Christmas

crazy busy and it's not over. LOVING it.

Quick(ish) trip to Kansas.

First christmas with Treyson.

My heart is so full.

Pictures speak louder than words....or something like that. So here's a million of them.

All I want for Christmas is my Finger!

Past 24 hours.

Trevor calls.

"Andrea, I have good news and bad news. Bad news. I'm leaving the ranch in Nevada driving to the ER in SLC, because I cut my finger off"

"What do you mean you cut your finger off?"

"Well, a cow smashed it and it fell off, but I'm okay. They gave me some Morpine at the clinic in Wendover, I borrowed a car and now I'm headed to the hand surgeon."

"So your finger fell off and you're driving yourself while on morphine?"

"Well..uh...my finger is still hanging on by a piece of skin. It's not so bad. And the morphine didn't even work so I can drive"

"What's the good news?"

"Uh. Well, I pregged all the cows."

Isn't my life exciting?

The hand surgeon was able to sew his finger back on but it will look pretty messed up. Oh well. Good thing vanity isn't a major issue in the cattle business.

He then had to drive ALL the way back to the ranch in Nevada to load and pick up his semi and then, finally, he will head home.

I was up all night, and early this morning, waiting for his call to know he survived the trip back to the ranch.

He never called.

Maybe he died.

Upon his return, I plan on showering him with love and concern and then having a nice discussion regarding communication - esp when your wife is worried sick.

Here's to the important things- like fingerless husbands.

(If you want to see a really gruesome picture, let me know. It caused me to dry heave)

An Update

December induces blog slacking. Apologies. Here is an extremely wordy update if you so wish to read.

We've had a lot of the normal holiday business on our hands, as well as a lot of cow business and random sprinklings of unexpected challenges. That, is what they call life. The words of my best buds, Garth and Dave "I'm alive...and well."

Treyson is learning to do things like throw fits and turn on scalding hot water by himself why his mother attempts to use the toilet. It's keeping life exciting! We find ourselves many nights standing over his crib and just staring at the little sleeping bug like true creepsters. He is so wonderful. My father in law said the other night, his biggest fear is that something would happen to Treyson. Something rather uncharacteristic of my father in law, the unemotional cattleman. It just proved to me how much others love this little boy. I love love.

And, might I add, if anything ever happened to him, you could find me at your local mental hospital. not a joke.

Logan is still living with us and has started his basketball season at good ol' Parma High. I have found myself often yelling profane words at refs, who definently deserved it. Kidding, tho Trevor does say I'm going to be "one of those moms." It's fun to have Logan around; but I am no where ready to be the mother to a teenager of my own children.

Trevor is working his hiney off to make the cattle thing work. It's difficult at times for both of us. I'm fighting myself on a daily basis because I really desire to have him succeed and be happy in his career; nevertheless, I don't want to sacrifice that which is important to me. It's been an ongoing discussion in our home. We're both trying to find balance.

I'm getting used to life in the country, which is a blessing for BOTH of us though :). We're still not sure where and when we will plant permanent roots, which can get a bit frustrating; however, if anyone else is self employed, you know how it goes! scary. exciting. promising. boring. happy. poor. thankful. all proper adjectives re. our life as of late.

Here is a random sampling of pictures:

Our anniversary date. Sweet hotel room. take out sushi. 3 hours straight of criminal minds. 2 trips to Mcdonalds, Taco bell, and Starbucks.
Trevor's cousins wedding. Most people take pics of the bride and groom. I apparently have pictures of Trev's hilarious cousins and my screaming child.

Treyson eating whole pizza because he will not eat anything if it's torn up

Picture perfect husband and manchild. Leading to proof treyson throws all out fits.

(Trevor wants me to clarify the red dot between his eyes is not a zit, but rather a cut that resulted from a falling cell phone. dont ask)

Something to Ponder

My dear friend wrote this on her blog, and I had to share it. It was powerful to me.


I've always struggled with the phrase "good enough." To me, it sounds like something must be lacking, or just barely meeting the threshold of what's acceptable. Good enough is ok for some people, but I wanted to be extraordinary.

