Head, Heart, Hands, Health

This week has been all about the 4-H fair.  And Elizabeth.  This is her second year showing livestock, and we all are a little more comfortable with the process.  She took three animals: a dairy feeder calf, and two dairy cows.  One that she took last year, and a younger one.  Both the beef and dairy shows were on Tuesday.  Made for a long day, but we got it over in one shot!  Ryan's parents came to enjoy? the festivities, and help us out.  I realized on Tuesday morning after taking ONE photo, that my camera batteries were dead.  All these photos came from Lonna's camera.  Thank You!

Pinning her exhibitor number on.

Took Ryan and I some time trying to figure out how to put on that belt buckle.

(COWBOY? COWBOY? anyone see a cowboy? we need help with our buckle...)

She won the buckle last year in beef showmanship.

Waiting....

My nephew Logan in the back.

Wesley and Logan, my nephews are here for the week!

Showing in her beef class.  She did really well.

The calf was the heaviest there, but did not place well.

Here she is, eight hours later, at the dairy show with her heifer.

We all were tired, but pulled through!

Dairy Showmanship.  Junior Division WINNER!!

(and another buckle...)

The Judge, Supreme showman, Junior showman and Senior Showman.

The other two showman are siblings!

And this is how William and Jackson entertained themselves during Elizabeth's classes.

Of course, only between: "Can I have a snow cone?", "Can I have an elephant ear?"

"I'm THIRRRSSSTYY". 

Isabelle?

Shmoozing with the Queens.

Our Week.

Has been busy – I don't remember being busy like this as a kid, but then, our kids would like to do a lot more than we do do. Hmm.

Elizabeth had her "non-walking" projects judged Tuesday and Wednesday. Two long, hot days outside. I cannot remember the last time I sweated. (or is it "sweat"?). In any case, out of four projects, she received a blue star, two blue and one red ribbon. The blue star means she is in the running for the state fair entry in that category, which happened to be sewing. She made a pillow and it turned out really well. The red ribbon is because her mother did not read the rules correctly, and told her to put the recipe for her frozen blueberries on a 3x5 index card instead of a 5x8 index card. A learning moment for both of us.

Elizabeth has been walking her 4-H cows. This is her "Feeder Beef". Ryan says she is doing a good job, and the cow is doing well too.

Ladies in waiting. Waiting for their turn to be walked.

Last week, Elizabeth and William went to camp. I think they would live there if I let them.
And you would think that our lives would be a little slower down two kids, but not really.  They are entertainment for each other.  Especially with the little ones.  They still love their older siblings!

Elizabeth and her "roomies". They were sure they hit the room jackpot. Just her four friends and a counselor in one room!

 William opted to go to the longer camp with his sister (much to her dismay) instead of the shorter camp with his best buddy.  It didn't take long for him to make friends.

Camp theme was "Be Joyful!" I'm sure both of them will live in these shirts this summer.

This is the "Free family dinner" when you pick up your kids from camp. Hot dogs. T. and I always think it's a little hokey, but the kids like to stay, so we choke down a hot dog with some stale chips, wash it down with the sugar water colored green. It's not kool-aid. Trust me.

What have you been doing?

What Not To Wear

Wabash County Edition:

First contestant? Me.

When four neighborhood guys came over to help round up the 15+ cattle that had gotten out tonight,  not only was I wearing pajama pants, I also had on a stretched-out tank top.

Bra-less of course.

Holy Wow

We've been busy.
Elizabeth went to my parents for a week,
Fabian broke his leg
Elizabeth and William went to church camp
I got sick...again
Elizabeth lost three teeth
We planted our garden...finally
With the help of Matt and Teresa, all our our belongings are now at our house
We picked cherries and bought blueberries, zucchini, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers and apricots
We saw my parents, grandparents and brother at Farm Progress days
Isabelle went to her "first" friend birthday party
We watched fireworks....twice
We've been working on 4-H projects
We've done the laundry, dishes, cleaned the house, did the shopping, fed this family.

