It's Sitting In The Mailbox......

I figured it must be there, The Boy's mission call.  I am pretty sure it was deliveredd the day after we

picked up the mail on our way to Mesa.  Today I called the Postmaster....and he confirmed it.....it is there

waiting for The Boy to pick it up.  That won't happen until next
Monday and so we take deep breaths until then.

He is peaceful, enjoying himself, fishing....making fish tacos.....and everything else you would do at

the beach.  The parents....on the other hand....are just trying to breathe.

The days are full of fishing.....

Playing in the ocean....Preshie has collected a good amount of sea glass for us to take home.

Cousins are enjoying burying other cousins....deep in the sand.....

I

Big cousins are exploring with little cousins....

And The Farmer takes his place each evening.....sculpting.

It is a beautiful place to be!

We Left It All Behind.....

A much needed break was in order......

So after celebrating Easter in Mesa with the family, we jumped into the car and headed for....

Puerto Penasco.....Rocky Point.

The Farmer, as well as a whole slew of cousins met us along the way and we have begun a week of

long days in the sun....sand castles in the evenings...(by The Farmer), yummy seafood meals,

long chats....long naps.....good books....more tasty food...

It just doesn't get any better than having our kids with us....all to ourselves....time we are soaking up.

The Boy's mission call is sitting in our mailbox waiting for us to pick it up, which we will do on our way home. 
But as exciting as it is for us to have him prepared to leave...
......his upcoming absence is in our every thought. 
Our family is changing.

And I am more grateful than ever for this week of just being together.

Another Evening In The Front Yard....

My day began at 4:45 this morning. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, I am already tired.

The Rooster had a field trip and needed to meet the bus at 5:30 am.  He wasn't happy....He didn't want to

go.  He likes to be close to home.  But none-the-less....he climbed onto the bus with his backpack loaded

with treats, and knowing he was in great hands....I drove away quickly so he couldn't change his mind.

Upon returning home....the next shift of The Darlings were awakened and their day began.

Cooking is in full swing....preparing lunch today for the cousins....another celebration of

The Boy's birthday.
Spring Break is in the air....The Darlings and their Darling Cousins...have started the countdown....and have already started acting like it is Spring Break with roping sessions in the evenings and trips into the orchards to rabbit hunt.  Not typical activities on a school night....but since tonight is their last school night for a good long

time....why not get started!!  I mean...it made perfect sense to them!  The truth is....I love when our home

is filled with cousins and friends.  It is loud....but it is great fun!!

Last evening....a group of the cousins gathered to check on The Boy's little colt....who still remains

nameless....(he is waiting for the heaven's to part and reveal her name)....We were a bit worried about the

little thing, because when whe was born two of our other horses were mean and bit her on her back leg.

Can you imagine???  The Boy and I went to the nearby pasture to check on the two mean horses and noticed a very defined hoof print in on the side of Caballero....I secretly was proud of the Muneca...the new Mom...for defending her little baby.  Instinct is an amazing thing!  We brought the Mom and baby

 here to our home where The Boy could carefully watch over her, and

her leg bean to swell and she could hardly walk.  It was soooo sad to watch.  After a visit from our favorite Vet. and after shot, he checked her out very well and announced she was in great shape and she would

be fine.  Our nerves were calmed....well...my nerves were calmed....everyone else seemed fine;)

By late afternoon she was running and jumping through the yard.

Back to the cousins.....they gathered in the front yard....excited to just be around the new little colt. 

The Muneca is a really good Mom and watches all who enter the yard...very carefully.  When Cousin Joe,

got a little too close....she let him know to step away....and he got the message;)
The young cousins decided that it was time to rope.  They started by just trying to rope the fence or the tree, or anything else they could see to rope....and then it truned into roping each other.  And they really liked it!

They would take turns roping and being roped.  It was pretty funny to watch.

Even after dark....the fun and games continued....The finished off the eveing with a little rabbit hunting.

Oh it is great to have cousins!

And the little colt.....she is adorable!  She is learning more and more about life....investigating her surroundings, getting to know The Darlings....eating....sleeping....eating more and just being darn cute!

We aren't sure what color she will be yet....The Boy thinks she will be what is called a Roan.

I guess that is kind of grey/purple.  I guess we will see!

It Was A Very Good Day.....

Last night we gathered....the whole family....to celebrate The Boy's 18th birthday.

We did it in our traditional fashion.....at Taco's Rosas.

It is always an event when our family shows up to an eating establishment....we are a large group!

We had adults at one table....teenagers at another....and the mini cousins at yet another.

It is a great blessing to belong to a large supportative family!

I overheard The Farmer's Mother talking to The Boy....telling him about the day he was born, she

was there afterall.  She told him that the day he was born was "A very good day!"

And yes it was!  We waited a long time for Our Boy.  Both our literal family and our community

family was excited for his arrival.  Many happy tears were shed when The Boy was born.

We were sooooo happy to have The Boy in our arms...that is where he stayed most of the time.

Surrounded with family who love him....last night was again...."A very good day!"

Best Cousins!  These two are only 9 months apart and oh how they love each other!

