Recent Happenings in Bama

I have been traveling all around in the past two days visiting friends. I visited my college friends and completely forgot to get a good shot of us, but here Gwen is at the piano enjoying all the children around.

Here is a stunning yard that I saw on the way to Jacksonville. Humm... he had a sign in his yard that read "Yard Sale". Just think, you could purchase some of these goodies.

Cotton fields. I love them.

I concocted a high school class reunion. It's been 14 years and we've never had any type of reunion. I was not a class officer, but I put it upon myself to give it a try. Many people said they could come and then didn't show, but those who came had fun. I knew it would be a hard task considering my class voted the class flower to be a cactus. That kind of gives you some insight into my class.

These are some friends not from the class of 95, but I hung out with them in band, so I invited them too. :)

Bizarre Home Front

Everyone needs a large statue of a Canadian goose in flight at their doorstep. What is with these Alabamians? :)

Halloween in Bama

Everyone knows that it is one of my missions in life to uncover all the odd things I can possibly find. Well, this certainly qualifies in my book. This is a photo of my mom and dad's neighbor's yard. Um, can anyone say overboard? There are some things that I will never understand. Today I saw a huge statue of a Canadian goose in flight in someone's yard. You can look for that little goody coming up soon.

Trunk or Treat

Tonight at church we had an event called Trunk or Treat where the kids (and adults) can dress in costume and get some candy and bounce in a bounce house. I decided to go as a pioneer and dress Gwen as my baby pioneer. Everyone pretty much thought I was little bo peep. Go figure!

I however, did meet another fellow pioneer tonight. She was dressed as Laura Ingalls Wilder. Isn't she adorable with that missing front tooth?


A family picture. Ben said our family theme was "gassy pioneers." We competed in the family costume contest and maybe one person clapped for us. :) See my belly coming out?


Gwen wanted to go into the bounce house SO bad, but alas, she would get squashed big time. We let her play on the step outside of the entrance.

Autumn Leaves and 7 Months

We are not professional photographers, that's for sure... but today we attempted to get pictures out in our back yard in the leaves. Here are some of my favorites from today. Getting a good picture of Gwen has really become quite hard because she is constantly in motion and not too happy looking when I stop her. She is definitely trying out her wings and thinks she can do everything.


She saw Ben throw leaves over his head, so she tried it out.





She goes into her little "house" and closes the door and looks back at me and waves and says "bye bye".


We got our teenage neighbor to try to take a family shot. She zoomed in pretty close, but at least we are all smiling. :)


On Sunday I will be 29 weeks. I am feeling pretty large these days and can feel the baby kicking all the time. This baby is much more active in the womb than Gwen. We shall see if that gives me any clue as to what I am in store for.

Pioneer Books

I really like to read about pioneer times. I just like how strong they are and how resourceful they are and I appreciate the wisdom they gained from suffering. If we think we have worries over our kids... well, when you read these books, it gives you a whole new perspective on things. I would like to suggest a series of books that I just finished by Jane Kirkpatrick. They are "A Clearing In The Wild", "A Tendering In The Storm" (I cried and cried reading this one), and finally "A Mending At The Edge." I loved them... and the great thing is they are based on real people that actually lived at one time 4 hours away from where I currently live.

I am now reading a book called "A Lantern In Her Hand" by Bess Streeter Aldrich. It is a fictional story, but I can tell already that it will be a good book. Here is a bit of poetry I found thought provoking.

"Because the road was steep and long,
and through a dark and lonely land,
God set upon my lips a song
and put a lantern in my hand." - Joyce Kilmer

Maybe I'm romanticizing the prairie life a bit... but I love living in the Midwest with all of the history of hard working people that made it through hard times with a song on their lips and a lantern in their hands. I hope I'm that way.

Bluegrass Singing

This is a longer video that Ben took during our latest concert with the Kansas City Chorale. We were singing bluegrass style stuff.

WOW

Ok... so my friend Leah sent me these plus others. I just had to post my two favorite balloon dresses. That's right, they are made with balloons!! Someone out there has some time on their hands!

Noodles and Funny

Cabbage Patches

Meal Plan

meatloaf, 3 bean salad, carrots
chicken corn chowder with turkey bacon, bread
quesadillas, salad
rice and stir fry with chicken
spaghetti and salad

I'm running out of creative ideas for my meal plans. Any new ideas?

Tantrums

I participate in this thing called "Parents As Teachers". This lady who has child development degrees comes to the house (FOR FREE) and observes Gwen and gives suggestions of toys she might enjoy and tells me about developmental things I should look for ect. I did not participate with this until Gwen was a year because I just didn't know if I could handle someone coming and giving some critique or some such. I thought I'd be a little overwhelmed or intimidated by it. Since then though, I've gotten tougher skin and I can pitch any idea that I think is contrary to what I want for her and take in the good suggestions. :) The other day she came by and gave me some papers about where a child ages 14-24 months usually is at. One of those papers was on temper tantrums. Here is the first paragraph that I read to Ben tonight as Gwen was having her bath. We both burst out laughing. We have kind of a quirky sense of humor at times.

