Our Sunday Walk to the Dog Park

We took the dogs out to the dog park here in base housing. They chased the ball for a long time and were worn out. Here they are with daddy and Macen getting a drink.

Macen and his Scooter. We don't leave home without it!

My little man...He's getting soooo big!

The Dogs playing ball

Here's Scout trying to get the tennis ball from Grant. Bear, on the other hand knows that if he stays calm, Grant will throw the ball quicker.

Scout started to get a little annoyed....

He's big, but he's pretty!

Bluto gets Nerf bars

Here's Grant putting Nerf Bars on Bluto. I'm not sure why. They look good though.

I've Learned.....

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned .... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

My Thanks to my Sister -in-law Sara for sending me this..A special thanks to Andy Rooney for writing it in the first place!

Freedom is never Free

My friend sent this to me the other day. I have seen these pictures many times, but for some reason I never really looked at them. I think today is the first time that I REALLY saw them. The men and women who are fighting are the bravest in the world. They fight for people that they don't know. I realized today how very grateful I am for my husband and for his brother's and sisters in the armed services.

No matter what your stance is on the war, you need to show them the love and respect that they deserve..Pray for the war to end, for no more lives to be lost, and for these men and women to come home soon.

What we should see

Freedom..

I think this is a picture that more people ought to see....

Makes you happy for your lumpy bed doesn't it?

There is kindness even in the worst of circumstances...

Now that's a workaholic

A baby and God

My friend Heather sent me this and it was so beautiful that I had to send it. This is to all the moms out there...especially mine!


A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?'
God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'
The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.'
God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'
Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?'
God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'
'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.
''Who will protect me?'
God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.
''But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.'
God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.
'God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Happy Easter Everyone!

Here's the Caufield Family update...I bet you all look forward to it all week! It's been crazy! I was so glad it was over. It was spring break here in Fallon. Grant and Macen took off to Idaho on Wednesday, leaving me and the 2 dogs here. I thought I would love it, but by Thursday I was ready for them to be home..or the dogs to be gone! Friday night Nan and I went to a baby shower for Megan Creech. She's having a little girl! She about ready to pop. I am so excited for her. We had it over at Kim's house..We had sooooo much fun! Saturday was my Church's Easter Breakfast. (Nan and I have been planning it for months) It went off without a hitch, and if I do say so myself..IT WAS AWESOME! Poor Nan had been working at the Doctor's office all week and was going on about 3 hours of sleep! She worked so hard at the breakfast. She did the cooking while I got to be Julie Macoy, cruise director! We had a tasty breakfast. The kids got to color Easter Eggs, and I dressed up like Daisy Duck (the Eater Bunny was too busy) and took the kids on an Easter Egg hunt! Really, it was a wonderful way to celebrate. Grant and Macen returned home Saturday afternoon, and Macen couldn't stop telling me all about how much fun he had in Idaho. He chased a huge Jack Rabbit at the property, rode his scooter all around Grandview it sounds like, and threw rocks in the Snake river across from Grandma and Grandpa's place. He enjoyed Flying Pie pizza with Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Danyelle. He also had a great time just spending time with his Dad. It really is nice to have them home though!
On a special note..Happy Birthday John. You really are the best!

That's it for now. Happy Easter to all. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life. Please take care this week. Enjoy the blog. Don't forget to take the poll!

Happy Birthday Little brother!

My baby brother turned 32 today. I miss him sooooooooo much!

Happy Happy Birthday big man!

The Easter Egg Hunt!

After church we came home to find that the Easter Bunny had hidden all the Easter Eggs. Macen changed his clothes to go on the hunt..

Here's Macen inspecting an egg!

Here's the treasure!Happy Easter Macen!

Macen and his Scooter

Macen and daddy went up to see Grandma Linda and Grandpa Rick this past week..and as usual, Macen was spoiled! Grandma gave him his very own John Deere Scooter. He loves it! He drives it around everywhere..Looks like we'll be abandoning the bike training for awhile.

Here he is cruising the neighborhood!

Sister Hall's last dinner with us

These are theSister Missionaries. I adore them! Sister Hall is the one in the middle. She is such an awesome lady! She goes home this Wednesday. We will miss her. The other two are just as great. Sister Adams (in the blue) is so cute. She compared me to her mom. (which is always a compliment) She said I was just like her. I asked her how old her mom was..she said "Oh.. 49...like you...." She aged me 10 years. I tease her about it all the time..Anyway..Godspeed Sister Hall.Well done!

OUCH!!!

These are the latest in Footwear fashion from Italy and France...OUCH! (except I kinda like the red!)

Irish Beef Stew

This recipe serves: 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients
3 lbs. beef stew meat, (top round) cut into 2-inch cubes
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Flour for dredging
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
12 ounces beer, ale or lager
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups diced, canned tomatoes, with their juices
4 cups low-sodium beef broth
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cooking Instructions
1. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Dredge it in flour and shake off the excess.
2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the meat on all sides. Adjust the heat so that the meat browns well, but does not burn.
3. Add the onions, garlic, thyme and bay leaf and cook 2 minutes more. Add the beer. Stir with a wooden spoon to release any caramelized bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the pan and cook until the beer is almost completely evaporated.
4. Add the Worcestershire sauce, the tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so that the stew simmers. Cook until the meat is tender, about 1 hour.
5. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook until the vegetables are completely tender, about 15 minutes more. Add the peas and continue cooking until they are warmed through, about 5 minutes.
6. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper, remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf and serve in a deep tureen garnished with parsley

You think you've had a bad day?

The Pitbull Lost
Score: Porcupine 1, Pitbull 0
A pitbull was in his backyard in southern California,
minding his own business....until this procupine
invaded his territory. The brave, but stupid pitbull,
immediately challenged the porcupine!
Bad decision...the porcupine won this short contest.

A vet sedated the dog, and then removed a total
of 1,347 quills. The dog survived, and hopefully
learned a valuable lesson.
Now, tell me you had a bad day!!

If you have a son:

25 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW IF YOU HAVE A SON

1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 square foot house 4 inches deep.
2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can (and probably will) ignite.
3. A 6-year old boy's voice is louder that 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 x 20 foot room.
5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up in the air a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way!
6. The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late
8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9. A 6-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 35-year old man says they can only do it in the movies.
10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.
11. Playdough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12. Super glue is forever!
13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O
15. VCR's do not eject PB&J sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; action figures do not like ovens.
20. The fire department in Fallon, NV has a five-minute response time.
21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.
22. It will, however, make a Jack Russell Terrier dizzy.
23. Jack Russell Terriers throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24. 80% of women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without boys!
25. 90% of men who read this will try mixing Clorox and brake fluid.


Remember: Mothers with boys work from SON up to SON down!

it's a Dog Day afternoon

Here's our puppy....Isn't he getting so big?

Here's Bear enjoying the outside..without Scout attacking him!