The Luikens

Random Rewind

2012-02-01T12:15:00.001-06:00

Welcome to a new, and soon to be a regular, blog segment I'd like to call Random Rewind. It will be a good way to post those random pictures I find on my computer and the little memories that go along with them!

This picture is from last winter. After dropping DD off at school, Lane and I would run errands, most often this meant grocery shopping. He was a trooper and never complained. Probably because he always came home with some kind of treat.

Every time he'd walk by the newspaper stand at Fareway Lane would say, "hi my little robot!" Then point out how he sees a robot and would say, "mom, you need to bring your camera and take a picture of me and my robot someday." Then one day it hit me, 'duh, I have my phone!' So here ya' go...

Dig and his robot. See his eyes and nose and mouth?

And there you have it,the first of many, Random Rewinds!

Check it Out!

2012-01-29T20:00:00.004-06:00

A book that is!

Man! Do we have a ton of books! We have books everywhere! The kids love to read and be read to. I find it pretty hard to say "no" to them when they want to purchase books at the Book Fair or through the school's book order. They especially love to go to the public library and bring piles and piles of books home. They know exactly where to go for their favorite ones and go to the counter to check the books out themselves.

When DD was in Kindergarten she started wanting to borrow "chapter books." DD and Dig would sit on my lap and listen carefully to Junie B. Jones or The Magic Treehouse books. My lap is too small now, but we still love to read together on the couch or on their beds.

Over the past few years, our book collection has grown so much that the only logical thing to do was designate a portion of our toyroom to be "The Luiken Library."

Nanny and Pa got the kids a few book shelves and the kids got to work! We set up a little area for checking out, DD assigned everyone in the family a "library number," she has stamps, a calendar to know when you need to return the books, a book return basket, bookmarks for those who check out a book...just about anything you would need in a library!

DD & Dig organized the books into categories for example, Phonics, Beginning Readers, Seasons, Holidays, Back to School, Birthdays, Junie B's, Treehouse, Fly Guy, Non-Fiction Animals, Dr. Seuss, Boys, Jesus, Little House, Sports, you get the idea...pretty similar to how they find them at the 'real' library. We, yes, we, (I have to admit, it's quite fun for me, too!) change up the books that are in the spotlight each week, season, holiday, whatever. Right now the books on display on top of the book cases are Valentine's and Birthday books because DD turns 8 on Thursday! We also find little decorations like the bee that says "Bee Mine" or a little toy birthday cake with the birthday books. It's so fun!

Each time anyone gets a new book it's put in The Luiken Library. We still have an overflowing book basket in the living room, books in bedrooms, books on the kitchen counters, but most of our books end up downstairs. One of the kids checks you out, puts your name and Library number in the notebook, the date you took it and the date you need to have it returned...and it doesn't matter who you are...the rules are rules. If you don't bring them back you owe MONEY! Just ask Nanny and Pa, who evidently neglected to bring their last books back in a timely matter because Nanny walked in with wad of one dollar bills as she entered The Luiken Library today! Each kid ended up with ten dollars before those two left...hmm. We may be on to something here.

DD is helping Nanny checkout a Ramona book.

Dig's helping Pa find a good book.

The kids love to spend time in the library and I'm thrilled it's keeping them excited about reading.

Long Weekend

2012-01-17T10:42:00.000-06:00

What a busy, fun-filled weekend! The kids had a playdate with cousins Delia and Elliot Saturday morning. Actually, we mommies use this "playdate" excuse often for a reason to get together for coffee. I'm so blessed to have Mindy as a 'cousin-in-law' but I know we'd be friends even if we weren't family! The kids have so much fun together!

After lunch, Saturday, cousins Cade & Lillian came over while their mom went shopping. Then on Sunday,
we headed to Mimi's to see cousins Cade, Lillian, Mara, Cali and Clay. Wowza! When we get these kiddos all together, things can get cuh-razy! Lane enjoyed taking Cade to Open Gym with him. Cade loves sports, too.

D & Dig didn't have school Monday so we planned a fun outing to a hotel pool in Iowa Falls, just the kids and I. We were there just over an hour, but the kids had a great time playing together. We'll definitely have to do it more this winter! (didn't take the camera...phone pics will have to do!)

Now, it's time for this momma to get the house back in order...I took the long-weekend off of housekeeping, too!

Thanksgiving

2012-01-16T09:30:00.001-06:00

Hey...at least I've made it to November!

We only had one Thanksgiving get together this year, as some of the Luiken bunch headed to Kansas City to spend the holiday with Mike and Trudi. We were all able to be together a few weeks later for Christmas.

Back in Iowa, the Balvanz, Larson, Danielson and Luiken gang gathered for a day of giving thanks and enjoying great food and family.

The Welcoming Committee!
Even Baby Sammi had a vest & headress!

The kids have a Thanksgiving tradition that they've done since they could walk, (I may have posted about this in previous years?) The night before, they head over to Mom's and help set the table for Thanksgiving dinner. They then eat grapes UNDER the table. Don't know how it started, but it was something they'd done every year...until this one! There was no "eating-grapes-under-the-table" this year. Mom was kind of sad thinking that the kids thought they were too big to do it this year.

She really wasn't grumpy!

The kids also had fun making Indian head dresses and vests out of brown paper bags. The Indians welcomed each guest as they arrived...even Nan and Pa dressed the part!

Pa wearing what I think is part of Uncle Steve's Eagle Scout outfit.

Pa made this!

Instead of eating snacks under the table this year.

The weather was so nice...and Lane's "favorite-at-the-moment" football team, the Detroit Lions played that day, so he was in the mood to play football! He talked about making everyone play all week!

The kids also always want to see Tom the Turkey before anyone cuts into him.

Nanny always has something "a little fancy" this year it was a horn-of-plenty made of bread.

We stuffed ourselves silly that day. Wish I had leftovers for lunch today!

Halloween in January

2012-01-12T09:27:00.003-06:00

I've warned you about the crazy order, but there were a few pictures I needed to post waaaay back from Halloween. I'm getting caught up!

Dig can always talk Daddy into wearing a helmet.
Kind of hard to eat supper in one though!!

Dig does not like carving pumpkins. Never has.
He got creative this year and used a plastic glove!

My lil' pumpkin

Disregard the groceries on the counter!

Kind of blury, but Great Grandma Mary had lots of candy for her kids.

Did you dye your hair Grandma Great!?

The kids didn't want to Trick-or-Treat for long,
so we helped pass out candy with Nanny & Pa.

Only 2 Months Ago...

2012-01-10T09:37:00.000-06:00

Hey, give me a break. No, really. Knock-it-off.

Oh. What? Wait. That's me making ME feel guilty?

Two months ago, Lane Ryan had his first Veteran's Day Program. If you grew up in the Eldora-New Providence school district, or I guess, South Hardin now, you know being a "Red, White and Blue Singer" is a pretty big deal. We have one of the biggest programs in the state.

I get choked up and teary every.single.time.

I need a better zoom lense, so these aren't the greatest. But I want Lane to see them someday and remember his debut in the Red, White and Blue!

Dig's pretty much right in the middle of the screen.

In between the two poles, front row.

There he is again, about 6 in from the left. =)

Took me a while to find DD...but she's in front of the lone

tall guy about 3 faces to the right of the teacher in the middle row.

Pretty Rocks

2012-01-06T10:27:00.001-06:00

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

2012-01-05T10:09:00.000-06:00

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!

2011-12-26T10:42:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-14T12:12:00.000-06:00

Fairy Dust

2011-11-14T21:03:00.002-06:00

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?

2011-11-08T21:01:00.000-06:00

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)

2011-11-02T11:32:00.003-05:00

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!)

Karate Kid

2011-10-19T09:35:00.003-05:00

This summer, Lane took part in a one week Karate Kid Camp sponsored by Rising Sun Karate He loved every minute of it! The kids learned kicks, punches and blocks and then did some Samurai Sword fighting with foam swords. Can you imagine how cool that was for our then five year-old!?

DD wasn't so sure. "Oh great! Just what I need. A brother who knows how to fight!"

Lane worked very hard and toward the end of the week he was officially awarded his white belt. He was hooked. We went the very next week and registered him for Karate classes in Ackley and we've been going every Monday since.

Receiving his white belt

When kicking/punching/blocking or when Sensei asks something of them,
the students have to yell "OUS!" which translates to
"yes, I understand and will try."

Lane sword fighting with Sensei

Sensei Fuller is so great with kids. She is strict, but fun and Lane just can't get enough. He practices at home and remembers what he has learned during the week which has helped him move from white belt, to white with yellow stripe which also meant moving up to a different class time. A couple weeks ago Sensei awarded him with a red stripe on his belt because he is always such a good listener and works very hard during class. It made his day because not everyone, in fact, only one other person received one.

Outside the dojo. No socks and remember to bow!

This past Monday night, Lane tested for and was promoted to YELLOW BELT! He's moving right along and is already hoping to some day be a black belt in Karate. He loves looking at all of Uncle Steve's Tae Kwon Do belts. Ya' know...because they're so colorful!

Inside the dojo. We parents have a great viewing area outside the room.

Practicing blocks with Sempei (senior student/helper) Teresa.

Practicing kicks!

Preparing for his favorite kick, so far...

the ROUND-HOUSE!!

Sensei says Lane is very dedicated and works hard during class. You should hear how hard he smacks the kick bags! Yowza!! We are so proud of him and love that he and his sister each have an activity they enjoy so much.

I also love that I have a personal body guard!

Waiting...

2011-10-15T16:13:00.003-05:00

Well, it's no understatement to say we've been waiting a loooong time for this news at our house!

Drue was the LAST kid in her entire grade to lose a tooth!

The Kindergarten bulletin board had a special section where when you lost a tooth, you wrote your name on a cut out of a tooth and stapled it up for all to see. DD never got her name on that board.

First-grade had a bag for each month and you got to put a cut out of a tooth with your name on it in each bag/month that you lost a tooth. Some kids lost several. DD...not a single one.

Finally, today, DD lost her first tooth. Guess what? Second-grade does nothing special for munchkins who lose teeth, because, surely they've all lost one by now! Bummer. But that won't damper the excitement around here!

Really the tooth had only been noticeably loose for a couple of days. Drue's been messing with it and today she was just giddy thinking it could be soon that she'd have a gaping whole in her little mouth! She had just asked me, "when will it start bleeding?" When she took the Kleenex away and noticed some blood. Panic took over and she started jumping up and down crying. She was scared. I grabbed her and rocked her in the chair for a moment and she cried, "I'm not ready Mom, I'm just not ready."

I couldn't stop laughing, but felt sad for her...and me. My baby girl is growing up. We rocked a few minutes and I finally told her to "take that Kleenex out of your mouth, it's going to be stuck to your lip and I'm sure you're tooth has stopped bleeding." She looked at the Kleenex, I couldn't see the tooth in her mouth, but figured it was just wiggled so I couldn't. I told her to look at me and I just screamed! NO TOOTH! She, of course, didn't believe me so she ran to the bathroom to check. Nope! No tooth! But where was it?! She found it in the Kleenex, perfectly clean and perfectly hollow. You should have heard the screaming and shouting!

She yelled, "Call 'em! Call 'em!!"

"Call Who?"

"Everybody"

She called her Daddy who was working in the field, Nanny (who DD is telling everyone, "was so excited to get over here, she didn't even say Ubba at the end of the call!") She called MiMi (who DD especially liked to wiggle her tooth in front of because she could give MiMi the hee-bee-gee-bees!) She called Pa and Uncle Shawn and KK and texted all of her other aunts & uncles to share her very exciting...and very long awaited news!!

Guess I should probably call the Tooth-Fairy, too!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T16:24:00.000-05:00

Fall Family Fun

2011-10-11T09:21:00.001-05:00

After the week we had...we needed to get out of the house!

