This is what Saige put on this morning when she went out to play.

We are out of syrup.  That could almost be considered an emergency around here.

Mom and Gigi came down today to visit (Dad is out of town on business).  Stacy and the kids were also here.  It was fairly calm and warm and the kids enjoyed playing outside.  This afternoon, we all got in the Ranger and went out to see the baby donkey and the cows and calves.

Jaide with her Great Grandma Darlene (Gigi)

The boys were snuggling with Grandma Ann

Clint ran a group of cows through this evening (30, I think).  He gave them each a shot, wormed them topically, then inserted CIDR's in them.  This is part of the AI process (aside from the worming which is just normal care).  It was a beautiful evening, so we were all out watching Daddy work.

Jett was happy to be outside, he just doesn't look like it.  He has started making this face when I make him stand for a picture.

Sloan entertained herself by picking pieces of wheat out of the wheat hay bales.

Jett and Jaide

Judd colored these pictures today and wrote his name on one of them all by himself.  Before coloring, all the kids wanted a pair of my socks so they could slid around on the floor.  They also like to put koozies (Jett calls them "cozys") on their hands like gloves.

He started writing his "J" backwards, so I just drew him a new box and he wrote it by himself.

Jett wasn't feeling very good today.  He was the last of the kids to get the tummy aches and fever.

Clint grilled for us for supper.

Saige ate all this meat, plus more.  She loves to dip it all in Ranch.

Daddy dancing in the kitchen with 2 of his girls after supper

It's interesting how some people can be so kind and loving and how some can care so little for others.

We all went to town late this morning so Clint could get diesel in the pickup and we could run a few errands.  We ate lunch at Dons, which we haven't done in a very long time.  Judd ate a whole cheeseburger, a chicken strip and some fries, and Jett, Saige and Sloan ate 7 chicken strips between the 3 of them, and the rest of the 2 baskets of fries.  Jaide was in a good mood and was smiling and happy.  We got to see Virgil and Lavon and she got to hold Jaide.

Jaide is rolling over and starting to wiggle and scoot herself on her belly.  She is chewing on everything and when she gets tired she starts sucking on her fingers.  It's almost always her pointer finger and middle finger on her left hand.  This last week I started giving her a pacifier some to help ease some fussiness.  She kept spitting it out at first so I didn't force it, but now she'll take it and relax, so I'm just going with it.  None of the other kids every sucked on fingers and the boys only used pacifiers for a few months, so we've never had to break any of those habits.  I jokingly told Stacy that Jaide must be taking after her name sake since Stacy was an avid thumb sucker.  Thankfully, none of the kids have had any jealously of Jaide.  I think they are all used to sharing me and that the addition of one more kid hasn't bothered them much.  I got out the high chair so I can sit her in it and let her play with toys while I cook.  It entertains her most of the time.  She is very good at reaching for toys.  She watches the others kids play and coos at them.  Tonight Jett said, "I think I like having a baby sister."

Judd hasn't been feeling well the past couple days, but seemed better today.  Clint has slept with him the past 2 nights because Judd has needed to go to the bathroom frequently.  Clint didn't feel good last Saturday.  Last night, I had a fever and chills all night long and haven't felt very good today.  Hopefully, this is as bad as it gets.
It was beautiful out today and the kids played outside a lot.

I went over to the grocery store today.  Jaide went with me and the other 4 stayed home with Clint.  They gave me paper sacks today, which went over well when I got home.  Clint cut holes in the bags for them.  Saige said, "I'm a scary monster."

I like this time of year when the calving is almost done and Clint can be in the house a little bit more.  I don't see him much when he is feeding and checking cows all day in January and February, but now that we are getting closer to done, he is in the house for awhile in the morning, which the kids and I love and he has been coming in for lunch.  Judd, Jett and Saige have been going with him to feed, but Sloan usually wants to stay in with me.  She says that "we are a good team".  Today, while Jaide would nap, I worked on sorting and boxing up some of Saige and Sloan's clothes that they have outgrown.  I have a lot more to do, but at least I got started.

Matilda and Delphene (our donkeys) both had their babies.  Sadly, Matilda's baby didn't survive.  Delphene's little girl is doing great.  We all went out in the pickup this afternoon to see her.

Eeyore (the daddy) with Delphene and their baby

The kids wanted to pet her

Clint has started calling Saige "punkin".  She loves being called this and says, "I'm Daddy's punkin."  Today he was talking to her and called her "sweetheart" and she didn't like it very much and said, "No, Daddy!  I your punkin!"

Saige thinks that Clint needs to shoot some birds.  She is always telling Clint to shoot them, it doesn't matter what kind of bird.  He asks her why she wants him to shoot them and she says, "So we can eat them!"

