HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a fun night with the kids in their costumes. It started a little early when big sis Megan had us come to her work and trick or treat at all the pods. What fright fun! The kids loved it, well, most of it! Jono (and even Carly) did run from a few scary creatures. Lol!

Later we went to a Trunk or Treat. Those are the niftiest things ever. I am totally sold on those as opposed to going door to door. Our church group sets their cars up in the church parking lot and everyone opens their trunks or back ends of vans/trucks and passes out candy to the kids as they go around and show off their costumes. We do it from around 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. so if some want to still trick or treat at homes they can--although, my kids made such a haul I don't know why you would need to. Anyway, I love the safety of doing it this way. It's daylight. You know all the people. You can see the treats they are being given--and it is fun to visit with your friends and see all the fun costumes.

Grandma and Grandpa got out and early voted today and then went out for lunch. I couldn't talk them into putting on costumes and coming with us, though. Party poopers. Lol! (Actually, Grandpa was still wearing his "I Voted" sticker when we got home. I think that might have counted for a costume. ;) Oh well, maybe next year. Hee, hee, hee!

Happy Halloween Everyone! Hope you got more treats than tricks!

IT'S SPRING!

Okay, it's not but it felt like it today! It was so nice outside. I've been hoping we would have at least one more nice day so I could plant bulbs and sure enough we got it. It was so warm and beautiful out I even pulled out the kids bikes and let them ride up and down the sidewalk. They were in Heaven!

While they did that I planted some beautiful tulip, iris and hyacinth bulbs. I am so excited. I LOVE spring flowers! I especially LOVE Tulips! Now I can't wait until Spring because I am going to have some amazing tulips and other spring flowers in my garden!

It really has been a terrific day. The part for my computer came and when Rob got home he put it in my laptop and up came the beautiful screen I've been missing. Yep, I'm typing on my laptop again and I am very happy about it. My desktop computer is working, too--and maybe, just maybe I learned a little patience while I was waiting. Or maybe not. ;)

THE GREAT PUMPKINS!

Rob and I went to a pumpkin carving party tonight with Spiderman and Tinkerbelle. Who knew we humg out in such good company? They were surprisingly good looking in person and even pleasant to be around. And you know, despite what people say--neither one of them threw a tantrum about anything! Plus, we came home with two good looking Jack-o-lanterns and one teeny tiny baby pumpkin the dynamic duo was enthralled with.

Seriously though, this is a fun party we go to with friends every year and the kids love it. They have dinner and then get pumpkins for all the kids and set up big tables for them to carve their pumpkins. They have all the knives and fancy patterns and carving ware. It's serious business for serious Halloweeners! Hee Hee!

Here are just some shots from our evening:

Tink and Spider

Carly with her girlfriends

Jono with his buds

The whole gang

Working together

An eeeeeeery sight!

SOMETIMES THE HAPPY IS WORTH THE SAD

Well, I had a day of happy kids and an evening of sad kids but I think it was worth it. Jono and Carly were so happy to spend some time with their big sis. We took her back this evening just in time for her to go to work and they were sure sad to see her leave. Hopefully, it won't be too long before they can see her again.

Although, Daddy is going to install Skype for us so they can see her and talk to her on the computer so maybe that will help some. I sure hope so because I don't think I can stand many more days of hearing "Mommy, I miss Dooly" (that's how Jono says it.) a thousand times! Lol!

HAPPY DAY

Two happy things! My desktop computer is working and I promise not to call it any names (like Dinosaur) anymore! Rob put a new video card in it and it is working beautifully. My new video card for my laptop (the second new one--hopefully it will work) is on its way. Yay!

The second happy thing is I talked Julie into coming home today after classes to spend some time with the kids! We went and picked her up and they are SO happy! We have had a fun night together. Grandma and all of us went to dinner together. Grandpa had been doing paper work all day and didn't feel like going out. So, he and the dogs guarded the house while we were gone. Lol.

When we got home we watched a movie together and just kind of vegged for the night. It was really nice just being together.  It was a good day. :)

Everyone in their happy place!

