All-day Snow Day

We were headed out for a Christmas party this morning, but the ominous snow report kept us grounded to Lafayette. The kids headed out sledding first thing this morning. (Watch out for trees!) The sledding at 9 this morning kept dragging up leaves in it's wake.
Now, four hours later, it is still snowing and snowing hard. It has not stopped for nearly eight hours. I know your supposed to hate snow, being trapped in, and all of that, but I do love the first days of it. It's just clean and pretty. My stark woods now look shiny and new.

Ava and Ike Turn 6!

Goodness, such a big year for my babies. Can you believe they're 6? They had a great birthday. We had buttery theater popcorn and watch Squeakuel for lunch. They choose pancakes with M&M's and sprinkles for dinner. We followed that up with a sensible Reese's brownie cupcake and chocolate ice cream. All of this following the week of Christmas cookies and goodies. I feel like eating spinach for a week. I probably won't, but that's just how I feel right now.

American Girls and American Guns

It was a nice, quiet Christmas around the house. The kids didn't even wake up until around 8:00. Granted we didn't put them to bed on Christmas Eve until around 10:30. By the time we got back from service (which was candlelit the whole time and my children should not have been allowed to hold small, wax dripping flame-sticks for over an hour) and watched a Christmas movie it was late.

Claire got the American Girl Emily Bennett. She's from England. I know, I know . . . a foreign American Girl, but she comes to live with Molly's family during World War II.
Paige recieved Molly. Are you seeing a theme here? I wonder if they talked about this before hand? She is the 1940's AG and is super cute with her little glasses.
Ava (ignore the frightened pic -- I think it was a pose of excitement, but came out scary) has a dolly that looks just like here. She named her Rose. Rose has red hair and even has little, hazel eyes.












Now that we just plugged through three dolls, aahhhh, the gun. Not only does this gun rapid fire, but it hold 35 nerf bullets. The hours that will be sent shooting sisters and their pretty dolls are just unimaginable. Everyone spent most of the day get sneak attack shots in the butt yesterday.



Hope you and yours had a very, merry Christmas!

Christmas Crafts

I just love all the crafts that come home this time of year. Our tree is chock-full of kooky little homemade ornaments. There are tons of glitter trails all over from various projects. December backpacks always deliver such joyous goodies for mommies.

Ike and Ava were surprised by their "buddies" at school with reindeer food. All kindergartners are paired up with a third grader (not a sibling, which would be funny to have my twinnies all buddied up). The third grader comes in to help on certain busy days for the teacher -- crafts, special snacks, etc. The older kids learn responsibility, and the teacher is ever so thankful for the extra hands.

Paige and Claire are studying Christmas around the world. They were so jazzed about these wreath hats, because American Girl Kirstin also wears one. Oh, the love of American Girl right now! Our copy of the wish list catalog is completely in shreds from hours of staring and dreaming.

Hamby House

Here is our house (as requested). It's easier to take pictures right now, because there are big trees in the front that cover and shade it. I wouldn't dream of cutting them down because even in the summer, it stays cool. It is a pretty house, but truly the backyard is the reason we bought here. Behind here is two and half acres of woods. The kids have blazed a trail . There are two large ravines full of giant rocks and logs to climb on. Sometimes we see deer and raccoons. We always see turkey vultures (a huge bird native to this area). The kids spent so much time out there in warm weather. They came in hot, dirty, and thirsty but full of tales of their adventures. A club house is on their Daddy-do list for spring. They have begun "drafting" up their ideas and passing them along. They dream of a tire swing that will swoop out over the ravine. I dream of send them out in bubble wrap and a helmet.

Finally . . .

I hate to even say this, but it's finally cold around here. It just hasn't even seemed like November, let alone December without a bit of frost in the morning. Last night it was chilly enough to watch TV under blankies. I sneakily took this pic to show how crafty and evil my children can be. I had told them NOT to let the dog sit on our new furniture. Technically, according to Paige (a.k.a. Ringleader-of-all-naughty), he is not sitting on the couch. To quote, "There's a layer of kids and quilts between Brom and the couch."

Christmas Spirit

Brant's mom gave us a good kick start in the holiday spirit. She devised a countdown game to get us all thinking. Each gift we unwrap is a Christmas song title. Some are hard, some even the kids can get. This has been one of my favorite so far. Can you guess it? It's "O Holy Night". There's been a few tricky ones that sent us to the internet googling words to find a song title. Each day has the kids anticipating what Grandma will come up with next.
Another holiday spirit booster -- mailing Santa letters. I think this is the last year of all four believing. The older two are already playing it cool about the big, red guy. I've quashed a lot of questions with the simple theory of if-you-don't-believe-you-don't-recieve. This seems to be spark their enthusiasm in the magic pretty quickly. I know I can't keep their ideas simple forever, but why can't they just purely believe for a few more years that a fat man jumps down the chimney of his own volition to bring them whatever their heart desires in exchange for a few, measley cookies. Is that so wrong?

