Birthday excitement!

Our baby turned 2 yesterday!

Can't you just sense his excitement?

He fell asleep on the way to Peoria yesterday and then we got back and had a late lunch, so since he already slept and was full of energy I decided to try to see if he could make it without a second nap and be good and ready for an early bedtime.  He Didn't!  He fell asleep after eating a piece of pizza and woke up in time to have a little dessert before it was all cleared away.  He got Matchbox cars and trucks and an airplane of the same scale.  He loves them very much!!!

   This blog is taking way too much time, so until we get our new laptop I will probably not be uploading many pictures.  It is way more fun to blog with pictures, but more time consuming when the equipment is not working!!!!

Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous

Thank you for your comment and your interest in the happenings here at Plattner Ranch.  Since my pregnancy has gotten past the first tri-mester (we are at 26 weeks, in case you were wondering) I have been feeling much better and spending my extra energies on projects around the house. 

I will try to give a brief summary of some of the things I would have posted if time had allowed.

Since my last post was about our colorful boots I will give a brief update.  We learned that the more expensive boots does not mean better quality and as of this post have returned two pair to the store for a refund and went back to the old black or navy boots, yellow when available.

The boys built a playhouse for the girls out of old pallets Chad brought home from work.

They have been spending a lot of time in the sand box these last few weeks.

My landscaping that was planted last fall by Schrocks Landscaping is looking wonderful and I am very grateful for it.

I am currently on the hunt for a used swing set: if anyone knows of one let me know.  Chad would like to build one but it isn't likely to happen soon and my children love for me to push them, so it would be nice to be able to push a couple or several children at once.

We went to Warren Dunes, MI over the weekend on a camping trip.  We arrived late Thursday night (after dark), and returned home Sunday night.  The girls and I took a trip to the restroom as soon as we got there and immediately ran into someone from Mansfield OH that we were aquainted with from church.  Come to find out Ron and Kay Rufener were camping with two of their married children and two grandchildren just around the corner from us.  We enjoyed visiting a few times during our stay and spent a little time around the campfire Friday night singing together.  

Friday we climbed Mt Randall: Javan was up and down it twice before I made it up once!!!  If you have never climbed a sand dune you may not know that every step you take your foot slides down with the sand until it becomes firmly planted again, this makes it very difficult to climb the hill when you are in sad physical shape.  After reaching the top and taking a break we followed the sand trail that led to the beach.  I tried to stay on areas that required the least amount of climbing whereas the boys chose the most amount of climbing they could find.  We spent several hours on the beach watching the children play in the sand and freezing water (well, not quite freezing but VERY cold) and taking turns napping.  We took the trail back and though it was still a little difficult it wasn't near as bad as getting up Mount Randall.  Going down the hill was easier but still took me a bit of time as I volunteered to carry the childrens toys and bucket of rocks someone thought he HAD to take home.  The children ran down the hill tumbling as they went and Chad video'd on his camera, I don't know if they turned out but perhaps will blog them when time allows.

Saturday was very windy and overcast so we decided to head to the Curious Kids Museum a short drive away.  When we returned I took a wonderful nap with Jubilee and Jonas while Chad took the others out for more punishment!!!  Actually, he is in much better shape than I and enjoyed climbing the dunes with them.  Up and Down and Up and Down every dune they could find and came back exclaiming how much fun they had!  Although I did really enjoy my nap, I hope to someday be able to enjoy the dunes a little more than I did this time.

Sunday we packed up early and headed out to Valparaiso, IN for church.  We thought we were running late till we realized they are on CST and not EST, so we were actually plenty early.  There was a lot of company and we were aquainted with some of the families that were there.  We stopped at Chad's brother Kyle's apartment on the way home and spent some time visiting.  Dad and Mom P. also met us there.

Jonas is talking more and more all the time, putting together two words instead of just one.  He will be two on Wednesday.  It's time to do some potty training, but I am waiting till we are done with the normal school year.  

I plan to do some summer school this year to practice math facts and reading skills; also some letter writing as we got off track on that this year and I know the recipients enjoy them thoroughly and it is good practice for penmanship and composition skills.

I have about two summers worth of priorities for this summer, so if anyone is bored feel free to come visit, I can keep you plenty busy and thankful for boredome when it returns!!! :)  Actually, my first priority is having fun with the children, so a lot of the things I would like to be priority are not really that important after all:  so, if we live here for 10 years and my house is still not finished, but I can say we had fun together along the way, I will be a happy Mom!

There is much more I could write, but for those of you who like short but sweet I will try to at least keep it at "sweet!" and say good-bye.  

P.S.  I forgot to tell you, our computer is not working right again, so we are waiting for our next hand-me down from Dad Plattner.  We helped him finalize a decision to get a new laptop he has been thinking about.  :)  We are currently working in "safe mode" so I cannot use all the functions available.  For example, right now I have to save my documents in a shared documents file and print it from our school computer.  At least it is still faster than the early days!!!

GOOD BYE!!!!!

