Momma Bug's Blog

Just plain Cuteness.

2012-02-02T22:57:00.000-08:00

Don't try to argue with me, I know it's true!

And don't you think we should get this guy going on some foreign language?

I mean, how many people can roll their R's that naturally?

Or in this case, maybe it's D's and T's...

Yipes!

festive acrostic for february

2012-02-02T22:42:00.000-08:00

V ery loved books in our home: The Happy Hollister mystery series.
The kids consume them like water.

A ll these pens in such cheery hues (and cherry hues)!
Drawing implements are in constant rotation here and I heart the color.

L ove ...Need I say more?

E ver wonder if you'll actually cut into that piece of fabric you adore?
Jury's still out on this one.

N ot only were these tissue paper stars fun at Christmas,
but maybe we should make more red ones to enjoy all February!

T wo tiny mittens drying out by the fire.
I wonder what stories they could tell? Cold ones I bet.

I bought this STOP sign for a song (I'd been shopping for a while).
It holds bumper stickers, as souvenirs, from places our family has traveled.

N o better use for my favorite red metal tote, than keeping my own colors.
...For . momma . only :-)

E dible almost, this tiny retro chair!
"Ms.Vinyl Tablecloth, you makes my heart stop." *sigh*

S eeing my red-mug-shelf every day (and using them) is a balm for the soul.
Now a cute timer shares a spot too.

*********************************

Can you tell what inspired us in Creative Writing today?
What acrostics can you come up with?

It seemed like measureable success.

2012-01-30T23:35:00.000-08:00

Whew! What a day.
Quite a good day if I say so myself, but I'm just wondering how it's 10:30 at night already!
I'm in the throes of revamping the school-day agenda. We don't use a scheduled curriculum,
so I usually focus on several subjects for a portion of time (weeks/months) and then
transition to some others. We do Bible reading together and our three R's every day, but may
work on social studies or the sciences by turns.

It so happens that family life is ever-changing. It is dynamic. It is seasonal.
There are seasons in which I get more sleep; there are seasons I muddle through morning sickness.
There are seasons where I plan and make all the meals; and seasons where one of my children/students
take over breakfast prep and little brother feeding so I can feed the baby. Or shower.
Sometimes there are even seasons when I shower and get dressed before noon!

Life requires some flexibility. If we can't roll with the punches, we teach our children something
untrue: that we are for the system.
I want them to understand that the system is there for us.
Our schedule, our lists, our lessons, and chapters are serving us and we use them to benefit our
quest for knowledge, for skill, and most importantly for the shaping of good character.
I find there are a lot of character lessons to be learned in the flexible moments we experience!
So today I tweak. Again. Still. What is working? Sometimes what is not working is a longer list...
or feels like it... or I need to look harder - maybe in another corner where success is hiding modestly
under the cloak of a victorious heart lesson.
Maybe even my heart.
Hopefully.

What bliss is the day that runs like clockwork! Your people are dressed before reading commences,
you actually ate something yourself before that time. And fed the baby (never mind the shower - that
can come later). Your people remembered their chores, and even remembered to wipe little brother's
sticky hands before setting him on the loose!
The day when you planned ahead enough. When your dinner was already simmering on the stove at
noon, and the ones who were doing personal homework were (wonder of wonders) not distracting
each other! The little ones were even playing sweetly.

Why isn't this the day your nosy neighbors drops by. Or your mother-in-law. Why?!! This is that
"perfect" day for showing everyone you . can . do it!

Ahhhh me.

Remind me to savor it, because I'm going to need a strong dose of recollection when tomorrow comes.
One thing pretty dependable is that days like that don't come two in a row.
But opportunity for my character to be stretched?...
...is probably just around the corner. ;-)

Icicles

2012-01-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

I can't take much credit, but we've been growing a successful crop of Icicles around here.
We got some heavy snow days last week, and this week has been warm. Because of that,
the snow is slowly melting off the roof and freezing again; melting, then freezing.
That melt/freeze process sure creates some beauty!

These are from inside the house:

You've heard of Ice Fishing? Well here we have Ice Hunting. And that's not hunting FOR ice.
That's hunting WITH ice as your weapon!

We had a few days of dangerous-looking cicles as they grew ominously long, and told the Bugletts not
to play under the eves. Then they came down.
It was quite an avalanche when the roof finally let them go. We watched from within the quaking house!

As children raised in a river valley, my love and I never experienced living in the snow.
Imagining it would be frigid, uncomfortable, and complicated, we worried how we'd
fare with a brood of small hoodlums during North Idaho winters.
Having now weathered two snowy seasons we've come to some conclusions
on the matter:

1) Good quality snow clothes and foot gear beat bread bag covered
     tennis shoes held in place with rubber bands.
     (no disrespect meant to my folks who gave us memories in the occasional mountain
     snows despite the budget gear we were outfitted in)

2) Not having anywhere we have to be, or a time we have to be there by, reduces complexity
     a zillion-fold. It also makes for cozy days/evenings at home not worrying about how many
     inches accumulate.

3) In the event that we need to get to town, 4 Wheel Drive and studded tires are where it's at.

4) We're not in a hurry to have animals that need feeding, mucking, milking, or egg-collecting.
(It's still cold - even if it's not dreary!)

5) Snow is beautiful. It's clean, white, bright, and lovely. It's much more pleasant to spend a
     winter in than bone-chilling wind, icy hand-numbing rain, gray skies and muddy brown
   landscapes. I don't know why we didn't try it before now. We're sold!

What Memories are Made of

2012-01-22T22:44:00.000-08:00

Beautiful BEAUTIFUL Weekend!

I'm a sucker for weekends that are different from the rest of the week.
And that would infer a pretty special day or two since the weekdays are
hard to beat!
Today... sleeping in, then staying toasty in bed as long as we like, followed
by a hot shower, omelet, and then going out to play in the snow together!

It's a lot of time and effort to suite up this many people in snow clothes, then
add to that a thermos of Apple Cider and a bag of Popcorn, stuffing babies into
backpacks, and strapping on several pair of snowshoes, and I bet we took an
hour at least. Cross your fingers that no one needs to go potty after we get to
that point!

Up the hill we went, to Uncle Char and Auntie Hannah's - they really do have
the best sledding hills. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Mmm-Mhm!
It was a perfect weekend day!

Unsung Heros of Marvel Hill

2012-01-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

This is one of our neighbors.
He arrived unannounced and without fanfare. Just before I was really going to need him.

What is he doing?

He is blowing foot-deep snow from behind my truck because he is the kind of guy who takes care of his
neighbors. He thought AJ hadn't made it home yet (from out of town), and thought our driveway looked impassable.
It probably was. I wasn't sure if I was going to get out - even in four wheel drive -
to fetch my man coming in from the airport.

Did God know what my need was before I knew I'd be desperate?
Did He answer my as-yet un-prayed request for assistance?
Why did my heroic neighbor show up without asking an hour before I needed to leave the house?

Of course God knew, and He answered my prayer (as-yet un-prayed) with a yes.
YES Daughter I'll send you the help you need. You don't even have to ask - not Me. Not even him.

My neighbor came because my Lord loves me.:-)

Where I HAD been parked.

One other fellow who blessed the socks off me:

Thanks Buddy!

Operating Scissors Is No Small Task

2012-01-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Stuff and Things

2012-01-18T23:43:00.000-08:00

Spice of Life

1)   "Bella Peppers" and "Cal-girls" will be missed when Bell Peppers and Cowgirls are discovered.

2)   The only thing I've found to dislike about snow is the amount of wet clothes, gloves, and hats
       it produces and which consume every toasty inch in front of my wood stove.
      (like how I said that - my wood stove.)

3)   Do you ever plan to sip something hot, but keep putting it off until...
      that diaper is changed, fire stoked, face wiped, chore delegated, ponytail brushed, shower taken,
      reading commenced, wet hair combed, bottle warmed, sippy cup filled, toast buttered, sandwich made,
      call returned, copy work assigned, story read, counter wiped, baby cuddled, water reheated...
      I do.
      It happens to me pretty much every day.

4)   I waffle between pulling my hair out, and chuckling when I see URGENT spelled correctly on one line,
      then not being able to decipher it on the next. ERJNT.
      Supposedly it is not to late for a ten year old to learn how to spell.
      It is not an "erjnt" matter at this time.

5)   However much I miss my man when he travels, I love to make meatloaf and butternut squash
    when he's gone.
    I love it even more that 6 other people enjoy eating it with me.
    I love it best when he's back home, and I still have leftover meatloaf for my lunch!

6)   I hope the little guy never outgrows:
     "You're Lel-come"
     "I love you mom"
    and

     "You're my precious mommy" He really-truly said that to me.

7)   It would appear that 7-9 hours of sleep is now a reality in my life. I don't believe in jinxes, so I won't
      knock on wood. However, I sure hope my body gets used to sleep again because right now it is
      not happy Bob. Not happy. It's been running on fumes long enough to think it needs a few months worth
      of 9 hour nights before it catches up.
      I'm working on that.

8) Quiet is good company.
      So is a house-rattling stampede and riotous laughter.
      Particularly if enjoyed after schoolwork and chores, and especially when followed by quiet.

9)   There used to be days in which morning hours dragged on.
      Then there were days in which evening hours dragged on.
    Now there are no hours that drag. Not a one.
      How come nap hours never drag on?

10) If the hours don't drag on
       and there's riotous laughter coming from the stampede upstairs
       and my tiredness means I'm actually getting more sleep...
       If my children are learning, and their learning makes me chuckle
       and the wet clothes mean they get out in the snow...
       If meatloaf is for dinner, and if Bryce thinks I am precious
       if coffee, tea, or chocolate is had for sipping - hot or cold...
       Then I'll relish Bella Peppers, Cal-girls, chubby babies,
       glowing wood stove, books for reading, silly spelling,
       and my handsome Honey who comes home.

*****************************************************

And that's what putters along in my brain after all the bugletts have gone to bed.

Today there were moments better forgotten as well, but they aren't worth the mention.
Besides, I like to remember my life like this - it's pretty wonderful!

It hardly gets better than this!

2012-01-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

We had the privilege of friends who wanted to share a week of our lives recently.

They braved the winter and ice - for there hadn't been a fresh snow in many days,
but ice we had in abundance.

They mastered use of the cabin heater
and hunkered down under blankets when it was necessary.

Tromp back and forth from cabin to house they did, to join us for life, and tea, and generous portions of

fellowship spiced with conversation in all it's colorful hues. Then tromped back again
to the guest quarters to nap, to rest, to silence,
and perhaps escape from our gusto for a while.

How rich we are. How blessed in our friendships. How thankful.

In these interactions, these days and moments, we are reminded that
this truly is

a little piece of Heaven.

Marvel Hill Wonderland

2012-01-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

We wondered when the winter would come.
It has.

Oh to be cozied in with fire-warmth and hot tea! Even school is an inspiration when we can wrap
ourselves in blankets while we read together. The snow started up yesterday evening, and is adding inches
as I sit here typing. The boys completed their assignments in double-time so they could get out and
"dig paths" in the deep powder. My littlest ones are supposed to be napping. They were sleepy today
and I reminded them to look out their windows at the treetops bowed over, and count the falling flakes.
It's a mesmerizing business looking up into a sky of flurrying whiteness!

What are we looking at here, rip-roaring fire? Or the face in front of it all?
Now that's a silly question!

Red Rooibos Red Roobos, might I love you so well? Possibly if blended with hints of Vanilla... mmm...

Snow shoes on the guest cabin deck

behind the falling snow, and awaiting to trod out new adventure!

Hell-Oooo Unc!

Anyway, all this to say: "Quite nice" and to show you why I think so.
Yes, quite nice indeed.

Thank You Shirley Temple.

2012-01-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

This beautiful daughter of mine has the gift of moving to music.

Of moving with music.

She and music...

they reach beyond physical boundaries and scoff at natural laws of nature

twirling together

intertwining

until it becomes difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Ear-tickling sounds morph

seamlessly into fluid, liquid-like steps, sways, and nods.

She is not like me.

I am not like that.

Her arms sway gracefully. Her waist and wrists too, in coordinated agreement

with the instrumental ebb and flow..

How can I encourage this so-foreign-to-me gifting?

I don't know, but I realize that there is something here I don't understand.

I want to see it blossom,

for it is lovely.

And I am honored to belong to her... my dancing girl.

Reintroduction of the charming

Olivia Honor!

Truly Saturday

2012-01-07T16:18:00.001-08:00

Sittin' in the car this Saturday late aftrnoon.
ridin' around town with my Love and all the buglets, avoiding the bracing cold OUTSIDE the vehicle. Randy Travis and Hank Williams sernade us while daddy runs into Home Depot. It's nice to be doing absolutely nothing... and I'm enjoying it fully!
It happens that I need an excuse to play with this handheld compter AJ passed down to me, so let's make this a really fun Saturday-mobile-blogging-experiment, and I'll leave you with a high quality photo (taken with my handy-dandy device) that will make you smile :-)

a study in pink

2012-01-05T23:33:00.000-08:00

beautiful pink pixie
teething pixie not-so-smiling pixie
brother-proclaimed "best friend" and it's already so true.
talking baby gibberish that everyone wants to translate
"do you want me? do you need this? can i kiss you little sis?"
very gifted little girl, given cars and dinosaurs and fingernail polish,
train parts, stretchy lizard toys, rubber snake or hair brush.
every now and then "do you want a bite of my carrot? my cracker? my candy cane?"
watchful eyes are needed when your adoring fans are near.
but watching isn't work when the subject is you.
sweet, darling pixie.

Joy of Bubble Wrap

2012-01-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

The last day

2011-12-31T20:34:00.000-08:00

This day may have been the last day of this year 2011 -and we made a holiday of it for sure-
but in all the days of my life, it was counted merely as one more day undeserved by me,
gifted freely and with no obligation by a God who favors me . every . breath . I take!
I celebrate this day on its own merit. Without pomp. Without circumstance. Without any special note except...

Except that I lived it!

Thank you Lord.
And Lord, let each new day your favor me with be embraced as possibly the last. And be glorified!

Welcome to the coming days of 2012!

Fit for a King

2011-12-20T22:47:00.000-08:00

It's been a quiet Christmas season. It slipped upon us before I was ready, and when I acknowledged it's
presence I felt compelled to "do" everything on my imaginary list.
Last year we did it all. We were home the whole month of December and I didn't let a day get by us without
some project or other. This year?

