In the Garden

As other bloggers have written, us midwesterners have had a hard time gettin' in the garden.  Planting a few seeds here, a few plants there, all weather permitting.  I am very fortunate to have one of the few nice days off from work that this spring has given us, and in that day I turbo planted all of our gardens.  Everything from lettuce to potatoes to beets to tomatoes.  Sweet corn and raspberries and peppers and squash and pumpkins and yadayadayada. 

We have been patiently waiting and finally our seeds have hatched and poked their tiny, delicate heads out of the ground.

Blossoms of all sorts cover portions of our yard.  Apple blossoms....



Strawberry blossoms...





And cherry blossoms...

It is amazing that these beautiful blossoms turn into delicious fruit.


Our grape vines, which look dead in the fall, winter and early spring, have finally sprung alive.



I decided to take a few quick photos of some of the plants in our garden before nature watered it again.

Our beautiful jade bean plants that will produce enough beans for us to can and freeze....




I planted the rows of sweet corn too close together (Aaron was not happy) to fit the tiller between the rows. 
    

 Our biggest battle with our gardening is not bugs nor animals nibbling on the vegetables.  It is the wind.  We had an inch of rain not even two days ago and notice that in all of the photos the ground is cracked from drying out.  It dries out so quickly from all of the wind.


We squeaked the potatoes in the ground on Easter.


The peas are starting to vine.  The next step is to put the fence up so they can climb on them.


Hopefully our garden will not get infected with butterflies/moths so we can actually eat the lettuce instead of the worms eating it.




Beets are something I have never grown because I do not particularily like them.  But all of the boys like them.  So, I was out voted.  I know you can can, freeze, and pickle them.  Which way is the best?



The creeping phlox is absolutely gorgeous this time of year.  It really adds a pop of color to the front of our home.




The tulips that I thru in the ground last November have blossomed and are more beautiful than expected (especially since I thought I had planted white tulips.)



 I am sad to say that this year is the first year in nine years that I planted the gardens by myself.  The kids were both in school.  It went ten times as fast and that is great and all...but I missed their little muddy hands and boots.  So, I do not have any memorable photos of them diggin' in the dirt or surprised looks on their faces when they are reminded that their seeds turned into food that we eat all year long.  Next year I will make a point to have them help me. 

My Little-Big Man

This week Aaron and Abram were off on an adventure of sorts.  They traveled to my brother-in-law, Ryan's.  Abram---for whatever reason---absolutely loves it at Uncle Ryan's.  He was super-duper upset with me when we left last time...crying and yelling at me that 'Mom took away his Lily' (his cousin.)  So, I set my nervousness aside and let him them both go. Aaron assured me that they would be fine (he could not have predicted that he would become ill while he was there...but that is another blog.) 

I watched them drive away in Aaron's LOUD blue truck and found myself sobbing quietly.  Why have I been so teary lately?  Abram stayed overnight at my moms a couple of nights ago (just for fun) and I felt a hole in my heart that only tears could fill.  When he was younger I would have begged and pleaded for anyone to please...pretty pretty please...take this child so I could get a mental break---so I could feel like I could breath again.  But now, when he is gone I miss him so much.  He is at the age where he does not want to hold my hand but he will walk right next to me. 

Sometimes I feel like our life is just so...so...heavy.  It feels like I have an elephant sitting on my shoulders.  Granted this weight has slowly decreased as we are settling into our "normal."  I find myself constantly making mental notes---"lift this because it exceeds Aaron's weight limit"---"taking the garbage out is my chore now"---"Abram's legs are painful today, I can carry him"---and so on.  Aaron and I have been together for ten years and lately I am constantly trying to refigure out our life.  We are learning each other all over again.  And as our children evolve into their own little people, I find myself lost.  Trying to figure out the best way to parent a five year old who still needs to be carried (thank God he weighs all of 35 pounds soakin' wet) and who still needs a lot of extra help. On top of that, trying to figure out the best way to parent a nine year old who is trapped somewhere between a child and a teen....he's a tween.

Anyway, I digressed...

