Meet Oreo

Kaedell took this picture. I fell in love with it, so I stole it off Facebook. I thought it was the cutest picture ever.

Meet Oreo.

For Christmas Eden and Corbin got two hamsters. Two boys, Speedy, and Fuzzy.

The other night I went over to Kaedell's to discover Speedy giving birth to babies. So much for the two male hamster theory!  Speedy morphed into a female. Fuzzy did what boys do best. Then there were babies.

Thanks to Speedy giving birth to 7 children, now Em and Craig's kids are getting a hamster too. They had to earn the money to buy him. Grandma and Grandpa chipped in. When you're a kid, life is all about having pets and bugging your parents. When you are a grandparent, life is all about helping your grandchildren bug their parents. Hahahahaha

Kaedell picked out Oreo just special for the cousins. He is... m e l l o w! If you're going to get a hamster, you want a mellow one.

I asked Em if she wanted two hamsters. Oreo has a twin. I told her she should get them both.

Her reply . . ."No thanks Mom, we don't want babies!"

Hahahaha, I just laughed and laughed!

I love life with kids! And life gets even better with Grandkids!

More Side Blog Updates

Still updating the side of the blog.

Sweet Little Girl!

Alidorable......

These kids are growing up too fast!

Em I need to take a picture of your Whole family!

More Updates

I love this family picture!

Everybody wants an update on the side of the blog!

Kaedell reminded me her children have grown a bit.

Looking good in your Bear Lake blue!

Update complete!

Need Updated?

I don't pay much attention to the side of my blog.

I put an 'old' 'new' picture up of Gav and Caroline up.

The next thing I knew Missy was wanting an update also.

I can see why, Baylee is almost 2!

Good grief!

Today I got looking at all the pictures.

I'm a little behind!

This is absolutely the cutest picture of Baylee.

It's going to long be a favorite of mine.

But the tulips are coming.

Get ready kids!

I know my children are not going to want to hear this.

Time for me to take your picture again!

hahahahah

I can hear them complaining already!

Snap, snap - I'm going to be tracking all of you down!

I love it!

An excuse to get behind the lens! 

This is me grinning!!!!!

Springville Museum Of Art

It was Thursday! We were nearing the end of opportunity!

We jumped in the car and drove speedy fast to Springville.

Planning and preparation can be a key element of success in many things.

OK, IN EVERYTHING! 

We're not very good at planning or preparing for that matter.

We're birds, we fly by the seat of our tail feathers! 

We failed to plan and therefore arrived five minutes after the museum closed.

YES,  a whole STINKING FIVE MINUTES!
When you fail to plan,
one minute or five, it matters not!

I am a person who believes whole heartedly in.....

"Where there's a will there's a way!"

Meet the nicest person ever! Natalie, your wonderful!

We found her in a window.

We tapped and murmured words in the glass.

She held up her hand with five fingers.
She was smiling!

This signified, she was a woman with heart and she was going to 

give us a whole five uninterrupted minuets in the museum!

I promised I'd buy a membership in support of her work.

I'm mailing it today!

Love this lady! She's now part of my "Awesome Person" list!

She gave us so much more than five minutes!

She gave us the grand tour!

It was like we were suddenly transformed into dignitaries,

with our own private showing!

Thank you again Natalie!!! You gave us a wonderful memory!

Des, you are officially and ARTIST!

The yellow tag next to the picture declares it so!

I was so excited when I saw Desi's work hanging in a real live museum!

I am a proud mother! I have 8 children!

They are always making me proud!

It always feels good to see your children succeed in the things they are pursuing.

Also congratulations Des on your achievement award you received Wednesday night,

for being published in the Howl Chronicles.

Deserey's picture, "Leaf on Fire"

was selected for the book.

She also has another piece of art that was chosen

for a a local art show right here in Ogden.

(More coming on that)

This piece features Anna.

The kids at school have been asking Desi where she got all of 

her cute pictures of the children she is drawing for her college concentration. 

Des has lettered in English as well as Art.

For her concentration she chose pictures of children.

These children are all her nieces.