This year I am learning to let go of my plans. To celebrate Jesus in enjoying my children. Being willing to let
my "fun-project-that-you're-going-to-love" go, if they'd rather play monopoly in front of the warm wood
stove and in view of the tree lights. I've had to ask myself "Who is all this doing for?" and
"Why does it matter if we do it, or that we do it this week? Even this month?"
I want to make memories with the children, and I want to take advantage of this annual opportunity to
remember the birth of my Savior. I want to savor every savory scent, the soft lights on short dark days,
to make things for people and try every recipe, and craft that inspires me.......

I can't do it all. There aren't enough days, and the ones I have aren't long enough. I guess that's actually
something to be thankful for - a season in which I crave long days - many people are plodding through days
that seem endless as they bear some burden or another. I'm thankful that my days are short because we're
having fun. We are. We're having fun, and when I feel guilty about all the things'n'stuff that we aren't doing
I remind myself of that.
We're having fun resting, playing, creating, baking, listening, sniffing, tasting, and just being together.
Nothing spectacular this year. No monumental traditions built with care and planning.
But we are having fun.
And we remember Jesus!

The stars pictured above were a new thing for us. They were delightfully easy, inexpensive, and I think
they're rather lovely on the windows! Olivia has been the one to sit down and get creative with me,
and that girl can follow-through like nobodies five-year-old-business! She watches, picks it right up,
and plows forward, working out the kinks on her own. She really impresses me.

Today the other three bigg'uns made one star apiece. That was enough. For today anyway.
I have to say that I am hooked. It's like instant quilting gratification! You can buy colored wrapping
tissue at your local dollar store (we had two packages equaling roughly 10 colors to choose from).
We've only used one sheet of each color and have made 10 stars I think? There must be millions of
stars-worth of paper in those 2 dollars we spent! Here is the tutorial we used for our Tissue Paper Stars.
I highly recommend using a knife to cut the tissue as suggested in the tutorial - it made easy work of
chopping our paper down to size. Each sheet of tissue is square, so it can be folded in half, cut, and folded
again, and cut again and so forth until you reach the square or rectangle size you want. I keep imagining
new color combinations and sizes and patterns I want to try....hm..............
Do please tell me if you try these stars yourself, and if (like Olivia and I) you thought them fit for a Kings
Birthday celebration!

"Mom, Yer my Buddy!"

2011-12-17T23:34:00.000-08:00

4 little words exuberantly uttered in the dark, after handing him "Drankie", tucking a fuzzy fleece all 'round him,
and placing his cup nearby. The sturdy ticking lump in my chest is forever affected and reduced to a
puddle of goo. I could die happy and content. right. now.
Those delicious little words make up for every struggle that ever came before tonight,
and will probably cover a multitude of sins for many days (and possibly years) to come :-)

It was a long day. A good and productive day. A fun day.
I loaded 7 Bugletts into our snow-worthy 4x4 and hit the town! We left at 10:30 this morning, and pulled
into the driveway tonight after 8pm. Whew!
What transpired between those times were as follows:
Christmas shopping,
12 cheeseburgers
Birthday shopping for Clay
A Salted Caramel Mocha for me
6 Peppermint Hot Chocolates for 6 Bugs
Grocery shopping,
A lot of getting into and out of the truck (which may have accounted for several hours of our time)
Nursing the baby. 3 times.

We encountered numerous raised eyebrows over the course of the day, and none of them pertaining to
the box of glass ornaments we bumped off a shelf, or the 2 hot chocolates we lost on the grocery
store floor before leaving the produce section.

Note to self: experiment was a success.
I now know why
it was against my better judgement
to let the kids sip hot chocolate
while I shopped.

Lesson learned.

One grandfatherly fellow and his elderly mother leaning upon arm, got a real kick out of watching us
through the store ad I'm sure we were good entertainment for them. Their pleasure about made my day!
Upon meeting up with his wife, I overheard the tickled two as they pointed us out to her:
"She has seven children!" They exclaimed in admiring awe.

The mans wife promptly turned and took a headcount, and
smiling with genuine warmth and sincerity she said to my crew
"I wish I had seven children just. like. you."

Loaded to the gills, 6 bananas later and another Mocha for ol' mom, a take-and-bake pizza for dinner
stacked precariously on top of the dollar store bags (which were strategically plopped on top
of the groceries), with Christmas carols turned full volume... we turned toward home.
It was a long day (9+ hours).
A good and productive day (see: full truck, content children, sane mother)
A fun day too. I really thought it couldn't get better!
But good-night hugs from long-legged big bugs, and 4 little words from my Bryce-boy....
no. I'm pretty certain it doesn't get any better :-)

Does he really need a head?

2011-12-16T23:30:00.000-08:00

And if so, how are we going to get it up there?

Let's start over.

2011-12-16T01:02:00.000-08:00

At noon it felt like a day lost.
Nothing terrible had transpired... yet nothing... had transpired.
And then when I was ready to regroup and change gears, aiming for more fun...and to BE more fun...

"Mom! (someone-who-shall-remain-nameless) just now punched me in the arm with a bell pepper!"

Okay. Everyone needs a nap today, and I need some quiet for a while.
And they did. And I did. I glittered the stars all by myself, and enjoyed every single moment of quiet!
I wrote a "to-do for fun" list for myself in ten colors.
I scissored and snipped, penciled and inked, punched and strung a banner.

It was therapy.

Just before dinner 3 cousins were delivered to my door while their parents took a Christmas-shopping date.
We had a date of our own, those three cousins, me, and my 7 hoodlums!
Nachos for dinner; books read; and then we dove into our Craft Friday project on Thursday night.
Two little ones strung beads...

7 big kids created faux stained glass, by decoupaging candle holders with tissue paper.

In case you are wondering why all the headlamps(?)
It's only this bright in my photo because of my lightning-bolt camera flash.
We have 4 propane lamps that light this room which provide luminescence necessary
for getting around furniture and quickly finding the chocolate stash,
however it's not really enough light for working on projects.

There are electric lights in the pantry/washroom (as you see in the background) which we can use
when the generator is running or the batteries charged, but electric lighting in the rest of the house
is a work in progress.
For the present we continue to enjoy ambiance :-)

Our crafting went surprisingly well...

despite this one little mishap. Which I handled with grace and calm and which really
wasn't as bad as I thought on first glance. It is a bowl of glue, after all, and that is my wall.

I will add here,

that I think it's a sign of maturity
when the first order of dealing
(or maybe "coping")
with an event like this
means
I grab my camera.

Good to know I'm growing up.

It was a Christmasy evening, full of sweet little people and the memories they made.
I even got a second chance at trying to be fun! I'm going to need a lot more practice
though... so I hope tomorrow's got more camera-grabbing moments in store :-)

Highlights of our most recent travels

2011-12-14T23:49:00.000-08:00

We escaped not days before the first Idaho winter storms dropped 2 feet of snow; one week before
Thanksgiving. Onward to California. To see and spend time with beloved family.
And to prolong Fall colors and warm Autumn sunlight. California did not disappoint!

