primitive

Who's idea was it to stretch earlobes?  This trend in body modification is repulsive to me.  (hopefully this is a trend and the madness stops real soon!)  Today I saw a girl who was only stretching one earlobe.  What the . . . ?  The very next girl I saw had big holes in her lobes also.  I could have fit my pinkie fingers through them!

Do people really think that looks good?  Is it attractive to others?  What is the fascination with it?  What satisfaction does it bring to the person?

I don't understand it at all.  Trust me, I've tried.  But it makes no sense to me.  How do these young people expect to get any kind of respectable job in a professional career with holes in their ears the size of cars?!  What happens when these people are 70 and have droopy earlobes?

Can this condition be reversed?  Like, if a person decides he doesn't want to have big earlobes anymore, can he just stop plugging them?  Will the skin go back to normal?

Why?  Someone explain to me why.  Okay, sure, there's always the argument for personal self-expression, but that's a cop out.  If you want to express yourself, write poetry.  Learn to play an instrument.  Write music.  Or a book.  Learn to draw or paint or sculpt.  Crochet.  Knit.  Beading. 

This is nuts, people!  Get a grip on yourself!  How can it be self-expression if half the people in this city, county, state, country are also "expressing" themselves in the exact same way.  That's not original at all! 

I recall from when I was young a drawing in a history book of a man from an ancient African tribe who had stretched-out earlobes.  Only, he didn't have anything holding the lobe open.  The bottom ridge of his earlobe just hung down half way to his shoulder all on its own.  Hello!  An ancient African tribesman!!!  This is not 493 BC!  We are experiencing the most technologically advanced culture ever in human history and yet people want to regress to an antiquated time.

Oh My Gosh.

Disclaimer:  I don't hate the people who do this.  I only am disgusted at what they do.  And before you accuse me of being a hater, just remember, this is my blog and these are my opinions, and I'm entitled to them.  I don't hate the people who do this.  I only am disgusted at what they do.

Research

I think I'll let the research speak for itself.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/07/30/whooping-cough-vaccine.aspx

http://www.nvic.org/nvic-archives/newsletter/vaccinereactionmarch1995.aspx

http://www.vaccine-tlc.org/human.html

http://www.nvic.org/Vaccines-and-Diseases/Chickenpox.aspx

http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/vaccinations-parents-informed-choice

Okay, my turn.

Call me crazy, but it sure seems like a conspiracy is going on here.  Lies.  Coverups.  Media corruption.  Misreporting of data.  Public panic and fear.

The absolute truth is God made our bodies with a finely-tuned system of protection.  The immune system.  Vaccines skirt that natural defense mechanism.  Diseases are cyclical; reading the Mercola article will reveal this fact of whooping cough (pertussis).  And very often diseases die off on their own when improvements in environmental conditions are made and maintained, as is the case of typhoid.

Here's my plan:

• Eat whole foods, not processed crap.  Chemicals and hormone-disruptors for lunch, anyone?
• Sleep well and sleep lots.  That's when the body heals and repairs itself.
• Drink water.  Keep the system operating smoothly.
• Visit the chiropractor regularly.  Keeping the spine properly aligned keeps the body well.
• Don't be a germophobe.  Make that immune system do its job.
• Avoid crowded and very public places as much as possible.
• Wash hands.  Just not with triclosan-tainted antibacterial soap.  Any soap and hot water will work.
• Exercise.  Get the blood flowing through the body.
• Laugh.  It's good for the mind, body, and soul.

Just as you would take the time to research your next vehicle or major appliance purchase, please take the time to research what you put in and on your body, and what you do to your body.  You only get one.  Don't you think it's important to take care of it and allow it to do what it is designed to do?

Drivers Education

Remember being 15 or 16 years old and taking that rite of passage called "Drivers Education"?
Classwork, textbook, videos, learners permit, being grouped up with 2 other kids and going out and driving together with an instructor.  I remember my instructor; he is the father of a gal with whom I went to church and with whom I graduated high school. 

