We ended up having a wonderful family Christmas. It really was a beautiful day. Robert and I were both so happy. Our children, although excited about the thought of opening presents, were just as or more excited about the fact that it was Jesus' birthday and reading the story and singing Christmas songs. We eventually got around to presents, and of course, that was a blessing too. We each get three gifts, one for our mind, body and spirit. I wish there were a way to not have a mountain of gifts from the grandparents and it would make it even more special. Maybe we'll do gifts other than our family on Christmas Eve and save Christmas for our celebration. Hmmm. Anyway, it was wonderful. Joshua about had a heart attack when he saw that Robert got me The Sound of Music for my stocking. He LOVES that movie, it was too cute. So, of course, we spent the afternoon watching it.

Robert had off until yesterday and we all just had the best time, being a family. God has blessed us greatly with wonderful little clan here. Friday, we braved the stores to do some shopping and order Christmas cards....again. My Christmas card venture this year has been plagued with retailer snafu's...they will probably end up being February cards at this rate, oh well. Saturday, we got to go back down to Amish country. It was beautiful again, but in a different way than October. In October, you couldn't take your eyes off of the foliage to see the beauty in the simplicity of life down there. My favorite moment was on hte way home when we came up on a teen Amish boy in his cart, different than a family buggy, and he had a deer he had killed on the back of it. I soo wanted to stop him and ask what he hunted with and all the details, but we just waved and passed by. I got some shots with my new camera lens I got for Christmas too. I will try and get those and several other segments of our life, including my first art day with the kids up soon, but it will have to wait until next week because tonight we load up the van and at 3 am we head to Georgia for a wedding. So Happy New Year to all, may 2009 be a blessed year of our Lord.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and family that we aren't sharing this joyous holiday with this year. It is nice to have a quiet just our family time to celebrate the most important event in history....ok, probably second, His death and resurrection I would count as most important, but this one is pretty big. We are blessed to be called His and tomorrow we will enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls and time together as a family, teaching our children of Christ's love. Merry CHRISTmas indeed!

Well, it is a balmy 6 degrees this morning with a wind chill of -12. I love weather forecasts. The one for today says that we might have windchills reaching -10...yup, got that one guys. Ha! It is snowing now, so that is why it is so much warmer than when we went to bed. Last we checked, it was -1 degrees outside. Those numbers just don't even make sense. I do hope that this snow hangs on for Chrimtmas, but I don't think it'll make it. We are supposed to be highs in the 20's all week except Christmas eve when it is supposed to get in the upper 30's to mid 40's with rain and hence, our snow will be gone. So sad. I hope it is in the 20's tomorrow so the kids can go play in the snow. We haven't had any snow all December, actually any accumulation and so after getting to play in tons of snow in Nov, they've been locked inside with me this month. Today is Robert's only day of work this week, so hopefully he and the kiddos can get some good play time in tomorrow in the "no".

Leah has finally learned to say Christmas. Most of the time this year she has said kimah tree, kimah song, kimah lights etc. It was so cute the way she said it, but now she says it correctly, sigh. We didn't have much fun with Joshua and new words because he's always articulated words correctly from the beginning. His first word was cat pronounced dat, but since then he's always said things right. Leah has a doozy of a time with her s blend sounds and pronouncing l's, which is hampering when your name is Leah. So, when someone asks her name, she says "I two years old". Of course, she never gets to say her name because Joshua is quick to introduce the whole family to every Tom, Dick and Harry we even remotely get close to passing in a store.

ZERO, -23 wind chill.....

2 degrees, -21 wind chill

6 degrees, wind chill is negative 16, winds gusting over 40 miles an hour. Wind chill warning in effect, which I've learned today means you can't go outside with exposed skin....guess we made the right decision about church this morning. Dew point is -1, so we could see zero or below tonight. Wowzers!