All the family came through as well :-)

We are native "Northern" Californians, so none of this beaches and movie stars business if you please.
We come from Almond country. Rice Country. Olive country. Where we grew up is home of
Lundberg Rice, Knudsen's Juice, Sierra Nevada Brewery, Chico Bag, Klean Kanteen
The farthest south we ever venture is to visit Granny and Great Grandpa in the green coastal
verdure of Watsonville. Strawberry country. Apple country. Lettuce, Garlic, and Olallieberries.
And lemons... don't forget Granny's lemons.

They make the BEST Lemonade!

"Put your Footer down!" Bryce would tell Great Grandpa over and over again.
That meant Grandpa was to close up his reclining chair... or open it. Whichever suited
the tiny Boss's whim. Bryce sure appreciated Great Grandpa's cooperation.
I think they were mutually satisfied with the arrangement :-)

Great Grandpa has a pool table in his basement. It's always been a novelty, but these
days dad has some new up-and-coming competition !

Some serious (though smiling) gamers in this family.

Carolina is hearing about Granny's brothers and sisters.
Granny was one of seven also.

Clay in the Persimmon tree. Always in a tree, that boy.

We did set foot on beach once... at Capitola, and lunch with Aunt June and Uncle Robert
(We sure love you guys! Thanks for coming over to see us!)

Our dad has to work sometimes - even when we're at the beach.

It's rough.

And during Thanksgiving weekend we got to know our latest Uncle a bit better.
Uncle Shane is now a bona fide favorite!

And another favorite, Uncle Daniel!

And Uncle Char threatening to blog me.
But he doesn't blog so... I blog YOU Charlie. Take THAT -haHA!

My "baby" sister, seventh in order Mattie Grace...
and my baby, seventh in order also... Aloria Mercy
And it tickles me to no end that our Grace and Mercy resemble each other - quite a lot!

My sisters and a few of the nieces. Wow. It's getting harder to deny that we're grown women.

Mother O' mine.

At Grama and Grampa's house running the same land I ran at their age;
though I don't confess to whether or not I also, terrorized the poor chickens :-)

What a privilege to spend yet a little more time with my grandmothers!
AJ's grandma Marie, and my grandmothers Bethlene and Arlene - my namesakes.

There's more where this came from. Lil' ham-it-ups!

I caught this sight one morning at Gramsie's. My girls.

Another big going's-on... Aloria got a trim.
Momma is sad sad sad to say good-bye to chestnut colored hair...

..alas....hello little blondie!

I find it awfully hard to narrow down our adventures to these "few" pictures, but it's already taken me hours
(late at night) to upload this many. Just a taste of last months adventures!
Oh how we soaked in every single bit of time with family, and I was delighted to see so much of my sisters.
It's pretty amazing that AJ can take his work with him anywhere - that's what makes it possible
for us to extend our travels indefinitely. It's a little hard to explain why he isn't along for every family drop-in
or visit, but our travels are just that... travels. Dad still has to work during the week! Someone has to
"pay the big bucks" as we like to say. :-)

I guess the rest of the pictures will have to be printed on actual photo paper and put into an album.
Another late night job that will require hours, but at least I can put that one off for a while.

Tonight I take my weary bones to bed and dream of all these wonderful faces - people I love dearly!

Home Again, Home Again Jiggety-Jig.

2011-12-12T22:35:00.000-08:00

We're nestled in our mountain home again.

Surrounded by piles.
Unpacked duffels, baskets of laundry, school books, snow clothes,
boxes of Christmas decorations, boots by the door and wet mittens dripping ice-melt and snow
into puddles on the floor...
Wood piled up by the stove - consumed in a half-day - and restocked again.

Jackets on the window bench, next to the diaper-bag left there exactly as it was plumped down three days ago.
A few newly-bought storage containers and boxed shelves waiting assemblage...
...near the diaper bag...
...and the jackets...
...using up the last remaining seat on that same window bench.

Vacuum out. Washing machine in progress. Dryer too, which makes a bit of a din when added
to the hum of generator, wrestling boys, teething baby, daughter humming,
and something sizzling on the kitchen stove.
Christmas music.

But Christmas music - every genre of jolly, haunting, sweet, inspiring Christmas music - plays softly
behind the cacophony setting a joyous tone...a festive mood...preparing us for celebration!
Strands of lights unravel, bubbly juice put to chill,
evergreen scents fill the air with the entrance of our freshly-cut Idaho tree.

I stop the sorting, the unpacking, the putting away....
to get out the baubles, to hang up a lantern, to light a candle. I add to the mess, the din, the fun...
weaving lights into tree boughs, stirring agave into 5 mugs of peppermint tea, getting out the Nativity.
Ignoring the piles.

Life gets away from me... one day at a time. There's much catching up to do, to say, to show; but that will
have to come between the attacking of piles.
If I can slip it in between scissoring, gluing, stitching, and flying glitter,
story reading, advent creating, Birthday party decorating for Jesus!
And over sips of something Christmas-y.
I've missed you :-)

Problem Solved.

2011-11-29T23:26:00.000-08:00

While folding laundry in the cozy guest bedroom of my folks-in-love home

one of my two daughters ask me:

"Mom, why do you want Olivia and I to stay in the room with you?"

to which I answer

"Because I need your help... and want your company."

and without batting an eye, Olivia offers this:

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Susanna can be the help.

...and I'll be the company."

heartfull thanksgiving

2011-11-29T22:46:00.000-08:00

delightful
precious
moments

sparkles
on the shimmering pool
of time

one moment to cherish
that one unmatched, irreplaceable, dreamlike moment
beheld of mine eye

tucked safely away
in hearts embrace
to recall at any time

loving dear ones. family by bond of blood, or through marriage. these are my friends.
remembering times together
and having many many reasons...

to thank Jesus.

My Side

2011-11-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

Whada week!

2011-11-22T17:03:00.001-08:00

15 hours drive
7 children
0 husband
1 mocha for 1 crazy me.
We made it, are alive, and have retrieved husband.
All is well. Very well.

Some sleep would be nice :-)

Clever

2011-11-14T12:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever come up with an idea that's original? Or solve a problem that had you stumped?
When you had that "Ah-ha" moment, did you think to yourself (or even out-loud):
"BOY! Am I CLEVER!"
You haven't?

I've been wanting a banner or something over my bed.
I also had these great metal letters waiting for a home.
I rummaged up some wire and a couple hooks, had planned
to punch a holes in the corners, but each letter already had two
hangers attached to the back. Strung the wire through; made a loop
at each end by twisting the wire, and hung. Viola!
I am CLEVER!

I wonder if that's how God felt when he completed each glorious piece of creation?
You know how He said "It is good"?
I bet that was kinda like "I Am CLEVER!"

It was sure nice of Him to share a small spark of His creativity with us.
He is CLEVER! And Creative! And Marvelous!!!

And I think I know how He felt :-)

There're some things I want to remember

2011-11-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

Will I?
Probably not. I can't even remember what I open the fridge for lately.
But Bryce? The sayings of Bryce are worth plumbing the depths of my memory
(my memory becomes a murky deep after only hours... or less).

I am of the belief
that life would be about perfect if I could keep
a 2 year-old boy in my home for all time!

Here's why:

"Shall we go get Aliyah Mom?"

"Hi Aliyah! You wake up?"

"Would'jue fill my cup please?"

"I don't LIKE potatoes."

"Will you help me open this mom?"

