Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

WOW!

There is just something about neglect and blog that go together in the summer. I actually have a hard time understanding it. I have been on the computer. Some times for hours minutes, yet I still steer from my blog. I have a theory... there is too much to blog about. We have been so busy with family activites, parks, and randomness that I am not sure where to put it all. I said I would come back with more about my Wordless Wednesdat. That is where I will start.

Everytime we pulled our memory cards from our trail cameras, we saw bears. We estimate 9 different bears came into our barrel (of food and sweets). That was the best experiance for the children and I. It gave us perspective of what Calvin would be hunting.(Of course we knew he would be hunting bears, but it became more real with pictures) We ooh'ed and awe'ed over all the bears as a family, ploted and predicted what bear my husband would get, and really had a good time just having them on our camera and at the bait site.

All this lead to the day my husband AND his father shot their bears. (Warning: There are pictures of dead bears below. Content considered sensitive) Why is 'and' bold and capital, well 2 bears on the same site, within an hour and ten minute span and 40 yards away is pretty dang rare.


Big Calvin

Calvin aka Bear Slayer (lol)
For some reason, Calvin (Bear Slayer) did not get any of just his bear laying out. His was quite a bit smaller than his father's, but a bear none the less.


Success!


P.S. Remember this post, if in the future I have the 2 Calvin's I may refer to Bear Slayer and Big Calvin. If Big Calvin's father were to come around... you guessed it, another Calvin. We will have to think about that if the time comes along.

We have babies and I am a huge slacker.

Babies, say what? Yes, my little Woodie (that just don't sound the best =] ) had 3 babies yesterday about noon-ish. I was nervous when I found them because momma was under the bedding, hiding. The babies were all calm and doing good but I only seen 2 of the babies at first.

I was walking to my room and just glanced in the cage, I stopped dead in my tracks and was seriously like "O.M.G" that is a little colored baby, EEEK! And then I see another little pup that is all black like momma. So I run across the house and grab Brianna so she can see the babies. She was oober excited also. Well I knew I had to get Woodie from under the bedding and have her get to babies and finish cleaning them. I would say when I found the babies, she had them with in the hour so we will say about noon. Anyways, I gather her from under the fleece, then I search under there because I can't be sure she didn't get under there and have more babies. None. I am pleased, momma did well and her 2 babies are looking good. Well I decide to move the pigloo out of the cage because Woodie would go in there and hide from the babies and I really wanted her to finish the clean up. Well much to my surprise, there was another, fully black, baby under there but just then my heart stopped. At first sight I thought momma did not break this babies sac and that the baby did not make it. But as I gather myself (this all happened in 3 seconds) I notice the baby is out, moving some and breathing but is restricted by the dry sac on her back. I had no idea what to do. I call my husband, he says to help the baby and clean it up. All I could think was if I interfere what will the already nervous and scared momma do so I wait. I called the vet (he had to call me back) called and talked to my mom and while one the phone I was hoovering around the baby and momma cage and spooked the little black pup that was covered in sac and the sac split (no harm, remember it was just dry on him) and then he really starts to move around. I gave it another 30 min or so and then I worked on helping the little one get the bag off and momma pig would come over and assist also. I know that she is just young and wasn't sure what to do. So anyways, they all look healthy and good today. Bouncing and popping all about the cage and nursing from momma. I even seen 2 of the babies trying to eat hay and one drinking from the water spout thingy. I am sure you are ready to see some pictures!

Without further ado:

Male 1
Female
Male 2






On with the slacker end of this post....
I said that I would come back (the next day but obviously this is not...) and post about my #1's. So yes, I'm late. I should know to never plan a post on Calvin's days off. I am no good at blogging when he is home.

Is that good or bad?
    Read on and then decide.


[one] pick up my bible that is collecting dust! Teach and learn from it!:
 Well I am happy to say this is a big YES!! Not only have I picked my bible up but my family and I have been going to church. God is great and we feel so good!
[one] believe in myself:
What exactly does that even mean? I would say there are many points of this short goal. I seem to have complications with believing how good I am at a certain things. I know I can do a lot of things but I have little faith that I can really do them, and so I don't. This is still a changing manner but I can and am slowing believing in myself again. Since starting a serious weight loss (healthy living) life I have seen that I can do it. I can be reliable. I can set goals and reach them. Now the next thing to work on is not procrastinating. I believe I procrastinate because I have a long thought process and (again working on this goal) I am not sure I can do it correctly if I do it now without thought, even though many people tell me YES you can.

