Where I've Been

I've admittedly, been awful at blogging the last few days; Geo's working at night and sleeping during the day so we've been trying to stay out of the house and keep quiet and as a result, I just haven't been near the computer as much. HOWEVER a bigger reason as to why I'm not blogging are being busy with Gabe and Bitsy girl. They keep me on my toes and for that, I give you pictures of THEIR toes (is it just me or does Gabe's foot look enormous? I mean, I know it IS enormous given that I often wear his socks because someone *ahem* has put them in my sock drawer, but really, my goodness, look at those clodhoppers!)

A Friday Five Saga: Bitsy and the Bees

When we were in Michigan, Bits was stung by a bee:

and she was sad and mad...

 

She swore that day that she'd always "hate bees"

Whenever we go to pick George up from work, we drive by some bee hives and I say to Bitsy "oh Bitsy, there's your beeeeeees"

And she always says "I HATE BEES!"

One day she was talking to our friend Jon about how much she hates bees because she was stung by one and it hurt. Jon (an advocate for Bees-I had no idea) is Bitsy's future husband, according to her, and explained that bees die when they sting people and she shouldn't hate something that died because she was scared.

 Now anytime we go by the bee hives and I say "Bitsy, there's your beeeees" She says "I'm sorry bees, I don't hate you, you die when you sting people. Sorry you died when you stung me, bee"

So now, Bitsy loves bees and we love Bitsy, so it all works out :)

Smiley Pies :)

Thankful Thursday-Wordless

Finding Our Niche

I grew up in Farmville, USA. Our little town was literally surrounded by fields-corn, sugar beets, etc etc. Lots of farmers and farms. Lots of fresh produce, fresh milk, honey, and home grown (for lack of a better word) meat. My grandmother once served us a 28 pound turkey that she raised herself for Thanksgiving dinner. Fresh everything, it was wonderful.

I moved to a "big" city to go to college, then to another "big" city area (Chicago-land) after school. I loved being in those areas; lots of things to do, places to see, always someone to hang out with. Then we had Gabe-and yes, it was still fun and we were able to expose him to a lot of culture and we definitely had access to the best doctors around (thank GOD for that) but...it wasn't the ideal environment for raising kids (at least in Geo and my opinions)

We had Bitsy girl and knew we a)needed a bigger place and b)wanted to be out of the "city" We moved out to teeny tiny Maple Park and fell in love. Yes we are farther from things, but we know everyone, they know us and it's peaceful out here. Right now it's a little past dusk and it's silent other than the occasional car passing by the house.

We have lots of room to move; the kids can do whatever they want (within reason, of course ha ha) in our yard. They are helping Geo and I put in a garden, which, if anyone was wondering, is about 100 square feet. (Compared to our sixteen square foot garden last year, this is ENORMOUS) We've got pumpkin plants growing like crazy, we're battling birds eating our peas (damn you robin! don't make me let the cat out!)and I can dry a load of laundry in a few hours on the line that smells like fresh air as opposed to bounce. We're considering getting some chickens and maybe a rabbit or six two in the future.

We are in a good school district, we have a great library, and we not only KNOW our neighbors, we LIKE our neighbors. The kids are comfortable here, we are comfortable here. We've found our spot; our niche if you will. We feel like we're finally home and it's a good feeling. I am so glad we found where we are supposed to be while the kids are still young; we're home and glad to be here :)

Gardening Fun

Yesterday we planted our hills of pumpkins (six plants in total, though we'll see how that goes, one or two may be pulled out to let the others grow stronger) and today we planted peas. We had peas started in pots in the kitchen that we transplanted and then we planted another pack of peas from seed; my hope is that we'll be able to harvest peas for a longer time by doing it this way. The second set of peas is two weeks behind the first set, so hopefully that'll make a difference when it comes to picking them. Without further ado some crummy pictures of the pumpkins and peas! (he he)

Heart of Stone

Today at the park, Gabriel ran up to me excitedly and said "here mom, have this heart I found!" he handed it to me and ran off to play again...

I've had the heart in my pocket since and will put it in my wallet with the other heart a sweet Witkowski "boy" found for me on the beach in Michigan (The "boy" in question would be, of course, my hunky hubby Geo he he)

I tried to get a picture of the stone heart the best I could...I am in desperate need of a new camera but refuse to buy another "cheapie"; I'm saving my pennies for the gorgeous obnoxiously expensive camera I've been drooling over for six months...in the meantime, here ya' go!

A Wordless Wednesday Post