June 26, 2008

Oops!  No, we haven't dropped off the Earth!  I just forgot to share a link to my new blog!  That's right, we were finally persuaded to upgrade from our makeshift/redneck/wannabe blog, to a REAL one!  You can now come and visit us HERE.

May 30, 2008

The apple trees are in full blossoms.

Aren't they beautiful?  I just *love* apple blossoms!

It seems I'm not the only one.

Ahhhhhh.....the beauty of God's creation never ceases to amaze me =)

May 24, 2008

Some may call it dumb, or just plain crazy.  The words that come to my mind as I contemplate the days happenings are motivation, determination, strength, and provision.  

See this.....

Duane planted wheat in that whole front section (the area that you can see has been drug), which is just under 1 acre, with THIS

Before that he did corn in the whole back section, which is approximately 3 acres, with THIS


That's right.  One acre of wheat with a spreader and THREE acres of corn, ONE row at a time.  Sure, Paige and I banded together and took a few turns.  Combined we still did less than 2 dozen rows.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about Duane towards the end.  He was sweaty, filthy, and walking crooked!  Simply said, he was EXHAUSTED!  He knew what he was getting into though, and not having any fancy tractors and farm equipment means HARD WORK!  Now we are praying for rain, a good yield, and the energy to weed and harvest our crop =)

Before that we finished up the garden planting.  The rear area has brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes, white potatoes, onions, beans, peas, tomatoes, and in the far corner is blueberries.  The green divider that you see is our strawberries, and on this side of those is sweet corn, carrots, white potatoes, popcorn, and a couple small squares for the girls.  Duane decided that we were only going to plant what could be preserved this year, but gave the girls each a small area to plant whatever they wanted.  Brianna chose cantaloupe.  It sounds like Paige will be putting in her own little plot of carrots for her new horse, Tessa =)

Oh wait!  Did I say potatoes more than once?  That's not a typo!  We have 130 potato plants!  Is there anyone who wants to come help with weeding?  I'll pay you in taters ;-)

May 14, 2008

Any of you who know our family know that even with all the differences in our children, they have all had one thing in common.  Baldness!  They have all been pretty much bald at birth and have stayed that way for many, many months.  Paige still holds the record.  She didn't have any hair to speak of until she was 2 years old =o  Brianna had a cute, messy head by 8 mos, and Leia was at least a year. 

Because of this, we celebrate the hat-head =D

May 11, 2008

Me and my crew:


Happy Mother's Day! 

May 10, 2008 

Today is a special day!  12 years ago today, on a cool Friday night, I married my high school sweetheart!  No one thought we would make it this far.  Our marriage is truly a testimony of God's goodness and grace!  I have so much I could say.  I could give you the horror stories of our early years, the changes as we both came to know the Lord, the growth we've encountered through trials, or the ode to how much I love him, but I won't.  I will say that I am so very thankful that the Lord is in control and not us.  He didn't look at who we were on that day, but who we would become, together, in Him.  12 years ago today He blessed me with a wonderful, hard working, God-seeking man, a caring husband, and a loving father!  I don't deserve it, but He gave me the man of my dreams and I couldn't ask for anything more!  

Happy Anniversary Honey!  I love you =)
 
  

May 5, 2008

Sarah, Allen, and the children came out last week for an impromptu weenie roast.  We all had a great time!  The guys got to talk about their guy things, we ladies got to catch up on some chatting, and the kids enjoyed themselves seeing the chicks, running in the woods, playing kickball, and heading out to the pasture for a game of baseball!  Before leaving Sarah suggested a group photo.  She set up her camera and this is what resulted:


I think it turned out well for an end of the day picture ;-)  

While they were here Sarah gave Leia a book that she had bought for her.  It's called The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury.  It's an amazing book packed full of some classic stories!  The first thing Leia wanted when she got up the next morning was that book!  Soon Nathan woke up and she wanted him to look at the book with her!  It was so precious that I had to grab the camera =)

We LOVE books!  THANK YOU SARAH!!!

May 2, 2008

Ahhhhh babies.....don't you sometimes wish that you could just stunt their growth for a bit?  Look at our chicks for example:

They are losing those sweet downy feathers, changing colors, and growing quickly!  They were starting to be able to get out of their containment ring so they have now graduated to the "big chickie house".  It's so cute to see them darting around as they exercise those legs, and practice their flying.  

