She Knows What She Wants -- Man Are We in Trouble

We have been blessed with a very vibrant, energetic, loving, strong minded, early talking, little girl who has an outstanding memory.  She brings us many exciting days, and she makes me laugh A LOT!  This past Sunday was no exception.  Lindsey was very talkative on the way home from church.  At one point she informed us (very matter of factly) that she wanted to change her clothes when she got home and that she wanted to wear her blue shirt, purple skirt and jellies (shoes).  Jeremy and I just looked at each other with a smile and said, okay Dear.  When we got home she asked me to unbutton her dress and she ran upstairs.  She came back down looking this...including the big smile.

Lindsey changing her clothes is definitely not a rare occassion.  (Someday I am going to take pictures of all her outfits.)  We typically experience about 4-5 changings a day (and usually without my knowledge...that is until Lindsey comes downstairs with a big smile due to her success).  I have chosen to let her have fun with her clothes right now.  I think it is cute for my two year old...but when I think about what the future may hold for us...oh my.  Well, we just won't think about that now and just enjoy the present.

Tri-State Gas Engine Show in Portland, IN

This past Saturday was spent at another antique engine show.  Jeremy, Lindsey and I drove a few hours to Portland, IN to attend the Tri-State Gas Engine Show.  It is the largest show of this kind in the entire US, and it is held right here in Indiana.  There were people there from 31 states.  We finally arrived...after missing our turn off the interstate, then having not one, but two detours, we finally arrived in Portland.  We supported the local Boy Scout troop and parked in their lot, then walked a mile or so to the show.  Once we arrived, Jeremy was in heaven.  Lindsey and I just enjoyed the fact that we were together as a family.  The weather was absolutely beautiful!  (Well, once the rain clouds moved through.)

We took the wagon with us because we thought that Lindsey would enjoy it a little better than the stroller.  (Plus it easier to get other things in and out of.)  We should have anticipated that half of the day would end up like this...

Lindsey felt like a big girl pulling the wagon around.  She made quite a show too.  It didn't take long for her to get tired though.  Don't let the picture fool you...this was one of several VERY fast cat naps throughout the day.  She was having too much fun to take a nap. 

You never know what you are going to see at these shows.  Look closely...this tractor and pick-up truck are made out of soda pop cans.  (An interesting hobby.)

I thought this was an interesting looking tractor.  Of course Dad knew what kind it is, although I've already forgotten what he said.  I would have loved to have a ride in this.  It's different.

Lindsey is helping me write this and wants you to know that when we left, we left Ursula there.  (So here's the story...a lady at one of the booths gave Lindsey some Little Mermaid toys that she played with in her wagon all day long.  When were unloading at the truck Ursula was no where to be found.  Lindsey was so sad.  She is ready to go back right now and look for her.) Overall it was a great family fun day!

Great News! No More Doctor

For those of you who may not know...we had a grease fire in our home on Saturday, August 1st.  Long story short...we were extremely blessed.  Jeremy received the most damage...2nd degree burns on both hands and 1st degree burns on both feet and lower left leg.  The first two weeks were spent at home with a daily trip to the hospital's out-patient wound care and a weekly trip to the doctor in Greenwood.  The doctor trip has remained a weekly event, and wound care has dwindled from daily to every other day, then just last week we were able to change to once a week for that too.  Today was his weekly visit to the doctor where he received great news.  The doctor (who wanted Jeremy to do a skin graft from the beginning) looked at his hand, said it was healing well, asked if Jeremy could make a fist - which Jeremy demonstrated right away, then said he didn't need to come back and see him...just call if he was having any problems when it was all healed.  Jeremy waited in the waiting room longer than he was with the doctor today (and he only waited about 5-10 minutes), but I am not complaining.  This was a very unfortunate event for our family, but we feel very blessed in many ways.  Jeremy and I received Priesthood Blessings the day of the event and have been holding fast to the blessings and promised mentioned therein.  We know that his progress has been due to blessings from our Heavenly Father.  Our next goal is to lessen his visits to wound care..he goes back this Thursday.  Hopefully he can go to every other week or something better.  We'll see.

