Lately

Working for the night is coming...

This is the field that goes with the farmhouse that was our winter project -- remember that one? Soon after we bought it we planted it in wheat (yeah, like I had so much to do with it) - that was last November. And, now you're seeing the fruits of the field. Mark and Wayne (with Sherri's help) were combining the wheat in these pics. Beautiful amber waves of grain. The straw left behind was baled over the next couple of days and it is there I missed the best picture. It seems we have a family (or two) of snakes living in that field. When the straw was made into bales some of them got baled, too. Wayne was standing on a very high wagon loaded with straw when he was tossed one such bale. He looked down to see a snake looped, squirming to get out. The tail and head were both stuck in the firmly packed straw. Having nowhere to go - Wayne grabbed that writhing snake and flung it. I can't imagine... my brave, tough hubby - who absolutely hates snakes. Someone - who probably should go into hiding placed one of the days kill in Wayne's truck. I think he's still suffering from post traumatic stress disorder! Just kidding - but I would have liked to seen that.

Lauryn learning to mow. Doing a fine job. Do we need a traffic light??

The latest

Working back from the latest - I'll try and catch you up with what we've been up to.


Today is a pretty special day in the lives of Wayne, his parents and siblings. It is the day that his mom was born and then on the same day thirty years later delivered twin girls - yes, on her birthday! And what a present that was after having four boys! I think that is one cool story, but made for one tired mama. I know the boys were a big help, but wow - I just can't even imagine...


But that isn't the end of the story... One of those boys (his wife, actually) gave birth to a baby girl on July 7th. So, now my mom-in-law has a granddaughter that shares her birthday too. What a day! Happy Birthday - Connie, Beth, Amy and Breanna!


Bre and Brookie (riding shotgun)

We, also, had another treat today - met some good friends at Friendly's! Yummy! and enjoyed the fellowship, too.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July. It is one of my favorite Holidays. I love America and what our founding fathers stood for. We are One Nation under God. I am thankful for the people who more than self their country loved and gave all that I may live in this land of the free and home of the brave. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless America!

We enjoyed the day up at some Lavys. Thanks for the invite LJL! It was great. And you don't ever have to worry about me saying that word again... unless that certain offspring of yours does that certain thing again...I'll try to watch it :o)
Yep, she's the one! I think...

Grandpa showing Brookie how to play. I think she's tellin' him that this might be the best way.

"I'll just sit here and throw them in."

Good placement - Brook!

What a site! Some of our first cutting headed off on a wagon. Thought that was one good looking truck! Cut, baled - no rain - thank the Lord! And sold to the man in the cool, tough truck its an 8, its a 9 its a 10 I know!... excuse the John Michael Montgomery coming out in me.







Wayne was baling hay and we were at church camp. What a good camp. Was so nice to see fellow bloggers. The speakers, singers, and children's workers were among our favorites! It always goes so fast. I came away challenged and encouraged.








Steve came home on leave a couple of weeks ago. We crammed so much in that week - had lots of fun. We miss you so much. Next time its for good. Can't wait.

So that brings me back to my last post - the triathlon. OK - the odds - one of us was going against Dr.'s advice related to Strep throat. The other had just been through some physical issues that had interfered with training. And then the bike... The bike I usually ride - my husband's mountain bike. Well, it came up with a tire ailment that made it impossible to ride and I didn't have the time or patience to look into it. So, I was planning on riding my mountain bike - not good on so many levels, but had put the need (want) in God's hands - timidly asking Him to work it out - please?! There were people that had offered their bikes in the past for me to use, but I didn't want to ask. After all I'm supposed to have my new bike by now - we're just having trouble getting connected. I was leaving it in God's hands and asking him if it were to be someone would just offer. Christin and I talked towards the end of the week and she asked if there was any bike news and when I told her no she assured me she was still praying for that offer to come through. Needless to say I was pretty doubtful and just planned on reaping the consequences of my ill-preparedness. It was late Friday night - the evening before the race - we were at my aunt and uncle's house. Conversation drifted to the race and out of nowhere my uncle said "I have a bike - you are welcome to use. It's a pretty nice bike and I never ride it". It turned out being much nicer than what I had and got the job done! I couldn't believe it. I know most people can't imagine - but I guess I don't expect you to understand. What I've learned is that I expect God to have the same response as most people, but you know what - He doesn't. He loves me with a love that surpasses understanding. He gets me - completely. I don't have to explain, justify or make up excuses. He doesn't give me what I deserve, but blesses me with a little reminder of his endless love for His creation - me. Thank you, God and thank you Uncle Paul. God is good.

