This morning is foggy and so the guys won't be on the field for awhile - maybe not 'til this afternoon. So this morning I'll be cutting Ladger's hair and who know after that. I'd really like to go to town again so maybe today will work out for that. It's funny how lost we all feel when the harvest gets held up even for half a day. It's the last day of August and the second day of school for the kids in my area. I can't believe school starts in August - yuck! Whatever happened to two full months of summer. My sister tells me that the Miramichi is still the same - school doesn't start until after Labor Day weekend - that sounds more like it!

My kids never cease to amaze me. We were on the way to church and we were late because I decided to go at the last minute and had only ten minutes to get myself and the boys ready. We were only five minutes late until we got to the train track just as the arms went down and we had to wait 11 minutes while it slowed down to a stop with only the tail end of it still on the track in front of us. Meanwhile Paxton was having a little fit in his car seat and Rory was talking non-stop and I said, "I hate trains". A few minutes later Rory pipes up, "I hate trains, too". Uh oh.. now I have to try and undo what I just did. We just about got to church and Rory asks why we go there anyway. So I explain how that is where we meet with God and His people; where we sing songs to tell Him how much we love Him and hear stories about how He is working in people's lives and taking care of them. Then he says, "I like God, too". Today Rory informs me that God does not like time-outs.

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My sister is turning 33 tomorrow. Wow!

Last night Ladger got home around 9 pm. Paxton was already in bed and Rory was doing some phonics. Well I managed to keep Rory quiet enough so Paxton could keep sleeping but that was it for school. I can hear the trucks going out to the field as I write. I have to go make some puffed wheat squares and pre-cook some potatoes (and maybe find some corn ripe enough) for the noon meal. Ladger's mom is keeping Paxton for a few hours at lunchtime to make it easier for me. I actually really enjoy making meals now that I've got a little experience under my belt and have a portable barb-b-q so I can do a lot of the cooking (and clean-up) out there. Once we get back I've got the rest of the day 'off'.

Harvest has begun! Yesterday we tried a bit but the straw was still a little tough so we had to wait until today and it sounds like it's going great!! Yesterday we all went out to the field in a big caravan. Paxton and I led the way with the half ton and the combine's header on a trailer behind. Ladger and Rory went in the combine followed by Jake (his dad) in one grain truck and his mom bringing up the rear with another grain truck. This field we're starting with is about 20 min from home and they had more rain there because the roads were still muddy and it's very hilly. I'm so glad the half-ton (actually a three quarter ton) is 4 wheel drive because I certainly needed it to get up some of the muddy hills with that big header on behind. As soon as I got to the field, I set up the barb-b-q and we had our first harvest meal out there.
This morning I woke up to the sounds of a mouse rattling a plastic bag in our bedroom. I saw him a couple of times and asked Ladger to try and catch him once I saw him go behind our chest of drawers and we could corner him. Success!! He caught him and put him outside. I hope that's the end of our mouse troubles!! My friend was telling me about sticky traps for mice that she likes to use. When I mentioned it to Ladger, he said he didn't like using them because the mice look so tortured. I know he was glad to be able to let our little guy go free this morning.
I took the boys to church with me this morning and we got back as Ladger's mom was emptying her load of peas into the bin. She told me all was going very well and had a big smile. The boys and I will head out to the field for supper. Rory will want to go for a ride in the combine for sure. In Sunday School today he thought he was a combine :-) I have to explain this to people who are trying to talk to him because it's not self-evident and they really don't know what he's doing - it really looks strange!

