Meet Herman!

This is the raggedy raggedy goat, with horns on his forehead and burrs on his coat!
He's not very pretty and not very neat, but you ought to see all the things he can eat!
That's from one of the nursery rhymes we used to read to our boys when they were little. Travis used to say it like this:
"Dis is the raggedy raggedy goat, with horns on his two head and burrs on his coat"
At any rate, this is Herman, and he's going to be the daddy of our "kids". We're hoping for three sets of twins....six kids. They'll be due about mid-June.
Once Herman has done what he's here to do, we'll be sending him back to his home north of Montrose. I have to say that Herman is really stinking our place up! I did not realize how horrible a Billy goat smells!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

Just in case you missed the beautiful sunrise this morning....










No exciting news to report here. New Years Day was very wintery. A few days later, we had a thaw, then thunderstorms which included tornado watches and heavy rain. We had two days of temperatures well over 60 degrees, and now this morning we've had a light frost. The beautiful snow that covered the ground just a few days ago is all gone, leaving puddles and mud everywhere! We're getting lots of calls from people needing rock. That's good for Mr. "ChickenHead"! (see picture in previous post) He's staying plenty busy these days.
The goats are content and seem to be doing well. They haven't been a bit of trouble yet....should I be knocking on wood? The heifers got out Monday, and I had quite a time getting them back in where they belong. They gave this old fat cow a good work-out! I think they enjoyed it.

Update: 8:32 PM. An equally beautiful sunset this evening!

A New Year, and A New (to us) Game!

We've just learned to play Texas Hold'em. We're not quite ready for Las Vegas, but we've sure been having a lot of fun playing these past few weeks. Travis and Gail taught us the game, and we've been to their house several times since Christmas to play. Gariann and Kirk usually join us, and we have a lot of fun.
School resumed, so I'm back to driving the bus. It was pretty chilly this morning (-3) but some wonderful person had already started my bus, and it was all warmed up when I got there. Being back to a routine isn't so bad, I guess. I enjoyed the time off, but didn't mind going back. After all, it's just a short run and then I'm free for about six hours before going back to take the kids home.
Today, Wyatt had surgery in Burlington. He had tubes put in his ears, and his adenoids removed. He was out of the hospital and headed home by early afternoon. He wasn't feeling too well when I called this evening. We're praying that he will have a quick recovery, and that he will be able to hear much better!
Oh....I should mention that we had a great New Years Day at Memphis with the Millers.
There were 104 people present, and "Cousin' Bubba" did a mighty fine job of entertaining us, as he always does. Dennis had won a really great game called "Dumb Laws" which looked like a lot of fun, but Andy had the wild card. That meant that he could "steal" any gift, as long as he met the requirements of the wild card.
He had to wear a chicken on his head and do the chicken dance, but he didn't hesitate a bit, and he got the game. Dennis got the chicken hat. It was a most enjoyable day.

I think he looks really cute wearing that chicken.
That's it!
Happy New Year!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow Even MORE!

Well, it may not be a December record, but we've had snowfall every weekend this month. It's absolutely beautiful outdoors! I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a little snowman with the all the new snow and moderate temperature to go along with it. What fun to be outside on a day like this!
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. It was over all too soon, but only 361 days and it will be Christmas again! There are still several fun family gatherings yet to attend though. We'll be having Christmas with the Manns tomorrow, then New Year's Eve at the Rockhold's for fun and games, and on New Years Day we will be going to Memphis for the Miller Christmas celebration.


This morning, Dennis and I took a little drive in the snow. We were just north of Keokuk when I saw a car spin out and slide sideways into the ditch! It happened right after I took this picture, and I almost got a picture of it!

We crossed the Keokuk/Hamilton bridge (which was completely snow covered) and I took a picture of the power house. As you can tell, the sky was thick with snow! I'd hoped to get a shot at an eagle, but they were all too far away. Visibility was very poor.

We drove up the Illinois River Road to Nauvoo. I really enjoyed the ride, because Dennis was driving carefully! We weren't the only ones out driving in the snow.



As we came into Nauvoo, visibility was so poor that we could hardly see the top of the "temple". We went out to the cemetery and were the first to drive through there. It wasn't bad until we got down to the south end where there are no tombstones, and then we were not sure where the road was, but we made it! Coming back, we were not far south of Nauvoo when we saw a deer standing on the road. By the time I got the camera turned on, it was running away.


After picking up a few things at the grocery store, we came back home and are just enjoying the quiet beauty of newly fallen snow!

Just ONE of the Joys of Being a Grandma!

I received this note recently. I don't know where he got the idea that I had something wrong with my foot, because that simply is not true. No doubt he heard something and thought I had something wrong though. Such a sweet note! From a very sweet boy!
It's snowing today, but it's pretty light, and we don't expect it to amount to much. Much better than the ice we were getting!!!
The boys are here for the day, so I'm staying pretty busy, but not getting much done. It really doesn't matter though....everything I have to do can be put off for a while longer.
The snow is falling heavier now...so we can HOPE it will continue!
Well, the boys are pretty quiet....wonder why? Better go check!
OH....by the way, can you correct the sentence in the note? It's a little tricky!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful!

