Teresa's Room

Teresa is not the best housekeeper.  In fact, none of our children are meticulous that way.  There is still hope for Rachel.

Today Teresa had this exchange with her Grandpa Melius about her bedroom.

Grandpa:  Did a bomb go off in here?
Teresa:  No.  I have a smoke alarm.

Little Projects

Both boys came home with notes this week reminding us of the upcoming Valentine's Day party on Tuesday.  I was one grateful mom when they decided they would each make their own Valentine boxes!  Now, I grew up LOVING this time of year and would plan my own Valentine box weeks in advance.  One year I even ventured into the art of paper mache to make a gumball machine.  Yes, I LOVED Valentine boxes!

At this point in my life, however, I have a little different view on this yearly project.

Even with my independent artists working away, there was still enough fighting over paper, markers, tape, and a crying baby punctuating any silences.  Oh, it was quite a lively evening, but it turned out in the end!

By Friday morning, they had created these beautiful works of art!

 It didn't take Landen long to get bored on their free day from school, so I put him to work baking muffins for the February church potlock tomorrow.  Have you ever been to a breakfast potluck?  You should, especially if you are a fan of egg bakes, rolls, and muffins!  Mmmm!

This morning it was off to Saturday morning basketball for the boys.  I managed to get all of my little monkeys together for a picture before our Saturday morning pancakes.

Visit Just Imagine Heaven Today!

Today I'd like to direct you to cousin Jan's blog at www.justimagineheaven.blogspot.com.  Since I don't often blog about farm life here at the Melius farm/ranch, she did it for me after their visit last week.  (See the post "Cattle, Baby, & Pyrex")
Jan couldn't believe that I hadn't been out to see the baby calves (and a week later I still haven't been).  I suppose the novelty has worn off after ten calving seasons.  Just knowing that they're out there, healthy, and that Teresa has named them (Avery, Lydia, Funny Face, and, most recently Laura) is enough for me.  :o)  Don't judge--I have a a new baby keeping me in the house--and that is a very good excuse for not venturing out to see the cows!
Jan also captured the first photo of Rachel smiling on February 1.  (David would like to document that he was the first to make her smile on January 31.  It's true.  I witnessed it.)  You'll see that photography is one of Jan's many talents.
And . . . you just never know what you might find at the Salvation Army!
Wow--we packed a lot into one day's visit!  I'm sure you'll love her blog.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Church Music

Since the last Sunday in January, I have been playing the part of a real live church organist (or church pianist to be more precise).  Our full time organist is gone through the month of February and she asked if I could fill in.  Thanks to my wonderful husband being willing to sit with our four kids on his own, I was able to do it.  (OK, Rachel hasn't been awake for mass yet, but she probably will be before the end of the month!)
I subbed several times in our former parish and a few times at All Saints, but this is my first experience being responsible for everything from choosing the songs to putting the numbers on the board. 
Choosing the music has been the best part.  There is a music liturgy guide which suggests several songs appropriate for each Sunday's readings, so that takes a lot of the guess work out of it. 
I have a love for both old hymns and more contemporary songs,  So far my selections slightly favor the more traditional.  My favorite hymn, "How Great Thou Art" is coming up in a couple weeks.
I chose my favorite contemporary song for yesterday's mass before I knew what God would have in store for our family the very next day.  I first heard "You Are Mine" at the beginning of my sophomore year of college.  I had been homesick my freshman year and was apprehensive with the start of a new one.  I found such comfort in the words based on Isaiah.  It has been my favorite ever since.  Feeling God's great love through this song can (and often does) make me cry on a normal Sunday (which can get messy when I forget to pack tissues in my purse!)  I knew it would be difficult yesterday, and with no choir behind me, I didn't have a choice but to sing.  I made it almost to the end. 
The last verse is what always gets me.
"I am the Word that Leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give.  I will call your name, embracing all your pain.  Stand up, now, walk and live!" 
Love it, love it, love it.
I will post a You Tube link so you can hear it, too.
Now it is time for me to get practicing for next Sunday.  At least I remembered to change the numbers yesterday.  I'll get this all figured out by the end of the month--I hope! :o)
May God bless your day.

Rachels

We have been blessed with the company of family and friends this past week.  We continue to be grateful for such awesome support.  We were especially blessed to spend time with cousins we don't get to see very often.  David's cousin Jared & wife Jan and Rebecca, Rachel, Thomas, David, Elizabeth, and Anna came over to our house twice during the week before they had to return to Denver.  The kids had SO much fun playing with each other. 

 We had to get a picture of the two Rachel Melius' while they were together.  We didn't get a picture of the two David Melius' this time.  (Yeah--our families have similar taste in names.  At least we live far enough apart that we don't get each other's mail or confuse medical records!)

 Here's a photo of our two Melius families' worth of children.  The whole command to "go forth and multiply"?--not a problem here. :o)

We were blessed by a visit by another Rachel yesterday--my dear friend and baby Rachel's godmother (and her son Brandon, who was too busy when this photo was taken).  We have decided to call this Rachel "Aunt Rachel."  The only other alternative was "Big Rachel" and I just couldn't bring myself to call her that!
When I informed Landen of the decided name, he reminded me that she isn't really their aunt.  I told him that we are going to adopt her as one because nobody wants to be called "Big Rachel."  He said I had a point.  :o) 
Lots of Rachels and lots of love.  We have lots to be thankful for.