Pumpkin Farm

I decided to take the kiddos to the pumpkin farm this weekend.  Aunt Katie was nice enough to come down for the weekend and join in the fun!  The weather was absolutely perfect!  Much better than last year.  The sun was out, the wind was calm, and there was no crowd!  We couldn't believe how lucky we were.  There is so much to do: wheelbarrow course, trike course, big orange jumping pillow, straw barn, grain box, feed the goats, moo-choo express, and of course, the hay ride to the pumpkin patch.  Here are some pictures from our day.

Thanks again Aunt Katie!  We had so much fun with you.

Until next time...

Until next time...

Haircut

It will take some getting used to.

Until next time...

Wordless Wednesday

How can an 11 month old wreck a house so quickly?  Good thing she's cute - it means I'll keep her.

Until next time...

Nothing too Blog Worthy

It has been pretty low key around here lately.  The kiddos and I returned to Iowa Monday afternoon after having spent about 10 days in Indiana.  We first traveled to Evansville to spend the weekend with Doug.  We then headed up to Shelby County to see the grandparents.  I also spent a morning at the National FFA Convention as a judge for the ag sales contest.  Then, Reba and I headed back to Evansville to do some house hunting with Doug.  Dallas stayed with Gram and Pa Bergman - we didn't think he would be very cooperative house hunting.  Unfortunately, we didn't have great luck in our search of a new home...but it will come.  Saturday afternoon, Doug, Reba and I headed back to Shelby County for a party at some friends'.  Then, it was a peaceful, quiet Sunday with my parents before heading our separate ways.

Thankfully, the kiddos did pretty well on the car trip.  I was pretty nervous about taking them by myself.  I was never "scared" traveling with just Dallas, but now with two - one potty training and the other still nursing - it was a different story!  Needless to say, the what-should-have-been 7 hour trip to Evansville took 9.5 hours!  They did good until hour 7 of the trip, and then they both started crying at the same time...and I was almost in tears too.  So, after another pit stop...we were back on the road with dry eyes, dry pants, and full bellies.  Thankfully, the trip back to Indiana only took 8 hours.  The kiddos slept for a good majority of that trip and we had the DVD players working :o)

In selling news...we haven't had any bids on our house.  It has been two weeks, and we have had two showings.  Just keep your fingers crossed, and say your prayers that the right buyer will come along quickly.

Until next time...

Making New Friends

We spent an extra day in Evansville before heading north to see the grandparents.  So...while Daddy was at work, we met up with a fellow blogger, Carla, and her daughter Ciara.  We ate a picnic lunch and then headed to the playground!  I didn't get too many pictures - check out Carla's blog later...she might have more :)

Miss Reba fascinated with Ciara

 Ciara and Dallas working together to push Reba through the park.

Until next time...

Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo

We made it Daddy's hotel around 8:30 last night.  The kiddos were wound up and needing to get out some energy!  We ate supper, and then the kiddos ran around the hotel room and played with Daddy.

Dallas woke everyone up around a quarter after 6 this morning.  He helped Daddy do some laundry and make breakfast for Reba and I.  Then, Reba decided to take a short nap, so Daddy and Dallas went outside to get out so more coop-ed up energy!

After Reba's nap and mid-morning snacks, we ventured out to the zoo!

I was only able to bring the umbrella stroller in my car, so we opted to rent one of these double wagon/strollers.  Believe it or not, they actually rode very well together!

 Reba was very interested in many of the animals.  Here she is checking out the rhino

 Dallas thought the rhino was pretty cool as well.  He really liked it when the rhino would wiggle his ears.

 This little goat had an attitute problem today - he kept knocking the fence with his horns.

 The world's oldest hippo (according to the zoo - age 59)

The giraffe's were by far our (Doug and I) favorite part.  I think Dallas liked them too.  They were definitely up close and personal!

 Reba chilled in the stroller with her cup most of the time.

 Checking out the jaguars.

 After we finished up at the zoo, we grabbed some lunch and headed back to the hotel for nap time!

Until next time...

Fun Friday Foto

Off To See Daddy!!

What Goes Around...Comes Around

So, I got a pay back today. 

One that was a long time in waiting. 

One that had me calling my mother apologizing for something I did when I was just a little girl.

You see, long ago (I can't remember how old I was), I took a crayon - or two or maybe even three - and drew a beautiful mural on my mom's hallway.  As the story goes, Mom questioned us girls as to who did it (although it wasn't hard to tell because the height of the drawing clearly pointed to me).  I admitted and was pretty proud of the work, and then while I was getting in trouble...I had to point out the other side of the hallway!

Fast forward to today...I found markings all over Reba's bedroom door and door jam.  The height of the drawing clearly pointed to Dallas.  I asked him about it, and he admitted to doing it.  Of course, then he pointed out another spot that I hadn't seen.  And, in case you had forgotten...I just painted that door and door jam as part of my stairwell make-over.

Thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.  All the markings came off.  Let's just hope he doesn't do it again.

Until next time...

Just Like Mom

Now, if only I looked this good :)

Until next time...

Saint Joseph

The for sale sign is in the front yard!
(Yes, I actually cried when I went to take this picture)

Since we are wishing for a fast sell, I decided to get the help of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary.

