Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Around the Farm . . .


We no longer live on an island, but we did last weekend when my cousins & boys came to visit. David brought them in with the pickup, but the water had risen when they were ready to go. Enter the "Melius Island Ferry". As you can see, we even offered outdoor seating for the best possible view. Only the best for our guests! This mode of transportation could get quite spendy, though. David said he charged just 10 cents to get in, but $10 to get out again!

Here is the start of my flower garden. This was taken just a week after Teresa and I planted the seeds. The grew so fast that the greenhouse top couldn't be used for long. We have cosmos, gardenias, and bunny tails. The green pepper plants are just starting to poke though the dirt today.

And, here are the WalkMS team t-shirts I was telling you about! I am getting very excited. Two of my very best friends and their families will also be joining us this year, which will make it even more fun. Our youngest "walker" will be 4 months old! (Don't worry, Lincoln. You will be allowed to use a stroller.) :o)

Monday, March 29, 2010

WalkMS Update

There are some exciting things happening with our WalkMS team progress! First, we have reached $750! We are now halfway to our goal.
Second, my cousins came up with the awesome idea to have a family fun night in Eureka on April 17. If you live in the area, please stop by the Senior Center for Pizza & Bingo starting at 5:30pm that night. We will also have a free fish pond for the kids & drawings. The meal will be a free will offering and Bingo games will be a quarter per game. We hope it will become an annual event!
I will be picking up our team t-shirts from school this afternoon. Our art teacher did a great job designing them and I am very excited to see the finished product.
Thanks for your support, everyone!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Necessities

Even though Nathan and Teresa will just be spending the afternoon at Grandma's house, I had Teresa pack her suitcase this morning to keep her busy.
She packed all of her underwear and two dolls.
Nathan came in the room and didn't miss a beat when he asked, "Can I pack a suitcase full of snacks?"

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Shopping Weekend

This list will be entirely devoted to the things I love about our annual Melius Sisters-In-Law Sioux Falls Shopping Trip with my sisters Angela, Katie, & Jodi. This year's trip begins TOMORROW!! I do not love that we will be short one sister this year, but we have agreed to have a glass of wine (or two) in her honor. We'll make sure you make up for it next year, Jodi! I am SO excited for our third annual weekend!
41. listening to only MY music for 3 hours in a very quiet vehicle
42. my wonderful mother-in-law for helping David with the kids so I can go at all
43. mapping out our plan of attack once we all meet up in Sioux Falls
44. Gordman's, Hobby Lobby . . . and the list goes on
45. eating--anywhere is good!
46. Kohl's sales
47. Cold Stone Creamery
48. even more yummy food at Rick & Katie's
49. talking and laughing
50. getting up on Saturday and putting in a marathon bargain hunting day

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Student of the Week

Landen is a student of the week in Kindergarten this week, so I was able to be his special guest for lunch and story time. We decided this book would be a good one to share:

After Teresa was born, we received a wonderful gift from our friend Gretchen and her family--2 autographed books by fellow author Karma Wilson. Ms. Wilson, who is also a mom to two boys and a girl, generously sent a handwritten note and an extra autographed book especially for my boys, with the inscription, "Don't eat bugs!"
These books are very special to us and are kept safe on a shelf, but we still have read and enjoyed them several times. What little boys wouldn't love a story about a regurgitating frog and lots of icky, slimy creatures?
Check out more of Karma Wilson's books, including "Princess Me" and "Give Thanks to the Lord" (two more of our favorites) at www.karmawilson.com.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

In Case You Thought I Was Perfect . . .

(ha ha)
I found out yesterday that sump pumps work better when they are PLUGGED in. I--and I can't stress the following word enough--INADVERTENTLY unplugged it at some point to use an outlet. I discovered this messy mistake yesterday morning.
Now the boys get to camp out in the toy room for a few days again and our guest room is getting cleaned from the cement floor on up as the carpets dry.
If you have a problem with dust mites, come and stay with us. We not only clean our carpets, but also UNDER our carpets once a year!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Rollerskating Date


Since Nathan got to go on a trip with Grandma for a couple days, Landen got to have a fun night out with Mom & Dad last night.
This was his first time rollerskating and he did pretty well! He even won a St. Patrick's Day hat in the Hokey Pokey Contest.