[one] be more thankful for my husband and his hard work.
I have always been thankful but I did lack in letting him know. I know how awesome I feel after I have cleaned the house and how down I can suddenly turn if Calvin does not praise my hard work. Why shouldn't it be the same for him. Yes, he is working for our family because, well, he has to. I expected him to tell me "It looks good in the home" but I would give nothing in return for how awesome he is and how greatly I think of him and the many things he does for our family. (Honey, I love you)

[one] take more time for family and family activities:
We are always doing things as a family. Since Calvin has been on a 10 on 4 off work schedule, we have so much more time to really do things together. Last year he began this schedule and on his days off we would still sit at home and he would relax and enjoy it. As time went on he was feeling more rested and more used to the schedule and we would head out of the home on the days he had off. Now you hardly see us home when he is on days off. We are always out doing something. I love it and it is so healthy for our family. We have grown this past year, for that I am blessed.

[one] get healthy for my family and myself:
If you have been following me this year, you will know the answer to this. Not only am I getting healthier for my family, but Calvin also. We have been eating healthy for well over a year but lacked on activities to get us moving. That is no longer the case. and since winter is finally over (even if we have had snow in may) we are outside even more and doing many things to keep active and get healthy.

[one] spend more intimate time with hubby
I will not go into details, but this goal has been succeeded and the way it has pulled us together is bliss. I love that I am loving myself and in return loving my husband wholeheartedly.

Monday Randoms!




Spring weather has been fairly kind to us and we have been taking advantage of it!!

From the top Jesse, Jude, Addie, Jake and Brianna.

MckMama with Focus on the Family.

See MckMama live today with Focus on the Family.
The webcast will start at 2pm eastern time. Meaning in about1 hour.
The video box above will continue to "load" but around 2 you will THEN see the live feed.
I can't wait. If you do watch it with me, please leave a comment and tell me
what you thought of it!
Other guest speakers include Jill Savage from Hearts at Home
and also hear from Toby Mac, a Christian contemporary music artist.


If the embedding of the video does not work please click here.

New Car!

We spent most of the day sitting in a car dealership yesterday. Brianna was being watched by my mother-in-law but little miss Addie tagged along with us. I have to say, she did SO good. I think she had one meltdown and that was only because I didn't let her smash my cell phone into the ground. I have to say, that is awesome for a 19 month old. So without further ado, here is my new car.


2007 Honda Accord

We will save a ton of money on gas considering my jeep only got 9mpg in town and 17mpg highway. There are many advantages to purchasing this car, we are very happy with.

Oscars and A Feature...

Tis the day for best and worst dressed. The day after the Oscars, a day in the news. In fact that is what I am basing this post off. I did not get to enjoy the Oscars this year as the husband was into another program. So here is to catching up on the Oscars.

Do you have an opinion on this years features? I would love to hear about it.




Who pulled it off?

Don't want to be the judge but still curious...there are a bijillion sites that will host their opinion for you today. Like here. 

Now onto those who won, and didn't. Hurt Locker, winning Best Picture. Over Avatar? I did watch both Avatar and Hurt Locker and honestly I didn't think either was "the best". Both good movies, yes, but with Avatar being 1# for how many weeks just to be smashed over at the Oscars...I think we need a recount. I will congratulate Kathryn Bigelow for best director. First female to win the Best Director award even. That is a win worth a thousand words.

I have yet to see The Blind Side but I have full faith that Sandra Bullock pulled it off. From the bits and bites I have seen, yes, she is well awarded with Best Actress. This is on my must see movie list.

I also read that Up was giving an award for Best Original Score. That had to be the cutest little movie ever. My whole family enjoyed watching it.

Precious actress Mo'nique grabbed Best Supporting Actress. I have always enjoyed Mo,nique. Just her spirit and whole being is pleasant to watch. I am waiting the March 9th (tomorrow) release to nab this movie.

