Merry Christmas and The Dreadful Dead Deer Drama

Allot Going On!! Sock Fashion Expert is picking up, Art Dog Spent HOURS putting together Moonbeam's "Tinker Bell Cafe", Moonbeam Fighting Him for The Parts, Stockings, Gifts Every Where!

This Morning Moonbeam couldn't wait to get out of bed!! She ran straight to her Tinker Bell Cafe and cooked us all breakfast ;-)

The Boys tried out a little ice fishing Christmas Afternoon while Moonbeam napped with Archer Baby Sitting, SFE Hiked and................

While Kevin and I took a Snow Mobile Ride :-)




Thanks Everybody for your encouragement. I was a little melancholy with that last post ;-) Last Night The Sock Fashion Expert whipped up an incredible dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, corn and peas and even cherry and plum pies!! Whoever marries that girl will be a happy man ;-) I'm so blessed to have such a virtuous young woman in my home!! She even surprised us with home made peanut butter cups she'd had hidden away, right before my husband read us Patrick McMannus's "Christmas Goose" and she read from Luke 2.

Surprisingly, the boys all preferred to play with Moonbeam and her "Tinker Bell Cafe" than play with their own Christmas stuff this morning. Miss Moonbeam, following in her big sisters steps, cooked us all "breakfast". It was a peaceful day.

On my way to work, I listened to corny Christmas carols on the radio. Just as I made it past the state line, a deer, like a bat out of hell came bowling out in front of my truck. I slammed on my brakes, but Bam!! I backed up to go check on it. I found her right away because there was this crazy fur flying all over the road. Not 10 feet from where she lay was another deer's gut pile. I would have ended her suffering, but upon investigation, she died with the impact. I looked over the truck and it seemed okay. Just when i was thinking of a scary movie I saw about a dead deer, a car full of drunk people stopped by. They seemed nice enough, but it always creeps me out meeting drunk strangers in the dark next to dead deer - lol. Cautiously, I rolled down the window to tell them I was fine. Over and over they kept asking me the same questions. My mind raced back to the scary movie. There were no drunk people in the scary movie, only creepy poky things that got animals and people. I eyed the nearest drunk lady for poky things. She didn't seem to have any. I still found myself wishing they would pull away, as they had boxed me in. A drunk lady was trying to relay my responses to the driver who couldn't understand what she was saying because she was profoundly slurring her words. This went on and on until I began to think the poky things might be better than the drunk people, but eventually they did leave. Really, it was nice of them to stop. Thankfully, I made it to work safely and thankfully some one had neglected to eat the last piece of Ed's Fudge. I guess that's about it :-) I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!!

A Lot of Happy Things!

Snowflake Art Project Today

As you can see, after all our years of fervent prayer, Mist has her miracle :-) Welcome little one!!! What a Special Little Miracle HE is!!

Another happy thing to share is that Super Catman has been approved for his braces!! We are all just thrilled. We have to make 2 December trips far away for them and also get all his cavities fixed prior as well. It also puts the final kibosh on any idea of travel nursing, but that's okay. Its just not God's timing right now I guess.

Theres also been a lot of dreaming in the house lately as my husband spends each day sketching out plans for a secret thing he is seriously praying about undertaking. I probably won't reveal that for a while as it is in "praying about phase". Regardless, he's a brilliant man and when he gets one of his "ideas" going, it excites me. I just can't help it. You just never know what will happen!

Just a little bit ago I was feeling overwhelmed with sadness. A recent community tragedy hit me hard. When it overtook me, I listened to worship and it broke the heavy feeling in the air. Worship music is a good way to escape the clutches of despair. So be happy with me and put on some CHRISTmas music today :-)

A Long Winter Ahead

Thanksgiving Afternoon, We took a winter walk before I was off to work

Super Catman Gallantly Volunteered to Pull Moonbeam

By The End She Was Tuckered

The Next Day, We Went Out To Find Our Tree. My Wonderful Husband with The Saw.....

I've been in denial about dreary realization that winter has hit full force and there is no end in sight. One to two feet of snow came fast and COVERED the land. Trees are bending low all over, telling tale to the fact that they've been taken captive to its weight. Today I stepped out to shovel the stairs and within a few hours, the roof let loose and covered the steps all over again. There is just no end to the white stuff.
In an attempt to cope with it, I've been getting outside on a lot of adventures with the kids. Today, Super Catman and I followed a blood trail by snow shoes for quite some time which we came across on an old logging road. It ended up in the neighbors yard and I am quite sure they were dragging a deer by sled from the back forest. It was a fun adventure anyway, though not all that exciting to end up next store in the end.
Today is the last day of hunting season, and the men have been out since dark this morning. It is now, again dark. They wanted to try and fill those last few elk tags. Cinnamon raisin bread is baking in the oven, and pitas are waiting their turn thereafter. Hopefully, I will have a lot of warm, delicious food awaiting their return. I'm sure they will be hungry. The Sock Fashion Expert has been working on various Christmas projects all day. Super Catman played outside for a long time and now he's hunkering down to some video games. It looks like a long winter ahead.

