Autumn Newsletter 2011

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Anti-Perfectionism

KIDS, KIDS EVERYWHERE

GREEN BEANS AND TOMATO SAUCE IN THE FREEZER

OUR LAUNCH PAD BY THE BACK DOOR

LAUNDRY WAITING...

LAUNDRY WAITING....

MY DESK WAITING....

PEACHES AND PEARS WAITING....

TABLE BY THE BACK DOOR

DISHES WAITING...

I often read inspiring blogs full of luscious photos. Their authors are super creative and can craft, sew, garden, cook, decorate, organize, clean, raise kids, devotionalize, etc. When I look at their posts, it's like a little escape from reality.

I'm not comparing or anything, but sometimes a niggling thought in my mind says, "Why does everyone project an image of perfection?" With all this time on the computer, when do they fold laundry, pay the bills, do dishes, or PLAY OUTSIDE?

So here are some pictures of what I face in my domain. I'm just putting it out there that reality doesn't look good on a magazine cover. Relax! It's just my sarcastic sense of humor!

Westward, Oh

We started our school year with a trip along the Oregon Trail in Nebraska.

Here we are at Ft. Kearney.

We started with 9 in our wagon and ended with 8.

I guess Auntie Lizzy "saw the elephant."

No, we're not there yet.

You never know what characters you'll meet on the way.

Photo op at the "Getaway" Arch

(read as such by my sometimes dyslexic reader)

This is the display at O'Fallon's Bluff near Sutherland.

Looks like we forgot the bonnets.

Westward, Oh! Part II

The third day we climbed Courthouse and Jail Rocks in Bridgeport.

These are the wagon ruts at Brule, NE on California Hill.

You can follow them all the way until they disappear into a cornfield.

Ash Hollow was a big disappointment because they are all shut down for budget cuts.

There is a lovely, shady spot for camping and picnicking...if only it were allowed.

But the pump still gives cold, delicious water.

Chimney Rock now has a nice little visitor center with art, kids activities, and a bookstore.

Here is the tunnel up on Scottsbluff. Our little band of pioneers hiked the entire thing in 100 degree weather. Jason said it only took him 35 years to get to the top.

A Few More to Share

My good friend and me...a sweet reunion, albeit too short

Poor Thing. She tried. I regret that I never took any pictures of her twin.

ShouldaWouldaCoulda given the camera to someone else for the day!

Sweet Reunion, right J?

File Sharing

A Beautiful Day for a Wedding--The Ellises

Cutest Baby Award......Abigail Kelley

Spring at our House

Birthdays

Science

Happy Older Holidays

The Labor Day crew of laborers

Visiting Aunt Liz and Great Grams in MT

Girls' Night (I'm sorry, Sarah)

Pulling Taffy

Thanksgiving in KC

(My kids' heads were cut off at the bottom.

I'd love to have a picture if anyone has one that included all children.)

Happy Holidays

8th Birthday and Christmas decorating

Grams Trimble's Memorial Service

Stapleton Christmas-roasting marshmallows, not chestnuts
Dix Christmas-feel the love
New Year's Day sledding party

Still More Themes of 2010

THEME 5: Sarah. She stuck with us through freezing corn, moving, teaching school, sickness and so much more. And she's engaged! Congratulations!

THEME 6: School Days.

THEME 7: Pools and Pets.

THEMES 8 - 10: Unpublished Extended Family and Church Family names. There were many intercessions, weeping with those who wept. There were also many days of rejoicing.

More top Themes of 2010

THEME 4: First Rental

THEME 3: Sovereign Grace Album Come Weary Saints

Themes of 2010

THEME 2: Decision-Making. Every choice for something is also a choice against something. Disappointment, Waiting on the Lord, then Peace. (This is a view from our front porch.)

THEME 1: Getting Rural

Year

A few weeks ago I wrote a stand-up comedy post about "Adult Pen Pals." Somehow by trying to enter it through iGoogle, the post disappeared. I was really bummed cuz it was really funny. But maybe it was deleted because it had a titch of meanness.

So on a serious-er note, this has been another great time of year to look back and trace God's hand in our lives. A year ago I would never have thought we'd be where we are today. We did know a change was coming because we're both at an age and stage of life that begs movement. Not only did we have the itch, we had the familial (no baby on the way), financial (no debt), social (no roots),and spiritual ("If the Lord wills we will do such and such")freedom to make some sort of move. We have prayed over our list of desires year after year and sent out loads of feelers. We have knocked on doors; many slammed.

The one that opened was staying in the same jobs and moving just an hour out into the country. Not so romantic as a few other ideas, but a "desire of our heart" nonetheless. We feel like complete woosses compared to missionaries and military who move constantly. We had sort of got into a routine, the disrupting of which has made us realize we'd lost some flexibility. In other words, moving is not easy! Kudos to those for whom moving is a lifestyle. My prayer journal from Spring 2010 includes "I'm scared of moving and I'm scared to death we might never move!"

OK, sister, now for some pictures.