Who pulled it off?
I want your input!


Next line of business. A feature in the future? I sure hope so. This person is dear to my heart. They deal with day to day issues and struggles that many take for granted. Even myself, seeing this person every single day, still don't understand the daily problems that arise or the day to day pain.  "Who is this feature?", you ask?

My heart, my life,
              my HUSBAND!

He deals everyday with limited mobility in his hip from a malformation of the socket. This is called Perthes Disease, but not really a disease at all (read link). In my husbands case, it occurred when there was an injury (as a child) and it cause the "ball" of the "ball and socket" joint in his hip to have a loss of blood supply literally killed it. The doctors say he is in need of a hip replacement but he has to hold off as long as he can since it is limited as to how many times you can get new legs. :) I hope to have him tell his side and really let you in on how everyday he is Living with Perthes.

23

March 03, 23 years ago a baby was born!
Me! My husband knows me to well and surprised me with Twilight Journals. Maybe he thinks it will inspire me to write some novels and make us famous. Whoa! When I typed "famous" it made my stomach turn a little bit. Yes extra money would be great. A lot more money would make us uncomfortable though. People always wanting to "capture" us with their big lenses and bright flashes. Stalking. Sneaking. Yea, I will pass on that! Maybe something low key, that wouldn't be bad. I am not really writter material I don't think. Ok totally off topic, moving on!

So it was my birthday, we had a small family gathering with Death by Chololate cake, Stawberry Short cake, huge sub sandwhiches and macoroni salad (Thanks again, mom). We over ate, laughed and enjoyed company of good friends and loving family!

Thank you Calvin for getting everyone together and being the wonderful husband you are. I enjoyed (and survived) another year with you by my side! LOVES AND HUGS

Gone and Restored

What's that saying? Looks are deceiving. This runs true in many aspects of peoples lives. When you are fat, people seem to think you are shy, unlovable, gross and so on. When you have an awesome car like a Cadillac, people assume you have money, and lots of it.

There is also that other saying. Don't judge a book by it's cover! I have suffered with weight issues for a long time now and I know of the judgment people pass when they see me. I have to say it's a shame (not to toot my own horn) that they didn't get to know the real me. I am so much more then what they see. Same with the nice vehicle. I drive a Jeep just to clear things up, but you see someone in a Cadillac and think, whoa that must be nice. What is nice? The insurance that is high, the payment that is even higher. Now I am not saying that everyone with a Cadillac is in debt over their nice ride, I am just saying, you truly never know!

Where am I going with this. Well I am going a lot deeper then the car you drive. I am talking about the relationship I have with my husband. We have now been together for 8 years. Things have always seemed to be okay. But in the house, behind closed doors, it was more like a friendship. Someone I was living with. Someone who was depressed and I was also. It was not sexual 98% of the time, it wasn't lovey dovey, it was more like I am mom, he is dad and that was that. We were not husband and wife. Somewhere in being mother, taxi, wife, cook, cleaning lady, I lost Jessica. I lost Jessica as loving wife to my more than wonderful husband. I lost Jessica the fun going mother of 2 adorable daughters. I was just gone.

Who knew that one chat with the hubby, and the expressions of emotions and feelings between the 2 of us could change everything. Guess what?? I found Jessica. I found my sex drive (maybe more than Calvin can keep up with) I found that mother I have always known I was, I found the joys in cleaning my home to feel good not just to have it clean enough. I found that drive I needed to start working out and really hunkering down on my eating to get in shape and healthy for myself! For Jessica! For Calvin, who loves me no matter what but is right there on my weight loss journey pushing me and working out (literally) right beside me and keeping me positive about my acing muscles and sore legs/arms/abs and such. But more importantly, for my children who want to run to the car with mommy but can't because mommy can't breath (lol) or want mommy to slide with them, but I am lazy and would rather watch from the grass. I don't want to die a young age from problems cause by being obese. I don't want to deal with diabetes if I can avoid it. So while the most important person is me, my weight loss is very important to and for my family as well. (sorry that kinda of jumped off the relationship anyways..)