The weather was perfect so after church and brunch, we headed to the corn maze. We hadn't been for a couple of years, it sure was different with older kids! Ryan and I had to keep reminding them to "slow down!" We were in the maze for about an hour and didn't even find all 5 check in points! There were also a lot of other fun things to do at the farm. Lane loved the basketball court in the barn and DD loved the horses. Lane started getting tired so we decided to go to a pumpkin farm nearby to pick out our pumpkins because I knew they had a variety I like to decorate with.

Time for a little flash back...

Same place, 2 years ago.

Notice how short the corn is, this was 2009, the year of the hail storm.

Now notice how short my little people were! We thought they were so big.

Now look at 'em!

Much taller corn...much taller little people! =)

Fresh air, blue skies, warm sun, pumpkins and a corn maze made for perfect Fall family fun!

What a Week!

2011-10-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

Phew! I am so glad last week is over.

It started last weekend, Dig was coughing a little, nothing crazy. He played his soccer game, went to Mimi's to play with cousins all afternoon and about 8 pm he hit a wall. All of a sudden he slowed down, sat on my lap and said, "I'm tired." SO not like him. I looked at Ryan and said, "we better go so we don't get anyone sick!" We were there to meet our new niece, Mara and didn't want any of the 5 cousins getting sick! We were packed up and on our way in a few minutes.

Sunday Dig had a fever and a croupy cough. An early morning scare on Monday sent us right to the doctor. Dig was needing to cough but couldn't get a breath. Add mucous in his throat, the feeling that he needed to throw up and a bloody nose all in about three minutes and we were both shaking and scared. The doctor tested him for influenza. Thankfully, that came back negative, but Bubs was put on a nebulizer and steroid for the entire week. I could see an improvement with the first nebulizer treatment. He took his icky medicine like a champ and never complained while taking his breathing treatment. He watched Karate Kid from Uncle Steve and 3 Ninjas from Uncle Shawn. He ate lots of popsicles and drank lots of Gatorade. He was bummed he had to miss the entire week of Kindergarten, Karate, soccer practice and a soccer game. All very important things to this six year old! We got a new workbook to do while he was home and practiced addition flash cards. He also talked Nanny into buying him some new markers that kept him busy one entire day!

such a brave boy!

He tried spelling his name with the 'smoke'

Monday night we thought Ryan was coming down with whatever it was Lane had. Instead he had the stomach flu. Perfect. There's nothing I hate more than the stomach flu. Ryan worked Tuesday morning but had to stay home the afternoon and Wednesday morning. He scheduled a doctors appointment for Wednesday afternoon in hopes of getting some magic shot to get him over the hump of terrible nausea/ vomiting. No such luck. Instead, they sent him to Waterloo to get a CAT scan at 4:00, thinking perhaps he was needing and apendectomy because his white blood count was so high. After two hours of drinking a huge cup of disgusting liquid for the test (still don't know how he kept that down!) we were transferred to the ER so he could receive IV fluids. Ended up it was just a terrible bout of the stomach flu. 8 hours in the hospital and we were both exhausted.

Thankfully, we're all healthy again and were able to have a fun family Sunday at a corn maze then at a pumpkin farm. Just what we needed.

P.S. We also all got our flu shots! =)

Being Fair

2011-10-04T16:18:00.000-05:00

Because I'm that kind of mom.
Because I was feeling kind of guilty when I looked at past blog posts.
Because she's so stinkin' beautiful.
Because we love her so.
Because you haven't seen them.
Because I need to Keep it Fair...

Some pictures of My DD.

Imagine

2011-09-29T09:40:00.002-05:00

I love that teachers have the kids journal. I will never part with any of our kids' journals. IMAGINE how much fun and all the laughs we'll have years from now, opening up these adorable, innocent, yet very honest journals. DD has one from every month of both Kindergarten and First-grade. Now that she's older...ya' know...a second grader, they only journal weekly, but Lane Ryan brought home his very first journal yesterday. I was so excited!

A mom always wonders what the child journals about. Will the entry be about how much fun they had that weekend? Will it be about how great of a mom she is ? {Remember?} =) Or, could it possibly be a bit more embarrassing? Recently, I was told by a certain Kindergartner in our home {who shall remain nameless} that he was going to journal about the mouse Dad caught in the basement. Perfect. Like I want people knowing we had a mouse. Wait a minute...shucks. Well, don't tell anyone.

IMAGINE my surprise when I opened Dig's journal and found THIS entry!

Now ... IMAGINE Ryan's beet red face!

What bigs lips we have! Or, that's some long distance kissing!

You just never know what will make the journal!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-28T14:50:00.000-05:00

Fireplace

2011-09-27T11:52:00.000-05:00

Well, I got tired of waiting for Ryan to help me. Turns out, I didn't need him anyway. I love how the red of the barn pulls out the red in the curtains. I just love it, period! But, I love the kids IN it even more!

Special Delivery!

2011-09-24T21:46:00.003-05:00

Take a peek at what was delivered to our house today!

Lane Ryan was in quite the mood the night these were taken. He was so goofy, dancing and singing and talking about...of all things...whiskey! Can you say embarrassing?

Andrea at Yarrow Photography was amazing. She made the kids feel so comfortable and their expressions show it! Before we even pulled out of the farm, both DD & Dig said, "we want her to take our pictures everytime!" I believe she's stuck with us. This all started as a Mother's Day gift. I ~~needed~~ wanted a BIG print of my bestest kids for above our fireplace. I requested "just a mini-session" because I've seen Andrea's work. She's too good. I just didn't want to put myself through the torture of choosing pictures and, God forbid, saying no to certain ones. I mean, how do you expect me not to buy more than the one for above the fireplace? Seriously...not gonna happen. So, I got a book with several images, several small prints, a few larger ones, the DVD of all the images...and my honkin, amazingly-awesome BIG one for over the fireplace. Oh, I can't wait to get it hung up. I'll treasure it always. I'll treasure them all.

When the kids are on the Yarrow blog, I'll link you up! =)

Not sure what's going on...but this is so not out of the ordinary around here!?

Andrea captured our kids...we couldn't have asked for anything more!

Lane Ryan's Birth Story

2011-09-21T11:54:00.001-05:00

It's hard to believe, but it's true. Last week, Lane Ryan turned S-I-X! My baby is 6. It's hard to wrap my mind around it.  I always dreamed of having babies...but I never pictured myself with school-aged children! Those days are upon me and my baby boy is now a Kindergartner. {sigh}

Let's see, it all started the week of DD's first birthday. Yes, a second child never completely has his "own" story. There is always that sibling who came before you to steal your sunshine. DD turned one on February 2, 2005. I don't remember exactly when I first started listening to the "I think I may be pregnant" voices that were going on in my head. To tell you the truth, I didn't want to hear them. My baby girl would be turning one that week and I was NOT about to steal her sunshine by announcing at her first party that she was going to be a big sister!! No way. So I tuned them out.

Mom and I took DD to the photographer for her birthday pictures and I had the hunch, but wasn't letting myself believe it yet. She kept saying, "let me pay, she's my only grandchild!" and I would say, "so far." Evidently, I said it enough that Mom asked if was expecting. "NO!" For crying-out loud! DD wasn't even one yet. (I kept telling myself!)

Eventually, my body was confirming what I was suspecting. Without getting all "too-much-information" on you, I want to explain that I nursed DD for 13 months and had yet to have a period, so it's not like I was able to "track" things.

DD's party came and went. The next day was the Super Bowl. Ryan was hungry gor "game" food, so he suggested we run to Hy-Vee in Iowa Falls. I hadn't shared my suspicions with Ryan, but used this excuse to figure out for myself! DD fell asleep on the way, so I volunteered to run in myself so she could sleep.  I found the hot wings, the salsa and chips, pizza rolls...and the pregnancy tests.

That night I decided to tell Ryan, "I think I'm pregnant."

"Well, that would be a good thing, wouldn't it?"

Ok, that's not was I was expecting. We both knew we wanted another child, but I guess I thought I would have to take medication like I did before DD or at least we'd have a conversation like, "should we have another baby now?" "Sure" You know, decide we were going to have a baby.

I kept the test in the bathroom and decided I'd take it in the morning. I told Ryan, "DO NOT call me in the morning and expect me to tell you over the phone...either way." (I told him over the phone with Drue!)

I woke up, took the test and left the bathroom. I was shaking. How in the world could I be "doing this" to my baby girl! She's just one. Are we even ready for another baby?

Well...Ready or not...There was one coming! As soon as he knew I'd be up, Ryan called. Obviously, my tone let him know. He was so excited. I was a wreck. The minute I hung up with him, I remember sitting on the side of the bath tub crying and then called my best friend, Heather and asking, "can I do this?" "how far apart are your girls?" blah, blah, blah in my new pregnant emotional state.

And then it hit me. I hadn't known I was pregnant for more than 5 minutes and I felt sick. It was like my mind flipped the "pregnant people feel sick at first" switch. Luckily, that stage was very short lived and I never puked.

Baby Luiken was due to arrive October 8, 2005. We found out our baby was a boy and were ecstatic to have "one of each!" The following months were very uneventful. No problems, praise God.

The craziness all started at a regularly scheduled OB appointment on Thursday, September 15, 2005.

My appointment was scheduled for mid-morning. My mom had just finished painting the nursery and moving the furniture around the night before and decided that night that she'd take the morning off work and watch Drue. This would be the first appointment my midwife would check me for any progress and Drue wouldn't have to sit through all of that. This was the first of now weekly appointments I would have in Waterloo. I remember Mom saying, "I should take you girls' picture this morning" and Ryan saying, "I bet they just keep you" the night before. Why would they say that, other than the huge belly there were no signs of a baby coming any time soon.

The nurse called my name, I changed into my gown and when the midwife came in, she asked, "would you like me to check you or not this month? We wouldn't normally start until next week's visit, but it's up to you." "Sure, why not!" I was anxious to hear if anything was going on!

Mrs. Boote's eyes popped out of her head. "Hmm." I got nervous. I immediately thought she'd tell me Baby Boy was breach was already dreading the process of turning him. When she blurted out, "Um. I dont' think I can let you go home today...unless you want to send your husband in for a crash course in how-to-deliver-a-baby! You're dilated to a 6 and when I checked you I made you a 7!"

What!? Our little guy wasn't supposed to be here for almost an entire month! Is he ok? Is he even fully developed yet? She assured me he would be fine, but they'd be ready if not. She also asked if I'd been having contractions. I told her I definitely had not...or at least I didn't think so? Wouldn't I have been able to tell?

Before I left she scheduled my admission to the hospital for 1:00 that afternoon. It was so weird knowing that later that day, we'd have our son. So what's a girl to do in the 2 hours before she knows she's going to be in labor? Duh, I went to Target.

I also had to get a hold of Ry to tell him the news. Ironically, he was preg-checking cows. I couldn't get him to answer his phone, so I called my dad.   I still remember his, "Oh! Oh Jeez! I'll tell Ryan!" I think he thought things were happening right NOW. Ryan had time to go home, shower, grab our bags (yes, I had them ready) and I called Mom to let her know she would be starting her 2 weeks vacation THAT day! She occupied DD all day and waited for our call.

To be quite honest, I don't remember a lot of the day after being admitted to the hospital. The midwife came in to break my water around 2:30. Obviously, I needed some help since I was not in active labor. I had the pitocin drip and she would up my dose every once and a while. However, so would the nurses. Around supper time, I dismissed Ryan from his duties so he could grab something to eat. We both figured it would be a long night since things were moving so slowly. While he was gone all heck broke loose!

Beepers started beeping, alarms started going off, doctors, the midwife, an army of nurses ran in to my room. I had no idea what was going on, I didn't feel any different. The stuck an oxygen mask on me, gave the baby oxygen (still not exactly sure how that all works?!) and stopped my drip. After a few very scary minutes, the nurses started calming down and the worried looks on everyone's faces diminished. Come to find out, the midwife was upping my pitocin and so were the nurses...the midwife was not recording every time she made a change so I was getting WAY too much. I'm still not sure if Lane's heart rate went crazy high (I'm thinking?) or if it dropped dangerously low? I just know if was very scary...and Ryan missed it all.

