Christmas List of a Faux Homesteader: - A cross bow to poach one of the deer that bats it's giant eyes at me 10 feet from my deck. - Squirrel zapper or trap or maze - Bird seed to replace the bags demolished by the squirrels. - an artificial christmas tree and pine scented candles to make up for my inauthenticity. Sigh - it's how far I've fallen.

Discoveries on the Knoll

The little black and neon green frogs don't croak or ribit.They sound more like a loose electric wire.

A tree that looks barren and dead one day can be aflame with color a mere two days later it is aflame with fuschia or goldenrod, baby pink, wedding gown white.

Life will appear from the ground when you aren't watching.

Water of any depth, shape, temperature is the main attraction for little explorers. That is followed by and conjoined with rocks, sticks, leaves and dirt.

Decaying leaves raked off the bare earth is delightfully fresh to look at - Like vacuum lines on a carpet.

Sinkholes happen.

A deepest disappointment can be something as small as promised flowers not blooming.

Branches trimmed and piled can look to be the size of a tree, yet the tree looks untouched.

Rubber boots are the BEST!

Midnight Playdates

I sat down to catch up on some blogging – ie family journaling. We’re 6 months behind on family life, and the 4th biggest ever change to come to our family has been rolling on since mid-October.

That is as far I got in my update when I learned an important lesson ("don’t drink coffee at night") while celebrating the fruits of an earlier-learned lesson ("they grow too fast so put your work aside and enjoy these moments"). Claire, my precious downy-haired, teething-rosy-cheeked 8 month old, bolted awake 45 minutes after her last feeding. She wanted to play, examine the snowperson collection in the loft, dance, cuddle, grab toes, giggle and roll. 2 hours later she’s finally asleep. But what a precious time it was between. The blogging can wait. This baby wants to be with Mama. And that’s what I live for.

rough start

Thanks to the plane rumbling over at 7 this morning we all got off to an unhappy start. I tried to recover, but my own attitude plummeted as the house became increasingly cluttered.

Gigi came to the rescue and has the boys now for a good time at their house with cousins Calista and Caylen. So I've managed to clean the gunky fridge door, straighten the deck, shower and repile some of the main living area's clutter. Also begged off duties as Board Treasurer at the meeting tonight. Time soon for a nap and cuddling with Claire. And then so soon my Love will be home to pick up the frazzled pieces of me if the nap fails to restore.

I want so much to make his house a home and a happy place to dwell. I'm remembering again the early days of bringing home a new child; it was the same with Micah. The company is not so frequent now, meals are dwindling, responsibilities falling back to me, and he's back to work. Balancing priorities is difficult; wanting the house put back together before he arrives to make it welcoming to him vs. just living and dealing with the "stuff" later that we might have happier children and mommy to return to. Will this balance ever be properly met?

all by myself

Made it out to Library Story Time today with all three and was only 10 minutes late! Even managed craft time and checking out a few books with good results. Then ran errands successfully.

This is no credit to myself. The children have been fabulous! Micah's learning to understand directions and follows through more often than not lately. And Izaak has stepped up to and beyond his calling as the biggest sibling; holding Micah's hand, gently steering him away from trouble and back to Mom, and making fun for them both. I am so delighted with who he is and his ever-growing ability to communicate logically and imaginatively with us. I’m also thrilled that Micah loves him so well and responds well to him.

Izaakisms

After I told Micah to sit down in the stroller Izaak turns to me and says, “Mom, don’t worry about Micah; just worry about yourself. Okaaay?”

Izaak looks up at me while sitting on the couch reading books together. “Mommy, can you teach me how to read the words?”

Sweetly to Claire as she’s crying: “It’s okay, Little Sweetiepie, Momma’s coming. Mommy’s coming to take care of you.”

"Mommy, we better say thank you to the people for giving us cookies." (after devouring a delicious meal and opening gifts delivered by a church family).

to Tyler, our 7 year old neighbor friend as we were leaving the playground. "You better hold my hand now since we're walking."

A conversation with our neighbor upon playing on their new slip n slide.
Izaak: Where did you get this?
Neighbor: At Walmart.
I: at OUR Walmart?
N: yes.
I: Oh! Where?
N: in the toy section.
I: Oh. Okay! In the Toy section!

Old Wives Tales are full of Baloney

To induce labor:

Walk alot
run up and down the steps (sorry, Bev)
Lift/move heavy objects
Clean the house
Scrub the floor
Eat spicy food
Eat eggplant
Eat watermelon
Eat pineapple
Drink Red raspberry leaf tea


Lies! Lies! All LIES!!!