Rainy Saturday

I wonder if other people get so worked up about making blog changes like I do.

I worry that if I change something and don't like it, I won't be able to fix it, or put it back the way it was.

Such hardships, I know.

But how do the changes look?

It has been raining since late Thursday night.

Ethan played a far-away away game this morning and is just getting back into town now. This is the very first game ever that Bill or I haven't gone to. I didn't like it.

Jonah played this morning, too. Now he is at an all-day birthday party.  =)

I have a gazillion piles of fabric and stitchin' things laying around and I just can't seem to do anything with them.

I used to make clothes for myself all the time, but then it wasn't fun anymore after my body changed post baby-producing. I did run a few times this week- and I should be running now- but it's raining, and rainy days are good cookie days, so I'm eating cookies. Sigh. I really really need some new clothes for church and am supposed to be making a dress. But it just isn't very fun anymore.

Maybe I'll go for a walk.

Or puddle jumping.

We saw this cute newt on a trail last week.

 I found one in the driveway and excitedly saved it for the kiddos the other day.

 But he perished about an hour before they got home. I really don't know what happened.

It made me SOOOO sad. I felt like a murderer.

Isabelle Kate and I met up with my niece Darianna for lunch yesterday. Pizza Hut buffet rules!

I ate salad. Lots and lots of salad. No joke, I did!

Caleb was home "sick," so he crashed our girl party, but that's okay. He's so cute.

Then we headed over to my parent's house to meet their new kitty.

I was so busy chasing, snuggling and petting that I didn't even take one picture.

There is nothing like a new kitty to make the world happier for a little while!

I suppose this random post fits the kind of day we're having, ha.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

I always tell myself that I'll remember all those ridiculously cute things the kids say and write them down. Later.

And then I promptly forget. So I thought I'd jot these few down before they too are lost in the chaos that is my brain of late.

These sweethearts are from the little princess in our family.

Oh dear sweet Isabelle, you are seriously killing me.

Not even kidding, kinda.

This evening, after dinner- okay, to clarify, after the 56 & 3/4 tantrum for the day- something wasn't going her way. Shocker.

Whine Whine Whine

Ears officially bleeding, and she's still ranting on.

Finally I can bite my tongue no more and tell her,

"Isabelle, we are not going to listen to any more whining about your puppy dog."

Her response, in the most matter of fact 5-year-old voice you can imagine,

"I am not whining about that, you know. I am whining about my mouse (mouth) wash."

Well then. HA

Earlier today she informed me that she has been talking to a little boy (who incidentally whacked her on the back with his shoe yesterday...) about Jesus. And I quote again,

"Yup, I told him that he better do what Jesus says (pronounced with a long 'a') so he bees gooder, and then Santa will not have to put him on the Naughty List. That made him listen to me real good."

Are you laughing out loud yet? 

I just snorted thinking back on that particular backseat conversation.

Here are a few recent statements that made me chuckle.

"Mumma, I don't hear my heart beatin' with this telescope!"
"When we goin' to Peach Park?" {Jonah plays soccer at Keach Park.}
"I'm going to hug you forever!" Embrace, slight pause. "Okay, is it forever yet?"
"I'm bein'-tend I'm a race car driver. Now I'm bein'-tend I'm a cat. Who got hit by a race car." And she flopped down on the ground in a heap. HA

She also says "muddah" (mother) and "bruddah," (brother) and with such gusto. It's hilarious!

But she only says Daddy, never father. Or faddah.

Isabelle Kate still insists on being a princess ballerina- who happens to have a mermaid tail- when she grows up. And on marrying a prince. The beautiful dreams of a five year old!

Autumn Awesomeness

It's been a busy week like usual, but I've been trying to be purposeful in carving out some more time for FUN and FRIENDS!

Last night I met up with some friends at Panera at 7...well, actually I arrived around 7:25...Thank you  Nascar fans. And Joe Biden, who apparently was in town, clogging up all the streets downtown.

Maybe I am a little ashamed I had no idea the VP was coming to town.

Then again, maybe I'm really not.

Anyhoo.

I had a fabulous time catching up with friends, and was still home by 9 so Bill and I could enjoy the rest of the evening. Win win!

Yesterday afternoon, one of my pals stopped by to take Isabelle out in the canoe. This friend doesn't have a little girl, so our joke is that I "loan" her mine every now and again for her girly fix. I totally get it!

Isabelle was in 7th heaven!

 so beautiful!

whenever I'm feeling displaced, I just go look out the window

how can this view not help?

 Isabelle hosted a tea party for Miss Shelley

 notice the polish in the back?

I think 6 or 7 shades were used between the two of them, ha!

this boy is a regular ol' Daniel Boone living here

always outside, in the water or the woods

I love it!

HA HA

Look at that cutie face!

Jonah has had a great start to the season!

He plays hard and well.

And he's lightning fast!

a high five or shoulder nudge from assistant coach Dad

Love it!

I smell homemade waffles from the other room right now, mmmm....

Bill is the resident Saturday morning chef, and the chef is calling.

Have a great Saturday!

Hearty Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

Fall is in the air.

It's awesome!

Do you know what's even awesome-er?

The smell of steaming hot beef stew wafting through the house at the end of a busy busy day!

I'll share the recipe I adapted from my beloved BHG wedding-gift cookbook.

Aw, just looking at the picture above has me feeling nostalgic and a little sad...

That's my kitchen.

I really do miss my kitchen.

It's hard not having your own space, particularly your own kitchen.

But dry those tears everyone because- insert drum roll please- we finally found a house!!!!!

I'll share more on that later. Let's get back to the stew.