Elephants and Gizzards

Believe it or not, she was a grump the other day since we walked right before nap time. As you can see, we all took a turn with her :-)

"You may not have a pet elephant" my husband said bringing me out of my morning haze. I rolled over "What are you talking about?!" I asked sleepily. "Well", and he proceeded to tell me that he dreamed I had insisted on keeping a pet elephant. Just like the cat I brought home, it too, discovered it was fun to come in the house. At first, it couldn't get into the basement, but then it started breaking down the door. He hit it on the trunk with a stick and it moped off to pout. Then he wondered if it wouldn't like him when it got bigger for the discipline. He could see a lot of trouble with my new pet coming down the line.
You may think that that is a bizarre dream, but being married to an "I Love Lucy" type who always seems to get herself into some kind of trouble, the elephant dream really wasn't all that unusual. I have, after all, been asking for a dog for the past several years.
I rolled over again, this time moaning. I still had a headache. I was wet with sweat from my fever and a wave of nausea passed over. I began to wonder if I was going to have to cancel my "Hot Tub Party Accountability Group" today. After thinking about Mist, due to have her baby any day, I knew exposing her to this vile germ wasn't worth the fun. After another hour or so, I drug myself out of bed to make the cancellation calls. I was bummed.
I reasoned with myself that it was better to not be selfish in this case. I wanted my friends over, but not at the expense of every body's health, especially Mists. Still I pouted. Not long after that the power went out. It was out for hours. Probably all the heavy snows we've been having did something. "The hot tub wouldn't have done us much good today anyway" I reasoned. I laid around reading "Westward The Tide" by Louis L'Amour. If I couldn't have my friends over and I was FORCING myself to rest, I might as well have a mental diversion.
Super Catman asked me when we would see rocks again. I looked up from my book "probably March or April unless we some how go to Hawaii". "Why?" I asked him. "Well", he proceeded "the dentist told me not to use this tooth any more so he gave me a gizzard". I paused for a moment, digesting the information. Then I went back to my book.

OPERATION HAWAII

My husband and His Dad Proudly Displaying His 5x5.

Art Dog and His Grandpa Proudly Displaying His 4x4

Hike to the Canadian Border

Canada/US Border Swath Line - UGH! See the Snow Line?!



"Hello"
"Hello is (slaughtered name) there?"
"Yes, this is she"
"Hello (slaughtered name), my name is bankety blah bleu and I am a nurse recruiter from blubbery bloo agency. I hear you want to go to Hawaii? Well that's great. Unfortunately we don't have any assignments there, but we do have a current job in Warm, Balmy Ohio......"
And so my mission has been thwarted by these temporary set backs. Ten of them (or more) called today. Actually it was more. Sometimes there were other lines ringing in while the others were on the phone with me. It occurred to me that I may possibly be entering somewhat of a telephone twilight zone........


I decided that whether or not Hawaii ever materializes, I will become pro-active in my fitness/toning/weight loss attempts (just in case). I know that's kind of silly, but motivation is a huge key for me. Say I get to the end of winter and it never materializes, well, I'll still be happy if I end up toned and 120 lbs ;-) Here is my new plan unveiled which I have entitled "OPERATION HAWAII" : Eat clean foods for a week. Sit ups/arm work daily. Run several days a week. I know I know, its not a real impressive plan, but hey, I have to start some where right? I may even (dread) put up that weight loss ticker again (eeeww)! Okay, enough of such drudgery!!
My In laws left today. It was kind of a dreary day. The kids really really enjoyed having them around. It was even nice having Kevin's brother show up. He (Chet) graced Super Catman with an electric guitar and so he preformed (with amp) for his grandparents proudly on multiple occasions. That's all I'm going to say about that - lol!! Most evenings us girls escaped to the hot tub in the basement. Most days we got outdoors for hunting or hiking expeditions. One day we made a trip to the big city. It was a nice visit that seemed to fly by. Of course they spoiled the kids terribly while they were here with all kinds of special toys, snacks, and gizmos. Most people tell me that I'm privileged to have so many good grand parents for the kids.
I'm feeling a tad guilty because while I type, the family is in the kitchen processing Art Dog's buck but I figure I'd better take my blogging opportunity while she knocks. I've tried many a time to sneak in here and blog. Here's as far as I got last week :
"By Moonlight, I found my way down the river tonight. It was a full moon, or close and spectacular against the night sky. The river reflected His glory. What peaceful way to end a busy day."
Like I said, I gotta take em' while I can ;-) Anyway, as I was saying, all the company is gone now and we face an uncertain winter ahead.

