Leftover Days

I have always had mixed feelings about the days in between Christmas and New Years Eve. After all the excitement of Christmas has passed, Dec. 26-30 can be a bit of a letdown until the next party arrives.
As a child, I used them to write thank you notes (one of my favorite things to do as a child), play with my new toys, and spend my Christmas money.
As a teenager, these days were sometimes boring and sometimes fun. One year (I forget which--sometime in the late 90's), Christmas vacation was extended by several days due to blizzards and extremely cold weather. Instead of hoping for a snow day, you could almost hear an audible groan rumble through town as students heard over the radio announcements that we would all be home and away from our friends for yet another day. It was on one of those days a bunch of us girls from around town gathered outside and went sledding on the best hills we could find. It was so much fun to play like a child outside in the snow again.
As a college student, Christmas vacation was especially nice because of the semester schedule. There was absolutely nothing at college that would require my attention for a good three weeks. I was a nerd who used every Spring Break writing research papers to get them done ahead of time, but Christmas required no note cards or stacks of books (that's how we did research 10 years ago). It was also wonderful getting together with friends and watching movies, playing games, and laughing into the wee hours of the morning.
What have these leftover days been like this year? I have to say that it has not been bad at all. We have all been sleeping in (until 7:30am). The boys have had a steady diet of playing outside, playing downstairs with their toys, watching TV, and playing Wii. They have been together constantly and have gotten along surprisingly well. Teresa spends most of her time on my heels every time I dare take two steps away from her and whining. You gotta love two year olds! So, that isn't such a great part, but the rest has been alright. She's still cute, so she has that going for her at least.
It looks like we will have a pretty tame New Year's Eve this year. We will have my side of the family's Chrsitmas celebration at our house and then will hit the day early as David and I leave early in the morning on January 1 for a little vacation. We will return January 5.
If I don't get back to the blog before then Happy New Year and I will "see" you when I get back!

Digging Out

David started the process of digging out early Sunday morning.

It was finally time to wear the new Christmas outfits!

Aren't they just so cute and innocent? :o)

A Merry Little Christmas at Home

Some 2009 Christmas Eve Memories

The snow moving crew (Landen, Nathan, & cousin Carter) was on the scene all day ensuring safe travel around the driveway!

Teresa loved "Baby Bear" that she received from her godparents. She didn't even get to the rest of the goodies inside the present until the next day.

Teresa is also now ready to open her own restaurant!

Merry Christmas to all . . .

and to all a good night!

Sneaky Snacker Strikes Again!

Last night David and I rearranged our living room a bit. We found our sneaky snacker is still on the loose!
First David found a whole dark chocolate and a wrapper behind the entertainment center. I could not tell if he was saving it for later, or if he decided dark chocolate wasn't his thing.
Moving a seldom-used recliner uncovered five sucker sticks, a dried up piece of cheese bread, and assorted other candy wrappers.
Oh, Nater! What are we going to do with you?

Easy Dressing

What's Christmas without a new recipe? My mom shared this one with me over the phone this morning. It was a hit for our little Christmas supper tonight.

Easy Dressing
1 box stuffing mix--prepared as directed on box
1 can creamed corn
1 can cream of chicken soup (or any cream soup)

Mix together, pour in casserole dish, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

More Lovely Things on Christmas Day

I did not make it to listing 100 things I love by Christmas, but I am still going to post them as they come to me. Here are some more:

21. Christmas lights
22. Christmas trees
23. after-Christmas sales
24. presents wrapped and waiting under the tree
25. when the blizzard we've prepared for finally arrives and we are all safe at home
26. gratitude
27. admiring the talent of professional photographers
28. fleece blankets
29. Hawaiian pizza
30. palm trees

From Christmas lights to blizzards to palm trees . . . that is a pretty all-inclusive list!
Yes, the winds began to blow during the night, so we had the quiet Christmas at home with our children as we had expected we would do today. After struggling with some problems with being thankful in previous years, our kids were so thankful and happy with everything they received this year. It warms a parents heart to hear, "That's what I always wanted!" (Especially if it is something as simple as a pair of Spider-Man pajamas.)
The day flew by after we entered the world of Wii and tried out some new games. We had an early Christmas supper of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberries. Then all three kids were in bed shortly after 7pm.
It was definitely and out-of-the-ordinary Christmas, but a very nice one nonetheless. I hope yours was much the same!

Unexpected Blessings

This is not the Christmas I had planned. I am sure several thousand families throughout the midwest can say the same thing today as a major storm (supposedly) moves in.
Our family went over to my husbands' parents this morning with the intention of staying just until after dinner to beat the bad winds and snow home. It turned out that the winds held off until this evening. We had a fun time with everyone there, but in the process I missed out on Christmas with my family because of the storm everyone thought would arrive this afternoon.
I felt sorry for myself for a little while, but not too long. I really love my parents/brothers/sisters-in-law, niece, and nephews. I am thankful that we live close enough to have our impromptu Christmas together, even if it isn't what any of us really planned on doing today!
God has truly, truly blessed us.
Although this might not be the Christmas you had planned, take a little time to see the blessings around you--even if it is someone you hadn't expected seeing on Christmas Day!
Thank God that no storm can keep us from celebrating the birth of his Son wherever we are.
Merry Christmas!

You Gotta Believe.

