This is Reese before and after I got ahold of him with my scissors! He was such a good boy today. We put on some Jack Johnson and I gave him a sucker and he even cooperated! I do like to cut his hair...he looks like such a little Bubba now.


PS. I don't know who the funny man is making the toast, but he captured the spirit of my little thank you, so I uploaded him just for your blogging enjoyment.

My little man is enjoying his first candy cane of the season. A beautiful way to step into the Christmas way of things...A sweet, old fashioned start to an ancient celebration of Emanuel...God With Us.



Okay, I have always claimed that Becca does not like to play with dolls, that she is the doll. She loves to dress herself, accesorize herself, etc. Well, I think we have finally found the ultimate dolly for Becca. You cannot purchase this one in the stores. Costco does not carry it for a discounted price. It is the limited addition "Reesie Piecie" , or as Becca calls him "Susie". So, meet our Susie. Let's hope this is all fun and it doesn't carry into his post-puberty phase.


Sorry for my absence on the blog...We were in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to say goodbye to Blake's Grandpa Drexel Ivie. He was Jodie's father. Pictured above is 6 of his grandchildren as pallbearers and his son, Rick Ivie. It was a small service, with only family members attending, and we all let balloons go with messages to Grandpa. It was beautiful. Grandpa led a full life and was so loved by all. We will miss his smile, his sweet ways, and his generosity. Goodbye Grandpa...


I just love this photo I found of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And his wife! (Thank you google images) I think we sometimes forget that the great men and women come from ordinary folks like us. Fathers, mothers, children....It only takes a heart to serve and a will that is ready to lay down it's own passions. Here is a quote from the good Dr.:

Last night, our family and the Vanhoff's went to the Madeleine Villa nursing home in Marysville. There, our darling crew of Roosters, Cows, Parrots, Princesses and mythical warriors greeted and cheered the elderly and the bedridden and the dementia-fied residents. This photo captures the magic of the exchanges, multiple generations being blessed by one another. Many of the residents "forgot" that they had already given the children treats, so the kids received a double portion for their efforts. We met a woman, Katherine, who was celebrating her 98th birthday. What a treat to see her, talk with her, and learn a little of her life. Reese was absolutely mesmerized by each one he saw. I am sure he identified with all of their "strollers". He would "Cock-a-doodle-doo-doo" and lay eggs for them on cue. They lit up when he came near, and he never once backed away from their touch. At one point in the night, Jenny asked me if I had been preparing him in training sessions before we came, training him in cuteness 101. I just smiled, knowing that God has given my little rooster such gifts. For me, it was all about touching as many of the sweet ladies as I could. I would crouch down low, smile at them and touch their hands or their arms. They all looked me in the eye and smiled, saying they were doing well. Touch is so important. I think we all touched them, in multiple ways, even as they did us last night. Yes, Halloween could be considered a holy day...Any day used to love the children of God is a holy day.


Just a few of the early finishers...(from left to right) Blake's, RaeElise's(mom helped), Reuben's, and Jodie's).

We willingly participated in the ancient American, druid, heathen ritual of trooping to the pumpkin patch (with Grandma and Grandpa Paine, no less) and carving out some fun squash! What a great day to spend with our family. It was a blast. And the fresh air and the muddy patch and the little boys and little girls scampering about the field...ahhhh...a day that made me shout, "Now this is living!"

I was just sitting here, thinking about my sweet boys. Here they are, 4th of July candy hunt, close buddies, cute as can be! It is amazing to me that even though they are about 4 years apart in age, they can be so compatible, such good friends. Today, Reuben had a soccer practice, and Riley, even though he usually prefers to hang with me if I am going to leave the soccer field to run errands, decided that he wanted to stay and hang with Reuben. Well, Riley came running breathlessly over to me after practice, "Mom, mom, I got to play! I got to play assistant goalie with Reuben! The coach said if I come on practice days, I can be in that position for them each week! I even knocked some of the bigger kids balls out of the goal box!"


| Goody Two Shoes You scored 86% Do Gooder, 66% Drive, and 75% Intellect! |
| Aw, don't be hurt by that. You're a good person...very nice and helpful to others, always lending a hand. Always, always offering to lend a hand, even perhaps when it's not called for. Oh, and is that your raised hand in the air again? Why not let someone else answer next time? But seriously, there should probably be more people like you in the world. Super-smart, driven, and warm-hearted. There would be many less problems in the world if there were more like you, and you should be proud of that. Just don't forget a little 'me' time now and then, you deserve it. All human being categories are: Lazy SOB, Rebel w/out a Cause, Evil Mastermind, Henchman, Criminal, Dictator, Frat Boy, Socialite, Philosopher, Stunt Double, Upstanding Citizen, Teacher, Cheerleader, Sister Mary DoGood, Benefactor, Loyal Sidekick, Candy Striper, Goody Two-Shoes. |
My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
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| Link: The What Type of Human Are You? Test written by weeredIII on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test |