Staying in is so delightful!
And since I've no place to go...
I will update the blog...don't ya know!

Yes....I know. It's a pitiful attempt. If only Bobbie had been here it would have been much better!
We do have ice, but not nearly what they were telling us to expect, thankfully! There's more coming though, so it could still be worse. The temperatures here warmed up through the night which is why we don't have as much ice as the forecast had indicated. It was 34 degrees when we got up, but has fallen again to 32 now. A couple degrees could make a huge difference!

Since I'm "off" today, I figured it was a good time to update the blog. Saturday I celebrated my birthday with my Red Hat chapter. Well, actually just two members of our chapter and me. We went to Carthage for lunch at the Plum Tree Restaurant and then a "Trans-Siberian" performance of "A Christmas Wish" by the local talent. I was quite surprised to find that there is such a lot of talent in Carthage! I am not typically a fan of "rock" music, but this was well done, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Before the concert, we browsed through a few stores around the square. Bobbie and Sherry made several purchases, and I found a few items as well. It reminded me of another day of shopping around the square in Carthage, but that's another story.
Maybe I'll share that story someday, but it's one of those "you had to be there to fully appreciate it" stories. Suffice to say that we laughed our lunch off, and I have the golden rose to prove it!

And here's the very latest on our "ice storm". This picture was taken at 8:15AM. It looks very much like the pictures from December 1st!

Mary, Did You Know?

I just love Christmas music. I can't think of a single Christmas song that I don't like. I enjoy everything from Alvin and the Chipmunks to Georg Friedrich Handel's "The Messiah" and everything in between. In my opinion, one of the very best, if not THE best recent Christmas song to be recorded is Mark Lowry's "Mary Did You Know". If you've not heard it, then by all means, you should find it. Lots of artists have recorded it, but none are quite as good as Mark Lowry's rendition. He wrote it, so it only stands to reason that he would be the one to sing it the way it should be sung. I have heard it many times, and it always gives me chills and brings a tear to my eyes!


Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Think on those words for a moment!

As we celebrate Christmas, let us think of that little baby "away in the manger" on that "silent night" in the "little town of Bethlehem" and know that He is the great I AM!!! Oh, ( insert YOUR name here- ) did you know?


Evening Update:
We have over 2" of snow on the ground and it's still falling! It's beautiful! I took some pictures of what we're seeing and thought I'd share. These are especially for Sharon and David. I'm sure you two are wishing you were here for this!

Southeast Iowan Iceland!

We have ice! Lots of ICE! The ice is so heavy on the cedars and pines that they're nearly dragging the ground. The wind is picking up. I sure hope it doesn't break my trees! I must say, it is beautiful from inside the warm and cozy house.

Born to Die....That I Might Live

Perhaps you are not familiar with the Christmas song "Ring the Bells". It is a fairly new one, compared to those old standards, but I really like the words:

Ring the bells, ring the bells,
Let the whole world know
Christ was born in Bethlehem
Many years ago.

Born to die that man might live,
Came to earth new life to give,
Born of Mary, born so low,
Many years ago.

God the Father gave His Son,
Gave His own beloved One
To this wicked, sinful earth
To bring mankind His love, new birth:

Ring the bells, ring the bells,
Let the whole world know
Christ the Savior lives today
As He did so long ago!

--- Harry Bollback (1958)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

That is the ultimate gift! Eternal life! Certainly we enjoy giving Christmas gifts, but let us not, in the hustle and bustle of the holiday festivities, forget the incomparable gift God has given to us!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Everywhere you go! We drove home from church this morning in a blinding snow, but it wasn't cold enough to stick. It was pretty though! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day at Gariann's home. The food was plentiful, and delicious! I think everyone got plenty, and had a great time as well. The guys had a lot of fun shooting pool, and a bunch of us played Tripoley.









After two meals, and playing games, it was time to go home. Zach came home with us, but Wyatt chose to go home with Mommy and Daddy. Kathy was planning to go early in the morning for those door buster shopping specials, so Tyler brought Wyatt over Friday morning when he woke up.
The boys helped re-arrange furniture, dig the decorations out of the attic and carry them down, set up and decorate the tree and then put all the storage boxes back in the attic. After that, we played the old "original" Monopoly until I went broke, and Zach had accumulated nearly ten thousand dollars. It was a fun day, and the house is decorated for Christmas. Our tree is absolutely beautiful...if I do say so myself.
And of course, Bambi is wearing his Christmas "outfit", as is Daddy Deer. The boys enjoy making them festive for the holidays.













However, as we enter into the "holiday season" let us not forget the most important things: