Time for carving

My children have waited patiently for this day for so long! That's the trouble, I guess, with buying your pumpkins early...your children have to wait two whole weeks to carve them, so they don't rot!
Anyway, the day finally arrived. Nolan wanted to go free form with his and I think it turned out so well. He even made a wee one for me! Such a gernerous boy! Teah wanted to use a pattern from the book that came with the carving tools...hers is the head-less horseman..and I was surprised at how well hers turned out! Nakai wanted a scary skull....and as he was not feeling at all well, he nominated Andy to be the carver.... a short time (and a few grumbles) later, voila! A skull!!! Nakai was thrilled when he saw it three days later (after his fever broke) and declared, "Andy is the best carver ever!"....which made the man feel pretty good:)

We are lighting the candles every night and standing outside to admire the spooky pumpkins!

Music Man

Nakai was really getting musical today! It makes my heart glad:)

Do your children make inventions like these???

Okay, so Teah was home sick this week and she made a great invention. I would show it to you here, but my sink is piled high with dishes that I really need to wash, so I'll tell you about it instead.... Teah made a really cool faucet turner! Cool, right? I think it was constructed from a segment of kinex, a long piece of yarn and a whole lot of tape....she can pull the kinex rod one way and the faucet turns on...if she pulls the rod the other way, the faucet turns off. Super cool!

She was extremely proud of her invention and Nakai really loved it because he could finally turn the faucet on and get his own drink!

Well, not to be outdone, Nolan decided to get right to it and created the invention pictured above!

Okay, so like you, when I first saw it, I thought it was exactly what you are thinking right now.....my first thought was, "where on earth would Nolan have seen one of these, to know how to model one?" So I told myself, "self, slow down....hear the child....just listen....don't talk!" I'm so glad I did! Here is what Nolan created: "I made a magic potion that you have to be very careful with....if it breaks, it will turn into an alien and it will be so dangerous." Me: "Wow, that looks like a powerful potion." Nolan: "Yeah, it is, be careful, mom." Me: "How did you make it so powerful?" Nolan: "Well, I first found a jar thingy (flower bud vase from the florist) and then I put a battery in it and some coffee, but then it kept spilling out, so I had to find a thing to put in the top to make it not come out." Me: "I see, where did you find the part on top?" Nolan: " Outside in that big hole that the workers made." Me: "Well, I really hope that we don't break it....I hear aliens eat a lot." Nolan: "Yeah."

So, there you have it, the whole scoop! I knew I had to share this picture with you! Can you imagine if he would've chosen to take his potion to school for show and tell? Oh, My!

Inspired...

"The Where The Wild Things Are Monster House" By ~Teah
Kids gettin crafty

Nolan's creations

"Wild Things" on top of a spy glass by Teah

Wild Things hanging out by a wild tree house

Teah's creations

Graves of my Daddy by ~Nakai

...by the movie, Where the Wild Things Are...(which I was disappointed by)....

Anyway, the children were very inspired by the monsters and wanted to hurry home and create with clay. We had a huge mess on the dining room table all weekend as the worked in various stages....wetting, warming, rolling, shaping, drying, painting, etc.... I think their creations turned out pretty well...They are all feeling crafty and accomplished, a feeling I personally can't get enough of:)

Bulldozer Progress

Okay, I know I said I was taking a blogger break for awhile...and, after this, I am. I was supposed to be moving this weekend and therefore would not have had time to blog. However, I am not moving this weekend due to a setback with Columbus Day. So, I thought I would let you see the progress the bulldozers are making. My yard seriously has become a construction site. Seriously. I keep dreaming that I'll come home from work and one will be coming through the side of my house. (and I hear Dennis' voice saying, "My girl with rabbit medicine"....) So, here is the update...Oh, and I would also like to share that this is more than just ugly. It is dirty...messy...creating lots of work for me...you should see Nolan when he comes in....and his shoes, clothes, coat....and my floor...uggh....how many times can you wash sneakers and coats before they fall apart?

All before school...

...That's right, this is mid October! I woke up feeling less than excited. My sweet, beautiful sons, on the other hand, felt differently...and thanks to them, we started the day on a positive note! The lessons we learn from these little ones are often times profound. Thanks Nolan and Nakai for helping Mama see the light on a very dark morning.

If you're wondering....the figures they created are "Snow God and his little sweet son, Snow Jesus" by Nakai and "Snow aliens"by Nolan)

They started outside at 6:30am and played while I got things ready for school/work....They were very disappointed when it was time to go....

Oh, also, they asked me for gloves....I of course have no idea where gloves are (it is October).....they happened to find one pair...and shared them! They each took one glove and together were able to build these wonderful figures! Makes a mama's heart so glad!!!!

