When A Baby Tiger Comes To Visit...

The Rooster has a friend who owns a baby tiger... yes...a baby tiger. 

He brought it to our house for us to see... 

What an experience that was! It was pretty darn cute...but it was still a wild animal. 

 Everyone was either bitten, or nipped at...

but it was really fun to be up close to such a beautiful animal!

 

Celebrating Our Rooster!

Fun weekend celebrating our Rooster!

 

Happy Birthday Rooster!

My Sweet Rooster... Happy Birthday!!! 

 I can't believe that you are 19 years old! I am so grateful for you. 

 I am so grateful that you are my son. What a blessing you are to me and to your family. 

 You are our darling baby boy and baby brother. 

These are the things that I want to remember about you right now. 

You are nearly as tall as your Dad! Who thought that would ever happen ;) 

And you are still growing. I am not sure where this will end...but you are the tallest of your siblings. 

 I know that makes you really happy! You have the most fantastic hair. 

 It is curly and you like wearing it a little long... 

I think we can blame Grandma Christine for that...she has never wanted us to 

cut your beautiful locks. You have a smile that lights up a room. 

 The twinkle in your eyes makes everyone around you happy. 

You have a special gift with people. 

 That you inherited from both of your grandfathers,

 but you are very much like your Grandpa Charles. 

 The fact that you carry his name is a special thing. 

 He had a great affection for you and you did for him.

 I know his death has been very hard on you. 

 He loved you very much.

   

 You are a great friend to everyone. You are loyal. 

 You are kind and thoughtful. 

You have a tender heart and when those you love hurt...you hurt too. 

This is one of your great traits. 

You are a great brother to your sister and brother. 

They love you with all their hearts.

   

 You love a good steak. 

 Grilled artichokes are another favorite of yours. 

Pasta, Chinese food, and anything sweet...these are all things that you love. 

Your deep voice and sweet laugh keep us all smiling.

You are a great photographer!

Every picture you take is a masterpiece! 

You have a great sense of humor and love the farms. 

  Bubba...you are loved. 

 So very very loved. I hope you will never, ever forget that! 

 Happy Birthday My Boy! 

Your Momma loves you!!

Rooster On The Farm...

January and February have been extremely busy months! 

There are days that I wonder how we have fit everything in...

but...

I am ever grateful that we have!

 New York...Utah...Chicago and so much in between... 

But what I enjoy all along the way, are the sweet photos that The Rooster 

takes and sends to me, things that he finds beauty in. 

He has a very creative eye. 

 These pictures bring me great joy!

Muddy Adventures...

One thing we know for sure, is that The Rooster loves to have alot of fun! 

He has great friends and they love a good adventure together. 

A few weeks back, The Rooster gathered his dear friends and they set out for a day 

of 4 wheeler riding. He asked if he might "borrow" the UTV The Farmer gave to 

me for Christmas. We agreed...they gathered some snacks and sodas and took off. 

Not too long after they were gone, one of the girls in the group 

posted this picture on Facebook...

where I saw it....;)

   

 And there it is! STUCK!!! 

I didn't call The Rooster...I just prayed that he would figure it out without 

damaging the vehicle. Well...they tried...and tried... and failed and failed. 

 They didn't ask for help...but returned to our home to get a truck in hopes of 

pulling the UTV out. And then more time passes. Until now it is dark. 

 The friends had built a fire to stay warm. 

 Finally I said to The Farmer... "don't you think we should call to see if they need help...?" 

and he said "No...let them figure it out."

 Finally more time passed...it got later and later and The Farmer gave in. 

 He called The Rooster, figured out their location and headed to pull them out. 

 Now stuck...the UTV, a 4 wheeler, and The Rooster's truck.

   

 The Farmer wasn't gone too long. 

 Turns out...he was able to pull them all out pretty quickly. 

 After he returned I ask him how it all went and this was his reply... 

"There wasn't one functioning brain in the whole group!"

 That was his summary. The kids???..

.They had a fantastic time! In fact...they all gathered to have dinner together,

 even though they were covered with mud. 

It was an experience that won't soon be forgotten!!

I Don't Want To Forget...

