Eighteen Months and Counting

When we got home from piano lessons last Wednesday, I realized what a gloriously beautiful day it was in our part of the country!

On top of it being so pretty outside, it just happened that Matthew turned 18 months old!

Hence...the recurring theme of my life...

"WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?!"

It was almost 12:30.
The kids were hungry.
I was hungry.
The thought went through my mind, "I need to take some pictures of Matthew...later. Later, after lunch. Or maybe later after nap."

Then another thought..."Don't wait!! Time certainly isn't waiting!"

So, doing something that I don't seem to be doing much of lately, I seized the moment...



Yes, he does have something in his wet, drooly little mouth.
I did bribe him with candy corn to make him sit "still" for pictures.











Hey, is that candy corn on the pumpkin?



Yep.









Maybe this will encourage me to do more than just survive.
Maybe I will join the ranks of those who really proclaim "Carpe Diem!"

Tractors, Tears, and Treats

What a treat it is for us to go up to visit my dad and Gilda on the farm.

It's the place I grew up...from infant to marriage.
It's the place I returned anxiously to every summer after a long year at college.
It's the place that will always hold a certain sort of magic to me.

No matter how old I get...or how long the road between me and the farm...that place will always be home to me.

I think you understand.
It's not that where I am right now with my precious Paul and my dear children is not home...it is!
There is just something about that place where you grew up.
I would like to think that someday my kids will be just as sentimental about their childhood home as I am now.


I guess that's what makes it so hard to ever think of moving from here. You can physically grow out of a home, but a piece of your heart will always be there.
Always.

Here is one of the things that makes the farm home.

Tractors!

This particular tractor, "The B," was the very first tractor that my dad ever drove. How old were you dad? Seven?
My mom and brother bought this tractor from a relative down the road many years ago and gave it to Dad so that he could restore it.

It has given many rides to many grandchildren in the past 13 years!




Here's one of the newest little farmers getting ready to take his first ride on The B. He's thinking it over a little bit.



Well...maybe next time.



Here's a more willing subject.



And don't forget the other tractors on the farm...even if they are the garden tractors!



Carrie is getting some last minute pointers from Uncle Robbie before she drives The B all by herself!



"Wait for me, Brandy! I wanna swing too!"



"Oh, how I love to go up in a swing...up in the air so blue!"



Josh found out how much he really likes watermelon!
And how much he liked to get them with his fork and share them with Brandy.



"Hey, didn't you try to take me for a ride on a noisy tractor today?"



"Mom...should I be worried?"



Not a bit.