Long overdue

Sorry it's been awhile since posting.  Abraham has been in school about 3 weeks now and he is loving it.  It's so good to see him enjoying school and becoming more independent.  I can already see the impact school has had on him as far as his ability to venture out on his own a bit.  Although, we have seen some attitudes come home since school began.  But really - we have been dealing with Abraham's bad attitudes off and on since he was a baby.  He always wants things done perfect and when that does not happen he struggles to have a good attitude.  But the thing I have noticed the most and it seems to occur on Mondays, is he comes home and talks to me rather disrespectfully.  It usually takes a few swats and a time out or two for him to get back into line than he is his sweet self again!

We have really enjoyed getting to know the community we are in through his sports and school.  It makes me glad we have chosen to send him to the local school.  Also, the last few weeks we have attended a new church in our area and that too has been really good.  We want to be a part of this community we are in, so going to church in the area is a good way to get to know others as well.

We went camping with our friends over labor day.  We had a great time.  Our lot was at the edge of the campground property so the kids ended up having a lot of open space to play while the adults just sat around and talked.  We had a years worth of catching up to do.  We have decided to make it a yearly thing to do something with the Hill's.  Maybe not always camping, but something to keep in touch with them.  They were so much a part of our lives while living overseas we don't want to lose those relationships.  I will post some pictures of our trip..... enjoy!

While camping Abraham lost his front tooth.  He looks so different now - but still adorable!

Below: Abraham and Hudson

First Few Days of School

Since I missed posting for the first day of school I thought I would talk about these past few days.  Abraham had his 4th day of school today.  He is enjoying it and he had homework on Monday, today on the way to school he said to me "I hope I have homework again."  Wow!  How long will that attitude last??  Hopefully, a long time.

The first day of school went great but I have tell you this funny story.  They had a story about a raccoon and how the Mom of the baby kissed the raccoon's hand because he was afraid to go to school and that if he felt afraid while at school he was to put his hand on his cheek and he would have thoughts of his Mom.   Well after this heartwarming story was told and all the children were sitting around the teacher Abraham says, "my Grandpa has to put poison out for the raccoons because they get into his corn."  So much for the cute little coons in the story!

Well - we are all adjusting to this new schedule and way of life.  I bring him and pick him up everyday, and he is going half days so he starts at 12 and gets out at 2:30.  Not bad at all!

Flag Football for Abraham

Sunday Abraham had his first flag football game.  He did very well!  Although, he did cry a few times.  Let me explain the first set of tears.  It was third down and they made a handoff to Abraham - he broke away from the crowd and ran down the field - maybe 60 yards.  He was then caught and a flag ripped off.  He then got tripped up by the kid who got his flag which is what I thought brought on the tears but later I found out from Rob the tears were that he did not make a touchdown.  He's not competitive though ;)

The next set of tears  was because he was confused about being on defense and was not sure what to do.  Anyway, besides all that he ran for two touchdowns and an extra point.  It was so exciting to see him run and cut in and out of those kids to make it to the end zone.  All the kids were giving him high 5.  It was cute!  Flag football will last into October.  He practices one day a week for one hour and then has an hour game on Sundays.

Hmmmmm......

I sit here and ponder what to write about.  What do all my adoring followers ;) want to know about our life.  Well the summer is about to end with Abraham starting Kindergarten at the local public school (August 20th).  We have a large garden which I already wrote about.  We are still waiting on our adoption - and no we have not heard anything.  Rob has a new job/business. He is selling health and life insurance and soon will be licensed to do investments for others.

We got a cat this summer.  