Cousin Loly is like one of our own children....we love her!

We are so grateful for cousins!!!

Happy Birthday to Our Boy!!!  We Love You!!!

What Do You Get The Boy...??????

I was visiting with The Boy on Sunday night....we were talking about his upcoming birthday.....

his 18th Birthday.  I asked him how he felt about turning 18....and he said something like...

"I feel just great...how am I supposed to feel???"

It is a big birthday for him...and for us too....it means.....

Graduation from High School and....most importantly

A Mission.

So, during our visit I asked him what he would like for his birthday...or what he needed...and

he just sat with a blank stare....."I guess mission stuff would be ok"  he said, but

I wanted him to have something that was extra special....something that would mark this special day...

something that he would never forget.  I headed to El Paso Monday morning...for many reasons...but took

advantage of my time there to search for the perfect for this Boy who will be leaving us soon.  I thought

and I searched and nothing really grabbed me.  I found a small something that I knew he would

enjoy, but still longing for the "special thing" that he would always remember on his day.

Returning home.....we...The Boy and I....planned his birthday breakfast....his day of celebration,

and we went to bed.  All night long I wondered how his Muneca was doing....she had been moved

to a pasture close to our home so she could eat.  She has been here at our home for sometime, waiting

for her colt to be born.  Each morning...The Rooster would jump from bed (well sort of)...and run to the

back yard to see if the colt had arrived.  For days this went on with no colt being born.

Everyday brought new hope, that The Muneca's baby would appear.

Early this morning....while The Boy was enjoying his birthday breakfast of choice....Biscuits and Gravy....

A knock came at our door ....The Farmer answered....went outside to talk to one of the men that works

for us....Tany....and shortly entered the house saying....."I can't believe it.....I just can't believe it!!"

"It happened today Boy....on your very birthday.....your little colt was born....!!"

Oh, if we could only have captured the look on The Boy's face.....first disbelief...then the sweetest

smile.  The Rooster let out a big yell.....PreShie had already left for school.  We all ran to the car and

headed to see the new little colt.  Born bright and early this morning....the day of The Boy's birth....

And my wish for The Boy came true.

He will never forget this....his 18th birthday.

And it was not us, his parents, who gave him this unforgettable gift....it was

his Muneca whom he loves so much....and who loves him back!

Happy Birthday to our Boy!!!

*****birthday celebrations are just beginning.....it is going to be a fun filled day for The Boy!*****

Messages From The Chalkboard....and Happy Weekend!

By The Farmer

What We Love About Easter.....

Easter is a holiday we really love!  I love Everything about it!  We have alot of traditions around Easter.  Things like attending the Easter Pagent in Mesa Az....with a Ned's Krazy Sub in hand.  I am all about an Easter dress for PreShie each year...The Boys are gifted with new neck ties...and other Sunday attire if needed......(it is usually needed).  I love an Easter basket loaded with fun little items....a favorite item of The Darlings is a bag of jerky...they know they can count on that.  Our community has what we call the Easter Hike each year....and EVERY year the wind is horrible....but the Easter Hike goes on.  Can I just add that no hiking is involved;)  It is held in the same location year after year, under the shade of huge cottonwood trees.  There is always an Easter Egg hunt...and a yummy lunch.

Back in the day....I tole painted....didn't everyone???  I have retired most of those painted items...but a few still find their way back into the house during different holidays.  This one (above) is a favorite that has been around for years!  The Darlings still love it when I put it out.

We LOVE our feather tree, decorated with fun Easter items.

The jars on the buffet are filled with jelly beans, and eggs and other fun treats.

These are my newest addition...antique hobnail milkglass egg cups.  I have collected a few antique egg cups, and these are a perfect compliment to what I have....I searched long and hard for these and they are so cute!

The best part by far...was The Farmer making his Easter drawing for the chalkboard...this morning.  Remember he thought that chalkboard wasn't such a great idea......I am pretty sure he has changed his mind!

We prepared a "Family Home Evening in a Bag" for family members....we will be delivering them on Sunday night so that they will have them for Monday night....a great way to get into the spirit of Easter.

What's in the bag you ask.....

In the FHE Bag, a cookie mix for the treat.....an egg coloring kit for the activity.....bubble wands (just for fun)....and an Easter Egg Lesson, each egg is numbered and filled with a scripture and a symbol of the events that led up to the death and resurrection of the Savior.  It is a lesson we have done for many years and helps remind us of the real reason for Easter.  Another thing we have added into our personal "FHE in a Bag" is a copy of the testimony of Elder Jeffery R. Holland, "And None Were With Him"...it is wonderful.  Tonight we will hang our Easter garland with the names of the Savior....We won't be celebrating Easter in our home this year....but we will certainly celebrate it up until the moment we leave!  We love Easter!

Where In The World Is Elder Jones Going?????

April 1st was the day he pressed send.

The Boy's missionary papers have been done for quite a while....but April 1st was his day.

His Stake President....(a.k.a. The Farmer)....prepared the final details of the papers while

working from our home office....when done...he paused....looked at me and said...

"I guess it is time to lay Isaac on the altar....." and he pressed "send."

