Puzzles Last Stand..

My horse, Puzzled Look (Puzzle for short), died last night. It was a sudden thing this weekend. Marc and I were up with her all night Saturday night and we thought she was doing better Sunday but then she quickly took a turn for the worse. The vet said there was nothing we could do to fix it and nothing we could have done to prevent it. She died from what is called a "twisted gut" or "collic." This is the #1 killer of horses. It was sad and I cried pretty hard for a while. And I still get teary eyed thinking about my kids missing her. It is tough because this is the second horse we have lost this year. I put together a slide show of a few moments from the last 5 years. It is strange that we get so attached to animals but Puzzle was such a great horse. She loved going for rides and actually got excited when the trailer pulled up. She was so good to let the kids ride her anytime and took good care of them while they were on. And thank you to all the friends and neighbors who helped us out this weekend with all that we needed to do.

I hope they call Bryan on a mission to...

Here it is for all of you who have been waiting!!!
You have to watch to find out where he is going.

I always wanted to marry a cowboy! Mmm Hmm!

Family Pics

So we and some friends decided to go do our own family pics. We took turns with the camera. Our friends did better than I did, and I feel so bad. But, to my defense, my young ones were stressing me a bit so I don't think I was focusing on them enough. But, here is a sample (because I don't know if they want me to post many of their fam--since it's my blog) of what I did and a bunch what W did. Thanks guys!

I am also posting a slideshow of 3 and how well she cooperated.

Side note: I still want to do some photoshop work on ours--I'll try to post the finished products when I do.

Just Being Kids

Marc was off work today and was doing some yard work. 3 really wanted to help out!

His dad stopped by while we were outside.
He always likes to say "hi" to our friendly horses.

I babysat my sister's three kids today while the went to see "Forever Strong." They are so cute. Her little girl and 3 were having peaches out on the porch in the sunshine and 3 was giving her pushes on the swing.










































12 wasn't enjoying doing his homework but, 8 was so proud of his 2x tables. He really does so well on them. And he also did his math homework today almost all by himself.

Here are her two boys enjoying a snack... like the big bowl? It adds to the effect.

A little clarification...

OK, so in case anyone is confused and wondering if I am letting 16 date an older guy. Let me 'splain.

OK, so when I say graduated high school early, it is true--he graduated last year and is only 17 years old. So, when I say he is a genius, I really mean it. He is very musically talented and a great kid. So from now on, so that no one thinks he is 26 or something I will call him "BYU17," just to clarify. I didn't want anyone out there to think I was a bad mom, letting my 16 date someone too old! He is a sweet guy and very close to her age.

Building America, Bus, and random thoughts

OK, so I haven't really "written" for my blog for a long time. I have just been posting. So, after a little traveling to work in-house for one of my clients I had time to ponder. Why, did I have time to ponder? you ask. Well, when you are on a two lane freeway and one side is closed for construction you usually are only able to go between 1 and 5 miles per hour until everyone is able to figure out how to merge! Anyway, so while going 3 miles per hour I had time to look more closely at the standing train cars there are along this stretch of interstate. These cars seem now to be a permanent arrangement. Anyway, I had a chance to really look at the graffiti on the cars. Now, some of it is terrible and very poorly painted, but then there are many that are intricate, well-planned, color-coordinated, art pieces of our time. Then, it was interesting, as I looked at each and every Union Pacific railway car (and there were many, and yes, I had that much time) I had to chuckle to myself because next to their logo it says "Building America." Now I found that ironic as below it is tainted with the insignia of so many gangs that are tearing down America. Which if you really think about it, is very sad. Obviously some of these people have real talent, I mean REAL talent. Some of this stuff is truly art, in every sense of the word. But, where we are falling apart in "Building America" is in our families, our homes. These kids are in gangs because it is their "family." How sad. Because they don't feel that their family is strong they go to other "family" situations to feel loved, protected and respected. Instead of their art talents being nurtured at home and eventually taking them to college on art scholarships and then making beautiful artwork that may inspire, lift, or calm the human race they are instead expressing themselves all over public property that they will never own or even hope to own because they will be in jail, on drugs, running from the law or dead. Building America is Building Families. It is only then, that we can save America. We have to teach our youth, reach out to them. Yes, that is what I thought on my drive...

On another note: I have to laugh so hard because 3 loves her bus ride! All week long she puts on her backpack and waits for the bus. Yes, you are right--she is supposed to that, but only on Monday through Friday at the times the bus comes to our house morning and afternoon. But, she puts her backpack on in the mornings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and whenever we go to anyones house or to the store, "backpack, backpack... bus" she says every time. I really need to get a video of it. I'll try to get one today, she will put her backpack on about an hour after school because she wants the bus to come again. Oh, too cute!

So, life is just crazy. I am overwhelmed with everything. Let's just leave it at everything. I feel a lot of responsibility to get the word out about Fragile X Syndrome, yet, at the same time I know that my hugest task is in working with my own kids. Bless their hearts. I love them.