Jack Starnes

Remember Jack the cat from a few posts ago?? Well, Jack is now officially Jack Griswold (yes, we gave him a middle name) STARNES. Yes, we are now officially weird cat people.

Jack kept coming over to our house. Jack was starving. Jack was freezing. Nate and I are softies so we let him in, fed him and kept him inside from the -12 degree temps. Foolish? Probably. But really, we felt we had no other choice. I don't really like animals but I won't sit back and watch one freeze to death.

Last night we talked it over with the neighbors. They said they didn't want Jack anymore. They have two other pets that didn't get a long with Jack and so he needed to be an outside cat. Well, Jack is declawed and has his man parts removed so obviously he isn't holding up too well as an "outdoor cat." He has come over to our house multiple times with scratches and cuts from other animals.
The neighbors said that Jack would probably die from exposure or they were going to take him to the pound. Well, with 3 little boys who ADORE this feline, what were we to do?

So, I guess we have a cat now.

I'm having a deja vu moment here:

"I'll NEVER get married at 19."
"We'll NEVER live in Eastern Idaho."
"I'll NEVER shoot a gun."
"I'll NEVER drive a mini-van."
"We'll NEVER have a cat."

Sometimes I think the big man upstairs has a major sense of humor. ☺

Thanksgiving.....and blowing up our TV.

Thanksgiving was a great success! We actually ended up having James and Sierra join us which we were thrilled about. We moved the table into the family room so we had some more room for our turkey feast.

That night Sierra, Kelsey and I went and did all of our black Friday shopping! As always it was a HUGE hit and we got everything (except for my waffle maker) that we wanted! Good deals, good laughs....SO worth the lack of sleep! Not too much drama this year which was also a plus. ☺

Friday we went up to the foothills of Idaho Falls and Logan taught us how to shoot guns. I can't believe I actually did it and actually enjoyed it! I did cry when first handed the gun. Guns seriously scare me to death.The boys are still talking about how AWESOME it was to shoot a gun. Honestly...what is going on here? The Starnes family is morphing into a bunch of eastern Idahoans??? WHaaaaat?

Here is the video of us shooting the TV (fire and fuel added) that has been apart of our marriage since the beginning. After 9 and a half years it finally decided to die the day before Thanksgiving so we took it up to the mountains and used it as target practice: We really ARE great examples to our kids......uhhhhhh, maybe not. Watch this video...it really is pretty sweet. And yes...that is MY husband doing the little jig at the end!

Awesome weekend....until BYU and BSU killed it for us.

Thanksgiving t-shirts

The Starnes fam is gearing up for our very FIRST Thanksgiving ALL BY OURSELVES!! After 9 years of spending Thanksgivings with family and friends we've decided that this year we're staying home and going it alone. (Plus we have LOTS of driving to do in the near future and with the weather as bad as it is, its probably a safe idea!)

Today we made some Thanksgiving t-shirts with the boy's hand prints. They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

We're making pumpkin cake, thawing the turkey, and pulling out the CHINA that we NEVER use!

Looking forward to tomorrow!!!

Yamo's wedding!!!

We're back from St. George and my brother (James, Yamo, Ramo, Jamo.....yeah, we call him all sorts of names) is now a married man! We stopped at good old Cove Fort on the way down. We needed a little stretch and a little pioneer appreciation.☺ Let me say, after driving through some pretty crazy storms on the way back home I really DID gain an appreciation for those pioneers who actually lived at Cove Fort. Brrrr!

Saturday was the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and the bride and groom were just beaming!

Sierra's wedding dress was so beautiful. It had beautiful taffeta flowers all over it. All of the groomsmen (AND even Sierra) were all wearing RED VANS ! I must say, my boys were looking pretty darn sharp in their wedding/Christmas sweaters!

Landon had a royal meltdown. We're not sure exactly WHY. He pretty much ruined all of our family pictures because of it. I think its because he wanted to marry Sierra. (hehe) Grandpa Rock helped calm him down.

If you know James, this next picture will make complete sense!

We had a fabulous luncheon afterwords in Washington City. It was a wonderful day. I'm SO happy for my little brother..you did good Yamo!

Then they were off! The new MR. and MRS. ROCK! Part 2 of the wedding will take place in Boise in a few more weeks. It's gonna be a party!! My brother is refering to it as the ROCK-ception!

Grateful

Thanksgiving is a week away and I've seen lots of "grateful" lists this year. Today I have been thinking..... REALLY thinking about my blessings. I have much to be grateful for so I wanted to write some of those things down today.

I'm grateful for LIFE and for the health of my family. My dear friend and neighbor gave birth to a 27 week old baby 2 days ago. I've had the opportunity to help her out by helping take care of their 3 year old while they have been in the hospital. Life is so fragile. I can't stop thinking about this precious little baby boy who is so tiny and helpless. Even though they have a long road ahead I am praying constantly for this little life, and for his worried parents. We've had health scares of our own in the past and I know that prayers are answered. I'm thankful we are healthy this year and that I can reach out and help a friend in need.

