Bountiful Harvest

We are one day away from being done with bean harvest. I snapped these pictures on Saturday. Robb is in the combine on the left and his brother Rock is in the one on the right. Not to be outdone by Frazzled Farm Wife and Life in the Country, I learned how to drive the grain cart and have been helping out the last few days. This is a picture of my big rig. My new job is a little hard on the blood pressure! My job is to drive the grain cart to the combines when they are full and drive next to them while they dump their load into my cart. I then take the full cart to the semi and dump in there. I have two combines to keep up with and because I am just learning all of this, they were sometimes waiting for me with a full load. Thank heaven Robb was really patient with me and it didn't take me long to catch on. These are my cab buddies. Brylie and Hunter ride with me and Gage rides in the combine with Robb. More pictures to come later in the week.

Thanks Frazzled Farm Wife

The Beef/Bean casserole was a hit! Thank you to all of you who shared your recipes with me. It is great to have new ideas to work with. The guys love hot meals during their long work days. This recipe got 2 thumbs up!

Favorite Photos Friday

We have 2 cats that Gage absolutely LOVES. Luckily they like him too!

Embarassing!

Today when I went to pick up Hunter from school all of the kids were talking about the Book Fair that was going on at the school. They were all excitedly looking through the brochure and picking out books that they wanted to buy when one little boy said, "Well I won't be coming to the Book Fair because my family doesn't have any money." Hunter quickly responded with, "Why? Doesn't your dad work hard enough?"

Household Jobs

As I was busy tending to household jobs today I got to thinking about the jobs I don't mind doing around the house and the ones I wish I never had to do again. There are definitely tasks that get put off way too long because of my great dislike for all they entail. There are also some daily duties that I don't mind at all. It got me wondering how you all feel about those day to day jobs we as domestic engineers are forced to do. So please share, if you had to choose a favorite household task and a least favorite household task, what would they be? I'm so curious. In case you're wondering what my picks would be I would have to say LAUNDRY and VACUUMING are my favorites and SCRUBBING THE SHOWER AND DUSTING are my least favorites. It's not that I actually like doing the laundry and vacuuming, but I really don't mind those 2 very necessary tasks. I do know for certain, though, that I really dislike cleaning the shower/tub and dusting. Those are the tasks that always get put off at my house. Okay, now it's your turn. (yeah, the whole post is pretty lame, but I'm curious)

Huntin' Buddies

Hunter: "I'm so glad you guys named me Hunter." Me: "Why is that"? Hunter: "Because I really like to hunt!" I really love to see that special bond that Hunter and his daddy have when they go hunting. It warms my heart and they come back with a lot of great stories. I snapped this picture just minutes ago as they were walking out the door to sit in a tree stand to look for deer. I'll let you know if they get the big one!

Favorite Photo Friday

Gage was looking in the mirror last night as I was combing his hair after his bath and I said, "Who is that monkey in the mirror?" Without hesitation he said, "MOMMY"!

Fall Fun

While Hunter was in school I raked some leaves and Brylie and Gage had a blast jumping in them. Our pile didn't get too big, but soon there will be enough leaves for a really fun pile. I am really diggin' this 75 degree weather. It just doesn't get any better than enjoying the beautiful fall in short sleeve shirts. Enjoy your day!

Good News

I opened up our agency blog this morning and this is what I read:

Today we received our next group of 30 China waiting children, those children who are older or have special medical needs. The China team will translate these waiting children files and prepare their information for CHI Family Net. More information will be provided as to when these children will be available for review on CHI Family Net.

I'm thinking it will take a week at the most to get all of the files translated and ready to review. I can hardly wait!

My mind is elsewhere.....

Some of you (HJ) have been wondering why I am slacking so much on my blogging. I do feel guilty that I haven't given you anything substantial to read for quite some time, yet I still selfishly take in your good reads daily. I do apologize, but my mind has been elsewhere. Our adoption agency is now telling us to expect 3-5 years before we get to meet our little China girl. As you mothers can imagine, that seems unbearable. With a lot of prayer and a few tears we are trusting that God will bring us our little girl very soon. We have looked into what is called the 'Waiting Child Program' which has all of the children that are considered "special need", which if you ask me, I think ALL orphans have "special needs", the most important NEED is a FAMILY. Anyway, our agency comes out with a new list of waiting children every 3-4 months and is due to release a new list any time. After much prayer we have decided to be open to these children, as that may be where our little girl is. Many of the needs are minor and very correctable, yet they have to be in a class of their own, since they are not "perfect". My heart aches for these children as they are classified differently mostly because their birth mothers had to hide their pregnancy and not receive any prenatal care and more than likely give birth at home, just to avoid public scrutiny, which in turn caused their 'special need'. These children are innocent in all of the communism and deserve a bright future just as the "healthy" children do. The Lord has really softened our hearts to these little ones and we are fervently praying that when we see her face, we will know without a shadow of a doubt that she belongs to us. This adoption process has definitely had it's challenges, but we try to keep our eyes on the end result, which will be the fourth addition to our family. I have a pit in my stomach and an ache in my heart that will not go away until we are united with our precious little girl. Please say a prayer for us as we anxiously await the next list of available children. I'll definitely keep you posted.

