I'm still here

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. I'm still here, still kicking, alive and well.........well, with a nasty sinus infection, but well. Anyway, I normally post more frequently but I've been out of town. Last Thursday, I left for a weekend retreat with the girls from church. This is the fourth year we've gone, and I look forward to this weekend all year long. It is always "just what the doctor ordered". We have such a great time. It always blesses me that we can be exactly who we are and do exactly what we want, and it's always A-OK with everybody. Now, that is a relaxing weekend.

A few of us use the weekend for our ONE chance a year to get caught up on (or at least work on) our scrapbooks. You should see the "stuff" we bring. It's nothing, if not a veritable scrapbook supply store.....and yet it always makes me laugh that we still end up needing more. I am tickled pink at what all I got done.......Bryce's book is basically up-to-date, although I need to add his baptism page; and Sara Kate's book is too, except for maybe a page or two. In my estimation, this is nothing short of a miracle. I suppose it pays to be hard-core. I think my scrapbooking accomplishments are another reason for a lack of post. It took all of my creativity to come up with pages for the book, and I left my creativity tank at zero......so the poor blog took a turn on the backburner for a while.

In spite of that fact, though, I couldn't pass up a chance to post about the weekend. The weekend is always salve for the soul. Again, to have so many ladies go, and still have the luxury of being totally yourself and doing exactly what you want, without fear of hurting someone or being judged is a blessing that I refuse to take for granted. Partly, because I think it's fairly rare; and partly because I'm smart enough to recognize a good thing when I see it.

So, thank you God. Thank you for blessing me with a group of friends that love me (neurotic, fat head, and coughing/hacking, 'hired' self and all). Thank you for giving me time away from my family to refresh, renew, and recharge. And, like Marilyn said, thank you God, for wrapping the blessing of friendships in different packages, all of which are used to minister to one another.

With all that nice stuff said, I feel like I must go on record as saying, "I'm on Nancy's team next year!!"

And, I must pay proper respect to Tammy, who bless her heart, had to sleep with my coughing, hacking, sniveling self. That's some kind of dedication, if you ask me.

Love you girls!

Shana

Just for Fun

Thought y'all might like to try these...... just click on one to try it

29

48

I Scored a 87%!

I've always said that I'm not creative.......Here's proof

53%

Fun Fact Friday: Silence is Golden

Here it is, almost 7:00 PM and I have not posted a Fun Fact today. I almost brushed it off entirely, and let the day (and the post) go by completely because I had NOTHING for the post. My creative juices had officially run dry, but then the last 24 hours played back through my mind, and like a lightning bolt, I was struck with the obvious. Silence is golden!!

Now, somewhere about 30 miles from here, my brother has just passed out. In his mind, I would be the last person in the world to enjoy a little silence. Apparently, in my younger years, I drove him some kind of crazy with some sort of constant vocalizations.....be it talking, yelling, crying, screaming, or singing, or all of the above all at the same time. It's been rumored that Scott would pitifully ask of our mother, "Mom, can't you please make her shut up?" To add insult to injury, I had an older sister who loved the talking and the yelling and the singing as much as I did.......especially if we were in the car.

Fast forward about 20 years. Now, here I am with 2 children.........2 children, I might add that are A LOT LIKE ME. The tables have officially been turned and now Scott can't wipe that grin off his face......you know the one that's saying, "Paybacks are ......" Oh, yes indeed readers, the addage is true.....paybacks are. And, I'd have to whole-heatedly agree that the absolute worst form of the constant chatter/singing/yelling torture is when you're in the car. Oh, heaven help me, there is nothing worse. Usually, one is singing and the other is saying "mom" every other word. Then, they'll go in to some sort of nonstop nonsense.......something akin to la la la la la la or some other sing-song rhythmical, repetitive insanity. Top all of that off, with the fact that Bryce usually has some sort of toy that he is banging or beating or drumming or whathaveyou......Oh yes ma'am it makes for a pleasant ride.

Just recently....like this morning, I had the opportunity to have myself some silence. It was grand. It was wonderful. It was....... a MIRACLE. Brad was not home, the kids were not home, total silence. (Not that Brad ever says much....it's just the kids I'm talking about). But, speaking of Brad, he has this supernatural, God given ability to TUNE THEM OUT!! Oh, how I've longed for that gift. But, nope, I don't have it....probably never will. Oh well, at least I'll savor silence every chance I get.

The Fact is: Silence is golden

A Day Redeemed....in pictures

After a bleak start to spring break, we had a picture perfect day yesterday (and we are so thankful). After lunch, we loaded up and went to the Riverpark in Chattanooga to bike. We biked along the river to downtown, across the Walnut Street Bridge and into Coolidge Park. In the park, we had a snack, flew our kites, and rode the carousel. Then we biked back and went straight to Granda & GDaddy's for supper. After supper, the kids rode their 4 wheeler, drove the golf cart, and Bryce got to maneuver with GDaddy in the bobcat. It really was a picture perfect day, so I thought I would just let the pictures (day) speak for themselves.



One of the many bridges along the bike path. We stopped to get a picture. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of us on bikes.....that would have been very hard to accomplish. Thanks, Eric for letting us borrow your bike trailor.....Sara Kate loved riding 'in style' and for letting us borrow your bike, maybe I need to get one for myself one day.