Are you struggling in your relationship with your spouse? Don't be ashamed, no one EVER said love was easy! So here we are with another saying, Don't sweat the small things. Well I guess it all depends on how you take that, but it was the small things *(see below) that the hubby and I put back into our relationship that has helped us move up in the love department, helped the sex drive, dissipated the depression and made this house a home again.

*more than a peck. I don't expect you or myself to go into a make out session, but a deep kiss can lighten any mood, make you hubby feel at home when he arrives home and with Calvins makes him long for more (after the kids are in bed of course)
*holding hands. in the car, at the mall, even at home. the power of touch is amazing and makes me as a women feel that even if he is not saying I love you, his hand, entangled with mine shows me the love.

One more saying before you go.

We were given: Two hands to hold. To legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find.

The whole Tooth, and nothing but the Tooth!

When my daughter was around 2 years old, her teeth started to turn yellow then brown, just the 4 front ones. Well I brushed and brushed but nothing gave. So finally we took her to the doctors and they said she had to have them removed. My hubs had enamal problems when we was young also, so maybe it has something to do with that, not sure. So here she was just over 2 and had no front teeth. She pulled off the look so well! She ws cute with or without teeth, but it did take some getting used to. So here to share a few pics with/without teeth!






With...



Without...







With... hehe.haha





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Washington/Oregon family trip 2009


When you have a truck, you are often asked for "favors". In this case we moved my brother in law Zac up to Vancouver, Washington. Instead of a quick, as quick as a 14 hour drive can be, we decided to make a family vacation out of it. Much needed anyways. Along for the very long drive was my husband and I and our 2 more than wonderful daughters, Brianna and Addisyn. I must add that we stopped at a cute little restaurant for lunch and got the girls these cute "little stinker" t-shirts, pics to come! It was in Black Canyon and it is located at mile marker 13 in Idaho.






The ride went fairly well, until we reached stop and go traffic in portland/vancouver. Then it was "i have to pee" "addie is stinky" Addisyn screaming, calvin saying, in his most trying not to yell voice "you have to hold it brianna" "addie, we are almost there sugar please be quiet" finally arriving at my sister and brother in laws place in Vancouver and aaaah, relief! A BIG thank you to Scott and Tara for letting us bed at their home, and for feeding us awesome dinners! Brianna enjoyed playing with cousin Olivia, Addie seemed to attach herself to Scott there for a while, but Auntie Tara took the cake by feeding, watching, and playing with Addie! Thank you again Tara!!








Our first adventure, excluding the drive, was to Oregon Zoo (thursday 7/2)! It was actually the first time Brianna and myself had been to a zoo. I know hard to believe that a 22 yr old hasn't been to a zoo, but I tell the truth!




Brianna says her favorite part were the monkeys. Can't be because it was a mirror image right?!?! Kidding. This trip we left Addie with Auntie Tara, and I am sure glad we did. It was way to hot and to much walking for me to pack her around. We would have been miserable.



The next day (friday 7/3) we had already planned to drive about 3 hours to the Oregon coast and meet up with Shannon. Shannon and I met through http://www.cafemom.com/ and it was an instant friendship. It actually started by me asking for a pumpkin butter recipe. Then we would chat here and there, and then it was always on yahoo messenger, and web-tizing (Briannas word for web cam)! I already can't wait to meet up again with her and her family, Charlie, Kairon and Colton. It was so easy to hang out with her, it felt like we had been doing it for years. I truely plan to head up there or meet in the middle very soon! We shall see what works out! I miss you Shannon and family!




After an awesome lunch prepared by Shannon (chicken salad sandwiches and mac salad) we headed to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.




Brianna's favorite part about the aquarium was the petting area. Sorry no pics, they all seemed so fuzzy. My favorite part though, was the water tunnels. Fish. sharks, sting rays all around swimming, it was really cool.




Brianna spent a lot of time on the floor looking at the everything swimming below her. I on the other hand could not even walk on the floor glass, something freaky about that to me. Tara said the first time she went she was the same way, but I could go there a million times and still not be okay with it.




