mishaps and why multi-tasking can be bad

Mishaps happen, and the sprinkler pipe broke. Not working so well here, along with the snow issue, no more watering the lawn til next year. One reason renting is good--not our problem.

Everyone nowdays multi-tasks and even thinks it is a sign of talent. Not always true. When you boil the contact lense cases and go off to do something else, by the time you smell "something hot," it's too late.

I submit evidence to prove my theory:

Birthday Week, Part 3

Theo started out his day with present opening, because, you know, if you wait until supper there isn't as much time to play with them!
New fleece shirt from Marty. From Sarah, gum and a Wa-Wa gift card.

His "Mama made" gift this year was a Thor hammer. Also known as a 4x4 block of wood on a steel handle. Hopefully NOT known as "the hammer that caused serious injury."

A new Philadelphia Eagles hat from Amy.

All that was left from the pan of cinnamon rolls.....

Birthday tallies:
10 year old kids--1

11 year old kids--1

12 year old kids--2

New Nerf guns--2

Pieces of gum--54

New Nerf bullets--108
Very happy boy--1 extra special one!

Birthday Week, part 2

Last night, preping fo rTBird's birthday breakfast--cinnamon rolls being rolled out.
I froze one large pan, and the pan of tiny rolls (they love these!). The other pan was for breakfast.

Birthday Week, Part 1

For once, a picture of me turned out well, so I will actually share it.
( Apparently I need to work on vanity.)
The boys gave me a new bird feeder to replace the ones I left in Sanford. We already have lots of birds coming to it, which makes me so happy. Amy and Sarah put this pretty basket together for me. They want you to notice the pretty pink nail polish I already put on!

Matt totally spoiled me by surprising me with a new scroll saw and stand. I was surprised!

Stay tuned to see what I make with it.

omw (Oh my word!!) this picture looks like I'm having a "flap attack!"

She's got the whole world in her hands

Sarah does, that is!
I am teaching Science in the 6-8 year old class at our homeschool co-op and we are studying the creation of the world. We will study each day and what was created that "day." I have asked them, "Why did God make the world for us?"

Because He loved us so much!

Each of these little worlds (plus two more) were cut with my jig saw, then the details were burned into the wood. After I painted them with water colors, they were sealed with a beeswax polish.

I made one for each of my new little friends to take home and remember how much God loves them.

For Dad

Dad asked us what we wanted of Mom's.
All I knew was her gray cardigan. Somehow I have always gotten the gray cardigan--I had one from years ago, too. They just remind me of her, and are comforting to me. I have not been able to even unfold this one, though. It just sits on my dresser and I look at it many times a day. She wore that cardigan everywhere-even with her pajamas! If I put it on, I might never stop crying, so I haven't yet.


I had already thought about Mom's wedding ring set that Dad bought her about 10 years ago when they were in South Dakota and she wore everyday. As Dad, Le-Le and I went through Mom's jewelry together we found her original engagement ring. She never wore it (during my memory time), but had had the diamond put into a ring for Dad many years ago. I saw it and wondered if it was "the thing" I would want.


A back-story: When Matt and I got engaged we didn't get a traditional ring. I loved the one we chose and wore it a long time. Over time, Matt added to my wedding band so that now it is 2 diamond set bands with a solid gold band in the middle and that's what I wear every day. For the last 3 years Matt has been bugging me to pick a solitaire, or even a new set. He really wanted to buy one for me, but I balked. The first 2 years I couldn't find anything I loved enough to spend that kind of money on. I am too practical; that amount of money is ridiculous for a piece of jewelry to wear that isn't even my real wedding ring. This past spring I found "the one" and it was perfect. It was also a lot of money and I decided (to Matt's chagrin) not to buy it since we would be moving and who knew what unforeseen needs that might bring?

All of this came together as I looked at Mom's ring and Dad asked, "Do either of you girls want it?" Le-Le didn't and I thought it might finally be the ring that I loved enough and was "worth it." At first, Dad wanted to pay for the diamond, and felt bad that we would. However, after explaining that if Matt bought the diamond, the ring would have Dad, Mom, and Matt in it--then it would be perfect .

I took it to the jeweler's last weekend and chose an old style diamond to fit the setting. They did a wonderful job on it and I picked it up last Wednesday. I tried to send a photo via cell phone, but wanted to show Dad and Le better photos. Here it is.


And with my band.

The unforeseen complication has been this: whenever I look at it, I can't help but think that I have this ring because Mom is gone.

It is beautiful, and special, and I truly will treasure it as long as I live.

But I wish I could call Mom and tell her about it.

No words

So much to say, and no words come to me. It's just too hard to talk right now. Stunningly, I am also unable to knit or sew; 2 activities that have brought me through so many difficult times. The desire is gone and it scares me.

Sarah has a few things she wants to show you though, so I promised her that tomorrow we would post some photos.

I do thank everyone who has prayed for us and with us. Those prayers are pulling me along.

New adventures for us

We are happily enjoying our new kayaks.

Here is Amy in "Moonlght."

And Sarah.



Matt in Moonlight and Theo in "Sunshine."

Marty was reluctant ot be the captain at first,

but is now quite adept and goes alone.