random or venting

**So my midterm & poster design project are behind me now. That is a weight lifted off for sure. I think I did well on both, but will have to wait for grades to know for certain.

**After I came home last night from class, I was trying to relax by watching tv, but while channel surfing, all I could find were political ads. Makes me want to SCREAM...can I get an amen??!! Tuesday can't come soon enough!

**Oh, yes, and back to the subject of school...I should just go and buy an old nasty rusty car because nobody seems to care about anybody else's car in the parking lot. I've got more dings & scratches and last night my side mirror was tipped back. The nerve.

10 Months

Sorry I have no "happy" 10 month pictures to share. She hasn't been the happiest baby lately anyway. It's teething time, so we're always cranky. Just look at the 2nd picture with the big frown. She couldn't even crack a smile for me? whateva.

In other news, well, there is no big news stories, but we've been so busy. Maybe I should re-phrase: I'VE been so busy. Here's just a little taste: butchering turkeys, midterm tests, poster design assignment due, daycare on vacation, laundry, stamp class, assessment test, studying, laundry, studying, and more studying. I've probably missed something, but I can't think straight right now. I have not been this busy since planning for my wedding. My mind is going to crash anytime, I can just feel it.
Next week I only have one day of classes then Nate & I are traveling to Parkersburg Iowa for 2 days to help tornado victims rebuild. I am actually looking forward to help but also to get away and get my mind off of things at home. It will be a good experience. I'll keep you posted about how our trip went.

Beautiful Fall

I love this season...Beautiful skies and colorful leaves. (one of our trees in our front yard)

Country roads painted with colorful leaves. (near forestville on our hayride)
And our home under a canopy of trees. (whose colors look different every day.)

the bunny rescuers

this is old news at our house, but just wanted to post it anyway. A few weeks ago Nate found (or I should say Daisy, our hunting dog) these baby bunnies in our pasture. The mother was gone and left these infants in a hole. (I say infants because they couldn't have been more than a couple days old-they're eyes were still closed) She was probably chased off by Daisy. Nate ended up putting them in a bucket with grass and bringing them to the house. I thought they were mice at first, because their ears were so short, but looking closer they're so much cuter than a mouse.
Cassie instantly fell in love.
and then there was the onlooker we had to keep away.
I have no idea if they survived. We took them back to the hole hoping the mother would come back to take care of them.

Do you see the mouse?

A few months ago Cassidy, Lydia & I were driving in the city and every now and then she said "LOOK MOMMY!! A Mouse!!" Or "There's another mouse!" I couldn't figure it out. What the heck was she talking about!?? So I asked where she saw the mouse. She said on the sign. Wha....? The sign has a mouse on it?? We kept driving. I looked a little closer at the sign, and sure enough there's a mouse:

Get it?? She's referring to the mouse "pointer" on the computer!! LOL

update on Lydia's growth

Weight: 16 lbs 7 oz: 11.56%
Length: 28": 65%

(previously was 10% in weight and 40% in length)

9 Months

This little punk just turned 9 months over the weekend. Getting a good shot of her was pretty interesting as she wouldn't look at the camera and totally ignored me most of the time, and obviously no smiles either. But I do love the colors in the 2nd picture. It's my favorite time of year.
Things are changing pretty fast around here. The other day she took her first step, although it wasn't deliberate or intentional, it just happened. Also over the weekend she just started saying da da. I do have to admit (even though I'm a bit jealous) it's cute, but daddy is very proud and thinks he taught her how to say it.
We have the 9 month checkup tomorrow, and I'm very anxious to see if she's gained from her 10th percentile. (crossing fingers) Someone at church told me today that they thought she was only 5 months old! She's small, but not THAT small!!