George and Frederick

Alex has been begging me for a George Washington uniform. His persistence paid off and we went to the thrift store with .99 cent clothes. I found a blue blazer with gold stripes at the cuff and great shiny buttons and a buff colored vest with pearl buttons. Since the blazer is so long on him, it looks much like a colonial frock coat. I couldn't have thought up the damask vest, but when I saw it I knew that his uniform would be complete when he donned a cravat and his tricornered hat. We also found a black pleather vest with silver buttons which looks like a blacksmith's apron. Now General Washington can get his trusty aide Frederick to forge shoes for his horse while he is waiting to attack the British.

O, Daddy, Where Art Thou?

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Anticipation

The wild violets in our yard are so fragrant.

When Emily discovered Jane was dressed in strawberries, she had to find her straweberry dress too. In her hurry to play outside the buttons didn't get all fastened. 70 degree days are a welcome change to winter. Today it is only 50 again, but the kids are outside in shorts. Hope to get more pictures up tomorrow.

All things Smart

Sweet Alex is loving Get Smart. We splurged and bought the complete collection on DVD with our Discover card cash back. Alex wants to dress like his favorite spy. His flannel shirt acts as a blazer. Kaos beware, Control has a new agent.

A BLESSED change in her countenance. We have switched churches and Emily is now no longer throwing fits in the parking lot nor screaming all the way home. She loves going to her new class and comes out smiling and cheerful. It was one of the smartest things we have ever done. When Emily is miserable, she is her greatest enemy. For someone so young, she is incredibly intense. Her need for love and praise has become obvious, but at times my shallow self has such a hard time delivering the unconditional love of which I, myself, am a recipient. God didn't love me when I was lovely or lovable...but while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me. My relationship with Emily is a beautiful reminder of the depth and width of Christ's love for me, for her and for each of us.

Jane eager to get her shoes on too. The littlest pipsqueak is ringing the bells on the back door telling me to hurry up.

Who could have designed something so cute? Alex is writing a story about himself as a spy with his own shoe phone. His buddy Fritz is to meet him at a warehouse to find Kaos' hideout. More adventures yet to be penned.

Culprit Caught

Would you believe we caught a flying squirrel in our attic? HIP, HIP hooray. Peaceful nights again. The trap is baited in case others have stayed behind. I just hope Chatterbox's cousins don't rush in till the master trapper returns home from his Sun Valley conference vacation. He called this p.m. saying he came down with food poisoning. Sadly he couldn't enjoy the reception tonight of sushi, beef tenderloin, satay and cheeses that kings must eat in their bathtubs. However he did say the ski lodge is spectacular and the views awe inspiring. Tomorrow may he be fully recovered to enjoy the slopes and sunshine.

The squirrel rubbed the fur off its nose trying to get out. When Ben released it several miles away it climbed a tree and glided in the air. Alex was on hand to witness the marvel.

Goodbye hair, hello eyes. Alex prepared for warmer weather.

The Promise of Spring

Today it was 70 outside. It was sunny and so beautiful. We enjoyed the outdoors after a 24 hour stomach virus that took five of us. Emily so far has escaped the bug.

On the Peak of Laundry Everest. With upset stomaches comes a huge increase in laundry. The couch slipcover had to be washed. Two bed were stripped twice. Then I doubled up the boys to ease my work load. That bed and sheets were stripped again. I washed quilts, towels, pillows, rags and many changes of clothes, say 8-10 loads worth. Today I brought the clean laundry upstair to begin the folding. Jane perched on top.

Notice the snow in our neighbors' yards. Crazily the sun melts our snow while all the other neighbors have white lawns.

Eden Gethsemane

I'm now an auntie. My brother, Peter, and his beautiful wife, Jen, had a baby girl yesterday morning. It is incredible how God brought Peter back from the other side of the world to be there for the birth of their firstborn. Peter wasn't suppose to get temporary leave till mid-March (several weeks after their baby's due date). I had been praying that Peter would be with Jen for the birth, which seemed highly unlikely. God did the impossible by letting the baby come over a week late and transporting Peter home from Iraq just in time to time contractions. Congratulations. Eden Gethsemane was 7.11 and 21 inches long born March 8, 2007.

The Stroller

Alex looking incredibly handsome. And I think perhaps his longer hair makes him look older.

Jane wedged in the doll stroller and Emily getting her exercise. Jane was pushed hither and whence. When Emily stopped, Jane would kick her legs up and down and cry. More. More. More.

Fortunately, Emily the Energizer is incredibly tireless and continued makings loops around the house for about 15 minutes. Ever so often she would run into a wall or door frame, but baby didn't seem to mind. Jane stuck her tongue out and enjoyed the wind in her face. Emily would pick up toys along the way and hand them to her passenger. What an accommodating sister!

Tunnel Sisters

Two little wiggle worms in any pose is practically unobtainable. This photo was droll, Emily so serious and Jane looking like she is eyeing something to lick.

Pretty Emily with her hair done after getting home from church.

Jane with a halo of red hair and eyelashes.

The Itch

With weather like this...I've got the itch to paint probably because it has been snowing most of the morning. And it doesn't look like it will stop anytime soon.

Tonight
Periods of snow. Areas of blowing snow...especially this evening. Snow accumulation 2 to 4 inches. Lows in the mid 20s. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph...with gusts to 35 mph this evening. Chance of snow 90 percent.
Saturday
Numerous snow showers. Snow accumulation 1 to 3 inches. Highs in the lower 30s. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

My project list includes a desk I salvaged from a neighbor's trash, a wood mirror that could be spruced up and beds in dire need of more charm. I just love painting projects. One of my favorite sites for inspiration is http://www.paintedfurniture.com/products/index.htm. Jane Keltner's creations are beautiful and so varied. This is the uninspiring desk that needs a face lift ( also some woodworking for the damaged front piece). I will attempt to trace the foot and cut a new one with the jigsaw. I hope my fingers remain intact.






The dresser below once resembled the desk. Last winter I painted it. When I start painting I had such a hard time putting my brush down. Anytime I passed the dresser I wanted to add something else. I approach jigsaw puzzles much the same way. If I start one I just want to find that "one last piece"...hours later when the hunger pains have set in...I eat hastily and plop back down to find that one last piece. Fritz is my puzzle companion. He notices the shapes before the colors. And Emily is eager to help too. Because Jane puts everything in her mouth, we have to be very careful of dropped pieces. She might end up hospitalized like Curious George. If you are having a hard time following my train of thought, your homework is to read Curious George Goes to the Hospital.