When Ry made it back to my room, everything was exactly as it had been when he left, he almost didn't believe my story until a cute nurse confirmed it.

We decided to take the safer route and let nature run it's course. We were told it would be a long night and try to get some rest.

At 7:00 p.m. Ryan decided to call my Mom and Drue and let them know they won't be needing to come visit us tonight. Drue's brother wouldn't be born for several hours.

Mom didn't believe him when 23 minutes later Ryan was able to call her back and say, "You have a grandson!"

I'm telling you, babies just fall out of me!  I could probably sneeze one out if I wanted to! =) I pushed 3 times, for about 90 seconds...and there HE was!

Lane Ryan Luiken. 7 pounds, 21 inches. The cutest little boy I had ever seen. The first thing I noticed was his perfect head. I still love that head! (and take pictures of it often!) I also remember him looking up at me with his bloody little hat on and a crossed eye...like "are you my mommy?"

Lane was perfectly healthy. Perfectly perfect. He stole my heart that day and has continued to wrap himself around my finger every day since then. Seriously,  I am so in love with that boy. He knows just how to smooch on me and what to say to make me smile. How am I supposed to discipline him!? He is defintely all boy but he has such a tender heart and is so very polite and caring. He can play soccer, basketball and baseball with the best of them...but can turn around and write me a love note the next minute. Perfectly perfect. He's going to make someone a wonderful husband...and his mommy jealous! =)

Lane completed our family of four and Ryan and I thank God everyday for blessing us with the opportunity to care and love for His children, who we also get to call OURS.

I love you, Dig!

Our Litte Old Man. I thought for sure he looked more like the Balvanz side.

But, these days I'm starting to wonder? Can't one kid resemble me?

Seriously! I could eat him up! He's always loved balls and sports...

somethings never change!

I told you! I have a ton of pictures of the BACK of his head!

This is from his birthday week 2009. We rode on Thomas the Train!

I can brag, can't I?

He's honestly, just a natural when it comes to sports.

He's just an all around little athlete!

Digga Dean on his 6th Birthday, with the gift he'd been asking for for half of the year!

Want to read DD's birth story? Click Drue Kathleen's Birth Story

~ Friday Flashback ~

2011-09-09T09:50:00.000-05:00

A {hot}Kids Day at Kinnick

Get My Feet Wet

2011-09-02T09:09:00.000-05:00

I put my name on the sub list at the ENP Elementary School this year. Before school dismissed on the first day, I had my first call. The secretary gave me a few options. I could teach two mornings of Special Education, two mornings of 3rd grade or two days of Kindergarten. Well, Kindergarten was out of the question. I wasn't sure I should attempt that since I haven't subbed in 8 years! I explained this to Ryan and the kids earlier. "I am going to stay away from Kindergarten for the first couple of months until the kids get used to their new routine, and I get my feet wet teaching other grades."

When someone would ask, "are you subbing this year?" or "what will you do now that the kids are both in school?" DD and Dig would tell them. "She's not going to teach Kindergarten until she gets her feet wet." My mom asked them if they knew what that meant. "No!" It was so cute. Some times you don't realize how funny something sounds, until you try explaining it to 7 and 5 year-olds! It's kind of been one of our jokes for the past few months.

Mom and Dad surprised me that morning to take

my picture on MY first day of school. =)

So, I worked Tuesday morning. Wow! I got home at noon and just sat on the couch, like, "what just happened to me!!??!!" I ignored the dishes, I ignored the laundry, I ignored everything. That night, I slept like a rock. But, I got back up the next morning and did it again. Originally, I was supposed to be done around noon, but was asked if I could stay the rest of the day. After a call to cancel my cleaning at the dentist, I took a few minutes to mentally prepare, fill in the empty lesson plans...and BAM! There they were...23-teacher-eating-third-graders.

Let's just say, it was an interesting group. A BIG, interesting group in a HOT room.

I called Ryan to let him know I was going to be at school all day. I also text my dad so he would know I wasn't going to be at lunch like we had planned.

Dad text me back... 'Are your feet wet yet?!?'

My reply... Drenched!!

Kissing Hands

2011-08-29T14:59:00.002-05:00

We ordered the book Kissing Hands for the kids before DD was in Preschool. It's a story of a little raccoon that didn't want to go to school. So his mother kisses his hand and tells him when he is missing her, he can put his hand on his cheek and feel his mother's love at school. He, in return, gives his mom a 'kissing hand' and she is able to feel his love when she's missing her little boy while he's at school. Little did we know at the time we purchased the book, how much we would use it in the future! We've read it often, I still choke myself up everytime we do.

When DD was having a hard time going to Preschool, I would draw a heart on her hand and kiss it. Some days after school...two and a half-hours of school, mind you, the heart would be almost worn off and her little lips red as if she'd applied lipstick. This was the routine almost every morning before preschool.

The following year at Kindergarten, we'd do the same. We got fancy. We'd use different colored Sharpies and as the year progressed, DD could read more words so I'd write 'love' or 'ubba.' We did this until at least Christmas break and sporatically after that.

First-Grade was no different. Colorful Sharpies, hearts, smiley faces, little messages.

Now, both kids are in school. The night before Lane went off to Kindergarten, he took it upon himself to grab a Sharpie and write "MOM" on his kissing hand.

(the next morning, Lane had a black "M" on the side of his face from sleeping on his hand) =)

He also gave me a kissing hand.

(From Dig, he wrote "Lane" first, then a heart, then "MOM."

Translation: "Lane loves Mom.")

The next morning, Drue asked for one...

then gave me one, too.

(My kissing hand from DD, "Ubba DD!")

So far, Lane has had very little trouble transitioning to school. He seems to really be enjoying it and hardly has time to kiss me good-bye before running up the stairs to find his friends on the playground.

Drue, on the other hand, has decided to stick to her old routine...shuffling around with a sad face before leaving for school, showing Mom a few tears at drop off...

and making sure she has a "Kissing Hand."

::Reminder::

2011-08-28T20:20:00.004-05:00

This is a post I wrote before school started... I finally got the picture to load so I thought I'd still share.

Tues. Aug. 23, 2011
Mom sent this to me this morning. She has kept it for 21 years. She's always known just what I needed to hear and always has the best mothering advice. She has had to remind me often to enjoy each season in my life as it all changes so quickly.

She's the one who cross-stitched the poem about "cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, so quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my babies and babies don't keep." She also gave me one called "Excuse This House...."Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter here...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." I have it framed in our kitchen. Mom has kept this comic for 21 years as a reminder to herself and has shared it with me often. It is so appropriate as there are many days I feel like I clean one room, move on to the next and when I turn around the once clean room is back to tornado conditions.

(hard to see but this is from Feb. 4, 1999. The mom asks "When will all these toys ever be put away properly?" Then she imagines herself an elderly lady and the toys are 'properly' put away... in the attic.)

Mom has always made it clear that being a mom was her most important job and that is why there is no other job I have ever wanted. I'm so extremely blessed for many reasons ~ for a husband who works his tail off and has made it possible for me to stay home for nine years to be with Drue and Lane and who wouldn't want it any other way ~ for our parents who have been wonderful examples ~ and for my greatest gifts...my MONKEYS!

I'm getting a little too sentimental here...I feel sorry for you all as I'll have more time to blog after school starts tomorrow. =)

Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

2011-08-26T22:10:00.002-05:00

Selfishly, I've dreaded this and all posts related to this post. I get emotional just re-living the events of the past few days. I've procrastinated, knowing my heart will pound, my fingers will shake and my eyes will flood. In fact, I've already written one post that I can't bring myself to finish. I'm sappy. What can I say?

For crying out loud, it's "just" Kindergarten... but these aren't "just" any ol' kids...they're MINE.

Dig has always been an outgoing kid, so I knew there was nothing to worry about when it came to school. He's a friendly guy and loves to make people laugh. He also, proudly attracts a lot of attention from "the ladies."

He never voiced any concerns about going to school. Going to Preschool was Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy. He did well and loved it. I had no reason to think Kindergarten would be any different. Thankfully, it hasn't been much different at all...for him.

The night before the first day of school, I, admittedly, was a wreck. I tried to hide this from the kids, but they can see right through me. Heck, they know my better than I know me. Lane started to get a little nervous. He was doing his "penguin walk" (self-explanatory) and quieter than normal. When I would say something to ease my nerves like, "are you so excited? It's going to be so fun," Lane would answer then say, "I wish you wouldn't talk about it." I took my cues and sat quietly.

I gave Dig his allergy meds, Singulair pill, nose spray and eye drops. We sat back on the couch and he said,

"I wish I was still 4."
"Why Bubs?"
"Because when I was 4 you'd rock me to bed" (disclaimer: I still do when ever he lets me, trust me, he couldn't get me to stop just because he was 4!!)
"awww! I would love to rock you!"

We snuggled a bit without saying a word, then he points to his eye. I smiled, not really knowing what he was doing. He did it again, but this time says, "this is not from my eye drops." He was pointing to a little tear in the corner of his eye.

That was it. I lost it.

I assured him it was ok to cry and ok to be nervous, but that everything was going to be so fun and exciting. I was trying to reassure myself, too.

I tell you what. This little guy knows how to pull my heart strings. He told me, "you're the best momma in the whole world and I'm gonna miss you so, so, so much tomorrow." {I'll hear his sweet little voice forever.}

Then he pointed to his picture on the wall and said, "if you get sad tomorrow, momma, you can look at that picture and kiss it if you need to." Wow. For a mom who was trying to "be strong," I was failing...miserably.

We pulled ourselves together and got a drink, then Lane escaped to the kitchen, I followed him and he had a black Sharpie in his hand. This is what he wrote.

He wrote it so if he missed me he could kiss it and know I was missing him, too. I drew a heart on DD's hand every morning for most of Kindergarten, (and some of 1st grade!) too. =) So, Lane knew just what to do!

I'm so in love with this little guy.

We're ALL proud to say, the first day of school went off without a hitch...
like we ALL knew it would! Pictures of that to come!

{Back} To School!

2011-08-24T09:12:00.001-05:00

Our 2nd-Grader & Our Kindergartner!

Ubba, DD & Dig!

What's Up, Doc?

2011-07-24T22:11:00.001-05:00

If you don't have kids who watch Cartoon Network, this post may make no sense to you. That's ok. I just have to document it as part of my motherly duties.

In case you haven't heard, the Looney Tunes are back. They aren't as good as they were when we were kids, or when my dad was a kid for that matter. I remember many Saturday mornings when Looney Tunes were the only cartoons on t.v. I wasn't a fan as a child. In fact, I despised that stinkin' Road Runner and Wylie Coyote. No words? ugh. But, I grew to love those cartoons. Dad knew most of them by memory. "Oh, this is the one Foghorn Leghorn does such-and-such." "Which way did he go, George? Which way did he go?" Dad even has most of the voices down. But, like I was saying, the new ones are...just that...new. Not the same.

Cartoon Network has been promoting the new shows with a commercial containing two of their most famous characters, Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. I think they are in some sort of game show format. Someone asks Daffy, "what's your best friend's CATCH PHRASE?"

Daffy, of course, can't come up with the correct answer. "Um. I don't do Mondays?" On and on with silly answers.

For over a week Lane has been asking,

"Mom? What's a SKETCH-RAY?"

"Huh?"

"What's a SKETCH-RAY?"

"Um, Bubs. I don't know."

Finally, last night, I figured it out.

"Mom? What's your SKETCH-RAY?"

"Uhhh. I don't think I have a SKETCH-RAY? Do I?? I don't even think I know what a SKETCH-RAY is." (Talk about feeling like an old lady. I had no idea what he was talking about!)

