Today while I was eating my lunch with some friends at work we started talking about fireflies (growing up I always called them lightening bugs). It was an interesting conversation, one friend was heading to Kansas to visit family and couldn't wait for her girls to catch some in a jar, another at the table had only seen lightening bugs once in his life on a visit to Texas, and another remembered them while visiting family in the Midwest. I immediately went back to my childhood. Aahh, to be outside on a warm summer's eve catching fireflies. What is it about kids catching fireflies that makes all seem right with the world? Is it their excitement that forces us to refocus on the little things or is it that the arrival of fireflies means the beginning of summer's warmth and renewal? Whatever the starting point, the mental journey always seems to take me back to my own jar with holes poked in the lid. I always thought that if you caught enough you could make your own little nightlight. Somehow my mom always convinced me that it was better to set them free before I headed off to dreamland. There was a little part of me that was felt sad today. How will my own kids manage to grow up not catching fireflies on warm summer evenings? Seems they are missing out on a magical moment. I know they will grow up and have magical moments to talk about. I just wish they could share this one with me. I wish I could pack up a few and bring them to Idaho. My kids have had the chance to catch some fireflies and hopefully they will have another one this summer. I am longing to sit on my mom's screened in porch drinking iced tea, listening to the crickets and watching my kids chase fireflies. If we make it back to Virginia I will take some pictures so you can share this magical moment as well. What are some of your magical summer moments?

~Scarlett

Cinderella

Okay, it's schmoopy Thursday....Ever since I heard this song for the first time I have wanted to make a slideshow. This is to all the Cinderellas in my life. I love you!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Oh Happy Day

Well, it was my birthday weekend. Yes, a weekend. It always seems to be that way because my birthday often falls on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday morning I woke up to my sweet family. They were just waiting for me to get out of bed. When I did I was welcomed with a song and hugs. Gigi attempted to write Happy Birthday in bacon. We decided to write mom instead. I didn't think I could eat all the bacon it would take to spell Happy Birthday. Finally, I got to open my present. You have to understand, this present has been sitting on the top of our computer stand in the office since March. The mister purchased it in Hawaii on a business trip and for the life of me I could not figure out what it was. I tried to ignore it, but have you ever had a present that sits on a shelf for 2 months. It would occasionally call my name but I tried not to think about it. Finally I would open it and find out what was in there calling my name! So......

That's right this sweet little puppy is all mine strait from the Louis Vuitton store in Honolulu! AAHHH....I can't believe it (I do have a secret desire to put a big sign on it that says...THIS IS NOT A KNOCK OFF...is that bad?). The mister picked it out all by himself and he did good. Thank you, Thank you, thank you. We had a fun dinner Saturday night at a Japanese Steak house, shopping today with my mother-in-law, and then a bbq with cake. Tomorrow we are having friends over and celebrating again (we have a friend whose b-day is tomorrow). A very busy weekend spent with some very fun people. Life couldn't get any better

~Scarlett

7 days

The pool is open......

My spot is waiting.......

7 days of work left and then.....Let the fun begin!

~Scarlett

Random Thought Tuesday

So, I woke up this morning and I had this random thought. I don't know if that has happened to you. I hope it has because that means I am not crazy. So here is my random thought (or thoughts) for the day....wake up, uh, another day in the rat race, when is this going to end?, never because this is your life! I know, I know that seems a little weird but I think we spend all this time looking ahead in our lives like somehow life will start when you graduate from high school, and then it will start when you finish college, oh wait no it starts after you get married, no, no, no it starts when you have a baby. Well, not really it seems to end when you have a baby, I mean no more free time so I guess it starts when they get older or in school...oh wait, maybe it starts when they grow up and leave home???? Then it occurred to me....THIS IS YOUR LIFE...YOU ARE LIVING IT RIGHT NOW...QUIT WAITING FOR IT TO START! Is that weird...maybe it has to do with turning 30 something I mean I am closer to 40 than ever before, that is the problem though. In my mind I am still 16. I am not old enough to be the mother of these kids, not old enough to be a mentor in my field, and definitely not old enough to be looking 40 in the face! But, I did decide to take a good look at this life of mine. It is great, wonderful kids, wonderful husband, I am spoiled beyond belief but I always wanted to make a difference in the world...do something great...somehow I keep waiting for that to happen. Then it occurred to me...I have made a difference, it may be small, it may have not made the national news, I am not published for some great research and I have not invented some new therapy. I am raising two wonderful children that are caring and kind. I get lots of hugs from kids throughout the day. Little ones that have come to me because they had a fight with a friend or their dog died or their parents just told them they are getting divorced and their little world is crashing around them. I guess I do make a difference for them. So, I will hold on to that. Deep thinking I know for 6:30 am, but that is my random thought for the day. Do you have any random thoughts?