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE!

I am just writing this really quick to let you know why I am not writing much right now. Lightning has struck twice. My laptop is still not fixed. Still trying to get a part. Gah! So, I had been using the desktop computer when suddenly it went sputter. You'll never believe it! Same part. Yep--guess I am hard on video cards! The good news is that it is easy to get and change a video card on a PC. Hopefully, Rob will have it back up and running in the next day or so.

How am I writing this, you ask--on my cartoon-faced laptop. I say that because that is what the screen looks like--plus it is very frustrating because it only gives me half of any page so if I want to close out of it I have to really fight to find a way to do it. It never gives me the little "X" in the top right corner and I can't right click and do it either. It's always a guessing game how to get in and out of something. However, I am now grateful for this much since when the PC video card blew the screen went totally black and I couldn't do anything.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

MY HANDSOME NEPHEW IAN

My baby sister Sarah's baby boy Ian is all grown up. It's really hard to believe but he is a Senior this year and he is a handsome guy! Just want to share a couple of his Senior photos. Here he is:

Ian, 2012

Ian, my adorable nephew

"THE TREAT" -- IN TRICK OR TREAT ( AN ACT OF KINDNESS)

We took our kids and niece and nephew to get a pumpkin via a hayride today and I witnessed a sweet act of kindness that for some reason brought tears to my eyes. There was a long line both to and from the pumpkin patch and hundreds of people in the lines. On the hayride back with about 40 people and pumpkins a child's pumpkin fell off the wagon. The ride was moving pretty fast and it took several hundred feet for us to get the driver to stop. Once we got him stopped we were a long way from the pumpkin. It almost didn't seem worth it. Everyone looked around like now what do we do and then someone asked if anyone was going to get it. Without a second's pause my kind-hearted eleven year old nephew said "Ill get it!" and almost flew off the hayride running. He ran all the way there and back with the little girl's pumpkin. I sat there with tears in my eyes and gave him a big squeeze and told him I was really proud of him. He's a terrific kid! Love you Kaden.

P.S. Just in case you ever get asked if  "you just fell off a pumpkin truck?" I'm sure the answer is "No." But now, you can tell them that you know people who almost did. You see, we got put on the flatbed wagon with a teenage driver who actually told us it was his first time driving something like that and then nearly bucked us off before he hit the first turn. Pretty darn scary. Hey, maybe that was the TRICK! Lol!

Kaden, my kind-hearted nephew

Carly in the pumkin patch

Jonathon looking rather innocent in the pumpkin patch
(But don't you buy it--He's up to something!)

The pumpkin crew
(clockwise-Rob, Kaden, Carly, Jono and Keelie)

 

Jono and Keelie

 

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

My evening did not work out exactly as I planned. I was supposed to go can beef and pork tonight at a local cannery with a friend of mine. We had scheduled a shift together and it was about an hour drive away. I went to pick her up and couldn't find her. When I finally reached her on her cell phone she was at an amusement park with her kids. I was not amused . . . especially since I had reminded her last night and she told me she would arrange for a babysitter and be ready. Rob had taken the day off work so I could go so I felt pretty bad about it--although I really didn't want to make the drive by myself especially since by the time I found her and realized she wouldn't be coming with me I wouldn't have made it in time for the shift to start. It was pretty frustrating. I ended up calling the cannery and canceling the shift for both of us but I felt bad because I know they count on people to show up when they are scheduled.

Well, at least the kids were happy to see me when they woke up from their naps! I got some very happy hugs since they thought I was going to be gone all night and they were surprised I was home to get them up! That was nice. We ordered pizza for dinner and I was here for bath time. Sometimes it is the simple things that count the most--and it was nice to be home with my munchkins when I thought I was going to have a working evening out.

WOW!

When did my baby girl turn into an almost five year old? We just had a really grown up talk. She astounds me sometimes. We have been discussing adoption, skin color, birth, love and all the things that make the world go around. I've decided that four and five year olds should run the world. I think it might be a better place if they did. Wow, I love this little girl. I am so blessed to be her mommy. Just sayin'.