Who ya' gonna' call?!

So, since I'm catching this thing up. Here is what the kids decided to be for Halloween. They came up with the idea and I helped put it into action. Now, before you judge. I have only let them watch Ghostbusters on the TNT made-for-TV version. They absolutely loved it. Of course, Brant and I jumped all over them replicating a dear part of our childhood.

They're proton packs don't show up in this picture, but they were a thing of beauty. Comprised of cereal boxes, various plastic packaging, and a paper plate all spray painted in matte black -- awesome and awesomely cheap.

This neighborhood didn't give out tons of candy, but what they gave out was the good stuff, whole candy bars and even a couple quarters. Don't you love having older neighbors.

Living in Lafayette

I know, that's us, wearing full blown Purdue gear. Jeez. Sad to admit, but it's Boilermakers or nothing around here. I procured tickets for the Illini game for Brant's birthday. We had to wear our local gear to blend. Seriously a sea of gold and black around here. Felt odd not cheering, "Juice" every time Illini made ground, but we yelled, "Boiler Up" as if it was all we knew.

Other greats about Lafayette (besides Purdue):
> Any kind of shopping you can think of (not that I go).
> Huge public libraries.
> Pizza like no other.
> Our backyard, note picture.

So far so good here in Indiana. Resisting any and all temptation to become a full-blown Hoosier, but could see us living here for quite a while. Maybe I should phrase that as, "Please, Lord, let us live here for quite a while."

Sorry for the Delay

Jeez -- I think it's been three months since I've blogged. It's just a series of unfortunate computer events (boy do I really miss my old neighbors who were total techies -- you know who you are). Also that whole moving thing kind of slowed me down. This last move was nuts. There was about two weeks in banking delays. This was not only a pain for us, but a pain for the family we were buying the house from. Finally we moved in two days before school started.

To say the least, we will always remember this first day of school. Paige and Claire started third grade, which seems like a huge grade to me. They actually have real homework and are reading thick books now that require book marks. Ike and Ava started kindergarten (sniff * sniff*). It wasn't as hard as I thought. They only go in the afternoon (Indiana still has half day kindergarten). I was so busy unboxing and settling in here, that there send off to school was sort of nonchalant.

So keep checking back, I promise to catch this thing up.

Summer Update

Has anyone even read this of late? We are no longer in Iowa, BUT I wouldn't really count us as residents of Indiana yet either. We have been in the Homewood Suites so long now that the kids know every worker by name and can completely run the waffle maker by themselves. I have quite counting in days and am trying to keep a joyous spirit. Our Iowa pastor calls this God's "refining" period for our life. Curious how refined we can become.

We packed up in Iowa on Thursday. Supposed to close on Friday, but found out that a water sample was required. The water test failed (small fix -- not a big deal), but here we are praying we can close on Friday. School starts on the 12th here -- poor kids won't even get a week in the house before school starts. I know it will all work out in the end, but I sure would like to get into a house. It's sort of embarrassing to give your address as a hotel.

Exhausted!

Poor Ava fell asleep right in the middle of coloring. This is how we've all felt -- just exhausted. Brant is officially in Indiana. The new job is working out fairly well. He is the logistics manager of the south plant in Lafayette. He is living out of a suitcase in a hotel for now until they can find him an apartment.

As for the rest of us, we are still going on here. This is the last day of school, so tomorrow we are going to go see Brant. Nine hour drive just me and the kids -- one of many things I can now check off of my list of never-thought-I'd-have-to-do-alone. I can also check off, mowing an 1 1/2 acre yard, putting a house up for sell, taking an 83 pound dog to the vet to have blood drawn. That last one was the worst. It involved me "gently" pinning the dog to the ground while the vet tech muzzled him and took the blood. Jeez -- who knew my gentle giant of a dog was scared of needles. I am bruised from head to toe.

We had previously thought that the company would buy our house right off, BUT they have changed the rules in the whole, whopping year since our last move. We now are required to have the house up for sale for 90 days before they will even start this process. O.k. Doing the math that puts us into September before buying another house. Alright -- now, do the math again, no permenant residence before the start of school. I'm just praying someone swoops in and buys this house. I keep repeating -- God has a plan for my life.

Hopefully, visiting Lafayette this weekend will bring clarity to everything that is unfolding. But it's back again to mow the grass, check on the dog, pay the bills, make sure the house didn't burn down. I think this summer is bound to be another kooky one for us.

Hoosiers!

Since this blog is boring without pics, and I haven't had time to take in the computer -- I'm using old pictures.

Brant got the news Friday that we will be moving to Indiana. This is great, only two hours from "home", so the drive back for holidays and visits is far easier. We will be in Lafayette, right by Purdue University. I'm excited about finally knowing where we are going and getting started on the next adventure.