We had a long busy but fun day yesterday. We got up and hit Target and Heinen's to finish grocery and gift shopping. Unfortunately, Target was sold out of card tables and since this wasn't a GCC function, we didn't need our 10' table. We headed home and I got the pumpkin pie baking and the chex mix made. Then I got the turkey that had been brining for two days in the sun room out and buttered and seasoned it. I did a citrus turkey and I must say it was the most flavorful turkey I have ever eaten in my life. Phenomenal. I did some citrus in the brine. Then I rubbed the skin of the turkey with an orange then smeared herb butter on and under the skin. Finally, I filled the cavity with onion, oranges and fresh thyme and sage. Seriously, I don't really like turkey but I LOVED this one. The greens didn't turn out as well as everything else. I cooked all day long! We also had carrot soufle and my corn bread dressing and rolls. We scrambled around getting ready like we were having a big party or something....we still aren't quite used to not having Gcc around. The Tomek's came over about 7 and we had a lovely dinner and it was so nice to be able to entertain again, even if it was only for another small family. It was funny because Peg kept apologizing for us having to feed all FIVE of them, lol. We tried to explain GCC but it is a foreign concept to have 50 people at a two year olds birthday party.

Anyway, we are home again today. The forecast was for the wind chill to hit 10 below zero. It isn't there yet, it is only zero right now. Robert decided and I agreed that we didn't want to take the kids out in that. So hopefully I'll get our Christmas letter all done. Our cards are supposed to be in tomorrow and hopefully I can get them in the mail on Tuesday, we'll see.

We are looking forward to Christmas. I don't know how white it is going to be, we only have a dusting of snow right now. We do have some in the forecast, I hope it is a WHoLE bunch. On Tuesday I am going to bake a batch of the cinnamon rolls from scratch. Can't wait! We'll take some over to several of our neighbors and then chow down on the rest ourselves. And then the next week, we get to go to John and Brandy's wedding!!!!!!! I'm SOOOO excited!! Their's is a marriage ordained by God and so it is a true joy to go and celebrate with them.

This week should feel productive...but it doesn't. It has been one of those where the more I do, the more things get all disorganised and piled up, but I'm making progress. The kitchen is a crazy place. I got all of the baking for Robert's work done and then had to switch into Thanksgiving dinner mode. Yes, we are having Thanksgiving dinner this weekend, again. One of the highlights of my year, every year, is getting to cook Thanksgiving dinner. And, although, we had a delicious Thanksgiving celebration with the Seagos in Texas, I didn't get to cook a single thing, since we flew in that day. So, tomorrow we are having turkey, my super veggie corn bread dressing, turnip greens, carrot soufle and cranberry compote. I'm also making a pumpkin pie and we still have a little fudge and cookies too. The Tomeks (our all star neighbors) are coming over also because they were on a family cruise for Tday and didn't get to eat either. Which brings me to my next point.....

Everyone talks about hunters in Texas. People split up their marriages over hunting and it is supposedly a dedicated sport. Well, I can now say that they have nothing on these yankee boy hunters up here. These guys are crazy. They hunt in rediculous weather. Tomorrow is going to be a high of 28 with howling wind and maybe snow....on top of the ice storm we've got going today. We are having a late Thanksgiving dinner because Mr Tomek is going hunting tomorrow. Crazy crazy man!

Well, I made over 120 cookies today. Now I have all of the cookies and fudge, to send to Robert's work with him, all bagged up and ready to go. It is really the perfect set up for me. I love baking to share holiday cheer, but really I'm not the best Santa. I hate being the one handing out gifty things. I also hate being the one receiving them. You never know if it is something you'll like and so there is that awkward moment of wondering if they are going to make you try it right then and there. This was always precarious for me in the office because I'm not a big sweets person. Thankfully, I worked in a really male dominated field and, so most of them could careless if I liked it or not; after all, they put no effort into them. So tomorrow, Robert can go around being cheerful little elf, which actually likes doing and I'm just going to be at home in my pj's feeling accomplished for getting it all baked and out the door!

By the way, the cookies I made are white chocolate chip and cranberry and they are really worth killing for when they are fresh out of the oven. Hey, I don't like sweets and I think so, so they are worth making. Next time, I'll add pecans and perfect them!

White Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Cookies
1/2c butter, softened
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2c white sugar
1 egg
1 T vanilla or Brandy
1 1/2c all purpose flour
1/2t baking soda
3/4c white chocolate chips
1c dried cranberries
next time I'll also add 1/2c chopped pecans

Cream the butter and sugars together. Then, add your egg and vanilla. Finally your dry ingredients. Fold in the chips and berries. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Do not over bake.

Tomorrow I need to get this house cleaned, oh and probably finishing the laundry from last week would be a great idea......Hey, I can do it ALL, I've just never claimed to be able to do it all at once.

We are home again...at this rate, we will only get 11 new churches under our belt this year, lol. Joshua woke up from nap yesterday with a raging fever. We oiled him up and got him back to bed. He is rareing to go this morning but Little Le is down now. Hope the rest of us keep safe.
I jumped out of bed at a brisk 10 oclock this morning and headed to the grocery store.....BY MYSELF! Yup, you read that right. Robert had all three kids by himself. I was on the time clock and had a SERIOUS list. We are doing Thanksgiving dinner this Saturday and I have all of the baking for Robert's employees this week, add in our normal weekly shopping in my list was massive. So, I flew through the store like a pro, I've done this once or twice before ya know, and was back home in an hour, almost $200 lighter in our checking account. I thought I did a fabulous job, Robert wasn't as impressed with my bill. But, I am now prepared to start baking away. Today I'll do all of the fudge, in addition to our steak and greens dinner. Tomorrow will be white chip and cranberry cookies. I'll send all of that with Robert to work on Tuesday and then start the Thanksgiving prep. We are having the Tomek's over and maybe Ms. Diane also. I'm making a turkey, my veggie corn bread dressing, turnip greens, carrot soufle, cranberry compote and probably a pumpkin pie or two. Fun stuff!!

Busy day for the Lachney girls. Hannah just rolled over for the first time!!!!!!

Leah has decided it is time to potty train. I guess I'm ready. I'm hoping that since it was her idea, that it will really happen. So far today she has gone tt several times and poopy once, YIPPEE!

I think I've figured out Hannah's sudden sleep issues. I think she must be goign thru her three month growth spurt, and she is trying to roll over. She hasn't quite figured out the arm thing yet. It has reminded me that I do need to give the girl floor time, now and then. I rarely put her anywhere but in the swing or bed so that the older two don't "accidentally" plow over her. We all watched and cheered for her to roll on over yesterday, but not yet.

Pictures last night were underwhelming. I wanted and planned on having them taken before our trip at Thanksgiving, but Kohls.com killed that. I'll save my rant, but I will just say that I will not be ordering from them ever again. I love their store and that is where we get most of our clothes and almost all of our shoes but their online service STINKS! So, after I picked up my misdelivered package in Texas up, we were then ready to get them done back home. We got a rookie photographer, which is always annoying when I know more about scenes, cameras, and even the store specials than her. But, I had no hope of getting us all gussied up again in time to get cards ordered. So, the pic on our card this year isn't the best, but we are all in it. I ought to volunteer to give a "how to take kids pictures" class for the crew at Sears, because she was awful! It didn't help that they were running so far behind that Hannah was really really tired and therefore really fussy....oh, and the photo chick kept waking her up being loud, instead of having a sweet sleeping baby in the pics. Anyway, they are done. I won't get them until right before Christmas, so it will be a big sprint to get them out the door, but I'm ready.

Man, I'm SOOOO frustrated. When we were in Texas, Hannah slept thru the night 10-12 hours EVERY night.....the ENTIRE trip! Now, we are home and she is sleeping worse than a newborn. Last night I was up every other hour with her. I'm sooo tired. I already had a headache from too little sleep on the trip and I'm just miserable. Last night, I told Robert that Hannah and I are just going to have to move to Grandmommy's house and he can come visit us on the weekends.