Landen said he wants a rollerskating party for his next birthday. I was thinking the same thing for my next birthday! I had one for my 12th birthday. I think 32 calls for another one!
The rollerskating rink is a wonderful place--all of the "tweens" skating circles around you can either make you feel really old or really young. I chose to feel really young!

Water, Water Everywhere!

The water is down now, at least for this morning. These were some of the pictures I took last week. I still need to get a picture of our neighborhood "parking lot." The school bus and 4-5 vehicles are parked on the other side of the washout. We drive our pickups as far as we can, walk across the bridge, and catch our next ride out of here!




This is the road to the south of us. It was the first to go over last Sunday, but is now open (unless the water rises again). We have had several vehicles driving out here this morning already. It must be a guy thing--if the road is open, they MUST drive on it as soon as they can!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Absent Minded Professor

Landen is still enthralled with his 2010 Time for Kids Almanac. He told me this morning, "I told Megan yesterday I would bring my almanac tomorrow." She asked, "What the heck is an almanac?"

I have to say I never spent much time with an almanac until we gave this one to Landen for Christmas. It is now losing pages and needing to be rebound, but I'm not sure he could part with it long enough to get that done!
Usually when he sees a country's flag on TV, he knows which country it is or he will find it in his book. Last week he was especially interested in the states, knowing exactly where to look for South Dakota, and his favorite state, Rhode Island. Last night he saw a photo of the Hudson River crash and immediately looked up the same picture. He takes it to school with him and takes it to bed with him at night.
The almanac also feeds his love for maps of all kinds. As a toddler, Landen would draw squiggly-line "maps." Last week he was developing plans to make a model of Cresbard with cardboard. (He is now more interested in drawing up plans for a raft to carry us over the flood waters.)
He has already put in a request for the Time for Kids 2011 Almanac.
The kindergarteners keep journals in school. They can draw whatever they wish and add a sentence or two about it. This morning over breakfast, he said, "Do you know what I drew in my journal? Russia with a star where Moscow is."
That child never ceases to amaze me.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Still Here!

I thought I should post and let you all know that we are still here--still with one way in and out of the farm. David mentioned on Sunday that "he" had to get some pictures taken of the flooding. Darn! I always forget that means, "Laura, you should take some pictures." So, the kids and I finally got that done today. Our adventure was deja vu from last year--only this year I couldn't pull Teresa away from throwing rocks in the ditch either!
The water and floating ice are quite fascinating to them. They are all under strict orders to stay away unless mom and dad are with them, and they listen well, but I always feel better when the ditches close to our farm have dried up. Then I just have to worry about pickups whizzing by. At least now there isn't any traffic--except our mail delivery once a day!
You might have noticed I haven't posted pictures in awhile. My computer is being fixed, so I've been blogging from David's computer. I hope to have mine back soon. Then I will post scenes of what you might have missed in the past few weeks. :o)
Happy Sunny St. Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Waters are Rising

I predicted this a month ago when we were struggling to find a blizzard-free weekend to get together with friends. Once the blizzards stopped, I said, the floods would come. And, so, here we are. Currently, there is one muddy, 4-wheel drive-suitable path left off of our island. Usually we have four possible ways out.
David asked if we had enough food to last two weeks if need be. I suppose we do, but I don't even want to think about that! We are still able to get to our neighbors who live on a hill 1/4 mile away from us. Maybe we can pool our food supply if either of us starts to run low.
Just so my friends in Fargo don't think I'm a whiny baby, I am very thankful that our house is not flooded and probably will not be. This is the advantage of David's great grandpa building his house on a hill sixty years ago. Thanks for that, Grandpa Fred!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Difference Between a Dad and a Mom

Dad: Could plan to fly across the country and mention it casually as he runs out the door to catch his plane.

Mom: Can't even lock herself in her bedroom for a 20 minute walk on the treadmill.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

All Good Gifts

Our church's mini-retreat went wonderfully this morning. We had a small group, but everyone enjoyed themselves and the yummy lunch that was served.
The topic was appreciating God's gifts, using them, and finding unique ways of providing gifts for others. We demonstrated making chai tea, soup, biscuit mix, and brownies that could be given as gifts.
Our guests filled jars with different types of candy and decorated them to give to others. One of the ladies thought of using the same idea for Mother's Day--only filling a jar with bulbs or flower seeds and tying a pair of gardening gloves on the side.
What useful or consumable gifts can you think of to give to others? I will include my recipe for homemade biscuit mix (homemade Bisquick) below.