HOWEVER, Brant leaves Monday until ? to start his new position. It's a grueling ten hour drive from here to there. I've stocked with some books on c.d. to help fill the void

It seems a bit overwhelming. All those things that we do as a team are now on me. Taking care of the kids, keeping up the house, all the moving transactions -- all those balls now fall in my court. Wow, I'm sure we'll make it through, but I'm going to miss my best friend while he's gone. I suppose I'll fill the time. (I think I saw Twilight in the DVD aisle at the grocery. Hmmm, Edward.)


I'm having a hard time leaving the great people we've met here, but I'm praying Indiana will hold some great friendships for us too. Keep us in your prayers during the next few weeks as we try to sort all this out.

The Unknown

O.k. Well, it's been around a month since I posted, but seriously people, we are living in the unknown around here. First Brant was supposed to be transferred to Decatur. Fine, good, let's go. THEN, we were informed that they weren't sure where they were going to put us. It's been a whole series of corporate, cloak-and-dagger, runaround. Every two weeks, Brant is told, "We should know in two weeks". What? Really, his job here is done. He's beginning to feel some guilt about getting paid for no work. I'm to the point of "I will worry when I'm told to" -- a.k.a. "I will worry when they inform us you have no job." I don't really think that's the situation -- I think they are waiting on some retirements and other shuffling to settle. Ahhh -- corporate rumors. Good news though, my anxiety has totally kept Ben & Jerry's from suffering a financial hit. : )

Other bummer -- my computer is not reading any outside sources. No camera card, MP3, nothing. Very annoying. If any of my techy friends know the cause of this, please post a comment with the solution. We've tried all of our low knowledge skills (cleaning, gently kicking, staring evily). I might have to resort to paying someone. I still suffer the loss of my two techno neighbors.

That's the news from Mayberry. Maybe in "two weeks" I'll be able to post more info on where we'll be this summer.

Easter with the Big Heads

With all the kooky, crazy news we've had to deliver to the kids lately, we decided to whisk them away for the weekend. They had no idea until we loaded up in the van, that we were headed off to South Dakota. We tried to squeeze in as much as we could in two days. They "big heads" were a family favorite. So amazing. I know they just look like big heads on a mountain in the picture, but when you go through the musuem and watch how they were made and why -- very proud of our big American ideals.


The badlands area was beautiful, but the snow hampered a bit of the trail adventures. We able to do a couple, small jaunts in. Most of them were unpassable with snow for the kids, so we stuck to the simple trails and just amazed at the rocks around us.
We were home in time for Easter, although, we were a bit wore out. Too little sleep and WAY too much junk and candy causes for a crash. Though we all loved our quick, little get away, we are really not looking forward to getting back to the real world on Monday.

Like a Bad Penny

So, like a bad penny, we are returning to Illinois. Tate & Lyle is transferring Brant back to the commodities department in Decatur. We are not sure exactly of the timing of it all right now. Hoping to finish out the school year, since there are only seven weeks left. Brant may have to go on without us if worse comes to worst. I am thankful that Brant still has a job. That was our prayer priority, but. . .moving again after less than a year is not savory.

I'm having a huge stew pot of emotions over this. First, it will be great to be back near family we haven't seen this year. Second, I do miss being near conveniences and, um, culture. HOWEVER, this is such an awesome place to raise a family. They still have potlucks and church picnics. Neighborhoods have block parties. No one cares what they wear as long as you are decent. It's such a slow pace of living. Things that are really important push to the forefront in Humboldt: family, church, friends, community. *sigh* As much as I poke fun at our little Mayberry, I'm so going to miss my Aunt Bea way of life.

Lambow Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2hFm_HQg4

So I don't know how to post a video -- trust me people, I've spent like twenty minutes trying. Any way, look past my technology challenges, and the next time you are on YouTube check out Brant's commercial for our contemporary Easter service. He is doing a spoof on the Shamwow, called Lambow. He is just so cute!

Also -- yes, it snowed all day Sunday. I had a few phone calls from inquiring, warmer-weather friends. It snowed from before I got up at 6:30 to almost 5 in the evening. The kids are curious if we will have to hunt for eggs in the snow? That would be quite an egg hunt, very challenging. :)

April Fools!

Look at those devious grins! Paige and Claire have been planning for a month now to switch rooms on April Fool's Day! They really think they'll be able to pull it off. . . hmm, I don't want to disillusion them because I can tell them apart in an instance. We tried really hard to make them look as alike as possible. This was fun for me, because they haven't wanted to be "twinny" in a long time. I loved making them all matchy right down to the pig tail holders. Ike and Ava are full of April Fools' jokes -- "There's a spider in your hair!" "Brom ate your pillow.", and so on and so on (all day). They barely wait for the joke to set in for screaming all giggly, "Ap-wil Fool's!"

