isn't that the sweetest thing ever? Derek loves Brother Black's visits.. can you tell?

"A rose by any other name..."

I don't think I've mentioned how wonderful my husband is.
Each week he treks off to Portland to make it possible for me to stay home and help Derek's program succeed. (His program is successful because of the great girls that work with him) Almost every week Bob brings me home flowers. So Sweet!!!
He told me he does this so I won't forget about him during the week. How could I forget you Bob? The flowers make me happy and bring cheer to my days.
Thank you!!! I Love YOU!!! This week these roses were especially beautiful. Don't you agree? If you could only smell them..oo~~lala

Just Popped in to say "Trick or Treat"

You'd think since orange is my favorite color, I'd love Halloween. Not true. In fact I'm not a big fan of this October celebration at all. But I can't let that hold me back from letting Derek have a little fun. Thursdays is our junk mail day with the Virgin's, so we went there a day early to trick or treat. Derek and I put together microwave popcorn bags tied with a note to say "We popped over to wish you a Happy Halloween". With the help of all the leaves, the Virgin's have a great yard for trick or treaters.>
On Friday (Halloween) we hurried around with our little popcorn, dressed in our orange shirts (That is as far as I go.. and sorry Shelli, my Halloween shirt is a turtle neck! .. inside joke) wising our friends a Happy Halloween.

First we went to Carol Godell's, one of our favorite friends. She not only gave Derek his favorite cheese, but candy and junk mail as well.





Then on to Mary Thompson's. She is such a sweet friend. She gave Derek junk mail, candy and a A&W pop... One of Derek's favorite sodas.
Derek was excited to see Abbey and Delaney. He had his wish met by getting a box filled with junk mail. Abbey also had a treat bag for him. The cookies were so good Abbey, I need the recipe. As of February 13th I promised my dentist I would give up candy for a year. All this candy was so tempting (My mouth is watering for a mini butterfinger), so the cookies in the goody bag were MINE!!!!
Next we flew (get it..witch) on over to Bob and Charlotte's house. Charlotte is the sweetest lady ever. She gave Derek a juicey red apple and a breakfast burrito, and fruit snacks as well.

While we were driving down Charlotte's street we saw Shrek, and the Cheetos guy.. (What is his name?) Now that I'm a blogger, I'm braver than ever. I knocked on the people's door and asked if I could take my son's picture in front of their decorations. The kid was so nice, he took the picture and got both of us in it.



Then off to the Marge and Pam Fogerson. Pam is so crafty!She cross stitched this Halloween plaque, just as adorable as the one I got last year. I hope you can see what an amazing job she did. Derek always treats Marge to a big hug since her grandchildren live in New York.

Last but not least we popped by Mindy Godell's house. Mindy has been our friend since she was in High School with Rebecca. She was one of Derek's tutors while she was going to college. She has a pre-school in her home, along with being a mom to two of the most adorable children, Paiten & Mason. Mindy let Derek pick out of a big bowl of candy. Derek was calm and just picked the m&m's. All these visits were made before 10:30 when Derek's first tutor Jen arrived.
Busy, Busy, Halloween! BOO (Hum Bug)!!!