Life around here..

- We celebrated Aleah turning 2 on the 14th. So fun to have family and friends here for that. And we were scrambling to get the house more unpacked/organized before company showed up. So it was a busy, crazy week, followed by fun with family, followed by a bit of crashing, if I remember correctly. One slightly humorous thing we've been noticing as Aleah gets older - she has that typical first-born love of order, likes her ducks to be in a row, thank you very much (her dad is firstborn too, but that one totally flew by him without stopping to visit). Any open door or dresser drawer, a raised toilet seat, things out of place (although there's frequently toys all over and that doesn't bug her too much) tends to really disrupt her delicate sensitivities, as my niece might say. I should mention this tidiness does not include her eating behaviors, sadly. Anyway, the other day I said to Dave, wow, you're really gonna drive her nuts! "I know!" he says... "and vice versa" I added, as she toddles around behind him asking him to put things away and close doors. HA! Cracks me UP! I'm hoping in a few years I can hand her a mop and say, oh, that floor really bothers you? why don't you do something about it!

A recent conversation: D: "What's on your foot?"
                                     R: "It's a pea."
                                     D: "Why are there peas on your foot??"
                                     R: "Because Aleah had peas for lunch. Look, there's more on the other foot." Makes perfect sense to me.

The last couple days turned rather crazy. It was like there was one thing going on and then another and then before you knew it, you were dashing around like a mad woman all day. 2 hour glucose test (which always take longer than 2 hours), ultrasound, Bible Study with new friends, making food to take to people, getting pictures taken of small offspring, etc, etc. It all sorta piled up. So let me just tell you about yesterday because I think there's a couple of you who might get a kick out of it. I was taking food to 2 different families from church. I was trying to keep it simple, but um, yeah, that rarely works with me. And things just always take longer than you think they will. I also decided to try making bread for the first time, with my handy dandy new kitchen aid mixer. I know, it's not a bosch, but I've still been pretty happy with it so far. =) Anyway, realized I didn't have everything I needed for that, so Dave went to the store while I did other prep stuff. Finally got the bread going. huh, this isn't too hard. The mixer is huge. Our counters are high and narrow, and the mixer fit doesn't under the ledge where the cupboards stick out, if that makes sense. So the thing has to just sit out pretty close to the edge of the counter when I use it. So anyway, I got the bread kneading away in the mixer, and went to the living room to talk to Dave. We were sitting there chatting when all of a sudden, KABOOOOM! A huge crash was heard by all. Oh dear. Of course, those things get to jiggling around a little when mixing like that and I didn't even think about it that it might take a nose dive off off the counter. DRAT! I went to look and there was a pile of dough on the floor and a sad looking mixer beside it. I think it's ok, other than a bent piece where you would put attachments in. I guess I haven't really tried to fun the mixer since but I hope it still works. I wasn't going to throw out all the dough, so I picked up a bunch of it that wasn't touching the floor and used that, and threw the rest out. gracious! then scurried around trying to get everything else done. Over baked a pan of cookies that were supposed to go to someone for supper, so quickly rebaked another pan. The plan was that Dave would deliver the food before my ultrasound appointment at 4, and at that point, I'd get cleaned up and ready to go. As time clock ticked away, I started to realize that this was looking less and less likely. I wasn't going to get everything done in time. I was scrambling to finish up the main food I was making, and realized I needed way WAY more milk than I had. And there was simply no time to go to the store and get more. I was already running late. So, I added a concoction of plain yogurt, water, and a little sugar to hopefully cut out the taste of the sour yogurt. shoot! I was annoyed because I had made it for us earlier and it was stinkin good. Ok, got it thrown together, dave will have to deliver it when I get back from my ultrasound, no time to clean up, just get out the door, arrived only about 10 min. late. whew. got that over with, rushed home, dave rushed the food to where it needed to go, I threw some supper together for us and stuck it in the oven, then we rushed off to the park to get Aleah's pictures taken. A friend with a good camera took them and did a great job. There's some on FB so I won't post any here. :) As we were finishing up, I remembered that I left the oven on the whole time and the food had been in well over an hour. The perfect ending to an insane day. We rushed home to a house still standing and food that wasn't even burned. how lovely. Whew! glad that day was over. Today, as of yet, I really haven't accomplished much of anything. I think the previous 2 days were crazy enough to include today as well. And that is my long, boring story of yesterday. Ok, I guess I'll leave you in peace now.

freaky baby...

