A Book to Order

You know that occasionally I refer you to a blog called The Journey. It is about Katie and her life in Uganda ministering to her children God has given her to care for. She doesn’t post very often because, of anyone, her plate is full daily taken care of all that He gives her. She is truly inspirational in living out the faith she claims. God says, God provides. Simple enough.

Katie has written a book and you can pre-order it now. You can go through our favorite, Amazon, but you can also order through 147 Million Orphans. Yes, you will pay full price. Yes, you will pay full price, plus shipping. But you can also know that Katie will get 50% of the order. It’s a toss up. Pay less for the book, but donate more. Pay full price for the book and call it good. Pay full price and give more. I’m not going to make a call on that one.

Mine is pre-ordered from 147 Million Orphans. I wanted the necklace they offer on there. Formerly unemployed, garbage selling women are taught how to make the magazine bead necklaces and in return are given money to provide for their families. Yes, you will pay full price (according to a friend, you can get them cheaper). Yes, you will pay shipping. I DON’T CARE!!!

I know my money is going to a reputable business who is personally caring for these women and children! I don’t know that about other places. (I’m sure Amazon is not donating half of their profits to Katie! If they do, please tell me- because that would only be awesome and I’m up for being surprised by happiness!)

They’ve got lots of other goodies on the website, too, so if you are in the shopping mood, this is a great place to shop around.

But more than anything, I want you to know Katie has somehow found time to write a book, Kisses from Katie and it’s for sale. I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.

Just a Random Wednesday

I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve got nothing spectacular for you today. I’m kind of out of sorts. But I will show you a couple random things that cheer my heart.

Luke’s first soccer game was last night. We didn’t have any soccer socks or shorts so the boys and I sped down to Ankeny to pick some up. (Since we have been gone every weekend for the last month and a half, these kinds of errands just haven’t been getting done.) Anyway, it turns out, the store we shopped at didn’t have kid size soccer socks, so Luke is wearing X-Small men’s socks! Hah! He will be able to wear those for the next 3 years! You probably can’t tell from this picture because I didn’t have time to grab my camera.

He enjoyed the game very much but only touched the ball once. Mostly he just ran with the clump of kids around the ball, touched his new shorts (that soft material that kids love), pounding his shin guards under his socks and kicking about in his soccer cleats (thanks to Aunt Jessica for those!). Maybe next game he’ll be more into it.

I get to see this guy about once a week, sometimes a little more. These are from my phone, also.

He sticks his tongue out a lot. Then I took another picture because I’m sure he doesn’t want the only picture of himself on his aunt’s blog to be with his tongue out! 

Ballard CC

If you haven’t noticed, Ben and Bill have gotten lots of time on here with their harescrambles. Well, now it’s time for some other races, namely Audrey’s cross country meets. She had her first of the season on Monday night and it was hosted by our school. Truthfully, I couldn’t wait for it!

We caught her clear across the course and found her smilin’ away!

By the time we saw her again, she wasn’t smiling so much. I think she was focusing on, you know, running and breathing. 

At the end of each race, Audrey will accept a hug and kiss from me, but what she really wants is some Dad time. I see this scene at the end of every race and I love it!

Way to go, Audrey! Can’t wait for next week!

Tractor Time

If you are not a fan of tractors or not a fan of orange tractors, then don’t read today’s post. Just giving you fair warning.

If you have no idea what in the blazes I’m talking about then today’s post will be okay for you.

If you have an idea of what I’m talking about, meaning you know what orange tractors are, then today’s post will be either be fun because you will get to see more orange or you will think me an idiot because I don’t know what I’m talking about.

If you’re here for the cute kids, then today’s post will not disappoint.

We’ve been spending some time on the family farm, where my uncle lived, cleaning it up. So this past Sunday, Bill spend part of the day working on an Allis-Chalmers 190, trying to get it going. And wouldn’t you know it, he got it up and running! Though it’s been some time since he worked on his dad’s farm, he said once he started fiddlin’ around with things, it all came back pretty quick. The whole point was to see if a tractor would start but once he got ‘er goin’, he hooked up a mower to clear around old machinery. Here are some shots that Audrey took of the boys.

Ben was by Bill the whole time and got his first farm equipment lessons.

Did you know farmers are very good backwards drivers? It’s because they spend so much time hooking up this thing and that and backing up trailers and wagons and such. I am not a good backwards driver. Though I lived part of my life on a farm, it was the first part, where I wasn’t actually big enough to see over the dash and reach the pedals at the same time.

Don’t ask me any questions about an AC 190. I don’t know ANYTHING about them. Okay, maybe I know that is a diesel tractor and that this one used to have a step on it and it has a 3-point hitch (so you can not only pull something, but also raise it up and down).

I didn’t get any pictures of the kids on the tractor. Ben rode out with Bill for a while then it was dinner time. (which means lunch but since we are on the farm, I feel I must use correct farm meal-time lingo.) Then Audrey spent a good part of the afternoon cutting weeds down with Bill. Luke didn’t get on very much. He was very content with a short ride and then staying near the house; perhaps another time. I’m sure this won’t be the last of our tractor time.

Log Practice

Bill took Ben to the motorcycle park a couple weekends ago. They had cleared out a new section of trail and included some logs. When Bill told me what Ben was doing, I told him to video it on his phone. Here it is for you.

I don’t know how they do it, so I can’t explain it to you… yet. I’m sure Bill will read this, explain it all and then I’ll share it with you. I just know you are dying to know.

Bill was so proud, he actually called me from the park.

Bill was so proud, he called his friend, Joe.

Bill was so proud, he posted it on his Facebook wall.

Ben? It just fed more of his insatiable appetite for riding!

Texas Cousins Day

They visited again.

Rode bikes.

Played puppies.

Ate watermelon.

Had a sleepover.

We love them.

The Birthday Boy

I pretty much love this kid from way deep down inside. You know, from that special spot nestled so deep that one cannot find the source.

Do you see what he’s wearing? His riding clothes. He would wear them every day if he could, especially if that meant he could go riding. Instead he only wears shirts with motorcycles on them.

Do you see his cake? A motorcycle cake, with love from Grandma! See how he’s smiling? It’s because of the motorcycle cake.

This was celebration #3 for his birthday this year. The first one was the Fremont race, when the Texas cousins came. The second was the Winterset race when we brought all his friends along. I made Nutella cupcakes for that one. Ben is a Nutella FREAK!!! (note: We think Nutella should sponsor our rider. hint, hint)

Happy 9th Birthday, Ben! We love you!