[ Kids Say the Darndest Things... ]

Not only do they say the darndest things...they do some of the most off the wall stuff to go with it. Oiy.

My six year old is a riot sometimes. He says the most hilarious things, does some crazy stuff and it all comes from being a 'bonus baby' with two teenage siblings. Yes, God has a sense of humor and I think he sprinkled a little of it in my son before He sent him to us. =) I've been telling myself I wanted to keep a diary of all the crazy things he does but it slips my mind and of course we get busy and I forget to write them down. So, today really topped them all and I had to blog a few things because hopefully I will NEVER forget these.
He has wrestling practice every Tuesday and Thursday night and tonight I was taking memory mate pictures of the kids. It's fun being the only photographer in town at times, because things like this sure make it easy to have my own kids' pictures taken. ;o) lol Anyway, after every wrestling practice it's a cardinal rule that you shower and use head and shoulders or selsun blue to avoid getting ringworm (Lord I hope he gets bored with this sport....). As he's showering tonight he hollers at me,

"MoM! I think I cracked my chin, it's bleeding!" So I get up to go check on him and sure enough, there's blood running down his chin.

"Did you scratch yourself?"

"Yeah, I think so...."

"How did you scratch yourself?" as I spy from the corner of my eye...my razor.

"I don't know..."

"Did you cut yourself shaving? Were you trying to shave?"

"Umm.... (as he's looking away)....no"

"Tanner, don't lie. If you were shaving it's better to just tell me. It's no big deal, but you know you'll be in trouble if you are lying."

"Yeah.... I was shaving."

"Well, that's how you cut your chin goofball. You're not old enough to shave. From now on, let's say we don't try to shave until you are old enough to have a beard like daddy okay?"

"Okay.... Can I have a band-aid?!" =)

He has a fascination with band-aids so of course when he finished his shower, we put some antibiotic cream on his chin and a big fat bandaid. You know, the kind that you use on your knees. We don't have any of the itty bitty ones left. They seem to mysteriously disappear around here. lol
Our first official shaving accident. Which I'm thankful it wasn't any worse, because I just put a new razor in the shower last week. And we all know what it feels like to get cut with a new razor. Poor kid. The even funnier part of our story was that he turned the 'old country' radio station on when he got in the shower and was singing, "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille...."

Oh how I love this little boy.

Some of his more recent funnies from the last couple of weeks include his Christmas quest. When we were discussing adoption again, he said I just needed to tell it to Santa because whenever you tell Santa what you want he always brings it. Just tell him I wanted another kid.

Yep....that'll do it Tanner. ;o)

He's been watching hours on end of football with his dad over the last week or so too (as you can imagine). He's going to be a big jock when he grows up. He's watching a game with daddy (the Chiefs and the Bengals) and as he races back to the living room from getting a snack in the kitchen he wants to know "Who's ahead now dad? The Chiefs or the Bagels?" Never a dull moment...

And of course, this list would not be complete without knowing that he has an Elvis curl to his lip when he looks at me and says, "Hey pretty momma..... Can I have some chocolate milk?"

What's the funniest thing your little one has said lately? I love comments. Please share your funnies!

[ Pizza Pops & Play Dates ]

So, today was the last day of winter break for the kids. Or should I say some of the kids. My kiddos go to two different schools and one had to go back today and one goes tomorrow. Plus, it's still subzero temperatures outside so being the mom-of-the-year that I am....decided I wouldn't make them go back today. Seriously. Before winter break they were calling school off due to freezing temperatures (and I'm talking in the teens and 20's folks) because they said if a school bus stalled it would be dangerous to have children stranded in the freezing cold. Okay, I can buy that.... but why, today when it is a whopping 2 degrees outside.... yes, 2...T-W-O did they decide to go back? I have frozen water pipes so we haven't been able to do laundry for about 4 days (at least) and as the wood pile dwindles because it takes LOTS more wood than a normal winter day we have closed off extra rooms in the house to conserve heat. So.... sue me. I didn't make my boys go to school today. They were never up for a perfect attendance award anyway. ;o) Just for fun, you can leave a comment and let me know what you would have done. It won't make me love you any less if you would have done the responsible thing, honest.

