Another Weird Week!

3 kids, one husband, and 2 dogs make for a crazy, messy, and very loud house.  You add in a tired mom which makes even a crazier household.  Cleaning is not my favorite activity but it always seems to be glaring at me to do.  As I finish one task another is glaring at me from across the room.  I will never catch up so I might as well enjoy the ride.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

This time I remembered the sugar.

They were great for breakfast but they didn't last long enough.

How about homemade french bread.

Love @Amberskitchen on Instagram.

She has the best recipes.

Everyone loves Walmart's French Bread so I thought I would try making it myself.

Everyone liked it but it was too sweet.

WHAT!!!

Good Monday Morning.

Another 2 inches of the wet white stuff.

This is also the first time all winter that I have scraped my windows.

These 2 are starting to get along.

More playing than ignoring each other.

Let the craziness continue and let the fatigue from COVID-19 go away.  I can't wait to put the masks away and breathe normally again.  April 10th can't come soon enough for the government mandate to end.  Most places will still require them for awhile.  I hope once it warms up to the summer temps that they will also fade completely away.

Until then I try to mask match instead of mask clash every day.

New Fur Baby

It has been a month since we lost Ginger.  The kids have been fighting over who Dexter will sleep with.  Even more frustrating is they wake each other up to steal him back.  Dave had left the search up to Reganne with the only requirements being no shedding and a rescue.  She found Sabrina a husky, terrier mix at RescuePets here in town.  It was time to learn a whole new process in finding a new member of our family.  New words are used Guardianship vs Adoption?  Every place requires an application filled out and submitted.  References are required and approved.  Once you finish all this then you can learn more and meet the animal.  Ryder was not sitting back waiting for the process to be completed.  He called the number and asked them for an update.  They were in the process of reviewing our applications and would call back with an appointment time.

The introduction

The first person she went to was Dave.

First family pictures.

She was full of energy doing

spins & jumps.

We made it through the first meeting at the office.  It was now time to talk with the foster mom, another person at the agency, and finally a home visit.  

Home visit

She was a little reserved.

Dexter just sniffed and

stole one of her toys.

So far so good... We made it to the 7 day home trial visit.  Let the fun begin.

Wrestling or

fighting for toys?

We passed with flying colors!!  We are not the guardians but the new owners of this crazy 1 year old.  Her new name is Piper but she hasn't learned that yet.  She doesn't bark a lot instead whines when left alone.  She hates the kennel and has emptied the garbage can multiple times.  She loves to shred paper, plastic bags, and even the mesh laundry bag for our masks.  She has an over abundance of puppy energy that we are working to release.  The daily walks are helping.  We also have been trying visits to the park to play ball.  This is going to be another fun adventure.

Spring Break Adventure

It was definitely time for an adventure.  There were a lot of people in town going to Florida for spring break.  My idea of fun is not fighting with the mask police and crowds at Disney World.  Ryder, Dave, and Rylee were dying for some speed.  We are off to Las Vegas to the Mini Grand Prix for some racing.  

Racing doesn't include the Gorge

race track.

Good morning white stuff.

This makes it even more fun with the wet slushy snow.

Get ready, Get Set,

and Gooooo!!

Pizza Wings

Mask not included.

Not sure how Dave is going to fold his 

body into the car.  Or drive it once

he gets settled.

He managed and they were off 

zooming around the track.

Love this quote

This family love speed!!!

These 2 were challenging each other

constantly.

Lunch Time

This boy is always starving and was in desperate need for food.  Rylee had brought home Raising Caines Chicken leftovers from work.  It was pretty good cold lets try it warm.  Dave hates in the in the car or taking food home.  We found one near by that was serving.  However, the drive thru was the only thing open.  We found a spot to park and eat.  I thought it was even better warm.   It was time to head home it was getting colder the longer we stayed.  

We need to plan more adventures for the summer.

What's Up?

With the weather?  It is definitely spring time in Southern Utah.  The only thing for certain is that your need a jacket and the heater in the morning.  The AC and short sleeves for the afternoon.  Spring Break started out warm & over 70 degrees.  We were ready to have fun.

Spoke way too soon...the white stuff began to fall.  The desert really needs the moisture so we shouldn't complain.  When you are used to the sun it's hard to enjoy the cold and wet stuff.

The loading dock

the snowflakes were really large & wet.

Not sure how to fix the weather station.

The water totals are really out of sync.

It keeps coming back.

2 inches of fresh stuff.

Dexter really wasn't sure

that the white stuff was any good.

3 different days of this crazy white stuff is really unusual for this time of year.  It is usually rain falling instead.  Global warming, drought, or just living in the desert take your pick of the explanation.  Why should the weather cooperate when the pandemic won't.  The chaos is real but common sense will keep us all grounded.  We need to stop, take a breathe, and look around us at all the blessings we have.

 I may need snow boots if this keeps up.

Doing Our Part

The governor announced that March 8th vaccines would be open to everyone 50 and above.  There would be appointments available starting at 9:00 am.  I know it's important to get it done but I am not a fan of shots.  Monday morning arrived and time to put my money where my mouth is and get signed up.  It's 9:05 and I'm at my computer.  All appointments have been filled with the only available time is March 18th.  I signed up and prepared to wait.   Let's look again and maybe something sooner has opened up.   YEP!!! the 10th in the afternoon wide open.  Only 2 days to ponder, worry, stew, and wonder some more.

