Double Rainbow

My pictures aren't the greatest, but this evening we had a full double rainbow.  We could see both rainbows in their entirety.  The children were super excited.  It was kind of nice to see considering we'd just spent the last hour bucketing (?) water out of the basement.  It was coming in just as fast as we could get it out.  

You can see the double rainbow on the left.  

On rainbow was over the barn and other over the trailer, above Emmet on the right.  

Both rainbows were very bright and vivid.  A cheerful spot at the end of our day after feeling beat and discouraged with the flooded basement.  At least nothing is really ruined.  We needed a reason to do some spring cleaning anyway.  

Our week, May 19 to May 25, 2013

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Jasper County send-off for the veterans on the next Honor Flight to Washington DC, previously 

blogged about. 

Monday, May 20, 2013

Emmet had a home ball game.  He is playing center/pitcher position.  That's actually my cousin Kyle at the pitching machine for the opposing team.  It was nice to chat a bit with his wife and see how fast everyone's children are growing up!

On Monday and Tuesday the children enjoyed the days with my parents, helping spread mulch and checking on the peacock eggs!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

That's a big pancake for a little kitty!  He's just one of our eleven kittens and he has already learned to fight for his food :)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A little bit of "professional development" for Emmet.  We journeyed to the next town to see our friend Micah play ball in the Minors league (one step up from Emmet's league).  It was our attempt to expose Emmet to some more baseball basics. 

Thursday, May  23, 2013

When we mow lawn, it is a family affair.  I'm on one mower.  Ephraim on the other.  Emmet drives the Cub tractor with the lawn sweeper.  The girls feed the clippings to the cows.  Seth just keeps all of us going!  In this manner, we can get the main part of the yard done in one hour.  This doesn't include up and down the road a bit or some of outer places.  Anyway, back to this week.  It was warm, not windy and all the farmers were hitting the field big time.  Seth was in the sprayer, doing 20 hours days.  The yard needed mowed.  Bad.  It would be up to me and the children to do it by ourselves.  

First up, getting the mowers started.  After a few glitches and cleaning out a feed bag wrapped around the blade, we were able to mow.  With just one adult around, I made Emmet run the lawn sweeper on the back of Ephraim's mower which meant that Ephraim would mow for a while, then we'd hook up the sweeper and let Emmet run for a bit (not mowing).  It took us about all day, but it's done.  

Ephraim on the mower.  You can see the big piles of clippings already dumped on the right hand side of the picture.  

Emmet running the sweeper.  

I think we actually mowed on Wednesday and then on Thursday we had a HSAP picnic in the park.  That was a fun time, a bit chilly at first but then the sun came out and we enjoyed playing and visiting.  

Also of interest is that Ephraim is taking piano lessons from a friend in the neighborhood.  He just started and then, by talking to our supervising teacher at the HSAP picnic, we were able to borrow a keyboard from their office.  

Friday, May 24, 2013

Emmet had a ball game in Osky.  He's playing first base, standing there in the middle.  He may or may not be playing with his gum :0

Saturday, May 25, 2013

No.  That can't be.  What's that sound?  Sure sounds like newborn kittens to me.  No.  This can't be.  Are you sure?  Oh dear.  It is true.  Another set of "chicken kitties."

This week, we discovered another batch of kittens in the chicken coop.  I thought that of our 5 adult cats, 3 were female and 2 males.  I guess I was wrong.  Our fourth adult cat gave birth this week to 4 kittens.  And if you're counting, like my children are, that makes for 5 adults and 15 kittens.  Whew!

Sometimes you just need to get a babysitter!?!

And she's still laying her eggs in this nesting box!  Sigh.

Our week, May 12 to May18, 2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Another look at my Mother's Day gifts!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Emmet had a ball game in Bussey.  They played well and won their game!  This is Emmet  in the maroon running to base.  

Eliza at the game.  She wore her bike helmet the whole time.  So glad she doesn't care what anyone is thinking.  

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The children enjoyed their day with Angie while I worked.  This is a picture of something we've started working on.  I printed a world map.  Now, we're collecting food labels and marking their origins on the map.  So far we have four locations:  Madagascar (our vanilla beans), bananas from Guatemala and grapes from Chile and Honduras.    What a great way to show the children in a practical way where their food comes from and teach them geography!  My next goal is to print a USA map and do the same thing.  

Also on this day we had Clover Kids and I think it was 90 degrees outside.  

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Ephraim's Birthday, previously blogged about.  

Thursday, May 16, 2013

For whatever reason, the children woke up on the wrong side of the bed on Thursday.  I threw my hands up in the air and told them to all come to the table  . . . . and bring the paints, brushes and paper.  Whooohoo for them!  I know some moms avoid paints at all cost, but it seemed therapeutic for them.  I gave them one theme . . . COWS!

This is Ephraim's painting.  I'm impressed.  And he even referenced Psalm 50:10.  I should take photos of the other children's paintings.  They were pretty good, too.  And Eliza made a special effort to include a lot of cow pies.

