War of 1812

 

A couple of weeks ago we had he privilege of spending the weekend at my in-laws and attending the War of 1812 re-enactment.  This is an event that our family looks forward to in the fall.  A day full of candle makers, canons, hot kettles, soap makers, spinners, weavers, blacksmiths, potters, magicians, clowns, and good food.  This year was unseasonably warm (pushing 80) unlike most years where you are looking for a hot fire to warm your hands by.  It was a great day overall, an event that is fun for all ages.

Most of the vendors and participants set up tents and the like in which they actually spend the entire weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching a spinning demonstration and learning new games, all a part of the day.

 

I think every public school within a 20 mile radius was joining us, not sure, but it was definitely a full house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day was brought to an end by the taking down of the American flag, a great ending to a beautiful day.  It’s days like these that we seem to learn the most and to really appreciate what we are learning. 

I hope this gives you a glimpse of what our day was like:)

Thirteen

 

She would have been 13 today.  Dakota Elizabeth, our 1st daughter.  Born and died thirteen years ago today.  We were so young.  It’s hard to believe it ever happened.  It seems like a memory of someone else’s story.  Yet it wasn’t.  It was a time in my life that I would definitely define as the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. 

A few weeks ago a song came to my mind.  A song that must have been very popular on our local Christian radio in the fall of 1997.  I had a little trouble finding it because I could only remember a few words and I couldn’t even remember who sings it.  Well I found it.  It’s a song by Wes King called Thought You'd Be Here (click on the song title to listen).  When I played the song again I remembered every word!  As the words flooded back into my memory so did the events of that time.  I remembered lying in my bed when the alarm would go off to this song.  It brought tears every time…still does actually.  I could remember the doctor telling Joe and I “the death of our baby will be caused by blah, blah, blah” I never heard what he said next.  I couldn’t get past the first part about my baby dying.  I wasn’t ready for that…but then again are you ever?  I remembered the flower they put on my hospital door so that the staff was aware that my baby had died.  I remember all the people that prayed for us, brought us meals, sent us books and letters of encouragement.  I remembered my nursing class coming to the funeral.  I remembered the tiny casket which at the time I thought “this isn’t right, they shouldn’t even have to make caskets this small.” I remember the strength of my husband when all I could do was cry.

And I remember that God held us through it.  The hope in knowing that God has a plan for me and my family.  He wrote the book, he knows the ending, and he’s taking care of sweet little Dakota better than I ever could have.  Don’t get me wrong, I had a hard time accepting that at first.  Now, 13 years later, I know that God was holding us tight through all of it. 

They say time heals.  I believe it does to some degree.  It softens the pain of the wounds anyway.  I can look at each of my children and see the mighty hand of God in a magnificent way knowing that he created each of them and put them in my care…for now.  I am reminded through Dakota’s death how short life is and how easily I take the everyday for granted.  Give each of your kids an extra hug today…for me.

Happy Birthday baby!

Grape Juice

 Often times at the auction if produce goes extremely cheap we will buy it for that simple reason.  This then forces us to figure out how to use it.  In this case it was 6 qts of Concord grapes that sold for no more than 25 cents a quart.  So the kids and I googled a simple recipe (gotta love the internet) and spent and hour making grape juice.

 

Step 1: Pull all of the stems off of the grapes.

Step 2: Wash all of the grapes with water.

Step 3: Drain the water off of the grapes.

Step 4: Mash the grapes (we used a food processor).

 

Step 5: Simmer mashed grapes on low for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Strain the mashed, cooked blueberries through cheesecloth over a large pot for several hours to overnight.

Step 7: You now have 100% grape juice concentrate that is the thickness of milk.  Refrigerate it and drink it as concentrate or dilute it (which will make it more like store bought) with water.  Excellent!

Mums The Word

 

Last week we had a large task before us…to plant approximately 40 mums!!!  We do not typically purchase plants in this quantity, unless of course it’s a REALLY good deal.  And that it was.  One of these days I’ll post a completed picture of the front of our house so you can see all of them, but for now you get the idea:)

A diligent helper

A cute face:)

Farewell Summer

While school is in full swing and canning is endless, we took a few breaks last week to enjoy life as it is.  Our first stop took us to Silver Beach….ahhhhh, it was wonderful.  As fall temps were fast approaching we knew that there were few days left worthy of a beach trip.  We managed to squeak one in on the last day of gorgeous high 80s weather.  Lucky for us, everyone else is in school.  So aside from the handful of retirees and young moms, we had the beach to ourselves.

As you can see, we had the beach to ourselves!

  The kids buried themselves up to their knees!

 

The water is NEVER too cold when you’re a kid!

Thanks friends for a great time!

Another fun break was a tea party that the girls put on for some of their “little” friends:)

 

All dressed up for the occasion!  The girls were excited to find a use for their dresses from their uncle’s wedding.

Finally, one nice overcast day provided the perfect environment for some outdoor fun pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

As only boys can do, Harrison caught a frog in the middle of all the pictures!

 

 

 

 

I truly am!

Keeping My Head Above Water

 

Several weeks have past since my last post and these days I am simply “keeping my head above water”.  You know, just trying to stay on top of things.  Since my last post we are quite busy with school.  Sydney has just entered the 6th grade, Holland 4th, and Jackson 1st.  Harrison and London keep fairly busy with Preschool activities (play-doh, puzzles, coloring, anything to keep them from interrupting the school day:)) and I continue my job as full-time teacher! 

Along with the schooling we have been busy with many extra curricular activities.  One of which was our annual Labor Day camping trip.  Once again we had a great time reconnecting with old friends and making new ones.  It’s a great time never to be missed! 

Here are a few photo memories!

A dear friend was kind enough to capture my family playing water balloon volleyball.  It was a 4 on 4 tournament involving towels and water balloons on a volleyball court.  I  feel, based on the level of fun that we had, that this should be an Olympic sport.  Definitely blows Curling out of the water from a spectator’s perspective!  We didn’t go very far in the tournament but we had a lot of fun while it lasted.  Jackson and I played the back, Sydney and Holland played the front, Joe played the coach, and Harrison and London played in the sand.  Perfect setup.

We basically sign up for everything that the entire family can do.  A favorite with all of the kids is the Punt, Pass, and Kick competition.

Aside from packing and unpacking for camping, school, and canning, canning and more canning, we have a new addition to our family.

Meet Leo….

We chose the name Leo as it is Latin for “lion”.  He looks rather Lion-esque don’t you think???  Ok, maybe not.  But he is the cutest little guy.  Our older two dogs are now very old, 12 and 13.  Knowing that their time with us will not last forever AND being given the opportunity for a free puppy, we decided to go for it.  Here are a few more cute pics…enjoy!

Asleep in the bucket of the tractor.

Sharing a bed with Monroe…a rare sight to behold.