If I can Disbud Goats, I can do Anthing!

Last week I was taught how to disbud goats using a hot disbudding iron.  After Vita showed me how to do it with one goat, it was my turn to disbud the remaining two goats there with her coaching me.  I came home a little traumatized and had nightmares all night about the process.  She also taught me how to give them shots!

Today was the day to disbud two more goats and give them shots!  This time I was on my own.  After watching several youtube videos, I felt like I was up for the terrible, awful smelling task.  This time I shaved their hair with hair trimmers around the horn bud so it would be more visible.  I am proud to say that it was easier than I thought it would be.  I am now feeling confident in my abilities.  Only three more goats to disbud, when they are a few days older.

They look so cute before they are disbudded.  Don't worry the hair will grow back and you won't even  see any scars.  We know from experience that you don't want a goat with horns.  The reasons being that they use the horns to hit each other which can be dangerous when they are butting or tossing another baby goat, they also can get stuck in the fence - which has happened several times with one of our goats.  Plus you always have to me mindful of the horns, especially when children are playing with the goats.

Menu Monday

Pizza, salad, smoothie

Black Bean Soup (my girls love this, especially with chips) & Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Stew (new recipe), homemade dinner rolls

Smothered Pork Chops, baked potatoes, salad, rolls

Fish Sticks, Vivian's favorite potato pearls topped with bacon and cheese, salad, fresh bread

Carne Asada Tacos, Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken Soup (so good- I made it last week), smoothie

Zesty Ravioli Skillet (I love this), veggie, Macaroni Grill Foccacia Bread

Cinco De Mayo - ?  homemade churros? Mexican Rice (potluck with Chad & Tisha?), Chicken Flautas or Chicken Taco Casserole

It's that time of Year Again

I have had a slow start to the gardening season.  I just barely got the two rows of peas planted yesterday along with some raspberries and blackberries that I planted last week.  I did get the black plastic out and covered the ground until I get my tomatoes planted.  Last year I was so upset that I had to weed the ground before placing the plastic on top because the weeds came up.  This time I am giving the weeds no chance to grow.  I love using plastic because it's 99% weed-free.  This year I am using twice as much plastic.

Now I am waiting for Paul to install some kind of watering system, because hand watering is the pits.

Garbage & Goats

I am still in my Minnie Mouse Tshirt and stretchy pants from taking Hal (the dog) on a walk.  We started out for a walk when I noticed lots of garbage on the sides on the road in front of our house.  So I came back home and grabbed a couple large garbage bags.  After a short walk, they were completely stuffed!  That was my exercise today...(plus Paul and I snuck in some volleyball last night - that is our love).

I had already spent an hour tending to the new goats before my walk.  But I knew I better check on them a second time.  So I let two moms and their babies out to the pasture for the first time to roam around and eat.  Then I focused my attention on the two new moms that had babies two days ago.  Shadow (the black goat) had only one baby.  So I am concerned with her getting mastitis because the baby only nurses on one side, thus the other side is FULL.  So after watching a couple youtube videos and talking to Vita (the lady who we bought all the goats from)  I was able to get get some milk to some out!  I felt like that was a huge accomplishment, it being my very first time in doing this. 

Milking Shadow! 

Paul surprised us with carrying in this new baby while we were all busy getting ready.  I am still making waffles.  She is so cute!

Baby's first steps!

Jenny, a brown goat, had two babies.  One of them came out with a kinked neck - very strange.  I think it is showing signs of improvement.  I have been concerned that it isn't eating enough because of the neck problem.  Yesterday I went out to buy goats milk and a nursing nipple.  After all that running around, the baby would have nothing to do with it.   The next day I decided to try and find a pupple bottle and nipple, but had no luck and had to settle with a regular baby bottle.  Still they won't have anything to do with it after much trying and forcing.  I found that it might work best just to give them sips (or their real mom's milk - now that I figured out out to milk them) out of a cup.  It still doesn't work that great but they get a little bit.

 This is Jenny and her new babies

 These are Cookie Dough's babies.  Aren't they sweet?  The alpacas are checking them out.  And that is Oliver, the Nubian goat pictured on the bottom right.

 Oh, I didn't know it would be this much work!  The first two momma goats were so easy and have been a breeze, but these last two have been more challenging.

P.S. I finally did get showered, just in time for my visiting teacher to come at 12:30.  She was on her way to the temple so she took a family file name card from me.  I am so grateful for the help.

