I Knew It Was Going to Happen...

I could no longer deny it. Zane desperately needed a new coif. His little locks were curly when wet and then straggled down to the center of his nose when dry. This growing mane was just no longer cutting it for us (laugh with me!). So on Tuesday night, I finally took some sharp scissors to a moving/dancing/bouncing-target baby, dug into the depths of the Halloween candy bin for a little blue sucker, and clip, snip, poof...

Our baby turned into a little boy!

I Know, Another Post on Weather!

What a difference a week makes!

Do you know whose is whose?

Certainly couldn't have done this last week! This picture was taken almost exactly 1 week after the snow tunnel picture of Isaac in the below posts. Same time of day and same location! Just love it!
Pumpkin Pie!

We attempted to take full advantage of the 74 degree weather (noted by the boys, in the car) by racing through school-work (really unprecedented concentration), having a delightful picnic at the park with friends, throwing snowballs, rollerblading and snow-golfing. Our excellent read-aloud book, "Treasures of the Snow" was even better than usual, since the boys were able to play outside with soldiers on snow-mountains and dirt fields as they listened.

Ian's photo artwork

It's Gonna Be a Bright, (Bright),Bright, (Bright) Sunshiny Day

Ok, did you read my post about October? Snow, freezing rain, wind, drifts, unseasonably cold weather?

This was Thursday, October 29 in our back yard.

I couldn't even let the boys play outside for very long because of how cold that wind was at times... 2 degrees with the wind chill at one point (see incredulous posts below). Scott had to actually scrape the windows of the house with a snowbrush so that we could see outside...the house, mind you. In fact, not to belabor the point, but we still have snow in our yard. Most of it has melted, but there are still patches and drifts in different areas of the yard. Now granted, a good part of the snow in our yard probably blew into our neighbor's yard, but still...

So, you can imagine my surprise when I went outside today, to rescue several disheartened playmobil soldiers who'd been forgotten/stranded in the last snowstorm and saw this bright jewel of the grass:

This was earlier today (Tuesday, November 3) at the same spot in our back yard as the above photo.

So, I think the question we all need to ask ourselves is, "Wyoming... arctic tundra or sunny paradise?"

Mmm, Guadelejara...

Yep, that was me...

...does look like I'd eaten a few too many #9's (see below). Actually, as I recall, I was so large that I had to stretch my maternity shirt in order to get it to cover the watermelon I was hiding... I mean, my belly!

Ok, that was just for fun...

Onward...

So, the other day, I not only got to have my favorite tamale and cheese enchilada combination at Guadelejara ("I'll take the #9, thankyou!"), but I was also able to re-meet and thank my fabulous OB nurse, whose quick thinking (coupled with God's grace), saved my extremely fragile life after Zane's birth. Kind of a strange feeling to be "indebted" in such a mortal way.
***Neither of these nurses pictured here, were actually the one that saved my life (I guess I don't have one of her), but, "they all helped in providing exceptional patient care and outstanding patient satisfaction," says my marketing husband.***

I didn't actually recognize her as I was a wee bit "under the weather" in the circumstance, but, since Scott occasionally sees her at the hospital, he was able to point her out to me ("see that lady, over by the jar full of candy? She's the one who saved your life!" (I know the picture of me is a bit gross, but in my defense, it was kind of a yucky time- despite the fact that this was quite a few hours after the "real" excitement of the morning).

As a (very exciting) sidenote, I will never forget the odd feeling of waking up, looking at the clock, and realizing that 6 hours or more had passed since the last time I'd been somewhat coherent.

I guess meeting her, just left me feeling a bit hmmm....in awe, maybe? Grateful, maybe? Thoughtful, perhaps? Grateful for the medical know-how of the team that worked with me. Awe that so many things were timed so perfectly for my safety...location of doctors, understanding of nurses, perfect match blood resources in a fairly small hospital, even the fact that I was even there in the hospital...instead of driving there or stuck back in our (at the time) very rural home. Thoughtful, that my life was spared, while other special people were taken home to the Lord during the months that followed.

The list could of course, go on and on- but I'll spare you! :)

At any rate, I am a prime example of God's grace and mercy. Wow! How about that! So many times over this past year and a half, I have wondered at that! God's grace and mercy! God's provisions for me! I've wondered- how many times does God provide for us in an unreasonably perfect way- a way that we may or may not even realize (Jeanne, if you read this, I know you could drum up about a hundred ways!) Even at this point, I am only dimly aware, and through retrospect and family tales only, of all the amazing ways God provided for me on one single eventful day- February 6, 2008.

