Thursday, May 29, 2008

Another Birthday, Another Blog

Happy Birthday today to Delilah. This picture was taken last weekend at the Vandalia Gathering. That is her middle child, Elise, with her. Her oldest, Jude, and Elise have been staying with Papaw and Mamaw this week. For Delilah's birthday we are sending them back! LOL! They have had a lot of fun, but it has just been long enough that the cousins are starting to get on each other's nerves.

And I have a new blog for you to check out, The Kirk Chronicles. This blog is written by Sarah and Tim. Sarah and I were good friends in high school. We've lost touch over the years, and it is wonderful to get to know her again through her blog.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

New Chicks


I don't think I will ever tire of baby animals here at the farm. These started hatching yesterday.

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Strangely Normal

Martha left yesterday around noon. The week went so fast. Admittedly, I was a bit concerned about how the week would be. Beyond the whole meeting the daughter you haven't seen for nineteen years issue, which is huge in itself, there was the fact that we do live a bit differently than your average American. It is not exactly a life that you'd think would be appealing to your average college student. My concerns were for nothing.



Of course the initial meeting was somewhat surreal, but it didn't take long until all felt completely normal, completely natural, and just as it should be. We hung out, spent a lot of time with the horses, played games, and shot guns. We cooked, ate a lot and cleaned up together. Younger siblings got on older siblings nerves. Martha and I got away for a little mother/daughter time. It was good, really good.



I posted more photos on my Facebook page if you'd like to see them: Martha's Visit.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Quick Thanks!

Thanks so much for all your prayers and kind words for this week. Martha's visit has been incredible! The best way I can describe it quickly is that it has been strangely normal. More details and pictures of course, later!

Monday, May 19, 2008

What to say?

Martha is coming TODAY!

I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm happy. I'm unsure. I'm just a big bundle of emotion all flooding in at once. It is good, but I don't have words for it.

What to say?

Monday, May 12, 2008

Nolan is Four!

Today Nolan turns four! Nolan is cute, sweet and ornery all wrapped up in one bundle of energy. We celebrated his birthday yesterday with Mamaw, Papaw, Aunt Hazel, and Terry. We just had lunch and cake with a few presents.

It actually turned out to be quite the eventful day. It had been raining all day, and there were occasional huge gusts of wind. After lunch we were sitting around the table when a gust of wind came up. We watched it blow a large branch onto Mamaw and Papaw's house. We hoped it hadn't done any damage, but those hopes were soon dashed.

The limb had gone right through the ceiling and into the bedroom clear to the other wall. Tim, Terry and Papaw spent the rest of the afternoon repairing the roof and removing the offending tree, and several others near the house that were not looking too healthy.

I spent the afternoon in bed with body aches and a fever. Mamaw had the kids. I am feeling a little better today, but still just very exhausted. I have to much to do this week to be sick.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Unexpected

Sometimes life throw you for a curve. Unexpected events happen and they veer you off the course of your normal everyday or of your plans. Some weeks those curves just come one after another, and you are left at the end of the week drained physically and emotionally, and ever more aware of your dependence on the Lord. This has been one of those weeks.

In the midst of previously scheduled activities, garden planting, and preparing to meet a daughter I haven't seen for nineteen years, life just kept throwing me one unexpected event after another. There was a trip to the vet, a search for a wayward calf, information about people from my not so pleasant past, and a power outage, but the most unexpected of all the events was the discovery of a stolen children's item in my van.

I found the item in the hatch of my van one evening while looking for something else. It still had the tags on and was from a store that we had been to that day. I didn't want to believe that it had been stolen, but I could think of no other reasonable explanation. The item was decidedly something that half of my children would have no interest in, so I knew there were only two I needed to talk to.

I showed Tim and together we confronted the children. As soon as the child saw the item there was a confession. So much for my slim chance of hope that there was some other explanation. I was sad and angry all at the same time. Why would they do this? Where did I go wrong? How did I not notice this at the store? What was this child thinking? Is this the start of even more problems?

I didn't know what to say. It was bedtime and the child was already in bed. We both gave stern words, and promised there would be consequences in the morning. The child was in tears, and was completely apologetic. We decided that the child would return the item and explain to the store what they had done. The child also received a firm paddle. Was that enough?

The first thing we did the next day was head to the store. Child says to me, "I don't want to go to jail. I want to stay with you and daddy." I explained that jail was probably not something that would happen. To which child says, "What if the store calls the police?" I could only respond, "Then I guess you'll have to talk to the police." When other children asked why we were going to the store again, child humbly explained what they had done.

As we waited in line at they store child was talking to themselves. I asked what they were saying. They were telling them self to be brave. When we got up to the clerk, child quickly explained what they had done and apologized while returning the item. I don't think the clerk knew what to do. She looked surprised and then said she was glad we brought the item back. I'm sure child was relieved to not have to talk to the police.

The punishment may seem a bit light, but I do know the whole experience left quite the impression on the child and the siblings. I do not think the child will do this again, and I hope the siblings have learned a lesson too.

It has been a week of unexpected.

Happy Birthday Martha

Nineteen years ago today in a hospital recovery room I held my new baby in my arms. At over ten pounds, she wasn't exactly small as far as newborns go, but she was the tiniest most precious thing I had ever held. Her head was covered with black curly hair, and she was so strong. I distinctly remember her pushing herself up as I held her against my chest. She even almost held her own head. I've never seen a newborn like her since.

A few days later I said goodbye to her. She was on her way to a new family, one I knew a little about, but had never met. I wasn't sure when or if we'd ever meet again, but I was certain that was what best for the both us.

In the last few months I've begun to get to know the young woman that baby grew into. Wow, she is amazing! She is kind, talented, and has a heart for the Lord. It has been such a joy to get to know her. I can hardly believe she will be here in ten days. It is incredible!

So, Happy Birthday to Martha! You can wish her a happy birthday over at her blog too!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Crazy Spring Weather


Sweatshirts and swimsuits should not be in the same load of laundry.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday, May 05, 2008

Happy Birthday to Mamaw!


Today my mom turns... well twenty years older than I. You do the math. Happy Birthday!

Friday, May 02, 2008

The Best Days of the Year

Yesterday a new calf was born, a girl. I didn't get any pictures yet, but she is a cute thing! She had a little trouble getting started on the teat, and momma cow and baby weren't letting Papaw help much. Baby just couldn't seem to find it. Papaw bottled fed her about two quarts, and then she perked back up and thought Papaw was the best thing ever. She let him help her, and she was able to get on and nurse. This morning it looks like she is doing it on her own.

May is such a busy month. It is full of birthdays and end of the school year activities. This year Martha is coming to visit, and we all couldn't be more excited! Before any of that actually happens though, there are my favorite days of the year coming up. The days I get to get away; ALONE!

I love my kids, and I love staying home with them, but sometimes moms just need a break. We need a little time to ourselves, time to spend with other adults, time when there is not someone constantly demanding your attention and time to relax. Every year that time has come for me the first weekend of May.

The first weekend of May is the women's retreat for Market Street Fellowship, the church we attended before moving here. It is held in a beautiful lodge in central Ohio. Many of my closest friends from Akron are there, along with new faces too. It is a relaxed time with a lot of sharing, fellowship, and fun. Exactly what I need to recharge the mommy batteries.

The drive is long, but even that is enjoyable. This year a friend from here will be joining me, and I am sure we will chat the drive away. Well we leave in about two hours. Guess I better get packing!