Tree Hunting

Today we had out annual church meeting.  We had a yummy lunch and then a LONG meeting.  The kids were pretty good, but bored and we sat a long time.  After we got home we needed some exercise and fresh air.  We bundled up and headed out to the pasture to hunt these

little cedar trees.  Cedars are a lot easier to handle and take care of if you catch them when they're little.  Brent had an attachment he made that goes on the weed eater.  It has a blade and you can just cut these little trees right off.  We cut 97 trees this afternoon. 

Garrett "looking" I think he was doing a little more wandering and daydreaming.  But it was still fun to do something all together.

I pulled Owen in our wagon.  It worked great.  I thought it might be a little tough, but it wasn't.  We moved right along.  Although my arms did get a workout. And I GUARANTEE you they will be sore tomorrow!

Kansas Day

The 29th was Kansas Day and Garretts school does a lot of different things for this day.  Owen and I decided to head up to the school and check it out.  We made it just in time to hear all about cattle drives.  It was interesting and I actually learned something about horseshoes.  The man talking had a saddle w/a rope and spurs, chaps, boots.  Really about everything but the horse. Owen was pretty good while they talked and then got the chance to sit on the saddle.  Would have been a real great picture had I remembered that I actually HAD my camera.  BUT I did remember I had it when Garrett got to talk about sod houses on the local  radio station.  He was nervous but did a good job.  I was very proud of him.

This was Owen messing around in the hallway of the school.  It was shortly after this shot, that we left.  Apparently listening about cow patties being used as meds and how to make your own butter just wasn't fascinating enough.  But running up and down the hall was!

Puzzle

Not this Christmas, but last Christmas Garrett received this 1000 piece John Deere Puzzle. I like puzzles and so does Garrett. So one weekend last January, my family along w/my parents started on this puzzle. We got about as far as sorting the edges and middle. So all thru the winter this puzzle was worked on. Brents parents helped too and my parents again on and off. One weekday night, Brent had a meeting and we were soo close to being done, that I just finished it. Stayed up late, but I was almost addicted to getting it done.

It sat, and sat, and sat. About 6 months ago, we matted it. Progress was made. Then again it sat and sat. Went to Hobby Lobby to buy a frame. Ughhh..they don't make this size. Has to be custom. I said NO THANK YOU. I am sorry but it was outrageous for a frame. So again it sat and sat.

Fast forward to Friday night. Brent made a frame out of some old lath painted it black. Mounted the mat, hung on the wall and Ta Da.

Happy to say a long awaited project crossed off my list and looks really good in his room.

For the Love of Books

This Gal nominated me for this award

So apparently I AM a princess....I always wondered if I had what it took.  Well, actually I don't think I am what the "world" would call a princess.  I am the "book" princess type.  First I just want to say it is honor being nomniated and I would like to thank my family for putting up with me when I read a "really" good one.  For my parents for supporting me, for my agents (the librarians) for pointing me to a new read every now and then.  And  my grandma Dorthy.  She was an avid reader and shared a lot of books with me. And also to my mom's 3 sisters who read continously.  Oh....I think.I hear my exit music.

This award is about books and how much we like to read them.  Here it goes

1. Name an author you love.

I LOVE Lauraine Snellling.  A lot, like the gal who nominated me.  In fact, I am pretty sure I was sitting poolside at the CC swimming pool, in the baby pool.  When Mrs. Hayes was telling me about this author and what a great series it was.  I was a little skeptical, but I INSTANTLY fell in love after 2 pages for Red River of the North.  I bawled in bed at night while reading it. (my husband thought it was ludicrious to be crying over a book.  not much of a reader is he?)  She is my favorite.  I also like Tracy Peterson, Stephen Bly, Jennifer Chaivarini.  Karen Kingsbury.  Al and Joana Lacy.  John Grisham, (his books are way better than his movies). Janette Oke and her Love comes softly series.  Again these books are WAAAY better than the movies, but I will watch the Hallmark Marathon when they are on.  Mary Higgins Clark-I need a good mystery every now and then. Beth Moore, not only does she right awesome Bible Studies, she writes some pretty good books too.

2. Name an author who highlights your personality.

I can't really think of one that highlights my entire personality.  But Marty from Love comes Softly has a good start.  She loves her family and her friends.  Truly does she only want the best for them.  She has good days and bad.  She messes up every now and then and gets embarrassed, but then her loving husband ALWAYS makes her feel better.  She loves her kids and tries to teach them right and wrong.

3. Name some books you love.

She's Come Undone.  Love Comes Softly.  Get Out of the Pit. The Drifter. Hadasah:One Night with the King, (very good movie too, but read the book first!) Voice of the Wind, Mark of the Lion, Little House on the Prairie..And now I have drawn a blank. I promise I will add more when they come to me. 

4. Something that always excites you.

Finishing....When I finish ALL the laundry (even if it only lasts 20 minutes), finish pulling weeds in the garden and flower beds and can see the stuff you are supposed to see!  When I finish MOWING (I love to mow), nothing like smell of cut grass and a yard that looks even and neat.  When I finish my run for the day and I have pushed myself and FINISHED. And laying in bed at night because I am finished for the day!

5. Something you hate

Peas and Cooked Carrots-gag me!

NOTE: I would pass this award to all 3 of my children if I could, but they are tied in with me, but its worth mentioning.  My children love to read.  Garrett was made for AR tests!  He has red every Magic Tree house book, He loves Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew.  Maddison loves Fancy Nancy and Berenstein Bears and I read the American Girl series to her when I have the chance. 

