Fall Is Here...

Well, there is no denying it any more....fall is here. It's not that I don't like fall, it's that I LOVE summer. I really could handle fall better if it was followed by spring and we could just skip winter all together.

One of my very favorite things about fall is that it is harvest time. I love driving any where and looking across the fields to see all of the combines, tractors and trucks all hard at work. My Dad has worked at a John Deere dealer for as long as I can remember, so I always knew when it was "busy season." Keith grew up on a farm so he grew up in the thick of it, too. Keith's Dad quit farming a number of years ago, but Cale was able to enjoy harvest for a few years. He got to ride in the combine and then we'd put his car seat in the truck so he could ride to the elevator. He got to ride in "Grandma's Pick-up" (Keith's Grandma's pick-up had a topper on it) out to the field to take Daddy and Papa something to eat and then we'd picnic in the back end. What a great experience for a kid!! Keith's Dad quit farming before the other 2 boys could enjoy harvest, but they still like to visit the John Deere store with my Dad.

These pictures were taken exactly 5 years ago at my Aunt and Uncle's near Hampton Iowa. We took the kids up there on a Sunday afternoon and they got to ride in some of the equitpment up there.

This is Cale with my cousin, Alan...

Jared and Keith are with my cousin, Mark.....

Keith and Jared with Alan.....

I tried really hard to get a good picture of my boys in the corn field. Trevor was not enjoying the stalks that tickled his legs and he kept trying to walk away.

They really should've had long pants on. I can take the boys to the farm, but deep down they are still City Slickers......

Eden

I was looking back through some pictures and realized that these pictures were taken 3 years ago today. Meet Eden Levetzow......

Eden's Dad, Kurt, and I are cousins and she would've been 6 months old when these pictures were taken. Kurt, Selena and Eden live in Washington, Iowa. Eden's parents were in town to go to an Iowa State football game, and we were more then happy to watch this little red-headed princess while they enjoyed the game. To say that the boys adore her would be an understatement. They want to do everything for her, and bring things to her. I'm pretty certain that she was over stimulated that whole day because someone was always in her face. Even to this day whenever we are in the store the boys will see something and think of her "We should get that for Eden." "Eden would like that." "Can we buy that for Eden." Truthfully: "Aunt" Heidi has a hard time saying no sometimes, but we'd be in the poor house if we bought everything that made us think of her!! She is never under loved at our house!!

Eden has had her share of challenges in the last year and a half. In January 2009, she was diagnosed with leukemia. She was 20 months old. She has had to endure chemo and all sorts of pokes during this time. We have only been able to see her once during this time, but she has never been far from our thoughts and is constantly in our prayers. She ended up losing her red (curly) hair, but it is coming back in. Eden is going to be just fine, but it has been a long road for her and her parents. She is lucky to have the parents that she has that have been strong every step of the way! Good job, Kurt and Selena!!

One Friday night last January, I knew that Selena and Eden were in the Ames area. Eden's counts were up so they ventured away from home and visited a friend in Ames. They made a pop visit to our house to see us. I knew that they were coming, but the boys didn't. They were so shocked to open the door to find their favorite little red head standing there! The boys didn't miss a beat. They were still in her face trying to do anything and everything for her. They didn't realize how independent and grown up she had gotten. Selena said that it was a little scary for her to take Eden so far from home. I can't say that I blame her, but we were so glad she did!

Kurt, Selena and Eden--The Jensen's are eagerly anticipating next spring when all of Eden's treatments are over and we can see more of ALL of you! It will truly be time for a celebration!