Big Belly Laughs

At the end of September we lost our faithful companion Rodi to cancer. She was a good dog of 11 years. 7 of them spent with us. It was too sad not having a dog in the house so we quickly adopted another dog from the Clay County Shelter. She's a small black lab named Cora and is nothing like Rodi. If you ever came to our house and were scared out of your wits by Rodi's intimidating bark you will no longer have to fear visiting our house as Cora hardly barks at all. She is very calm and tolerant of Decker which is good because he loves to "pet" her ears! Cora came to us after having 10 pups so she is still getting her figure back as I'm losing mine. I think I took pity on her when I saw her at the shelter knowing what she had been through-ha! I'm at 28 weeks and counting. Feeling pretty good except my sugar tested a little high so now I'm watching what I eat. A little down about not being able to partake in holiday treats but I'll survive. Ultrasound showed we're having a girl so that's what we're planning on but would be equally as happy if it happened to be a boy. Thanksgiving we had a great visit with Aunt Margret and Uncle Bill from Tennessee who were meeting Decker for the first time. Decker anticipated Thanksgiving eagerly like he is Christmas and asks often if it's Christmas yet. He has been sifting through Christmas toy catalogs for some time now and showing us what he wants which mostly consists of firetrucks and farm equipment/sets. May the true meaning of Christmas bless you this Christmas, and hopefully a firetruck or chocolate bar will find it's way into your stocking.

Been So Long

Well, lots has happened since last blogging in May. In June the farmers market got off to a great start. July Decker moved into his big bed and we haven't slept since. Just kidding. We're sleeping a little. Well, Brady is always sleeping and I'm always trying to sleep! Decker was not a fan of the fireworks going off around our neighborhood and still mentions them at night. Our biggest news is that I'm expecting again. About 14 weeks along. We have chosen to use a midwife again. She is out of Sullivan Indiana. Have been feeling pretty rough but starting to feel better. I had to make the hard decision to resign from my position as market master with the farmers market.  I am going to help with admin duties through the end of the outdoor season.  The stress and responsibilities of the position were taking their toll on me and our family.  You're probably thinking how stressful can running a farmers market be-well, let me tell you there are a lot of people to make happy.  This year people have been especially hard to deal with and negative due to the drought. We just got back from vacation in South Haven, MI. The weather was great and Decker loved the beach. My parents and Uncle Todd were able to go with us so Decker was in heaven with lots of playmates.  Decker just celebrated number 3 with firetrucks galore (his most favorite thing).  Deck sings a lot now-some of his favorites are Bingo, Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Ole McDonald. It's so sweet to hear him sing a tune.

May Days Gone

My goal was to blog before the end of May and I failed...ugg. Anyway-I must show you all how handsome Deck was in his Aunt Megan's wedding. He did a great job with one run past the stage toward the end of the ceremony. We continue to have fun at play group on Thursdays and meeting up with cousins Brooklyn and Coy whenever we can. Decker just loves his cousins and many times becomes quite upset when he thinks about wanting to play with them. I'm envious of my mother in law who now has a chicken coup added to her farm. Decker has named his chicken Roda (a name as close to Rodi as possible!). Speaking of Rodi she has been diagnosed with cancer and is hanging in there. She'll be 11 in September. Brady and I survived turning 36 and we even got away to the track for qualifications one Sunday. We got to spend time in the Clabber Girl suite which was great! Farmers market starts tomorrow and new this year will be a mid week market on Tuesday evenings.

Happy Spring

Hello. Feeling guilty here for not blogging for so long. So here are some long awaited pics of our ever changing little dude. We had a great trip to Turkey Run today trailing and eating lunch at the Inn. The only mishap of the day was when Deck got pinched by a crawdad in the creek (well when it pitched him it was actually out of the creek and I was holding it-saying here pet the nice little crawdad!). Bad mom. Kind of like the time he picked up a fuzzy bubble bee and it stung him-probably on the same pointer finger! Things are gearing up for the outdoor DTH farmers' market. If you can believe it there is actually training for Market Masters put on by Purdue Extension-so I will be attending a couple of those in April. MOPs will be winding down-our group is dwindling in size and may not be in existence next year which makes me sad because I know there are many moms out there that we aren't reaching who are pulling their hair out in need of support. But I've met some wonderful woman through MOPs and I've enjoyed using my hospitality gifts to serve this group. Decker and I have been going to a new playgroup once a week where there are some other little guys his age which has been really nice outlet for us (him to play and/or swat (nice way of saying hit) other 2 year olds and me to compare notes with other moms. We are excited to report that we are finally starting to build some great relationships/friendships here in Terre Haute!

Merry Month After Christmas

If you are anything like me sometimes the month after Christmas can be a let down-a slow slogging through the long, cold, gray winter. Well, you need to google the song “Merry Day After Christmas” by Matthew West-I think it’s on his Christmas album. Anyway-it’s got a great reminder for us for the rest of the year. I tried to find the lyrics but I’m not that savvy of a web user I guess. We had lots of fun in November and December. Decker experiencing many new things. Brady and Decker went to their first basketball game alone without mom (mom was working)-go trees. Decker got to go bowling and to the local bounce’n barn for the first time with his cousins. We attempted a gingerbread house and some baking (now Decker likes to add sprinkles to anything-oatmeal, yogurt, and banana bread to name a few)! Decker had his first taste of Red Velvet cake (a Laswell/Hansel tradition) and he loved it. On New Year’s Eve Decker got to stay up late and partake in another Hansel tradition-sparkling cider-he also loved it-bubbles and all!! Enough about the little guy what about us-well, not much new with Brady and I. Brady ran a trail race yesterday (in the ice) and beat his brother in law Kyle and soon to be other brother in law Brad! We are taking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Class each Sunday from now to what seems like forever-ha! Brady and I have very different study and reading habits, and thoughts on spending and saving-this ought to be fun guys! Brady is classified as the “nerd” and I’m the “free spirit”….I’ll let you know how it turns out in the spring.