Well, it wasn't 5 minutes after school started and I get a call from our favorite teacher. Which ended up being a guilt trip for the 14 yr old who decided to get up and go. So dedicated.... NOT! lol My sister (a.k.a. best friend Diane) was bringing her kids to stay with us today so she could work and volunteered to take my oldest son to school on her way back home. Which works out great all the way around. It's awesome having a friend who loves sharing in random acts of kindness. I love it!

So, my 'niece and nephew' came to play today with Tanner. I swapped babysitting service for school bus and laundry service. I think it was a good trade. Kristi and Brian thought it was going to be so great to stay at our house today. What they realized is, it's just as boring at my house as it is at home. lol I think they both professed their boredom on at least two or three occasions each.

I've done my usual surfing and found a recipe for "pizza pops" that Pineapple Princess had shared (see my sidebar). Seemed simple enough, a cross between homemade pizza and cinammon rolls (only in appearance here). This would be so much better if my uploader was working and you could see pictures. Because if you check out her blog you get these pretty pictures that are cookbook material. Here in the real world.... rural Missouri where the rednecks live.... it was sloppy and crooked, but yummy. =) Since the temperature here has been in the single digits not only have my pipes frozen and I can't do laundry, I've decided not to get out of my house unless absolutely necessary due to winning the lottery or in case of fire...whichever comes first. (which means I ain't goin' nowhere baby!) So I made pizza pops with what we had on hand. Improvise...yeah, that's it.

I made homemade pizza dough (simple enough, always do), rolled the dough out in a rectangle (okay, it was a bit odd shaped but it worked). I'm out of pizza sauce so I used Hunt's spaghetti sauce in a can, which worked well, no delicious pepperoni in the freezer so resorted to using some of the ground beef I was frying up for chilli. Covered it with mozzarella cheese and began to roll. This is where it's important not to just skim blogs but read them thoroughly... lol.... there are reasons to roll the dough toward you, not away from you. Now, these were looking good until I went to cut them apart like cinammon rolls and realized they were more like the 'grands biscuit size rolls' rather than 'pop'sicle size... So, they weren't the prettiest things and I had to cut them into fourths, but the kids raved over how delicious they thought they were. "You're the best cook ever!" Of course I didn't share my secret that it was a copied recipe or that I just managed to fake it and make it with what I had on hand. I rolled out another dough, sauced it, sprinkled with cheese and just made a normal pizza.... which didn't go over nearly as well as the pizza pops. They were awesome and cool and a really neat-oh invention mom! LOL =) Yes, that's me.... Mom of the Year.... a.k.a....Betty Crocker 2.

So, our day was pretty uneventful but I just had to share with everyone that my kids think I'm a genius and I took credit for another woman's recipe. Thank you Pineapple Princess.... my kids love me again and no longer wish for you to be their real mother. xoxo ;o)

I've enjoyed my evening of peace and quiet, watched a movie (which I could care less to ever see again...not worth putting on the Must See Movie list), and have settled in with my sweats to do my daily bible reading. Much love to all, and I hope you are staying warmer than me! Maybe tomorrow I can load pics of my famous pizza pops! =)

[ Alcohol ]

After just passing into the New Year I'm reminded of how others may have celebrated. What tugs at my heart is how those celebrations may or may not have affected other people I love. I recently joined a group call 5:16 Gals and found a blog from a fellow member that shared her thoughts on the topic of "Alcohol and The Believer; Should They Mix?". Let me say first and foremost, I have friends and loved ones who drink (or drank) and my views on the topic of drinking make me love them no less, quite the opposite probably. This is a personal opinion and value, not a judgment I'm sharing. It's just been in the forefront of my mind lately, knowing that New Years was coming, having family that are struggling with alcoholism and watching their family fall apart, having my husband overcome a history with alcohol and seeing and experiencing how our lives have changed because alcohol has been completely eliminated from our lives....and feeling the pain and heartbreak, disappointment of family and friends with their loved ones makes me pray that others may someday share the same view on the subject.

