Dear Bryce

 My cute boy Bryce. I absolutely adore you. You are so kind and sweet and tender hearted. I'm so proud of how much you have learned this year. You have given it your all in soccer (including scoring goals!) You have spoken in public for scouts at the library and earned your bob cat. You are a good student and an example to your brother and sisters. You also look sooo handsome in your new glasses! You even got in trouble for fighting because you were standing up for girls against some boys that were bothering them (not that you should fight but I'm proud that you stood up for someone that was being picked on). Thanks for being wonderful my little son!

Love,

Your proud Momma

Fourth of July, Rogue fireworks and Moon rocks

 We spent the 4th of July in Gooding and visited Craters of the Moon. This year there were enough older boys to light the fireworks. My mom alarm was going off as the little kids scooted closer and closer to the board where the fireworks were going off. An occational gutsy child would even run around the board and that little voice in  my head (mother's intuition) was getting louder but I didn't want be a put a damper on the kids excitement. Then a rogue firework shot sideways and straight into the group of little girls. Poor Shaylee got hit in the face and took off screaming and running for dear life. I had to chase her down before she stopped screaming. Hope she doesn't end up with a long term fear of fireworks after that! Note to self: Mother's intuition is hard earned and not to be disreguarded!

 Then we went to Crater's of the Moon. It really is a bizzare looking place.

 This is what is supposed to be left over from the ancient supper volcano that erupted into four states!

 This one reminded me of an angler fish!

 In Egypt growing up we stood out because we had so many blonds. Now I'm in a family where we stand out because we have so many red-heads. I'm proud to contribute a few of my own!

 No matter how hot it was outside; the caves were very temperate, some even had ice in them in July. Just watch out for rabid bats and piles of frozen guano.

Quigley Cave rats!!

Summer nights

Trying out our new fire pit! Jake was more than a little excited.

I love Paxton's socks in this one.

Fluffy bunny, fluffy bunny...

Yes I have marshmallow on my knee. I think everyone had it stuck somewhere by the end of the night.

The veiw off our deck.

The blacker the better. Avery charred every marshmallow and then tried to feed them to me.

Before and after

BEFORE

AFTER

We bought a camper off Craigs List only to find out it had more problems than we could anticipate. The day we got it the kids were so excited that Paxton decided to sleep with them in it... in the drive way. It's probably a good thing we kept it close because the next morning when he got up he said it smelled so badly that he felt sick. Come to find out the whole front third of the camper was filled with black mold. Awesome. Luckly I married a very handy guy who spent pretty much the rest of the summer rebuilding it. (He is useful sometimes :) We still aren't quite done but it is soooo much better than before.

Dear Paxton,

It's a sad night my love. We got sad news that makes my heartbreak. I swear helplessness is one of the worst feelings in the world. My heart hurts for a lot of people right now. It is hard to feel this sadness without wanting to hold on to you a little tighter and kiss you a little longer. You are my world. I have told you before and I'll say it again, there is not a person on the face of the planet that could make my any happier. I chose you eleven years ago and I will choose you everyday from here to eternity. Of all the successes I've ever had, of every achievement I've ever earned, none means more to me than my marriage. I see your grandparents; him, tall and skinny as ever and her, fragile and bent and I love the tender way he takes care of her and how much love you see in her wrinkled face when she looks back at him. That is you and me in fifty years, (only I'll be the one taking care of you :) You have my heart forever.
Your adoring wife,
Jaymie

Shaylee

<><><><><><>

<>

<><><><><><>

In Feb. I thought she just wanted them because all of her friends were getting them. Took her in and the doc said she her eyes were really bad. She never takes them off. In fact she was trying to wear someone's sun glasses but couldn't see so she put them on over the top of her glasses. My poor blind daughter, I got mom of the year award for that one. :)

Dear Body,

We have been through so much together in the last 31 years. I'm afraid I haven't always treated you like I should, but you have always been there for me. Even in the last few years you have helped me learn to ride a motorcycle, coach my kids soccer teams, and chase my little dog down the street. In the last few months I have even started running races and am learning archery!

I'm feeling a little guilty though. Often I do things for me more than for you. I eat things I know I shouldn't, I stay up too late, and I play too hard and hurt you. Now that I'm realizing that we still have at least 50 more years together I need to be nicer to you. So, I'm revamping my diet and exercise even though I don't really want to. Goodbye high fructose corn syrup, goodbye hydrogenated oil, goodbye massive hunks of steak (sniff, I really, really like meat!).

I am sacrificing so much for you, I only ask that you return the favor and behave nicely. Till death do us part!

Love,

Jaymie