And then...when we finally got to school, we were walking in and I noticed that in the excitement of the morning, I had totally forgotten to brush their hair! Not a huge issue if your son has a nice neat crew cut....totally noticeable with the amount of hair on these two boys! I felt like such a loser mother....but they were pretty happy....and wet and dirty! What can you do?

Still smiling...

...is it believable?

Bulldozers arrive

The view from my back porch

As some of you know, my "unit" has been selected for 504 handicap renovations....that means I have to move... no big deal, right? I'm buying a house....we were supposed to close this Friday. Well, guess what? It is a big deal, we are not closing Friday (obviously) and these dozers are tearing up the place. Moving power lines, ripping the yard apart...waiting to rip up my house....if only I would get out. I'm feeling very unsettled and stressed about this....even though there is not a thing I can do to make it better.....Just thought I'd share:)

Ahhhh....

...A moment just for me....just because.....and it felt so good to have something on the sticks again:)

"I want a hawk"

...and you shall have one!

Bakugan....Tree?

Do any of YOU mama's have a bakugan tree? Just wondering!

Harvest Celebration

Fall is my favorite season.....it is encapsulated in beauty!

Pumpkin Patch

We enjoyed a wonderful Sunday evening at Cooper's Farm with Chuck and Mary. Afterwards, we came home and enjoyed a game of Uno and some pumpkin pie, cookies and cider. A great way to spend a beautiful Fall evening.

Coolspring Power Museum

The whole gang was there
So much to see

happy friends

engines everywhere

Teah with Teah Jr.

Sadie listens intently as Tom explains how things work

so much to learn

Waiting for the big one!

Mama Betsy and sweet baby Miles were there

Waiting with baited breath

Almost there

I love this girl!

Nolie discovered a huge earthworm

Boy toys

Friends

Silly, silly Nakai

Ninja...indian?

A young boys dream playground

Even Elaine Grace couldn't resist

And for the grand finale, a tour of the town:)

We had a blast at Mama C's house warming party and during our tour of the Coolspring Power Museum. We had our own tour guide! He even took us for a ride in an antique fire truck! The boys really enjoyed themselves.....us Mama's felt nervous about the safety aspect, but were glad that the wild boys had a chance to be wild :)

Super Hero Day at School

Thanks Andy! Our costumes were a big hit:)

Love in my bones...in my heart..

for you all! I'm thinking of all of you and what you mean to me and how you add so many fine qualities to my life. I'm sorry I haven't been able to call, write, or visit you all as much as I'd like. I'm struggling with finding balance right now.....balance between work/home/family....doing much juggling at the moment and I'm beginning to feel like I'm not doing much of anything really well. More like, I'm just hanging on, handling things on a day to day basis. I'm missing my rhythm....flow......spiritual practices, etc.
So, I've decided that I really do have to take a blogging break for a little bit. There is so much I want to share with you all...and I will. But for the next few weeks I will be focused on moving. That's right! We're closing on our house next Friday! It's both exciting and terribly frightening. So, we'll be going to work/school during the daytime and then packing/moving/unpacking during the evenings/weekends. I'll take lots of pics and promise to do some posting as soon as things are in order.
Until then, I'll be holding you all so close in my heart and thinking of you and wishing we could all be together, living, learning, loving.....

Dear, Sweet Doc

Greetings friends,

The world lost a beautiful light tonight. And heaven has gained one powerful angel. Our beloved "Doc" Robin Herman lost his battle with cancer tonight. His suffering is now over. My heart is very heavy tonight as I grieve once more.....I'm thinking of Carole, Doc's love and of his son Justin and what they are going through....and holding them warmly, with so much love, in my heart.

I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to know such a loving, compassionate, generous man. That I was able to benefit from the gifts and blessings that he added to my life and the lives of Dennis and the children. We are all better for having walked beside him, worked with him, learned from him, known him and loved him. The children of the world are better for the work he has done, contributions he has made, paths he has blazed....inmates are better for the work he has done, for books written, curriculum created, programming offered. Communities are better for his dedication, perseverance, struggles on their behalf. May Hanbleceya House continue the work of this great man and may many more people benefit from his teachings.

I'll never forget the support Doc lent me when I was facing the hardest challenge of my life. I called him to tell him that Dennis had passed...I fell apart....I told him that I didn't know how to do any of this....I wasn't sure if I even wanted a service.....how, who, what....etc... He pulled me together...He told me to hang on, that he was on his way, that HE would officiate. That it would be exactly what it needed to be......and it was. Between Joe Michaux and Doc's direction, we found our way (and the physical and emotional help of so many others).
I went out to Dayton, to SunWatch Indian Village this summer, at Doc's request, for one of many memorials for Dennis. I didn't think I could do it again...it has been so hard. But Doc was right there with me and the children....he spoke for us, he stood with us, he danced with us, he looked out for us. We went to his house the next day, and he cried, telling us all the things that Dennis meant to him....he sat with my children and told them powerful things about their daddy.....he taught them lessons, he shared sacred ceremonial gifts with them, he helped them understand that they still have their daddy, just in a different way now. He had all of the many gifts Dennis had given him through the years beautifully displayed throughout his home.....Doc has been so many things to my family.....filled so many roles......no one could be for me what he has been.
Doc filled the hearts of so many people....he will be sorely missed. Let's keep his work going, folks.....keep his memory alive.....share his stories, his gifts, his contributions with our families and many others. Aho!

