Thursday October 20

It sure is great to have Emmy around.

I have never heard Elsie giggle as much as she has today.

I love it.

Em and I went and picked up some cute fabric today after dropping Elsie off at school.

After school, the two of them walked around outside for a really long time...mostly talking about Buffalo's.

I got Elsie's bed all painted and finished.....and her room is pretty close to being done.

I will post pictures soon of that, but I want to get it as much done as possible.

I also need to paint her dresser now, maybe tomorrow.

The girls were good about sitting right down and getting their homework done after school.

And Port's neck was still hurting a bit today, but he was less grumpy, so that's good.

All around it was a pretty good day.

Wednesday October 19

SHE'S HERE!!!!!

We waited all day for her to show up!

Elsie Rose was pretty close to hyperventilating when Emmy showed up.

It will be a fun time to have her here....I hope Em is prepared to be mauled over the next few days!!!

*****

Elsie had another rough night......but she did get enough sleep that I felt like she could go to school and be okay today.

But I was dragging!

After dropping Elsie off, Port and I headed to Craft warehouse to use a 40% off coupon.

Cassi's birthday is coming up.....and I kinda wanted to put together a quilt top for her birthday.

I found some cute fabric.....

Port was awesome....and I even took him out in only underwear....and he was doing awesome!

As we headed out the door, he started to cry.

Crying a lot and holding his throat.

I thought maybe he had a sore throat or something.

He calmed down and I continued on with my to-do list and went to Walmart.

As soon as we got in the store he cried more.

It was a weird cry....not his normal cry.

He held his neck....and it seemed to be only one side.

I felt so bad for him and didn't know what to do.

I didn't finish my shopping list, but had to check out, cause I had opened a chocolate milk for him, bought some ibuprofen to give him and promised him a Cars phone in trying to calm him down.

Don't judge.....I didn't know what to do.

I had people looking at me like "How can you let that kid act that way"

But he was really in pain....I felt like crying myself....(remember, I was tired too.)

I got checked out, and tried to give him some medicine.

He started to take it, but once he had to tip his head to drink it, he stopped.

It hurt too bad to tip it.

I started to think it might be a kinked neck....but then I worried about maybe his collar bone, or something else that could be serious.

So I tried to call the Dr office to see if they had an opening.

I had no more minutes left on my phone.

I didn't want to head home, cause I had to pick Elsie up soon....

So I just headed to the Dr office in hopes of them taking a walk-in.

I was lucky.

Our regular Dr couldn't see us, but there was a dr there doing paper work who agreed to see us.

After a while of checking him out and playing around with him we determined that it was most likely his neck and not his throat.

Seems all kind of silly for a kinked neck....but if you had never had one, you can imagine how bad it would hurt, right?

Anyway....we got Elsie, got home.

I made him a little rice heat pack (out of some Cars fabric he also talked me into...)

Then I put him down for his nap.

He slept good.....but woke up really grumpy.

He took it easy the rest of the day.

Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

Looking at his neck, you could see a bulging muscle on his neck...poor kid.

Tuesday October 18

When I picked Elsie up from school, I went and got Alex so she could come and play for a little while.

They had fun.

They picked apples and walked around looking for Buffalo's.

There is actually a farm cat that seems to think this is his home.....which is fine.

He is a good one to keep around.

And we have affectionately named him Buffalo.

So now when we go buffalo hunting....we do find one sometimes :)

When Cass and Madi came home, they went out looking for some bugs too.

Madi also came home with a boo-boo.

She said that she jammed her knuckle on a football.

She kept it on ice when she got home and was pretty good, but it was hurting her pretty bad by the time she went to bed tonight.

We will see how it looks tomorrow.

I threw all the kiddos in the 4-wheeler trailer and we headed down the lane to visit Dandy.

Dandy is Bubbles pony.

She is a cute little pony who loves to eat apples.

She is still kind of shy around us, but I am sure she will warm up soon.

When we started to head home, Eldon (bubbles husband) came out to say hi and he gave me their coupons form their newspaper.

Aren't they so nice.

One of these days I will get serious about coupons.....one day.

But I do love the Micheals and Craft Warehouse and Joanne's coupons.

And he told us to go pick out some pumpkins.

Cassi wanted the 100 lb one.

But I told her to maybe pick one that was a bit smaller.

So this is the one she picked....it's a fun big one.....that I could still lift.

Elsie picked out a cute yellow one, Madi picked a reasonably big one, and Port picked a nice average one.

So now our porch is filled with pumpkins.

Very festive!

*****

I also got Elsie's bed painted today.

I think I am gonna go over it one more time tomorrow, but it is looking so cute!

I can't wait to get her bedroom all put together and her IN IT!

*****

Emmy is coming tomorrow, YAY!

We are so excited!

She is our very first out of town visitor!!!

So exciting!

Monday October 17

We have been looking for 4 weeks now for a tractor.

We looked at newer ones....too pricey.

We looked at cheap ones.....too crappy.

When we found this one....we knew it was the one for us.

I never thought I would be so excited about a tractor....but, with this one, I am!

Isn't this beautiful????

She is a 1958 Massey Ferguson 65.

Beautifully restored and the price was perfect.

Little boys dreams are being granted here :)

Port loves this thing.....and it won't be too long before he is gonna be the one running it too.

Did I say little boys dreams????

Well, I meant the big boys dreams are being granted too!!!!!

Brent is in love with it and got a lot of stuff done today around the place.

It is gonna be perfect for all the jobs we need done!

Plus it is red....which fits in perfect with our growing fleet of vehicles :)

Sunday October 16

We have an obscene amount of flies in our house.

With us in and out of the house so much, the weather getting cooler.....and being out here in the farmlands.....makes us a prime target for flies!

Port has gotten pretty good at swapping, and catching flies.

Catching.....like with his fingers.

It is pretty funny.

This is his favorite spot to hang out and catch his flies.

We are also starting the potty training process again.

I wasn't ready last time....but I think that things have cooled down at least a little bit so I can focus on him.

He did a pretty good job today.

He even pooped on the potty on his own, like without me asking him over and over if he needed to go.

I think that is pretty great.

Saturday October 15

Well....today was the big day.

Family pictures!!!!!

I did not go all nut this year.

I did not alter any outfit or make anything.....unless you count the pink ribbon I added around Cassi's dress.

I am happy to be done with it for this year......and I am loving the pictures we got.

Brent and I took some time to do some of he and I.

You know, engagement style.

Loving them.

Thanks to Alesha for taking the time to come out and shoot them for me.

And even more fun....we shot them here at our little farmstead.

It will be fun to see the pictures change through the years....since I am sure this is gonna be where we take them form now on :)

Anyway....this is what I am sharing for now.

More to come closer to Christmas :)

*****

So last night was perfect.

Port woke up once, but went right back to sleep.

Everyone else slept soundly through the night.

YAY!!!!

When we woke up, I cut the boys hair.....cause it was really long.

I love their matching haircuts.

It just makes me smile :)

Then Brent headed to an auction.

His first auction....and I think we might be addicted.

I would have loved to go, but we had no idea how much of the day it would take up.

And it actually took all day.....he only came home because we had to take pictures.

But he came home with some gems.

All for $1-$15 a piece.

New bed for Elsie....to be painted white.

Absolutely adorable!

$15

Set of silverware

The guy picked up a knife and it says stainless steel on it, so that is what he started the bid with.

Brent bought the set for $1.

Well, all of it is real silver.....except for the knife blade which is made of stainless steel.

So it is worth WAY more than $1 in it's weight in silver.

Great buy!!!

This cute thing he got for $10.

$5 for the dresser part and $5 for the mirror.

I am in love with it and can't wait to refinish it.

Little knitting stool, $3

He feels a little dooped on the tree.

When they were bidding the tree, they had a tree box as display....a much larger tree.

Brent bid $5 and got it.

But when he went to get it.....it was a much smaller tree.

Oh well, Elsie is in love with it....that makes is worth it's $5.

Another fun thing......

This is a fridge and drinking fountain.....just perfect to sit out in his shop.

The kids think it is pretty awesome!

He got a bunch of other things.

An old child's school desk....tools for the garage.....a old chair for me.

So much fun.

I hope I can join him for the next one.

It would make a great date!

*****

Our niece Brooke just had her little baby Weston on Thursday, and last night he was life flighted to Primary Children's.

He has slipped in a coma and they have started him on dialysis.

We don't know all the facts yet, but we do know it is serious and their little family could use some prayers.

Lots of prayers.

They are an amazing little family and I wish there was something we could do for them.

All I know....the Matthews family makes some tough babies.

Love you, Brookie, and your little family.

Friday October 14

So after three days with daddy gone....these little ones were more than excited to see him!

It was bright and early when they grabbed their blankets and headed out the door to wait for Dad.

(This is when that wrap around porch we have in the future will come in handy! )

I love their sleepy eyes.

Dad was happy to have his welcome home party.

But I am glad to say, I got the first hug from him :)

We had a busy day ahead.

We cleaned out Dad's shop....well, he did mostly.

I just hauled things (with the 4-wheeler) from the shop to the house.

I also got Elsie's room painted today.

We have one very pink room now....and one very happy little girl :)

Oh, and I am happy to say she slept good last night.

She still woke up, but went right to sleep as soon as I covered her up.

I hope tonight is the same way.

Actually, it would be great if she didn't wake up at all.

*****

This evening the Young's came over for dinner.

Actually, we were invited to their house for dinner....but we thought it would be great to have them out here so Drew could lend a hand on a few things around the place that I am not 'beefy' enough to help with.

And the kids had a blast hanging out and running around.

*****

Kara and Madi found a porcelain doll.

I would think that would be a little scary to find a little baby sized hand or foot sticking out of the ground, but they were more than excited.

They got her cleaned up and threw the clothes away.

The body was pretty bad, moldy and stuff....so I told Madi to just take the body parts off from the torso, and she could remake a new one.

She was excited to do that.

*****

Heather was great to play along with Elsie and they went on several Buffalo hunts.

On the last hunt....Hallie found a little ladybug.

She wasn't too keen on holding it....but Elsie was loving it.

It is so great to have such great friends.

Thanks for hanging out with us guys, and letting us share our fun little farm :)



Thursday October 13

I know this isn't the most exciting photo to some....but I sure think it is.

After that rain we had last week, this green stuff is sprouting up all over the place.

It is fun to see it growing among all those weeds.

Just wish we had a longer time before the cold weather comes.

Oh well.....just makes me excited to see what it will look like here when Spring comes around!

*****

So last night wasn't as bad.

This time she woke up at 1:30, and went back to sleep at 4.

So at least she gave me some time to go back to sleep before everyone else woke up.

I am hoping that we are getting through this and it will be all over really soon!

The day went good today.

We went and hung out with Jenni and her girls today.

Everyone was happy to get together again.

I had to leave before I wanted to so I could get Porter to take a nap before Elsie's PT came.

But I left Cassi at Jenni's house and she had a fun time playing all day.

I went to Parent Teacher conferences tonight for Madi and Cassi.

I love how great my kids are in school and I love that they always have nothing but good things to say about them.

I went to Madi's teacher first.

She showed me some handwriting samples....and said that Madi had fantastic handwriting.

I agree.

She is pretty great with cursive.

She told me that she thinks Madi is just so beautiful and she should be a model.

She told me that Madi is making friend and really seems to be fitting in.

And she really enjoys Madi in her class.

Then I went to Cassi's teacher.

The first thing she told me was that Cassi is probably her very best student ever.

The model student.

That makes me so happy.

She said she never has to redirect or tell Cassi what she needs to be doing, cause she is always doing what she should be.

She said that Cassi is great at helping all those around her.

She also said Cassi is an amazing ready and wants her to read more 4th grade level books, to keep her challenged and not bored.

It was a great night and I love hearing such great things about my kiddos.

Now it is time for me to go to sleep....who knows what the night holds for me.

Wednesday October 12

I would like to say that last night was awesome.

I would like to say that we slept like babies.

But that didn't happen.

I had high hopes.

I really wanted to sleep.

But 3:30 rolled around and Elsie was wide awake.

I don't know what to do.

I tried until 5:30 to coax her, rock her, bribe her to sleep.

I gave up and let her watch a movie.

At about 6:00 Cassi woke up and I went and laid down while she hung out with Elsie.

But the little boy woke up at 6:30.....so not much of a nap.

Oh well.

I went upstairs and Elsie had fallen asleep on the floor.

I didn't want to take her to her bed, cause I knew the furnace guys were coming again and would wake her up.

So I put her in Cassi's bed.

She slept there until a little after 11.

I was worried that her bedtime tonight would be ruined....but she went to bed and is sleeping like a baby.

I, again, have high hopes for the night.

But, just to be safe, I should get to bed.....soon.

*****

After school today, we made some cookies for bubbles.

She brought us some fresh cut flowers last weekend and we wanted to return her basket with a treat.

I took the 4-wheeler and the kiddos rode along in the little trailer in back.

They thought it was pretty great.

I think I am gonna go to bed now.

Tuesday October 11

Oh my goodness.

I am exhausted.

We are all exhausted.

Last night Elsie didn't do so well.

Well, not bad.

Since she took a nap yesterday, it messed up her day and she didn't go to sleep until about 11:30.

Then she woke up again at 12:30 just hysterical.

I couldn't get her to stop.

She kept holding her throat like it was hurting her....but the crying sounded like it was hurting her even more.

I tried to explain it to her.

Then Brent came and took her from me and after a while he got her to calm down.

She came back to me and I rocked her to sleep.

I am not sure what happened.

Bad dream???

Getting sick???

Not sure.

I was thinking that I would try and get her into the Dr today.....but then today happened....and I didn't.

The day started off with the gas guy knocking of the door when I had jumped in the shower.

Ahhhhh!

 So I rushed and got out and outside.....they wanted to know if I knew of any sprinkler lines or anything that was in their dig line.

Then they started to dig.

They were here most of the day.

Well, until about 3:30.

Our furnace guys came again today.

Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow.

I am done with having strangers wander in and out of my house all day long.

So I didn't want to leave to take Elsie to the Dr with all the people hanging around the house.....but I didn't really have anything else to do.

Except entertain two little kiddos.

And I posted a few items on Craigslist....so I took calls all day for those and waited around for people to show up.

I was not very productive today.

I wanted to work out today......but that didn't happen.

Maybe I still can.

But the question is....would I rather sleep???

I also wanted to badly to have my fabric stash with me today so I could start sewing something....anything.

I am thinking I want to make a Christmas quilt for my family.

I would have loved to get started on that.

But I was stuck in the house....

I could have painted.....but I had the two little ones, who didn't really play well with each other today.

So I couldn't paint either.

I am trying to gather outfits so I can get some family pictures done before it gets too cold outside.

I need to pick up a couple things......but couldn't leave the house.

I sure hope to be more productive tomorrow.

But I am not sure if I will.

It depends on how the night goes, I guess!