Happy New Year!

Well, I guess my Christmas vacation is almost over, so I best get back to blogging.  Doug goes back to work on Wednesday after having 14 wonderful days off.  We have kept busy between traveling to see family, working on projects around the house, and of course, celebrating the birth of Jesus!  I am working on catching up my blog, so you will find multiple new postings each day.  I will try to only post 3-4 at a time, so you won't be too overwhelmed.  I am also back-dating the posts so that they are close to the date of the event.

Happy Reading...and Happy 2013!!!

Until next time...

Wordful Wednesday

Be warned: There are a lot of pictures and words in this post...I'm going to try and catch you up to what we have been doing.

We received the keys to the house on June 5th!  On Monday, June 6, the kiddos and I spent the day at the house cleaning before the movers arrived with all the boxes.  Since we didn't have any furniture, we ate a picnic style lunch in the kitchen!

The kiddos took their first naps in their new rooms

Bright and early Tuesday morning, June 7, Ma-maw and Aunt Lisa showed up to help with kid crowd control.  They also brought a trailer-load of our things (deep freeze and lawn mowers)  Gram and Pa arrived mid-afternoon to help as well, and brought a trailer-load of furniture.  The movers got a late start on Tuesday and didn't arrive until 11:30-ish (they were to be at the house between 8:30 and 10).  They then had trouble trying to get the truck and trailer in the driveway.  There was a power line coming to the house hanging too low over the drive, so they just parked the truck on the road!

Then came ALL the boxes!  This is what my house looked like on Wednesday, June 8 after everyone had left (including Dallas who spent a few days with Gram and Pa so Momma could get some boxes unpacked).

Reba loved helping in the kitchen

This is the family room/dining room

Here is our front room

The master bedroom

Reba's room

Dallas' room

Thursday afternoon, I was able to get Reba to nap in her crib in her room!

Our weekend was full of activity, as Gram, Pa, and Aunt Josie brought Dallas back to us on Friday evening.  After Doug got home from work we all headed out to watch the Evansville Otters take on the Joliet Slammers.  The Otters lost, but it was still a fun evening.  Check out some of the history of Bosse Field (a lot of A League of Their Own was filmed there).

Saturday morning, Pa, Doug, Dallas and I headed to the Classic Iron Tractor Show at the fairgrounds in Evansville.  We then came home to spend the afternoon playing and working on various projects.  Ma-maw, Pa-paw, and Aunt Lisa also came down Saturday evening (with a 2nd trailer load of our things).  They too helped us with some various projects around the house!

Sunday morning, we were back to work on more projects!  Ma-maw, Pa-paw, and Aunt Lisa took off early in the afternoon.  Gram, Pa, and Aunt Josie took off about mid-afternoon.  Doug headed for Iowa (Williamsburg of all places) for a safety training meeting on Monday.  I headed north with the kiddos early in the evening to spend the night at Ma-maw and Pa-paw's.  After lunch with Ma-maw and Pa-paw on Monday, I took the kiddos to Gram and Pa's so that I could attend the 82nd Indiana FFA State Convention!

My state FFA officer team celebrated our 10 year anniversary this summer.  Thankfully, all but one of us were able to make it back for the special event.

L-R: Rajean (Robertson) Bergman, Treasurer; Erin Menchhofer, Southern Region Vice-President; Justin Moneyheffer, Sentinel; Kyle Kohlhagen, Reporter; Liza Moore, Northern Region Vice-President; Kim (Hall) Stockment, President.  (Karissa (Hedrick) Moar, Secretary, was unable to make it from Australia where she lives with her family)

Tuesday morning, I picked up the kiddos and headed back home!  Doug's flight back to Evansville arrived about noon on Tuesday.  That brings us up to date.  Needless to say, I still have a lot of boxes sitting around, but we are slowly making progress.

Until next time...

Updated...

finally!

I was able to get some time in this morning to update the blog!  The kiddos woke up at 5:45 this morning, ate pop-tarts, and are now snoozing again.  We are all battling colds in this house, so it has been an interesting few days around here.