I'm duhnna do dit my drankie!"

"Can I go outside?"

"Dat's a RAY-ben Daddy."
"Yes Bryce, that is a raven. Can you say 'Ray-VEN'?"
"I don't want to say... raven."

"Can you tickle me Daddy?"

These sayings and thoughts spatter bright splashes of color on our days,
and the big brothers and sisters are able to grin with me
as our eyes meet over the fuzzy little head of our favorite wee man!

He adores (and I do mean that) adores his tiny sister. He notices the
moment she enters the room on my arm, and then grabs her attention
with a hearty laugh and a cheer! It's a piece of Heaven I tell you.
These are the good ol' days, and I will miss them when they pass.

Yesterday I went outside for a "few" minutes.
I left Susie and Olie in charge.
I returned to hear tales of the littlest brother sitting at the table eating Big Sis's candy suckers.
(I guess a "few" minutes was "enough" minutes)
What did I say to that?

Good for him.

And maybe that ncident will create some special motivation for actually watching our little booger
when I put them girls in charge.
That could be nice :-)

I call this one: "Bugletts in Leaves"

2011-11-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Sisters

2011-11-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

just a regular day

still in jams

hair all a muss

bright eyes

holding-tight arms

tiny clasping hands

i love you secrets whispered

giggles exchanged

smiles for momma.........

my girls

sisters.

I might be little, but...

2011-11-06T09:19:00.000-08:00

Clayton had something Bryce wanted. Bryce sounded some unpleasant demands.

I instructed Bryce to ask his big brother for it nicely: "May I please have that Clay?"

As he gave me "The Eye" I encouraged: "May I please have that Clayton?"

Nothing.

I turned to Clayton and gave him permission to keep his belonging:

"You don't have to give it to him." [just because he asks]

I then take up again with Bryce: "say 'May I please have that Clayton?'"

Looking up at me through those long eyelashes he said in a barely audible voice:

"I don't have to say it Mommy."

That's when I had to leave.
It's not a helpful training maneuver to laugh at small dissenters!

And now I give you... The Larch

2011-11-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Larch? Also known as Tamarack?
It's a deciduous tree that blends right in with our evergreen, yet loses it's needles after
turning the mountainsides brilliant shades of gold! The birch are done for the year...
behold The Larch.

Okay. I know y'all must be tired of tree pictures, but I'm trying to entice family and friends to visit.
We happen to think this one of God's most beautiful countrysides anywhere, and the pictures are just
for proof :-)
In other tree news, we're still putting away firewood. There's more logs to be cut, rounds to be split,
and split wood to be stacked under cover. The boys have been working very hard (mostly) at this
job, but I've been getting out there to raise the bar on pace. It's nice to have a reason for putting on
the ol' overalls and hoodie sweatshirt (I "borrow" my Great Guys' because it's a big, comfy, already-stained
hug I can wear and be warm while thinking of him). I should wear some kind of gloves, but I don't.
That might change tomorrow because my thumb finally got in the way of a hunk o' wood I was stacking.
Thankfully it gashed my cuticle pretty good so it bled like the dickens. If I smash my thumb it's going to
hurt, so it may as well bleed and LOOK like it hurts HAHA!
There was a bit more to be completed, but that curtailed my career in firewood for the day.
Hopefully the weather will hold off on snow a while longer so we can fill the woodshed and be relatively
certain of warmth for the entirety of the winter months :-)

One last fall picture: a moment I spied when I walked past the window some weeks ago.

A Chocolate "Party in a Box"

2011-11-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

From Grandma with love!

My mom sent a box full of chocolate covered peanut butter balls. She knows just what tickles
our taste buds and warms our hearts (and the right time of year to send something like that
through the mail!) Everyone oooohed and ahhhed over the many round morsels as cousin
Ellie removed them from their packaging. Were they ever enthusiastic - somewhat impatient,
but definitely enthusiastic!

Grandma, you blessed our hearts and our tasters. Thank you SO MUCH!
Here's a few pictures from our party - only wish you could have been here.

We love you!

light and life

2011-10-31T20:39:00.000-07:00

"For God,

who commanded the light

to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts

to give the light

of the knowledge

of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ."

I Corinthians 4:6

***

Schoolwork fills our mornings lately, and usually spills over into afternoon.

Where does this leave time for blogging? Baking? Stacking firewood?

Doing something with all those apples!

It's a crunch to get anything done

after the school chores end and before the dinner chores begin.

I'm not complaining;

I have lots of help at the ready! But I also have

half finished tutu's on the couch, felt in a bag on the wood-box designated

for Aloria's Christmas stocking,

pounds and pounds of apples blocking the front door so it only opens part-way,

folded stationary needing to be tied up in ribbon,

a gift awaiting tissue paper and some postage stamps,

canned pumpkin on the counter

hoping to made into something yummy.......

There's no shortage of fun things I can't quite get to!

Tonight I had big plans for making bread, folding laundry, reading to my little Bugs,

maybe even checking off a few things on the list above.

Alas, 8 in the evening finds me completely without steam.

The starch (if you will) is taken right out of me.

It was a full day that started dark and early with crisp fall chill followed by crackling fire;

a hot morning bath and quiet, uninterrupted Bible reading time;

it was a day that saw much accomplished,

and also not enough.

But now....

Now I could start the next thing and instead I choose bed.

A prudent decision, but not without some regret.

Tomorrow starts off with the same list of things to do, and probably more.

The good news?

All my long list will be there to chip away at tomorrow!

That same tidbit of reality is both the hard fact, and the sweet hope.

Tomorrow is a new start, with (hopefully) new energy,

new inspirations, and it's own hiccoughs that I can't predict.

(and I'm glad for that!)

Tomorrow looks promising.

And so does bed.

window mouth.

2011-10-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

No more apples for YOU, young lady!!

Just a regular day

2011-10-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

When I stop and pay attention, there are so many things in a "regular" day that make it a "favorite" day.
It's important to look for those things though!
Here are a few of the favorites in my regular day :-)

The boys (and today the girls too) have been working really hard at getting firewood split and stacked
in the woodshed. I promised them an apple pie if they stuck with it.
Sometimes follow-through is the hard part......... and that's true for all of us.

My job description of Mother has taken on a new facet: that of facilitating and supporting
a couple boys as they become men. Building not only a friendship with these guys, and not
just being their mom, but being a woman who listens (a lot of this listening business),
laughs with them as peers, and encourages their dreams as well as labors. I hope that one
day they choose brides that are better women than I, but until that time arrives I'll endeavor
to set the bar high, and try to instil a zeal for life in my men - even if it involves hard work!

(and perhaps more than a few small messes - it has been said that pie-making is messy!)

It was a joy to watch Carolina Truth apply "jewels" onto her crown
(a gift from her brother Clayton). It took some coordination and fine
motor skills and even more of that follow-through I was talking about!

Finally time to light up my wood stove - MY wood stove. Somebody loves me :-)

Among my most favorite things are these two favorite people enjoying a growing friendship.

An this little one heard her sister enter the door behind her.
Craaaaaaannnnn.... "I see you sister!" says she.

Another favorite ':-)

It's particularly wonderful to me that we live in a place where golden trees drop their golden leaves
where my children can scoop them up by armloads. It's just perfect.

