Happy B-day Hans Sep.29

Hans has turned four, and is still big for his age. It seems like he has been older for a while, but there is still enough of baby in him to satisfy his mom. It seems that I don’t have another baby to baby so I baby him. Well, the cheeks are so tweekable, and he still has dimples in his hands; add to that a lisp and you have one cute guy.

I’m really reconciled to the fact that he is much like me, sometimes I think that he is the boy version of me. It helps me understand him better and it makes it easier to give him what he needs.

I usually write something for my boys every birthday that they will someday want to look back at. I’ve already told them of my heart’s desire. It’s for them is to accept Jesus as their savior someday.

Hans loves to be challenged; he will do some things only because we say he can’t do them, to prove that he can.
“I bet Hans can’t put off his PJs all by himself.”
“Close your eyes, Mom.”
“Hans needs help from someone.” Comes the muffled taunt.
“You can look now.” He pops up wearing only a big smile.
“Is daddy hiding somewhere near? You must have had someone to help you.” Says mom giving him a big hug.

"Thtanley says girls shouldn't touch boyth."

"Oh Honey, But I'm your mommy."

He needs a lot of attention, and loves to cuddle and be with people. He is a little tease and will relentlessly bug whomever he wants the attention from.

He will let you know when he is not happy by sticking out his lower lip; better known as a pout. But he soon forgets it though, and the smile returns just as quickly as the frown came.

He is a happy child and loves stories. He listens to Victor for hours and has told me the one about “Ricky Ticky Tabby” completely by heart. He also enjoys bible stories, but not of bad people like Jezebel. His English is very good for his age, and we can talk a lot of it.

We try daily to teach him about God, and let him know that his family is really pleased and complete with him in it.

Where did my summer go?

June, July, August...gone.

What did I do all summer? Did I accomplish anything?

I spent quite a few of Hans' nap times sweating it out behind the turkey barn in the old homestead building a garden and a swing. I have some other plans yet, but need some supplies. I was inspired to make it from a story called The Man who Planted Trees, but poor Nel can't remain anonymous. The story just thrilled me.

This is the dream version of it before I made the real thing. I was going to celebrate doing and trying things anyway even though you are going to make mistakes, but it turned out even better then it did in reality. Here, you can judge for yourself, it was made in the paint program.

Here is the real thing..

I was there the other day and the swing has already broken down but the flowers are just getting nicer and sweeter. The Alisum have finally bloomed and are giving off a musical cent.

It was meant, at first, for butterflies, because I have named it 'Butterfly grove,' but there weren't any this year. I wanted to have them eat there in the garden and have planted some Milkweed for them as well, so they could grow there, eat, reproduce, and hang out.

I also planted some raspberries, just for anyone who goes there, I can just see Mel and her best friend being chased out of there by the mosquitoes. ;)

Lost My Internet connection, blog on hold because of the second law of thermodynamics. See you, thanks for coming!! oxox Nel

Would You Shelf This?

Sometimes I get inspired to write stuff, and I let it sit in my drawer. I wonder if it's not better off out there somewhere where folks can read it. Maybe it can bless, challenge, or even encourage someone today. I do challenge myself a lot and am fairly hard on myself at times, but this goes well with the semons we've been having lately about knowing christians by their fruits.

Dear Christian,

How can you say you love Me, when you speak an unkind word to the troubled soul in your argument?
How can you say it, when you walk right by her with your nose in the air?

How can you say you love Me, when you take the credit for all the gifts I’ve given you?
How can you say it, when I’ve lent you your heartbeat, strength, and talents, and you think you did it all yourself?

How can you say you love Me, when you won’t give the poor man some cash, a coat, warm mitts, not even a prayer?
How can you say it, when you turn in disgust, and spend all you have to seek your own happiness?

How can you say you love Me, when you don’t take the time for the widowed old lady giving comfort and hope with a touch or a smile?
How can you say it, when you’re wishing her story of long ago would soon be done?

How can you say you love Me, when you won’t share the good news with the broken heart who’s crying a river?
How can you say it, when I’ve promised to give you the words that you don’t speak?

How can you say you love Me, when the children that surround you are not blessed?
How can you say it, when they beg your attention and you send them away?

How can you say you love Me, when you have nothing to show to anyone watching?
How can you say it, when they don’t see Me in you?

Bird Story

We have four noisy Lovebirds in our family now, and it didn't take long till one was out the door.

The kids played around with the cage, and left the door open. I closed it soon after but thought one sweetheart may be in it's little house nest.

I was wrong, it flew out to freedom the second Rodney entered the house. It stayed in a tree on our front lawn for a bit, and later flew off farther away with Rodney and I watching every move.

The first thing we did was make a long net to try catching it, but of course it didn't work. So we put the cage outside so that the pair could communicate, and thay did, but it was getting dark.

It flew around quite a bit, but in the end we decided to just leave the cage on the porch overnight and see what happens.

In the morning at about 6:00 Rodney goes out to have a look and there in the little maple tree as close to the cage as possible was our naughty bird! Now how will we get it inside?? Rodney held out the bird house, but there was no reaction, so he tried it with the cage, and low and behold the birdie jumps on.

He slowly, ever so slowly, started moving towards the house. With the patience of Job, and both of us holding our breath, he made it inside the door and I slammed it behind him. The frightened bird dashed into the kitchen as we celebrated in relief.

THE END

I can bearly bare it!!!

We had a lovely time at the Baer reunion on Saturday (was my maiden name). I got to see all my cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, in laws, outlaws and much more.


But, I lost all my pictures.

BOOHOOOO!!!


Anyone have any to send??

Now I'm pictureless and you can have a taste of it too in this blog.

Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside.

Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

I’ve been wondering how much it shows from our outward life what is inside our hearts. If I tend to keep a messy room or house does it mean that I don’t keep my body that clean either, or my spirit? social life? soul? mind? heart?

My choices of where I spend my time are probably a good hint. Will I choose to keep the outside of my house clean and the lawn and gardens trimmed just to put up a good front to anyone walking by while the inside of my house is a dump? Can I honestly say that I will rather do something for someone else before I’ll take the time to sew the latest clothes just to make sure that I keep up appearances?

I find that a smile can paint a face while there is much resentment inside the heart. We can hang on to a hurt or insult rather than forgive and forget and yet be the friendliest person around. I can be the first one to show up at church, work and meals, but also the first to criticize, point a finger, and find fault. We can say ‘thank you very much’ when complaints and ingratitude are coming out of our ears.

If there is any indication in the way I keep house, there are rooms upstairs that no one ever sees and they are quite dusty. No guest goes there and no one will ever know. Are there also such places in my heart? Are there unkempt places that I should be paying more attention to? Like thoughts and relationships?

What about all the things that need doing around me? There are jobs that pile up so that I’m not sure where to start some days. Well, there is also an overwhelming amount of invisible places that need improvement and balance. Being a good parent, wife, cook, keeping a good attitude, learning God’s word and living by it is so much to keep up. Brushing teeth, combing hair and being neatly dressed is a breeze compared to the tremendous task of keeping a guard over one’s own heart.

The one thing that I always have to watch for is finding the faults of others and being blind to my own. Whenever I do it, and I do, there is no doubt that I will find the very same things in me to whatever degree; all I have to do is look. “Oh, my situation is different.” Note the sarcasm, please! The only reason God gives us insight into someone else’s faults is so that we can pray for them.