Ominous

Dark, low, and heavy. A few nights ago while I was home with the kids, the clouds rolled in. After snapping this pic It was time to put the kids to bed. After the pottying, teeth brushing, jammying, scripturing, praying, and finally hugs and kisses goodnight. I carried Ry up to put him in bed and as we rounded the top of the stairs and stopped to peek out at the rain, KA-SCHMACK!!!! Lightning hits the tree in our neighbors front yard. A mere 60 feet from where I stood holding a now shaking Ry. When Linds got home we walked over to check out the carnage. The lightning blasted out a 5 foot trench 8 inches deep that exploded the bark from a large root, and threw chunks of dirt and grass 15-20 feet. It was awesome! Then Linds went out for a run. Don't worry, she wisely chose to leave her usual running umbrella at home.This is our yard 2 years ago. It is in its own right somewhat ominous. Or was, until we rocked its world with our yardening skills.

Before: And now, the After: (bare feet finally welcome)Lindsey's most lovely wildflower garden. Also barely visible, the shed I built. Also lovely. We have added three more kids to the fun house this summer that Lindsey will be watching. This is the first of the 2009 summer shots. I took Sam and his friend to a nearby moss pond to fish. Sam likes catching, loves tormenting, and refuses the eating, of fish.They both caught their limit of moss and fish, and we sent his friend home with all eight trout. He ate the albino one that very night. Lindsey stayed home and made banana bread with the girls and double the toddlers. So it's shaping up to be a pretty fine summer. We're looking forward to some visits from family and friends soon. Seriously, there really is more to do here than smell cows and get hayfever. Just wait until it quits raining, and you'll want to bring a sleeping bag.... Sam is more than willing to share his bunkbed, but he'll also share stories until you physically make him stop. Anyway, you can sleep as late as you want, but the sprinklers come on at 9:30. How's that for ominous?