Extreme Volunteering

This last weekend Hunter and I had the opportunity to volunteer some of our time to help Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build a house in Daybreak. Wait...Daybreak? Yes, you read that right. They are building from the ground up, not renovating an old home. We signed a lot of forms saying we wouldn't spill the beans on this house so I can't give any specifics, but I will say that it was a really cool experience. We were decked out in hard hats and Extreme Makeover shirts and joined with probably 30 other volunteers (on our shift alone) to make a difference in someone's life.

When all was said and done we had earned our shirts and the food they fed us. We had dirt and re-bar stains on our hands, arms, shirts, and pants and this families house was that much closer to being completed. We volunteered on day 2 and I am sure that those who volunteered on day 6 had a very different experience and maybe walked away with paint all over them instead.

It was really interesting to see how they coordinate everyone. Obviously, a LOT of help is needed to build a house in a week. They have big tents set up and enough volunteers that some are designated to only take care of other volunteers by doing things like setting up food, switching out hot water bottles for cold ones, and making sure there are enough snacks to go around. Also, for future reference, they desperately needed male volunteers. Any male that checked in at the volunteer station was quickly whisked away and put right to work. Female volunteers were almost superfluous.

It was a great experience, and I am so glad we were able to participate!

Here is a link to a news article about it:

'Extreme Makeover' building new home for Taylorsville family in Daybreak

Political Ventures

An interesting article came out a few weeks ago about Mormons and running for President, in reference to Mitt Romney in particular. I hadn't heard much about it really until we had a rivetting discussion the other night with some good friends. That, along with some friends facebook post's, got me to look into it a little more. Normally I am not one to comment much on politics, but this one caught my interest.

Here is a link to the original article, which was really an interview with Warren Cole Smith:

A Vote for Romney is a vote for the LDS Church

Here is a response to that article that I thought was very well written and brought up some good points. It is written by Michael Otterson.
Evangenlicals, Mormons, and the beliefs of the president

Again, I am not normally one to comment on such things, but this intrigued me. Does anyone have any comments or thoughts? I would like to know what others think as well.

Dancing Queen

She does this every time her little face is blown on without fail. It is soooo cute and funny. I'm not sure what she is trying to do, but we sure do enjoy it!

odds and ends

Since it's been a while since I last posted, here is a quick update without writing an entire novel...

Jimmer was neutered a couple weeks ago, which means he really is Jimmer now and not another un-named player from the same team...jk. The vet said to keep him pretty still and not let him and Ameya really play together for 7-10 days. Right. Pretty sure that lasted maaaybe 2-and that's pushing it. Jimmer acted like nothing happened about 5 hours after we got him home. While still metabolizing the anesthesia  he acted confused and much like a person coming out of surgery would; thus the sleeping under his bed.

I planted a garden! And by garden, I really mean 3 pots. haha. One has a tomato plant (that already has tomatoes growing on it!), one has a couple strawberry plants, and the last one has flowers. That's about the best garden we can get in an apartment I think.

Jimmer experienced his first hot dog. He wasn't quite sure what to do with it...this little clip is only a snapshot of how he really was acting. He pounced and licked and smelled sooo many times until my mom was finally able to take it away, split it in half and he was able to watch Ameya immediately begin chowing down. Afterall, he wouldn't let Ameya get close to it before that, even though he had no idea what to do with it.

I might take some heat for posting this picture...love you Aunt Nin! We spent a day in Delta socializing with family, which always proves for a good time.

Ameya has gotten so much bigger! She almost doubled in size from her first vets appointment to her second - about 3 weeks. She is nearly the same size as Jimmer, although he has about 3 pounds on her and she isn't quite as long as he is. This picture demonstrates the size comparison well. 

They love to play tug of war! I'm not sure if that is the intent, or if it really stems back to the fact that Jimmer likes to regulate what Ameya plays with. It doesn't matter what it is - they will play with sticks (as pictured), or any one of their toys.

There is only one place in the car where Ameya is content, well technically two. Behind the passenger or drivers neck. She will shiba scream until she gets there. I don't quite understand her reasoning, but she sure loves it there.

Jimmer looks so happy when he pants, which happens rarely. With the weather getting warmer though, I'm sure it will become a much more common occurrence. In the background is my turning 20 quilt! We had a big get together sewing/tying marathon and that is the result. Fun times for sure. 

The key to Ameya's heart is scratching her belly. I'm not sure there is anything she loves more. No matter what she is doing, she will stop immediately and lay still as long as you keep scratching.

Life is good in the Paddock home :)