Enjoy a classic from the New York Sun first run on September 21, 1897. Thank God for the writer who answered this little girl. Santa most certainly lives and lives and lives in those who do even a little to make another's world brighter.

"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Mean Mom

I had to be a mean mom this morning. I have written about Landen's tendency to lose articles of clothing--namely gloves--on his way to/from or at school. I have to be tolerant since I have also lost a pair of gloves this winter and had similar misplacing tendencies as a child, but my Landen has a talent for misplacing things--and never finding them again--like no other.
Yesterday he wore a brand new pair of gloves to school. Last night he walked in the door and told me, "They must have fallen off." Grrrrr!!!
His dad has threatened him that if he lost one more pair of gloves, he would go without until he found them. Well, this morning was that test.
David was out pushing snow from our yard, so it was up to me. At first I was going to be nice. Landen had found another pair of gloves on the floor and the mitten clips we had found in the entry closet. Based on their packaging, the clips look quite vintage, but are in brand new condition. As I was clipping the gloves to his coat and giving him a lecture about being responsible for his things, finding them, etc., he told me, "You just have too many gloves around here."
Well, I solved that problem in a hurry. The gloves stayed here and Landen left for the bus. He wasn't happy with this mom, but maybe it will be the motivation he needs to realize this house isn't an endless fountain flowing with extra pairs of gloves.
Tough love is tough on both of us, but sometimes it is necessary. I am sure it won't be the last time.

Fun Times Outside

"Substitute" Gingerbread Cookies

Landen requested that we make gingerbread cookies last week. Despite my hesitation taking on such a project, I found a guaranteed "easy to roll" recipe online and started mixing up the dough on Saturday morning.
The only problem was I found too late that all of my recent baking has taken quite a toll on the baking cupboard! I had to subsitute a few things--even half of the required molasses! Thankfully they still came out smelling and tasting like gingerbread, so all of the substitutes didn't affect the outcome too badly.
Here is my recipe (with substitutes if you want them to taste just like mine). :o)

"Substitute" Gingerbread Cookies
1 cup white sugar
4 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp groung nutmeg (Oops! A quick run to the pantry revealed that my only reserve spices were chili powder and allspice. Allspice smelled similar, so I used my last 1/2 tsp of nutmeg and another 1/2 tsp of allspice. I know that only adds up to 1 tsp, but I was afraid to add too much of a spice that wasn't even in the recipe.)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup molasses (I found online that dark corn syrup can be substituted, so I added a 1/2 cup of syrup to my last 1/2 cup of molasses.)
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup margarine, melted
1/2 cup evaporated milk
3/4 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp lemon extract (I have never had lemon extract on hand, but saw one recipe reviewer added almond extract to hers. I couldn't find my almond extract, so I used 3/4 tsp amaretto liqueur.)
4 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix in the melted margarine, evaporated milk, molasses, and extracts. Stir in the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. If necessary, add up to 1/2 cup more flour to prevent sticking.
Chill dough in refrigerator before rolling. Roll out onto a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes and place on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cool a few minutes and then remove to cool on wire racks.
We learned that the dough must be very cold and more flour needs to be sprinkled on it when cutting them out, even if it doesn't seem like it is sticky.
These are best with frosting and are great for dunking!

Blog Book

Well, I said it was my dream to publish a book. It seems I don't even have to find a publisher anymore! With just a few clicks I can review my own book and order it from http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/cutestblog/index.html. I am SURE it will be a best-seller. Ha!
My sister-in-law sent me this link several months ago and I saved it until the end of the year to actually check out the site this morning. It took less than a minute to upload my January entries and "page" through the book online. It even creates its own table of contents. Since I started blogging in January, I have decided to print the entire year, much like my mother-in-law does with her best family photos from each year.
When I first started my blog, my brother-in-law commented that it would be a good way to remember what has happened in our family. I hadn't anticipated it, but that is so true! This blog is my creative outlet, but also a scrapbook of daily events I otherwise would have forgotten. So often I would tell people cute things one of the kids said and they would say, "Write it down!" Well, I never seemed to find the time to put pen to paper, but it has become much easier to just log on and blog it.
Thanks for sharing in my 2009 blog journey. Stay tuned for wifeandmomunderconstruction--the book. :o)

Big Girl Bed

Yesterday we said goodbye to an old friend--our crib. We've been through a lot together--3 babies and many, many nights of sleep and afternoon naps. Even David crawled in it one night to calm Landen down. Landen used to crawl in with his baby brother and sleep there until we went to bed and moved him to his own bed. Yes, our crib served us well, but it was time to move on to bigger and better things.
Surprisingly, it was not as an emotional experience as I had expected. It makes it easier that we just have it stored downstairs and I can go and "visit" it whenever I wish. :o)
Parting with our baby "stuff" has been a slow process for me. I have lent our other baby gear & baby girl clothes to David's cousin and his wife who just had a baby girl. My best friend's little boy is the proud recipient of our little boys' clothes. I am more than happy to get more use out of these things . . . I'm just not ready to completely say goodbye forever just yet. If I ever do manage to get into quilting, I hope to make a quilt out of some of their baby clothes. But, that will be many, many years down the road.
Teresa was not yet crawling out of her crib, but she was crawling into it--climbing up on a chair, hoisting herself up and over the rail with a death-defying dive, tuck, and roll onto the mattress below. It really was quite terrifying to watch.
Mostly, though, I was excited to get her into a bed so she could use her new quilt. I designed a quilt last summer and it was already completed in November. It was a group effort. My design and fabric choices were combined with very talented ladies in Faulkton and a wonderful long-arm quilter in Aberdeen who made it a reality. It is a fun quilt that resembles a Mary Jane shoe. My mother-in-law said the pattern needed a more catchy name, so I have decided to name it "Sweet T."
Teresa loves it. As she moves downstairs someday when she is a bit older, I plan to decorate her room with her various baby shoes. She just loves shoes. I don't know how she got to be so girly, but I love it!
She spent her first night in her bed last night and it was a success. Now she will have even more room for all of her stuffed friends!

