Happy Birthday Grammy!

She loves to sing fun, crazy songs - I really like the bathtub one!
She is a really good reader - and really really patient with me when I can't make up my mind about which book I want her to read.
She has an amazing laugh that is so contagious - I can't help but laugh with her.
She likes to hide in boxes with me.
She plays with me whenever she can!
She taught me Patty-Cake... I'm so good at it now thanks to her.
She calls me on the phone to "visit" and hear about my day.

She loves me more than anything - now what kid could wish for more than that?!

Happy Birthday Grammy

You are the best!!

xoxo Mason

M & M

Two sweethearts.

Two cousins.
Two spunky personalities.

Never knowing what they might do next,

these two seem to have a great time when they're together.

It gives Morgan a chance to be the "bigger" one...

and Mason loves to follow her lead.
What fun it will be to see you grow up together!

In Case You Didn't Know...

Two greats were born on this day

of February 22 ....

George Washington and Ian Tellier Murdock!

(I know there are others, but in Ian's mind, these are the only two that matter.)

Here are some interesting things I found out about Ian's birthday on the web:

*He was born in the Chinese Year of the Snake... very wise and very strong-willed, physically beautiful, yet vain and high-tempered. (ha ha)

*He was born on a Tuesday under the astrological sign Pisces. Question authority on all levels today. The leaders are not telling the whole truth. Trust that the road is there, even if you can't quite see it through all the fog. Keep placing one foot in front of the other, and before you know it, you'll be at your destination. Things will become clearer before too long.

*His age is the equivalent of a dog that is 4.14559 (He's still chasing cats!)

He is 29 years old.
He is 348 months old.
He is 1,513 weeks old.
He is 10,592 days old.
He is 254,221 hours old.
He is 15,253,286 minutes old.
He is 915,197,189 seconds old.


and.... in case you were wondering... there are 306 days until Christmas!

On a more serious note... Ian is celebrated today! He is a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, grandson, nephew, son-in-law, and has so many qualities that are to be admired. He is hard-working, honest, loyal, quiet, funny, inquisitive, mechanical, ambitious, clever, sensitive and trustworthy.

He loves funny movies, the History channel, Blue Collar Comedy, and LONESOME DOVE! He starts every morning with a pot of black coffee. He enjoys fly-fishing, reading history books and horseback riding - but doesn't seem to have much time for any of those "pleasure" actvities. He is a man of integrity and keeps his word. He works harder and longer than anyone I know and he gives nothing but 100%.
He provides for his family. He stands tall against criticism and never worries about what others think. He is a great cook when he needs to be, but an even better eater.
I'm proud to call him my husband and even prouder to call him my best friend.

Here's to you Ian -

Happy Birthday My Sweet Husband!

Love is...

1 Corinthians 13

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated,
it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

I'm so very thankful for this verse... especially on days when you're supposed to feel love and joy and happiness... and you want to feel everything but that!

Valentine's Day 2006

*Mason woke up at 5:00 am with diarrhea and a fever

*changed Mason's diaper approximately 13 times (I might have lost count)

*felt "sick" and "weak" myself - gotta love the 24 hour flu ( at least it was only 24 hours)

*broke the cable off the back of the satellite receiver

*felt better after a nice hot shower while Mason slept

*made brownies for Ian

*played with Mason

*put in a load of laundry

*called Grandpa Sundberg to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY - # 81

*read Richard Scary book with Mason

*enjoyed Fondue with my two favorite boys

*changed the last diaper of the day

*put Mason to bed

*worked on taxes (not so fun)

*watched American Idol

*loaded the dishwasher

*ate a brownie and vanilla ice cream

*folded clean laundry

*checked on Mason

*fell asleep in a warm cozy bed with the love of my life!

Why do I appreciate this verse??

Especially on Valentine's Day?

I made choices today... to make a "terrible" day into a day that was "bearable." I chose to be PATIENT with Mason, my husband and myself. I chose to say KIND words when I felt like screaming. I chose to not be jealous of other couples who had fun things planned for the day of LOVE. I did not seek my own interests. I was a little QUICK TEMPERED, but only a little. I did not brood over our "sicknesses." I REJOICED when the day was over - and thanked Jesus that I had survived this not so fun day...and prayed that tomorrow would be better... and it is - not 100% better, but it's better!

