Experiencing a New Normal

I have been so blessed to be a part of the movement of Seeing TJ Thru 20/20.  We are all working so hard at getting things moving along to ensure that we will be able to have everything ready for our ceremony on the last day of school.  With that being said, there have been three of us that have gone to the school this week to talk with the sixth grade class.  Monday morning we met with the class to get them thinking about what item they might want to put in the time capsule.  I brought in some items just to get their minds going back.  We wanted them to put something in their to help remember their friend or elementary years.  It could be anything from a specific item to a story/letter.  Plus we wanted them to share their story as to why they picked that particular item.  Then we also gave them each a paper with a couple of squares drawn on it.  These were for them to come up with their own design/phrase/saying that they wanted to put on their own individual tile.  These tiles will en

(I realize this is a day late, but our internet has been non-functioning the last couple of days - I'm guessing because of the weather) Yesterday marked the two year anniversary of TJ going home to be with Jesus.  Still can't believe he has been gone for two years - just doesn't seem possible.  Well, we did things a little differently than last year.  All the boys decided they wanted to go to school.  In fact, Anthony even had a field trip (he was a little nervous about it, but his teacher said he did great!).  Jon worked most of the day.  As for myself, I planned the day honoring TJ in a non-traditional way.  I'll do my best to put it into words.  As I've shared before, after TJ's passing I've been sleeping with his blanket at night.  Well, I still wanted a part of him to be with me all the time - so I decided to get a tattoo.  Yep, a tattoo!  I put a lot of thought into it (probably too much) and decided on what I wanted.  So for the past year (at least)

About a month or so ago, my nephew Gavin called me.  He asked me if I would like to go with him on his fieldtrip with his preschool.  I was honored he wanted me to go and told him YES - I think my sister's feelings were slightly hurt that he wanted his Aunt Tami and not his Mom to go with him!  I love the opportunities I get to hang out with any of my nieces and nephews - especially when it is their idea!! So, yesterday we left the preschool shortly after 8:30 and headed to the Children's Museum in Iowa City.  I know what you are thinking, because I was thinking it too - who it in their right mind would travel that far with a bunch of 4-5 year olds?!?!  The ride honestly wasn't all that bad.  I had packed a note pad and pencil to help the time go by.  Once we arrived we were able to go about with our kiddo and explore the museum.  We had a great time.  We flew a plane, set off parachutes, went down the slide, made pizzas, worked at the hospital, farmed, climbed walls and S

If you remember, back in December we weighed in Anthony's 4-H steer - Buddy!  Well, two weeks ago we took him to the vet to get wormed, poured and to get another implant.  So while we did all of this we though it would be fun to weigh him - just to see how big he is getting (and to check his rate of gain).  The vet didn't have a scale so we had to do it another way - drive the truck and trailer to the co-op and weigh it - then put the calf in the truck and reweigh it.  So, not sure how accurate it is, but he is up to 1100 lbs.  I've been proud of Anthony and how he has been working with him.  We've been tying him up, blowing him out and washing or wetting him down every day.  We are doing our best to keep that hair on him!!  Overall Buddy has been really good to work with - he is so mild mannered and easy going which is just want you want for a first time cattle shower!!  It's been fun getting back into this again - makes me miss the good ol' days when I used to

This year I decided to try to do a garden.  When Jon and I first moved to where we live now, I planted one and have never done one since.  Part of the reason....I'm the only one that will eat anything out of it.  However, I decided it would be a fun project for the boys and I to do this summer.  So, one night after supper the boys and I tried to decide what to plant in our garden.  Like I said - we are all picky eaters - so we came up with peas, carrots, sweet corn, green beans, watermelon and pumpkins.  I really wanted to try to do more since Jon gave me a generous space to work with - but didn't know what to do with it all since once again, I'd be eating it all by myself.  I did get a kick out of Charlie - he wanted to plant tomatoes.  I do NOT like tomatoes so I asked him if he would eat them to which he answered, "no, but maybe we could make ketchup out of them!"  Nice try, but I think I'll just buy it!  So last Saturday we planted our peas and carrots in

So back in March we had the opportunity to go to an Iowa Energy game.  We were able to purchase the tickets for only $5/each through the Upwards basketball program the boys participated in.  So since the tickets were so cheap we decided to invite our family.  My sister Jeana and her family were the only ones that were able to join us.  Before the game started the kids from the Upwards program were invited to come "practice/play" with the Iowa Energy players.  They divided the kids up by grades and then did a rotation between shooting, dribbling, passing and visiting the locker room.  I know our boys really enjoyed this part.  The players seemed like giants compared to all those kids out there!  Shortly after, we headed to our seats to get ready for what would be an exciting game.  The Iowa Energy ended up winning by one point with a few seconds left of the game!  We all had a great time!  I had been wanting to take the boys to one of these games for awhile now, so I was thank

So, I was downloading some pictures on my computer and realized there are several things I haven't blogged about, so forgive me for posting so many on one day - but I'm trying to catch up!!

Although some things are over (Upwards basketball and Financial Peace) or slowing down (youth group), it's that time of year when other things get busier like preparing for spring field work. Jon washing the tractor.  During the off season Jon "runs meters". What's that you ask?  Well the short story is.... he takes meters (off of other people's planters like those that are on the floor) puts them on a computer and checks for skips, doubles, etc. when regarding seeds being planted. Hopefully that makes sense. Jon has also been busy pulling gas (NH3).  We have sown some waterways, turbo tilled and have gotten the planter and sprayer ready.  Now if the weather would stay as fabulous as it has been we will be set!

Not even quite sure how to start this post or how to write exactly what I'm feeling - so bare with me.  For as long as I can remember, my grandparents have been an important part of my life (still are).  Growing up I only lived a hop, skip and jump away from them (I should specify - my Ferguson grandparents) so I was around them often.  My Grandma Phyllis was the only Grandma I ever knew - (my Mom's mom passed away when my Mom was only 12) and was the best there ever could be.  I have SO many memories of being at their house.  Every summer us grandkids got to spend little vacations with them - one on one.  It usually consisted of a couple days and nights of pure spoiling.  We always got to eat our favorite foods and do whatever we wanted - including a shopping spree when we could buy whatever we wanted too!  I LOVED this time - not because I got whatever I wanted.  But because this was special bonding time.  There isn't a time in my growing up (that I can remember) when the

I've been struggling with the right words to say and the ambition to write about this, but feel it is necessary.  On March 20, my father in law went home to be with Jesus.  It has now been twelve days since his passing and I still can't believe it's real.  In fact, today I was in his shop helping Jon and I was overcome with emotion.  I should rewind just a bit.  They brought Don home from the hospital two weeks ago yesterday.  He wasn't home long when they knew it wasn't going to work - so they transferred him to the Serenity House (the same place we took TJ).  And believe it or not it was exactly almost two years to the date (just shy one day) we took TJ there!  I'm not going to lie - I had mixed emotions about being back in that place.  Yes, it was a little hard to step back in there.  Yet at the same time it was like I was going back home after a long vacation.  Thankfully they put Don in a different room on the other side of the house - which helped me.  But