My Dear & A Deer

For the first time in seven years, Josh isn't coaching H.S. Cross Country this fall. When he got voted as a Trustee on the School Board in May, he could no longer have the paid position. He has missed coaching, but not doing it has given him extra time to enjoy other things that he hasn't had time to do for years. One of those things was hunting. For the first time in 14 years, he went deer hunting. Every day for a week, in the evening and in the morning, he would go on the search near our home for a buck. Since he decided to start hunting after deer season had already opened, it was difficult to find one around here. A few times, I heard him singing "Doe, a deer, a female deer. Does are all I ever see..." What a funny man! But, his luck finally changed last night... He found a spike, and he shot it down! He was as delighted as a little boy who just got a lollipop! He called me at home, and I told the news to some very excited boys. We piled into the van and drove a mile down the road to where he was. We watched him gut the deer and load it up. It completely grossed us all out. I can't believe after 14 years, he still remembers how to do that disgusting procedure! Today, Micah asked "when are we going to take down the deer and eat it?" Josh explained to him that the deer needs to dry out for a couple days before we can take it down, then we will take it to the butcher, and then we can eat it.
Way to Go Hunter Josh! We can't wait to partake of the yummy "turkey" (another one of Micah's mispronunciations for Jerky).

Gohee Hopping then the Harver Store

All four of my boys have had speech delays, and all due to numerous ear infections. Ammon had tubes put in his ears when he was 2 1/2. Jonah and Micah got tubes put in their ears when they were 18 months. Kanyon is going to the ENT doctor next week to see if/when he will have his procedure done.
This is going to sound crazy, but the one thing that I'm grateful for that comes with speech delays is mispronunciations. For instance, when Ammon was little, he used to always say "I huw woo" for I love you or "dough-boy" for cowboy or "bwoo" for moo. SO adorable! Jonah and Micah used to say "appee-haus" for applesauce, "wausee" for horse, and "neamote" for remote. Kanyon's words have doubled within the last two weeks, and he can say "eee-ooo" for see you and "yoo-ooh" for shoe and "Amah" for Ammon. Even when they get a little older, and they are trying to say it right but it comes out wrong, I don't do what my children's speech therapist says to do--correct them. I think it is just too dang cute and too short-lived to correct. I love hearing their own little words.
For the longest time, Jonah and Micah said "gohee hopping" whenever we had to go to a certain store in town. This past week we made four different trips to the "Harver" store (as Micah calls it). Can you guess where these two places mean?

Jonah and the whale

Jonah and Micah are identical twins. Ever since they came home from the hospital, we have had them dressed in color-coded clothes. We do this to not only help us (even though we know who's who), but for everyone else to identify them as well. We almost always have Jonah wear blue, and Micah usually wears red or yellow or green. I explain to people at preschool and church and MOPS and babysitters how to remember who wears what: "Jonah and the whale-whales are blue-Jonah wears blue".
Today, I was at the computer, and one of the boys ran in through the front door and down the hall to the bathroom. After several minutes, I yelled down the hall "MICAH, what are you doing down there?" (Micah is my mischevious one, and if you don't check up on him when he's quiet, you never know what you'll find later.) The shout back came: "I'm not Micah, I'm Jonah". I called back, "How do you know you're Jonah?" He said, "Because I'm wearing the blue shirt!" Totally made me laugh! Such a smart boy-he knows the system. It's funny that's the way he identifies himself now as well!!! At least they haven't figured out yet to switch shirts and confuse us all!

Salmon Idol

I performed and competed in the Salmon Idol competition last week. It's a fundraiser for the high school show choir just like TV's American Idol, except on a small-town-scale. The annual event started last year, and I've participated in it both years.
My song choice was inspired by the movie "Mamma Mia". I LOVED that movie! I watched it twice in the theaters, which is rare. I sang the song Dancing Queen by ABBA. I chose two cute high school girls (AKA Kimi & Sloan) to be my back-up dancers and dubbed them the "Teen Queens". We had SOOO much fun getting ready! I felt like a giddy teenager again! We came up with our choreography and practiced several times prior to the event.
That day, we got dressed in our hot-pink and black costumes, did our make-up complete with pink eyeshadow and glitter spray, and sprayed our hair pink. I made the crowns (can you tell where they originated? Answer=BK!!) We wore sunglasses that we tossed off during the song, and we had prop-guys.They handed us our crowns, donned T-shirts complete with "Cheer for Kala and the Teen Queens" signs, and dipped the girls so fashionably at the end of the song. Rather than just getting up on the stage and singing, I was all about having an awesome production! Mission Accomplished! Due to my tight corset, and dancing around, I couldn't sustain my notes, and therefore I was a little disappointed in my actual singing. But I'd like to blame that fact on my missing links...unfortunately, my best man Josh and my best friend Hailey couldn't attend the event. So I think it's fair to say that I just wasn't the same without them!!! The judges' results announced that I didn't win again for the 2nd year in a row, but disappointment didn't keep me down for long...now I have even bigger plans up my sleeve for next year! Surely the 3rd time will be the charmer!!!

