Oh, don't tell Kate the Little Guy fell on her hostas. Why do her hostas look so much healthier than my hostas I made the kids stand in front of when we took pictures the other day in the fog?
Look how cute they are, She joined Little Guy, in the rocks. Oh what girls will do to sit by a boy :)

Tuesday wake-up call same as usual, but when I woke up, I noticed the fog was bad, I couldn't see any of the neighbors lights. About 10 minutes before we were out the door, we received the phone call that school had a two-hour fog delay. Kids and I stayed a little bit longer at home than normal. Just spending a few more minutes with them in the morning was nice since I have been so busy with work. Before we left we picked gourds for the teachers, and took pictures with the kitty Ryan named "Blackie" You can tell in these pictures how foggy it really was. On our way to town, I got another phone call that school was canceled, and that meant Ryan's preschool was canceled for the day.

So things were running a little late this morning. Things? If you want to call my cold a THING. Keeps me up all night and doesn't want me to get out of bed. But I am trudging through this thing!

Ok, I was running late this morning!

I am not going to complain about my late hours at work during harvest, but it does take a toll on the kids, too. They were home before me, and still wouldn't go to bed until I got home. They have no problems going to bed when daddy works late!

So I decided to take them to school today since Ryan has preschool in the morning and they needed to be at the school at the same time. Macie stopped in to see her preschool teacher, Mrs. Beth. Then Ryan went down to Macie's room to see where she sits in the classroom. Mrs. Hageman changes their seating chart around, and that is a great idea! She sits by some handsome little boys, too! What a lucky little girl! She made sure she gave Ryan a hug and kiss before he went back to his Preshool class, and as I was walking out of her door, I heard her say "MOM" I turned around to see her standing there, and she said "I love you!" Today was just as hard for me as the first day of Kindergarten to leave her there at school.

This picture is from March, 2010, at the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida.

If you can believe me that by the end of the day, the kids (and I) are exhausted! The ride home, in the dark seems longer than on the way home, in the dark!

Tonight, Aimee helped watch the kids, took Macie to soccer practice, and then took them to McDonald's afterwords for supper.

I went a different route home, after I picked up the kids from McDonald's, and this totally threw them off. First because they know every landmark between here and home, and because they were really tired!

I always get the famous question, "Where are we going"

After that question, I answered, "Interstate" Ryan asked "Are we going to Florida???" Seriously! "I will take you to Florida, just not tonight!"

MM piped in and said, "Mom you are not allowed on the interstate without dad, you will get lost!"

"Macie, dear, how do you get to gymnastics?? By Interstate, in Mom's Truck!!"

Ryan told me, "Mom, you get ticket if you are speeding." No, Ryan, that wouldn't be me.

The ideas that run through their head! And when we got off the Interstate at the next exit, everything was familiar to them again, even in the dark.

"Oh, how did we get here!" Ryan started in on his own questions, and Macie told him, "I can't close my eyes when you are talking! "

Things were quiet until we got home, Macie was tired after soccer practice.

Did this weekend really happen? Or was it a continuation of the previous weeks, that never end? I had Sunday off of work, but those days off seem like a blur. The million things on my to-do list, don't get checked off. They just stack up!

Kids are sporting new jammies from Nana. She came over for the weekend, watch Macie play soccer on Saturday, but it was too cold and rainy on Saturday Morning. She took the kids to Nanny McFee Saturday night and they liked the movie!

Now it's time for the kids to head to bed. Rush around and come home, have a snack, do homework, go over classroom work, read a book, and head to bed.

On my way to work this morning, the kids were full of questions for me. In the morning I could drive all the way to work with the radio on, even though I change the station again and again, looking for a song I like, and not wanting to listen to any news. Depending on the morning, the kids may sleep all the way to town, especially during harvest. But today, they had lots of questions.
Ryan asked me "Where does God live" Before I could answer, Macie answered for me, "Somewhere between here and the North Pole" That answer worked for Ryan, because the next question was, "How does God get to work?" That requires a tougher answer. I know God works through my kids everyday! It's the simple things they say, or the tough questions they ask, it's God speaking to me through them.
One day on the way home from work, Ryan was thoughtfully looking out the window asking "Where is God?" I may not be looking for God everyday, but he is looking for us, protecting us, and making sure we get to work.

Macie recieved her mid-term report. M = mastery, P = progressing and N = needs work. I remember my report cards were graded with S+, S, S- and U. Macie had "straight M's" besides needing to learn her home phone number and home address. She knows our mobile numbers, which I think are more important, since we are never home and mobile numbers are the best way to get ahold of us ;)

Macie said she was on the letter Z, but she is not done with school!!

After we sent Macie off to her first day of Kindergarten, a few weeks later was Ryan's turn for Pre-School. I was so excited how EXCITED he was about starting Pre-School. He had his Spiderman book-bag since last Christmas, ready to go to school!!!

Graduation is a big Day, even if you are in Pre-School. I can't even look at this picture without tearing up. She looks so grown up. How am I going to handle her High School graduation in twelve years? Look at the little guy, he is so proud of his sister!

Macie had a big day on her birthday! I was told I went a little bit overboard, but .... Princess party in the morning, and a family party that evening. Girls made their own magical wands with ribbon, colored paper dolls and dressed in beads, bracelets and earrings. They were cute in pink! Princess party ended with PINK lemonade, and lunch and cupcakes.

Macie's Preschool Program was in December for her All Shapes and Sizes Preschool Class. They have been practicing their songs for a long time. Before the program, we went to supper at McDonald's with Aimee, Becca and Baylee.

Some of the girls in Macie's morning class, look at their beautiful dresses !!

