Monday, November 30, 2009

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!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

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!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

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.

Friday, November 20, 2009

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"

Thursday, November 19, 2009

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!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

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)

Friday, November 13, 2009

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.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

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!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

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!



Saturday, November 7, 2009

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!

Friday, November 6, 2009

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!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

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)

Monday, November 2, 2009

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!