"You know, like, Bugs Bunny's SKETCH-RAY is 'what's up, Doc? He calls everybody Doc!" {giggles!}

"OH! Catch phrase! I don't really have a catch phrase. Do you?"

DD piped up. "Mine's I Don't Do Mondays!"

Dig yells, "Mine's When am I Getting a Bunny Rabbit?!"

Long story short. Dig wants a bunny. Hasn't stopped asking for one since the fair. I guess that's the new SKETCH-RAY until he decides he wants something different!

Where We've Been...

2011-07-08T23:41:00.001-05:00

Obviously, I'm not a very good "Summer Blogger!" There just aren't enough hours in the day right now! We are busy having fun and enjoying ourselves and, as usual, I have a long list of 'Things-to-Blog-About' when I finally have more than just a few free minutes...BUT, do you wonder what we've been up to this week?

I'll let this group of pictures fill you in...

blurry...but you get the idea!

Stay tuned for more details of all the new adventures we've had this year at the FAIR!

Another Day of Firsts!!

2011-06-18T22:19:00.002-05:00

The kids have easily slipped into "summer vacation" mode...so did this momma! The morning after school was let out for summer, both kids slept until 9 am....which means so did this momma! DD has even slept until after 10 a couple of mornings!

I have so many things to blog about, not for your sake...but for mine. I just want to make sure I have all these fun and important times in our lives recorded. I'll try and knock some of the posts off of my list here in the next few days. Hang tight!

Here are some exciting happenings from THIS week!

Our horse-lover is taking RIDING LESSONS! Drue was thrilled to have her first lesson Thursday. Of course, it was a hot day...but that girl knew she had to have her jeans on! Drue's instructor showed her how to brush out tails, clean out the 'frogs' in the horse's feet, how to properly hold the reins, how to get on/ off the horse, what to do when approaching other riders, how to saddle up the horse, that kind of thing. She also got to ride for most of the session, no lead rope, just the instructor nearby...her favorite part was when she and Copper got to trot! Drue was pretty expression-less the entire 45 minute session, but, once she slid off the saddle and climbed over the fence to me, she had a priceless smile and quickly informed me, "I want to do it TWICE a week!" We assured her, she can take them ONCE a week for as long as she'd like!

I can't think of anything that would make her more happy than being on a horse!

As you can imagine, we're constantly counting

down the days until the next riding lesson, now!

Thursday was a busy night...after riding lessons, I had to hurry and make supper so I could go to the movie, Bridesmaids with Kelly. Funny, funny movie! (But I'm glad we didn't take our moms along...would have been a little embarrasing!)

While I was in the kitchen plopping 4 chicken breasts into foil packets for the grill, I'd say about 10 minutes max...Ryan had taken off Dig's training wheels and the two were walking down the street. Ryan had his hand on Dig's bike seat. I put the chicken on the grill and yelled to the boys, "I better go get the camera!" Ryan said, "you won't need it tonight, we're just starting."

Well, like usual...I didn't listen! Good thing, too because that little stinker rode without training wheels the very first time his dad let go! And, he didn't just poke around...he FLEW! He pedalled so fast that Ryan had to full-out RUN!

I happened to catch the moment with my camera...the camera I wouldn't have had if I listened to my husband! =)

Dig is so proud! Today, he mastered starting himself. He's still working on stopping in any other way but crashing into the curb, but he'll have it in no time! We are so proud for him! We knew it wouldn't be long before our little athlete was showing off on a bike without training wheels...I just never thought it would be this easy! He's definitley feeling like big stuff the last two days.

Surprisingly, there are no new cuts or bruises...yet!

His bike sheild suffered a little during the crashes, nothing a zip-tie can't fix!

He's off!

Momma thought he went a little too fast for his first time!

But both boys were EXCITED!

Just another Thursday evening with the Luikens!

We're Pooped!

2011-06-09T12:47:00.000-05:00

Or in the words of the Balvanz family ..."we're exhausterated!"

(how we found Dig after the pool, before dinner last night!)

Since my last post we've had school trips, Preschool graduation, the last day of First-grade, Uncle Steve & Aunt Lisa home for a long Memorial Day weekend, all the Luiken kids home, a summer clothes shopping trip, hot summer days at the pool, doctor appointments, nightly Bible study lessons, evenings spent at the shop building a chicken coop (why? you ask? stay tuned!) practicing showing sheep and we're closing in on our week at Bible school.

Two weeks of summer vacation and we're already pooped!

More posts to come...once we've rested up!

Flashback Friday

2011-05-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

Spring 2009: Goofing Around with Grandma Mary!

Guest of Honor

2011-05-16T15:05:00.001-05:00

Waaaay back in February, we received a letter in the mail. It was from the Hardy Reading Council. {Hardin & Grundy Counties} The letter informed us that Drue had written a poem at school that was submitted to the reading association, was judged by a committee of teachers and writers and that she had won at the local level!

What a surprise! We had no idea about the contest or the poem! =) She had written it in her daily, winter journal.

Drue's poem, "Sledding," was then submitted to the State Poetry Contest of the Iowa Reading Association. Later in March, DD received another letter. This time, informing and congratulating her because her poem had won SECOND place in the STATE!!

We were invited to a recognition dinner and all of the local winners would read their writings. May 4th, we left shortly after school and took off for BCLUW where lots of family joined us! Nanny, Pa, Mimi, RahRah, Uncle Shawn and KK came to hear Drue read her poem and enjoy a children's author speak. One of Drue's classmates, Waylen, also had also won a student writer award...Drue was excited that he was there, too.

Drue got to read her poem first. She was nervous up until the time she got on the chair, then she read like an old pro! She received an award and a children's book from the guest speaker. After Julia Cook spoke, we purchased a few more books and got to meet the author as she wrote a special note in DD & Dig's new books.

We were all so proud of her!

"Sledding"

Sledding is going fast,

I know I don't want to be last!

Sledding with my family is lots of fun,

Would you like to come?

Down the hill is where you go,

Don't get stuck in the deep snow!

Sledding down the snowy hill-

It's the best winter thrill!

I'm gonna be in BIG trouble...

2011-05-10T10:09:00.000-05:00

but I couldn't resist!

Like father...like son!

Dig's Date

2011-05-09T09:12:00.000-05:00

DD and Dad had a date, so Dig and I decided to have one, too!

He chose the activities...Play at Twister Park and get ice-cream!

Lane instructed, "get your camera and meet me at the bottom of the slide!"

Just shoes!

And, there's Dig...with no shoes!

He thought it was just hilarious!

Thanks for the date, Digga Dean!

Ubba!

Dad-Daughter Dance Night!

2011-05-06T21:32:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again...school is winding down, Spring is finally here and what better way to celebrate than a dance with your dad and your friends! Ryan and DD went last year, so they knew what to expect this time around. The First-graders are old pros! One hour of fun music, dressed up daddies, girls in pretty dresses and flowers, yummy cookies and refreshing punch! I wish I could have been a mouse in the corner!

Ryan said DD was a little nervous for the first few minutes, but quickly warmed up when she found her good friends Becca, Kali and Emma. He also said she quickly shed her shoes and sweater so she could run around the gym better! There may have been more running than dancing at this dance!

Drue told me it "felt like just a minute!" The dance was over too quickly in her opinion. Afterwards, Daddy and DD went out for ice-cream.

Hopefully, the memories made will last much longer than that minute!
I know her daddy will always treasure the special times like these that he gets to spend with his favorite little girl.

The other man in her life.

Dig and I had a "date" tonight, too!

He chose the evening's activities...Twister Park and ice-cream!

Pictures of our date to come!

Dig's Day at Round-Up!

2011-05-05T22:28:00.003-05:00

Some how, more than a week has gone by and I've yet to post about Dig's big day at Kindergarten Round-Up! We are in the heart of one of the craziest weeks we've had in a long time. Something every single night! So...here ya' go! Some pictures from Lane's very fun, very exciting and very exhausting day!

The night before, as he, Drue and I snuggled on the couch, Lane peeked up his little head and softly asked, "Mommy? How do you open a locker? and what happens if I don't drink all of my milk?" Sweet, sweet boy was thinking about all of the "big" things he'd experience the next day.

He woke up easily and quickly got dressed. He even ate breakfast, although, not much. He usually doesn't feel like eating until later in the morning. Heck, Dig and I stay in our pajamas until around noon when he gets ready for preschool.

He was excited to see some friends from preschool and Mrs. Hildreth! We volunteered at all of Mrs. Hildreth's activities when DD was in her class and have eaten lunch with DD several times, so Dig felt very comfortable going!

His locker! Dig also packed a Subway sandwich for his first lunch at school.

Coloring a cowboy while all of his classmates arrived at school.

Time for Momma to go.

Drue had told him earlier in the morning, "if you need anything, have your teacher come get me, Dig." I received and email during the day from a teacher friend saying she saw Lane outside having a blast. After school, Mrs. Hildreth emailed me to let me know Lane had a wonderful day, was very helpful and so polite. She also mentioned how cute she thought it was that Drue was a "little mother" she went and checked on him during lunch and library time. My heart smiled. It was so nice to get those updates, as I had obviously been thinking of both of them all day, wondering how things were going and praying Dig wasn't nervous and really enjoying his day. Drue & Lane were both so excited to tell me about their days and let me know they saw eachother on the playground, even played together! Next year will be so fun for them!

It wasn't just a "first" for Dig...it was a "first" for this momma. I can't remember the last time I've been home alone for that long. I'm sure it's happened, mom will take the kids or Ryan will run an errand with them, but ALL day?! Wowzer. I found myself just wandering around the house, "what should I do?" I had plenty to do, don't get me wrong. My problem was that none of what needed to be done sounded very exciting. After some computer time and coffee while watching the Today Show, I managed to get all three bathrooms cleaned, laundry caught up (and put AWAY! shocking!) I even read a little.

I miss those monkeys so much when they're gone! I'm also bored out of my gourd without them, but, I sure can get a lot done! I will, most likely, be putting my name in to be a substitue teacher at the school once classes start in the Fall. Then it won't really feel like they're gone. We'll all be at school together!

I even asked Lane, "would you wave and act like you knew me if I was a teacher at the school or would you ignore me? Will you say, 'hi Momma!' or act like you don't see me?"

He said, "Well, I'll act like I know you, but I'll probably just say, 'hi, KRISsss!'"

Then puckered up, wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "I love MY Krissss!"

Kris loves you, too Lane!

and Mommy loves you too, DD!

Edible Version

2011-05-02T08:37:00.000-05:00

My very creative and patient mom saw this idea in her Family Fun magazine right around the time DD was busy building her Recycled Robot for school. Nanny volunteered to do the baking and have the kids help with the decorating. We all had such a busy weekend, but Mom still made time to do this with Drue and Lane yesterday.

I wish I could have seen the reactions of all of Drue's friends. The edible version of "DJ" (Drue Junior) turned out so adorably cute, I'm sure she'll taste just as good! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Rise & Shine!

2011-04-27T10:27:00.001-05:00

Both kids had to get up bright and early to go to school today!

Usually Dig's in pajamas until noon and eats breakfast about 9:30...not today!

DD was very excited to be able to get peeks of her brother and play with him at recess.

More pictures from Kindergarten Round-up to come!

Doubts

2011-04-24T21:58:00.006-05:00

I'm afraid this may be it. The last Easter Drue 'lets' the Easter Bunny come to our house. The past few years the kids paint milk jugs to look like bunnies for their Easter baskets. While Drue was painting she came right out and asked, "Mom, is the Easter Bunny real? I mean..every time I think of him, I think it just has to be you." I wasn't about to end the magic this year. I know Christmas and Easter, especially, are not about the Rabbit and Santa, but we make sure the kids understand the real reasons for the seasons all while including these fun little traditions, too. I just can't let a girl who is so upset that she hasn't lost a single tooth yet think there isn't a Tooth Fairy ready to slide a dollar under her pillow! How depressing that would be for my full-mouthed babe!