He would always set a travel cup filled with water on the dash, and if you took a turn too fast or hard, or accelerated too quickly or slammed on the brakes, that cup was going to get tipped over.  This man did not want to get wet, so by golly you made sure you didn't tip over the cup!

I remember the girls with whom I drove.  Once the nerves settled down we had a good time.  I remember when there was some road construction on a divided highway and one of the girls accidentally drove over some orange cones:  thmp!  thmp!  thmp!  thmp!  thmp!  in rapid succession under the car they banged!  What a riot!  If that's all that happened to our car, it was a good day.  And yet, we learned how to drive.

I think people should be required to take the written test and the driving test every time they renew their license.  Yes, I really do.  Have you seen some of these drivers out there?  And I think people who drive for a living should be frequently reviewed by in-cab observers.  Yeah, truck drivers, I'm talking about you.  It is high time that people start regarding and respecting the road rules again.  It is getting out of hand. 

Not knowing who should go first when two vehicles stop at an intersection at the same time.
Disuse of turn signals.
Tail lights, brake lights, head lights out.
Not using headlights in dim conditions.
Not sharing the road with runners/walkers and cyclists.
Running red lights.

Do you have a death wish?  I would wager to say that these are some of the reasons there are so many accidents.  Don't you remember the video they showed us in D.E. of the mangled cars and blood spilled on the ground?  Or do you need a refresher?  How does this one sit with you?

You won't need the whole minute, just from about :05 seconds to :30 seconds will do.  Go ahead.  Watch it.  I'll wait......
.
.
Pretty intense, huh?  Makes you think a little. 

I think we all should ask ourselves the question we see on some commercial trucks:  "How's my driving?"  And be a little more gracious and careful on the road.  It just might save a life.

Lots of us are driving around with precious cargo in the form of our children, so let's remember that. Hands on the wheel; eyes on the road.  Phone hidden away.

Oops

Oops.  Not good.  How did a year go by and I didn't publish a post here?
Could be that we no longer live at Cindonway.
Could be that facebook is pretty easy to use, and all my family is there already.
Could be that a lot of the family gets to see the kids pretty regularly and therefore, this blog isn't their first source of new information about the kids.

I've been thinking of changing the name here, and changing the focus.
I have thoughts.  About a lot of things.  But most people don't want to listen to me ramble on about my thoughts.  This way, if you want to hear what I have to say, you are choosing to do just that, not being forced to hear me go on and on.

Now, about those kids!

Meadowe is getting tall and lean, a lot like I was as a child.  She loves taking ballet classes, and is very good at it.  She likes to make up songs and tunes and she sings to herself, and us, a lot.  She's a math genius, and does really well in 2nd grade.  She's got an awesome friend in her class, for whom I am so thankful.

Finn is proving to be such a smart young man!  He loves his Legos and hates to leave them.  But in Kindergarten he has learned to read, and his writing is so good, and he also is a math whiz.  He learned how to ride a bicycle with no training wheels early this past summer.

Ora is very successful in his job, and we are blessed by his skills and talents.  He's very good at what he does, even if that means he has to travel away from us more often than we would like.

I still enjoy being a personal trainer, and I have added "HKC Certified Kettlebell Instructor" to my title.  My running has really improved; my apologies to my jr high cross country team for not giving it more effort back then. 

Hopefully the next installment won't be 14 months from now...

A Brand New Start

Can I just start out by saying, What. A. Year.
Suffice it to say that it's had its ups and downs, and we've been in a storm.
Occasionally I would think about this blog and say to myself, "yes, I need to update that."  But I never did.  Seemed I always had something more important to do.  So, practically a year later, here I am to fill in the great big missing piece that was this past year.

