September 29th

Today is our Chapman's birthday.  I remember the day he was born and his birth vividly.  He was delivered "sunny side up" as they call it.  Most often babies come out face down. This is the easiest way for them to glide through the birth canal.  Chapman on the other hand was face up which prolongs the birth and is very exhausting for momma!  It was a scary time in that, since he was my third, I thought I had mastered this delivery thing and everything I had done before wasn't working!  The saddest part was that after he was delivered he had the saddest cry and pouty face for about a half hour.  It was as if he was telling us how horrible it was!  BUT...since that day Chapman has been the happiest child ever!  He's often referred to, on the Yoder side, as Happy Chappy.  He has been a blessing to our family and to others.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for his life and those he influences.  Its been a great day...it started with a fog delay so he got to sleep in a little, I took him out to lunch and tonight we are headed out to dinner (using a gift card to a chinese buffet).

Happy 11th Birthday Chapman Reed Yoder!

September

Soybeans?  Have you ever grown them in your garden?  My in-laws did this year and they gave me some to try.  Its my new favorite vegetable!  I had no idea what to do with them, so after they were picked they sat in a bag in my fridge for over a week (procrastination) .  Finally I blanched them for about 5 minutes, threw them in some ice water, then Owen and I squeezed them out of each pod.  It was kinda fun and very easy.  After they dried, we tasted them.  They are surprisingly delicious.  I could eat a handful for a snack!  I've also put them in salads.  They kinda taste like a nut of some sort.  Very good and VERY healthy.  I read that I can also use them as a "meat extender" like in chili or other casseroles or soups.  Anyway, I learned something new this month.

What a mean looking group! Scott and 2 other dads took their boys and 2 of ours on a bike/camping trip.  They did a 12 mile ride.  The word  was it was fun but HARD!  They came home tired and sore.  But had a great time!

Davis is doing a tremendous job learning to read.  He is catching on so quick.  Its amazing to see how each of my boys learn differently and at different rates.  We started the year with only knowing a few sounds to some letters.  He's now reading 3 and 4 letter words.  Im so proud of him!

Hmmmm...a new fall look?  I get my hair done a couple of times a year and last week I went for a much needed trim and highlight.  We decided to try the part down the middle.  I'm trying to get used to it.  For so many years, I've tilted my head to the right or left.  Never thought keeping it centered would take so much work!  Haha...

More work

Sometimes we wonder what we will do when our house is finished and we don't have any more work to do:)!  Will that day ever come?  Probably not.  Don't worry, it has not consumed us as it can easily do!  We do enjoy working together and we have to hope our boys are learning through this process:)  Here are the patio steps, which turned into a mini-deck, with help from a good friend.  He and Scott got both steps finished last week.We are enjoying our new space! My plan is to stain the underside of each step to match the colored concrete.

 Did I mention how much the boys are enjoying the work?

 We began the demolition process of the bedroom upstairs.  We are hiring a company to put in a bathroom in part of the largest bedroom upstairs.  I think we offered to do the yuckiest job for sure!  We tore out the closet wall.  Plaster is not fun to tear out!  But its done and they begin this week.  Hopefully in about 4 weeks I'll have yet another finished project picture!