I believe everything we do should be done in a manner to glorify God (and trust me I fall short many times over) and we should always be ever mindful to think of this before anything we do. No matter how big or small.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and florify your Father who is in Heaven."
--Matthew5:16

"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
--1 Corinthians 10:31a

This is a very controversial issue, even the comments on her blog had people asking questions about wine in the bible. She also had a comment that explained just that before I could post to it. lol I'm linking her blog for other articles and maybe it will become a favorite bookmark for you. But I'm copying and pasting her exact post to share here as I believe it, agree with it and want it to be heard (or I should say read).

Love to all my friends and family. Alcoholics, casual drinkers and non-drinkers alike. I love you all with all my heart. ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

"Alcohol and The Believer; Should They Mix?" - by Traci Michele
BELIEVE ME! I know that this topic is super-controversial. That is why I have tried to avoid writing about it at all cost.

The Holy Spirit keeps prompting me to write about it.

I keep avoiding it.

I can't ignore the Spirit's nudging any longer.

Let Me Clear The Air:

I have never drank alcohol.

I do not intend to EVER drink alcohol.

I use to think that all Christians were on the same page.

I've come to learn that this is not always the case.

Do I think that I am more spiritual than you, believer, who chooses to drink alcohol in the privacy of your own home, in small amounts?

No.

Do I still think that alcohol should be completely avoided, as a believer?

Yes.

I really like what Brian Richards says on this topic:

"First of all, the question is normally asked in a self-centered plea for permission than a genuine desire to know what pleases God. In many cases the person is looking for justification of a specific action rather than sanctification (or growing in holiness).

I believe the question followers of Christ need to ask in ALL things should be far less self-centered and more Christ-focused. The question should be less about

is this action RIGHT or WRONG and more about “Does this glorify God?”

What this post will NOT be about:

Proving that alcohol is WRONG, according to the Bible.
{We can have that discussion at another time}

What this post WILL be about:

Shedding some light on why it should be avoided, at all costs {as a follower of Christ}

Causing us to think a little deeper about this topic.
{to search our own heart}

Can we all agree that the bible clearly speaks about NOT GETTING DRUNK?

Some questions for the Christian who says "There is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol, if you don't get drunk".

1. Does drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, alter your mind or state of being?

2. When do you turn to alcohol? And why?

3. How do you know when "to stop". How do you know "when you've reached the DRUNK state?"

4. Is it possible, that you could ever be tempted to keep drinking? What if you are having a bad day, stressed, and keep drinking to make yourself feel better?

5. Does it bring you closer to the Lord, or further away? Does it bring Him glory?

6. Does it ever hurt your conscience?

Why I Choose To Completely Abstain From Alcohol

1. It bothers my conscience. Romans 14:14-23

There are 75 Warnings in the bible regarding alcohol. There is more Scripture warning about the use of alcoholic beverages than will be found on the subjects of lying, adultery, swearing, cheating, hypocrisy, pride, or even blasphemy. To partake in something that has that many "warnings", would certainly sear my conscience.

2. I have an addictive personality.
I don't want to be tempted to be enslaved. 1 Cor. 6:12

Alcohol is an addictive drug. My mind is already blurred, on most days as a busy mommy. I do not need to introduce a beverage which not only blurs the fine shades of moral restraints, but also could easily become habit-forming. I agree with Paul, when he says “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Cor. 6:12).