Will it be filled with snow shoeing, skiing, early morning fires while cracking school books with the children......... quiet evenings with Louis L'Amour in the hot tub?

Or will the unknown quest for adventure and the call of God pull us into distant lands? Will I find myself comforting sick natives and tourists in some tropical Emergency Room? Or will I pull my weekly shift in my home away from home hospital near by? Tropical dreams plague my sleep and I can feel it pulling me into an unknown destiny.

Will the children, again, learn to live in a new land just like they did on our short term trips in India, New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado? Or will they just enjoy a peaceful quiet winter?

* One last thing - if you are a prayer, please remember to pray for John Clement, pastor of our orphanage in India. He was beaten during morning worship this week. *

Granny and Popeye Mean FUN FUN FUN!!

Exploring Rock Formations

My In laws...... Still in Love

Granny and her snacks!!

Granny brought Super Catman "Puma Kola"

Rare Shot of My Husband with His Brother "Chet"

Moonbeam, Mother in law and I

Another fun In laws Shot

Moonbeam with Granny Exploring in the Secret Rock Formations

Check it Out!! Par'te!! My (Hero) and (Wonderful) Husband fixed the hot tub - Hooray!! She's up and running as of today :-)

Sock Fashion Expert and Grandparents on a Stroll

My Husband, Part of the "Nail Painting Party"..........

Allot Going on Here!! Notice my husband COLORING!! Granny Painting Nails....

Even More Going On Here!

Family Pac-Man Competition :-)

My Bro-In-Law Shows Up!!

Here's a pile of fun pics from my in laws visit thus far :-) They arrived on Monday. Even my brother in law showed up to celebrate!! Its been a busy but fun couple of days.

My mind seems to be overflowing. I've been cooking, hanging out with family, working, and also getting ready to renew my ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification. That takes a lot of preparation, and I had to go to a prep class for it just the other day. Besides all that thoughts of HAWAII seem to be getting the better of me. Let me explain that one :0) Not all that long ago, I was listening to my friends planning trips to Alaska. Just listening to them I realized that I wasn't doing a lot of planning or dreaming about anything. Then my friend KBT put up this Kris Valotton Quote on FB : "When your memories are greater than your dreams, you are already beginning to die." I got to thinking about that one!! So long story, short, I'm thinking about doing some travel nursing. My husband always wanted to see Alaska, and I always wanted to see Hawaii, so who knows? Maybe I'll be blogging from some far away, exotic place in the time to come!! Time will tell. Regardless, I'm having fun dreaming anyway ;-) What kind of things do you dream about? If you're not dreaming about something special, then you'd better get that ol' thinker busy ;-) Start it out by leaving me a comment and I bet it will be just enough to get the wheels of your imagination turning!!

Merry Miner Men, Boy's Birthday Bash and Big Bear

Super Catman "Catches Some Air"

Archer Helps Out "Bellenstein Bunny" - Aren't her training wheels cute?

See The Hill Archer Climbed and Crashed on ?!?

Sock Fashion Expert Tries Out Her Big Bro's Ride

A Happy Birthday Boy

" Octopus with Seaweed" for dinner

Then Cake and Ice CreamArt Dog Bagged this Bear Last Week - it was deep in the mountains feeding on a big ol' Buck!