Fickle Pickle

When I was growing up, I hated certain foods. I thought that meant I was "allergic" to them. Once, in 4th grade, I was getting served hot lunch by the lunch lady and I told her I could not have the spinach because I was allergic to it. Later I found out that I really wasn't "allergic", since that didn't mean the same thing as "dislike".
I remember from my childhood my Grandma Rose's cellar as always being full of homemade canned peaches and pears. Those peaches were divine. But I never liked the pears. The texture was strange to me. That's the same reason I disliked tomatoes, although I love ketchup. And, well...I can't remember why I didn't like cucumbers, I just didn't--although I do love pickles.
This summer, we tried to grow corn, pumpkins, onions, and cucumbers in the garden. Only five corn plants even grew, and the corn growing on them didn't mature enough to eat. None of the onions even sprouted, period. And as for the pumpkins, the deer have taken big bites out of all of them that were big enough to do something with. That leaves the cucumbers. Remember, I said I didn't like them? Well, we've had dozens and dozens of cucumbers. Our only successful crop this year. We started pulling them in August, and I finally got the last bit out of the garden last weekend. Guess what? I like cucumbers now. They are so delicious. Josh likes them with sprinkled salt and pepper on them. That's yummy too.
Josh's aunt gave us a whole bunch of home-grown corn and some cherry tomatoes. The corn was delicious, we had it for 3 whole meals. And remember how I didn't like tomatoes? Well, they were so ripe and delicious, that I ate several.
Our apple trees didn't produce any apples this year due to the late spring frost after the blossoms bloomed. I was looking forward to those apples, too. Our cherry tree produced its fruit in July, and I enjoyed partaking of them. But guess what had a TON of fruit on it? The PEAR tree. Remember I disliked pears? Well, I started eating them and they are so delicious!
I've been thinking that maybe I'm a fickle pickle. Maybe I really don't know what I like or dislike. Maybe I was a prejudiced youth who had stubborn thoughts toward certain foods. Or maybe my taste buds have changed. Who knows? I've changed my mind about spinach, too (remember I used to be "allergic"). So I'm thinking I'm going to try all of the foods that I was "allergic" to as a youth and see how they taste now. Starting with Brussel Sprouts.
NOT!

A House of Order

The entry way in our home has bugged me for quite some time. With 6 people's jackets and coats, and the kids' backpacks and church bags and shoes and boots, the space was being overrun with a pile of CLUTTER. In fall of 2007, I had a vision in my mind of how it could be redone into organized cubbies for a better use of the space. I wrote a blueprint of my mind's image on paper for Josh to see, so that he could understand how I would like it to be built. I thought it would be an excellent project for him to complete during his slow winter months. But even after one whole year, the project had still not been started.
As we were reading scriptures (the D&C Section 109) in Family Home Evening last week, we came across verse 8 which reads: "ORGANIZE yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, A HOUSE OF ORDER, a house of God..." The scripture got me thinking; in addition to my physical need, it is also a spiritual desire for me to have some organization in this house. The area had started to bug me so much that I decided it was time for ME to take action, and I did so the very next day.
With some help, I was able to get the project completed, using just one piece of plywood and an 8 foot-long 2x4. Using Roberta's tools, I cut the wood into pieces, sanded the edges, put it together with screws (THANKS JOSH for helping!), painted it, and Josh and our friend Jason rewired the space to accomodate overhead lighting to replace the wall sconces. I LOVE the area now! I even cleaned out the space, throwing away two bags of crap. I personally love to rearrange and organize, it helps me feel so happy and peaceful. In President Uchtdorf's talk at the Generel Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday, he talked about the sense of accomplishment we get from creating something. Well, here's my CREATION:

BEFORE: The coats, jackets, and backpacks would overflow on the hooks in the left of the photo. The boots and shoes would be scattered across the floor.

All CLEANED and CLEARED OUT: The whole area is about 4 feet wide and 1 foot deep.

AFTER: And now: A place for everything, and everything in its place!

"Mom, what does CELEBRATING mean?"

Jonah and Micah turned 5 years old on Monday the 22nd. We started celebrating it on Friday the 19th. We went camping to Lost Trail hot springs & campground in Montana. We went swimming and ate cupcakes and spent the night in our trailer. The next morning we went on a nature walk & searched for grasshoppers to throw into a pond full of fish waiting for a bite! FUN!




On Saturday, we went to a Family Fun Center. We got to go miniature golfing, drive go-carts, walk in a corn maze, play water balloon wars, shoot guns in lazer tag, drive bumper cars, have fun in the arcades, bounce all over the inflatable moon jumpers, and eat gelato (yummy Italian ice cream). FUN!






