If You Give a Boy a Tree

You'd better make sure he has a pair of clippers and a hatchet.

Fall Means...

Cute toddlers in blue jeans and jackets!

First Day of September Daybook

For Today
September 1, 2010

Outside my window...there is a crisp breeze. This is a welcome change from the past two days, one of which we escaped to a friend's house who has air conditioning. It was 84 degrees in this house.

I am thinking...about way too much. My brain seems to be on overload as I sort out what is working and what is not with this current school year, as I contemplate the best way to handle my oldest son and his temperament which he inherited from me, as I try not to worry about this pregnancy, and on, and on, and on.

I am thankful for...my husband who, until he had to return to work, was my chef and maid! I've been very sick with this pregnancy and I couldn't have gotten through without him. Well, maybe I could have, but no one else in my family would have eaten.

From the school room...ugh. The school room is ready, we've been "in school" for over a week now, and I'm just not convinced that we're doing what we're supposed to be this year. It all seems so droll. I have my ideals, but I've never seen them modeled in real life for me so I'm afraid I'm a few steps off. The rest of this week may be revamping our current "schedule".

From the kitchen...clean dishes in the dishwasher, dirty dishes on the counter, but relatively clean. Meals for the rest of the day have not even been thought about except for the brief "hmmm...these kids are going to want to eat again at some point today".

I am wearing...some maternity capris, not that I have to yet, but because they are super, duper, comfy, and a top. Hair in ponytail!

I am creating...some lists. I haven't had a good list making session in awhile, and I feel lists coming on.

I am going...to change my melancholy attitude by the end of this post. :-)

I am reading...way too many facebook updates. Really...there's got to be a better balance to all this.

I am hoping and praying...for a dear friend who just celebrated the 1-year anniversary of losing her son to stillbirth, and who will be welcoming her daughter to the world today! This young woman has shown strength and courage beyond words.

I am hearing...the kids playing and a couple of fans blowing. I'm pretty sure they are keeping it down in fear that at any moment I'll announce, "time to get started".

Around the house...about 8 weeks of feeling "blah" has left its mark on the house. I'm chipping away at the house little by little. It will be clean again.

One of my favorite things...Fall! Word on the street is that it's supposed to get cool this weekend and not warm up again until, well, next July. I love everything about fall! The colors, the fresh apples, all of the lovely holYdays, the promise of the first snowfall, everything!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Students come back to the University tomorrow, we have some yard work to do around the house, some housework, and those lovely, lovely lists!!!

Pictures by Aidan

More Summertime Fun

While in Texas we visited a living history farm. The kids had a blast even though it was 230 degrees outside (okay, that might be a little bit of an exaggeration...a very little bit).

Cicada boy!

My pioneer girl!

Doing the laundry

Two pretty ladies!

"Sitting in the parlor"

Texas or Bust

We lived in Texas for 7 years! 7 years, and yet we still made the journey down there in August. It was as hot as we remember it, but was so great seeing our friends. It's a good thing it was so hot or I would have been trying to convince Brett that we need to move closer. Dear friends are a rare find, and we have some very dear friends in Texas.





Brett usually drives, but he needed a break on our second day so I took over. With a little help from our friend "The Furby".

My super-crafty friend helping the kids with their "feltwork". I have a long list of craft supplies that I will need to be purchasing after visiting the "ultimate craft house". Our friends have a sweet house with lots of room to play and as always with this particular friend, it was sweetly decorated and very welcoming.

While us women-folk were crafting, Brett was taking his "goddaddy" status very seriously. It's rough.

We made a trek down to Houston while we were in Texas to meet another godchild whom we had yet to meet, and hang with some great friends. The kids had plenty of Star Wars action, can you tell?

Guess what we saw?

Yep! That's a wolf alright!

Okay, so we were on the other side of a glass wall.

Pretty amazing animals!

We went to the International Wolf Center up in Ely, MN on Wednesday. We have plenty of wolves in the woods up here, but I would much rather seem them this way.