Why I DO NOT take out the trash...

In our home, Marc and I have struck a deal. I do not take out the trash and he is never asked to clean toilets. In the area of helping with house work, Marc is a true gem. But I have solemnly promised to never ask him to clean toilets. He would refuse anyway, so why bother? This seemed like a reasonable deal. However, sometimes my busy gem-of-a-husband "forgets" to take out the trash. So...Friday I decided to help out, go above and beyond and take out the trash. There was 4 inches of snow on the ground and Brennan and Bailey were enjoying themselves immensly throwing snowballs. I headed out of the house with two heavy bags of trash. Marc's leave-a-lot-to-be-desired trash system is a few barrels with a huge piece of plywood on top. This plywood is extremly heavy when wet...heavier still with snow on top...heavier still with huge fallen tree limbs precariously balanced on the roof of the pump house and hanging down onto the plywood. I carefully labored to lift the plywood and heaved in one bag of trash (I'm panting now)...all the while being pelted with snowballs by Brennan Jake (very funny Brennan). I lifted the second bag of trash and then....the giant limbs fell onto the plywood, knocking snow and the huge piece of plywood onto me. I fell onto the second bag of trash with the limb, snow and plywood on top of me. The dog started licking me, a Fruit Loops box fell out of the barrel and onto my chest, dumping the wonderfully sticky and fragrant powder from the bottom of the box down onto my neck and chest. The dog started licking me and Brennan capitalized on his opportunity to hit me in the head with snowballs, while laughing devilishly (really Brennan...you should stop now!). It was WONDERFUL. I had coffee grounds on my elbow, I was sticky and smelled like fruit loops and dog slobber and there was snow between my face and glasses, so I couldn't see. Fabulous.

And this is why I DO NOT take out the trash....EVER.

Merry Christmas!

Each year we drive to Coburg (near Eugene) and buy poinsettias from a local nursery. They have so many varieties, like none you will see in any store. They are healthy, huge and cheap! We also stopped in Harrisburg on our way home and bought our Christmas tree. The kids had a great time. Here are a couple of cute pictures. Merry Christmas!

Oh...by the way...the name of the nursery is Johnson Brothers Greenhouses.

The Best of Summer 08

Kindergarden Graduation

Bain's first bite

Motorcycle rides!

Mmmm...hanging out at T-ball games

Brennan's First Day of First Grade...

Brennan began the First Grade yesterday. He was SOOOOO excited, he physically could not be still. I caught him dancing and making mouth noises and faces in the mirror for lack of anything else to do with his energy. (no, I did not get a picture...was busy with Bailey and Bain) He had a hard time waiting until time to go...even though we left the house at 7:40. :) I wonder how long that will last...kinda doubt he'll be chomping at the bit when he's 16. :) I'm sure I'll be dragging him out of bed.

Bailey, of course, couldn't miss out on the action and picture taking, so she is wearing some of HER new clothes and having a great time along with Brennan. She even saved him the LAST cookie. She kept track of it all day and gave it to him when we picked him up. She only ate one bite. :)

Bain doesn't know what all the commotion is about, but he was excited too!

More Words from Bailey Marie...

Driving in the car yesterday:

Bailey: Mama! That's Grandma and Grandpa's neighbor Jacob's house!

Mama: Yep, Bailey, that's their house!

Bailey: I've never ever been there once.

Mama: Ok...

Bailey: That's Masticious.

Mama: You mean mysterious? or suspicious?

Bailey: Yes.

A favorite quote of mine:

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

The words of Brennan Jake...

This morning...

Bailey: MAMA!!!! Brennan's touching me!

Mama: Ok, both of you! That's enough with this tattling! From now on, do not tell on each other unless someone is doing something dangerous. Otherwise, ask them to stop, move away from them or come and be next to me. No more of this!

Brennan: Yeah, Bailey...so like if I was pushing you off a cliff.

Mama: But Brennan! You would NEVER do that!

Brennan: Yeah, we don't have any cliffs around here.

South Twin Lake

Priceless photos from camping this June. Uncle Gary and Aunt Sandra were there and it was our privelage to camp with them. What great memories we made!

Just us Boys

This was Bain's first night in his "room". The boys now share the large upstairs bedroom. Brennan was SOOO thrilled to have Baby Bain in his room. "Just us boys."

The words of Brennan Jake...

Today while playing in Bailey's room...

Bailey: "Brennan, do you like my dress up??"

Brennan: "Ummm...Bailey.....that's not your best look."

The words of Bailey Marie...

Mama: Bailey, your shoes are on the wrong feet. You need to switch them.

Bailey: MOOOOOOOOM, are they on the wrong feet or backwards?

Mama: ....they're backwards.

Bailey: OK...I'll switch ONE of them.

Greetings to all those on earth...

Yes...we feel, sometimes, like we're not really on earth. We're on some alternate plane, perhaps just above or beside the earth, where a 3-yr old's opinion is worth far more than the majority, hitting the toilet with ALL of the pee is an accomplishement and ketchup IS allowed on almost every food item. It's a good place to be. Hope all of you on earth are doing well!