Ethanisms

So we are sitting at the table eating dinner last night. A song comes on the radio that he's heard maybe a dozen times in his short 4 1/2 years. He has an amazing memory...he starts singing along "gimme the beat boys to free my soul, I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away..." So, naturally I start singing with him. That little twerp stuck both fingers in his ears and smiled the most devious smile I've seen on him yet! I was laughing too hard to be insulted!

The ability for quick memory comes from me...the instigator tendency he gets from his daddy. :)

Seasonal Affected Disorder

So since the daylight savings time switch, I've noticed those subtle changes in Rob and I. Feel lazier, lost motivation, eating terribly (snacking all day, not drinking water, lower fruit and vege intake, etc.), and feeling a touch of the blues. Luckily, this year, we have FLY Lady in our home! Even on the days I don't want to do anything, I have become somewhat "programmed" to do at least part of my routines. So at least we also don't have a messy house or piles of laundry, or empty fridge to add to the lack of sunlight in our lives.

Another thing that is different this year - I've done the Beth Moore study "Breaking Free". I tell you that Bible study has revolutionized my faith. I have come to realize that daily time with Christ is not an obligation, but a necessity. Not a "have to" but a "get to". Not a drudgery, but a sheer joy. To have the lover of my soul speak softly to me and to feel Him smiling on me as I delight in Him and as I learn more and more each day to walk in obedience. I've found obedience is not the chains so many of us think it will be - it's actually freedom. True freedom like I've never felt. I understand why Christianity is not about religion - it's about relationship. And it's so fulfilling and beautiful! So now that I am armed with a deeper, richer relationship with my savior for my spiritual sustenance, and I'm armed with FLY lady for my physical and mental well being, I should be able to lick this mopey-ness much quicker than I have in the past.

For those of you who are of the praying sort - please remember a dear friend of mine who is going through a much more oppressive depression right now. It's a recurring thing for her and this time of year is always the worst. Remember her family as well.

While daddy's away, mom goes insane.

I've had several calls these last 2 weeks from many of you dear friends and family checking up on me while Rob has been out of town. I am doing fine, but the experience has given me a new profound respect for single mothers. I honestly don't know how they do it day in and day out. Of course, my experience might be exaggerated a bit since 1) I do not live near a grandma that I can bum childcare off of, and 2) I am not used to going it alone, so I have not learned the specific skills to do so gracefully.

Yesterday I yelled at my 19 month old for dumping his plate of fruit in the floor. Ugh. He looked at me like "now honestly, mother, how is this behavior any different than any other day? Why are you yelling? Have you gone mad?" and proceeded with his little gravity experiment. Ethan would have been in tears, and I would have followed. Not Noah. He points out the absurdity of my behavior by not letting it phase him. So one deep breath and a quick trip to my knees in prayer and we were all back to "normal"...whatever that is.

In that respect, having Rob gone for an extended period is good - it makes me take stock of me. It gives me a chance to see how easily I rely on him for my strength or spiritual guidance, when I should be relying in Christ. It gets me back on track.

Not that I'm advocating for him to be gone more often....oh, how I miss him! His absence also reminds me what a terrific man he is and how much I love that my husband is also my best friend. :)

More Fall Fun: the Apple Orchard

Last year we had a lot of fun at Minnetonka Orchards, so it seems this is becoming an annual tradition along with the state fair. Peak color today, so I enjoyed myself thoroughly!

Click to enlarge and zoom in on Noah - he's turning into quite the ham!

The boys enjoyed climbing and rolling in the large mountain of hay.

Simply cannot get enough of John Deere tractors! My boys will be customers for life!

There was a very cool wooden train for the kids to climb around in and on. Noah is slowly starting to catch on to the whole "pose" idea for a picture. I say slowly because usually he either won't even look at you, or will just stare blankly. He only today started copying big brother and saying "cheese" whenever mommy had the camera out.

Mom suggested (much to dad's chagrin) that they boys bury dad in the hay. I think Rob was picking hay out of his shirt the rest of the day! (hee-hee)

Even though they have a rather large sandbox at home, this proved to be one of their favorite activities of the day!

We also went on a hay ride, enjoyed some yummy apple donuts, and played hide and seek in the corn maze. It was a very fun day! Noah wore himself out and was asleep within five minutes after heading home. Even Ethan took a short nap in the car.

After all this beautiful weather, would you believe they are predicting snow flurries by Wednesday? That's Minnesota for you. 9 out of the 11 years we've lived here we've had our first snowfall before Halloween. Guess this year's unseasonable warm streak will not stop the trend. Batton down the hatches....winter's comin'!

Fridley Fire Dept. Open House

Every year, our Fire department has a shin-dig for the kid-os. Lot's of activities, free stuff, and big machines. It's heaven for the boys!

We met up with James and Letitia there. Henry, Ethan, and Noah had lots of fun together.

Better in the front seat than the back, huh?

Fall Family Fun

Well, we've gotten an "Indian Summer" here the last week - the rain stopped and we've had temps in the 70's. That, along with the dazzling color has made me giddy. We've been outside a lot the last week or so. Tuesday, we went to Springbrook Nature Center to enjoy the scenery and see the animals. Of course, one cannot pass up an inviting pile of leaves!
















Honestly, now. Is it possible to be any cuter?

Historic Ft. Snelling

Fort Snelling had 4 special homeschool days this last month. We attended one on frontier technology. It was really cool! I can't believe I've lived here for 11 years and have never gone before now! Not only was the Fort demos fun, but we also caught a glimpse of a barge coming down the river!

Ethan and Noah posing on a soldiers bunk in the living quarters.
Not sure why Noah is sticking out his tongue here. Maybe he is really feeling his "horse" character...

Ethan as a soldier circa 19th century.
I think this was both of the boys favorite part (besides getting to help make a brick)!

All the historians inside are dressed in period. They didn't take it quite as far as the Plymouth Plantation interpreters did...they at least would answer your 21st century questions like "where is the bathroom?" It was a lot of fun, though. The boys got to work pulleys, a wood turner, pretend to chop planks from logs, play in the old schoolhouse, scrape a moose hide, make a brick, build a rock wall, and watch a blacksmith. Ethan thought the potty chairs in the hospital were "GRRRROOOOOOSSSS!!!!!"