Lee's Deer

This 14 point buck was taken the last night of the early muzzleloader season, 130 yard shot.

"Redneck Family Photo"

Brynna was not impressed, actually she started crying...

Brynna at 6 months...and other random photos.

Brynna is 6 months old today!!! I truly think this has been the fastest 6 months of my life! She is such a sweet pea and is learning more everyday...and maybe getting cuter too??? :)

Weight: 15.15lbs (between 50-75%)

Length: 26.5 inches(75%)

She is working on at least three new teeth. The top middle two and top left. OUCH!!!




THIS is why you never leave a baby in a BUMBO seat unattended!

This picture should be on the warning label!!!




Grant trying to quickly pick up all of HIS toys before Brynna gets them.

For all of you that were starting to think she was the "perfect" baby...NO green beans for Brynna! Notice big brother is even holding her hand to help her through it :)

Jack O' Lantern!!!

Deployment Alert

Yes, all the stuff you have heard on the news regarding the largest call up of Iowa National Guard troops since WWII, does include Lee. We have known about this upcoming deployment for quite awhile, this is just the "official" alert the Iowa Guard received from the Department of Defense.

Please remember this deployment is scheduled for the fall of 2010 and A LOT can change in a year, especially when you are talking about the Army. We will keep everyone posted and informed as information becomes available.

For now, just pray!

Here is a link to the press release:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/21360408/National-Guard-Units

Dear So and So...

I got this cute and fun idea from my sister-in-law, Stephanie (The Welsh Way of Life) who got the idea from one of her blogger friends. It is a fun way to thank "people" for the happenings in your life. So, Dear Bloggers, thank you for sharing ideas. Let's get on with this, shall we?

Dear Brownies,
Thank you for being SO good that I cannot resist you no matter how hard I try. I was enjoying my new, smaller sized, jeans, but thanks to you, I’ll probably be back in my old favorites in no time.
Blissfully Baking,
Jessica

Dear President Obama,
Thank you for being so indecisive about the war in Afghanistan. It really makes an Army spouse feel great, when the unit gets alerted for deployment, that at least we have the POSSIBLE support from the administration to win the war.
Positively Patriotic,
Jessica

Dear Deer,
Thank you to the select few of you that grow large antlers and turn my husband into a forest dweller this time of year. I love dealing with two crabby kids, and getting dinner ready, by myself, in the evenings.
Suddenly Single Mom,
Jessica

Dear Bills,
Thank you for being such a regular, dependable thing in our life. Every month, no matter the circumstances, you are there! It doesn’t matter how often I pay you, you just keep coming back for more!
Cash Conscience,
Jessica

Dear House,
Thank you for continuing to get messy. No matter how hard I try to keep you clean and sparkling for my adoring family, you still look like a tornado just went through a Toys R Us store!
Constantly Cleaning,
Jessica

My Birthday

So, birthdays are not quite as exciting when you are 33 as when you are three! Needless to say, Grant was a little more excited about the birhtday "party" then I was. I think he just wanted cake, but hey, don't we all?

We had a great day! We went to Center Grove Orchard in Cambride, IA and then to Ames for Hickory Park and birthday cake!

LOVE this picture, Grant's smile is a little forced, but cute anyway!

Self-timer on the camera.

Yes, we almost had to call the fire department b/c Lee actually put 33 candles on my cake! They were the trick ones that kept relighting too...he took it outside eventually b/c of all the smoke!!!

I don't know how photographers do it...
we couldn't get everyone looking at the camera at the same time.

Applesauce and other stuff...

It's been a busy day here at the Vandewater house; Brynna "crawling" everywhere, Grant and I making lots of applesauce, and getting my "to do" list done.

Yes, I've made myself a weekly "to do" list, it's the only way I can get everything done. It is divided into days and then each chore that needs to be done is planned out for the entire week. I also made a monthly meal calendar, it's so much easier to look at the calendar, know what I need for groceries and then, know what is for dinner every night. No more stressing at 5:00 trying to decide what's for dinner.

Anyway, back to the applesauce...here are some pictures.

Yummy!

I have been studying the "Proverbs 31 Woman" lately (Proverbs 31:10-31). It really makes me feel like I am fulfilling my God given duties as wife and mother when I am busy around the house. I know the motivation for getting everything done is not of myself, but from God...and for that I am very thankful!

"She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness."

Proverbs 31:27

The video

Okay, here goes...

Notice she went for Grant's toys, not hers...life is going to get very interesting :)