A Sign of Spring

A few days ago, Justin filled his bird feeders in our backyard. I have been patiently watching out my kitchen window in hopes that the finches will soon return. This afternoon, the enjoyable bright splashes of yellow have arrived.

These bright-yellow little birds are as fun to watch as they are gorgeous.

Sunday Humor

In the Catholic Humor section of our Church bulletin, the following appeared:

A minister decided that visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the sermon, the minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol is dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke is dead. The third worm in chocolate syrup is dead. The fourth worm in good clean soil is alive. So the minister asked the congregation, "What did you learn from this demonstration?" Maxine was sitting in the back and quickly said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate...you won't have worms!"

It was Palm Sunday and because of a sore throat five year old Billy stayed home from Church with a sitter. When his family returned home, they were carrying several Palm Branches. Billy asked, "What are they for?" His parents replied, "People held them over Jesus' head as He walked by." "Wouldn't you know it," Billy fumed, "The one Sunday that I don't go to church, HE showed up!"

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Justin

Spring Flood 2009

The past few weeks have been challenging as flood water has impacted several farms, towns and cities in North Dakota.

This aerial photo provided by an e-mail shows the view of our Hometown.

A section of Interstate 94 was closed Sunday evening, April 12th and opened on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. due to flooding in a number of areas.

An aerial view of Interstate 94 and Old Highway #10

A semi drives through flood water and ice slabs on Interstate 29 north of Grand Forks, North Dakota on March 30, 2009.

A fence post nearly submerged in water provides the only color in this ditch which is located near our farm.

Water gushing through a culvert south of town on March 24, 2009.

This photo provided by an e-mail shows cattle trying to survive in Linton.

Chug~a~Chug~a.....Choo~Choo

I thought some of you might enjoy viewing these photos that I have recently received from an e-mail. This is a small railroad line between Pingree and Woodworth, North Dakota which is located about 15 miles southwest of Carrington.

Riddle Me ~ Riddle Me Ree

Looking out my window....

we're greeted with another North Dakota Blizzard. We are receiving more snow which is blowing and making snow drifts from the strong howling winds. With these blizzard conditions, the kids are enjoying that there has been no school for the past two days.

I am thinking....

that I am not wanting to spend time outside and in order for me to continue to simplify our home inside, I decided to tackle another one of those dreadful boxes that remain to rest so quietly on a shelf in our garage.

I enjoy watching....

the girls rummage through each box that I bring in as if it were a large Christmas present. Some items can easily be tossed while other items bring back a flurry of memories.

We came upon....

a piece of paper which included some of their favorite riddles that I had collected over the years. When we travel long distances, such as going to Nebraska for irrigation parts, I would bring this list along to help pass the time. My four munchkins always enjoyed trying to guess the riddles as I read them aloud.

Spend a few minutes having fun with your family and see how many you can guess.

Riddle Me ~ Riddle Me Ree, I see something you don't see.

1. I run all day and never walk. I tell you something but I don't talk.
2. A house with no windows nor doors to behold. Crack me open inside, I'm gold.
3. When you look at my face it's easy to see, you're looking at you when you're looking at me.
4. Round like a plate, flat as a chip, holes like eyes, but can't see a bit.
5. Soft as a petal that falls from a tree, the more I dry, the wetter I'll be.
6. I'm inside and outside, I'm short or I'm tall. You look at me to see through a wall.
7. Fluffy and light, I live in the sky, my shape ever-changing as I go by.
8. The warmer it gets, the more I wear. But when it's cold, I am quite bare.
9. In sand and in mud, I'm easy to find. You're always in front, I'm always behind.
10. I don't have feet to skip or hop, yet I can run and never stop.
11. In bright sunshine, I'm always here. But turn off the lights and I disappear.
12. I'm like a garden of blossoms bright that only blooms in dark of night.
13. I have legs but never run. Tuck yourself in, and wait for the sun.

The answers are:

1 clock ~ 2 egg ~ 3 mirror ~ 4 button ~ 5 towel ~ 6 window ~ 7 cloud ~ 8 tree ~ 9 footprints ~ 10 river ~ 11 shadow ~ 12 stars ~ 13 bed

Wordless Wednesday

What a Celebration!

We attended the game in Hazelton on February 27th where the Kidder County Lady Pirates defeated Litchville-Marion-Montpelier with a score of 52-35 for the Region 3 Title.

This was the third time in the last five years that the Kidder County Lady Pirates have appeared in the State B Girls Basketball Tournaments. Our kids were so excited when we told them that we were going to Grand Forks on March 6th and 7th. It was an honor to watch the Kidder County Lady Pirates play!

With seconds remaining in the championship game, the score was tied at 43-43. Lady Pirate #11, Lindsey Sand, quickly dribbled the ball down the lane and missed the shot. Lady Pirate #22, Eli Benz, rebounded the ball and made the winning basket at the buzzer and defeated Fordville-Lankin-Park River with a final score of 45-43.

The photo above was taken by Eric Hylden

2009 State Champions of Class B Girls Basketball

Four coaches at the Class B Girls Tournament at the Alerus Center had daughters who played for them.

Kidder County Head Coach, Mark Sand and his daughter, Lindsey

The photo above was taken by Eric Hylden

I feel that a spirit award should go to this outstanding couple. Kurt really knew how to work the crowd by firing up the Pirate Fans.

Can you find Justin in this crowd?

Kimberly giving a High Five.

Candid Snapshots at the Alerus Center

We're Back...

We have recently purchased a new computer due to the fact that our old computer was no longer functioning appropriately. Since we both lack computer knowledge, we decided to have a Geek Squad Agent come into our home. It was so nice to have someone know what they were doing and to have everything installed correctly. On the day that the Geek Squad Agent was scheduled to arrive, McKayla really wanted to stay home from school so that she could be the first to initiate the Slug Bug Contest with her father.

Puppy Love

A Chihuahua puppy was born in Odate, Japan with a heart shaped pattern on his coat. Shop owner Emiko Sakurada said it was the first time that a puppy with a heart marking had been born out of about a thousand that she had bred. She had no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named Heart-Kun.

Happy Valentine's Day

How Is This For A Snowman?

This big bear snowman sculpture was built in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Kinda gives you an idea of how much snow we've been having.

At this very moment, it is actually raining. Freezing rain will spread across Central North Dakota tonight as a low pressure system moves into the area. The temperature is at 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit. While air temperatures are above freezing, ground temperatures are largely below freezing. This means that rainfall may begin to freeze on roadways even before the air temperature drops to 32 degrees. An ice storm warning has been issued for tonight through Tuesday afternoon.

Twelve Additional Commandments