Today was a great day! Overcoming overwhelming odds we actually made it to the race and finished in good time. The day was perfect - the water was brisk and high, the run long, the bike -- well, I call it my eleventh hour answer to prayer bike, but I don't have time for the whole story now. I just wanted to let you know - We did it! And it was a great experience. 25th annual West Milton Triathlon - 4 mile canoe, 5 mile run and 17 mile bike. Thanks Christin for a memorable experience! We fought back and came out victorious!

This is for Wayne who made me promise to wear a life jacket and would have preferred if I hadn't done the canoe at all since the water was so high. No need to start looking for that replacement wife yet, Babe.

Sharing "Living Water" from the "Well".

"Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12

What a great thought - just sitting on the shoulders of God. Plowing through the high grasses and brush, plodding up the hillside, blazing through the firy furnace I am perched up on his shoulders - safe, restful, content.

This quickly brought to mind this snapshot from last summer - the Great Darke Co. Fair. Taylor and Brooklyn safe and out of harms way up on their daddy's shoulders.

Here's what's been happenin'

I guess some like chaos - we found one of the cats in the midst of puppy madness. What a site!

Those puppies are growing faster than you - Brookie! Thank goodness!

Who did what?? Goofy kids! Yes, those are clothes pins on their noses. He's his daddy's boy! :o)

Yesterday buzzin' around town we stopped at this cool fountain. We refrained from jumping in but it sure was a great day for it. We settled for the mist cooling our faces. Me and my clones! One got my looks the other my personality. They'll be ok - I made it :o) so far!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the blessings of the Lord - look they're all around you! :o)

Week in Review

Happy Mom's Day to some wonderful mothers. We love you!

My mom

My mom-in-law

Our church's Mom of the Year

We love you too!

We were all enjoying tea at the parsonage. Although, I was inclined to go in a ball cap or my cowboy hat - it really was fun. I need to be more in tune to my feminine, refined side :o)

Life can be a bear....

But sometimes being a bear is not all that bad...

We had a beautiful day for the zoo last Saturday. We so enjoyed it!



This character erupted into being one night during a Clue game. I really do believe it was the Mrs. Peacock - maybe looking for a tea party?? Lauryn and I had a good laugh. I should fear for my life after posting this.

My thought for the week was taken from the book The Shack by William P. Young. I was reading it one day and these words hit me like a lightning bolt and have been with me ever since. The lead character, Mack, has been tormented by some devastating happenings involving his little girl. Life for him and his family has never been the same. After receiving what appears to be an invitation from God to come back to the shack, he makes his way back to this haunting place. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit await him. This passage is part of a conversation between Mack and Jesus.

"Jesus?" he whispered as his voice choked. "I feel so lost."

A hand reached out and squeezed his, and didn't let go. "I know, Mack. But it's not true. I am with you and I'm not lost. I'm sorry it feels that way, but hear me clearly. You are not lost."

I know I've heard similar words again and again, but it was a comforting reminder. Like shattering glass, sirens, and blunt force trauma I heard the words anew - God is with me and He's not lost. I can feel lost. Can't see the end or know which way to turn, but God is not lost. Hear me clearly - you are not lost!

