Oh where O where have I been. Wish I knew. This summer has flown/crawled by, flown mostly. Jen started back to school today with classes beginning on Monday. Jer goes back September 1. Oh nuts.

quite the summer...yep

yep

Baby Brio

Monday morning past, we welcomed Zippo's Cool Brio Bar into our barn family. The little filly was born just after 3:00 AM, as predicted by good friend Barry Beatty. After checking new mother Summer at 1:30 with nothing exciting going on, Jer looked out the observation window just after 3:00 to discover the wee one just kicking her way out of the birth sac. Rushing to call me on the cell phone we kept missing each other as I was trying to call him to see what was going on. Jer was sleeping in the barn and I was at home with daddy-no-arms. Ha...We have a bed and a day bed in the barn office. I will have to continue later as my patient needs a pill and I need to go to bed. Just wanted to post these pics...God is so good to continue to bestow such precious gifts on one so unworthy...

more wedding pics

Jer's First Jump Show

Time Passing

What a beautiful wedding. So much time has passed, and so much has happened. Our lives are full of God's goodness and love. My family is growing and I am loving it. Having daughters, in-law or otherwise, is the best. My sons are happy and blessed by these incredible women that God has blessed them with. I know, never end a sentence with a preposition. Oh well, least of my worries. Our lives are enriched by Jen and Hannah. It's like coloring in the circles that are our lives.
I miss writing. I can't seem to stretch my hours to include the time needed to consider my thoughts and weave them into words. Every day is an adventure; be it with babies, boys, men, or equine. Of course I still have Howard the Wonder Dog, and Lucy, and Lucy the Cat. Each human or animal keeps my life full of laughter wonder. I am filled to the overflow.

the last few

Funny, the last few pictures I have posted are some of my very favorites. Those two boys are such a delight...in pictures anyways. In real life they are a whole lot of work. Just pure simple, backbreaking, neck-stretching, bend and reach and chase, and spank; work. And, a sweet delight, even in real life. Just bring on the motrin and the heating pad. Ha.
I also like the view from my front porch. In the weeks and months prior to moving up here I did not know if I would be able to leave the home of half my lifetime. I had cried a hundred million tears and relived a bazillion memories; happy and sad. So much of who and what I am came from that old house. But God is so good about getting us through those situations for which we can hold no hope of our own. As excited as I was about the new house, deep roots grew around the house and were bound into the heart flesh of my soul. Yet never once since the first night we slept in this house on the hill have I ever looked back. My California Colonial ranch became home from moment one. And I am forever grateful. I could not ask for anything more. My God is more than faithful; he is generous and kind. I am blessed. And I am home.

Front Porch View & Kitchen Floor Fun

Big enough

a sink large enough to bath two babies and still have room for fun. They were not "Home Alone"
Bruises from playing like country boys, not abusive grandparents. Though the one on DrewAllen's forehead was inflicted by his older brother and a door. Today Kaleb came around the back of the Gator and hit his head on the tailgate. Jer told him he was OK and not to worry about it. After only a very few tears he was not worrying. Later though, I did note a little bump and some broken skin. He could have gotten away with a few more tears, if Grammy had paid more attention. While his little brother sat discontentedly in the stroller, Kaleb helped carry manure and give grain and water to the horses. He even called for "Mia" in the field. Any language for him is a great blessing to a grandma's ears.

Below, this morning's second baby arrived with a little help from Grandpa Drew. Still sticky from its bumpy arrival, after only a few minutes of rolling around in the hay it was up walking and eating. A day in the life....

Resting in His Care

So much has happened in the last weeks and months, I am at a loss as to how to describe or denote all of the excitement, crazy emotions, weary toiling, or Grace of God. That Grace has been the overriding factor and evidence of all that has transpired. Our new home is like a palace, not in size but in majesty and beauty. All details come together to create a warm and comfy environment that is a blessing to me and all my chicks, large and small. I still do not have any photos, not downloaded to my computer anyway, maybe this weekend. I want to be able to write, that is one of my passions and also I believe by confirmation from several other persons, unknown to each other, a call on my life. Yet my weariness overtakes my fingers and my brain. Please God, show me how to use the hours of each day in a way that brings glory to you and peace to me soul.

