The field.

The trail was long and rugged. Ditches, ruts, rocks and big tire tracks were scattered through the winding path. Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Queen Anne's Lace and other varieties of wildflowers lined both sides. Our long pants were warm in the sun. The sound of cicadas, crickets and grasshoppers almost drown out the chirping wrens and children's laughter.

Once we arrived at our destination, we were greeted with the sound of engines working hard. In no time, it rose over the horizon, bobbing up and down over the mounds of dirt. The unlit headlights looked like friendly eyes, the exhaust stack puffed a steady stream of smoke, while blonde curls swayed from a little girl sitting on daddy's lap behind the wheel of a tractor.

Next came the green plow with a boy whose smile could not grow any wider. His waving hand was only interrupted when he grabbed a hold of grandpa as a giant dirt clump caused the machine to bounce.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a black snake slithering away from the noise and apparent disruption of his day. Just a few moments before, a groundhog had scampered by heading into the deep woods, no doubt looking for food and a cool place to spend the afternoon.

One look around and we could see there was a lot to be done before planting could begin. More water was poured to quench the thirst of hard work and I headed back to the trail with two kids who were giggling even more than before.

Sunshine. Laughter. Happiness. Family. Beauty. Not a bad way to spend the day. Not bad at all.

A few things.

Some things I want to remember that are happening around here:

• Ryder playing around the house singing the theme song for Scooby-Doo at the top of his lungs.
• Ashlynn singing what she refers to as her "rockin' music" as she plays Polly Pockets or while drawing in her sketch book.
• Gage thanking me all the time for simple little things like, "You puttin' the dishes 'way momma? Thanks for that, thanks for that momma!"
  
• Addie learning to walk. She is slowly moving into the more walking than crawling stage, it will be missed....
  

We have started school and things are getting busy......which I suppose is no different than the usual! Ryder and Gage were both in need of haircuts, I'll put some pictures up tomorrow, have a fun day!!

For Nicole, the tale of a mullet:

As I wrote the title I didn't realize the pun, but now I see it, so I suppose it is intended. Anyhoo, my sweet little Addie only seems to be growing hair on the back of her head. Twice now, it has been cautiously buzzed off, once by me when she was about three months and the second time by her Auntie Colie who couldn't stand it any longer (pun again?). Before you think I am crazy, I did the same thing to Ashlynn and the girl has more hair with the most beautiful curls than she knows what to do with. Sooooo, I thought maybe the outcome would be the same. However, it seems the mullet just doesn't want to go, it's in style now anyway, right?





After her bath, I was able to eek out a couple of pig tails. I was laughing so hard I could barely hold the camera still enough to get a couple of pictures. Look closely, you can see them peeking out the sides:





Something tells me come October Auntie Colie will have a buzzer in her hand when we step off the plane......

Staying positive.

Most of you know I love summer. Let the heat roll in and put me near a body of water. It can be a pool, lake, ocean, kiddie pool, whatever and I'm a happy camper. Yesterday as I was driving down the road I noticed the slightest changes beginning to come over the leaves on the trees. The deep green of summer is starting to take on a bit of yellow and my eyes almost welled up with sadness knowing fall (which really translates to winter) is just around the corner. Ok, maybe I didn't get that sappy, but I am already missing the pool.

In an effort to keep a good attitude, I have complied a list of things that I will not miss about summer that could potentially make winter seem more positive. I'm trying.

• No more pulling weeds. One thing I have learned to appreciate in the Midwest is those pesky guys take a break in the winter (that or the snow just covers them up!).
  
• No mosquitoes!!! Honestly, I don't know how they survived before I lived here. My blood seems to be there sole source of sustenance and their presence is the contributing factor to my delay in weeding.
• Not quite as much shaving. Jeans and long sleeve shirts hide quite a bit.
• I can actually wear my hair straight without a battle. My natural frizz is completely infatuated humidity.
• Gage won't ask "What's that loud noise?" every night as the cicadas sing.
• No more lathering the kids up with sunscreen everyday. Wait a minute, strike that one, this would mean we were going to the pool....and for that, I love sunscreen.
• No more major toenail polish touch-ups.
• No more Homemade Ice Cream from the best place in town.....they are only open seasonally. Sad, but really good for my checking account and waistline.
• Speaking of waistline, how about a break from the exercise routine? Everyone needs some spring goals....

There you have, that's about as positive as I can get as I bid farewell to my favorite time of the year. Goodbye summer, see you in ten months!

Dirt 'n' Worms

The kid wanted to make a special treat for their neighbor friend who had been in the hospital. Cookies were my first thought, but Ashlynn suggested the much more appealing dirt and worms. We doubled the recipe so the kids could enjoy it as well.....well, sort of:

Gage was convinced it was real and did not like the "dirt".

He tried to take a bite of the "worm" but ended up asking me to wash it off first!

Ryde had no problem putting it down the hatch!

It was made with chocolate pudding, cream cheese, whipping cream, butter and cookie crumbs, so I had some too. Not too bad.....but I did let Ashlynn have my worm.

A Glimpse

Here is a shot of our basement schoolroom and the play area for the little kids. Ashlynn and Ryde's desks were garage sale finds and Gage's desk was picked up at a thrift shop by my friend Gretch. It's good to have some order around here before school begins!!





I may have to visit this post from time to time to remember what it looks like when it is clean and organized......

Honor. Commitment. Loyalty.

Amazing. Astounding. Achievement. Unbelievable. Incredible.

These are just a few words that describe the milestone that our grandparents have made on this day: SIXTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE!!!!! Thank you for your commitment to one another, we pray that God would bless each day you have with one another and all of us!! We love you two so much!!!!!!!

Happy Sixtieth Anniversary!!