Favorite Photo Friday

Last weekend we took a trip up to Sica Hollow and enjoyed the beautiful fall colors. I will share more pictures next week, but thought this was a cute one of the kids. Don't ya love Gage's "CHEESE" face?

Food ideas, please?

As harvest is right around the corner, I am trying to find some new recipes to feed our farmers. I cook two meals a day and deliver them to the fields. Hot meals are always appreciated, but they do get cold sandwiches every now and again. I am kind of in a rut with cooking my same 10 or so recipes and would really like some new, easy recipes to use. I try to have a dessert with each meal, but sometimes it is just packaged cookies. Really, they will eat anything, but love a good meat and potatoes meal. So, any of you care to share a good recipe with me? Hot dishes/casseroles are great, soups are wonderful for the cold weather, and I'm always looking for a great side dish. There are usually 5-7 guys to cook for. I am working on a menu today and would love to add something new. (I know the guys would like me to switch it up a little, too!) Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Homecoming Week

As part of Homecoming week, today was pajama day. Hunter and Brylie were so excited to get to wear their pajamas to school! I love Homecoming week for so many reasons. The whole school is filled with school spirit, everyone gets involved with decorating the school, the anticipation for the parade on Friday afternoon and the big football game on Friday night. It helps that the weather is going to be BEAUTIFUL all week. Seventy degrees is perfect September weather. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Favorite Photo Friday

My Grandpa just recently turned 91 years old and the kids and I went to celebrate with him. He still lives by himself and gets around very well. He has been extremely healthy his whole life. He loves bacon and eggs for breakfast but grandma used to only let him have them every other day and since she has been gone, he still only eats them every other day. :) My grandpa is a wonderful man whom I admire so much. I have so many great memories of fun times spent with him. I pray for a happy, healthy year for him.

Great new product

I just recently found this wonderful new drink for kids. Advanced H2O, along with Crayola, has come out with a brightly colored bottled water that is sweetened with Splenda. This fun drink contains no sugar, no calories, no carbs and includes vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, B12 and D. It comes in Berry Blue, Wild Strawberry, Screamin; Green, and Purple Pizazz. I am totally lovin' this great alternative to sugar drinks for our kids. They come in 8 packs of the perfect size 8 oz. bottles and sell for $2.50 a pack. So far I have only been able to find them at Walmart but they are brand new so I'm sure other stores will begin carrying them soon. Look for them in the water aisle. This is perfect for Hunter because he can finally have a "fun" drink without requiring insulin afterwards. I highly recommend this drink! Try it!

Ahhhh, things are lookin' up

After 4 months without a coffee pot, I made the big purchase this weekend and I have been drinking coffee ever since! With the Fall weather showing it's face it was now time to buy a new coffee pot. The mornings are cooler and a fresh pot of coffee is so appealing. The single serving pouches of instant coffee got me through, but they just don't compare to a yummy pot of freshly brewed joe. Thanks to Amy for the great advice on buying a good coffee pot, I think I made the perfect purchase. After visiting 3 stores and looking at numerous ones, I decided on the Kitchen aid pot that she recommended. I really don't think one can go wrong with Kitchen aid, they make some amazing products. If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by for a REALLY good cup of coffee! (actually, you don't have to be in the neighborhood, just stop on by!)

Labor Day weekend

We spent Labor Day weekend in Omaha for a mini vacation. Robb and the kids and I took in the zoo, a jungle safari, some shopping, eating out, and hotel fun. Omaha is a such a fun place with so many things to do. We are already planning on going back next summer. Here are some pictures of our adventures.

Special Delivery

This is the conversation I overheard from Hunter and his cousin Nash. Hunter: "Nash, did you know that we are getting a baby sister from China?" Nash: "Yeah, but when is she going to be here?" Hunter: "We don't know, but when she is ready we get to go on an airplane to China to get her." Nash: (after a little thought and in all seriousness) "Why don't you just ask if they can mail her?"

The second day of school....

Today was Brylie's second day of preschool. Her first day had went wonderfully and she couldn't wait to go back. When I picked her up today I excitedly asked her how her day went and she sadly replied, "I had some fun, but I had to hold my eye closed for a long time because tears were trying to come out because I missed you so much."