Here are a few other updates of what's been going on...

We were to close on the house last Friday, but it didn't happen.  We are still negotiating terms with the sellers, so if you have a few prayers to spare - we would love for you send up one for us that we can get this all settled...soon.

I have been absolutely engrossed in the Twilight Saga for the last 3 weeks!  That's one reason for my absence from the blog ;) My friend, Laura, let me borrow the first book, Twilight, while I was in Iowa with the movers.  I finished that book in about a day and a half.  I then borrowed the remaining three from my sister, Lisa.  I read New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, in less than a week each!  I never understood what all the hype was about when they books first came out - I mean vampires and werewolves?  But once I started reading them, I just couldn't put them down!  Yea, I pretty much neglected all my adult responsibilities while reading those books.  I should have known I would like the mythical stories...I loved the Harry Potter Series just as much!

As I mentioned in "previous" posts, we have had a lot of rain down here; therefore, Doug's group at work have not been able to get in the fields and plant.  They were able to do one field in Kentucky about a month ago, but I think it is standing in water like many other fields in the area.  Doug and his boss, Dean, left this morning to go to an Illinois station (Thomasboro) to set up the planter.  They are hoping to get the GPS set up and the spacing settings aligned so that they don't have to waste a day when the rain actually stops long enough to get in the fields here.  Doug and Dean might even go farther north (Waterman, IL) to help that station plant, so he could be gone for a few days.

Well, that is what's new around here.  Make sure you scroll down and check out all the "updates".  I back-dated the posts so that they were posted on the days the events actually happened.  They go back to April 22 (Dallas' speech appointment and seeing the Easter Bunny).

Until next time...

Sorry for the Lack of Blogging

I sorry for all you adoring fans out there who have been missing posts from me as of lately.  Things have been pretty busy around here, that I just haven't found the time to sit down and blog.  The kiddos are beginning to get spring fever and cabin fever - it's the worst case I ever remember seeing.  Plus, they haven't been napping well lately, so when they are down, I am trying to catch my breath, do the dishes, straighten up the apartment, and stay up to date on everyone's blog.

OK...so what have we been up to...

• This past weekend Doug and I headed back to Iowa to do some packing before the movers come
• Ma-maw, Pa-paw and Aunt Lisa came to Iowa as well to take a trailer load of goodies back to Indiana for us (i.e. the things the movers won't take) 
• Gram and Pa were gracious enough to watch the kiddos here in Indiana.
• Dallas had an ear infection last week, but it never really slowed him down.
• The weekend of the 26th, Doug and I had a weekend away to Goshen, IN, for our friends' Justin and Kayla's wedding.  Can you believe I forgot to take my camera!?!?  You can see pictures here and here, if you wish.
• While up in the northern part of the state, we stopped by Norte Dame University.  I did have my camera for that stop, so I will post pictures later.
• The house selling process is moving along.  We are waiting to hear the report from the appraiser.  That is pretty much the final part of the process.  Once the house appraises at or above the selling price, the buyer's loan is secured, and all we have left to do is the abstract and title work...then sign away!
• On the other hand, the house buying process is going well.  We have the home inspection and radon test tomorrow.  The appraisal has been done as well; again, just waiting on the report.  We will have the pest inspection and septic/well inspection done in the next week.
• Dallas has a follow up doctor appointment this Friday for his ear infection.  Then, on Monday, we are finally meeting with the speech therapist.
• On Tuesday, I leave for Iowa, to meet the movers.  They will be packing and loading the truck on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I hope to head back to Indiana on Saturday.

So...lots of fun and exciting times.  "I will try to do better" - something Dallas is always working on as well - about keeping you updated on our lives!

Until next time...

Lots of Posts...

I just wanted to let everyone know that I believe I am caught up on m blogging.  The kiddos and I had a wonderful trip to Indiana for Reba's birthday and Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for, and we are blessed to have such wonderful families to share this time with.

