Cowgirl Piper

Last weekend we took Piper to Thanksgiving Point to see their farm animals. We saw goats, Llamas, turkeys, chickens, peacocks, horses, cows, pigs, ducks and rabbits. Piper's favorite thing was riding a pony. She was so excited and thought it was awesome!

Trying to pet the Llama.

Not quite sure about the goat.


Then she sees the horses. "I want that!" Piper's exact words. Good thing Nina and Papa have horses she can ride when we visit, so we can say she can ride all the horses she wants at Nina's and Papa's.

The best part! What a blast!

Then it was time to pet some animals.....

As much as this little guy wanted to be pet, and try as I might, I could not get Piper to pet this adorable little Jersey calf. I think she knows from petting the calves at great grandma Penrod's house that cows lick. When I took her to Grandma Penrod's a couple of months ago a baby calf licked her and she did not like it. But then I held out my hand and let the cow lick me, and then she decided if mom was okay with the cow licking her, it must not be too bad. But I think she must remember, because she refused to pet this adorable calf.

Another funny thing, they had two peacocks that had their tails fanned out, but did she show any interest? No, she wanted to go back and watch the ugly chickens!!!

All in all a fun day at Thanksgiving Point. I am however very, very disappointed in how they keep their rabbits. Two of their rabbits were practically on deaths door. Most of the rabbits had severe eye infections and all of them were in bad health (I could tell by their poop) I was very frustrated and wanted to take them away, not that I could take any more rabbits. Two is definitely enough for me.

Tender Mercies

Okay, so I've been guilty of something awful this week - feeling a little bad/having my feelings hurt over something that I've come to realize maybe doesn't matter as much as I think it did. I woke up last night at 3:30 and couldn't go back to sleep. In part due to my churning mind and the other part due to my crazy allergies (Thanks new batch of rabbit hay). I was frustrated as I contemplated things, tossing and turning, all the while wishing desperately I could go back to sleep. After I got my sneezing and burning eyes under control, at 5:30 I could hear my husband's soft even breathing, and then I had an epiphany, which I hope will last a long time. I had a voice in my head reminding me that I have ALL I NEED. I have an amazing husband, who for some reason loves me, even with all my bad habits and annoying personality traits. I have a beautiful, funny, smart and happy daughter. I have some people who, rain or shine I CAN rely on. I have my sister who I think is one of the most amazing people, EVER. She is so much of what I hope and strive to be. She is my hero. I have my brother who I know would be there in an instant if I needed him. He is so many things I wish I was. He has an easy ability to talk to anyone, I wish I was more like that, he is much less afraid than I am. I have a sister-in-law who lately I've come to rely on so much. She is so funny and easy to be around, and the more I'm around her, the more I love her and I'm so glad she is in my life. She is becoming a great and amazing friend. I have another friend who constantly amazes me. I spent the day with her. She is medicine for my soul. She is smart, witty, direct and upfront, kind and compassionate. She somehow always lifts me up, by doing what I don't really know. I wish she could always see herself the way I see her. I know she is in my life for a reason, she is one of my tender mercies. Laugh if you want, but I truly believe that Heavenly Father knew what a blessing she would be. I've only known her for a few years, but in those short years, she has quite literally been there for my lowest and most painful moments and my best, brightest and happiest experiences. She's been there, constant, stable, always reliable through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. Somehow I do not think this co-incidence. As these thoughts replaced the negative ones, I felt the hugest peace washed over me and I soon drifted off to sleep.

Today I was with this friend and we had a crazy, silly day - just what I needed. We took our daughters swimming. For the record- I think I have a little fish on my hands. Piper LOVED it. I just feel bad I didn't get any pictures, I just didn't want to risk my camera getting stolen. Piper went down a couple of slides herself, with me at the bottom to catch her, and then we went down a big twirly slide that went around and around about four times. As Piper giggled and giggled going down the slide and then later grabbed my face and gave me a kiss, I just thought that was just about the greatest thing. It felt really good. After a crummy week of stupid things happening and not feeling well, today was such a breath of fresh air.

Family Fun

I really cannot believe that it has been over a year since I have blogged. I am going to try and do better so that I can have some kind of journal for what is going on in our lives. The last few months have been filled with family. I can't help but think of the song by Phil Vasssar "Just another day in paradise." Life has been full of small and maybe to some insignificant events, some good, some maybe not so good, but all in all they make up the fabric that is my life, and I wouldn't change that for anything. I often reflect at night when I go in to watch my daughter sleep, that even the simplest things in life, when my daughter gives me a kiss and hugs me tight, or her laugh and giggles are more meaningful to me than any other external reward I ever had. When all is said and done, my relationships with others is what I have, they are the things that are not replaceable in life. Things you can replace, people you cannot. The more I live the more I come to realize that is our relationships with others that sustains us. Fortunately, we both have great families, and we have spent the last few months seeing some of our family.

Piper and her Papa on the boat ride to Alcatraz

Piper and Aunt Andrea

Piper and great grandma Penrod


Piper with Mama Jane and Papa Doc

Piper and her cousin Paysen

One of my favorites: Piper and her Nina reading together. Piper is named after her, she is so lucky to have her for a grandma. Even though you can't see their faces, I love this picture, I just think it is so sweet.

Piper and her cousins dancing in their princess gear.

Piper may not realize it yet, but she has some awesome people in her life who will help her along her path. She has so much enjoyed visiting with her family and is quite the trooper. On our way back from visiting Aaron's mom she developed ear infections in both her ears, but handled that quite well considering.