Friday, May 17, 2013
Emmet had a game on this night.  I guess I don't have a picture of him playing, I think he only got to bat once.  Here's a picture of how the girls stayed busy during the game . . . picking the dandelions to bring home to Buddy and Pal.  How thoughtful!

Saturday, May 18, 2013

We found a robin's nest in the tree and it is low enough that we could all climb the tree and look at the next.  What a treat for the children to be able to check on them every day and see the feathers coming in, etc.  There are three baby birds for the mama robin to watch over.  

  

Hamburger Patties

Check out my Supper Swapper blog for 4 hamburger patties to make and freeze, then thaw and grill this summer.  I actually did not participate this month because we have several packages of hamburger patties and bratwurst patties in the freezer from when we got our beef and pork from the locker.

Giving School Kits

It is important to us to have the children do a service project within our realm of capabilities and pocketbook.  At Christmastime we do the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.  

I think it was two years ago already that we donated school kits to Church World Service.   I decided it was time to do that again.  We were able to get all the supplies x 4 at Dollar General.  

You can buy specific canvas bags to pack them in or you can make them.  Well, with all the scrap fabric I have, there is no sense in buying bags.  They do prefer that the fabric be suitable for both genders.  The website has instructions for the bags and they only took me an afternoon to sew up.   Once the bags are sewn, it is time to pack the bags.  

All the supplies laid out neatly and ready to go.  Each bag has exactly the same items and the website is specific about the items needed.  

Packing them up, this took all of 2 minutes.  

Packed and ready to mail.  We have to mail the bags in a box to one location and we have to mail a monetary donation ($2 per bag) to another location to cover processing, etc.  The postage for the 4 bags was $20.  The bags will be sent to an area of the world where school children need basic supplies. 

There are a variety of kits that you can package for CWS.  I guess they have a need for the Emergency Cleanup Buckets right now.  Those go to areas of the United States damaged by natural disasters.  Maybe we'll do one of those next or start saving supplies for Hygiene Kits or more School Kits.  

I think the children enjoyed this project  and are looking forward to more!

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."  Proverbs 11:24-25.

Honor Flight Send-Off

For the past several years, Iowa has been sending WWII veterans on a special flight to Washington DC.  They are given a hero's send-off and spend the day in DC touring the memorials that they may not otherwise get the chance to see.  All expenses are paid thanks to generous donors.  Many of the flights are organized by county so all the men going are from the same general area.  Last week, on Sunday the 19th, there was a send-off ceremony for veterans from Jasper County.  They're at the point now that it included WWII veterans, Korean War  and Vietnam War veterans.  That meant that my Uncle Dick was able to be on the flight as a veteran of Vietnam.

The send-off ceremony would be on Sunday with the actual flight to DC on Tuesday.  It would be a full day for them, leaving before the sun rises and getting home at midnight. 

Back to the ceremony on Sunday. . . . I thought it would a good experience for the children to witness and it was.  We headed for Newton after church on Sunday and stopped in Pella at the park for a picnic lunch.  

The arrival of the flags, one for each military division.  

Here come the veterans, following the bagpipe player who was very good!

Grandpa Harold had brought flags for the children to wave.

The placing of a wreath, in memory of a soldier forever entombed at Pearl Harbor.  On the stage was an empty chair to remember those still Missing in Action.  

The bagpipe player playing Amazing Grace.

The children did well through the whole ceremony, it lasted over an hour and it was quite warm in the gym.  

At one point they played the theme songs for each military division and the men rose (including those in the audience) when their song was played.  Uncle Dick was in the Army.  My father rose when they played the song for the Air Force.

All the veterans are ushered out.  

Visiting with Uncle Dick for a bit before going home.  

Their flight was on Tuesday.  Perhaps you saw the news about it on TV, in the newspaper or on the internet.  Either way, I'm glad we were able to be there to recognize these veterans, for all they did for our country.  For all they sacrificed years ago.   To them we say "Thank You" but that doesn't seem like enough.

Mother's Day interviews

In light of Mother's Day.  I thought it would be neat to interview the children.  I saw this idea from someone else and copied it.


Ephraim's answers
I love it when my mom . . . cooks and gives me presents.
Mom likes to wear . . . dresses and skirts.
My mom tells me . . . to do that and that and that.  
The best thing my mom does . . .takes us out to eat sometimes.
It makes her happy when . . . I like it.
Mom loves to relax by . . . .  sleeping in bed.
I like it when she . . . loves me. 
The best thing she cooks . . . chicken noodle soup and hamballs and other stuff.
When mom shops she buys . . . milk and cereal.
Mom's favorite chore . . . feeding chickens and the rabbits.
Mom's favorite TV show . . . don't know.
Mom wants to go on a trip to . . . South Dakota.
I love Mom because she . . . takes us places. 


Emmet's answers:

I love it when my mom . . . makes food for me. 

Mom likes to wear . . . clothes.

My mom tells me . . . to go downstairs.

The best thing my mom does . . . is care for me.

It makes her happy when . . . I smile.

Mom loves to relax by . . . . on the couch.

