Josh ran his race... and was very frustrated- sadly to say. Yah, the picture doesn't tell the story here. Shawn's derby cars won 1st or 2nd place each time- Josh got 3rd last year but there were triple the number of scouts! So, he had expecations this year that were definately not met... we felt soooo bad. As parents we could visibly see the struggle within him- he handled himself very well- he ended fine... but we could see the fingers twitching, the look on his face, the stiffness in his body- it was rough. As a mom you just want to take away all negative competition! It won't go away- someone has to win and someone has to lose in these worldly adventures- so lessons need to be learned... I am glad Heavenly Father doesn't do this to us- we can ALL return to Him- it's not a race, not a competition- nobody has to lose... but because we can all make our choices- some may leave themselves out of His life, His way... and we can then remember how it felt in our earthly endeavers to not come out victorious- and we will feel sorrow for ANY not back in the presence of God. 

We got toilet papered! We have the perfect trees for just that sort of activity! But, a message was left with red plastic knives in the grass "WE" "a heart" "U" :-) How can you be upset at such a wonderful show of love?!!! I thought it was great... the children doing clean-up weren't so sure they loved it! 

Katie was taking the bunny (Emma) for a walk today! (We have a bunny leash) We finally hit 60 degrees today!!!! YEAH! So, Katie played outside with the chickens, the bunny, and the cats- a happy Katie day :-) 

Just cuz pictures! This was family scripture time in the morning- not the time for pictures- I know- but, it seemed like a memory moment- a simple one- but, an everyday one. 

Toby making himself at home on Caleb's back! 

Katie surprised me today by spelling her name- except for the "k", I helped with that one- today we made sailboats for preschool for "sink or float?" day. Before today, I thought she only knew how to write the "t"- she knows all the letters and their sounds- but has not wanted to write them. I was shocked! She is such a doll :-)

 

Here is a sneak peek of the new colors in the kitchen- it is a lot of work- I am painting every cupboard inside and out- every wall- every drawer (inside and out)- EVERYTHING! In the picture I still need to put the top cupboards back- but, this has all been a very slow work in progress- still lots of work to do... I knew it would be this way- why I dreaded it- but, my goal is to have it all done this week and put away before Easter. I think I can, I think I can.... Oh, and we are also the Easter program for Church- yep- just us- talks, songs, ??? hmmmm sigh what a week- oh, wait...- it's only Monday- sigh.

Melaleuca's deal for April

Melaleuca has the best deal ever this month- $9.95 to sign up instead of the $29.00. They will also send you a $50 gift basket of products and give you $25.00 to spend on Melaleuca next month (May). In the 4+ years I have used Melaleuca I have seen a couple of times where they will have a $1.00 sign up, but never this much of free product AND a $19.00 savings for first time sign up. Email me if you are interested- I can answer any product questions too. You can visit www.melaeuca.com to learn more about what they sell- health, cleaning, beauty products- 100% enviromentally safe and natural- 100% gauarantee on everything- even the sign up price within 3 months!! That's why I can do this :-) Great products- our family LOVES them- Very good prices- I can afford it- and Nobody gets stung or stuck- why I can promote it. I love it!

hee, hee, hee, hee......... these are the duds- well, personally I think even the red one is a dud- but, had to send in something. 

I know this blog thing is going to seem/look contrary to what I say- but I just thought I would let you know that I HATE to get pictures of myself. I had little Shawn take about 20 shots with me absolutely beside myself in laughter, frustration, embarassement before we got this one. Melaleuca is posting me in one of their leadership magazines because of how well our business has done- so, we need a picture they said. UGH. But, it is a once in a life time shot of Tara- by herself- no family... so for you old roomies out there and family that hasn't seen me for awhile- this is it!! Next, I will post for fun all the "can't use that" pictures in a collage :-) What an experience. Sigh 

Mariah got to go to a dance camp this saturday and learn some dance/hip hop/cheer moves from the Indiana Pacer Cheerleaders!! The instructor for her group was Kim- she was super nice and Mariah did a fantastic job! We were kindof scared of how the dress code would be and what some of the moves might be- but it all ended well!
 

Our snow if FINALLY gone (not in the mountains- actually, flooding this year is a possiblity I guess- after a drought?! I guess the penduleum swings!) Anyway, our chickens now have outside pecking bug privilges- they have since rewarded us highly and gone back to 20 eggs in one day- yes, I am laughing about this- what are we to do?! Eat- eggs. (Okay, I tried to check spelling for penduleum and privilges (d?)- taking way too long- so, sorry if I mis-spell on the blog- I am not waiting for the spell chick- opps check-- just kidding!) 

I took the children bowling! What an adventure. We had one bumper pad alley and one regular- yes, we do have bowling in Arco, ID- come join our league- double our population! It was fun- well, all Katie liked were the shoes- SUCH a girl.