What is that SMELL?

Ah, the mystery smell. Few things are as terrifying especially when children are involved.
I woke up this morning and noticed a strange smell throughout the house. The garbage? No. The kids' rooms? Nope. The dishwasher? Not there either!
I finally tracked down the smell to the living room. Where could this sour milk/dead mouse/poopy diaper smell be coming from in that one room?
Then, as I crossed in front of the entertainment center looking for forgotten sippy cups my nose zeroed in on the culprit--my houseplant.
It is a beautiful houseplant that David once bought for me. I have managed to keep it thriving for several years. (This is probably due to the fact that it prefers dry soil.) It really does like it when I remember to water it with cooled leftover water from boiling green beans, spinach, or broccoli.
Well, it seems the leftover broccoli water from last night must have contained some bits of broccoli. That was the AWFUL smell coming from the plant.
I immediately plugged in a new air freshener. I sprinkled just a bit of baking soda on the soil (not recommended, but I had to do SOMETHING) and covered it with a new layer of potting soil. I hope that helps or I may just have to re-pot it altogether.
David came in a little bit ago and said, "It smells like a poopy diaper in here."
So, I did the only other thing I could think of. I baked cookies.
That should help mask the smell for a little while.

I'm Dreaming of a Healthy Christmas

Once upon a time, I didn't think it was possible for anyone to have the stomach flu on Christmas Day. I thought there had to be some sort of exemption on that day. Colds were allowed, but certainly not something as uncomfortable as a stomach bug.
Then came Christmas 2005 when Landen was 2 years and Nathan almost 2 months old. We made it through Christmas Day alright. Then we went on a fun family trip to the Black Hills with David's family. All was well for a couple days. Then the stomach flu snuck into the cabin. By the time it had run its course, only a couple of people were spared. It was truly the gift that kept on giving.
The next year brought a beautiful Christmas morning interrupted by Landen coughing on camera and then announcing, "I puked."
The next year brought the exact same thing--only that year Nathan joined in. (Uncanny--and gross--I know.)
Last year Teresa & Nathan both came down with an intestinal bug near the beginning of December that lasted a full seven days for each of them. Of course they staggered their infections, so we were having "fun" right up until the night of December 23. Then God smiled on us and gave us our first healthy Christmas in years. I was ecstatic and genuinely grateful.
On January 2, Teresa & Nathan succumbed to yet another bug. My first reaction? "Happy New Year."
Certainly our family had to be the only family to have such a terrible track record for this sort of thing on Christmas.
Not so! It seems Erma Bombeck and I have yet another thing in common.
Her column, "The Kids are Sick--It Must Be Christmas" ran on December 18, 1970:
"The other day Bruce complained. "My head hurts and my nose is stuffy."
"Ridiculous," I said. "It's too early. Christmas is a week away."
Normal people can always predict when the holidays are near at hand. There is an air of excitement, the smell of evergreens, the ringing of bells, the singing of carols. There is a saying at our house. "We got measles. It must be Christmas."
Down at the Laundromat, I am known as Typhoid Mary. "What are you having this year for Christmas?" they ask as I sort my clothes.
"Well, I've got one exposure to chicken pox, one who has had mumps only on his left side, and two just throw up to keep things interesting."
It's never serious enough to be a real emotional drag, but I've forgotten what real Christmases are like. I cornered my friend Donna Robust and begged, "Tell me again about Christmas at your house."
"Well," said Donna, "on Christmas morning I get up first and--"
"Start going through the yellow pages to find a drugstore open," I said, my eyes glistening.
"No, no"--she laughed--"I turn on all the lights around the Christmas tree. The I ring the sleigh bells and--"
"I know, I know." I said excitedly, "it's pill time. You give one a spoon of Coke syrup, another an aspirin and the baby a suppository for nausea."
She shook her head. "I summon them all around the tree to open up their presents. Then, after breakfast, we all get dressed--"
"Can you imagine that" I sighed. "Everybody dressed!"
"Then we go to church, and that afternoon we have fifteen or twenty people in for Christmas dinner."
"Once I saw my dad on Christmas. He slid two batteries under the door for a robot monster that didn't include them."
"I bet that was nice," she said.
"Oh, and another time the doctor dropped by to check on us and brought in a bit of snow on his boots. The kids went wild."
"Maybe this year things will be different," said Donna, patting my hand.
"Maybe so, " I sighed, "But tell me again about how you all get dressed and go out . . . ."

Maybe this year will be different. After all, I think we've already paid our dues for the year. We all took our turn with a mild stomach bug before and after Thanksgiving.
Thank goodness we have had our immunizations for chicken box, measles and mumps. At least that is one less thing for us to share!