So, long story even longer...

I'm so glad we went to Guadelejara. Not only did the sunny chairs and great Mexican food make my day, but being able to thank the lady that kicked up the action in the maternity floor on a cold winter's night was certainly a bright spot, as well...

I'm so glad to be here for this:

and this:

and this:
and this:
and this:
So, now I'm wondering, how has God shown grace and mercy to you? I'd love to know!

And Here it is...

Blame it on the addictive qualities of Facebook? Blame it on the actual thoughtful effort that blogging takes? Blame it on the wild schedule of September and October? Blame it on the episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation I got sucked into (that's right, you heard me!)? Blame it on... hmmm... the weather? The missing Autumn?

Well... we're back in business! And what better way to catch up and share the facebook love than with a back-log of facebook posts. So, this is some of what's been on my mind:
.......................................................
September 11- My knee and I found out yesterday at soccer practice, that we actually have to exert concentrated effort to get the ball away from our 8 year old. :)

September 13- Please continue to pray for our 8 year old nephew, Riley, who had a bone marrow transplant due to Leukemia, on Sept. 2nd. As of today, he's in PICU and just had a surgery that removed 1/2 litre of fluid from his belly. His organs have been having to work so hard through all of this. We'd sure appreciate it if you would continue to lift him (his comfort and safety) and his family up in prayer.

September 14- Our nephew, Riley, age 8, urgently needs your prayers tonight. Please pray with us...

September 16- About 50 Sparks, tonight! That is a lot of kiddies! :)

September 17- Making a meal plan is a great idea...implementing a meal plan is a great idea...miraculously appearing like manna and quail is an even better idea! Really, I'm an idea person!!

September 20- The wind has come...fall is here...

September 21- Snow...

September 21- Snowing again! :)

September 23- A little stressed about AWANA Sparks, tonight. Hoping I have everything ready for the masses!

Small sampling of Sparks and TnT's... Ian is in the 4th row, Isaac is in the 6th row.

September 23- Needs another day in her week and another day in her weekend.

September 24- I just held a newborn! I'm in love! :)

September 30- Nervous again about doing council time for 50-some Sparks. Anyone in my public speaking classes in college knows that I was NOT made for standing in front of microphones- regardless of whether the people I'm talking to are 5, 6, 7 and 8 or 56 and 78! :)

September 30- Wind blew our pool up and over the fence into our dog run. Had to enlist our 8 year old (Scott's on a business trip) in helping me anchor it down in the dark with some bricks. But really, I am looking forward to tumbleweed season...always makes me want to burst out singing "Home, home on the range!" Saw a few on the driveway today...

And There It Is...

October 1- Why does money have to be so irritatingly difficult to understand? Mention money and I will probably 1) glaze over 2) freeze like a deer in headlights 3) bobble-head my way through the discussion (i.e. Yes, I hear you clearly. No, I clearly don't understand)! Working with money should be as simple and enjoyable as sitting in the sunshine with a bowl of ice-cream! I'd absorb something like that! :)

October 3- Can't wait for Scott to come home!

October 5- To those of you who've been following/praying for our nephew, Riley, recovering from a bone marrow transplant due to leukemia...Riley was discharged from the hospital today! Great news...also nerve-wracking and exhausting for Jeanne and Don (and my parents) as they try to protect Riley's fragile health. Please continue praying! http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rileyhauf

October 5-

Erika took the What is your old lady name? quiz and the result is Adelaide

You're a sweet little old lady, the quintessential grandma. With you, there are two guarantees in life: 1) You will always babysit and 2) You will always have goodies.

October 5- Took it twice... wanted to know what would happen if I left my glasses in the refrigerator behind the Velveeta or just plain lost them forever...both would be accurate for me! And the verdict is...Adelaide both ways! Love it! I knew an old lady when I was very little named Adelaide. She was about 140 years old...loved her oldness and sweetness!

October 8

October 9- I took the boys ice-skating, made them hot cocoa, made a few phone calls and let the dog out and back in (many times) from this snow storm. Does that make me eligible for the Nobel Peace Prize?

October 9

October 10- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

October 10

October 12- I'd like to be the first to welcome you all to this extremely cold, snowy and early fall-ter/ win-tumn! Hope you have lots of hot cocoa and cider in your cupboards, a bevy of cookies in your freezers...and good friends and family to share it with! :)

October 13- Didn't realize the fish tank filter thingy was supposed to be replaced every 4-6 weeks... glad they're still alive! Never saw such hardy fish- it's been 8 months!

