9th, 7th, and 3rd, whew!

My monkeys are officially back in school.

We survived three mornings of early morning. (thank goodness for coffee)

So far, no hitches. It has been smooth sailing.

The matching backpack, hairbrush, and umbrella have helped with the transition!

This photo was taken on the night of "Open House". Mrs. Bonderer seems like a little gem and I'm looking forward to sharing a school year with her and Gracie.

This was the first morning of school. We ALWAYS take photos!!! This wasn't a problem for Gracie. She is a camera ham.

The boys, however, were another story!!

I explained that this wasn't an option. Their photo WAS going to be taken. So they gave me their strangest faces and worst poses............ and I was happy.

They think that their mother is beyond weird.

I am, and that's OK.

MO State Fair 2010

Rick and I began our relationship at the Missouri State Fair 20 years ago. For five years prior to that, we were co-exhibitors and friends. So needless to say, we have roots in Sedalia, MO. The smell of sheep manure brings back sweet memories of youth, romance, and love. It is for this reason that we TRY to go every year.

Yes, things have changed.

1. We used to know everyone in the sheep, cow and hog barns. Now, we wouldn't remember if we did!

2. August seems hotter at 35 than it did at 17.

3. Animal testicles seem to be larger than they were back in the day.

4. The prices are higher (toting three children with us doesn't help any).

The prizes are just as junky

The food is just as greasy.

and delicious!!!

The entertainment is just as corny.

The cows, goats, and pigs smell just as bad.

The boys deserted us........ we weren't cool enough for them I suppose? The girlfriend waiting in the mid-way didn't help our chances either. So, it was Gracie, Daddy and I. The three musketeers. We drank chocolate milk from the Farm Bureau building, ate corn dogs, and went to a petting zoo.

We saw the best alfalfa hay in the state of MO.

and the largest pumpkins and watermelons.

Then we paid a lady $12 to paint Gracie's face like a tiger.

The finished result. After 5 minutes she asked me to take the glitter off her lips. Then after 20 minutes asked if we could take the paint off her nose ("it itches", she said), Finally after an hour, it was completely washed off. $12 I will never see again.

Grandpa Larry and Gracie sitting in a tractor.

I've done some editing on these photos. I wanted them to look old..... antique....

The State Fair means that school is near and summer is over. (sigh) I'm not sure where it's gone. Seems like they fly by faster and faster every year. I cannot believe that I have a freshman, 7 grader and a 3rd grader. It simply isn't possible. Just yesterday I was bawling my eyes out after I took Ryan to Kindergarten. Ugh! I'm not sure if I'm more sentimental this year because we have lost Mike and Tegan recently, but I feel like it's hard to swallow. I'm proud of my babies, but I sure wish I could slow it down. Is that too much to ask?

I love you Ungle Mike

This is the hardest post that I've ever wrote.

I don't have the emotional energy to say much. So I'm going to share a victory that I've shared with my Uncle Mike. Or Ungle Mike as my kids have always said.

After Rick and I were married, we moved to NKC. I was less than 30 minutes from Aunt Pam and Uncle Mike (Heather and Josh still lived at home at that time). I spent most of my free time with them.

One night I spent the night and started asking questions about God. I knew that they went to church and it was very important to them. All the things that I knew about God were confusing and filled with rules. I thought He was "a boss" and I didn't want "a boss". I thought His stories were far fetched and unbelievable.

I started asking Mike and Pam questions that night. Question after question as a matter of fact. I'll never forget sitting on a barstool in their kitchen. It's almost as if God has preserved that memory fresh for me.

I asked how? How do I know for sure that Jesus is my answer? Why is there so much anger and sadness and violence in this world? Do we really have an enemy? And is hell a real place?

All those things that were confusing to me, we suddenly simple. Instantly, a lightbulb was turned on in my head, I believed. I believed all the Bible stories that before seemed crazy. I believed that God was good and just and the way. I believed that I needed Him.

