Well, it has been way too long.  I regret all of things that I could have posted about because it was a busy and eventful summer.  Very challenging too.  I don't think I have ever dealt with so many physical challenges, but hey....summer is drawing to a close, and things are going quite well now.
     We did get into a house, and that has made a huge difference.  The kids are also in school now (which also was a challenge, but more about that some other time.)  I love the home that we have moved into.  LOVE it!  The Mikkelsen's are a family in the ward that have one son left at home.  He is leaving on his mission to Cancun, Mexico (apparently not just a vacation destination) in December.  His parents are leaving on their mission in February and they are going to Kiev, Russia.  In the meantime, they have moved into their basement and have rented out their upper floors to us.  This is a custom built home and it is very well planned out.  Also his wife is my height, and he built it for her.  I love the tall countertops and cabinets.  I also really enjoyed the A/C in those last few weeks of extreme heat.  August wasn't too bad, but September was sweltering.  We had had it with living in the travel trailer, and are way happy to be in a home.
     This week has come and gone in a whirlwind of melons, homework, and General Conference.  Confernce was wonderful...I loved it.
     With the kids in school, Ryan and I are pretty much left to all of the farm and melon work.  We usually pick first thing in the morning, and now that I am eight and a half months pregnant I am surprised at how much I can still get out and work.  Seriously, the Lord has strengthened my back and body to keep on going.  Ryan always wants me to drive the tractor, so that he can bend over and load the melons, but I am clunky on the tractor and always refuse.  I have also been impressed with how Chlo and Mo somehow keep themselves happy and occupied in the melon field.  One day they did nothing but make mud balls and chuck them around.  They frolic in the deep grass and play in the dirt.  Yesterday, we had some big orders to fill.  Luckily it was a Saturday, and all of the kids, including Arden were there and willing to help.  Cliven also came and helped.  Mo had already stripped out of his clothing after a few water droplets landed on his shirt.  This of course, made me frown but is becoming quite the pattern.  There he was in the October heat with nothing but a diaper.  He has quite the diaper tan at this point.  Anyhow, he found a nice spool of green ribbon in the truck that was leftover from our show steer and fair days.  He insisted on wearing the green ribbon as pants.  I wasn't sure how a green ribbon qualified as pants and assured him that the green ribbon was not going to give him the coverage that pants would provide.  He gave up on me and went to a distracted Ryan, who just tied the "pants" around his waist and went to picking melons.  Mo was way happy with his green pants yesterday.  It reminds me of the night that I told a little tiny Jazzerz to go and get dressed.  She was about Mo's size, and we were playing a nice game of soccer for FHE.  She came out with a whistle around her neck.  Needless to say that Mo's pants didn't last too long.  The more melon he ate as we picked, the ribbon got too tight and Ryan had to cut it off.
     We have also been trying really hard to get Mo to sleep in his own bed.  We are getting better and better at this.  He does end up in with us some nights, though and he is always clutching a few matchbox cars or trucks.  We usually let him go back to sleep and then move him back into his bed.  What we fail to remember is whatever cars or trucks were in his hands when he came in.  It isn't very comfy rolling onto one of his cars.  I was also quite angry at his fire truck a few days ago.  I was being somewhat dorky and dancing around the living room.  I forgot about the fire truck and clompily twisted my ankle on it, and down I went like a wet bag of cement.  Not good.  Luckily my ankle was only sore that day. 
     I was grateful I was able to attend the temple on Fridee night with some of my Cedar City pals.  I also want to try to get in there one more time before the baby comes and attend the baptistery with Jams and Sags.  Hopefully we can make that happen this week.
     We have had some funny things happen as we have moved in.  We removed Ryan's prized deer mount in Cedar so that we could hang it in this home.  Unbeknownst to us, Chlo had named the deer head "Christy" and was happy to see Christy in the home down here.  Apparently, Chlo was rather fond of Christy.  Mo has also been being a puppy a lot lately.  He likes to get out on all fours and sniff around.  He loves to pick the pomegranites that grow around the property at the ranch.  He is way protective of his "womowanites'  don't mess with Mo when he is wanting to partake of "womowanites."
     Sage also had the opportunity to go deer hunting with my Dad and Barry last week.  She drew out on the muzzle loader of all things.  Anyhow, she got a lovely little two point thanks to my Dad and brothers help.  I thought it was quite funny actually.  I have never even shot a deer myself, and yet Sager's first morning out was quite the success.  Luckily, Barry was there to gut it for her, and my Dad even hauled her and the deer down to us.  We have been enjoying the meat ever since.  Now, the pressure is on for Jams.  She drew out for the general hunt which is on the 18th.  This also happens to be my due date too.  We will see how all of that goes.
     All in all the changes this summer have been challenging and good.  I came to appreciate so many things that I always just took for granted.  I love having a kitchen, and a dinner table to take care of my family.  I learned to love clouds, and breezes and evenings when things would cool off a few degrees.  The bugs at the ranch are unbelievable too.  There are these little gnats that are really bad in the melon fields.  The buzz in your eyes and in your ears nonstop.  The flies down there were and are horrible.  Cliven even said, he has never seen flies like we have seen them this year.  I felt like we were just living in a haze of them, always buzzing and landing on me nonstop.  It was really bad when I was trying to get Mo down for a nap.  Anyhow, I am grateful that the extreme heat of summer is now over.  It still gets in the upper 90's, but only for a few hours instead of the whole day and night. 

 Ryan and Ammon fixing a couple's car by the reunion

    


 

     Well, we had a fantastic Bundy reunion this year.  Just the absolute best.  It was and always is difficult to get out there, but once we got there it was nice and cool, and just great.  We had some troubles on the way out there.  The truck started to overheat as we were climbing the steep hill out of Hurricane.  I immediately switched off the air conditioning, and flipped the heater on.  This trick I can attribute back to my Cheston Slater days.  We spent quite some time trying not to overheat in his old Dodge Dart and I remember him flipping the heater on.  Ryan is savvy to all of that stuff, but he was impressed at my grease gal knowledge.
     Anyhow, we ended up at a gas station/restaurant.  This was an expensive and chaotic dinner.  Mo kept making the door alarm go off by going in and out over and over.  He loved this, but it made me feel quite sheepish, and frustrated.  Oak, and Rooshkie were squabbling over fry sauce amounts, and onion rings.  After Ryan got the truck fixed up, we headed out and we didn't have any more problems.
     We had a great first night sleeping out under the stars.  The kids slept in the horse trailer and we woke up so excited, for the reunion to begin.
     The roping contest and opening ceremonies were great and typical.  I kept having to remove Mo from roping contest because he wanted to somehow be involved, but really, he was just in the way.  He didn't care either way about this.  He just wanted to be involved.
     Our first issues with the weather happened that afternoon.  Well, before the rain even hit, our bed, which was made up neatly, but still out in the open, got sprayed by the water truck.  Nice.  Then the rains hit in the afternoon, and I have not ever seen it rain so hard at the reunion.  Ryan and I were kind of regretting our no tent policy.  We threw everything in the horse trailer, but Ryan had only tarped the top.  The rain was pouring in on the sides, and the floor was filling with water and getting
everything all wet.  I kind of started to panic.  My kids kept going out in the rain, coming in the horse trailer soaked and freezing, and then going back out in it.  I started lecturing on hypothermia.  They had soaked my coat and my hoody and I was freezing.  I kept telling myself that Ryan would figure out a way to take care of us.  He of course did.  He flipped the tarps around on the horse trailer and made a nice tent out of it.  When the rain slacked off a little, he built a huge fire and started drying coats and sleeping bags etc.  By the end of the evening, everyone had a dry bed.  Ryan always figures out how to take care of us.  He's a great husband and dad.

     Mo was driving me bonkers that evening.  That night was the night of the dance with the deejay.  It is a ragin good time.  Everyone dancing  together is such a blast.  The problem is Mo wanted me to dance with him the whole evening.  I am large with child anyway,  add Mo boy to the mix, and I was really weighed down.  I couldn't do the "Cotton Eye Joe" or the "Cupid Shuffle"with a sleepy Mo in tow. He kind of put a damper on my dancing feet.
     That night and the next night, I was grateful for the shelter.  I literally felt like we were in sardine can, with us stacked in the trailer all in a row.  But, we were dry and it rained a lot up there.
     Testimony meeting was great, and I enjoyed the family thoroughly.  Mo got in trouble a few times for being a big bully, but it was a great year overall
     The ride home was really scary.  It was slick and we kept sliding all over the road and the trailer would start jack knifing to the side.  I uttered prayer after prayer, and I am convinced that this is the only reason we made it home.
     Jams was having issues with her braces and so we had to go to Cedar...this was kind of a complication.  Anyhow we had to scramble to get the girls packed up for girls camp.  Ryan also informed me that he had purchased a car...what???  He wanted a car that was small and got good gas mileage for all of his quick trips to speaking assignments.  Because we had the horse trailer, he informed me that his mechanic would be dropping off the car.
     Because he has been traveling so often to speaking assignments, he really needed a little car that gets good gas mileage....I had images in my mind of a sleek little cool car.  That isn't totally what came driving into my driveway that afternoon...the best way to describe it?  It is a total Grandma car...Total Grandma.  I love Grandma's don't get me wrong, but for once I would like to be kind of hip and cool.  Not gonna happen in this car, but it is an old Cadillac, and it feels like gliding on a couch.  Anyhow, I picked up the new (old) car and headed south with it. I lovingly named the car "Berneice." Ryan took Jazzerz on his next Phoenix speaking assignment, and we dealt with  the heat, the weeds, and the squash bugs once again.  I totally enjoyed the reunion.  It was great.

     Another week, and this one hotter than the last.  I am getting used to it though, and I find at the end of the day, I appreciate the little things way more these days.  A breeze, a cloud, ice water, all of these things make life enjoyable.  The other day, I woke up to clouds, and I seriously got so excited.  I loved having a break in the dry heat.
     We have been squashing bugs in the mornings, and then the kids bottle feed the calves.  My girls have also plowed fields, and helped haul hay.  Oak has been busy helping Grandpa fix water lines on the mountain.  All of these experiences we wouldn't be having if we would have just stayed in Cedar.
     We had to go to Cedar for a few things.  I believe that I mentioned Chlo's pet moth "Feathers," anyhow, her pet moth was not in her jar.  This upset Chlo immensly.  I am not sure if the moth was ever really in the jar.  All I ever saw was grass...anyhow, Chlo was convinced that we had had a break in.  Yep, someone broke in, and took nothing besides Chlo's beloved pet moth.  This crime was about more than Chlo could deal with.  She wanted me to deal harshly with the guilty culprits.  I tried to convince Chlo that Feathers was loosely flying free, rather than captive to some evil moth thief.  Poor Chlo gets so attached to her pets.
     We attended a baptism on Fridee night.  This was a gal that Arden. And I gave a Book of Mormon to, back at stand off time.  I was so excited that she had met good friends and sought out the missionaries.  She looked like a new woman.  The spirit totally transforms people.  She was beautiful before, but the spirit had enhanced her beauty, and she looked all lit up.  It was an incredible experience.  Unfortunately, the kids didn't cooperate too well.
      First of all, I would like to say that this building that she got baptized in was awesome.  It was two stories and elegant in every way.  It was a new institute building.  Anyhow, the little kids were intrigued with exploring all of it's exciting possibilities.  Mo was creating all kinds of fear within himself.  Part of the building was dark and he was wanting to warn all within the sound of his voice about all of the possible monster possibilities.  He was shouting to his dad about the monsters because I am sure he wanted his dad to come and rid the place of the monsters.  Needless to say, it was not very reverent.
     It was also apparent that Chlo had been rolling around in the grass somewhere.  She was looking a little haggard at best.  I finally let them just roam around so that I could listen a little to the baptism.  I just checked on them frequently.  At one point, they were rolling around under the tables in the foyer. Naughty aughty to say the least.  In spite of them, I was so thrilled at the light and beauty that had overcome this young woman.  To be involved in her baptism, even in a tiny way was such a blessing, and made me so happy.  We have had so many blessings as a family lately.
     We have also had some people that produce "Sister Wives" interested in possibly doing a reality show.  They came to a dinner with the family the other night.  I don't know what they thought, but a few funny things happened that evening.  Bailey's baby jumped in a pot of water and tipped it over.  Katie's baby guy fell off of the teeter totter airplane, and split his head open.  It was sad.  Cliven glued his head back together.  That would have worked out fine and good, but he rubbed the glue, and then his eye.  Yep, he glued his eye shut.  Not good.  It was fixed, but we were all pretty nervous about him for a minute.  Another sad tale; one of the new puppies got his head stuck in a mason jar.  This took some work to save the pup.  Luckily, Stetsy is great at that stuff.  Also, Jazz was ticking one of the bulls off and he was pawing around ready to charge.  Luckily Stetsy once again came to the rescue.  This happened while they were bottle feeding calves.  Yep, interesting evening as always.  Yep, another busy week at the ranch.

     I really need a computer.  I am going to attempt to update on my phone because so much is going on, and I really want a record of this stuff.  We are still living at the ranch.  The summer temperatures have soared, and I am trying to smile and deal with it in a tough fashion.  We have been busy as all get out.  Wams and Sags took turns with their dad in plowing up the melon field, my younger ones have fed baby calves morning and evening, and we just started our squash bugging program.  Yep...we squish squash bugs between our fingers.  It has to be done, or there won't be a melon crop this year.  Sage was telling me how much she hates the stinky sour apple smell that happens when the bug goes squish.  I told her that there are a lot of stinky things in the world.  I am personally glad that squash bugs don't smell like stink bugs, for example.  I really hate the stench of stink bugs.
     Some of the only heat relief we get is swimming at the river and head gate.  Mo and I had a grand ole time in the river on Saturdee.  He would jump stomach first and land in the river.  I cannot say that it looked pleasant.  We also made a burger castle...it was a heap of sad looking mounds, that looked somewhat like a mound of burgers.
     We have had some interesting times down here.  Mo has played and played with the kittens until they have scratched the heck out of him in self defense.  Ryan kept telling me that he would learn to leave the cats alone because, he will get sick of the scratches and bites....nope.  He has scratches all over, and his latest one happened when he attempted to throw the squirming cat in a pool of water.  He really isn't learning.
    We had a gentleman down last week that was thinking about doing a reality show at the ranch.  He sat on the couch and visited with Carol and her girls for several hours.  He was trying to see if there would be enough material for one.  What he may not have realized, is that we had a reality show going all over the ranch that evening.  Mo had been poking a stick at the dog, and he bit Mo in the eye.  This made me angry, and Arden went and got after the dog.  The kids weren't allowed in the house during the interviews, and so they spent the evening in the ditch, catching frogs and carrying on.  In the meantime, the interview went on and on.  Everyone got really hungry.  I finally decided to sneak in the kitchen and cook something.  I told Ryan that I needed some hamburger from the freezer.  He finally came back in with a huge bin of frozen hamburger.  What in tarnation was I supposed to do with it?  I asked him this, and he instructed me to get a hatchet, and start hacking at the burger...yeah, that'd be just great.  Anyhow, I finally found the whole situation hilarious, and began laughing.  We seriously have a fine reality show go on daily here.
     We went to McKay and Noelle's wedding reception last night.  McKay is our cute nephew....anyhow, Mo and Chlo went a little wild at all of the delectable pastries on the table.  Mo finally settled on a huge, double layer piece of chocolate cake.  It had a lovely pink rose right on the top.  I have cut all extra sugar with my last five pregnancies, but I must admit that the cake looked way tempting.  Anyhow, Mo ate the lovely, pink flower, but refused another bite.  I had to take the rest of the cake to Ryan, who happily finished it for him.  He and Chlo then ran around and around the joint.
     I don't know if it was the cake, or what, but Mo woke up in the night making all kinds of demands.  He wanted a breakfast with syrup, and he wanted me to purchase him a home of his very own.  He kicked and bawled and squirmed.  I refused to oblige him at 3am....jeez, I hope he does better tonight.
     We got an ultrasound down for baby #8, and it is a lovely, healthy, little she.  I am really excited.  A little sister will do Mo so much good.  Wow, does he ever need to grow up a little!
     Oak, has been as happy as all get out at the ranch.  I caught him putting a grasshopper in the freezer though, and this was disturbing....I really hate grasshoppers and I cannot think of a need for a frozen one.  He helps with calves, and spends his free time swimming.  Yep...he is kinda spoiled