We did all of our "usual" Easter activities, this year. We dyed eggs, painted the jug bunny baskets and made little bunny bean-bags out of old socks. The kids even made little bunny cakes with Nanny. The theater in town lucked out by having the movie Hop this week. Nanny, Pa and the kids and I volunteered to work tickets and concessions. It was one of the busiest movies we've worked, and one of the cutest we've seen in quite a while! The movie rejuvenated DD's excitement about the Easter Bunny and on the way home, she and Lane came up with a plan to catch the Easter Bunny! We also remembered we didn't have any carrots, so we had to make a late night stop at Hy-Vee. The kids decided they were going to pour flour on our front step so they can see his tracks. They'd bribe him with the carrots.

(baskets from 2009, yes the date says '08, it's wrong)

(This year. The bunny jug, a snack bag from preschool and the bunny bean-bag.)

As we pulled in the driveway, I opened the garage door and to our astonishment, there were 2 candy bouquets on the ground with colorful chalk circles around them. "WHAT?! I don't get it! Are you serious?!" was what was coming out of the kids' mouths. They were in total shock. We walked in the kitchen and discussed how in the world he must have gotten in there. Just as we started to brainstorm the possible ways he got in our garage, the kitchen fireplace flu (?) sprung open! Kids jumped! I jumped! Kids grabbed our legs and hid their eyes! I may or may not have peed. Just a freaky coinky-dink...or was it? Perhaps the Easter Bunny uses the fireplace, just like Santa. But, never once did they think Ryan, who came home before we were done cleaning the theater, may have put the candy there. Didn't even cross their minds. Daddy didn't do it, but Uncle Shawn and KK may know who did.

The kids got busy dumping all the flour I had in the canister on the front deck. They put carrots, both mini carrots and the full length ones, on plates...just incase E.B. had a preference. Then they got cozy in the living room and fell fast asleep. Meanwhile, Pa was home brainstorming ways to make bunny tracks and texting me...here's a sample from "Operation Bunny-Tracks."

"I have created a crude rabbit track imrint. Initial flour test run yielded inconsistent results. It may work well enough to achieve desired effect. Over."

"I await your further instructions, over."

Not long later, I checked for myself, and indeed...the Easter Bunny had been to our house! He left his little paw prints to prove it...along with pile of Easter Bunny poo (jelly beans) Success!

The kids were talking about it all morning. Drue said, she just wishes they could figure out how to make sure we're the last stop for the E.B. next year so she can trap him and keep him in the dog carrier!

DD & Dig had baskets full of the typical Easter candy, bubbles, fun twisty crayons, goggles and a new sprinkler for the yard. Then before we could even get out the door for Sunday School, Nanny was able to sneak huge buckets of candy, coloring books and stuffed bunnies on our front step.

After church this morning, we ran home to change. From the end of the road I could see Ryan forgot to close the garage door. Nothing new really. For some reason this happens a lot. He joked, "uh-oh. Mom's going to be mad...I left the garage door open." Little did I know I was going to be mad. While we were at church, one of the Easter Bunny's very special helpers made a delivery of Sugar Cakes just for me! Fortunately for me, she was able to find a corner of the island cleared off enough to set the box full of delicious goodies...because this is what she saw (minus the cat)... Easter exploded in our house!

Can you say..."Mortified!" I also bet she wondered what the heck happened on the front step!

If Ryan leaves that door open again...I swear, I'm gonna' kick him in the ham! (Dig thinks that's just hilarious!) Luckily, she understood and I was able to regain my composure as soon as I popped one of those cute little Sugar Cakes in my mouth. I forgot the kitchen was even messy...until I swallowed. So I popped another...and another. By the look of the near-empty box...my kitchen should look pretty darn good right now....but that may just be the sugar plums dancing in my head.

After my little melt down and sugar-pick-me-up, we headed to my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Randy's house in Dayton for dinner. Cindy and Grandma purchased over 80 eggs that were hidden around their acreage....for TWO kids. MY kids. Dentists love us. All of this on top of the Easter Egg hunt we had a couple of weeks ago at Mimi & RahRah's!

Great-Grandpa John said, "that should be enough candy to last you until the Labor Day Rodeo parade!" When we got in the car, DD told Dig, "Ok, we gotta' start eating some of this! Grampa says it has to be gone by Labor Day and I'm not sure we'll be able to do it!"

I ~~think~~ hope she's right!

Recycled Robot

2011-04-18T10:21:00.003-05:00

This month, DD's teacher assigned an Earth Day project. The kids were told to clean out junk drawers, look in the recylcling bins, find anything that would otherwise be thrown away... and build a robot.

We knew just where to go look for fun things to build the recycled robot...Pa's shop! Lucky for DD, he doesn't throw much away! That man loves a good coffee can with a lid, he hates to see them thrown away...actually, they don't get thrown away...he grabs them out of the trash and takes them to the shop for sorting screws or bolts or whatever.

We all headed to the shop last week and Drue, Daddy, Pa and Uncle Shawn rummaged through the shop finding things that would make a good robot. They found a bottom to a broken Shop-Vac, a top to a garbage can - that I think Uncle Jim brought from New York, some hose, a broken electric-fencer that was full of lights and switches to be used and some scraps of electrical wire. Once home, Drue found a couple extra toppers from our backyard fence, a necklace with a broken clasp to use for earrings, some plastic dress-up bracelets that she's never worn and a couple letter magnets that were long forgotten in back of the kitchen junk-drawer. Daddy cut the holes for the hose and bent the wire, Pa cut the holes for the little light and switch then DD stuck them in the robot's body. The next day, Drue used Liquid Nails glue to stick on her robot's face and ears. That was it! There you have it!

DJ the Recycled Robot!

(yes...we're still wearing winter coats and hats to school! Brr!)

It sure is nice to have a Pa who has a lot of junk...

uh, I mean STUFF!

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub 2 Kids in a Tub

2011-04-08T13:38:00.002-05:00

We're already at the point in our lives where we don't really need to be in the bathroom while the kids bathe. We're still in the phase where the kids bathe together and I'm thankful. They keep eachother occupied. However, I still get a lot of, "hey, Mom! Come see this!" and "Mom tell DD to share the toy!" and "Mom! Tell Dig to stop splashing me!" It seems like I get up a hundred times during their bath to see what kind of concotion they've 'made' for me to 'drink' or "look what we're doing now!"...but this is what happens when you give them crayon bath soaps.

I should have known by the immense giggling and
pounding on the wall, but I wasn't quite prepared for
what I was about to see!

and this is what the water looked like afterwards...eew!

Now the bath tub needs a bath!

Work Boots

2011-04-05T11:22:00.002-05:00

The kids decided against the popular,

cute and stylish, rubber boots this year...

opting instead for real work boots.

'Cause that's what farm kids do...

they forego fashion...

and step in cow poop!

Grown-up Drue's Dream and Crab Rangoon at 8/7 Central

2011-03-25T20:35:00.006-05:00

Oh.My. Drue sure has kept me laughing the past few days. The girl is a hoot...and I don't think she always means to be. Dig...he tries. He's the entertainer. Drue. She's the serious one...who still manages to CRACK me up. I have a few different stories that I want to make sure and post about, since I wasn't getting around to doing them, I thought I could group them all together in a little "Drue Collage." So here ya' go...

> Monday, as I was making supper Drue came into the kitchen with a little note she had just written. She proceeded to read it to me. See for yourself.

"I am 7. I love being 7. I {feel} like a {grown-up.}

It is fun being 7. 2011"

Ah, yes! I remember being 7. It was almost exactly 27 years ago (yikes!!) that my dad moved to Eldora. He was 27 (or 28...but work with me) he was moving home to help his dad farm and would eventually take the operation over. Dad moved for planting season, in March or April, but Mom and the boys and I stayed in Jefferson, IA until school was let out for the year. I was in 1st Grade. Just like DD. Mom would take us to visit on the weekends. I still get butterflies in my stomach when we get to the bridge in Ellsworth on 175. I knew when I saw that bridge it was 27 miles (see what I did there with the 27s?!) until we'd be in Eldora. About 27 minutes until I would see my dad!

I was only 7, but I remember feeling so grown-up. I would be moving to a new school, have to make new friends, but I don't remember being worried about those things. I remember feeling grown-up...like my DD feels at 7. I just didn't bother writing a little note telling everyone, like she did!

> Then Tuesday night she shocked us with quite the grown-up comment. We've never had bedtimes. Ever. When you're tired, go to bed, or fall asleep in the living room. It has never been crazy, but before they were in school the kids would stay up later, like 9:30-10. But since they've been in school, it's more like 8:30-9. The kids still sit on my lap and fall asleep. I love it. I get sad when, occasionally, they fall asleep on the floor alone. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the time change was hard. Mostly on me. Drue must have been feeling it too, because Tuesday I heard something I don't know if any 7 year-old has ever said in the history of all time..."Mom, I think I want to start having a bedtime." Excuse me?! So she explained to me that she'd go to her room and get in bed at 8:15 so she would hopefully be asleep by 8:30. Well, she's done it one night. She's not making any promises!

> Last night, I heard Drue crying in her sleep. I was tired and didn't get up to check on her. Bad Mom! I figured, if she woke up, she'd come get me. I waited in bed thinking she'd be coming and she never did. I easily fell back asleep. When I woke her up this morning I asked her if she had a bad dream, thinking it probably had to do with the tornado on last night's episode of the Suite Life on Deck. She popped her head up and with big eyes said, "yes! We were having a school play and there was only ONE cowgirl and ONE horse...and I got the horse part!" Not exactly what I was expecting. Drue was so sad. The girl wants to be a cowgirl so badly. Eventually, she told me that the little girl who got the cowgirl part never learned her lines so the two switched and that little girl had to be the horse, while DD starred as the cowgirl. So, the bad dream ended well.

> This morning, Drue was getting a few minutes of morning cartoons while eating breakfast. She must have found a show she wanted to watch because I heard, "Mom? Will I be home at 8 - 7 Central?" When she got home from school she said, "the movie I want to watch is on at 8/7 Central. When is that?"

> Warning: Do not give Drue Kathleen a crab rangoon. Oh my goodness. It was hilarious. Ryan and I ordered Chinese tonight and I told Drue she just had to try one. They are so good, I assured her. She took a big ol' bite and immediately ran to get a drink. Then she disappeared, so I thought all was fine. A minute later she runs from the living room with the chewed up rangoon in her palm and scratching at her tongue frantically trying to get the taste off! I started laughing to the point I almost peed my pants. True story. I told her to go to the bathroom and she gags, almost puking the entire way there. She brushed her teeth for 3 or 4 minutes and took a drink of my Dr. Pepper in hopes of washing the taste out of her mouth. I am still laughing to the point of tears. She told me it tasted like "rotten cheese, raw hamburger and rocks!" Ahhh. Tears! heehehheha! The girl doesn't like cheese. When we play "Would You Rather" she tries to think of the grossest/ scariest things she can... "Would you rather swim with a shark...or eat CHEEEEEESE???" Like cheese is the most disgusting thing on Earth. I believe her new question will be "would you rather jump in lava or eat crab rangoooooon?!!"

Oh, my dear DD. You make me giggle. And pee my pants. I love you so.

Point Taken

2011-03-22T12:56:00.003-05:00

Remember THIS?

Well, in not so many words, Lane has
delivered the same kind of message.

I actually had walked past the sign on his door several

times and noticed "Lane Dad Mom" but it wasn't until

yesterday that I noticed he had

written and crossed out his sister's name.

He may not know how to write

complete sentences yet,

but he definitely got his point across!

Madness

2011-03-17T21:15:00.004-05:00

It's March. That means March Madness around here. This year Dig filled out 2 brackets of his own. Ryan let him pick his own teams. He chose some by jeresey color. Some by mascot, some by how silly the name of the team was. For a brief time this afternoon, he led the local bracket all by himself. That all came to an end a few minutes ago when Wofford lost. Wofford, who??? Lane has had so much fun filling out the brackets, highlighting the winners, watching the games, spending time with Daddy playing ball. He's definitely MAD about March Madness!