So the other day I was moving some of my things from boxes to my cedar chest. You know, where you keep all your precious belongings from days gone by, the ones you can't bare to part with, that you dream of passing on to your own children. I know I keep too much junk. It's hard for me to throw things out that I really should. But this particular day, I was struck with how utterly and totally ridiculous my saving habits can be at times. I mean SERIOUSLY???? Get a look at this treasure, sure to be a hit with the kids and grand kiddos for years to come -

Yes, we really must ask ourselves "WHY??" What with the gnawed off fingers and poked out eyeball, OF COURSE I kept this beauty! She was, after all, my true and real Gerber Baby and I do remember playing with her (and messing up her poor lil eye beyond repair). She does look a tiny bit better with clothes on, but not so terribly much. I just looked at this thing and couldn't believe I had actually kept her, yes, her, in all her hideousness, Gerber or NOT. She soon found her way to the trash, not to be seen or heard from again.

Ok, that's all from Creepy baby land... Feel free to make fun of me to your hearts content. I total welcome it, deserve it, and would happily join you. Gerber Shmerber - what a little freak! 

In other news around here - not too much is going on of interest. Aleah's Wiggles crush has, I fear, moved to the full blown obsession category, where she talks about them non stop, wants to thank Jesus for them when ever we're praying, etc. She's also currently rather obsessed with the song "Let's go fly a kite" from Mary Poppins. She's hasn't seen the movie but we made the mistake of playing the song for her on you tube. game over. She loves actually flying kites with Dave the few times they've gone - not sure if that's why she loves the song. Anyway, now the phrase "Practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking," said in a perfect British accent, runs through my head at will. 

Some boring baby news for the few females who may feel like reading - I had a rather frustrating Dr. appointment yesterday. I wish I could just move to Canada to have this kid! It's getting so ridiculous and feels like I don't have many options or choices in the matter. Once you have had one c-section, finding both a practice and a hospital that will let you at least try for a VBAC is difficult. I did find one and was also told that one of the docs in this practice is very supportive of VBACs and if that's what you want to do, he'll do everything he can to see that you have a shot at one. Well, yesterday was the first that I really discussed it with him. And I was NOT impressed. He seems to be dragging his feet, and not too thrilled to let me try for one. When I had my ultrasound a couple weeks ago, the baby was measuring small. So they want to rescan in a couple week. Well, I have a couple thoughts on that - first is that I think I just have small babies. Aleah was overdue and not even 7 pounds. My mom had all small babies - 6 pounders. So there's that. The second thing is that those silly ultrasound machines, in my experience, and the experience of friends I've talked to, are rarely that accurate. I find it funny that they were predicting Aleah to be this huge baby who wouldn't come out cuz she was too big. Now THIS time around, they are making this huge deal about this baby being small. When we were talking about a VBAC, the doc had the nerve to say that if the baby is small and unhealthy, then she probably won't respond well to labour and we'll just have to do a c-section. PALEEEZE! So my last kid was too big to be born naturally and this one is too little?? You just can't win! I was also really unimpressed with him making me feel like this kid is probably weak, small, and unhealthy. If I believed the machines and everything he was saying, I probably would have left worried sick that something was really wrong. I asked him, "Isn't it possible that I just have small babies?" Oh yes, very possible he said. He also said the ultrasound machines aren't an exact science at all. So why freak out your patients over them?? ARG! And it's not as simple as go find another doctor, trust me. So unless I want a home birth, I'll probably end up with another c-section. We'll see what happens. And maybe we'll get more assertive and start being more vocal about what we really want. If I have to have another one, it's not the end of the world, but I would like to at least try to do it the other way. I know moms do it all the time, but how in the world am I supposed to take care of a 30 pound 2 year old after major surgery? Have constant, live-in help for 6 weeks or whatever it is that you're not supposed to life more than 10 pounds? ugh. Like I said, I know many moms have had multiple c-sections so I'm sure there's a way. Just not my preference. ANYWAY, sorry, this got long and rambly. I guess that's the news around here for now. 

Easter and a few more random pics

Aleah and her cousin Kyra - a bit too sunny to look and smile perhaps? And Kyra is fascinated by sitting in grass for the first time.

We went to Iowa to be with Dave's family Easter weekend. Dave and Aleah had colds before we left and I started feeling rotten while there, but it was nice to see family. = ) I'm bummed I didn't get a family pic of the 3 of us on Sunday.
Aleah and grandma's tulips
Actually sharing the easter eggs! yeay!
Grandpa and Grandma have a swing on the back porch. Aleah really liked it.
First french braid. yeay! how my heart goes pitter patter. or something ridiculous like that. Too bad she'd never sit long enough for me to do all her hair in 2 of them.


