Lovely

Black beans

Who dunnit?

Eli! He actually likes black beans, but today he wasn't up for eating them all, so he "accidentally" dropped a few with every bite. I used to do the same, but right into the mouth of our Schnauzer Lila. I would hold her collar so it wouldn't jingle and then I'd slip food into her mouth. Unfortunately for Eli, I gave him another scoop of beans, and he had to clean up his mess. Somehow my parents never noticed me feeding our dog and I was able to avoid eating a lot of duck and liver.

The things we do when Daddy is gone...

Luke the young Jedi.

"Ummmm, Mommy? Daddy is not gonna like what you did to Lukie's hair."

Old picture

I came across this picture today and it brings such sweet memories to mind. It was almost three years ago, but it seems like just yesterday. Time goes by sooo fast, I want to treasure every day with these gifts God has given me. I just read this quote this morning, written in 1908:

"Today comes but once

and comes never to return.

We hope it will come again tomorrow;

but it does not.

It is gone forever,

with its inexhaustible possibilities,

privileges and responsibilities."

Twenty-four hours is all I get. Lord, may I not waste away my hours occupied with things that have no value to my family!

Class of '89

In January I had the privilege of getting together with a few Ames High classmates that live in and around the Denver area. Rod Harl hosted us all at his place, and I had such a great time. It's so fun hanging out with my "Iowa friends." Everyone seems to be pretty much the same as they were in high school. I've actually known Rod and Kim since we were five years old!

Rod is very kind, laid-back, and still a genius. Lori (to the right of me) is still hilarious - I always have stomach aches from laughing so hard at her humor. Kim (next to Lori) is still a typical Type A personality and the life of a party with her cheerful spirit (which is why she was an excellent cheerleader!). And Mindy is so fun-loving and kind to everyone, just like she was in high school. Blair was also there, but he and Angie had to head home early, so we didn't get him in the picture. We're hoping to get together in the spring again.

Brrrrrrr!

After dinner tonight I went out on the deck to pet our dog Sweetie. She likes to put her front paws on our deck railing and watch over the property while I scratch her neck. Two minutes later the kids were outside fighting with their lightsabers. It was 20 degrees out! They were having a great time and never mentioned how cold it was. Notice Riley's bare feet! (hey to Jimmy... :)



Carson didn't seem to mind viewing all the action from the window.


Luke did, though.

Pudding!

When Daddy is out of town we have a surplus of fresh milk (we have a standing order with the farm to get 3.5 gallons a week), so the children and I feel the best way to use it up is to make lots-o homemade chocolate pudding. Yum-o-la. Today was Riley's turn to help. She loves to help Mama in the kitchen, mostly when chocolate is involved.

Cleaning....

When I was in the second trimester of pregnancy with the twins, I could barely bend over, and I felt like I had run a marathon within an hour of arising in the morning. So, my wonderful husband got me these two lovely maids that came twice a month. H-e-a-v-e-n! I still had them after the twins were born because... well, I was nursing every two hours around the clock. So naturally when we moved to Colorado I thought he would still let me have a maid come twice a month. Nope.

At first I was a bit annoyed. How was I going to keep the house clean? I think Jimmy knew what I now know - I already HAVE maids! Six of them to be exact! So I've spent the last six months or so training them to clean our home. It's been difficult at times - you have to keep on them like white on rice. Three words are of vital importance in training children to clean - inspect, inspect, and inspect. But now, finally, I have some pretty good workers on my hands. They rarely complain about chores (although Eli has feigned injuries a few times as soon as I said it was time to clean) and they work hard, and I have to say, they clean pretty darn well. The only thing I do is mop the kitchen floor and clean the sink, countertops, and stove, and they clean the rest of the house.

Well, today I got to witness even more fruit from my labor. I was cleaning in the kitchen, and I hear Eli in the bathroom saying, "See, like this... Good, Riley. Good. Right here, see? That's good, Riley!! Now over here..." So I peek in the bathroom, and I see Eli training Riley to clean the toilet! I was so proud of my little man. He ain't no spring chicken - he's working himself right out of some of his chores! Here's some pics of him training Riley....

Yummy

It was 15 degrees today and snowing like crazy. What a great day to make some homemade chicken broth and then chicken noodle soup! It was an almost perfect day - heavy snow outside, cold, chicken noodle soup and wheat rolls for dinner... The only thing missing was Daddy! Now the boys are shoveling the decks and I'm about to make some homemade cocoa. I'm putting butter in it, so it's going to be rich......

Jimmy is at the Grand Canyon!