I don't know who made this but I had to share it. . .

Pray, Pray, Pray!!!

Let me start by saying we are safe. I don't think we will get water, we are high enough and have the protection of the diversion. They keep saying West Fargo is Ok, we are holding on to that.

The Red River has now broke it's record it is the highest it's been since 1897. There are many neighborhoods under evacuation, the hospital and many nursing homes have evacuated. We've talked to some of our friends who are leaving today. Aaron had kids at school yesterday who already lost their homes who lived north of town. Aaron and I went to sandbag last night. I could go thanks to my sweet neighbor girl Bailey.

What an experience . . . hundreds and hundreds of people lined up in 18 degrees of wind and cold smiling and joking like old friends. A warm church full of muddy, sandy, frozen people. Strangers serving warm food with a smile. This scene has been duplicated up and down the valley on both sides of the river. The whole thing is crazy and scary. It makes me feel emotional and proud to live where so many people would come out to help their neighbor. It makes me feel sacred for so many people who have lost and will lose their homes. And today with travel restrictions all over the valley what is there left to do??? PRAY.

Pray for all of the city and county workers who continue to work around the clock, the truck drivers, bobcat drivers, sandbag throwers, food makers. Pray for the people that are having to leave thier homes behind. Pray for strength and endurance for this flood fight!

Here is a website of a local photographer who has some good pictures.

I love baby calves

On days like today in this neck of the woods everyone is thinking about the flood and the crazy weather. It is affecting everyone everywhere in some sort of way. Even if it's not your house that needs sandbags, roads are closed, there are alot more big trucks on the roads and it is all over the news. It's on everyone's minds. Well, today I decided I"d share with all of you something simple that makes me smile. We were at my sister's and my parent's farm last weekend and calving season has just begun. Calving season is one of my favorite memories as a little girl. It feeds my cowgirl fettish and here are a few pictures of some baby cows and cute kids.


T's 1st calving season, at first she was a little cautious but within 10 minutes she was walking right up to the little calves and trying to pet them. What I like about these pictures is my mom is in the pictures of her seeing her first baby calves. My other kids, it was all about Papa but not sweet T she's with Grandma!


The "big kids"


I remember when Jonah was just a little one year old toddling behind the little calves, now he's such a natural.


Auntie Jessie, cousin B and just a little cuddling before bed time.

Sledding, sliding and some friends

We went to the indoor water part this weekend. They also had a sledding hill and it was SOOOO beautiful out side. Here are just a few of the fun pictures!
Jonah trying out his snowboard from uncle Jason. He does pretty well. I love these two!
Sweet T totally in her element. She LOVES the water!!! Her favorite was this little water slide she could go down by herself. She went down it at about 50 times.
Miss Lydia loves the water slides and the sledding she even made some new friends at the water park. Her favorite part of the trip was "riding down the tube slide with Mommy" That was one of my favorite parts too.
Goofing off like usual!

And there's nothing like staying at a hotel and taking in the water park with a bunch of friends!

Cute Cousins and Nifty high heals

We have the chance to babysit our sweet cousin Leighton while his mommy and daddy are taking a class at church on Wednesday nights. It's so fun to get to know him as a big boy. Here are some fun pics of him and the girls. Oh and Aaron says GO BISON! (They won the big game tonight)

Now, for some silliness. . .

Now when you saw this title you were thinking it was going to be a picture of one my girls in high heals. Oh no, Jonah thought it would be very inventive to wear my heals when he washed the dishes so he could reach the sink instead of using the stool.

He kept saying, “These high heels are sooo nifty!” “They’re my nifty high heels!” Then he got all wet and had to take off his shirt and so you have this


After goofing off like a pro for the camera he said, “Mom, and don’t put this on the blog!”


SHHHHH it will be our little secret!

More rodeo pics

The pretty horses, the big burley bulls, the smells, the sounds, the excitement, the sticky fingers from cotton candy. I love it.

Those of you who know me or have read my blog before may have caught on to the fact that I am a cowgirl wannabe. I grew up on a farm and we raised cattle, but I never did get a horse. Anyway, I was able to get a little bit of my cowgirl fix today. I met my parents and my sister and her family at the rodeo, it was great fun. And if you had to guess which one of my kids rode the mechanical bull who would it be? Here it is after waiting in line for about 45 minutes. . .


Are you guessing??? ...




wait for it...





Here she is--my little bull rider. She could have had another chance but opted not to. And she let me know on the drive home she wouldn't be riding "REAL" bulls when she grows up.

**Side note: this is the "pinkness" sweater:) Just in case you were wondering.

Going on a trip

There are days, this girl is to blame for the gray hair on my head and then there are moments like this . . .

I was doing the dishes and Lydia says, “Mom, I’m going on a trip.” I turned around and saw this.



Complete with Barbie laptop in hand she begins to explain to me that she is going to Georgia for a job.

“What kind of job? “ I asked ( Sure she was going to say a dentist because for the last 2 weeks she has said she wants to be a dentist, thanks to the dentist visiting preschool.)

“Nope.” she explained “I”m going to be a social worker just like Lindsey (our social worker) and I’m going to Georgia to find homes for all the babies there who don’t have a home.

I love this kid!