Experiencing a New Normal

Not exactly sure how to start this or what to even share, but on Oct 24, we FINALLY got TJ's headstone placed at the cemetery.  It is something we have been waiting on for quite some time and with the help of an amazing someone - it got done!  Let me tell you - this wasn't an easy task.  How do you describe who someone is: their likes, personality, hobbies, etc. all on a stone?  How do you make it look appropriate for a 10 year old?  To stand out and be different and to not look like that of an 80 year old?  We did our best to represent who TJ was and to honor him as well.  We chose a font that stood out (just like TJ and his personality).  We had someone from our church come out and draw his flower garden - which was etched on the stone.  And we chose to put his I Pod on it with the verse Romans 8:37 - for his love of music and Jesus!   I'd like to think that TJ would...

I don't know about anybody else's kids, but my kids are seasonal toy players.  It makes it nice at times - when they are tired of playing with those toys - it is usually time for a different season.  But it can make it hard when you are asked - "what would your kids like for their birthday or Christmas."  So now that we have been in harvest mode my kids have been playing with tractors, wagons, semis, combines and fire trucks!  Yep that's right - fire trucks.  Earlier this fall when we were combining beans our combine caught fire - it wasn't anything too extreme - we were still able to finish harvesting with the same combine - but enough to have to make a call to the fire department.  It was a Friday and I had just stopped by the field and talked to Jon for a bit.  He had informed me of a small fire they had had that morning - it didn't amount to anything.  I went home and eventually it was time for the boys to get home from school.  They...

Saturday night we finished up with harvest!!  I tell you what - it seemed like there for awhile we were going so slow and it was taking a lot longer than years past.  And then all of a sudden they are done and I never got to help!!  I was a little bummed I didn't get the chance to help this year, but so thankful Don is feeling well enough to do it!  Past years Jon has had to hurry and get his crops out so he could get busy with custom anhydrous.  I'm so thankful that he is not doing that this year!!  They were able to take their time and enjoy harvest.  Our crops yielded pretty well considering the odd weather conditions we had this year - flood to drought!  We are so thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with and for the safe harvest!            I love how they are all doing the same thing - like father like son!        Family picture in the com...

The school gives an opportunity for all 2nd - 6th graders to play flag football.  I love it for several reasons - it's free, a short season, it's relaxed and did I mention it is free!  Anthony participated last year.  This year both him and Will got to play.  Unfortunately they didn't have as many kids go out this year (I think that a lot of them went to play at the YMCA this year).  But fortunately for us - that meant Anthony and Will got to be on the same team (and with their cousins) - coached by their Uncle Shawn!  There were only a total of three teams mixed up of 2nd - 4th graders.  The boys had two practices before their games started and they played three Saturdays in October.  It's so fun to watch them play!  Looking forward to the days when they were red and white and play on Friday nights!   In action!  Every Saturday was so cold all the kids were bundled up - it was hard to tell who was who!   ...

Yep!  Crawly is a caterpillar!  I didn't know that Charlie had found him and brought him into the house until the next day.  I was cleaning off the counter and when I went to move a cup - there was something in it.  Let's just say it caught me by surprise!  He since then has made him a home as you can see above AND has found three more!  So we now have four caterpillars!  I believe the jar is getting a little crowded. 

So, it has been busy and a bit crazy around here lately - especially today.  We have the electrician, plumber and contractor all here working today!!  I can't tell you how ready I am for this project to be done.  So it is so nice to see (and hear) everyone working (it's almost comical).  They are going to start hanging drywall tomorrow!!   I've been behind on all the things I have wanted to blog about, so I'm going to try and catch up a bit today and the rest of this week.  Stay tuned for more posts!!   This is what my drive looks like!!  It's just as crazy inside too!!

This past weekend marked the retirement date for our pastor of 16 years.  We have known about this date for a long time now, but it approached quicker than I anticipated.  I'm still not sure that I am fully feeling everything I should feel when someone who has been a part of your spiritual life for that long leaves.  There are several reason why that might be - which I won't go into - which is one of the reasons I'm not sure I should do this post now.  (I'm not sure it has fully sunk in - and maybe I should write about this when it actually does sink in - and I still might.)  As I look back at the last sixteen years he has been here - he has done a lot for our family.  He married Jon and I, baptized all of our kids, gave the funeral for our dear sweet TJ (who absolutely adored this man) and has been pretty instrumental in our spiritual walk.  Every Sunday as soon as he would say the benediction our kids would run down to the front of the...