Why Saint Joseph?  The tradition has been traced to Saint Teresa of Avila who prayed that Saint Joseph would intercede to obtain land for Christian converts, and encourged her Discalced Carmelite nuns to bury Saint Joseph medals as a symbol of devotion, consecrating the ground in Joseph's name. Remember, also, that Joseph was a man who knew about moving on a moment's notice (e.g., the flight to Egypt), and providing for a home for his family. He also knows what it's like to have housing trouble (remember the manger? and being turned away from the inns?), and so is likely to be sympathetic to people with trouble getting or leaving a home.

The instructions say to bury Saint Joseph upside down, facing the road, and close to the for sale sign.  So, that's what Dallas and I did this morning.

The most important part of this is to pray.  Dallas and I said a short prayer this morning, and if you would like to pray with us - anything from the heart will do, or you can join us in the prayer we will be saying:

O, Saint Joseph,
you who taught our Lord the carpenter's trade, and saw to it that he was always properly housed, hear my earnest plea.

I want you to help me now as you helped your foster-child Jesus, and as you have helped many others in the matter of housing.

I wish to sell this house quickly, easily, and profitably and I implore you to grant my wish by bringing me a good buyer, one who is eager, compliant, and honest, and by letting nothing impede the rapid conclusion of the sale.

Dear Saint Joseph,
I know you would do this for me out of the goodness of your heart and in your own good time, but my need is very great now and so I must make you hurry on my behalf.

Saint Joseph,
I am going to place you in a difficult position  with your head in darkness and you will suffer as our Lord suffered, until this house is sold.

Saint Joseph, I swear before the cross and God Almighty,
that I will redeem you and you will receive my gratitude and a place of honour in my new home.

Amen.

Until next time...

Wordless Wednesday

with a few captions

Dallas hooked the strollers together with a bungee cord - he wanted to pull Reba

My kind of girl - feet on the dash and wind in her hair

Off they go - lunch box in hand

Miss Reba was tired after all the driving

Until next time...

For Sale!

I am excited to announce that our house is officially for sale!  The realtor came by this morning, took pictures, and measured the rooms.  We went through the paper work, and I signed away.  If you know anyone interested in a few acres in Williamsburg, IA...direct them to this link.  Of course, you can check it out yourselves, too.  I don't think my house has looked this good in a long time ever!

Until next time...

Brag Post

So, I should really be cleaning and putting things away (since both kids are napping!), the realtor comes tomorrow morning to have me sign all the paperwork to officially list our house for sale!  But...I had to take a moment to brag on my kiddos.

This morning, I had a follow up doctor's appointment scheduled for Reba to retest her hemoglobin levels.  I get there and get called back, when the nurse asks why I'm there.  I explain that Dr. Boelter requested to see Reba 3 weeks post blood draw/changing diet and vitamins.  To which the nurse replys, "Not 3 weeks, but 3 months."  *Sign...*

So, while I'm there, I ask if she can take a look at Dallas' eye.  It has been red and swollen since Friday.  I was thinking it was a sty, but decided to ask since I was already there.  Dr. Boelter looked at it and confirmed that's what is was and suggested doing warm compressing ~4 times a day.  Then, she asks if I am going to get the kiddos flu shots.  I answered, "Yes.  Do you have them in already?"  They did, so we waited for them to draw up the shots. 

(Here's the part on bragging...sorry, I can't tell a short story) 

Neither one of the kiddos cried when they got the shot! 

Can you believe it?!?!  I was so proud of them.  We then went to McDonald's for lunch to celebrate...plus, Dallas kept his undies dry the entire time we were out!  Hooray!!!

Until next time...

(Not so) Fun Friday Foto

Yep, that's a snake ... in my basement!  I had an electrician (Bob*) here today to take care of a few "problems" that showed up on the home inspection.  When he went to take the cover off the breaker panel, he saw that thing (it was underneath/behind the softner salt bags).  Needless to say, Bob was more freaked out by it than me!  He called another guy to come get it out of the basement so Bob could do the repairs.  It all ended well because Bob was so embarrassed felt bad that he didn't charge me for the work!  Woo-hoo!

Until next time...

*name has been changed to protect the reputation of the electrician

Fun Friday Fotos

It's my turn...no, it's mine!

Until next time...

Ahh...Fall

Just like many of my friends have posted, I love fall.  I love the changing of the leaves.  I love wearing sweatshirts and jeans.  I love the warm sunshine in the afternoons and the cool evenings.  I love campfires and s'mores.  I love harvest.  

That's why I was excited to see the farmers arrive yesterday to start on the bean field behind our house.  Of course, they came right as the kiddos were going down for naps; needless to say, Dallas did not take a very good nap.  After Reba woke up, we headed outside to catch a ride.

Dallas got the original bucket seat (which is where I used to ride when I was his age), while Reba and I got the buddy seat.

As you can tell, Reba was super excited about her first combine ride...

 

We rode for about an hour, and then Reba got too restless.  Hopefully, we can catch another ride when the farmers come back to harvest the corn field beside the house...

Until next time...

Fun Friday Foto

Until next time...