Conversation with Adam

(this taking place after Adam has yet again dismantled something)


Me (a little irritated): Adam , wherever you go things will be destroyed.

Adam (who is 5): Well, then you shouldn't have named me Adam.

Me: Why not?

Adam: Well, if you would've named me Dave, then I'd be good.

Quote of the Week

"I've never seen it rain AND be sunny! God has so much power.

-By Rachel (age 6) after witnessing the weird storm that blew through yesterday afternoon.

For Amanda

Another bright lily!


The hydrangea is going to make it!

My Kids

My favorite picture of the summer so far!
The kids are eagerly anticipating the growth of a pumpkin, they check the vines regularly.

Lizard Alert

All right you animal lovers out there- what is this? Casey took a picture of this lizard at work tonight, he said it was outside on the wall! It looks a little out of place for mid-Michigan to me!

Early Morning Garden Tour

It was an early morning here. Thomas wet the bed and was up at 6:15. Yes Jenny, I know you are up at 5:30 every morning, but it's still tooooooo early. So anyway, we were all up and out wandering around the yard at 7:30. Usually I don't let the kids out that early because I don't know who in the neighborhood is still in bed and you really can't keep the boys quiet, but I needed to say good morning to my flowers.


Here is Asiatic lily "Tiny Ghost", one of my clearance finds from last year. Love it!


Rachel is standing next to my favorite daisies in the whole world. They are tall and sturdy!


Here is one up close. Maybe I'll try putting this at the top of my blog.

My Grandma's 80th Birthday Party

Today a bunch of my mom's side of the family got together to celebrate my grandma's birthday. She is an awesome grandma. I spent many many days of my childhood at her house. I remember playing "restaurant" or "office" with my cousin Paula (the blonde cutting the cake) in the upstairs of the farmhouse. Grandma let us wear her lipstick, and there were only 2 colors: pink or brown. Neither looked good on us, but we wore them just the same. Grandma has 13 grandkids. She made us all blankets, Pound Puppies, Cabbage Patch Kids, or whatever was cool at the time. And we had a Barbie wardrobe that no store could contend with. She sewed or crocheted it all. And she would let us eat applesauce, cheese and crackers for lunch. My mom never would. Grandma let us run through the sprinkler wearing the thick red tights (circa 1969 I'm guessing) that we found in a drawer upstairs, and she laughed just as hard as we did. She sometimes watched Days of our Lives and let me brush her hair with her pink brush. She still denies watching Days. Anyway, I love my grandma, and I'll always be thankful for the love she showed us.

A Relaxing Afternoon

Adam is so good with Abby when no one else is around. Rachel went over to Amanda's for the afternoon, and Thomas was still napping. I thought they were really cute together.


Yes, that's Adam with his bug book again. I'm so tired of looking at bugs.

Bunny Update

As of today there were 2 bunnies left in the nest. Tonight I went out and there was one sitting close to the nest, I think tomorrow it will be empty. Oh they grow up so quickly these days.

Finally, some church picnic photos!

Here are some pictures from June 15. We have such a good time at the picnics. We have went to Immanuel for about 8 1/2 years, but we feel like we've known these people forever, I don't know how people function without a church family!

Abby was sporting some pig tails that night, but I didn't get a good up close picture of them.


Jacob humors me with a smile!


Here is the Speer family doing a little bonding on Father's Day.


My American Idol: Mrs. B. with her ukulele


We all oohed and aaaaahed over Reese's new glasses, she is such a doll!


Pastor Mark and Addison are discussing the morning's sermon.


Just look at Casey L. taking command over the field!


Our little men Jackson and Tommy working together in the sand


I told Rachel and Olivia that they could eat their jello through a straw, and Olivia said excitedly, "Can you get us one?!!?"

32 Week Pics

(Unaware that Casey is already taking pictures...) "OK, so I only want the picture taken from here to here. Did you hear what I said? Why are you laughing? Are you ready yet?"