Pre-fair judging starts tomorrow, and so the chaos begins-or continues!

Jackson and I 

June 25th

*35*

Deep Thoughts

What is the point of wearing shorts if you are going to put on socks and work shoes?

If your feet need protected, don't your legs too?

Frog and Toad are Friends!

One of my favorite books growing up, "Frog and Toad are Friends".  I think my Aunt Marilyn gave it to me, along with "Green Eggs and Ham"  Another favorite.  I cannot remember the occasion, but I loved those books.

Last week, while playing outside, much to Isabelle's delight, and Jackson's "hands-off" pleasure, we found:

Frog and Toad, living in our window well!

Maternal Guilt and the Indianapolis Colts

Monday of the crazy-busy VBS week, a friend mentioned to me that the Indianapolis Colts would be in town as a part of their "Colts Country" meet and greet.  And why would we want to stand in a steaming hot parking lot for hours to get the autograph of some player that we're not sure we've ever seen?  Maternal Guilt.

Somehow, someway, something in me changed over the last year, in addition to sudden, unexplained cry bouts, I now have an enormous amount of maternal guilt.  I'm blaming my friends for these new emotions.  You know who you are.

And how, you may ask does maternal guilt come into play with the Colts??  Well, my kids should want to see them right? It's summer, we should be doing FUN things, right? How often does a NFL team ( a super-bowl winning one I might add...) come to town??  Why should my sanity come into play?

So we went.

This guy met us at the entrance.

The ever so hot parking lot, and the long line.

William climbing the "rock wall".

The kids and the Colt.

Football toss.

Finally, the talent.

Jamey Richard and Jaimie Thomas.

A Window into my World...

Midnight: on my road. 

Semi-trailers lined up to load out veal.

Fewer Things....

Give me more pleasure, than when I see my children reading.

My Sweet Tooth

I had to have my teeth cleaned today.  I hate the dentist.  I guess, maybe I should say that I hate the experiences I have had at the dentist.  We just switched dentist AGAIN recently, and  I love my dentist!  I'll tell you why.  One Monday in April, I started having some pain with a crown I have.  When I realized that I had some type of infection, it was Wednesday and my regular Dr.'s day off.  Not feeling comfortable calling my old new dentist (because I had never been seen there) I decided to wait it out until my MD was back in her office.  And wouldn't you know, that was the week she decided to take a few days off.  Friday night was my turn to host my Bunco group,  and I thought, a few drinks, some Tylenol and I'll feel fine.... and then it dawned on me... Andrea!  She's a Dentist! She can prescribe drugs! Hallelujah!!  Ryan ran into the pharmacy for me, and I got started on the antibiotic right away.  Unfortunately, I was not better the next day.  But you know what?  She met me at her office on a SATURDAY performed some procedure and I felt instantly better.  I've pledged my eternally love to her.  So, back to the dentist today.  It was just a cleaning, and I know some people really like having their teeth cleaned, but I'd rather have a baby.

This is probably one of the reasons why I hate the dentist.  I have an incredible sweet tooth.  And strawberry pie is my favorite.  Ok.  ONE of my favorites.  I made this last week with the strawberries Elizabeth and I picked.

Strawberry Pie

1 baked pie crust ~ I like the Pampered Chef recipe, or this one, Marie Calendars'

3/4 cup sugar
4 Tablespoons corn starch
2 cups boiling water

Cook until clear, remove from heat and add 1 (3oz) package strawberry jello.  Pour this glaze over 2 quarts of clean, sliced strawberries.  Refrigerate until set.

I'd rather eat this than.... cake!

Post note:  This was to be posted Tuesday night, when I fell asleep watching the dvr of The Bachelorette.