Biscuit Mix
4 ½ cups flour
1/8 cup baking powder
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 cup shortening

Blend until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This will keep for 8 months when stored in a tightly covered container in a cool area.

To make biscuits: Mix 2 1/4 cups mix and 2/3 cups milk. Turn onto a surface that has been floured with a little of the mix. Knead about 10 times and pat out in desired shape. Cut into shapes if desired, or cut into squares or wedges.

Your Hands

Losing our friend Carmen this week, a minor illness being shared through our family, and this persistent London-esque South Dakota fog has left me in quite the pensive mood.
Thankfully, as is His habit, God spoke to me through music this morning. I had heard this beautifully written song before, but I really needed to hear it today. Here are the lyrics:

"Your Hands" by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Do Not Lose Heart

"Therefore we DO NOT LOSE HEART. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being RENEWED day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an ETERNAL glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

God bless your day!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

John Rosemond Seminar

I have been trying to organize my notes in my head, trying to glean just the most critical information I think all parents should know. Most of this is in Rosemond's most recent book, Parenting by the Book, so be sure to look to that if you want more information.
Here's some of what I learned:
1. A parent does not have to be overly involved or obsessed with one's children to be a good parent (despite what current culture and parenting magazines tell us). Parents would do better concentrating on a child's character rather than their academic skills. If they enter school well disciplined, their learning will soon follow. (As a teacher by nature, I admit I fell into the idea that ABC's were much more important than character.)
2. There are seasons of parenting. The Season of Service goes from ages birth-2, with a transition stage from ages 2-3. Then comes the Season of Leadership which lasts from ages 3-10. The Season of Mentoring lasts from 13 until emancipation from home. Finally, the Season of Friendship is established.
This is what I had been struggling with. I am darn good at the service part if I do say so myself (after all, that is my love language), but I was struggling with how to treat my children now that they are not helpless babies anymore. They kept asking for help, so they must need it. Right? Not so, says Dr. Rosemond. Once I learned about the seasons, it all made sense, and I am so glad I learned this when my oldest child was 6 and not 16! I put this plan into action on Sunday morning, and it is amazing what my children are able to do for themselves. I was an enabler in their underestimating their abilities. This morning Nathan was even to turn on his own bath water and do the correct temperature. He was proud of himself and so were we!
3. Keep your eye on the long term goal and it will make all of the daily little decisions of parenting much easier to make.
4. Children CAN entertain themselves and the parent DOES NOT have to feel guilty about it. I feel as if I am constantly telling my children to "go play," and then I feel guilty for not spending time with them. I've tried it this week, and they are just fine with it. I don't think their entertaining themselves has caused any emotional scars or caused them to feel unloved.
5. The more attention you pay a child, the less they will pay to you.
6. Discipline is really making "disciples" of our children, as God has commanded us to do.
I have to give my husband a huge amount of credit. Most of what Dr. Rosemond told us, David has been trying to accomplish with our children for the past several years. I resisted and thought he was expecting too much out of them. I was glad David didn't go to the seminar with me or he would have been telepathically saying, "I told you so" (lovingly, of course) the entire day! His head has barely been able to fit through the door since I returned. :o)
Dr. Rosemond was right when he began the day saying it would be a "Mother Rescue/Marriage Rescue." When mama's happier, the whole family is happier.
To be honest, I have often thought Dr. Rosemond's answers in his columns were too strict and perhaps outdated. But, when I heard him speak and heard the results he has seen with good old common sense parenting (instead of psycho-babble parenting), one has to believe he knows what he is talking about.
So, as I said yesterday, I am feeling a sense of peace. I feel like I am taking the power back in my household. I am not a slave to my children's wants and whims. There is SO much great stuff on Christian parenting in "Parenting by the Book," and I encourage you to check it out, or better yet, go to a John Rosemond seminar when he is in your area.