Sometime I'll get a picture of the collection. It's wonderful. 

Each piece is done in Ink with a small portion of the picture being painted in color. 

Each piece is painted with coffee.

It's been fascinating to watch each picture unfold.

KEEP CREATING DESI LOU! IT'S THE BEST PART OF LIFE!

So here it is!

My plug for the Springville Museum of Art

This is an amazing museum.

Founded in 1903, the Springville Museum of Art is a nonprofit fine arts

institution focusing on Utah art.

The building has been remodeled and is an awesome place to visit.

Check out their family membership for 40 dollars

or a single membership for 25.

Plan a visit.

You won't be sorry!

New Picture On The Blog

The other day Caroline made a request.
"Can you change my fishing picture on the blog."
But you're so cut in that picture Cardine!
Ok, request honored!

This is a beautiful Picture to put in it's place!

A Day Made Of Glass

Wow, man with a drill! When are we building this house? This post is actually complements of Gage! Hope I live long enough to see it! Awesome video! I only have one reserve... finger prints?

Once Around The Horn

Once Around The Horn from Faye Crowther on Vimeo.

I'm not sure after today, whether or not my choice was an intelligent one, but regardless, I am entered in the Little Red Riding Hood all women's bike race. I signed up to do my first 1/2 century. Today I cracked out my bike for the first time since winter. Wow, after today, I'm a little worried. I can see I'm going to have lots of work ahead of me.
I like to record my life, so in a fun attempt to do so, hope you enjoy my corny videos.
Learning the ropes of being out on the road on a bike is no small feat. I have new respect for bikers. Today just to clarify my route, "Around the horn" is a term my dad coined. After my dad could no longer drive, he liked anyone and everyone to take him for a ride out Tokyo Way, up 4000 north, down past Smut and Uglies, and home on the North road. I rode today in remembrance of my dad. We had lots of good rides together around this familiar loop. I'm sure he helped me fix my chain today.
Also for the record I want to note, I over dressed for the ride. At 45 degrees, even with the wind blowing hard, my Eddie Bauer base layer is not needed under my Castelli jacket.

Jr. Prom 2011

Des got asked to Prom.

When she put on her pink tennis shoes, I gasped,

"Really, I said. "You're wearing those?"

She just smiled and said,

"I'm going to have fun and be comfortable, mom!"

 She's her father's child.

Meet Jorge! 

Jorge is Deserey's best friend.

He is the greatest kid!

Out of all the young men who have wandered in and out of my house,

He is a cut above the rest. So much integrity in this young man!

And he's fun too!

He was even willing to let me torture him with my camera!

"Hey, come back! I'm not done yet."

Way To Go!

The Young Womanhood Recognition Award is given to young women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who through the Young Women's program have completed various projects for personal growth for church and community service. Just to better clarify, it's on a par with a young man earning his Eagle Scout award ---Just in case you didn't know.

Congratulations Deserey on working hard to  earn this award!

On the evening of February 9th, during a special evening for our Young Women, Des was presented with her award by our Bishop. It was a great night and I especially enjoyed listening to Desi sing and I enjoyed hearing her speak. She shared her personal testimony of what this award means to her and of just how much she has witnessed growth within her self as she has spent time with each personal project she completed in order to earn it.
Those personal projects which took many hours of hard work, centered around the young women values which are; faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue.

During her testimony we got to hear a little bit about how each project touched her and at the end, she emphasized how earning her Young Womanhood award has strengthened her love for the Savior and in doing so has deepened her desire to be like Him.

It was a great night.

Today I'm so glad I get to work in the Young Women's. We have the best young women in our ward, and it's been so fun to go through this program with Deserey.

So today I congratulate her. Way to go Des! You are a wonderful daughter and Dad and I are proud of you!

D E S E R E Y

D: Diligent in anything she puts her mind to.

Determined, Disciplined, Decisive, Dedicated, and Don't forget ...Darn cute!

E: Enthusiastic, Energetic, 

Enlightened with lots of wisdom at her young age, 

Efforts always for good.