As far as some random things things that have happened (i.e. no pictures to go with the stories):

Tuesday morning at 12:30-ish, Reba made her first trip to the ER.  She is fine, but does have croup.  The doctor administered a steriod shot and a couple nebulizer treatments.  After another 2 hours for observations, we were sent "home" (we were still in Evansville at the time).  Reba slept peacefully the rest of the night, and almost the entire way back to Iowa on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning was Reba's 1 year check up!  She weighed in at 20 lb 11 oz, and she is 29.25 inches.  Dr. Boelter had her hemoglobin level rechecked, and it was actually lower than at her 9-month check up; therefore, we have to go back to the hospital to have another blood draw done.  Yipp-ee.

The kiddos are excited to be home and with their own toys.  They love being able to move about freely, and I love not having to worry about disturbing the neighbors in the hotel.

We haven't had any lookers at the house in a couple weeks.  It's a little disappointing, but we keep saying our prayers that the right buyer will come soon.

I'm debating about decorating for Christmas.  I know Dallas will like having the tree, but I'm afraid Reba will be climbing it.  Also, it's just not that fun when Doug isn't here to help and be a part of it.

Well, that's all for now.  Make sure to check out all my recent posts...there are about 10 new ones (counting this one).

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...

Moving/Selling Update (and what we've been doin')

I am sorry for not blogging recently. We have been extremely busy in this house. I thought I would give you an update/run-down of what's been going on around here.

• Thursday evening, Gram and Pa Bergman arrived to watch the kiddos for the weekend while Doug and I worked around the house
• Friday, Doug took off work, as it was going to be the only nice day to work outside
• On Friday, I took Reba to the hospital for her complete blood cell count (blood draw). Unfortunately, they drew the blood too slowly the first time and they weren't able to get an accurate count; therefore, they had to draw it again. Poor girl cried and cried...and there wasn't anything I could do help her until it was over. (The doctor's office called Monday afternoon with the results: her hemoglobin level was higher [it was 8.2 at the office on Wed., and it was 11.5 on Friday], but it was still below what they wanted it. Dr. Boelter talked with the pharmacist and worked up a special vitamin supplement to boost Reba's iron levels. They also suggested she eat more meat...which I just started her on this last week.)
• Also, on Friday, I went to get my driver's license renewed. They expired on my birthday this year (July 30!) Luckily, there is a 60 day grace period, so I didn't have to take the written test again.
• Once I got home around noon, Doug had already sprayed off the house and porch with the pressure washer. He was opening the paint to start on the porch. We were able to get the storm windows and most of the porch painted before we had to stop to get ready for Doug's going-away party at work. Bob and Connie also washed and painted the decorative corner pieces on the porch for us. I tell you what, it looks like a brand new porch now!
• Friday night was the party at Fireside Winery. It was a beautiful evening to sit outside, eat supper, and drink a few glasses (or bottles) of wine :) while listening to the live music. Our dear friend, Gema, also surprised us by driving up from St. Louis for the party!
• Saturday morning was a little slow going, but we were able to accomplish a few things. I painted the stairwell (that was a huge task!) Doug and Bob painted the trim for the bathroom.
• I ran out of paint for the stairwell (I had combined left over paint, and thought the gallon would get it, but it didn't), and we needed a few pieces of trim to finish the bathroom; therefore, Doug and I made a trip to Coralville, to Lowes. We were able to match my "custom" paint and find all the pieces we needed.
• Sunday morning started with church and then we stopped for breakfast on the way home.
  Doug and his parents worked on taking down my barn quilt once we were home from church. Luckily, the rain let up for a little bit and they were able to get it done successfully.
• I decided to paint the closet in Reba's bedroom. There was a stain from an old leak in the roof. I got the first coat of primer on, and then Doug and I started on hanging the trim for the bathroom. We were able to get the bathroom finished just in time to watch the Colts!
• Monday morning, I did the flight of the bumble bee cleaning the house because the first of 4 home inspections was to start at 10 am! These inspections are needed in order for us to be able to participate in the home buyout program with Monsanto.
• The first inspection was a general house inspection. I was also able to schedule 2 of the other inspections for Monday late morning (the septic inspection and the structural inspection). As of now, we know that we "failed" the septic inspection, so we are working on lining up someone to come put in a new system for us.
• Before the inspectors arrived, Bob and I were able to get the bushes trimmed up in front of the house. Those poor things hadn't had a trim in almost 2 years!
• Doug's parents left around 11 Monday morning, after the final inspector had left. We were so thankful that they were able to come out and entertain the kiddos while Doug and I worked - there's no way we would have been able to get done what we did if they hadn't been here.
• Monday afternoon, while the kiddos napped, I was able to put another coat of paint on the walls of Reba's closet. Monday evening, once Doug got home, I was able to finish painting the porch.
• Tuesday morning, the 4th inspector, the pest guy, came - completing our first round of inspections!
• Tuesday after lunch, Doug and I (and the kiddos) went and picked up my car from the mechanic. We decided to have Lily fixed so that I can have the car to drive while Doug can take the truck to Indiana to start work (he won't be getting a company vehicle with the new job).
• Tuesday afternoon, while the kiddos napped (again), I was able to put the 3rd and final coat of paint on Reba's closet! Once Doug got home from work, I started painting the trim and doors in the stairwell. I was able to get one coat done before everyone went to bed.
• That brings us to Wednesday...we took it easy this morning. This afternoon, there was another going-away party at the plant (the party Friday evening was just for Doug's group, today's was for the entire plant). I took the kiddos in for this party since they didn't go Friday night.
• I hope to finish the last coat of paint on the stairwell trim tomorrow, as well as get some grocery shopping done.
• Doug leaves on Saturday for Evansville, and begins work on Monday morning - not really looking for that.
• Of course, in all of this mess, Dallas is working on learning to use the potty like a big boy. We have had a couple really successful days, and a few not so good days, but we are getting there. I hope that we can be somewhat established with it before moving. We are also getting ready to move Dallas into a big boy bed! Let's hope that goes smoothly, and he is adjusted before moving.
  