This is not an April Fool's. This happens almost every evening. These are our pet deer -- there's about seven that gather in our yard at dusk. In the morning we have a few pheasants that run along that back hedge row. It is fascinating to see them so "tame". They won't let us near them, but they aren't really startled if we watch them quietly. Now my husband loves to ruin this serene Eden by pointing out how many he could shoot in one minute. Yuck.

Dot Night

I keep forgetting to tell everyone about Awana. It's a a kid's Christian club that meets on Wednesday night at our church. It makes me think of having a weekly Vacation Bible School. There is always something crazy going on. This Wednesday was dot night. For every verse the kids could recite in book time, they could place a dot on the teacher's face. My rule was anywhere but the glasses. This was a crazy, good idea -- the kids have never worked so hard at memorizing their bible verses. I help with the K to 2nd graders. Brant helps with the gym and a bit with the older boys (they use his muscle threat in that room sometimes). I had somewhere near ten dots on my face, but after a few rounds of dodgeball and some relay races they fell off. Wednesdays always are a boost, just being silly for Jesus.

Still Here, Just . . .

What an icky, phenomenally, yucky week! Tuesday, started beautiful. Great weather, avid leprechaun hunts, awesome women's bible study -- a good day. After school our neighbor, Lisa (13), passed out in our yard. After 10 minutes of CPR and being hauled off on the EMT wagon, things were looking grim. The last part of that scene that keeps going through my head was her Dad yelling her name. She passed away Wednesday afternoon from a rare, genetic disorder that had gone undiagnosed and had caused brain bleeding.

Also Wednesday, Brant found out that Tate and Lyle is moving toward closing the Ft. Dodge plant. This sort of puts the issue of employment here, there, or anywhere up in the air.

Now, the great comfort in all of this is that these two events coinciding on the same day, really puts everything into perspective. I know that God has a plan, it's just that middle, waiting period that can seem so excruciating at times. Just keep us and the Darling family in your prayers.

Another Year for Me. Twelve for Me and Brant.

The day Brant and I got married it was the most perfect, dreamy weather. Sixty-five, sunny, just lovely. Every year since that day, the weather is full-on yucky. This year for my birthday, God delivered a sleet/snow slurry for the first half of the day, plus temperatures no higher than thirty. Oh well, I try not to take this weather on my birthday/anniversary personal, since God has pulled through on so many other parts of my life since that day twelve years ago.

All in all a great weekend. New jeans and khakis, which were much needed. I just haven't bought clothes since I had Ike and Ava. I keep hoping to go down a size, but, hmmm, well, that would require giving up so many things I love. Dinner out on Saturday and on Sunday (once for birthday and once for anniversary). Poor Brant had planned a surprise lunch after church on Sunday. So we braved the aformentioned weather to drive 15 miles to a hole in the wall that . . . surprise. . . is closed on Sunday. After a couple of giggles, we drove back through the freezy, cruddy yuck to have pizza at Godfather's. Got to admire a fellow who tries to be romantic, even if it doesn't work in his favor.

Thank you all for the support!

Thank you to all my friends and family for being so supportive over the last three weeks while I digested the entire Twilight saga. Thank you for not judging as I cooked dinner, folded laundry, or helped with homework whilst peeping over a book. Thank you to my husband for not being jealous of my love for Edward Cullen; it just can't be helped. I think that this is out of my system, and I shall move on to more adult fiction. : )

P & C's Surprise Redo

Paige and Claire have been so patient through the whole room redo. Never once have they hinted at jealousy that Ava and Ike will have their own rooms. This is very impressive for eight-year-olds. Really I think Paige and Claire love sharing a room, especially now that they are in different rooms at school. At night we hear them chatter back and forth to each other. It's a sweet part of being a twin sister.

For being so awesome about sharing, we surprised them with a loft bed. They have a nook in their room that fit the loft perfectly. The cool thing is that Brant designed the loft so that it can be pulled out sort of like a drawer. This means I can stand up behind to put the sheets on. No climbing up in the big space with my big butt to wrangle sheets into place.

Isaak also got a little surprise, we could now give him back his bunks. Boys love bunk beds. Did you know if you shove quilts all around the top layer, the bottom becomes a house, or a fort, or a space ship, or a monster truck, or anything you want that little hidey hole to be?
AND ta-da! Ava's room is pretty well done. She spent her first night in it Sunday. I think this worked out better for Ava than for Ike. He had a bit of room buddy longing in the wee hours, but we'll work through it. Ava LOVES her new pink room. She keeps dragging everyone in there to show them special things. It still needs some finishing touches, but for the most part, it's finished.

Bend It Like Beckham

Paige and Claire started winter soccer. You can see from the pictures, one girl was a bit more into it. One was a bit more into not messing up her hair. Hmmm. . . Oh well, we all have different gifts.