School.  Work.  Travel.  Driving.  Eating (of course).  Sleeping.  Grades.  Teachers.  Friends.  Writing.  Talking.  Not talking.  Sharing.  Not sharing.  Learning.  Arguing.  Fighting.  Crying.  Misunderstanding.  Understanding.  Good.  Bad.  Ugly.  Better.  Improving.  Changing.  Growing.  God.

So here we are a year later and with the help of friends and family we have weathered the storm.  And by the gracious love of God and his unfailing blessings on us failing people we have been given an awesome opportunity to try again.

Blessings have been bestowed on a husband and wife and their children.  We don't deserve this.  God knows that.  We know that.  But He has blessed us beyond reason.  But, isn't that what God does?  Yes, yes it is.

Can I share one of those blessings?

Look at the view!  This is from the front window of my new home.  Quite spectacular, isn't it?  I love seeing this every day.

More blessings include the children staying in their respective schools throughout last year's move and this year's move.  Even greater blessings in the form of friends who cared enough to try to hold the umbrella over us while we were pelted with hail.  Blessings in regards to excellent physical health of our family.

This song recently came to mind and it fits perfectly with how I'm feeling; how we all are feeling.

I've got my memories, Always Inside of me.
But I can't go back, Back to how it was.
I believe you now, I've come too far,
No I can't go back, Back to how it was.

Created for a place I've never known
(Chorus:)

This is home, Now I'm finally Where I belong, Where I belong.
Yeah, this is home, I've been searching For a place of my own,
Now I've found it, Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home

Belief over misery, I've seen the enemy, And I won't go back
Back to how it was.

And I got my heart Set
on What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It's not over yet
We are miracles
And we're not alone

(Chorus)

And now, after all My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see The sunset
I'm gonna call it home

(Chorus)

Now I know Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
And I won't go back
Yeah, this is home     --Switchfoot

Changes

A lot can happen in 6 months.  Routines change, activities change, locations change.
Meadowe graduated from preschool at the end of May and Finn began his preschool career in September.  Meadowe also began Kindergarten in August.  They both love their schools and have such a great time there.  They're each making friends and learning so much.  Finn can recognize some letters and can write an "F" and count.  Meadowe is reading easy books and learning how to manage friendships.

Ora is still very much enjoying his job where he sells audio/visual components to major manufacturing companies.  Unfortunately, his busy schedule kept him from waterskiing as much as he would have liked to, but we still made the most of family time with just the four of us and with extended family.

Earlier in the year, I finally found what I want to do when I grow up, and that is to be a Personal Trainer.  I enrolled in a course and this summer I passed the examination to earn my personal training certification.  I am training people who seek my services at a local fitness center.  I can't say enough how much I love my job!  It's amazing to know that I am helping people change their lives for the better.

I also ran in several races over the summer, this year improving my 5K personal best by more than 2 minutes, and also I ran a 10K for the first time.  I met my goal of running it in 50 minutes and now I'm looking to set new PBs next summer.

Meadowe has big changes happening.  Meadowe is pursuing a passion of her own:  she is in ballet classes and can't wait for her weekly classtime to arrive.  She's very attentive in class and is learning quickly.  Additionally she recently had her 6 year molars break through and she has a couple loose teeth, one of which is extremely loose, with the permanent tooth growing up behind.  That baby tooth is coming out--THIS WEEKEND!  She seems excited for the tooth fairy to visit.  We're just curious what the tooth fairy is leaving these days.

Finn's favorite new phrase is, "I wan to tell yoo sum-thin!"  He's got quite the vocabulary now and expresses himself often.  He's completely into tractors, combines, and trains right now and points out every single one he sees while we drive.  He even got to go for a combine ride this fall.  He was elated!  And talked about it for days afterward.

I've saved the biggest change for last.  No, there are no additions to the family, we are still Daddy, Mommy, Meadowe, Finn, and of course, Murray-dog.  So, please, don't send any baby clothes!  No, our big news is that we moved to a new house.  It is a decision Ora and I have been talking about for a while, and at just the right time we went for it.  Our new home is lovely and we are enjoying it immensely.  We look forward to making new memories and traditions here.  And with such important holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly on their way, we anticipate some wonderful memories in the making.

