Pretty Rocks

I've figured out that part of the reason I don't post regularly is because I'm too darn emotional.  There are things that I want to post about but I know I'll get teary or sad writing it and I am selfish.  I don't want to be sad.  This story is an example.  I took the pictures way back in April of last year, thinking I should/could post it then, didn't happen.  But that's not even when this all took place...I hate to admit it's from DD's Kindergarten year.  She's a second grader.  Enough said. 

It's just a fact that Drue had a difficult time transitioning to school.  If you know me at all...you know that.  Kindergarten proved to be the worst.  Drue cried most mornings before school.  She had a wonderful teacher and many friends, it's just that she was missin' her momma.  Her momma missed her, too.

One day after school, I found a little hand full of playground rocks at the bottom of her backpack.  I was about to throw them away but decided to ask why she had them. 

"Cuz when I'm feeling sad and missing you, I sit under the playground equipment all by myself and find pretty rocks for you."

The rocks are...and forever will be, safe in a little Mason jar sitting in the kitchen window.  I tear up thinking about those days. 

Along with aluminum foil swans the kids made with Pa

Dig's even made me a special love note to keep in my special jar.

It's a little better now, two years later...but those little pretty rocks will always be special to me.

Better Late Than Never

It's true.  I've morphed into a Blog-Stalker instead of Blog-Writer.  I have such good intentions.  I really do.  Doesn't the little list on the counter with all the possible post ideas count for something?  No?  I think part of my problem is I think I have to write some long, detailed post every time.  When I feel I don't have time for a long post, I decide it would be better to just wait until I have time.  Well, I haven't been making that time lately and I hate that. 

I've told myself that this year I will post more often.  I will make myself post before checking the black-hole, time-sucking Pinterest.  I will post before I read all of the overnight gossip from Facebook and I'll post before I read all the blogs that people actually make time to update and that consume my morning.  Please keep me accountable. 

The purpose of this blog is to have a record/journal/diary of our life for D & Dig.  So as long as it's down, even if it's in the most screwy order ever...it's better late than never, right? 

HERE WE GO...


Waay back on November 8, we woke to a beautiful covering of heavy, wet snow.  I thought for sure it would be here to stay, but that is the only snow we've had so far all winter! Can you believe that? Today the expected high is somewhere around 60 degrees! January in Iowa...bizzare. 

The kids had to get outside before school to play...and taste!



My Bubby is always so helpful.  He loves to shovel the drive way!



Look at those skinny-minnie legs!

My girl loves to eat snow!

Pumpkins AND a snowman on the front step!

A little target practice on the dumpster!

I must have worked that day.  How can you tell?

Well, for one...I'm DRESSED! I think I even did my hair,

although, you never can tell with me.  =)

There ya' have it.  One thing crossed off my "To-Blog-About" list. 

That's a Wrap!

It's the day after Christmas and we're up to our eyeballs in wrapping, boxes, packaging and new gifts.  We have had four Christmases and boy, does it show! 

We were able to get together with the Luiken family last weekend.  The kids always love being with their cousins!

I spent several of the next few days making Christmas goodies...that's a post in it's own!

Early in the week DD was home with the stomach flu, but was well enough by Thursday to make it to Grandma Balvanz's Christmas.  We played a little grab bag game and the kids just had so much fun with it.  One of Lane's bag was a huge pair of men's work gloves and Daddy got a pair of cute reindeer socks.  D & Dig laughed so hard! 

Christmas Eve we spent the evening with my family.  We missed Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa this year.  Hopefully, we get to see them soon!  Mom made a delicious prime rib and we headed to church.  We then opened gifts and spent more time eating.  It's kinda what we do.  =)

Around 11 the kids decided we should hurry home to prepare Santa's treats.  Before 7 the next morning I heard little feet running and soon I had two little monkeys begging me to get out of bed. 

We had plenty of time to open gifts and play with all the new stuff before heading to Grandma and Grandpa Larson's for Christmas dinner. 

We are so blessed to have our families close.  Everyone was so generous and we are so thankful.