Moving

Its as close to official as I can hope for. We are moving on Saturday. So many thoughts, fears, hopes, worries, excitements, WORK, things to think about, to plan, people to feed, babies to care for. Please pray for our stamina, peace of mind, peace of mouth (for me). My biggest fear is that we (I) will not be ready on Saturday. I do not want to frustrate those who have graciously agreed to help. Again, I walk in Faith in a God Bigger than me....

Come O Spring; Come!

Too bad I cannot whip up a poetic sonnet to express my mournful desire for warmer weather. I am on my way downhill to napville, and as usual just want to quickly peck out some profound words to stroke my writing ego and maybe bring a smile or word of encouragement to someone. Procrastination and my usual lack of daily planning have once again placed me in the "do I write or do I sleep?" position.

I can hear the wind howling outside and know from earlier experience how frigid cold it is out there. I was up at the new house this morning and watched some paper and leftover building supplies waving violently in the fierce breeze. Yet inside I could barely hear the roar. Not a hint of the deluge could be felt within my sturdy new walls. Hearing the wind howl and knowing I am indoors protected from its icy onslaught gives me a secure and cozy feeling. Watching evidence of the wind up on the hill, and not hearing or feeling its effect gave me pleasure knowing my new home was safe and secure; warm and snug.
In God's presence there is always safety beyond my understanding or conceivable knowledge. Sometimes when the storms of life rage I remember God's care and take comfort in His Presence. But that is not always my first thought. Rarely my first thought; fear, anger, resentment, ingratitude typically flood my heart and mind. Some other force, or friend usually have to remind me of Our Father's care and His constant protection and oversight. Should I not more readily take comfort in a Powerful Omnipotent God, than the sticks and plaster of a home that will one day burn in the earth cleansing fire? Oh dear my feeble heart. Thank you Lord Jesus that you are always my protector whether I am walking in confident awareness or lazy fear. You remain the same.

little rewards

Life is full of small rewards, like when your son USES a napkin. We can choose to live life in hesitant anticipation of those mountain moments that do not come around very often. Or, we can relax in the small daily smiles that are the source of a deeper joy when taken as God has meant them to be; the substance or our lives. It is so easy to get caught up in the busy tasks of daily life and miss the hidden blessings that can be found in even the most mundane. I was skimming through some pictures from Florida looking for something to post and this one caught my eye. I do not know how many times while we were away that I found myself saying, "Jer, put your napkin on your lap." After living for several decades with menfolk, I was quite blessed to find one of them actually wiping there mouth with a napkin. Especially one so young as Jer. As moms we have an entire litany of instructions that flow from our hearts to our lips onto what we believe to be deaf ears. So for me to observe an unsolicited act of compliance brought a sweet smile to my face and touched my heart. It may seem as if I am being a bit tongue in cheek, and while there may be a wee bit of that, the picture truly blessed me.
Life can be full of trials and difficult challenges. Some folks have deep hardship. I do not want to make light of hard stuff, but laughter and small smiles are some of God's greatest gifts and finding them in the shadows of life make them even sweeter. Finding this picture wasn't hidden in the midst of a tough trial but in the mundane. I want to challenge myself to be constantly on the look out for happy moments. May God Bless each of us with bright spots and daily smiles.

on our way home

Saw snow for the first time this afternoon, first time in two weeks anyways.
Snuggled in at a Sleep Inn in southern West Virginia. We have about 5-6 hours left to drive tomorrow. I am very ready to get home to my kids, babies, horses, and hounds. I know the weather is brutal at home, but I will just have to get used to it again.
I love my life in the north, the cold cold not so much, but i enjoy my outdoor chores and even the changing seasons that go along with them.
The physical work keeps my mind and body working more efficiently. Not as efficient as they could mind you, but better than they would otherwise. All day I think of stuff to write; I brought my computer in but now I cannot think of what I wanted to say. Too tired to distracted.
Fox news is on...

