The clouds have parted

This Saturday was super productive as far as the yard is concerned!  We needed the boost as Thursday was a bust for Travis and Steve.  They went to get lumber that a member was donating and it was far more work then their time was worth and it took 10 hours.  Trav was very discouraged and we both thought that there was never going to be even a pin hole of light at the end of the tunnel.  Boy were we surprised to see 8 members of our church and 3 of our family members on our doorstep ready to work at 8am on Saturday morning!

It was a beautiful sunny day which was great to have since it has rained on us every day prior.  Everyone worked so hard that the grading is done, the stone path, the wood retaining wall, prepping the dirt for better dirt, planting, the mow strips, and we were able to get a lot of filbert shells spread.  There is a little more to get done but if we did not have all the help we did we would have never accomplished nearly as much on our own.  I firmly believe it would have taken at least 2 months of Saturdays for us to get done what was done.  We all actually had fun and many laughs were had.   We all felt like it was a good way to spend Sept. 11 by helping each other.

The few things we still need to get done are to condition the dirt a little more, plant grass seed, and spread more filbert shells.  Over time we will get more plants and plant them as our yard could use a few more and build 2 planter boxes in spring for veggies.  Overall a wonderful week as our yard looks a thousand percent better and all our neighbors are thrilled as are we!

Oh boy we could use help.

When this project began we had it all planned out.  What we were going to do and what we needed help with from our volunteers.  The plan was changed  a little when some previous plans fell through but we managed to pick up a different days worth of work.  That day went so well we thought we were going to be done early and be twiddling our thumbs.  I was so wrong.  That day we had help.  Wonderful help.  It was not just the two of us and the two short people who live here.

Today was grueling, wet, and tiring.  We filled in the rest of the wall with gravel from the back and good dirt on top and then if that was not tiring enough Travis backed up the truck (We have it on loan from Chuck) to the wall and he then filled wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full of the gravel from the back and dumped it in the truck.  He only stopped shoveling and wheeling twice today.  To eat and once to drive to and from the church.  He is Heman today.

I felt totally useless  and tried to do as much as I could do at 21 weeks pregnant what with raking and grading.  We then took our load of gravel to the church to fill ruts on the back property and boy were the kids excited!  Since we were driving under 5 mph and stopping constantly we loaded them in the back of the extended cab and let them roam free.  What a thrill!  Towards the end of the off loading at the church I took a look at Travis and he was so pooped!  How could he not be!  I got out of the truck and picked up a shovel and started to work.  I told him to go rest and drive the truck and that I would be fine and he was in such a zombie mode that he did.  He really needed it.  I unloaded the last of the truck and on our way home stopped and got a yard of river rock to fill in the mow strips.  We got home, ate dinner, and then decided that we needed to do a little of the mow strip before it was dark.  We were out working until it was too dark to see and the kids had to go to bed.

We both feel like we have been through the ringer and can't wait to have help at some point during the end of the week.  We get to do it again tomorrow ourselves but I guess this is what makes you stronger as an individual, a couple, and a family.

And it begins.

Our big yard renovation has begun!  We have waited since we moved in to be able to do this and here we are 18 months later.  Travis has taken this whole week off and our family and church are helping with labor and some of the finances.  Our church all pitched in and paid for the retaining wall blocks and some plants.  That was a huge relief off our shoulders as things have gotten very tight in our finances. On Monday Steve, Chuck, and Travis got started with tilling the front and back along with the mow strips and built the retaining wall!  Chuck brought one of his dogs with him named Stardust and she was our yard mascot.  The kids got quite the kick out of Stardust and they were allowed to dig anywhere in the yard that they wanted which was , according to Claire, "The best thing ever!"  We still have to take out the horrible "dirt" (Which is actually just gravel) and get the top soil in, get river rock in the mow strips, grade the yard, plant plants, make planter boxes, build another retaining wall around the deck, and seed the new lawn.  It's a long list but I think we can get it done this week and weekend.  It will be so nice to have a yard the kids can play in and we can use for growing veggies and just relaxing in.  At this point we are ahead of schedule but hope to be in that position all week!

A grave experience.

I have a weird fascination with graveyards.  I love really old ones with big beautiful headstones that are falling apart.  I don't know why but I find beauty in them and then feel the need to capture them on film.  I have done this twice now but think that now I am going to have to bring my camera everywhere with me just in case I happen upon a wonderful graveyard.  This is just a sampling of a few of the best shots.

The Birds and the Bees

This year we have seen a few interesting bugs around our house.  We also got to witness a swarm of bees relocating to another more suitable hive. The kids have enjoyed the insect life around here.  Ben in particular loves all animals and bugs.  He just squeals with delight when he spots something and has to share it with everyone he can find.

Today

Today it reached 90 degrees here in sleepy Sandy.  This was a little bit of a shock since 2 days ago it was in the high 50s.  I made the mistake of putting most of the summer clothes away (Clearly a mistake) thinking it was about time plus I am wanting to get things as organized as possible because that is what I do when I am pregnant.  Yes I like to take on lots of projects, especially in the house, because there is nothing like trying to get a lot done in a house with 2 small kids and me, a woman who is starting to grunt while bending down, and has a hard time getting back up.  This is only going to get worse.

Anyway since it was so nice out we decided to get the sprinkler out and let the kids enjoy what little bit of summer was left.  They had a ball playing in the yard and getting wet.  Travis had a wonderful time throwing the kids in the middle of the sprinkler and running away.  We have chalk all over our driveway, porch, retaining wall, and chalk hand prints on one of the cars.  It was a good day overall with a trip to the library and the local farm stand to get some fresh fruit.

It's days like this that make parenting a breeze and make you want to add to your brood.  We are fortunate to have lots of days like this.

Who knew!

Lately I have been keeping track of things I have heard myself say lately.  It has been interesting at best!  I never knew that I would ever say some of the things I have been caught saying.  Here is a few on the list:

"You need to take your big toe out of your brothers ear."

"Why is your arm in the fish tank?"

"At what point did it seem like a good idea to stack pillows on mommy and daddy's bed and try to reach the ceiling fan?!"

"Ben! Stop biting my leg!"

"Your brother's head does not come off!"

"Quit putting your finger up Claire's nose Ben."

"Can you please stop putting animals in my bra?"

"The oven is not a tunnel!"

"You have asked me "Why" 8 times and I don't know how to explain why plants grow anymore."

"Yes I am married!  Why am I arguing with you about this?!"

"No Ben my name is not daddy it's mama.  No really."

"Can someone please send me to my room in a time out?!"

It has been interesting indeed around here with these two kids.  I can't imagine what I will be saying with three kids!  I am taking the time to make a note so that I can look back and just laugh at the things I am saying.  Is anyone else sometimes dumbfounded by what they are saying to their kids?  It will help keep me sane.