Baby Steps.

I keep waiting until I have a big chunk of time to sit here and blog about the last few months.

Yet, I am slowly learning that every day I wait, I get further and further behind, making it an almost impossible task to catch up.  I have flirted with the idea of chalking the last 3 months off as lost, and starting fresh from today.  But as I look through my pictures, and think through those days and weeks, I feel the need to document the happenings in our lives.  After much deliberation, I have decided to punch the private button on this blog.  This will help me to write in a deeper sense, to try not to skim over heartfelt emotions, to be more candid about my children and to lay it all out for my future to learn from.  

So, starting now,  I will attempt to take a bunch of small 'bites'... hoping that will make this whole thing easier to swallow.  

In January we went on a little hike to Valley of Fire.  January in the desert is always a roller coaster...some days cold, some gloriously warm.  In January, I was still sick with my mystery cough and lingering fevers.  I was actually in a pretty sour mood, starting out on the hike. My chest was still tight and I was frustrated with the fact that I couldn't get better...or even figure out what was wrong with me...and after 2 months of it, I was feeling a bit depressed.  But, I was hoping that the worst was behind me and it did feel so good to get out in the fresh air and sunshine and attempt to fill my lungs with sweet desert goodness.  

The girls took off their shoes halfway through the hike so they could feel the cool sand on their feet.  

I admit, I was hesitant to let them go shoeless, as I always fret that the worst could happen, like:  'what about rusty Indian nails?'.   I am so grateful for Bryan and for the balance that we create together.

The boys picked up treasure after treasure, mulling it over and then throwing it back to nature.

The kids were happy and it made me feel happy that I had succumbed to Bryan's prodding of getting me out of the house for a while.  

As we drove home with the windows down and the warm winter air blowing through our hair, the familiar tune of Louis Armstrong's danced through my head, and I couldn't help but...think to myself,

what a wonderful world!

It's Not Business...It's Personal.

Hello Friends,

I have come to the realization that my lack of posting is (somewhat) due to the fact that what I would like to post, about my personal feelings and my growing children, may not always be the best for the general public.  

That being said, after all these years, I am finally making this blog private.

If I know you and you are still interested in the comings and goings of Our Family Wagon...send your email address to me at

girlnamedpearl@gmail.com

Loads of Love,

Emily

So far 2017.

We quietly rang in the New Year...got fresh new calendars...and started to fill them up!

Bryan and I had planned to take McCoy with us to my doctor appointment in Las Vegas and then take him somewhere special for lunch to celebrate his birthday.  But, when my appointment was cancelled, McCoy decided he would rather just have lunch at our local 'Scoops'. 

He and Bryan discussed the ins and outs of Ninjago Legos most of the time.

Then we came home and he opened his gifts.

7 years old, and such a big boy.  He is equal parts tease and tender.  He and I have a little game going, where each day (at least once) one of us ask the other if we are so excited for Christmas to come (yes, even in January).   He is fiercely loyal, loving and protective of his little sister...even when she can be a royal pain.  He admires and wants to be like his big brother.  He worries a lot, yet he is tough and fun-loving.  He laughs easily and gives the best gratitude filled prayers.  

I thank my lucky stars that he is mine!

Happy Birthday, my Coy Boy!

The honkers have been hanging out.

Currently, the kale is the only thing growing in the garden.
Although, Bryan recently planted green beans, beets, spinach and carrots.  And the asparagus should be showing their little heads, sometime soon.

Morning chores with the hens.

And guess who already got her braces off?  Not me.

After only 11 months, the orthodontist said Myra's smile was finished.

I still have several months to go.  But I am not bitter, see?!

Sure does look nice.  Feels so good, too!

We've had lots of rainy days this month, but also lots of sunshine.  I really am so grateful to live in the desert...especially this time of year.

And then there's this big boy.  I walked into the house the other day and he was sitting on the couch and, at first glance, I swore he was Bryan.  He is getting so grown up, and so capable and I still am having trouble wrapping my head around these near-adults that live with me.

Myra entered an essay writing competition a couple of months ago with our local Veterans of Foreign Wars.  The topic was "The America I believe in..."  Later, she received a call that she and her parents were invited to the awards ceremony.  This week we attended the ceremony and Myra received 1st place on her essay, got a shiny plaque and $100.  

Here is her essay:

The America I Believe In...

Written by Myra Mortensen

                                                     

Throughout history we can see that several nations with capable armies, wealth and powerful governments have fallen into ruin. Rome, for example, started out with a well-structured government and hard working leaders. For a time there was peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, Rome fell because they began to forget and turn away from their founding principles.

Todays America is like Rome in many ways; it is the greatest nation in the world. People from every nation have come to see if they could catch a glimpse of what makes America so special. One Frenchman named Alexis de Tocqueville succeeded. In 1831, this is what he had to say about America:    

“ I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her…fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

We as a nation have made, and are making, mistakes that are leading us down the same road the Romans took before they fell. We have unheard-of levels of national debt. An abundance of our country’s inhabitants depend upon the government for their basic needs. Our armed services are spread thin throughout the world. We are forgetting to honor Him who gave us this great nation.