Waiting in line

It's a little chilly and the lines were long.

The parking lots were full.

Paperwork checked by the

National Guard.

Then onto the next line.

This is where I had deja vu from all the shot lines during elementary school.

I could do this and not cry or run screaming for the door.

It's official!!!

I am vaccinated!!

What a good feeling to know that I have done my part in hopefully ending this year of craziness.  I not only survived COVID I am not vaccinated against it as well.  Now I get to answer questions of why, how did it feel, and how am I feeling know.  

The hardest part of the whole process was finding a parking place.  The gentleman that gave me mine was really nice but a little rough in the administrating it.  The feeling of the medicine tingled for awhile afterward.  The 15 minute waiting period flew by while visiting with those around us.   One even shared the first picture.  She took it while we were waiting in line.  There was still time to grab some lunch at McDonalds and head back to work.

Three days later the injection site is still a little tender but no side effects.  Would I do this again? Yes. Would I take the kids if they become eligible? Yes.   Be brave and roll up your sleeve.

Is It Here Yet?

Spring!!!  The weather has been as flakey as COVID you never know what the day will bring.  The one thing that is certain is make plans for the day and watch the weather mess up those plans.  Our daily walks we watch for those signs that it will be warming up soon. 

We have popcorn popping!!

The trees are starting to bloom.

The pink & white blooms are awesome to see 

and even smell if the wind is just right.

Love getting surprise pictures.

Rylee & Dexter snuggled together 

watching an online class.

Sunday Dinner!!

Boneless ribs and french fries

Mostly devoured enough for leftovers tomorrow.

Not so good for leftovers they blew up in the microwave while heating up.

Didn't love the mess I had to clean up and the clean microwave that I had to clean a second time.  Spring Break is here and once again we are here at home.  Another staycation with hopefully a few adventures thrown in just for fun.   Let's buckle up for a relaxing week.

The Weekend

 The weekend finally arrived and not a minute to soon.  I was ready for some peace and quiet. That definitely wasn't going to be that.   Ryder made a deal with Reegan about his old fish tank.  Ryder was the new owner a second fish tank with all the goodies.  

This was the picture that popped up on my phone.

New tank

The new tank needed new residents.  Please Mom will you take us to PetSmart for new fish?  Being the good mom I am or try to be we were off.

Checking out the various tanks.

Which boy has forgotten that it is still winter time.

They each found what they wanted.  Time to head home and put them in their new homes.

We even bought one for Reganne to cheer her up.

Check out the large jet

Flying really low and slow.

After multiple passes I had to take a picture.

We survived a long and trying week.  Let's hope next week is much better and if not that then let's move onto March.

Saying Goodbye

Tuesday finally arrived and everyone survived.  It was back to school and life.  However, Ginger has a vet appointment to see what was up.  In the past 2 weeks she started running into things. Could hardly make it up & down the stairs.  She was having a terrible time making it on our daily walks without sitting down.  All day I have been worried about what we were going to find out.  Ryder & I loaded her into the car we are off.

She is really lethargic today.  Time to weigh her before going into the exam room.  She has pretty much refused to eat her dog food since we changed it and removed table scrapes from her diet. I wasn't definitely no prepared for what was to come.  She weighed in at 67 pounds!!! Not possible!! That is close to 30 pound difference from October.  The initial exam showed possible diabetes.  We discussed treatment plans and what the next steps.  The first step was a glucose test to confirm.

The diagnosis was confirmed her glucose levels were off the charts.  How did this happen.  Why didn't we catch this earlier?  There no sign of this at her last appointment in November.  Her levels are so high that they were concern about her making it through the night without serious complications.  We call the girls & Dave to come shower her with all the love we have for her and say goodbye.

She didn't make it through the night.  Reganne requested that we bring her home and bury her in our pet cemetery.  It was going to be one big hole.  

So smart and eager to please.

She was patient with the craziness of the kids.

She even learned to poise for pictures.

She loved playing in the snow.

Her nickname suited her "The Polar Bear"

Saying Goodbye

I am ready for this week to end.  It's only Tuesday we are now grieving.  Ginger is now running, chasing balls, and cats.  Dexter has been looking around for her and give us all extra cuddles.  

Happy Valentine's Day

It is day 3 of the wisdom teeth adventure.  The girls have slept all day!!! We treated to them to more KFC mashed potatoes & gravy and Ice Berg milkshakes for desert.  Eat a little and sleep a whole lot more.  

I snuck in a little treat for those of us who weren't sleeping.

Molten Lava Cakes

Just as yummy and not so messy.

Add ice cream

I'm in heaven!!!

Surprise!!

Reganne surprised me with a valentine.

I love these new plush sloths.

For an animal that is ugly, mean, and really slow.  The toy version is so cute.

I was so surprised she has been down and out for 3 days.

Mom, I planned ahead when I asked her how she pulled it off.

My kids are full of surprises.  They show us unconditional love at the oddest times.  I am grateful that they are part of me.  Even when I screw up they are always here to pick me up and make me smile.