snowflakes abound

Tuesday's snow

Here is our little winter wonderland...Tuesday we awoke to lovely snowy world, and just this afternoon, it started snowing again. So since we had just gotten Maria some boots, we took her out (for like 5 minutes! that snow was blowing hard) to frolic in the snow.

We have plenty to praise God for; the beauty of seasons.

meeting Rosalia

We were able to stay with friends Dan and Anna and meet their adorable daughter Rosalia on the way home from our vacation. Dan and Larry met in college, but since they live about 5 hours from us, we don't get to see them often. It was great to hang out and catch up on things...late into the night. Rosalia was adorable, although she was feeling a bit under the weather.

We have plenty to praise God for; the generous hospitality of great friends.

A Valley View escape

We had a wonderful time on our retreat/vacation. I already explained the place on a former post, but again if you have a pastor you think could benefit, please pass along the Pastor's Retreat Network name. Here are some pictures from our time away. We were staying in the New Bedford, Ohio area, near Holmes County so there were lots of Amish farms there. The scenery was beautiful, we were able to read, relax, put together a puzzle, and take several walks through their property. Maria had a great week, being spoiled by my parents. We're not really sure she missed us at all!

We have plenty to praise God for; coming home after time away!

bubble wrap fun

My mom got a package while we were at her place last weekend, which was wrapped with large bubble wrap. Maria had a great time popping the bubbles.

We have plenty to praise God for; simple pleasures.

mission accomplished

Well, I was busy last week working on a couple of rompers for presents. My sister-in-law Lisa is due in Jan with a little boy, so I made this sailboat romper for him...hopefully it will fit next summer.

I also made this flower romper for Rosalia. She is the daughter of Dan and Anna, Larry and Dan were friends in college. We get to see them next Friday as we are going to Ohio for a retreat/vacation and they live close to where we will be. Since we haven't met their daughter yet, I thought I would make her a little gift...let's hope it fits next summer too. (Maria was so kind to model it for me, although she didn't want to hold still for a picture, hence the counter!)

This house, called the Valley View Inn, is part of the Pastor's Retreat Network, and where we will be staying for the next week. It is free for pastors and spouses, thanks to generous contributors. Our kind of vacation. Basically you get a room and food for the week and quiet so you can relax, retreat and rejuvenate. They ask that you don't bring laptops, cell phones(or at least leave them off while there), and other things that will keep you current to the world. The point is to disconnect with everything for a week and connect with God for that time. Other pastors and spouses will also be there, but nothing is structured except meals, so you can do (or don't do) as you please. Any pastor is eligible to attend. So if you think your pastor might be interested give them the info from the link I provided, they must request an invitation to be invited there. They also have a house in Wisconsin, which we stayed at about 2 1/2 years ago, and one in Texas, which we hope to make it to one day. We hope to enjoy our time away. Maria will be at my parents, and will enjoy every minute of her time we're sure!

We have plenty to praise God for; time to connect with our Creator.

ooo la la...

Maria doing her dog imitation.

Isn't that tail cute?

Well, Maria was Fifi the poodle for Halloween...although we only went to about 10 houses. We just wanted to dress her up in this cute costume I made Friday afternoon for only $3. She enjoyed making her dog imitation, panting with her tongue sticking out. We got to eat some yummy chocolate after we got back...ah, the joys of parenthood!

Enjoying some loot!

We have plenty to praise God for; an oh-so-cute poodle!

Maria's Fashion Statement

We have plenty to praise God for; a growing family.

When the "Snow" is on the Punkin

(Anyone else wake up to some white stuff this morning?)

James Whitcomb Riley. 1853–1916 (A Hoosier born poet)

"When the Frost is on the Punkin"

WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here—
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;

The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

*Now if someone could just tell me what some of these words mean! Guess you had to live in the 1800's for them to be common English.

We have plenty to praise God for; warm coats, hats and mittens to bundle up in.

fluffy fun

Maria loves her new poncho, courtesy of grandma's craftiness. Thanks grandma.

We have plenty to praise God for; a crafty grandma.

dress up girl

Maria loves to put on hats, so when she saw this hat I found for cousin Trey she had to try it on.

