Been a long time!!!

Well, it's been quite a while since I've posted family news on here.  I keep thinking about it, but other things keep taking priority over it. 

Reuben has been largely out of work for quite a while, due to the cold weather and the snow. Thankfully, both are on their way out, and so he should be back to work regularly soon.  We praise God for that prospect.

We are having a garden at our own place this year instead of at Reuben's folks' place 15 minutes away.  But due to the rocky soil, we are having to hand dig it first.  Rather tiring, but fulfilling since we anticipate the pleasure of tilling, planting, observing, and harvesting as the summer progresses.  We are excited about that!  So anyway, yesterday and today we were out there digging.  Today we also purchased some new garden tools.  We'd been using Reuben's parent's stuff, but now we'll need our own.  So, armed with seeds and tools, we should soon be in business! :-)

Speaking of gardening, though--I've started our tomato plants inside like usual, and the first ones are about 2 or 3 inches high and looking good.  We have a 3-seasons porch on our house, and on warm days it works like a greenhouse for our little growing things.  We also have lettuce that we hope to eat long before it will be ready outside.  Mmmm... home-grown lettuce salads... Yum!

  8 months old and as happy as ever!

 Grandpa is trying to help me crawl.  I don't understand what I'm supposed to do yet, but I like him playing with me anyway!

Often when Mommy plays piano, I laugh and coo and sing along.  But she knows good and well that I like to play, too!  One day she fixed me up in a fine little seat (I also eat in that seat) and scooted me up to the piano.  As you can see, I sure had fun!

 Peas and applesauce.  Yum, yum!

 I'm starting to get tired, but I'm still happy. :)

 There are several noises that scare me: when Mommy winds a bobbin on her sewing machine, when I hear Daddy's impact drill and when he blows his nose.  (Maybe there are others, but I don't remember them now.  `Sides, if I told you any more, you might think I'm a sissy--and I'm not!).  I don't know why, but my face just crumples up and I cry till somebody holds me.  But if I sit on Mommy or Daddy's laps while they do those scary things, then it's better.

 Riding high on Daddy's shoulders

 Two of my cousins (and their mommy and daddy and little brother who's my age) came for a visit recently.  Her my girl cousin is feeding me.  I think she had fun, and she did a good job. :-)

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 Reuben holding a big rock he dug up from the corner of our garden.

I (Judi) also worked on clearing the dead stuff out of our flower beds.  The daffodils are poking their heads up, as well as the tulips and crocuses.  What a wonderful time of year!