**In memory of our dear friend Carmen Rausch, who went to be with her Lord this morning. When it came to Christian parents in this world, she was among the best. May God who welcomed her with open arms comfort the family and friends who will miss her greatly.**

Monday, March 8, 2010

Peace

I went to the John Rosemond Seminar in Aberdeen on Saturday. What an eye-opening experience that was. I learned many things that I was doing that, although well-intentioned, were not helping my kids one bit.
A few weeks ago on a chilly Wednesday night, I lit a candle in church and sent up a little prayer for peace in my life. I can't tell you the last time I had felt a sense of peace, even though things were going pretty well. I was just missing some things and I couldn't figure out what they were!
Between learning about "The 5 Love Languages" and going to this "Mom Rescue/Marriage Rescue" seminar, I can definitely say God has answered my little prayer.
More on this later . . . .

Friday, March 5, 2010

Wii-eally Annoying

Last Friday Nathan called me into the living room to tell me the WiiFit "wasn't letting him" do what he wanted to do.
I came into the living room to find all of our information had been erased. I blamed it on a glitch in the software and we re-entered our heights, weights, and other information. Then it happened again and, today, again.
I finally figured out what is going on. When Nathan finishes a disc, he thinks he is just turning it off when he's actually resetting the software. (A drawback to not being able to read yet.)
It's not a big deal. Really, it's not. But it is Wii-eally annoying having to start ALL over every time I want to exercise and not having any past on my chart when I should be up to 60 days by now.
I guess I can look at it as a new beginning everyday. At least all of those high scores David used to have are gone!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

It's Coming!

Spring is coming. I can feel it. I am not listening to those nay-sayers that say 40 inches of snow are still expected for this month.
Yesterday the sun snuck out from behind the clouds and it flipped a switch on my mood meter. Everything seemed brighter--except my muddy children when they returned from playing outside!
I have been so impatient to plant my garden that I bought a little "greenhouse" box to start some pepper plants and flowers this spring. Now I just have to wait another month to get that going or else I may have a full grown garden in my guest room before May!

Monday, March 1, 2010

What is Your Love Language?

I have heard there is no such thing as coincidence. I agree with that statement after listening to KLOVE last week.
I was heading to Aberdeen with Nathan & Teresa. After negotiations with my passengers, it was decided that I would listen to my music for the first half of the trip, and they could listen to theirs for the second half--on the condition they were "super good."
I turned on KLOVE just as they were talking about the book "The 5 Love Languages"--their featured topic last week. I just heard a little bit about it before they went to music (an awesome Mark Schultz song that I love very much), and then it was time for Veggie Tales. As Larry the Cucumber crooned on about his water buffalo, the concept of love languages continued to intrigue me.
I stopped at the Christian bookstore on my way out of town and bought a copy. I wish I had read this book before David and I were married. It sure would have cleared up some confusion and frustration in our relationship over the years.
The five love languages that author Gary Chapman discusses are Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.
I knew what our love languages were as soon as I saw the list. I am Acts of Service and David is Physical Touch.
It always kind of bothered me that whenever I felt I had fallen short in our marriage, I had the desire to bake David his favorite cookies or clean the house to meet his approval. What was wrong with me? Why was I equating love with food or work? It turns out that is just what an Acts of Service person does. Most often when I want to help someone or show that I love them, I make a meal or bake something for them. So, if I have ever done this for you, it means that I love you! If I have not, I am probably still just getting to it!
Well, if I was normal, I figured then there MUST be something wrong with David. My idea of a relaxing evening is curling up with a good book in my own chair. David would prefer we be sitting together--even if it means one of us loses circulation in an arm or leg. Since my children constantly scout the living room ready to pounce as soon as I assume a sitting position, I really look forward to my alone time after they are in bed.
It never occured to me that David wasn't trying to annoy me, but was showing his love for me. I just wasn't understanding at times.
I generally do not get too excited about relationship books. Usually they challenge the reader to do many extra things that go by the wayside sooner than later. This book, however, is different. You don't have to do anything extra at all. You just may have to do something differently--even once or twice a week to show your spouse that you are on the same page. This might mean folding the laundry instead of showering your spouse with kisses or spending an hour together instead of complimenting your spouse as you walk out the door.
So, what language do you speak?