Just a lazy Saturday (Oct 5) in these parts. The threat of rain always puts forth the proposal for a nap.

We spied on a doe and her two fawns in the front yard before they jetted off into the woods!

Then of course we had this little “dear” in our living room.

“Ohhhh, Mommy, spare me!!!”

As I was looking for an outfit for Norns after her baff my eyes gravitated to her tiny Eagle Savings t-shirt that matched the shirt I had already put on. When Greta spied Nora and Mommy being twins she wanted in on the matching frippery and ran off to change into her Eagle t-shirt. Our Kelly was not about to idly stand by and be left out either! Gavin rolled his eyes at us as he took this picture of our haphazard Eagle Savings promotional.

“Fly with the Eagle!”

Ohhhhh! Why, look!! It’s a fuzzy little Eaglet! Izzzn’t she CUTE?!?!

She’s really loved!

And chewy!

Sunday was another lazy overcast and rainy day. No mind! This beautiful little face can brighten up the gloomiest of days!

Gavin and his Dad went to the Bengals game while the girls stayed home and cheered. This was the cutest cheerleader in the house ~

“Who dey tink dey gonna beat dem Bengals!!!”

Later that afternoon Greta and I went out on a Mommy-Daughter date to IKEA. Greta picked out a desk, chair and accessories for her room. We had delicious Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes. Those alone are worth the 45 minute drive!!

On our way home the fiery globe of sunshine peeked beneath the heavy blanket of clouds to whisper goodnight before it nestled into the far off horizon ~

What a sweet note I found on my bed that night ~

Sweet pictures from Monday ~

Nora thinks it’s funny when we spin her wheel and let the ridges vibrate on her nasal canula tubing.

Pictures from Tuesday

There are some days that seem to be overflowing with “hearts”. Tuesday was not one of them. It was impossible to imagine any or make something out of nothing, as at times wonder if I do. As I was playing on the floor with Nora, contemplating this, I happened to glance down at my sock ~

(Yes, there are actually crumbs on my floor! GASP!!) God loves us and the “crumbs” in our lives!

Norns is really fascinated with her piano! She likes to watch the keys light up and dances along to the music.

“I kinda like dis!”

Beautiful gradation of the evening sky while Greta was at dance class ~

“Ohh! Dat’s real pretty!!!”

Wednesday I had the pleasure of accompanying Greta on her class field trip to the Dinsmore House (now a museum)!

The house was built by James and Martha Dinsmore in 1842 on an expanse of over 700 acres. They lived and vacationed there for many years with their three daughters Isabella, Julia and Susan. The farm was inherited in 1872 by the middle daughter Julia Dinsmore, who never married. She operated it as a fully functioning farm for 54 years until her death at age 93. Meticulously kept journals, letters and business records convey a detailed and intriguing story of their lives in a bygone era.

Old barn on one of the walking trails ~

Back in the 1840s, kids played with a rain barrel hoop and a stick for fun!

Field trips were about the best thing in the world as a kid, although I do miss the tin foil wrapped cans of soda!!!!

If I remember correctly, this was the eldest daughter Isabella’s bedroom.

She married in 1859 (her original wedding veil preserved on a dresser therein) and died in about 1866 after complications from the birth of her second daughter 6 months prior. She left behind her husband Charles Flandrau, and two young daughters Martha “Patty” and Sarah “Sally”. Patty and Sally were raised by their Aunt Julia, the only remaining sister. The youngest daughter, Susan died tragically in 1851 at age 15 with her cousin in a drowning accident on Lake Erie when their rowboat capsized.

Up a steep wooded path from the house lies the family graveyard.

And there I stood over 170 years into the future from when this land was but a dream for this family. With each turning page of the calendar they experienced the celebration of new lives into the family and endured grievous losses. Much like our own lives. We live and we love. We experience the great joys of living and also encounter the heart rending tragedies. I never bothered to stop and imagine 174 years from now. Life in 2187 — my family’s weather beaten collection of moss covered headstones momentarily piquing the curiosity of a passerby. All that’s left of my hopes, fears, worries and dreams are mere words typed out on an old and yellowing blog left behind as reference to an antiquated way of life. It happened to the Dinsmores and it will happen to us too. This life and all of its troubles will be overcome. Time will have projected off into an era that doesn’t include us. We too will be completely reunited with our loved ones in God’s beautiful promise of eternity.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)

I could go on and on about this place that really I knew nothing about prior to Gavin’s field trip back when he was in third grade. What a rich and fascinating piece of history!

Meanwhile, back home with a certain young lady…

“Has anyone seen my cheekies?”

“Cuz here dey are!”

Clothes changed, check.
Hands washed, check.
Baby sister loved and cuddled, check.

“Where you guys been?”

Nornor absolutely loves the beautiful pink friendship bracelet that her friend Carly made for her!

It’s Thursday. Norns has something important to share!

“Mngrrnomaurglrrmnnaar. Mgrlmnlom.”

Norns! You’ve got to take your sweet fingers out of your mouth! No one can understand you!

“Oh. Sorry… Can you hear me now?

Yes, that’s much better!

“Mkay. Well… Ladies n gentledmenz, boys n girls…”

“I present to you my very first toof (and some really dry lippies)! It’s officialed and finally broked fru my gummies! Dis is my pearly white!”

“Can I have some cookies now?”

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(Romans 14:17)