An idea from Pinterest - dropping colored vinegar in a pan of baking soda and watching it bubble. It was fun, but not exactly something I could leave her with and go clean for a couple hours or anything.

A pretty dress from great aunt Robyn. = ) She found it and bought it when Aleah was in mommie's tummy, just in case she was a girl.
Speaking of which, we find out on Tuesday if we're having a boy or a girl. My emotions have been so all over the place in regards to this that I'm just so ready to know and move on. This time, I'm glad we're finding out. It's so different when you already have one and might need some time to get your heart in neutral about upcoming small fry.

Dave and Aleah are mostly feeling better. My cold has been lingering forever and driving me nuts. I stayed home from church this morning while they went, and had some peace and quiet. It was marvelous but didn't last quite long enough. I think it's nap time so I should end these boring ramblings. Bye for now.

Few pics

This is where she ALWAYS wants to be if someone is cooking. oh so helpful, cooking with Heather.
first single pony tail (that did not look like that very long).

loves to smell flowers
"Look ma! No nap!!"

a few ramblings...

Lots of random thoughts rattling around in my brain as of late. So maybe I'll try the bullet post that is so popular among many family and friends (my problem is I ramble too much so the bullets sort of become pointless, but I'll try).

-- The last of our March company is now gone. Heather from Red Lake came for a whole week from the 17th - 24th. What a grand time we had. sigh. The poor lady worked her fingers to the bone and claimed she was having fun doing it. I agree that it is always more fun to tackle someone else's mess than your own. We got SO much done and I've felt much better about life since. I had been so overwhelmed and frustrated trying to get things sorted and unpacked and organized, while not feeling great and trying to do everything else that needs to be done. We also did fun things like shopping and patronizing the new local frozen yogurt shop in town and things of that nature.

-- My old roommie was here from Wed. - Sat. of this last week. Since Heather had gotten all my work done, we had a more relaxing time. It's SO good to reconnect with friends face to face. So much better than e-mails and such.

-- Saturday morning we babysat a little guy about one and a half who was so sad that his parents left. It was pretty sweet and amusing watching Aleah try to take care of him. She'd pat him, give him looooong hugs (longer than he wanted), and pick the crumbs off his face. Now if only sharing came as naturally as "mothering" - we'd have it made. sigh. Isn't it amazing how we come into the world programmed to look out for # 1 at all costs (I want this toy! I must have it. I think I'll just sorta take it. OH MY GOODNESS, someone just took away MY toy!! Can you believe the very NERVE????)? No one has to teach us that. Then it seems that the rest of life is unlearning this annoying bend we have.

-- I realized I haven't really given much of an update about Aleah and what she's up to for a long time. I won't bore you with all her utterances and acomplishments, as I've been meaning to just stick them into a Word document somewhere. But I should note that awhile ago (I don't know when because I always forget to write things down) she counted from 1 - 10 a couple times. It was enough to make Dave's heart go pitter patter. ha! That was all just memory though. I've noticed since then she's starting to get the concept of actually counting things which is fun to see. I've noticed her counting 3 things on her own.

-- Lest you think she is too brillant, she has been known to hit her head against something hard, starting light, and going till it hurts and then crying. ummmm.... wow. She also tends to enjoy chocking herself with a spoon or any other long skinny object that she can fit back in her throat. oddness.

-- I suppose it's just a normal toddler thing, but do they all have the same talent for seeking out and making messes everywhere they go? Some of her latest shenanigans include dumping a nearly full box of cereal all over the floor (I was tempted to pour milk on it and give her a spoon), routinely making as much of a mess of food as humanly possible (we're working on that one), dumping an almost completely full bottle of rather expensive shampoo/body wash into the tub (it shall be deducted from her allowance as soon as she gets one), and even as I speak, her hair is greasy and smells like a piece of toast because I cought her playing in the soft butter (no clue how she could reach it) and smearing it all over. (and this just in, updating a couple days later - spilling water in a power strip. hooray!) oh the fun times. If it's quiet for longer than 30 seconds, you better investigate. I've never had a boy of my own obviously, so I suppose I should suspend judgement, but I have to say, there are days when I'm quite miffed by all the "he's just all boy" talk. Because I'm pretty sure when it comes to making messes, climbing, running, and getting into trouble, she could compete with the best of the boys her age. She will however, sit for long periods of time if she's being read to or is watching something she likes. So maybe that's different, I don't know. Anyway, I'm rambling.

