Easter at Grandma and Grandpa's

This was my very favorite place to be during my growing up years. I have so many happy memories here. There were trees to climb, a huge yard to run in, an old barn filled with secret hideouts, cousins, laughter and unconditional love. Even now I love going to Grandma's house. These last few years Grandma has felt like her house is too small to hold all of us during family get togethers. We have assured her that we don't feel overly crowded and it is extra special to have the cousins together in this house that contains joyful recollections of our youth. Grandma agreed to have it there if we could set up the tables in the new, unfinished addition. There were only 29 of us with 20+ missing because of distance or other commitments. This was the first Easter party that we did not have an egg hunt. To me that was refreshing. Easter isn't about chocolate bunnies and colored eggs. Easter is about celebrating that empty tomb knowing that Jesus Christ has conquered death and He is ALIVE! There is nothing more amazing than that truth!

I tried to take pictures of everyone that was there today for you family members that couldn't make it. But, unfortunately, as I looked back through all the photos I realized I missed several people, including my own husband and son! I seriously need to make a list to operate these days.

The day was over before we were ready to say good-bye.

I love my family and cherish every minute spent with them. 

If you are apart of this awesome bunch of people and 

were not able to be there today know that 

you were missed!! 

Happy Easter!!

Let's celebrate!

My sister kindly reminded me that when I woke up yesterday morning I would enter into a new age bracket. The bracket for 35-50 year olds. Hmmm.....thanks, Sis, happy to join you. The month of April is a big month in this household. Four out of eight of us celebrate our birthday this month. Here is a recap of Faith's shindig:
Dakota and Brooklyn made the cake and cupcakes. I didn't even crack an egg. I was happy to hand over that chore...er...art project. I let them do whatever they wanted with their canvases.

The weather was ahh..mazing! It was too nice not to take the party outside. It was almost uncomfortably warm. Almost. That seems funny to say today, a day that the temperature is 35 degrees cooler with a bashful sun.

Faithy Pie partied til she dropped. It was a good, no, great day! My only grumble is that I didn't get enough pictures of the cousins! And did you see the pictures of Faith digging into her cake? You didn't?! Well, first of all, she didn't dig in. She poked a little here, picked an M&M there, took graceful bites and barely made a mess. And second, my video camera wasn't charged (and the charger was no where to be found) so I decided to use my digital camera in video mode to take footage of the cake attack. Or cake touch in her case. But, fear not, there is good news! I asked my awesome photographer SIL to capture some cake pictures! She clicked away and I can't wait to see what her artistic eye observed!

Fast forward 6 days from F's party and I am now in my mid-thirties. I awoke to precious, slobbery kisses from my littlest. (She seems to know the secret to wake up in Mommy and Daddy's bed. the secret is to arouse in the night. Mommy loves snuggles and is too sleepy/lazy to deal with crying.) I was treated to breakfast in bed by my so thoughtful 7 year old! It was a bowlful of cinnamon Life filled to the rim with milk, on a tray. I was just as thrilled to receive it as I was to know there was no mess carrying it up the stairs! I shared my Life with my kissy baby. I came downstairs to find that Emmaly also cleaned (straightened up) the dining and living rooms. I also got a foot rub from her. That girls knows how to give gifts! The weather wasn't nearly as wonderful as it was a week earlier. But it was perfect for staying inside, movies, popcorn, games and lounging.

As you can see from the picture, Hubby doesn't like his picture taken. But it was MY birthday and it's what I wanted. So, thanks, Hon. :-) We don't often get to watch tv or movies together as a family. Mostly because there isn't enough time in a day. But also because there aren't a lot of movies that we would all enjoy. What did we watch?......Star Wars. Well...not my first choice. Or my last choice but that's okay. It was a good excuse to eat kettle corn and laze around. I have been so blessed my last 34 years. I wonder what year 35 has in store?? Here I am, Lord, ready or not. But mostly ready!!

C is for Corbin

 I received my first flower of the season yesterday. It was hand picked and delivered by a special little man.

 He came to me with his hands behind his back and said, "Mom, I have a surprise for you! Pick a hand!" I go weak in the knees for a shirtless little boy with sun-kissed cheeks! (The weather was an amazing 85 degrees!) This little guy has grown so much over the last few months. My last bouquet from him was just as sweet!

This picture makes me smile! He pedaled his little 3 wheeler to the ditch and picked Tiger Lilies for me. His sweet little grin, cocked head and shoes on the wrong feet are icing on the cake. He no longer needs 3 wheels  to cruise Bitting Lane. His new ride is a racing 2-wheeler.