Our country must remember the numerous men and women throughout history who have sacrificed so much, sometimes even their very lives, for this country and its cause of liberty.  If our country will not forget that America’s foundation is based on faith in God and high moral standards, then our country will continue to be great. And that is the America I believe in… the America that is great because she is good.

They send the local 1st place essay on to the VFW District to be judged, and Myra's essay won 2nd place in District.

What a gal!


Bryan and Myles have been working really hard in our front circle area.  They have been shoveling, sifting and piling rocks to fill the outside area of the circle.  They are about 10 feet from being finished and it is looking swell!  Now, to level the center and dig us a fire pit.

So many wonderful things to look forward to in 2017.

December 2016.

We were all excited to turn our calendar to December.  Our '25 Days of Christmas' count down activities are always highly anticipated.  In fact, McCoy and I made a countdown-to-December-1st-chain clear back at the end of August, that hung down our hallway...which was eagerly made shorter and shorter through the Fall months.

Of course, playing in new fallen leaves is always a December highlight...

as is making Gingerbread Houses...can't you tell by Maisy's face?!

Ha!  But, don't let her fool ya, she was just trying her best to be patient waiting her turn for the frosting glue.

We also colored our own wrapping paper...to go with our Made in the USA themed gifts for our

annual Castle Family Christmas Party.

Here are a few of the closeups of the kids' creativity:

The weather got chilly.

Some of us attended The live Nativity and Christmas in the Canyon at Tuacahn with the Castle crew.  Maisy and I hung out at Grandma and Grandpa Olives, as I was still fighting the bug from hockey sticks...which has still not completely made its way out.  On Thanksgiving Day I came down with a fever and chills...which turned into my yearly tight chest trouble...which turned into the tightest most painful chest ever...which made me crawl to the doctor for a round of antibiotics (first time in over 14 years) which helped a little...but not a lot.  Long story short: After 2 visits to regular doctor and 5 visits to alternative doctors...and tons of research and study and remedies and blah blah blah...

I am still trying to figure out what the devil is causing my crazy morning tight chest coughing episodes...and my frequent low grade fevers and chills.  It's been a wild goose chase, but we have learned a lot and well, if you pray for patience....

sigh.

But these guys had a great time.

The pretty little marigolds bow to Jack Frost.

The sidewalk has leaf tattoos all over it.

Myra was asked to sing a solo in the Stake Youth Choir concert.  Grandma Olive helped her practice with the accompaniment.  On the night of the concert Myra did fabulous.  Didn't even seem a bit nervous and hit the high notes like a little song bird.  

More leaf play.  The deserts rendition of snow.

We had our annual Olive Family Caroling Party.

Which was loads of fun, as always.  Except that we dearly missed Spencer and Rene...and Missy and Oliver and Samantha!  

Our Christmas Eve celebration with new {wild} pajamas...

the placing of the star...

our name drawing gift exchange, a Christmas Eve feast, gifts to Jesus and

Bryan reading to us.

On Christmas Day: the annual kids-wake-us-up-at-the-crack, Myra read to us, then with our bells...we rang in Christmas morning.

Their excitement can hardly be contained... :)

And then, just like that, a huge mess...happy faces...and noise.  Myra decided she wants to play the trumpet in the High School band.  She has been practicing on Bryan's old (actually his Dad's old) trumpet...and has gotten pretty good.  She got a shiny new instrument...and now she's really cookin'.

It was a lovely morning.

And I love it when Christmas Day is on a Sunday.  I think it adds the perfect touch to such a wonderful holiday!  Myra didn't quite reach her goal for finishing her Personal Progress by her 14th Birthday.  But, she was close.  So she worked really hard and on Christmas Day our Bishop presented her medallion to her.  What a wonderful Christmas gift!

And then we celebrated with the Castle Family.  So many fun Made in the USA gifts.  Some of the memorable ones were:  Duct Tape, Spam, local honey, Slinky's and Gummy Bears.

And then, because of her parents bad planning, Maisy has a birthday 5 days later.  Bryan and I figure that when it is just the two littles at home (because McCoy's birthday is one week following Maisys) we will take them for a fun trip instead of more presents.  

But for now, she isn't complaining.

And was thrilled about receiving hair for her birthday.

And another doll from her big sister.

Four years old, my baby.  She is pulling so hard on those mama heart-strings.  Unbelievable how the years march by.  I will blink and she will be 14.  Which will make her big sister 24 and I can't even...

Just trying to get my fill of them now.  And tucking away memory after memory for future days.

Happy Birthday to my sweet Maisy Grace!

I don't know what I would ever do without your spunk and zest for life!

With blessings unmeasured, my cup runneth over.