40 degrees in January??

Another busy week here in the Strawn House, though the desk calendar doesn't show all that much....how does that happen?

Eden, convinced we're still going to be taking a train trip sooner rather than later, has decided to keep a bag packed, complete with toys and books, in case I suddenly change my mind, and we drive to Ft. Morgan to catch one. Today, she and Lars took an imaginary plane trip to Ft. Morgan to catch the train themselves. You can see the photo of all the toys spread out on my unmade bed in the slide show this week.

Except for Friday, the weather has been beautiful here all week and the kids have spent a great deal of time out in the muddy backyard and riding bikes up and down the walk. Friday was dreary and dark, but the sun didn't shine too brightly into the kids' windows first thing and they both slept until 0800. Miracle on T st. After Speech, we all loaded in the car and went up for haircuts, errands & a trip to the library before driving around the State Lakes to talk about all the camping trips we probably won't take this summer. We spent the rest of the day off playing board games, watching cartoons & reading stories in Eden's indoor tent.

I had a defensive driving course for the EMS dept Thurs & Fri night until 10p and honestly, even though my eyes were open, I was asleep in my chair by 9:00. It was, however, nice to get a night off from bedtime two times in a row, even if I was in class. I was sitting by the fun City people, so it worked out Ok.

Doctor's appointment went well this week. Baby's heartbeat is a mellow 130-ish, so I'm convinced it's going to be a girl. Eden said it's going to be a girl even if it's a boy. I'm not sure, exactly, what that means, other than that's not really in our faith, but I hope it'll work itself out when the time comes.

A couple weeks ago, I used some Christmas money and purchased a small 1.5 qt ice cream maker. Now; I like homemade ice cream, having watched Dad make it every Christmas from the time I was born until the time I left home. But today's ice cream makers are SO MUCH easier to use and in 20 minutes with no mess, you can have fresh, rich, thick ice cream. In fact, if you quickly wash out the container and stick it back in the freezer, you can make two batches a day. This has caused something of a freezer shortage in my house, b/c I have made so many delicious batches of ice cream, we're not eating it fast enough. Not to mention my waste-line is expanding at a rapid rate of speed. Yesterday's Mint Chocolate Chip had my name written all over it this afternoon. I need to send some containers up to church for the preacher...

Pastor had evening meetings this past week, as well as confirmation on Wednesday. The Wings played and we watched, faithful fans from far away, one shoot-out loss after another, it seemed, until a faint light shone at the end of the tunnel and the Wings finally squeaked into a play-off spot. Keeping it is going to be the next challenge.

Eden wants to go to preschool every day now, and though we're contemplating sending her to K-garten in the fall, I think another year of preschool and naps isn't out of the question. The K teacher said the curriculum is much more demanding than it was when we were kids, and with all day as the only option, it's likely to be too much. The thought of three kids at home by myself all next year is kind of scary, however. Guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

In Michigan news, Chad & Marie finally closed on their new house, and for pics and details of their progress in renovations, see the link "Kenny Chaos" in the right column of this blog.

Well, it's quiet time here so until next week...Keep Haiti & it's people, along with all the relief workers in your prayers.