Fargo Flood Efforts

This video shows just a fraction of the amount of effort that is being put into the protection of Fargo. We moved from Fargo in July 2008 and have been keeping a close eye on everything because we have so many friends and family in and around Fargo. The video shows the sandbag filling process at the FargoDome with is on the north edge of NDSU, my alma mater. The crest was raised again today, which means the dikes all have to be raised, as well.

Please offer prayers that the dikes hold for as long as needed - the river will take a few days to recede.

What Part of Spring Are You?

Just couldn't resist doing this quiz ... thanks for the diversion, Margaret!

You Are Blooming Flowers

You are an optimistic person by nature. In even the darkest times, you are hopeful about the future. You feel truly blessed in life and can sometimes be overwhelmed with emotions. You have an artist's eye. You are always looking for beauty in the mundane. You have a good sense of aesthetics, especially when it comes to shapes and color.

What Part of Spring Are You?

Taking a break...

I'm taking a break - as if that hasn't been obvious from my lack of posts. I just don't have the energy or flow of ideas right now. At this time, I just need to use my limited gumption to do the priorities - like getting the kids through their school day, actually correcting the work in a timely manner, cleaning the house, and preparing better meals.

Maybe it's just this particular Lent.... or it could be the weather. Prayers for all my friends who are experiencing the worries of an impending Red River crest later this week.

Almost-Wordless Wednesday

Mmmmm, wonder were Graham gets this attitude from??

Silent Sunday - Art by Zeke

Blah...blah

I've been feeling blah all week. Sometimes, ya just can't put feelings into words. Tomorrow the blah has to end because this Friday is another big Fargo day. We leave at 8a and don't get back until at least 8p. I still need to get all the gear set out by the garage door, but I have most of our dinner (lunch to some of you) & supper already prepped - tuna roll-ups, carrots, fruit cups, and water. Maybe I'll toss in some chips and granola bars for a mid-afternoon snack.

All the kids are coming tomorrow - Eric has been helping so much when able that I haven't had to bring all four for quite some time. The homeschool group has an art project planned for the afternoon, so it actually worked out great that all the kids will be along. Zeke, Angelina and Dash will be able to participate. Hopefully Graham will let me get a bit of quilting done at our afternoon quilt meeting (Our Lady of Guadalupe Quilt Group - I do look forward to the twice monthly meeting with these women).

I pray that I have the energy and strength to last all day without a melt-down! And that the energy I have left at the end of the day is enough to react quickly when I meet the deer - I always meet deer on the way home. Scares the daylights out of me and for sure wakes me up! Have a wonderful Friday.

A Descriptive "Wordless" Wednesday

This is Zeke all prepped to head up to Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres home during the blizzard. At least he'll be able to see where he's going - it's short walk between the two houses. Don't worry... he calls ahead to let them know he's coming; he calls when he arrives; and he repeats the process when he's ready to come home.

Yes, they are upside down dolphin swim goggles - guess I haven't had time to purchase ski goggles for him, yet! I had to reassure him that, "Yes, we can see your smile." Eric and I had a chuckle over that one.

Movie Review - St. Rita

We recently joined Netflix and have been enjoying the ease of use and selection available. This past week, Saint Rita arrived. I suppose I chose it mainly because it is Lent and I wanted something a little more spiritual, but it was also a movie I thought the whole family could watch.



The whole family started watching, but Zeke fell asleep halfway through (as is the norm for him) and Graham played with action figures the whole time (I really didn't expect him to pay attention!). Dash, Angelina, hubby and I watched until the very end.

This is a great movie and it has everything a viewer might want ... sword fights and death, romance and marriage, children, poverty and wealth, war and eventual peace, respect for the Catholic faith, and English dubbing (thank goodness). It is long, however! It's over 3 hours, but it is set up in 2 parts if you want to split your viewing. We chose to watch the entire movie last night.

On the Comments... or lack thereof

A couple readers have asked about comments, so I suppose I should explain here. On some of the posts, I just didn't turn them on. I suppose, in a way, it's my way of letting myself sacrifice a little for Lent (I am not checking to see if anyone has posted...). Since experiencing this myself at Minnesota Mom, yes, I do know that it is a sacrifice for some of you, as well. Sorry for any confusion.

I should probably explain my Wordless Wednesday's, too. Since I'm new to the blog world, I don't know everything and am free to be ignorant (or maybe tweak things to fit 'me' better!), so on the Wednesday's I feel the need to label my pictures. So far the pics have been more of my kids, so I wanted to remember what was special about the pics. It's my way of letting you know I'm still here, but on those days I've kept the comments closed as my little offering.

This has been a strange Lent for me. It's been wonderful and a struggle all at the same time; maybe that explains my blogging efforts. If you have an opinion about my silliness, feel free to leave me a note!

I'm still thinking about this post that I read last week about friendship. I've been reading Introduction to the Devout Life during Lent, so the post is pertinent. I'm not very far into the book, however, so the post just makes we want to sit down and read - all day.

Silent Sunday - The Transfiguration

Yogurt Dreams

Graham woke up yelling this morning at 5:45a - he was MAD and upset!

'Daddy ate my yogurt! Daddy ate all my yogurt!'

I could hear him get out of bed, so I called him into our room. When he arrived at the edge of my bed, he was still distressed.

I asked what was wrong... 'Daddy ate all my yogurt!' said Graham.

Well, Daddy did not eat all his yogurt. Graham woke up during a dream (at least that's what I think happened).

How do you explain a dream to a 2.5 year old?? Not very easily. To Graham, he saw it and IT happened. It's better to just promise to make more yogurt.

The Gift

This box and its contents were a wedding gift to my husband and I from the parents of a Japanese exchange student who lived with Eric's family and attended school with him. Unfortunately, I never had a good place to display it's contents. So, it has been wrapped in a black garbage bag and kept in a closet or crawl space for 14 plus years. A couple weeks ago, I came upon the box and set it in a conspicuous place so I would 'get around' to opening it and at least take another look. What a thrill to see this gift after so many years! I had completely forgotten how it looked.

Here's what was inside ....


Japanese craftsmanship is exquisite. The artwork is very detailed and the work is all done by hand. I have no idea what the plaque says, it's quite possibly about marriage.

The detail on the facial features is so fine and intricate. I knew once I took the doll out of the box and set it up on its stand ... that it could not possibly go back in the box.

The doll is now proudly displayed in a China cabinet.

Wordless Wednesday - Tedious Seed Cleaning

Angelina and Dash painstakingly picking through soybean seed samples.

Responsible Hunter on the Premisis

Dash completed Hunter's Safety yesterday. He attended six 2.5 hour long classes and a live shoot this past Saturday. Last night, he took his test and passed! He was pleased as punch ... bright orange flourescent punch ... when he came home.

Silent Sunday

The entrance to the outdoor garden
on the grounds of
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church - Key West, FL

Doesn't this remind you of our journey during Lent?

We are entering a quiet and solemn path, but we can see Christ at the end.