Happy Belated Birthday Andrew!

This sweet boy turned 6 years old on Saturday, November 21st and I feel absolutely terrible that I haven't done his birthday post yet! I must get it done...it's just been a crazy few days. I have well over 100 pictures still on my camera, dating back to before Halloween. Be patient...I'll get there. :)

Staying Close to Home

This post is specifically for my dear, sweet cousins Jodie Lynn and Angie. Girls, I hope you will read the link I am providing and ponder it in your hearts, seeking God's will for your futures. I pray you will be at peace with where God wants you to be for this leg of your journey in life.

I've written about Heather at Sit a Spell in Hendrickville before. I learn a lot from this Godly woman. She makes me laugh, challenges me, and encourages me. Recently, she wrote a post that was an encouragement to me. It was all about questioning the way we "do" things in America when it comes to our families/lives/living situations.

I've often wondered what people think of me staying close to "home" and not moving off to live my 'own life,' like seems to be so 'normal' today in our culture. But, if you think about it...other cultures don't do that, and not so many years ago, people in this country didn't do that. People stayed in "clans." They could manage to have bigger families because they weren't doing it alone. They had grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunts, and cousins to help with small children. The men in the family were close to home and could help with the older children and teach and train them the work of their trade. Much wisdom could be had by keeping the older generation and the younger generation close.

And then.....think of that younger generation helping to care for the older as they age. What great life lessons. And there are unspeakable amounts of spiritual wisdom and guidance to be had along the way.

I'm sure I could write much more...unfortunately I am pressed for time. But if you will, take a moment to read what Heather has to say right here, particularly starting from about the middle (where she starts asking questions), down. Also, at the bottom of her post there is a link she leaves called, Why Modern Motherhood is So Much Harder than it Ought to Be, that is a very good read too and really goes along with what I'm trying to say a bit better actually... :)

Let me know your thoughts on the subject in the comments section of this post.

The P Word

All those pictures are still waiting on my camera to be uploaded to the computer. I will get to it one day. It isn't that it's hard to do, I don't know why I wait. Maybe because that's what I do?

I'd say the dreaded P word (procrastination) is my biggest downfall. It impacts everything. Everything right down to this blog. I do try to work on it (getting better at not procrastinating that is), yet at the same time giving myself grace. Not easy to do on either front...

So what's been going on lately?

Really just the usual. Craig working; Josh, Andrew and I doing school; Nathan being his cute baby self. I've been trying to cook up and freeze a few meals to have on hand in the coming weeks.

I'll be helping my Dad here on the dairy, primarily with the baby calves. I'm hoping that the big boys will be lots of help this time around. In the past, it has always seemed like more work to have them help, which I know is what I must endure if I ever expect them to be able to help and do for themselves, but that's not always easy. If I can keep them interested and focused, and keep my patience about me a few days while training them....maybe it will pay off... I hope.

Back to the meals... I've had several inquire about the meals I'm making. I should say that the ones I've made so far are all new to us, so I'm not real sure whether to "endorse" them yet or not. We did try one of them, Ranch Bean Chili, which was delicious! It was really better than I expected. I will try to plan for a post soon about my freezer cooking adventure. It is definitely something I'd like to keep up.

What else has been on my mind?

Well, I've been quite involved in keeping up with Stellan, who I mentioned here. And would you believe? As of this morning.....that sweet little babe is doing amazing and may even go home healthy and normal, after flat lining and nearly dying right before his mother's very eyes on Monday morning. Simply an incredible miracle it has been to watch.

And no...I do not know this family personally, and I know people like my husband and my dad think my mom and I are crazy for getting so emotionally involved with people we don't know. But they are people. Real people. It's not a tv show....although I would say it has certainly felt like watching the most amazing movie ever, and it even appears to have the happy ending we all hoped for. But it's real and it reminds me how blessed I am. Thank you Jesus!

I better be off now to get some things done.....no more p-r-o-c-r-a-s-t-i-n-a-t-i-o-n!

Brotherly Love

So... I do still need to unload my camera with all the Halloween pics. And Jodie, I DO take a lot of pictures, but although it may seem like it, I do not have it permanently attached to me at all times. There are so many moments in our lives that are not captured on film, unfortunately.

One special moment was captured recently, however, and has already been shared here. You may remember this picture...



Isn't it sweet?

Well, hop on over to my mom's blog, Seasoned with Salt and read a beautifully written guest post by, none other than, my Daddy. You won't regret it. :)

Costume pics, coming soon...

New pictures will be forthcoming soon. I've got lots of Halloween fun to share! In the meantime.....we're lovin' this weather. This is what Fall is meant to be!

To be honest...I'm having a hard time getting motivated to blog with all the trouble that seems to be going on with Blogspot right now. I'm hoping it will get straightened out soon.