Feeding the Geese

One of the best parts of visiting Pierre is the lake near the state capitol. Geese, ducks, and huge fish enjoy the water year 'round and love when visitors bring them bread and popcorn snacks. They are definitely not shy. One goose came right up and "talked" to us. We think he was saying, "More popcorn, please!"
We didn't have to worry about our kids keeping all the popcorn for themselves. Landen took one taste of the plain air-popped corn and said it tasted "horrible." As you can see, the geese and ducks thought it was very yummy!

O, Christmas Trees!

Every Christmas season the South Dakota State Capitol is filled with Christmas trees. The boys loved them, but Teresa seemed a bit intimidated by this "forest" at first!

Family Movies

My sister is a great judge of movies--especially family movies.

The first she told me about was "Meet the Robinsons."
I had thought about buying the movie for our family, but I didn't know if it was appropriate as the previews had looked kind of . . . um . . . silly. However, after she assured me it was appropriate for small children and had a great message, I just happened to find it in a bargain bin at a local convenience store as I was buying my coffee one Sunday morning. We watched it that night and it really was wonderful. The message--KEEP MOVING FORWARD--is one with which I frequently struggle and need to be reminded to do from time to time. It is such an imaginative, funny, reminder that our world is always changing and the best is yet to come.

The most recent favorite is "Horton Hears a Who." I had wanted to take the boys to it last summer, but for some reason or another it didn't work out. We have the older cartoon on the same video as "The Grinch" cartoon, so they have seen that version several times. I had never watched the entire thing.
Then one day as I was changing the boys' beds and Nathan was watching it in the living room above, I heard some great wisdom drift down the stairs--A PERSON'S A PERSON NO MATTER HOW SMALL.
As we were flipping through sale ads on Thanksgiving, Amanda assured me that the new version was again very suitable for young children (not all Seuss remakes in the past have been).
Yesterday it came from Netflix and we had a family movie night. It is very cute--Horton can do GREAT things with his ears--and again the central message is repeated at the end--EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN'T SEE THEM OR HEAR THEM AT ALL, A PERSON'S A PERSON NO MATTER HOW SMALL.
A pro-life message? I choose to think so. A reminder that we need to look out for each other--especially the "little" people? Definitely.
If you want to have a family movie night, need to entertain the kids while you get a little holiday baking done, or still have a movie lover on your Christmas list these are two wonderful choices. Don't forget the popcorn!

Tasty Treats

This morning brought another COLD day, so it called for some mom & child cooking time again. I found a very yummy recipe for these treats and was even able to use some of those Oreos I had been hoarding!

Mint Chocolate Cookie Crunch
1 1/2 bags chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 (20 ounce) package chocolate cream-filled sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed
2 cups crisp rice cereal
Melt chocolate chips and add extract. (I used a bag of Nestle Dark Chocolate & Mint Chips and then another cup of chocolate chips in place of the extract.) Mix with cookies and cereal. Scoop onto wax paper and let set.
And . . . the best part

. . . licking the bowl!

Funny Nathan

Last night on the way to Religious Ed (a.k.a. "Church School"):
Landen: Why do I have to be a shepherd two years in a row?
Nathan: Do you want to be Spider-Man?

This morning:
Nathan: Can you make this big train track?
Me: Maybe Dad can do that for you after dinner.
Nathan: No, I want YOU to!
Me: Why me?
Nathan: Because you're MOM!

Molasses Crinkles

I was SURE I had posted the recipe for Grandma Rosemarie's Molasses Crinkles at some point this past year, but I can't seem to find it anywhere--even using the handy-dandy search tool I just added!
These cookies are a must-have for cold winter days. They smell and taste delicious and pair wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee. Grandma always had plenty of these in the freezer for anyone who might stop by.
Nathan, Teresa, and I mixed up a batch of these this morning. This time we mixed some red and green sugar with the white sugar to make them more "Christmasy." They were more than happy to be my sugar-rolling elves!

Molasses Crinkles
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp ginger
4 1/2 cups flour

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and molasses. Add dry ingredients. Mix and drop by spoonfuls into a small bowl of white sugar. Roll in sugar, put on greased baking sheet, and flatten down. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. They crack open nicely on the top.

Another Try at Chai

I am on my third batch of chai tea mix. I have made it a little differently each time, but I like this way the best. It is basically back to my original recipe only using french vanilla creamer in place of the vanilla/caramel creamer. It is still not as delicious as The Daily Grind, but it fills in the gaps between my trips to Aberdeen.

Chai Tea Mix
1 cup dry milk powder
1 cup powder creamer
1 cup powder French vanilla creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cardamom

Put into blender to make powder. Use 2 heaping teaspoons in each cup of hot water.

Snowy Sunday

We've had a few snow flurries come through today. There's just something about winter weather this year that makes me hungry for hot chocolate and Oreos. I have a cup of hot chocolate beside me, but so far I have resisted the Oreos. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold off, however. Somehow I ended up with 3 packages in my pantry. I must have known that winter was coming and I needed to stock up on cookies as well as the apple & pumpkin goodies I have in the freezer!

I'm Still Here!

I apologize for lack of posts lately! With corn harvest finally wrapping up (just one more truckload to get out tomorrow) and State Oral Interp (an excellent rating for our team), I haven't had much time to write . . . or think of what to write!