If someone giggles and says, “why not prove that you can have some self control. Why rule it out on the basis of a possible weakness?” My answer: I choose to flee. I know I am weak. I am only strong, because I choose to be filled and controlled by the Spirit. I have nothing to prove. Why should I put something else in my life, that may tempt me to become addicted to it? I say, why not avoid it at all costs and be triumphant that way?

3. I want to be different as a believer. I want to be sober and alert!

Titus 2:12-14:

¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-7

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

I want to seek to pursue holiness in all matters. I do not believe that alcohol will help me as I daily seek to be sanctified.

4. Alcohol is associated with evil most of the time.

Alcoholism is one of the greatest health problems in America. About 70% use alcohol as a beverage. Alcohol contributes to 205,000 deaths each year. Life expectancy of the alcoholic is reduced by at least a decade. It is directly connected to 1/2 the homicides and 1/3 of suicides. One out of every twelve marriages comes apart over drinking!

5. I have seen the negative affects of what alcohol can do to a person.

It makes the angry person more angry. It makes the selfish person, more selfish. It can turn the sweetest of the sweet, into the vilest of the vile!

6. I don't believe that it would be glorifying to the Lord.

The bible warns about being associated with winebibbers Proverbs 23:19-32

7. I don't want to make other believers stumble.

I am in several different capacities of leadership in the church (ladies bible study, mentor to young adults, teens, and small children). I would never want them to look at me, and think, "she drinks, so it must be okay for me to."

8. Alcohol is a mind altering drug. As Brian write on this topic he says,

"In its effect upon the mind alcohol works most quickly as a depressant to eliminate restraints. The fine shades of moral restraint are among the first to become blurred. Further, split-second decisions and the quick neural reflexes leading to physical action become sluggish — as well as our judgment as to whether or not our critical faculties have been at all affected by our drinking” (Christianity Today, Sept. 18, 1981, p.13).

THE MATURE BELIEVER

What the mature believer should never ask:

How many enjoyable things can I do and still not transgress God’s will?”

What the mature believer's mindset should be:

Is there anything at all that I can do or stop doing which will refine my ability to recognize and do the will of God? For the most part, can we agree that drinking alcoholic beverages does not increase one’s sensitivity to the will of God?

References:

1. Brian Richards: Alcohol and the Believer: Abstinence or Moderation?
2. 75 Warnings in the Bible

What are your thoughts? Let's discuss this together.

Day 1 ♥ That Looks Tempting

Part of my New Year's Resolution is to read my bible through in a year. I have two study plans and hope to keep up with both. One I wanted to try and one my husband has chosen that he wants us to read and study together so we can discuss it daily. Now, blog posting on the other hand...well, it may come on a weekly basis for updates rather than daily. We shall see.

So, my day 1 is from Genesis 1:1-3:24. Of course we all know the story of creation and Adam and Eve. The parts I find interesting are the little things we never give a second thought to. Like the tree of knowledge. We always teach our children the story of Adam and Eve and how she tempted Adam with the apple. But no where does it tell us what type of fruit came from the tree of knowledge. We stereotype knowledge with apples to this day. I'm sure (like many others do) I have a list of things I'd like to know when I get to heaven. Finding out what kind of fruit this is (seems trivial at best) but an unknown I'd love to find the answer to. Of course, when I get to heaven and am in awe of my savior, falling to my knees I'm sure the thought of that apple will be the farthest thing from my mind. lol :o)

The other thing that has puzzled me in doing bible study is the four rivers that flow from the Garden of Eden. Two are no longer on the map. Some notes on the subject suggest this was pre-flood so they were altered. But if these four rivers were pre-flood, why are two still on the map and two not? And where did the other two originate or end up? After studying, some suggest that the river of Gihon surrounds the whole land of Cush and that Cush could be modern-day Ethiopia. Could this explain Ethiopia's strong Christian heritage? I study Ethiopia because I wish to adopt from there and the people of this country amaze me. It's beauty draws me.

