summer...does it really have to end?

Summer is winding down. This little boy will start kindergarten tomorrow. I can't believe it. He's ready and excited. I will miss him during the days. He's looked at and organized his school supplies over and over. I'm glad he's so excited to go and hope it stays that way.
This is a day, a couple weeks ago, spent at Grandma's making applesauce. Feels good to have the freezer full again.We celebrated my niece, Maci, turning fifteen at the beginning of August. She's a real sweetheart. Loves the Lord and loves her family. So proud of you, Maci! Here's Kaiya getting her hair straightened by Maci...her dream come true.

And sweet little Emmi is walking already...where does the time go?

We were so privileged to have overnight guests at the beginning of August. Kevin's cousin, Randy, along with his family stayed at our place for two nights. What fun to get to know all of them a little better. So fun to watch the kids play together too. marshmallows & hot dogs around the campfire

Kaelin & Kaiya are a little over a month apart. I loved spending time with Jenn...catching up, chatting and getting to know her better...a beautiful person inside and out. She's quite savvy with saving money too and gave me some great tips. Thanks, Jenn.

Reece & Caedmon
Lunchtime

Pool timeKaiya still is talking about Reece & Kaelin...wondering when they are coming back again.

I hope sometime soon. Great memories!
Later that week, we had a little get together with the extended family in their honor. Can't miss an opportunity for a girly cousin photo. =)Corn day was last week. That was one thing hanging over my head that I'm glad is done. My mom helped me and even brought along a babysitter for my kids. Lexi kept them quite entertained.The freezer is full. Now bring on the baby! Baby is due tomorrow. I feel like I'm six weeks overdue with the minutes ticking by soooo slowly!! I have a lot of fears this time. I wish I could look into the future and know the outcome, but I can't. So I will wait and trust what the Lord has in store for our family. We won't know how things are going to go until after the first 24 hours. Thank you to all who have called, emailed & kept us in your prayers! You have been an encouragement to us. Please also pray for the Birthmother & father...for peace in their decision. We'll keep you posted.

Simple Joy

I've already shared my personal opinion on snow, but there's something about the first snowflakes that fall each year...seeing the excitement on the kids' faces just makes me want to like it...just a little. This past week we actually had a little bit of snow stay on the ground. As you can see in the pictures...you can still see the grass, but that didn't stop the kids from begging to go outside and play in it. All the gear had to be put on including boots, hats and gloves.

The trampoline made a nice ice rink for them. They stayed out there for an hour...so easily entertained.

Here are a couple pictures of my niece Emmi at four months. I could just eat her up...she's so stinkin' sweet! She's here every other Wednesday along with her sister Lexi. The kids ask almost everyday "Are Lexi and Emmi coming today?". I love the extra time we have with them and the opportunity the kids have to play with their cousins.

Blueberry Pickin'

On Monday all the cousins headed to the blueberry patch and had a ball pickin' blueberries. If you've never picked blueberries before, you should consider it (if they grow in your area of course). It's a lot of fun and a great activity that kids enjoy too. Caedmon and Kaiya both had their own buckets, but for some reason when we were finished their buckets were still empty...even though they picked lots of berries. :) That came back to haunt little miss Kaiya later in the week with a huge mess running down her legs...yeah, I'll stop with the nasty details right there. Did you know that blueberries are at the top of the list for the healthiest food. Because of their dark blue color, they're packed with antioxidant power. By eating them along with other popular berries, you are infusing your body with a forceful weapon that fights against some of the most common and deadliest illnesses known to man. Ok, there's my little healthy tip for the day. I LOVE blueberries! They are probably my favorite fruit along with black raspberries. It was a berry picking day because after the kids had naps, I headed over to the raspberry patch that same day. Yum! There are lots of things you can do with blueberries. I've made jam before, but usually freeze most of them whole in freezer bags. I like to make smoothies with them and use them to make pancakes, muffins, cakes etc. Here are a couple recipes: Blueberry Pancakes

3/4 cup each whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon each baking powder and baking soda

1-1/2 tablespoon sugar

2 egg whites

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup blueberries

In a large bowl, combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together egg whites, buttermilk, cottage cheese, and vanilla.

Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in blueberries.

Blueberry Pudding Cake

(mom's recipe)

2 cups blueberries

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup flour

3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup milk

3 tablespoons butter or margarine melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, toss blueberries with cinnamon and lemon juice. Place in a greased 8 in. square pan. In a bowl, combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar and baking powder. Whisk until smooth. Add milk and melted butter. Spoon over berries. Combine 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle over batter. Slowly pour boiling water over all. Bake 45-50 minutes or until cake tests done.

On Tuesday we had a lake day and picnic at Pokagon with all the cousins again.

Even the littlest one joined us. Emmi Klair almost two weeks old

We leave on Saturday for Milwaukee. Kevin has business meetings there and it's very family friendly which is nice. So I need to get packin'. Just wanted to post a few thoughts from an email I received from a friend about a hurried lifestyle. Great reminder for myself!

Unhurried moms take the time to explain to their kids where they are going. Hurried moms tell their children to get in the car and they'll find out soon. I think the children of the unhurried mom learned a bit more about their city, streets and addresses.

Unhurried women take time to chat with a tired sales clerk, and brighten her day. Hurried women rush in and out, glancing at their watches, and tapping their nails on the counter if there's a delay. I think the sales clerk got a touch of Jesus from that unhurried woman.

Unhurried women think about how to show love to others - whether it's picking out the right gift, a hand-written note of encouragement, or a phone call. Hurried women wish they had picked out the right gift, written a note, or made that phone call.

Although Jesus was busy, the Bible never mentions Him being in a hurry. Others around Jesus tried to hurry Him up, but Jesus refused to be rushed. He always made time to hold a child, touch a sick man or talk to a woman whose wrong choices ostracized her from others. Jesus could have hurried – He had more to accomplish in three years than we can imagine accomplishing in a lifetime. But He chose to put people over His schedule.

Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (NIV)

John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”(NIV)