I finally got my web design website up and running www.CactusFlowerWebDesign.com. It will be a couple of weeks before it's perfect, and you can find it on Google. But it's there none the less! Check it out!

Heather is caught up with her schoolwork from last year, and Sam and Savanah should be caught up by Monday, so they will have a few days of summer left - just enough to get ready for next year. But it has been a valuable lesson for them - Procrastination is NOT FUN!!

Ginger is due to have her puppies tomorrow, and Button is due on the 4th, so we will be swimming with puppies when the new school year starts on Aug. 11th. I have enrolled everyone in Arizona Distance Learning, I think it will be fun - but a lot of work too!

By the way - know anyone with a computer they aren't using? I've been using either my mom's or Don's computer for the last year and I'll need one of my own for the school and for the web design business. Just can't afford a new one right now.

Heather and her new bird, Glory.


Glory is afraid of the camera (and everything
else)!


Princess after her grooming at Poochini Pet
Salon.


Pippin BEFORE he got groomed. His cut needs
to be fixed before I can add the after pictures!


Caianna with her good friend Iona Packer.

Here's the last of a few pictures for now. Or, the way they get uploaded to the blog it looks like the first.......

Heather and her Shih Tzu, Princess (Princess is
playing with Heather's necklace - really cute!)


Samantha & Heather posing for a silly picture
in their messy teenage girl bedroom!


If you didn't laugh at this picture (of Savanah),
you have serious mental problems!


Savanah & Princess posing for a sweet pic.


Say cheeeeeeeeeeeese!

Here are some fun, random pictures. Of all the gifts Savanah got for her birthday, she has never had more fun than she has had with her camera. Don and I are always sure to get a good laugh at the "silly face" pictures she takes of herself and gets others to pose for!

Panning for Gold


Looking dorky, but keeping cool!


Obstacle coarse!


BB Gun Range (Ammon got 2 bulls-eyes)!


More panning for gold - Looks like Ammon does more watching than panning!


The boys had so much fun at Day Camp in Phoenix, they had tons of activities including archery, shooting BB guns, panning for gold, an obstacle coarse, swimming and water balloon wars. The boys brought spray bottles for water guns, Don cleaned out and brought a big old soap bottle - needless to say, when they "misted us" we drenched them - that was fun!

Ammon getting into the plane for a 30 minute ride

He will even get to fly the plane for a few minutes!

Ammon shooting a bow at Father's & Son's

Now a sling-shot, he must be a boy or something!

Ammon and Dad after a long day full of fun!

I have some finishing touches (like my logo) to do on my new Shih Tzu website, but it's finally done! Click on the link to the left to see it.

I finally uploaded some new pictures (from Father's & Son's & Cub Scout's Day Camp) of Ammon and his adventures, and the rest of the kids (including some pretty funny pictures of Savanah, I'll also include some pictures of Heather's new bird and the dogs after they were groomed!

Since my last post, I've created a few more websites. This is something that I enjoy - almost as much as driving, and since the price of gas... well that's a pathetically over-discussed topic. Anyway, the girls are almost caught up with their schoolwork from last year. If they hurry, they may get 2, maybe 3 weeks of summer vacation. I have wondered these last few months where they get their procrastination from - certainly not me! I'm a doer! Unless your talking about cleaning my room. I love getting things done! Unless it means being outside in the heat. I love waking up to a clean house every morning! Unless I'm the one up all night cleaning it. I think you see where I'm going with this.

Do you ever feel like your spending all your time trying to figure everyone else out, when things might go a little easier if you could just figure out yourself first?

Don and I have decided to go on a juice fast soon. I can't wait, I think I'm missing a few things in my diet, which makes me tired - a lot! But it doesn't seem to bother the baby, that little thing is always doing a dance on my bladder!

I got my first "Oh, are you having twins!?" question a few weeks ago. But the most common response to my pregnancy from friends is, "You're showing! When are you due?" (November) "Oh... well there's nowhere for the baby to go, but out." Of course, they don't take into account that my stomach muscles have done this 6 other times and could need a tune up!

I saw my sister-in-law Heather yesterday (who is at least a full foot taller than me), she is due a few weeks after me, but she's hardly showing, poor thing is just starting like her clothes don't fit right. While I look like I'm having septuplets - one at a time!

I actually enjoy the funny (bordering on rude) comments from little old ladies who"know these things". During my last pregnancy, I got comments like: "Oh, I've been through this before, believe me, you'll deliver anytime!" when I still have 3 months to go. I also got a few "oh, you're having twins, believe me, I know these things." But nothing is funnier than when I reply, "Oh really? You see, I've already been through this 5 times (6 now) and so far the only person who has successfully predicted my delivery date is my midwife, and I've always been a one-bun-burner." About all I get is a look of bewilderment, because how could they possibly be wrong about someone they've never met?

