The Talens' Tales

Just over a month ago, we had our final snow fall that gave us enough snow to break the record for the most snow fall in one winter.  This week, we had warm enough temperatures to set a new record high for one of those days. The leaves are out on the trees and everything has tuned green again. The tulips and daffodils are in bloom. We are pretty excited about the nice, warm weather we have been having. Here the kids are standing on what is left of the pile . There is a tiny bit of snow under their feet. We are looking forward to a great summer!

This spring has been filled with lots of "new to us" things on the farm. 1) Zero-turn lawn mower. I am pretty excited about this since I have done the majority of the lawn mowing in the past. However, the guys like this new one so much, I may not have to mow at all this summer!  2) Tractor. I don't know too much about this tractor and all of its specs or anything. But I do know it has more horsepower, the hydraulics work much better and it is in much better shape that the other tractors we had. 3) Minivan. Our car was going to need some work in order to pass inspection again this year, so we decided it was time to up grade. I love the power sliding doors and the extra space. It was so nice to have when my parents were visiting. We could all hop in and go some where together, rather than trying to follow each other in town. It was great!

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time. When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her. If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets. I have read and enjoyed several of Dee Henderson's books, and her lastest, Taken, is one of the best. I really could not put it down once I have...

She is 2!   We had a lovely day celebrating with Mataya on Sunday. I made her a flower cake. I had just enough frosting to cover the entire cake and I didn't want to make another batch just to write "Happy Birthday" on the cake. I figured we would remember what it was for.  I think she liked it. :)  We had Opa and Oma over for a typical bread lunch, which is certainly Mataya's favourite meal. And she opened her gifts throughout the day. Oma and Opa gave her a lovely dress and this nice little wheelbarrow that was filled with toys for the sandbox. Mataya's big brother was even more excited than Mataya for her birthday. He was very concerned about when she would open her presents. And he was certain the big present from Grandma and Grandpa was a whole bunch of tractors for Mataya. He didn't seem too disappointed when he found out it was the Little People House.

 Mom: Mataya! You are 2 years old! M(ataya): I really like being 2, mom. In fact I have been trying it out for a few weeks already, just so I would be prepared for when I actually turned 2. Mom: Oh, you mean those full-out-throw-yourself-on-the-floor-temper-tantrums you have been having lately? I have noticed. M: I do like being a big girl though. There are lots of things I can do for myself and most of the time you understand what I am trying to tell you. I like to sing and do silly things that make you laugh. And I love to be outside. I had forgotten how nice warm weather is. But how come you won't let me wear shorts every day? I don't want to wear pants any more. Mom: Some days it is just not warm enough for you to wear shorts. It is not quite summer yet, but it is getting close. What else is new in your world? M: I have some new teeth, so my smile is a bit more filled in. I am pretty good at stringing a few words together into little sentences. I am also  s...

Caleb a character from the Bible who comes in without much fanfare or background information. But what was Caleb's life like? Who was he? Where did he come from? And how did he become one of the leaders of the Israelites? Exodus , the first book in the Shadow of the Mountain series by Cliff Graham answers these questions. Caleb is old, but still leading the Israelites in their conquest of the promised land. Knowing his time on earth is short, Caleb decides now is the time for his story to be told and recorded for those who will come after him. His story starts when he is young man and a foreigner in Egypt who becomes known for his carving and stone work. He then enters the Egyptian army and becomes one of the most decorated warriors ever. But, he is drawn to the Hebrew slaves, especially when Moses and his brother Aaron meet with Pharaoh and strange plagues fall over Egypt. Will he join the Hebrews when they leave Egypt or defend the Pharaoh he has severed for so many years...

 As I said in my previous post, my parents were out for a visit from Michigan over the last week. We always enjoy having visitors and the kids were especially excited that it was Grandma and Grandpa coming to visit. Joash jumped up and down when I told him Grandpa and Grandma were coming. We did a lot of things while they were here. We went bowling, so my parents could check out 5-pin blowing. My parents and I also did some painting in the house while the kids were sleeping. But most of the time, we just hung out and my parents played with the kids. We flew kites:  The kids also made sure Grandpa was good to climb on.  We had such a lovely time and we are so thankful for the technology that allows us to do things like Skype. We are certain this makes such a difference for our kids. They still know their grandparents even though they don't get to see them too often. We will see you again sometime soon!

Mother's Day this year was very nice for several reason. My mom and dad were visiting, so I got to spend it with my mom. It was as relaxing a day as a Sunday can be. And now that Joash is in Pre-K, I get cute things like this: Joash's picture of me.  Joash's Pre-K does a little Mother's Day Tea each year before Mother's Day. It was so sweet and Joash even sang some of the songs and did some of the actions as well, so that was really neat to see. And hanging on the wall, the teacher's put up a little questionnaire they had asked the kids about their mom. Here is what Joash had to say about me: I am happy to report that Joash and I flew kites on Friday with Grandma and Grandpa. I do love being a mother to both of my kids!

Well this first one happened a few days ago, but it is still pretty neat. Joash demonstrated that he could write his whole name. What a difference a year (and Pre-K) has made. He went from a boy who really couldn't care less about using a pencil or drawing, to this:  But this really did happen today... My boys sledding down the snow pile on May 2nd. For perspective sake, if you noticed the lowest branch on the tree along the shed roof. A month ago that branch was partially buried in snow. But my parents come next week and according to the forecast, they are bringing spring with them. Yahoo!