The next step is to get our carpet in the family room replaced.  I am torn on whether we should put in laminate wood or carpet.  I just don't know.  It's about time to make a decision though.

Greensburg -- Power of the Past

One of Jeremy's hobbies is antique hit and miss engines.  He loves to look at them, buy them and tinker with them.  (We've learned there are "shows" around the state where people bring their engines and show them...so we get to go to them.)  This past Saturday we went to Greensburg, IN and The Power of the Past with Jeremy's family (celebrating his Dad's birthday all in the same day). 

Just in case you have no idea what I'm talking about here is a picture of a hit and miss engine.  Jeremy would love to own one of these someday...it was made by The Reeves Company in Columbus, IN.

Lindsey was fascinated with this engine grouping.  One engine was connected to a pump that pumpted water for the rubber ducks.  Another made a teddy bear go up and down on a rocking horse.  She would have played here all day if I would have let her.  Too bad it was too chilly to play in the water.

Honestly, I could have stayed and watched this man all day.  He was making handmade straw brooms.  It was pretty neat.  I wanted to buy one, but didn't want to carry it around all day.  Unfortunately he was closed up when we left.

Lindsey had it easy all day.  She loves her Uncle Josh.

Loving Lindsey is giving her cousin, Maddie, a big hug right before a kiss on the cheek.

Jeremy, Lindsey, Jeremy's Papaw (Ben), Maddie, and Jeremy's Dad (Mitch).  I couldn't get any of them to smile.  Not pictured -- Jeremy's sisters were there too.

There was also a parade of steam engines and tractors in the afternoon.  I thought this steam engine at the front was pretty cool.

Visiting Cindy's Grandma

We took advantage of the fact we were in Greensburg and went to visit my Grandma (Lindsey calls her Grandma Emma).  We try to visit her often.  I have many wonderful memories with my Grandma.  She is a very loving and strong woman who has taught the women in our family to be the same way.  She has had many experiences in her life that make for some very interesting stories.  We had a great visit.  We love you Grandma!

It was a beautiful day filled with family time making fun memories.

Lindsey's First Hair Cut

We didn't think Lindsey's hair would ever grow during her first year of life.  Finally, after changing shampoo, her hair started to grow.  It looked cute, so I didn't worry about getting it cut. Last week as I was getting my hair cut I asked her if she would like to get her hair cut too.  At first she told me she would have it done when she was bigger.  However, she changed her mind.

Lindsey liked getting to sit in the big chair.  She was fine until her hair got combed in front of her face...she absolutely hates having her hair in her face.  But I am pleased to say that she survived.

Showing off our new hair cuts.

We Love to Paint

A few weeks ago while Jeremy was off work we all visited the pottery store -- Simply Pottery (I just LOVE that place.)  I thought I would start my Christmas gifts early this year.  I was also feeling brave and thought Lindsey might like to paint too.  At first she was more interested with the toys they have available, but once I started she was ready to join in.

I must admit it was difficult for me to let her do her own thing. It may have had something to do with the pink, purple, blue and brown paint on her plate...especially when most of the paint was placed right in the center. The cutest thing was the finishing touch...a fingerprint bunny we put on the back with her name and date.

I will say that her plate turned out really cute and she loves to eat on her special plate that she painted.  I recognized that once I was able to let go and allow her to just do her own thing we all had a great time (even Jeremy).

Joining the Blogging World

Well, here I am.  I have finally decided to start a blog.  I haven't before now because I don't know that anyone will be interested....but I thought I would give it a try.  If anything it will be an easy journal when I print it out someday.  I also think it will be a great way to let people see a little glimpse of our lives...especially friends and family who don't live next door.  So...welcome to our family.