"OK, that should work. Do I look stupid? You know I don't like getting my picture taken. I think I need to sit down now."

Poster Child for Little Caesar's

Just look at Abby, a pepperoni in one hand and a breadstick in the other. And another breadstick in her mouth...what a little piggy. This was Tuesday. I had baked bread and made cookies, and I just couldn't stand the kitchen one second longer, so Casey brought us our favorite treat after he got out of work. :) Love that guy.

Rabbits!

This is the fun I miss out on when I'm gone to work! The kids found a little rabbit cowering next to the house this afternoon. Casey picked it up and let it go under the fence, but later in the afternoon found the nest- right next to our house. I generally loath rabbits, but to see their little faces peeking out of the carefully covered hole... well, they are really cute. There are probably 5 or 6 of them in this tiny little hole, they are outgrowing it quickly. I'll check on them tomorrow. :)

Two Yummy Recipes

Here is a sampling of what's been baked around here the past couple days- Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies and Date Bars!
We had a MOPS planning meeting today, it was so nice to sit around and not chase kids for a good portion of the day. We girls had lunch together, everyone brought something so tasty. Of course I was assigned dessert because I can't make anything else. Or don't want to, I'm not sure which. Anyway, Tracey really wanted the recipe for the date bars, so here it is...

***Date Bars***

1 1/2 c. flour
1 3/4 c. uncooked oatmeal
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. butter
2 TBS. milk

1 c. pitted dates
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. water

1. Mix together flour, oatmeal, 3/4 c. sugar, b. soda, and butter until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup crumbs. Add milk to remaining crumb mixture and mix well.

2. In sauce pan cook dates, 1/2 c. sugar, and water until soft and gooey, about 15 minutes.

3. Spread crumb mixture into 8x8 square pan. Cover with cooked date mixture and sprinkle with reserved 1 cup crumbs.

4. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (mine are always done by 25 min.!)


***Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies***

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. baking cocoa
1/2 tsp. b. soda
16-18 large marshmallows

ICING:
6 TBS. butter
2 TBS. baking cocoa
1/4 c. milk
1 3/4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
pecan halves

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; beat into creamed mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, cut marshmallows in half. Press a marshmallow half, cut side down, onto each cookie. Return to the oven for 2 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
For icing, combine butter, cocoa and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool slightly; transfer to a small mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat well. Spread over the cooled cookies. Top each with a pecan half. Yield: about 3 dozen .

We've made it to 32 weeks!

Yes, this is Abby kissing my belly. It is getting pretty out there. I always feel a sense of relief when I make it to this point. Rachel was born at 32 weeks and she was so lazy they kept her in the NICU for a whole month. The nurses said she really liked them and that's why she was taking her time learning how to eat and that sort of thing. I am really thankful for the care she got there, but there is nothing like coming home with your baby!

Mostly Peonies

These smell up my whole kitchen, but in a good way!

As you can see I thought I'd experiment with a picture at the top of my blog. I'll change it to something new soon.

I heart flowers

This is how the new garden looked two months ago...


This is how the new garden looks today! I have some nice tall daisies that will be opening soon, and lilies, too! I have a few sunflowers that are a few inches tall along the fence, but if they make it past the rabbits it will be a miracle.

Zoo

Well it was our first trip to the zoo this year! The weather was perfect, and we ran into several dear friends: Steph, Betsy, and Heather S. from the MOPS group were there with their kiddos, then a bit later we saw Amanda and Jackie! Amanda and Jackie happened upon us as we were pathetically trying to take a picture of ourselves. Amanda helped us out- and look at Adam's pouty face, that little stinker.

Random Pics from the Last Few Days

Laurie and Dean stopped over on Saturday so the rest of the gang could meet Addison. Thomas always has a kiss for the babies!


This is where Rachel spends most of her time.


My sweet baby girl. She has dirt around her mouth in every picture that I take.


