RIP "Lint"

After 9 adventure filled years, my Sugarglider, Lint, has passed on. Mom bought her for me in Salt Lake City one year for my birthday. The people who sold her to us told us that she would love us and be a friendly pet. They were wrong. She never bonded with me, even though I held her constantly for the first 2 months. I did everything they told me to do: I kept her in a pouch under my shirt all day so she would get use to my smell, I fed her, I talked to her so she would know my voice. . .yeah, it didn't work. Finally I gave up and left her alone. I guess I got sick of being bitten hard enough to draw blood. She was so cute, I couldn't make myself get rid of her, so we kept her. I always felt so sorry for her. She must have been so lonely. Sugargliders usually live in family groups. She would let me pet her back and tail but didn't like to be picked up. She was so soft and was a lot of fun to watch. The kids loved showing her to their friends. She was a fun little pet and we will miss her.

13 YEARS!

There is so much about marriage that no one can warn you about. There are things you will just never understand until you are in that situation. I was told that marriage isn't always fun. I was told that there would be bad days. And there definately have been a few of those. There have been times I have wanted to walk out the door and never come back. There are habits and traits in a person that can make you completely insane. I have learned that your wedding day is not the only day in your life that you will need to commit to your marriage. You do it over and over again. You consciously decide that leaving is not an option, you just need to find a way to fix what is wrong. Of course there are deal breakers. We both know what those are.
But no one was ever able to warn me about how much you can love another person. No one could tell me how much you can come to depend upon having a person in your life everyday. I now know how much easier trials can be when you have a hand to hold. Just knowing that you aren't alone is an amazing feeling. I feel so blessed that the good days have far out numbered the bad. I love that I have a person who is always 100% on my side. I love being part of a team. Whenever something good happens, he is always the first person I want to tell. Most of all I love that after 13 years, he still makes me laugh. "Love" is not a big enough word to describe the way I feel about my husband on the anniversary of our beginning.

First Day of School

This year Gabe is going into 7th grade (Junior High), Raygen is going into 4th grade (Mrs. Purser), and Ridge starts Kindergarten (Mrs. Wade). The summer went by way too fast, but the kids are excited to get started on a new year. We missed the bus the first day, but made it on the second day. Gabe so far really likes all his teachers. He has been running with the Cross Country team and is getting in good shape. Raygen loves her teacher (who is also in our ward) and is still the social butterfly she has always been. She is excited to start orchestra this year and is planning on learning the violin. Ridge wasn't even nervous on his first day. I had to make him come back and give me a hug and a kiss before he went into class. It has been so weird to have my baby start school. I am so glad that we opted for the half day schedule. It might give Mom a little more time to adjust to the idea of not having babies at home anymore.

Peas in a Pod

This summer Gabe has spent a lot of time with his best friend, Clance Belnap. They are so much alike it is scary! Gabe has been really into "Indiana Jones" and has played with his toy whip until it totally wore out. One day Clance came over to play. He told Gabe that he saw a package on the front porch. When Gabe went out to see, there was a wrapped present sitting there. In it was a new whip that Clance bought for him. He was SO excited! The two of them spent the rest of the day "cracking" their whips in the backyard, and "exploring" with their dogs. It has been so great for Gabe to find a friend that he has so much in common with and that he gets along with so well. He loves spending as much time as possible with Clance and I am so glad that he found himself a "kindred spirit".

Happy 4th!

As Little Miss Idaho Days Queen, Raygen gets to ride on their float in various parades. Today she was in Lewiston's parade. It was pretty hectic getting her there. The float they had lined up got locked in a storage unit and the owner left town. So at the last minute (like 20 minutes before the parade started) we threw together this float with the left over stage decorations. Good thing the girls are so cute and don't need a lot of fancy decorations! Last night we had dinner at Mom and Dad's house where Grandpa Benton and Uncle Braydon decided to teach Raygen how to do a "parade wave". Wow. I should smack them.

Roped Into "Service"

One of my personality "flaws" (as Tyson sees it) is that I can't seem to be able to tell people "No". But because of that I have had a lot of opportunities to help out and serve. This week I helped a couple of friends make the decorations for Raygen's pageant. We spent all week coming up with ideas, getting donations for materials, cutting wood, painting, modge podging, shopping, eating, talking, and even threw in a lot of laughing. It was so much fun! I love being able to have an idea and make it a reality. The stage looked so cute when we were all finished. I'm glad to have such talented and amazing friends! They are a lot of fun to be around and make any task enjoyable.

Little Miss Idaho Days Queen!

Today Raygen participated in the Little Miss Idaho Days Pageant. She had to learn a dance and perform it with all the other girls. Then she walked across the stage while the announcer read a description about her. She then gave a a speech and answered three questions. In her speech she said, "Hi! I'm Raygen Murphy. I am 9 years old and I love the color purple! I use it often in the pictures I draw because I love arts and crafts. I have a pet cat named Rosie. She hates everyone but me! She's feisty but I love her! I also have a pet pygmy goat and rabbit. It is my job to take care of them. One of my favorite things to do is to ride horses with my Grandpa Benton. I am my Mom and Dad's only daughter. I'm spoiled not too much, not too little, but just the right amount! My mom tells me I have a big heart to go with my big smile!"
For her questions, she was asked 1. Who is your role model? She said, "My mom and dad because they teach me not to be mean." 2. Why do you like living in Idaho? "Because it has a lot of nature and animals and I love those things!" 3. Why would you make a good princess? "Because I would be a good example to everyone and I would be nice to everyone."
She did an excellent job and we are VERY proud of her. Crown or no crown, Raygen is definitely our little princess!