Now, there might be one more change necessary.  Since we no longer live at Cindonway, I don't feel that I can rightly call this blog "Growing Up Cindonway" anymore.  I'll have to come up with something equally as appropriate.

Happy Mother's Day!

I do so sincerely apologize to my readers and followers for not keeping up with this.  "Really, how hard can it be?" you ask.  Well, I'll tell ya!  : )  Kids, housework, cheauffering kids to places, cooking, gym time, family time, sleeping time!  And possibly a little bit too much facebook time, but I'm really starting to work on that!

Mother's Day was a very nice day this year.  Church in the morning as always, then off to the store to pick up ingredients for a special meal, and by special, I mean, what I wanted!!!  None of this trying to appease everyone stuff today.  We had Teriyaki Ribs with Grilled Pineapple, Buttery Veggies & Rice, and Garlic & Cilantro Tandoori Naan (an Indian flatbread).  Yummers!  Then we relaxed for a while, and Meadowe and Finn performed a Mother's Day song for me on my recently acquired piano.  They are precious and genuine, and well, check it out for yourself.  Here's Finn's version:



Hope your Mother's Day celebrations were special, meaningful, and memorable.  Mothers make the world go around!

Safe

It's hard to know why things happen in our lives.  We ask "Why?" a lot.  We try to figure out a reason for the things life throws at us.  Sometimes we learn why, and we can use our experience to help others who will go through the same things.  Sometimes we never learn why.  And again, I ask, "Why did that happen if that's all there is to it?"  It seems like things should have a greater purpose than just to make me endure it.  Will it make me a stronger person because I experienced it?  When we're not sure "Why," we can rest assured that God's hand is in it.  But it's hard to see how God could allow us and the ones we love to suffer.  What is that all about?  I don't know.  But even in the midst of suffering we can lean on God and rest in Him.


Praises!  We are safe!  God protects us and holds us close when we need Him!  And let's not forget the future glory that we know is coming when all of us will be made whole and no more tears of sadness or pain will be shed.

I did it!

I DID IT!  I ran not just one 5K, but 2 5Ks, back-to-back!  I took a short 5 minute break between and then got back to business.  And I set the pace of my second race faster than the pace of the first one.  YES!  I broke perceived boundaries and pushed my limits.  I am highly motivated by a new direction in my life and a renewed passion for health and fitness.  More to come on that . . .

Meanwhile, Finn and Meadowe continue to be the smartest kids I know.  Sometimes Ora and I look at each other after a comment made by one of them and we wonder how in the world they came up with the things they do!  Meadowe told a knock knock joke the other day, "Knock! Knock!"  "Who's there?"  "Eh."  "Eh, who?"  "Eh, I've been knocking so long my hand hurts!"  I don't know if she came up with it, but that she remembered it and told a good joke put a smile on my face for the afternoon.

Meadowe has also been praying for dinner these last few nights.  She is a very thankful child.  Tonight went like this, "Dear God, thank you for today.  Thank you for Leah and Brendan.  Thank you for this food that Mommy made.  Thank you for Finn.  Thank you for Daddy.  Thank you for Mommy.  And thank you for Murray.  Inyernamewepray, and everybody said, AMEN!"  Finn tried to pray,  "God?"  And then he didn't want to do it anymore.  But he loves to say, "AMEN!!!!"  I think because he knows that the sooner and faster we say it, the sooner and faster we get to eat!  And if you didn't know, that's his favorite thing to do.  Eat.  The boy is a munching, grazing machine!  Every time I turn around it seems like he's asking for food.  I feed him good food, I do, but it's the in between times that he wants more, more, more!

I just learned that a 5K some friends and I have been preparing for is about 12 weeks away!  Yes!  Can't wait!

Well, how about that?

