Grandpa Doug

While the rest of us were in Pittsburgh at the beginning of July, River spent a week being spoiled at Grandma and Grandpa Bartel's house...

When River was a baby, Grandpa Doug was having a lot of "indigestion" and other heartburn-ish issues.  After working for quite awhile to determine the real issue behind his continued discomfort, doctors checked his heart.  The next day, he underwent triple bypass surgery.  The surgeon said that one of the arteries that was bypassed was the "widow-maker".

He is such a special man.  Interested in growing his grandchildren.  Hopeful about what they will someday become.  Eager to give lawn mower rides, include them in his work, and discuss absolutely anything they bring up.  

To think that we could've missed out on this time with him.  

Thank you, Grandpa Doug, for giving so much of yourself to our son.  

He admires you more than you can imagine!

Corn And Other Calamaties

When I was in junior high and suffered through the annual sweet corn freezing day every summer, I swore that I would never make my kids endure the same hardship.  

But alas, as Mr. Harder taught, history is destined to repeat itself.

So yesterday our family tackled 15 dozen ears of Gaeddert Farms sweet corn.  I had rosy images in mind - think fuzzy edged pictures and all - of my children gleefully husking, sorting, eating, and bagging the corn.  A portion of my fantasy came true... We husked the corn.  We ate the corn.  We boiled the corn.  We bagged the corn.  The children helped.  But to say it was gleeful would be, well, just a lie.

This is when it was still new and fun.  Ears were husked.  Jokes were told.  They sat next to each other for all of 10 minutes and no punches were thrown.

15 dozen ears.  Looks tiny compared to the 30 dozen we usually do.

Eva labelled the bags.  The first two bags were fun.  The last 10  caused the breakdown.

River took a handful of each ear's kernals, for the duration of about 10 ears.  Yum.

He watched Ryan closely because he wants to run the blade and take the kernals off the cob  "when I'm bigger".

After about 30 minutes of fun and hard work, things spiraled downward.  Eva copped an attitude about doing her part to help out and River started spitting and hitting as though in his previous life he was a baboon   Ryan and I were elbow-high in corn, trying to keep the pots full and just plain get it all done before Sage woke up.

She wrote this 6 times over the next few hours.  Ryan says that someday we'll laugh about it.

We love our children so deeply.  We are so thankful for them.  But we were absolutely sick of them.

We talked about hiring a sitter so we could get a night out to regroup.
That led to talking about how we can't afford a sitter.
That led to talking about how we want to eventually have 4 children.
That led to talking about the sacrifices we make so I can stay home - Ryan working multiple jobs, financial sacrifices, me not getting to have a "profession", etc.
That led to talking about how our kids sure don't seem better off for me being home.
That led to talking about how I should go back to teaching full time.

By then the corn was done, the kids were in their rooms, and Sage was awake.  I went to the couch to feed her a bottle.  I looked down at her and thought about someone else giving her a bottle all day every day.  I launched into my first ever - and hopefully last ever - panic attack.  I couldn't breathe.  Ryan took Sage, brought me a paper bag, and sat and held my hand.  I don't know how long it lasted, but it felt so awful and so cathartic all at once.  I felt the weight of it all so deeply and felt so helpless.

But I've come out on the other side feeling empowered.
God is so very much bigger than I can possibly imagine.
God holds me our little family in Her hands every single day.
God is our breathe and our life and our hope and our spirit.

Today I feel a real sense of release.  While I'm responsible to do my best every day for myself and our family, I'm held by One who gives me life and breath and calm and reason.

We are better than just ok.  We are full and happy and fortunate.  Most days don't have the frosty-edged picture that I imagine.  But that's ok.  There is humor to be found and lessons to be learned and joy to be had!

And maybe there's good reason that I was wise enough as a 13 year old to swear off freezing sweet corn?!

KC

If I seem a bit blissed out when our paths cross in the near future, here's why...

Sage and I took up residence on this chair...

...while Dawn slaved away making daiquires.  We may or may not have had to go to the store to get more peaches.  Let's just say that even the blender probably has the recipe memorized.

Have you made these yet?  Look at the Recipes page or the Kansas Hotties post for the recipe.  What are you waiting for?!

Colten and River...

...Eva and Camryn.  Icecream sandwiches.  10 pm.  And we couldn't figure out why they didn't go to sleep til 11.