     Our sometimes klompy adventure continues.  We have been happy and busy now that school is out.  We have been spending a bulk of our time at the ranch in our travel trailer.  Yes, I went from thinking that we were purchasing a 5200 square foot home in January...(because our 1100 sq foot home is much too small) to a travel trailer on the Bundy ranch.  I must say that when I do make the trek back to Cedar City, my once too small home seems like a grand palace.  I guess that is where murmuring and complaining get ya.  I have decided to work on that one.  Be grateful for all blessings and try not to complain too much.  I must admit though, that I did a little bit of complaining this last week, because the air wasn't working properly in our trailer, and I felt like we were baking in a tin oven.  Ryan hooked up a swamp cooler, and claims things are much better now.  I plan on returning tomorrow with wershed and folded clothes for another week.  The kids usually help their dad in the morning hours...(and we are talking EARLY morning hours...he gets us up at like 4am), and then because of the heat that sets in around 1 pm, they spend most afternoons swimming at the head gate with Arden.  They are enjoying themselves immensely, and I am just grateful to be with my husband again.  In my case, absence does NOT make the heart grow fonder.  Absence makes my heart grow madder.
     We went camping as a family last weekend and had a glorious time.  Sager had been bugging us to go on our annual Pinto springs cookout.  Well, Ryan decided to make it a full on camp out.  We were so happy to arrive and have the place to ourselves.  The kids waded in the springs and were disappointed that the crawdad numbers were down.  Jams caught a tiny minnow and placed it in their crawdad bucket.  Other than a few small crawdads that was their catch of the day.  The problem was, Chlo would just not leave the poor little feller alone.  She kept wanting to mother it.  She would pull it out of the water and want it to play with her somehow.  All of her handling of it out of water finally killed it.  Poor little guy.  Chlo was just trying to make it have a better life, but she just could not grasp the concept that it couldn't breathe outside of the water.  She kept trying to revive it by putting it back in the water, but he was a goner at this point.  Too bad, I hope Chlo learned her lesson.
     Jams also caught a lizard and gave it to Oak.  He loved that thing.  He kept it in a cup and would take it out and try to feed it various things.  I don't think it liked roasted 'shmallows much, and it refused to eat the ants that were being shoved in his direction.  Oak finally agreed to let him go, so that he could catch his own food.
     The kids loved making s'mores and Chlo and Mo just ate all of the candy bars.  Ryan also made several batches of homemade root beer.  Not a real good combination for Chlo, who usually refuses dinner.  I think she ate a piece of bacon out of our dutch oven potatoes, 'shmallows, and chocolate with her root beer.  I think that all of that sugar would make me puke, but Chlo slept well in spite of all of her sugar intake.  Mo, on the other hand, was a different story.  We are shy on sleeping bags, but the bags we do have are warm and large.  We doubled all of the kids up hoping that they would stay warm.  We just threw bags on the grass by the spring.  Anyhow, Mo was put with Sags.  He woke up in the night and the air was chill and damp.  He bawled and bawled in spite of all that I was trying to do for him.  He really wanted me to rock him in our rocking chair, which I had not thought to bring.  He finally gave up after about 45 minutes of intense crying.  He slept well with Ryan and I after that.  He woke up chipper and happy.  I still don't get what in the world his problem was.
     We had a really good shrsh meeting after that.  Ryan gave a lesson on complaining, which I must admit, I was doing a lot of.  Moving into that small trailer on the ranch when it was 110 degrees wasn't something I wanted to do.  He spoke about Laman and Lemuel, and also the children of Israel.  I must admit that I have discussed these people of the past many times in Sunday school and felt pretty smug about them.  Look at how bad they are!!!!  I would never complain if the Lord expected me to leave my home, and live in a tent in a wilderness for years and years.  Yeah right.  His lesson changed my whole attitude.  I felt the spirit and knew that I must have some faith in my husband and in my Heavenly Father.  No, I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that the Lord rarely blesses those who complain.  I must remind myself of this because life isn't easy hardly ever.
     Speaking of meetings, I was mad at Chlo the other week because she skipped out at FHE.  I had to know what it was that she felt was so important that it couldn't wait.  She had been spreading lotion in a locket that whole time.  Well, I cannot say that I understand the meaning of all of that.  She also came in the house the other day.  She was lovingly trying to help a little moth.  She made a nice home for the moth with soft grass in a jar.  She named the moth "Feathers" and gave me all kinds of instructions on the proper care of Feathers.  Needless to say, I don't think Feathers is still ok in her jar.  I haven't wanted to share this information with Chlo, because she will definitely move on to other pets.
     Mo has also been difficult to sleep with lately because he insists on bringing and sleeping with his cars.  One night when I was in Cedar, and Ryan was away, I decided to just leave him in my bed.  The problem was, he kept driving cars on me and waking me up.  This seriously happened all night until he finally settled down at around 3am.  I have had many unpleasant nights with Mo.  I hope my next baby sleeps well like Chlo or Jams.
     This last week at the ranch, Ammon and his family came up too.  Oak hung out with Bowen and Hayden and I kept finding different cups and bottles of baby frogs around the trailer.  They also had a great time catching frogs in the cool of the night.  I was also shocked to find a squirrel foot in my sink as I was cleaning it out.  I was equally shocked to find the rest of the squirrel in the fridge.  I questioned Ryan about this.  He explained that he had every intention of eating the squirrel because he hadn't had squirrel for awhile.  However, he had forgotten about it, so the dogs were welcome to it.  Wow....I think I am in for some interesting adventures at the Bundy ranch.
   

     I am having the hardest time keeping up with updating this because we have no internet at the house.  It is hard to leave the kids for an hour and come up to the office to get this done, but I know I have to do it.  I will definitely want to read about all of our experiences when the kids were growing up.  It all goes by way too fast, even though some days seem to last forever.
     Well, we finally let the kids know that I will be expecting another child at the end of October, or first of November.  They are so excited.  I would think that Jams and Sags would be sick of me bringing new siblings into the world, but they have been bugging me for awhile to have another one, even with all of the risks that I am taking because of my age etc.  I have really good kids, what can I say?  We are all excited, and I cannot wait to rock another one in my chair.  My chair is literally falling apart, but I love to rock and hold those babies at night.  I am very blessed and very grateful.  I came close to miscarrying during all of the Bundy showdown happenings, and I am grateful that this kid is tough and was able to hang in there.  We are happy and excited.
     These last few weeks have been chock full of all of the end of year stuff.  Most of it I have had to go to by myself because Ryan is still very involved with the ranch happenings.  He was, however, able to attend the girls' end of year dance review.  It was quite the deal.  What was kind of unfortunate, was the fact that most of the groups that just happened to be paired with Jams, Rooshkie, and Jazzerz group was all of the really young kids.  She usually splits the groups in half, and has two reviews.  She has so many classes that the program would take four hours.  She splits the groups in half, and has two separate programs.  Anyhow, Ryan and I got really weary of all of the bouncing tutus.  Don't get me wrong, those little girls are as cute as can be, but when you see group after group of little girls, and all they can really do is bounce up and down to some music in a tutu, it gets kind of monotonous.  My girls did really well though and I was happy that we were both able to be there.  Bouncing tutus and all.
     We also celebrated Saggers birthday last week.  She turned thirteen...yeah Sags!  She wanted me to take her shopping for some new clothes, and she wanted to go and get a trim.  Jams wanted to come to, which left Rooshkie my next available option for a babysitter.  Rooshkie does pretty good, but she is still kind of young to leave for too long.  We checked in on her quite a few times.  I didn't realize some of the hazards that occured by putting Rooshkie in charge until the next day.  I had made Sags a cheesecake and the kids always enjoy scraping the sides off of the sweetened condensed milk can.  Rooshkie must have enjoyed it enough, that she opened a whole can, and they began eating that can of condensed milk.  I found traces of this mess everywhere the next day.  There was a pool of it dumped on my window seat in my bedroom.  My parents had taken Sags shoe shopping and a few swirls of condensed milk were found on Saggers new shoes.  The biggest eyebrow raiser was in my freezer.  Rooshkie had tried to make some sort of sweetened condensed milk frozen suckers.  They were made out of odd items like lids and old radio antennaes for the sticks.  I will never understand I guess.  She at least kept the kids supervised and alive, and sticky because of her snack choices.
     We also had a band and orchestra concert which is always somewhat of a fiasco without Ryan's help.  The first thing that Mo did was remove his pants.  He then began running around and around in his shirt and diaper.  I was too tired to chase him and too embarrased for people to think that I had brought him without pants.  I sent Jazz to retrieve him and end the nonsense.  The girls played really well.  They also sang with the choir and did a good job.  I especially enjoyed the music that they played from "the Hobbit."  In one of the numbers the band played "Hedwigs Theme" from Harry Potter.  I seriously thought one of the trumpet players was on the verge of passing out.  That song requires a pretty strong brass section, and well, there aren't very many brass in the band.  I am glad that he made it through the song without falling to the ground.  Toward the end, the kids got really naughty.  Mo was squirming, and screaming, and flailing his arms about.  I finally asked Rooshkie to wait until the song was over, and then take them all out to the playground.  Well, she didn't wait until the song was over, but went out, slamming the door so loud that a large echo was heard right  in the middle of a song....yep I was embarrased all over again.  It is definitely part of being a parent.
     Last weekend we drove to Phoenix and Mesa.  Valerie was graduating from high school and Bowen was getting baptized.  We seriously had the best weekend ever!  The graduation, was fresh and casual.  I was kind of worried about juggling all of the kids at that, but it was held outside, in a huge stadium.  We found a spot in the corner, the grass was like a lush green carpet bed, and there was sand to dig in nearby.  Ryan immediately fell asleep on the soft greenness.  The kids began throwing dirt until seriously, we were all sitting in a dust haze until Ryan got after them.  It was such a nice night, and I really enjoyed my family.  Christine had got us a three room suite at a Marriott for a killer rate too.  It was so nice.  The kids swam late into the evening in their outdoor pool, and then swam most of the next day.  We also went to Ammon and Lisa's where they swam.
     The baptism was really nice too.  We had been asked to sing, and we sang "Families Can Be Together Forever."  Seriously, when I think about what my family has been through together lately, it was all I could do not to cry.  The baptism had a powerful spirit.  Bowen is a really special kid, and when he came out, the kids sang "I am a Child of God" together.  Bowen had thrown his arm around Oak and once again, I tried not to cry.  I am so thankful for this family and mine.  We are so blessed to love each other so much.  We literally faced Hell together last month, and I hope we stay close forever because of it.  There isn't much I wouldn't do for them or for my brothers and parents.
     After the baptism, Ammon and Lisa threw a bbq in their back yard.  The kids played in the pool with their cousins and friends all day.  Mo got to where he was fearless in the water.  He was doggie paddling everywhere.  The kids were not one bit happy when Ryan said that we were going to head home.  Chlo literally bawled and bawled because she really liked the hotel room and desperately wanted to go back.  No Chlo, we cannot laze about in that nice room forever....sorry.
     We spent a night between Wikiup and Kingman, and I was surprised at how good everyone slept.  Jams complained some because her sleeping bag was full of sand and she was sunburned.  Not a very good combination.  Poor Wams, she didn't expect to sleep in the middle of nowhere in the desolate desert.  We never know with Ryan at the helm of the family.  We did make it to Mesquite in time for Ryan and I to make it to shrsh.  I didn't take the kids because they were kind of a mess.  They were content to play at the ranch.  They also spent their labor day learning about families and relatives at the cemetary with Cliven, and they spent most of the rest of the day swimming at the head gate with Arden.  Needless to say, they were not happy to be taken home at all.
     The last few days have been spent cleaning up.  I also attended the middle school festival at the school where Jams and Sags were some of the few students chosen to present their reports.  Jams report on the desert tortoise was really good.  I could tell that everyone learned a lot as she played clips of Cliven from youtube.  Sags report on stem cell research was good too.  She came out against it because of the use of human embryo's.  Smart and ethical Sags.
     Chlo and Mo have spent the day collecting potato bugs and taking them for ride on their toy train.  They have been trying to feed the potato bugs bread, dirt and grass, but I am not sure they are consuming any of it.  I hope that the potater bugs have had a rockin' good time on that train because Chlo has gone to a lot of trouble to try to make them happy.
   

