4.17.11
I'll start with commentary on the pictures.
Greg has a great habit of doing pushups every night. While in college a friend told him this was the secret to being strong enough to lift almost any girl while dancing. So he took it up. NOw the kids add resistance training and love riding on dad's back. Their shouts of more are just as tough as any TV trainer. And yes, he can lift me on any day, not just when dancing- he's a really good dancer! Why aren't there more organized dances for adults?
Cousins Aliza and Rishelle had a great time being girls when Rishelle visited. It's fun to have cousins to share life with.
The boys dressed up. Mark is obviously a cowboy he said "these are my bestest clothes. they make me look handsome." John with a sword he made from sticks. he is being a soldier.
Addie is cutting up potatoes for dinner. she is adamant about helping me cook. Even when I tell her no she steals some out of the other side of the dish and cuts it up where I'm not watching.
Addie and Aliza dancing to their own singing accompaniment.
Harold with the super gun he made from Kinectz blocks.
A story I want written down because it was so cute and typical. My sis in law, mother in law, and I were all visiting. A kid or two came in asking for lunch. I told them, "Too bad. No lunch that day. We might give them a cracker and cheese. But they should just go back and play." I was kidding and buying time as it is too easy to only cook and clean and never stop and visit or do other things. And the kids are always wanting a snack I try to make them ask twice to gauge just how desperate they are. usually they forget to ask again and can wait until it is ready. So the kids went back outside to play. Well a little while later grandpa Lloyd was getting ready to go outside he had a handful of crackers and cheese. He said he was going to go give the kids a snack. I said do you have enough crackers there? As he counted cheese and crackers he named each child present. It was so sweet and commonly tender of grandpa. We are so thankful for great grandparents. Each has their unique special thing that the kids really look forward to and hone in on when with that grandparent. Our kids are blessed to have more grandparents than most kids because my grandparents are all alive. What a blessing to know and love these special people who have played such vital roles in my life and GReg's and are now making special memories with our children.
So you may be wondering where we have been. No the wheatgrass juice did not kick us off or under. We are doing well although tired. We have enjoyed 2 weekends and one week of cousins. It is great to be part of a large family that gets along so well. It's fun to watch couples become parents, babies kids, and cousins friends. It's always humorous to hear how lives are similar and to glean new skills, ideas, recipes, and conversational wisdom from the visitors.
Because I have been writing these emails I often try to make mental notes during the week of things I want to include but by the time Sunday night rolls around they have been forgotten, become unimportant, or are not relevant any more. I guess the biggest thing I would include in this installment is how ready are you? I have been working on and with others on food storage and self-reliance for years now and have been checking my own readiness. So my mind and time has been searching the where, what and price of things like 72 hr kits, water purification systems and the like. So I would just ask you how ready are you? Are you at all, some, or is it not a big deal. Where would you go? How would you get there? Those kinds of things. It can get pretty wild pretty fast and they say having a plan is a big part of survival. Read the book the Survivors Club last year. It was simply amazing what people can and do survive and the percentages. A fun read not scary just very thought provoking.
One other thing we have started here is me reading aloud to my children while they finish/endure their dinner. I was visiting with a friend and she was telling me her children are so smart because she would read to them. While wondering where I would possibly fit that in I realized we spend a lot of VERY frustrating time at the table waiting for one or two children to get through their dinner. So because I had some new books I decided to read one chapter per night to my kids. They loved it as much as I did. So for the past few weeks I read to them. It is so calming for all of us. I don't watch them pick and pout over their dinner. And I love that hopefully this will be a memory they have of life here in our home. We've read The Apple and the Arrow, The Matchlock Gun, and are now on The Little house in the Big Woods. Each of these stories teaches lessons and is very memorable. We will read Justin Morgan had a Horse next or the Five Little Peppers. Anyway it was/is easy and very nice to sit and be a family. How I love those moments when it just clicks and you know this is such a good way to be.
Like when we were all in tractors or the four wheeler yesterday just being farmers. It was great! Not just the dirt and the horsepower but that we are all on the same page going the same way. It is a conscious choice Greg and I have made to not be involved in the sports and activities mania of our town to not involve our children in classes and such- besides the fabulous torture or piano of course. We are trying to hold onto or preserve some peace for ourselves and our children. Granted we have a lot of kids so hopefully that is meeting much of their social needs, but it also allows them to just be and learn to be people with personalities not to have to conform to fit into some other mold deemed acceptable and best. We are still undecided as to whether we will jump on the busy train of practices and competitions and I will sadly miss this time of not doing much-- HA-HA!! Not doing that much more might be better stated.
We did have some playovers this week for the girls. I like meeting their friends and getting a peek at who they click with. I remember dearly my friends from grade school one in particular who was very much a part of our family. And I hope for that for my daughters. I have to remind myself to let that happen to be open to having friends in our home or taking the time to include friends in activities. Aliza's friend is not a family I knew. I was so proud of the mom when she said I want to meet you. I don't let my daughter go just anywhere. I said Way to go Mom! We met at the park and were delighted to find she had a brother John's age who was a lot of fun. And another little brother that fits in the mix too. So it was great for John to get some exposure to a vivacious boy who asked "You wanna be friends?" John said "I don't know?" He just wasn't sure yet. Maybe after out next play date. Although they had a great time playing even with out the confirmation of friendship.
So that's life from the farm. Spring is here in the buds and blossoms and calves and singing birds. It is a testament that even after a long hard winter, like we have just had, spring awakens the earth and it is renewed, refreshed and alive! I think that is the pattern of life. Things are hard and dark and seem to last a long long time. But when we make it through that spot we are a new person full of life and possibility. It is yet another reminder of God's love and notice of us and our doings. Best to you all.