Oh, well. It's at least entertaining if nothing else. It's funny to me the things people do. Everyone has to be an expert on one thing or another. But the people I've enjoyed watching the most, are the quietly confident people, who have no need to draw attention to themselves, and go through life successfully building people up, and smiling for no reason. Who seem to be content with what they have, who they love, and what they are in the moment doing. THOSE are amazing people! Someday, I hope to be one of those people... maybe tomorrow!

I still haven't downloaded the pictures of the day camp we did with the scouts, but I'll add some as soon as I do. I've been working on an "official" website for Don for Arizona Flyer Company. It's nowhere near done, but it's a start. We still need to upload our portfolio, and I'm sure Don will make enough changes to it to make it read well and look awesome. But if you want to see the beginnings of it the address (for now) is www.azflyers.homestead.com. By Monday is will just be azflyers.com. Once I get that up and running, I'm going to sell my website services to at least 3 businesses, create their websites, then I will be free to create "official" websites for my Boxer, Yorkies & Shih Tzu puppies. I still haven't decided if I want to do one site for all of them or keep them separate. Button (our female Shih Tzu) was in heat last week, so we bred her to Zuda (Suzie's stud), and this week a friend dropped her Boxer (Roxy) off for the weekend to spend some time with Mader. We seem to be a pretty busy bunch this week. But I don't fool myself into thinking that it will slow down anytime soon. There's always something to keep us busy and out of trouble (or in it, depending on how you look at it).

Don and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary last Tuesday. We laid in bed and watched movies till the sun came up. "27 Dresses" was the favorite of the evening. So it wasn't the most adventurous anniversary, but that will come next weekend. We found a hotel room in Flagstaff, where we will stay Friday, and attend a dog show on Saturday. We're even taking Darcy, I'm making him some little bows, and I got him a cute little t-shirt for the occasion.

Here are some fun facts about Don and I that you may not know:
Don was born on Aug. 23rd - I was born on Aug 20th.
Don's full first name is Donald, but he goes by Don - My full first name is Fawn'Rel (don't ask), but I go by Fawn (so our names rhyme).
Don's middle name is LeGrand - my middle name is Lee, and now we share the same last name! Don is the second of 12 children, I am the second of 2 children.
Don thinks before speaking, and I speak before thinking!

The list could go on and on, but I'll just say that some things were meant to be! So, I guess I'll keep him at least another 10 years or so!

We want to get a picture for our anniversary, so we'll have to do that soon. When we do I'll add it to our blog. Today Don and Ammon are heading out for a Fathers and Sons overnight camp out. Ammon wanted to bring Mader, but Dad said no. It's probably for the best though, because Ammon will be spending too much time doing other things. I'm sending them with a camera, so I'll add pics of that outing too!

Just couldn't resist adding this pic!


Can you believe what Pippin will put
up with for a little attention - is that
a smile I see under all that hair?

The dogs don't seem to appreciate getting their
pictures taken, but the kids are just little suckers
for that camera! Too cute!

This has been a great day - for DON! He loves the rain, but it doesn't help me load my furniture and misc. items to take to donate at the DI. I was also going to haul a load to the dump! Sam wanted to go anyway, but I don't consider sliding down the muddy hills at the dump a good time!

The girls (Sam, Heather & Savanah) went to get their braces adjusted this morning, so now their moaning about only being able to eat applesauce, yogurt, or anything that doesn't have to be chewed, poor babies. I think they would know real pain if they had to pay the BILL!

Savanah came home excited because she and Heather have been in a "race" to see who gets their braces off soonest. Heather was pretty confident since she's 18 mos. older. But she still has one slow-poke tooth that hasn't dropped yet and the Dr. told Savanah that the next time she comes in they will take x-rays, do some minor adjustments and the visit after that (probably September) she will have them off! Poor Heather turns 16 in September and was hoping to get them off before she started dating, but she's adorable anyway and I doubt it will stop the boys from asking her on a few dates, maybe it will slow them down from trying to kiss her... maybe I'll tell the Dr. to just keep them on till their, oh, say...25!

Today I spent some time posting ads for studding Darcy (my cute little Yorkie) and Mader (my cute, not so little Boxer). It's time consuming, but hopefully with good results!

Now I'm off to take a shower and probably get struck by lightening - I never did look good with a perm!

The girls had to dress in Book of Mormon times
This is a pic. of all of us before they left.


Here's a pic of some of there friends there at the
Conference.


Here's a pic of Heather with one of her friends.


This is a pic. of Katelynn at the Family Camp
Out.


This is a pic. of Sam with one of Bond's kids at
the Family Camp Out.

Do you ever feel like things get too complicated? Or wonder why it couldn't be more simple? The last couple of weeks have been good and hard. We've had lots of shifting and changing going on. I think it has something to do with mixing up priorities, or not seeing the whole picture. Concentrating on the little things, instead of realizing that in the vast scheme of things, this one issue won't change the blessings the Lord has in store for us unless we allow it to consume us and lose our focus on the goals that really matter.