Just look at the legs on this turkey!  Drumstick anyone ;-)

Our fowl isn't the only thing growing!  Remember Sassy's little puppies?  Look again.  This little girl was just a couple days old:

And now, just two weeks later:

Obviously that's a different puppy, but you get the idea right?  

Just look how sweet they are......
No, we're not getting a puppy! LOL!  Their eyes have opened, and they are learning to crawl and play!  They still have those wobbly legs and heavy heads, but it's SO adorable!  They are starting to make little growly noises, and if you stick your fingers in their mouth you can feel teeny (but yet very sharp) puppy teeth!

Speaking of teeth........guess who else is sporting a new set of lower central incisors?

At just 6 months, Nathan is our earliest teether yet!  I'm actually surprised it took so long for them to pop through.  He's been showing teething signs since he was 3 months old!  

And now I conclude with my opening statement; Ahhhhh babies.....don't you sometimes wish that you could just stunt their growth for a bit?!

April 26, 2008

Isn't the saying supposed to go something like, "April showers bring May flowers?!"  This doesn't look like showers to me!

How crazy!  It's been in the 60's and even 70's here the last week!  We've had the windows open, enjoying the spring air.  We've had thunderstorms and rain showers.  The grass is greening beautifully.  The trees are budding.  All seemed on track.  Until awakening this morning to 30*....... and THIS!

Look!  Even this poor little robin doesn't know what to do!

What else can I say except, "Welcome to Wisconsin" =o

April 25, 2008

How many kids do you know, who, on their birthday are more excited to give away presents than to receive them?  I didn't know any until a few days ago.  Now I do.  Brianna turned 9 on April 21st.  For a good month leading up to her special day she worked diligently and secretly preparing surprises to bless her family.  And blessed we were!  I knew she was working on things, but I had no idea of her plan!  

We have a birthday tradition where the guest of honor gets to choose the dinner and dessert menu, and a fun family activity.  Brianna chose a meal of cream cheese wontons, shrimp alfredo, garlic bread, and corn.

After dinner we were all summoned to the living room where Bri presented us with a large wrapped box.  Leia was chosen to open it.

Inside were all kinds of smaller, individually wrapped gifts that were all neatly labeled.

Brianna handed them out and then sat back and watched in excitement as we all took turns opening.

Paige got a wood horse.  Bri drew the outline on a scrap of wood, daddy cut it out and sanded it, and then she painted it.

Leia got a search and find picture and a little kitty made of paper and tape =)

Inside Nathan's paper was a wood block, which he happily dropped his paci for!

Daddy got a connect the dots picture of a racecar, and a couple of family drawings.

Brianna knows Leia SO well!  One thumb in her mouth, the other in her hair!!

Next it was mommy's turn.  I also received a connect the dots picture, and was also given the most wonderful 2008/2009 calandar!


Each month is decorated with something special pertaining to our family.  There are pictures of each of us doing fun things, or in this case, one of the sunflowers we grew a couple summers ago.

We also received a family card, complete with pop up horses, little scenes of bible stories and scriptures.

I can't even begin to describe how touched I was by her thoughtfulness and planning.  After we were all finished passing gifts around to share it was time for Brianna to open hers.  These *were* wrapped by the way!  I guess I just missed pictures of that part =o

Wrapped ala Paige:

And inside was a beautiful new apron made by Katie.  Brianna enjoys helping in the kitchen, now she can do it in style!!  I think she looks good in green =)

Again, we didn't just give her boxes......this one was wrapped too!

Think she's excited?

What is it Bri?  A paper twirly set!  YAY!!  Brianna LOVES crafty things =)

After gifts we had her choice dessert of magic brownie pudding and mint chip ice cream.  Yes, we do indulge once in awhile ;-)  Paige made the mistake of putting candles into the hot brownies =o  Once we pulled them all out and dug out the craters of melted wax we dished up.  Knowing that we couldn't get by with NO candles, we stuck one in her ice cream ;-)  See the cool birthday napkins?!  We got those from Dana at Lewis Family Mercantile.

Wow.  Nine years old, and teaching her momma new things all the time!  Brianna looks for the bright side of things.  She's always smiling and giggling.  Always praying for and thinking of others, and always willing to lend a hand when it's needed.  I am so proud of the beautiful young lady that the Lord has blessed us with in her!

Oh, and her twirly paper book!  Check out the cool things she's made already!

She's already planning out ones to make for family and friends!  MaryVance....there's a really cool one coming your way soon....but don't say that I told you ;-)

Looking for more?  You can view my past blog entries here =)