The BIG 18!

I have been asking Brittin for weeks what we should do for her birthday. She has never been one for birthday parties so I knew that was out of the question. I suggested going for a massage and pedicure's. Well, our "little incident" put a stop to that idea. She wasn't all that excited about it anyway. (I was! Maybe for my birthday!) She decided that all she wanted to do was drive up to a certain spot in the mountains and then go out to dinner with her aunts. That was easy enough. Taylor and Joel were hunting, but we loaded everyone else up and drove until she told me to stop, we got out and took some fun picture and drove home!

We had such a fun time taking pictures, I really wish the little girls actually had their hair done and Taylor would have been there. Christmas pictures would be taken care of! (Taylor informed me that I could photo shop her in there but I'm not that talented! ) That evening, Brittin, Heather, Nancy, Cindy and I (Kyla couldn't come) all went to dinner at True Grit Steak House in Alamosa. Hannah was a little ticked that she couldn't go. I told her that Brittin was 18 now and old enough to hang out with the adults. Olivia exclaimed "She's old enough to order off the TV!" I guess that what 18 means to a 9 year old who watches way too much Disney channel! So I am trying to decided how I feel about my oldest turning 18. It seems that instead of firsts, we are going through lasts. Her last birthday in young women's, her last year of high school, her last homecoming (she informs me she is not going), her last ... you name it. I know that once all of those are over with we start into a whole bunch of firsts again and that is something to look forward to. I am excited for her and nervous all at the same time. Have I taught her everything she needs to know to make it in the big wide world? I hope. My one consolation is, I know that she knows how to pray and receive answers to her prayers. If we have taught her that, everything else will be taken care of. I plan on enjoying this last year with her home to its fullest. We spend a great deal of time together and I think the other girls get a little upset. I remind them that it will be their turn soon enough. I am pretty glad that she is part of our family! Happy Birthday Brittin! We love you!

Part of the "Joy" of harvesting an elk is processing it! As you can see, its a family affair. Taylor missed it and Brittin was supervising. I managed to not really have to touch the burger. The little girls took great pleasure in getting it ready for me to wrap. It was hard not to join in their enthusiasm as they were giggling and laughing so hard. I have to say, I am very grateful for the meat. It is a good feeling to plug in the extra freezer. (It isnt full yet, but they still have two tags to fill. Call it wishful thinking!) Joel got the job of cleaning the grinder. We got the better end of the deal!

After just 12 days, this is how Brittin's leg looked on wednesday! I cannot believe the improvement! When we went on friday, the Dr. told us that we didnt even need to keep it bandaged anymore! She does keep a spandex dance thing on it to keep it from rubbing on her pants. She will have to be careful with the skin for a year but other than that she is fine! In sharing time today we are talking about prayer. Every single day the little girls have prayed that Brittin's leg would heal quickly. I know those prayers were answered. She returns to school tomarrow and dance next week. Life is back to "normal". Thank you all so much for your prayers and support in her behalf!

As you can see, Brittin is not in any of these jars! That's for my brother Mitch who asked me if I was in to canning my children. This was what I have been up too!(These are from friday and saturday) Pickles, Tomatoes, Rasberry Jam and pinto beans, (not shown)!! It is a lot of work, time consuming and yes, I could probably buy it cheaper at Sams but.....As a mom there are so few things that we do that at the end of the day we can sit and look at and see the products of our labors. That's what I love about canning. I can sit and look at it and think "I did this and my family will be better for it"! So I will have the girls haul these jars out to the store room now. I will put all the canners up for another year and for a short while I will feel as if I accomplished something and had something to show for my labors at the end of the day!

Archery Elk

Since Brittin has got burned she has recieved all of this and much much much more!!!

Fishing!!!

Today Joel, Gary, and Tate went fishing and this is what they brought back!!!