where the wild things are

Princess N: Mommy!  I think a mouse fell out of the tree!
Me: Oookkkaaayyy... show me.

I took a look and asked her to call Daddy and ask him to bring a flashlight.

Michael: It looks like a squirrel.  I can throw it over the back fence.
Me: I'm going to call Laddie.  I'm not as heartless as you!

After speaking with Laddie, we added a hot water bottle to the box and towels where we had placed the squirrel.  Then I called the phone numbers she had given me.  The emergency clinic was willing to take the squirrel and humanely kill it.  The wildlife centers would reopen in the morning. 

I left the box with the squirrel in the garage with the hot water bottle and told Michael I hoped the roaches would not carry it off.  I sat down with Princess N and told her what Laddie told me.  There was a fairly good chance the squirrel would die during the night because of its young age.  We agreed that we both hoped it would live through the night.

This morning I called several state approved wildlife rehabilitators only to find that all but one number I tried was disconnected.  Out of a list of about 7.  The one place that I did reach is about an hour and a half from where we live.  After a trip to drop some papers off with Michael, we traveled to the wildlife center.  Since we were missing out on a good portion of the school day, I told the girls that I was going to see if they would let us tour the facility and I wanted them to think of some things they wanted to know about the center and the animals they help.  They were going to be required to write a paper about it when we got home.

The volunteer at the center was very kind to answer our questions and she even allowed the girls to take a peek at the vet room where they care for the animals that are brought in to the center.  The volunteer in the vet room allowed the girls another look at the squirrel we brought in and told us how much he weighed.  (48 grams)  She also showed us an even younger squirrel that weighed only 12 grams! 

While we were there, we also learned that Princess N will be old enough next summer to participate in a volunteer program at the center. (with a parent, of course)  I told Michael I thought it might just be a good idea for a summer project for her.

*Photo to be added as soon as I can find the cord for my camera...

2 years old

Sweet Miss E is growing up.  She is just a joy to be around.  She can give a glare that could melt glass, but her smile is sometimes brighter than the sun.

She believes that if her big sisters can do it, so can she.  She is a bundle of energy wrapped up in sheer willpower.  In many ways, she is like her sister Lady A.  What she lacks in physical stature, she makes up with her determination.

We are so very blessed to have her as part of our lives.

Oh my! How did this happen??

Princess N turned 11 years old today!

Our sweet baby girl is closing in quickly on her teen years. 

Happy birthday to a wonderful girl who we are blessed to know and even more blessed to call daughter!

We love you precious girl!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Happy, happy, birthday from all of us to you!

We hope you like your birthday, cause we sure do like you!

There...

Michael went to work last Friday and was very excited that he had Monday off.  A few hours later he texted me and asked me to pack him a bag for a week. 

He left Sunday morning and was supposed to return this afternoon. 

The trip to the airport and then back home was interesting to say the least.  We didn't realize that the toll road went from actual toll booths to a no cash road.  So, we had to find a way across town in order to make it to the airport.  We managed to get there in plenty of time. 

Leaving the airport, I decided to try to take the interstate that goes directly to our town.  I followed the signs until the signs disappeared.  I did what any smart woman would do when lost in an unfamiliar area with 3 children at 6:00 in the morning.  I called my husband who has GPS on his phone.  He couldn't find where I was, so I was on my own.  Backtracking, I missed the turn to get back to the airport.  But I did find the one road I was familiar with. 

Once headed in the right direction, I decided to take the loop around the city instead of going all the way into down town.  Well, when we went to the airport, we went east.  So coming home we should go west, right?  Wrong!  I realized my mistake and took the first exit to turn around.  It was then that I saw the signs for the original road I was looking for.  I managed to get back on the road and take the exit for the interstate.  I still ended up going through downtown, but I was on the right road!

and back again

Last night, after all the kiddos had dinner and cleaned up, I loaded them into Rachel's van.  (We are hanging out with the nephews this weekend) 

Alex kept looking at the time and mentioning that it was time to be getting ready for bed.  Later he mentioned that it was time for him & Miguel to be in bed.  About 20 minutes later, he informed us that it was time for David to be in bed.

We had been driving for about 45 minutes when Lady A asked where we were going.  My response was that we were going for a drive.  They thought that it was an okay idea.  But they were hungry and wanted me to buy them food.  I laughed and told them no.

We arrived at the airport.  Lady A was a bit confused as to why we would be going to the airport when she, her sister & her cousins should be in bed.  I simply deflected any questions with a question of my own.   "What do you think?"  "What do people do at an airport?"

Finally, I received a message from Michael.  I pulled up to the arrivals area.  As we waited in line, Alex asked if we were picking someone up.  I asked what he thought.  Alex said yes.  Lady A was unsure.  She thought about it for a little while and finally asked, "Are we picking up Daddy?"  I asked, "What do you think?"  "YES!!" 

Lady A & Miss E were both very excited to see their daddy!

peace

Numbers 6:24-26

 ​​“The LORD bless you and keep you;

​​The LORD make His face shine upon you,

​​And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

​​And give you peace.” ’

May be off line for a while

So, we got our internet bill in the mail today... It almost doubled with no warning.

We are shopping for a new provider unless they are able to work with us.  The department we need to speak with is closed already tonight.

At any rate, I just want to let you know that we may be only reachable by cell phone for a while.  We do have unlimited texting, so feel free to call or text.

Love you!

Back to School!

Today, we embarked on a new journey as a family.

Today, I sat with our girls, all three of them, around the kitchen table and studied the Bible.  We learned about Joseph and some of the trials he faced in his life.  Some as a result of his choices and others as a result of his brother's choices. 

Later, we created a "collage of many colors".  The girls had a good time discussing the story while they cut and glued and laughed.

Then, as we talked about the coat that Joseph was given, I asked the girls if they knew how cloth was colored in that time.  I grabbed what was on hand and steeped some tea and threw some frozen blueberries in a bowl with some hot water.  We took 2 pieces of white fabric and swirled them around in the water.  Princess N said she thought the fabric in the tea would turn a reddish color and that the one in the blueberries would be blue.  She was surprised to see the one in the tea turn brown.

Afterward, we watched "The Ballad of Little Joe."  We had been anticipating our next door neighbor's son's arrival, but I found out that he was going to a friend's house today instead of ours.

It has been a good first day of school.  Lady A still protested a bit that she didn't want to have school at home, but she did well through the lessons.

I just pray that tomorrow things go as smoothly!