A Happy Ending to a Crappy Week

It's been a long week.  In addition to the babysitter taking the week off, we had Vacation Bible School and Relay for Life (yes, second time this year!). Now, I know that it sounds pretty lame, but it really takes the "ump" right out of me if we have evening activities.  Not to mention every evening.  I do find it odd, that if I skip picking up the house or loading the dish washer just one time, it takes a whole day to catch up.  Usually Saturday, when I have other things I'd rather be doing.

Today, when my bestest, T. called and asked if we wanted to go to the library, I suggested that we also have a picnic lunch at the park.  What could be better? A nice quiet library, the kids love it there, and then all their energy out at the park, everyone will take nice long naps right??  Just what we need after last week.  It was perfect.

And you know what was even better?  There was a box waiting for me when I got home.

Although I've been a BIG fan of the TOMS organization for some time,  I had never purchased a pair of their shoes because I thought they were ugly.  Several weeks ago when a friend of mine sent me the email that TOMS were coming out with a new style, I knew I had to have a pair!

I wore them all day.  They are probably the most comfortable shoe in my closet.

As I sit here, I am thinking about giving, and figuring out how God wants us to give, and how much He wants us to give, and I remember someone saying once: "You should give until you are slightly uncomfortable." Ha!  there is nothing uncomfortable about these!!

Post Note.  This was to be posted Monday night.  But, I fell asleep watching the bachelorette. 

Blue Skies and Mud Puddles

Friday night we decided to hit the root beer stand even though it had started to sprinkle.  We hit the road back home when we heard the tornado sirens....  Saturday they called the soccer games due to lightening after we were already soaked.  The kids played in the rain and sand at an open house in Michigan for the son of one of Ryan's classmates. Oh, how I had forgotten about the sand...

The sun came out on Sunday, enough for us to enjoy the great outdoors... in a mud puddle.

Mr. Sunshine!

Said his first sentence this week.

"Daddy's boots"

Little goober is going to be a chatter!

The Final Steps of Our Construction Project

After moving into the house last fall, we were pretty much done with projects for awhile. When spring came, our lawn never "sprung." Having the construction crew here, in, out and about did a real number. We decided to disk the whole thing up and start over.




Ryan and the kids picked up all the leftovers and took them to the burn pile.



Ryan worked the dirt with help from our friend, Terry, got all the rocks out. Planted grass, and spread straw over the entire thing. Very slowly, it started to peek through the straw.

And last night?

He mowed for the first time!

Now, just to get the landscaping done.....

The Last Two Weeks Of My Life

It's been a busy 10 days for me. I hate when my life gets so busy I have no time to document it!



I think I'm over the second grade drama. I spoke with the principal, and feel better after having vented. At this point, we'll be lucky to get that boy through high school. Poor kid is having a rough time. This week, he put a penny over the eye on our garage door sensor. When he realized that the door would not work with the penny still in there, he ripped the sensor off of the bracket and cut the wires with a knife. AND THEN he threw the whole kit and caboodle in with the heifers. As in MANURE. Yes, we had a long talk about coming to your parents when you have a small problem, and how each decision he made, made it into a bigger problem, and the biggest problem being that he lied about it. Grr. Maybe we should just be happy if we keep him out of jail.




We had a wonderful time with our house full of company two weekends ago. It was a great time for me, remembering my up-bringing and introducing my children to an event that forever changed my life. It was also an alarming reminder of exactly how old I am! Running into an old friend and reminiscing was a definite highlight of the weekend.



Elizabeth's class watched chicks hatch, and William's class observed the process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. Both, the highlight of their school year.




A hot air balloon floated gently by our house one evening.




We had ice cream on the porch,



and the kids swam in the little kiddie pool.



Ryan has been busy in the field, this was a better day- he was baling hay the day before, hot, Hot, HOT!





I organized my closet. Had to make room for my bags I unpacked. Made me wonder... What does owning a pair of Jessica Simpson's shoes say about me?




How about two pairs?? And liking Amanda Bynes? What does that say about a 30 something mom of four?