Spring Break 2009. I never would have guessed we would be able to travel to Florida. We usually travel north to MN each summer. This trip was a nice change of scenery, and nice weather in the month of March! We enjoyed the swimming pools at the resort and visited the Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, and Downtown Disney. We also celebrated Dave's birthday in Florida - what a treat for him! What a great memory for the kids to finally meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Riding the rides and enjoying the vacation!

This weekend was busy with wedding. Wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner and wedding. Really. It was a great time with friends!! Weekends do not get any better than this. Congrats to Dustin and Sarah. It makes me happy to see two good friends start their life together!

Ryan Hanging out at Grandma's








Macie helping with the stakings.












Macie on phone, Ready to play outside!









This is what Christmas is about!

Once again, I let this blog go to the back of my mind, and probably lost all of my readers, again. I know that I have lots of things to bring you up to speed, and lets start with Macie's Birthday Party, Hanna Montana Style. She had lots of fun with friends and family!

So it's been a month since I have posted. All I know in the past month is we haven't been home AT ALL. We are busy visiting friends, family, or working. Lately, it's been all work and no play. Before I had to go into work on Sunday, we took the kids to Millennium Farms, in Oxford Indiana. This was a great experience for the kids. We are planning to go back later this month - weather permitting. We took the hayride, picked four big pumpkins, and they are now at home waiting to be carved. That will be a fun mess at home! Project outside!



Macie is having a BLAST at preschool. Not only is her BFFs from daycare in the same class, but they do important things like circle time and snack time. Can it get any better for a three-year-old? I don't think so. She is doing great at identifying all the letters in the alaphabet. She is also great help around the house, honoring the title, BIG SISTER.



This is my little man. He is handsome, and sweet on all the girls. There is a little girl in daycare, he loves on her and kisses her hand. What a gentleman. He loves to play with his tractors. He is especially fond of the stairs at home. He has a great vocabulary for his age, his favorite word is "cracker". That is his favorite snack!

After a little coaxing, Macie finally fed the calf. Dave did a few chores while the guys were gone to the Indiana State Fair. This calf would have been more than happy to eat more than one bottle.

Macie started preschool last week. What a hoot. She goes on Tuesday and Thursdays. Every other day is heartbreak for her when she doesn't get to go. All these girls go to the same daycare. We car pool. It's my pleasure to pick them up after preschool. It makes me appreciate my job even more that it's flexible enough to pick up four smiling princesses. From left to right, Bailee, Becca, Peyton, and Macie

Today is my birthday. I took care of my own gifts and went shopping this weekend. So,I decided to wear a new shirt today. Today might be the last day I wear this shirt. Someone asked me if I was expecting. Oops. I will let it slip.

Flowers and balloons were delivered today, too.

Next weekend we will be celebrating RD's first birthday. "Time Flies" is a good one. "They grow up too fast" is another one. You don't have to tell me, I see it everyday. I wish the weekends were longer, and the days were longer. I am not sure how longer they can get when it gets dark at 10 p.m. It is hard to convince kids to get to bed when it is still light outside.

Last night RD said Tractor. He is still working on singing Happy Birthday, and it comes out "Hap-Brit". Close. Cute.
This morning when we were loading up in the car, he said "Bye, Sis"
MM loves this talking, and I am surprised RD is talking this early, especially when MM gets all the talking in, just like the Big Guy.

Reading the blog, we are back to June, only in 2008. We should post more often, and stay in touch. My kids keep me busy. I am lucky to have healthy, happy children. MM reminds me to pray at supper. That is unbelievable. RD knows when I need kisses and love from him. That is unbelievable.

A Prayer in Spring

by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

This picture of MM was taken before vacation. Corn on the cob is the best example of summer. When the sweet corn is gone so is summer. Summer really went by fast. The Big Guy commented how early it's turning dark. September is almost here. Not every project got done outside..again. This weekend I went outside and pulled weeds for one last time. The plants were looking like I needed to water them. We had about an inch and half of rain this weekend.

Every Wednesday in Longville during the summertime, HUNDREDS of people flock to this little town. The main road is blocked off for the weekly turtle race. Longville, MN is the Turtle Racing Capital of the World. MM was in Heat #7, There are 10 turtles in each heat. She WON! The Big Guy is experienced in this competition, so I guess he picked the winning turtle. My job was to take photos and keep the camera rolling. All the heat winners come back at the end of all the races (37 heats total) and compete against each other time. Looks a little crowded to me. The Big Guy got right in there. The lovely lady on the left about stepped on MM's turtle when she was on her way out of the circle. So that was the end of racing for this year. MM got a free ice cream from Frosty's . By the way, we love their Kemps cotton candy ice cream!

There's lots of catching up to do. First, See the fish, and by the way, The Big Guy and MM get a picture by Little Boy Lake. What a vacation. We spent a week in MN fishing Little Boy Lake. It was HOT, HOT, HOT! I don't think that week it would have mattered where we vacationed, it was HOT everwhere!

It's been awhile since I have posted a blog. There are a few things I have failed to mention on this blog since have have been absent. MM is saying lots of new words, purple, highchair, tummy. Mom even made it thru a birthday! We took MM out for her first boatride. It was a good evening to go out and she enjoyed every minute on the boat. She wanted to explore every inch of the boat, but a little juice and goldfish, and we were set.

Where has the time gone? Summer is almost here, and weekends just slip away from us. MM loves her new toys - thanks to mommie :) I have realized she has PLENTY of clothes so I am moving on to my next hobby - toy shopping. She is starting to get a nice Little Tikes selection. I am still on the hunt for a Little Tikes Picnic Table. If all else fails, I will go buy one at Toys r Us. We spend the evenings watering flowers and playing outside until she is very tired! My laptop crashed last week, so I am out of comission on downloading pictures until I get it back.