Is that not the cutest face? Remember Parker? This is him at his first birthday eating cake just a few days ago. I just want to kiss those cheeks and I can't get over those gorgeous green eyes like his moms. A few days ago we decided when we will make the Indiana trek to see my family and it is only a week and a half away. I can't wait to see this little guy. Almost everyday I hear all about everything he is doing and listen to him in the background and for the first time I miss a child that isn't mine. I wonder if this is something like what grandparents feel about their grandkids. Maybe. I think that it has been about 3 years since the whole fam has been back there so I suppose it's about time. I just dread the 16+ hour trip with my 'adorable and well behaved' children. It will be worth it.

In the midst of a pitty party I came across this video on another blog I read. You have all probably seen it (I don't watch these shows on TV) but it is worth posting. I got choked up as I watched. It is one of those clips that is so sweet and wonderful. You have to see it.

Almost Father's day

I know that it's almost father's day but this 'Photo Friday' is about mom and her kids...

Have a great weekend. Love to you all.

Summertime Favorites

It's finally raining and I am not acting as a lifeguard for a few hours. I know that about summertime with a pool-just roll with it. Anyway, I have a bit of time on the computer so I decided to post our summertime favorties. Enjoy...

1. Flowers, flowers and more flowers. They are the best in making things outside beautiful.




2. Puppies and kitties. I guess it is more like springtime but we get to enjoy them thru the summertime. There is nothing like sitting on the deck in the evening petting a nice contented kitty (except if you are allergic I guess).




3. Going to the lake. Be it swimming (which I don't do-see http://kimosd.blogspot.com/2006/07/fishing.html ), boating, fishing or whatever, it is always fun to go to a lake.



4. Baseball and softball games. A great way for the kids to let off some steam and have some fun as well as getting to know our neighbors while eating sunflower seeds. That shows true neighborly-ness when you can eat sunflower seeds in front of them.

5. Camping. Need I say more, we love it. Especially in the mountains or in the hills (Black Hills). Awesome family together time.

6. Worm hunts (for the kids-gross!). I think it is self explanatory.

7. Going to the park, any park it doesn't matter. Always lots of fun.

8. Swimming in the pool (suit is optional, I guess). Loads of fun to be had by all.

Well, that's it for me. The rain has stopped and I am back to my post as the lifeguard. Got to get them nice and tired before it is time to head to bed. What are some of your favs?

Caden Rain

Today (Wednesday) was Caden's 7th b-day. It is rather hard for me to believe that so much time has passed. I don't have any babies anymore and everyone is in school now. Woo Hoo!! There were so many days that I longed for this time, imagined what it would be like and now here it is. Everyday has a new experience in it and I am grateful for the family God has given me but I do love some freedom now and then.

I think that in the case for many 2nd borns, they are planned and eagerly awaited. I had a tubal pregnancy between Izy and Caden (the reason for the 4 years) which made his birth very anticipated. Izy was 4 and wanted a sibling and I had gotten over the initial shock of having kids (I got pregnant with Izy 1 month after the honeymoon-accidentally) and was ready to get going with more kids. I don't remember much of the pregnancy except the constant backache I had but I do remember what a happy guy he always was. I would tell people that he was my 'joy'-always smiling and teasing you with those big brown eyes. He loved being around people and was a big flirt!

He has had his ups and downs (I will spare you the details) but despite it all he is one great kid. There are so many things about him that are so unique and wonderful, I just love him. He does try my patience more than I would like to admit but it all comes with the package and I will keep this little guy. He is an amazing boy and despite everything but more importantly-mine.

Doesn't this look idyllic? This is the dream of mine for summertime with the addition of a raft floating in the perfectly temperatured water, a great book and a cool drink. Summertime perfection!

This is actually more like it...kids splashing & jumping, making a huge commotion. The pool is a little different too...bright blue with blue blow up ring. Yes, I do make the joke that we look like that sterotype low-income family with the pool, trampoline, swing set and old camper. Well, not this year! We had the 18" one described before but this past fall we decided to toss the 18" (the ring got a hole I could not find) and spring for a new one. That has been one of my jobs this spring-find a new pool.

After much debate and looking at our budget, I decided on the same type (easy set up) in a metal ring and at a whopping 24" we should be able to accommodate you and all your friends. I spent Saturday putting it together and it has been filling ever since (11,000 gallons takes awhile).

The pool is suppose to be 4 feet deep like our old one but I think that somewhere along the line that number got a bit skewed because this bad-boy is up to my neck and HUGE, for us anyway. It will be perfection next year but this year I think we'll only be able to fill it about 80% or 1/3 of the kids that come and swim won't be able to touch.

It is finished filling now but believe it or not it is 70 outside and no telling how cold the pool is but these crazy kids of mine got into it anyway, mutiple times. Shortly with the solar cover it will warm up and I will get my dream day.

Summer is Here!

Everyone at the farm is gone this week so I got the job of mowing the grass. Here at the farm there is ALOT of grass. We have been having lots of rainy days so I knew that as soon as the rain stopped I would need to mow or it will turn into a jungle. In the morning the rain had stopped and it seemed to dry up a bit so I got to it. It was overcast and the wind was blowing to I put on some grubby shorts and a jacket. It was cold, windy and overcast and I was getting covered in grass so I wasn't too concerned with the sun. Evidently I should have been.

These are my knees and when I say they are hot I am not referring to my sexiness. You can't even imagine how hot my skin is and I took this pic this morning not last night. My forhead looks the same. It is pretty bad next to my pasty white legs. I look like a tourist who didn't know any better except I do know better. I am big on sunscreen so this caught me off guard. The first sunburn of the season always signals summer is here.