Sunday, June 24, 2012

Macey took Mom's Camera

Macey took my camera early one morning. The following is what we ended up with.


This is a photo of our backyard after demo Dave got to the swing set. I went to cub scouts with Zachary in the evening, this is what I saw the next morning! I guess we had our own private tornado.





I really wonder what was going through Joshua's mind right then. He was really having a great time moving all the swing set pieces around the yard.














Kids... simply entertained!


R/C Plane Race Spectators


Saturday morning provided a nice, breezy family time to watch the R/C plane club race their planes.


Zachary got to feed two passions: planes and reading.


Nathan watching the planes race by.


Macey is great at going along with the boys. She knows a lot about planes just because she tags along!


Joshua is usually just "happy to be here" boss.


David's co-worker raced his plane and the kids all cheered him on. We aren't sure who won the races, but Gary is #1 on our book. He's been a good friend to David and the kids love him. 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Mom's Side Note

Just a little side note. Something that I learned today. If you wonder if you are doing anything right as a mom or where you can improve as a mother, pose this sentence to your kids and let them fill in the blank. Don't forget to listen close.


A mother is.....


You'll be surprised at your strengths and weaknesses that come shining through.

Moms Rock!


image from nordicflower.com
To all the Moms,

                Fast approaching is an “official” day set aside to celebrate mothers and I find myself reflecting on motherhood. As I now sit at this computer, I have a significant list of mothering chores to do. You know the ones: dishes, laundry, bathrooms and the endless sticky spots that need mopped up, etc. and on and on. I can however, happily say that some of my favorite mommy chores are done for the day. These being, and of course not limited to, the fact that I have shared pancakes with my little boys, they have been bathed, snuggled and are ready for their day of play while the older kids are at school.

                As one may see, some of my reflections these days have been on the challenges of motherhood while other thoughts have turned to the blessed rewards and joys that come while raising precious little ones.
 
                With my thoughts on the challenges of being the mom in the house, sometimes wondering if it wouldn’t be easier and financially smart to be the mom not so often in the house, I remember that I have on occasion told people “the greatest gift my husband has ever given me, is the opportunity to be home with my kids.” This is especially true as I am finding the days of swinging at the park and playing cars on the kitchen floor are being replaced with kids’ other friends, homework, and school activities. The days of being mom out of the house may come, but for now I proudly wave my banner for being the Candy Land Champion on Rolling Knoll Lane.

Candy Land Lolly - candy-land wallpaper
image from fanpop.com

















                Though the days of feeling like a champion are mixed with days of being the referee, maid, chauffeur, chief nose blower, and voter for establishment of awards such as “Best Diaper Change of the Day”, I AM A MOM. I am grateful to be titled so.

                When my family and I were moving into our new home and getting re-established, a lot of papers needing filled out had spots for my occupation.  I usually put mother, but sometimes, just to mix things up a bit, I wrote “Supervisor of Human Development”. Maybe sometime I’ll also add “with emphasis on recreation management”! 

                Though I penned that in fun and the world may nod approval at titles longer than MOM, there is no greater job than that of mother. True, there is no job more difficult and sacrificial, but fact remains there is no greater job than that of mother.

                So, to all the women out there who influence the future generations, wave your banner high!  You are an angel and a blessing in the lives of even people you will never meet. After all, the hand that rocks the cradle, rocks the world!

We have power within us to impact the nations and many of you already have. May we be blessed with the strength, courage and faith to march on.
Have a Happy Mother’s Day!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Kite Weather

What do you do with a family of airplane junkies when the wind is too strong to fly R/C planes outside?
GO FLY A KITE
appetite to fly... fed!





So bummed that my pictures aren't coming through very well. I think my old camera is giving out perhaps. Anyway, I had to post these because it is the first time Nathan has flown a kite by himself. He was having so much fun. He did have a bit of a hard time with the tall, tall grass on the soccer field though. He wouldn't walk out to the other kids father into the field.




Sunday, April 22, 2012

CeraLand

Cummins does good by their employees in many ways. They encourage healthy relations at work and at home. Years ago the company purchased a recreation center to be used by the company families. We decided to take a day trip for our anniversary to check out their CeraLand. 


It is only 11 miles from our house and was not officially open for the season the day we went, so we got in for free. There are facilities for camping, swimming, fishing, mini-golf, tennis, baseball, gym, paddle boats, trap shooting, etc. The only things open were the gym and some camping for spring break, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves for awhile. It was a great day to explore.


There was a tornado warning the night before, so a pretty crazy storm with lots of rain. The storm left the grass super spongy. The kids and I kept thinking that it was raining because of the sound the ground makes when the water is being absorbed.  As things kind of bubble, it sounds like a light rain falling. Normal days for some, but different for us. 







After all the tornado talk and the drills and ultimately an actual siren and take action hour, the kids were ready to move back to Idaho Friday night. Each of them in their own way said they were going to Grandma's. 

Saturday on the swings brought a new attitude and hope for this family to stay in Indiana. While swinging with brothers and pushes from Dad, Macey said, "I take everything back I said last night. I'm going to stay here!" 

One more evidence that it's the little things, that make us really happy!


Take this little lizard for example. I really don't like him, but we watched it and one other at the lake for a long time as they crept out into the sunshine from their secret places. Adventure... and...  it was FREE!


This is a picture of the CeraLand, go-cart pit stop. It's pretty much awesome.





We had the track to ourselves, so we just let everyone run wild. I think Zachary ran it four times. David ran/walked with our GPS to find out the track is 2/3 mile long. He is convinced that we have to build a go-cart this summer so he was already preparing for the races!



Here's Zachary standing out on the R/C airstrip. He was on cloud nine and when we thought he couldn't go any higher... he found an airplane stuck in a tree! 

David helped him get it down. They took it home, did some repairs and Zachary now flies it with a control they bought on the internet! He is officially a pilot with his own plane. Who knew little blessings could be found in trees!

Thanks for the sunshine and little venture to CeraLand.




Stranger Danger

Just after moving to Indy... For family night we had a little stranger danger and rule reinforcement night. We talked about some of the family rules and then we role played. The kids have been taught to never answer the door for anyone, not Santa, not the Easter Bunny, not anyone without express parent permission. Everyone took turns dressing up to try and get the family members inside the house to open the door. We were getting pretty creative. Here was one of our favorites.



Pretty convincing Grandpa and Grandma, but strange non the less. Don't open the door for these characters. They just might steal your heart!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Uncle Aaron, Ride to Thrill

Go Uncle Aaron, Go! We want a ride!

Uncle Aaron is always a good sport to play along with the kids. We sure do miss him and Aunt Jodi living so  close! If you see this Uncle Aaron, we are waiting for our ride. You should bring Jodi to come visit us!





Macey Birthday #6

Macey turned 6 in February! She is growing up to be quite the girl. Her life is full of play these days. She loves to play and tease her brothers. She is becoming a little artist and it is fun to see the ideas she comes up with to draw about. She goes to all day Kindergarten (a big change for us) and she is liking it very much. Macey makes very creative stories, many of which include ponies, friends, and her animals. She is a smart girl. She is learning to read. She likes to figure out how to read Joshua and Nathan their bedtime books. And music, she loves music. The bedroom CD player often gets moved to the play room for music and dance class. Life is never dull with Macey's imagination at work!

I almost forgot, she designed her own Care Bear for her birthday cake! Very bright, very yum!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS MACEY GIRL!










OH YES... Nathan likes to dance to the music too!