Ms. Dolly is turning 4!!!

Tomorrow is actually her birthday, but we have quite a few things going on so I better make a post tonight because I'm sure I won't make it back on the computer. We try to make her birthday special for her even though sometimes it seems so hard not to get it all mixed in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

I can say that I have the most amazing little girl ever. There is never a dull moment with her. Sometimes it seems like a whole lot of drama and fits, but she is so much fun and is the sweetest girl! She has quite the imagination. She loves to play with her dolls and take them shopping, to school, or to primary. She is the best helper for me. I can't imagine life without her. She is totally enjoying having Rigdon to play with now that he is a little older. I'll see her giving him a huge hug, and telling him that he is her best friend! It's the sweetest thing. She loves to go ANYWHERE. If there is anywhere to go, she is packing her baby up and ready to go. Yes, we have to take a baby with us wherever we go. She is such a good little mother. She tried to mother her little brother, but Jed reminds her that Rigdon already has a mom...one is enough!

The other morning Jed had just left for work, and Aisley came and got in bed with me. I asked her what she needed and why she was in my bed. She then told me just because she loves me. So we just snuggled for a little while until it was time to get up. She really can be so sweet!

I want to wish my Dolly a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you have a great day filled with lots of surprises, giggles, and everything you've hoped for! WE LOVE YOU!!

Not very good at goodbyes

We went to Michelle and Carter's on Saturday to spend some time with them, and then be there for Rhett's blessing on Sunday. We had a great time. The kids just played and played. We (Mom, Kayla, Chelle, and I) stayed up until 2 a.m. preparing the food for after the blessing and just hanging out. There usually isn't much sleeping whenever we get together, but I love it. We put the kids and husbands to bed, and just talk for hours it seems like. Then it was up early to be to church. Church didn't start until 8:30 but we had to be there early to get a seat in the chapel. So we were all out the door about 7:45! Carter did a really good job, and everything went well. The food was wonderful as usual. Then when it came time for goodbyes, it was pretty hard. I've been dreading that part every since I found out they were moving, but I just have to keep telling myself they are still just a phone call away. And its a place I get to visit! First Devon told his mom that she was being quite emotional. But we all were. We exchanged gifts since her family had ours, and I gave them a few things to take with them to hopefully make their trip a little easier on them all. I am SO going to miss them. Then we had to leave so as I was telling Devon goodbye, he tells me how emotional I am being. And that he just isn't very good at goodbyes either (as he is laughing)! That kid always knows how to make me laugh. Seriously, how do you tell your best friend goodbye? I know its going to be hard not to have them home for Christmas, but we'll get through it. Good thing I can call them. For whatever reasons they are meant to go. It will be exciting for them. I wish them the very best! They leave tomorrow afternoon for Peoria, Illinois. Love you guys, and be safe!

All Chickened Out!

When you find a good deal on meat you know its time to stock up to bottle it. We got a smoking good deal on chicken so I ordered a box. My sister wanted a 1/2 of a box, but wasn't able to come and do it. I so told her I would do it for her. So between doing for the two of us, and doing what I already had in the freezer. I trimmed, cut, and bottled 71.44 POUNDS of chicken last week! I did have two cookers going so it didn't take too long...just all day! I was doing it by myself which took longer since I had to stop and help the kids. But they were quite good THANKFULLY so it turned out to be a great day to bottle. I love to see all the jars stacked up when they're done. It makes me feel so productive! It would have been the logical thing to have chicken for dinner that night since I had it out and in the mess, but I just couldn't do it. I was all chickened out for one day!

It made me a little nervous to do any bottling after the week I'd been having. It seemed like everything I went to use broke. I walked in the bathroom; the tank on the toilet was overflowing. That was minor, Jed fixed it right away. Then came laundry day. I got my first load of laundry washed and in the dryer, and it quit. Then I went to vaccum and I burned up the belt. So thanks to Hannah I was able to get my laundry dried. I thought I could make it a couple days until the part came in, but Aisley ended up with a stomach bug that next night and threw up all in her bed so I had to wash bedding too. So back to Hannah's we went! I just couldn't hang it out to dry...I've been spoiled. I like my laundry soft now. Growing up we used to hang everything up to dry, but I've changed my ways, and just couldn't go back! We tried the local appliance repair shop to see if they had the belt we needed for the dryer, but they don't sell parts. They wanted to come fix it too. But that wasn't going to happen when Jed was able to do it. So thanks to EBay we got the parts to fix everything for pretty cheap, just had to wait a few extra days doing it that way. But now everything is back to normal, and laundry is caught up again! Luckily my streak of bad luck ran out before I got to the bottling!