Another year has gone by and I've neglected to post.  It is so much more fun to follow other people's blogs than to take the time to update my own!

Life is good--busy as always and filled with grandkids that give us a reason to keep going. In June, we had a 60th anniversary party for Grandma and Grandpa Edwards.  Brandis and the kids were here from Arizona so we had all 12 grandchildren together and it was so much fun!  Time for lots of pictures, playing and making memories.

Putting some "Spark" into My Life

On Wednesday, August 10, 2011, our family increased in size by one 6 year old border collie who has been named "Sparky". I found him at the Meridian Valley Humane Society and waited a week for someone to claim him before I was able to bring him home.  He is a beautiful, somewhat well-mannered boy and he is adjusting quite well to farm life. Currently, he has to be tied up when he isn't with someone because our road is not dog-friendly and I don't know how familiar he is with roads but he is a good sport about it.  He loves to run out in the hay fields with Glen's dog Joey. Last night we took the dogs for a walk up through the middle of the farm and Sparky discovered the irrigation ditches--he loved the water and was a muddy, wet, smelly dog by the time we got back but he was extremely content. His fur is matted up from neglect so I am working on getting that cleaned up and may still have to take the clippers to him to get it all off.  He sits patiently while I tug and pull and brush--like I said, he is a good sport.

Sparky is filling the void left when we lost Aussie last month at the ripe old age of 17. She lived a good life and I am sure Tracy is taking good care of her and Suki for me!

Introducing.........

Raya, Troy, Bentley, and Curtis---the newest members of the family.

Time for a much needed update!

Can we say "procrastination"? That is what I've been doing for three years when it comes to keeping up on my blog. I LOVE following the blogs of others but have a hard time keeping my own going. Lots of changes have occurred since I last posted anything here. Our family has grown by leaps and bounds--in stature as the grandkids have gotten older and in numbers as we have added four more babies to the family in the past twenty months and have two more on the way.

So much to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and a time when we consciously count the blessings we often take for granted. Sometimes, when we are experiencing challenges in our lives, another challenge we face is recognizing all that we do have to be thankful for. So, amidst the challenges we are facing at the moment, I do have many things in my life that I am so grateful for.

To start with, I have an amazing husband who works so hard on the farm and has been such a great companion for nearly 32 years. He has been so patient with me the past few years and supported me as I have tried to regain my faith in God and fight this monster called depression that lives inside of me. He never pushes or demands, he simply waits quietly for me to take one step at a time and move forward. I never would have made it this far without his loving concern and support.
Next I have five amazing kids as well as two wonderful son-in-laws and two beautiful daughter-in-laws that have brought so much into our family by simply being the people that they are. My kids are some of my closest friends and I appreciate them so much for the people that they are and for the lives they have chosen to lead.

Third are "Grandma's Angel Babies", as I sing to my six beautiful grandchildren. They bring such light and hope into my soul that I cannot even put into words the depth of gratitude I feel for having them in my life. Their personalities are so diverse and each one brings such a spirit of love into our family.

Trick or Treat!

I remember one year when my kids were little and it snowed Halloween week. When we went to dentist appointments, there was a jack-o-lantern and a snowman on the porch of the house next to Dr. Keller's office. Luckily, this year was NOT one of those cold years! In fact, this was the warmest Halloween I remember in the 33 Halloweens I have experienced in Idaho. We didn't even need sweaters as Glen and I went trick-or-treating with Joanne & Brad and their family. Travis and Stephanie came, too, so the three little girls were well chaperoned.

Halloween morning, Carlin told me that if I dressed up as a cowgirl I wouldn't even have to sew to make my costume. I decided to surprise the girls and took Carlin's advice. I borrowed Glen's cowboy boots and spurs and pretended they were "cowgirl" boots & cowgirl spurs. I borrowed his chaps, tied a red girl's bandanna around my neck and pretended the cowboy hat I wore was a "cowgirl" hat--and my stick horse was well behaved all evening! Who says Halloween is just for kids! There were even some houses that gave this here cowgirl some candy!

With creative Mommies, our grandbabies had some pretty awesome costumes. Kaida was a cowgirl, Cole a pirate, Ashtyn was Princess Belle (Grandma Goodman sewed her gorgeous dress). Carlin was a bat with awesome wings, Shelby was a beautiful and colorful butterfly. Sammi was "Jack-Jack" from the Incredibles and she fit the part perfectly with her hair spiked on top of her head and her bright smile. Everyone had a great time and I am sure the older kids are already thinking about what they'll be next year--I know I am!

Continuing the "Joys" of Turning 50.....

Now that I've kept you waiting longer than planned for the "rest of the story", here goes.........
From midnight the second day before, you are on a liquid diet. From noon to 3 pm the day before, you fast then you begin the REAL preparation. Don't let the mild-sounding name "NuLYTELY" fool you--this stuff is deadly! To begin with, you add 4 liters of warm water and a "flavor" packet. Next you drink 8 ounces every 15 minutes. After tasting the first 8 ounces, you literally gag down the rest of the jug over a 4 hour period. After finishing the "beverage of the evening", you wait one hour then take 4 Ducolax tablets.
No explanation necessary. WARNING: Don't make any plans. You will spend the next 12 hours camping in the bathroom. Word of advice: take a warm blanket and a nice, thick book along as you won't be sleeping.
Our ward's High Priests group leaders decided to visit Glen and I that evening. I'm not sure what their thoughts were as I repeatedly jumped up and ran from the room during their stay.
After camping out in the bathroom all night, we left at 6:45 am to head to Boise. Papers to fill out and then my name was called from beyond the door. Actually the procedure itself was a piece of cake. They started an IV and I vaguely remember bits and pieces of what went on. I remember the nurse telling me I could get dressed. I remember wondering, as I struggled to get my foot into the leg of my jeans, if this is what it is like to get dressed when one is intoxicated, and that is all I remember. Next thing I knew I was waiting with Glen for the doctor to come give us his report and then we headed home. I slept the day away.
So, to any of you approaching this golden age of 50, take heart--the procedure itself is a piece of cake. And to the rest of you--your day is coming so don't get to smug about it!