Come on over. . .

  

We will be in Wisconsin this summer-"hanging around"  Josh has made quite the climbing wall in the garage.  The boys are good at putting on their helmets (excuse the pictures) and going for a climb.  Josh boulders around, there are a few on the ceiling.  This is located in our large garage.  Whoever owned this place had an RV,boat, or something because there is plenty of space.  

 

I have a strong influence over Josh, but I've never been able to take the climb out of this boy.  I have influenced him to wear a helmet.  ( He didn't own one when we married).  Our boys will climb, even if I get anxiety.  I'm slowly warming up to it.  The wall isn't as scary or as dangerous as I might have thought, and the angry bird stickers helped.  LOL.

 Here are a few pictures of our beautiful garden.  We worked from sun up to sun down.  It is about 17 by 25 feet.  We have lots of tomatoes, strawberries, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, watermelon, zucchini,
herbs, peas and more!  I can't believe we did this.  I am in NO way good at keeping plants alive.  

Here are a few reasons I gave in and we planted: 1. When in rome-I mean everyone gardens here.  It is just the thing to do.  2.  I'm gonna be home this summer, so I can take care of it.  3.  The plot was already here-so why not use it.  4.  Josh wanted to, and we could work together.  5.  I have crazy dreams of it producing and me becoming some yummy organic cook and my kids eating vegetables that they have weeded and watered.

Let's hope it isn't dead by July!

Here is a shot the boys got in the tree house.  It has two stories and is a fun place.  We also have a maze on the hill.  Yes, a maze where we cut down the tall grass.  Why not enjoy the large field behind the house?

   Have you ever played, "Fox in the Meadow?"  You should.  It is a super fun activity.  We learned the game in snow, but you can also make a maze in grass, like we did.  Basically, it is tag with a fox chasing geese.  You just have to stay on the maze.  Once the fox tags someone and there are 2 foxes, you can trap people and use a little strategy on which path you take.

Here is a spiral shaped dead end.
This is also a very random, spiral-like post.  Oh, and even though this post is early a bit for father's day.  I just want to throw out how my boys are so lucky to have a dad who builds them a wall, and a garden, and a maze!  I love Josh, and while Marshfield wouldn't be my first pick, as long as Josh is here this is where I want to be. So, come on over-it's gonna be a fun summer!

A Medieval Family

Vinny's very first birthday happened to fall on the night of the school carnival.  I dressed up as a princess and passed out royal invitations at the school on Thursday.  Students and families were encouraged to dress up; if you ever need a pick-me-upper, I strongly suggest dressing as a princess and going to a kindergarten classroom.  The little girls told me time and again how beautiful I was and asked me, "are you a real princess?"  

"Of course, I am, " was always my response.  Such an esteem builder!

Vincent was our dragon.

Dragon Vinny.

Vinny and Dad.

Our  knight in shining armor, on a wave board, Ivan.

Ivan the knight!

Ammon as Robin Hood.

Orlando was the jester.  He was great and even memorized jokes.  My favorite was what do you get from a nervous cow?
A milkshake.  

                                       

Mt. Olympus

We had a wonderful spring break this year!  Josh was able to take vacation.  We went and spent 2 days in the Wisconsin Dells.  We got a steal of a deal and stayed at Mt. Olympus and rode roller coasters, and enjoyed the inside water park.  The boys loved it!

The next day we went to Devil's Lake.  It a a beautiful place.  Josh is discovering the rock climbing available here.   Thursday I went to the temple in St. Paul with a friend in the branch. Friday we worked around the house, and just played catch up.  Saturday, Josh went to the temple with a couple of people.  Sunday was spent celebrating Easter.  Another post hopefully coming soon on that.  But in short, it was a very nice week for our little family.

