We interrupt this morning for....

...a FLOOD! *wink*

Spent part of the night sleeping on floor next to Flicka's bed through a bout of thunderstorms. Alarm went off at 5am. *ugh* DaHubby got up then to go to work and, for the first time in weeks, he didn't use the basement shower. Hindsight being 20/20...If he HAD gone downstairs he would have seen the several inches of water "oozing" across the basement floor. *sigh* Luckily, during the last basement cleaning, most everything went into "Tupperware" tubs.

Then, DaHubby arrived at work to find most of "the floor" (the machine shop area) under water as well. Luckily, his office and the engineering department was nice and dry! So, DaHubby is on his way home to wet-vac the basement. And, according to the "weather geeks" he works with, this is just the beginning. The storms are to start again shortly, the forecast is 2-5 inches an hour, and will last until late tonight.

So, while I had MUCH planned to get caught up on today computer-wise, we'll be turning the PC off shortly to "save" it from possible lightning-related issues. *wink* If the forecasters got it wrong (again - thanks to our unpredictable Michigan weather), I'll checkin later.

Take care all!

Reunion Follow-up

Well, we're home...with a van full of leftovers and 2 absolutely filthy children in desperate need of a meal, a bath, and bedtime. Visited with many of DaHubby's family- even meeting a cousin, one of those that lives in Minneapolis, that I've heard TONS about but had never met until this point. She's a mom and a teacher - so, of course, we bonded immediately! LOL

She's an author (3 published books!), creative, and a crafter - one who admits quilting is a sickness and then recommended a "how-to" beginners quilting book to me! LOL We swapped email addresses so if she's reading this: it was SO wonderful to meet you, "PurpleShakespeare"! *wink*

Anyway, lots of pics were taken. But, I realized you probably wouldn't be interested in most of them! So, I give you my two new favorites:

DaGrandpa and Pojke

"Mr. Director, Miss Flicka is ready for her close up!"

Vikings Reunion

Well, actually, it will be my mother-in-law's side which I guess makes it a "Highland Fling" instead! *wink*

Anyway, DaHubby, Flicka, Pojke and I will be joining my MIL and her remaining several brothers and all their children and grandchildren at a local park for some food, games, and visiting. 'Cuz we know reunions are all about the...


Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! I'll try to catch some shots of the loonies sweet folks DaHubby calls "family" and post ASAP! LOL But, here's Flicka 2 years ago enjoying the festivities:

A Special Thursday Thanks Tank

I don't know where to begin.

While I've been blessed with at least two miracles (both of the Vikings' births were against the world's odds), I've been made more aware through my blogging experience this past 16 months that God's "little" miracles are all around me: whether someone is witnessing or testifying to one that occurred to them or someone's post has opened my downcast or ungrateful eyes upward to see the outpouring the Lord has put before me.

I've been fortunate in my life to never have been aware of much "want" in my life. Despite huge hurdles, my mom continued to support herself and me following her divorce from my dad nearly 30 years ago. Despite her having to tell me "no" for one thing or another over the years, I always managed to find I had "enough."

Not since becoming a parent have I truly understood how scary being in need is.

Now, we are hardly in the poor house! But, things have gotten tighter and tighter as a myriad of issues push and pull on our finances. I mentioned to a fellow Sister recently that she shouldn't be self-conscious about needing a few things from her church's food pantry. I've needed to do it recently as well. God provides in one way or another and that's what a ministry like that is for.

Well, God provides one way or another...especially when someone is listening to His still voice and acts on His behalf.

Imagine my surprise when I found an unexpected email in my inbox yesterday. Someone is the blogosphere, someone I've know a relatively short time, someone who has never met me in person or talked to me on the phone decided to use PayPal to send me her "overflow" this week.

Now, I don't want to embarrass her plus I don't want someone to take advantage of her sweet, giving heart so she shall remain anonymous. But, she needs to know that DaHubby and I spent much of last evening bragging about her virtues to our family and we also spent much additional time discussing how in the world we could thank her. We're at a loss. So,...

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! You've blessed us more than you know. You've built up faith and caused "stun" all around here by your generous giving.

And, then...I read another email.

Another Sister in the blogosphere had my babies and me on her mind recently at her church's rummage. And, she emailed recently to tell me that she is sending me some clothes she picked up for Flicka...no reimbursement required for the items or postage. Free!

*sigh*

And, what do I say to her? The same...

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

If we ever meet on this side of Heaven, you both deserve many long, sweet, big bear hugs! If we don't meet until after that, I can't wait to spend eternity with two of the sweetest ladies I've never met. *wink*

And, thank you also to Peach and Iris for helping me to look up into the eyes of the One who provides.

Twin Cities

The county I live in has its own "Twin Cities". Two very different towns separated by a river. Many joke about this area having the "real" Twin Cities. But, how thankful am I today that it wasn't "my" Twin Cities who experienced the tragedy unfolding in Minneapolis-St. Paul? DaHubby has extended family there...mostly cousins. By God's grace, hopefully, they are all safe.

Please lift that community, the first responders, Good Samaritans, and (obviously) the families affected by this event. May they all find peace in His all-encompassing arms.

Update: just heard from DaGrandma...all relatives safe and accounted for. Unfortunately, DaHubby's uncle said at last count there are now 9 souls confirmed gone and 20 folks still missing.

"Houston, we (may) have a problem..."

Just so y'all know...we changing our family's domain (northernbranches.com) from one provider to another. While this shouldn't affect much here, I do "host" my bloggy buttons and some of my photos at northernbranches so you may lose some graphics here off and on over the next few days.

Also, since our personal and bloggy email addresses are set up through northernbranches as well, I may have spotty email coverage from now 'til next week as well.

Just didn't want anyone to feel like we were ignoring them! *wink*

WFMW: Taking Turns With Two

Shannon , the Works For Me Wednesday queen, asked us to come up with some of our parenting ideas this week. And, I don't remember where I read this and the Vikings are still a little young to use it...so, basically, I haven't tried this (yet) but thought I'd pass this along in case someone had two kids around and was in need of a fresh idea to try.

If you're tired of your little raiders arguing over who gets to pick their seat first or gets the last of the apples, try this. Somehow designate one of your kids as the "even" one and one as the "odd" one. (Depending on your kids age and personality, you might obviously want to use other words. The idea is to make it as mom's-brain-is-already-overloaded-with-details friendly as possible.)

In practice, for example, I might say since Flicka was number 1 to be born, she'll be the "odd-day" child and since Pojke was the number 2 baby, he'll be the even-day child.

Then, when they can't decide among themselves, check the calendar! If it is an odd numbered day, the "odd"child gets to go first. If it is an even-numbered day, the "even" child gets to go first. It takes the "pressure" off the parent/caregiver. "Hey, I didn't pick your brother...the CALENDAR says..."

This taking the "pressure" off the parent already worked well during Flicka's potty training and for bedtimes around here by using a kitchen timer. "Hey, *I* didn't say it was time to sit on the pot...the timer said so!"

And, that's my two cents...LOL Drop by Shannon's site today to see what other great parenting ideas everyone has to share!