L'shanah Tovah

Rosh Hashanah is a special day in our home. In scripture it is referred to as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25. For us it is special because it is the day Little Man made a decision to become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We had been learning about the Jewish holidays that year in school. After watching a video from the public library about the customs of the holiday, he ask me if the Jewish people really believed what the video said... did they really believe they blew away their sins for the year with the blowing of the shofar.

It really made him think. That afternoon after quiet time, he told me he had some questions for me. And that I needed to call Dad to come home because he needed to make the most important decision of his life. That is a memory I will treasure all the days of my life... snuggled up in a pile of pillows at the foot of his bed while Dad and I prayed with him. May he choose Truth and Life all the days of his life. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4.

Craving

It hit me today. I have not eaten Funyuns since... well, since I was expecting with Little Man. But the craving hit this afternoon. Is there a worse "food" (I'm not sure I should even call them a food) that I could have craved? But boy they sure were great. Maybe this will be the only time during our pregnancy that I'll crave them. Next time, I'll have to resist!

FIREPROOF'S Opening Weekend

I've been curious to see how the opening weekend has gone thus far. Sweetheart and I celebrated 17 years since our first date with a trip to a Friday night showing. It was Great! So, I just could not help but share the info from their blog about the success it has had this weekend. Here's a portion....

"Thank You ... Thank You ... Thank GOD! Throughout 2008, you have followed the behind-the-scenes story of FIREPROOF, an action-packed love story about a fireman, his wife ... and a marriage worth rescuing. Friday, on opening day, you experienced the movie firsthand. With friends and family, with small groups and entire churches, you went. And laughter, tears, and cheers filled 839 theaters across the country.

Today, as movie-industry insiders look at all of the statistical data from yesterday, they are trying to figure out how in the world a movie they didn't even know about was one of the most popular movies in the country on Friday. That's right: FIREPROOF was the No. 3 movie in America yesterday! You have thoroughly confounded Hollywood.

Will FIREPROOF stay No. 3 the rest of Opening Weekend? By industry standards, it seems extremely unlikely. The next five movies that finished behind FIREPROOF are playing on approximately 2,500 screens each. So the key is that people like us keep showing up at movie theaters, both today and tomorrow. Let's show Hollywood that FIREPROOF is the kind of movie you will support. Let them know that this is more than a movie ... it's a movement. As we found out with Facing the Giants two years ago and FIREPROOF last night, with God, all things are possible ... even in the movie industry. Make that especially in the movie industry.Thank you! And thanks for continuing to support FIREPROOF on this all-important weekend."

I must admit that as thrilled as I was with FIREPROOF, I don't expect or even want this kind of movie from Hollywood. How can we expect ungodly actors, directors, etc to understand or produce what our brothers and sisters at Sherwood have done? Part of what made the movie so awesome to me was knowing that those involved were not just earning a paycheck. They believed in what they were doing... and in a way, what they were "preaching."

Bathtime for "Cat"

We obviously have not come up with a name for our new pet cat. So we'll just call him "Cat" for now. He sure caused my sweetie to have an exciting morning. Mr. Howard was here to finish the concrete project at the barn before I even rolled out of bed this morning (and I was up at 6:30 AM!). Cat decided to jump right into the wet concrete. Dad had to attempt to wash the concrete out of Cat's hair and paws. Needless to say, he was not a happy cat. By the time he was completely cleaned, there was concrete all over Dad too. Boy I wish I could have been there to watch the excitement.

Our Mayberry Visit

I've gotten settled back in and even did a full schedule of school yesterday. Yippee... no, the laundry isn't caught up yet. But I did promise some more photos.

We decided when Dad's meeting was over, that we would take a couple of days to play. So, when we left Charlotte, our first stop was at the Billy Graham Library. It was only a few miles from our hotel. And boy was it beautiful! It has to be one of my favorite things we did. When we drove through the gates, the attendant gave us instructions on where to go. He told us to enter at the foot of the cross. After touring the awesome library/museum, we had lunch in the Graham Dairy Bar. I had not realized that Billy was raised on a dairy farm there in Charlotte.

