The Annual Praire Burn

Each year the field across from Taylor is set fire to burn it to the ground (some environmental project at TU). It's a fun tradition to take the kids over, let then run around like crazy, and enjoy the show...or intense heat, rumbling sound and occasional ash of the fire...whatever you'd like to call it. Here are a few photos...




Only in Upland. :)

While the Mom's away...

This is what I came home to last night...




Mark can be very good about making a memory with the kids. He told them the next day it rained, he would make them a fort in the house...well, he did. They had a great time building the fort...then sleeping it in last night. They slept all night and didn't wake up once...good fort I guess. They had tunnels and beds and music and lights. Hayden asked me to please save it until he got home from school. Then Conner asked me to please save it until Noah came over. We're now at dinner time and the fort remains.

I'm afraid the fort will come under enemy attack in the next hour.

It was fun while it lasted.

Celebrating Conner

To celebrate Conner's birthday this year, I told him he could choose where we went to eat, then we would head to IWU to watch "The Tale of Desperaux". He was debating between Ivanhoe's and Cracker Barrel. Then Mark took him to Ivanhoe's so he switched to Cracker Barrel or Subway (we were all laughing a bit over his choices...all within 2 miles of our house).

So, my Mom and Dad came down and we headed to Cracker Barrel for lunch (although we all ate breakfast foods) and then to the movie. It was extra special that his two good friends Noah and Bailey were there to watch the movie too. He sat with them and enjoyed the show. He also enjoyed picking out his movie treats-Berry Skittles and Mug rootbeer.

We headed back home for a simple dinner and then had cake and ice cream. I cannot believe that 9 years ago tonight I was trying to sleep because I knew the next morning I would be induced. I think I was much more focused on what the next morning would hold (first labor and all) than I was about what the next 18 years would hold. We're half way there...9 more years and he'll be 18...until this moment I've never thought about it like that. I love him so much and he does love his mom. He's always been a mommy's boy, giving me lots of hugs and kisses, wanting to cuddle and just be with me. Lord, help me to take hold of moments like those and enjoy being mom-soaking up his affection while I have it.








Conner, Happy Birthday. We are so much alike, you and I. We have similar 'first born' traits and many of our strengths and weaknesses are the same. I pray you keep seeking the Lord and know Him more deeply.
I love you...

Has Spring Sprung?

What a beautiful day today was. We spent part of the day at the park (I think Millie won the prize for dirtiest). Many of our friends were there too...what's more fun than sunshine and outdoor fun with friends?




Later in the day we headed home to play outside. Our neighbors have a mini four-wheeler they bought for their son. I've tried to explain that every time he's on it-it doesn't mean they can ask for a turn. Our neighbors are so generous and thoughtful (he has snow blown our driveway and mowed our yard, they let us come over and use the pool and they are just great people to get to know). Anyway, the boys had a turn on the 4-wheeler and loved every minute of it.

Doll House

My Grandpa made me a doll house when I was little. I may try to find the picture of the Christmas he gave it to me. I was definitely older than three, but he, my Grandma and mom did some restoring and gave it to us. Millie has asked for her doll house to play with continually. Many of the furniture is handmade as well.

We let her play with it for a day and she loved it. We decided to put it up for awhile until she's a bit older because we want it to last. I love watching my daughter play with it. When I had two boys, I really wondered if the Lord's plan for our family included a daughter. I love the boys dearly, but I also wanted to experience motherhood with a daughter. She brings me so much joy. I love you Millie Ann!

Disney on Ice

We went to Disney on Ice on Saturday. We enjoyed going with Mindy and her kids and my mom. The kids enjoyed the show and Millie sat nearly still taking it all in.

The Circus

The kids and I were supposed to go to the circus today with Hayden's class. Well, Mark graciously agreed to take all three kids to Indy to the circus because I was feeling sick (the chills, watery eyes, stuffy head kind of cold). I was so thankful. I got to go back to sleep and the phone finally woke me up at 9:40.

Anyway, he took a few videos and pictures, so here' a look...