Rory loves getting into Paxton's crib to play once he's woken up from a nap. Today all was well until Paxton bumped against the railing and cut his lip - blood everywhere! Rory felt bad and kept saying "'scuse me, Paxton". After assuring him Paxton would be fine, he went off to the shop to find Dad and Grandpa. Boys!! It's certainly not the first time nor will it be the last as long as the two of them enjoy wrestling with each other.
The sun is actually shining today - something we haven't seen for awhile. Last night was a little sleepless for Ladger (and me) as it got close to frost again. It was 0.8 degrees celsius at 5 am. I think that was the coldest it got before starting to warm up again. It's tough to see a beautiful crop out there waiting to be harvested - excellent yield and quality potential and know that any night a good frost can reduce it all to feed grade and it's value almost completely gone. We'll all feel better if we can start combining - every bit in the bin is that much less to be concerned about. The forecast was changed to sunshine for the next few days instead of showers and rain. You can pray for us that the weather will hold and that we can start bringing in the harvest soon.

Here's a quote from "Raising Great Kids":

As caregivers and the source of meeting most of their child's needs, parents must actively be there for attachment needs. Parents need to be attuned and aware of the child's emotional need states...You need to be there to pick up, hold, soothe, and feed when the baby signals a need to you...When mothers are cold and aloof, children often respond with coldness themselves. First they protest, they they go into what is called despair, then into detachment. At this point, to the untrained eye, children may not seem to be any trouble. They are quieter and less fussy. But they are actually in trouble, as they have become cold to the love they need. They have disconnected from life itself...

How scary that authors like Gary Ezzo with "On Becoming Babywise" prescribe exactly that in their book series. The claims that babies will be less fussy and more content when parents use their methods can obviously be deceiving. There are stories of babies who have been diagnosed with "failure to thrive" when parents followed teachings like these. Check here for more info on this issue. And here are some personal stories from that site.



"Raising Great Kids" does not deal with the spanking issue (at least so far) but it definitely advocates treating our children with grace and with truth, love and firmness. I'll probably read this one a few times to dig a little deeper but I do appreciate the focus on helping our children develop character rather than a 'good self-esteem'.

A better way than seeing ourselves as good is seeing ourselves as loved...The self-esteem problem is a false solution to a wrong focus...The answer to the self-esteem problem is this: Give them a combination of grace and truth, and they will feel safe enough to be real. The cure to the problem of self-image, self-concept, and self-esteem is to have enought grace to be who one really is.

Paxton is sitting here with me so this entry may not be too long. We are still waiting for harvest to get underway. It's been raining a lot this last week or so. We're anxious for everything to dry up enough to get on the field. We are very cautiously optimistic about the crop this year. So far so good but just barely. A lot of Saskatchewan and Manitoba were hit hard by frost already and we heard that the damage was extensive; for some it's a complete write-off. The weather forecast doesn't look real encouraging as they're telling us to expect more rain on Sunday just as its starting to clear up a bit today. Oh to be in a business that wasn't so drastically affected by weather *sigh*.

Rory has been so good lately but a couple of days ago we had a real difficult evening. Rory had never acted like he did that night and Ladger and I were both scratching our heads about that one. Totally out of control and as miserable as I've ever seen him with no apparent reason. Thankfully he was back to 'normal' yesterday and I hope we don't go through that again. Paxton's not talking yet but I think it might not be too long before he manages a couple of words. He really listens when I'm saying certain sounds and words. He's really enjoying Dr. Seuss right now with all the funny sounds in it.

 

Their birthday? Maybe. But never the people

I remember having a conversation with Ladger in our early married days about what kind of gifts girls like to get. Did kitchen appliances go over well? "Probably not" I said. Anything related to housework wasn't my idea of a romantic gift; a gift that would tell me how much he loved me. Well I have changed so much!! Ladger often forgets my birthday but this time it truly was OK with me. I know he loves me and I really don't need for him to buy me things to prove it. But today he surprises me with the above card and a Shark (rechargeable hand vacuum). Was I thrilled? You bet! I'd mentioned how handy one of those would be with the constant messes the kids make (and mice) not too long ago. Do I mind gifts that relate to housework now? "Definitely not"!, I say.