Ahhhhhh...vacation.  Can you spot the one who does NOT love mornings?

Floating for 3 hours at Kyle and Lori's cook-out.  Talk about a way to take a load off.  Ryan says people with lake houses have life figured out.  That's Eva in the background, refusing to be photographed.

This is why my children are so wise.  They have a papa who looks them in the eye, talks with them, and listens.

Kansas Hotties

So...many of you have seen my post on facebook about our recent calamaties...but just to reiterate...

It is so damn hot in Kansas.  So hot.  And it hasn't rained in our town since May.

Our AC went out on Friday morning.  There was a series of pops followed by a very hot unit.  I began to plan how I might sell my ovaries to purchase a new unit.  But lifesavers Holly and Steven cancelled their date night and drove all the way from Wichita to fix our unit.  All for $110.  Thank you God for AC, for Steven and Holly, and and for the $110 we needed to fix it.

Our chickens are dead.  There's not much more to say about it than that.  They died of heat strokes.  There were 3 left, and they were eaten by a fox. I'm especially sad about Miranda and Barack.  They were our friends and have been in our family as long as River.  But Ryan says, "That's why I told you not to get attached to our livestock."

I could go on whining about dead garden, dead grass, cooped up kids that are stuck inside, allergies, etc. etc. etc.  But let's focus on the positives...

We are in KC visiting dear friends and are being spoiled richly.  They have a barn, chickens, a backyard pool, a grill, lots of Little People, dress up clothes, garden tomatoes, iced coffee, the OWN channel, and children that our children love.  They are canning pickles as we speak.  Our kind of people.  I've taken pictures but I can't get them to load, so you'll have to use your imagination.

Dawn whipped up this little concoction, and it would be just plain sinful to keep the recipe to myself for a single minute:

Peachy Keen Daiquires:

2 1/2 c. ice cubes

3 firm, medium peaches, peeled and sliced

3/4 c. forzen limeade concentrate

1/4 c. orange juice concentrate

2 Tbsp. powdered sugar

3/4 c. rum

dash of grenadine syrup (optional)

Blend in a food processer.  Serve immediately and drink.  Blend another batch.  Drink. 

Repeat.

All you Kansas hotties can whip some up for yourselves.  You can thank me in person when we get back.  I would be happy to stop by your house and offer my services...I can check that your air conditioner is working and that you've correctly made your daiquires.

First Friend

Do you remember your very First Friend?

Mine was Laura Yoder.  We started life as friends.  I can't remember not knowing her.  We used to crawl under the pews and hide from our parents after church.  And made little box houses for our "pets" (little willow bush pods).  And ate the egg salad sandwiches her mom always made us.  I remember I was terrified of their big dog, which she thought was ridiculous.  Her house was built into a hill, so I thought she was my own personal Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Like first loves, first friends hold an important nitche in the story of our lives.  Maya is Eva's first friend.  Melody and I went through our pregnancies together and then had our girlies in the same hospital 3 weeks apart.  The girls spent several days a week together for their first 3 years of life.  Their family is visiting us this week, and watching the girls play is reminding me of the value of that first friend.  They are bonded like sisters and have stayed up late telling secrets every night!

Thank you Laura.  I don't know where you live or what you grew up to be or even if you're happy.  But I feel you in my soul and know we are still kindred spirits.  You will always be my First Friend!

Gak

This awesome stuff has kept Eva entertained for literally HOURS.  Anything that can do that is absolutely priceless.  As far as I'm concerned its more valuable than gold.  Here's the recipe:

8 oz. white Elmer's glue

4 to 5 Tbsp. acrylic paint

several cups of water

2 Tbsp. Borax laundry booster

airtight container

This makes two blobs of gak.  (That's fun to say!)

1.  Combine the glue, acrylic paint, and 3/4 c. water in a bowl.  

2.  In a separate bowl, mix together ONLY 1 Tbsp. borax and 1/4 c. water.

3.  Pour the borax mixture into the glue mixture and stir until blobs form.  Don't worry if it looks lumpy or stringy at first.  It will smooth out on its own.  

4.  Remove the blob from the mixture, press it into a ball, and place it in the container.  

5.  Make another batch of the borax and water mixture and pour it into the remaining glue mixture, forming another blob.  

Eva's been experimenting with gravity and how long she can make the Gak slime down.  Its also fun to cut with scissors or press with cookie cutters.