Jennia (see J.Crew post below) and I were talking about this concept over creamy tomato basil soup in the MOA the other day, and she helped me see why "good enough" really is all you need. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul repeatedly petitions the Lord to remove a "thorn in his flesh" - a weakness of some kind. The Lord's response in verse 9 holds the answer to my "good enough" dilemma: "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Sufficient. Jennia explained that means adequate, ample, enough to fulfill every possible need. Is it everything? No. But is it enough? Yes. It is perfectly, exactly, precisely enough. Why should I care that I don't have anything left over, when I have all I need?

Thanks, J, for helping me see that "good enough" really is enough. More importantly, thanks for showing me that the only way I'll ever be "good enough" is through grace. My weaknesses exist, but they are made perfect through His strength.

Oops

Apparently, I have forgotten about this blog.
We are just busy making homemade doughnuts, drinking hot wassail by the fire, decorating our home in head to toe Martha Stewart, caroling, spending hundreds on presents for my soon to be 11 month old which he won't remember...you know, the usual.

kidding.

More like, Trevor has been out of town for two weeks, I don't have a single Christmas decoration up, and I haven't bought one present. And the only caroling we heard is the carol of the neighbors' guns as they shoot magpies.

Life is delighfully good right now. really. Just wanted u to know! Hope you are happy too. If you aren't, come over and you can shoot magpies too.

2 months from a 1 year old

um. the thought makes me feel nautious. Or maybe is the plate full of brownies i just engulfed.

Trey turned 10 months today. And with ten months came an opinion. Yes, my baby/man/small child has an opinion now. This opinion includes many negative feelings towards pictures. Either that or he has his mother's mood swings.

A few turned out alright, but chances are, we'll have to try this again when dad is around to make treyson laugh, while keeping rollie pollies and rocks out of the little guy's mouth.

Treyson is a delight. An absolute, cherry on top delight. I don't think I'll like any of the rest of my kids as much. He's just.....cool.

He smiles a lot. He says MaMa a lot more than DaDa now. He is afraid of loud noises like the vaccuum. He loves cars and cows. He isn't too interested in eating, much to my dismay; unless of course eating comes in the form of rollie pollies and other non edible items. He gets so excited, it seems he will burst. He crawls. he stands. he is terrified of letting go. He gives open mouth kisses. changing diapers or getting dressed is an Olympic sport. Loves to take everything out of drawers, cabinents etc.

Cowisms

Cows are now the center of my world.

Examples:

1. I expressed my desire to get pregnant around Trey's first birthday. Trevor quickly informed me this would mean a Fall birth. This, is not allowed, due to the fact it is shipping season and Trevor can not fit a small child nor a torn up wife in. Remember Treyson's birth, planned one week before calving season started? Well, his own week late delivery date caused Trevor to go back to work the day after birth, never to be seen again. At least, not till June. No way we could do that again with TWO.

2. Our anniversary is today. Trevor is out of town for a week on "bull business". Nevertheless, he DID take me out on Friday night. The first hour of our date was spent with him on the phone (I know all you summer sales wives can relate here!) discussing the purchase of a new heifer. Good thing we were in Deseret book and I kept busy buying Christmas presents!

3. Our anniversary overnight date was ended apruptly at 7am Saturday with Trevor's boss calling asking where he was. Might I add, his boss is his father. cough cough.

4. The best story. The other day, I overhear a conversation Trevor is having with a cattle buyer. The following line caught my attention, "Well we're talking a 35 in scrotum." No, this was not locker room talk. This was cow talk.

It might sound like I'm complaining, but truly, I find a lot of it humorous because it is as weird to me as anyone. This is why I share. It's easier to laugh. Though it does get REALLY OLD, I'm working on trying to fight it and instead, embrace this foreign life. Oh ya, and Happy Anniversary Trevor. Life isn't AT ALL what I envisioned, yet, it oddly works. In his words: "Two years and still not divorced. I guess it's going well!"

And thanks for giving me the greatest gift of all,

Who is 10 months today.
and in honor of the day, refuses to nap.

I WANT MY BABY BACK!

