Fast

I have come to the realization that I desparately need an internet fast. So for the next week I am committing myself to only be on the internet for checking my email. This mainly for business purposes. I will let you know what I learn from my fast.

Happy Halloween!

Well, this is one of those holidays that we as Americans have fun celebrating but it is sometimes in direct opposition to what some people believe Christians should be participating in. We have decided that we would participate, or maybe I decided because it is fun to dress up and get candy and it is all in good fun. If we cut all of these "celebrations" out of our lives, the first one to go definitely should be Christmas because of the way it is commercialized and the focus is no longer on Jesus and his birth, but on what presents will be under the tree. I heard on the radio today that Americans spent 5 billion dollars on Halloween this year. I was slightly shocked and pretty appalled at the expense we go to for one silly holiday. One way I believe as a parent this commercialism can be somewhat squelched is to give far fewer presents to my child and give used if at all possible. This takes the focus somewhat off of the presents at Christmas time. As for Halloween, use items to dress up in that you already have around, or can find at a garage sale, or buy a used costume at a garage sale!

Matt and I have only bought Noah a few Christmas presents ever...Last year I know Noah opened "big boy" underwear which he didn't even start using until a few weeks ago. He also got socks and maybe an outfit the year before... This year I got Noah some Spanish books at 70% off from Usborne books and a mickey set of Tupperware. Anything else he gets will be from relatives and I am hoping they will try to buy used. This saves stuff from ending up in the land fill, and saves money that can be spent on helping feed and clothe those less fortunate than Noah, which is probably 98% of the world and even some people in this country. If any one would rather make put money towards college for Noah that is ok with me too!

Anyway, on with the Halloween festivities that took place at the Bolin household. We carved a pumpkin -or "mar-urn" as Noah calls it, on Wednesday. This was our first time carving a pumpkin since Noah was born. He wasn't too interested in pulling out the pumpkin guts, but he did a great job sorting out the pumpkin seeds. I roasted them later that night and Noah loves snacking on them.

On Thursday, we went Trick-or-treating in Clarksville. Noah dressed up as the cutest scarecrow you ever did see. But something was wrong, and Noah looked like a cowboy instead of a scarecrow...He was missing his black nose!

Cousin Nick went as a cow and we had fun having Nick with us. Then Friday morning we dressed up again and went to the library for story time and we put some cheeks on Noah too. I think he looks cute all three ways, but I am the mom! It was a fun adventure...what can we dream up for next Halloween? total costume cost: $6 Maybe we can beat that next year!

We also took come more fall leave pictures and Matt took one of Noah taking a snooze in my arms...this was at 5pm after he refused to nap for the day...he finally succumbed!

What did you do for Halloween, and do you have any ideas for toning down the holidays?

Congratulations!!!!

If anyone has time, drop Matt a call to tell him congratulations on his promotion at work. This is a big financial blessing for our family and I am so proud of him. Just thought it would be nice if some of you had time to give him a "pat on the back" too.

brrrr

Well this morning when Noah and I arose from bed, we found a white morning. Of course not snow yet, but frost everywhere. The plan was to take off and get some groceries first thing, but we are in a dense fog advisory so I think we will stay put for the time being.

I wanted to update everyone on Noah's potty training. He has gone two full days in big boy underwear with no accidents. Yesterday he even went #2 on the potty by telling me he had to go. It was pretty exciting. He is still in a disposable over night of course, but we are so proud of him and how great he is doing with his potty training.

I found out from my sister yesterday that Target is now selling the diapers that I have been selling to everyone I know, Bum Genius. If you still haven't checked them out, these really are for mainstream Americans...or target would not carry them!

We have a speech appointment on Monday, but as far as I can tell Noah has progressed majorly since his appointment about a month and a half ago...He is trying to say new words all of the time and is starting to repeat things. One day on my way out the door, I forgot something (probably for the fourth time or so) so I exclaimed, "Oh shoot!" Noah quickly repeated me and it was one of the funniest things I have ever heard! It is a good thing I try to refrain from the use of 4 letter words...or my two year old probably would have shouted one the other day. He still is not saying the "p" phoneme, although we have been working on it specifically for over a month. He also doesn't sing along with nursery rhymes, or other familiar songs which is a benchmark that he needs to reach too. We are working diligently to try to get his oral motor skills working.

Well I think that is the rest of the story of our lives as of now. Tune in next time when we bring you the continuing saga of potty training and speech...Until then, give me a call!

where does the time go?

Well it has been over a week since I last posted and lots has happened.

We went to eat pizza with Howie and Justin Clark. Here are the boys in their seats on the way over to Waverly.

I went garage sale-ing on Friday and Saturday last week. I did not find much in Waverly...all girl stuff! But I hit the jackpot in Clarksville on Saturday. I got a bunch of clothing, 2 sizes of snow pants, snow boots and a Bob the Builder DVD for under $35!

