This Is Us (these days)

The month of October has looked different than we expected, as I continue to heal, but we are savoring the time together at home, none the less.  Lots of friends and family have been around helping to care for the kids, bring over meals, drive me to appointments and make sure we are well taken care of.  Every week God seems to be putting the puzzle together, which we are grateful for.  

The way these two adore each other is such a gift.  I pray they always remain good friends.  

We finally got together with our Malaysian students and it was so great to see them and hear about their summer.  

Not too many leaves to rake in this yard (yet).  

We painted the piano/toy room.  Roy and my mom did most of the work.    

Mimi has come several times to help out.  We are so thankful for her love and support.    

Hudson is learning to mow the lawn with Daddy's supervision.  

Remembering the life of a friend by celebrating his birthday with ice cream.  

Mrs. Louise came over to play and help for a day.  

Watching the ISU football game highlights with Daddy.  "Daddy, why do these guys keep falling down?"  

Before bedtime game time with Hudson.  We played Rummikub, which is a game I always played with my Grandma Wiechers growing up.    

SO many people have made us meals (and desserts).  But our favorite treat, a homemade popcorn cake, was provided by my dear high school friend Tiffany.   

We attended Ivan and Renee's wedding reception and Greta thinks Renee is a princess.  

These two kids having fun and taking pictures on Mommy's phone.  

A family picture at Pirate Park, which is so close to our house.  

Greta Girl had her first trip to Bapa and Mimi's house all by herself.  She had a blast, was spoiled and said she "was such a big girl."  They grabbed a donut treat with Aunt Anita.   

Again...we have had so many people over at the house to play with the kids.  This gives me time to rest, relax and heal.  

Art Camp

This fall Hudson participated in 4 weeks of "Art Camp."  Mrs. Kehoe (a friend and former art teacher from our church) led the boys in lots of creative learning and project making.  We met for 90 minutes lessons on 4 different Friday mornings.  Hudson loves art so I'm thankful for an opportunity for him to further develop his skills and try new techniques.  The artists made three projects each week, which are now taking up most of the space on our fridge.  They worked with color, lines and shapes, pattern, made a 3D structure and print making.  The gang had a blast and we hope to do another round of "Art Camp" in the spring.   

Handy Hubby

We did not buy a fixer upper, thankfully, but we certainly have a list of projects we want to do at our new house. We keep plugging away at them, every free moment we can find.  The first 3 months in our home have been intense, but we have made a lot of improvements.  A shout out to my handy husband and his willingness to tackle projects and to my Aunt Marilyn for assisting with the design/decorating side of things.  The room in the house that we felt like needed the most TLC was the laundry room/mudroom.  Having the space right off the garage and kitchen is awesome and very convenient.  We are thankful to have the space, yet the room seemed a bit neglected by the previous owners.  A few days after we moved in we put in a new light, so we could actually see the room.  :)  The last week of August Roy and Hudson ripped out the flooring and over  Labor Day weekend Roy started the tiling project.       

The before picture = white laminate flooring and cranberry red walls 

Hudson is such a helper with all these projects.  

I hope he grows up to be a handy guy, just like his Daddy.  

Roy's work in process = cutting and piecing each tile took a great deal of time 

Ready for the grout...

Roy did a tile project in our old house, which was almost 7 years ago, before Hudson was born.    

He spent a lot of time down on his knees, up and down.  

Unfortunately, the grout turned out being more white than we had hoped so we spent a Sunday afternoon and evening recoloring the grout (a time intensive and tedious task).  

The finished floor with the new paint color...

And this weekend he installed hardware on the cabinets.  There are more fun projects coming up in this room, but we will save those for another time.  

i created :: pumpkin snickerdoodles

The days go by and my recovery has been slow.  I am not bouncing back as quickly as I had hoped and am praying fervently that God would restore my body and heal it so I can return to my normal day to day tasks in my role as a mother and wife.  I crave a space of normal, a chance to do the things I love.  Fall is one of the most glorious times of the year, which has made this difficult, yet I trust in God's faithfulness and know that he will see us through.  

I have been wanting to do some fall baking...pumpkin pecan muffins, pumpkin bread and pumpkin snickerdoodles, which Roy requested as his treats for the combine.  Yesterday, while Allison was over (Roy's 2nd cousin who has helped and hung out with us for a few days) we tackled some of the fall baking on my list.  She was a great helper and the kids were eager to get involved.  We made a big batch of Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies and put them all in the freezer.    