I'm so over this growing thing.

It's highly overrated.

I'm convinced puberty is knocking on the door of my man child.

and I just can't handle armpit hair.

And yes, my child needs a hair cut.
i refuse.

Turkey, Stuffing, and Mice

I just discovered these pics of treyson at 7 months. I loved that month. Still a baby, but more independent and interactive.

I believe God's greatest goal for us, is true joy. Ultimately, of course, this means returning to live with Him forever; however, I believe on this Earth, nothing has caused me to feel as much joy as this little fair haired favorite. Moments of joy make me want to procreate 500 more times. (But then, Trey does things like spread his poop on his crib and I'm overdosing on birth control).

Trevor, Treyson, Logan and me are spending Thanksgiving alone this year. It's bitter sweet. Part of me craves to be at my mom's dinner table adorned with candles and fine china. She makes it so beautiful and I worry I'll never be there again (Trevor can't travel over Thanksgiving due to work). I, on the other hand, don't even have a turkey bought (We decided last minute..as in 5 minutes ago... to do our own thing).

Yet, I am so grateful. Grateful for those people who invited us over. Grateful for my depressed husband (inside joke). Grateful I was a check on the list. Grateful for my sweet, rambunctious child. Grateful we were able to give my little brother a "new life". Grateful for parents who imperfectly taught me perfectly (whether or not I heeded). Grateful for friends who read this blog and know me well enough to know when I'm joking. Grateful for my 1998 rental home - gold fixtures and all. Grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ which fills my heart with true joy. Heck, I'm so grateful, I even am learning to appreciate my stretch marks. (ya right.) No, but seriously. Grateful.


Oh, and I AM NOT GRATEFUL I was attacked by another mouse. Yes, this time in my child's room whilst rocking him to sleep. I might or might not have had to change my underwear. If anyone thinks I'm kidding when I say they are following me. IAMNOTKIDDING.

no words.

Trey as of Late

early morning.

Checking Cows with dad

After tasting a turd.

Pictures from the past 48 hours of Treyson.

He's now become my personal tornado. I can't keep up with him! He does such things as find a little turd from his diaper and put it in his mouth. Heave his head back, kick and throw fits when thing are removed from his hands. Climb in my closet, up onto the first shelve and remove all of Trevor's clothes on the shelf. Lock himself in my room alone while playing peekaboo with the door. Jump up and down screaming in the primary room at church singing along with all the children. Smack you in the face if you put your face in front of his.

insane.

Raising a boy is becoming very evident in this house. So I apologize for the fact my floors are often banana encrusted and laundry piles up as fast as Treyson crawls.

He is still the happiest child I have ever seen. There is constantly a smile on his face. I think he could brighten up the darkest persons day. He jabbers consantly and truly believes he is having a conversation with you. He loves cows (ugh.) and loves trucks. Is it possible Trevor is his Father? He is the star of the show wherever he goes.

He has lots of blonde hair and little ears that stick out at the top. He has teeth worthy of Buckwheat.

Logan's Birthday

My little brother, Logan is living with us for his senior year. I guess I don't blog about him much, but there's not much to say! He's a great kid. He goes to early morning seminary, goes to school, goes to practice, comes home and eats and does his homework and goes to bed. I'm proud of his responsible nature and hard work. WE're just entering basketball season this week and my job as "bus driver" takes a double dose. It's worth the bussing to and from school and practice just to see this kid play. We're excited!

He recently celebrated his 18th bday. He feels like me about birthday (overrated) and made me promise not to do anything for it. I obviously, (as I do towards most of the things the men in my life tell me), didn't listen.

He was surprised. We had fun. Teenage boy parties are not stressful because, really, you don't have to do the crazy themed perfect birthday with matchy matchy cupcakes and decorations worthy of Martha.

Now, I don't know what your parties were like in high school, but Parma parties make me laugh. At one point, I went downstairs and found the teenagers SLOW DANCING. I about peed my pants laughing. I guess Kansas City is a little different than this small town.

That being said, I am grateful for such great kids around my brother and my family. It's refreshing and innocent and I love that!