Montana

My girlfriend from high school that lives across the street from me was so sweet and took my parents' dog into their home when my Dad could no longer have pets around. My parents were so sad but very happy to have Montana go to such a wonderful home.

Well, Sara has developed a MAJOR allergic reaction to her with this new pregnancy. She even had to sleep at her parents home last night in order to finally get some some sleep. Anyway, here is the email she sent out.

I am looking for a WONDERFUL home for my dog, Montana. She is the greatest dog in the world and we hate to say goodbye but I have developed strong allergies to her and we're out of options. Here is her story:

9 years old (acts like she's 4)
Yellow Lab
Female
She belonged to Abby's parents who loved and adored her for 6 years until her dad came down with cancer and could not be around pets. We took her in 3 years ago and have loved every minute with her. In fact, she has been our child and that is why this is breaking our hearts.
She is completely potty trained (NEVER has accidents) and can sit, lay down, and heel. She likes to go to the bathroom in privacy (bushes) so there is not a lot of clean up with her at all.
She has always been treated like a princess and loves people. Very social dog.
She loves to play catch and fetch and LOVES to go on walks. She is also a great swimmer and can play for hours in the water fetching balls.
She was brought up around children so you can sit on her, pull her tail, teeth, etc. and she will NEVER bite. We've never had a problem and neither have Abby's parents.
She is okay around other dogs once she gets used to them. She likes to declare her dominance by barking at them (if she is bigger than they are) but she has never hurt any one or any animal.

I could go on forever about her but I won't. She has been really well taken care of. She gets groomed regularly and has her yearly check ups at Sugar House Vet Clinic. My doctor said this new allergic reaction may only last during my current pregnancy so I am either looking for someone who wants a trial run owning a dog to see if it's a commitment they want to make for about 9 months or if you fall in love with her because she's so great, she can be yours. We are flexible as long as we find her a wonderful home--temporary or permanent!

Please ask your friends and family if they are willing to take in a great pet and let us know. We hate to see her go but would be so happy if we knew she was going to a wonderful home.

Thanks,
Sara Rogers

Happy Birthday Dad!

I love you. It has been an insanely crazy few years and you have been through so much! I do not think anyone can comprehend the trials you have endured. Thank you for your love encouragement, example, strength, dedication, commitment, sense of humor, testimony, and so much more. I love you!

EIGHT YEARS and counting

WOW. Thanks hun for eight years filled with new experiences, happiness, growth, challenges, joy, bliss, travel, boys, and so much more. I am grateful for all the memories we have and for our love and friendship. I will never be able to express how much I love you! Happy Anniversary August 30, 2008.

Bloggin' Blues

I miss blogging. My eyes have been giving me fits whenever I look at my computer or watch television. It is a real bummer. I feel so out of the loop. I miss reading about everybody’s adventures. I hope all is well.

I need to do a few updates so I am typing this in word and I will try and post it tomorrow. I guess little baby steps just to post these days.

First, I have learned to eat my words the past few months. You never know what will happen in life, what turns you may take, and what things soon become practical instead ridiculous. I passed over to the other side last month. I swore I would never be caught dead in a minivan. Even when everyone said, “Once you do it, you will love it”, I just rolled my eyes and said “I will never drive and especially never love a minivan”. Guess what, I LOVE MY MINVAN! Did I just type that?

I found the perfect one and tried not to buy it but it was too perfect. I thought I would drive home in it thinking this is so stupid but whatever. However, the good ol’ Odyssey proved me wrong. I was so happy about it and I wanted to show it off. I know, weird!!!!!!

It is so FUNCTIONAL and I feel proud to be where I am at in my life. Who wouldn’t want two beautiful boys and another sweet spirit on the way? If that means driving the car I swore I never would, it is well worth it. Thanks to Alan for being supportive even though the thought of driving it makes him sick. (No offense, but he thinks he will look like a Cougar). So that is that. I hope I have not offended anybody out there but we just never thought we fit with the minivan. We are more SUV kind of people. Alan may still be, but I have a feeling that will change soon. I am SOLD. For all those people out there thinking I am insane and you will never drive a minivan, be careful what you say! I wasn’t.