I said the sinners prayer that night in my shower. Just the Lord and I. At first I thought it was crazy that I made such a huge spiritual decision in the shower. Now the symbolism is priceless to me. I was washed clean.

I don't have my Uncle Mike on this Earth anymore. But I'm POSITIVE that I'll share eternity with him in Heaven. I KNOW that I will hug him again. And I HOPE that God brings Mike to me when I enter the gates to walk me to Jesus. Because that is what he helped me to do on Earth. I pray that God gives him jewels in his spiritual crown for me, my husband and my children.

We love you Mike and we're going to miss you like crazy.

Cocoa's New Dwelling

With my own two hands, I assembled a rabbit cage. It required screws, and tools, and directions. And I did it. All by myself!!!!!!!

No Teen boys, no Husband, no Grandpa. Just me and a box of metal.

This is an accomplishment because...... I have trouble with Legos. I've only recently managed to make a good pot of coffee. Let's just say, this may be a first friends!

This is an extremely private fenced and gated property. Located at the end of a paved 1/2 miled long, tree lined property. It is surrounded by a "natural setting". Mature thorny locust trees and a Morton metal barn.

It is constructed by one of the areas premier luxury home builders (ahem). No expenses were spared in the creation of this magnificint abode. Metal floors, a loft, two entrances, oversized master bath with sliding "clean out tray", gourmet kitchen with personal pellet feeder and automatic waterer. It is approximately seven miles from bunny school, bunny shopping, and bunny restaurants.

This property is energy efficient and "green", very, very green.

The view is priceless.

and the social life is unmatched.

There is also a "hide so no one can get you" spot.

Hugs and kisses are included in this listing.

Lots and lots of hugs and kisses.

The watch cat is an added feature, however, the piece of mind she provides is priceless.

The watch cat is fierce..............

skilled in clawing, hissing, pouncing............

and highly aggresive toward intruders.

You can rest assured this property is well manicured by the owner!!!!

A Few New Things

Girls and boys,

Meet the latest member of the Smith family..............

I know..... she's pretty. But really.......... another mouth to feed.

Another litter box. (sigh)

Ian found her in the barn. He gently placed her in an igloo cooler (which didn't set well with the kitty). She was thin, so we gave her some of Congo's food. She ate.... and ate..... and ate. The poor baby was hungry.

I told the kids that it's hard to contain a stray cat. If she stuck around for three days, we could name her.

Her name is Misty....... Misty Smith.

Already we have had an incident involving Misty, T-bone, the BBQ grill, and me in my underwear in the middle of the night. I will spare you the details. Just trust me when I say, it's never dull around here!!!!!

New #2

Every August we get a letter in the mailbox telling who our new teachers will be. Since the boys are in Middle School (or "metal school" as Gracie says) and High School, they no longer get letters. However Gracie does. She and I have stalked our mailbox. She knows the approximate time the mail lady comes. So, we go check.

Finally, we got the letter! It's Mrs. Bonderer. Her first name is.... (drumroll please)... Gracie! How fun is that?

I'm always so excited for the monkeys to be out of school. Friends, I'm ready for it to begin again.

I'm ready to have a schedule.

I'm ready to spend less than a million dollars at the grocery store every week.

I'm ready to hear "I'm telling Mom" a little less.

I'm ready to clean the house and have it stay that way for more than 15 minutes.

Give me a month, I'll be wishing for them to be home again.

Things are dying in my yard at record pace. Everything in pots has a brown-ish hue. The plants are crunchy and I'm pretty sure that means their dead. I may have set an all-time personal record. I kept them alive until August 1st.

I'm looking forward to mums, I guess! Geez, it won't be long!

Lastly,

I thought I would show you the new man in my life (don't tell Rick). Aunt Pam introduced him to me and it was love at first sight.

I'm broken-hearted for my family.

Trying to understand why?

We are going to miss you Tegan.