Last Sunday, Amber and Jenna came home from church with me and we cooked Cajun Cornbread Skillet and had a fun afternoon. After we ate they helped me get some more fall pictures of Noah. He looks so adorable playing. Later this week we hope to get to carve our pumpkin. It will be Noah's first pumpkin!

Noah saying "Here's lookin at you kid!"

On Wednesday nights I have been leading a youth group at the youth center in Clarksville. I am so blessed to have one of the college kids (hahaha that sounds funny coming from me!) helping me with the group. His name is Trevor and I am so glad that God put working with youth on his heart. It is no secret how much a good male influence is needed in Clarksville, but with Matt working rotating shifts and 6- 12's at the moment it isn't really feasible for him to be that guy right now. Trevor has been coming to eat dinner with us before we head to the YC. This past Wednesday we looked at a couple more houses in Waverly, but nothing really exciting. For dinner, Matt dug up some of our sweet potatoes...so far this one takes the prize! No trick photography here, it really was that big! Matt, Noah, Trevor, and I ate off of it and there is about 2/3 of the potato left.

for some odd reason, the blogger photo uploader continues to turn this picture to the left. Nevertheless it is a giant sweet potato!

We are still loving the Jetta. Last time I filled up (10/11/08) I got 49.5 miles to the gallon! I still have a half of a tank and I went garage sale-ing house shopping, etc and have not needed to fill up. I am waiting until I get to 1/4 tank because since the last time I filled Diesel has come down about 20 cents. I am hoping that the trend continues. Gas has gone down even more here, but Diesel has to be about double the price of gas before it is less cost effective to drive the jetta. Plus, I have loved having heated seats because it has already been pretty cold here for a few weeks. We did have warmer weather last week, but it froze the other night and finished my garden off:(

Cooking with Daddy

This morning I woke with a sore throat and aching sinuses from forgetting to turn on the humidifier...yes it is that dry here already. I slept in some more while Noah and Matt got homemade dough ready for our lunch- calzone. Matt put an apron on Noah that Leigh Anne gave me about 13 yrs ago! He looked so cute in it...it says Ashley on it but I still thought the picture was mighty cute.


Also, Monday night I finally cut Noah's hair with distraction help from Matt. I think it turned out pretty good, but it is shorter than I originally wanted it... guess it gives us more time before we have to cut it again though so that is definately a plus!

Noah's new do...


Trying on Daddy's goggles from work...

My friend Jenna came over on Saturday and spent the day with us. It was great because Matt had to work from 7am-7pm so it was nice to have company. We made the Chipotle Chicken Cornbread Cups for lunch and they were awesome! Definately will be making those again.


Another one of Noah's friendly awerpeir- or translated to Caterpillar

He loves those things!!!

Because I laughed so hard...

I had to share this link with everyone because I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants...Jen, I know you know what I mean!!! Have fun!
-Mole Valdez Palin

Fall Fun

Yesterday Noah, Sandy and I played out in the yard for awhile. I got the camera out and took a few pictures.

I think this one is my favorite...I just think it looks like a greeting card front, and on the inside it would say some clever thing about why he is really smiling, and no not because it is your birthday...


Noah found some treasures yesterday...he gets really excited and does this high-pitched giggle when he finds something exciting. The caterpillar and cicada molting were enough for him!


Sad...I can't let the dog out anymore?!?!


"Hey mom, ever heard of something called scissors? My bangs are getting a little long here...pretty soon I will be able to blow them out of the way with my nose!"




I think he had a rock in his hands for this one...


and in this one he is clearly saying "it" which translated to "stick."

Well that is all for now...I think I have posted enough in these past few days to take care of the next few months...hahaha now you will actually have to call me to know what is going on!

Rock-a-bye-baby

Well this afternoon for Noah's nap, I took the liberty to rock him to sleep. Most of you know that Noah has been sleep trained and I prefer for him to be laid down to go to sleep on his own because it makes it hard on us when he will not go to sleep when we put him down. But for many reasons, (most importantly the accidents that have been happening) I just wanted to hold him. He asked me to sing to him so we rocked in the glider and I sang the songs I used to sing to him when I nursed him- Amazing Grace, Swing Low-Sweet Chariot, and You are my Sunshine. He was asleep before I got to the last song, but I sang it anyway. I remember my mom singing those songs to my sister to rock her to sleep. My favorite was always Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Do you have a favorite song from your childhood?

Car pictures

Well as Katie has requested, I took pictures of the car...but it was after five days of driving on gravel roads up here, so she is pretty dusty. Plus where I am parked offers shade, but made lots of shadows in the pictures. Not of great quality, but at least they are pictures right?

