Oh, I wish...

...you could smell this!

They're not all the way open yet,

but they smell soooo good!

Ryan's Creations

Ryan loves to create with Legos.

This is what his homework desk looks like right now.

It's covered with his Lego Army.

Most of these are not from a kit but from his imagination.
I've never been able to take a pile of Legos

and create something without directions.

(and sometimes even with the directions, I'm totally lost!)

Less is Better

We did a bit more work in the backyard this weekend.

We rented a chainsaw and Dad went to work.

There's a large bed area that runs through the backyard. We've already cut out several small trees, but there were still three pines and this Box Elder...just a tad bit squished in between two

unhealthy-looking pines.

We decided to leave the healthy pine (not shown in this photo) and

cut out the two that were squishing the Box Elder tree.

This is what happens when all of the adults' backs are turned.

Sure wish she had some fear!

(Once we caught her, this didn't happen again)

Bye bye, trees.

Gave us a nice bit of fire wood, and some

work for the kids. 'Bout time they

learned how to pack and stack wood!

I love any chance to get the kids doing work they are

not used to. Ryan's highlight of the weekend

was discovering that he's old enough to mow the lawn.

Our highlight was the fact that he thought it was fun.

This sight brought back memories.

I grew up on the same apple farm where my dad grew up

(he and Mom still live there).

When we were kids, spring was spent with the adults

up the apple ladders pruning and us kids

down on the ground picking up brush.

This is much less crowded now.

I probably won't do much with this area this year, except

weed it. It'll be added to next year's to-do list.

Look at the size of that brush pile!

Each week it grows.

We've pulled out a lot of brush since we moved

here in January.

Now what to do with it?!

Newly pruned cherry and apple trees.
Remember the messy vine that was
pulling the cherry tree down?
All of the branches that were in that area were dead.
We're not sure how the fruit trees will do this year,
but maybe we'll get a bit out of them!
If nothing else, they are the perfect climbing trees!

{this moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - caputuring a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

(via SouleMama)

Rainbows After the Storm

This past Friday morning at 7:30 a.m., a test confirmed

that we were pregnant for the sixth time. By 11:30 that morning,

another test had confirmed that the pregnancy was in the

right place (unlike last time), but there was no heartbeat.

~~

This past Tuesday, we had quite the storm here. Huge trees were

uprooted, 2x4's shot through the air like arrows to imbed in

tin buildings, the thunder rolled, it hailed...nature put on quite a show.

The kids and I were sitting in the living room reading when we looked up and saw sunshine coming from the west shining on the trees in the backyard. A peak out the front window gave us the

view in the photo above. The sky looked like it was fire.

Then we happened to look to the east...

Ah....the promise. This photo doesn't capture the beauty.

The sky was dark blue, as blue as it could be without being black.

The double rainbow was so vivid against that dark canvas.

It didn't last long, but it was there, the promise made oh-so long ago.

Life's like that.

One day is might seem like we simply can't go on, that we can't

take this even one more time. But, if you turn to the right place, read the right book, spend time with family and friends who love you unconditionally, the rainbow comes...the promise that you can get

through this. That this too shall pass.

~~

Post Script

For those of you that are wondering, after six pregnancies (three miscarriages, one tubal, and two healthly kids ~thankfully~),

we are done. We are so blessed with Ryan and Emmalee;

our family is complete.

Oh, I've missed you sew!

Like my old purse?

Yep...pretty exciting.

So, when it started to fall apart, I decided instead to

sew something just for me.

I haven't sewn since January, and I've missed

it sew much! (HeeHee)

This has been cut out since January...I

finally made the time to start on it yesterday.

I'm a fan of small purses.
It's fully lined with two inside pockets
and my very first zipper.
(Don't ask to see it!)
Oh, how I feel the need to sew!

~~

Post Script

For those of you who have asked, this pattern

is McCall's M5822

New friends

We put a yellow finch feeder outside our

window. We especially love it because, on the lower level of the house,

you look right out at it. We've had quite a few new friends visit and settle in. They sit in this tree and watch the feeder. If it's clear, they'll

fly to it and eat. If it's not clear, they'll divebomb the

bird already there and then enjoy a bit of breakfast. Emma and Ryan

love to watch them fight over the feeder.

This is one of our resident doves.

I love to listen to them as I go about my day.

This is where I find Emma most mornings,

watching the action.

Crafternoon

I was priviledged to spend Saturday in the country at

Dandelion Bone's home. She invited a large group of ladies to her house

for a Crafternoon.

It was so neat to see that each person brought something different to work on. There was sewing, card making, bookcovering, knitting,

jewelry making, cookbook making, reading, and birthday gift making.

There was laughing, chatting, and ideas flowing around the room.

As always when we get together, there was no shortage of

delicious food to enjoy.

~~

Cassie...thanks so much for a wonderful afternoon.

Lookin' like a little lady as she battles on her GameGirl

(she renamed it from GameBoy once Ryan handed it down to her)

Our weekend

We enjoyed beautiful weather this past weekend.

Our dear little friend, Clara, came for the afternoon,

and Bob's parents came for the weekend.

Getting some throwing arm practice.

Emma took a few minutes to teach Clara how

to bit with a bat. They are so patient with each other.

Lunch outside in the beautiful sunshine.