-- She is obssessed with sitting on counters or on top of dressers and being in on the action. loves to "help" cook and watch me put on my face or whatever.

-- I'm still trying to decide how strong willed she is. haha. What is it about toddlers and thier ability to be so totally sweet and adorable one minute, and so very very depraved the next. I have about a total of zero parenting theories so far, but one thing I'm finding is that a person really is a person no matter how small. Thank you Dr. Suess. What I really mean is that often I can see that her anger or crying about something is more frustration about not being able to really express what she feels and wants rather than trying to just be a pain. I think as adults often our first reaction to an obnoxious, upset toddler is to be firm and say you WILL stop acting like that RIGHT now, STOP CRYING, it's ANNOYING ME!! ect. Well, I should only speak for myself there I guess. Anyway, I'm finding (these aren't all my original thoughts) that often an understanding word and offering a little compassion can go much further than a stern warning to cut it out. If we say to her, "can you tell us why you're sad?" or even if she can't have what she wants, "I'm sorry you're sad," this often tends to calm things down a little quicker. She sort of relaxes and I can almost hear her think, well, at least they care how I feel. Sometimes it works, somtimes it doesn't at all and we're back at square one. But I have to remind myself of how I like to be talked to and treated when I'm upset about something, regardless of how rational it is. I apoogize for my inability to be concise in anything I write...

-- I'm approaching the half way point in this preg. and that feels really good. Of course with my track record, it's probably not really the half way point, but we try not to think about that. I'm still waiting for that energy thing they talk about the second trimester. By evening I usually can barely hold my head up. Soon we get to find out if we're having a pink or blue baby. We didn't find out last time and it was so great being surprised at the end. It also took a ton of will power. Part of me is disappointed that we can't just wait again, but the louder part of me wants to know RIGHT NOW!

-- I had other things I was going to write about - things that burn my bacon and keep me up at night. But this has been sitting here waiting to be posted for a couple days now so I'll just post it for now. And get a few pics up.

het huis (as my ancestors may have said)

Here's a few house pictures. I listened to Rhonda and didn't wait till it was perfect to take a few. Dave's mom took this one of the kitchen after she got it looking all pretty. Sadly, the dishwasher in the photo is not in working condition. I haven't found it too dreadful to wash them by hand though. Especially when Dave does it. haha. So, starting at one end of the house, and working our way to the other - the kitchen.

...followed by the dining room - There's a perfect little corner for the sewing cabinet that you can almost see to the right of the pic. Our table has never looked so small. At our other places of residence, we've sort of had to cram it in the dining area and it took up way too much space. Here we can actually walk around the whole thing with room to spare.
Next to the dining room, we have the living room. There's no open concept about this place - lots of separate rooms, even a door separating the kitchen and dining room. Anyway, the living room and looking out into the lil sun parlor (or room of the blazing heat, as of late. We have no AC and soon will have to do something about that. It's been getting rather warm in the living room/sum room). Thus ends the series of rooms. Oh, I should note that the rug is one that was in Dave's house growing up and he's quite fond of it. emotionally attatched to it... I'm sort of scared he might leave me for the rug someday... Anyway, the bedrooms and bathroom are off of the dining room area. They're too scary to be captured on film right now.
The living room from the other direction facing the dining room. Notice the entertainment center piled with junk. lovely. The couch is in front of the non-functional fire place.
So there you have it. But the very very best thing about the house --
OLD house.
NEW house!! = )

A few more of the kid and such

My nephew Mervin, his girlfriend Grace, and my niece Sara (of whom I sadly don't have a picture) came to visit last week. It was grand to have them and their energy around. = ) We did some shopping, ate good food, chatted, watched some entertainment on the computer screen, etc.
Target bag shoes! So economical I predict we'll all be wearing them soon. And don't they coordinate nicely with her dress? Also, they're easy for small children to put on and take off. Just leave them laying around and they'll find them and put them on...
... and take them off.
lil mop o curls. I've been waiting her whole life for her hair to grow. It seems it's getting longer and curlier. But still cant' do a lot with it.
Here's a great idea - give the kid yogurt and walk out of the room. She was rubbing it all over her hands saying "washing hands!" great.
Even curlier with yogurt in it. I should use that in lieu of hair gel - all natural and stuff.

March, for real? oops.

Seems I have started at least 600 posts in my brain the last month and a half, but none of them actually made it on here. Once again, I don't even know where to start. I really need to post more regularly, so the bi-monthly posts don't seem so overwhelming. So without further adoooo - Um, the end of January - it happened. I don't really remember it. February was INSANE. We were hoping to move out of our place the beginning of the month, but there were still people in the new house we were going to rent. Those people were buying a house and it was discovered that there was lead paint in that house, so they kept getting their moving date date pushed back. We had already signed a lease and technically, they should have been given the boot and we should have been able to move in by the 15th. But since I'm married to a kinder soul than myself, or something like that, we tried to work with them so that no one would have to be homeless. We ended up moving all our big stuff into the basement and front room of the new place (areas of the house they weren't using) the weekend of the 10 - 11th. Then we stayed at our mostly empty old house till the 15th. That was a story in itself. Oh the drama. We were scheduled to move out the 15th, and Dave had talked to our landlord and he said if we're out by 8 that would be fine. Well, the afternoon of the 15th, I was packing madly, stopped to take a rest, and there was loud banging on the door. Turns out the next tenants were ready to move in that minute. They had crazy lady on the phone and asked if I wanted to talk to her (crazy lady is the mom of our landlord). ok. What happened next was unlike anything I've experienced. I guess I'm just not used to angry, screaming and yelling phone calls where a mentally unstable person is threatening to call the cops on us because we're not getting out soon enough. She was being unreasonable enough, and given the issues we'd had ever since we moved into the place, I really was in no mood for her shenanigans. So I replied rather firmly and held my own, but it was pointless. She wouldn't let me finish a single sentence and assured me that my husband was a liar and we were NOT told we could be there till 8. She then said she was coming over right away to which I wish I had replied, um lady, if you do come over here and get anywhere near me or my kid, I'LL call the cops, cuz you just aint right in da head right now. she hangs up the phone and I thought, oh lordy, surely this shall be my demise. I'm picturing cop cars outside the house, crazy lady showing up with a gun. What if there's a really crazy cop out there who takes her side and hauls me away in handcuffs and Dave comes home to find no wife and Aleah in foster care? (I can be accused of many things, but having no imagination is generally not one of them. Also, please don't call me or my husband a liar cuz that REALLY REALLY makes me mad!) Anyway, as any sane woman would do, I called Dave at work (any sane woman should call her own significant other, not Dave) and said in slightly elevated tones, "YOU MUST COME HOME NOW!!!!" Thank God he was done teaching. Well, he arrived home, called our landlord, who called crazy lady, and in the end, assured us that neither she, nor the cops would be paying us a visit. whew! That was close. Ok, so that got us to the 15th. We pulled out of the rat den at 7:55, with both our cars packed full. We went to stay with some kind folks from church for awhile until the house would be ready for us to move in.

ok, rewind a bit. The weekend before this drama filled weekend, I traveled to West Virginia for a get together with "old" friends from Red Lake. Oh man, what a hoot we had. Haven't laughed like that in ages. And what a privilege to really connect with people you've known for most of your life! Such good conversations and sharing. So that was the first weekend in Feb. Came home to the aforementioned packing and moving. I should add that moving at the best of times stinks, moving in the first trimester of preg. is especially unpleasant. My poor hubs worked like crazy with his normal job, plus doing a lot of the packing and such.

We now return to this post after a couple day absence. Not sure what I was saying... Ok, so the fun weekend with the gals, then the move the following weekend/week. The weekend after that, I had planned a long time ago to go to Ohio and go to a Steven Curtis concert with my friend Bethany (hey, we know how to party like old people!) and then see Dad and Dru and Dave's grandparents. By the time that weekend came, it seemed like crazy timing, being so in limbo and all. At the same time, we got all our stuff moved and were just hanging out with people from church, so why not take a little road trip. Well, we managed to gather our wits about us and make it to Ohio. The concert was jolly good fun, and also inspiring and the rest of it. And loud. oh my. I felt like I should cover itty bitty baby's ears, but um, that's of course impossible. And so good to catch up with Bethany. We went back to her place and ate way too much peanut butter popcorn like old times and chatted the night away. The next day we met Dave and Aleah at Dad and Dru's place for lunch. Good to see them and where they live! Then on to Dave's grandparents. Well, turns out Dave's grandpa was going to be gone all well and his poor darling grandmother was going to be all alone. So we decided Aleah and I might as well stay and keep her company. We had a great time and it was so peaceful and relaxing, unlike the stress of the previous week. They live in a really nice retirement community and let me tell you, that is the way to live folks! Ever since I've been conspiring how I can come up with something like that for families and folks of all ages. Meals cooked for you on weeknights, housecleaning, eating dinner with friends every night, knowing everyone in your building and having people looking out for you. Of course in the young families building, you would incorporate things such as free babysitting, parents night out alone, fun activities for kids, enriching seminars for parents, etc. etc. Couldn't this go somewhere? Anyway, it was a fun week. One day Dad and Dru came over and we went to Ikea - fun little place. = ) Actually, I think it's about the size of the town I grew up in, but anyway -