While Abram and Aaron are at Uncle Ryan's (Aaron has classes this week...which is a good thing.  It gives him a little break from work)  Noah and I get to spend some quality one-on-one time together---which I am really excited for.  As Noah is getting older and more mature, I am quickly realizing how precious this time is together.

I love this picture!  Aaron texted me this photo of our little niece stealing bites of the Cowboy Casserole.  Her parents are running around in the background, trying to get supper together.  My sister in law Heather, had to work nights that night.  And what does uncle Aaron do?  He sits down and takes a picture of the little monkey!  It is a perfect moment.

Noah and I have been very busy.  Our evenings (after school) have been packed.  Filled with bike rides and parks and joking and laughing.  And then fitting in supper at our favorite (and only) local little Italian restaurant.

We even lassoed grandma Pat along with us.

Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am Noah's mom, not his friend.  But, we have so much fun together playing Frisbee or catch or just hanging out.  His down-to-earth, common-sensical thinking often surprises me.  When grandma asked him if he could go to the new Kung Fu Panda movie on Saturday, his reply was, "Well, I actually have to go to the shop to help dad on Saturday.  Let's make it Sunday instead."  He is definitely my little big man. 

As Noah and I are in the midst of spending quality one-on-one time together, I feel more privileged than ever to be his mom.  God gave this child to me.  How awesome is that.

Another Family Night

I should be doing a million and one tasks right now...I have a never ending list stuck in my head.  But instead, I am curled up in my comfy chair clicking like a mad woman on the computer.  The only thing that would make this moment closer to perfection is if I had a hot cup of creamy coffee (and if my dishwasher was not beeping at me that it is done...sigh.)

Meanwhile the children are snuggled in bed---still sleeping together in a twin bed, again their choice, the husband is doing forty minutes on the elliptical (keeping his heart rate between 140-160 beats per minute----he is a mad man,) and the sound of a tractor planting this years crop sings loudly behind our home. 

The last few days have been beautiful!  We are so blessed. 

Because it is farm season again, I have reinstated the Wednesday night Family Night.  Tonight we had a picnic and then ventured on to a small park.  We were the only people there.  It was perfect weather.  Seventy degrees with a slight breeze...just enough to keep us from being eaten alive by all of the gnats.

The boys had so much fun...and so did mom and dad.  All of the boys had to dig in the dirt...

And then all of the boys had to swing...

Abram was squealing with delight when his dad was pushing him on the swing (you can't really tell if he is laughing or crying in the photo below---but trust me, it is laughter.)

Noah has always been quite the monkey...

Climbing to the highest point...

Then, when we were all packed up, Aaron and I heard, "Mom mom!  Can we take your picture with your camera?" 

Well, it is Family Night---how could I say no?

Happy spring!

Little Lessons

Abram is so lucky to have good friends.  He has learned so much from them over the years, not to mention all of the priceless lessons learned from preschool. 

A different kind of love, complete respect, and understanding he has learned from Carsen.  In the short amounts of time that Carsen has spent with my boys, he has taught them some of the most important life lessons.  Just because the little guy can't talk, doesn't mean he has nothing to say.  Noah and Abram hear him loud and clear.  In fact, Noah insists on keeping Carsen (among other people) part of his prayers.  I don't know if Noah knows what exactly he is praying for, but he tries!

When visiting Noah and Abram's school, I saw the same love and understanding that Carsen has taught my children, other students/friends have shown towards Abram.  He cannot run as fast, gets tired easily, and has a difficult time eating.  But, he has never----not once----been made fun of by the students in his class, or any other children for that matter.  When he is tired and needs to sit, a classmate, usually an adorable Latina named Marlene, joins him.  He has been accepted as one of their own and hopefully life will stay that way for him.  A deep down fear of mine is that when Abram gets older and the kids at school realize he is different, they will tease and make fun of him.  I will not be there to defend him or shelter him.  Sometimes, especially over the last five months since Aaron's snowmobile accident, I feel so helpless.

Anyway, back to little lessons learned...