Chore Boots

This blog may seem to be mostly about Jolene lately (when I get around to posting, that is) but she keeps amusing us.  Here is the latest...

As we were preparing to go into town this evening we needed to figure out how many children needed new chore boots.  Jolene LOVES to buy NEW things!!!  Chad tried a "too large" pair of boots on her that we already had on hand and as he was helping her put them on she said "ouch that hurt!"  

Later as they were trying boots on at Farm and Fleet, they first tried a pair of boots that "she swam in" and she said "that feels good!"  She said the same thing with the pair they finally purchased!!!

The children were sooo excited  because instead of the typical black or navy, Chad decided to allow them to choose from the brightly colored and camoflauge boots so when someone leaves them laying around we will know instantly whose they are!!!

Jubilee has commented a couple times that she can't wait to get a little bigger so she can get new boots too!!!  Even though her boots are yellow and that just happens to be her favorite color. :)

When you find a Treasure...

... it doesn't matter where you are! Right???!!!

Last night Chad took Jared and Jolene to church and the rest of us stayed home; we finished supper cleanup while we listened to church via the internet and then prepared for bed, and put the little ones in bed in good order, I might add I was in bed waiting for my good night kiss when Chad finally came in.

As he was filling me in on the evening he told me a story that perplexed him but I knew immediately what was going on in my daughter's mind when this took place.

Jolene had asked to go potty and get a drink when they got out of church so Chad approved and waited for her return.  Imagine his surprise when she came walking across the foyer with an empty roll of toilet paper; empty of course with the exception of the tell-tale sign of a few stuck on shreds of toilet paper.

It was one of those times that I was SOOOO tired I laughed till I cried.  What Chad didn't know was that Jared and Jolene have been collecting empty toilet paper rolls since Jesse learned how to make a kazoo with one.  I guess in her mind it didn't matter where she was, she found her treasure, it was empty, and she staked her claim!!!

If my daughter ever compliments your outfit...

...DON'T believe her!!!

I came downstairs awhile ago dressed in an old jumper loaded with stains topped with an equally old sweatshirt with even more stains; I am hoping to do some painting today.  Anyway, when Jolene saw me she immediately said "Oh, that's cute!"  

Jolene's birthday is on Wednesday and this little mother is going to be 6 years old.  She loves playing mommy with her babies and since we have been wanting to finish under the stairs a little playroom complete with a door, I thought now would be a good time to get busy.  I plan to paint it all white so it will reflect the light Chad is planning to hang for them.  He also plans to hang a bar so Jolene can hang up all her doll clothes.  I bought her a small plastic three drawer cart for her non-hangables and some hangers so she doesn't use all of mine.  She won't receive these till Wednesday morning so if you happen to talk to her, please, don't spill the beans!  

She had asked for a new skirt and top, so I had planned to work on one today but she must have overheard Chad on the phone with me when she was outside and he said go ahead and sew and paint later, it wasn't long and she was inside asking me if I was going to sew.  Sooo!!!  Now what to do!!!  How do I secretly make a skirt for her when she is back inside wanting to know everything I am doing???

Jolene is improving rapidly in her reading.  Yesterday when it was time to do her Phonics worksheet instead of saying "how many do I have to do today" which I have often heard from the male students under my tutilage, she said "how many worksheets do I get to do?"  She only had time for 2 but would have done more if time permited.  :)

Jonas is in bed for his nap and the rest of the children are outside with Chad.  We had a pretty good week and I am hoping to do as well or even better next week.  It makes all the difference in the world when your beginning readers are getting it and you see the results of all your efforts.

Jared is soooo ready to read.  It is down to attitude now.  We give our children a nice Bible with their name on it when they learn to read, I have had Jared's ready for him for months.  I told him Thursday if he continues to do this well and is dilligent with his school all next week that he will get his Bible after school on Friday.  If he will just decide to TRY to start reading things he sees on his own, he will be up and going in no time!

I guess that is enough for now!  I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Whew!

Sigh of relief!

I spent the day cleaning out and reorganizing three major clutter / storage areas.  The summer kitchen, upper pantry, and hall closet upstairs.  It feels soooo GOOD! :)

So... my house is clean, tomorrow's supper is thawing on the counter and waiting to be put in the crockpot before church and I look forward to a restful Lord's Day as I don't have to look around and think of all that needs to be done!  I can rest in peace! :)

Our USB port on our laptop is not recognizing any USB's at the moment, so I am unable to upload pictures to share.  I could if I wanted to mess with the school computer, but if I sit down for a break I want to be all cozy on my couch!!!  I Love my laptop. :)

Lately the children have been enjoying being outside in the mud!!!  Chad is working on our driveway and has dug up a spot where we plan to put a better gravel base down to deter water puddles.  Well, right now it is causing a small lake and the children love it.  They have been making home-made boats and floating them in the muddy water, sometimes pushing them around with sticks, sometimes wading right in and splashing a bigger mess all over their clothes!  Our entry gets swept on a daily basis right now; there is a reason we purchased flooring that has variagated colors of brown!!!  I see absolutely no point wasting time mopping when it will only last a few hours anyway and it would drive me crazy if we had flooring that showed how dirty it really is.

