The Windows are Open Wide

I have a feeling Miss May is blushing in heaven. Thanks for all your kind comments regarding the last post!

We've been busy this week! Mom {my mom} has been busy too. DaddyBoy {my dad} holds down a full time job in "corporate America" and spends most of the week in Chicago, leaving Mom to run the real estate happenings here in Mt. Carmel. This week she had several closings; with that comes a lot of work and time away from the farm. While she was away I attempted to hold the three little ones at bay, no small task when you're not in your own home. Yesterday they were acting like a bunch of scallywags. Sometimes they make me want to beat my head against the wall. The best medicine {along with a lot of prayer} for crazy kids {and a crazy mom} is a trip outside.

I can think of no better time or place to be outside. The temperatures have dropped into the 70s and there is a cool breeze.

Mimi met us {with a packed picnic} at the city park one afternoon.

Mom met us there too and patiently waited for Paige to churn up a little courage.

Finally she came... terrified.

The city park is not state of the art. But it sure is fun!

In fact, it hasn't changed much since I was a child and played there, Mimi packed this picture along with the picnic.

We looked for the same contraption I'm pictured in, we think this is it.

Or at least it's close.

The girls loved the water fountain.

And JM loved the squirrels.

The girls have also become fast friends with the twins from across the street. They've played for hours and hours and it's so nice to have such precious girls close by.

I had the pleasure of painting all 40 of their little toes.

One night Mom took us across a toll bridge that I feel certain we should have been paid to cross rather than pay to cross. It used to be a train bridge and they converted it by laying railroad ties across the tracks.

You are fully responsible for making sure there are no on-coming cars before you cross. Some locals will drive 30 miles out of the way to avoid crossing this bridge. I can see why.

I've also witnessed a few of these.

Today we found a hidden treasure. There is a small school in my parent's town and behind it... a fabulous little playground. We found it on our walk this morning, hurried home, packed a picnic and then headed right back.

Hot dogs, potato chips, sippy cups, sunglasses, a blanket, a camera... and we were ALL set.

Oh, and a chicken leg too.

And now it looks like my children are barbarians by the way they eat.

It's a small Christian school...

and sits at the crossroads of town & cornfields.

The girls were in heaven.

John Martin had a rice krispy treat with a side of pebbles.

Mimi brought out dinner to us tonight and spent time on the porch trying to hold John Martin.

But he's such a worm.

The girls played with their new friends and their puppies tonight too. {Morgan sporting her "super hero cape".}

And I watched the sky...

... and wondered if anyone who doesn't believe a creative God spoke our universe into existence has been outside lately?

Psalm 72:19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory.