Tree Angels

My tree angels.

Mark throwing a stump on the fire.

Thomas in front of the brush pile. My poor broken tree-tops.

Thomas retiring to his "office."

One tuckered girl. That was a whole lot of action for Allie.

Christian moving limbs.

Greg pulling "the big one" on his four-wheeler and John going deep.

James tackling "the big one" and making it look like pie.

Ben getting his slice on.

After the ice storm, we had more of a mess than we knew how to shake a stick at. And yes, I sometimes like to think I'm funny. These incredible guys, minus not-pictured Mark and Jeremy, surprised Christian one Sunday afternoon to the tune of two trailers, one four-wheeler, five chainsaws, several gas cans and a lot of muscle all wrapped up in six hard-working fellas under the organization of Mr. Ben. Though they didn't come with a bow, this was indeed a gift to us. This overwhelming task would have taken Christian weeks if not months since he's in the middle of the busiest season of his job. I can't thank these guys enough. They are good friends, good men and chainsawing hotties.

Home Sweet Home

This is our road after they cleared it six times with a bulldozer

The trees bow down

Two cold kiddos having a snack in front of the fire by candlelight

On day eight, we were out of fire wood, clean sippy cups/dishes and clean clothes so we packed up and went to LR to stay with my Mom. I got to see my brother and sister and both their families. I love my nephew, Braxton, and niece, Mallory. I love having family that I actually like, too. Amy (my cousin) introduced me to their girls' night tradition in her "Man Den" in the garage. Now I can finally picture this event when they talk about it. I have to say that The Clockwork Orange and Iron Maiden posters will now haunt me again and make me have bad dreams just like when I was a little kid. Amy reminded me that when we were kids all the older kids couldn't watch Thriller because of me being a scared-y cat. Oh, the torture of being the baby!

Anyway, we got some great time with Dee Dee (my mom). She took the boys to The Wonder Place and she had my car washed inside and out to give me a happy in the middle of all that hard. Thomas got to sleep with her and stay up late. They ate organic the whole time we were there from the chocolate milk and cereal bars to the dried cranberries for snacks. We had to get creative with toys and fun, but it all worked out.

It didn't however end well. Friday night I had a wreck with both boys and my mom in the car. Someone (a teenage punk with a car full of other teenage punks) made an illegal u-turn and pulled out to the right-hand lane in front of me. Having nowhere to go and so I wouldn't hit him, I swerved to the left lane and hit the people in front of me and they hit the guy in front of them. Saaaweeet. It was the perfect icing on the cake to our two weeks of tyranny. Everyone involved was thankfully, okay. I got the license plate of the kid who pulled in front of me and my insurance company is going to investigate for me. I feel really good about their decision to do that. Wanka teenagers.

So, I'm home. I'm making hot yummy food for my family tonight and calling for ban on eating out. I will promptly wash the dishes after we use them. I will pack up the space heaters into a place very hard to get to and not look back. I will try not to have a fire the rest of this month. My kids clothes will get dirty like they always do, but, we get to throw the boys in a bath tub of very warm water to soak off all the unseens. Thomas and will be picking up sticks (more like trees to Christian) maybe for a year and I'm happy about that outdoor activity to keep him busy. He does love his sticks. Wyatt will just chase the dog.

Home sweet home. It's good to be here. Love to all. Out for now.