Easter Sewing

I decided this year I would sew the girls each a skirt for Easter Sunday.  I use to love buying them matching dresses from Costco but I can't do that anymore because Olivia is growing up!  In addition to sewing them skirts, I made them each a coordinating hair piece and bought them each matching turquoise shirts.

The Pinterest link that helped me with the skirts is here and here is another source.

The hair accessory source is here.

Spring Break Excursion to Grandma's

During the second week of the girls' spring break, we took a trip to Grandma's house and met up with my sister, Tara and her three kiddos (the babies are twins).  We went for a walk along the river (Hal also came with us on this trip) and then we ended at the ice-cream shop!  I enjoyed a black licorice baby cone - my favorite flavor!

After our walk, we grabbed some pizza at Little Caeser's Pizza and took it up to grandma/pa Clark (great grandparents to my children).  We enjoyed a nice visit and lunch together.  The kids had a great weekend playing dress up, making playdough creations, hanging out with Gage, and watching the twins run around the house.  I especially thought it was funny with Jenna tried to swipe my multiple times, she is a little hitter.

Tara and I busied our selves with a little sewing.  I made the girls each a new skirt while Tara made a quilt block creation to be framed.  We also watched four out of five of the new Bible mini-series episodes that recently came out on the History Channel.  I thought they were fabulous.  I am anxious to buy the set, which as big a huge success with selling over 500,000 sets in the first week of being released.

Mickey, the Rooster

Mickey, the rooster lived alone in the greenhouse for the winter because he aggressive with the other chickens.  I wanted to get rid of him long ago, but the girls couldn't bare the thought of it unless he went to a very good home.   So finally we posted him on craigslist and found another chicken lover who was looking for this particular breed. The girls loved him up before he left.  Even the cat tried playing with the rooster with no luck of any love being returned.  He was a handsome young lad!

Duck with Bandaids

After letting the ducks swim in the concrete irrigation ditch, we noticed one had bleeding feet.  The feet had worn away some of the skin because of the abrasiveness of the ditch.  Poor little thing.  They were also very cold and this one seemed to be getting hypothermia due to the prolonged exposure to the cold water.  So after blow drying the little ducks and warming them up, this one needed special care.  So using my basic mothering skills, I found some extra large bandaids and Neosporin that worked perfect on it's feet.  Now I can add the title of "duck nurse" to my job title!

Strawberries Galore

I got word that strawberries were on sale for $0.90/lb a few weeks ago.  I was lucky enough to buy many flats of them (for friends and myself) before they were sold out.  Paul and I froze 9 flats (8 lbs per flat) of strawberries in gallon ziplock baggies  while watching the movie, Vantage Point on our little portable CD player.  The movie kept us entertained as we hulled and washed the berries.

Then with the remaining two flats we dipped some in chocolate, made an angel food cake with strawberry topping, and made fresh strawberry popsicles in our handy zuku popsicle maker (I love that it can freeze popsicles in 7-9 minutes - it's virtually instant!)

Menu Monday

Hamburgers, baked fries, pork and beans

Slow Cooker Nacho Chicken Soup (from my new Soup's On cookbook), bean and cheese quesadillas

Chicken Gyros on whole wheat wraps (this has become an easy, family favorite), smoothie 

Lemon Chicken Romano on pasta, salad, corn

Costa Vida Salad made-at-home (All I do is throw a pork roast in the crockpot with 2 cups salsa and 1-2 cups brown sugar; shred it when done.  Then I serve it with warmed tortillas, seasoned cilantro rice, seasoned beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, ranch, and chips on top.)

Homemade pizza, veggies, smoothie

Roast, carrots, potatoes, bread from the bread maker (I love coming home from church to the smell of   baked bread), salad, dessert

Why Exercise at Home

The Mayo Clinic suggests seven reasons why exercise is important.  The reasons include:

1. Exercise controls weight

2. Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

3. Exercise improves moods

4. Exercise boosts energy

5. Exercise promotes better sleep

6. Exercise enhances intimacy

7. Exercise can be fun

Almost a year ago next month, I let my gym membership expire.  I love exercising at gyms, but after the most recent move I was too far from the YMCA.  I tried exercising at a small, nearby gym but was frustrated that it didn't have more classes, more room, more equipment, better instructors, a pool, or anything for my children (although I loved my time visiting with Jennifer).  I really was spoiled at the YMCA.  I felt like it offered something for everyone in the family and that we could make exercising a fun, family affair.

