Ladger and his dad went spraying liquid fertilizer on some wheat crops late afternoon. So I had to take out supper with the boys. Rory always eats his lunch with Grandpa in the 'water truck'. We were parked beside a mud puddle and after Rory ate, he rode his bicycle into it - for sure!! Well he got the bike stuck so I helped pull that out and then he couldn't move out of the mud either. So I pulled him out - right out of his sandals. Since I didn't want to get muddy, I made Rory go back in to the puddle to fish out his sandals. So by then his legs and arms were filthy and then he started really enjoying playing in the mud; taking a flying leap into the middle of it again and again. We didn't have anything to clean him up so I found an old blanket and he had to sit on that for the ride home. He had a great time (and honestly if I were home I just might have joined him).

I remember the anticipation I felt as a child going to summer Bible camp (Miramichi Bible Camp). I looked forward to it so much and in my teen years I spent practically whole summers there helping with the younger camps. It has been a long time (sixteen years) but I'm feeling the anticipation all over again. I just received notice that our application to West Bank Bible Family Camp was accepted and I am excited about going. It's extra special that Ladger was willing to go for it as he never attended Bible camp as a young person and doesn't have the fond memories that I do. The camp seems to have a lot to offer with horses, canoeing, hottub, swimming, rock climbing wall and they're taking the dads golfing one morning too. The family camp runs July 8-11. And here's the bonus for me: the new directors are old friends of mine from Briercrest. Liz and I had a mentor relationship and it will be so great to catch up with her and her family.

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I must make a few comments about the election in Canada yesterday. I went to the poll first thing in the morning anticipating possibilities. We went to town and I made a point of buying some treats in case we felt like celebrating. Instead we watched as the results came in from the Maritimes and just felt depressed! I just cannot understand why the good down-to-earth folks I grew up with and around are more willing to bring in the Liberals than to cast a vote for the Conservatives. Why do eastern folks think that western folks have a horrible agenda to ruin this country when all we want is a voice and some sensible democratic values upheld - values that represent many people across this nation. How can a party that represents so many of us out here be such a threat to everyone else? We're not looking to separate from Canada. We're looking for a way to be part of a stronger and more balanced Canada. One where the rights of Christians and other conservative minded people are just as valid as the rights of everyone else. Should we really just promise the moon (like other parties do) just to get the vote with no real intention or sound method of delivering on those promises? Do we have to have less integrity in order to even be heard?

Yesterday, on the way to church I mentioned how nice it would be to eat lunch in the park to plant the idea in my dh's head. After church, a number of young families were planning to meet at a park and when I mentioned it to Ladger he said he'd rather go to a different park and have a family time. So I went for that - just happy that I wouldn't be cooking dinner on such a beautiful day. We picked up some take-out and went to one of the quieter parks in town. Rory spotted a couple of boys (older than him by a few years) by the creek so he ran over and joined them. We couldn't quite see what they were doing so I went over. They had a net and were catching tiny little fish and putting them in a pail. Rory thought that was just awesome. As we were just finishing up lunch, a family came by and invited us to join them. We did and had a great visit! Meanwhile the boys were getting ready to go home but were willing to share their 'catch' with Rory so he came running over. I dumped out the remainder of my coke (didn't need the calories anyway) and gave him the cup for his fish. He brought six home. Three died on the way. The other three survived the night in a glass bowl. Now what!!?!! Actually I think it's time to head to the creek by our place and say good-bye to those little guys before they die. It's bad enough that he saw Grandpa shooting gophers and has been talking about death ever since.

Ladger brought home a big surprise on Thursday. It's something that I never imagined I'd ever get so excited about a decade ago. I 'played' with it for an hour and a half on Friday and it made a huge difference around here. I'm really excited about it. Ladger's mom doesn't know if she wants anything to do with it. Rory is claiming it as his already. It's old and faded but really fantastic. Can you guess what it is? Click on comments to find out.

I roasted a chicken in the oven today on a stand (designed to cook like a rotiserie without any turning). Rory took one look at it and said "that chicken lost his head". I told him it was the 'big red chicken' from his favorite cartoon "Dora the Explorer". He looked at me like I was missing a few marbles.

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By the way I posted some new pictures in my photo gallery which can be found from my homepage. Most of them are of Paxton's birthday. It's hard to believe he is a year old already. It's so neat to blog - 'cause I'll enjoy reading them someday when I've long forgotten all the cute things these guys do and say.

Today looks beautiful outside and as I did 'some' housework yesterday. I think I'll head outside to do some rotortilling - the boys always like being outside too. Yesterday they were so muddy! I let them turn on the water from the hose outside and they had a big pool of mud they were playing in and Paxton fell backwards right into the middle of it. I picked him up (trying to hold him by any 'clean' spots) and ran to the bathroom where I just rinsed him off (clothes and diaper still on). Rory came in after that but I made him strip off on the deck (yep, right down to his birthday suit) and then I picked him up and ran down the hall to the bathroom with him too. A lot of dirt went down the drain in the bathtub yesterday - I hope it doesn't clog anything.

I need to do some vacuuming today - I usually get a little help 
Seriously though, the house needs a real good clean-up. It's a beautiful day and I know Ladger is hoping to get almost finished spraying today if the weather holds. Our lawnmower is still in pieces in the shop - I guess it needed more than a new belt so I have a forest of grass growing around me. I'm so desperate to get this yard in shape I've been rotortilling our orchard patch which is a huge patch of dirt we've earmarked to be our orchard and is slowing filling with trees and fruit shrubs etc. But there is a lot of bare dirt yet and was full of weeds. But it's a slow process - I've been doing it for a number of days already (when I can grab the time). But I can't go outside until my house gets cleaned up - I have to be strict with myself on this one

Kathleen - I can't believe I have a new little cousin. She is just sooo... adorable. 