Ok, Dave came to pick us up the following weekend and we arrived at our new place. The lead paint fiasco had finally been resolved and the people were out. We sure haven't been setting any speed records getting unpacked and there are days that the mess causes great damage in my soul. But we're getting there. We really like it here. It's an old house with uneven floors and walls, but it's homey inside and very spacious. Aleah does an awful lot of running in here. Dave's mom came up yesterday and spend the day and left this afternoon and she helped us SO much. The kitchen has been transformed. Was wonderful to have her here, not just for all the help, but that was splendid. So Feb. was the moth for trips and moving and craziness and March seems to be the month to have company. Dave's mom left this afternoon and soon, some lil kids are coming to visit - my nephew, his girlfriend, and my niece. Ok, so they're not so little anymore... Anyway, it shall be fun to hang out with them. Then after that a bosom buddy pal (Heather) from Red Lake is coming for a whole week! yahoo! We're gonna have a blast. After that, actually before that ends, my brother and his wife are coming for, um, I'm not sure how long. They haven't told me yet. And then my friend and former roommate is coming to visit at the end of March. So yes, March should fly by and it all sounds like loads of fun.

Dave is on spring break right now and is spending a lot of time looking for jobs. We still don't know if he'll be hired on for more time here at Valpo. The thought of moving again in a few months nearly makes me hysterical so I try not to think about it. At the same time, a permanent job would be really great too. The job market is really tough right now and you can pray with/for us that the right job for him opens up. And now my guests have arrives so I must go. For the few of you that are still reading - catch ya later!

what to say...

... after months of neglecting this blog? I could write a book - a very long, boring book. But I won't. I'll just say that life has been crazy! The end of November we went up to Red Lake and spent some time with my family and friends. It was a swell trip, aside from the hours on the road. Then pretty soon it was Chrsitmas already. How did that happen. We were able to spend a good chunk of time with Dave's family in Iowa on Christmas day and through New Years. If we can make it through January, February is shaping up to be a really fun month - get togethers with friends, more family, etc. But first we need to survive the next few weeks. Through a long chain of events, it has happened that we are (once again) moving the beginning of Feb. I've discussed at length our never ending issues with mice and bad water at this place. Well, ad to that a scare that there might be bacteria in the water (turns out there almost for sure isn't) and our landlord said he'd change our lease to a 6 month and we could leave the beginning of Feb. Despite my utter loathing of packing, loading, moving, and unpacking, the joy of departing our little rat den slightly overshadows that at this point. Of course I haven't really started packing yet. ha. Thankfully a lot of out stuff is still in boxes from our last move. We found a place we really like and are working on moving forward with that. Hopefully it all works out and we'll be there soon. I have lots of pics I could post, but for now I'll leave you with this one - some day we'll teach her to sit like a lady.

my fall project...

I wanted to do these letters for our new neice and it ended up taking way longer than I thought it would. Some aspects of it were really fun, others not so much. = ) But it was fun be creative again. I got some help with the finishing touches from my sis and friend up in Red Lake. So here you go - if I was smart I'd have step by step photos, but I don't. = ( But it's pretty simple - start with wooden letters, cut out scrapbook paper of your choice for each letter. Modge podge it on there, and then the really unfun part - sanding it down to the get edges to look nice. I was very perfectionistic, but the paint kept coming off and all that. Then my sis convinced me that it's supposed to look like that - a distressed look. So I tried to stop stressing about it. Oh, I forgot that step - paint the sides of the letters. With paint. I used yellow. Oh, and you modge podge the top of the paper too once it's stuck on there, to give it a nice shiny, finished look - likely my favorite part. Then put on any cutsey embelishments your heart desires and spend hours on each letter deciding what looks best with what. Then yer done!

oops - little ribbon placement problem at the bottom of the R. didn't notice that till I looked at the pictures.

