Too Cute...

Yesterday Carlie wanted to take some pictures of us (and Bear, too). Just too cute for words.

Kitchen Update

Well, we've been busy for the past week or so tearing out the kitchen. Here's a few pictures of the progress thus far. Bruce has a big weekend planned so maybe we'll have up some new pictures by Monday. Thanks for looking!

'On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand'

Here are some pictures of Bruce and part of the band at church on Sunday. They did the Jars of Clay version of the hymn 'On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand'. It was the first time Bruce played his mandolin at church. Wow. It sounded really great. Maybe a little more like a performace than a church worship service. Next time I'll try to get some video and post it somewhere. I still have the chorus stuck in my head.
I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the Promise Land.
I am bound, I am bound,
I am bound for the Promise Land.

Sifting for the Past

Here are a few pictures from the afterschool Archaeology class my mom and I teach together. We're teaching in a real small district this month so we only have 7 kids in the class. All boys. They're smart, lots of fun, and seem to be catching on to the things we're trying to teach. We have two days where they get to dig our inauthentic Native American site. (the saturday before dig-day we were out in the 40 degree weather and strong wind digging and planting 'artifacts' such as arrowheads, corn kernels, and bones)

It's so rewarding to see the students learn and to see the excitement when they find their first few artifacts.

(for above photo: The group in square two digging out their quadrants in a hunt for artifacts)

(for above photo: A student sifting dirt witih my mom and looking for artifacts. None this time)

(Above: Carlie digging in square one with the big kids. Everyone having fun in the cold.)

October Chill

Usually when I think of October I picture pumpkins, hayrides, and apple cider. I do not, however, think of snow. But Michigan is crazy like that sometimes. So, on Friday I took Carlie outside to play in the snow. There wasn't a lot of the white fluffy flakes - I think we got an inch and a half overall. But Carlie was thrilled. (this is the little girl who pulled her sled out in August and asked if it would snow soon!)

Here are a couple pictures of our outdoor adventure:

We live in an block house built in the late 1940's and in the winter we have a breeze in the livingroom! We usually struggle to keep that room warm. But now, Bruce and I got something that makes our house cozy. We bought an electric fireplace. The wood is pretty and the fake logs and fire look surprisingly realistic. And it puts out some serious heat. Now we can stay warm during the October snow...

a brief introduction...

Okay - here's the thing. I like the idea of a blog. People who have blogs are, well, you know- they're interesting. (at least usually)

I am not. I'm a stay-at-home mom. A list maker. I'm organized (sometimes...). I'm learning to knit. (I've made a bunch of hats and one of them actually fits someone!) So, my blog won't be like other people's blogs. I won't write about a glamorus career or exotic places - and it won't be full of wisdom. But it will be about real life and family. I won't make apologizies because I like my life. I love my family.

Who knows - maybe I'll even update it sometimes!!