Happy Birthday Daddy-O

I wanted to wish my dad a very happy birthday. We hope you have a wonderful snake-free day! You are such a great example to each of us and we love you very much.

We spent the past weekend up in Honeyville with my parents. I was so excited for my dad (and mom) to open his birthday slash father's day & mother's day present. We all went in to get them something special, and I think it turned out awesome. So much so, that I ordered a set for me!




The painting is by my dad's cousin Liz Lemon Swindle called "Seeking The One". The poem is called "Riding for the Brand" and my amazing dad wrote it. I hope he doesn't mind if I post it on here.

Riding for the Brand

“What does it mean?” The boy asked
This riding for the brand
I’ve never heard that term before
I just don’t understand.

The cowboy smiled, then reminisced
Of ranchers and their land
And when you hired on to ride their range
Then you rode for their brand.

When they sent you on a cattle drive
Through sleet or burning sand
You stuck it out and did your job
Cuz you rode for the brand

When rustlers came to steal the herd
You stayed and made a stand
And didn’t turn and ride away
Cuz you rode for the brand

No one questioned your allegiance
The cowboy said with pride
So kid, just be committed
To the brand for which you ride

Now each of us has hired on
To ride the Saviors spread
And gather in the souls of men
The living and the dead

And when we’re faced with trials
Do we stand and make a fight
Or roll our bed and pack our gear
And ride off out of sight

Cuz the work ain’t always easy
It has its ups and downs
There’s joy and disappointment
When there’s souls that must be found

But when our work is over
And the Lord extends His hand
May it be said of each of us
That we rode for the brand.

Mark Nicholas



Evidence that Lucas helped make Grandpa's birthday cake.



The rest are some pictures I took of the Kesler family. I've had a blast playing around with textures...what do you think?

Hampster has left the Building...

As many of you may know, my youngest sister Jessica (a.k.a Jess, Nappy, Napster, Hamster) has been living with us for the past 8 months. Now that finals are finished, she's departed from the Valentine household to pursue the (apparently more fun) Logan area, with a short detour at my parents home. We have absolutely loved having her live with us. It's going to be extremely strange to not have her around. Her moving out is actually quite inconvenient! I will now have to return to my normal routine of carting around two children everywhere I go. She's been so good to help watch one or both of them while I run errands or grocery shop. My wardrobe is going to suffer with out her around... Jess is an avid shopper and I've reaped the benefits of the old, but still look-like-new pants! The boys love her and this morning Lucas told me, in a very sad voice "Mom, I miss Nappy." We will all miss her lots!

We Love You Nappy!

Lucas Funnies...

(I'm in love with this picture...a normal smile, eyes at the camera, dimple showing...it's a miracle)

Lucas cracks me up! He talks non stop all day long. If there's a quiet moment it's either because he has food in his mouth (and that doesn't always stop him) or he's fallen asleep! Tawn told me the other day I should carry around webcam so everyone can experience Lucas Time. I need to be better about writing the funny things down that he says, but here are a couple.


The other morning he had pushed a chair over to counter so that he could try to reach the candy in the cupboard. As I was telling him that we needed to have breakfast first and the chairs need to stay put, he says (very dramatically) "Mom, don't be embarrassing". WHAT?! He's 3 for heavens sake, and I already embarrass him. He's in for a long life!

After getting after him for being mean to Kody (which he does very secretly), I had him sit by me for a while. Finally he looks at me and says (very dramatically again) "Fine, I'll be nice and healthy".

And just to show what I'm dealing with...
On Sunday evening, I could hear my cell phone ringing, but couldn't find it. As soon as Lucas heard it he knew exactly where it was. He ran into the kitchen, opened the bottom cupboard pulled of the lid to the crockpot, and wah lah...there was my vibrating phone!

Ode to the Kode

Today marks the 9 month birthday of a certain little man. Time has flown by and we are so blessed to have him in our home! He is also quite the charmer with his peek-a-boo charade and full blown kisses. He's turned into a cuddler when tired (and I love it!) The older Kody gets, the more he and Lucas become best friends (despite the communication issues). He's in to about everything he can find, but mostly likes to play with the electronics...remote controls, laptops, cell phones, etc!

Oh Kody...we love you so much!