Lane had me set the kitchen timer for when the games started. He sat in front of the little kitchen t.v. eating lunch and watching the first game. I had strict instructions to "keep watchin' this game and tell me who wins when I get home from school!" It's going to be a long month!

March also brings a different kind of MADNESS, that is very apparent in our house today!

Someone has a bad case of Spring Fever. Not to mention that terrible, horrible, no-good time change! Ugh! It's been killer on us! (and by us...I mean, ME!)

Drue is ready to be done with school. She's worked so hard. She's missed exactly one math problem and has yet to miss a spelling word. She's reading words through the 4th grade and running laps like crazy in PE. She's ready for summer break!

Just look what a double-sided subtraction worksheet did to her tonight!

And I quote, "how could she?! How could she send home a two-sided SUBTRACTION worksheet!?

She knows I know all of these!"

And then it got UGLY

THIS is what happened when she realized I was laughing hysterically

while sticking the camera in her face. Eeek!

March Madness is SO here!

Another Sure Sign of Spring!

2011-03-11T11:02:00.005-06:00

It's {almost} soccer time!

Dig is FINALLY able to play soccer this year! He has been waiting for at least two years already. The Spring of DD's preschool year, Ryan and I coached her soccer team. We knew nothing about it. Like, really, nothing at all. We had fun, DD enjoyed the running around...the kicking...not so much! She got hit in the chest with the ball early in the season and that pretty much turned her off for good. I actually have video of her reaction to that...I'll see if I can figure out how to post it.

Whatta' ya know...I did it!

You can hear someone say, "that was a good block." =) and then I said, "at least you stopped it." Not very reassuring, huh? I have a feeling this won't be a problem with Dig.

Uncle Steve gave Dig the Galaxy uniform/shoes when he was 2.

(for some reason, the yr is wrong, it was '08)

He loved it and still tries to shove himself into it!

Notice Dig's pose...I didn't tell him to do that...you'll see it again.

DD's gear straight from CA.

Anyway, Lane just can't understand why DD doesn't want to go out for all the sports that are offered.

He wants to, but isn't old enough...she's old enough but doesn't want to. Just doesn't seem fair!

Well...his time has come! Practices start the first week in April and Lane cannot wait! Ryan and I will be coaches for his team, also.

Yesterday, the kids received a very special package. Uncle Steve and Lisa sent Lane all the soccer gear he'll need...just like they did for DD two years ago. Uncle Steve & Lisa both play in soccer leagues in Los Angeles...let's just say, they know a little bit about soccer! Lane has been playing soccer in the toyroom all morning!

Look how studly he thinks he is! Same pose. He knows he's pretty stinkin' cool.

You can just tell he genuinely loves sports...wonder where he gets that!? =)

He's trying to hit the ceiling in this picture...actually, not so much "trying" but IS hitting the ceiling!

Can't wait to see how he reacts in a game.

He's been waiting for so long for this season to come!

A Rhyme

2011-03-09T15:54:00.005-06:00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Luiken kids have little lambs,

Little lambs,

Little lambs.

The Luiken kids have little lambs,

their fleeces are white as snow... er...black as coal.

They followed them to school one day,

School one day,

School one day.

They followed them to school one day,

which was against the rule...

actually, it was

perfectly fine!

Sonic braved a bunch of Preschoolers on Tuesday afternoon.
{Of course, I didn't get a picture.}

Then, this afternoon, Teddi visited the First-graders!

Introducing...

2011-03-06T19:27:00.001-06:00

SONIC and TEDDI!

What are we thinking?! A few days ago Nanny mentioned how cute it would be if there were a few lambs at the farm we call, "Ted's." "Ted's" is an acreage/ farm land my parents purchased this winter. It is a charming little place that makes it easy to invision all sorts of farm-related things...like, a henhouse full of chickens, a little vegetable stand, apple trees and homemade pies and a lot full of calves.

But what little farm would be complete without a couple of SHEEP?!

I grew up with sheep. Big sheep, little sheep, old sheep, baby sheep. I have so many great memories that revolve around sheep. The year we moved to Eldora, I somehow talked my dad into getting two bottle lambs. His cousin, Mike Buchanan, raised them near Hampton, IA and was happy to provide our family with our first two sheep...Oreo and Cookie, on March 10, 1985.

I remember that day plainly. We met Mike at Grandma Mary's. When I walked in, he was leaning up against the kitchen counter with two adorable lambs in a box on the floor. I was so excited. Oreo and Cookie started our flock and lived for many, many years. I can't remember which one, but either Oreo or Cookie was still alive when I was dating Ryan in 2001!

I mentioned to Ryan that I'd like to find a couple lambs for Drue and Lane...batted my eyelashes and ta-da! Ok, not really. We called back Mike, but he's raising goats now. So, where else does one look for bottle lambs? ...Craigslist, duh! I would have never thought! But as I was working in the Sunday School office this morning, my phone rang. Ryan had found two lambs and we'd be on our way after dinner at Mom & Dad's!

Luckily, we picked up minimal supplies last night in Waterloo, just in case. When we arrived at the Stanhope farm, this afternoon, the farmer's wife reached down in a mineral bucket and pulled out a little wooly boy. Oh.My.Goodness! He is tiny! Like, half the size of our cat, tiny! Lane has named him, "Sonic." Sonic is one of a set of triplets. When he was born he hid under a feed bunk and his momma never claimed him.

Next, the farmer reached in a pen and pulled out a little speckly girl. Drue named her "Teddi." Teddi is even a little smaller than Sonic! She was still with her momma when we got her. She is also one of a triplet, but was being supplemented with milk replacer. She cried the whole way home.

They are SO tiny. So incredibly tiny. So tiny that I can't bear to put them out in the big old barn at Ted's just yet. So tiny that I can't even put them out in the garage tonight. That is why I have two baby lambs in our kitchen at the moment. They are sleeping, curled up in little balls on towels. They'll spend tonight in Cash's carrier/crate in the kitchen. I'll get up with them every 3-4 hours and pray that they'll eagerly eat their little 2- ounce bottles.

Soon, they'll get big and healthy and noisy and jump around like crazy...just like my "real" kids. Hopefully, Drue & Lane can make as many great memories with our wooly babes as I did growing up.

We'll keep ya' posted!

DD & Teddi

Dig & Sonic

Dig telling Teddi a story. He says he will tell them the same stories every day. The titles of the stories will be, "First Time at Home" and "Sheep Jump Over the Moon." I do belive the memory making is well under way!

Workin' Man

2011-02-24T09:53:00.003-06:00

Dig is such a little man. He loves being able to help out and when he helps...he REALLY helps! He offers...yes, offers to sweep the kitchen floor, water plants, put dishes in the dishwasher, even scoop the driveway for Daddy.

During the day, Lane and I are home together and when it snows, he'll go look out the front windows and say something like, "well, looks like I better get out there to scoop the driveway before Dad gets home," or "I should go scoop a little so when Dad gets home it won't be so much." Seriously, what a thoughtful little man! So, he bundles up and scoops the driveway...for real.

Lately Lane's been calling me "Kris" alot. "Krissss, can I have more cereal? Krissss, where's my DS? Krissss, is it time to go to school?" I've explained to the kids before that if someone calls me Kris, I know I've known them a long time. My parents, well, I guess mostly my Dad, calls me Kris. All of my grandparents call/ called me Kris. My brothers both call me Kris...in fact, I don't think I've ever heard Steve or Shawn call me Kristy, likewise, their girlfriends, Lisa & KK, call me Kris. I remember getting on a Cambus my freshman year at the University of Iowa. From the back of the bus someone hollered, "Kris Balvanz?" Before looking to see who it was, I knew it had to be someone I went to school with in Eldora. It was. I don't know exactly when I became "Kristy?" hmmm. I remember getting my first job after college and thinking it would be a good time to start going by my given name, Kristine. But I never did. But I do love it.

Anyhoo...I asked Dig the other day, "why are you calling me Kris lately?" His reply..."Cuz' I've known you a LONG time!" Silly me.

Yesterday, I re-filled his juice cup and he said,
"Thanks Kris!"

"You're welcome, Dig."

"No. If I call you Kris, you call me Lane."

Evidently, we're on more formal terms around here these days!

PaRtiEs!

2011-02-21T13:44:00.001-06:00

DD's birthday was already 20 days ago...about time I posted some pictures!

She got the best present a first-grader could ask for...SNOW DAY! Actually, TWO snow days! The only bummer was that meant we had to postpone her friend party. It worked out that all of her friends were able to come that following Friday evening, which really was better anyway.

On her ACTUAL BIRTHDAY she was able to eat lunch at Nanny & Pa's, which hasn't happened for a long time.

Nanny knows her girl! She made her an apple pie.

Still gets embarrassed when people sing to her!

Nanny & Pa made a "Happy Birthday Drue" banner!

FRIEND PARTY:

Drue had a "Junie B. Jones" themed party this year. We played a few funny games that Junie plays in her books. This was a dress- up game kind of like musical chairs. I read a Junie B. book and when I would stop the girls had to grab a silly dress-up item out of a bag and put it on...coconut bikini, grass skirt and all! Just like Junie B! Shown are her 'bestest' friends! Kali, Campbell, Delia, Riely & Cadence.

We had Junie B's favorite supper..."hoagie sandwiches" from Subway, then cupcakes & an ice-cream sundae bar complete with crushed Oreos, cookie dough, sprinkles, strawberries, fudge and whipped cream...however, we would have only needed the Oreos and cookie dough! =)

Drue's gift bags for her friends were First-Grade Journals just like Junie B. uses, chapstick, mechanical pencil, gum & candy bracelets.

FAMILY PARTY

Our blue-eyed girl with her Wizard of Oz cake.

Drue's Mimi and RahRah, Nanny & Pa, Uncle Shawn & KK, Aunt Traci & Uncle Nick, cousins Cali & Clay and Great-Grandma Mary were able to help us celebrate.

It was a week full of celebrating our cutie- patootie!

Side Note: The Iowa shirt she's wearing is an old one of her DADDY's when he was little!! She HAD to wear it to her party!

If It's Not Gone...

2011-02-18T19:54:00.002-06:00

...it has a bite out of it!

She may or may have not learned this from her Momma. I, however, was a little more discreet when I was younger... I poked my pinky into the bottoms so no one could tell that I had already picked through the assortment. =)

Our Valentine's Day

2011-02-15T11:23:00.000-06:00

I've never been too big on the whole Valentine's thing. Don't get me wrong, I like getting flowers or chocolates or little notes...but I like getting all those things any day of the year. There seems to be so much pressure associated with the big V-day. As an adult, I don't get too excited about it, but I love making it a big deal for the kids!

We made cutout cookies...

I made these "Sweetie Pies" as a special treat for my own Sweetie Pies! They were so easy & looked so cute! I used Grandma Mary's recipe for a double crust and it made 18 cutie-patootie little cherry pies. I warmed up some of the leftover icing from the cookies and drizzled it over the pies when they came out of the oven...I think it made them taste a little more like a turnover...which technically, I consider a 'breakfast food'... at least I kept telling myself that this morning!

Both kids had their school Valentine's Day parties today. I got to help with Lane's. Those preschoolers know how to spread the love! Dig got more hugs than I could count from those little girls... was about enough to make this Momma jealous!

Drue is a pie-lover...and these passed the test!

Ryan requested "breakfast-as-supper" that morning, which was completely shocking! He is usually totally against that idea. He likes breakfast for breakfast and that's it! I have, however, started making breakfast foods, (omelets, pancakes, sausage, hashbrowns, egg sandwiches, egg bakes, French toast, etc...) after church on Sundays and he's been ok with it...maybe it's because I call it 'brunch?' Mind games, mind games, whatever works, I say.