"Almost surely at some point in your child's development, you will witness a particular behavior known as the temper tantrum. You will recognize it by its many colorful characteristics. Among them are the arched back (if you are holding your child or attempting to restrain her in any way), the ear-shattering screams coming from her wide-open mouth, and the writhing movements of her entire body. Remain calm."

Think that's a good description? HA! Cracked me up.

During Nap Time

Wanna see what I'm working on during Gwen's nap? This is called O Magnum Mysterium by T.L. da Victoria.

Here's the English translation:

O most awesome mystery

and sacrament divine and most wondrous:

that animals should look and see the Lord a babe newborn

beside them in a manger laid.

O how truly blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy

to bear and bring forth the Lord Christ Jesus.

Alleluia!

Now The Day Is Over

Now the day is over,
Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the evening,
Steal across the sky.

Now the darkness gathers,
Stars begin to peep,
Birds and beasts and flowers
Soon will be asleep.

Indian Cloth Diapers

I was given several small sized Indian cloth diapers tonight from my friend. I have personally never seen diapers like this, so I thought I'd post some pics. I know I said I'd cloth diaper with Gwen and then fell into the "sin" of convenient disposable ones... but this time I'm going to give it a go again with the cloth diapering at least during the day. Don't laugh, I might actually stick with it this time. :)

As you can see, the Indian cloth diapers tie in front. Neat idea if you ask me.


They looked rather thin to me, but my friend assured me they do not leak and that everyone uses cloth over there in India. It is unheard of to use disposable.


Here is the "monk doll" (as I like to call her because she normally wears a very long brown dress) modeling the diaper. Note that she is smiling and sleeping. Inspirational don't you think?

Song

This song has been a blessing to me this week. I especially like the line "I melt in Your peace, it's overwhelming." That's the kind of overwhelmed I want to be right now! Enjoy.

Lately

Gwen helping me sweet yesterday. I wanted to tie a little scarf on her head, but I didn't have one handy so we used a scarf instead. Very fancy...



Tonight all bundled up. It's supposed to be 27 degrees tonight... burrrrr....


Today when I went to my Mother-in-law's house low and behold, she had a bonnet! My costume dream has come true and I can be a pioneer for our church thing.


Here are most of the green tomatoes off of the plants. I had to pick them because they will freeze otherwise. I've heard you can wrap them in newspaper and they will ripen. We'll see.


Some ripe stuff I picked too. God has blessed us with a wonderful harvest this year.


I tried to cover up my plants tonight with plastic in case they can hang in there. My plants still have tiny little tomatoes and blooms on them. I think it's wishful thinking....but no harm trying.

Play Rhymes for Kids

I've been looking for constructive, educational ways to engage Gwen. I mean besides letting her explore outside in our backyard or bringing her places with me and describing things or just free play in the house. I am getting to the point in my pregnancy when I feel a little encumbered when it comes to getting down in the floor and doing a whole lot... so I found a book in the library with some games that I can play with her in my lap. I also have been reading her poetry some. She loves books, but I feel like she needs a little interactive stuff too. I only have one kid right now so I can think about these things in depth ok? :) When I have two I'm sure I will find it a challenge to just get them both fed. Well... here are some games that Gwen and I enjoy and I thought maybe you'd like them too.

Foxy's Hole

(you ball up your fist with a "hole" on top)
Put your finger in Foxy's hole.
Foxy's not at home. (child puts finger in foxy's hole- the middle of your fist)

Foxy's at the back door, picking on a bone. (gently "nip" baby's finger with your little finger)

Baby's Nap

(mom extends pointer finger) This is baby ready for a nap.
(mom puts pointer finger in child's palm) lay baby down in a loving lap.
(mom closes baby's finger around her pointer) cover baby so he won't peep.
(mom rocks hands back and forth) rock baby till he's fast asleep.

Here Is Baby's Ball

(mom makes ball shape with hands)
Here is Baby's ball, big soft and round.

(mom "hammers" her other hand)
Here is Baby's hammer. See how it can pound.

(mom puts fist with hole up to her lips)
here is Baby's trumpet, tootle-tootle-too.

(mom covers her eyes)
Here is Baby's favorite game. it's called Peek-a-boo!

*I sometimes substitute Gwen's name for Baby in this rhyme.

Giddyap, Horsie, to the fair

(do this one while baby is on lap and bounce on lap)
Giddyap, horsie, to the fair.
What'll we by when we get there?
A penny apple and a penny pear.
Giddyap, horsie, to the fair.

and lastly, this is a song my mother-in-law taught Gwen that she loves. I think you could do it as a rhyme as well.