But the real beauty of my study today is the nature of sin. First of all, knowing that I am forgiven of my sins when I ask of my heavenly father. Not that it should be so easy, as I strive and try so hard daily to please him. But knowing that when I fall short of his expectations that I can come to Him and be forgiven and loved in spite of my shortcomings. Satan continuously tries to get us to give in to temptations daily. They are all around us. Being tempted is not sin. Only when we give in to temptations do we sin. Resisting them is not always easy, but is possible (after all, nothing is impossible with God). We must pray for strength to resist sin when we knowingly are tempted. We must say no when confronted with what we know is wrong. Run away from the temptations (sometimes literally!). Everyone's temptations are different too. I believe that as God knows every hair on my head, the devil also knows every weakness to bring me down. When I'm tempted to share that small bit of gossip someone felt the need to curse me with in passing during my day, or when I'm angered by someone's spiteful and inconsiderate ways, when I feel the need to yell at my children because they have failed to pay attention and listen for the umteenth time in one day..... these are the times I need to catch myself. Close my eyes, take a few minutes and ask God to control my mouth, my heart and my hands to be the person He desires for me to be. Is it really necessary to share that little story about someone who may not be my favorite person? God loves them despite the faults I see in them just as he loves me. Is it right to share my own biased opinion of someone who makes me angry and hurt because of their inconsiderate ways or does this make me just like them and give others reason to doubt my heart and sincerity? Does it do me any good to yell at my kids when they don't listen? Or is it my lack of finding ways to get their attention properly (like following through with idle threats of discipline) that needs to be corrected?

I love the song, "Love Them Like Jesus". Not only is it a wonderful song, but it's something I sing in my head repeatedly now on a daily basis, just to be a reminder that everyone holds the same place in God's heart that I do. Even the biggest athiest that walks his beautiful planet means no less to him than me and my children. Teach me Lord to love all just as your son loves.

• Merry {be-lated} CHRISTmas! •

Wow... the last couple of weeks have just been a whirlwind! I did most all of my Christmas shopping online (what a breeze!). Amazon Prime membership gave me free 2nd day shipping and no tax! I saved tons of money! If you're a shop-a-holic you gotta get an Amazon Prime Membership! It's well worth it. I had a few last minute gifts and stocking stuffers to buy and managed to do that on Christmas Eve, in between running to family dinners. We went to my grandma's for lunch and my mom's for dinner. The kids were excited for Christmas even though they knew mom was cutting back on the gifts this year. After the year we've had, missions trips and our eyes and hearts being opened up to the needs of soooo many people that we never thought of, it seemed senseless to spend lots of money on meaningless gifts that will be broken or thrown away or outdated in a year or so.

