Life in Nebraska ....

I've been reading in Revelations because that's our Sunday School lesson.  And I'm in awe. I'm in awe that with all the struggles and issues and ugly thoughts and yuckies in our souls that we can someday plan on eternity where there is perfection and beauty and peace and wonder....forever and forever!  Really amazing.  What amazes me  even more is how life is full of trouble and endurance and I think of All the ones I know who have gone through the valley of death and are now on the other side. I'm sure they'd be cheering us on that's it is all worth it.  Endurance.  Can there be endurance with joy?  Can we make it through this valley sweetly and KNOW we've made it?  To that ultimate other side?  Wow!  If Grandma did it...if all those other normal everyday people have done it.  Why then so can I.  Right?  It just seems like such a Huge drastic difference in atmosphere from here to there.  And how can it be that God wo...

Today is a nice day.  I haven't accomplished much as far as projects but I've enjoyed the quiet of it.  Yesterday we spent the day with all the girls at the folks and it was 11 kids and 5 moms and 1 grandmother.  And then the guys came in for supper and made it even noisier.  But all in all it was a nice noisy.  I didn't get a lot scrap booked but I got some pics organized and I'm almost ready to start 2009 pictures. I'm hoping to not be so behind soon! :)    Back to today.  There is a little snow falling and my house is warm and it's been quiet and relaxing today.  I've been teaching myself to live moment by moment! And capture the moment rather than stressing over the future.  So today is one of those.  The worries for tomorrow haven't arrived yet.  So I'm doing now.  And now means hugging my baby if I want to and setting up a figure 8 track for James to run on for Keagan to play with. And soon it's going to mean finish...

   Yesterday I left the kitchen for just a little bit and my three year old was on a chair by the coffee cupboard as happy as could be.  When he saw me coming back he told me this.  " Hey, I started a fire and then I blowed it out! I just thought I would!"  All said with a little awe and excitement and the part about, "I just thought I would" was with a shrug of his shoulders...trying to be nonchalant.  "And so I did" he says.   I thought he was being silly because how would he have started a fire anyhow?  So I asked him if he really did.  And then I got closer and I saw a burned up match laying there.  And in his hands he held the top of the box of matches.  So I told him to show me what he did.  And he did! He stared another one like a pro!  :(  So we had a talk.  And he has agreed to never start another match until he's six.  And I put the matches out of sight and out of mind hopefully.   ...

The new Sammy! So far it doesn't seem to be much of an improvement though. He's quite the frisky little thing. We hope Zerricks training really works! But it's so cold out.... And here we have .........SNOW! A real snow that came straight down and made a nice layer almost a foot thick! But, we live in NE so it only stayed that way for about 24 hrs. It is now blown about into drifts. We liked the beauty of the soft romantic snow fall anyhow!

I've had lots floating through my head lately.  Here are some of those things: The other day I was looking for a website that could fit me for a new net covering.  Our church requires the cap style covering and I need a new fit....I'm sick of looking like a slop.   So anyhow, I found this http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/head-covering-history.html site.  I found it very interesting.  So that's one thing I've been thinking about.      And then kind of along the same lines I recently read this: Did you ever study up on women who fought for women's rights and the whole issues that surrounded that time period. Women wearing pants in public was simply scandalous and they fought tooth and nail to have that "right", along with others. They won the battle so to speak or did they? Now women "wear the pants" in so many ways and that step out of God's order has just had devastating effects to our nation's families. I think with something ...

We started our trip out with seeing all our friends right away.  On our way to Idaho we spent a night in Helena, Montana and got to spend a whole evening with Curt and Evelyn and Miranda.  The kids played hard and we talked fast.  Good time.  The next day we stopped in Thompson Falls and had lunch with Wendell and Lisa. It's always good to see them. Lisa's one of those new friends that is so easy to talk with.  Our kids acted like perfect strangers though. That evening after getting to Idaho, we took in the school program.  Zerrick liked seeing his cousins in their school program.  The next day we settled in at Bruces and relaxed.  On Sunday the family all got together at Dad and Moms for lunch.  That was one of the only days with Daytons. And I didn't take any pictures.  That evening the chorus there did a program.  Matt and I really enjoyed that!  They did a very nice Christmas program....I'd love to hear it again! And two of...

Keagan turned three while we were in Idaho. So we made a cake and celebrated with the Skrivseth cousins this year. He was enthralled watching me make the cake. Had to have his little hand on that hat! gazing in adoration at it. Just about ready to blow those candles. He kept telling me that we couldn't sing Happy Birthday though. He's easily embarrassed! Silly guy! I rather like my little three year.

Building a bird house for me. This is a shelf in his garage that holds some years of memories. I was so impressed with his project area. Dad hasn't quite got over the big machine shed and farm space for his own use, but I think his garage looked like a really nice place for his projects....when I get 69 I want only small spaces to keep up! Anyhow, I liked his garage and shelves and space. This is the bird house mom calls "The Villa" And that's one of the ones we got to bring home. I do indeed think it's quite nice. And he made us a small one too and also a bird feeder. Can't wait to put them out and watch the birds. I'll post a picture of them for you dad, when I get them set out. And this tractor has been another one of his projects. Not sure how the story goes but I do know the tractor runs fine and it gave us a very nice ride...more about that another time. I felt rather pampered and spoiled when we left there this time....We not only came home ...