Have you met....

My dogs?

This is Paris

A standard poodle. She only shows her good side to her family. She barks at any newcomer to the house, and won't let them touch her. She watches over the children and is the kindest wrestling partner Brock and Rhett will EVER have.

This is Brody.

A miniature poodle. He is that dream dog you wish you always had. He follows me around and whenever I sit he is quick to jump on my lap. He never barks, or chews things, just wants to be loved curled up next to someone.

This is Jenna.

A small standard poodle. She eats socks. She could be a professional sock-eater. I could be the professional sock-poop-picker-upper. That should and does sum up Jenna.

Did I mention my dogs are going to make me a lot of money? They better. I sure have spent a ton on them.

Go here www.whispervalleypoodles.com to see more of how I spend my time.

SHOOT!!

Kids.

I thought after I had Rhett that we were done, done, done.

Now I feel like another one.

Oh, here we go!!

Bottles, diapers (more? Whimper, whimper)

That lovely guessing game entitled:

"Who knows why they are crying?"

So worth it.

You know I've already thought of names and I'm not even prego.

Girl:

Aniston Kay

Boy:

Joel

Packer (family name)

Dillon

Keegan

Kian

Wish me luck.

(Wish Mike more luck!)

P.S. Can you guess which baby this is?

Summer= Russian Olive Trees and Frozen Cookies

MMMMMM! Have you ever smelled a Russian Olive?

If you don't think you have, I bet you are wrong.

Whenever I am on the freeway passing American Fork and Pleasant Grove, I can roll down the windows and let my nose fill with the freshness.

I swear all my troubles are scared away.

Russian Olives are my troubles' enemy.

Confession: I bought these at Costco.

Not one was baked.

Instead they were devoured as "frozen cookies".

That's right, a whole box of cookie dough was eaten within 5 days.

The culprits:

Cason

Taycie

Brock

Rhett

.

.

.

.

and me.

Oh, yes I did!!

What???!!! I NEVER make purchases like this, you know, the "see-something-you-like-don't-tell-your-husband-get-the-card-before-you-change-your-mind" kind of purchase. I usually give myself plenty of time to let the want become a discarded thought. But here's the great part (I think)....I don't regret it!! Cason is going to Kindergarten this fall at a school in bike distance and Taycie got into their preschool program, so I will be taking two kids there and would love to ride bikes there with room for Rhett and Brock. So, yes, I shouldn't have, but I DID!!

Don't forget to read on about NieNie!!

NieNie Dialogues

I was asked to pick a woman to portray for an little program we are doing at Girls' Camp next week. I chose to tell Stephanie Clarks story. I had never heard of her or her blog but from the little I heard, I knew she would be perfect, so I delved into her blog after the kids went to bed. It wasn't long before the tears came. I was crying for a mother who grieves for a life gone. What's so much more though, is what she celebrates. She loves her family, especially her husband. She shares the gospel, she rejoices in temples. If I keep going the floodgates will open again. Please read her blog! nieniedialogues.blogspot.com And please read March 23, 2009. I promise if you do, you will go about your day a little differently. I hope, hope, hope I do.

Trying to get there

Will I ever get there? Children who can communicate feelings with words instead of shouts, screams, crying, and whining (ohhhhh..the WHINING!)

The Dream Home I've been obsessing over...

The garden with corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries and so much more...

My future pool table, you know, the ones where you can put a ping pong table on top...

A pool with an automatic cover...

A session of Settlers of Catan with my kids, instead of begging my brother to bring his roomates over...

A work schedule for Mike with numbers ranging from 9 to 5...

Just a little land...nothing under an acre..

Kids who sit ALL the way through church coloring or reading...

Diaper free? No that's too much to ask. ONE in diapers...

Is it an unachievable dream or too much to strive for? I don't know. What I do know is what we've already achieved. Are you ready to RUUUMMMMBBBLLLEEE??!! Da da da duh da da da.. daaaaa.....

Children who sweetly profess their love without pride or provocation.

A home big enough for us and those who need help.

A JOB first of all, second of all one that fills my husband with satisfaction and confidence.

A kidney shaped pool that has no automatic cover, but drains my kids' energy and teaches them to swim "SUPER-FAST", just like Rocket from Little Einsteins.

Kids who relish everything they learn in church and can see everything literally, the way religion should be seen.

Children who depend on me for almost all decisions.

I think I'm good.

Don't you think for a second I'm going to give up on the first hopes. It's all a matter of time and appreciating what you have NOW so you can appreciate what you have later, too. :)

Hammond House Mornings

I thought I would give you front row seats to the show I get most mornings. Cason is our little athlete and we are glad Taycie tries! Notice Cason's Kung-Fu/breakdancing moves. I think it would go well with a good wholesome Techno beat, if I ever let him listen to it. Taycie is just happy to involve Ammon, one of our house guests.