(I'm secrectly in love with the "A.")
the end.

Don't know where to start

wow, I've written a katrillion blog posts in my head the last few weeks, too bad none of them actually made it to the computer. It's been a busy few weeks. I mentioned my wonderful friend Sue coming to paint for us. I realize I still haven't posted a single picture of this place. Trust me, you aren't missing much, although you are missing just a smidgen more since she painted. I keep meaning to take pictures once all the rooms are clean at the same time. That actually happened Wednesday of this week because we hosted our small group so um, it was do or die (ok, I suppose I wouldn't have actually died... ). Then I think... wait, I need to put stuff on the walls before I take pictures. Then in the meantime, everything gets messy again ... round and round we go. Anyway, I do have a pile of pictures I want to post sometime.

I'm working on a fun little craft project. Can't post pictures or say much about it right now because it's a gift, but soon. Anyway, I haven't been in touch with my crafty side for so long, it's a lot of fun. I've been thinking, hey, maybe I should try to sell these puppies, then I look closely and wonder how that might work.

The weekend after Sue came to paint, was my friend and former roommate's wedding. It so happened that Dave had Thurs. and Fri. off that week for fall break. Thursday we went to a (very small) zoo close to here. Aleah was impressed with the bears and anything that was big and moved a lot. She also really liked the birds. The rest was sort of boring (in her opinion). Anyway, Friday we made our way to Kokomo where wedding preparations were underway. I've never been in a wedding since having a hubs and small child. I have to say it um... complicates things. I wanted to help, but it was also hard to be much help. Anyway, at one point Bethany gave me some plastic table skirts that were all wrinkly and wondered if I could take them to the groom's parent's house and stick them in the dryer to fluff them up a little. Hey, I'm here to serve. So off I go to stick plastic in the dryer. The idea was low heat, just a couple minutes. That should do it. So I started drying while chatting with the groom. Then we checked said table skirts. Absolutely nothing was happening, & they were still cold and wrinkly. So I changed the heat to medium, and changed the timer so it was more in the middle instead of just at the end of the cycle (not sure if that makes sense at all, or if it changed anything but...), and started chatting again... a bit later we checked the lovely skirts and ohhhhhhhhhhhhh dear - they were shall we say, very, very, very, very, indeedly MELTED. As in, "wow, someone sprayed shaving cream in the dryer, but it's hard to get off shaving cream" melted. oh deeeeeeeeear! So as the groom removed the pieces of table skirts from the dyer with a knife, I thought about other ways I might be able to lend my indispensable services. Dave and I then drove to the bed and breakfast where everyone was staying (well, all the important people), and g0t settled in, and I then drove around town looking for the party store to buy more table skirts. I finally found the place and bought 2 more, drove back to the church ages after I left on the 10 minute errand to dry the table skirts, and delivered them. WOW! I'm not sure what they would have done without me! Anyway, the wedding was beautiful, all candle light. It was great to see friends I had hadn't seen in awhile. Aleah was a basket case by the end of the wedding day, but we all survived. We drove back after all the festivities Saturday night.

The weekend after that, another wonderful friend Bethany came to visit. I don't have a single picture to document that she was here, but she was and it was so good to hang out with her. Dave was at a conference all day Saturday, where he gave a spiffy math talk that was quite impressive I hear! = ) So it was nice to have company. We ate good food and sat around and watched "Sabrina" - both the old and much older versions.

The following weekend was last weekend and we had nothing planned for the first time in awhile. I really don't remember what we did. I could if I thought about it long enough, but I don't want to waste time doing that instead of telling you about... well, I mentioned we ate good food in the above paragraph. I don't usually post about food on here because really, there's not usually much exciting to share from around here. But let me just say 2 things. I came across this recipe from a fellow blogger awhile back (thanks Sabrina) and have made it several times since then. I would suggest you do the same. Its very very tasty and quick and cheap too, other than the chicken. Ok, that's one. And now for 2, I had asked Bethany if there was anything she wanted to eat while she was here. She remembered some type of chicken sandwich she ate up in Red Lake that she thought Heather G. made. So anyway, after a little research and some tweaking, can I just tell you what I made? I feel I have to because it's one of my favorite things ever that I've made, even though it was nothing fancy (this is probably sooooooooo very boring - sorry). So I stuck some chicken breasts in the crock put with some tasty BBQ sauce and let that cook away. Then fried up onions and a pepper. Also fried up some bacon (in this case, turkey bacon). Then took sour dough bread, put some cheese on it (in this case, muenster), then a nice little pile of BBQ chicken from the crock pot, then a pile of onions/peppers, then bacon, then a bit more cheese, then the bread. Then fry it up like an amazingly glorified grilled cheese. The first one spilled all over the frying pan, then I remembered I have a George Foreman grill, so I did the rest in there. They were tasting soooooooo tasty (for Rhonda, ha) indeed. oh so very tasty. Ok, that's the end of my story. done talking about food. Except to say that Dave and I and small human are going to Chick Fil A tonight, which I'm more than a little excited about. I've been going through withdrawal these last few months. There's a new one in a neighboring town that we wanted to go to anyway to kick of some Christmas shopping, so when they wake up, that's what we'll do. = )