Yesterday I taught Sunday School for 18 mos to 3 yr old class. The four year olds and up have no Sunday School for the summer so I also had a number of older kids too. It was busy but I had lots of help. I didn't realize that someone's been doing lesson prep all summer and so did my own prep. We did the story about the disciples who fished all night and got nothing for their efforts until Jesus came by in the morning and told them to try the other side of the boat. We made the craft first so they could help in the story time. We put glitter on some felt fish cut-outs and then tied them to a string and a popsicle stick. I had previously made some with no fish on them. So it was cute as I told the story and let them pull out fishing rods to see if they caught any fish and there wasn't a fish on anyone's line. Then my helper switched their crafts into the bucket behind my back and all of a sudden the kids were starting to 'catch' fish. The only hitch was that the fishing line got all tangled up and we could only do a few and then we had to untangle a big mess - But the kids seemed to enjoy it anyway.
Last evening we went for coffee at a friend's house and had a good visit! We swapped mouse stories and enjoyed a pan of brownies :-) Rory loves visiting there because they have a son who is a year older who loves farming and has lots of cool tractors and stuff. Practically a paradise for Rory.

I've been thinking about our pastor's message all week - the first one that I've heard in its entirety for a long time. It was a message that gave me hope. The text was an unusual one from Isaiah 54

"Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,: says the Lord."

One comment that Pastor John made was that every one of us is barren spiritually but it is those who recognize it that God can use. I've taken a leap of faith and will be starting to lead a worship team again in fall. I'm excited about it but I know what Pastor John is talking about. Musically, I have no problems with getting involved again. But spiritually, I feel like I'm not ready. How reassuring to hear this message and realize that if I come before God as an empty vessel, he can use me best! I just hate the thought that I could be leading worship when in fact all I'm doing is leading singing. I know that it is the power of the Holy Spirit that makes all the difference. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 41:18-20:

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs...I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that the people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

I get excited when I think that God can make a paradise out of a desert in my life and that my life could point others to Christ! Wow!

We've got mice in our house - an army of them by the amount of 'poops' they leave behind. And nothing has been working so far. The trap is empty every morning and the gadget that emits a high sound that they aren't supposed to like must be more like listening to their favorite tunes. So yesterday I put out some poison and this morning it was gone!! And then Ladger says "I hope that we won't be able to smell them". And now I'm worried that our house will have a stench soon. Oh that would be terrible! I've just about finished a new song and I'm considering sending it to Unisong - a contest for new songwriters. If I can find a way, I'll put a link here so you can check it out and give me some input Rory is having fun with recording his own singing and Paxton likes listening to my song with headphones - It's really cute because he tries to sing along. Maybe this'll be our family in a few years. LOL

Rory and Paxton got into some old Halloween costumes the other day. This is Paxton.  

Or is this Paxton? 

Here's my latest project. I'm making a neck'lace', literally. I'm needle tatting the lace and adding beads to it as I go. The best thing about making lace is that it's knotted as I go so when I set it down the boys can't unravel my work. They can make a mess of my thread though and have a few times. That is a lesson in patience itself - unraveling knots in thread! 

X marks the spot where Rory climbed up overlooking Bow Falls. Ladger and Paxton watched from where this person was standing while I climbed up to get him back down. 

Here's Rory at our friend's place in Calgary 

Here's moi aussi! 

Here's Paxton at our friends' place in Calgary 

Well it looks like we'll be starting harvest next week. We've got some peas that are looking almost ready to go. It's hard to believe that in a few days my life's schedule will be turned upside down and Ladger will be gone all day, every day for a couple of months (more or less). Ladger is just doing some last minute harvest prep stuff these days and I'm thinking I need to start baking buns (lots of buns) for sandwiches. Rory got out his combine this morning and wanted his header switched on it - I guess he's getting into harvest mode too.

It doesn't take long to get back to normal around here!! So far Rory stuck a stick in the mud and said that was a sign saying 'Don't spank me' (we seldom spank but sometimes we threaten it) and he's now on the hunt for flies in the house with his fly-swatter ready to go. Paxton spilled a new bag of flour on the carpet and also a bag of peanuts. Can I go on holidays again?!!

We're back home! Sunday morning we slept in (oops) and didn't hit the road until 7 am (we'd planned on leaving at 6 am) but we made good time and had lunch with some friends in Calgary - they were going to be busy with work schedules so we knew that was the only chance to visit them while we were in the area. We ended up in Banff by suppertime and grabbed a bite at McDonald's before heading to Banff Park Church for their evening service. We saw some of our friends that were still in the area - cool! And then we went back to the condo we were staying at - great place with lots of beds, fireplace, jacuzzi bath, full kitchen, balcony and lots of room.
Monday: Ladger went to Calgary on his own to spend the day at places like Princess Auto - he enjoyed that thouroughly (no impatient wife and kids waiting for him). Meanwhile I took the boys swimming with a friend that has a sweet little girl, Shannon. And then we went for lunch at her house and another friend and her baby girl joined us there. Then all of us went our separate ways to put the kids down for a nap. That evening we went for a visit with friends and enjoyed catching up immensely. Tuesday: we went with Shannon and her mom up to Sulphur Mountain Gondola after sightseeing around the town of Banff for awhile. Rory climbed up some rocks overlooking Bow Falls which was a little scary for me. I went up after him and it took us a little bit to get down safely. At the top of Sulphur Mountain, Rory took off after some big horn sheep and I had a job catching up to him. He just about went all the way to a second peak (on a boardwalk) before I caught up. The boys loved the gondola ride. And then we had lunch and then home for a nap. That evening Ladger went to a movie with some of the 'guys' while I went to the park with the 'girls' and of course Rory and Paxton.
Wednesday: we visited with my former boss and mentors - a very special couple in my life. And then we headed to Calgary for the rest of the day to take in the zoo. Thursday: we cleaned up the condo and headed home. We all had a really great time and I hope it's not too long before we can head back again someday.

I talked to my friend in Banff a little while ago and I can't wait to have a real visit as well as see her daughter for the first time since she's been born. It has been a busy day getting ready to go. I'm taking a little break from my laundry to write one more little blurb.

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The other day Rory was in the garage to get a ball and when he came back I could read trouble all over his worried face. Apparently he decided he wanted a cooler that is on top of metal shelves in there (that also holds all my canning supplies). You guessed it, he managed to topple the whole thing and broke almost every piece of glass on the shelf. I alternated between feeling hugely relieved as he didn't have even one little scratch on him, guilty because I didn't have the foresight to see that one coming and mad because of a big unnecessary mess that I now have to clean up. It's at times like these that I'm so thankful I believe that God's in control. If He weren't (and it's clear that I'm not) I'd be a worried mess over all the things that can go wrong; the things that could result in tragedy. As it is, I can have peace and leave my worries in His hands. Sometimes at night before I sleep, worries enter my mind and I find myself dwelling on them and building up imaginary scenarios in my mind that really scare me. I always get up and read the Bible and pray and it's amazing how those thoughts dissipate. I love this verse

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And oh yeah, Happy Birthday to me

It's a beautiful summer day and I especially enjoyed dinner - potatoes, carrots, peas, dill, lettuce from the garden and steak on the barb-b-q. I ate way too much and now I'm sleepy but I really have lots to do while the boys are napping. Sunday morning we're heading to Banff for a few days and so I've lots of laundry to finish up before I can start packing. It's been a long time since we've been out (our trip this winter got cut short and we only made it as far as Calgary). It will be so awesome to see our friends there and their little ones. Last time we were there, we had Rory and two other married friends were just hoping for kids. Now we all have families and it will be so neat. We're planning to head to the zoo in Calgary one day - should be a great time! So I won't have any time to be depressed on my birthday tomorrow. And once we get back from our trip, it will be a countdown to harvest so this is really our last hurrah this summer. I will be running into town to get some farm machinery parts for Ladger once the boys are up because he's putting on a push to have everything ready to go before we leave (as much as is possible).