Favorite Photo Friday

This is Gage and Brylie's secret hideout in the closet.

Found a contest

I found a cool contest that I thought you all might enjoy. I LOVE scrapbooking and would LOVE to win this contest! If you are a scrapbooker and would like to win an abundance of supplies, click on the link on my sidebar.

First day of school pictures

My babies went off to school today. Hunter was more than ready, Brylie was a little apprehensive, and me, I have been holding back tears all morning!

It's all about the backpacks!

Mommy with her school kids!

Brylie standing outside her classroom.

Hunter is ready to go in to Kindergarten.

Brylie with her preschool teacher.

Hunter with his teacher.

Girl's Getaway Pictures

Well we had a WONDERFUL time, to say the least! I am sharing the pictures and Heidi, the writer, is in charge of putting the memories into a clever little story. From rain storms, to mice in the van, to very few English speaking servers, to getting lost in the woods, to lots and lots of laughs, this was definitely a trip to remember!

I'm off....

I'm off to spend the long weekend with my two best friends from high school, Heidi Jo and Carrie. We have been having babies for the last 7 years and haven't had the opportunity to spend more than a couple hours together since then! Between the three of us, the youngest baby is now 1 1/2 and can manage without mommy for a few days. The daddies are on duty and have fun things planned while the mommies are away. This girls getaway will involve food, fun, and lots of visiting. The three of us were inseparable all through Jr. high and high school and still have that close bond today. Oh, and we will be celebrating Heidi Jo's 30th birthday. She is the baby of our bunch! I will take pictures and share of our adventures next week! Have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty cool......

On Friday we got this cool globe at Aunt Kristi's rummage sale and the kids were SO excited to be able to find China and see how far it is away from us. Well, at bedtime when it was time for prayers Hunter grabbed the globe and put his hand over China while he prayed for his baby sister. (yeah, it was a tear jerker I tell ya!) His prayer went like this: "Dear God, please be with our baby sister in China, keep her healthy and protect her from the wind storms, amen." Brylie looked at him and said, "why did you pray about wind storms?" and Hunter said "I don't know, it just came in my mind." This is where the cool part comes in....earlier that day I was reading some information on the internet about China and read that parts of China are under a Typhoon threat. I could hardly believe my ears when I heard him pray for her protection from this typhoon! I explained to Hunter and Brylie what was happening in China and told Hunter that God had spoke to his heart and that is why he knew that he needed to pray for the "wind storms". He didn't understand it all but I was so choked up I could hardly talk. Isn't it amazing how God can use the smallest of His people to pray for some mighty big things!

A weekend photo

We all got a good laugh when Gage came out wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses!

All School Reunion

Last weekend Robb and I attended his all school reunion. Of course we hesitated when we got the invitation months ago, wasn't it just the "old" people that took advantage of 'all school reunions'? Well, we called some friends to see if they were interested in going and once we knew that there would be a group of people our age there, we sent in our RSVP along with our money and put it on the calendar. We actually were really looking forward to it. It turned out to be a fun night of visiting and catching up with kids that Robb went to school with and also some teachers that he had. There was a great range of ages there, graduates from 1973-2000, which I thought was very impressive. Many of the alumni shared their favorite memories at Hamlin High.

Those there from the class of '94.

Brian, Dwayne and Robb were best friends all through school and continue to be great friends today.

Some kids never grow up! :)

Robb's sisters, Cindy and Kristi, were festive in their old Hamlin High gear.

Frazzled Farm wife was there. (she wanted me to tell you that all of those beers weren't hers.....yeah right Chris :) Amy (Life in the Country) and her husband Trevor, looking beautiful as always.

Favorite Photo Friday

The kids and I recently went to visit my 89 year old grandma in the nursing home. She loves to see the kids and always gives them lots of hugs. Hunter and Brylie usually serenade her with a tune or two and Gage just makes her laugh with his silliness! My grandma used to be one of the hardest working people I know. All of my memories of her as a child are of her moving 90 miles an hour getting everything done, rarely taking a break. It is hard to see her confined to a wheel chair. When I asked her how she was doing she replied with, "fine, but I have buttitis from too much sitting!" I guess she hasn't lost her sense of humor!

AUGUST

August is the month that completes summer, the end of wheat harvest, the birthday of my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and grandpa, HOT, HOT, HOT, school supply shopping, the State Fair, family vacations, HUMID, HUMID, HUMID, the end of life for my potted flowers, the first day of school, Heidi Jo's 30th birthday, our girls weekend getaway, VBS at church, the anticipation of Fall, the fight to keep the grass green, beautiful late night sunsets, the countdown to corn and bean harvest, the prayer for good rains to finish out the crops, the disbelief that summer has come to an end, the month of lasts and firsts.