S: Sweet as can be, Sassy, Savvy, Spiritual, Steady, and Stupendously Smart.

E: Everybody's friend.

R: Reliable. Respectful, and always

Recognizably genuine in her personal Relationships

... a pure joy to be around.

E. Enlisted in God's army! A a true soldier for her Savior.

Y: Youthful and fun, 

A beautiful Young woman inside and out.

   

Future Plumber?

"I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it."

Frank A. Clark

Happy Birthday Haley!

This year I'm going to try to keep the birthdays short and sweet. But today beings as it's her first of many to come in this family, Haley gets full coverage, it's the first time she's been featured on the blog for a birthday, so I'm going to ramble and rave.

It was funny, I sent out a birthday text stating we were going to be celebrating Gavin's birthday. Haley is new to the family and while I was well aware her birthday fell on the 20th just like Seth, I was not aware it was in March. For some odd reason, I just kept thinking it was in June. When the text message landed on everyone's phone, Haley looked at Seth and said, "Um, is there something missing in this text. Seth decided he would tease her a little, so he read the text out loud and said, "Looks good to me!"

Haley just sat there with her semi sad face, then calmly, she looked at Seth and said, "Excuse me . . .it's my birthday too." Oh, I laughed at that story.  And immediately after Seth told it to me and I realized my blunder, I sent out a new text repairing my mistake. Haley wasn't mad at me. She just kidded me in her cute little way. 

Every time I'm around this girl I have to ask myself how I got so lucky.  

Besides the fact that she is the cutest girl ever, Haley is a winner for a million and one different reasons. After getting to know her I'd like to clone a few of her traits and put them in me. Let me start with the number one thing I love about this girl ----she is always CALM! Oh my heck, nothing riles her. She doesn't fly off the handle, get all excited, worry over things and go nuts, like your's truly. Nope, you can count on her calm demeanor like you can count on the position of the North Star. I don't know how she does it. She is always center weighted though in what really matters in this life and her calm nature is pleasing to be around. I told her the other day I needed some of her in me and she just giggled.

Besides being easy going, she is easy to please. This girl always has a grateful heart! Her expectations in life are simple. . . to Haley everything in life is a blessing. 

I asked Seth the other day what I should get her for her birthday. I'm not sure exactly what she really loves just yet, so I was trying to fish for some ideas. His comment back to my questioning was simple, "Doesn't matter what you get her mom, she will love anything you buy her." The crazy part about that statement is, I know it's true. I could go out and purchase the dumbest thing ever and Haley would honestly love it and use it until it was well worn out. She has a take on life that is a rare thing.  

Well, besides being cute, calm, generous, gentle, happy, purely honest, kind, and sincere in all she does, she is deeply spiritual. Haley is a role model for Christ like behavior, really a great example in how we ought to conduct ourselves. I really admire her and appreciate the influence she brings to my family.

So today I want her to know how much I love her, and I speak for the whole fam damily! Thanks for joining into this crazy group of birds with a happy accepting heart, and for loving us just the way we are!   And from all of us here at the Crow's nest, we wish you a happy wonderful day! Love YOU!

Happy St. Paddy's Day

I got the cutest "Happy St. Patrick's day message on my phone yesterday! Thank you Anna!

I know it's a day late, still, I hope you all had a nice St. Paddy's Day! Here's to everything green!

Run Tell That Homeboy!

If you haven't watched it on You Tube, your missing out. Just type in the words, "Hide your Kids, Hide Your Wife" and watch the full clip. Sit back for a good laugh. BTW, Antoine Dodson no longer lives in the Projects. He's now famous.

Goose is the one who brought it to our attention. I think he's actually the reason it took the #1 2010 video of the year on You Tube! He certainly spread the word about this hilarious video. Every time anyone was over to the house I'd see Goose's computer pop out and immediately a group of bodies would huddle around it. There was always laughter following the noise from the screen.

One day I was in the mall and spotted these shirts. It was a Valentine must by!

Today we got a letter from Desi's school. Remember Desi's art that was being sent in for competition in the Springville Art Show. Well the letter congratulated Des for being a winner. Her piece "Haley" done in ink was selected. "Run tell that Homeboy!" Way to go Des!

