Unseasonable Warm

Our first snow barely covered the grass. As of yet, we have only had a couple of dustings. Sabin is still anxiously awaiting for sledriding and digging and snowmen and.... he asks a LOT.

However, the warmer weather has been appreciated as we continue our almost daily walks. We are really getting to "know" our neighborhood park. Some of the ducks have names now. A lonely little beaver was recently re-located and his home destroyed. But before that we saw his house and some of his "work". He had to be removed because he was stopping up the drainage system to raise the water (seems a crazy thought since this lake is about the size of 3 and a half football fields). He was also felling trees - not the scrubby trees in the wood, but the nice expensive hardwoods that were planted by the park-and-rec people.

Our trecks to the  park take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours, depending on weather and well-being. These days, Sabin pedals. He is getting very good on his bicycle. He's practicing his balance and is somewhat anxious to be rid of his training wheels.

Sweet Chloë rides in the jogger, while I try to keep up with her brother. We often have a little snack along the way.

Sometimes we stop for a while to investigate our surroundings; sometimes we're in a hurry to get around the loop. We travel just over a mile by the time we return home.

Peacefully Buzzing,

Misty

First Snow

Our weather here frequently delights us with it's changes.

Was it only three hours ago that we were discussing the need for jackets while driving to a small wood for a walk in the sunlight. Now we watch the rain become snow and the rooftops snuggle under a thickening blanket of white.

The forecast calls for cold and wet the next two days. I am very thankful we got some extra outdoor time in. The children kicked at the leaves, tossed sticks into the stream, and ran down paths and over bridges. I wish I would have remembered my camera.

Peacefully Buzzing!

Misty

And What Do We Do With All That Candy???

Why play with it of course...

While little sister napped, Sabin had the great privilege of making his very own "Big Rock Candy Mountain". (Or "big rotten candy mountain" as he innocently sings it.) He had seen something similar on a library video and asked if he could play with his tractors and the candy. I loaded various candies onto a large cookie sheet at the table. He entertained himself for an hour, eating very little. While he napped mama cleaned up.

Of course some of the candy did manage to escape the rubbish bin.

Don't worry there is plenty left.

Peacefully Buzzing,

Misty

Happy Halloween

Once upon a time I posted about holidays: my questions regarding what to celebrate and what not, and how to celebrate various holidays and traditions. We love festivites here. For the most part, we have just decided to celebrate life and the traditions of our culture, offering explanations of our beliefs along the way.

That said.....

We had a lots of fun carving pumpkins together.

We love dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating to our neighbors for Halloween. This year we even attended a couple of Halloween Parties.

Peacefully Buzzing,

Misty

Our baby girl has arrived. She joined our family at 1:15am on Saturday, May 2, 2009. (Yes, her brother's birthday.) We had a water birth at our home and our little butterfly was born into her daddy's hands after three hours of active labor. At one point there was a lull in labor and even Sabin joined us in the tub. (a precious memory that I will hold in my heart for all my days.)
The little one weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz and 20" long, a little smaller than her brother was. (8 lbs and 20.5") She remained our "baby butterfly" until day three when we finally decided on her name, Chloë Neveah (Neveah, a Slavic name meaning butterfly)
I had a bit of trouble at the end of our birth process and am now taking my time to rest and recover. I say this as an explanation to the many of you who have tried unsuccessfully to reach me.
I hated feeling out of it imediately after her birth. I was so alert for Sabin's first moments. However, it was a beautiful time, three hours later when both my children nursed together just before we all fell asleep. Sabin held his sister's hand and my heart overflowed with joy.
Each day is getting easier. We are doing well. My color is returning and Sabin is adjusting well. Daddy is still in great need of some rest. With finals this week, he is working hard. Nana is here doing all sorts of things to help. She and Sabin are having a wonderful time together. And we are all being well cared for.
I am rejoicing in God's provision of health, growth, and amazing grace.
Peacefully Buzzing, 
Misty 
Just for fun:
Here are pictures of Sabin when he was just new.

Is That a "kid" I Hear?

Just Saturday Sabin started calling for his mama. Until then I had been just another  daddy, pronounced [DA-ee].  It is not quite the call I expected to hear. If you have ever heard a baby goat bleating.... well, then you have heard my sweet baby call for his mommy. He toddlers through the house and in quite a loud voice, yells "MAAA"! Although different from my anticipation, it is the sweetest word I have ever heard. Each time I answer his call with "Yes, baby!" or "Hear I am!" He smiles so big, and I laugh each time.

Mommy's little helper

Mechanic in training. ----->

 
Look how big he is!!!!
(If you happen to notice the scrape on his nose. He was walking the dog; then the dog walked him... right into our concrete step.)




Peacefully Buzzing,
Misty

Independence Day

Last evening we had a wonderful time. The picnic was great fun. Sabin toddled around in his orange diaper and blue suede shoes chowing down watermelon. We visited and watched volleyball in the park. Sabin took a walk that started at first base of the baseball diamond and followed the infield all the way around past third base with every step. Every so often he would squat down to pick up a twig or leaf. His treasure would be carried along until replaced by something more interesting. Just past third base, Sabin promptly sat. Too tired to continue, mommy carried him home and back to daddy who had been waiting on the sidelines.
We then went to watch fireworks at a parking lot close to home. At first I was a bit disappointed at not being in the thick of the crowd close to the show. But Joe did a great job picking a spot. From our seat on top of our SUV, I was able to watch 5 different displays! And once the last boom banged, we were home in ten minutes with very little traffic to deal with.
Sabin was very tired, but he enjoyed the show as best he could. He kept pointing, saying "eeewwwww" and "pe-y". We thought the second word might be an attempt at "pretty". Because that is what I kept telling him. It is so fun to listen to him trying to talk. As a sidenote, he has recently added the word "bath" to his vocabulary.
Peacefully Buzzing,
Misty