John Deere Heaven

Heaven...I'm in Heaven...I just got a John Deere blanket, shirt, movie & 1962 1010 JD special for my birthday. Imagine, little 'ole me bein' tickled green and yella by all things John Deere. Shucks, call me crazy, but I think every kid needs a two cylinder Johnny Popper amongst their trains, planes and them thar Wii Play Stations. I mean come on, a Johnny gets to play in the dirt all day, dig thangs up, cut crops down and spray water and manure everywhere. And if he's really lucky, he'll get shined & polished for the Pioneer Day Parade in July. That's when a good 'ole JDT has really hit the big time.

I told my Ma, when I growed up, that I like to be a tractor driver. Right now, I'm a little short to reach the peddles of my grandpas tractor, but he lets me steer that beautiful piece of machinery around his field when I visit.

On my own time, I get plenty of drivin' in with my mini 8020 and '62 1010 special John Deere models. I drive them everywhere...in my room, in the kitchen, in the car. I've tried sneakin' 'em into church, but I ain't had no luck with that one. I thought Mama wouldn't mind if my 1010 & I snuggled in next to her and Daddy early this morning. But I guess he just wasn't as soft and cuddly as them sheets, pillas and blankets, so Mama took us down to the kitchen for an early oatmeal breakfast, instead of more shut eye.

I know exactly where to pick up "All About John Deere" picture shows at the library. And if I'm really polite like and beg just enough, Mama will let me watch the picture in the wagon on our way home. Gosh, she's so good to me.

Yep, I think being three years old and havin' my own set of mini farmin' machines, with a blanket and shirt to keep me warm on those cooler harvest nights, suits me just fine.

Honest. I ain't bluffin'. Liars don't get to go to John Deere Heaven.

It Came

It wasn't to be found in Utah over the Christmas break.

We have heard that it is scarce in the northwest of the U.S.

The season seems a might strange without it, but we are no strangers to it's crystal splendor.


It's texture is soft, yet chills your every touch. It can come as quietly as a mouse through a wall or make an entrance as bold as Beethoven's 5th Symphony in Vienna.

And when it first comes, what joy. What excitement. What thrill to become an angel, build a man of snow, slip and slide with ease and throw the uncontrollable snow ball!

It came.

"It came!"

Bits of Joy

Bits of Joy we've captured and will cherish for days to come...

Thanks to our family and friends who made our season so bright and merry!

Ready, Aim, Party

It was target practice at the Baxter Home the 13th of December. Six boys and a very eager 5 year old girl, filled their Nerf guns, to the hilt, with Styrofoam darts and much anticipation for an all out war. The adrenaline was thick the ammo abundant, but most importantly, the pure joy of a boy's birthday wish was coming true. Friends, games, goodies and presents are all he needed to lighten his step and lift his spirits.

First, a bit of target practice was in order for the troops. Lined up to test their skill, careful shots were fired towards a group of suspended balloon targets. The hanging globes shivered and quaked as their attackers flew by, pelting their big, red and black bellies from side to side, only to swing back in line to take another blow.After a quick army crawl to station #2, bullets were propelled toward 4 large window targets. The key to success here was to make it stick! Points would be awarded to the sharpest shooter of the bunch. Then as they drop their larger weapon, they grab a light weight automatic, ready to dash through enemy kitchen lines, and take out any red target showing it's pinned up face. No mercy.
And to finish the rigorous course, nearly out of breath, the sharp shooters jump into the closest fox hole, cocked and ready to pounce on any big bubble, crazy enough to slide down the Mount Everest of Stairs. No prisoners, no excuses, no room for error, these boys were trained and ready to do what they wanted to do the whole time while at the party...chase each other around and pow, pow, pow until the mommas came home to pick them up.

No prisoners, no cry babies, no memories lost.

Mission Accomplished!

Thank Heaven

Thank Heaven for kids who push your every button.
Who whine, cry and fight over everything but nothin'.
"Mom guess what he did?"
"No I didn't. You lie!"
"Now Angels, let's all sit and enjoy some lemon pie."