Oh I know something new.  I am starting a photography business, called Peaceful Streams Photography.  I will soon have my own website at www.peacefulstreamsphotography.com you can check back soon at that address to see it.  I plan to start small and do jobs here and there.  I took the photos of a 4 year old today.  Children are by far the hardest to photograph.  The ages between 2-5 - aaahhh so tiring.  They are so cute but they move a ton don't know how to really smile for the camera and it's just tiring.  As I think more about getting into this business I do not want to get into weddings, although if a friend would ask I am sure I would do it.  However, I would like to focus on things like, family photos, senior pictures, children and objects.  I would like to learn how to frame and matte pictures in order to sell them.  So we will see where all this takes me.  I still plan on taking a photography course but for now I am learning a lot on my own.  Rob's mentor Carl, used to teach a photography class and he is also a professional artist.  He has given me a lot of feedback and has given me materials to study as well as some equipment.  I'm so thankful - the equipment he has given me has already proved to be helpful.  I am now saving for a larger flash that will attach to the camera.  From what he says that will give me a lot more versatility with lighting issues.

Well I guess that's all for the random thoughts of Erin for today.  Here are some of my pictures just for fun

Gabrielle in Indiana

Rob and I went to NY for a week after 4th of July and when we returned to Indiana we brought our niece Gabrielle.  It has been a good time getting to know her better and for Abraham to have a "big sister".   It's been different to have two children to watch after and to feed.  Although, Gabrielle does pretty much everything on her own I have found that my work load has increased.   She has learned how to do laundry since being here so she has done all of the laundry a few times, I think she enjoys it.  I have not asked her to do it she just does it.  

Since we are living on the farm there are farm things to do like collect the eggs.  This too is something she enjoys doing and has asked Rich (Rob's Dad) if she can do it.  Today I took her school shopping (her Mom gave us the money).  It was fun to shop since I too am a shopper.  But I was amazed at the things she likes since the styles for her age are so much like what I wore in high school.  I should have saved those clothes and I could be handing them off....  although I am sure something would still look old to her.  :)

Well she will be with us about another week - Mooie and Poppie will come to town to visit and bring Gabrielle home.

Garden Time!!!

Now that we are in the states Rob and I wanted to have a garden.  Rob's Dad Rich plowed an area of the land for us and allowed us to have as big a garden we wanted.  I have really enjoyed being out in the garden and working it and watching all our veggies grow.  It will be something I think we will do every summer.  I will probably take a lot of the veggies and freeze them for the winter.  I did that last year with the tomatoes Rich had planted and we enjoyed them all winter.

So let me explain the picture because it could appear that I have a HUGE garden.  Behind me in the large field are beans growing  Rich allows a farmer to use the land for his crops and they get a cut of the profit.  Our garden starts with the two rows of beans at the bottom left of the picture.  The very large plants are zucchini and yellow squash.  We had  no idea how many veggies would come from just one plant so we planted all the seeds we had - so now it looks like we will have tons to give away or sell.  We also have about 12 tomato plants so again - we will give some away or sell.  Rich planted a bunch of corn this year so he is thinking he will have a small farmers market at the end of their driveway and we will more than likely contribute to it.  We also have cucumbers, onions, lettuce, peppers (hot and sweet), pumpkins, beans, basil, cilantro, cantaloupe, watermelon and a few flowers.

Tee Ball Ends, and A new Kitty

Today was Abraham's last Tee Ball game.  They all received a trophy and he was SO excited to get his very first trophy.  This league has been less than impressive so we were not sure if he would get anything at the close of the season so we were pleased to see all the kids received something.  He did great playing his first year.  The coaches all said he had a great attitude and that if he keeps on working at it he will be a great player.  We have him playing in another league currently.  This league they pitch to the kids and the games are more like real games where if they make an out they actually have to go sit down - because they are "out".  Anyway, he is loving playing and we are enjoying watching him be a little  more independent and to find things he enjoys doing.

The other exciting thing about today was that we added this little fur ball to our family.  Our friends had a cat arrive at their doorstep a few months ago and the cat was pregnant.  She is a very friendly cat and they began to feed her.  She naturally hung around and then after a few weeks had her babies.  She had 4 kittens and we were able to take one.  She is a long haired cat and so you can see from the picture of the kitten it too will be long haired.  Her kittens almost looked persian which made us wonder what she and the father are.  Anyway, we are excited to have this little fur ball we call Axel in our family.  I know my Dad will be appalled at the fact we have a cat, but what can we say......