     Well, another busy week gone by.  I know that sounds typical, but at the end of the school year, it seems like we take busy to a whole new level.  Add to that all of the political happenings, and it is about more than I can keep up with.  Ryan keeps mentioning that he needs to be in three places at once, all the time.  I largely feel the same way.
     The kids, bless their little hearts, have been naughty aughty this week.  A lot of fighting, and shoving etc.  There seems to be a lot of hard work going on, simply to get on everyone else's nerves.  We have had a lot of discussion about it, but nothing seems to be changing.  I am sure that a lot of unrest is being felt because we plan on moving to the ranch for awhile.  As much as we need a larger home, the reality is, we are comfortable with our little house and routine.  Change is on the way, and change can be difficult, especially for kids who are comfortable with friends, activities, and school.
     I mentioned the culvert last week.  Much time is still spent rolling around in that thing.  Ryan also found a stray rabbit at his job site.  It almost got hit by several cars, and he suspects that it was someone's lost Easter pet.  Anyhow, he brought it home and he has been a delight and a half.  He has been loved almost to death, especially by Mo.  Mo just hasn't quite figured out how to be gentle yet.  He wants to squeeze him and bathe with him.  Jams named him Travis, by the way.  Travis ended up missing in my house for a large part of a day, thanks to Wazz.  She came in the house holding Travis.  Everyone was practicing their music, and she set Travis on the kitchen floor because she was sure that Sage would come and get him.  Well, Sager was practicing her guitar and had no idea that Travis awaited her arrival in the kitchen.  I can only imagine Travis' hurried exit when  he saw his chance.  He hid under the dishwasher where no one could find him.  Smart Travis.
     The weather turned wet and cold about the time that Travis came to stay with us.  Rooshkie kept wanting to sleep outside in the culvert with Travis.  I personally thought the whole idea was completely ridiculous.  Sure, the culvert provides some shelter from the rain, but what about all of those awful ridges in your back all night?  Not to mention it was barely above freezing.  I had to put my foot down about Rooshkie's overnight ideas in the culvert.
     I guess Chlo felt like she wasn't getting enough Travis time,  and so she went out and found her own pets.  She apparently found a bunch of slugs and stuck them in an empty bubble container.  The slugs, along with a whole bunch of grass.  Chlo felt real love and nostalgia for those slugs.  She claimed over and over that slugs are and will always be her favorite animal.  I still question whether she really ever had any slugs at all.  All I ever saw when I peered into their bubble container was a bunch of grass.  Whatever, it made Chlo happy for several days.
     Mo also had a cup of ants that became his pets.  He was really wanting to make his ants happy, and he kept insisting that the ants needed their own car, and their own picture of Jesus.  Mo is just about right on that.  We all need a car, and our own picture of Jesus.
     With all of the extra company and chaos, the kids' bedroom has gotten out of control messy again.  I have gutted it out myself several times in the last few weeks.  This has really gotten me nowhere, because unless they clean it themselves they don't maintain it.  The problem is, it takes more work and patience to get them to clean it, than if I just go get it done.  One day, I was determined that they were going to pick it up.  Of course, this led to a whole barrage of accusations and murmurings as to who was to blame, and who the real cause of the mess was.  Well, I have seen that they all cause the mess.  Anyhow, it is so frustrating because for hours I have to hear about how so and so isn't working, or about how someone is refusing to help.  Let's just face facts for a few minutes.  Chlo, on rare occasions, has shown forth a lot of ambition, but for the most part, she really isn't much help yet.  Oak isn't much better than Chlo.  Rooshkie can whip through the biggest of messes, but she is rarely in the mood, and Jazzerz is good help if someone else is working steady.  It is rare indeed when they just happily tidy up.  Anyhow, Oak was doing nothing but trying to annoy Rooshkie.  He claimed that he couldn't help at all until he had a drink of water.  He then proceeded to gross the girls out by drinking and spitting the water in the cup over and over again.  This is the kind of stuff I am talking about.  Working really hard to annoy.
     Ryan finished up his job in St. George and noticed that there was a county commissioner in San Juan county that wanted to have a four wheeler ride on a trail that the BLM had closed seven years ago.  We knew that we needed to try our best to go to a lot of this stuff where other people are taking a stand against the BLM.  So many people came from all of the country to help us, and it made all of the difference.  If it weren't for good hearted people, the Bundy ranch would no longer exist.  Every time I look out and see the cows grazing by the river I think of that.  Anyhow, Ryan decided we should all go.  Way easier said than done.  He drove down to the ranch and loaded all of the four-wheelers in the horse trailer.  Somehow he loaded them in there vertically and he had four four-wheelers ready to go.  It was an amazingly long drive.  I was surprised at how good Mo did.  He played and played with a dumb green car that he brought.  As long as he had the dumb car, he was fine.  I must admit that I got sick of the car being driven all over me, but I am glad he was happy.  Sage about had a come apart.  Really, we squash way too many people in the truck, but the alternative is to drive two cars, and with a trip that long it is so expensive and impractical.  We were short some sleeping bags, and fuel had dripped on some of the stuff and so I was way concerned about our night up there.  It is still pretty cold too.  Anyhow, when we arrived the county commissioner offered to put us up for the night, and he didn't have to do too much arguing to talk me into it.  They had a big, lovely home, and all of the kids were happy to find a spot on the floor.
     The next day, there was a meeting with the people of the town.  Many people were frustrated in that town by the BLM and their actions.  Their doctor had been thrown in jail for taking an Indian bead.  Yes, a small bead.  The BLM had stormed into his home in the early hours of the morning, put him in chains and shackles, held his family in the garage while they ransacked his home looking for artifacts.  They came up with a small bead.  He went to jail, and got so depressed he ended his own life over it.  His son spoke, and it was horrifying to hear about his story.  They had also closed the road without any warning or consent and the people wanted it open.  So, with the sheriff and his deputies, a few thousand people, along with us, rode the forbidden trail.  It was beautiful, and hard riding.  I was grateful that my Dad had let me learn from a young age how to drive just about anywhere.  We had one wreck with Jams and Kenzie Litmer.  Jams was fine, but I took Mackenzie back to her mom because she was pretty banged up.  Anyhow, a beautiful day, and I am glad people are getting the courage to stand up to all of the wrongs being done.  A nice gentleman insisted on buying our lunch, and another friend was made.  He was intrigued with the story of Stetsy and Curly the bull.  Intrigued enough to insist on buying lunch for all of us.
     The ride home was clompy and windy.  The snow got so bad outside of Cedar that I couldn't see at all.  The snow was coming down so hard and blowing backward that it looked like I was driving backwards and I couldn't see any lines to guide me.  Ryan had to finish up the drive and I had no clue how he did it.  I was praying for him, and maybe that is how.
     Anyhow, Ryan moved our shrsh records to the Bunkerville 2nd ward.  Mo wanted to make a good impression by bringing in Jazzerz empty lunch box into shrsh.  I couldn't figure out why he was so insistent upon bringing it.  It is dingy and raggy now that the end of the school year draws nigh.  Whatever.  Chlo made a slide on the bench by using many hymn books and would shriek loudly if anyone might want to use one to sing with.  Luckily we have attended this ward enough with Cliven and Carol that they already know how we are.

