Folger's Commerical

 Do you know that Folger's commerical they play at Christmas time, where the mom wakes up and finds that her son (who has been gone awhile) made coffee?  Well, that's what it felt like in the Crawford house this morning.  No coffee, we don't drink that, but I found evidence of a child sneaking in during the night.

 A basket of clothes....a pair of giant tennis shoes  (that he stomps through the house in)

If these weren't enough, a driver's license on the bathroom mirror confirms it all.

 Yep, he's really here.  The family is once again complete.  Boy, did I miss his presence. 

Joyful day in Ohio!

Life at the Fair

What  do you go to the county fair for?  For me this has just been a part of life to look forward to every Septemember.

  Growing up on  a small farm farm we (Dad) raised animals.  Then we got to show them at the fair through 4-H.  I loved every minute of 4-H.  Doing the projects, showing the animals, getting ribbons, it was fun.

So fun, that I always thought that we would have a mini farm of our own.

So some day, when I get that mini farm of my own,  I want to have these cows.

Aren't they just cute?  They look like they could make chocolate milk, don't they?

 This little guy was up for being petted.

Pygmy goats are so cute to, maybe a couple of these running around would be fun.

Once again, hanging out with the Spellmans.

 

I showed sheep for most of my 4-H experience.  But, my favorite thing to show honestly, was pigs.  I only did that one year.  Who knew?

To answer my original question.  I go to the fair for french fries.  They never quite taste the same any where else.  I eat mine drowned in vinegar. 

Count Down

4 Days until I get to hug my boy!!!! Enough said!

Paul Bunyan Show

 Every October here in Ohio there is a Paul Bunyan show.  Although I don't think Ohio gets to claim Paul Bunyan, the idea behind it is a logging show.  There is a lot of tree equipment for people who have tree services.  Kyle enjoys walking around and seeing what is new.  We haven't gone in a few years and he wanted to venture down to Guernsey County to check it out.

We saw a lot of things, but one of the things were champion axe teams.  My personal favorite is chain saw carvings.

 I bet Kyle could figure these out.  I would really like to have a few of the pumpkins lying around.

 

It was a fun day to spend with Kyle and Kayla.  We met Dawn and Tom Spellman down there and walked around with them a bit.  It was a fun time, but very hot.  It was about 80 degrees.  Phew, thought it was October. 

More Like Him: September

Something I learned to do better was, not always saying what I was thinking with my son and his living arrangements in Minnesota.  Sometimes, he just needs to take his own lumps.  Sometimes, I just need to be there to listen and not solve all his problems.  I fear I have enabled the child a bit, but isn't that what mothers do?  They protect and guide and fix all the problems to help the child learn how to live.  I fear I do not always let him figure it out.  I have been over protective because of his learning disabilities.  I over compenstate for his weaknesses.  Instead of allowing his weaknesses become strenghts.

I have learned to watch, listen and support.  Isn't that what the Savior and Heavenly Father do?  They watch us make mistakes, listen for us to ask for help, then give us support as they see fit.  It is hard for me not to just protect his feelings; defend his weaknesses; and ask for acceptance on who he is and know that is just how it is going to be.  (I have done this for a long time.)  Dakota is an adult now (by years, not be experience), how is he going to grow as an adult if he is not put through the rigor of life?

I learned to be a quiet observer, a listener, and offered a lot of encouragement.  It hurts when your child hurts no matter how old.  But, I also know that without trials he will not become a diamond some day.  In the end when I meet my maker I want to be polished and be able to say I did my best and when I did not, I repented.  Why would I want to take that away from my son? 

So in the end, my son, I want you to be polished and learn to lean on the Savior as needed and become more like Him in your own rite.

September, I learned to support through love and not be fixing.  I also learned I will have this lesson again, as I do not always bite my tongue.  But, one thing I do know is that I will be polished often as I grow.

Favorite Sandwich Wreath

I got this recipe from a Pampered Chef cookbook.

Take 2 tubes of crescent rolls and lay them out around a pizza pan.  Overlap the larger ends.  (I went too close to the edge and had a cheesy mess in the oven.)

Layer on top your favorite luncheon meat.

I've used ham, turkey and roast beef before.

Add a cheese layer.

I used a mixture here to use up left-overs.  American, Provolone and cojack.

My favorite is roast beef and cheddar.

 Wrap the ends of the crescent rolls around the meat and cheese and tuck underneath.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or golden brown. 

Friday Night Lights

One of my favorite things to do on a Friday night in the Fall is to watch a high school game.  We were glad to go to a Hillsdale game last weekend to watch the game.  Our friend Alyssa was playing in the opposing team's band.  So we thought we'd watch the game.

 There are a lot of new faces on the team.  After going to state for three years, this year seems to be a rebuilding year as over those years a lot of the talent graduated.

It was weird seeing your son's old number with a new name.  Falcon 74 belongs to the next generation.  I wonder how many players over the history of a school wear the same number?  It would be interesting to see, I think.

 Last weekend as well as this Friday, the weather was cloudy.  The sunset sure colored these clouds nicely.

Such a little thing to carry such big drums.  She didn't have any trouble at all.  No wonder she's so skinny!