Now I'm pooped and the house is a mess.  Just the way it should be!

Dig was so proud! He picked out this helmet for his

daddy a few months ago and has

kept it a secret and hidden ever since!

It's Daddy's favorite team.

This was the number one thing on Dig's list...mini helmets!

And this was the number one thing on DD's list, and iTouch.

Now Nanny and Momma have to paint Dig's room

and put up his Ricki Stanzi Fathead!

Merry Christmas from the Luikens!

He Means No Disrespect



Fairy Dust

I'm finally trying to catch up with long overdue posts.  Disregard the order of the following several entries.  Just know they're important for this momma to remember, no matter how long ago they happened!

A month ago tomorrow, Ms. DD Kathleen lost her very first tooth.  It was a long time coming and to tell the truth, she doesn't have another single loose tooth in her little mouth.  So, it was very important that the Tooth-Fairy make a very big deal about this! 

DD chose to put her tooth under her pillow.  When her daddy was a kid he put his tooth in a cup of water and then the Tooth Fairy put his money in the cup.  DD has a cute little box Sierra gave her when she was born to put a tooth in, but Drue has it full of treasures on her dresser. I had a yellow-gingham pillow with a tooth pocket she could have put her tooth in, but she chose the no-fail method and stuck her dinky little tooth right under her pillow in hopes of feeling the Tooth-Fairy come snag it.



Hope the Tooth-Fairy can find that little thing!



We should have known Drue wouldn't be able to sleep in her own bed all night long.  She does well most every night of the year.  There are the occassional nights when she will hop in bed with us, usually about 5 am just as Daddy is getting ready to leave for work. 

However, without fail, Ryan and I can guarantee there will be a little girl in bed with us on THREE NIGHTS each year...

          1.  The night Santa comes,

          2.  The night the Easter Bunny comes, and now...

          3.  The night the Tooth-Fairy comes!

She has mentioned this on the eve of both Christmas and Easter.  When you think about it, it is kind of freaky.  A bearded old man who eats your cookies, a big fluffy bunny hiding eggs and a flying, tooth stealin' fairy coming into your house while you sleep.  I'd be in my mom's bed, too! 

Sis woke up in our bed, ran to her room and was tickled to find $3 and silver FAIRY DUST under her pillow!  We think she must have got extra money because she had to wait so long for the Tooth-Fairy to visit! At least we know she knows where to find us when more Luiken teeth fall out! (Kids' teeth, preferably!)



Look at all that fairy dust!



 Drue even found fairy dust on her little cheeks when she looked in the mirror that morning.  I think the Tooth-Fairy was looking for any other loose teeth...or maybe she was making sure the tooth really belonged to DD?

The next night I fell asleep with DD in her bed and woke up with all sorts of silver fairy dust on my face the next morning. I should have looked in the mirror BEFORE taking kids to school! yikes! 

I'm quite certain the Tooth-Fairy will be visiting our house often over the next few years...

Wonder what color of dust she'll use next???

Guesses Anyone?

Last week, in an attempt to break up a yelling/pinching/chasing/grabbing match between the two youngest humans in our house, I came up with a brilliant idea.

"Hey!  Let's each guess the date of the first snowfall!"

"Whoever predicts closest...gets to pick a restaurant we will eat supper at that week!"

I can't lose.

Told you it was brilliant!

Wordless Wednesday (ok, not really)

Ugh.  I've got another long list of things to blog about.  I have a feeling when it gets cold and snowy, I'll be a better blogger.  What else will I want to do?! I still haven't posted about Dig's birthday, the tooth-fairy, my farming debut, our chickens, soccer, the latest funny sayings/ happenings, the kids' new library in the toyroom, Halloween and now, school conferences.  Yikes. 

Ok, I'm feeling guilty.  Until I muster up the time to post for 'real,' enjoy this picture of the kids before trick-or-treating...and stay tuned for more! ...... eventually.  =)

Dig the Iowa Hawkeye & DD the Vet

(with her baby Sam, who also went trick-or-treating!)