I guess since I'm writing about all our exciting weekends, that brings me up to this one. We had wanted to make it to Iowa to meet our new niece (Dave's brother and wife's baby) and be there for her baptism. But sadly, Dave has way too much work to do to go anywhere for the weekend, so we're sticking around here and hopefully having a productive couple days. We're looking forward to heading up north in a couple weeks to see my family, most of whom I haven't seen since last Christmas - way too long! I can't wait. Also get to meet my new great-niece. So many new little girls in our family right now. Fun stuff. And no, I'm not even close to old enough to have "great" anythings but I do because I have siblings who are way way WAY older than me... anyway, I digress.

Aleah seems to be growing like crazy. When I look at her she doesn't seem that tall to me, but according to how things are fitting, she's grown at least a couple inches in the last couple months. Also brings up an interesting dilemma. Ok, so you know how they used to say that babies have to face backwards in their car seats until they're both 20 lbs and one year? Well, when Aleah went for her one year check up, her doc told us that they've changed the recommendation and you're not supposed to turn the car seat around until they're at least 2! What?? Well anyway, at that time she was fine facing backwards and other than not being able to see out very well and having the sun blinding her eyes a lot of the time, no biggie. So we've never switched her. The "law" is still one year so we could switch whenever, and I know probably none of my readers are militant about such things, but man oh man, you should read some of the babycenter boards about such things. Those who turn around their child's car seat before they're 3 are hideous child abusers - maybe your child's cramped leg will snap in an accident, but at least they'll LIVE. eesh. Which is my next point - with all the growth lately, she really doesn't look very comfortable that way anymore - her legs are quite cramped. So it seems only nice to do the big switcheroo before the big long trip coming up. But the angry voices of the babycenter moms I hear in my head. And I think about the icy scary Canadian roads and freak out a bit. Anyway, which is the worse - traveling with your toddler unable to see out the windows, gnawing on her knees, sun shining in her eyes, or sacrificing all comfort for the most possible safety?

Ok, I'm pretty sure I've blathered on long enough. have a great weekend!!

Long ago in a far away land...

And now, before this next batch of pics, that possibly filled my heart with joy and made me wish for a better camera and mad skills to use it, a little anecdote. Long, long (long long long long long long) ago when I was a teenager, full of winsome vigor and zest for life, I was out shopping with my mom and aunt in Michigan. I don't remember what store we were in, but I came across this line of kid's clothes called "Rachel's Kids." It was even spelled right, with no "a" added. So I thought, in all my youthful, winsome, vigor, how sweet would it be to buy something and save it for the day that I might have my own small fry that could wear it? Then her tag would say "Rachel's Kids" and it would be true, except there would only be one and not 2. But I digress. So, reaching back into the farthest recesses of my memory, I recall picking out something I thought was cute, bought it, bagged it, and stashed it away in my hope chest. I'm sure you can tell where this is going, so without further ado - today's photo shoot.

We went back to the aforementioned park. Wait, latter mentioned park. It's be gorgeous here for over a week - very warm and sunny every day with beautiful fall leaves. Natural light is SO wonderful! Way better than trying to take pics inside where they're either too dark, or glowing white from the flash. And you don't have to use red eye reduction and all that. And being outside with more distractions was nice because she didn't just pound on her chest the whole time meaning she wants the camera.

Her hat stood up in funny ways and looked like misplaced rabbit ears or something. but hey, you'd be a little bent out of shape too if you spent the last 20 years in storage

I was surprised she left her hat on a lot of the time.

The larger, not resized pics look better, but oh well. I was pretty happy to get some good outdoor shots. And after not seeing fall leaves for years, wow, this place is just gorgeous right now! I'm just loving it.