I was all excited to make heart-shaped pancakes for everyone. Go figure, my 'non-stick' pan is becoming less and less 'non-stick' so the hearts didn't really resemble hearts...which ended up not really mattering because Ry is the only one who eats pancakes other than me.

Actually, I think Ry suggested pancakes and eggs for supper thinking he was doing me a favor. It sounds simple enough, but no matter what I do, big breakfasts seem hard for me to orchestrate.

I have a hard time getting things cooked at the right time. The sausage is done, then make the pancakes, without having cold sausage. Eggs have to be HOT for me so they are last minute, but by then the pancakes are cool or stuck to the pan and it seems like we each eat at different times...

I know he meant well...but my groaning must not have been hint enough to order out... and now I have the messy kitchen to occupy the rest of my day.

Happy Valentine's Day to me. =)

Pokey-pine

2011-02-14T09:37:00.000-06:00

The weather was gorgeous this weekend and the kids took advantage of it! Winters in Iowa aren't really 'play-outside' kind of days. It seems like once it snows and looks like fun outdoors, it gets too cold...too fast.

It was a balming 35 or 40 degrees out and the snow was melting. Perfect for making a snowman...or in our case...a snowFAMILY!

{Drue did wear appropriate winter clothing while playing outside...I made her run back out for a picture!}

This poor snow-family didn't last long. Within about 3 hours they were hunched over and melting away. OR Cash, the dog jumped on them trying to eat their apple mouths & carrot noses, we don't know for sure!?

Daddy also helped Dig make a little tunnel. He played in it for the longest time!

Lane told me he was a "pokey-pine" and he was needing to eat lots of food (snow) because...

pretty soon he needed to be "de-hydrating" (read: hibernating) for the winter!!

"Re-rase it"

2011-02-11T09:39:00.000-06:00

"MOM! Re-rase that picture of DD on your blog and put one of me on it!"

Yes, sir.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-09T10:14:00.000-06:00

Drue Kathleen's Birth Story

2011-02-01T19:38:00.004-06:00

Wow! I can't believe that tomorrow, Drue will be S-E-V-E-N! Growing up,I wanted nothing more than to be a mommy, but never played out what my life would be like after I actually had the babies I wanted! I couldn't have imagined it any better than it has been...

It all started seven years ago tonight. Well, technically nine-months before that. Ok, actually...much longer than that. I had been praying for babies almost all of my life!

The end of January, 2004, Dr. Glascock had put me on bed rest for the week. I think because of high blood pressure. I was only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom and stayed on the couch watching tv all day. (looking back, I really should have 'appreciated' that more!) Ryan and I played alot of Cribbage that week! My super mom brought dinner out to Ryan and I every night that week and at least one of the nights, she, Dad & Shawn ate dinner with us.

February 1, 2004 the weather man was forecasting a storm much like the one we are experiencing today. Lots of snow, maybe some ice and wind. I was around 38 and a half weeks pregnant and had a scheduled OB appointment on Monday, February 2. Ryan and I talked and he said I would need to call first thing in the morning to cancel the appointment, there was just no way we were going to travel in that weather for a doctor's appointment.

I cried.

Ryan could sense my disappointment. I wasn't hard to read. I just kept crying. He finally said we could go to Waterloo that night and stay in a hotel so we could get to the appointment. I knew he really didn't want to do that, but also thought it would be silly since we weren't due until the 13th. I could just re-schedule, as much as I didn't want to.

So, Ryan and I stayed home and watched the Super Bowl. Neither one of us can remember who played. All we do remember is that was the night of Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction." We didn't actually see it. We had already gone to bed. (But it was all our nurses could talk about!)

The next thing I remember was a loud "POP!" It was so loud it woke me up. I opened my eyes and looked at the clock. 4:14 a.m... I layed there wondering what in the heck that sound was. I still remember trying to figure it out and thinking, "well, since I'm awake I might as well go to the bathroom." I stood up to go downstairs and that's when I figured it out... GUSH! The POP was my water breaking!

I froze. Oh.My.Goodness! I remember looking at Ryan sleeping peacefully and thinking, "he's going to kill me! He said we wouldn't be able to travel and now we HAVE to!" So after a minute I summoned the courage to wake him.  "Ryan?   Ryan??   Ryan?"   He poked his head up. "What?" "Um...I think my water just broke." This time he sat all the way up. "SERIOUSLY?!"   "yup."

I've never seen him move so fast! Before I could change my clothes and get downstairs, Ryan had grabbed our bags, got dressed, called his parents to bring their 4-wheel drive truck over in case we'd need it to get to Waterloo and scooped the sidewalk! Arnie & Linda were there just minutes later and led the way to the interstate. We had decided we could get there in our car so we waved them on and headed to Covenant.  Neither of us said much on the way. I suppose we were both too nervous. I remember Ryan telling me to "stop that!" when he would see me checking the time on my cell-phone causing it to light up. He thought I was timing contractions, but I wasn't even having any.

We went in the Emergency entrance and sat at the little cubby answering questions for the lady. When she realized my water had already broke, she hurried the process up a bit and got me a wheel-chair. The next few hours were uneventful. I got my epidural around 11 am and called my parents' house around noon. Mom and I had a little understanding that I was not to tell her I was in labor. Just call her when the baby was here. She didn't want to be worrying about me being in pain all day.  When I called, Dad answered. I told him where I was and he said Mom wasn't home yet. I decided I'd call her myself in a few minutes. When I got a hold of her she said, "Oh, Kristy! I didn't want to know! Now I won't get any work done!" I reassured her that I was in absolutely no pain. Drugs are so good. =)

About 2:00 the nurse rolled in the giant table full of millions of scissors. I remember thinking "holy-cow! What have I gotten myself into!?"  A little after 4:00 pm the nurse told me to try and push just to see how things were going. No sooner had I done it, she said, "oh stop! I have to go get the Doctor!" Ry had to hold my leg up it was so numb. I had no idea if I was pushing or not. All I remember being concerned about was if Ryan was going to pass out and when would I hear that baby cry?!

Well, 3 sets of 3 pushes, absolutely no pain and 9 minutes later...we had our baby girl!

Our chunky-monkey was born on 2-2-04 at 4:24 pm, weighed 8lbs 5oz. and was 19 inches long. She had the roundest pumpkin head I'd ever seen and I was in love.

All of our family braved the bad weather to meet the first grandbaby on both sides. Including Drue's great-grandma grandpa Balvanz.

Oh my, has that girlie taught me a thing or two about being a mom! Those first 3 months were petrifying! I knew for sure I was going to mess something up. I had to watch her every breath, if I didn't, I knew she'd just stop breathing all together! I called the Dr. about the silliest things! I didn't let her sleep in a crib, let alone in her own room! She slept with me everynight, (for years!) I sat her in the bouncy chair in the bathroom with me while I bathed. I hesitated to leave her with her own daddy! Seriously. I was pathetic.

Ryan and I are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with a perfectly healthy daughter. Drue Kathleen made us a family seven years ago and made my dream of becoming a mommy come true.

Just days ago, Drue came up to me holding one of her 'babies' and crying. Real tears.

"I just wanna be a mommy sooo bad!"

I know exactly how you feel, baby. Exactly. And I pray God blesses you like he has me.

I love you, DD.

Really!? I can't believe this picture! I can't make one thing look like her! Not her eyes, not her nose, not her mouth...nothing! What a punkin'!

Little Mommy, DD this Christmas with her Twins, Bea & Ben.

DD with Charlie. I got her at my cousins' Annie & Tiff's garage sale probably 25 years ago. These days, Charlie goes everywhere!

Tonight, Drue & her other baby, Penny-Cutie.

Happy 7th Birthday, DD Kathleen!

Last Names

2011-01-29T16:31:00.005-06:00

Here ya' go. The finished products. I wanted all of the Luiken pictures to come from the Luiken farm and all of the Balvanz pictures to come from the Balvanz farm. I gave them to Dad and Ryan's Dad for Father's Day and made each of my brothers one, too. However, Steve's is still on the hope chest in our bedroom. I'm terrible.

They're not perfect, but everyone liked them and they represent things the guys see or use at their own farms, so that, to me, makes them more special.

B= is the Balvanz Cattle brand. This is an engraved rock at Dad's shop.

A= the frosty fence posts leaning in a field.

L= a tractor window.

V= a shadow on the barn of the farm Mom & Dad just purchased.

A= I don't know what this is really called. It is the thing you clamp to ground things when you weld.??? Dad is so proud right now. I think I'll call it a grounding clamp?? hehe..

N= a gate at one of the calf lots' loading pen. It's hard to see in this picture...and Ns are hard to find!

Z= your good ol' barn door...actually that one is more of an inside door/gate.

L= from the inside of the hoop barn.

U= a chain hook

I= fence post

K= I totally lucked out on this one! This is from a fuel barrel stand. It's no longer there, so I got it just in time!

E= This is a picture through the gate at Ryan's cattle lot. You can see his calves through the gate. For Arnie's, I took a picture of a gate with hog feeders in the background, since I always knew him to have pigs.

N= part of an auger.

We have them hanging in our new family room and I told DD that when she's married, I will take pictures for her new last name and hang them with all of our family names....Let's hope that's not for about 20 years!

Frosting

2011-01-28T13:09:00.000-06:00

Mornings like this Dad would always say, "A guy should really get the camera out and take some pictures on a morning like this." The fog has a beautiful way of frosting things up.

These pictures are from a morning last winter. I was in search of "letters" for a project I wanted to do for my brothers, Dad and Ryan's Dad, Arnie. On this particular morning I found a fabulous "A" for the Balvanz family! I'll have to take a picture of the final products that are now hanging in our basement family room.

Even Will was full of frost!

You have to look at everything...like these fence posts leaning in a corner of a field...Perfect "A"

A potential "E"

Yellow Snow

2011-01-26T15:03:00.001-06:00

The kids got out the squirt bottles and colored water a few weeks ago and got busy making snow blocks on the front step. They were playing "car wash." Each block was a car and the colored water was the soap.

Of course, they had to eat some snow. Yellow snow of all things!

Messy Monday

2011-01-24T13:59:00.000-06:00

Just keepin' it real...

Heck, I'm not even sure it's Monday.

All I do know is we've been busy. Busy getting carpet. Busy getting the flu. Busy getting the sectional. Busy getting an ear-infection. Busy coughing. Busy running to the Dr. Busy trying out the new sectional.

In case you're wondering, yes. The boys are both sleeping. Yes, the ceiling looks suspicious. Yes, I'll post more pictures of the basement...when it looks a little more finished and yes, I'm exhausted.

Spelling Test!

2011-01-18T14:18:00.000-06:00

Can you believe this list?

Those were definitely NOT my spelling words way back when I was in First-grade. In fact, I'm not sure I even had a spelling test in First-grade. Can you tell by these words what she's studying right now?

Yup, PENGUINS.

I wasn't positive what a 'rookery' was...my daughter informed me. And, so it's begun. The "I-know-more-than-my-mom" disease. Perfect.

We're proud to report she didn't miss a single word!

Actually, she has yet to miss a spelling word all year. It's bound to happen. I have to keep reminding her, that one day, she will miss one. She replies, "maybe not!"

The girl is quite the smarty-pants. While most moms keep papers with perfect scores and beautiful, glittery star stickers...I made a special point to keep a recent math worksheet dated January 10, 2011. That was the first time she has missed a math problem all year! Don't worry. I keep plenty of "Good Work" sheets and awesome artwork, too!

Maybe, she gets her love for Spelling from her Momma...but it's most certainly not where she gets her love for Math.

That's Daddy's territory! (Thank goodness!!)

Martin LUIKEN King, Jr.

2011-01-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

Lane, Friday after school: "Mom! Monday is somebody's birthday. A gray guy, I think."