It was an interesting way to watch a significant piece of history happen, working at the hospital, as every eye was on the rescue of miners in Chile. Each room, every television, all hearts were with them. Whether it was a few employees observing a clip from the waiting room t.v., or patients and families gathered together in private rooms, the world celebrated with tears of joy as each man cheated death. Being up all night working, I got to hear continual updates both from all the televisions, patients and co-workers. It was a day to remember and worthy of the world's celebration. That morning, I made sure my kids would research the event and write about it as part of their lesson plan.............
Here's a little about Super Catman's "motorcycle birthday party" from Sunday -
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I shouldn't be up at 1am blogging, but I am. To tell you the truth, I've kind of missed these impromptu meetings. You know, the kind where I feel my creative energies stirring, and I can actually gain access to the lap top without something else vying for my attention.
Today was Super Catman's "Motorcycle Birthday Party". It was a full day including church in the morning, motorcycle riding with friends in the afternoon and a dinner party of "Octopus on Seaweed" followed by cake and ice cream for dessert. I hope it was everything Super Catman hoped for and more :-)
He'd been planning on the riding party for a while, and didn't want to let "the girls" show him up, namely Elasta Woman's elder two. The kids enjoyed a wild day tooling around the nearby gravel pit. It was quite a sight. All of my kids, except for Moonbeam, Elasta Woman's, Our husbands all driving around climbing hills, doing jumps and trying out each others rides. Every where you looked somebody was doing some thing to watch. Of course Super Catman took center stage with his jumps and rightfully so. He wanted to make sure I saw him each time too. Elasta Woman's girls were pretty impressive as well. They sported their new rides proudly. "Bellenstein Bunny's" ride had training wheels on it making it especially cute to watch. "The Archer" and "Matthew" climbed a huge hill scaring us all. When Archer got to the top he was going so fast that he and the motorcycle both flew up and flipped over tumbling in circles. Archer got up throwing his arms in the air to show everybody he was okay, but my heart was in my throat. Later on, he admitted to hurting his wrist which I wrapped. My husband was pretty happy with playing around on our new 4-wheeler too. On a lark, Friday, after looking on Craigs list, we took a trip to a faraway city and came home with it and a hot tub! The whole riding event was a lot of fun and I felt sure that God was blessing it especially - Nobody got any serious injuries, Nobody had any major break ups or downs, and it was supposed to be a 90% chance of rain which God was gracious enough to hold back on the down pour till we got home. As far as I'm concerned, I call that God Smiling :-)
Part of me felt a little bad about not inviting every local boy around - Super Catman would have loved them all there - but I don't think any of us could have handled the stress. It was a nice group and I enjoyed it more than I would have moderating a passel of rambunctious lads. So after the riding part of the day, just one other family came by for dinner. As previously learned, I cut hot dogs lengthwise 2/3 of the way up into 8 "tentacles". When boiled, the strips curled up and octopuses emerged. Then I added green food coloring to Top Ramon - wha la! Octopus on seaweed for each party going kiddo. The adults had chili dogs (tentacles not included). Sock Fashion Expert baked a scrumptious chocolate and peanut butter cake along with a white ice cream cake. It was all decadent and delicious.
The craziest part of the day happened at the gravel pit. All these years, nobody has ever once encouraged me to drive a motorcycle. Here we are with friends around and out of the blue Sock Fashion Expert INSISTS I climb on her ride! I panicked. "Would I do something stupid?" I told her I hadn't driven one since I was 21, but she wouldn't take "no" for an answer. Awkwardly, and ever so gingerly I climbed on. It died. Then I had to start it. I was beginning to draw a crowd. The pressure was really on. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my brow. Kick starting a motorcycle with all eyes on me felt like I was up in front of a class room attempting to solve an algebraic equation. Anyway, though I was sweating bullets, it eventually started and I took off heading as far away from any attention as I possibly could. Then it dawned on me that if I went too far away they would come looking for me. I tried to turn it around. It died. Oh Moan. I got it started again. Sure enough, a search party was coming to check on me. Embarrassing. Well, anyway, getting over how embarrassed I am of being a lame rider, driving it was actually kinda, well, fun.
Since I was totally out of my comfort zone today, I was thinking maybe some of you could tell me what new and crazy things you've tried lately. Come on, I have a lot more humiliating stories to tell - throw me a bone ;-)

"Lambzilla" The Movie!

The Kids Put on a "Home Sci Fi" Movie with Nana and Papa. Here is "Lambzilla"! Along with some of the other movie characters.............




As you can see Mom and Dad really got into their characters and had fun with the kids ;-)

We went on a lot of hikes together................

Mom and Dad left headed home just a little over a week ago. It was such a fun visit! Since then, I've been caught up in a plethora of activities including work, a wedding, home school, continuing education, kids, canning, a big ol' birthday bash, a trip to the big city, etc. etc.

I took a rare moment out in the kayak on the river today just to enjoy the beautiful day. A carpet of leaves crunched beneath my shoes as I drug her across our neighbors yard to the river. The sun was shining and it was warm enough for shorts and a tank top (which is rare for this time of year). The water was crystal clear and reflected the ever towering trees along the banks. I had just 30 minutes before I had to get ready for my shift, but it was a serene window of escape that felt like eternity.

After that, I think I drove my husband batty wanting to leave early so he could get parts for my new toy but not being ready. Of course we missed the store we needed to get to by an obscure 15 minute window. How does he ever put up with it?! He has to leave early because I want him to, then I'm not ready. Its a much longer story but I will incriminate my self no further ;-)