And for the Birketts who made mention of putting the frybrid on the car, I did some major checking into that. The consensus that I found out is that it would cost about 5000 to do the conversion. Because of the year of the car, the fuel pump is actually in the gas tank, so there is no way to pump the veggie oil without adding another pump and also being up north with it getting so cold it can really gum up and ruin something that I cannot remember the name of. But you know me I am always looking into a new way to be green...I am just hoping to find some biodiesel somewhere close because of the new low sulfur standards. From the research that I did, you basically are removing the lubricant for the engine by removing the sulfur, so I either will need a biodiesel or an additive to help lubricate the engine if I want it to last. If you know something else about the "frybrid" please let me know, I would love that!

Harvest

Well the harvest is in full swing and with harvest comes the danger of accidents since everyone involved is overworked and overtired. There have already been two accidents around here and I would just like to share a little. Today at story hour there was a little boy who fell out of a combine and was in a total hip and legs cast. He cannot sit up but can lay flat on his back or on his stomach. Also, my dear friend Carolyn's nephew rolled a ranger on top of himself and she had to resuscitate him and he was airlifted to Iowa City last Sunday. The reason i am telling all of you this, is because I would like for you to stop and pray for the families that are involved in the harvest and pray for their safety. These are the people who feed America and they deserve your prayer as much as any other group I know of. Without them, we would have to depend on other countries for our food supply. I for one do not want to depend on other countries for my food, so i hope you will join me in praying for these men and women who sacrifice so much at this time of the year. Thanks

A new (to us) car

On Monday, Matt and I drove out to SD and bought a 2003 Jetta TDI for a second vehicle. We got 47 miles to the gallon on the way home-woohoo!

Garden...Garden...

Well the steers got out again...Not as much damage to the garden this time as last...but I think the end is near with the change in the weather and such. It is almost time to harvest sweet potatoes...yummy!

MAMA!

I was pleasantly surprised today when I heard a distressed "MAMA" from Noah today at my friend Melissa's house. He was standing in the doorway of the bathroom and I immediately took him in to sit on the potty. His diaper was already wet, so I praised him for asking to go and told him it was ok that he didn't make it. Much to my surprise, he actually had made it to the bathroom in time to poop on the potty!!!! I was so excited...if I never have to change another poopy diaper it will not hurt my feelings. I of course realize that this means that Noah is growing up, but in all reality isn't that what we all want our children to do...for if they stayed children forever, what would be the accomplishment in that? And the other alternative to growing up I don't like much either....

Our FL visit

Well I know that this post is way overdue, but I had to get some other stuff put done first. The day before we left Noah and I picked this gargantuan tomato from our garden.


Noah was the talk of the airport with the tiger wheely backpack that "Baga" gave him last Christmas.


When we got into the airport, my aunt came and picked us up which was such a blessing. The next day we went to Tampa to look at a car we were interested in buying (a Jetta TDI what we later did buy from someone else) but it was in terrible repair. I did however get some shoes that day that have alleviated all of the arch and heel pain that I was having on a daily basis. I am so glad I could make the investment because I am not in pain anymore.

The following day we headed up to Gainesville to the Searby Inn. This place has the best hospitality, I swear! They even ask what you would like to eat and who they should organize to come and see you while you are there. You couldn't ask for a more accommodating Inn! While there, we took a stroll up to the local consignment shop. We got Noah a few Gator things to sport while back in Iowa.


That afternoon we headed over to our favorite pizza joint, Satchels. Now if you have never been there, the scenery in and of itself is an experience. We had a great time sharing a meal with Joel, Jen and Evan. The boys even played well in the "little kitchen" they have for kids before the meal arrives.


Yep, you can enjoy your meal in the V-dub Van...


The coolest junk shop including trinkets from childhood...




Evan enjoyed his meal...Noah still looks hungry...somebody get that kid some more food before he eats his hand!


That evening the boys enjoyed bath time together. It is really funny because that weekend the Searbys went to visit the Whitlocks and took almost the identical photo of Evan and Isaac at the tub...

Looking at the same toy... thinking about sharing...

The next day we were honered to meet little Landon Bradford Williams born to Josh and Krystle Williams on Sept 16th...just in time for us to meet him! He seemes so teenie and I just cannot believe how little they all started out at some point. For pictures of Landon visit Krystle's blog...I didn't have my camera with me:( Jen and Joel hosted an open house for us and some of our friends got to stop by while we were in town. I actually got a picture of Kelly, Noah and I, so she makes the blog:)



Noah enjoying Baby Einstein on the Searby Inn couch.


We traveled back to Gramma's that night. The following evening we had a party to celebrate Mom, Gramma, and Aunt Barbara's birthday. Amy and Brilei came up and Mike, Helen and Julianne came over and joined in the festivities, too. The little ones had some much fun playing together. Noah even got included in on the playtime most of the time.
Happy Birthday!!!


Before Julianne arrived Noah and Brilei were looking for the other tiger...


Cheers!



I believe I will have some more of that!


Helen and Noah...in his Big Boy Undies!




I know these are a little dark, but still cute videos of them all dancing...