Working the Garden

Remember last week I said that we had spent the weekend working in the garden?  Here are a few pictures I was able to snap of the kiddos helping.  

Last fall, we covered the garden with cow manure we were able to get from a neighbor that stopped to buy eggs.  They said we were welcome to it, but we had to shovel and haul it!  We also spread some straw and manure from the chicken house on the garden this winter.  Doug was having a little difficulty getting the tiller through the thick spots of straw, so he asked Dallas and Reba to spread it out.

You know how every job needs a supervisor?  Apparently, Reba self-appointed herself to that role!

After a couple trips to Rural King, we were able to plant broccoli, radishes, spinach, carrots, beets, cabbage, and onions.  Unfortunately, I killed the plants of tomatoes and broccoli we tried starting in late February.  Doug and I think they didn't get enough water while in our greenhouse, so they fried.  Live and learn...right?

Until next time....

Side Trip on the Drive Home

When we left Aunt Katie's house, we stopped by the Williamsburg area to visit friends.  We were able to see many of Doug's former co-workers, our former neighbors, and Reba's Godparents (and friends from church).

At our former neighbor's house, the kiddos took a liking to their bunny! 

It was a fabulous end to our vacation to see so many friends!  Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit with us.

Until next time...

Officer Dallas

While at Gram and Pa Bergman's last week, the kiddos were outside playing when their neighbor, Scott, stopped by to deliver some mail that was accidentally placed in his box instead of Gram and Pa's.  Well, Scott is a police officer and Dallas was smitten by his car.

Scott was kind enough to let Dallas sit in the car.

He's been talking about it all week!  He's also been talking about how Scott tore down his barn, and how Scott stopped by Gram and Pa's house, and whatever else he remembers about Scott...

Until next time...

Horsin' Around

One night last week, the neighbors came down the road on their horses. Dallas always loves to go see and pet the horses, so we made our way out to the road. They asked if Dallas wanted to ride, and he said yes, but he wanted to ride with Dad not Craig (the neighbor). Craig very generously got off and let Doug and Dallas on Dandy. (Remember Dallas' first horse ride?)
They did a few laps around the yard and up and down the driveway. Then Dallas wanted to ride with Momma.

Reba even got her very first horse ride with Kathy.

Kathy was going to take Reba around the yard, but Jack started to act up a little, so Reba rode with Momma on Dandy. Reba was as relaxed as could be - notice the thumb in her mouth!

Dallas finally got on with Micki and they trotted up and down the driveway. Dallas thought it was great getting to go faster.

The next night, Kathy called back and asked if we wanted to come down and ride again. We said sure! Doug stayed at their house with Craig and Reba while Dallas and I rode down the road with Micki and Kathy. When we got back to the house, Doug rode around the arena with Dallas. They made it up to a lobe a few times. Needless to say, they were having a blast.

Reba checking Dandy's nose out during one of her breaks from running with Doug and Dallas. Why did God make a baby's hand the perfect size to fit up a horse's nostril?

Until next time...

Friendly Neighbors

We really do have the best neighbors in the world! It seems like each time it snows, we have someone different in our driveway doing this...

...all out of the goodness of their hearts. We have never once asked to have our drive cleared. And, when we ask what we owe them, their typical response is something along the lines of "not a damn thing".

Dallas enjoyed watching while standing in the kitchen sink

And...a post wouldn't be complete without a picture of the kids!

Doug had propped Reba up in the chair while he went to do something, and Dallas quickly climbed up to sit by his baby sis. Think he will always be this sweet?

(Yes, Doug is home from work today. They actually closed the plant today.)

Until next time...

Horse Ride

We went on a tractor ride tonight, and saw our neighbors were out on the horses so we stopped. They offered Dallas a ride! We first tried putting Dallas on the horse with Mickala, but he didn't like that...so Doug got on and rode too.
Thankfully, Craig got the camera out to capture Dallas' first horse ride!

Thanks again Craig, Kathy and Mickala for the horse ride and pictures!

Until next time...

Really...where does the time go?

I'm going to start off with asking for forgiveness. I don't have pictures to put up with this post. Therefore, I don't blame you if you navigate away right now...

Alright, for those that stayed with me! Our weekend was full of events. Friday morning, Doug arrived home from Memphis. His flight was about 20 minutes delayed because the pilot told them, "the lavatory is a little full, and I'm afraid it might spill on take off." Doug was not bothered one bit to have a delay for that reason! After Dallas and I picked him up, we did a quick Wal-Mart run and then came home. Doug ended up going into work for the afternoon, Dallas napped, and I started laundry.

