Busy days

Things are busy at my house. Not much down time.
Here's who we are hanging out with right now...

Naughty kids...and always hungry

While on spring break, my four adolescent children made a Sonic run.
I hope you have experienced Sonic...every town should have one.

I provided the cash for their Sonic treat, because I wanted them to  leave me alone  entertain themselves while I shopped at an antique store. After their little treat, they were coming back to pick me up. (Have I mentioned how I love having kids old enough to drive?)

Here's what they got for their "little treat"...

They even weasled an extra 5 bucks from the little sister. When you're spending money from mom and little sister, why hold back.

See their evil smiles...

Wordless Wednesday: Redneck with a Beaver

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as you ever can.

John Wesley

Still here... update

I am still here.
February was not a good month for me (saying goodbye to Levi, long winter, Byron had a long work trip, no sunshine).

Hello March! We are so glad you are here, and that you are bringing such goodness.

It's so easy to forget about blogging when you're busy with life. And the sun is shining.
I have good intentions to give some of these things their own posts, but for now, here's what we've been up to.

--I had another craft day and it was super fun and relaxing.
--Meg had solo contest and got a I+ on her trumpet solo.

--I stamped some cards, which I have missed doing the past couple of years.
--Ellyn and I, and some girls and their moms, spent an afternoon sewing pillowcase dresses to send to orphans in Africa. Pictures and post to come later.
--We had parent/teacher conferences for the three younger kids. (Apparently they don't have those for college kids...we think they should.)
--I got a hair cut and hilight = good hair days :)
--Ellyn had an eye exam (it had been a while) and still does NOT need glasses...the only one in the family, and extended family. Lucky duck.
--we headed to Missouri for spring break

--My mom and I stamped a bunch of cards. One of our favorite things to do together.
--We helped my sister-in-law celebrate her 40th...her bff's threw her a great party!
--We spent 2 days in KC for some spring break fun...shopping, eating, WW I memorial, Federal Reserve Bank money museum, more shopping, more eating. The trees were blooming!

--Spring break with sunshine and temps around 80 degrees every day!!!
--Byron started flying around in an airplane again (first time since 1987). He's in the pilot's seat. :)

--Brandon and Meg stayed with the MO relatives for the remainder of spring break.
--The MO cousins got an unexpected spring break because 20% of their schoolmates were sick and they cancelled school for the week (but the cousins are NOT sick!)
--so they all went fishing and caught a bunch of fish.

--Ellyn and Ryan came back to IA with us, for the end of spring break
--we cleaned out all the flowerbeds (that never, ever happens this early, since its usually cold, raining, or super windy...yay for a fabulous spring break)
--Ellyn and I shopped for and purchased her prom dress (gone 3.5 hrs...score!)
--We gave Ryan's room a new look (and cleaning)...maps, president posters, and the Declaration of Independence adorn his walls.
--Byron and I took Ryan on a date...yes, only Ryan. 2 parents/1 child/love.
--I sewed a fun apron for a friend to give as a gift. It has pompoms on it. :)

--I miss Brandon and Meggan. You can come home now, kids.

It feels really good that all these things have been accomplished--work, play, creativity, appointments, purchases taken care of. I have been crossing things off my list in a fury!

It's a good thing too, because we are going to get busy with something else. 
A very recent development...
A young, single mom from Rosebud Indian Reservation is going to move in with us for a short time. She has two babies...9 mos. and 2 1/2 yrs.
She needs a new start, opportunity, help, and the strength to accomplish these things.
It won't be easy. Please pray for us all.

The Leland boys are home!

Remember our friends who were adopting two little boys from Africa? You might have read about our garage sale fundraiser for them last April in this post: garage sale

Well, the little darlings are here! We are so excited to watch the Leland family grow!
Lisa has managed to find a few minutes to write a couple of blog posts at her blog Running Towards Love. Go read about their first week with the boys at home. Adding a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old to their calm and quiet house makes for some funny stories. :)

Seeing the boys with their new family makes my heart swell. To know that "orphan" is a thing of their past puts a smile on my face. Their future is full of love, family, security, belonging, opportunity. Thank you, Leland family, for being servants and for showing us what it means to lay down your life for someone else. God has richly blessed you all.