Another 3+ weeks have gone by and I can't seem to get up on here once a week, let alone every day or few days as I mentioned a while back.  What up?  I'm sure I'm losing readership!  Thanks to Michelle for pointing out that I haven't added anything lately and am very far behind.  Guilty as charged!

So, I've had a lot of thoughts rattling around in my brain lately.  This accounts for my absence.  So, do you ever have those times in your life when you feel like you're at a crossroads or a fork in the road and it makes you stop.  And think.  And question, "What next?"  "Which path shall I choose?"  "Where do I go from here?"  Because we know that once a path is chosen or a turn has been made, we can't go back if it doesn't work out the way we thought or hoped it might.  For whatever reasons, I don't like this "standing still."  I'd rather be going somewhere.  Not sure why I feel that way, but standing and waiting is very uncomfortable.  Perhaps because it forces us to confront our fears and nightmares, hopes and dreams.  It forces us to deal with that which is right in front of us instead of just passing it by and hoping it goes away and doesn't come back.  Kinda like sweeping it under the rug:  you can't see it anymore, but when the rug gets moved, that dirt and dust is there staring you in the face.  What do you do?  Do you put the rug back in place, or sweep up the dirt & dust and deal with it properly?  I suppose that depends what the problem is, and how much it keeps creeping out from under the rug.  But regardless of whether we sweep stuff under the rug, or put blinders on as we walk our path of life, at some point, IT must be dealt with.

Answers come in various forms at the most unsuspecting of times.  Maybe it feels like the answers don't come.  I think that can also be a form of an answer.  Life can be mysterious at times.  And the mysteries present more questions.  I don't have special insight or else I'd have my own stuff figured out, but I do know that we have been given guidance.  "Your word is a lamp to my FEET and a light for my PATH."  Psalm 119:105.  The light shines just where we need it most: right in front of us.  Not down the way or around the bend or over the hill, but right at our feet so we know where to place our feet.  One step at a time will get us through life and to life everlasting.  Even standing still we can know that our first step will be a sure one when the light illuminates it.

And while we wait for the direction we must remain focused on the One who guides us.  It is these times of waiting when the devil will try to sneak in and plant false hopes and thoughts, deceiving us.  " . . . Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  1 Peter 5:8  But we can pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."  Psalm 139:23.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."  Philippians 4:6-8.  What?!  With 'thanksgiving'?  How am I supposed to be thankful for the anguish and pain I'm feeling?  But it is God's peace that our earthly minds cannot comprehend that helps us find peace and calm in the whirlwind.  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thes. 5:16-18.  OH, there's that "thanks" word again!  Give thanks for the hurt?  How?  I certainly don't understand it, but it's reassuring to know that God's promises are there for ME, and for YOU.

If I've only provided more questions and confusion for you than answers, I didn't mean to, and I'm sorry.  I hope that this might be the catalyst for you to begin your own journey to peace and calm out of chaos and frustration.  "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7.  And when we find ourselves moving again, and there is peace in the movement, rest assured that your trials were not in vain.  "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself RESTORE you and make you STRONG, FIRM, and STEADFAST.  To him be the power for ever and ever.  Amen."  1 Peter 5:10-11.

This-is-Me-Trying-To-Be-Like-Starbucks! Drink

So, I discovered a new pleasure. Many of you saw it in a twitpic photo last week. I enjoy coffee, savor hot chocolate, and have a soft spot for French vanilla. (Cue angelic music) 'Why not combine these three great tastes into one fabulous drink of goodness?'

French Vanilla & Chocolate Coffee

1 hot cup of coffee, reg or decaf, doesn't matter!
2-3 heaping tablespoons powder hot chocolate mix
3 teaspoons (more or less to taste) powder french vanilla flavor creamer, or 1-2 liquid single serve mini- cups
whip cream in an aerasol can, aka Fluff!
chocolate syrup

Stir hot chocolate mix and french vanilla creamer into hot cup of coffee. Shake whip cream can, dispense Fluff in circular fashion on top of drink. Drizzle chocolate syrup over Fluff. Sip & Savor!

