Silverton or Bust!

We haven't been to the little cabin in Silverton for over two years. We've been missing the cool mountain air and breathtaking views, so we decided to head on up for Labor Day weekend.

The trip started with an evening at the Bar-D  and then we headed on the Silverton for some serious buggy ridding!

Billy the Goat! He Followed us for miles. Kinda freaked me out!

On Sunday, we went to the little LDS Branch building in town and enjoyed a lovely sacrament meeting.

On Monday we went on a great ride with Jason's family (Adam's Cousin) to Kite lake. It was so beautiful. The water was crystal blue. 

This was seriously one of the funnest trips to Silverton I've ever had. It was the perfect combination of fun and relaxation! LOVED IT!!!

We already want to go back to Silverton. We've decided the little cabin needs some fixing up and we're making plans to return soon! 

Little Builders Preschool

This summer I took a leap of faith and did something I've been wanting to do for a while now. I STARTED MY OWN PRESCHOOL!!!

Years ago, before I had the trio, I was a teacher. I taught preschool for several years and even taught kindergarten and first grade for a few years at a charter school. I loved teaching professionally, I enjoy working with the youngest of learners and watching them grow from little ones, to big kids!  

When I became a mom, I knew I'd be able to use all the knowledge and experience I'd gained while teaching to help my own children learn and grow. And I did, and I am, but I missed the little ones. I missed seeing that look on their faces when the pieces start falling into place. When they figure out that when the S says "Sss" and the E says "eh" and the T says "t." It spells the word "set"! And just like that, they're reading!  It's so exciting and wonderful and fun! 

I'm not quite sure why I waited until this year to begin this journey, but I can tell you that the time was just finally right. 

I was a little worried about enrollment. I'm not very well known here in Taylor and I live on the outskirts of town. Would anyone want to drive this far out for preschool? Well, after some gentle prodding from some friends, I jumped in with both feet.

I invested in a great curriculum and furniture and used half of our upstairs for a classroom.

Within just a few weeks I had 8 kids enrolled and now that school has started, I have 11 kids enrolled.

Things are going great. I love my schedule and being my own boss.  I love my students and we have a blast together every day! 

I am so grateful for this opportunity and that I get to earn extra income working from home, and doing what I love!

First Day of Fifth Grade

The trio started the fifth grade this year! They all got themselves ready for school, and did a great job! They are so excited for all the fun adventures the fifth grade holds! The future is wide open for these three! I sure love them!

Hello Daisy

"Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, and filling an emptiness we didn't even know we had."
Author Unknown

           

After we lost sweet Rosie, we felt an emptiness in our home. We knew right away that it would take a new dog to fill that emptiness. We just didn't know we'd be filling it so soon.

I felt like I needed more time to grieve, but after the fourth night in a row, of listening to the kids cry themselves to sleep, We knew we needed a new dog soon. Adam was the first to bring up the subject, which surprised me. I knew he loved Rosie, but he's never really cared much for dogs in general. Evidently, the kids and I weren't the only ones feeling the emptiness. 

The weekend after we lost Rosie we were driving down to the valley. I was just browsing craigslist and saw an ad for a shih tzu mix puppy in Phoenix.  I clicked on the add, and a little puppy, who looked like a miniature Rosie was pictured.  Without saying anything, I discreetly showed the picture to Adam. He had two words for me. "Get it!" 

"But it's a puppy...." I said "I thought we'd find another grown dog"

"Get it!"

"We'll have to potty train...."

"Get it!"

"It feels to soon for me."

"Get it!"

"But this puppy costs 200.00!!!" 

He pulled out his wallet and handed me 300.00.

So I called the owner and asked several questions about the puppies. And made arrangements to take the kids to "just look". 

As expected, it was love at first sight. The kids picked up the little apricot colored girl. They couldn't put her down. And for the first time in a week, I saw genuine smiles on the kids faces.

We named her Daisy. A cheerful little summer flower. The name fits her very well. But often times we call her Dopey, because she's actually a pain in the rear most of the time! Potty training her has been a nightmare, and she chews on EVERYTHING!  She has a lot of spunk and keeps us on our toes. She loves car rides, buggy rides, rain and we just recently found out that she loves the snow!  All things Rosie hated. We love this funny little girl. And she's doing a good job of filling the "emptiness"!

            Taking a nap on Daddy. She's actually become quite the "daddy's girl" 

She's growing so quickly!