On Sunday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa T's house and opened presents from both grandparents and ate ice cream-filled SpongeBob-decorated birthday cake. FUN!




On Monday (their actual birthday), I took them to go the dentist in Idaho Falls. NOT FUN. They had their teeth cleaned, and we learned they each have a cavity, and discovered that Jonah's two front teeth need to be pulled due to infection.
So, then I took them shopping for more birthday presents: flashlights, camping chairs, shoes. FUN!
Due to the extended celebrating of their birthday, there was some confusion all weekend as to when their birthday REALLY was. I explained to them that on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we were just celebrating their birthday, and that when they woke up on Monday morning, it actually would be their birthday. "Mom, what does celebrating mean?", Jonah asked. "It means like having a party", I replied. When we called Grandma Perkins on Sunday to tell her thank you for the gifts, Jonah made sure to mention "when I wake up tomorrow, I will be 5". So after much confusion and explanation, I think they finally understood!!!

As I sat there watching them simultaneously getting their teeth cleaned and x-rayed, I couldn't help but think back 5 years to that day. 5 years ago, I was in the same city, on the same road, in the hospital, recovering after just delivering my twins C-Section. (They are 1 month old in this photo)
That September day was the end AND the beginning. The end of life as we knew it before they were born. The end of our family with the parents outnumbering the children. The end of my horrible and scary pregnancy. The end of the waiting and wondering and wishing and worrying. It was the beginning of their premature-laden infancy. The beginning that was interrupted with a life-flight to Primary Childrens Hospital the very next day. The beginning of neonatologists, and nurses, and shots, and tests, and monitors, and "developmental delay". The beginning of a 2-month stay in 2 different hospitals. It was the beginning of double the feedings, double the diapers, double the oxygen and heart monitors, double the baths, double the laundry, double the care. 5 years ago to the day was the beginning of life as a family of 5, with the children now outnumbering the parents. (They are about 10 days old in this photo, which is the first time I got to hold them both at the same time)

I was never one who wished for twins. I always thought my life would go according to my plan of having a child every two years (one at a time of course), until my family was complete with two boys and two girls. So, of course, I was completely shocked when I discovered at 8 weeks into my pregnancy that I was carrying twins. I was told from my very first appointment that one or both of them may not survive. And now they are 5 years old. I can't believe it's been that long, and yet, I remember it as such a short time ago. Although my life has turned out different (VERY different) than what I dreamed of, I am happy with the results! Our family wouldn't be the same without Jonah and Micah. We are so grateful that God entrusted them into our care. We are so glad that they survived, that they lived, that they grew, that they overcame the obstacles that plagued them.

Happy 5th Birthday to our mischevious Monkey Micah and our determined Jumpin' Jonah! We love you!

Vote-O for My Photo!

I am entering a photo contest next week and want your input! I've been preparing all year by taking pictures with just the thought of entering them into this contest. HELP ME! There are only 4 categories, and I can only enter ONE into each category. Please Vote Now and tell me your favorite photo choice in each of these categories!

Category: Exotic

Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:

Category: Rugged

Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:
Choice 4:

Category: Tranquil

Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:

Category: Living Creatures

Choice 1:
Choice 2:
Choice 3:

Your voice makes a difference! Thank you for participating in this crucial matter :0)!

So Long, Farewell, Goodbye Summer

The nights are getting colder, the days are getting shorter, frost is on the lawn in the morning, the garden is maturing, kids are back in school, leaves are beginning to change color... All these things can mean only one thing: Summer is now over, and Fall is beginning! I love Fall, it's my favorite season!!! But the transition can be a little difficult for me. So, before I can fully welcome the Fall, I need to say goodbye to the Summer and all of its splendor. In June, I made a list of "Top Ten Things to Enjoy this Summer", and now everything on the list has been accomplished! So, here's a summary of the Top Ten List to acknowledge and celebrate the summer's passing!

Take care of our garden
Due to the funky-weathered season, our garden only produced pumpkin, cucumbers, and a few corn.











Spend lots of time relaxing
You can never spend enough time doing this!













Enjoy evening walks
One of our favorite family activities, and we are still enjoying them!













Watch the Demolition Derby
Completed 7.5
The biggest Salmon-redneck attraction there is!













Re-visit Meadow Lake
Completed 8.30
We loved camping there, we want it to become an annual event!



















Tour Mt. Timpanogos Cave
Completed 6.8
What an amazing cave and beautiful hike it was!










Host our annual barbeque with friends
Completed 8.25
This was our 4th annual one, and my favorite yet!














Go fishing & camping at Iron Lake with the Lingers
Completed 8.17
We love going to this spot & we love camping with our best friends!














Go camping at Fish Lake in Utah with the Perkins Family
Completed 7.24
Definitely one of the highlights of the summer.















Go to the Tolman Family Reunion
Completed 6.7 & 7.5
There were actually two: one for extended family one & one with the immediate family.