Maple Syrup Farm

 

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to go to a Maple Syrup Farm.  A family in our church farms syrup, and with the more mild winter, the trees were running (usually this is mid March), so buckets had to be put out. Josh got to tap several trees.  Can you believe 40 of these buckets to yield 1 gallon of syrup!  It is a lot of work.  This bucket can be full by the end of the day and need changed out.  They also have lids as needed to keep out bugs, dirt, rain water, etc.

This is the outhouse.

Here we are messing around on a frozen pond.  Of course, we don't own skates, but we could sure slide!  We also found a north facing hill with plenty of snow for some sledding fun.

Inside the "Sugar Shack".  The large contraption behind Josh is where they cook down the sap.  We had venison chili and hot chocolate.

Gunner is Ammon's age, but Ivan and Gunner have February birthdays.  Ivan got to be part of this cool birthday cake!  We had a great time and learned some things too.  I can't wait to go out for the pancake breakfast and have the fresh maple syrup!!

The Life in Marshfield

Wow. Marshfield. You can see the whole town in one day. Well, in ten minutes if you drive straight through. It would probably take longer to walk through the clinic then drive through the town. Cell coverage is awful. Apparently some stubborn company owned all the cell towers when Alltel was bought out by Verizon. Verizon didn't want to pay what this company wanted, so the ONLY place in the US where cell coverage doesn't work for ATT is right here for a hundred miles or so. Not that it NEVER works, it just doesn't work OFTEN.

Lots of Amish, Menonite, and Dairy farmers. Some paper mill workers, sugar plant workers. Big Land O Lakes plant not too far. Snow (but not much, the warm winter is everywhere).

I love the elementary being a block away. Kids like their teachers, and are making quick friends. I've joined the YMCA. It is very friendly. People talk and get to know you. Not like the snooty gyms in OH, where it was a fashion show. (Nice gyms but an all about ME kinda place). This YMCA is very people oriented. I like it a lot. At least 5 lbs worth. Hopefully more.

Besides the Y, not much keeping me busy. Tried to make some curtains for bedroom, but it was a fail. I did the Roman shades from blinds. They ended up short and uneven. I am such a goof ball. Maybe I should just buy some.

I'll probably check out the public library soon. I've been saving that as a place to go.

That's all. Just thought I would give a quick report.

You Asked for It.

Well, it is time to get back to blogging. Our little family now lives in Marshfield, Wisconsin far away from everyone and everything we know. It is a little lonely, and my life is slowing way down. Many of you asked that I start blogging again. So here goes...

OH MY GOODNESS! Tonight the branch presidency (our church leaders)came by our home to meet us and get to know us a little better. When they arrived I was changing Vinny's diaper. I gave the diaper to Ammon and asked him to throw it away. He threw it in the living room-whizzing past one of the counselors. And that was just the beginning.

Apparently, our boys are attention deprived here without their cousins and grandparents to show out for, so they took advantage of the audience. Ammon and Ivan had a "kick in the nads" contest and giggled. Josh said, "I promise, they did not learn that from me."

Ammon also jumped on the feet of one of the men. Orlando wasn't too bad as long as he could talk about Lego Ninjago. But Ivan was doing gymnastics, and Ammon pushed every limit to get a laugh. Luckily, they only stayed 30 minutes.

What an impression we must make.

Boys. Boys.Boys.

Lessons on Life and Love

can only come with time.
I'm so amazed that Josh loves me enough he gave up his dream job of becoming a surgeon. It has been a huge sacrifice of his talent and interests. He believed he could be happy in pathology. He knew me and the kids would be.
And, I'm amazed that I love him enough to tell him it is okay to switch back. And it is, it really is. I know it will be hard. Leaving Arkansas will be tearful. But it will be right.
We celebrate 10 years next month. I don't think we could have made such decisions starting out. With time, love is stronger, patience comes, sacrifice is worth it.
I'm looking forward to seeing Josh have a very successful career as a surgeon (after all!)
We don't know details as to where or when his training will start up again for surgery, but it will happen at the right place in the right time. He is setting up interviews.