Saturday morning, Doug took Dallas to a toy show in Montezuma (about 45 minutes southeast of here). I had a chiropractor appointment, so I couldn't go with. Doug said that Dallas did great, and some of the vendors were trying to convince Doug that Dallas needed some toys. Somehow, Doug didn't give in!

After we all got home, we went into town for the Benefit Dinner and Auction for our neighbors. It all started at 11 a.m., but it was 12:15 before we got there. It was AMAZING how many people were there! We could hardly walk into the church. We "quickly" walked through the (almost 200) silent auction items and made our way to the soup line. It's wonderful when a church puts on a meal...those little ladies are the best cooks. When we finished eating, it was time for the live auction to begin. We finally found two seats, and watch over 100 items sell. It was incredible to see the things people in the community donated for such a wonderful cause. Unfortunately, we didn't come home with anything. We tried bidding on a couple things, but were quickly out bidded! Which is a good thing.

Sunday morning started with church, where Dallas was a little cranky. He kept throwing his toys and crying, no matter what we did. I finally took him downstairs, nursed him, and changed his diaper. He was a completely different boy then. We were able to make it back to Mass in time for communion. I'm sure this is just the start of having an antsy boy in church.

After church, we all took a nap before heading to some friends' house to watch the Super Bowl. This was the 4th time we have gone to Brad and Tamara's for the Super Bowl. (It is hard to believe we have lived out here that long!) They were our bowling partners our first winter out here, and they are HUGE Steeler fans...so it was a very intense evening at their house. I don't know about you all...but I was somewhat disappointed with the commercials last night. There were a few good ones, but a lot could have been better.

When we got home last night, I thought to myself as I walked through the door..."It's a little chilly in here," but I went about my business of changing Dallas into his PJ's and took him upstairs for bed. When I opened the door to his room, and the cool air hit me, I knew something was wrong. (Dallas' bedroom is always warm) I yelled at Doug to check the thermostat, and the temp was down to 60, but it was set at 68. Not good. There was a fuse blown on furnace so we decided to ride out the night and Doug could get a new fuse in the morning. Luckily, we have a small space heater that we put in Dallas' room, and I put another blanket on our bed. When we woke up this morning, it was a little below 50 in the house...that will wake a person up! Doug got out our portable heater and set it up in the front room, so the downstairs would be somewhat warm when Dallas woke up. That little thing did great! By the time Dallas woke up, it was the regular 68 degrees in the living room. Doug took an early lunch, changed the fuse, blew the fuse, and called in a professional! The repair man came right after lunch...the diagnosis: we need a new "door/panel switch" and new burners. Not as big of a problem as I had imagined. Thank goodness!

So, that wraps up our weekend. I hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend.

Until next time...

What we've been up to...

Dallas is really moving these days. Just the other night, he made his way into the kitchen and pulled himself up on his highchair.Dad helped with bath time the other night. Apparently, Dallas' belly button is ticklish!
I spiked Dallas' hair and took a picture. Too bad his hair is very, very blonde.
Today, just before lunch, Dallas got "tired" of his jump swing!
Lastly, we have some of the best neighbors. Today, one of our neighbors came and cleaned out our drive! I took the picture through the kitchen window...I didn't want to be out in that coldness!
Until next time...

A Sad Day

I'm deeply saddened to leave this update for our neighbor, Jess. The following was posted on Jess' blog by her dad this morning:

Jessica, born May 15 1994, passed away at 1:30 this morning at University Of Iowa Hospitals. Services are pending at this time. Thank you all for the prayers and thoughts over the past 2 months. Jessica has went to be with her lord and that in itself is a great comfort to our family. She is free of pain, disease, and machines. She now enjoys the fruit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ.

I also want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. It will be a tough time for our community, but with God's grace we will make it through.

Until next time...

Prayer Request

Hello Everyone. I am using this time to ask for your prayers for our neighbor, Jessica. She is a freshman at Williamsburg High School. She has been battling a deadly virus at the University of Iowa Hospital in the intensive care unit since Nov 18, 2008. She has a very rare mono virus called HLH. It only occurs one in a million. She has a long road ahead of her, but she is a fighter.

There is a community group holding a benefit dinner and silent auction on Jan. 31st to help the family. I'm not asking for you to donate, but just keep Jessica and her family in your prayers. I will keep you updated as I find out more information.

Until next time...