4.26.17 A Random Act of Kindness

Last week while we were shopping, just me and the 4 little kids we had an unexpected first. We were in the checkout. I had Bruce strapped on my front and the little girls were helping bag and wandering around. A kind African couple was in the next lane. The man noticed us and smiled. I continued bagging and organizing, when all of the sudden he came back candy bars in hand and handed one to each little girl and then gave me one for Bruce! I was surprised.

I said "Oh you don't need to do that,"
He said pointing to Bruce "He is so cute. I want to. Here you go."

In all my years of shopping with kids no one has ever bought candy for all of them.  It was so kind. The girls were obviously delighted. They wasted no time enjoying the unexpected treat. In the next store I saw the family again and told the man he had really made our day and thank you again. He said he just hoped we had a good day.

Kindness is so refreshing and invigorating. I'm going to look for an opportunity to do that in the future

4.25.17 Reaping

My brother taught me today the main thing he is learning from older and wiser farmers: It does no good to get mad when things go wrong. This observation was MAYBE driven home this weekend. 

A mere 4 months ago I had a not too happy confrontation with leaders about this guy. Since that time I have stewed and fretted,  we have worked hard at home and tracking down lost information,  and worked together  with leaders to get him where I thought he was then. 

As I sat at the meeting last night listening to the telling of adventures and thinking about his enjoyment in the program, I realized AGAIN (as I have been realizing through the work of the 4 months) he has gained far more than a lot of badges. He has earned true friends, good memories, and learned a lot from patient men who willingly take these boys on outings.
As I watched my next son eagerly listen to the possibilities I'm thankful he will have this opportunities too.

A few days before we were here. A long short walk down memory lane. Anna got her greenhand degree then got the star greenhand award. I think all of my siblings and my dad got this award. She gave the creed before the ceremony and did her best recitation to date.
Exciting events to end her inaugural year in FFA. There are so many possibilities in her next 4 years. She has traveled many miles with that blue and gold jacket this year. She is preparing for another big trip! So fun.

This lady is beginning her trek into teen hood. She is a willing cook, although too often is left to her own novice understanding and the end product isn't normal. She did this casserole perfectly though. I love her eagerness to try! And am so thankful to come home to food ready to be eaten!

The best part of bigger kids is their ability to get things done! Often more timely and creative than I would dream.

Part of lunch this weekend. The girls are so much better at presentation than I. Thank goodness. I often wonder what we are turning out here?  I'm thankful to see they are doing just fine and although there are many days and nights of hand ringing and even some fighting and lots of patience. Nonetheless and usually for the better than I could hope for, life is working out. I mostly write that because I read my blog the most of anyone and so I need the reminder, it's gonna be okay eventually even when it's not today.

4.24.17 Mechanics

Our dad is busy. He works long hours providing for us, so consequently we don't get him at home to love and squeeze on much. The little girls particularly miss their dad. The other kids get him in the morning and some time with him after school but the little girls are pretty segregated. Thus they eat-up time at his shop. 

I was talking to Greg and noticed this sweet little terror loving on her dad. 

She was up half the night so can't say she is my favorite today but she is sure cute.
My little Harold has morphed into tall as dad big helper! Time has gone very fast looking back. Forward seems eternal but back is almost the blink of an eye. I sure miss having Harold around. He had become my go to muscle fix it guy here and now he is learning more skills from dad. We are thankful he is able to do so much as Greg is very short handed. Even though we have a large group when it comes to enough hands able to do the work there always seems to be a shortage.

I love watching these two work together and am so thankful for the time they have had to learn how to work together. Harold has gained understanding and appreciation for his dad's skills and work ethic and Greg has gained understanding and insight into who his son is. Win win!

4.22.17 What to do with Easter eggs!

You eat them, and you make sure not to waste the good colored shell. You eat it all!
Thanks sis for the help...

Afton is getting big. She loves her Bruusah.

No worse for the wear. Actually developing a fondness for independent eating. And getting more skilled at the pincher grasp.

Well sometimes and sometimes he gets help.

I had vacuumed an hour earlier, so this wasn't so bad. He was standing at the window observing the lovely outside. She pulled him down then shared an egg. I had reported the day before he wasn't so hot on eggs, usually gagging on them in any form and refusing to eat more than a bite or two. This day she gave him the broken in half egg complete with shell. He went to work eating. Oh gross! I removed the shell parts and took some pictures. I always enjoying seeing how my kids work. He really enjoyed feeding himself and playing in the egg. He ate quite a bit. This was a new experience not sure any of my other 10 kids had ate egg shell and all off the floor before. So these last two are keeping it fresh for me. Thank goodness I wouldn't want to get bored with being the mom!