I'm grateful to be a wife. I know I always go on and on about my husband. What can I say? I'm crazy about him! He's my very best friend. He sacrifices so much for me and for our children. He loves me unconditionally even though I have many quirks. He makes me laugh so hard it hurts. I love that he is a fantastic father and provider. Nothing warms my heart like watching him playing with our boys, coaching their sports teams, or teaching them with love. Not to mention, he is VERY handsome. ☺

I'm thankful to me a mother. I'm humbled that I've been entrusted with these little men. They teach me every day. I recall a moment years and years ago when I was talking with my own mom about what her life was like when she was younger. She said, "My life didn't really begin to have meaning until I had children." I thought it was a strange comment at the time. Through the years I have come to understand what she meant. I know that my life took on a very significant and important meaning when I became a mother. It is a special and sacred experience. Not all days are pure bliss but I do love my boys.



I'm grateful to have a support system. Our extended family and friends are of utmost importance to me. I have fantastic parents. (Both through blood and through marriage) I'm blessed to know that when the storms of life beat down on us, we always have them to turn to for help and guidance. Not only that but they are FUN to be around! My boys have some pretty amazing grandparents!

 I'm grateful for siblings. I'm grateful to have a sister. Yeah..I admit I was sure mean to her back in the day! She put up with a lot of crap dealing with me. Even though I am older, I look up to her in so many ways. She is talented, beautiful and we understand each other. I also have the BEST sister in laws. We sure know how to have a good time when we are together. It's pretty amazing to have sister in laws that you love as much as your own sister. I am also grateful for brothers. I can't believe my James is going to be a married MAN by this weekend. I can hardly wait to be there to see him sealed to Sierra. We've grown very close over the last few months since we moved to Idaho Falls. I've already told James and Sierra they CAN'T EVER move away. We love having them close. I'm also grateful for my baby brother. He is the BEST uncle ever. I miss not living close to him but am ENCOURAGING him LOUDLY to attend BYUI next year so he will be closer to us. ☺

I'm SO grateful to have my Grandma EE. She is an angel on earth. She is my adventure partner and one of my very best friends. I admire her and strive to become like her each and every day.

I have INCREDIBLE friends. I think it is pretty fantastic that I still talk to and see my best friend since the day I was born on a regular basis. We grew up together even though we've lived apart for most of our lives. We would write letters to each other in elementary and were each other's bridesmaids when we got married. We call EVERY birthday and hang out every chance we get. The CRAZY thing is....we are both  AUNTS to the same kids . Such a SMALL WORLD!

 I love that I still keep in touch with my friends from the high school days and that we can still get together and DIE laughing from the ridiculous things we did and the music videos we made back in the day. I love turning back into a 16 year old when I see them and how we look around at all of these KIDS and wonder WHERE the time has gone!

 I adore my college friends. It has been fun watching them all grow up and become wives and moms. We all had to rely on one another when we ventured out into the world on our own. We made some fun and crazy memories back in the dorms and at the good old Square!  I love how we can pick up like no time has passed when we get together. I'm grateful for each of them and the examples they were and continue to be.

I'm grateful for our law school friends. Those were some really tough years for me. I felt very alone with very little babies stuck at home all day but was always thankful for the few good friends we had. It was always nice to know that we had people who knew exactly how we felt because they were going through the same crazy adventure.We have some great memories from our Spokane days.

I LOVE and MISS all of my friends in Boise. I appreciate that they call me as if I am still right around the corner. They continue to check up on me ALL the time! They have been there through the highs and lows of this past year and there are absolutely NO words to express how much I love each one of them. They have all helped me make the transition over here so much more bearable. I miss seeing them on a daily basis but know that no matter how far we may be, friends are friends no matter the distance.

 I'm grateful for the wonderful people and friends I have made over here in Idaho Falls. They have been phenominal as far as dealing with an emotional basket case goes! They have been understanding and kind when I've needed a place to vent my frustrations. They are always quick to help wherever they can. It's wonderful to know that even though we aren't living by our families anymore, we have found great friends who are willing to be our "family." I'm excited to continue to get to know the people over here.

Sheesh....I didn't think I'd be rambling on for this long! There are so many things to be grateful for but today, I'm thinking of the people I love and the joy each and every one brings to my life. If I don't have a picture of you on here.....KNOW that you're loved! I've spent 2 hours on this blog and I am SO done!

Sorry about your watch dad........

Today I heard some crying from upstairs. I told Landon to come downstairs and tell me what was wrong."You're gonna be mad mama," is what I heard through some sobs. Then I turn around and see Landon SLIDING on his stomach down the stairs. "I think I got something stuck on my feet," he cried.
This is what I see:

Somehow....Landon slipped Nate's watch over his feet and onto his ankles. Sigh. "It was Parker's idea." Yeah, I bet it was. Seriously.....sometimes my kids are just idiots.

I tried slipping it off....but it wasn't budging at all plus it was hurting him. I got out my scissors and tried to cut it off. Then I tried some pliers and tried to break the thing off.

Even THAT didn't work. As Landon started crying harder and harder...I started getting a little frantic. What do I do....call 911? I can only imagine it now, "Ummmm......yeah, this isn't really a life or death emergency but my foolish child got a stainless steel watch STUCK around his ankles."

THEN....it came to me. I ran to bathroom and came back with...........

Dallin and Parker were both like, "What IS that stuff Mom?"

"It is LOTION kids.....a special lotion...that's all."

I rubbed it all over his feet and luckily both of his feet slipped right out.

KY Jelly to the rescue. ☺