fascination with the garbage truck...

...and the recycling truck. They each arrive once a week. When Jeneva was between the ages of 2 and 3, she would hear it in the morning and run to the front window.

The truck would then turn and go down our alley, so she would run to the window that is right by our alley. The truck would then stop (about 2 feet from our window) and load up the neighbors recycling. How exciting to be so close to the "recycle man" and the "garbage man."

As it moved from our side alley window to the back of our alley, the view was exceptional from the kitchen window. So, her little feet would take her to that location. More excitement!

She outgrew this weekly ritual sometime in her "4's." Every once in awhile it will evoke some excitement in her, but not like it used to.

I believe that Jude will be following in Jeneva's footsteps (literally) as he races from window to window just to get a glimpse of the mysterious guys in the cool trucks.

He is starting a bit young it seems, but he is a boy after all. He isn't walking yet, so his view is simply from one place, not all three....yet.

wordless wednesday

two reasons for this:
1. Papa dressed me.
2. Mama needs to do laundry....this was all that remained.

farm cats and dogs

I am sooooo not a cat person. I loved having them on the farm when I was little, but couldn't care less about them now. I won't ever have a cat in my house. If someday we live in a place where our cats can dwell outside, I will definitely consider it, but house cats....no. My kids adore them though, so for that reason, I am glad that my folks still have cats around their farm (not in their house thankfully). Jude could look at them and giggle at them for hours (okay, maybe not HOURS, but a really long time). As for dogs......I really love dogs. I really do, but prefer them to be outside. I don't mind being around dogs in other people's homes, just as long as they don't jump on me and lick me. Ellie (Misner that is if dog's have last names) is probably the only dog I can really enjoy and that's because she is small and cute and doesn't shed much. I would probably enjoy a dog like her in my house if my house were more set up for a pet. I think today we might stop at the pet store and buy a goldfish or maybe a beta!

james 3

Wow! I just watched this. I have been guilty of this. Have you?

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell." James 3:6

did i hear her right?

While *organizing* her art supply drawer this morning, Jeneva says: "Organizing is my favorite thing to do. I like it even better than cleaning."

two scenarios....

SCENARIO #1:
Perfect fall day. Leaves are at their peak in Minnesota. 75 degrees. Peaceful drive to Stillwater. Beautiful trees and the river to look at along the way. Eat at a quaint cafe downtown Stillwater. Walk across the river bridge into Wisconsin. Enjoy the countryside. Peruse the quaint shops with all of the other happy shoppers enjoying the beautiful day and God's creation. Camera's ready to take lots of beautiful pictures. Good friends enjoying a nice day with their mommies. Happy children.

SCENARIO #2:
Perfect fall day. Leaves are at their peak in Minnesota. 75 degrees. Two girls argue and act silly during the 30 minute drive to Stillwater. Trees and river are beautiful, but kids couldn't care less because they are too busy putting their sweaters on their heads. Eat at a family diner with a lame waitress. Walk to the closest gas station to buy hand sanitizer because the closest potty was a very unsanitary outhouse. No hand sanitizer available for purchase, so rubbing alcohol will have to do the trick. Drive across the bridge into Wisconsin, what should take 5 minutes takes 45 minutes because of the tourist traffic. Beautiful countryside, but the girls are making up silly songs too much to enjoy the fall colors let alone stop and take a nice picture. Peruse the quaint shops that are so narrow that pushing a stroller through them involves the 1 year old pulling valuables off of the shelves and occasionally another child's hair who is also in a stroller. Crabby children unable to enjoy the beauty.

Can you guess which scenario ACTUALLY took place? We did manage to get two photos....though the smiles and love don't really portray what actually took place. We should have just walked around Brookdale or something.

Heather, next year when we go.....it will be SANS children. Maybe when they are 17 we can enjoy a nice mature day out with the girls. Whatdya think?

31 things...

1. Where is your cell phone? in my purse....i think.
2. Where is your significant other? at the hardware store.
3. Your hair color? dark brown (with a few grays....)
4. Your mother? mary
5. Your father? harry (well, Harold:)
6. Your favorite thing? too many....the leaves right now.
7. Your dream last night? don't remember...
8. Your dream/goal? to be a good mom/wife
9. The room you're in? office/spare bedroom
10. Your hobby? thrifting, Legacy
11. Your fear? if I fear, then I'm not trusting....
12. Where do you want to be in six years? wherever God wants me to be. really, I'm open.
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. What you’re not? exercising
15. One of your wish list items? a new computer and a home resembling something in Real Simple.
16. Where you grew up? kalona, iowa
17. The last thing you ate? some reeses pieces. oh, and i test tasted the curry i'm making for supper.
18. What are you wearing? jeans, a cute sweater i got at a thrift store, my comfy Keen's.
19. Your TV? is in the basement and rarely used.
20. Your pet? nada.
21. Your computer? is loud.
22. Your mood? on the up. God is good.
23. Missing someone? no one at the moment
24. Your car? honda accord wagon.
25. Something you’re not wearing? jewelry (except for my wedding ring)
26. Favorite store? unique thrift store, target
27. Your summer? was peaceful.
28. Love someone? so many. i love the people in my life. lovelovelove em.
29. Your favorite color? red.
30. When is the last time you laughed? this morning.
31. Last time you cried? today....just a teeny bit when i was on the phone with a friend.

odem haz cemoe

This morning Jeneva went outside, got a leaf, pasted it on the paper, and wrote this all by herself without ANY prompting from me. Start it on the bottom right. She wanted to write "autumn has come" and sounded it out herself. I think she did a pretty good job!

what's that?

Jeneva asked for the "karma john" tonight at supper. She has always used that term when referring to what she is talking about. Can you figure out what she is mispronouncing? :)

fashion show at target

We are *fortunate* enough to have 4 Targets each within a few miles of our house. Actually, it's kind of ridiculous. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time there. I have become a bit lazy with list making because a trip to Target to pick up toilet paper or toothpaste really isn't a big deal and certainly isn't much of a drive. Not to mention, I really LIKE Target. I enjoy just walking into the store. It's sort of therapeutic for me especially when I am by myself. The red is soothing. The stores are nicely laid out and organized. There are always a plethora of clearance racks to peruse. I have always found the employees to be helpful and friendly. The selections in most departments are modern, contemporary, classic....not so trendy. Super Target carries a great selection of *generic* foods...but the labels don't scream *generic.* I like that. So, anyway, here we are at my favorite store...killing time waiting for our prescription to get filled...trying on hats. Of course we had a half an hour to kill and I could think of NOTHING that we needed to get at Target...until we got home and realized we were on our last roll of toilet paper.

i haven't posted much of significance lately...

I haven't been overly inspired to write anything lately, so here are some pictures of my girl from this summer. The first picture says sweet and innocent....the second one....not sure what that one says.