Checking in

Just a quick post to say that we're all doing well! The brush clearing project is moving along pretty smoothly. We've thrown away two dumspter-fuls of brush already, and have about 2 more loads to be thrown away.

Our yard is looking really good! I think we'll make our deadline of Dec. 21st, thankfully, but we'll be working up to the bell. I'll have to post some pictures of the finished product.

Here are some recent pictures -- Peter eating his first food (carrots -- so far he hasn't been too impressed with solid food)!, and our nativity scene in the front yard.

In closing, a couple of random observations...

-- How is it that a baby can make "Mom, are you trying to poison me?!?" faces when I try to feed him things like carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes, and yet he spends all day trying to put his feet in his mouth? Can his feet taste *that* much better?! Maybe I should invent a "foot flavored" line of baby food and make a gazillion dollars :).

-- I never knew my kids could sing Gospel, that is, until we listened to Tiemyer McCain's rendition of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" on Poppi's Christmas music CD for the 100th time (it's their favorite Christmas CD) and they both started singing along in full Gospel style! (including the 7 or 8 syllable stretch on "Emmanuel" and "Israel"!) It was hilarious and quite impressive!!

On Hiatus

Remember my good friend, the Dumpster? It's back!

Last week, we received a "brush clearance" notice from the fire department. At first, I was a little TO'd because I thought our backyard was really doing well -- I worked hard last spring to clear away many dumpster-loads of brush, and the yard had never looked so good. But, it's not quite good enough -- we need to clear all native brush/shrubs from 100 ft around our house, and we're not quite there yet.

Thankfully, I did put all that work in last spring, otherwise we'd be in a tight spot right now. I think we can manage it, and the cooler weather (and not being hugely pregnant!) will make the clearing go a lot faster this time. I actually kind of like hacking away at the brush -- it's good exercise, and it makes me feel like the pioneer woman that I am at heart :). But, it will be a lot of work -- most of my free time in the last week has been (and for the next few weeks will be) spent cutting, hauling, and throwing away brush.

It's crazy to think that in less than 3 weeks it will be Christmas!! I am very excited about a new religious program I'm starting with the boys. It's based on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but tailored to a home setting. We have readings and reflections for each week of advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, and the rest of the liturgical year plus additional work on the Mass parts, parables, etc. It's geared toward helping kids from 3-6 years old develop a relationship with Christ.

I'm looking forward to it! I really want that for my kids, and I think they're ready for it (Jack especially).

Anyway, between brush clearing and Advent preparation stuff, my blog postings will be pretty sparse over the next few weeks. But I will try to make up for it in lots of pictures and updates when I do come back!!