TUESDAY, DEBATE DAY

It turned really cool today with lots of blowing wind and leaves. Does that mean Winter is really coming? Yikes. Don't know that I'm ready for snow yet!

I made butter cookies with the kids and let them cut them out with cookie cutters and then we iced them. They were yummy. It was fun.

Grandma had a doctor appointment today. It was a follow-up appointment.

We watched the debate tonight. Gah! The tension rises! Is there only 3 weeks (barely) left until this election? Whomever you're voting for, I hope you are praying hard for our nation. We sure need it.

Not much else going on. Think I'll just hang out and bite my nails down to the quick until the election is over. Lol! ;)

"BIG" BAD JOHN

I forgot to mention that Grandpa graduated from his "BIG" program on Saturday. It had actually turned more from "BIG" into a specialized physical therapy program but he graduated and on her way out his physical therapist told me he did so with "flying colors." . . . Like their was ever any doubt! He really has been getting around so much better and has been able to do much more on his own. Jennifer, the physical therapist, is so proud of how much stronger he is than when she first came.

Carly came up one of the last times Jennifer was here and told me she was one of Grandpa's helpers. I told her that was good and went on doing what I was doing. Later Grandma explained that Jennifer had actually shown Carly how to help Grandpa do some of his exercises. She was pretty happy and proud of that.

We have yet to have a snow storm here (knock on wood) but it is starting to get colder for sure. It really snuck in on us all of the sudden. I can hardly believe it is almost November. Somehow in my head it is still Summer. I need to make the adjustment in my head and get on board quickly or Christmas will be here and I won't have anything done! Yikes!

Pee S. (lol!) We only had a foot in the toilet once today! Yay!

DON'T ASK , , , DON'T TELL

Jonathon has been doing really well with his potty training. He is bound and determined to wear his Batman underpants so he is trying really hard this time. Yay! Although, this has been a bit different experience with a boy than it was with a girl. I went in tonight to check on him when he was going potty and he was wiping his foot with toilet paper. I wasn't sure I wanted to know why but I'm the mom I questioned him. Sure enough, he was drying his foot because he had stepped in the toilet! Yes, you read that right, but don't ask me how or why--I'm just the Mom!

SILLY WORDS AND THINGS

I was tempted to write a long treatise tonight but I always seem to get interrupted with little things until it's too late to concentrate. Since I only have a couple of mnutes until hubby wants to turn out the lights I will just mention a couple of funny lines out of my kid's mouths the last two days.

I think I mentioned I am potty training Jono for the umpteenth time. Anyway, he was sitting on the porcelain throne the other day doing his business when his bummy made a few noises that surprised him. He looked up and laughed and said; "Mommy, my bum burped?" Lol!

Today, I took the kids to get donuts. I told them beforehand what we were going to do. Krispy Kreme had sent a coupon in the mail that was a really good deal so I figured--why not? Anyway, I grabbed the mailer to take with me and Carly looked at it and said "Mommy, are you going to buy donuts with that "Poopon?" Hee, hee, hee, snort, giggle . . .

PLAYGROUNDS, TREASURES AND GRANDMA

I took some pictures at playgroup this week. The kids were fascinated with a new tree that had been planted near the playground. They practically ignored the really nice playground equipment for much of the time we were there to huddle around this new tree and dig in the dirt. Another mom and I went over  to take pictures and overheard their conversations. They were so funny. They were talking to each other about hoping to find treasure in the dirt. They had little pieces of wood they had found and were digging around in it and scooping with their hands and were so serious.

Honestly, it reminded me of being young and staying at my Grandma's house. We thought her upstairs was much like the dirt around that tree--a giant treasure hunt! She had a storage room up there that we dug through nearly every visit searching for treasures. I actually remember finding a few, too. Let's see . . .  my mom's report cards, letter's from my mom to her mom with questions about how to care for her new baby (Susan), receipts for my mom's birth (she was the only one of my Grandm's children born in a hospital.) Anyway, you can see with our record for finding treasures that we couldn't quit--and we felt it our solemn duty to let Grandma know what she had up there. Lol! I think of it now and realize we must have driven her absolutely nuts! BUT, you know--she never let on. She would just act excited that we found something. I sure love her--and miss her!