4.21.17 Easter Weekend

 I spent a lot of time stewing over preparing a seder meal. A few minutes finding a store that carried lamb meat, and even more hours pondering how to teach my children more about Christ and Easter. In the end that was all wasted time. We didn't watch many if any videos about easter, we didn't increase or improve our scripture study to cover his life... and we did not waste money on expensive lamb. I have hopes for next year. And we did accidentally start the recommended 4 weeks of study on track with discussing miracles, then moving on to forgiveness, Life is too busy and reigning it back in is like trying to untagle fishing string that was used as a spider web and not carefully strung on a caster. It can be redeemed but it takes LOTS of work and patience. That's were we are at all a mess needing lots of TIME and PATIENCE.

So in lieu of careful spiritual discussions we made easter cupcakes!

And dyed easter eggs. Or more honestly I googled how to dye eggs showed it to Addie and Aliza and they dyed eggs with the kids. I listened while feeding Bruce. They had a ball including dying themselves quite well. Bruce even had green feet when it was all done.
I had Greg help me hide eggs before he departed for church meetings. Thank goodness he hid them hard and I hid them easy. Thus giving all the kids, who wanted to a chance to participate.
After church we enjoyed a lovely feast at my mom's and the annual easter egg hunt provided by aunt Mary. She is so thoughtful the kids love this tradition.

In action hair even blowing from the fast movement it takes to get lots of eggs before your cousins! No Mary plans well and there were plenty of eggs for all. I think guilt overcame me  because  Millie and I sat and watched several bible videos yesterday to try to correct some of her thinking about the empty tomb. We just keep trying even if the moment is missed there is still time. Phew.

4.20.17 A New Truck

Monday was a pretty big day for us. We bought a truck! Coming from a farm background trucks are a way of life. Representative of lots of hours of work and lots of hours of memory. I loved going with my grandma in the truck. She would sing to me, tell me stories, stop for donuts, we would read magazines together and I would finger her crochet projects. Trucks are good.  

Greg informed me that morning he was planning on buying a truck. I was surprised. We went to the auction and it was good to see and visit with so many friends. This auction was bittersweet. We know the retiring farmer well. He is a kind very tidy farmer. His luck just ran out and he decided to fold before he had more debts than his kids could even pay off. It's an end to the life he has always known, ironic that it may just be the start of the life we are only aware of from the fringes.

We got a truck and then mistakenly added to our purchases a 4 wheeler. We didn't need one...

So today I'm learning about craigslist and hoping it sells fast. And that the kids will understand and not pitch too big of a fit that I'm getting rid of it. We need to learn that lesson better that everything can be for sale- minus them of course.

4.12.17 Sunday Evening

Raising this family of mine has been very different from my growing up adventures. I have siblings and thus am an Aunt. Being the mom of the biggest group I'm not very good at this. I console myself with the thought I provided the cousins. My sisters are far better aunts providing and thinking in terms of fun and togetherness. We were able to attend one such family gathering this weekend. 

The pink brigade. They had a great time exploring, chatting and throwing rocks in the pond.



My cool thoughtful sister providing bubbles. Thank goodness no one followed them into the water.

Some quiet time just pondering and soaking up the natural beauty of this magnificent earth. Even more lovely this year with all the rain and snow. I sorely miss easy family time like this, we get busy with other stuff too often these days. Just like the pioneers greedily and happily consumed dandelion greens after a winter of bland salt pork and flour meals I gulp the time in the beautiful green outdoors in the spring time. Added bonus my kids and strong husband there to talk to and laugh with.

Cousin showing her treasure yard. There is a boat! A real boat just needing a driver and some willing riders and wahoo! Adventure around every corner and cloud. This was a great evening calm and peaceful. I applauded my ability to carry my two youngest (individually) not so out of shape as I feared. And I enjoyed the time just visiting and being outside. I always tell the kids stop reading about adventures and go have some of your own. I'm just as bad.
So it was nice to go somewhere else and have an adventure. Thanks Ty and Rachel for patiently hosting us and reminding us what is truly the best!