Wheeeeeeee-HAH! It's still fall here and the Tamaracks haven't even turned yet!

autumn splendor

2011-10-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

I promise pictures with people in them next post.

I never was a scenery and landscape picture-taker..

until we lived here.

O' marvelous Marvel Hill.

You do color so nicely!

"Momma, what does "spoiled" mean?"

2011-10-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

It means that rather than
teach my children good habits
and proper behavior,
I say instead:

"Awwwwe, how cute he looks

sitting on the couch

with a pile of carrots in his lap!"

In Bug history this would NEVER have been allowed.

Never.

But we don't seem to be apologizing do we :-)

Fall Color in the Waving Country

2011-10-24T00:20:00.000-07:00

Join us for the Fall Color Sunday Afternoon drive we took together!

My friend calls this "Waving Country" because when you turn off on our dirt road, everyone
waves when you pass, when they pass, when anyone passes really.
It's only neighborly to wave back!

See the Grouse? Susie spotted him. He was eating the Elderberries and didn't seem to mind us!

Thanksgiving Dinner: Coming Soon and Crossing a Road Near You!

It's not New England, but I think we give the eastern side of the United States a run for their money.
I'm caught hook, line, and sinker. If I wasn't already in love, I would be now!

Thanks for sharing the scenic drive with us.

My own little Goldfinch...

2011-10-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

Turning 4. Not allowing me to push the pause button, she keeps growing up.

Thank you Lord! For my Carolina Truth!!!

Happy Birthday precious daughter - you are so very loved!

Picking Apples in the Far North

2011-10-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

On Thursday we took a field trip of sorts. We loaded up bags, bins, peanut butter and jam sandwiches,
jackets (just in case the foreboding sky made good its threat), stroller, camera, and children.
Armed with a tip from a friend, and only a hopeful guess for a map, we drove north on a small
two lane highway until the road we sought appeared veering east just in the nick of time - not many yards
ahead we would have been forced to U-turn at the Canadian port of entry.

The scenery in this piece of our far northerly lands was breathtaking! The fall colors only made it more so,
and the children and I agreed it reminded us of Vermont as we saw it last October.

After driving at crawl speed (which nobody minded with such awesome sights to take in) we found our
destination. The farm was pristine, the driveway empty. There was a note on the door which read in
friendly scrawl:

"If you are here to pick apples,
go right ahead.
Pick whatever you like.
If we aren't back yet,
there's a scale in the shop you can weigh them on.
30 cents a pound.
You can just leave the cash. Or send it. Or whatever.
......."

So we did.

There was a beautiful Cherry orchard facing the rows of apple trees. With golden leaves scattered over the ground, it was simply enchanting!

Wondering if I had enough cash in my wallet - even at 30 cents a pound - I called a halt to the picking.
I wondered just how many pounds we ended up with, all four 18 gallon totes nearly full. The boys
were impressive pickers, but all the children kept up well since the apples were right within reach.
(It was a little difficult to convince them we should weigh and pay for our loot before chomping in!)

Weigh them we did though, and met the owners of this lovely place as they told us a bit of its history
and explained their hopes for their newly planted blueberry patch (we will DEFINITELY call them next
summer!!!). It was no small matter getting the apples to the shop, and had the farmers been there when
we arrived, they would have told us to drive right into the orchard.
That might have been helpful to know.
Good thing I brought muscle :-) "Put your back into it Olie! PUSH, Cousin!"

That about sums it up, except for the drive home... which was every bit as wonderful
as the drive there only this time I captured a couple pictures.
Between crunchy bites of apple, and numerous plans for what appley concoctions
our 240 pounds of fruit could be transformed into... everyone agreed it was as perfect as
a day can get.
And were ready to go back tomorrow :-)

Too smart for me

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well it finally happened to me.

Today I found my two-year-old in his bed without his diaper.

Can I blame him if he doesn't want to wear a poopy diaper?

Well. I can't blame him for that exactly,

but we had words about other things I can blame him for!

Honestly it's a wonder it took so long for me

to have such a rascally and charming trouble-maker,

but I've known I was going to get my just desserts sooner or later.

It is the very reason I say (and here I quote myself):

"everybody should have at least one more child

than they can handle."

It makes us humble.

And it makes life more interesting too ;-)

because He loves

2011-10-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

Come to our home after dusk
enter in
elude the darkness
warm hands
warm face and ears from the
crisp
autumn
twilight air

home sweet sweet home
welcoming the familiar
and the stranger too
keeping bitter cold outside
the toddling baby in.

soft ambiance surrounds all
on this side of the door
flickering glow illuminates
each face
makes eyes sparkle
adds a pinker hue to cheek
.
light that warms the soul
these propane lamps omit;
ever forgiving father time
erasing wrinkles
blurring creases. and gray hair. and thick middles.
fearlessly hiding dust bunnies and cobwebs. and dirty socks.

weary traveler
tired mother dear and loved
neighbor casually dropping in
put up your feet
rest your eyes
let laughter work as balm.

education is a constant here
to learn what is lovely
noble
true.
we are growing
growing up
growing quicker to listen. and slower to critique.
growing out of last years blue jeans
and into a deeper love with Jesus.

welcome in. welcome. welcome.
yes there is volume
sometimes a din
but here there is something more
glowing brighter than our fire-lit mantles...
it is Light..
and Life.

"welcome to our home, my Lord
quench darkness
conquer death.
humility is no stranger here
as we wrestle with sin. self. and flesh.
warm our hearts with your love my Lord
fill our home with You
because
in Your presence is fullness of joy!
and Life everlasting.
and Light.

enter in, my Lord
invite with you the downcast
bring the discouraged and rejected too
let us serve them. serve you, here.

Soft Ambiance permeating every corner
help me see people as You do.
lovely.
loved

Take me with my ragged edges
use me as a beacon
shining true.
Light around me. on me. in me.
let me love
as You do."

(by momma bug 10/10/11)

Finished masterpieces

2011-10-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

** * * * **

A bit like Heaven

2011-10-09T00:15:00.000-07:00

We have lovely lovely golds here in North Idaho, but these last couple days I'm reminiscing about our
Fall Color trip to New England last year.
The East coast trees really know how to wear their reds and oranges! Wow.

I imagined a garland of leaves for our west-facing windows, and so yesterday my 4 big ones painted bright
splashes of color onto plain white cardstock; we let it dry, drew leaf patterns on them, and cut out our OWN
fall foliage! I punched two holes at the top of every leaf which provided a perfect job for me and
(almost-4-year-old) Carolina: stringing our leaves.

For the first 4 steps I recommend reading to the kids while they work. Right now we're reading our way
through Psalms, Genesis, Caddie Woodlawn, and Cary On Mr. Bowditch.
Nibble on Pumpkin Bread between pages.
For step 5, I suggest stringing leaves in the late morning, (sit in a sunny window if you can), and add a dollop
of last nights homemade caramel (which is a good story - remind me later) to your coffee and cream.

I'm now wondering what other things I could string with an almost-4-year-old since I had so much FUN and chuckles doing that with her this morning!

This guy was his own brand of help, bringing me my full (and hot) cup of coffee
"ACH! Thanks Buddy DON'T TOUCH THAT WITHOUT ASKING MOMMA!!!"
and bringing me my camera
"ACH! Thanks Buddy DON'T TOUCH THAT WITHOUT ASKING MOMMA!!!"
and trying to crimp our toes with that new tool of his. His help certainly kept us from getting bored!