More Things I Love

I'm not sure if I will make it to 100, but here's another 10.

11. cozy winter nights at home
12. cheering for the winner of a close game
13. laughing
14. a quick wit
15. Mark Schultz' music
16. surprises in the mail
17. desserts of ALL kinds
18. South Dakota wines
19. Hobby Lobby
20. scented candles

Sunny Days . . . .

I had a wonderful time shopping with my mom, sister, aunts, cousin, and grandma on Friday. I did not have anything I absolutely HAD to get, so the crowds (which had thinned by our mid-morning arrival) were not stressful at all.
My best purchase has to be the one that was nearly my last for the day.



I have watched "Sesame Street" for as long as I have watched "The Price is Right"--for about 31 years now. Always the nostalgic one, I just could not pass up this DVD set covering scenes from 1969-2009. I seriously bought it for myself, but my kids couldn't wait to watch it. The only problem is they love the 1989-2009 DVD so much they haven't wanted to watch the early years yet! That is the one I am especially excited to watch with them. No matter--I am just fine letting them watch the educational DVD while I make meals uninterrupted!
"Sunny days, sweeping the clouds away!"

She Takes the Tractor Another Round

On Saturday night, Landen told the crowd at Snow Queen that his parents "drive tractors in fields" all day. The rest of the stay-at-home moms got recognition for helping the younger siblings or cleaning the house, but not me! Except for that afternoon when I helped David in the field for an hour I had not been in the tractor for a very long time. Well, it seems Landen had a feeling that hour on Saturday was going to lead into more hours because I have, in fact, put in several since then!
Teresa and I now make up a mother-daughter team in the 4-wheel drive tractor pulling the aerator in the harvested fields. It really isn't that difficult of a job. I hear a beep as I come to the end, I turn the tractor onto the next round, push the Auto Steer button, and it takes off on its own. Teresa keeps busy eating her snack or cleaning the tractor windows. I can see on my monitor where I have been and how much I have left. It's actually kind of fun, but only because I know I don't have to do it ALL of the time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for--a bountiful harvest, health, home, family, friends . . . and much, much more!
Have a wonderful day!

Called Home

I just received an email update that Thomas Blake passed away today at the age of 6 months. He did not survive the latest surgery that was necessary to fix his heart. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Cranberries

Did you know that Wisconsin produces the most cranberries in the US? Did you also know that they grow on vines and are only in bogs at harvest when the beds are flooded so the berries float to the top? I did not know either of these things. I didn't even know cranberries grew anywhere but the east coast until Rachael Ray had cranberries from Wisconsin as her "Snack of the Day" yesterday. Then, thanks to my newspaper insert today, I became a regular cranberry expert. :o) Now you also have a couple fun facts to share if conversation is lacking around your Thanksgiving table.
As I have mentioned before, I am hosting the Thanksgiving dinner this year. My turkey is thawing in the refrigerator. I just love cranberries, so I wanted to do something special with them this year. I made my first ever batch of homemade cranberry sauce today.
I have absolutely nothing against the canned kind. In fact, I love how the numbers and lines from the can are indented into its sides and ends. That alone screams "Thanksgiving" to me.
But, due to my love of the Food Network and allrecipes.com, I decided to try my hand at making some "real" cranberries this year. I am probably the only one that will appreciate them, but my taste of them warm out of the saucepan was definitely positive. The recipe I used was SUPER easy. They were done in 10 minutes and it was kind of fun to hear the berries popping as they cooked.
Here is the recipe I used from allrecipes.com:

Washed Cranberry Salad
1 bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and any stems removed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cups orange juice
3/4 cups water
(OR you may use all water for the liquid)

Combine all in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 10 minutes. Take any foam off the top and store the cranberry sauce in the refrigerator.

Baby Thomas Blake

I have been continuing to follow Thomas' story in the past few weeks. This little boy is such a miracle--surpassing all expectations that have been set for him. Even when his doctors told his parents he probably wouldn't wake up from his coma, he began to open his eyes as his parents were processing the bad news. He turned 6 months old in these past weeks, sees, hears, and responds. Now, however, he faces a new setback in his recovery and tests are being done to see what is wrong.
Say what you want about technology. I think it can be a powerful and wonderful thing. Thomas now has had over 50,000 visits on his page--from friends, family, and strangers who have stopped to pray for him. He has not only brought Christians together, but people of all faiths. Imagine--one very sick little boy in a hospital doing that. God truly works through all of us--no matter where we are, how young, how old, or how weak.
I read his mother's posts hoping every time that the newest one will announce a great step in his recovery. I read so that I can pray for his family, knowing that the road between the Omaha hospital and his dad & sisters back home is way too far. I read to witness his mother's amazing faith and strength, realizing that my daily struggles are what she would give anything to face right now instead of the heartache no parent should ever have to bear.
None of us knows what the future will hold or what crosses we may be called to bear. Even though I always TRY to see my blessings, I know my sighs, eye rolls, and sometimes short temper toward my children can cloud my view quite a bit.
Please do what I did tonight and kiss your rambunctious, messy, loud, naughty, & healthy kids and say a little extra prayer of thanks for your miraculous blessings. While you are at it, please send up an extra prayer for baby Thomas. I know his family would appreciate it.

