There's a 1st for Everything.

There's first for everything. ...like taking a shower with my dog?! No, I didn't invite him in. We have a walk-in shower. So, there I am taking a shower one morning. Next thing I know, Cash just walks in and sits down in the water puddle. Crazy dog. Was he wanting me to turn on the other shower head for himor something? I mean, he does like water...A LOT. But, it just seemed too weird having him sit there staring at my rolls. Maybe he was hungry. I often put his pills in old bread rolls. Oh, he's just so loyal. He justs always wants to be with me. Last week, I went out to the treadmill in the guesthouse. And, then I hear a single bark outside. Sure enough, when I open the door he is sitting there wanting to come inside and join me. But, this shower sharing somehow seemed so wrong. :)

One Just Needs to Ask

It's time for another "Tender Mercy". Since Zane turned eight, he was ready to join cub scouts. I knew that I had Lance's old cub scout shirt somewhere. But, SOMEWHERE was the key word. I didn't really want to buy a new one...being the frugile person that I am...and since scout shirts cost so dang much. I kind of, vaguely, remembered seeing the shirt not too long ago. And so, I started looking. But, I couldn't remember WHERE I had seen it. Of course, I had postponed the search until the day Zane was supposed to go. I thought the shirt had to be in of the baskets of my boys hand-me-down clothes that I keep on a very high shelf in my closet. (Maybe I had seen it when I went through the baskets to get out winter clothing.???) The problem is that there are several baskets. Lance would have started wearing it at the age of eight but he would have worn it until 11. So, which basket would it be in? I started looking through ALL of them. ...couldn't find it. ARGH. I looked through Lance's closet. Not there. DOUBLE ARGH. Looked through Zane's closet. No luck. TRIPLE ARGH! I was getting very frustrated and so I gave up.

A week later, it's that time again. Zane needs to go to Cub Scouts. I need to find that shirt. Of course, I hadn't made time to look during the whole week before. Procrastinator, that's me. I really didn't want to buy a new one though. But, this time, I thought I should do what I preach....and pray about it. I knew that my memory was/is SHOT, but that Someone up above could help me rememer where I saw it not too long ago. And, so I prayed for help. As I started looking in my closet again, almost instantly, I got a picture of it in my head... on the shelf....by itself, not in a basket. I was standing on the stepstool cause I was just about to reach up for the baskets on the very high shelf. (...to take down the baskets and start looking again) As I turned around, I saw a ziplock bag with the scout shirt and bandanas directly across me just randomly thrown up onto the shelf. (The shelf goes around all 3 walls in my closet.) I never turned around. I'd just stand on the stool, grab a basket, and bring it down to look through it's contents. So, there the shirt was. I would have never been able to see it except from where I was. Zane was able to get all dressed up in his official hand-me-down cub scout shirt. I hope that when my children read this, they will see how important it is to SIMPLY ASK. Ask and ye shall receive. I know that my prayers are answered. When something is important to me, it's important to my Heavenly Father....even something like finding a cub scout shirt.

Fabulous Fourteen!

So, my first baby turned fourteen on February 13th. Yes, I am getting old, but it's soooo exciting to see my baby growing up into such a wonderful young man. I am so proud of Lance!
At 6lbs, 11oz, he was my smallest baby. He was a good first baby to take care of. He made "learning the ropes" easy. He was born with two of the cutest dimples ever. He used to hate his blond hair and wanted to dye it dark. But, now, I think he is starting to realize that the girls love his dimples, blonde hair, and blue eyes. I know I am biased, but he's pretty dang cute.

At the age of two, he became a big brother. (and, yes this photo must have been taked during the Brooke Shields era:)

We bought this quad for him when he was four and he loved it! He was so nice to give his sister rides. If Sierra started to let go of his side, he would stop his quad and have her hold on tighter before he would proceed. And, yes it's the same quad that Weston drives now.

Lance's Kindergarten Picture

In 2001, he became a big brother again. Being a big brother takes so much responsiblity. He has always been so helpful when his siblings were little. Of course, it changed to a little more teasing....okay, okay, A LOT more teasing, as his siblings got older:). I think that's where I got back what was coming to me. I remember my mom getting so frustrated when my siblings and I teased each other.

Lance, Sierra, and Zane on the day of Lance's baptism.

Wanting to imitate his dad, Lance learned to do the flip on the diving board.

And, maybe he imitated his dad too closely here:).....Lance was given tools for his birthday so that he could stop losing his dad's tools. Lance has become quite handy with fixing things. He now works at his Dad's shop when he has time and is learning a lot about engines.

As he grew older, he no longer wanted to be cute things for Halloween. He wanted to be SCARY! So, here's Lance in 2003 being some sort of a ghoul. (The mask was off so his mom could take a picture of his cute face:).

In 2005, Lance became a big brother again the the last time. He was 11 when Weston was born. The relationship between Wes and Lance was a special one....and it still is. Weston is Lance's little buddy.

We are so proud of Lance.

This past year or so, he really has blossomed. Hmmm, that's probably not a good guy word, but I can't think of another one. But, Lance has really grown up. He carries on adult-like conversations. He filled his responsibilty as a Deacon's Class President very well. His sense of humor has gotten to be quite fun to joke around with. We hope that he had a wonderful 14th birthday. We are to thankful to have him in our home. I know it's rough being the oldest. Life is harder. More is expected of him. He got to be the one that Mom made all her parenting mistakes on. Yet, he is still turning out so wonderfully despite my mistakes. Love you Lance!

**On a side, note. We went to dinner as a family for his birthday. I forgot my camera. :( He chose to go to the Texas Roadhouse. He didn't want to sit on the saddle for his bday song, but he stood by it and smiled. This was the year to have a party also. So, he and a bunch of friends went paintballing and had a bbq out in the desert. They had a lot of fun. And, again, the camera didn't go out with Todd. Sorry. Happy Birthday Lance!

Cash - a Lab or a Husky?

Sierra used a horse halter and a couple of leashes to hook up Cash as her own personal sled dog. She then throws out treats or a ball down the street. Cash goes running to get them and then she gets a free ride.

Music To Our Ears

Last week, Sierra had an orchestra concert at the junior high. She did a great job playing her violin and we enjoyed hearing her group play. Afterwards, we all celebrated at Dairy Queen. YUM.

Time to Party!

Our kids get to have a birthday party every other year with their friends. Zane had a great time celebrating his birthday this year with his friends at Makutu's Island in Chandler.

Happy 8th!

Zane is lucky to have such a great, big group of friends (back row: Cameron, Jeremy, Zane, Zack, and Cole. front rrow: Kael, Mason, Jamyn, and Drai). He had a lot of fun playing with them and eating pizza, cake, and ice cream....talk about A LOT of energy there:)

Zane's Baptism

On Saturday, February 7th, Zane was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. by his father. He was so excited. He started counting down the days. We are proud of him for making this important choice to follow his Savior. He had a room full of family and neighbors that came to support him. It was a very nice meeting.

One of his good friends, Drai, was baptized also.

Doesn't he look great?!