Thank Heaven for spilt milk and juice,
That graces the table when all hell breaks loose.
You think to burst, you want to cry,
But wait, he's grabbed the towel, ready to dry.
And what's another spot, another stain, another tear,
Bits and pieces of life need not hide but learn to share.


Thank Heaven for sleepless nights that never seem to end,
A wet bed, a leg ache or a simple need of a friend.
I'll sing you a song, a glass of water and say good night,
Another day gone, another day out of sight.
Is it all worth it to me, can I wake with hope enough,
To wipe away more tears and say, "E, Mai & Z, you've got the right stuff!"


I Thank Heaven, I thank God for sending my precious three,
I love them and they love me, a perfect place for spilt milk and insanity.

By The Way...

We've moved! We've taken the plunge and set sail to The Great Northwest. Aaron received the much anticipated letter of acceptance to a Law School in Portland and since August 1st we've set anchor to reside in a beautiful suburb of The Rose City. I've never seen so much moss in my life and never heard so many Canadian geese flying over my house in one day. I think the temperature reached 90 degrees 1 or 2 weeks this August, but other than that, you could say I live in a perfectly green, temperate paradise. We're not in the desert anymore, Toto.

I have found Oregonians a very eco-friendly people and all around great group to be with. Our neighbors are happy to give help and advice as to which stores to shop at and which pumpkins patches to visit.

We've visited the coast two or three times and each time has been spectacular. (Unless of course you’re a mighty 7 year old and think you can take any wave that comes your way, but oops that wave seemed to knock you over and fill your gut with seawater.) Good thing mom sticks close by and Dad is not far either to help build the traditional sandcastle.

E and Mai have loved their new school and especially riding the bus. Mom likes that perk also.

Adam has become king of the sidewalk with his red trike and black cowboy boots. He may even surprise you after sneaking out of naptime to reveal his true intent of playing the piano in black and green striped tights.

Aaron is close to finishing up his 1st semester of law. Extra prayers would be greatly appreciated for the sake of finals the first of December. Aaron also thought he'd join the Army just to keep this life change interesting. I do have to say, he looks good in a uniform. We're proud to serve our country.

Melissa has had a bit of a time getting settled with an unsettled tummy. Yes, a little Mr. or Miss is on its way to our household in the spring of next year. We're of course blessed and very excited to have a new baby.

So as we raise our flag and stake our claim we give thanks to the many who have made our life here possible. It takes a fleet of dear friends, family and unknowns to see a family off and welcome a family in to a new frontier a new way of life.

I thank the stars that continually guide us through tempest and storm. I thank heaven's power, which calms and comforts continually.

A few pictures to enjoy of our family in OR.

Ethan the 2nd grader & Maille ready for the BIG K.

Grandma & Grandpa Cahoon & Kids in the beautiful downtown leaves.

Me & My Little Bro. at the Farmer's Market. Our home away from home.

Grandma & Grandpa Baxter at Portland LDS Temple

Nixon, Vann & Kandis came to visit. We love BFFs.

Aaron & Adam traveling through wild mushroom country.

Maille blazing the trail through our downtown bike ride.

Our sweet cousins that are now just a hop, skip and a jump away. Yay.

We love Halloween

Really, can you tell a child that they have WAY TOO MUCH CANDY? You can try, but what undoubtedly will happen is a response even Willy Wonka would grin at, "Are you crazy Mom, I don't think there is enough candy in the world for me!" Alright fine, who am I to judge, restrict, confiscate or deny a child of enjoying one of his or her most sought after holidays of the year? I loved Halloween, my sisters and brothers loved Halloween. Free candy, awesome dress ups and parties are what made our little hearts race with delight. And so I say,"Let them eat candy, let them eat cake, they'll know when they're done when along comes BELLY ACHE!" Two hours later, "Oh, I'm sorry you don't feel so good honey. I'll just keep this bucket of candy in a safe place until you get better." (Under mine and Daddy's bed...wink wink.)
We hope everyone had a fabulous sugar filled weekend. We of course missed trick or treating with our loved ones, but The Black Ninja, Vampire and Model A Farmer are adjusting and making more and more friends, in Oregon, every day.