Congratulations for all your hard work. Check out the "Springville Art Show!" It runs until March 25th. Check out the acceptance list. Man With A Drill, along with Des and I, will be headed to the show. Anyone who wants to join in let us know.

Birthday Wishes to Gav

We loved this video! You girls are so so cute!

Happy Birthday Gavin

This morning I woke up at 3:48 am. I don't know why. Maybe it was symbolic. I'm trying to remember what time I gave birth to the little boy in the above picture. What time were you born Gavin? I've gotta look that up.

7:29 AM ---I looked that up.

What a great way to start my morning! Welcome our number 4 child, Gavin Reeve.

We were in Cleveland, Ohio. Man With A Drill was heavy into school. I went into labor in the night. I always went into labor in the night. I remember. Then I was there, lying on a table. I was camped out in the O.R. at Rainbow and babies UH forever it seemed. I was waiting, waiting forever for Gav to make his debut, waiting for my life to change, waiting for joy to be delivered in a pint sized package.  Even the doctor sat on a chair at the end of my table waiting. The whole staff was waiting. Soon all those people, with exception of the doctor, went off duty and an entire new staff came to work. I felt like I was on parade! We all just continued waiting. When the hour finally arrived Gav weighed in at a hefty nine pounds, five ounces. He had cute little fat rolls and when the doctor held him up, I couldn't see if he had any wrists the creases were so deep. When the doctor told me how much he weighed, I was sure it was all those daily trips to Drug World for a cherry doughnut that chalked up the pounds. That was 28 years ago. My life has never been the same since. I'm so glad!

I have to laugh at the above picture. I took it last Sunday. If I didn't know any better, Gavin looks like he's getting ready to head out the door for his first day of school. His little Halo dudes on his shirt with his little back pack on and that cheesy grin. You're ready to catch the bus Gav. Just looking at you, I can still see it, your first day of kindergarten. Looking at your picture tells me not much has changed over the years, LOL. I think Gavin, you will forever be a kid at heart. Don't ever change that! It is one of your most endearing qualities I love about you.

So no more long and lengthy birthday posts. Just a big Happy Birthday to you today. Just words packed on a page with so much love inside them, it can't be contained, so much love it's spilling over every edge. This is my birthday card to you.  This is where I tell you what an interracial part of my life you are and how I could never smile as big if you weren't in it. You are a constant joy and a delight to be around. You're smile and humor always lift and brighten me in every way. Your optimism is catching and I love how you bring fun and happiness with you every where you go. When you arrive, everything that's good just happens to show up too. I love that about you. You always remind me Gav, of why life is worth living and how I ought to live it. Your a happy soul Gav!

Today I hope you have a great day. We all love you!!! If dad could type as fast as I could, he'd be right behind me with all of the same words and sentiments I just wrote. Thanks for making our lives a complete joy, filling it up to the brim and then some with everything that's good! I want you to know today, you were worth the wait! Happy Birthday bud! We love you!

Simple Instructions

Goose taught me a cool trick the other day.

After spending two years in Guadalajara Mexico,

one learns a few things.

 All you need is a sharp knife.

I love Avocados!

Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. They also act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.
I've been reading about brain foods! Put this little star performer on your grocery list! Your brain will love you for it! The best way to eat this little goody ----squeeze a fresh lemon on it and a little salt and pepper. YUM!

Priceless Picture!

I found this picture today.
What a cute bunch of little people!

Suddenly I realized I hadn't shared all these smiles. 

Can't wait to blow this one up and sit it on my desk!

Every year I have a Christmas Jammie Party.
Well this year I'm starting a new tradition.
You little kiddies are going to love it.

Get READY . . .
--- First Ever ---

Granny's Spring Tea Party!
(this is where you woop it up)

Details coming soon.
Go buy your new Easter Bonnet.
Crack out the white gloves.
Polish up the patent leather,
and press your Best Blue Suit!
I've gotta call Megan ---Calling all cakes!
Going to need some specially designed petit fours for this one.
Hot diggidy dog!
I can't wait! 

