Fish Fry

In driving out and about, we accidentally stumbled upon a planned activity for Cubscouts and families, so we invited ourselves to their activities, one of which was fishing. Porter gets the Only Bite Award, or in fish speak, he who inflicted pain to a fish.

Miller gets the award for the Biggest Heave Ho's, or in fishing terminology, you keep trying those cast-off's with your half-pole.

Sawyer gets the award for Rookie of the Year, or in fish talk, Amazing Cast-offs for a Newbie.

Cooper gets the award for the Most Frequent Cast-off's, or in fishing lingo, keep on trying.

I get the award for Hot Mama, or in fishing slang, What the heck am I doing in 95'ish degrees this close to slimey worms, a stinky duck pond, and no water to drink?

Spooky Sawyer

For all you folks who needed a jump-start to Halloween,

I present Spooky Sawyer, third in a series of self-shots

while Mom's in the shower. Love the behind the curtain scenes,

so thankful it wasn't behind mine.

Hope

"Jesus pledged His heart and gave His life. And what a sinless, selfless, noble, and divine life it was. Jesus labored. Jesus loved. Jesus served. Jesus testified. What finer example could we strive to emulate? Let us begin now, this very night, to do so. Cast off forever will be the old self and with it defeat, despair, doubt, and disbelief. To a newness of life we come—a life of faith, hope, courage, and joy. No task looms too large; no responsibility weighs too heavily; no duty is a burden. All things become possible." Thomas Monson

Out of This World!

Mothman Festival 2008 was this weekend, whoever would have thought such a thing exists! It commemorates the sightings, the movie, and remembers those who died when the bridge collapsed. I never knew of such a thing until we came here, and would probably be better off not knowing. Obviously, mothman instills great fear in my children.

When in Rome...

Living in Rome, Ohio we have learned that the Rome apple was created here in the 1800's. They're a beauty of a speciman, and make wonderful applesauce. It's the thickest sauce west of the Mississippi, at least that's what we were told, so we decided to find out for ourselves. What I didn't know, is how excited the little guys would be with the applesauce production.

Miller loved washing the apples...
Sawyer loved using the knife...
Of course I had to do the hot stuff. I've decided that's what Moms are all about: hot stuff
Porter was all about flexing the muscle, and smashing...
Cooper was in charge of bottle prep...

Miller was into the ring toss...

Guilty!

Guilty as charged. No comments, no more posting.

Sweet Sawyer on Sunday

"I'm thankful for my Mommy and Daddy and

I'm glad we can be happy and

be together as a family." Love this little boy.

Enjoy his movie he made by himself.

Headline News

Headline News of the Sunday Boston Globe - Jarrod receives PhD from the University of Texas. Can't get more noteworthy news than that. Thanks Dad for that special edition! It was a big hit. Thank you to all who contributed to the biggest surprise party of the century. It's not too often you can pull one off without any hitches. The card basket was full and such a treat to dive into after the last guest had left.

Beginning the official graduation ceremony with help from Cooper and Sawyer.

The official degree that arrives in the mail - a piece of paper with fancy words and signatures.

The boys' favorite part of the party - cutting the cake!

Unexcused Absence

Who said boys don't play?

It has been confirmed. There have been official sightings at the Schenewark home. Consider it verified and documented: Boys play with dolls. Even though they're not in pink, carrying guns instead of bottles, and definitely not wearing high heels, they're dolls still the same, and Dad loves to play with the boys.

Football and Fall

Helmets off to all those players who pass action on to us. Love crisp fall evenings when you're wrapped up in a jacket, sipping hot chocolate, especially when family and friends are playing. Nothing like a rousing game of football to kick off the fall season. Tanner played for the Hutto Hippos, and now Hunter is playing for the Fairland Dragons.