Electrician in a Bucket

"The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives." - Robert Brault

Friday was just a normal day.  River and I were hanging out while his sisters slept and played.  We sat on the porch and watched the electrician across the street cut down branches and fix wires.  When the electrician got down he said "Well, I guess since you've got your hard hat on, you better go for a ride."

Buzz was at first quiet and reflective when we got back inside.  Like he was in awe of what a cool, unusual experience he just had.  But now he's been talking about it often.  Our new friend, Corey, took the time to explain the bucket to him, let him pick leaves off the tree, learn his name, and make him feel safe.  And he promised to wave hello the next time he's in our neighborhood.

Now River has been playing "electrician in a bucket".  Thank you to all those beautiful friends and strangers that take the time to look our children in the eye.  Thank you for making the little people feel important.  And for making their world and ours new.  

Whether you have children or don't...Whether you like children or don't...Whether you're busy or not...Whether you know the children whose paths you cross or not.....  

Pause. look them in the eye. talk to them. share your life with them. ask them questions. 

and remember what it was to be a child.  our world is better for it.

Oatmeal Bread

It is 109 degrees in KS.  The heat has not been nice to our garden, our lawn, our electric bill, our chickens, or our humans.  It seems like a strange time to bake bread.  But we eat sandwiches nearly every day for lunch, so its a necessity.  This is my favorite bread to bake.  I've tweaked it a little from the More With Less cookbook.  Don't expect to be able to see the oats in the bread.  They just kind of disappear.  Its magic.  I use my KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook.

Aunt Marye - Do you recognize the pan?  It's Grandma Keim's.

When I make it in this weather, I feel a little like Caroline Ingalls.  Just a little.

Combine in the mixing bowl:
     1 c. quick oats
     1/2 c. whole wheat flour
     1/2 c. brown sugar
     1 Tbsp. salt (or less)
     2 Tbsp. margarine or butter or butter-flavored crisco
Pour over:
     2 c. boiling water
Stir in to combine and let batter cool to lukewarm.
Dissolve:
     1 Tbsp. dry yeast in 1/2 c. warm water
(Megan says that if you can hold your finger in the water for 10 seconds but no more, the water is the perfect temp.)  Let proof for 5 minutes and then stir into the bowl.
Stir in:
     1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
     3 1/2 c. white flour
     1/4 c. flax meal

Turn onto floured surface, and with oiled hands, knead for 5 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl and cover with a damp towel.  Let it rise until doubled.  Then punch it down (this is the best part!), and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.  Cut dough in half, squash into two loaves, and place in two greased 9x5 inch bread pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Turn out of pans onto cooling rack and brush the tops with butter for a soft crust.

I could live on bread alone.  I really could.  Especially when its spread with Ryan's rhubarb freezer jam.  Here's the recipe for that:

4 c. sugar
5 c. diced rhubarb
1 large package of strawberry jello

Mix the rhubarb and sugar together and let it stand overnight.  Then boil it for 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the stove and add the jello and stir until it has dissolved.  Place in jars or ziplock bags.  Cool.  Then store in the freezer.  (You can store the container of it that you're eating from in the fridge!)

If you make your bread, I promise your kids will be this happy and loving ALL the time JUST like mine!  Ha.

Cousins

There really is nothing quite like family.  

We just plain had an incredible time together the last three days.  

There were many knock-knock jokes, a few spills, some bandaids, only one movie watched, lamps broken, chickens fed, a few too few baths, a spank before breakfast, at least 60 diapers changed, and no shortage of memories. Not to mention that after the kids were in bed each night, we three stayed up talking and solving the problems of the world until the wee hours.

I would describe them in great detail.  You would laugh.  I would be insightful, I promise.  But I just finished straightening up the house and I'm too tired to remember my middle name.  So pictures will have to suffice...

Seth and Eva...they did this for nearly an entire morning.  Deep and meaningful conversations can happen when two are upside- down.

Sweet Liam, I could recognize your onery eyes anywhere.

I made this picture very small because maybe it will be less gross that way???
Can you spot the poop on the carpet?  Yes, its really there.

Story-time at the library.  Anything that ends with blue icing has to be good. 

waterpark!

So sick of waiting on lunch they had to eat the table.