~Scarlett

Lately it seems that I have been giving out a lot of parenting advice. I have had friends call all in a tizzy just wondering what to do with their little darlings and at a complete loss as to where to start. I wonder sometimes why they call me. Maybe it is because my kids are older (9 and 6) and I have gone through the terrible twos, threes, and fours. Maybe it is because I have a Masters degree in Counseling and all those years in school should be good for something. Maybe it is because I have worked as a school counselor for the last 11 years and one would hope that I would have gained some knowledge along the way, and then it occurred to me....they call me because my kids are little angels. They always do what I ask and they never throw fits in public. They are perfect children!.....ha.....even a Masters degree in counseling doesn't keep you from yelling "do you want a spanking", "if you don't stop crying I'll.....well you get the picture. Parenting is hard. That is all there is to it....it's hard! Yea I know I see those perfect little families in the restaurants too. You know the ones where the kids look like they just stepped out of a Baby Gap ad. Dad could be on the cover of GQ and well mom, you just want to scratch her eyes out because there is not a woman on earth that wouldn't want to be a size 2 after popping out a few kids and how does she keep those designer jeans so clean? I tell you what, those people are just a heartbeat away from a meltdown....you know what I mean....."the ketchup is touching my green beans" or "there is mustard on my burger and I hate mustard!!!!!!" See, it just looks like they have it together and you are pulling your hair out. Let's face it, we are all flying by the seat of our pants in this parenting thing. So, I thought I would give a little advice that I have learned as a mom and well, an educator (I have learned more as a mom though). There are a few simple things that every kids needs to succeed (no it is not an Nintendo or a baby Einstein video).



1. Every kid needs to be loved. They need to be told they are loved and given affirmation, real affirmation, they know when you are faking and please don't tell your kid they are really good at something when they aren't. I am not saying crush their spirit but let's face it false affirmation doesn't do them any good.



2. Every kid needs stability and a schedule. No I am not saying that you must have them in bed every night by 7:30 or the world will fall apart, but some type of routine and schedule through out their day gives them security. Maybe you read a story every night before bed or you sing the same song. These are the things that make kids feel loved and secure.



3. Every kid need boundaries. Show me a kid that doesn't have boundaries and I will show you hell on wheels! It is okay to say no and mean it!!!! It is your right, heck it is your God given duty to set those boundaries. Will they test them.....uh YES! That is okay. It is what they are supposed to do. They are just checking to see if you really mean what you say. When they realize you do then they can trust you and believe that you will always be there. They will also believe you when you tell them you love them.



4. Our goal as parents should be to raise responsible independent kids. I know, I know that independent word....it means they will leave....guess what, one day you will actually want them to leave. Who really wants a 40 year old living in their basement. What does that mean as parents. We have to let them learn lessons and we can't rescue them from everything. Falling on your face at 6 hurts a lot less than it does when you are 26. Let them learn and let them feel the pain of their mistakes. Let them manage their money and when they want to spend it on something well.....cheap or frivolous....let them. They will see the error of their ways and learn some really good life lessons. It sure beats being racked up in credit card debit at 25.



So really it all comes down to 4 things....oh if it were that easy. I wish it were that easy. I am glad that my friends call and ask for advice. It helps me learn new things as well. We parents have to stick together. The next time you see that perfect little family just remember their kids are kids....just like yours and mine....trust me they throw fits as well.