     Well, my computer simply quit on me, along with a myriad of other things that has gotten me way behind on the blog posts.  I am hoping to get somewhat updated.  A lot has happened since the last post.  I don't think I will remember all of it, but I will try to highlight some of it.
     For the most part, Ryan has been a busy, busy man.  He has been trying to finish his job in St. George and wrap it up, while at the same time keeping up with all of the happenings at the ranch.  His family still needs him and it has been great because there has been so many Book of Mormon's given away, testimonies about God shared and friends made.  I however, have largely been stuck at home doing a lot of the everyday stuff and missing him.  A week and a half ago, a family that consisted of a single mom with her ten kids showed up at the ranch.  It was on a day that the media had taken some of Cliven's statements, twisted them around, and blew them way out of proportion.  It was actually, I think the first time I have ever felt true depression.  It was completely weird because I couldn't even get up and function.  I was too tired, and so I just slept most of the day, not caring about anything but my sadness.  Anyhow, I happened to notice one of my neighbors on her porch, and I knew that she would be the key to getting me out of my slump.  It just so happens that she lost her youngest daughter last year, and she was crying.  Comforting her made me remember that we are all alive, our family all loves each other, and things really weren't so bad. I was also not the only person with problems. Anyways, back to the family, the Sharp family is their name.  They showed up at the ranch and lifted everyone's spirits with their beautiful singing and upbeat attitude.  They said that the spirit had dictated to them to come and help us, and they obeyed.  They had quite the time coming out, had broke down in Colorado, but hey, they made it right on time.  The kids really latched onto Ryan, and began helping him with ranch chores etc. 
     I went down with the kids a few days later, and was able to meet them all.  Mo got his Sassy feeding and watering needs in, and he also caught a large toad, that we were desperately trying to keep alive from all of his squeezing and prodding.  He also got into the mulberry tree and made a huge mess of his face, smashing and eating mulberries.  A nice lady had come down to the ranch because it was always her dream to ride a horse.  Ryan went down to the corral, and saddled one up for her to ride.  Ryan just happened to set Mo on the saddle, and he refused to get off...REFUSED with much shrieks and squawks.  I finally had to remove him and he bawled and bawled.  I mean come on Mo...are you really going to get in the way of the nice lady and her dream fulfilled?
     As the Sharp's were heading to Colorado in the night, their transmission died in Kanarraville.  Ryan had invited them to stay with us anyway, but the broken van made it completely necessary.  Needless to say, it was quite the experience and adventure having them at our home for 7 days.  They stayed with us 5 days while the transmission was being fixed, and another 2 on their way back through.  Anyhow, I was amazed at how talented they are, they sing and practice their music a lot.  I learned not to expect any hot water for a shower, and just to expect the unexpected from that many kids in that small of a home.  If  I thought we were crowded before....wow.  I felt bad in the morning to stumble over her kids that had to make beds on my kitchen floor. 
     I can honestly say that I was mortified one afternoon.  The Sharp's had borrowed my van to do some shopping.  I was stunned to see my children...Oak and Wazz among others having potater sack races in the front yard.  This would have all been fine and dandy, but they were using some of the Sharp's fine pillowcases.  Needless to say that I roared out the window at them about that one.  Really Wazz???Potater sack races?  Those really are no fun anyway.  I always hated them.
     Chlo and their youngest got along really well the first day.  They fought horribly the rest of the time though.  Mo was an absolute disaster during their whole stay.  So much of their stay was quite enjoyable because I really loved the music, and they actually did a lot of work around my house, but Mo was a wreck.  He bawled and threw fits and kicked and cried.  I seriously about scratched my eyeballs out.  Seriously, Mo was a mess.  I don't know what issues he was having, whether he just couldn't handle the wall to wall people or what.
     They invited a few young men from Montana to come to a prayer meeting that they had planned at the ranch.  One of the young men, his name was Jonah, sat and strummed his guitar one morning while I went about the tasks of keeping up with so many people.  He was an incredible musician.  I could seriously listen to him strum that thing all day.  I thought I was in complete heaven until he sat down at the piano.  Tears sprang to my eyes as he began to play.  Beethoven...my absolute favorite.  He played so many songs that were familiar to me.  I remember most of my childhood days were spent listening to my older brother play Beethoven.  It was seriously such an uplifting experience to hear it played in my own home.  He was incredibly good, and I begged him to just keep playing.  I didn't realize how much I missed someone playing the piano as I went about my day, but I have missed it.  It was such an uplift.  When he finished we talked for quite awhile about classical music.  Beethoven is his favorite too because of all of the emotions he so effectively brings out in his music.  This whole deal with Cliven and the family....one incredible roller coaster ride and that is for sure.
     Apparently the prayer meeting went well.  Oak got really sick and so I was unable to attend.  Jamie also was in a play at the school.  She and her classmates did "The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare.  Jams was the Shrew, and a great Shrew she made.  However, once again, Mo was not interested in the Shakespeare play and wanted to be removed from the situation.  Oak was making all kinds of outlandish demands about playing in the hall and Chlo was begging to go to the playgrounds.  In a moment of desperation, I noticed that Jams was not currently on stage.  I took my new i-phone, and went backstage.  I pleaded with her to download some kind of distraction for the kids.  Luckily she had a moment and helped me out.  After that I only had Mo to contend with because Oak and Chlo were playing "Temple Run" on my phone.  Rooshkie finally had pity on me and took Mo in the hall.  I was able to enjoy the rest of the play in peace.  Cop out?  Maybe but desperate times....
     The kids have been playing for days in a large culvert that rolls around the front yard.  Seriously, I am not sure where the culvert is supposed to go, but I might not let Ryan have it back.  The kids have rolled around in it, done tricks rolling on it and balancing on it, put water through it, and rolled each other back and forth for days.  Seriously....all day spent in the culvert for Oak and Chlo.  The Sharp kids have joined in too.  I don't know where it came from, but it has been a huge distraction and blessing.  Wazz somehow got a fat lip in it, but other than that no major injuries too.  Who would ever have known?  I was also mad at Rooshkie today.  I asked her to take Mo for a ride in the wagon because this usually will get him down to sleep.  Well, she took him to Ellen Sorenson's and back.  This was way far in her opinion.  Really Rooshkie???Ellen lives next door!  Really, she just wanted to get back in the culvert and roll back and forth.

