Total Eclipse (of the heart)

We eclipsed and spent almost a week in Wyoming with Ben's grandparents and some of his family members. I warned him that every time I heard some say 'total eclipse' I would add 'of the heart'. The few times people said it, I did add it, but Ben's family said 'totality' much more often and that just didn't work.

Here is a photographic log of the journey:

3 years

Monday marks three years from when we closed on the house. We will be celebrating by having our kitchen be finished making all the current livable space completely finished.

Here are the before/during/after pictures of our kitchen.

 

 

 

If everything lines up right then the first column is when we bought the house, then a year into it, and then today.

Olmsted County Fair

Today was the end of the fair, so I got to pick up my entries and my ribbons/checks for winning.

I remember going to the fair and looking at every single 4H and domestic entry and commercial booth before ever being allowed to ride on a ride or get food. And, I thought that took way too much time (except for the free water from the Culligan people, and sticking our hands in the hot tubs, and what ever the newspaper was handing out that year). Then when I was in middle school I realized that maybe one day I could actually put in some of my own stuff.

Meghan Burley did one year in college and she won, and that reminded me that I could do it. Then once we finally moved into our house just down the street from the fairgrounds, I was re-reminded that I could enter things.

It really is lots of fun. This year when I took things in the ladies were saying that they needed lots more entries in the sewing/knit/crochet categories. And, I am pretty sure anyone in the state of Minnesota can enter (Janet!). I am hoping that next year I can get Russell to enter in one of his fantastic machine drawings and maybe even something he builds out of his legos. I'm also trying to convince Ben to enter one of his model Enterprises in when he finishes it.

The best part about entering things is that you have a whole year to work on things and even two years in the case of some hobbies and quilts. I have already decided that I am going to enter lots more things next year including:

a

a barn quilt
a quilt using my fabric scraps from this year
a wall hanging quilt
a hand lettered wall hanging
more sewn stuff especially kids clothes because no one enters those categories
I have even thought about trying some simple embroidery and needlepoint

I have my work cut out for me if I actually do want to enter all these things.

Meghan's birthday

Today was all about Meghan. She has been waiting for almost two months for birthday ever since Russell had his birthday. This morning when she woke up and came into our room to wake us up she told us she wouldn't be three until after we sang happy birthday and had cake and opened her presents. Lucky for her, this year we weren't getting ready for a three week road trip and Ben wasn't gone. We did some of her favorite things today. She went to Hy-Vee and got a cookie. She spent special time with Dad. She wore her Daniel Tiger shirt. We went to the beach, and she got to wear her swimsuit. She played outside on her bike and in the sandbox. We had her favorite food for dinner. We ate dinner outside. We had dance party. She pooped on the potty. She got to take a shower.

She was pretty spoiled. I made her a Baby Margaret cake with all of the Tiger family on it. The top layer is supposed to be trolley.

It took her quite a few tries to blow them all out.

Having Meghan around is pretty fun! I do enjoy having a girl to dress up. When she was just born I told Ben she really was like one of my dolls. She isn't so much my dolly any more and has her own ideas of what she wants and doesn't want. 

 She always puts my Sunday shoes on if I leave them in the kitchen before we go. She walks all over the house, but mostly on the wood so she can hear them clacking on the floor.

 She has strange ideas about clothes. And, she really wanted to just wear her diaper and slippers to bed one night when we were at Sarah's.

This picture isn't the clearest, but Meghan's hair look so cute all day long! Usually it is a complete mess and has fallen all the way out by the end of the day.

Here are a few of her favorite things.

5 Years of One of Our Biggest Blessings!

Early on the rainy morning of May 6th, 2012, I rushed Joanna into the hospital, and several hours later one of our biggest and best blessings was born: Russell Forrest Joslin! He has changed our lives in a wonderful way for forever!

As I look through all the pictures from the past 5 years, it is amazing to see how this little guy has grown! Like I did when he was brand new to this world, I still can't wait to get home from work to see him, and spend time with him and the rest of my family.