 After learning to look straight ahead and not down at his feet, this boy can sail! The boundaries consist of the apple tree and a rope we placed across the drive. And, believe me, this boy needs boundaries! And not just for biking but that is a whole 'nother story!

 Mr. C may just be one of the orneriest four year olds around.

                                              
But he can sure melt his mommy's heart!

Baby Mine

She's one. She's ONE! Never has a year gone by so quickly! I say this every year, but this year it's true. One year ago tonight, after the most amazing labor and delivery, I was holding this precious babe. She was perfect, all 9 lbs 4oz of her; from her dark head of hair, angel-kissed forehead, blonde eyebrows, button nose, dainty lips, and recessed chin to her tiny fingers, smooth tushy and 10 little piggies. I was in love! Again. She was exactly what I had been missing. Though I didn't know I was missing anything at all. She was God's gift to me. How could we not name her Faith?

This blessed little lady was born to a family where she will never know lonely (or privacy). She has many admirers who all vie for her time. She has center stage. Don't let her innocent look fool you, she likes it that way.

She is as pure and sweet as honey and as spicy and flavorful as pepper. She threw my mental parenting books out the window. Who was I to compare her with others? She is a girl all her own.

  I tried to take pictures of her today... good pictures. But my house has the worst lighting and outside there is no capturing little F's attention. She is captivated by all of the sights and sounds our farm has to offer.

Oh well! I'll get you, my pretty!  

We are so blessed God has placed you in our family and I'm so excited to watch you grow. There's just one thing.... let's keep this next year at a slower pace! Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby Mine!

 Momma loves you!

 

Happy April Fool's Day!

I had good intentions for today. We were going to "celebrate" this silly, man-made holiday. I had some funny jokes up my sleeve along with dessert for supper. Here it is after supper (which we had a regular, boring meal) and I have not played one prank. But I have bore the brunt of several jokes.

My morning started earlier than I would have liked because someone woke up screaming for momma's milk. Day 5 of weaning is only a little easier than days 1-4.

I dropped the big kiddos off at Friday School. I decided since I was already out I might as well pick up a few groceries. Not sure why I thought I could run in and run out. I can't even do that when I am by myself. Of course, on the rare occasion I am by myself I have no desire to hurry.

first day of Friday school

At the store with the big W a kind, elderly gentleman handed me a cart. The kind of cart that has enough room for 3 little people. This cart had seen better days. It shouldn't have been in the line-up. I didn't want to seem ungrateful to the blue-vested man who went out of his way to get me a bigger cart, so I thanked him, buckled my precious cargo and strolled away. Or wobbled away. Or screeched away. Corbin noted that everyone could hear our wheels. We were the center of attention in every aisle. Not the way I want to feel when I'm having a bad hair day. My few items turn into 2 hours of shopping. Some jokester looked at my heaping cart and said, "Maybe I should listen to the weather report, looks like you are shopping for a snow storm." I shopped the wheels right off that cart. Literally. I made it to check out but you can safely bet that jalopy-of-a-cart was pushed into retirement. It drained me pushing around a 150 lb dilapidated cart with 3 hungry hippos wanting every prepackaged goody within reach. Not to mention momma hippo was shopping on a empty stomach. But I still saw the humor. 

I dug through the grocery bags and found some snacks for the road. Theirs consisted of cheese and crackers, mine consisted of chocolate. On the way home I thought something smelled kinda funky, like hot rubber. I slowed down just in case it was my tires. Because surely I could handle a blow-out at 45 mph. :-) I made it home! After I parked I noticed some steam coming from the hood. But, praise God I was home! After further inspection from Hubby and my favorite mechanic brother Josh (not to be confused with my other favorite mechanic brother Travis) it turns out there is a hole in a hose. A hose that won't be replaced until Monday at the earliest. The red van is parked until then. I still see the humor. Not as clearly though.

The sun was shining most of the day. That was a plus! Sunshine and fresh air is like gold in these parts. We used our time wisely! None of that cleaning or laundry for me. But alas! it was supper time and all my cute Fool's Day ideas were drained out of me. The creativity flew out of my noggin with the water that sprayed from the van's water pump hose. So, sloppy joes it was! You're not going to believe this but......I burnt the joe. Seriously! That made me see the humor again! I mean, how hard is it to brown ground beef?! Apparently, creativity wasn't the only thing that left my brain.

Then it rained. This is our pasture. Not our pond. I'm not opposed to a pond, but  not in this location. Everything else seemed funny to me tonight.  I was waiting for the next little joke. And a joke I did receive! I'll just tell you it involved a curious little one and an old diaper! (YUCK!)

So, tell me, how did you spend your April Fool's Day? And raise your hand if you have an extra vehicle lying around that seats eight.