We are back in Ohio. I'll update about our trip later, I have a yucky headache and need to get rested. We have Christmas pics on Wednesday, still need to find a skirt for me. Hannah is cute and laughy now. Leah is still feisty and Joshua is coming along with his reading.

We're here and things are awesome. We are trying to see everyone here, but there just aren't enough hours in the days.

Hey guys,
Check out the new banner on my side bar. It is for our dear dear friends the Robisons, most of you know them. They are moving ahead to adopt a special needs child from China. So, if you have some extra cash you are looking to donate to a good cause this year, please consider their fund raiser.

ONE MORE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three more days and then we fly out!!!!!! I hope I can sleep between now and then....oh wait, I have an infant...yup, sleep won't be a problem, but focus during awake hours might.

We've skipped another week of church shopping. Robert got a ticket to the Browns vs Texans game this afternoon, so we didn't go to church, again. He promises me that we are going to a great church next week, lol! We are watching the game on tv to see if we can see Daddy in HD. So far no luck. Joshua keeps yelling at the Browns to get the Texans legs, even though he says he is for the Texans...and Leah keeps running around yelling "Go Cowboys" with gusto. Can't imagine where she gets good taste from, hmmm. I think Hannah just likes to here the refs whistles blow. She fusses when they go to commercial. Can't wait until we get to watch our Aggies whoop up on the Tsips this week!!!

Other than that, I am just mentally checking my list of things to get done before we leave town. Haven't traveled with a baby in a while, so I have to remind myself of everything not to forget, like the baby monitor. I have a feeling this week is going to drag by.

I made a super yummy potato soup last night for dinner. I'll post the recipe and my review in a bit once I get kiddos down for naps.

Today's Snow Fun

hopefully tomorrow we will get to build a snow man and do some sledding

Snow Eaters Anonymous...

Notice the snow goatee.

9a.m. 24 degrees, windchill is 13. Heavy snow falling. We got 2-4 inches over night, can't really tell from my window and we've had over an inch since Robert shoveled this morning. :-)

Joshua must be going through some huge developmental stage. We cut out tv for him and his behavior is much improved. We also implemented J and L's to do lists from this website They are to-do's and not just chore charts. Their chores are on them but so are behavior to-do's. For example, Leah has to make her bed, as well as be nice to Bubba and not cry or whine. At the end of the day, Robert goes over there list and if we all decide they did good in an area, they get a big smiley face and if not then they get an X. It seems to be working well for them both.

Anyway, Joshua has also become the clumsiest thing I have ever seen in my life. Seriously. He can be sitting perfectly still on the couch and somehow, he'll just fall off and hurt himself. It is the craziest thing. And don't even get me started on walking/running without watching where he is going. People must think I beat him constantly because he is covered in scrapes cuts and bruises all over. Poor kid! I hope he out grows it soon. But, if he doesn't, I've decided he can jsut wear his out door marshmallow man suit all the time and that way he'll just bounce back and forth off of the walls with no problems. ;-)

We are expecting 4-6 inches of snow Friday night!!! YEA! That means Daddy can finally get out and show the kids how to build a snowman and play in the snow. Joshua asks him every day how to make a snow angel but it is getting dark here before 5 already and so Robert isn't home during any day time hours.

My daughter is going have to join SEA...snow eaters anonymous. Seriously, that is all she does. She doesn't even play in it, just eats it constantly. I told Robert that every time she finds a big pile of it, she thinks she's just found an all you can eat buffett. So, I spend 30 minutes getting the marshmallow kids suited up and then they get to play for about 20 minutes. I think they might be able to play longer if they weren't eating snow the whole time!!! Oh wait, Joshua doesn't eat that much, he sticks his head in it. Yup, turns himself upside down in a hand stand and sticks his head in it. Cracks me up! But yeah, the kids are loving the snow. And really, so are we...except

We had to go pick up Robert's van from the dealership yesterday. They've supposedly fixed the problem, we'll see. Anyway, we for sure have the question "front wheel/all wheel or rear wheel drive" answered for us. We will have to buy a 4X4 Suburban next year. It took us two hours to get to the dealership and back last night and that was with Robert babying Big Truck the whole time. So, this winter I"ll be staying home if there is any snow or ice and we have to seriously tighten our belts for all of next year so we can pay cash for a new one. We were hoping to put that off for at least another 4 years or so. Oh well, the Lord has provided well for us, so we just try to be good stewards of what we have.