Flying kites in Coolidge Park. If you're not familiar with Chattanooga, the bridge in the background is what we rode our bikes over to get to the park. It's a beautiful walk or ride.

Does anyone else have a climbing daredevil in the house???? He's all boy!

The kids on the carousel. We were doubly blessed, because we had the whole carousel to ourselves, which afforded me the opportunity to take lots of pictures before it started moving. If you know me well, you know that I'm crazy when I have a camera in hand....I'm only posting 2 shots....I have many more!






At Granda & GDaddy's riding 4 wheelers. Sara Kate cracks me up giving us the "thumbs up" sign. By the way, if you're from church and you're planning on coming to the boys/men camping trip......this field (down by the pond) is where you'll be camping!!!




GDaddy just happened to "need" to do some work on the bobcat. Bryce didn't miss the chance to get on and "help."



On the way home that night..........WORN OUT!! Bryce certainly should have been, he totally kicked our tails on the bike ride. He was dead set on being the first back to the truck, I was dying trying to keep up, and even Brad was having to exert effort.........dead last isn't so bad either, trust me I know from experience. It's pitiful that I can't keep up with a 5 year old.

The Farmer's Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day

Okay, so it's been one of those days. It's not that the day itself has been all that terrible, although it certainly has not been great. It's more that we had our heart set on doing a few specific things with the kids on spring break, and the very un-spring-like weather ruined our plans. I've been a planner all my life, Brad....not so much. And, this is exactly his argument. Why plan, when things come up and you have to change everything. I'm now starting to come over to his way of thinking, although, I'd be hard pressed to suppress the planner in me in it's entirety.


Brad is going out of town Wednesday, so we had decided that he would take off Monday and Tuesday to do some stuff with the kids. And, all the 'stuff' that we wanted to do included the great outdoors (I am married to Brad Farmer-the Eagle Scout). I think we will be able to salvage tomorrow, Lord willing, but all of us (okay, maybe except Sara Kate who is always in her own little wonder world) have kind of moped around all day. Boo-Hiss to all this wintry weather in the middle of spring BREAK! On a side note, this is the second time that we had planned to 'camp out' on my parent's property, both times, Brad had the truck all loaded down, and he had to unload it....firewood and all. (poor guy....we're gonna use that firewood one of these days)


We (I) tried to salvage the day by letting the kids help me make home made cinnamon rolls this morning. I used to make them all the time in high school......let's just say that I'm not as familiar with my rolling pin as I used to be. The kids liked spreading the butter and the cinnamon/sugar, so I guess they enjoyed it. I admit, it was a feeble attempt. But, the rolls tasted good, even if they were a little flat. Brad and I also worked several puzzles with them too. But, the rest of the day was just the same old, same old.....and we were trying so hard for it to be special for them. And, on top of that disappointment, the kids were cooped up in the house on a cold day, and the stir crazies were definitely setting in; which means there was a lot of "stop, quit, and don't" thrown around. I hate days like that!!


Obviously, we had a lot to talk about during our mad, sad, glad game at devotions (disappointments happen). But, I'll leave you on a funny note. During prayer, when we got to the "Jesus, I'm sorry for____" statement, Bryce said......."I'm sorry mom had to call me down like 55 times or something." Brad & I busted out laughing.......of course, in my head I was thinking, "you mean 55 HUNDRED times", but I assure you, that stayed in my head, and never left my mouth. It was nice to end the day with a smile. I'll leave you with a few pictures of my little kitchen helpers.



Spreading the butter......mmmmm

Now comes, the cinnamon and sugar

Flat as a flitter cinnamon rolls.....but......they were still good. Looking at this picture makes me laugh, they look more like pinwheel cookies than actual cinnamon rolls. I'm pretty sure I've admitted that I'm no Paula Deen.......if you had any doubts, here's proof.

Adoption Update

Hey guys, I posted on Malagan's Song today......if you're interested.

Fun Fact Friday: Bryce's Baptism

I'm sure you all remember my post about Bryce asking Jesus into his heart. Since he did, back in December, we've been happily anticipating his baptism. Our church usually does baptisms on or around Christmas and Easter holidays. So, last Sunday Bryce was baptized. We explained beforehand, that this is something you do after you ask Jesus in your heart. He was not the least bit apprehensive, probably due in part, by witnessing his best friends baptism last December. There were four children baptized that Sunday, all of whom, became Christians at home under the direction and guidance of their parents.

It was a very special day. One which, I hope he never forgets. My brother, and several friends, helped with all the pictures and videos (thanks guys).

Entering the baptismal pool.

In the pool, before immersion....don't you love that smile!!!

Just after.....

My absolute favorite picture. Look how proud he looks and look at proud Daddy!!

This is my favorite part of the baptism. Our pastor, anoints them with oil, speaks their full name, and declares to them that they have been sealed for life. I love it because it is such a definitive statement of his salvation.

While we were changing his clothes, I again told him that when we ask Jesus in our heart, he washes away all of our sins, and the baptism is to help us remember that Jesus has washed away our sins and forgiven us, and made us clean.

On a side note, this was extra special for us because Bryce's baptism was performed by our beloved pastor. He is taking a new position within our denomination, and this will likely be his last baptism ever. He is so special to us..... he performed our wedding, has dedicated both of our children, has generally been there for us through thick and thin, and also got to baptize my eldest. Sweet special blessings, that I'm so thankful for. We sure do love you Dewey!!