It's going to be a bright sun-shiny day!

This is Grace's new smile. She squints her eyes (usually more than this) and flashes a cheesy grin showing all teeth. I love it!

Since I usually complain about the MN weather, I thought I'd say how wonderful it has been this week. While we were having 60's in IL and MS this past weekend, so was MN. Grace and I took a walk yesterday, and I was even getting hot! We've got our back yard to drain so it isn't a pond, but I think it might be going to the basement! Thank goodness we've never carpeted it.

My siblings gave Grace blocks for Christmas. She loves building towers and destroying them. Usually hers fall before she gets a chance, so she really likes it if I build the tower.

She's also into trying on our shoes. Here she's trying to get my boots on. Once on they went up to her butt. I could never get a good shot!

Last Wednesday we started out for IL. I was amazed at how well Grace travelled. Other than wanting to eat every five minutes, she napped or looked out the window the entire time. Rustin and I listened to Amazing Grace by Danielle Steel. (He actually liked it.) In fact, we almost ran out of gas because we were both so into the book. On the way home we listened to Where the Red Fern Grows. I forgot how good that story is. It sure makes the time go by faster.

We stayed in Owatonna that night and Grace slept ok. On Thurs. we hit Tremont about 3:30. Jenny came over for supper so we got to spend time with her and the family.

What a cute couple!!! They are perfect for each other.

That night Grace's pants kept falling down so we had to get a px!

On Friday Grace and I went to visit Kelly and Sam. (Allison was sleeping.) Sam and Grace played together pretty well as long as Sam kept his distance from Grace and as long as she stayed away from his endloader. The first thing he said when he saw me was, "We're going to your house on 'cation." They are hoping to come up in July for a reunion. Hopefully the time passes by fast for him because July seems like a long ways off. Friday afternoon Mom and I went dress shopping for Bob and Jenny's wedding. Grace was the only lucky finder that trip. She was able to stay home with Daddy and Grandpa and take a much needed nap. Susan came home that afternoon and watched/played with her while the men went to Sears and Menards. That evening Jenny and Michelle came over for pizza. Us girls played Dutch Blitz for a long time. Jenny creamed us all by over 100 points.

Sat. morning we visited both Grandparents.

Grace enjoyed the cuckoo clock at Koch's. She was toodling around and opened a cupboard door and took out a squirrel figurine. For some reason she didn't want to let go of it. When she gets something in her head, watch out!

We went to Beutel's where she found the Dutch shoes which have been worn by all kids who have entered there!

She also found her Daddy's hat and her stinky diaper!

They gave her the dog Grandma is holding and she played with it about the whole trip home. She loves dogs and saying "woof woof."

Saturday afternoon we drove to Quincy to the Stoney Creek Inn. I noticed a Steak and Shake within walking distance so I knew where I'd be eating supper! We helped Rob and Marcia watch Tim and Jenny and Daryl and Christy kids while they went to the rehearsal dinner. The older kids played together and the younger ones just wanted to wander the halls. After helping the kids with pizza, Dad Mom Matt and us went to S and S for supper. It was sooooo good. I haven't had it in a long time. Minnesotans just don't know what they're missing. Mom and I went shopping afterwards for dresses. Mom was successful!!! I was not, but still have a month to find something.

Grace and Darcy! Poor thing had a cold and looks shot. She is such a happy-go-lucky girl. Grace kept trying to tickle her so it was hard to get a good px.

Finally Grace met her match - Max! He wouldn't let her push him around without a rebound.

The wedding was great. I met Ashley for the first time and feel she will be a blessing to Mark and our family. It's so exciting to welcome new additions to the family.

This weekend ReKeeta's are coming up and so is Bell - the Schmidgall's foreign exchange student from when Rustin was in high school. Looking forward to another great weekend!

In like a Lion

Our small Minnesota March world has come in like a lion.

Last week Grace had diahrrea - the big molars are coming in.

It snowed 9 inches. (They said 8-10 inches, so I'll average.)

And the best and a first for us: Grace awoke with the flu this morning at 4am. Rustin thankfully was the one who first saw and smelled her. (I got to take care of it.) Poor little thing. Every time she ate or drank anything today, up it came. It's hard not being able to do anything for her. You know Grace isn't feeling good when it is 5:30, she just woke from a 4 hour nap and she lies on the floor saying nigh-nigh. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for her!

I hear predictions that there is going to be another big dumper this weekend. We'll just wait and see! Honestly this winter I would love to be in Il. Oh well, it builds character, right? I'll quit my complaining and keep my sights set on SPRING!

Steph's Survey

After reading the survey in Steph's blog, I decided to fill it out myself. So... enjoy!

Since the only thing I think about these days is babies, I thought I would do this survey:

First Born

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born (or adopted!)! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!

Let's see how much you remember!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
No, not really.

2. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Denial, then joy.

3. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
25.

4. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
My body began to feel different and I took a pregnancy test.

5. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Rustin and then our parents. We didn't have to tell too many more!

6. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
I did, but my husband didn't. He won that argument : )(same as Steph's)

7. DUE DATE?
November 10 or 12.

8. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
No.

9. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
I didn't have specific cravings but was always in the mood for Mexican food.

10. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
Not having the same amount of energy as before.

11. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Girl.

12. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
I did some at first, but Rustin wanted a girl. (I am very thankful for a girl, now.)

13. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
Theoretically 40. But actually 45-50. You have to remember I was at my all time record low from the wedding jitters!

14. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Not before she was born.

15. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
No.

16. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
I didn't except for the occasional uti.

17. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
SCMC.

18. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
From 6am on the 6th until 11am on the 7th. It wasn't all hard labor!

19. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Rustin.

20. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Rustin, Dr. Tatsumi, Cheryl, and Amanda

21. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural.

22. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Nope. I think I might in the future!

23. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7 pounds 2.6 ounces.

24. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN?
November 7, 2007 at 12:41 pm.

25. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Grace Anna.

26. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
15 months.

A Belated Happy Valentine's and President's Day

I thought I'd start off by showing you what Grace and Rustin do in their spare time when I'm not around. I found several interesting pictures on the camera when I was uploading others. At least they have fun together!



Church serving went smoothly. I had great help and could hardly believe it when it was over. Unfortunately it was a small Sunday so there was lots left over. The guys at Trico were the beneficiaries of much of it.



For Valentine's Day Rustin and I went to the Fellowship Hall for the "Love Supper." It was put on by some dear friends of ours. There were 100 of us for the meal. Afterwards we played some table games, sang, and listened to a few speakers on love - mainly God's love. There was a lot of time and effort put into the evening and we enjoyed it immensely.

Grace received her first Valentines from Emerson and Abbi. Emerson also gave her a huge lollipop. She took one lick, threw it on the floor, and it broke into many pieces. I decided that she might appreciate them more in the future.

On President's Day I decided to be adventurous in my cooking (not because it was President's Day.) I marinated some pork all day in teryaki sauce. I later sauteed the veggies and boiled-in-a-bag the rice. This was my first attempt at cooking and eating stir-fry. We decided this meal could be added to the list of Rustin acceptable meals. Here's a pic of the final product.



Since I've been talking up Grace's walking for so long, I put on a video so you can enjoy. She still is a little tipsy, but please note that she can walk and drink at the same time!

I tried to get her to say uh-oh spagettios, but she wasn't interested. If you ask her to say hi on the phone she'll say it for you.

This week I started cleaning the Hancock Community Center. Why...I'm not sure, but it will be a little extra spending (ha-ha) cash. It's only once every two weeks, so not too time consumming.

If anyone is in need of an antique upright piano, give me a call. I've had a few bites from Craig's List, but no offers to drive to Hancock and seriously look.

Groundhog's Day

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Actually I forgot it was until I went to yahoo news. I don't know if it saw its shadow or not, but hopefully spring is near.



Two weeks ago my Mom was able to hitch a ride up and visit us for a couple of days. We had a Schaefer funeral and some Tremont Schaefers drove up for it. It was short and sweet. The first evening we played Phase 10, a family favorite. Mom babysat Grace while I waited a table at the funeral, the next morning. In the evening we went to the Peterson's to begin a half week of baby/house sitting.

We have found out what it is like to have four kids ages 15 months, 3, 6, and 10. It is alot of work. (The sad thing is we were only with them in the morning and evening.) Rustin's coworker and his wife went to Mexico for a week so we stayed at their house and took care of their children. The mornings usually started around 5 with Grace crying because she was hungry and in a strange place. (We put her in a pack n play in the walk-in closet.) We tried to calm her down asap so the other kids wouldn't awake. About the time we got back to sleep the alarm would go off and time to get up for work and school. Thankfully they already had a routine of going to school or Grandma's so this didn't change. I forgot how hard it is to get kids up and ready to catch the bus. After work, Rustin picked up the kids and I got home around 6:30 to make supper. Grace cried herself to sleep everynight. (only about 5 minutes worth) She is becoming more picky as to where she sleeps. The three year old is a girl and she loved playing with Grace. Grace liked being mothered for the most part. The last day we were there Grace threw up in the hallway. I asked Rustin to watch her so I could clean it up. He must of smelled too close because pretty soon he was running to the toilet. At least one of them hit the toilet. I always said I would never clean up puke. It looks like I am going to have to eat those words.

While we were babysitting we heard from Bob that he is engaged to Jenny Wyss from Washington, IL. We are very excited for a newcomber to the family. We are extremely excited that we know and like her already! Our spring and summer is already filling up with wedding trips to IL and Missouri. The only thing I wish I could observe is Bob as an engaged person. I get a pretty good sense though just by talking to him.