After such a wonderful afternoon at the BG Library, we drove just a few more miles to visit Growing Scholars. The very first curriculum fair I attending, I met Misty from Growing Scholars. She gave me such good council. Every year, I enjoy attending the SMHEA's fair to see Misty and her sweet family. Since we were so very close, we made a stop at one of her stores and purchased some history stuff we're almost ready for ... Volume 3 of Story of the World... then we were off to Mayberry.

The next morning, one of the first places to visit on our agenda was Floyd's Barber Shop. When Andy Griffith was living in Mt. Airy, it was called City Barber Shop. However, when Andy made it some popular on the TV show, Mr. Russel Hiatt (the owner, chief barber, and the original Floyd) changed the name to Floyd's City Barber Shop.

We had allowed Little Man to let his hair grow for 3 weeks knowing we were planning to visit Floyd's. He looked pretty shabby for Dad's meeting- but boy did he look sharp when after his $8.00 haircut!

Opie's Candy Store! Wow! An old fashion candy store where you can pick and choose... and fill your bag.

Our last stops before heading home were at the Sheriff''s Office and Wally's Service Station.

"Cat"

About three years ago "someone" at our house wanted a dog. Since I kept putting it off, he decided to pray for a dog. Sure enough a week or so later, God sent him a dog. She showed up at our house one day and turned out to be the perfect dog for our family... Pixie.

Several weeks ago, he ask for a "barn cat". I'm not a cat person. My sister had indoor cats when we were growing up. I have horrible memories of them getting in my room on my bed while away at school. The next morning, my eyes would be swollen and itchy all day.

Well, this morning it looks like we have a new pet. Yesterday the prettiest cat I've ever seen came strolling up our .25 mile drive like he knew just where he was headed. And to beat it all Pixie didn't seem to mind a bit... even allowing it to eat from her food dish.

So... anyone have an idea for a name?

Kubota's National Dealer Meeting

Each September, Kubota Tractor has a Dealer's Meeting where the dealers are invited to see and test the new equipment being introduced. It is also the time when Hubby has to place orders. Little Man and I come along for fun while Dad works. This year we were able to drive (which was great with me after our recent flights to Iowa) to the meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. It doesn't take me very long at all to miss the farm and the hills of Tennessee. I'm sure thankful for rural life. So was Little Man this year. A couple of glances from our 17th floor room of the Downtown Hilton and he decided he was like the guy from "Green Acres".... farm livin' is the life for us!

While Dad and Mr. L (dad's VP and right hand man) were busy working, we got directions and walked to the Discovery Place for a "field trip" with Ms. J. The Discovery Place has an awesome Pompeii exhibit right now with actual artifacts from the city. The exhibit is only scheduled for four US cities. I just couldn't get over the cast of bodies that were found in the city... 10,000 to 20,000 people going about their daily routine when life was unexpectedly over. Even after reading about Pompeii this past year in history, we finally grasped what else was happening at the time Mt. Vesuvius errupted: Jerusalem had been destroyed a few years prior, Domitian exiled the Apostle John to Patmos, and the second onslught on Christian believers was just beginning under the Roman emperor Domitian. It was a difficult time to be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our visit was well worth the walk!http://www.discoveryplace.org/pompeii/home/pompeii-home.php

A neat way to learn about levers at Discovery Place ... lift an ATV.

Playing a virtual game of soccer

On the last night of the meeting, Kubota always takes us somewhere unique for dinner. This year we headed to the Lowe's Motor Speedway.

What a sight to see our tour buses on the track at 45 mph.

LM enjoyed changing tires and playing with remote race cars.
Before the evening was over, his best time changing a tire was 19 seconds.

Even though I'm not a race fan, there is something exciting about pit row.



Garage where we were served dinner.