It was a CRAZY July. It always is. We went to Bear Lake for 5 days with the Pohlman family. We spent a lot of time on the beach and playing with the fam. Thanks to Alan’s parents for always planning this tradition and to the And
rews for letting us use their cabin.

Next, Alan headed up for his annual Wind rivers trip with the bros and he said it ranked up there as one of the top two trips. What a great year for them. I headed up to Eden with my family with the boys. I love vacations but my sweet Carden has a difficult time with change. He is such a scheduled little man. He likes things to be the same. Max just loves to be with people and could care less where he sleeps or for how long. He still a happy guy.

Alan was leaving for scout camp last Friday and thought he would like to take Carden for his first camping trip. I know, I know! His first camping trip with the camping, hunting, fishing, king his father is! I thought it was a great idea. I was exhausted from having the food poisoning the day before and a little cold for a few days before that. Not to mention two weeks of non stop going.

I sent the boys off for the camping trip and Carden was more than excited. About an hour later, Alan called. He asked me to meet him in Kamas because my sweet little Carden had thrown up all over the Demings’ car…..SORRY Matt and Trish! So much for food poisoning! It was the flu! Alan was able to get him changed into some clothes and bought him some 7-up by the time I got there. Carden looked much better. He did not smell so great for the drive home but at least he did not throw up again. I got Carden home, tubbied, clothes washed, car seat steamed, etc. He was fine! Not another symptom!

I am so thankful for the joys of motherhood. This is what it is about, right? I am also thankful for family and friends. Alan’s mom took the boys during lunch time when I was so sick and my sister took them after naps. Sara and Trisha took Max while I went to get Carden on Friday. They also got take-out for me. I love living by family and by wonderful friends!

True Blue Through and Through!

I can't believe it! THREE boys. I always thought it was a boy but it was confirmed today. When the Dr. said "It is defiantly a boy." Carden replied, "Eh Eh. I win, Carden was right. It's a boy." I must say, three boys seems crazy. I need some back up here! It is even more crazy to think of possible missions! All the boys are 23 months apart. That could mean we could have a missionary out for 6 straight years. That is, if we can keep three boys in line for the next 19 years. Yikes. I keep thinking about the stories Alan tells about the Koch boys,the Hopkin boys, and the Strong boys. We are in for it! I must say, I am excited to start thinking of names and maybe get some tribunks. Just kidding. This will defiantly keep me in line as far as money goes. No need to buy a thing. We are covered.

We are so blessed! What a responsibility to raise three beautiful boys. We thank the Lord for his trust and pray we can be wonderful parents to three energy filled little boys.

Girlfriend Getaway!

That's what friends are for. Talking until 1:30 in the morning, playing four square and ping pong, going on walks, eating a lot of delicious food, sharing ideas and opinions, laughing, crying, supporting, and so much more. What a wonderful weekend.

I went with some of my girlfriends from high school up to my parents' place in Eden last weekend and had a blast. Trisha Deming, Sara Rogers, Jen Lund, Ashley Kelly, Amy Rossi, Jill Steele, Stacie Stevens, Katy Carter, and I all went for a weekend without kiddos and hubbies. It was so much fun. I am so grateful for such wonderful friends that help me to realize what is really important in life. Thanks ladies for a great time. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Lounging on the couch.

Jill, making pretend fried ice cream! SUPER YUMMY!

Ping Pong tournament.

Harley and Bucks for dinner.

Family Pictures

We had our pictures taken a few days after I found out I was pregnant. I figured we needed a few shots of us together. We also gave them to our Moms' for Mother's Day. I love my boys and each day is filled with new, exciting, and sometimes frightening experiences. I am now off for a weekend getaway with 9 of my high school girlfriends. I will miss the boys but I am looking forward to a relaxing few days in sunshine. Thanks Honey for holding down the fort while I am away! I love you. Carden (3 years 2 months)
Maxwell (15 months)