Bought myself something at the John Deere Store.





Who knew they carried pin holders? And the fabric underneath? A new dress for me.



We snuggled and kissed little Cooper Mack, the cutest baby in the world. (since December 2006 anyway.) We love his Mommy and Daddy, and now we love him! Smelling him just about jump started me back lactating, but we left before he cried. *phew*



Elizabeth and I picked 22 pounds of strawberries. We've enjoyed strawberry milkshakes, strawberries over ice cream, and strawberry shortcake. Depending on how I feel, a strawberry pie may be our dessert tonight.






My baby was sick yesterday. He had a low grade fever all day. Poor little guy finally fell asleep at 1:45pm, coughing in his sleep at 2, he vomited all over me. I had planned on working at home, but the only thing I got accomplished was a shower. His fever was gone this morning, so he was off to the sitter.



Yesterday was the last day of school, and we all are so happy. No homework for 10 weeks!

"And all of God's people say: AMEN."

Last Thursday my supervisor took me and two of my co-workers for a "retreat" day at a local spa. We all got facials and pedicures. OPI has a Hong Kong line, and it turns out,

"Jade IS the new Black"

"Jade is the new black"

photo to be posted later

What I'm Thinking About...

How do parents handle *teenagers* ? Do you get used to *teenage girl* late nights, drama and high-pitched screams because it happens gradually over time, or because you are older and your hearing/mind is gone?

AND, how long is it going to take me to recover from FIVE late nights, early mornings? Them??

Company's Here!

The beds are made

The dishes washed

The toilets scrubbed

The floors swept

The company has arrived

The fun has begun!

not necessarily in that order... 

It's a strange Life

I had an interesting experience today.

I don't know if I've ever shared with you all what I do?  I teach nutrition classes to low-income, fixed-income families/individuals.  Flexible with great benefits.  What could be better?  ANYWAY...

In January, I connected with a local pastor who is trying to get a non-profit organization up and running.  The organizations she wants to facilitate would help women who have been incarcerated acclimate back in to society.   She has grand plans to offer educational classes, counseling/therapy, job training, parenting classes and of course nutrition. (among other things)

She had been meeting with the women at our county jail, getting to know them, why they were there, finding out what their needs "on the outside" were, etc. And so my weekly nutrition classes in the library at the county jail started.

I was a little nervous the first week, getting past the lobby was the creepiest part.  The women are interesting, and I am learning things I never knew I didn't know.  

But TODAY, while doing some shopping (at WalMart of course)  I ran into one of the girls!

It was so strange to see her.  I guess perhaps because the only way I had ever seen her was in blue scrubs and rubber shoes.

She looked different in make-up and street clothes!

Lost & Found

Lost:  One little girl with platinum blonde hair, tall enough to get into trouble with a smile that will melt your heart.  You'll recognize her by her can-do attitude, and charming disposition.

Found.

Livin' the Life

Center of attention at Nana & Papa's

Donuts for breakfast!

A Slow, Painful Death

Homework is going to kill me.

I am beyond frustrated with William's homework.

Tonight he came home from school, had a snack then slept for four hours. Only got up then because I woke him. He's tired. I understand that, but after a four hour nap, homework should go pretty good right?

Not so. Math paper finished with me helping him with EACH problem.

Handwriting? I thought it would be fun, motivational for us to race. Wrong again. Forty five minutes to finish one page. Yes, one page.

Mind you, the entire time he is complaining-He can't do it, it's to hard, it's to much, it's bedtime. (I know, right?)

I've tried to be encouraging- You can do it, you are doing a good job, focus on your work, it'll be done before you know it.

I've tried incentives- When you get X done you can watch 30 minutes of t.v., you can have a snack, you can play the wii.... nothing works.

I've tried punishment- If you do not get X done you cannot go to soccer practice, your 4-H meeting, with Dad in the tractor.