100 Things I Love

I first saw this idea in a scrapbook magazine. I liked the idea, but wasn't sure I could even think of 100 things I love. After all, love is a pretty strong word. Since then, though, quite a few things have come to mind that I really do love.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I have decided to take on the challenge. A rule I have made is that the obvious--my family, our health, friends,--are certainly the things I love the MOST in life, but will not count toward this list. Maybe it would be more accurately named, "100 LITTLE Things I Love"
I will list 10 at a time as I think of them and hope to reach 100 by Christmas.
Here I go, (in no particular order):
1. newborn babies
2. coffee with friends
3. reading a few chapters of a book--uninterrupted
4. calm, sunny days with a temperature between 70-80
5. the Internet--my portal to the outside world
6. being Christian, and more specifically Catholic
7. empty laundry baskets
8. marathon shopping days
9. the sound of the ocean
10. "The Price is Right"

Actually a Really Good Idea

Those were David's words, not mine, but I have to agree.
Teresa received some really nice kitchen gadgets for her birthday, but we didn't have a place to store them or keep them organized.
I thought of hanging them on pegboard and then did some searching on the internet for ideas. I found that Julia Child actually had a pegboard wall in her kitchen! Well, I thought, if it was good enough for Julia Child's kitchen, it was certainly good enough for my daughter's!
I started out just painting the board lavender. That wasn't enough, so I added a border, then a cupcake & cookie. Nathan suggested a spoon and bowl and David suggested an oven mitt. With flour, sugar, salt, & pepper added it was finished.

I carried it in the house and it has been a hit with all three kids. The boys love to move the hooks around and have even requested their own John Deere pegboard for their room. Teresa loves to hang the different items on them.
I love it because, for now, the toy room is a bit organized!

Another Milestone to Note

Teresa has been shaking her head "No" for quite some time. Today she started putting an adamant verbal "No" with the head shaking. Grrreeaat!

What a Day!

Today was Region Oral Interp. I swear it was the toughest and most unpredictable contest I've ever been to. By the last category, I was extremely nervous wondering if I was going to be able to take any students to compete at the State Festival or not. Only an alternate had been announced from our school, even though all performed very well.
Our Reader's Theater (made up of 6 students performing a piece together) was the last to perform . . . and the last winner announced for the day! I truly thanked God and breathed a HUGE sigh of relief.
Oral Interp is such a hidden activity. Even though we have been practicing since September 1, very few people actually see these kids perform their pieces. Not even all of the parents come to the local contest.
After I have seen them working day after day to perfect what they are doing, it hurts a little when I find out their road has ended for the year. It's not as noticeable as the volleyball team losing the championship game, but it is still important to these kids and me--their coach.
I am thankful to have several returning students again next year. My new freshman did VERY well for her first year and has lots of experience behind her from this season.
Before next year, though, we have a State Festival ahead of us!
I am so thankful our team can be a part of it.

Bring on the Christmas Shopping!

I have felt for several years that stores push Christmas shopping waaayy too early.
However, this year I have decided, "If you can't stop them, buy their stuff."
Even though I haven't even finalized my Thanksgiving menu (I am hosting for the first time this year--aaaahhhh!), I am deep into the Christmas shopping spirit.
Although I am a fan of online shopping (a semi-shopaholic who lives in the middle of nowhere has to feed her addiction somehow), I have actually managed to support my local mall already, too. I love that Bath & Body Works has their Christmas scents out and I have already shopped their sales twice. I have also been to Hallmark twice to peruse the Keepsake ornaments to choose just the right one for each of our kids. We always pick one that shows what they were interested in for that year. Nathan's was easy--Scooby Doo eating cookies! Landen is getting a school bus to mark his year as a Kindergartener and Teresa will have an Elmo ornament. She loves singing the Elmo song, "Wa, wa, wa. Wa, wa, wa. Wa, wa, wa. Wahhhh!"
David took me out on Friday evening and he had to get some things at Menards first. One would think that would be a pretty safe place to take one's wife, but not so much with me. While he looked for his electrical supplies, I stocked up on Christmas ribbon and some other great deals I just couldn't pass up. I found the cutest Santa-like red ribbon with white edging that I am going to use as garland on our tree. Do you think my Thanksgiving guests would mind if I had my Christmas tree decorated in the corner amongst the fall decor? I can't wait!
For the past two days since our little date, I have been fighting the urge to do some actual serious shopping. The main cause of this is that David, his dad, and brothers have been hunting for the past two days. When the men hunt, it REALLY makes me want to go out and spend (a.k.a. save) some money!! Isn't that what we wives are supposed to do?
Unfortunately, heading back up to Aberdeen to further stimulate their economy didn't work out yesterday or today. I did inform my husband after church this morning that I WOULD be "hunting" with my mom the day after Thanksgiving and he would have the kids. I figure, "what's fair is fair".
Rest assured, I have still been able to stay on top of my Christmas list from my little computer at home. I just received an email that my latest Amazon order has shipped. You would not believe how much money I SAVED! I am sure David will also be most impressed. ;o)

A New Year

I turned 31 yesterday. I really don't feel that "old." I still catch myself thinking I am younger, like when I hear people younger than I am are getting married or having babies. My immediate thought is, "They're so young!" But, then I realize that they are 28 or 29 and I am--gasp--OVER 30. :o)
It was a very good day. We didn't do too much out of the ordinary (David and I are going out tonight), but it was nice. I especially like the new birthday tradition I have started this fall with bringing home pizza after oral interp practice!
Today it is back to real life, which is mostly Nathan begging to watch TV or have a snack all day and then not eating his meals.
Oh, well. It's just another day in paradise.