After a few hours spent at the aquarium, we headed to the beach. Although chilly, it was beautiful. My crazy child decided that cold enough to have ice burg water would be fun to play in, so a wet, and sandy Brianna had to have pants removed, and as every great mother sometimes forgets extra clothes, she was left in her panties! Oops!


Pantie Brianna and Kairon run to the water!



Up by the gazebo, there was something you just don't see where I live. Someone making a living out on the streets. I asked if it was a hobby and he said "Well I am semi retired and do this as a bit of an income" He also mentioned that he used to make his own glass beads but the material got to heavy to carry around with him. He did give me permission for this pic also! His work was awesome, I should have got something to bring home. (by the way, he is knotting and tieing hemp bracelets, necklaces and other goodies)




On the 4th one of my friends came to visit. Erin used to live here, but 2 years ago moved her and her daughter to washington. she says she loves it there, and it's a fresh beginning for her and her daughter. I quote "the people here only have to know as much as you want them to know." How true that is! Caley, her daughter loves her bestie Bonna (as how Caley says Brianna) and it was wonderful to see the girls play together, it's been to long since they were together. It was also nice to see Erin, it's been well over a year since we really got to hang out and talk about anything we wanted with no rush on time.


Our way home on interstate 84 was mostly uneventful besides the Sumpter Junction Restaurant in Baker City OR! It has a play train that runs through the restaurant and even comes right by your table. We stumbled across this place 2 years ago on our first family trip, again to Washington. When we say the mile sign read 13 miles to Green River, I never thought it looked so beautiful! I was happy to finally be home, even if it was 1am. (if you click the link above to restaurant, it will take you to youtube and it's a little short clip of the place. The booth with the lady in blue -on the left- is actually where we sat and it's right by the big display and Brianna peered in that window almost the whole time watching the train over and over. It's hard to have your child eat when there was something so interesting going on right behind you. I am glad that she enjoyed it so much, Addie eh, not so much she just wanted to eat!






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what a weekend!

We had an amazing weekend and it was good to get away even though it wasn't really supposed to be a vacation, we were getting some things moved and whatever, but it did end up being so much fun! I am glad that I did decide to go. I feel refreshed and ready to tackle my house again, and my reset button is good for another 6 months, or so. Tomorrow expect a TON! I have pics, stories, first impressions, life lessons((or something like that LOL)) and my little off the wall-ness ((i know that's not a word but whatever.))!! I know, you are itching to know now but it is 2:00 AM and I do have 2 young children that will take over the world tomorrow if I don't get any sleep! Take care and talk soon!



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our family trip

To Image and video hosting by TinyPic what?!?! Not sure what that is...how about this:
Photobucket

This is the space needle, in Washington! You know how hard it was to find a picture of something "recognizable" in washington...no, well when you type Washington in you get Washington DC or pictures of Twilight cast at different locations in Washiongton!

anyways...

We are going to Washington for one main reason but have big plans while we are there. So our reason is to move my brother-in-law. He is tired of little town life I suppose, or whatever his reasoning, we are helping. ((don't ever own a truck or you will move everyone)) Also our itinerary include seeing my most beautiful sister-in-law Tara >
Photobucket
a most inspiring best friend Shannon > Photobucket
and my homie since we were teeny Erin > Photobucket

I am also hoping to get to the ocean! Addisyn has never been and Brianna I am sure does not remember her trip a few summers ago. There is also a childrens museum that I can just imagine the fun Brianna would have. Maybe I can get Erin and Brianna's bestie Caley to join us and let the girls imagination run wild! Also Shannon and I discussed taking our familys to The Enchanted Forest amusement park. It has this area called Storybook Lane, I think Brianna would fall inlove! the only thing about these places is that I have ran them by Calvin, but nothing is solid! If you are in Washington and know of some unique places to roam, please contact me. I dont want to visit the norm. I would love places that we will really remember and that is not so popular that we will have to wait forever to get in type of thing. You can post here or you can email me jmunizpage@yahoo.com please subject email as blog or washington. We will leave the 1st and should be back the 5th or 6th. I can't wait! I am going to get so many pictures, which I will share! EEK! I can't hold my excitement!

Family pics!!


These are Addie's first professional photos and also our very first family photos!















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