at the beginning...

Good morning!  My, but its been a long time since I've written on here!  My family and I are spending a few days at Kami's and so I had her help me revamp my blog!  Hopefully I will write often and upload pictures.

So much has happened since I wrote last.  Eldon is now almost 26 months old!  He is absolutely precious to us and we praise God for our boy every day.  We had a fun 2 year old party right before his birthday; even Granny and Grandpa Jones and Jack and Boo were able to come!  All of my family and most of Will's (Pa was sick) came and enjoyed a delightful soup an sandwich lunch, complete with homemade carrot cupcakes.

In June, we found out we were expecting Baby #2!  Surprise for us!  We are thrilled- baby BOY #2 is due February 28th.  I have been planning and working on rearranging to make our spare room into the new nursery.  Eldon will keep his room, but move up to a big boy bed soon.  And, baby will have the crib and spare room.  Lots to think about, but such fun planning!

Will and his dad had a good harvest.  It lasted about 7 1/2 weeks and I was ready for our regular life back, but I am thankful for all God has given us!  Elon and I really liked being able to take snacks to the field and ride a while with Daddy an Grandpa.  And several times Granny and I brought lunch for all 3 guys (including Joe who helped with the chiseling) and enjoyed the visit.

Since Eldon was 3 months old, I have been involved in MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) in Tuscola and I truly love it.  I've made many good friends and it is such a wonderful place for Christian support- lots of Mamas who can encourage and sympathize!  Thank you, Lord!

That's all my update for now!  I'll post pix soon and begin writing regularly!  Watch for fun new news, recipes, crafting updates, and home projects!

It's a boy!

My, how time flies.  It has been over 7 months since I last posted.  How do I know?  Because I have a 7 month old son!  Our boy, Eldon Boyd Cannon, was born Tuesday, October 18, 2011 @ 7:47 p.m. after 18 hours of labor.  He weighed 8 lb. 1 oz. and was 20.5 in. long. 

What a joy he has been for us!  Will and I have taken to parenting with such love, awe, and gratitude.  Having a child of your own is so special and far more blessed than anything I could have imagined.  I still look at Eldon and think, "This is my son?  I have a baby?"  He grows more each day, learning new things.  I have a calendar on the fridge absolutely filled with "firsts".  I also have a baby book, but it is not as in depth.

At his last appointment, Eldon was 18 lb 6 oz and 28.5 in. long.  He has blonde hair, blue eyes, and two bottom teeth.  We are so proud of our baby boy and love watching him grow each day.  Will and I pray for him daily, that God would work through his life to further the kingdom of God. 
Here are a few pictures of him:




Eldon, newborn





Eldon as baby Jesus





Eldon, 7 months



Deck the Halls...

Ok, I know it is only October 6, but I am dying for Christmas. Mom said I am nesting, preparing for Baby Cannon. I went to Hobby Lobby after looking at and finding a stocing pattern I liked and bought 3 different kinds of material to make our stockings! I also got some Christmas lights and ornament hooks for our tree. I know it's early, but I talked myself into it, since I will have a baby soon and may not be out at stores anytime soon. And, since I was in Paxton, I found my Christmas music and brought it home.....too much??

Belly Flop

As of this Sunday, I have only 4 weeks until our little baby boy is due. October 24. I have been attending birthing classes at Provena, the hospital we are going to use. I was apprehensive at first, but Will encouraged me to attend the classes and I have truly enjoyed them. A lot of what I have heard I've read, but some of the information is new; and it is always good to hear it firsthand.

Last night Will was able to go with me to class. Instead of the regular nurse who has been teaching, we had a doula come in and show us some yoga positions that are helpful before and during birth for relaxation and assistance with contractions. Our class is fairly large; about 14 couples. But, we sat in a circle and all the ladies got in the floor, bellys and all. We did "cat and cow", "inverted downward dog", "tailor sitting." It was interesting. The odd part was, I had mentioned to Will earlier in the evening that I was a bit disappointed that of all the nights I had a backache on "doula night." In the end, whether the techniques helped in that limited amount of time or Mr. Baby Cannon moved, my back quit hurting and hasn't hurt all day!