*****I love Love and Logic they have some of the best parenting books out there. If you need some practical tips on what to do with your little ones check out their site. This stuff really works! I use it on my own kids, they hate it and I love it. They even have Cd's that you can listen to since most of us do not have time to sit down and read. Check it out!



~Scarlett

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day. The day set aside to honor mom. Our kids draw us pictures, pick flowers, and make us breakfast in bed. They tell us how much they love and appreciate us. A day that we can "take off" from our mom duties. Do we really get the day off? Can you really "take off" from being a mom? Once you become a mom it become a part of who you are. I mean we will describe ourselves that way. I am a working mom or a stay at home mom, a single mom, a mom of two or three or how ever many kids you have. Being a mom changes who you are. I just don't think it is possible to take the day off. Maybe take a break but do you every find yourself, even while taking a break, still being a mom. You know a few free moments at Target or where ever and you still have to make one quick run through the children's department to see what they have. I will tell myself, this is my time, no kids stuff, yet I still find myself standing in gymboree. How does that happen? How do these little creatures come into our lives and change us forever? I am not sure. I guess that is the eternal question. I just know that I love being a mom. Yea, I am like the rest of you. They can drive me crazy beyond belief, occasionally I will have thought of using duct tape as a discipline method, and I am constantly screaming for me time! but I would not trade them for the world. Occasionally, I have a panic attack when I think about the influence that I have in their little lives. The power that I possess to either crush their spirit or cause them to soar. It is crazy this calling that has been given to me by God. At times I feel completely insufficient to fulfil this role. To be a mom. Sometimes I look at my kids and think how can I be their mom, I mean who decided that I was capable of this? I know they have made me a better person. for having them in my life. God is constantly teaching me lessons through them. They are amazing! So to all you moms out there....keep doing what your doing. If you are like me you had a dream to some how change the world....to make it a better place...well, you do everyday for your kids....you make a difference!

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So now that I got all the schmoopy stuff over with....the above picture is what my little darlings, and big darling got me for Mother's Day. My very own laptop. I don't even have to share with ANYONE! So ho-made night just got better! (Ho-made night is a girl's night that my SIL and I have once a month with friends, we head downtown, eat dinner, and have a craft night in their company's conference room, lots of chocolate and fun!) Any hoo, I am working on learning to digital scrapbook. Now I can scrapbook downtown, on a plane, or even poolside....that right poolside, even poolside in Mexico!!!! So, maybe I will get caught up on all my pages, pictures, and events. Let's hope so. I will have to justify the need for this laptop somehow.....thank you family....I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Scarlett aka techy girl!

Spring is in the air!

Whew, it is finally starting to feel like spring outside and I am think'n it is here to stay. Finally!!! The snow is almost off squaw butte and apparently that is the clue that you can plant your garden! Yeah! I just love my garden. It is my little oasis. There is just something about putting those little seeds in the ground and watching them grow. The kiddos and I planted a few things this weekend. Spinach, Lettuce, snow peas, and green beans. The strawberries are flowering and the raspberries are sprouting some leaves. I think I might attempt to plant my pepper plants and tomatoes. I will have to put wall-o-waters around them just in case we get another frost. If you have not experienced wall-o-waters they are great. They are basically a plastic sheet that you fill with water and put around your plants. They will protect them from frost to about 20 degrees. This way you can plant earlier and have tomatoes in July! I think we will do pumpkins, corn, cantaloupe, and cucumbers too. The little man is doing a cabbage project for school so we will see what happens. The cabbages are supposed to get up to 40 lbs. That's a lot of coleslaw! After all that is underway, I will have to do my potted plants on the patio. I can't wait to go pick out flowers. It is one of my favorite things to do. Walking through all the different colors and smells...ahhh I just love spring!!! The mister gets a little nervous because I can burn up a visa at the nursery. When we moved into this house the yard was well...UGLY like no other. Anyone that thinks weeds are decorative should not own a house...or at least not one with a yard. I have a whole flower bed in the back just waiting for me to do something with it. I am thinking we will put in a pond/waterfall and then I will plant. I know, I know I will have to do it in stages (I can hear the mister in my head) still the prospect of being able to design the project and start on it gives me chills....I LOVE IT!!!