So after a year of frustration, I decided to try exercising on my own - at home!  I wasn't sure how long this would last.  Last summer I exercised with a group of ladies from church every morning from 6-7 am at the church doing the Insanity videos - those really kicked my behind!  But then with school resuming in the fall, that workout schedule didn't work with our family morning schedule.  So I had to think of something else, really quick.

So I looked around and found a friend that wanted to exercise with me.  So we set a time to meet at the church three mornings a week.  This has been wonderful because it motivates both of us to be there and on the other two days it gives me the flexibility to do other things, whether it be lifting weights at home, playing volleyball with a group at the church, going for a run with the dog, or trying different exercise videos on Youtube & Pinterest.  Plus other benefits of this new routine include:  I am saving a lot of money because of no monthly gym fees, I get to explore the library for exercise videos, I save time and money on gas (church is closer and two days a week I don't leave my house), and I get to visit with friends (which I LOVE)....plus I am healthy!

The biggest key to my success in being consistent with exercise is to schedule the same time each day for exercise.  I will not schedule anything else during my exercise time (unless it is absolutely necessary- which is rare).  Everything else can wait!

Need some help?  Check out the Cooper Clinic website for health tips, recipes, exercises, etc.

Goats, Chicks, & Ducks

 Everyone is growing up around here.  We bought baby ducks and chicks over a month ago and now everyone is developing new feathers.  The ducks are the cutest but the messiest and stinkiest little things - they still live in the bathtub.  We are just waiting for the nights to warm up so we can let them loose outside! These are Khaki Campbell ducks.

The newest comers are the baby goats.  These goats were born a week ago, as a set of triplets to Luna, their mother.  They are so playful and energetic!  I wish you were all close to come see and play with them.  We just had another two goats on Saturday, I still need to take pictures of them.

Nephi's Answer to my Prayer

I love this printable, go here for the free download.

Yesterday I had a child come to me with deep concerns of feeling inadequate and lonely.  It broke my heart to hear that this child felt friendless and that this child didn't think he/she was prepared for future obligations and opportunities.  But these feelings are also very real to me.  I often get weighed down with feelings of despair as I sometimes feel alone in my quest to be the mother that I should be for my children.  With all the children in school, I have found that it takes a focused, diligent effort to achieve a sense of purpose in my roles as a mother, wife, friend, sister, teacher....and the list continues.  I find that I will do well for a while, and then the world seems to come crashing down beside me with extreme feelings of loneliness and inadequacies.  I totally relate to this child.  So my question is: How do I provide support and strength when this is one of my own challenges?  

Of course, I rattled off some quick answers and encouragement to the child, but they didn't seem to be the answer that we needed.  (I find that we all can get easily discouraged when we focus on the big picture or challenge without breaking it down into small-bite size  manageable chunks).

So with that, I prayed for direction in helping this child.  And the answer came this morning as we were reading the Book of Mormon in 2nd Nephi 4:15-35, also known as the Psalm of Nephi.

Nephi shared his feelings of discouragement and despair even though he had seen angels, heard the voice of the Lord, and delighted in the scriptures.   "O wretched man that I am!  Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.  I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me."

In the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class, one man commented that his imperfections become more clearer to him as he studies the scriptures and applies them to his life.  At first this sounded depressing to me.  But now I realize from Nephi that this is something that I can rejoice in because it shows that I am drawing closer to Christ and realizing more and more the need for Christ and His atonement in my life as I submit my will to His.

In the remaining versus in 2nd Nephi 4, Nephi shows a progression from being weighed down with these shortcomings to relying completely upon the "Rock of our salvation " who is Christ the Lord.

v 20 " My God hath been my support"
v 21 "He hath filled me with his love"
v 22 "He hath confounded mine enemies"
v 23 "He hath heard my cry by day and he hath given me knowledge"

After giving proof that the Lord has continually been with him, Nephi asks "why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow....why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh?  ...why would I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?  Why am I angry because of mine enemy?  (Or in other words, why am I so human?)

What does Nephi teach me next on how to solve these feelings of discouragement? (This is the answer!)

"Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.  Do not anger again because of mine enemies.  Do not slacken strength because of mine afflictions.  Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord and say:  O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.  O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul?  Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies?  Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?  May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because my heart is broken and  my spirit is contrite!  O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness!   O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies!  Wilt thou make my path straight before me!  Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.  O Lord, I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever.  I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh.  Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.  Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh Yea, my God will give to me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness.  Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God."