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Ingredients

• 
  
  3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 + 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon*
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg*
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For Rolling

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice for 20 seconds, set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar (not until pale and fluffy, just to combined. Occasionally scrape down sides and bottom of bowl throughout entire mixing process if not using a paddle attachment that constantly scrapes bowl while mixing). Mix in egg yolk, then mix in pumpkin and vanilla extract. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients then mix until combined. Divide dough in half and place each half in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill 45 minutes to 1 hour (dough should be slightly sticky so the cinnamon sugar will stick when rolling but they should be manageable to roll in the palms of your hands). Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 10 minutes of refrigeration.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Scoop dough out 2 even tablespoons at a time (run the measuring spoon against side and edge of bowl so it will slightly deflate the dough while also giving an equal tbsp, twice per ball) and shape into a ball, roll dough ball in cinnamon sugar mixture to evenly coat then transfer to Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Bake in preheated oven 12 - 14 minutes (they should look just slightly under-baked as they'll cook slightly once removed from oven). Cool on baking sheet about 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. 
   

thirty-seven

On Tuesday I turned 37.  It wasn't really a milestone year, but it was a day filled with blessings, which is exactly what the doctor ordered.  I woke up to Greta calling Daddy's name (which she does most mornings) while the boys were gone grabbing breakfast birthday treats.  After a few minutes of me asking her questions and prompting for a response, Greta remembered that it was my birthday and embraced me with a big hug and a "Happy Birthday, Mommy."  We waited outside on the front step for the boys to arrive home with the goodness.  

We had Panera bagels and yogurt, fruit and granola parfaits for breakfast - a few of my favorite things.    

Roy's 2nd cousin Allison came over to hang out with us for the day.  Having child care for the kids was such a gift and gave me opportunities to rest.  She even stayed with the kids while I had lunch out with a friend.  

My mom had fresh flowers delivered and Roy picked up Scratch cupcakes for an afternoon treat with the kids.  

Beautiful flowers and delicious cupcakes added to the sweetness of the day.  

Hudson picked out and wrapped my birthday gift.  He used Christmas wrapping paper and put on a green bow and green tag because he knows I like the color green.  I love the way he thinks.   

Friday night we did some more celebrating with Roy's' parents and my mom.  Everyone pitched in to make a delicious meal, complete with a fall favorite of mine, apple crisp.  

Greta girl helping me blow out all the candles.  

Going into my birthday I had very few expectations.  And honestly, I usually have lots of expectations (just ask Roy).   It had been a hard ten days and it has taken all of my energy just to stay afloat, both emotionally and physically.  Therefore, I think it allowed me to see this day through a different lens.  My birthday was FILLED with gifts/blessings.  Here are 37 of them....

1. morning snuggles with Greta in our pjs

2. Greta's "Happy Birthday" announcement 

3. Cinnamon Crunch bagel 

4. fresh strawberries 

5. gifts wrapped by Hudson

6. a morning nap

7. a bubble bath

8. 2 huge mums delivered to my front step

9. Allison over to play with the kids 

10. an uninterrupted hour-long phone talk with my sister

11. pizza lunch date with a friend

12. cupcakes and ice cream

13. a few shopping stops

14. date night with Roy

15. Target box/gift on my front step

16. fresh flowers from Mom and Dad

17. birthday texts, phone calls and videos from those who remembered 

18. candles to blow

19. Nana's care for the kids 

20. Amazon Prime (gifts ordered and delivered)

21.  no dinner prep or clean up

22. fresh air of fall

23.  gift card in my inbox

24. chips and guac 

25. a dozen red roses 

26. a felt letter board for writing messages 

27. a white cake stand 

28. hugs 

29. a low key homeschool day 

30. time in my pjs 

31. relaxing 

32. reflecting and sharing

33.  Greta napping and Hudson fixing LEGOS

34. smiles

35. my handsome husband 

36. healing and hope 

37. grace, the greatest gift of all 

Celebrating GG Mel

Just two days after my fall (and being in pretty rough shape) I mustered up the courage and strength to attend the memorial service for Grandpa Mel.  My desire was to support Roy, Ed and Mary.  This will probably go down as one of my most difficult days, yet my heart was to love and encourage, so I pray that shined through, even though I didn't look or feel too great.  

Grandpa Mel passed away in Arizona on August 2nd and we celebrated his life with family and loved ones on a HOT fall day, just as Mel would have liked it.    

Pastor Dave did a nice job leading the services.  

This is one of my favorite memories from the day, Great Grandpa Ells and Great Grandma Mary holding hands in prayer and support.  

Our sweet cousin and niece, Maryn Marie.  She was a trooper, taking in all the activities.  

Many people gathered for dinner at Ed and Sue's house that evening.  There were lots of guests from many states.  I didn't really have the opportunity to connect with everyone, but their presence was a blessing.  

Greta LOVES her cousin Ellsy.  Her name is mentioned daily around our house.  These happy Swingers were excited to ride to church together.  

Maryn got plenty of love and attention.  She especially liked her Uncle Stan.  

Ed and Stan

Karen, Mary and Becky 

Just some crazy kids with their mom....

Hudson, Greta and I spent some extra time out at Roy's parents while GG Mary was in town for the week.  

We even got GG Mary on the swings at the park, which I was impressed with.  

Nana did LOTS of cooking to feed all the guests for the week.  We enjoyed a final Friday night dinner, complete with rhubarb pie served by Hudson, before the gang left to return to Colorado on Saturday morning.