Clint and I were talking his morning about politics and healthcare and I made a comment joking that we were going to raise our kids to be anti-government.  Clint asked Judd if he was going to be anti-government and he said, "No, I'm going to be a cowboy."

Saige and Jaide

The kids and I went up to Greensburg today.  Alana and Scott were here for the day, so we went out to Debbie's (Alana's Mom) and spent some time with them.  The kids had a great time playing and I always love any time I get with Alana.

Cole, Sloan, Saige

Scott's batting camp

Saige and Amelia

We went back into town late afternoon and spent some time with my parents.  Tanner and Stacy and their families were there also.  It's always a little hectic, but I love family time.

It was another warm, windy afternoon.  Saige and Sloan's hair was a little out of control.

It was extremely windy all day long.  The kids went outside and played for a little while, but it didn't take them long to come back in.  Jaide took a few very short naps today.  For supper I made bierocks, but instead of putting the meat mixture inside the bread, I made homemade dough and rolled the meat up in it like a cinnamon roll.  It was quicker than having to make each individual bierock.  Everyone ate it except Jett.  I also made a pan of cinnamon rolls, so Judd, Saige and Sloan got one for dessert.  Jett was pretty upset that he didn't get one.  Judd said, "Momma, you make the best cinnamon rolls."  He was quite a little turd today (as were the other 3), but when he says something sweet like that, it makes me smile.  When we were putting the kids to bed, Sloan said, "I love you so much Momma because you give us treats and snacks and cook for us." 

It was incredibly warm and beautiful today.  Clint and I had to go over to Coldwater this afternoon.  I took Jaide for her 4 month shots and Clint sang at a funeral.  The 4 big kids stayed at Clint's parents and we picked them up on our way home.  Clint grilled for supper and it was wonderful.  I absolutely love when we can have the windows open, food cooking on the grill, music playing, kids running around in the yard and a cold drink in my hand.  It doesn't get much better than that.

I vividly remember my Dad driving us kids around in the country when we were little.  He would hot rod and mess around and we were so entertained.  My Mom, on the other hand, was not so impressed.  Tonight, Clint had the 4 big kids in the Ranger and was hot rodding around the circle drive as they were chanting "faster, faster, faster".  I was not so impressed, but it makes me happy to watch the ruggedly handsome man having fun with our kids.

Two good things about today:
It was in the 60s.
The time change.  I could care less about "losing" an hour of sleep.  I love that it is light longer in the evenings.  I automatically switch gears and feel the need to start doing yard work.  The kids love to be able to play outside after supper.  We were out quite a bit this afternoon.  Jett, Judd and Saige helped Clint haul some pairs to the farm.  Sloan stayed home with me.  Both boys got some sun on their cheeks today.

One sad thing about today:
A sweet lady in our community had a heart attack last night and died.  Betty Kay was a kind woman and always sincerely asked how I was doing.  She also always showed genuine concern for Saige's health.  Her son was Clint's classmate.  She will be missed.  It's another reminder not to take each day for granted because we never know when it will be our last.

On a lighter note, I "built" the kids a cardboard house in the stairway.  It has lasted 4 days and they haven't destroyed it yet.

Saige wanted to hold Jaide in their cardboard house

It's official.  I've turned into my mother.  Turns out, it's not so bad after all.
When we were little, it seemed like Mom would cry so easily.  At the time, I thought, "Geez, what are you cryin about?"  Well, now I'm the one crying so easily.  I get it, Mom.  Being a parent is emotional.
My Mom is a great hostess and loves to have people in her home.  I'm not that great of a hostess, but I do love to have people in our home.  Tonight we had a bunch of friends over and we had a great time.  It's not about material things, it's about spending time with others.
Thanks, Mom, for everything.  I get it now.

Tanner and the boys came over this morning and spent the day with us.  Tanner and Clint were able to do a little shooting.  The kids had a good time playing.  It was really nice having them here.

Lane was really interested in the cows.

Wyatt.  We had cookies and a little pop for snack. (Not our "normal" snack.  It's fun to spoil your nephews.)

Lane and Jett playing with horses during snack

going to cake the bulls and cows

We have had a bunch of snotty noses and coughs in our house.  Jaide now has it too and didn't feel very good today (lots of snot, cough, low grade fever). 

Jaide is grabbing at toys and is putting everything in her mouth.  She has found her feet and likes to grab her toes.  She has started pulling on Saige and Sloan's hair some, which they don't like.  She is ticklish and has a cute little giggle.

The girls were riding their "horses".  They played together well a little bit this morning, but most of the afternoon they all spent bickering.