The boys recently got the idea to make themselves laptops with some scrap lumber, a few nails, and a permanent marker.  They have made such a favorable impression that now each child has his/her own laptop and they actually get used!!!  I haven't gotten any pictures yet, but then I couldn't post them anyway!

The girls play babies on a daily basis and Jolene is often trying to convince Jonas to be her baby.  She has even gotten into the drawers in his room to get out a pacifier (which he NEVER took) to give to him, which of course, he is now pleased to accept.  She can't wait to have a real baby to help with.  Ummm, I'm not sure who I will be more concerned with, Jonas or Jolene!

That's the short but sweet update on life at the Plattners.  I hope you have a great Sunday!

Challenged

We receive the Voice of the Martyrs, a magazine focused on the persecution of Christians around the World.  As I was praying for the persecuted Christians and that they would have the courage to remain true to the Lord and also have the courage to share their faith with non-Christians, it really challenged me.  I have a great desire to tell others about Jesus love and the Bible, but so often I fear what they will think or say, or for myself being afraid I will say the wrong thing.  If I don't speak now, do I think I will be bold in a time of persecution?

Do we really love our neighbors enough to recognize that if they don't choose to serve the Lord Jesus Christ they will spend eternity in hell?  Do we care enough to pray for opportunity to share the Gospel with them?  Would we face death in order that others might be saved?

When was the last time you shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a neighbor, co-worker, or someone you met when you were out and about?

How do You determine OLD?

I grew  up going to nursing homes with my school to sing.  I was used to the old people slobbering on themselves and staring at you when you said hi.  I remember one certain old lady that held onto a girls hand and just would not let go till a nurse intervened because we needed to go back to school.

I also grew up with parents that played ball in the yard with us, went on bike rides and took us to amusement parks and wouldn't think of letting us go on a ride without them to share in the fun.  

One time I took a friend with me and shortly after arriving at the park she asked when we would ditch my parents!  I was appalled, I couldn't believe anyone would think you could have more fun without my parents.  I guess she didn't know that my parents would race us to get back in line for the next ride!  Or, that they had the cash for the refreshments! :)

My point is, my parents were active in our lives and so I never considered them old.  Still don't, although as my parents are in their 60's now it does sober me up a little to think that 70's and 80's is a common time for people to go down hill in health and often die.  I've been out of high school going on 19 years now and that time has flown by, I sure don't want to miss any opportunities we have with our parents.  We have also been recently reminded how quickly someone can be taken from us in what we would consider too young an age so I have learned more than ever to enjoy every moment.

I digress!!!  I have never thought of someone as old, and still don't, until they are stuck in a nursing home slobering all over themselves and staring at you when you try to say hi!  

So now I would like to redirect you to my mom's blog or my sister - in - law Andrea's blog (just look to the right of my blog for favorite blogs and click on Mom Riley or Andrea Riley) to see a picture of my 85 year old Grandmother and 60 something Mom snow tubing!  Yes, you heard it, my 85 year old Grandma went snow tubing with my Mom!  Now: How old Is OLD?

Prayer and Praise

Prayer - I could definitely use prayer today.  Yesterday while I was resting (attempting a nap), someone came to my bedroom door and I rolled my top half of my body and immediately felt light headed till I rolled back.  During the night I woke up and when I flipped to the other side I immediately felt like the room was spinning at a fast pace.  I felt dizzy until I was able to get back to sleep awhile later.  Today I have not been feeling well, partly because I didn't sleep well, partly because I have been somewhat light headed.  A little while ago my ears felt funny, so I don't know if I have an inner ear thing going on or if my blood sugar is off again.  Chad and I have a date tonight so I am hoping that eating a healthy lunch will help.

Praise - first to God who has given us healthy minds with the ability to learn and the variety in personalities and abilities that makes life interesting (and often challenging).  Also for His daily help in the tasks He has set before us.

              Second, a pat on the back to Jared!  His reading has improved tremendously over the past month and especially in the past days.   Even though we know God has created children to learn at different paces, especially some boys, it is still added stress trying to teach because it is often hard to discern between lack of ability and laziness and continuing to put in the effort to help them learn without being too hard on them.  Well, all the hard work has paid off!  There is still a long way to go, but when they really start to read it is a big encouragement to them and they seem to try harder.  It is still somewhat discouraging because he is reading what he calls "baby books" but I have tried to encourage him that he will soon improve with practice and those "baby books" he will be able to read to his younger siblings AND before too long he will be reading more exciting books his own age.

Daddy's Home

This is a daily occurence at our house.  If you watch closely at the very beginning of the video you will see headlights at the bottom of the windows in the door, a sure sign that Daddy is Home!

I was holding him a couple days ago when we saw Chad pull in and Jonas started kicking his legs as if he were doing his little dance!

This brings smiles every day!