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.

My Little Artists

Jane sporting a beret. Since she sticks out her tongue practically all day, I think she could paint with it. It really is a most peculiar phenomenon. Is her tongue too large for her mouth? Or her mouth too small for her tongue? A book I recently started said the girls in Tibet greet people with their tongues sticking out. Maybe she is versed in the Tibetan culture and just trying to be friendly.

Emily is an artist too. She is a drama mama. Last night when Ben went to check on her at 8:30pm, she said, "Daddy, I'm reading. Don't turn the light off or I'll spank you." Ben turned the light off and fled for his life. Little E scares us.

Drawing is a favorite past time. In her enthusiasm, paper and crayons get scattered on the floor. Jane loves the chance to eat Emily's artwork and taste the crayons. When I opened Jane's mouth tonight, she was chewing on a green bean colored crayon. At least she isn't opposed to her veggies.

Girls

Enjoying a chocolate donut. Scrumpdiddlydicious!

A Valentine message in the driveway. Alex and I sprayed the snow with food coloring. Of late, we have also been enjoying lots of snow cones. Juice concentrate drizzled over the snow makes cheap dessert. The only drawback is that you can't have them when the weather is warmer. By the time you have finished the last spoonful, the shivers set in, especially since we keep our house at 62 in winter.

Why did you wake me? Ben told me Jane was hugging her shark in her sleep, by the time I got the camera her little arms had repositioned and the flash woke her. Oops.

We're all prisoners here, Chicky Baby!

Hair and Headwear

Alex with water drips all over his sweatshirt and fun hair. Just don't go outside with wet hair...you'll turn into a frozen porcupine.

Jane with red tints.

Fritz looking solemn in his jester hat.

Fritz looking jolly.

A pirate hat and patch. Dress up is a constant event at our house. I never know who I might meet in the hall...a president or a chimney sweep.

Cubbie Bear

After receiving his award patches, Fritz poses with Cubbie Bear.

Bizarre Events

Today I found out from a wedding planner (by mail and newspaper engagement clipping) that my husband is getting married. Congratulations! Who is the lucky lady? I sure wouldn't want to use the planner's services since I bet they would botch the guest list and alienate your dear Uncle Alfie and Aunt Methuselah. Now there are 3 men of the same name in our city. We field calls for one of them on a regular basis. It makes it doubly confusing since he is a doctor too. Yesterday I found out that my husband's publisher (by phone) wants to speak to him about his book. Wow, my husband, the author! When does he have time to write?

Today we also went to the post office. My kids had a blast waiting in line because there was two inches of water on the floor inside. They splashed in the water with their snow boots. The lady in front of me asked the mail clerk whether she was aware of the water on the floor. No, they weren't. They sent someone to investigate and found water cascading down the stairs like a waterfall. Wild! I only hope my package doesn't get water damaged.


Pink and red clash, food on your face, a dirty collar and your tongue is hanging out like a frog...but you are still amazingly cute, little fire chief.

Now Emily knows what it is like to be in mommy's shoes. As you can see, Emily's hair is getting darker and growing so long. She isn't keen on styling it though. If you look closely, you can see Jane eager to taste those shoelaces.

The moisture on the window turned to an ice design. You can see glimpses of icicles hanging from the roof outside. It has been bitter cold with the wind chill in the -20s. Snow is a foot deep.

God's Gift of Purity

I am disgusted that Merck has been lobbying states to make a cervical cancer vaccine mandatory. Is there not a huge financial gain from their drug being mandatory for all girls? Just click the article link below...potential of 3 billion in sales. It may be hush hush in the medical community, but cervical cancer is caused 100% of the time by a virus that is sexually transmitted. Texas government has basically said 11 and 12 year old girls can't be trusted to keep themselves pure. As parents, we try so hard to instill in our children moral values in a culture of relativity. What a discouraging overreaching of government!!

On a positive note, we were given this fabulous book for our young children. I love what it teaches. The illustrations are enchanting and the story treasures what we hold sacred... "God's gift of purity." Do check it out at your local Christian bookstore.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ady5Qqz20BnA&refer=us