One, two, three four five (hold up fingers)
once I caught a fish alive (hands together and wiggle like a fish)
six, seven, eight nine ten (hold up fingers)
then I let it go again. (hands extended)

Why did you let it go? (hands still extended)
because it bit my fingers so (I usually pause and pretend to bite her fingers here)
which finger did it bite
this little finger on my right (I hold up my right pinky finger)

Cute

Ok, so if I was going to dress up for Halloween my choice would be either an Amish person or a pioneer. I haven't got enough energy these days to look for a bonnet. I mean, I napped for 3 hours today! I guess it takes a lot of energy to make a little person...but my house is getting pretty messy. Here's a t-shirt I found that I thought was witty.

Pumpkin Sort of Patch

This morning Gwen and I met up with some friends to go to a pumpkin patch. I thought it would be a field of pumpkins... but little did I know it would be a mini pumpkin Disney land. We had to pay a little admission fee (argg!), but Gwen loved the morning, so I guess I can't complain. We came home with a pumpkin, but it is of the size that could fit in the palm of your hand. :)

Here is Gwen looking at the buffalo.


Here she is petting the goat. Hand sanitizer anyone?


This long horn had really long horns! Imagine that!


Gwen and I in front of the long horn. I'm looking rather robust these days don't you think? Don't answer that.


Gwen loved rocking on this rocking cow.


She played in the corn.


Here is the pumpkin patch display. They had real plants and then placed pumpkins that were grown from a grower beside the plants. I was a bit disappointed...but Gwen didn't notice the difference.


Here are the three musketeers- Gwen, Caleb and Clara.

The Skit Guys

Here's a video they played at our church yesterday. I know a lot of people were moved by it. Check it out.

Meal Plan

Boeuf Bourguignon
Moroccan-style chicken with couscous
burgers, salad, chips, brownies- a street party we are hosting
stuffed shells, salad
waffles
omelets or sandwiches

Sharing With Muslims

Ben and I have neighbors that are Muslim. We have been forming a better relationship with them and have been talking about Christ. I found this website very helpful and I just wanted to put this out there in case any of you that read my blog have Muslim friends:

http://www.wcg.org/lit/gospel/sharing/muslim.htm

Another Day On The Farm

Today we went to Ben's Grandparent's home. Gwen saw a doll with a bonnet on and decided to borrow the hat for the day. Doesn't she look like a little cute pioneer?


She is honing her pioneer skills by churning butter. :)


Grandpa has joined the cult of the snuggie.


We went and visited a really nice lady down the road named Ms. Wallace. Gwen loved her tiny little rocking chair and Ms. Wallace's sweet ways. She is 93 and was a teacher for many many years and just stopped substitute teaching this year. What a lady! She lives in the house her late husband was born in and she told us lots of stories about the days gone by. She told me about the orphan train that came through this part of the country and how she had a sister-in-law that was adopted that way. Apparently, a Methodist minister from New York saw all of these street kids and felt he had to do something about it. So he gathered them all up and then set out across the country to find them good homes. He stopped in Holden, Missouri and the husband of this particular household was in town and only had one child and couldn't have any more for some reason. The minister said "we've got a whole buggie of babies out there... go pick one." They of course didn't have a phone back then, so he couldn't phone his wife... but he came home with a one year old girl to raise. Imagine that! I'm going to have to read up on the orphan train.


Ben, Gwen and Grandma Georgia

Wedding Lyrics

I'm preparing to sing at weddings coming up and I have to share these words with you. They are so beautiful to me.

If Music Be The Food Of Love- Henry Heveningham (c. 1692)

If music be the food of love, sing on,
till I am fill'd with joy;
for then my list'ning soul you move,
to pleasures that can never cloy.
Your eyes, your mien, your tongue declare,
that you are music ev'ry where.
Pleasures invade both eye and ear,
so fierce, the transports are, they wound,
and all my senses feasted are,
Tho' yet the treat is only sound,
sure I must perish, by your charms,
unless you save me,
unless you save me in your arms.

This Marriage- Rumi

May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk, like wine and halvah.
May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness, and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.

Makes Me Laugh

The other day Gwen found one of her hats on the floor, put it on, grabbed a catalog from the junk mail on the table and sat down in her little chair. She makes me laugh. She is quite independent and it surprises me. At church she is now in the walker group instead of the crawlers and I call the walker class the "trauma center" because watching the little kids being dropped off is horrible. They scream, they cry, they act like they are being abandoned. What does Gwen do? As soon as she is on the floor she looks around, sees the other kids and books and runs off to join them without even a glance at me. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to pine for me, but I think it is just amazing that she just has this independence built in somehow. She's going to be a great older sister to this next one.

Meal Plan

broccoli, baked potato, turkey tenderloin (rotisserie flavor), yeast rolls
turkey vegetable stew
steak and corn pudding, green beans
chicken taco salad
pasta and salad
broccoli rice, tomato sandwiches

Gwen's Snake and Weekend

Such a wonderful happy girl Gwen is. I'm so blessed to be her mama.


Gwen discovering a grasshopper. She thought it was funny when it jumped.


Some fungus stuff growing on one of our trees. Not a great sign for the tree... but I think it is neat.

and finally, Gwen's snake. She has figured out how a snake sounds and what it is like.