   I feel really bad that I didn't get a post done last week.  So much has happened and I cannot say that  I have really fully grasped the weight of the whole situation.  Needless to say that our ranch in Nevada was turned into a horrible nightmare last Sunday.  It will take quite awhile to get things updated today.  In the meantime, Mo is being a huge problem today.  I am sure we are all worn out and tired from all of the events of the week.  Mo has just thrown tantrum after tantrum about dumb stuff all day.  I am feeling way less than sympathetic with him at this point.  He has fought over bubbles, Jamie's bubble gum blower, everything that anyone else has, he screeches loudly.  I finally got him to take a nap which is, exactly what he needed I am sure.
     Last Sunday was probably the worst day of my life.  We had been enjoying a nice weekend listening to General Confernce.  We were all concerned about what was happening at the ranch, but Ryan had stayed home on Saturday and helped me get caught up on some house work as we enjoyed the words of our shrsh leaders.  Seriously, some of the best speeches ever.  I love, love Conference weekend, and I could listen to the choirs all day.  Saturday was a great day of peace.  Sunday morning, Ryan became concerned about the ranch.  He called and told his Dad that we were going to just come down for the day and listen to conference with him.  He informed us that snipers were trained on the ranch house and he was concerned about us bringing the kids, but of course, we are always made to feel welcome at the ranch.  Snipers on the hills???? I questioned Ryan over and over about this, but I think we both didn't realize how bad things had really gotten down there.  As soon as we got to the ranch, Bailey was there, but Cliven and Carol were just leaving to go and meet with someone.  It was so good to talk to Bailey, and discuss with her about how stressed we had both been.  With the crazy compound they had set up, snipers on the hills, and all of the roads blocked off, the tension in the air was ratcheted up so tight, I felt like I was going to scream.  Bailey is an amazingly strong woman.  I admire all that she has done, I know that there have been a lot of nights that she hasn't slept because she was up all night working on informative DVD's, for Cliven, and brochures, she has always been there to take pictures, and has been great to document everything going on.  On top of all of that, she is trying to juggle two kids under the age of 4, a successful and busy photography business, and a husband who works a ton of hours.  But, standing in the kitchen, we were both able to cry and sniffle around a little at all that was going on.  So many people don't get or understand Cliven's position on stuff, and it was good to talk with her, and know that she was going just as crazy as I was.
     The week before we arrived at the ranch, Bailey filmed the BLM hauling three big loads of cattle off of the range.  She said that she got so upset and could not figure out why her Dad wasn't doing anything about it.  He calmly told her that he was praying about it, and felt like nothing should be done at the time.  She about couldn't handle that, but hey, we all knew that Cliven does nothing that he isn't inspired to do.  It was so nerve wracking to see load after load leaving the range.  Ryan had a ton of people that kept calling wanting to "do" something.  He would just explain that his Dad had felt that he needed to let them get their hands dirty for awhile.  He wanted actual theft to be going on before he did anything about it.
     Anyhow, we were watching some of the Conference speeches with Grandma Turner.  The kids were playing outside, oblivious to the snipers on the hillside, and all of the tension in the air.  We got a call from Cliven, that he could see trucks coming down from sheep troughs and that he would like us to go and get pictures.  Immediately my heart began pounding in my throat.  It sounded simple enough, but for some reason my nerves were really on end about the situation.  I knew that the Highway Patrol had been escorting the thieving cowboys everywhere, and my husband never backs down from any kind of a confrontation.  Cliven's specific instructions were not to engage the BLM in any way, act peaceful, but just get pictures.  Because, we had just gone down to listen to conference, I didn't have my camera.  The only cameras we really had were on Jams and Saggers Ipods.  Jerusha had a small camera, but she has always been so stingy with it, that she erases any pictures I ever take.  Anyhow, initially we had Jamie, Sage and Jerusha in the van with Ryan and I.  However, I needed Jerusha to babysit, and so I instructed her to stay.  She did let us utilize her camera though.
     Anyhow, Ryan figured that he knew exactly where they would be bringing cattle out.  When we arrived at the intersection, we remained on the main road, and there was one BLM ranger parked blocking the road that was heading up to the mountain.  The BLM had claimed the whole 600,00 acres of range as off limits, but we were on the county road that connects Bunkerville to Riverside and Mesquite.  Anyhow, it was interesting, we were parked there, and Arden and Jared showed up.  In the meantime, truck after truck with federal BLM agents began to arrive.  The all convened on the road that was blocked.  A black unmarked truck pulled in and two agents scrambled upon the hill and trained sniper rifles on us.  Yes, Jams, Sags, Ryan and I.  Who, at this point were innocently listening to D. Todd Christofferson's speech at conference, and Arden and Jared who were parked 100 yards down the road.  More and more of them showed up.  During this time, Stetsy and Bailey came in Bailey's mini van.  I was glad when they showed up because our cameras really weren't that great.  Bailey as I mentioned before, runs a photography business and has great equipment.  Stetsy got out and told us about an altercation that she had already had with the BLM earlier in the day.  She had been sitting right where we were sitting when an agent told her that she would have to leave.  She argued that she was sitting on a state road, but he said that he had jurisdiction over the road, and that she could no longer stop on it.  Anyhow, all of this was just adding to the tension inside of my head.  I seriously thought I was going to throw up.  I just felt like something horrible was about to happen.
     At about this time, Davey showed up in his little car.  He was bold enough to get out of his car, lean against the hood and film with an ipad.  At about this time, several of the trucks began to leave.  I heaved a sigh and hoped that they weren't really all ganging up and looking for a fight.  The trucks drove past us, swung around and got behind us.  They announced on their loudspeaker, that we were in violation of some sort of a code and would have to leave immediately.  Ryan at first began to resist, but I reminded him that Cliven didn't want us having trouble with them.  We slowly began to drive away.  Stetsy and Bailey left, and we were in the process of urging Dave to leave.  He ignored us and kept right on filming with his ipad.  Four agents, with loaded M-16's, bullet proof vests, with a German Shepherd dog approached Davey.  They repeatedly told him to leave.  He kept right on filming.  The agents kept telling us that we had to leave, that they were going to arrest Ryan if we didn't.  Ryan kept telling them that he was not going to leave without his brother.  At this point they all attacked Dave.  Brutally attacking him, throwing his phone and ipad and throwing him on the ground.  One of the agents stepped on his head and ground his face into the gravel.  Jamie and Sage were screaming at this point, and begging their Dad to leave.  Ryan came really close to getting arrested too, but finally left.  At this point the girls and I were way upset.  Obviously these agents had violated all kinds of our rights as Amercian citizens and so what kind of rules would they play by with Dave?  We urged Arden and Jared to leave and the agents threatened them with his M-16.  They finally had no choice but to leave too.
     When we arrived at the ranch chaos broke loose.  I still had my seven kids running around.  Jams and Sags were crying and very upset.  Bailey and Stetsy were understandably very upset too.  Cliven wasn't happy that we had stirred the BLM up, and a bunch of people from town showed up wondering what they could do to help.  People got on the phone and began making calls to find out where they had taken him and what they were doing with him.  He had only been taking pictures, had not resisted arrest, and had broken no laws.  Hanna and her kids were also down and she has six under the age of 10.  Anyhow it was sheer mayhem.  I had seen first hand that this was agency playing by whatever rules they made up.  I ended up calling Marylynne and she of course, was extremely upset.  It was all a horrible nightmare.  I had never been so upset that I just wanted to throw up and cry, and run away.  Anyhow, because of all of this dinner of course, was delayed.  We were all so upset it was hard to focus on the mundane.  Anyhow, by this time the press had caught on to the story and everyone wanted to interview Cliven to find out what happened.  There was a newspaper reporter on every phone, and a camera crew from channel 8 in Vegas showed up to catch the story.  All of them were wanting a piece of Cliven's time.  In the meantime, Mo, clueless as to what was up, just was hungry, tired, and I am sure could feel all the tension.  He was bawling nonstop.  Dinner was in the oven at this time, and I had taken him all over the place, and tried everything to get him to stop.  Nothing worked.  I was emotionally drained after the horrible arrest, talking to Marylynne, and contemplating that it was a miracle they didn't have Ryan in custody as well.  I finally just set him down where he bawled loudly.  Cliven just happened to walk in the house at that moment.  In spite of the fact that everyone wanted a piece of his time, he noticed the one crying baby on the floor.  "What is wrong with the baby?"  he asked.  I explained that he was hungry, tired, and wasn't wanting to wait anymore for dinner.  Cliven scooped him up, gave him a hug, and carried him into the kitchen.  He fixed him a roll with some jam, and a glass of milk, and handed him back to me.  He was happy and content.  Then he went and faced all of the press.
     This is the kind of man Cliven is.  I have seen it time and time again.  I recall one day Carol was complaining about Arden (this was years ago when Arden was still small).  He was wanting his mom's attention and refused to leave her lap so that she could get up and get something done around the house or ranch.  She was complaining to Cliven that she couldn't get anything done because of Arden and his clingy mood.  "All I do is sit and hold him today." 
     "Well, he said, you are holding my baby, and that is getting something done."  What an incredible guy.  My husband is a lot like him, and I am so grateful for all that he taught his boys.  His patience can clearly be seen around the ranch house.  On one side is a set of stairs that are pretty dangerous that Ryan built.  Those boys learned how to do a lot of things on that house, and some of it proves that they were learning.  What patient parents Cliven and Carol are.  I love them and will love them forever.