Well, that's our life recently. I am trying my best to keep up on everyone's blogs, but I apologize if I'm not commenting as much as I used to...

Until next time...

Oodles to Share

OK...I think I am about caught up with posts. Make sure you scroll down to check out all my updates. I put them in "reverse" order, so you should read about our latest adventures as they occurred. It starts with the Iowa State Fair and ends with the Kentucky State Fair. I also have my pictures downloaded from Labor Day weekend, so I will be sharing them soon.

I also have one last bit of exciting information to share with the blogging world...
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drumroll please...
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We are moving!

Yes, we are getting ready to put our house up for sale, and we are moving to the Evansville, IN area.

Doug has taken a new job with Monsanto at the Evansville location. They are wanting him to start the last week of September (yes, that's coming up very quickly). As for the kids and I, we will more than likely be staying here in Iowa for a short time - working on selling the house and what not.

So look forward to more updates as we start this next journey.

Until next time...

You're in Luck

Doug brought his computer home from work, and I was able to upload photos from my camera! Lucky you!

First off, we are alive and OK. We have received about a foot of snow in the last couple days. In addition to the snow, we are getting very strong winds (gusts up to 50 mph); therefore, we are currently under a blizzard warning. We did see the road maintainer go by earlier today...which really surprised us because the snow is still drifting. Doug didn't go to work today because the state is pretty much shut down...he's hoping to be able to make it tomorrow...drifts depending.

OK...enough talk...onto some pictures.

Last Tuesday, Dec. 1, we had a couple bald eagles hanging out in a corn field close to our house. Doug saw them on his way to work, I saw them on my way into town and on my home from town, and Doug saw them again when he came home for lunch. I tried my best to get some pictures...but this was the best I did.
A picture of the kiddos with Dad - I couldn't believe I got one with everybodies eyes open!

