The Hive

The "House of Invalids" looked more like a beehive this morning

as several families from our church showed up to do a service project--

and help with our property.

It was amazing...

one crew fixed part of the fence those darn cows had messed up...

 Others dug some wells around some of our outlying trees....

 while another crew weeded...

 and others helped us rip out some diseased climbing roses

and plant new ones.

 While still another spent hours on our old tractor

cleaning up our field.

 This was a double challenge for Byron--

letting others do the work

and keeping him off his leg.

 Most of the morning he rode around on the four wheeler

(notice the handy holder for his crutches in front)...

and this worked out quite well-- he could answer questions,

supervise and feel like he was helping.

For those of you who don't know him well-- he is a working

machine.  Well, he was.

 Even though it was rather chilly today... Kean logged some quality time on

the four wheeler with dad...

and surprise, surprise, got in a ride with "Motorcycle Bill"

and his bike this evening.

We have succeeded in getting Kean to say "Harley" one time.

We are still working on "Motorcycle Bill".

We are pretty blessed, aren't we?

Girl World

Crazy Us.

We let Holland invite a few friends over for a casual birthday celebration tonight.

 Holland planned the whole shebang-- pizza...

 cake, ice cream.

 and lots of laughter and boy talk.

Actually, all the girls are out in the barn doing nails, make-up,

hair and watching movies.

Kean is asleep and Byron and I are enjoying the quiet and watching our own movie.

Yep, crazy.

Crazy like a fox.

Attitude Adjustment

Today was one of those gloomy days...

it rained this morning, cleared up a bit, rained again, cleared up a bit....

Well, you get the idea.

Kean was in a mood that matched the weather:  gloomy one minute, partly cloudy the next.

He had Methotrexate yesterday so was no so hot on eating

but really hot on cuddling and snuggling.

About 5 p.m., we got a text from "Motorcycle Bill" that it was a gamble

but the skies would maybe hold for a quick ride.

 That was all it took to get the boy feeling better and ready to go:

It sprinkled on them a bit...

 but overall, the skies held their downpour until they got back

safe and sound.

 I wish you could be here in the house to watch Kean go

from whining and whimpering to smiling and excited

with just six simple words-- "wanna go for a motorcycle ride?".

Ah, that it were only that simple for the rest of us to have

such a quick change in attitude.

In Front of the 8 Ball

Ah life is good for one little boy.

He had kind of an emotional day-- don't know why

(sure wish he could tell me what was wrong).

But when it came time for his motorcycle ride, he was just fine!

 Tonight was his maiden voyage with "Motorcycle Bill"--

he's filling in for "Motorcycle Jeff" who had surgery yesterday

(and we hear is doing great).

 I was telling a friend tonight that one of the "silver linings" of Byron

breaking his leg is that we have now met two wonderful, big hearted motorcycle men--

men who have taken Kean into their arms and taught us another lesson

on giving.

It has been a beautiful experience to watch Kean with his new friends.

And it doesn't hurt that they both have some of the coolest

bike helmets we've ever seen.
Don't you just love the 8 ball?

This Little Piggy...

I wasn't gonna post tonight... but now with such a hilarious picture

I feel like I should.

We had a women's meeting at my church this evening.

It was quite the affair-- the theme?  

This Little Piggy- certainly you remember the children's rhyme.

For "This Little Piggy Went To Market", my friend Heather

gave a mini class on the secrets to grocery shopping-

what days are best, where to buy what and which items

to never buy at Costco etc.  It was fascinating.

For "This Little Piggy Stayed Home", my friend Amber

spoke on fun activities and ways to find opportunities to teach

our children when we are home together.

For "This Little Piggy Had Roast Beef"... they gave us

some fast, easy and yummy dinner recipes.

And finally, for "This Little Piggy Had None"... they asked

"moi" (sorry, couldn't resist the Miss Piggy reference) to speak

on the spiritual feast we get when we Fast.

It went fine... up until I got to the point where I was telling the story

about how my great grandfather fasted the first Sunday of every month for the nearly

five years he was held as a prisoner of war by the Japanese during WWII.

He was starving and yet felt compelled to fast and give his meager, insect infested

rice gruel to another prisoner who needed it more.

As I was telling the part of how he was captured during the battle of

Wake Island-- I referred to Wake as an "A-hole" instead of an "Atoll".

Yikes.  Couldn't have been any more mortified.

At least I was able to provide some comic relief.

p.s.  the final part of the rhyme-- "And this little pig cried wee, wee, wee

all the way home"-- was French desserts. Oui, Oui!

Double Vision

Lucky boy.

Kean wasn't just seeing double tonight, there were actually 

two motorcycles that showed up to give him a ride.

 Motorcycle Jeff goes in for surgery tomorrow (Greer made him a card)

which means he won't be able to give Kean his rides for a few weeks.

 Get this.... he mentioned it at the architectural firm where he works

and one of his coworkers-- who will now forever be known as

Motorcycle Bill offered to fill in for him.

As you can see, Kean made friends with him immediately.

The two have a riding date for Wednesday.

We will be thinking of Motorcycle Jeff all day tomorrow as he goes

into St. Lukes.

At least we know first hand-- he'll be in good hands.

Bring On The Hormones!

Why is it the mornings mom and dad would most like to sleep in...

the kids are up at the crack of dawn?

Guess I can't blame them with the Easter Bunny having visited downstairs.

Today was extra special-- in that our eldest turned into a teenager.

 The kids ran around the house finding a few

choice eggs that ol' sneaky bunny left.

 Our favorite part though... is watching

the children try and find their hidden Easter baskets.

Kean's was discovered first.

 How do you like this action shot?

He was more into throwing the basket

than eating any of the treats.

He's one funny boy.

 Reese was next-- she found her basket

behind a blanket in the dryer.

 Greer's was high up in Holland's closet.

 And Holland finally found her basket hidden under a boat

load of Kean's toys.

 We crammed in a special breakfast for the birthday girl

before heading off to church (the invalids stayed home)!

It is kinda surreal that Holland-- who I swear was a baby

just a few months ago-- 

is 13 today.

She came into this world with a ton of dark brown wavy hair--

and stole our hearts at first sight.

 The crazy thing is, she never lost that dark hair... her blond, blond

hair came in-- leaving the roots blond and the tips dark.

We used to lovingly refer to her as our little Cruella.

I'll have to track down a picture that shows her crazy hair--

this one was just too cute not to include.

Just look at her now--- I can't imagine our lives without her.

She's mature beyond her years, smart, beautiful,

kind-hearted and talented.  She is a thinker and a doer.

Tonight at dinner for example, one of our friend's Shannon was

telling us about some of her neighbors who don't have much.

Before we even finished dessert, Holland and Greer had gone through

their Easter candy and taken half of it, put it into a bag

and given it to Shannon to give to these children.

I love her heart and her example.

And I firmly believe she will do great things with her life.

There's an old joke in our family--

supposedly my mom told my little brother when he turned 13--

"I'm not gonna like you for the next seven years but remember I'll

always love you".

I don't think I need to use that line on this one-- just yet.

Finally-- a shout out to our dear friend Ron Moomey

who after dinner this evening took the boy

on a four wheeler ride.

Now our day can be complete!