There was a great message in the Ensign titled, "What Nephi Teaches About Overcoming Discouragement".  In this article the author lists things that we can learn from Nephi.
1- Keep a journal to write down feelings and thoughts.
2- Ponder about the things you read and learn from the scriptures.
3- Study the scriptures and delight in them.
4- Count the blessings the Lord has given you.
5- Discard negative feelings with positive ones.
6- Pray
7- Praise and trust in the Lord
8- Seek repentance from the Lord's atonement for you.

I am grateful for this answer to my prayer, one that will help me personally and one that will help a child.  I know that we can be shown answers to our questions and challenges as we study the scriptures and make them a part of our life.  I want to delight in them like Nephi, that is my goal.

Below is a video of a song performed by the BYU Men's Chorus during the April 2007 General Conference.  The song titled, Nephi's Psalm, takes its words from 2 Nephi Chapter 4 and it's melody from the song, Be Still My Soul.

I hope that your spirits are lifted and you know that you are not alone.  

I Need Help with Temple Work

This is an email I sent to my family on 4/17/13:

In Elder Bednar's Oct 2011 conference talk, he talked about the youth catching the spirit of Elijah.  And I can say that Porter has caught that spirit and is going full steam ahead in finding family names that don't have all their temple work finished.  We are in need of anyone and everyone's help in keeping up with all the people Porter is finding.

Last week before Paul and I did temple sealings, I dropped off a pile of papers at the temple office for them to print into file cards.  They were amazed at the amount of work a 14 year old boy had done.  They suggested that maybe I only have 1/3 of the names printed because it would be a lot of work.  They asked if I had ward members, friends, and family that would help me.  I assured them that I did, and that we would get this done together.  So they printed off the names and now the work begins.

I scheduled for our family to do baptisms for the dead on April 27th at X:XX pm (we need to be there and ready by X:XX).  If any of you in town would like to join us for that time, please let me know (also youth are invited to join us!)  There are approx. 160 names that need baptisms done before we can progress with any of the other temple work.  If we don't get all the names done, would anyone else like to start with baptisms?

Once those names are baptized and confirmed, then the work really begins!  I would love to send you some names.  Please tell me if you want any family file cards and I would be happy to send them to you.  Also,  I have a TON of names that need sealing work done (probably around 100 names)...any takers?

I told Porter that Tonya and Ryan wanted some cards.  He is excited to work on some more names - he truly loves this work.  It is a powerful testimony to me that the hearts of the children areturning to their fathers.  I am a very happy mother and so thankful that he is giving me a good reason to spend a lot of time in the temple.

If you go to the temple with friends, you can also share the cards with them.  The more help the better!

Thank you so much - we love you all,

Tiffani

Here are the emails I received in response.  I hope you don't mind me sharing these with everyone, I just thought they were so touching:

"We would love some names after baptisms are done.  I went to the cannery with my Temple buddies today.  I told them all about Porter and his genealogy work.  They were amazed!  I have a nonmember friend, Susan in her 70's, that loves genealogy work and cannery too - She is in love with LDS church because their love of genealogy.  

Way to go Porter - I would love for him to teach me a refresher course.  

I go with about 4/5 girls a week - please send lots of lady cards".  Thanks for sharing the names Porter - Aunt Tonya

"How awesome! I'll start with the sealing work if that is ok. Let me know how many leftover baptism names you have. Apparently around here High School starts late on Tuesday so kids go to the temple Tuesday morning and do baptisms for the dead. I may be able to go with some youth in the ward... or maybe we can make it a date night with Tami/Jeff or Chay/April".  Tara

"That is so awesome! Way to go Porter. I got goose bumps reading your email. Chay and I can do sealings for you. If you send them this way we will get them done in May- Now that I've been released from Sunday School I am starting to focus more on my Family History consultant calling. Love temple work"!  April 

I am just catching up on emails.  Keith and I would love to do sealings and endowments.  We can enlist friends in the ward, also.  I will check to see if the youth are going soon for baptisms also.  Send us some names!

 

Porter, Grandpa and I are so pleased about your family history work.  You are a valiant young man and a special grandson.  We need you to teach us how to do what you are doing.  This is all so exciting!  Wow!!!!  It will be a sweet time doing the temple work for these family members.  Thanks, Porter!!!

The Field is White

I found this link on LDS Living.  It is a much watch video, just try holding back the tears.  I betcha you can't!

The lesson this coming Sunday is #11 The Field is White Already to Harvest.  I think I will be showing this short video as an opener.  We have the best youth in the world.  Youth who know who they are, who want to serve their God, who postpone school and other activities to help others come unto Christ, who are the stripling warriors of today.  We are the mothers of these great youth.  We must rise to the challenge of preparing them to be ready for this great privilege.

