Excuse This House

This poem used to hang in the kitchen at our farm while I was growing up.  Mom gave it to me yesterday and I too, hung it in my kitchen.  I think this sums up how I feel.  

It's kind of the 'grown-up' version of my other favorite, "I'm Rocking My Baby & Babies Don't Keep" poem.

There's definitely no better gift than becoming a MOM!

Excuse This House

Some houses try to hid the fact

that children shelter there;

Ours boasts of it quite openly,

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows.

Little smudges on the door;

I should apologize, I guess

For toys strewn on the floor

But I sat down with the children

And we played & laughed & read;

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other;

I want to be a housewife

But first I'll be a mother.



Shutterfly Christmas Cards

For the past few years we've used Shutterfly to print our Christmas cards.  This year will be no different.

The only real difference this year...I have helpers!   The kids think they need to be part of the decision making in regards to this year's card design and picture choices.  I've obliged. The last couple of nights we sit all cozied up on the couch searching through pictures and card options.  We've come up with three as of today...

You'll just have to wait until closer to Christmas to see which one we choose! See all of the designs here.  I have so much fun designing different cards that now I can't decide which one to use! 

My mom also has made photo books for the kids.  They love having 'real,' hardcovered books with their pictures in them.  I love displaying them, the book about Dig's first time in the combine in the fall and the ones of the kids helping Nanny make homemade cinnamon rolls in the winter. 

Check out shutterfly.com and if you're a blogger go HERE for a great deal!

Time to 'Ketchup'

I remember in Elementary School, (I can't remember the teacher) running back into a class and seeing a poster of a big red bottle of ketchup leaning up agains the chalkboard.  That was our clue that we had  a few minutes to 'ketchup' on unfinished work...well, today, I am playing ketchup.  I was without a computer for nearly a month and have lots to blog about, hopefully, I'll get up to speed shortly!

Here's another "Kristy-Doesn't-Quite-Have-It-All-Together" story for your enjoyment...

As usual, Ryan helped his dad with harvest this year.  I love harvest time. I grew up taking supper to my Dad out in the field.  I loved it.  Something about the cool air, the sound of the combine, the smell of corn dust, I just can't explain it.  Since Ryan wasn't able to be home for dinners every night, the kids and I took dinner to him. 

This particular Saturday, the kids were excited to pack their own lunchboxes.  They wanted to be responsible for their own, I would pack Daddy's and mine.  We drove out to Ryan's parents' and put our blanket on the still-green grass.  The kids started chomping away, while I got Ryan's lunch.  Or should say, while I looked for Ryan's lunch. 

My heart sunk.  I had forgotten Ryan's lunch on the kitchen counter!  I had packed myself some leftover potato soup...so handed that over to Ry and promised I'd go back to town and get his.  We let the kids eat and then went for Dad's food...



So, here is a wonderful picture of my besties on the, as I like to be reminded,

 "Day I Forgot Dad's Lunch."

Phew!!!

I made it.  Three WEEKS without a computer.  Hard.  Surprisingly hard. 

Alot of things to blog about from those three weeks,  I'll get on that soon... but for now here are just a few pictures from our weekend in Kansas City for Trudi's wedding. 

My handsome men & gorgeous girl!

The kids and their cousins + Aunt Trudi's new niece, Trella.

The dancing queens!