Good thing Robert shoveled this morning....you still can't see our sidewalk.

I just went out and trudged around in the snow. We had about 4 inches last night and it is still coming down steady. Joshua went out this morning and then I went out about an hour later and I couldn't see his footprints any more. I had to go out to find Leah's missing hot pink mitten. It's still missing. Apparently, when the kids were out with Robert last night, she took it off and no one noticed until they were inside. So, she can't play. I hate that. They had so much fun yesterday and it was such a nice break for me, honestly. But, it's 28 degrees and lots of snow, she has to have mittens. I'm hoping since it is supposed to get up to 36 tomorrow that this snow will melt and we can find the mitten. Those suckers aren't cheap! But this snow stuff is really fun and absolutely beautiful. And our lifestyle lends itself to hunkering down, so we're good.

Try This One!

Tonight we had these French Dip sandwiches.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Dip-Sandwiches/Detail.aspx

And oh my, you must go try them! Robert's exact quote was "This is incredible!" I followed the recipe exactly, for once. Then, I served them open face with carmalized onions and mushrooms and some melted provolone cheese. REALLY, TRY THESE!!!! YUMMY!

We got a little over 2 inches of accumulated snow this afternoon, in an hour. I watched it the whole time. It was awesome and my kids are gonna sleep good tonight.

For Angela, here is the chicken and dumplings recipe I worked with.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-and-Dumplings/Detail.aspx

But, I added diced carrots, celery and mushrooms with the chicken. I also used one can cream of chicken and mushrooms and two cans cream of mushroom. I used salt and lemon pepper and a little garlic powder to season. You don't need much salt though with all of the soup. THen, I covered it all in chicken broth. I added the biscuits about two hours before eating, but I did four cans and that was too much to get cooked. I'd think three cans would be perfect. I quartered the biscuits and I always use the cheapy cheap biscuits for dumplings. Awesome flavor!!! You'll need to stir once or twice after adding the biscuits to make sure they are all cooking.
******************************************
And for my information.
I've been making an awesome no sugar apple cobbler this fall. I use two cups Pamela's baking mix (which we LOVE, best pancakes ever), 2 cups milk, 1 Tbs baking powder, 2-3 eggs, 2 tsp vanilla, fresh ground nutmeg and some chopped pecans or walnuts. Pour it over stewed apples or any fruit! YUMMY!!!

Well, they made it home fine. Robert said he wasn't going to do anything about it. But, this morning we started the van to go run grocery errands for the week and it died about 30 seconds later and wouldn't restart. Nice! Robert is stressed. Yuck. So, dealership is closed today. We'll hear from them tomorrow. It is under 36,000 miles so it is still under the original warranty but we also have the resale warranty too. Good thing.

On a better note, it has been snowing all morning. For real snow. Big huge thick flakes and lots of them. It starts and stops now and then but it is awesome. Nothing is sticking yet, but the kids did get to go out and run around in the blowing snow and try to catch flakes....of course, I took pictures....who do you think you are talking to! Since it was snowing and it was our first real snow as a family, Robert called a snow day and we skipped church. :-)

Crock pot chicken and dumplings turned out great! I put too many biscuits in for dumplings and so I had to work through that but that was my fault, not the recipes. I'll do that again. Alot like my Mom's but easier cause you dump and go!