When I was in the 5th or 6th grade my grandma Dorthy started buying me Mandy Books by Lois Gladys Leppard.  I have almost 35 books of this series and going to complete entire series and pass onto Maddison.  I have started Garrett on a series of Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens.  They are a great series for 5-8th grade boys, but I think girls would like them too.  Hoping he will pass on the love of reading to his kids.   And even though Owen can't read yet.  You give him the Farm Journal magazine or the Fastlline Tractor or Farm and Ranch Magazine and he will be occupied for hours.  Just looking, but I don't doubt for a minute that he is soaking up words and letters to help him later.

NOW I am passing this award along.  All they have to do is grab the princess award and post the questions and answers. Thanks for letting me share about my love for reading!

And the nominess are:

Lindsay @ The Henry Bunch

Katie @ Bring on the Lloyds

Tiffany @ Wertville

Jerrilyn @ The Henny's

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She has to work.  Its NOT fun to work on your birthday.  But she will be working hard as a nurse all day.  My mom is pretty special to me.  We talk on the phone atleast once a day and occasionally more than once on the weekends or her day off.  We go shopping together and sometimes get groceries together.  And the last 5 years or so we have made a special point to go Christmas Shopping together w/out kids.  She is pretty special to me and my family.  Garrett, Maddison, & Owen LOVE her because she lets them cook w/her.  (did I mention she has patience???) Mom is so willing to babysit too whenever and wherever.  She has sewed her fare share of Halloween costurmes for her kids and grandkids.  She has given up a lot to give us kids what we needed. I thank God for her everyday when I call her to ask about the kids snotty noses and fevers.  Or how to not strangle one of the kids after a day gone bad.  Or just to talk about nothing. 

When dad and her got married they moved away from her family (in South Dakota) and moved closer to dad's family.  I know it was hard, especially after having kids.  She was more than just a 30 minute drive away from her mom.  Yes, she could phone, but its not the same. 

I am so thankful that my mom is close and that we are close.  I LOVE YOU MOM.  Hope your day is a good one!

TWO WORDS

Mother's Intuition........

I'm writing this now and I don't really have time, but my "mother's intuition" tells me I need to share this and do it now, or I will put it off and I won't share.  Surely someone out there in blog world needs to hear this!!!!

I think that Mother's Intuition is HIGHLY UNDER-RATED.  Some say over protective, OCD, etc...I think its called being a mom.  And right now "this" mom is kinda mad. 

Mad at two people: my youngest and MYSELF.

My Motherly Intution kept telling me for 15 minutes. Here is the conversation

Owen do you need to go the bathroom?  NO

Owen do you need to go potty?  NO

Owen do you need to go poop? NO

Owen why are you dancing? DANCE, DANCE

Owen why don't you go potty for me?  You can get stickers?  NO

This is where I repeat ALL about 2 more times.  AND I KNOW BETTER THAN TO EVEN DO THIS!  I KNOW YOU SHOULD JUST TAKE THE KID...But oh no, I just kept doing my thing.  Which I'm embarrassed to say was my new wii fit plus game I purchased this weekend.  I know, I know, that is a totally different post.

Anyway....my mothers intution said I think he has to go.  But I didn't listen.  So I hop in shower.  I kid you not..not more than 30 seconds later, right in the middle of my shampoo and soaping, do I smell something like you would not believe and a SCREAMING child in the bathroom telling me he went "POOOOOOOP".  

I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT...

So here is my advice:

#1-A mothers intutition is right about 99.999%  of the time.  So follow it.

#2-Take the 1 minute, 2 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes or even 10 minutes or even longer to set your child on the pot w/a book, toy or something and let the kid do his thing.

3.  Doing number one and two while listening to the child scream over and over that they don't have to go is waaaaay better than:

a.-Cleaning poop out of underwear

b.  Wiping toliet seat, side and ring after you put them on it, only to find out its worse than you thought.

c.  Cleaning them in the shower

d. Listen to them scream again becuase they couldn't "play" in the shower longer

e.  Washing the underwear, towels, clothes and bath mat.

WHILE GAGGING THE ENTIRE TIME. 

Trust me when I say that GOD gave us a children for a reason and the intution to go with it.  So

 7 minutes of singing, playing, and disinfecting one toy or book is A MILLION TIMES BETTER than ANY of the above.

ok..so I feel better now, plus the washing machine just "dinged" at me. Time to put another load in!  I told you it was bad!!!!!

Not so much

So things have been fairly relaxed this week.  Or maybe I should say I have been making them very relaxed.  That's code for I haven't done a DARN thing.  Oh well..there is always tomorrow. 

On Sunday it finally warmed up enough that we could go sledding for more than 5 minutes w/out freezing. 

Garrett break dancing on the pond.  I think it was more he couldn't stand up for more than 2 seconds w/out falling down.

Garrett pushing maddie on the ice.  She was a little nervous on the pond..

I will say I was a litle nervous as well.  I knew it was not going to break, but STILL.  Where there big cracks in the pond, we could see it was atleast a foot thick, but STILL.  So we didn't stay too long  out there.

and THAT is what we have been doing.  Not a whole lot.  Today its warmer and feels so good to have sun shining on my face. 

I should clean the mudroom, BUT its a muddy lake outside, and it will just get dirty again, so think I will wait.  (nice excuse huh?)