Experiencing a New Normal

We've been making a lot of progress with the basement.  Jon finished filling in our "waterless moat" around the house.  The yard still has a large pile of dirt, but it looks SO much better around here (from the outside anyway).  Our contractor has put in the egress windows and have all the studs up!  So you can definitely see rooms and how it will all look.  Jon has also gutted one of our upstairs bathrooms (I was gone to Women of Faith).  It was needing some work done so we decided to do it at the same time - that way we wouldn't have to change the plumbing later.  I'd like to give a big shout out to my brother in law and nephews who came to help with the basement.  Thank you so much!  So, now we are in the waiting stages before more progress can be made - until then enjoy some of the pictures of all the work that has been done so far!      The dirt work all done around the house.  Now to com...

So last weekend I went with some good friends to Women of Faith.  I had not been to this event since TJ was around one, so I was looking forward to it.  We had decided to meet early and get pedicures before our evening session.  I tell you what, this was probably the most fun I've had getting a pedicure.  You know the kind - where you laugh so hard you cry.  I think by the end of our pedicure they were ready for us to leave!  So many stories to tell - but probably none of you would laugh like we did just because you weren't there! We enjoyed the first session and afterwards went out to eat for pie with some other ladies from our church who were also attending.  Then it was back to our hotel room for more chatting and laughter.  I know the last time I looked at the clock it was 2:15 am!  Saturday was also a very good session with a mini concert from Mercy Me.  I enjoyed my "girl time."  But also enjoyed hearing the other speakers s...

I remember as a kid having to walk beans.  You know...go out into the field, walk the row of beans looking for weeds to pull.  I also remember the fond memories of the bean buggie.  This thing attached to the front of the tractor and had about six seats on it.  Each person was given a sprayer wand and if you saw a weed you sprayed it with roundup.  Only back then they didn't have roundup ready beans - so you had to be careful of where and how much you sprayed.  Anyway, I have been telling Jon that I think it would be good for our boys to walk beans.  I've even gone as far to try to convince him to not spray the field south of the lane - just so the kids could do this.  His comment was, "Tami, I don't own a $100,000 sprayer to have sit so the boys could walk beans."  I told him he was missing my point.  Well, it seems as the years go by, weeds are getting more resistant to the chemicals.  And this year the water hemp seems to be pret...

So Wednesday was the first day of school for our kids.   Just a few years ago I remember thinking - man when all the kids are in school, I'll be able to get so much done and kinda looking forward to it.  However, I have changed my mind.  I haven't been home by myself in like 12 years.  I wasn't sure I was ready for the quiet and to be alone.  I find there are days I can't handle being alone - my thoughts go directly to TJ and I find myself not being able to stop the tears.  So, I can tell you I was NOT looking forward to this day.  The boys on the other hand were a tad bit more excited for school.  Charlie is in kindergarten.  Will is in 2nd grade and Anthony is in fourth grade.  That right there is another reason I wasn't too excited about the school year.  Anthony is catching up to TJ.  He is now in the grade that TJ never finished - with the same teacher.  I got really nervous about that.  Howev...

I can hardly believe that the Iowa State Fair is already over.  It makes me sad just thinking about it!!  We had a great time this year.  We got to see and experience things we have never done before.  Including the queen contest, llama limbo, yo-yo contest, milking demonstration, butter sculpting, making meals from the heartland, scavenger hung, big wheel races, bird house making, tractor pulling and cookie decorating.  Yet we still had time for our favorite things like: super bull contest, little hands on the farm, varied industry building, the big yellow slide, the sky glider, animal learning center, mutton bustin', Hairball, the shows, nascar racers, the hypnotist, DNR building, 4-H working exhibits and SO MUCH MORE!!  I could blog all day long about all what we did and saw this year at the fair - don't worry - I won't.  Instead, I'll share with you some of the pictures (in no particular order) I did take of our time there! ...

August 3rd would have been TJ's 12th birthday.  This would be the second birthday we would "celebrate" without him.  I wasn't exactly sure what to do this year until I received an email from my sister-in-law.  The email contained information about the Run in the Sun 5K.  This event is held to help raise funds for the Serenity House in Oskaloosa.  Some of our family actually participated in this event last year.  However, this year - it was on TJ's birthday!  How fitting!!  I had told all of our family about it and we decided to make it part of TJ's birthday celebration.  I had to call Cathy (MHP development director - the one in charge of this event, who by the way is awesome!) about some questions I had.  While in conversation with her she asked me if I would be willing to share what the hospice house meant to our family before the 5K/1mile walk started.  After much thought (days) I decided to share.  How do you put six w...

My camp was great, we had a lot of fun, made new friends, and learned more about Jesus. Almost every morning there were about maybe 2 or 3 cabins (the cabins were oak, maple, hackberry) were playing carpet ball. Breakfast was at 8:00 am, lunch was at noon, supper was at 6:00 pm. We had Sheriff Report (but kids do not get in trouble only counselors did) Brett got in trouble 4 times. And we do mail call  (like on Robots) but you can't get your mail you have to earn it like doing stuff. My cousin Matthew and I got mail everyday, so we did Safari (not a real safari) T- shirt academy, wrote our names with our butts LOL yeah I know. We had T- shirts -  this year the theme was "There Is An App For That" our Bible verse was "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put into practice" Luke 11:28. We do game groups the colors were yellow, green, pink, blue, orange, red, black, purple and white. I well maybe tell you the results. In 8th place was the Oran...

I have so many things to post about and no time to do it.  Anthony has typed up his camp experience - but I need to download some pictures so he can add them to that post.  I want to tell you about TJ's birthday, the progress that has been made on our basement and many other things - but it's going to have to wait until I return from the State Fair.  We are heading out tomorrow after lunch.  Just wanted to let you all know that TJ's ribbon is in zone #7 this year - which is behind the hog barn and out by the open arena.  If you can't find it give me a call/text - we would happy to show you!!