Happy New Year!

Greetings, Readers!  2009 almost over, 2010 almost here!  Hard to believe.  We're all a year older, the kids are bigger, smarter, stronger, funnier.  Most people use this time of year(s) to reflect on how the past year went, what was good (or bad), what was learned, and also to plan and prepare for the coming year, what "resolutions" to make, and how to keep them, what activities to engage in, what activities to avoid!

It's nice to have a time to reflect and then plan, but I say we take this life inventory more frequently.  Why not once a month?  Once a week?  Daily?  Maybe some do.  "Oh, wow!  That really didn't work out.  Let's try it this other way next time."  May we always be striving to be better.

On a side, just how will we say the new year?  "Two thousand Ten" or "Twenty Ten."  I propose we say it "Twenty Ten."  It's shorter, and follows the way we've always said dates. (You know, "Nineteen Seventy One")

Have a Wonderful New Year!

Give This Christmas Away

At our church this Christmas season, we've been learning about ways that we can "Give This Christmas Away."  What can we do with our time, talent, and treasure to make this year better for others?  There's the old standby:  volunteer at a soup kitchen.  But there is so much MORE that can be done.  So many people are in great need of more than a bowl of soup.  They need a coat, a pair of shoes, the basics of every day living.  They need things for their children.  They need love.  They need Jesus.  They need to know the love of Jesus.  They need to know that the love of Jesus can be real and tangible in their lives.  So this year, I've done a couple things that, to some, may seem like not that big a deal.  But to the persons receiving what I've done, it is the world and fulfills a need that might otherwise not be met.

I don't write this to say, "Look at me!  Look what I did!"  But to challenge you to find ways to fulfill needs for others not just at Christmas, but all year long.  There are so many ways that we can "Give Away Christmas" all year long.  "Need knows no season" is a slogan one charitable organization uses.  Remember this at birthdays, other holidays, even regular days.  Someone somewhere needs to know the love of Jesus in a tangible way and it could be you that shows him or her that love.  You know what I'm talking about:  buying an extra box of cereal or jug of juice and dropping it in the collection bin at the grocery.  Donating still good items to Goodwill or Salvation Army.  Visiting shut-ins, nursing home patients, brand-new mothers, an old friend.  Get creative; seek out these and other opportunities. 

"Give This Christmas Away" this year, all year long, and every year.

This week on FaceBook someone started a challenge to post every day something for which one is thankful. I love challenges like this. It helps me realize what's important and how much God has blessed me, and us. I challenge you to think of something specific every day from now until Thanksgiving to be thankful for. Write it down, share it, dwell on the things that are good in your life. My hope is that you and I will begin to see all the wonderful things in our lives, and find something good in a seemingly bad situation. Today, I am thankful that my children are physically and mentally perfect, even if it means they have the ability to throw a tantrum!

Murray

Murray is our dog. He's a chocolate lab. We got him when he was a puppy in 2003, which makes him about 6 1/2 years old now. But the cool thing is, he doesn't look or act like a 6 year old dog. Not that I'm an expert on dogs' ages, but, I have to say, Murray is one fit dog! He and I used to go for runs on the farm near where we lived at that time and he always enjoyed it. He began to realize when we were going simply by what clothes I was donning. Even to this day he remembers my "go for a run" clothes and he gets happy and excited when he sees them being pulled out of the drawer.

Since we moved, Murray and I don't go for those same runs anymore, but he's found a new passion: chasing the boat! He hears that marine engine fire and his ears perk up! He'll chase that boat and keep pace with it for the length of the lake. I'm quite impressed because top slalom ski speed is 36mph. Most of the people skiing around here ski at 34, but Ora is still in the young men's age group that skis at 36. Murray is very careful to keep his eye on the skier too. If a skier falls during his pass, Murray puts the brakes on himself and watches to make sure he's okay.