While we strung leaves and tried to hide our toes from harm, my four big ones moved, split, and stacked.
(When did their legs get so long?!)

My smiley charmer did her part today in keeping the mood light.
My friend has referred to her hair as Chocolate and Vanilla. It kind of is, isn't it?

So we made caramel last night (remember I said I'd tell you?).
Zachary and Olivia measured, poured, and stirred together the ingredients, and when beginning to stir,
my son asked what temperature we were aiming for. I told him. He then asked me how he would know
what the temperature was. I came in and took the candy thermometer from him, began to explain about
the mercury, bent down to examine it closely. My voice trailed off as I squinted at the thermometer.
I didn't see the mercury.
I couldn't find the mercury.
There was no mercury.
Not good.

Zack didn't remember if the glass bulb was already broken before he put it into the candy, and no one
remembered it being broke during one of our evening dish washing session frequently fraught with
(but not limited to) incessant chatter, hootin' and hollering, giggling, bickering (at times), bad jokes,
high volume, guffaws, and other various clanks and clatter.
It would be hard to notice if something - ANYthing - broke during such bedlam.

Zack and I quickly came to the conclusion that we'd rather not eat caramel laced with mercury,
so......
we-made-another-batch which-turnedout-awesome-with-GrannySmithapples-(and-in-coffee-too)-and
had-it-again tonight only-not-with-coffeebecause-I-still-have-plentyofcaffeine-left-overfromthismorning
but there's still enough (caramel) left-for-tomorrow thankfuly-thisstoryhas-a-happyending
because.no.one.died. The-End.

Pumpkin carving today. Only two pumpkins - even with 6 kiddos. It was a very. smart. plan.

I was trying to decide which part they could do, what with all the knives and carving, and knives and
boys, and sharp things and knives and knives. And did I mention boys with knives?

My 8 and 10-year-old boys are good boys and very responsible with knives, but pumpkins are big round
awkward-to-hold thick skinned squashes that aren't very forgiving if your finger or knee is in the way when
your knife slips.
I cut the lid.
They all (but mostly the girls) scooped out pumpkin guts.

Bryce watched.

Mostly.

Olivia sparkled.

Lina stuck her hand into the Great Unknown.

Zack looked scary.

Sue clowned around.

WHAAAAT? Clay, dont' make that face at PUMPKIN guts!
Coming from a guy who ate a grasshopper... I hardly think it's called for!

And this man...always plotting his next big move. Hmm.... what's next.....

It's true. I compromised.

I let the fellas use chisels and screwdrivers and other pointy object

to carve our pumpkins. They were careful and took their time and the gourds turned out[

pretty fabulous!

And that's it.
That was my day... very festive and holiday-ish...
and I'm pretty sure I laughed a couple times, so it was pretty near perfect!

Did you laugh this weekend?

My own Wood Nymph

2011-10-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

I've decided...

2011-10-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

That I love the fall! It may just be my favorite season, for sure while it lasts :-)
On Sunday we took a drive, and with the window down to catch the last hints
of balmy air, I noted a distinct crispness that wasn't there just a week ago.

And the GOLDS! Oh the golden hues lighting up our landscape. I swoon!
(and couldn't help sticking the camera out the window)

Another view I like in the fall:

He's got his work cut out for him, but what a guy! And now there's a ripe harvest of help.

This new ~~toy~~ tool is the perfect size for a couple pint-sized men, and boy are they splittin' the wood
and gettin' it stacked! I just hope the novelty sticks until the shed is completely full :-)

Getting back to our Sunday drive...
We spent some family time; the kids took over the playground,
and mom and dad took in the beautiful lake view!

You know what we did after all this fun? We had more fun!
We did. We went to a local brewery and ate dinner together - but not just any dinner, no.
It was a "dad" kind of dinner. A memory-maker for sure!

First we ordered about 6 appetizers or so; things like Buffalo Wings, and Calamari, and Cheese Sticks
OH yes! That was dinner. But wait...
Dad followed up our appetizer-entre with a humongous Brownie heaped with ice cream and whipped cream
and drizzled with chocolate syrup. Two. Two of them. We put one in the center of a table
and removed the chairs so our whole tribe (or Pack of hungry Lions, as they were referred to by the waitress) could gather around it with spoons.
The other was for me and dad. What a guy! (I keep saying that) And it was an amazingly quiet dessert
despite the copious amounts of grease and sugar they consumed and it was just plain ol' good times.
What more can I say? It's very hard to beat a Sunday outing like that.

Give us a week to recover and we may try though :-)

Rocket Science

2011-10-03T23:02:00.000-07:00

There are those who send Summer out with a bang.
This year we are those.

Our "bang" is more of a loud hiss and is heralded by a chorus of 10...9...8... 's
Ensuing smoke is not caused by fireworks, gunfire, or cannon; rather a small engine producing
a trail for our eyes to follow. Hopes be, that our rocket will come down where it can be retrieved
(assuming it can be found). So far 3 different rockets have come back and been launched again.
A fourth..... has not been so fortunate.
It humors me to imagine a squirrel using that shiny blue curiosity in his home decor!

These are the creations that Zachary built from scratch (except the engines) which his two attentive
pupils painted. Aren't they dandy?!

The lunchings went off without a hitch, but that little yellow guy there - his length (or lack thereof) was
cause for real concern.
We had the kids stand behind a tree when we pushed the ol' button on that one! :-).

Yep. I am a coward. Now you know.

There seems to be bravery and ingenuity that runs thick other places in our family.
I console myself that they wouldn't have got this far without me. I'm the mother.

And someone has to document all the momentous occasions!

Autumn Dances In!

2011-09-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

Craft Friday found little boy hands eager to build rockets.
Zachary dreamed new rocket designs he could build with his small cousins, so he gathered parts
customized pieces, and made ready the glue.

He was very thorough. And very ready!

The girls scavenged bits from nature to assemble wreaths.

My hands were full of wreath and sticks and wire and leaves, so there are no pictures of the process.

The picture above is a tiny bit deceptive as we mainly used hot glue, not Tacky glue. The base of our wreaths

were pr-emade straw thinga-majiggers which I bought at a thrift store years ago for just such a project.

You could also use other things for the base including grape vines or cardboard.

Even a curved stick could be a swag shaped base for fall foliage.

The simple steps we followed (and I use this term loosely) were:

* First to gather dried grasses, pretty leaves, moss, pine cones, fern, and bark.

* Wire the larger items you collect to the base you are using.

* Let little ones pick out the bits and pieces thy like;

and have larger children hot glue those things in place.

* Momma or big kiddos can touch it up, adding leaves, moss, and pine cones to bare areas.

* My girls wanted a bow. We put a bow on our creation.

Little Britches doin' his little cock-rooster thing.

He is the THEE Big Stuff now because he got a leather belt from Uncle Char and Auntie Hannah

modified and embellished, sporting a custom-made leather pouch complete with a cute

wee-sized manly multi-tool/pocket knife!

{{{Shhhh... He's only been introduced to the pliers!}}}

No matter.

It turns out you can chase girls just as effectively with a pair of pint sized pliers. HA!

