Recruits

Somehow we managed to recruit my BIL to come up and help drive for a week in corn harvest. It's especially great because my sister and nephews came up to play for the week too. Play probably isn't the most accurate word, since I've had her in the kitchen plenty cooking for the crews. I've loved the company and she's been a lifesaver.
We found a pair of Brother's old boots so both boys sport them around on the "farm." I'm glad the kids get to spend time together. It's always more enjoyable after they've all had naps, but we're all surviving.

Holding Down the Fort

There are a lot of things that just have to wait until harvest is over. But some things can't wait. Like returning the traps we had borrowed during the days of our skunk invasion. I felt bad we'd had them for so long, but every time I tried returning them, along came another critter that needed caught.

After the owner's asking, I knew it was time to get them back. Only problem was, there was a skunk in one of them. Brent has been working such long hours I knew he wouldn't have time to take care of it. By default it became my responsibility.

I felt like a Sarah Agnes Prine as I rode my extermination vehicle down to the site. Being that close to a skunk made me jumpy for rest of the afternoon, but I did it. I took care of it.

It's probably silly how something like that gives me confidence, but I felt on top of the world.

Something For Myself

I heard about the University for Parents event long before we started in to harvest. As a parent, I really wanted to attend. You know, kind of like a continuing education course for my career. The line up of speakers was phenomenal, the real professionals in child rearing.
The event approached quickly, just as things were falling apart with harvest. I was tempted to pass up the opportunity to attend, it would just be easier. As a Mom it's easy to let everything else take precedence in your life. But then I made some arrangements and sacrifices and went.
I'm sure glad that I did. I came home with a new perspective and mission. Raising my children should be more fun.
(If you're not familiar with Love and Logic, you need to be. They Eyres have a great website with all sorts of help too. Just thought I'd pass along the word.)

Late Night Parts Run

It becomes quite necessary and urgent at times to go to Jerome (3.5 hours away) during harvest. It's the parts place so we can keep the choppers running. After packaging up the last of the lasagna and bread stick dinners to take to the crew, I heard the door open, and in walked Brent. That's never good news.
Immediately we aborted the dinner mission and began making hasty preparations for a parts run. Brother rounded up things for his overnight bag while I finished washing up the dishes. Before long the kids and I were out the door and on the road. At times like these I send up a little prayer of thanks for such cooperative/understanding kids. They realize I count on their help, especially during the crazy harvest, and do their parts. Before long, both kids were asleep and I was getting a bit tired myself. Well, Baby #3 kicked into action and jabbed something in my ribs for the remainder of the trip. No dozing off for me.
If I didn't know better, I'd think that Brent's marrying me was pure strategy. You see, my parents live in the middle of us and Jerome. They make the perfect pit stop on our parts runs. We crashed at their place and my Dad got up early the next morning to fetch the parts from Jerome so the kids and I didn't have to.
Who knew it took so many people to run parts? I couldn't have done it without them. Thanks.

Today While the Sun Shines

Although we're in the middle of corn harvest, we managed to enjoy some time out in the beautiful weather. What could be better than running around in your panties, eating sweet, sun ripened blackberries? Brother would have to argue that catching bugs is a lot more fun.The highlight of the day was taking dinner to the crew and eating in the trunk of the car. The kids were begging to get back in.
*** Hmmm. . . I just noticed that the last few posts all have Brother wearing this same shirt. Pretty obvious it's his favorite one.

Controversy

My baby sister is committed to marriage. I couldn't be more excited for our family to grow (without me having to be pregnant.) The kids and I were able to spend some time with the future BIL.

Here's what Hudson had to say about Mr. Ty:
When I grow up, I want horses like Ty. And a wagon like Ty. And a hat like Ty. And a Dodge like Ty.

Whoa! Back that horse up little boy. Really, you just said that? Don't you know your Dad is staunchly Chevy and John Deere. He might have a bone to pick with this Mr. Ty.

Tooting Our Own Horn

Sissy earned her dancing baby from an accident free day. Turns out to have been a fluke, as she's still not officially potty trained. It's mostly the case of me forgetting and not being persistent enough, but we're still a lot closer than we used to be. Both her and Brother have been enjoying tea parties with the new doll.
And now for your viewing pleasure: Brother and his "flatbed" wagon. It might look like an ordinary Red Flyer, but don't be deceived. Notice the bungee cord holding on the plywood and lawn chairs? All part of Brother's genius. Now it's a real work wagon. He straps on just about anything he can think of. And below, in the box, the perfect storage place for his [insulated] coverall, gloves, and extra hat.

Now for some mouth-watering entertainment.
Home grown melons! Best and juiciest I've tasted (but I might be a little biased having raised them from seeds.)