 

 Last night I spent time with My Rooster decorating our Santa Tree and just talking. 

That boy LOVES Christmas and starts getting the Christmas spirit usually around 

the 1st of November. This year we have been working on a major renovation 

of our home and it really turned our lives upside down for a bit. All the while we 

knew that the holidays were quickly approaching and both he and I were wondering if

 we would be able to decorate our home for Christmas.

 It was stressing me out... and it was making him sad. 

 Well...it's done! 

 The construction site is cleaned up...although I am not sure I will EVER 

 get the dust out of my house! Our tress are set up and we have a constant fire in the 

fireplace. It has been so fun to get our home ready for this special season. 

 So last night...The Rooster and I finished decorating the Santa Tree.

 He carefully placed our ornaments that we have had for many years. 

 As we decorated we talked. We talked about things that are going 

on in our lives right now...school...firends...just plain stuff! 

 But is was great stuff. 

 The Rooster isn't a big talker...he's alot like The Farmer.

 They are quiet, but grounded and strong. 

 I loved my time with My Rooster last night...it made me happy!

   

 Around 8:30 our phone rang. 

 On the other end was a sweet cousin who just happens to live in Sis. Precious' mission.

 Sis. Precious does not live in her area but ended up being there for an 

evening to attend some meetings. The sister missionaries who live in our cousins ward, 

let her know that Sis. Precious would be there and so they planned to meet for dinner. 

 Cousin Karen took them to have Mexican food and she said that they talked and

 talked and talked. She said 

"...I wish so much that you could see Sis. Precious!... she is doing so well! 

 In fact she is literally glowing...she is so happy." 

She must have said that 4-5 time..."Oh how I wish you could see her."

 And so...I wept. That's what missionary moms do right?! 

 Sis. Precious has a new found and intense interest in family history. 

 She asked Cousin Karen everything she could to find more information about her

 heritage. Sis. Precious said that he always remembers what her Dad told 

her as she left for her mission..

."Remember who you are...and where you come from." 

 And for that reason she is hungry for more knowledge of her ancestors, 

so that she might understand more fully..."from where she comes."

 Cousin Karen and I talked more...I cried more ;)...and then she told me that she

 needed to go so she could pick up Sis. Precious and take her back to her area. 

 "Is there anything you want me to tell her ?" 

She asked...and I said with tears running down my face...

 "tell her that I love her with all of my heart and that I am so proud of her!!" 

And we said good-bye. Man do I miss that girl of mine! 

 But how grateful I am that she has chosen to serve this mission!

 

On another note...The Aggie Boy will be home in another week! YAY!!!

 I can't wait to have My Boys together for a few weeks!

 Let the Mothering begin!!! ;)

A Wrecked Rooster...

I am currently visiting The Grandparents S. in AZ. 

 The Grandpa is fighting a very valiant fight against cancer, and some days are better than others...

but he is doing his best to be strong and brave. I am so thankful that The Farmer and The Rooster are holding things together on the home front so I could spend a few days here with The Grandparents. 

It has been a really nice visit. This time is also allowing me to catch up on a few delayed posts. 

The Aggie Boy and a very sweet friend of his, came home for a visit a week ago. 

 When he comes home...he brings alot of energy with him! 

It is a treat to have him around!

 

 The Rooster really enjoyed having his brother home. 

The Rooster recently wrecked his motorcycle and it left a few marks behind;) 

Which required a trip to the Dr. A lecture from the Dr. (who also treated The Aggie Boy 

when he...on more than one occasion... wrecked his motorcycle too! 

 It also required a trip to the pharmacy and a few different medications. 

Thankfully he didn't break anything...

May...AKA..."Birthday May..."

May is a full month for us. We celebrate to big birthday's within a couple of days. 

 From the time The Darlings were babies...we have tried to make birthdays extra special! 

 I was in the hospital giving with a newborn baby Rooster, while we not only celebrated the new

addition to our family... buy also the birthday of The Farmer. 

 The Rooster and The Farmer are two peas in a pod...The Farmer often looks at him and says...

"that's just what I looked like when I was his age." 

 Or...when The Rooster finds his way into a little mischief... 

The Farmer understands all too well. He was a boy that was mischievous too. 