Ladger's parents came over for a wiener and marshmallow roast tonight to celebrate my birthday (Aug 7 - actual birthday). We had fun - they never had s'mores before so that was interesting. Rory managed to get a couple of wieners cooked without getting them full of soot and dirt. And he took a whole roll of film with his camera - that should be good. I know he took one of a chair and another of a table and other goofy shots like that - not really worth developing but of course I will. Ladger thinks he needs a digital camera. Great! He'll probably get one before we do. Rory then went with Grandma and Grandpa and Paxton went in the house with Ladger and I got to put the rotortiller away. But I enjoyed it. I took my time and really savored the look of my yard with the sun setting. I am blessed!

I've been reading a blog lately that is written by a Christian, Mennonite gal from the states. Of course they are dealing with an upcoming election and the debate is hot. Many Christians support Bush but there are many who would rather support Kerry with his liberal agenda. There's nothing like politics to get the blood boiling as all the moral issues like abortion, same sex marriage, etc are brought up and battle lines are drawn. There is so much at stake and there is no doubt in my mind that it is primarily a spiritual battle. It's such a reminder that we need to be in prayer for our countries and the leadership "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual forces of evil...Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground..." Check out Eph 6:10-18 for the rest of this quote.

I got my hair cut today! To most of the world I'm sure that sounds like no big deal. However since I almost always have at least one of my boys with me when I'm in town, most of the time I don't make the necessary arrangements until I'm desperate to look human again! Today Paxton stayed with Grandma and Rory went along with Ladger until my hair was cut and then Rory went with me for groceries. After lunch, Ladger still had some farming business to do and Rory went into the store with him. He came running back out to the truck (where I was enjoying my few minutes of solitude and reading my book) claiming that Dad was buying him a mower. I said that was fine and off he went, as excited as could be. Well he comes out with this toy mower and Ladger asked if I told him he could have it. Apparently Rory was sent out to 'ask' me if he could have it. Well all of this was moot anyway because the clerk didn't put it on the bill - I guess he enjoyed Rory's enthusiasm so much that he just gave it to him. I did learn that we're going to have to get a lot smarter with Rory. He's already starting to outwit us.

Ladger went to town this morning and I'm trying to think of creative ways to teach Rory the numbers from 12-15. 16-19 he gets easily as they make sense but he always counts 10,11,14 ... We've been playing some BINGO from cards I made using these numbers. Last night I did a search for some dot-to-dot pictures but the one I found had letters instead of numbers. I think I'll look a little harder this morning. Paxton is getting himself into lots of trouble these days - constantly on the go, constantly into something he shouldn't be. At the moment all is quiet in the living room and I will have to go check soon because that is highly unusual and likely means trouble.

Yesterday we went to church and since it was another nice day we decided to eat lunch in the park. We got some subs from Subway and headed to Riverside Park. Rory really enjoyed the slides and monkey bars. But when he found the part where you can turn on water spray, that's all he wanted to do. He and Paxton were completely soaked and of course we had no towels or anything so when we headed home we stripped both boys down to their birthday suits (except for a diaper on Paxton), buckled them in and off we went. The boys had good naps and Ladger and I both managed to sleep too. I didn't sleep long because I was reading "A Daughter's Devotion" by George MacDonald most of the afternoon. Rory went over to Ladger's parents for supper and then I took Paxton over and left him there as Rory, Ladger and I went to check out some of our crops. Rory really loves eating the peas (field peas aren't as tender as garden peas but tasty all the same). Last night it rained and today I feel like I don't know what I should be doing (probably because I have so much to do). But if it stays clear I may work up some more sod around some of our trees that I have trouble rotortilling around.