Berry Much Fun

Yesterday we celebrated Brady's 34th birthday. I'm so thankful to have him. He's such a great husband and daddy to Deck. They have a very special bond. I love watching them play together. Saturday night we had a cook out and get together with our family of friends in honor of Brady. People keep asking if we miss Indy-and the main thing we miss are the people. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful group of friends. I also want to report that we have a super harvest of strawberries this year. I have been trying for 5 years to get some good berries and looks like the season they have been neglected seems to be their best yet. So maybe a berry business is still in my future!

Tough Love or Mamby Pamby

Yesterday being my first Mother's Day I told Brady that I think I'm starting to feel like a real mom. Most of the time I feel like it's a surreal experience like I'm watching someone else be a mom-I guess because I never thought I could be a mom. That being said I also never thought I could love something so much-I remember my mom said that one reason to have children is to expand your capacity to love and that is so true. You don't know how much you can love until you have a child. But a part of this mother child bond I'm learning is tough love which is the not so fun part of this love thing. We started sleep training this week as Deck has been keeping us up til almost 11 most nights and this requires a lot of tough love. He is crying himself to sleep for nap as I write this. As Brady said we don't want to raise no mamby pamby (aka pansy, sissy, mamma's boy). Decker does seem to be responding to the training which is great news but I don't want to jinx ourselves. I'm still prepared to fail. I just pray each day that I don't fail at motherhood! We had a wonderful Mother's Day. Brady made a special reservation for lunch at Traders Point Creamery and our good friends Amy, Chris and Kaylin had us over for a cookout in the evening-here are some pics from the day.

Creation Care

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:1, 31

Happy Earth Day!!

Plant a Tree, Plant a Flower, Plant a Seed, Recycle a Can, Use a Reusable Sack, Watch "Food Inc."...Do Something to Care for the Earth Today.

Spring in My Step

We've been having lots springtime fun. Decker is experiencing many new things in his 8th month. He touched the grass for the first time, and wood chips at the playground (he also tried to eat the wood chips). He swung at the playground with his friend Kaylin for the first time. Deck smelled daffodils and dandelions (also tried to eat these)! Sunday he had his first picnic and walk in the woods via a front pack on Daddy. No mushroom sightings yet. We also had our first scare with Deck. By my suggestion we tried to take a short cut down a hillside to get back to the car quicker because Deck man was getting fussy-lesson learned-take the trail back and not a short cut-it's safer. Brady and Deck went sliding down the hill-Brady took the blow (landing on his behind and side).

March Madness

Remember when the trees (Indiana State for those non fans) made it to the tournament? Good times. Making the trek to Memphis with family and friends. Dancing on Beale Street and sharing pork bbq nachos with Brady. Cheering for Menser, Renn and Block. Blogging in March has been slow, but things with us have been a little nuts with moving back and forth from Terre Haute to Indy each week. Living with the folks during the week has worked out fine and I've enjoyed the extra help and times when I can take a walk or run an errand. I try to have a sunny outlook but at times packing up each week and trying to clean the house before we leave each weekend starts to wear on me (especially when no one has looked at our house). Although I'm happy to report that tomorrow we will have showing #2! Decker is doing great. He is changing so much each week and getting more fun all the time. He looks like a fish out of water on his belly like he will be motoring any day now. He's started solid food although his food of choice is still very much milk. Deck went to his first bball game at ISU. He had fun although the announcer and buzzer made him jump a couple times. We've been enjoying the spring weather and fresh air while taking daily walks. Decker really likes to watch and pat Rodi and Grandma Hansel's dogs. Rodi has been really good with him and only gets jealous when visitors come and pay more attention to Decker than her. We also had a very special Sunday on the 21st when Decker was dedicated at church. Thanks to our mom's, we had a very special lunch after church- good fellowship with friends and family.

Food Con

Most know of my love for local food and good eats so if you are looking for something to do this coming Friday night-check out Food Con at the Harrison Center-a convention of food and art!! There will be a great exhibit on the Broad Ripple Farmers' Market called Farmers' Market Society in gallery 2. Wish I could go but we will probably be in route from Terre Haute back to Indy.

http://www.harrisoncenter.org/shows.php

My Valentines

Thanks to Amy for hosting a wonderful 5 course Valentines meal for us girls! We had a great time. It was good to laugh with you all for the night! My other two special Valentines are doing good as well and Brady and I even got to go out for Mexican thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hansel. Brady's new job is going well and we enjoyed staying with my parents this past week.