Super MAN!

Even though Rob was hoping to go hunting Saturday, he wasn't able to go with his friend so he instead planned a fun family hike to a geocache up Centerville canyon. It was really beautiful and we had a great time. On the way back we decided to pick up the pace and carry the kids most of the way (it was only 1 1/2 mile round trip). Everyone who knows me, knows that I am no sure-footed bunny. Actually, it's more sure that I will spill, fall, trip, or break something before anyone else does (Who broke the bowl that my great-great-grandma carefully carried out west? Who forced my mom into becoming the stain-removing champion of the world? I try to think of it as a gift, really. Or a curse.). So hiking back, my sweet husband carried both children ... while I carried the backpack with empty water bottles. 75 pounds vs. 1.3 pounds. And not one complaint. He actually decided that because of some steep drop-offs, it would probably be safest for our children if he carried them both. And I heartily agreed. At the end, when Bekah and I hiked holding hands, she thought it was hilarious because I caught her when she tripped and she caught me when I tripped. So thank you SUPER MAN for saving the day!

Rob has actually been gone most of the week. Last Friday and Saturday he went with a couple friends hunting, and then he spent this Friday all day in the mountains again. No luck getting a deer, but he did a lot of hiking. Then Monday through late Wed. night he was at another conference in Michigan. He had fun doing a video call home one day, and he changed the background to different things like waterfalls or underwater. The kids LOVED it, and included him in their prayers that "the yellow fish won't bite Daddy." Anyway... since I'm sure you didn't understand any of that, I'll get back to what a superman he is.
Because my back has been killing me, he suggested that I go and get a spa treatment. So I went to a local beauty school and got a divine hot stone treatment. Then, that night I had so much fun with my sister, mom, and my sis's friends at Witches Night Out in Gardner Village. Anyway, he not only watched the kids all day, but even got stuff done on the "honey-do" list. What an AMAZING (Rob, I do hope you read this) GUY! Really, thanks so much.

Why I love Fall

Who cannot love autumn? Not only is it the season of harvest (it only takes a walk in a farmers market or garden to get excited about that), but it seems all of nature is out to display itself in one last big hurrah. So I say, "HURRAH for Fall!" Plus, I think the anticipation of the following dreary dismal months always pushes me outside to savor as much of nature as I can. Summer you can just be lazy. You know you have a lot of warmth left. Fall you must milk out every last ray of sunshine (even when it's a bit too nippy) just because you know it will only get worse.

Here are other reasons why I love autumn: Pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Aren't they great. Rebekah's preschool went to the local pumpkin patch and the kids enjoyed picking out a pumpkin and then running around in the beautiful sunshine.
Today, we went to the park and played in the leaves. I love the crunch of dried leaves.

We went to Wheeler park with my friend Charity. My kids even got to try milking a cow. I even tried. Which was really weird, seeing as I am a total suburban-raised girls. And of course, there were big tractors, which Kyle loved.


Okay, other fall things that we have done: lots of park playing, including playing with cousin Alex. It is fun to see the three playing so well together. It has also been really fun hanging out with Carolyn, my sister-in-law. I feel so blessed to have such great in-laws. Speaking of... WELCOME TO THE FAMILY MANNY! And of course a big CONGRATS to Jared and Tonya.
Anyway, my husband just got home, so adios. Luvs and kisses

Clean house, crazy woman

MY HOUSE IS CLEAN! MY HOUSE IS CLEAN!

Well, mostly. Not including the basement... I gotta be able to throw all of my junk somewhere. But my husband is out of town, and I have just cleaned like a mad woman. Cleaning so I don't go mad. The clutter was seriously getting to me. So after consulting with the rectangle (thank you, ladies), last night I decided to pack up half of the toys and hide them in the basement. Wow. Today, my kids pleasantly played and there was no humongous pile of toys everywhere. No yelling, pleading, threatening for them to clean up. Less is more.

So, I haven't blogged in about a month because I have been crazy busy. I canned grape juice, beans, and lots of jam. I decided to try my hand at canning salsa. So, after cutting up everything, I realized that I didn't have a bowl big enough to mix it all together. I had all my big bowls out, pouring things back and forth, with tomatoes everywhere! I ended up washing out one of the toy tupperwares and using that. Can I try anything and have it just work normally? Then, I have been digitally scrapbooking like crazy, because I have all those freebies at artscow.com with deadlines back-to-back. (if anybody wants a code for a 30 page photo book for $12 (that includes s/h) let me know). Heaven forbid you let a good deal pass by. Gosh, I sound a little too domestic.

So now, I am sitting here bawling because it's way to late and I'm watching a chick flick. So I'm crying because a kid died in the movie and I'm now feeling horrible guilt that I should be a much better mother to my own kids. "Oh man", I'm pathetic (yes, to add to my patheticness, I just quoted Swiper).

Maybe it's a mother thing, but I can't imagine my husband doing this. ...the guilt/crying part or the clean house.