Life's Not A Fair

And thank goodness, hallelujah!

We took the kids to the Eastern Idaho State Fair so they could experience the culture (or lack thereof.) Although we had a really fun time during the 3 1/2 hours we were there, I'm glad life is not A FAIR. Here's why:
-instead of college savings, your kids would have stuffed animals and wristbands from the carnival
-we'd all have heart disease and obesity from the fried this and fried that called "food"
-following the carnies' lead, we'd all think having 2 or 3 teeth was cool and the norm
-lung cancer would afflict all of us non-smokers just because of all of the 2nd hand smoke
-years of our lives would be spent in lines

My Creative Idea

Since living in our house, I've wanted to hang things on the exterior. But with it being vinyl siding, I knew my husband would flip if I drilled right through it, leaving an ever lasting scar. So I finally came up with a solution. I used the hooks made to go in the pre drilled masonite board (still can't find a technical name for them), and slid them up underneath the siding. Best of all, you can move them around quite easily until you get the look you want.
This one has been modified. A pair of pliers and wire cutters and you can get the exact length and angle you want.

Heterozygous: When am I ever going to use this?

After my blood test at my last doctors appointment, I was informed that my anti E levels were above the tolerable level. So what did this mean for me and the baby? It meant that we'd be meeting with a Perinatologist for a specialized ultrasound for a closer look at what was going on.

Here is my watered down explanation. Besides certain blood types, there are several protein types associated with our blood. My E protein type is ee (or recess) and my husband's is Ee (heterozygous). We each pass one on to our offspring. During the course of my baby bearing years and blood trafficking between me and my babies, I was introduced to the big E. My body recognized it as foreign (since it wasn't a little e) and started producing antibodies against it.

My first two pregnancies, no problem. But now with baby #3, my body is producing higher level of antibodies that are fighting against the baby. Luckily the E protein mismatch isn't nearly as severe as others. So we will continue to have weekly ultrasounds to monitor the blood flow and velocity in the baby's brain. If the levels stay within the tolerable curve, I carry the baby to term and no problem. If the levels rise considerably, the anti E has been destroying too many of the red blood cells and the baby runs the risk of being anemic. In which case, the baby can be given a blood transfusion.

So for now, it's a bit of a waiting game. Dr. Belfort was awesome about answering our questions and quelling our concern. Although I am now labeled with a "high risk pregnancy," we feel blessed with the prognosis.

Nipped

After playing outside and surveying my garden, Hudson came in and asked "Who burnt your garden?"

"It's not burnt, it got froze."

"Why didn't you cover it?"

"Because I didn't realize it was going to get that cold."

"Don't you want it anymore? The guy on the news told you you needed to cover it."

Wiring

Sissy loves getting her nails painted and enjoys showing them off even more.
She is tackling potty training in hopes of earning a "dancing baby." She doesn't say dancing, she just twirls around.
Her favorite word is "NO!" and is shouted in conjunction with "Mom".
The dancing baby leverage has helped her compliance a lot.
So have mermaid panties.
Where did this GIRL come from?

Wilkins Reunion

Labor Day weekend always means the Wilkins Reunion. We look forward to it all summer. It's always great to spend time with our awesome family. This year we had a series of challenges as a team and as individuals. First up, a 3 mile run or walk or ride. Any way it happened, we had 100% participation. Some even hitched a ride on Grandpa's train.There were adult-sized trike races, shaving your uncle, casting competitions, and canoeing.Some were more able participants, but we all had fun competing and being together.

Idea for Change

Brother had a sleepover on Sissy's floor last night. Too bad she bailed before the night had really even begun. . . Her sleeping arrangements have really become a problem.

But it did get me thinking about how much I enjoyed sharing a room with my sisters. So much in fact, once I got my own room I'd bribe a particular sister to sleep with me. I liked the company. So I think I'll give my kids the same experience and put them in rooms together.

First up, Sissy and Brother in bunk beds. Not quite sure when, but in time to free up the nursery for the baby. (And I'm hoping the longer walk will keep her in her own bed.)

Mom Project

Brent and I have cleverly devised some projects to help teach our kids the value of hard work and a dollar. So far I've decided that it's far more profitable to be involved as a kid. I can still remember all of the projects "we" did as kids, where Mom did the bulk of the work and got none of the profits (4-H steers, sweet corn patch, spud cellar brackets.)We had a large sweet corn patch, so we took some of the bounty to town to sell. Brother loved keeping track of the people that came and Sissy enjoyed the treats we packed in the cooler. She was a walking billboard, walking around with a cob of corn in her mouth.