Thanks Dad for allowing us to "tag along." And thanks Ms. T and Ms. G for praying for our trip- Dad did a great job and I felt well too!

Berkey

The Cowgirls's mom over at http://welcome2myranch.blogspot.com/ introduced us to the Berkey Water Filter with her out of this world lemonaide. Then when I tasted filtered water at her house, I knew it worked as well as I had heard.




It has been extrememly difficult for me to drink water with this pregnancy. Even Little Man had commented that our water tasted different. My sweet husband ordered us a Berkey... and it arrived this week while we were away. What a treat to come home to yummy water. For the first time in 8 weeks I drank 64 oz yesterday... and Little Man even drank 60! Thanks sweetheart for such a wonderful gift.

Look What Else Arrived While We Were Away...

Concrete for the barn! They poured the inside of the barn on Monday while we were in NC at a Kubota Meeting (I'll post some photos later).

This morning Mr. Howard was back for the walkways ... hopefully, two loads will be here Monday for the drive.

Pass or Fail?

It's been a long time since I've had a test that I passed or failed. However, last week I had to take a 3-hour fasting glucose test since my doc believed I was showing signs of gestational diabetes. Ugh! The phone call finally came yesterday that I passed the test! Yippee... no diabetes. It's so awesome to know that we have a Creator that causes these bodies to function so precisely. For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139).

Helping Dad

I awoke from a nap the other afternoon to the sound of the tractor! Wait... Dad's at work! As I darted outside, I realized Dad had come home and Little Man was helping him mow the back yard. Maybe it's time for me to rename him "Young Man" instead of Little Man.

It's Football Time in Tennessee!

Back in the early 1980's my daddy was able to purchase 8 season football tickets together in the newly completed end zone of Neyland Stadium. He knew that (hopefully...) someday his 3 girls would have spouses and could attend the games together. I remember as a Jr High age girl going to the ballgames with my parents, Papaw, and Mom and Dad's friends. Daddy kept those tickets all these years until now we girls and our families purchase them from him.

On September 21st, 1991... my first year purchasing "my set" of tickets, I invited a young man to go watch a game with me. My sweetheart and I had our first date... to a UT football game! We laugh about it now... but the first year we were married, I was shocked that my new husband was not going to park at the bank. My daddy had always parked there. I didn't want to go to the stadium if we were not going to park in the right place. What a patient husband God sent me...just what I needed.

Today my guys pulled out of the drive headed to a 12:30 ballgame. I'm home (in the nice cool air conditioning may I add) listening to the kick-off on the radio.

I'm so thankful for a godly husband and dad. Hope they have an awesome time. And thanks for keeping those wonderful tickets in the shade, Daddy. Go Vols! By the way... wonder where they parked?

More Pella Photos

I wish we could have spent more time at the Historical Village and Wyatt Earp's House.

We felt like we really were walking through a 1850's dutch village.

The total height to the tip of the upright blade is 124', giving the Vermeer Mill

the distinction of being the tallest working windmill the United States. It was built in the Netherlands, shipped to Pella and assembled by Dutch craftsmen.

Little Man at the wheel of the mill. I had no idea the miller would

turn the entire cap of the windmill according to wind speed and direction.

That's a huge peice of machernery. Husband explained to Little Man how it works.

Mr. Vermeer's first round baler.

Panic

In May of 2007, my dad experienced a heart attack and had to be rushed by ambulance to a hospital about 50-60 miles away. As I prepared to head to the hospital too, my vehicle was out of gas! What timing. I decided I would never allow my gas to get below a quarter of a tank.

Well... yesterday, on my way home, my morning sickness was kicking in full force. I knew I needed to eat or I would be sick so... I drove right past the $3.45 gasoline and headed home. When I needed to return to town for a 6:30 meeting, I left in plenty of time to stop at that same station to fill up. But to my surprise... they were out of gas. So was the next station. The next three stations I passed had vehicles lined up out into the street. I finally headed to a station close to my sweetheart's business and got in line. I sure didn't pay $3.45. Today it is over $4.00.