Casey calls to me this morning to come see what Tommy drew. It's a picture of mommy's "REALLY big belly!" Thanks, Tommy.


Casey picked up the bike this morning from Kraig's shop. He was so excited to take it for a real ride! The zoo was along the way, so we stopped in. :)

Movie

We actually went on a short date last night- to a movie! We really wanted to see Prince Caspian, but it's almost 3 hours long. And it didn't start until 7:40. So, we opted to see Indiana Jones instead. I was happy, Casey was happy, the kids were happy that Brooke was coming over to play... it was a good night.

10 Complaints About Pregnancy

Kate, this one's for you...

Just a few complaints about pregnancy at this point:

1. I would like to go a half an hour without having to go to the bathroom.

2. The baby is really low... again. For delivery purposes this is great, for the last 2-3 months of pregnancy- not so great.

3. I am tired. The thought of peeling myself off the couch sometimes makes me scowl.

4. Varicose veins that I've never seen before- Ewwwwww.

5. I really don't like how my hernia burns when I get up in the morning, like my guts are popping out to say, "Hello!"

6. I dream about a house with central air... ahhhhhh. How did women wearing layers of petticoats do this????

7. I can down a package of chocolate chips in 2 days. And they aren't cheap.

8. It is summer and I need to shave my legs. Amanda is the kind of friend that would actually come over and do this for me, but I like to be self-sufficient.

9. I would like to frolic in the yard with the children and maybe add on to the new flower garden, but the words of my doctor sometimes echo in my ears. He told me to not lift anything heavier than a salt shaker. Ummmm, yeah right- I have 4 children ages 6 and under, this is basically impossible. However I really impressed him with my last pregnancy of holding on til 38 weeks, he would like to see that again. Me too!

10. When people say, "Five kids! Are you CRAZY?!!? How are you going to pay for college?" Seriously, I get that a lot.

My Beautiful Niece

I saw my niece Addison for the first time today. She is beautiful, the most perfect head of hair a baby could have. I think she really loves me, she let me hold her for about an hour (I couldn't put her down) and she just snuggled right in. I think she liked sitting by her cousin, who will come out and play soon enough. Here are a couple pictures of the funny faces that Adie makes. She is a week old today, and she is soooo expressive. I love that little peanut.

Gaillardia

Amanda, do you like this little guy? I just planted it this year, hopefully next year it will really take off so I can share!

Rachel

I can't believe tomorrow is Rachel's last day of kindergarten! It is amazing to look back at her work from the beginning of the year and compare it to recent things she's worked on... like love letters, for example. Lord help me.
I am more than ready for her to be done, and she is ready for summer. This is Rachel and her good buddy Marissa. I hope they are in the same class again, she is a little sweetie.

"This is Better than Money!"

That is what Adam said after he bought his new book with his birthday money.

A few weeks ago I took Adam with me to the library. He brought home a field guide to bugs. Well, when he went to look at it the other day, he was devastated to find that daddy had taken the books back to the library. He cried his eyes out. So Casey took him to Barnes and Noble, and they found the exact same book (actually it's an updated version). He bought it with his birthday money, and he couldn't be prouder.

Laurie Update

Laurie called after lunch- she was officially discharged yesterday, but since Adie had to stay another day or two they let Laurie stay one more night. The feedings are going well, Laurie's incision is healing well, Adie has been pooping like a champion, so hopefully later today or tomorrow they will let Adie go home, too.

Thank you for your prayers and concern everyone! I can't wait to see my niece in person, they might stop later to borrow our cradle, so if they do, you know there will be a picture involved.

Sunday Night Picnic

Yeah! It's church picnic time! I was over at Chris' blog checking out his picnic pictures, I totally forgot I took these. Of course my kids are in every picture, I'll try to take a variety next time. :)


Adam and William are enjoying the new sand box that Phil built! This was mainly a ploy to keep them out of the volleyball court- and it worked! Thanks, Phil, you a great job.


Here are Abby and Chris having a little girl talk.