*Side note: No, Lane does not say African-American. Since he was 3 he has differentiated people with darker skin than his by saying the color of skin. Who knows why he doesn't say brown. He's always had trouble deciphering gray and brown. Maybe he's color-blind? Maybe he doesn't know his colors? I get why he doesn't say black. Skin doesn't look black, like the color black he knows. Anyhoo. He is in no way trying to hurt someone's feelings by saying they have gray skin. You get what I mean.

Lane: "His name was Martin LUIKEN King, Jr. and I know what he did! Gray people couldn't go into certain stores...and he made it so they could. They couldn't ride on school buses...and he made it so they could. They couldn't go to school with kids who had white skin...he made it so they could.

Then a naughty guy shot him with a gun. Not tomorrow, not tomorrow, but the next tomorrow...is his birthday and we get to read two new books about him at school!"

Tornado Shelter Turned Reading Cubby

2011-01-14T12:59:00.000-06:00

Prior to the hail storm we always kept the space under the steps downstairs empty. Ok, not empty. There always seemed to be a few stuffed animals or dolls in there. Until now the basement has always been cement floors, so we threw in a piece of carpet we had leftover from upstairs and made sure there were a couple pillows and 2 tumbling mats to cover heads with, a camping lantern and a crank weather radio/ flashlight in case of storms. Luckily, we were out of town for the August 9, 2009 storm. But, we did spend many a tense moments in that little space the summer of 2008 after the Parkersburg tornado. It seemed that summer the sirens went off more than I could ever remember, we supposed people were a little more cautious after the destruction and warning times in Parkersburg.

The kids freak and I mean f.r.e.a.k. if they hear the siren go off. They don't even bother to ask if they should go downstairs, they don't even look at Ryan or me. They head, no... run straight to the basement.

In an effort to make the place a little less scary and a lot more fun, I decided we should transform the "shelter" into a reading cubby. I told the kids they could write, put stickers, tape things to the steps and the walls underneath the steps. We threw in some pillows, collected a few of their favorite books, a couple blankets, a little lamp and voila! A Reading Cubby. Drue especially loves the space since she is able to read 'big-girl chapter books' now!

I love this. It was written in October, when DD was "6 in a haf!"

Never forget the HALF!

The Basement: Part 1

2011-01-13T14:58:00.001-06:00

It may seem odd, but one of the best selling points we found in our home was the basement. The unfinished basement. Ryan knew that someday he would be able to do whatever he wanted to with the big open room. The very first room we painted and carpeted when we moved, 3 1/2 yrs ago was the toyroom, also in the basement. There is also a 'computer room' (with laptops, every room is the computer room?) that we had recarpeted and painted. This past year, we had the basement bathroom redone, tiled/painted/new shower/toilet, etc... Still need to find lights and a vanity, though. But, the big room remained empty and ended up being a catch all for things we didn't put away the first time, you know how that goes. The end of last February, we decided to dive into the family room. Ryan tore off panelling...which was glued to dry-wall, so he tore of dry-wall (mess!) He tore the carpet off the steps and started from scratch. He insulated the walls, put up new sheetrock walls and added sheetrock the open ceiling. It's been an unorganized, dusty, construction-site mess down there...for too long. But...

I'm ecstatic to report that the 'messy stuff' is done! We have rolls of carpet in the basement ready for installation on Monday. A sectional sitting in Homemakers' warehouse ready to be delivered Thursday and a computer room full of things that need to go back in the new room.

Needless to say, we're far from done, but things are coming along smoothly, now. We've done everything ourselves, except the taping, mudding and texturing of the walls/ceiling...oh, and the bathroom tiling. We still have the bar to design and build and I have to paint doors, but the end is in sight!

I can hardly wait to get to decorating!

These are pictures I took last winter...I can't wait to share the {almost} done pictures, too!

Carpet out & panelling off stairway.

We used rolled & foam insulation. There's my treadmill all covered up.

He still looks like that, just in another room! He's been very neglected.

Looking into the kids' toyroom. Bathroom to the right.

Holy cow! I can't believe it looked like this! That's the bathroom!

No shower, no stool, no sink, no WALLS!

Little Miss DD helping paint. My mom's outfit is like a painting journal...we can find our basement on it, her living room. She's killer at trimming rooms out. I dont' even attempt. I'll never be as good as her!

Digga Dean worked hard, too!

Just proof that, I did help paint my own basement.

That night my dad brought over smokies, cheese, crackers, sausage and drinks.

He and Ryan nicely sat downstairs and entertained us...no paintbrushes in hand.

Friends for Life

2011-01-11T19:12:00.002-06:00

Our New Year's Eve plans had to be postponed because, last minute, DD got sick. We were all bummed, but knew we'd just have to celebrate the next weekend. We had our good friends, the James family over. The kids hadn't seen eachother, in what seems like to them, forever. Actually, it felt like that to me, too!

The favorite thing for DD to do with her girl friends is to change clothes...several times! She had the clothes on the floor for the entire week before they came over, just waiting for the girls to run back to her room. And, it also never seems to fail that when Lane is around these girls, his shirt is off within minutes. Quite the ladies man.

Lane had talked me into purchasing a 'disco' kind of light at Menards on one of our many trips and he thought this night would be the perfect night for a dance party. And, being the only boy, I think he was enjoying himself at this party!

The big girls made the sign....but everyone was invited. Grown ups included!

Gingerbread Houses!

2011-01-09T21:41:00.001-06:00

Oh my, did we have fun on Christmas Eve-Eve! Steve and Lisa were home for a full week before Christmas and, like every time they are home, the week went so fast. We had Christmas at Grandma Mary's, a Sunday School program, an Elementary School concert, nightly dinners at Mom & Dad's, Christmas at Grandma Grandpa Larson's and of course Christmas Eve church service followed by Christmas at Mom & Dad's. We Luikens also had Christmas with Ryan's family the weekend Steve flew in and to top it off, Lane was sick with Influenza A. We were busy. Crazy busy.

On the 23rd, Steve and Shawn grilled wonderful steaks from the calves they just had butchered. They were amazing and their niece, who is a self-proclaimed 'steak connoisseur'... well, I couldn't cut the meat fast enough for her! After dinner, we had our first, but surely not last, "Gingerbread House Contest!" Mom and Dad purchased all kinds of candies and frostings that were perfect for dressing up the gingerbread houses. Actually, they were graham cracker houses...We got in teams and started building. The only rule was that everything had to be edible. We had such a great time and everyone is already thinking about what our houses will look like next year.

DD & Lisa were on a team.

Ryan got stuck with me.

Pa decided he should be on his own team in case his idea didn't work...it did!

Steve & KK teamed up.

Dig worked with Shawn.

The view from the loft.

and the FINAL PRODUCTS...

Pa and his Teepee! Too cute! He also had an Indian and a fire. Notice the wreath above the entrance and smoke rising out of the top!

Lisa and D had a cute little house complete with colorful sidewalk and sucker lamps!

We had a pretty generic looking house with Christmas lights hanging, a little snowman, coconut snow and lighted tree.

Steve & KK had a Wizard of Oz theme, Yellow Brick Road, witch and munchkins sledding!

Ok...this one was just too perfect. No one would have expected less from Shawn. I think his walls were even insulated. There are ice-skating Teddy-grahams and fancy trees.

What a mess we made! Plenty of candy leftover, too!

Checking out the final products. Such fun!

Poor Mom was busy in the kitchen making candy cane cookies for Santa. I had told the kids we may have to buy him cookies this year, and they told their Nanny, who wouldn't think of it! So, she made sure the kids had homemade cookies to take home and leave out for Santa the next evening. Such a sweet old lady! Just kidding, Mom. I mean, you're sweet...not old, or not THAT old anyway.

Next year, I won't let her miss the fun of building the gingerbread houses!

I know for a fact that Santa likes Oreos, too.

My Winter Cuties

2011-01-07T09:59:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday, Ryan Dean!

2011-01-04T21:15:00.000-06:00

One of Lane's favorite things to do is look at the website he calls, "Bakes and Cakes." It's really Cake Wrecks. You'll find it on the right of this page. We love to giggle at the horrible-mess-of-a-cake pictures. Some of them don't even look edible. Some have crazy grammar mistakes. But, Dig especially likes to look at the Sunday Sweets posts. These are pictures of beautiful, perfect looking cakes, some of which don't look edible, either. Last night, he was "searching for next year's birthday cake." His birthday is September, mind you. It's gonna be awhile. We found some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cakes that he loved. It just so happened that today is his daddy's big day. So, guess who got a Ninja Turtle cake for his 36th birthday.

Drue stayed home sick from school today and Lane doesn't go until after lunch, so we got busy right after breakfast. We happened to have everything we needed left over from our gingerbread house party at my parents' before Christmas. (Post on that to come!)

They definitely aren't perfect, but they are fun, and it was good practice.. incase Dig doesn't change his mind in the next nine months. Yeah right!

Notice Dig has his Turtle Power shirt on, too!

The kids were so excited to show Daddy his cake. They had to wait a little later than usual to see him tonight because he took the last load of calves to Tama, but he sure loved coming home to some cake and ice-cream made especially for him by his favorite kiddos!

Happy Birthday, Ryan Dean!

From the Luiken Kids...

2010-12-26T13:11:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year!!

That's What He Said.

2010-12-10T18:06:00.003-06:00

Our little guy has said some funny things lately..and I don't want to forget them, so you get to read them!

~ After deciding he really, REALLY wanted a Nintendo DS for Christmas (way back in October) Lane would ask for one every.single.day. I explained to him that that would be something he could ask Santa for but that it was expensive and it wasn't something we would purchasing that day while we were shopping at Wal-Mart. When we were done shopping, the cashier told me the amount due, I paid, we loaded up the truck and were on our way. From the backseat Lane spoke up, "Mom, the lady at Wal-mart said 194 dollars...that's more than a DS. You could have bought me one today!"

~ "Dig, what's your job this week at Preschool?" Lane: "I have to wash the weasel!" {He meant art easel!}

~ Ocassionally, we have cherry or apple turnovers for breakfast before school. Lane didn't want his right away but later in the morning said, "Mom, I am ready for my apple make-over now." The funny thing is that Drue asked for an apple flip-over that same morning!

~"Peanut butter sandwiches are so good! Especially when my best cook, my momma makes them!"

~ While overhearing Ryan and I discuss what kind of carpet we want for the basement, Lane piped in, "Mom, do you want the pokey kind of carpet or the kind that looks like you mowed it?" (berber)

~ While I was washing dishes, Lane runs into the kitchen and yells, "Tanzania's in Africa!"

~ While watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie...Laura dressed up like an orphan and went around to people asking for money to replace the money she was given by fellow Sunday School students but spent before giving it to the pastor. She told the people her mother had died. One of the people she asked for money from recognized her. "I just saw your mother this morning," said the lady. Laura was caught ina lie. Lane said, "Laura lied. But she could have just said her mom died after lunch!" Great. He's already figuring that kind of stuff out.

~ Drue was talking about a new Junie B. Jones book she brought home. It was called Aloha-ha-ha. Lane heard the title and said, "Speaking of Hawaii...the kids in the Dramatic Play Center, which that means kitchen, were playing they were in Hawaii today."

~ Working in the basement keeps leading to one project after another. I told the kids after Ryan had a little plumbing issue that "Daddy opened a whole new can of worms down there." Dig doesn't like worms. At all. "Ok, what about the worms? There are worms in the basement? What kind of worms? Where did you open the can of worms? How big?"

~ This morning, I was in the bathroom putting my make-up on. I was only in a t-shirt & undies. My 5 year-old little man came in and started poking on the "excess" bum sticking out of my undies and said in a most serious way..."looks like someone needs bigger underwear." A little too honest there, sweetheart.

Seriously, what a hoot.

Excuse This House

2010-11-19T09:44:00.000-06:00

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

2010-11-18T13:47:00.002-06:00

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'

2010-11-12T13:13:00.000-06:00

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!!!

2010-11-04T12:53:00.001-05:00

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!