As I drove to my meeting, I was once again reminded how quickly life can change. Kinda like when I did a pregnancy test. In a matter of minutes, "tomorrow" changed.

I find such comfort in a simple truth. That Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. (Heb 13) No matter what the news reports (or what the gas prices are!) I have such peace and assurance about my life. I am thankful to serve a risen Savior that sustains me in all areas... yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Home Again

It's so nice to be home again after spending a few days visiting Pella, Iowa and Vermeer Manufacturing. I must have been more tired than I realized since I slept 12 hours when we arrived home.



Pella (43 miles SE of Des Moines) was a wonderful place to visit. Little Man and I tagged along with Dad on a business trip to Vermeer's manufacturing plant. He loved the town of Pella... especially the Jaarsma Bakery. When we walked inside he bakery, the aroma was capitvating. It was founded by Harmon Jaarsma back in 1899 who used recipes he brought over as an immigrant from Holland to make "Dutch Treats." We got a dozen dutch letters to bring home.




We also had the opportunity to visit Vermeer. I was so surprised at how large it is. The best part for me was visiting the Vermeer Museum. I've always preferred the looks of a square bale. They seem.... well, perfect to me. Until I learned the history of the round baler in the museum.




Back in 1971, Mr. Vermeer had a close friend that was going to quit farming. He just could not manage to get his hay put up since it is a labor intesive process. The labor force was away fighting the war. So what did Mr. Vermeer do? He set out to find a better way for the farmers to put up their hay. His invention... the round baler!




I'm just starting to read a book we were given while at the Master Dealer's Banquet. In celebration of Vermeer Corporation's 60th anniversary, the family of Gary and Matilda Vermeer found the time was right to share the story of their parents dedication to a family, a company, and a community, as well as a faith that carried them through it all. With help from local writers and artists, hours of interviews and research as well as conversations with Gary and Matilda, friends and acquaintances, a touching story evolved. As the story of Iowa farm kids raised during the depression to the modest founders of a global company, "In Search of a Better Way The Lives and Legacies of Gary and Matilda Vermeer" captures the couple's hard work and sacrifices that will forever be the foundation of Vermeer.

Twin Cities

Guess where we were on Wednesday... wish we had been in the twin cities for the Republican National Convention... but instead we were just passing through. It never occurred to me when purchasing our airline tickets to Des Moines, Iowa that we would be traveling through Minneapolis, St Paul the week of the convention.

Our flight out of MSP was delayed about 45 minutes due to a "security issue." We never knew exactly what was going on except that there were some 6-8 TWA officers, FBI agents, lots of weapons and a search dog at our gate searching everything from the plane to a passenger and his luggage. It was certainly exciting for Little Man when security officials with "big guns" came through.

But the highlight of our stop in MSP was when we "met" Sarah Palin that evening watching her acceptance speech. I am so excited and encouraged. I do not think McCain could have chosen a better running mate. I like the "gal!"

Waiting for a Double Lung Transplant

Little Man and I have just returned home from our first day at our homeschool co-op classes. While there, I was able to visit with a friend I had not seen in several months. I wish I could tell her just how she encouraged me and spurred me on toward the goal in life. I can be such a whiner. Tina is waiting for a double lung transplant. There has never been a day that I have seen her downcast or negative. Instead, I am the one that always leaves with a positive outlook having been with her. Check out her blog in my favorites and join with me in praying for Tina that the Lord Jesus Christ with give her grace for the day... whatever it may hold.

Labor Day Campout

I left my guys camping in the woods to head back to my comfy and cool house. Under "normal" conditions I would have stayed at the campsite with them. But facing morning sickness in a tent just did not sound like something I wanted to do. It was already dark when I started the .5 mile walk back home. The guys were so thoughtful to walk back to the barn with me. Wonder what kind of adventures and stories they will have to tell by daybreak?

Building the campfire

Lighting the fire