Ellie

The newest member of our family is Gabe's puppy, Ellie. He has worked very hard to earn the money for her and also permission from us. He has tried really hard to prove that he is responsible enough for a dog by helping out around the house and taking care of Cash when Tyson is gone. We drove down to Riverton, Utah to pick her up. Gabe was in love the moment he saw her. He started crying and kept saying, "She's perfect!" He has been very good at taking care of her. He feeds her, baths her, cleans up her messes, and plays with her every day. He is working on training her and is learning a lot along the way. It took a lot of debate for Gabe to finally decide on a name for her. I have nicknamed her "Ellington Fitzgerald" because I think it fits her more then just plain old "Ellie". :) She has been a lot of fun, work, and frustration in the charming way only puppies can be.

Yesterday Gabe became a deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. Tyson gave Gabe the blessing in Bishop Beckstead's office after church. Grandpa Benton, Uncle Braydon, Mike Cole, Bruce Nate, Vance Broadhead, and Bishop Beckstead stood in the circle. Those watching include myself, Raygen, Ridge, Branson, Grandma Lynda, Bridgett Broadhead and her kids, and Wyatt Cole. There was such a great spirit in the room and Gabe smiled when he was done. Gabe gave everyone a handshake, even his dad, and everyone laughed when the Bishop teased him that he was suppose to hug his dad. Of course his mom gave him a big hug and kiss! (He cussed me later for embarrassing him)
As I sat there, I was reminded of Gabe as a tiny baby in his hospital bed when he received a priesthood blessing. It is amazing to watch the gospel come full circle as Gabe now has the priesthood and can use it to help others. It fills my heart with love and gratitude for our Heavenly Father and His incredible gifts. I am so proud of Gabe for choosing to follow the commandments and for being a good example to his younger siblings.

Happy 12 Gabe!

I can't believe how fast the time goes. I know I have said that before and will probably say it many more times. It doesn't seem like that long ago that my whole life changed. The day Gabe was born remains one of the best and worst of my life. I am so blessed to have Gabe as a son. He has taught me more than any other influence in my life. I can't believe God trusts me enough to let me be his mother. When I think back to that cold, snowy January day 12 years ago, I remember the doctors telling me they didn't think he could hear and wouldn't be able to talk. They ran all sorts of tests on his tiny body and the whole time, Gabe let them have it! If only I had a crystal ball to let me see him the way he is today, I would have laughed in their face! Gabe not only hears and talks, but he has more to say than most people I know! He is one of my greatest blessings and biggest trials all rolled into a cute, spunky package. I love him so much and feel honored to be his mom!

Happy Birthday Ridge!!

Five years ago today, we added number 5 to our family. He has been such a wonderful addition! Ridge came into the world with personality spilling out all over the place. He is full of ideas and very full of life. He makes me smile or laugh every single day. I am amazed by his energy and determination. I am trying not to think of this coming fall when he will go to kindergarten. I can't believe it is going by so quickly! I enjoy our days together when it is just Ridge and Mom home. He is such good company and fills the house with joy. He is my little buddy and I am so glad he was born!!! I love you Ridgey McRidgerton! :)

Christmas!!

We had a great Christmas! It is always so much fun to see how excited the kids get. They still don't dare wake us up. I laid in bed waiting for them to come and get us but instead I heard the TV turn on. (I have been told I'm a little scary when woken up)
It is fun to see the differences in their personalities. Ridge rips open all his presents as fast as he can, Raygen sits and looks at each thing and takes her sweet time, and Gabe likes to get things out of the package and figure it out before moving on. So of course Ridge was all out of presents right away and tried to convince the other two to let him open theirs! Cute little Raygen let him open a couple of hers because she has a kind heart. Ridge got a little tent from Gabe and slept in it the next 4 nights, Raygen got a digital camera, and Gabe was pretty excited about his new Ipod. (He still has the best reactions ever!!) Santa had wrapped his Ipod in about 5 different sized boxes and he had fun opening each box to find another one inside. Tyson got a smoker and has been smoking everything in sight! And I got some new clothes and money towards a camera I want.
Later that day we went to Mom and Dad's and had dinner with some of the family. Lisa and Brett were there with their families. It is always good to see everyone and spend time together. I am so thankful for our family. I feel blessed every day to be related to such amazing people!

Christmas Recital

The kids survived another piano recital! Raygen played "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" and Gabe played "I'll Be Home For Christmas". They have been practicing these songs since October so it is good that they will be able to move on to something else now. :) It is fun to watch them gradually progress and start to play songs that I can recognize and sing along with. Now they have a couple weeks off which Gabe is pretty excited about. (Dad too!) I am looking forward to not having to argue with Gabe about his practicing also. But I keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it. And watching them play at the recital is a little glimpse a hope for the future. . .

Dinosaur Museum!

We had lots of fun at the George Eccles Dinosaur Museum in Ogden this weekend. Braydon and Brittney invited us to go with them to help celebrate Branson's 3rd birthday. The kids loved it! Well my kids did. Branson and Bridger didn't know what to think about the life size robotic dinosaurs. Ridge was a little hesitant to go very close to the dinosaur's "cage" but ended up liking them best of all. We learned all kinds of facts about dinosaurs and fossils and looked at all kinds of minerals. The kids liked playing on the dinosaurs that were outside even though it was pretty cold that day. Afterward, we went to McDonalds and shopping. It was a great day!