recent pictures

We never did get around to carving any pumpkins, but they are still providing entertainment!

Clearance Halloween costumes from Target.

They each had their own little nest :)

Snuggling in our bed, watching a movie.

How cute is this???

Forgotten Halloween Video

I just found this video as I was going through my folders of pictures. It's from Matt and Tiff's house after trick or treating. They are dancing to Owen's toy banjo. It will make you laugh out loud!!!

Veteran's Day

I don't have the words to express exactly how I'm feeling this Veteran's Day. I've been reminded of the immense sacrifice our men and women in uniform truly make. I am an Army wife, but still can't imagine the agony of battle, losing a comrade, or living in a constant state of stress; then coming home to a country (or family) that may or may not say thank you, but also has NO clue as to what you have been through.

My husband came home from war five and a half years ago. He had been through some rough stuff. I had NO idea how to help him adjust or how to make it better. I do know that I could have, and should have, been more gracious and compassionate. He is at war again...and I'm praying this time is better, both during and after. I'm praying that I will know how to be more supportive when he comes home.

My brother has served two tours in Iraq and has seen more than his share of war as well. My father spent more than a year in Vietnam. My grandfather (whom I never met) served in WWII. We have numerous friends that are serving. THIS is real for us.

War and the toll it takes on people is REAL. My prayer today is that our leaders make good decisions based on defending America and our sovereignty and liberty. The personal sacrifice is tolerable if the cause is true and just. I just pray that it is and that it stays that way!

Keep all of our leaders, military members (past and present), and families in your prayers. God is in ultimate control of this, and all, situations!




I have copied SOME of an article below, you can read the entire thing here.



To all the veterans who are reading this: Thank you.

Thank you for defending the United States of America from the attacks against our freedom waged by foreign entities. What you have done guarantees us a chance at a bright future.

Thank you for sacrificing years and, in some cases, decades of your life to serve in our armed forces.

Thank you for fighting on behalf of a nation that rarely appreciates what you've done. Thank you for doing your job even when the people and politicians you fought to protect, didn't support you.

Thank you for leaving your friends and families to go to a hard, uncomfortable, dangerous place in the world, because you pledged your life to fight for what is right.

Thank you for literally putting your body between America's liberty and those who want to destroy that liberty. Some of you in doing that, have lost the ability to function like you did before, whether because of physical or mental scars left from your service. Thank you.

You've given your career, your relationships, and your body to fight for ideals and principles that mean everything to the foundation of our nation, but are nothing more than archaic platitudes to many. You've given so much to protect the sovereignty and freedom of our nation.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.

A LONG couple weeks

So, last week the kids had strep throat and nasty colds. They visited the doctor on Tuesday and started on 7 days of antibiotics. So, they were feeling better by the weekend, which is why we were able to get all that trick or treating in.

Well, Thursday morning (of this week), as we were headed out the door to our co-op classes, Brynna threw up all over the carpet. She didn't act sick, didn't have a fever...but, none the less, vomit everywhere! I ran everyone into town, dropped Grant off at class, found a WONDERFUL mom to teach my class for me, drove home with Brynna, cleaned the carpet (ended up steam cleaning the entire living room, b/c once I get started I can't stop) and ran back into town to pick up Grant.

Everyone seemed fine all day and I assumed it was just a fluke thing. UNTIL, Thursday night when Grant woke up at 1:30am saying his tummy hurt. I let him come upstairs and sleep on the floor of my room...and he was up 3 different times throwing up...until about 3:00am. Then it was back to sleep and it has been like nothing happened since.

They have both been fine all day...STRANGE!!! I'm just hoping I'm not next in line!
I'm off to bed because I'm never sure what is going to happen next around here.

Trick or Treat

We went trick or treating...TWICE!

Friday night we drove up to Ames and met the Vandewater cousins, the Welsh cousins, and an Army wife friend and kids. TEN kids trick or treating...it was fine, but I think most of the time we were strung out over the entire block :) Saturday night we went to Stuart with Aunt Tiffany and Owen. Three kids was a little more manageable.
Brynna sat in the wagon and ate a sucker most of the time and Grant was more excited about pulling the wagon in town then the candy :)
Grandma Cathy was along for both nights, we wore her out!!!
I'll post more pictures later, this is my last post for the night.

Just for fun...here they are last year, in the same costumes!!!!

Praying for the Kearneys and for Lee

It was six years ago today that SGT James C. Kearney III was killed in Afghanistan. He was the first Iowan killed in the Afghanistan War. Most of you know that James was in Lee's platoon and know that this was the ambush that Lee was involved in. For me, it seems like a long time ago...I'm not sure Lee feels the same way.

War, although necessary, is heart breaking; for soldiers, for families, for a nation. Please pray for the Kearney family, for Lee, for all of the other soldiers and families that have and are sacrificing for this country. Please pray for this country!

There is SO much we don't understand and cannot control...I'm so thankful that God has it all figured out. In THAT I will trust!

You can read a bit from Lee about this on his blog.


"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah." Psalm 46:1-3,7

Recent pictures

This kept her entertained while I was baking.

Her new favorite place. If only she knew how to use that Windex!

Hauling leaves, the battery in the Gator died, so we had to transfer them to the wagon.

She was quite the helper...yes, she's in her jammies; we live in the country for a reason!

Off they go to dump the leaves :)