Cotton Pickin

I have experienced my first cotton harvest. I had more pictures but cannot find them on the computer now. My non-native status was confirmed again when I asked someone if their cotton was cut. Ashley informed me you pick cotton, not cut it! My Grandpa Niehage used to sometimes call us little cotton pickers when we were little. Ashley informed me that would have been very racially inappropriate around here. Quite certain Grandpa was not trying to be inappropriate! I have seen the cotton fields blooming and the aftermath of the harvest but it was neat to see it all in action. Cotton lined the ditches and roads, we met or passed or saw in fields countless cotton trailers and cotton pickers (the combine for picking cotton). The gins ran all the time to process the cotton. Dust from the cotton was everywhere. Late in the evening you could see lights in fields with famers eager to get the crop in. The weather was in complete control. Different crop; same scenerios!!

Jonathan's class got to go to a cotton field on a field trip. He came home with a bag of cotton that he had picked. He learned that money is made from cotton so he had big plans to make lots of money with his cotton!! One evening we were outside and saw a church group go by on a cotton ride. I grew up going on hayrack rides. This was the same thing but in a cotton trailer half full of cotton. We drove the 4-wheelers out to a cotton field that used a new method of round cotton bales. Jonathan and I had fun climbing on them. Ashley had us smell the cotton. It was a unique smell. I believe the harvest if over now. The gins are still finishing all the processing. It was neat to see something that is so important in this area.

Weather

Ashley was making Elijah laugh and laugh. It was precious to hear.

We went for a walk today to get eggs from our neighbor down the road. I think Elijah looks so cute in the sweatshirt I found for him at a consignment sale.

Jonathan did a great job pushing the stroller, with a few reminders to slow down and stay on the road! I was then in charge of Pepper on the leash and making sure the eggs did not break!

1. Incredible weather! It got very cold last night but was just gorgeous today. Today was a good day to live in TN.

2. Wonderful walk to get eggs with my sweet boys. We made it there and back in one piece even with a high strung dog, two dozen eggs, several stops to adjust socks in boots, a run in with a cat, and a little off roading in the stroller. Anywhere with Jonathan is an adventure!

3. I heard Jonathan say these words "It will be okay," to Elijah!!! He was putting in a different CD and Elijah was starting to fuss a bit and so he spoke reassuringly to him. Thank You Lord!! And when we were walking, he was conscious to not tip him out of the stroller when going down hill and to protect him in the sun. It was sooo good to hear him considering Elijah.

4. Ashley changed two diapers. One was even poopy. Enough said.

5. Seeing a positive change after a discipline incident. Oh how I pray daily for wisdom in parenting. It is hard! And I so want to reach their hearts.

Now to thank you notes. Sort of anxious to see how the time change will affect Elijah. I remember it messing up Jonathan's schedule when he was little. I shudder at the idea of anything altering Elijah's sleep.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom. I hope you had a most special day. You especially feel way too far away today. I wish we could have gone on a walk or brought you your cookies in person and sat at the kitchen table and ate them and listened to Jonathan's stories and Elijah's sweet noises.

Even though you are hundreds of miles away, you still touch our lives on a daily basis.

Today I am thankful for the ways my Mom touches my life even from miles away....

1. The green cups. My parents have had these green glasses for years and they are my favorite for drinking water at their house. I know it doesnt make sense, but the water tastes better in those cups. At one point in moving to TN, my thoughtful, unselfish mom gave me those cups to take along. I was so touched. I use them on a daily basis and think of you Mom. They make the water taste better here too!! I confess I try to sort of hide them in the cupboard so nothing happens to them by other users!

2. The plants my Mom has given me. We have several plants in the house that my Mom has given to me on various occassions such as new year of college, new baby, move to TN. I am thankful they are still living! And thankful for the visual reminder of you Mom and of your appreciation for plants and flowers and for teaching me to enjoy them also.

3. Meal preparation. When I plan a meal, I aim to cover all food groups. This is the way I grew up eating. We would have fruits and veggies at meals always. It taught us to like them, well except for Nikki :), and had to help us all stay quite healthy. Now I try to cook this way and when I hear Ashley appreciating meals, I thank you for the example Mom and when I see Jonathan learning to eat a range of foods, I thank you Mom.