Pretty low key day today. Robert tried to get out and get the leaves raked to the curb this morning, but it started raining pretty good and at 40 degrees, you just can't stay out in the rain. I've been doing not much. I did dishes and got a crock pot chicken and dumplings going. Also have some brownies baking. I've rediscovered my love of cooking since we've moved up here. I realize that we were just too busy and too over commited in Texas and so I couldn't really cook for joy....it was always just hurry and cook something fast and healthy and run out the door. Or just run out the door and grab something out. It has been nice getting to slow down adn be a family again up here.
Robert and the kids have run out to pick up our milk and eggs. I hope Ada, our farmer's wife, sends something yummy like more fresh cream this week. Unfortunately, Robert just called and said the van died on him. He got it restarted, but now I'm sitting here waiting, wondering if I'm going to have to run out and get them in teh truck. I don't like this feeling. What if it dies on the freeway? Will they get cold waiting for me if they do? The winds are gusting high today, they've downed a tree in our neighborhood and it is cold and will be snowing soon. I don't like my family broken down out in these conditions. Time to stop thinking about an emergency winter kit in the vehicles and get them in there!

Snow in the forecast everyday next week. YIPPEE!!! Maybe we'll actually see some accumulation.

Ho hum. Thursday, yea! That means it is almost the weekend, and we have nothing going on, YIIPPPPEEE!!! Although there is some SERIOUS leaf raking that needs to be done in our back yard before it gets covered in snow. You should see the really cool leaf vaccuum truck they have that comes around to suck up the leaves that people rake to the curb. The kids and I were fascinated watching it.
Went and had some retail therapy this morning. Just needed to get out of the casa. It wasn't a big deal. We took clothes to Goodwill and went to Target. Robert insisted that we all have thermal under wear, and they had some for all but me, per usual. Everyone in my house is so easy to shop for, but me. We've yet to buy me anything but my snow boots. Oh well. The jeans I bought two weeks ago are falling off of me already, so maybe I'm destined to be naked this winter, lol. I ordered a vest for our christmas pics from kohls.com. We tried to get it at our store but they didn't have my size and it was the perfect vest. Anyway, the stupid site didn't update my shipping address, just my billing address and so it is set to ship to Ky and Lori at our old house. The only customer service they offer is by email, so I immediately emailed them about their error. I got a reply. Says they'll answer my email in 24-48 hours. Thanks alot, real helpful since I HOPE that it would ship sooner than that. They are quickly ruining my plans for our pics to be done before Thanksgiving. I usually have everything done before Thanksgiving, but looks like it will have to wait until after this year, grrrr.
We've had a low key week. Laundry, cooking, teaching, reteaching, discipling, rediscipling, etc etc etc wash repeat. I'm trying to cook every meal at home until we leave for our trip so we save a little money. I need to post some of the recipes I've made lately so I have htem for next year.

Get a free 8x10 color photo book from Snapfish. These are fun! I did one for Robert for father's day one year.
http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081029_tows_messyhouse/7

Take Action Now.....Stop the Freedom of Choice Act

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Please go and sign the petition to stop the Freedom of Choice Act. Protect the women and babies in our country. This will wipe out every law of protection that's been instated since Roe V Wade. Please help get the word out, quickly!

I'm fed up with Joshua. I just don't know what to do with him. He CONSTANTLY antagonizes his sister. He can get up from time out or a spanking and immediately go right back to it. I'm just fed up to here and I can't take any more. Today my strategy is that he has no freedoms, none. He stays by my side and sits on the floor next to me no matter where I am. Any ideas out there??

If you find sarcastic humor funny, especially in the face of a failing economy. Check this out. SNL skit on the bailout.
http://guestofaguest.com/finance/the-forbidden-snl-economic-bailout-skit/?ref=patrick.net

Recipes Please

Ok, hit me with your best soup recipes. I've never been a big soup cooker, so I'll take anything. Bonus points if it uses a heavy cream since I got some from our Amish farmer this week.

Church #11 was not a dud. I'd like to say it is promising, but I haven't been able to talk with Robert about it yet. It is a bit challenging to tell because they are teaching thru Revelation right now. I don't judge or critique anyone's escatology because #1 I haven't studied the topic enough to do so and #2 some of the greatest biblical scholars of our times disagree in eschatology. Everyone was really nice. Joshua was happy because he got to take down chairs after service. He was thrilled to get to help, and the men were a bit stupored by his enthusiasm, lol. The music was good too, although the drummer couldn't keep the beat consistently...slowed down the further we went (you music people know what I'm talking about), wanted to go give him a metronome... promising...maybe...

