Frightful Gains New Meaning in Iowan Winters

Last time the weather did this we had to move out of our house for a week. And get the pastor's family sick.

So we're a bit nervous.

The tick tick tick tick of freezing rain is pattering against our living room windows, coating them so thickly with ice that you can't see through them. The radio tells of power outages throughout South Central Iowa...and the storm is moving this way.

Cinnamon and the comforting smell of a woodburning fire fill the inside of our home, warm with reds and greens.

The weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since there's no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

This song rings so true when you actually have frightful weather. Snug in our home we are protected from the winter elements - giddy with toe curling, book reading, hot-chocolate sipping comfort.

But we still stocked up on water...and toilet paper...and have the oil lamps out. Because we have been here before.
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In my email this morning:
The NWS in Des Moines has issued an ice storm warning, which is in effect from 6 am to 3 pm cst Saturday.A mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow will spread into southern and central Iowa Saturday morning, affecting locations along and south of highway 30.
One quarter to one half inch of glaze ice is expected across the warning area, along with sleet accumulations up to one half inch. Significant icing will create very hazardous travel conditions during the day Saturday.
In addition, a southeast wind gusting over 30 mph may down tree limbs and power lines that are weighed down by ice.An ice storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. (oh, look out Target! Christmas sales will be down!!) Ice accumulations and winds will likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that add to the danger.

Inutition

Growing up, I was always amazed at how mom knew Everything. She knew when I was lying or when I was cold (because she was cold...). Anyhow, now that I am a mom, I too have ears to hear all and eyes in the back of my head. It's a thrilling experience, let me tell you, when they first install that second pair of eyes- OH the sights you'll see!

Anyhoo, I also figured that since I have moved out of the house and a few states away that this instinct of my mother's might wane a bit. She doesn't mention it anymore when I snitch an extra cookie or sneak out of my room to play on the computer after bedtime. But I think secretly, she must know. Because there is this thing she does, and there is simply no other explanation for it.

I live, you know, a ways from the nearest grocery store. You would think that since it takes me 17 hours to reach the nearest Target that I might stock up on extra things like, say, soap or toilet paper. But I don't. I still shop like a city girl who can pop on over to Albertson's for a gallon of milk if need be.

I also must mention that my mom and dad both work for Kimberly Clark - the makers of fine paper products like paper towels, kleenex, and toilet paper. This makes them not only loyal customers of the KC brand, but also prolific gifters of such products. I often get these products as "fillers" in boxes with other gifts (box of candy, shirts for the boys, three rolls of TP) and don't blink an eye- I actually think it's pretty inventive.

Also, each year around Christmas time the company offers these gift boxes that employees can buy and send out to families and friends that contain samples of their products. We look forward to trying out their new stuff, and who could resist free paper towels???

Here's the weird part. EVERY time I have received one of these boxes, it has been on the Last Day of my Last Roll of toilet paper. I think to myself as I watch the last few squares peel off the roll "Oh MAN! Why don't I just buy a bunch to have on hand? Would ht at be so hard, Tracy?" Then, lo and behold, I head out to get the mail and here sits this box of toilet paper.

Warning to all of you who eat an extra slice of pie in your own kitchen after the lights are out: MOM KNOWS. I'm telling you.

Proposal for Webster's

Anyall (pron. any-all) To calmly and firmly refuse requests of another.
As in: I don't take a nap anyall.
As in: I don't take a bath anyall.
See also: ornery two year old phrases.

Combination of anymore and not at all. A new word via Ryan.

A bit off key, but oh so fun.

One of my favorite things to do with Ryan at this age is go back and forth counting or singing songs or saying the ABCs. I think it is delightful to see how much he actually memorizes when we read stories or learn a song, so I stop and he will just fill in the blanks.

Sometimes this tactic goes a bit haywire, though. Months ago when we first started counting, I would say 1, he would say 2, etc. It was great, except for that he still says his 1-10 as 1 2 4 6 8 10 11...no matter how many times I say ONE TWO THREE! One two FOUR comes out.

But we'll get there. And, this singing thing is just too adorable to let pass without doing a few at bedtime.

Also, while he will sing to me all the time, singing for the camera or for other people (like his dad) is like asking a jellyfish to sit still on a porcupine...so you know I am a bit of a stage mom here, bribing and cajoling so he will be for you like he is for me: adorable two-ness.

Growing Up

Grandma Calli sent this adorable outfit for David. Moms are goofy, because when I got this for him and saw how adorable he was in it, I wondered if I could get away with having him wear this All Week Long. (Don't worry, I didn't.)
The further we go into "2" the harder it is to get a non-blurred picture of Ryan. If you look closely at his shirt, you can see that it is Phil's truck in red carrying a Christmas tree. Another shirt I wanted him to wear the Entire Month.
When I'm not looking...hugs and kisses and nearly head-popping affection. Warms a mamma's heart.
Thanksgiving Day in DesMoines. The boys (5 and 8) played SO well with Ryan. Here, the 8 year old has arranged a fun game for Ryan and himself. The wagon and the sled are tied together, and the 5 year old is straining to pull the other two along. Very crafty, if I do say so myself.