Thank you for the helpful suggestions regarding my aching head. I am happy to report that my head is feeling much better and is still attached. After five days of unprecedented headache I went to see the Dr. A Toradol shot and MRI was on the orders. The Toradol treated the symptoms but I know that God treated the cause. Let me share the blessing...
After the shot my headache broke but pains would come again and hint of worsening especially if I let my mind dwell - can I just refer to my current rough times as the Darkness. The Darkness would overshadow and I would feel my head and spirit begin to spiral downward.
We unexpectedly were treated to a trip to North Carolina. You better watch out what you write in the comments. We just might take you up on it - Candy. Thanks to my in-laws for letting us tag along. And thanks to our family in NC for a wonderful wknd. I was distracted from my darkness during the wknd and upon returning home felt it suffocating me again. Tuesday I was near despair, careening for air, enveloped with the darkness when God spoke. If it had been audible it would have been no more clear - I will give him perfect peace who's mind is stayed on me. Peace. How I wanted peace! Think on Him. He will give me peace. Him - the giver of true peace. Darkness waning.... Him - creator of me. He cares about my hurt, my helplessness. Him - I'll think...I'll surrender to Him. The clouds break. A flood of peace surrounds, embraces me. I feel set free from the darkness. For the first time in days I feel the burden lifted.
I have since then felt the chill of the darkness - the glare of Satan as I bask in my new found peace but I think on Him - I dwell on Him and the burden comes not to rest on my weary soul but is held at bay by the Protector of my being. I cannot explain nor comprehend the power of God, but I know once again God has extended to me only a mere strand of what is available in His stores of peace, grace, and love. On that strand I have been lifted above doubt, turmoil, and despair. God is so faithful. I can't begin to adequately tell of His goodness to me.
You are getting the real me. I'm not one to fake all is well when it is not - I'm in all honesty just not very good at it. It is easier to just be real and hope that in being yourself and telling of your struggles - as we all have sooner or later - someone will be aided in finding their way back to peace and happiness through God.
I would like to thank my dear Aunt June for handing me a devotional the other day - Meet Me at the Well. What timing! She said "I think you'd like this". So far, she's right. What mom, wife, woman in this day couldn't use a dowsing from the Well. I feel I have been to the Well and what a difference it makes.

Back flash

I wanted to share some pictures from the last couple of weeks. Several weekends ago Lauryn and I volunteered at a hospital event - Teddy Bear Clinic. It was very fun for both of us. She did so well. I was proud of my little pharmacist tech. The goal - acclimate the child to going to the doctor. The child would bring the pt. (teddy bear) to the doctor and go through the steps just as they would do at their Dr.'s So, after being assessed and the diagnosis made they would come to us - the pharmacy to fill the scipt. The diagnosis - "Bubblitis". The cure - a bottle of bubbles. The instructions - "Blow bubbles with your Teddy one time a day". It was great and you should have seen the looks on some of those kids faces. It was a nice day for Lauryn and mom. Look who brought "Bear" to see us. I hope Bear is much better, Madeline. Thank you for stopping by.

We were happy to have Wayne's cousin, Jason, and his family (minus Jess :o( ) stay with us during I.H.C. One evening we had a most of the family over for snacks and fellowship. That included Steve and Linda who also came in for the convention. It was an enjoyable time. We look forward to seeing Jason and Joanna again this summer Lord willing. Although, Jason, I think Lauryn will bolt the door if you don't have Jessica with you this time :o) It was nice having you with us. Y'all come back now - ya hear!

Puppies up date - and Uncle Lowell "dem r puppies". Is that how that goes??

Wayne doing what he does to destress. I wonder if he would get the same effect from anything but a John Deere? We've mowed two times - Oh, glorious Spring.

And just so I'm not leaving you hanging from my last post - I guess my several bad days have turned into a week, but I'm hanging in there and thankful for God's faithfulness and goodness. Tomorrow is a brand new day. At this point I'd really like to wake up without a headache. I've never been one to suffer from migraines, but I guess I now know first hand what that is all about. Any ideas especially alternatives to medicine I would gladly take right now. I really do hate medication, but I guess I would never say never.

I'm sending a smile your way and hope you see the blessings in your day in a brand new way.