Murray is a great dog for our family. He loves to be outside as do we. I get a kick out of every time he rolls over on his back, twisting from side-to-side and end-to-end, and I especially enjoy watching him slide on his back down our hill. I believe he's gone from top to bottom in a single slide before. But he also is very protective of us. When he senses "danger" he barks so tough, even I would be scared to mess with him. But he's all bark and no bite. He has never once snapped, nipped, or even growled at the kids. If something, or someone, bothers him, he quietly gets up and goes away.

He loves to be the center of attention too. He'll bug you til you pet him! And he's so soft and silky, you just enjoy running your fingers in his fur. He loves a good rub behind his ears too. If he's especially wanting attention he nudges your hand or your arm with his nose to make your hand fall on top of his head. He's so smart to figure out how that works!

We all love Murray very much and we are so proud to call him our dog. We are blessed to have him in our home.

Big Words!

Today I overheard Meadowe use the word "Impressive." And not just to say it, but with intonation and in context. Ora's always thought that using large words was a sign of intelligence. I know she's a smart girl.

Finn can count from 1 to 9, and it's the cutest thing I've ever heard. "whan, too, fee, fore, fie, six, semmen, eit, nie!" And he points at something different for each number.

My children are geniuses!

A Little Bit of Everything

So, it's been a while since I've been up here to add new photos and stories. And I've given it some thought: Why, if I can update my facebook at least once a day, can't I update my blog more often? I have pictures to share, and stories to tell. Why don't I take the time to do this more often? So, I'm going to try something new. Just a little bit every day instead of a lot once a month. It may be just a quick story of something one of the kids did or said, or it may be a big deal of an activity for one of them. And so, rather than try to recap the past 6 weeks (yikes! has it really been that long?!) I'll start with today, and, should I run out of material (fancy that!) or if we have an extremely boring day (hey, it happens) I'll tell a great one from the past!

Meadowe is thoroughly enjoying preschool and loves learning letters and sounds. She writes her name all by herself. Today she came home with rice in her pockets. I asked, "What's with the rice in your pockets?" Matter-of-factly she replied, "We played at the rice table today." Nothing special, as if it's something she does every day at school, but I know she really enjoys doing that.

Finn gave us a serious scare on Saturday. He slipped and busted his forehead open on the rocking chair. Yeah, it scared me. It was a deep gash and blood ran. He bawled, understandably, and I just wanted to get to the doctor. We went, and we feared he'd need stitches. But the doctor simply said, "no, I think we can Dermabond it." What? "It's superglue for the skin." Blessings abound! I'm so thankful she decided to go that route to minimize scarring and recovery time. Finn's a trooper though, and he doesn't seem to even notice his booboo.
Meadowe was once again WordGirl for Halloween, and lucky for Finn, he got to be Captain Huggyface. If you're unfamiliar with WordGirl, her television program airs Monday through Friday on your local PBS channel!
Sunday, Ora had the opportunity to return to the Lucas Oil Stadium and take in another Colts home game. He and I went there a month ago for a game for my birthday, and Sunday he went with a friend. The new stadium is an architectural marvel and we enjoyed going there, as I'm sure he and his friend enjoyed it again.
And here I am with a couple of good friends enjoying the evening out together! We had a great time together and shared some great laughs!

Meadowe's Preschool Days

Meadowe has been in preschool for 1 week, officially. And she loves it! She's so excited to go, in part because her cousin Brendan is in her class, and she's such a big girl about it. Her teacher is waiting for her at the door and Meadowe greets her and then walks herself in and down the stairs to her classroom. I almost cried the other day watching her walk in all by herself. Images of her being a needy newborn and holding her in my arms not knowing what the future had in store or knowing what her personality would be like flashed through my mind. I can't believe she's come so far. She is so independent. She wants to do new things all on her own. I think she'll give anything a try once, but she's an awful lot like her Mama in that if she doesn't succeed right away, she gives up. I hope I can show her how to keep persevering.

Her teachers say that she is doing a great job adjusting, and when we're riding back home she tells me how her morning was. She gets to bring home some of her artwork and other activities and Ora and I are impressed with her skills. She used watercolors to paint an apple and she paid very much attention to the details of the apple. I feel the need for a filing system coming on!!! Her artwork and activities, and soon Finn's artwork, will need to be preserved for sentimentality's sake! How will I ever decide what's important?!

Finn is used to running with the big kids and thinks that he should be going to preschool too. Every day so far when we've dropped Meadowe off he says, "I go pwe-skoow too!" And I have to gently tell him that he will go to preschool, just not right now. I try to encourage him by saying that he now has Mommy all to himself for a few hours, but I'm not sure he is grasping the idea of Mommy/Son time yet. He likes having all the toys in the house to himself, this much I'm sure of.

August

August seemed to race by! What happened? Where did summer go? Oh, right, we never really had a good stretch of summer. But we make do with what we are given, and God has given us a wonderful month.

My, my! Aren't those some tall sunflowers!


The first Saturday in August, I had the wonderful experience of going to World Pulse Festival, a Christian music festival in South Bend. I got to see 5 acts, including my favorite group, the David Crowder*Band, pictured above. There are 6 members, but only 3 of them fit in the lense of the camera! They have some incredible songs on the radio right now and a new album coming out in a couple weeks. I was able to get up to the front row to watch this talented group. What a fun day!
So, I love where we live; there is so much wildlife that lives in or visits our lake and property. Living at our lake is a pair of "resident ducks," as we call them. They're a couple of flightless ducks, they're never more than a few feet apart from each other, and they think they own the lake. They chase the mallards off at every chance they get. It's quite entertaining to watch. On this particular day, like many other days, the resident ducks were hanging out on the ski jump, bathing themselves in the shallow water at the base of the jump and just warming themselves in the sun. You can see a turtle also sunning himself partway up the jump. He's the little black spot on the near edge of the jump. On the warmest and sunniest days, there will be easily 30 turtles sunning on the jump. I like to find the biggest one and try to guess his age. I took this picture using the "sight" that's supposed to go on a rifle. It doubles as a great telescope, of sorts!

We had great weather in the evenings, so Meadowe, Finn, Murray, and I took a walk while Ora mowed the yard. Too bad he couldn't join us because we had a very nice walk. I say walk, but Meadowe actually rode her bike. She loves riding her bike! Murray just likes to go!
"I whan shahge mah fone!" Sweet little Finn loves electronics and while he waited for his phone to charge, he fell asleep. It was a much needed nap and when he woke, his phone was charged! Good times! Now he can call Pappaw himself! ("I whan shahge mah fone" is "I want to charge my phone.")

July

What time is it? What day is it? Sheesh! Pretty soon we're going to be paying more attention to that. Meadowe starts preschool in a few weeks! I'll recap what's been going on since my last post.

But first, can you say "fettuccine alfredo?"

We have played outside so much; the kids just love to be outside running around and that's so fantastic!

We enjoyed visits with family,

visiting the Elkhart County fair,
and the state waterski tournament at our lake,
and now we are enjoying the fruits of my labor in the garden. Yes, green beans, peas, carrots, corn, tomatoes and pretty sunflowers. I've put away many bags of green beans in the freezer, and I'm about to start on the corn.
Finn is speaking in sentences now and between him and Meadowe, Ora and I can't have a normal conversation! When we pray at dinner time, Meadowe and Finn will interject their own thank you's. It's a wonderful blessing to hear them praying along with us. Meadowe loves to draw and often brings me pictures and then places them on the fridge. I am so proud of her artwork. Everything she does, she does it intensely! What energy and determination! And Finn just loves to tease! He's so imaginitive, trying to come up with new ways to have some fun. Lately, his trick is to run off with something that you're using so that you have to chase him through the house. Then he falls down in fits of laughter! We are so blessed!