I just received this picture yesterday - I'm so excited for the new parents!

Happy Father's Day! 

Dad - You are not forgotten 
Father's Day is always a sweet sorrow as I shed a few tears missing Dad and yet enjoying warm memories.

To the best Dad for our two boys. We love you immensely! 
May God bless you as you continue to be the 'hero' to two small boys. By the way,

Happy Father's Day! 

The sun is starting to peak out from dark clouds and maybe we will have another nice day before it rains again. It's much too windy to spray which is good because it's Sunday and we're all heading to church. I think I'll order some tapes from the last few messages by Pastor John. Ladger's been really raving about them and since I'm in the nursery, I'm missing out. There was a membership service last week and we missed out because the membership classes were in the middle of our seeding craze. Hopefully next time it will work out that we can join the membership.

I love the little excerpts from "Mothering by Heart" by Robin Jones Gunn. Great quote - reminds us of the greater joys of mothering on the days we get bogged down in the details and dealing with the problems. 

You're a lollipop!! You're known for your coolness,
for you are a trend setter. You're a natural
leader, and are good under pressure. People
often seek you out for advice, for you have
great insight.


Which kind of candy are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I had my two voice students this morning. Rory really likes one of the moms in particular. After the lesson, he comes into the kitchen without his shirt. "He was showing off his muscles" said the Mom. I thought that was funny until later he said that 'she was cute'. Then he put my mind to rest when he said that a steering wheel is also 'cute'. I couldn't start the lawn mower yesterday when I wanted to mow so I was going to go at it today as soon as the boys were asleep. But before I could do that Ladger's mom mowed in the morning and a belt broke so there went my plans for the day. So I baked buns instead. They turned out well I think - I'm always adding healthier stuff all the time. This time I added whole wheat flour, dark rye flour and flax seed to my regular bun recipe. We'll test them out for supper.

We got back from our little trip yesterday at suppertime. It was nice to have the evening at home to unwind - the boys seemed to really enjoy the freedom after the drive. And I hooked up my new microphone and mixing board and recorded a little bit onto my computer - worked great!! That was the highlight of the trip for me - the chance to spend some time at Long&McQuade (music store). I also bought a guitar book, voice book and piano book.
We spent the day Wednesday at the Farm show and Rory just loved climbing up on all the machinery. The funniest was putting both of them on a garden tractor - both trying to steer it and both making motoring sounds. It was a good but tiring day. we ordered in pizza and then Ladger, Rory and I went to the music store. Yesterday, we all went to the mall except Ladger and Rory who went back to the Farm show for the morning. I bought a little Caillou 3-d puzzle of a schoolbus for Rory to put together on the trip home. The little tires kept falling off so he asked me to glue them - which I did last night. This morning he puts his arm around me and says "Hi sweetie. Can I have my tires?" I nearly cracked up

Today I'm trying to get ready for our mini-holiday tomorrow and Thursday. And where does a farming family go for holidays? To the Farm Progress Show in Regina, of course! It should be fun as we head out in our packed half-ton (Ladger's parents are coming too). We're staying overnight at Regina Inn and I called there to confirm our registrations and my heart nearly stopped when they couldn't find us (I'm sure every room in Regina is gone as I had a hard time finding these rooms even). So I went looking for my confirmation number and sure enough everything was OK. I guess there were lots of odd letters in my name like 'p' ??!!?? - I would have liked seeing what they had typed in. So all is ready except for me. I need to do a load of laundry to at least wash our swim gear and then pack and get the house tidied up.
I bought a backpack for Rory. He wanted one with Dora on it but it was purple and pink and very girlish looking. But then we spotted the Finding Nemo backpack and it was love at first sight. He laid it beside him for his naptime and just now got up and put it back on again -heehee! I'm glad because I'll have enough to haul around. It will be nice if he can carry a few of his own things

Here are the same two guys as below - Brett and Rory - in their santa suits. Can you tell which is which? 

Here's Rory's friend Brett who was over to our place for a play date this spring. Their birthdays are close. And they're both wearing their Hotwheels shirts. 

The weather has cleared a little although we did have some thundershowers this afternoon. I did manage to do a little weeding in some flower beds but it was pretty muddy. Last night Rory was roaming about the house and woke us all up. And then I couldn't get back to sleep for awhile so I'm dragging a bit for sure. Paxton is here in the office with me 'playing' my keyboard and singing. He just has the best smile when he's all proud of himself. He loves it when I try to sing to his music (which is just about impossible). I did some farm books too. But I can't do more until I reconcile my books with the bank statement and I can't figure it out yet - doesn't help that my head is in a bit of a fog. Now it's time to come up with something brilliant for supper (I doubt that!)

This morning as we get ready for church, I'll take a few minutes to write a little blurb. It's still a little dreary outside but hopefully clearing up in the next day or two. After church today we'll stay in town for lunch because afterwards we're heading to a motel with a waterslide for an afternoon with other sunday school teachers in our church. Around here, we don't go to a 'waterpark' - we book a room at a hotel with pool and waterslide and make that our 'waterpark' for the day.