Kids at Beus Pond in Ogden

It was early day out for the boys. It's spring. Kyle had a doctor appointment in Ogden. We dropped off Kyle and the four of us went to Beus Pond in Ogden to feed the ducks and the geese. I wish I had thought to video the kids feeding the greedy geese and ducks, but I thought of it after the loaf of bread was gone. I have attached some pictures and some other video from the pond below. Enjoy! :-)

Ring has returned. . . :-)

Our boy hamster Ring just woke Gregory from sleep. He climbed up on Gregory's bed, ran across his leg and Gregory, thinking he was a spider or something, started trying to smash him. :-) Once he found that it was Ring, he gathered him up and brought him upstairs. Funny. It's a good thing Ring is a brave, kind hamster. Next question: do we take Bella back because really you should only have one hamster in a house and she's SKITTISH or do we get another hamster cage and keep both hamsters. . . PetSmart has a 14 day guarantee on live pets. The kids love BElla OODLES, so we may be a two hamster family. . . Funny. . .

New hamster Bella

Meet our new hamster Bella. (She helped choose her name by calming down once we voted on it.) Ring escaped from his cage the middle of February and we haven't found him alive or dead. . . No trace. No smell. We got Bella yesterday. She's skittish and jumps out of hands, but seems willing to adjust to her new home. :-)

I think the kids could't love her any more than they do. They're SO EXCITED to see her running on her wheel! :-) They take that as a sign of growing comfort. :-) Scott and Sara both cheered for her when she was running on her wheel. We all look forward to her being comfortable enough with her new surroundings to be held. . .The kids do NOT want to wait the obligatory 2-4 days (per hamster owner manual we picked up when we got Ring) for her to grow accustomed to the smells, sounds, and general surroundings.

Kyle speculated last night that if Ring's in the house and smells a female hamster, he might just make his appearance again. :-) If he does, we'll have some logistics figuring to do. We don't want baby hamsters.

Interesting development

The whole family has taken turns with strep the last couple of weeks. It's been unpleasant. The interesting thing, for which I am SO GRATEFUL is when Sara has chosen to be MEAN to me, disobedient, defiant, etc, Scott has CHOSEN to be exactly the opposite. He has chosen to try to help Sara calm herself down. He has chosen to speak in a calm, quiet voice. He has chosen to tell me that he doesn't hate Sara and to remind me that she will calm down eventually. He has chosen to do kind and gentlemanly things (such as opening doors for me, especially as I carry a screaming, kicking Sara through the door). He's been WONDERFUL whenever she's been awful. What a blessing! :-)

Sara's early birthday present from her Aunt Ashley

Ashley's boss' son was not taking care of his hamster. He asked Ashley if she knew anyone who would want it. She immediately thought of our family. :-) The next day, Sara received a surprise, early birthday present. I tried uploading the video of Sara receiving the hamster that she promptly named Ring. Unfortunately, the audio didn't record and it won't upload, but I have some pictures that have. She was SO EXCITED, but she knew she MUST be gentle, so she was super calm whenever the hamster was near or in her hands. When someone else was holding him, she was excitedly pouncing Ashley over and over again with excitement and giggles. I don't think Ashley has ever had that many hugs in such a short time outside of her husband. It was SO CUTE! :-) Sara excitedly tells EVERYONE about her new hamster and makes sure that anyone who might want to hold him will follow a set of careful rules. It's SUPER cute. She's really protective of him and I still fear she may maul him to death. She's now heard lots of stories and warnings about how hamsters can die easily and she must be ultra careful. She's doing well, as are Gregory and Scott. :-)

Sara moving laundry independently

This girl will do ANYTHING to be independent! :-)

Catch up. . . :-)

I'm obviously not good at blogging yet. . . :-) I just want to list a few cutenesses from my family.

Saturday:
We left Target at 6:30 p.m. It was dark outside. Gregory said to Kyle, "Is it bedtime?" Kyle answered, "Yes!" Gregory asked, "What time is it?" Kyle looked at his watch and said, "18:10." Gregory said, "That's only SIX!" Kyle: "You suck." :-) Gregory has learned military time behind his dad's back (with my help). :-)

Friday morning:
Sara comes to me while I'm loading the dishwasher and says, "My baby is with the babysitter." I asked her where she's going. She said, "I'm going to my drill and then to a very special wedding." Kyle performed a wedding two days after Thanksgiving for a soldier. :-) We all went to the reception. Sara is SUCH a military chaplain's daughter! :-) She just might end up being a soldier when she grows up. We'll see. . . :-)

I actually exercised 2 times last week! That's two more than usual. :-) I'll probably use the treadmill today. I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed and believe my brain will work better if I can work out some of the stress through exercise. (Is that really me talking?) :-)

I have 3 more assignments and my Graduate Research Methods class is over! :-) It's actually been a fun class, but I'm always ready to move to the next thing.

I interviewed for a job on Friday and had a WONDERFUL time. I'm praying and hoping it's offered to me. I should know early this week, probably tomorrow. :-)