Happy "Day After" Valentine's Day!!

Home on the Range

"Come on dad- we're ready!"

"Come here little calf."

Feeding the cows is something that Mason thoroughly enjoys! He loves being in the feed truck, he laughs when the dogs lick his face, he does his best to “steer” the right direction, and yes – he loves to be with the cows! When we head for the hay stack – he knows we’re headed for dad and the cows. His jabbering doesn’t stop and he wiggles and squirms until you set him down and let him run. I can’t wait for the day when his jabbering is actually a statement I understand. I’m sure it will go a little something like this:
Hey dad – wait for me! Hurry up mom – can’t you go any faster? Daddy told me I could drive today and I’ve been practicing on my John Deere ATV all over the house and patio. I think I’m ready for the open range. Do you think I can play with the calves today daddy? I don’t understand why they run away from me. Oh well – someday I’ll be big like you and they won’t be so scared. Mommy hurry – I see the tractor loading the truck – hurry, hurry, hurry!


I know that chores take a little longer than usual when Mason and I go along, but it’s worth every minute when you see his excitement for the life his daddy loves!

SUNSHINE

It was so nice at the Windy M yesterday. The sun was shining, the dogs loved playing with Mason, and I got a few picture opportunities... sorry none of the infamous Ian... yes he is alive and does live with us - but the lighting isn't so great after 6:45 at night! I'll try to catch him with the cattle this weekend.

Thanks for the surprise visit Deana and Nancy - I was so glad it was my day at home!

Hope all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying the "updates."

GET YOUR SMILE ON!

Most people have only one job, some people have two… but me… well, let me just tell you about my day that wasn’t so “average.”
Rocky Heights Elementary is my home away from home. I have been teaching there for approximately 8.5 years and have loved every minute of it. We are so very fortunate and blessed to have an enthusiastic, youthful spirited and compassionate staff that love a “challenge.” Now, we don’t necessarily search through the want ads of the local newspapers for evening jobs – but our latest “challenge” was Monday night at the local McDonalds. You may be wondering why I call it a challenge… well, because it was just that! Our school had an opportunity to earn some money from McDonalds if the Rocky Staff agreed to help work the drive-thru, the front counter, the ice cream/sundae shop, bussing tables, and most importantly – greeting Hermiston families and individuals with a SMILE and a GREAT attitude! Sounds like a piece of cake – right?! Well – I’m here to tell you that EVERYONE should have to experience what our staff had the opportunity to do for about 3 hours.
I have a whole new appreciation for the employees of McDonalds or any fast food/drive-thru restaurant for that matter – and I’m sure the rest of our school staff does too. It was absolutely crazy, total chaos, so much fun, a huge learning experience, and the place was filled to the brim with people – I don’t think one more person could fit through the door several times during the night. What I want to give you are a few GREAT things I learned while working the drive-thru window.
1. It is not necessary to talk on your cell phone while trying to order or pay… and especially not necessary when someone is trying to give you your food and you don’t have a free hand to take it.
2. If you don’t trust them…Check your bags before you leave the window. They’re more than happy to fix any mistakes they made.
3. When you feel the need to come through the drive-thru the second time because of a mistake in your order – say it the kindest way you can – they feel horrible about the mistake and they fix the mistake and give you what you want with a SMILE.
4. SMILE, SMILE, SMILE! I can’t say it enough! It is not an “easy” job like you may think it is and when that window is opened and someone is asking for your money or if you’d like a drink holder or if you need extra napkins – just be thankful that they just fixed you and your family a meal - you don’t have to do the dishes- and your kids get a toy!

I don’t expect you to change your way of “thinking” and “doing” during your next visit to a fast food restaurant, and I also realize that I was working on an especially “SMILEY” night, but I hope you at least think about what you do as “habit” the next time you pull up to the screen or machine to order, and do it with a SMILE in your voice and on your face!

Thank you McDonald’s drive-thru girls – you showed me the ropes, you laughed at my mistakes, and you did all of it with a SMILE!

Smiles are free – give a few away today!