I like it when she . . . laughs.

The best thing she cooks . . . is chicken soup.

When mom shops she buys . . .  special treats.

Mom's favorite chore . . . don't know.

Mom's favorite TV show . . . the news.

Mom wants to go on a trip to . . . don't know.

I love Mom because she . . . we spend time together.

Eden's answers: 

I love it when my mom . . . bakes cookies.

Mom likes to wear . . . skirts.

My mom tells me . . . to be quiet at flashlight time.

The best thing my mom does . . . is play "Spit" the card game.

It makes her happy when . . . it is her anniversary.

Mom loves to relax . . . in bed.

I like it when she . . . buys Honey Nut Cheerios.

The best thing she cooks . . . Goulash.

When mom shops she buys . . .  noodles.

Mom's favorite chore . . . is to feed the bottle calf.

Mom's favorite TV show . . . is a cooking show.

Mom wants to go on a trip to . . . California.

I love Mom because she . . . bakes.

Eliza's answers:  

I love it when my mom . . . buys Captain Crunch.

Mom likes to wear . . . skirts.

My mom tells me . . . to have patience.

The best thing my mom does . . . is go outside and play with the kittens.

It makes her happy when . . . she loves to bake.

Mom loves to relax by . . . . laying in bed.

I like it when she . . . goes to a bridal shower w/the girls, not boys.

The best thing she cooks . . . is cookies.

When mom shops she buys . . . groceries.

Mom's favorite chore . . .  feeding the bottle calf. 

Mom's favorite TV show . . . don't know.

Mom wants to go on a trip to . . . a hotel.

I love Mom because she . . . makes cookies.  

Cute!  All the children were kept separate from one another so while their answers might seem similar, that's just because they all think alike!  Definitely a lot of references to food.  Hmmm.  

Mother's Day 2013

The flowers for me from Seth on Mother's Day.  

The corsage for me to wear to church and the girls' craft from Sunday School.  It reads: 

My Little Hands

My little hands play patty-cake

They peek-a-boo and wave

They catch me while I learn to walk

and splash me as I bathe.  

My little hands reach up to you,

for hugs before I sleep

and fold together when I pray

the Lord my soul to keep.

My little hands are tiny now 

but yours will serve to guide me 

And when I'm grown I'll still reach out

and know you're right beside me.  

Happy Mother's Day!

We spent the afternoon at home and outside.  

Everyone watching Ephraim shoot his bow & arrow.  

Pal & Buddy waiting for their turn to swing :)

Buddy's getting a little close to Eliza under the swing.  

"No, Buddy.  You can't take a turn!"

Just having a good time swingin'.  

Where's the picture of me with the children?  Well, you know how it is.  We get home from church and everyone wants to rush out of their church clothes to get the calves out on the halter.  Mom's busy with last minute food preparations.  Dad's just trying to stay out of the way.  One child needs to use the bathroom.  Another is banging on the door to use it next.  Yet another child needs help getting undressed.  And maybe there's still one child in the van who can't seem to carry in all of her (oops, there's a clue to whom it is) Sunday School papers, blankie, headband, shoes and whatever else!

All in all, a great Mother's Day!

May 15, 2013

May 15, 2013 was Ephraim's 10th Birthday!  Wow!  Can he be 10 already?  Has it been that long since I was in 32+ hours of labor (not that I was keeping track or anything but roughly 10pm on a Tuesday night until 5am on Thursday is a long time)!  That's all the birthing details I'll give here, but suffice it to say that he was a very difficult delivery.  He was FINALLY born at 5:35 am, weighing 7lbs 14 oz.  His name means "doubly blessed" and he has been a blessing to our lives!  At this age, he loves Legos, watching Mythbusters, reading (and listening to) Hank the Cowdog books and helping around the farm.

His birthday this year was on a Wednesday so we took the day off from school.  He had two presents to open in the morning.  His big gift was his bow & arrow but I had two small gifts for him to open on his birthday.

An angler fish t-shirt and the DVD Dolphin Tale.  

Since we already had cake on Friday night at Pizza Ranch, on his birthday we had Rhubarb Crisp!

We had to run some errands in town and then go to Emmet's ball game so Ephraim requested a stop at the Titan Machinery store to spend some of his birthday party money.  He bought 2 farm toys.

Emmet had a ball game the evening of Ephraim's birthday.  We were pleased to have Grandma Twyla, Uncle Paul and my co-worker Evonne in the audience this night.  Emmet played well!

Eliza in her summer dress, cowboy boots and showing off the Skittles that Grandma bought!

What's that?  Could it be Daddy in the field on our way home?  Yep!  We got to see Daddy for 10 minutes.  The first time we'd seen him since Sunday and we'd only see him for another 30 minutes before the next Sunday.  It was a busy week for the farmers.  Time to plant the corn and beans and get the fields sprayed.

Here's a look back at 2003 when Ephraim was born . . . 

a gallon of gas was $1.49

a stamp was $.37

a gallon of milk was $2.99

Happy Birthday to Ephraim!