I remember that we would spend most nights together because he needed to feel someone close to him in order to sleep (or feel movement - because he also slept fine in the swing!). . . . (and because Joanna gets the best sleep when she can take the whole bed to her self!) :)    So I had several sleepy days at work so that Joanna and Russell could have happy days together. All of this was worth it when I walked through the door at the end of a long day at work to see their smiling faces and to get their big hugs!

Russell has learned so much, and each day he amazes me with how much he knows, and how goofy he is. . . . . must get it from mommy!! ;)   But, seriously, I need to make sure I am a good example because he mimics Joanna and me, and Meghan mimics Russell!

He has a soft heart, and was a great little buddy for Grandma Scoresby during her last years, and he is also a good little boy nowadays for Grandma Joslin too!

He can walk, talk, read, ride a bike, imagine amazing things, play games, laugh, and love. He truly is my little miracle, and I thank my Heavenly Father (and Joanna) every day for blessing me so greatly.

Happy 5th birthday Russell! I love you so so much!!

Love,
Dad (Ben)

We had the lucky (for us!) opportunity to have Ben's parents come visit us this weekend. I'm sure his parents weren't super excited about coming to Minnesota in February with pretty short notice, but it ended up being a pretty lovely weekend--50s and 60s with lots of sun. We were really happy to get out and enjoy the sun.

Russell and Meghan were both a little reserved at first. Seeing someone in person is quite different than seeing them on the computer screen via skype. They warmed up after a bit. Russell was ready to play by the time we got home from the airport. Meghan took a little bit longer, however, she was happy to give hugs and kisses before going to bed the first night they were here. They both got spoiled with lots of book reading and lego building.

As we were driving home after dropping them off today, Ben and I were talking about how it was nice to have a last minute visit from his parents to break up this time of year where it seems we are playing the waiting game--waiting for warmer weather, waiting to be able to go back outside, waiting for a break in school.

The Winter Doldrums

I feel like all month we have kind of been plodding along, which is kind of true since we have to get all our winter gear on every time we go out the door. Most days I just want to curl up on the sunny couch wrapped in a warm blanket with a good book. Unfortunately, household chores keep getting in the way.

I've been a little disappointed in our winter. It hasn't been terribly snowy, though we have had school cancelled one day because of freezing rain. Maybe if we weren't in town where it seems like snow is cleaned off of all the roads and sidewalks pretty quickly. Maybe if we lived in the country it would seem more snowy.

The kids are getting pretty bored staying inside most days. I am thinking that maybe I'll take them on a walk tomorrow to some of our friends. If it was going to be just a tad bit warmer I would venture on a walk to the library. Instead we'll have to drive there since half our things are due tomorrow.

I have been doing terribly on my goal to eat a little healthier. I just want to spend lots of time making yummy carb-loaded foods. I definitely do not need carbs. Or any more sugar. I have been loving Emily's idea of themed meal planning. It is nice to have a set rotation of meals to cycle through.

Russell has learned most of the songs for primary this year. There are still some that he needs a little help with. It is nice to hear him singing them. Hopefully he isn't just mindlessly singing I'm Trying to be Like Jesus all the time and it starts sinking in soon. He could act a little more like Jesus these days. Megs also knows As a Child of God. However, my friend tells me she never sings in nursery though it is one of the three things she tries to say her lesson was about. Snack and toys are her other common answers.

My lower back has been really sore for the past 3 weeks. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond to get my birthday present (waffle maker). I spent a good deal of time on the massage chair. The chair was awesome! I have been very tempted some days to load Russell and Meghan into the van just so that I can drive to BB&B to sit in the chair for some relief.

I think we are all getting ready for spring. Russell keeps asking me how much longer until it is summer. Meghan keeps talking about going to the beach. At least the daylight hours are noticeably longer. We're getting there. February is almost 1/5 down. Soon it'll be time to get the short sleeves out.