4. Elijah's blanket. Since the day it arrived, he has been wrapped in that blanket or the one you made for Jonathan for every nap and every night. I am determined one will become his "blankie!" Not sure how much say I actually have in this, but I am going to give it my best effort. I am so thankful for such lovely, soft blankets made with love to wrap him in. They both have such neat texture. Elijah is currently chewing on them a lot! I am so thankful my boys have a Grammy who loves them dearly and prays for them and calls to hear about them and talk to them , or at least the one who can talk!!

5. My quiet time. All my life I have seen you spend time reading the Bible. Your life is a testimony to the faith you have in Jesus Christ. So when I attempt to discipline myself to spend time in the Word and to live a Godly life, I am thankful, so very thankful, for the example you have given to me Mom. Thank you for living your faith. You are an incredible, strong women.

Thank You Lord for my Mom. I pray for wisdom and strength for her in the year ahead.

I love you Mom.

Sick Day #2

This picture is for you Mom. Ashley let me have an evening to myself last Friday. Wish we could have gone shopping together! When I got back, all three boys had tatoos. Yes, Elijah's soft, flawless skin had been marred. But selfishly, those three hours to myself was worth it! It washes off anyway! :)

Today I am grateful for .....
1. My two sisters. They are both such an encouragement to me and I admire both of them so much. Today I actually got to talk to both of them for more than just a minute with amazingly minimal interruptions considering the eight children involved!

2. No throwing up. Jonathan and I had different ideas of what foods to eat today. He felt he was ready for ice cream; I was more on the line of rice or applesauce or toast. We compromised with popcorn this afternoon. I thought that was fairly bland. It stayed down and he ate a decent supper so I am hopeful he is better.

3. Seeing more interaction from Jonathan towards Elijah. He played a sort of peek-a-boo with him and made him laugh and laugh in the bath tonight. Progress!

4. Everyone asleep by 8:30, minimal dishes to do, house not too messy.

5. Everyone, including Elijah which means me too, sleeping in a bit this morning since we did not have school to get to.

Sick Day

Tonight I am thankful for....
1. Jonathan's sweet sweet teacher who took care of him when he got sick at school. She kept him from feeling embarassed or scared. I truly thank God for her on a daily basis!

2. Jonathan is good at throwing up. That probably sounds strange but what I mean is he is able to make it to the toilet and throw up in the toilet. For this I am very grateful!!

3. Leftovers from supper last night. and a husband who is not opposed to eating leftovers!

4. My sweet five year old who is all boy who LOVES to watch Little House on the Prairie. Ashley and Jonathan got me one of the seasons for my birthday this year and Jonathan loves them. He watched several episodes today curled up in a chair with his deeply loved blankie.

5. Rain today. Love to hear it on our roof. And to be warm and dry inside.

Searching a little today.....

His energy does actually run out. Fell asleep on the bull dozer helping Daddy with the range.

Today was not the best day but there is still much to be thankful for . . . .
1. The much dreaded dentist appointment for Jonathan is over! It was AWFUL! So very thankful it is over.

2. Ashley made it work to go with us to the appointment. It would have been so very much worse had he not been there.

3. Elijah's laugh. One of the best sounds ever!

4. Enjoying my favorite candy bar in Jonathan's halloween candy.

5. A warm house and warm sweatshirt. It turned cold here today. Jonathan still needed his outside time though. It did feel good and then felt good to eat a hot supper.

6. One extra----the opportunity to vote! How blessed we are to live in the United States of America!

Now to sleep and start fresh in the morning. Jonathan is having two friends over from school tomorrow. He has wanted to for a long time so he is quite excited!

Gratitude

Look how chubby his belly looks! He has numerous pudgy rolls now. He was sitting in Ashley's office watching Daddy work. He will just jabber away to us.

5 things I am thankful for today:

1. Jonathan often blows me kisses as he walks into school when I drop him off in the morning. All too soon he will not do this I know. So I treasure each morning when this happens.

2. Ashley makes me laugh. Laughing together heals a lot.

3. I successfully cut Elijah's nails. this is a task I deplore and his nails seem to grow so quickly. Got it done without drawing any blood!

4. Ashley brought me home some chocolate tonight!

5. Laundry done, most all put away, clean sheets on the beds.

Now to go sleep under those clean sheets until sweet Eli awakes.