How to share and just get-a-long Abram has undoubtedly learned from Jack and Ava---two little blondies.  Several days ago, they spent some time at our home.  It is amazing how their relationships have grown with time.  Ava and Abram have a certain adoration for each other.  They can sit together at our dining room table, armed with buttons and markers and stickers, and make endless...priceless creations.  A couple of years ago---or maybe even months ago--- Jack and Abram would fight over toys.  Not just bicker, but knock-down-drag-out brawls.  But, now they play together, side-by-side with out qualms. 
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"I want to play on Abram's playground [swing set]," said the little boy blondie.  Not fearing the cold or the sprinkling rain, out we ventured.

The boys could have played endlessly in the sand, making roads and digging holes. 

Until, the little girl blondie called, "Abram, come and swing with me."

Abram obediently removed himself from the perch on the excavator and swung next to her.  This made her very happy.

 Then, Abram told the little girl blondie that it was time for him to return to work.

"Well, I suppose I better get back to work," he said to Ava.

"Ok Abram.  Have a good day," she exclaimed (I could not help but laugh out loud.)  "I want to ride on the airplane swing."

"I don't think you will fit," I told her. 

"I will fit," she confidently replied.  So, in the airplane swing she went. 

All in all, it was an amazing day!  Abram is so lucky to have good friends!

A Short Trip

What is it about life that drives a person to have the need to get a way for a couple of days?  When Aaron's mom asked me if I wanted to venture with her to Aaron's brothers house...three hours away...I jumped at the chance.  Leaving Noah with my mom (he did not want to go) and Aaron at home to fend for himself---if you can call it that when he had man dates scheduled and people popping in to check on him---Abram, grandma, and myself piled in a car and were off like a prom dress.

Three days and two nights in the city with Ryan, Heather, and their three girls was...honestly and truly...a ton of fun.  Abram played very well with the girls---much better than anticipated.



Abram and Lily had a blast playing with chalk and just goofing around together.



      

We went for walks and took the time to smell the flowers.

Then...off to a place called Farmamerica.  This was an old farm site outside of the city, where children visit to learn about farming.  There are baby animals to pet and different projects to do.

I love baby girl hair!

The kids weren't too sure about the shady lookin' clown...but agreed to have their pic taken anyway.

At this farm, there were stilts to walk on which the kids loved.

Even the little monkey had to give it a whirl...

...she got on the stilts all by herself!

At the end, there were flowers to pot.  It was a simple time to spend on a cloudy, rainy day and the kids loved it!

Thanks Ryan and Heather for letting us invite ourselves to your home again!



Boys and Their Noise

Our house is constantly full of noise.  We never have a quiet (or a dull) moment.  I often wonder how two little boys, and a big boy, can make so much noise. 

Whether it is the pitter-patter of elephant feet running through our little house...all three levels...like wild fire...

Look at the size of Rex's paws compared to Noah's feet!

Or the never ending passing of flatulence that invades my hearing and my smelling. 

He is usually the guilty one, and proud of it.

The ceaseless screams and squeals  of delight to accompany the pitter-patter of elephant feet and the thunder of flatulence.

Abram's making car noises while driving his big wheels.

The Crashing of toys or various objects that are knocked over, thrown in offense and defense, or just plain trying to test mom to see exactly how much we can get away with.  And on top of the human noises, we also have our dog Rex's noises...barking at the wind...whining because he knows that he cannot leave the entry way but wants constant attention...and we will not even talk about the noise slobber makes when it hits the walls and the floors.

I look at my husband, sitting quietly on the computer, or thinking thoughts that are not meant to be spoken...and I wonder if he ever made as much noise as our children do.  Well, he has a hand full of siblings---mostly boys. They must have been noisy...right?  I cannot even imagine raising a girl! 

My niece, Annika, quietly finding Easter eggs during our families Easter egg hunt.  What you cannot see is all of the boys running around like crazy people with baskets and sticks hoarding eggs.

And then, late at night, when all of my chores for the day are complete and everyone...all of the boys...are nestled in bed...I listen to the peace and quiet.  The furnace kicking on.  Our house creaking with the change in temperature.  The wind howling around our home.  I am thankful the busy days, filled with unparamounted noise.  I cannot imagine my life any other way.  And I dread the next ten years, as our home with gradually grow quieter as the boys grow older.  So, I have to be thankful for the time that I have with them now...at their current age---and continue to enjoy the noise.