Up and Down

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So much to be thankful for. Here is a video of Deck walking around our new house. He's actually pretty good now-better than when this video was shot but this one is pretty cute! It will give you a preview of his walk and of our new pad.

Saying Goodbye to Hilltop

This weekend we are moving into our new home. Thanks to everyone who has helped on both ends. In these pics Decker is helping drive the moving truck, picking (and eating) flowers with Gma Hansel, and riding on the 4-wheeler with Gma Hansel. Decker and Rodi went to the new house last night and approved of it-Decker exploring every new nook and cranny and Rodi sniffing all the new smells.

Wheels

Sometimes I feel like a post with no pictures is like a cake with no icing but tonight I'm too tired to download any-sorry. The Hansel household is on the move. We've found a house in TH and are zeroing in on our two closing dates...which is exciting and scary at the same time. It's a little stressful thinking of all the details involving the two moves but I'm sure with lots of prayer it will all fall into place. Decker is getting closer and closer to walking. Today his new thing was to stand and walk holding onto his big Tonka truck. Speaking of trucks (and cars, campers and buses for that matter)...this is his new infatuation. I asked a friend if this behavior was normal and she said it just sounded like a boy to her! Very often throughout the day he grunts and points out the window and is not happy until we go sit in the car for a while. Sometimes we stroll down to the end of my parents road to look at the traffic on the highway-we can get some good digs on the semis that way. Brady and Deck have been having guy time on Monday nights at a music class at ISU for toddlers-Decker really likes it and every time we sing the songs he starts to bounce and clap! Todd thinks he may be the next DMB.

Bloogie "Take II" #1 Bday

Deck had a great first bday. He got to celebrate twice-first at a joint party with his cousins a couple weeks ago and then over at the Hansel's on the 1st. He got lots of special toys including a cool learning farm center that Brady and I picked out. He enjoyed his first taste of sugar but I have to admit that the banana cupcakes I made were healthy and low sugar. I just couldn't stand the thought of my little guy being exposed to the cane yet-as I know how addicted I am to my after dinner dessert. In addition to the celebration of our little guy turning one we can also celebrate the fact that our house sold-although we must get through the inspection process which starts on Tuesday. Lots to be thankful for and most especially the love of family and friends.

Bloggie Video "Take I"

This is my first try with posting a video from our new Bloggie -thanks to Todd and Mom and Dad for a sweet anniversary gift. We have lots of material to record and just in time for Deck's 1st Bday that is coming up soon. Tomorrow we have a 3-way early party with the cousins who have bdays in July and August. Brooklyn is 5 and Coy is 3!

where do we live?

Moving from place to place each week has become tiresome and we're never sure if we are coming or going but with that said we continue to press forward and try to stay in the present and patient at the same time-it's hard some days. We have had a little summer fun in between working weekends at the house in hopes that something we do will turn a buyers head. Mom, Deck and I went to the TH 4th of July parade and also to the farmers market. Terre Haute is turning out a great market for those who haven't been. I bought some yellow plums that I didn't know what to do with-they were a little tart to eat on there own. We house/dog sat for a week. Brady enjoyed the cable and I enjoyed the naughty snacks-girl scout cookies and cheetos! And our latest-a wedding in Jasper with an overnight stay at a hotel. Decker is proving to be a good traveler which may mean a vacation may be in our future especially if we never move-ha! Decker is crawling like mad and even pulling up. It's fun letting him get dirty-he loves to pull up grass and leaves. We are trying to learn "no eat". Hey God make dirt and dirt don't hurt right? I finally trimmed his wings-people kept thinking he was a girl.

Bottom of the Hill

This week we are at the bottom of the hill-a potential deal looks like it has fallen through on our house. Apparently a family of mice decided to bid there final farewell at the bottom of our stairs in the basement and all the rain has left our basement in a soggy mess creating what one looker called more of a cellar than a basement! So either this mouse thing was a stroke of really bad luck or God is continuing to teach us to be patient and wait on His timing. But we still have much to be thankful for-Decker and our families to name two of the biggies! Here are a couple pics-one was from a recent outing to the outdoor art park at the IMA. I was pretty intrigued by the folks living on the floating pod! Check it out if you haven't.

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.

For Fun!

This is what Deck and I do for fun some days-take pics of ourselves-enjoy! Please ignore my greasy hair and teeth that are in need of a cleaning-ha!! Also want to share some big news with everyone-we are moving back to the Haute. Brady took a new job last week and he starts Monday. Anyone want our house-spread the word. As we are very sad to leave friends and brother Todd in Indy it will be nice to be near our parents at this point in our lives with a little one. I think it does take a tribe!

OK January is Not so Bad!

Turns out January is not so bad after all-in January our family celebrates two special birthdays-my moms on the 9th and Brady's sis Megan tomorrow on the 11th. Happy birthday you two! And also Uncle Kyle and Aunt Julies anniversary is in January! We had a nice visit with Bob, Mary Jane and Megan today and my parents are coming up tomorrow. We love visits from family and friends. And we also have a party to look forward to this month celebrating Megan's graduation from ISU in nursing! Way to go Meg. So even though I did have a couple minor breakdowns this weekend because of exhaustion, and lack of time for personal hygiene and appearance, and exercise, the snow is beautiful and Rodi is being a good dog-she only licks Deck every so often, and Brady and I as much as we'll let her.

Party Like It's 1999

Remember when the year 2000 was coming in and the Prince song made a come back?? Good times! Well, I've decided that I really don't like the New Years holiday-every year seems like a big let down. And after Christmas and Thanksgiving it's just the long cold winter to look forward to. Sure we have lots to be thankful for (and look forward to in the new year)-one being the little man but the winter blues still get me down. I did get out with Ro today to soak up what little vitamin D the exposed skin on my face could absorb. Deck living in the climate controlled environment of our house doesn't even realize it's winter-every day is warm and cozy for him as it should be-although I am worried he's not getting enough fresh air. I'm constantly obsessing over the humidity and temp of our house. Anyway-here he is happy as a clam over the fact that he found his toes!! Happy New Year.