Please let me know if any of you are interested in directions or details regarding Doc's service......and please hold Carole close in your prayers as she navigates through this.


Mitakuye Oyasin, (All My Relations)
Terah

Communing with the gods of nature!

Happy Sunday everyone! We enjoyed getting away from the noise of the neighborhood today and heading for Bilger's Rocks. It was so great to run through the shade of the woods and climb up the rocks and splash in the creek and to feel the moss under my toes. I smiled, watching Scooter chase the kids through the woods and seeing the kids climb without fear and to observe Teah taking risks and pushing herself to limits previously unknown. She has such courage...a courage that I don't have! The caves and spaces at Bilger's are very dark and very narrow and very steep. I encourage from afar....taking the pictures, holding the stuff, looking down...looking up...but I very rarely leave my comfort zone. Today, Teah pushed herself to try Devil's Kitchen, a favorite of both Andy and her dad. She hadn't done it before, always stayed with me and watched....today she tried it and succeeded! I'm proud of her! Nolan also amazed me with his climbing prowess...excelled at climbing up and down, trees and rocks. He also made me proud by watching out for Nakai and reminding him of his personal limits....such a "big brother".... Nakai made me smile at his lack of fear. This kid doesn't think twice....wants to be just like Nolan, and climbed up the side of a huge rock, just like Spider man! Andy climbed and played facilitator to everyone's requests. I breathed in and out through my nose very deeply and tried to find the balance I was lacking these last few days. I think it helped. On our way out, we ran into our friends Shannon, Nick and Riley who were just arriving and beginning their adventure.

So much fun! Next up, bowling with Ryan and Loryn and Scylar tonight....then baths and bedtime.....

Party at the Dam!

We're there 2 seconds and he already found a crayfish!
2 minutes and he had a shoe-full and was building a corral.

Brothers testing the water....brrrr...

sweet boys.

Beautiful Girl!

Playground fun!

yummy cake!

Scooter was there!

Mama was in her bliss!

Birthday party...Nolan style!

"Not all who wander are lost..."

The beauty of nature.

Brothers enjoying the dam.

Thank you feet, for carrying me...

sugar toes.

PIZZA!

Teah and Teah Jr....partying!

my hip sista, Loryn Rae was there!

Scylar and Nolan collecting creatures.

Ryan, Nick and Mama Shannon know where to hang!

We had fun splashin!

cold, splashy fun!

Riley, the fish!

Elaine Grace had fun.

Between Mama Shannon and I, buckets were found for everyone!

Swimming happened.

Nolan found a snake....of course!

Thanks for being the resident snake handler, Ryan!

Elaine went on an adventure.

Mama C. and beautiful Elaine Grace played in the water.

Mama C. with little Marlie, Elaine and Riley.

The Cherico-Martin girl clan....

Megan and Teah went for a hike.

Over the bridge...

Circle around the birthday boy....

"Uncle John" smudged Nolan

And Nakai....

and Ayden...

Thanks John, for standing in...

Wild boys...

Crazy, fun!

Gathering materials for the boat buiding contest...

This team's on a roll...

It was a loooong party! We all really enjoyed hanging out together. The weather was perfect and really, where else would you want to be on a beautiful day?

...building....

And the winner is.....Andy! (though he later got disqualified for using a tool and having an unfair advantage over the other participants...)

Nolan's party was so much fun! We all went to the Brookville Dam and hung out for the day. We ate pizza, collected snakes and crayfish and other bugs....played hard on the playground....hiked, had a ship-building contest....splashed and swam....and so much more! The mamas and papas and others enjoyed connecting on such a beautiful day and the wee ones had a blast communing together and we all enjoyed celebrating Nolan's big day.

For the ceremonial part of the party, we circled around the birthday boy as a symbol of family...support....love. We acknowledged that one person wasn't with us physically, but that he's still always with us and that he loves Nolan so much and is so proud of the boy he is becoming. John McDermott stood in as "Uncle" and smudged Nolan (and Nakai and Ayden) while we all stood together in the circle. We shouted a "Happy Birthday" to Nolan, and then it was time to eat cake!!! The children were quick about it and eagerly rushed back to the wet stuff.

I'm thankful to all of our beautiful friends for making an effort to celebrate this important day with us.

Roll Call for Nolan's Party: Mama B and the tribe (of course); Andy, who came after a sweat lodge; Mama C and her tribe (Ayden, Elaine, Marlie and friend Jamie); Mom and Pop McDermott and Jake and Megan; Ryan, Loryn Rae and Scylar; Mama Shannon with Nick and little Riley.... you guys are our village and I love you so much! Thanks for all you add to our lives and all the help you give me.

Cake!

As requested, a fruity cake made by Mama....I think it turned out beautifully!

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Can you believe this sweet boy has been here for 8 years already? Wow! I love this kid so much! I'm so proud to be his mama and watch him explore and learn new things...he's an awesome boy and I'm so thankful for the lessons he has taught me.

Muscle Man

He's so tough!

"Daddy"

Before school this week, Nakai was really into building "Daddy" with his jump box manipulatives...didn't want to go to school.....just wanted to stay with Daddy and his big muscles...hmmm.....I think someone really misses his daddy this week.

Happy First Day of School!

Well, it happened....the first day of school. Both the Bussell tribe and the Meholick tribe headed off to public education this year. Life evolves and changes and we have to, too....

I think they'll all like aspects of the experience.....we'll see. I'm trying to remain positive and not project! I'll keep you posted.

Happy Birthday Sweet Duane

We spent a wonderful day with our friends, the Michaux family, celebrating Duane's birthday and remembering all the things we love about him. We couldn't stay for the starlight birthday balloon send off, but we took one with us and set it free in our backyard. We love you, Duane!

Kayaks and cookouts

Nakai feeling very independent
Sending Nolan off..

Happy kids...

Beautiful Teah in her yak!

Nolan

A great day in the cathedral of nature.

Andy

Time for Mama to float

More....

and more...

safety boys, swimming

sand play for this one

Work hard, Nakai!

Building gnome houses while waiting for dinner.

Andy's on dinner duty

Here come Chuck and Mary!

Okay, so that wasn't the last outing of summer....we came across a day that was just perfect for kayaking, so we seized the opportunity and took off for Parker Dam. The children had a good time and we got to breathe a little bit. Andy's parents met us there and we enjoyed a cookout and some more time in the lake. Nice to be able to get away from the neighborhood kids and enjoy some family time in our favorite place...the woods.

DelGrosso's, our final summer outing...I think!

We've traveled so much this summer, and much of it was necessary, but not necessarily fun, or what the children would've chosen to do....so it was very nice to offer up the day to the wee ones. We did it all, the waterpark, the rides, the waterpark again....whatever they wanted! It was a YES day and I'm so glad. Smiles all day long, from everyone. Happy Summer!

Scooter is weird!

Frog love

Pittsburgh Zoo

Nolan had an appointment at the new Children's Hospital in August. We were excited by the new facility....much brighter, way better parking and it was pretty easy to find everything. I wasn't so impressed by the neighborhood though....didn't seem safe, and really no selection in terms of restaurants and things to do while you're there. We always try to do something fun after our visits, so this time, we picked the zoo. We had such a great day! Andy was out of school and got to come with us, the animals were all out and the weather was perfect. We stayed all day and really had fun. Thanks Gma Janet for a great Christmas present! We got to see the new shark tunnel (s)....so cool!

The long road home

We had to hurry back from Ohio to get to 6th grade orientation for Teah and to witness Andy's graduation from nursing school. It was a long drive and I was very tired, but we made it, safe and sound. I even got to nap on a picnic table at a rest area for awhile...thanks kids!

More camping fun...

Nolan really tried to touch a sea gull.
Nakai, working on his masterpiece.

Future Lifeguards in training

Neck in neck...

Nolan and Teah buried Jasmine :)

Tricks on a stolen board....(that's a long story)

He was pretty good...

Nakai enjoyed Kaliyah's sweet ride:)

family time

volleyball...can you tell they are the winning team?

volleyball

playing for keeps!

Teah getting close to "Padfoot", the feral cat who found our campsite...

Mom..did you really take it home?

This child kept tracking sand all over me...and my blanket :(

Grandma showing the grandkids who's boss!

Pretty bird.

Freezing, funny face boy!

We all had a good time camping together and packed as much adventure into 4 days as we possibly could. Looking forward to next time! I'm sure it will be even better.

Buck Creek with the fam...

homemade fishing poles and secret trails that lead to the lake...

cooking and fire play...

swimming in the lake

Nolan gave Kaliyah a swim lesson!

mud and water fun!

it was cold, but they had fun!

mud painting

Teah painted a medicine wheel on Jasmine's back!

girls hanging out...

water dancing....

Gma warms the baby girl...

floating....

Mama watches from the bank..

we're all having fun, right?

aahhh, the spa treatment!

Poison Ivy!!! Yuck!!!

On the road again...

..this time we were heading to Ohio to camp with the fam...

A boy and his bones

Nolan's Collection :)