Yesterday, the 8th, I took Dallas out to play in the snow. It was a little chilly (about 18 degrees above), but the winds weren't bad at all. Of course, it took me about 15-20 minutes to get Dallas wrapped up as well as myself. Reba decided to stay in the house and nap while we played.

This was right before Dallas fell face first in the snow ~ about 5 feet from the back door!

He loved being pulled in the sled.

An attempt at a self portrait.

While being pulled, Dallas kept putting his hand over the side and dragging it in the snow.

Somehow, he got pretty snow-covered!

I will try to get some new pictures of Reba and put up here soon. She has grown and changed since the last pictures I posted. Last Friday, she was up to 8 lb 8 oz and 20.5 inches...about the size Dallas was when he was born!

Until next time...

Catching Up

Again.

I am going to start off by saying that I have had good intentions of updating pictures. Of course, the road to you know where is paved with good intentions.

I spent Saturday morning downloading the pictures from the camera and downsizing them. Doug and Dallas went to a toy show, so it was the perfect opportunity to update the blog. Plus, it was a rainy day, not too much on TV, you know...one of those days. When I finished downsizing the pictures, the rain had picked up and a fog was starting to set in. For those that don't know...our internet is from a satelite signal. Therefore, when the weather is bad (i.e. lots of fog), we don't get internet service. It finally stopped raining this afternoon. The fog finally lifted around 5 o'clock...so I'm now updating the blog!

This, of course, is the same reason for me not following other blogs lately.

You will find two more post following this one. I'm warning you...there are a lot of pictures. (Connie and anyone else with dial up...you might just let the computer sit for a while so they can all load.)

Enjoy!

Until next time...

We're Back...

I finally have a computer again. (This is where you stand up and do a little dance of joy). There is so much that happened in the two weeks that I was without a computer. Let me see if I can remember any of it...

Fred got out of the kennel one night. Charlie was barking like crazy to let us know something was wrong. Fred actually came back on his own! Doug heard him running around the yard, so we were both in a hurry to get outside to catch him when I fell down the stairs. (It's OK to laugh) I wasn't hurt too bad, a sore toe, ankle, butt, and elbow is all. No bruises.

Doug became sick, gave it to Dallas, and I, of course, ended up with it too. It's nothing too bad, runny noses, slight coughs, and headaches - for me anyway.

I have officially started teaching my religious ed class. I am teaching the confirmation prep students once again. This year, in addition to the 10th graders, I also have the 9th graders. All together I have 9 students in my class. Only the 10th graders will be confirmed in the spring, so the 9th graders will have me for 2 years.

The garden is still producing. Laura and I have been busy canning tomatoes, salsa, chili juice, tomato juice, and spaghetti sauce. And there is still lots more tomatoes on the plants! My pumpkins are getting huge! The package said they were pie pumpkins, but they are jack-o-lantern size! Doug thinks it has to do with planting them when it was so warm, and they are growing faster than normal. Let's hope they still make good pies! Our spinach came back voluntarily. I made a salad out of it the other night, and it was really good. We also have some volunteer radishes, onions, tomatoes, and peas, but I don't think they will make anything.

I told you about our trip to Peoria, IL, to visit with my family...I am now able to share some of those pictures...

Dallas fell asleep in Grandma's arms after we finished eating.

Unfortunately, Dallas was not in a great mood that day, and he would start to fuss each time Grandpa took him.

Dallas with Great-Grandpa - they were playing a game of peek-a-boo...Dallas's favorite.
Aunt Lisa and Dallas before leaving.
GG and Dallas
Grandpa and Grandma Robertson and Dallas

Doug's family left this morning after spending the weekend with us. We had a very enjoyable time; the weather was perfect! We went to Kolona, which is an Amish area, on Saturday to walk around and enjoy the shops. We had a bonfire later that night, and on Sunday, they helped us can some tomatoes. I'll post pictures of their visit later.

Until next time...