My Little Buddies

Some days I just want to load the kids up in the wagon, and power walk the dog. You know, a little head clearing time, burning off some chocolate time, nobody talk to me time. Then there are the days when it doesn't work that way. Like when Miller want to get out of the wagon to walk the dog, or Sawyer insists on bringing skates so he can skate instead of ride in the wagon. Then they become my little buddies, because I can only smile, and think they're always right.

Ike in West Virginia

There's something to say about natural disasters and the effect they can have on people. Surely physical effects seem the most destructive. We had a bit of the remnant of the Ike storm blow through today after church. The temperature was at 96, and then the wind began to blow. The next thing we knew our neighbor's tree was on the ground. It was an ornamental Cleveland Pear tree. Suppolsedly they aren't as fragile as the Bradford Pear, but obviously still a bit delicate. The tree was only ten years old. But, I love the fact that the neighbors came out of their house, mourned the loss of the tree, and dug right in to clean it up. Chainsaws made light work of it, at least enough to clear it off the road. My boys jumped right in. They're in the white tee shirts and Sunday pants. I like rubbing shoulders with my neighbors, and know this can be one good thing that happens after Mother Nature roars through.

"We're Melting!"

I about died when I went into my bathroom, after four boys had bathed, and found a pile of dirt in my bathtub. What the heck! It's not as if they only take a bath one a week. The picture doesn't do it justice. Let's just say there's one nasty ring around this tub. (I'm sending proof that we were clean on Sunday ;-)

Remembering September 11, 2001

SPECIAL GARDEN --


In my garden, I will plant some of Daddy's things

The hat he wears for his favorite baseball team.

His special notes he wrote to me.

His favorite songs he likes to sing.

His special collect cars he bought last spring.

His favorite tie that has grease stains.

His favorite fishing pole, even though he has never caught anything.

And I'm going to plant some of my tears, these come from me.

Every night before I go to sleep, I will go out to my special garden

and pray over Daddy's things.



(c)copyright Natasha Flowers 2002

Everything is Getting Smaller!!!!!

Is it just me, or has anyone noticed how everything is getting smaller? I really noticed it with my ice cream, chocolate of course by Breyers. We buy one container and have a hard time satisfying eight people with two scoops. Of course it helps with weight control, so I haven't complained too much about not getting a bigger portion. It also prevents finding the somewhat half full container in the freezer either emptied, or with a little frost bite. But yesterday, while buying tuna, the can reminded me of Purina's dainty dishes for cats. Good grief. When I have to think of wet cat food, it needs to be addressed. Do food companies think we won't notice? Mayonnaise in the no-longer-a-quart jar is pretty annoying as well.

First Fall in Five Years

There's something magical about this time of the year. I love watching the leaves turn colors and fall; I love the fall decorations in the yard, I love smelling the cool, crisp smell after it rains. I really love being able to wear a sweatshirt. It's been too long, and I can hardly wait!

FUN at the Waterhole...

While spending some time in the Northeast, we were able to make our way up to NH to visit (help) Becky and her family. Behind their house is this beautiful waterhole that we frequented almost daily. It's a boys haven.

Sawyer sportin' the goggles, even though he never set foot in the water.:)
Miller and Sawyer playing in the sand.
Cooper and Porter with cousins Kayla, Kaleb and Stevie

(Ranger wanted in on the action too...)
Brrr....it was chilly....
Ranger loved the water hole as much as the kids.
Cooper
Porter and Cooper
Kaleb enjoying the boys.
Orton kids
The End:)

By the way, Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Nothing like a picture to cover those missing 1000 words! I'm not settled, don't know if my kids are adjusting to their new schools, don't know how to go anywhere except church and the grocery store, can't find anything in my house, but it's good to be back. Here's to all the friends that have been waiting, moved on and came back, still peeking, and leaving miss you notes. You're appreciated, missed, and have helped more than you know. Proctorville, Ohio is as unknown as it sounds, but the people are kind, the kids at school are welcoming, and the trees and mountains beautiful. So here's to a new start!