Good-bye Winter!

The picture below sort of depicts my feelings lately.

But not today!

I love to write and my fingers haven't felt like typing anything in a long while. I've been in a serious winter funk. I think sometimes the happier parts of me are like a bear going into hibernation as light, heat and warmth leave the earth. I've definitely felt like I'm trying to push my way through the muck. Last week I think I only got out of my red moose flannel pajamas a hand full of times. It's a sign my energies are low. The desire to move and do have rivaled that of a snail at best and my reflections on life and any given topic have hit an all time negative low. I must admit, lately I've been a cup half empty kind of person. My upbringing stands beside me.

Did you know I desperately need the sun. It raises the serotonin levels in my brain. More than a 100,000 chemical reactions go on inside your brain every second. Truth! The brain also produces over 50 identified active drugs, although I would swear my brain only runs on one drug . . .sugar. Some of those drugs are identified with things like, your memory, others with intelligence, (I must be low on that drug), still others are sedatives.  Endorphin is the brain's painkiller. It is three times more potent than morphine. There's your brain lesson for the day. I can tell after a long period of gloom in the sky, I need that serotonin making ball of light to shine. I need that kind of  brain altering ability. The sun really does lift my soul. Every cell inside me feeds on every ray.

I came up to my small square room this morning and sat down in my easy chair. I've been reading about meditation, practicing every word. I love Yoga. I love meditation. It helps with the absence of light in the winter. As I read I tried to mimic the picture in the book. I squared my shoulders, pulled myself into alignment and sat comfortably. I pulled my thoughts in as well, as I focused on my reading. That's when I felt the sun shinning through my window. This remarkable ball of fire that hangs delicately in the sky millions of miles away was now blasting rays that were lighting up my room, my inner frame and the parts of me that have been cloudy for a few weeks now.  I could feel its power lifting me up and out of my fallen state.

The reading this morning has been good. I've been enjoying the light that is filling me on the inside from good words, as well as the light that is pouring in from the sky, falling on every page, creeping over the edges and into my human framed particles. Ideas are forming, presenting themselves quietly, seeping through tiny fissured cracks of inspiration. Suddenly the old familiar urge to reveal thoughts and place them on a 27" pixel page has enveloped me. I love my computer. My love for writing is returning with vigor as I type.

I think I like a few lethargic down days. It makes me appreciate the energetic up days, and there are always up days filled with optimistic energy. God loves me. And when I'm feeling clouded, he blows His optimistic loving affirmation into my world clearing out my mental foggy attitudes, evaporating my incorrect perceptions, filling my soul with energetic clarity. This morning I feel it leaving me ---the gray, the wet, the cold, the glum ---winter and it's down trodden haze. Every icy flake is now thawing inside me, seeping down through my inner parts, draining out the doors of my weathered overcast thoughts, "Get out!" I say this morning. Like the laws of spring, I'm ordering it to leave.  It's time.

This morning I feel like I'm taking off my old worn mental woolen winter coat. I'm hanging it where it belongs, in the back of my deepest inner closet. Winter is over. Spring is about to make her grand entrance. I want to put up my tent, set up my lawn chair, camp out and be the first person in line. I want front row tickets to the best annual spring blossom show in town.

I heard something yesterday for the first time. The birds are back! Thank goodness! Throw off all the dust covers! Throw out the "Welcome" matts! Bring on all that familiar chirping ---feather wing shaped trumpeters, lining each side of my driveway in the tops of the trees, tweeting out the brassy announcement, "Spring is here!" Hang your frozen head winter! Make your exit down the road to who knows where. Be gone. My brittle frozen bones can't take your presence any longer!

Today, I'm shaking all the bedding, clearing out the cobwebs, making all the preparations for an old familiar welcomed guest. I'm shouting to the blue above me, "Hello Spring. Nice to have you back! I've missed you!!! Stay a long while, will you please?" Oh and to old man winter, who is rounding the last corner now and fading out of sight, eagerly, and with no sad heart, I say, "Farewell!"

