Snow!?

I'm not sure I'm ready for this...

Yesterday....this....













then....























and of course she couldn't resist that.....

she did come back in and put her shoes on.....what a bad mother....what a child....oh, to be free to act on those impulses....to love and live fully....
Sigh... - while I put away laundry, I'll think about running out in the snow barefoot and care-free, uninhibited by my stuffy adult "suppose to"...

Look for the "moments". Don't pass them up.

Within each moment there is a "choice".

Music

Music compliments of ~ Wayne. And for the record, yes, I'll go with you.



I know this is a little early for me to be posting, but I came across something that I wanted to share and I just happen to be totally by myself. I should be studying for my cardiology exam, but I had to do some work online and you know how it is...

Here it is and fast.

I am officially a "Daylight Chaser". Don't get it?? Think about a verse in the Bible that goes like this -

As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. while I am in the world I am the light of the world.

~ Jesus

John 9:4-5

I'm trying to make the most of my daylight. Here's what I came across in this book. Take a deep breath....this may hurt.

We have defined Holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to. I am convinced the great tragedy is not the sins that we commit, but the life that we fail to live.

You cannot follow God in neutral. God has created you to do something. It is not enough to stop the wrong and then be paralyzed when it comes to the right.

I am saying "ouch".

We don't hesitate to point out when someone is offending us or not living up to "standard", beating them down or away. Let's see... last time I checked God's still in charge and the Judge. I want to do good. Show God's love and leave the rest to Him.

By the way I purposefully left the title and author's name out. I would like to finish it before recommending it. So far, it's good, really good.

I wrote this post a few weeks ago and let me just give you a brief synopsis of what has happened since then. You may somewhat understand why I've been detained.

Wayne shot another doe.

I attended part of Youth Challenge with my friend and guest speaker - Stephanie. She did an awesome job speaking about purity to the girls. God spoke through her. An awesome job on a tough topic - we need more or it.

Was beat in a 5k by my husband, daughter and friend and all I really cared about was finding somewhere to puke after I crossed the finish line. Don't really know what was going on beside the fact that my little Myoplex shake didn't sit too well. We all finished within seconds of each other. It was fun. And, I was so proud of Lauryn who took 1st place in her age group! Wow! This is like the second largest race in our area. Very proud of her! Stephanie - thanks for all your attempts at keeping my mind off my aching belly! You did awesome. Your high altitude training showed.

I finished my cardiology class - just have to take the final and I'm officially a telemetry nurse - oh, yea! (I'm being so sarcastic) I will forever be a pediatric nurse. I like taking care of hearts less than 21 yrs old and that are in bodies less than 100 lbs. But a recent change has me working (on an infrequent basis - thank the Lord) with old people and yes, old is anyone older than 21 yrs. - when it comes to nursing.

Gatlinburg weekend getaway with some great friends and family. It was beautiful. I'll post some pictures someday, but until then check out Katie's. Oh, guess who I found in Gatlinburg.....

FRED!!

This girl doesn't give me very many good poses . I think these would be some of my favorites. (from Gatlinburg)

We were without water - again! (Remember Ike). We finally determined it was a broken pump. The water was still there for which we were truly thankful. We would rather replace the pump than have to drill another well! We were several days without water and two days after getting our water back our kitchen flooded. Unbelievable! Dishwasher put on a display - the likes of Old Faithful. I stood in my kitchen wondering what next?

I have a new niece - Sophia Lynnette - congratulations to Michael, Beth and big brother, Isaiah! Wayne was able to visit her

and the reason I have not been...

Brooklyn had an ear infection that resulted in blowing her eardrum. Poor baby she has taken to the habits of my "old people" - talking really loud and saying "what" a lot. She is feeling much better and now Lauryn is sick. That is all for now - gotta get some kiddos down for a nap. Here's the old post.... You all have a great week.

About 2 yrs ago which was actually 2 weeks we were invited to join Melissa and Taylor on a church outing to Brumbaugh's Farm. It was a ton of fun. Then Friday, we went on a kid's camp out sponsored by our church. What a great bunch of kid's workers we have! Our kids love you (and we do to). Thank you for all your sacrifices. Yes, we stayed in a tent. Our kids were warm and never complained the first time. Wayne and I froze and I am still thinking of the walnut that made for a restless night. It was strategically placed let me tell you.

Saturday we ended soccer and football season and attended a Harvest party. It was a great October weekend.

Lauryn way to goalie! - Blocking 9 of 10 goal attempts first quarter! We're proud of you.

Ryan, great season! - Championship title- all that practice payed off.