And, after being in the 60's all week, we should see snow in the next two hours. Tomorrow morning until noon, as well. Still not supposed to be sticking yet. I don't konw that we'll see warm weather again now. We really should have gotten those leaves raked before this...oops.

Daddy's New Baby

Yup, your eyes do not deceive you. We went car shopping to replace our beloved Baby Car....and came home with a minivan. We decided that we wanted his work car to be able to back up our truck. It is 6 years old and still trucking just fine but in the next years it might start giving us trouble. We also only have rear wheel drive in the truck and the minivan has front wheel drive which is safer in snow and ice conditions. So, he now has gone from a Porsche to a Cavalier to a Minivan. Poor guy! I'm sure he still feels studly though since he's cranking out babies every other year, lol!!!!

Thanks Mom!!!!!! Now we are ready.

Two Months Old

 

Hannah Cole is now 2 months old. She's a big girl, although we haven't weighed her in a while. She's also a great sleeper! YEA!!!! She loves her Bubba and Lele and talks to Daddy every night when he gets home from work! Too cute.

Final days of October

Scenes from Fall

I guess us moving to Ohio wasn't enough. I am quite unsettled this morning. I hope that this massive swing brings us all to our knees to pray for mercy. God is still in control, praise Him! I will particularly praying for my close friends who own and run successful small businesses, this is going to hit ya'll hard.

I'm off to see how our local elections went. We had elections for the state board of education here.

Looks like we'll be car shopping this weekend. Baby car is on her very last leg. We were hoping to make it to 200,000 miles but only made it to 180,000....not bad. She's a good car. I'll miss her!

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!

Tomorrow is the end, thank goodness! Please remember to go VOTE!!! No matter who your voting for, please exercise your right that men and women have died to protect.

We voted by mail in ballot last week....seemed easier than dragging three kids to long lines. We voted McCain. Not because I particularly support him as an ideal candidate, but Obama is anti everything that my family believes and lives. If you haven't decided who to vote for, then vote for McCain so my family doesn't have to live in fear of being prosecuted for our lifestyle. It is about more than tax plans! Our country was not founded to be a socialists country, but that is what Obama wants. I don't want to government taking my money to use how it see fit to "help" people. I want my money that my husband works hard for to be used as we see fit and to help the charities and people we want to help with it. Besides, we'll choose charities that efficiently use our donations, unlike the wasteful spending of our government.

Thankfully, Wednesday morning, we will wake up with a new president and we won't have to hear about this stupid election anymore. It has been particularly annoying being in a battle ground state. The candidates are around here all the time and it is annoying how it stirs everyone up. I think Sarah is at the Farmers Market we went to on Saturday, today. Crazy! No matter who is elected, we are called to back and support them, and we will....only if it is Obama, it will be with trembling. Who ever is elected will be our God ordained leader for 4 years....man, I hope it isn't Obama.

We are home today. Church #11 will have to wait until next week. Robert isn't feeling great. I don't know if it is a bug or stress, maybe a bit of both. Everyone is starting the sniffling/sneezing season with the crazy weather swings up here. This week is supposed to be nice, in the 60's all week until Friday and then back into the 40's for highs. The Tomek's say we will probably have snow that sticks in the next week or so.

We've had a nice weekend. Friday night we celebrated Reformation Day the way we have for 5 years now...breakfast out for dinner. It wasn't as yummy as Magnolia Diner with all of our friends, but we do love our Bob Evans. And Chef Mommy needed a break. When we got home, we went over to wish the Tomek's Happy Reformation Day, dressed up as their neighbors, lol. We also let the kids each have one piece of candy. The split the little snickers yesterday and will the other one another day. We are grateful that Martin Luther nailed his thesis to the door in Whittenberg!

