October Catch-Up!

Here's a run-down of some things I am late in posting for October- just not enough time these days! As it is, I'm up waaay to late. If I get an opportunity, I'll try and expand some of the subjects. For now, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Free day at the Denver Zoo on October 7! Never in my life have I seen such a collection of moms, little kids, Baby Bjorn front carriers, and super-spendy strollers! We skipped the stroller and did our wagon and our hand-me-down Baby Bjorn. Unfortunately, Amelie decided to try and climb out of the wagon while I was pulling it, which resulted in her hitting her head on the pavement. Thankfully there were "concerned" people who gasped, made comments, and informed me that they had "definitely heard her head hit the ground!" I was rather upset with Amelie that she had disobeyed my simple instructions (to stay sitting while the wagon was moving), very concerned about her fall and a possible head injury, put out by the gawkers, and feeling a bit awkward trying to get down and cuddle my screaming child with a 15-pound baby in the front carrier! My mind was picturing a visit to the zoo's medical office, a trip to Denver Health (hospital), and the ensuing bill for a CT scan to check for a subdural hematoma- yes, that's the nurse in me going crazy, combined with all of my mothering instincts- a lethal combination at times). The best I could politely muster to the rubber-necking, "informative" by-standers was, "Thank you; I heard it as well." Well, the Lord's mercies are new every day (and in our family's case- every hour- every minute of the day!), and she survived with what I think was a mild concussion (felt sick for about and hour or more, threw up once and was fine). We managed to enjoy a good portion of the rest of the zoo after that, including the ever-popular carousel.
Oh, the delight of being a small child on the back of a large animal!
Here they are- totally exhausted. Mission accomplished! We had a very quiet drive back to Greeley. Thankfully, my energy levels were still at operational levels.
That night we tried a coconut for the first time.
Mmmm... tasty!

Sl-u-u-rp! Interesting. Not interesting enough for more than one or two sips by each kid, though. I ended up finishing the juice inside- kind of sweet with a light coconut flavor, combined with a fresh, green flavor (like plant juice).


Of course, because the day at the zoo had been so nice, the next day brought a cold front with some snow. The kids were so excited to put on their boots (rain boots, of course, thanks to our days in Ketchikan), and run around in the big, soft flakes. They were hoping to eat some, but well, obviously they'd have to graze as well in order to get any snow!


Josiah also turned an official four months old on the 8th. He's trying to sit up, and does quite well. We keep the Boppy behind him since he tends to go backwards when he's looking up at someone. He's such a sweet little guy- I hope he always keeps this grin on his face and never learns how to say "no" defiantly. I know- in my dreams- especially since Romans 3:23 says "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." David and I know from experience that there is much training to be done- some of which has already commenced. We also know that the only real change in his heart attitudes will come through the saving grace of our great God, and so we pray for his salvation. It is lots of fun to have a baby around.

Mmm... pumpkin-oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies.

Here's Silas in an outfit handed down to him by Uncle Aaron. (Yes, Uncle Aaron does happen to be 27 years older than Silas- what on earth made you ask?! Are the polyester pants such a give-away?)


Don't break the ice! Silas caught on right away with this "new" game.

This is what happens when my dear husband runs the grain mill for pancakes without making sure the flour container is pushed into position as far as it should go. Everything (I mean EVERYTHING) gets a coating of flour! Thankfully, we run it in the wash room with the door closed. Thus, the flour was only on the washer, the detergents and such, the walls, the door, the floor, etc. I spent a lot of time vacuuming wiping down, and thus was quite thankful for the non-toxic nature of spelt flour. This was a couple of days after the room had been cleaned up of fire retardant from an extinguisher. Yes, a little excitement when the dryer caught on fire... but again, the Lord is so good and David's mom checked her load in the dryer when the fire had just caught in the back. She yelled, David's dad ran a grabbed an extinguisher which was just outside the laundry room, and he quickly took care of things. Further investigation by David and his dad revealed that somehow some lint had gotten in on one of the elements. So, for all of you folks who love your dryers, don't just clean your lint trap and the area around your dryer to ensure that it is safe, but check the motor/element area as well (and clean it) to ensure that no lint has entered the compartment!

That's all for tonight. I"m going to bed.