Menu Monday

Here are my menu plans, in no particular order.  

*Healthy General Tso's Chicken, rice, veggie

*Orange Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry

Chicken Gyros

St. Patrick's Day Dinner:  Corned Beef, cabbage, and red potatoes in crock-pot, rolls, salad

*Zucchini & Green Chile Casserole, crepes with fruit (breakfast for dinner)

*Spinach Artichoke Pasta, bread, salad

*Spicy Avocado Enchiladas, veggie, Spanish Rice

Fajittas

*Denotes new recipes to me.  I will let you know if they are keepers.

Alaska or Bust

We finally purchased tickets for a summer trip to Alaska, something we have talked about for the past couple years.  I was hoping that this would be a sibling trip with Dad, but it ended up that only Chad and I will be going on this adventure (with him and Luanne)!  I couldn't pass it up because this will be a lifetime experience visiting our old stomping grounds when we lived there for five years during,  my years of 10-15 years old, nearly 25 years ago!  I look forward to documenting and videoing all the sites for my other siblings who are not able to come.

I am excited to see our homes, the many homes Dad built, the schools, towns, glaciers, friends, church (Dad was the first bishop of the first Wasilla church building), the new temple in Anchorage, and maybe I will run into a moose or two (like at the bus stop when I was younger)!

P.S. We drove back down the states nearly every summer during our five years in Alaska.  Boy that was a long drive both ways - over 3,000 miles.  We would make signs saying "Alaska or Bust" or "Idaho or Bust" to show the cars as they passed by.  That drive was always a test of endurance.  One time driving to Idaho, my parents made the drive in 3 days and 5 hours; that was driving around the clock and stopping only for gas and potty breaks (which were sometimes just off the side of the road)!      After that long drive, it took my dad several days to feel back to normal.

Angels Round About You

This short video clip is taken from Elder Holland's talk that he gave in the October General Conference of 2008.  I found it as I was studying for my Sunday School lesson.  It is a very timely message for me.  I am fascinated as I learn more about the ministering of angels.

The Daily 10 Point Challenge

Paul and I are doing a daily 10 point challenge with each other.    This originated with my sisters and mom doing these small daily habits to keep them spiritually and physically active.  Paul and I added a couple items to the list.  Each item is worth 1 point, with the exception of bedtime.  At the end of each week, we will count up our points.  Sunday we will not have the exercise point and it's a free day for sweets - yeah!

Morning Prayer

Book of Mormon reading (10 minute minimum)

Journal Entry

64 oz of water

No fried foods (this includes tortilla chips, my favorite)

No sweets/desserts

Exercise 20 minute minimum

Hug each child

Get in bed by 9:30pm, lights out at 10:00pm (WORTH 2 PTS)

I recently heard that Tonya (my sis) and Ryan are doing the challenge as a couple, and that's when I got the idea to do it with Paul.  If Tonya wins the weekly challenge, Ryan will spotlessly detail her van.  If Ryan wins, then Tonya has to get up early and make him breakfast before he leaves for work.  She lost one week and quickly learned her lesson!

Yesterday was our first day.  I did great and pulled off ten points by the skin of my teeth.  I played church volleyball last night with two games, one at 7:15 and another at 8:00pm.  I then found out that we had a third game at 8:45!  Oh, no!  We played two matches and then were about to start our rally-scored third match, when I told the team that I had to hurry home to get my last points for bedtime.  I left at 9:15 and pulled it off, to the surprise of Paul. Sorry team!

Now I just need to think about what my reward should be and what the reward should be if we "tie".  If we tie, then we both win, right!?

Ideas for reward:
Money amount
The other person makes the bed everyday
Clean my van

Both Win:
Lunch date
Shopping together

Menu Monday

White Bean Dip I haven't tried this yet, but trust Tonya's taste buds.

Three Bean Chili  I made this a few weeks ago and enjoyed it.

Curry Noodle Soup This is at the request of Olivia.  I use a green curry paste because I don't have red curry paste on hand.  I use a lot less than it calls for and it's still spicy.  I think some pastes are more concentrated than others.

Fish Tacos This is a tried and true family favorite.

Zesty Ravioli Skillet I love this dish.  It's simple to make and delicious, plus it's a great recipe because you just pull ingredients from the freezer.  I store my spinach in the freezer for every recipe except salad.