What does honor mean to you?

Utah State Still Great, Great, Great

So everyone's been asking, "Did she get it? Did she get the scholarship. The answer to that is no, and yes. Desi opened her letter and to everyone's dismay, no Ambassador Scholarship. This is where I launch into my dramatics on how sometimes the mother takes the news harder than the child. It's true, isn't it? I wanted to sit down and cry. After all, she truly deserved it. She had everything it takes to be one of the best, she IS one of the best, but for some unknown reason, she was not chosen. After hearing the news and wanting to cry, my next motherly instinct kicked in. You know, those ones that make you want to call up those people at Utah State and tell them what a bunch of idiots they are. I am a pure bread mother bear. As far as I'm concerned they missed out on a really great choice for someone to represent their school.

I must say at this point I worked through all of those emotions remarkably ---even Freud would have been impressed. Sometimes the best things to do with negative feelings is just let them go. So I did.

Des on the other hand was a little bummed, but took the news like a champ. The great part was in place of the Ambassador scholarship they did grant her a different Leadership scholarship.  It pays a substantial amount and Desi was thrilled about that. This is not the first scholarship she's been offered. This makes her second and she's waiting to hear on a third. She will have a good share of her tuition at Utah State paid! Kudos Des!

Well I personally want to tell my daughter, you rock in the Crowther Book of awesome people who are amazing. And all of us here (the whole famdamily) are so proud of all the great things you've done and will continue to do! And, I've said this all along, sometimes we get an idea in our heads and we center our hearts around it, but when it doesn't work out, I always like to think, maybe, just maybe, Heavenly Father has a better idea in mind. I have found this to be true more times than not.

I had to laugh after the news. It was late and Desi was sitting in her bed. I went up to say good-night and that's when Des said something to me that really caught me by surprise. She had that pondering look on her face and then she ended the evening with this, "You know mom, I'm not all that sad I didn't get the scholarship." I was a little taken back. "No," I said. She went on, "Nope, I was looking forward to sharing a room with Aubs and maybe me getting that scholarship would have changed how much time we could be together. We've both been so excited to go there together." So there you have it. Friendship prevails and all is well.

In closing, I just want to say, "Good job Des." You put forth a lot of work in applying for that program and you did a great job. We here at the Crow's nest are proud of you! You're awesome and we love you!

Good Luck Des

Today is a very exciting day! Everyone's pumped to the max. Last night Desi got this awesome clever little video sent to her on her phone by the cutest kids ever. (Very thoughtful Umbrell children!) It just increased the energy ten fold. Oh we can't wait!

So what's up? Des is waiting patiently for the familiar little white mail truck to pull up to our cactus mail station, hopefully delivering some really awesome news we've all been praying for. We are all hoping, praying, crossing our fingers and toes that Des is going to be announced today as Utah State's newest Ambassador! Oh please, please, please!!!

Out of 700 applicants, she made it through to a personal interview given to 100 of those seeking the impressive scholarship. Now we are hoping she will be one of 20 students chosen to receive this full ride opportunity to serve Utah State University!  My cute niece Breyn received this scholarship a few years back, and now we're hoping Des can also have the opportunity for this leadership position!

When the mail comes today, I've taken a serious oath. I even had to cut the end of my pinky finger and draw blood as I was sworn to uphold my promise. I feel like I'm getting a fifth mission call. Sheesh! Therefore: If indeed an important piece of information does in fact arrive in the Crowther mail box bearing any insignias of Utah State, I can only hold the envelope in my hand as I carry it to the house, gazing at it lovingly, with hopeful admiration. I cannot steam it open and look, which is really what I want to do! DANG! I hate this. I'm as nervous as a cat on hot tin roof!

Ok Good luck Desi. May the force be with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love you and remember, if you don't get your hearts desire today, it's ok, God always has better ideas when the ones we come up with don't work out. No doubt, you are a talented girl and lots of other good things will come your way, in place of it.

OK, WE LOVE YOU! Now hurry up mail lady! Bring us THE BEST NEWS EVER!