Will was so cooperative and helpful. We both listened and took notes regarding the different positions. We like to cut up a bit, but he is taking everything so seriously and wants to help in every way. I am so thankful for such a loving, sweet husband. He'll be a wonderful father. At one point, all the ladies got massages! Will has such a sweet, gentle touch.

Also this week I put my hospital bag together. I didn't pack a whole lot, but I did pack what I need. I am sure a few other things will eventually make their way into the bag. I made a list this morning of all the things to take to the hospital, including the bag. Is now a good time to get nervous?

Harvest: Day 1

Today is the first day of Harvest for the Cannon Family. I cannot believe it is already time to cut down all the beautiful corn. Will and his dad are harvesting in Tuscola today. He has updated me that they have one field done! Yay!

I am in Paxton today, spending the day with my family. Mom made some cute little curtains for me for my guest room. (Annie claims it as her room when she comes to stay with us). I wanted to also make some for the living room, but didn't have enough material. We had a delicious lasagna lunch and brownies for dessert (and pre-lunch). We're going to head up town to the antique store and grocery store. We may stop at the cemetery- they have bittersweet and I would love to make a wreath for my house!

The rest of this week includes...cleaning! I am having an open house for the ladies I used to work with. They are coming Saturday at 2 o'clock. I hope to have an enjoyable tour (complete with chickens) and some lovely refreshments. My, but it is good to have friends to entertain.

A Story of a Table

I haven't posted any pictures of our new home yet. I tend to like old things, as you'll see from this photographs. From the time I was 18, I began my "hope chest" with things I would use in my future marriage. Ten years later, my hope chest had turned into a hope closet, basement, and several Rubbermaid tubs. It's sure hard to pass up lovely items at antique and home stores. It took a while to decide what I want to do with some of the things- how to decorate. But, as I have lived in our home, a few things have moved around and other pieces have 'emerged' from hiding.
My table came all the way from Tennessee. I bought it back in 2003 (I think it was probably from the 40s or 50s) and it made a trip to Missouri on top of our old suburban (Beverly Hillbillies?). From there, it traveled to Paxton and remained under the basement stairs until this past February where it came home to Tuscola. On the move from St. Louis, it lost two legs...somehow. Thankfully, we have a very talented friend who made 2 identical legs to match the old ones.
The shelves were just put up on Saturday. They are made from Hobby Lobby brackets and oold wood from Will's Grandpa's corn crib. (a lot more of that wood was used in our chicken coop) Will hung these lovely shelves up for me- we had to find studs because both the wood and brackets are extra heavy. I have been looking forward to hanging them since we moved in! They are filled with the kind of decorations I love.

And, lastly in the photos is my 'recipe book box.' I found it at an antique store in town. It was an old fruit (orange?) box. Hanging next to the box is my collection of aprons-old, new, handmade, store bought. And, on top of the box are my coffee perculator and a sweet baby chick with eggs that my dear friend, Katie, gave me...before I ever even had a chicken fettish!

I enjoy my home and the things that surround m,e. They usually have a story to tell and I'll be the first to tell it. If walls could talk...

For the love of...Christmas?

Yesterday I made, for the first time, grape jam. Will's Aunt Beth has some very old grape vines and this year they produced a lot of lovely grapes! I went on Monday and picked with her. And, on Tuesday, I ventured into an unknown world of grapes: shelling, de-seeding, pulp, etc. I haven't tasted the finshed product yet (chicken?), but the jars are beautiful- a lovely reddish purple color.

I have made 4 types of jam this summer to give as Christmas gifts. And, I must say, this was my first attempt at it! Here are a few pictures of my finished products. Peach, triple berry, and grape jams. I also made Apple Butter Jam, but it isn't pictured.