Weigh In

Okay I promise this is my last post about piggies for a while. Today was weigh in. For you non 4-h'ers you have to take your pigs to the fair ground and have them weighed. Normally this is no big deal. The mister loaded up the pigs and we were on our way. We made it with no problems. As we are waiting in line we see that everyone is picking up their pigs and holding them while they tag the ears and give them a shot. I look at the mister and I am like....are you really going to pick up those pigs. He's like...I guess. It is our turn and he gets the first one no problem...he weighs 62 lbs. Now it is time for the second one who is quite a bit bigger. He tries to lift the thing and I swear he looked like he was going to herniate a disc. He pulls and the pig does not budge. Finally he picks it up...ear tag...shots...weight...92lbs! That's right the mister wrestled a 92 lb. pig and kept him from squirming while they tagged his ear and gave him a shot. This is no easy feat....honey you rock! Oh, piggies are well...not exactly clean. The said 92 lb'er happened to lay in his uh...poop on the way there. The ride home was interesting...let's just say that the mister is showering tonight!

Sick little piggy

I have a little funny to share about the piggies. One of our little piggies (Wilbur) came down with pneumonia. I know that sounds really weird but apparently the drastic change in temperature is hard on pigs....it is hard on me as well so I feel for the little guys. It can cause the pigs to cough and they can develop infections. Wilbur started looking sick. He was not eating and we were starting to see his ribs. So the mister called the breeder to see if there was something we should be doing. He told us that we needed to get an antibiotic for him and give it to him for three days. Great....how do you get a piggy to take his meds? This should be fun. Well, you have to give him a shot. The mister was definitely in charge of that...the only problem....someone has to hold the pig. I thought no problem I can handle this. We get the meds, needles, syringes, and head to the pig pen. Wilbur was pretty sick so he did not try to run from us. The mister decides this is a good time to teach the little man how to give a shot. So here I am holding the pig by his front foot and his ear. The mister stabs the pig in the rump with the needle, the pig jumps up, I loose grip, the pig starts running around the pig pen with a syringe sticking out of his butt....AHHH! Now we have to catch the pig. Finally we get him cornered but now he is upset. So the mister gets him up against the fence and I grab his front feet again. The pig is very upset so he is squealing well, like a stuck pig! As the mister starts pushing on the syringe the other pig (Porkchop) decides he needs to come to his buddies rescue so he tries to bite the mister. Wilbur is so upset that he is drooling all over me and then he pees on my leg...AHHH again! Did I mention that we were late for a bbq? Well, we were and I was dressed for said bbq and quite frankly I was looking pretty cute in my capris and designer sunglasses. I am sure that I looked like something straight out of the simple life! Needless to say I had to go in and basically hose down. I am happy to report that Wilbur is doing much better and we don't have to give anymore shots! Maybe we should have greased him up first...that would have been really fun!



~Scarlett aka Farmgirl

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy

The very fact that I am blogging this is making me giggle just a little. We have two new friends at our house...Porkchop and Wilbur. They are the little man's 4-H project. I have always heard how your kids will change you and cause you to grow. Well, it's happening to me. I will have these two lovely little critters living at my house until August at which point they will be taken to the fair and sold. The little man is very excited at the prospect of making some cash from his project. You wouldn't think that it would be that big a deal but he has the potential to make $300-$500. Yeah, there is a little money in livestock. I am not sure what will happen to the rest of us when the sale occurs. I am sure there will be some tears. Gigi named Wilbur and says that is her pig. She can't do livestock until she is 8. I think that I might have to change her name to Fern. She pets him, feeds him out of her hand, and brushes him. I am trying not to get attached but they are really cute and they act like puppies. They come up to you when you go to their pen. They want you to scratch their ears. It is really funny. So for now lifeinkerbyville is very interesting. I am learning what it takes to be a farm girl!

~Scarlett