Funny Stuff

One thing I love about my Landen is that when he opens his eyes in the morning, he is immediately ready for action. This morning when David went to wake him up, his little brown eyes popped open, and he said, "Do you know what the BEST part of school is? LUNCH."
David asked if he liked that even better than recess.
Landen answered, "I LOVE FOOD." (So there are some of my genes in that boy after all!)
After breakfast, David installed my new florescent bulb over the kitchen sink. I liked the return of the light, but not the flicker. I decided to wait awhile to see if it would stop.
Nathan came out to the kitchen, looked at the light, and asked, "Are there fireworks going on out here?"
For some reason, that just struck me as so funny!
Thankfully when I turned it off and back on again, the "fireworks" stopped.
Have a great day!

Endless Wash Cycle

I'm not sure if I've posted about my laundry obsession before, so forgive me if I have.
I am a third generation (at least) "laundry freak." That's right--as far as household chores go, I actually enjoy doing laundry. Making the piles disappear over the course of a day is a visually rewarding task for me. If I have my laundry caught up, I feel like I am more caught up on life.
I know I wouldn't have to do laundry as often as I do. Except for jeans, it is not like we run out of clothes between each cycle. And, there are other places in the house that really should be tackled--like the bathroom for instance. Teresa got into the Vaseline as I was packing last Friday morning and smeared it all over the bathroom mirror and wall. I have looked at it several times as I have passed through to gather a load of towels or clean out the laundry basket. Always preferring to head straight down to the washing machine, the slimy smears are still there as I type. And my windows? They really need some attention. I thought about washing them today as it is nice and sunny, but I hear it is supposed to be very windy. I think I'll stay inside and wash bedding instead.
After taking a couple days off from my household hobby, I was faced with a particularly huge mountain of laundry yesterday morning. By last night I was claiming victory over it. I even had most of it put away! (Unfortunately my laundry enthusiasm usually does not extend to the actual putting away of the clothes.)
The problem with this laundry high is that the feeling of accomplishment is very short lived. By this morning, another mountain is starting to build . . . and so the cycle continues.
I have just a few days to train and regain my stamina for the next mountain I must climb.

New Photos for Our Wall

Now that all three kids have had their birthdays, I can update the pictures on my living room wall.
Landen's was taken at school this fall, but Nathan & Teresa's were taken at my makeshift "studio" (a backdrop draped over my quilt rack) at home.
Thanks to some editing on picnik.com, which I just discovered, they look pretty good.
From comparing the last year's pictures to these, it is obvious that Teresa has changed the most--mostly because she has grown hair!

Point of Grace & Mark Schultz

Sometimes God has some really great surprises in store for me.
It started with a fan email a few months ago advertising the Point of Grace and Mark Schultz Come Alive tour. I am a fan of both groups, but Mark Schultz has been my favorite Christian singer for quite some time. Knowing it was a long shot that they would even be close to me, I almost didn't even open it. Then I did.
I saw that the closest they would be touring would be Fargo on Nov. 6. That would be a possibility distance-wise, but how could I plan anything in the fall? I almost didn't even mention it to David. Then I did.
He actually thought it might be a good idea and agreed that I could order tickets. If we couldn't go, it would be a good charitable donation. So I did.
I tried not to get my hopes up. However, every day since I ordered those tickets, the concert would cross my mind--wondering if the latest rain would hold combining off too far or if something else would prevent us from going. I even asked my mom to start praying for rain for Nov. 5 or 6. As it turned out, we got rain every week up until this one, but we were still able to get the soybeans done in time.
As the date got closer, I began to see it miraculously unfold that we would most likely BOTH be able to go to the concert! I knew a week out when David asked when "we" were going to Fargo, things were looking good! Harvesting cooperated, David's parents were able to watch the kids, and so we took off on our little 24 hour vacation/early birthday present.
The concert was absolutely wonderful. There is nothing quite like Point of Grace's harmony. Mark Schultz' heartfelt songs are always awesome. Everyone at the sold-out show at Bethel Church was a fan of the performers, but it was praising God in song that was most important. It was absolutely awesome to sing along with so many of my favorite songs. His lyrics never fail to speak to my heart. So many are from God's point of view, which I think gives them added comfort.
My favorites:
"Remember me when the colors of a sunset fill the sky; remember me when you pray and tears of joy fall from your eyes." ("Remember Me")
"He's not just anyone, he's my son." ("He's My Son"--which I first heard when I was pregnant with Nathan)
"I AM the one who even knew you, before your birth, before you were. I AM . . . . ("I AM")
"He is, He was, He always will be. He lives, he loves, he's always with me. Even when it feels like there is no one holding me, be still, my soul. He is." ("He Is")
The inspiration from that most recent single came from a couple he heard about who had a baby on a Friday and found out the mother had terminal cancer on Sunday. The father said they couldn't praise God on a Friday and curse him on a Sunday. He is the same God every day. To have such great faith!