I once again spent Christmas Eve night wrapping gifts. Up until today there have been no presents under our tree and the kids haven't minded one bit. They know mom procrastinates on wrapping and Tanner is the only one who was even a little concerned (for a six year old I'd say this was pretty good). He just kept reminding me once Christmas break from school started how many days I had left to get his presents. :o) lol
Christmas morning came all too early. Tyler woke me up at 5, 6 and then finally at 8 a.m. when the other two joined forces with him we had no choice but to give in and open presents. :o) Tanner got his leapster he wanted, a snowboard and the G-Force movie he wanted. We watched it three times on Christmas day..... "Poop in his hand! Poop in his hand!" will be stuck in my head for MONTHS. Literally.
All Taylor ever asks for is books... and movies. So, she got a bunch of books that she has been wanting to read, and a few movies to add to her stash. She says when she leaves home, lives on her own and can't afford cable, she'll have a huge library of things to watch. Her favorites this year that she got were "The Notebook" and "Amazing Grace" and we added "Faith Like Potatoes" to her new favorite list. Pretty cool movies. She has a heart like no other.
Tyler seems to get some of the oddest gifts from everyone else in his family and even friends, but leave it to mom and dad to know what his favorites are. He got a DVD player all his own, board and card games and a couple of movies of his own. Did I mention we also watched Night at The Museum at least twice already....
We had winter storm warnings and went to bed on Christmas Eve with the snow starting to fall and within 24 hours were snowed in. Eric spent the day after Christmas blading the driveway and gathering wood. We got stuck in the driveway and the yard. Finally gave up and decided we really didn't need to go anywhere and have been hibernating.
See... hibernating in his man-made snow cave. I don't know how many inches of snow we got but it was nothing 'major' for a Missouri winter. However the wind has created some massive drifts around our house and farm. The kids have had a ball playing in the snow.
And mom.... well, I've been playing with my new Christmas present! Daddy got me a new serger so I could sew a bit more productively and stop cursing the crafting serger I was trying to use on clothing. I never really realized just how awesome a 'real' serger could be. Holy cow!!! I'm having a blast making clothes right and left. Lots of new dresses have been made, headbands and a new birthday outfit for a best friend's little China doll who will enjoy her very first birthday in about two weeks as an American Citizen! I'm excited! Let me clarify that.... her 4th birthday, but it's her first one with her forever family in America. :o)
I've been having so much fun making clothes and started an etsy shop (see the link in the sidebar), and creating a blog/website to sell boutique clothing as a fundraiser for our adoption advocacy mission. I hope someday the funds will be for my own adoption but if not.... I'm sure God will send us a family that is in need of financial assistance for their own adoption and I'm looking forward to being able to help provide. :o) If you want a sneak peak at the website, visit www.pishposhtots.blogspot.com Remember it's a work in progress of lots left to be done. But I'm uber excited about it!!! Share the link with your friends!

[ Awesome Weekend ]

This weekend was very special to me. It was spent with friends who I consider family now. When we traveled to Haiti this past summer on our mission trip we met and took along Barb to surprise her daughter Bobi for her birthday. Meeting Barb was like finding a friend that I'd lost as a child and reconnected with like we'd never been apart. Her daughter is an amazing and beautiful young woman that has done nothing but missions for her adult life. Listening to Barb tell the story of how she knew this was what Bobi was meant to do will give you goosebumps. But that's a story for another time.
Bobi and Marcus met this summer during their mission work. They fell in love and decided to marry in just three short months. But it's just as God designed it to be. Bobi shared her heart with us this summer and how she was so discouraged about not finding someone to share her life with and wondering how that would ever happen while she was in a third world country. Doing God's work leaves you completely at His mercy. He will provide. He did provide. The beauty part is Marcus has the same heart for missions and the children of Haiti that Bobi does and even though they returned to the states to share their wedding with family and friends they will return 'home' to Haiti after the holidays. It's where they belong right now, and home.... well, that's wherever they are together. ♥
Marcus and his brother are so funny. I could see how easy it was for Bobi to fall in love with such a man with a heart for God and a kindness that pours out of him and his family. They are wonderful people.
I hadn't been to a 'holiday' wedding in YEARS. But I distinctly remember the first time. It was beautiful and Bobi's wedding was even more breathtaking than the last one. Candles and Christmas trees lit the sanctuary. It was very simple, yet elegant. Just like a fairytale. I cried....
Yes, I'm a sap at weddings, how I ever get through photographing them I'll never know. I'm usually wiping tears from my face, but at least I can hide somewhat behind my camera. It's even worse when I know the bride (or groom) personally. Yes, I blubbered like a baby at times yesterday. Lord help me when it's my daughter's turn. :)
I can't begin to tell you what these two women mean to me. I will cherish them and their friendship always and thank God for bringing our lives together. That was the bonus of the weekend on top of everything wedding..... friends from Haiti came home to the states for the wedding. Leslie and Elsie were there. It was so great to see them. So warm...it made me miss Haiti so. Time will take me there again. That part I know is in God's plan. I can't wait for the day to arrive that I can say "this is the day I fly to Haiti again."