     When we arrived back in Cedar, Ryan gathered his things, and went back down.  At this point, I knew that we were facing something huge, I had no phone, and I was worried sick.  I was so relieved to hear that Davey was released the next day.  Roughed up, but released.  My parents loaned me one of their phones until I got mine hooked back up which made a huge difference. 
     During the week, they held a rally at the ranch, and had more altercations with the armed agents.  Ammon got tased three times, Aunt Margaret got thrown to the ground, and they almost arrested Jared.  At this point, a huge crowd had gathered and stopped a lot of things from getting worse.  People flocked to the ranch from all over the United States.  Many people said, "I just felt like I had to come out here."  Or I heard, "There was something different about this family.  I just wanted to be here to help you guys."
     On Tuesday night, Ryan was praying, and had an idea come to him.  He decided that he was going to go and explain to the head BLM agent, a Mr. Love, that they were going to ride in and get their cows.  He then said that they would have to have a large amount of cowboys on horses waiting to ride in and drive the cows down to the farm.  He felt that this would avoid any physical conflict and that no one would even have to be hurt.  He felt confident that this was the way to end things.  I always have faith in my husband's inspiration, but I must admit that I had a few thoughts that the BLM were never going to agree with that.
     On Wednesday, Ryan and I headed to Monroe, Utah.  We had been assisting with a protest of the sale barn there.  They had taken a chunk of money (we never really established the amount) in agreement to sell the stolen cows.  No one else from Utah, or Nevada would take them.  The first week we showed up, and I was so happy to see Marylynne and her kids, and Lane and Rosella.  It was actually a great time.  The owner of the sale barn was quite upset, but we had already cleared things with the sheriff.  We were doing nothing illegal, we just had to make sure to stay clear of the road, and stay off of the sale barn property.  The next week we went again, and by then the story had broken nationwide.  There was a ton of people, we had donuts, and people donating subway sandwiches.  It was also Moroni's birthday.  Ryan gathered everyone together, talked about Captain Moroni, and everyone sang to him.  Ryan then rushed back south.  I spacily left my wallet at a Taco Bell in Richfield.  This was the last straw.  I had a come apart of sorts.  Thankfully, my Dad came over, brought cash for my girls to take to Disneyland, and then went and got my wallet.  Yep, that is the kind of Dad I have. 
     Gary came up from Mesa, and I was so grateful to have him here.  He kept me laughing, and it was good to have a friend.  Because my phone number changed, I didn't hear from most people and that made me feel very alone.  I still had all of the day to day things to do.  The girls had a ballet recital.  They all did a very good job.  Jams and Sags also had their Disneyland trip in the middle of the whole thing.  It was so hard to stay home and do normal things, when I knew my family was in danger.  I was also very nervous and scared.  My Dad came over and gave me a blessing.  In that blessing he promised me that my loved ones would come out alive and ok.  This provided a ton of comfort.  I was on an emotional roller coaster.  I couldn't sleep, or eat but just felt nervous most of the time.
     Saturday rolled around.  I had spent the night with my parents because I wanted to spend time with Gary, and Cliven and Ammon were on the Sean Hannity show.  I really enjoyed watching them.  Cliven was also on Sean Hannity's radio program and in spite of the fact that he was losing his voice, he did an incredible job.  A woman called and told him that she was praying for our family.  Cliven kind of choked up, and told her how much those prayers were being heard and answered.  It was totally true too.  Angels had been seen at a rally, most people had felt a spirit that they couldn't explain. Even Sean Hannity's assistant, a man they refer to as "Sweet Baby James" said, "there is something about this man, I just want to help him."  I was amazed at all that was happening to my family.
     As I was saying, Saturday came, I had a feeling that Ryan was going to go and demand the cattle back that day.  I knew that tensions were going to be high.  I went home and tried to regroup and get the kids ready to head south.  My plans were to leave my kids with Doug.  I had not been able to reach him that morning, though and my nerves just got more and more tense.  We finally loaded up, and went up to get fuel.  I called Ryan,  I had actually heard and Fox News that Cliven and the BLM had reached an agreement, and that the BLM were going to leave.  He explained that this was not the case, and that tensions were extremely high.  At this point militia men had come from around the country to protect the family from the BLM agents.  I told him that I was on my way.  He immediately called me back and told me not to come.  WHAT???  I wanted to be there with him.  I knew that he was going to go and demand the cows back, I knew he had been inspired to do this, but I also don't like to question him when he asks me to do something.  I was praying non stop and going crazy.  Serious basket case.  I knew the danger of the situation.  I knew that those men were heavily armed.  I knew Ryan was going to be making the demands.  I kept telling myself to have faith, but it was hard to calm down.  I was also getting extremely frustrated with Mo.  Lately he has just been making up names for stuff...it is then up to us to try to figure out what it is that he wants.  He had been demanding "mills" all morning.  I was pretty keyed up, and maybe not as patient as usual.  I finally determined that "mills" were strawberries.  What kind of a joke is that?  They don't even come close to sounding alike at all.  A few evenings before he had bawled and bawled for "daw daw".  I had gone through everything I could think of that might possibly be a "daw daw".  I finally told Sags that her job was to figure out what the heck he wanted.  It was chocolate...hmm should have known.
     Anyhow, Ryan finally called me when the whole stand-off was over.  He said that things got really hot for a few minutes, but that everyone had knelt in prayer, and everyone had faith that things could end peacefully.  Our cowboys and crowd still faced down the real possibilities of being shot (they were threatening) and that the cowboys did ride up into the compound and drove the cows down the wash and toward the ranch.  It was quite the triumph and quite the show.  Incredible pictures and stories were posted about the whole situation.  Everyone involved felt the power and protection from God.  How I wish I had been there, but I understand that it was no place for children.  I had no child care at that point.  Anyhow, I am proud of my husband.  So many miracles were seen.  It truly was incredible.
  We headed down after that.  We spent time, feeding all of the doggie calves, the kids swam in the river, and it was nice to be with Ryan for a short time.  I did return home because Jams and Sags had been dropped off, and the kids had two days of school to attend.  We returned on Wednesday where I cooked and cleaned.  I did all of the meals for those who were at the ranch.  There were still militia men, and people, reporters, and kids in and out nonstop.  My kids swam in the ditch, then swam in the river.  They helped with doggie calves, and they made new friends.  They had an awesome spring break.  Thank goodness for all of the brave people who flocked to our aid.  I had no idea how many good hearted people there are out there.  Seriously, I bawl every time I think about it.  The one thing that was hard was, I wanted desperately to be with Ryan.  My kitchen responsibilities made that impossible.  He was down at the rally sight most of the time.  He had also gone down to dig up the mass grave of cattle that they found.  Most of the time I couldn't even get him on the phone.  We have been separated for a good solid month at this point.  We have seen each other very little, and I have missed him terribly.
     We had a great party on Fridee night.  There were several bands in line to play, cowboy poetry, and several barbecue grills set up to feed everyone.  There was also a guy who donated matchbox cars for all of the little boys.  This was absolutely brilliant.  It kept Mo happy all evening.  The party was quite the fiasco in a lot of ways.  I had all of my kiddos to watch, and I had three of Mel's.  With the crowd, and no fences, watching all of the kids became next to impossible.  I was so grateful that Gary had come back up with Ivers and cute Julia.  They were a ton of help.  Chlo and Prestlie weren't too difficult.  They found a pile of rocks and played and played.  Prestlie informed me that they were Big Horn Sheep to begin with.  Big Horn Sheep with pixie dust...they would throw dirt and this was the pixie dust.  They were also frogs at one point, ladybugs among other things.  They stuck to their boulders for the most part.  Everyone else however just wanted to roam.  I would let them disappear for awhile and then feel the need to at least check on them.  I lost Montana for good at one point and about panicked.  Luckily Mel had located her.  Needless to say, when Mo threw his tired fit, I was ready to go to bed.  A lot of fun, but a ton of work. 
     Sunday was a lovely day.  I love Easter.  I got up early and cooked everyone breakfast.  Ryan informed me that we had to get the kids ready for shrsh, and pack everything up because we were leaving as soon as the meetings were over.  We also wanted to have church with all of our supporters.  It was incredible to get everyone together and hear everyone's testimony.  We had Baptists, and Christians of all kinds.  I know that there were some atheists who were questioning what it was they had seen and felt on the day of the stand-off.  I loved meeting with them.  Their spirit is incredible. 
    A big mistake was made by Arden before we entered the shrsh building in Bunkerville.  He gave Mo about six cars.  We were a little bit late, so we ended up in the back in the loud and echo-y gym area.  Those cars clunked and clanked and crashed.  They made way too much noise.  Then Mo threw a huge fit.  HUGE.  I took him out, and Ryan came out to take over.  Unfortunately at that point a police officer from Mesquite came in and threw a fit about some of our militia men attending church with us....WHAT?  He called Metro, and it was simple because no laws were being broken.  This gentleman was irate however, and Ryan ended up missing most of shrsh to deal with him.
     I know that things are still pretty chaotic down south.  I am just trying to get some clothes washed and my home cleaned after all of the tension and craziness.  I will never forget those who prayed for us, and who came to be with us.  I will also never forget those who at least asked about and worried about our safety and well being.  I saw bravery and hero's like I have never seen before.  I am grateful that we are free enough still to make some changes in our country.  I understand that many just think we are tax avoiding law breakers, and I am glad that we live in a country where they can have a different opinion.  I have cried and cried at the goodness of so many.  It has also been good for me to remember to love those who don't agree with us.  That might be the best lesson I ever get out of this. 