October 14- loves being the first one to dip into a new jar of peanut butter!

October 15- "Isaac, you're freaking me out!" Ian said as they battled furiously with light sabers. "We're practicing the art of self-defense." Isaac declared.

October 15

October 15- Five Ninja-Jedi-Warriors (plus a dog) on the rampage...somebody's going to get hurt...it's just a matter of time! :)

October 15

October 16- "And it's a great day to be alive! The sun's still shining when I close my eyes. There's some hard time in my neighborhood, but why can't everyday be just this good..."

October 20- Wondering...what is your favorite verse, today? Mine is Nehemiah 8:10 ...for the JOY of the Lord of the LORD is your strength.

October 21- 1) How is it that 4 boys and a dog probably eat more and are louder than the multitude that Jesus fed. 2) Why is puke green the only color mix we're getting from blue and yellow tempera paints. Whatever happened to a nice emerald? 3) Why is it on days that I have the most pressing things to do, that I feel like doing the least...hence the facebook.

October 21- is wondering if there is any sound effect/noise that boys are unable or truly have no interest in reproducing?

October 23- Going rollerskating/blading with my boys. We've been looking forward to it all week! :) Yay, Roller City! If only I still had my rainbow colored shoelaces from third grade!

October 23

October 24- arguing children needed an earlier bedtime...

October 26- Our 20 month old spent a good deal of time today engaging his reflection on the side of the mixing bowl with idle chit-chat and bouncing.

October 27- Bronchiolitis, not pneumonia...so that's good news for the wee 'un! Just a run-of-the-mill bacterial "bark and wheeze." :) Now, on to enjoy the snow show!

October 4- looks like Zane's initial high temp/lethargic illness took on a secondary form.

October 27- "Red sky in morning..."

October 28- "...sailor take warning."

October 29- snow and wind and drifts...

October 29- Thoughts on the snow, wind, drifting and 2 degrees (wind chill): "That gives me the piggie-wiggies!" says Double C, age 4. "It will be a sad day when I come in blue!" says EB, age 6.

October 29- Saw the snow-plow get stuck for about ten minutes this afternoon.

October 31- Looking forward to pilfering some of the boys trick-or-treat candy tonight. Pilfering in a godly manner, of course...! :)

Three Wyoming Air National Guard Pilots and a skunk

October 31- Just about all "funned" out! :)

And there it is! :)

Let The Pigskin Fly...

September 5

Saturday morning, Scott took Isaac and Ian to their first football game ever...University of Wyoming vs. Weber State (Utah)! And, yay! The Pokes won...29-22!

September 5

They were soooo excited to drive over to Laramie and had so many stories to tell when they returned... marching bands and licorice (a whole package each, mommy!) and a fast ride in a golf cart (It must have been going 30 miles an hour, mommy!) and hot dogs...and football!

" ...Who wants to go throw the football?"
" ...Anybody want to throw the football?"
" ...I have a football, we could go play catch!"
" ...What's fantasy football, daddy?"

I believe a new era has arisen...
Go Cowboys!

Zane-18 months!

Today is Zane's last day of being 18 months old! Here he is with his curly little locks eating a piece of pizza. He and Colby were just cracking themselves up today at lunch- a couple of little comedians!

It's been a year and a half since February 6, 2008! Already! Wow! Do you ever feel like things in your life feel slow and fast at the same time? So much has happened since that time!

Day 1- February 6, 2008

Zane has changed a lot over the summer and particularly over the last six weeks or so, I think.

August 22
Sprinklers with the brothers

He's still not much of a talker (how can he get a word in edge-wise with 3 older brothers?!)...probably biding his time for just the right moment to present some sort of dramatic soliloquy or something...like this morning... First thing he did when he saw daddy come down the stairs was say,
"Hello!"
It was so completely clear, at the right moment, and with the right inflections, that we imagine he really meant to say it...but, his only other official word is "Dada," so I guess we'll have to wait and see if he says it again!

Here are a few snapshots of Zane's personality at 18 months and some possible leads for future employment:

July 17
Plumber...

July 17
Nudist...

July 17
Musician...

July 17
Social butterfly...

July 17
Budding artist...

July 25
Pastor...

July 28
Beach bum..."No one told me there was going to be sand on the beach!"

July 28

Conscientious business man and facebook addict... :)

August 11
Food connoisseur...

August 23
Backpack...er...

August 23
Naturalist

September 3
Avid sports and tail-gating fan...

We have enjoyed you so much, Zane! I wonder what God has in store for you?!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16