 Anyway...it's pretty great that their birthdays are so close!

   

 (The Rooster and Grandma Christine) 

 The Rooster began his day with his favorite breakfast, waffles with fried Spam...

yep...that's right! 

The waffles were topped with LOTS of whipped cream. 

He opened a few gifts...some cologne so we would smell delicious...

some pop tarts...some oreo cookies...and some really awesome socks! 

 Later in the evening he got his "gift" from The Farmer and I. 

 After he left for school, I got busy and started lunch for the cousins and friends at school. 

It has been a really fun tradition that we have enjoyed since The Aggie Boy began high school.

 The Rooster chose Spaghetti and Meatballs, salad, vegetables, garlic toast 

and a Pastel del Tres Leches for his cake.

 

Lunch with the kids is always so fun! It is something I really enjoy! 

 Grandma Christine was sweet to go along with me...and I might add...

very beloved by her grandchildren. Later in the evening The Rooster opened his 

official gift from The Farmer and I, which was Scuba Certification! 

 He and The Farmer will get certified together and very soon...

taking some wonderful trip together to do a little "diving."

The Rooster...At 17...

 

17 years ago today The Rooster arrived!! Where had the time gone?

  Sniff...Sniff...

He is our "Baby" he is our "Pet." It is hard to see him turn into a man...but at the same time it has

 been so fun to watch him grow. From the moment he arrived, he had us all wrapped around his little finger.

 In fact, he seems to have the same effect on most everyone he meets. Usually when you mention his name,

you hear things like..."oh I love that Rooster..." or "he is such a sweet boy."

 He has eyes that twinkle and those sweet eyes get him out of trouble when trouble is found;)

He as the most contagious smile that can light up a room.

He has a very tender heart.

  He doesn't like to show his emotions...(just like his Farmer Father)...

but when he does it is a very tender thing.

The Rooster at 17...

He loves his siblings and misses them terribly.

He doesn't like to be the center of attention...

He LOVES a good steak...and a not so good one too;)

He really likes Mt. Dew

He smells great all the time;)

He loves jerky

He is a great friend and is quick to defend if needed.

He likes to Golf...

He takes great care of Meow Meow...

He has the most wonderful thick and curly hair...

He has grown very tall over the past couple of years,

 and at the rate he is going he may be as tall as his Dad very soon!

His hands are the same size has his The Farmer's and he now wears a larger shoe than The Farmer does...

He is often found in the kitchen late into the night, because he is hungry.

He loves spear fishing and goes as often as possible!

 

I can't imagine our life without Our Rooster!

 He has brought so much joy into our home!

 I love that Rooster with all my heart!!

Happy Birthday Roost!!!!

 

 

The Rooster Goes To Washington...

 

The Rooster is in Washington DC and NY for a few days.

 He is on a trip with a few kids from the high school.

 Have I mentioned that I am SMITTEN with this boy... who is now much taller than I am???

 He left yesterday and will be gone all week!

 

 

 I am so glad that he is seeing a little bit if the world!

Church Ball...

 

What is it about Church Ball that gets to everyone?

It tends to be a very emotional experience for everyone involved! I know it has been for us;)

 Last night's game was especially hard. Our boys lost by one point in an overtime.

 They gave it a good fight, but it wasn't quite enough.

 

 

The ward team, this year is made up of my nephews, and their cousins.

The Farmer's Mother has been especially proud to watch her "posterity"

 (as she calls them) play together.

Another perk to small town living;)

 

 

The Rooster's number changes from game to game...

but his black striped short remain the same;)

His lucky shorts!

 

 

It has been a lot of fun to watch our boys play together!

Thanks to another cousin we have the great pictures! He is a great photographer

 and got some fun shots. Thanks Jared!

 

That's The Rooster...going up for a shot...which he made;)

 

Here he is again...

 

 

And again...

 

 

The tournament will end this weekend with the winners playing the full time

missionaries in our Stake. Now that should be fun!

Can't wait!!

The Rooster...And...Prom...

I am grateful for wonderful friends!

That is the summary of The Rooster and Prom!

And...can we just mention that this boy has a great head of hair??

Wow!