It was about 7 p.m. last night when the phone rang, someone knocked at the door and I was simultaneously doing laundry and fighting the urge to go to bed for the night. My hubby was spending the evening on a local farm in the woods bow hunting. I had warmly said - hope you enjoy yourself as he left -- he did recall that later. Soon after leaving my Lauryn predicted that - he'd get a deer tonight -- He did and that was one of the phone calls. He soon arrived with deer in the back of the truck and just as perky as I would expect one that had had a great Fallish evening sitting in a tree stand that was just a mere five minutes from home, taking a great shot on a nice size doe and then having the shortest drag ever getting her back to the truck. It is just the thing to do mid October. Well, one daughter was all about going with dad and when the little one learned that the big one was excited she was immediately interested and the dad agreed to take both to the check-in station. Mom was fantasizing about folding laundry then sneaking off to a quiet bath and sleep...sigh. Then with boyish excitement and manly accomplishment in every move - which I wouldn't stifle if my life depended on it. I love it when he's lovin' life - He looked at me and asked - "Do you want to ride along?" With my yes I dashed my quiet bath but completed his night with affirmation from his wife. Admittedly, I wasn't as enthusiastic as I wanted to be but it was fun and as we were in the barn struggling to get her hung up with the help of John Deere. I couldn't help but be somewhat amused at life. I think it's easier to go with the flow some days and enjoy the current and scenery rather than fight it and attempt to make it go the way you think it should go. Gotta run - I have an Olympian gymnast hopeful in my family room and Leonardo's marker was just confiscated. Have a great day!

Here's what happens when you take last year's pumpkin seeds and throw them in a field of horse hooey. Lauryn did pretty good as a pumpkin grower. We didn't have to buy any pumpkins this year. And yes, we did make a pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkin. It was OK, but I'm sure that there are better breeds suited for cooking, but we had to try. She ended up with over a dozen pumpkins. Way to go girl!

Here's our 3rd cutting - yeah. Pretty site. Didn't get such a good picture. Would have helped if I would have gotten off the deck. Have a great day. Hope you can get outdoors and enjoy.

He's back!

First of all, I was a little melodramatic in my last post. I was intent upon pulling the heart strings of one Wayne Lavy - in absentia during the Great Wind - Ike. It worked - he came home! But we did have perspective and knew that there were others that had it so much harder then we did and my heart went out to those. So just wanted to clear that up - no pity party here. We have recovered after 5 1/2 days without electricity. We are powerized, hydrated and I'm back in the arms of my hubby - so we're very fine. I would like to say many thanks to my mom who housed, fed and watered us for several days. Then, Candy who did the same. Melissa who stayed out at my house very late one night helping me clean out freezers, refrigerator and more - not a fun job without running water. Steve, Buffy and kids who picked up a trampoline that had scattered to the ends of the earth! Uncle Paul who helped me haul water to the herd. Candy and the boys for help with clean-up and everything else. I am blessed to have a wonderful family that is nearby.

Happy Fall y'all! I love it! The combines and tractors are coming out of the barns. Orange, brown and red are the colors of choice. And the ovens are turning out apple this and pumpkin that. I feel the need to have a huge fall party with hay rides and bluegrass music.

My Monday started out with a two o-clock potty break - for Brookie. Followed by a family of coyotes getting a little close to the barn and there setting up choir practice much to the aggravation of Daisy - our lab. I drug myself from my cozy den and hung myself a little far out the window (like those several inches are going to make a difference) and yelled at all of nature - "NO.....NO." Actually, it was directed at Daisy and she did shut up. As ornery as she can be she does listen in the middle of the night to that emphatic "no". So, then on to 6:30 a.m. - putting together a plant project. Yes, I was clipping a stem from a barberry bush in my jammies in the dark for my 3rd grader so she could finish. There were extenuating circumstances this week that I felt responsible for otherwise I would have slept in and hopefully taught a lesson that I wished would have broke me at 3rd grade from procrastination. I do think there is hope for her being she has so much of her dad's personality. All said and clipped and glued and labelled - it was done before leaving for school.

Do you ever think of the split second that changes your life forever? Well mine wasn't so life changing but one moment I have two angelic beings sitting before me consuming warm apple cinnamon oatmeal when the smaller of the two looses balance and goes from knees to hiney in a blink. With that blink out came an arm that made contact with the warm apple cinnamon oatmeal giving us warm apple cinnamon oatmeal showers in the kitchen. I looked at the embellished oak chair legs and carpet and contemplated a picture to savor the moment. Quickly dismissed that as stupid and started scooping up the fresh ground covering. These two will turn your day upside down but quickly upright it when they look at you with innocent eyes that are begging forgiveness. I'm just a kid. I'll grow and learn. And, I'll remember these days and how you reacted. Did I have time to laugh and play? Who's really going to remember the stained carpet anyways?

Next was concerted help doing the laundry. Brookie was to gather towels and throw them in the washer. I sigh as I realized the armful she deposited in the wash were clean towels. Well, it's not even noon.... What a beautiful day..... I think we're going outside. Have a great week!

Day 3 - It is dark. There is no water. My children and I roam - searching for a place to lay our head, a warm shower, a flushing toilet, water to take home to our herd. We find our needs met by the friendly, homey abodes of Grammy, Candy and our neighbors who offer water to the thirsty. We must go on. We know there is a brighter day. We draw strength from each other.

And..... here's my precious husband. VACATIONING in the BEAUTIFUL ROCKY MOUNTAINS. Love you, Babe. We're actually doing well. A little tired of living out of a suitcase, but we're fine. The girls are loving all the company and different beds.

Here's my man with the cow elk. For more descriptive writing about the trip and pics of my brother-in-law who sliced his head open in a four-wheeler accident - see Mike and Kim under my blog links.