I'm hoping to soon switch into Christmas mode, but with all these beautiful distractions I may never get around to Christmas shopping. Yep.... you read that right. Twelve days before Christmas and I haven't begun my shopping. And don't intend to anytime soon. For one thing, I don't like shopping and another.... it drives my kids crazy that there are no presents under our tree. lol :o) yes, I'm evil like that. I hold out on sharing the loot as long as possible, no need to get them crazy and driving me nuts asking is it this is it that.... bigger than a breadbox? Smaller than a basketball? 'Cause again....half the fun is never wrapping something in the size of box it requires. Always go bigger or scrunch things in smaller boxes if possible. Anyway..... tired and delirious from the weekend. My gift to the bride and groom was being the photographer. A job I loved tremendously, but forgot how much it tires me out and makes my feet ache.... I'm off to bed.

[ Snow Day! ]

Today was our first official snow day! The boys were up bright and early and Tanner was so anxious to get to the snow. We never did get Taylor out of bed to play, I guess being a teenage girl must really be stressful and wear a person out. Cause she was still sleeping by lunch time. Lazy bum...
I don't know who had more fun playing in the snow, Eric, the boys or the dog! I've seen video clips and youtube clips with bulldogs riding on skateboards etc, but when it really happens to you it is drop dead funny! We laughed so hard at Tater trying to catch the kids on the sled and then jumping on top of them and riding along. He even took a turn by himself but by the time I turned to catch it with my camera he had hopped off again and was chasing the kids. I think we wore him out too.
Our homemade redneck sled is nothing but a good 'ole dumpster lid tied to the four-wheeler. Of course Eric takes it a bit slower with Tanner but it's nothing less than a challenge to see if he can throw Tyler (and Taylor when she plays with us) off. You could hear him scream from time to time... watch out dad!! You almost made me hit the....wood pile, tree, water hydrant, fence, swingset. Most kids would jump off at the first sign of fear but it's a game of chicken with my kids and their dad who will cry uncle first. Eventually Eric wins and the kids are thrown off, mostly from laughing so hard and losing their grip. Either way, it's great fun for me to watch the whole thing. And of course take pictures. :) My favorite time to take pictures outside (besides fall) is in the white fluffy snow! Makes the best reflector of course, but it's just plain fun! Everything seems to pop. Eyes, little red cheeks and bright colored snow suits. (not to mention my husband's favorite hunter orange stocking cap.... ) We're not the most fashion conscious people you'll ever meet. Just rednecks from the country who love snow days. It's nice that dad has a job where he can play hookie with us and have fun just because.
I set my camera up on the woodpile (on a very dry cardboard base thank you), and had the boys take pictures with me. Tanner wanted to work the remote and take some of us so I explained the button. Which of course will not stop clicking if you don't let go of it!!! I think he ended up taking about 150 pics before I realized it wasn't shutting off and ran to stop it. However it records every shutter and won't stop until it has completed the task at hand. I had to shut it off, remove the battery and flash card just to get it to stop. I deleted the 50 plus shots of my butt running to the camera to end the madness. ;o) He doesn't smile until he realizes what he has done and then grins from ear to ear, got too close to the camera for the focus to work and made faces at it laughing hysterically. Ahhhh...... boys.
We all came in to dry off, be lazy and enjoy the rest of the day. Eric is taking his afternoon nap, the boys have been playing games and uploading pictures to facebook and I'm thinking I feel the urge to sew some more. I'm making little girls clothes out the wazoo, some for gifts, some for fundraisers. And I'm lovin' it! So much fun. I set a turkey breast out and think we'll have turkey and mashed potatoes and noodles for supper. Which means the kids and dad will expect homemade bread to go along with it so I better get my hiney in gear and get to cookin' something. I think the boys are headed out to play in the snow again.

There's nothing like a good old fashioned snow day in the country. :o)