Back to the playground--these kids play together so well and they had such fun. It was such a joy to watch them playing and digging for treasures. They did eventually wander back to the playground equipment and climb around on it and play. What I will remember most about this playdate, though, is their united effort to find treasure in the simplest of all childhood pleasures--the dirt!
 

Treasure Hunt Tree-Time
Carly is standing (facing you) and Jono is in the yellow shirt
and red pants digging.

Teamwork and treasure hunting.

Break-time for Ruthie and Jono 



Back to the playground--oh yah, and prison unless
you give Ruthie and her friend all your treasure!

IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY!

It's been a long day. I think I say that a lot - but then, I have a three year old boy. Lol! I took the kids to a playgroup today and they had a lot of fun. It's nice to get them out of the house and let them wear themselves out once in awhile. It was still kind of hard to get them to nap but I did manage to get at least a short one out of them.

Tonight I went to a Norwex party (don't ask me--some new trend about non-chemical cleaning stuff. I was too interested in getting back for the VP Debates to pay too much attention. Although, I did bring home a couple of things to try. So, if they work, I will let you know.

Grandma and Grandpa got out for a little bit today. Grandpa had a dentist appointment. He'd broken a tooth and had to go get it fixed. Nor too much else going on around here.

I wonder why I am always so tired. Then I look at the clock and see that it is nearly 11:30 p.m. and realize that may be the problem. So, night all.

FUN WITH SISTER

Jono and Carly were so happy to see Julie they pretty much didn't let go of her the whole time we visited on Tuesday. This was taken at Aunt Susan's house.

A VISIT WITH BIG SIS!

I had a doctor appointment today near where Julie is going to school so I took the kids with me. My sister Susan watched them while I was with the doctor, then I picked Julie up and she and the kids and I went to dinner and did some shopping. They were sure happy to see their big sister!

We didn't get back until late enough that Carly fell asleep in the car and Mommy felt like doing headbobs on the way home. The latter only because Mommy hasn't slept really well lately. So, I am making this short. I did come home and find our new pictures here--so if I can get them scanned in the next day or so I will put some of them up! I was excited to get them! Night all!

SEE HOW THEY GROW . . .

Can you believe how big my babies are? Me neither! I love their smiles and giggles. They make me such a happy mommy!

SOMEONE'S IN THE KITCHEN WITH . . .

I got a little ambitious today and made some delicious homemade salsa. It was my first try and I think it came out pretty well. Although, if I make it again I will try a different recipe. I don't think I've found the perfect recipe yet. I was excited to do something with the tomatoes from my garden besides make BLT's with them!

I also made a couple batches of chocolate chip cookies. I guess I was just in a mood to bake today. The kids didn't mind at all. They like being my testers.

This evening while Rob went to a meeting one of my friend's and I took our kids, picked up dinner and went to a park with them so they could play. They all had a good time. I couldn't believe how cold it got by the time it was dark. We were freezing when we all got back in the car. I checked the weather later and it said we had a hard freeze warning so I guess that makes sense. It's kind of hard to believe Winter is almost here. (Although--there was that ice storm in Greencastle already . . . NOT! Lol!)

Oh my, it's late and I think I am giddy and probably only funny to myself. I think I will put myself to bed now. Night all.

OH, MY ACHING BACK!

Tonight I am sore. I worked really hard today--lots of bending and pulling! I weeded our veggie garden and I did it for a very good reason. I wanted to find out if there was still a garden in amongst all those weeds! Lol! Oh my goodness, I did not get the gardening gene from my parents. I hate to garden! I think my husband likes it but he rarely has any time to keep up with it. We didn't plant a lot this year, just some tomatoes and squash but still I have weeded it two or three times and each time has been a major undertaking. Today was by far the worst I had let it get. Good news though! I found tons of tomatoes and several yellow squash and zuchinni growing! Think I'm gonna make some salsa! Yum!