Thank you MixMaster Ryan for the mojitos at the end of the nights.  You kept us sane.  We love you.  And your mojitos.

Spend It

"Spend the afternoon.  You can't take it with you."

~ Annie Dillard

Sometime I will write all about the rest of our time at convention in Pittsburgh.  For now, here is my list to remind me of what I want to say:

* Pink Mennos

* Crocs in the escalator

* Tonic with friends

* Baby Kai

Now aren't you curious?!  Welllllll, you'll just have to waaaaait!

My dear cousins Lisa and Kara and their kiddos are here this week.  If we were polygamists, they would be my "sister-wives".  Just go with me on this one...We have one man in this house this week.  We bathe and feed and discipline each other's children.   The seven kids in this house have all started to blend together.  I'm not sure which ones are mine anymore, and I like it that way!  Even better, Lisa and Kara nurture my soul in a way no one else can.  Lucky me.

And we're putting a dollar in a jar for every tantrum thrown.  So far we have $31.  Top-shelf margaritas coming up tonight!!

This pics give a glimpse of the goings-on around here...

Good morning, Ladies!

Baby Gracie.  And the parade coming from behind.

Seth made us some soap with pictures on top.  Now Jesus even watches us in the shower.  

Going to the sprinkler park requires much more than swimsuits and sunscreen.

Pittsburgh!

We are in Pittsburgh, PA - and have been since Friday!  The bi-annual Mennonite Convention is awesome!!  Our theme is "Bridges to the Cross".

Our new address is Room 2312 at the Westin.  All mail may be sent to this hotel room from now until further notice.  I'm thinking we'll be living here for at least a few years.  There's a really nice Greek lady that cleans our room and makes our beds every day.  And she gives us brand new amazing smelling soap. Her grandchildren are Ahmed, Abram, and Sophie.  The room service is excellent - even organic food - yes - seriously.  There's a coffeemaker in the room for brewing the Starbucks packets our new friend provides.  There's a dock for our ipod.  And last but definitely not least, I have the thermostat set at 62 degrees.  Oh, and did I mention the cable TV?

Since arriving on Friday, when I'm not enjoying our incredible new home, I've been working my arse off.  To the tune of 10 hours a day.  I'm coordinating the seminars for the convention.  There are about 60 of them a day.  Fortunately, I have 12 tireless volunteers to help.  So I've been taking notes of things to share.  You knew a list was coming, didn't you?!

* Sage and I flew here.  The taxi ride from the airport was $38.85.  My debit card was "declined".  My credit card was "declined".  So I gave our driver every bit of cash I had...$39.  A 15 cent tip isn't much, but I count it no small miracle that I had just enough money in my wallet!!  

* I proceeded to my room without supper where I spent the evening feeling sorry for myself.  I thought our cards had been stolen and I couldn't get ahold of Ryan.  And I was hungry.  But Sweet Sweet Baby Sage just never ever stopped smiling and cooing.  Even after flying all day.  She is seriously the silver lining of my life.  Turns out there must have been a problem with the taxi's card reader, b/c my cards were fine.  

* I had been here for 48 hours when I remembered that I have another child who is with his grandparents this weekend.  Another reason to vote for me as Mom of the Year.  I called them and he wasn't missing me any more than I had missed him.  Thatta boy!

* Last night when we watched bowling on tv, the winner's name was Big Nasty.  I asked Ryan to take up the sport.

* I had gotten way too confident at behaving in public and have been lowered a few notches this week.   As we were walking through the convention center last night, Eva smacked me on the butt with her brand new huge lollipop (thank you Aunt Talashia), and I loudly said, "Watch it.  You might break your lollipop.  I have buns of steel."  I remembered to lower my voice after I heard the snickers.  No wonder people took me a little less seriously when I was coordinating their seminars today.

* Ryan and our youth group did a Servant Project today.  He hauled a fridge down a mountain.  Yes, I promise, he did.

* There's going to be a flash mob here tomorrow.  Oh.my.holy.cow.I.am.so.excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* My eldest seems to whine most when we're away from home.  My new strategy to curb Eva's whining is to make this horrific face until she stops. 

As you can see, it works quite nicely.

* I'll try to write more again before we leave.  But in order to get on the internet in my room, I had to talk to someone in India several times.  And the most recent time, the guy fell asleep on the phone while he was helping me.  I swear he did.