Traffic

Gotta love the "traffic" around our house...

I'm a little nervous about the fact that Mason has a tendency to "wander" ...
He has no clue that his "exploring" can get him into trouble or hurt or lost - and more importantly give me a heart attack!
We are learning boundaries, and he seems to be doing better about keeping out of the driveway, but I guess that as long as we live here where there isn't really such a thing as "traffic" - I won't really have to worry about it.

Hope summer is going well for all of you -

we are busy... and enjoying every minute of it!

Cousins

Leslie and Morgan stayed with us for approximately 24 hours last weekend… and what fun it was! Here are some of the highlights:

Mason learned how to jump on the trampoline:






Leslie found bird eggs that weren’t empty (Aunt Lindsay had a little bit of difficulty snapping the photo):




Apricots (that weren’t quite ripe) were picked and stored in empty Wal-Mart sacks:




Uncle Ian got a chance to cuddle with his favorite nieces:






Morgan gave it her best shot at fishing – after being shown “how it’s done” by Leslie:








Cards were made for daddy Josh for Father’s Day… and a picture was framed with “We Love You!” written by Leslie:






Aunt Lindsay experienced exhaustion – but loved every minute of it!



Love the summer – love the yard – love the freedom to take a nap – love the stillness – love the breeze – love the view – love the life we are blessed to have on the farm!

Father's Day!

So very, very thankful for FATHER'S DAY!

Where would we be without our fathers and grandfathers?

They give wisdom and advice.

They speak truth and don't hesitate to help you understand it.

They love unconditionally - always looking for ways to praise!

They offer a shoulder, an arm, and their hearts!

They teach what they know!

They always know what's best!

They spend their life learning how to be a father!

They love!

Summer...

Do any of you remember the song "Summertime" ( at least I think that is what it was called)?
It was a song by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince ... aka Will Smith. I have that old school song playing in my head... not sure why... I must be bored... well, not really, I'm just sitting here in a "mobile lab" class - been watching the rain pour down - thinking about how much it does NOT feel like summer and thankful that the mobile lab has web access so I can BLOG.
Anyway - I'm sad to say that I have no pictures with me today - forgot my memory stick in the pick-up... maybe it's a sign that I'm supposed to be paying attention to my class and not my blog... anyway.... have been taking GREAT photos and will show them later.

Also letting those of you faithful Windy M readers know that I won't be blogging as much during the summer because we don't have web access at home (pathetic - I know... but part of the "country" life I guess (just think of all the GREAT blog material I'll have by September).

... so when I'm near a "connection" - I'll do my best to post and keep you all up to date.

Happy Summer Friends!

Milestone

30 years ago my dad finished his first year of teaching at Buff Elementary in Madras, Oregon.... and I was born the next day.... now, how's that for timing?!

I'm 30.... and I am happy!
I feel peace like I never have before.

I smile and think to myself...
What is 30 anyway?!?

I don't feel any different today than I did last week...

should I??

I still have...
freckles,
allergies,
short hair.

I still love...
birthday cards,
pictures,
angle food cake,
laughter,
sweats,
baseball caps,
wheat fields,
sunsets,
farm life.

I'm still a...
daughter,
grand-daughter,
sister,
wife,
mother,
teacher,
friend.

I have gained...
an amazing husband,
a beautiful son,
immesurable friendships.

I'm a work in progress.

30 is me...
it's my life...
it's who I am...
it's every memory I've ever made...
it's every opportunity I've ever had to make a difference!

Life... it just keeps getting better!

Thanks for being a part of the adventure!

THE BIRDS

Birds are lovely little creatures. I love it when I spot a bird’s nest – the kind made with grass, weeds, bailing twine, horse hair…you know - normal nest stuff! The little babies are so very cute … but I somehow have this horrible disliking of birds in general. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that about once a week for 2 months straight during our first year in this house there were birds flying around in our basement – perching and pooping on EVERYTHING….or it could have something to do with the “pecking” noise that comes from my wood stove every spring – and Ian tells me to just open the front door and then open the wood stove and the bird will fly right out… I think not – right Bryn?!. These birds “dive bomb” you as soon as you walk out the door and Ian refers to the sight as today’s version of “Pearl Harbor.”
The truth is…my life has turned into the movie “The Birds.” Have any of you seen that horrible show – well, it’s currently being filmed at our home – featuring the bird known as the Mud/Barn Swallow. I would be thrilled if they actually chose the barns that surround our house to build their muddy, messy, ugly homes on… but, NO… they choose our eaves (EVERY SINGLE ONE – and we have a lot!) to build their MUD nests on.
Now, some of you may be saying: “oh Lindsay, you’re being a little dramatic don’t you think?” or “They’re just birds!” or “They can’t be that bad?!.”
Well folks… it IS that BAD!!

We’ve tried everything!

We’ve hung netting, we’ve hung owls, Ian even reached the maximum frustration level and got out his shotgun – what a sight that was! You name it, we’ve tried it! We’ve all taken turns “knocking” the nests down – Thanks Angela for trying – but they’re back … worse than ever! The windows and house are pressured washed A LOT– so I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just going to have to live with the bird poop and mud all over the windows until this nesting season is over… hopefully that is sometime soon!

Today, this morning, this minute in my life…there is NOTHING worse than Mud Swallows!

If you still think I'm over exaggerating - check these fine photos out and feel free to click on them to get a more "up close & personal" look:

Other happenings at the Windy M :
Fall calves have been shipped and sold,
last day of school (with kids) is TODAY...
and my 2nd annual 29th birthday is Thursday…
holy cow – I’m going to be 30!!