Grace took her official 'first steps' the other day. Some day I will get it on video, but it happens not very often, almost accidental. She gets pretty excited though. She knows where her belly button is: she lifts her shirt and points in the general area and says something that resembles belly. She'll find yours too if you let her! It is enjoyable to listen to her babble away.

This Sunday we are serving church lunch for the first time ever. Everything is baked and ordered. All I have to do now is wait for Saturday and set tables and prepare things. I'm not too nervous, but I'll be glad when it's over.

Brr!

Not alot is happening up in Minnesota. Just trying to stay warm and indoors. The temp has reached an all time low for me of -32. I can tell when it is below zero when I walk outside and immediately start coughing and it hurts to breathe. The store is a little slower due to the cold weather. We are nearing the end of a load and it is going to be a couple of weeks until a new one arrives, but this will be a good time to get rid of the old so the new can fit. This week the guys have been installing the furnace in the new store so progress is being made, little by little. We are still hoping to be in the new store by Spring. We'll see!

Last week we had Greg and Sheila and Emerson over for supper and the evening. Emerson liked doing dishes as much as Grace does. In fact she was a little protective of her step ladder and was making a little fuss. From the picture it looks like she kept plenty busy in that cupboard. They stood together for awhile until they started pushing at each other.

Grace is making progress towards walking. She now voluntarily stands on her own and giggles in delight. Pretty soon I think she will make the 'first step.' She now blabbers all the time. Her favorite saying sounds like 'bidabidabidabidabida.' Rustin thinks it's funny to encourage her to say that. I'm trying to talk normal to her so she talks with real words. One of her favorite 'real words' is uh-oh. The other day Rustin was reprimanding Grace for something she was doing and she looks at him and says "bidabida....." I started laughing. See what you get when she thinks it's funny! She is also shaking her head no and sometimes yes.

This coming week we are house/kid sitting for a co-worker of Rustins. They have 3 children. It will be an interesting week. Their 3 year old daughter loves Grace and dotes on her except when Grace is in her things.

This weekend's forecast looks like a balmy 20's to 30's. I can hardly wait. Maybe winter is almost over!!!

Happy New Year!

Now that we lived through another Holiday Season I can get back to blogging and regular life. I really do enjoy this time of year: visiting family, eating once a year food, and most importantly reflecting on Jesus and His humble entrance into the world.

One of our dear friends, Larry Nohl, passed away the week before Christmas, so his visitation was on Monday and funeral on Tuesday. Our original plan was to leave for IL after his funeral. After looking at weather reports between here and there we decided to leave Monday night after visitation and drive until we got tired. The roads were fine except for fogginess until we reached IL and then they became a little slippery. We showed up at Mom and Dad's at 6:30 am and visited a little and then crashed. Tuesday evening we braved the icy weather and ate out at Flat-top Grill, Rustin's favorite restaurant. Those of you who have eaten there and know Rustin's food choices are probably as surprised as I am that he even will set foot in the restaurant. Afterwards we dropped Mom off at Bergner's and the rest of us went to Cold Stone for ice cream. Wednesday we visited Grandma and Grandpa Beutel since we were unable to make it to the Beutel Christmas. Grace loved the buttons on Grandpa's wheelchair and she was her usual chatty self. 4:30 was the time for the Koch Christmas, so we headed there next. Grace did pretty well considering her nap schedule was all messed up. She was definitely the squakiest, but that's not unusual.

This is after we opened presents and Olivia decided to push Grace on the scooter. This went well since she can walk. However when Olivia wanted to ride and Grace push, Grace would try to get her off. I think she may have some of her mother's tendancies (bossy, lazy?)unfortunately. That evening when we got home, a few of us played triominos. Thursday morning we awoke early to attend Christmas service. After visiting for awhile we went home. I wasn't feeling the best so I took a nap until we opened presents. We didn't get many px of Grace opening gifts because she was rather crabby. We opened hers and put her down for a much needed nap.

Susan and Matt are good at teaching Grace new tricks. This time it was to take a drink of pop and say ahh! Grace hasn't perfected it yet, but even now a week later she still will do it. After opening presents we made supper which consisted of roast, potatoes, and carrots. It was delish! We played Phase 10 later on.

On Friday we met the Slager crew for lunch at Avanti's. It was nice to catch up and eat some great Italian food. I took a nap when we got home. My sinuses were acting up this trip. When we left Hancock it was -2 and when we arrived it was 20. The temp kept rising all week. That evening we had some cousins over that I hadn't previously seen. We played games, watched babies and talked. Rustin commented that he hadn't seen so many 'babies' together at once.

Grace and Max got along quite well as you can see. Poor Max had just woke from his nap when they came. He came out of his shell later.

We left IL on Saturday morning at a balmy 60 degrees. The temp soon fell as we headed north and west. On Sat evening and Sunday evening we went to Rustin's parents for Christmas. Everyone was there so it was a full house. Now that 2009 is here I am hoping for a short winter and mild weather come about April! (There are new px in my photo gallery.)