Getting on with life

So it is May. Where did the past two months go? My brother wanted to know the answer to the mystery of the gate (previouse post) so I will attempt to explain it. WE DON'T KNOW! But here are some of our hypothesis: A cougar (chasing the deer full speed down the hill, catches it as they both hit the gate at the same time, causing the gate to bow... but that doesn't explain why it happened three times in a row--or does it?) The next door neighbor has two wolf hybrid dogs who's electric fence was not working, and there were dog tracks leading back to the neighbors house, maybe they chased the deer. A moose, but why would a moose knock over a gate when it could jump?

At any rate, spring has arrived more than 3 weeks late here. On Mother's day, I got my traditional breakfast in bed, which in theory sounds delightful, until you try to balance a cutting board full of food with a glass of OJ and a glass of milk on your knees, sitting up in bed with a 3 year old bouncing around every where. The point however, is that there were no lilacs to pick for my boquet on my tray. In fact, there were no flowers blooming. It is a really late spring. The lilacs still haven't bloomed, although the bushes have finally budded.

Both Robbie and Dallin have been running on the High School track team. Dallin's fastest mile time is 5:10, Robbie is about 5:20. Both boys have got summer jobs. Robbie is working at Subway and then installing sprinklers with our neighbor again this year. Dallin got a job at the U-Pick farm down the road, where he will be picking rocks (yes, the "grow"), moving sprinkler pipes and planting Christmas Trees. Jordon will be taking over Dallin's mowing jobs to the tune of about $40 a week.

Jordon is playing 6th grade football (which is flag) and is really enjoying it. Next fall he will have to decide whether to run X-C or play football. I think his heart is more into football! He gave up playing banjo and has taken up the guitar, which he also really loves.

Robbie's band, 3 Years Later, is nearing signing a record deal with a small company in Spokane. They have 10 original songs they plan to record and then hopefully will play at several gigs this summer.

Dallin and his friends are playing Hoopfest again this summer. It is the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world (so they say). Last year, his team won all their games, but forfeited to Sunday games, because playing on Sunday is not a way to keep the Sabbath day holy :)

Cadie is attending a volleyball camp this month and is learning more skills toward her dream of playing volleyball in High School. Cadie also won 4th place in her school poetry contest. I will be coaching both Charli and Cadie in fast-pitch softball this summer so that I can be a good "Collier" and pass the tradition on to my children. The girls are also putting together a talent show skit involving very boring poetry reading and aliens. It should be funny.

The girls and Jordon are taking lambs to the fair this summer. We will pick up our babies in the next week or so and see if we can get them fat enough to show!. Charli and Cadie are also enjoying learning to ride the horses and both seem pretty much at ease on them.

Cami is loving her school. In fact, this morning, she came to me and said, "I ready a-go to schoo now". Unfortunately, there is no school on Fridays. She is learning lots and knows her colors, shapes and is learning letters. She still needs intense speech therapy and physical therapy for her stiffness. They want to integrate her in to a regular preschool next year, where she would still receive her therapy, but would be mixed with other children without developmental delays. Her eating is improving. She is still afraid of most fruit, unless it is pureed and any new texture in her mouth she will spit out. But she is eating most things I cook, if they are soft (noodles, chicken pieces, mashed potatoes...)

Troy is at a Livestock Judging training this week, learning to judge livestock at fairs. One more life goal checked off his list! He is also enjoying having his own business and farming on the side. He is putting in an acre garden (oh how that dredges up memories) at the farm and is planting potatoes and onions mostly.

I just hang on for the ride, where ever it may take me, trying to keep everyone's schedules under control, do the laundry and make dinners. A guy did call and ask if I would be interested in writing for his website, LDS Spokane, which he'll be launching the first of next month. Life is beautiful!