For the rest of this week, and possibly many weeks to come, we will be working in "blessing" our home. Getting rid of things we don't need and making more room to enjoy the times we spend here. I have some plans to paint, replace doors, and re-tile, but we may run out of money before we run out of repairs. So we'll see how it goes. I will post before and after pictures when it's done.

On another note, I'm posting pictures of the girl's Youth Conference, and the Ward Family Camp Out.

The camp out was fun, but I couldn't bring Darcy, who has a camp out that doesn't allow dogs!? Needless to say, we came home early!

A lot has happened since I last wrote. Sam turned 17, my mom moved into our master bedroom and the house looks like a tornado hit it... well, actually it looks like Mom spent the last 10 weeks in bed and the kids (and Dad) were left to fend for themselves!

But now I'm feeling much better and even though my energy doesn't seem to work for me till around 4PM and dies around 4:15PM, I'm still managing to get a few things done.

The girls went to Youth Conference (and had a blast - pictures and more about that later) and are now grounded from going ANYWHERE and have to get up at 5AM (which is saying a lot for them) and go to bed by7PM till they get caught up on their homework, this may sound extreme, but after being 3 months behind for most of the school year, they're actually working on it.

This week I have the kids really scared because I pulled out my Fly Lady "Control Journal" and started talking to them about routines again.

Have I mentioned that I just LOVE that program? I swear, it can turn chaos into a total dream in a matter of days! Very cool, check it out!

Last night Don and I took Katelynn to our Serrano's date and got a picture (I'll have to scan it in to upload it later). She got a fun little Mexican dish and a flan. Our date was pretty late because don had to work a game and I was with Sam at her cheer try-outs at Westwood H.S.

Jordan was with us, I planned to drive him home, but stopped at Petco and Greenbacks first. Then on the way back I spotted Don pulling into the driveway, so I pulled in.

Earlier Jordan "egged" our yard with plastic Easter eggs to ask Sam to prom in a couple of weeks. I think it was fun for him to watch Sam pick up all the eggs. Then we went inside and visited for a while, we danced a couple of dances. Then I drove Jordan home, and met Don at my mom's house to drop off her car (I had it all day because I took her to the hospital again - she was there Monday too, she's been pretty sick lately). After we dropped off her car, we went to Serrano's while Sam made a Strawberry cake with Vanilla Pudding frosting. When we got home, the girls spent some time with us while I got ready for bed, then they took over the cake ceremony, as I had no energy left!

Then today, we got up and went to Kiwanis park and had a birthday party for Sam, Savanah, Caianna, Katelynn, D.J. and Christopher. They rode bikes, a paddle boat, ate lots of food and opened gifts, we were there from noon to a little after 3pm, but everyone was tired by the time we were done. It was fun to spend time with them. We got DJ a shirt that said "The only difference between you and me is that I'm a genius that will someday rule the world and you're just an idiot." Everyone got a pretty good laugh out of that one. We got Christopher a B.B. gun and Byron guessed that Grandpa got it for him, then guessed Uncle Don got it for him. I think he was pretty surprised when Christopher opened the card.

The older girls got mostly cash (which I'm hoping they will use on cameras), and the little girls got dolls and stuffed animals and purses - lots of things that little girls love.

So now we're at home and I'm making Sam do 4 Math assignments before I'll take her out to spend her money (I'm so mean). It's getting pretty late, so we'll probably end up going on Monday instead.

Okay, sorry, this story starts a few blogs down, so to get the story from the top, scroll down to the birthday cake and work your way up.

(Back to the story) Needless to say, the last part of the day was much more rewarding for Savanah than the first part.

Also, Rich and Lynzie sent Savanah a flute (which she loves and uses every day), Sister Crandall sent a gift bag over with Sister Waggoner (who drove me to the store, and picked up some flowers for Savanah while we were there).

Then Dad came home, and the real party started! The girls LOVE dancing with Dad!

So after eating the cake and talking, we put a Jericho Road CD into the stereo and turned it up for some fun family dancing. As I sat there watching the children all dancing together I smiled to myself and wondered "how many families with children ranging in age from 16 to 3 could all be happy dancing together to an LDS music CD" then I thought "only this family could pull off something so unconventional and have so much fun, this is great!"

,

The beginning of Savanah's birthday was a little disappointing for her. We have a tradition of going to Serrano's for a little dinner date with each of the children, where they get a free desert and a picture in a Mexican hat. Grandma Conover needed a last minute ride to a doctor's appt. in Scottsdale, so we had to get a quick picture and box our food and eat it in the car. Then later Don went to the Sun's game to work.

So later, I got a ride to the store to pick up some party essentials, while Sam made a cake and the pudding I made was chilling.

We made a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and decorated it with 14 candles, lit them up and sang Happy Birthday in our own little family birthday party and dance!