Autumn Autumn, waltz me in! Lead on in golden sunlit hues and twirl thy skirts in scent-filled changing winds.

She requested Cream Puffs

2011-09-29T23:07:00.000-07:00

{Talkin' to Grama}

My Susanna Glory turned 7.

Cream Puffs and Fairy wings...

Finger Sandwiches and Tea...

Sisters and sunlight...

Cream, sugar, and a beloved cousin...

It was lovely. Just perfect.

The girls made hair clips.

Just enjoyed.

I love you my Darling!
Happy happy Birthday, with many more to come!

Can you say "FUN!"?

2011-09-29T21:59:00.000-07:00

And yet....

...the unthinkable occurred...

Not . one . single . trip . to . the . ER

I'm very disappointed in them.

The Smiths have a reputation to live up to and
we did our best to give them every opportunity for danger or peril.

But instead those doggone Smiths went ahead and had a good time - injury-free!

Did you know we're raising Rocket Scientists?

** The Great Launch **

New porch came in handy!

Hoodlums.

Alright, so the Smiths added considerably to OUR fun as well!

Wanna see Mrs. Smith playing on the swing?

Our final adventure was a jaunt to Priest Lake for a picnic.

Yack Yack Yack.................

Dear Smiths,
We love you each so much. Hurry back!

Happy Socks

2011-09-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Granny,
You sent us socks.
They're WONDERFUL!

A big pile of colors and sizes - a special pair for each person!

I first fell in love this kind of socks the year I was 15. I met a girl who wore bright, colorful, happy socks
all summer long - even in sandals. I liked this happy girl, and ever since I have had a fondness for
"Happy Socks"! How HAPPY is our home this cool Autumn day as our feet stay cozy and our hearts
certain that our dearest Granny loves us!

Indian-Summer Evening

2011-09-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

There must be few pleasures greater

than living in in "the good ol' days"

and knowing that's what they are.

No Title Necessary

2011-09-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

I do not see the dirty socks.

2011-09-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Dirty socks in pairs draped over leather boot tops
are not a bother.
They are a sign of life.
They are evidence of a man who comes home.
Who understands me:
a mom who needs a break
a wife who needs a cry
a girl who needs a laugh
a friend who needs a hug.
A man who understands kids who need to wrestle with their dad.
All at the same time.
A man - living and breathing, an every-day hero
who puts chains on tires in the snow
takes on the compost toilet maintenance
carries in the groceries
hauls trash to the dump
keeps the fire lit in winter
and takes us to the lake hot and dusty in the summer.

Socks beside the green recliner mean
there is a man with feet up, eyes shut resting there
confident he can relax in his own home after a day full of
meetings
emails
spreadsheets
phone calls
research
numbers crunching
putting out fires
reinventing the wheel
or
felling trees
stacking logs
bucking up firewood
pounding rebar
pouring cement
building a porch
a closet
a crib
a bunk bed
a shed.
Moving dirt with a shovel
moving it with a tractor
moving mountains.
He needs his rest. He earns it.

Big smelly socks laying neatly in pairs on the floor
mean something the casual observer wouldn't know;
the pair of feet which those socks protect
and warm
and cushion
hold up a man
who carries the weight of the world
and holds the heart of his beloved.
When I see them there. Or here. Or here and there
I know he doesn't wish to add to my dirty laundry
protest when I pick them up
grimaces when I do
smiles when I tell him I don't mind.
I know he intends to wear them another time before sending them to the wash
even if he never does.

Dirty socks on the floor are nothing romantic
unless you can see beyond what the eye presents
to what those large gray woolen things mean.
They are signs of life.
They are evidence of a man who comes home
to me
he comes home.

And has comfortable feet :-)

*Written for my man. That man who comes home to me,

in honor and celebration of our 14th anniversary this week.

I am so grateful to be picking up YOUR socks! I love you.

1000th post to proclaim to the world...

2011-09-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Bryce Endurance turns 2!

Which is an occasion to celebrate.
With presents of course.

Which meant good stuff. To be inspected.

And played with.

And we can't forget singing "Happy Birthday"!
It's tradition to sing the Happy Birthday song as many times as we can throughout the day,
and by evening, after the example of his sister Sue, he was adding the finale
"And many mooooorrre"

We were sickies today and daddy wasn't here, but it was a grand birthday anyway!
We read Bryce's new book over and over again. The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson.
My new favorite right up there with her book Bear Snores On.

We played Twister.

My boy can twist, eh?

I don't think he won, but he sure gets points for effort!

Birthday was culminated with a bubble bath - while roaring at the mom behind the camera.

Last week I had a good heart-rending sob about giving up my baby to the ripe age of 2.
I've never done that. Each age is so full of wonder and delight. With each child of mine
I love to anticipate all the glory in the year to come, and every year has lived up to its promise.

From the day he was born, I have managed to savor the living being of my son Bryce in a different way.
I couldn't tell you why. It's not that I love him more, and it could be that my own life circumstances
at that time caused me to focus more on the all-consuming-ness of him. Whatever the reason, these
last two years have been more colorful, more tasty, more funny, more soft and hard, more loud,
and definitely, most definitely more entertaining.

This man-cub entered the world with an extra dose of the male hormone. He is full-bore into everything
he does. He barrels into you for a hug, he growls, he holds a fascination for all things mechanical, he bully's
his big sister and bosses the even-bigger one. He stands on the arms of his highchair.
He talks. BOY does he talk! I should catalogue all the things he says, but it would take forever.
Among the things I often hear are:
"I do-it"
"Pease stop."
"Lookit DAT!"
"BIG'ol truck"
"I'm HUNgry"
"I wan-it"
and as he strokes dear Lori-bugs hair: "Hi Fweet Honey!"

He can say anything, mimics most of what he hears, and generally keeps us in stitches.
I realize in my loathing to let this stage go, that what makes it so wonderful is the rate at
which he is learning new things. If he continues at this pace, he can't help but grow up.
The world had better watch out!

Yep.
Watch out world. Here comes my Bryce!

I'm running low on PATIENCE, but ENDURANCE is on the up-swing.

2011-09-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

"Can I get into the bath now?" she says.

"No. You forgot something."   I say.

"Oh." she says.

"What did you forget?" say I.

"I don't know" she says

"Look at yourself." I say.

(she looks)

"What do you see?" I ask.

"Nothing" she says.

"What are you wearing?" I ask.

"Nothing" she says.
"
You ARE wearing something.
That's why you can't get into the bath" Say I.

"Look at your body. Look at all your parts" I say again.

(she peers down at herself)

---------silence-----------

"What do you see?" I ask.

"Nothing" she says again.

(exasperated, I sigh. Loudly)

"Caro-LIE-NAH!" I say.

"Look at your arms. What do you see?" I ask.

"Nothing" she replies.

"Look at your tummy. What do you see?" I ask

"Nothing" she says.

"Look at your legs. What do you see?" I ask

"Nothing" she says.

"Look at your feet Carolina. What do you see?" say I.

"Nothing." She says once more.

"Why?" I ask "WHY do you see nothing?"

"Because I have my socks on" she says.

"YES.
Right.
You can't see your feet because your socks are on them.
Do you think that might be a problem for getting into the bath?"

"Oh." she says.

Sheesh......................... Thinks I.