Happy Valentines Day

The above sign is posted outside out backyard pool. On the entertainment center propped up in front of a fake plant is a snapshot a rather large reptile. On the back the writing reads, "Entry 11/10/07 the alligator that ended up in our pool" Now, we haven't seen any signs of the creatures and that's OK with me. Some odd ball water fowl here and there, wonder if they are sparse because of what we have not seen.
Other pics are from Universal Studios yesterday on Jer's 13th birthday. Took me till after I was in bed that I realized he turned 13 on Friday the 13th.
I am feeling a little bit better than I was earlier in the week, well not much better really. I have been staying ahead of the symptoms with Motrin and Sudafed. Exceeding the recommended dosing on both, and still stuffy and bleary eyed.
Too tired and bleary eyed to go on.
Will be home Saturday of Sunday. My younger baby grew two new teeth since I have been gone and as well as this trip is going...sans the sickness, I will be very glad to see my babies.
Who knows maybe I will be moving soon after my return.
Oh, and the pizza shop is due to open early March, the 12th I think.
Nite all.

Computer in the Rut

Woke up with a cold this morning. Truly, I knew when I went to bed what was coming. Drew has been sick since the trip coming down. He worsened after arriving and only seeming improved today. Coughing, fever, chills, snotty nose; all the worst of cold and flu symptoms. As I drifted off to sleep last eve fear gripped my aching body and my troubled soul. Would I too be afflicted so miserably? I dread sickness with trembling trepidation. Waking, and then working through my daily tasks are daily a bit of a challenge, when I add sickness to the trial I am one unhappy momma. As I woke through the night with a increasingly scratchy throat my anger at Drew and his insensitivity in passing his viral disease on to myself. How dare he sneeze and hack into the air we were forced to share? What thoughtlessness. Uncaring disregard for my well-being. Callous oversight.
Waking in dismay, I cleared my throat and quickly dressed in street clothes as apposed to my usual swimsuit and towel. The local drugstore was my destination. Stocked up on new and cutting edge homeopathic and traditional cold remedies I now await a speedy recovery. By the grace of God I will not progress to the agonies suffered by my dear dear husband.

To add insult to agony, my own personal laptop has suffered a tragic in injury. Unsure if it is mortal I wait input from my dear son Ned. I am about to get a morsel of breakfast/lunch before I open my newly purchased devotional...Meditations on Sin and Mercy, not sure of the title, but I am painfully sure it will convict my vengeful attitude and bitter heart...
Smiling in humility,
Sandy

No Santa Virginia

No more Santa...Yes Drew did get his beard trimmed. Ali did clean him up before we left. I am not on my computer or I would upload a few new pictures. I guess this one will have to do. The weather down here in Florida has been wonderful; sunny, warm, almost too warm for me. We have lounged by the pool. Jer has been swimming but not so much as in the past. We were supposed to have heat in the pool, but it seems like maybe there is a problem as it has not warmed up a bit. I was in yesterday and my skin did not de-ice for several hours.
Ate way too much this evening, ribs and BBQ sliced turkey. Double broccoli but still way too much meat and good stuff. Probably why I am dozy sleepy. I am deeply blessed to have gotten to come on this vacation. Glad God knew best, since I didn't want to come.

St. Augustine Beach

South on 4

The big day is finally here. We are only a few hours, less really, from our Florida destination. Seems like it took us forever to get here. We did to add in an extra day, which means we had to go to Target to buy underwear cause I miss-figured the days we'd be in a hotel. Now we have more underwear packed mind you, but it is in the larger more inaccessible bags.

Jer and I played on the beach at St. Augustine last evening for a little while. He did not want to go, but then ended up rolling in the sand and filling his brown curls and his underwear with the dirty white grains. The shower was a slow drainer so the tub looked like a coal miner had showered by the time Jer was finished. I should have posted last nite from the hotel, but by the time we got in from dinner, I was wiped out. You know from riding, eating, taking a short walk on the beach. Is that a sign of old age or a sick mind? Who cares really....

Truly though, much of it was grief. I lost a friend last night. Not lost, I know where she is, in Heaven's Presence. But she is temporarily lost to me and her large loving family. Jer had gone to visit her with me before we left, I was so very proud of how he handled himself and how he tried to reach out to me last nite. In my maturity and exceptional mothering skills, I mumbled a few thank yous and crawled between the white sheets.
Gotta go, my battery is to die soon.