Life in the Slow Lane

I thought I'd post some other random events from the last little while. Landon was kind enough to bring us some much needed dirt and compost back in March. Notice how the men are holding shovels, but yet the trailer is tipped in the air? The shovels were just for show!! Lucas was very grateful that Landon had brought him some mountains!

We had a guy come spread it for us, but he left lots of tracks, ruts, and uneven spots. Jed and I spent a little time on Satuday racking it all out. We still have a pile in the back that needs spread and then we should be ready to plant. Cross your fingers for next week!

I spend Monday morning out in the yard racking some more and shoveling some rocks. It was such a beautiful day I couldn't resist being outside. Tawnya and Reese came over for a picnic at the park. Lucas played on the toys. He even found a couple girlfriends that were a few years older. They kept saying how cute and funny he was and he of course put on the charm.

I have spent the rest of this week huddled by my fire place watching the wind blow the snow sideways. Luckily it hasn't stuck... Paulette stayed with us last night because she had a meeting in Provo today. The boys were very happy to play with grandma! I'm sure she would have rather been in sunny St. George, but we were glad she could come.

And just for the record....Lucas LOVES sunbeams now! He could hardly contain himself during the 2 verses of postlude music we are required to sit through before leaving the chapel. Oh happy days!

Here Goes Nothing...

I keep thinking I need to update, but I just haven't had the ambition to do so.

I could tell you how saddened I was by the outcome of March Madness. Don't get me wrong, that game was extremely exciting and I was happy to see Kansas pull out the win, but.... I picked North Carolina and they didn't even make it to the Championship. Jed, however, chose Kansas to win and I now have to take him to dinner! He keeps shouting Red Lobster...
(Jed thinks he needs his bracket posted for all to see. I'll see about getting is scanned in.)

I could also tell you how I finally changed my insurance agent to Spanish Fork. My agent has been in Box Elder county, but he retired so I figured it was time to go local. This was a big accomplishment since I've been meaning to do it for that last six months!

I could mention how I'm so engrossed in a certain blog that I have to check it multiple times a day in hopes of an update (some times they update multiple times a day). I don't even know the people and yet I find myself praying for them. What was once the saddest blog I had ever seen is now one of the happiest. Why am I so drawn to a blog that makes me cry? Jed things I'm crazy, but I have my mom and sisters hooked too.

I could let you know how much I enjoyed conference. At least the parts that I heard when the kiddos weren't occupying the limelight. To keep Lucas entertained, we had him practice saying the names of the first presidency and now he has them memorized. What an amazing man President Monson is. I very much wish I could have seen him wiggle his ears! I think Elder Ballard made mom's around the world smile. It's always nice to be reminded of the influence we have as mothers. We were excited to have my parents come and spend the weekend with us. We love having them come and Lucas is in heaven when we have visitors. We had a nice indoor BBQ at Tawn's. Apparently the weather was not in a cooperating mood and chose to be cold and windy.

Speaking of weather... did you know it has snowed the last couple of days. Not enough to stay, but I'm still bugged! If I had grass I might be grateful for the moisture, but instead it just water logs the dirt. The weekend and into next week is suppose to be fabulous, lets hope. We need to get the rest of the dirt spread so we can plant when the water comes on.

We met Tawnya and Reese at McDonald's yesterday for some much needed, out-of-the-house time. This is actually the first time I've ever taken Lucas to McDonald's. What kind of mother am I?! He went a few weeks ago with Grandma Carole and had blast. Mickey D's didn't disappoint yesterday either. He enjoyed every minute and made lots of friends!

Chop, Chop...Tiimmbbeerr

Last night Jed and I went to the Energy Solutions Arena to watch the Jazz take on the Timberwolves. One of the guys Jed works with wasn't able to use the tickets and offered them to Jed. We were happy to go in his place and they weren't bad seats. The Jazz ended up winning by quite a bit, but it was still fun. Jed even caught a ball during the ball toss. Lucas was extremely excited since he wanted to go really really bad to the game. He even told Tawn "Sorry Tawnya, I can't go to you house. I have to go to the Jazz game first."





This little munchkin has decided he likes to stand. I find him like this almost every morning...grining from ear to ear cause he thinks he's so cool!



And here's Lucas showing off his green thumbs. All prayers must have been heard because we have zinnia's and poppy's growing. Now...if we can just keep them alive!