We have plenty to praise God for; dress up time.

His Promise

At about 8:30 this morning we were blessed with this beautiful site out the window for just a few minutes.

We have plenty to praise God for; his covenant promise.

anyone for a spot of tea?

Maria likes to anything we do, so when we had tea for breakfast she had to try some. It's pretty funny seeing her add milk to her tea in the video and then mix it up. She is definitely a copycat.

We have plenty to praise God for; tea on chilly mornings.

enjoying fall

Maria loves to go across the street to the school playground. So we took her over and enjoyed the nice cool weather and the sun. She loved it that another kid came she could follow around. She especially likes to go down the slides.

We have plenty to praise God for; a great playground so close.

Anchors Aweigh

She was just to darn cute in the sailor get-up to not take her picture. I am sure her Navy veteran uncle, grandpa, and great grandpa would be impressed by the outfit! She posed so nicely too...after like 12 other shots where she was 2 feet from the camera!

We have plenty to praise God for; our freedoms

P.S. The U.S. Navy traces its origins back to 13 October 1775, the date the Continental Congress ordered the construction of ships for the fledgling U.S. Navy. (Guess we were about a week too late to celebrate their anniversary!)

Dressing up for fall

Maria liked the $12 one!

Time to get decorated for fall. So Maria helped me pick out some pumpkins at a local patch. She really just enjoyed throwing the gourds down on the ground. But we did get some nice looking ones all for just $10.

We have plenty to praise God for; beautiful fall decorations, handmade by Him.

just like daddy

Well, some say Maria looks just like her daddy, but I just can't see the resemblence can you?

More than a century

Can you imagine turning 101 years old? Well, Nana (Larry's grandmother) is today.

Happy Birthday Nana!

Maria and Joshua had a blast making pictures for Nana. They soon figured out painting themselves was just as fun as the paper, and Joshua enjoyed tasting the paint, don't worry it was non-toxic!

Joshua enjoyed the Chinese food!

We were able to celebrate with her on Saturday in Carmel. She is her normal self with a few bumps and bruises, due to a fall last week, that has her in the nursing care side of the housing she lives in for at least a couple more days. It is wonderful to be able to allow Maria to get to know her, and make some fun memories with her.

We have plenty to praise God for; a healthy 101 year old Nana.

Think about what the world was like 101 years ago?

• The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.
• Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.
• Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
• A three minute call from Denver to New York cost eleven dollars.
• There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa and Tennessee were each more populated than California.
• With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the union.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
• The average wage in the U.S. was .22 cents per hour.
• The average U.S. worker made between $200. and $400. per year.
• A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000. per year, a dentist, $2,500 per year, a Veterinarian between $1,500. and $4,000. per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000. per year.
• More than 95 percent of all births took place at home.
• Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education, instead they attended a so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."
• Sugar cost four cents a pound.
• Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
• Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.
• Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
• Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.
• Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were

1. Pneumonia
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart Disease
5. Stroke

• The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the union yet.
• The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30!
• Crossword puzzles, canned beer and ice tea had not been invented yet.
• There was no Mother's or Father's day.
• Two out of every ten adults could not read or write.
• Only six percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
• Marijuana, heroin and morphine were all available over the counter at local corner drugstores.
• Back then the pharmacist said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind and regulated the stomach and bowels and is, in fact a perfect guardian to health."
• Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full time servant or domestic help.
• There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S

Ah, the good old days!

Belated Birthday Wishes

Michele(6) and me (7 mo.)
Ryan(3 days old) and me (10) (our dog Patches looks on)

Well, I did get a phone call to my sister and brother on their respective birthdays, Saturday and Sunday, but wanted to post a flashback photo of them to celebrate their special days. They are great siblings and I am blessed to have both of them. Oh, and even though their birthdays are just a day apart they are 15 years apart!

We have plenty to praise God for; siblings.

fun mail

I am sure you enjoy getting most mail about as much as I do, but when you get this iPod in the mail, what's not fun about that! Especially when you get it free from a contest you entered on the Cars For Girls website. Can't beat that.

We have plenty to praise God for; free stuff!