 Mo and Chlo protesting the agreement so sell our cattle at R Livestock in Monroe UT

 Mo with his birthday gift

 Jazz and Natalie Easter egg hunting in the hay stack

 again

 Mo and his birthday basketball

 Birthday Mo

 Oak Easter egg hunting in the haystack

 Bottle feeding one of the many calves that were dogied out of the BLM gather

 Kids being squirrely at the party

 Rooshkie, Emma, and Bentlie

 Favorite friend, Julia, Mo and one of the many matchbox cars he acquired during the evening.

     I am currently trying not to shriek at Oak who just keeps banging into everything in sight.  It is all the clanking and clunking that kind of sets my nerves on edge.  It would make sense that nothing would get me on edge, but apparently not.
     With all of the trouble brewing down south, I have been kind of a nervous wreck.  Ryan has been down there all week, and everyone is posting all kinds of updates on facebook.  We keep hoping and praying for the best.  I guess at this point, the BLM has blocked the whole range off (from Bunkerville to Lake Meade) and contract cowboys have set up camp.  Ryan has been helping his Dad, and trying to manage his job at the same time.  I keep hoping for a miracle.
     In the meantime, I have been trying to maintain our routine at home until we are needed.  It seems that all of the end of year stuff seems to be hitting earlier and earlier.  The kids had a spring concert, I had to go pay the final bill on Jams and Sags Disneyland trip, we had activity days, dance, guitar, Young Women's, Women's Confernce, and the list goes on and on. 
     With Ryan being gone, the one thing keeping me upbeat and going was my phone.  I was able to receive encouraging texts from my Dad, and uplifting phone calls from my Mom.  My brother Gary can always get me laughing and I was so grateful for the phone calls. Ryan has never been a real phone conversationalist, but I really wanted to be updated as to what was going on at the ranch too. This all ended Thursdee when my phone slipped off of the windowsill and into my dishwater.  Poof....all of those things were gone.  I did order another phone, but it is crazy how much I depended on that little device to keep me going.  Enough Boo hooing about my problems, but hey, life isn't all supposed to be fun and games, and we are definitely passing through some trials right now.  I am grateful for the knowledge, that if we keep praying things really will work out all right.  My imagination is huge though, and when I picture what is going on down south, I can scare myself and work up my emotions in a large way.  All it takes is another prayer, and I really feel like everything is going to be ok.
     We had some interesting things happen with the kids last week.  The home teachers stopped by which is always an adventure.  Chlo came into the living room wearing a teeny tiny nightgown.  I don't think it has fit her since the 1960's.  It barely covered her little underwear.  I was really quite mortified because our home teacher brings his teenage son with him.  I told Chlo to go and get some other clothes on.  She just gave me a "deer in the headlights" look.  I told her over and over to go and get something that covered her body...she seemed to be in a daze.  Finally a threat of some sort got her moving.  She took quite awhile in her room, and came out in a tiger costume.  Much better.  At least it covered her up.  She then proceeded to bawl and bawl until Rooshkie gave her a brownie.
     Oak came home from kindergarten one afternoon making all kinds of odd demands.  He demanded a pet bird and a mo-ped, and would not give up the begging for these items.  I must admit that I was quite flabbergasted.  Are we all going to start wearing porkpie hats too?  A mo-ped?  Has he ever even ridden on one?  How does he even know what a mo-ped is?  A pet bird????  I know a lot of people who own cute birds that make happy little noises, but believe me, in my smallish home with my largeish family....we have plenty of noise and chatter.  I finally had to just put my foot down about his requests.
     I can honestly say that the Spring Concert was a complete and utter fiasco.  Without Ryan there, they were way more than I could handle.  I purchased all of the little ones a bag of popcorn in the hope that they would sit quietly and munch on their popcorn....oh no.  Mo knocked his over and dumped his first thing, and everyone else ate theirs before the concert even began.  In the beginning of all of the welcome speech, and all of the blah blah blah about keeping kids quiet, and not leaving early etc. Sage came and wanted me to keep track of her ipod.  This turned out to be kind of a bad thing.  Oak grabbed it first thing and began playing a game on it.  This only made Mo, Chlo, and Jazz squwak.  Of course they all had to have a turn and then they would hound, and whine, and moan until it was their turn.  Mo's turn came around, and it was a big deal because I haven't a clue about how to help him play.  He wanted to play "Wreck it Ralph" because he has seen the movie.  Well, I have never spacily seen the movie or played the game and I just didn't get how it was supposed to work.  Oak grabbed the ipod to try to show Mo how to play which caused a huge commotion out of Mo.  I was about ready to scream at this point.  A nice tall couple sat in front of us too, so I heard nothing but "I cannot see!"  loudly from all of the kids over and over.  Whenever Chlo's turn would roll around for the ipod, she would turn the games up extremely loud.  She would refuse to turn it down.  I kept telling her to go in the back and play if she insisted on turning the sound up.  In response to this she would sit right behind my chair and play with coins clinking, and jumps sounding out loudly.
     Rooshkie's orchestra class was the first to perform, and she did a really good job.  I recognized the songs as some that Jams used to play.  I was so glad when she was done, because this meant that I would have an extra pair of hands to help me juggle kids.  Well, she didn't realize how bad she was needed and went up in the front and sat on the floor.  This turned into a problem because I didn't allow any of the other ones to sit up front.  I know I have mentioned some of the problems that we have had with kids sitting up front.  (Jazzerz crabwalking up onto the stage backwards, and Oak being in the way of the choir conductor.)  Finally Oak wandered back in the very back.  There was a girl from his class that was standing by the chair cart.  They were swinging playfully on the lower rungs of the chair holders.  Perfect, I thought!  Oak had been causing me most of the grief with all of his begging about not getting enough time on the ipod.  The two young friends weren't climbing the chair cart, they were quietly swinging upright, with their feet usually brushing the ground.  Of course, just as soon as I get him happily occupied, some busybody has to go and tell him to get off.  I was quite perturbed at her.  I was standing right there by him, with a squirming mass of a Mo.  I wanted Oak on the chair cart, and I am his Mom.  If he was hurting it in any way, or if he was going to get hurt, I would have stopped him.  Busybodies and I are gonna tangle someday soon.  If I hadn't been so preoccupied with Mo and his sideways squirms, I would have said something to her about him playing on it all he wants.  I would gladly be responsible for paying for any damages to him or the cart....I would have gladly signed a chair cart waiver if that is what it took.  The chair cart only offered me about five minutes of precious listening time.
     Needless to say, I was way happy with my older kids.  Jams and Sags sang in the choir, Rooshkie played her violin, Jams played her violin, and Sags played her flute.  They are just getting better and better.  I am glad that we were there, and that I at least got to hear some of it.  Next time I really ought to hire a babysitter for the little ones.  I just always feel like my kids should have their big family all there cheering them on.
We survived with probably quite a bit of irritation from the folks who were unfortunate enough to have to sit around the kids and I.
     Ryan surprised me Sunday morning by coming home.  I mentioned that my phone has kept me from having any contact with him.  I was way glad that he came home to attend shrsh with us.  Apparently he had headed home way late, and had gotten too tired to drive any further at the Black Ridge.  He had pulled over and curled up under a Cedar tree.  I don't believe that I have ever been tired enough to curl up under a Cedar tree and sleep soundly.  Anyhow, he seemed quite exhausted when he came home.  He went in and slept until shrsh.  This turned into a problem later because he usually oversees the boys and their shrsh attire.  Everyone was piled in the van when a disheveled Oak came to me whining about his boots.  Great...I love last minute problems.  I finally found two boots that I thought were the same and instructed him to put them on in the car.  We flew out of the house, and Oak immediately began whining to me about something.  I had encountered enough problems that morning that I really attempted to tune him out.  Sometimes I think that if I just don't listen, they will figure out how to resolve the problem on their own.  Well, we pull into the parking lot and Oak is still whining about boots.  I kind of let him know that he was just going to have to make them work for the day.  Anyhow, when I finally did pay him some attention I found that he had two right boots.  One was Chloee's and so it was about 2 sizes too small....great.  I had to run him home where I ran around and around the house.  All I could find were his clompy snow boots.  This is what he wore.
     Ryan kind of shook his head when Oak came walking in.  He had his hair standing on end, his shirt untucked and he clod hoppered wherever he walked.  He really got lost in the mix this week.  Anyhow Ryan took him aside, combed his hair, tucked his shirt in, and aside from his boots he looked pretty presentable.  We had some good testimonies borne this week and it was kind of problematic because I kind of spacily lost track of the kids.  I remember Jazzerz going to the bathroom, and Rooshkie taking a disruptive Mo out, but that is it.  All I know is that I looked around me at one point and Jams and Sags were the only ones on the bench with Ryan and I.  I sent Jams out to round everyone up.  Anyhow, when they all came trailing in, I frowned.  I think that they all got together and got banging around the gym or something.  Oak was looking like he had put his head on the floor and ran around that way.  His hair was all static-y and sticking up, his shirt was untucked again, and those blasted moon boots did nothing for his nice Sundee attire.  Ryan got him fixed back up, but wow, what are we in shrsh for people?
     Well, it is back to reality, and I am telling you, Rooshkie made a huge red jello after shrsh which ended up being a huge mess.  I think Mo spread that stuff as far and wide as he could.  I stepped in a glob of it in the night which didn't please me a whole lot.  A kind lady in the ward brought over some leftover birthday cake from her granddaughter's party, and we ended up eating it for our fhe treat.  The problem is, Mo was mistaken in thinking that the frosting was "bone glack" and he rubbed it all over his feet.  Seriously Mo?  Who frosts their cake with bone glack?