I've tried time. You have to get X done before you eat, before your shower, before you play.

Most nights he does not have time to do anything else because he messes around instead of doing his work.

The crying. He cries. Most days I would chalk it up to being tired. Not tonight.

Last week, frustrated because he forgot to bring a project home to study, (again) I wrote his teacher a note stating that I wanted him to stay in from his ONE 20 minute recess to finish this one project so he could bring it home. Only to find out that he has not been getting his recess. She has been making him stay inside to catch up on his work.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING.

When was the last time he got his whole recess? Who knows. I'm upset.

A. I get so upset with him at homework time, I lose my patience.

B. Who wants to work if they are not getting any break time during the day?

It's 11:25pm, and he still has 5 pages of handwriting. (3 hours and 45 minutes worth?)

What am I going to do?

Broccoli Bacon Salad

Another family fave is on the menu for this weekend.

2 Heads broccoli raw, cut in bite size pieces

1 lb bacon fried and crumbled

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

4 green onions, sliced

Toss together and cover with dressing just before serving.

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vinegar

Company's Coming!

This coming weekend, Friday through Tuesday, we are having house guest.  Mostly family, but guest all the same.

Not only have I asked the guest to bring food, and took extra days off work,  I asked my mom to come help me clean.  

I know.  After 15+ years of keeping house, I still needed my mom to come help with this project.  "Help" is perhaps the wrong word to use.  It implies that I did most of the work, and she was here to support me.  In reality, she did 99% of the work while I yelled at the kids.

Not only did she drive half the night Friday to get here, work HARD all day Saturday and Sunday, she took Jackson home with her.

I am really feeling like a slacker.

I would really like to go sit at my sewing machine, or organize my scrapbooking supplies in my freshly cleaned basement, but Mom made me make a list, and I'll feel really bad if it does not get done by the weekend.  I guess I'll go fold towels.

Happy Monday....

Dee-Vine

In my ever-present quest to be the best, most on-top-of-it mother, I have started to unpack the boxes I packed over a year ago with all those things that were deemed: "un-necessary for survival". Yup. That's me. ON TOP OF IT.




I cannot tell you how many people have told me, "If you've lived without it for a year, do you really need it?" Including my husband. And yes, I would agree, if I wanted to downsize, I'm sure some of the stuff could go. But hey, it's my stuff, and I love it, and I've missed it. On the other hand, do you know how many times I wish I had a wine glass instead of a plastic cup? And the photos of my kids as sweet little babies? I need those to remind me just how much I love them when we are on hour 3 of homework. Or sitting in the rain at soccer. sorry. And my books? I need those. Sadly, some may say all those "things" really are "un-necessary for survival", maybe their survival, but not mine. And it's been long enough.






The first box I unpacked, at the request of Brook, and because I had been really missing it, was a box of photo albums, and the book of Jackson's birth.

One of the most precious gifts I've ever received. I posted about it here.

Still makes me tear up. Until I hear him (Jackson) on the counter again. That boy. The terrible two's have started. He's 17 months, and if I remember correctly with William, things did not get better until he was four. We've got a ways to go.

The second box I unpacked was linens. Brand new ones I had purchased over a year ago at a white sale. Cream colored 610 thread count sheets. New in the package.

I immediately washed them up and put them on our bed. I will never go back. I have one word for them:

Decadent.

Can sheets be decadent? I think so!

I am having so much fun un-packing, it is so exciting to see my things again, I'd forgot about some.. it's like Christmas... in May!

I'm Earning Pennies Now!

Remember our "Behavior Incentive Program"?  Where the kids earn pennies for good behavior? 

I'm earning them now!

 When my family was here in November for "Family Fun Day", we had my friend Kimberly come and take some family photos.  After waiting for some time, my brother Ben was pretty anxious for his prints, so  he offered me 10 pennies for getting them in the mail!  He delivered!

Now.... what do I want out of the prize box....?