Amidst all the weeding, I took on another challenge today. I decided to try potty training Jono for the third time! That is supposed to be the charm right? I actually thought I had it conquered once but we digressed and I decided to let him do it on his own time. Then I tried a second time and he had zero interest. Again, I waited. Now, he is three and I think it is time. Both of these little ones have been late trainers but I have not stressed over it. I figured they would do it when they were ready--and Carly did. Now, I've decided that I'm ready for Jono to be ready. Is that wrong? Good, cuz I'm ready! Hahaha! We actually had a pretty good day and only one accident. Luckily that one was outside. Plus, he has this really cool BATMAN underwear that he loves to wear. In fact, I had a hard time talking him back into a diaper for nap time. So, yay! I think we are making progress.

Now, I just need a weekend to rest up from my really hard Friday! LOL!

SUCH INCONVENIENCE!

I am frustrated tonight. My laptop had a final stroke last night and I am on the family dinosaur. The part we ordered (from ebay) to fix my laptop was supposed to be new andwhen it arrived it was used and non-working. The seller won't respond to our emails and I had to open a case against him! Luckily, (I hope) Ebay has a buyer protection program but I am still without the part to fix my laptop and as far as my computer company is concerned it's a part that doesn't exist. That is why I had to buy it on Ebay from a computer expert. Grrr. I guess I just have to find an honest computer expert. 

Before there were laptops it never used to bother me that I couldn't lug this monstrous dinosaur computer and desk around with me. I was just excited to communicate with the outside world. Now, that I've been spoiled by portable communication it is downright annoying that I can't see the TV, or work from my bed or the couch or kitchen table. For goodness sakes, how am I supposed to fit this credenza and all these cords into my car?! This is such a hassle!! Darned spoiled Americans! Hee, hee, hee!  ;}

OOPS!

Hahaha! Turns out there isn't an ice storm in Greencastle! But then, those of you who live there know that already! Lol! Mom got an email with pictures from a friend yesterday morning showing the ice storm that has apparently been floating around in cyberspace for over a year! It said they were having an ice storm and showed pictures to prove it--who were we to argue?! Wonder where that email has been held up all this time. Funny stuff! Sorry for the wrong info--but at least it's good news for Greencastle--and the weatherman!

OCTOBER ICE?

I'm not sure why it's always so hard to get back in the grind after you've taken a vacation--even a short one, but it is. Rob and I both went to bed with bad headaches last night. He didn't sleep most of the night and, of course, his was much worse this morning. I did sleep but mine did not go away. It didn't get worse it just didn't get better. I think we were both just overtired. But no problem--we've ordered in more sleep for the weekend! Lol!

Mom told me they were having an ice storm in Greencastle! That's nuts! It's only the first of October! Someone should tell the weatherman that. Seriously, how crazy is that? Probably about as crazy as the snow flurries on my wedding day in June now that I think about it. Wow, it makes you wonder how bad Winter will be when you start out with an ice storm this early. I sure hope no one gets injured on the roads or in any other way in that storm. I will wish all of you some of our warm weather. We aren't unseasonably warm here but we have enough to share.

Well, gotta run catch up on some sleep. More later. ;)

MISSIN' JULIE

Today was a bit tortuous with the kids--fighting, screaming, tantrums. I was playing into the madness until I finally realized what was going on. My little ones are really missing their big sister Julie and are having such a hard time adjusting to her not living here anymore. It starts out as a tantrum over something silly but when they finally dissolve into a mess of tears it is all about missing Julie. The problem for me is I can't fix it.

I think it did help for them to go see where she is living and spend some time with her this weekend but it also re-awakened their emotions about her. I knew it was going to be hard for them when she went to school--I just didn't realize it would be this hard.

It was really cute when we got there and they first saw her. Julie just knelt down and they took off running toward her and grabbed her around the neck and held on tight! It was heartwarming to see how much all three of them loved each other! Here are a couple of pictures we took of them while we were together.