The Boy is ready......I am not so sure about his parents, although there is no where else we

would rather have him. It thrills me that he isn't resisting this experience in any way....

The Boy is ready for the next step in his life.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord granted what I asked of Him...."

This scripture hangs in my home....it speaks to me. It was not easy for us to have our

children....each one was a miracle....each one required many prayers...and not

a day passes that I remember that. My heart understands just a little of what Hannah may have

felt as she pleaded with the Lord for a child....and when he arrived...he took him to the

temple and left him to be taught and trained. Each year she visited him and took him a coat that she had made for him and expressed gratitude to the Lord for him. And so it is now

our turn to leave Our Boy at the "temple." He is our firstborn....he has lead us on this path

of parenthood, where very often we had no idea what our next step would be. We

have shed tears....we have laughed....we have loved......we have experienced most every emotion

known to man....with this Boy. We are so excited for him and grateful that he has

chosen to serve.

In the entry of our home is a large map that we have invited everyone in the community and

in our family to place a pin....to guess where The Boy will be called to serve. It has been

really fun to hear the comments. I don't really have any idea where he will go...and really

it doesn't matter....just that he will serve. But my prediction is the Samoan Islands....I don't

know why......The Farmer says Brazil....PreShie says Argentina....The Rooster first said

Lybia....and then changed his guess to somewhere in Africa. The Boy's best cousin...who is

serving in Argentina right now, wrote home and gave his prediction....and it went something

like this.....The Boy will serve in Argentina....and Cousin B. will be his trainer...and he said...

"This is just how it is going to be!" well....it won't work quite like that but it was

a sweet thought. We have the Postmaster in Columbus, NM. on alert....when The Boy's

call arrives....the Postmaster will call us and we will go and pick it up...2 1/2 hours away.

We will all gather as he opens his call and I am sure we will shed many tears.

I wouldn't want it any other way!

*****please post your predictions and I will post them on our map!*****

It's Always Fun When Grandpa Comes.....

We love it when Grandpa S. comes to visit! We love it when he brings the Grandma too....but

she hasn't been able to come lately. Grandpa...on the other hand...is here for a visit

about every two weeks! What a treat for us!!

The Darlings LOVE it when he comes! The morning he was getting ready to leave...

he had been up very late the night before....but he got up to see The Darlings off to school,

reminding them to be Good Darlings...and that he would see them again in another couple

of weeks. The Darlings like to tell him all about their lives....all about school....what they think

about things...how they feel about things....he is always a wonderful support and offers great

advice and encouragement. It is a blessing to have him visit us so often.

Another reason we LOVE it when he arrives....is the loads of citrus he brings.

This citrus starved AZ girl longs for a juciy grapefruit, navel oranges...that were not picked when

they were green...but tree ripened...and tasty lemons...which are never seen in my neck

of the woods. The first thing I thought of when I saw the lemons....was Lemon Bars!

I made them.....we ate them....and they were yummy! Last time Grandpa S. was here, we

drove to the JSA at lunchtime and were lucky enough to find The Darlings....he hugged them

and told them good-bye....and as PreShie was running across campus she YELLED....

"bring more Oranges when you come next time...." and she yells loud! Grandpa thought

that was pretty funny. The Darlings take those juicy oranges in their lunches. Grandpa forgot

to bring the load of citrus on one of his trips....and I thought The Farmer was going to cry.

He said...."did The Chief (he calls Grandpa S. "The Chief") really not bring the

grapefruit....??????" He loves grapefruit more than he loves us I think.....;)

We really do love the AZ citrus!

I love Easter!

Maybe it is the colors of Easter that I love so much. After a long and cold Winter,

the colors f Easter represent life again. Our favorite Easter decorations are throughout

the house...some from when The Darlings were Mini Darlings. I love them all! Easter eggs

and jelly beans fill jars on the buffet in the dining room. Most everyone who stops by, ends up

leaving with a hand full of jelly beans. I saw an idea I loved....last year....names of the Savior on a ribbon garland....hung in a place that could be seen easily. I have thought about it all during the

year....anxious to make my own to help us be more thoughtful of a special season. I remembered that Grandpa S. had told me about a list of names, of the Savior, that he had compiled through his years of scripture study....I asked him to send me the list...and I made

the garland....with 74 different names.....and it was beautiful!

I decided that the first garland should hang in the home of the Grandparents...after all...it was

Grandpa's study that gave us the list. I wrapped it up and sent it home with Grandpa...when

he left. And as quickly as that garland left...I began another for our home. It will not only be a

great reminder of The Savior...it will be a great reminder of Grandpa S. a.k.a. "The Chief"

I can't wait to get mine done and hung!

*Just a side note....this morning The Darlings were headed out for school...I said

"be sure not to fall for any jokes today....it is April Fools Day....

to which The Boy replied...."oh ya...I am supposed to be wearing green today...right?"

well...it did supply me with a good laugh....and I often tell The Darlings that was one

of the reasons I birthed them....to entertain me!

This is my most favorite weekend of the year....Spring General Conference Weekend!!!

We will be cooking....eating...listening...watching....and loving every minute of it!!!