Joy in the Journey: October 2012

Look at me posting 12 of 12 sooo on time. I figured I wouldn't wait til I had a million pictures to post all at once. Look at all the time I am saving you by my simplified post. So, here was our day.

#1 My sweet advent calendar made by my super creative sister, Tennille. We totally love Halloween, so being able to countdown to it is sooo much fun.
#2 Axel's gloved hand holding a quarter to get a beloved gumball. Gumballs = A Good Bribery Tool
#3 Axe getting on the bus to go to school
#4 Grady is pro at putting out his lower lip... and here it is, I call it the heart melter.
#5 The awesome cowboy hat that also works as a good disguise since earlier I partially ran a bus stop sign to the same bus that drops Axel off. I have a fear of being scolded I guess since I went to all the trouble to "change my look"so she wouldn't recognize me. I should have taken Eli's classic advice and shaved my head and got a face tattoo. That is our answer for every escape-from-the-police-movie when their best attempts is to put on a hat or color their hair. :)
#6 I finally busted out my massage table.  Let's see I think it has been a year since it has seen any use. Don't worry though, I still got the magic hands.
#7 The big grocery shopping day.
#8 My Halloween Village. I totally LOVE it.  This year one of my additions was a bat boy in honor of my Batman-obsessed boys. Did I mention how much I love Halloween?
#9 The remnants of Axel's grilled cheese sandwich. He set it on his plate looked at me and said, "Look Mom a heart!" Then he pushed it towards me saying, "For You!" It was so sweet and hilarious.
#10 This awesome text from Melissa totally made my day in a laugh so hard I almost peed my pants sort of way.  It says, "What did one saggy boob say to the other? We'd better perk up or people will think we're nuts!"  I'm sorry if that is offensive but I found it pretty dang funny.  Plus I justified it since the person who sent it to me is sweet as pie!
#11 The nightly ritual of light saber fighting. I recently found a blue one to add to the collection so Eli doesn't have to use the broom anymore.  Oh boy the fun we have.
#12 Grady using the remote as a phone.  I loved listening to his conversation.  In his high pitched voice he would say "Hello! How Are You?"

It's pathetic to think that I haven't even had a couple minutes to post my september 12 of 12 let alone all that we have been up to lately...which has actually been quite a bit. But I don't pretend to understand how the moms do it that have five kids, homeschool, have creative and planned in advance Family Home Evenings, cook elaborate meals, keep up on all their sewing and craft projects, keep an impeccable house, and maintain a regular cooking and personal blog. Yeah, in my dreams that would be me. When I get busy sadly the blog is one of the first things that gets shoved aside. So, here is me attempting to catch you up. We've got everything from Labor Day to Potato Harvest.
Before we get to the events, we just wanted to thank everyone out there who remembered us and our little bro, Alex. The Lord definitely heard all the prayers and fasting in Alex's behalf and that is the only reason that he only stayed a week in the hospital and has no brain damage! It really has been a miracle to witness. It will still be a long and rough recovery to the boy but I can't tell you how great it was to have him home and joking around telling stories like same old Alex. We love you, man.

#1 The morning began with the wind carrying off with my Costco receipt only to land perfectly in the middle of the underside of the car. Come on! How in the world am I going to reach that with my stubby arms?
#2 I don't know if that is a happy or mad face Grady is pulling while climbing the tree. Either way it was funny.
#3 I spent the afternoon with an awesome woman, Wendy Roth. She reminds me of my dear mother and being far away it is nice to be able to hang out with someone like that!
#4 The mini wheelbarrow equals hours of entertainment
#5 This is Axel's makeshift unibrow that he artistically created this morning using my mascara he found in the car. Being the awesome mom I am he wore it most of the day. Mainly cause I found it hilarious. Hey Bert!
#6 A dancing snowman toy that plays music. Grady finds it every time he goes to Wendy's and it is definitely a favorite among the kiddos.
#7 Chillin on the grass. This is a total "enjoying days of summer" picture!
#8 Eli reading Gems of our Valley. It is amazing to read all the rich history that Grace has.
#9 Brothers having fun on the big wheel. Axel is such a great big bro.
#10 Me, being a goober to Eli when he was trying to sweep the floor. I know what is harder to believe me being a goober or Eli sweeping the floor? Well, they are both regular occurences. Eli, you are a good man!
#11 A definite "show your prom date" picture. It's one of my favorites. The water is cloudy because it is pure soap. Axel is facinated with lathering Dad's soap. I expect him to pee pure Dove. :)
#12 This is what I get to look forward to when Grady eats Frosted Flakes. Grrr.

Grandpa chillin on the chair for a minute in the cellar.

The beautiful Melissa that I can no longer compete with in best daughter in law cause she drives a windrower and the potato truck. All I can do is laundry. Shrug.

Eli showing all the cousins the potato operation

Braxton and Camille not forgetting Grady.

If we get to participate in many more harvests then you will find us living our dream!

Dirt is a boys best friend. If you wonder where Axe is in all these pictures he made instant friends with Melissa and her little guy Jax. They were inseparable. They even rode the tractor with Jarom. He said it comparable to being stuck in a cage with two monkeys...bare feet and all. Farm life rocks.

I got to play farm wife right along side Lora as we made all the meals and kept the house managed. The boys got to know their cute cousin, Ben. Grady welcomed him in for sure as he kept trying to get a horsie ride from him and was completely frustrated when he wouldn't take his binkie. (Axel took the picture...he's getting good)

A very dirty Grandpa. This was a regular end of the day sight when we could barely see his eyeballs.

We finally got to take a Harley ride together. My first ride with all the leathers was awesome!

A historical site along the way...(the statue, not me!)

The diner which apparently was the place for all the retirees to go. Boy did I get some stares from the older women. I couldn't tell if it was disapproval or envy at what their younger days used to be like!

yeah, check out the view.

The Bobcat Homecoming game. I colored the boys hair with finger paint and we had the school spirit baby. It is nice to finally have a college sports team to route for!