His newest CD is "Come Alive." Wow!
I am just so thankful everything worked out. It definitely made up for the awful birthday experience I had last year. 31 is better than 30 and it isn't even here yet!:o)
As we were leaving the concert, a girl was at the door handing out fliers for another upcoming concert in December featuring tobyMac and Kutless, another band that I have just discovered. Kutless' rendition of "It is Well" ROCKS. Even my kids think so and request it when we are driving. "What Faith Can Do" is a beautiful, powerful song and the reason I bought the CD in the first place. Wow, once again!
The December concert will not work for our schedule, but it wouldn't hurt to start praying that we can see them the next time they come through Fargo. I never know--it just might work out!

Reading

Landen read his first "real" book all by himself last night! It was so cute to see him sitting on the couch and reading to his brother.
The book? Oh, it is a classic every family should have in their collection!

Oral Interp Success

I've been busy tending to my part-time oral interp coaching gig these past few days. Being the District chairperson made for a bit more work preparing this year, but I have to say it was pretty fun. I especially liked the part where I was the first to know the results of each contest. No waiting meant I didn't have to spend the day nervous for the outcome after the last session.
I am super proud of my oral interp kids as they came in 2nd in team points at the District Contest yesterday!
Also, we have many advancing to the Region Contest--we had winners in 5 of the 7 categories!
We are coming together as a team and it is a great feeling. Maybe it is the fact that this is my third year with them. Or--maybe it is the fact that I am always an easy sell for stopping for ice cream after a contest.
Whatever it is, it seems to be working for us. :o)

Party Time!

Nathan's shirt pretty much says it all! He is happy to be turning 4. He had a Scooby Doo theme. (Those are monsters on his cake.)
Teresa loved hearing "Happy Birthday" sung to her! She had a little pumpkin cake and a Halloween colors theme for her side of the party.

Here is my side of the family that was present for the party.
I thought I had one with all the grandparents, but I don't on my camera. Oops! These will have to do!
It was a pretty small party compared to what we usually have, but the kids didn't mind. Some of their best friends were here to play with and there was plenty of cake, ice cream and presents.
We are so very blessed to have such wonderful family & friends. More on Nathan's birthday tomorrow . . . .

Trick or Treat

I just LOVE taking the kids trick or treating. So does David. We have to take turns taking the kids door to door while the other drives down the block. We don't go to too many houses each year, and that is probably good since our kids tell our life story at every door!
"Teresa's birthday is today. She's 2."
"You know what Teresa got for her birthday? A truck, and a trailer and . . . ."
"I got a thousand candies!"
"We're going to Grandma & Grandpa's house!"
All the while, the people smile and nod to our little conversationalists as we try to hurry them along.
Nathan had the best greeting of the night. As he knocked on one door, he announced, "Open up, buttercup!" He has such a personality. He must be just about 4!

Happy Birthday, Teresa!

Our Teresa Rosemarie is 2 years old today! We think she is "boo"tiful even with the little black eye she's sporting on her birthday. :o)
Happy Birthday, Little T. What would our family be without you?

One without babies for birthday presents, that is for sure!

Halloween is Almost Here!

Good Morning!

Good morning! I am having a cup of Chai tea before my little two wake up. Then it's full speed ahead!
What a busy week! First, we were able to get a good number of soybeans through the combine before the most recent rain, which was a most appreciated blessing.
The next project: Halloween and birthdays.
I finished Teresa's monkey costume yesterday and just sent Landen off to school with his Spider Man costume (thank you, Walmart) and his treats for the party today. Nathan will be Spider Man, too, so all are taken care of. The only problem is that it is going to be so cold on Saturday, their coats will be covering their costumes! There have been requests to carve jack-o-lanterns and we do have quite the selection of pumpkins waiting in the shop. We will get to that one of these days. There is no school tomorrow, so that may be a good vacation day activity.
That just leaves birthday cake baking and planning/cooking for Teresa & Nathan's birthday dinner on Sunday.
Whew! I think I need another cup of tea . . . .

Baby Thomas Blake

Please pray for Thomas Blake, who is a baby boy of a friend of a friend of mine. His family lives in Redfield, which is not far from where I live.
I only know his story through the CaringBridge site, however he was born with an unexpected heart defect in May. Following one of his surgeries, his organs began shutting down. He is currently fighting for his life as his organs are all under stress. His parents are very faithful people and have been praying continually to all in heaven.
Please pray for his parents, four older sisters, and his healing. You may visit him on www.caringbridge.org/visit/thomas blake.

Harvest Communication

It must be harvest time again. The boys are talking into their hands to each other pretending they have two-way radios.

It's A Great Tradition, Charlie Brown!

I hope everyone gets to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" on TV tonight.
We try to catch all of the Charlie Brown specials every year. They never fail to captivate my children--and David and I as well.
My greatest family Charlie Brown memory so far is watching the Halloween special with our boys the night before we were to have baby #3. We went to drop them off at my in-laws and ended up staying to have popcorn and watch Charlie Brown with them. Now Teresa gets to join in on the fun--and she makes sure she gets her share of the popcorn!
Maybe Linus will see the Great Pumpkin this year. You'll never know if you don't watch!

Faces & Flowers

Here are a few faces from the anniversary party.
First, the October birthdays. Jordin was kind enough to share his Transformers cake with both great grandma (who shares his 10/27 birthday) and Teresa, who will be 2 next Saturday.

Now, my grandparents. Aren't they a beautiful couple? I just love them so much!!

Finally, a photo of some of the flowers they received.