Greg has a great habit of doing pushups every night. While in college a friend told him this was the secret to being strong enough to lift almost any girl while dancing. So he took it up. NOw the kids add resistance training and love riding on dad's back. Their shouts of more are just as tough as any TV trainer. And yes, he can lift me on any day, not just when dancing- he's a really good dancer! Why aren't there more organized dances for adults?
Cousins Aliza and Rishelle had a great time being girls when Rishelle visited. It's fun to have cousins to share life with.
The boys dressed up. Mark is obviously a cowboy he said "these are my bestest clothes. they make me look handsome." John with a sword he made from sticks. he is being a soldier.
Addie is cutting up potatoes for dinner. she is adamant about helping me cook. Even when I tell her no she steals some out of the other side of the dish and cuts it up where I'm not watching.
Addie and Aliza dancing to their own singing accompaniment.
Harold with the super gun he made from Kinectz blocks.
A story I want written down because it was so cute and typical. My sis in law, mother in law, and I were all visiting. A kid or two came in asking for lunch. I told them, "Too bad. No lunch that day. We might give them a cracker and cheese. But they should just go back and play." I was kidding and buying time as it is too easy to only cook and clean and never stop and visit or do other things. And the kids are always wanting a snack I try to make them ask twice to gauge just how desperate they are. usually they forget to ask again and can wait until it is ready. So the kids went back outside to play. Well a little while later grandpa Lloyd was getting ready to go outside he had a handful of crackers and cheese. He said he was going to go give the kids a snack. I said do you have enough crackers there? As he counted cheese and crackers he named each child present. It was so sweet and commonly tender of grandpa. We are so thankful for great grandparents. Each has their unique special thing that the kids really look forward to and hone in on when with that grandparent. Our kids are blessed to have more grandparents than most kids because my grandparents are all alive. What a blessing to know and love these special people who have played such vital roles in my life and GReg's and are now making special memories with our children.
So you may be wondering where we have been. No the wheatgrass juice did not kick us off or under. We are doing well although tired. We have enjoyed 2 weekends and one week of cousins. It is great to be part of a large family that gets along so well. It's fun to watch couples become parents, babies kids, and cousins friends. It's always humorous to hear how lives are similar and to glean new skills, ideas, recipes, and conversational wisdom from the visitors.
Because I have been writing these emails I often try to make mental notes during the week of things I want to include but by the time Sunday night rolls around they have been forgotten, become unimportant, or are not relevant any more. I guess the biggest thing I would include in this installment is how ready are you? I have been working on and with others on food storage and self-reliance for years now and have been checking my own readiness. So my mind and time has been searching the where, what and price of things like 72 hr kits, water purification systems and the like. So I would just ask you how ready are you? Are you at all, some, or is it not a big deal. Where would you go? How would you get there? Those kinds of things. It can get pretty wild pretty fast and they say having a plan is a big part of survival. Read the book the Survivors Club last year. It was simply amazing what people can and do survive and the percentages. A fun read not scary just very thought provoking.
One other thing we have started here is me reading aloud to my children while they finish/endure their dinner. I was visiting with a friend and she was telling me her children are so smart because she would read to them. While wondering where I would possibly fit that in I realized we spend a lot of VERY frustrating time at the table waiting for one or two children to get through their dinner. So because I had some new books I decided to read one chapter per night to my kids. They loved it as much as I did. So for the past few weeks I read to them. It is so calming for all of us. I don't watch them pick and pout over their dinner. And I love that hopefully this will be a memory they have of life here in our home. We've read The Apple and the Arrow, The Matchlock Gun, and are now on The Little house in the Big Woods. Each of these stories teaches lessons and is very memorable. We will read Justin Morgan had a Horse next or the Five Little Peppers. Anyway it was/is easy and very nice to sit and be a family. How I love those moments when it just clicks and you know this is such a good way to be.
Like when we were all in tractors or the four wheeler yesterday just being farmers. It was great! Not just the dirt and the horsepower but that we are all on the same page going the same way. It is a conscious choice Greg and I have made to not be involved in the sports and activities mania of our town to not involve our children in classes and such- besides the fabulous torture or piano of course. We are trying to hold onto or preserve some peace for ourselves and our children. Granted we have a lot of kids so hopefully that is meeting much of their social needs, but it also allows them to just be and learn to be people with personalities not to have to conform to fit into some other mold deemed acceptable and best. We are still undecided as to whether we will jump on the busy train of practices and competitions and I will sadly miss this time of not doing much-- HA-HA!! Not doing that much more might be better stated.
We did have some playovers this week for the girls. I like meeting their friends and getting a peek at who they click with. I remember dearly my friends from grade school one in particular who was very much a part of our family. And I hope for that for my daughters. I have to remind myself to let that happen to be open to having friends in our home or taking the time to include friends in activities. Aliza's friend is not a family I knew. I was so proud of the mom when she said I want to meet you. I don't let my daughter go just anywhere. I said Way to go Mom! We met at the park and were delighted to find she had a brother John's age who was a lot of fun. And another little brother that fits in the mix too. So it was great for John to get some exposure to a vivacious boy who asked "You wanna be friends?" John said "I don't know?" He just wasn't sure yet. Maybe after out next play date. Although they had a great time playing even with out the confirmation of friendship.
So that's life from the farm. Spring is here in the buds and blossoms and calves and singing birds. It is a testament that even after a long hard winter, like we have just had, spring awakens the earth and it is renewed, refreshed and alive! I think that is the pattern of life. Things are hard and dark and seem to last a long long time. But when we make it through that spot we are a new person full of life and possibility. It is yet another reminder of God's love and notice of us and our doings. Best to you all.
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