O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

We all bundled up yesterday and drove out to a Riehle's Tree farm to purchase our very first Wisconsin Christmas Tree. Sam and Seth were very excited to play in the snow... since we have yet to get any of our own (not that I'm complaining... soon enough!). They soon realized, however, that they should have waited until after we had picked our tree to play in it and get all wet and cold. Aaron loved being out in the fresh air. It was a really good time, and we brought home a very beautiful tree.

We decorated our tree this evening, and the boys did a really good job. At first I thought the tree might fall over with all the weight on just one branch, but we were eventually able to convince Seth to put some ornaments elsewhere. We even hung some candy canes and are eager to find out just how quickly they disappear. I think Adam counted them first, so we shall see... It's fun to get out all the ornaments and remember where they came from or who made them. I just love Christmas!

My version of a Man Cave and a Sleeping Kid

Well, since I have started posting to this blog thing you may have noticed a paucity of words, cuz that is how I roll. However, this one probably requires a little explanation.

This is my current project... Since I hear from everyone here that the winters are long and cold, I figured that I needed to have a workbench in the basement. With no budget for such things, I began looking for wood in dumpsters and such and this is what I have come up with and the bench part is made of desk tops I got at the local JCPenney outlet for 20 bucks. I still have some work to do, like build shelves for the cabinet on the right (actually, eventual plans include drawers on that one), screw the top down, and mount my vise...

This is just a picture of the youngest kid in the best mode (Sleep mode)
Note: Thumb is fully engaged.

Sams new skills

Fall Fun

Well, I guess it's time to blog... especially since I've received several not-so-subtle hints lately. I really like Daniela's and Christa's collages so I thought I'd try it out myself. I downloaded Picasa from Google so hopefully it works. We'll see if it passes Adam's scrutiny.

It has been a such crazy time for us recently. We've all been sick for so many weeks that I find myself wondering if we'll ever be healthy again. It just keeps circling around and around, but I am really hoping we've gotten it all under control and can now move on. Other than being sick, we've been just hanging out at home. Kindergarten is going super well. Sam is already reading many, many words - he can read basically anything with the short vowel sounds. He's such a smart kid! He's also mastered the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer. It's just incredible how their minds just soak it all up.

It's so amazing that Fall is ALREADY here... and almost winter!!! It doesn't seem like we've been in Milwaukee long enough. But, the fall is definitely beautiful here... and lots of work. We've spent several days out raking up leaves, a chore that I can't remember ever doing. Every year we've gotten pumpkins at a Pumpkin Patch and done the hayrides, mazes, and all the fun stuff, but this year we weren't able to do that for health reasons. So, we got Pumpkins at Walmart. Yeah, not quite as fun, but they made the boys happy. I also had the brilliant (or crazy!) idea to make the boys costumes for Halloween this year. Bob and Larry from the Veggie Tales. They turned out amazing!!! The boys had so much fun with them today. We came home loaded with a bucket full of candy and three very tired little boys. Wonderful day!

And, tomorrow will be another.... church, raking leaves, and planting tulip and daffodils.

Have you ever seen so many leaves???

Back to normal... somewhat

Sam's disease (mononucleosis) of the past week has had us all pretty frazzled. Nobody except Aaron was able to get any sleep for about 5 days straight. His throat was so swollen and hurting so badly that he just cried and cried for days. He was basically living on Advil and Tylenol. We could tell exactly when it wore off because, exactly 5 hours after each dose, he would just start wailing and run to the bathroom to throw up. It was just no fun at all! Last night, finally, we were able to sleep thru the night... such a wonderful feeling. Today he woke up with plenty of energy and smiling like nothing had happened. He's still hurting, his voice still sounds terrible, and he took a 3 hour nap, but he's feeling a TON better. We are ALL feeling a TON better! Thanks for all the prayers... I don't know how we could have made it thru this past week without them.

*****

I thought I would share with you my awesome birthday gift too. I have been wanting a new ring for a few years now. My wedding ring is so big (not that I am complaining!!!) that I am constantly scratching the boys, catching my sweaters, pulling my hair, etc. that I wanted something a little flatter and simpler. So Ad bought me one for my bday this year. I absolutely love it!!! It's not much simpler, but it is flatter, and I can't wait to wear it - I had to get it sized, which takes a few weeks... bummer! All in all, it was a good birthday, spent with the people I love the most!

How could it possibly get any better?

Priceless...

Well... today (my birthday) started out pretty good (Adam wished me happy birthday right at midnight) but it quickly deteriorated from there. Samuel became really sick last night so we were up, off and on, taking care of him and just listening to him as he moaned and tossed back and forth in his bed just above our room. Poor guy! It's been a terrible day for him. He
has a very sore throat and is throwing up just about everything, which is making his sore throat even more unbearable. Please pray that he gets better soon. Aaron was recently sick as well, and it lasted 2 full weeks!

But, in the midst, of the sickness I received a precious card from Sam. Except for supplying the paper and helping him sound out a
few words from across the room (stop & mom), I didn't help him at all. In fact, I was not even allowed to see it till my birthday. It is definitely something I will treasure forever! It's funny how the most simple thing from your child can melt your heart and bring goodness to a very yucky day!