Yesterday ended up being a big shopping day. Robert got up with the kids and let me sleep in until 10 with Hannah....that was much needed. Then, we sprung out of bed and headed to a farmers market. We stocked up on some Amish beef since our Paidom order was gone. I can't wait to try it. The man was very very nice. He even said he if putting together a grassfed beef cooking guide and needs a fajita recipe, so if I send him mine, he'll give us some free product. YES! We also got some produce from another Amish stand. You guys should see the greens, actually all of the produce, it is GORGEOUS!!! Seriously, pristine! I can't wait to cook up the greens. Nothing beats greens and corn bread. My favorite meal of all time!!!! I've finaly perfected cooking them to taste just like my Grannies! I just love interacting with the Amish. I get giddy. I wish I could make an Amish friend and learn more about them, but we don't live close enough to them.

After the farmer's market, we went and grabbed lunch at TGI Friday's. So disappointing eating out after buying such yummy fresh stuff. Then we ran over to Eddie Bauer's to try and find me some jeans to fit. It's always been hard to fit me because my legs are so long and I"ve always been skinny. Well, now I'm skinny and long legged but have a belly.....apparently no one in the clothing industry is shaped anything like me. BUT, I tried on a pair of curvy cut Eddie Bauer jeans in their regular longs and THEY FIT....COMFORTABLY!!!!! Except, they are $59. OUCH! So, we didn't buy them, I am watching for them to go on sale online and then they are mine! I have some money from my Mom to help us buy winter clothes and so I can use that. While I was shopping, Leah had a nasty poopy diaper, twice. The second time, we realized we were out of her diapers in the bag. OH NO! Thankfully I had some large prefolds that we use as burp rags and I set her up in those and we huried home. We were hoping it was something she ate and not a stomach bug because we all shared an all natrual Amish ice cream at the farmers market.

When we got home, we tried to get teh kids naps, but they had slept for an hour in the car ride home. So, we headed to the mall. I got the girls Christmas dresses at Gymboree...my first purchse there ever. They were 20% off and I had a 20% off coupon, so they were reasonably priced. We also got Joshua some shoes. I'm embarrassed to say that his were two sizes too small....the kids never complained! OUCH. I also settled on a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that will do until I can get the Eddie Bauer ones. They were cheap and ok fitting. I still have a long list of shopping that needs to be done, pronto since snow is coming, but you can only shop for so long with a 4, 2 and 8 week old. We got home just in time for bed. Makes me tired just typing it up.

Now, the kids are playing outside, and Robert and Hannah are napping. I am happy to get to sit down for a moment.....although the diapers needed to be put in the dryer and dishes loaded and lunch made.....

I'm worn out. I have managed to do all of the laundry, school JOshua, clean the bathrooms, cook and keep up with dishes (sort of) and walk about 5 miles a day holding Hannah, but I am plum (or is it plumb) worn out. I'm just not good at the whole baby thing. Once they hit a year, I'm rockin and rollin but the first year just kills me. I know alot of you say that the baby stage is your favorite part, but not mine. But, thankfully, on number three, I do know that it is just a short phase that we will survive. It doesn't help that Robert is pulling massive double/triple extra duty at work right now. The GM has figured out that Robert is a great go to guy and so, he's gone to him. He is officially managing two full departments now and it has him runnin like crazy. He gets into the office about 6 and has been getting home about 6 also. Of course, when he gets here, he is justifiably wiped out, but so is his wife, but not the babies. So, we are just holding on for the ride. Really, how can you can complain when your "hardships" are massive blessings from the Lord.

SOOOOOOO, in really super exciting news!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are coming to Houston for Thanksgiving!!!! I CAN NOT wait. I can't wait to see my friends, worship at Grace, hang out with everyone, eat at Eden Cafe, have Mexican food, hang out with friends, maybe get a moment alone with my husband since we'll have trustworthy people around our children, hang out with friends, did I mention Mexican food....we are all soooo excited! We got pretty good prices on our flights, but the rental car rates are crazy! Anyone got an extra car that can hold three car seats laying around?